Poppy Does Paris- Nicola Doherty

 

 

The Blurb

 

The first instalment in this hilarious, romantic and unputdownable five-part series. Perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk's I Heart... novels.
Paris. City of love, city of romance. The last place you want to go to on a work trip when you're in the middle of an epic dry spell. But that's where Poppy is headed, along with her colleague Charlie, who's shallow and annoying but very, very good-looking. During a white-wine-fuelled session with her friend Alice, Poppy concocts the perfect plan: work by day, and have some no-strings fun with Charlie by night. Of course, it might prove a little more complicated than that, but it's nothing Poppy can't handle - or is it?

Girls on Tour is an irresistible series of interlinked stories about four friends, ordinary girls who have extraordinary fun in faraway places. Expect the unexpected, the utterly hilarious and unforgettable, on this rollercoaster ride of love, laughs, surprises and sparks. You have a VIP pass to join each girl's adventure, so pack your bags and buckle your seatbelts, because just about anything is possible...

The Review

Poppy Does Paris is book one of the Girls on Tour series and I have to say that since reading it I'm gagging for more!  It's laugh-out-loud funny.  It's snappy.  It's sassy.  But most of all it feels relevant and relatable.

When the book opened with Poppy's dating profile I wasn't sure if it was my kind of thing.  I've been with the same man for sixteen years, heck, online dating wasn't even a thing back when I was single (although I did meet my husband online.  Maybe, for once in my life, I was a pioneer of sorts).  Anyway, it didn't take long for me to be won over by the chatty, conversational writing style and beautifully descriptive writing.  I literally said 'YES!' out loud on a crowded bus when I read the descriptions of the Paris.  And European undergrounds do have that 'almost flowery [smell] with base notes of hot metal.'  I was there.  I didn't just feel like I was there, I am convinced, for the time it took to read the book, I WAS THERE.

Poppy was a likable character, a bit unsure but determined.  And I found the 'who will she choose?' plot fun and engaging.  Publicist Charlie, who seems a bit of a lad or classy winer-and-diner author Jonathan?  They are polar opposites, and for a while I really couldn't decide which team I was on.  But by the end?  Let's just say I had a definite favourite and was delighted with the ending!

The only fault, if you can call it that, is that it was over far too quickly.  I wanted more than this novella length read! 

Nicola Doherty needs to be talked about.  There is absolutely no reason why she can't be one of the leading voices in contemporary women's fiction, and I for one am rooting for her.  And downloading the rest of the series pronto to boot.

Poppy Does Paris is out now, published by Headline Review. 

With thanks to the publisher who provided me with a galley copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

A New York Christmas- Anne Perry

The Blurb

New York, 1904. Jemima Pitt arrives in a city where new American money and old English aristocracy collide. She's here to chaperone her friend, Delphinia, who has crossed the ocean to marry one of New York's richest men, but Jemima discovers a secret that could destroy Phinnie's future. Drawn into the crisis, Jemima desperately wants to protect her friend. And she must use all her courage and wits to decide whom to trust, and how to thread her way through the snowy streets of this brash new city. A New York Christmas is the enthralling new festive tale from the master of Victorian mysteries.

The Review

I wasn't sure whether this would be my kind of book, if I'm honest.  Whilst the cover was Christmassy and I am a true New York-phile, I worried that this might be a bit granny-ish.  It just gave out that kind of vibe.  However, I'm pleased to say it wasn't and I easily read it over two sittings. 

A New York Christmas is a short read, only 160 pages, which gives a glimpse into a wealthy world. I do love a bit of glamour, but this book is a bit more gritty than that.  Chaperone Jemima finds herself embroiled in a mystery relating to Delphinia's mother and soon there are accusations aplenty and fallings out among the elite. 

I was interested to know what would happen and had no idea that it was going to have the twists and turns it did, but the ending of this one was a disappointment to me.  In my opinion the final ten pages or so were just a stretch too far, unfortunately, and tried to cram too much in.  It was as though the slow build up came to a sudden end, like the author was trying to wrap up the book to meet a deadline or fit into a certain number of words.

That said, I can see why Anne Perry has a large fan base, her writing was easy to read and her characters strong and vivid.  Fans of the Victorian crime and mystery genre may well enjoy this book.

Finally, whilst it is a festive read according to the title, I would have preferred a stronger Christmassy vibe-especially as it was earmarked as my first Advent-ures in Fiction book for the year!

A New York Christmas is out now, published by Headline.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Waiting for Doggo- Mark B. Mills

The Blurb

One man. One dog. One big love. The perfect novel for anyone who loves MARLEY AND ME, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE or ONE DAY.

No-one ever called Dan a pushover. But then no-one ever called him fast-track either. He likes driving slowly, playing Sudoku on his iPhone, swapping one scruffy jumper for another. He's been with Clara for four years and he's been perfectly happy; but now she's left him, leaving nothing but a long letter filled with incriminations and a small, white, almost hairless dog, named Doggo. So now Dan is single, a man without any kind of partner whether working or in love. He's just one reluctant dog owner. Find a new home for him, that's the plan.

Come on...everyone knows the old adage about the best laid plans and besides, Doggo is one special kind of a four legged friend...and an inspiration.

The Review

There's been plenty of hype about Waiting for Doggo (or just plain 'Doggo', as it is affectionately known for short).  Other bloggers raved about it and the publicity team at Headline have gone all out to make sure that we know about this book.  To say I had high expectations is an understatement.

The book is actually mainly about Dan, Doggo's owner.  He's the kind of guy who blunders along through life, not quite sure what's going on around him. And since his long term partner Clara left him suddenly, he's had even more doubts about what he wants.  And what he does wants, and ultimately does, is surely going to only cause more chaos in the long run.  So how on earth can he take responsibility for a dog, not least a dog his ex rescued from Battersea on a whim? 

Dan throws himself into his job, taking Doggo to work with him, and before long the scruffy, unattractive mutt (Doggo, not Dan) soon becomes part of the furniture, livening up the office and the everyday work scenes which might otherwise have seemed borderline mundane in print.  The little anecdotes about Doggo delivering the mail for example, were cute and evocative. 

It is Dan's workplace which is so much like many other working environments, which had me laughing.  The boss, the wannabe, the Billy big bollocks full of eye-rollingly bad ideas...they're all there, and you'll recognise them from your own experiences.  Mark B Mills certainly knows how to create a character that will make you feel.  And Doggo himself will certainly do that.  He's the ugly, oddball dog that they never thought they'd be able to rehome.  And he has a weird obsession with Jennifer Aniston.  But I loved him.

This isn't a gripping mystery, or a passionate romance.  It isn't a gory crime, or a laugh out loud comedy.  But it is a story of a likeable man, with his best-mate of a dog, and how together they approach a life-changing period.  Waiting for Doggo brims with positivity and hope.  It will make you believe that you can.  It is a book which is difficult to categorise and it's equally difficult to explain just how Doggo captured my heart and captivated my mind.  Touching doesn't cut it.  Engaging only skims the surface.  Heartwarming sounds all too twee, especially when you consider the Tupperware scene (you'll know it when you get there). 

I can only say it is unique, and that I found myself turning page after page even when part of me wasn't sure why.  I was strangely hooked.  Doggo won me over. 

And with that ending, there has to be another instalment at some point, surely? I need more Doggo in my life.

Waiting For Doggo is released on November 20th, published by Headline.

With thanks to the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

 

The Gaffer: The Trials and Tribulations of a Football Manager- Neil Warnock

 

Neil Warnock is known as one of the most controversial figures in football.  He speaks before thinking, regularly slams referees and their assistants and has strong opinions on everything football related.  However, after the length of time he has had in the game (as a player, manager, pundit and newspaper columnist), he certainly has a few tales to tell.

 

The Gaffer focuses predominantly on Warnock's time as manager of QPR-and it is certainly eventful.  It proves that although the manager is the figurehead of a club, the power lies beyond that with chairmen, investors and board members.  Players and agents hold more sway than ever before.  Football management is evolving along with the rest of the football world and those like Warnock who have been around for a long time have had to adapt to keep up with the younger managers.

 

The Gaffer showcases all aspects of life in management- the long hours, the time away from family, the difficult decisions, the frustrations of trying to please players, agents, fans...it is an honest, no holds barred account.  It was interesting to find out more about his experience managing 'difficult characters' such as Diouf and Barton.

 

However, I found there were points where I skim-read, where I felt Warnock was covering the same ground repetitively.  It wasn't that it was bad, I just didn't find it wholly engaging.  Perhaps now is the time to say that I am a Sheffield United fan, so Neil Warnock has played an important part in my life as a supporter.  Some of my favourite days watching the Blades had him standing on the sidelines ranting and raving, yelling abuse at linesmen or making cringeworthy comments on the local radio.  I met him numerous times and he was always friendly, down to earth and approachable.  I found his previous book Made in Sheffield a fascinating read.  So I feel a bit bad saying that this was just 'alright'.  Maybe QPR fans will find this an insightful record of successful yet irregular time in their history and enjoy it more than I did.

 

It is a readable account, making no bones about the challenges faced in modern management, yet for me it was lacking the dry, northern humour which I associate with Warnock.  I'd say this is one for the hardcore football fans or those interested in how a football club operates rather than someone looking for an autobiography of a manager.

 

The Gaffer is out now, published by Headline.

 

With thanks to Headline and Bookbridgr for providing me with a copy in return for my honest opinions. 

The Boy in the Book- Nathan Penlington

Nathan Penlington was an avid reader of the Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child.  When he spots a job lot of 106 of the titles on ebay, he can't resist buying them.  Yet Nathan gets more than he bargained for.  Within the books he finds pages of a diary belonging to a child called Terence Prendergast.  Nathan feels a connection to Terence and becomes desperate to contact him and find out how the angst ridden teen turned out.  The Boy in the Book chronicles this search.

I was attracted to this book mainly because of the nostalgic element- I remember loving Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child and thought this would be an interesting look at this revolutionary genre through the eyes of a fan. 

How wrong was I?  The Boy in the Book is so much more than that.  It is a quest, a story of determination and perseverance.  It explores the obsessive nature of humanity.  It is empathetic, warm and honest.  And most of all it is entertaining.  Nathan's search for Terence Prendergast is an epic journey full of charm and wit, and is an engaging and accessible non-fiction read.  I especially liked how it explores the transition from childhood to adulthood, how things can be easily misinterpreted and that friendships can form in the most unusual of circumstances.

This one will appeal to fans of Danny Wallace and Dave Gorman.

The Boy in the Book is out now.

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A Heart Bent Out of Shape- Emylia Hall

I must admit that I wasn't familiar with Emylia Hall until I was asked if I would like to read her latest novel A Heart Bent Out of Shape.  I think I must have been living in a cave during 2012 as her first novel, The Book of Summers, was a Richard and Judy pick.  Well, better late to the party than missing it altogether!

 

A Heart Bent Out of Shape follows Hadley Dunn on her year abroad in Switzerland.  Studying in the beautiful city of Lausanne she meets a true friend, Danish girl Kristina.  Everything seems blissfully perfect until tragedy strikes.  Hadley seeks comfort from her American Literature professor Joel Wilson, and as they try to solve the mystery of what happened they cross boundaries, boundaries that only complicate matters further...

I found A Heart Bent Out of Shape to be slow starting, and whilst I appreciate that it was necessary to set the scene and build up to the tragedy I was waiting for things to get going.  And get going it did- I was soon gripped by the mystery.  There were moments where I thought I had it sussed and then I'd doubt myself, other times where I felt completely in the dark, and I was keen to know exactly what had happened.

I liked the characters, particularly wise yet elusive Hugo, although found Hadley's naivety frustrating at times.  However, as a twenty year old away from home for the first time in a country where everyone is speaking a different language, perhaps Hadley is a realistic representation of a young woman setting off on the journey of finding herself.

The highlight for me were the absolutely beautiful descriptions of Switzerland that left me longing to be there.  Glistening snow, high-reaching spires and breath-taking vistas had me dreaming of Lausanne.  Emylia Hall transported me to a place I have never been, yet I feel I now intimately know.

A Heart Bent Out of Shape is available tomorrow (12.9.13), published by Headline Review.

8.5/10

With thanks to the lovely Ben at Headline for giving me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.