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Mean Season
Prepping for his new movie in the tiny town of Pinecob, West Virginia, up-and-coming actor Joshua Reed lands himself another drunk-driving conviction, this time involving a stolen limo, a dark country road and a cow. Rather than let him rot in jail for the summer, twenty-five-year-old Leanne Gitlin, his fan club president, agrees to vouch for him so he can serve out his sentence under house arrest. In her home.
But playing the gracious guest isn't in Joshua Reed's repertoire. And while everyone in town is thinking up excuses to drop by the Gitlin house, Leanne quickly finds herself counting the days until her famous visitor leaves.
Leanne, the youngest of five, watched her family fall apart and dutifully stayed put to help her mother pick up the pieces. Stuck in Pinecob, she was itching for something new, but Joshua Reed's media circus isn't quite what she had in mind.
But playing the gracious guest isn't in Joshua Reed's repertoire. And while everyone in town is thinking up excuses to drop by the Gitlin house, Leanne quickly finds herself counting the days until her famous visitor leaves.
Leanne, the youngest of five, watched her family fall apart and dutifully stayed put to help her mother pick up the pieces. Stuck in Pinecob, she was itching for something new, but Joshua Reed's media circus isn't quite what she had in mind.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 28, 2007
First of all I want to say this: Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and get this book! And keep reading it. It is not mundane as the beginning would have you believe.
What was there not to like about this book? First of all, the main character, Leanne Gitlin is so real. Probably one of the most "real" characters I've ever read about. Her emotions, desires, and dreams were spot on. Leanne has been president of the Joshua Reed fan club for eight years ever since he was a soap opera star and she was a high-school senior. Now Joshua is one of Hollywood's leading men and after all these years she has an opportunity to meet him. Turns out that he is truly a great actor - all that charm was just for the screen whereas in real life he is more of a Colin Farrell-type character, IOW a "bad boy." The limo picks up Leanne in her little town of Pinecob, West Virginia and take her to Harpers Ferry where she meet's Josh's agent, publicist and Josh himself. Trouble is, every other word is the "F" word, he has a surly attitude, and a problem with alcohol. In fact, that very evening gets a DUI when he "borrows" the limo and takes himself on a little drive to the county where Leanne lives - and where she works in the county clerk's office. This is Josh's second DUI and he is placed on house arrest for 90 days --- at Leanne's home where she lives with her mother and her brother Beau Ray who although nearly 30 is brain-injured and has a mind more of a six-year-old. Suffice to say, things do not go smoothly for Josh or Leanne. He isn't happy about being in Pinecob and Leanne isn't exactly happy having him there.
Now, in most books this would turn be a romance between Josh and Leanne, but not this one. They do become friends, but her eye is on Max Campbell, an old family friend and assistant manager of the local Winn-Dixie.
This is a Red Dress Ink book - the Chick Lit line - but I wouldn't call this your ordinary Chick Lit book which is usually set in a big city with the main character having a fancy schmancy job. This is as small town as it gets and Leanne's job isn't very exciting (although she does dream of one day becoming a lawyer). There is so much depth to this book and to the character of Leanne. The entire time I kept thinking what a wonderful movie this would make. Colin Farrell as Josh, Renee Zellweger or Natalie Portman as Leanne, haven't decided who for Max - a young Robert Redford type or perhaps Brad Pitt! This is one of the best books I've read all year and if it doesn't get optioned for a movie I am going to be sorely disappointed. If any book has ever screamed "successful movie" this one does.
What was there not to like about this book? First of all, the main character, Leanne Gitlin is so real. Probably one of the most "real" characters I've ever read about. Her emotions, desires, and dreams were spot on. Leanne has been president of the Joshua Reed fan club for eight years ever since he was a soap opera star and she was a high-school senior. Now Joshua is one of Hollywood's leading men and after all these years she has an opportunity to meet him. Turns out that he is truly a great actor - all that charm was just for the screen whereas in real life he is more of a Colin Farrell-type character, IOW a "bad boy." The limo picks up Leanne in her little town of Pinecob, West Virginia and take her to Harpers Ferry where she meet's Josh's agent, publicist and Josh himself. Trouble is, every other word is the "F" word, he has a surly attitude, and a problem with alcohol. In fact, that very evening gets a DUI when he "borrows" the limo and takes himself on a little drive to the county where Leanne lives - and where she works in the county clerk's office. This is Josh's second DUI and he is placed on house arrest for 90 days --- at Leanne's home where she lives with her mother and her brother Beau Ray who although nearly 30 is brain-injured and has a mind more of a six-year-old. Suffice to say, things do not go smoothly for Josh or Leanne. He isn't happy about being in Pinecob and Leanne isn't exactly happy having him there.
Now, in most books this would turn be a romance between Josh and Leanne, but not this one. They do become friends, but her eye is on Max Campbell, an old family friend and assistant manager of the local Winn-Dixie.
This is a Red Dress Ink book - the Chick Lit line - but I wouldn't call this your ordinary Chick Lit book which is usually set in a big city with the main character having a fancy schmancy job. This is as small town as it gets and Leanne's job isn't very exciting (although she does dream of one day becoming a lawyer). There is so much depth to this book and to the character of Leanne. The entire time I kept thinking what a wonderful movie this would make. Colin Farrell as Josh, Renee Zellweger or Natalie Portman as Leanne, haven't decided who for Max - a young Robert Redford type or perhaps Brad Pitt! This is one of the best books I've read all year and if it doesn't get optioned for a movie I am going to be sorely disappointed. If any book has ever screamed "successful movie" this one does.
July 26, 2025
Admittedly, because this was a re-read from my youth, I have rose colored glasses for this book. If I’m being honest with myself, nostalgia is pulling some weight in my rating. The first time I read this book I read it in one sitting. I devoured it because I (wrongfully) assumed it was the classic “famous person falls for ordinary girl” trope with a fun twist. In the almost two decades long time since then only one scene stuck with me throughout. The bathroom scene, for those who’ve read it.
Reading it again, I enjoyed the conversational storytelling with a strong dose of southern charm the most. Realizing it’s actually a coming of age story makes a huge difference for me this time around because the actual romance that takes place is lukewarm at best and the third act break-up is a little cliched and trite. In fact the entire last act of this book feels bizarrely divorced from the early parts.
That being said, I don’t regret returning to this book once more. It was worth it to revisit Pinecob for a little while.
Reading it again, I enjoyed the conversational storytelling with a strong dose of southern charm the most. Realizing it’s actually a coming of age story makes a huge difference for me this time around because the actual romance that takes place is lukewarm at best and the third act break-up is a little cliched and trite. In fact the entire last act of this book feels bizarrely divorced from the early parts.
That being said, I don’t regret returning to this book once more. It was worth it to revisit Pinecob for a little while.
November 17, 2021
I wanted a light read, and this just wasn't it at all. It was actually pretty heavy and depressing. The writing was odd in spots, and I can't really think of much that I liked about it.
February 25, 2017
Eh...I read this because I was bored & I started it. It wasn't the greatest book ever, but it wasn't horrible either. You don't have to think too deeply on this one and it only took me a couple times of reading to get through it.
March 10, 2010
Mean Season is the charming story of a small town girl who in attempting to do a good deed to help out a celeb facing criminal charges and stranded in her small town on house arrest.
Leeanne, who is president of the Joshua Reed fan club, allows him to spend 90 days with her home, when he lands a DUI and is ordered to serve out his time under house arrest in her small town of Pinecob, WV. While the invitation is not a welcome for Joshua, he has no other option, and very grudgingly joins Leeanne and her family as they journey through a summer that turns out to be filled with drama, heartache, tremendous loss, unexpected family reunions, blossoming romances, self-discovery, and for Joshua and much of Leeanne's family serious personal growth.
I was prompted to read Mean Season, after reading The Return of Jonah Gray, another of Cochran's novels. I enjoyed both, but where I found that The Return of Jonah Gray lagged a little in the beginning, and sometimes taking a while to get to the point, Mean Season was just the right mix of details and action.
Leeanne, who is president of the Joshua Reed fan club, allows him to spend 90 days with her home, when he lands a DUI and is ordered to serve out his time under house arrest in her small town of Pinecob, WV. While the invitation is not a welcome for Joshua, he has no other option, and very grudgingly joins Leeanne and her family as they journey through a summer that turns out to be filled with drama, heartache, tremendous loss, unexpected family reunions, blossoming romances, self-discovery, and for Joshua and much of Leeanne's family serious personal growth.
I was prompted to read Mean Season, after reading The Return of Jonah Gray, another of Cochran's novels. I enjoyed both, but where I found that The Return of Jonah Gray lagged a little in the beginning, and sometimes taking a while to get to the point, Mean Season was just the right mix of details and action.
April 13, 2014
After yet another DUI conviction, actor Joshua Reed is assigned to house-arrest under the roof of his fan-club president, Leanne Gitlin, in a small West Virginia town. Joshua isn't thrilled to be there, Leanne becomes increasingly less thrilled to have him there, and both the town and the media have them under intense scrutiny. Hilarious hijinks result!
The book desperately overemphasizes its slight themes as characters helpfully explain and re-explain everyone's motivations and conflicts, and the central romance between Leanne and childhood crush Max is perilously stupid. Perilously. I did like the interactions between Joshua and Leanne -- their initial mutual petulance eventually settles into a charmingly childish rapport.
The book desperately overemphasizes its slight themes as characters helpfully explain and re-explain everyone's motivations and conflicts, and the central romance between Leanne and childhood crush Max is perilously stupid. Perilously. I did like the interactions between Joshua and Leanne -- their initial mutual petulance eventually settles into a charmingly childish rapport.
May 31, 2015
I thought this was pretty good. Started it thinking I would finish it on vacation but got rather engrossed in the story and just kept reading. Then it became urgent to finish it BEFORE vacation.
Not the type of book I would normally read -- meaning doesn't have a crime twist to it. Really a character study of growing up in a small town and the limitations or opportunities that provides, depending upon the perspective.
A good summer read. Easy and engaging. Have no idea where I got it. Probably a discount book somewhere, or maybe even at a Friends of the Public Library sale. Worth the investment, whatever it was.
Not the type of book I would normally read -- meaning doesn't have a crime twist to it. Really a character study of growing up in a small town and the limitations or opportunities that provides, depending upon the perspective.
A good summer read. Easy and engaging. Have no idea where I got it. Probably a discount book somewhere, or maybe even at a Friends of the Public Library sale. Worth the investment, whatever it was.
September 7, 2012
An improbable scenario...the fan club president of a big Hollywood star lives in a Podunk town in West Virginia (near the border of Virginia where he is to shoot his latest movie) ends up house-arrestsitting for same star when he is caught driving DUI in her county. Ninety days seems like a long time when he considers her a hick, or so she thinks. A media frenzy ensues which may cost her her lifelong "crush". Whether it ends happily ever after depends as events, both past and present, domino to a surprising conclusion.
July 19, 2012
Like all chick-lit, you have to suspend some serious disbelief to appreciate the story; the plot is preposterous. There's a famous movie star, a young, beautiful fan club president losing her 20s to care for her family, a disabled brother, and house arrest. But it's a really enjoyable kind of preposterous, and the characters are fleshed out and break out of typical clichés. And for chick-lit, it's pretty good prose. Read it at the beach.
January 16, 2011
I really enjoyed this original chick lit story! Imagine, a chick lit novel where the protagonist doesn't live in New York or London and work for a publishing company!?! Seriously, I found this a change of pace from the typical fare - honest characters, pretty believable dialogue. I was even able to suspend my belief about the situation of house arrest - that premise is a little far fetched, but I was able to get over that quickly.
August 7, 2013
Mean Season was a unique idea. I loved all the characters. I related well to the main character, star struck and running a fan club (I never ran a fan club but I sure wanted to be part of one when I was younger). The only thing I did not like was at times I forgot the MC was in her 20s. She seemed very young at times. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will read more by the author.
November 29, 2008
I read this book in 4 or 5 days, on the subway, or here and there when I had a few minutes of time. It's pretty poorly written, but the story line is entertaining enough. I wouldn't say it's a must read, but if someone you know has a copy and you don't have anything else to do...why not give it a try?
July 14, 2009
This wasn't the worst book I ever read. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I guess I should thank that part of myself that feels defeated when I don't finish a book, because it actually was worth slogging through the vapid beginning. That said, I won't reread Mean Season. I found it predictable and generally uninteresting. Heather Cochran seems to think in terms of stereotypes.
July 6, 2010
Leanne remains in Pinecob, WV, taking care of the house, her brother and does whatever chores her mother asks of her. She is the president of Joshua Reed's fan club. Joshua is in the area to film a movie, but a drink driving incident lands him in jail. The judge rules that he may remain under house arrest in Leanne's home for 90-days.
August 27, 2014
This book has been on my list for a bit and I vaguely thought I read it before. After reading first page, I realized I had read it before but couldn't remember what happened so I finished it again. Vaguely similar to Win A Date With Tad Hamilton. Leanne wasn't my favorite protagonist but she was okay. Plus I was rooting for Joshua not Max. Easy, quick read so no harm
August 30, 2014
Five stars...
A nice sentimental story that has a happy ending, but not too happy. A story about a young woman who is struggling with her identity within her family. More serious than the usual lighthearted "chicklit" I read, but very enjoyable. I will definitely look for more from this author.
A nice sentimental story that has a happy ending, but not too happy. A story about a young woman who is struggling with her identity within her family. More serious than the usual lighthearted "chicklit" I read, but very enjoyable. I will definitely look for more from this author.
June 27, 2016
Leanne is at a crossroads in her life. Should she stay in her little hometown or venture out to a new place. The world comes to her door in the form of Joshua, a famous movie star who is nothing be trouble. Not to be missed.
June 13, 2007
Somewhat disappointed with this selection from Red Dress Ink because the storyline was a little cheesy and the characters were pretty flat.
Set in fictional rural West Virginia.
Set in fictional rural West Virginia.
July 23, 2008
A fun summer read with some interesting plot points. Definitely not Shakespeare but a fun book nonetheless.
September 18, 2012
2.5-3 stars.. it was an okay/good book,,,,,i wanted more romance though
July 23, 2013
Inizio mortalmente noioso, a metà si intravede un po' di luce ma il finale è deprimente e troppo abbozzato. Insomma, non mi è piaciuto molto.
September 27, 2015
The best I've read in a long time!!
January 9, 2008
I really liked it. It was a chick lit, beach read, with a little more substance.
January 29, 2016
Interesting premise. Nice, light read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews