Austenland: A Novel by: Shannon Hale

Overall Rating: 4.5

Cleanliness Rating: 2 (not a 1 b/c I consider G-rated books, books I read to my kids!)

From Publishers Weekly
In 32-year-old singleton Jane Hayes's mind, no man in the world can measure up to Fitzwilliam Darcy—specifically the Fitzwilliam played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Jane is forced to confront her Austen obsession when her wealthy great-aunt Carolyn dies and leaves her an all-expenses-paid vacation to Pembrook Park, a British resort where guests live like the characters in Jane's beloved Austen novels. Jane sees the trip as an opportunity for one last indulgence of her obsession before she puts it "all behind her—Austen, men, fantasies, period," but the lines between reality and fiction become pleasantly blurred as Jane acclimates to the world of Spencer jackets and stringent etiquette rules, and finds herself torn between the Darcyesque Mr. Nobley and a forbidden tryst with Pembrook Park's gardener. Though the narrative is endlessly charming, Jane is convincing neither as a sarcastic single girl nor as a romantic idealist, and the supporting cast is underdeveloped. Nods to Austen are abundant in contemporary women's fiction, and an intriguing setup and abundant wit are not enough to make this one stand out. (June)

My Review:

If you love Pride and Prejudice, you will love, love, love this book. It was a fun and witty novel and had all the romance you could want. I only wish that Austenland existed so I could have my own story (of course my hubby would play Mr. Darcy J). It had a great ending, not too predictable, and lots of funny moments as well. Hope you enjoy

Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3- mostly for language (including the F- word)

These books are awesome. Summer actually is the one that recommended I read these. I think Melanie actually recommended them to her. There are five books in the series- Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic takes Manhattan, SHopaholic ties the Knot, Shopaholic and Sister, and Shopaholic and Baby. These books are fun reading. I was actually laughing out loud in some parts (particularly in the 2nd book in a mishap involving “waxing”). These books are about Becky Bloomwood who lives in London and is a shopaholic (hence the name of the books). In all the books, Becky gets herself into some sort of trouble (usually financial- because of her habit) and then she resolves it in some creative, kind of far fetched, but funny ways. But, this book isn’t all about shopping. It has a great storyline where Becky meets Luke, who she falls in love with, marries and eventually has a baby with. I totally love Luke. He is smart, sexy and very rich (all very nice traits). He’s also perfect for Becky. He puts her in her place, but he’s also incredibly sweet. But, he makes some of his own huge mistakes that challenge their relationship. My favorite book of the series is probably Shopaholic and Baby. My least favorite is either Shopaholic takes Manhattan or Shopaholic and Sister. But, I really did love them all!

The Last Summer (of you and me) by Ann Brashares

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3 - for very mild language- (but does include the F-word, but only 2 times, I think ) and sexual content.

For as long as she can remember, 21-year-old Alice has spent summers on Fire Island with her parents and older sister, Riley. Riley, 24, is a beach lifeguard, more boyish in both looks and spirit than sweet, feminine Alice. An island neighbor and Riley's best friend, Paul, returns to the island after two years away. He and Alice finally act on an attraction they've felt for years, but they keep their frequent nuzzling quiet so as not to hurt Riley. The first part of the novel focuses largely on their romance; a giddy first love for them both that they try to keep secret because it threatens established loyalties. Immersed in their pleasures, Alice and Paul don't spend much time considering Riley. However, when Riley becomes suddenly and seriously ill, Alice's latent guilt emerges all at once. Riley then asks Alice to keep a secret that drives a major wedge between her and Paul. Alice agrees to this with surprising swiftness. By the end, the characters have suffered losses, and their links to their childhoods have disappeared or been discarded; they can no longer inhabit the Fire Island they knew, except in memory. Despite its serious themes, The Last Summer (of You and Me) is full of optimism and has a hopefull ending.

I ended up really liking this book. I had a hard time putting it down. This is the first adult novel for Ann Brashares, who wrote the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series. The story hooked me from the start and has many poignant moments and wise observations about life. I loved the romance between Alice and Paul (because, like I’ve already said, I’m a sucker for romances). I really liked how the book was told mainly through Alice and Paul. I can always relate with the female character, but I like getting the male perspective also. It just makes Paul more likeable. You don’t get to know Riley that well, though. When Riley gets sick, Alice's guilt and unhesitating sacrifice are difficult to believe. Likewise, because Riley's character isn't fully explored – her actions in response to her failing heart are puzzling. Overall, it's a very rich story. It captures the wistfulness of summer and of being young but on the brink of adulthood. I definitely recommend it!

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 2 (for very mild language and mention of sexual content- but clean enough for my mom to read!)


Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life - boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. After an inauspicious first meeting where Gabby accuses Travis's boxer of impregnating her purebred collie, the two fall hard for each other. Already dating someone else seriously, Gabby is faced with a dilemma: whether to stick with longtime boyfriend Kevin, or get involved with Travis. The first part of the tale paints a vivid picture of her decision-making process and its effects on Travis and Gabby's lives. That sets up Part II, which takes place 11 years later when Travis faces a life and death decision following a car accident.

This it is a beautiful love story with several emotional ups and downs. This book draws the reader into an emotional connection with the characters, evoking powerful and passionate feelings of intense love and sadness. It also illustrates the importance of choices and the effect that our choices have on our life. It is a bit slow in the first part, but it’s worth it in the end.

Do You Come Here Often? by Alexandra Potter

Overall Rating- 3
Cleanliness Rating- 3.5- for language (F-word included and some crude terminology) and some sexual content (nothing graphic or detailed)

Grace Fairley and Jimi Malik hated each other in high school until they spent a day together after graduation and ended up sleeping together. Thirteen years later, both Grace and Jimi are engaged to other people. Grace and Spencer, a divorce lawyer, have been engaged for two years and still haven't set a date, while Jimi has fallen hard for a pretty model, Kylie, and, to his friends' surprise, has decided to take the plunge. Grace runs into Jimi on the night of her thirty-first birthday and his bachelor party, and he gives her a lift home after she has a fight with Spencer. Then, after Grace gives Spencer an ultimatum about the wedding and Jimi is jilted by his young bride to be, Grace and Jimi begin to question their present relationships--and their feelings for each other.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes their chick lit with more of a focus on romance. It has a great romantic payoff not only at the end, but throughout the story. It was a fun, fast- paced, easy reading book (just my type). It not only focuses on Grace and Jimi’s relationship, but there are 2 other supporting couples and we delve into their relationships as well. I didn’t care too much about the other supporting storylines, especially the one about Maggie. To be honest, I’m not sure why Maggie is even in the book. The storyline with Grace’s best friend, Rhiann and how she meets and ends up with her “soulmate” is a bit far fetched, but still sweet, none the less. Also, throughout the book, it keeps coming back to this radio talk show called “Do you Come Here Often” (hence the name of the book) and I just thought all of that was a bit cheesy. But, I really liked Grace and Jimi as the main characters. You get to know them and really end up rooting for them. Also, this book has lots of funny parts that had me laughing out loud. Overall, I really enjoyed reading it and will probably pick up a few more by this same author.

Jemima J by Jane Green

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3- For mild language (including the F- word) and mention of sexual content (nothing descriptive or graphic though)

"Bored, fat and unhappy" Jemima Jones is a hack writer on a small London paper, whose weight precludes both promotion (which she richly deserves, because she's smart) and getting together with the man of her dreams: kind, modest and gorgeous reporter Ben Williams. The Web opens a new world to Jemima, and when she begins an online correspondence with L.A. gym owner Brad, identifying herself as JJ. Her friend Geraldine encourages her to send Brad a doctored photo of what she would look like if she were thin. Jemima joins a gym, goes on a diet and even becomes a blonde, preparing to accept Brad's invitation to come to L.A. Lucky JJ: Brad turns out to be a hunk, and they have some major chemisty... but JJ senses that something is wrong. Meanwhile, Ben has become a celebrity "presenter" on British TV, but while the whole country goes gaga over his looks, he too feels that something is missing. In the end, several coincidences produce a dreams-come-true ending.

Jemima J. is a delightful, witty and fun book to read. People say it's just a fantasy ~~ and that is the reason why I love it. Who cares if the story doesn't happen in real life? That is the stuff of dreams ~~ of which good fiction is made of! This book tugs at your heartstrings. You find yourself rooting for Jemima as she undergo a marvelous reformation as a person ~~ beautiful inside and out. That’s probably what I liked the best. It focuses a lot on not only being beautiful (and thin) on the outside, but also on the inside. It shows how Jemima begins to realize that what she looks like on the outside doesn’t make her who she is. I loved the ending in this book and wished for a sequel!

Second Chance by Jane Green

Overall Rating- 3.75
Cleanliness Rating- 3- For mild language (including the F-word) and mention of sexual content (nothing descriptive or graphic though)

Second Chance explores the way one man's death affects the lives of his friends. Tom Fitzgerald, a Brit living in the States, is only 39 when he kisses his wife and children good-bye and boards a doomed train. After a terrorist attack on an Amtrak train kills Tom, his death serves as the catalyst for changes in the lives of four estranged schoolmates he left behind in England. In the wake of his death, his friends, some of whom haven't seen in each other in nearly two decades, come together to remember him. Despite one night of passion, Holly and Tom remained best friends, and she thinks she is content with her picture-perfect life despite a lack of love for her workaholic husband until she reconnects with Tom's charismatic, introspective younger brother. Olivia takes a chance on a man Tom set her up with shortly before he died. An actress in L.A., Saffron has fallen in love with one of Hollywood's sexiest stars, but she is growing tired of waiting for him to leave his loveless marriage. Paul and Anna couldn't love each other more, but her inability to conceive a child mars their happy marriage. Tom's death reignites their friendship, causes them to reevaluate their lives and sends them marching toward a warm fuzzy conclusion.

I really liked this book. It’s typical chicklit, but with a bit more adult themes to it. Jane Green (Straight Talking, Jemima J, Mr. Maybe, Bookends, Babyville, The Other Woman, and Swapping Lives) is a favorite author of mine. Her writing is fun, fast paced and easy to read. She is a British author, which I love. I like all the fun British terminology in the book and I like imaging the characters with the cute British accents (especially the male characters, because I just think a man with a British accent is totally sexy!) I would have liked more of a love story (because I’m a sucker for love stories). This novel is more about four friends each going through their own kind of mid life crisis and helping each other through them. I liked the mail character, Holly. I could relate to her in some ways and really felt for her and what she goes through. You don’t really get to know the other characters very well. There aren’t too many surprises in this book and it’s pretty predictable, but it concludes nicely. So, overall, I’m glad I read this book and found it entertaining.

Ratings Criteria

We decided that for the overall rating of the book, we'd rate it 1-5, with 1 being we hated the book and 5 being we loved the book. For the cleanliness rating, we will also do a 1-5 rating, with 1 being the cleanest and 5 being the naughtiest. So, you could kind of loosely compare it to movie ratings: 1= G, 2= PG, 3= PG13, 4= R, and 5= NC17. On the cleanliness rating, we will explain why we give it that rating (i.e- 2- has mild language, but no F-word).

Why This Blog?

Jennie and I were talking on the phone today about a few books we are reading and we decided that we were a little bugged. We spend all this time reading a book and discover that there is some crude language and visuals that we don't care to read. So we thought, why not start a blog and let people know:
1. a rating from 1-5 on how we liked the book and why
2. a rating from 1-5 on cleanliness of the book and why
3. a short synopsis of the book
4. a picture of the book

This way you will know whether or not you are wasting your time and money on a book. We hope you will find it useful. Please, if you have a book you would like to include, email us and we will absolutely include it!
summerandjennie@gmail.com