Reinventing Mona

Rating:
Summary: Even more fun than the first one!
Review: A total romp!

I loved this very human and fun tale of a woman who tries to make over her life, only to learn that there is beauty and completion in imperfection.

Like Coburn's first book, this was extremely funny and easy-to-read, but I found myself laughing out loud more at this one. I enjoyed the story immensely and would recommend to anyone looking for an edgy, feel-good novel about the crazy extremes a girl can go to when she's searching for love.

Rating:
Summary: LOVED it!
Review: I couldn't put this one down. Mona is so likable and real that I was cheering for her as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I really enjoyed the contemporary humor, fast & fun dialoge and San Diego references. A great story!

Rating:
Summary: Coburn is 2 for 2!
Review: I LOVED this book - it was great. The characters were one of a kind and I was sad to see the book end! I laughed out loud a good deal and the book is a re-read and must keep!

I also loved The Wife of Reilly, so Coburn is 2 for 2 in my book. Without a doubt, I would buy a third book, even if I knew nothing about it. Keep them coming, please!

Rating:
Summary: FUNNY AND CHARMING
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the misadventures of Mona Warren, self-described California dullard in need of a complete life make-over. In her quest to create the perfect life and wed the man of her dreams, Mona entertains readers in this romantic comedy of errors. Nothing goes right for poor Mona, but readers delight in watching her squirm her way out of the crazy corners she paints herself into. I found Mona a charming, endearing character who communicated an important message without ever getting preachy or annoying. At the end of the day, Mona learns that "it's a wonderful life" and no matter how many PR schemes you plot and no matter how many actors and "guy coaches" you hire, you're still you. And you rock. So does this book. Congratulations on another winning chick-lit book, Miss Coburn. I enjoyed Reinventing Mona even more than her first hilarious novel, The Wife of Reilly.

Rating:
Summary: Need an escape ? This books' for you !
Review: Loved this book...read it in a matter of days, as I couldn't put it down. Coburn develops Mona and the other characters very well - there is a side of Mona that probably everyone can relate to...I found myself just busting up laughing amongst Mona's antics..especially when she stuffs her bra with "temporary" breast implants. They fall out of her shirt, onto the desk of her future husband...Her response is that they're ice packs and she has a breast infection ! It is hilarious. There are some sad moments to the book as well, in relation to Mona's family history and the tragedy she went thru' as a child. I dont' want to give it all away. Bottom line: Buy this book. It's touching in parts and also very funny ... I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Mona won my heart!
Review: Mona is a thoroughly enjoyable character. I wish the book was longer so I could have spent more time with her. From the real life Big Kitchen to the fictional (I hope) hooker named Parfait - all of the details of Mona's quest to change her life were colorful and humorous. My favorite moment took place during the production of "It's a Wonderful Life". A must read!

Rating:
Summary: Never a dull moment...
Review: Ms. Coburn graciously emailed me with the news of her second book coming out. Thank goodness, or I would have missed it-- having been placed in the "romance" section! I picked it up last night on a whim, needing something that would provide an original, lively story. How lucky I was to guess right!

Mona lived in a commune in Montana where her family and others tried to create lives for themselves without counting on "outside" jobs and income. They lived off of the land, sold hand-made objects, and tried to create a peaceful world for their children.

When tragedy strikes, Mona has no other choice but to move to San Diego with her "grammy," in a house that could be compared to Gone with the Wind's "Tara."

Mona feels like her life or her personality has not brought her much excitement, but she receives the opportunity of a lifetime: to take an early retirement from her engineering job. Only then does she decide to "reinvent" herself, and marry the man of her dreams.

Her best friend Greta tells her to look within for true happiness, but Mona ignores this advice and looks to Adam as her salvation. (he has done her taxes for seven years) Not having too much experience with men, Mona finds "The Dog," aka Mike, who writes a column in "Maximum for Men" and he tells the truth about what men want from women. She hires this man as her coach. (while completely aware that this man acts like a misogynist) Suddenly, her life changes. She joins a woman's soccer league, takes a stripping class, and singing lessons, while trying to trap Adam into loving her.

Have you ever felt that maybe you were in love with the *idea* of someone rather than the person himself? Have you ever wanted to be completely different, only to discover that your "real self" was already inside of you?

Though I was a little disappointed with the "out there" scene during the musical, I was happy to know that hours flew by as I finished the book in two sittings.

So far, she has written 2 out of 2 books that have satisfied me. Please write more!



Rating:
Summary: Another Hit!
Review: Reinventing Mona was so good I read it in a day and a half....I couldn't put it down! The reasons that I liked the book was that the characters were realistic, ones that I could imagine meeting on the street. The situations that Mona found herself in you couldn't help but laugh and want to continue reading to see how it all turned out. The best though is the references that Jennifer Coburn makes to current celebrities and things in the main stream media. Once you read the first page, BAM, your hooked!

Rating:
Summary: hilarious
Review: This book was a lot of fun with outrageous plot twists and hilarious scenarios. Who hasn't wondered what life would look like if we could engineer it so we could seem bigger and brighter than we really are?  This is what 30-year-old Mona Warren sets out to do as she sets her sites on Adam Zigler, her family accountant.  She hires a string of actors, consultants and dancers to set the stage for her happily ever after.  Instead of the Hollywood ending, Mona finds herself in a romantic comedy of errors, fumbling every step of the way.  In the end, Mona gets far more than she bargained for.  I got a delightfully funny and charming story about life, love and loss.  Good fun chick-lit.  Equally, if not as funny as Coburn's first book, The Wife of Reilly!

Rating:
Summary: You won't want this book to end
Review: _Reinventing Mona_ is a must-read. Mona is the kind of "kickin' chick" that you'd want to hang out with. She and her supporting cast came so alive that I'm going to be looking for them everytime I'm in Coronado, Big Kitchen, or Ann Taylor from here on out. Mona's past unfolds at the perfect pace, and it was a delight to watch her future unfold, with all the grace she can muster! Do yourself a favor and read this book.