Review: Plain Jane by Barrie Knee

Plain Jane

by Barrie Knee

Publisher: Xilbris

Pages: 183

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  "Plain Jane is the story of a forty something wife and mother who has kept a secret from her family for almost seven years. Jane has forever considered herself to be plain. Her BFF Gaby is the exact opposite. Following a night of countless margaritas, Jane and Gaby make a secret pact because that’s what friends are for. Now Jane has less than a week to tell her family what she has done. 

The secret is revealed over a four and a half hour time period while Jane is running a marathon. The story is told in Jane’s head. Each chapter begins with a song that Jane is listening to while running. The lyrics tie into the secret and many other stories that Jane tells about Gaby, her family, and mostly herself. 

Keep moving Jane! You can do this! This is Jane’s running mantra throughout the book. The physical and emotional journey of running a marathon is continuously felt. Jane’s sixty-four songs are listed at the end of the book. It is a great playlist for those that run a ten minute mile like Jane." 

Kritters Thoughts:  A book that takes place over a marathon as a runner is trying to complete her first marathon and this book is formatted with her playlist featuring the song she is listening to and then the thoughts that are conjured from that song and what it means to her.  

One thing that I didn't love about this book that I don't love across all genres is hinting at a secret from page one.  From the start of this book as Jane starts running she is hinting that her life will fall apart when a secret is revealed.  Jane reminds the reader in each chapter that there is impending doom and it got a little old.  I was glad that we didn't have to wait until the last chapter or the last song to learn about the secret, but we still had to wait for her to reveal it to her family and await their reaction.  I just don't love being told that there is a secret and that the world will fall apart when it comes out.  And does it . . .   don't want to spoil.

Overall I liked the concept and how it was structured, I would read another by this author because I think she has some creativity in how the book is written and presented, I guess I just couldn't enjoy this one due to maybe a little petty thing that I don't love when reading.  If the above wouldn't bother you, I would say you would probably love this book.


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2017 Challenge: 48 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.