About the book:
Peggy Adams is comfortable in her New York life, until she makes an unusual agreement with Luke Sedgwick, the last scion of an old New England family. The deal: Stay married for a year, and the two will inherit the Sedgwick mansion in New Nineveh, a quaint, preppy Connecticut town.
But entering Luke’s world isn’t easy. Peggy must quickly learn how to pass herself off as a proper Connecticut wife and a perfect WASP. (Hint: At parties, nobody actually eats the food.) To make matters worse, she finds herself falling in love with the man she’s married to—despite that he seems to have no feelings for her.
drey's review:
I inhaled Mating Rituals. Seriously. I mean, who's never daydreamed about meeting the rich, handsome, sophisticated, dude? Not to mention actually marrying him? Who cares if it was all done in a drunken frenzy? Or that the WASP-ish life is stuffy & unyielding?
Well, Peggy does. After all, drunken frenzies are so not what she does! But! Oh, but! Here's an opportunity for both of them to get what they need - for her, the money to save her store and help her bestest friend in the whole world (I won't mention marrying the live-in dork who's hung around for 7 years without committing. Ok, so I did.); for him, the ability to care for his great-aunt in her declining years. (Yeah, gorgeous AND noble. They don't really make 'em like that, do they? Do they?)
Mating Rituals is sassy, if sometimes a bit long-winded. But I liked it. Add this to the pile for a good beach read. And if you can't buy it ('cuz you signed up for insane challenges like my Ban on Spending!), then read on!
Author profile:
Lauren Lipton is a deputy editor at Cosmopolitan. Previously she was a senior editor at In Style and a staff writer at The Wall Street Journal, where for the popular Weekend Journal section she reported on supersize engagement rings, copycat brides who steal their friends' wedding ideas, and luxury homes with his-and-hers garages. Her work has also appeared in publications including Glamour and Marie Claire and on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. She began her career as a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering television and lifestyle trends.
She holds a bachelor's degree in English and anthropology from Occidental College and a master's degree in print journalism from the University of Southern California. She lives with her family in New York City and in Litchfield County, Conn. Lauren can be found online at her website and her blog.
In Lauren's own words:
I confess, I'm a bit of a fraud. Despite having written a novel about White Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture, and despite my own part-WASP heritage-born in Providence, Rhode Island, to a native New Englander - I might not succeed if, like Peggy Adams, the heroine of my novel, I had to pass myself off as "one of them." Here are five reasons why not:
1. I can't drink gin-and-tonics. In fact, I can't drink gin or tonic in any form, separately or together, thanks to one unfortunate party my freshman year of college, when I decided it would be fun to toss back several G&Ts in succession. Just remembering this incident is making me queasy. Better change the subject...
2. Speaking of college, it was not an Ivy.
3. I look ghastly in pink and green. Coral and teal are lovely on me. But the authentic, preppy hues of powder-pink and lime make me look as if I've had too many gin and tonics.
4. It's hard to sail, golf or play tennis when you don't like to be in the sun.
5. I'd choose high heels over boat shoes any day.
I hope you and your readers enjoy MATING RITUALS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WASP anyway. Do have a G&T for me!
Giveaway!
I have one copy of this lovely book for you lucky ducks (due to miscommunication on my part, I ended up with an extra)! To enter, comment and share if you'd be able to be "one of them"! =) I couldn't: I burp. Can't be bothered with makeup. Forget G&Ts, I drink wine out of a box. Sometimes. Can't swim well, and golf & tennis involve hitting balls with something. While aiming at something. Hah! Good luck! =P Seriously - good luck that I don't hit (or maim) you, me, or the poor unlucky sod who's standing next to you or me.
Since I'm mailing it out, it can go anywhere that the USPS is able to deliver to. KittyCat and gautami, this includes you gals! =D As always, +1 for following, +2 for sharing. So go tell the world, peeps! And be done by 6:00 pm CST June 7th! Good luck!
Check out the other tour stops - there are tons of 'em, and who knows what you'll find? =)
66 comments:
I enjoyed reading this too. I had to warm up a bit first to the characters but it was definitely fun to take a peek at a different lifestyle.
Don't enter me. I agree that this would make a great beach read this summer.
No need to enter me.. I enjoyed the book and it fun theme. Great post.
Don't enter me. I just wanted to say I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and entertaining. I especially liked Aunt Abby. Great review!
I could totally not be one of them. I'm what they call in Madison a "granola girl." But please enter me so I can read all about them! :--)
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I follow your blog.
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Cute post Drey.. This was a fun read!
Don't enter me but I wanted to say take a peek at The Burton Review for a different Guest Post written by Lauren, and a Giveaway chance for one of three copies of the books.
Marie
"They" wouldn't have me! I care too little about appearances and first impressions. Too genuine and sincere for "them". And, quite frankly, I'm bored by most of "them" anyway, and wouldn't want to be one of "them"!
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Please put my name in for an entry Drey...although I could handle playing tennis and sailing in the sun(I think I could be in the sun all day and love every second of it), I could not handle the gin and tonics...argh!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'm also a folower.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'm definitely not one of them - jeans and T-shirts for me. Although sailing or yachts I could probably get used to but not on a daily basis.
msboatgal at aol.com
I'm also a follower
msboatgal at aol.com
I'd love to win this book! No heels here, no gin n tonics either and not a stitch of makeup!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Follow your blog!
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/1937397507
Thanks
nancyrobster@gmail.com
Please enter me - vvperesk@gmail.com
I'm a long time follower :)
vvperesk@gmail.com
I couldn't be one of 'them'. I worked for one of 'them' for 20 years and they are SO fake, so often. That's not me.
posted on my blog - http://kat-bryanscorner.blogspot.com/2009/05/win-mating-rituals-of-north-american.html
Please count me in!
Wouldn't be one of them - can't drink, play golf (though tennis and sailing are okay), and I'm ASIAN!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
+ 1 I'm a follower
+2 I'm posting a link to this contest on my blog's sidebar. thanks!
www.startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
Naw, I could probably fake it for a while but eventually my "inner tramp" would shine through!
I love to read about the "others" though so I'm entering.
southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower.
southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweeted.
http://twitter.com/southrngrl/status/1938433161
southrngal(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, I was meant to be one of them..it's only the money that holds me back!
I love sailing and golf and tennis.
I'm sure my mint juleps count.
College was not Ivy but an all girls college attended by every female of my family since it was founded.
I love Lily Pulitzer clothing!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
I'd love to get a chance! After getting over my initial impression that this was a book about wasps (the bugs), I've been infatuated with getting a copy!
jaam121388 at yahoo dot com
I forgot to mention, I could never be one of them! I tend not to wear pink or green, and not really out of aversion. Just I look better in blue and black and other colors. I don't drink, and if I did, I doubt it'd be G&Ts (although maybe I'd try it once). The biggest thing is that I can't swim AT ALL, so I really wouldn't fit in lol.
I also follow you drey :)
jaam121388 at yahoo dot com
I couldn't be "one of them." I can't be bothered with makeup either!
chey127 at hotmail dot com
There's no way I could be "one of them," but I'd love to read about them... I am a follower of your blog too!
Sounds like a great book. And I really dont think I could be "one of them." But I will gladly read and watch shows about "them."
I am a follower.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Let's see..... raggedy tshirt and jeans, tennis shoes (dont own a dress or a pair of heels) or barn boots with cow poop on them....
guess I dont qualify at all.
Would love to win and read the book though.
Gayle
No, I couldn't ever be "one of them"!
Please count me in - Thanks,
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com
I follow.
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com
I could never be one of them-I love flats and comfortable jeans but I would love to read about them
There is No Way that I could ever be one of them. I don't even talk like them, don't dress like them, don't care to act like them.
roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net
I'm a follower.
roylsue(at)telpage(dot)net
Please include me in the giveaway. I don't think I could be one of "them". I do enjoy looking nice, wearing makeup, etc. I don't do heels and not a fan of phony people. I can't stay out in the sun very long. Golf bores me and no tennis for me, I don't like to sweat. Gin and tonic sounds great and is great, but I can't drink anymore. Oh well I'll just have to stay me. Thank you.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net
I blogged it:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-05-30-09.html
No way. The best part of a party is the food. Lol!
I follow.
Hi
Please count me in. I'd love to read this. I'm dying for some good entertainment. Cheers
MarionG
polo-puppy-fluffy At hotmail dot com
I could never be one of them, either. I don't like gin at all (give me my tequila)and I never wear pink because it clashes with my skin tone! My college wasn't Ivy and I prefer my Birkenstocks! I don't swim, so sailing is out!
I couldn't be one of them because...
for me, comfort is more important than fashion.
Count me in please - thanks.
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
I'm a follower - thanks.
libneas[at]aol[dot[com
I blogged it here:
http://libneas.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaways-galore.html
Thanks
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
I would like to say I could fake it but I couldn't be one of them, the first "ain't" or "ya'll" would give me away.
I am a follower and I blogged about this at:http://readinginappalachia.blogspot.com/2008/11/current-book-giveaways.html
Thanks.
I would not make it. My idea of "dressed up" is black jeans and boots. I can't get the posture of just the right nose in the air. I stumble when I walk -- and can not walk in heels.
I am a follower
Sounds like a good book.This one I definitely would enjoy reading. Please enter me. Thanks!
I am a follower!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I'm back to let you know that I blogged about your contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'm not one of them at all. Gin - uhuh - bad memories there (it was lemon gin but gin is gin). Pink - puhlease no. I've big-golfed once in my life and it was one of my most embarrassing moments; if there are no waterfalls, trains, and windmills, I'm not interested. I've sailed once and recall a classmate being knocked out of the boat by the "boom". Not Ivy League. Not rich. Not preppy. Not snobby. Just a small-town Canadian girl, down to earth, beer-drinking, jeans and t-shirt wearing, minivan driving, working mom.
melacan at hotmail dot com
melacan at hotmail dot com
Followr
melacan at hotmail dot com
Oh, I would definitely have trouble being "one of them." Oh, well...
This book sounds like a really fun read. Please enter me in the drawing, and thanks for the chance.
castings[at]mindspring[dot]com
I would never fit in I'm afraid -- I don't like makeup and messing with my hair and all that :-)
marielay@gmail.com
I could not be one of them. I hate taking time out of my day to put on make up and I can't play golf to save my life.
lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a follower.
lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com
Please enter me. Thanks!
tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oops, forgot to answer your question. No, I couldn't be 'one of them'. My favorite foods are pizzas and burgers, I don't play tennis or anything, and fashion doesn't matter at all to me.
Thanks!
tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love reading about the bits of the world I'll never get to. I think WASP is included on that list. I live in jeans, flip-flops and t-shirts, and I wear a ponytail and mascara (if it's a good day). Thanks for sharing~
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I could not be one of them--pink and green also look terrible on me! Thanks!
lesleymfan(at)gmail(dot)com
Enter me please :)
+1 I'm a follower
zoeyredbird9@gmail.com
I would love to read this book, please enter me :)
lavery328 at yahoo dot com
I don't mind the makeup/clothes but I think I would be too mouthy to be a trophy wife. :P
I am a follower!
No. I could not be one of them. I don't like golf or tennis. Maybe that's why my figure wouldn't meet their standards! Love to read all about them though! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
And, I'm a Follower!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I'm afraid I can't do any of them!
lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please enter me too. And thanks for keeping it international.
elizascott2005 at yahoo dot co dot in
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