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Cheating at Solitaire #2
Learning to Play Gin
Julia James was on a winning streak. The hot self-help author of the single-girl's guide 101 Ways to Cheat at Solitaire had millions in the bank and a boyfriend on the Hollywood A-list. But when her books drop off the bestseller list and her famous boyfriend moves to L.A., Julia must discover how a woman who became famous for being single can win at a game made for two.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2006
About the author
Ally Carter
50 books16.4k followersAlly Carter writes books about sneaky people and movies about Christmas. She is the New York Times Best-selling author of the Gallagher Girls, Heist Society, and Embassy Row series for teens as well as WINTERBORNE HOME FOR VENGEANCE AND VALOR for younger readers. Her books have been published all over the world, in over twenty languages.
She encourages you to visit her online at allycarter.com and embassyrowbooks.com.
She encourages you to visit her online at allycarter.com and embassyrowbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 4, 2008
Okay, at first, I just appreciated the author's humor--in the bursting out loud while my roommates look at me strangely way. And then I started getting nervous as the subject matter hit closer and closer to home: I've been so single for so long... am I going to be as horrible as the heroine at adjusting to a relationship when I finally ditch the single status!?
And then I decided that was too much self-introspection, so I went back to enjoying the author's humor.
Favorite parts:
(Dedicated, lovingly, to my friend, Keri)
"Not too big," Julia reminded her.
"It'll be okay," Nina said. "It'll fall."
"No, it won't!" Julia warned. After all, she was a big-haired girl from the world capital of big-haired girls. Her hair knew better than to fall; falling was for the hair of amateurs.
(Dedicated, self-deprecatingly, to myself)
"When she was in school, boys used to tell her she was the kind of girl they'd love to take home to meet their mother--she was the kind of girl they wanted to marry. Of course, they told her this while they were dating other girls--the dating girls--the fun girls. But now the dating girls all seemed to have become something else--wives. And Julia, it turned out, wasn't good at meeting mothers."
(Dedicated to Maria--who would just love to be able to say this to someone some day)
"Okay," Nina said, appearing behind her. "I think we've got it down. I'm gonna keep Lance's mom away from Lance's dad; Caroline is supposed to keep lance's dad away from Lance; and Amanda is in charge of keeping Lance's mom away from you." She smiled. She'd been working at it for a while--Julia could tell. If all went well, she might just go pro. For a fee, Nina Anders could set your table and referee your family fights. She was going to make a mint.
(Dedicated, mercilessly, to myself)
"Why did personal growth have to require so much effort? Why couldn't it just happen--like regular growth? She could put on twenty pounds without even thinking about it. Shouldn't this be the same way?"
And then I decided that was too much self-introspection, so I went back to enjoying the author's humor.
Favorite parts:
(Dedicated, lovingly, to my friend, Keri)
"Not too big," Julia reminded her.
"It'll be okay," Nina said. "It'll fall."
"No, it won't!" Julia warned. After all, she was a big-haired girl from the world capital of big-haired girls. Her hair knew better than to fall; falling was for the hair of amateurs.
(Dedicated, self-deprecatingly, to myself)
"When she was in school, boys used to tell her she was the kind of girl they'd love to take home to meet their mother--she was the kind of girl they wanted to marry. Of course, they told her this while they were dating other girls--the dating girls--the fun girls. But now the dating girls all seemed to have become something else--wives. And Julia, it turned out, wasn't good at meeting mothers."
(Dedicated to Maria--who would just love to be able to say this to someone some day)
"Okay," Nina said, appearing behind her. "I think we've got it down. I'm gonna keep Lance's mom away from Lance's dad; Caroline is supposed to keep lance's dad away from Lance; and Amanda is in charge of keeping Lance's mom away from you." She smiled. She'd been working at it for a while--Julia could tell. If all went well, she might just go pro. For a fee, Nina Anders could set your table and referee your family fights. She was going to make a mint.
(Dedicated, mercilessly, to myself)
"Why did personal growth have to require so much effort? Why couldn't it just happen--like regular growth? She could put on twenty pounds without even thinking about it. Shouldn't this be the same way?"
May 20, 2018
I think Cheating at Solitaire was so cute and funny. I couldn't wait to see what was in store for #2. I found this story line a little boring and that the characters personaility did a complete 180. They weren't the same people that I feel in love with. The fun, happy go lucky story is gone in this book and the story line doesn't flow as easy. But, I still enjoyed the story.
August 6, 2023
This book concludes the 2 part series. I liked it but I found it a bit slow moving. Jenny James is quite a quirky character and she battles anxiety in her relationship. It’s all about how she learns to be in a relationship with a rising actor and the many obstacles that come in the way.
May 25, 2019
I adore Ally Carter, and I loved Cheating at Solitaire, but this was not a good book. If you liked the first one, this one will be very boring.
January 18, 2020
I know about playing gin, and all about how much to give, and when to stop for my own good. One never knows everything that is in someone's hand.
April 19, 2021
Fun light easy read, a great sequel. Just what i was in the mood for. I love all of her books.
February 20, 2022
This was not my favorite. I liked the first in the series, but that was just kinda dull.
July 26, 2011
This book was not what I was expecting in the sequel, but I enjoyed it. I liked how the card game gin was used as a theme throughout the book, beginning each chapter with something about the game that was relevant to what was going to happen in the lives of Lance and Julia.
This book had many different relationships on display: a divorced couple, a seriously dating couple, a couple whose marriage was teetering on the edge, and a couple who had made been married 40 years and were happy. It was interesting to see how the different relationships played out. I would have liked to learn more about Amanda's story, but I guess a book can only be so long.
I also found it interesting how Lance (even as a grown, successful man) was still so impacted by his parents' divorce and his father's absence in his life.
The insights into Hollywood life were interesting as well. I wonder if there really is a special place to find clothes that fit women with hips. I would love to find that place . . .
Here are some parts that stuck out to me.
"Then, his mother said, 'Your father never asked me, you know? To stay?' . . . He said, 'See, I always told you I wasn't anything like him.' 'I'm glad he didn't ask, Lance.' She spoke slowly—deliberately—as if to remove all doubt. 'It's one of the reasons I still love him.' 'That's funny.' Lance sighed. 'It's one of the reasons I hate him.'"
"He mumbled something in response, but he looked like he wanted to run—away from his parents, the reminder of how things used to be and might have been. Away from the new wife and two sisters who were living, breathing reminders that loving someone isn't enough to earn a happily ever after."
"Julia looked between Lance's father and mother and realized that, despite divorce and separate lives, they still had sentences that didn't need finishing, stories so funny that even without the punch line one of them could make the other laugh out loud. And suddenly Julia wanted to know how that could happen. Then, just as suddenly, she knew. They weren't some mismatched couple that had grown bitter and hard with time. They had parted ways before the hate could start. Julia had always thought that finding your great love meant living life together—she'd never known that keeping it might mean living life apart . . . ."
"She'd thought it made her stronger, denying the urge to cry, to rage, to feel. Giving in then felt like a loss and like a victory. She was slowly succumbing to the thought of being normal. She felt like maybe from that point on it wouldn't be so exhausting being her."
"Finding love is easy—it's keeping love that's hard."
"'What do you want, Lance?' Donna asked. 'Don't ever get so caught up in what you can have that you lose sight of what you want."
This book had many different relationships on display: a divorced couple, a seriously dating couple, a couple whose marriage was teetering on the edge, and a couple who had made been married 40 years and were happy. It was interesting to see how the different relationships played out. I would have liked to learn more about Amanda's story, but I guess a book can only be so long.
I also found it interesting how Lance (even as a grown, successful man) was still so impacted by his parents' divorce and his father's absence in his life.
The insights into Hollywood life were interesting as well. I wonder if there really is a special place to find clothes that fit women with hips. I would love to find that place . . .
Here are some parts that stuck out to me.
"Then, his mother said, 'Your father never asked me, you know? To stay?' . . . He said, 'See, I always told you I wasn't anything like him.' 'I'm glad he didn't ask, Lance.' She spoke slowly—deliberately—as if to remove all doubt. 'It's one of the reasons I still love him.' 'That's funny.' Lance sighed. 'It's one of the reasons I hate him.'"
"He mumbled something in response, but he looked like he wanted to run—away from his parents, the reminder of how things used to be and might have been. Away from the new wife and two sisters who were living, breathing reminders that loving someone isn't enough to earn a happily ever after."
"Julia looked between Lance's father and mother and realized that, despite divorce and separate lives, they still had sentences that didn't need finishing, stories so funny that even without the punch line one of them could make the other laugh out loud. And suddenly Julia wanted to know how that could happen. Then, just as suddenly, she knew. They weren't some mismatched couple that had grown bitter and hard with time. They had parted ways before the hate could start. Julia had always thought that finding your great love meant living life together—she'd never known that keeping it might mean living life apart . . . ."
"She'd thought it made her stronger, denying the urge to cry, to rage, to feel. Giving in then felt like a loss and like a victory. She was slowly succumbing to the thought of being normal. She felt like maybe from that point on it wouldn't be so exhausting being her."
"Finding love is easy—it's keeping love that's hard."
"'What do you want, Lance?' Donna asked. 'Don't ever get so caught up in what you can have that you lose sight of what you want."
December 17, 2018
Love Ally Carter and found the sequel sweet and easy to read - escapist romance with Carter’s sharp wit.
September 2, 2010
A great follow-up to Cheating At Solitaire. In this sequel, Julia James has weathered her public exposure of no longer being a single woman and has landed on her feet. She is neck deep in remodeling her home in Oklahoma and her boyfriend, Lance is embarking on a dream come true adventure of being a Hollywood superstar. Unfortunately, Julia’s status on the bestseller list drops and she wonders if or when she will be able to write another book.
Julia finally agrees to fly out to L.A. to spend time with Lance after finding out on the television that he bought a home and is relocating out there. She and best friend, Nina, arrive and though Julia feels a little bit out of her element, Nina takes to her surroundings like a duck in water. Though Julia is famous in her own right, walking the red carpet at a major movie premiere isn’t something she’s experienced in or comfortable with.
Along the way, Julia finds herself struggling to acclimate to the lifestyle that comes with Lance’s star status and meets several characters, including Lance’s parents and begins to question her place in L.A. and in Lance’s life.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought Julia and Lance were likeable characters I could easily relate to. The supporting characters like Nina and Julia’s sister, Caroline, bring an angle to the story that makes their characters stand out and are likeable as well. I thought it was curious that Julia chose an out of the way coffee shop to go to and reflect and that even after getting a car, she still hired a cab. I thought the cab driver, Pedro, was a great character and an excellent addition to the story. He gives Julia a completely different perspective on L.A. than what she had seen up to that point.
The only problem I had with this book is the ending. I didn’t feel there was closure and I have the impression that Lance is giving it all up, which I don’t think he should have to do. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that there will be another book, so I am left to wonder.
Overall, this story is very entertaining and a lot of fun. As the title declares, you may also learn to play gin while reading this book and card skills are always good to have on this journey of life.
Julia finally agrees to fly out to L.A. to spend time with Lance after finding out on the television that he bought a home and is relocating out there. She and best friend, Nina, arrive and though Julia feels a little bit out of her element, Nina takes to her surroundings like a duck in water. Though Julia is famous in her own right, walking the red carpet at a major movie premiere isn’t something she’s experienced in or comfortable with.
Along the way, Julia finds herself struggling to acclimate to the lifestyle that comes with Lance’s star status and meets several characters, including Lance’s parents and begins to question her place in L.A. and in Lance’s life.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought Julia and Lance were likeable characters I could easily relate to. The supporting characters like Nina and Julia’s sister, Caroline, bring an angle to the story that makes their characters stand out and are likeable as well. I thought it was curious that Julia chose an out of the way coffee shop to go to and reflect and that even after getting a car, she still hired a cab. I thought the cab driver, Pedro, was a great character and an excellent addition to the story. He gives Julia a completely different perspective on L.A. than what she had seen up to that point.
The only problem I had with this book is the ending. I didn’t feel there was closure and I have the impression that Lance is giving it all up, which I don’t think he should have to do. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that there will be another book, so I am left to wonder.
Overall, this story is very entertaining and a lot of fun. As the title declares, you may also learn to play gin while reading this book and card skills are always good to have on this journey of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2015
Ah, the below review is so utterly angry-16-year-old me aesthetic. Omygosh. So freaking embarrassing. So much freaking angst.
And now I give you my review, hopefully full of slightly-less embarrassing 19 year old angst.
I didn't give this book quite the chance it deserved. I read it on a bad day, and that is just rude to the book. The book couldn't help that it didn't make me feel better, I was having a crappy day. But, to be fair, this book is not a feel-good, warm-fuzzies type of romance book. It's a little too grown-up for that. But it did strike really close to home, I could see myself very much so in Julia and the way she reacted to situations. One thing that I didn't quite like was that we were repeatedly told that Julia and Lance were in love. But… we were never shown. They were hardly ever in the same room. And I get that this is supposed to be the story of Julia and her adjustment and journey of self discovery, but Lance was one of the best parts of the first book, and I wish we had seen more of him in this one. Although I really did like all the Nina and Caroline we got to see, they are so much fun.
Although there weren't as many in this one as there are in Cheating At Solitaire, but I do like little inklings in her voice of the stuff she is going to write. I just love Ally Carter's voice. It's too much fun.
I still want more closure. I might have to write an ending for this one myself.
........17 June 2012.........
Not as good as the first one, but who didn't need closure after that?
I was mad at the whole "I am a poor victim woman with curves living in a world made for very thin woman and my life is so hard and I am the only one and skinny people have it so easy" People who know me understand why I have this issue. If you don't know me, just this is all I have to say. Don't start crying about your curves until you have lived in a body where all your bones stick out and there isn't a dot for you on tights size charts and all people say when they meet you is "wow you are thin". It is not any bowl of cherries, so don't make assupmtions.
No one is as inconsiderate as her family when she made that dinner. no one has any right to be that inconsiderate. if you act like that, you are a terrible person. That is all I have to say.
And now I give you my review, hopefully full of slightly-less embarrassing 19 year old angst.
I didn't give this book quite the chance it deserved. I read it on a bad day, and that is just rude to the book. The book couldn't help that it didn't make me feel better, I was having a crappy day. But, to be fair, this book is not a feel-good, warm-fuzzies type of romance book. It's a little too grown-up for that. But it did strike really close to home, I could see myself very much so in Julia and the way she reacted to situations. One thing that I didn't quite like was that we were repeatedly told that Julia and Lance were in love. But… we were never shown. They were hardly ever in the same room. And I get that this is supposed to be the story of Julia and her adjustment and journey of self discovery, but Lance was one of the best parts of the first book, and I wish we had seen more of him in this one. Although I really did like all the Nina and Caroline we got to see, they are so much fun.
Although there weren't as many in this one as there are in Cheating At Solitaire, but I do like little inklings in her voice of the stuff she is going to write. I just love Ally Carter's voice. It's too much fun.
I still want more closure. I might have to write an ending for this one myself.
........17 June 2012.........
Not as good as the first one, but who didn't need closure after that?
I was mad at the whole "I am a poor victim woman with curves living in a world made for very thin woman and my life is so hard and I am the only one and skinny people have it so easy" People who know me understand why I have this issue. If you don't know me, just this is all I have to say. Don't start crying about your curves until you have lived in a body where all your bones stick out and there isn't a dot for you on tights size charts and all people say when they meet you is "wow you are thin". It is not any bowl of cherries, so don't make assupmtions.
No one is as inconsiderate as her family when she made that dinner. no one has any right to be that inconsiderate. if you act like that, you are a terrible person. That is all I have to say.
September 3, 2013
I didn't have time to write a review of this book and then I forgot, and then my computer decided to restart the browser... sigh.
This book was great. I really like how it portrays people. I think with these two books Ally Carter delivers her most human characters. Julia is a character that you can identify with easily. She's a woman living a moment of change of her life. She's adapting, changing. It's not just about love (and thanks god, I like my chick flicks but sometimes characters should show there's more than relationships to life, for a change!), it's about life. I think that's where most people could identify with Julia. She's struggling with her life: her newly found life as a person in a relationship, her job and writing, her family, her house, her whole situation. I love how this shows life is much more complicated. There's background behind everyone and, for once, it's not plain or full of mythology the author doesn't know how to handle. It's real, you fully believe what Julia, Nina, Lance, Caroline and all the gang are going through.
Yeah, some parts aren't as good. Some parts are cheesy. And Julia sometimes gets a bit on my nerves. But as I do get on my own nerves sometimes. I think one of the main reasons I loved this book is that: humanity and easy identification with Julia. Easier even than in the first book. As I'm also going through changes (university world rocks my world and changes it more and more every year) and I moved from my hometown a couple years ago, etc, I really felt what Julia could be facing
Overall, it's quite entertaining. Not very surprising, it's kind of obvious how it's going to go, but the characters and situations are great. The star missing from the perfect 5 stars score? Just that little bit of surprise I missed, the little bit of "I did not expect it". But Ally Carter knows how to write genuine characters. That's for sure.
This book was great. I really like how it portrays people. I think with these two books Ally Carter delivers her most human characters. Julia is a character that you can identify with easily. She's a woman living a moment of change of her life. She's adapting, changing. It's not just about love (and thanks god, I like my chick flicks but sometimes characters should show there's more than relationships to life, for a change!), it's about life. I think that's where most people could identify with Julia. She's struggling with her life: her newly found life as a person in a relationship, her job and writing, her family, her house, her whole situation. I love how this shows life is much more complicated. There's background behind everyone and, for once, it's not plain or full of mythology the author doesn't know how to handle. It's real, you fully believe what Julia, Nina, Lance, Caroline and all the gang are going through.
Yeah, some parts aren't as good. Some parts are cheesy. And Julia sometimes gets a bit on my nerves. But as I do get on my own nerves sometimes. I think one of the main reasons I loved this book is that: humanity and easy identification with Julia. Easier even than in the first book. As I'm also going through changes (university world rocks my world and changes it more and more every year) and I moved from my hometown a couple years ago, etc, I really felt what Julia could be facing
Overall, it's quite entertaining. Not very surprising, it's kind of obvious how it's going to go, but the characters and situations are great. The star missing from the perfect 5 stars score? Just that little bit of surprise I missed, the little bit of "I did not expect it". But Ally Carter knows how to write genuine characters. That's for sure.
June 16, 2020
This was a mostly entertaining book but nothing more. A light and fluffy read. We see this relationship that developed in the first novel between Julia and Lance kind of mess up. Some identity struggles. Some purpose struggles. I was confused about their relationship because I couldn’t really understand the root of their unstable relationship. So, we get some super angsty scenes. Although this book was based on their relationship, I felt the plot wasn’t focused on Lance at all. He was much more absent than I expected.
I enjoyed the first novel better because I really struggled to find direction in this plot. However, this is a short book, so it’s easy to get through. The humour that I enjoyed in the first novel was missing in this one. I did find myself forcing my way through at times and rather easy to put it down. I couldn’t really relate to the characters (although I don’t think i was the intended audience anyway). My main motivation to picking this up was basically to finish the series. As one of Carter’s earlier works, this isn’t her best writing. I just don’t know what this book was trying to accomplish. The resolution didn’t really resolve... anything. The ending didn’t give me enough closure and it was really abrupt. In fact, it seemed more like an ending scene cut short.
The plotline itself wasn’t fantastic and I was disappointed in this novel. The things I expected from the novel - the romance and the relationship were hardly present. Overall, it felt anticlimactic.
I enjoyed the first novel better because I really struggled to find direction in this plot. However, this is a short book, so it’s easy to get through. The humour that I enjoyed in the first novel was missing in this one. I did find myself forcing my way through at times and rather easy to put it down. I couldn’t really relate to the characters (although I don’t think i was the intended audience anyway). My main motivation to picking this up was basically to finish the series. As one of Carter’s earlier works, this isn’t her best writing. I just don’t know what this book was trying to accomplish. The resolution didn’t really resolve... anything. The ending didn’t give me enough closure and it was really abrupt. In fact, it seemed more like an ending scene cut short.
The plotline itself wasn’t fantastic and I was disappointed in this novel. The things I expected from the novel - the romance and the relationship were hardly present. Overall, it felt anticlimactic.
February 17, 2014
Not as good as the first book in the series. This book seemed to struggle with what it wanted to accomplish. Was it a romance? A relationship book? Missing was the humor found in the first book. While it was a bad book, it just didn't excite and engage as the previous "Cheating at Solitaire" did. It took me longer to get through it because it was so easy to put down. I thought the ending was just okay because nothing was really resolved. Plus, I always think writers can write almost anywhere--I could be wrong--so I didn't get the idea as to why it was horrible to be in a huge mansion in LA. Additionally, the Thanksgiving was stupid--if you are invited somewhere, you don't throw fits and refuse to sit at the table because something you don't like is served. As someone who has slaved to put together a nice meal--I would have kicked the bratty people out and eaten the wonderfully prepared meal. Talk about ingratitude. That just seemed silly that you would cave to bratty, self-centered people (it obviously touched a nerve!). This book is not a romance--it's more "How to ruin a relationship in five easy steps." I wish I'd only read the first book and left the characters there.
August 18, 2009
Julia James isn't quite sure who she is anymore. After all, her career was built on the fact that she was single, and very good at it. But now that she's dating one of the Hollywood elite, her books are no longer on bestseller lists. And with Lance's crazy schedule, she begins to wonder if it was a good trade. Add a mansion in California and family to the mix and craziness ensues.
I wasn't really looking forward to reading this one after I read the back cover. The first book was mildly entertaining though, so I decided I'd give it a shot. And I was pleasantly surprised. It's light and fluffy (tries to deal with some serious issues, but doesn't quite manage it) and made me laugh in places.
If you enjoyed Cheating at Solitaire definitely pick this one up... otherwise, don't bother.
I wasn't really looking forward to reading this one after I read the back cover. The first book was mildly entertaining though, so I decided I'd give it a shot. And I was pleasantly surprised. It's light and fluffy (tries to deal with some serious issues, but doesn't quite manage it) and made me laugh in places.
If you enjoyed Cheating at Solitaire definitely pick this one up... otherwise, don't bother.
August 31, 2012
I read Learning to Play Gin before I knew it was the sequel to Cheating at Solitaire. I had to play a tiny bit of catch up with it but not much. It has been a while since I read it but I do remember that I related to the main character a great deal. Ally Carter did a wonderful job making her a well rounded, relate-able, and believable character. I found myself several times making comments aloud that the character would say a few lines down. Of course there were very dry parts and moments when I questioned if I could carry on with it but then I would hit a few pages that were sweet and charming and made me fall it love with the book all over again. I recommend this book as a need-to-read-after-something-amazing-book. It isn't my favorite book by far but it is one of those books that is a refresher from reading a fantastic series or breathtaking novel.
May 24, 2011
Christ Almighty! Does anyone realise how long it took me to find a copy of this book??? try near one tow blimn' years... not to mention that Here in NZ there is only ONE COPY of the book circulating in the public library system, and even then cam came from right at the other end of the country... man, i think i got a grey hair after that.
But anyways. Not really as good as 'Cheating at Solitaire'. Seems to have lacked in the momentum and character appeal. Plot line was a bit dull as they didnt really acomplish a hell of a lot in this one and tended to be stuck on one train of tought from both perspectives.
But read it for yourself. I still enjoyed it as a sequel.. and the ending was a pun indeed.. :P :D
Happy Reading
But anyways. Not really as good as 'Cheating at Solitaire'. Seems to have lacked in the momentum and character appeal. Plot line was a bit dull as they didnt really acomplish a hell of a lot in this one and tended to be stuck on one train of tought from both perspectives.
But read it for yourself. I still enjoyed it as a sequel.. and the ending was a pun indeed.. :P :D
Happy Reading
May 9, 2011
Ally Carter is great at writing about girl spies (The Gallagher Academy series,) but not so much with this topic. I laughed a few times at the funny life situations she talked about and a few pages made me want to know what was going to happen next, but I expected a lot more. Perhaps she is a writer that gets better over time. I don't know. I thought since the front cover showed a girl and a guy playing cards that THEY would be the main characters. They didn't seem to be the case. There was barely a relationship between them. The ending was okay, but it still surprised me, since they had hardly dated. This is a clean read, except for a half dozen swear words that were almost all said in the same paragraph.
June 17, 2016
I don't have a copy of the 1st book, "Cheating at Solitaire" in our County Library system, so this had no introduction for me. That wasn't a problem for me, as it quickly became apparent what was happening & who the different characters were. My problem was just the story, to me, is one I just didn't connect to. Not sure why, because all her other stories are great (at least the "Gallagher Girls" & the "Embassy Row" series are)!
This is a "good read" for me, but not a GREAT read, like the others are.
This is a "good read" for me, but not a GREAT read, like the others are.
October 16, 2007
i liked the book to an extent. it wasn't a grabber in the beginning and i kinda had to force myself to continue and it kinda just stayed like that till the last 5 chapters or so. my favorite part was when lance stood up to his mother. amanda and nina were my other favorite characters. i found julia (main character) to be a bit dull and boring.
i loved the ending though. very good and the epilogue couldn't have truer words to hit the heart like that.
i loved the ending though. very good and the epilogue couldn't have truer words to hit the heart like that.
September 27, 2009
Lots of humorous moments. I enjoyed the the exploration of the complexities of relationships beyond the initial falling-in-love-happy-ending, even if the ending of the book didn't resolve all those complexities as neatly as it could have. I don't think endings are this author's specialty, but--hey, she's in the company of Jane Austen there, so it's not too bad a place to be.
It's so refreshing, to find a fun adult romance that is clean.
It's so refreshing, to find a fun adult romance that is clean.
February 28, 2016
It was good up until the very very end. The book was going along just fine until it hit the last chapter (without giving anything away) I didn't get what was happening. I felt like it needed to get to the finish with a good splash but it kind of was like "what...oh okay...oh yay" at the end. I loved the Epilogue I thought that was very well said. Overall, this book was a great continuation to Cheating at Solitaire. Where I am right now in my life though I think I liked the first one better.
October 7, 2011
A quick read. I didn't like it as much as the first book, however I did feel the conflicts Julie faced were realistic. Lance seemed to be a lot more lovable in the first book. The ending seemed to wrap up a little too quickly, which made it feel a little anti-climatic. With that said, I did enjoy the overall book.
February 26, 2016
The main character was a strong woman in the first book, and in this book she was just flailing. I felt like there was not a whole lot of plot. Although, I do love the line at the end about not wanting to keep score in the relationship. I am a huge Ally Carter fan, which is why I read these, but I definitely think she's grown a ton as an author since writing these.
June 25, 2009
I liked this book because so many romance books talk about how hard it is to get together but once the guy and girl are together happily ever after kicks in. This book shows that happily ever after takes a little bit of work and a lot of compromise. (This is the sequel to Cheating at Solitare.)
October 2, 2008
Very cute book, enjoyed the not so easy relationship that so many books have.
Moral Note: Did say the "S" word once, and the "B" word about five times on one page. Other than that it was pretty clean.
Moral Note: Did say the "S" word once, and the "B" word about five times on one page. Other than that it was pretty clean.
November 11, 2010
Not as good as the first one, but I love this author. I've read everything she's written, and will continue to read her. She writes better for teens than she does for adults, oddly enough though the only book my teen likes of hers is the "Heist Society".
February 3, 2011
I really liked this book. I think the author has a very unique voice and the gimmick was pretty creative. I wish my library had the first one, I just kind of jumped into the middle of the story, but still liked it.
August 7, 2017
*looks away*
Ally Carter is my second favorite author of all time. And this book was a letdown. It should have just ended with the first one, the one that made me so happy! But this, while realistic, was depressing. And it made no sense. So, it'll go on my shelf to never be read again.
Ally Carter is my second favorite author of all time. And this book was a letdown. It should have just ended with the first one, the one that made me so happy! But this, while realistic, was depressing. And it made no sense. So, it'll go on my shelf to never be read again.
December 27, 2020
I was looking forward to the sequel, but was disappointed that for a book about how a single woman deals with not being single, her significant other was mostly absent. On the other hand, there was no shortage of relationships of all types.
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