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Engaging Men
A novel about men . . . and the woman who loves them! When one ex-boyfriend gets married, a girl can laugh it off. With two, she begins to get nervous. But three? Three? Angie DiFranco is starting to take it personally. What is it about her that doesn't incite men to plunk down large sums of money in the name of eternal love? According to her one successfully married friend, men are like tight lids. One woman comes along, loosens him up, leaving him for the next woman to pop off the lid, no problem. After all, would Jennifer have landed Brad so easily without the Gwyneth factor? Suddenly Angie looks at Kirk, her current boyfriend, with new eyes. Kirk, whose last girlfriend loosened his lid by giving him The Ultimatum. Kirk, who suddenly seems primed to be popped right open. If the tight-lid theory is true, Angie could be married within a year -- with a little effort. And a little help from her friends . . . The author of Confessions of an Ex-Girlfriend will utterly engage you with her vibrant new novel chronicling Angie's angst and euphoria as she resolves to mate and make it in Manhattan.
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Lynda Curnyn
15 books25 followersLynda Curnyn is a native New Yorker who hasn't migrated very far from her Brooklyn birthplace. She grew up on Long Island and has since made Manhattan her home.
After getting a liberal arts degree from New College at Hofstra University, she went on to New York University for her master's degree in English Literature, even contemplated a Ph.D until she realized she didn't want to spend her 20s in the library. So she did what all good English majors do-she went into publishing. Now, after more than a decade of working with some of the top authors in women's fiction, she has settled down to her dream life of full-time writing. In between plotting novels and stories, Lynda enjoys hanging out with her family, dishing with her girlfriends, and summers spent on Fire Island.
After getting a liberal arts degree from New College at Hofstra University, she went on to New York University for her master's degree in English Literature, even contemplated a Ph.D until she realized she didn't want to spend her 20s in the library. So she did what all good English majors do-she went into publishing. Now, after more than a decade of working with some of the top authors in women's fiction, she has settled down to her dream life of full-time writing. In between plotting novels and stories, Lynda enjoys hanging out with her family, dishing with her girlfriends, and summers spent on Fire Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 26, 2008
When reading the book I wondered why girls often want to get married so desperately. Especially American girls. I guess it has to do with their "dating-rules". You're considered as unattached as long as you don't have a ring on your finger, even if you've been going out with the same guy for several years now. Because you're only "dating" him.
Here in Europe this would be considered as being in a serious relationship, whether or not you are engaged. And I personally think that marriage is not that important at all.
Nevertheless I did enjoy reading the book, and liked the theory about the lid-loosening. I don't know how I would feel if I heard that one of my ex-boyfriends gets married, so far that hasn't happened although they are at the right age to do so. But I could somehow understand Angies feelings at hearing those news.
---- Small Spoiler ahead ----
The outcome is predictable after 2/3 of the book. But on the other hand - there must be clues. Recently I read a book where the girl ends up with a guy she didn't even mentioned being in love with or having a crush on the whole book, and it seemed to me very suddenly and unrealistic. So I guess there is no other way than to give hints, its just that the reader always thinks: "Hey Angie, wake up, don't you see who is the right one."
Here in Europe this would be considered as being in a serious relationship, whether or not you are engaged. And I personally think that marriage is not that important at all.
Nevertheless I did enjoy reading the book, and liked the theory about the lid-loosening. I don't know how I would feel if I heard that one of my ex-boyfriends gets married, so far that hasn't happened although they are at the right age to do so. But I could somehow understand Angies feelings at hearing those news.
---- Small Spoiler ahead ----
The outcome is predictable after 2/3 of the book. But on the other hand - there must be clues. Recently I read a book where the girl ends up with a guy she didn't even mentioned being in love with or having a crush on the whole book, and it seemed to me very suddenly and unrealistic. So I guess there is no other way than to give hints, its just that the reader always thinks: "Hey Angie, wake up, don't you see who is the right one."
February 10, 2023
A novel about men . . . and the woman who loves them!
When one ex-boyfriend gets married, a girl can laugh it off. With two, she begins to get nervous. But three? Three?
Actress Angie DiFranco is starting to take it personally. What is it about her that doesn't incite men to plunk down large sums of money in the name of eternal love?
According to her one successfully married friend, men are like tight lids. One woman comes along, loosens him up, leaving him for the next woman to pop off the lid, no problem. After all, would Jennifer have landed Brad so easily without the Gwyneth factor?
Suddenly Angie looks at Kirk, her current boyfriend, with new eyes. Kirk, whose last girlfriend loosened his lid by giving him The Ultimatum. Kirk, who suddenly seems primed to be popped right open.
If the tight-lid theory is true, Angie could be married within a year -- with a little effort. And a little help from her friends . . .
When one ex-boyfriend gets married, a girl can laugh it off. With two, she begins to get nervous. But three? Three?
Actress Angie DiFranco is starting to take it personally. What is it about her that doesn't incite men to plunk down large sums of money in the name of eternal love?
According to her one successfully married friend, men are like tight lids. One woman comes along, loosens him up, leaving him for the next woman to pop off the lid, no problem. After all, would Jennifer have landed Brad so easily without the Gwyneth factor?
Suddenly Angie looks at Kirk, her current boyfriend, with new eyes. Kirk, whose last girlfriend loosened his lid by giving him The Ultimatum. Kirk, who suddenly seems primed to be popped right open.
If the tight-lid theory is true, Angie could be married within a year -- with a little effort. And a little help from her friends . . .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2008
The main character is desperate to get married and then can't figure out what in the hell she wants. I was mostly annoyed and just wanted it to be over. Not a good example of chicklit.
September 11, 2013
Chick lit story about an actress who tries to get her boyfriend to propose, because...well, just because.
August 14, 2019
Akcja toczy się w wielkim mieście a główną bohaterką jest 31 letnia Angie DiFranco, która chce rozwinąć swoją aktorską karierę poprzez program dla dzieci „Rośnij zdrowo”.
Angie ma chłopaka (który jest informatykiem) i twierdzi, że to on jest tym na całe życie. Przy poprzednich partnerach zapewne twierdziła tak samo. Lecz czy to normalne, że jej trzech byłych narzeczonych znajduje miłość swego życia i biorą ślub, a ona dalej stoi w miejscu? Dziewczyna uważa, że coś z nią musi być nie tak, skoro nie może skłonić żadnego faceta do tego by zadał jej to pytanie „czy zostaniesz moją żona?”, no i przy okazji wsunie jej na palec nie tani pierścionek zaręczynowy.
Tu z pomocą przychodzi przyjaciółka z lat szkolnych, która oczywiście ma męża. Koleżanka wyjaśnia jej, iż mężczyźni przypominają słoiki ze szczelnie zakręconą przykrywką. Na tyle mocno zamknięta, że jedna kobieta nie jest w stanie jej odkręcić, ewentualnie tylko trochę otworzy słoik. Dzięki tej teorii Angie zaczyna inaczej patrzeć na swój związek z Kirkiem (obecnym chłopakiem).
Kolejna historia bardzo podobna do poprzednich z tego cyklu. Początkowo te książki mnie ciekawiły, ale po przeczytaniu już połowy serii wiem, że nic mnie nie zaskoczy. Każda powieść łudząco przypomina poprzednie. Mając opisać tą książkę jednym zdaniem to było by to „nudne jak falki z olejem”. Dość długo ją czytałam, zupełnie mnie nie wciągnęła. Bardzo ciężko mi było dotrwać do końca, ale w końcu się udało.
Angie ma chłopaka (który jest informatykiem) i twierdzi, że to on jest tym na całe życie. Przy poprzednich partnerach zapewne twierdziła tak samo. Lecz czy to normalne, że jej trzech byłych narzeczonych znajduje miłość swego życia i biorą ślub, a ona dalej stoi w miejscu? Dziewczyna uważa, że coś z nią musi być nie tak, skoro nie może skłonić żadnego faceta do tego by zadał jej to pytanie „czy zostaniesz moją żona?”, no i przy okazji wsunie jej na palec nie tani pierścionek zaręczynowy.
Tu z pomocą przychodzi przyjaciółka z lat szkolnych, która oczywiście ma męża. Koleżanka wyjaśnia jej, iż mężczyźni przypominają słoiki ze szczelnie zakręconą przykrywką. Na tyle mocno zamknięta, że jedna kobieta nie jest w stanie jej odkręcić, ewentualnie tylko trochę otworzy słoik. Dzięki tej teorii Angie zaczyna inaczej patrzeć na swój związek z Kirkiem (obecnym chłopakiem).
Kolejna historia bardzo podobna do poprzednich z tego cyklu. Początkowo te książki mnie ciekawiły, ale po przeczytaniu już połowy serii wiem, że nic mnie nie zaskoczy. Każda powieść łudząco przypomina poprzednie. Mając opisać tą książkę jednym zdaniem to było by to „nudne jak falki z olejem”. Dość długo ją czytałam, zupełnie mnie nie wciągnęła. Bardzo ciężko mi było dotrwać do końca, ale w końcu się udało.
November 9, 2017
This was an okay read. Angie wants nothing more than to be an actress, something more than a co-host on a morning kids exercise show. She's been in a serious relationship for several months, and her last ex-boyfriend called to tell her that he was getting married. That makes THREE! Her work colleague, Michelle, tells her that guys are like jars, you just need someone to loosen the lid, and Angie had loosened the lid for three other women. Armed with Michelle's advice, Angie decides it's time to crack the lid on her current boyfriend Kirk, software developer. He's serious and a good guy, why shouldn't she want to marry him?
It gets a bit angsty and you want to smack Angie a few times, but the story finally comes around. Wasn't that quick of a read for me, but the characters were fairly well-drawn.
It gets a bit angsty and you want to smack Angie a few times, but the story finally comes around. Wasn't that quick of a read for me, but the characters were fairly well-drawn.
August 26, 2025
Not a terrible book, but nothing too exciting or unique going on here. A story about a girl who almost marries the wrong guy but wisens up at just the right time- when her best friend and roommate discovers he has feelings for her. And they begin a love affair that is perfect and wonderful and they live happily ever after. Blech. The o my good takeaway from here is this: trust your gut. I almost married the wrong man, too, and thankfully I wisened up before I committed to a life with someone who didn’t even love me.
November 22, 2018
Nie najgorsza ale nie najlepsza. Szybkie czytadło .
September 16, 2020
A fun book to read if you like romantic comedies.
March 11, 2023
A cute read. I definitely see our cultural expectations of marriage ingrained in these characters.
July 2, 2023
Tout le long du livre je me demandais comme il allait finir ! Je ne suis pas déçue de fin, ce livre est prenant et drôle.
November 13, 2024
3.5 wsm lepsze niz myslalam
February 24, 2010
Surprised at how long this book has been sitting on my shelf...5 years is a long time. Better late than never...
Pretty good story about a woman so focused on what she thinks she wants, she very nearly misses out on what she needs the most. For the most part, I thought Angie epitomized the typical female wanting to have it all. And like most of us, what we think we want is not what we truly need. I thought Kirk was well written as the boyfriend who is focused on his career and isn't thinking beyond landing the big client until his "loosened lid" is opened by Angie. What Angie doesn't plan on is the Kirk she doesn't know that lives inside below the surface. Not that he's a bad individual but it really is true that you don't know someone until you meet their family. Fortunately, Angie isn't a woman who is willing to settle for less than everything and demonstrates great strength of character at the crucial moment where so many other women falter.
The cast of supporting characters bring a well-rounded balance to the story as well as peeling back the various layers of Angie's life to give the reader a clear picture of who she really is.
Pretty good story about a woman so focused on what she thinks she wants, she very nearly misses out on what she needs the most. For the most part, I thought Angie epitomized the typical female wanting to have it all. And like most of us, what we think we want is not what we truly need. I thought Kirk was well written as the boyfriend who is focused on his career and isn't thinking beyond landing the big client until his "loosened lid" is opened by Angie. What Angie doesn't plan on is the Kirk she doesn't know that lives inside below the surface. Not that he's a bad individual but it really is true that you don't know someone until you meet their family. Fortunately, Angie isn't a woman who is willing to settle for less than everything and demonstrates great strength of character at the crucial moment where so many other women falter.
The cast of supporting characters bring a well-rounded balance to the story as well as peeling back the various layers of Angie's life to give the reader a clear picture of who she really is.
May 15, 2021
Angie DiFranco is a 31 year old New Yorker who is beginning to panic about her single status. She decides to work on her boyfriend Kirk to get him to propose, but in the process, learns that it may not be what she really wants or even needs. In the end, she decides to pursue her acting career more aggressively, tosses Kirk and his conditions aside, and end-up finding real and fulfilling love with her film-making roommate, Justin. AND, most importantly, she is no longer obsessed with getting married!
Who knew that there was a whole genre about the 30-something spinster? This one offends at times (with the idea that woman need men to be living full lives) but generally entertains (the subplot about her grandma with a new love interest is adorable). Some of the characters, okay most, are over-the-top in their stereotypical behavior (Newton, MA in-laws, Italian jeweler, gay co-host) but this isn't Henry James, either. The ending is great - since there is no guarantee Angie will marry, but SURPRISE, she is still able to be happy.
Who knew that there was a whole genre about the 30-something spinster? This one offends at times (with the idea that woman need men to be living full lives) but generally entertains (the subplot about her grandma with a new love interest is adorable). Some of the characters, okay most, are over-the-top in their stereotypical behavior (Newton, MA in-laws, Italian jeweler, gay co-host) but this isn't Henry James, either. The ending is great - since there is no guarantee Angie will marry, but SURPRISE, she is still able to be happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2009
I figured I would give chick-lit another try, but it seems like the plain truth is that I just don’t like it. All the books are the same and have absolutely no substance to them at all.
Angela DiFranco is 31 and dying to get married. Her coworker, Michelle believes that men are like a jar of pickles. Someone has to come along first and loosen the lid before you can get in there and pop it open. Michelle devises a number of different ways to make Angie’s boyfriend Kirk pop wide open. Of course he does, but he doesn’t love her as much as he should.
This book was boring and predictable.
I’m so finished with chick-lit this time. I mean it.
Angela DiFranco is 31 and dying to get married. Her coworker, Michelle believes that men are like a jar of pickles. Someone has to come along first and loosen the lid before you can get in there and pop it open. Michelle devises a number of different ways to make Angie’s boyfriend Kirk pop wide open. Of course he does, but he doesn’t love her as much as he should.
This book was boring and predictable.
I’m so finished with chick-lit this time. I mean it.
August 10, 2015
I didn't expect this book to be good. I hand picked it off of a garage sale table for under one dollar, the pages had been wet therefore were crinkled. It just sounded good. So imagine my surprise when my hands were glued to the novel and I couldn't put it down! Angie DiFranco was such an animated character, and I felt like I was really her while reading. She's so relatable, and it seemed like I could be in her situation one day. I'd recommend it to anyone who is in desperate need of a good love story. This would suit everyone just fine.
June 14, 2009
What to say about this book? Well, from the get-go, I disliked Kirk. He seemed like a major jerk, and a workaholic to boot. It took me about 100 pages or so before I was into it, and curious as to what would happen next. From the very beginning, I felt the chemistry between Angela and Justin. They just... seemed to be meant to be. I loved Justin with all his crazy quirks. Like the weird way he fell in love with old furniture :). Definitely a good, quick read. :)
September 27, 2008
For the first 302 pages, it was just like every late-90's Jennifer Aniston movie. She's with the wrong guy for most of the book, when all along, the right guy was right under her nose.
Been there, done that.
But on page 303, it got really cute and had me smiling for the last 9 pages.
I'll read more by her.
Been there, done that.
But on page 303, it got really cute and had me smiling for the last 9 pages.
I'll read more by her.
July 30, 2007
This book was a cute easy read. Its about a woman in her 30's, worried she is never going to get married, and almost gets engaged to the wrong guy. It's not the best book I've ever ready, but enjoyable. Totally a library book :)
March 21, 2008
Super cute book! Sure it was cheesy, sure it was completely predictable... but that just made me love it more. This is the second of Curnyn's books that I have read and is by far my favorite. Can't wait for the next one.
February 10, 2011
At the time in my life I read this book, I found it SO amusing bc it was so true to everything that was going on in my life, with a good realization at the end, and humor in there if I remember correctly.
June 13, 2007
Very funny and keeps your interest, but I predicted the ending from page one.
January 22, 2008
An hysterical book that will keep you laughing! This was a fun and light-hearted story that was quick and easy to read and perfect for a sunny day!
Read
July 24, 2008I was determined to not like this book when I started it - I just wanted to get it off my bookshelf. But, it turned out to be a cute, fluffy book after all.
Read
September 7, 2008I took a writing class taught by this author! The book is a page-turner. I totally believe in the "lid loosening" theory in more ways than one.
April 18, 2009
Not engaging really at all.
November 8, 2008
The only thing more desperate than the main character in this book was my attempt to finish this book.
September 28, 2009
Was not as good as I had hoped.
August 29, 2010
Somewhat predictable storyline, but the ending was not overly cheesy. A quick and casual read for summer.
April 13, 2010
I am sick and allowed to read a really cheesy book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews