Life Over Easy

by Margo Candela

When her live-in boyfriend leaves her, Natalya Campos, a highly organized and successful caterer, embarks on a mission to find the perfect man, while trying to spice up her own life, which leads her on an extraordinary adventure of self-discovery. Original.

Genres: Chick Lit

314 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Margo Candela is an award-winning author born and raised in Los Angeles and began her writing career when she joined her community college's student newspaper. She transferred to a state university as a journalism major, and upon graduation began writing for websites and magazines before switching to fiction. She wrote and published four novels between 2007 and 2010 :Underneath It All and Life Over Easy Good-bye to All That and More Than This. The Neapolitan Sisters, a 2023 International Latino Book Award winner, is her fifth novel and her first after a decade-long hiatus from writing.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! And yes, I figured out the ending.

[Zulmara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Over Easy
By Margo Candela
http://www.margocandela.com/blogspot/...

Reviewed by Zulmara Cline

In Margo Candela's second novel, we meet Natalya, Margo's second strong, complex Latina character, complete with a loud, loving family, a serious boyfriend, a successful catering business, and comadres who have her back.

When life throws her a curveball, Natalya has to decide how to pick up the pieces. She uses everything from lists, songs, exercise, transition men, and her comadres to get a handle on how to move on and get over the man who dumped her. Her mother is forever hopeful and her father loves her in his own silent way. Her girlfriends are all complicated, but the bonds run deep with this crew and they will be there for each other, no matter what…that's what comadres are for.

As she transitions from her tranquil, but not truly satisfying life, Natalya discovers an inner strength she did not know she had, explores a sense of spirituality that agrees with her, and realizes that life is her for the taking. Natalya blossoms into a wonderfully complex mixture of love, understanding, and caring in her year of reorganizing her life and learning how to take back what is hers.


About the Author
Margo Candela is a Latina author who writes with a strong Latina voice, mixing bits and pieces of the culture into her universal stories and plot themes. No stereotypes in her novels, just strong Latinos/as who give us glimpse into the culture that gives us wings to fly and roots to stay grounded. Margo passionately weaves the best of la comunidad Latina with wit, wisdom, talent, and humor.

Questions
1. Natalya writes down her perfect recipe for a man. Read over her recipe, what would you add, change, delete, or otherwise alter?
2. Are you ready to be the perfect mate for your perfect mate?
3. Write your goals for a better you and share with at least one comadre.
4. How do you pick up the pieces of your life after life has dealt you a blow?
5. Write a list of New Year's Resolutions based on life's pleasures.
6. What is your favorite break-up song? Why are songs such a powerful part of breaking up?

Quote:
I just lean into my mother and sigh, "I just want to be happy, too." (278)

Opening line:
After waiting ten minutes outside the restaurant, I finally approach the hostess.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight twist on a typical "chick lit" novel. For a change, the main character is latina, so the family dynamic of growing up in that culture is intrinsic to the storyline. Besides that twist, however, you are faced with the general formula these novels tend to follow. Still, this one managed to have less of the self-pitying "woe is me, I'm a girl without a boy" feel, and more of the "I am woman, hear me roar...well...purr" as I stumble and fall, but pick myself up again and do it all over.

I enjoyed it, it was a fun read.

[Jamie Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a light, easy read with funny moments this book is for you. If you're looking for something heady or deep, I'd probably pick up something else. Overall the book is a fun beach read, it had unique moments even though the plot was basic. I loved that the main character was Latina and that the author injected characteristics that were Latin-American instead of filling the book with stereotypical spanglish. I also like that the female protagonist was strong in her career if not in her love life. Overall I thought it was entertaining and got through it in a few days.

[Kimberly Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly typical "chick lit" book.
I had a difficult time relating to the main character and the situations she found herself in. However, it was a relatively entertaining book and I would definitely consider reading this author again, even though I'm not a chick lit fan at all.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick fun read about how a hispanic single girl ends up learning that it's more important to find yourself first rather than a man; this of course only occurs after she juggles dating four men at once:)Thanks Leny!

[Kathleen Lenehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light hearted silly read, but it was enjoyable.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but just okay for me. A break-up/growth type book but very very light.

[anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book reminds me that life is a journey. worth reading.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was easy reading and entertaining. If you want to read something light and fun this book was pretty good.

[Chasity · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finally gave up around page 80... just couldn't get into this book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this quick read. centres around a twenty something, Natalya, in her quest to find "Mr right" after her long term relationship ends - with amusing results

[Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit messy, all over the place. Entertaining and funny at times.

[K.N.B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really though this book would be another cliche romance story but just wow. The writing is amazing, the main character has so much personality. All in all, a great read.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good one I was told