The Hard Way

Julie Luongo

Forge Books

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Lucy Venier changes careers and boyfriends as often as she changes her socks. Although gifted with wit and creativity, the one thing Lucy lacks is focus. While being someone she’s not, be it crime reporter or sleep-deprived law student, Lucy’s one constant is art. Her insatiable desire to create is fueled by her offbeat life experiences. But unfortunately by day Lucy must hide her creativity under her business suit.

As if figuring out her life isn’t hard enough, all of Lucy’s friends are getting married. But Lucy’s not sure if she’s capable of living happily ever after. With a string of loser former flames, giving up seems to be the best option. But then there’s Ben—Lucy’s Mr. Right who comes at completely the wrong time. But is he truly The One? Did Lucy miss her chance?

In the tradition of The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing, The Hard Way is a scrapbook of stories from Lucy’s life. As she discovers more about the people around her, will she finally begin to understand herself?

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Beach Bar with Tequila

(Watercolor on Paper, 1990)

The death of Lucy’s father marked the moment when three women began their lives as new people. Lucy heroically forged ahead, imagining her dad cheering her along. Her sister, nineteen years Lucy’s senior, fell gloriously apart. And their mother, after the grief, started dating a dynamic entrepreneur. It was the sort of coupling that everyone looked at and said involuntarily, "Of course."

Lucy was the collegiate quasi-feminist who was studying journalism and demanded to be called a "woman.

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Reviews

Praise for The Hard Way

“Lucy Venier’s search for happiness takes her on a bumpy but ultimately fulfilling ride in Luongo’s witty debut.”—Publishers Weekly

"I absolutely fell in love with the character of Lucy. Julie Luongo is a masterful writer, nimble and quick and insanely sincere."--Stephanie Lessing, author of Miss Understanding

“These linked stories are highly entertaining and highly intelligent, formally invigorating and emotionally satisfying. Lucy’s blunders and triumphs as she negotiates sex, love, family, and the difficulties of living a creative life, make for a terrific tale, thanks to Julie Luongo’s wit, her timing—and her big heart.”--Daisy Fried, author of She Didn’t Mean to Do It

Reviews from Goodreads

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Lisa  rated it  
Jul 29, 2011
Fall in love with Lucy. She is quirky, flawed, caring, confused..in other words, human with a heart. Lucy is not perfect, but she is beautiful. In her I felt I found a true kindred spirit. If Lucy were real, I'd want to sit outside the 'crazy cabin' and drink lagers with her until the sun came u ...more
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Tina  rated it  
Nov 4, 2010
I finished this book in 3 days. It was addicting. I loved the characters in the book. I related with the main character so much. This book made me laugh and cry. It was just a great book. ...more
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Julie  rated it  
Jun 17, 2008
Man, oh man is this book good. Ok, sure, I wrote it. But still, I totally enjoyed reading it. I laughed, I cried, I remembered that I'm not alone. ...more
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About the Author

Julie Luongo

JULIE LUONGO has worked as a university instructor, freelance writer, researcher, editor, reporter, and business consultant. She’s written about theater, fishing, and entertainment. Luongo lives in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.  This is her first novel.

Julie Luongo

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Available Formats and Book Details

The Hard Way
Julie Luongo

Trade Paperback

Trade Paperback
Tom Doherty Associates
Forge Books
May 2008
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9780765316677
ISBN10: 0765316676
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 272 pages
$15.99
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Mass Market Paperbound

Learn more about this edition
Mass Market Paperbound
Tom Doherty Associates
Forge Books
August 2010
Mass Market Paperbound
ISBN: 9780765355867
ISBN10: 0765355868
4 1/8 x 6 11/16 inches, 272 pages
$6.99

e-Book Agency

Learn more about this edition
e-Book Agency
Tom Doherty Associates
Forge Books
August 2010
e-Book Agency
ISBN: 9781429968942
ISBN10: 142996894X
272 pages
$9.99
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