I'm opposed to books being labeled as "beach reads" - why should your brain go down a few levels in intelligence just because you're on the beach? I don't want to waste my time on something that sucks so badly I can only handle it when I'm only half-paying attention due to screaming little kids, threats of sun-poisoning and hot lifeguards. Thus, this is not a "beach read" (although I don't see why you couldn't read it on a beach, provided you have the above distractions removed). Rather, I'm just going to call it quick, breezy fun, and I'm unashamedly giving it four stars for being absolutely perfect in the chick lit category.

Yes, I know I'm supposed to hate this sort of book, and I usually do,* but while every other Jane Green book has followed the crappy, uninspired chick lit formula, Jemima J is essentially the book version of comfort food. Totally the sort of book that, after reading it through, you can come back to it on a bad day, open it up to any page and just start reading - you'll feel better. You know what's going to happen about six pages in, but um who cares - it's so much fun to read! A grown-ups' Cinderella, if you will.

Perfect for when you want to enjoy the book equivalent of cozy pjs and milk and cookies.


*I say "usually" because every once in a while, you come across a Bridget Jones's Diary or a Jemima J. The category has become such a joke, though, that I'm unwilling to sift through the formulaic drudgery in hopes of uncovering something wonderful.