Milkrun

by Sarah Mlynowski

A delighful and hilarious foray into the world of dating follows lively Jackie Norris as she searches for the man of her dreams amidst Boston's Singles Scene, where she learns to deal with life's various challenges and discovers what she really wants. Reprint.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Humor, Adult, Contemporary Romance

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

About the author

Sarah was born in Montreal, Canada. After graduating with an honors degree in English literature from McGill University, she moved to Toronto to work for Harlequin Enterprises. While she never met Fabio, she used her romance publishing experiences to fuel her first novel Milkrun.

Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).

Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.

Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jackie’s boyfriend leaves for Thailand (after she has packed up in order to follow him to Boston!) to “find himself”, then she hears from him that he’s found a new girlfriend, Jackie is devastated and doesn’t quite know what to do. With one of the very few girlfriends she has (she only has two, and one is in New York), she decides to get all dolled up and go out and find someone new.

This was fun! I wasn’t crazy about Jackie, herself, but parts of the story were quite amusing and I laughed out loud! Her job was entertaining (she’s a copy editor for a romance publisher). I don’t read a lot of chick lit, but I quite enjoy it when I do. This was a quick read and I do like this author. I really liked the ending.

[Abril Camino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hacía mucho tiempo que no leía chick-lit clásico y reconozco que muchas cosas me parece que han envejecido regular (la novela tiene unos veinte años), pero también que me lo he pasado genial leyéndolo. Un respiro de lectura ameno y divertido.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elegí esta lectura por los comentarios que lei sobre ella. Buscaba algo entretenido y que me hiciera reir, no a carcajadas vamos, pero una Chick lit entretenida o divertida vamos. Pero esta historia no solo no me ha hecho reir, sino que ni siquiera me ha hecho sonreir. La forma de narración tampoco me ha gustado y la historia me ha parecido demasiado superficial.

[Susanna Herrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historia para reir y pasar un buen rato, sin mas pretensiones. Pero lo que me he reido...

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was... just okay. I did not really care for the ending, and the main character was a bit annoying at times. She did NOT portray the mental wellbeing of a 24 year old woman, to say the least. It was entertaining at times - a few good laughs - but overall, not my cup of tea. Maybe if I were still a teenager, I would be able to connect with the lead character therefore actually enjoying the read. Also, I hate repetitive authors. I swear if all the repeats were removed from this book, it would have been 5 pages long. And speaking of the length, I did like that it was a quick read because I'm not sure I would have been able to sit through another chapter inside the mind of said character by the time I reached the end of the book without writing the author a what-the-hell-were-you-thinking letter.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am totally willing to read a dumb piece of chick lit and be charmed by it, but this was just a little too brainless. I wanted to like it I really did, but the main character is a copyeditor and yet there are blatant usage mistakes (and not intentionally chosen ones.) And the author is Canadian, but the characters are from Connecticut, and they keep saying they "went to university together" they only people I know from CT who say that - went to college in Europe.

[Mariandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

JACKIE NO TODOS ESTAN ENAMORADOS DE TI. (Tenía que decirlo)



¿Soy la única que cree que Jackie pensaba demasiado? Es decir, esta chica se hacía unas preguntas que siendo sincera nadie las hace, se preguntaba así misma "Recuerdas a Jane? es la rubia.." es decir, obvio que se recuerda; Jackie, estas hablando contigo misma. No me gustan estos tipos de narración.

Jackie no es el mejor ejemplo para cuando terminas una relación aunque su manera de enfrentarlo sea muy divertida de leer, siendo sincera me gusta el consejo que le da Andrew y ojalá lo hubiese cumplido "Da tiempo para aprender a estar sola" porque esta chica realmente necesitaba estar sola para saber lo que quería, el problema no era el tipo de hombres que se encontraba sino que sencillamente seguía enamorada de Jeremy. Y Andrew no era el "cerdo" al menos él sabía y la chica con la que salía sabía claramente que estaban solo por sexo, pero tú mi querida Jackie, querías solo sexo y pensabas que era una relación, y luego te arrepentías. Allí tu problema.

No me malinterpreten, me hizo reír muchisimo el libro, pero existió ese punto en que era tan repetitivo que terminé pasando páginas para llegar al final, y no fue lo mejor. Entiendo, es un libro corto con una trama sencilla, he leído anteriormente libros así, pero eso no quiere decir estrictamente que sea un libro malo.

Pero en este caso, no fue malo, pero pudo ser mucho mejor, siento que bajó el ritmo una vez que llegaba al final. Jackie, no es la mejor protagonista, toma decisiones apresuradas, bastante inmaduras para una chica de 25 años, y siendo sincera Andrew no era el mejor candidato para ella; simplemente porque el chico era tu amigo, te cuidaba y se preocupaba por ti, no quiere decir que tengas que tener algo con él estrictamente, o que este enamorado de ti.

No lo sé, lo recomendaría para una lectura rápida, pero no esperen mucho, y aunque tengan 0% de expectativas no es lo mejor que podrías leer de este genero.

[Silvia Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was this a super complex book? Absolutely not. Was still very enjoyable? Yes. I’ve actually found it so fun and quick to read and that’s all it takes. I will excuse the internalised misogyny because the author is a woman and #girlboss but would be cooler if #girlssupportgirls.

Rating: 7,5

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very much standard chick lit, with nothing special to recommend it in my opinion. I was curious about Mlynowski because she seemed to get rave reviews from goodreads and amazon readers. This was her first book, and maybe she got better with subsequent ones, but the main character got on my nerves with her cluelessness and her obviously bad decisions. The overuse of exclamation points also got me. The one thing I actually liked about the book was the question the main character asked herself sporadically: "Do jerks look in the mirror and know that they're jerks? Do ugly people look in the mirror and know that they're ugly?" I actually think that's kind of interesting to contemplate, with all its ramifications for how we think of ourselves vs. how others see us. It wasn't enough to redeem the book for me, though.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

this wasn't bad. it was even cute at times. but this girl was as shallow as a kiddie pool. all she did think about was having a boyfriend. she really was not comfortable with just being herself. and that's ok sometimes everyone can be a little insecure and she wasn't a mean person but she was just thoughtless. which is after a while can be veryyyy annoying. b/c she was 24 years old. she couldn't clean her own bathroom or throw out her gross old food or how to deal with issues. she spent her parents money on shoes she doesn't need and dates guys she really doesn't like just to have someone there. i don't think i could be her friend and i'm 2 years younger than her. she's just immature! that pretty much sums it up! also this book had a kinda iffy ending. like maybe after she gets back from europe she'll date andrew or ...maybe not. just iffy. not really satisfying.

[aCupcakeBlonde · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sarah Mlynowski's Magic in Manhattan series and her novel Fishbowl. But this book fell a bit flat for me. Maybe because I did not like the heroine Jackie all that much. I understood her plight and need to play the field after hearing about her boyfriend's possible shacking up with women on his trip to Thailand, but how she went about it was not acceptable to me. And her thought process was annoying. I know some women jump to conclusions quickly but having her believe someone should be engaged to her after meeting him five minutes earlier and discovering he likes the same poets as you is no reason to imagine walking down the ailse. To me, Jackie wasn't that likable and I need to like the main character to connect with the book. So this was just okay for me.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Chick-Lit book. In this one a girl named Jackie is dumped by her boyfriend via email. The description sounded promising. Jackie knows what she really wants and sets out to find it, only the problem is that she doesn’t.

There were too many scenes at the club. So many in fact that sometimes I felt like I was reading the same chapters over and over again.

The book was good, but Jackie spends too much time focusing on men. Too much time pining. For once I’d like to read a chick lit book that involved a strong, independant woman. Although Jackie comes together somewhat in the end, I still felt she was weak.

All in all it was a fun read and gave my mind a little break. Very enjoyable and mostly not annoying.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Jackie! Why can't she find
a boyfriend that sticks? Why is
her job so tedious? Why doesn't
she have any friends? And why
does she constantly talk to herself
and ask herself questions?

[Kristen Hook]

This book took me so long to get through! I have enjoyed other Sarah Mlynowski books, but just could not get into this one. I thought the main character was a bit annoying and I really couldn't wait to be done with it. But I am willing to give Mlynowski another shot and have started reading Me Vs. Me.

[Yoselin · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading a book without depth, proper editing, or a plot for that matter, please read this! You can find it in the bin on my curb!

The incoherent ramblings of an “author”, disguised as a book. Easily the worst read of my life!

[Suzy Betker · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the funniest books I have read - you have to be in the right mood. I think I have menengitis! Oh wait, I did have that this year!

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read "chick lit" before, unless Trainspotting counts. (I read it on a beach so I think it does.) I picked this up at random from a little free library (and inside contained a charmingly deranged pro life flyer that apparently people are printing up to shove into LFL books, because when you can't convince by reason there is always spamming.) That said, it was abysmal to read but I couldn't put it down. The characters don't have a single thought rolling through their empty little heads that isn't about relations with the opposite gender and wedding shows, and their favorite TV show which they never stop talking about is a very obvious Sex and the City reference. It's vapid, shallow, and unbelievably contrived. These are the most boring, dim, empty characters I've ever read about. The protagonist joins a martial arts club just to try to meet men. She doesn't have a single hobby or do a single action that isn't about meeting men. And yet she's incredibly shallow and judgemental towards these men. One was turned down for wearing jeans on a date, another for having crooked teeth (maybe he is saving for braces?) She is surrounded by men who are into her, she can't even go out to eat or take a train ride without men she knows on a first name basis coming up and trying to ask her out. She's apparently stringing along several beta orbiters at once while still out cruising for a real boyfriend and crying herself to sleep over the woes of being single. But despite being buried in men she's pining for the guy who is cheating on her with every woman in Southeast Asia. She truly doesn't have a single thought, hobby, or ambition that isn't about dating men. I wanted her to get a cancer diagnosis.

There's nothing of value in this, but it might be an appealing snack for times you don't feel like expending brain power. It's somehow not the worst thing I've read this year (time of writing: January 24) so I'll give it 2 stars. Boy, I wish my biggest issue in life was a few bad dates.

[MrsBookBook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Książka pochodzi z serii „Literatura w spódnicy”. Jest to seria stworzona dla kobiet, które uwielbiają książki o miłości (lecz która z nas ich nie lubi?). W serii jest bodajże 28 tytułów znanych jak i mniej znanych. Są to tanie książki, ich podstawowa cena to 9,90zł, ale można było znaleźć je nawet po 4 zł. Jak na książkę jest to bardzo dobra cena. Dobra koniec o serii, wracam do książki. Koktajl mleczny jest (krótko mówiąc o miłości). A dokładniej, główną bohaterką jest Jackie Norris, która mieszka w Bostonie i została porzucona przez swojego chłopaka. Główna bohaterka jest redaktorką romansów i pracuje w „Kupidynie”. Nie przepada za swoją szefową, która ma bzika na punkcie ortografii i interpunkcji. Jej przyjaciółki to Natalie ( znają się od czasu studiów), Wendy (znają się od małego), i jest jeszcze Sam jej współlokatorka którą zna dzięki Natalie. Jak już wspomniałam Jackie porzucił chłopak, który wyjechał do Tajlandii i napisał krótkiego maila z którego wynika że kogoś poznał.
Tak zaczyna się książka, dalej czytamy jak toczą się losy samotnej bohaterki. Aby zapomnieć o Jeremym (byłym chłopaku) poszukuje miłości wraz z przyjaciółkami w klubie ”orgazm” . Na jej drodze staje mnóstwo nieodpowiednich mężczyzn. Jedni to erotomani, drudzy pracusie, a trzeci typ to szaleńcy. A Jackie szuka (jak to sama określiła) „Potrzebuję mężczyzny, który zerwie ze mnie ciuchy, nakarmi mnie pizzą, a potem zacznie oryginalną i mądrą rozmowę”. Kilka książek z tej serii już przeczytałam i ta jest bardzo podobna do innych. Kolejna główna bohaterka zostaje porzucona przez chłopaka z którym myślała że będzie do końca życia. Jest mieszkanką wielkiego miasta i próbuje na nowo ułożyć sobie życie i poszukuje wielkiej miłości, w czym pomagają jej przyjaciółki. Tak wygląda chyba co druga książka z tej serii, przeczytałam kilka (o których jeszcze napiszę) i tak to wygląda z mojego punktu widzenia. Mam ich jeszcze kilka wiec może czymś mnie jeszcze zaskoczy ta seria.

[Liza M. Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione completa su http://www.pennaecalamaro.com/2019/06...

Immaginatevi la situazione: ti trasferisci per amore (mai, per carità!) a Boston e lui che fa? Ti molla via e-mail per andare dall'altra parte del mondo a ritrovare se stesso. Neanche puoi confidarti più di tanto con le amiche: una è a New York e non fa altro che lavorare, un’altra è ultra fidanzata e aspetta solo l’anello, la terza ti accompagna nelle scorribande notturne all’Orgasm (!) per accalappiare un buon partito. Per di più, lavori all'agenzia Cupido come editor di romanzi rosa (il mio sogno segreto) e i tipi che incontri sono tutti uno più strano dell’altro. C’è gente che per molto meno si è suicidata.
Chi ha criticato Sarah Mlynowski non è entrato nello spirito della storia. Che secondo me incarna perfettamente la confusione di una ventenne al cospetto delle sfide che l’attendono. Chi di noi dopo la laurea non ha pronunciato la fatidica frase: e ora? sentendosi gelare? E chi di noi non ha accettato per il vile denaro un lavoro che definire palloso suona come un complimento? Ecco, se avete vissuto questi due momenti tragici, e anche se riuscite solo a immaginarli beati voi, riuscirete a ridere delle disgrazie di Jackie. Tra cui includerei anche una sorella piccola da consolare, una madre pazza da arginare, un padre lontano da sintonizzare.

Continua su www.pennaecalamaro.com

[Alanna Taylor-Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite romcoms ever! The main character starts out shallow and obsessed with being in a relationship, but by the end of the book and many bad (and hilarious) dates later she's matured.

Some of the reviews complain about the ending being "iffy" but that's one of the things I like so much about the book. She learns to value other relationships, but there's still the promise of an HEA.

I first read this when I was in college studying abroad and found it at an English language book exchange. I still have the original copy - one of the few novels I own - and I read it whenever life gets tough and I'm craving a fun, familiar, comforting read. I've read this book easily a dozen times. It's right up there with Bridget Jones's Diary for me.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the characters were interesting, the story was kind of all over the place. The book is told in first person by the protagonist Jackie who desperately wants a boyfriend and will date anyone and everyone to find him. Much of the book is Jackie's thoughts on dating and the state her life is in. While this is good at times, it also quickly becomes too much for the reader. Especially when her thoughts are mixed between lines of dialogue because it becomes difficult to decipher what is actually said and what is not. There were some minor grammatical issues throughout the book as well. Overall, the book was alright, but it was not a spectacular read.

[Desiree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this soo much! I think I’m able to appreciate this more as an older woman reading this, because it’s like being on the outside looking in at yourself at 24.
Jackie was such a selfish,clueless young lady who desperate to be loved and desired, that I just rooted for her to get it together, and the ending was perfect. This story had the perfect amount of humor, it wasn’t super graphic, and it wasn’t too deep in meaning. Jackie’s inner dialogues (as she narrates the story) I can see turning people off from this story, and normally I would hate it too, but I found it charming.
If Sarah has more books like this, I will for sure check them out.

[ahava · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost want to say this is 2.5 stars. In the beginning I had a hard time getting into the book, but once I could tell the main character was going to be a train wreck, I knew I needed to keep going. I don’t read a lot of chick lit and this was definitely 100% that.

There were a lot of words. Afterthoughts are okay when writing, however, it was just a looooot of extra words and I’m not even sure if they actually serviced the story, honestly. The main character really messed things up for herself all the way thru the book but redeemed herself at the end. So I guess you could say the character went from a train wreck to working on herself and having amazing character growth.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha encantado. He pasado unos días maravillosos leyendo a Jackie, a la que echaré mucho de menos. Es como estar con una amiga que te hace reír con sus “dramáticas” situaciones. Lo leía siempre antes de irme a dormir, feliz y con ganas de más. Me encanta cómo está escrito, lo sencillo que es cogerle cariño al personaje y lo bien que transmiten las palabras de Sarah Mlynowski cómo se siente la protagonista en cada momento. Brillante, sin duda lo releeré más de una vez.

[Lachiara · Rating 3 out of 5]

INCIPIT : Stronzo, stronzo, stronzo, stronzo

“Tre giorni al vero amore! Cosa mi metto? Devo vestire alla Sandra Bullock, tipo ragazza della porta accanto, oppure alla maniera di Sharon Stone, tipo guarda che non ho le mutandine?"

Ogni tanto un chick lit fa proprio bene all'animo.
Utile per accantonare pensieri ingombranti e per rendere più leggera qualche giornata.
Libro carino con la sua bella dose di ironia alla ricerca di Mr. Right.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It's a fun story of a girl trying to find herself... and a boyfriend. =) I have a feeling I would like Jackie in real life, but she does need to lay off the booze a bit.

I already read, and enjoyed, Fishbowl -- now I'll have to keep an eye out for a copy of As Seen on TV. I have a feeling I'll be reading all of Mlynowski's books from now on...

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Sarah Mlynowski book I read and I fell in love with her. This was such a cute easy quick read. I loved all of Jackie's experience from her parents to her sisters. Even the supporting characters were amusing. There is Sam who is her roomate, Natalie , a friend from college, and Wendy her best friend. Even the male characters are amusing. I loved this as a quick fun read.

[Paula Rain · Rating 1 out of 5]

No sabía qué tipo de libro me iba a encontrar. Parte de la desesperación, de la premisa de que una mujer no puede estar sin pareja, y no me ha gustado. Además, se basa en muchos estereotipos que perpetúan ideas que no comparto. Al menos el estilo es desenfadado, divertido y rápido de leer, una lectura perfecta para distraerte sin tener que pensar.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book two stars because it was mildly entertaining. But I spent the whole book wondering if the author is immature and shallow or just making a huge effort to portray the main character as immature and shallow.

[Catrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hated the numerous typos. I can overlook a few, but this was absurd.
I enjoyed the narration style, but it did become irritating towards the end.

Overall opinion: I think I'm just as lost and unsure as the main character.