Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is not a teen love story - it's real life and real womens issues!, June 26, 2011
This review is from: She Makes It Look Easy: A Novel (Paperback)
This is the first Christian novel I have read since high school and I'm 38! I absolutely love it! I admire the author for not stooping to a simple teen love story while talking about grown women. I'm married, with kids, and I work - I have seen more of life and I want a novel that respects that. I believe the author nailed the outer and inner dynamics of networking in church, vying for power in social circles, how the grass still needs to be cut on the other side, and all sorts of things in the middle. If you have ever been envious of someone, questioned your choices in life, and wanted to fit in I think you will relate very quickly to this book. I would not call it a romantic love story, it is really about two women moving through the hard parts of life and really, aren't we all just people doing that? Something about this book helped me remember that I am not the only one with feelings of wanting more, not being good enough, regret, people pleasing, etc. Some of the thoughts by the characters I could have written! The author really nails it to a "t!"
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marybeth Whalen has done it again!, May 6, 2011
This review is from: She Makes It Look Easy: A Novel (Paperback)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
When I read The Mailbox, I raved about it for days. Loved the whole idea! Then I couldn't believe it when I found out Marybeth was coming out with a second book! How awesome is that I ask you!
She Makes It Look Easy is a bit more thought provoking and really hits home in a lot of areas. Especially for women I think. We all think each other has it so much easier or at least I think everyone else has it easier and does it so much better than I do. However, appearances aren't always what they seem. Someone might have it so put together on the outside but might be falling apart on the inside.
Ariel has just moved with her husband David and 3 rowdy boys to her dream neighborhood, Essex Falls. She wants everything to be perfect. When she meets Justine, the neighbor that lives behind them, she sees a potential friend. However, something always seems out of place. Ariel doesn't listen to this nagging feeling though, she tries her hardest to impress and befriend Justine.
Justine is up to no good though, an affair-in-the-making on the skirts and I don't think Justine knows the word friend as it really means to be a friend. It is all too true that even though people like Justine get up in front of ladies at church, and speak and seem to have it all, they really don't.
I loved Ariel, she had such a heart and even though things were hectic in her home, she knew the one person to go to, our Lord. Even better were Betsy's words at the end. We have to make sure we don't fall into that trap of wanting what other people have, being content with what WE have. What He has given us, indeed is what WE need.
I loved this book, it went by way too fast. What more can you ask for? Marybeth hit the nail on the head with this one! We all need a wake-up call sometimes to be careful what and who we idolize and follow.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not the typical "everything-turns-out-perfectly" Christian novel, October 3, 2011
This review is from: She Makes It Look Easy: A Novel (Paperback)
Review by Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher "She Makes it Look Easy" is not a typical "everything-works-out-perfectly-in-the-end" Christian novel. The book delves into the lives of three families and the impacts of the choices husbands and wives make. You might find yourself shocked to find that some of the outwardly "perfect" Christian characters make very bad choices...and you might find yourself closely identifying with several of the characters as well. I was immediately drawn into the lives of the characters in "She Makes it Look Easy." The story is told from the alternating views of the central characters, Justine and Ariel. Justine Miller makes it all look "easy" with her perfectly clean home, perfectly groomed children, and perfectly organized life. Under the "perfect," however, are dark motives and desires. Ariel Baxter's family is "moving on up" when they move into Essex Falls, an upscale neighborhood. Justine quickly introduces herself to her new neighbor Ariel and offers to help Ariel organize her life. Soon, however, Ariel suspects that Justine has motives beyond helping a new friend. When she delves deeper into Justine's actions she discovers a secret that Justine has been keeping. Justine and Ariel both face difficult choices, and you'll be wondering until the final chapter if they'll do the right thing. She Makes it Look Easy reminded me of several things; first of all, when I find myself too eager to please someone who makes me feel bad about myself, that person is not a friend. Second, I was reminded not to judge people who seem to "have it all together;" they might be hiding a secret, or they might need a friend. And third, no matter how much I want to be a friend, there are times that doing the right thing is more important than a not-so-true friendship. Even if you usually don't enjoy fiction, I encourage you to read "She Makes it Look Easy."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
