Customer Reviews

A Girl's Best Friend (Spa Girls Series #2))

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Book two of the Spa Girls Collection features Morgan Malliard, the rich jewelry heiress who, at age 29, still lives with her cold, controlling father. She has just found out, along with the rest of San Francisco, that Andy, the man she eloped with, was already married. After getting a quick annulment, she decides that all her embarrassing failures with men are due to the fact that she's never lived in "the real world." Thus begins Morgan's foray into independence, which proves more trying than she thought when she discovers that job-hunting can be humiliating, cheap shoes hurt, and it's always best to take the good car when going on long trips.

Eventually, Morgan learns that there's more to life than money and that the price she's been paying for luxury is way too high. Find out how this society girl/heiress learns how to stand on her own two feet.

The quirkiness of the characters and the surprising plot twists and turns will keep you reading this fun chick lit about three admittedly "desperate" best friends who are learning to deal with their various "issues" God's way. - Melanie Dickerson, Christian Book Previews.com

A Girl's Best Friend was everything I thought it would be. In fact, I liked it even more than She's All That, probably because Morgan is a fellow blonde. The author did an amazing job making me feel a part of Morgan's life, and helping me empathize with her despite the fact that she's lived a life of privilege. There were some very touching scenes as well as some eye-openers for Morgan. Poor girl really was protected from the "real world" to the point that it was almost harmful for her to function in society without that protection of the almighty dollar. I love how she "found" herself and discovered that she didn't have to repeat history and become what her parents were. I loved how her dad stayed a jerk because in reality many people have parents whose love is conditional and that's a very sad thing. I loved it that Morgan became stronger, and in the end she knew what she wanted, and it wasn't riches. Her heart didn't have to be as hard as a diamond because she could chose to love and give of herself to show that love. Truly a remarkable and very believable transformation, thanks to the loving input and truth-speaking of her Spa Girl friends, who tell it like it is. I am anticipating a bang-up story of Poppy's self-discovery and something tells me that story will top them all. It's how Billerbeck does things. She builds your relationship and love for the characters, and makes each new story that much better. Just when you think you've discovered your favorite chick lit story, she hits you with an even better one. Amazing! Oh, and her attraction to the man with the six pack abs and the anticipation of his kisses made me smile. Morgan had private thoughts about the man's abs like I think about fine chocolate. Now that's a great story!

From the outside, Morgan Malliard seemed to have it all ~ diamonds at her disposal, a father whom seemed to do anything for her...or did he?!? When you find out in the novel that Morgan's father had her sign papers about tax evasion/fraud, I was like, WHAT!?!!!?!? What an unexpected TWIST...and then when he threw the paperweight at her head that landed Morgan in the hospital...WOW, what a father, eh?!!?!!? I just LOVE the Spa Girls, and seeing what will happen next in their adventures.....be sure that you don't miss the 3rd book in the series, "Calm, Cool & Adjusted".....

I would recommend Kristin's Spa Girls books to anyone into chic-lit...there's friendship, faith, and fun all rolled into one series! Each of the three books has twists and turns that are unexpected. A fun read!

I enjoy reading chick-lit, but I shied away from it for a while because they all began to sound alike. When I heard of Christian chick-lit, I thought it would be an interesting genre to read. I love Christian novels, but most of the ones I've read are historical sagas, and I had no idea what to expect from Kristin Billerbeck's A Girl's Best Friend. This is a fun and entertaining novel with a compelling storyline and a lovely message to boot. Morgan Malliard is a young socialite from San Francisco who seems to have it all -- money, good looks, an envious wardrobe and unlimited dough. But there is more to her than that. She loves God and her two best friends, Lilly and Poppy, whom she meets at their favorite spa, calling themselves the Spa Girls. She also dreams of meeting the perfect man, that one perfect fish in the sea. Things, however, aren't as great as they seem. Morgan has no direction in life. Even though she attended Stanford University, she doesn't know what she wants in life, and settles for the comfort her father's money brings. Then she discovers that her fiancé, a self-proclaimed Christian rock star, is already married. Could things get any worse? When her father, an imperious jeweler, is accused of tax evasion, dragging his daughter along with him, Morgan is forced to reflect on her life and makes some big changes. Will God and her lawyer, the gorgeous George Gentry, help her along the way?

I enjoyed Billerbeck's sassy language and keen storytelling. I also like the chick-litty feel mixed with spirituality. This novel has satisfied me in supplying me with a fun, girly read and uplifting me in a spiritual level at the same time. What could be better than that? I enjoyed the opening paragraph, which goes: "There are plenty of fish in the sea. But really, there's not. It's not just our imaginations. It would be great if decent men were as plentiful as jumping salmon in a rushing river, but they aren't. For every Mr. Darcy (and he's married, incidentally) there are a hundred Mr. Wickhams. Or in more contemporary terms, for every one of Colin Firth, there are several thousand Hugh Grants. The odds are against us." I was sold from the moment I read the aforementioned opener. The best part about this novel is that, unlike many Christian novels I've read, it is not swamped with judgment or sanctimonious passages. Those novels, as well as many religions/churches and believers, give Christianity a bad name. To me, God is about love and giving and teaching and freedom. He is not bitterness and restriction and judgment. This is the second part of the Spa Girls series. Lilly's story is the first one. Having read this, I will read Poppy's story next. I will also read other books by this author. This is a genre I will follow closely in the future.

In A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND, Kristin Billerbeck continues the spa escapades and relationship foibles of three friends whom readers met in SHE'S ALL THAT. It's a Chick Lit plot all the way, as they try to make sense of life, love and vocation. When the going gets tough, these gals head for a good manicure and facial.

In book one, Billerbeck followed Lilly Jacobs, Poppy Clayton and Morgan Malliard's friendship through the eyes of Lilly, a fashion designer whose romantic life had gone to pieces and who was at a dead end at her job. In book two, Billerbeck shifts the focus to Morgan, the poor little rich girl who has everything money can buy but longs for love and her father's attention.

Morgan is despondent after an escapade with a man who claimed he was a Christian rock star. He swept her away from a fashion show where she was modeling Lilly's couture wedding gown and her daddy's diamonds, and he seemed to be the Prince Charming of her dreams. But like most Prince Charmings, he seemed too good to be true --- and he was. The paparazzi are having a field day with the story of the "Jilted Jewelry Heiress" and Morgan is ready to lay low for a while.

"You know, if it was Johnny Depp I was accused of adultery with, well, so be it, gossip away," Morgan tells her two best friends angrily. "But a guy without a job, who was living off his wife in Daly City while I thought he was off in Nashville making his way as a Christian artist? Now that's just humiliating."

With her father's money, Morgan can lay low in style. She has the 600-thread Egyptian cotton sheets, unlimited Visa card, a BMW, and pair after pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. But her father's money may be in jeopardy --- and a new wicked stepmother waits in the wings. Then, Morgan is implicated in legal troubles. Should Morgan leave home and try to make it on her own? And what talents does she have besides wearing big expensive diamonds and looking beautiful?

When the three girls get in over their heads, they head for...you guessed it right. "Man, I need a spa treatment," Morgan intones. "Not just a measly pedicure or a pink-and-white nail fill. I need the full treatment; an enzyme peel, a moisturizing facial, a cucumber mask for my puffy eyes, a hot-stone massage, and maybe even a diamond treatment."

Meanwhile, Morgan and Poppy wonder why Lilly is putting off tying the knot with her own special guy, hotel dynasty heir Max Schwartz. Lilly has a few secrets of her own, and her beloved irascible Nana isn't going to be happy when she finds out what Lilly isn't telling. Poppy, a chiropractor, lends some engaging quirkiness to the storyline, with her oddball mixture of natural healing remedies, Zen-like statements and Christianese: "Self-esteem comes from the Lord, not other people. Why should we care what others think?" She mixes self-help and pop spirituality as easily as she wears her gauzy skirts.

Although Morgan isn't as interesting a character as Lilly, fans of the first book will enjoy catching up on the lives of the three women. It's a good bet that Poppy will be the focus of the next installment, and as the most colorful character of the trio, her story may be the most promising of all.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

A great series by a fine author! This book was a gift, and I had serious reservations about reading it (I wasn't planning to read it!). It sounded like chick fluff, but I read it anyway. IT WAS FABULOUS!!! Ms. Billerbeck has a way of pulling you into the story...you just have to read what the characters say and do next! After I finished this book, I bought four others (two from the Spa Girls series and an Ashley Shockingdale novel). Keep 'em coming, Kristin!!!!

"...the beauty is in the flaws."



The First Lady of Christian Chick-Lit has done it again. The second book in this Collection, is about Spa Girl, Morgan Malliard. Morgan is the socialite of San Fransisco. Her life consists of expensive shoes and purses and showing off her Daddy's diamond collection to boost sales at his store.

Morgan opens the book finding herself in a scandal that she unknowingly started in She's All That . As a result she lands herself in the newspapers, yet again. All Morgan wants is to be rescued by her knight in shining armor, and yet seems to attract just the opposite. Like always a quick trip to the spa with the girls will solve all her problems. Little does she know that by the time she leaves the spa her world will be turned upside down.

Morgan, returns to San Fransisco and must pause to find out WHO she really is and WHAT she is really made of. Is her life really as perfect as she has always been led to believe? Is there more to life than expensive things? Has anything she done in her life mattered to this point? Who's will does she need to follow- her Daddy's or Gods? The answers to these questions are life changing for Morgan.

Billerbeck is first rate in reflecting the main character's view point. It was interesting to see how Morgan viewed the personalities and the relationships of the Spa Girls. It was quite the turn from Lillie's perspective in She's All That. There were also a couple of turns in this book I just didn't see coming. It is always fun to read a book that keeps you guessing. Billerbeck does a great job of showing that all the riches in the world don't buy you happiness. Life is not always going to be perfect as determined by the world, yet it will only be perfect as determined by God.

Courtesy of Lone Star Latte-n-Libre

"A Girl's Best Friend" is a little bit darker than any of the Ashley Stockingdale books or "She's All That", but it completely worked with the story. One or two things I didn't agree with (these girls share everything and Lily hides something big from them), but otherwise it was fabulous. Kristin is a master at raising issues that every single Christian girl has faced without being overly preachy. Can't wait for the third installment!!

Morgan Malliard has a little problem, not only has she been scandalously engaged--twice--she is almost thirty and hasn't experienced what she calls "real life." Unless, of course, real life can be described as using Daddy's Visa whenever life gets a little tough.

A Girl's Best Friend is a tale of a San Francisco jewelry heiress as she recovers from her second disastrous engagement. In the aftermath, as her wedding-gown-clad self is plastered on the society page of every newspaper, Morgan realizes she doesn't have a clue what life is really like.

On a dare from her best friends, the Spa Girls, she agrees to live without her car and on a sum of money described by Morgan as three pair of shoes. But Morgan quickly realizes that living without Daddy's money is the least of her worries when, after a weekend without it, she finds out that it may be gone for good.

Does Morgan look good enough in orange to spend time in the big house? After all, someone has to pay the price of Daddy's tax evasion schemes.

A Girl's Best Friend is a novel of self-discovery and friendship. With laugh-out-loud-funny scenes and self-deprecating humor, Kristin Billerbeck takes us again into the mind of a flawed, but loveable character. Not everyone can relate to the level of wealth Morgan takes for granted, but who couldn't relate to making poor choices and living with the consequences?

Armchair Interviews says: As usual, readers can trust Kristin to push the Christian Fiction line of edgy without betraying our standards.