Book Review: Izzy As Is, by Tracie Banister.
I was delighted when Author Tracie Bannister approached me to offer me her new book to read and review. I have already read and loved quite a few of Tracie’s books, so I accepted the request immediately. I had high hopes of thoroughly enjoying her book, and my hopes became reality within the first chapter!
Description:
The party is over for bikini model Izzy Alvarez. For six years she’s made a good living by flaunting her God-given assets on runways and in front of cameras, but now as she approaches the big 3-0, the bodacious Latina is shocked to learn she’s aged out of the profession that’s kept her in mojitos, mani/pedis, and designer thongs. What’s a girl with a taste for the finer things in life and no marketable skills to do?
Getting a regular job is too boring to even consider, so Izzy decides to follow in the footsteps of her newly-engaged frenemy and become a trophy wife. Although she’s desperate and too broke to get a chipped nail fixed, Izzy still has standards for her future husband, which means no uggos, no vertically-challenged guys, and no geezers who need to pop a blue pill to perform in the bedroom. Enlisting the aid of her computer whiz nephew and her closest pals, Izzy goes on the prowl for a rich, marriage-minded man, encountering likely candidates in a lot of unlikely places.
The high life she’s dreamed of may be within reach when Izzy meets a charming, successful man who’s not only hotter than a steamy summer night in Miami, but ready to settle down. Now all Izzy has to do is make sure her loud, crazy Cuban family doesn’t scare off el hombre perfecto—oh, yeah, and squelch those pesky, romantic feelings she keeps having for the sweet, cash-strapped guy she’s known forever.
Will Izzy’s hunger for money win out, or will her fiery heart demand to be heard?
Published January 24th 2018
My Thoughts:
Izzy As Is is a total chick lit, fun, flirty read. The type of book that you can enjoy with cocktails and snacks! The Author sent me virtual cocktails and Cuban snacks while I was reading this! I have taken quite a liking to Cuban food too after reading this book!
The cover of the book is gorgeous and after I had finished the book, I went back to examine the cover and saw more in it than I had before I started. I love it when that happens.
When I read the first few pages, I wasn’t very impressed with the main character Izzy! Then by the time I got to chapter 3, I was disappointing in myself that I had judged Izzy on a few pages. By chapter 4, I loved her!! I amused myself with my character judgement! Izzy is fun, full of life and makes the most of every minute and all her assets. She is brilliant.
This is the perfect kind of escapism book that you can read and laugh over the funny situations that Izzy gets herself into. The kind of book that takes you away from whats going on in real life and gives you a trip to Miami, sun, cocktails and lots of amusing dating tales!
I was a late finder of the Tracie Bannister talent. But now that I have found her, she is my go to chick lit Author, along with Nicola May and Sophie Kinsella. If you like either of these Authors, you will love Tracie Bannister’s work too.
If you have read this or any other of Tracie Bannister’s books, let me know your thoughts. Does Izzy As Is sound like a fun read to you? Can you recommend any other fun chick lit reads? Let me know in the comment section, I love to hear from you.
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Tags: book review, bookblogger, chick lit, chocolatepages, cuban foodie book, fun read, Izzy As Is, Tracie Bannister
ChocolatePages 
Tracie Banister (@traciebanister)
March 11, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Thanks so much for the fabulous review, Amanda! I’m so thrilled to know you enjoyed the book and were on #TeamIzzy. She was such a fun character to write! And I’m blushing that you consider my work to be in the same stratosphere as Nicola and Sophie’s.
chocolatepages
March 11, 2018 at 11:03 pm
Yes definetly on Team Izzy. I’m happy you consider it a high praise to be comparable to Nicola and Sophie as it was meant as a good compliment, to you and to them! I look forward to your next book. 😉
irena_bookdustmagic
March 11, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Ohh, I love it when a book is eye opening in a way, when it puts you into shame because you judged someone too soon. At least I love it when it happens to me, because that kind of experience makes you think about your acting in real life too.
But anyway, this sounds like a great book to relax with.
And if you need a great chick-lit recommendation, please read anything by Jane Costello, her books are fun and make you forget about the world around you for a while. I love her work!
chocolatepages
March 11, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Thank you Irena. It did make me feel a little shame at my judgement! But I wonder if that was the intention of the way it was written??
I’m sure I have read a Jane Costello before, though I can’t remember which one! I have ‘My Single Friend’ on my shelf waiting to be read. You are right about a good chick lit enabling you to forget the world around you. Escapism books are great. xx
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts
March 13, 2018 at 4:21 am
I’m not normally a chick lit reader, but I love how you enjoyed Izzy getting into situations that end up making you laugh (oh god, I sound like a HORRIBLE person now!). I also love the books with covers that give you more insight and meaning after you read the novel and how the characters change your judgment as you continue reading.
I would probably pass this by normally, but Izzy As Is sounds like a great book to read. 🙂
chocolatepages
March 13, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Sophia. It was funny seeing Izzy get into those situations. Escapism at its best.
I think seeing the characters change over the chapters shows a good Author with character development.
It was a fab read.
Guadalupe Dealmonte
March 14, 2018 at 1:50 am
Ooo the main character is a fellow latina like myself! The only difference is I’m Mexican and Izzy is Cuban! I feel like I would definitely relate to Izzy the most! Izzy As Is sounds like something that would be up my alley!
chocolatepages
March 14, 2018 at 5:06 pm
You would understand the few Spanish phrases she uses too then.
It was such a fun book. I’m looking forward to Tracie’s next book already.
Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles
March 14, 2018 at 10:50 am
Oh, I love it when a character surprises you and grows on you! Good to Izzie to manage it with you 😀 This book sounds like the perfect summer read! Books that make me laugh are my favorite, we need some light stuff around for quiet days! Fab review! xx
chocolatepages
March 14, 2018 at 5:09 pm
It would be a great summer book, I would have fruity cocktails or mocktails while reading it in the summer. I really enjoyed the book, but I have read a lot of chick lit recently and am ready for a good thriller now.
Thank you Meggy. xx
annabelle20
March 16, 2018 at 8:47 pm
Loving these books you go girl
chocolatepages
March 17, 2018 at 10:37 am
Thank you Annabelle, this was a great book.
Lindsay | Bookboodle
March 17, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Sounds like a good fun read! Lovely review 🙂
#TalkoftheTown
chocolatepages
March 17, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Thank you. I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to Tracie’s next book already.
suzannawilliams (@suzannawriter)
March 17, 2018 at 5:59 pm
Great review. Now I want to read the book 🙂
#TalkoftheTown
chocolatepages
March 17, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Thank you. That’s a lovely compliment to a bookblogger. 😉
Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops
March 22, 2018 at 7:47 pm
This sounds like an interesting read, not something I would normally pick up but after reading your review I am definitely intrigued!
chocolatepages
March 22, 2018 at 10:49 pm
Thank you Jenni. That is a nice compliment and means a lot to a bookblogger. When you write a book review that intrigues someone who wouldn’t normally pick up a book, it enthuses me to keep writing my reviews. Thank you.
kathleenjowitt
March 23, 2018 at 8:07 am
This sounds like a lot of fun!
chocolatepages
March 23, 2018 at 1:08 pm
Thank You, it was a really fun enjoyable read.
Kristina
April 3, 2018 at 3:22 am
Ouuh this book sounds like it is perfect for me ! I quite like thoses like it, specially if it make me broke a laugh in middle of reading ahahaha just like the cornershop of cockleberry bay !
chocolatepages
April 3, 2018 at 9:29 am
Thank you Kristina. If you love Nicola May’s writing style, then you will love this Author Tracie Bannister too. Her books are funny, easy reading and so good.
My review for Cockleberry Bay is up on April 9th for the blog tour. I look forward to seeing your review for Nicola’s book too. Thanks for your lovely comments Kristina and happy reading.
Kristina
April 3, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Yep, looks like we have the same taste!
Same same !! Just scheduled it for the 9th aswell 😘 although im not quite done yet