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on May 16, 2017
WOW oh wow! This is one of the first books I have read in a long time that held my interest from page one!! Now don't get me wrong, I usually like suspense in my books, but this one was so much more entertaining and well-written that I truly enjoyed it. My first thought after the last page was "are there more books written by this author" which, unfortunately, has not been the most consistent thought that has popped into my head after finishing a book. It's refreshing to read a book without a lot of unnecessary sexual content--and the witticisms were hilarious. I didn't have one negative thought while I read this story which I have had with Kindle books that were offered at a special price. Thank you, Kathy Cooperman, for writing a story with women who aren't weak and dumb.
on May 12, 2017
I often wonder how writers come up with ideas for books. This was one of the more creative for me. The story follows two best friends who for different, very good reasons, need money. They decide to take advantage of the vanity and resources of wealth women who will invest big money in cosmetics. They produce and market a face cream with a twist. One has more insight than the other into the unique properties of their successful product which unfortunate for both is illegal. What makes this story special is the sharp dialogue, the connection with the reality to real women and the cleverly crafty conclusion. Its also hilarious in parts. Oh and there is indeed a book club involved that is so similar to the one I belong to.
Enjoyable read.
Enjoyable read.
VINE VOICEon April 30, 2017
I really enjoyed reading about these women and their foibles. I think the author has much humor and insight into other human beings. Her observations seem similar to what mine would be n the same situation; though she is much more clever. Very interesting twists with intertwined dysfunction with members of a "cough" book club. People eventually surprise you though. Interesting, and again I see so much humor; though I am sure the author is allowing the reader to pick up on the ironies and sarcasm.
on July 18, 2017
This debut novel was the first selection for a new book club I joined. I was pleasantly surprised that the book was entertaining and somewhat well-written as I don't usually choose this type of fiction. ( Some might call it a beach read or chick lit.) You can read a summary of the plot elsewhere, so I will say that the story is certainly unique, and the characters are believable, but some of their actions aren't so believable--particularly the mother/grandmother who is wildly irreverent in every way. The reader will have to suspend disbelief to some degree in order to accept many of the events that occur, but this is fiction, so just go with it. One of my favorite parts of the book were the chapter introductions that referenced other widely-read books that had some element that was comparable to a character's dilemma or a plot point. (I had read most of them, as you probably have, too.) Anyway, if you're looking for a quick, entertaining read, this one will fit the bill.
on May 15, 2017
Crimes Against a Book Club takes place in La Jolla, San Diego. The author certainly must have had some real-life models for these characters because I have certainly met a few of them! There are stores in "The Village" where lovely ladies try to lure you in to have one eye smoothed and young looking in a minute, but for the other, you have to purchase, of course, for $700 per treatment! I am not kidding, This really happened to me. Of course, they stopped paying attention to me when they asked where I live and I said, "Clairemont." From friend from Coronado, needless to say, was very well treated! This "True-life adventure is a classic segway to this fun piece of.... is it really fiction?!?!?!
on May 14, 2017
The author of this book was witty and kept a smooth pace with good peaks. I wondered throughout the book if the author was merely telling the story or if she really sympathized with its protagonists. It seemed to me that there was a lot of the pot calling the kettle black. Annie in particular grated my nerves. A woman who has a million dollar home with a 300k down payment and the ability to stay at home with her children does not have the right to trash talk rich people and make excuses for doing a dastardly deed to them. Rich means different things to people. In my own circumstances if I were going to stereotype and trash talk rich people, all three characters in this book would be included.
There are an unfortunate number of parents whose children are diagnosed with a spectrum disorder. Annie's sacrifice was virtually nonexistent when lined up with the excuses she created for committing her crime. Selling her million dollar home for something smaller which would allow for the treatments would have been more reasonable and less self-righteously narcissistic than drugging the neighbors.
I would have given it five stars, but it felt as though the author was angling for readers to feel badly for the characters, Annie in particular (as demonstrated by the ending). Regardless of the high quality writing that went into this book, that "whoa is me" pill was simply too tough to swallow.
There are an unfortunate number of parents whose children are diagnosed with a spectrum disorder. Annie's sacrifice was virtually nonexistent when lined up with the excuses she created for committing her crime. Selling her million dollar home for something smaller which would allow for the treatments would have been more reasonable and less self-righteously narcissistic than drugging the neighbors.
I would have given it five stars, but it felt as though the author was angling for readers to feel badly for the characters, Annie in particular (as demonstrated by the ending). Regardless of the high quality writing that went into this book, that "whoa is me" pill was simply too tough to swallow.
on July 9, 2017
If you have a pulse and like to laugh, then do not pass “Go,” do not collect $200, go straight to your cart and buy Crimes Against a Book Club by Kathy Cooperman.
This is the funniest book I’ve read in years, to the point that I couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud as I read it on the trains, planes, and subways of France on a recent vacation. (I might’ve feared coming across as the stereotypical ugly American, but hey, I had nothing left to lose once Trump pulled us out of the Paris climate accord.)
While aspects of the plot might come across as improbable to some (at least according to other reviewers here), Cooperman avoids descending into farce precisely because she sympathizes with her characters and the very human foibles that sometimes drive them to act out of desperation. And as a reader I couldn’t help but sympathize as well, because through all the inanity, Cooperman’s principal characters Annie and Sarah reveal such a profound love for each other and for their children.
This book is perfect for a quick read and a good laugh on a summer holiday. Enjoy!
This is the funniest book I’ve read in years, to the point that I couldn’t stop myself from laughing out loud as I read it on the trains, planes, and subways of France on a recent vacation. (I might’ve feared coming across as the stereotypical ugly American, but hey, I had nothing left to lose once Trump pulled us out of the Paris climate accord.)
While aspects of the plot might come across as improbable to some (at least according to other reviewers here), Cooperman avoids descending into farce precisely because she sympathizes with her characters and the very human foibles that sometimes drive them to act out of desperation. And as a reader I couldn’t help but sympathize as well, because through all the inanity, Cooperman’s principal characters Annie and Sarah reveal such a profound love for each other and for their children.
This book is perfect for a quick read and a good laugh on a summer holiday. Enjoy!
on May 5, 2017
This is a funny, enjoyable and well written book. Sarah could use more money for her infertility treatments which she has continued for 6 years without success. Sarah lives in upscale La Jolla but still needs more money for her son's newly discovered autism. She attends a Book Club meeting and realized how wealthy these women were and they were fixated on looking good as long as possible. She is a chemist and gets the bright idea of creating a two thousand face cream
She wants it to have unusual pizzazz so comes up with a secret ingredient!!!!! Because of the surprise ingredient no one knows but her, their lives will never be the same!
She wants it to have unusual pizzazz so comes up with a secret ingredient!!!!! Because of the surprise ingredient no one knows but her, their lives will never be the same!
on June 15, 2017
Our book club was split - half enjoyed it, half really disliked it. I enjoyed the book and found it amusing. I liked the intros to the chapters and had fun seeing the story unfold from different characters' perspectives. The group concluded that the ending needed some work - it was as if the writer met her page goal and was done and had to wrap the story up quickly. We decided it was very anticlimactic. Also, a few characters seemed to do things so against their descriptions and lifestyle, that it made it hard to believe. Overall, the book was easy to read. It's good beach or plane reading material.
