Book Review: 'The Friend Zone' by Abby Jimenez

I have a confession to make – for someone who loves to read romance novels, I have not been doing a lot reading recently. I always find something more distractive – whether it’s a TV show that I’m watching for the nth time, or silly videos that unnecessary or just work because that does take a lot of my time. Whatever the reason may be, for I have not been reading a lot and so, I have not been writing a lot. Not good, I know.

So, with temporary quarantine on the cards because of the current unfortunate pandemic, I leapt to one of my many new unread books, this one called, ‘The Friend Zone’ by Abby Jimenez.

I found about the book on Book Depository while ordering a couple of other books, the story sounded interesting – but the title got my eye and cracked me up. I knew I had to get it.

Within three days I found myself at the end of the book, it’s not surprising – I do inhale books that intrigue me, but I haven’t done that in so long – it felt back to being myself again. Whatever that means.

Back to the book, just a little bit about it – the book has been written from two sides of the story – both the protagonist – the girl and the boy. Kristen and Josh. They met through their respective best friends who were getting married – as their maid of honor and best man. They hit it off soon – but Kristen had infertility issues that needed urgent medical care and Josh wanted a big family. But, they both wanted each other.

It’s interesting how the story progresses – especially knowing both sides of the story. Usually it’s a situation of OMG JUST TELL HER/HIM. But, that wasn’t often the case. They both knew exactly what the other wanted – eventually. But, it was all the hurdles that came along the way that they had to deal with together.

The book deals with some really honest infertility issues that most women deal with and the ordeal it becomes on their mental, physical and emotional selves. It is about love, but it’s also about friendship, crazy mothers and importance of ice cream sundaes and fries a the same time. It also proves a well-known theory that all firemen are really hot. Hehe.

It is well-written, witty, honest and easily relatable. I was shaking with laughter, giggling and blushing at the romance and crying – nah, weeping – at the sad parts.

I would definitely recommend reading it!

Get your copy here: https://www.bookdepository.com/Friend-Zone-Abby-Jimenez/9781538715604?ref=grid-view&qid=1584172846652&sr=1-2

Book Review: ‘The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris’ by Jenny Colgan

This book gave me legit diabetes. It was too sweet from the start to the finish, given it’s got a title that mentions ‘chocolate’.

The book has two protagonists, Anna and Claire- Claire used to be Anna’s French teacher- and Anna’s miserable accident landed her in the hospital, and for Claire, it was another chemo session. Claire encourages Anna (a chocolate taster, if you will), to go to Paris to work in the shop of an acquaintance. Anna, with no other options, actually ends up going.

That’s where the real story begins. The book delves a lot into flashbacks, which show us Claire in Paris as an 18-year-old- how it changed her and how she fell in love, more like who she fell in love with. What follows is a story that unfolds and builds as the plot thickens and bits start to make more sense.

There are delicious mentions of chocolate, and one very sexy man (Anna’s).

Without giving away too much of the plot, the book is about two women who fall love in with Paris and are never the same again. With a predictable plotline, I pretty much knew where the book was going and what was going to happen next. Although it had a few twists and turns, and one particular character change that I did not expect. Yet, what made me keep reading was the delicious descriptions of the chocolate and Paris. The story goes a bit flat in the middle and you’re just stuck reading and hoping this bit flies through quickly.

What made me keep reading was the delicious descriptions of the chocolate and Paris. The story goes a bit flat in the middle and you’re just stuck reading and hoping this bit flies through quickly.

It’s got several characters, all of whom who play some kind of an important role in pushing the story and forming the story line. My favourite has to be Claire’s ex-husband who was so kind and polite- and I would have loved to read and see his plot more.

The book, like fresh chocolate, is warm and delicious and leaves you happy and sad. Happy that you’ve devoured it, and sad that it’s already gone. It’s the perfect book to read on a long weekend.

You can order your copy on Book Depository!

 

Book Review: ‘Going La La’ by Alexandra Potter

If you don’t know already, I’m a sucker for contemporary chick-lit/romance novels. Alexandra Potter’s ‘Do You Come Here Often’ is actually one of my favourite books to read.

I’ve been trying to get my hands on Going La La for quite some time, seeing as it was her second novel and was released in 2001 first. There are several instances that won’t make sense anymore- like the fact she sat by her phone so he would call- not her cell phone, no the landline.

Our heroine, Frankie lives in London with her boyfriend, Hugh and two cats, Fred and Ginger. She works at a magazine as a writer and is very content with her life. A little bill in Hugh’s jacket suggests that he bought a ridiculously expensive ring at Tiffany’s just days ahead of her birthday.

So, even when she’s laid off from work, she still thinks she has something to look forward to. Until she gets to her birthday- her 29th, at the bowling centre with Hugh, and his friend Adam (who she can’t stand) and his 21-year-old super annoying girlfriend. Her birthday turns out to be a disaster – with Adam proposing to his girlfriend- and “dear” old Hugh actually telling Frankie that he wants space.

She runs home, packs up, books ticket to her old flatmate/best friend’s house to Los Angeles. What begins then is a lot of adventures, a sexy American photographer (Reilly), a weird neighbour, and a lot of drinking. Reilly turns out to be this classic romantic hero for our protagonist.

As Alexandra’s actual, legit fan- I wasn’t too thrilled with this one. Though at one point, all I wanted to do was read this book and do nothing else. But, while that usually starts much earlier when I’m reading her books- this time it was somewhere when I was halfway through.

But, what this book did offer was an honest reveal of how relationships really end. Hugh dumped Frankie to pursue meaningless one night stands, only to realize he just wants to be in a stable loving relationship. I don’t understand why people do this- break away from a good, healthy relationship- and completely mess up the other’s head, and only to come begging back after a cold, silent time.

Hugh didn’t feel the need to call back Frankie to even find out if she’s okay, or where she is. The minute she left the apartment, he didn’t bother. And when she did call from LA to speak to him- all he could care was about the girl in his bed! And then he shows up in Las Vegas with a ring and a whole plan of what they’re going to do- assuming she’s going to go through with it?! I would have been super angry if she went back to the asshat. But, thank god she didn’t.

Reilly’s character is first introduced when Frankie’s at the airport in London drinking her sorrows in bodyweight vodka. I wish she’d talked more about him than just in the scenes he was present in- and his physical features. I feel like Hugh’s character was explained more in detail than Reilly’s was.

All her novels have a theme of magic and mystic to them- this one, unfortunately, didn’t. Maybe that was the substance lacking from the book. She’s much more witty, engaging and humorous in her other novels- that I kept looking for it in this one. I did have a few LOL moments where I actually fell off the bed laughing- but those weren’t as many as there were in the others.

All in all, give it a read- but not the first one I’d recommend if you’d never read Alexandra Potter before. I’d recommend ‘Do you Come here Often’ That’s my favourite one.

Book Review: Who’s that Girl by Mhairi McFarlane

You know there’s a longing you feel for something that’s finished- or as the protagonist, Edie in ‘Who’s that girl’ put it- saudade . A profound longing for something or someone that is absent and might never return.

That’s how I felt at the end of the book- a feeling of saudade. 

I’ve always been a fan of Mhairi McFarlanes writing- she has a way that strikes all the right chords to your heart and plays a tune that speaks directly to your own self. The book started right on- in the first chapter our dear protagonist was kissed by a groom- where she wasn’t the bride. What follows are her tales of blame- when it wasn’t her fault.

It was easy to connect with Edie- she wasn’t perfect- not even until the end. It made her slightly more real- except the part where she got the job to ghost-write an autobiography for a really hot actor and actually ended up with him.

But, even with hot actor plot- McFarlane didn’t go down to town Clicheville, and made the regular girl falling in love with a hot dude seem very new and refreshing.

The story is full of drama- which is exactly how I like it, but the drama doses are just the right chemical balance as to not make you roll your eyes or put you to sleep but to actually curl up closer and genuinely worry about our dear protagonist.

The book absolutely had me kidnapped and captured- I literally couldn’t stop reading it- and with a super busy week, it was difficult to squeeze out time. But, with little sleep and no coffee, I managed work and reading.

Another line that stuck with me from the book was, “You won’t find someone who treats you as you should be treated until you start to believe you are worth the ones you want, the ones who aren’t asking you to do any work. Find the man who appreciates you at your best, not one who confirms your worst suspicions about yourself.”

I wish the book didn’t end when it did- even though it was already really long- I would have definitely liked a happy reunion kiss for Edie and Elliot.

In short, it’s a book that will make a good read for a long journey- because there is no way you’d want to be distracted away from this one!

If they do make it into a movie, I hope Edie is played by Zooey Deschanel (no, it’s not because she sang ‘Who’s that girl’ IT’S JESS), Elliot by Ian Sommerholder (I feel like he’d look good with Deschanel).

Honestly though, pick it up!!!

 

 

Summer Reading List: Chick Lits!

You are probably thinking that is this all she reads? Yeah, pretty much. Like a summer-time music playlist, I’ve got a summertime reading list for Chick lits! Jumping straight from my reading nook, to hopefully yours:

 

1. Who’s That Girl by Mhairi McFarlane (currently reading)
2. Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern
3. A Kept Woman by Louise Bagshawe
4. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
5. After You by Jojo Moyes
6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (again!)
7. Emma by Jane Austen
8. My True Love Gave To Me edited by Stephanie Perkins
9. The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan
10. What’s New, Pussycat by Alexandra Potter
11. My (not so) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
12. A Girl in the Mirror by Cecelia Ahern
13. The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern
14. A Girl’s Best Friend by Lindsey Kelk
15. The Bucket List to Mend a Broken Heart by Anna Bell

 

I’m hoping to finish these in the next three-four months,depending on the time I’ll have on my hand! Watch out for reviews!

Pride and Prejudice (and why it’s still apt) Part 2- Mr Darcy

The last one was a very literary description of the importance of themes and their relatability to the current times, this one is more of the many reasons why I think Mr Darcy is literally a gift to humanity and how men should be more like him and women should want to be with men like him and in general how ardently he disliked you, but still fell in love with you. (Although, I really wouldn’t support men being as confused about their feelings as he was about Lizzy- unless they can carry the handsome ruggedness- NOT think they can carry, but actually carry!!!).

So, here goes some of the many reasons why I love Mr. Darcy. Warning: there might be a lot of Colin Firth gifs coming your way.  

THE WHOLE ARDENTLY LOVING THING

He is so brutally honest with his declaration of love and doesn’t apologize or play games when it comes to love. It’s so rare to see men who are still ardently in love with you these days.

ADMITS WHEN HE’S WRONG

First, he’s a silly enough to make mistakes (like judging Lizzy and her sisters and their mother and then convincing Mr Bingley to not marry Jane), but he’s man enough to admit that he was wrong in doing that and that his actions only made his dear friend completely miserable and sad. It’s really rare to find men who’d actually do that.

THE MAN CAN WRITE

I know Mrs Bennet says that “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” But, I’d like to point out that the real truth is it is a truth universally acknowledged, that nothing pulls the strings of the heart of a well-read girl better than a well-worded letter. With men asking women out like ‘wil u b ma gf”, the true artisanship of handwritten letter professing true love and feelings is lost.  (And I’m not joking, a not-so-gentleman actually asked me like that- I ardently refused).

HOW HE TREATED LIZZY

Even in today’s “modern” times, men lack a sense of general respect for women. Mr Darcy, the perfection that he is, really saw Elizabeth as an equal. He behaved like a real gentleman to win her trust and love- and all of it with such devotion.

HE BEWITCHES WITH WORDS

Not only did he write very well, and make amazing declarations of his love- but, he was witty and ‘bewitched me mind and soul’ with his words.

ACTUALLY GETTING SHIT DONE WITHOUT EXPECTING CREDIT

When Lydia ran away, Mr Darcy was actually the one to sit on his horse and ride off and actually find the couple and sort their situation out. He didn’t do it to look good in front of Lizzy, he only did it to help Lizzy and didn’t even want her to find out that he was her Knight in Shining Armour- because that’s how amazing our Mr. Darcy is!

FOR WHEN HE SAT THERE AWKWARDLY JUST TO BE IN ELIZABETH’S COMPANY

I dont know anything more awkward than just sitting on a couch- as uncomfortable as one can imagine- all because he wanted to sit in Elizabeth’s company- even if they didn’t speak a word.

Book Review: ‘How to Find Love in Bookshop’ by Veronica Henry

I’ve been trying to finish this book for over a month now, which is never a good way to start a book review- I know. Usually, between my work, workout, writing and actual reading- I take about a week to finish a book but this took a long time. There’s a reasonable explanation- the book starts off on a very sombre note. Emilia, the protagonist’s father (Julian) passes away and that’s how the story starts and frames later.

Most novels just mention several characters in passing, but this one goes in great detail for almost all the characters- talking about the different things they learned- and how the bookshop- The Nightengale Books helped them or played a very important role in their lives.

Whether it’s Jackson – who’s trying to bond with his son and estranged wife, or Bea trying to find something to do other than just cleaning her newborn’s clothes; or Thomasina who’s looking for courage to tell a man she’s in love with him, or the woman in the Peasebrook mansion who was in love with the owner of the book store herself.

Out of all the stories, Julian’s was my favourite. It broke my heart to read when Rebecca passed away- and brought actual relief to me when I found out how much Sarah was in love with him.

The plot line mostly sticks to Emilia as she struggles to keep the bookstore working after her father’s death- and the many struggles, debacles and little wins she has- albeit with a little help from the many characters in the book.

Even with this many characters in the book, it never got confusing to remember who did what and had what kind of a role in the play- which is truly an art, if you ask me. I’ve read books with this many characters where the plot line goes down the drain very swiftly- but Veronica kept the plot line flowing and easy.

It’s a book for book lovers, with some incredible stories and several recommendations of books to read for different readers- whether it’s romance, food, life, history- whatever you wish to read. I quite enjoyed the second half of the book- when the melancholy tone moved away.

I would recommend the book to those who are absolutely obsessed with reading and to those who can be patient and wait for the plot line to slowly elaborate it.