Customer Reviews

Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough

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

 

 

Being familiar with Isabel Sharpe's wit and noting that some of the reviews called it a comedy, I was expecting to laugh--and I absolutely did. I also winced, cried, empathized, held my breath and continued to think about the characters long after I'd read the last sentence (when you get the book, make sure you don't overlook the epilogue information in the back!) Sharpe doesn't shy away from writing about seriously flawed characters. Her "heroine" (although that's too simplisitc a description for Vivian) can be over the top and at times even self-destructive, but she remains throughout a complicated character that you root for. Even Sarah, who I would probably want to smack in real life, tugged on my heartstrings, especially in her attempts to be a good mom to her difficult teenage daughter an to ultimately change her own life. And Erin's story blew me away. If you're looking for the escapism of books that feature characters who are distinctly "good" or "bad" without much of the gray area in between or character growth, then this isn't the book for you. But for anyone else, it's a definite keeper!

Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough is a simply fabulous book. The characters are wonderfully drawn, I feel as if I've visited the setting, Kettle, Wisconsin, and the stories of these three women touch the heart. The surprises in the twists and turns of the story continue right up to the last words. Sharpe's voice is energetic and the writing is flawless. This book gets my highest recommendation.

Accused of electrocuting her abusive and philandering lover, Lorelei Taylor manages to escape prosecution nearly penniless. In need of some down time, she drops her sex kitten former stripper persona and reverts back to her given name, Vivian Harcourt, to relocate to the small Wisconsin town of her deceased grandmother. She has happy memories of Kettle, Wisconsin, unfortunately, the townspeople aren't excited to have someone who they think got away with murder in their midst.

Vivian unwittingly has quite an effect on the town, from Mike the widower she wants to seduce, to the frigid wives like Sarah, who seemingly has the perfect life, but it's a mask of unfulfilled promise. Former childhood playmate, Erin has been a punching bag for her abusive husband, something a fellow victim is able to detect. As she navigates the small mindedness of her adopted small town, Vivian tries valiantly to live up to her image and maintain control her heart, while Mike slowly chips away at her armor.

Sharpe's novel of female empowerment is at times funny, bittersweet, and cathartic, and a lesson in not believing first impressions or gossip. Unfortunately, an abrupt ending and an all too brief epilogue cheats readers of the action surrounding the outcomes of each woman's life.

I'm a "historical" gal and I don't usually roam into contemporary romance but this book was beautifully written and totally engrossing. Sharpe has a way of starting out with archetypes we can all recognize and then filling out those characatures until they are three-dimensional, complex human beings. This book has an intensely visual quality - I could really SEE the characters, the way they looked, the way they moved, the tone of their voices. The humor is sharp and laugh out loud funny throughout the book but that is mixed with such a poignant sense of the way our lives often don't end up where we thought they would. I have two suggestions: (1) do not start reading this book late at night because you won't be able to put it down and will be a mess the next morning and (2) buy two copies and give one to your best friend because you are going to be dying to talk about this book with someone when you read it.

At first I thought this was going to be one of your average, run-of-the-mill "Chick Lit" books. But I was wrong. This book is so much more than that! It is the story of 3 women that live in Kettle, WI, a town where nothing BAD every happen. Sarah is the perfect wife, mother, and citizen of Kettle. She is polished and proper, the unofficial head of the Kettle Social Club, and appearances are EVERYTHING to Sarah. But her marriage is falling apart. Her husband has taken her for granted and her teenage daughter is rebelling, something Sarah never would have done. Erin is a shy, mousy woman, who hides the things that her husband does to her behind closed doors. I mean, nothing bad could every happen in Kettle, right? Just as she hid the things her father did to her before she was married. And Vivian, who has just returned to Kettle to live in her Grandmother's house. She is trying to pick up the pieces of her life since she has been acquitted of murdering her husband. She is brash and brazen and the media has had a field day with this "bad" girl. All she wants to do is blend in and not make any waves until the media has given up an her.

What do these women have in common? On the outside, it would seem to be nothing. But really they are alot more alike than even they want to admit. This story is more about becoming who you really are and putting away the masks that we hide behind. It is a tale of courage and struggle, friendship and love. I was very impressed with this book. It shows just how complex people really are. The characters were certainly NOT one-dimensional and I enjoyed the story alot.

I loved living in this world of women who are young, old and in between and who are not all unrealistically rich and/or ultra skinny and model-beautiful....these woman are very real and very fun. I enjoyed Sharpe's witty, observant, and genuine style. I especially liked the little surprises along the way...a character action or comment or situation I hadn't expected. A previous reviewer made a recommendation I'll second: Get this book for you, but also get copies for your friends. It's a great girlfriend book. Looking forward to Sharpe's next book coming up soon!

This was a fun read. I enjoyed Ms. Sharpe's vivid imagination and naughty humor. The overall pacing of the story is well written. While I enjoyed this book, I must say that I found the characters and their actions largely unbelievable. Everyone and everything seemed to be an extreme, I think though, this is part of the novel's charm. It is fiction, after all. Not all fiction is realistic, nor should it be.

Ok, so I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge fan of books that are written by different characters in the story. I like books written by one character. (It makes my life easier to remember everyone).

But this book was definitely something else. I LOVED it!!! It was definitely a book I will keep and read in the future. You have your "Desperate Housewives" characters in it which make the book a little more realistic. They are real women with real problems; some might say they have a little crazy in them!

This book kept me interested the whole time I was reading it. I wasn't ever bored with it. If you are looking for a book that is easy to read and keeps your attention I believe this book is for you!

Accused of murder, Lorelei Taylor goes home to Wisconsin and tries to shed her past and become Vivian again. Unfortunately, the town's not excited at the thought of having her home. Vivian begins to find her place...any place but Mike's arms. Can find a way beyond her defenses?

At times, the story made me laugh...at times it really hit my heart. Wonderfully realistic characters, and a fantastic story made for a great read by an amazing author!

Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough is special and deserves a head's up, so others can know about the wonderful story within the covers of this book. I identified with each and every character as if part of them could have been part of me. I knew people like the people in Kettle, I still know people like them. Sharpe's insight into human behavior and her ability to draw on their personalities to create characters so real and vibrant, plus her own special sense of humor and adding that to her talent for penning a story, is magnified in Breakthrough. I couldn't put it down and I recommend this book to everyone and would also suggest that they get an extra copy to give as a gift. Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough is a keeper.