One of my favorites from Clare Naylor.

Picked it up off of the New Books shelf, and now I shall have to read more. A little anticlimactic, but really very fantastic tale of how confidence (and sex appeal via that confidence) might actually work.

I wasn't sure what I was getting when I chose the audiobook of The Goddess Rules. I was looking for something "chick lit" and something with a bit of romance to it, because I'd been being far too practical lately.

The Goddess Rules delivers completely. Set in England (a nice surprise as I started listening), The Goddess Rules tells the story of twenty-nine year old Kate Disney. An artist who makes her living painting animal portraits, Kate lives in the converted garden shed on her friend Leonard's estate in Primrose Hill. Not the typical starving artist, Kate's saving money to buyt a flat with her boyfriend, musician Jake. The problem is that Jake is a cad, refusing to completely commit to Kate.

Enter Mirabelle Moncur (Mirri), an aging, but still beautiful and sexy and oh-so-French former screen goddess. Mirri commissions Kate to paint a portrait of a lion cub Mirri has adopted. After an awkward start, Kate and Mirri become friends. Mirri has always been a free spirit, forging her own path and collecting and discarding lovers along the way. Mirri helps Kate see Jake's flaws and tells Kate, in no uncertain terms, that she can do so much better than him.

The adventures unfold as Kate becomes more sure of herself, more open, and embarks on a journey that might lead her to her true love. Aside from the main story, there are enjoyable subplots, including the plight of Kate's best friend, and Mirri's long lost love.

I got more out of The Goddess Rules than I do a lot of other chick lit books. I think first it is because of the characterization. Mirri is strong and sexy and confident and plays by no one's rules but her own. Yet, she's vulnerable, afraid to take the steps that could reunite her with the one who got away. Kate, too, comes across as authentic. She's insecure about the same things a lot of us are, like when we feel like all our friends are miles ahead of us in "life". And while she wallows in self pity a bit, she also learns to take charge of her life and her decisions.

Mirri shows Kate how to enjoy life, to enjoy men. She helps Kate see that there's so much more to life than just what Kate was experiencing. She teaches Kate to live in the moment, to enjoy the small experiences. And most importantly, to listen to her heart and be true to herself. Kate, in turn, teachers Mirri that Mirri is not the center of the universe. She brings out a compassionate side to Mirri. When Mirri is too afraid to look up her old flame, the only man she's ever really loved, Kate steps in and encourages her.

All in all, I found The Goddess Rules to be an enjoyable listen. I'll definitely check out more Clare Naylor.

It was something I casually picked out, ending up only to end up with same casual feelings.
3 stars is enough to top it off.
Only wish there was more excitement and more sense of humor in this story according to it's plot.

I enjoyed this lighthearted and fun story.

it's cute, it's clever, there's lots of sharp ripostes and one-liners, and it definitely pulled me in. overall, a good book for a quick, light, fun read.

This was just a fun chick book. Quick read with a predictable ending.

Another turd blossom. And the sad thing is, I have tons of books from this author in my car, waiting for me, I don't know if I'll get to them now. I am not looking forward to it at all, but I hate returning books to the library unread. Already on a bad note with this one. Girl lives in the shed of her father's rich (gay) (old) friend. Girl is a painter. She is in a sucky relationship with a horrible boy. Rich, old, famous women comes from Africa and stays with old gay friend. The girls don't get off on the right foot to start. Things happen and of course they end up the best of friends! Whatever happens and girl ends up with an old art school friend, who they don't get into all that much, but you know he is better for her then the slag. Took place in London, mainly because the author is British, but it didn't bring anything to the story. I couldn't wait for it to end.

Slow start but interesting facts women should know.

This was a well written book. Not often that I read a book from an English author. This was one I just happened to see while browsing the shelves at the library thought it looked interesting so I got it. Took a little to really get into it but once I did it was great! Wonderful story of how relationships are; especially as I have been in similar relationships and had similar endeavors as both Katie and Mirri had. Ironically I have been in both Kate and Mirri shoes a number of times. Really allows you to put into perspective your own life when you read a similar story through the eyes of others. Definitely consider reading other books from this author when I come across them.

Another book Listened to The Goddess Rules by Clare Naylor. This book was ok I got lost in the first 3 chapters, al in all the romance was good and the story was fun. I give it a 6. I think my favorite part was when the main character make friends with an actress and he lion cub.

I must say that Clare Naylor's book, The Goddess Rules was not what I expected it to be. Yes, it's about a single girl looking for love- but it took turns that I didn't expect. The story follows Kate Disney, who's dating a hopeless loser, because she's happy to settle for what she has. When Mirabelle Moncur, Marilyn Monroe like sexpot from the sixties, moves in, she begins to teach Kate to embrace her inner sexpot. Yes, this sounds more hokey than it is-- I actually really liked the Moncur character. Mirabelle helps Kate learn and discover new things about herself and make decisions that she may not be ready to accept.

Yes this book follows all the same patterns for traditional chick lit. However, at one point it did get a little eyebrow raising, (they threw in a juicy sex scene... yeah!) and I enjoyed it. It took a slightly different route than most books, and I enjoyed that it was something "new" to a "getting old" format. I had fun when I was reading this book- it wasn't life changing or entirely engrossing... but it was still good to read. I'm giving it a postive 6.5/10- recommended for light and fluffy beach reading.