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: ‘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.

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.

Beach Bag: What to put in there!

I was thinking, and while most of my plans to the beach are super imprompt, I keep forgetting what to really take with me. So, I thought, why not make a little check-list for beach days!

Beach Tote: this is where a good beach day resides. Not by the beach, but by this. This is where everything goes!

Sunglasses: it’ll be sunny, don’t question it- just keep it.

Hat: And you know a hat to keep you safe from the sun- even if you’re planning to tan. You wouldn’t want to be with a headache and be the only one missing post-beach drinks!

Swim-wear: Often, when unplanned- this is what I actually forget to carry to the beach. I’m not even kidding. So, this is definitely one for this list!

Sandals!: You can carry all the chappals you want, but this little baby will transform you from beach day to post-beach night drinks wear 😉

Beach Towel/mat: This is where you plop your bum down and pretend to be enjoying the sun.

Good reads: This is what actually helps you through the beach day. I NEVER forget a book when I go to the beach. I’ve forgotten beach towels, swimwear, extra pair of shoes, even sunscreen- but, I’ve never been without a book!

Cover up: A quick cover-up that you can throw over your swim wear is always required! Especially, if you live in Dubai!

A quick change of clothes: I always carry a quick dress or shorts and tee so I can be ready to go somewhere else, which is always the case.

Sunscreen: Let me break it to you- in Dubai, you must always, always have, wear and carry sunscreen. Fin

Hairties and anklets: Because I like carrying colourful things! Haha

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!