These Boots Weren't Made for Walking (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a fun specimen of Christian chick lit, popular novelist Carlson (Homeward; Finding Alice) introduces a charming new protagonist, Cassidy Cantrell. As the novel opens, Cassidy is having a disastrous week: first she gets fired, and her beau of three years dumps her for a sweet young thing he met in church. Next, Cassidy's neighbor steals her credit card and runs up thousands of dollars on it. Pretty soon, Cassidy has no choice but to give up her swanky apartment and move back home to rural Black Bear, Wash. She finds a surprise there, too: her 55-year-old mother, who used to be frumpy and overweight, got a new look after Cassidy's dad flew the coop and is now dating men half her age. Gradually, Cassidy comes into her own, joining a gym and finding a new job and romance. Indeed, before she knows it, eligible men are chasing her. She's a terrifically likable character, and readers will enjoy following her exploits. Cassidy's Christian faith plays a significant yet refreshingly subtle role in this novel. And if the overarching plot—the transformation from plump, unemployed and depressed urbanite to svelte, desirable hometown princess—is predictable, Carlson manages to keep readers guessing about which man Cassidy will pick.
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From Booklist

The indefatigable Carlson tries her hand at chick lit-not such a far reach from her YA novels. This tale seems like a Christian version of Jennifer Weiner's much-imitated In Her Shoes (2002), with a dash, too, of Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary (1998). The principle difference may be that Carlson's Cassidy Cantrell is an "old-fashioned girl" on the subject of sex, and when her boyfriend dumps her, it's because God brought him together with his latest flame. This part-satirizing a Christian singles group-is quite funny. When the out-of-work, out-of-love, just slightly overweight Cassidy drags herself back home-where her mother outdoes her in sex appeal-things get funnier still. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400073138
• ISBN-13: 978-1400073139
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just okay..., June 27, 2007

By	C. Widman (CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love Chick-Lit - Try This on for Size., June 26, 2007

By	Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let me say I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book, June 23, 2007

By	Deborah "Books, Movies and Chinese Food" (Reston, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.