"An introspective look at life"

Since childhood, Eliza has been fixated on rock stars. A rock star is loosely defined by Eliza as a musician. GETTING OVER JACK WAGNER provides an introspective look at Eliza's life, simultaneously recounting the current crisis (during which she is beset by 'announcements' and starts to question dating rock stars) and providing insight into Eliza's past through chapters of the book that Eliza is writing - about nothing other than dating rock stars. It is difficult at times to tell which is which, and in the end that distinction seems largely irrelevent.

In the style of Bridget Jones, GETTING OVER JACK WAGNER is Eliza's introspective view of her life and her past, and sketches her journey for the reader. The book is largely written in the first person, present tense. However, the end of the book switches to first person past tense for a reason that could not be discerned by this reviewer.

GETTING OVER JACK WAGNER was an enjoyable and sometimes comedic look into the life of Eliza, spanning her history from her love of Jack Wagner during elementary school to her present agonies about where her life is going and who she wishes to be. Despite the confusing switch between tenses, this was an enjoyable and rewarding book to read.

Reviewed by Bonnie Rock
Posted July 20, 2003

Summary

Where are all the real rock stars? Eliza is looking to date a rock star -- though she uses the term loosely. None of her boyfriends have been famous. Most have unbearable habits and overbearing mothers. A few only played show tunes. Still, they're intense. Pierced. Tragically stubbled. With a predilection for dressing in black. Eliza finds them deep -- in theory, anyway. But in reality, none comes close to the object of her original rock-star crush: actor/crooner Jack Wagner. When her latest catch turns out be another mama's boy, Eliza begins to realize love is nothing like her favorite '80s song. Is she ready to face the music? Just as Eliza is planning her next move, she's dealt an emotional triple-whammy involving her sister, her best friend, and a horrific blind date. That's when she realizes that only by taking a good look at her past -- and her tape collection -- will she ever be able to hear a different kind of song and live a different kind of life.