Do You Come Here Often?

by Alexandra Potter

A hilarious, escapist romcom from the author of CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY-SOMETHING F##K UP!

What becomes of the broken-hearted?

Grace was just a teenager when Jimi broke her heart. But now she's moved on and is happy with her perfect fiancé Spencer. Even if they still haven't set the date . . .

You give love a bad name.

Meanwhile, Jimi's own wedding day is just around the corner. He's certain he's found The One. Or has he? Because when he bumps into Grace again, something suddenly doesn't feel right.

More than a feeling?

There is still unmistakeable chemistry between them. But is it really worth risking everything for?

One thing's for as the radio plays its late-night love songs, Grace is about to discover that the best lines are the ones you write yourself . . .

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Novels

406 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Alexandra Potter is the best-selling author of fourteen romantic comedy fiction novels including Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up (which is now the basis of a major US TV show, NOT DEAD YET on ABC, Hulu and Disney+) MORE Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up and One Good Thing. These titles have been published in twenty-five territories and have sold millions of copies worldwide (making the bestseller charts in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Serbia).

Yorkshire born and raised, Alexandra lives in London with her Californian husband and their Bosnian rescue dog. When she's not writing or travelling, she's getting out into nature, trying not to look at her phone and navigating this thing called mid-life.
https//www.instagram.com/alexandrapotter
https://www.facebook.com/Alexandra.Po...

Reviews

[Kaya Dimitrova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just... no.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read all of Alexandra Potter’s novels, I can confidently say that this is my favourite! I laughed, I cried, I saw shades of my won love life in her writing-in short, I loved it! And above all, I feel sure that anyone who has even the slightest romantic inclination within them will love it too!

The story centres around characters Grace and Jimi who have known each other since their schooldays. But also features their friends Rhian and Clive, and Grace’s work colleague Maggie. Amongst this host of characters, I feel sure that there is someone for each reader to identify with. I loved the character of single mum Rhian because I wholeheartedly admired her tenacity and optimism towards a life which hasn’t been the kindest to her over the years. I really like the main character of Grace, although at times I found myself frustrated by her inability to notice things which might possibly be right under her nose (not wanting to give TOO much away).

To begin with, the fact that the story jumps between the characters’ storylines, and sometimes skips quite large time periods, can be slightly confusing, but it really helps keep the pace of the book, and this is one of the reasons that I found the book so enjoyable. I found myself reading large chunks in one go over a very busy week because it went along as such h a lovely fast pace, and I simply HAD to find out what was going to happen with one of the storylines, or one character in particular.


I could continue sharing my favourite bits from this lovely novel, but instead I would encourage you to go out and read it and allow yourself to get in this fresh, romantic story of second chances.

[Norah Una Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes,I gave this book 5 stars.You know why? Because I freaking cried.
This has to be one of the best chick-lits I've read this year.Funny,emotional,romantic,real.I love that there are more POVs in this one,it's very refreshing.Alexandra's writing is excellent and the characters are very likable and well written.It's a story about different,everyday people with different problems and struggles and how they deal with them.Beautiful.

Things I really liked:
1.) Rhian is such a magnificent character.She's my favourite and I love her story so much!She was very brave and loyal to her son,no matter what.I really liked that.
2.) I really enjoyed the conversations between Grace and Jimi.

Things I didn't like:
1.) Okay,what's up with all those sex references and scenes?Totally unnecessary,if you ask me.
2.) Jimi's reason for not calling Grace all those years ago? THE HELL? Sorry mate but that's not good enough reason for me.



Favourite quotes:

"But what good are hundreds of women, when I only want one?"

“Being single isn't a terminal disease."
"Try telling that to my mother.”

[Krasimira · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Hailee]

Not a bad book but I have so many other things I'd rather be reading. My tastes have changed a lot since I bought this over a decade ago.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a sweet, hopelessly romantic story that makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, but that's just the problem; you know the kinds of things depicted here are too hopelessly romantic to happen in real life. Destiny and fate and second chances and finding the right person years after... it's all things I like to believe in but also probably only happen in a one in a million chance. It's fluffy and a nice read but that's about it. I guess sometimes my problem with stories like this is how convenient everyone's timing seems to be; I was hoping at least one of the planned weddings was going to go through and the characters were faced by a last minute decision to decide whether they're marrying the right person or not. It would be even more dramatic, but hey, while you're at it, why not pull all the stops.

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 3 out of 5]

Чиклитите могат да бъдат забавни, но много зависи от автора. В тази книга имаме смесица от романтика и любовни трепети. Разказва се за три приятелки. Животът им е объркан, както започват всички чиклити, но в същото време имаме романтични взаимоотношения и флирт.
Грейс е на 31 години и е в дълъг годеж от две години. Връзката ѝ се е изчерпала, но тя се е хванала здраво за Спенсър, въпреки че не е щастлива. Случайно се засича със старо гадже. Тя напуска временно годеника си, за да помисли за връзката им, а Джими е изоставен от годеницата си. Двамата стават приятели и в един момент отказват да признаят, че са влюбени. Страхът им от признание ги вкарва във всякакви шантави ситуации.
Риан е сама майка с дете. Фил ги е напуснал и е принудена да се справя някак с живота си. Тя е без самочувствие и си мисли, че никога няма да открие подходящия за нея мъж. Едно спешно отбиване в болницата я среща с любовта.
Маги я очаква пенсиониране и щастлив живот. Но съдбата е решила друго. За неин късмет тя има човек, който я обича и ще бъде до нея в този труден момент.
Радиопредаването "Любовен пасианс" обединява всички тези хора и играе основна роля в животите им.
Книгата си имаше своите трогателни моменти. Хареса ми как авторката пише за любовта и влюбването, но прекалено се отклоняваше с разсъжденията на героите си. Понякога повтаряше едни и същи неща и ги поставяше в още объркващи ситуации, за да запълни книгата. А сюжетът не се нуждаеше от чак такъв пълнеж. Досади ми и усещах, че случките са нагласени. Но, като се замисля, животът може да ти поднесе всякакви изненади, дори и като тези в книгата. Реалността може да бъде много по-интересна от измислицата.

[Mrs. Midnight Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

В крайна сметка ще дам 4 звезди на книгата, защото в последните 100 страници се смях и плаках, преживявах написаното все едно се случваше на мен и в душата ми нещо потръпна! Да, смешно или не, така ми действат някои чиклит романи! В последните 100 страници познах и стила на авторката, който ме спечели за нейн фен преди години с "Внимавай какво си пожелаваш". И все пак голяма част от книгата е била писана под някакво въздействие, което причинява отегчаващи и пространни описания, бавно развитие на действието и прекалено много груби сексуални откровения! Имаше няколко страници, в които думата "ерекция" ми бодеше очите... повтори се поне 5 пъти за две страници!
Но историята е интересна, малко по-различна, хареса ми, че се проследява реално съдбата на няколко двойки, не е просто фокусирана върху само двама души! Естествено, краят е повече от предсказуем, няма какво да се лъжем, но имаше много интересен обрат, който в продължение на няколко страници ме държеше под напрежение и се чудех дали наистина е толкова ясно какво ще се случи накрая!
Забележка: Някои моменти от описанието на Джими ми дойдоха в повече... чак се чудех с какво е заслужил той да е основният герой хаха

[Chocolaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

هممممممممممممممممممممممم...هالكتاب علمني نقطة مهمة جداً

الكتاب المناسب للوقت المناسب

كتاب مثل هذا ...خفيف...لطيف...يصلح للأوقات الصعبة...للأوقات المليانة توتر وحزن

يعني بالضبط ... بالضبط...الكتاب الأبيض لليوم الأسود

فكرة الكتاب...على الرغم من كونها غارقة في الرومانسية والصدف الي ما تصير إلا في السينما إلا إنها واقعية جداً

أولاً...الرجل إذا أحب امرأة راح يبذل المستحيل عشانها وراح يحرص على إنجاح العلاقة بينهم

ثانياً...لا مهرب من النصيب ...نصيبك يصيبك


أحياناً...في زحمة الحياة ...ننسى إن كل شي نصيب...ونستذبح على وظيفة أو علاقة أو سفرة أو فرصة ...ولو ما صار الي نبيه...نزعل ونتعب ونتشائم

والحقيقة هي ببساطة أن هالوظيفة أو السفرة أو العلاقة مو قدرنا مو نصيبنا مالنا صالح فيها

غريب جداً لما تكون فكرة الكتاب مجرد

cliché

وفي نفس الوقت ترسل لنا واحدة من أكبر المسجات في حياتنا...موضوع القدر والقسمة والنصيب على رغم من كونه

واحد من أكثر المفاهيم الي تذكر سواء في الكتب ، التلفزيون، أو حتى حياتنا العامة

إلا أنه اكثر مفهوم ننساه في الأوقات الضرورية...نزعل ونجزع لما نفقد وظيفة...أو نترك علاقة...أو تضيع من بين ايدينا فرصة

حبيت الرواية لخفتها وعمقها في آن واحد



وحبيتها من ناحية أخرى لأنها جاءت في الوقت المناسب

:)

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it hard to believe that I had somehow missed reading this book when it first came out.....& once I was a few pages in & Jimi Malik's name appeared I realised, yes, I had already read it!

Still Alexandra Potter's books are always fun & even though this was second time round it was still an entertaining read. As well as the will-they-won't-they aspect of Grace & Jimi's relationship, there's Grace's best friend Rhian, a single mum also on the look-out for her own Mr Right....personally, the chapter where Rhian meets her soul-mate was the best bit of the book for me -that's all I'm saying about that as I don't want to spoil the story for future readers but Potter's fans know her books always end happily anyway so it's not giving too much away!

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I found it boring. Maybe because of the words and how I don't appreciate the writer's style of describing the scenario or the people in it rather than adding more chatting of characters. But As the story unfolds, I came to like it. i came to appreciate the story more. It's about, you know, finding your love. The right person for you. It actually teaches the readers to celebrate being a single rather than staying with the wrong person. Love will always find its way. It makes me want to write something about love. Love. Love. Love

[schu · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites

This book can make you believe:
Fate
Destiny
Love at first sight
Opposite attract each other
And sooo much more.

This book makes me want to wait and let things unfold by itself. :) I like it even after 13 years they still end up with each other.

True love always Wait.

[Цвети Запрева · Rating 5 out of 5]

Можеш ли да простиш за разбитото сърце? 💔
Как ще реагираш когато миналото те застигне?
Как разбираш, че си срещнала единственият и неповторим?
.
"Любовен пасианс" от Александра Потър е книга #2 от колекцията Love bestsellers
.
Грейс е едва тийнейджър, когато сърцето й е разбито за първи път.
От тогава са минали тринайсет години, тя е пораснала и продължила смело напред. А сега е щастливо сгодена за Спенсър – нейния Единствен и неповторим.
Или поне така си мисли..
.
Джими е сгоден и след броени дни ще си жени. Докато неговата възлюбена не го зарязва седмица преди сватбата.. по телефона.
.
Когато Грейс и Джими се засичат отново, никой от тях не е предполагал, че ще станат най-добри приятели... или поне докато не прехвърчат искри помежду им.

Може ли Грейс да забрави миналото?
Може ли да прости и да се отдаде на чувствата си?

[Luckaaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect summer read, it was fun, spicy and serious but was also able to be a bit more serious at times. I also like the author's writing, I find it really pleasent, and thanks to that, I didn't find the beginning to be slow at all.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out really slow—like, really slow. I tried to be patient, but with three—or should I say 4? —couples being introduced, it naturally took a long time to get through them all.

This is my first time reading a book like this, so I was super annoyed that there were too many POVs. However, I learned to appreciate it towards the end because I was able to see everyone’s feelings and thoughts first hand.

The stories itself were grand. They were all so sweet and really fun to read about. I don’t have favorites, though. I think they are all good.

I was really annoyed by all the British terms and spellings. I know the author is Brit or lived in England or whatever, but I still didn’t appreciate the British-ness of everything. Especially when places were mentioned as if I was supposed to know where that is (or even that it was a place in the first place). And jewellery. OH GOD.

The last quarter of the book was a complete emotional roller coaster. And it’s a roller coaster with many loops and many backtracks and maybe even an end that just flies to the sky with no fixed destination because the many POVs just kind of bombard you with feelings that are completely opposite from each other, so much that I was both despairing and ecstatic at the same time as I was reading one scene. It’s a weird feeling.

I enjoyed reading this book but I don’t know what else to say. I usually look for emotional roller coasters, and I’ve found one in this book, so it makes me happy. I don’t know how else to explain it lol.

It wasn’t extremely funny like the blurbs suggest, but there were definitely some laugh out loud moments. The book is also very detailed in that the gross things will really gross you out, and the greasy things are really greasy, and so on. Don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, but I remember thinking Maggie, Grace’s friend, was a grumpy old lady and she didn’t deserve Sonny. But then I might’ve read things wrong because they were really perfect during the scenes that they were together.

I really feel sad for Spencer though. I know he wasn’t the best boyfriend, but I can see that he really tried. As for Grace, I feel like she should’ve been more wary. I mean, without Jimi’s POV, I would definitely have been wary because this guy is a womanizer. Definitely not someone Grace would want if she wanted marriage. Buuut it all worked out in the end, so what the hell.

[The Solitary Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Fairley hated Jimi Malik all through high school. But when they were brought together one night under bizarre circumstances, Grace couldn't help fall in love with him, only to get her heart broken into tiny million pieces. But that was 13 years ago and Grace has moved on and is engaged to Spencer, a famous divorce lawyer and her "Mr. Right". But the thing is, they have been engaged for over 2 years and still haven't gotten around to setting a date for the wedding. And lately, Grace has been feeling as though she is in a one - sided relationship. Just when things start to go wrong in her love-life, Grace comes face to face with the very man who dumped her 13 years back.

Even though Grace tries to avoid him, circumstances keep bringing them together again and again and Grace uses this as a perfect opportunity to get her revenge for treating her so badly all those years ago. But as a new friendship blossoms between the two, Grace begins to have second thoughts about her 'revenge plan'!

The book was a great read and I really enjoyed it. The supporting characters were equally interesting and brought with them an element of quirkiness and fun. Since the story is written from each character's perspective, you can connect with the characters on an emotional level. Even though Grace and Jimi are the central characters, it was Rhian and Clive that caught my attention and I was more curious to know what would happen to Rhian than the other characters. Grace and Jimi's love story was good but nothing special and the reason Jimi gives in the end for not calling her is quite stupid, but that apart it was a pretty entertaining read!

[Dana Sobh · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He reminds me of home, my childhood. It's a bit like finding an old teddy bear I'd had as a kid."

"It was like listening to an old record and discovering that you still knew all the words."

"Spontaneity might be attractive, but it's lethal."

"What if he's out there looking for you right this minute but he's lost your address, or can't read a map, or he's taken a wrong turning? What if he can't find you?"

"But what good are hundreds of women, when I only want one?"

"He fitted. Perfectly. Just like the glass slipper."

"Forget about your ego. Forget about making a fool of yourself. Forget about getting hurt. Bare your soul and tell her how you feel."

"Despite for being so wrong for me, he's so right for me."

"When you decide you want to be with someone forever, you want forever to start right now."

"It was one of those moments that you want to wrap up in a cotton wool & keep in a safe place for ever."

[Rosie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book accidentally.One Saturday morning I bought a summer issue of Cosmo magazine, the book was a gift with it and I meant to read it by the pool.
I was suprised at how funny and enjoyable this book was and could not put it down.
I liked the story of the main character Grace who was comming out of a relationship and she was learning to live by herself again.
She was able to find the path and continue the trip of her life.
The book showed the funny moments which follow our every day life and make us laugh and showed me that in the end...there's always something good in every day and we should focus on it.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled across Alexandra Potter in a second-hand bookstore a few years back. The hopeless romantic in me fell in love with the easy way in which everything just fell into place in that first book I read (Me and Mr Darcy). So when I came across Do You Come Here Often?, I knew I had to buy it.

The storyline is a bit predictable and cheesy - your typical love story of fate and true love, but it was a treat to read in these endless days we are facing.

It took me a while to finish the book, as some parts moved a lot slower than the rest. If you feel the need to escape into a world of happy endings, this might just be the book you were looking for.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I don't know if I can say I "read" this book because I couldn't get through it . . . interesting premise and funny writing (who doesn't wonder what happened to their fist love and what would happen if they met up again??), but it's a modern British author so there is A LOT of profanity and sexual language everywhere, too much to ignore or skip past. Especially the f-word which is the hardest for me ignore. So, sorry, but this is NOT a book I would recommend at all!

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable for the most part, but could have finished 150 pages before it did.
It followed the stories of several people, changing with each chapter. what that actually meant was that you would be really getting into one person's story, then the chapter would end and it would move onto someone else. A couple of chapters later the story was picked up again, by which point much of the suspense was lost. Very irritating, and not my favourite storytelling style.

[Eda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5stars

It took me a while to get into and I really enjoyed it once I did. I thought the characters were likable and there were some very funny moments but the last 50 pages or is the reason for my 3.5 stars. I thought the ending was trying too hard to fit into a rom-com recipe when it could have been done in a more unique and fun way. There were many unbelievable elements to the ending as well but all in all still a good chick-lit.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely feel good story. I really enjoyed the different character strands and the 1980's flashback.

I loved Rhian's character and would like to see more of her story. Grace, however, began to annoy me 2/3 of the way into the story - her complete lack of self-knowledge began to grate a little.

At the end of the story I have one final question - what happened to Flossie the dog????

[Marie80 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Крајот воопшто не ми се допадна...останаа многу работи недоречени, па ти ајде замисли си што ќе се случи со Грејс.Некако не ми остави голем впечаток, за чудо, бидејќи досега сите романи што ги имам читано од Александра Потер ми се допаднаа.Се прашувам дали воопшто требаше да ја читам?....

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the 3rd Alexandra Potter books I've read & I enjoyed it tremendously. It's romantic how the radio station played a huge part throughout the entire story. I'm moving on to next Alexandra's book!

[Nouran Gamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

took me a long time to finish... too many flaws with this one.. for one it's such a cliche.. and its too predictable.. and one couple (maggie and sonny) were kinda forced into the book.. was kinda a waste of read this one

[Kezza22 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comical chick lit read which was easy to puck up and put down... Just felt the ending could have been better with explaining what happened next... Worth a read!

[Mina Van der Woodsen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so dissapointed in my favorite author.

[Priscilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm...it's not bad, but it drags on (esp in the middle) and I had to skip a few chapters to get through the book. It's okay, but it's not great.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard chick lit, but entertaining enough for it to be a quick, enjoyable read.