Jennifer Johnson Is Sick of Being Single: A Novel (Paperback)

~ Heather Mcelhatton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A heroine with Bridget Jones-like neuroses and klutziness learns the costs of scoring a glamorous life in McElhatton's delightful second novel (after Pretty Little Mistakes). Jennifer Johnson is a financially unstable copywriter toiling in the marketing department of Keller's, a family-run Minnesota department store. Jennifer learns her ex is engaged and is subjected to her younger sister's wedding preparations, horrid dates and a fire in her Hello Kitty–adorned apartment. Enter Brad Keller, the caddish heir to the Keller's department store fortune. Though at first she couldn't imagine that he'd ever be interested in her, soon enough they're dating, and a marriage proposal follows. Things, of course, aren't exactly as they appear, and Jennifer's eventually confronted with the classic dilemma: money or love. Jennifer's a wonderful narrator—honest, witty, self-deprecating and sharply observant—which more than redeems the story's familiar aspects (gay best friend, high maintenance sibling's pending nuptials, lame Internet dates). McElhatton blends just enough cynicism into the whimsical narrative, creating a fun romp through a woman's manifold insecurities. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"This brash and funny novel plays with the form, with a dark, intelligent and wholly unexpected conclusion.Jennifer is uncomfortable, wickedly funny and ultimately likable.." (Minneapolis Star Tribune )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1 edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061461369
• ISBN-13: 978-0061461361
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #162,502 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Any Girl Who Has Ever Thought a Cute, Rich Husband Would Make Her Life Perfect., May 10, 2009

By	Love Reading (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

A must read for any girl who has ever thought a cute, rich husband would make her life perfect (ahem, like me). I love Jennifer Johnson and I love this book. It was laugh out loud funny! There is a scene with a motivational speaker at Jennifer's boring corporate job that is funnier than anything you've seen on "The Office." Also, one of my favorite side characters to come out of a book in a long time is the Cinnabon counter girl who acts like Jennifer's trusted bartender. She knows all Jennifer's secrets and is there with a helpful hand when needed. It's genius. This book is funny and fun like good chick lit should be but it also realistically deals with the fantasy that chick-lit usually hands out and turns it on its head. It's a very fresh take on a popular theme (girl is single, girl meets rich guy, girl lives happily ever after). Kudos to Heather McElhatton for taking a chance with this twist and for being so dang funny while doing it!

Seriously, if you're looking for a fresh take on the chick-lit genre then you should read this book. I am a huge fan of chick lit (Helen Fielding, Sophie Kinsella, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot, etc.) and I can safely say that Heather McElhatton is right there with them. It's not a romance novel, Jennifer Johnson might not always do what you think she is going to do but you will love her all the more for being real (and for making you laugh loud and hard in the middle of a crowded bus during your commute to work and shed a tear or two on your commute home).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David E Sunderand, May 8, 2009

By	David E. Sunderland (MPLS, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

OK...I love this book. It is witty, well written and a bit like potato chips....one is not enough. Kudos to Heather McElhatton for a fun read. I feel as if I personally know all the characters and have a much better sense of life in Minneapolis, MN. The perfect read if you are looking for an escape into the wacky world of dating. Applicable to both men and women...well maybe I got a little crazy but what the H***..."WRITE ON"....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing jaunt of paralizing brillance, May 8, 2009

By	Christopher Strouth (MPLS) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My God this is an amazing book. a journey of the soul that still has a romper room zeal for life. This is the kind of book that all the Sex In the City types aspire to be. Funny and heartfelt, hitting you with a one two punch, that will make you laugh and cry often at the same time.

The author creates an ultra-vivid world full of delight. If you don't know these characters then you must live in some sort of cavern, most certainly one without basic cable. Jennifer Johnson is more then just type on a page, there is a life beyond words in her character. I envy those of you who get to read this for the first time,it truly is a remarkable ride.