LauraD review of Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner
Contemporary Romance released 01 Feb 08 from Dorchester
“Sleeping with Ward Cleaver” won the American Title-III Award. I’m really sure what that is, but hey, a win’s a win. The cover is a pink-haired cartoon girl on a bed, it’s labeled contemporary romance, and the words fun and sassy are also on the cover. Do not believe any of this, it’s all there to mislead you.
Claire Doolittle met and married Jack, the man of her dreams. But now, the thrill is gone. Jack has turned into Ward Cleaver, for Claire the epitome of everything boring and stale. They don’t talk, he doesn’t appreciate her, he talks down to her; and instead of the hot sex they used to have, they now have sex-on-Sunday-night. Jack has the great job, while Claire raises the 5(!) kids, and takes care of the house.
Things are about to change. Just as she finds out that Jack’s sexy new (and young) co-worker is going on a trip out of town with him-a trip Claire is definitely not welcome on-she gets an email from an old boyfriend. Todd broke up with Claire and broke her heart, and now he wants to meet her in Miami so that when she finally confronts Jack, Todd can be the one to hold her hand.
I would have enjoyed “Sleeping with Ward Cleaver” quite a bit more had I found any of the characters even a little bit likable. Sadly, I lost count of how many times I muttered “get a therapist” as Claire cried poor pitiful me. Jack teeters on a fine line between jerk executive and irredeemable asswipe. Then there is Todd, the one that got away. Todd is married to his second wife, who he is planning on leaving because she wants kids. He has a child from his first marriage, who he never sees. Despite being married, he is actively pursuing Claire. His emails to Claire actively encourage her to spy on her husband. Todd is a tool.
The story itself moves back and forth between present day, and Claire reminiscing about how she and Jack met and times when they were happier. Todd gets back in touch with Claire via email; I’ve got to say that Todd’s emails to Claire are the least authentic male voice I’ve read in a while.
An upper middle class couple with 5 kids, working an unhappy marriage-that’s a hard subject for a comic romance. Props to Jenny Gardiner for trying. I’m sure there are plenty of readers who will feel that she succeeded; I’m just not one of them.
Grade: D
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE “HAPPILY EVER AFTER”?
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver is the funny yet poignant story of a woman at a crossroads in life, who years earlier married a man who swept her off her feet, but now finds that her Mr. Right has evolved into Mr. Always Right, and the only sweeping going on in her life involves a broom and a dustpan. As her dreams collide with reality and the one that got away shows up trying to worm his way back into her heart, she must decide if her once charmed marriage is salvageable, and if so, how she’s going to go about saving it.
I’ve been debating about whether to put this on my TBR list. It seems to be the sort of book noone feels ‘meh’ about – they either love it or hate it. Perhaps a good one for the 10 page test?
Wow, so sorry you hated my book so much. Thanks anyhow for giving it a read. Maya, you are right, this book you love it or you don’t. The good news is, Sleeping with Ward Cleaver has gotten probably 100 fabulous reviews, and so far only 3 bad ones (this included), so the odds are in your favor. I hope you’ll check it out anyhow!
Maya I would love to know if you read it or what you thought. I had the worst time trying to get someone to read this. I do not like teh funnay so it isn’t shocking this book didn’t work for me AT all.
I would vote it one of my worst reads of the year.
Well if you don’t like funny books, no wonder you wouldn’t like it!
I just had a fabulous review that said “If you want to pee your pants laughing, buy this book!”
That is one thing I don’t quite get, when someone averse to a genre reviews it–it seems ripe for a review that isn’t tailored to the target audience.
Sybil didn’t review the book, Jenny. I did. I really enjoy romantic comedies.
I was just responding to her comment: ” I do not like teh funnay so it isn’t shocking this book didn’t work for me AT all.
I would vote it one of my worst reads of the year.”
which led me to assume she’d reviewed it.
Nope didn’t like it at all and for a couple of reasons never reviewed it.
I do enjoy some funny books. But it takes a hella author for me to like it. What is it? No clue. Does that mean I wouldn’t read any comedy book because I know my chances are slim that I will enjoy it – no. Because there are some I LOVE.
I adore Erin McCarthy. I loved Date with the Other side and I hate ghost books and don’t enjoy the funny. Go figure. I just like to be difficult I guess.
I adore the author Karen Hawkins but it is a good 50/50 chance I will like her books. I love Karen Kelley but sadly haven’t found a book I click with of hers yet as much as I adore the writer. Again go figure… but I keep trying because she is a voice I WANT to enjoy.
Your voice didn’t work for me at all. Would I pick up another of your books? Maybe depending on the plot but no I wouldn’t pick up another comedy because I know your voice isn’t going to work for me in that way.
But honestly either way I could pick it up and could like it. As soon as I get over the fact that you are one of those authors who seem to get pissy someone would have the nerve to dislike her books. I would suggest getting over it and yourself.
It is an opinion. People will disagree with me and I welcome them too. But I would also bet really good fucking money a LARGE majority of your 100 OMFG this book ROCKS come from those you know. And that means about as much to me as – nothing. Other than you seem to have a need to defend your book.
I am not going to like it more because you explain to me in small words how fucking awesome your writing is to 100 or 1000 people I don’t know. Seriously I am not.
but you go on with your badself hope you find another 100 to tell you that you rock too… rwa is coming up you can send out a call for praise. QUICK everyone run to amazon and tell me how much she rocks cuz that will…. mean really nothing but hey you might make up for the fact I thought the book blew chunks.
I know. I suck. Sorry.
Hmmm. I think if you go back and re-read my comments you’ll realize that your character assassination of me is way off base. I just wondered why someone who hates a genre would review that type of book. Just as I do not like paranormal, I–as a book reviewer also–would not choose to review such a book. I simply don’t get your need to rip open a new one on me. Whatever. And BTW, the fabulous reviews I’ve received at not from people I know. They’re from readers and reviewers.