Bachelorette #1 (Signet Eclipse) [Paperback]

Jennifer O'Connell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Signet Eclipse | Publication Date: August 2, 2005

Sarah Divine Holmes is a 34-year-old suburban wife and mother leading a normal life as a freelance writer when she is offered the magazine assignment of a lifetime - to pose as a hot young single on the latest TV reality sensation, "The Stag." Sarah can't resist the opportunity to skewer the women desperate enough to go on TV to snag a man, and the man shallow enough to view dating as a ratings game. Armed with a killer wardrobe, sun-kissed highlights and her reporter's notebook, she sets out to discover what happens at the posh California resort when the cameras stop rolling. What she discovers is that this alternate reality is more seductive than she ever expected. The other women aren't all brainless bimbos, but are attractive, self-confident women with their own agendas. And "The Stag" isn't the arrogant jerk she imagined. Caught up in a whirlwind of moonlight swims, limo rides, and champagne toasts, Sarah stops working on her article and starts wanting to win. As she dodges hard-core husband hunters, slimy producers, voyeuristic cameramen, and her own burgeoning feelings, she comes to discover the real-life adventure behind love, marriage, and motherhood. Jennifer O'Connell's snappy heroine, savvy voice, and timely premise give readers a sensational story. BACHELORETTE #1 is a fabulously fun and fast-paced novel that looks at one of the major trends of recent years.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hot book pick." -- US Weekly

"Poolside page-turner...If you long to be on a reality show, you'll love this behind-the-scenes peek." -- Cosmopolitan

"Sarah's voice is fresh, occasionally sarcastic but always honest... In other words, this is Chick Lit at its most fun." -- Denver Post --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jennifer O'Connell received her BA from Smith College and her MBA from the University of Chicago. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and her two children and is currently working on her second novel. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Signet (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451216229
• ISBN-13: 978-0451216229
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,197,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Although I've written about a reality dating show, a prescient pastry chef, and a woman who inspired an 80's rock hit, I have not spent hours dissecting The Bachelor, I can barely follow the directions on the back of a Betty Crocker box, and I can only dream of a long-haired, guitar-thrashing rocker even giving her a second glance.
While I cringe at the thought of being called Jenny again after all these years, my first teen book, PLAN B, will be published under Jenny O'Connell by MTV Books (March 2006).

Even if my days as a high school senior are long behind me, I did receive my B.A. from Smith College and my M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So that's what really happens on those reality dating shows, April 12, 2005

By 

Tracy Vest (Northern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bachelorette #1 (Mass Market Paperback)

Sarah is an investigative journalist who has been assigned the scoop of a lifetime - get the goods on the newest reality dating show, The Stag! Despite being married and having a toddler at home, she takes the assignment and quickly shows her competitive edge and decides that she doesn't merely want to be a participant - she's out to win.

Her marriage to lawyer husband Jack has gotten boring and predictable, so the attention she receives, particularly from Chris (the "stag"), is very welcome. She figures that she'll be stuck with a bunch of desperadoes, but quickly manages to form relationships with women that she might actually hang out with. So we get to spend a lot of the book with Sarah as she tries desperately to find an angle for her story.

This one had me hooked from the first page. The writing is so crisp and the author manages to capture all the backstabbing that we all are pretty sure is present in those dating shows, making the secondary characters more than just caricatures. Sarah's many blunders without realizing that she has a camera on her 24/7 were hysterical (especially her comment at the beach before looking horrified at the camera). And Sarah fighting her attraction to her stag, while still remaining true to her husband is a treat to watch. One thing I felt was missing from the book - should have seen the aftermath of the show as well as how Sarah's behavior is received by her family and friends.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Had its moments but..., December 7, 2004

By 

Penny (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bachelorette #1 (Mass Market Paperback)

This book had it's moments but I found the writing a little dry for much of it. I guess it didn't hook me as much toward the middle and through to the end as it did in the beginning. I also didn't believe that the guy on this reality show would truley be "so freaking nice" as the author kept telling me. But overall it wasn't a terrible way to spend a few afternoons. Perhaps I will pick up another by this author and give that a try.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy and Entertaining, August 28, 2005

By 

Pat - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bachelorette #1 (Mass Market Paperback)

When searching for a book to read, I seek books that are simple and easy entertainment, an escape if you will. Well, this book Bachelorette #1 is just that. I became captivated by the characters in the book and found them all very engaging. I was completely engrossed with the main character, her life, her story and her choices.
Even if you are not a fan of the TV show, you will still enjoy this book. The author Jennifer O'Connell, kept me interested from the first to the very last page.