Customer Reviews

Dreaming in Technicolor: The Sequel to Dreaming in Black & White

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

DREAMING IN TECHNICOLOR by Laura Jensen Walker

From the back cover:
Phoebe's family has money troubles. Her spiritual life is dragging. She really, really misses her long-distance best friend, Lindsey. But all that's bearable because of Alex, the gorgeous man who shares her love of movies and actually likes women with a little meat on their bones. At last-a real boyfriend to kiss on New Year's Eve!

But by New Year's Eve, Alex is in London, called home by a family emergency, newly engaged Lindsey has turned into Bridezilla, and the snooze button still sabotages Phoebe's morning quiet times. She needs a break, which is why she jumps at the cheap off-season fare and flies to England. She's not chasing Alex. Really. She just wants to broaden her horizons.

What awaits Phoebe in the land of Mrs. Miniver and Notting Hill (and beyond) is nothing short of disaster . . . and nothing less than a miracle.

Camy here:
I liked this sequel even better than the first book, DREAMING IN BLACK AND WHITE. Phoebe matures more in this story. Her spiritual and emotional struggles will strike a deep, resonant chord with single Christian women who've listened to the "purity" sermons and been nagged about putting career before their God-ordained role as wife and mother.

Phoebe's voice in this novel is more dreamy/fantastical and less neurotic/spastic than in the first book. She struggles with her singleness, occasional bouts of lust, and longing for a relationship, and she eventually finds her peace--but it isn't some cheesy pat answer or a preachy epiphany. She strives and falls and climbs and splats. When she rises out of the muck of her mistakes and misconceptions, God is there to make the pieces fit, somehow.

Phoebe's adventures in England are slapstick funny. The author paints Great Britain with a masterful hand--not so much description it's like a tourist guide, not so little that the setting is ambiguous. Esther's story makes the setting especially poignant.

It starts off a bit too slow, but the action picks up after a few chapters. Also, her friend Lindsey was a bit cliché in her Bridezilla role, but it provides nice contrast and conflict for green-eyed Phoebe.

I couldn't stop turning the pages to find out what happens next. The ending is very satisfying, and not over-the-top.

This book especially speaks to singles caught in their own struggles and misunderstood by their churches. Some of the references are more applicable to those in their late twenties and older--younger singles might not understand the kinds of emotional conflicts at work.

A great read. It can also stand alone--readers don't necessarily have to read the first book to understand and enjoy this one.

Join Phoebe Grant as she takes advantage of a cheap airfare to England, leaving her problems at home in the States. Of course, it's convenient that Alex, the man who seems perfect for Phoebe, has gone to England to help his own family.

I laughed with Phoebe and shared her disappointments throughout her journey toward realizing what God wants for her life. The ending was surprising but satisfying.

Although I've never been a single Christian woman, I loved this book and easily identified with Phoebe. Her trials are those of a Christian woman, rather than of a single Christian woman. The "single" element merely highlights Phoebe's individual problems, which we all have in one form or another.

Walker's real-life writing is humorous and "spot on," as the Brits say. I hope she plans a third book in this series, because I'll be in line to buy it!

It's hard to beat the first, but "Dreaming in Technicolor" by Laura Jensen Walker comes pretty close to being even better than the prequel, "Dreaming in Black and White". Phoebe's escapades span to England this time in the pursuit of romance with her love interest Alex Spencer. The fun starts there! From losing her luggage, dealing with a bridezilla best friend nack home, to meeting the other woman vying for Alex's attention, Jensen tells the story with her trademark humor but not letting Phoebe forget about her faith. While the ending was a shock, it was an ending that needed to be for Phoebe to stay true to herself. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!

I loved the first Pheobe Grant book, so I was delighted to read it's sequel. I loved this book as much as the first-this book made me want to pack my bags and go to England with my girlfriends! Pheobe has more fun adventures and even travels overseas-so you know fun things are bound to happen!:)
Some people have said they were dissapointed with the ending, but I think it fit Pheobe's character and who she had become by the end of this novel. It also came at a great time for me, because I was going through a lot of the same things as the character and it served as a good reminder-so for that I liked the ending.
I'm hoping for a third Pheobe book-she's so real and my favorite chick lit character. Laura please give us more!!!!

This is an excellent follow up to the first book. I enjoyed it for three reasons:
1. The way England and English customs and culture are described is great. You feel like you're there.
2. The sequel isn't predictable (at least it wasn't for me).
3. The main character is so plausible and real. It's her flaws and triumphs that make you love her. I felt like I knew her in real life- actually maybe I am her (but not so lucky to get to go to England). I'd give it 6 stars out of 5. Enjoy!!

Again, Laura Jensen Walker manages to make me laugh just when I need it most! This sequel was well worth the wait, and I'm already looking forward to her next novel. If you see this book on a shelf somewhere, grab it and run home to your favorite spot and curl up. You'll definatley be in for a treat!

A delightful sequel! This book continued the adventures of single, thirty-something Phoebe Grant. I greatly appreciated the honesty in the story. Phoebe touched on many of the problems and annoyances facing today's Christian singles. Many Christian books have the perfect single girl who is swept off her feet by the perfect Christian man and I'm glad that this book realistically illustrated the fact that that's not God's will for everyone. The ending was refreshingly unique. This book wasn't as easy to get into as the previous book, however it was still very entertaining and a must read for anyone who enjoyed the first book.

In the entertainment business there is a belief that sequels are much worse than the first one. However, that is not the case with this book. It is just as equally entertaining, enjoyable and poinant as the first one. Some people have said that they did not like the ending but I believe that if the author had not wrote it the way that she did she would not have been true to who Phoebe had become towards the end of the book.
I hope that there will be a third one because I can't wait to see what Pheobe will do next in her grand adventure called life.

Smart and sassy Phoebe Grant is back - and is as endearing as ever! I gave book one, "Dreaming in Black & White," four stars - Technicolor gets a solid five. I thoroughly enjoyed tromping through England with fellow film geek and hopeless romantic, Pheebs. She's as real as they come, and I found myself snickering through her relationship snafus and retail therapy sessions. This book is more than just fun and fluff, though. While Phoebe furiously seeks to rekindle her relationship with Alex, she rediscovers the true meaning of love: the love of God.

I'm glad the sequel came out so quickly because I wondered what Phoebe was going to do next. (I liked this one even better than the first, "Dreaming in Black & White"!) I was delighted that she went to England since it's one of my favorite places. Her descriptions of London and the lush English countryside brought back fond memories (as did the driving scene--although a little less fond :) I especially loved the scene of the mom in the library. While the ending is not really an ending, but a beginning, it makes me wonder how long I have to wait for Book 3. (This IS a trilogy, isn't it?) Here's lookin' at you, Phoebe.