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A Girl Like You
"I've discovered the secret to successful singledom. I'm acting like a man. And it's working."
"I've discovered the secret to successful singledom. I'm acting like a man. And it's working."
After breaking up with her boyfriend of, well, forever, Abigail Wood must learn how to be single from scratch. Her dating skills are abysmal, and she ricochets from disaster to disaster – until Robert, one of London's most notorious lotharios, agrees to coach her.
With his advice, she learns to navigate the bastard-infested waters of the bar scene and practices the art of being bulletproof. The new Abigail is cocky, calm, composed…but what happens when she meets her match?
A Girl Like You is the second book from Gemma Burgess. Her first book, The Dating Detox, was published in 2010 to rave reviews: "Laugh out loud funny" Closer magazine. "Smart, plotty and funny… Buy it, read it, love it." The Irish Herald. "For those waiting to option the next Bridget Jones, Gemma Burgess answers back." VF Daily, www.vanityfair.com.
"I've discovered the secret to successful singledom. I'm acting like a man. And it's working."
After breaking up with her boyfriend of, well, forever, Abigail Wood must learn how to be single from scratch. Her dating skills are abysmal, and she ricochets from disaster to disaster – until Robert, one of London's most notorious lotharios, agrees to coach her.
With his advice, she learns to navigate the bastard-infested waters of the bar scene and practices the art of being bulletproof. The new Abigail is cocky, calm, composed…but what happens when she meets her match?
A Girl Like You is the second book from Gemma Burgess. Her first book, The Dating Detox, was published in 2010 to rave reviews: "Laugh out loud funny" Closer magazine. "Smart, plotty and funny… Buy it, read it, love it." The Irish Herald. "For those waiting to option the next Bridget Jones, Gemma Burgess answers back." VF Daily, www.vanityfair.com.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
206 people are currently reading
25752 people want to read
About the author
Gemma Burgess
15 books626 followersGemma started writing anti-romantic comedies for girls who like chicklit that comforts and charms without the silly fluffy bits. She lives in Notting Hill in London, but grew up all over the place – mostly Hong Kong. She loves talking and writing, not necessarily in that order.
She also loves burgers, vodka, white-tipped Marlboro Lights, OK GO, Sixteen Candles, Lucky Jim, anything from Nora Ephron and Jilly Cooper, new wave music and clothes.
Email Gemma at gemma@gemmaburgess.com or get in touch with Sammie Rafique at Avon / Harper Collins, Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents (London) or Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management (New York).
She also loves burgers, vodka, white-tipped Marlboro Lights, OK GO, Sixteen Candles, Lucky Jim, anything from Nora Ephron and Jilly Cooper, new wave music and clothes.
Email Gemma at gemma@gemmaburgess.com or get in touch with Sammie Rafique at Avon / Harper Collins, Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents (London) or Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management (New York).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 791 reviews
January 11, 2021
EDIT 7/5/2015: Lowered rating to 2 stars. I've been thinking it over and it doesn't deserve a three.
You know 'em, you love 'em, welcome to the stage Nice Natalie and Cynical Natalie!
Nice Natalie: It's been a while since we've been called upon to do a review.
Cynical Natalie: Because Ms. Monroe was a lazy ass and didn't take notes. So now we have to do her dirty work.
Nice Natalie: Oh, come now. It's only because she doesn't know what to feel towards A Girl Like You.
Cynical Natalie: Well, I know exactly how I feel: Abigail deserves to burn in hell with Nora Grey and the rest of them.
She's in her late twenties, but acts like a ditzy high-schooler.
Nice Natalie: Becky from Confessions of a Shopaholic is immature too, but we love her. A lot of chick-lie heroines are like that; it makes them relatable.
Cynical Natalie: Are you kidding me? I don't want to relate with her. I don't want to be the same species as her. She has no idea what the fuck she's doing. We're 21 and we have a better grasp on life than she does.
Nice Natalie: For now. What happens when we graduate and can't find a job? Or hate our job? Abigail's situation resembles real life.
Cynical Natalie: Whatever. And she keeps going on and on about Desperate Singleton. We spend so much educating women that getting a guy isn't the most important thing in life, and Abigail won't stop whining about it.
Nice Natalie: Please, don't tell me you've never thought about Desperate Singleton. It's not anti-feminist to want a man. It is anti-feminist to stifle literature about different kinds of women, including those romance-based.
Cynical Natalie: Yeah, but it doesn't mean I have to like. Look at the writing, for God's sake:
Nice Natalie: Okay, fine, that's a bad sentence. But the rest of it is quite good.
Cynical Natalie: Her inner monologues make me want to drown her, save her, then drown her again.
Nice Natalie: Right... So 3.5 stars?
Cynical Natalie: I repeat, her inner monologues made me want to drown her, save her, then drown her again. I'm not going above two.
Nice Natalie: This isn't a poker game!
Cynical Natalie: Like you know how poker works.
Nice Natalie: Neither of us knows how poker works! Let's just mark it a three and call it a day.
Cynical Natalie: 2.5.
Nice Natalie: That's so mean!
Cynical Natalie: Mean is my middle name. Now fold.
Nice Natalie: STOP USING POKER REFERENCES!
Cynical Natalie:
Nice Natalie: FINE. But no putting it on top. And the star rating stays three.
Cynical Natalie: Fine by me. For those of you still reading, it sucks.
Nice Natalie: It really doesn't.
Cynical Natalie: Let them decide who to believe: the honest, unapologetic reviewer? Or the spineless, let-me-give-you-a-consolation-star reviewer?
Nice Natalie: Hey!
Cynical Natalie: Check-fucking-mate.
Other Nice Natalie/Cynical Nataliebrawls reviews:
The Fault in Our Stars
If I Stay
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
The Martian
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Catching Fire
All The Rage
An Ember In The Ashes
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
The Hammer of Thor
The Ship of the Dead
Caraval
Warcross
The Last Namsara
You know 'em, you love 'em, welcome to the stage Nice Natalie and Cynical Natalie!
Nice Natalie: It's been a while since we've been called upon to do a review.
Cynical Natalie: Because Ms. Monroe was a lazy ass and didn't take notes. So now we have to do her dirty work.
Nice Natalie: Oh, come now. It's only because she doesn't know what to feel towards A Girl Like You.
Cynical Natalie: Well, I know exactly how I feel: Abigail deserves to burn in hell with Nora Grey and the rest of them.
She's in her late twenties, but acts like a ditzy high-schooler.
Nice Natalie: Becky from Confessions of a Shopaholic is immature too, but we love her. A lot of chick-lie heroines are like that; it makes them relatable.
Cynical Natalie: Are you kidding me? I don't want to relate with her. I don't want to be the same species as her. She has no idea what the fuck she's doing. We're 21 and we have a better grasp on life than she does.
Nice Natalie: For now. What happens when we graduate and can't find a job? Or hate our job? Abigail's situation resembles real life.
Cynical Natalie: Whatever. And she keeps going on and on about Desperate Singleton. We spend so much educating women that getting a guy isn't the most important thing in life, and Abigail won't stop whining about it.
Nice Natalie: Please, don't tell me you've never thought about Desperate Singleton. It's not anti-feminist to want a man. It is anti-feminist to stifle literature about different kinds of women, including those romance-based.
Cynical Natalie: Yeah, but it doesn't mean I have to like. Look at the writing, for God's sake:
"I drew in a sharp breath, a bursting shocked feeling in my chest."
Nice Natalie: Okay, fine, that's a bad sentence. But the rest of it is quite good.
Cynical Natalie: Her inner monologues make me want to drown her, save her, then drown her again.
Nice Natalie: Right... So 3.5 stars?
Cynical Natalie: I repeat, her inner monologues made me want to drown her, save her, then drown her again. I'm not going above two.
Nice Natalie: This isn't a poker game!
Cynical Natalie: Like you know how poker works.
Nice Natalie: Neither of us knows how poker works! Let's just mark it a three and call it a day.
Cynical Natalie: 2.5.
Nice Natalie: That's so mean!
Cynical Natalie: Mean is my middle name. Now fold.
Nice Natalie: STOP USING POKER REFERENCES!
Cynical Natalie:
Nice Natalie: FINE. But no putting it on top. And the star rating stays three.
Cynical Natalie: Fine by me. For those of you still reading, it sucks.
Nice Natalie: It really doesn't.
Cynical Natalie: Let them decide who to believe: the honest, unapologetic reviewer? Or the spineless, let-me-give-you-a-consolation-star reviewer?
Nice Natalie: Hey!
Cynical Natalie: Check-fucking-mate.
Other Nice Natalie/Cynical Natalie
The Fault in Our Stars
If I Stay
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
The Martian
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Catching Fire
All The Rage
An Ember In The Ashes
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
The Hammer of Thor
The Ship of the Dead
Caraval
Warcross
The Last Namsara
April 28, 2012
I cried. I don't wanna talk about it.
I love this book. I LOL'd. I rolled around the bed one week so obsessed by the book by the time I finished reading it small rodents had settled into my hair and were debating expanding the nest to a small condo and I had gained 5 pounds from nibbling on whatever I came across in the house.(which, as nibblers know, is never good.)
Again, I cried. I said I don't wanna talk about it, but it should be mentioned that they were happy tears. I don't often get happy tears. I get sad lots, but true joy? Oh yes, in this book.
It was a lovely length. I don't like short chick lit (everything must be solved by chapter 6! and by chapter 10 she should be married!) no, no, none of that here. Just a straightforward plot which was (in all honesty) predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. Like walking into a scary house and expecting a spider to fall from the ceiling and instead having a net fall on you and you're on the floor gasping in fear and trapped while live tarantulas crawl up your leg. Exactly like that. Only funny and romantic.
I had a few snags with the plot, but the characterization and romantic developments were fun.
(One regret. As always, every time I walk away from a chick-lit book I find myself pawing through my wardrobe wishing I had a sense of style.)
Would give to a fan of romance and believer in 'the one' since that's the theme this book pushes relentlessly. (but a good relentless. 'grandma-gives-me-too-much-chocolate-I'm-getting-fat' relentless.)
I love this book. I LOL'd. I rolled around the bed one week so obsessed by the book by the time I finished reading it small rodents had settled into my hair and were debating expanding the nest to a small condo and I had gained 5 pounds from nibbling on whatever I came across in the house.(which, as nibblers know, is never good.)
Again, I cried. I said I don't wanna talk about it, but it should be mentioned that they were happy tears. I don't often get happy tears. I get sad lots, but true joy? Oh yes, in this book.
It was a lovely length. I don't like short chick lit (everything must be solved by chapter 6! and by chapter 10 she should be married!) no, no, none of that here. Just a straightforward plot which was (in all honesty) predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. Like walking into a scary house and expecting a spider to fall from the ceiling and instead having a net fall on you and you're on the floor gasping in fear and trapped while live tarantulas crawl up your leg. Exactly like that. Only funny and romantic.
I had a few snags with the plot, but the characterization and romantic developments were fun.
(One regret. As always, every time I walk away from a chick-lit book I find myself pawing through my wardrobe wishing I had a sense of style.)
Would give to a fan of romance and believer in 'the one' since that's the theme this book pushes relentlessly. (but a good relentless. 'grandma-gives-me-too-much-chocolate-I'm-getting-fat' relentless.)
October 8, 2014
So I just finished reading this book...and after all the back pain,the countless hours of sleep deprivation,the dark circles under my eyes, I have finally finished it...and I just have to say...it was sssssssssoooooooo worth it!!
I simply fell in love with the book and its characters. I loved the way the author wrote this book from the starting to the acknowledgements. It was simply brilliant!
I loved,absolutely loved Robert! A guy who cooks,takes care of breakfast when you are late for work, who nurses you back to health, protects your virtue and faints at the sight of blood! A man so loving and just perfect! I loved him!
I admired Abigail's resilience and thought there were times when my heart broke as a consequence of her actions (recall hotel room departure after they made love!!gasp!!!) I could relate to her.
And last but not the least, I must say I loathed that absolute cow belle and her stupid boyfriend!!
All in all an excellent book. A must read!
I simply fell in love with the book and its characters. I loved the way the author wrote this book from the starting to the acknowledgements. It was simply brilliant!
I loved,absolutely loved Robert! A guy who cooks,takes care of breakfast when you are late for work, who nurses you back to health, protects your virtue and faints at the sight of blood! A man so loving and just perfect! I loved him!
I admired Abigail's resilience and thought there were times when my heart broke as a consequence of her actions (recall hotel room departure after they made love!!gasp!!!) I could relate to her.
And last but not the least, I must say I loathed that absolute cow belle and her stupid boyfriend!!
All in all an excellent book. A must read!
May 1, 2014
This was a ton of fun, with an incredibly satisfying emotional payoff. The characters are well-drawn enough to evoke Cecelia Ahern (without the magical realism) with maybe a touch of Bridget Jones's Diary (though a very light touch).
What makes the book work, for me, is that I just liked Abigail so much. She has been in emotional stasis for a long time and seeing her emerge, and mature, was just a whole lot of fun. Frankly, it's a bit brilliant to take an ignorant observer and thrust them into the dating scene with an experienced native (in this case, Robert). Abigail's exploration of dating as a former outsider is fascinating (as is Robert's often insightful guidance).
And it doesn't hurt, of course, that Robert is such a fantastic guy. As an indication of exactly how much I liked him, he still came across as studly tooling Abigail around London on a moped. Hard to believe, I know...
The book went a little long in the middle with Abigail's hang-up on the jerkwad jackwagon, Dave. I get a week with a popular, charismatic party guy. A month, maybe, with Abigail's inexperience. But three months? Gah. Yeah, she needed the contrast (maybe) to understand that she isn't as emotionally detached as she thought she was. And he serves as a wonderful contrast to the lovely Robert. Even so, I think a good deal of that length could have disappeared and maybe improved the book a bit in the process.
That said, the culmination of the book, its emotional climax, was well worth the wait. I kept waiting for the cringe as the situation buildup was rather extreme and there were a lot of moving parts involved (with complex characters I cared about strewn about the scenery). But Burgess handled everything beautifully with a climax that flowed so well and naturally that tears actually flowed (yeah, that isn't that great an accomplishment with me).
A note about editions: It looks like Avon originally published the book but that the author is the one with the eBook rights. As such, the two aren't actually linked so if you hit Amazon on the hard copy it doesn't link the kindle book from there (and vice versa). That may be the case in other retailers as well with such a complicated rights issue. The upside of this is that the Kindle version is extremely well priced for the quality of the writing. The author messed up, some, on the formatting with what looks like one dialog word globally replaced such that if the quote starts with it you just get a comma. Like this: "," I say. It's a place-marker word, though (something like "hmmm" or "m'kay"), so no real harm done.
A note about Steamy: There's sex in the book, and a make out or two that get pretty hot, but Burgess cuts well before we get terribly explicit. It's just enough for me to flag as "Steamy" but on the lowest possible setting.
What makes the book work, for me, is that I just liked Abigail so much. She has been in emotional stasis for a long time and seeing her emerge, and mature, was just a whole lot of fun. Frankly, it's a bit brilliant to take an ignorant observer and thrust them into the dating scene with an experienced native (in this case, Robert). Abigail's exploration of dating as a former outsider is fascinating (as is Robert's often insightful guidance).
And it doesn't hurt, of course, that Robert is such a fantastic guy. As an indication of exactly how much I liked him, he still came across as studly tooling Abigail around London on a moped. Hard to believe, I know...
The book went a little long in the middle with Abigail's hang-up on the jerkwad jackwagon, Dave. I get a week with a popular, charismatic party guy. A month, maybe, with Abigail's inexperience. But three months? Gah. Yeah, she needed the contrast (maybe) to understand that she isn't as emotionally detached as she thought she was. And he serves as a wonderful contrast to the lovely Robert. Even so, I think a good deal of that length could have disappeared and maybe improved the book a bit in the process.
That said, the culmination of the book, its emotional climax, was well worth the wait. I kept waiting for the cringe as the situation buildup was rather extreme and there were a lot of moving parts involved (with complex characters I cared about strewn about the scenery). But Burgess handled everything beautifully with a climax that flowed so well and naturally that tears actually flowed (yeah, that isn't that great an accomplishment with me).
A note about editions: It looks like Avon originally published the book but that the author is the one with the eBook rights. As such, the two aren't actually linked so if you hit Amazon on the hard copy it doesn't link the kindle book from there (and vice versa). That may be the case in other retailers as well with such a complicated rights issue. The upside of this is that the Kindle version is extremely well priced for the quality of the writing. The author messed up, some, on the formatting with what looks like one dialog word globally replaced such that if the quote starts with it you just get a comma. Like this: "," I say. It's a place-marker word, though (something like "hmmm" or "m'kay"), so no real harm done.
A note about Steamy: There's sex in the book, and a make out or two that get pretty hot, but Burgess cuts well before we get terribly explicit. It's just enough for me to flag as "Steamy" but on the lowest possible setting.
August 1, 2023
Read #3: Augst 1, 2023: 5 stars. Impossibly hilarious and so well-written
Read #1: December 8, 2012 - 5 stars
Read #1: December 8, 2012 - 5 stars
September 21, 2016
A sweet light read. Heroine annoyed me a little at times, but THAT ENDING - Purrr-fect!
February 12, 2014
~~~ 3 STARS OR 6/10 ~~~
This is chick lit. I usually don't read chick lit. And aside from the last few chapters of this book, I don't think I want to again any time soon.
So why did I read it?
Well, for one, the premise sounded good and secondly, the reviews were stellar. I should have clued in that most of these reviews were from regular chick lit readers--there's nothing wrong with that, but it's not my preference. So FOR A CHICK LIT BOOK...this was good.
I liked, no loved the ending. The last chapter pretty much made me cry. It was sincere and beautiful. The speech Robert(H) gave was heart melting and touching.
So what didn't work? All the usual elements of a chick lit book:
----- The romance was lacking. I know it was supposed to be the highlight of the story but it wasn't. Robert was supposed to feel a certain way about Abby, okay, I get that. But I'm not a mind reader. Aside from a few scenes in the last third, I would never think he had a thing for her. Even those instances before the glaringly obvious ones in the last few chapters left me feeling...HUH? SO YOU LIKE HER...RIGHT? I honestly think that since I'm used to more meat to a romance, more obvious sexual tension, more angst over a person you're supposed to be in love with....that I wasn't satisfied.
Is the reader supposed to intuitively understand what's going through the heads of the main characters??
---- the majority of the book was about Abby and her friendship dynamics coasting the treacherous waters of the dating world. It felt more about self discovery then finding your true love. And only in the last few chapters did I think...FINALLY! SOME SEXUAL TENSION! Where the story focused solely on Abby and Robert. Chick lit's tend to insert love interests in the most bizarre way leaving me feeling like I missed a few dozen chapters.
----there was fade to black sexy time scenes. Did I mention I'm not a fan of that? Even the kissing was glossed over aside from letting me know it was splendid. The pivotal scene between Rob and Abby, which was supposed to be the breaking point should have been detailed but...NO.
Of course Abby makes some stupid decisions, picks the wrong guy, before finally clueing in to the right one under her nose all along. But maybe, just maybe, she would have seen things sooner had a certain someone been more obvious. Apparently he was to all the characters in the book, this made me feel really dumb. How can everyone in the story see it except the reader??!!
Anywho, like I said, a fantastic ending to an otherwise lacklustre story. I loved Robert and Abby together. They were best friends before the fireworks----apparently there the whole time, but don't ask me----and sweet together after all the crap was out of the way. If this was written as a slowly brewing love story I would have cried from joy. But it wasn't although it was?? Don't ask me! And lastly, do normal people drink that much?!
Okay back to the romance I love! No more chick lit. I hope. NO MORE! I hope.
This is chick lit. I usually don't read chick lit. And aside from the last few chapters of this book, I don't think I want to again any time soon.
So why did I read it?
Well, for one, the premise sounded good and secondly, the reviews were stellar. I should have clued in that most of these reviews were from regular chick lit readers--there's nothing wrong with that, but it's not my preference. So FOR A CHICK LIT BOOK...this was good.
I liked, no loved the ending. The last chapter pretty much made me cry. It was sincere and beautiful. The speech Robert(H) gave was heart melting and touching.
So what didn't work? All the usual elements of a chick lit book:
----- The romance was lacking. I know it was supposed to be the highlight of the story but it wasn't. Robert was supposed to feel a certain way about Abby, okay, I get that. But I'm not a mind reader. Aside from a few scenes in the last third, I would never think he had a thing for her. Even those instances before the glaringly obvious ones in the last few chapters left me feeling...HUH? SO YOU LIKE HER...RIGHT? I honestly think that since I'm used to more meat to a romance, more obvious sexual tension, more angst over a person you're supposed to be in love with....that I wasn't satisfied.
Is the reader supposed to intuitively understand what's going through the heads of the main characters??
---- the majority of the book was about Abby and her friendship dynamics coasting the treacherous waters of the dating world. It felt more about self discovery then finding your true love. And only in the last few chapters did I think...FINALLY! SOME SEXUAL TENSION! Where the story focused solely on Abby and Robert. Chick lit's tend to insert love interests in the most bizarre way leaving me feeling like I missed a few dozen chapters.
----there was fade to black sexy time scenes. Did I mention I'm not a fan of that? Even the kissing was glossed over aside from letting me know it was splendid. The pivotal scene between Rob and Abby, which was supposed to be the breaking point should have been detailed but...NO.
Of course Abby makes some stupid decisions, picks the wrong guy, before finally clueing in to the right one under her nose all along. But maybe, just maybe, she would have seen things sooner had a certain someone been more obvious. Apparently he was to all the characters in the book, this made me feel really dumb. How can everyone in the story see it except the reader??!!
Anywho, like I said, a fantastic ending to an otherwise lacklustre story. I loved Robert and Abby together. They were best friends before the fireworks----apparently there the whole time, but don't ask me----and sweet together after all the crap was out of the way. If this was written as a slowly brewing love story I would have cried from joy. But it wasn't although it was?? Don't ask me! And lastly, do normal people drink that much?!
Okay back to the romance I love! No more chick lit. I hope. NO MORE! I hope.
July 13, 2011
This book was so deliciously charming that I didn’t want to put it down. I was swept into London, and the quirky dating world of Abigail Wood and I enjoyed every minute of it. First off I just have to say I’m beginning to love overseas authors more and more. I’m especially loving novels set in London and surrounding areas, though I’ve never been. But the atmosphere just seems so divine and fun. This book was no different.
Abigail was a great leading lady. After seven years in a blase relationship, Abigail finally realizes she doesn’t just want to accept the status quo and breaks it off with her longtime boyfriend. After moving in with her flatmate Robert, notorious ladies man, she begins to take his dating advice, which makes for some interesting adventures. She’s smart, funny, and adorably cute. I love how she embraces singledom and eventually learns to take charge and basically navigate her own dating life instead of letting things happen. I found myself cheering for her through her dating triumphs and becoming exasperated when she essentially forgot all of her ‘lessons’ after finding herself in a new relationship. The ups, the downs, they were all fascinating and satisfying.
I also adored me some Robert. He appears to be very nonchalant and unaffected, but this guy has layers. He’s hilarious, kind, and observant. He and Abigail develop the most amazing friendship and I loved reading about it. I am a big proponent of love born out of friendship. He comes to know what Abby’s every face and sigh means. And she begins to understand that he’s much more than his reputation, and that people aren’t always who they appear to be. Eventually everyone can see how this story is going to end up except for Robert and Abigail. But reading about them getting there was the best part.
Even the minor characters in this book were great. I loved Abby’s best friend Plum. She was too funny and always inappropriate. Her sister Sophie was sweet and kind, and her friend Henry was such a loveable dork. And the many other friends and acquaintances all add something unique to the story whether I liked them or not. This book was so well written with the perfect blend of crass and sass.
Really this was just a beautiful story of true friendship and what can happen when you take a risk on something more. Overall, GREAT GREAT book and I recommend you pick it up. Can’t wait to read more from Miss Burgess.
Abigail was a great leading lady. After seven years in a blase relationship, Abigail finally realizes she doesn’t just want to accept the status quo and breaks it off with her longtime boyfriend. After moving in with her flatmate Robert, notorious ladies man, she begins to take his dating advice, which makes for some interesting adventures. She’s smart, funny, and adorably cute. I love how she embraces singledom and eventually learns to take charge and basically navigate her own dating life instead of letting things happen. I found myself cheering for her through her dating triumphs and becoming exasperated when she essentially forgot all of her ‘lessons’ after finding herself in a new relationship. The ups, the downs, they were all fascinating and satisfying.
I also adored me some Robert. He appears to be very nonchalant and unaffected, but this guy has layers. He’s hilarious, kind, and observant. He and Abigail develop the most amazing friendship and I loved reading about it. I am a big proponent of love born out of friendship. He comes to know what Abby’s every face and sigh means. And she begins to understand that he’s much more than his reputation, and that people aren’t always who they appear to be. Eventually everyone can see how this story is going to end up except for Robert and Abigail. But reading about them getting there was the best part.
Even the minor characters in this book were great. I loved Abby’s best friend Plum. She was too funny and always inappropriate. Her sister Sophie was sweet and kind, and her friend Henry was such a loveable dork. And the many other friends and acquaintances all add something unique to the story whether I liked them or not. This book was so well written with the perfect blend of crass and sass.
Really this was just a beautiful story of true friendship and what can happen when you take a risk on something more. Overall, GREAT GREAT book and I recommend you pick it up. Can’t wait to read more from Miss Burgess.
April 15, 2014
"I've discovered the secret to successful singledom. I'm acting like a man. And it's working."
YES! This book made me laugh out loud and proud to love to read chick-lits. Calling all single ladies, you need to read this book! I feel us single ladies take our dating status as a mark of shame or punishment when we should be laughing more than crying of lack of men or horrid dates. Gemma Burgess makes dating life fun and laughable, which it is. She makes us women feel powerful, beautiful, and sexy, which we are. Plus, she gives some really good advice in this book. Sit back, get a glass (or glasses) of wine, and enjoy this book.
YES! This book made me laugh out loud and proud to love to read chick-lits. Calling all single ladies, you need to read this book! I feel us single ladies take our dating status as a mark of shame or punishment when we should be laughing more than crying of lack of men or horrid dates. Gemma Burgess makes dating life fun and laughable, which it is. She makes us women feel powerful, beautiful, and sexy, which we are. Plus, she gives some really good advice in this book. Sit back, get a glass (or glasses) of wine, and enjoy this book.
September 20, 2015
First I want to say this, when I got to about 98% of the book I started crying… happy-romantic-silly tears!!
Then I was devastated the book was over…
My husband hated me for a couple of days, as the book was getting all my attention…
What more to say, the perfect romantic chick-lit, with the perfect never-once-boring pace from the start till the end!!
Loved loooveeed looooooveeeeeed it!
You get to know “Abigay” throughout the book, feeling her emotions and sharing her deepest thoughts, and you can’t help liking her, and her entourage. Well with some minor exceptions.
The only minor flaw was the over-use of the f-word mostly courtesy of the ever-swearing best friend.
Then I was devastated the book was over…
My husband hated me for a couple of days, as the book was getting all my attention…
What more to say, the perfect romantic chick-lit, with the perfect never-once-boring pace from the start till the end!!
Loved loooveeed looooooveeeeeed it!
You get to know “Abigay” throughout the book, feeling her emotions and sharing her deepest thoughts, and you can’t help liking her, and her entourage. Well with some minor exceptions.
The only minor flaw was the over-use of the f-word mostly courtesy of the ever-swearing best friend.
April 11, 2018
I was left with a huge smile plastered on my face at 2 am. Doesn't it say it all? :))
January 1, 2015
This was so much more than I thought it was going to be. I'm so glad I picked it up.
Be cool Be silly
Be detached Be direct
Act brutal Be kind
Stay in control Let yourself do whatever you want
Bulletproof Have an open heart
Always leave them before they leave you Be true to yourself and everything will work out.
Loved it! I could really relate to some things. I was stuck for years with "Dave" situation (not exactly the same, long story for another time) and this year I finally got him out of my life and my head I feel so much better. People that make you feel miserable and make you doubt yourself are like anchors. They drag you down, drain all your energy and and you're left with self doubt, regrets and emptiness. So yeah, get rid of them, even if you love them, it's the right thing to do. No one you love should make you feel like shit. Be who you want to be and don't change for anyone. And also don't wait for them to change. Take care of yourself.
Loved it! I could really relate to some things. I was stuck for years with "Dave" situation (not exactly the same, long story for another time) and this year I finally got him out of my life and my head I feel so much better. People that make you feel miserable and make you doubt yourself are like anchors. They drag you down, drain all your energy and and you're left with self doubt, regrets and emptiness. So yeah, get rid of them, even if you love them, it's the right thing to do. No one you love should make you feel like shit. Be who you want to be and don't change for anyone. And also don't wait for them to change. Take care of yourself.
February 28, 2020
"He stares at me for a second, and then says flatly: ‘You stupid bitch.’"I don't know why but I just knew as soon as I read this in the prologue that I was going to love this book.
This turned out to be so much better than I had expected. I had just gone in thinking it would be a light quick read, and just another 3 star book. But oh no. This was one of the best light-read. I don't need to point out what aspects of this book I liked. It was, kind of, everything. If I had read this book just few months back I would've definitely given this a full (or even more than) 5 stars.
Ugh, such great characters, everyone of them. I fell in love with each of them. (Except obviously, *whispers* the D) And there was not even a single point throughout the story where I got bored, especially for a long book like this. I was thoroughly invested.
I'll just say it, I love
(Writing all this in the metro on the way home and I'm just grinning widely remembering all the great moments from this book. Maybe that's why, you know, don't expect any structure in this review.)
The synopsis does not do this book justice.
Reading this book was like going on a journey. I never could imagine what would happen next and what beautiful things I would get to behold going forward. The greatest part though? ROBERT. I mean, one does not get better than that. He was unapologetically a slut, (and if you feel like it's a bad word, your fault. I personally use it as a neutral noun for a person open to having sex whenever. If your opinion differs, you're welcome to educate me in the comments), unimaginably handsome, funny, smart, and the best best-friend anyone could have. That last scene cemented my adoration of him, and I could've cried proud, happy tears due to love pouring out of me.
Plus if all this wasn't enough, this book had one of the best love confession I have ever read.
And we also see some of the characters growing throughout the story (so a yay! for dynamic characters) and it was like being witness to a flower budding. The end result was beautiful.
There is no doubt in my mind that I will remember these characters and their story for a long time to come, and soon come back to get to know them again. I've very few times been this happy after finishing a book. Would recommend it to everyone having a bad day, or even otherwise.
July 16, 2014
A Girl Like You is classic, unapologetic chick-lit--and I love it. Newly single Abigail is entering the dating world for the first time. Now, having broken up with her boyfriend of far too many years, Abigail is determined to find the right guy. Robert, her new flat-mate and a classic player, is the perfect candidate to coach her on the Art of Dating. From the beginning itself, Abigail's narration is honest, unassuming, and drop-dead hilarious. It's impossible not to become entirely embroiled in this romance, particularly as we witness Abigail stumble through bad dates, make the walk of shame, and finally become a Dating Guru. Within months, she has all the single guys of London eating out of her hand...but she still hasn't found the one. If you've seen or read even a half-dozen chick flicks, you already know by now who the love interest is but the journey from friendship to romance is long, charming, and oh-so-endearing. Seriously, this book will have you in peals of laughter one moment only to have you clutching your abdomen in tension the next but I can guarantee you this: you'll close this book with the most languid, lazy, and satisfied smile.
October 20, 2012
What a delightful read! Loved every minute
Abigail is a riot of a character and I found myself giggling out loud at some of her musings. Who can forget her little mountain goat dance - oh I did enjoy her character so much.
Robert was amazing and I just adored the interaction between the two as I did the interactions with her friends.
Just a wonderful book throughout and I really did enjoy every minute of it.
This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last.
Abigail is a riot of a character and I found myself giggling out loud at some of her musings. Who can forget her little mountain goat dance - oh I did enjoy her character so much.
Robert was amazing and I just adored the interaction between the two as I did the interactions with her friends.
Just a wonderful book throughout and I really did enjoy every minute of it.
This is my first book by this author and it won't be my last.
October 14, 2016
*SPOILERS*
Abigail is a twenty-something-year-old bachelorette who just ended a seven year relationship and has no idea how to get back out there in the dating game. She goes on one disastrous date and realizes she needs help. Who else to help Abigail with her dating skills but her ridiculously attractive, single, player of a flatmate, Robert. Of course Abigail is sooooo oblivious to his good looks and charm because that's what we do; when we meet a devastatingly handsome single man we don't at all feel the need to have his babies, instead we sit back, drink beer, talk about our failing love life and lack of personal grooming in our lady parts because, hey, full bushes are back! (Robert's words not mine)
Anyway, Robert gives Abigail all the secrets to basically become a douchebag who eats men for breakfast. Robert of course has never done that with any of his female friends before. In fact, Robert has no female friends, he thinks women are only for games in the bedroom, but for some mysterious reason he likes Abigail (God knows why!) and bonds with her. They bond and bond some more, about a hundred and fifty pages of irrelevant crap pass by and BAM! Robert and Abigail sleep together. But hey a girl can sleep with a guy who's flown all the way to Tokyo to help her get over her recent heart break (HE CLEARLY LOVES YOU!) and still not be sure of his feelings for her. So, Abigail bails, the books drags on for another seventy pages, Abigail wakes up and realizes Robert's been her soulmate all along. The End.
Such an original plot that one, eh? Like, seriously, completely unexpected turn of events! Let's talk about irritating, dumb, oblivious Abigail with the deduction skills of a snail. If I were to ever meet an insanely attractive man who's into being around me, I'd instantly start fantasizing about him and start reading into his every move to see whether or not he likes me!!! Not be completely "We're best friends! Let's talk about my walk of shame and pubic hair!" And her freakin job! that she hates! and magically ends up finding another one in Hollywood while she's casually drifting through the streets of Tokyo on her business trip to Japan! Hey!!! This does NOT happen in real life, miss Burgess! And we don't get to eat burgers, fries, wash them down with beer, then snack on Toblerones and still remain a size two! And, for the love of all that's holy, can we please have a book where the male lead is not a painfully handsome, freakishly tall and deliciously broad bad boy/player who really turns out to be the kindest, sweetest, most considerate guy in the world who happens to love his mom?!! Can't we just have average-looking real men with character quirks, faults and virtues who interact with our heroine, challenge her and help her grow as a person?! What's wrong with not-so-painfully-handsome normal men?! We all know for a fact that when love knocks on your door the man you love becomes the most beautiful man you've ever seen in your life, whether his face is GQ-worthy or not! Please, lose the cliche and strive for originality.
Abigail is a twenty-something-year-old bachelorette who just ended a seven year relationship and has no idea how to get back out there in the dating game. She goes on one disastrous date and realizes she needs help. Who else to help Abigail with her dating skills but her ridiculously attractive, single, player of a flatmate, Robert. Of course Abigail is sooooo oblivious to his good looks and charm because that's what we do; when we meet a devastatingly handsome single man we don't at all feel the need to have his babies, instead we sit back, drink beer, talk about our failing love life and lack of personal grooming in our lady parts because, hey, full bushes are back! (Robert's words not mine)
Anyway, Robert gives Abigail all the secrets to basically become a douchebag who eats men for breakfast. Robert of course has never done that with any of his female friends before. In fact, Robert has no female friends, he thinks women are only for games in the bedroom, but for some mysterious reason he likes Abigail (God knows why!) and bonds with her. They bond and bond some more, about a hundred and fifty pages of irrelevant crap pass by and BAM! Robert and Abigail sleep together. But hey a girl can sleep with a guy who's flown all the way to Tokyo to help her get over her recent heart break (HE CLEARLY LOVES YOU!) and still not be sure of his feelings for her. So, Abigail bails, the books drags on for another seventy pages, Abigail wakes up and realizes Robert's been her soulmate all along. The End.
Such an original plot that one, eh? Like, seriously, completely unexpected turn of events! Let's talk about irritating, dumb, oblivious Abigail with the deduction skills of a snail. If I were to ever meet an insanely attractive man who's into being around me, I'd instantly start fantasizing about him and start reading into his every move to see whether or not he likes me!!! Not be completely "We're best friends! Let's talk about my walk of shame and pubic hair!" And her freakin job! that she hates! and magically ends up finding another one in Hollywood while she's casually drifting through the streets of Tokyo on her business trip to Japan! Hey!!! This does NOT happen in real life, miss Burgess! And we don't get to eat burgers, fries, wash them down with beer, then snack on Toblerones and still remain a size two! And, for the love of all that's holy, can we please have a book where the male lead is not a painfully handsome, freakishly tall and deliciously broad bad boy/player who really turns out to be the kindest, sweetest, most considerate guy in the world who happens to love his mom?!! Can't we just have average-looking real men with character quirks, faults and virtues who interact with our heroine, challenge her and help her grow as a person?! What's wrong with not-so-painfully-handsome normal men?! We all know for a fact that when love knocks on your door the man you love becomes the most beautiful man you've ever seen in your life, whether his face is GQ-worthy or not! Please, lose the cliche and strive for originality.
July 4, 2023
re-read 03/07/2023
Upping the rating to 4.5 stars.
I'd forgotten all about this book but what a delightful re-read this was. I stand by everything in my original review: I love these characters so much and actually care about all of them (which is rare), the setting is fantastic, the relationships are good, but the whole Dave situation just takes too long.
I was again wishing the book would've cut about 70 to 100 pages somewhere in the middle section to make that more bearable. Or, alternatively, the author could've switched out some of the Dave business for more Robert/Abigail time post-Hong Kong and pre-wedding speech. That section in between didn't feel entirely satisfying to me, but that's mainly because there could never be enough Robert/Abigail.
I'd read another entire book about them, tbh. This is definitely one of the best friends-to-lovers books out there for me.
original review, May 2014
This was really wonderful. I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face because it's been a while since I've read a UK-based contemporary romance that left me feeling happy as this one did.
It was funny - hilarious at times- and Abigail was just so likeable. London was also written really well, which I always enjoy, and the friendships in this book were great to read, both between the guys and the girls and the group as a whole. I enjoyed all of the dynamics a lot.
Definitely going to recommend this to my friends when they're looking for a fun romance read.
Upping the rating to 4.5 stars.
I'd forgotten all about this book but what a delightful re-read this was. I stand by everything in my original review: I love these characters so much and actually care about all of them (which is rare), the setting is fantastic, the relationships are good, but the whole Dave situation just takes too long.
I was again wishing the book would've cut about 70 to 100 pages somewhere in the middle section to make that more bearable. Or, alternatively, the author could've switched out some of the Dave business for more Robert/Abigail time post-Hong Kong and pre-wedding speech. That section in between didn't feel entirely satisfying to me, but that's mainly because there could never be enough Robert/Abigail.
I'd read another entire book about them, tbh. This is definitely one of the best friends-to-lovers books out there for me.
original review, May 2014
This was really wonderful. I am sitting here with the biggest smile on my face because it's been a while since I've read a UK-based contemporary romance that left me feeling happy as this one did.
It was funny - hilarious at times- and Abigail was just so likeable. London was also written really well, which I always enjoy, and the friendships in this book were great to read, both between the guys and the girls and the group as a whole. I enjoyed all of the dynamics a lot.
Definitely going to recommend this to my friends when they're looking for a fun romance read.
November 24, 2018
A Girl Like You, is set in modern day London and written in first person. The style of writing is uncomplicated and easy to read.
The story focuses on Abigail, a twenty seven year old whose long term boyfriend out of the blue breaks up with her. Abigail is of course heartbroken by this, but decided to solider on my moving in with her sister's fiancé’s best friend; she also for the first time ever, dates. As a complete dating newbie she feels as though she needs some guidance, so enlists her new flatmate to help her navigate this new dating world.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s one of the few "chick-lit" books I have read over and over. The humour is just brilliant in and the characters created are very realistic and relate-able, particularly Abigail's and Plum's career choices before the start, how they had both plodding along in a comfortable position in a job they had done for years and then wondering if it really was the right role for them.
The friendship groups in the story were great too, I really enjoyed reading about each and every one of their get to together and you could tell that a lot of love and care had been put into developing these groups as the relationships all felt very realistic, especially with how long the characters had known each other. Which is something I find a lot of "chick lit" authors struggle to capture in other books. It really helped my enjoyment of this book as Abigail wasn't just looking for a new partner, I had the feeling that she would have just been fine on her own if it came to it as she had a great group of people around her, which is how it should be and it was refreshing to see this in a story.
Abigail's friendship with Charlotte was also a nice to the story, they'd worked together for a while, but had not interacted much before the story started but found out they got on very well, once they had taken notice of one another. We also had male and female friendships, which stayed that way, which was a nice touch.
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book, which I think was down to the writing style, how perfectly the author incorporated a large friendship group into Abigail's life and the humour throughout the book.
The story focuses on Abigail, a twenty seven year old whose long term boyfriend out of the blue breaks up with her. Abigail is of course heartbroken by this, but decided to solider on my moving in with her sister's fiancé’s best friend; she also for the first time ever, dates. As a complete dating newbie she feels as though she needs some guidance, so enlists her new flatmate to help her navigate this new dating world.
I really enjoyed this book, it’s one of the few "chick-lit" books I have read over and over. The humour is just brilliant in and the characters created are very realistic and relate-able, particularly Abigail's and Plum's career choices before the start, how they had both plodding along in a comfortable position in a job they had done for years and then wondering if it really was the right role for them.
The friendship groups in the story were great too, I really enjoyed reading about each and every one of their get to together and you could tell that a lot of love and care had been put into developing these groups as the relationships all felt very realistic, especially with how long the characters had known each other. Which is something I find a lot of "chick lit" authors struggle to capture in other books. It really helped my enjoyment of this book as Abigail wasn't just looking for a new partner, I had the feeling that she would have just been fine on her own if it came to it as she had a great group of people around her, which is how it should be and it was refreshing to see this in a story.
Abigail's friendship with Charlotte was also a nice to the story, they'd worked together for a while, but had not interacted much before the story started but found out they got on very well, once they had taken notice of one another. We also had male and female friendships, which stayed that way, which was a nice touch.
There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book, which I think was down to the writing style, how perfectly the author incorporated a large friendship group into Abigail's life and the humour throughout the book.
September 8, 2015
4.5 stars, let's be real. I want to experience this book all over again. The dénouement disappointed me because I wanted more. Abigail acted like such a priss at the end. Her behavior took away from the unadulterated joy of the main relationship and added to the classic cliché chick-lit ending. Just give me more best friends with lazy weekends and easy evenings, cozy breakfasts with toasty warm porridge, and Sunday afternoon strolls on blustery and grey October days. I would read an entire book of that beautiful silliness.
I want to thank Gemma Burgess for introducing me not only to the phrase "Pretty with a Punch," but also to my new favorite word: flâneur.
I want to thank Gemma Burgess for introducing me not only to the phrase "Pretty with a Punch," but also to my new favorite word: flâneur.
The French have the perfect word for it: flâneur. It means to stroll around aimlessly but enjoyably, observing life and your surroundings. Baudelaire defined a flâneur as 'a person who walks the city in order to experience it.'
As Plum would say, I'm flâneuring like a motherfucker.
September 20, 2015
Awful book!, so boring!!!
Everybody acted so silly, very childish and immature, God!, I wanted to smack them and yell "GROW UP!!!", they were all almost 30 and still acted like teenagers...
Everybody acted so silly, very childish and immature, God!, I wanted to smack them and yell "GROW UP!!!", they were all almost 30 and still acted like teenagers...
August 23, 2020
5 Stars!
I LOVED THIS!!
I had to take a break at 50% for a few different reading commitments and refused to pick it back up until I could give it my 100%. When I did, I devoured it in a matter of a few hours and now I’m bereft. I'm going to miss that giddy anticipation of a great story.
A Girl Like You was full of fabulous characters, main and secondary. In fact, the friend group was just as wonderful as the romantic leads. I reveled in the rapid banter, camaraderie, and the slow-burn to a hea. This book affirmed my love of entertaining and witty Brit-lit.
July 29, 2012
That's it? That's it? No, that can't be it!
I feel cheated. It was all going sooo well, I even cried, and then... suddenly they're confessing to each other, then boom, everything's fine. Why? I just feel like... I feel like... I feel like I should've been there to witness everything as it went. But Ms.Burgess skipped it. How things come together, how they resolve it is important to me. But there was no confrontation thing during the end. They were just ...suddenly fine.
For instance (quote towards end, important scene, kind of):
For the hundredth time?! How about the first time? I would've LOVED to see that.
That's the only complaint I probably have, and it's a bummer, because I would've loved to give this 5 stars. I love the roller-coaster of emotions this book made me feel.
The relationship between Robert and Abigail felt realistic, and I liked that. These are two people who enjoy each other's company, and yet, don't see it instantly like most people do in other romance stories. I don't blame Abigail for her choices, in fact, I totally understand why she made them. Robert was a man who could potentially hurt her, and has never promised her hearts and flowers. I love how when those two come together in a scene, you can feel their compatibility, how at ease they are in each other's company. How they make each other happy. It's a pleasure to read how Abigail comes to a realisation about her own feelings. It just kind of disappointed me that that was it for the resolution after all the cold treatment.
Anyway, right now I'm still on a chick-lit phase, and I'm kind of enjoying it. ;-D
I feel cheated. It was all going sooo well, I even cried, and then... suddenly they're confessing to each other, then boom, everything's fine. Why? I just feel like... I feel like... I feel like I should've been there to witness everything as it went. But Ms.Burgess skipped it. How things come together, how they resolve it is important to me. But there was no confrontation thing during the end. They were just ...suddenly fine.
For instance (quote towards end, important scene, kind of):
For the hundredth time?! How about the first time? I would've LOVED to see that.
That's the only complaint I probably have, and it's a bummer, because I would've loved to give this 5 stars. I love the roller-coaster of emotions this book made me feel.
The relationship between Robert and Abigail felt realistic, and I liked that. These are two people who enjoy each other's company, and yet, don't see it instantly like most people do in other romance stories. I don't blame Abigail for her choices, in fact, I totally understand why she made them. Robert was a man who could potentially hurt her, and has never promised her hearts and flowers. I love how when those two come together in a scene, you can feel their compatibility, how at ease they are in each other's company. How they make each other happy. It's a pleasure to read how Abigail comes to a realisation about her own feelings. It just kind of disappointed me that that was it for the resolution after all the cold treatment.
Anyway, right now I'm still on a chick-lit phase, and I'm kind of enjoying it. ;-D
August 25, 2015
Loved it... truly romantic... awesome, funny, witty ... a Book With a Punch
The perfect easy-romantic-you-cry-because-it-is-that-good chick-lit
it never gets boring, it always keeps you on your toes (even if you have a pretty clear idea of where the story is going, or will go... it doesn't matter!!!)
I was so sad the book was over!! And this says it all...
The perfect easy-romantic-you-cry-because-it-is-that-good chick-lit
it never gets boring, it always keeps you on your toes (even if you have a pretty clear idea of where the story is going, or will go... it doesn't matter!!!)
I was so sad the book was over!! And this says it all...
November 25, 2015
re-read November 2015: STILL MY FAVE
oh my lord, this was so CHARMING. I enjoyed it so much and finished it in just over a day. The ship in this is pretty much my favorite type of ship.
oh my lord, this was so CHARMING. I enjoyed it so much and finished it in just over a day. The ship in this is pretty much my favorite type of ship.
November 10, 2012
Oh my gosh. I don't even have a word to describe how I'm feeling right now.
I'm in this sort of happy bubble with lots of cute and adorable hearts all over it and deep down a feeling that I just learned something important.
I read about this book yesterday and in that exact moment I felt a compelling need to read it. Like, I had to read the damn book right that second in order to survive. It was necessary for my existence, according to my reader senses. So that's what I did.
I downloaded it and didn't stop reading until now.
Ah, my awesome readder instinct! What good surprises it reserves for me sometimes.
I can't help thinking that if some other writer had written this book, she would've probably called it "The Five Basic Rules to Singledom" or something. To go along that wave of funny/witty books where the author tries to give funny names to their book to spike interest. You know.
But, although I can't deny that those titles usually attract me, I like this one so much more.
A Girl Like You is not telling you about a story. It's not suggesting that the book is going to be about something (see. rules of singledom) to then be about something else (see: Abigal scratched all the rules off in the end). A girl Like You is called that because it tells a common story. One which all of us go through and all of us can understand.
This book is chick-lit in the imperative sense of the word. It's like the epiteth of chick-lit. Which is something I usually try to avoid, but damn. This was really good stuff.
I found myself giggling, laughing out loud, sighing, wishing I was there so that I could slap a character in the face, and so on. I was so caught up in the book I actually even skipped a meal because I forgot about it.
All the characters were so cute and so true and realistic. Even Dave, whom I'm sure everyone hates by now, wasn't bad. At the beginning I really coudn't stand him, that's true, but when the truth came out I couldn't help feeling bad for him. And honestly, I could just picture another chick-lit book with him as main character. And I'm not going to pretend that I wouldn't have cheered for him.
You see, it's all about perspective.
You must be able to take all walls down and see things as really they are, instead of stopping at your own point of view.
The only one character I didn't really like was Plum, because I found her irritating and silly, but oh well. You can't have everything.
The ending was predictable, but how could it not? It's chick-lit, for crap's sake. I still liked the little twists throughout the story. They kept me up and interested.
One thing that obsessed me for about three quarters of the book is who the fuck was the man in the hotel.
I had my ideas but I didn't want to be disappointed so I didn't dare have hopes.
So that was a major kept-me-glued-to-the-pages factor. Clever writer, you Gemma Burgess.
All in all this is a pretty awesome book. It's not for everyone, though. You gotta be into chick-lit at least a bit, because it's gonna be really cheesy at some point.
Honestly, I'm not a cheesy person myself (not that I care to admit), but I loved this one.
Even the whole Hong Kong vibe.. how Abigal took me with her through all those shops and all those strees, that's also something I really like. Travelling through books. And I did.
Woo hoo.
Okay, I've run out of things to say. The narration was so funny and light and it really felt like there was a real woman on the other side who told me everything that was passing on her mind. No filters. She liked something? She told us that. She felt three ways at once? She described each one of them. She needed to pee? That's what she said.
But don't get me wrong: it's not that kind of list-narration full of useless details. It felt just right that she told us all of those things. It really took you into the story.
Aaaaaaaan now I've definitely run out of things to say.
Just.. this is an awesome book.
Recommended.
I'm in this sort of happy bubble with lots of cute and adorable hearts all over it and deep down a feeling that I just learned something important.
I read about this book yesterday and in that exact moment I felt a compelling need to read it. Like, I had to read the damn book right that second in order to survive. It was necessary for my existence, according to my reader senses. So that's what I did.
I downloaded it and didn't stop reading until now.
Ah, my awesome readder instinct! What good surprises it reserves for me sometimes.
I can't help thinking that if some other writer had written this book, she would've probably called it "The Five Basic Rules to Singledom" or something. To go along that wave of funny/witty books where the author tries to give funny names to their book to spike interest. You know.
But, although I can't deny that those titles usually attract me, I like this one so much more.
A Girl Like You is not telling you about a story. It's not suggesting that the book is going to be about something (see. rules of singledom) to then be about something else (see: Abigal scratched all the rules off in the end). A girl Like You is called that because it tells a common story. One which all of us go through and all of us can understand.
This book is chick-lit in the imperative sense of the word. It's like the epiteth of chick-lit. Which is something I usually try to avoid, but damn. This was really good stuff.
I found myself giggling, laughing out loud, sighing, wishing I was there so that I could slap a character in the face, and so on. I was so caught up in the book I actually even skipped a meal because I forgot about it.
All the characters were so cute and so true and realistic. Even Dave, whom I'm sure everyone hates by now, wasn't bad. At the beginning I really coudn't stand him, that's true, but when the truth came out I couldn't help feeling bad for him. And honestly, I could just picture another chick-lit book with him as main character. And I'm not going to pretend that I wouldn't have cheered for him.
You see, it's all about perspective.
You must be able to take all walls down and see things as really they are, instead of stopping at your own point of view.
The only one character I didn't really like was Plum, because I found her irritating and silly, but oh well. You can't have everything.
The ending was predictable, but how could it not? It's chick-lit, for crap's sake. I still liked the little twists throughout the story. They kept me up and interested.
One thing that obsessed me for about three quarters of the book is who the fuck was the man in the hotel.
I had my ideas but I didn't want to be disappointed so I didn't dare have hopes.
So that was a major kept-me-glued-to-the-pages factor. Clever writer, you Gemma Burgess.
All in all this is a pretty awesome book. It's not for everyone, though. You gotta be into chick-lit at least a bit, because it's gonna be really cheesy at some point.
Honestly, I'm not a cheesy person myself (not that I care to admit), but I loved this one.
Even the whole Hong Kong vibe.. how Abigal took me with her through all those shops and all those strees, that's also something I really like. Travelling through books. And I did.
Woo hoo.
Okay, I've run out of things to say. The narration was so funny and light and it really felt like there was a real woman on the other side who told me everything that was passing on her mind. No filters. She liked something? She told us that. She felt three ways at once? She described each one of them. She needed to pee? That's what she said.
But don't get me wrong: it's not that kind of list-narration full of useless details. It felt just right that she told us all of those things. It really took you into the story.
Aaaaaaaan now I've definitely run out of things to say.
Just.. this is an awesome book.
Recommended.
March 11, 2013
Abigail is a girl coming out of a nasty breakup of a 7 year relationship. But luckily her flatmate Robert is there to help guide her along the way to enjoying her life as a single lady. She goes through life and figures out relationships with men, how to date and be bulletproof, and of course finds love somehow, somewhere.
I actually really loved this book, despite my usual tendencies of rolling my eyes at sugar-laden, fluffy romance books. But something about this book is just fun. The first person point of view makes the book. Seriously. The reason why it all works is because Abigail's voice is so convincing. You take a walk through her shoes, peer through her eyes, and maybe even feel what she does. But even the twists and turns of her emotions feel genuine. Her flights of fancy and randomness and just light-hearted cheer doesn't feel like the author is forcing it into the character. It's all so natural.
The romance is obvious, but it's subtle and the anticipation is sweet. It's not burdensome or a drag like most books where you're just about to quit the book unless they finally get together. And I believe it's not burdensome because of the way the story progresses. Burgess is not afraid of putting secondary characters forth into importance.
One quibble: that my impression of British men is more stiff-upper lip rather than calling girls 'darling' and such. But hey, I can roll with it for the sake of this book. No worries.
I also appreciated how she cut out the sex scenes, but definitely had a ton of sexy scenes. It made the book just that much more classy, rather than some other romance novels that are flimsy excuses for erotica (you know what books I'm talking about). You see, her book is a little raunchy and a ton of fun, but never slutty. And that is why this book is worth reading.
The end -spoiler alert- is a little stereotypical with the happily ever after for all couples, but that's fine. It's a fun book and it deserves that kind of ending.
Three stars because I liked the book. It was a good read and I really enjoyed it. Not terribly thought provoking though (so no more than 3 stars), but a good solid romance that doesn't fall into the stupid cliches.
I recommend it for people who like romance novels that take a bit of time to get to the obvious ending.
I actually really loved this book, despite my usual tendencies of rolling my eyes at sugar-laden, fluffy romance books. But something about this book is just fun. The first person point of view makes the book. Seriously. The reason why it all works is because Abigail's voice is so convincing. You take a walk through her shoes, peer through her eyes, and maybe even feel what she does. But even the twists and turns of her emotions feel genuine. Her flights of fancy and randomness and just light-hearted cheer doesn't feel like the author is forcing it into the character. It's all so natural.
The romance is obvious, but it's subtle and the anticipation is sweet. It's not burdensome or a drag like most books where you're just about to quit the book unless they finally get together. And I believe it's not burdensome because of the way the story progresses. Burgess is not afraid of putting secondary characters forth into importance.
One quibble: that my impression of British men is more stiff-upper lip rather than calling girls 'darling' and such. But hey, I can roll with it for the sake of this book. No worries.
I also appreciated how she cut out the sex scenes, but definitely had a ton of sexy scenes. It made the book just that much more classy, rather than some other romance novels that are flimsy excuses for erotica (you know what books I'm talking about). You see, her book is a little raunchy and a ton of fun, but never slutty. And that is why this book is worth reading.
The end -spoiler alert- is a little stereotypical with the happily ever after for all couples, but that's fine. It's a fun book and it deserves that kind of ending.
Three stars because I liked the book. It was a good read and I really enjoyed it. Not terribly thought provoking though (so no more than 3 stars), but a good solid romance that doesn't fall into the stupid cliches.
I recommend it for people who like romance novels that take a bit of time to get to the obvious ending.
July 11, 2013
Oh I love it! I love it I love it I love it! I am leaping around like a nimble footed mountain goat!
(You'll get it if you read this book which you should!)
Love the witty banter! Not many people can do that well, I am telling you. Burgess nailed it. I mean nailed it. It was never cheesy, never a cliche. It was fresh, funny so funny! It made me love every one of the characters. Henry, Plum, Vix, Luke and Sophie, definitely Robert and of course my girl Abigail.
The plot wasn't too different from other things I've read but this author's got some true talent. This book is about work, and learning how to be single which in their essence are really not that interesting. But Burgess made them interesting!
I mean if she can take an opening scene like Abigail and Robert sitting on the couch watching the Simpsons and make it that great she can do anything! Burgess for President! Or I guess Queen!
I just had to add this one because I thought it was so cute!
(You'll get it if you read this book which you should!)
Love the witty banter! Not many people can do that well, I am telling you. Burgess nailed it. I mean nailed it. It was never cheesy, never a cliche. It was fresh, funny so funny! It made me love every one of the characters. Henry, Plum, Vix, Luke and Sophie, definitely Robert and of course my girl Abigail.
The plot wasn't too different from other things I've read but this author's got some true talent. This book is about work, and learning how to be single which in their essence are really not that interesting. But Burgess made them interesting!
I mean if she can take an opening scene like Abigail and Robert sitting on the couch watching the Simpsons and make it that great she can do anything! Burgess for President! Or I guess Queen!
I just had to add this one because I thought it was so cute!
February 28, 2013
4.5 stars!! I read like three okay-to-bad romances in the last couple of days so I don't know how that affected how I felt about this, but I loved this. I super enjoyed it. The romance was my favourite kind of romance - friends!, kind of on a slow-burn, but with a lot of affection, lots of clicking, the kind of easiness I look for when I'm reading this sort of thing - I spent a while just waiting for the two of them to realise it themselves, and I was totally cool with that. There was a refreshing amount of maturity even through their messiness - no blaming or weird fights that didn't make sense, just a figuring-things-out, a brief self-assessment, dealing with it, and moving on. Books with characters who "date a lot" become weirdly judgmental and it usually tends to segue into "I'll become a better person for you, your love ~~~~FIXED me~"s, but it didn't here!!!! I'm so pleased!!!
Also, the lead's voice was super charming (which isn't always the case for books with characters that do the things or go through the things she does!) and I really liked her friends and her sister, and man. I think this book maybe ran a little long, but it didn't feel repetitive or too frustrating, and I enjoyed it so much anyway!!
Also, the lead's voice was super charming (which isn't always the case for books with characters that do the things or go through the things she does!) and I really liked her friends and her sister, and man. I think this book maybe ran a little long, but it didn't feel repetitive or too frustrating, and I enjoyed it so much anyway!!
April 30, 2014
I really loved this book. Like honestly, I adored it so much. The relationship shown between Abigail and all the other characters whether they are family or old family friends or work friends or new friends was just well done. I looooved Abigail and I was rooting for her in all her dates and honestly the slow progression of her friendship with Robert was just really well done. I love how her friends noticed (and exchanged significant looks) long before she did. And the wedding speech. Ugh (I was dead at that point, not going to lie). THIS WAS SUCH A GREAT BOOK. Its been a long time since I've identified with a main character as much as identified with Abigail here. Totally re-reading this again in a year or two for sure.
April 16, 2015
Actual rating 4.5
*_____*
Okay everyone out there - this is how you write chiclit!
Gemma Burgess I love you!
And I freaking love Robert.
And Abigail.
And the whole story and aaaaggghhh.
Chiclit perfection, believe me!
The banter was hilarious.
Everything was great great great and this is not a review but me raving and swooning just because I can and I want all of you to read this if you are in a reading slump and see for yourselves how it will basically be attached to your hands and you will fall in love with the story.
Also - I have the never-before-felt urge to visit Hong Kong now.
Love how GB's protags are always so relatable and loveable *-*
PLEASE CHURN OUT THESE BEAUTIES FASTEEEER!
*_____*
Okay everyone out there - this is how you write chiclit!
Gemma Burgess I love you!
And I freaking love Robert.
And Abigail.
And the whole story and aaaaggghhh.
Chiclit perfection, believe me!
The banter was hilarious.
Everything was great great great and this is not a review but me raving and swooning just because I can and I want all of you to read this if you are in a reading slump and see for yourselves how it will basically be attached to your hands and you will fall in love with the story.
Also - I have the never-before-felt urge to visit Hong Kong now.
Love how GB's protags are always so relatable and loveable *-*
PLEASE CHURN OUT THESE BEAUTIES FASTEEEER!
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