Scot on the Rocks

There's nothing NOT to like about this story, Scot on the Rocks. Highly readable and very funny, turning pages of this slim paperback is as easy as watching a feature film about your funniest friend getting in over her head in situation after situation--all the while checking to make sure you're still there, letting her know everything's going to be okay. This is the story of Brooke, the bumbling attorney at one of NYC's high-power big firms, and her quest to survive her ex-boyfriend's wedding, which takes place in LA. Dumped by her Scottish boyfriend, Douglas, just before the Hollywood A-list event, she manages to talk her best friend, Jack, another attorney (a partner in the making at the firm) into donning a kilt and posing as Douglas at the wedding. And this is where the fun begins as her scheme unravels bit by bit, from lost luggage to stylistic sabotage and a surprising, funny twist around every corner. Author, Brenda Janowitz, has given this zany character a true likeability and her technique of "talking to the reader" at any given time is refreshing and delightful. It's not the first time I've seen this style, but I have to say, it's the first I've read when each time she (the main character) predicts what I (the reader) am thinking, she's spot on! Ultimately, the outcome is predictable and it's wrapped in a pretty plaid bow; however, all in all, this was simply light-hearted entertainment that I enjoyed very much. Michele Cozzens is the author of It's Not Your Mother's Bridge Club

What a great read - and from a first-timer, at that! I think Ms. Janowitz has a fantastic future in the literary field. Being in the legal profession myself, I enjoyed her spot-on references regarding Brooke's legal career. I must say that the only "dumb" thing about Brooke was her total blindness to Jack's affection for her. Bless her heart, she just didn't get it for awhile. But, she's a very smart, likable character that you can't help rooting for. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book and I can't wait to hear more from this author.

A friend recommended this book to me since it is in not unlike the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, which I loved. I actually identified with this story even more since Brook, the main character is a very bright, New York Lawyer at a very prestigious law firm but she has a hysterical, 'get herself into trouble' kind of nature when it comes to her personal life. I loved this book as my husband can attest to (so can the people riding next to me on the subway) because I was laughing out loud throughout the whole book. The writer Brenda Janowitz did a great job of creating the characters and I am now waiting to know what Brook does next.

Manhattan attorney Brooke Miller isn't afraid to go to her ex-boyfriend, Trip's, wedding, even though he's marrying Hollywood's "it" girl. After all, Brooke is ALMOST engaged to a sexy Scotsman - so what's the problem with a little white lie saying she IS engaged? By the time of the wedding, she will be - and will make quite an impression on the arm of her handsome fiance. But when he dumps her days before the wedding, she's horrified to realize she'll be attending the wedding alone. That is: until she convinces a friend fill in. He's a good sport about the whole thing - even though it means flying to California, faking a Scottish accent, wearing a kilt, and boning up on Scottish trivia. But things don't go as Brooked hoped, and she soon finds her life is headed in a direction she never imagined. I absolutely loved the sense of humor and sense of surprise in this novel. There were several moments where I laughed out loud - especially with the quirky point of view of the main character. Even though she'd often dig herself into her own problems, I found myself rooting for her to pull through. I highly recommend Scot on the Rocks.

I'm a lover of titles, and when I heard of SCOT ON THE ROCKS, the debut novel by Brenda Janowitz, I immediately thought, "Witty, cool title - maybe the book's as witty and cool as it." It was. The novel follows Manhattan attorney Brooke Miller, a woman who finds her great life gone to pot when her ex-boyfriend announces his engagement to the latest Hollywood IT girl. That in and of itself wouldn't bother her...well, too much, considering she has a hunky, sexy Scottish boyfriend she plans to take to the wedding. But wouldn't you know it, the Scottish hunk breaks up with her, leaving her dateless for her ex's wedding. Unwilling to forgo attending the wedding, zany Brooke concocts a plan to find a replacement date for the wedding and to get the love of her life. With a woman willing to a) attend her ex's wedding and b) instead of telling the truth, find a fake Scottish boyfriend, you know that craziness will ensue in Brooke's journey to happiness. SCOT ON THE ROCKS was a breezy, funny romp of a story. Our storyteller, Brooke, has a very distinct voice, which I really liked. She had shortcomings - lots of them, but she acknowledged them, made fun of them, encouraged others to do so, too. As I listened to her tale of woe and of triumphant, I felt I was right alongside her. Author Brenda Janowitz does a great job with infusing nice characters, minor and major, and scenes that made me smile and say, I can totally see that, such as when Brooke and Jack are playing with the Magic 8-Ball (you'll have to get the book yourself to know what I mean!). Overall, SCOT ON THE ROCKS is a book that I would definitely recommend; it's a book that fits really well in today's contemporary women's fiction climate. I'm impressed with Janowitz's skills as a writer, especially with this being her first book. I look forward to what she serves us next.