Customer Reviews

Big Girls Don't Cry (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I liked the premise behind this book, but I didn't find it an enjoyable read. The writing style is all over the place with the author jumping back and forth between thoughts with no real flow. This was my first book by this author, so I am hoping this isn't her normal style of writing just an anomaly. I couldn't get attached or involved with the characters. Leena was overbearing, obnoxious, and irritating one minute and then morphed into a scared, frightened little girl the next. She was in love with Cole, the local sexy vet, but yet couldn't forget how horrible he was to her when she was a child. It was because of this contradiction that I didn't believe their supposed love story.

There were some entertaining moments, but overall, I don't recommend this one.

I couldn't put this book down. I used to be on the other side of the fence from plus size--more anorexic skinny--but that made the story especially captivating. The body image 'issues' women and girls have today touch (and hurt) us all. No matter how we're shaped, we're programmed to believe we're faulty.
Leena, the heroine, is so strong when it comes to protecting those more vulnerable than herself. She knows the issues. She just doesn't have that easy a time fixing them in herself--especially when she falls for a guy who brings out all those vulnerabilities.
Linz doesn't preach, doesn't make judgments. She just tells a story in a way that's fun--always a fast read--with dialogue to make you smile and characters who just seem to step off the page. She doesn't smack you with a message. It's just gently there...behind a story that's fun and feisty.
I loved it.

I really enjoyed reading this book! Leena is a very assertive women who has some body issues (who doesn't) and comes back to home town after being a plus-size model in Chicago. She starts working for the local hunking vet who she hit back when she was in highschool. The sparks and humor are great - I love this series. Check out some more books by Cathie Linz; Good Girls Do (Julia and Luke's story)and Bad Girls Don't(Skye and Sheriff Nathan's story).

I would also recommended; Spirited Away by Cindy Miles,Just a Taste by Deirdre Martin, Falling For Gracie by Susan Mallery and See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson.

After her plus-sized modeling career turns up its toes and dies, Leena Riley heads home in disgrace, where, in desperation, she takes a job as a receptionist for the most eligible bachelor in town, Cole Flannigan. The good doctor has grown up since his days of tormenting her in grade school, and suddenly the curves he teased her about are very appealing. However, he's not looking for love, nor is she. But, there is something there that they cannot ignore.

*** Many readers will probably cheer Leena's role as a plus sized, yet sexy, heroine. A few of us might take issue with the put downs directed at those on the opposite end of the spectrum. Despite that, this is a fun read, made charming by zany characters. ***

Amanda Killgore

Leena's such a terrific heroine. Very real and dealing with a very real problem, one way too many woman cope with--self-image. Leena's journey to self-acceptance and comfort with her reality makes you laugh out loud, thanks to very funny dialogue and a great supporting cast. Her just deserts are, truly, well-earned.

Good book!

I read the other books in this series and loved them all! I will say that I liked this one the best out of all 3! It's a great mix of romance & comedy! I wished there was another one in the series. I definitely will be buying more books by this author!

Big Girls Don't Cry (Berkley Sensation)

I loved this book! This is a fitting continuation to Cathie Linz's "Girls" series (Good Girls Do, Bad Girls Don't) and brings us back to Rock Creek and its charming inhabitants. (I smile every time I think of them.) The book stands alone but if you've read the other books, you'll smile even more as you re-visit those you fell in love with in the other books. Cathie Linz has the ability to be funny while touching the heart. That takes a deft touch and it's a delight to read her books and this one is no exception. I highly recommend this book for its heart, humor, and insight. The cast of characters delighted and enchanted me. I have to read in spurts due to my schedule and the fast pace of the book, snappy dialogue and the charm of the characters was perfect for me. And Leena had me rooting for her from page 1 to the very satisfying ending.
Don't miss it.

Humor's tough to write. Unlike angsty, drama-laden stories, readers respond so differently to humor--it can be language, situation, irony--so many different kinds of things that will make you smile, laugh out loud, or just tickle your funny bone.

What Linz consistently does in all her books, but especially in her "Girls" series (Good Girls Do, Bad Girls Don't) and now with Big Girls Don't Cry, is to give a reader a fast-paced book with charm and terrific dialogue. She provides a good read with a large cast of characters who pop in and out of the pages and situations with their own take on what's happening on the main stage.

In this book, she allows characters from the first two books to step in from the wings and re-introduce themselves before they zoom off in a whirl of activity and fun.

The book's main character has an issue that may or may not work for some people: the heroine's weight and her coming to terms with her body image. It's a very timely topic right now, and Linz addresses it with intelligence and well-researched details. It's a tough topic but it doesn't detract from the fun and great pace.

Here's the thing about humor, too. What makes one person laugh out loud may not make another person chuckle, but Linz serves up a delectable confection of characters and situations with her top-notch, funny dialogue that will certain provide a reader with a delightful afternoon's escape from a grey day or the chores of a busy life.

If you like funny, sexy, romantic comedies then BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY by Cathie Linz is a must read. Leena Riley returns to Rock Creek when her modeling career hits a slight snag. Low on funds, she decides to try and get a job with the local vet, hottie Cole Flannigan. Back in high school Cole used to taunt her about her size, along with some of the other guys but a girl has to eat and pay bills, she is sure there is no way she will ever act on her attraction to Cole.

Cole remembers Leena from their high school days and even though he was two years younger he lived to regret the taunts when Leena punched him.
Even though he still has commitment issues, he soon realizes that Leena has body image issues and he is going to show her that the only issue with her body he has is to have it next to his in bed.

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY is an awesome read, you will love it! You will also get to re-visit with some of the residents of Rock Creek including Leena's sister Sue Ellen.

GO RUN!! ORDER THIS BOOK!!

I really enjoyed this book! It was my first Cathie Linz book and I was not disappointed. If you've ever had low self esteem issues,ever struggled with your weight or your past; you will understand where Leena (the main character) is coming from. I related to her thinking, though she could be a little snotty at times! Lots of laugh out loud humor and enough steamy sex scenes to placate but not overly exaggerated.