Customer Reviews

I'm So Sure (The Charmed Life)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
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This is the second book by Jenny B. Jones about Bella Kirkwood. Ms Jones is described as a writer of Christian fiction and teaches high school. I loved the first book and eagerly looked forward to this one. The first book had minor references, in my opinion, to religion. This one had much more. It wasn't over the top, but there was definitely more. Both of the books have mystery and intrigue as well as teenage angst. I was skeptical about how she would handle the wrestling/reality TV show idea and found it was done pretty well. The mystery and how it would be resolved took a few unexpected turns which made you want to keep reading to see how it resolved.

There will be a 3rd book in the Charmed Life Series, So Over My Head. It is due out May 2010, which will be a very long wait! These books are set in a high school in Oklahoma so the target audience would be teenage girls. I taught high school for over 22 years and, even though I have long passed my teenage years, I really enjoyed the two books in the series and will read the third when it comes out.

You you haven't read any Jenny B. Jones, now is the best time to start. It is also a great gift for your young girl readers.(Perfect Christmas Stocking Stuffer)

"I'm so sure" is a great follow up to "So Not Happening." The story had me laughing out loud, on the edge of my seat with suspense, sweating out the romantic tension scenes and remembering the role God plays in our lives. Watch out Edward Cullen, Luke is hot, gentlemanly and has a sense of humor.

Great book for all ages! I read this book twice in one week. I really enjoyed it! It is an easy read and entertaining. I teach Jr. High and feel like I'm still part of it when I read these books. I can't wait to get my hands on the third one.

Review by Jill Williamson

What would you do if your stepdad made the cut for a reality TV show called Pile Driver of Dreams that will air weekly on World Wrestling Television? This is Bella Kirkwood's latest nightmare. Not only is her stepdad wearing a pirate costume that involves spandex, the cameras are following the whole family to see how each wrestler lives. Now, Bella's personal life--or random, not-so-true versions of it--is being splashed across weekly tabloids. Not so helpful when Bella is investigating a possible sabotage against the Truman High prom. Or when her ex-boyfriend, Hunter, and her boss, Luke, start giving her mixed signals.

As usual, Jenny B. Jones had me laughing out loud. My husband shot me the raised eyebrow again and again as I read this book, mostly during Bella's stint as an employee at the Pancho's Mexican Villa. This might just be my favorite Jones' book yet. This is the second Charmed Life novel. I love the combination of humor and mystery in this series. I also really like the animals on the cover. And of course, the ache in my side when I'm done reading. I highly recommend this book for any girl, including those of us who've already graduated from high school and them some. Trust me, you will not be bored.

I purchased this book for my granddaughter. She read the first book in this series and said it was the best book she had ever read. She is now reading this one, the second in the series, and says it is even better that the first one.

I was thrilled to receive a review copy of the sequel to So Not Happening, which I loved. This is youth fiction at its finest. Reading one of Jenny B. Jones's books puts a smile on my face and makes me feel good all over.

Bella is in high school and had her life turned upside down in book one, when her mom marries a semi-pro wrestler and they move to Truman, Oklahoma...a far cry from New York. Bella's mom met this Christian man on-line and has moved to live in a small town in the big woods. What was her mom thinking?

In I'm So Sure, Bella is still adjusting to her new home, step dad and her step brothers. Bella still flies to N.Y. to spend time with her dad in Manhattan on weekends, but things are starting to get weird at her dads. Bella's father has a steady girlfriend who has a daughter a little younger than herself. Why is her dad falling for this woman?

Weird could be used to describe life in Truman, Oklahoma too. Her step dad, the semi-pro wrestler, has just entered the family into a reality T.V. show contest. If their family is picked, cameras will be following them around everywhere. What was her step dad thinking?

Strange things have also started to happen at Truman High School! The schools prom money has disappeared and no one knows how. Or who took it for that matter. How would they have a prom?

Luke, the editor of the school newspaper, tells Bella the prom story is his and to back off! She needs to focus on the jobs for teen's article! Bella promises Luke she would stay away from doing any investigating in the prom story. But Bella can't stop the people that come up to her to help them in finding school funds. Can she?

This author had me laugh out loud so hard I almost dropped my book. I lost it when Jenny describes the different jobs Bella worked at to write the teen job article. Bella stayed at the job long enough to be trained and get the feel of what was required of her in that position. This part was hysterical, I can't believe the jobs Bella had and the mishaps she had on her jobs. Bella learned to be thankful for these experiences. She discovered jobs she never wanted to do again. Bella wasn't laughing when some of these embarrassing mishap moments were caught on film by the T.V. realty show and shown to the entire world. OHMYGOSH!

I can't wait to read the third and final book in this series called, So Over My Head. Can't wait to see what Bella Kirkwood is up to next and what crazy, spontaneous, fun adventure she will take us on. Thanks Jenny, for bringing a smile to my face, laughter in my heart and funny stories to share about Bella with my family and friends.

The Book Club Network [...]

If you haven't turned your kids on to Jenny Jone's books ... shame on you. My students LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her work. I book chat books regularly and Ms. Jone's books are the most requested chats. They simply can not wait for the newest one to come out.

In this book, sparks continue to fly between Bella and "not-so-geeky" Luke. The romance ... great. The lol factor ... enormous. There's no way anyone could read this book during class without laugh-snorting. Why Hollywood has not jumped on board with this woman, I can't understand.

Like funny books? No, I mean the funny, super-clever books that make you chuckle as you only wish you had the kind of talent that could convey so much snarky meaning in just a few words...that's the kind of book we're talking about here. Anything by JBJ fills that bill, but I'm So Sure, of The Charmed Life series, is mind-bogglingly clever.

Here's one of my favorite lines from the book: "Captain Iron Jack on the amateur wrestling circuit. But, I just call him Stepdaddy Spandex."

Just think about that one for a second. :)

The three-word description I would give this book is: Snarky, Romantic, Suspenseful. Read it and report back!

I'm So Sure is another great laugh-out-loud book by Jenny B. Jones. However, this book is more than just a comedy. It has elements of suspense that really keep the pages turning. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Bella is getting into more trouble than ever, while coming into her own in the "sleuthing" business. Luke is one of my favorite heroes, even though he is really ornery. The fact that he is totally hot has nothing to do with it. ;) I'm looking forward to the next book in the Charmed Life series, and seeing what new trouble these characters get themselves into.

Jenny B. Jones has penned a funny tale about the mishaps of living in Bella's world. Bella's stepdad made the cut for a wrestler reality show. The paparazzi seem are everywhere - especially to catch Bella with her many mishaps. Nothing like having your face splashed in tabloids for all to see.

Bella has given herself a name in solving mysteries that surround Truman High School. This time, the prom queen candidates are the target. Luke, the newspaper editor-in-chief calls the shots for Bella and decides which stories she will write and investigate. Luke gives Bella mixed signals and she reciprocates the same. Getting closer to the truth, can be a dangerous feat. Will it be discovered before it's too late?

Bella loves to visit her Dad but things get a little complicated with his new girlfriend. Her ex-boyfriend, Hunter, helps her escape some of the heat by showing up or calling at the right time. After what happened with him before, can she trust him again? She begins to talk to God again. Will her heart be open to His answer?

I loved this book. As with Jenny's other books, she is out-loud funny! I highly recommend her books to all for great stories and tons of laughter!

Escape death and suddenly you're a town hero. Bella Kirkwood barely has her bags unpacked before Hollywood is banging down her door. Her step-dad's hopes of becoming a semi-pro wrestler are to take off with, the new reality show, Pile Drive of Dreams (aka Bella's nightmare). Cameras. Paparazzi. No privacy. Prom approaches with a new mystery when the candidates for queen are threatened. Using her spiritual gift of curiosity, Bella teams up with Luke Sullivan to solve the case. Between the psycho targeting her and Luke's kissing, Bella's not sure it will turn out okay - the kissing part, that is. The psycho doesn't scare her. After all, her step-dad is a wrestler.

Mulling it over:

Jones whipped up another great read. While it matched book one (So Not Happening) in whit, some action-packed moments were in a tug of war between believable and dorky. I think dorky won - in this case. Dialogue was a smashing hit. Bella and the cast surrounding her light up the town of Truman, Oklahoma and the hearts of readers.