Seeing Me Naked [Paperback]

Liza Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2008

Elisabeth Page is the daughter of Ben Page, yes, that's right, THE world famous novelist. And yes, she's also the sister of Rascal Page, world famous novelist in his own right. So what does Elisabeth do? Much to her family's disappointment, Elisabeth is a pastry chef. And a pretty damn good one, at Beverly, the hottest restaurant in LA.
The last relationship Elisabeth had was with Will, a man she grew up with and whose family ran in the same social circles as her family. But Will's constant jaunts around the world have left her lonely and brokenhearted in L.A.
That is until Daniel Sullivan bids on one of Elisabeth's pastry tutorials at a charity auction. Daniel is everything her family is not: a basketball coach, a non-intellectual, his family doesn't summer on Martha's Vineyard, and the only metaphors he uses are about passing the ball and being a team player. But somehow they fit.
Between her family, Will, and the new cooking show that Elisabeth is recruited to star in, Elisabeth's life is suddenly incredibly new and different--the question is, can she embrace being happy or has her family conditioned her to think she's just not good enough?
Liza Palmer expertly depicts a woman trying to come to terms with professional success, personal success, and finally dealing with a family that might love her from the bottom of their heart but doesn't necessarily have her best interest always at heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Palmer follows up her mirthful debut, Conversations with the Fat Girl, with a subtly sophisticated romance that outclasses most of the genre's other offerings. Elisabeth Page is a 30-year-old pastry chef at L.A.'s restaurant du jour whose perpetually knotted stomach has roots in any number of sources: her father, Ben, a two-time Pulitzer-winning novelist and the kind of cultural icon that doesn't exist anymore, with whom every conversation is a chess game; childhood sweetheart Will Houghton, whose globe-trotting as a journalist has stunted their ill-defined relationship; the head chef from hell at her all-consuming job; and her patrician family's way of bonding through blood sport. But relief begins to filter in as Elisabeth's dalliance with beer-drinking, salt-of-the-earth basketball coach Daniel Sullivan turns into a fulfilling relationship and her culinary career takes an unexpected turn. If it sounds chick litty, it is, but consider it haute chick lit; Palmer's prose is sharp, her characters are solid and her narrative is laced with moments of graceful sentiment. (Jan.)
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Review

"Slick and highly readable" -- Elle 20080401 'A subtly sophisticated romance that outclasses most of the genre's other offerings... If it sounds chick litty, it is, but consider it haute chick lit. Palmer's prose is sharp, her characters are solid and her narrative is laced with moments of graceful sentiment' -- Publisher's Weekly 20080401 PRAISE FOR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FAT GIRL:'Engaging and poignant and heartbreakingly real, Liza Palmer's tale of best friends, true love and just what size happily-ever-after wears is a winning conversation' -- Jennifer Weiner, bestselling author of GOOD IN BED 20080401 'Pardon the pun, but CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FAT GIRL is far from lightweight. Its message about self image and the power of attitude in making positive change is delivered in a snappy fashion. In a word: genuine.' -- Herald Sun 20080401 'Palmer's likable characters and snappy dialogue make this novel stand out from the crowd, and it's sure to attract fans of Jennifer Weiner...' -- Booklist 20080401 'Smart, funny and heartbreakingly honest.' -- Johanna Edwards, bestselling author of THE NEXT BEST THING 20080401 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 295 pages
• Publisher: 5 Spot; First Edition edition (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446698377
• ISBN-13: 978-0446698375
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #962,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Liza Palmer is the internationally bestselling author of Conversations with the Fat Girl which Booklist says, "...manages to infuse a message of self--acceptance that isn't heavy-handed or cloying. This quick-witted author is sure to develop a following." Conversations with the Fat Girl became an international bestseller its first week in publication, being named a Target Breakout book, as well as hitting Number 1 on the Fiction Heatseekers List in the UK the week before the book debuted.

Conversations with the Fat Girl has been optioned for series by HBO by the producers of Rome, Band of Brothers and Generation Kill.

Palmer's second novel is Seeing Me Naked, which Publisher's Weekly says, "consider it haute chick lit; Palmer's prose is sharp, her characters are solid and her narrative is laced with moments of graceful sentiment."

Palmer's third novel, A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents will be published in January 2010.

Palmer currently lives in Los Angeles and is hard at work on her next novel as well as several film and television projects.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best I've read in a long time April 4, 2008

By Tracy Vest TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Elisabeth has always lived in the shadow of her famous novelist father and brother. A pastry chef at a trendy LA eatery, she is approached by two producers who offer her the opportunity of a lifetime - her own cooking show on the Food Network that could mean relocating to New York. She's ready to jump at the chance, but fears the backlash of her family, particularly her father who feels that Hollywood destroyed his novels when they adapted them for the screen. Further complicating matters is the sexy college basketball coach she met at a fundraiser. David is her polar opposite and yet so perfect for her, particularly now that she has decided to move on from her tired relationship with childhood sweetheart and always on the go Will. Can Elisabeth throw caution to the wind and take a chance on a happily ever after her family and firends might not approve of?

Palmer's latest was a treat from start to finish. While the title is pretty racy, the story is not - the nakedness is pretty much the baring of Elisabeth's soul, not her clothing. She's a great modern heroine; flawed but human. Palmer's witty dialogue, plotting and pacing are first rate.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, fun, fun romance January 12, 2008

By Armchair Interviews

Format:Paperback

Although the title, Seeing Me Naked, was both intriguing and a little "racy" for me to read in public, the plot sounded interesting - a pastry chef gets the job offer of a lifetime when she's asked to host a TV food show. But how does this fit in with juggling an insane family and having found a new love interest? I've always been fascinated by professional cooking, so I decided to give it a shot.

And I'm glad I did, because it just goes to show that looks can be deceiving. Seeing Me Naked is a delightful novel about what's really important in life. Elisabeth Page never felt she lived up to the standards set her by her award-winning novelist father, or even her literary genius brother... somehow "just" being a pastry chef didn't feel adequate. When she's approached by two New Yorkers who wanted her to shoot a pilot for a new show on Food Network, she's torn between what her dad would want her to do, and what she wants to do. Matters are complicated further when David Sullivan enters her life - a beer-drinking basketball coach who's everything her family is not.

Elisabeth can only juggle so many torches at a time. Does she hold on to the controlled, organized, and admittedly boring life she'd gotten used to? Or does she dare throw caution to the wind and choose what's really important? Letting others see you naked is always scary, but if they are to love you - warts and all - it's the only way to live.

Seeing Me Naked reads like the most romantic comedy ever, with a twist of Ratatouille thrown into the mix for good measure. Perfect for when you just want to spoil yourself and feel good for awhile.

Armchair Interviews says: Dig in for a super romance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Too Much Fun March 5, 2008

By David

Format:Paperback

I find myself thinking about Palmer's characters and their careers throughout the day. And often laughing aloud to myself. I'm in the kitchen cooking, thinking about becoming a pastry chef in a French village, or watching a UCLA basketball game, asking myself "Who do I know on that team?" All from the book.

The world the characters live in is too much fun, but their emotional challenges, and short comings, are all too real. Seeing Me Naked is an easy pleasure to read, and stays with you the way a good story should.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars laugh out loud type of book August 9, 2009

By felicity

Format:Paperback

It's been awhile since I've read a book that's made me laugh out loud like this one did. I could really picture some of the scenarios, like the baby shower!
You know it's a good book when you hate to say goodbye to it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars pretty decent April 23, 2009

By Javonne Stewart

Format:Paperback

I thought that the book was pretty decent. The character of Elizabeth was kind of bland, honestly. All of the other characters seemed to be more realized, had definite personalities, while she was kind of wishy washy and an observer of life instead of a participant. It all came down to things just appeared for her to get a better life, she didn't actually work at it or try for one or anything active. She would have stayed in that lame relationship with Will forever, she would have stayed in a stupid apartment forever, and she would have stayed an unappreciated minion in that kitchen forever. Outside forces just HAPPENED to come about at the right time, she just once again went along for the ride. Even the decision of buying a house was decided for her by her brother for the sake of the show. I hate bland characters who just allow anything to happen, don't really go and MAKE anything happen.

One thing about Liza Palmer's writing is the annoying use of choppy sentences. That was a major peeve of mine in "Conversations with a Fat Girl" and I see that she carried on with tiny. short. blunt. sentences. this time around, too. Extend a sentence, use other punctuations, make it interesting.

You get a pretty good feel for California through the book, which I like. Man, I so miss Doughboys; I was very jealous of the red velvet cake reference!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Uninspiring and quickly forgotten August 15, 2008

By pontmarie

Format:Paperback

This is the kind of book where a heroine goes along with her crappy life until SOMETHING or SOMEONE happens to her. I hate those kind of heroines, because I feel that if they didn't do anything to better their lives, then they deserve their crappy lives. Elisabeth has a fabulous man and a fabulous job land in her lap, but frankly, if neither had happened, she would have just kept going along with her family's cruel bull---- and stayed with her better-than-nothing boyfriend. She didn't deserve the breaks she got.