Sammy's Hill

I am an avid book reader and most books can be judged by how many times I read them. I've read Sammy's Hill at least 6 times in the last 8 months. The heroine is engaging, and her klutziness is endearing and human. I would recommend this book to anyone, male or female, who is interested in the political scene in Washington. One of the best books I have ever read.

Sammy's Hill tells the charming tale of Samantha Joyce, a twenty-something on the rise in the political world. Samantha is the health care policy advisor to Senator Robert Gary, who becomes the democratic hopeful for vice president. Samantha typically works more than seventy hours a week, leaving her little time for a social life. That is until she meets Aaron Driver, speechwriter to democratic presidential hopeful John Bramen. When she meets Aaron, she is determined that she can work hard and still have time to have a social lifeâ or can she? Along the way, she gets entangled in some professional and personal scandals, but she doesn't let them keep her down. What I liked most about this story is that Samantha is a truly likeable character. She isn't out to hurt anyone and doesn't take advantage of her position, she merely wants to work and be in love (oh yeah, and save the day!).

Kristen Gore may have a famous dad, but she is a smart girl and hilarious writer who used to pen for the Harvard Lampoon. This book will prove she got published on her abilities alone. Everyone who likes fun chick-lit novels with loveable heroines will really adore this book- a combo of the single-girl-in-the-city (Milkrun)and my-boss-is difficult (Nanny Diaries) genres. Girls who like the funnier, wittier writes in the genre like Sara Mlynowski and Sophie Kinsella will love this one. The novel follows Samantha ("Sammy")- an overworked Capitol Hill aide who actually loves her job (a nice change!). The book follows her through the trials for love and loss, all the while straddling funny sub-plots, like how she can't keep her fish alive, or why you should NEVER EVER hit "reply to all" on a Blackberry! All the while she is helping her boss, a Senator, prepare bills and even an upcoming election campaign. Although Gore is obviously a Democrat, this book never even metions which party Sammy works for. So all politics are removed from the book, and what remains is simply a great story. Sammy is refreshingly flawed and silly, but also free of body-image issues, which is a nice change. I laughed out loud many times, and as a former Cap Hill aide I appreciated it even more. Read this if you love chick-lit!! You won't regret it. And the movie rights have been purchased- can't wait for that release!

I started to write a review after reading the excerpt in Glamour magazine, but decided to hold off on judgment until I read the full book. I was not disappointed. This book is hilarious, funny, and friendly. I could easily relate to it through myself or my friends, the lead character suffers from about every neurosis I had ever heard of it and describes everything perfectly. I would recommend it to about anyone...although it is almost like a chick flick in words...it was wonderful.

As a devotee of Helen Fielding and Candace Bushnell, my bar is exceptionally high for fiction where the heroine's exploits include men, alcohol, and email drama. However, Ms Gore's DC answer to Bridget Jones rises to the occasion and made me laugh out loud many times throughout the two days where I could not put this book down. This insider's view of politics humanizes an otherwise dry area of subject matter and made me want to learn more about what happens as the behind the scenes staffers work long hard days for their political seniors. One need not even agree with Ms Gore's brand of health care policy to enjoy a delightful, well researched and humorous read. My favorite addition was the use of Blackberry as a verb - well done throughout the book.