Leah
Written on Jun 18, 2011
I absolutely loved Pinch Me. It was everything I wanted and more. Adena Halpern is a very similar author, it seems, to Cecelia Ahern. They both insert magical elements into their novels and they both do it in a brilliant way. I found Pinch Me to be an enchanting novel. It’s not a heavy novel, and it’s under 300 pages, but I thoroughly enjoyed every single page. A lot of people will undoubtedly complain the plot is stupid, or ridiculous, but honestly those people shouldn’t be reading the novel if they’ve read the synopsis which easily explains what the novel’s about so it’s their silly fault for purchasing it. To read this – or any – of Adena’s novels you do need to suspend your belief, because this isn’t a run of the mill Chick Lit novel, it’s different. I adored the plot, it’s quirky and it’s different and Halpern has the skill to pull it off with ease.
I found the back-story as to why Lily finds herself without Gogo after he pinches her after they marry. I won’t spoil it and tell you what the curse is that made Lily go back to being a single girl with no Gogo in her life, because it’s a wonderful story you need to read about while you read the novel. Honestly, it’s worth it, I promise. A lot of authors wouldn’t be able to pull off this novel, and I was initially sceptical about this so-called curse, but it was fascinating once we learn all about it. I found the alternate universe Lily finds herself in with a substandard Gogo, who’s married to someone else, to be both emotional and intriguing as Lily tries to figure out a way to get her life back. The love between Lily and Gogo before the curse kicks in was beautiful to read, so much so that I was so sad for Lily when she learns in the new/alternate universe that Gogo is married to his college sweetheart.
I absolutely adored the characters in the novel. It’s fairly tight-knit with Lily, Gogo, Lily’s mother Selma and her mother (and Lily’s grandmother) Dolly. The rest of the characters are more minor, like Gogo’s wife in the alternate universe and the men Selma and Dolly have loved in their lives. I loved Lily, she was so easy to warm to, so easy to like. I just wanted her to find a way to get Gogo back, I was desperate for her to find a way to be with him again. I was a bit taken aback with Gogo’s name at first; I know, judging a person by their name, it’s terrible but I’m a fan of normal names, don’t ask. Gogo is wonderful though, even I wanted to marry him – even the substandard version in the new/alternate universe. Dolly and Selma are the best double act I’ve ever met. I absolutely loved those two, they made quite a pair. Their love for Lily is… there are no words for how much they love her and try to help her, it’s unconditional and it shines through. I also thought they were both hilarious, as Selma breaks her leg on a log and Dolly makes a chicken spit in the backyard.
I love Adena Halpern’s writing, honestly. It reminds me a lot of Sophie Kinsella with its warmth and humour. Having it told from Lily’s point of view is perfect and I just lapped it up. I’ll definitely be buying 29 – the only other Adena Halpern novel available and I sincerely hope she’s working on a fourth novel, she’s too talented to be allowed to not write another novel. Her novels are so unique but they also retain all the aspects you expect in Chick Lit – the fun, the laughter, the warmth, the great characters. I really love the fact that Adena comes up with these brilliant twists to add to her novel, she’s cornered the market there, along with Ms Ahern. Because so few authors put in magical aspects, it means there’s a lot of scope and potential there and Halpern is well able to come up with plots people like me love and adore. There was nothing I disliked about the novel, although I would say that I’d love her books to be longer because I’m always so sad to reach the end. Pinch Me is a brilliant work of fiction, a brilliant Chick Lit novel and is easily one of my favourites of 2011. You won’t regret trying Adena Halpern, that I can promise you.