Lovesick

by Alex Wellen

For Andy Altman it was love at first sight. Halloween, 1983: She was Princess Leia; he was Chewbacca. Determined to be more than star-crossed lovers, Andy vowed to do whatever it took to make Paige Day his bride, even if that meant dragging himself back to the small town of Crockett, California, and working for her father, Gregory, the local pharmacist and most demanding boss east of San Francisco.Day’s Pharmacy is tight quarters, and for Andy and Gregory, the mixture is explosive. Unable to win Gregory over, Andy devises a surefire scheme to secure his blessing to marry Paige. But what Andy doesn’t realize is that the only way he’ll make it to the altar is if he protects his future father-in-law’s big secret. In so doing, he’ll have to fend off financial ruin, Paige’s aggressive ex-boyfriend, and an intimidating crime ring of geriatric gangsters. For young Andy, charting the path to true love will take sheer ingenuity.

Genres: Fiction, New Adult, Adult, Contemporary

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

ALEX WELLEN co-created, executive-produced, and co-hosted the award-winning high-tech crime newsmagazine program CyberCrime on the TechTV cable television network. His columns, breaking news stories, and contributions appear in print and on radio and television, including NBC News, ABC News, CNN, and MSNBC. He is currently an independent producer and freelance writer living in San Francisco. (Barnes and Noble)

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This may be harsh, but I am upset at the time I spent reading this book. It was a totally dumb, mindless read that was not well-written.

[Elaine Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started to read this book, Lovesick, by Alex Wellen, I thought it was kind of ho hum. Slow reading, but I stuck with it and as the chapters rolled along I began to like it better and then more than better. It is a story about a family and the pharmacy that belonged to dad. Dad, Gregory, likes to help people in need and all those who work for him do too. The story can be quite funny at times.
Truly another good read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a man, this is pretty much chick-lit (which is not denigrating the book). It is a mildly amusing love story, told through the lens of Andy Altman, who is trying to plan a wedding and keep his fiance from learning that her father was illegally passing on drug samples to his needy customers. The information about the pharmaceutical industry kept me interested, as did the multiple wacky characters, but I found myself wishing (often) that Andy wasn't so wishy-washy (his fiance was also not quite as 3-dimensional as I wanted her to be). His perks became a bit annoying by the end of the book, and the ending was tied up too nicely, but it was an entertaining read.

[A.r. Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wellen totally nails this fictional story. It's a fun read with an edge of your seat narrative. Yes, it's a "beach book", but in no way does that mean the story doesn't deliver. There's plenty of drama. The characters are all relatable in different ways and interesting enough to feel invested in the outcome of the story. I found myself anxious to turn the page find out where the story goes next. I found myself casting the movie as I read the book.

His first book, Barman (autobiographical), is also a great read and similar in tone.

Now that I discovered this promising young author I can't wait to see what he does next. Hope he's hard at work on his next novel.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a person who typically enjoys fiction, largely because so little of it feels realistic to me. "Lovesick," however, was a joy. Wellen creates all-too-human characters I can relate to in a setting that anyone who ever lived in a small town knows well.

I started reading this, thinking I'd just grab a chapter when I could. Next thing I knew, I was staying up way past my bedtime to find out what would happen next.

It's a breezy read that left me feeling satisfied. Would love to see this made into a movie!

More, please!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Start crossed my foot. More like star thunked. Andy is a dork-nut who drops out of pharmacy school while working for the father of the girl he has loved since he was 6. Andy asks his boss/father of love of life for his permission to marry her, he is told to wait. He doesn't and his loves father passes unexpectedly, leaving behind debt and a perscription drug circle that is hard to believe. What starts out as a mediocre love story, ends as a diatribe on medicare.

[Anne Loeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Lovesick. It is a heartwarming story, complete with quirky characters and a good sense of humor. I found myself instantly liking Andy, and amused by his charts and analyzations of matters of the heart. I also liked the portrayal of life in a small town and how people really look out for one another. Read this book, people. You will be instantly drawn in to these characters. You will be anxious to see what happens next, and will enjoy the twists of the story along the way.

[Ari Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Barman, I was excited to read Alex Wellen's most recent novel, Lovesick, and it exceeded my expectations. If you are looking for a story that features rich characters, an engaging plot and an enjoyable pace, this is it. Wellen has a gift for authentic dialogue and takes an honest approach to relationships, from romance to friendship. I particularly enjoyed the way he weaves fact and fiction to create credible scenarios to which every reader can relate. I highly recommend Lovesick!

[Karen Sarkisian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this story: the characters and their sincerity, and the sub-plot really says something about our time.

Any review here that found the story contrived needs to read up on the state of health care- not just the day's headlines. I'm a pharm tech & Wellen nailed this spot-on!

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really like this book and wouldn't recommend it. It was just blah and really cliche. The characters were all unlikable. I didn't get into but I managed to finish it anyway. (I think I may be backsliding into old ways of forcing myself to finish crappy books.)

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

summer reading recommendation from GOOP (LJ)

One thing that fascinated me about this book was its setting. I need to look up the author's background, why on earth would he place his story in Crockett, Ca?!?!

[Michael Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It certainly wouldn't be confused with high literature, and in places is maddening with many of its "cutesy" touches. But it's a fun bubblegum read with a mystery in the center, and the face it takes place here in the east bay makes it a bit more interesting.

[Christine Comito · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny novel about a pharmacy drop-out who wants to marry the pharmacist’s daughter, the pharmacist dies and the local senior citizens turn out to be in on a scheme to use free sample drugs to supplement the medicines that some seniors can’t afford.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a charming, diverting book. Perfect for a break from the sturm and drang of daily living. I'd give it 3.5 stars because it made me smile almost consistently throughout. Light and fluffy!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about love, marriage, and Medicare prescription drugs!! Awesome!!!

[Joy]

This looks good - love the bottle of pills on the cover! Deals with what men really think about getting married.

[Donna Halloran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love the writing, but I enjoyed the story. I am glad I finished it even though I was ready to give up several times. It ends up being a sweet story.

[Nadine]

So far this book is really great! It's clever and funny and I'm definitely having a hard time putting this down! Highly recommended.

[Reading In · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud a couple of times.

[Kacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, crim and car chases - what more do you need in a novel? This is a very enjoyable book that has nice suspense that really kept me wondering what was next!

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

An OK book - not great but OK

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humor, drama, romance, mystery - this book had a little of everything.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was fun!! Set in small-town California, it is the story of: a small-town romance, an intimidating crime ring of geriatric gangsters and the path to true love.

[Anne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a good Lifetime movie, if you like that sort of thing.

[Femmy]

I read this to page 16, through the Fiction Book Club. Don't like the characters. Seems like a bunch of annoying people.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book easy to read and entertaining with Wellen's different approaches to his attempt of measuring love. Funny and cute.

[Caprene · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://loveandhatebooks.blogspot.com/...

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read. It dragged a bit. But all of the characters were enjoyable.

[Joe Faust · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tries hard to be Lad Lit but ends up as a scatterbrained romantic comedy – sort of.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few funny lines. Not a very intriguing story.