How to Sleep with a Movie Star

What a great find! I picked this up because of its title and it sounded like a fun read. I mean, who hasn't wanted to have the man of their dreams fall in love with them? This was a great read, and I could barely put it down. I was reading it over my lunch hour, and I enjoyed it so much I decided to close my office door once I was back so I could find out what happened. Very enjoyable - great characters - and the author is a few notches above many of her contemporaries.

Not being an overly avid fan of "chick-lit" my expectations from these authors are usually somewhat sub-standard to the rest of the literature world. Too many sappy, unwitting writers have crept into the chick-lit world and lowered what seems to be the norm for what people have come to expect. Chick-lit tends to mean a book of just girly stuff, light reading with no brains needed. When I find an author that truly knows how to write and keep someone's attention without having to resort to sappy, 'chick' stuff, I'm not only surprised but impressed. Well Chick-Lit writers beware, there's a new kid on the block and she writes with poise, intelligence and a hint of comedic air that will make all other chick-lit writers have to step up to the mark! Kristin Harmel gives a wonderful look at the world of modern chic magazines and keeps a hint of snickers and goofaws there to keep you from getting too intense. While she shows the ins and outs of the 'too chic for themselves' upper office types, she also pulls you in with the realistic view of those poor writers that truly do join the ranks of magazines to make a difference, only to be scoffed at and humiliated by the snooty editors and writers that make life in the chic lane too unbearable. Bringing you in with a down to earth main character, Harmel keeps you wanting more to see if the girl you're rooting for gets her justice. While the title suggests the novel could be a slightly risque version of instruction books, it's far from that! The main character and her best friend find a way to not only keep their own values and morals but perhaps show those who thought they're one up on the common gal pals what life is really about. You simply can't put the book down as you go through the trials and tribulations of a young writer, her best friend and their careers together. Rooting for the plain styled editor and writer you find yourself grinning from ear to ear as she pulls one over on her nemesis. And you never know, you might actually truly learn how to sleep with a movie star if you pay attention! A wonderful suggestion for any reader of chick-lit and even some that have slightly higher expectations for that genre, you might finally be satisfied with Harmel's wonderfully touching novel! She definitely has set the bar up a notch in the standards of 'chick-lit'. Keeping the reading light enough to enjoy any time, any place it also isn't so lacking in sustenance that you don't feel the need to use your brain to read. I loved the light reading with a twist of humor and reality, added to just a touch of enchantment that you expect from this type of genre. Two thumbs up for sure!

I generally do not enjoy chick lit but this was one book I could really get into. I found the characters and their personalities to be not only hilarious but quite similar to people in my own life. I know a few Sidra's!! I breezed through this book in a day and a half at the beach and immediately passed it off to one of my trip partners to enjoy. The plot is has imaginative twists and its lighthearted style makes it an enjoyable read. I'm going to be sure to keep my eye on Ms. Harmel.

I love chick lit and read it all the time, and this book is honestly one of the best I've ever read. It's impossible to put down. When you start this book, set aside enough time to read it start to finish!

I thought when picking this up that it would end up to be another typical chick lit story about a woman that dates a celebrity and because of the spotlight, her life goes in a downward spiral. Boy was I wrong! This was nothing like that. Sure there was the downward spiral of events that took place that had to do with rumors of Claire, the main character, sleeping with the hottest Hollywood hunk, Cole Brannon. That didn't change the fact that this book was better than books of a similar plot. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to read more books from this author. I sure hope she decided to write another book.