Tag: guide

Book Review: The Good Girlfriend’s Guide to Getting Even by Anna Bell

the-good-girlfriends

Title: The Good Girlfriend’s Guide to Getting Even
Author: Anna Bell
Publisher: Bonnier Zaffre
Date: January 26th, 2017
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: from Publisher for review

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads): ‘Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella’. Another hilarious and heart-warming romantic comedy from bestselling author Anna Bell

When Lexi’s sport-mad boyfriend Will skips her friend’s wedding to watch football – after pretending to have food poisoning – it might just be the final whistle for their relationship.

But fed up of just getting mad, Lexi decides to even the score. And, when a couple of lost tickets and an ‘accidentally’ broken television lead to them spending extra time together, she’s delighted to realise that revenge might be the best thing that’s happened to their relationship.

And if her clever acts of sabotage prove to be a popular subject for her blog, what harm can that do? It’s not as if he’ll ever find out . . .

vrpca

Review:

Anna Bell is an author who has been on my tbr list for a very, very long time.
Ever since I found out about her book The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart and heard so many amazing things about her work, I wanted to give her a chance.
After putting it off for the longest time, I was lucky enough and got a chance to read her newest novel, The Good Girlfriend’s Guide to Getting Even.

I am so glad I read this funny novel with the longest title ever, because I fell in love with Bell’s writing style, and with the positive atmosphere she created, that was present through the whole story.

This book follows the story of Lexi, a 29 old woman who’s boyfriend (Will) is obsessed with sports.
Dating him and watching all the games is not always easy for Lexi, but she found her way to deal with that (like reading books on her e-reader when her boyfriend watches a game she is not interested in), but when Will fakes stomach flu so he wouldn’t go to Lexi’s best friend’s wedding, and goes to the game instead, Lexi decides it is time for her to get even.

First of all, let me just say that egocentric in me enjoyed reading this book and my approach to this story is 100% subjective.
You see, I could relate to Lexi so much, because her Will reminded me of my boyfriend. I mean it, they are so alike, it’s like the author based Will’s character on him.
Even their whole relationship situation was almost the same as ours, and when I was talking to my man about this book, he was sure I was making it up, just to entertain him.
“No”, I said “but Anna Bell wrote the story I should have written (because sometimes I like to think I was destined to write a good book one day), because it’s like reading my life on those pages. I KNOW what she’s talking about, to the core!”

The writing style was really, really good!
The story itself was great, but the way the author told us the story is even better. It reminded me of Sophie Kinsella’s style in a way.

I laughed so many times while reading, was entertained the whole time.

I was also curious (and because of subjective reason a bit worried how the story’s going to conclude) because, even though to some readers this story was predictable, I really had no idea in which direction it was going.

The things I think could have been better in this story are:
– I wish we got more romantic/cute scenes with Will and Lexi.
– I wish there was stronger character development. We said goodbye to the same Lexi and Will we met at the very beginning of the story.
– I don’t think Will’s reason to miss the wedding was strong enough.

I am so glad I read The Good Girlfriend’s Guide to Getting Even, and I am looking forward to read more of Bell’s work.

If you’re a chick lit lover, this book is the one you don’t want to miss.

4,5

Book Review: A Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by

the vintage guide

Title: The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance
Author: Kirsty Greenwood
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Date: April 9th, 2015
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher for a review

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Jessica Beam is a girl who knows how to party. Only lately she’s been forgetting to turn up for work on time. Or in clean clothes. Down on her luck, out of a job and homeless, Jess seeks the help of her long-lost grandmother.

Things aren’t going well for Matilda Beam, either. Her 1950s Good Woman guide books are out of print, her mortgage repayments are staggering and her granddaughter wears neon Wonderbras!

When a lifeline from a London publisher arrives, the pair have an opportunity to secure the roof over their heads – by invigorating the Good Woman guides and transforming modern, rebellious Jess into a demure vintage lady.

The true test of their make-over will be to capture the heart of notorious London playboy Leo Frost and prove that Matilda’s guides still work. It’s going to take commitment, nerves of steel and one seriously pointy bra to pull this off…

vrpca

Review:

It feels like it’s been months since I’ve read a chick-lit and I wasn’t even aware I missed it in my life.
This book reminded me how it feels to laugh out loud while just reading. It was good to be remembered.

In this book we follow Jessica, who is a party girl with not so much obligations or the work ethic in her life. All she wants to do is party, travel and not to take things seriously, until one day, the life slaps he. She has no job, no place to live and no money.

What I found in this novel is the fact that not one character in this book is likeable at the first apperience, but over the time, chapter by chapter, you start to get attached to them.

At first, I didn’t like Jessica. I tought she was selfish and deserved what came for her. Despise that, I wanted to know how she’s going to manage her new life. I also wondered if there’s going to be that typical character development where the character puts her old life behind her and becomes a different person.
I can gladely say this book is free of all those big cliches.

Peach was my favorite character. I can totally imagine that girl somewhere in the real world.
Summer was the one we should probably think about as a b*tch, but I actually understood her and I would probably act the same way she did, if I was her. Does that make me a b*tch too? Probably, but at least an honest one.
After all, Jessica’s leak of responsibilities and better judgement have put her in the position she found herself in.

Matilda, Jessica’s Grandmother, was my least favorite character. Although, I would like to read her books so I could try some of her advices.

Don’t let the cover and genre fool you! This book contains some serious topics, such as a suicide and depression, shattered loves and shettered personalities. That is what I like about this book the most.
And the fact that author knew how to present this story and touch those serious things in the book, but at the same time wrote a funny book without the dissrespect to people with simiral problems and in simiral situations, makes me appreciate her as an author.

If you seek for a new chick-lit, I warmly recommend this one.

5