Book Review: The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan

Thirty-four year old, Mimi Finnegan is the third of four daughters and in her eyes, by far, the most unremarkable. She has no singular accomplishment that can stand up to any of her sisters. And if that isn’t enough, she is the only single sibling in her family.

Mimi’s sisters decide that it’s time she gets serious about husband hunting, so they begin a campaign to find Mr. Right for her. Considering her most recent dating encounters include a night club owner who stuffs bratwurst in his pants and a WASPy trust fund baby, living happily under his mother’s thumb, Mimi is more than ready to meet THE ONE. Enter celebrated British novelist Elliot Fielding.

Sexual tension and anger heat up between the duo and it isn’t until Mimi discovers that Elliot is almost engaged to another that she realizes she is head-over-heels in love with him.

The journey will make you laugh, cry and want to pull your hair out from frustration! Mimi eventually learns that she is quite remarkable in her own right and never needed to worry that she lived in her sister’s shadows.

The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan is the perfect laugh-out-loud, feel good book for any woman who has ever felt that she wasn’t good enough. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads.)

Sara Steven:

I think there are moments in life where most of us feel like Mimi Finnegan, moments where we don’t quite measure up within our circle of friends, relatives, co-workers. Acknowledged as the one with the “prettiest feet” (a moniker she holds onto for dear life, even after she discovers she’s got a bunion) within her circle of gorgeous sisters, it seems as though Mimi will never measure up. While they are happily married to men who rival any hottie found on the cover of a romance novel, Mimi is single, and all alone.

When her sisters take it upon themselves to find a man for her, they set her up with a famous British novelist, a man Mimi has always looked up to and found to be quite fascinating, until they meet in person. He’s got major attitude, can be a bit of a jerk, and did he forget to mention that he’s already taken? That doesn’t stop her from falling head over heels for the guy, once she’s able to see past his quirks and behaviors. But there are stumbling blocks thrown at her from every direction, which makes her question what she really wants out of life. Is the British man the one she’s meant to spend forever with, or is she awesome all on her own, just the way she is, man or no man?

"Mimi" was such a fun read, from start to finish! Whitney Dineen doesn’t pull punches, writing a book that gives us insight into the mind of a thirty-something woman, no sugar coating, the real deal. I enjoyed Mimi’s journey, her transformation. There were moments that had me wincing in solidarity, or laughing out loud at the spectacle she often makes of herself, without even trying. Even with all her faults, you can't help but love her. Mimi is Mimi, and if you don’t like it? Talk to the bunion.

Melissa Amster:

I enjoyed The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan every step of the way. It was so funny and charming straight out of the gate. I could tell that Whitney had so much fun writing this story and getting into Mimi's head. I definitely felt a Sex and the City meets The Mindy Project vibe and fans of either (or both) show(s) will really enjoy this book, as well.

The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan seemed more farcical in nature, but it was still a lot of fun. I enjoyed the interactions Mimi had with the secondary characters and romantic interests. Even her bunion was a character in itself. It reminded me of the 2003 Renée Zellweger romantic comedy Down with Love. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and I enjoyed seeing New York City through Mimi's eyes. I really loved her transformation and newly found self-confidence. Wouldn't it be fun to reinvent yourself sometimes?

The only things that didn't work as well were that Mimi had it almost too easy (even though she was the first to admit it) and that the ending wrapped up a bit neatly (although most romantic comedies do anyway). Aside from that, the editor could have been more careful with catching spelling errors before it went to print. (However, I've learned that it was reprinted this past December and all spelling errors were corrected.) All small concerns in the grand scheme of what an entertaining book this was!

Overall, it was humorous, delightful, and sweet. Definitely worth adding to your book collection for a nice pick-me-up.

My rom-com cast:
Whitney has already cast Christina Hendricks as Mimi and I can't imagine anyone else in the role!
Elliot: Simon Baker
Beatrice: Michelle Dockery
Kevin: Josh Gad
Richard: Robert Downey Jr.
Renee (One of Mimi's sisters; the beauty): Rachel McAdams
Ginger (One of Mimi's sisters; the brain): Reese Witherspoon
Muffy (One of Mimi's sisters; the jock): Ali Larter
Voice of the bunion a.k.a. Edith Bunker: Estelle Harris (since we sadly can't get Jean Stapleton anymore)

Thanks to Whitney Dineen for the book in exchange for an honest review.