Author: Lisa Becker
Narrator: Suzanne Barbetta
Length: 8 hours 11 minutes
Publisher: Lisa Willet Becker
Released: May 30, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Clutch: a novel is the laugh-out-loud, chick lit romance chronicling the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson, a single purse designer who compares her unsuccessful romantic relationships to styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc. With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks a lot of Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to discover the “Clutch” or someone she wants to hold onto.
Lisa Becker is a romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money - on books and margaritas. In addition to Clutch: a novel, she is the author of the Click trilogy, a contemporary romance series about online dating and Links, a standalone, second chance romance readers call light, fun, sexy and smart. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com.
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Suzanne Barbetta became a voracious reader when she realized the magic of books allowed her to become anyone, anywhere, and in any world. A storyteller and performer since age 5, she later apprenticed at 2 regional theaters and earned her Actor’s Equity card. She’s also a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, the Audio Publishers Association and the League of Professional Theatre Women. Audiobooks are a way to satisfy her pathological addiction to reading. Now based in NYC, she is also the voice of the Fierce, Funny, Fab Fangirls of the series Geek Actually for Serial Box Publishing.
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My rating: 4 stars
I loved the idea behind this story, and since I loved the other book I read by this author, Links, I signed up to review the audiobook of this. I am a bit of a purse lover, so I looked forward to that part of the story. I loved how the author used the different types of purses to describe each of the men in the main character, Caroline's life. The book started out a little bit slow and hard for me to read. I didn't connect with Caroline at first, as she just seemed so naive. Now, with the first guy, an artist, we got some of the story kind of from his point of view. However, for the rest of the story, we didn't get that from the other guys, we only got to see Caroline's side. I think that hurt my view of her to start the story, because not only was it obvious what a douchebag that guy was, we got to actually see him being that way even when she wasn't around.
With the next guy though, my connection to Caroline filled in, and I was hooked. It seemed Mike might have been destined to just be her best friend, but I knew from the about a quarter of the way in that he and Caroline were meant to be together. Even if neither of them saw it, while everyone around them seemed to. Included Caroline's aunt Mimi, who created her love of handbags to start with. If only Caroline had taken Mimi's thoughts to heart sooner, maybe she could have saved herself some of the heartbreak of her parade of guys throughout the story. Although, not sure Mike was really ready for her yet, even if towards the end we find out just how long he might have felt more about her.
As we got to follow Caroline through her relationships, I did connect with her feelings a lot of the time. Like feeling guilty because she didn't really see the nice guy as anything more than a friend. Then of course was the guy who had gone all religious, so much that he got upset at Caroline for using the Lord's name in vain when they were getting hot and heavy. The fact that he reconciled premarital sex as being okay even with his holy roller attitude was just such a guy thing. Been there, seen those guys! Another place I've been, is going back to try to give a guy a second chance, only to find it too late, and that they've already moved on. I cried quite a bit at that part, was totally feeling all that Caroline was.
I mentioned how I loved that the author used different types of purses to describe each guy. It worked perfectly. And then there was the chapter where we had the chef, but it was a make-up bag. I was so confused about that, at first, couldn't figure out where that was going. Until I did. And then, wow, I did not see that one going! And it really made me think about what I would do in that case!
I highly recommend listening to this one. Give it the first guy to get through and you will be pleased! The happily ever after is one that was well earned, if you're like me, you'll be rooting for Mike at the end. I also love how the author made sure we knew just how things were going to go for them after the HEA. Also great was that we started out with the first guy's point of view, we also end up with the "clutch" guy's point of view at the end. Made a perfect bookend for the story.
Q&A with Author Lisa Becker
- Were there any real-life inspirations behind your writing?
- When I was writing the Click trilogy, (Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click, and Right Click), I was obsessed with NCIS re-runs and would have the show on in the background as I wrote. There was an episode where a character refers to a man as a “handbag husband,” or something useless you carry on your arm. I started thinking about that, and the idea for Clutch grew from there. I believe that everyone deserves a happily ever after and would like to think there’s a “clutch,” or someone worth holding onto, out there for everyone.
- If this title were being made into a TV series or movie, who would you cast to play the primary roles?
- I think Eloise Mumford, who played Kate in Fifty Shades of Grey, would make an outstanding Caroline. She has the right mixture of warmth, gumption, vulnerability, and beauty to bring this character to life. I still can’t decide who would play Mike, although I know I’d love to sit in on those casting sessions. ;)
- How did you celebrate after finishing this novel?
- In the past, when I’ve typed the final “the end” on a manuscript, I celebrate with a box of my favorite chocolates. However, with Clutch, I thought it fitting to buy myself a new purse – a Michael Kors shoulder bag that I use every day.
- How did you select your narrator?
- When searching for a narrator, it was important for me to find someone who really understood not only the individuality of each character but the unique dynamic between the two main leads. I needed someone who could make Caroline relatable and showcase her intelligence, ambition, vulnerability and hopefulness in finding true love. And at the same time, the narrator needed to bring to life Mike’s irreverence, sense of humor, loyalty and drive. Early on in my search, I was lucky to find the very talented Suzanne Barbetta who was able to capture all of this effortlessly.
- Do you have any tips for authors going through the process of turning their books into audiobooks?
- Spend the time and money necessary to find the right partner who is professional, personable and truly gets the material. There’s a magic that happens when the connection is right, and you’ll reap the benefits from that to more than compensate for your initial investment.
- Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
- There are quite a number of a quick-witted exchanges between Caroline and Mike including the use of clever puns and rapid-fire jokes back and forth. I think an audiobook is a great way for those to come across and bring out the humor in the story, as long as you have a talented narrator with comedic timing and an understanding of the dynamics between characters. Again, I feel so lucky to be working with the talented Suzanne Barbetta as she was able to capture the chemistry between these two characters, which is the heart of the story.
- What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
- I love the idea of audiobooks and giving people the opportunity to enjoy amazing storytelling in a convenient and accessible way. So, whether you want to read a book in a traditional manner or listen to a story while exercising, making dinner, lounging around or doing a myriad of other things, the important point is that you are enjoying the escapism and the beauty of the written word.
- Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
- Clutch actually started out as a screenplay that had been optioned by a production company at Sony Studios. The movie didn’t progress past the initial stages, so I turned it into a novel to bring this light and breezy story about love and handbags to the public. It was only after I received so many positive reviews of the story, its characters, humor and heart, did I think to turn it into an audiobook. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to expand the reach of this story that hopefully will inspire people to seek out their own happily ever after.
- What gets you out of a writing slump? What about a reading slump?
- Like all writers, I’ve encountered my share of writer’s block. My solution: Chocolate! No joke, I eat chocolate. If I’m stuck on a certain section or not feeling motivated to write, I give myself little chocolate incentives to get past the blockage. Judging by my thighs, I had some serious problems writing this book. ;) I’m not sure I’ve ever been in a reading slump, though. If anything, I need to find ways to stop reading so much, as it sometimes affects time with my family or work.
- What’s next for you?
- Included in Clutch is a preview of my next book, Starfish, a new adult story of unexpected love, the redemptive power of music and hogging the bed. Starfish is expected to be released in spring 2019.
Jul. 1st:
Happily Ever BookWorm
Jul. 2nd:
Audiobook Romance
Jul. 3rd:
Lisa Loves Literature
Jul. 4th:
Haddie's Haven
Jul. 5th:
A Page Before Bedtime
Jul. 6th:
Simply Kelina
Jul. 7th:
The Book Addict's Reviews
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