Customer Reviews

Pushing 30

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After finally doing something out of character (by doing something for herself), Ellie dumps her longtime boyfriend. When a hair coloring incident goes awry, she flees to the nearby drugstore to remedy the situation, and her pug Sally is immediately accosted by amorous pooch, Oscar. Of course, Oscar is attached to a very attractive man named Ted, which is just Ellie's luck, considering the state of her appearance. After a second meeting at a banquet, the two start talking and hit it off. At a romantic dinner, Ted and Ellie find that they have a lot in common. Until 52 year old Ted finds out that Ellie is only 29. Ellie's shock at being mistaken for someone older is priceless. Divorced Ted wants nothing to do with the whole "I'm in a mid-life crisis so let's get a young chick" scenario that so many men his age are currently into, after all, he has his reputation as a news anchor to protect. But Ted cannot seem to deny his feelings for Ellie, as the two live in the same neighborhood and keep bumping into each other. Many misunderstandings result in some poignant and sweet situations, including unsupportive friends and annoying exes.

"Pushing 30" is an engaging and humorous look at the May-December romance between a lawyer (who'd rather be an artist) and a famous newscaster. It's a great story of one woman's quest for empowerment while bridging the gap into an adult relationship. I really loved this book - I checked it out of the library based on the cover art alone, read it in a day, and decided I wanted my own copy! I like first person narrative - I like seeing a story unfold as the protagonist does, as well as the insight that the narrative provides. This was a great first book - looking forward to starting her next one!

I decided to buy this book when I read the first chapter in the bookstore. It got me from the beginning. Ellie is a "good" girl who always washes off her makeup, writes thank you notes, and sends Christmas cards. Being this kind of girl, it is extremely hard to break up with a man. In this first chapter, this is what she is struggling with. Breaking up with (another) boyfriend who just doesn't seem right for her.

Sooner than later, she runs into a new man. 20 something years her senior, his dog nuzzles up to her dog, and she's in love. She goes on a first date with him, and still has a thing for him, even after he guesses that she is 10 years older than she really is. Unfortunately, it doesn't go so well when he finds out what her age really is.

Fortunately for Ellie, his attraction to her doesn't cease, and he comes back for more, even though his morals keep trying to keep him away. He thinks that dating younger women is wrong, and as a newscaster, he wants to keep a professional reputation. There is also the matter of the ex wife, who doesn't like to see any woman take her place.

Quick, fun, and laugh out loud funny at times, this is a good summer book and only took me a couple of days to finish!

I felt that this book found me, rather than the other way around, as I came across it browsing through a book store while having my own first real "age crisis". What I like the most about this book is how easy it is to relate to the main character, Ellie Winters. Even though I actually like my job (and have a very normal family), I could relate to her on so many levels. The rest of the characters also seem very realistic, even though they, as all characters in a comedy, are a little exaggerated. The one character who seems the most "out of focus" is Ellie's love interest. He doesn't seem as alive as the rest of the cast of characters, but it doesn't really detract from the story. The story itself holds quite a few surprises even though the ending is predictable, in a good way. It's a good read!

PUSHING 30 by Whitney Gaskell

Whitney Gaskell's debut novel, PUSHING 30, is a delightful story of a young woman about to turn 30. Ellie Winters is a lawyer working in what she considers a very boring job for Snow & Druthers in the heart of Washington DC. She lives with her spoiled and manipulative pug Sally, and is dating yet another boring but sweet guy; this time the name is Eric. She doesn't see any hope in sight, but she is not one to make waves. She therefore plods along, doing what she thinks everyone else expects of her, especially her parents. The idea of becoming a lawyer was a way for her to make her father happy, since both brothers Mark and Brian refused to go into the family business (their father is a judge). There was no other reason for her going to law school. She had absolutely no desire to become an attorney.

Then, on a really bad hair day, (her hair was pink), Ellie is out with Sally when Sally is accosted by another dog by the name of Oscar, who is owned by none other than handsome Ted Langston, television anchor and eligible bachelor. Ellie and Ted start a rather awkward relationship, not really dating but not really friends either. And, there is something about Ellie that attracts Ted to her and he keeps coming back. Ellie can't stop thinking about Ted, but she is afraid of falling in love with him when she may just be some passing fancy for him. The other big problem is that Ted is only a few years younger than her parents are. And Ellie isn't sure she wants to start a relationship with someone this old.

In the meantime, she is dealing with a somewhat dysfunctional family, a best friend who has gotten involved with a guy Ellie does not like, and the frightening prospect of getting older. I didn't warm up to this book at first, particularly after Ellie made a few derogatory comments about the baby boomer generation. I was ready to throw the book away, but I kept reading and found this was not as bad a book as I had thought at first. It was funny, and I enjoyed it so much that it took me only a day to read. PUSHING 30's Ellie reminded me so much of Bridget in Bridget Jones Diary, and to me that is a good thing. Whitney Gaskell's debut is a winner!

Hmmm, I just tried to write a review for this book and it disappeared!?! Let me try again.

Once I picked Pushing 30 up, I couldn't put it down. I read a lot of chick lit, and I think this is one of the better books in the genre. It was very witty, and very romantic, and I just loved the main character, Ellie. I felt like I knew her.

I would definitely recommend this book. I also like books by Jane Green and Sophie Kinsella, so if you like their books, you'll like this one too.

Well written, great characters. I really enjoyed this book, it was exactly what I was looking for, something light and fun I could read while curled up in my rocking chair with a hot cup of tea. It is like "Bridget Jones meets Sex & the City", but with an original flare that only Whitney Gaskell can create. And just for the record...I really liked the ending :P

I loved this book. I've read a lot of chick lit books, and I think this one was better than most. It was very witty, and very romantic, and I just loved the main character, Ellie. She was so real to me. I also thought the love story between her and Ted was very sexy.

I would definitely recommend it! I also love Sophie Kinsella, Jane Green and Jennifer Weiner, so if you like their books, I think you'll like this one too.

Basic facts: Ellie Winters is about to turn 30. She is not happy with her career (a litigation lawyer), her hair color (to the point of even doing at-home highlights), or her love-life (she's had her share of boyfriends but no fireworks). This all changes when she meets Ted Langston, a sexy, charming, witty and well known t.v. news anchorman who happens to be 23 years older than Ellie.

This book engaged me right from the start. Although I am happily married, I found myself able to relate to Ellie in many ways and was cheering for her to get her guy right up to the end. Ms. Gaskell's first book has shown that she has an ability to weave likeable (and not-so likeable) characters together with a fun story line. I have already passed my copy on to other friends and am looking forward to her next book.

A light, funny and fatastic read! I am not normally a fan of the "chick novel", but this is one I enjoyed. The characters are well-rounded, interesting and supported with realistic dialogue. I enjoyed getting to know Ellie and even though I've left 29 far behind the book was still relevant and witty for me. I enjoyed Gaskell's first novel and look forward to reading more of her work.

I found this book accidentally while I was looking for another novel to read and I ended up getting both and regretting that purchase and loving this one! It really pulls you into all of her emotions and you feel almost protective of her because she reminds you of yourself, and the things you wish you could do to the people who have wronged you in life. I felt bad when she felt bad, I laughed when she joked, I cried when she was hurt and I cheered when she FINALLY stood up for herself! I recommend this book to anyone out there who feels they are the "Consummate Good Girl".