Sleeping Over

by Stacey Ballis

Max has just returned from the Peace Corps and is crashing with pediatrician Harrison. Dealing with her return to Western civilization, her long-divorced parents dating again and the feelings she is trying not to develop for the dashing doctor may just drive her crazy. Then again, if he reciprocates . . .

Robin relishes her job as an executive sous-chef in a trendy restaurant almost as much as she savors her friendship with its owner, Michael. But Robin knows she wants much more. So how do you make someone who knows you so well look at you with fresh eyes?

Then, artsy Lilith. When she and her boyfriend realize they've been getting more sleep than sex, they agree to "see other people," which turns into quite a nightmare.

Lastly there are sisters Riv and Anne. Between them, they've got enough secrets to keep anyone awake at night.

Part Sex and the City, part Little Women Stacey Ballis's Sleeping Over examines relationships both romantic and platonic (and platonic wanting to be romantic), and looks at the various configurations of what it means to spend the night together.

Stacey Ballis is the Director of Education and Community Programs at The Goodman Theater in Chicago. In addition to writing, she throws a heck of a dinner party. You can find out more about her at www.staceyballis.com.

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Relationships, Adult

345 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jennifer Kronk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I made myself plow through the end of this after loosing track somewhere around the middle of the book. I didn't want another book on top of my teetering pile of "started but didn't finish."
It was an okay story but meandered and had a few too many characters to follow easily. But I finished it!

[Jessie Wilkens · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had the worst dialogue I have ever read from an adult author. There were too many characters and the story lines became muddled. Halfway through I remember thinking "this is the book that will never end".

[Rlgriffith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started out promising, but the one really good story line of Jess, took a twisted and uncalled for turn toward the end, throwing any promise of feeling good about finishing this book out the window. It is divided into the various stories of the women involved. I found myself caring little about some of the story lines and skipping over those characters completely. The first third the book is good enouch to make you want to finish it, but then the authors give it all away, and you just kind of plod through the rest of it. There isn't much to make you really care for these characters, or to make you feel like they're part of your life for the span of the pages. I usually donate or pass on books I have finshed, figured someone else will enjoy it. This one went straight into the garbage.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre chick lit that took me awhile to get through because I didn't miss it when I put it down. The concept was good...all about sleepovers, between best friends, even as adults who just needed a fun girls' night out, and between lovers, or with those whom the characters hoped would be. There were too many characters and story lines to keep straight, though all were connected, and all the female characters were best friends, in their thirties, who had been having these sleepovers for years. They all loved one another, were supportive, critical when necessary, etc. Some of the relationships that developed were never going to go anywhere, others were good from the start, but had to overcome roadblocks. It was pretty predictable, but enjoyable, though nothing I would highly recommend. It would have been a good airplane book, one I would have had no trouble leaving in the seat pocket for someone else to pick up and enjoy on a long flight.

[Barbara Cryer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book on adult girlfriendship. If the author had been able to differentiate a little more between the characters, it would have been a 5 star for me. I spent the first few paragraphs of some of the chapters trying to remember which one had which issues in their lives.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book about relationships, the book is a solid 3 stars as a cute and easy read. I must give it 5 stars due to the Mars Cheese Castle reference, one of my favorite places. I think I would love hanging out with Stacey Ballis!!

[Geri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was sure I'd like this book.
I was wrong.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical chic lit.

[Gail · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one fell short for me. Very cliche.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The entire time I was reading this, I got the sinking feeling I had read it before. At the end of the book, I had the same feeling. This book was published in 2005, during the height of my chick lit obsession so it is very likely that I did read this book.

With that in mind, I guess you could say it was a lot like many other chick lit books I've read before. I think the author may have bitten off a lot more than she could chew with the number of narrators of this story. The characters, storylines, and voices got jumbled in my head to the point where I stopped trying to figure out who was who. For some reason, the storylines of Jess and Lillith stood out the most and were the two stories I found most fascinating.

If I would have read this in my mid 20's--and maybe I did--I would have found the characters more relatable if not a put superficial. Now, I look at them in the same light I do several weak, confused, troubled 20 or 30 something characters in books. It's not entertaining to me anymore. I want to shake these women and tell them to stop being so self involved, reliant upon men, insecure, etc etc. In short terms, get your sh*t together. You're almost 30 years old for pete's sake!

That being said, I read the book cover to cover in about 2 days. While it wasn't complete fluff--as there were poignent moments scattered throughout, I think maybe it would have been better defined--was it trying to be fluff click lit? or have an underlining message? I don't know.

[Kelsea Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ballis' Sleeping Over ineffectively captures readers with the same boring tale of a romance book mixed with a teen novel.
When I read this book it was very hard to keep track of all of the characters. I had to flip back and forth to keep track of which girl I was reading and who was with who at what point of the novel. Confusing? I thought so.
I will say, this story was cute. I liked most of the characters even though they were quite the scandals. I liked the setting of downtown Chicago. It helped make the characters seem more robust and alive. Still, I have read this story several times, it seems like. There are five girls, they all sleep with ten different guys, the end. Boring.
The style Ballis used seemed off as well. She used a lot of dialog but it did not sound as if one was actually saying it. The dialogue was choppy, childlike and all around just not good grammar.
I'm sure very many people can relate to some of the stories of these five girls and it would be good to read. To me though, I could not relate. I took nothing away from this book; no theme or life lesson and wouldn't read it again.
As far as referring this book to anyone, I would refer it to teenagers or young adults who have a few hours of free time or who want a good laugh.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many years have passed since I was single, but if I were in my 20’s or 30’s and single today, I hope I would approach life as the five friends in “Sleeping Over.” Yes, they are interested in meaningful relationships, but they are also smart (most of the time,) pragmatic, and have a bigger vision. Meaningful work, a balanced life, friendships, and being true to oneself are woven into their stories of life in Chicago, told in brief, alternating chapters.

I admit I got lost in the weeds a few times, keeping the ladies separate from one another. On the other hand, because the author was involved with the Goodman Theater in Chicago, technical information was woven within one character’s development, which was instructive to me.

Finally, there is an excerpt from a conversation between one of the women and a long-time friend, now dying, which resonated with me.
“Do not waste life. Every time you let someone leave you without knowing how they make you feel, you have died a little death for nothing. Do not assume that you have more than the moment you are living in…Your job is to celebrate love, and to trust in the universe to bring you the people you need and tell you how to be with them when they arrive.”

[JayeL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the beginning because the writing really did not make me care about the characters. 1/3 to halfway through I thought the author tightened up her writing & it was clear what was happening with the story. Then, towards the end everything started to fall apart for all of the characters. That part was predictable and somewhat disappointing.

Some thought that the author put too many characters into the book and, while it might have been a problem introducing the readers to them in the beginning, I liked all of the characters. I had a hard time keeping them all straight, but I liked them. I would like to see this book expanded to several books, one about each character or couple that included some parts of this book in it to anchor us to something. I think each woman's story could have been fleshed out a lot more. Lilith was a particularly complex character who kept slipping throufh my fingers as soob as I thought I had her straight.

[Nancy S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Chicago the story centers around five young single women who have been friends for awhile. Jess back from 2 years in the Peace Corps and rooming with Harrison. Robin who cherishes her friendship with her boss, restaurant owner Michael. Lilith who enjoys the performing arts more than she does her businessman boyfriend Martin. Sisters Beth and Ann who have opened up a clothing store together. Five friends struggling to spice up their relationships with the men in their respective lives.

Fans of relationship dramas will appreciate this fine character driven tale that provides unique protagonists approaching similar male issues in radically different manners. Fans will appreciate this female Friends tale because the women seem real and their loneliness woes and fears feel genuine.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the way Stacey Ballis writes. She makes me wish I was one of her friends and we could hang out in one of the cafes that she describes in the book.

This was fun, smart read. With that said, I think she could've edited a few of the characters out. "Sex & the City Meets Little Women" is one thing, but having to write a chart to keep everyone straight is quite another. (I'm exaggerating, but at times it was difficult to remember who each one was). I liked the multiple narrators, but a few of them could have been kept out and the story would have been even stronger.

If you're looking for an intelligent, light read, look no further.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good - as far as the chick lit genre goes. It's not my favorite genre because the writing is usually sub par, but the writing and story line here wasn't bad. There were a couple times (i.e. jelly fish incident and romantic sushi night) where Ballis tries to be humorous, but for me, it just doesn't fly.

Nonetheless, the main characters were pretty entertaining, each with their own life and love woes, and the book kept me pretty interested.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best chick lits I've read in a while. It's about a group of girlfriends who have sleepovers to catch up and support each other and who have relationships that begin with unusual sleepovers as well. Each of the women is unique and endearing; most of their relationships are to dream for...and it's just a well-paced, well-written book that most women would enjoy. I highly recommend this and plan on picking up her next book soon.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this 3 stars, but if I could give it 2.5, I would. So I rounded up. It's kinda a mid-western, non-glam Sex and the City type of book, where it's following 4 (or is it 5?) women and their "quest for love." However, I found myself thinking there seemed to be too many characters or something, since each chapter came from a different person's perspective. Throw in a significant other for each woman, and man, my head was spinning for some reason. It was cute, but dull at times.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I am sucker for group books, where you follow characters and take turns and everything is kinda interwoven and stuff and this fit that bill. A group of thirty something ladies are great friends and deal with loves and losses and all of that. Cute, pretty easy reading. Makes me want a group of gals I do sleepovers with.

[Marnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the different characters took turns telling the chapters, but sometimes it was hard to keep them straight. I liked the idea of them having sleepovers & it would have been fun to read more about what they did on their sleepovers. For women in their 30s they seemed immature & high school-ish, but it was fun to read. It made me want to have a sleepover with my friends.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh? I honestly don't know what to say about this book.....interesting topics and a nice read on friendship...but the dialogue was honestly horrible and at times extremely cheesey...really my rating for it would be two and a half star, but since you can't give half ratings I was nice and bumped it up to three:)

[Brenda Kelton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again I'm stuck reading a book that has way too many POV's and the author makes it difficult to distinguish between them. I spent half my time trying to figure out who was telling the story. After a while I didn't even care. This book could have good, but somewhere in between it lost the strength it began with.

[Amanda Higley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVED this book at first and then got really mad at the end! Its good, slightly predictable, but a fun story about 4 best friends telling the stories of meeting the "men of their dreams" Again, another beach read,

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fun and one of her best that I have read. I seem to choose an author and then want to read all the books they wrote. I like Stacey's style of writing and she is funny too. I think if you like chick-lit then you will for sure enjoy this book.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. It was a little hard to follow at times, because of the number of characters involved and the frequency of relationship changes, but I did enjoy it. It isn't my favorite book by Stacey Ballis, but it was cute none the less.

[Lychee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Includes two very hilarious, laugh-out-loud scenes (online dating gone wrong, and a jelly-fish encounter on a wedding day) and an elaboration of a philosophy on love that was a nice affirmation of my own.

[Tanya D · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked this up in the 3.99 bin at Chapters and found it to be, quite honestly, a waste of money. Didn't enjoy the storyline, characters or the writing style of the author. All loose ends were tied up a little too conveniently and unbelievably at the end of the book.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this book. It's about hmm...6 women? I forgot how many. Haha. About their love life, job life, etc. It's sorta of soap opera. Most of it's not my thing but this book is sooo funny that's why I like this.

[Darya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like the first half the book, especially the first person voice, as it was somewhat confusing to go from one character to another's voice. The second half was better as the story? was finally beginning to mesh together and made it somewhat enjoyable to read.

[Diana Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this is a pretty sassy Chick Lit book, which I can appreciate, esp. because it made me laugh at out multiple times and was almost realistic sometimes. The problem is, the characters are some of the most hypocritical, desperate, selfish women I have ever read about. Out of the five, I liked 2.