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Honors -
SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY is an Amazon Women's Fiction Bestseller!
SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY made the Bookscan Top 100 Bestseller List for Adult Fiction!
Reviews...
SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY - Donna Kauffman
Bantam Trade Paperback
ISBN: 0-553-38306-X
July 2005
Women's Fiction
Lucy Harper and Jana Fraser formed a lasting friendship and support group of two in preschool. Neither one was ever accepted by the popular crowd -- Lucy was "too tall, too gawky, too klutzy, too smart" while Jana had frizzy red hair and freckles. Their duo became a trio in sixth grade when braniac Grady Matthews took Lucy's side against the class clown who was daring her to stuff Tater-Tots up her nose and shoot them out with milk. Grady saved her from either taking the dare or chickening out and suffering humiliation in front of the whole lunchroom. Well, actually, either choice would be humiliating, but wouldn't the Tater-Tots up the nose show everyone she could take a joke?
Jana grew up to become a sports writer who found and married her soul mate, a pro hockey jock; Grady became a government science guy who can't talk about his work, and Lucy teaches third grade. They are still best friends ten years after graduating high school. Of the three, Lucy carries the most baggage from their early days. When she receives an invitation to their ten-year reunion on the same day she buys a copy of Glass Slipper magazine, Lucy takes action. She empties her savings account and enrolls in a two week life makeover session at Glass Slipper, Inc. Jana and Grady see nothing that needs changing about Lucy nor any reason to attend a reunion full of the same shallow people they went to school with, and try to talk her out of both the reunion and Barbie Boot Camp. They don't understand that Lucy feels she must do this for herself, that she knows there is more to her than shows on the outside, that if she could get people to notice her long enough, she might finally meet "the one." It will be the task of the three godmothers and staff at Glass Slipper, Inc to awaken and free the sleeping beauty within Lucy while polishing up her outside.
With somewhat less action than Ms. Kauffman's usual fare, SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY is intensely character driven. The dynamics of the relationship among the three good friends are explored in depth. While the focus is on Lucy as the title character, each of the other two friends comes to one of life's pivotal moments as well. Jana faces a life-changing challenge, and Grady must risk losing what he has for something far better. I can't help wondering if Donna Kauffman -- a tall, dark-haired beauty who has danced professionally -- once went through an awkward period herself. She so nails down Lucy's insecurities and lack of self-confidence.
In spite of the serious soul-searching, deep emotions, and her friends' disagreement over Lucy's goal of attending the reunion, SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY is chock full of humor and witty repartee. Readers familiar with the earlier books in the Glass Slipper, Inc. loosely connected series, THE CINDERELLA RULES and DEAR PRINCE CHARMING and their predecessor, THE BIG BAD WOLF TELLS ALL, know what I'm talking about. Don't mistake Ms. Kauffman's books for the chick-lit they might resemble in format, though. With an art honed in the old Loveswept romances and several single title novels with paranormal elements, she has carved out a niche of her own that any writer would envy. SLEEPING WITH BEAUTY combines humor and romance and likable characters who face real life problems with honor and grace. Don't miss any of these engaging books.
-- Jane Bowers
Romance Reviews Today
Reader Reviews
“I really, really enjoyed Sleeping with Beauty by Donna Kauffman. It has to be one of the best books that I have read all year. I read it in one sitting, as I was unable to put the book down. I was so able to relate to Lucy, being that I was in her shoes not too many years ago. A wonderfully sweet, funny tale of a girl finally coming into her own, in her own way and on her own terms, on her journey to finding her happily-ever-after.”
—Lisa M., Middlebury, CT
“Every woman probably has a Sleeping Beauty inside...reading this book might help you find her. I loved it. Donna Kauffman portrayed the character Lucy with such compassion and humor. Any woman can relate to Lucy, and we could all learn something from her fairy godmothers. We would all be so lucky with friends like Grady and Jana.”
—Glenda L., Dayton, OH
“I loved this book. Sleeping with Beauty reminded me of a great chick flick and I plan to recommend it to all my girlfriends. Donna Kauffman's writing style is easy to read and keeps you interested. I will definitely get her other books and buy them as gifts for my friends.”
—Alane G., Paso Robles, CA
“Fun and witty. Anybody who felt different in high school should read this book, especially if you have a class reunion coming up. If we all could have a fairy godmother like Vivian and friends like Jana and Grady, life would be grand, or at least more tolerable during the hard times. The banter is comical and sarcastic at times, but the love in the friendship is very apparent. Sleeping with Beauty would make a good summer read while by the pool or at the beach.”
—Teresa K., Shipshewana, IN
“The book was terrific! The characters were delightful and vividly written. It's endearing that their friendship lasted through thick and thin and for so many years. A pair of friends like Jana and Grady are worth a million acquaintances. I'd love to find Lucy's beauty camp and sign myself up.”
—Cheryl F., Fort Wayne, IN
“Donna Kauffman weaves an enchanting tale of three best friends! This is a story that makes you smile, laugh, and root for the underdog. I started reading this book one morning and couldn't put it down until I had finished it that evening! Excellent read!”
—Susan H., Cape Coral, FL
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend it to my customers. This book did something I didn't think was possible—make me consider a Brazilian bikini wax. Who knew someone could make them appealing despite the pain and suffering involved.”
—Chris N., Lewisville, TX
“An excellent read. It caught my attention from the first page and I couldn't put it down. When I finished it I kept wanting more—I didn't want the story to end. I loved the relationship between Lucy and her best friends—it reminded me of my childhood best friends.”
—Christine R., Salem, MA
“What a good book—I took it on vacation, and read it in no time. I love the cover—it really makes you want to read the book. I would recommend this highly to anyone looking for a good summer read.”
—Jackie Y., Marshfield, MO
“Very entertaining. It brought back memories of my school years and how hard it was to fit in with the in crowd.”
—Jackie M., Plant City, FL
“The whole concept of a place like Glass Slipper, Inc., sounds really appealing. I liked the characters, and the story was fun to read. I’d recommend this book to anyone. This is a great summer book for the beach!”
—Ria S., Philadelphia, PA
