This book definitely reflects our present day and age. It has a very real and believable heroine who shows her weaknesses and begins to learn her strengths as the story goes on. Underneath it all she manages to have a sense of humor that helps to lighten the story. I never thought reading about rehab could be this entertaining. To wrap it all up there is a dreams can come true ending that adds a positive spin. (no pun intended) Very enjoyable!

“Spin” is about a young woman, Katie Sandford, a thirty year old struggling writer who loves to party in excess with her friends and who desperately wants to work for a music magazine called The Line. She finally gets the opportunity of a lifetime, an interview with the magazine. She is so nervous and excited she gets hammered the night before and shows up late and severely hung-over for her interview. Definitely not a way to impress a future boss….However they do see some potential and give her a job with their sister magazine Gossip Central, not the job of her dreams but nonetheless a foot in the door. As a test trial, the editors give her an assignment to write a tell-all story about Amber Sheppard, a starlet, from “The Girl Next Door”, a girl who has hit rock bottom and recently entered rehab for drug and alcohol addictions. Katie may be just the perfect person to befriend Amber and join her at the facility to search out the dirty little secrets to a killer exposé. This is a chick-lit novel at its best, funny, charming, personal and honest with all the OH NO!, AW!, GOSH! You can imagine. The story is filled with delightful twists and turns and the most loveable of characters, some may even compare it to Bridget Jones Diary. Granted, the storyline is a little predictable but it is certainly interesting and very relevant in today's celebrity worshiping culture and of course no women’s contemporary fiction would be complete without a handsome love interest, in this case it is done perfectly adding plenty of spice and colour to the mix…. Aaaaw!!!! Those hot moments will get you every time.:) The novel is absolutely captivating, an enjoyable spin to the rather sensitive subject of substance abuse and the long road to recovery. A beautiful debut novel, well done Ms. McKenzie.

The Good Stuff Author is Canadian (and the book isn't depressing or about the prairies -- you have to understand my issue here, we are forced to read depressing Cdn literature -- often about the prairies - from Grade 4 all the way through College in Ontario - it colours you ) Dialogue between characters is nice and crisp, fresh and often funny as hell Smart and funny Fast paced tightly written story, doesn't drag Fabulous character development, Kate feels like a real person, warts and all Really could see this as a movie Good secondary characters that compliment the heroine, yet don't overshadow her Nice moral questions done in a non preachy or schmaltzy way - makes you think what you might do in the same situation. I really liked how the characters lives didn't become perfect after they had left rehab, they were still struggling, but there was a sense of hope for change - very realistic Will be picking up Arranged, by McKenzie as well since I was so impressed with her writing style Could not put the book down, felt like I was part of the story Author is Canadian - come on American pals, you know how excited we get when something Canadian is good The Not So Good Stuff Found Kate's sister seriously irritating and just plain unpleasant - if she were my twin sister I would have drank too Favorite Quotes/Passages "The way I see it, Kid, anything that comes from the ground is OK," my father said. "It's the manufactured s**t, pardon my French, that gets people in trouble. If you can consume it in its natural state, and never tell your mother I said this, I don't see why you can't experiment a little." I stared at him from the middle of my beanbag chair. "What are you talking about Dad?" "I'm talking about pot, hash, and 'shrooms. If you stick to those, you should be OK. Not that I'm telling you to take them. But if you do decide to do drugs, those are the drugs you should use." "If you're reading this message, you're smarter than I thought! No need for explanations,lass. The intrigue was worth it. I laugh out loud. People surprise you every go***n day, even in rehab." "I wonder if anyone else is awake. Or are visions of sugarplums, or sugarplum brandy, dancing through their heads." Who Should/Shouldn't Read This one is perfect for everyone, both male and female -- people have mentioned it on chick lit lists, but I feel that does it a disservice, men will enjoy the story as well Even good for older YA readers (obviously there is some sex, drugs, etc -- but nothing explicit -- and hey the message of drugs and alcohol can be very bad is a good one) This would be a wonderful story for lying on a beach or curled up on a couch 4.75 Dewey's William Morrow sent this to me for review in exchange for an honest review

What would you do to get the job of your dreams? Would it be worth telling tales about your newest friend? Kate Sandford found her self in just that situation. To be honest, so didn't expect to care about IT Girl Amber Sheppard when she met her in rehab. It was only a means to and end and she really did want that job at the hottest music magazine The Line. In Kate's mind, going into rehab was only a front, she didn't really need to be here, did she. Over the course of the day as I read this novel, I really got pulled into this portion of Kate's life. At the age of thirty, so didn't have much going for her. Sure she wrote free lance articles for assorted music magazines and newspapers, but she still lived the life of a starving student and that's who she found herself partying with at every opportunity. I could totally feel Kate's confusion as she tried to sort out what her counsellor was trying to tell her at rehab and what she thought she knew about herself. Did she need to be in rehab or was it only the story. It was clear that she really was battling with this question. Thanks to author Catherine McKenzie for a captivating read. I appreciated all the time that Kate spent examining how she read her life, and I know that when I think back on this book, I will find myself wondering what aspects of my life could use a little contemplation.

Chick lit is a difficult genre to write well without seeming corny or formulaic and unfortunately Spin does not deliver. It was an interesting premise and i think with enough practice, first-time author McKenzie has promise. I had numerous problems with this story: There was no chemistry between the romantic leads, the internal dialogue was infuriating, the dialogue between characters was unrealistic and full of overused stock phrases instead of any real revelations and there was no character development in the secondary characters (Mckenzie's attempt at diverse characters is to insert a scottish transplant who attaches stock UK phrases to the end of her sentences). It was like storytelling 101 - insert problem here, find solution to problem, etc. I spent the last 3/4 of the story trying to decide if i really wanted to finish it or see if i could get my money back

A great read! It was like Serena Van Der Woodsen meets Juno meets Sandra Bullock in 28 days. Catherine McKenzie is Canada's answer to Helen Fielding (except without that lapse in judgement they called Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination) and with good taste in music and movies! I can't wait to read Catherine McKenzie's next novel!

I've read the big names in chick lit (like Meg Cabot, Sophie Kinsella, Helen Fielding, etc) and enjoyed them. But none of them were Canadian and none of them had that special quirkiness that spoke directly to me. I was impressed by this debut novel. Chick lit is not an easy genre to break into and it is near impossible to keep it fresh and not somehow make it trivial. But McKenzie kept it fresh and original while delivering the chick lit form. Here's the story: A once-from-the-country gal is trying to break into the world of music writing in the big city. She's turning 30 and she still hasn't made that dream come true. Then she gets the call--an interview with a big name music magazine. Unfortunately, she kind of accidentally overdoes her pre-birthday celebration the night before and arrives at the dream interview drunk. Oops. However, she is granted a chance to redeem herself. All she has to do is go to rehab and sneak out tidbit gossip on the celebrity who is already there. No problem, right? Right? Hmmm... except she just passed the 'I'm an alcoholic' admission test with flying colours--and not in a good way. Did she put a good spin on her drinking in order to seem like a person with a genuine problem or is she an alcoholic? Of course, in true chick lit form, things get right bungled up the deeper the character goes into her lies. However, this is where the novel truly shines fresh. You think it's all going to be solved and tied up with a nice bow in one way... and it does... but totally in a different way than expected. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

I have never been more disappointed in a book. There is absolutely no point to this. Grade seven kids can write better than this. There is nothing in here that has any merit, simple characters and simple story with a predictable happy ending. Nothing to take with you after you're finished with it. Do not read this unless you are a bored fourteen year old.

Thorughly enjoyed this easy read. Nice character development. You find yourself rooting for Katie as well as seeing your struggles in her struggles. Would definitely recommend this. Looking forward to more titles by Catherine Mackenzie

Kate has an interview and a shot at her dream job - writing for a music magazine. The night before the interview she heads out for one celebratory drink, which somehow turns into more than one...... She makes it to the interview the next day, but five minutes in, has to run to the bathroom to throw up. Needless to say she doesn't get the job. Their sister magazine - a gossip rag- calls later with an offer. Her writing samples were good - would she consider going undercover at a rehab to get the dirt on the latest 'it' girl , Amber? If all goes well, they'll give her the job at the music magazine. She jumps at the chance. McKenzie has created a flawed but lovable character in Kate. She has goals, but keeps sabotaging herself. But at rehab, she is forced to confront some of those flaws and decide where she wants to go in life. Can she betray the burgeoning friendship she has with Amber and spill her secrets for public consumption? The supporting characters were well drawn as well. Amber is particularly well portrayed and is a poignant commentary of celebrity in our society. Although substance abuse is a focal part of the story, McKenzie strikes a fine balance between serious and humourous. Much of the dialogue and situations were laugh out loud funny, but the foundation of recovery is handled with respect as well. Spin was one of those books that read like potato chips. Yep, it was an addicting read for me - just one more chapter until I turned the last page and realized I'd finished it already. This is a debut novel for Canadian Catherine McKenzie. Definitely recommended. I'll be waiting for the second book by this fresh, witty new voice!