Review by 5 Minutes for Books contributor Dawn Mooney:
To some, the label “chick lit” carries a negative or condescending connotation, bringing to mind a light and fluffy fare. This isn’t how I personally view the label, as I use it. For me, the “chick lit” label fits when the subject and characters reach out to women, often with contemporary settings and situations that many female readers can easily relate to. I offer this genre classification with less judgment than some, and more emphasis on the intended reading audience. That being said, The One That I Want, a new novel by Allison Winn Scotch will undoubtedly be shelved at bookstores among other well-known female authors offering stories about women for women.
The novel opens by introducing Tilly Farmer, a thirty-two year old guidance counselor, living in the same town in which she was born and raised, and even working in the very same high school that she attended as a student half a lifetime ago. Much of Tilly’s life hasn’t changed since her adolescence, including her relationship with Tyler, her high school sweetheart, the star baseball player to her popular cheerleader. Consistency in her life is something that Tilly has always striven for, especially since her mother’s death when she was a teenager, and the role of the person who always helps others is one that Tilly feels best suits her. Early in the novel, Tilly experiences something a bit unbelievable, but she soon finds it upending every aspect of her perfect, orderly life.
I have to admit that this book didn’t immediately draw me in, as the beginning parts felt a bit shallow and predictable. About halfway through, though, the story seemed to gain momentum, fleshing out characters with more depth and inspiring me to care a bit more about their journeys. Tackling the concepts of discontent in adult life- whether specific to marriage or career or in reference to life in general- is common fodder for many books written with a female reading audience in mind, and the second half of this book depicts a character finally ready to address issues that she may not have even been aware of earlier in her life. I believe I became more invested in this novel when Tilly began to be less one-dimensional and more self-aware and reflective.
Readers who enjoy a female-centric story driven by a quest for personal introspection and change, will enjoy The One That I Want, a quick read that will make for enjoyable summer reading at the beach or poolside.
If you’d like a win a copy, leave a comment here (U.S. addresses only). We’ll announce the winner on July 25.
Are you looking for a summer read for your kids? You have until Tuesday to enter our giveaway of Super Diaper Baby 1 and 2 by Dav Pilkey (of Captain Underpants fame). Click over to 5 Minutes for Books to enter that NOW!
The winner of our previous giveaway 15 ways to Zap a Bully is # 15 Raven in a Blue Room.
Dawn looks forward to the days in which poolside reading can be a reality. For now, she can usually be found with at least one small child within arm’s reach, at all times, even when she’s trying to blog away at my thoughts exactly.
I would love to win this book, Sounds like a positive emotional book.
I read trying to win this book when it first came out. I have been reading a lot of heavy books lately so I love the chance to win one more time.
thanks for the chance to win – would love to read the book
Sounds like a wonderful summer read!Thanks for the chance!!augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.
Looks like a great summer read, thanks!
Sounds like a great summer read!
Would love to read this!
this sounds like a great novel to read this summer 🙂
I love love chic-lit!! Thanks for the review! 🙂
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance!!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I’d love to win. Looks like a fun read. 🙂
Sounds like very good reading.
I’d LOVE to read one of this author’s books! 🙂 Thanks for the chance.
I would love to win a copy of this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I love “chic-lit” and “chic-flics”. It sounds like a great book. I love stories like this. Thanks for the chance!
I love reading chick-lit. This sounds like it would be right up my alley.
This would be a perfect summer read for me!!
I like the to read my 2009 Daily Guideposts A Spirit- Lifting Devotional Book .
Because I get a lot of things out of it. And if I can I would love to get the 2011 Daily Guideposts A Spirit – Lifting Devotional Book. I think that it is good book to read in the morning and to start my day out right . I so like to read this book every morning and during my free time during the day.
Thanks
brownbarbie38@yahoo.com
looks good for the beach
nannypanpan at gmail.com
I need a good summer read!
looks great, thanks for the chance!
I’d like to read this book. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win!
I’d like the chance to read this. Thanks!
Sounds like a good read!
Thanks for the chance to win! I need a good read this summer, I have some spare time in the late evenings.
Would love to win this!
Sounds like a fun summer read! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
looks like a great read
shopannies@yahoo.com
I’d like to win. Thanks for the chance.
Please enter me. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Sounds like a great summer read. Thanks for this chance to win a copy.
This looks like an interesting read.
I’d love the chance to read this, thanks!
Whether “chic lit” carries a certain “stigmata” as to the fluff, or should it be deeply moving or provoking, I absolutely love it either way. I’m always looking for new books or authors so giveaway or no I’ll have to add this the the reading list. Thanks for all the wonderful posts.
Ah! I want this one! I LOVED Scotch’s Time of My Life.
litendeavors@gmail.com
Thanks for holding this giveaway. 🙂
I’d love to read this one!
sounds like a good read
Oh sounds good! I’d love to read this one!
I would love to read it, it sounds reallyt good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Great giveaway, thanks for the chance.
I’d love a chance to read this book.