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Discovering Arugula
Liz Gardner is ripe for Mr. Right. She has lived an admittedly reckless and debauched life, all the while questioning, "Why does everything happen to me?" Enlightenment finally kicks in and Liz's forward path leads her directly to her soul mate. Unfortunately, she soon learns that real life doesn't mimic fairy tales or chick flicks. Even though she feels healthy and balanced, her destructive patterns have their teeth deeply embedded into her ankles like a persistent rabid Chihuahua she can't shake off. Fears of old habits, pining ex-lovers, the discovery of an ill-fated dark family secret and even murder threaten to sabotage the happily ever after she's worked so hard for.
How do you handle all the crap after Happily Ever.
Liz Gardner is ripe for Mr. Right. She has lived an admittedly reckless and debauched life, all the while wondering, "Why does everything happen to me?" Enlightenment finally kicks in and Liz's forward path leads her directly to her soul mate. She soon learns that real life doesn't mimic fairy tales or chick flicks. Even though she feels healthy and balanced, her destructive patterns have their teeth deeply embedded into her ankles like a persistent rabid Chihuahua she can't shake off. Fears of old habits, pining ex-lovers, the discovery of an ill-fated dark family secret and even murder threaten to sabotage the happily ever after she's worked so hard for.
How do you handle all the crap after Happily Ever.
In this sequel to her critically acclaimed first novel Who Got Liz Gardner, author Elizabeth Allen cleverly takes us back to the moment when Eric Alexander gets Liz. Then she proceeds to send the reader on a courtship ride with more spins, twists and corkscrew turns than the Coney Island Cyclone. By story’s end, you will be breathless, white-knuckled and lining up to go again!
www.elizabeth-allen.com
How do you handle all the crap after Happily Ever.
Liz Gardner is ripe for Mr. Right. She has lived an admittedly reckless and debauched life, all the while wondering, "Why does everything happen to me?" Enlightenment finally kicks in and Liz's forward path leads her directly to her soul mate. She soon learns that real life doesn't mimic fairy tales or chick flicks. Even though she feels healthy and balanced, her destructive patterns have their teeth deeply embedded into her ankles like a persistent rabid Chihuahua she can't shake off. Fears of old habits, pining ex-lovers, the discovery of an ill-fated dark family secret and even murder threaten to sabotage the happily ever after she's worked so hard for.
How do you handle all the crap after Happily Ever.
In this sequel to her critically acclaimed first novel Who Got Liz Gardner, author Elizabeth Allen cleverly takes us back to the moment when Eric Alexander gets Liz. Then she proceeds to send the reader on a courtship ride with more spins, twists and corkscrew turns than the Coney Island Cyclone. By story’s end, you will be breathless, white-knuckled and lining up to go again!
www.elizabeth-allen.com
- GenresChick Lit
545 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2010
About the author
Elizabeth Allen
3 books2 followersLiz is a Florida girl - born and raised in the Sunshine State. Her career path has spanned from physical to fiscal to literary starting in nutrition, then riding the roller coaster we call the stock market as a financial advisor and ultimately penning her first book at age 49. Before meeting her husband and marrying in 1992 Liz lived in New York City and Los Angeles. In 1995 she had a child but fear and impatience with unpredictable earthquakes in California motivated her to move back to Florida in 1999 - just in time for that y2k scare...
Liz' debut novel "Who Got Liz Gardner" was published in April 2009 as the result of an international contest and is now enjoying tremendous popularity in book clubs around the world. Recently, some critics have called her novel "the intelligent and better-written 'Fifty Shades of Grey'". She was also reviewed and highly recommended by USA Today in April 2012. The sequel to WGLG - Discovering Arugula - was released January 2011. She recently released her third novel "Ima Pigg" a young adult/scifi tale which has been described as "Charlotte's Web" meets "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
Liz has been a contributing writer for several women's magazines as well as a popular speaker for women's groups.
Liz lives with her husband, daughter and Catahoula Leopard dog. Her unrealized dream is to ride horseback across the fields of Provence for one week. In the meantime, she rides dressage once a week and goes to Epcot. She will not ride Mission Space. She does, however,practice her high school French when she orders crepes.
Liz' debut novel "Who Got Liz Gardner" was published in April 2009 as the result of an international contest and is now enjoying tremendous popularity in book clubs around the world. Recently, some critics have called her novel "the intelligent and better-written 'Fifty Shades of Grey'". She was also reviewed and highly recommended by USA Today in April 2012. The sequel to WGLG - Discovering Arugula - was released January 2011. She recently released her third novel "Ima Pigg" a young adult/scifi tale which has been described as "Charlotte's Web" meets "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
Liz has been a contributing writer for several women's magazines as well as a popular speaker for women's groups.
Liz lives with her husband, daughter and Catahoula Leopard dog. Her unrealized dream is to ride horseback across the fields of Provence for one week. In the meantime, she rides dressage once a week and goes to Epcot. She will not ride Mission Space. She does, however,practice her high school French when she orders crepes.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews
January 27, 2013
Discovering Arugula (Who Got Liz Gardner 2) is about her marriage and having her child. It still has that humor and unflinching honest, that leaves me questioning the fiction of this tale. It’s a wonder that the human race has even survived.
This time around she has the man of her dreams, her Prince Charming, yet the behavior of her past constantly rear their ugly head, not to mention in-laws. A lot of the events were glanced over in Who Got Liz Gardner are given in great details. The plotline that I was looking for was concluded, in a realistic matter given the situation. I still wanted a better resolution but that neither here nor there.
If women walk around this insecure it’s a wonder that life even continues on this planet. A lot of the mental flogging was baseless and unnecessary but I guess it was HER mental minutiae. Another of MY clues that its nonfiction masquerading as fiction or she just that amazing of a writer. It goes to show as a male I can’t tell the difference between manic fiction and nonfiction, it’s that good.
I hope Elizabeth Allen writes the next phase, of this slightly crazy character, Liz Gardner. Dealing with a teenager daughter? Finally finding the career fulfillment? Or is she going to stay slightly bitter and morph dangerously into her mother? By my calculation I think Liz Gardner is forty-seven when she started previous story. She’s ends this one around thirty-five or thirty six if my math is correct; that leaves another entire decade of stories to be told.
This time around she has the man of her dreams, her Prince Charming, yet the behavior of her past constantly rear their ugly head, not to mention in-laws. A lot of the events were glanced over in Who Got Liz Gardner are given in great details. The plotline that I was looking for was concluded, in a realistic matter given the situation. I still wanted a better resolution but that neither here nor there.
If women walk around this insecure it’s a wonder that life even continues on this planet. A lot of the mental flogging was baseless and unnecessary but I guess it was HER mental minutiae. Another of MY clues that its nonfiction masquerading as fiction or she just that amazing of a writer. It goes to show as a male I can’t tell the difference between manic fiction and nonfiction, it’s that good.
I hope Elizabeth Allen writes the next phase, of this slightly crazy character, Liz Gardner. Dealing with a teenager daughter? Finally finding the career fulfillment? Or is she going to stay slightly bitter and morph dangerously into her mother? By my calculation I think Liz Gardner is forty-seven when she started previous story. She’s ends this one around thirty-five or thirty six if my math is correct; that leaves another entire decade of stories to be told.
December 6, 2016
Discovering Arugula, Elizabeth Allen’s follow-up to her novel Who Got Liz Gardner, is a rollicking literary ride that, while greatly entertaining, also serves up clever insights and wisdom about life with all the headlong energy of a runaway train. By turns bawdy, poignant, and laugh-out-loud funny, the book is populated with a colorful cast of characters, many of whom bring new meaning to the word “dysfunctional”. The story follows Liz’s journey from finding her true love Eric –the “Arugula” of the title– through her engagement and marriage, finally culminating in the joy of giving birth to her daughter. Due in large part to the turbulent personal history described in the previous novel, Liz is constantly beset by doubts, anxiety, frustration, gloom, anger, and a deep-seated fear of being abandoned; but ultimately she overcomes all of it and emerges as a strong, secure, beloved and content wife and mother. Hooked from the very first page, I found the book almost impossible to put down, and was sorry when it came to an end. However, I have a strong hunch that we have not heard the last of Liz Gardner; and for that, I am grateful indeed.
March 4, 2013
I wanted to take some time between reading this book and reviewing it. While the author continues Liz' journey of growth, the leap from Who Got Liz Gardner to this sequel, both in content and style, is significant. You can literally "feel" how Liz is growing up. The same wit, humor, pathos and veiled lessons are there, but with a much more sophisticated edge. And yes, the sex is still there, but now that Liz is dedicated to one man, it's hotter and more meaningful. The sexual scenes are written with a lot of honesty and seem more graphic, but it seemed to me it was more about conveying "sex is better when you're in love" than just being gratuitous.
I loved this book as much, if not more than the first. I wish all women could/would read it. I wish all men in relationships with women would read it. More than once.
I know Ms. Allen must have a third book in her and I hope she doesn't keep me waiting too long for it!
I loved this book as much, if not more than the first. I wish all women could/would read it. I wish all men in relationships with women would read it. More than once.
I know Ms. Allen must have a third book in her and I hope she doesn't keep me waiting too long for it!
February 5, 2012
Liz Gardner, a wanna be actress, meets the man of her dreams in Eric Alexander. He's like no one she has ever dated. With quick succession they get engaged, married, and have child. The only glitch is Liz doesn't think she is good enough and second guesses herself constantly. This book was very cute and I can't wait to read the 1st book , Who Gets Liz Gardner. Funny, endearing, and quirky episodes in the life of Liz make for a Chelsea Handler feel on life. Not a bad way to spend a day in the sun.
June 8, 2013
Omg! I love these books! I really hope there is a third Liz Gardner book! Her hubby is oh, so sweet!
July 19, 2011
Discovering Arugula is the follow up novel to “Who Got Liz Gardner.” If you haven’t yet read “Who Got Liz” I suggest you do! I think this is a series that is best red in order as the first novel makes way for the second and gives insight and appreciation for it as well. In this sequel, Liz, the main character, continues her story after meeting “The One,” her husband Eric. After a quick courtship and engagement sends Liz and Eric down the path of wedding planning, in-law discoveries and the loss that life brings at random moments, leaving us to deal with our grief. Of course the novel wouldn’t be complete without deep insight into the life, struggles and feelings of the main character, Liz. Liz’s honesty about her struggles with her past life and now monogamous relationship, insecurities, issues with trust, jealousy and a mother –in-law from hell kept me hooked to this novel.
Elizabeth’s writing is every bit as good as her first novel. I couldn’t put it down! Elizabeth possesses an ability to tell her story with honest, unguarded emotion and thought. As I read this book I was able to identify with the thoughts and feelings of the characters. I had many laugh out loud moments as well as heartbreaking and thankful moments. (Thankful if I never have to plan another wedding again!) I connected to this novel in a way that I didn’t connect with “Who Got Liz.” My life style was vastly different from Liz’s life in the first novel. This made the first novel interesting but not fully relatable. However, Discovering Arugula was different for me. This novel had the same wonderful writing but a new tone. It had a voice of maturity and an air of confidence in the midst of the insecurities that plague the best of us.
One of my favorite lines in this novel is “Falling in love with Eric was like Discovering Arugula.” Prior to this line, she explains what it was like to discover Arugula. I never knew lettuce could so perfectly explain what falling in love can be like. I was amazed by her ability to make this fact so understandable. This novel is highly entertaining and raw. Elizabeth has an amazing ability to write a piece of fiction that reads like an honest memoir. I enjoyed this novel and Elizabeth’s writing and would recommend the series to fiction lovers looking for something different to read. She makes five hundred pages feel like two hundred.
Elizabeth’s writing is every bit as good as her first novel. I couldn’t put it down! Elizabeth possesses an ability to tell her story with honest, unguarded emotion and thought. As I read this book I was able to identify with the thoughts and feelings of the characters. I had many laugh out loud moments as well as heartbreaking and thankful moments. (Thankful if I never have to plan another wedding again!) I connected to this novel in a way that I didn’t connect with “Who Got Liz.” My life style was vastly different from Liz’s life in the first novel. This made the first novel interesting but not fully relatable. However, Discovering Arugula was different for me. This novel had the same wonderful writing but a new tone. It had a voice of maturity and an air of confidence in the midst of the insecurities that plague the best of us.
One of my favorite lines in this novel is “Falling in love with Eric was like Discovering Arugula.” Prior to this line, she explains what it was like to discover Arugula. I never knew lettuce could so perfectly explain what falling in love can be like. I was amazed by her ability to make this fact so understandable. This novel is highly entertaining and raw. Elizabeth has an amazing ability to write a piece of fiction that reads like an honest memoir. I enjoyed this novel and Elizabeth’s writing and would recommend the series to fiction lovers looking for something different to read. She makes five hundred pages feel like two hundred.
February 21, 2011
"Discovering Arugula" was a wonderful follow up to “Who Got Liz Gardner” by Elizabeth Allen, which if you have not read, I highly suggest you do. Essentially the books follow the mishaps of Liz Gardner, a sassy but very intelligent, and hilariously funny young woman. Through her eyes we come to understand her upbringing, her misfortunes of the heart and ultimately, the best thing to ever happen to her... The marriage to her lover and life partner, Eric. Both books have a way of touching your heart. They are real, edgy, dark, sexy and comical. To say Liz Gardner is animated is understatement. She’s more like your best friend that has come over with a few bottles of wine and lays on you how she met Eric and all that she had to overcome to get there. I definitely laughed, but found myself crying as well. By the time I had reached the end of the second book, I felt a sense of relief. Through the novels, I had become a part of Liz’s life but ironically, she had become a part of mine as well. I recommend both books!
You can also read my review of both books on http://Iadorebooksandfilm.blogspot.com
You can also read my review of both books on http://Iadorebooksandfilm.blogspot.com
March 9, 2012
I never would have thought that the author could keep up the pace after the spicy, sexy romp that is "Who Got Liz Gardner". How could married life possibly compare to the thrilling spectacle that was the young, single, self-indulgent yet spiritual, streetwise, sexy young temptress that we all know and love as Liz Gardner? Why would we want to read about her life as a wife and new mother? Well... let me just say that this author has done it again! I was pulled in from the beginning... from the very first moments of Liz's intoxication with Eric at the "fated" audition where they meet, followed by the very romantic and intensely sensual courtship which leads to their wedding with all it's high drama. The path to their life of wedded bliss is a ride you will not forget. Complete with a fairytale proposal in the home of a celebrity with tons of rose petals! And there is so much more, jealously, intrigue, birth, death and another wedding. This author is armed with a wicked sense of humor and isn't afraid to use it. She could write about grass growing and captivate her audience. I ask you, who else could compare relationships to types of lettuce and make it work.... Exactly!
June 10, 2011
As previously mentioned in my review of Who got Liz Gardner, I continued her story and read the follow up Discovering Arugula. I found the follow up a bit more exciting to read as well as realistic since she wasn't jumping from relationship to relationship. This book picks up after Liz has met "The One", Eric while a doing summer theater production. They go through a quick but real courtship and she finds herself engaged after about 2 months. Then we get introduced to her future in-laws which I imagine anyone with crazy families will appreciate. We also see her main character dealing with loss for the first time and the emotions are very true and you can see that she didn't hold anything back. There was one issue that left a bad taste in my mouth when I was finished with both of these books, and I am just hoping that this issue was dealt with very differently then in the book if it mirrors the truth.
Reviewed by Gabi for Book Sake. http://booksake.blogspot.com
Reviewed by Gabi for Book Sake. http://booksake.blogspot.com
July 3, 2016
In this sequel to Who Got Liz Gardner, Allen explores the mundane side of marriage relationships through Liz and Eric’s relationship and the birth of their daughter, Rikki. Feelings of abandonment, insecurity, love, and lust are woven through their interactions with themselves and others. A bit boring at times, author Allen does an excellent job of portraying how each character believes the world revolves around them and that they are the center of all relationship that develop.
July 8, 2011
this is a sweet tale of a girl really finding herself and being surprised at who she is when she finds her. I really liked Liz and Eric and enjoyed their journey. I found I coukd relate as I feel I know this Liz. She is several of my friends mixed into one and I could be miffed she did something stupid then cry with her when she suffers loss. Nicely done.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews