Had its moments but a bit predictable. Chick lit.

Like many novels in this same genre, Kat comes to a group (in this case a group of people trying to save money) for support and winds up with a group of close friends who help her through a difficult time in her life. Despite the formula, the story is engaging and the message of telling the truth is a telling one. Although, sometimes misunderstandings are the catalyst for important and needed changes, such as in the case of Kat. ( )

Kat loves to shop. She shops and shops and doesn’t pay much attention to the bills. In fact, she’s afraid of her bills. Luckily, (or maybe not) her husband handles their finances. Kat believes she has a good marriage with Griff. Well, that’s until she finds condom wrappers in his suitcase when he comes home from a business trip. To make matters worse, she learns he has a secret credit card and a bank account (in his name only) that he has kept from her. So, what does she think? He’s preparing to divorce her.

As Kat allows this one (and only one) conclusion to consume her (I mean it is obvious he’s divorcing her, right?), she realizes maybe it’s time for her to do a little growing up of her own and prepare for the inevitable: being a 40ish newly, divorced mother. To get ready for this new chapter in her life, she agrees to meet with a divorce lawyer and quickly learns she has a lot to do before Griff tells her he wants out. Step one: find money to pay for the lawyer, which also means she needs to get out of debt and start saving money fast!

She reluctantly attends The Penny Pinchers Club meeting with her housekeeper, Libby and meets an unique set of people. All have had financial woes in the past and have managed to overcome them. Now they buy in bulk, dumpster-drive and use coupons whenever possible. As Kat learns to do away with excess, she also learns an important lesson about herself and her marriage.

The Penny Pinchers Club is a great read. Yes, it deals with marital problems and how money can drive two people apart, but it’s much more than that. As I continued to read, the more I focused on how things aren’t always what they appear. We tend to see what we want to see and come to one (and only one) conclusion based on what is presented to us. It’s so obvious, that if we choose to see it any differently, we will be in denial. But, that’s not always the case. Sometimes we focus on what we know is right, that we tend to misread the clues.

Here I was looking for a light, fun read (which in a way it is), but was also given something to think about: the obvious isn’t necessarily so obvious. I highly recommend this novel. Readers will cheer Kat on as she learns to save money and salvage what’s left of her marriage. ( )

Sarah Strohmeyer can always be counted on for an entertaining read, and this delivers. Coming off the heels of Jennifer Weiner's most recent, and most disappointing, book, I found Kat to be slightly stupid in a most pleasant-to-read way. Great, light reading. ( )

"The Penny Pinchers Club" by Sarah Strohmeyer is a delightful book. The way Kat prepares for her divorce from Griff is just too funny. Although Sarah Strohmeyer does not say it, I could see having a support group while going through any life changing event is medicine for the soul. After a while, I would make lots of friends. Plus, hearing the other flawed people talk about their problems would make me feel less like the worse person in the world. In this instance, I would learn how to buy plenty of chickens on sale too.

Kat also began to save coupons, reuse bags for shopping and prowled a dumpster one night. The last one didn't go over well with Kat. I have to admit she went further with Wade, her dumpster pal, than I would ever have gone. Speaking of Wade he is one of the fun characters in the book. Wade lives in a tent. He prefers calling it a "yurt." His past life is fascinating. Then, there is Liam, Kat's once upon love. I happen to love books with old flames who turn up out of nowhere and make a messy mix even messier.

By the way, "The Penny Pinchers Club" takes place in New Jersey. This is a New Jersey you will remember for a long time. There are more than enough hot, steamy scenes between Griff and Kat. There love for one another grows cold in a very slow, romantic way and in the strangest places. Read the book you will see what I mean. I bet you won't have one regret about reading it either. Myself, I'm waiting for Sarah Strohmeyer's next book. ( )