Monday, June 22, 2009

Review and Giveaway - Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley


Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley

Genre: Chicklit I suppose, but it has a little bit of everything








Rating: 4.5/5.0



I used to read chicklit a lot, but it's been on the decrease lately so I just haven't read it as much. I am so glad that I picked this book from the Harper Collins imprint selections for this month. I knew it had an intriguing premise, I just didn't know it would be chicklit and so much more.

This is Mr. Begley's first novel and if how I feel about it is any indication it surely won't be his last.

The book starts with stuffy, stuck-up Mitch. He's a "serious" writer, he loves only authors who "make you think" and doesn't deal with any of the fluff that makes the best-seller lists regularly. He has a best friend, Bradley, who is a fairly down to earth guy, but other than that, he dates girls that are like him. They like the things he likes, they agree with the things he says. The latest in this line of girls is Hannah, who is in love with him, but as the book begins, realizes Mitch does not love her. Thus, the breakup. Truthfully the breakup does not affect Mitch very much. What does affect Mitch is the fact that his wonderful manuscript has been rejected everywhere.

Here is where the chance signing by a huge chicklit author, and then a chance meeting with her turns Mitch's life around. At first he thinks it's simple to write chicklit, but he quickly learns it's tougher than he thinks. So he starts researching. He joins a dance class suggested by Bradley as his sister is in it, becomes involved with the people in the class (even though they are obviously lower than him). And he even becomes involved with a woman from the class. Wonderful, right? Well the problem is they all know him as "Jason" not Mitch and of course our deceptions always come back to haunt us.

A well-planned and plotted book, this book kept my interest and made me fall in love with the characters. The dance-class characters were different yet you could see them all getting along. Mitch is a great character and you love watching him change without him realizing he is changing and I love the guy as a chicklit author angle (and it works for the author too).

The twists and turns are great and hold your interest. There is fun (going out after the dance class), varying characters, romance, breakups, fights (even fist fights) and so much more in this book. There is a serious side, but the humor and lightness remains throughout. This book was just such a joy to read. I hated when it ended because I wanted to know more about the characters (but it ends in a way that ties things up so you aren't left hanging). It's just that good of a book.

So check it out - it comes out today. Thank you to Miriam Parker for sending me this book.

Publisher: 5 Spot
Release Date: June 22, 2009
Pages: 288
Format: Trade Paperback

Other Reviews:
Lauren at Half Deserted Streets

Buy Ms. Taken Identity at IndieBound
Buy Ms. Taken Identity at Amazon.com

Miriam Parker has offered to send out one copy of this wonderful book to a winner from the blog so you will actually be getting the book instead of my arc! Thank you Miriam for offering this book to giveaway.

Contest will run through Monday July 6th at midnight and I'll draw the winner and post on Tuesday. Giveaway is open only to the U.S. and Canada. For entries:

  1. Leave a comment (and make sure I have a way to contact you)
  2. Become a follower or if you are already a follower let me know (for an additional entry)
  3. Follow me on twitter (see sidebar for link or I am cfulcher)
  4. Twitter about the contest (use @cfulcher so I will see it) and let me know about it (for an additional entry)
  5. Blog about the contest, sidebar mentions are fine (for an additional entry)
  6. Tell me your favorite chicklit or romance book.

36 comments:

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Well, I've had my doubts about this one but your review has made me do a turn-around! Please sign me up for the giveaway!

meah56 at gmail dot com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

I'm a follower


meah56 at gmail dot com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

It's on my sidebar giveaways


meah56 at gmail dot com

Mary (Bookfan) said...

My favorite chick lit/romance is Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins.


meah56 at gmail dot com

Wendy said...

The cover is so funny! Ms. Taken Identity sounds like a delightful read and I definitely want to try it!

Wendy said...

I'm following you on blog and on twitter.

Wendy said...

And I think one of my favorite romance book is See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson, it's always been a must read for me. :)

Teddyree said...

Not entering just wanted to comment. Thanks for the intro to this new author, I don't read much chick-lit at all but your review has me interested in checking this one out.

Linna said...

The cover is ticklish! Interesting. Don't count me in, I'm outside US.

cqueen2 said...

I would love to read this..sounds great!!
thanks
wadesherry@hotmail dot com

donnas said...

Please enter me. It sounds like a good book.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

donnas said...

I am a follower.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

donnas said...

My favorite chick lit book is Bridget Jones Diary.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Unknown said...

Ms. Taken Identity sounds wonderful!

Please count me in!

Dottie

gymmom_027@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

My favorite Chic Lit is probably the Shopaholic Series.

Dottie :)

gymmom_027@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower

Thanks

Dottie :)

gymmom_027@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I blogged at http://myblog2point0.blogspot.com/
on right sidebar!

Dottie

gymmom_027@yahoo.com

Shonda said...

Please enter me in this contest. I saw this book and B&N and immediately added it to my TBR List.

shonm428@gmail.com

Thanks, Shonda

Shonda said...

Crystal-

I subscribe to your blog, does that count?

Shonda

shonm428@gmail.com

Shonda said...

Here's my blog post:

http://memybookandthecouch.blogspot.com/2009/06/ms-taken-identity-book-giveaway.html

shonm428@gmail.com

Shonda said...

I love reading chick lit books and it's hard for me to pick one favorite, but I would have to say it's Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin.

Shonda

shonm428@gmail.com

Belinda M said...

Please include me in your giveaway.

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I follow your blog


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at CoolCanucks.ca


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carlene said...

Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net

Carlene said...

I am a follower.
Thanks
Carlene
iluvreading(at)Verizon.net

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

Hello, I would love to read this book! My favorite chicklit book has to be Walking in circles before laying down by Merrill Markoe. I got stuck in an airport for 8 hours and picked it up in the terminal AND finished it before boarding the plane!

mdwartistry at yahoo dot com

Sweet Vernal Zephyr said...

I'm a follower now too

mdwartistry at yahoo dot com

Julie said...

Please enter me, this looks like a great beach book!

Cheers,
julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

Julie said...

I'm a follower now too

julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

Debbie F said...

Please sign me up for the giveaway

Thanks
Debbie
dcf_beth at verizon dot not

Debbie F said...

I follow you too!

debbie
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Luvdaylilies said...

Please enter me in your giveaway~looks like a good read!
Thanks bunches=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

Luvdaylilies said...

I'm a follower=)

Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

L said...

Enter me please!

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

L said...

i'm a follower.

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Brim over I agree but I think the list inform should have more info then it has.

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