Rating: 
Summary: Belle captures the essence of New York
Review: As a 60 something I bought *High Maintenance* to see the writing and ideas current among the 20's & 30's somethings in today's NY. Perfectly written and beautifully edited this book is about NY at any time. It is perfectly hilarious with many laugh-out-lould moments. But, all the people, all the ideas and all the events are truly NY experiences (I lived there some 35 years)I suppose its possible to see Liv as an abused woman and this as some sort of Bridget Jones or Thelma and Louise et al. knockoff, but I found it very, very funny, insightful and even, in places, profound. Belle knows NY and its power to addict. A woman can forget many lovers but she never forgets NY. Not many places in the USA have people who live in 100 year old buildings without elevators and pay over a thousand dollars a month to walk up 6 floors. I will read anything with Jennifer Belle's name on it.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Do not get this book if you're looking for yet another Bridget Jones type of one. Not that there's anything wrong with that. This one is just different. VERY different.
"High Maintenance" is actually so brilliant that I spent this entire afternoon reading it simply because I just couldn't put it down.
Do get this book if you
a., are as obsessed with New York City as my humble self - it will definitely bring back some memories ("And if there were other apartments and other men, maybe there were even more cities. But then I caught a glimpse of my new view. No, I thought. There are no other cities." - page 350)
and/or
b., love sarcastic, cynical AND witty humor, which every page is filled with.
I have no idea why some other readers didn't enjoy it (then again, tastes differ) - to me it's the most enjoyable novel I've read in a LONG time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Stuff
Review: I Frickin' LOVED this book! The heroine was deliciously shallow, fabulously greedy, and someone I could totally relate with... In a world like the one we live in, who else but you could possibly love you as much?
Rating:
Summary: Sex & The City Meets Seinfeld !!
Review: I loved this silly, little book! As my title notes, it reminded me very much of both hit shows. The characters Liv encounters in this book could only have come from a zany, neurotic Seinfeld episode. My favorite has to be her "Pat" boss, Dale. Belle's hilarious description of this wacky woman- from her trademark greeting of, "Hi, how aaaaare you?" to how she pronounces "ask" ("axe")- is just too funny & has me laughing out loud. You never know what's on the next page. Perhaps someone's falling from a second floor to the first in a bathtub in a restaurant or perhaps someone's getting their ear bitten off.
The most romantic thing about this book (and, lol, the only I guess) is Liv's love of her city, New York. Obviously she reminds me of Carrie from Sex in that way. She gets plenty of crap thrown her way & people are not always there for her when she needs them, but her city always is & I smile thinking of her loyalty to it. The last sentence of the book is just plain neat & left me with a huge grin on my face.
Read this crazy book! It goes beyond normal chick lit.
Rating: 
Summary: Not funny or clever
Review: I read this book because somewhere it said it was the American version of Bridget Jones' Diary. All I can say is that this main character is really messed up. She was so frustrating, wimpy and whiny. I found it stange and stupid, but certainly not laughable.
Rating:
Summary: I'm still thinking about this book!
Review: I read this book five years ago and it's still on my mind as one of the best books I've ever read. Jennifer Belle's writing style and wit grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. If you're a little bit twisted and love to laugh don't miss this book. I keep watching for her to write another book. I'll be first in line. Jennifer Belle writes like no other.
Rating:
Summary: Completely enjoyable
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read "Going Down," a couple of years ago and have been eagerly awaiting Jennifer Belle's new novel. I wasn't disappointed by this one-in fact, I actually laughed out loud in several parts. The story is compelling and fascinating, Liv is so real that it's painful (and embarrassing when you realize you have been in the same types of situations), and I just couldn't put it down. She's the kind of writer that makes you want to re-read her work several times because you always find something new to love. I was definitely sad to see it end and already looking forward to her next novel!
Rating: 
Summary: HIGH MAINTENANCE TO READ
Review: I WAS DISAPPOINTED. I had read such great reviews here on-line. I was really looking forward to a GREAT READ. Don't get me wrong, it held my attention throughout most of the book. It was a quick read. However, i found myself getting upset throughout the novel at Liv's acceptance and allowance of abuse. She was a beautiful woman, an intelligent business woman and allowed that craze-filled Andrew to destroy her. I did not find this book to be funny. On the contrary, I felt quick down while reading it. I was rooting for Liv to take control and take charge. I was actually scared for her at certain points of the book. I guess I was just looking forward to a light read and fun. However, I got much more. NOT MY KIND OF ENJOYMENT.
Rating: 
Summary: Strange but good
Review: Jennifer Belle definitely has a much different style of writing than other featured "chic lit" writers. Although this book is funny at parts, it has a sense of darkness throughout the whole novel. The main character, Liv Kellerman, while recently separated from her husband, struggles in NYC with her rundown apartment, new job as a real estate agent, and a jerk of a boyfriend. I'd have to say I was rather impressed with Belle's writing; at times it is very moving and beautiful...so much so that I wondered why she writes in this particular genre. If you were a big fan of Bridgette Jones or other funny female characters, this might not be the book for you because this main character isn't exactly funny in a light, whimsical way. She's funny at times in a dark, sick way. Overall I enjoyed this book although it may not be the kind of lighthearted read I assumed it to be.
Rating:
Summary: Good story of finding one's self, not to mention a good loft
Review: Jennifer Belle writes an engaging story of finding ones self, a soulmate, and a good loft in Manhattan, not necessarily in that order.
Liv Kellerman leaves her no good husband to a barely functional apartment, and after an odd job as an assistant for an eccentric blind judge, becomes a real estate agent. As Liv starts putting her life back together, we meet an odd assortment of clients, boyfriends, co-workers, and off beat people in her neighborhood.
The strength of the book is the Kellerman character. She is strong, yet can be vulnerable. Savvy, yet prone to surprising lapses in judgement. She keenly understands the character of various living spaces in New York, and makes numerous clever observations throughout the book.
While looking for the perfect loft in Manhattan is not something I've ever experienced and probably never will, the book is really about finding one's place in life, which is something we can all relate to.
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