Customer Reviews

Leave It to Claire (Claire Everett Series, No. 1)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found the subject matter of this book intriguing, especially the emotional baggage Claire hauls around, and how it affects her relationship with her children. The anger she held against her 'toad sucking' ex-husband was realistic. I can't imagine the pain of shattered dreams that infidelity brings to the heart of the wounded spouse with children to raise. Sharing Christmas, then being alone while the other parent has the children for the holiday. Ugh! That type of gut-wrenching pain can only be healed through a relationship with Christ, and even then, an ongoing battle for peace would ensue. I found the inner dialogue Claire used to reassure and calm herself as totally hilarious. Some of the one-liners the author came up with were to-die-for funny. I wish I could come up with stuff like that. I found Claire's emotional distancing from her children through her work, and her subsequent honest desire to right things with them, especially emotionally gripping. I felt her pain when the kids either didn't believe she was sincere, or that she only wanted to 'connect' with them because she had nothing better to do. And God bless Darcy. If I were in her shoes I would have lost patience with Claire long ago. Rick is lucky to have someone like Darcy to keep him going. I just hope Rick truly had changed because if he cheated on Darcy I'd have to hurt him. :) I don't understand what Greg sees in Claire, but I suppose because he can't read her thoughts like we can (the readers) he isn't keyed into her true feelings on certain issues. Claire isn't the most likable character because she's bitter, but she does represent many women I know and therefore I want to see her happy. I'm glad there is a continuation of this series planned. We need more novels about divorced heroines trying to find a new life and peace after such a horrible split occurs in the family. Many people are going through the same thing, and honest stories like this can make a difference in lives of hurting women. They may see themselves through Claire's eyes and realize they need to forgive to truly heal. God bless Tracey for writing something any woman can enjoy. Oh, and the going to food for comfort thing and petty little jealousy issues are just classic!

Reading Leave It to Claire by Tracey Bateman is as comfortable as putting on your jammies on a cool winter night and hanging out by the fireplace with your best friend. Claire leaps from the pages, a flesh-and-blood woman who has the endearing faults of your favorite cousin and is just as lovable.
The characters are believable and their circumstances are as common as the family's next door. Bateman draws you in and makes you care about the people who populate Claire's world.
Knocked for a loop by some unanticipated events, Claire draws up a plan to improve her life. Too bad life doesn't follow the script, but despite what comes her way, Claire faces her challenges with humor and determination. At times hilarious, and at times poignant, Leave It to Clair is an honest look at a "real" Christian woman faced with the challenge of being a single, divorced mom.

Leave it to Claire by Tracey Bateman is one of the most engaging, enjoyable Christian books I've read lately. Bateman writes with a strong voice for Claire Everett, almost reminiscent of Lisa Samson with her accuracy of a woman who fails more often than she succeeds but keeps trying. When writer Claire has to give up her writing for six weeks after surgery, she makes a list to try and get her life back in order, but it's going to take help from above and lots of prayer to get her life back on track. I loved Claire; I could identify with her so easily. Except for the pounds coming off fairly easily, that I've never been able to do. Claire is easy to empathize with and even better to laugh with. Her sarcastic wit made me laugh out loud several times, and her tears were just as affecting. Claire's most important lesson that change comes from the inside out and that holding on to anger hurts everyone around you are lessons we all need to take to heart, especially me. I look forward to Claire Knows Best being released next month.

This book was wonderful, I would highly recommend it. Claire is a great character. I especially liked how the subject of divorce was addressesed. As a child of divorce, it was refreshing to read a book that didn't condemn those who had divorced, and realized that divorcees can have successful second marriages. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

I found this book in BJ's and figured it would be an okay read. Boy was I wrong! This book is hilarious, and so well written. I am African American, and yet I could identify so well with Claire. I actually laughed aloud through most of the book. I couldn't put it down and read it in a few hours. I can't wait to read the next installment.

Claire is a thirty-something divorced single mom of four and a successful writer. As life throws her a curve ball and she faces surgery that will keep her from writing for a few months, she takes a good look at her life and realizes she wants to make some changes. That's when she makes her list.

During the next three months I will:
1. Go to church more
2. Clean my house
3. Reconnect with my kids
4. Exercise-maybe.
5. Figure out why my only socialization is around the computer.
6. In response to #5, join ladies group at church.

But nothing is as simple or easy as it looks on paper. Reconnecting with her kids brings about issues with her ex-husband that she has long tried to bury and ignore. Socialization with the ladies group at church also includes socializing with her ex-husbands new wife. Then there is her son's teacher, Greg, who makes her heart flutter like it hasn't done in years. Claire's journey to "list fulfillment" is told with humor, honesty and refreshing realism.

I read this book because it was the February selection for the ACFW book club. It probably wouldn't have been something I'd have picked up otherwise. But I guess that's the great thing about book clubs. You read books you wouldn't normally read and then are so glad you did. While Claire's life and mine couldn't be more different (I have never been married and have no children), I related so much to Claire herself. Her struggle to lose weight, tendency to get lost spending time on her computer, feeling like she is not attractive enough to catch any worthy male's attention as well as her difficulty in forgiving and moving on from the past are all traits that I share with her.

Tracey Bateman has done a superb job with all the characters in Leave It to Claire. No cardboard cutout's here. Every one of the many people in Claire's life reflects what we often forget; that we are all sinners in need of grace and not one of us is perfect. But our God is a faithful God and He will complete the work He has begun in us.

Very highly recommended!

Leave It to Claire is the best book I've read in a long time! I could not put down this book until I was finished.

Claire, a divorced, single mom of four, is a successfully published author of Christian romance novels. When the doctor breaks the news to her that she has carpel tunnel and must have surgery on both hands, Claire's world starts unravelling, one kid at a time.

Her mother moves away just before the surgery, leaving Claire to fend for herself (something she hasn't had to do in a while). Her children are distant, and her ex-husband's wife wants to become her best friend. It's all too much for Claire. Sitting at her desk, Claire grabs the closest piece of paper she can find (a Wal-Mart receipt) and creates a list--6 steps to a better life plan.

Claire is an unforgettable character. I related to her attitude and thoughts in many ways (and some in ways I didn't like). I felt as though I were Claire's closest girlfriend, as she related her story to me. I empathized, sympathized, disagreed, disliked, fought for, cheered for, shook my head at, and fell in love with Claire. Her snarky nature is funny and hard to resist. I can't wait for the next Claire book!

Tracey Bateman...YOU ROCK! Thank you for giving us this unforgettable character!

Leave it to Tracey Bateman to create a reluctant hero like Claire to mine some of the deeper issues of life. While the book is fun and laugh-out-loud funny at times, I particularly enjoyed seeing Claire face the obstacles and challenges of real-life. She not only deals with her house and her body and connecting with her kids, but spiritual issues like forgiveness, love and letting go. It's a read so refreshing you won't even realize at first just how much there is to ponder and apply to your own life. Readers will be able to relate to the so-not-perfect Claire as they cheer her on throughout the story. I'm so glad there will be more Claire to come from this great author

Claire is a romance author and a single mom. She has four kids ranging from a teenager to a 6 year old. She has to put up with her ex-husband who cheated on her and his new young wife (not the one he cheated with). Her mom, who's been her backbone for the past few years, decides to leave to be with her brother's family in Texas. The cute neighbor who moves in next door also happens to be Claire's son's teacher plus the worship pastor at church. Plus he seems to like Claire..a lot. Add all these in with unruly kids, carpal tunnel surgery and panic attacks, and Claire's got a lot to learn that she can't do everything all on her own.

I really enjoyed this read. It was fun hip mom lit. Almost anyone can identify also with trying to lose a couple of extra pounds, who can turn down hot fresh pizza really? Claire is a character that you both love and get frustrated with at the same time. For me when she had to deal with Rick and Darcy, especially the scenes with the counselor, you really feel for her. I mean imagine having to hear your ex husband say that he never really loved you and he only married you because it was his duty. And plus now he's started a better life with a younger prettier, perfect woman who keeps trying to be your friend when you'd really rather have nothing to do with them. So of course you side with her then. On the other hand, scenes with the way she handles her children made you want to thump Claire on the head. She thinks her kids can do no wrong even when she's presented hard core evidence such as the dirty poems. Thus she does not give them the correct punishments instead choosing to let them off easier. And then she wonders why they don't really listen or respect her? One can learn a lot from Claire and her adventures in this book.

I was surprised and delighted to read this book. I found it light, breezy, laugh-out-loud funny-- overall a great find! I didn't think I would relate much to Claire, her approaching 40, divorced mother of four, and me being a single 25 year old, but I did. She is a klutz in many aspects of her life- I loved her early interactions with Greg (even at her stage in life, doesn't see that he obviously likes her) and her daughter's embarassment over her "wardrobe" hilarious yet completely understandable (Claire's affinity for Spongebob Squarepants pj pants and leopard print slippers).

Ms. Bateman has written a winner here and I am eager to get my hands on the next chapter in the adventures of Claire!