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Stuck in Downward Dog
Mara Brennan is about to unravel. Three days after her twenty-eighth birthday, her boyfriend dumps her, leaving her with nothing but a basement apartment, a futon and a pile of unpaid bills. On top of that, her job, working as a receptionist at a cosmetic surgery clinic is a nightmare; her boss is a tyrant; and her friends have gotten ahead of her in the game of life. Mara realizes it's time for an identity makeover. She devises the OM List, a personal pathway to perfection inspired by her best friends, Olivia and Mitz, and her newfound love for yoga. But instead of finding the perfect job, getting the perfect body and cooking the perfect meal, Mara hilariously tries and fails at all the things she thinks will make her the sophisticated grown-up she wants to be. Navigating the dueling worlds of yoga and cosmetic surgery, gourmet dinners and Frankenberry cereal, etiquette handbooks and too-helpful loved ones, Stuck in Downward Dog is Chantel Simmons' unforgettable comic debut about how to get unstuck when you're caught in a rut.
A Chatelaine Best Beach Book and Book of the Month
A Winnipeg Free Press bestseller
A Vancouver Sun Editor’s Choice
“The National Post called author Chantel Simmons one to watch, and with warmth, humour and heart, her debut novel doesn’t disappoint.” —Chatelaine
“Refreshingly realistic...as good as having Sunday brunch with a girlfriend.” —Winnipeg Free Press
“Hilarious and touching.” —The Literary Word
A Chatelaine Best Beach Book and Book of the Month
A Winnipeg Free Press bestseller
A Vancouver Sun Editor’s Choice
“The National Post called author Chantel Simmons one to watch, and with warmth, humour and heart, her debut novel doesn’t disappoint.” —Chatelaine
“Refreshingly realistic...as good as having Sunday brunch with a girlfriend.” —Winnipeg Free Press
“Hilarious and touching.” —The Literary Word
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2007
8 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Chantel Simmons
2 books15 followersBestselling author of Stuck in Downward Dog and Love Struck.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 22, 2023
Mara Brennan has hit bottom. It's time to turn things around, but it's not as easy as she thinks. Through her ups and downs will she find herself and a life of her own making?
August 6, 2012
I had a hard time rating this book. For the first one-half to two-thirds of it all I wanted to do was slap the main character Mara and yell: "Stop whining and DO SOMETHING!!!" so I would have originally given it two stars. She was so pathetic, and she took so much crap from virtually everyone in her life, I just couldn't stand her.
Truthfully, if I hadn't been asked to narrate this book as part of my volunteer work recording talking books for the visually impaired, I would probably not have even finished this book. But, Mara does pull it together by the end, and the ending almost made reading this book worth it so I ultimately settled on three stars.
At the start of the book, Mara is living in a tiny basement apartment in Toronto having been dumped by her live-in boyfriend [via a phone call from his assistant to let her know he's already moved to Calgary and cleaned out all the furniture, including Mara's bed!], working at a job she hates as the receptionist at a plastic surgery clinic, and trying not to be too envious of her two more established - and seemingly perfect - best friends, Olivia and Mitz, both of whom are, frankly the most selfish, self-absorbed excuses for friends I have read about in a while.
Even Mara's family seems to be head and shoulders above her in their lives, careers and successes. Sister Victoria is married to a successful lawyer, with three kids, a big house, a maid, nanny and no need to work, and her parents run a successful cookie-gram business, while Mara hates everything about her life.
Her two bright spots are: yoga, which seems to be the one thing she feels like she's really good at and actually enjoys; and her gay best friend Bradford, who, in addition to joining Mara for cupcake dates, offers her sage advice for creating a life she could actually love, instead of whining about everything she doesn't love.
Bradford was about the only thing I can say I really loved about this book. He was a delight - smart, funny, charming and painfully honest with Mara, while still being loving and supportive of her. He really lets her have it after all her attempts to change her life fail, because as he tells her: everything she's tried to do has been more about being more like Olivia or Mitz, than actually finding out what makes Mara happy.
Mara does ultimately figure things out, and without giving spoilers, she gets to a better place, largely through continuing to practice yoga, and the best part of the whole book comes from her yoga instructor in explaining that the heart of yoga is honesty because:
"Truly interesting people are honest. People who are not honest are uninteresting. They're doing everything they think they're supposed to do in the way they're supposed to do it, but they're not being true to themselves. They're not being themselves. Honest people make mistakes and fail, and that's what makes them fascinating."
That quote alone was worth reading this book, because it's such a great approach to life and living, and I loved it.
As far as recommending this book, if you loved Bridget Jones' Diary, you will probably enjoy this. Also if you live in Toronto you may find it fun, because the book is set here, and the author includes people, places, things, and businesses in the Toronto area, and it's always fun to hear about places you've been in a book.
Truthfully, if I hadn't been asked to narrate this book as part of my volunteer work recording talking books for the visually impaired, I would probably not have even finished this book. But, Mara does pull it together by the end, and the ending almost made reading this book worth it so I ultimately settled on three stars.
At the start of the book, Mara is living in a tiny basement apartment in Toronto having been dumped by her live-in boyfriend [via a phone call from his assistant to let her know he's already moved to Calgary and cleaned out all the furniture, including Mara's bed!], working at a job she hates as the receptionist at a plastic surgery clinic, and trying not to be too envious of her two more established - and seemingly perfect - best friends, Olivia and Mitz, both of whom are, frankly the most selfish, self-absorbed excuses for friends I have read about in a while.
Even Mara's family seems to be head and shoulders above her in their lives, careers and successes. Sister Victoria is married to a successful lawyer, with three kids, a big house, a maid, nanny and no need to work, and her parents run a successful cookie-gram business, while Mara hates everything about her life.
Her two bright spots are: yoga, which seems to be the one thing she feels like she's really good at and actually enjoys; and her gay best friend Bradford, who, in addition to joining Mara for cupcake dates, offers her sage advice for creating a life she could actually love, instead of whining about everything she doesn't love.
Bradford was about the only thing I can say I really loved about this book. He was a delight - smart, funny, charming and painfully honest with Mara, while still being loving and supportive of her. He really lets her have it after all her attempts to change her life fail, because as he tells her: everything she's tried to do has been more about being more like Olivia or Mitz, than actually finding out what makes Mara happy.
Mara does ultimately figure things out, and without giving spoilers, she gets to a better place, largely through continuing to practice yoga, and the best part of the whole book comes from her yoga instructor in explaining that the heart of yoga is honesty because:
"Truly interesting people are honest. People who are not honest are uninteresting. They're doing everything they think they're supposed to do in the way they're supposed to do it, but they're not being true to themselves. They're not being themselves. Honest people make mistakes and fail, and that's what makes them fascinating."
That quote alone was worth reading this book, because it's such a great approach to life and living, and I loved it.
As far as recommending this book, if you loved Bridget Jones' Diary, you will probably enjoy this. Also if you live in Toronto you may find it fun, because the book is set here, and the author includes people, places, things, and businesses in the Toronto area, and it's always fun to hear about places you've been in a book.
October 24, 2013
Well, this is the book that did it. This is the book that made me realise that I have out-grown chick lit. Both in book and movie form. I can't handle one more book about a confused and disoriented woman in her late 20's or early 30's who knows she really needs to get her life together, but thinks the best way to do it is to try to emulate what her incredibly vacuous friends are doing.
I HATED this book.
BUT .. it wasn't the book, per se. It's that's chick-lit is no longer my thing. I'm in my mid-40's. I've figured out some stuff. I still have a lot to figure out, but I'm smart enough to know that I'm on my own journey - not on my friends' journey.
Mara, the book's protagonist, eventually figures it out. But it takes a long time to get there. And you have to watch her put up with her incredibly jerky friends who, IMHO, she is far too gracious towards in the end.
What I did like:
- set in Toronto
- the book doesn't end with Mara getting a new boyfriend to help her feel complete
- the real hero of the story is her gay man friend (isn't that always the case)
You may like this book if you're at that point in your life where you need some gentle reminding that only you can get your life in order - by figuring out what YOU want, not by trying to emulate what your friends want (or say they want). It's not a bad book, it's was just a bad fit for me.
Thanks to 49th Shelf http://49thshelf.com/ and ECW press from whom I won a copy!
I HATED this book.
BUT .. it wasn't the book, per se. It's that's chick-lit is no longer my thing. I'm in my mid-40's. I've figured out some stuff. I still have a lot to figure out, but I'm smart enough to know that I'm on my own journey - not on my friends' journey.
Mara, the book's protagonist, eventually figures it out. But it takes a long time to get there. And you have to watch her put up with her incredibly jerky friends who, IMHO, she is far too gracious towards in the end.
What I did like:
- set in Toronto
- the book doesn't end with Mara getting a new boyfriend to help her feel complete
- the real hero of the story is her gay man friend (isn't that always the case)
You may like this book if you're at that point in your life where you need some gentle reminding that only you can get your life in order - by figuring out what YOU want, not by trying to emulate what your friends want (or say they want). It's not a bad book, it's was just a bad fit for me.
Thanks to 49th Shelf http://49thshelf.com/ and ECW press from whom I won a copy!
November 2, 2008
On occassion, a girl needs to read a little chick lit. That's the method to my madness in selecting this book.
Can you say Bridget Jones wannabe?
This is it....a Canadian Bridget.
Since I have very limited knowledge of Canada and a dear friend of mine recently moved there, I did enjoy the references to Toranto.
If you need a break, I would pick this one up. It's short, sweet and predictable.
Can you say Bridget Jones wannabe?
This is it....a Canadian Bridget.
Since I have very limited knowledge of Canada and a dear friend of mine recently moved there, I did enjoy the references to Toranto.
If you need a break, I would pick this one up. It's short, sweet and predictable.
January 4, 2019
Meh, forgettable.
November 30, 2012
I bought this book a few years ago, read it and promptly forgot about it, so when I was cleaning out my closet the other day I thought, why not give this another shot. I quickly remembered why I put it in my book box instead of displaying it proudly on my shelf. It's just not that good.
I have mixed emotions about so-called chick lit. I'm always drawn to the super fun covers and back flaps promising stories about female empowerment, romance or some combination of the two. However, I'm often disappointed by shallow characters and plots. Stuck in Downward Dog is one of those books that I find disappointing. I always expected it to be light reading, but I couldn't get beyond the fact that the main character is one of the most annoying characters in any novel I've read.
Mara Brennan is twenty-eight and has just been dumped by her boyfriend. She's living in a basement suite she can't afford and is working a low paying job that she hates. She decides that she needs to become more like Olivia and Mitz, her two best friends since childhood in order to get her life together. But here's the thing. She is incredibly self absorbed with the worst self esteem ever. Nothing she does is about finding happiness or improving her life, not really. It's about showing other people up. It's selfish. It's annoying and filled with self pity.
You know, I actually enjoyed the last twenty or so pages of this book. I just had to slog through so much unnecessary drama to get to the parts I liked. The tagline on the front cover states that "it's not about getting the guy, it's about getting a life," but throughout this book I didn't see Mara trying to find a life. I saw her trying to change herself so that everybody around her thinks she's cool and validates her. It's not something I enjoyed reading.
Mara does eventually start to grow and become a more fulfilled person. It's at that point that I began to gain interest, but my God. It took too long. I spent most of the book loathing the main character and just wanting to shake some sense into her. That combined with one too many references to foobies and not enough yoga talk given the title I was about to tear my hair out. Luckily it's a quick read and if you want something super fast and super light give this a shot I guess, especially if you're looking for some Canadian content, but I'm sure there are better options out there.
I have mixed emotions about so-called chick lit. I'm always drawn to the super fun covers and back flaps promising stories about female empowerment, romance or some combination of the two. However, I'm often disappointed by shallow characters and plots. Stuck in Downward Dog is one of those books that I find disappointing. I always expected it to be light reading, but I couldn't get beyond the fact that the main character is one of the most annoying characters in any novel I've read.
Mara Brennan is twenty-eight and has just been dumped by her boyfriend. She's living in a basement suite she can't afford and is working a low paying job that she hates. She decides that she needs to become more like Olivia and Mitz, her two best friends since childhood in order to get her life together. But here's the thing. She is incredibly self absorbed with the worst self esteem ever. Nothing she does is about finding happiness or improving her life, not really. It's about showing other people up. It's selfish. It's annoying and filled with self pity.
You know, I actually enjoyed the last twenty or so pages of this book. I just had to slog through so much unnecessary drama to get to the parts I liked. The tagline on the front cover states that "it's not about getting the guy, it's about getting a life," but throughout this book I didn't see Mara trying to find a life. I saw her trying to change herself so that everybody around her thinks she's cool and validates her. It's not something I enjoyed reading.
Mara does eventually start to grow and become a more fulfilled person. It's at that point that I began to gain interest, but my God. It took too long. I spent most of the book loathing the main character and just wanting to shake some sense into her. That combined with one too many references to foobies and not enough yoga talk given the title I was about to tear my hair out. Luckily it's a quick read and if you want something super fast and super light give this a shot I guess, especially if you're looking for some Canadian content, but I'm sure there are better options out there.
September 27, 2013
Mara is stuck in a rut. At twenty-eight she is working a dead end job at a plastic surgeons office, has just been dumped and is watching her friends live their seemingly perfect lives. She had one thing going for her and that was her weekly yoga session with her lifelong best friends, Olivia and Mitz, but that too falls apart. In attempt to get out of her rut she creates her OM List, a list of things she wants to improve in her life. Get a better job, a better body, become well read, learn to cook and decorate and host a dinner party. Things go from bad to worse for Mara as she attempts to be perfect like her friends and check things on her OM list, in the end though, she learns to embrace who she is and slowly begins to get herself out of her rut.
Stuck In Downward Dog, is light chic lit - entertaining and an easy read but not much more. Mara is about the only likable character and I kept questioning why she was even friends with Olivia and Mitz, they were horrible selfish people. Bradford, her other friend, was much more likable and I enjoyed his role in the novel. Mara's sister, Victoria, is just as horrible as her friends, swooping in to save Mara but really filling her own selfish needs. Mara's OM list was ridiculous in that she gave herself and extremely short amount of time to complete her goals, a perfect body in 6 weeks - ha - good luck with that. I also hated that the author constantly made Mara sound like a whale, despite that she was a size ten. It was a little bit Bridget Jones, just not as well done. Despite, everything I did find the book relatable - Mara was struggling with things many twenty-somethings struggle with and that I could identify with. Overall this book was just ok, however, I did think the ending sort of redeemed it and I found Mara to be much more likable and realistic, even her friends became just a tish more likable.
I received a copy of this novel from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.
Stuck In Downward Dog, is light chic lit - entertaining and an easy read but not much more. Mara is about the only likable character and I kept questioning why she was even friends with Olivia and Mitz, they were horrible selfish people. Bradford, her other friend, was much more likable and I enjoyed his role in the novel. Mara's sister, Victoria, is just as horrible as her friends, swooping in to save Mara but really filling her own selfish needs. Mara's OM list was ridiculous in that she gave herself and extremely short amount of time to complete her goals, a perfect body in 6 weeks - ha - good luck with that. I also hated that the author constantly made Mara sound like a whale, despite that she was a size ten. It was a little bit Bridget Jones, just not as well done. Despite, everything I did find the book relatable - Mara was struggling with things many twenty-somethings struggle with and that I could identify with. Overall this book was just ok, however, I did think the ending sort of redeemed it and I found Mara to be much more likable and realistic, even her friends became just a tish more likable.
I received a copy of this novel from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.
September 9, 2013
I actually read this book (well, the previous edition) when I was 18 in university. I was on a huge chick lit kick at the time, and my university's library had a terrible fiction section. Lo and behold, there was this cheerful looking book sitting on the shelf. I checked it out, and read it within a few hours. For anyone who has ever had a total crash and burn period of their life (and who hasn't?), Mara will make you feel a little bit better about it! The whole time I was cheering for her, yet simultaneously saying "Oh God, do NOT do that." She makes all the wrong decisions, but once she finds something that speaks to her, she starts to turn it around. Something else I loved about the book was that it had no romance aspect! So many chick lit type books are about getting a guy, and while that's great (really!), it was so refreshing to read a book about a girl who's trying to get herself together and improve her life all on her own. The character voices are authentic and funny, and by the end of the book, Mara feels like she could be a friend of yours as well.
February 13, 2016
This was a fast, cute feel good read set in Toronto (which was an added bonus, hearing about a lot of places around the city). The story is about a woman who practices yoga with her friends, but her yoga studio is becoming something trendier, so she has to find another studio. Meanwhile, her boyfriend moves to Calgary, takes nearly all her furniture with her and she is now forced to reinvent herself. I liked that the ending didn't have her finding a guy to complete her, but simply finding herself. This wasn't a mind-blowing read, but a cute chick lit book. A nice change as we slog through the winter blah.
January 16, 2016
Fun!!
This book is one woman's outlook on her own life after she feels she hit rock bottom. Some would say it had to do with a guy, but I say it was all about her and her relationships in general. You really need to have a good relationship with yourself before having it with anyone else. Mara learns this lesson in the story.
This book was so easy to read, not only for the modern feel to it but for the often humorous look at things in life. The story felt very contemporary and I really needed that at that moment. I think lots of people are going to agree that this is a great read!
This book is one woman's outlook on her own life after she feels she hit rock bottom. Some would say it had to do with a guy, but I say it was all about her and her relationships in general. You really need to have a good relationship with yourself before having it with anyone else. Mara learns this lesson in the story.
This book was so easy to read, not only for the modern feel to it but for the often humorous look at things in life. The story felt very contemporary and I really needed that at that moment. I think lots of people are going to agree that this is a great read!
September 13, 2011
I gave this two stars because it wasn't so bad that I couldn't finish it... it was close though. The main character is an idiot! I understand trying to make her imperfect and more "real" but she was just retarded! If you're thinking of reading this one I'd suggest trying something else. There is way too much good chick lit out there to waste your time on this one.
February 1, 2008
This book started off well then as with pretty much all chcik lit for me I got somewhat annoyed by the main character. Not completely annoyed, just mildly. It was good though, I made it through, Easy. Light. Somewhat Predictable.
Read
January 27, 2008Chick lit at its' smarmiest. Unlikeable characters and dumb internal dialogues.
July 22, 2009
This was a nice little chick lit escape book. Perfect for reading by the pool!
August 2, 2013
Adored, adored this book.
Have re-read it like 10 times - if you like yoga and a book with a inspirational message, combined with a love of chick lit, then this is the book for you.
Have re-read it like 10 times - if you like yoga and a book with a inspirational message, combined with a love of chick lit, then this is the book for you.
July 27, 2014
Predictable. You just want to give this girl a shake.
March 11, 2020
The story is entertaining and main character likable, I just had a hard time accepting she was THAT unlucky. Like everything she touched was total disaster and embarrassing.
I liked how the author included yoga terms and definitions, that was interesting.
I could appreciate the message of ridding yourself of toxic people and situations.
I liked how the author included yoga terms and definitions, that was interesting.
I could appreciate the message of ridding yourself of toxic people and situations.
June 20, 2023
This amusing and entertaining story is of a woman finding her true self through copying everyone else she finds successful. Her “solutions” to her problems in life are so obviously fail-worthy and that can be frustrating. But the ending is successful and satisfying and the lessons she learns ring true to my spiritual understanding.
January 25, 2018
I was expecting more humour less angst so when I got more angst and less humour - you guessed it , a problem! I just couldn't relate to the main character in any way. Maybe her lack of maturity, maybe her lack of work ethic. I kept wanting this book to redeem itself. Sigh.
June 12, 2024
Well that was unsatisfying! Did this really pass muster as a chick lit book when it was published?! I doubt it. None of the characters are likeable - and it seemed a bit Bridget Jones-esque with the weight comments. Please. Do better. And how about rescuing yourself for a change?!
November 13, 2020
Had promise but failed to deliver.
March 9, 2023
Mara is very frustrating! Until she isn’t.
August 23, 2024
7 hours of audio I will never get back.
December 28, 2025
Re-read this book again after buying and loving it back in 2009. A fun read with a super relatable story about learning who you are. Loved all the Toronto references
March 21, 2017
I had a hard time relating to the main character. I wanted so much from her. I finished it hoping that it would become more sophisticated. It fell a little flat for me.
September 7, 2013
Mara Brennan’s 28th year is supposed to be perfect. At least, it was perfect for her mother and older sister, Victoria. But when Mara’s boyfriend leaves her without a word, she begins to realize just how un-perfect her life is: she works a dead end job as a receptionist at a cosmetic surgery clinic, she lives in a basement apartment, and her boyfriend took nearly everything when he left. Not to mention Mara’s best friends, Olivia and Mitz, have it all together and are swiftly passing her by in their careers, love lives, and yoga skills. Mara uses her friends’ lives for inspiration and compiles the OM (Olivia/Mitz) List, goals that will lead her to the perfection she so desperately desires. But becoming a master chef, getting a promotion, and even cleaning her apartment are tasks much easier said than done. After a disastrous dinner party and some honest conversations, Mara finally realizes that things aren’t always what they appear and the people in her life don’t necessarily have it all figured out. And, of course, after desperately trying to be like everyone else, Mara sees that she just needs to be herself to be happy. The one constant in Mara’s journey, and the only thing she seems to truly enjoy, is yoga. Working part-time at a yoga studio and earning herself some free classes ends up being a doorway to her own fulfillment.
At the very least, Stuck in Downward Dog, is a quick and easy read. Most of us can relate to at least one of Mara’s problems: hating our jobs, being dumped, or just feeling rudderless. But for a good ⅔ of the book, I just wanted to slap our heroine. It was so obvious that Mara’s OM List was doomed to fail and that she needed to go her own way to be happy. Especially given the nature of her friendships throughout this book. Olivia is meddling and selfish, while Mitz is completely absorbed in her wedding planning, leaving Mara out of much of the process (including the wedding party). Sure, these women have jobs and relationships, but I just couldn’t see how anyone would want to be friends with them, let alone try to model their lives after Oliva and Mitz. Her naivety was an incredibly irritating icing on the cake of Mara’s desperation.
Despite these grievances, I enjoyed a lot about Stuck in Downward Dog. This book chronicles a very personal journey. Despite the constant advice she receives from her sister and friends, Mara struggles for a long time because she has to learn things on her own. This aspect of the book rang true to me. Most big problems in life are eventually solved by our own strength, wits, and willingness to get back up when we fall. Mara Brennan falls a lot. And although she continues to subscribe to her OM List during her failings, she eventually realizes that she has to find passions and interests all her own. Mara learns to pull herself up again. Although I can appreciate chick lit infused with romance, it was refreshing to read a story about a woman that doesn’t revolve around her love life. After Mara’s boyfriend leaves her, she never mentions trying to date again or looking for a relationship. Stuck in Downward Dog is about nearly everything but Mara’s love life. Despite the tumult of her friendships with Olivia and Mitz, Mara has Bradford, an old friend who does his best to be there for her through every stage of her downward spiral. Bradford is one bright light in Mara’s murky social network, hooking her up with the job at the yoga studio, even offering his old apartment to Mara when she needs a new place to live.
While its protagonist seemed silly and desperate at times, Stuck in Downward Dog is an easy piece of fluff to take in. It’s a quick read with enough heart to push through to the end.
**I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
At the very least, Stuck in Downward Dog, is a quick and easy read. Most of us can relate to at least one of Mara’s problems: hating our jobs, being dumped, or just feeling rudderless. But for a good ⅔ of the book, I just wanted to slap our heroine. It was so obvious that Mara’s OM List was doomed to fail and that she needed to go her own way to be happy. Especially given the nature of her friendships throughout this book. Olivia is meddling and selfish, while Mitz is completely absorbed in her wedding planning, leaving Mara out of much of the process (including the wedding party). Sure, these women have jobs and relationships, but I just couldn’t see how anyone would want to be friends with them, let alone try to model their lives after Oliva and Mitz. Her naivety was an incredibly irritating icing on the cake of Mara’s desperation.
Despite these grievances, I enjoyed a lot about Stuck in Downward Dog. This book chronicles a very personal journey. Despite the constant advice she receives from her sister and friends, Mara struggles for a long time because she has to learn things on her own. This aspect of the book rang true to me. Most big problems in life are eventually solved by our own strength, wits, and willingness to get back up when we fall. Mara Brennan falls a lot. And although she continues to subscribe to her OM List during her failings, she eventually realizes that she has to find passions and interests all her own. Mara learns to pull herself up again. Although I can appreciate chick lit infused with romance, it was refreshing to read a story about a woman that doesn’t revolve around her love life. After Mara’s boyfriend leaves her, she never mentions trying to date again or looking for a relationship. Stuck in Downward Dog is about nearly everything but Mara’s love life. Despite the tumult of her friendships with Olivia and Mitz, Mara has Bradford, an old friend who does his best to be there for her through every stage of her downward spiral. Bradford is one bright light in Mara’s murky social network, hooking her up with the job at the yoga studio, even offering his old apartment to Mara when she needs a new place to live.
While its protagonist seemed silly and desperate at times, Stuck in Downward Dog is an easy piece of fluff to take in. It’s a quick read with enough heart to push through to the end.
**I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
August 5, 2016
* Copy provided by publisher vie NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I am a fan of chick lit, but still this particular book didn't work for me. I was drawn by the cover and the blurb and thought it would be an easy and funny read. However, I don't understand why the blurb says unforgettable comic debut.
I had a very interesting conversation with an author on twitter just the other day about blurbs. I never really thought about who writes these blurbs anyway, is it the author itself or the publisher, or a third party? Also we discussed the importance of a good blurb that makes the book stand out. In this case, the blurb feels a bit too much, like the author wanted to boast a bit (sorry if I may sounds harsh).While this is a debut alright, I didn't find it unforgettable or comic. Humorous books are my favorites and a good rom-com is as important to me as the air that I breathe. But for me, this really wasn't a funny book.
Mara Brennan is 28 years old and while most women in her family have achieved something big by this age, she seems like a failure. Getting dumped by her boyfriend just few days after her birthday, with a job she doesn't like and friends who seem to have it all. The only thing that's somewhat constant in her life are her yoga classes and the chats with her friends he has after those classes.
There isn't much going on in this book really, and as much as I tried to understand Mara or her friends, I simply couldn't. The constant mentioning of brands drove me mad! And I do love fashion, but it was way to much to digest.
The point when I realized this was not going to be a good book was when Mara decided to make a list and achieve everything on that list. Now I am totally fine with lists, since I myself am a list-maker. But I did have a problem with the purpose behind those list and the thing on it. She's actually trying to get all the things her friends have (like have a decent boyfriend, marriage, successful career) by doing exactly what they were doing to achieve them. REALLY?
HOLD ON A MINUTE! This would be totally fine if she was 14 (or younger) but with 28 years one should know you can't just 'play pretend' and all of a sudden you're like your friends. I've read some psychology too, so yes, if you want to be successful you should learn from successful people. I get that and approve that. BUT that doesn't include whining, it takes hard work and dedication Mara..that's what it takes.
As for her best friends and boyfriend, she really doesn't seem to care that much as she says so. The author sure didn't convince me Mara really cares about these people.
Maybe the author had an interesting idea, but still in my opinion the execution was a problem. I really don't know, but what I do know is that I gave this book a fair chance.
I am a fan of chick lit, but still this particular book didn't work for me. I was drawn by the cover and the blurb and thought it would be an easy and funny read. However, I don't understand why the blurb says unforgettable comic debut.
I had a very interesting conversation with an author on twitter just the other day about blurbs. I never really thought about who writes these blurbs anyway, is it the author itself or the publisher, or a third party? Also we discussed the importance of a good blurb that makes the book stand out. In this case, the blurb feels a bit too much, like the author wanted to boast a bit (sorry if I may sounds harsh).While this is a debut alright, I didn't find it unforgettable or comic. Humorous books are my favorites and a good rom-com is as important to me as the air that I breathe. But for me, this really wasn't a funny book.
Mara Brennan is 28 years old and while most women in her family have achieved something big by this age, she seems like a failure. Getting dumped by her boyfriend just few days after her birthday, with a job she doesn't like and friends who seem to have it all. The only thing that's somewhat constant in her life are her yoga classes and the chats with her friends he has after those classes.
There isn't much going on in this book really, and as much as I tried to understand Mara or her friends, I simply couldn't. The constant mentioning of brands drove me mad! And I do love fashion, but it was way to much to digest.
The point when I realized this was not going to be a good book was when Mara decided to make a list and achieve everything on that list. Now I am totally fine with lists, since I myself am a list-maker. But I did have a problem with the purpose behind those list and the thing on it. She's actually trying to get all the things her friends have (like have a decent boyfriend, marriage, successful career) by doing exactly what they were doing to achieve them. REALLY?
HOLD ON A MINUTE! This would be totally fine if she was 14 (or younger) but with 28 years one should know you can't just 'play pretend' and all of a sudden you're like your friends. I've read some psychology too, so yes, if you want to be successful you should learn from successful people. I get that and approve that. BUT that doesn't include whining, it takes hard work and dedication Mara..that's what it takes.
As for her best friends and boyfriend, she really doesn't seem to care that much as she says so. The author sure didn't convince me Mara really cares about these people.
Maybe the author had an interesting idea, but still in my opinion the execution was a problem. I really don't know, but what I do know is that I gave this book a fair chance.
January 17, 2014
While refreshing that Simmons concentrated her story on a woman who is not obsessed with finding the perfect man, "Stuck in Downward Dog" fell short and felt stuck in many aspects of its plot and character development. Protagonist Mara is 28 years old but never felt over 16 to me as she muddles her way through trying to emulate her "perfect" best friends' lives. Mara's thoughts are underdeveloped and shallow - much like the stereotypical characters that surround her. Gay best friend: check. Friend obsessed with money and appearances and is actually a horrible friend which the protagonist needs to discover: check. Nasty, overbearing boss: check. Ditsy and unaware parents: check.
And finally, Mara herself: insecure, immature, and unaware of the bigger world around her. I found Mara to be unrelatable, which was my biggest issue with the book. Chick lit is a genre that allows for certain unbelievable situations to go unchecked. Take Mara's boyfriend leaving her by sending a moving crew to pack up his stuff, without even as much as a phone call. I can move past this ridiculous circumstance much like I can laugh at the way Carrie Bradshaw is broken up with on a post-it note in Sex and the City. The genre allows for it. What the genre demands, however, is a main character who the reader can empathize and sympathize with. Unfortunately, I could do neither for Mara. Most of the book I wished she would stop whining and start doing. And when she does start 'doing' - it felt contrived and forced; the 'epiphany' moment falling flat.
Perhaps a good effort - but Simmons needs to concentrate her efforts on developing strong characters with believable thought processes and growth patterns.
2/5
And finally, Mara herself: insecure, immature, and unaware of the bigger world around her. I found Mara to be unrelatable, which was my biggest issue with the book. Chick lit is a genre that allows for certain unbelievable situations to go unchecked. Take Mara's boyfriend leaving her by sending a moving crew to pack up his stuff, without even as much as a phone call. I can move past this ridiculous circumstance much like I can laugh at the way Carrie Bradshaw is broken up with on a post-it note in Sex and the City. The genre allows for it. What the genre demands, however, is a main character who the reader can empathize and sympathize with. Unfortunately, I could do neither for Mara. Most of the book I wished she would stop whining and start doing. And when she does start 'doing' - it felt contrived and forced; the 'epiphany' moment falling flat.
Perhaps a good effort - but Simmons needs to concentrate her efforts on developing strong characters with believable thought processes and growth patterns.
2/5
October 31, 2013
I need to disclose that I was a recipient of this book via the Giveaways! Thank you very much to all that made that possible!
This definitely was a very easy, breezy, chick-lit read. Every once in a while, I am up for a good chick-lit novel, unfortunately, this wasn't it.
The plot follows a normal chick-lit plot with a few variations; girl gets dumped, girl hates her job, girl hates her life, girl wants a change, girl has some setbacks, girl perseveres.
In this case, the catalyst for this novel is Mara being dumped by her boyfriend, Sam. Truly, a tragic situation; however, it doesn't seem to upset Mara all that much. I didn't find Mara to be a very sympathetic figure throughout the story.
What made Mara so unsympathetic, I believe, was her lack of emotion towards almost everything. Even when she had emotions, they were flat. Actually, all the characters were "dry" and I really couldn't connect with any of them.
Mara's "besties", Mitz and Olivia were completely unlikeable. I had a difficult time seeing these three as friends even without the obnoxious behavior of OM. Mara must have had self-esteem issues way before Sam leaving to hang out with those vipers.
As the book continued, I found the insertion of her sister into her life awkward-why was that needed, except as a convenient way to give Mara furniture. Bradford also seemed to show up when Mara was in need and would fix things for her, how nice.
It wasn't all time lost. There were humorous parts, some zippy dialogue, but not enough to make this a book I will read again. But, nobody promised this book was serious literature. For a weekend read that doesn't require much thought, it will do.
This definitely was a very easy, breezy, chick-lit read. Every once in a while, I am up for a good chick-lit novel, unfortunately, this wasn't it.
The plot follows a normal chick-lit plot with a few variations; girl gets dumped, girl hates her job, girl hates her life, girl wants a change, girl has some setbacks, girl perseveres.
In this case, the catalyst for this novel is Mara being dumped by her boyfriend, Sam. Truly, a tragic situation; however, it doesn't seem to upset Mara all that much. I didn't find Mara to be a very sympathetic figure throughout the story.
What made Mara so unsympathetic, I believe, was her lack of emotion towards almost everything. Even when she had emotions, they were flat. Actually, all the characters were "dry" and I really couldn't connect with any of them.
Mara's "besties", Mitz and Olivia were completely unlikeable. I had a difficult time seeing these three as friends even without the obnoxious behavior of OM. Mara must have had self-esteem issues way before Sam leaving to hang out with those vipers.
As the book continued, I found the insertion of her sister into her life awkward-why was that needed, except as a convenient way to give Mara furniture. Bradford also seemed to show up when Mara was in need and would fix things for her, how nice.
It wasn't all time lost. There were humorous parts, some zippy dialogue, but not enough to make this a book I will read again. But, nobody promised this book was serious literature. For a weekend read that doesn't require much thought, it will do.
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