Rating: 
Summary: Nice, light, romantic comedy
Review: I picked up this book on a whim (it was on sale). I don't regret the purchase. Bartolomeo writes with a light, breezy style that is enjoyable and will have you snickering at some of the scenarios. The one drawback in the book to me was that it was a bit too overwritten. There were barely any pages that didn't have the main character reminiscing about an event long past. Overall, I recommend reading this book if you're looking for a light read for a Saturday. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Nice, light, romantic comedy
Review: I picked up this book on a whim (it was on sale). I don't regret the purchase. Bartolomeo writes with a light, breezy style that is enjoyable and will have you snickering at some of the scenarios. The one drawback in the book to me was that it was a bit too overwritten. There were barely any pages that didn't have the main character reminiscing about an event long past. Overall, I recommend reading this book if you're looking for a light read for a Saturday. Enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Such a nice surprise...
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book and have reread it at least twelve times. It has a spunky everywoman of a heroine whose many endearing quirks (I flat-out adore any fiction heroine with unruly curly hair like mine!) include a tendency to remember special occasions in her life by the outfit she had on at the time. This vintage clothing store owner has to make the usual choice between two men - but this time with a twist. Both men have the same potential (only in different ways) to become Diana's perfect soulmate. Cupid and Diana is, in my opinion, a cut above most "chick lit" not just for its story, or even its heroine, but for the author's prose. She has an amazing gift for adding profound statements about life and love in a sweet and fresh way that just blows me away every time I read this book. My favorite example of this is when Diana states that her taste in men runs to guys who have had to wear glasses at an early age - because it "instills sweetness and empathy" - as opposed to her sister's cookie-cutter handsome jerk of a boyfriend. I loved the characterization in this book, though they hit perhaps a little too close to home in some cases, and the story played out really well. All in all, I give this book five stars. I would recommend it to someone who wanted more story and character in their love story than simply steamy boot-knockin' (although there is some of that in here too!).
Rating: 
Summary: A refreshing book; this is a great "summer read."
Review: I sort of "backed into" this book; while trapped in a doctor's office I found a bit of it in a magazine. Intrigued, I ordered it from Amazon.com, and was glad I did. I don't usually enjoy fiction; it too often seems, well, unbelievable. I was pleased to find this one an exception. The protagonist is a sympathetic character, and the reader can easily "see" the people with whom Diana shares her world. The author deftly explores an old theme -- how we can love our family members without always liking or understanding them. Ms. Bartolomeo also writes enjoyable love scenes without making the reader feel that (s)he ought to hide the book! I really enjoyed this one, was glad I bought it, and have recommended it to friends.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing book; this is a great "summer read."
Review: I sort of "backed into" this book; while trapped in a doctor's office I found a bit of it in a magazine. Intrigued, I ordered it from Amazon.com, and was glad I did. I don't usually enjoy fiction; it too often seems, well, unbelievable. I was pleased to find this one an exception. The protagonist is a sympathetic character, and the reader can easily "see" the people with whom Diana shares her world. The author deftly explores an old theme -- how we can love our family members without always liking or understanding them. Ms. Bartolomeo also writes enjoyable love scenes without making the reader feel that (s)he ought to hide the book! I really enjoyed this one, was glad I bought it, and have recommended it to friends.
Rating:
Summary: A Fun, Sweet, and Accurate Take on Modern Relationships
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this fun tale of complicated relationships, sisterly squabbles, and self discovery.The book is written from the perspective of thirty-something Diana, a Washington D.C. vintage clothing store owner. It delves into the relationships she has with Phillip and Harry, two very different attorneys. In her musings, Diana compares the safety, connectedness, and simplicity of one relationship with the adventure, intimacy, and joy of the other. She repeadly asks herself the question -- How can a relationship be so comfortable and wonderful and yet so suffocating? This is a question I'm sure most people have asked themselves from time to time. These dating issues are intertwined with stories of Diana's relationship with Cynthia (her understanding, underwear-modeling sister), her mother (a fashion guru/alcoholic), and Franny (her pious, overbearing, misunderstood, older sister). Christina Bartolomeo has a great gift for characterization. I appreciate that this tale is not black and white -- rather a mix of beautiful greys. By this I mean, each character has his/her good points, bad points, sad stories, and idiosyncracies. That makes the characters real and delightful. I can't wait to see what else Bartolomeo has in store!
Rating:
Summary: should have been longer
Review: I too knew the author in that Catholic high school, and many of the scenarios and characteristics she attributes to her characters come straight from real life. I enjoyed the book but was disappointed that the plots and characters were not more fully drawn out. Perhaps if the bokk had been a wee bit longer, I would have felt more passionate about the resolutions.
Rating: 
Summary: Pedestrian, predictable, flat
Review: I wanted to like this book -- it's set in Cleveland Park in Washington, D.C., where I lived for many years -- but it never won me over. For one thing, it's unimaginative: I had the sense that the writer was just fictionalizing aspects of her own life. The narrator's self-descriptions sound remarkably like the photo of the author, and details about the neighborhood don't conjure up any sense of atmosphere. There isn't a single metaphor or evocative image in the whole book, and precious little insight. Add an occasional jarringly bad detail, such as a Catholic church wedding held on a Sunday, and you have, all told, a dud.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful read!
Review: I was pleasantly surprised. I found this book refreshing, funny, and completely satisfying. I would recommend it to anyone. I fell in love with Harry & Diana and found myself in many of the situations. I'd like to read more by Christina Bartolomeo.
Rating:
Summary: It'd make a great little movie
Review: I'm sad to say that I finished CUPID AND DIANA last night. Sad because I adored the book! I loved the familiar feeling I got from the writing style and exchange between characters. The soap opera plots were very amusing. Having lived in DC for a while, I liked all the little references to different places around town. This was perfect summer reading: not too involved, didn't waste time with unnecessary details just to fill pages, was not utterly pretentious like so many books I come across nowadays. With a simple and humorous story, she got to the point and made no bones about it. I really liked Ms. Bartolomeo's writing style, and look forward to reading more by her. Besides, it would make the most delightful little movie with the right cast. So far, I've got Callie Thorne as Diana, Joanna Going as Cynthia, Kyra Sedgewick in a cameo as Rafaella, James LeGros as Phillip and either Jon Favreau or Jeremy Piven as Harry since I can't decide which one I like better... but I digress. I really enjoyed the book. Open to casting suggestions and/or other reading recommendations.
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