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Reinventing Claire
People get divorced, but that's what happens to other people. That's what Claire thought anyway, until her husband, Charlie, tells her he wants a divorce.
Claire has no choice but to take on the title of Divorced Woman, and face the question she has no idea how to answer. Who is Claire without Charlie? Her family believes her newly divorced woes can be cured by landing herself a boyfriend. With her dating dunce cap in hand, Claire stumbles her way through the foreign territory of online dating.
A teacher from hell, a softball coach, and a sap later, Claire proclaims herself the dating idiot she thought she was, and fears she's doomed to be a lonely, crazy cat lady. But an accidental run-in with an old acquaintance might change everything. What starts with comparing dating battle wounds over a cup of coffee, quickly turns into something Claire had given up on.
As Claire discovers maybe there is love after Charlie after all, Charlie realizes his mistake. He wants her back, and he'll do anything to prove it to her. Now Claire must choose who deserves her heart, and if she's really willing to give it away again.
Claire has no choice but to take on the title of Divorced Woman, and face the question she has no idea how to answer. Who is Claire without Charlie? Her family believes her newly divorced woes can be cured by landing herself a boyfriend. With her dating dunce cap in hand, Claire stumbles her way through the foreign territory of online dating.
A teacher from hell, a softball coach, and a sap later, Claire proclaims herself the dating idiot she thought she was, and fears she's doomed to be a lonely, crazy cat lady. But an accidental run-in with an old acquaintance might change everything. What starts with comparing dating battle wounds over a cup of coffee, quickly turns into something Claire had given up on.
As Claire discovers maybe there is love after Charlie after all, Charlie realizes his mistake. He wants her back, and he'll do anything to prove it to her. Now Claire must choose who deserves her heart, and if she's really willing to give it away again.
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
46 people are currently reading
916 people want to read
About the author
Darian Wilk
8 books58 followersFreelance writer and author specializing in women's fiction. My current titles include Love Unfinished and Reinventing Claire. The first installment of The Four Peas series, The Responsible One, will be released in 2014.
For more information about my books, to sign up for my newsletter, giveaways, or general cyber-stalking, please visit www.DarianWilk.weebly.com
For more information about my books, to sign up for my newsletter, giveaways, or general cyber-stalking, please visit www.DarianWilk.weebly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 14, 2017
3.5 Stars.
I have had this book on my kindle forever so I finally decided to get around to. I think it was one of the kindle freebies and sometimes those are hit or miss. Reinventing Claire was for the most part a semi hit.
The story itself was interesting. Claire having no idea her husband is unhappy is told the same day she loses her job that he wants a divorce and he’s met someone new and wants to marry her. Claire is devastated and not sure what to do once it really sinks in her marriage is over. She realizes at one point that she lost herself and made Charlie her whole life. Well no more of that she decides she is going to find herself again. She tries online dating which makes me cringe and laugh all at the same time thinking of the messed up dates she endured. She buys a new home and sets about to redecorate and throw out all the old things that tie her to Charlie and generally just tries to figure out what direction to go with her new “single life”. She has lots of help and support from her sisters Sam and Holly, whom I both love, maybe Sam a bit more. I loved her energetic and no apologies from me attitude regarding her single and frequent one night stand life style.
The only think I did not like about this book was Claire’s doormat marshmallow persona at times. She really acted like a dog with its tail between its legs a little too much. I just wanted to smack her and tell her get a backbone and some pride. And go kick Charlie’s butt while you’re at it and his side chick.
This was a very easy to read book. It had some good laughs and actually had a pretty good story line and I definitely wouldn’t mind reading another book by Darian Wilk.
I have had this book on my kindle forever so I finally decided to get around to. I think it was one of the kindle freebies and sometimes those are hit or miss. Reinventing Claire was for the most part a semi hit.
The story itself was interesting. Claire having no idea her husband is unhappy is told the same day she loses her job that he wants a divorce and he’s met someone new and wants to marry her. Claire is devastated and not sure what to do once it really sinks in her marriage is over. She realizes at one point that she lost herself and made Charlie her whole life. Well no more of that she decides she is going to find herself again. She tries online dating which makes me cringe and laugh all at the same time thinking of the messed up dates she endured. She buys a new home and sets about to redecorate and throw out all the old things that tie her to Charlie and generally just tries to figure out what direction to go with her new “single life”. She has lots of help and support from her sisters Sam and Holly, whom I both love, maybe Sam a bit more. I loved her energetic and no apologies from me attitude regarding her single and frequent one night stand life style.
The only think I did not like about this book was Claire’s doormat marshmallow persona at times. She really acted like a dog with its tail between its legs a little too much. I just wanted to smack her and tell her get a backbone and some pride. And go kick Charlie’s butt while you’re at it and his side chick.
This was a very easy to read book. It had some good laughs and actually had a pretty good story line and I definitely wouldn’t mind reading another book by Darian Wilk.
March 4, 2013
Attracted by the cover (beautiful!) and the fact that it was free (even better!), I added this to the Kindle a while back but it wasn't until I was down with a nasty bout of flu that I got the chance to read it.
Overall it's a sweet story but I got awfully tired of page after page of the heroine and her sisters choosing outfits to attract men. Apparently the herione had an interesting career in marketing but we heard diddly-squat about that, other than as a plot point involving... yep, a man. Somewhere along the line she gets office space downtown and an assistant - now *that* would've been interesting but no. We're on a man hunt and it merits two sentences in the whole book.
Also, if you're going to use a word every other page, you really need to know its exact definition:
Smirk:
Verb: Smile in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way.
Noun: A smug, conceited, or silly smile: "a self-satisfied smirk".
Synonyms
verb. simper - grin
noun. grin - simper
Every character in this book is a simpering, smirking, self-satisfied idiot? No, quite.
I've given it 3 stars rather than the 1 star I felt it merited because I acknowledge that this type of light, girly romance is not my cup of tea. And I was unusually bad tempered and crotchety due to the aforementioned flu.
Overall it's a sweet story but I got awfully tired of page after page of the heroine and her sisters choosing outfits to attract men. Apparently the herione had an interesting career in marketing but we heard diddly-squat about that, other than as a plot point involving... yep, a man. Somewhere along the line she gets office space downtown and an assistant - now *that* would've been interesting but no. We're on a man hunt and it merits two sentences in the whole book.
Also, if you're going to use a word every other page, you really need to know its exact definition:
Smirk:
Verb: Smile in an irritatingly smug, conceited, or silly way.
Noun: A smug, conceited, or silly smile: "a self-satisfied smirk".
Synonyms
verb. simper - grin
noun. grin - simper
Every character in this book is a simpering, smirking, self-satisfied idiot? No, quite.
I've given it 3 stars rather than the 1 star I felt it merited because I acknowledge that this type of light, girly romance is not my cup of tea. And I was unusually bad tempered and crotchety due to the aforementioned flu.
January 12, 2014
Two things that condemn a writer, IMO:
1. They use the word smirk more than four times in the novel. This chick was going for the world record where 'smirk' is concerned. It was BAD.
2. They have a character say 'yummy'. Five times as bad if a MALE character says it. Yup... she made a GUY say it. I hate this woman based on that, alone.
Claire is a loser. She has no talents, no personality, no gumption. The 1940s, 50s, and so forth all have leading ladies with gumption - Claire is NOT that lady. She's an idiot with no goals, no job, no life, no gumption. And her husband leaves her for another woman and then she has no husband, either. Nor does she have a house, because she gives it to him, nor does she have furniture or finery, because she let him have that, too.
So for the first half of the book, she whines, snivels, yowls, sobs, and has panic attacks. Then she meets a man we're told is wonderful, but he has no talents, personality, or gumption, either. His wife left him, too. He's mostly a big doof. But he hooks up with Claire...
Until Claire's ex-husband decides he hates his mistress/wife and child, and wants Claire back. And instead of telling him to get lost, she falls for his puppy-dog eyes and little smiles. Her sister tells her she's an idiot. Her mother tells her she's an idiot. Her boyfriend tells her she's an idiot. And yes, why, yes, by this time I'm in FULL agreement that I've lost an hour of my life on an idiot.
DO NOT read this shit. It's absolutely pathetic. And PS: The girl on the cover has short blonde hair, but Claire has long black hair. I don't know, you tell me.
1. They use the word smirk more than four times in the novel. This chick was going for the world record where 'smirk' is concerned. It was BAD.
2. They have a character say 'yummy'. Five times as bad if a MALE character says it. Yup... she made a GUY say it. I hate this woman based on that, alone.
Claire is a loser. She has no talents, no personality, no gumption. The 1940s, 50s, and so forth all have leading ladies with gumption - Claire is NOT that lady. She's an idiot with no goals, no job, no life, no gumption. And her husband leaves her for another woman and then she has no husband, either. Nor does she have a house, because she gives it to him, nor does she have furniture or finery, because she let him have that, too.
So for the first half of the book, she whines, snivels, yowls, sobs, and has panic attacks. Then she meets a man we're told is wonderful, but he has no talents, personality, or gumption, either. His wife left him, too. He's mostly a big doof. But he hooks up with Claire...
Until Claire's ex-husband decides he hates his mistress/wife and child, and wants Claire back. And instead of telling him to get lost, she falls for his puppy-dog eyes and little smiles. Her sister tells her she's an idiot. Her mother tells her she's an idiot. Her boyfriend tells her she's an idiot. And yes, why, yes, by this time I'm in FULL agreement that I've lost an hour of my life on an idiot.
DO NOT read this shit. It's absolutely pathetic. And PS: The girl on the cover has short blonde hair, but Claire has long black hair. I don't know, you tell me.
February 3, 2014
Claire irritated me being wishy-washy and see-sawing on her decision making and attitude, but I did like the chemistry between Claire and Mac.
March 25, 2013
Claire is having a bad day, broken heel on her shoe and she has just been fired, so her husband takes her out for a romantic meal - that must be the end of bad news for the day - right? WRONG - Charlie asks Claire for a divorce, he has been seeing someone else for the past year! Claire finds herself in a whirlwind of emotions, reeling from the shock of this revelation. She calls a crisis meeting with her sisters, Hollie and Sam and tries to put her life back together.... this is the story of that journey.
I loved the way this was written, and found myself wanting to pick it up and read the next chapter and the next. I really felt for Claire trying to reassemble her life, trying to figure out who single Claire was without being part of Charlie and Claire. Sam and Hollie are there every step of the way with her, and the reliability of a good family brings her through to the other side!
A good fun read
I loved the way this was written, and found myself wanting to pick it up and read the next chapter and the next. I really felt for Claire trying to reassemble her life, trying to figure out who single Claire was without being part of Charlie and Claire. Sam and Hollie are there every step of the way with her, and the reliability of a good family brings her through to the other side!
A good fun read
March 22, 2013
Light, easy read but not all fluff. Enough meat to the story to make the characters believable and keep me turning pages.
January 16, 2016
Great read! A woman scorned, a cheating husband, and a mouthy sister - I love it! Yes, in a way it was serious. It was about divorce after all. But thank goodness the author has a way of keeping it light and fun. You get mad at the jerk of a husband, you feel bad for Claire during her on-line dating, and you are cheering on "the new guy". Along with all this, there are lots of laughs. I found myself giggling all through the book.
Darian did a great job with all the descriptions, especially the new house. I could really picture it. But what I thought was her strength was the character development. This story was also about the three sisters, I mean, yeah it was about Claire and her divorce, but it was also about the relationship she had with her sisters. I loved this part. In a book with three sisters I think it would be so easy to make them all the same, but Darian does a GREAT job of keeping their personalities so very different and consistent throughout the book.
My favorite sister was Sam! Sam, with her random sex with every date she goes on, her trucker mouth - "everything comes out of my mouth before I think", her "I don't need a husband" attitude. You couldn't help but fall in love with her. With all her quirkiness, she really did love her sister Claire and just wanted the best for her. Oh my gosh! I think Darian should do a sequel about Sam and how she finally finds love! - I would read it!
"Just remember to text me his license plate number," Sam said, hugging me as she held the front door. "So if something happens, I have something to give the police."
"Dang, Sam, way to freak me out," I teased, squeezing her tighter." - this is actually a great idea!
THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all this was a fun, quirky, kinda sad, chick-lit/romance book, LOL (enough adjectives for ya?). There was a lot of talk about sex (mainly from Sam) but nothing graphic. There was a lot of swearing (but only from Sam, lol gotta love her!). But there was also a lot of nice, sweet romance to it. And even a few lessons learned. I thought it had a great ending (I was a little worried there, but Claire pulled through).
I would definitely read another one from Darian Wilk. Bring it on!
Darian did a great job with all the descriptions, especially the new house. I could really picture it. But what I thought was her strength was the character development. This story was also about the three sisters, I mean, yeah it was about Claire and her divorce, but it was also about the relationship she had with her sisters. I loved this part. In a book with three sisters I think it would be so easy to make them all the same, but Darian does a GREAT job of keeping their personalities so very different and consistent throughout the book.
My favorite sister was Sam! Sam, with her random sex with every date she goes on, her trucker mouth - "everything comes out of my mouth before I think", her "I don't need a husband" attitude. You couldn't help but fall in love with her. With all her quirkiness, she really did love her sister Claire and just wanted the best for her. Oh my gosh! I think Darian should do a sequel about Sam and how she finally finds love! - I would read it!
"Just remember to text me his license plate number," Sam said, hugging me as she held the front door. "So if something happens, I have something to give the police."
"Dang, Sam, way to freak me out," I teased, squeezing her tighter." - this is actually a great idea!
THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all this was a fun, quirky, kinda sad, chick-lit/romance book, LOL (enough adjectives for ya?). There was a lot of talk about sex (mainly from Sam) but nothing graphic. There was a lot of swearing (but only from Sam, lol gotta love her!). But there was also a lot of nice, sweet romance to it. And even a few lessons learned. I thought it had a great ending (I was a little worried there, but Claire pulled through).
I would definitely read another one from Darian Wilk. Bring it on!
August 20, 2012
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received a copy of this book from the author as part of the blog tour in exchange for my honest opinion.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: Darian's writing style is always poignant and always genuine. Her characters are always compelling and the plot line is always well-crafted.
I am always wowed by the way Darian's book make me feel. Her books always leave me feeling deeply connected. Claire has just lost her job and then the day ends with her husband telling her that he wants a divorce because there's another women in the picture. Talk about a terrible day.
Claire is unable to move on. Everybody tells her that Charlie wasn't worth it and that she's better off without him. They don't understand that she still loves him. They convince her to start dating. She reluctantly agrees and goes on dates that are in short disastrous and miserable.
However, then an old friend enters her life and she thinks she might just have found love. But then Charlie decides he wants her back. How can you choose between the man you loved and were married to and the man you are falling in love with.
The writing style as I mentioned was genuine, addicting, and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters rang true and offered a multi-faceted cast. From her younger sister who is loose in her affection, to her older sister who is happily married and presents the love that she wishes she had, to the unique array of characters that she dates.
The book offered a quick and entertaining read. Women's fiction at its best.
In Summary: Darian Wilk has the ability to write poignantly about the complexities of relationships and the beautiful healing power of love.
The Wrap-up: Darian Wilk is becoming an author that I adore. I will definitely be keeping tabs on her novels. Both Reinventing Claire and Love Unfinished are definitely two books that I recommend to fans of this genre.
Love,
Danica Page
Disclaimers: I received a copy of this book from the author as part of the blog tour in exchange for my honest opinion.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: Darian's writing style is always poignant and always genuine. Her characters are always compelling and the plot line is always well-crafted.
I am always wowed by the way Darian's book make me feel. Her books always leave me feeling deeply connected. Claire has just lost her job and then the day ends with her husband telling her that he wants a divorce because there's another women in the picture. Talk about a terrible day.
Claire is unable to move on. Everybody tells her that Charlie wasn't worth it and that she's better off without him. They don't understand that she still loves him. They convince her to start dating. She reluctantly agrees and goes on dates that are in short disastrous and miserable.
However, then an old friend enters her life and she thinks she might just have found love. But then Charlie decides he wants her back. How can you choose between the man you loved and were married to and the man you are falling in love with.
The writing style as I mentioned was genuine, addicting, and thoroughly enjoyable. The characters rang true and offered a multi-faceted cast. From her younger sister who is loose in her affection, to her older sister who is happily married and presents the love that she wishes she had, to the unique array of characters that she dates.
The book offered a quick and entertaining read. Women's fiction at its best.
In Summary: Darian Wilk has the ability to write poignantly about the complexities of relationships and the beautiful healing power of love.
The Wrap-up: Darian Wilk is becoming an author that I adore. I will definitely be keeping tabs on her novels. Both Reinventing Claire and Love Unfinished are definitely two books that I recommend to fans of this genre.
Love,
Danica Page
August 1, 2014
Claire has just been fired from her job. So, her husband, Charlie, takes her out to a romantic dinner to get her mind off things, or so she thought. He ends up telling her he wants a divorce, he’s been seeing someone for over a year, and he wants to marry this mistress of his. Obviously, she was shocked. Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk is about Claire trying to put the pieces of her life back together after her husband selfishly and abruptly broke her heart. With the help of her quirky sisters, she eventually starts dating again. It doesn’t go as she hopes, and she ends up meeting some real losers. However, things begin to look up when she runs into an old acquaintance, Mac. As she starts to see a brighter future for herself, Charlie decides he wants her back. She finds herself having to make the biggest decision of her life.
I had so many different and strong feelings throughout Reinventing Clair. I was livid one moment, laughing hysterically another, happy with a ridiculously big smile on my face at parts, and then practically in tears in other parts. Claire is a completely relatable character. Her feelings and actions were so realistic; I never doubted them. Also, her relationship with her family, especially her sisters was not only amusing, but it was also touching. Sam, the wild and protective sister, and Holly, the level-headed caring sister, were one of my favorite parts of the book. They each had their own way of handling things, but their love for Claire was undeniable. There was also the heartwarming, blossoming romance between Claire and Mac. It was incredibly sweet and unlike other typical romances, which was refreshing. I absolutely adored this book, and I can’t wait to read more from Darian Wilk.
Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite
I had so many different and strong feelings throughout Reinventing Clair. I was livid one moment, laughing hysterically another, happy with a ridiculously big smile on my face at parts, and then practically in tears in other parts. Claire is a completely relatable character. Her feelings and actions were so realistic; I never doubted them. Also, her relationship with her family, especially her sisters was not only amusing, but it was also touching. Sam, the wild and protective sister, and Holly, the level-headed caring sister, were one of my favorite parts of the book. They each had their own way of handling things, but their love for Claire was undeniable. There was also the heartwarming, blossoming romance between Claire and Mac. It was incredibly sweet and unlike other typical romances, which was refreshing. I absolutely adored this book, and I can’t wait to read more from Darian Wilk.
Reviewed by ME for Readers' Favorite
March 18, 2013
Talk about a bad day... First Claire breaks her favorite shoes, then she's fired, then to top it all off her husband blind sides her at her favorite restaurant by telling her he wants a divorce so he can marry the woman he's been having an affair with for the past year.
This is the story of a woman who's spent her life being "Claire and Charlie" and isn't sure how to just be "Claire" when Charlie leaves the picture. We are there as the life Claire thought was happy falls to pieces. She divorces and moves out on her own. Part of her wants Charlie back, while her sisters are trying to get her to move on and date again.
You see the worst of online dating (leaving out the homicidal men) in the men that Claire meets online. Her sisters are there to help her along the way, giving advice whether she wants it or not. Out of nowhere she runs into Charlie's old co-worker, Mac, and things start looking up.
Just as Claire is feeling happier than she's ever felt, she is throw a curve ball which causes everyone (including me!!) hope she doesn't do what we all think she is going to do and end up right back where she started after Charlie left her.
All in all, it was a quick and mostly good read. I questioned a few of the details she author chose to include (while leaving others out), but it really wasn't enough for me to complain too much.
This is the story of a woman who's spent her life being "Claire and Charlie" and isn't sure how to just be "Claire" when Charlie leaves the picture. We are there as the life Claire thought was happy falls to pieces. She divorces and moves out on her own. Part of her wants Charlie back, while her sisters are trying to get her to move on and date again.
You see the worst of online dating (leaving out the homicidal men) in the men that Claire meets online. Her sisters are there to help her along the way, giving advice whether she wants it or not. Out of nowhere she runs into Charlie's old co-worker, Mac, and things start looking up.
Just as Claire is feeling happier than she's ever felt, she is throw a curve ball which causes everyone (including me!!) hope she doesn't do what we all think she is going to do and end up right back where she started after Charlie left her.
All in all, it was a quick and mostly good read. I questioned a few of the details she author chose to include (while leaving others out), but it really wasn't enough for me to complain too much.
September 4, 2013
I couldn't help but give Reinventing Claire all five stars...the book was simply wonderful to me. I enjoyed the authors writing style and humor, the characters were so realistic, and the relationships were very well developed. Claire really went through it, and I felt like I was right in there with her. I look forward to reading more from this author!
August 18, 2015
Claire annoyed me too much for me to really enjoy this book and her decisions towards the end left me thinking Mac should've just cut his losses and moved on. But I loved Sam! My favourite part was Sam telling Claire the cold, hard truth even though Claire didn't want to hear it. I was cheering Sam on! :)
February 26, 2013
This is a very enjoyable read. At one point it becomes quite frustrating with the choices Claire is making. I agree with another review that an additional editing pass is needed but it doesn't detract from the book in my opinion. I look forward to reading more by Darian Wilk!
March 2, 2013
it was refreshing reading a book involving more mature characters! I spent too many books reading about early 20s dramas, I was becoming bored. Good writing, feasible conflicts, loved the secondary characters! Recommend!
February 28, 2013
Loved it! I felt like I really was Claire. I started the book this afternoon and couldn't put it down until I finished it.
March 1, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Really great characters that did not do stupid things just to make the plot exciting! Great portrait of divorce and how complex it can be-definitely worth a read.
March 9, 2013
Good to pass the time. A decent story, but predictable ending.
October 7, 2019
This story was very relatable. Like Claire, I and many women subvert themselves into their 'wife' role to varying degrees (admittedly she totally lost herself). Her reaction to her husband's announcement during dinner was very believable (and that he lived through the following day was a miracle). Her family did get on my nerves and I was very glad that they were there for her.
She did find love and she did grow up. When she decided to 'date her ex' I really wanted to slap her silly (I feared that she would give that pos another chance).
Well written and highly recommended.
She did find love and she did grow up. When she decided to 'date her ex' I really wanted to slap her silly (I feared that she would give that pos another chance).
Well written and highly recommended.
March 9, 2021
Reinventing Claire
Her world fell apart when she was fired and on the same day her husband tells her that he has met someone else. The divorce was bad. Now that she has moved on he wants her back. The jerk wants his cake and eat it too. But she has moved on. Or has she? Can you go back? Or is the future with someone else who is willing to love you back and not take advantage of her?
Her world fell apart when she was fired and on the same day her husband tells her that he has met someone else. The divorce was bad. Now that she has moved on he wants her back. The jerk wants his cake and eat it too. But she has moved on. Or has she? Can you go back? Or is the future with someone else who is willing to love you back and not take advantage of her?
November 5, 2019
This was so cute! I’m usually quick to forgive a cheater, but I couldn’t with this one. Fuck that guy.
July 26, 2015
So why was Claire fired again? Something to do with her not meeting her potential or something? Um...I'm pretty sure you can't fire someone for that reason.
I loved the conversation the sisters had with their mother regarding the mechanical boyfriend, very corny. I also loved Darrel, he was hilarious!
When Claire and Mac are shopping for his household, how was it possible for Claire to still wonder whether Mac thought of her as just a friend or more? Obviously this question gets answered later on. To be continued...
Wen Mac and Claire were joking around about getting married, Mac says something relating to how his mom would give Claire her wedding dress...huh? How would Mac's mom still have her wedding dress, when Mac has already been married?
Let me state that I thought this was a really cute story but I COULD NOT stand Claire and how she kept reacting to Charlie. I would have been exactly like Sam in her stance towards the situation. Claire was such a dumbass! (That was were my 'to be continued' picks up)
So Charlie shows up at the restaurant where Claire and Mac are trying to have a romantic dinner. Charlie's flirting and being touchy feeling with Claire. Claire of course doesn't say or do anything, while poor Mac is just stilling there fuming. I'm surprised he didn't say something then. Oh man, and when Claire is looking around the restaurant for Charlie? WOW! How can she seriously still care about Charlie that much after what he did to her? I don't get it. Okay, I know in situations where a couple breaks up, has been together for a long while but still 'love' each other afterwards because of the time length together. BUT that's usually when they part on somewhat good terms. It's like your husband cheats on you for a year prior to asking for a divorce and you're still 'in love' with him. Being 'in love' and loving someone are different.
OR what about when Claire goes on a date with Charlie? I mean, come on! If I were Mac I would have just said to forget it. Obviously she was having some second thoughts. At that point in the story I was just about to stop reading. I can only stand so much stupidity from one person.
Why would Claire need so much advice? Again stupid!
I want to know how Claire's thoughts turn around that easily when she does go on that date with Charlie? I mean, the light bulb suddenly lights up when it's obvious Charlie wants Claire to come back to his place? It wasn't all the touchy feeling crap whenever he was in her presence (who cared about poor Mac).
Or when Mac asks her if she still loves Charlie and she tries to turn it around. Making it seem like Mac was doing some bad. Again, whatever happened to Claire she deserved, sadly nothing really bad happened. She still got her happily ever after. I don't think she deserved that.
The fact that Charlie just magically disappears after their date, unbelievable. He seemed somewhat clueless to begin with so I can't imagine he would just stop trying to get Claire's attention?
In the end, this only got 2 stars. I would have given 3 but I just couldn't stand Claire towards the end.
I loved the conversation the sisters had with their mother regarding the mechanical boyfriend, very corny. I also loved Darrel, he was hilarious!
When Claire and Mac are shopping for his household, how was it possible for Claire to still wonder whether Mac thought of her as just a friend or more? Obviously this question gets answered later on. To be continued...
Wen Mac and Claire were joking around about getting married, Mac says something relating to how his mom would give Claire her wedding dress...huh? How would Mac's mom still have her wedding dress, when Mac has already been married?
Let me state that I thought this was a really cute story but I COULD NOT stand Claire and how she kept reacting to Charlie. I would have been exactly like Sam in her stance towards the situation. Claire was such a dumbass! (That was were my 'to be continued' picks up)
So Charlie shows up at the restaurant where Claire and Mac are trying to have a romantic dinner. Charlie's flirting and being touchy feeling with Claire. Claire of course doesn't say or do anything, while poor Mac is just stilling there fuming. I'm surprised he didn't say something then. Oh man, and when Claire is looking around the restaurant for Charlie? WOW! How can she seriously still care about Charlie that much after what he did to her? I don't get it. Okay, I know in situations where a couple breaks up, has been together for a long while but still 'love' each other afterwards because of the time length together. BUT that's usually when they part on somewhat good terms. It's like your husband cheats on you for a year prior to asking for a divorce and you're still 'in love' with him. Being 'in love' and loving someone are different.
OR what about when Claire goes on a date with Charlie? I mean, come on! If I were Mac I would have just said to forget it. Obviously she was having some second thoughts. At that point in the story I was just about to stop reading. I can only stand so much stupidity from one person.
Why would Claire need so much advice? Again stupid!
I want to know how Claire's thoughts turn around that easily when she does go on that date with Charlie? I mean, the light bulb suddenly lights up when it's obvious Charlie wants Claire to come back to his place? It wasn't all the touchy feeling crap whenever he was in her presence (who cared about poor Mac).
Or when Mac asks her if she still loves Charlie and she tries to turn it around. Making it seem like Mac was doing some bad. Again, whatever happened to Claire she deserved, sadly nothing really bad happened. She still got her happily ever after. I don't think she deserved that.
The fact that Charlie just magically disappears after their date, unbelievable. He seemed somewhat clueless to begin with so I can't imagine he would just stop trying to get Claire's attention?
In the end, this only got 2 stars. I would have given 3 but I just couldn't stand Claire towards the end.
December 28, 2013
I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The writing was very good and the storyline very relevant to me. The dialog between characters was not over the top and very believable. My only annoyances with the book were, firstly when the one sister always called the main character Claire Bear. It was endearing in the beginning but she did it through out the entire book even when she was being serious with her. The other annoyance was when the characters used the reference of "my" when referring to another character such as in the beginning Claire always referred to her husband Charlie as "my Charlie" then later in the book Mac begins to refer to Claire as "my Claire" although the character had no problem with this notion of ownership, I did. I guess I may be over thinking things but to me it feels like someone taking ownership of someone else and I just don't believe in that notion.
Other than those two things I liked the book very much and would read more from this author. I could easily see the growth and transformation of Claire as the story went along. She goes from being a woman with no confidence in herself and no voice who didn't know who she was other than as someone else's wife, to a confident individual who started her own business and made a new life for herself after her divorce. Yes she still had awkward moments throughout the book but that made her more human, more believable and more relatable to regular people. Claire is a character with flaws and self confidence issues and that is what I like because she is more like the rest of us out here.
Another thing I was happy to not see in this book is the cliche misunderstandings that are usually present in romance novels. You know the kind where one person hears what they want to hear from another like Character A saying "I've had a bad day I don't want to drive over tonight" and Character B just assuming that they just don't want to see them. It really make the characters look stupid and very self centered. Thank you Darian Wilk for throwing away that crutch that is used by so many authors to move the story along.
Lastly I'm glad the author kept the surroundings very generic. There were certain references to places in the book that I know of that pertain to the Detroit area such as the garden shop English Gardens, but if I were not from the area it would have just appeared to be a generic name used by the author. Although I didn't find out until I finished the book that the author is from the Metro Detroit area, certain references in the book gave me the notion, but I only think that is because I'm from the area. If I wasn't from this area the setting could be anywhere.
All in all this was a very good book and I recommend it highly.
Other than those two things I liked the book very much and would read more from this author. I could easily see the growth and transformation of Claire as the story went along. She goes from being a woman with no confidence in herself and no voice who didn't know who she was other than as someone else's wife, to a confident individual who started her own business and made a new life for herself after her divorce. Yes she still had awkward moments throughout the book but that made her more human, more believable and more relatable to regular people. Claire is a character with flaws and self confidence issues and that is what I like because she is more like the rest of us out here.
Another thing I was happy to not see in this book is the cliche misunderstandings that are usually present in romance novels. You know the kind where one person hears what they want to hear from another like Character A saying "I've had a bad day I don't want to drive over tonight" and Character B just assuming that they just don't want to see them. It really make the characters look stupid and very self centered. Thank you Darian Wilk for throwing away that crutch that is used by so many authors to move the story along.
Lastly I'm glad the author kept the surroundings very generic. There were certain references to places in the book that I know of that pertain to the Detroit area such as the garden shop English Gardens, but if I were not from the area it would have just appeared to be a generic name used by the author. Although I didn't find out until I finished the book that the author is from the Metro Detroit area, certain references in the book gave me the notion, but I only think that is because I'm from the area. If I wasn't from this area the setting could be anywhere.
All in all this was a very good book and I recommend it highly.
March 1, 2013
Claire has found herself, after a very bad day at the office from which she was fired, to go out for dinner with her husband Charles, who we find wants a divorce. Not what she needed after such a bad day and it gets worse for her until her sisters step in to aid her and get her back into the dating game.
The character's of this book are okay. I can't say I was particularly in love with any of them to be honest, Claire was a good main character, although she does come across as indecisive and whiny, isn't that an actual character trait? She's not a bad character, I just never loved her. I did wish there was more interaction with herself and Holly, rather than it mainly being her and Sam.
Sam annoyed me. She was so dismissive about people's feelings and saying 'I know right?' nearly every time she spoke just irritated me beyond belief. I don't know if the author was thinking that Sam could represent the younger people by having her with streaks of purple hair and being similar to Samantha from Sex and the City, but it didn't work out to well, she was one of the most irritating characters in this book.
The romance between Claire and Mac - what is his full name? Is it just Mac? - seemed rather rushed, the time that goes by; which I never realised that over a year had passed when Claire meet up with Mac, the sessions are just left out which also annoyed me, I like to know how much time had passed when they finally met.
Also the blurb for the book said about Charlie wanting Claire back, like that was the main point of the book, when really the main point of the book was about Claire getting back into the dating game, getting over the divorce from her husband and finding someone more dependable and caring to love, the Charlie bit of the plot doesn't appear until near the end of the book so it's a bit of a let down.
In the Kindle edition of the book there was a few minor error that I noticed, some that should have been picked up rather quickly by a spell checker to be honest. However that wouldn't really take away from the whole reading experience.
Sadly, to me at least, the book just didn't do too much for me, it was a nice romance book, but what was meant to draw the readers in - the whole will she go back to her ex-husband or not? - just never happened, not really, it wasn't the main pull of the book.
However if you want a romance book that has humor and an interesting family then this is probably a book for you.
The character's of this book are okay. I can't say I was particularly in love with any of them to be honest, Claire was a good main character, although she does come across as indecisive and whiny, isn't that an actual character trait? She's not a bad character, I just never loved her. I did wish there was more interaction with herself and Holly, rather than it mainly being her and Sam.
Sam annoyed me. She was so dismissive about people's feelings and saying 'I know right?' nearly every time she spoke just irritated me beyond belief. I don't know if the author was thinking that Sam could represent the younger people by having her with streaks of purple hair and being similar to Samantha from Sex and the City, but it didn't work out to well, she was one of the most irritating characters in this book.
The romance between Claire and Mac - what is his full name? Is it just Mac? - seemed rather rushed, the time that goes by; which I never realised that over a year had passed when Claire meet up with Mac, the sessions are just left out which also annoyed me, I like to know how much time had passed when they finally met.
Also the blurb for the book said about Charlie wanting Claire back, like that was the main point of the book, when really the main point of the book was about Claire getting back into the dating game, getting over the divorce from her husband and finding someone more dependable and caring to love, the Charlie bit of the plot doesn't appear until near the end of the book so it's a bit of a let down.
In the Kindle edition of the book there was a few minor error that I noticed, some that should have been picked up rather quickly by a spell checker to be honest. However that wouldn't really take away from the whole reading experience.
Sadly, to me at least, the book just didn't do too much for me, it was a nice romance book, but what was meant to draw the readers in - the whole will she go back to her ex-husband or not? - just never happened, not really, it wasn't the main pull of the book.
However if you want a romance book that has humor and an interesting family then this is probably a book for you.
July 1, 2013
Imagine one day you have everything and then just like a domino effect everything comes crashing down till there's nothing left. For Claire, the domino effect started when she was fired from her job and then her husband decided to drop the bomb on her that he had being seeing a women- her friend Monica for a year , and he wanted to get a divorce and marry her -not to mention he wanted their house too. In a space of a few days, Claire had lost everything that she had worked for in the past six years. The next few chapters we read as Claire's sisters Holly and Sam help her start a new life which includes a few very terrible first dates thanks to the lovely thing we call Internet Dating. A year passes and Claire sees Charlie in passing every now and again and her heart still aches, but will this change when Claire meets Mac - also divorced. Claire and Mac hit it off and all goes well until Charlie comes flooding back into her life begging for her to take him back. Who will Claire choose and which guy is best for her "Reinventing Claire" life plan ?
Reinventing Claire is one of those chick lit's that try to put "The D Word" into a humourous and fluffy light with sad moments , outright crazy mental breakdown moments and of course the joy of finding love again when you thought there was no hope left in the world.
If you are on the lookout for a book that you won't have to think too deeply with and something nice and light to clear your mind - then Reinventing Claire is the book for you.
Reinventing Claire is one of those chick lit's that try to put "The D Word" into a humourous and fluffy light with sad moments , outright crazy mental breakdown moments and of course the joy of finding love again when you thought there was no hope left in the world.
If you are on the lookout for a book that you won't have to think too deeply with and something nice and light to clear your mind - then Reinventing Claire is the book for you.
April 18, 2013
I was totally in love with this book- for the first 3/4s of it. The characters were varied and 'real', and Claire's reactions to the upheaval in her life rang true. It was one of those books I couldn't WAIT to get back to reading, instead of one of those books you read when it's time to read, well, because it's the one you've been working on and it's not half bad.It was quirky, engaging, and a fun read.
Then the book's climax approached. Boy oh boy, did things change. I went from routing for Claire to wanting to shake her- hard. Suddenly this enjoyable, likeable character turned into a woman unable to fight her way out of a paper bag, and unable to make the most reasonable of decisions. She risks all the good she'd found again in her life for nothing, and frankly, it made me angry that this character I had grown to love was choosing a path so unbelievably stupid and reckless. While I kind of understood why she was doing what she did, it felt the character that had been built up over the last few hundred pages had stepped aside and someone else was in her place.
So, 5 stars for most of the book, but 3 for a large chunk approaching the end, rounding us out to 4. I did enjoy the author's style, and the story overall. I would read something else from her in the future.
Then the book's climax approached. Boy oh boy, did things change. I went from routing for Claire to wanting to shake her- hard. Suddenly this enjoyable, likeable character turned into a woman unable to fight her way out of a paper bag, and unable to make the most reasonable of decisions. She risks all the good she'd found again in her life for nothing, and frankly, it made me angry that this character I had grown to love was choosing a path so unbelievably stupid and reckless. While I kind of understood why she was doing what she did, it felt the character that had been built up over the last few hundred pages had stepped aside and someone else was in her place.
So, 5 stars for most of the book, but 3 for a large chunk approaching the end, rounding us out to 4. I did enjoy the author's style, and the story overall. I would read something else from her in the future.
September 13, 2016
Tedious and repetitive.
Lost respect for the silly woman.
March 5, 2013
Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk
Claire has just not only lost her job but her husband. Her sisters, Holly and Samantha have set up an appointment the next day with an attorney. They hope she gets the house, car and lots of money.
The McGibbin women are a threat onto others like no other when you do them wrong.
After she has moved into her own new house the sisters get her online for dating... This is so hilarious and it's sad at the same time.
She goes from being at rock bottom to putting her big girl panties on to take care of things. There is a major decision she has to make after getting on her feet again. Her sisters have some input along with the rest of the family.
I liked the story because I wonder what I would do in the same circumstances. The number of characters is just right to keep everybody straight.
Claire has just not only lost her job but her husband. Her sisters, Holly and Samantha have set up an appointment the next day with an attorney. They hope she gets the house, car and lots of money.
The McGibbin women are a threat onto others like no other when you do them wrong.
After she has moved into her own new house the sisters get her online for dating... This is so hilarious and it's sad at the same time.
She goes from being at rock bottom to putting her big girl panties on to take care of things. There is a major decision she has to make after getting on her feet again. Her sisters have some input along with the rest of the family.
I liked the story because I wonder what I would do in the same circumstances. The number of characters is just right to keep everybody straight.
April 7, 2013
3 1/2 stars...Claire had an awful day...broke her heel and then got fired. Her husband says he will take her out to dinner to her favorite restaurant...where he promptly tells her he has been having an affair and wants a divorce. Claire is left not knowing what hit her or what went wrong. This is the story of Claire healing and finding what it is she likes and wants after divorcing the person she thought was the love of her life. enjoyable read. at times depressing but then refreshing...like I imagine the process would be post divorce. I got this free tot the kindle. darn good tor free.
P.S. that husband of hers was a grade-A asshole!! I cant believe what Claire tolerated through the divorce. I wanted to rip him apart...she was way too nice tot my liking! that's where I got most annoyed.
P.S. that husband of hers was a grade-A asshole!! I cant believe what Claire tolerated through the divorce. I wanted to rip him apart...she was way too nice tot my liking! that's where I got most annoyed.
July 13, 2015
I enjoyed the storyline, loved the relationship Claire & Mac found together and although Claire mostly annoyed me I tried to put myself in her shoes to think of how I would act in that situation. It can't be easy after loving someone and getting comfortable with them for years and then have the rug pulled out from under you, literally! Charlie was just a selfish prick. I loved Sam and how she seems to have no filter or not hold back her feelings, and love how Holly balances the two different personalities of Claire & Sam! Claire's Mom always seemed to know what to say, or not say and Claire's Dad was a force to be reckoned with! (3+ stars for me) The story didn't flow as naturally as I like and the annoyance from Claire's behavior are the only downfalls for me with this book.
March 4, 2013
Even though the first chapter started out with a lot of drama occurring in the main character's, Claire's life, it came to a screeching halt and crept VERY slowly from there. The first half of the story would have earned one to maybe one and a half stars. Finally at about 50% the story picked up and was well paced from that point on, so it earned another star...perhaps it would have received a four star rating, if there would have been more in the first half of the story like there was in the second half. I was just about the give up when it made a comeback. It had a good premise and Claire's reaction to divorce and life after divorce seemed very realistic.
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