Certain Girls: A Novel

While I did enjoy the book, I was disappointed with the amount of heartache the main character has endured.

I have been a Jennifer Weiner fan since Good in Bed, and I was thrilled to find that this new title was just as enjoyable as that first one. I thought Weiner did a great job of recasting Cannie's voice as a 42 year-old mom, and she found a very different, very believable voice as her sometimes-cocky, sometimes-insecure 13 year-old daughter, Joy. And their two narratives blended together seamlessly. I read the book almost non-stop this past weekend, and I really loved it!!

It's the continuing story of Cannie from Good in Bed, you don't have to read the first one to enjoy the second but it might help put some things in perspective. Jennifer really has a way with words and I really enjoyed this book even though I rarely like to cry at the end which I did. And if you read the first book you will be reintroduced to Joy who was only a baby when Good in Bed ended and is now 13. A really great story with strong characters.

I've been reading some of the other reviews on here and some people are disappointed because they don't consider Jennifer Weiner's most recent book Certain Girls are your typical "chick lit". I think people are losing sight of the fact that Weiner is an excellent writer/story teller and to just classify her as only a "chick lit" author is short changing her a little bit. I don't think you're giving her enough credit for her story telling ability. It's not that often that I read a book in 2 days without being able to put it down. Her last novel "Goodnight Nobody" wasn't your typical "chick lit" either, her most faithful fans (like me!) will agree with that, but I commend her for taking risks---anyone can slap a pink cover on a book and call it chick lit, but Jennifer is truly talented. With that said, I just finished Certain Girls today and I adored it. I think Cannie stayed true to herself and I don't think she changed that must--she's still quick witted and hysterical and I think if anything she just turned into a "mom" and Joy turned into an incredible young woman. I am hoping that someday, we are able to find out what will happen with Joy's life in the future.... :-)

I was so excited when this title was announced! I ran out a bought it the day it came out because I just couldn't wait any longer. I was not at all disappointed. I loved Good in Bed so much that I have read it 6 times. The follow up story is so great. I love that Jennifer skipped ahead to Joy being an almost teenager. There was a certain maturity to the text in Cannie's voice which was great. It gave a sense of Cannie having grown up over time. She is no longer as insecure and lost. She has found her voice in more ways than one. I loved the Joy played such an important part in the story. It made me realise that my the things my mother does to fuss over me still (I am 27) are all done because she loves me and still thinks of me as her little girl. My only disappointment was the plot twist. I really had hoped that Cannie could finally have it all. I wish that she had. But, in the end, I think it is a better story for having been bittersweet.

Jennifer Weiner's much anticipated sequel to Good in Bed does not disappoint, and we Jen Weiner fans have been waiting a long time for this one! When Certain Girls finally arrived, I hoped it would be as good as the first, and it is! It's possibly even better; and Good in Bed is one of my most favorite all-time books ever! With characters old and new, grown and mature, quirky and completely believable, you'll feel as if you want to know them in real life. You can sense the angst and turmoil of 13-year-old Joy as she tries to find her place in the family; tries to learn what it is to `become a woman' as she prepares for her bat mitzvah. I fell in love with Joy, found myself wanting to comfort her, and at the same time, shake her and say, "But your mother just loves you--that's why she's so crazy!" Cannie has grown up and while she is an overprotective mother, she just wants to do right. Sometimes she tries too hard, but again, it's just because she's a mom and she loves her daughter so much--that's why she's so crazy! I don't need to sell Jennifer Weiner fans on this book. They already know. There are loads of touching moments, laughable moments, and some especially unexpected shocker moments in Certain Girls. You will really have a varying mix of emotions when reading, but one thing's for certain, as it is with all of Weiner's creations ... you'll come away wishing you didn't have to close the book, wishing you could just go back for a little while and hang out with the people you just read about. They're that real. They're that good. She's THAT convincing!