Helpful Score: 2
I hit up the best place to score books, Goodwill, on the way home the other day and came across this book. I figured since I was in the midst of a Marian Keyes-a-thon I may as well pick this up (for $1!) and read it while I was in the Marian Mind. It's funny but it's like this book is the compolation of every single cliche' that romance or chick lit authors write about. First we start off with Gemma, her father leaves her mother (for - whom else - his younger secretary) and Gemma has to temporarily move home to help pick up her Mom's pieces. She harbors a taste for revenge for her former friend Lily whom, instead of "keeping an eye on" her newly exboyfriend for her in London, she ends up with him. Lily and Anton (Gemma's ex) have the perfect life with the perfect daughter. Lily's book is taking off to places Lily never even dreamed about and life seems perfect... too perfect. Lily is convinced revenge will come her way someday for stealing her friends man and looks for it around every corner. Jojo, Lily's agent is also look around corners... for her boss's wife. Her and her boss have been having an affair for months and she's just waiting for the bomb to go off - but first, she needs to make partner. See what I mean about cliche's? It's every one in the book. Life awakening experiences? Check. Near Death? Check. Heartache? Check. Happily Ever After? Check - and enough princes, princesses (one literal one) and wands to go around. I liked this book, it was fun and a perfect fluff read.
Helpful Score: 2
My first Marian Keyes book and I enjoyed it very much. She has a quirky kind of humor that makes for enjoyable reading. The story line involves three women whose lives become entwined through events, both past and present. Jojo Harvey is a literary agent who discovers Lily Wright, who in turn becomes a best selling author with her first novel. Gemma Hogan is an event planner who knew Lily because she stole Gemma's boyfriend. Gemma has never forgiven Lily, wants Anton back, so sets out to become a best-selling author too, for revenge. The basis for Gemma's novel is the fact that her father has left her mother after 36 years of marriage and moved in with a woman just 2 years older than Gemma. It sounds complicated, but Keyes pulls it all together and weaves a fun and, at times, poignant story about love lost, found and hiding in odd places.
Helpful Score: 1
Great Marian Keyes fun!
Helpful Score: 1
It's a long read but worth it once you get into it. It's almost like three novels in one! The story was cute and it was interesting how the three characters lives were interwoven.
Helpful Score: 1
Please note that this book is a mass market paperback. I purchased it in Ireland, so it was not printed in the US. Must have used the same ISBN on paperback in Ireland as Hardback in US.
Book was fantastic. Marian Keyes is one my my favorite authors!
Book was fantastic. Marian Keyes is one my my favorite authors!
This is a really enjoyable book! I love her characters!
One of my favorites!!!!!!!
not keyes best, but still a quick enjoyable read
Fun read.
This was the first Marian Keyes book I read and now I want to read more.
I am a Marian Keyes fan and enjoyed this book.
This books is similar to other Keyes' books, but a little more drawn out. If you feel bored at the beginning, keep reading b/c the action definitely picks up in the last half of the book! I thought I was going to end up hating the book, but I actually enjoyed it quite a bit!
It's about three women's lives who interact and intertwine within the book publishing industry...with romance, friendship, and competition as the themes.
It's about three women's lives who interact and intertwine within the book publishing industry...with romance, friendship, and competition as the themes.
Very entertaining and funny!
Fantastic - one of her best. I couldn't put it down - a really fun read.
There is high powered literary agent Jojo Harvey having a love affair with her married boss. There is Jojo's client, Lily Wright, who can't seem to deliver her second novel due to stealing the beloved of her ex-best friend, Gemma. There is Gemma who has her own problems with a flat-line social life and the newly separated and needy mom. There are three sides to every story and when what goes around starts to come arouond in the lives of these three suddenly intertwined women, they'll see that revenge sometimes has plans of its own...
i love marian keys!! hopefully you do too!! lol... you'll absolutely love the mix of kooky characters O; )
This is like getting three stories for the price on one. I enjoyed them all!!
Enjoyable, easy reading. A "girlie" book.
This book was a ton of fun, and it had me laughing out loud! It's a good beach book or just an unwind-on-a-Friday-night book.
This is an expertly told tale of two professional women- how their lives interact both personally and in their work. It isn't typical of these types of stories- it's told with heart and sympathy for the characters and it kept me very interested- one of the better books I've read this year.
Good book. Marian Keyes is so dependably funny for chicklit.
A very long book, but goes so quick you don't even notice. This is a story about three women, and their different lives, and how they all innertwine with eachother.
Great beach read.
More intertwining stories- a plot element I really love.
Although this book has a slow start I finished it and, to my surprise, I really enjoyed it to the end.
couldn't put the book down, great mix of characters
Well at the beginning of this book, I was nervous I wasn't going to finish the over 600 page book that sat on my nightstand. Then it switched to another character's point of view.
The first one - Gemma - was way too whiny to start the book off. I know the order of the characters mattered due to the unveiling of the story, but I was really not liking this book in the beginning. By the time Keyes introduces the second two characters I am engulfed in their semi-connected stories and wondering how this will all end.
Upon completing - I would have to say in general I liked the book. I know that I am biased when it comes to books based on Britishness (sorry rooms) - never been a fan. But when I got beyond the language barrier I enjoyed how each character was entangled and affected by one another.
I would definitely recommend this but with hesitation to those who are not into the British things AND to those who are not into larger volume books!
The first one - Gemma - was way too whiny to start the book off. I know the order of the characters mattered due to the unveiling of the story, but I was really not liking this book in the beginning. By the time Keyes introduces the second two characters I am engulfed in their semi-connected stories and wondering how this will all end.
Upon completing - I would have to say in general I liked the book. I know that I am biased when it comes to books based on Britishness (sorry rooms) - never been a fan. But when I got beyond the language barrier I enjoyed how each character was entangled and affected by one another.
I would definitely recommend this but with hesitation to those who are not into the British things AND to those who are not into larger volume books!
I rarely write bad reviews. I feel like I rate everything a five! This could have been a great book! BUT... it really was slow starting and then once I got into the book and things were kinda making sense and picking up the end comes and it takes FOREVER! It was the most drawn out ending and then it just doesn't end at all in the way you would like. It was an utter disappointment. This was my first Keyes book, I suppose that I will have to give her another chance. I seriously hope that her other books are better than this one!
Another delightful, airy read by Marian Keyes. I read through this one in a flash, despite its length. Marian Keyes is a very clever writer and I even found myself literally laughing out loud through several passages in the book. I enjoy her characters who are hopeful, flawed, and easy to identify with and root for. I look forward to the next Keyes book that I will undoubtedly be reading fairly soon.
Yes, this is "chick lit," but I think it's a step above most of the guilty-pleasure-type girly books I've read. It was funny, touching, and long enough that you really feel satisfied by the detail in which the story is told. I really recommend this one.
A high-powered literary agent with a Jessica Rabbit body, Jojo Harvey's brilliant mind should be focused on her million-dollar book deals and her climb up the corporate ladder--and not on her love affair with her married boss. Jojo's client, bestselling author Lily Wright, can't seem to deliver her long-awaited second novel--bad karma, perhaps, for stealing the beloved of her ex-best friend, event planner extraordinaire, Gemma Hogan. While Gemma has her own problems, specfically a flatlining social life and a newly separated (and desperately needy) mom--a situation she's lately been chronicling in a series of hilarious emails that has come to the attention of Jojo Harvey...who thinks there just might be a protential bestseller in all this.
There are three sides to every story, and when what goes around starts to come around in the lives of these three suddenly intertwined women, they'll see that revenge sometimes has plans of its own...
There are three sides to every story, and when what goes around starts to come around in the lives of these three suddenly intertwined women, they'll see that revenge sometimes has plans of its own...
One of the best stories I have read in a long time.
This might be my favorite novel by Marian Keyes. She tells the tale of two feuding friends and the intermediary between them from three perspectives- each woman seems so decent when you see the (decidedly abominable) things she does (steal her best friend's man, steal a married man, pursue success for the sake of spite) through her own eyes. An interesting foray into judgment and apologism in our society.
A woman that is in the corporate world, that is having an affair with her boss.
i wanted to call in sick to work so that i could finish this book. fantastic.
Literary agent Jojo is having an affair with her married boss. One of her authors, Lily, has just published a best-selling novel and is having trouble with her boyfrien, Anton. Anton's bitter ex-girlfriend, Gemma, is stuck taking care of her needy mom--and writes hilarious emails about her dismal life. The emails come to the attention of Jojo, who thinks a bestseller might come out of them.
I love Marion Keyes and this is a brand new paperback I bought and then realized I had read the hardcover edition from the library. The story is told from 3 different points of view and has some truly funny moments in it.
This story has three sides, and Gemma the events planner, JoJo the literary agent, and Lily the author take turns moving the story forward to its predictable but enjoyable conflicts and resolutions. Eminent chick-lit, a bit longer and more complexly (that doesn't look like a word!) constructed but well written and well cast.
This book dragged along a little bit for me. I couldn't find myself getting interested in it and forced myself to finish it. I'm a fan of Marian Keyes so far but this is one of my least favorite books of hers.
Marion Keyes has become one of my favorite authors in the past year. She writes such real women with such rich lives and still puts me in an escapist world. She makes me want to travel to Ireland and London. Of course I would need money to buy fabulous shoes, handbags, and make up that feature in her novels.
If you're looking for a good easy read -- this is for you!! Typical chick-lit, not the best, definitely not the worst. Great beach read, or a lazy sunday afternoon type of book. Story is told from 3 different points of view.
Slow start, but after I got into it a bit I really enjoyed the characters and the paths their lives took. A good read!
This is the first book I have really enjoyed by Marian Keyes, although I have read them all looking for what everyone sees. Funny, honest, and takes you all over the place.
Good Read,recommend it highly
IT was a good book. Not as funny as her previous books. There are 3 main female characters in this book and their lives are in some way related and intwined. Unfortunately, you get to read about each character in segments. First you read about one and just when it gets good, you then have to switch gears and read about the other and then the other. I found myself wanting to skip ahead to the chapter that was talking about the character I was reading about.
A high-powered literary agent with a Jessica Rabbit body, Jojo Harvey's brilliant mind should be focused on her million-dollar book deals and her climb up the corporate ladder -- and not on her love affair with her married boss. Jojo's client, bestselling author Lily Wright, can't seem to deliver her long-awaited second novel -- bad karma, perhaps, for stealing the beloved of her ex-best friend, event planner extraordinaire Gemma Hogan. While Gemma has her own problems, specifically a flatlining social life and a newly separated (and desperately needy) mom -- a situation she's lately been chronicling in a series of hilarious e-mails that has come to the attention of Jojo Harvey ... who thinks there just might be a potential bestseller in all this.
There are three sides to every story, and when what goes around starts to come around in the lives of these three suddenly intertwined women, they'll see that revenge sometimes has plans of its own ...
There are three sides to every story, and when what goes around starts to come around in the lives of these three suddenly intertwined women, they'll see that revenge sometimes has plans of its own ...
Great book. Story of 3 different woman and how their lives intertwine.
Very good. I really liked it, as I like all of her books.
This was a fun book told from multiple sides. It was light and a quick read.
Very entertaining book - the author uses the viewpoints of 3 different women, whose lives intertwine, to move the plot along.
Marion Keyes does it again!I loved this story coundn't put it down!
Good book. Easy read.
A fast read but not shallow - substance along with the fluff. I enjoyed it immensely and loved some of the twists. Gemma in particular is a great character and the way all three lives intertwine is great fun.
A women's parents split and dad has found a much younger women.
good chick lit...you really get to know the three main characters- Gemma, Lily, and Jojo...if you like other books by Keyes, you should read this one, too! -Mirah W.
Good concept, but not a particularly entertaining story. Way too long for the silly storylines.
Very funny
I really got into this book. I felt like I knew the characters very well. I couldn't put it down and read it in three days.
Definitely not one of Keyes's better books. It was alright, but I was never able to fully get into it. I found it difficult to really care about any of the characters since it jumped around so much.
This is a fun book but you also learn a lot about the publishing business.
Greatly enjoyable. Marian Keyes at her best. I'm off to order another of hers.
enjoyed it. will read more of keyes's books
I tried and tried, but I could not get into this book.
A high powered literary agent with a Jessica Rabbit body, Jojo Harvey's brilliant mind should be focused on her million dollar book deals and her climb up the corporate ladder...not on her love affair with her married boss. Jojo's client, best selling author Lily Wright, can't seem to deliver her long awaited second novel...bad Karma, perhaps for stealing the beloved of her ex-best friend event planner extraordinaire Gemma Hogan. While Gemma has he own problems, specifically a flatlining social life and a newly separated(and desperately needy) mom.
Interesting insight into the book publishing business.
Fun read. Perfect for beach/pool.
Life is a circle, and what goes around, comes around. Just ask a trio of unforgettable women in Marian Keyes's enchanting new novel ...
Energetic, ambitious, and sexy, literary agent Jojo Harvey combines Jessica Rabbit's body with a mind like a steel trap. As if watching her back while on the corporate ladder and making million-dollar deals wasn't difficult enough, Jojo's having a relationship with her boss. Her married boss.
Tall, slender, and blond, bestselling author Lily Wright, one of Jojo's clients, worries about bad karma and the second novel she can't seem to write but must deliver -- she's already spent the advance. Anton, the Love of Her Life, persuaded her to buy their dream house.
Events organizer extraordinaire Gemma Hogan was best friends with Lily -- until the willowy blonde stole Anton, a.k.a. the Love of Her Life. Juggling the demands of her newly separated (and desperately needy) mom, Gemma's social life is flatlining -- a mortifying situation that makes for hilarious e-mails to a friend. Tales so funny, they come to the attention of top literary agent Jojo Harvey, who takes Gemma on as a client ...
Energetic, ambitious, and sexy, literary agent Jojo Harvey combines Jessica Rabbit's body with a mind like a steel trap. As if watching her back while on the corporate ladder and making million-dollar deals wasn't difficult enough, Jojo's having a relationship with her boss. Her married boss.
Tall, slender, and blond, bestselling author Lily Wright, one of Jojo's clients, worries about bad karma and the second novel she can't seem to write but must deliver -- she's already spent the advance. Anton, the Love of Her Life, persuaded her to buy their dream house.
Events organizer extraordinaire Gemma Hogan was best friends with Lily -- until the willowy blonde stole Anton, a.k.a. the Love of Her Life. Juggling the demands of her newly separated (and desperately needy) mom, Gemma's social life is flatlining -- a mortifying situation that makes for hilarious e-mails to a friend. Tales so funny, they come to the attention of top literary agent Jojo Harvey, who takes Gemma on as a client ...
That's it. I officially HATE chick-lit. What is it about this genre that has women beating each other senseless to read? I just don't get it.
