SHE'S OUT OF CONTROL by Kristin Billerbeck

Stardate 12/2/04 Captain's log

Yet another one finished today:

"She's Out of Control" by Kristin Billerbeck

From the back cover:

Ever been on the verge of buying your own engagement ring?

Ashley Stockingdale, the charming but always-in-over-her-head patent attorney from "What a Girl Wants" has finally found the man she wants to marry. But after nine months of dating, it seems her commitment-phobe boyfriend will never use the "M" word. And just when she thinks she's got it all together, Ashley is having trouble knowing where to put it.

A massive remodeling project, a hyperactive puppy, and an ex-boyfriend who wants to be part of her life again all keep Ashley's world spinning. As the mayhem escalates, Ashley's life quickly goes from What a Girl Wants to out of control.

Camy here:

This is a fun romp for those Post-Modern Generation women who know who Jimmy Choo and Lilly Pulitzer are, and want screwball comedy served with a bit of spiritual encouragement for single career women.

Heroine Ashley is highly intelligent and completely neurotic, in a giggling and endearing way. She reacts to the trials in her life out of fear--the same fears that many single Christian women face today and can relate to. She battles the safety of "the familiar," the temptation to compromise, the pull of self-pity, the pit of unworthiness. Ashley's bounce-back attitude and child-like, rock-hard faith in God is both encouraging and challenging. I wrestled with her over her control issues with God, and was reminded of the many times I've done the same thing.

The characters in this book, versus "What a Girl Wants," seem more rich, varied and distinct. The sparks that fly when different characters interact are hilarious and keep the pace moving smartly.

Much of the humor is very modern, for those of us with secret vices of subscriptions to Star and People Magazine in addition to our stash of Cosmopolitans. It may not appeal as strongly to the entire spectrum of readers as to the twenty-something and thirty-something urbanites, but it still zaps with humor reminiscent of old comedy films.

The novel captures the social and business atmosphere of Silicon Valley with its unique multiethnic aroma and science-heavy population. However, in defense of my own engineer husband, they are not all as absent-minded as some of the Reasons. ;-)

In all, a turbulent and ticklish look at the angst of singleness for Christian working women. An entertaining read I highly recommend.

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