Customer Reviews

Hope in a Jar

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Who was the gal you had makeovers with? Who was the one you told all your secrets? If you still talk to her today, consider yourself lucky. "Hope in a Jar" starts with the story of Allie and Olivia, two best friends who were inseparable during high school, but something happened senior year that tore them apart. The mystery of the "what happened" will keep you riveted, and the references to beauty routines, lines from commercials, and copy from ads will keep you entertained.

With alternating chapters between what's going on today and flashbacks from eighth grade to senior year, the reader gets a thoroughly entertaining read. With their upcoming 20-year high school reunion, the girls each have a chance to reflect on all that is happened since they last saw each other.

Allie is just getting over a long, drawn-out, and dull relationship, to which she's given her all: "The only things worse than finding your boyfriend is cheating on you with a beautiful woman is finding out he's cheating with an average woman." Olivia has enjoyed a career as a high-powered magazine editor in NYC, but even that has lost a lot of its glam. What's a girl to do?

Allie's best guy friend, Noah, announces that he is going to marry a girl, and when Allie finds out it is the mean girl from her school who made her life miserable, she'll have nothing to do with THAT situation. Both Allie and Olivia re-connect over this disaster. I mean, how can he marry HER?!

Harbison has created a funny, engaging story about the power of friendship, no matter how many years have passed.

Want to hear some of the advertising nostalgia from the book?

Chapter Three
"You're soaking in it - ad for Palmolive soap"

Chapter Six
"Calgon, take me away! - ad for Calgon Bath Salts

Chapter Twenty-five
"Because you're worth it. - ad for L'Oreal"

If you were a teen in the 80s and 90s, you'll love this book.
If you were a girl with a best friend and you got ready for the dance together, you'll love this book.
If you are a girl who is looking for a little make-up advice, you'll love "Hope in a Jar."

Insightful peek into the mind of adult women now and when they were teens. Enjoyable read for the youthful references, especially for those of us who are a similar age to the characters and can instantly recollect the nostalgia and memorabilia referenced in the story.

The two main characters, Allie and Olivia, are each faced with personal decisions that force them to review their past and present circumstances. What impressed me about this book is that even though there is romance, not every character is trying to find a 'perfect match.' Rather, the women take good hard looks into their past to learn more about themselves in the present. Each has her own 'aha moment' and is definitely the better for it. The author does do a good job of integrating her title into the story line, really exposing just why many women choose to wear make-up and how taking care of ourselves on the outside can help us feel better on the inside.

Only gave the story three stars because there is not a lot of serious writing or depth to the story. Many of the plot lines are predictable and there were few surprises or twists. However, it is a fun read - our book club selected it and I imagine we will have a few laughs discussing the high school scenes and angst we all went through at that time in our lives. A quick and light read.

I hate to give low reviews as I am sure this author meant well and no one wants to see their hard work critiqued harshly.. however this book was really not worth my time. There was absolutely no depth to the characters, not a very interesting plot line, and way too predictable. I expected a lot more laughs and a lot more feelings (like in chick lit) but got neither. It reads like a boring afterschool special from the 80's. The book did not draw me to want to read into the night, it did not provoke much thought or happiness, it did not have compelling characters (like the recent book I read "Love the One you're With"). I am a DC native and really wanted it to read well, but it was just way too bland. Sorry, if you like the authors, get this book from the library.

I liked this book. It was a fast easy albeit sappy read. It lifted my spirits at a down in my life. We all recall the mean girls in school and rejoice when the regular kids score.

This is the first book I have read by Beth Harbison and was blown away. This is a great beach, park and whatever else read. Her writing style is fantastic and the characters are well developed. There is a lot of humor in this book but it's the drama that keeps you hooked. I highly recommend it!

I loved this book. It kept my interest and I didn't want to put it down. It is a fast, easy, and enjoyable read.

What an great read. The characters are very easy to identify with. I was glad that they were not young things. All of Beth Harbison's books are worth reading.

Ok, so we all know this is not great literature. But what it is, is a charming story about coming of age and growing up, no matter how long that takes. And along the way, remembering the past, all of the past, the good and the bad. The story may be a bit predictable, but it flows smoothly and the characters are delightful. I loved the little tag at the beginning of each chapter that is a snippet from ads I remember so very well. This is an easy read, perfect for a few hours of escape. Highly recommend.

This is not the worst book I have ever read but it is not the best either. The story revolves around 3 best friends from high school. Two of the friends are women and one is a guy. The two women have grown apart and have not seen each other in years.

The story moves between the character's high school years and the present time 20 years later. A twenty year high school reunion is coming up and the characters will reunite along with all the "mean girls" that the two women in the story will have to face at the reunion.

The characters are not all that rounded out really and felt kind of flat to me. Not much depth really. I just did not feel too much for any of them.

I got this from the library and if you are looking for something very easy to read on the weekend after working hard all week, then this is a decent book to peruse. Not much there really; just an easy read.

I gave up after 5 chapters. I didn't care about the characters. The end seemed predictable. I'm glad I checked this out from the library instead of buying it.