Customer Reviews

With This Ring, I'm Confused (Ashley Stockingdale Series #2)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a fan of chick-lit with characters rich in detail and personality, this series is for you.

Ashley, the main character, is told she's a bit dramatic, but in fact, I think she was restrained in this book. It was interesting to see her struggle with holding her tongue and being wise with her words as a christian example. I found, as a reader, I was frustrated beyond belief when her character wouldn't tell the others exactly what was on her mind. In addition, when others told Ashley she was being whiney, I found myself telling *them* off in my head. LOL! "Ashley's not whiney... she's engaged!"

It's a true reflection of the author's "real" voice in getting me to be so emotional over the characters in the book! I laughed, cried (although I cried more during the second book She's Out of Control- that was a roller coaster!), and even gave a few harumphs in anguish through this book.

If you're part of any christian singles group, this series is a MUST MUST MUST read. I think all of my friends and I have dated a "Seth" at one point or another.

This book wrapped up all the loose ends, but left things available for future stories. (On Kristin Billerbeck's website she says she's open to the possibility in the future. Yay!)

I've introduced 5 of my friends to the series, and we're all discussing our favorite parts and quoting Ashleyisms to each other. We even renamed our singles group "The Reasons". (Privately) Well... the guys anyway. ;-)

Now if only I had Ashley's Prada budget...

"With This Ring, I'm Confused" is a perfect ending to a hilariously funny series. The only problem with this book is that I hated to see it end!

I am so bummed that this is the end of the series because this is a great one!!! Kristen has gotten me so hooked on reading the "Christian chick Lit" that I've read all of her books so far!! I don't do that normally because I like to make sure there is more when reading an authors book so I don't run out of things to read. I couldn't do that with her stuff.

This book was hard to find in the local stores. One said it would be in within a week of ordering it...2 WEEKS later nothing!!! I decided if I was going to wait I would wait while anticipating a package so I ordered this from Amazon on a Tuesday and received it on Friday! Guess who called on Saturday to tell me the book was in.....

Great, funny, witty read! Read them all!!!!

Kristin Billerbeck has the ability to hold my interest from word one, all the way to the end of her books. I've thoroughly enjoyed going on Ashley Stockingdale's self-discovery journey in this series, and I look forward to future releases by this amazing author. Ms. Billerbeck's writing is fun yet thought provoking. All of the characters in Ashley's series are well drawn and complete. I love books like these that make me laugh, cry, and cheer for the main character.

The third and final installment of the Ashley series ends the charming series on a positive note, as the ever flighty patent attorney clashes with the wedding coordinator from Hades (with bad taste to boot). Her sister-in-law Emily wants to turn the wedding into Tara West (complete with hoop skirts, confederate soldiers, and a dog named Rhett), much to Ashley and Kevin's chagrin.

While planning the wedding of her dreams, Ashley also has to deal with the possibility of a move to another coast, an unwanted promotion, another misunderstanding which results in a stint in the slammer, a mystery surrounding her roommate Kay, a singles group that thinks she is a traitor, and the return of former paramour, Seth Greenwood, who takes a job at her firm. Also on hand to add to the tension is ever vigilant snobby mother in law, Elaine Novak. She can quiet a room with a single laser remark.

Ashley still harbors insecurity about her and Kevin. You see, she thinks she is average while Kevin looks like Hugh Jackman. We know this because the author takes the time to mention it. Constantly. Over and over. It was bad enough in the first two books, but the constant barrage of Hugh-likenesses in this one grates on the nerves. At one point, she even writes "did I mention he looks like Hugh Jackman?" Yeah, about 30 times now and counting...

Author Billerbeck does the impossible - she just keeps upping the ante and making her character more compelling with each novel. And Hugh Jackman references aside, we are treated to a rollicking trip down the marital aisle that only Ashley can muster - and we are left hoping for a fourth installment.

Each book can stand on its own, but read them in order to get the full Ashley Experience.

I have read all 3 of the Ashley books now and am quite disappointed in the whole series. I finished the series, hoping it would improve and I would likes the books, but that didn't happen. I was expecting a good read that would entertain me and make me laugh. There were times I was entertained and times I laughed, but overall, this book left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt bad for Ashley when Emily took over her wedding, but Ashley could have tried better to take back control. The Bible doesn't say "thou shall be a doormat". Kay's crisis about the man from her past was really unbelievable. That she held onto that for 20+ years made me sick. I would have expected something much better or at least something I could believe. I know that Ashley is a California girl, but being a girl from Philadelphia myself, I was a little upset with how Ashley criticized it and saw moving to Philadelphia as almost being exiled to Siberia. Really, we still have malls here and even some upscale ones. And food other than cheesesteaks.

Ms. Billerbeck is a good author. Her books read well. I just don't like them. I don't enjoy how the characters are all overblown and rather unbelievable. I don't feel that they even stayed in character for this book. The harping on Mensa really bothered me as I am someone who in incredibly intelligent. Being smart does not mean a person cannot be a Christian or a good human being. Also, the Christian part of this book sometimes seemed just thrown in because it hadn't been mentioned in few pages or chapters. I did appreciate that the author had characters that were flawed Christians. I just wish the book hadn't left me feeling as though Ms. Billerbeck feels all Christian women need to be married and need to do it before they run out of time or options. That being said, I'm glad Ashley did marry Kevin, as this let her accomplish her major goal in life.

If you're looking for other Christian chick-lit or fiction books to read, I'd recommend books by Trish Perry, Erynn Mangum, Denise Hildreth, Judy Baer, and Dee Henderson.

As someone who is planning a wedding. I got a huge kick out of this book. It made me laugh out loud and is very discriptive i could just imagine the characters. In some aspects i could see myself in this character. I give this book two thumbs up for anyone who is looking for a good book to entertain themselves with.

This book was laugh out loud funny. Kristin Billerbeck does a great job of writing great chick lit without compromising Christian standards. If you thought that Erin was a handful in the 2nd book, just wait until you get a load of Kevin's sister, Ashley. This book is fantastic.

Great book! I just read it cover to cover in one sitting because I couldn't put it down! Ashley is a great character and it's nice to read a chick book that has main characters with christian values.

WITH THIS RING, I'M CONFUSED by Kristin Billerbeck

From the back cover:
She's got the rock, so when does happily ever after kick in?

At long last, Ashley Stockingdale--patent attorney, fashionista, and homeowner--can finally add "fiancée" to her spirited resume. That means the next four months will be a dizzying and decadent waltz through aisles of Vera Wang, Kenneth Cole, Sheridan sheets, Kate Spade place settings and Oneida flatware. Well...maybe not.

For starters, the HR department has hired Ashley's ex-boyfriend (yet, the one who went off to India with that other woman) as the new director of software. And now her fiancé is starting to sound crazy--something about moving across country, to Philadelphia of all places. Worst of all, right before her eyes, Scarlett-I-need-some-Prozac O'Hara is hijacking her wedding plans!

Life for our heroine is spinning from out of control to downright confusing. But whether she makes it to the end of the aisle or not, she'll never be at a loss for drama!

Camy here:
I made my husband wait for dinner. I made my dog wait to go outside. I couldn't stop reading this book. I thought this third installment in the Ashley Stockingdale series was the funniest one.

Like in all the books, the dialogue is zippy and fun. With the occasional Ashley-commentary, the entertaining narrative flies along at NASCAR speed. Ashley is incredibly strange at times, which makes you love her despite her dream-boat fiancé. I mean, all women want a guy like that.

Actually, Kevin did border on too-perfect. His "Yes, mother" about-face mid-way through the book was a little too sudden for me--it didn't seem quite in character. But his attitude near the end was great and very in character, so it's all good.

Ashley's nemesis-squared--Emily, and later, Kevin's mother--are extremely well-drawn. Mean, nasty pieces of work, but not cardboard or cliché. They became so real that I was itching for a catfight to erupt any second. That's something, when I get so emotionally worked up over fictional characters.

I did get a bit frustrated when Ashley didn't just smack the brat's face, but since I've heard other readers complain that post-modern Ashley isn't "Christian" enough already, it's probably good she restrained herself like the mature young woman I obviously am not.

What I like about Ashley's spirituality is that she's so obviously flawed, and she's trying so hard and failing so badly. I love that because that's me. She isn't particularly successful at doing what's right. She has very good intentions and they all fly out the window as soon as she opens her mouth. She feels guilty later, she receives forgiveness and affirmation from God, and then she does it all over again. For me, that's a familiar pattern.

The point that I got out of the book is that she's really trying. Sometimes, that's all I can do. I relate to Ashley's relationship with God in that way.

Secondary characters are just as colorful and three-dimensional. I especially loved Ashley's conversations with Purvi and Kay. Sarcastic and fun and teasing.

I personally think this book cannot stand alone. I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much or gotten as many of the jokes without reading the previous books. Since WHAT A GIRL WANTS and SHE'S OUT OF CONTROL are both good reads, I don't see this as a problem.

Ashley is an older heroine--early thirties--so a high-school aged girl might not get some of the humor or appreciate some of Ashley's pain. Any urban, trendy woman (married or single) will definitely feel for Ashley, her environment, and her hang-ups.