The Bright Side of Disaster: A Novel
by Katherine Center
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 520)
Cute chick lit about a girl whose fiance leaves her the day before she gives birth to their baby. It was fun and a super fast read, although predictable as chick lit tends to be (but I almost think that's a requirement... this book could not have satisfactorily ended any other way). I liked the main character's relationship with each of her parents, though I found her relationship with her friends rather flat and sort of pointless. I did really enjoy this book, though, and I think it's better th...more
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Read in July, 2008
This was a great book to read in my 8th month of pregnancy, but its appeal is not limited to pregnant women. The story of a young pregnant woman whose fiance leaves the day before she goes into labor features well-developed characters, witty dialogue, and an ending fit for the big screen.
What I liked best about Jenny was that she was not a wallower. She took care of the baby, made a new friend, developed a plan. And, of course, everything got interesting when the old boyfriend reappeared ju...more
What I liked best about Jenny was that she was not a wallower. She took care of the baby, made a new friend, developed a plan. And, of course, everything got interesting when the old boyfriend reappeared ju...more
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Read in March, 2008
I heard about this book at a seminar about Young Adult literature. It's not really YA, but it's been of interest to that age group. The main character is an unwed mother, and there is some sex, but nothing is graphic. It is a fluffy book and (though I have not read any before,) I suspect a bit chick-lit; it is probably also pretty predictable. I gave it 5 stars however, because it was 100% enjoyable. It's well written and witty, and just a pleasure to read. I think anyone who likes pleasure read...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher to read & review. I loved the author's writing style. It made the book very easy to read and I finished it in 2 evenings. I felt like I was hearing a friend tell a story and it kept me interested. The story was a little predictable and I found myself a little bugged by the main character's inability to stand up for herself but I think that made it even more realistic - she has her weaknesses like we all do. A word of warning: This book doe...more
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Read in November, 2007
this is the kind of story that is so easy to fall into. although it isn't my usual read, i found myself engrossed by the first chapter. i guess that's what you call a good chick-lit, eh? i haven't yet finished the book, but i am enjoying it so much that i'm trying to pace myself to draw it out. i doubt i'll be able to, it's hard to put down.
update: i found that this novel was quite predictable... from the very first sentence. i guess you could call it foreshadowing, either way... pred...more
update: i found that this novel was quite predictable... from the very first sentence. i guess you could call it foreshadowing, either way... pred...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Someone wanting a light read
Light book, good read when someone is say... suffering from kidney stones. :)
HOWEVER, I would recommend all first time mother's pick this sucker up. She is VERY real about how you feel those first few weeks post-partum. Esp. about breastfeeding.
I'm a big proponent that people need to understand what they're getting into. Milk doesn't just squirt out when the baby's born, it's a process, and one which doesn't involve just a small amount of pain.
Anyway, a good read, you can predict exactl...more
HOWEVER, I would recommend all first time mother's pick this sucker up. She is VERY real about how you feel those first few weeks post-partum. Esp. about breastfeeding.
I'm a big proponent that people need to understand what they're getting into. Milk doesn't just squirt out when the baby's born, it's a process, and one which doesn't involve just a small amount of pain.
Anyway, a good read, you can predict exactl...more
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The day before Jenny gives birth to their first child, her fiance Dean gets cold feet and ditches her. As Jenny struggles to raise her daughter on her own, she finds support from her parents, old and new friends, and her helpful neighbor Gardner, who sparks Jenny's interest.
This was a very quick and light read. I don't think all of the characters were fleshed out as well as they could be and Dean and his stuffy parents felt like stock villains, but Jenny was an interesting heroine and her ...more
This was a very quick and light read. I don't think all of the characters were fleshed out as well as they could be and Dean and his stuffy parents felt like stock villains, but Jenny was an interesting heroine and her ...more
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Read in September, 2008
recommended to Megan by:
found on Goodreads.comrecommends it for: women who recently had babies
This was a very cute, light, easy to read book. A quick read, that was perfect for a relaxing weekend. While I would classify the book as chick lit, it would really be ideal for someone who is having a baby or has just had a baby, as most of the book centered around pregnancy, breast feeding and sleep deprivation. Being someone who has no kids, I couldn't relate, but I could relate to the overall story, and the struggles of the main character.
I would recommend this to anyone who needs som...more
I would recommend this to anyone who needs som...more
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Read in May, 2008
I liked this book except for that darn “f” word that kept popping up. Why would an author ruin a perfectly good book like that? But the story was nice, even if it was a bit predictable. I can totally see this being made into a movie. And there were some very lovely passages of prose as well, particularly about her love for her baby (maybe I liked that so much because her baby is the same age as my baby right now and I totally got it). But again, why ruin such a nice book with that ugly word?...more
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Read in November, 2007
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author did an excellent job of keeping my interest throughout the book. It is definitely a chick lit book, and I think I mostly enjoyed it because I could relate to some aspects of it and it is based in Houston. I think this book is good for anyone who is already a mom, I don't know how much non-mothers would enjoy it. Warning: Do not read the inside cover to find out what the book is about. It gives away most of the book. The book gave me some good laugh...more
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Read in August, 2008
If you are going to have a baby, or have recenlty had one, read this book. You will laugh and cry, and realize you're not the only hormonal, crazy woman in the world, and that men seriously don't get it, (except for a few fine ones). I wish that I would have read it before I had Lydia. I wouldn't have carried so much guilt about feeling tired, terrified, and alone--even though I never was alone.
My favorite scene is the "pumping" scene. She took the words right out of my mouth.
My favorite scene is the "pumping" scene. She took the words right out of my mouth.
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Seeing as how I get awfully sick of that whole "Mothers are goddesses who far surpass the skills of childless women and you'll never truly understand how selfless and wonderful they are until you become one, you wretched childless monstrosity" mentality that seems to have overtaken much of the media, I enjoyed this quite a bit. Yes, there were times where I thought "I don't care how much you love your baby, you can still take a shower" but I read the whole thing in one sitti
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recommends it for:
chick-lit lovers, mothers who like humor
I didn't have high expectations for this book. By the time I was done reading it, I must have had the widest grin on my face, because my daughter said "Why are you smiling?" This book warmed my heart. It is funny (Very funny). It is everything about motherhood. It is everything about love in all different relationships. I loved it! I'm so happy I picked this book up! There was a bit too much cussing, but it was still great if you over-look that part.
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Read in October, 2007
This was a very quick read. It's very predictable as far as story telling goes but was a fun quick read. There were certainly parts of the story that annoyed me, like the main character's inability to stand firm in her decisions, but what can you do? I would have given it more stars had she not taken her deadbeat boyfriend back, if only for a couple weeks. That's the part that annoyed me the most. If you like a good chick lit book, you'll like this.
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Read in September, 2007
This is one of those books that you look at the summary on the cover and you just know how it it's going to end. I ending up being correct about the ending but despite it's unpredictability this book is funny and touching. I couldn't help but love the main character. I also felt like the stories regarding the baby were so easy to imagine and realistic that they I could really picture them happening. Good, quick, easy read that I would really recommend.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
anyone esp mothers
The cover of this book gives the appearance of a silly chick-lit read, but this story has some nice depth. Jenny's life is thrown into turmoil when her fiance leaves her--days before she is due to have their first baby. Anyone who has ever had a newborn will identify with this very accurate description of the hazy days of no sleep with a new baby. I really liked the "voice" of this author and identified with many of the characters. A pleasant read.
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Read in October, 2007
This was an example of good writing. It didn't do character development really well, and still I couldn't put it down, which speaks volumes, I think, when I'm a character snob. Its about a fiance left a day before the birth of their daughter and the growing up she has to do in the process.
I'm left wanting to know more about these people I've just spent a day and half with, but know it probably won't happen. Sometimes I guess thats better.
I'm left wanting to know more about these people I've just spent a day and half with, but know it probably won't happen. Sometimes I guess thats better.
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Read in July, 2007
I read this in one sitting...couldn't put it down. While the story isn't new to the world of literature (girl's world falls apart, girl picks herself up, girl finds love again), Center does it justice. Her writing made me care for the main character enough that I didn't care if the laundry got done or if I even left my chair.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I found myself laughing outloud more than a few times. I just love chick-lit survival stories. Jenny is as lovable a character as Dean is hateable. But she has such a survivors mentality and instead of giving up or even giving into incredible self-pity, she finds a way to make it work by surrounding herself with good people who help her along the way.
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Read in July, 2008
Dean and Jenny are living together and are due to get married. However, Jenny gets pregnant and is due one month before the wedding.
Dean gets nervous and leaves Jenny 1 day before she gives birth to her baby girl.
The story revolves around how Jenny copes with the situation; and her relationship with her neighbor John.
THis is a cute, funny story; a very quick and easy read.
Dean gets nervous and leaves Jenny 1 day before she gives birth to her baby girl.
The story revolves around how Jenny copes with the situation; and her relationship with her neighbor John.
THis is a cute, funny story; a very quick and easy read.
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