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80% Done With Straight Girls
The third book in Marie Santora's search for true love finds her big Italian family still serving the up the fun, Italian Loud, lusty, and volatile—overflowing with lots of love and laughter.
What's funny about losing everything you love? Plenty, if you're a member of the Santora family.
Marie Santora has always suffered from an enormous case of good luck/bad luck when it comes to women, and the past six years have been no exception. When Marie's love life hits the skids—again—her irrepressible sister Lisa begins to wonder if this is the time that her sister's loss is too great for even their eccentric Italian family to heal.
To help Marie escape the painful memories, Lisa ditches her gay campground for a family lake house, and Marie vows to be done with straight girls once and for all. But just as the Santora clan descends upon Marie to "help", a surprise house call changes her good luck to bad luck once again, putting Mari's willpower to the ultimate test.
The family motto has always been "Either you're IN, or you're OUT!" and this newest family crisis means the Santora's are ALL IN—even though Marie wants them out!
What's funny about losing everything you love? Plenty, if you're a member of the Santora family.
Marie Santora has always suffered from an enormous case of good luck/bad luck when it comes to women, and the past six years have been no exception. When Marie's love life hits the skids—again—her irrepressible sister Lisa begins to wonder if this is the time that her sister's loss is too great for even their eccentric Italian family to heal.
To help Marie escape the painful memories, Lisa ditches her gay campground for a family lake house, and Marie vows to be done with straight girls once and for all. But just as the Santora clan descends upon Marie to "help", a surprise house call changes her good luck to bad luck once again, putting Mari's willpower to the ultimate test.
The family motto has always been "Either you're IN, or you're OUT!" and this newest family crisis means the Santora's are ALL IN—even though Marie wants them out!
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2013
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77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 17, 2024
80% DWSG is book three in the Santora family series and although I have not read the previous two books, I was swiftly brought into the family drama. SanGiovanni is a very talented writer to have successfully jumped this hurdle in the first chapter. I was never in any doubt about the history of the characters.
Marie, the youngest sibling of this Italian family has been left behind by the two loves of her life. She is still grieving over Erica’s loss when her first love walks in her door to nurse her ailing mother.
There are so many great moments in this novel and they seem to all include Marie’s older gay sister Lisa. The story is full of humour, loss, secret plots and family love. 80% DWSG could be a gay soap opera and run for five years on this one novel’s influence alone!
The only thing that keeps this from being a five star review is the tying up of loose ends. The quick flow of the narrative bogs down a little in the end section.
80% DWSG is a great summer read that will have you chuckling and shaking your head in amazement at all the delightful characters in the novel.
I received an advance review copy from Bywater Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Marie, the youngest sibling of this Italian family has been left behind by the two loves of her life. She is still grieving over Erica’s loss when her first love walks in her door to nurse her ailing mother.
There are so many great moments in this novel and they seem to all include Marie’s older gay sister Lisa. The story is full of humour, loss, secret plots and family love. 80% DWSG could be a gay soap opera and run for five years on this one novel’s influence alone!
The only thing that keeps this from being a five star review is the tying up of loose ends. The quick flow of the narrative bogs down a little in the end section.
80% DWSG is a great summer read that will have you chuckling and shaking your head in amazement at all the delightful characters in the novel.
I received an advance review copy from Bywater Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
March 20, 2023hmm. People who are fans of surprise poly relationships may really like this one. I did, until that little surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
This book is an absolute delight! It will tickle your funny bone, squeeze your heart and make you smile. Mari SanGiovanni writes from the heart, and she doesn’t hold back. Readers will be talking about this one.
This is the third book in the series, and as always, the characters are brilliant. They are all so well-written. They compliment the storytelling beautifully, bringing it to life in ways that only a good writer can. Though the story is primarily told from Marie’s point of view, this is really an ensemble effort. Each character adds color and texture, making the story more dynamic and strong. The supporting characters help to bring an emotional depth to the narrative; their unique personalities and perspectives make this continuing family fable more relatable and entertaining. Their overstepping antics are fresh and witty, but more importantly they are essential for directing focus to the internal and external conflicts in the story.
What really makes this rom-com other level is that it feels authentic, not contrived. The humor, as well as the pain, isn’t shoehorned into the story. SanGiovanni writes from a place she understands and readers not only feel it, they appreciate it. From page one readers are on a journey with Marie and they gladly climb aboard.
Though it’s probably shelved as a traditional rom-com, I’d categorize it as more of a humorous piece of fiction with a heavy side of love. This third installment of the Santora saga breaks away from the standard romantic comedy script. Yes, the love story is central to the plot; it just contains a sharp bend in the traditional arc. What do I mean by that? Well, the happily ever after is not what you expect. SanGiovanni challenges the conventions of romantic comedy and it’s genius. She adds a HEA twist. It’s unexpected and it works.
Final remarks…
This is every red-blooded Italian’s answer to to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Its culturally rich and dynamic cast sets this one apart from its fellow rom-coms. It’s more than girl meets girl and rides off into the sunset. It’s girl’s family helps girl find love and everybody is content…for awhile, or until the meddling and family drama begins again. This is a well-written book and I highly recommend it.
Strengths…
Well-written
Likable, dynamic characters
Humorous and great fun to read
original storytelling
Heartfelt and insightful
Nice addition to the Santora saga
This is the third book in the series, and as always, the characters are brilliant. They are all so well-written. They compliment the storytelling beautifully, bringing it to life in ways that only a good writer can. Though the story is primarily told from Marie’s point of view, this is really an ensemble effort. Each character adds color and texture, making the story more dynamic and strong. The supporting characters help to bring an emotional depth to the narrative; their unique personalities and perspectives make this continuing family fable more relatable and entertaining. Their overstepping antics are fresh and witty, but more importantly they are essential for directing focus to the internal and external conflicts in the story.
What really makes this rom-com other level is that it feels authentic, not contrived. The humor, as well as the pain, isn’t shoehorned into the story. SanGiovanni writes from a place she understands and readers not only feel it, they appreciate it. From page one readers are on a journey with Marie and they gladly climb aboard.
Though it’s probably shelved as a traditional rom-com, I’d categorize it as more of a humorous piece of fiction with a heavy side of love. This third installment of the Santora saga breaks away from the standard romantic comedy script. Yes, the love story is central to the plot; it just contains a sharp bend in the traditional arc. What do I mean by that? Well, the happily ever after is not what you expect. SanGiovanni challenges the conventions of romantic comedy and it’s genius. She adds a HEA twist. It’s unexpected and it works.
Final remarks…
This is every red-blooded Italian’s answer to to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Its culturally rich and dynamic cast sets this one apart from its fellow rom-coms. It’s more than girl meets girl and rides off into the sunset. It’s girl’s family helps girl find love and everybody is content…for awhile, or until the meddling and family drama begins again. This is a well-written book and I highly recommend it.
Strengths…
Well-written
Likable, dynamic characters
Humorous and great fun to read
original storytelling
Heartfelt and insightful
Nice addition to the Santora saga
August 28, 2022
I’m still processing this novel, it wasn’t what I expected. The first two in the series, Greetings From Jamaica and Camptown Girls, were laugh out load, slap your knee funny. 80% Done With Straight Girls, isn’t that. There is humor, but it is also deeply emotional. One one hand I was disappointed that there wasn’t the over the top humor of the first two, but on the other hand, the author took me on a much more nuanced and reflective journey. I pray that there is a fourth book to resolve the ending which left me very conflicted.
August 11, 2024
I loved loved loved this book (as I have all of Mari's books) but this one stands out because it was so much more than what I was expecting.
Sure, it's laugh out loud funny and it's super entertaining from beginning to end, but it's also so much more and this so much more took me by surprise (in the best way possible).
There is so much depth to the book if you want it and are ready for it.
If not, it's a 100% totally enjoyable summer read. So do yourself a favor and get a copy. You won't regret it - promise!
PS: Don't forget to read Jamaica and Camptown, too.
Sure, it's laugh out loud funny and it's super entertaining from beginning to end, but it's also so much more and this so much more took me by surprise (in the best way possible).
There is so much depth to the book if you want it and are ready for it.
If not, it's a 100% totally enjoyable summer read. So do yourself a favor and get a copy. You won't regret it - promise!
PS: Don't forget to read Jamaica and Camptown, too.
August 9, 2022
‘Fixing things’ with Italian fun and zest!
What Nia Vardalos for the GrecoAmerican community in her MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING Mari SanGiovanni does for the ItaloAmerican community in this hilarious 80% DONE WITH STRAIGHT GIRLS. This lady can write comedy so well that the reader falls in love with not only the hilarious antics of the gesticulating noisy interfering Italian family whose need to control, or at least interfere, keeps this face-paced novel moving rapidly, but she also is able to write splendidly about the in jokes and feelings of the gay community. That is a fine line to tread - dealing with 'stereotypes' in a comedic fashion without resorting to parody or creating empty drones - and SanGiovanni is a pro at finding and securing that line.
Mari provides a feisty synopsis that invites us back into the life of Santoras: ‘Marie Santora has always suffered from an enormous case of good luck/bad luck when it comes to women, and the past six years have been no exception. When Marie's love life hits the skids―again―her irrepressible sister Lisa begins to wonder if this is the time that her sister's loss is too great for even their eccentric Italian family to heal. To help Marie escape the painful memories, Lisa ditches her gay campground for a family lake house, and Marie vows to be done with straight girls once and for all. But just as the Santora clan descends upon Marie to "help", a surprise house call changes her good luck to bad luck once again, putting Mari's willpower to the ultimate test.’
This is a comedy of errors and a terrific excursion into the foibles of how Italians and gays and lesbians all act - full of belly laughs and some touching moments. Mari SanGiovanni has a keen gift for timing in the comedy vein and it seems a pretty sure bet that we'll be reading more of her work soon!
What Nia Vardalos for the GrecoAmerican community in her MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING Mari SanGiovanni does for the ItaloAmerican community in this hilarious 80% DONE WITH STRAIGHT GIRLS. This lady can write comedy so well that the reader falls in love with not only the hilarious antics of the gesticulating noisy interfering Italian family whose need to control, or at least interfere, keeps this face-paced novel moving rapidly, but she also is able to write splendidly about the in jokes and feelings of the gay community. That is a fine line to tread - dealing with 'stereotypes' in a comedic fashion without resorting to parody or creating empty drones - and SanGiovanni is a pro at finding and securing that line.
Mari provides a feisty synopsis that invites us back into the life of Santoras: ‘Marie Santora has always suffered from an enormous case of good luck/bad luck when it comes to women, and the past six years have been no exception. When Marie's love life hits the skids―again―her irrepressible sister Lisa begins to wonder if this is the time that her sister's loss is too great for even their eccentric Italian family to heal. To help Marie escape the painful memories, Lisa ditches her gay campground for a family lake house, and Marie vows to be done with straight girls once and for all. But just as the Santora clan descends upon Marie to "help", a surprise house call changes her good luck to bad luck once again, putting Mari's willpower to the ultimate test.’
This is a comedy of errors and a terrific excursion into the foibles of how Italians and gays and lesbians all act - full of belly laughs and some touching moments. Mari SanGiovanni has a keen gift for timing in the comedy vein and it seems a pretty sure bet that we'll be reading more of her work soon!
August 4, 2022
I love the Santora family and have been eagerly waiting for this third instalment. Not without trepidation, I might add as the ending of Camptown Ladies set up a very HEA. This novel delivered. If you like quirky families, physical and quirky comedy. Family, laughs, love. I really enjoyed this novel but it cannot be read as a stand-alone so you must read Camptown Ladies first.
November 26, 2022
One of my favorite authors, Mari SanGiovanni does not disappoint with her newest book! A bit of sadness lines this story but also filled with Mari’s great sense of humor and passion for story telling! I highly recommend this book!!
July 4, 2023
I enjoyed reading the book. There were some hilarious scenes and some heart-wrenching moments of grief and sadness. The feelings overflowed from the book and went directly to my heart. While this book has several flaws, the emotionally compelling writing makes up for many of them.
This novel is deeply flawed but also exquisite, just like its characters...
The main problem is the sloppy editing/proofing: Dialogue lines start without quotation marks in the middle of a sentence and that's very confusing. This happens often throughout the book. There were redundant words on a few occasions. The main character is providing uncalled-for info dumps and repeats herself often when telling facts from the past. While I understand this can be seen as depicting her state of mind, it is still tedious for the reader and should be reduced to a minimum.
I did not read the previous books in this series and yet I understood the backstory easily enough in the first info dump. There was no need for a repeat.
Also, there is quite a cruel trick played by the author, presented as a plot twist in the last quarter of the book. The explanation is sufficient but the MC's emotions prior to that moment do not match the explanation. Her grief is too extreme, almost palpable, to be the sad anger she's "supposed" to feel according to the explanation. The writing is misleading and not like in a thriller. This book is not on the suspense shelf. I do not mind plot twists, I even encourage them as they add a lot of interest. It did not feel like a twist. It felt more like an afterthought or a sudden change of the author's mind. I did not appreciate this "twist" because it was simply not convincing as a twist.
Lastly, The timeline at the beginning of the book is confusing, erratic, and inconsistent... later the jumps in time are more comprehensible because there is more context.
Having said all that, I must point out the good stuff as well. These are the things that make this book reading-worthy, incredibly engaging, and downright compelling. The emotions in this book run high and strong. The sense of loss and the grief around it broke my heart several times, to the point of actual tears. I had to stop reading and get some Kleenex... It was some of the best sad moments of my life if I am honest. Alongside all this sadness, the funniest scenes in the world were depicted with hilarity, pure comedy at its very best. I laughed aloud so many times, I did not want this book to end (I cannot find a better redeeming quality than this one.) This book could have benefitted from more aggressive editing and it could have been a real gem. As it is, it feels like the draft of a glorious story with potentially awesome writing.
T&T:
Tropes: 2nd chance romance, love triangle, hurt/comfort, crazy family
Triggers: loss and grief, perceived betrayal/abandonment, crazy family
Rating: despite all its flaws, this book is unique and entertaining and amazing so it gets 4 stars.
This novel is deeply flawed but also exquisite, just like its characters...
The main problem is the sloppy editing/proofing: Dialogue lines start without quotation marks in the middle of a sentence and that's very confusing. This happens often throughout the book. There were redundant words on a few occasions. The main character is providing uncalled-for info dumps and repeats herself often when telling facts from the past. While I understand this can be seen as depicting her state of mind, it is still tedious for the reader and should be reduced to a minimum.
I did not read the previous books in this series and yet I understood the backstory easily enough in the first info dump. There was no need for a repeat.
Also, there is quite a cruel trick played by the author, presented as a plot twist in the last quarter of the book. The explanation is sufficient but the MC's emotions prior to that moment do not match the explanation. Her grief is too extreme, almost palpable, to be the sad anger she's "supposed" to feel according to the explanation. The writing is misleading and not like in a thriller. This book is not on the suspense shelf. I do not mind plot twists, I even encourage them as they add a lot of interest. It did not feel like a twist. It felt more like an afterthought or a sudden change of the author's mind. I did not appreciate this "twist" because it was simply not convincing as a twist.
Lastly, The timeline at the beginning of the book is confusing, erratic, and inconsistent... later the jumps in time are more comprehensible because there is more context.
Having said all that, I must point out the good stuff as well. These are the things that make this book reading-worthy, incredibly engaging, and downright compelling. The emotions in this book run high and strong. The sense of loss and the grief around it broke my heart several times, to the point of actual tears. I had to stop reading and get some Kleenex... It was some of the best sad moments of my life if I am honest. Alongside all this sadness, the funniest scenes in the world were depicted with hilarity, pure comedy at its very best. I laughed aloud so many times, I did not want this book to end (I cannot find a better redeeming quality than this one.) This book could have benefitted from more aggressive editing and it could have been a real gem. As it is, it feels like the draft of a glorious story with potentially awesome writing.
T&T:
Tropes: 2nd chance romance, love triangle, hurt/comfort, crazy family
Triggers: loss and grief, perceived betrayal/abandonment, crazy family
Rating: despite all its flaws, this book is unique and entertaining and amazing so it gets 4 stars.
February 14, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and would have never guessed the way the story would have progressed.
Marie is trying to navigate life after losing her partner Erica. During this hard time she also has to deal with her mom's illness and the return of a former ex. It's quite a lot. But life can be quite lot I guess.
The sister Lisa is something else. She was funny although very in your face.
Some parts were taking a bit too long for me but overall a good read.
An arc was provided via Edelweis in return of an honest review.
Marie is trying to navigate life after losing her partner Erica. During this hard time she also has to deal with her mom's illness and the return of a former ex. It's quite a lot. But life can be quite lot I guess.
The sister Lisa is something else. She was funny although very in your face.
Some parts were taking a bit too long for me but overall a good read.
An arc was provided via Edelweis in return of an honest review.
November 2, 2022
80% DWSG is heartbreaking, funny, moving, and gripping all at once. Once I started reading, I could barely put it down, despite Covid's grip on me. This is one of those books that begs for an annual re-read and thoughtful sharing with one's friends. I didn't see the numerous twists coming, but they were brilliantly unexpected and yet made complete sense. Now I want to go back and read everything else by this author.
You can't help but love this family. I want them to adopt me.
You can't help but love this family. I want them to adopt me.
January 25, 2024
I love Mari's books, but this was not my favorite. Lots of ruminating and not as much action as I like. But as usual, witty and clever!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews