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Family Trust
Firmly planted on the Wall Street fast track to success, Becca Reinhart has no desire to marry and raise a family. Ditto Edward Kirkland, a charming playboy who has never known what it means to work for a living, and hopes never to find out. Enter Emily, who becomes Becca and Edward’s common denominator when a quirk of fate gives them joint custody of the precocious little girl. Suddenly, two people who have never met find themselves sharing the trials and tribulations of domestic life as they navigate the rocky shoals of parenthood, from naptime to play dates to pre-school admissions. And amid the daily demands of raising a young child, Becca and Edward discover something else: They’re made for each other.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
38 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Brown
68 books136 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Born to parents who were both successful lawyers, Amanda graduated from Arizona State University in 1993. She then proceeded to study at Stanford Law School, where she compiled funny letters and stories based on her experiences into a first manuscript that would become Legally Blonde.
Since the success of the 2001 movie, she has released her second book, Family Trust, which has also been optioned for a film. Currently she lives with her husband and daughter in San Francisco. Amanda's novel School of Fortune is currently being optioned for a film starring Ashley Tisdale, Julie Andrews and Justin Long.[1]
Born to parents who were both successful lawyers, Amanda graduated from Arizona State University in 1993. She then proceeded to study at Stanford Law School, where she compiled funny letters and stories based on her experiences into a first manuscript that would become Legally Blonde.
Since the success of the 2001 movie, she has released her second book, Family Trust, which has also been optioned for a film. Currently she lives with her husband and daughter in San Francisco. Amanda's novel School of Fortune is currently being optioned for a film starring Ashley Tisdale, Julie Andrews and Justin Long.[1]
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 26, 2011
This booked sparked my interest and I picked it up because it is from the same author as Legally Blond and while I have not read the book yet, I lovedlovedloved the movie. Yeah, I don't know what is wrong with this author and this book didn't make me want to read Legally Blond AT ALL. The execution was all wrong. The girl and the dude getting together in the end like totally came out of nowhere and made no sense. There was no build up at all. I think because maybe it was written in third person and that just didn't really work very well. Girl and Dude are both left as guardians for their friends kid, but they have never met before. The girl is a total work-a-holic and the dude just sits around all day going to parties and donating his parents money to charities and stuff. But neither seemed too much into whatever they were doing after like the first 2 set up chapters and therefore hit it off quicker then should have happened in a book like this. Gee, I wonder what happens at the end. Good premises, shitty execution.
Grade: C-
Grade: C-
February 13, 2010
This book is about Becca Reinhart a Wall Street workaholic and Edward Kirkland a playboy who doesn't work more than running the family trust and attending charity functions. Becca and Edward are brought together when they are joinly named as guardian of Emily, the rambunctious 5 year old, daughter of old friends for each of them. Emily's parents never got married and each named a different guardian for Emily, so now the courts have to figure out who get's Emily. While they wait for the decision Emily changes Becca and Edwards life, bring them together to raise her, choose a preschool and just form a family. Becca is forced to take time off work to figure out her situation with Emily and Edward is more than happy to give up family/social obligations for Emily. But when a family obligation for Edward takes him another direction and forces him away from Becca and Emily they all have to figure out where their priorities lie now.
This book was enjoyable. Parts of the plot did seem a little to convenient at times. but not to bad. The only other complaint I would have is that a times some of the characters seemed a little flat, like all they were was a cliche. When Becca and Edward were away from each other in parts of the book, it seemed like they were just kind of flat and then they would come to life around each other. That could have been for a plot device, but really it was annoying at times. Since you are the reader saw both you wanted the characters to be the same person they are in the other scenes. They are just to different between the different parts oft eh book and it's a growth type thing since they are scenes back to back and go back and forth. Overall, this is a book I wouldn't mind reading again and would recommend (which is good since I own it).
This book was enjoyable. Parts of the plot did seem a little to convenient at times. but not to bad. The only other complaint I would have is that a times some of the characters seemed a little flat, like all they were was a cliche. When Becca and Edward were away from each other in parts of the book, it seemed like they were just kind of flat and then they would come to life around each other. That could have been for a plot device, but really it was annoying at times. Since you are the reader saw both you wanted the characters to be the same person they are in the other scenes. They are just to different between the different parts oft eh book and it's a growth type thing since they are scenes back to back and go back and forth. Overall, this is a book I wouldn't mind reading again and would recommend (which is good since I own it).
May 11, 2009
I really loved this book. I thought it was fun and an easy read. I loved the interaction between Rebecca and Edward. It seemed like a nice twist on people from different backgrounds coming together and not bickering. The little girl is obviously adorable and there is the tragedy that brought this "family" together which is almost swept under the rug, which might annoy some people.
A great summer book.
A great summer book.
June 21, 2011
I got about halfway into this book and am not really motivated to read the rest. It was a good way to spend an afternoon by the pool with my child, but the story is taking way too long to develop and I disliked the main character from the first page. The whole time I was reading I kept thinking, "I could have written and edited something far more awesome than this..."
March 11, 2010
Technically, I did finish this book, but I shouldn't have. Unrealistic even for a romance, with a "hero" who could only be more passive if he were dead. The author kept stating all his supposed good qualities, but only showed him being wishy-washy and pushed around.
August 24, 2011
To describe this book in one word, it would be beige.
There was just nothing striking or amazing about it.
The story began describing the two main characters - Edward and Becca. Edward is a high society type who spends as much time as he can at the Racquet club and jet setting around the world. Becca is a work-a-holic laywer who is on the fast track.
After a tragic accident their lives are turned upside down when a judge grants them both joint custody of six year old Emily.
-
I don't normally like fictional children. They often annoy me. Emily was no expection. She was precocious and not in a way I found endearing. I also couldn't believe a judge giving them both custody considering they were strangers and surely that wouldn't have really helped Emily settle into her new life.
The progression of the story also confused me. What was it really about?
I give it 1.5 stars.
There was just nothing striking or amazing about it.
The story began describing the two main characters - Edward and Becca. Edward is a high society type who spends as much time as he can at the Racquet club and jet setting around the world. Becca is a work-a-holic laywer who is on the fast track.
After a tragic accident their lives are turned upside down when a judge grants them both joint custody of six year old Emily.
-
I don't normally like fictional children. They often annoy me. Emily was no expection. She was precocious and not in a way I found endearing. I also couldn't believe a judge giving them both custody considering they were strangers and surely that wouldn't have really helped Emily settle into her new life.
The progression of the story also confused me. What was it really about?
I give it 1.5 stars.
January 20, 2009
If I could give 2.5 stars, I would have. 3 is a little too much for this book. The story was horribly predictable and didn't have much imagination. It was rooted in unrealistic circumstance - two people so close to a child that they were both named guardian but never met? Did this kid not have birthday parties? The preschool application project was too long of a distraction, as was the engagement proceedings.
The editing on this book was awful. You have to assume a lot of actions have taken place; how can someone poke their head back through the curtain if the don't leave in the first place? There were plenty of typos and a lot of situations that just didn't make sense. It seemed like they shortened some paragraphs without rewriting them for continuity.
I actually feel kind of bad for Amanda Brown because it seems like she might have come out of the gate too strong. While I haven't read Legally Blonde, I doubt there's any way she can follow it up with anything that will catch on as well. Her sophomore effort didn't.
The editing on this book was awful. You have to assume a lot of actions have taken place; how can someone poke their head back through the curtain if the don't leave in the first place? There were plenty of typos and a lot of situations that just didn't make sense. It seemed like they shortened some paragraphs without rewriting them for continuity.
I actually feel kind of bad for Amanda Brown because it seems like she might have come out of the gate too strong. While I haven't read Legally Blonde, I doubt there's any way she can follow it up with anything that will catch on as well. Her sophomore effort didn't.
February 21, 2014
I can't really say too many good things about this book. It got a good review in some magazine I read so I added it to my must read list but it did not live up to the hype. There was absolutely NO chemistry between Becca and Edward. I was more than halfway through the book and Becca never even gave him a second glance.
Needless to say, I would not recommend this book. It left too many things up in the air. I wanted more closure.
Needless to say, I would not recommend this book. It left too many things up in the air. I wanted more closure.
March 31, 2008
The plot behind this one seemed cute, but it moved really slow and was pretty boring...and kind of weird too. I would not recommend it as I think most people would find it a waste of several hours of their life.
May 3, 2010
the only reason i didn't give this book 1 star is because i finished it, and i believe 1 star books should be the kind you couldn't bear to read.
terrible writing, terribly predictable, no character development.
don't bother reading it.
terrible writing, terribly predictable, no character development.
don't bother reading it.
September 21, 2012
WOW! First of all, I cannot believe I actually finished this book. I kept hoping it would get better, and it didn't. It was so incredibly unrealistic, shallow and farcical! I feel bad that I inflicted it on some unsuspecting person on the flight after me.
July 6, 2017
I picked up this book because it is the same author as Legally Blonde.
This book is about Becca Reinhart a wall street workaholic and Edward Kirkland a playboy who doesn't work more than running the family trust and attending charity functions. Becca and Edward are brought together when they are jointly named as Emily's guardian, the rambunctious 5 year old daughter of old friends for each of them. Emily's parents never married and named a different guardian for Emily, so now the courts have to figure out which one get's Emily. While they wait for the decision Emily changes Becca and Edward's life, Emily brings them closer together to raise her, choose a preschool and just form a family. Becca is forced to take time off work to figure out her situation with Emily and Edward is more than happy to give up family/social obligations for Emily. But when a family obligation for Edward takes him another direction and forces him away from Becca and Emily they all have to figure out where their priorities lie now.
This book was enjoyable. Parts of the plot did seem a little to convenient at times. but not to bad. The only other complaint I would have is that a times some of the characters seemed a little flat, like all they were was a cliche. When Becca and Edward were away from each other in parts of the book, it seemed like they were just kind of flat and then they would come to life around each other. That could have been for a plot device, but really it was annoying at times. Since you are the reader saw both you wanted the characters to be the same person they are in the other scenes. They are just to different between the different parts oft eh book and it's a growth type thing since they are scenes back to back and go back and forth. Overall, this is a book I wouldn't mind reading again and would recommend (which is good since I own it).
This book is about Becca Reinhart a wall street workaholic and Edward Kirkland a playboy who doesn't work more than running the family trust and attending charity functions. Becca and Edward are brought together when they are jointly named as Emily's guardian, the rambunctious 5 year old daughter of old friends for each of them. Emily's parents never married and named a different guardian for Emily, so now the courts have to figure out which one get's Emily. While they wait for the decision Emily changes Becca and Edward's life, Emily brings them closer together to raise her, choose a preschool and just form a family. Becca is forced to take time off work to figure out her situation with Emily and Edward is more than happy to give up family/social obligations for Emily. But when a family obligation for Edward takes him another direction and forces him away from Becca and Emily they all have to figure out where their priorities lie now.
This book was enjoyable. Parts of the plot did seem a little to convenient at times. but not to bad. The only other complaint I would have is that a times some of the characters seemed a little flat, like all they were was a cliche. When Becca and Edward were away from each other in parts of the book, it seemed like they were just kind of flat and then they would come to life around each other. That could have been for a plot device, but really it was annoying at times. Since you are the reader saw both you wanted the characters to be the same person they are in the other scenes. They are just to different between the different parts oft eh book and it's a growth type thing since they are scenes back to back and go back and forth. Overall, this is a book I wouldn't mind reading again and would recommend (which is good since I own it).
August 20, 2019
One of my favorite chicklits. Re-read it because I knew I’d love it again. Except from the details of Becca’s busy work life in the first chapter, it’s an easy and fun read. It’s predictable of course, but that’s part of the fun :p
November 13, 2019
heerlijk boek voor tussendoor
March 25, 2016
Das Buch habe ich mal getauscht, weil es mich ein bisschen an den Film „So spielt das Leben“ mit Katherine Heigl und Josh Duhamel erinnerte. Leider, wirklich leider, gibt es nur EINE Gemeinsamkeit: zwei Singles werden Vormünder eines verwaisten Kindes.
Becca und Edward sind … sind … mir fehlen die Worte. Ihr könnt euch kaum vorstellen, wie langweilig dieses Buch ist.
Es beginnt in den ersten zwei Kapiteln damit, dass das typische Leben von sowohl Becca als auch Edward gezeigt wird. Becca, ganz Karrierefrau, rast von einem Meeting zum Flughafen zum nächsten Meeting und zurück, Edward verteilt lässig Geld an verschiedene Events und führt diverse Frauen zu diversen Veranstaltungen aus.
Dann erhalten beide die Mitteilung, dass ihre jeweils besten Freunde (Beccas beste Freundin Amy und Edwards bester Freund Arthur) bei besagtem Flugzeugunglück umgekommen sind. Amy und Arthur (AA, wie toll *kotz*) haben eine vierjährige Tochter, Emily. Diese ist ja nun verwaist und da AA nicht verheiratet waren, hat jeder in seinem Testament einen Vormund für das Kind bestellt. Becca und Edward.
Was ich jetzt schon sehr komisch finde: Beide nennen sich die jeweils besten Freunde von AA. Irgendwas muss ja da sein, denn Fremde macht man nicht zum Vormund seiner Kinder. Und die beiden haben sich noch nie gesehen? Emily scheint beide recht gut zu kennen. Waren die noch nie zusammen auf Emilys Geburtstag? Das finde ich schon sehr unnatürlich.
Ich mochte Emily nicht. Emily ist gerade einmal vier Jahre alt, dabei aber ein richtig verzogenes Rotzblag. Ich verstehe nicht, dass Becca immer wieder denkt, wie süß und reizend und toll Emily ist. Sie ist lediglich ein verwöhntes Einzelkind reicher Eltern. Sie tat mir leid, weil sie zu diversen Kinderförderkursen geschickt wurde. Hier mal eine kleine Auswahl: Französisch für die Kleinsten, Kinder spielen Märchen, Opern für Kids, Stepptanz für Minis, Kreatives Eltern-Kind-Töpfern und die Klavierzwerge. Und wann darf das Kind auch mal Kind sein? Trotz alledem sagt die Aussage „Ja, ich muss nur sagen, was ich mir wünsche, und dann, Simsalabim, bekomme ich es auch. […] Aber meistens gibt Mommy mir, was ich mir wünsche.“ (S. 80) ja nun auch alles, was man über Emily wissen muss. Man lernt keine Freundin von ihr kennen. Hat eine Vierjährige keine Freundinnen?
Ich hatte gehofft, dass Becca und Edward sich häufiger uneinig sind und regelmäßig aneinander geraten. Sie kommen immerhin aus verschiedenen Gesellschaftsschichten mit verschiedenen religiösen Hintergründen, Erwartungen und Vorstellungen. Aber das läuft alles einwandfrei. Nachdem sie sich darauf geeinigt hatten, wer an welchen Tagen die Kinderbetreuung übernimmt, gab es zwischen den beiden keinerlei Konflikte. Sogar Paare, die sich ewig kennen und innig lieben, sind sich ab und zu nicht einig. Aber nein, Becca und Edward sind immer einer Meinung.
Dann soll Edward eine Frau heiraten, die er zwar seit seiner Kindheit kennt, aber eigentlich gar nicht wirklich mag. Und der kleine Eddie hat nichts Besseres zu tun, als es einfach hinzunehmen? Edward, sei ein Mann!
Die Entwicklung der Romanze geht hier ganz schnell. Dreihundert Seiten ist gar nichts. Und dann geht es von 0 auf 100 in 60 Seiten.
Roberta „Bunny“ Stirrup, Edwards „Auserwählte“, war die einzig interessante Figur in diesem Buch. Sie ist total oberflächlich, aber dabei so ekelhaft fies, hinterhältig und gemein, dass sie eine meiner liebsten Figuren ist. Richtig sympathisch ist mir nur Beccas Mutter, Arlene. Leider sehen wir von ihr nicht allzu viel. Aber auch hier wieder komisch: Becca und ihre Mutter haben ein sehr enges Verhältnis, aber Arlene sieht Emily das erste Mal, als sie schon über zwei Monate bei Becca und Edward lebt. Wieso nicht relativ schnell, sondern erst nach so langer Zeit?
Alles in allem plätschert die Geschichte mit ihren faden und unsympathischen Figuren 400 Seiten vor sich hin. Es gibt keine wirklichen Highlights. Das einzig Positive: Der Film, den ich gegen dieses Buch getauscht habe, war noch viel schlimmer als dieses Buch!
Becca und Edward sind … sind … mir fehlen die Worte. Ihr könnt euch kaum vorstellen, wie langweilig dieses Buch ist.
Es beginnt in den ersten zwei Kapiteln damit, dass das typische Leben von sowohl Becca als auch Edward gezeigt wird. Becca, ganz Karrierefrau, rast von einem Meeting zum Flughafen zum nächsten Meeting und zurück, Edward verteilt lässig Geld an verschiedene Events und führt diverse Frauen zu diversen Veranstaltungen aus.
Dann erhalten beide die Mitteilung, dass ihre jeweils besten Freunde (Beccas beste Freundin Amy und Edwards bester Freund Arthur) bei besagtem Flugzeugunglück umgekommen sind. Amy und Arthur (AA, wie toll *kotz*) haben eine vierjährige Tochter, Emily. Diese ist ja nun verwaist und da AA nicht verheiratet waren, hat jeder in seinem Testament einen Vormund für das Kind bestellt. Becca und Edward.
Was ich jetzt schon sehr komisch finde: Beide nennen sich die jeweils besten Freunde von AA. Irgendwas muss ja da sein, denn Fremde macht man nicht zum Vormund seiner Kinder. Und die beiden haben sich noch nie gesehen? Emily scheint beide recht gut zu kennen. Waren die noch nie zusammen auf Emilys Geburtstag? Das finde ich schon sehr unnatürlich.
Ich mochte Emily nicht. Emily ist gerade einmal vier Jahre alt, dabei aber ein richtig verzogenes Rotzblag. Ich verstehe nicht, dass Becca immer wieder denkt, wie süß und reizend und toll Emily ist. Sie ist lediglich ein verwöhntes Einzelkind reicher Eltern. Sie tat mir leid, weil sie zu diversen Kinderförderkursen geschickt wurde. Hier mal eine kleine Auswahl: Französisch für die Kleinsten, Kinder spielen Märchen, Opern für Kids, Stepptanz für Minis, Kreatives Eltern-Kind-Töpfern und die Klavierzwerge. Und wann darf das Kind auch mal Kind sein? Trotz alledem sagt die Aussage „Ja, ich muss nur sagen, was ich mir wünsche, und dann, Simsalabim, bekomme ich es auch. […] Aber meistens gibt Mommy mir, was ich mir wünsche.“ (S. 80) ja nun auch alles, was man über Emily wissen muss. Man lernt keine Freundin von ihr kennen. Hat eine Vierjährige keine Freundinnen?
Ich hatte gehofft, dass Becca und Edward sich häufiger uneinig sind und regelmäßig aneinander geraten. Sie kommen immerhin aus verschiedenen Gesellschaftsschichten mit verschiedenen religiösen Hintergründen, Erwartungen und Vorstellungen. Aber das läuft alles einwandfrei. Nachdem sie sich darauf geeinigt hatten, wer an welchen Tagen die Kinderbetreuung übernimmt, gab es zwischen den beiden keinerlei Konflikte. Sogar Paare, die sich ewig kennen und innig lieben, sind sich ab und zu nicht einig. Aber nein, Becca und Edward sind immer einer Meinung.
Dann soll Edward eine Frau heiraten, die er zwar seit seiner Kindheit kennt, aber eigentlich gar nicht wirklich mag. Und der kleine Eddie hat nichts Besseres zu tun, als es einfach hinzunehmen? Edward, sei ein Mann!
Die Entwicklung der Romanze geht hier ganz schnell. Dreihundert Seiten ist gar nichts. Und dann geht es von 0 auf 100 in 60 Seiten.
Roberta „Bunny“ Stirrup, Edwards „Auserwählte“, war die einzig interessante Figur in diesem Buch. Sie ist total oberflächlich, aber dabei so ekelhaft fies, hinterhältig und gemein, dass sie eine meiner liebsten Figuren ist. Richtig sympathisch ist mir nur Beccas Mutter, Arlene. Leider sehen wir von ihr nicht allzu viel. Aber auch hier wieder komisch: Becca und ihre Mutter haben ein sehr enges Verhältnis, aber Arlene sieht Emily das erste Mal, als sie schon über zwei Monate bei Becca und Edward lebt. Wieso nicht relativ schnell, sondern erst nach so langer Zeit?
Alles in allem plätschert die Geschichte mit ihren faden und unsympathischen Figuren 400 Seiten vor sich hin. Es gibt keine wirklichen Highlights. Das einzig Positive: Der Film, den ich gegen dieses Buch getauscht habe, war noch viel schlimmer als dieses Buch!
December 24, 2007
I want to love the protagonist for something other than her beauty, Ms. Brown. I think you’ve tried that one already, see her last novel Legally Blonde. You learn later that Becca is accomplished, super accomplished in an antithesis of Elle Woods-style accomplished. But male protagonist is not. He is rich, cultured, and utterly at ease doing nothing other than his social obligations that are resultant of the first two attributes. He’s the Elle Woods of the novel. And, of course, they fall in love.
Basically, it’s a reversal of her last novel with a few tweaks and a lovable Jewish grandma and a wee toddler girl that the protagonists get joint-custody of after her parents die in an accident. There are stalwart “old world,” in this case it’s the rich New England society, types that are disapproving, there is a lower-classed supporting figure or two, some silly gay men, a rich pampered ice queen that is romantically (or just marriage-wise) interested in the Man, and in place of her dog there is a small child.
Of course, I’m saying all this without reading Legally Blonde; I saw the movie. :P
That’s not to say this book was entirely without merit. I did read it all in one day after all. It is engrossing, it’s light on the romance, heavy on the cute children and the supporting cast is great. Brown has, despite my rather harsh criticism, created some great characters. Male lead could’ve used some more work, but then again, he is described as somewhat shallow. I guess not everyone needs hidden depths.
My biggest complaint was what she didn’t write. There were hints that the relationship between orphan girl’s parents wasn’t as great as it seemed, and the fact that Male and Female lead were friends with Father and Mother respectively, without every meeting the other parent, says something. It would’ve been interesting to explore that further, although it would be correct to say it was outside the scope of this novel. She just made me so curious with her little dropped comments that a little elaboration would’ve been good!
This would be a good beach read, it’s relatively quick and brainless. Just some awkward diction and a love affair with name-dropping and glossy magazine terminology stand in your way of a quick, silly read.
Basically, it’s a reversal of her last novel with a few tweaks and a lovable Jewish grandma and a wee toddler girl that the protagonists get joint-custody of after her parents die in an accident. There are stalwart “old world,” in this case it’s the rich New England society, types that are disapproving, there is a lower-classed supporting figure or two, some silly gay men, a rich pampered ice queen that is romantically (or just marriage-wise) interested in the Man, and in place of her dog there is a small child.
Of course, I’m saying all this without reading Legally Blonde; I saw the movie. :P
That’s not to say this book was entirely without merit. I did read it all in one day after all. It is engrossing, it’s light on the romance, heavy on the cute children and the supporting cast is great. Brown has, despite my rather harsh criticism, created some great characters. Male lead could’ve used some more work, but then again, he is described as somewhat shallow. I guess not everyone needs hidden depths.
My biggest complaint was what she didn’t write. There were hints that the relationship between orphan girl’s parents wasn’t as great as it seemed, and the fact that Male and Female lead were friends with Father and Mother respectively, without every meeting the other parent, says something. It would’ve been interesting to explore that further, although it would be correct to say it was outside the scope of this novel. She just made me so curious with her little dropped comments that a little elaboration would’ve been good!
This would be a good beach read, it’s relatively quick and brainless. Just some awkward diction and a love affair with name-dropping and glossy magazine terminology stand in your way of a quick, silly read.
August 16, 2010
I am slightly embarrassed, because I liked it. Anyway, I am not blind, and the book is far from perfect. The most glaring flaw – POV is jumping between characters sometimes several times in the same scene – which is very annoying, even if I wasn’t trained by now to pick it up. Occasionally I had to come back and read a sentence again to figure out whose POV it is now. You get the picture.
Then, the author occasionally goes overboard with descriptions and expositions, but I have to note, that it is not jarring most of the times.
Then, the situation is ridiculous and unbelievable. But, here goes praise: once I turned on me suspension of disbelief and dived into the story, I stopped caring about it. Because here goes what Amanda Brown did well. She wrote characters I liked and cared about – even if they started rather stereotyped. She dropped these characters into improbable situation and let them find their way in it. And it was nice. I loved that protagonists didn’t have a great physical attraction form the first sight, that they didn’t think about it at all, but made each other laugh and learn, and shared a companionship instead. And here is another thing I love: I think that the author has a talent for irony, and generally a god eye for funny. She mocks villains and secondary characters, and settings, and conventions, but she also mocks her protagonists without making them unsympathetic. That was what I loved in her first book, “Legally Blonde”. It is more ironic, and less fluffy and victorious than the movie, but the way the author pokes fun at Elle Woods, while sympathizing with her, is very dear to me.
Then, the author occasionally goes overboard with descriptions and expositions, but I have to note, that it is not jarring most of the times.
Then, the situation is ridiculous and unbelievable. But, here goes praise: once I turned on me suspension of disbelief and dived into the story, I stopped caring about it. Because here goes what Amanda Brown did well. She wrote characters I liked and cared about – even if they started rather stereotyped. She dropped these characters into improbable situation and let them find their way in it. And it was nice. I loved that protagonists didn’t have a great physical attraction form the first sight, that they didn’t think about it at all, but made each other laugh and learn, and shared a companionship instead. And here is another thing I love: I think that the author has a talent for irony, and generally a god eye for funny. She mocks villains and secondary characters, and settings, and conventions, but she also mocks her protagonists without making them unsympathetic. That was what I loved in her first book, “Legally Blonde”. It is more ironic, and less fluffy and victorious than the movie, but the way the author pokes fun at Elle Woods, while sympathizing with her, is very dear to me.
January 9, 2009
I was a big chick-lit fan when I was about thirteen (after I - thankfully - left my horror phase behind) and ate up every chick-lit novel which was in my local library or on my mum's shelves. One of these books was 'Legally Blonde,' which I still enjoy after all these years. So it was because of my soft-spot for that book that I picked up another of Amanda Brown's novels, despite having left my chick-lit phase behind years before 2007.
I didn't like the main characters to begin with; they both really irritated me and weren't the kind of characters who I immediately connected with and sympathised with. But they grew during the novel (just like Elle in 'Legally Blonde') and I started to like them, and that made me enjoy the book more. This book is also very amusing in parts - the one event sticking in my mind is the main characters' visit to an exclusive private school - and a book which makes me giggle is definitely an enjoyable book.
This is definitely chick-lit, but not quite as predictible as, say, Katie Fforde or Jenny Colgan. I'd recommend it to those who don't mind chick-lit and like to have a giggle when they're reading.
I didn't like the main characters to begin with; they both really irritated me and weren't the kind of characters who I immediately connected with and sympathised with. But they grew during the novel (just like Elle in 'Legally Blonde') and I started to like them, and that made me enjoy the book more. This book is also very amusing in parts - the one event sticking in my mind is the main characters' visit to an exclusive private school - and a book which makes me giggle is definitely an enjoyable book.
This is definitely chick-lit, but not quite as predictible as, say, Katie Fforde or Jenny Colgan. I'd recommend it to those who don't mind chick-lit and like to have a giggle when they're reading.
June 7, 2014
Genre: high powered career women, lifestyles of the rich and famous, unusual families
Summary: Becca is on the Wall Street fast track. Edward is old money playboy. They meet when their best friends name them co-guardians in the event of their demise. They come together to raise Emily, their precocious four year old. Together, they navigate the rocky shoals of Ivy-League preschools and jam-packed days full of lessons and playdates etc. Even though they are worlds apart, Becca and Eddie become to depend on each other, until a wedding threatens their little family.
Response: This was another book from my past that I spent hours re-finding it. I like the trope of two separate people who have to learn to live with each other. Totally predictable but utterly adorable. Becca is an admirable go-getter. Edward is a little lazy, but coming from his background, he is a gem. The villain in this story, Bunny, is probably the vainest, most self-absorbed, cruelest person imaginable. It's horrifying to imagine that there are people actually like her, but I believe it.
Summary: Becca is on the Wall Street fast track. Edward is old money playboy. They meet when their best friends name them co-guardians in the event of their demise. They come together to raise Emily, their precocious four year old. Together, they navigate the rocky shoals of Ivy-League preschools and jam-packed days full of lessons and playdates etc. Even though they are worlds apart, Becca and Eddie become to depend on each other, until a wedding threatens their little family.
Response: This was another book from my past that I spent hours re-finding it. I like the trope of two separate people who have to learn to live with each other. Totally predictable but utterly adorable. Becca is an admirable go-getter. Edward is a little lazy, but coming from his background, he is a gem. The villain in this story, Bunny, is probably the vainest, most self-absorbed, cruelest person imaginable. It's horrifying to imagine that there are people actually like her, but I believe it.
October 3, 2010
I would have given this book four stars, but I didn't particularly enjoy the ending. I thought that it was left in the air a little bit and could have used an epilogue to show what happened to all the characters.
The story was interesting, and not ENTIRELY predictable, though there was a lot of "waffle" from the authour. At one point in the book, as an experiment, I skipped five or so pages, and ended up in exactly the same place that I left off.
The characters I loved, especially Emily (so CUTE!) and Becca was an interesting and realistic main character. Edward was a little bit thick, but in the end he came to his senses, and he was cute, so I can forgive him his stupidity!
A nice, fluffy, holiday read. Probably about a 3.5 star book.
The story was interesting, and not ENTIRELY predictable, though there was a lot of "waffle" from the authour. At one point in the book, as an experiment, I skipped five or so pages, and ended up in exactly the same place that I left off.
The characters I loved, especially Emily (so CUTE!) and Becca was an interesting and realistic main character. Edward was a little bit thick, but in the end he came to his senses, and he was cute, so I can forgive him his stupidity!
A nice, fluffy, holiday read. Probably about a 3.5 star book.
March 21, 2013
I took this on vacation to have as a beach read and although it should have been a simple read, there are so many odd names and tidbits thrown at you that it takes a while to slog through. And I think the characters are needlessly uber-wealthy/successful. Would be much more interesting if these were average Joe and Jane thrown into the situation.
Still wondering at what I think was a dropped story branch where a note was made that Emily's parents didn't marry for some reason related to her father's financial trust...?
Unsatisfying although it has some brilliant moments (Bunny's wedding planner).
Still wondering at what I think was a dropped story branch where a note was made that Emily's parents didn't marry for some reason related to her father's financial trust...?
Unsatisfying although it has some brilliant moments (Bunny's wedding planner).
December 23, 2010
An enjoyable, quick and somewhat predictable member of the chick-lit genre, Family Trust throws workaholic Becca in with happy-go-lucky, trust-fund son Edward, to become co-guardians of four year old Emily after the tragic death of her parents. Includes a scathing, satire on the parents of upwardly mobile toddlers as Manhattan parents fight to get their tots into the best of the private preschools as well as a more typical romance for an overall fun read (though I wished the ending had been just a bit more flushed out - seemed a little abrupt).
August 1, 2009
becca and edward are both given co guardianship of emily when her parents pass away. they both quickly love the girl. bunny tricks edward into getting married which would cause sole guardianship to fall to eddie. becca won't let bunny ship emily off to zurich so she crashes the pre-wedding part to take emily. she schedule an emergency court hearing to get custody but instead eddy comes and proposes to becca. some thoughts are not fully developed but it's overall good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2012
After the first few chapters, I was skeptical of this book. The main characters seemed like a snobby rich boy and a workaholic girl. I almost gave up on it. Then little Emily entered the picture. The little girl changes their lives, bringing them together. Watching them transform into responsible, loving parents made you fall in love with Becca and Edward. And I really hated the "evil witch" Bunny. This story reminded me of the movie "Life As We Know It" with Katherine Heigl.
June 12, 2007
Two single, crazy busy New Yorkers suddendly find themselves the joint guardians of a young girl whose parents just died. The new guardians, both best friends of the young girls parents, do not know each other, and are suddenly rearranging their corporate schedules to include baby ballet and other preschool musts for the affluent NYC society. Cute story, funny, but nothing serious.
July 16, 2008
A cross between the '80s movie Baby Boom (with Diane Keaton as an exec who inherits a toddler & moves to Vermont) and the book The Ivy Chronicles. The characters are totally unlikeable in their introductory chapters, but once the book gets going they grow on you. The ending is a bit predictable, but the author keeps you interested wondering just *how* she is going to get there.
October 22, 2008
I enjoyed the story line of this book but got lost in all the talk about designers and life styles of the rich and famous. The book had a heart warming story I just wish it had more of the relationships and less about cloths and stuff rich people do.
I also found that the book dragged for the first 3/4 and the last 1/4 missed too much info.
I also found that the book dragged for the first 3/4 and the last 1/4 missed too much info.
January 19, 2009
I believe the author has never traveled to Hong Kong herself, what a shame...because she had Japanese and Chinese cultures mixed up. Kimono, is the traditional Japanese costume, not Chinese. Chi-Pao (Qi Pao) is the name for traditional Chinese costumes. If she wished to put kimonos into the book, have Becca and Emily travel to Tokyo already!
February 28, 2009
I read this book in about 4 hours one Saturday, so I guess that means I enjoyed it. It was a quick read, but I also really liked the story. I chose it because it was written by the author of Legally Blond, and though I haven't read that book, I really like the movie. After the last book I read, which I hated, I really needed a book I could really get into.. this book was that.
December 14, 2009
Funny quick-paced chick lit ... I actually think I should read Legally Blonde for the heck of it!
Though I do find the idea unbelievable - that of a single career-driven woman so easily making the shift to full-time-mother so easily, and without losing her temper either! And the child seems too good to be true. Ahh well, escapism at its best! :)
Though I do find the idea unbelievable - that of a single career-driven woman so easily making the shift to full-time-mother so easily, and without losing her temper either! And the child seems too good to be true. Ahh well, escapism at its best! :)
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