{REVIEW} PURSUING THE TIMES by LAUREN BARATZ-LOGSTED

Series: Stand alone
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Publication Date: 8/24/12
Format: ebook (Kindle)
Pages: 257
Source: Received from author for review.

All that popular Chick-Lit author Mercury Lauren wants is to have one of her books reviewed by the New York Times Book Review - just one - and she'll do almost anything to get it. In this contemporary romantic comedy, with a nod toward Pride and Prejudice she crosses swords and hearts with the Editor-in-Chief of the NYTBR in a madcap adventure that takes her from her home in Westport to a yoga retreat to a golf course in Florida. Will she get what she wants and will she finally be happy if she does? Only one thing's for certain: nothing will stop her from Pursuing the Times.

"It is a publishing truth, universally acknowledged, that anyone professionally involved in the pursuit of "Lit-e-ra-ture" must, by definition, despise Chick-Lit."  ~Pursuing the Times

Fans of Bridget Jones, rejoice! Pursuing the Times and its well-intentioned, slightly wacky heroine, Mercury Lauren, are here for your reading pleasure.

I am so thoroughly pleased, I don't even know where to start with my review. For starters, I love "Chick-Lit", and that is beyond ironic, considering the premise of this story. Mercury Lauren (yes, that really is her name, and no, she is not related to the famous designer, though she does have a brother named Ralph) is an unsatisfied author. Sure, she's successful, even receiving nice advances for her best-selling books. But she never meant to become labeled as a "chick-lit" author. Mercury wants what the big-time "Literary" authors receive, respect and reviews in the New York Times Book Review. However, it is hard to get a break when the editor is a man you despise, and the feeling seems to be quite mutual.

Enter Frank D'Arcangelo, Editor. Much like the famous, aloof Mr. Darcy of Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones Diary, Frank is not the easiest acquaintance to make. It doesn't help that Mercury begins their strange meeting by insulting poor Frank. She appears to be his opposite in every way. She is almost always improperly dressed, seems to have no verbal filter, insults him by email, follows him on vacation...all in pursuit of the Times. Mercury is a bit of a mess, and I enjoyed every awkward, inappropriate moment.

Pursuing the Times is a nice look, and a bit of a jab, at the publishing community. As a reader who loves books, no matter the genre (or lack thereof), author, publishing house, review publications, and the whole crazy business in general, I soooo wish that those who go on and on with the whole snobbery and quibbling in public forums would read this and take note of the ridiculousness of their bickering. A book is a book is a book. Many are good, some are awful, some are great. End of story.


This is the third book of Lauren Baratz-Logsted's that I have read and I can easily say that Pursuing the Times is my favorite. With a main character as impulsive and caring as Mercury, a seemingly snobbish yet downright sexy leading man like Frank, and a story that will make you laugh, swoon, and cheer...Pursuing the Times is a charming good time.



Favorite Quote:

  "What are you doing?" I asked.
  "I'm calling the Front Desk," he said, "for condoms, of course."
  "You can't just call the Front Desk and ask for condoms! What are you going to do, say, 'Oh, um, could you send up an industrial-sized package of rubbers, because we really want to have sex up here and, even though we're both of age adults, we're both too stupid to live'?"
  "No, of course not," he said. "I'm going to say" -- and then he held up a finger to silence me as he spoke politely into the phone: "Yes, this is Frank D'Arcangelo and I'm in room number" --he looked at me inquiringly and I mouthed the number which he passed on to the person he was speaking to --"with Mercury Lauren and we are dying to make love to one another but have arrived totally unprepared for the event. Do you think you might help us out here?...Yes, that would be perfect." He looked at me. "Yes, textured would be better, thanks for thinking of that."   (62%)

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