I've Got Your Number: A Review

I'm a huge Sophie Kinsella fan, and this book doesn't disappoint. I love the premise. When Poppy loses her engagement ring during a hotel fire and then her phone is stolen while she frantically tries to find it, it's a stroke of good luck when she finds an abandoned phone in a trash can...a phone that belongs to the former PA for Sam, a high-profile businessman who keeps everyone at arm's length.

What follows is a fun, text-filled story. The characters are flawed and quirky, and the situations in which they find themselves are amusing. I love Poppy, who makes me laugh with her snooping and I enjoyed reading as grows into a confident yet still bumbling woman.

The mystery of who is trying to sabotage Sam's company adds to the story and gives Poppy and Sam a reason to interact.

My only complaint is that I never saw what Poppy saw in her fiance, Mangus. She didn't even seem to like him, and so the struggle with Poppy wanting/trying to forgive him or to choose him seemed far-stretched.

The ending is satisfying and downright cute.

Fans of chick lit will enjoy this great summer read.

I'm adding this here since I mostly read and review Christian fiction. This is not a Christian book, and there are some curse words. Just a heads up. :)

Little Lady Agency books 2 and 3

Sadly, my dad is in the final battle of his fight against pancreatic cancer, so I don't have time to give a ton of details about these two books. However, I did want to mention them since I reviewed the first book. I thought the second book, set in New York, was good but not as good as the first book.

The third book was great. I loved how Melissa finally found herself and could be comfortable in her own skin. From the beginning of the series, I had hope Melissa's romantic life would have a certain outcome. I didn't think it would end up happening, but it did. Melissa found herself and the love of her life.

I enjoyed this series and will check out other books by Hester Browne.

Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne

Summary: Melissa Romney-Jones has many talents: she can help someone dress accordingly, plan a great party, and organize just about anything. Despite her qualifications, she is released from her job. Unsure of what to do next, Melissa decides to take the skills she learned at finishing school help hapless men.


Donning a blonde wig and snug clothing, Melissa becomes “Honey,” a confident go-getter who helps give direction to clueless men. She helps them find clothes, buy gifts, break up with girlfriends, and occasionally acts as a date to a company party. When Jonathan, an American new to the area, hires “Honey” to help him ward off matchmakers as he heals from a broken marriage, Melissa finds herself falling for Jonathan. Does he care for her or just the persona of “Honey”?

My thoughts: I picked this book out simply because on the cover, Sophie Kinsella, a writer I enjoy, had a comment on the front. (I know, not always the best way to pick a book.) At first, I was leery of the plot. I did not want to read a book about a female escort or prostitute. This book is NOT that. It’s about a woman becoming confident in her own skin after years of being put in a box by her family and offering support and encouragement to men in need. The characters are well developed, and I love the character of Nelson has the roommate and faithful sidekick. There is no sex in the book and little cursing. The book is an enjoyable read and entertaining throughout, especially considering it is Hester Browne’s first book. I enjoyed the book enough to go get the rest of the series.

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Samantha Sweeting is a workaholic who is soon to be named partner at her law firm. When her one mistake costs her the job, she takes a bus, gets off on a random stop, and ends up at a couple's door. Through a miscommunication, Samantha ends up being hired as a housekeeper and cook....both jobs she's never done. To save face, Samantha tries to cook and clean for the couple, and it is one comedy after another as Samantha tries to pass herself as a gourmet cook. With the help of the good looking gardener Nathaniel's mother, Samantha learns how the value of a slower paced life.
When her old job opens up, will Samantha return to the hectic pace of her old life or remain a housekeeper?

Like most of Sophie Kinsella's novels, this one made me laugh and root for the heroine. Like most women today, Samantha works too hard. Her life is full of pressure and a constant need to prove herself. When she gets a forced break from that world by being fired, Samantha (and the reader) is reminded of how life should be enjoyed and savored. Great book!

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Summary: Lara Lington is a twenty-something young woman living in London, struggling to build a new business, and pining over her ex-boyfriend. When she goes to her great-aunt Sadie's funeral, she is surprised when her great-aunt appears to her even though she only met the lady a few times, convincing her to find her lost necklace. Although Lara tries to brush it off, Sadie continues to "haunt" her until she uncovers the past and in the process finding her own way in life.

My thoughts: This book is a funny read. Sadie's hilarious. She appears to Lara and immediately causes chaos, demanding that Lara find her lost necklace, and in the process making Lara appear mentally insane. As Lara delves into her family's past to find the missing necklace, she finds out more about the great-aunt she never knew and realizes that underneath people's age is still the same young person that wants to live and to enjoy life. Sadie makes Lara dress up in crazy 1920 outfits, ask out a random man, and confront her millionaire uncle. Through all these charades, Sadie teaches Lara the power of love and being loved back.

You had me at Goodbye by Tracey Bateman

Summary: Dancy Ames loves books. She is an editor for a publishing company is even working on her own novel. When Jack Quinn, her brother's best friend, sweeps in and takes her job, Dancy is at a loss for what exactly to do next. Should she work on her book, keep working for free at the little coffee shop, or just mooch off of her rich parents who are reuniting? Add a long lost half brother and a brother who is getting her dream condo, and Dancy's life is pretty much in turmoil. Will she surrender to the plans God has for her or keep fighting for what she thinks she wants?




My thoughts: I enjoyed this book. I love stories about people who fall in love with someone they've known all their lives. In addition to the love story, the storyline of Dancy's relationship with Nick, who fills the role of father since Dancy's dad is self-absorbed, is a strong one. Brandon, Dancy's long lost brother, is a nice supporting character.

Find the book on Amazon: You had Me at Goodbye

Reality Check by Jen Calonita

Summary: Charlie (short for Charlotte) and her three friends become the stars of a new reality teen TV show featuring their lives in a small town. When the cameras start rolling, the girls' friendship is tested as they find out that reality TV is more like "scripted" TV. Relationships are strained, and friendships are broken as the girls juggle their TV persona with their true feelings. Is the luxury of fame worth the price of your self-worth?

My thoughts: I'm a huge Jen Calonita fan. I like how she balances Hollywood life with normal girls. Many teens idolize the reality stars they see on TV, and this book gives a fictional inside look at how things on "reality" TV aren't always what they see.

The book also delves into the dilemma of how much of yourself do you have to give up to be famous. The end of the book has a powerful message as Charlie and her friends have to decide if the price of fame is too high.

Reality Check on Amazon Check out the book on Amazon!

My Little Phony by Lisi Harrison

Summary: In this installment of the Clique series, Claire has finally broken free from Massie's hold, forming her own group of friends and introducing a new "Clair-a" where people are free to be themselves.


My thoughts: This may be my favorite Clique book so far. I have always seen the underlining theme in the series: that girls in a clique are just like regular girls and are probably even more insecure. This book had that idea come full circle as Massie finally realizes what it's like to be on the outside looking in and what real friendship is. I'm looking forward to the last book in the series.


This series is a good read for middle school girls. It opens a dialogue about fitting in and what lengths girls will go to be popular.

Chick Lit

I love chick lit. I am not ashamed to say it!

Here are some YA chick lit authors I enjoy.

1. Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot has a unique writing voice; it never gets old. I have read all of her YA books except the Mediator series, and I have enjoyed them all. Her protagonists range from average girls to princesses, yet each character is someone with whom the reader can relate.

Note for parents: some of Meg's books talk about sex (NOT graphic), so that is something parents may want to know. (The Princess Diaries series is the first series by Meg that I would suggest for cautious parents.)

2. Jen Calonita

Jen Calonia's character in the Secrets of my Hollywood Life series is down-to-earth yet fun. She's a nice girl who lives a glamorous life. I like that combination because many of today's girls believe you have to be mean to get ahead or to be popular. This series shows that niceness does win in the end.

3. Melody Carlson: Christian fiction author

Melody Carlson's one of the few Christian fiction writers for teens. (Kristin Billerbeck is coming out with a YA book, and I can't wait!) The TrueColors series can seem a little preachy. In each book, a girl deals with a problem (alcohol, bad boyfriend, tough home life), and she eventually finds her way to Christ. The Carter House series is about several girls, each with her own set of unique problems, living in a boarding house. The Diary of a Teenage Girl series is written in journal form, recording the thoughts of a girl as she goes through high school.

That's all for now.