Customer Reviews

She's All That (Spa Girls Series #1)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was a funny book that had me laughing out loud in the break room at work. It's about a girl who had a master's degree from Stanford but refuses to use it, who has a speech impediment when it comes to talking to attractive men, and whose bad hair ruined her life. Against her Grandmother's constant nagging for her to grow up and find a real job, she listens to her heart and follows her gut. While she may seem like she has no confidence on the surface, when you read further into the book and really start to develop a relationship with her, you realize that she has unbelievable confidence! She doesn't back down when other people tell her that she is wasting her time on fashion. She knows she is good at what she does and isn't afraid to say it. She pushes herself to do her best and doesn't accept anything less. I love books that are told in the first person because it feels like they are telling their story to you. And I think you develop a better relationship with the main character when they tell the story. This book is the first in a series of the "Spa Girls Collection". Basically, it's these three friends whose problems can all be solved (if not, minimized) by going for a "Spa Weekend". I think each book will be about a different girl. I can't wait for the next one to come out!
-recommended

I really enjoyed She's All That. The character development was so good that I felt like they were all my friends. What I love about Ms. Billerbeck's writing is all the twists and turns. I feel like I'm never sure what is going to happen next. How does she get so much on one page?! She really knows her subject and writes so that you understand it too. She's All That is a wonderful glimpse into people and their lives. We all know someone like these characters. Great fun.

If you enjoyed Lauren Weisberger's THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and Sophie Kinsella's "Shopaholic" series but disliked the profanity and gratuitous sex, then SHE'S ALL THAT is your book. Kristen Billerbeck bills herself as "one of the first Christian Chick Lit authors" and in kicking off her "Spa Girls" series she also proves that she's one of the best.

Lilly Jacobs tries to make a name for herself as a fashion designer in San Francisco (a refreshing change from all the Chick Lit set in New York City). She's just lost a promotion from boss Sarah Lang (yup, rhymes with "Vera Wang") to a man who wears more eyeliner and is less talented. Her sort-of boyfriend Robert has dumped her for another woman, and Lilly is more miffed than heartbroken over the whole thing. When things get tough, Lilly and her two best friends head for the Spa Del Mar, where there's nothing a good pedicure and facial can't cure.

Is this the sort of tale you like? Then read on....

Billerbeck excels at giving her characters little eccentricities that make them appealing and memorable. Lilly, who at twenty-something "has the figure of your standard thirteen-year-old," also has a thing about Lysol and bad smells, going to the point of even smearing a little Vicks Vapo-Rub under her nose whenever she has to take public transportation with the unwashed masses of San Francisco. (No surprise that aromatherapy becomes a part of the novel.) Her two best gal pals are chiropractor Dr. Poppy Clayton, an updated version of a Haight Ashbury beatnik --- complete with gauzy skirts and endless chatter about positive energy fields and toxins --- and Morgan Malliard, a mannequin for her father's diamond jewelry. All three women have issues with their mothers --- or lack of them.

For a Chick Lit novel, the characters --- dare we say it? --- are reasonably complex. Lilly has a degree from Stanford in finance ("I bet you I'm the only MBA from Stanford sleeping on a futon") and a grandmother who wants her to use it. It makes pursuing her fashion design dreams a little dicey. Plus, Lilly has bad taste in men, something her girlfriends try to gently help her understand without a lot of success. Lilly's boss from h-e double hockey sticks seems at first to be one-dimensional, but Billerbeck throws in some surprising twists.

Many Christian Chick Lit novelists struggle with making God-talk a natural part of the novel, and in this, Billerbeck does a good job. The Christian characters are not cookie-cutter women spouting scripture verses, nor are the non-Christians stereotyped as the bad guys. And thank goodness, there's no conversion scenes. Thank you, Kristen.

However, readers may find the numerous references to Lilly's unmanageable hair humorous at first but then increasingly tiresome. Come on, even for a Chick Lit heroine, hair isn't that all-consuming. Neither is Johnny Depp, who, although definitely a hunk, is referenced a bit much. If you're a forty-something like I am who dips into Chick Lit now and then, you'll also be confused by some of the references aimed at younger, hipper female readers (I had to ask my teen who "Green Day" is...for those of you in my age range, it's a punk band.) I also found the whole subplot of Morgan's engagement a bit difficult to swallow.

But these are minor bumps in what is a smooth, fun, light read. There are plenty of loose ends dangling for the next installment, A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND, which presumably will pick up where this book leaves off. Chick Lit fans may find it difficult to wait.


--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby. Contact Cindy at (...)

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Kristin Billerbeck's books. They are such an easy read as she makes you feel as though you are right in the story. I am just waiting for the newest Spa Girls book to be delivered. I am sure it will be every bit as good as the others. You will enjoy all of Kristin's books.

I loved Billerbeck's Ashley Stockingdale Series, so I was eager to see if her new Spa Girls Series had the same sass and flair. I was not disappointed! In this series, there are three friends who meet regularly at a day spa to re-connect and work out their problems. All three characters are well-drawn and interesting--which only makes you long for the next book in the series. The star of this one, Lilly, is a flawed, quirky, and completely lovable financial guru turned fashion designer. I enjoyed getting a peak into the fashion industry. As with all of Billerbeck's books, there is a romantic thread that has you guessing til the end which guy will be The One. It's a rare book that can make me laugh out loud, but this one had me cackling several times. I can't wait to see what happens in the next installments of Spa Girls!

I want to own a Lilly Jacobs gown! Bravo Kristin for writing another great, engaging chick lit! Lilly, Poppy and Morgan are loveable, unique and fun.

Billerbeck is a premier chick lit author who's created a unique heroine who would love to hang out with Ashley Stockingdale.

Buy this book!

Spa Girls is so much fun!I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as the Ashley Stockingdale series, but I was very much surprised. Lilly is one of those characters that you feel like you've know since you were in grade school. This book has wit, laugh-out-loud moments, romance and lots of girlfriend drama. Can't wait to catch up with Lilly and her gang in the next book.

Overall, this was a relatively fun read, and I enjoyed the happy ending as always. The problem was that I had a really difficult time liking the main character. For being a late 20-something and a Christian, she sure seemed to have the maturity of a teenager and the Christianity of God knows what. However, those are my only real beefs with the story. It is otherwise entertaining and light, and I'm glad to have read it.

Having been somewhat disappointed with the third instalment of the Ashleigh Stockingdale series I have to admit that I didn't approach this book with great expectations.

They were well and truly exceeded.

In this new series Ms Billerbeck has created a set of characters who are real, relatable and believable. She has also come up with some classic one liners that I enjoyed so much I started quoting them to my friends!

Spritually wise it certainly isn't deep and meaningful book that will change your world but I certainly felt that Lilly's relationship with God and the way it was portrayed was refreshing and engaging.

I loved Lilly, loved She's All That and all very much looking forward to catching up with Morgan in the next instalment of the series.

This author is writing way below her abilities. You can tell that she is a very witty and clever writer but her content leaves SO much to be desired. The main female character's main obsession is her HAIR, believing that it is the cause of all of her problems.