Book ~ "My Fabulous Divorce" (2006) Clare Dowling

From Clare Dowling ~ Jackie Ball knows that happiness is hard to find so when Dan Lewis jogs into her life with his skin-tight shorts and sexy smile things start to look up. One night he presents Jackie with a diamond ring and suggests he trade in his BMW for a people carrier. But there’s a fly in the ointment – her first husband Henry. As far as Jackie is concerned, their marriage is well and truly over so she engages the services of a solicitor and sets about moving on.

But Henry has some old scores to settle and the divorce papers hitting the dog-haired mat are just the excuse he needs. It’s not that he still loves her but Jackie walked out on him without even leaving a note and now he wants to know why.

I had read No Strings Attached by Dowling a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it.

Jackie had bailed on Henry 18 months ago leaving just a note that said "Good-bye". Of course, there was a misunderstanding on her part. But Jackie didn't ask what was going on to clear it up and Henry didn't contact her to find out why she left. Dumb dumb dumb.

I found the story dragged on and on and on and on. There were other weird storylines thrown in as if the author was trying to make the family quirky. Jackie and Henry were actually quite boring and I didn't find any of the other characters likeable ... not even the dog, Dhirley.

I knew there was going to be happy ending and Jackie and Henry would get back together (gasp, a spoiler!). But it wrapped up extremely quickly and all was forgiven.

I can't say that I'd recommend this book.

Book ~ "No Strings Attached" (2007) Clare Dowling

From Trashionista ~ Judy is getting married on Saturday and it’s a military operation: the dress, the three-tiered wedding cake, the uncle that nobody will sit beside at reception. She’s determined it’s going to be the happiest day of her life. That is until her fiancé, Barry, mysteriously disappears wearing nothing but his pyjamas. However, when his credit card shows up two days later in the south of France, Judy has to admit that he’s walked out on her.

Fanning Judy’s fury is Lenny, Barry’s best man, who believes that you shouldn’t let commitment ruin a perfectly good relationship. With the love of her life romping around France, Judy might just be in the mood for a little romance – with no strings attached, of course …

I'm still in the mood for some chick lit so grabbed this at the library.

I liked the writing style ... funny and a tad sarcastic.

Yes, it's predictable ... there are lots of subplots and everyone ends up living happily every after.

If you are looking for something light with a happy ending, I'd recommend it.

Though it's set in Ireland, I had John Hannah's accent in my head when they spoke. I know he's Scottish but I just saw Sliding Doors a couple nights ago.