Sleeping Over - Red Dress Ink Author:Stacey Ballis Max has just returned from the Peace Corps and is crashing with pediatrician Harrison. Dealing with her return to Western civilization, her long-divorced parents dating again and the feelings she is trying not to develop for the dashing doctor may just drive her crazy. Then again, if he reciprocates . . . Robin relishes her job as an exe... more »cutive sous-chef in a trendy restaurant almost as much as she savors her friendship with its owner, Michael. But Robin knows she wants much more. So how do you make someone who knows you so well look at you with fresh eyes? Then, artsy Lilith. When she and her boyfriend realize they've been getting more sleep than sex, they agree to "see other people," which turns into quite a nightmare. Lastly there are sisters Riv and Anne. Between them, they've got enough secrets to keep anyone awake at night. Part Sex and the City, Stacey Ballis's Sleeping Over examines relationships both romantic and platonic (and platonic wanting to be romantic), and looks at the various configurations of what it means to spend the night together. Stacey Ballis is the Director of Education and Community Programs at The Goodman Theater in Chicago. In addition to writing, she throws a heck of a dinner party.« less
Quite story of a group of thirtysomething sharing their stories about love and loss. I enjoy this type of book so it was right up my alley. Cute chick lit.
Just finished reading this book - I've had it for months but couldn't manage to get into it right off the bat.
The back cover describes the book as "part 'Sex and the City' and part 'Little Women'" but I can't agree with that. The book certainly tries to be racy and sexy, buy falls far short of the mark for me. It also doesn't bring the "all girls together" feeling of sisterhood and family that I think it's going for.
The writing is not bad - the author, according to the back cover, is the director of a theatre in Chicago and you can tell that from her writing style. Some of the conversations are very funny. But there is a downside. Very verbose, each character has at least a couple big soliloquies spouting off about his/her beliefs, values, etc. I didn't find the conversations very believable or, to be honest, likable.
There are 5 main characters, each with love lives and jobs and lots of drama going on, but I didn't connect with any of them. Each segment seems too short to really get to know the women, so you end up bouncing around and forgetting who is who. I think if the author would have explored just one or two storylines deeply, I would have enjoyed it much more.
