Breakfast at Stephanie's

by Sue Margolis

Playing “Winter Wonderland” for last-minute Christmas shoppers has got to be the all-time low point of Stephanie Glassman’s career. The aspiring jazz soloist and single mother has no singing prospects, no man in her life since her hot fling with a movie stuntman, and a social life that consists of having her two best friends over for high-calorie Sunday brunches. Even her grandmother’s having more sex than she is. That is, until toddler Jake’s irresistible father hurtles back into her life.

Albert promises fidelity, plus married life filled with the best sex Stephanie’s ever had. But there’s a tantalizing new Frank Waterman, rising star and Stephanie’s old crush, is suddenly semi-available and interested. And her stalled career seems to be heating up. But when her big break erupts in a scandal that puts her on the front page instead, Stephanie’s in a whole new league. Now, with fame at her door and two hot guys fighting over her, Stephanie’s got some big decisions to make…and they may surprise everyone—including her.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, 21st Century, Contemporary, Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Sue Margolis is the author of nine books, which have more than half a million copies in print from Bantam Dell. She lives in England, where she's at work on her next novel.

Sue worked as a reporter for the BBC, before leaving broadcasting to write her first novel. She lives in London with her journalist husband Jonathan. They have three grown up children. Sue’s hobbies include napping, constantly interfering in her children’s lives, not going out, eating - especially the remains of the previous night’s take-out curry straight from the fridge, and watching made for TV true-life movies in her PJs.

She died of lung cancer, aged 62.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephanie is a loveable character and a talented young woman who hasn’t gotten her break yet. She is attempting to make something of her career as a jazz singer, but it’s difficult while she is also trying to manage her 2-year-old son, her upside-down love life, and her tai-chi-loving grandmother. I laughed and cried with Stephanie all the way through this fun story.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a so-so read for me. While I enjoyed the characters, it just missed the mark somewhere. Parts of it bordered on a Harlequin novel, with a woman torn between two lovers and I like my chic lit at least a step above. Still some laugh-out-loud moments though and not a complete waste of time.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this book as a light read. The characters were generally relatable and likable. I laughed out loud several times. However, the voice of the book seemed to stray whenever it came to any sex scenes. The tone changed from the typical "chick-lit" fun rom-com style descriptions to more graphic than I would have expected. It was just a surprising shift to me. Based on this book, I would read another of the author's books.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally bought this book because my name was in the title. I do wish I had realized the author was British before I opened the cover. No, I have no issue with Brit slang, but it is jarring when you come across words that you use in a different way. Once the rhythm was established though, it flowed pretty well.

[Lacey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not for me. It did not hold my attention & I had a hard time even getting through it. I expected some humor, but it wasn't funny. The story just dragged on & didn't seem to be working toward any interesting conclusion. A disappointing read.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light easy-to-read British romance.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little rom-com. It started out a little slow but as I spent more time with the characters I began to enjoy it more. At times I felt the characters were a bit cliche, especially the wacky grandma. Overall I enjoyed reading this.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at Costco without reading the blurb for 3 reasons:

1. I enjoyed Sue Margolis' writing. 2. Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite films (I loved the play on words). 3. Hello. My name is Stephanie.

After reading this, it has become apparent to me that Margolis likes to stick to the same theme of single/married moms looking for love and excitement in their lackluster lives. This book was no exception.

Stephanie Glassman is a single mom/spirited jazz singer who aspires to make it big one day. But until then, she is spending the Christmas holiday playing piano and signing Christmas carols in a department store.

During one of her shifts, she gets spotted by Frank, the sexy actor who she had a schoolgirl crush on, and had the pleasure of working with a few years before. Not to mention his perfect fiancé.

Embarassed by her current position (and uniform) she sulks home considering the situation to quite possibly be the worst she has ever encountered. But then, her son Jake's nanny breaks her hip, her grandmother calls her for advice about having sex with a pacemaker, and her dad is in a frenzy trying to get to the bottom of why he is being sent junk emails [...].

Can things get crazier? Try Albert, (Jake's father) the playboy wanting to come back into her life so that the three of them can be one happy family. Deep down Stephanie knows she doesn't want this with Albert. She loves him, but not in a romantic sort of way, however the three of them becoming a family is probably best for little Jake. To make the decision even harder, Frank professes his love for Steph, and now she has to choose between the two men.

Through all of this drama, Stephanie gets a big break that could possibly lead her to a huge fortune, except to add onto her already crazy life, she finds out that the deal isn't legit, and she will have to make a decision as to whether or not she will go through with it. It is this situation that helps Stephanie to figure out which man she will choose.

This novel was a tad mediocre to me. Coming from reading SPIN CYLE not long before, I was expecting this to be laugh out loud hit also. It was just average. Many parts of the story dragged, and the relationship between Stephanie and Frank wasn't expanded on enough for him to even have a point in the book.

On the whole, Stephanie and Jake were such lovable characters, that they were the main reasons that I kept on reading. I loved the exchange between the two.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

British Chick Lit-Sue Margolis does it again with Breakfast At Stephanie's. She really has the formula down for a funny story about finding love and appreciating your friends and family.

Single and playing piano in a department store at Christmas time, Stephanie Glassman isn't where she thought she'd be. She longs to be a jazz singer, but she can't seem to jump-start a career. Her grandmother's love life is more exciting than hers. Though she adores her two-year-old son, Jake, she is frustrated by his father, Albert, a stunt man and two-week fling from Verona, who only drops into his son's life occasionally. But when Albert arrives on Christmas day loaded down with gifts, Stephanie is quite pleased. She is not sure how she feels, however, when he ditches his latest bimbo and decides that a life with her and Jake is what he wants. Especially since she has already fallen for seductive Frank. Stephanie is torn between her desire to give Jake a traditional family and her growing feelings for her a new beau.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Jennifer Bagazin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so not what I expected. I think I'm a victim of false advertising here. I expected a 'hilarious game of chase between choosing two hot men'. But what I got was a down to Earth single-mother plot that totally surprised me in the end. Not that I have anything against it, its just that I thought it would have been a much more exciting read.

I didn't click with the main character, Stephanie. At least, not right away. I find that we don't have a lot in common, and I don't exactly admire her decision-making skills when it comes to her love life (not that I have a spotless one myself). But she still surprised me at the end. I didn't expect he to make the decision she had. So all in all it was an okay read, and to put in in a few words, it was an adventure that redefined the lusty woman's search for erotic satisfaction.

[Kourtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for an easy read where you don't get too involved with the characters, then this book is perfect for you. I registered no emotion with any of the characters (and that's not good!). Some parts tried too hard to be Harlequin-esque. As you're reading about what someone did today, POOF, now you are reading something out of Penthouse letters. It was really unnecessary and did not fit in with the tone of the book.

One thing that irritated me, as it kept removing me from the story, was how two people would be having a conversation in quotes, then it would change to so-and-so told her she would...just say in quotes "ok I will"!!!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Margolis book, which is an author I have read before and while ehh, was still entertaining and easy enough to read, which is why I picked up this one. And maybe because I didn’t read it back to back, but this book was slightly different then the other two! Girl has son with fling from Italy, but guy is American. She works in London as a struggling actress/singer. One day, her baby-daddy just comes back into her life! At the same time, an old “co-actor” comes into her life too! Shall I say more on which one she ends up with? Chaos happens and none of it has anything to do with anything. Ehhh.

Grade: C-

[Kristin R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining story of Stephanie, her two best mates, Lizzie and Cass - set in London. Stephanie is a single mom and struggling to get by working as a singer. She finds herself involved again with Albert, the father of her son. Steph runs into an old colleague and there is some chemistry there too, who should she choose?

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters, too many unbelievable storylines (SPOILER ALERT - who has good sex w/ an handsome stuntman that results in a baby w/ handsome stud being overall irresponsible w/out some frustrations (warranted or not) but there were touches of realism I could relate to..torn btw 2-3 starts but went 2/ 5 bc not quite a 3

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good 'fluff' read. I just love how the Brits speak sometimes. It was amusing also. Her dad was always fussing how he got junk email. Cute story. This was my "B" challenge book. Don't think I'll read this author again.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and light-hearted chic lit book. I liked reading this book because the character was interesting and I liked that the story was developed well.

I would suggest reading this whenever you want something light and easy that doesn't require a lot of attention to what you are reading.

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! First time reading this author and I was very impressed with her style and voice. Enjoyed the characters and though I thought Albert was a great guy, I preferred Frank from the start. All of the characters were great

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed out loud! Good, light-hearted, fun -- I enjoy these...

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty funny story, a little bit too detailed in some parts.

[Ophelia London · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay. Too much sex and not enough cute romance. I only stuck it out to see which guy she ended up with. Oh, and the writing was a little weird.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple beach read (even when you're not on the beach).

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I love a chick lit every now and then and this was a good one.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book that I just couldn't care enough about the characters or the plot to continue.

[Britny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waivered between rating it a 3 or a 4. I did like this book. Was not a big page turner, have-to-know-what-happens book, but it was a good easy read. Cute and funny.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good read and definitely hooked me as many of her books have.

[soniamoghe]

Loved it. Margolis's sharp and witty writing is a pleasure to read.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is entertaining, but the plot is a bit weak (tends to wander), and the lead character is that frustrating type of female who continuously makes bad decisions regarding men.

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10514951

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to live in London. Funny too.