Hand-Me-Down

by Lee Nichols

For Anne Olsen, queen recipient of hand-me-downs, new and improved is the only way to live. So how'd she fall for a secondhand man?

Charlotte had the Malibu Barbie with a full wardrobe. Emily inherited a slightly used Barbie with two outfits and Anne was left with a one-armed, bald Barbie who enjoyed nudist colonies. It's little wonder that at twenty-nine, Anne drives a new car, eats only from freshly opened packages and thinks antique is a euphemism for moldy.

After growing up in the shadows of her older sisters -- one a swimsuit model, the other a pop-feminist -- Anne's personality is one part sibling rivalry and two parts VD (stands for Vague Dissatisfaction, and yes, it itches). Now she's the self-professed underachiever in the family, determined to find happiness on her own terms. But when her sister's ex-boyfriend -- seemingly perfect, potentially interested -- reenters her life, Anne's got to ask: Could she possibly fall in love with a hand-me-down man?

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

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Lee Nichols is the author of five novels for adults, including the bestselling TALES OF A DRAMA QUEEN. She'll be making her YA debut in 2010 with DECEPTION: A Haunting Emma Novel. Follow her on Twitter at LeeXNichols or Friend her on Facebook at Lee Nichols. http://www.leenicholsbooks.com/

Reviews

[Melissa Sivilich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book!! A fantastic, easy read, about a girl who wants to grow a taller shadow then her 2 perfect sisters. Anne is the baby, but has never suceeded in life. The oldest sister is a model, and is positively gorgeous, the middle aquired the smarts, and writes her own books. Anne, the youngest has done nothing more exciting then working at your standard 9-5 office job. She is always looked down upon as the younger sister of gorgoues Charolette, the younger sister of intelligent Emily. Hand-me-downs is all Anne ever received, and she is sick of it. She hopes to create her own life, a new life, separate from her family, which does not dwell around her family's hand-me-downs. But this goal is put to the test when she runs into Ian, Charolette's ex boyfriend from highschool. Ian who she had a silly crush on when she was in middleschool and pretty-petty Charolette was in highschool. Ian, who Charolette brought to her prom. Another icky-yucky hand-me-down. Gross. But why is he that he is so funny, his smile is so welcoming, his eyes are so seductive? Anne tries to dodge Ian's bullets, however she ends up doing things she never thought in a million years she would do, and her entire world flips upside down. To top it off Ian works in an antique shop, which is filled with ancient funriture, which makes Anne disgusted. Hand-me-downs!! The one thing she wants to get away from keeps popping up in her life. So with everything she does not like, why does her attention draw to Ian- who is engaged nonetheless! Why does Ian keep calling her on Thursday for a drink, as friends?.. Lee Nichols wrote this book with a perky, funny edge that consistently made me laugh out loud. This is the kind of book where you can sit in a big tube in the pool with a drink in your hand. Totally a chick-lit book, but what kind of girl can say that is a bad thing?

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book! A woman who feels she has lived in the shadow of her older sisters all of her life is against anything "hand me down" used. Doesn't matter what it is. Clothing, furniture, car it has to be new. For some reason it doesn't seem to apply to Ian, her oldest sister's high school boyfriend. Ian keeps reappearing in her life and she keeps trying to stay away from him.

I really enjoy this author's "voice." This story has a lot of wit and charm as you follow the heroine, Anne through her life trying to carve out her own piece of success.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed an easy enjoyable read and I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one. The ratings are so-so. But I actually found it delightful and funny. I laughed out loud a lot and couldn't wait to sit down and enjoy. It was written very well which I believe made the difference. The main character is quirky and could have easily been annoying but she was delightfully entertaining.

[Coki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Letto nella versione italiana dal titolo : Immagina se tutti sapessero che dormire fa bene all'amore
Lettura da spiaggia...
Un romanzo carino e divertente. Poco impegnativo. Allo stereotipo del romanzo romantico americano aggiunge alcuni elementi comici che gli danno quel pizzico di pepe in più che lo rende piacevole e per nulla noioso.

[CHRISTY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light read. Similar writing style as Sophie Kinsella.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun story

[Sheryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, fun book that made me laugh out loud.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about finding love and one's place in life.

Anne, is the youngest of three sisters. The oldest sister Charlotte has the good looks and the middle sister Emily has the brains. Anne, well... she has some beauty and some brains, but she feels never measures up the to her sisters and their "perfect" lives. Anne never stays at one job for very long, and goes through guys just as fast, dumping them for one reason or another (even if it is only Vague Dissatisfaction).

Anne likes her current boyfriend Rip (who also happens to be her boss), but she can not think about long term commitment with him (or really anyone). She makes a big step by telling Rip she loves him, but soon is overusing the phrase, telling nearly everyone (including random strangers) that she loves them.

Meanwhile, Ian keeps pooping up in her life. Ian is her eldest sisters ex-boyfriend. Somehow Anne seems to ask Ian to some sort of party when they meet. It started when she was about 13 and asked if he wanted to be lei-ed (Hawaiian party), then again in her early 20's to Emily's 'book party'. She doesn't see him again for 8 years and tries desperately not to invite him anywhere again, but it happens. Somehow he ends up at Charlotte's birthday party on her bequest.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anne the youngest of three sisters who feels perpetually over shadowed by Charlotte her supermodel older sister as well as sister Emily the critically acclaimed author, is a quirky twenty-nine year old who is having a hard time finding her niche in life. Her sisters have found insurmountable success at extremely young ages and Anne feels complacent in just being the average Olsen sister. She floats from job to job and from man to man without much thought of the future. Until she reunites with her old crush Ian who just happens to be her sister Charlotte's first love. Now that Ian is back in her life anything seems possible however is she ready to deal with Charlotte's sloppy seconds?

The story of Anne, Ian and her two sisters took a while to peek my interest, however, as I read on the story's charm took effect and from that point on I found it hard to put down. Unfortunately that happened about a hundred pages too late which is why I only gave this book 3 ½ stars, however I do recommend this book as a light and fun summer read, it will not disappoint.

[Divine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sucked.

"Sucked" does not even begin to describe how much I hated it. Seriously? How cliche could you get? 3 sisters. Last one is the jealous type because she feels like she hasn't achieved enough in her life.

*sigh* it is sad to say the only reason I read this book to the end was because I needed something to read. Even though reading it made me want to gouge my eyes out.

The worst part of this is how long it took to get to the ACTUAL romance. Sure Rip was sweet and nice and honestly the perfect boyfriend but lets be straight he wasn't the one for Anne.

I'm happy that was finally revealed in like the last two pages, but all I can think of is all the experience Anne could've had with Ian (excluding Drinks Night) without it being in the last pages. *Sigh again* Hopping for a better read next time.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't the worst thing on the planet, though had some pretty darn predictable pieces. Could like some of the characters some of the time. Some of the theme of hand-me-down was really beaten to death; didn't need to be in my face the whole time.

Nice, fast read; would have probably been a great beach book, but February is so NOT beach weather!!!! Not super intellectually stimulating, but I did read it for long chunks of time, and that's always something I like in a book; will consider keeping the author in mind for future book selections.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte grew up in the shadow of two successful older sisters while suffering from VD (Vague Dissatisfaction). She wants to find her own happiness and does by focusing on a project that she belives in. Ian, her sister's ex, re-enters Charlotte life (she always had a crush) and helps her along the way even though he is engaged.
Cute story, quick read, humorous.

[Melissa (Weasleyreader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars. I read this back in middle school and remember really enjoying it. I wasn’t disappointed this time and it was still a cute and easy read but just not as groundbreaking as I remembered it being. I enjoyed the main character’s attitude and personality, despite the insecurities she kept dwelling on. Glad I gave it a reread after all this time.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Total chick lit, but fun! I read Lee Nichols' first book and thought it was hilarious so I tried this one. Not quite as good, but the characters are really likable, even though they're predictable and a little silly.

[Jenny T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amusing & entertaining modern day romance with lots of laughs. I felt the characters were not simple caricatures and instead brought to life with all of their quirks and faults. I needed a light read right now to balance the stress from work, so this one hit the right mood for me.

[Patti from Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this better-than-average chick lit book. The relationships were fairly well developed if not predictable, and the outcome satisfying if not fairly abrupt. All in all, a fun-yet-light look both into the real estate world as well as those sibling rivalries at any age.

[Ilovereading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this slowly budding, adorable romance with several plot twists! To see my full review, visit:

http://icysweetness.webs.com/apps/blo...

I review adult, young adult, teen, and preteen fiction all on the same website.

[Jenn Scott Pickett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the voice of this book! The MC has a very distinctive personality that is as endearing as it is exasperating. The plot was perfectly paced and well-orchestrated. I will definitely be searching for more books by Lee Nichols.

[Hannah Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorite "quick reads". The dialog is witty and hilarious, the main character, Anne, is hysterically funny, and Ian is WONDERFUL. I'm convinced this book would make one of the greatest chick flicks of all time! I highly recommend!

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about sibling rivalry (jealousy) and hating hand-me-downs. Heroine falls for a secondhand man and doesn't know what to do. Very funny and fast.

[Mandy Brajuha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read. Girly and summery. Nothing that will change your life, but a good distraction.

[Amy Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took place in Santa Barbara so it was fun to recognize some of the places mentioned. I have 2 sisters but our drama is nothing like these gals as far as their relationship goes. Enjoyable!

[Megs · Rating 3 out of 5]

An uplifting to those that feel that are unlucky in love and that hand me downs aren't really all that bad

[Jennifer Reierson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light chicklit read :)

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this author. Another great book. Easy to read, easy to love the characters. This one gets an A+ in my book!

[Kirsti · Rating 3 out of 5]

campy and silly but an easy "girlie" read

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another random selection from the shelf. It was a quick and entertaining read. I feel responsible to let you know that I'm going to rate it PG-13 for sex and language.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

You could predict this one from page 3. Fun to read, but got boring dealing with the character's phobia.

[Bernadette · Rating 1 out of 5]

Light read and quick, but not that great. Wrapped up really easily. Too neat.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and funny - I love Lee Nichols. I had to finish this book and I was laughing so hard at all of the sarcasm at the end.