Hip to Be Square

Hip to Be Square #1

by Hope Lyda

On her twenty-ninth birthday, Mari Hamilton, a worn-out recreation director at Golden Horizons Retirement Home, is convinced that leaving social work will improve her social life. So she seeks and receives a stylish position at a new and fabulous luxury spa. In addition, after countless bad first dates at hip clubs, Mari meets the perfect guy at Golden Horizon's anniversary party (of all places!).

But a funny thing happens to her on the way to a life makeover--a forced stopover in her past where she admits to the unadmittable... Through all her work and dating adventures and misadventures, Mari realizes that it was in her old life that God was doing a new and incredibly hip thing.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Hope Lyda has worked in publishing for ten years and is the author of Hip to Be Square in addition to several nonfiction titles, including the One-Minute Prayers series (more than 200,000 copies sold). When not journaling or aspiring to write and travel, Hope enjoys her work as an editor and living life in Oregon with her husband.

Reviews

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I love Christian novels that don't force it on you. And that let you see the faults of their characters. Christians are humans too. This is a great book. I loved the sassiness of the Golden Horizon residents. Who wouldn't want to work there?

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun christian chick lit book about Mari who works at a retirement home in Tucson but her dream is to work at one of the many resorts. Her friends want to help her because she doesn't date and doesn't dress well (in their opinion, and maybe she doesn't!) but they do mean well.

In the end, Mari realizes what her calling in life is and snags a man.

I like this book because the chapters are short which makes me read faster for some reason!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and it wasn't quite as funny as it tried to be....but I liked how it all came together in the end and the underlying Christian theme that held it together but wasn't at all preachy.

[Momruns5 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute enough story, but the writing was sometimes really confusing and disjointed. It just started referencing a whole different character without even letting you know who it was referencing. And the sentence structure was sometimes confusing also.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story got better 1/2 way through or more and I liked the ending.

[Jenny Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fast read. Great for us single gals and it's not a trashy romance novel!!!!

[Donna Collier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was reading three different non-fiction books at one time and needed a break. I decided on a Christian chick lit book that had been one guest’s favorite on the What Should I Read Next podcast. It was a quick read and definitely much easier than the non-fictions, but that is about all I can say. This was pretty much the definition of fluff, and while I am not against fluff, this was not quite my cup of tea. I like a little more action, or something. So I am a bit surprised that it was someone’s favorite and I will most likely skip the next two in the series!

[Tricia Culp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this on my list for awhile because a guest on What Should I Read Next described it as unusually well-written inspirational fiction. And, indeed, it was. Funny and quirky - and I really liked that the story was really about Mari’s whole life - her career, her family of origin, her friendships - and the romance storyline was just a small part. Also, the faith part was very subtle - so a lot of my pet peeves about “Christian romance” were avoided. Overall, an enjoyable light read.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Christian chick-lit was cute, but not memorable.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book with a few twists and turns that keep you guessing. The main character tries to figure out what she wants to do with her life, which is a struggle many people can identify with. Funny, relatable, quick-witted, and smart! Look forward to reading more by this author!

[Miriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually liked this book more at a three-star level when I read it, but as I thought about it, I got a little annoyed with it. The Christian elements are handled nicely, but the main plot twists are a little bit much. Also, the "group of four female friends" device has been used way too often. I was bothered a little by the fact that she is supposed to feel guilty for resenting the fact that she didn't have her parents to herself growing up because they were busy running a shelter, and that in the end she realizes how wrong she is. I think it could have been interesting to show that many parents do become too involved in their causes and neglect their children. I'm not saying it should have been all their fault, but a little balance would have been nice.

[Ginger]

I'll admit, even though I'm the target demographic for it (I love Jesus, shoes, and baking), I usually don't like chick lit. A step past that, I'm willing to finally admit I usually loathe Christian chick lit.

I heard about this book via Modern Mrs. Darcy, a smart and sophisticated and always trustworthy source of good books. The way a guest described this book on MMD's "What Should I Read Next?" podcast sounded like something I'd be willing to give a try!

I need a little more genre literature in my life, if just to ensure I don't take myself too seriously.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun and insightful without being over-the-top. The technology references are now horribly outdated (hard to imagine someone not knowing about blogs, but the Internet was pretty young in 2005. :)

My only frustration was the sheer number of characters--by the grand finale, there were names that I had no recollection of hearing before.

[Lindsey Stepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this a book I only heard of because my sister stumbled upon it, I really enjoyed it. The story was well written and, since I read the second first, I was able to see and understand the little details.

[Library Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mari dreams of the shiny oatmeal color of a nice car . . .and gets the matte oatmeal walls of the nursing home she works in.
I just love this book, it's quirky and funny, and I just can help but re-read it every once and a while.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book! More from me on this book later!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a Christian chick book, it is pretty good! Easy read, enjoyable and not overally cheesy which is impotant. Plus it is written by my cousins wife and seeing my last name on a book is just fun!

[Elaine · Rating 1 out of 5]

0 stars would be preferable.

Stunk; hard to trudge through.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so bored by this book... couldn't get into it at all.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm too hip for this square book. Back to the library.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 2.5 stars but I always round up. Started really slow for me but towards the middle it picked up some speed. The writing was not my fave but it could have been worse. Was funny at times.

[LeahBethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was nice but I felt that it could have been wrapped up more quickly.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. It was nice for some light reading.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mari Hamilton is (gasp!) almost 30. And what has she done with her life so far? She's just working as an activities director at some dumb retirement home where the residents are ancient and her boss is terrible. When she has the chance to work for a fancy resort, she jumps at it. But is that really what will make her happy?

This book was a good vacation read -- quick and simple. Liked reading about Mari's relationships with her friends although I never understood what brought them all together... they seemed way too different. Also liked the concept that the grass isn't always greener. And your friend who thinks she's all that really isn't. Also thought it was cute that Mari was such good friends with one of the residents at Golden Horizons.

Oh... and although it's listed as Christian lit, I'm Jewish and still enjoyed it. In fact, I wouldn't have realized it was Christian lit if I didn't just read the reviews.

[esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book

the novel revolves around the life of a 29 year old Mari Hamilton who's life doesn't seem to be going the direction she intended before striking the big 3-oh.
little does she know that God has bigger plans for her than she could imagine.

after a very emotional visit to her past, a lot of help and "interventions" from her circle of friends, and a surprising inheritance, Mari sets off on a journey of self discovery which has it's quirks here and there (including a [spoiler alert] Beau....leterally a Beau. lol)

This was a beautifully written novel by Hope Lyda and i was so excited to hear there is a sequel. can't wait to read that.