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Ever felt like the last item left on the clearance rack? So begins the description on the back of this all too enjoyable novel.
Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale is 31 and lonely for love. She is a hard working patent attorney and spends most of her time at work, in Taiwan or at the church’s single group. Ashley’s stuck on a saying her Pastor once used: Single for reason, or single for a season. She’s able to discern the reason in all her peers but surely, she must be single just for a season. When the season stretches on Ashley begins to wonder if she truly is a Reason?
Ashley lives in a world where glitz and glamour and fancy cars, clothes and houses are the sign of success. When three men suddenly show a romantic interest in her, Ashley is delighted, but then confused. When her best friend suffers a tragedy, Ashley doesn’t understand. (They’ve been friends for a long time, but since Brea got married, their girlfriend relationship is different, and they no longer have the same priorities. But, the sister love is still there.)
While Ashley works out her love situation, the rest of the world spins around her. Her nemesis brother discovers love, Ashley’s job changes, her living arrangements are drastically changed, and most importantly – Ashley discovers What a Girl Wants isn’t always what she needs.
This novel is so enjoyable. So many times, when I review books – the Christian message is so heavy I feel guilty and I wonder how a non-believer could wade through all the theology. Or, the storyline is so torrid it leaves me crying. WHAT A GIRL WANTS just made me smile. She says things that aren’t politically correct (Just like me), she wants stuff that she doesn’t need (just like me), and she wonders at the Christians around her and the kind of testimony they are to the world (just like me). She walks through life doing the mandatory things and not seeing the thing God has set out RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER (just like me). I guess that’s the charm of the story: I felt like Ashley and I connected. Although I’ve been married for 26 years and am 43 years old – I understood her. It’s not easy being a Christian – but it is what every girl (and boy) needs. With a lot of spunk and tight sassy writing, author Kris Billerbeck pens a funny, sweet, memorable story in WHAT A GIRL WANTS. I highly recommend it –especially for the hot summer months ahead – what better way to spend the day then reading about a character you’ll adore?
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
May 25, 2004
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