Mercury in Retrograde: A Novel Audiobook, by Paula Froelich Play Audiobook Sample

Mercury in Retrograde: A Novel Audiobook

Mercury in Retrograde: A Novel Audiobook, by Paula Froelich Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Marguerite Gavin Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781400183807

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

17

Longest Chapter Length:

57:47 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:15 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

24:53 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Paula Froelich: > View All...

Publisher Description

Penelope Mercury, an intrepid reporter at the New York Telegraph, has pounded the pavement for five years from city borough to borough, carrying out her boss's eccentric orders to break stories that seem inconsequential to everyone but him. Finally, she is inches away from being promoted to her dream job—covering courtroom drama for the paper—but after one spectacularly disastrous day, she is fired instead.

Lena "Lipstick Carcrash" Lippencrass has a pretty fabulous life, even by a socialite's standards, as top editor at the high fashion magazine Y. Long lunches with her girlfriends and afternoons spent shopping at Bergdorf's are all in a day's work. But when her indulgent parents abruptly cut off her cash flow and kick her out of her beloved West Village duplex because she refuses to work for the family business, Lena is forced to confront the reality of what it takes to pay the bills.

Dana Gluck, a workaholic lawyer, had been married for two years to a man who was perfect on paper but increasingly critical in reality. She hoped that her dreams of motherhood would be fulfilled soon, which surely would also fix their marriage problems. Instead, her husband leaves her for an exchange student/model who, to make matters worse, promptly gets pregnant.

When fate conspires to have these three very different women move into the same SoHo apartment building, they soon discover that having their carefully planned lives fall to pieces might be the best thing that could have ever happened to them.

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"This was a fun book with a lot of what I would call "quirk" making it fun. Two of our heroines were from Ohio - Cleveland and Cincinnati - living in New York, so O-H-I-O! The only two drawbacks were that the character from Cincinnati once referred to tipping cows as the only alternate activity to smoking in junior high (somehow I have managed to find more to do in our little city), and, more importantly, the ending seemed very abrupt. The rest of the book was a nice time."

— Megan (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • It sounds like a movie pitch: Three smart, opinionated young women live in the same Manhattan building and band together to improve each other's personal and social lives. Mixed in is a heady dose of brand names, celebrity name-dropping, and working-girl dialogue. Written by a gossip columnist, this project sounds like the ultimate in chick-lit. Alas, there's plenty of "chick" but not much "lit." With such larger-than-life characters, one would expect that Marguerite Gavin would have a lot to work with in her narration. While she makes a valiant attempt to inject some sass and attitude into her delivery, ultimately it doesn't redeem an unsatisfying book. Fans of Candace Bushnell may enjoy this—others, beware.

Mercury in Retrograde Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.13953488372093 out of 53.13953488372093 out of 53.13953488372093 out of 53.13953488372093 out of 53.13953488372093 out of 5 (3.14)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 17
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 5
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a cute witty story about the friendship of 3 very different women, "

    — Jami, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " a cute bubblegum coming of age story... "

    — Cheryl, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I'm not sure why I finished this. I skimmed the last half. It was a little boring and I just didn't really care about any of the characters. "

    — Dena, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Quick chick lit read - couldn't resist because at Project Enterprise hell would always break lose when Mercury was in Retrograde... "

    — Beth, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very enjoyable chick lit. Liked the three main characters who were going through changes and had very different backgrounds. "

    — Lucy, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book was just all right for me. I'm not a fan of books that have socialites as the main character, because I often find their world shallow. I also had a hard time believing that anyone would seriously call someone by the nickname "Lipstick" throughout the entire book. The plot and characters became better as I continued to read it, so I'm glad I stuck through it. "

    — Courtney, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed this and laughed out loud at circumstances that everyone can identify with. Love the writing style and very much enjoyed the characters. Read it - and let me know what you think. "

    — Sinnfam, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " decent chick lit, but nothing spectaculer. i ended up in the "to donate/recycling" pile. "

    — Cindy, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was so entertaining about how life dishes you lemons and these women made lemondade out of their circumstances. A fun read. Definiitely a chick book. "

    — Linda, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Deserving of the chicklit label but still with some funny parts though very predictable. "

    — Mom, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Couldn't get interested in this book so quit reading about 1/3 of the way through "

    — Colleen, 12/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A cute story of three very different women in the same apartment building and their search for career success and love. "

    — Amy, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A great beach read - short, witty, and gossip-y. "

    — Adele, 11/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Not worth even getting to chapter 2. "

    — Kate, 8/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book! Kind of like Sex in the City meets the Devil Wears Prada, but better. Why hasn't this been made into a movie? Can't wait for her next book! "

    — Sheila, 8/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " solid chick lit...enjoyable quick read...although left me wanting more "

    — Heidi, 7/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I thought I would love this book (I am a sucker for chicklit). However, I was VERY disappointed in this book!! "

    — Valerie, 7/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although it took me quite some time to finish this book, it is an easy read. It's one of those books that you would pick up for vacation or any time you want a light, fluffy, girly book to dive into. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and how the author presented them in each chapter. "

    — Melissa, 12/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " This was ok- not what I was expecting. Almost too many plots. "

    — Highland-dreamer, 12/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Ah, delicious popcorn reading. 3 single ladies in NY watch their lives go the shambles, then come back stronger than ever. "

    — Lindsay, 10/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I nearly didn't finish this, but found myself at an appointment without reading material so picked it up again. It was brain candy (like reading People magazine but with a more indepth plot lines--although not by much). Good beach read. "

    — Delight, 9/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a quick and light read. The story was somewhat predictable, but it worked as a diversion from a particularly stressful week. "

    — Tabitha, 7/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I couldn't finish this book! It was all over the place and I couldn't stick with it. "

    — Candi, 4/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved it! Very clever writing. It's a working girl's Sex and the City. Lipstick Lippincrass is survivor reinventing herself after a crushing comeuppance. "

    — Susan, 3/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Three people in very different circumstances learn the value of being true to oneself, not living to please others. "

    — CK529, 2/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Thoroughly enjoyable. Another book filled with quirky, nutty characters who show how opposites attract. "

    — Christine, 1/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Awkward prose and silly plot but an easy read. "

    — Christian, 11/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. Good recreational reading "

    — Sandra, 10/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Let your horoscope lead your day...that's a motto to live by! "

    — Melinda, 9/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a good, fast read for the summer. I enjoyed the characters. I thought this was a good product for a first time author. "

    — Lindy, 6/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Cute fun book - great beach read - though the dogpark had to do :) "

    — Laurie, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " So fluffy and insubstantial I was sorry I spent even the two hours it took to read it.And seriously, I don't read a lot of this genre: Do any of the main female characters ever NOT end up with some amazing perfect guy. "

    — Elisa, 4/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Cute story, made me laugh at times. "

    — Hilary, 4/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book was exactly what I was looking for- a light, fun, mindless summer read! "

    — Heather, 3/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a quick and light read. The story was somewhat predictable, but it worked as a diversion from a particularly stressful week. "

    — Tabitha, 2/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Easy, cute read. Definitely a chick lit book but I enjoyed it thoroughly! "

    — Tamara, 2/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Fun! Is that what life is really like for those socialites? Snap into reality, crazies! "

    — Ingrid, 1/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This book is total chick-lit crap-predictable, full of cheese, likable characters and a happy ending. I loved it!! "

    — Sarah, 12/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Great book! Kind of like Sex in the City meets the Devil Wears Prada, but better. Why hasn't this been made into a movie? Can't wait for her next book! "

    — Sheila, 12/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although it took me quite some time to finish this book, it is an easy read. It's one of those books that you would pick up for vacation or any time you want a light, fluffy, girly book to dive into. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and how the author presented them in each chapter. "

    — Melissa, 11/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Quick chick lit read - couldn't resist because at Project Enterprise hell would always break lose when Mercury was in Retrograde... "

    — Beth, 10/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A nice piece of chick lit fluff. Less objectionable material than some--more focus on the women's relationships with each other. "

    — Maryann, 9/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a cute witty story about the friendship of 3 very different women, "

    — Jami, 9/9/2010

About Paula Froelich

Paula Froelich is a reporter for the New York Post and a gossip correspondent on Entertainment Tonight. Her articles have also appeared in the magazine New York. She lives in Manhattan.

About Marguerite Gavin

Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”