The Penny Pinchers Club
Author: Sarah Strohmeyer
ISBN: 9780525951179
The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer tells the story of a New Jersey housewife, Kat, who has a little problem with shopping. Kat knows she needs to stop spending so much money, and lord knows her husband lets her know it every day, but Kat doesn’t realize how dire the situation is until she accidentally checks her husband’s email. When she logs on to her computer and sees her husband Griff’s email account and a new email from his sexy assistant Bree, Kat can’t help but peek. When Kat learns that her husband has a secret bank account and is planning on leaving her as soon as their daughter graduates from high school in just a few months, Kat knows she needs to make a change in her life.
She quickly joins the Rocky River Penny Pinchers Club, a club of other shopaholics turned frugalistas. Kat jumps into action selling her fancy car, canceling her cable and kicking her Starbucks habit. Kat becomes obsessed with all things saving money. In the meantime, her relationship with her husband is normal, perhaps even better than usual. Kat can’t figure out why he wants to leave her, but she is determined to be prepared with enough money to go out on her own when he leaves.
What an awesome and appropriate plot! This book was published in the midst of the recession, so I’m sure many women picked up this book out of curiosity and we’re excited to find not only a great story, but also some great money-saving tips. I was sucked into this book from the first page and I read it in a quick day and a half unable to put it down.
I loved the eclectic group of characters in this book. Strohmeyer really does a terrific job introducing us to all of the key players in Kat’s life. Everyone from Kat’s evil interior designer boss, to her sister, to the aptly named members of the Penny Pinchers Club; they all served an important purpose and helped us to understand Kat’s world .
I became completely absorbed in Kat’s world and her relationship with Griff. Even though Griff was considered the bad guy throughout most of the book, Strohmeyer had me feeling conflicted, because I so WANTED to root for him. The whole back story of how he and Kat met, their loving relationship; I refused to believe that it was over. I knew there had to be some twist that would make everything okay.
The ONE thing I had a problem with in this book was a loose end that was never tied up between Kat and Griff. The emails Kat found were worded VERY strangely. When we learn the outcome of the book, I was still plagued by wondering what the wording in the emails really meant. Sorry for my vagueness…I’m trying to be sensitive to those who haven’t read the book, but I’d also love to hear from those who have for their opinions on this.
4.5/5
Oh, I really enjoyed this one, too! Sarah Strohmeyer’s books are always fun. You’re right: it was published at just the right time, and I’m sure it’s a book many could relate to. I was rooting for Griff, too, and also refused to believe he was a jerk!
@Meg, Were you confused by the wording of the emails too though? This is still bothering me!
I liked this one too. Have you read Sweet Love? It’s a fantastic read. I think you’ll enjoy it.
@Shonda, No I haven’t! Thanks so much for the suggestion though!
This one has been on my to-read list for quite some time!
@StephTheBookworm, Hope you like it when you read it, Steph!
I was totallllyy confused by Griff’s emails…I definitely felt like there were some loose ends too! I was so frustrated since I wanted her to confront him! I wish I remembered more about this book…I read it 6 months ago…Hope you had a Merry Christmas! <3
@Tara, Okay, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who was completely confused about the emails. I seriously want to know what was going on!
Fabulous review! I’ve never heard of this book before, but now you have me wanting to read it ASAP.
@Lauren, I hope you like it, Lauren! Can’t wait to see your review if you read it soon!
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