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61st out of 418 books
—
345 voters
Skipping a Beat
by
Sarah Pekkanen (Goodreads Author)
Julia and Michael meet in high school in their small, poverty-stricken West Virginia hometown. Both products of difficult childhoods -- Julia’s father is a compulsive gambler and Michael’s mother abandoned his family when he was a young boy – they find a sense of safety and mutual understanding in each other. Shortly after graduation they flee West Virginia to start afresh...more
Paperback, 327 pages
Published
February 22nd 2011
by Washington Square Press
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I've been reading books that are making me bawl my eyes out lately, and this one did the job exceedingly well. Sarah Pekkanen fleshed out real people in an effortlessly convincing way, and has a fierce heart-tugging story line to go along with them.
Julia and Michael are high school sweethearts from West Virginia. They grew up with dysfunctional families and as soon as they graduate, they move to Washington, DC to begin a new life. Incredibly smart and always antsy, it's Michael who takes them co...more
Julia and Michael are high school sweethearts from West Virginia. They grew up with dysfunctional families and as soon as they graduate, they move to Washington, DC to begin a new life. Incredibly smart and always antsy, it's Michael who takes them co...more
High-school sweethearts Julie & Michael have left behind their small town and are in pursuit of living a life better than their modest upbringings and achieving the American dream. When Michael decides to start a sports drink company, neither of them could ever expect how quickly his business would takeoff or what it would be like to be millionaires. As money is introduced into their life, their marriage begins to crumble as Michael is increasingly unavailable due to the success of his compa...more
WOW...my immediate thought is just WOW! Sarah Pekkanen became one of my favorite authors after I read The Opposite of Me. She's become increasingly more so over the years as I've followed her on Facebook and read the short stories she has released. I don't know why it took me so long to read Skipping a Beat especially since I pre-ordered it so I've had it in my possession since the day it hit the market!
I had no idea what an awesome story I was missing by this wonderful author!
Julia and Michael...more
I had no idea what an awesome story I was missing by this wonderful author!
Julia and Michael...more
Sep 29, 2011
Christi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Christi by:
Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)
Shelves:
2011-reads
It took me a while to warm up to these characters. I think you really needed to get to know them now and where they came from before you could start to care. At first Julia comes across as selfish and materialistic, but as the book unfolds you realize what shaped her need to be self-sufficient and financially independent at any cost. You start to see how Michael made the choices he did.
More than anything, you start to see how easily two people so in love and so great together can slowly start t...more
More than anything, you start to see how easily two people so in love and so great together can slowly start t...more
The publisher's summary of Skipping a Beat doesn't begin to tell the depth and passion that this story unfolds and wraps the reader in. The first line in the book begins"When my husband Michael died for the first time,".....a reader should know this is going to be a great journey. Julia and Michael have been married for many years, and they are successful and wealthy to most people looking into their lives, but a brush with death, a sudden heart attack changes everything. Their relationship is a...more
Julia has learned to live indifferent to her husband, Michael, but not indifferent to his wealthy lifestyle. A life altering event changes him. He vows to lay aside his wealth and woo her all over again. During this time Julia reviews their life together - from childhood sweetheart to the present. Can she forgive him?
Did not expect this book to be so moving. Have we all been in a place of indifference with someone in our life? Once we have all but closed that door, how easy is it to reopen? I lo...more
Did not expect this book to be so moving. Have we all been in a place of indifference with someone in our life? Once we have all but closed that door, how easy is it to reopen? I lo...more
4.5/5 stars
You can read my review here
You can read my review here
Skipping a Beat (Kindle Edition) – Sarah Pekkanen
A Must Read! It will change you! It did me!
Julia and Michael were high school sweethearts from West Virginia. They moved on together in life: college, marriage and Michael building a company worth over 70 million dollars. Julia built her own business planning parties and events.
Because of her childhood Julia insisted on a pre-nup. She wanted to be assured she had security. She wanted their finances kept separate. Little did she know this would be...more
A Must Read! It will change you! It did me!
Julia and Michael were high school sweethearts from West Virginia. They moved on together in life: college, marriage and Michael building a company worth over 70 million dollars. Julia built her own business planning parties and events.
Because of her childhood Julia insisted on a pre-nup. She wanted to be assured she had security. She wanted their finances kept separate. Little did she know this would be...more
This is a very solid chick-lit read -- I laughed and cried-- but I also got bogged down in some things that became so distracting that I could almost not finish the book.
Julia and Michael seem to have a picture perfect life. He's the founder of a wildly successful drink company as well as the owner of the Washington basketball team (distraction here -- could the real name not be used for some reason?. Kept rolling my eyes when they referred to the team by its made up name.). She owns her own ver...more
Julia and Michael seem to have a picture perfect life. He's the founder of a wildly successful drink company as well as the owner of the Washington basketball team (distraction here -- could the real name not be used for some reason?. Kept rolling my eyes when they referred to the team by its made up name.). She owns her own ver...more
A couple's not-very-happy marriage gets completely shaken up when the husband has a cardiac arrest and awakens with a resolve to give away all his money and rebuild their relationship. The wife likes the money and is horrified by this idea, and yet... is drawn to it.
Wow, I got suckered into reading some serious chick lit (not that I have anything against GOOD chick lit... Bridget Jones is one of my favorite books). I must have read some biased reviews somewhere, thinking this was a little more s...more
Wow, I got suckered into reading some serious chick lit (not that I have anything against GOOD chick lit... Bridget Jones is one of my favorite books). I must have read some biased reviews somewhere, thinking this was a little more s...more
The premise is fascinating. I love books about marriages because each one is complex, unique. This was no exception. The chilliness in the marriage happened over time and it is only after a gradual reveal of their past that I totally got them as a couple. I thought the timing of the story and the way that it went from past to present was perfect.
In this story Michael wants to give everything away and Julia has fallen in love with all the amenities of the rich. I get Julia not wanting to give up...more
In this story Michael wants to give everything away and Julia has fallen in love with all the amenities of the rich. I get Julia not wanting to give up...more
I will go ahead and give this silly, two star read three stars because it was surprisingly engaging and funny, and was the perfect book to start my lakeside vacation in Maine. SAB tells a tale similar to that of Carlos and Gabby on Desperate Housewives not to mention many a novel that has preceded it, that of someone having a brush with death and re-evaluating his life, starting with money, and his spoiled wife's reluctance.
The novel does a lot of things I don't like - it preaches, it depends on...more
The novel does a lot of things I don't like - it preaches, it depends on...more
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
I loved everything about this novel from the unique story line, to the dynamics between Julia and Michael and the supporting cast. Skipping a Beat explores love, marriage, family, ambition and success, and its unique and intimate voice delivers an intensely compelling and satisfying read.
Reading Skipping a Beat felt like curling up in front of a fireplace with a glass of wine and new friend while she unveiled her life story. It was that intimate. It was that...more
I loved everything about this novel from the unique story line, to the dynamics between Julia and Michael and the supporting cast. Skipping a Beat explores love, marriage, family, ambition and success, and its unique and intimate voice delivers an intensely compelling and satisfying read.
Reading Skipping a Beat felt like curling up in front of a fireplace with a glass of wine and new friend while she unveiled her life story. It was that intimate. It was that...more
I know this author has hordes of fans, but I avoided her books for a long time; I was afraid she just wrote very light “chick lit” stories. But since many of my favorite book blog reviewers just love her, I felt obliged to take a chance. As usual, my faith in their good taste was redeemed, as I was pleasantly surprised to find out this book was quite different from – and better than my expectations led me to believe.
Julia is the 34-year old wife of Michael, who made $70 million with his flavored...more
Julia is the 34-year old wife of Michael, who made $70 million with his flavored...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
While I liked this book and story for the most parts, some parts struck me as quite odd. But I guess that is a good thing in a book, where cookie cutter gets a little boring sometimes (that is why I have network TV!). This book starts out simply enough with a story I have read about times and time again, but then veered off into the strange. And I don't know if in a good way, but definitely different.
Man and Women are high school sweethearts who got married in college, while struggling hard. Man...more
Man and Women are high school sweethearts who got married in college, while struggling hard. Man...more
A novel premise for a novel
"Sarah Pekkanen's "Skipping A Beat" is a novel with a novel premise. Julia and Michael fell in love in high school, married and have been together ever since. He was the gentle boy who saved her and promised her he'd love and care for her forever. She came from a sad home and was determined not to repeat her mother's mistakes. From their humble beginnings, they both forged successful careers; she as a Washington D.C. party planner, he as the inventor of the "next big t...more
"Sarah Pekkanen's "Skipping A Beat" is a novel with a novel premise. Julia and Michael fell in love in high school, married and have been together ever since. He was the gentle boy who saved her and promised her he'd love and care for her forever. She came from a sad home and was determined not to repeat her mother's mistakes. From their humble beginnings, they both forged successful careers; she as a Washington D.C. party planner, he as the inventor of the "next big t...more
Jun 03, 2011
Romancing the Book
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
chick-lit
Reviewer: Stephanie
Sarah Pekkanen probes the intricacy and raw verity of affection and marriage in her new novel, as well as the power, and the greed, that envelopes the human conscience from within, ruining every last drop of happiness that one can maintain.
The plot of Skipping a Beat is extremely original and intriguing. Julia's husband, Michael, is finally, after years of determination and self surrender, a part of the rich and respected social elite, thanks to his successful, multimillion-do...more
Sarah Pekkanen probes the intricacy and raw verity of affection and marriage in her new novel, as well as the power, and the greed, that envelopes the human conscience from within, ruining every last drop of happiness that one can maintain.
The plot of Skipping a Beat is extremely original and intriguing. Julia's husband, Michael, is finally, after years of determination and self surrender, a part of the rich and respected social elite, thanks to his successful, multimillion-do...more
Former teenage sweethearts Mike and Julie leave behind their dysfunctional middle class families to reinvent themselves as power couple Michael and Julia. As Michael’s company takes off, their marriage becomes superficial. Most of this takes place through flashbacks after Michael briefly “dies” during a heart attack and has an epiphany that people matter more than possessions and status.
But by then Julia has come to terms with their tacit understanding that the marriage is based on mutually ben...more
But by then Julia has come to terms with their tacit understanding that the marriage is based on mutually ben...more
I am in awe. Sarah Pekkanen's Skipping a Beat is masterfully written, and I couldn't help but be touched, moved, engrossed... Julia and Michael are teenagers when they first meet and fall in love with each other. Both have baggage. Both are trying to escape their realities. Both find someone who understands where they're coming from, and why they want to go where they want to go...
Fast forward to the present day. Julia and Michael have left their childhood behind, gotten married, and built succe...more
Fast forward to the present day. Julia and Michael have left their childhood behind, gotten married, and built succe...more
I won a copy of SKIPPING A BEAT in a goodreads giveaway. I was thrilled. Having been completely intrigued by Sarah Pekkanen's first novel, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, I was eager to start reading SKIPPING A BEAT, and I have to say, I became involved in the story, which is filtered through the perceptions of the main character, Julia, very quickly. However, as I read this emotional story of a marriage falling apart and coming together, and falling apart, I became frustrated because as much as I liked the...more
Julia Dunhill was planning one of her many fund raisers when her life as she knew it was about to get turned upside down very quickly. Julia’s husband, Michael collapses while at work. Michael stood up to speak and his heart just stopped. In fact Michael was officially dead for four minutes and eight seconds.
Lucky for Michael and a little invention called a portable defibrillator. As wikipedia encyclopedia explains, a portable defibrillator is a machine that can help someone who has gone into c...more
Lucky for Michael and a little invention called a portable defibrillator. As wikipedia encyclopedia explains, a portable defibrillator is a machine that can help someone who has gone into c...more
Reviewed for A Cozy Reader's Corner Reviews [http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com]
On the outside Julia seems to have it all, on the inside Julia is broken; her marriage has seemingly dissolved into a façade though Julia tries to convince herself it will pass. Once married to her best friend, Julia now looks at her husband and sees a stranger. When her world as she knows it changes in an instant, the four minutes and eight seconds following her husband collapse from cardiac arrest solidifies th...more
On the outside Julia seems to have it all, on the inside Julia is broken; her marriage has seemingly dissolved into a façade though Julia tries to convince herself it will pass. Once married to her best friend, Julia now looks at her husband and sees a stranger. When her world as she knows it changes in an instant, the four minutes and eight seconds following her husband collapse from cardiac arrest solidifies th...more
Before leaving for vacation, I stopped in at the library where my favorite librarian usually helps with recommendations for my next reads. This book was at the top of a pile of NEW books not even on the shelves yet, but she suggested I try it and let her know how I like it.
I loved it. I usually like to read more seasoned books, not the ones hot off the presses, but this did not disappoint. The premise, while at first sounding cheesy (multi-millionaire has heart attack and then sees his monetary...more
I loved it. I usually like to read more seasoned books, not the ones hot off the presses, but this did not disappoint. The premise, while at first sounding cheesy (multi-millionaire has heart attack and then sees his monetary...more
Feb 28, 2011
Michelle
added it
I have a secret. I was not a fan of Ms. Pekkanen's first novel. It wasn't that it was a horrible novel; I just felt that it was lighter, simplistic chick lit that is perfectly fine and is acceptable but not my typical fare. Yet, when Jen from Devourer of Books insisted I would love her newest novel, that she cried for the last 25 pages, and that I would love it, I had to trust her judgment and give Skipping a Beat a chance.
It was with a huge amount of skepticism and doubt I approached the first...more
It was with a huge amount of skepticism and doubt I approached the first...more
3.5 stars (why no half stars, Good Reads, why?) I like the theme this book explores: what happens when the person you’ve hitched your life to suddenly changes course? Aside from the compelling theme I liked many of the smaller details. I’m a sucker for any book taking place in DC (what I consider my home away from home) and Julia’s love of the opera was a nice and unique touch. Some of the ancillary characters (specifically, Noah and Isabelle) are great too.
I did have a few issues with this. At...more
I did have a few issues with this. At...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I have a tendency to buy any book that Amazon recommends to me. This usually works in my favor, though occasionally I am very disappointed with the recommendation. At the outset of Skipping a Beat, I was convinced this book fell into the disappointed category. The story is about a woman named Julia who is in her mid-30s. She has essentially gone from rags to riches, and is now living the life in her DC mansion. Julia is (surpise!) an event planner (which seems to be the career of choice in women...more
I started it, read a few chapters and liked it enough...but then stopped, as I got slightly bored (and was reading another novel at the same time.) It then nagged at me, and after picking it up again, I HAD to finish. I did figure I'd like it, as the storyline hit home. (Not the financial part though I wish, but the husband having a near death experience, and having feelings on what he experienced/ felt and it changed how you live.) I guiltily enjoyed the feminine materialism in the book, as I w...more
In relationships sometimes the rules change. We change. But, is it fair to the other person involved?
Do they even get a say?
In my opinion, it just depends on the circumstance.
As for Julia, she didn’t get a say. She wasn’t happy about it and the circumstance didn’t matter. She just wanted it to be like it was…the happy days…or that’s how it looked to outsiders…
But inside…
"Secretly, that was exactly how I felt: What people saw when they looked at me didn’t reflect who I was inside. At my core, I...more
Do they even get a say?
In my opinion, it just depends on the circumstance.
As for Julia, she didn’t get a say. She wasn’t happy about it and the circumstance didn’t matter. She just wanted it to be like it was…the happy days…or that’s how it looked to outsiders…
But inside…
"Secretly, that was exactly how I felt: What people saw when they looked at me didn’t reflect who I was inside. At my core, I...more
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"Fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin will strongly appreciate this rising star in women's fiction." - Library Journal.
Internationally bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen's newest book is THE BEST OF US (April 2013, Atria/Simon&Schuster). She is also the author of THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. Sarah's linked 99 cent short stories, published by Simon&Schuster exclu...more
More about Sarah Pekkanen...
Internationally bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen's newest book is THE BEST OF US (April 2013, Atria/Simon&Schuster). She is also the author of THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS. Sarah's linked 99 cent short stories, published by Simon&Schuster exclu...more
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“Sometimes following the path that looked the safest was what led to the most hurt...”
—
12 people liked it
“The core truth of our marriage, the most important thing for me to remember, was that Michael and I loved each other. Our love had gotten pushed aside and bruised and buried, but it has always existed.”
—
9 people liked it
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02. Februar, 11:24 Uhr