Inappropriate Men

Best read I have had in a long time. I couldn't wait to pass it on to my girlfriend so she could read also. Sidney's story kept me wrapped up in this book until I hit the last page... I just couldn't put it down. Stacey Ballis is a great writer & I can't wait until her next book comes out.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that calling me a white knuckled flier is an understatement. I picked up Stacey Ballis's book "Inappropriate Men" before a flight from Boston to Michigan, expecting that I would reread the first paragraph over and over again while waiting for my plane to plummet into a death spiral. I was so pulled in by the book that I totally forgot that I hate to fly. It's refreshing to read a hip, chick lit book around a character that I can identify with. Sidney is a well educated, witty, sensual girl who doesn't always know where her life is going to take her, but just hangs on for the ride. And to boot, she's not another stereotypical, cookie cutter size 6 blonde, either. She's a real women, who although at times struggles with the idea of being a full figured women, has not submitted her self to the ideal that larger women can't be sexy. "Inappropriate Men" is a wonderfully written book. It is funny and witty, yet poignant at times. I enjoyed this book so much that I immediate sent it off to a friend, who is now sending it off to another friend. In fact, because I was laughing so hard at a particulary hilarious bedroom scene gone wrong, my husband read the book just to see "what all the fun was about." Buy the book and find out why American women are falling in love with "Inappropriate Men"!

Stacey Ballis' depiction of Sidney's life kept me entertained from start to finish. I identified with her on many levels. Her writing style flowed and was very easy to read. I enjoyed her poems, because it felt like they didn't come from the author...but rather Sidney. It's hard to explain, so buy the book & you'll see what I mean! For those of you who didn't like the poems, Stacey gave you an out. You were forewarned. I, like many other reviewers, LOVED the scene with John. I laughed out loud, as that one hit home! I immediately recommended the book to my girlfriends. As an aside, I e-mailed the author to let her know how much I enjoyed the book. To my surprise, she e-mailed me right back! I felt great energy from her, and I am sure she will keep us entertained on the next book. BUY THE BOOK!

At long long last, someone finally wrote a 'chick lit' book with not just a heart and soul, but a BRAIN. The usual cliche's are pleasantly absent...this girl doesn't live in NY, work for a magazine, or obsess about Manolo Blahnik. The things we love about chick lit, however, are here in abundance. Sidney Stein is as real a character as I have read in a long time. She is intelligent, but still falls prey to less-than-smart human mistakes. She is confident, but not without normal insecurities. She makes you feel like you have met a new friend, someone willing to be totally open and honest with you, someone who makes you laugh, but also makes you think.Sidney's relationships comprise the Good the Bad and the Ugly, and the way Ballis writes about them, you get the sense that this is an author with a profound observation of life. She has watched and listened, and now has taken the time to share her insights with the rest of us.Yes, the book may pose some problems for the chick litters who lean towards the fluffier stuff. Ballis doesn't care about challenging you, she sets the literary bar very high for her readers. This isn't dumbed down, pre-chewed stuff. This is meaty writing, and requires a decent attention span. For all the possible twenty-something readers, tackle this one with the head of a pupil, thirty-something Sidney has many lessons to give you. For the thirty- and forty-something readers, you will be pleasantly surprised to find a book in this genre that speaks to you and your lives so eloquently.Lucky for us, in spite of the occasional foray into serious stuff, Ballis never loses her sense of humor. This book is laugh till you wet your pants funny.Whatever your summer plans, include Inappropriate Men on your list of must-reads.

I really enjoyed Ms. Ballis' point of view for her character Sydney...She is a real woman through and through and I think her experiences ring with an uncommon sense of truth, warmth and vitality. This is what we need to hear! I have read so many of the "throbbing manhood" romances, and this is simply a smarter, more streamlined and more sensitive, relevant outlook for today's woman who is often trying to juggle way too many responsibilities in her milieu...Ms. Ballis has a wicked humor to boot! Not only is she relevant, she can move us to tears with the insecurities that go along with dating~ Tears of joy and tears of disappointment and fear of the unknown..."Inappropriate Men" keeps you going to the very end...By the way, the erotic scenes are well worth it! Great job Ms. Ballis...When can we expect the next one?