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Hot Flash
Calm, cool, and premenopausal, single mom and chef Jill Morgan Storm has set out on a scheme to find and wed a traveling salesman. In return, she hopes for one week of marital bliss, three weeks off while her new husband is out of town, and a nice monthly paycheck. Enter Davin Wesley, the opposite of the type of man Jill is searching for--an elementary school teacher who refuses to skedaddle out like a good little husband. Jill isn't sure if she can keep up the protests because his kiss is pure fire and he won't be discouraged. Suffering from hot flash after hot flash, she's unsure if she can say no as her hormones scream yes.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
69 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Carmichael
36 books339 followersUSA Today Bestselling and award-winning author, Kathy Carmichael, writes mysteries, women's fiction and romance. Her romantic comedy, HOT FLASH, was named by the American Library Association's BOOKLIST as one of the Top 101 Romance Fiction titles of the last ten years. Her first mystery novel, DIARY OF A CONFESSIONS QUEEN, received a starred review from BOOKLIST.
She lives on Florida's west coast, along with her husband, two not-so-wee sons, 2 black cats, and a bevy of dust bunnies.
Kathy loves talking with readers and other writers. She's a popular guest lecturer at libraries, bookstores and writers' conferences.
Despite rumors to the contrary, she has never been recruited by the CIA or the other CIA (Culinary Institute of America).
She lives on Florida's west coast, along with her husband, two not-so-wee sons, 2 black cats, and a bevy of dust bunnies.
Kathy loves talking with readers and other writers. She's a popular guest lecturer at libraries, bookstores and writers' conferences.
Despite rumors to the contrary, she has never been recruited by the CIA or the other CIA (Culinary Institute of America).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 22, 2015
Hot Flash is a 2015 MacGowan Press publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Romantic Comedies, but in books I sometimes find them over the top and just too silly and so they aren't all that funny in the end. However, this one was just right. I literally laughed out loud in a few places and loved the survey and the answers that implied that absence made the heart grow fonder... yeah, just keep telling yourself that.
So, here is the set up. Jill's ex has decided to transition into a woman, her favorite skillet was stolen, her teenage son, an artist, only speaks in French, she has major problems at work, and one of her son's former teachers is always questioning her parenting skills, implies she needs help in her life and proceeds to try and fix things for her. Her mother is a little eccentric , but means well. Jill is also desperate to obtain enough money to pay for her son's college tuition, and to put the cherry on the cake, she thinks she may be experiencing hot flashes.
The story was a tad “busy” with all the things going on I mentioned in the set up, but also with Jill's parent's anniversary, her pregnant friend Susan, and Jill's dating disasters, plus all the drama at her work place. It was a a situation that could have spiraled out of control fast. However, the author kept things rolling along without leaving me confused or feeling overwhelmed.
I absolutely LOVED Davin!! He was so wonderful and sweet. I'm so glad Jill finally stopped trying to ignore her feelings for him and thankfully someone realized what a great asset she would be as chef and her career plans are certainly looking up. The secondary characters were all well drawn and complimented the story in the way they were meant to.1 Overall this was a delightful and humorous novel and one of the best romantic comedies I've come across in awhile. 4 stars
I love Romantic Comedies, but in books I sometimes find them over the top and just too silly and so they aren't all that funny in the end. However, this one was just right. I literally laughed out loud in a few places and loved the survey and the answers that implied that absence made the heart grow fonder... yeah, just keep telling yourself that.
So, here is the set up. Jill's ex has decided to transition into a woman, her favorite skillet was stolen, her teenage son, an artist, only speaks in French, she has major problems at work, and one of her son's former teachers is always questioning her parenting skills, implies she needs help in her life and proceeds to try and fix things for her. Her mother is a little eccentric , but means well. Jill is also desperate to obtain enough money to pay for her son's college tuition, and to put the cherry on the cake, she thinks she may be experiencing hot flashes.
The story was a tad “busy” with all the things going on I mentioned in the set up, but also with Jill's parent's anniversary, her pregnant friend Susan, and Jill's dating disasters, plus all the drama at her work place. It was a a situation that could have spiraled out of control fast. However, the author kept things rolling along without leaving me confused or feeling overwhelmed.
I absolutely LOVED Davin!! He was so wonderful and sweet. I'm so glad Jill finally stopped trying to ignore her feelings for him and thankfully someone realized what a great asset she would be as chef and her career plans are certainly looking up. The secondary characters were all well drawn and complimented the story in the way they were meant to.1 Overall this was a delightful and humorous novel and one of the best romantic comedies I've come across in awhile. 4 stars
December 14, 2015
Sit down, relax and get ready to smile your way through this fun read. Poor Jill, her life is basically in chaos, not only is her failed marriage unusual, her ex is now a woman, she's been recently dumped, her fathers in prison and she's working as a Sous Chef in a highly acclaimed restaurant alongside a drug/alcohol addict of a Head Chef who enjoys the odd grope or two.
As if that wasn't enough, now single, her one aim is to find a way to fund her sons college. What is she to do? Well she sends a survey, of course, to happily married women on the secrets of marital success. The only common factor is hubbie being away from home so there's the mission, to find Mr Right in the Travelling Salesman shopping mall!!
Join Jill and her crazy friends on her hunt, but could the answers be staring her in the face, or sorted out in time with patience? The needed outcome to a problem isn't necessarily what you first thought it was.
Kathy Carmichael certainly knows how to make you laugh in her books, I've got to be honest and say that the charming read of Chasing Charlie is still my favorite, but not by much distance.
As if that wasn't enough, now single, her one aim is to find a way to fund her sons college. What is she to do? Well she sends a survey, of course, to happily married women on the secrets of marital success. The only common factor is hubbie being away from home so there's the mission, to find Mr Right in the Travelling Salesman shopping mall!!
Join Jill and her crazy friends on her hunt, but could the answers be staring her in the face, or sorted out in time with patience? The needed outcome to a problem isn't necessarily what you first thought it was.
Kathy Carmichael certainly knows how to make you laugh in her books, I've got to be honest and say that the charming read of Chasing Charlie is still my favorite, but not by much distance.
August 10, 2011
This had waaaay too much going on. A teenage son who spoke in French, a sex-changing ex, a gaggle of girlfriends, dad in prison and mom in denial, the requisite cute love interest that she thinks is wrong for her, a sub plot about a cast iron skillet. That's like four different books right there! It's like the author couldn't decide what plot she wanted to write about and just threw them all in one gigantic chick-lit attempt.
The main character's determination to find a husband so that she could pay her son's college tuition was appalling. I could not find much to like about anything here. I skipped entire chapters just to get to the end and then promptly deleted from my Kindle. Thank goodness it was free.
The main character's determination to find a husband so that she could pay her son's college tuition was appalling. I could not find much to like about anything here. I skipped entire chapters just to get to the end and then promptly deleted from my Kindle. Thank goodness it was free.
April 4, 2011
This book had a killer first line that I'll remember forever. And what happens with the heroine's skillet is priceless. I wholeheartedly enjoyed this novel.
February 28, 2021
This is a fun exercise in trying to find a ´suitable ´ man in your forties with a teenage son. It made me laugh and try to follow her reasoning in selecting a few suitors. A lot going on but it was a fun read and easy to follow. Gave you the sensations of her life, pulled this way and that, trying to find a travelling soulmate salesman to wed and finance college for her child, and falling in love/lust. Sorry she lost her favourite frying pan.
February 22, 2018
Hot Flash review
Hot Flash is a very funny romantic comedy written by author Kathy Carmichael. It's a fun, entertaining story with many laugh out loud moments.Great
Hot Flash is a very funny romantic comedy written by author Kathy Carmichael. It's a fun, entertaining story with many laugh out loud moments.Great
March 22, 2019
Loved the book! It was funny and somewhat outrageous, but still the characters were so relatable.
June 18, 2019
Hot Flash
A quick read and a happier ever after book. Sometimes you need these books to just relax. This is it.
A quick read and a happier ever after book. Sometimes you need these books to just relax. This is it.
June 26, 2019
Sorry but this just is not my kind of book. Nuff said...
December 13, 2021
Funny and sweet.
I enjoyed this book. I was brought to tears from laughing so hard more than once. Great storyline and characters. Kudos!
I enjoyed this book. I was brought to tears from laughing so hard more than once. Great storyline and characters. Kudos!
August 13, 2011
Hot Flash by Kathy CarmichaelMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
My first book by author Kathy Carmichael and for me Hot Flash was a winner!
Jill Storm is a forty year old divorced mother of a 17 year old son who is just a little bit eccentric, he only speaks French (mostly) when he decides to speak at all and as a single mother holding down a full time job Jill has all she can do to make ends meet for her and Stephen.
To make matters worse her ex-husband is now their son's "other mother" due to a sex change operation where Daniel Storm became Stormy Daniels, talk about a low blow to the ego when you are in competition to be the best mother with the "father" of your child!
Jill is a Sous chef at a local hotel, she is very talented and quick on her feet at work but due to her employer demanding the chef be a well known name to draw in customers to the restaurant her dream of taking over as head chef is not one that will ever come to fruition. Top that off with the fact her son desperately wants to go to college to study art and Jill needs a way to finance his tuition and you have a recipe for quite a quirky story.
Filled with lots of laughs, lots of crazy scheming by Jill to find that one man out there who can make her dreams of financial security and a home with grass behind a white picket fence come true, a group of female friends who are each in their own way her rock to lean on and you have the perfect light summer read. The hot 3rd grade teacher who it seems has a bit of a long standing "crush" on Jill brings quite a bit of "heat" to enrich Jill's life, along with her early "Hot Flashes". This is one of those instances when the head and the heart do not agree and truth be told sometimes the head is wrong!
While I have to admit the only reason I sat down with this ebook was it being a free for Kindle book it was well worth my time! I laughed out loud so hard at one point I almost had a "wee" accident. The story has an easy to follow steady flow, the characters are all very wonderfully realistically fleshed out and very fun to get to know and the HEA at the end is every bit as good for the reader to experience as it was for JIll!
Kathy Carmichael has a backlist to choose from that hopefully has some more books on it that give me just as much reading pleasure, I am curious to find out soon! My advice is for you to find out soon too.
September 25, 2010
The intent is humor through someone’s dating, job and family frustrations, but it wasn’t my kind of humor.
STORY BRIEF:
The entire story is told in first person from Jill’s point of view. It’s about her frustrations in her job and searching for a husband. Her son Stephen is a senior in high school. Jill has no money to pay Stephen’s college expenses, and she doesn’t want to saddle him with student loans. She wants to marry a traveling salesman who will be gone a lot and provide money for college. Jill meets and goes on some first dates which are bad fits. At the same time, one of Stephen’s teachers is interested in Jill, but she pushes him away. Jill is divorced, forty and experiencing her first hot flashes.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This feels more like chick lit than romance, but there is the looking for and finding of romance. Since my preferred genre is romance, my rating may be a little low for chick lit lovers. Most of the humor is in the mix of strange characters in her life, for example: her boss is frequently drunk and gropes her, her ex-husband has a sex change, and her dad is in jail for an Enron-type crime. Also, her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend steals Jill’s favorite skillet, causing much distress for Jill. It is an interesting story with some excellent surprises at the end. But it’s the kind of story that I would read only if it makes me laugh, and it didn’t. I felt like I was listening to my girlfriend’s description of her life. It’s not the kind of story to pull me in emotionally. But that’s not what it was meant for. It’s Jill’s point of view, and we see Jill’s feelings but no one else’s. Humor is in the eye of the beholder, and this one wasn’t a fit for me.
The main value to me was seeing how frustrating it can be looking for a husband. Jill meets new men, goes out with them and finds they are not good fits for her. They have their own quirks and problems. The best match for her was someone who was there all along, but she refused to consider him for a couple of reasons. We also see one of Jill’s girlfriends with a mooching boyfriend problem.
DATA:
Story length: 371 pages. Swearing language: moderate to strong. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 1, two pages long. Setting: current day Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright: 2009. Genre: chick lit.
STORY BRIEF:
The entire story is told in first person from Jill’s point of view. It’s about her frustrations in her job and searching for a husband. Her son Stephen is a senior in high school. Jill has no money to pay Stephen’s college expenses, and she doesn’t want to saddle him with student loans. She wants to marry a traveling salesman who will be gone a lot and provide money for college. Jill meets and goes on some first dates which are bad fits. At the same time, one of Stephen’s teachers is interested in Jill, but she pushes him away. Jill is divorced, forty and experiencing her first hot flashes.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This feels more like chick lit than romance, but there is the looking for and finding of romance. Since my preferred genre is romance, my rating may be a little low for chick lit lovers. Most of the humor is in the mix of strange characters in her life, for example: her boss is frequently drunk and gropes her, her ex-husband has a sex change, and her dad is in jail for an Enron-type crime. Also, her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend steals Jill’s favorite skillet, causing much distress for Jill. It is an interesting story with some excellent surprises at the end. But it’s the kind of story that I would read only if it makes me laugh, and it didn’t. I felt like I was listening to my girlfriend’s description of her life. It’s not the kind of story to pull me in emotionally. But that’s not what it was meant for. It’s Jill’s point of view, and we see Jill’s feelings but no one else’s. Humor is in the eye of the beholder, and this one wasn’t a fit for me.
The main value to me was seeing how frustrating it can be looking for a husband. Jill meets new men, goes out with them and finds they are not good fits for her. They have their own quirks and problems. The best match for her was someone who was there all along, but she refused to consider him for a couple of reasons. We also see one of Jill’s girlfriends with a mooching boyfriend problem.
DATA:
Story length: 371 pages. Swearing language: moderate to strong. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 1, two pages long. Setting: current day Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright: 2009. Genre: chick lit.
April 9, 2015
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book for reviewing purposes.
If you’re in the midst of a divorce, looking for love, in your late 30’s/early 40’s or simply want a good laugh, THIS is the book for you! If you have NO sense of humor and can’t take things lightly, please, don’t read this book. I like to consider myself quite sarcastic at times and let me tell you, if I ever reach the point that Jill Storm reaches in Hot Flash, then I’m heading down the exact path she goes down when it comes to mid-life dating!
A little background….Jill’s ex-husband is now a woman (what a whirlwind that must be to deal with!!), her son wants to be an artist (and let’s face it, he’s just not cut out to ever strike it big…) and to top it off, she has “parents of the year” since her father is in prison for committing white collar crimes and her mother is overbearing and an extremely manipulative control freak. And we can’t forget her ex-boyfriend who stole her favorite skillet (for a chef, this is an ultimate sin). On a positive note, Jill has this awesome job as a sou chef at a prestigious Las Vegas hotel but that isn’t enough to pay the bills and put her son through college so what’s a single gal to do? Why, look for a sugar daddy, of course!!
Jill sets out on finding a husband who will pay for her son’s college tuition but she wants one week of marital bliss and then a three-week break for the rest of each month – the perfect set-up, right? Every divorced woman’s DREAM!! However, we all know that fate can’t allow that and loves to throw wrenches into our plans so for Jill, that wrench is her son’s third-grade teacher. He is exactly opposite of what Jill wants but goodness, those kisses – she can’t stop the attraction of them!
So what’s a gal to do? She drinks with her friends, schemes and has a great time while trying to get through this mid-life crisis. Does she make it out alive and find true love/happiness? Well, I won’t ruin that for you – you’ll have to buy it to read for yourself!
If you’re in the midst of a divorce, looking for love, in your late 30’s/early 40’s or simply want a good laugh, THIS is the book for you! If you have NO sense of humor and can’t take things lightly, please, don’t read this book. I like to consider myself quite sarcastic at times and let me tell you, if I ever reach the point that Jill Storm reaches in Hot Flash, then I’m heading down the exact path she goes down when it comes to mid-life dating!
A little background….Jill’s ex-husband is now a woman (what a whirlwind that must be to deal with!!), her son wants to be an artist (and let’s face it, he’s just not cut out to ever strike it big…) and to top it off, she has “parents of the year” since her father is in prison for committing white collar crimes and her mother is overbearing and an extremely manipulative control freak. And we can’t forget her ex-boyfriend who stole her favorite skillet (for a chef, this is an ultimate sin). On a positive note, Jill has this awesome job as a sou chef at a prestigious Las Vegas hotel but that isn’t enough to pay the bills and put her son through college so what’s a single gal to do? Why, look for a sugar daddy, of course!!
Jill sets out on finding a husband who will pay for her son’s college tuition but she wants one week of marital bliss and then a three-week break for the rest of each month – the perfect set-up, right? Every divorced woman’s DREAM!! However, we all know that fate can’t allow that and loves to throw wrenches into our plans so for Jill, that wrench is her son’s third-grade teacher. He is exactly opposite of what Jill wants but goodness, those kisses – she can’t stop the attraction of them!
So what’s a gal to do? She drinks with her friends, schemes and has a great time while trying to get through this mid-life crisis. Does she make it out alive and find true love/happiness? Well, I won’t ruin that for you – you’ll have to buy it to read for yourself!
September 1, 2011
Hot Flash by Kathy Carmichael
Jill Morgen Storm is on the hunt for a man. Specifically a salesman so she can live by the adage that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” or some such folderol (think three weeks of travel and one week of Mind Blowing Sex ( Or MBS as Jill calls it)! True to the romance genre and its formula, Jill is down on men due to past relationships, is perky, cute, and funny and has lovely breasts and a teen-age son with issues but is brilliant in the arts. She has an interesting job and guys just seem to love her and she meets the salesmen that she is hankering for. But of course this will not be the type of man she eventually ends up with…oh no not at all.
Jill for the first third of the book is constantly exclaiming about being "forty flipping years old" and if she had said it one more time, I would have most likely thrown my Kindle out of the window. The character of Jill is extremely shallow and self-centered, immature for the age she is, and seems annoyingly entitled. The secondary characters are fairly well written but not very interesting.
One major issue I had is that the author would throw something at us (like the problem that Stephen’s father is a cross dresser or has had a sex change?) and not bring us up to speed on it. The problem was hinted at and sort of discussed among the characters, but never to the point of explaining what happened. In addition, the author does this several times with plot [points that could have used further explanation.
I find this to be annoying since I find that I think I must have missed something important and then need to re-read. This is NOT the only time this author does this in this book. This is a well seasoned author and doing things like this surprised me and makes me a little shy about buying any of Ms Carmichael’s other books.
Jill Morgen Storm is on the hunt for a man. Specifically a salesman so she can live by the adage that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” or some such folderol (think three weeks of travel and one week of Mind Blowing Sex ( Or MBS as Jill calls it)! True to the romance genre and its formula, Jill is down on men due to past relationships, is perky, cute, and funny and has lovely breasts and a teen-age son with issues but is brilliant in the arts. She has an interesting job and guys just seem to love her and she meets the salesmen that she is hankering for. But of course this will not be the type of man she eventually ends up with…oh no not at all.
Jill for the first third of the book is constantly exclaiming about being "forty flipping years old" and if she had said it one more time, I would have most likely thrown my Kindle out of the window. The character of Jill is extremely shallow and self-centered, immature for the age she is, and seems annoyingly entitled. The secondary characters are fairly well written but not very interesting.
One major issue I had is that the author would throw something at us (like the problem that Stephen’s father is a cross dresser or has had a sex change?) and not bring us up to speed on it. The problem was hinted at and sort of discussed among the characters, but never to the point of explaining what happened. In addition, the author does this several times with plot [points that could have used further explanation.
I find this to be annoying since I find that I think I must have missed something important and then need to re-read. This is NOT the only time this author does this in this book. This is a well seasoned author and doing things like this surprised me and makes me a little shy about buying any of Ms Carmichael’s other books.
April 2, 2015
Disclosure: I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
I LOVED Hot Flash By Kathy Carmichael! I read it in one day. This book is so funny. Poor Jill thinks that at age 40 she needs a man to help pay her sons college tuition while only being "available" for about a week each month. She is experiencing hot flashes which may be the onset of pre-menopause. They come on suddenly and leave her in a wringing wet mess, with all the weird and erratic hormones to go with it. Boy can I relate that!
This book does have some sexual content but nothing super raunchy. In fact, most of it is funny as heck! You'll see when you read the book. Jill and her friends drink themselves into oblivion from time to time but I have to say that after the marriage twist Jill endured and the disastrous romance since her marriage, I might be likely to tie one on myself!
Kathy Carmichael gives us a funny take on a couple of serious subjects: marriage, motherhood and menopause. The 3 M's so to speak. I love how endearing Jill is and I love the friendship she has with her girlfriends. Even without a serious male/female relationship, she has a steady and loving commitment to her friends and they have always got her back. She got some pretty good advice in her surveys but most left her questioning what she thought she wanted or needed. And the dates sure didn't go as planned.
If you're looking for a heartwarming story with a lot of comic relief, Hot Flash By Kathy Carmichael is the book you need to read.
I LOVED Hot Flash By Kathy Carmichael! I read it in one day. This book is so funny. Poor Jill thinks that at age 40 she needs a man to help pay her sons college tuition while only being "available" for about a week each month. She is experiencing hot flashes which may be the onset of pre-menopause. They come on suddenly and leave her in a wringing wet mess, with all the weird and erratic hormones to go with it. Boy can I relate that!
This book does have some sexual content but nothing super raunchy. In fact, most of it is funny as heck! You'll see when you read the book. Jill and her friends drink themselves into oblivion from time to time but I have to say that after the marriage twist Jill endured and the disastrous romance since her marriage, I might be likely to tie one on myself!
Kathy Carmichael gives us a funny take on a couple of serious subjects: marriage, motherhood and menopause. The 3 M's so to speak. I love how endearing Jill is and I love the friendship she has with her girlfriends. Even without a serious male/female relationship, she has a steady and loving commitment to her friends and they have always got her back. She got some pretty good advice in her surveys but most left her questioning what she thought she wanted or needed. And the dates sure didn't go as planned.
If you're looking for a heartwarming story with a lot of comic relief, Hot Flash By Kathy Carmichael is the book you need to read.
November 2, 2011
Sous chef Jill Morgan Storm, hoping to discover the secret of successful relationships, gets the bright idea to send out a “Marriage Satisfaction Survey” to couples who have been together for a good while. Jill’s reeling from being dumped by her most recent lover, a college professor now dating one of his young students who won’t let loose of Jill’s favorite skillet. If that isn’t bad enough, Jill’s ready to hit panic mode. Her son will be entering college soon, and since his grades won’t qualify for a scholarship, she has to come up with the tuition money. Jill’s ex-husband, who is now a woman, isn’t much help and Jill’s well-to-do father is in prison, so Jill decides she needs a man with financial means. But the men she meets and dates seem to have more problems than Jill, who’s beginning to suffer menopausal symptoms. One constant irritant: her son’s former teacher, hanging around in the guise of helping her son, but Jill thinks it’s only to needle her about her mothering skills. Jill determinedly forges ahead with her dating plans, unaware the answer to her problems has been there all along.
Kathy Carmichael offers her reader a rollicking good romp with this romantic comedy. Jill’s a likable character, a woman who loves her son and wants the best for him but can’t seem to find a way to make that happen. The men she meets and dates are quirky and the scenarios surrounding them laugh-out-loud funny.
March 16, 2015
I was laughing so hard there were tears running down my cheeks. I read this from cover to cover-no way I was stopping until I hit THE END!! Jill Storm's ex husband was now a woman--her son was a wanna be artist--her Dad was in jail for committing white collar crimes and her Mom--well let's just say she is hilarious--as long as she isn't YOUR Mom!! Of course I have one almost as nosy and manipulative. Jill just happens to be a sou chef at a prestigious hotel in Las Vegas but that isn't going to help pay for college tuition for her soon to be college bound son. Then imagine turning 40, being in semi menopause and deciding you really need to find a husband to help pay for college for your son. She sends out a questionnaire to happily married woman and tries to go from there. Enter her son's third grade teacher who is totally unacceptable. To add to the merriment add in 4 wonderful friends who all try to help each other out--or at least help drink each other out of their misery.
This is the author that also wrote Chasing Charlie - another novel that had me laughing -
If you like to laugh--really laugh then you have to read Kathy Carmichael's novels!!
Hot Flash
This is the author that also wrote Chasing Charlie - another novel that had me laughing -
If you like to laugh--really laugh then you have to read Kathy Carmichael's novels!!
Hot Flash
March 24, 2015
To laugh is amazing so this book was amazing. I laughed from cover to cover of this book. Jill Storm has a life that not many can compare to AT ALL. Her ex-husband, her son, her dad and her mom all of personalities that differ so much along with Jill’s so you are in for a treat. There is nothing boring about this novel whatsoever. Jill is a chef at a hotel in Las Vegas but her son that is about to head off to college is going to need more than that, right? She is going to be 40 soon and so she REALLY wants to find that perfect man for her that can also help to pay for the college that her son wants to attend. This is where all of the crazy chases and fun begin. A survey is given out to try and find the perfect man. This book is hysterical and will have you laughing more than you ever thought that you would.
I have also read Chasing Charlie by this author which was another novel that was nothing short of amazing in a different way. It was still one that made me chuckle, so if you need a little lightening up in your life pick up a Kathy Carmichael novel and you will not be disappointed.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
I have also read Chasing Charlie by this author which was another novel that was nothing short of amazing in a different way. It was still one that made me chuckle, so if you need a little lightening up in your life pick up a Kathy Carmichael novel and you will not be disappointed.
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
March 27, 2015
I don’t like knowing what a book is about before I pick it up and read it. I feel like that ruins the surprise.
Unfortunately, I had read a few reviews about this book prior to reading it myself and was concerned that it wasn’t going to be my thing.
I don’t know that I have ever been so glad to be wrong.
Jill and her girlfriends are hilarious. While they are older than my friends and I – it all sounds about the same!
Jill is divorced, her ex-husband is now an ex-wife, she has a teenage son, a meddling mother who thinks she needs to have a man in her life, a father in prison, an ex boyfriend who she doesn’t like and stole her beloved skillet, a job that was… not great. Oh, and did I mention she just turned 40?
I will admit – the seeking out a man just so they can pay for her son’s tuition was quite tacky and I didn’t care for that part of the story, but as long as I ignored that being a reason for her dating – the book was hilarious!
Words won’t do the humor in this book justice. It’s just too comical, but certainly real life!
Everything really goes down hill for Jill quickly, but it was nice to see that she got her act together and was happy in the end. Funny how that works, right?
Unfortunately, I had read a few reviews about this book prior to reading it myself and was concerned that it wasn’t going to be my thing.
I don’t know that I have ever been so glad to be wrong.
Jill and her girlfriends are hilarious. While they are older than my friends and I – it all sounds about the same!
Jill is divorced, her ex-husband is now an ex-wife, she has a teenage son, a meddling mother who thinks she needs to have a man in her life, a father in prison, an ex boyfriend who she doesn’t like and stole her beloved skillet, a job that was… not great. Oh, and did I mention she just turned 40?
I will admit – the seeking out a man just so they can pay for her son’s tuition was quite tacky and I didn’t care for that part of the story, but as long as I ignored that being a reason for her dating – the book was hilarious!
Words won’t do the humor in this book justice. It’s just too comical, but certainly real life!
Everything really goes down hill for Jill quickly, but it was nice to see that she got her act together and was happy in the end. Funny how that works, right?
April 13, 2015
Ok before I get into this review I need to share the first 2 sentences because they seriously grabbed me and made me not want to stop reading this book.
"Birthdays are like a box of Tampax.
When the box is new, you thoughtlessly reach in and grab another but as the box empties you start worrying about running out before you're ready"
Seriously guys. Who would be able to put the book down after reading that?!? I was hooked and thus began my journey with Jill that had me laughing from beginning to the very end! While she is older than I am by 9 years I felt like I totally got what she was going through! It was one of those OMG that's me moments.
With her hysterical friends who anyone would be lucky to have in their life, to her crazy mom who meddles in everything and can't understand why Jill doesn't have a man in her life, you can only imagine adding a now female ex-husband to the mix is enough to drive anyone batty. Did I mention she also has a teenage son? Yep it's pure nuttiness. Because the back of the book tells this much, her get money for the college fund scheme didn't seem like the best premise to me but I was happy that everything worked out in the end.
This book will be a great bath or pool book for the summer so go grab your copy today!
"Birthdays are like a box of Tampax.
When the box is new, you thoughtlessly reach in and grab another but as the box empties you start worrying about running out before you're ready"
Seriously guys. Who would be able to put the book down after reading that?!? I was hooked and thus began my journey with Jill that had me laughing from beginning to the very end! While she is older than I am by 9 years I felt like I totally got what she was going through! It was one of those OMG that's me moments.
With her hysterical friends who anyone would be lucky to have in their life, to her crazy mom who meddles in everything and can't understand why Jill doesn't have a man in her life, you can only imagine adding a now female ex-husband to the mix is enough to drive anyone batty. Did I mention she also has a teenage son? Yep it's pure nuttiness. Because the back of the book tells this much, her get money for the college fund scheme didn't seem like the best premise to me but I was happy that everything worked out in the end.
This book will be a great bath or pool book for the summer so go grab your copy today!
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October 19, 2019Cute romance
Great story about a woman whose life is filled with adversity, a teenager on his own life track, an well-meaning, nagging mother determined that marriage is the only thing to bring happiness to her daughter, an ex-husband who is now a woman, an ex-boyfriend who was responsible for the loss of her favorite well seasoned skillet, and a less than satisfying job as a sous chef at a prominent hotel, oh and a man she finds totally annoying that has had his sights on her since her teenage son was in his class in third grade!! A fun romance story full of unexpected moments and plot twists and a GREAT ending that's also unexpected!
Great story about a woman whose life is filled with adversity, a teenager on his own life track, an well-meaning, nagging mother determined that marriage is the only thing to bring happiness to her daughter, an ex-husband who is now a woman, an ex-boyfriend who was responsible for the loss of her favorite well seasoned skillet, and a less than satisfying job as a sous chef at a prominent hotel, oh and a man she finds totally annoying that has had his sights on her since her teenage son was in his class in third grade!! A fun romance story full of unexpected moments and plot twists and a GREAT ending that's also unexpected!
October 3, 2011
This had some cute moments, but I had much higher hopes for it. It really lost me at the end when everything resolved itself, but the none of the resolution came about because of the main character's actions. The only thing she does is decide to grow up. Just like that. "I guess I'll grow up now." The reason for this transformation? Being present at the birth of her friend's child. (again something she had no part in.) Then her father is pardoned from his prison term by his buddy the governor and can pay for her son's college education (which has been her main source of angst throughout the book) which the son suddenly no longer even needs because "the most famous living artist," completely without anyone even asking, has offered to mentor the boy's art career. The MC decides she will accept the suite of the teacher who has been pursuing her (read laying down like a welcome mat) all through the book and now she's set for her Happily Ever After. Except she hasn't earned a HEA and neither has the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2011
When Kathy contacted me about being a guest on the blog she also asked about a review. She sent me an advanced copy and I read it... and really enjoyed it. But I forgot to write the review. Oops! And then it's time for her promo, and the review still wasn't written. So, here it is a good two months after reading the book (and with many books read since) and I'm wracking my brains to explain how I felt about the book.
I do remember being hesitant when I started. Kathy herself labeled the book as Mom-lit / Women's Fiction. Maybe it's because I've read some clunkers in those "genres" that I was nervous. But she did assure me there was romance, which I have to have when I read these sorts of books. So I started reading and the comedic situations really drew me in and made me forget genre. Then the romance was snuck in and I was a totally happy camper. I found this book to be a page turner and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light, humorous tale. I am looking forward to reading more from Kathy Carmichael.
I do remember being hesitant when I started. Kathy herself labeled the book as Mom-lit / Women's Fiction. Maybe it's because I've read some clunkers in those "genres" that I was nervous. But she did assure me there was romance, which I have to have when I read these sorts of books. So I started reading and the comedic situations really drew me in and made me forget genre. Then the romance was snuck in and I was a totally happy camper. I found this book to be a page turner and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light, humorous tale. I am looking forward to reading more from Kathy Carmichael.
March 19, 2015
Jill is a chef and a single mom who can't afford to put her son through college, so she decides to try to find a man to help support them (maybe not the choice I would go for, but I kept reading). Since she can't find a suitable man, she sends out surveys to couples who have been together a long time and decides that the secret to a happy marriage is being away from your spouse! So she decides to find a traveling salesman, and proceeds to jump headfirst into the salesman dating pool.
This of course leads to many amusing dates, and Jill is caught trying to balance upheaval in her job, raising an emotional artistic teenager, and juggling bad dates. A man from her past comes into her life, and even though she likes him he is all wrong for her plans.
Kathy Carmichael wrote a fun story about a woman struggling to make her life "right" and in the end she learns to live it! This was an amusing, quick read that made me long to hear more from Mrs. Carmichael!
*I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
This of course leads to many amusing dates, and Jill is caught trying to balance upheaval in her job, raising an emotional artistic teenager, and juggling bad dates. A man from her past comes into her life, and even though she likes him he is all wrong for her plans.
Kathy Carmichael wrote a fun story about a woman struggling to make her life "right" and in the end she learns to live it! This was an amusing, quick read that made me long to hear more from Mrs. Carmichael!
*I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
March 30, 2015
Some people want their reading to be a highbrow, transformative experience, worthy of the time and energy invested, and this book is not for them. But it was exactly what I wanted yesterday.
Five days ago my son's house was hit by a tornado, and we've been busy moving them, cleaning, worrying. I went to the library and found this, with a first sentence as follows: "Birthdays are like a box of tampons."
It took zero effort on my part to be instantly immersed in Something Else other than my own problems. Carmichael douses every chapter with zany mayhem and heavy campy tone, and it's not even that funny, and sometimes it doesn't even make sense, but it doesn't matter. This is mindless consumption, popcorn. With extra cheese. Finished in one day. Forgotten in another.
You curious about the punchline for that first sentence? "When the box is new, you thoughtlessly reach in and grab another but as the box empties you start worrying about running out before you're ready." See, it's not thaaat funny. But, who cares? It served its purpose.
Five days ago my son's house was hit by a tornado, and we've been busy moving them, cleaning, worrying. I went to the library and found this, with a first sentence as follows: "Birthdays are like a box of tampons."
It took zero effort on my part to be instantly immersed in Something Else other than my own problems. Carmichael douses every chapter with zany mayhem and heavy campy tone, and it's not even that funny, and sometimes it doesn't even make sense, but it doesn't matter. This is mindless consumption, popcorn. With extra cheese. Finished in one day. Forgotten in another.
You curious about the punchline for that first sentence? "When the box is new, you thoughtlessly reach in and grab another but as the box empties you start worrying about running out before you're ready." See, it's not thaaat funny. But, who cares? It served its purpose.
April 6, 2015
It 's a funny story full of humor and laughter, some scenes really make you laugh to tears.
In the life of Jill nothing is simple: her ex-husband wants to become a woman, must fight with a teenage son who speaks only French, a nosy mother and one of her collague almost always drunk. On the business is quite fortunate, she is a chef at a prestigious restaurant but feels that something is missing in her life. Jill has almost 40 years and decided it was time for her to find the right man, her soul mate and also a man that aid with college expenses for her son. Among various appointments failed, a survey seems to indicate the right path ... Will she find her soul mate?
The story is narrated by Jill in the first person and this allows us to get more in tune with her discomfort, her fears, her concerns but above all her adventures of first appointments with men a bit "strange".
It 's a novel very well written, funny and romantic, with strange and bizarre characters and an intriguing storyline.
In the life of Jill nothing is simple: her ex-husband wants to become a woman, must fight with a teenage son who speaks only French, a nosy mother and one of her collague almost always drunk. On the business is quite fortunate, she is a chef at a prestigious restaurant but feels that something is missing in her life. Jill has almost 40 years and decided it was time for her to find the right man, her soul mate and also a man that aid with college expenses for her son. Among various appointments failed, a survey seems to indicate the right path ... Will she find her soul mate?
The story is narrated by Jill in the first person and this allows us to get more in tune with her discomfort, her fears, her concerns but above all her adventures of first appointments with men a bit "strange".
It 's a novel very well written, funny and romantic, with strange and bizarre characters and an intriguing storyline.
April 9, 2015
This book had me laughing from the beginning, and I don't think I stopped for very long at any point. The dialogue has a lot of humor, and the characters are engaging on every level.
The main character, Jill, has reached her 40th birthday with an ex-husband who is now a woman, and a teenage son who is soon going to be in need of art school tuition. Jill comes up with an idea for finding the perfect husband, which leads to several dating disasters. Then she meets Davin Wesley, who doesn't fit into her plans at ALL. Will she let him slip through her fingers or realize that life doesn't always have to be perfect to work out?
The story gives the reader a deep insight into Jill's fears, concerns, and issues as her life goes from one disaster to another. It is well written, and a perfect read to brighten a gloomy day.
**I received this book through Beck Valley Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.**
The main character, Jill, has reached her 40th birthday with an ex-husband who is now a woman, and a teenage son who is soon going to be in need of art school tuition. Jill comes up with an idea for finding the perfect husband, which leads to several dating disasters. Then she meets Davin Wesley, who doesn't fit into her plans at ALL. Will she let him slip through her fingers or realize that life doesn't always have to be perfect to work out?
The story gives the reader a deep insight into Jill's fears, concerns, and issues as her life goes from one disaster to another. It is well written, and a perfect read to brighten a gloomy day.
**I received this book through Beck Valley Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.**
March 26, 2015
I think that Kathy is a truly talented author who knows how to turn those issues which can be a source of distress for the fairer sex into something we can laugh about. The main character, Jill Morgan Storm, is a Sous Chef who is in search of answers as to what makes a perfect marriage. With her own relationship having broken down she is left to fend for her son as well as figure out how she will pay his college tuition fees. Her son’s fa – other mother, in the meantime, continues to live out his dream. In her quest for answers Jill sends out surveys which generate as many answers as there are questions, if not more. One of my favourite responses is in Chapter 7. It really made me smile. If you’re honest with yourself you will recognise some familiar behaviours which you or someone you know may have put into practice.
I enjoyed reading Hot Flash. It’s a great read for anyone interested in romance. I am definitely adding Kathy to my list of favourite authors.
I enjoyed reading Hot Flash. It’s a great read for anyone interested in romance. I am definitely adding Kathy to my list of favourite authors.
April 3, 2015
A chef who is desperate to find her true love after a failed marriage. Ms. Carmichael knows how to tickle you while reading the Hot Flash. This book is full of life and you will never stop laughing. The humor is so good. Be prepare to cry as well by so much laughter while reading this book. A son who speaks French and an artist in the future who Davin, his ex-teacher help him to be a successful artist. A mother who never stop to help her daughter to find a men. This story is a riot but in a very amazing way.
This book has humor, adventure and love in one. I am swooning for Davin and Jill and their adventure of finding love. There is beautiful friendship who always be there for each other through thick and thin. I love this book and so as the author. The best fun I ever done while reading. I highly recommend it to everybody who wants to read what life is real about of a single Mom. Kuddos to all the single Mom out there.
This book has humor, adventure and love in one. I am swooning for Davin and Jill and their adventure of finding love. There is beautiful friendship who always be there for each other through thick and thin. I love this book and so as the author. The best fun I ever done while reading. I highly recommend it to everybody who wants to read what life is real about of a single Mom. Kuddos to all the single Mom out there.
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