Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover

Shane is "The Breakup Artist." That is, she helps people get out of relationships by telling them how to get the other person to break up with them. Theoretically, it'll prevent bad feelings on the part of the dumpee... provided, of course, that said dumpee doesn't know they've been conned. Which, of course, is what happens. I was prepared to be skeptical about this, because I don't like the games people play in relationships. Shane, though, isn't advocating anything--in fact, she reluctantly takes her talent public first to help out her boss, then to earn the money to buy into the partnership and help her neighbor realize his dream. And she worries about how it'll affect her karma constantly, making her much more likable than I'd expected from the cover blurb. Her first assignment is to extricate her boss's niece Lizzie from Awful Ben. Unfortunately, Lizzie is impatient and Ben overhears her gloating about her success, and he and his friend Gleason decide to confront The Breakup Artist. What follows is a nicely intertwining story of Shane's work breaking up her clients, her roommate Annie who wants help breaking up with too-perfect Nick, her gay neighbors' career and relationship problems, and Ben's dilemma between attraction and revenge. The characters are all well-drawn and understandable: there are no stereotypes or cliches here, and everyone has believable motivations for their actions. There's snappy dialogue, and laugh-out-loud wit, including a hilarious parrot scene, and Shane's adopted stray dog. Once again, Alesia Holliday has written a witty, warm, and just-this-side-of-out-of-control story that's a joy to read.

i love this book. I read american idle and i just fell in love with the writer. I have read most of alesia's book, and i enjoy it very much. Highly recommended..

Shane dreams of one day opening her own shop. Working in a small boutique suits her well. She takes pride in the displays at which she works so hard. The shop's owner is a spunky 73-year-old grandmother type dripping with sophistication, that is affectionately nicknamed Ms. P. Her niece, Lizzy, wants her current boyfriend out of her life, but she wants him to think the break-up is his idea. After hearing about Shane's past and her unnatural way of being able to break off relationships pleasantly, Ms. P recruits her for her cause. Completely uneasy with this arrangement she agrees to it when five hundred dollars is offered. Ben, Lizzy's now ex-boyfriend sets out on an elaborate plan for revenge for Shane. Easier said than done, Ben lusts after Shane though he is not aware of it yet. How can a relationship survive when it is made up of lies? Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover is tale that is laugh out loud funny. Breaking up has never been so hard to do, nor has it ever been this enjoyable to read. In fact, a reader could be half tempted to try a few of the schemes out themselves. This colorful cast of characters will not disappoint. Shane is a normal vivacious female with some wickedly good ideas, and is easy to relate to. Ben is a charming man who is having a hard time seeing what it is that his heart desires. These two characters are classics in the days of modern romance. Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover makes for a good beach read. This tale is a fluffy enough to be considered light, and doesn't require heavy concentration. Alesia Holliday's book does a great job of creating a relaxing, kick your heels back type of novel. Reviewed by Joyce Courtest of CK2's Kwips and Kritiques

I think if you're a fan of Alesia Holliday's other books you'll really enjoy this one as well. At the beginning it reminded me of the movie 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'. It was very predictable with the ending, but sometimes that's what we want to read about. We need to read about 'happily ever after' endings. If you loved this book, I HIGHLY recommend 'Your Big Break' by Johanna Edwards, which has a similar plot about a women who's job is to break up with people.