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The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky
A humorous novel about a cupcake shop owner with a physical ailment that's kept her from having sex for two years, and the desperate antics that ensue as she tries to overcome it.
Having sex wasn't a big priority while Kat Carmichael's successful cupcake shop was taking off. But when she realizes that it's been nearly two years since she and her boyfriend, Ryan, have been intimate, she makes a pact to break her dry spell-and cure her vaginismus, a muscular condition that can make sex physically impossible.
Out of guilt, Kat calls for a break in her relationship with Ryan, so that he can see other people while she attempts to fix the issue on her own. She throws herself into physical therapy, but soon discovers her solo mission is more complicated than she anticipated. Fortunately, Ben Cleary, the shop's best (looking) customer, is also a physical therapist, and volunteers to help out.
As time goes on, however, the boundaries Ben and Kat have set between friendship and love quickly become blurred, leaving her more confused than ever about what to hang on to and what to let go.
Having sex wasn't a big priority while Kat Carmichael's successful cupcake shop was taking off. But when she realizes that it's been nearly two years since she and her boyfriend, Ryan, have been intimate, she makes a pact to break her dry spell-and cure her vaginismus, a muscular condition that can make sex physically impossible.
Out of guilt, Kat calls for a break in her relationship with Ryan, so that he can see other people while she attempts to fix the issue on her own. She throws herself into physical therapy, but soon discovers her solo mission is more complicated than she anticipated. Fortunately, Ben Cleary, the shop's best (looking) customer, is also a physical therapist, and volunteers to help out.
As time goes on, however, the boundaries Ben and Kat have set between friendship and love quickly become blurred, leaving her more confused than ever about what to hang on to and what to let go.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
93 people are currently reading
1767 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
July 30, 2017
Kat Carmichael has avoided having sex with her boyfriend Ryan for two years. She suffers from a condition called vaginismus which makes intimate relations painful. She has been skipping her therapy while focusing efforts on her successful cupcake business.
Kat decides to take her personal issues more seriously when her boyfriend hints about moving into her apartment. A month before their anniversary, Kat decides to allow Ryan to see other people while she focuses on physical therapy. She loves him but needs to understand her issues to become a better partner. Kat is surprised at how much she changes emotionally and physically from her self discovery.
The author does a wonderful job of narrating an awkward situation faced by a young woman along with the complexity of relationships. The dialogue is humorous and engaging especially the interaction with co-workers. Summer Heacock’s next novel, Finder’s Fee will be released in July 2018.
Kat decides to take her personal issues more seriously when her boyfriend hints about moving into her apartment. A month before their anniversary, Kat decides to allow Ryan to see other people while she focuses on physical therapy. She loves him but needs to understand her issues to become a better partner. Kat is surprised at how much she changes emotionally and physically from her self discovery.
The author does a wonderful job of narrating an awkward situation faced by a young woman along with the complexity of relationships. The dialogue is humorous and engaging especially the interaction with co-workers. Summer Heacock’s next novel, Finder’s Fee will be released in July 2018.
January 12, 2018
The writing style felt too rough and unrefined, and the women in this book talk and act like middle schoolers.
But the part that truly ruined this book for me is that "vaginismus" and "light hearted" do not go together. For women who deal with this long term, it isn't a silly quirky story told to our friends with shrill playful banter and jokes in the work place. It's a silent destroyer of self-worth and relationships that's kept a complete secret because most people don't know how to handle it, and it makes it far worse.
As a woman who has had to overcome this myself, vaginismus is not taken seriously by anyone. I appreciate this book trying to shed more light on it, but it simplifies it. It makes it cute and quirky when it's anything but. This story could have been better if it had been more about the personal growth and strength required to overcome vaginismus, but it's not. The vaginismus is a background element, and if you're going to include something as sensitive and personal as vaginismus, it needs more relevance, focus, and actual weight. It isn't a quirky characteristic; it's a life destroyer.
I want/need a novel that accurately portrays what it's like to live with this, but I have yet to find it. This wasn't it. This actually felt like an insult to the women who struggle to hold their lives and relationships together because of this issue.
This story could have been told without vaginismus being included. I wish it would have been.
But the part that truly ruined this book for me is that "vaginismus" and "light hearted" do not go together. For women who deal with this long term, it isn't a silly quirky story told to our friends with shrill playful banter and jokes in the work place. It's a silent destroyer of self-worth and relationships that's kept a complete secret because most people don't know how to handle it, and it makes it far worse.
As a woman who has had to overcome this myself, vaginismus is not taken seriously by anyone. I appreciate this book trying to shed more light on it, but it simplifies it. It makes it cute and quirky when it's anything but. This story could have been better if it had been more about the personal growth and strength required to overcome vaginismus, but it's not. The vaginismus is a background element, and if you're going to include something as sensitive and personal as vaginismus, it needs more relevance, focus, and actual weight. It isn't a quirky characteristic; it's a life destroyer.
I want/need a novel that accurately portrays what it's like to live with this, but I have yet to find it. This wasn't it. This actually felt like an insult to the women who struggle to hold their lives and relationships together because of this issue.
This story could have been told without vaginismus being included. I wish it would have been.
August 14, 2017
From the blurb I had assumed this would be a typical, lighthearted read with a focus on vaginas, a dash of romance and a pretty predictable plot. I couldn’t have been more wrong, this is anything but formulaic, it’s a refreshing read that’s SO much more than your average women’s fiction/chick lit read, I LOVED it!
Kat has a broken vagina. Yes, that’s a thing but it’s actually called vaginismus and it sounds completely and totally awful. After two long years with the condition she decides it’s finally time to get it fixed with the help of her three best friends and coworkers, Shannon, Butter and Liz. I want Kat to be my new BFF and I want a job at the bakery, this group of women are amazing and Heacock created the most relatable, realistic characters I’ve come across in quite awhile. When they were together and just chatting I felt like I was eavesdropping on an awesome group of friends, the dialogue and structure was perfect.
While there is romance here that isn’t the central focus, instead it’s about this group of badass women who handle life’s awkward moments with humor and as much grace as they can. There are so many hilarious scenes that had me cracking up, I’m talking tears streaming down my face type of funny. On top of all of that fun, there is a swoon worthy romance AND cupcakes, it doesn’t get much better than that! Except it does because some of the delicious sounding recipes are included at the end of the book.
If you’re looking for a fresh, modern read with sassy characters, snarky, witty humor and a wickedly funny storyline, look no further. I’m sort of bummed that this is Heacock’s debut because I have to wait another year to read more of her work and I’ve never read anything else quite like this book.
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Kat has a broken vagina. Yes, that’s a thing but it’s actually called vaginismus and it sounds completely and totally awful. After two long years with the condition she decides it’s finally time to get it fixed with the help of her three best friends and coworkers, Shannon, Butter and Liz. I want Kat to be my new BFF and I want a job at the bakery, this group of women are amazing and Heacock created the most relatable, realistic characters I’ve come across in quite awhile. When they were together and just chatting I felt like I was eavesdropping on an awesome group of friends, the dialogue and structure was perfect.
While there is romance here that isn’t the central focus, instead it’s about this group of badass women who handle life’s awkward moments with humor and as much grace as they can. There are so many hilarious scenes that had me cracking up, I’m talking tears streaming down my face type of funny. On top of all of that fun, there is a swoon worthy romance AND cupcakes, it doesn’t get much better than that! Except it does because some of the delicious sounding recipes are included at the end of the book.
If you’re looking for a fresh, modern read with sassy characters, snarky, witty humor and a wickedly funny storyline, look no further. I’m sort of bummed that this is Heacock’s debut because I have to wait another year to read more of her work and I’ve never read anything else quite like this book.
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
August 14, 2017
Favorite Quotes:
I don’t know what caused my vaginismus, but I do know I haven’t made it any sort of priority to fix the situation over the last two years. It’s breaking my heart. Ryan deserves better than someone who hoards her dumplings. It’s only now, standing here with my friends and our hands full of sex toys, that I realize I miss that early stuff in a relationship. Well, not just the early stuff, I suppose. The good stuff. I want to want to give away my dumplings.
Slapping her piping bag onto the table, Liz snaps, “Okay, fine. No, we didn’t say vagina. We said special, okay?”… I consider this. “That’s actually kind of genius. I’d grow up thinking my business was like, the key to the universe or something. I wouldn’t let just any man near my special, ya know? I like that. My special.”
My vagina can’t handle another two years on the shelf, okay? It’s not a fine wine. It will not get better with age, stored in a dark cellar. It needs to be uncorked right the fuck now.
“I’ll give you a few minutes to get changed.” In a flash of red locks, she’s out the door, and I’m left wondering how long a few minutes is. Is this like a leisurely time when I can undress at a mellow pace, or more like eating in prison, when I’ve got about sixty seconds to get done what needs to get done before the door bursts back open and the riots break out?
I’m stunned. My face is set in an unflattering trout-like expression, and I can’t seem to form words anymore.
My Review:
I was stunned when I realized this cleverly written and highly amusing book was the author’s debut work. Stunned, gasping, then sputtering to form cogent thought, as The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky was a remarkable output, whether it was her first or hundred and first. The premise was unique and relevant while the storyline was cleverly entertaining, well-crafted, and delightfully engaging. The primary and secondary characters were not your garden variety – they were all kinds of quirky, endearing, beguiling, and peculiar. I adored them. Ms. Heacock cleverly imbued her characters with color descriptions and insightful details and tasty little tidbits that were comically amusing yet also insightful and keenly observant. I eagerly and greedily wanted to absorb all her words. I giggled-snorted and smirked my way through this cleverly devised tale.
Kat suddenly came to the realization that despite being in a long-term relationship, she was rapidly approaching the two-year mark in a sexual dry spell due to a real-life lady-bits condition known as vaginismus, which was a problem I was thankfully unfamiliar with. Kat was a driven, selfish, Type-A control freak with lots of self-inflicted and ridiculous rules. She was hard-working and skilled at her craft yet outside of her bakery, she lived in the land of denial, was socially awkward, verbally inappropriate, inattentive to other’s feelings, and generally had limited awareness of much beyond her own nose until the light bulb popped and she finally realized she was “an emotional cadaver.” As the layers of the onion were peeled we learn that as a child, Kat was often left with her fanatically religious aunt who had warped her perception of love, sex, relationships, and femininity. Once she realized the freakishness of allowing her problem to go unresolved for so long, Kat set about devising a plan to get her vajayjay in ship shape with a breathtaking timeline of one month, although a confluence of events and work opportunities threatened to derail her plans. While there were times I wanted to give Kat a good pinch, I remained engaged with this story from beginning to end.
I don’t know what caused my vaginismus, but I do know I haven’t made it any sort of priority to fix the situation over the last two years. It’s breaking my heart. Ryan deserves better than someone who hoards her dumplings. It’s only now, standing here with my friends and our hands full of sex toys, that I realize I miss that early stuff in a relationship. Well, not just the early stuff, I suppose. The good stuff. I want to want to give away my dumplings.
Slapping her piping bag onto the table, Liz snaps, “Okay, fine. No, we didn’t say vagina. We said special, okay?”… I consider this. “That’s actually kind of genius. I’d grow up thinking my business was like, the key to the universe or something. I wouldn’t let just any man near my special, ya know? I like that. My special.”
My vagina can’t handle another two years on the shelf, okay? It’s not a fine wine. It will not get better with age, stored in a dark cellar. It needs to be uncorked right the fuck now.
“I’ll give you a few minutes to get changed.” In a flash of red locks, she’s out the door, and I’m left wondering how long a few minutes is. Is this like a leisurely time when I can undress at a mellow pace, or more like eating in prison, when I’ve got about sixty seconds to get done what needs to get done before the door bursts back open and the riots break out?
I’m stunned. My face is set in an unflattering trout-like expression, and I can’t seem to form words anymore.
My Review:
I was stunned when I realized this cleverly written and highly amusing book was the author’s debut work. Stunned, gasping, then sputtering to form cogent thought, as The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky was a remarkable output, whether it was her first or hundred and first. The premise was unique and relevant while the storyline was cleverly entertaining, well-crafted, and delightfully engaging. The primary and secondary characters were not your garden variety – they were all kinds of quirky, endearing, beguiling, and peculiar. I adored them. Ms. Heacock cleverly imbued her characters with color descriptions and insightful details and tasty little tidbits that were comically amusing yet also insightful and keenly observant. I eagerly and greedily wanted to absorb all her words. I giggled-snorted and smirked my way through this cleverly devised tale.
Kat suddenly came to the realization that despite being in a long-term relationship, she was rapidly approaching the two-year mark in a sexual dry spell due to a real-life lady-bits condition known as vaginismus, which was a problem I was thankfully unfamiliar with. Kat was a driven, selfish, Type-A control freak with lots of self-inflicted and ridiculous rules. She was hard-working and skilled at her craft yet outside of her bakery, she lived in the land of denial, was socially awkward, verbally inappropriate, inattentive to other’s feelings, and generally had limited awareness of much beyond her own nose until the light bulb popped and she finally realized she was “an emotional cadaver.” As the layers of the onion were peeled we learn that as a child, Kat was often left with her fanatically religious aunt who had warped her perception of love, sex, relationships, and femininity. Once she realized the freakishness of allowing her problem to go unresolved for so long, Kat set about devising a plan to get her vajayjay in ship shape with a breathtaking timeline of one month, although a confluence of events and work opportunities threatened to derail her plans. While there were times I wanted to give Kat a good pinch, I remained engaged with this story from beginning to end.
May 16, 2017
When I received my advanced reading copy of The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky, I clutched it to my chest and squeed like a school child who's just snatched up the oh-so-longed-for toy on their birthday. I knew I had a special experience ahead of me.
I was not wrong.
Just like when I actually was a school child, I devoured this book in two days, staying up way too long after dark, sniggering and guffawing way too loudly, and identifying way too closely with the lead character. I found myself alternating between snorty giggles and stunned moments of wondering if Summer had actually spent time observing me to write this story.
While the plot and character continually hit close to home, the story telling constantly delighted me. It was so easy to get lost in Kat's world, to feel her pains, to ponder her frustrations, and to wish I could be half as quiptastic. They were two good, glitter-filled nights. We will always have those nights, Kat and I. And I'll definitely be returning to The Awkward Path the next time my giggle-snort meter has run low.
I was not wrong.
Just like when I actually was a school child, I devoured this book in two days, staying up way too long after dark, sniggering and guffawing way too loudly, and identifying way too closely with the lead character. I found myself alternating between snorty giggles and stunned moments of wondering if Summer had actually spent time observing me to write this story.
While the plot and character continually hit close to home, the story telling constantly delighted me. It was so easy to get lost in Kat's world, to feel her pains, to ponder her frustrations, and to wish I could be half as quiptastic. They were two good, glitter-filled nights. We will always have those nights, Kat and I. And I'll definitely be returning to The Awkward Path the next time my giggle-snort meter has run low.
June 3, 2017
This book was so, so refreshing, with a uniquely exuberant voice. I love humorous women's fiction, especially when it isn't focused on marriage or children (tough for me to personally relate), and this is modern and feminist in a way I've never seen in WF. Women are so often shamed for even *having* vaginas. Somehow the word itself became dirty, which infuriates me. Why should we be embarrassed about the things they do - the normal things, the wonderful things, the strange things, and as demonstrated here in great detail, the painful things - when men so rarely are? This book made me laugh and fist-pump and feel so grateful it exists.
And Ben was pretty appealing, too.
And Ben was pretty appealing, too.
February 21, 2019
SO quirky and fun!!!! Similar, in more ways than one, to Tara Sivec's 'Seduction and Snacks'
July 14, 2017
Original review can be found on my blog, As Dreams Are Made.
So I still don’t know how I feel about this book…
Kat’s lady bits are broken. At least that’s what she tells her friends after two years of not having sex. She decides to finally do something about it, but doesn’t want to keep her boyfriend Ryan hanging, waiting for her to “fix” herself. She tells him they need a break while she figures stuff out and he’s free to see other people. However, she never planned on Ben, one of the shop’s cute regulars. When he offers to help her with her problem since he’s a physical therapist, Kat leaps at the chance, but she doesn’t factor in that emotions might get in the way…
I really don’t know how I feel about this book. I liked it? But I didn’t really like it? I think I just had issues with a few things.
First off, Kat can be a bit selfish (something her friends point out to her). I feel like the majority of the narrative was her acting like “IT’S ALL ABOUT ME PEOPLE!!”. Like, we get it. I was so happy when she is finally told off for it. Also, the reason behind all her selfishness seems a bit shallow and undeveloped. I felt like the author needed a reason Kat is the way she is so she threw it in there without any sense of development or context. The rest of the characters were fine, but they seemed a bit one dimensional to me. Not that I didn’t enjoy the dynamics between Kat and the rest of her cupcake team, but they seemed a bit too out there for the sake of being “out there”. It made them unbelievable.
In fact, I think that’s the problem with this whole book. The premise seems a bit unbelievable to me. Not the whole illness thing. I get that. But the whole “let’s take a break with my boyfriend and then start seeing somebody else while trying to get back with my boyfriend in the end” thing. It just seemed so far-fetched and something that no rational person would actually do, that I think it built this wall for me. I couldn’t get behind anything that these characters did.
I did enjoy some humorous moments in this and some of the characters were endearing, but I was just expecting more from this book.
From the sound of it, it had all the makings of a really great chick lit book, but it just failed to deliver everything I had wanted for it. Overall, I’d skip this for some much better quality chick lit out there.
So I still don’t know how I feel about this book…
Kat’s lady bits are broken. At least that’s what she tells her friends after two years of not having sex. She decides to finally do something about it, but doesn’t want to keep her boyfriend Ryan hanging, waiting for her to “fix” herself. She tells him they need a break while she figures stuff out and he’s free to see other people. However, she never planned on Ben, one of the shop’s cute regulars. When he offers to help her with her problem since he’s a physical therapist, Kat leaps at the chance, but she doesn’t factor in that emotions might get in the way…
I really don’t know how I feel about this book. I liked it? But I didn’t really like it? I think I just had issues with a few things.
First off, Kat can be a bit selfish (something her friends point out to her). I feel like the majority of the narrative was her acting like “IT’S ALL ABOUT ME PEOPLE!!”. Like, we get it. I was so happy when she is finally told off for it. Also, the reason behind all her selfishness seems a bit shallow and undeveloped. I felt like the author needed a reason Kat is the way she is so she threw it in there without any sense of development or context. The rest of the characters were fine, but they seemed a bit one dimensional to me. Not that I didn’t enjoy the dynamics between Kat and the rest of her cupcake team, but they seemed a bit too out there for the sake of being “out there”. It made them unbelievable.
In fact, I think that’s the problem with this whole book. The premise seems a bit unbelievable to me. Not the whole illness thing. I get that. But the whole “let’s take a break with my boyfriend and then start seeing somebody else while trying to get back with my boyfriend in the end” thing. It just seemed so far-fetched and something that no rational person would actually do, that I think it built this wall for me. I couldn’t get behind anything that these characters did.
I did enjoy some humorous moments in this and some of the characters were endearing, but I was just expecting more from this book.
From the sound of it, it had all the makings of a really great chick lit book, but it just failed to deliver everything I had wanted for it. Overall, I’d skip this for some much better quality chick lit out there.
August 23, 2017
Full review on my blog: http://www.thebookwhisperer.org/2017/...
July 16, 2017
"Any morning that starts with me in a backless gown and my bare ass on a tissue paper covered exam table is not a good day. I don't know what I was thinking. Well, yes I do. I thought I'd dive right into therapy, and it would be all rainbows and lollipops and my vagina and I would go skipping off into the sunset together."
I'm so intensely in love with this vagina book. I thought chick lit was something someone was going to have to force me to read and then this gem showed up in my life.
You know you're in for a hell of a ride when the book starts off with "I can't frost this cupcake, my vagina is broken." I was so frustrated that life got in the way of me finishing this in one sitting. Any chance I got, I tore into this.
Imagine that your life is at its peak, you own your own business with your best friends, business is booming and your boyfriend is the hero of your life. Until.... your "special" is on the fritz. But your life has been so busy that you didn't do anything to fix it until now. Instead of going the normal route, you disrupt your life and others to take this journey alone. You're now on the quest to relax your muscles, sleep a soundless sleep and to make your hoo-hah function properly again. This is the life of none other than Kat.
It's been two very long lonely years since Kat has gotten anything. And by anything... I'm talking downtown! Seriously, feeling disgusting with her boyfriend and with her cupcake business skyrocketing, she just never found the time or the energy to help her condition. Enough is enough and Kat is ready to lay down.... with a man.
Will Kat ever find the time or the perfect person to help her through her time of need?
I laughed so hard at this book that I actually had tears in my eyes. It had me rolling through some awkward moments and it was stellar. Kats friends were so helpful that it made you think about your own friends and would they help you out like they did with her.
And let's be honest ladies and Gents.... We all need a steamy book with the bearded, tatted, buff Joe. Can we make this happen? Seriously!!?
I'm so intensely in love with this vagina book. I thought chick lit was something someone was going to have to force me to read and then this gem showed up in my life.
You know you're in for a hell of a ride when the book starts off with "I can't frost this cupcake, my vagina is broken." I was so frustrated that life got in the way of me finishing this in one sitting. Any chance I got, I tore into this.
Imagine that your life is at its peak, you own your own business with your best friends, business is booming and your boyfriend is the hero of your life. Until.... your "special" is on the fritz. But your life has been so busy that you didn't do anything to fix it until now. Instead of going the normal route, you disrupt your life and others to take this journey alone. You're now on the quest to relax your muscles, sleep a soundless sleep and to make your hoo-hah function properly again. This is the life of none other than Kat.
It's been two very long lonely years since Kat has gotten anything. And by anything... I'm talking downtown! Seriously, feeling disgusting with her boyfriend and with her cupcake business skyrocketing, she just never found the time or the energy to help her condition. Enough is enough and Kat is ready to lay down.... with a man.
Will Kat ever find the time or the perfect person to help her through her time of need?
I laughed so hard at this book that I actually had tears in my eyes. It had me rolling through some awkward moments and it was stellar. Kats friends were so helpful that it made you think about your own friends and would they help you out like they did with her.
And let's be honest ladies and Gents.... We all need a steamy book with the bearded, tatted, buff Joe. Can we make this happen? Seriously!!?
August 8, 2017
5/5 stars! Thank you TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Any morning that starts with me in a backless gown and my bare ass on a tissue-paper-covered exam table is not a good day.
I loved this book. I flew through it in one sitting simultaneously laughing hysterically and drooling from hunger. Broken lady bits, a close group of friends, and delicious cupcakes makes for the perfect recipe of this hilarious debut novel.
From the start I knew this was a refreshing and unique story that I don't come across often. A woman Kat dealing with a broken vagina that also leads her to find out who she is and what love is. Her group of friends are amazing. I would absolutely love to work at their bakery with this group of funny, loyal ladies and maybe hit up some burlesque dance classes with them as well. I genuinely could not stop laughing any time these four ladies were in a room together. There are many amazing lines I could quote from this book but won't because half of what makes them funny is the entire context. Summer certainly has a way with comedy.
I will say as completely relatable a character Kat was, I started to dislike her towards the end. She could dish it out, but couldn't take it in return. Anytime anyone tried to tell her what she was doing wrong she wouldn't listen. What redeemed this frustrating aspect was when her friends did yell at her and put her in her place. It made me so happy that her friends both love her so much and want to smack some sense into her at the same time.
To top this "cuppie" off, there are recipes in the back of the book that I will be trying out pronto. I will gladly revisit Kat and the gals time and again anytime I am in need of a laugh. I am excited to see what is next for Summer Heacock.
Any morning that starts with me in a backless gown and my bare ass on a tissue-paper-covered exam table is not a good day.
I loved this book. I flew through it in one sitting simultaneously laughing hysterically and drooling from hunger. Broken lady bits, a close group of friends, and delicious cupcakes makes for the perfect recipe of this hilarious debut novel.
From the start I knew this was a refreshing and unique story that I don't come across often. A woman Kat dealing with a broken vagina that also leads her to find out who she is and what love is. Her group of friends are amazing. I would absolutely love to work at their bakery with this group of funny, loyal ladies and maybe hit up some burlesque dance classes with them as well. I genuinely could not stop laughing any time these four ladies were in a room together. There are many amazing lines I could quote from this book but won't because half of what makes them funny is the entire context. Summer certainly has a way with comedy.
I will say as completely relatable a character Kat was, I started to dislike her towards the end. She could dish it out, but couldn't take it in return. Anytime anyone tried to tell her what she was doing wrong she wouldn't listen. What redeemed this frustrating aspect was when her friends did yell at her and put her in her place. It made me so happy that her friends both love her so much and want to smack some sense into her at the same time.
To top this "cuppie" off, there are recipes in the back of the book that I will be trying out pronto. I will gladly revisit Kat and the gals time and again anytime I am in need of a laugh. I am excited to see what is next for Summer Heacock.
August 29, 2017
The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky was a book I was looking forward to reading. I had seen rave reviews, so I was hoping for a funny read. Unfortunately, I am in the minority here, I didn't love this book. The premise of the book is that Kat has a disorder that makes intercourse very painful for her. So she decides that after two years of doing nothing, she will take a break from her relationship of almost four years and get it sorted out.
I guess for me, I had a hard time liking Kat and her decisions. I never really understood why she chose to take a break from the one person she wanted to be with to fix her issue. I know Ryan found it awkward in the beginning, but if he loved her, he should be willing to help out. That is what a relationship is all about. You take the good with the bad. Anyway, there were a lot of awkward moments, but it was just a bit over the top for me. I just couldn't buy into the route Kat took to fix her issue. I mostly felt sorry for Ben.
I will say that the one thing I did like about the story was her relationship with her friends and coworkers. They did provide some comic relief, but it wasn't enough to save the book for me. I'll just chalk this up to being not for me. Like I said, a lot of people loved this book, so give it a shot and see for yourself.
I guess for me, I had a hard time liking Kat and her decisions. I never really understood why she chose to take a break from the one person she wanted to be with to fix her issue. I know Ryan found it awkward in the beginning, but if he loved her, he should be willing to help out. That is what a relationship is all about. You take the good with the bad. Anyway, there were a lot of awkward moments, but it was just a bit over the top for me. I just couldn't buy into the route Kat took to fix her issue. I mostly felt sorry for Ben.
I will say that the one thing I did like about the story was her relationship with her friends and coworkers. They did provide some comic relief, but it wasn't enough to save the book for me. I'll just chalk this up to being not for me. Like I said, a lot of people loved this book, so give it a shot and see for yourself.
September 20, 2017
Ever since reading THE HATING GAME last fall, I've been on the hunt for similar romance/chic lit type books to scratch that similar itch. While not as full on swoony, this book definitely scratched the itch. It was clever, wonderfully feminist, laugh out loud funny, and had a great romance story line. But my favorite part of the novel were the female friendships and how they were really the bedrock of the story. Sure, I love an HEA at the end of a book, but here it's even better to know that even if things don't work out with the guy, Kat will always have her friends to help her ride off into the sunset.
May 30, 2017
This book was so fun. I had been looking forward to reading it and was really happy to get my hands on an early copy. It was every bit as entertaining as I'd hoped! The characters each had their own quirks and the cast blended so well together. This is a book you can dive right into, with pages you'll want to keep turning (even if it's way past bedtime). It was the perfect mix of lighthearted, serious, humor, and "OMG she didn't" moments.
I can't wait to read more of the author's books!
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I can't wait to read more of the author's books!
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2019
Another rom com (I NEED BOOK CANDY RIGHT NOW, OKAY?), and one I really enjoyed. Not very explicit, but the whole thing is about vaginas, specifically about a character suffering from vaginismus trying to figure out how to approach attempting sex again. I personally had vaginismus in my late teens (which I learned after passing out at my first annual exam at the obgyn), so I felt very seen. This isn’t a perfect book, but I related to it, and I liked that the protagonist and her work baes had an open approach to discussing this health issue.
Now where are the rom coms featuring people with severe rheumatoid arthritis or lupus or just generally dealing with chronic pain? Hook me up!
Now where are the rom coms featuring people with severe rheumatoid arthritis or lupus or just generally dealing with chronic pain? Hook me up!
July 25, 2017
Okay, so I feel like the official book synopsis does not do this book justice. I mean, technically it's accurate, but it doesn't touch on a very important and hilarious ingredient for the success of this book, which is the female relationships and secondary characters. Somewhere it should say something like:
"Kat, along with her fantastic friends (Shannon, Butter, and Liz), learn to balance relationships, struggles, and cake with all the grace of women who can't stop themselves from making a good vagina joke. Because what's better than a few bawdy jokes between coworkers and friends when you're supposed to be having a serious business meeting?"
Add that tidbit in and you'll have a much better idea of what to expect from this book... because it's also a lot of fun with some truly snicker worthy moments. You'll want to share this book with your girlfriends (I know I do).
Poor Kat and her legitimately broken va-jay-jay. Things are rough and she's having a bit of a meltdown and an epiphany all at once, and this pretty much happens for the entirety of the book. You would think that it would get excessive and annoying but somehow the author manages to weave a hilarious and touching tale until the very last word. I loved it. You would think that creating a story around a vaginal muscular condition would be awkward (especially since the very word is in the book title) or cringeworthy but NO! Heacock writes a book that feels empathetic while also maintaining an amusement that isn't flippant. It's pretty genius.
Plus cake!!! You can never have enough cake and frosting in books. It's a fact. And there are recipes at the very end (which I have every intention of trying out soon) which is one of my favorite book perks, when fiction books surrounding food include recipes at the end. Gimme! ... So the action centers around the ladies and their bakery, which is fantastic because just using Kat and her personal problems as the basis for the entire book would be dull. Instead we get a group of women who are so much fun to read about. Their friendships and banter are where this book truly shines. I couldn't get enough...seriously, Summer Heacock, if you want to write more books about these different women I am so on board (hint hint, wink wink).
I should probably mention the romance, since this is still technically a romance book. Like everything else I've mentioned it's comedic and sweet in equal turns. And also serious when it needs to be. You feel just like one of Kat's friends looking in on the different romantic developments as you read. You want to jump in and give her advice too. The whole situation is complicated in the way that chick-lit romances get complicated, it's a lack of communication (in numerous areas with both the men in her life) but it's also what makes it fun. We don't want things too easy, there needs to room for Kat's antics to entertain us!
You might think that a book that starts with a problem about a vagina and the leading lady's determination to end her 2 year dry spell would be over-the-top naughty and filled with blush-inducing descriptors but that is not the case here. Yes, there are bawdy jokes, and an armful of fake penises at one point, but it doesn't veer into the erotic fiction category at all. In fact any bedroom business is written and treated with the same delicacy and careful cut-aways as cable TV. It's sort of sweet actually and I have no problem recommending this book to my mom, if that helps you gauge the naughty levels (my mom isn't a shy one though, so there's that).
All in all, I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. And if you're looking for a fun chick-lit type book with great characters, bawdy bits and bobs, and lots of cupcakes, then I highly recommend THE AWKWARD PATH TO GETTING LUCKY.
"Kat, along with her fantastic friends (Shannon, Butter, and Liz), learn to balance relationships, struggles, and cake with all the grace of women who can't stop themselves from making a good vagina joke. Because what's better than a few bawdy jokes between coworkers and friends when you're supposed to be having a serious business meeting?"
Add that tidbit in and you'll have a much better idea of what to expect from this book... because it's also a lot of fun with some truly snicker worthy moments. You'll want to share this book with your girlfriends (I know I do).
Poor Kat and her legitimately broken va-jay-jay. Things are rough and she's having a bit of a meltdown and an epiphany all at once, and this pretty much happens for the entirety of the book. You would think that it would get excessive and annoying but somehow the author manages to weave a hilarious and touching tale until the very last word. I loved it. You would think that creating a story around a vaginal muscular condition would be awkward (especially since the very word is in the book title) or cringeworthy but NO! Heacock writes a book that feels empathetic while also maintaining an amusement that isn't flippant. It's pretty genius.
Plus cake!!! You can never have enough cake and frosting in books. It's a fact. And there are recipes at the very end (which I have every intention of trying out soon) which is one of my favorite book perks, when fiction books surrounding food include recipes at the end. Gimme! ... So the action centers around the ladies and their bakery, which is fantastic because just using Kat and her personal problems as the basis for the entire book would be dull. Instead we get a group of women who are so much fun to read about. Their friendships and banter are where this book truly shines. I couldn't get enough...seriously, Summer Heacock, if you want to write more books about these different women I am so on board (hint hint, wink wink).
I should probably mention the romance, since this is still technically a romance book. Like everything else I've mentioned it's comedic and sweet in equal turns. And also serious when it needs to be. You feel just like one of Kat's friends looking in on the different romantic developments as you read. You want to jump in and give her advice too. The whole situation is complicated in the way that chick-lit romances get complicated, it's a lack of communication (in numerous areas with both the men in her life) but it's also what makes it fun. We don't want things too easy, there needs to room for Kat's antics to entertain us!
You might think that a book that starts with a problem about a vagina and the leading lady's determination to end her 2 year dry spell would be over-the-top naughty and filled with blush-inducing descriptors but that is not the case here. Yes, there are bawdy jokes, and an armful of fake penises at one point, but it doesn't veer into the erotic fiction category at all. In fact any bedroom business is written and treated with the same delicacy and careful cut-aways as cable TV. It's sort of sweet actually and I have no problem recommending this book to my mom, if that helps you gauge the naughty levels (my mom isn't a shy one though, so there's that).
All in all, I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. And if you're looking for a fun chick-lit type book with great characters, bawdy bits and bobs, and lots of cupcakes, then I highly recommend THE AWKWARD PATH TO GETTING LUCKY.
October 24, 2020
Warning, there may be spoilers. Read at your own risk!
I will preface this with the fact that I've known this author for close to a decade. I always thought she was pretty awesome as a person, and as an author. I've been anticipating her being published for a looooong time! We are no longer friends, but when I heard she was getting her first book published, I preordered it and sat with eager anticipation for months waiting for its release.
See, I spent years reading her bloggy stuff. She wrote a chapter a week blog before it was cool and let me tell you, it was fantastic! You would eagerly anticipate each week and then gobble it up. It wasn't polished, but those stories had meat and soul. They had characters I not only identified with, but that I loved and wanted to meet and talk to. There was a depth and even with the moments that were difficult to read (emotional content, not writing skill), I was still enthralled enough to push through and keep going. I have also literally never laughed so hard while reading books before, either. I am so thankful I have some of those books on my Kindle app still so that I can go back to those and remember that amazingness.
With all that being said, you can imagine my hype at finally having her first official, legit published book download to my Kindle. It took me a couple of weeks to dive in because I am busy with school work and I was still having some heavy emotions over losing a friend. Finally, I had a moment to breathe and I was in a better place so I sat down and started reading. I read and read, hoping things would improve. I am somewhat speechless. I was so hyped and I don't think I've ever been so disappointed with a book. I could not stand Kat. Annoying as all getout. I swear, the only depth to the story was probably the length of Kat's broken vagina. I find it odd that friends would all obsess about a vagina so much. I almost laughed during the cupcake war, but didn't quite get a whole chuckle out. I felt sorry for Ben because she was such a tool. Ryan was a jerk that whole dynamic was just weird.
The heart, the soul, the joy, the heartache, all of that was missing from this book. It felt shallow and I was bored. I tried to want to like it. I could see where it was supposed to be funny. Ben kissing the glitter off of her was pretty hot. Other than that, I found myself pushing to get to the end, not to see how it ended (predictable) but to just be done. I have a thing with never leaving a book unfinished when it comes to reading. I think about her old, bloggy stuff all the time. Those characters are a part of something special and will always have a place in my soul. The characters from The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky are already fading. I don't have room in my soul for that kind of annoyance and disappointment.
I am giving this book one star. I would give it 0 if it were possible. I wish her luck and am really hoping that With A Shake Of Her Hair sees the light of day in paperback form someday. That, I would stand in line for.
I will preface this with the fact that I've known this author for close to a decade. I always thought she was pretty awesome as a person, and as an author. I've been anticipating her being published for a looooong time! We are no longer friends, but when I heard she was getting her first book published, I preordered it and sat with eager anticipation for months waiting for its release.
See, I spent years reading her bloggy stuff. She wrote a chapter a week blog before it was cool and let me tell you, it was fantastic! You would eagerly anticipate each week and then gobble it up. It wasn't polished, but those stories had meat and soul. They had characters I not only identified with, but that I loved and wanted to meet and talk to. There was a depth and even with the moments that were difficult to read (emotional content, not writing skill), I was still enthralled enough to push through and keep going. I have also literally never laughed so hard while reading books before, either. I am so thankful I have some of those books on my Kindle app still so that I can go back to those and remember that amazingness.
With all that being said, you can imagine my hype at finally having her first official, legit published book download to my Kindle. It took me a couple of weeks to dive in because I am busy with school work and I was still having some heavy emotions over losing a friend. Finally, I had a moment to breathe and I was in a better place so I sat down and started reading. I read and read, hoping things would improve. I am somewhat speechless. I was so hyped and I don't think I've ever been so disappointed with a book. I could not stand Kat. Annoying as all getout. I swear, the only depth to the story was probably the length of Kat's broken vagina. I find it odd that friends would all obsess about a vagina so much. I almost laughed during the cupcake war, but didn't quite get a whole chuckle out. I felt sorry for Ben because she was such a tool. Ryan was a jerk that whole dynamic was just weird.
The heart, the soul, the joy, the heartache, all of that was missing from this book. It felt shallow and I was bored. I tried to want to like it. I could see where it was supposed to be funny. Ben kissing the glitter off of her was pretty hot. Other than that, I found myself pushing to get to the end, not to see how it ended (predictable) but to just be done. I have a thing with never leaving a book unfinished when it comes to reading. I think about her old, bloggy stuff all the time. Those characters are a part of something special and will always have a place in my soul. The characters from The Awkward Path to Getting Lucky are already fading. I don't have room in my soul for that kind of annoyance and disappointment.
I am giving this book one star. I would give it 0 if it were possible. I wish her luck and am really hoping that With A Shake Of Her Hair sees the light of day in paperback form someday. That, I would stand in line for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2021
This was an absolutely excellent read! I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Summer at her book launch party at Second Flight Books in Lafayette, Indiana, and was so very impressed!! What a positive person and now that I've thoroughly enjoyed this, her debut novel, I am even more impressed!! To think she wrote this in 3 1/2 days!! All I can say is--KEEP WRITING, Summer!!! Very informative, uplifting, honest, and just plain funny!! Tough for any author to get all that in one book, but she succeeds admirably. 😀
I have now reread this book twice! (Very unusual for me!) Each time I discover new things to appreciate about it. I sure hope my book club members enjoyed it as much as I have/did/do! I'll know after this Saturday! :)
I have now reread this book twice! (Very unusual for me!) Each time I discover new things to appreciate about it. I sure hope my book club members enjoyed it as much as I have/did/do! I'll know after this Saturday! :)
Read
October 19, 2017"Undoubtedly memorable, hilariously quirky and surprisingly relatable, this novel digs deep into the complexities of intimate relationships and how easily the lines between sex and love can blur. Every character is carefully crafted and uniquely flawed in the most human ways, with the different scenes highlighting the real-life emotions and hilariously awkward situations that we all too often find ourselves in, particularly when sex is involved. Get lucky by making this one-of-a-kind novel part of your summer reading list!" (4 1/2 stars TOP PICK! @ RT Book Reviews).
dnf
May 14, 2018An adult romance about a woman with vaginismus in which the heroine and all of her friends (all of whom are adults) use every childish euphanism for a vagina is absolutely not for me. Seriously, they talk about her "hoo ha".
October 4, 2023
Honestly, the book is good. it was a fast read and very funny however the main character (Kat) sucked. She had no regard for others in the book EVERYTHING was about her. She never even stopped to think about what it was doing to Ben, although Ben was a pussy, he had absolutely no backbone which kind of pissed me off. kat should have thought about his feelings from the beginning, I don't know why but it annoys me that the book doesn't go deeper into the aunt (it's the only thing I find super interesting about Kat).
all in all the book was fine.was it fun? Absolutely. would I read it again? probably not.
all in all the book was fine.was it fun? Absolutely. would I read it again? probably not.
March 2, 2025
This was the most cringe book I've ever read. Kat was the absolute worst and most annoying/stupid character in literature. I do not know what addicting quality kept me reading. Like a bag of potato chips: no substance, but I couldn't put it down. The number of times the words "awkward" and "weird" were used was criminal. The overall millennial quirky vibe was in-your-face strong. Honestly, this book was so bad, but it gets 3 stars because I gobbled it up for some inexplicable reason.
October 14, 2017
So much voice!!!!!!!
May 26, 2019
Kinda ridiculous, easy to read. Good for a wet weekend.
June 7, 2017
This was a rather predictable book, but still a fun read. Great characters. Thanks to Goodreads for the giveaway.
July 12, 2017
3.5/5
Honestly, Kat was the worst. She's very self-centered and frankly, makes really stupid decisions. What I loved though here were the secondary characters, the bake shop and Ben. Plus, it had me laughing my butt off so I have to give the book credit for that!
RTC
January 28, 2022
This book manages to talk about a serious topic (the main character suffers from vaginismus) while being hilarious to the point of me snorting in public while reading it (not just once... but several times).
The thing I adored about this book is the female friendship between Kat (the MC) and her three coworkers and best friends. They support Kat and her vagina all the way. Of course, be prepared to read about vaginas, dildos, boobs, and the likes, and to laugh out loud lots of times.
My favorite quotes:
"I promise. We will only set you up with people with non-phallic names, okay?"
"Hello, big fat bonuses and me taking my kiddos to motherfreaking Walt Disney World!"
"Oh my god, a honeymoon!" Liz squeaks.
"I could fly out to see my Noni!" Butter gasps.
I bounce in place. "I have absolutely no grand aspirations I can think of right now outside of getting laid, but yay!"
I don't think logic is crazy important when it comes to familiar shame.
I open the boxes and start laying out the bounty. Damn, the gals really spared no expense. I think they've overestimated the actual numbers of vaginas I have.
"When I went to culinary school", Liz says pityfully, "I never thought I'd be trying to match the color of my friends' boobs."
"No one is saying that!" Shannon exclaims.
Butter clears her throat. "I'm saying that a little."
"Are you okay?" Betsy asks. "Your whole body just sort of...clenched."
I slump in the chair. "I'm fine. Just sitting here regretting all my life choices. It's cool."
My boyfriend and I accidentally started having relationships with other people.
I need a drink.
The thing I adored about this book is the female friendship between Kat (the MC) and her three coworkers and best friends. They support Kat and her vagina all the way. Of course, be prepared to read about vaginas, dildos, boobs, and the likes, and to laugh out loud lots of times.
My favorite quotes:
"I promise. We will only set you up with people with non-phallic names, okay?"
"Hello, big fat bonuses and me taking my kiddos to motherfreaking Walt Disney World!"
"Oh my god, a honeymoon!" Liz squeaks.
"I could fly out to see my Noni!" Butter gasps.
I bounce in place. "I have absolutely no grand aspirations I can think of right now outside of getting laid, but yay!"
I don't think logic is crazy important when it comes to familiar shame.
I open the boxes and start laying out the bounty. Damn, the gals really spared no expense. I think they've overestimated the actual numbers of vaginas I have.
"When I went to culinary school", Liz says pityfully, "I never thought I'd be trying to match the color of my friends' boobs."
"No one is saying that!" Shannon exclaims.
Butter clears her throat. "I'm saying that a little."
"Are you okay?" Betsy asks. "Your whole body just sort of...clenched."
I slump in the chair. "I'm fine. Just sitting here regretting all my life choices. It's cool."
My boyfriend and I accidentally started having relationships with other people.
I need a drink.
July 24, 2017
When I first won this from Goodreads, I read the blurb on the back cover and cringed. It seemed crass and plotless. I felt like it was going to be one of those harlequin romances my grandmother used to hide in her nightstand because it was so dirty. I don't read "those" kind of books. I even put the book aside for a few weeks, bowing never to read it unless I was desperate. Well I decided to take the plunge when I ran out of books to read and I'm delighted I did. While the subject matter was a bit unusual and of the "adult" variety, this was not some trashy bodice ripper that I was expecting. It was a delightfully crafted foray into relationships---sexual relationships and even friendships. The characters were witty and their interactions made me LOL. The women talked like truck drivers and embarrassed the men. It was hilarious. While the plot itself was predictable (as chick lit is expected to be), the way the plot developed was unexpectedly funny and even a little raw at times. Seriously, all the feels. Congrats to the author on creating genuine and flawed characters that the reader can actually feel for and relate to. I'll be looking for more by this author.
May 24, 2017
I received a copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review - and honestly, this was NOT what I expected (in a good way!). After reading the back, and awkwardly trying to hide both the title and jacket summary from family/friends ("vagina" and "orgasm" seemed to jump right off the back of the book), I was a bit apprehensive about the kind of book I was about to read. Instead of being generic, "trashy" (for lack of a better word) chick lit, I found myself relating closely to and loving the main character and her trio of girlfriends. I also found myself crying tears of laughter at various times through the book and falling a little bit in love with Ben. As a previous reviewer mentioned, this is an awesome blend of fun and thought-provoking, and absolutely NOT just about vaginas and orgasms. LOVE IT!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2017
This book is absolutely hilarious. Like actually laugh out loud funny in a number of places. I completely loved it.
The plot was a bit predictable, in the way these romantic comedy type things generally seem to fit a certain formula, with the main character's endlessly bad decisions driving the plot. But the humor throughout made this one a highly enjoyable light read.
(I received a free advance galley copy of this book through a giveaway on goodreads)
The plot was a bit predictable, in the way these romantic comedy type things generally seem to fit a certain formula, with the main character's endlessly bad decisions driving the plot. But the humor throughout made this one a highly enjoyable light read.
(I received a free advance galley copy of this book through a giveaway on goodreads)
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