Rating: 
Summary: Heartwarming fairy tale -- very much a fairy tale
Review: Jemima J is grossly overweight and has, it seems, no life. She hates her job, doesn't have too many friends, and consoles herself with ravenous eating. Upon taking an internet class for work, her life changes. She makes friends, chats up a good-looking man online, and goes out a few times. Having suddenly realized the possibilities, Jemima joins a gym, works out twice a day, and resorts to subsisting off of hot water with lemon and lettuce. It works -- Jemima is slim and happy by the end of the novel.So that's the book in a nutshell. Reality, however, does not work that way. Women who compulsively overeat do not simply wake up one morning suddenly having developed the desire to work out twice a day and eat alomst nothing. And of those who do lose weight through a long and arduous struggle -- well, not every one of them turns out to be thin _and_ drop-dead gorgeous. I suppose, however, that's why this book is a fairy tale. It's mildly amusing, has an affable cast of characters, and is a quick and easy read that's good for the summer. It seems, however, that the same book could be written without trivializing Jemima's position and without making everything seem so shiny and easy. Good beach read if you don't expect anything but a quick and pleasant read.
Rating: 
Summary: Light and fluffy - just like the new Jemima
Review: I sped through this book seemingly quicker than Jemima lost all that weight - a long weekend. While this and other parts of the story were completely unbelievable, overall "Jemima J" is an enjoyable read. It's been a while since I read a "light" book, heck, any book. As of late, they've all got bookmarks 20, 50, 75 pages in. So cheers to Jane Green for providing such a breezy read. Right from the get you know it's going to be contrived. C'mon, I mean, a fat girl, named Jemima? When was the last time you ran into a gal named Jemima? (Those in the shape of a plastic bottle on a Sunday morning notwithstanding.) From beginning to end it's rather unbelievable (in parts) but isn't that what fiction is all about? It was a nice four day escape from a world that, sad to say, does, much to the disagreement of some of the reviewers, reflect the one described in Jemima J. To all the naysayers, yes, stereotypes abound in this book. But don't they in real life? I've felt guilty after eating fish n chips and I've done two workouts the next day to make up for it. I consider myself self-assured (kind of like Jemima J at times) and insecure at other times (kind of like Jemima J). I've pined after that boy at work and feared that he didn't reciprocate because I'm not a JJ size 8. So yes, I agree, some of the plot is *quite* unbelievable but it's kind of like ER, all that stuff really happens in the emergency room just not all in one night, just not all in one commercial-riddled hour and not all in four hundred pages/six months, but it nonetheless does happen. And thanks to Jane Green for making it happen. I picked up this book at the store because of it's cover (or rather, it's binding), it was graphically attractive. And the point of Jemima J, is that, as much as we don't like to admit it, we do judge books by their covers.
Rating: 
Summary: My New Favorite Book!
Review: When I first started reading this book, I had a hard time getting into it because the beginning is a little slow, but as soon as the plot started to thicken and I learned more and more about all the characters I couldn't put it down. I put this 300+ page book away in 2 days, and was craving more! Jemima became a real person to me, and I felt like a fly on the wall in every situation she was in. I would love to see Jane Green turn Jemima's story into a series of books. I can't wait to read more from her! A++
Rating: 
Summary: Insulting, at best.
Review: Very few books actually make me pause every few pages to cringe at just how badly they are written. The only reason I forced myself to read the whole thing is because I paid for it and felt silly letting the money go to waste. Of course, reading the book is about 5 hours of my life I'm never getting back... As a woman who has struggled with her weight for quite some time, I found the "heroine" to be stereotypical at best, and totally daft at worst. It's extremely hard to be absorbed into a book when none of the characters are even remotely likeable or believable. I've read a few other reviews who have covered complaints about this novel that are similar to mine, but they bear repeating in my mind. The shifting point of view was completely jolting. The omniscient point of view also took on such a snide, pitying tone towards Jemima that it only served to make me dislike the narrator in addition to everyone else. One wonders if the author has even deigned to talk to someone overweight. Sitting there, I couldn't escape just how glossy Jemima's "problems" are: she has no self esteem, she is tormented by her evil stepsister-like roomates, she is in love with a bronzed brainless beautiful prince and the reason she's overweight (which evidently comes hand in hand with unloved and spineless) is because she overeats. Naturally, all of her problems disappear when she dyes her hair blonde and becomes a size 6. What a neat and tidy fairytale. Please, don't waste your money on this book like I did. If you want a smart and funny take on weight issues with a confused but utterly lovable heroine, stick with Bridget Jones. (the second novel, edge of reason, is terrific)
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: This book is incredible-I simply couldn't get enough of it! The minute I finished it, I ran to the bookstore to buy another title by Jane Green! I will definately read everything this woman writes from here on.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I've Read
Review: Jemima J was one of the most interesting and funniest books i've read in a long time. There are so many reasons why this is a great book. Jane Green is a great writer, for starters. Also, the plot makes this book a book that you can never put down. The book was about a woman named Jemima J(you're probably thinking duh, i already knew that, but i'm just starting)who lives in England. Jemima is a little bit overweight. Her life seems like it's just so boring, but when she meets a guy online named Brad, who runs a gym in California and is really fit. Jemima doesn't really know what she's gotten herself into until he wants to meet her. Well, i'm not going to tell you anythin else, but this book really explains how far a woman would go for a man. You may not think my review is that good of writing, but i REALLY recommend this book to anyone who is under stress and needs to just sit down and laugh. Hope you read it!
Rating:
Summary: Jemima J: A Novel About Ugly Ducklings and Swans
Review: I loved Bridget Jones Diary and thought this might be similar. I found the book to be one of the most poorly written books I have ever read. Not only is the story unbelievable...in just a short time an extremely fat young woman loses most of her weight and becomes beautiful to impress a creep she meets in a chat room, but the voice of the book keeps jumping from JJ talking about herself, to an annoying narrator voice talking about JJ and what she is thinking. Give me a break!
Rating:
Summary: Easy read, but decent girl book
Review: I read all 370-some pages of Jemima J in 3 days. That is how easy this book is to read. Now, the plot did keep me interested, but not at the pace where I couldn't put it down. It just so happened that all of a sudden I was on page 300 and didn't know where the book went. Now, I will agree with many of my fellow readers that Jemima's extreme weight loss in such a short amount of time is quite unbelievable, and it is quite disheartening that Jemima (er.. JJ) only got what she thought she needed once she was thin. When she was fat she had the ... job, no love, and really no true friends (as I can relate). When she is suddenly transformed to JJ she seems to get exactly what she wants: the cute boyfriend (although it does take a while for she and Ben to actually hook up and she had to put up w/ Brad in the meantime), great friends, and a job at a "glossy magazine." It makes me think that unless I get thin, nothing good will ever happen for me. Nonetheless, I would recommend this to people looking for an easy read to pass the lazy days of summer away. I would also recommend the first half, before Jemima becomes JJ, to anyone who has ever made fun of or dismissed overweight people. Maybe it will make those "better than thou for I am thin" people think about how overweight people are treated in this society.
Rating:
Summary: The funniest book I've read in a long time!!
Review: This book was fantastic! Jemima's transformation both physically and emotionally really was portrayed honestly. I read 274 pages of this book in one sitting and had to put it down to go out. As soon as I got home, I finished it. It's really a page turner! You won't be disappointed in this book!!
Rating:
Summary: Oh so adorable...
Review: Jemima J, an overweight journalist, is living with two beautiful roommates and suppressing a crush on her sexy co-worker, Ben Williams. Jemima J's seemingly no-win situation turns into Cinderella of the 21st Century when she takes control of her eating and exercise habits after meeting an American Prince Charming over the internet. After slimming down to supermodel size, she takes off for America and begins her new life. But wait: there's more! Jemima comes full circle after spending time in America away from home. The only question is whether her American life is the path to true happiness!! (and if Ben Williams re-enters the picture) Jane Green is my favorite discovery this year! Also recommended is Green's *Mr. Maybe* and *Good in Bed* by Jennifer Weiner.
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