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51st out of 219 books
—
455 voters
Must've Done Something Good (Must've Done Something Good #1)
by
Cheryl Cory (Goodreads Author)
If you love "The Sound of Music" and "Pride and Prejudice," prepare to be enchanted by "Must've Done Something Good!"
Sylvie O'Rourke, "The Sound of Music" devotee and born procrastinator, is about to die. Well, she thinks she is, anyway, and so attempts a last-ditch bargain with God for her life.
"You guys are my witnesses," she tells her sisters somewhere over Connecticut....more
Sylvie O'Rourke, "The Sound of Music" devotee and born procrastinator, is about to die. Well, she thinks she is, anyway, and so attempts a last-ditch bargain with God for her life.
"You guys are my witnesses," she tells her sisters somewhere over Connecticut....more
Paperback, Second Edition, 284 pages
Published
November 17th 2009
by CreateSpace
(first published January 12th 2008)
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Dec 22, 2008
Lisa Vegan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of: humorous fiction, stories about teachers & students, The Sound of Music
Shelves:
fiction,
gr-author,
reviewed,
novel,
school-stories,
from-author-publisher,
altta,
lt-author
So, does the 2 vhs tape version of The Sound of Music really end where the Captain and Maria are dancing?!? Not at the regular intermission a bit farther on when Maria leaves the house? Actually, I’d have liked to have had even more of The Sound of Music incorporated into this book, but there was enough for fans to be happy. The book’s plot corresponds mostly with the book Pride and Prejudice with a bit of the play Othello thrown in. While you don’t have to be a fan of these works, or even know...more
6 likes · like · see review
view all 4 comments
Dec 07, 2008
Anna
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of P&P and touching chicklit stories
I know Cheryl Cory via a Jane Austen site, and she was kind enough to send me a copy of her book.
This book had such a beautiful, understated feel to it. It was warm, engaging, and endearing, and charming in it’s simplicity and honesty, it really touched me.
I loved the Pride and Prejudice feel to it; the Darcy, Wickham, Lizzy aspect of the story was very well told and played out. You know what's coming, but you still want to know just how it would be resolved. I enjoyed the other Darcy touches to...more
This book had such a beautiful, understated feel to it. It was warm, engaging, and endearing, and charming in it’s simplicity and honesty, it really touched me.
I loved the Pride and Prejudice feel to it; the Darcy, Wickham, Lizzy aspect of the story was very well told and played out. You know what's coming, but you still want to know just how it would be resolved. I enjoyed the other Darcy touches to...more
4.5 stars!
This first time author did not disappoint! My Sylvie was Tina Fey and Evan ended up as Colin Firth (not a surprise since this is a modern day take on Pride and Prejudice.) It sounds like a strange combination, but it worked for me. The main character Sylvie was fun to cheer for because her inner dialogue was so true to life. Other reviews have said the book has a very G rated Bridget Jones feel and I concur. It was very endearing and rare to find a literary heroine in her 20's with hi...more
This first time author did not disappoint! My Sylvie was Tina Fey and Evan ended up as Colin Firth (not a surprise since this is a modern day take on Pride and Prejudice.) It sounds like a strange combination, but it worked for me. The main character Sylvie was fun to cheer for because her inner dialogue was so true to life. Other reviews have said the book has a very G rated Bridget Jones feel and I concur. It was very endearing and rare to find a literary heroine in her 20's with hi...more
5 likes · like · see review
What I loved about this book was how much I could identify with Sylvie. She has her ups and downs just like any of us, many of which are hilarious. The story is a fun parallel to Pride & Prejudice, and Evan melted my heart just as much as Mr. Darcy did. And I wanted Meg to be my real sister :)
4 likes · like · see review
This book had me laughing out loud. In fact, the last time I laughed out loud this much at a book was when I read the Bridget Jones books.
The characters are well-drawn and real. Sylvie and her sisters (especially Meg) sparkle. By the end, the book's characters came to feel like friends. (At least most of them did. One or two ... well, without giving too much away, you probably wouldn't want to be friends with them!)
Finishing the book was kind of bittersweet. I wanted to finish it because of the...more
The characters are well-drawn and real. Sylvie and her sisters (especially Meg) sparkle. By the end, the book's characters came to feel like friends. (At least most of them did. One or two ... well, without giving too much away, you probably wouldn't want to be friends with them!)
Finishing the book was kind of bittersweet. I wanted to finish it because of the...more
Sylvie O’Rourke makes a deal with God on a rocky flight, that if she lives, she will do something good with her life. Months later she still hasn’t figured it out. With the persistent pestering of her sisters she lands a job at St. Matthew’s High School teaching English.
What better way to do something good with your life than to shape the lives of today’s youth. Sylvie finds out that is a lot easier said than done. She is snubbed by a fellow teacher in front of the entire English department and...more
What better way to do something good with your life than to shape the lives of today’s youth. Sylvie finds out that is a lot easier said than done. She is snubbed by a fellow teacher in front of the entire English department and...more
This is a bit of a Pride and Prejudice retelling with lots of the Sound of Music thrown in. Since those are two of my all time favorite stories I couldn't help but love this story about Sylvie O'Rourke who becomes a high school english teacher after promising God that she will do something good with her life. The first day of school she is snubbed by Evan Danes a fellow English Teacher who also happens to be gorgeous, so Sylvie does the only thing a snubbed woman can do, she holds a grudge. I la...more
4 likes · like · see review
This was a very charming, fun book to read. I like the way she integrated her character and that character's personality to effect the entire story. The opening was a big hook for me and I liked the way she talked as a real person, real thoughts and real habits. The only thing I had a hard time with was the voice of the teens in high school. True, most high school students are immature, but for a lot of the story I kept thinking that these were 7-8 year olds because of their actions and dialogue...more
"Must've Done Something Good" by Cheryl Cory (find it on Amazon!)
I belong to a Jane Austen related message board (otherwise know as a forum) where fans on Jane Austen discuss the novels and other related things. Well one member, Cheryl has a published novel! "Must've Done Something Good" :) I've just finished reading it and I loved it! If you like Pride and Prejudice and The Sound of Music then I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Even though it has some elements of these two stories, Cheryl's book has it's...more
I belong to a Jane Austen related message board (otherwise know as a forum) where fans on Jane Austen discuss the novels and other related things. Well one member, Cheryl has a published novel! "Must've Done Something Good" :) I've just finished reading it and I loved it! If you like Pride and Prejudice and The Sound of Music then I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Even though it has some elements of these two stories, Cheryl's book has it's...more
The author mailed a free copy to my dear friend Lisa, who then lent the book to me. Kind of fun to be part of a viral marketing campaign. :-)
The main character believes her plane is about to crash, and strikes up a quick deal with God: if she lives through this flight, she'll find a way to do some good in the world. She survives, and takes a job at a Catholic high school, teaching English. The plot is adapted from Pride & Prejudice, with a Wickham/Darcy/Elizabeth triangle; it's easy to see w...more
The main character believes her plane is about to crash, and strikes up a quick deal with God: if she lives through this flight, she'll find a way to do some good in the world. She survives, and takes a job at a Catholic high school, teaching English. The plot is adapted from Pride & Prejudice, with a Wickham/Darcy/Elizabeth triangle; it's easy to see w...more
4 likes · like · see review
Must've Done Something Good by Cheryl Cory...a good lesson on doing a good deed...even if we hate it. Sylvie somehow manages to volunteer and pile more good deeds on top of her head,from teaching English, directing musicals,to sticking with promises she makes off the cuff, wishing she had done something completely different...but it all works out in the end.
I loved this story and I found it to be a good lesson in sticking to your guns whether that be in your promises to God, your loved ones, yo...more
I loved this story and I found it to be a good lesson in sticking to your guns whether that be in your promises to God, your loved ones, yo...more
In the beginning I wasn't sure how I would like the book. As it went on I liked it better and better. Sweet ending. I like the interaction between Sylvie and her sisters and how you got to know some of the students as well as other teachers at St. Matt's. Other than the fact that the main character worked at a Catholic school and they said prayers in class, there wasn't much of a religious influence. Certain things seemed very realistic to me; for example the students had to read and discuss boo...more
Feb 05, 2009
Sfdreams
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Sfdreams by:
Lisa Vegan
I REALLY liked this book! I hope that Ms. Cory writes more with this character.
I am not a Sound of Music fanatic, but I did enjoy the references to the movie, and my friend, Lisa, and my partner, Melanie, are both fanatics of the movie so I can appreciate the references. I have been going around singing "Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must've done something good" since reading this book. Unfortunately, that's about the extent of the song that I know. LOL.
I am not a Sound of Music fanatic, but I did enjoy the references to the movie, and my friend, Lisa, and my partner, Melanie, are both fanatics of the movie so I can appreciate the references. I have been going around singing "Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must've done something good" since reading this book. Unfortunately, that's about the extent of the song that I know. LOL.
I loved this book.
I am so happy I got a change to read it, because it is the best book I have read for a long while.
I like Sylvia as a character. She is funny and I love her sense of humour. I also like her sisters, they seem to have so much fun together, it makes me wish I could have sisters too.
I did not like Evan first, but when Ben told his story about this whole dating situation I someway knew that he was lying and that Evan is really the "good guy". (I started to think Wickham/Darcy situa...more
I am so happy I got a change to read it, because it is the best book I have read for a long while.
I like Sylvia as a character. She is funny and I love her sense of humour. I also like her sisters, they seem to have so much fun together, it makes me wish I could have sisters too.
I did not like Evan first, but when Ben told his story about this whole dating situation I someway knew that he was lying and that Evan is really the "good guy". (I started to think Wickham/Darcy situa...more
Nov 21, 2008
Tabitha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everybody!!!
Must've Done Something Good is a GREAT book! it is a romanitic comedy kinda following Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ,with a little Sound of Music thrown in!
I really enjoyed the characters , they were well written and you felt that you were good friends with them ! the book is really funny! Sylvie is my favorite character but, i really enjoyed all of them. I really enjoyed reading the short discussions about various literary works that came up from time to time in Sylvie's work as a high sc...more
I really enjoyed the characters , they were well written and you felt that you were good friends with them ! the book is really funny! Sylvie is my favorite character but, i really enjoyed all of them. I really enjoyed reading the short discussions about various literary works that came up from time to time in Sylvie's work as a high sc...more
Oct 28, 2008
Ida
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Ida by:
the author herself, and Stacey
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Nov 04, 2008
Kristine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kristine by:
Cheryl Cory
Okay, how could I, one of the premier fans of "The Sound of Music" not like this book? It really was a fun read! Thanks for recommending (and WRITING) it, Cheryl!
This book has it all: comedy, a little romance, mystery, deceit, a musical, drama and a classic novel. I enjoyed this first book by Cherly Cory - in fact, I read it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down! The ending is very sweet. At first I was really surprised by Sylvie's decision at the end of the school year about whether to go back to teach another year. Then I few pages later, it all made perfect sense. I like books that wrap everything up neatly at the end!
Nov 21, 2008
Rachel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Rachel by:
Cheryl
I loved it. Once I started reading "Must've Done Something Good," I couldn't put it down. The humor and fun kept me laughing while the plot kept me reading. A mixture of "Sound of Music," "Persuasion," "Pride and Prejudice," and some completely unique ideas thrown together into an enchanting mix, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It shall definitely be making the rounds of my friends. I will be eagerly looking forward to the next book from Cheryl Cory.
Cute, fun read. How can I not like it when the main character is so into/obsessed with the Sound of Music? That's a recipe for liking any book. However any thoughts I had about switching my career to teaching in the classroom was quickly dashed in reading this book.
Andrea
Andrea
Very cute, sweet story of a "Sound of Music" loving young woman who makes a vow to do good by taking a teaching job.... mildly funny, written in an easy-to-read style - definitely not a "heavy" story. Oh... a Pride and Prejudice connection too!
3 likes · like · see review
This is a well-written, very fun book to read. I liked how it was a modern-day version of Pride & Prejudice, with elements of another of my favorites, The Sound of Music, thrown in. I'd love to read more of this author's books when they come out.
Great read! Loved the characters, the pop culture references and of course the love story that develops through the book. I think anyone who is a fan of Pride and Prejudice would enjoy reading this book.
Brilliant. Sad it had to end, but maybe we'll hear more from Sylvie someday...?
In a bit of hysteria brought on by some extreme airplane turbulence, Sylvie O’Rourke vows that she will do “Something Good” with her life if she lives. Her two sisters (who were on the airplane when the vow was made) will not let Sylvie forget her vow. So, she ends up applying for a teaching position at St. Matthew’s High School (a Catholic private school that doesn’t require a teaching certificate). Of course things are harder than she thought they would be. Although for Sylvie it seems like a...more
I would agree with others that this is somewhat a take on Pride and Predjudice or Bridget Jones' Diary. This is the book that Ms. Cory has started off her writing career with. She is a young woman and writes in a similar, youthful, conversational manner. Her characters are somewhat difficult to differentiate from each other at times and one might imagine that the main character, Sylvie and her sisters are based on the author, Cheryl Cory herself; however, that may be because the book is written...more
Aug 29, 2008
Angie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Angie by:
Cheryl Cory
Thank you Cheryl for introducing me to Sylvie and her sisters. I enjoyed the book, which read much like a daily blog, following the life of a young woman dabbling in the art of teaching high school English.
I probably would have been able to rate the book higher if I were more familiar with The Sound of Music or Pride and Prejudice. There was considerable time spent referencing both of these works, and the references were a bit lost on me.
Nevertheless, the underlying romance is something anyone...more
I probably would have been able to rate the book higher if I were more familiar with The Sound of Music or Pride and Prejudice. There was considerable time spent referencing both of these works, and the references were a bit lost on me.
Nevertheless, the underlying romance is something anyone...more
Jan 28, 2009
Steph (Reviewer X)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
blog-already-read
The story revolves around Sylvia who has a new teaching job at a private school. She teaches English Literature and while her class is reading Pride & Prejudice she finds her own Mr. Darcy. Trouble ensues as is the norm but Sylvia keeps it light with fun literature and movie references. Must’ve Done Something Good is a feel good read sure to put you in the mood for discovering the original Mr. Darcy. While I didn’t find anything particularly original in this novel, it’s overall enjoyable. Th...more
If you love "The Sound of Music" and "Pride and Prejudice," prepare to be enchanted by "Must've Done Something Good!"
Sylvie O'Rourke, "The Sound of Music" devotee and born procrastinator, is about to die. Well, she thinks she is, anyway, and so attempts a last-ditch bargain with God for her life. "You guys are my witnesses," she tells her sisters somewhere over Connecticut. "If we get out of this plane alive, I promise to do something good with my life."
Back on firm ground, Kate and Meg won't...more
Sylvie O'Rourke, "The Sound of Music" devotee and born procrastinator, is about to die. Well, she thinks she is, anyway, and so attempts a last-ditch bargain with God for her life. "You guys are my witnesses," she tells her sisters somewhere over Connecticut. "If we get out of this plane alive, I promise to do something good with my life."
Back on firm ground, Kate and Meg won't...more
I am going to grand it 4 stars when it comes down to Jane Austen inspired books. Plus that for all the beginners on the teaching frontiers will for sure be able to relate with this teacher featured in the book. For the oldies is for sure will bring back some memories of these first wild years on the planning, class management, marking, creative thinking, improvising and coaching days.... It for sure is an entertaining read. The idea of putting together with your pupils a book of wisdom and then...more
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Cheryl Cory lives in Worcester, Massachusetts with her husband Matthew and their cat Betsy. She enjoys reading, cleaning (seriously), and making cookie dough (not to cook, just to eat). She has tried and quickly given up a number of sports including, but not limited to, golf, skiing and snowboarding. We Have Confidence! is the long-awaited sequel to Cheryl's first novel, Must’ve Done Something Goo...more
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“It’s true—there are only, like, two songs about rainbows, including that one. He should be asking why there are so few songs about rainbows.”
—
3 people liked it
“They [high school students] all seemed quite excited to be there [a formal dance], like they were finally getting a glimpse of this magical new world they assumed was adulthood. As if adults regularly got together at large dances, all dressed up in fancy new clothes.”
—
2 people liked it
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