If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend

I loved the premise of the book - going on a 5 month round-the-world art tour - but was disappointed that the author handled large chunks of it with the literary equivalent of "flipping through the calendar pages". Besides that, the plot was predictable and a little boring. There were some truly funny bits - the love calculator and "pass the schnauzer" had me laughing so hard I cried - and I think it just made the rest of the book seem so much more blah.

Overall, this was a mediocre chick lit book, with some glimmers of awesomeness.

If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend is as close to a perfect example of contemporary romance as it's possible to be: a happily-ever-after fairy tale set in the modern world. Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons is the Prince Charming, hailed as the most important young sculptor of the day. Jane Laine is the Cinderella or Snow White--working for an unappreciative boss, taking second place to her "stepsisters"--her mother's pampered miniature schnauzers.

On the heels of discovering her boyfriend of 2 years with another woman, Jane makes a huge gaffe that nearly costs her her job: she orders the wrong size Reese's Cups for the Reese gallery's booth at the fall art fair opening. Instead of being fired, however, she's informed she'll be accompanying the show more gallery's most important artist, Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons, on a 5-month tour of art fairs and galleries in London, Rome, Chicago, and Miami, which she assumes is meant to get her out of the gallery, as the least useful person there.

To make matters worse, she's never liked Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons. Jane prides herself on understanding art, but the meaning behind his sculptures continues to elude her, and she's come to the conclusion that one of them isn't all they're cracked up to be, and she's pretty certain it's not her. In addition, her boss's reactions to Ian convince her that Ian himself is someone to be avoided at all costs.

However, the trip is a pleasant surprise. Ian is much... nicer than she'd expected, and the travel helps her get over her ex, and reevaluate her life.

Jane is someone it's easy to relate to. She can take care of herself, has a decent career, but worries about the security of her job. She has friends and a quirky family--and whose family isn't a bit quirky in a certain light?--and a huge crush on Owen Wilson, for which who can blame her? Her mother's obsession with her miniature schnauzers reminds me of a few people I know.

Ian starts out larger-than-life, but as the book progresses and Jane gets to know him better, he becomes more and more real. There's a very sweet moment when he tells Jane that despite all his current fame and success, in school, he too was the one not chosen, and that suddenly brings his character into vivid focus.

All in all, If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend is a warm, feel-good story that you won't want to put down, and that you'll want to savor on a day when you really need a pick-me-up. show less

Alison Pace's If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend was a delightful surprise. I assume that it flies under the 'chick lit' banner, but it's so well written that it should appeal to readers of all ages.

Twenty-seven year old Jane Laine is the manager of a New York art gallery; she has the boss from hell, a mother with four miniature Schnauzers, a boyfriend who is about to stray, and the man of her dreams right under her nose.

Suffice it to say, I laughed aloud today in the dentist's office while reading this book. That should say it all.

I wanted to rush to the end to see the characters live happily after and the wicked get their just desserts and I hated to finish it because I loved the characters so much.

No one should miss Christmas Dinner show more with the anorexic schnauzer and the 'pass the schnauzer' game. show less

More chick lit than I would have expected. Especially another air head female when Jane was suppose to be paying attention and be so great at her job. Did enjoy the tantrums that her boss had over her mistakes at work and the way her mother acted towards her dogs. Liked the quotes by Warhol, the behind the scenes look at art galleries and their art shows. Glad to see Jane grow in her thinking about relationships with people. Liked the perspective on life of the artist Ian that she has to assist while traveling to different cities. Jane never really displays an intelligence about art though.

Sometimes, I just want to read a book about a smart but not overly pretty modern woman who's trying to find Mr. Right. Chick lit fills a niche, but I don't want it to be dumb. Pace is a lively, smart writer who represents the genre really well. I wish Meg Cabot wrote like this.

Took one day to read.
Not as enjoyable as Pug Hill. Very predicable and a little too "chick lit" for me.
That said, this is the story of Jane Laine, art gallery assistant who goes on a 5 month Art Fair Project Tour with Ian Rhys-Fitzsimmons, a world famous sculpture.
Think you can guess the rest?