Hit Reply

by Rocki St. Claire

What's worse than spam, more dangerous than cyber sex, and scarier than getting a computer virus? An Instant Message from the guy who got away ten years ago...

grayscale: amber fleece? is that you?

foreveramber: OMG. Am I dreaming?

grayscale: it's me, toots. amazing how many people this classreunion.com thing unearthed.

foreveramber: Sort of like worms.

What happens when a randomly accessed memory changes from a harmless Google to rekindled love? Someone has to draw the line between adultery and e-dultery...

to: wonderwoman

from: tmark

Hey gorgeous. I'm back in the halls of the old workplace.

to: tmark

from: wonderwoman

Just when I thought it was safe to go on line...

to: wonderwoman

from: tmark

I think of you every time I pass the video closet...remember?

to: tmark

from: wonderwoman

Sorry, Tom, I've gone down the mommy track and not even you can derail me. (I hope.)

Hit Reply is what happens when female friends turn to former lovers -- and each other -- to find fulfillment.

foreveramber: I'm 28, in advertising, single, and you know what I need the most?

wonderwoman: You need the strength of character to survive corporate politics, the confidence to believe in your inner beauty, and a trip to the Borghese counter.

foreveramber: Nah. I need a guy who looks like Brad Pitt.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Young Adult, The United States Of America, Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Pseudonym for Roxanne St. Claire.

Reviews

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m such a procrastinator. I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book so I put off opening it, even though it was my purchase. Little did I know what was waiting for me! This book is done entirely in IMs and emails, along with a few phone calls (now you see why I was unsure.) By page two I was hooked. It’s like snooping IMs and emails to see into the lives of every character, their ups and their downs, and there were more downs in this book than in normal books. But the story line stayed true and the characters stayed true to themselves and their friends and significant others. AND, my favorite part, if you love HEAs, you too will love this book. I don’t care who she writes as, Rocki St. Claire or Roxanne St. Claire, this woman can tell a story in every way imaginable.

[Maureen M McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I KNOW each one of these characters. Including Eva Braun. Loved it. I've done the reconnect with an old passion and it was through email, IMs and text messages. He was Tom and I am definitely Stephanie. But I loved Ambers and Greys story. I wish I could find someone like him.

[Audrey C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book all the time as a teen. It's really sweet and real

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and characters! I will be looking for more books by this author.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Amber and Stephanie are best friends living in different states who keep in constant contact over IM and e-mail. Former co-workers at an ad agency, Stephanie and Amber were separated when Steph and her traveling businessman husband and two young children moved to Florida where she is now a stay at home mom. Amber, 28 and single, has just reconnected with a high school boyfriend over e-mail and can feel herself falling for him, despite the fact that he doesn't seem to match her expectations for the perfect guy, and he lives in another state... with another woman. Stephanie, feeling neglected and unloved by her husband who is never home, has reconnected with an old coworker who claims he is in love with her, and is constantly propositioning compromising "positions" for them to partake in together. Then Amber gets hit hard with some bad news that could change her life forever. Through it all, these two friends confide in each other about their relationships, love, and life.

This book was fun and fast! It was written entirely in IMs and e-mails, a style of writing that I tend to really enjoy. I loved the friendship and constant banter between Amber and Stephanie. It reminded me a lot of my own best friend and I, always joking around, but always there for each other too. I love books that feature strong friendships because I can relate completely.

I thought the romance between Amber and Gray was really cute and charming. Gray's a country songwriter, which doesn't appeal to Amber, until he starts writing songs for her that he sends via e-mail. Don't you wish your man would write you songs or poems? I do. That's got to be the most romantic thing in the entire world.

Stephanie's relationships were more frustrating. She and her husband had been drifting apart due to his constant travleing, so she has an innocent flirtation with an old coworker, Tom. Tom, however, doesn't see it that way. He too is married but madly in love with Stephanie who only wants to repair her marriage. Will she give in to temptation, or will she work things out? Hmmm.

While I wasn't totally riveted or on the edge of my seat while reading, I did start to become quite invested in these lady's lives. I found myself reading it for great lengths at a time because it was just so cute and light. I also enjoyed that it had a bit more substance than a typical romance, with the addition of Stephanie's potentially life-threatening discovery later on in the story. I'd definitely recommend this one to fans of chick-lit.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Roxanne St. Claire and one day she mentioned this book on Twitter. It sounded interesting but the book was out of print. I did manage to get my hands on a copy of it though. The book was first published in 2004, so you have to take yourself back to the days BEFORE social media, and smart phones, and constant texting. I remember the days of chat rooms and instant messenger, and communicating a lot through email. This book is written in IMs and emails, so it's almost like reading someone's messages (it makes you feel like you are reading something you shouldn't). The story follows two friends, so you have a few storylines to follow, but it's done well and not confusing. If you can find a copy, I recommend it!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book...a little hard to follow at first, but I got over that pretty quick. There aren't many books that I can put down while reading. This was not one of them. The entire book was written as e-mails and IM messages. I've read a couple of other books written like this and surprisingly enough, they were all good.

No spoiler alerts...but the story was well thought out. It followed two women who are very good friends, but live in Boston and Orlando. They keep in touch thru IM'ing and e-mails. They help each other thru the trials and tribulations of work, love and life.

I would recommend this book.

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I must say, these Downtown Press books really seem to get to me. They are much deeper and meatier than Red Dress Ink or other types of chick lit. There is still the element of lightness and fun, but also as if the characters live in a real world that has real problems beynd just what Jimmy Choos someone is wearing.

I enjoyed the roller coaster ride this book took me on. I could sympathize all around with the characters, especially Stevie. It was clear that the author most identified with this character as well. I did find myself skimming over the parts about Julie and the baseball guy. Overall, I really liked the book, and I always enjoy the email/IM style of writing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was startled to open this book and realize that there was no narrative in it. To be honest, I was not sure that how this would work or how much I would enjoy reading it. I LOVED IT! I say it in all caps, because I was was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The book was very engaging, the characters quickly became real and I found myself identifying with their emotions, fears and thoughts. The book took only a matter of hours to read (helped by the fact that I couldn't put it down) and i hve already passed it. I strongly recommend this book.

[Laurisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doing some spring cleaning and trying to read through a bunch of books on my shelf that I have somehow collected through the years. I am giving this 4 stars in the chick lit category, which I don't read much of. It contained a more serious storyline than the typical chick lit books. It is unique in that the entire story is told through email and instant messages. A story about reconnecting with the "one that got away", but also about friendship. It was a funny and entertaining quick read.

[Eileen Rendahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this eons ago and just thought of it again after reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. This book is told completely in e-mails and IMs. It's fabulous. Funny, smart and touching. I loved it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn't sure about the IM/email dialogue and lack of narration, but then was pleasantly surprised as the storyline unfolded. I found this book to be engaging, as it held my interest right up through the very last page. If only Rocki St. Claire would follow it up with another!

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very believable and the storyline keeps you hooked until the end. You'll like it if you have a soft spot for things ending on a nice, slightly sappy, and borderline predictable note. Good beach reading.

[Valdez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect summer read. Fast and fun. About two women and an ad agency. One is married and has left the agency because she wants to raise her kids, but she's lured back to consult. The other is single and looking, and she reunites with her high school crush, just as she gets some bad news.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book....The book description threw me off though. It is written in email and IM's which made it kind of hard to follow for me....but I did still really enjoy it! I will totally read this one again!

[Cj · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick and predictable chick lit book. Sure there was more to it than shopping and the format was a bit interesting, but right from the beginning of the flirtations it's obvious which guy gets the girl. Fun.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've read in a while. I was surprised as I thought the layout was a little different; not sure I would like it. But, I sure did. I was very touched by this story. I passed it on to two friends and they loved it too!!!

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrggggh!!!! eUFORIA!!! AKHIRNYA, BUKU YANG GUE PESEN DI KINOKUNIYA DATENG JUGA. GEMBIRA-GEMBIRA *GOYANG2IN PANTAT* GUE UDAH LAMA PENGEN BACA BUKU INI. GOSIP2NYA LUCU GITU. HIHIHI...

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give me a good epistolary novel any time, like this one, which kept me up past 3 a.m. one night.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I'm not sure i like the way it was set up with emails and IM's only. Just different i guess.

[Karen Avivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I hope Rocki St. Clair writes more chick lit!

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated, hated, HATED the format of this book. It took too much out of the story to follow it in IM's and emails. The basics of the story were good, but the format was horrible.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book entirely in e-mail and IM. Interesting relationship story involving two couples.

[Shafiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! i didnt expect the book to be THAT good! Like seriously! I blew my mind! My fav part? The Radio Oracle ;)

[Daeleon]

a very very very good book

[Erika Martinez]

Loved the ending, great book.