Customer Reviews

Tallulahland

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Lynn Messina need not worry about the sophomore slump. Her second novel, TALLULAHLAND is a superb novel -- it is witty and utterly engrossing. All of the characters are so true-to-life and engaging.

I've recommended TALLULAHLAND to all of my friends, and now I urge you, too, to get a copy. You won't be disappointed!

I wonder if Lynn Messina is anyting like her characters, because if she is, she'd be one of the few females that I'd love to hang out with. Tallulah can't find her backbone but she's become best friends with her sarcasm, indecisiveness, and regard for friendship. Nick was the annoying know-it-all who sounded cute and made me want to read about him on every page because I enjoyed his presence. He WAS literally Tallulah's backbone and the camp scene was so fun, I wish I was back in my girl scouting days.
Hannah was Tallulah's extravagant, vindictive side and Tallulah's father, Lou, is her cool, even-tempered side. Altogether they make a very entertaining person. And apart? They frustrate me. Just like Fashionistas (her first book), I didn't want the book to end and would've thoroughly enjoyed the article on Marcos.

For the most part, the story was smartly written and renewed my faith in Red Dress Ink. My main gripe was that she tried too hard to be clever; it made me too conscious of the writing, which pulled me out of the story too many times. One of the cardinal rules of being a writer is that it shouldn't look like writing.

I was really looking forward to reading Tallulahland after enjoying Messina's first novel Fashionistas. I was a little disappointed in this book, though, because there were more downs than ups. The title character was very pessimistic, due to sad events in her life, but I just wanted to see a glimmer of hope in her.

Tallulahland is about Tallulah West, an almost thirty-year-old in New York City who puts her talent for designing on hold in order to displease her dad. After an understandably terrible time dealing with the death of her mother, Tallulah grows distant from her father due to the decisions he has made. When Tallulah finds out she is a landowner in North Carolina, though, she takes her best friend Nick for a ride and her life changes for the better.

The people in Tallulah's life - from her best friend Nick who would do anything to support her to her new "roommate" Hannah whose mischevious ways were hilarious to read about - kept me entertained. I hoped that Tallulah's life would turn out okay, but was a little disappointed how she was always expecting the worst in her life.

For some reason, Tallulahland from author Lynn Messina somehow slipped by me. I mean, horror ! a chick lit that I had not read.

I have read other books by Messina and I have to say that Tallulahland is one of her best. She has an intersting main character who cannot seem to find her backbone - but somehow makes peace with it - sort of.

Messina surrounds herself with wonderfully funny and intriguing characters and I absolutely loved this chick lit.

Having really enjoyed Messina's Fashionistas I picked up Tallulahland expecting the same kind of light, witty satire that she delivered so effectively. While finding a completely different kind of book in Tallulahland, I found it equally entertaining. Messina digs much deeper, painting characters with complex emotional issues and yet they're easy to identify with. Anyone who's gone through a career crisis or the loss of a close family family will identify with the struggles of Tallulah West. She also weaves in a sweet love story, though she doesn't bash you over the head with it or obsess over it like so many other books in this genre. I'm really looking forward to Messina's next book because I don't know what to expect.

This one is a lot more heart-tugging than FASHIONISTAS (Lynn Messina's first book), but it's got an equal measure of madcap breathlessness. I really did hold my breath as Tallulah (and I) approached the climax of the book! How does she do that? How does she make it comical and wrenching at the same time? Overall, a very satisfying read.

Lynn Messina's second Red Dress Ink novel is a sheer delight to read. The story is fast-paced and a different take on the life of the single girl in the city that readers can't seem to get enough of these days.

Tallulah West is an aspiring designer whose father is well-known in the field. However, she doesn't want to use her father's connections because of the anger she feels towards him over the way he handled her mother's death. There is much to be resolved here, and Tallulah must face this personal issue before she can muster the courage to go out and make it on her own, career-wise. The secondary characters, Nick and Hannah, also add to the action. Both are well-meaning, and if weren't for the two of them, Tallulah would likely be stuck as someone's assistant forever.

The story is somewhat predictable, but so what. It's fun and refreshing and a great springtime read. If you are a fan of the series or if this is your first Red Dress Ink read, you'll enjoy your visit to Tallulahland.

ok so i'm useless with the word thing, but i absolutely loved this book. i was really excited to see how Lynn's 2nd book would be as i'd really enjoyed fashionistas....it didn't disappoint hurrah! i just wish it hadn't ended. it was laugh out loud on the bus funny and one morning i almost cried (managed to hold it together like a grown up) Lynn has done it again can't wait for number 3 hopefully next year????

This book managed to break my heart and make me laugh out loud all in the same sentence--repeatedly! I was thoroughly entertained by the other characters and the surprising plot twists, but it was Tallulah who resonates with me. Thanks to the writer for such a rich, raw, real character.