The Penny Pinchers Club

Although the author also writes mysteries, this was categorized as "Women's Fiction" or as I call them, "Not-so-trashy Trashy Novels." Heroine Kat thinks she has evidence that her husband is planning on leaving her, which leads her to join the local Penny Pinchers Club in an effort to get out of debt and save money before the blow falls. There are a number of interesting characters in the club, and more complications ensue when an old flame comes back into her life. Numerous twists and turns lead to a happy ending. This was a fun read to decompress with after reading Minette Walters' [b:The Sculptress.|41325|The Sculptress|Minette Walters|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169591756s/41325.jpg|40899] ( )

Listened to the NLS Talking Book version. Predictable, light, fluffy novel about a woman who needs to come to terms with the economics of her household. Found a few good tips for saving money, too. ( )

great beach read ( )

Kat's the sterotypical New Jersey female - big hair, glossy nails, shopping habits and all. In her forties with a teenage daughter about to head for college, she's shocked to discover that not only are the family finances nonexistent, but her husband is apparently cheating on her AND siphoning money out of their accounts - the sneak.

She commences a drastic savings plan to save the (gulp) $15,000 her lawyer assures her is the bare minimum she should expect to pay for a divorce. Only problem is, she's allergic to saving. And she still loves her husband. Hilarious hijinks ensue....

Or at least they were apparently supposed to by hilarious. I like Strohmeyer, but this book felt a bit like she was attempting to channel Janet Evanovich, and not succeeding terribly well. The plot is really predictable, and the characters aren't all that endearing. My recommendation? Do your own economizing, and borrow this one from the library rather than buying. ( )

Read this in hopes of picking up tips, even tho it's fiction. Not very good. Very amateurish. ( )