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Lipstick and Lies
41-year old Cassandra Mackerel is loved up and happily re-married to new husband Jamie. Together they have a ready-made family and a six month old baby boy. Juggling her own children with step-children and an infant is both hectic and stressful, especially with a mother-in-law who seems to have taken up permanent residence.
Cass has a strong support system in friend and new mum Morag – who is the fourth Mrs Harding with more step-children she can keep up with – and also old neighbour and great pal Nell who has a baby girl.
Rising to the challenge of a second marriage and the emotional baggage that comes with it is tough. The last thing Cass needs is the reappearance of husband Jamie’s ex-girlfriend Selina. Gorgeous and glamorous but utterly unstable, Selina once stalked Cass and contrived to split her and Jamie up. And now Selina is engaged to Jamie’s business partner, Ethan Fareham. Seemingly it is appalling coincidence.
Cass can’t shake the feeling that Selina is up to her old tricks. Except this time, if Selina has her way, she’ll split Cass and Jamie up permanently. Because this time it’s murder...
Cass has a strong support system in friend and new mum Morag – who is the fourth Mrs Harding with more step-children she can keep up with – and also old neighbour and great pal Nell who has a baby girl.
Rising to the challenge of a second marriage and the emotional baggage that comes with it is tough. The last thing Cass needs is the reappearance of husband Jamie’s ex-girlfriend Selina. Gorgeous and glamorous but utterly unstable, Selina once stalked Cass and contrived to split her and Jamie up. And now Selina is engaged to Jamie’s business partner, Ethan Fareham. Seemingly it is appalling coincidence.
Cass can’t shake the feeling that Selina is up to her old tricks. Except this time, if Selina has her way, she’ll split Cass and Jamie up permanently. Because this time it’s murder...
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2012
333 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 18, 2017
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did. The blurb was enticing and I'm all for a good chick lit. They're usually funny, realistic, and able to convey the woes of the whole dating, or motherhood and family scenario's quite well without it being utterly dull. This one is no exception, the day by day life of Cass is one of chaos and noise and children and family life making the days long and the chores never ending. While there are a lot of characters in the book Cass is my favorite, she's not a yummy mummy, she's tired, she doesn't cook well, and she always feel inferior to her mother in law but the relationship isn't strained or one of belittling. She has her own strengths, acknowledges it and moves on. The real issue in the book is about an ex girlfriend of her husband Jamie's who was stalkerish in the past but claims to have moved on. The book goes on from there with a few old but still good tropes and kept me interested from the time I started reading until I finished. I'd definitely recommend this book to other chick lit fans and I'll be checking out other books by this author.
July 8, 2018
..
Not really very realistic to be honest and found myself skim reading from about half way! Filled in some time though!
Not really very realistic to be honest and found myself skim reading from about half way! Filled in some time though!
May 18, 2024
Listened on audiable.
This was a lighthearted comical chick lit book. Much was yes maybe a little predictable however for me the comedy was there making it absolutely worth it and an easy listen. If your looking for something to amuse you and just give you some time away from life then give this a go.
Cass was definitely my favourite character she really was portrayed well as how much of life can be, not all mums can cook well haha and most have done some of their own investigative work in one way or another haha!!! I loved the friendships but in particular the relationship between Cass and Morag a little bit of Thelma and Louise going out to find out what happened to Stevie reminded me of my best friend and I how we team up in all of lives curve balls. Of course this book finishes with a few happy endings that just made it a feel good book.
This was a lighthearted comical chick lit book. Much was yes maybe a little predictable however for me the comedy was there making it absolutely worth it and an easy listen. If your looking for something to amuse you and just give you some time away from life then give this a go.
Cass was definitely my favourite character she really was portrayed well as how much of life can be, not all mums can cook well haha and most have done some of their own investigative work in one way or another haha!!! I loved the friendships but in particular the relationship between Cass and Morag a little bit of Thelma and Louise going out to find out what happened to Stevie reminded me of my best friend and I how we team up in all of lives curve balls. Of course this book finishes with a few happy endings that just made it a feel good book.
July 3, 2018
Brillo
Loved this one and the first hope you do a 3rd
Really enjoyed these books made me laugh and smile although I was sort of expecting the ending the drama still caught me off guard
Loved this one and the first hope you do a 3rd
Really enjoyed these books made me laugh and smile although I was sort of expecting the ending the drama still caught me off guard
February 25, 2018
I’m not going to put a plot synopsis in as I don’t like spoilers. Suffice to say that Lipstick and Lies is a sequel to Stockings and Cellulite, and it’s just as mad and hilarious as its predecessor. In fact, I downloaded this one immediately I had finished the first, I enjoyed it so much.
Cassandra’s a good mum, though her cooking is not so good, she is permanently exhausted, and life is noisy, chaotic, and utterly recognisable. Cass is convinced an ex-girlfriend is out to split up Cass and her husband. He thinks she’s misreading the situation because she’s tired and has issues with the woman anyway. He’s stressed because it all connected to his job. In the middle of this, the ex-husband goes missing. We end up on a veritable high-speed, joyride trying to prove Cass is right. As always aided and abetted by her equally daft but adorable friends. More here
https://heartshapedbluestocking.com/2...
Cassandra’s a good mum, though her cooking is not so good, she is permanently exhausted, and life is noisy, chaotic, and utterly recognisable. Cass is convinced an ex-girlfriend is out to split up Cass and her husband. He thinks she’s misreading the situation because she’s tired and has issues with the woman anyway. He’s stressed because it all connected to his job. In the middle of this, the ex-husband goes missing. We end up on a veritable high-speed, joyride trying to prove Cass is right. As always aided and abetted by her equally daft but adorable friends. More here
https://heartshapedbluestocking.com/2...
September 26, 2017
Not just heart-warming and funny, this book adds a crime mystery, a homicidal maniac and a high-speed car sequence to the mix. You'll be on the edge of your seat! This author just goes from strength to strength.
March 26, 2013
Brilliant! I loved this book. A bit predictable but still a great read. I can't wait to read more books from Debbie Viggiano.
June 12, 2013
3.5 stars
July 6, 2013
best book
May 15, 2014
Story started very slow but when it did get going finished very quick
August 29, 2016
Fantastic read
Really enjoying books by Debbie Viggiano. This book kept me hooked and pleased to say if followed another. Loved the characters too.
Really enjoying books by Debbie Viggiano. This book kept me hooked and pleased to say if followed another. Loved the characters too.
November 17, 2020
Fun Page Turner
An enjoyable read that picked up the momentum as it went along until I couldn't put it down. You know where it's heading but that didn't spoil the journey. Some wonderful characters, from Morag with her creative sexploits with her husband, to mother-in-law Edna, who can turn her hand to most anything from cooking up delicious meals to building boats in the garage. But most of all I loved the imperfect heroine, Cass. I'm sure many of us could relate to her feelings of inadequacy as a mother, wife etc.
This is the first Debbie Viggiano book I've read but it won't be the last! I should have read "Stockings and Cellulite" first but I'm looking forward to reading about Cass and Jamie's romance.
An enjoyable read that picked up the momentum as it went along until I couldn't put it down. You know where it's heading but that didn't spoil the journey. Some wonderful characters, from Morag with her creative sexploits with her husband, to mother-in-law Edna, who can turn her hand to most anything from cooking up delicious meals to building boats in the garage. But most of all I loved the imperfect heroine, Cass. I'm sure many of us could relate to her feelings of inadequacy as a mother, wife etc.
This is the first Debbie Viggiano book I've read but it won't be the last! I should have read "Stockings and Cellulite" first but I'm looking forward to reading about Cass and Jamie's romance.
September 11, 2018
Humorous
One of the funniest books I’ve read this year! The characters were hilarious, especially Cass and Morag. Their banter while waiting to spy on Stevie and Selina had me in tears! The idea of three friends/ mothers trying to become police investigators their own was just too funny for words. Blended families, jealous ex-girlfriends, and babies made it difficult to put this book down until I finished it! I will be reading more from this author!
One of the funniest books I’ve read this year! The characters were hilarious, especially Cass and Morag. Their banter while waiting to spy on Stevie and Selina had me in tears! The idea of three friends/ mothers trying to become police investigators their own was just too funny for words. Blended families, jealous ex-girlfriends, and babies made it difficult to put this book down until I finished it! I will be reading more from this author!
April 13, 2019
Good enough addictive reading
I liked the characters and quickly got absorbed into the story however one small criticism is that the crescendo was a bit predictable, albeit i didn't exactly know the ultimate demise but you could definitely feel what was coming. Think I'd have preferred a bit more detail in the immediate aftermath and the relationship problems that had been building than a quick 6 months later happy ending.
I liked the characters and quickly got absorbed into the story however one small criticism is that the crescendo was a bit predictable, albeit i didn't exactly know the ultimate demise but you could definitely feel what was coming. Think I'd have preferred a bit more detail in the immediate aftermath and the relationship problems that had been building than a quick 6 months later happy ending.
August 7, 2018
For a second book it's a great read.... Just as good as the first one. Couldn't put it down. Looking for another one right now
November 5, 2018
Entertaining
Laughed through both books. Loved these women. They took things and fixed them i have one friend like them Great friend
Laughed through both books. Loved these women. They took things and fixed them i have one friend like them Great friend
January 3, 2019
Read this within a few days as I couldn't put it down, I loved it, hope there is another one soon.
January 4, 2019
Fun read
The tale of three women, their kids and their husbands plus a very good evil interest. It all ends happily ever after though.
The tale of three women, their kids and their husbands plus a very good evil interest. It all ends happily ever after though.
January 13, 2019
Read to the end hoping for a twist. There wasn't one. However it has helped me in achieving a target on my latest reading challenge...read a book with a blue cover. So not entirely time wasted.
February 6, 2019
Liked this sequel to Stockings and Cellulite it was funny and a nice feel good book.
February 15, 2019
Really good story. Easy holiday / beach time reading. Fun plot . Worth reading
February 26, 2019
I like a book that you don't want to put down... this wasn't one of them books. I like the concept but I'm half way through and to be honest I'm bored.
March 8, 2019
Gripping
Enjoyed this book. Really gripping. Great characters and storyline. I will.look to read more books by Debbie Viggiano very soon
Enjoyed this book. Really gripping. Great characters and storyline. I will.look to read more books by Debbie Viggiano very soon
December 9, 2019
I loved this!
The way she writes, it makes you see every character, i was so enthralled by the car accident scene i missed my stop on the train. It was perfection!!
The way she writes, it makes you see every character, i was so enthralled by the car accident scene i missed my stop on the train. It was perfection!!
December 13, 2019
I love a good mystery! And Selena made an incredible villain.
February 18, 2020
The crazy stalker ex trope is a bit exhausting. Overall, I liked the book well enough.
March 15, 2020
Placeholder for a friend’s manuscript: “Lipstick and Cyanide”
June 9, 2020
Just as good as the first x
July 15, 2020
Men are fools
This follow-up was just as good as its predecessor. I loved that the women are so close and share everything. Even danger. Well written and entertaining.
This follow-up was just as good as its predecessor. I loved that the women are so close and share everything. Even danger. Well written and entertaining.
October 20, 2021
Loved this book and really hope there's a third one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews