Customer Reviews

Room For Improvement

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I received an advance copy of ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT and pretty much inhaled it in two days. I adored everything about it - the size 14 heroine Lily who, instead of sitting around apologizing for her weight or feeling sorry for herself, has a fantastic career, great sex, strong friendships, a positive self-image, etc; the interesting and complicated network of supporting players - of which there were many, but were so thoroughly drawn there was never an issue of keeping them straight; the extensively-researched DIY back-story; and, best of all, the humor so pervasive throughout the book. (I defy anyone to not laugh out loud whenever Bob speaks.)

For those who say "Chick Lit" is played out, all I can say is think again. Stacey Ballis proves the genre can be funny, honest, clever, real, and most importantly, totally fresh.

I loved the characters in this book and the way Stacey wrote about them. I felt like I knew Lily and all of her friends. That could have been my friends that she was writing about, they were down to earth and REAL!!

Stacey has such an entertaining way of telling a story. . .I could not put this book down!! I was definitely laughing out loud throughout the book.

This was my first book by the author. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. Finally a real story about 30-something women trying to balance their personal life with work. The author did a great job on tackling the "still single in your 30s" issue and exploring the fears of allowing yourself to be vulnerable in a relationship.

I had to re-read pages as they made me laugh out loud! Stacey has cleverly captured the life of a single gal in the great city of Chicago. Lily is a loveable character.....self-deprecating yet confident....a real woman. I think I know her.....
READ IT! BUY IT!
And Stacey, I can't wait for your next book!!!!

fast, easy read but why didn't the woman on the cover match the main characters characteristics?

This novel offers no apologies or guilt trips for being a real sized woman. Lily is cool, hip, sexy and loves her sandwiches at Al's Beef. This heroine is no delicate flower and definitely does not feel sorry for herself.

As a Chicago native, I loved reading about the local hotspots in this novel and then going check them out. The chick lit genre rocks, but I've had enough of reading those stories based in London or New York City. Finally, somebody is writing great chick lit based in the best "over 30" dating city in the world - Chicago! Nobody else writes about Chitown like Stacey Ballis.

I love her crazy characters. They MUST be based on her real life experience. Nobody can be THAT creative! I'm just wondering if Stacey has to get permission from her friends to put them in her books... it's just so real!

I love her crazy terms relating to the single life. The COS, night girl vs. morning girl, finally defining the Viagra Triangle for me, Madcap Date Girl and Mr. Twice-a-Day Chipotle... that's my life too, and it couldn't be funnier!

Stacey also endeavors into some alternative ways of story telling with Lily's Rules, Bravo Swap/Meet Synopses, Blackberry exchanges, and Video Diary confessions. I love it! It keeps things interesting.

This is the kind of girl I want as my best friend! But I'll settle for being one of the first to read her next juicy novel.

On a trip to visit family for Thanksgiving, I started this book. One of my family members was sitting on the couch reading and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to join them. I got through the acknowledgments section and 2 pages of the book before I was kicked out of the room for laughing out loud!

This book is so much fun. It's chick lit with substance and humor. With the added enticement of reality television.

Stacey Ballis is so much fun, and I'm looking foward to more of her books.

Once again Stacey entertains, amuses and just makes you laugh out loud. Another thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful read... thanks again Stac... Nif

After spending a stressful day as a realtor, picking up Stacey's novel is a relaxing way to spend the evening. She is witty and knows just what it takes to keep our attention. I loved Room For Improvement. Reading the daily newspaper makes me sleepy, Stacey's works make me laugh. Keep up the good work...can't wait for the next one!

Diane Salach

I've read each of Stacey Ballis' books, and this is my favorite one yet. Room For Improvement is a really witty, well-written book. The characters are great...not a cardboard, predictable one among them, which is a wonderful switch from the usual Chick Lit fiction. The heroine is really likeable and the kind of woman anyone would be thrilled to have as a friend. The storyline is also not predictable, which makes reading it even more fun. Truly, I thought this book was a great read. It only took me two days to finish it. I loved it all the way through, and laughed out loud throughout the time I was reading it. I would happily recommend this book to a friend.