book data
135 ratings, 3.27 average rating, 23 reviews
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published
2007
by Washington Square Press
binding
Paperback, 352 pages
isbn
074327735X
(isbn13: 9780743277358)
description
Elayna Leopold, 35, works from home in New Jersey so that she can raise her young daughter, Hazel, while her husband puts in long hours as a lawyer in...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 223)
Read in July, 2006
Not a Desperate, but a Pathetic Housewife
I wanted to like this book. I think Cathi Hanauer is a very talented writer with a keen eye for detail and a conversational tone that allows you to know her characters and feel like you're chatting with them over a cup of coffee (or pitcher of margaritas). BUT . . . I had a hard time sinking my teeth into this story. The main character, Elayna Leopold, is an educated New Jersey housewife and mother of a precocious six-year-old. She is on the threshol...more
I wanted to like this book. I think Cathi Hanauer is a very talented writer with a keen eye for detail and a conversational tone that allows you to know her characters and feel like you're chatting with them over a cup of coffee (or pitcher of margaritas). BUT . . . I had a hard time sinking my teeth into this story. The main character, Elayna Leopold, is an educated New Jersey housewife and mother of a precocious six-year-old. She is on the threshol...more
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Read in January, 2008
I actually kind of enjoyed this book. I was very nervous about it because I started it and then looked up the comments and ratings. I was tempted to put it down and start a new one because it did not get very positive remarks. It is the first story of this nature that I have ever read, so maybe that is why I liked it? Most of the people who didn't said it was the same old love story, blah blah blah. I enjoyed her writing, it was an easy read, not much else to say.
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Read in July, 2008
Luckily, the chick-lit authors are growing up with me. I can't get into single in the city anymore, but love, marriage, kids, loss, boredom...these, I can relate to. The main character is wonderfully layered, so whether I am cheering her on, crying with her, or silently disapproving, I couldn't put the book down. This was a nice brain-candy read.
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Read in October, 2008
I enjoyed this book-it was a fast read and a good story. Liked the character development and loved Hazel's character and how the author describes her mannerisms. Paul seemed to me to be a bit of a spineless guy-until the twists at the end.
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Read in February, 2008
I think this is the first "chick lit" type book I've ever read. It was entertaining enough, an easy read. The author does a good job making the dialogue believable, which is usually one of my main gripes with books like this.
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I read this one right after Wifey, by Judy Blume, and thought it was pretty good. I think Wifey was a little more memorable, but I'll always link the two in my memory.
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Read in February, 2008
This is a good book to read at the beach or by the pool - which is why I read it in February. It's a little slow moving at times, but mostly a quick and entertaining read.
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I finished this book only because I had begun it. It was not terrible, but not very interesting and I found myself not really liking the main character.
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Read in April, 2007
I read this book in a couple of days on vacation in Mexico. The perfect juicy read for a beach setting. It was full of drama and excitement.
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Read in August, 2007
This was a fascinating fantasy peek into the life of a woman who is tempted to cheat on her husband and the consequences of her actions.
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Read in December, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the observations on life as a stay-at-home mom were spot on.
Typical book. Nothing exciting. Took to long to get to the plot and then quickly went downhill from there. Very predictable.
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So far, so good, although I feel as if I've already read it a thousand times. Predictable so far, I guess.
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I like reading books that take place in New Jersey after living there. Good for chic lit.
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Mother copes with loss of child and meets/cheats with young man across the street.
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Read in June, 2007
Worth reading, but not one of my favorite books. It's a great summer read.
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Best book I've read in a while. I'm hoping this author has more coming...
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Read in April, 2008
I just couldn't get into this book so I have moved on.
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currently-reading (on 15 people's shelves)
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library-books (on 2 people's shelves)
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