Debbie DiGiovanni

This novel has multiple personality disorder. It doesn't know if it wants to be a mystery, inspirational Christian, comedy, tragedy, chick lit, etc. Sometimes this can be pulled off but in this story, things do not meld. I would have given up reading except that parts were well written and entertaining. But a lot of situations were contrived and unrealistic or silly. I also couldn't keep track of the characters' rapidly switching emotions. This book needs a really good editor and several rewrites but has potential.… (mere)

I'm neither married nor pregnant but reading about Becca Joy's (i love that name) situation was a fun ride. I could relate with her about her relationship with her sister. The children are not annoying and the husband actually helps out around the house instead of acting clueless. Also reading about the spa trip was fun since I've always want to go to one but haven't' had to the chance too. A way to live vicariously through the characters. My only gripe is the perfect neighbor. While there's nothing wrong with seeing someone who appears to have it all together, Becca's neighbor seemed a little too perfect. By the end of the story there appears to be not one single flaw with her. That didn't seem real. Other than that a great fun read for anyone who enjoys light chick/mom-lit.… (mere)

Several ladies from Lakeside Baptist Church are treated to a Jamaican holiday trip by their friend and fellow churchgoer Becky, a single woman who has won a large sum of money on a television game show. This is a combination of chick lit and romance. This book could definitely use some editing. The book did not grab me right away. The book began with a prologue which was totally unnecessary. Then the first sentence of the main part of the book was very weak. I think Jennifer was supposed to be the central character of the book, but there really wasn't a clearly identifiable main character. The entire premise of the book is not plausible. There is no way that a single woman at any church is going to convince her all of her married friends to leave their families at Christmas time to go to Jamaica, especially churchgoing women who value family very much. Once the reader gets past all these shortcomings, the story does become somewhat engaging. There are some good points. Many works of Christian fiction go along and try to insert a plan of salvation at some point in the book. In this particular book, the ladies are, in many cases (aside from leaving their families to go on this vacation) acting exactly the way many church women act on a daily basis. They are living out their Christianity and concerned for their friends. The author is more successful at times than others in making the flow seem natural, but her intent to weave the Christian lifestyle into her characters is there. Most of the author's attempts at humor fell a little flat. This book is for those who really enjoy the Christian fiction genre, and I suspect that many persons who read Christian fiction almost exclusively would rate this book at 4 stars.… (mere)