Customer Reviews

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike many of my fellow reviewers, I only felt These Boots Weren't Made for Walking was an okay read. There were some funny lines (which now I can't find any but this one-"I consume calorie-laden foods like Doritos and Pepsi and Reese's peanut-butter cups, as if economists had forecast a serious junk-food shortage. Last night I wore a ball cap and trench coat when I went to forage for supplies."- interesting mental picture, out 'foraging'..). And Cassie is a fun character; but overall the story was pretty predictable with some annoying quirks. The characters and personalities were fun but the premise of someone losing everything and starting over is nothing new. There were also multiple instances where sections were repeated; Cassie would tell one person something that happened to her, then another person, and another, etc. Granted the whole story wasn't repeated, but enough that it was too much. That's a big reading pet peeve of mine; I don't like being taken for a stupid reader that I wouldn't notice something more than once. There were also quite a few obvious typos- another annoyance.

Others had mentioned that it was laugh out loud hilarious, but other than some zingers, it wasn't that funny. I appreciated and related with Cassie's emotional and physical struggles. I was glad to see a heroine that wasn't a size two trying to be a size zero; instead, Cassie was honest-to-goodness real woman with real struggles with relationships, food, her weight, and her emotions. She has relatable qualities of having an aversion to health food, fondness for chocolate, passion for good shoes, wants to be happy and make everyone else happy. But at the same time very whiny... Again with the repetition- Cassie injures herself and starts out by saying it doesn't hurt then at least three times says it's really hurting. Yes, we got that the first time.

I'm sorry if I'm being too negative but after reading the other reviews, thinking this was going to be a wonderful story, I couldn't help but be disappointed. I suppose it was meant to happen; with too high of expectations, I was in for a let down. It was an entertaining fluff read if nothing else-- 3 1/2 stars.

Believe it or not, this is the first Melody Carlson book I've ever read. My youngest daughter loves her teen color series, but not only have I never picked one of those up, I've not grabbed one of her adult books either.

Cassie, the first person pure chick-lit protagonist, is both amusing and cynical. Already a positive in my book. Much mention of shoewear and clothing designers guarantees that chick-lit purists will find much to like in this novel. No spa, but there is a fitness center and an active social climate. The passel of girlfriends is also present with the twist being that one of the biggest social thorn's in Cassie's side ends up being very closely related.

Several attractive men walk in and out of the picture.

As Christian label chick-lit, and because teens who've read her material may want to pick up These Boots Weren't Made for Walking - I want to warn those who may struggle with Christians drinking alcohol -- this read is likely to be an issue for you. If you aren't stumbled by Christians who drink without getting drunk, and you love chick-lit, you'll find this charming and fun.

I know that there will be quite a number of Christian readers who will not like this book. The book is quite edgy so I can understand if some conservative readers might be turned off after reading the first few chapters. However, this is one of the best books I've read this year and I enjoyed it so much, we might have some words if you don't agree with me. (j/k!) I absolutely adored Cassie, her boots, and her story. This is chick lit at its finest. I could not put this book down. You have a character who you grow to love in spite of her flaws. All the elements of a mainstream chick lit book are here plus the added benefit of what it means to be a Christian. Cassie grows and matures throughout the book. The reader goes along for the ride and it's sometimes painful (the gym scenes are torturous) and hilarious at the same time (cougars! and the bear costume!) I really liked Will, he seems like a really good guy, and he also sounds really cute because he's described as being very nice. I did not like Cassie's ex, I'm glad she dumped him, and I cheered when he did. He had a really bad reason for breaking up with her too. The writing in this book is top notch. It is very descriptive and you really get into what it's like to be Cassie and to travel back to her hometown. The first person narrative really gets you into the story.

One thing I would mention is that Cassie does drink some alcohol in this book. However she is not drinking to get drunk and she does not even finish her beer. I bring this up because I had problems in another Christian chick lit book that involved drinking. In this book, I did not find the drinking offensive because no one pressures Cassie to drink. It's her choice and it does not become a huge factor that changes her life.

Melody Carlson is one of the best authors out there. Her teen books are fantastic, her adult ones even more so enjoyable. This book is VERY HIGHLY recommended. If you love chick lit, I guarantee you will devour this book.

Cassidy Cantrell was living the life. She even splurged on an expensive pair of Valentino boots to celebrate what she knew was going to be a promotion at work. Little did she know she was going to be fired, lose her boyfriend, become a victim of identity theft, and have to move back home.

But wait! To add insult to injury her mom has lost weight and maybe leading a more exciting life than she is. OH. THE. HORROR!

Melody Carlson creates an engaging read with her quirky characters. I liked Cassie's story, but I've got to tell you, I cheered with the strides her mother underwent improving her life.

You Go Girl!

Hey, I wouldn't do or wear half of the clothes she did, but I still rooted for her through the whole story. The only quibble I had is I wish the undercurrent brewing between daughter and mother wasn't cleared up so quickly. To me, it seemed there was a good, healing dialogue scene missing.

Maybe it's just me.

Carlson's funny example of overcoming life's obstacles, dealing with change, debt management, and finding love where you'd least expect it least will delight chick-lit lovers. Those needing a strong spiritual theme will not find it here. These characters have not yet reached spiritual levels readers may expect. So read it for what it is: a hilarious look at how even bruised lemons can make the most refreshing lemonade.

I was very pleased w/ this book. It was a great read. I received the book quickly and in great condition. Pleased all around.

I found it to be very entertaining. Certainly not one of the best I've ever read, but I'd recommend it for an enjoyable weekend read. I'm looking forward to future Melody Carlson light reads.

I loved the transformation the lead character, Cassidy, goes through in this book. I relished it. It's a charming and fun read, nothing heavy. Cassidy's days swing from one side of the pendulum to the other, making this a laugh-out-loud, "You go, Girl" kind of book.

Melody Carlson tells the story of Cassie, a 31-year-old who has the perfect job, perfect boyfriend, and perfect credit...until she loses it all in a 2-week period. She spontaneously decides to move back home to be with her lonely mother, only to find that her mother has become a thin, gorgeous woman with a convertible who is dating someone who Cassie went to high school with. Cassie's meltdown that ensues is so funny and so real - I saw myself in Cassie several times. The end was a bit convenient and tidied things up a little too nicely, but I really liked this book.

"These Boots Weren't Made For Walking" is a hilarious, wonderful, light read! I actually laughed out loud a few times and found myself nodding my head at Cassie's laments to herself. I have been there, and "Boots" is wonderfully real.

Cassidy Cantrell is just your typical 30-something career woman who is settling for an average life. She loves her boyfriend but the feeling isn't completely mutual, her ho-hum job doesn't excite her but it pays the bills, and so goes her life. But all of that changes when Cassie springs for a pricey pair of impossibly chic Valentino boots that seem to become a catalyst for disaster in every area of her life. After this fateful purchase, she loses her job, her boyfriend, and a sizeable chunk of her money all in span of days, and dejectedly decides to move back to her hometown. Once there, she finds that her formerly shabby mother has decided to become a glamorous, popular, and successful woman, only making Cassie feel that her life is even more pathetic in comparison. Cassie wonders if God has a plan for her (or if he's even listening to her woes), and if she can find a new life (and maybe even love) in an unlikely place...

Regardless of any other flaws the book may have, its best feature is the genuine, seemingly effortless likeability that Cassie exudes. It's hard not to root for a character who isn't perfectly toned, occasionally drowns her sorrows in Snickers bars, and wryly dubs her old gray sweatpants "loser chick apparel." And it must be said that Carlson handles the twists and turns in Cassie's love life deftly. With a book this cozy, the reader will be comfortably sure that a happy ending will result, but along the way, the author's trademark way of making romantic plotlines slightly more unique than usual builds a pleasant level of suspense. Unfortunately, the weakest part of the book was the average writing style. A few dull passages and the fact that the writing wasn't as "tight" and skillful as in another book by the same author ("Looking for Cassandra Jane") makes it worthy of about 3.5 stars.

But really, if you need a book to curl up with on a lazy winter afternoon and are having one of those days where reading about a flawless heroine will make you feel hopelessly ordinary, you could do far worse than "These Boots Weren't Made for Walking."

Poor Cassie just got fired...and lost her boyfriend...and moved back home with her divorced mother...and still has to pay for those Valentino boots she splurged on! This series of disappointments plunge Cassie into a mega pity party as she crawls back to her childhood home to lick her wounds. Only home isn't quite what she remembers. Cassie is unable to heal because of increased feelings of jealousy and anger until she discovers that swallowing her pride and taking a few chances are necessary for her to move on. She even finds true love along the way.

Melody Carlson's smooth style employs humor and sensitivity to educate the reader that when you've hit rock-bottom, there's no place to go but up! This is not a preachy novel, but rather a chronicle of real struggles that we all face at one time and how a real person feels about and deals with them.