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

Shopping: Contemporary Cotton Dresses from Indian-Based Brands

Summer clothing very easily translated into colourful cotton dresses that have the perfect flow and ease the pain of (not) putting on trousers. Especially when it comes to work wear (and let me remind you, I live in Dubai where it’s at least 40* Celsius), there is nothing more I love than just putting on an easily fitted dress that is soft, comfortable and looks nice.

Since you don’t know me too well, and I’d like really like you to, I’m a shopaholic – I can shop in stores and online – you know how everyone has that one friend who is exactly like the lead of Confession of a Shopaholic? I’m literally that friend for all my friends. But, that’s a whole other post and coming back to the point, I started researching and well, shopping.

I stumbled upon these incredible Indian brands that do amazing contemporary summer dresses that look good and make you feel good.

Book Review: ‘A Kept Woman’ by Louise Bagshawe

‘A Kept Woman’ was a birthday present from my friend, Lucy (Hi Lucy!!). She appreciates my taste for cheesy romance novels and the author being one of her favorite, she wanted me to read her. Needless to say, I was super excited!

So, after having it for 2 months, I finally got around to reading it (in my defense, I just bought 16 new books!).

The plot revolves around Diana Foxton nee Verity. A British beautiful lady who has just married a media mogul and moved to NYC. She’s hosting the fanciest parties that everyone wishes to be invited to, she’s shopping like there’s no tomorrow and is in general giving the spoiled princess vibe. Meanwhile, “dear” Mr. Ernie Foxton, her husband, is firing people left and right in the publishing company he’s heading and sleeping with random women.

In comes Michael Cierco, a small publishing guy who is trying to make it big. Ernie first convinces Cierco to join his publishing giant company- and somehow, to prove her husband something, Diana ends up working for Michael. Though they are equally hard working, and kinda totally attracted to each other, they don’t get along.

Fast forward a few chapters, Ernie fires Michael, lets Diana (purposely) walk into a room of him (Ernie) and his mistress. This results in an angry Michael and even angrier Diana. What follows is Diana and Michael starting their own company and struggling their way up from dust.

That’s all of the plot I’m going to tell you but that’s because I don’t want to give anything away. It was a really nice book and made for some interesting bath reads. (I didn’t get too much time to devour it in one sitting).

With brilliantly elegant descriptions of their sex lives, and an essential back story that is somewhat realistic- it is an excellent read for those enjoy themselves a little contemporary romance. I know that I do. When I finished the book, the first thought that popped into my mind was that it was essentially a Mills & Boon with a well-written and worded story.

Diana’s character and feelings are very elaborate and help paint quite a picture of her character. She was easy to relate to and did not come across as a do-goody heroine- which is the case in several books. I wish she’d given more on Michael- because he sounded like a darn good character.

I’d say, buy the book and take it with you for a long flight read or to a beach vacation- it’s perfect for a relaxing read!

Book Review: ‘Just Haven’t Met You Yet’ by Cate Woods

I ordered this book off Amazon to Delhi when I was there last. I had ordered like 15 books- and this was one of them. It’s Cate Woods debut novel and it came highly recommended from all the GoodReads reviews.

The book is very interesting, and the protagonist, Percy James SUPER hilarious. The book, based in Norwich and London, follows her and her confusing attempt at sorting out her life. On paper, she has the perfect boyfriend, a comfy job, normal set of friends- but in reality, she’s miserable. She’s kinda bored at her job, her boyfriend doesn’t exactly “excite” her- but her friends, yeah, they are the only good thing.

So while she’s living, what she believes is her perfectly mediocre, boring, routine of a life, EROS Tech approaches her. EROS tech is a company that have some bizarre algorithms that find you your soulmate- irrespective of the gender. Slightly amused, and mostly curious, Percy agrees to meet with her “soulmate” when the bossy, marketing lady from EROS approaches her.

In Percy’s head, she’s assuming without a doubt that the “soulmate” is a man. When she gets there- and this is where it starts getting funnier-it’s a woman. Freaked out, she makes an excuse and leaves. Although, she did have a fantastic time with the sexy, rich soulmate woman, Flora.

Anyway, she goes back to her regular life and after a conversation with bossy, marketing lady about women’s gender fluidity- Percy’s as confused as ever. So when invited to a party by Flora in London, she accepts. There she kisses the woman- only to realize, while she might enjoy Flora’s company, her sexuality is definitely straight, and also her perfect boyfriend is under the assumption she’s out with her work friend. Out of the party, she gets mugged- and there is one of the three musketeers, Milo to help her out. No kidding, he was dressed as a musketeer.

She has to call the perfect boyfriend and tell him she’s definitely not out with work friend and needs train money to make her way back to Norwich from London. She gets home super late and the next day- she breaks up with the guy. Not because of Flora or Milo- but because she finally realizes that they aren’t suited for each other.

And then the book follows her many drunken nights with her friends, her work, another date with Flora when she comes clean about being straight and more encounters with Milo.

451 pages later, it’s Milo she ends up with. Now, that’s the plot for you- in a really long way.

While the book sheds a lot of light on the character of the protagonist, the other characters don’t get enough details or a back-story. I wish Cate had elaborated a little more about Percy’s friend Charlie, and on Adam (the perfect boyfriend), Maggie (Percy’s hip grandma), Flora and even Milo. Although, I’m glad she didn’t elaborate on Mel (the crazy work buddy)- she was a 30 something woman DEDICATED, I repeat- DEDICATED- to Michael Buble’.

But, other than that- the circumstances in the book are quite realistic and hilarious. I really did not expect the soulmate to be a woman- just like the protagonist. And it was so convincing that the match might/might not be right. The funny parts were well written and thought through. The book really did surprise me and had me screaming very loudly- sometimes with laughter and sometimes with shock. It was very easy to connect to the protagonist- because despite all the crazy circumstances- what she’s thinking and going through, and concludes too seemed very real.

It’s the perfect book to read on a break, and will have you cracking within 2 chapters.