What a Girl Wants: An Ashley Stockingdale Novel

Ashley Stockingdale #1

by Kristin Billerbeck

Ever felt like the last item left on the clearance rack?

As a successful patent attorney, Ashley Stockingdale has all the makings of a perfect catch: the looks, the brains, even a convertible. But at 31, she's beginning to wonder if she's been passed over for good.

Deciding to adopt a new attitude, Ashley suddenly becomes the romantic interest of three men within a matter of days. While her heart enjoys turning the tables on the dating game, the rest of her previously predictable world is being turned upside down. Is it more than Ashley can handle? Or is it exactly what she wants?

Award-wining author Kristin Billerbeck combines comedy with spunk to create a memorable story in What a Girl Wants—an all-too-realistic picture of a single girl's search for being content with who she is . . . with or without a man.

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

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2003

About the author

About Kristin
I grew up with a strong sense of justice. I simply knew the way things should be. And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist. My childhood was slightly confusing. I blame my parents for this. Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything. I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.
the billerbeck's

Okay, probably not. I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage. My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right. How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly – all the things a proper young girl should know to be a contributing member of society. I, however, failed miserably. For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet! That is eternal optimism!

My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life. The indulgent life. How to eat, shop and be merry. My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction). My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones. Tastefully, of course. I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.

I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in “What a Girl Wants”. He is German. Practical. And a Contributing Member of Society. I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes & handbags.

Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them. The circle of life. Dysfunctional family style.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale ist 31 Jahre alt und Patentanwältin in Silicon Valley/Kalifornien. Sie ist verzweifelt auf der Suche nach ihrem Mann fürs Leben und kann ihn doch nicht finden. Doch vielleicht liegt das Glück manchmal direkt vor einem, und man sieht es nur einfach nicht!?

Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich lese sehr gerne hin und wieder leichte und lockere Literatur, bei der man nicht großartig nachdenken muss, sondern sich einfach in die Geschichte fallen und treiben lassen kann. Genau so ein Buch ist "Liebes Leben".
Trotzdem konnte mich der Roman leider nicht ganz überzeugen. Es ist eigentlich ein typischer Chick-Lit-Roman, aber die Hauptprotagonistin Ashley ist mir mit ihrer oberflächlichen Art zu oft auf die Nerven gegangen. Dabei mochte ich sie eigentlich. Nur manchmal konnte ich ihre Handlungen und Gedanken einfach nicht mehr nachvollziehen.
Einige Passagen habe ich als langweilig empfunden, aber im Großen und Ganzen ist der Roman dann doch recht unterhaltsam.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book b/c the character sounded like me, 31 year old single attorney wondering why she is single. Only after I bought it did I realize it was Christian Chick Lit. I never even knew there was such. I totally related to this character and therefore routed for her. I could not put this book down.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I'm not the target audience for this book...but I still enjoyed it!

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick light read, but it didn't make enough sense story wise for me to really connect to it. Way inconsistent with the characters versus what we are being told to think of them. Brea's the best friend ever- except she's flaky and totally attached to the new husband that Ashley can barely talk to. We are told how boring Seth is but then Ashley is randomly attracted to him and even after they kiss, totally bored by him herself. Brea tells us there was history between Ashley and Seth but Ashley herself doesn't even remember it, let alone give it any meaning. I would have sooner believed they had just met than that she and Seth were really friends at all before the book.
Ashley seems to act like she's broke but actually has plenty of money she goes shopping with. She worries about being too materialistic and then totally judges Kevin for his sad Datsun date car. I was getting frustrated with her vacillating daydreams and I do not understand the beach scene with Seth. Seriously? He finds her, kisses her, she acknowledges the emotions and then he says he's moving to Arizona and she lets him leave - he's made his decision and she's made hers. What decision? Who cares.

[Nicole Burgon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book relies way too much on stereotypes and predictable plot lines. An entertaining, fun, chick lit, 2000s rom com vibe though

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Christian chick-lit love triangle story about a 30 year old, successful woman trying to find romance. However, the "best" man did not win. One thing I like to do when I read these types of books is put myself in their shoes. That way I become emotionally involved with the characters. Ashley, the main character, has to choose between Seth, a long term friend who she crushed on for years and Kevin, who dated a friend of hers and that she later bumped into and they went out on a date.

I found her love interest, Seth, to be rude, mean and boring. I mean how many times can someone watch "The Matrix"? Even the way the author described Seth made him seem unattractive. Seriously, I'm reading to escape reality here . . . make the guy attractive! Then there was Ashley's other possible love interest, Kevin, who, she herself described as "the perfect gentlemen". He was charming, sweet, attentive, fun, etc. He even went so far as to bail her out of jail (He should be nominated for the "Whatta Guy Award.") I mean all in all Seth was there for her too but in an awkward sort of way . . . In the scenes where Seth is trying to be romantic, he fell waaaay short. I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or his attempt at romance was lame.

In the end Ashley and Seth are at her brother's wedding where he tells her he would like to have a relationship. In front of her family they start hooking up. Tacky... especially for a Christian. Now this is what really gets me. The reason she doesn't pick Kevin is because Kevin is not a practicing Christian. Give a guy a chance . . . Kevin did begin to embrace the faith and started to practice.

On the plus side, this book was a quick, easy read with just enough description to visualize what was happening with out being over bearing. I could easily sit down for a longer period of time with this book. It was a good airport read, which is where I got most of it done.

I hope in the next book of this series Ashley comes to her senses and Kevin gets resurrected.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in the Ashley Stockingdale series is a book that will resonate with many single Christian women who are trying to have a career, keep their faith, and have a relationship. This book certainly falls into the chick-lit genre and therefore should not be taken too seriously, but the characters do develop over time and display flaws of character that make them relatable. Ashley is a patent attorney who is looking for love, but can never seem to get it with the right guy at the right time. Seth, the guy she has had a crush on for a long time, can't seem to commit to a relationship with her and Kevin, the interested new guy, isn't a Christian. In the midst of a series of dramatic life changes, Ashley has to figure out what direction she wants to take with her life.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book by accident and ended up loving it- although I would definitely categorize it as ChickLit (with a Christian theme). The characters in all three of this series are great and I think they are wonderful beach/bathtub reads.

[Loraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

After 5 chapters, I quit reading. I didn't care for the feel of this book and found that some of the talk and thoughts of the main character were not to my liking considering she called herself a Christian.

[V · Rating 1 out of 5]

I apologize for this review, I normally only review when I have something nice to say, but I despise this book so much I had to get it out.

I’ve seen people relating this book to The Shopaholic series, and due to that being one of my favourite series’ of all time, let me assure you, this book is light years away from it.

As a non Christian, I don’t spend a lot of my time reading Christian lit books, however I have read a few, and this book embodies the worst qualities of christians. The main character, Ashley is sexist, a little racist and seriously frivolous in the worst way.

I raced to finish this book just so I could stop living in Ashley’s world. Please, I implore you, read a different book.

[Martha Wewer]

That's right, "0" stars. Hated it. Thought I could relate because I am an attorney, born and raised in CA. Nope. Hated it. It wasn't just the Christian angle - which BTW, ANNOYS me when a contemporary writer does that (need an example? Try Brea's miscarriage and Ashley says, "God had other plans for this baby..." Oh. My. God. Seriously? Who says that?) - I thought the writing was really bad, the dialogue read like a bad after school special and in general, the main character was hard for me to identify with...Don't bother.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Ashley is an over thirty patent attorney that feels like her season has past and is hoping she isn't single forever. Then she has more than one man interested in her at once and she must find what God's will is for her life. It is easy to relate to Ashley. She has to learn to balance her relationships, friendships, her demanding job and her faith all at the same time.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! The main character is very funny and likeable. Although there is alot of christian references and that could make it really sappy, it really isn't. Perfect beach/summer light reading.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! This is written by a Christian author who did a wonderful job of telling what most single girls want and how they feel! It was funny and inspirational at the same time.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hysterical! I felt like I was reading a funnier version of my own life. I very rarely laugh at loud reading a book, but I did several times with this series.

[Mcdaniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun summer read! Just what I needed...pretty hilarious and true.

[Rizwana Rajgara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A single, successful girl by the name Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale lives in the Silicon Valley area, CA. She constantly struggles with her life being meaningful or not, long, tiring work hours, and being in and out of romance. She suddenly has two guys interested in her and she has to decide the inevitable - who is her Prince Charming?
This book reminded me of The Diary of Bridget Jones except the location is different and the guys are mostly engineers, it being Silicon Valley.

Regular Chick Lit, but you could skip this one.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was always wishing for more character development. Ashley left me annoyed and frustrated for most of the book. My mom suggested I read these books because they were funny and though I must have enjoyed reading them enough to finish the series I was disappointed. Even though Ashley was supposed to be relatable I found myself reflecting to see if took any similar actions and attitudes as here because I would definitely need a heart change.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book - kept me entertained, even laughed out loud a few times, but I can't give it a higher rating due to the repeated nerd stereotypes (too overdone) and the constant Christian reminders. I get that she's a Christian and wants to marry a Christian, but you don't have to tell me that on every page... I understood it the first time.

[Ann Barndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable look at a single girl living in Silicon Valley. I've worked in high tech in San Jose, dated engineers, and attended many a bible study, so I could really relate to the main character. All of the characters felt very real and the many twists and turns captured my full attention. I couldn't put it down!

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay Story

What A Girl Wants by Kristin Billerbeck is a story I really wanted to like. I was excited with the story topic and especially excited by the location which happens to be my home. I was extremely disappointed with the portrayal of the Silicon Valley and found it to be the opposite of everything I know to be true. It was really hard to read.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars! it was okay. reads like an early 2000s romcom, which is cute, but the main character’s constant inner dialogue was like 90% complaining until the very end when the big lesson she learns is basically just “be happy,” which she realizes in her fancy convertible, burberry scarf, and jimmy choo heels.

[Cindyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, and I definitely feel like the attributes on singleness over thirty resonates with my current situation. As said in the end of this book, "What a girl wants is God's will for her life." He knows the plan and the timing, so live like it.

[Michelle L. E. Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet!

Haven’t really read much Christian romance, but this was very cute! Our heroine is far from perfect, and that actually makes the book - she’s funny, and a bit of a mental mess. It’s quite endearing.

[Gwen Hight · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Girl Wants

She is a patent lawyer but her job is running her ragged and then she leaves her apartment and the mover steals every thing and then the man she wants also wants her

[Alaina Zachmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an identifiable character and the story is written in an engaging way. The story moves along at a good pace; even if the main characters action are frustrating at times.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story and found myself giggling out loud and even feeling the swell of emotion multiple times.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up What A Girl Wants to read again. It’s been a long time. I smiled the entire time. The lighthearted voice and quick with are a lot of fun. Kristin Billerbeck made the push and pull Ashley felt come alive.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was was cute, light hearted and made me laugh out loud on many occasions. It was enjoyable to read, and the characters were interesting

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, not great but still a fun read. It was a little too predictable. Not sure I like Ashley with Seth or the good doctor. We'll see what happens in the next book.

[Adél Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series from the start. My life in a book.