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The Joke's on Me

by Laurie Boris (Goodreads Author)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 · rating details · 19 ratings · 8 reviews

Former stand-up comic Frankie Goldberg left her family behind to pursue success. But fifteen years later, when a mudslide plummets her hopes, her home, and her entire collection of impractical footwear into the Pacific, she flees Los Angeles for her idyllic hometown. In this story about family love and redemption, Frankiecraves comfort, but continually finds that the joke'...more

Paperback, 238 pages

Published June 28th 2011 by 4rv Publishing LLC

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Feb 27, 2012 Nicole Storey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Hello and Happy Monday! Today, I am reviewing a book that I finished last week. First of all, let me say that I normally don't read romantic comedies, so please excuse me if this review doesn't flow like like the ones I usually write.

The story started out slow for me. I am sure this is because I'm not used to this genre of books. I hate to start a story and not finish it (if I can help it), so I kept with it...and I'm glad I did. Let this be a lesson to everyone - don't give up on a book just b...more

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Jun 19, 2011 Kati Bowditch rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful, more light hearted look at sister/parent and other relationships. it was a very enjoyable though quick read and had me laughing at a few points along the way.

It seemed that the quick wit and humor that cropped up from time to time was extremely amusing but could have been ... I don't know... *more*. I just wanted to see more of the comedian take over and react to situations instead of the character trying to hold that part back, it seemed an huge part of her life away from...more

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Jun 28, 2011 Meg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sent-for-review, read-in-2011, contemporary-fiction

One of the things I love about books is their endless power to surprise you. When I was offered a copy of Laurie Boris’s The Joke’s On Me, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect — but I accepted based on the first chapter. It sounded funny. Punchy. And it didn’t let me down.

When Frankie Goldberg pulls back into Woodstock, N.Y., with just her few possessions lodged in a bright red convertible, she’s immediately greeted by her sister, Jude, leading a holistic retreat at the family bed and breakfast. N...more One of the things I love about books is their endless power to surprise you. When I was offered a copy of Laurie Boris’s The Joke’s On Me, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect — but I accepted based on the first chapter. It sounded funny. Punchy. And it didn’t let me down.

When Frankie Goldberg pulls back into Woodstock, N.Y., with just her few possessions lodged in a bright red convertible, she’s immediately greeted by her sister, Jude, leading a holistic retreat at the family bed and breakfast. Nothing totally unusual — except for the fact that everyone is nude. After recovering from the shock of that encounter, Frankie begins to take inventory of all the changes that have taken place since she moved to Los Angeles — most notably that her mother, once a formidable woman, has been moved to a nursing home.

Frankie, a “menopause baby,” is much younger than Jude — and was never considered the responsible sister, even as Jude cycled through husbands and raised her son, Ethan. After Frankie left home to pursue a life as a comedian and actress, Jude picked up the slack — and she hasn’t let her little sister forget it. Brought together again in their mutual desire to help their mother, Frankie has to finally put down roots — or run away again. But the presence of one Joey Mazzarella, former childhood crush, might make the choosing a little more difficult . . .

Laurie Boris’ The Joke’s On Me is a funny, sweet and realistic story showcasing the love of one family — and the idea that it’s never too late to start over. What really sold me on the novel was Jude and Frankie’s relationship, which felt honest and raw. Though never dramatic, Boris offers readers tender conversations between the women that defy the age gap between them. At the heart of it all, there’s love.

In her author biography, Boris describes herself as a “closet stand-up comedian” — and I think that humor really shines in The Joke’s On Me. Her sarcasm, rarely mean-spirited, is evident in Frankie’s character, and I immediately felt close to her as a narrator. She’s not without her faults, that’s for sure, but she owns up to them; she’s not without her quirks, either, but they make her lovable. Frankie felt like a friend.

And the love story? Oh, what a sucker I am for first love — and the sweet progression of Joey and Frankie’s relationship melted the little cockles of my heart. I loved that Joey is a baseball coach and Frankie is a lady that grew up appreciating the sport; like her, baseball is the one game I actually enjoy and understand. The frequent ballpark settings were ones I could appreciate!

Quirky, fun and very readable, Boris has crafted a novel with pithy dialogue, dueling sisters and plenty of heart. I read it quickly and enjoyed meeting Boris at the Book Blogger Convention in 2011, where she sat down to tell me about this book and I immediately squealed, “Laurie Boris! Oh, I have your book!” She looked genuinely surprised and was very kind, and I was happy to tell her I’d already enjoyed her debut novel. And if you’re looking for an amusing read, I think you will, too.(less)

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Aug 19, 2011 Katherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Laurie Boris has written a comical book with her first novel, The Joke’s on Me. Humor is entwined throughout this book about former actress/comic, Francine Goldberg, Frankie to family and friends, who returns home when she feels that she has been a failure.

“The cherry-red convertible and I bounced down the excuse for a road leading to my mother’s bed and breakfast. This was not the most pleasant car trip I’d ever taken, and by the time I got to Woodstock, “bed” and “breakfast” were the only tw...more Laurie Boris has written a comical book with her first novel, The Joke’s on Me. Humor is entwined throughout this book about former actress/comic, Francine Goldberg, Frankie to family and friends, who returns home when she feels that she has been a failure.

“The cherry-red convertible and I bounced down the excuse for a road leading to my mother’s bed and breakfast. This was not the most pleasant car trip I’d ever taken, and by the time I got to Woodstock, “bed” and “breakfast” were the only two things I wanted to see, besides a bathroom with a locking door. Unfortunately, when I pulled into the gravel parking lot, there was no room at the inn. The lot overflowed with old Volvos wearing rust spots and bumper stickers like “Free Tibet” and “My Other Car is a Broom”.

The catalyst for her return to Woodstock was when the house she was living in rolled down into the Pacific Ocean with all of her worldly belongings, except the cherry red convertible given to her by her former boss. Then the actress she was working for decided to take a hiatus from her work as a famous, well-known actress and didn’t need her help. And her mother had a stroke that brought on memory loss.
When she reached her childhood home, she found that her older sister, Jude, had put their mother in a nursing home and started running the family B & B as a holistic health retreat for ‘over-the-hill’ hippies. She also has ideas for the future of the B & B that will get them back in the black.
Frankie decides to stay and help her sister for the summer. She finds satisfaction in working to save the family business. You will be fascinated by the changes that Frankie undergoes as she sorts out her life.
Some old mysteries, that Frankie was not aware of, pop up as she reflects on her past life and her future. As you read through her memories and the amusing happenings of her former and new life, you will become fascinated with her and her family and friends.
Throughout the summer, Frankie struggles with her future. Should she stay in Woodstock and restore the business her parents had nurtured for so many years or should she head back to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood life? Her decision will be life-changing either way.
Laurie Boris is an award winning freelance writer with a background in advertising and marketing. She has written editorial copy, web articles, press releases, and other marketing materials. She is living in upstate New York working on her next novel.
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May 21, 2012 Nancy Fischer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. The humor was very effective. It was well written and descriptions of both place and feelings were spot on. Good story.

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May 20, 2011 jeff marked it as to-read

I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you.

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Jul 14, 2011 Chrystal rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads

Received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Really enjoyed it!

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May 12, 2011 Shelley marked it as to-read

Shelves: guest

Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2011/08/...

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About Laurie Boris

Laurie Boris, freelance writer, former graphic designer, and closet stand-up comic, has had her short fiction published in small magazines and on the Web. The award-winning author of three indie novels, The Joke's on Me, Drawing Breath, and Don't Tell Anyone, she lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her husband, Paul Blumstein, a commercial illustrator and web designer.

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