Going Coastal

I read Smothering, another book by this author and found it enjoyable so I bought this book. While this book isn't the best chick lit book I have ever read it is an easy and fun read. The main character has to make decisions regarding family, friendship, career and love and altogether doesn't do a bad job. It is slightly boring in parts but all together I would recommend it.

I finished reading this book a couple weeks ago, and I must say that I enjoyed it very much. Lots of hilarious moments (especially the job interview with the shock treatment supply company), and seeing Jody's reactions to the insanity around her. There are many aspects of Jody that hit closer to home than I'd care to admit. Many of us aspire to be greater, but are not honest with ourselves about who we really are inside. Through many amusing and frustrating trials and tribulations, Jody comes to realize what is most important to her. You have to look past Jody's superficial observations and see the lesson being taught: that limited perceptions keep us from growing. Jody learns to embrace those things in her life that she had previously found repulsive, finding that she had been ignoring those things which she had cherished. Even though this book was released after sMothering, it was actually written first. Both books are a fun and hilarious read, and if you pay attention you just might learn something between the laughs.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wendy's first book, sMothering and was eagerly anticipating Going Coastal. I was not disappointed at all, it was great from cover to cover. I think anyone who thinks the plot was implausible, doesn't understand the cliche, 'when it rains, it pours'. Troubles usually arrive in a herd formation, and I can relate to the main character and her problems. I think it's a wonderful story about bouncing back when life tries to defeat you. It's a quick read, and a feel good story.

In Bent Harbor, Washington, waitress Jody Rogers, tired of her butt being pinched by middle age patrons like odious used car king Marty McDade, informs her boss at Dean's Ocean Galley that she quits. Dean seems elated as he accepts her resignation with aplomb saying he has her shift covered. Near tears, Jody heads home feeling she was fired to tell her lover Chris what happened. When Chris steps out of the shower, Jody finds he is washing her cousin Beth. At twenty-seven, Jody is staring over seeking employment, a place to live and a new man. Everyone in town offers advice to Jody though no one really knows how she is to find a job, a room (her parents no longer have space for her) and a non-cheating male. Jody considers fleeing to Seattle with her dreams shattered and no prospects at home. Of course the benefit of running away is that she would leave just in time to miss her tenth high school reunion. Still Jody believes she can recover perhaps by wiggling her way back into Dean's Ocean Galley. This is a delightful chick lit tale starring a wonderful protagonist, who in a few short hours watched her world collapse. The story line is lighthearted yet furbishes a deep character study as the audience gets a close look at Jody and her struggles to rebound although her simple dreams devastated. Though perhaps a bit too lighthearted with a fun cast of eccentric inane townsfolk starting with her non-SMOTHERING parents, GOING COASTAL is a strong fable of remain true to yourself regardless of setbacks. Harriet Klausner

I loved this author's previous book Smothering. I was eagerly looking forward to this one. Going Coastal is about our main character -working in a diner and hating it - or so she thinks. Basically, this book is about finding yourself and what you truly love. There are many wacky characters as you would imagine in the diner and our main heroine has some hilarious interactions with most of them. The writing style is fun and breezy and although there is a "morale" to this story, the overeall tone is about being who you should be. While this book wasn't as "sweet and innocent" as Smothering, I still enjoyed it thoroughly. Great chick lit reading.