Rating: 
Summary: 4 1/2 stars of fun
Review: Heroine: Abundant
What's crazier than a married woman having a little something on the side? When the little something is her father's business partner! Thirty three year old Sidney Stein is stuck in a marriage that has fizzled out, with no chance at having its former sizzle rekindled. So sassy Sidney latches onto the nearest opportunity for spice in her life, an attentive older man from her father's firm. At first she has no trouble with playing it cool in public, pulling the wool over her husband's eyes, and dodging Geoff's wife at social events. But is sneaking her lover in and out of her house in the dead of night any life for a self-respecting modern gal? When she breaks her own "how to have an affair" rule about not letting her heart get involved, Sidney becomes convinced that it is not. Making a clean break from her husband, Sid is nudged by her pal Parker into dating others, as he points out that it is only fair since her "bit on the side" is juggling two women of his own: her and wifey. Yet despite posting a clever personal ad, Sid despairs of finding the man who could make dumping her secret lover seem worthwhile, or even a single guy who could qualify as "normal". Instead, she seems to attract every misfit, jerk, and creep in the greater Chicago area. And when Prince Charming finally does appear on her doorstep, Sidney is completely unprepared for him. What was Fate thinking? What worked for me:
I am not generally a fan of bed hopping or affair stories, I think because I am a wife and I take that sort of thing a bit personally. However, I found that it worked in this novel because Sid is just so real. We suffer right along with her when she realizes the mess she has gotten herself into. The book's format can be a bit dizzying until you get used to it: what's happening now, flashbacks, and asides all mingled with some fabulous poetry. But everything comes together to make for a really rich storytelling. The recipes included in this book look like they are out of this world. If only I was a competent cook! (And kudos to the author for mentioning Nigella when bringing up the culinary arts. Is there a lovelier chef to be found anywhere on TV?) I never knew that particular fact about pineapple juice, though I did hear the opposite about coffee. (And no, I won't explain this further, but I bet you will remember this note when you read about it in the book.) Size-wise Sid was short and fat--a very round and sexy size 24 and unapologetic about it. She certainly had no trouble securing dates. What didn't work for me:
Oh, I admit it. I am terrible about skimming forward in books to find out what happens, so I didn't take the time to savor much of the poetry. There is a nightmare of a sex scene in this book. I mean, oh man am I glad I've got my guy good and trained!
Overall:
"Inappropriate Men" is wickedly funny, fresh, and real. Warning: there are some coarse words and sexual scenarios in this book. If you liked "Inappropriate Men" you might also enjoy "The Way It Is", "Having it and Eating It", "The Fat Friend", "The High Price of a Good Man", "Good in Bed", "Etta Mae's Little Theory", or the "Odelia Grey" series.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book To Relax To
Review: I am a 26 year old single mother of 5. Finding quiet time is often hard to do. I bought this book at Borders after sitting on a stool reading the first chapter. I found the story to be so capturing. I litterally read it until I could not keep my eyes open any longer. I could not wait to get off of work put the kids in bed take my bubble bath and read my book. If you like to read about love and the truth about how women feel when they fall in love, even if sometimes who they love is wrong; this is the book for you. It made me want to continue buying novels and force myself to find the quiet time that every mother, young, old, single or married should find for herself. Definatly a good love story in a real life situation women can relate to.
Rating:
Summary: I called in sick to work yesterday!
Review: I am a pretty conscientous employee, but I have to admit that yesterday I faked food poisoning so I could stay home and finish Inappropriate Men. If The West Wing had been on Wednesday night, it might not have happened, but that free hour gave me a chance to start the book I had picked up on my walk earlier in the day. From the first page I was hooked. The voice was so fresh, and the story so compelling, I was up till 2 in the morning! When the alarm went off, all I could think of was finding out how it all turned out! And it was the best use of a sick day in a long time. Stacey Ballis finally delivers a heroine that is human, as full of contridictions as any of us, and yet, confident, intelligent, and fun. I wish I knew someone like her. I loved the unusual structure of the story, I thought the poetry was really beautiful, and most of all, I loved that she made me feel powerful as a woman and in charge of my own destiny. This weekend I am celebrating by making a couple of the recipes from the book, and starting back at the beginning to have the experience all over again. Bravo! The new queen of Chick Lit has arrived!
Rating: 
Summary: I blame rushing through Barnes & Nobles during my 1 hr lunch
Review: I blame buying this book on rushing through Barnes & Nobles during my 1 hour lunch; looking for something to ease the boredom of work. This book is HORRIBLE. With a capital SUCKS. I'm sorry, but this book was just not well written. While I am not against people with an elaborate vocabulary (and actually welcome it), but in a chick lit that is suppose to be relaxing.. well, her vocabulary is way too extensive. She uses 30 adjectives per sentence. Going back to the way the book is written, it appears that Ballis wrote the book first and then went around making additions everywhere. Side bar this, side bar that. It's really hard to get into the story when every few pages, there is a side bar. A book that needs THAT much explaining isn't worth reading. And my goodness, the poetry that just goes on and on and on. I'm a huge fan of poetry, and write some of my own.. but this just litters the book. The character, Sidney, tells the story likes she is talking to you face to face. I don't mind that, actually liked that; and usually prefer that with chick lits I read. However, "Sidney" is constantly apologizing for herself, with holds information, and just draws on and on. I understand that going into explict detail of your first sexual encounter with someone maybe too much, BUT YOU ARE A FREAKING CHARACTER IN A BOOK FOR PETE'S SAKE. That's why I bought the book, to divulge in another's life - fictional or not. I skimmed through this book after thoroughly reading the first chapter, but only because I spent $13 on the stupid thing. Don't bother paying for it.. and if you still want to read it, borrow it. Heck, e-mail me - I'll GIVE you my copy. Bah.
Rating:
Summary: Real women do have curves!
Review: I loved it! Finally a real woman with a sassy, fun attitude toward life, relationships and sex! You don't have to be Kate Moss to get the guy and you can be smart, honest and not give in to social norms. I love her use of language and the poetry is a nice addition. She (Ms. Ballis) let's you take the journy of emotions with Sidney and never tries to force her hand. Many may have issue with the idea of an affair yet she shows we are all human when it comes to passion and love. If you can, take the time to get to know Sidney, her city and the men that she meets along the way. A great Saturday in the park kind of read.
Rating:
Summary: Not just another Chick Lit book
Review: I loved this book. Ms. Ballis has a way of being honest, and it is hilarious. The book is a great read, with sections that will have you laughing so hard your belly will hurt. She leaves us with reality, not another fairy tale ending that makes us feel lesser in our own lives. The tale contains situations that all of us, at one time or another, can definately relate to. Kudos to Stacey!!
Rating:
Summary: The Raw Truth
Review: I really enjoyed Ms. Ballis' point of view for her character Sydney...She is a real woman through and through and I think her experiences ring with an uncommon sense of truth, warmth and vitality. This is what we need to hear! I have read so many of the "throbbing manhood" romances, and this is simply a smarter, more streamlined and more sensitive, relevant outlook for today's woman who is often trying to juggle way too many responsibilities in her milieu... Ms. Ballis has a wicked humor to boot! Not only is she relevant, she can move us to tears with the insecurities that go along with dating~ Tears of joy and tears of disappointment and fear of the unknown..."Inappropriate Men" keeps you going to the very end...By the way, the erotic scenes are well worth it! Great job Ms. Ballis...When can we expect the next one?
Rating:
Summary: oh please.
Review: I'm normally a huge fan of the Red Dress Ink books, but I must say that they had it wrong this time.
I picked up the book because of the description of an "unapologetically" plus-sized heroine. That peaked my interest and got me to purchase the book, but for everything else I can't comment too much, because I never read that far.
The main thing that I found was that the story seemed very jumpy and it was hard to get into. Then, the heroine, wrote these HUGE poetic jumbles that I found myself skipping over, just to get back to the story. It seemed to me like they were just inserted to take up space, because they didn't add to the story any.
Anyway. I didn't like this book. I abandoned it rather quickly.
Rating:
Summary: Chick lit fans will enjoy this second chance at life tale
Review: In Chicago while her husband Mark is away on business, self described beautifully fat Sidney Stein wonders if it is time to end their marriage. The thirty-something woman figures it has been over for awhile especially since they have abstained from sex for about a year and a half. Sidney goes to a movie, but the paper had the wrong starting time so she stops in a nearby restaurant to pass time. Her father's law firm partner fifty-something Geoffrey Fahl joins her as his wife Sandra is away and he too came for the film. They enjoy each other's company and over the next few years an affair occurs. Sidney is thrilled with the tryst but she is irate that she has to share her Geoff with his spouse. She decides to see how many male fish will go out with a 5'3" 260 pound woman, surprisingly a lot, but they all seem like INAPPROPRIATE MEN. Though some readers will frown at the heroine's sudden promiscuous philosophy, chick lit fans will enjoy this second chance at life tale. Sidney knows that she must change her boring existence and Geoff provides the initial ticket. Though she knows he is wrong for her she believes she loves him so while she sifts through a series of losers she plans to wait and see if he will one day be hers. Stacey Ballis provides a deep character study of a big babe seeking passion and solace mostly in the wrong places. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Not just "chick-lit", but for men, appropriately, as well
Review: INAPPROPRIATE MEN is a sharply observed, very well written book in which author Stacey Ballis gifts her readership with characters and situations much more genuine than normally encountered in popular literature. Sidney Stein is a living, breathing woman whose experiences readers will find engrossing, funny, self-aware (and hence poignant), authentic, and drawn from life, not from a more customary, idealized mold. It is the imperfections of Ms. Ballis' characters that imbue them with their humanity, and it is their imperfections--the degree to which they deviate from an ostensible, quotidian norm--that gives them grace. I recommend this piece to singles and to couples, to women and to men. Pick a weekend to savor it; you won't put it down. When I had finished the book, I urgently wanted to take Sidney to dinner just to discuss it. Cheers!
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