Oh, Miss Chickie, I hate to do this, but I really have to disagree. I thought that "Steamed" pretty much stunk. And that makes me very, very sad. See, I was prepared to like this book a lot. I was ready for something fun and cleaver, and I thought this book sounded like it was made for me. A main character that loves awesome restaurants! A witty murder mystery set in one of my favourite cities! Why, I love awesome restaurants, AND murder mysteries. Dude!

First and foremost, I really, really disliked Chloe, the main character. I thought that there was nothing at all to like about her. I thought that she came across as a complainer, and as one of those people who claim that things just happen to her, and never takes responsibility for the part that she plays in her own life. And even worse, I found her to be very, very shallow. And that's just completely unforgivable.

The thing is, it's not just Chloe that's shallow - because I really don't think that was either of the authors' intent. I think the main problem is that the writing itself being shallow. There is nothing at all compelling about how the story is fleshed out. The plotting and pacing feel rushed and surface-y, and the supporting cast of characters? Completely unmemorable.

There was a time when chick-lit was cleaver and funny and, though light, didn't make you feel dumber after having read it. The flaws and foibles of the main characters were both laughable and endearing. These were the kind of books that were written by actual storytellers, who knew about funny, and knew about precious, and knew the fine line between awesome and pathetic. This is not one of those books.