Customer Reviews

The Panic Years: A Guide to Surviving Smug Married Friends, Bad Taffeta, and Life on the Wrong Side of 25 without a Ring

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really was hoping this would be more a book about celebrating being single despite the fact that your friends are all getting married. Instead, I felt like the title of this book should've been Man-Trap. This is nothing about 'surviving' being single, it's about how to join the marriage club using every trick in the book. I HATE giving books a bad review, and I rarely ever do but I was extremely disappointed. It basically tells women to stop being so picky, which to some extent I can understand but then the entire second half of the book is about getting your boyfriend to propose with tactics...maybe I'm naive, but really? You have to use tactics? What kind of guy are you marrying then anyway? The only reason I gave this book two stars is because I think the author is a good writer, very funny, and witty but everything she wrote about is exactly what I don't want to hear. I don't want to stop being so picky, I want to celebrate the fact that I'm strong enough to have high standards and enjoy my independence and if a man fits into that picture then that's great, but if not, that's okay too. I thought this book would be more empowering and basically tell me it's okay to be single even though it feels horrible as everyone around you is getting married but it actually only made me more depressed that this is what dating and marriage has come to. If this is the type of book you're looking for, one that tells you how to snag a guy and get him to propose, then maybe you'll enjoy this book, although if that's the case, I think you're better off reading "The Rules."

Although it took my a few days..I read this book all the way through and thought, this is "the" book for single women. I know how I felt, exactly as the author describes, right at 27 and realizing I wasn't meeting men "automatically" anymore and that the number of women my age sporting rings and showing pregnancy bumps was getting higher. Also the strategies Ms Lewak includes in the book for Closing the Deal were great. The chapters are so spot-on about our lives it's not funny.

The Panic Years is an invaluable addition to any single person's (guy or girl) reading survival kit! Ms. Lewak is refreshingly honest in her assessment of the 20-something dating scene, and her anecdotes and analogies are hilarious, yet poignant. There's also plenty of good, practical advice on how to cope with those who insist on making one feel somewhat inferior because of their marital (or lack thereof) status. One cannot help but feel significantly uplifted by Ms. Lewak's ultimately positive and upbeat literary style.

I love the Author's wit, and her unmatched ability to crack up a humorous anecdote at pretty much every "panic" topic presented in this book. Yet Lewak's comic no-nonsense attitude surpasses the (very!) entertaining jokes, forming itself as your friendly vehicle that soberly communicates a serious message.
Despite the fact that a growing number of women today wake up from their sweet dreams to a reality that will not have them married by 25, many of these young ladies do in fact lapse into a socio-romantic state of panic, unable to see themselves and the world beyond their imaginary ring-like finish line. "The Panic Years" invites you to look at yourself and your aspirations beyond that - and beyond the superficial, materialistic aspirations all too prevalent at certain dating circles - so as to realize what's truly worth panicking about.

I just got the book, The Panic Years, and I couldn't put it down. This is a really funny look at what we go through to try and land that relationship which will end in marriage. But there's also an important message here-- don't change yourself to land a fiance. And it's great to know that you're not the only one panicking!

I picked up a copy of the Panic Years for my 26 year old cousin who is in the midst of her own panic over the countless weddings she's attended solo over the last few years. Before buying the book for her, I skimmed through it and couldnt stop reading until I myself had devoured the book in 2 days! The book is laugh out loud funny, sharp, witty and so true to life, you will recognize yourself, your family members and your annoying girlfriends who make an olympic sport out of competing with you. While reading the book I felt like I was having a conversation with a close and very funny friend who understands the plight of a single girl but can offer objective and no pressure advice while cracking you up with laughter on your bus ride in to work! I highly recommend this book for singles, marrieds and anyone in between!

i read about 'The Panic Years' in OK! magazine and as a 20-something woman I could relate well to the topics addressed by Ms. Lewak. Most of my girlfriends are engaged and/or married and what Ms. Lewak's book highlights that I realte to most is the realization that we're not little girls anymore...when our closest girlfriends get married and move 'on' it oftentimes causes us to re-evaluate our own lives and relationships. The book really hits on the importance of 'Girl Power!' and loving yourself no matter what--even if all your friends are getting married. It made that hopeful that hey, maybe I'll meet a cute, single groomsman at the next wedding I attend. A quirky, fun, read--with the author's conversational voice I felt like I was gabbing with a friend over cocktails.

I just finished "The Panic Years," where I saw so much of myself in the narrative. It was such a bonus to be able to glean such helpful advice and laugh so much at the same time. I have already recommended this book to all my single friends and they are as excited to feel as validated as I was while reading it! The overall message of the book was reaffirming and positive; single women everywhere will appreciate this very clever book -- and is really so needed.

I started this book Sat morning and finished it the next day...I could not put it down! It was written in a tactful manner sending across a great message that myself and many of my friends could relate too. At the same time it was entetaining and I enjoyed the anecdotes!...Bravo to Ms. Lewak!