PROJECT JENNIFER – Jill Amy Rosenblatt
Kensington Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-2358-6
ISBN-10: 0-7582-2358-7
August 2008
Women’s Fiction

Long Island, New York – Present Day

Joanie, Carrie, and Louise are best friends, likening themselves to the three musketeers. Joanie’s fiancé broke up with her and six months later, he married his mother’s choice, the perfect Jennifer. Joanie’s friends are all commiserating with her – telling her she deserves better than Michael as she cries buckets full of tears. The following day, Joanie loses her job (it is given to a friend of Jennifer’s) and then she loses her apartment. She is at her wit’s end when she visits her mother to borrow some money, and is shocked to find that even her mother is moving on and has a new man-friend. Joanie is devastated by it all!

Joanie finds a noisy, dark, depressing basement apartment she calls the Mole Hole and gets a new job as a secretary to Wells. He seems to be a nice guy who appreciates Joanie and is a man she can talk to. Unfortunately, he is married. Joanie is certain that the Jennifers of the world have it made – they can do anything they want and get any man they want. She finally realizes what she has to do – she has to become a Jennifer. She begins PROJECT JENNIFER, reads all the how-to books and fashion magazines, then goes for a trial run. In Joanie’s quest to becoming a Jennifer, she gets on the wrong track. She is fighting with her friends, determined to go her own way. Will she be able to turn her life around and find what she is missing?

A comical, light hearted book with some serious moments, at first Joanie’s friends are always there for her -- whether it is spying on Jennifer, bad mouthing Michael, or giving her sage advice. Her mom and her friends are always trying to set her up with wonderful men, and all the while, Joanie is asking herself what would Jennifer do? Nothing seems to work out quite like she hopes as she transforms herself. The book is well written without a dull moment. All the secondary characters are excellent – from the three musketeers to all the men in Joanie’s life.

PROJECT JENNIFER is written in first person, a fast paced story of good friendships with some funny situations that will have readers laughing out loud. It also has its serious chapters when we watch Joanie heading toward disaster. There are a few times when readers will want to give her a swift kick so she will change direction and find out that she doesn’t have to be a Jennifer to find happiness, and will be happier being what she is meant to be -- a Joanie. By the end of the book, she has to make some difficult decisions and grow up. PROJECT JENNIFER is an excellent read, a fascinating story that will keep readers turning the pages. Don’t miss this one!

Marilyn Heyman