These Boots Weren't Made for Walking by Melody Carlson

Publisher's Synopsis:~

Willing to make the necessary sacrifices–even skipping the occasional latte–to ensure career success, 31-year-old Cassidy Cantrell “invests” in a chic pair of boots, certain they’ll make a spectacular impression and help seal the deal on a long-anticipated promotion from her Seattle employer.

But reality tromps all over her expectations. Cassie’s job is abruptly eliminated–and her love life obliterated, when her longtime boyfriend dumps her for a “friend.” Her self-esteem in tatters, Cassie limps home to the resort town she once so eagerly fled–only to find her recently divorced mother transformed into a gorgeous fifty-something babe with a thriving social life. Cassie wrestles with envy and apathy as she considers the dismal shape of her own physique and romantic prospects. What will it take for her to jump back into life and regain her stride?

This sassy and hilarious novel leads readers on a romp through the wilds of relationships, romance, career, and spirituality, revealing that, while God’s plans may look drastically different than our own, it’ll always be a perfect fit.

My thoughts:~

Melody Carlson's foray into chick-lit is quite a departure from her usual dramatic novels but as I have come to expect she has made the transition with style! Cassidy is a realistic and down to earth woman whose world has suddenly become a lot smaller as she is forced to return to her hometown, miserable and lonely. The contrast between Cassidy's downtrodden attitude and appearance is cheekily contrasted with her mother's sexy new image, one more suited to a girl in her twenties than a woman pushing towards sixty. Her antics provide laugh out loud humour for the reader and mortification for Cassidy. While I found the focus on body image emphasized a little too much for my liking, Melody has written an entertaining and, at times, poignant tale of the transformation of a depressed woman and the life changing impact faith and the encouragement of friends and family can have upon a person's self worth. These Boots Weren't Made For Walking is beautifully done!