Summer Hit List, So Far

Since it is summer time, I have been searching (along with everyone else) for that perfect summer read. Obviously everyone’s requirements for a summer book are different but for mine I want something light-hearted, funny, enjoyable and a casual fun book to carry and read with me when I am out in the sun. I also tend to rely on my Kindle more during the summer. I have the same attitude about carrying around a book in summer like I have wearing jeans in 90 degree heat- no gracias, not going to happen, no way Jose, I am not insane. So my kindle is my summer companion, and it goes where ever I go.  Also I tend to read a lot more during summer since I am either traveling or relaxing more and finally making a dent in my TBR pile; it is getting a little out of control so I am happy to be making some progress. However since it is summer, I have been drawn to more “girlie” books with comedic characters and plot lines; they would be considered Chic Lit if you had to place them into a genre. Some of these books are due out the beginning of next month so they are perfect reads to cherish those last days of summer, and those last moments in the summer sun.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfiel: A modern re-telling of Pride and Prejudice where things are not what they seem. Jane is a yoga instructor, Elizabeth an editor for a popular women’s magazine, Mary’s a full-time student working towards her third master’s degree, and Kitty and Lydia are too busy with Crossfit and Paleo diets to work for themselves. Mrs. Bennet is still striving to get all her daughters married off, especially to the handsome, Reality Star Chip Bingly with this Manager sister Caroline, and his sexy, stuck up neurosurgeon best friend Fitzwilliam Darcy are more trouble than the Bennet family bargained for. This is a modern twist of a classic tale of love, gossip, and the deception of images and perceptions of who everyone truly is. 

I tend not to really talk about my love, devotion and obsession with all things Jane Austen, especially my love for Jane Austen adaptations. I have done a few reviews on other adaptations but try to keep the obsession to a minimum on this blog. However, I FREAKIN LOVED THIS BOOK!! Most adaptions I have read are a continuation of P&P, or other points of view of the story or modern people going back in time, etc. But I loved that Curtis did her homework and took a classic novel and modernized it in the best way! There are things like Crossfit, Paleo, Instagram, Reality TV, and other modern-day trends that give this book its modern appeal. I bought it with me on vacation and devoured it whenever I had a moment to sit and relax. It was the perfect companion on my Boston adventures. Eligible is smart, sexy, funny, clever and entertaining. It is the perfect book to read during the summer, on vacation, on a plane, train, or whenever and where ever you are. If you want to get into Jane Austen but not ready to go full Regency then I would try out this witty adaptations, and dip your toe into the Jane Austen pool.

Already out and ready to buy! Eligible: A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne:   Lucy and Joshua are co-workers at a book publishing, and it is apparent to everyone in the company, along with the CEO’s that they cannot stand each other. They hate each other; they hate the way each other dress, act, their personalities, and can’t bear that they spend 8-10 a day being in each other’s presence. Their hatred comes to a broiling point when a promotion is offered to the best candidate between the two of them, and only one person will get it. A new game is about to be played and this game of hatred and disdain between the two may turn into something little more than what either of them expected.

OH MY GOSH, this book was fantastic and unbelievably addictive! I started it on my lunch break on Friday and finished it later that night. I was obsessed with this book, and I loved every waking minute I spent between the bickering, sexual tension of Lucy and Joshua. It is so good! Sally is just perfection in this debut novel that is is funny, sexy, and unbelievably relatable to any reader. We all know of that person that we hate in life, and often wonder what would happen if that hatred turned into something else. Sally brings about those work fantasies into reality with this super steamy summer read. It was everything I wanted in a summer novel and so much more! I would have easily enjoyed this novel anytime during the year, and is the ideal novel to sink into when you are in a reading slump or need a little pick me up, you should pick up this book!

Available on August 8th! The Hating Game: A Novel

A Night with Marilyn Monroe by Lucy Holiday : The last few months have been a whirlwind for Libby Lomax, not only is she dating the hottest man on the planet, but there now seems to be a decent career alternative on offer to the failed actress one that she seemed unable to escape. She can hardly believe that life is finally turning around. But her optimism seems short-lived when she realizes that Dillon O’Hara is about as far away from steady boyfriend material that it possible to get. Then, when another uninvited guest, in the form of Marilyn Monroe, turns up on her ancient sofa, Libby finds she would willingly bite her own arm off for a return to normality. Thank goodness her best friend Ollie is still there to keep her feet on the ground. Libby doubts that Marilyn is really the right person to offer her relationship advice, but perhaps she should listen up, before it’s too late. 

I kind of liked this book, but I didn’t think I fell in love with it as I did with Eligible or The Hating Game. I think I have reached a point in my reading life that I cannot like female characters who, by a certain point in their live, do not have this ish together. I loved the concept of this book, but when I picked it up, I was a little bothered that Libby was still trying to figure things out and I was more bothered of the ending. Yes, the ending was a bit more realistic than I would have liked in a Chic Lit novel. I think that may be why I read Chic Lit because 90% of the time I know how the book is going to end, with happiness and love and everyone gets to be with who they want to be with, but A Night with Marilyn Monroe did not end how I imagined it would and I have mixed feelings about it. Don’t get me wrong, I breezed through this quirky novel and I like the story line but the main character was a little obtuse for my liking. I had a difficult time rooting for her, and even though she had Marilyn to help her, I don’t think it did her much good. Oh well, Lucy’s writing is compared to Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series which I’m not a huge fan of anyways which is why I have mixed feelings about this book. But it is definitely a summer read and if you do like Sophie Kinsella then  you should give Lucy’s books a try for sure!

Available to buy on August 2nd! A Night In With Marilyn Monroe

Nine Women, One Dress by Jane Rosen: A charming, hilarious, irresistible romp of a novel that brings together nine unrelated women, each touched by the same little black dress that weaves through their lives, bringing a little magic with it. Natalie is a Bloomingdale’s sales girl mooning over her lawyer ex-boyfriend who’s engaged to someone else after just two months. Felicia has been quietly in love with her boss for seventeen years and has one night to finally make the feeling mutual. Andie is a private detective who specializes in gathering evidence on cheating husbands—a skill she unfortunately learned from her own life—and lands a case that may restore her faith in true love. For these three women, as well as half a dozen others in sparkling supporting roles—a young model fresh from rural Alabama, a diva Hollywood star making her Broadway debut, a overachieving, unemployed Brown grad who starts faking a fabulous life on social media, to name just a few—everything is about to change, thanks to the dress of the season, the perfect little black number everyone wants to get their hands on . 

I loved this book. As I said on my Libsy post,  it is the adult version of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, expect everyone gets their own dress instead of everyone sharing one pair of jeans that fits any body. It is the enchanting story of how one dress changes the lives of so many women in different ages and stages of life. It is lovely to read how much one item can change the attitude of a women, and there is nothing quite like a little black dress. I love that I got a feeling of how much Jane loves fashion and how she wants to empower the women of her story. I loved that she took different women from different ages, backgrounds, races, and lives and connected them all with the idea of how one dress could change their lives. It was a beautifully written piece of fiction and I loved Jane’s written style, story telling capability to draw in her audience and keep them there. Her book was a treat to read and was a refreshing break from the nonfiction and historical fiction I was reading. Definitely a great summer read to enjoy and would be a great book club book if you need something on the lighter side. Pick it up and add it to your TBR!

Available and ready for purchase! Nine Women, One Dress: A Novel

Wow, this post is super lengthy, so if you made it this far then YAY!! So those are a few of my reading recommendations to take with you on the last few weeks of summer. Be sure to pick them or download them, and give them a try! Hope everyone is having a great summer so far and applying that SPF!

Happy Summer & Happy Reading!

Let me know if you are on Libsy, and we can follow each other! Libsy is a beautiful blend between Instagram and Goodreads and I am a little obsessed with it! Check it out, and download the app! Libsy: A_comfychair

Disclaimer: I was sent Nine Women, One Dress, A Night with Marilyn Monroe, and The Hating Game for free from for an honest review. This review is of my own work, and I did not copy or refer to any other reviewers/writers/bloggers for this post. All content provided on “A Comfy Chair” is for informational purposes only. I make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

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