Book Review and Giveaway: The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits

Synopsis: 
Cassie and Zoe Grossberg were thrust into the spotlight as The Griffin Sisters, a pop duo that defined the aughts. Together, they skyrocketed to the top, gracing MTV, SNL, and the cover of Rolling Stone. Cassie, a musical genius who never felt at ease in her own skin, preferred to stay in the shadows. Zoe, full of confidence and craving fame, lived for the stage. But fame has a price, and after one turbulent year, the band abruptly broke up. 

Now, two decades later, the sisters couldn’t be further apart. Zoe is a suburban mom warning her daughter Cherry to avoid the spotlight, while Cassie has disappeared from public life entirely. But when Cherry begins unearthing the truth behind their breathtaking rise and infamous breakup, long-buried secrets surface, forcing all three women to confront their choices, their desires, and their complicated bonds. 

With richly developed characters, a nostalgic nod to the pop culture of the 2000s, and a resonant tale of ambition, forgiveness, and family, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits will captivate readers from the first note to the final encore. Whether you’ve followed Jennifer Weiner for years or are discovering her for the first time, this book is a must-read for music lovers, fans of sisterly dramas, and anyone who cherishes a great story of second chances. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Jami Denison:

While my own singing career peaked in the sixth grade, I’ve always loved books about singers. The past few years have been a treasure trove for readers like me, with hits such as Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Once More From the Top by Emily Layden. Now the queen bee of women’s fiction Jennifer Weiner has added her own tale to the subgenre. The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits has a lot in common with Daisy Jones, with a narrative that moves among multiple characters and past and present, a band that falls apart after its only (platinum) album, and a daughter with questions about the past. But this book is unabashedly Weiner, with a heavyset heroine trying to make the world see her as something other than a large body.

In New Jersey in the early 2000s, Zoe Grossberg and her sister Cassie couldn’t be less alike. Zoe is thin and pretty and loves being the center of attention. She dreams of stardom as a pop singer. Cassie, only a year younger, is heavy, painfully shy, and only sings with Zoe. But she’s a musical prodigy who could play songs by ear in pre-school. When Zoe begs Cassie to accompany her to a battle of the bands, it’s the beginning of a superstardom—and a rivalry—that neither sister could foresee, one that leads to a 20-year estrangement between the two. Now Zoe’s 18-year-old daughter Cherry, who has Cassie’s talent and Zoe’s dreams of stardom, is a finalist in a popular TV talent show. Can she bring the sisters together in time to win the prize?

Weiner has been writing about larger heroines since her debut, Good in Bed. At the same time, she’s been an open book about her own weight struggles, as well as her crusade for the publishing industry to take her genre seriously. Her books also reflect her Jewish upbringing and practices, a risky stance in the current environment. Like a professional athlete, she leaves everything on the page, and every book is better than the last. 

It shows Weiner’s enormous talent that both Zoe and Cassie are highly empathetic, even as different as they are. Zoe seems to have an easy life, with the body and personality that have always been rewarded. But she doesn’t have the talent that Cassie does, and as she sees herself being pushed aside in the band that she put together as Cassie’s voice and songwriting win accolades, she resorts to desperate methods to stay relevant. Is it really imposter syndrome when you have proof that you’re not good enough? I never thought I’d feel sorry for someone as attractive as Zoe, but Weiner makes it happen.

Any reader who’s ever felt like an outsider will feel for Cassie, whose entire life has been about her size. Bullied in school, with only her sister as a friend, she won’t sing without Zoe. But the band’s popularity—and Cassie’s bond with guitar-player/songwriter Russell—pulls Cassie out of her shell. When everything falls apart, she retreats tragically. 

Cherry, the third point-of-view character, is the one I had the hardest time connecting with. Angry because her mother squelches her musical dreams and ignores her stepbrother’s harassing glances, Cherry wants to find Cassie, but for her own reasons. She seems more interested in using her aunt for her own fame than in trying to heal a wounded family. Her mother’s mention of Cherry’s vape pens and condoms imply a person more interested in pleasure than artistic achievement. I was worried when Weiner seemed to be leading toward a tidy happy ending for Cherry, and relieved when that didn’t happen. 

The plot moves quickly without ever sacrificing character. One element that didn’t work well for me, however, was Weiner’s brief inclusion of sexual harassment issues. When Zoe hints at something in her past, I was expecting something much more horrific than what she eventually revealed. Similarly, Cherry’s issues with her stepbrother should have either been amplified or left out entirely. Both subplots could have been cut without any impact on the main story.

In her author’s note, Weiner says she was influenced by the zeitgeist of the early 2000s, specifically on the attention given to female artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Jessica Simpson. It was a harsh time for women who dared to have stomachs of any size, and Weiner praised the body positivity movements that came in later decades. But with Ozempic being pushed in every TV and social media ad, how long will it be until we return to those harmful expectations?

Weiner’s characters may have real-life influences, but she has made Zoe, Cassie, and Cherry completely her own. It’s an amazing book, and I hope the Griffin Sisters gets a limited series as impactful as Daisy Jones. 

Melissa Amster:

I have been a Jennifer Weiner fan for over 20 years and always enjoy her thoughtful and genuine novels. However, I absolutely LOVED The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits! It was just so powerful and well-told.

Jennifer didn't hold back from exposing the characters' flaws and vulnerabilities. There was a lot of talk about body image and the characters were treated according to how they looked, for the most part. Even so, the one sister who had it going on in the looks department had a lot of insecurities that couldn't be resolved by being "the pretty one." Meanwhile, my heart hurt so much for all the bullying the sister who was overweight received throughout her life. There was this one flashback to an experience she had at camp that I could totally relate to (although my situation didn't have to do with body image). 

I felt so emotionally attached to the story and found myself turning pages quickly. I got teary-eyed at one point for sure. It's amazing what the power of music can do! I also loved that there were a lot of Jewish references. The story also focuses a lot on guilt and forgiveness, especially surrounding a tragic situation.

While Jami compared this novel to Daisy Jones, I felt that they were totally different. The only similarity was about the bands' trajectories and all the road trips they went on for their performances. Also, while she didn't feel as much of a connection to Cherry, I found myself caring about her and wanting her to succeed. It also made me glad that I support my kids' dreams and hope they never feel like they have to sneak around to achieve those dreams. 

I wish there was a soundtrack to accompany this novel, but I also enjoyed leaving Cassie's voice to my imagination. Still, the songs sounded interesting and like something I would have related to as a teenager. 

I definitely recommend picking this one up! 

Movie casting suggestions:

Cassie: I can't think of anyone (past or present), so the actress would have to be a newcomer

Zoe (present): Marla Sokoloff 

Zoe (past): The actress would have to be a newcomer, as well

Cherry: Sofia Rosinsky

Russell: Nick Robinson

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Thanks to William Morrow for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have THREE copies to give away!

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Giveaway ends April 8th at midnight EST. 

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TW: Body shaming, predatory sexual behavior, death of significant other, bullying

Book Review and Giveaway: That Summer....plus a special treat!

By Melissa Amster

Daisy Shoemaker can’t sleep. With a thriving cooking business, full schedule of volunteer work, and a beautiful home in the Philadelphia suburbs, she should be content. But her teenage daughter can be a handful, her husband can be distant, her work can feel trivial, and she has lots of acquaintances, but no real friends. Still, Daisy knows she’s got it good. So why is she up all night?

While Daisy tries to identify the root of her dissatisfaction, she’s also receiving misdirected emails meant for a woman named Diana Starling, whose email address is just one punctuation mark away from her own. While Daisy’s driving carpools, Diana is chairing meetings. While Daisy’s making dinner, Diana’s making plans to reorganize corporations. Diana’s glamorous, sophisticated, single-lady life is miles away from Daisy’s simpler existence. When an apology leads to an invitation, the two women meet and become friends. But, as they get closer, we learn that their connection was not completely accidental. Who IS this other woman, and what does she want with Daisy?

From the manicured Main Line of Philadelphia to the wild landscape of the Outer Cape, written with Jennifer Weiner’s signature wit and sharp observations, That Summer is a story about surviving our pasts, confronting our futures, and the sustaining bonds of friendship. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

I have always been a fan of Jennifer Weiner's writing, so I go into her novels expecting something great. With That Summer, I was, once again, not disappointed by my expectations.

The story is well told and interesting throughout. I liked both Daisy and Diana, but I really liked seeing Diana's story progress through the years. While foreshadowing made the story feel predictable in parts, I also wanted to see how things would go from point A to point B and what the outcome would be. I liked seeing Beatrice's perspective, as well. Her fashion choices sounded so creative. Jennifer has a good grasp of the teenage point-of-view and should try her hand at a young adult novel sometime. (I know she has written middle grade novels.) 

The food descriptions made me hungry and Jennifer, as usual, wrote a really steamy bedroom scene that I enjoyed. I felt like there were too many location descriptions though. A large amount of the story was telling us what a room looked like. I also didn't feel like Hal's perspective was necessary and it didn't make him a sympathetic character. 

What I liked the most was that this novel covered a relevant topic in a sensitive and thoughtful way. I like how Jennifer weaved in some current events without naming names. 

There's a spoiler for Big Summer toward the beginning of this novel, so be sure to read that one first! Afterward, you'll want to devour this one for sure!

Movie casting ideas:

Daisy: Zoe Kazan
Diana (present): Elizabeth Berkley

Diana (past): Elizabeth Lail
Hal: Michael Vartan
Beatrice: Jessica Cherniak
Michael (past): Paul Walter Hauser

Michael (present): John DiMaggio

Thanks to Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one print copy to give away! Atria has also coordinated an interview between Jennifer and myself! I am excited to share it here. Her answers are so much fun, so I hope you will enjoy them too. 

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Years ago, a friend was in the hospital with her mother, who was dying. She was reading one of my books and she said, “It was just like having you there with me, talking to me.” Which I am choosing to take as a compliment!
 
What was the biggest reward and biggest challenge with writing That Summer?
The biggest challenge was writing a book in the midst of the uncertainty of the pandemic. There was a LOT of temptation to procrastinate – to say, “no one knows what’s going to happen or how long this will last so I might as well just goof off for a few days (weeks, months).” But focusing on the book meant I couldn’t be anxious, so I’m glad I was able to make myself get to work, which led to the reward: holding a finished book in my hands! That’s always the best feeling the world.
 
What is something you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I’ve been joking that I’ve been in training my whole life for what we went through the last year. I already work at home, I’ve already got a wardrobe full of comfortable and forgiving garments, and I already enjoy staying home much more than I do going out. I thought that there was nothing about the world that I’d miss (other than not being able to see my friends, or go to a yoga class), but what I learned is that, as exhausting as book tours can be, I really miss them. I miss making those connections, and meeting my readers face to face. I am so looking forward to doing them again, in person, soon!
 
What is the last thing you had a good laugh about?
My husband and I have been working our way through Prestige TV during the pandemic. We watched Mad Men and Friday Night Lights and we’re now on The Americans. In the second season, there’s a storyline involving a kidnapped Mossad agent who our heroes are holding hostage. The man is tied up with his hands handcuffed behind him, and he says, “I need to use the toilet.” (In cruder terms than that). There was a lot of setup involving getting the guy to the bathroom, and my husband and I start speculating that he’s going to try to escape. Sure enough, the agent asks his captor for help wiping, and then clubs him over the head and almost gets away. I said, “I bet they teach agents what to do if they’re in this situation.” Then I said, “And I bet they call the move…the Number Two.”

 Photo by Andrea Cipriani Mecchi

Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of eighteen books, including Good in Bed, That Summer, and an essay collection, Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing. A graduate of Princeton University and a frequent contributor to the New York Times Opinion section, Jennifer lives with her family in Philadelphia. Visit her online at JenniferWeiner.com, @jenniferweiner on Facebook and Twitter and @jenniferweinerwrites on Instagram. 

Thanks to Jennifer for chatting with us and again to Atria for coordinating the interview and sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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Giveaway ends May 10th at midnight EST.

Book Review and Giveaway: Big Summer

By Melissa Amster

Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.

Drue was always the one who had everything—except the ability to hold onto friends. Meanwhile, Daphne’s no longer the same self-effacing sidekick she was back in high school. She’s built a life that she loves, including a growing career as a plus-size Instagram influencer. Letting glamorous, seductive Drue back into her life is risky, but it comes with an invitation to spend a weekend in a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. When Drue begs and pleads and dangles the prospect of cute single guys, Daphne finds herself powerless as ever to resist her friend’s siren song.

A sparkling novel about the complexities of female relationships, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart, Big Summer is a witty, moving story about family, friendship, and figuring out what matters most. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I've been a fan of Jennifer Weiner's writing ever since I picked up Good in Bed in 2002. I always know that I'll get a high quality novel when I see her name on the cover. While last year's novel, Mrs. Everything, was a heavier story, Big Summer gets back to the (somewhat) lighter side. If you liked Good in Bed, Best Friends Forever, and/or Goodnight Nobody, you will definitely enjoy this novel!

I was drawn into this novel right away and it kept me engaged and entertained the entire time. There was even a mystery aspect to it, which added to the excitement. I didn't even see that part coming either. I liked the use of social media to carry the story along, in terms of how people present themselves online and what it means to be an influencer in this day and age. The descriptions of people, locations, food, and clothing (even though I am not up to date with fashion labels) enhanced the story even more. It speaks volumes about body shaming, as well. I was so angry reading the part with Daphne's Nana.

This was a great story about a complicated friendship and whether or not people can change from who they used to be. Some of it reminded me of Mean Girls. I enjoyed it thoroughly and had fun getting to know Daphne, Drue, and some of the secondary characters. It's the perfect summer read and a great escape from our current reality.

Movie casting suggestions:
Daphne: Jillian Bell
Drue: Rebecca Rittenhouse
Darshi: Vella Lovell
Nick: Steven Strait
Aditya: Himesh Patel
Leela: JuJu Chan

Thanks to Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away!


How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends May 3rd at midnight EST.

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Spotlight and Giveaway: Mrs. Everything

Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, Mrs. Everything, published yesterday. We're excited to tell you more about this book, which Melissa A loved. "Mrs. Everything is a powerful story that I think women (and possibly even men) of all ages will appreciate." (See her review). Thanks to Atria, we have one copy for a lucky reader!

From Jennifer Weiner, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Who Do You Love and In Her Shoes comes a smart, thoughtful, and timely exploration of two sisters’ lives from the 1950's to the present as they struggle to find their places—and be true to themselves—in a rapidly evolving world. Mrs. Everything is an ambitious, richly textured journey through history—and herstory—as these two sisters navigate a changing America over the course of their lives.

Do we change or does the world change us?

Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise.

Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life.

But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?

In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?

Watch Jennifer describe Mrs. Everything in five seconds

Jennifer explains why she wrote Mrs. Everything

Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of sixteen books, including Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, and her memoir, Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing. A graduate of Princeton University and contributor to the New York Times Opinion section, Jennifer lives with her family in Philadelphia.

Visit Jennifer online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * New York Times

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends June 17th at midnight EST.

Guest Book Review: Little Bigfoot, Big City

By E.Z. Amster

**May contain spoilers for The Littlest Bigfoot**

Twelve-year-old Alice Mayfair has a secret. She’s not human. But who—or what—is she? While Alice goes in search of her past, her best friend Millie Maximus, a tiny Bigfoot with a big voice, prepares for her future. Together they plan to sneak off to New York City, where Millie hopes to audition for The Next Stage, the TV show she’s sure will rocket her to stardom and free her from the suffocating expectations of her tribe.

Meanwhile Jeremy Bigelow’s Bigfoot research has put him on the radar of a shadowy government organization led by a mysterious man named Trip Carruthers. The Bigfoots have something, a chemical so powerful and dangerous that the government will do anything to obtain it. And Jeremy is tasked with securing it once and for all.

In an unexpected twist of fate, Jeremy, Alice, and Millie find themselves facing off at a crossroads. But in order to determine where they’re going, they have to first figure out where they come from—and draw the line between what is good, what is evil, and what it means to be a hero. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Jennifer Weiner has put a commemorating sequel to The Littlest Bigfoot (reviewed here) our radar. Her new book, Little Bigfoot, Big City, tells the beginnings of Millie's adventures to fame. Millie is a child Bigfoot who wants to be in the human--or "no-fur," as they call them--world. This book reveals the secrets people hide from even those closest to them, and how no one can trust each other once they've found their true identities.

Alice journeys more to find out where she really belongs. Millie really inspires me to chase your dreams, but you have to be careful to hold on to those dearest to you. This book deserves five big stars for the wonderful motivations driving the characters to do what they do. I really love the ending when new ideas and adventures just begin building again.

A strong topic addressed in this book is friendship because Millie and Alice have to hold on tight to each other to keep their bond with one another. Little Bigfoot, Big City circles around a theme: Never get carried away with your surroundings or you lose the things dearest to you. People who are interested in fame and mystery would find this book appealing to them. I would love to thank Jennifer Weiner for bringing back her beloved tale.


E.Z. is Melissa Amster's older son. He enjoys musical theater, reading, cooking, playing clarinet, and drawing pictures. He is currently in sixth grade and loving it! E.Z. lives at home with his parents and younger brother and sister.

Guest Book Review: The Littlest Bigfoot

By E.Z. Amster

Alice Mayfair, twelve years old, slips through the world unseen and unnoticed. Ignored by her family and shipped off to her eighth boarding school, Alice would like a friend. And when she rescues Millie Maximus from drowning in a lake one day, she finds one.

But Millie is a Bigfoot, part of a clan who dwells deep in the woods. Most Bigfoots believe that people—NoFurs, as they call them—are dangerous, yet Millie is fascinated with the No-Fur world. She is convinced that humans will appreciate all the things about her that her Bigfoot tribe does not: her fearless nature, her lovely singing voice, and her desire to be a star.

Alice swears to protect Millie’s secret. But a league of Bigfoot hunters is on their trail, led by a lonely kid named Jeremy. And in order to survive, Alice and Millie have to put their trust in each other—and have faith in themselves—above all else. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

The Littlest Bigfoot is truly inspiring to me. It teaches me about friendship. When Millie, of the Yare, meets Alice, the human or no-fur as the Yare called them, they begin a friendship that no one could ever make as beautiful as theirs. They were very lonely children so it was such a miracle for them to find each other from two different sides of Lake Standish. I would recommend this book to all of my friends in my grade (80 students!). I give this book five stars for its beautiful story of how the lonely children make a friendship. I hope Jennifer Weiner will write more books for kids my age.

P. S. The cover is beautiful!

E.Z. is Melissa Amster's older son. He enjoys reading, cooking, playing clarinet, and drawing pictures. The Littlest Bigfoot was published on his birthday. 

Book Review and Giveaway: Hungry Heart

By Melissa Amster

I’ve been a fan of Jennifer Weiner’s writing ever since I spent the day in bed reading Good in Bed. And then I fell in love with In Her Shoes. I’ve read all of her other books and enjoyed those as well, especially The Next Best Thing. I even got The Littlest Bigfoot for my oldest child to read. I’ve met her at numerous book signings and she has called me out by name in front of hundreds of people. I even went to a party she hosted in New York City last year to promote the books of female authors. When I heard that Jennifer had written a memoir, I was eager to get my hands on it, even though I’m not normally into memoirs. I knew Hungry Heart would be special though, and I was absolutely right!

Jennifer takes us on a journey through adolescence, college years, young adulthood, and parenthood. She talks a lot about her writing career, her family, her weight, and so much more. Even when she talks about some of the hardships she endures, she is so relatable that you just want to reach through the book to hug her and tell her you’ve been there too. I know I could definitely relate when she talked about not fitting in and being tormented by her peers or left out from gatherings. I could also relate to a situation she went through in college.

I learned new things about Jennifer. I didn’t know she was on a rowing team in high school and college. I didn’t have much insight to her relationship with her father and sister before now. (She talks about her mother and grandma at book signings.) I also didn’t know about a more recent difficult situation she had experienced.

I loved reading about her inside jokes with her family. My favorite was "difficult." I also liked hearing her reasons behind her push to get more recognition for female authors. I feel like I'm doing my part with this blog and only hope that with Jennifer behind the movement, more female authors will be recognized by well-known media outlets over time.

The only two concerns I have are with jumping around in time (as that could get confusing) and too much information at certain points (especially toward the end of the book). Neither took away from my enjoyment of the book though.

Hungry Heart is engaging, humorous, and inspiring. I feel like I know Jennifer a lot better now and I like her even more than I already did.

Thanks to both Engleman & Co and Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks also to Engleman & Co for sharing a copy with one lucky reader!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 


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Giveaway ends October 18th at midnight EST.

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Book Review and Giveaway: Who Do You Love

By Melissa Amster

Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, Who Do You Love, is not like her others. For one thing, the cover picture is simply a paperclip shaped like a heart (which is significant to the story). The other is that half of the story is told from a male perspective, which hasn't happened in a Jennifer Weiner novel as far as I can remember (aside from the free e-short story Good Men, which was also featured in The Guy Not Taken).


Rachel Blum and Andy Landis are just eight years old when they meet late one night in an ER waiting room. Born with a congenital heart defect, Rachel is a veteran of hospitals, and she's intrigued by the boy who shows up alone with a broken arm. He tells her his name. She tells him a story. After Andy’s taken back to a doctor and Rachel’s sent back to her bed, they think they’ll never see each other again.

Rachel grows up in an affluent Florida suburb, the popular and protected daughter of two doting parents. Andy grows up poor in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia with a single mom and a rare talent for running. Over the decades, their paths cross in magical and ordinary ways, as they grow together and apart. But Rachel and Andy never forget that night in the hospital waiting room all those years before, a chance encounter that changed the course of both of their lives. (Synopsis courtesy of Atria.)

I really liked the pace of this story, as well as seeing how Andy and Rachel's lives were so different and how they balanced each other out so well. Both their perspectives were interesting and emotionally strong throughout. I could definitely relate well to Rachel, as we had similar upbringings, aside from her being popular while I wasn't. (And curly hair, as well.) However, I enjoyed Andy's side of the story because it took me into a lifestyle of which I wasn't so familiar. I especially liked Andy's relationship with Mr. Sills, who became a father figure to him. Aside from that, there were some really good "romantic" scenes. Jennifer didn't disappoint when it came to that part of the story. The dialogue flowed nicely and there were a lot of things I didn't expect, so this novel never became predictable.

The only thing I would have liked to see is an epilogue that takes us out to the following year or so, where we can see what has happened in Rachel and Andy's lives since the ending. Perhaps Jennifer will write a follow-up short story someday?

Overall, I enjoyed Who Do You Love and recommend it to anyone who wants a sweet story told with Jennifer Weiner's natural flair.

Thanks to Engleman and Co for the book in exchange for an honest review. They even have one copy for a lucky US reader!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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US only. Giveaway ends August 16th at midnight EST.

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Book Review: All Fall Down

Allison Weiss got her happy ending—a handsome husband, adorable daughter, a job she loves, and the big house in the suburbs. But while waiting in the pediatrician’s office, she opens a magazine to a quiz about addiction and starts to wonder…Is a Percocet at the end of the day really different from a glass of wine? Is it such a bad thing to pop a Vicodin after a brutal Jump & Pump class…or if your husband ignores you?

The pills help her manage the realities of her good-looking life: that her husband is distant, that her daughter is acting out, that her father’s Alzheimer’s is worsening and her mother is barely managing to cope. She tells herself that they let her make it through her days…but what if her increasing drug use, a habit that’s becoming expensive and hard to hide, is turning into her biggest problem of all?

With a sparkling comedic touch and a cast of unforgettable characters, this remarkable story of a woman’s slide into addiction and struggle to find her way back up again is Jennifer Weiner’s most masterful work yet. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Amy Bromberg:

Jennifer Weiner is one of the top authors who epitomizes chick lit. I couldn't put down any of her novels, starting with her debut, Good In Bed. I know I'm not the only one who was bummed that she didn't come out with a book last year. Hence, I was looking forward to All Fall Down that much more.

To tell you the truth I barely know anything about addiction. The story gave me some insight into this painful and complicated world, and what an addict goes through on a daily basis. Allison is an everyday modern woman...one that we all pass on the street time and time again, and one that we would never think in a million years abuses drugs. Allison is blogger for a women's website, has a demanding and spoiled daughter, and has a husband whose paycheck is nearing extinction. Of course we all go through stressful times and feel we're overwhelmed. Some people exercise, do yoga, and and/or every now and then have a glass of wine at the end of the day to relax and unwind. But there are people like Allison who have gone beyond just having that one glass of wine. She needs maybe eight or more pills a day to be able to cope with her everyday stress. I felt so sad when she hit rock bottom multiple times. I wanted to strangle her and say "Don't you know what you're doing is killing you?" "Do you want your daughter to see you like this, and maybe be taken away from you?" But then that probably would make it worse. An addict has to want to get better, just like a smoker has to want to quit.

Like all of Jennifer Weiner's novels, the story is well-written and the characters are beautifully developed. In all of her books her characters are flawed in one way or another. This is exactly how it is with Allison.

If you're looking for a summer read that's thought provoking and deep, focusing on empowerment, liberation, and self-discovery, then run to your local bookstore and pick this one up!

Melissa Amster:

As always, I look forward to Jennifer Weiner's novels as soon as I hear that they're in process of being published. She's definitely one of my favorite chick lit authors and I know I'll be in for a treat when I start reading the words she's so eloquenty put down in writing. While her previous books have been light and fun (for the most part), All Fall Down is a walk on the dark side.

Don't get me wrong, there's no murder or abuse (of people or animals, that is) or any reason to stick this book in the freezer after you're finished like Rachel did on Friends, but drug addiction is still a heavy topic to tackle, especially for an audience of chick lit readers. Even so, All Fall Down is compelling and Jennifer still finds ways to add in humor, especially through Allison's voice. This is not your typical "girl-meets-boy, gets married, and lives happily ever after" story. Still, it's a cautionary tale that needs to be told. Allison isn't the first woman to abuse drugs and be in denial of doing so. The song "Mother's Little Helper" was written for a reason, after all (and that came out in the 60s). I heard a cover of this song on the Desperate Housewives soundtrack in relation to Lynette using ADHD medication in season one. (So yeah, it's not just painkillers!)

My favorite part of All Fall Down was part three. I wish the whole novel took place in this section and that bits of parts one and two were interspersed as flashbacks. Some of it reminds me of one of my favorite TV shows (and now I'm watching another show I love that has some scenes that remind me of this book). In regards to Allison, I felt she was hard to relate to at times. I also get stressed out, but have never thought to resort to pain pills (or any other kind of drugs) to deal with it. Stress is subjective and personal to each individual, so I can't judge how bad her stress was from an outside perspective. She gives off the appearance of "living in a bubble," which I sometimes get accused of doing too. No one knows what kind of stress a person is dealing with until they're living that person's life. However, I would have gone to counseling or found other ways to cope if it got that much out of hand for me. I think the genius of this story is that Allison's stress does seem less overwhelming for people who feel like her issues are first world problems. And yet she still has this problem that she thinks she has under control...until she doesn't anymore. I think the only thing that could have made this story even better is an intervention. I would have loved to see Allison get confronted by a circle of her family and friends and what her reaction would be. (Maybe I just find interventions fascinating though.)

The one fun thing I want to point out is that there's a connection between All Fall Down and Certain Girls, in that both books have several mentions of The Sound of Music. (I liked the other Broadway references in All Fall Down, as well.)

Overall, it was a thought provoking novel that tackles an issue everyone should be aware of and keep in mind when it comes to the people they care about. It's more than just your average beach read.

I had a couple of casting suggestions, just in case this gets opted for a film.
Allison: Brooke Elliott 
Dave: Justin Theroux
Eloise: Skyler Wexler

Thanks to Engelman and Co for the books in exchange for an honest review.

More by Jennifer Weiner:

Spotlight and Giveaway: All Fall Down

Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, All Fall Down, publishes in less than a week! Melissa A. recently read it and had a hard time putting it down, so we know you will feel the same! See if she's coming to a town near you on her tour. If so, definitely put it on your calendar as she is so much fun in person!

Thanks to Engelman and Co, we have TWO copies for some lucky US readers!

Allison Weiss has a handsome husband, an adorable little girl, a job she loves, and a big house in the suburbs. But when she's in the pediatrician's office with her daughter, and she opens a magazine to a quiz about addiction, she starts to wonder whether her use of pills is becoming a problem. On the one hand, it's prescription medication, the stuff her doctors give her. Is a Percocet at the end of a hard day really different than a glass of wine? Is it such a bad thing to pop a Vicodin after a brutal Jump & Pump class...or if your husband’s giving you the silent treatment?

Back in the car, with her daughter safely buckled behind her, Allison postpones her internal debate long enough to open the Altoid tin in her purse and slip a chalky white oval underneath her tongue. The pill unties her knotted muscles, erases the grime of the city and soothes her as she frets about the truth of her looking-good life: her husband's becoming distant, her daughter is acting out, her father's early Alzheimer's is worsening and her mother's barely managing to cope. The pills are medicine, necessary if she wants to make it through the day...but what if her increasing drug use, a habit that's becoming expensive and hard to hide, is turning into her biggest problem of all?

All Fall Down centers on a topic that’s in the headlines everywhere from The New York Times to People magazine, as Weiner gives voice to an unfortunately growing community of women. With a sparkling comedic touch and tender, true-to-life characterizations, this tale of empowerment and redemption – a woman who falls down and has to find her way back up again – is Jennifer Weiner’s most poignant, timely, and triumphant story yet.

Photo by Andrea Cipriani

About the Author:

Jennifer Weiner grew up in Connecticut and graduated with a degree in English literature from Princeton University. This #1 New York Times bestselling author is one of the most celebrated writers today. Over 1.6 million copies of her iconic debut Good in Bed have sold to date, and it’s now in its astounding 57th printing. Her books have spent nearly five years on the New York Times bestseller list with over 11 million copies in print in 36 countries.

She is the author of the novels Good in Bed (2001); In Her Shoes (2002), which was turned into a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine; Little Earthquakes (2004); Goodnight Nobody (2005); the short story collection The Guy Not Taken (2006); Certain Girls (2008); Best Friends Forever (2009); Fly Away Home (2010); Then Came You (2011); and most recently, The Next Best Thing (2012). Her Halloween eShort story, Disconnected, was published on October 28, 2013.

Jennifer has appeared on numerous national television programs, including The Today Show, CBS This Morning, CBS Sunday Morning, and The Rachael Ray Show, and has been published in dozens of newspapers and magazines, including Seventeen, Redbook, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Good Housekeeping. Many of her essays are featured on her newly designed website, where she started her blog in 2002.

With 87,000 followers on Twitter, Weiner appeared on Time magazine's list of "140 Best Twitter Feeds.” The magazine hailed her "must-read" live Bachelor tweets, noting that "rarely has there been such an ideal pairing of material and writer." Forbes magazine ranked her second on their list of “25 Working Moms to Follow on Twitter”: “Bestselling novelist Weiner writes guilty pleasure beach reads, fights for her fellow female authors and still makes time for reality TV commentary. Tune in for hilarious shards of brilliance.” Jennifer can also be found on Facebook, and, in real life, Philadelphia, where she lives with her family.

Thanks to Engelman and Co for sharing All Fall Down with our readers!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

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US only. Giveaway ends June 16th at midnight EST.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Next Best Thing

**Giveaway is now closed**

Ruth Saunders has spent most of her life hiding her partially disfigured face under hats. Thanks to her sense of humor and talented writing skills, she was able to avoid most of the emotional scars that go along with growing up. She decides to put this combination to good use and, along with her grandmother, treks cross country to L.A. to write a sitcom. What she doesn't expect is for her sitcom to be picked up by a network. Ecstatic over this opportunity, she isn't prepared for all the pitfalls and the heartache that goes along with producing a television program. Meanwhile, she's torturing herself over an unrequited crush and coping with the news of her grandmother's upcoming marriage. Will Ruth be able to find love and success in the land of dreams?

Melissa Amster:

This past year, I had the pleasure of watching "Smash," a new TV show about the making of a Broadway musical. It was fun to see all the work that goes on behind the scenes. The music and dancing was an added bonus. I got that same feeling from reading "The Next Best Thing" and seeing what goes on behind the scenes of producing a TV show. All the while, I was being entertained by a sweet and charming story that reminds me why Jennifer Weiner is one of the best in the (writing) biz.

When I was in junior high, aside from "Sweet Valley High" and "The Babysitters Club," I would read these books by Candice Ransom. The titles each had an age in them (such as "Fourteen and Holding") and were a series about a girl dealing with making new friends, facing bullies and trying to find a boyfriend. These books were like comfort food to me during those awkward and sometimes torturous pre-teen years. Reading "The Next Best Thing" took me back to the feeling of reading those books. I found a character with whom I could truly identify and appreciate. Ruth was so genuine and down-to-earth, even with all the hardship in her life (losing her parents at a young age and having lots of surgeries that would never bring her face back to the way it was before the accident). I admired her chutzpah and her need to really make a name for herself. I like that Ms. Weiner created a character who doesn't look perfect. The story says a lot for body image and how people are expected to look in this day and age. While Ruth wasn't confident about her physical appearance, she didn't let it get in the way of chasing her dreams. She's an inspiration to any woman who has ever thought "I can't" or felt they had something holding them back from doing what they really wanted. So much to love about this story and I'm only halfway through the positive points.

*Commercial break time*

What's the next best thing to a perfect summer read? A summer reading with cupcakes! -- Check out Jen’s “Cupcakes Across America” book tour and see if she'll be in a town near you.

*Now back to the review--I didn't even give you the time and temp*

I first have to share how much I loved Ruth's grandma. She reminded me a lot of my late maternal grandma. She was so amazing with dropping everything to take care of Ruth after the accident and always making sure she felt comfortable and cherished. There's this one point when Ruth catches her crying and it just about breaks my heart. I love all her moxie and how she treats Ruth like the most important person in the world. She's so positive and encouraging. Plus, she has a great sense of humor! If critics are worried about Ms. Weiner's books not being Jewish enough, they just need to meet the classic Jewish grandma in this novel. I wouldn't mind having her cook Kosher chicken and matzo ball soup for my Shabbat dinners.

I liked that Ms. Weiner had first-hand experience as a television showrunner. It made the story that much more realistic and authentic. I never knew so much had to go into creating a television series, even just for the pilot episode. It made me think of all the shows I love both now and in the past and I started to wonder if they started out the way they ended up. I enjoyed the trivia tidbits about these shows. So fascinating!

As for the romantic scenes, I got a good sampling of what Ms. Weiner is capable of when I read "Fly Away Home," but the ones in "The Next Best Thing" were even better! I won't say who they're with or when they happen, but buckle your seatbelts...you're in for an incredible ride (excuse the pun)!

There's very little that bothered me about "The Next Best Thing." In all fairness, I do need to point out that jumping between the past and present got confusing at times. There was one point where Ruth was flashing back just to the previous night and it seemed to mesh with everything else going on, totally throwing me off when she was back to the present moment. It's pretty obvious when she goes back and forth in time, but there was a break in the fluidity of the story by taking it out of chronological order. Also, I felt like Ms. Weiner's own voice was speaking as Ruth, even though the story was fictional. Sometimes, I would forget I was reading Ruth's perspective and be picturing Ms. Weiner instead, speaking for her. Maybe she's just so close with her character that it was hard not to let her own voice slip into the story, but I could "hear" it in various things she said, especially when Ruth was extra bold about something.

I was once again swept away by Ms. Weiner's clever storytelling. I forgot I was reading an actual book as I became so absorbed in everything that was happening. I liked that she had only one character's perspective throughout the entire story this time. It just worked so well for everything that was happening. Her supporting characters were either lovable or despicable, depending on the situation and their role in Ruth's life. I had read the short story, "Swim," which inspired this novel, but couldn't remember it (as it was back in 2006). I re-read it while in the middle of "The Next Best Thing," and it helped give some background to parts in the story that was glossed over. Overall, I did not want to put this book down for even a moment, but I also wanted to savor it like a delicious slice of tiramisu that gets eaten up way too fast because it's just THAT good. I'm already eagerly anticipating Ms. Weiner's next book and this one hasn't officially even hit shelves yet!

Amy Bromberg:

Wow. This is kind of difficult because I don’t know where to start. First off, I’m sure you won’t be surprised when I say that I LOVED the book. The minute you start reading any of Jen’s books, the words just seem to suck you in.

It was definitely refreshing that Jen wrote the book in the first person. I tend to actually enjoy books more when written in the first person. It’s like you can almost see what’s inside of them and feel what they feel.

Even though I’m not an entertainment junkie per se, I do every now and then flip through People or US Weekly at the grocery check out line...or I just might “like” them on Facebook (don’t tell anyone). That being said, it was interesting to get a look into what happens in the lives of celebrities off camera and behind the scenes. It was fun reading the back and forth banter in the writers' room, which kind of reminded me of the scenes in 30 Rock that take place in that room.

I haven’t admired a heroine of a novel, as much as I admire Ruth, in a long time. It takes such an extreme level of courage and determination to persevere through so much adversity when one has had so many setbacks like Ruth during her childhood. I cannot imagine for the life of me having a huge scar taking up most of one side of my face. I remember not being able to look at myself in the mirror when I had chicken pox. There were marks all over my face. As I’m writing this now, I’m thinking people put so much energy and money into making themselves look better, all the while they should appreciate what they already have, when there are people out there who have it a lot worse.

The more I got to know Ruth’s grandmother, the more I fell in love with her. She has many of same qualities as both of my grandmothers did. Both of them made the best yummy Jewish foods, including matzo ball soup, noodle kugel, tzimmes, brisket, potato latkes and many more delectable dishes. She also reminds me of my mother too. Just like Ruth’s grandmother, my mother used to (and sometimes still does) takes care of me just a little too much. Sometimes I wanted to tell her “GIVE THE GIRL SOME SPACE.”

I’d like to leave you with one final thought. Ruth says on page 353 “…in this life you didn’t get perfect.” Life is not perfect and it will never be. The more you work on perfection, the deeper you will fall into misery. Sometimes you need to take a step back and look at what you have, and realize “my life might not be picture-perfect, but it’s the next best thing.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The Next Best Thing" is available for pre order on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. Thanks to Engelman and Co, we got our own review copies in exchange for our honest feedback.

You could also win a copy right here, as Engelman and Co is offering one book to a lucky US reader!

How to win "The Next Best Thing":
Since Ruth's inspiration comes from The Golden Girls, tell us which Golden Girl is your favorite or reminds you most of yourself. (One entry per person.) Please include your e-mail address or another way to contact you if you win.

US only. Giveaway ends July 8th at midnight EST.

More by Jennifer Weiner:

"Then" is still now, thanks to Jennifer Weiner and a giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed**

In honor of "Then Came You," by Jennifer Weiner, being released in paperback on May 8th, we are re-posting the review that Melissa A and Melissa P did last summer, and thanks to Engleman and Co., we have one copy to give away to a lucky US reader.

Can't get enough Jen Weiner? Visit her at her website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Our review, originally posted July 12, 2011:

Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, "Then Came You," focuses on four women who have similar goals in mind, either related to babies, money or both. Jules is invited to donate her eggs and, knowing she'll potentially be able to help her father with the money, it's hard to refuse such an offer. Annie can also make money to help her family during tight economic times, by becoming a surrogate. India wants a baby to complete the loving marriage she has with Marcus, and she also knows she could benefit from his wealth. Bettina thinks India is out to rob her father blind and wants to put a stop to it. When tragedy strikes, these four women become connected in ways they never thought possible.

Thanks to the generosity of Ms. Weiner and her assistant, Meghan Burnett, we had the opportunity to read and review this novel before it even hit the shelves.

Melissa A:
I love Jennifer Weiner's novels and this one was no exception. I wasn't sure where it was going at first, but then it picked up momentum and I was completely drawn into the lives of these four women. Ms. Weiner has a way of making me forget that I'm reading a novel, as I become so involved in the world she creates with her characters. They are so vivid that I can see them right in front of me and take on their emotions for them. I really liked the realistic dialogue and the descriptiveness. It is what made this novel strong. I also enjoyed seeing a cameo appearance from one of her past characters, although I was hoping initially that she would get her own story too. Thankfully, there were no real spoilers regarding the book from which this character was originated. (So if you read this one first, you won't have to worry that the other book was ruined for you at all.) Ms. Weiner handled some risky topics gracefully, making them comfortable for anyone who would normally not be comfortable with such topics. (I don't want to spoil anything though.)

However, having too many characters in the first person threw me off at times. I felt this way with "The D Word" by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke as well (see my review) and that was just two characters back to back (for the most part). This didn't seem to be as frustrating for me when I read "Little Earthquakes," so I was surprised that I had trouble with it this time around. My one suggestion would be to do what Jodi Picoult does and give each character their own font. That seems to help when I read her books. I also felt that it was a bit rushed towards the end. Since each lead character was featured every fourth chapter, they didn't get as much face time as they would if the focus were on one or two lead characters. So there was almost a race to the finish to get their stories told by the time she was ready to reach an epilogue. I would have loved to see her go on longer and give them time to flourish a bit more. Perhaps she can bring one or two of them back in a future novel.

Overall, this is another winner from a writer of amazing stories. It shows a maturation of Ms. Weiner's writing and storytelling capabilities (in the same vein as Jane Green, who started with dating stories and now discusses motherhood). I can tell she puts a lot of love into her novels and this one is bursting at the seams with such love.

Melissa P:
When I first learned about “Then Came You”, I knew it was a must-read, because in my opinion all of Jen’s books are, but I was honestly surprised by how much this book gripped me from the beginning. When the book hit my doorstep late one Tuesday afternoon, I was elated. I immediately curled up in my favorite chair and started reading. I couldn’t put it down and finished it by early Thursday morning. The stories of the four women pulled me in.

All four women are in different stages of their lives, but they are all relatable. I personally related to India the most because there were some similarities in our situations, but I don’t think I am like her at all. The characters all had their own struggles that they were going through, but I love that Jen made them all headstrong, capable women who are able to navigate their way through heartache and loss.

This is honestly one of the best books I have read in a while and I definitely think that it is Jennifer Weiner’s best book to date. It’s rare that I would finish a book so quickly and become so entranced by a story, but “Then Came You” is one of those rare books. I was happy when the characters were happy and I sobbed when the characters faced heartbreak. I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days after reading it. If anyone is looking for an amazing read, this is it.

More Jen Weiner news:

*Check out the schedule for Jen’s BOOK TOUR, May 2012, which celebrates the paperback launch. It's mainly Pennsylvania based with one stop in New York, but have no fear, her summer tour for "The Next Best Thing" covers many more US locations. She's even sharing the Chicago stop with Sarah Pekkanen and Jen Lancaster!

*Now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. On May 8th, Atria will also be publishing SWIM, an original e-book short story by Jennifer Weiner that will be available for free download wherever ebooks are sold. SWIM is originally from Jen's short story collection "The Guy Not Taken," and after she spent time in Los Angeles co-producing the ABC Family show, “State of Georgia,” she knew she wanted to continue. SWIM is the inspiration for her forthcoming novel, THE NEXT BEST THING (Atria Books, July 3, 2012).

*Jen’s highly anticipated new novel "The Next Best Thing" will be on shelves July 3rd. Set against the fascinating backdrop of Los Angeles show business culture, with an insider's ear and eye for raunchy writer's rooms, bad behavior backstage and set politics, Jennifer Weiner's new novel is a rollicking ride on the Hollywood rollercoaster, and a heartfelt story about what it's like for a young woman to love, and lose, in the land where dreams come true...

How to win "Then Came You":
Tell us what stood out for you in our review. (One entry per person) Please include your e-mail address so we can contact you if you win.

US only. Giveaway ends May 8th at midnight EST.

An evening with Jen Weiner....from a guest blogger's point of view

Amy Bromberg got to attend Jennifer Weiner's book signing in NYC on July 12th. She's here to tell us all about her experience. If you want to see what went on for yourself, check out the video of the live feed from that evening.

My Evening with Jennifer Weiner
by Amy Bromberg

Originally I had a scheduling conflict that was not going allow me to attend the signing. However, due to a last minute rescheduling I ended up being able to go. While I was getting ready to leave, I was looking for something in my night table drawer and low and behold what do I find? A $10 Barnes and Nobles gift certificate from two years ago! I ended up paying $13 and change for the book, as it was also marked down a bit from the list price. About a dollar less than the eBook! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I was!


I got to Barnes and Noble in Union Square at 3:30 pm, with plenty of time to spare before 5:00 (in order to get good seats, I was advised to show up two hours early). I HAD to get a front row seat. I ended up browsing around Sephora, right next door to Barnes and Noble, to check out the latest beauty products to share and promote on my beauty blog.

I was SO excited when Jennifer came out. Here’s a picture of her taking last minute notes just a few seconds before she was introduced.

This was my second time meeting Jennifer. The previous time was at a panel, where Jennifer and Candace Bushnell talked to each other, about all different topics. At the end of the panel, in another room, everyone lined up to get their books signed. I felt bad for Candace because the majority of people were going up to Jennifer. This was shortly after "Best Friends Forever" was released.

She shared with us her time in LA working on all that goes into putting together a TV show. In October, Jennifer was in Paris when she received a call from the heads of the ABC Family network, asking if she would like to come out to LA to shoot a TV series. Of course she said yes.
She wrote a script called “The Great State of Georgia” a few years back. As we all know, this show became a reality where Jennifer is the co-creator and executive producer. The first thing that had to be done, upon arriving in LA, was to get a car. In Philadelphia, where she lives, she has a 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan. She really does not care about what kind of car she drives because she barely drives it. Hence when her co-producer, Kirk took her to his car dealer, Marty Weiner (spelled the same) Jennifer picked out a simple Cadillac station wagon. This was not good enough because in LA cars matter a lot, because you are always in them. She ended up getting a Lexus SUV, which the car dealer, said this is what all the actresses drive, with sort of pretensions of environmentalism drive, you can act like you care, and there’s room for stuff .

Jennifer talked about how casting works, and how all of the ladies who came to audition for the role of Aunt Honey, were 80s sitcom heroines, including Stephanie Powers, Francis Fisher, Jacque and Loni Anderson. She was star struck and was like “Oh my G-d, that’s Suzanne Somers”, and Kirk said "Please stop screaming, you’re just going to upset them." Then there’s the hiring of the people that go into putting a show together. When it came to hiring the writers, Jennifer was advised by her sister-in-law, who knows about the television industry, to not hire "yourself." (Meaning, someone who thinks the same way she does.) She has also learned a lot from the book “Bossypants” by Tina Fey.

I was the first person to ask a question during the Q and A session. I asked "Do you see any of your other books becoming movies?" Jennifer said there are two problems with this. First, concerning Hollywood, her books are not exactly comedies, and not exactly dramas...they are “cromedies”. And the other problem is the plus size aspect. They would have to staple a couple of Olsen twins together. Jennifer is trying to get a meeting with Melissa McCarthy from "Bridesmaids."

I also want to share a picture of Jennifer and me, as well as of the message she wrote in my book, which I had her dedicate to everyone at CLC!






To end things I would like to say I had an awesome time, but there were no cupcakes this year (like she had last year)....instead there were whoopie pies!

Amy Bromberg grew up in Rockaway, NJ and graduated from Montclair State University in events/meeting planning and the hospitality industry. She has been married to the love of her life since Labor day 2005, thanks to the wonders of JDate (which Jennifer Weiner fans in Minneapolis have never heard of). Her passions are beauty and skincare, chick lit, and listening to all kinds of music (except for rap). She's a huge dog lover and enjoys spending time with friends and family. Amy recently started a beauty blog, The Beauty Call, which she would love for everyone to check out. You can follow her on Twitter.