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The Smart One and the Pretty One
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The Smart One and the Pretty One
Author: Claire LaZebnik

Book Information
Publisher: 5 Spot
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780446582063 - ISBN-10: 0446582069
Publication Date: 9/10/2008
Pages: 304

Book Description:
"This sparkling novel about two sisters is both witty and stylish. Even if you don't have a sister of your own, you won't be able to resist LaZebnik's charming take on modern relationships. Read it!"
- Holly Peterson, bestselling author of The Manny

When Ava Nickerson was a child, her mother jokingly betrothed her to a friend's son, and the contract the parents made has stayed safely buried for years. Now that still-single Ava is closing in on thirty, no one even remembers she was once "engaged" to the Markowitz boy. But when their mother is diagnosed with cancer, Ava's prodigal little sister Lauren comes home to Los Angeles where she stumbles across the decades-old document.
Frustrated and embarrassed by Ava's constant lectures about financial responsibility (all because she's in a little debt. Okay, a lot of debt), Lauren decides to do some sisterly interfering of her own and tracks down her sister's childhood fiancé. When she finds him, the highly inappropriate, twice-divorced, but incredibly charming Russell Markowitz is all too happy to re-enter the Nickerson sisters' lives, and always-accountable Ava is forced to consider just how binding a contract really is . . .


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Top Member Book Reviews

Jessica W. (jessielynn) wrote on 8/26/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

OK chicklit. Main characters are a little stereotypical and the book is fairly, although not completely, predictable. Would be alright for a beach read or something light if you're in the mood for that.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Denise S. (Denise547) wrote on 10/12/2009...


If you are the "smart" one instead of the "pretty" one, I think you will enjoy this book a lot more. I actually found enough truth in this fiction work to have painful moments. The author does an engaging job of insightfully sharing how much sibling labels can impact our adult self-perceptions and behaviors.

Yes, the outcome is a little too predictable and probably not very realistic. But I found it both an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Cheryl B. (cabbieb) wrote on 10/10/2009...


Really liked the story line.

Vera P. (verap) - South Euclid wrote on 10/9/2009...


To strangers, Ava and Lauren Nickerson could not be more similar and some would even go as far as to call them twins. But to Ava, they are worlds apart. Lauren, the younger sister, is beautiful and carefree, attracting men wherever she goes. Thanks to her ravenous shopping habits, Lauren is also in debt and about to evicted from her apartment. Ava, on the other hand, is a successful lawyer and is as conservative and responsible as they come. She lives for her job, does not see the purpose in being fashionable or wearing make-up, and has not had a date since law school.

When Ava tricks Lauren into sitting down with a debt counselor, Lauren swears to get back at her sister. She finds just such an opportunity when she comes across a document her parents jokingly drew up years ago, betrothing Ava to their friends' son, Russell Markowitz. Lauren tracks down Russell, a charming but doubly-divorced bachelor who finds the entire engagement contract amusing and is only too happy to play along. Ava is convinced that Russel is only sticking around for Lauren and cannot believe that someone like him would be be even remotely interested in someone plain like her. But, before long, Lauren's hijinks are throwing the "engaged" pair together in unexpected ways and even Ava is forced to admit that there is more to the whole contract than meets the eye...

A charming addition to chick lit, "The Smart One and the Pretty One" is entertaining, engrossing and a definitely fun read for the beach or a long flight. LaZebnik's writing style is light and chick lit fluffy; the book is not serious literature nor does it pretend to be. At times, I wished that LaZebnik was not so narrowly focused on the relationship between Ava and Russel. Certain story lines could have been better developed or brought to a more satisfying end, such as Lauren's own romantic relationship, but "The Smart One and the Pretty One" kept me interested and intrigued regardless.

Dotti W. (spotti8406) wrote on 8/4/2009...


A good read to get ur mind off the real world. I didn't like the ending.

Susan D. wrote on 7/25/2009...


I hadn't read anything by this author before, but really enjoyed this book. It is a light book, perfect for a summetime read. You can relate to the characters, who are sisters!


Diana V. (ezrinjaz) wrote on 5/3/2009...


Perfect mindless read for traveling or a night in. Jessica W's review sums up the book: stereotypical characters, almost predictable plot, not a great novel but enough to capture attention.

Cheryl C. (cbcuts) wrote on 4/4/2009...


This is a nice, easy read. Funny, but not laugh out loud funny.


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