Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink: A Novel (There's Cake in My Future, 2)

I'm going to break this book down into pros and cons, because I really liked some aspects of it, and others made me so annoyed I completely was unable to keep concentrating on the story.Pros:- Pure escapism. The book is certainly entertaining, and a nice, long, escapist romp if you are not overly distracted by the cons below, as I was.-The fact that the main character, Mel, dates a guy who is (wait, am I allowed to use bad language here? Probably not.) kind of a tool. And it takes her a long time to realize that he's kind of a tool. Even though it was predictable (the protagonist never ends up with the first guy in these sorts of books, come on), I thought it was enjoyable to know what was coming because as a reader with more knowledge than the character, it seemed so much more true to life. Mel's slow realization that the signs were there all along was done really well. This was my favorite part of the plot because let's face it, who hasn't been in a relationship and trying to ignore the signs that the other person isn't what you want them to be? I related to this pretty strongly.Cons:-Editing. There are French sentences in this book, and they are terrible. I don't think a single one is actually right. Even the French characters speak awful, ungrammatical French, let alone the supposedly "fluent" character who makes mistakes a French 101 student would know. Even the *references* to French are bad (Mel apparently hears the intercom in a French airport with lots of "je"s in it..??? How often do you hear airport announcements in the first person? Never.) I mean, these days with resources like google translate, it is not hard to check these things. Bad, bad editing. Also an entire scene in which Mel describes the expressions and head movements of the person she's talking to. On the phone. Hey, editor! Wake up!-Stereotyping. Gruenenfelder is doing nothing for the modern woman in terms of breaking out of outdated stereotypes. Women want love and commitment, men want sex. Men must have invented text messaging because they don't like to talk! Men like sports and hate anything domestic. Unless they are gay, in which case they hate sports and love decorating. Yawn. KG needs to move her characters squarely into the 21st century. BUT there's hope for her characters, as in the end Mel reconciles herself to texting, figures out (SMALL SPOILER) that men don't have to be perfect dream princes, and lets go of her earlier, (super-annoying and sexist) assertion that all women are secretly jealous of each other's successes. I'm hoping if KG writes more in this series, her other characters can also grow a bit more modern.I think this is a great read, but you'd have to be more laid-back than I am to truly enjoy it. I will probably keep reading KG's work because I loved "There's Cake in my Future", but unfortunately after reading this, I still think that's her best book to date.

Highlights:This book I felt, really captures that bitter-sweetness of maturing friendships. The ups and downs that go along with that: the feelings of pride and joy and at the same time wistfulness as your lives move forward and in many ways your friendship changes and life pulls you further apart. As friends start relationships, move in with significant others/get their own place, get married, have children, start focusing on careers. I think we all have that experience of being so happy for our friends as they hit the milestones and yet wanting those things for ourselves and also missing the way things used to be when the friendship seemed to come first.I found the characters to be very likable and relatable, and I like that they were each experiencing/struggling with things that many of us do: newborns, weddings, trying to figure out what to do with our lives/what’s next, relationships, dating, burn-out.Wishes:While I really enjoyed the story, there were a few things that I would have liked to see changed. For one, the story had some plot points that seemed a bit far-fetched: the broke teacher traveling about Europe, vacationing in Hawaii for free, and other bits I can’t mention for fear of spoilers. I can’t completely fault these points as it is escapism fiction, I would have enjoyed it a bit more if these came about in a bit more of a believable way. Other than that, there were a few slow points and some minor editing issues.Overall, this book was an enjoyable escapist Chick Lit read – fluffy, light and fun. It featured fun, sweet, relatable characters and I loved getting to revisit my “old friends” again and see where they ended up. Definitely worth a read, and definitely one that any mid to late twenties or older can relate too.If you enjoyed this book and are looking for more Contemporary Chick Lit reads try:Just Breath – Susan WiggsSomething Borrowed – Emily GiffinThere’s Cake in My Future – Kim GruenenfelderUnpredictable – Eileen CookWhen In Doubt Add Butter– Beth HarbisonRating (for both of the above romances): 3 out of 5 Doxies – Really enjoyed it, read it now!

I pre-ordered this book back in July along with two other books I pre-ordered. This was the one with the latest release date and I received an email that essentially said the other two books would be held hostage until this one was released. I didn't care though because this was the book I was most looking forward to getting. And it did not disappoint and was totally worth the wait.The first book, There's a Cake in My Future, was told in first person perspective from each of the main characters (Nic, Seema and Mel) in alternating chapters so that you really get to know the characters. This book is told in first person perspective from only Mel's point of view.It starts with another cake pull and Mel has put in her request to get the passport charm so that she can travel. Of course there's another mix up and she gets a different charm than the one she wanted. In the last book she decided to make the charm she pulled come true. In this book she decides that she doesn't want to let a charm decide her fate so she decides to she has to make happen what she wants. And even when you know she's taking the wrong path, you're still rooting for her.It was fun following Mel on her journey to finding herself. It didn't have the ending I expected but you know, I'm okay with that. :)I loved this book and I highly recommend it.

Haven't stopped laughing

An easy read and a good time. Fun and funny, makes you want to keep reading. Entertaining. It’s crazy how accurate the feelings of a thirty something comes through the pages. Highly recommend if you are looking for answers to life yourself.

I have read all of Kim Gruenenfelder's books and love the characters and stories. I am a working mother of three who can't wait to escape to Kim's books and this one was no different. It was an easy, relaxing read that made me laugh. It isn't deep and full of meaning but a light, fun story with great characters that I would love to read more about. I always hate when the story ends and I have to wait for the next one.

Just the thing to get you to forget your own troubles and read a story

Great book!