Going Buck Wild

Nina's characters are complex and drawn well, it is evident that she took some time to think about her character's motivations. If I were a writer I might have written the ending differently, but that is okay, my book club talked about this one for awhile. A good exploration of the line between admiring someone and stalking and a bold exploration of the dark side of behavior. If you are looked for a well plotted, interesting story, this is for you. It is not one of those books with lots of sex and no plot as you might think at first. I was pleasantly surprised and look forward to whatever Ms. Foxx has up her sleeve next.

In Austin, Thirtyish Claudia Barrett seems to have everything going. She has a terrific job as a vice president at Pittsford Electronics and is engaged to a nice hunk Jackson. So why is Claudia bored and finding herself attracted to Cody of IT?Her friend Pam believes that Claudia is in the Grand Canyon of ruts having tasted no male fruit except Jackson whom she has been with since high school and engaged to for five years. Claudia follows her pal's advice to go looking for some lust and informs Jackson they need some separation time. Jackson wholeheartedly agrees to Claudia's shock. As she tests the wolf population by GOING BUCK WILD (or as feral as she can) with the Cody crowd, Claudia begins to realize she took the wrong aisle as she misses steady Jackson and wants him back permanently as in married.Readers will appreciate this delightful chick lit charmer starring a strong protagonist who is intelligent enough to conclude that she chose a path wrong for her though it does take Claudia some time (after all it is a novel) to realize that. The story line is often amusing, but also contains a powerful theme that relationships work best when parties are honest with each other and with themselves. Though the audience could have used deeper insight into Jackson in order to fully compare him with the better developed Cody, readers will appreciate Claudia's Austin's joy ride.Harriet Klausner

This is a nice addition to the Nina Foxx library. A big move from her first novel, and a different direction from her last novel. This book worked very well on all levels from characters to plot to tone and shows a serious maturing from the author in all three areas. It had realistic folks inside a story who worked very well within their strengths and flaws and she gave them a storyline that held the reader to the page and almost forces you to stay up a bit longer so you can finish the whole thing. It had suspense, relationships and just enough sizzle.This is a FANTASTIC summer read. Like a sweet lover, the book was everything you want in the moment, all that you need at the time, totally fulfilling while you have it, and just enough to keep you wanting to come back for more. I look forward to seeing Nina Foxx's next story and look even more forward to where that story might take me.