Book Review & Giveaway ~ Bachelor Degree by Judith Marks-White

~ This Giveaway Has Concluded ~

{This is a long, lost review that I forgot to post in 2008}

Summary ~ Bachelor Degree :From Publishers Weekly
In this brassy sophomore effort from Marks-White (Seducing Harry), divorced New York gallery associate Samantha Krasner, 38, has always been overshadowed by her rich, twice-widowed, art collector mother, Madeleine Krasner-Wolfe. To Madeleine’s delight, Samantha hits it off with artist de jour Blake Hamilton, though she urges Samantha to put the long-distance affair on the back burner and get things brewing with much-gossiped-about hottie gynecologist Spencer Gould. Madeleine sets her sights on Spencer’s also-gyno father, and schedules appointments for them (and a niece, too, for good measure)-with unexpected results. As Blake’s debut exhibit approaches, secrets and lies are unleashed that test all concerned. Though Samantha, who narrates, is meant to be witty and acerbic, she comes off as hard. And in light of the book’s theme of looking for love in the big bad city, the third-act scandal almost seems like a tacked-on after-thought. Marks-White does do a sterling job of name-checking the hangouts and proclivities of affluent New Yorkers (“When I dipped my fork into my lobster seasoned with vanilla and set on a cauliflower puree, I actually gasped”), which brings her brand of Manhattan to life.

Author Judith Marks-White has done it again.  Her latest novel, BACHELOR DEGREE, is a fun romp in the chick-lit genre and offers the reader a glimpse into the sophisticated, cutthroat and appealing art scene of New York City.  Samantha Krasner is an intelligent, highbrow and sexy woman who works for the most sought after art gallery in the city.  After agreeing to show the new hot, up and coming artist, Blake Hamilton’s NYC debut show, she seals the deal by starting a hot and orgasmic filled relationship with the gorgeous British artist. 

Working through the stresses of a long-distance relationship and then the equally challenging cross-town one, Samantha also has to contend with an overbearing and against-the-grain mother who only wants the best for her daughter, and herself, but has very odd ways of showing it.  As the character get more and more entwined in each other’s lives, some people turn out not to be as they first appeared. 

With twists and revelations that will shock the reader, BACHELOR DEGREE takes an interesting shift that makes it a unique read.  It will grab your attention from the very beginning.  Taking you on an insider’s tour of New York City’s finest restaurants, sometimes it felt like the meals where characters in their own right, the inner workings of putting together an all out gallery bash and place you right into Manhattan, one of the sexiest, most amazing cities in the world. 

{Rating ~ 3.75 out of 5}

I am giving away my copy of Bachelor Degree.  I received this book through Elle Magazine’s Reader’s Prize book review feature.  My review of Bachelor Degree was submitted to Elle for possible publication and though it was not published, I still enjoyed the experience and opportunity of reading Bachelor Degree.  If you would like a chance to win this book, please leave your name and e-mail address in the comment section of this post by Sunday, January 11th at midnight, EDT.