Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

Where's a Fairy Godmother When You Need One?

For Taylor Young life is very good. She has a handsome husband who loves her, three gorgeous children, a personally designed and decorated dream house. Suburbanite trendsetter and super mom—life couldn’t be more perfect. And as long as no one notices the fragile woman beneath her coifed and polished image, things will stay that way.

Then, a devastating secret bursts Taylor’s fairy-tale bubble, suddenly making her a cul-de-sac pariah, and stripping her of the role that defined her. With her struggling to maintain her alpha image, Taylor finds help from the unlikeliest of people, her nonconformist nemesis, Marta Zinsser. But to become the woman her family truly needs, Taylor must first believe in the person she is hardest on—herself.

My Review:
I've had this book sitting on my shelf for more than a year. It was sent to me by the publisher because I was reviewing another title by the author. Although the cover and title tempted me several times to pick it up, I never seemed to have the time. Boy, am I glad that I finally got around to reading this one. What an enjoyable experience!

This is my kind of book. The writing flows. The characters are flawed--just like people I know. Problems and solutions are believable. The plot moves along nicely; there are no sluggish spots. Note: the book does contain profanity.

I liked this one. Because book clubs are mentioned in the novel, this would make a good choice for a book club selection!

Giveaway! Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter

Playful and smart, a coming-of-middle age story of a woman not ready to give up on love and life.

He got the second home and the Porsche. She got the kids and a broken heart. Now Jackie, post-divorce and heading toward the big four-oh, is on vacation, staring down her upcoming birthday in sunny Hawaii—-alone. But not for long. She's soon falling for Kai, her gorgeous, much younger surf instructor, and the wild passionate fling they have becomes the biggest surprise of Jackie's life.

Returning home, Jackie has to struggle with single parenthood...and memories of Kai. He hasn't forgotten her either. With her friends disapproving and thousands of miles of ocean--not to mention an age difference--separating them, Jackie starts to wonder what she got herself into. When a choice must be made, can she, will she risk everything for her chance at happiness?

My Review:
Even with adult themes and some profanity, I liked this book! Life after divorce is covered--the first year of a middle-aged woman's new life. There are expected highs and lows, along with a few twists and turns. The writing is smooth, and the story moves along nicely. Jackie, the protagonist, has a few flaws--just enough to gain the reader's sympathies. It's a good chik lit, and I can see why it was chosen to make into a movie.

BTW: The Lifetime movie is on Saturday, December 6th at 9 PM est/8 PM central!

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The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for a collection of four (4) of the author's books! Up for grabs are: The Frog Prince, Odd Mom Out, Mrs. Perfect, and Flirting with Forty. One lucky person will win all four books! If you like chick literature, this is for you.

• Winner is restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.
• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in code in your comment (Please do not ask me to look it up!)
• I'll close the comments at 6 PM EST December 12th and pick the winner. I will contact the winner via email to get their mailing information. The winner will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from her within three days, I will select another winner.
• If you're interested, just say so in a comment with that all-important email address in code.
  Example of email in code: you[at]yourmail[dot]com