Book Review: The D Word and I'll Have What She's Having by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Is chick lit dead? I don't think so! I've got TWO books to tell you about today that prove there is new life to be had in this genre! PLUS there are TWO authors for each book- which really means double the fun!


I know what you're thinking though- chick lit? Can we get a new term for the genre. I don't know why but 'Chick-Lit' seems demeaning in some way-like it's trite. Course 'Women's Fiction' sounds boring as you know what. So what's a better alternative? I pondered on that A LOT last night (my brain has weird episodes where I can't get things out of my brain!), and I came up with a couple of ideas: 

• Real Life Fiction- course you and I KNOW that chick lit is more 'real life' with all the bumps and bruises, than most fiction!
• Our Lives Fiction- cause really, how many times have your read Chick Lit with parents involved and thought- 'yup, that's my life"?

See, they sound better don't they?  Ok, so that is on MY bucket list, to figure out a new name for the genre. Yeah, it's a weird one, but hey, it's there...



Authors, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, first collaborated on their debut novel, I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING. Now they’re back with a brand new release, THE D WORD,(which I'll be reviewing BOTH of them in a minute)  and this past week they've had their Top 5's on their blog, including their bucket lists! What's on their lists?


Llz: "Be a contestant on The Amazing Race. Even though I turn into a complete bitch when I’m hot, hungry or tired, I’m dying to be on this show.  So when Lisa told me HELL TO THE NO when I asked her to be my partner, I decided to take the next best thing-her husband.  We applied in February!" Just my reading THAT entry, you know you want to read her books right? Ok, so she also wants to start a charitable foundation and be a foster mom,  but we've got to have a funny one, right?


Lisa: "Sit courtside at the Lakers. I want to be Jack Nicholson. I want to sit courtside at everyLakers game. yes, we’re talking courtside season tickets. I want to overhear Leo Dicaprio’s conversation and high five with Justin Timberlake. Kobe Bryant can drip his sweat on me." Ok, so maybe not anywhere on MY list, but I can understand the star alure! Her other two- own a beach house and traveling the world.


Now you know these 'girls' sound like fun, and someone you would have as a friend, right? WAIT til you read their books!

The D Word: Jordan Daniels and Elle Ryan thought their lives would become less complicated when they walked away from their respective relationships one year ago. But instead, they find themselves vying for a relationship with the same divorced man. As a spiritual counselor, newly single mother Jordan Daniels makes her living predicting other people’s futures. If only she could foresee her own. A year after filing for divorce from her husband, Kevin, he seems to be the one moving on effortlessly, while Jordan still can’t bring herself to fill his old underwear drawer. But it’s not until Jordan’s polar opposite, Elle steals Kevin’s heart, that Jordan becomes convinced she’ll be replaced both as a wife and a mother to her five-year-old son, Max.

When Elle met Kevin, the last thing she wanted was another relationship. Especially not with a man with baggage-she already had enough of her own. She left her fiancé, Chase right before their wedding to avoid the imminent D word, something she’s convinced runs in her family like a disease. But a year later, she’s no closer to becoming less skeptical about marriage. And despite her attachment to Kevin and his son, when Elle sees just how far Jordan’s willing to go to win Kevin back, Elle starts to question if she should have left Chase in the first place.

In The D Word you’ll walk in the shoes of Jordan and Elle as they discover that sometimes you’re not that different from the person who makes you feel the most insecure.


Review: WOW- if you can't put yourself and your best friends into this book when you're reading it, I'll be shocked! I laughed, I cried (friends have been where Jordan is, I could relate to her frustrations), and I found I didn't want to leave the characters! The authors have TRULY captured real life and how women, sometimes without meaning to, can hate another woman for something very simple, and overlook what's underneath. You can call it our social conventions, but down deep I think it's just more like sibling rivalry. I liked how the book went back and forth between the characters (in fact, this is how they write their books= a dual narrative novel. They are writing the book together, but each gets to be in charge of one main character- which really helps with this novel, as it gives you 2 voices, like the characters! This book has all the things you LOVE in a super Summer read! And if this one does NOT get made into a movie, I will be uber-shocked! Quick go pick it up- it's on $2.99 for the ebook!


Now I mentioned their previous book, here's some about it:

Synopsis: Kate's been depressed ever since yet another long-term boyfriend unceremoniously dumped her. When her younger and married sister Kelly convinces her the way to meet a quality man is for the two of them to sign up for a volleyball class, she's just desperate enough to agree. But Kate becomes so fixated on their coach that she fails to see an unlikely but perfect match right in front of her. 


Kelly's been less than happy for longer than she wants to admit. She's the one who appears to have it all: the perfect husband, the big house and the beautiful daughter. Despite it all, she feels an emptiness she can't explain and is conflicted when it's her volleyball coach who offers an answer. I'll Have Who She's Having follows Kate and Kelly as they battle themselves and each other in their search for a happy ending. 


Review: Ok, quick raise your hand for who joined a volleyball team as a single's night out/meet people! Ok we can put our hands down now! I had to laugh when I started reading the book, having been there and got THAT volleyball shirt. Note: if you are clutzy as you know what, this may NOT be a viable option for you, unless there are a lot of doctors on the team to tend to your bo-bos....This book also focuses on women's insecurities, but more about themselves, than based on other people's thoughts about them.


It's hard to believe this was a debut novel- the characters are so great and the book flows really well, even with the dual writers. Some people just have the knack when working together and Liz and Lisa definitely have it (note to Lisa- rethink that Amazing Race thing- I think you and Liz would be hilarious and really show what 2 really funny and amazing women, who are NORMAL, can do on that show. Plus you'd get to travel the world! Check off that bucket list item! LOL). I really felt like I was reading back into my singlehood and shared quite a few laughs and tears along the way. Definitely recommend this books as well! PLUS, it's availble for ONLY $0.99 on ebook! So for under $4 you can get BOTH books and be ready to hit the beach or the pool! LOVE it!


AND to help encourage you to read both books, the authors have a great giveaway going! 


"If you post a review of EITHER The D Word or I’ll Have Who She’s Having on GoodReads, Barnes & Noble or Amazon and send us the link to the review to Lizandlisa@chicklitisnotdead.com by July 14, 2011 at midnight PST, you’ll be entered to win a DXG 720p high-defintion camera. You can receive one entry for the review of each book for a maximum of two entries.  Doesn’t matter if you’ve loved or absolutely hated the book(although we’re crossing our fingers you like it…), you’ll still be entered to win!  We’ll choose the winner by random drawing. US/Canada Only." 



So get out there and read those books and enter to win that great camera! Thanks Liz and Lisa!

 And if you want to get to know Liz and Lisa better, I think ONE post on their blog is the best way: Ask Liz & Lisa: Have we ever had a girlfight?    I read it and thought yup, they're  definitely the type of women I'd love to have as friends! So check out their blog and say 'Hi'!

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received these pdfs/books for review purposes on this blog, free of charge, from Sparks PR, via Bookblogs.ning .No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about them.