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This Is How It Happened
He lied, he cheated. He destroyed her life. How difficult could killing him be? Madeline Piatro devoted four years of her life to her boyfriend Carlton—and, in return, got romance, flowers, and the best sex she'd ever had. But then he dumped her—by e-mail, no less! He used her, he broke her heart...and he even cost her the marketing job she dearly loved. Now Maddy's on a mission. She wants revenge and she wants her career back. But Maddy's about to discover that getting even, no matter how justifiable, isn't as easy as it might at first appear—even with a batch of arsenic brownies, the help of a professional (if bumbling) hit man, and the advice and best wishes of her very best friends.
294 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
15 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Jo Barrett
53 books75 followersJo currently resides in North Carolina with her patient and supportive family while she juggles her writing career and her position as a programmer analyst.
She has won numerous awards and continues to write whenever she can.
Someday, she hopes to take off her programming hat and write full time.
So many of her dreams have already come true. What's one more?
For a list of Jo's books, visit The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Email: jobarrett@jobarrett.net
She has won numerous awards and continues to write whenever she can.
Someday, she hopes to take off her programming hat and write full time.
So many of her dreams have already come true. What's one more?
For a list of Jo's books, visit The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Email: jobarrett@jobarrett.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
June 2, 2008
The brownies on the cover of this book were very appropriate. It was a like eating a pan of brownies... I sat down to read a little of it, and I ended up consuming the entire thing in under two hours.
The book was somewhere between over the top funny and depressingly sad. The over the top funny stuff was great, and in context, didn't seem all that over the top! The depressingly sad part came from having to watch PAINFULLY while an extremely intelligent woman made all of the really obviously stupid mistakes that women make in relationships -- all of the mistakes that I watch my friends and peers make, and so much more.
The main character was very compelling -- you couldn't help but be sympathetic for her. Also, I thought that the other characters in the book were great and formed an excellent backdrop for her story.
The book was somewhere between over the top funny and depressingly sad. The over the top funny stuff was great, and in context, didn't seem all that over the top! The depressingly sad part came from having to watch PAINFULLY while an extremely intelligent woman made all of the really obviously stupid mistakes that women make in relationships -- all of the mistakes that I watch my friends and peers make, and so much more.
The main character was very compelling -- you couldn't help but be sympathetic for her. Also, I thought that the other characters in the book were great and formed an excellent backdrop for her story.
September 4, 2008
I enjoyed this book, and parts were laugh out loud funny! The story rotates back and forth between Maddy's love affair with Carlton and the aftermath of their breakup. Maddy was more intelligent than Carlton but yet he was able to manipulate her throughout and after their relationship. I was frustrated with her as she always capitulated to him, and I couldn't decide if it was because she was simply naive or was overwhelmed by getting the good-looking, charming guy no matter the flaws. Anyway, this is a funny book, especially when she's plotting her revenge!
May 19, 2009
Madeline Piatro has just broken up with her fiancé of four years. Or so she was led to believe by the handsome to-die-for Carlton Connors. See, Carlton never told anyone they were engaged, and when he found out Madeline is pregnant, he wants her to have an abortion. And if that isn't bad enough, she loses the baby, he cheats on her at a bachelor party, breaks up with her, fires her from the company they came up with and claims all her ideas as his own.
Now Madeline wants to get even and may resort to murdering her louse of an ex-boyfriend to make herself feel better.
Madeline’s romance with Carlton was one only found in fairy tales. They met in graduate school and, after a passionate night together, Madeline never looked back. In the beginning, everything was perfect between the two. They had great sex, laughed a lot and, even though they had stress from school and work, they had each other. Madeline was such a good girlfriend she even wrote Carlton’s papers and did his homework for him so he could graduate. After four years together, Madeline was ready to get married and have kids, the whole nine yards. But Carlton wanted to prove first to his rich father that he could make it in the business world and, with Madeline by his side, they would be able to make a ton of money. Madeline came up with an idea for an organic food company for children and, because of her amazing ideas, they started their business from the ground up and were soon on the way to success. But then Carlton starts to change, and that is when he pushes Madeline to the curb.
Revenge becomes the most important thing in Madeline’s life. She wants to hurt Carlton...and bad; maybe not murder him, but make him suffer like she did. Her recovering drug addict brother, Ronnie, wants her to forget and move on. Madeline simply can’t, and that is when she hires a hit man to do her dirty work! Hit man Dick hears Jane’s (Madeline’s alias) story and also wants to make Carlton suffer because he thinks she is a nice lady. But as Madeline’s best friend Heather is also about to give birth, and a new man enters her life, Madeline is at a crossroads. She can decide to move on as her brother and Heather are telling her to do, or stay depressed and have thoughts of revenge overtake her life. But why can’t she have her cake and eat it, too?
Jo Barrett has written an engaging tale of heartbreak about a woman who wants the person responsible to suffer greatly. Madeline’s voice is very amusing as she thinks of ways to kill her lousy ex, Carlton, without getting caught. This is a woman you can sympathize with who thought she had met the man of her dreams, but instead he became her worst nightmare. I was all for Madeline getting back at Carlton, who is the worst kind of man, much like the villain of the piece. Of course, Madeline doesn’t resort to murder, but her revenge is so good that you will want to stand up and applaud.
Madeline’s brother Ronnie is her support and conscience, and so is her friend Heather, who is married to Michael, a Jewish lawyer. Heather is converting to the Jewish religion and those results are hilarious. Also along for this ride is Dick, the hit man Madeline hires and gives marketing advice to, and also Carlton whom we see in flashbacks. Plus, there is the mysterious Nick, to whom Madeline becomes very attracted, but who also has his own secrets.
THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED had me laughing so much I was near tears. Even though this is about a woman’s quest for revenge, you come to realize that karma will take over, especially when you read the epilogue and see how far Madeline has come. Because this story made such an impression and will most definitely do the same with most readers.
Now Madeline wants to get even and may resort to murdering her louse of an ex-boyfriend to make herself feel better.
Madeline’s romance with Carlton was one only found in fairy tales. They met in graduate school and, after a passionate night together, Madeline never looked back. In the beginning, everything was perfect between the two. They had great sex, laughed a lot and, even though they had stress from school and work, they had each other. Madeline was such a good girlfriend she even wrote Carlton’s papers and did his homework for him so he could graduate. After four years together, Madeline was ready to get married and have kids, the whole nine yards. But Carlton wanted to prove first to his rich father that he could make it in the business world and, with Madeline by his side, they would be able to make a ton of money. Madeline came up with an idea for an organic food company for children and, because of her amazing ideas, they started their business from the ground up and were soon on the way to success. But then Carlton starts to change, and that is when he pushes Madeline to the curb.
Revenge becomes the most important thing in Madeline’s life. She wants to hurt Carlton...and bad; maybe not murder him, but make him suffer like she did. Her recovering drug addict brother, Ronnie, wants her to forget and move on. Madeline simply can’t, and that is when she hires a hit man to do her dirty work! Hit man Dick hears Jane’s (Madeline’s alias) story and also wants to make Carlton suffer because he thinks she is a nice lady. But as Madeline’s best friend Heather is also about to give birth, and a new man enters her life, Madeline is at a crossroads. She can decide to move on as her brother and Heather are telling her to do, or stay depressed and have thoughts of revenge overtake her life. But why can’t she have her cake and eat it, too?
Jo Barrett has written an engaging tale of heartbreak about a woman who wants the person responsible to suffer greatly. Madeline’s voice is very amusing as she thinks of ways to kill her lousy ex, Carlton, without getting caught. This is a woman you can sympathize with who thought she had met the man of her dreams, but instead he became her worst nightmare. I was all for Madeline getting back at Carlton, who is the worst kind of man, much like the villain of the piece. Of course, Madeline doesn’t resort to murder, but her revenge is so good that you will want to stand up and applaud.
Madeline’s brother Ronnie is her support and conscience, and so is her friend Heather, who is married to Michael, a Jewish lawyer. Heather is converting to the Jewish religion and those results are hilarious. Also along for this ride is Dick, the hit man Madeline hires and gives marketing advice to, and also Carlton whom we see in flashbacks. Plus, there is the mysterious Nick, to whom Madeline becomes very attracted, but who also has his own secrets.
THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED had me laughing so much I was near tears. Even though this is about a woman’s quest for revenge, you come to realize that karma will take over, especially when you read the epilogue and see how far Madeline has come. Because this story made such an impression and will most definitely do the same with most readers.
September 17, 2008
When you get dumped, it's natural to want to strike back. But when the dumper is your fiance who promised to love you "forever," and the father of your unborn child, and the co-founder of the company you pretty much single-handedly built, AND he does the break-up by e-mail, your desire to extract revenge will be exponentially higher.
Madeline Piatro is having trouble getting over her break-up with the perfect man. So she hires a perfect man of her own -- a hit man. Full of unexpected revelations and quirky, fun characters, "This Is How It Happened" will surely tickle the fancies of every woman who's ever been on the receiving end of a "Dear Jane" letter.
While I really enjoyed this book and found myself wanting to read "just five more pages" to see what was going to happen next, something was missing. There was never a real climactic showdown between Maddie and her ex, and we never get to experience first-hand the pain she inflicts with her get-even-quick plans. I wanted to see him for myself, and feel his humiliation. Since those scenes were missing, the book left me unfulfilled.
There were also some sloppy editing moments ("Addidas" sportswear, and Maddie saying she'd never met Snoop when just a few dozen pages earlier she talks about her face-to-face with him). And the constant repetition of her name by other characters every five sentences was annoying. But all-in-all, "This Is How It Happened" was entertaining, smart, and fun. I'll be looking for more of Jo Barrett's books.
Madeline Piatro is having trouble getting over her break-up with the perfect man. So she hires a perfect man of her own -- a hit man. Full of unexpected revelations and quirky, fun characters, "This Is How It Happened" will surely tickle the fancies of every woman who's ever been on the receiving end of a "Dear Jane" letter.
While I really enjoyed this book and found myself wanting to read "just five more pages" to see what was going to happen next, something was missing. There was never a real climactic showdown between Maddie and her ex, and we never get to experience first-hand the pain she inflicts with her get-even-quick plans. I wanted to see him for myself, and feel his humiliation. Since those scenes were missing, the book left me unfulfilled.
There were also some sloppy editing moments ("Addidas" sportswear, and Maddie saying she'd never met Snoop when just a few dozen pages earlier she talks about her face-to-face with him). And the constant repetition of her name by other characters every five sentences was annoying. But all-in-all, "This Is How It Happened" was entertaining, smart, and fun. I'll be looking for more of Jo Barrett's books.
February 24, 2009
There are not enough stars for this book. It was downright awesome.
I've had some friends that fall into the scorned lover category. And you might hear "hell hath no fury" and I am here to say... that's an understatement. Women get downright vindictive and they are creative about it.
Men, take the warning. And live in fear.
He was your typical jerkwad pretty boy. Thinks he can have it all. Treats her like trash. Possibly gives her an STD. Steals her business. Cheats on her. And then dumps her and fires her through email. EMAIL.
Death is too easy for him. The poison brownies she bakes? Too nice. I am glad she realized that. She, instead, hires a hit man. And together they come up with the best thing of all.
To the pain...
Oh she kills him all right. She kills the life he's built up. Much better than actually killing him.
This is how it happened...
I've had some friends that fall into the scorned lover category. And you might hear "hell hath no fury" and I am here to say... that's an understatement. Women get downright vindictive and they are creative about it.
Men, take the warning. And live in fear.
He was your typical jerkwad pretty boy. Thinks he can have it all. Treats her like trash. Possibly gives her an STD. Steals her business. Cheats on her. And then dumps her and fires her through email. EMAIL.
Death is too easy for him. The poison brownies she bakes? Too nice. I am glad she realized that. She, instead, hires a hit man. And together they come up with the best thing of all.
To the pain...
Oh she kills him all right. She kills the life he's built up. Much better than actually killing him.
This is how it happened...
January 23, 2008
This enormously entertaining book begins with Madeline Piatro baking poisoned brownies, which she plans to give (anonymously) to her ex-fiancee, Carlton. Unfortunately, Maddy can't resist trying the brownies herself (well, who could?) and, rather than delivering them to the intended recipient, spends the rest of the day throwing up.
So why does Maddy want Carlton dead?
To read the rest of this review, please visit Trashionista
So why does Maddy want Carlton dead?
To read the rest of this review, please visit Trashionista
May 25, 2009
An amusing, fluffy read. Who doesn't want to read about how a creative, high-functioning, smarty-pants woman (who turned a few too many blind eyes) exacts painful revenge on the ex who did her dirty in so many ways? The ending was a bit too perfect, but then again, when a woman gets burned like Maddy Piatro was burned, I suppose she deserves a too-perfect ending. I'm betting there'll be a movie before too long.
December 22, 2022
I liked bits and pieces of this book.
Overall, the time jumps were unnecessary, the build up was a bit of a let down, and I found myself getting bored a bit too easily. However, the book was very well written, the jokes were funny, and the overall story was interesting.
Overall, the time jumps were unnecessary, the build up was a bit of a let down, and I found myself getting bored a bit too easily. However, the book was very well written, the jokes were funny, and the overall story was interesting.
June 11, 2019
I absolutely loved this book— a romance, a liar and cheater and some pretty ingenious revenge moves made this laugh out loud in spots book the perfect fun read.
June 23, 2022
DNF (30%)
It's too bad the pacing was so slow, being stuck in Maddy's head, only thinking of all the ways she could murder her ex... But nothing happens in the first 1/4 of the book except repetition.
How much she loved him. Amazing sex life. Shady family. Whining about not having a job. Poor me. Insert poison or weapon "x" here.
It either needed to be more realistic or ridiculously weird... The middle ground it lands on just doesn't work or make sense.
It's too bad the pacing was so slow, being stuck in Maddy's head, only thinking of all the ways she could murder her ex... But nothing happens in the first 1/4 of the book except repetition.
How much she loved him. Amazing sex life. Shady family. Whining about not having a job. Poor me. Insert poison or weapon "x" here.
It either needed to be more realistic or ridiculously weird... The middle ground it lands on just doesn't work or make sense.
September 2, 2018
Quick read. Would’ve been more interesting if the ending didn’t involve stereotypical happy ending with a new partner who appears at just the right moment. The contrast of past to present does make the book interesting.
March 21, 2020
I'd give it a 3.5 stars... Cringe worthy at times. But just a few times. But overall a quick entertaining read. Perfect for those that have a revenge streak in them, and for those that enjoy good romantic fiction.
July 21, 2017
Marketing whiz starts organic food company for kids with handsome boyfriend. He steals company and dumps her. She hires hit man to get even.
May 13, 2022
Pure fluff. Great pool or beach read.
November 19, 2018
Absolutely entertaining! Had me laughing out loud on certain parts. Very easy to read as it depicts a typical modern women mindset, forever cluttered & full of what ifs.
September 1, 2010
Leap Before You Look.
- Madeline
Would Carlton feel the pain, I wondered? It was worth a try.
- Madeline
Better to lead a fast life, die young, and look good in your coffin.
- Forest Connors
If life gives you lemons, put on a party dress and go out for cocktails?
- Madeline
There is great power in letting go.
- Ronnie
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.
- Old Polish proverb
Life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
- Deuteronomy
Don’t take vengeance and don’t bear a grudge against the members of your nation. Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Leviticus.
God grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.
- Serenity Prayer
Remember the Ladies . . . in the new Code of Laws. Remember the Ladies and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember—all Men would be tyrants if they could.
—Abigail Adams (Letter to John Adams in Philadelphia. Braintree. March 31, 1776.)
I’d prefer to face my demons head-on.
- Ronnie
Bringing a little justice to an unjust world.
- Dick
After what that asshole did to you, he ain’t gonna need a band-aid. He’s gonna need a priest
- Dick
They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But Heaven is in the Sweet Revenge.
- Madeline
Physical pain is only temporary. But emotional pain lasts a lifetime.
Let me assure you, getting dumped is not the worst thing that can happen to a person. It happens to everyone. It’s . . . part of the life cycle.
- Madeline
For a good time in bed, please call Nick. P.S. No refunds or exchanges.
- Nick
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
- Nick
- Madeline
Would Carlton feel the pain, I wondered? It was worth a try.
- Madeline
Better to lead a fast life, die young, and look good in your coffin.
- Forest Connors
If life gives you lemons, put on a party dress and go out for cocktails?
- Madeline
There is great power in letting go.
- Ronnie
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.
- Old Polish proverb
Life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
- Deuteronomy
Don’t take vengeance and don’t bear a grudge against the members of your nation. Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Leviticus.
God grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.
- Serenity Prayer
Remember the Ladies . . . in the new Code of Laws. Remember the Ladies and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember—all Men would be tyrants if they could.
—Abigail Adams (Letter to John Adams in Philadelphia. Braintree. March 31, 1776.)
I’d prefer to face my demons head-on.
- Ronnie
Bringing a little justice to an unjust world.
- Dick
After what that asshole did to you, he ain’t gonna need a band-aid. He’s gonna need a priest
- Dick
They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But Heaven is in the Sweet Revenge.
- Madeline
Physical pain is only temporary. But emotional pain lasts a lifetime.
Let me assure you, getting dumped is not the worst thing that can happen to a person. It happens to everyone. It’s . . . part of the life cycle.
- Madeline
For a good time in bed, please call Nick. P.S. No refunds or exchanges.
- Nick
Imitation is the highest form of flattery.
- Nick
September 14, 2011
Akhir-akhir ini saya tidak begitu tertarik lagi membaca chicklit. Bagi saya toh, plotnya selalu sama. Kecuali mungkin untuk beberapa penulis, Sophie Kinsella dan Meg Cabot misalnya, rasanya chick lit ya ceritanya bakal begitu saja. Tapi buku yang satu ini benar-benar berbeda.
Madeline Piatro, seorang wanita cerdas yang ditinggalkan begitu saja oleh Carlton, pacarnya. Yang paling menyakitkan, si pacar mencampakkan Madeline begitu saja setelah apa yang telah dilakukan Madeline untuk mereka berdua. Merasa sakit hati, Madeline lalu memutuskan untuk membalas Carlton.
Yang menurut saya paling menarik dari buku ini adalah karakter Madeline itu sendiri. Dari sekian chicklit yang sudah saya baca tahun ini, Madeline benar-benar cerdas, dan punya akal sehat. Dia tidak merengek-rengek bahwa hidupnya menyedihkan, dan dengan blak-balakan dia menyatakan bahwa dia suka makan, dan tidak menganggapnya sebagai aib. Beda banget kan sama tokoh utama di chicklit lain yang selalu meratapi berat badan dan penampilan mereka?
Alur ceritanya dibikin bolak-balik. Jadi satu bab akan menceritakan kejadian saat ini, lalu bab selanjutnya adalah flash back yang menceritakan ulang kehidupan Madeline saat bersama Carlton, membangun perusahaan mereka, hingga akhirnya didepak oleh Carlton. Asli deh, benar-benar emosi membaca bagaimana Carlton dengan begitu jahatnya memperlakukan Madeline.
Ada tiga hal yang dilakukan Madeline untuk membalas dendam pada Carlton. Dan saya benar-benar suka cara terakhir dia untuk membalas dendam. Sangat elegan dan cerdas.
Overall, a very good one. Not just the typical kind of chicklit. Girl power banget deh pokoknya =D.
Madeline Piatro, seorang wanita cerdas yang ditinggalkan begitu saja oleh Carlton, pacarnya. Yang paling menyakitkan, si pacar mencampakkan Madeline begitu saja setelah apa yang telah dilakukan Madeline untuk mereka berdua. Merasa sakit hati, Madeline lalu memutuskan untuk membalas Carlton.
Yang menurut saya paling menarik dari buku ini adalah karakter Madeline itu sendiri. Dari sekian chicklit yang sudah saya baca tahun ini, Madeline benar-benar cerdas, dan punya akal sehat. Dia tidak merengek-rengek bahwa hidupnya menyedihkan, dan dengan blak-balakan dia menyatakan bahwa dia suka makan, dan tidak menganggapnya sebagai aib. Beda banget kan sama tokoh utama di chicklit lain yang selalu meratapi berat badan dan penampilan mereka?
Alur ceritanya dibikin bolak-balik. Jadi satu bab akan menceritakan kejadian saat ini, lalu bab selanjutnya adalah flash back yang menceritakan ulang kehidupan Madeline saat bersama Carlton, membangun perusahaan mereka, hingga akhirnya didepak oleh Carlton. Asli deh, benar-benar emosi membaca bagaimana Carlton dengan begitu jahatnya memperlakukan Madeline.
Ada tiga hal yang dilakukan Madeline untuk membalas dendam pada Carlton. Dan saya benar-benar suka cara terakhir dia untuk membalas dendam. Sangat elegan dan cerdas.
Overall, a very good one. Not just the typical kind of chicklit. Girl power banget deh pokoknya =D.
January 3, 2015
You have to love a book that starts with someone baking a batch of revenge arsenic brownies, testing it on themselves and ending up being sick. Seriously - who does that? So, from the start you know this will be a rather cute/fluffy book designed to appeal to the woman scorned but who still has a sense of humor.
Maddy veers from being annoyingly dumb (with her big powerful lawyer friend Michael around, she never got a real contract for Organics 4 Kids?) to cleverly vengeful. However, between those two notes there's nothing else. The same holds true for all the characters: one, maybe two notes and nothing more. I did really like the whole "Dick" as Vengence Maven (my words, not Maddy's) plot and immediately thought that he should be the hero of a book: clever revenge strategies for the recently dumped. Or duped.
Copy provided by publisher.
Maddy veers from being annoyingly dumb (with her big powerful lawyer friend Michael around, she never got a real contract for Organics 4 Kids?) to cleverly vengeful. However, between those two notes there's nothing else. The same holds true for all the characters: one, maybe two notes and nothing more. I did really like the whole "Dick" as Vengence Maven (my words, not Maddy's) plot and immediately thought that he should be the hero of a book: clever revenge strategies for the recently dumped. Or duped.
Copy provided by publisher.
November 28, 2011
Yang paling asyik di buku ini adalah setengah buku ke belakang. Mengapa? Karena di awal2nya buku ini menyebalkan banget membaca berulang2 mengenai keinginan Madeline untuk membalas dendam pada mantan 'tunangannya' Carlton. Berbagai macam cara dibahas malah akhirnya mencelakakan Madeline sendiri. Depresi banget deh. Untung akhirnya keadaan beralih.
Buku ini gaya berceritanya juga back-forward menceritakan masa2 depresi Madeline sekarang setelah diputuskan by email oleh Carlton dan masa2 'bahagia' mereka dulu bersama Carlton dengan gaya bercerita yang 'polos' sehingga pembaca sudah mengetahui bahwa sejak awalnya Carlton ini nyebelin banget, egois dan ada tendensi sedang memanipulasi Madeline.
Aku rekomendaikan buku ini untuk para pencinta chicklit. Madeline yang cerdas akhirnya berhasil mengalahkan Carlton. Benar2 pembalasan yg manis.
Buku ini gaya berceritanya juga back-forward menceritakan masa2 depresi Madeline sekarang setelah diputuskan by email oleh Carlton dan masa2 'bahagia' mereka dulu bersama Carlton dengan gaya bercerita yang 'polos' sehingga pembaca sudah mengetahui bahwa sejak awalnya Carlton ini nyebelin banget, egois dan ada tendensi sedang memanipulasi Madeline.
Aku rekomendaikan buku ini untuk para pencinta chicklit. Madeline yang cerdas akhirnya berhasil mengalahkan Carlton. Benar2 pembalasan yg manis.
June 7, 2015
Review - The characters could have been stronger, as they did seem a bit half-arsed, with all the effort gone into the storyline. That's what let it down for me. I really love the Little Black Dress Books - they're really good for just a quick, light read. They're concise and funny and all the authors who write them seem to have a knack for writing well and making something serious funny. In this case, Barrett makes revenge into an art. Revenge doesn't have to be deadly (like rat poison in brownies or cyanide laced vodka for example!) but it can be fun and anonymous. The twist at the end with the death was a twist and a half and it was totally unexpected.
Genre? - Chic Lit / Drama
Characters? - Madeleine Piatro / Carlton
Setting? - Texas (U.S.A.)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? - No
Rating - 13/20
Genre? - Chic Lit / Drama
Characters? - Madeleine Piatro / Carlton
Setting? - Texas (U.S.A.)
Series? - N/A
Recommend? - No
Rating - 13/20
December 31, 2014
Plucking this unprepossessing book off the shelf, I didn't hold out high expectations. But Reader, I loved it! It's a delicious serve of revenge on a cad and all round rotten guy, one Carlton Connors. The story begins with Maddy plotting ways to remove her ex-fiancee and former business partner from the face of the earth. She's in a complete funk not only because Carlton's dumped her for the cantaloupe-breasted Nathalie, but he's also outmanoeuvred her from their joint business venture - whose idea and most of the work was Maddy's. Unemployed and desperate, she hooks up with a hitman, Dick, and the fun begins. The narrative flips between Maddy and Carlton's 4 year romance and the machinations Maddy hatches with D*ck to exact her revenge on Carlton. And our Maddy is an extremely resourceful heroine. This is a fun read that I immensely enjoyed.
February 10, 2015
If you have ever given your all to a lover, only to be betrayed in the most hurtful of ways, this book may be for you!
Madeline is taken in by a man's good looks, some great sex, and a lot of promises only to be betrayed by him. However, after a period of crying and whining our stalwart heroine decides that she will seek revenge upon the evil boyfriend. Her first two attempts nearly took her out. You need to read the book to find out how successful she was in exacting her revenge.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It may not be great literature but it was entertaining and just what I wanted at this time after having read a book that I thought was awful. At first I rated this book four stars but after discussing it with my mother and realizing how much fun I had while reading the book, I decided that it needed another star especially for the twist at the end.
Madeline is taken in by a man's good looks, some great sex, and a lot of promises only to be betrayed by him. However, after a period of crying and whining our stalwart heroine decides that she will seek revenge upon the evil boyfriend. Her first two attempts nearly took her out. You need to read the book to find out how successful she was in exacting her revenge.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It may not be great literature but it was entertaining and just what I wanted at this time after having read a book that I thought was awful. At first I rated this book four stars but after discussing it with my mother and realizing how much fun I had while reading the book, I decided that it needed another star especially for the twist at the end.
November 28, 2008
This is a funny novel about moving on. And while it did drag a little in the middle there was enough twists and turns to keep it interesting and once stuff starts happening at the end it’s quite fun. My only other complaint was that the author switches back and forth each chapter in time as Maddy flashes back to tell the story of her relationship, it was ok at first, but then the time sequence got a little confusing at the end as past becomes present.
Would be a fun movie. I’m interested in reading the author’s first book The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom. All in all though this was a nice Saturday read.
Would be a fun movie. I’m interested in reading the author’s first book The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom. All in all though this was a nice Saturday read.
August 28, 2011
I expected this to be lighter but it fooled me.
This was a very strange love story and I've enjoyed it immensely although Madeline freaked me out sometimes! She tried to get over her relationship, using some unusual methods and managed to get her sweet revenge in the end.
As for Carlton,i never disliked a character so much in a book, EVER! I wish i could get my hands on him... He was a major ass but then again, he got what he deserved.
This story was full of angst and emotional frustration,but we got a happy ending.
This was a very strange love story and I've enjoyed it immensely although Madeline freaked me out sometimes! She tried to get over her relationship, using some unusual methods and managed to get her sweet revenge in the end.
As for Carlton,i never disliked a character so much in a book, EVER! I wish i could get my hands on him... He was a major ass but then again, he got what he deserved.
This story was full of angst and emotional frustration,but we got a happy ending.
August 6, 2011
Ini novel memang JAGOAN. BAru kali ini saya baca novel "cewek" yg tokohnya nggak cengeng, mantap. Terlebih, yang paling saya suka, penulisnya seperti benar-benar tahu apa dan bagaimana itu seorang wanita karier yang cerdas! Saya jadi pengen bikin usaha kayak Maddy juga nih, hehe...
Ternyata ini salah satu novel LBD ya? Little Black Dress. Memang nggak semua novel LBD bagus sih, tapi Esensi sdh cukup cermat memilih yang ini. Semoga Seri Kejutan Cinta yang lain juga sama bagusnya atau lebih bagus :)
Ternyata ini salah satu novel LBD ya? Little Black Dress. Memang nggak semua novel LBD bagus sih, tapi Esensi sdh cukup cermat memilih yang ini. Semoga Seri Kejutan Cinta yang lain juga sama bagusnya atau lebih bagus :)
February 13, 2008
Liked this but not as much as I thought I might. The set-up is that Maddy is determined to get revenge on the boyfriend who stole her heart and her company and who eventually hires a hitman/avenger to do the deeds. But while amusing, it takes a long while to get there. Much of the first half of the book is Maddy being mad and/or depressed and slowly revealing what went wrong with the ex. Good but not great.
June 12, 2008
You know, I liked this book. Same old formulaic ending (SPOILER.... ahead......)
she gets the guy.....
But really otherwise this was a good book. From the best friend a southern sorority girl trying to convert to Judaism prior to the birth of her child to the rotten to the core ex the characters are much better done than standard chick lit. And frankly the heroine gets over the guy, by herself, in a unique and fun way.
she gets the guy.....
But really otherwise this was a good book. From the best friend a southern sorority girl trying to convert to Judaism prior to the birth of her child to the rotten to the core ex the characters are much better done than standard chick lit. And frankly the heroine gets over the guy, by herself, in a unique and fun way.
July 7, 2011
I just started this book and it's making me laugh already!!! Especially when she tries eating the poison brownies and gets sick from it and then goes outside to find out that she has killed a raccoon with her poison brownies--which were really meant for her ex-boyfriend! I hope the whole book keeps me laughing because right now I can understand the desire to maybe make the exboyfriend throw up a few times! ;o)
December 5, 2009
Not as great as "Don't Let It Be True" but a decent read. The main character Madeline Piatro is witty, neurotic, and overall pretty amusing. If you're in the midst of a break up or just feeling rather blah about men, you might feel better after you read this, or you might come away with some ideas for how to make yourself feel better, or atleast ideas on how to make the guy you're unhappy with feel worse..lol
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