Who You Know

by Theresa Alan

Three women who work for a sleazy marketing research company in Colorado--Rette, her sister Jen, and Avery--try to cope with romance, drinking and money problems, incompetent bosses, careers that seem stalled, and other pitfalls.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction

306 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

My interests are women's fiction, literary fiction and nonfiction, humor, suspense, chick lit, health and fitness.

I became a bestselling author with my first novel, Who You Know (2003), and my novella Santa Unwrapped was in the New York Times bestseller Jingle All the Way (2004). I am the author of six additional Kensington novels, including Spur of the Moment, The Girls’ Global Guide to Guys, Girls Who Gossip, Getting Married, Spa Vacation, and The Dangers of Mistletoe. My work has also appeared in the anthologies I Shaved My Legs for This?! and Sex and the Single Witch. I was named the Colorado Romance Writer of the Year in 2004.

A graduate of the University of Iowa and the University of Colorado at Boulder, I live in Denver, Colorado. I'm a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Women's Fiction Writers Association Association, and Romance Writers of America.

http://theresaalan.net/

Reviews

[Antof9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought there was a law that all chick lit needed to be set in New York or London, with occasional special dispensation for short trips to Ireland. When I saw that this book was set in my home state of Colorado, I couldn't resist it.

I kinda wish I had, as it was fairly trashy, and somewhat depressing. This part from Avery's story was indicative of what made me sad about this book:

. . . I tried to talk to him about my work, my dreams, my day, he would look so bored and uninterested that I would cut my story short. After a while, I rarely talked at all. How had I managed to marry such a stranger?

In the first few dates you have all your stories to share, all your jokes to tell. You see movies you don't want to see and laugh at jokes that aren't funny. Then, a few dates down the road, you have sex, and it's good, and you wonder if this could be love. The next dates have a lot of sex and not so much talking, so you don't notice that it's because you don't particularly have much to say to each other. You're grateful someone finds you attractive and wants to spend time with you. You mistake your gratitude for love.

No, I'm not a prude, and no, I don't expect the whole world to "wait" to have sex. But if they did wait just a little more than they are now, there'd be less people walking around feeling exactly what she describes here. My husband and I will celebrate 15 years of marriage in August (2006), and we still really like being around each other. A lot. This picture she paints of marriage just makes me sad.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually liked this book alot. I was able to relate to a few of the characters in this book and understood some of the issues they were dealing with. I read this book at night with my book light and my husband snoring next to me. Could not put it down.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED this book! reminded me of Sex and the City! a fun read for sure

[Shaunna Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light reading, enjoyable enough. Lost track of which character was narrating and who they were multiple times. Had it figured by the end but the jumping around was needless and annoying. It could have been told from one perspective or just told without being from any one of them. There was no great insight from any of them that you needed to be in their heads. Ended like a sitcom where everything magically works out but you skip a bunch to get there.

[Cierra Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got lost with character changes all through out the book. Overall it was pretty good, but the beginning seemed a little slow for me, and then the last 10 pages went by really quick and explained everything a little too fast.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy book about girls finding their way in their twenties. Passed the time fine but it probably would have been a better read on the beach. : )

[Ashraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love with happiness a great combination to enlighten the mood of readers.

[Tree · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why I got through the whole book. Most of it was whiney and boring. Jen had some decent lines, but she's such an unlikeable character that it doesn't matter.

The only aspect of the book I could embrace is that most of us wake up every day to go to jobs we hate.

I don't undertand why the book is close to 400 pages either. The "story" could have been told far more concisely.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Honestly, at first, I wasn’t crazy about it. As the book went on, I began to relate better to the characters. I became excited to pick up the book and read more about Rette, Avery, and Jen. I got this book as a mystery book from a vendor at a farmers market, and it’s now a new 4 star read for me.

[Melea Rose-Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's kind of your typical chick lit, fun, easy read, but I really did like all of the characters, even with their flaws. It's a well written story. It's not one that will change the world, but I enjoyed it. Definitely recommend for something fun and fluffy to read.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really have high hopes for this book, but I was able to identify with 2 of the characters and some aspects in their lives. Also, if a girl talks about her 'magic wand' on the first page, how unfunny can a book be? Good laughs and light reading.

[Luisa Huang]

i own it...must have read it...don't remember it at all

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book. I didn't particularly care for any of the main characters and that made it difficult to care about their lives. Boring, bland and fairly predictable.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick beach read

[Allthatjazzhd · Rating 2 out of 5]

lame. not really interesting at all

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book 2 or 3 times. It really made me laugh.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ridiculous beach read-everything you expect and nothing less!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Simple, funny, very girlish, I felt like I was having drinks with my girlfriends each time I picked it up to read.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was great.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I definitely could identify with the main protagonists!

[Kristin Dow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breeze of the read and like the Colorado setting, even years before I came to live here. Has a fresh, modern voice. Office whining a bit overdone.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great chic lit!

[Evelyn Zorc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so awesome I've read it 3 times. The story grabs hold of the reader and flows so well the reader losses track of time.

[Tiffany Lake · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book. I really liked how the author had each girls perspective.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for its time. Barely remember it, to be honest.