Monday, May 7, 2012

MORE LIKE HER: A REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
MORE LIKE HER
BY LIZA PALMER

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A brilliant, hilarious, and touching story from the author of Conversations with the Fat Girl, Liza Palmer’s More Like Her is smart, funny, thought provoking women’s fiction in the vein of Emily Giffin, Marian Keyes, Meg Cabot, and Jane Green. More Like Her is the story of a seemingly perfect woman who’s the envy of her friends, neighbors, and co-workers…until the life of the object of their jealousy spectacularly, unexpectedly, and disastrously explodes. A novel of secrets, disappointments, false impressions—and what really goes on behind those suburban picket fences—More Like Her is ultimately about facing reality and appreciating everything that life has to offer.

What really goes on behind those perfect white picket fences?

In Frances’s mind, beautiful, successful, ecstatically married Emma Dunham is the height of female perfection. Frances, recently dumped with spectacular drama by her boyfriend, aspires to be just like Emma. So do her close friends and fellow teachers, Lisa and Jill. But Lisa’s too career-focused to find time for a family. And Jill’s recent unexpected pregnancy could have devastating consequences for her less-than-perfect marriage.

Yet sometimes the golden dream you fervently wish for turns out to be not at all what it seems—like Emma’s enviable suburban postcard life, which is about to be brutally cut short by a perfect husband turned killer. And in the shocking aftermath, three devastated friends are going to have to come to terms with their own secrets . . . and somehow learn to move forward after their dream is exposed as a lie.

PRAISE FOR MORE LIKE HER:
The blend of humor and sadness is realistic and gripping, and watching Frannie figure out who she is and what matters is gratifying. This will appeal to those who enjoy Jodi Picoult along with chick lit fans willing to read something a little darker.
— Library Journal (starred review)
This is sharp, funny, clever and very romantic. The story, about a young woman downsizing her expectations in the wake of a tragedy, might not be new, but Palmer’s handling of it is surprisingly fresh and engaging.— Mirror (London)The book is a well-plotted examination of domestic violence, chasing unattainable dreams and hiding one’s real self. The dialogue is sparky, the characters engaging and this is by all means a great read.— Daily Mail (London)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liza Palmer is the author of the international bestseller Conversations with the Fat Girl, as well as Seeing Me Naked and A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents. She lives in Los Angeles, California, and is hard at work on her next novel in addition to several film and television projects. 
If you like what you see, please....
Become a fan on Facebook
Follow her on Twitter:  @LizaPalmer
  
MY THOUGHTS/REVIEW:
Wouldn’t you think from the cover that MORE LIKE HER is great chick-lit for a super summer read? Well, it is a great read, but author Liza Palmer has written a compelling story that touches on several social issues while also making MORE LIKE HER an extremely enjoyable narrative. If that qualifies as something you’d like to read, chick-lit or not, then you have found the right book.

When the story opens with a 911 call from a school, we know one societal issue is already included. It is at Markham School that we meet central character Frannie who is a teacher there.  Told from Frannie’s point of view, Palmer goes on to introduce readers to Frannie’s gal pals, Lisa and Jill. With typical teacher/friend authenticity, these women make for characters one can easily relate to as Palmer has developed them so well. Even from the start, one realizes that Frannie doesn’t have the best luck with men having recently broken up with her significant other in a not-too-friendly fashion.

The other major character in MORE LIKE HER is Emma, the director of the school, who everyone envies as one who appears to have it all. She is educated and beautiful, married to a gorgeous husband, and lives in the kind of home all would enjoy moving into on the spot! Ah, but as we all know, the grass is always greener, looks can be deceiving, and all those other clichés describe Emma and her situation as it is indeed played out. When Emma’s “secret” is shockingly exposed, readers find how years of domestic violence can often be hidden to everyone around the person. What happens in Emma’s life and how does all this affect Frannie and the others? Will this change their perception of what is really important in life? How can Frannie make changes as she realizes how precious and short life is?

Liza Palmer’s MORE LIKE HER is written with such care and emotion that it is easy for the reader to create those mental images that make a story really come to life. The issues of bullying, domestic abuse, and self esteem are brought to the forefront of the story in such a way that you may not even realize the importance of a book you are enjoying so much. I know that I shall watch for more of Liz Palmer's work since this is my first book of hers. This really isn’t a summer read because I think many will want to rush out NOW and get their copy of MORE LIKE HER!


GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO MARY AND EVERYONE AT
WILLIAM MORROW PAPERBACKS
 WITH HARPER COLLINS, I HAVE
ONE COPY OF MORE LIKE HER TO
GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY WINNER
 
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
 

COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!


HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON WHAT YOU READ ABOVE THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN MORE LIKE HER AND DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

+1 MORE ENTRY:
GO TO LIZA PALMER'S WEBSITE HERE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING THERE 

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG AND/OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK HERE WITH THE LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW 

+1 MORE ENTRY:
COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY FROM MY BLOG THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED. IF YOU ENTERED MORE THAN ONE CURRENT GIVEAWAY, YOU MAY COMMENT SEPARATELY ON EACH TO RECEIVE EXTRA ENTRIES
 
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, MAY 22

GOOD LUCK!

115 comments:

debbie said...

This sounds like a good story. I would like to see what happens to them when they realize their friend didn't have the perfect life.
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Angie said...

I know someone who seems to have the perfect life so I think I could definitely relate to this book. Please enter me!

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Carol N Wong said...

I like what Library Journal said about this book being a blend of humor and sadness.

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rubynreba said...

Blend of humor and sadness sounds good!
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Carol N Wong said...

I looked at her blog and read about someone telling her that her cousin and boyfriend were coming for a two week vist.

The answer was that it was too long a visit. She says that 4 days is the longest visit for her that is acceptable.


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Carol N Wong said...

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Colleen Turner said...

I love stories that break through the imagined perfection of well off people and show the real lives being lived. This sounds so good!
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I read on the author's website that she worked for Pop Up Video...I loved Pop Up Video when I was younger!
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Pamela Keener said...

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traveler said...

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Unknown said...

I would love to read this book and find out what happens to her. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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Tiffany Drew said...

I love a good story about friendship, especially when they are a mix of humor and drama. I can't get enough :)

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lag123 said...

I love novels of secrets and disappointmnets. It makes my life seem more normal!

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Linda Kish said...

This sounds so good. We so often think that other people's lives are so much better than our own but, if we just spent time in their lives we would find out ours weren't so bad after all.

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Linda Kish said...

She has a section called other writings...Ode to a Nose Picker was interesting.

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~Enamored Soul~ said...

"More Like Her" sounds like an amazing novel that looks into the intricacies of marriage and friendship. I love reading such books, because I believe they give good insight into the female strength and character.

Name: Hira Hasnain
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

~Enamored Soul~ said...

I loved the "Other Writings" section of Liza Palmer's website. I especially enjoyed her piece, "Ode to A Nose Picker" - I think it's a definite must read! :D

Name: Hira Hasnain
Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com

~Enamored Soul~ said...

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