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Been There, Done That
Plenty of thirtysomething women would be thrilled to look like a teenager. But journalist Kathy Hopkins wishes she could be taken a little more seriously-or, at the very least, order a glass of wine without producing ID. Now her youthful appearance is forcing her into an undercover assignment she could do posing as a freshman at a small liberal arts college where, rumor has it, a secret prostitution ring is flourishing.
It could mean a career-making exposé. But right now, pretending to be eighteen means dealing with a Clay Aiken--obsessed roommate, late-night parties that test her aging body--and most embarrassing of all, a massive crush on a guy who's just turned legal. Suddenly, Kathy's got the chance to do it all over again, hopefully better this time. Fortunately she's a quick learner.
It could mean a career-making exposé. But right now, pretending to be eighteen means dealing with a Clay Aiken--obsessed roommate, late-night parties that test her aging body--and most embarrassing of all, a massive crush on a guy who's just turned legal. Suddenly, Kathy's got the chance to do it all over again, hopefully better this time. Fortunately she's a quick learner.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
13 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
About the author
Carol Snow
40 books226 followersCalled “an author to watch” by Booklist, Carol Snow is an American author of contemporary women’s fiction and young adult literature. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in psychology, she spent many years writing literary short stories before accepting that she couldn't go more than a few hundred words without cracking a joke. She eventually turned her attention to crafting humorous, heartfelt stories with a wider commercial appeal, and In 2006, Berkley/Penguin published her first novel, Been There, Done That, which Publisher's Weekly called “humorous, wise . . . romance with a bit of social commentary.” Since then, she has written four more books for adults, Getting Warmer (2007), Here Today, Gone to Maui (2009), Just Like Me, Only Better (2010), and the upcoming What Came First (2011), about which Laura Fitzgerald, bestselling author of Veil of Roses, said, “Carol Snow mixes her trademark humor with tenderness and understanding in this good-mom/bad-mom tale of unexpected twists and turns.” Carol has also written two young adult books for HarperCollins, Switch (2008), an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and Snap (2009). Foreign rights to her books have sold to publishers in Germany, Norway, and Romania.
Carol Snow grew up in New Jersey. Much of her childhood was spent immersed in books; the rest was focused on avoiding dodgeball. In addition to her psychology degree from Brown University, she holds an M.A.T. in English from Boston College. Before getting her first book published, she had the typical (for a writer) assortment of odd jobs: tour guide, tutor, chambermaid, waitress. She worked for a T-shirt company, a child services agency, and a vanity press. She even had a short stint in local politics. Her campaign brochures were really pretty, with flawless punctuation.
Since leaving New Jersey, Carol has lived all over the place: Rhode Island, London, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Utah, Arizona, and, now, Southern California, where she shares a cat-fur-coated house with her husband and their two children.
Carol Snow grew up in New Jersey. Much of her childhood was spent immersed in books; the rest was focused on avoiding dodgeball. In addition to her psychology degree from Brown University, she holds an M.A.T. in English from Boston College. Before getting her first book published, she had the typical (for a writer) assortment of odd jobs: tour guide, tutor, chambermaid, waitress. She worked for a T-shirt company, a child services agency, and a vanity press. She even had a short stint in local politics. Her campaign brochures were really pretty, with flawless punctuation.
Since leaving New Jersey, Carol has lived all over the place: Rhode Island, London, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Utah, Arizona, and, now, Southern California, where she shares a cat-fur-coated house with her husband and their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
February 14, 2008
I really enjoyed this book; it's chick lit, o.k., but had a decent plot and the main character is funny and not so perfect. Am interested in more of her work. A good book for times when lighter reading is what you seek.
March 21, 2016
Review: Been There Done That by Carol Snow. 2.5★'s
The beginning of the book started out slow but once I got into the main part of the story I seemed to get interested. I will say I really didn’t find much hardy humor throughout the story and I was off and on liking and not liking the book. The writing was good and the characters were fair but it just didn’t give me the lift I wanted. I’m some what old fashioned and what little collage days I had wasn’t enough to remember those days.
Kathy Hopkins is in her early thirties and works as a writer for Salad magazine. (Right off I thought the title of the magazine was a turn off and it turned out their ratings were low.) An ex-boyfriend, Tim McAllister comes back into Kathy’s life who works for another higher class magazine in a different area. Because Kathy lives and works in the vicinity of Mercer College Tim wants Kathy to go undercover and investigate a rumor of a prostitution ring he heard about at the college. When she approach her boss about the job he was totally against it so Tim talked to him and made it sound more glamorous then it actually was. Kathy had the job and with her youthful looks she would fit right in but she had to remember to act eighteen instead of in her thirties….
It turned out to be a six week adventure instead of three as she assumed. How hard could it be living in a dorm pretending to be eighteen..? Well, Kathy ended up having a fling with a college student named Jeremy who was twenty-one. I felt bad for Jeremy because I think he had really liked her. With few adult mistakes she had while being the eighteen year old Kathy, she still was able to pull it off but she didn’t get the story she wanted. What issue she did uncover wasn’t the great story Tim and her boss were waiting for. However, what she discovered did give some highlight to the story.
Well, now Kathy has been fired, students were upset with her because of the investigation (but really because of her age), Tim wasn’t still interested in her as she thought, and she regretted hurting Jeremy. (I think she had a crush on him too) The ending came quick and she learned there was a prostitution ring but she was looking in the wrong places. So Tim wound up getting his big story after all….and Kathy had to find another job…
The beginning of the book started out slow but once I got into the main part of the story I seemed to get interested. I will say I really didn’t find much hardy humor throughout the story and I was off and on liking and not liking the book. The writing was good and the characters were fair but it just didn’t give me the lift I wanted. I’m some what old fashioned and what little collage days I had wasn’t enough to remember those days.
Kathy Hopkins is in her early thirties and works as a writer for Salad magazine. (Right off I thought the title of the magazine was a turn off and it turned out their ratings were low.) An ex-boyfriend, Tim McAllister comes back into Kathy’s life who works for another higher class magazine in a different area. Because Kathy lives and works in the vicinity of Mercer College Tim wants Kathy to go undercover and investigate a rumor of a prostitution ring he heard about at the college. When she approach her boss about the job he was totally against it so Tim talked to him and made it sound more glamorous then it actually was. Kathy had the job and with her youthful looks she would fit right in but she had to remember to act eighteen instead of in her thirties….
It turned out to be a six week adventure instead of three as she assumed. How hard could it be living in a dorm pretending to be eighteen..? Well, Kathy ended up having a fling with a college student named Jeremy who was twenty-one. I felt bad for Jeremy because I think he had really liked her. With few adult mistakes she had while being the eighteen year old Kathy, she still was able to pull it off but she didn’t get the story she wanted. What issue she did uncover wasn’t the great story Tim and her boss were waiting for. However, what she discovered did give some highlight to the story.
Well, now Kathy has been fired, students were upset with her because of the investigation (but really because of her age), Tim wasn’t still interested in her as she thought, and she regretted hurting Jeremy. (I think she had a crush on him too) The ending came quick and she learned there was a prostitution ring but she was looking in the wrong places. So Tim wound up getting his big story after all….and Kathy had to find another job…
February 28, 2009
If you're looking for a light, fluffy read, this is for you. Kathy is 32 but appears as if she's 18. This is usually obnoxious, but about to become a positive--at least to her ex-boyfriend, Tim. Tim wants Kathy to go undercover at a small college in order to investigate a story on college girls working as prostitutes. Sooner than she's like, Kathy is back in a dorm, living with a strange roommate and adjusting to college life. She's trying to fit in, but having the super-hot RA's constant attentions is kind of distracting. Not to mention the pressure from her boss and Tim. She only has seven weeks, but that may not be enough.
I think my level of tolerance for chick lit is quickly coming to an end. I just can't get into these things like I used to. This was wasn't bad, and it actually threw a few twists in at the end that I didn't see coming. And the relationship between Kathy and Tim was actually a bit enlightening for me considering my own recent and heart-wrenching breakup. But like any chick lit, don't expect anything too deep.
I think my level of tolerance for chick lit is quickly coming to an end. I just can't get into these things like I used to. This was wasn't bad, and it actually threw a few twists in at the end that I didn't see coming. And the relationship between Kathy and Tim was actually a bit enlightening for me considering my own recent and heart-wrenching breakup. But like any chick lit, don't expect anything too deep.
August 8, 2011
Good story line but way too long for what it was. The book dragged on with way to much description of the characters and not enough "meat" to the story. I really wanted to like the book much more than I did. I liked the characters and plot but there seemed to be something missing and the end was terrible. I did laugh a few times while reading though.
January 26, 2013
Cheesy. Lame. Bubblegum fluff. My IQ dropped after this shallow, poorly written story. 32 year old chick goes undercover as a reporter and pretends she is an 18 yr old freshman to bust a prostitution ring on campus. Seriously? So glad it's over.
August 27, 2018
Insipid but not insipid enough. Also why is everyone so obsessed with weight. Weird.
August 31, 2018
Very cute story, fun read.
November 6, 2021
She ends up with an 18 yr old, babe ur a predator.....I love revisiting books I read a kid because what was going on with me to like this.
December 18, 2022
I enjoyed this book very much. It took a different idea than a lot of chick lit. I found the characters endearing and the story interesting.
April 23, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much. It took a different idea than a lot of chick lit. I found the characters endearing and the story interesting.
February 11, 2024
This book was... fine? As long as you accepted the ridiculous premise, I guess.
March 9, 2024
A funny story that had me laughing out loud at times. Loved the main character, Kathy. Her friends,Marley and Dennis were great too.
July 12, 2017
32-year old, looks 18, goes to Mercer to investigate an alleged prostitute ring.
Plenty of thirtysomething women would be thrilled to look like a teenager. But journalist Kathy Hopkins wishes she could be taken a little more seriously-or, at the very least, order a glass of wine without producing ID. Now her youthful appearance is forcing her into an undercover assignment she could do without: posing as a freshman at a small liberal arts college where, rumor has it, a secret prostitution ring is flourishing.
It could mean a career-making exposé. But right now, pretending to be eighteen means dealing with a Clay Aiken--obsessed roommate, late-night parties that test her aging body--and most embarrassing of all, a massive crush on a guy who's just turned legal. Suddenly, Kathy's got the chance to do it all over again, hopefully better this time. Fortunately she's a quick learner.
Plenty of thirtysomething women would be thrilled to look like a teenager. But journalist Kathy Hopkins wishes she could be taken a little more seriously-or, at the very least, order a glass of wine without producing ID. Now her youthful appearance is forcing her into an undercover assignment she could do without: posing as a freshman at a small liberal arts college where, rumor has it, a secret prostitution ring is flourishing.
It could mean a career-making exposé. But right now, pretending to be eighteen means dealing with a Clay Aiken--obsessed roommate, late-night parties that test her aging body--and most embarrassing of all, a massive crush on a guy who's just turned legal. Suddenly, Kathy's got the chance to do it all over again, hopefully better this time. Fortunately she's a quick learner.
February 10, 2019
Kathy is a reporter in her thirties, yet she looks younger and could pass for 18. She is always carded when she orders alcohol, which is a nuisance. And her looking younger gets her an undercover assignment that she has mixed feelings about: posing as a college freshman to try to undercover a scandal at the school.
This book sounded like fun. I'm in my thirties and having the character go back to school and be confused by the younger 18 year olds would be amusing and I thought I would relate to the main character since we would be similar ages.
This book also made me think of the Drew Berrymore movie: "Never been Kissed" and maybe something Meg Cabot might have written.
However, it kinda fell flat and was a bit boring and a little disappointing. I liked the idea of the book, it just kinda lost my interest only about halfway through the book.
More of my book reviews can be found at http://bookswithkari.blogspot.com/
This book sounded like fun. I'm in my thirties and having the character go back to school and be confused by the younger 18 year olds would be amusing and I thought I would relate to the main character since we would be similar ages.
This book also made me think of the Drew Berrymore movie: "Never been Kissed" and maybe something Meg Cabot might have written.
However, it kinda fell flat and was a bit boring and a little disappointing. I liked the idea of the book, it just kinda lost my interest only about halfway through the book.
More of my book reviews can be found at http://bookswithkari.blogspot.com/
October 31, 2017
Link: https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2...
This book came out ages ago and I’m finally glad to actually get to read it for the first time. I have read other books by Carol Snow and I have enjoyed her previous writings so I was expecting something of the same caliber.
With that said, I thought this book was relatively good – it’s such a great summer read. It’s certainly not a book where you had to think too much about. The plot was pretty standard and the characters were decent. Honestly I would say that this book was relatively average mainly because there wasn’t anything crazy awesome about it. I enjoyed it and thought it was a good read but I wasn’t wowed by it – if that makes any sense.
Kathy, the main character, wasn’t a particularly interesting character because she was one of those people who constantly went back and forth on decisions and couldn’t really decide on anything. Plus she was also incredibly shy/awkward at times and she was constantly afraid to speak up. I am really not a fan of such characters and because of this, for the most part, I could care less about Kathy. In fact, I was more interested in the other characters around her than her. For example, I found Tim, Dennis and Jeremy much more fascinating. Even though Tim was a dick but at least he stayed in character and played that role well. I thought Dennis was hilarious and it was obvious that he was gay yet Kathy completely overlooked that and in fact thought that he was into her. LOL. Jeremy was such a sweet character and I honestly couldn’t really see what he saw in her.
The one thing I did find interesting about the plot was the whole “secret spy” kind of aspect going on. I thought that was quite entertaining and how interesting it was to read about situations where Kathy would be constantly scrutinized because she was so young looking but was actually a middle-aged woman. I actually enjoyed this part of the plot a lot and would have been more interested if the author stuck with this storyline a bit more. I did feel that the author incorporated a lot of side plots that wasn’t bad but wasn’t really revolving too much on the actual story so a little less of that would have been nice.
Overall the book was entertaining but nothing too special. It would be great for a beach read or something.
This book came out ages ago and I’m finally glad to actually get to read it for the first time. I have read other books by Carol Snow and I have enjoyed her previous writings so I was expecting something of the same caliber.
With that said, I thought this book was relatively good – it’s such a great summer read. It’s certainly not a book where you had to think too much about. The plot was pretty standard and the characters were decent. Honestly I would say that this book was relatively average mainly because there wasn’t anything crazy awesome about it. I enjoyed it and thought it was a good read but I wasn’t wowed by it – if that makes any sense.
Kathy, the main character, wasn’t a particularly interesting character because she was one of those people who constantly went back and forth on decisions and couldn’t really decide on anything. Plus she was also incredibly shy/awkward at times and she was constantly afraid to speak up. I am really not a fan of such characters and because of this, for the most part, I could care less about Kathy. In fact, I was more interested in the other characters around her than her. For example, I found Tim, Dennis and Jeremy much more fascinating. Even though Tim was a dick but at least he stayed in character and played that role well. I thought Dennis was hilarious and it was obvious that he was gay yet Kathy completely overlooked that and in fact thought that he was into her. LOL. Jeremy was such a sweet character and I honestly couldn’t really see what he saw in her.
The one thing I did find interesting about the plot was the whole “secret spy” kind of aspect going on. I thought that was quite entertaining and how interesting it was to read about situations where Kathy would be constantly scrutinized because she was so young looking but was actually a middle-aged woman. I actually enjoyed this part of the plot a lot and would have been more interested if the author stuck with this storyline a bit more. I did feel that the author incorporated a lot of side plots that wasn’t bad but wasn’t really revolving too much on the actual story so a little less of that would have been nice.
Overall the book was entertaining but nothing too special. It would be great for a beach read or something.
September 25, 2008
An Ode to Dorm Life & College Years Gone By!
Kathy has a problem that most women would love to have – she’s in her thirties but could pass for 18 and this works wonders when she decides to go undercover at a college dormitory in order to unearth the secrets behind a supposed prostitution ring on campus. She’s put to the task by Tim, her ex-boyfriend – they dated for a long time right after college, but it didn’t work out and Kathy’s been carrying a torch for him ever since. At first, she’s not really interested in this assignment, she’s has her own writing career that she sort of likes, but eventually she takes him up on it and moves into the dorm.
She gets immediately immersed into the college life and tries to figure out how not to get caught. She tries not to show her age, but a few times, she trips up, but figures out a way to stay incognito. She even meets the very handsome dorm R.A. and sparks fly, but he’s barely 21 and Kathy [called Katie at the dorm] wouldn’t let temptation sweep her off her feet, would she? Especially since she still has a thing for Tim – can things heat up again between the two of them?
This book adds a punch with the inclusion of the mystery behind the alleged prostitution ring. Kathy tries to infiltrate the “inner sanctum” of college baddies by joining some teams and actually enjoys some of her classes. She has a few “stake-outs”, meets a bonafide hooker and ultimately delivers a much different story than the one she was sent to report.
What I liked about Snow’s interpretation of modern day college days is that she didn’t get silly with it. She portrayed them as they probably are, warts & all, but didn’t stoop to silly gags to show us what they’re like. What they’re really like is just like we were however many years ago, just with iPod’s & cell phones.
I like the style and pace of this novel, it kept me reading, and I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. This novel was funny, but not “in your face”. I could relate to Kathy, even though I don’t look that much younger than I am, but we’ve all been in the position where we are judged by what we look like and it was cool to see this woman using this to her advantage and making the most of it.
The only slight critique I had was with the ending. It didn't have the energy of the earlier parts of the story, but it was a good ending and it didn't really detract any enjoyment from the story.
I really enjoyed Snow’s writing style and I look forward to reading more from this great author – next stop – Getting Warmer!
Kathy has a problem that most women would love to have – she’s in her thirties but could pass for 18 and this works wonders when she decides to go undercover at a college dormitory in order to unearth the secrets behind a supposed prostitution ring on campus. She’s put to the task by Tim, her ex-boyfriend – they dated for a long time right after college, but it didn’t work out and Kathy’s been carrying a torch for him ever since. At first, she’s not really interested in this assignment, she’s has her own writing career that she sort of likes, but eventually she takes him up on it and moves into the dorm.
She gets immediately immersed into the college life and tries to figure out how not to get caught. She tries not to show her age, but a few times, she trips up, but figures out a way to stay incognito. She even meets the very handsome dorm R.A. and sparks fly, but he’s barely 21 and Kathy [called Katie at the dorm] wouldn’t let temptation sweep her off her feet, would she? Especially since she still has a thing for Tim – can things heat up again between the two of them?
This book adds a punch with the inclusion of the mystery behind the alleged prostitution ring. Kathy tries to infiltrate the “inner sanctum” of college baddies by joining some teams and actually enjoys some of her classes. She has a few “stake-outs”, meets a bonafide hooker and ultimately delivers a much different story than the one she was sent to report.
What I liked about Snow’s interpretation of modern day college days is that she didn’t get silly with it. She portrayed them as they probably are, warts & all, but didn’t stoop to silly gags to show us what they’re like. What they’re really like is just like we were however many years ago, just with iPod’s & cell phones.
I like the style and pace of this novel, it kept me reading, and I enjoyed the secondary characters as well. This novel was funny, but not “in your face”. I could relate to Kathy, even though I don’t look that much younger than I am, but we’ve all been in the position where we are judged by what we look like and it was cool to see this woman using this to her advantage and making the most of it.
The only slight critique I had was with the ending. It didn't have the energy of the earlier parts of the story, but it was a good ending and it didn't really detract any enjoyment from the story.
I really enjoyed Snow’s writing style and I look forward to reading more from this great author – next stop – Getting Warmer!
January 21, 2012
As I understand, Been There, Done That is the debut novel by Carol Snow. I've read one or two of her other books, and I enjoyed them, so when Amazon recommended others, I gobbled them up. I really enjoyed this book. It was not as predictable as I'd expected (although there were no huge surprises). I didn't want to put it down. The book had just enough characters to be interesting, but not so many as to where you lose track of who is who in the overpopulation. The premise is not entirely believable, but it is *somewhat* believable. I am incredibly good at suspending disbelief, though, when reading.
Been There, Done That is the story of a 32 year old journalist named Kathy. Previously, she had been in an 11 year relationship with this dude Tim, who reappears when he gets a lead about a supposed prostitution ring at a liberal arts college in the suburbs of Boston, MA. Since Kathy can easily pass for a teenager, Tim asks her to go undercover at the school to see if she can find out the skinny on the ring and break a huge story. She enrolls in the college and the story follows her through about eight weeks. She meets some interesting people and gets to live the life of a college freshman with the wisdom of a 30-something. I think this was a very interesting premise, though there is definitely more that could have been done. I am not holding this against the book, though, because overall, it may have added to the density and changed the story.
Carol Snow is a great writer with some very nice ideas, and I am looking forward to reading more of her novels as soon as possible! In fact, I have two more at home (though I have them a little spaced on my list so as not to either OD on Snow or run out if they're amazing!)
Been There, Done That comes highly recommended by me for my usual recommended group: people who enjoy a breezy, if not fluffy, read for an escape or on vacation. There isn't much to not like about this novel!
Been There, Done That is the story of a 32 year old journalist named Kathy. Previously, she had been in an 11 year relationship with this dude Tim, who reappears when he gets a lead about a supposed prostitution ring at a liberal arts college in the suburbs of Boston, MA. Since Kathy can easily pass for a teenager, Tim asks her to go undercover at the school to see if she can find out the skinny on the ring and break a huge story. She enrolls in the college and the story follows her through about eight weeks. She meets some interesting people and gets to live the life of a college freshman with the wisdom of a 30-something. I think this was a very interesting premise, though there is definitely more that could have been done. I am not holding this against the book, though, because overall, it may have added to the density and changed the story.
Carol Snow is a great writer with some very nice ideas, and I am looking forward to reading more of her novels as soon as possible! In fact, I have two more at home (though I have them a little spaced on my list so as not to either OD on Snow or run out if they're amazing!)
Been There, Done That comes highly recommended by me for my usual recommended group: people who enjoy a breezy, if not fluffy, read for an escape or on vacation. There isn't much to not like about this novel!
April 18, 2012
What I Loved
The story premise was very intriguing to me. I didn't think that a 32 year old could pass for a college student, regardless how young he or she appeared. Despite physical differences, adults just hold themselves differently from children. And, true, Kathy makes a few mistakes, but what I loved was that without appearing as overly immature for an adult, Kathy successfully infiltrates the college life, even to the point of sleeping in later, and flirting with the resident assistant.
What I Didn't Like
There wasn't much that I really didn't like with this book... yea, I'm coming up blank here.
My Overall Review
(4 of 5 Stars) Very glad I picked this up!
I had never read a book by Carol Snow before reading this book. I actually checked this out with 4 other books by Carol Snow, and after reading this book I can't wait to read her other book. Unfortunately for me, I've got quite a few other books that I'm also really excited to read, so it will probably be a while before I actually get to read them. I'll probably end up returning them and checking them out at a later time... anyways, back to the review- Carol Snow did an amazing job in accurately portraying the average life of a college student, from parties to friends and extracurriculars, Kathy does not get so involved in her investigating that she misses out on the college life, which may make for a mediocre reporter, but it really adds depth and honesty to the story, both that the reader reads, and the one that she ends up writing for her boss.
The story premise was very intriguing to me. I didn't think that a 32 year old could pass for a college student, regardless how young he or she appeared. Despite physical differences, adults just hold themselves differently from children. And, true, Kathy makes a few mistakes, but what I loved was that without appearing as overly immature for an adult, Kathy successfully infiltrates the college life, even to the point of sleeping in later, and flirting with the resident assistant.
What I Didn't Like
There wasn't much that I really didn't like with this book... yea, I'm coming up blank here.
My Overall Review
(4 of 5 Stars) Very glad I picked this up!
I had never read a book by Carol Snow before reading this book. I actually checked this out with 4 other books by Carol Snow, and after reading this book I can't wait to read her other book. Unfortunately for me, I've got quite a few other books that I'm also really excited to read, so it will probably be a while before I actually get to read them. I'll probably end up returning them and checking them out at a later time... anyways, back to the review- Carol Snow did an amazing job in accurately portraying the average life of a college student, from parties to friends and extracurriculars, Kathy does not get so involved in her investigating that she misses out on the college life, which may make for a mediocre reporter, but it really adds depth and honesty to the story, both that the reader reads, and the one that she ends up writing for her boss.
March 7, 2014
Looking like a teenager is something most 30-something women would eat up with a spoon. But for journalist Kathy Hopkins, it just gets old - no pun intended. Now it seems that for the first time ever, Kathy's youthful looks is landing her in a situation she rather not be bothered with.
Kathy's ex, Tim McAllister, comes across a tip regarding a small town liberal arts college that supposedly has a thriving underground call girl operation being run. He decides that she's the perfect person to pose as a freshman at this school in order to uncover the secrets and report all of the juicy details. Kathy is doubtful, but decides that this move can take her career to a whole other level.
How hard can pretending to be eighteen be anyway? It's actually harder than it seems. Kathy will have to unwillingly deal with an annoying roommate who also happens to be a Clay Aiken fanatic, boisterous parties that go on way past her bedtime, and an unexpected crush she develops on a college senior who is Abercrombie & Fitch sexy but barely legal.
A real life opportubity has presented itself and Kathy has the chance to do it all over again - even better this time!
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT was without a doubt an uproarious and fun novel that is sure to win over chick-lit readers everywhere. 3 ½ stars.
Kathy's ex, Tim McAllister, comes across a tip regarding a small town liberal arts college that supposedly has a thriving underground call girl operation being run. He decides that she's the perfect person to pose as a freshman at this school in order to uncover the secrets and report all of the juicy details. Kathy is doubtful, but decides that this move can take her career to a whole other level.
How hard can pretending to be eighteen be anyway? It's actually harder than it seems. Kathy will have to unwillingly deal with an annoying roommate who also happens to be a Clay Aiken fanatic, boisterous parties that go on way past her bedtime, and an unexpected crush she develops on a college senior who is Abercrombie & Fitch sexy but barely legal.
A real life opportubity has presented itself and Kathy has the chance to do it all over again - even better this time!
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT was without a doubt an uproarious and fun novel that is sure to win over chick-lit readers everywhere. 3 ½ stars.
April 5, 2013
I was looking at author postcards recently - to find a vendor for glossy postcards. This author had some pretty postcards. So I ordered the book from a used book swap, and started reading. I read, and read, and read - looking for some kind of point. The heroine - like most in chick lit - is unlucky in love and work. Then our heroine decides to try to impress the boyfriend that dumps her by going under cover at a college to unearth a college prostitution ring and possible scandal.
That's it. Nothing more really happens in this book. The heroine was boring, and on top of that she doesn't make much of a transformation during the book.
Then there were the boring details about baby showers, and friends' weddings, and a gay friend, etc.
I should never judge a book by its cover - this said women's fiction to me. Turned out to be chick-lit light. And light fluff, is never good.
Oh, and my biggest pet peeve of this book are these lines from page 125 of the printed version: "Because Cornell boasted a top hotel and restaurant management school, the food there was excellent."
I went to Cornell, and it had the crappiest food of any college I've ever attended or visited. This line bothered me so much that I e-mailed several fellow alums - and they agree - that line alone kills the author's credibility.
That's it. Nothing more really happens in this book. The heroine was boring, and on top of that she doesn't make much of a transformation during the book.
Then there were the boring details about baby showers, and friends' weddings, and a gay friend, etc.
I should never judge a book by its cover - this said women's fiction to me. Turned out to be chick-lit light. And light fluff, is never good.
Oh, and my biggest pet peeve of this book are these lines from page 125 of the printed version: "Because Cornell boasted a top hotel and restaurant management school, the food there was excellent."
I went to Cornell, and it had the crappiest food of any college I've ever attended or visited. This line bothered me so much that I e-mailed several fellow alums - and they agree - that line alone kills the author's credibility.
August 5, 2017
I think I liked this book a lot more than I should have because I related so well to the protagonist--a 33-year-old lifestyle writer who feels she should like hard news more than she does and who, to the detriment of her self-esteem, looks years younger than she is. When she agrees, against better judgement, to go under cover as a college freshman to root out a possible prostitution ring at a New England college, she realizes how very young she feels in her ill-fitting adult life.
It was fun going back to school with Kathy. The book really shines during those campus scenes. But I found myself getting bored with the story whenever she leaves campus. She feels most at ease at school, where she can pretend she doesn't have to be an adult.
Once I hit the second half of the book, I couldn't put it down. The end was a little drawn out, I thought, but otherwise a fun book with a good lesson in the end.
It was fun going back to school with Kathy. The book really shines during those campus scenes. But I found myself getting bored with the story whenever she leaves campus. She feels most at ease at school, where she can pretend she doesn't have to be an adult.
Once I hit the second half of the book, I couldn't put it down. The end was a little drawn out, I thought, but otherwise a fun book with a good lesson in the end.
January 28, 2009
Although she’s in her early thirties, Kathy’s youthful appearance frequently gets her carded—this annoys her but not nearly as much as her current journalistic assignment—pretending to be a college freshman. She’s supposed to be undercover to investigate rumors of a secret prostitution ring—as it turns out though, she ends up discovering much more about herself. Okay coming-of-age tale for thirtysomethings.
May 12, 2009
I just have to say this book was hysterical. Part Bridget Jones, part books like authors such as Jane Green and it takes place in Massachusetts. I highly recommend it. The main character is a writer who goes undercover as a college Freshman to investigate a prostitution ring at a Western Mass college. Trust me when I say it is a relaxing, easy read. I finished it in two days and went out to get another one of her books. =)
June 22, 2010
I enjoyed it, but at times either Kathy and Tim were incredibly stupid or the author forgot what she had written. Example: Tim knew that Kathy was going by Katie early on as evidenced by phone calls to the dorm and her email to him. So when Tim called her Kathy at the performance, why did he get all pissy with her for not telling him about her name change? And why did she act like yes, it was her fault?
June 30, 2011
I liked this book okay. I would probably give it a 2.5 because at times I got a little bored with it and almost stopped reading it a few times. Kathy annoyed me sometimes with her pining after Tim for most of the book but I did really like the Dennis and Jeremy characters. I do wish we would have gotten more of an ending. I thought it just kind of dropped off and didn't really have much closure but it was an entertaining enough read for a chick-lit book.
January 1, 2009
This was another that I expected more from. I think I'm attracted to a bright cover and expect those words inside to leap equally from the pages. And while this tale of a woman revisiting her youth through an undercover romp with prostitution in the liberal arts college was fun, it just felt awfully predictable. Have I read this before? I'm sure this was the first time. You get the feeling.
September 3, 2008
This was a fluffy "chick-lit" type I picked up at the library for $1. It was a light read--or should I say "lite." It's a great concept: if you could go back and relive your college days, what would you do differently. The author wasn't hugely innovative in her choices, but it was a decent evening read.
April 2, 2011
I liked this book but I didn't love it. The main character I felt need to grow a back bone and she does but not till the end. The plot was very interesting and I honestly didn't know who the ring leader was till it was reveled. I just felt like it (the plot) was missing something. I don't know what, just something.
January 28, 2013
This was a good option in the "chick lit" genre. Very light reading that kept me engaged. I like that things didn't end up the way you think they would - I hate predictable books. The action kind of sped up in the end, kind of like the author was trying to wrap things up quickly. But that didn't negatively affect the story.
March 8, 2013
I have mixed feelings about this one. At first it is soo slow, and I thought that the situations could have been way more funny. But at the end it becomes more fun and has some interesting twists that caught me off guard. So I would give it a 3.5 I don't know if it worth a re-read but it was nice that at the end it got better.
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