She’s looking for the perfect match. He shrugs off commitment. Will these best friends figure out they’ve got love in the bag?
Recently named a “40 under 40” by a prominent fashion magazine, Southern charmer and Harvard-educated Caroline Johnson spends her days building a successful handbag business and nights lamenting her nonexistent love life. Her intelligence and professional acumen are … professional acumen are often disregarded because of her good looks, thick accent, and overly accommodating style. When Caroline’s Aunt Mimi points out that the “under 40” part won’t last forever, Caroline recognizes it’s time to start designing her personal life.
Mike (aka Michael Frederick Barnsworth III) was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and can trace his lineage to the founders of America’s first bank. Much to his family’s dismay, he refuses a corner office at the Barnsworth Brokerage Firm, instead using his Harvard education to open a bar. Irreverent and flirtatious, Mike seems content to engage in one-night stands while listening to Caroline’s dating woes.
Much like the right accessory, Caroline knows her partner needs to be perfectly matched, so she endures a series of disastrous relationships she compares to styles of handbags: the “Hobo” or starving artist; the “Diaper Bag” or single dad; the “Briefcase” or intense businessman, etc. while searching for the “Clutch.” And Mike starts to wonder if having a different woman hanging off his arm every weekend is really a fulfilling lifestyle.
Will Caroline heed her Aunt Mimi’s advice to “find something you love and hold onto it” and will Mike recognize he’s worthy of being clutched?
Low on angst and high on humor, Clutch will have readers rooting for Caroline to find someone to hold onto. If you love friends-to-lovers romances, laugh-inducing dating disasters, sizzling chemistry, and happily ever afters, scroll up now to buy or read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
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This book was a refreshing new twist on a romance novel.
The book was split into several chapters which were all titled different handbags. Each handbag was based on a different guy to match is personality or characteristics. (i.e. Diaper Bag- singe dad)
Caroline is a southern belle who has created her own handbag business. Her best friend Mike also own his own bar where several of the book scenes and dates take place. These two friends have different views on relationships. Mike has a three date rule, and Caroline wants to find someone to love and settle down.
I loved reading about Caroline and all of her dating adventures. Even though most of the chapters are repetitive, (Caroline meets a guy, and they exchange numbers. Mike meets a girl to hookup.), the actual dating scenes are realistic and unique. The scenarios and different scenes were hilarious. I really enjoyed how the book detailed every dating disaster and success that you could possibly happen, and the one-liners and comebacks that the characters use in the book will have you doubled over in laughter.
-A copy of the book was given in exchange for an honest review.-
Clutch was a good read by Lisa Becker. Caroline Johnson is Harvard educated and spends her days building her successful handbag business. She spends her nights lamenting her nonexistent love life at her best friend, Mike’s, bar. Caroline gets a reminder that she wont stay under 40 forever and she knows its time to start designing her personal life. Mike was born with a silver spoon in his mouth but went against what his family wanted for him. He is using his Harvard education to open a bar. Caroline endures many disastrous relationships while looking for the right one. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.
Clutch was a funny, light chick-lit novel that held my interest from start to finish. We are taken on the dating adventures of Caroline, a handbag designer who compares the men she dated to different types of bags until she eventually finds the one she wants to hold on too. I enjoyed the story. There were so many hilarious moments and I really loved Caroline’s best friend Mike who was there through it all.
I listened to the audible version of this novel which was narrated by Suzanne Barbetta. She did a fabulous job portraying all the characters most especially Caroline. Her timing and delivery of the story was spot on and I enjoyed listening to her.
Clutch was a unique page-turner and I would highly recommend it to all chick-lit lovers.
#AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Clutch is a lighthearted, amusing romance about finding that one special person who just fits. I really liked the unique chapter headings and how they connected things. The story is rather predictable, especially the conclusion, and a bit repetitive, but it is humorous and I had more the one chuckle over the banter between Mike and Caroline. The book is well-written and I like the writing style, so I’ll certainly read other books from this author. All in all, this one is low on angst and high on fun – an easy, enjoyable read.
Adulting Is Not Easy To Do!
This is a standalone.
HEA, NO cliffhangers!
Content Warning:
There is sex and some cussing, but this is more an exploration in being an adult than anything else.
Those that are overly sensitive to the “cheating” factor may not approve. To be clear, there is NO cheating, but it does take Caroline a long time to figure out what she wants which includes dalliances with many men.
This is an exploration of what it is to follow your dreams while also trying to find your heart’s desire for the “One”. It ain’t easy folks, and this story pulls no punches for the all too real awkward moments in life. Bonus though, you get to explore it through the wonderful realm of handbags!
Clutch is mostly about Caroline Johnson however, as much as she hangs out with Mike, he might as well be her sidekick. We get to follow along as she launches her business and in her attempts to find the “Perfect Clutch” of a man. The dates are very life like and I’m sure you will find at least one that you can relate to on one side of the coin or the other. For instance, I can relate to the single father, and how hard it is to date as a single parent. Telling a guy I have kids was an easy way to get rid of an unwanted suitor, seriously. Telling someone you want to stick around was a different story. I was fearful as hell to tell my now current husband when we were first dating. I could feel the guy’s pain for sure!
Michael “Mike” Frederick Barnsworth’s old money roots are far different than Caroline’s small town upbringing, but that never seemed to matter to him. Their first meeting is in grad school at Harvard, and by the time they leave they are BFFs. Mike wanted to ditch his family’s expectations and open his own bar like Tom Cruise in Cocktail. I love his idea of “research” while earning their MBAs, but I do have to disappoint him on the food side of things. I can honestly say that I have lived in L.A. and have NEVER had a Pink’s dog! I’m not standing in line for over an hour to get a hot-dog, sorry!
I was expecting there to be an explanation for each bag like in the blurb, but there wasn’t. Clutch is close to real life, as in, there are often no clear winners or losers. I felt a bit wrung out by the end. For those that like that kind of thing, you will love this story. One of my guilty pleasures is Bachelor in Paradise, and this story really reminds me of Wells, who is actually the bartender for the show now. If you don’t know who or what I’m talking about, I apologize, but to say anything more would be a spoiler.
This is my first listen by Lisa Becker. The humor she infuses into her stories makes the awkwardness of life more bearable.
This is my first listen by Suzanne Barbetta. She did great with all genders and ages. They really came through to my ears and my throat. I needed a cough drop after hearing her rendition of chain smoking Aunt Mimi!
Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference.
Audiobook obtained at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review.
*A copy of this book was gifted to me from the author and I freely give my honest review*
I liked this book, it was fun, sweet and romantic. If I should note one thing it’s that I wish the chemistry between Caroline and Mike could have been stronger.
* Good storyline that was made easy to follow although I must say I predicted the end… but it was a perfect end
* Characters was well described with feelings and flaws
* No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
* Good amount of dialogues
* Love scenes is short but sweet
A good 4 star read well worth reading.