Scan barcode
humsalot7's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kdurham2's review
4.0
Approaching 30 is an interesting time in life, maybe you are settled and married and just enjoying a happy time or maybe like Ellie you are trying to get things settled and it isn't working, either way turning 30 can be rough! I may have picked this book specifically to review this week as my 30th birthday may be tomorrow!
I loved how Ellie was trying to put the pieces together, it combusts and most of it comes together in the end! The characters were fantastic, they felt real, but each had great stories. I loved Ellie's friends almost as much as I loved her. I completely felt the angst of her upcoming birthday and how the expectation of where your life should be when you are entering your 30s.
No matter your age, this sweet throw back book from 2003, is a perfect addition to your late summer beach bag!
I loved how Ellie was trying to put the pieces together, it combusts and most of it comes together in the end! The characters were fantastic, they felt real, but each had great stories. I loved Ellie's friends almost as much as I loved her. I completely felt the angst of her upcoming birthday and how the expectation of where your life should be when you are entering your 30s.
No matter your age, this sweet throw back book from 2003, is a perfect addition to your late summer beach bag!
k_cavacini's review
3.0
This was just an OK read for me. I wasn't very interested in the relationships that were the focus of the book and I found the main character slightly annoying. I'm all for the "every-girl" and have no problem overlooking faults but the main conflict seemed somewhat ridiculous. Overall I enjoyed the writing more than I enjoyed the plot.
ladynigelia's review
3.0
This a was a light, quick read that I picked up because I'm nearing 30. I definitely identified with Ellie on her job woes and existential crisis. There were aspects that I felt were covered a little too much (I don't care what dress you were wearing), and other aspects I wish had been explored more (what is going on with the brothers?) but overall enjoyable.
msandvik0505's review
5.0
Pushing 30 was another great Gaskell read and I really liked the main characters and found them very relatable.
caligirlrae's review
4.0
This was a light, fun read and also my first foray into the chick lit genre. Not sure I'll be making a return as I liked this book more so for the characters and this particular romantic setup.
This book reminded me of Sex and the City and read like an episode (or maybe a full season). Lead heroine and narrator Ellie Winters has both the conservative, good girl vibes of Charlotte York and the neuroses of Carrie Bradshaw. She's surrounded by her two best friends: the hard working tax attorney and straight arrow Harmony (this book's Miranda Hobbs) and the somewhat loose and bed hopping Nina (a twin of Samantha Jones). There's lots of relationship and sexual conquest talk over high powered lunches, party cocktails and big events. And there's also lots of designer name drops and pop culture references sprinkled throughout the text.
I like Sex and the City because it's just a pure comedy and good drama show for me and I like seeing what craziness Carrie and her friends get into each episode. I like the friendship and the slice of life feel of the show and got much of it with this book. I liked the love interest older man (which made me pick this book up in the first place) and although I didn't identify with a lot of what Ellie went through, I could sympathize with her situations and often times felt like shaking her as if she were a friend who has lost her way a little.
Part of me wishes this was the first in a series of novels because there are things that happened here that I want to see followups on but at the same time, I wouldn't want to see anything happen to deter the HEA at the end of the book.
All in all a fun read that I'll probably check out again a few years later down the road.
This book reminded me of Sex and the City and read like an episode (or maybe a full season). Lead heroine and narrator Ellie Winters has both the conservative, good girl vibes of Charlotte York and the neuroses of Carrie Bradshaw. She's surrounded by her two best friends: the hard working tax attorney and straight arrow Harmony (this book's Miranda Hobbs) and the somewhat loose and bed hopping Nina (a twin of Samantha Jones). There's lots of relationship and sexual conquest talk over high powered lunches, party cocktails and big events. And there's also lots of designer name drops and pop culture references sprinkled throughout the text.
I like Sex and the City because it's just a pure comedy and good drama show for me and I like seeing what craziness Carrie and her friends get into each episode. I like the friendship and the slice of life feel of the show and got much of it with this book. I liked the love interest older man (which made me pick this book up in the first place) and although I didn't identify with a lot of what Ellie went through, I could sympathize with her situations and often times felt like shaking her as if she were a friend who has lost her way a little.
Part of me wishes this was the first in a series of novels because there are things that happened here that I want to see followups on but at the same time, I wouldn't want to see anything happen to deter the HEA at the end of the book.
All in all a fun read that I'll probably check out again a few years later down the road.
jtbooklover's review
4.0
This book is light and funny. It was so funny, in fact, that I actually found myself laughing out loud. The main character is sarcastic but still light hearted enough to be normal. I can't say I would read this over and over again but I definitely liked it.
hothanjama's review
4.0
I loved this book, Ellie was a funny character and i loved the dialogue and the plot. i saw myself in her, the only big diff between me and Ellie is that i say what i think when a person does me wrong, i wish she did that more. this book is my first May-December book and i loved it, i got it b/c of that fact. it ended too soon i think, some plot lines were open ended and I HATED THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was a 5/5 book but i got to the last page and was like WTF!!!!! :-(
bookofcinz's review
2.0
Pushing 30 is the ultimate chick-lit. Ellie is about to turn 30 and she finds her life isn't where she wants it to be- she is doesn't like her job, her friends doesn't have time for her and generally life could be better. Honestly, if you've read any chick-lit, you've read this. It is super cliche and the ultimate light, predictable read.