Good Reads: From the Sideline

From the Sideline by Amy Avanzino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the Sideline is the second book in the chick lit Wake Up Call series. It is a well written and professionally edited full length novel.

Each book in this series centers around a different woman, each part of a circle of women friends. Autumn was summarily dismissed and divorced by her husband; adding to her insecurity after being raised by alcoholic parents. Both she and her son are beaten down, but her son expresses interest in little league football. Soon she is sitting on the bleachers watching her son find his way, while she copes with the other, rather rabid, football league parents.

The author hit the nail on the head with her characterizations of parents with children involved in sports. It's funny with occasional moments of sadness, but we get to witness the evolution of Autumn and her son as they find their way back to their true selves. I did have a problem identifying with Autumn and felt that she too easily reverted into old, bad habits when faced with adversity.

I highly recommend this book and this series. I look forward to reading more about this group of friends.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.

Good Reads: The Breakup Doctor

The Breakup Doctor by Phoebe Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Breakup Doctor is a well written and well edited chick lit novel. The plot is original, interesting and occasionally funny, but it is also filled with conflict.

The heroine is a licensed social worker trying to rebuild her practice after her office is destroyed and her partners bail on her. She lands a gig as a newspaper columnist giving advice on surviving the end of relationships. She has always been in control, so when the second man in as many years decides to end their relationship she is surprised to find herself doing the same self destructive things she warns her clients to avoid.

This is a story about relationships and self discovery. At times, it is painful to watch this professional woman lose control, but this book does end with a HFN. I am looking forward to reading the next novel by this author.

ARC provided by Henery Press via Netgalley.