Book Review: Playing House by Patricia Pearson

, by Janine M.


Even in a tiny apartment, there were enough rooms for Frannie to get into trouble...

First, there was the bedroom...where it all began in such a casually romantic way.

Next, the bathroom...where things took a suspicious turn.

Finally, the living room...where she picked up the phone and prepared to break the news to the boyfriend she barely knew...

When Frannie Mackenzie got sick all over the sweater section of a major urban retailer, she couldn't quite believe that this was a reaction to gray being this year's black. So she went back to her postage-stamp-sized apartment and took inventory. Jeans tighter? Yes. Boobs bigger? Yes. And the absolute proof-positive...the stick had turned blue.

Frannie decides to give up cocktails, late nights, and anything else fun that the big city has to offer. But one thing -- or rather person -- she's not sure she's going to get to keep is the surprised father in the situation -- an experimental jazz musician with the improbable name of Calvin, who'd taken off to Europe before Frannie figured out parenthood had awkwardly united them. Falling in love was the last thing that Frannie expected, and the happiest surprise of all.


My Php0.20:

Wonder how it feels like to get pregnant by a man you barely know? This book is about that and more. It is a funny and warm novel that touches on the changes unexpected pregnancies bring to a couple. With no original plans of starting a family, Calvin and Frannie bravely treads the slippery road to parenthood, making sacrifices and compromises along the way.

I quite like the spunky main protagonist, Frannie. Playing House  is a notch better than your average chick lit.

 Rating: ♥♥♥♥

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Book Review: Aphrodite's Tale: Fatal Attraction by Alicia Fields

, by Janine M.


Aphrodite is the most beautiful goddess of all, a mighty magnet for men. They fall in love with her on sight, and she reciprocates--come what may...

Aphordite has been trouble ever since Zeus claimed he found her in the surf. Most think she is another of his illegitimate children, an accusation he repeatedly denies. But she behaves like a female version of Zeus. She's way too beautiful and can't resist romance--whatever the consequences. Plus she is responsible for her friend Helen's elopement with Prince Paris, starting the Trojan War.

Some think Aphrodite should marry someone who can control her, and the artistic Hephaestus would make a steady husband. But it's Ares--Hephaestus' hotheaded, quarrelsome brother--whom Aphrodite loves. However, Ares has rushed off to the Trojan War, leaving Aphrodite with a series of troublesome lovers.

No wonder legend cast her as a goddess. What man or mortal could contend with anyone who loves so many, causes so much chaos--and is beautiful enought to die for?

My Php0.20:

Wow, Aphrodite is that wanton. 'Nuff said. :) Kidding aside, it is an enjoyable read.

 Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

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Book Review: Female Intelligence by Jane Heller

, by Janine M.


BEWARE...
Lynn Wyman has a wildly successful practice in sensitivity training, teaching men how to communicate better with the women in their lives. Little does she know that her sensitive husband has been "communicating" with another woman--in the bedroom...

OF THE SMART WOMAN...
With a marriage on the rocks and a career in nose-dive, Lynn is in desperate need of a life make-over. She finds it in Brandon Brock, the macho CEO on the cover of Fortune magazine's "America's Toughest Bosses" issue. To restore her reputation, all she has to do is snag the notorious chauvinist as her new client, take a cue from My Fair Lady, and turn this pig into her own Pygmalion...

WITH A SCORE TO SETTLE...
The perfect plan? Not so fast. Somebody has been out to sabotage Lynn's happiness, and before she can reclaim her career--and her heart--she'd better figure out who it is...

My Php0.20:

A good enough read. Fairly funny but I don't quite like the female protagonist. Themes of backstabbing friends, unfaithful lovers, and "taming the lion" are evident. I'm not quite convinced of the "Wyman method" though. If you're in for a light read, you can grab this book. :D


 Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

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Book Review: Runaway & Heart-Core Metal

, by Janine M.

Taglines:

Runaway by Karla Maquiling 

When the going gets tough, pack your things up and move!

Heart-Core Metal by Nikki Domingo

If you're in love with a ROCK God, will you ROLL with the punches?


My Php0.20:

I enjoyed reading both stories! The first story is about a woman who seeks a fresh start after every breakup, making large changes such as finding a new job, packing her bags and moving into a new city, and anything that could majorly cut her off from her old life. The latter is about a girl who "fell in love" with a rock star, not knowing that the "right one" was beside her all along. The authors were able to squeeze believable stories into 60 pages. Though the first story is somewhat open-ended, I am optimistic that the pair would end up together. In the second story, I found myself pitying the guy friend a lot. He was making way for the girl and the rock star to be together because he wanted her to be happy! The girl was just so stubborn and dense! Hahaha!

 Rating: ♥♥♥♥
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Book Review: The Hagette

, by Janine M.


Blurb: Self-confessed “Hagette” Cynthia de la Rama seems like the perfect girl: she’s tall, thin, pretty, charming, and fashionable. So why hasn’t she found the right man? Her gay friends think it’s a defective gaydar to blame. Most of her exes were in the closet. She’s right about ready to give it all up for a well-dressed, celibate existence. That is until two men enter her life at the same time: the bad boy who disappeared without a trace many years ago (and whom she hasn’t gotten over yet) and an aloof, handsome model with a knack for doing the laundry. The only problem is, will her gaydar let her down yet again?

My Php0.20:
I had fun reading this book. I'd like to believe that I don't have a defective gaydar but I used to have this weird fantasy of wanting to make a gay man fall in love with me. Hahaha! This is a good, quick read. I found the use of Tagalog words cute. Of course, as what often happens, the gay bff saves the book by upping its humor value.

 Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
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