A Dollar Short: The Bottom Dollar Girls Go Hollywood

The Bottom Dollar Series #2

by Karin Gillespie

Living from paycheck to paycheck is one way of living on the edge.

When a wronged wife puts her hometown on the Hollywood star map, will she get a second chance at good fortune? A Dollar Short is a hilarious page-turner worth every last cent.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Humor, Southern, Audiobook, Friendship, Adult

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Meet Karin Gillespie, the Rogue Magnolia

I like Lilly clothes but only paired with a black leather jacket.

I don’t have the patience for a mani-ped but I always have time for a conversation about books, the Buddha or the best barbecue ribs below the gnat line.

I’m not a Steel Magnolia because, instead of forbearing within the system, I’m more interested in exploring its flaws and busting up the status quo.

My characters reflect who I am: unconventional, creative and endlessly curious. They also reflect the South: colorful, kooky and sometimes deeply flawed

Keep in touch with me at

http://karingillespieauthor.com

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

NB none of my reviews went out yesterday, and even though I didn't write much about this book I'm reposting things. Thanks to a GR friend for liking the other one I added an NB and note to so I saw that it worked.

This was 3.5 stars but I'm rounding it up. I can't say that this is brilliant writing nor is it some new original innovation on fiction, but I enjoyed this. I think this deserves it's average rating of 4 stars.

The blurb tells you an awful lot about the book--more than I personally like. Even though I wasn't sure how much I'd like this at the start, I have to say that Chiffon and Chenille (yes, their mother named them after fabrics) really grew on me and there was character growth to boot. It was a good, light summer read which is just what I needed at the time.

[Ronna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ladies of Cayboo Creek, South Carolina are always there to support each other, often gathering in the Bottom Dollar Emporium to discuss life and everything happening in their small community. In book two, sisters, Chiffon and Chenille, are the center of interest. Never very close as children, and with a mom that was trying to raise beauty queens, they now find themselves thrown together by life's problems.

Chiffon's husband has gone to Hollywood on a prize that she actually won, but a sick baby kept her at home. Her sexy, handsome husband finds himself in the arms of a conniving Hollywood starlet, and he's not unhappy to be there. Added problems come because Chiffon has been left with no money but plenty of unpaid bills. Then she slips and sprains her ankle at her cafe job. Nothing to do but call upon her estranged sister to help with her children.

Conveniently, Chenille has just been fired from her teaching job because of the antics of her classroom helper. With everything in this small town being the source of gossip, and the media hounding Chiffon, it's up to the help of their friends for each of these women to take control of their lives and find true happiness.

I thoroughly enjoy these stories. The woman are all too human. The conversations and situations find truth in great humor and blunt common sense. The faults and foibles of small town life are wonderfully overrun by the loyalty, friendless, and community compassion found in difficult situations. Well written characters make me want to become friends with these ladies.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This is the second book in the Bottom Dollar Series. This series has a lot of the same cast but each book features a different set of characters from the same town. This book focuses on Chiffon Butrell and her sister, Chenille.

It wasn’t a surprise to Chiffon that her husband had taken up with another harlot. The only surprise was that this harlot was a mega movie star. And this movie star liked to antagonize Chiffon in every way she could.

You root for Chiffon. Will she finally do what is best for her? Will her sister, the teacher unduly laid off from her job find love with the local boy?

I am so used to reading cozy mysteries that it took me awhile to realize there wasn’t going to be a mysterious dead body showing up. The book kept my interest all the way through. And I have to say that this book gave me a lot of stress. So it reads as really real. Kudos to the author.

I paid for this with my own money.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than its predecessor. Although disappointed with the fact that Liz is more a support than the heroine, the Grace sisters are a hoot!

Chiffon is at the end of her rope. Stuck home after winning a trip to meet her favorite actress to care for her sick youngest, her two timing husband falls for the actress and refuses to come home

Chenille gets fired from her teaching job, and she and neurotic dog Walter move into Chiffon's to help out after an accident that breaks Chiffon's foot.

Seems Chenille has boyfriends she doesn't quite know what to do with, as Chiffon deals with the real and imagined fallout of her marriage. However, she does learn...the hard way....and with the support of her sister and friends, both Grace sisters learn how to face the future with style,grace...and an old tiara

[lindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I laughed and laughed. I enjoyed this book so much. There us nothing like southern girls handling what life throws at you. This author is terrific and I highly recommend her.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dollar Short: The Bottom Dollar Girls Go Hollywood by Karin Gillespie
Bottom Dollar Girls #2
8h 20m narrated by Carrington MacDuffie, 280 pages

Genre: Women's Fiction, Comedy

Featuring: Epigraphs, Aiken County South Carolina, Waitress, Mother, Kids & Babies, Country Folks, Tricenarian MC, Baby Shower, Cheating Husband, Sisters, Teacher, Actress, Music, Gossiping, Drama, Food, Paparazzi, Sex - Off-Camera

Rating as a movie: PG-15

Songs for the soundtrack: "Only on Days That End in "Y"" by Clay Walker, "Welcome to Dumpsville, Population You" by Caustic Soda, "Soul Provider" by Michael Bolton, "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo" by Lobo, "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From “Titanic”)" by Kenny G, "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash, "Stand by Your Man" by Tammy Wynette, "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" by Shania Twain, "Honk If You Honky Tonk" by George Strait, "Always On My Mind" by Willie Nelson, "Mandy" by Barry Manilow, "That’s Amore" by Dean Martin, "I Would Kiss You Through The Screendoor But It'd Strain Our Love", "Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart" by Conway Twitty, "Born Free" by Andy Williams, "Ladies Night" by Kool & The Gang, "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⅚🎥

My thoughts: 📱29% 2:25:10 Ch. 10 - This story is better than the last one despite the outrageous hijinks. Unfortunately, the audiobook has 7 chapters all over an hour long that consist of multiple chapters, I stopped at Ch. 10 but it's Chapter 3 according to the tracks, and Chapter 4 starts at Ch. 15. 😒

It was better than the first book but still not a full 4-star read. Some of the humor was a bit off-color and the worst country song titles continued. I'm going to read book 3 but after a few other books

Recommend to others: Maybe. This series isn't amazing but you'll either enjoy it or find it dated and corny.

Bottom Dollar Girls
1. Bet Your Bottom Dollar (2004)
2. A Dollar Short (2005)
3. Dollar Daze (2006)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun! I really enjoyed this book. Just silliness and fun but there were some interesting things about a woman whose husband left her and how she dealt with it. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series with the main character being Chiffon instead of Elizabeth (in the first book).

At first I was really upset with Chiffon for taking back her no account two timing husband. How stupid! If she hadn't finally come to her senses, I'd have quit reading.

It was nice the way the two sisters came to know each other and finally they tell their bossy cruel mom exactly how it is. Why would she name one daughter Chiffon and the other Chenille?

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series of books is just fun. These are all quick reads involving a small town in South Carolina but they talk about Georgia a lot too. All the women are hilarious but this isn't a very thought provoking book or anything. :-) More like golden girls meets trailer trash, I love all of them. LOL!

[Marlis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light funny read. Sometimes a bit silly.

[Carolyn Shalhoub · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series, Bet Your Bottom Dollar, which introduced the townspeople, I couldn't wait to continue the series with Book 2. This book focuses on sisters Chiffon and Chenille. Chiffon won many beauty pageants as a young woman, and was convinced her future was marrying the town's most handsome guy and having a family. Chenille was more studious and did well in school and went on to college and a job as a teacher in a different town. She loved her job but felt like she missed a big part of life because she didn't marry and have a family. She loses her job in an unfortunate incident and comes home to help Chiffon as she has a broken leg. Their mother was a narcissistic and harmful parent to both girls. Chiffon's husband Lonny wins a chance to be an extra in a movie and ends up hooking up with the movie star Janie Lynn Lauren and doesn't come back to Cayboo Creek and his family. The book details the internal journeys of both Chiffon and Chenille as they recover and enhance their self respect. Characters from the first book populate this book too, which i like. 3rd book should arrive today!

[Diane Wachter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bottom Dollar Girls Series, Bk 2, EBK-M, Kindle, @ 2005, Read 7/3/2025. Fiction, Romance.
When Chiffon Butrell wins a video store's "Be A Movie Star" Contest, but her baby gets sick and she decides to stay home, but sends husband Lonnie in her place, who immediately turns the head of the leading lady Janie-Lynn Lauren, and decides to leave his wife and 3 children without letting them know.
Chiffon loses her temper, loses her job, then finds out that Lonnie's paycheck has been forwarded to an address in California.
Chiffon's friends try to help, but when Chiffon hurts her ankle in a Wesson Oil slick at the Winn-Dixie, Chiffon calls her older, up-tight sister Chenille for help.
Chenille helps her sister through this crisis and is befriended by Chiffon's friends.
2☆'s = Okay. Not the best story ever, but enjoyable chick-lit!

[Neils Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karin Gillespie is golden! I love her!Yes these books are totally ridiculous and march to the beat of their own drum, but I literally smile everytime I think about the ladies of the Bottom Dollar Emporium and all the gossip that takes place at the Chat N Chew.
The story line is for sure over the top, a actress snags Chennile (or was is chiffon) dead beat of a husband and her sister Chiffon. the spinster comes to live with her. I loved the evolution of the two sisters and the sweet Southern Charm spiked with Sass!
If you are looking for a total light hearted read that will make you glow brighter than a Fake Tan on Biker Weekend in Myrtle BEach this is your book!

[Michael S. Freckelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great witty, funny read!

I loved this book, I thought was so witty! Just the perfect read me . I've read the first book as well and enjoyed that book thoroughly!
I will say there are some misspelled words, just small ones. However the typesetting, I'm not sure what to call it, but a sentence would be three words long, break and continue with the rest of sentence on the next line. These breaks were a distraction no doubt, maybe it's my Kindle. But the book was great!!! I'm on to the third!

[Karen Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely not my preferred genre of Christian fiction, but generally it is a clean read, although a little spicier than the last novel. Chiffon and Chenile are 2 sisters who have been distant for many years. Strange circumstances bring them together again and they both grow in significant ways.

My least favorite character was the scumbag husband. The girls' mother was a close second. The characters were relatable and the plot had some surprises. All in all, this was an enjoyable chick lit novel. I look forward to the third book in the series.

[Teresa Locklear · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the inside of the cover this book seemed like a great story. The cover picture looked a little dated, but since it sounded so good I went with it. I have to say I wasn't disappointed! This was a great story, I really enjoyed the characters and it was a super easy read. I'm going to look up what others this author has written since I enjoyed it so much.

[Krystle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another crazy romp at Caybo Creek with the Bottom Dollar girls featured, but not the main focal point. This is about Chiffon and Chenille Grace, two sisters who go through major shake-ups in their life and have to find their sisterly bond to put their lives back in order. It was a very good read, although the ending had me on tenterhooks.

[Alan C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

Enjoyed this book, but not as much as first one in series. Lots of typos, which got to be annoying. Spacing was also frequently off, causing paragraphs to be jumbled together. Story was lighthearted with interesting characters. Will try book three, but only because it is unlimited choice. Would not otherwise....

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I'm loving this series; it is just hilarious! A bunch of nutty but salt-of-the-earth gals form an unlikely friendship, and the better you get to know them, the more you hoot and holler! I would love to see this as a tv series, wouldn't want to miss a single episode!

[Becky Durstenfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this story as much as the first one, which I really enjoyed. I think it's because I didn't care for and couldn't relate to either of the two sisters who were the main characters in this book and because of the infidelity. I really like the sayings at the beginning of each chapter.

[Ceashark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. It made me laugh. Sometimes that’s what I’m looking for in a book and this one fit the bill. As the second book in this series, it built on the zany characters in the first book and made you like these crazy southern women even more.

[Patsy Huggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bottom Dollar Triligy

After reading all three books my sides still hurt laughing. There are witty sayings with a lot of truth in them. Life lessons abound. Needless to satI loved them.

[Jenny R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and kept getting the “material” girls Chiffon and Chenille mixed up. But other than that the zany girls from Cayboo Creek were as funny as they were in the first book. On to book 3.

[Colleen Luger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun quick read. Enjoyable and funny characters. There were some parts that made me giggle out loud.

[Ada Iaboni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute and silly. It made me laugh and several occasions, but this novel was kind of ridiculous that even the good it attempted to do was lost in the silliness of it all.

[Skye Bluewater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, silly fun.

[Beverly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dollar Short

I love the residents of Cayboo Creek, and the shenanigans they get up to. By the time I think I’ve got the story figured our, there is a twist, usually good though.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 just as good as book 1.

I love how the characters from book 1 continue into book 2. Read to start book 3. And so on.

[Anne Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one isn’t as good as the first one. Still light and cute.

[Vida Bonacci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed book one, this was not as funny but I still read all the way to the end