A Mile in My Flip-Flops

April 7, 2008
Gretchen Hanover has been jilted—not quite at the altar, but close enough. Her cramped studio apartment becomes the catalyst for this lonely 30-something to change her life in Carlson's latest inspirational chick lit novel. Gretchen decides to become a house flipper, just like the folks on her favorite reality show. Unfortunately, Carlson (Finding Alice
) piles such high stakes onto Gretchen's decision to buy a disastrous house—Dad is on the verge of a heart attack, yet Gretchen wants him to do the contracting; the loan's low interest is only for six weeks; and her father's condo, his only asset, is collateral—that it hinders the author's attempt at lightheartedness. Though the house-flipping theme is unusual and engaging, Gretchen's willingness to gamble her father's health and financial security makes her seem selfish, and her negative attitude toward Noah Campbell (the handsome, kind, divorced contractor who predictably comes to her rescue) highlights Gretchen's judgmental side. Of course, God is the ultimate fix-it man who saves the day, but it's not enough to rescue this makeover romance.

June 1, 2008
Gretchen Hanover's wedding falls through, leaving her unhappy and consoling herself with too much ice cream. To get out of her slump, she buys a house with the intention of fixing it up and flipping it for a tidy profit. Things don't go according to plan, however, and the home repairs needed for a quick sale are more than Gretchen can handle. She enlists the help of her father, who in turn brings in his attractive friend Noah Campbell. Noah may soon become more than just a handyman to Gretchen. Carlson's knack for humor and whimsical plots makes this a delicious chick-lit entry (following "These Boots Weren't Made for Walking") that her fans will relish. Recommended for all public libraries and particularly in women's fiction sections. The prolific and award-winning Carlson ("Finding Alice; Crystal Lies") lives in Oregon.

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