Book Review: "These Boots Weren't Made for Walking" by Melody Carlson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking

(WATERBROOK Press June 19, 2007)

by

Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has published over 100 books for adults, children, and teens, including On This Day, Finding Alice, the Notes from a Spinning Planet series, and Homeward, which won the Rita Award from Romance Writers of America. She and her husband, the parents of two grown sons, make their home near the Cascade Mountains in Central Oregon. Melody is a full-time writer as well as an avid gardener, biker, skier, and hiker.

Willing to make the necessary sacrifices–even skipping the occasional latte–to ensure career success, 31-year-old Cassidy Cantrell "invests" in a chic pair of boots, certain they’ll make a spectacular impression and help seal the deal on a long-anticipated promotion from her Seattle employer.

But reality tromps all over her expectations. Cassie’s job is abruptly eliminated–and her love life obliterated, when her longtime boyfriend dumps her for a "friend." Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps home to the resort town she once so eagerly fled–only to find her recently divorced mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe with a thriving social life. Cassie wrestles with envy and apathy as she considers the dismal shape of her own physique and romantic prospects. What will it take for her to jump back into life and regain her stride?

This sassy and hilarious novel leads readers on a romp through the wilds of relationships, romance, career, and spirituality, revealing that, while God’s plans may look drastically different than our own, it’ll always be a perfect fit.



Let me say, I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book.

I know that there will be quite a number of Christian readers who will not like this book. The book is quite edgy so I can understand if some conservative readers might be turned off after reading the first few chapters. However, this is one of the best books I've read this year and I enjoyed it so much, we might have some words if you don't agree with me. (j/k!) I absolutely adored Cassie, her boots, and her story. This is chick lit at its finest. I could not put this book down. You have a character who you grow to love in spite of her flaws. All the elements of a mainstream chick lit book are here plus the added benefit of what it means to be a Christian. Cassie grows and matures throughout the book. The reader goes along for the ride and it's sometimes painful (the gym scenes are torturous) and hilarious at the same time (cougars! and the bear costume!) I really liked Will, he seems like a really good guy, and he also sounds really cute because he's described as being very nice. I did not like Cassie's ex, I'm glad she dumped him, and I cheered when he did. He had a really bad reason for breaking up with her too. The writing in this book is top notch. It is very descriptive and you really get into what it's like to be Cassie and to travel back to her hometown. The first person narrative really gets you into the story.

One thing I would mention is that Cassie does drink some alcohol in this book. However she is not drinking to get drunk and she does not even finish her beer. I bring this up because I had problems in another Christian chick lit book that involved drinking. In this book, I did not find the drinking offensive because no one pressures Cassie to drink. It's her choice and it does not become a huge factor that changes her life.

Melody Carlson is one of the best authors out there. Her teen books are fantastic, her adult ones even more so enjoyable. This book is VERY HIGHLY recommended. If you love chick lit, I guarantee you will devour this book.

These Boots Weren't Made for Walking by Melody Carlson is published by Waterbrook (2007)