Must've Done Something Good

Must've Done Something Good #1

by Cheryl Cory

Sylvie O'Rourke, The Sound of Music devotee and born procrastinator, is about to die. Well, she thinks she is, anyway, and so attempts a last-ditch bargain with God for her life. "You guys are my witnesses," she tells her sisters somewhere over Connecticut. "If we get out of this plane alive, I promise to do something good with my life." Back on firm ground, Kate and Meg won't let their sister forget her promise, and with their years of practice hitting just the right chords of guilt ("What kind of person lies to God?" Meg wants to know), Sylvie finally caves. A teaching position at the broken-down St. Matthew's High School appears to be Sylvie's perfect opportunity to do some good, though her irreverent style gets her called down to the principal more often than her students. Can Sylvie keep her promise and make it through the year, dignity and sanity intact?

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

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 2008

About the author

Cheryl Cory lives in Worcester, Massachusetts with her husband Matthew and their cat Bearkie. She enjoys reading, cleaning (seriously), and making cookie dough (not to cook, just to eat). She has tried and quickly given up a number of sports including, but not limited to, golf, skiing and snowboarding. We Have Confidence! is the long-awaited sequel to Cheryl's first novel, Must’ve Done Something Good.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, does the 2 vhs tape version of The Sound of Music really end where the Captain and Maria are dancing?!? Not at the regular intermission a bit farther on when Maria leaves the house? Actually, I’d have liked to have had even more of The Sound of Music incorporated into this book, but there was enough for fans to be happy. The book’s plot corresponds mostly with the book Pride and Prejudice with a bit of the play Othello thrown in. While you don’t have to be a fan of these works, or even know them, you’ll experience more gleeful moments if you do. I felt particular delight with all The Sound of Music portions; it is my all time favorite movie. This book was reminiscent of To Sir with Love (alluded to in this book, I think) and The Trouble with Angels, Up the Down Staircase, and other high school students/teachers books.

I am reasonably sure that I’d have given this book 5 stars if I’d first read in my twenties or teens or maybe even in my thirties – most of the main characters in the book are in their twenties, or teens in the case of the students. I think I’d have identified more with the characters when I was younger, but I will say I did care about the characters and many were well developed. Sylvie’s portrayal did remind me of English teachers I had and appreciated.

I did really enjoy this light, breezy, charming, entertaining, and mostly well written novel.

It does contain the plot device where the reader suspects/knows something that the main character does not, which often irritates me, and it did a bit here too, but not so much that it significantly diminished the pleasure of reading it. There were several parts that seemed to end abruptly and at first it felt a tad jarring but overall I appreciated how the scenarios reflected many real life events.

I have no sisters, but I enjoyed reading about the very close relationships of the three sisters. I’ve always wanted sisters and this threesome was very appealing. I loved, loved, loved how Sylvie and her sisters generously partook of vast amounts of food, including junk foods. Their penchant for an assortment of meals and many substantial snacks, given that they’re young women in their twenties was extremely refreshing. No anorexic tendencies here. There were so many little vignettes within the book including about Santa & the Easter Bunny & the tooth fairy and mentions of other books & movies, and various life experiences of the characters in their present and past that I identified with and fondly reminded me of earlier periods of my life.

I hope the author writes another book about Sylvie, but I’ll be eager to read any other novel she publishes.

This is a novel for adults but can be enjoyed by those 11 and up, I think.

I really hope this book finds a wider audience/publication.

You can purchase it at lulu.com:

http://www.lulu.com/content/1287564

or at amzon.com at a small discount:

http://www.amazon.com/Mustve-Done-Som...

and at Powell’s:

http://www.powells.com/biblio/61-9780...

or ask your public library to order it.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know Cheryl Cory via a Jane Austen site, and she was kind enough to send me a copy of her book.

This book had such a beautiful, understated feel to it. It was warm, engaging, and endearing, and charming in it’s simplicity and honesty, it really touched me.

I loved the Pride and Prejudice feel to it; the Darcy, Wickham, Lizzy aspect of the story was very well told and played out. You know what's coming, but you still want to know just how it would be resolved. I enjoyed the other Darcy touches too, like his letter and his quietly heroic way of saving the day.

There were some lovely romantic scenes in the book that made me sigh! The snowy gloves and baseball hat melted me! I also loved Sylvie’s thoughts towards the end about her very own pinecone and whistle realisation! Away from the romance side of the story, I enjoyed Sylvie’s relationship with her two sisters, their banter was funny and warm. She also had a good line in random ranting!

MDSG is an easy chicklit read, but much more touching than your average chicklit, and it’s P&P undertones made it even more appealing to me.

[Emma J · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Must've Done Something Good" by Cheryl Cory (find it on Amazon!)

I belong to a Jane Austen related message board (otherwise know as a forum) where fans on Jane Austen discuss the novels and other related things. Well one member, Cheryl has a published novel! "Must've Done Something Good" :) I've just finished reading it and I loved it! If you like Pride and Prejudice and The Sound of Music then I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Even though it has some elements of these two stories, Cheryl's book has it's own substance, it has a thoroughly well written plot, and had me engaged throughout. It is the perfect companion to a bed, hot water bottle and a cup of hot choc. If you like the sounds of it, it is available on Amazon now :)

I'm not very often so gripped by a novel (other than Austen, and Shakespeare plays), so when it happens, it's pretty special. It's a modern novel, but different to the boring modern lit I've read so far, it stands out.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
This first time author did not disappoint! My Sylvie was Tina Fey and Evan ended up as Colin Firth (not a surprise since this is a modern day take on Pride and Prejudice.) It sounds like a strange combination, but it worked for me. The main character Sylvie was fun to cheer for because her inner dialogue was so true to life. Other reviews have said the book has a very G rated Bridget Jones feel and I concur. It was very endearing and rare to find a literary heroine in her 20's with high moral integrity. Finally, a virtuous woman!

I loved all the Sound of Music and literary references. The Sound of Music is a favorite in our house, and I would have enjoyed even more references to that great show. I also found the references to songs, especially the Christmas lyrics to be hilarious. The book had me singing on several occasions.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the relationship between the three sisters. I come from a three sister family (baby brother at the end) and found that the author did an excellent job of capturing the authenticity of the sisterhood. The honesty, teasing and genuine care and love these sisters had for each other made me wonder if the author knew the White sisters. Shanny and Aim this book will be coming to you!

Thanks Cheryl!

P.S. I loved the line on page 76, regarding Sylvie's class of 10th graders. "I think many of them were still working to form a fully-functioning inner editing device." I know mine is still forming as well, but find this to be very true for many teenagers.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first-year teacher myself, I found Sylvie O'Rourke delightful, relatable, inspiring, and very much down-to-earth. A real heroine to admire!

This is a wonderful tale of a woman who is simple, romantic and desires to be loved unconditionally despite her flaws. She finds herself as a 10th grade English teacher in a private school where the principal's main focus is raising money for the dilapidated school. She learns what every first-year soon discovers about teaching the pros and the cons.

The book has a wonderful cast of characters that you become invested in and can relate to. There are Sylvie's two sisters, Kate and Meg, who like eating snack foods a ritual, watch their all-time favorite movie "The Sound of Music," and tease each other. Other fellow first teachers such as Elise and Ben, both a bit flirtatious and cause a little bit a trouble. Then there is Evan Danes, a fellow English teacher, who makes a terrible first impression on Sylvie by not wanting to be her mentor. She is offended and upset that he does not like her when he doesn't even know her!

It soon becomes apparent that some of teachers are pairing off romantically but Sylvie, has decided that this year she would devote to "doing something good" and not get wrapped up in romantic affairs, especially at school!

What I mostly enjoyed about this book is the parallels that can be found in the plot of Pride and Prejudice and The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition). It is similar in some ways to Bridget Jones's Diary as it is a modern adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Like BJD it does not follow Pride and Prejudice completely, it is more like the characters from this book resemble and have similar personalities to characters from P&P. It is fun to discover which character is a Wickham, a Darcy, a Bingley, or a Caroline Bingley. Because Sylvie loves the Sound of Music she believe Captain Von Trapp is the ideal man. There are many quotes and lines from The Sound of Music peppered through out the book some more obvious then others. As a fan The Sound of Music, I immensely enjoyed finding them!

I can not say enough good things about this debut novel from Cheryl Cory! I loved her style, language, and would love to read more by her. I highly recommend this book to any first-year teacher, Pride and Prejudice fan, or Sound of Music fan!

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sylvie O’Rourke makes a deal with God on a rocky flight, that if she lives, she will do something good with her life. Months later she still hasn’t figured it out. With the persistent pestering of her sisters she lands a job at St. Matthew’s High School teaching English.

What better way to do something good with your life than to shape the lives of today’s youth. Sylvie finds out that is a lot easier said than done. She is snubbed by a fellow teacher in front of the entire English department and she visits the principal’s office more than her students. She may have had the intention of doing something good with her life, but she might just end up having a better life to live.

Must’ve Done Something Good is Cheryl’s first novel and I have to say that I enjoyed reading it! It was a humorous, light and entertaining read. Pride and Prejudice fans will notice and delight in the similarities apparent in the novel. Cory’s writing style is easy to read and she makes Sylvie a likable and memorable character. However, I didn’t get a strong sense of who the other characters where. I also felt that the dialogue and actions of the students made them seem much younger than the tenth grade status the book suggests. Besides those few complaints, I would recommend Must’ve Done Something Good for readers who want a laugh out loud read with a little bit of romance!

[MCOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author mailed a free copy to my dear friend Lisa, who then lent the book to me. Kind of fun to be part of a viral marketing campaign. :-)

The main character believes her plane is about to crash, and strikes up a quick deal with God: if she lives through this flight, she'll find a way to do some good in the world. She survives, and takes a job at a Catholic high school, teaching English. The plot is adapted from Pride & Prejudice, with a Wickham/Darcy/Elizabeth triangle; it's easy to see where things are going. But still a quick, fun read. It had me laughing out loud a couple of times. And it was refreshing to read something light and happy and wholesome.

Favorite lines:

"It's true - there are like, only two songs about rainbows, including that one. He should be asking why are there so few songs about rainbows."

"You hardly ever see kids with bad teeth nowadays. It seems like we keep raising the bar on beauty and lowering it on intelligence, which, if you ask me, is pretty messed up."

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of a Pride and Prejudice retelling with lots of the Sound of Music thrown in. Since those are two of my all time favorite stories I couldn't help but love this story about Sylvie O'Rourke who becomes a high school english teacher after promising God that she will do something good with her life. The first day of school she is snubbed by Evan Danes a fellow English Teacher who also happens to be gorgeous, so Sylvie does the only thing a snubbed woman can do, she holds a grudge. I laughed out loud several times through out the novel, Sylvie's sense of humor is quite funny. Add to that the dialogue with her students and her two sisters and it's a fun story.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about this book was how much I could identify with Sylvie. She has her ups and downs just like any of us, many of which are hilarious. The story is a fun parallel to Pride & Prejudice, and Evan melted my heart just as much as Mr. Darcy did. And I wanted Meg to be my real sister :)

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning I wasn't sure how I would like the book. As it went on I liked it better and better. Sweet ending. I like the interaction between Sylvie and her sisters and how you got to know some of the students as well as other teachers at St. Matt's. Other than the fact that the main character worked at a Catholic school and they said prayers in class, there wasn't much of a religious influence. Certain things seemed very realistic to me; for example the students had to read and discuss books/ stories I had read in high school. Other times I found myself comparing something to my own experiences and wondering if that really happens, though nothing was outside the realm of plausibility (except perhaps one of the sister knitting on the plane; they don't usually let knitting needles through security these days). Overall it was an enjoyable book to read.

[Ida Sonberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Austen and the sound of music,

I loved it from beginning to finish, it is so well written and so well thought,

I love the characters, Sylvie especially, Evan was brilliant, the way he grows from villain to hero,

I had a feeling that ben wast good all the time but he was a wonderful character

I loved the first period class,
Anne was a bit strange but lovely, I HATED Elise all the way, (but excellent character)

the sisters were delightful.

all-in-all this is an amazing book written by an amazing author whom I am so fortunate to call my friend

thumbs up Cheryl

[Emily Giuffre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must've Done Something Good by Cheryl Cory...a good lesson on doing a good deed...even if we hate it. Sylvie somehow manages to volunteer and pile more good deeds on top of her head,from teaching English, directing musicals,to sticking with promises she makes off the cuff, wishing she had done something completely different...but it all works out in the end.
I loved this story and I found it to be a good lesson in sticking to your guns whether that be in your promises to God, your loved ones, your professional life, friendships, love life etc. If you enjoy the simple things in life, literature and romance, then this book is for you.

[Melissa Shreve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very charming, fun book to read. I like the way she integrated her character and that character's personality to effect the entire story. The opening was a big hook for me and I liked the way she talked as a real person, real thoughts and real habits. The only thing I had a hard time with was the voice of the teens in high school. True, most high school students are immature, but for a lot of the story I kept thinking that these were 7-8 year olds because of their actions and dialogue. However, I did like the book and I look forward to more of Cherly Cory's work!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has it all: comedy, a little romance, mystery, deceit, a musical, drama and a classic novel. I enjoyed this first book by Cherly Cory - in fact, I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down! The ending is very sweet. At first I was really surprised by Sylvie's decision at the end of the school year about whether to go back to teach another year. Then I few pages later, it all made perfect sense. I like books that wrap everything up neatly at the end!

[Janet Goodfriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outlandishly witty blunders of a first year teacher amidst a triumphantly naïve navigation through romance satirize the very literature she attempts to so brilliantly impart to her students. Cory’s delightfully intelligent, refreshingly honest glimpse into the most seriously undervalued career had me cringing with laughter to the very end.

~Janet Goodfriend, author of For the Love of Art

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute, sweet story of a "Sound of Music" loving young woman who makes a vow to do good by taking a teaching job.... mildly funny, written in an easy-to-read style - definitely not a "heavy" story. Oh... a Pride and Prejudice connection too!

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun read. How can I not like it when the main character is so into/obsessed with the Sound of Music? That's a recipe for liking any book. However any thoughts I had about switching my career to teaching in the classroom was quickly dashed in reading this book.
Andrea

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won a copy through firstreads.

I was intrigued by this book due to its references to The Sound of Music (who doesn't love that movie?) and the fact that had a strong focus on sisters, a plot element I am a complete sucker for. What I didn't realize was the strong references to Pride and Prejudice, my favorite book, and my love for the spunky heroine Sylvie.

What I didn't expect was how much I'd like this. I mean, I won a free copy so I figured it doesn't hurt to try but I did keep my expectations low. This had the upside that I was tremendously pleased and enjoyed myself at every point. Of course, I loved the pop culture references, the aforementioned Sound of Music and general trivia (I rock at trivia games). But the characters were great too.

Sylvie is the main character; during turbulence on a plane trip, Sylvie promises God to do something good with her life. On solid ground, she procrastinates but her sisters prod her to apply for a job at a poor high school. When she receives the position, her life changes as she becomes involved in teacher squabbles, bonds with her students, and learns about herself. I also loved getting to spend time with her sisters as well as the romantic plot although I would have liked even more of that. I also loved Sylvie's interactions with her students. As a first-time teacher, she doesn't always know what she's doing nor is she on top of everything but she tries hard and she really cares about the kids.

I guess my main problem was the romantic element, which is obviously drawn from Pride and Prejudice and thus I was frustrated with Sylvie for not realizing that. I'm not sure how she's supposed to do that when she's the character who's caught up in the drama but that's not a favorite element of mine in books.

Overall: A very humorous story with a quick-pace and a good dose of sweetness; recommended for fans of The Sound of Music film adaptation.

[Sari Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light-hearted, funny story, about a young woman, Sylvie, who (under duress and never believing she'll be called to make good on her promise) vows that if she survives a particularly turbulent flight, she'll do "something good" with her life. Safely on the ground, she tries to forget about her bargain, except that her two sisters, who were with her on the flight, tell her that she can't lie to God - she has to do "something good". What they come up with is a job teaching English at a nearby Catholic High School, St. Matthew's.

Sylvie discovers that her tendency to procrastinate causes her grief in prepping for her lessons and grading exams, but she also develops a wonderful rapport with her students, as well as friendships with several of the other teachers. She winds up assisting her class in marketing their fundraiser, and directing the school play, and discovers by the book's end that just like you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge people based on first impressions.

I very much enjoyed reading this book!

Recommended to English majors, new teachers, fans of "The Sound of Music", and anyone who enjoys a well-written, light-hearted tale

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, great book. First off, how nice to see a female main character who is not a ditz or a whore. Sylvie is a smart, caring woman who makes a decision and sticks to it. She has a sense of morals and doing good for the sake of humanity. She is a very likable character. Second, she has a loving, supportive family. How refreshing it was to read about a family that cares for one another. Third, although I laughed at the antics that took place in the school (being a catholic school veteran myself) I fond that I became fond of the students at St. Matt's H.S. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a nice, entertaining story and is tired of helpless, dumb female characters. Oh! I should mention this book has an epilogue. I loved that! It didn't leave me hanging to wonder what happened to these characters. A MUST READ!

[April yedinak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the sisters and their relationship. I loved Sylvie and all her cooky ways. She reminded me of myself in so many ways, especially her mildly neurotic thoughts. My very favorite part of the book is not the romance, but a passage where she is reminiscing about her childhood home. Sylvie was happy their home was new construction, since she wouldn't have to worry about any ghosts haunting it. Then she recalled American Indians and decided that they might be waiting to eat her child soul. Priceless.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Once I started reading "Must've Done Something Good," I couldn't put it down. The humor and fun kept me laughing while the plot kept me reading. A mixture of "Sound of Music," "Persuasion," "Pride and Prejudice," and some completely unique ideas thrown together into an enchanting mix, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It shall definitely be making the rounds of my friends. I will be eagerly looking forward to the next book from Cheryl Cory.

[Sfdreams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY liked this book! I hope that Ms. Cory writes more with this character.

I am not a Sound of Music fanatic, but I did enjoy the references to the movie, and my friend, Lisa, and my partner, Melanie, are both fanatics of the movie so I can appreciate the references. I have been going around singing "Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must've done something good" since reading this book. Unfortunately, that's about the extent of the song that I know. LOL.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I loved the Pride & Prejudice connection and the character of Sylvie. She was witty, charming and she brought some real warmth to the whole story. I especially loved the relationship she had with her students. I was always looking forward to reading what would happen next in that classroom. I think her adventures there endeared me to her even more than her romantic blunders. A very enjoyable story.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three sisters addicted to "The Sound of Music". Sylvie decides she is going to do something to make a difference and through some coaxing of her sisters she applies for a job as a teacher. It is a humorous and enjoyable novel. Sylvie is a wonderful strong character who possesses strong morals that I haven't found in many books. It seemed to me the chemistry was lacking between Sylvie and her male counterpart but I still really liked this read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute book!! I think I was in the mood for something light and fun and this hit the spot. I really enjoyed the author's sense of humor and laughed out loud throughout most of the book. Even randomly during the day I would think back to a part in the book and just start laughing.

I highly recommend being familiar with the movie The Sound of Music. It makes reading this book more enjoyable.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting more "Sound of Music" tie-ins, and was thus thrown a little by what was more a "Pride & Prejudice" plot. Still it was fun and cute. I enjoyed the comraderie of the sisters, and I loved some of the high school literature discussions. I'd rate it 3.5 stars if I could, but there was enough good about it that I feel it deserves 4 stars more than it deserves 3.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written, very fun book to read. I liked how it was a modern-day version of Pride & Prejudice, with elements of another of my favorites, The Sound of Music, thrown in. I'd love to read more of this author's books when they come out.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the literary humor and discussion in this book. Why couldn't I have had a teacher like Sylvie in high school? I also liked the hints of Pride and Prejudice woven in. My only complaint was that I wanted Sylvie to make a different career choice at the end. She was an awesome teacher.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Sound of Music and enjoy retellings of Pride and Prejudice, then this is the book for you. It was a little hard for me to get into at first, almost seemed a tad forced, but the book warmed up and became a very enjoyable read. Perfect for a rainy day and a cup of cocoa.