Flip-Flopped: A Novel (Paperback)

by Jill Smolinski (Author) "AFTER FIVE YEARS together, I was still in love with my husband..." (more)
Key Phrases: Davy Jones, Pete Peterson, Ian Gardiner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Keeley's life in beautiful Hawaii is a bit stressful--her husband, Kam, has moved out to live with a hula dancer, who wants to move to Fiji (along with Kam's and Keeley's son, Dante). At work, Keeley is stuck in the finance department, even though she was hired as a scientist to study Kohala, the island's long-extinct volcano. In the little time she fits in for Kohala, she notices activity. As the volcano heats up, so does Keeley's life; first there's the custody battle she's in with her husband; then there's her lawyer's iguana (which Keeley adopts in exchange for a reduced fee); and, finally, there's her simmering relationship with a British art agent, whose initial lure seems to be that he knows Davy Jones, Keeley's childhood idol. Some of the events in Keeley's frantic life seem quite contrived, but a willing suspension of disbelief makes it possible to appreciate Smolinski's honest and funny look at the loss of love and the process of grieving. A light and charming debut. Beth Warrell
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud trip to the Big Island." -- Detroit Free Press

"Divorce has never been so engaging as in this debut novel." -- Glamour

"Settle down with a Mai-Tai, you're in for a treat!" -- Libby Schmais, author of The Perfect Elizabeth

"Smart, engaging, and as refreshing as a dip in the surf..." -- Jennifer Weiner, author of Good in Bed

"Smolinski's voice is funny and wise and her tough, tender characters will stay with you long after this...story ends." -- Linda Phillips Ashour, author of A Comforting Lie --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (May 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312316119
• ISBN-13: 978-0312316112
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #276,263 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A summer must-read!, July 27, 2002

By	CoffeeGurl (MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Flip-Flopped: A Novel (Hardcover)

A friend of mine recommended Flip-Flopped. Apparently, Jill Smolinski's writing style is similar to Marian Keyes's and Jennifer Weiner's. Having read the aforementioned authors' novels, I picked up Flip-Flopped. Glad I did. Filled with dry, sarcastic humor, Keenley is one of the funniest heroines I have read in a while.

Set in Hawaii, Keeley is under a lot of stress. Her husband, Kam, has left her for a hula dancer. He intends to move to Figi with her and, to Keeley's dismay, take his and Keeley's son with him, which is why he stops at nothing to get full custody of the child. To make matters worse, she is stuck in a professional rut. As a scientist, she wishes to study the progress of a volcano that threatens to burst at any given day, but she is in charge of the finance department instead. The only good thing going in her life is Ian, an adorable British art agent. But does she have time for romance? And, more importantly, is she over Kam? There are some interesting twists in the novel.

I love the characters. Morna, Keeley's eccentric divorce lawyer, is the most hilarious character in the novel. I also liked Regatta and Keeley's workmates. Character development was done brilliantly.

I have to agree with my friend. Smolinski's writing is similar to Marian Keyes's and Jennifer Weiner's. In fact, for all Marian Keyes fans, this novel reminds me of Watermelon. However, Smolinski is a great author in her own right. I hope that she continues to write for a living. I recommend this gem.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Read, July 15, 2002

By	Pat Shepich "sewpat10" (Troy, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flip-Flopped: A Novel (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Ms.Smolinski made then seem like my friends. I loved the Origami Exhibit! Her style of writing makes for a fun read, yet her characters had depth, and you really felt the emotions that Keeley was going through. It is a very amusing story, yet it has depth that makes you want the book to go on,long after it has ended. I hope it is made into a movie

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Read of the Summer!, June 20, 2002

By	Mary Jo Reutter (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flip-Flopped: A Novel (Hardcover)

I saw that this got a "thumbs up" from the author of GOOD IN BED (which I loved), so I decided to check it out... glad I did! I couldn't put it down! Much like GOOD IN BED, the main character is witty and a bit sarcastic, yet the book has moments where it's very touching. It tells the story of Keely, a woman who's trying to come to grips with the fact that she's been dumped by her husband, then finds herself in a custody battle over their four-year-old son. There are some very funny moments in here. My favorites were the erotic origami auction and the scenes involving Davy Jones of the Monkees. Hilarious! Yet the story also has a lot to say about love, relationships, forgiveness and parenting that will stay with you long after the laughs are over. You can't go wrong for a fun and thoughtful read. The BEST book of the summer!