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Jennifer Johnson #1
Jennifer Johnson Is Sick of Being Single
A wicked comedy about the perils of making your dreams come true
Quirky, clever, cubicle-bound Jennifer Johnson is desperate. Everyone around her is getting married, while she's still single and stuck writing ad copy about men's dress socks.
Her life hits crisis level, launching her into a humiliating and painfully hilarious quest to find Prince Charming at any cost. This includes agonizing online dates, diet-clinic cults, drag-queen fights, and a debilitating addiction to Cinnabon icing. When she meets handsome, wealthy Brad Keller, she wonders if he's the answer to all her dreams, or is he just too good to be true?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2009
49 people are currently reading
638 people want to read
About the author
Heather McElhatton
5 books110 followersHeather McElhatton is an independent producer for Minnesota Public Radio and Public Radio International. Her commentaries and stories are heard regularly nationwide on This American Life, Marketplace, Weekend America, Sound Money, and The Savvy Traveler, and she hosts the live radio show called Stage Sessions. She will soon be appearing with Ira Glass on the television version of This American Life. (from the publisher's website)"
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November 30, 2012This book is awful, the character is awful and doesn't improve and there is no plot to speak of
September 21, 2009
Do not read this book.
May 10, 2009
This book was like becoming able to scratch that one spot on your back that was always out of reach - very satisfying despite the relatively inappropriate method used.
The review had set it up for me incorrectly though. It wasn’t that her tone changed towards the end, in fact it stayed perfectly consistent: brutally T.M.I.-ly honest. The sort of honest where it makes the tell-ing one feel better, and the listener feel possible worse. Because you really didn’t want to know those sorts of things, which range from superfluously excessive food-messiness to body smells and sounds to hysterically crude sexual references (for some, completely over-the-top I’d imagine), to biting class and other social human misbehaviors and eccentricities and religion and all that; all delivered with a clever deadpan wit that somehow brings us to the other side of the deeply plunging colorfully strobe-light-blinking abyss. With Heather as our guide, we do want to know all she tells us, and it feels great at the end -because- we know and because psychological slapstick can be as funny as physical and (likely most of all) because it wasn’t our life.
Heather’s writing style is impactful, constantly lobbing excrutiating moments at you (the reader) that take your breath away with how awful they are. And the way each episode is structured is like a multi-part firecracker. It starts with one single ingrediant. If you’ve caught on by this point, you’ll create images and arcs around what could happen based on that element. Then, she throws in two or three more. Then, she takes your story arc, bends it into some Escher creation, and the outcome is so -amazingly- much worse than you first thought of. It’s really mind-blowing, since it’s all relatively firmly anchored in the kind of mundane day-to-day real life aspects we all experience. Then it ends and the coast is clear until the next outbreak moments later of some other unadulterated catastrophe. Best of all, unlike shock-for-its-own-sake, Heather’s writing has a purpose and leads towards a great (albeit tragic) conclusion.
Excuse me a moment. Heather? Are you there? Listen, if you take reader requests, could you PLEASE write a sequel? Or a hundred sequels? I’m relatively fixated on the various potentials involved in what might happen … Next. Oh, god, I shudder to think, to an extent. But would really love to know. Of course, I’ll read anything you write at this point, starting with your previous book. But thought I’d put in my vote - a sequel would be awesome! Some things I was thinking about - insidious rebellion, maintaining meaningful ties despite certain bonds, and all the other parts of how she does do it (all the rest that lies ahead).. Since they only care about appearances after all, seems it would leave Jennifer with worlds of opportunity.
Ok, I’m back. So, here’s the story (in addition to what’s in the official review): Jennifer Johnson is the least prissy women either side of the Mississippi, and you’d better follow her example if you follow this invitation into her world. She has seen and experienced a lot, and processes it all with the jaundiced eye and crudely accurate and complete conversations with herself and her friends. Her closest friend, Christopher, is the ultimate gay bee, always true to her and their friendship. His partner Jeremy is sweet and well-meaning, but needs to read expiration dates more closely. Her work mate, Ted, has let himself blend in to the environment too much, and doesn’t rise above until really too late. Jennifer’s family is a cacophony of friction and distress but nonetheless, she is true to them when push comes to shove. Brad Keller? Oh, that’s Prince Charming. You know, like in the fairy tale. The fairy tale where the one-dimensional (and, to review, that one dimension is beauty of a thinness variety, certainly) girl finds her Prince Charming and lives happily ever after. This book is about that, only different. Much, much different: it’s a rework you could say, a customization to fit the modern day; or to fit as much as possible anyway.
One lesson I came away from this book with: there are two kinds of people in your life. Those who care and will become uncomfortable for you if it helps solve a problem or ease a pain, and those who are oblivious. And important distinction.
So this book, in reworking Prince Charming, is split into sections: find him, hunt him, nail him down. Your reaction to that? If you don’t think this book is for you, you’re probably right. Oh and by the way, this book has both women and men in it, and I’m sure there are men out there for whom reading this book would not cause any permanent damage. And I’d love to read the reactions of such men afterwards. I really think some would like it as much as I do, since they’re alive as well and everything.
Moments I loved (not in order):
The dog eating what it shouldn’t have thing
her dating profile-to-English translation phrasebook
how much it is true that saying “atleast life can’t get any worse” is always a bad idea
the clarity around the wrongness of the word ‘nuptial’
the employee team-building exercise
the muffin scene
the list of first date do’s and don’ts
the wedding Jennifer shouldn’t have tried to go to
the heavy-partying pity elf
the scene with Jennifer breaking up with Brad, especially the third person also there
Jennifer’s doll house catharsis activities
the Heart Bears thing
the green fluid explosion
the skeweringly accurate capture of the flavor of discourse about women ‘losing a little weight’
the firemen scene, which was part of an action that I feel really did move Jennifer forward, no matter how messy it got. It just simply was useful for her, despite all that.
and so many more
Personal gain: the insight into the choices I have in the workplace to try and work up from least useful to most useful emotions, the healing aspects of curiosity, and the power of ‘chunking-it-down.’ Wow!
So, all that is my attempt to help you self-select whether you’re right for this book or not. If you are, read at your next opportunity, you will be glad you did. If not, please don’t!
Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single
The review had set it up for me incorrectly though. It wasn’t that her tone changed towards the end, in fact it stayed perfectly consistent: brutally T.M.I.-ly honest. The sort of honest where it makes the tell-ing one feel better, and the listener feel possible worse. Because you really didn’t want to know those sorts of things, which range from superfluously excessive food-messiness to body smells and sounds to hysterically crude sexual references (for some, completely over-the-top I’d imagine), to biting class and other social human misbehaviors and eccentricities and religion and all that; all delivered with a clever deadpan wit that somehow brings us to the other side of the deeply plunging colorfully strobe-light-blinking abyss. With Heather as our guide, we do want to know all she tells us, and it feels great at the end -because- we know and because psychological slapstick can be as funny as physical and (likely most of all) because it wasn’t our life.
Heather’s writing style is impactful, constantly lobbing excrutiating moments at you (the reader) that take your breath away with how awful they are. And the way each episode is structured is like a multi-part firecracker. It starts with one single ingrediant. If you’ve caught on by this point, you’ll create images and arcs around what could happen based on that element. Then, she throws in two or three more. Then, she takes your story arc, bends it into some Escher creation, and the outcome is so -amazingly- much worse than you first thought of. It’s really mind-blowing, since it’s all relatively firmly anchored in the kind of mundane day-to-day real life aspects we all experience. Then it ends and the coast is clear until the next outbreak moments later of some other unadulterated catastrophe. Best of all, unlike shock-for-its-own-sake, Heather’s writing has a purpose and leads towards a great (albeit tragic) conclusion.
Excuse me a moment. Heather? Are you there? Listen, if you take reader requests, could you PLEASE write a sequel? Or a hundred sequels? I’m relatively fixated on the various potentials involved in what might happen … Next. Oh, god, I shudder to think, to an extent. But would really love to know. Of course, I’ll read anything you write at this point, starting with your previous book. But thought I’d put in my vote - a sequel would be awesome! Some things I was thinking about - insidious rebellion, maintaining meaningful ties despite certain bonds, and all the other parts of how she does do it (all the rest that lies ahead).. Since they only care about appearances after all, seems it would leave Jennifer with worlds of opportunity.
Ok, I’m back. So, here’s the story (in addition to what’s in the official review): Jennifer Johnson is the least prissy women either side of the Mississippi, and you’d better follow her example if you follow this invitation into her world. She has seen and experienced a lot, and processes it all with the jaundiced eye and crudely accurate and complete conversations with herself and her friends. Her closest friend, Christopher, is the ultimate gay bee, always true to her and their friendship. His partner Jeremy is sweet and well-meaning, but needs to read expiration dates more closely. Her work mate, Ted, has let himself blend in to the environment too much, and doesn’t rise above until really too late. Jennifer’s family is a cacophony of friction and distress but nonetheless, she is true to them when push comes to shove. Brad Keller? Oh, that’s Prince Charming. You know, like in the fairy tale. The fairy tale where the one-dimensional (and, to review, that one dimension is beauty of a thinness variety, certainly) girl finds her Prince Charming and lives happily ever after. This book is about that, only different. Much, much different: it’s a rework you could say, a customization to fit the modern day; or to fit as much as possible anyway.
One lesson I came away from this book with: there are two kinds of people in your life. Those who care and will become uncomfortable for you if it helps solve a problem or ease a pain, and those who are oblivious. And important distinction.
So this book, in reworking Prince Charming, is split into sections: find him, hunt him, nail him down. Your reaction to that? If you don’t think this book is for you, you’re probably right. Oh and by the way, this book has both women and men in it, and I’m sure there are men out there for whom reading this book would not cause any permanent damage. And I’d love to read the reactions of such men afterwards. I really think some would like it as much as I do, since they’re alive as well and everything.
Moments I loved (not in order):
The dog eating what it shouldn’t have thing
her dating profile-to-English translation phrasebook
how much it is true that saying “atleast life can’t get any worse” is always a bad idea
the clarity around the wrongness of the word ‘nuptial’
the employee team-building exercise
the muffin scene
the list of first date do’s and don’ts
the wedding Jennifer shouldn’t have tried to go to
the heavy-partying pity elf
the scene with Jennifer breaking up with Brad, especially the third person also there
Jennifer’s doll house catharsis activities
the Heart Bears thing
the green fluid explosion
the skeweringly accurate capture of the flavor of discourse about women ‘losing a little weight’
the firemen scene, which was part of an action that I feel really did move Jennifer forward, no matter how messy it got. It just simply was useful for her, despite all that.
and so many more
Personal gain: the insight into the choices I have in the workplace to try and work up from least useful to most useful emotions, the healing aspects of curiosity, and the power of ‘chunking-it-down.’ Wow!
So, all that is my attempt to help you self-select whether you’re right for this book or not. If you are, read at your next opportunity, you will be glad you did. If not, please don’t!
Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single
May 2, 2011
Within two paragraphs I knew why Jennifer was single... she's a hallow moron! Everything she complains about men doing to her, she does to everyone around her. She is shallow and acts like a child often, she treats people like crap even her own family. Jen talks crap in her head, and says nothing of importance outloud. Parts were funny I'll give it that, but over all is was crude and over the top. I'm all for being spunky and having bite, but her personalilty is just awful. No wonder she is single, should stay that way too. End up an old maid, alone, without a single cat. She deserves it. I hated this book, I read 3/4 of it and then skipped through it.
May 29, 2009
Finally, a truly honest book about what it is like to be single, date, love, and make mistakes. I loved this book from start to finish. Well, the finish isn't exactly what you would expect...it isn't your typical predictable, sappy, everybody wins, ride off into the sunset, this is REAL life, RIGHT?! I could not put this book down. I can now say that I have finally read a book that made me laugh on every page! Heather McElhatton did an amazing job telling a honest story with humor and details that must people would shy away from! I would recommend this book to anyone that needs a good laugh and wants a great read. And trust me; you don't have to be a single lady to enjoy this book!
January 30, 2012
jennifer johnson is sick of being single was recommended to me by one of the employees at B&N when I told her that I was going to be going away for the long weekend (Labor Day) and I wanted something light and fluffy to take with me. She recommended this book mostly because I told her I like chick lit, but also because it is written by a local Twin Cities author and it's really fun to read a book and recognize all the localities.
Basically, it's a book about a slightly overweight white-collar girl with tense relationships with family members who meets a guy. Is he the right one for her? How many times can she a make a fool of herself in front of him?
The book is exactly as advertised in its light, fluffy nature. Some of the dialogue is particularly witty and I found myself picturing Rory and Lorelei-like repartee as I read it. (That may have something to do with the number of hours I've been watching season one of Gilmore Girls since I received it as a birthday present.) I laughed out loud, much to my husband's amusement. I want the main character's best gay friend to be my best gay friend. I loved the local references more than I thought I would.
However, it isn't a smash hit for me. The main character is self-absorbed, juvenile, and, frankly, unlikeable. I'm sure some might ding me for this and say that she is just portrayed in an honest manner and perhaps that is true, but I expect bigger things out of my heroine. If I just wanted to read about a neurotic, pissy, narcissistic young professional in Minneapolis, I'd scroll through my own blog archives. I want my heroine to make me want to be like her, to be better than I am, to learn from her. This book provided laughs, but it didn't provide me with the self-reflection I want from my fluffy chick lit.
Plus, the ending? I had to reread it like four times to make sure there wasn't a page missing from my copy. Abrupt and incomplete is how it read for me.
So, there you have it. A solid 3 out of 5 stars. The book has its moments and is definitely worth a read, but I'm pretty sure I won't be giving it a permanent place in my limited bookshelf space.
Basically, it's a book about a slightly overweight white-collar girl with tense relationships with family members who meets a guy. Is he the right one for her? How many times can she a make a fool of herself in front of him?
The book is exactly as advertised in its light, fluffy nature. Some of the dialogue is particularly witty and I found myself picturing Rory and Lorelei-like repartee as I read it. (That may have something to do with the number of hours I've been watching season one of Gilmore Girls since I received it as a birthday present.) I laughed out loud, much to my husband's amusement. I want the main character's best gay friend to be my best gay friend. I loved the local references more than I thought I would.
However, it isn't a smash hit for me. The main character is self-absorbed, juvenile, and, frankly, unlikeable. I'm sure some might ding me for this and say that she is just portrayed in an honest manner and perhaps that is true, but I expect bigger things out of my heroine. If I just wanted to read about a neurotic, pissy, narcissistic young professional in Minneapolis, I'd scroll through my own blog archives. I want my heroine to make me want to be like her, to be better than I am, to learn from her. This book provided laughs, but it didn't provide me with the self-reflection I want from my fluffy chick lit.
Plus, the ending? I had to reread it like four times to make sure there wasn't a page missing from my copy. Abrupt and incomplete is how it read for me.
So, there you have it. A solid 3 out of 5 stars. The book has its moments and is definitely worth a read, but I'm pretty sure I won't be giving it a permanent place in my limited bookshelf space.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2010
This book was hilarious and had me guffawing and reading excerpts aloud. It was as if my funniest girlfriends teamed up and wrote it. I would have given this book 4 stars had it not been for the super crappy ending. The HUGE downer of this book is that she completely gives up who she is to be with "Prince Charming". It was so hard for me to believe she'd go through with the wedding after her fiance comes home from his bachelor party after being arrested with a prostitute. Which she is told by his overbearing and ridiculous mother-in-law as being "part of the sacrifice" she'll have to make to marry a man who will "someday be powerful". When her funny co-worker Ted professes his love for her and rattles off a list of the things he loves about her - the things that really make her who she is, she still goes through with the wedding to the magnificent turd that is her fiancee. I couldn't believe it! I was sure she'd wake up, the ceremony having been a nightmare, and she'd call it off! I am truly hoping there will be a sequel in which she reclaims herself, realizes that she is a wonderful person AS SHE IS and doesn't need to stop visiting the Cinnabon counter or collecting oddball plastic toys via eBay.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2009
Here's the thing about authors "playing" with grammar or sentence structure or literary conventions . . . you have to actually have talent (which McElhatton does), and you have to be laying the groundwork for these things throughout the entire novel (which she doesn't). This book was actually quite good. It was very funny. There were enjoyable characters that I felt I knew and cared about. The situations were appropriately wacky and entertaining. It was good chick lit and I was enjoying it. But then the ending RUINED the entire book for me!! Ruined it!!! Because unless you've been laying the groundwork all along, your "surprise" ending isn't "truthful" or "clever" or "smart!" It's just a betrayal to the characters and a slap in the face to your readers and IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!!!!
November 30, 2015
This is the most terrifying book that I've ever read, and I mean that. Jennifer Johnson is the epitome of "be careful what you wish for", and I loved it for all of its wicked darkness. I think every single human being on earth should read this - single, dating, married, divorced, what have you - because we all spend our lives looking jealously over the fence into the neighbor's yard when we really should be enjoying what we already have. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!
I was initially shocked at how low the rating is here, but I get it: people NEED happy endings. This isn't one, and I'm SO glad that McElhatton had the guts to not tie this one up tidily. Such an important lesson, and a hilariously written one at that.
I can't wait to read the sequel.
I was initially shocked at how low the rating is here, but I get it: people NEED happy endings. This isn't one, and I'm SO glad that McElhatton had the guts to not tie this one up tidily. Such an important lesson, and a hilariously written one at that.
I can't wait to read the sequel.
August 8, 2009
This book is laugh out loud hilarious for all but the very end...but in a dark, sad but true kind of way. It really says a lot about the pressures that women feel but also put on themselves to 'find the one' and get married. The narrator is just so funny and gets herself into great situations that make Bridget Jones look super tame. But, by the end of the book things take a sort of serious and sad turn and you find yourself looking for the happy ending...but there's not one, even though Jennifer Johnson gets what she's been looking for. Really does make you think..no matter what side of the relationship fence you are on.
May 21, 2009
If I wanted to read a novel about casually terrible people who do casually terrible things, I'd read Less Than Zero again. Funny at times, but ultimately lazy. I have the frustrating feeling that McElhatton can do much better.
June 21, 2009
The writing wasn't that good and the story line was only okay. The ending was meant to be ironic, but was so unsatisfactory in it's content and the way it was written. I gave it 2 stars only because I did read every word, but honestly, don't waste your time.
April 20, 2019
I’m embarrassed that at times I found this book funny. I’m embarrassed that at times I compared this book to Bridget Jones. For those times I gave this book 2 stars. First instinct was 1 star. Crude in places that didn’t really need to be crude. Mean where it didn’t need to be mean. The heroine had no redeeming qualities. She wasn’t nice. She didn’t learn anything. I never liked her! Sometimes, in some books, it’s okay for me to hate the main character. The author has written so well that I love to hate. Not so in this case. And just when you think the heroine has learned something at the end...NO, she’s just a bitch like all the rest. Disappointing.
February 4, 2010
I have to be honest, I really didn't like this book. REALLY didn't like this book. As a single woman, who doesn't feel that she is in as much angst about her singleness as some think she should, this book had me scratching my head at times. The writing is quite witty, with funny one liners, and scenes of gobbling up sugary-sweet treats in an empty stairwell at work (out of anxiety), that had me laughing; however, I didn't relate to Jennifer's panic over the "who and what" questions in her life. It seemed to me that she was a Bridget Jones-ish character, meant to show us that what we want, may not be exactly what is best for us. This, however, is pretty much only revealed in the last few chapters of the book, ending in a way that is an unhappy resolution. But wait...you're supposed to be happy that ended in a tragic sort of sadness, right? Yes, I realize that was the point. That was okay, and I got it, but I also realized that the main character really was a reflection of any and all single women who feel they "have to" be married, and to someone of status, to be a complete person.
Altogether, I thought the book was well written, but didn't end up liking the main character, nor her choices. I suppose that added up to me not liking how the book ended. Does that mean it's not a good book, no, just that its delivery and outcome are meant to drive home a point, a very anti-"chick-lit" or happy ending sort of point. That's okay, but just left me a bit frustrated. I would have preferred to have seen what she did with her not so happy ending. One thing that ending did for me though, was to ensure that I'd embrace my single status, and not as a badge of shame!
Altogether, I thought the book was well written, but didn't end up liking the main character, nor her choices. I suppose that added up to me not liking how the book ended. Does that mean it's not a good book, no, just that its delivery and outcome are meant to drive home a point, a very anti-"chick-lit" or happy ending sort of point. That's okay, but just left me a bit frustrated. I would have preferred to have seen what she did with her not so happy ending. One thing that ending did for me though, was to ensure that I'd embrace my single status, and not as a badge of shame!
August 13, 2011
Hmmm. What to say about this without giving it away?
Very, very funny in places, laugh out loud in places. And yet a deeper, sadder book than you might expect at first glance. Not necessarily a light read.
I found the main character's struggle with self-loathing a bit much too handle, though really that was the point of the book, it's a coming of age tale, she's trying to grow up, be 'mature'. (Part of what's really interesting in this book is that it presents different definition of what 'maturity' and 'success' look like. Part of the quandary is that Jennifer must pick one...the questions is, which one will she pick, and it is truly the right road for her?)
This book looks at aspirations of romance and also of class. A very, very interesting book, one that would be good for discussion. Thought provoking.
Part comedy, part tragedy. And a cautionary tale. Be careful what you wish for....and also, is this was you REALLY want? And also, don't lose sight of who you really are...
Well written. A good book.
Very, very funny in places, laugh out loud in places. And yet a deeper, sadder book than you might expect at first glance. Not necessarily a light read.
I found the main character's struggle with self-loathing a bit much too handle, though really that was the point of the book, it's a coming of age tale, she's trying to grow up, be 'mature'. (Part of what's really interesting in this book is that it presents different definition of what 'maturity' and 'success' look like. Part of the quandary is that Jennifer must pick one...the questions is, which one will she pick, and it is truly the right road for her?)
This book looks at aspirations of romance and also of class. A very, very interesting book, one that would be good for discussion. Thought provoking.
Part comedy, part tragedy. And a cautionary tale. Be careful what you wish for....and also, is this was you REALLY want? And also, don't lose sight of who you really are...
Well written. A good book.
January 22, 2013
Wow I was not expecting that ending. I assumed from the start that she would end up with Ted. But maybe she couldn't give up on her dream. I guess Brad was everything she dreamed of on paper. It kind of breaks my heart though that Ted even got the cat for her. On the other hand I'm kind of glad the book didn't have a predictable ending.
This book really reminded me of Bridget Jones' Diary, right down to Ted saying to Jen that she was perfect the way she was. Of course Bridget doesn't end up marrying Daniel so that was a big departure. The humour was similar though. I found myself laughing out loud a lot until Jen got into the relationship with Brad. That was just depressing to see how emotionally unstable she became and how awful their relationship was except that she had everything money could buy. It especially frustrated me that she couldn't have the wedding she wanted. And it was unthinkable that she could stay with him after the hooker incident. But I liked that the story didn't have a typical ending. Although maybe in the sequel she'll leave Brad for Ted....
This book really reminded me of Bridget Jones' Diary, right down to Ted saying to Jen that she was perfect the way she was. Of course Bridget doesn't end up marrying Daniel so that was a big departure. The humour was similar though. I found myself laughing out loud a lot until Jen got into the relationship with Brad. That was just depressing to see how emotionally unstable she became and how awful their relationship was except that she had everything money could buy. It especially frustrated me that she couldn't have the wedding she wanted. And it was unthinkable that she could stay with him after the hooker incident. But I liked that the story didn't have a typical ending. Although maybe in the sequel she'll leave Brad for Ted....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2013
Okay. I really enjoyed reading this book in the beginning; being single, there were a lot of relatable moments. Jennifer Johnson has the worst, hilarious bad luck, and I can definitely relate to that. That being said, towards the end of the book I grew to dislike her quite a bit, but I kept holding out, thinking she would come to her senses. I suppose the ending rings true to real life...if you are a complete and utter shallow person who wants to be miserable for the rest of your life. I absolutely hated the ending. I know not everything is a fairy tale but you would have to be a complete moron to make the choice she made. She had a job opportunity (her DREAM job) and a man who loved her staring her straight in the face and she chose to stick it out with "Prince Charming" who cheated on her and will continue to do so. His only redeeming quality was that he had money, if you can call that a qualifier. It was a very well written book and I laughed at a lot of it, but the ending left a stale taste in my mouth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2014
Oh my! This was some absolutely terrible chick lit, and not for the reasons that other negative reviews on Amazon I've seen cite. I read complaints about what an anti-feminist this protagonist was, and yes, that is true, but that's not what bugged me. I just wanted to be entertained, and if the character is offensive to my delicate feminist sensibilities, well, I don't really care (since it's not supposed to be a serious book!). No, my problem was that it was just not funny.
Is there any decent chick lit besides "Bridget Jones' Diary"? I know that makes me sound like a terrible snob, but really it all seems the same: career girl works in advertising, marketing, or PR, and is slightly overweight and trying to lose weight, tries to find a man, and is a klutz and constantly embarrasses herself in various ways. Lands the man, gets married. Paint-by-numbers. And really, it would be fine if the book followed that pattern but was funny or clever. This book was not. Just ridiculous, over-the-top situations that were supposed to be funny, but fell flat for me.
Is there any decent chick lit besides "Bridget Jones' Diary"? I know that makes me sound like a terrible snob, but really it all seems the same: career girl works in advertising, marketing, or PR, and is slightly overweight and trying to lose weight, tries to find a man, and is a klutz and constantly embarrasses herself in various ways. Lands the man, gets married. Paint-by-numbers. And really, it would be fine if the book followed that pattern but was funny or clever. This book was not. Just ridiculous, over-the-top situations that were supposed to be funny, but fell flat for me.
May 9, 2009
woooooooooooooo! A book that looks like chick lit, but is spicy and funnier than any book I've read this year.
It's a wicked comedy about the perils of making your dreams come true
Quirky, clever, cubicle-bound Jennifer Johnson is desperate. Everyone around her is getting married, while she's still single and stuck writing ad copy about men's dress socks.
Her life hits crisis level, launching her into a humiliating and painfully hilarious quest to find Prince Charming at any cost. This includes agonizing online dates, diet-clinic cults, drag-queen fights, and a debilitating addiction to Cinnabon icing. When she meets handsome, wealthy Brad Keller, she wonders if he's the answer to all her dreams, or is he just too good to be true?
Darkly funny and outrageously honest, McElhatton's wit shines in this no-holds-barred cautionary tale about getting what you want—and how it can be the worst thing for you.
It's a wicked comedy about the perils of making your dreams come true
Quirky, clever, cubicle-bound Jennifer Johnson is desperate. Everyone around her is getting married, while she's still single and stuck writing ad copy about men's dress socks.
Her life hits crisis level, launching her into a humiliating and painfully hilarious quest to find Prince Charming at any cost. This includes agonizing online dates, diet-clinic cults, drag-queen fights, and a debilitating addiction to Cinnabon icing. When she meets handsome, wealthy Brad Keller, she wonders if he's the answer to all her dreams, or is he just too good to be true?
Darkly funny and outrageously honest, McElhatton's wit shines in this no-holds-barred cautionary tale about getting what you want—and how it can be the worst thing for you.
October 10, 2009
I thought I would give it a try, since she is a Minneapolis author. Yes, it was fun seeing the restaurant Duplex, where my husband and I ate once, in print, but boy did the book suck. I'm sorry to be so inarticulate, but it really, really sucked.
The character was one dimensional and cutely destructive. Most of us would not get away with her behavior. At the end she supposedly gets what she wants, but finds out that it's a trap. At first it feels awful, but upon further reflection, I find that she got the fate she deserved.
The character was one dimensional and cutely destructive. Most of us would not get away with her behavior. At the end she supposedly gets what she wants, but finds out that it's a trap. At first it feels awful, but upon further reflection, I find that she got the fate she deserved.
May 13, 2012
This book was alright, the story was funny and witty at times and to me was typical Chick Lit, which isn't bad, I love chick it!
I really hated Jennifer at times! She could be so dumb!
But my real issue was the ending, which sounds lame, but it was just so abrupt. It made the book feel incomplete, and although I didn't agree with what happened, I would have at least liked a little bit of an explanation or a more in depth ending.
I honestly can't get this book out of my head because of how confused and upset I am at how this book ended, poor Jennifer Johnson!
I really hated Jennifer at times! She could be so dumb!
But my real issue was the ending, which sounds lame, but it was just so abrupt. It made the book feel incomplete, and although I didn't agree with what happened, I would have at least liked a little bit of an explanation or a more in depth ending.
I honestly can't get this book out of my head because of how confused and upset I am at how this book ended, poor Jennifer Johnson!
March 15, 2021
Everybody is so hateable
The protagonist is absolutely over-the-top vile, and there’s not many redeeming qualities to this book. The author has a good voice (when she’s not stereotyping gay men or calling things “retarded”), but no direction. I like books with a flawed, relatable heroine, but this one was so unnecessarily disgusting. Nobody needs to read about Day 2 period sex or a dog eating a used tampon the protagonist chucked on the ground.
The protagonist is absolutely over-the-top vile, and there’s not many redeeming qualities to this book. The author has a good voice (when she’s not stereotyping gay men or calling things “retarded”), but no direction. I like books with a flawed, relatable heroine, but this one was so unnecessarily disgusting. Nobody needs to read about Day 2 period sex or a dog eating a used tampon the protagonist chucked on the ground.
July 16, 2009
I rarely can bring myself to start a book and not finish it, but I absolutely couldn't stand this main character and this book was torture to read, so I had to stop. This one is getting sold back to Powell's and I'm getting something better.
March 8, 2013
Not going to write a review, but have to say one thing. Jennifer Johnson gets rid of her cat for a man. I don't think so!
April 10, 2014
I hate Jen. She's really a bitch
September 13, 2015
I'm not sure wtf happened here. I loved the book...up until the very end. Where the hell did that come from? Incredibly unsatisfying.
March 1, 2016
words fail me. if I had not been compelled to finish because of a friend's anti - recommendation (she cited it as amazingly bad), I would have this shelved on my I-gave-up-on-it space.
October 1, 2019
Went off track at the 2/3 mark
This is a silly chick lit book, beach read nonsense.. and it was perfect for reading during long baths when I want to tune out the world. There were parts, particularly in the middle section that made me laugh until I cried... then, it all changed. The protagonist was less funny and the ending unhappy.
I have to give the book 4 stars because it did make me laugh out loud... how many books do that? But, the last 1/3 of the book is a train wreck that jumps around like the author was drinking or the editor was a little too self-righteous.
By all means, read the book.. just speed read the last 1/3 or cut your losses after the second section... and whatever you do, don’t expect a happy ending.
This is a silly chick lit book, beach read nonsense.. and it was perfect for reading during long baths when I want to tune out the world. There were parts, particularly in the middle section that made me laugh until I cried... then, it all changed. The protagonist was less funny and the ending unhappy.
I have to give the book 4 stars because it did make me laugh out loud... how many books do that? But, the last 1/3 of the book is a train wreck that jumps around like the author was drinking or the editor was a little too self-righteous.
By all means, read the book.. just speed read the last 1/3 or cut your losses after the second section... and whatever you do, don’t expect a happy ending.
July 1, 2017
At several points in the book, the main character (Jennifer) frustrated me with her childishness and impatience, not to mention her mistreatment of some people---especially, her sister. She was self-centered in many ways and made every event all about her. Having said all of this, I very much enjoyed the book and found many parts humorous. I won't give away the ending or any spoilers, but as the book progressed, I enjoyed the story all the more for the details and insight into the human condition.
December 31, 2023
Definitely not for everyone, but I loved it. The main character is refreshingly imperfect but still likable, and has a point of view that is hilarious in many cases. I also like that the point of view focuses on the main characters inner monologue versus what is happening to her in her life. *SPOILER* The reason this book lost a star is the ending. It is super disappointing and leaves you feeling hopeless. I do see that there is a second book so I am assuming this is resolved in the second book, however I am looking at this book for what it is by itself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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