Megan Karasch

Chaperones is a book full of laughs and quirky characters. Andrea Lieberman is off to England to work at a magazine as a photographer. Her assignment is to photograph the castles and cathedrals of England. She wants to do this alone so she can 'find' herself. Her parents are loving but a bit controlling as is her boyfriend. Not a bad controlling but enough to be annoying, they do love her though and just want to keep her safe.
She thinks she will be doing her assignment by herself but she will have two male companions. One is gay and the other is a hunk. So along with her chaperones, she sets off to photograph England. Unbeknownst to her, her boyfriend has hired the gay man to watch over Andrea because he feels she will be safe with a gay man. There is a surprise in store for the three of them though.

As the three of them head off, the men are in for a treat as all of Andrea's fears surface which at times prevent her from doing her job. She has to conquer those fears which turns the story into a madcap adventure for all three. Her parents on the other hand still have fears and I thought that the funniest part of the story was when they decide to go to England to check to see that she is ok. I could just picture them in my head as these two middle aged people, hide so their daughter does not know they are following her around.
This is an easy to read book that will have the reader laughing and turning the pages. I really enjoyed this book, it is good to read a book that you don't have to think too much about, just enjoy the story.

I received the book for review and was not monetarily compensated for my review.… (más)

Chaperones is an entertaining story of a woman's journey of self-discovery and growth during a six month photography assignment in England. Written in the first person narrative, twenty-six year old Andrea Lieberman has always lived a protective life that her parents have provided her, a life that has sheltered her from the risks and ups and downs that come naturally in life. Living with fears and regrets, Andrea decides to move out of her comfort zone and experience life when she takes a six month photography assignment in England. Andrea's adventure in England will take her out of her comfort zone, allow her to experience life beyond the protective walls that she grew up in, and along the way discover who she really is.

Chaperones is such a fun and lighthearted read that is filled with quirky characters and entertaining dialogue and interactions that will keep the reader in stitches. The reader follows Andrea as she embarks on her adventure in England away from her overbearing and overprotective parents and boyfriend Brandon. I really enjoyed watching Andrea discover the world outside the protective walls that she grew up in, from the quirky people that she meets, to the amusing trials and tribulations that she finds herself in, Andrea is able to navigate outside her comfort zone and overcome her obsessive fears and paranoia and discover who she is and what the world has to offer.

I loved the author's richly detailed description of the setting, the reader is easily transported to England with it's familiar landmarks, culture and dialect. You can't help but become captivated by Andrea's adventure in England, in a way it feels like the reader is experiencing Andrea's adventure right beside her. From start to finish, Chaperones is a fun read with entertaining twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged and cheering on Andrea as she learns about herself and the world around her.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by JKSCommunications.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/06/chaperones-by-megan-karasch-au...… (más)

Megan Karasch’s Tales From My Hard Drive is a funny, erudite and quick read that will appeal to women shuffling through the dating game and those who have sought love through channels like eHarmony and Match.com. As someone who found her boyfriend in just such a way, Karasch’s novel immediately piqued my interest. I wanted a fast, hilarious ride with heart, and that’s just what she delivered.

Though I’ve seen the “OMG my boyfriend/husband is cheating on me I have to get the heck out of here so I’m going to New York City on a plane tomorrow” shtick before, that doesn’t mean I don’t still lap that stuff up like a gingerbread latte. It’s pure delicious escapism, friends, and just the sort of novel I like to cuddle up with on a Wednesday evening. From the beginning, I saw through Melissa’s prickly exterior and knew that, deep down, she possessed the heart of a romantic. Even if she didn’t always see it that way.

And I loved Ted. Loved him. He’s geeky and sloppy and a terrible, terrible dresser, but that makes him all the more endearing — especially because of the way Melissa constantly keeps him at bay. Though I’m surprised that she would find herself dating so quickly after a shocking and unexpected divorce, I felt that Karasch’s development of Ted and Melissa’s relationship was realistic. And Melissa’s issues were realistic. Overall, it just worked for me.

And this book? This book is funny. Aside from the hilarious dating anecdotes (of which there are many), Karasch’s dialogue simmers with wit and warmth. Melissa’s conversations with Wendy, her friend-cum-unexpected-roommate, had me snorting Diet Coke and giggling like a fool. The banter between Ted and Melissa worked really well for me, too, and further endeared them both to me as a couple . . . they’re intellectual equals, after all. Oh, I love equality.

Basically, this story delivers.

Though I feel Tales From My Hard Drive would work best for those who have played the dating game (which, you know, is almost everyone), I wouldn’t limit this book’s appeal to merely ladies — or single ones, either. Because I dated online and having plenty o’ stories of my own to share, I related on a personal level to Melissa’s misadventures . . . but I don’t think you have to have taken that route to appreciate this one, either. If you’ve loved, lost, loved again or just dig fun chick lit . . . this could very well be your book.… (más)