Review & Giveaway: "Spin" by Catherine McKenzie

In January of 2010 I reviewed Catherine McKenzie's novel Spin. I loved it, and Catherine quickly took her place among my favourite authors. I was excited when I heard that Spin was going to be published in the US on  February 7, 2012, and I decided that I would re-post my original review because I don't want my US friends to miss out on this one! It is intelligent and compulsively readable women's fiction at its finest. Here is my original review:

Kate Sandford is almost 30, but she still poses as a graduate student at times for the free food available at graduate events. She writes articles for the newspaper about obscure but interesting bands, and when she gets an interview at The Line, a music magazine that she has always aspired to work at, she is ecstatic. The night before the interview she goes out with friends to celebrate the combination of her birthday and the interview and, well, over-celebrates a little. She arrives at her interview the next day hungover, reeking like alcohol, and sick to her stomach and it isn't long before the interviewers politely dismiss her. Kate is devastated, but a few weeks later she receives a call. If Kate follows Amber Sheppard, the current celebrity "It Girl" into rehab and writes a tell-all after completing the program, she will get another chance to work at The Line. Kate doesn't think twice and hops onto a plane headed for the rebab centre.

Things get complicated after Kate arrives. Even though she was convinced that she didn't have a problem with alcohol, her time in rehab is starting to open her eyes a little to her own destructive behaviour. Kate also manages to not just meet Amber Sheppard, but befriend her, and then comes the ultimate question: can Kate still write her article without losing her new friend? Kate also meets Henry, a celebrity handler, and sparks begin to fly. Will Henry be able to fall in love with a girl that he met in rehab, and can their relationship last outside of Oasis' walls?

Spin is chick-lit with a heart, and I absolutely loved it. Kate Sandford is definitely one screwed-up individual at times, with the habit of leaping into things without thinking them through first, but she is the type of character that makes you root for her. Not only was I hoping that she would be able to truly see that she had a problem with alcohol, but I was hoping that she would start wanting to get better, and maybe even fall in love along the way. The secondary characters in Spin are fantastic as well: Amber appears to be a spoiled celebrity at first, but as the story continues we see that she's just a girl who has made some bad decisions, and has managed to make those in the spotlight while the world followed her every move. Henry, the celebrity handler, was fantastic as a guy who didn't need to be in rehab, but certainly didn't have it all together either. Kate's parents were wonderful as well- people who truly want to see the best in people, even if those great qualities are in hiding.

There's a line on the last page of the book that I found absolutely swoon-worthy. I would love to share it with you, but won't for fear of giving away the ending. What I can say is that author Catherine McKenzie has written an entertaining, funny and endearing novel and I'm excited to read what she comes up with next. 


(Note: Catherine's second novel Arranged releases in the US on May 15, 2012 and her third novel, Forgotten releases in Canada on May 1, 2012). 

I have one copy of Spin to give away to a lucky US reader! To enter:

1. *Mandatory Entry* If you could hang out with any one celebrity for the day, who would it be (My choice? Russell Brand. I love that guy!)? Leave your answer in the comments along with your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win.

2. *Bonus Entry* Become a follower of this blog through GFC and let me know that you now follow. Current followers are eligible as well, just let me know that you are already a follower!

3. *Bonus Entry* Spread the word about this contest on your blog, your Facebook page, or by Tweeting about it. Please leave me a link to where you spread the word.

All entries can be combined into one comment if desired. This contest is open to US residents only and runs until February 14, 2012 at midnight. The winner will be contacted by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. My thanks to the author for agreeing to provide a giveaway copy!