Customer Reviews

Room for Love

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I can't remember the last time a book actually made me smile. (OK, I can: It was "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.") Happy endings rarely win their authors Pulitzers, but this book was exactly what I needed after a steady diet of heavy reads.

I have to admit that after the first two pages I predicted that I was not going to like "Room for Love." The quick descriptions of the heroine's co-workers (Zen Buddha boss, blond Barbie-doll, sweet spastic intern) warned of two-dimensional characters. I persevered, and was rewarded. Andrea Meyer shows a great flair for character development, breathing life even into the ancillary characters (and there were many), not to mention the cat & dog loving, cinephile narrator/protagonist Jacquie, on whom I was crushing by page 79. And like Jacquie, the dialogue was cute and witty, smart and sexy. "Room for Love" was a very pleasant surprise.

Really enjoyed this laid back and funny romance. I just recommended it to my sister.

Give it a try, perfect chick read.

I don't remember where I first heard about this book, but I thought the premise was incredibly cute - a girl who decides to try to meet guys through "Roommate Wanted" ads and writes an article about it. In these days of chick lit, it's not the most unique plot line, but I thought it would be endearing. I'm still not quite certain if I was right or not.

My main issue with the book was the fundamentally flawed main character, Jacqui. It's not that she isn't likeable, it's more that she isn't very much fun to read about. She obviously has major self-esteem issues and doesn't find a problem with sleeping with any guy on the first date. In fact, it seems to be her credo, as she is afraid that she won't be able to keep them if she doesn't put out. It's hard to believe a woman living in New York and working at a magazine in her 30's wouldn't have learned the lesson that sex does NOT buy you love (It's even harder to believe this after the relationship fiascos she has endured). I have some sympathy for her not having been taught this valuable lesson, but at the same time, these problems are not front and center. Usually when a character has issues such as these, they are dealt with in a strong manner in the book. Not so with Jacqui - they slip in and out of the sides of the story. While she does demonstrate some development through the book and grows as a character, that doesn't change the fact that I wasn't her biggest fan - she was just a bit too shallow for my tastes.

That being said, the book is similar to most other chick-lit novels. It is light and fun, with quirky secondary characters. While at the beginning, they are flat, two-dimensional characters, Meyer manages to make them more than they appear. She develops these personages well. Another treat in the novel is the view of New York City it provides; specifically, how difficult it is to find a good apartment, and how that apartment (and where it's located) define you. Those of you who watched the show probably remember Miranda's fear of moving to Brooklyn in Sex and the City. Meyer expands on that theme, making the real estate market of New York accessible to those of us who don't live in the Big Apple.

In sum, while Room for Love is quirky and cute, it has its fundamental flaws. However, I do look forward to reading any future offerings by this author, as she does show promise!

Jacquie Stuart is a Manhattan single girl looking for love in all the wrong places. She is also a writer/editor at a movie review magazine, and an occasional features writer for a chick-lit magazine. Approaching her mid-thirties, she begins to wonder if she will ever find love that stays.

So when she takes on an assignment to write an article about a new way to find love, she begins to think she has found the way to happiness. By checking out the "roommate wanted" ads, she can find out more about a guy by studying his surroundings. And if she is lucky, she might find a love connection, too.

When Jacquie does find what she believes will be the perfect situation for her, she has to sublet her own apartment in order to move in with Mr. Right. But is he? How does Jacquie really feel about this man who makes her heart race, but who also seldom finds time for her? What will happen when Anthony finally discovers that the way they met was a ruse for her to get an article...and possibly a man?

Unexpected events cause Jacquie to question everything, and then, suddenly, she learns that the love she was searching was right around the corner all the time.

Room for Love was a fun, light, reading experience that fans of chick lit will adore. Especially if they also love stories about New York. The characters were appealing and felt like real-life people you might meet if you were living in Manhattan. The situations they encountered felt relevant to the times in which we live. I chose four stars for this one, though, because the plot was predictable and I had figured out the ending about halfway through the book.

A great book. My wife loved it being a NYC gal. Went to the book signing at Book Soup! Cheers!

I found this book quite entertaining and funny. Meeting men through their apartments was a unique idea, and as you watched her trials you found yourself rooting for her. My only complaint was she was a bit slutty. I mean deciding that if you don't have sex with a man the day you meet means there is no relationship is a bit extreme. What was cute was her love of her own apartment and some of her friends.

boring read. not recommended. the back makes it sound a lot more interesting than it turns out to be. It just seems to roam in circles with no purpose or finality.

This is a fun,funny and entertaining read. A more soulful and introspective "Sex and the City." We get an insider's look into
how young New Yorkers live and love. Anyone who knows about "love addiction" or has read "Women Who Love Too Much" will identify with
Jacquie, the main character who is full of life, humor, longing and
regret. I really enjoyed the book and I think it would make a great
movie!

Risque, romantic, rewarding. Offbeat, yes, but have a sense of humor and an open mind and have fun reading this book. I did.

This book is a great read! I found it honest and current and fun and very engaging. I usually read more serious literature (the classics and non-fiction) and was surprised to find how much I got into and really enjoyed this story. I think it would be great read for summer or travel-- or anytime!