Snowed In: A Novel (ISBN 0312320892)

Chick lit.... but better:
OK. I'll admit it. I like chick lit. Some of it anyway. And this is one of them. I know chick lit gets a bad name, but read this book and you'll also see how it can be funny, intelligent and compelling. While I was reading the book, I couldn't put it down and now that I've finished it, I actually find myself missing the characters. All of the characters are written with such details that they seem real to me. I'm betting they will to you too. Check this chick out; I'm betting you won't be disappointed.

Review by Tammy from Fallen Angel Reviews:
Sophie Quinn has never been an assertive person. Now that her husband Paul has a new job, she is living in a new environment. As the days move on in her run down apartment, Paul speaks excessively about the great homemaker Natalie, and Sophie realizes she needs to start doing something different. Sophie joins a walking club and begins feeling like her life is spinning out of control. She thinks that her husband might be having an affair with Natalie, meets some new friends in her walking group, and starts learning how to stand up for herself without all the fear she had before. While Sophie is sorting through her life, she starts a friendship with a cute and enjoyable guy in her walking group, Ned. In addition, she is back in contact with her first love, Rory, who wants to see her again. Can Sophie ever get her life on track and be happy again? Will she ever find the true love she deserves? Snowed In is a smart and funny story of Sophie's life and the choices she makes in an effort to have a happy life. I enjoyed the warmth of the story, the detailed characters and the seemingly natural flow of new opportunities presented to Sophie and her friends. Christina Bartolomeo has done a fantastic job of creating a world that pulls you in. She has you under Sophie's spell before you realize what has happened. I give Snowed In 4 Angels and would recommend it to anyone looking for a comical and heart-warming story. By Tammy Fallen Angel Reviews (...)

OK, but dragged in parts:
I bought this book because I loved Cupid & Diana by the same author. This book DRAGGED in the first 1/2, then picked up somewhat. It was just an OK read. Borrow it from the library or a friend. I wouldn't buy it.

A sweet story:
Christina Bartolomeo is really an underrated author; all Anne Tyler fans should be reading her work. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Sophie, a sweet, rather passive artist who feels "snowed in" in Portland, Maine. She's from DC and Maine is a little too cold and remote for her, but her husband, Paul, doesn't seem to care. Paul is spending a suspicious amount of time with Natalie, a perky brunette from the office, and Sophie is left with time on her hands. She joins a walking club and gradually makes new connections in the wintry city. This is a story that's meant to be lingered over and savored. It is somewhat slow-paced, but not in a bad way. You really feel like you know the characters, and Bartolomeo's sly little nuggets of insight are priceless. Highly recommended.

Chick Lit that a "Guy" can enjoy too!:
I purchased this book as my Christmas read for this year. The idea of lots of snow and possibly a story about being "snowed in" really heightend my interest. Long story short, there was lots of snow and cold weather, and that was fun as I am an East coast transplant now living in the west (and I for one miss the snow). Anyway, this story is rich with characters who come to life, particularly our main character Sophie Quinn, having moved from Washington DC to Portland, Maine, because her husband has a job transfer. She finds her life in a real time of transition as her husband begins to have an affair with one of the "Girls" at his office. As Sophie begins to realize this she tries to save her marriage but to no avail. Along comes Stephen, a gay guy who is in the construction business with his brother, Ned, and they become the first two friends that Sophie makes in Portland. In the end, these two guys have a very positive affect on Sophie's life. As I said this story is well written and has a wonderful true to life cast of characters. It is not the Christmas read that I thought it would be, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.