Tour: Mating Rituals of the North American Wasp

Mating Rituals of the North American WASP
by Lauren Lipton

Peggy Adams is upset when she wakes up nest to a strange man after a Vegas night she can't remember ... but she's horrified when she discovers that she married him! Luke Sedgwick is WASP royalty, the last of the New Nineveh, Connecticut, Sedgwicks. He might also be perfect, if Peggy weren't already "pre-engaged" to her live-in boyfriend of seven years (she even has a "promise ring" to prove it). Peggy and Luke agree to get an annulment ASAP - and then receive an offer they can't refuse ...

Luke's eccentric great-aunt Abigail offers the two the chance to make millions on the family estate: All they have to do is stay married for a year. Peggy is soon pretending to be one-half of the perfect couple among New England's WASPy set on the weekends, while keeping her marriage secret during the week. But she isn't prepared for what might be her worst mistake of all - falling in love with her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

First Sentence:
Something wasn't right, and she knew it before opening her eyes.

I fell in love with Luke Sedgwick from the very instant in the story where he is awake, but it did take a bit longer to care for Peggy due to some of her quirky personality traits. The one character I believe any reader can not help but fall in love with would be Luke's great-aunt, Miss Abigail. She is a stubborn, dignified, but loving old lady that I believe many readers will be able to picture one of their own family members in. I also believe that many reader's will be able to relate to a relationship that obviously is not going anywhere, but you still are unable to leave which is the type of relationship shared by Peggy and her boyfriend of eight years, Brock.

Even though there are many different characters to keep track of and they are not described in a huge amount of detail, I was still able to get a clear picture of who they were. The storyline can be a little predictable at times, but there are still a few situations that caught me off guard, for example the predicament that takes place at the Colonial Inn in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

I would definitely recommend Mating Rituals of the North American WASP to anyone that enjoys reading chick lit, or anyone who wants to start out in the genre because this book will capture your heart. Granted I have not read many books in this genre, but Lauren Lipton's writing style has ensured that I will in the future. This book is certainly a tear jerk-er, but I believe that can be a good thing for relationships since I get my drama fill in fiction rather than starting fights with the significant other. ;)

Favorite Quotes:

... Peggy considered a basement to be like a spleen: You knew it was in there, you knew it served an important function, but you had no desire to see it.

Her theory was that shoppers were lemmings; they were more likely to come in when other shoppers were already inside.

"It's like, as soon as a man meets a woman, she becomes his only friend. We're all that's saving them from being lone wolves."

His brief kiss with Peggy ad stirred something in him; he had, for a gossamer instant, finally known what real love was, why people chose to marry and pledge forever to each other. He recognized the desire to prolong that forever with children who carried forward one's name, and with it the promise of eternity.

Title: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP

Author: Lauren Lipton

Paperback: 368 pages

ISBN 10: 0446197971

ISBN 13: 978-0446197977
Buy It: Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble
Review Number: 13

Click here to check out the other blog stops on the tour.

About the author:

Lauren Lipton is the author of two novels, It's About Your Husband (2006) and Mating Rituals of the North American WASP (2009). She is also a freelance journalist who specializes in style, business and trend stories.

She is currently fashion, beauty and lifestyle editor at ForbesWoman magazine. A former Wall Street Journal staff writer, she reported on copycat brides who steal their friend's wedding ideas, pajama parties for grown women, and luxury homes with his-and-hers garages.

Her work also has appeared in Conde Nast Portfolio, In Style Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Best Life, Glamour, Marie Claire, Fit Pregnancy and Working Mother, and on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. She began her career at the Los Angeles Times.

Born in Providence, R.I., Lauren grew up in the North County of San Diego and in Los Gatos, Calif., before moving to Los Angeles. 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.

Thanks to Miriam of Early Bird Blog Tours at Hachette Book Group , I have ONE copy to giveaway. Unfortunately, according to Hachette rules the winner must have a valid U.S. or Canadian mailing address (no PO boxes). The contest will run from May 27th to June 3rd, 2009. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be notified by email.

To be entered you must leave a comment here answering the question "If you were able to lead a double life like Peggy, what would you spend the money you acquire on?" You must also leave a valid email address.

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