Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley

Sisters Cassie and Sid have been close all of their life, but now Cassie lives in New York City and Sid lives in Singapore. The sisters have gone down different paths--Cassie is a social medial loving, busy mom to twin boys, who is struggling to keep the spark lit in her marriage. Sid is the mother to two kids, is a bit of a free spirit, and is also having difficulties in her marriage. When the sisters are together over the holidays, Sid suggests they stay in touch the old fashioned way, by exchanging handwritten letters.

For both sisters, exchanging letters has become a sort of cathartic, eye-opening experience. Filled with confessions, advice, and sisterly bonding, the letter writing project has had more of an impact on Cassie and Sid than they ever imagined...including, thanks to Cassie's lapse in judgement, their letters posted on a blog for all of the world to see.

Lisa Beazley's first book, Keep Me Posted, is a hilarious read for anyone who has ever had a sister and has experienced first hand the trust shared between sisters.

Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing by Jennifer Weiner

Jennifer Weiner, most well-known for her popular chick-lit novels like Good In Bed, In Her Shoes, and Who Do You Love, takes a big jump into the world of non-fiction in this hilarious collection of essays. With no holds barred she takes raw, personal stuff from her own life and offers the reader a glimpse into her world. Starting with her lonely childhood, Weiner writes of the desertion she grappled with when her father left her family and just exactly what if felt like to be the "Lane Bryant outtake in an Abercrombie & Fitch photo shoot." Moving from her childhood to adolescence to life as a twenty-something, Weiner writes about her first job as a journalist to publishing her first novel Good In Bed to having her book adapted for a movie. Along the way, Weiner candidly writes about life as a wife, mother, and writer.

With candor and humility, Weiner's Hungry Heart doesn't stray from topics like feminism, sex, marriage (and divorce), body image, her mother's recent lesbianism, and everything in between. With parts that are literally laugh out loud funny and others that are extremely touching, it's easy to see Weiner's personality shining through this book like it does in her works of fiction.

If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

Jenny Tate is a wedding dress designer. She's in the business of happily ever after, so imagine her surprise when she finds out that her perfect doctor husband is no longer in love with her. Unable to say goodbye to her ex-husband Owen, Jenny stays friends with him, his new beautiful wife, and their adorable baby. Sensing this isn't helping her move on, Jenny decides to move to her hometown to be closer to her sister. After moving into a flat, Jenny begins to develop feelings for her Julliard graduate, piano playing landlord, who continues to tell her that he's emotionally unavailable.

Jenny's sister Rachel has the perfect life. Modeling her relationship after he parents perfect marriage is what she's wanted to do since she was a child. She's married to a lawyer, has beautiful triplet girls, has the home of her dreams, and doesn't think life can get much better, until she realizes that her husband has been sexting and cheating on her with a co-worker. After devoting much of her life to being the perfect wife and mother, Jenny realizes that enough is enough. For the first time in her life, Rachel has reached her breaking point, and those around her better watch out.

Kristin Higgins' If You Only Knew is a humorous book about finding true love when least expected it, standing up for oneself, and the special bond between sisters.

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

Elizabeth "Lou" Johnson has worked tirelessly to open her quaint French restaurant, Louella's, in downtown Milwaukee. Her restaurant, named with her grandmother in mind, is a work of love for Lou. It's the place where she feels most at home, especially now that she's engaged to a narcissistic guy who always discounts Lou's opinions, ideas, and dreams. On the morning of her fiance Devlin's birthday, Lou sets out to surprise him by making her grandma's delicious coconut cake. When she gets to his apartment and catches him scantily clad with his assistant, life takes a negative turn for Lou.

Al Waters is a British transplant to Milwaukee. With a passion for food, Al (who uses the pen name A.W. Wodyski) has taken a job as an often despised food critic for a local paper. Realizing that Milwaukee is just a small stepping stone to advance his career, Al realizes he won't be here long and has nothing to lose with his harsh criticism of local restaurants. Just when he thinks he's about had enough of Milwaukee, he meets a woman who smells like vanilla and just so happens to be carrying a coconut cake.

Lou and Al's worlds collide on the night that Lou found her fiance with his assistant. Without Lou knowing A.W. Wodyski has come to review her restaurant, and suffice it to say the critic catches Lou on a day where even the easiest dish would be off kilter. Fate continues to throw Al and Lou together, and without knowing much about one another, sparks fly between them.

With a definite rom-com, You've Got Mail feel, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is sure not to disappoint if you need a light fluffy read. Reichert, a lifelong Wisconsin resident, definitely knows her way around Milwaukee as she writes about Al and Lou's adventures to find the best food this city.

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Heather Wells is a former pop idol whose mom ran off with her fortune.  She now works at a private New York college as an assistant dorm director.  Her dorm is soon nicknamed “Death Dorm” because of the many suspicious deaths that have taken place in it.  She triumphs over cheating boys, bad luck, and her so called imperfections to solve mysteries and keep her students safe.  This funny and entertaining series, now including five titles, features memorable characters and is an enjoyable light read.  

Checkout Size 12 is Not Fat @ the library!

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

Lottie is anticipating a proposal from her boyfriend.  She’s sure it’s going to happen soon.  When his 'big news' turns out to be what trip to use their frequent flyer miles on she realizes he is not planning on marriage.  When an ex-boyfriend calls out of the blue she decides to meet up with him and they end up engaged.  Fliss, Lottie’s sister, is alarmed at the news knowing it’s an Unfortunate Choice that Lottie always makes after a breakup.  She makes it her mission to prevent Lottie from ruining her life and does everything possible to prevent the marriage from being consummated.  This entertaining and funny novel is a great escape and will be sure to please Sophie Kinsella’s many fans.  Check out Wedding Night @the library! 

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

Franny Banks has always wanted to be an actor.  After college, she packed up her things and moved to New York; giving herself three years to make significant strides in her acting career.  Now it's 1995 and the three year mark is looming. But it's taken Franny practically that long to get a decent waitressing gig at a comedy club and to get into a top-notch acting class. All she has to show for her hard work is a terrible commercial for Christmas sweaters and a contact at an agency who only sends her to auditions for commercials.  Franny's best hope is the showcase that her acting class is putting together.  There will be real agents in attendance and Franny hopes that if she does really well, this will be the big break she has been hoping for.  But then she falls in the middle of a monologue and, worse yet, maybe flashes the audience.  However, when Franny goes to Stavros afterwards for notes, he tells her that two different people were interested in her.  Two!  Franny immediately calls the prospective agents and sets up meetings.  

Barney Sparks of the Sparks Agency is a nice, if not older, agent running a one man talent agency.  He and Franny hit it off right away but Franny decides that she should at least meet the other agent before signing any official paperwork.  Then Franny arrives at Absolute Agency- one of the best groups in town.  She is immediately impressed by the big, shiny offices and the rather official Joe Melville. When Melville casually suggests that Franny go around the corner to a casting session, all thoughts of poor Barney immediately vanish.  

Franny learns a lot about acting during the course of the book.  Graham really pits her against a lot of different types of actors and you can see that though Franny is very talented, she is constantly floundering because she feels that she is missing something that everyone else has.  She has to work herself through many no's before she gets any yes's.  She has to decide what is most important about acting and what the craft means to her.  For example: will she appear topless for a few mere seconds in order to land a movie role?  Will she read each script as she thinks the casting directors want to hear it or will she take chances to let her own abilities shine through?  

Someday, Someday, Maybe was a delightful book.  That is not to say that it was fluffy and light, but the book itself made me feel warm and satisfied after reading it.  Lauren Graham has created a joyful romp through the life of an actress during the mid-90s and it is obvious that she had a lot of fun doing it.  And yes.  This is the very same Lauren Graham who starred in Gilmore Girls, Parenthood and Bad Santa.  Graham has a BA in English from Barnard College and clearly put her skills to use in a new way with her first novel.

Someday, Someday, Maybe will be published this coming Tuesday, April 30th.  The library received its advanced reader's copy from the publisher.  Place it on hold in CountyCat today!

Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster

Lissy Ryder is that girl: the one in high school who was head cheerleader, homecoming queen and the one who tore you to shreds just for being different. Now things are a bit different. Sure at one time she was married to her high school sweetheart with a great job doing PR in Chicago, but now he wants a divorce and her liberal use of work time has caused her to be downsized. Living in her parents home deep in credit card debt, Lissy doesn't have much to look forward to- except her 20 year high school reunion.

Expecting her classmates to accept simple apologies, Lissy goes ready to start her own PR firm to represent their now successful lives. It's too bad for Lissy that none of them want to forgive her. After having a bit too much box wine to drink, she ends up in the care of classmate Debbie, now Deva. Deva gives Lissy a remedy that will help her find inner peace, which really takes Lissy back. Back 1991 and her 17 year old self.

With a second chance to right all her wrongs, will the new Lissy Ryder make all the right choices, and will those choices be worth it in the end? Jen Lancaster does it again with a hysterical look at second chances and how one little change to the past can create an entirely different future. Make sure you have a huge chunk of time to read, because once you start Here I Go Again, you won't want to put it down!

Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

Isabella isn't sure what she wants to do with her post college life, so she ends up moving to New York to live with her friend Mary who is in law school. As their friends start to get married, settle into full time jobs and have kids the two of them battle with their own ideals and face unsure futures that once seemed crystal clear.

Girls in White Dresses is more like a collection of short stories involving the same characters, than a traditional novel. Readers who have been in more than one wedding in a summer, or who have been asked "when are you going to settle down" will enjoy the lives of these girls as they transition from college life to adulthood.

Between You and Me by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Logan is making her way in New York City putting her past behind her.  Logan’s cousin Kelsey is a pop star, beloved by millions. When her assistant leaves she asks Logan to take over.  She becomes entrenched in Kelsey’s family and must balance her life with her new boyfriend and being there for her cousin. Will she be able to help Kelsey when her life turns upside down?

After reading this book you’ll look at the media differently and reconsider any thoughts of being famous. Check out this great summer read @the library!

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

Alice is many things, a wife, mother, and feeling a bit trapped in her life. Her husband seems distant, her kids are growing up, and she is quickly coming up to the age where her own mother passed away.

It's during this year she receives an odd e-mail request: to participate in a study on the state of marriage in the 21st century. Assigned to Researcher 101 and renamed Wife 22, she now has to answer questions about her life and marriage, how they started and the current state. As her life seems to fall apart around her, Alice can not help but feel connected to Researcher 101, and starts to develop feelings for him.

Wife 22 will make readers take pause, look at their life and wonder what kind of freedom really comes with being 100% honest.

Wife 22 will be published on May 29th, 2012. This review is based on a review copy sent from the publisher.

I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Just weeks from her wedding, Poppy finds her self in a bit of trouble. First, during a fire alarm at a hotel, she loses her emerald engagement ring. Then while looking for it, her cell phone is stolen. Of course she must have some luck left because there in the trash bin is a perfectly good cell phone someone threw away.

Sam's old assistant threw out the phone on her way out the door. Now Sam wants his phone back, however Poppy needs this phone and works out an arrangement so that she can use the phone while looking for her ring.

Through forwarded e-mails and texts, Sam and Poppy get to know each other. However, things can't always be happy as scandal rocks both of their worlds. If you are looking for a great spring break read, look no further than I've Got Your Number!

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Annabelle Granger is desperate to sign Heath Champion as a client to her matchmaking business. His high profile status as the agent for top athletes would help her business, and bring in some much needed income.

Heath Champion wants a wife, but has already hired a more successful company to help him find one. Meeting Annabelle is just a favor for one of his clients. He gives her one chance at a match. One match, and a professional relationship is born. Heath sees that Annabelle can help him with his dates, and Annabelle really needs him as a client. Of course, what starts as a professional relationship, just might be the start of something more.

Match Me If You Can is a fun, light romance that will have you laughing and rooting for the characters. The Midwestern setting will be familiar, and you will find yourself wanting to read about the other characters in the Chicago Stars series!

Overbite by Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot doesn't disappoint in this sequel to Insatiable!  Dark and hilarious, Meena Harper is back battling vampires for Manhattan and her heart - her ex-boyfriend, Lucien Antonescou, head vampire and prince of darkness, is still in love with her.  But so is Alaric Wulf, Palatine guard and vampire killer extraordinaire, who's spearheading the hunt for Lucien.  And then there's the fact that someone turned another of Meena's ex-boyfriends into a vampire and sent him after her, and a whole bunch of tourists are missing from New York - and Lucien claims not to know anything about it.  Which he should, since he's the overlord of all things evil.  If you've read and loved all the Sookie Stackhouse books and are looking for something new, check out Insatiable and Overbite!