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Nine Uses For An Ex-Boyfriend
Hope Delafield hasn’t always had an easy life.
She has red hair and a temper to match, as her mother is constantly reminding her. She can’t wear heels, is terrified of heights and being a primary school teacher isn’t exactly the job she dreamed of doing, especially when her class are stuck on the two times table.
At least Hope has Jack, and Jack is the God of boyfriends. He’s sweet, kind, funny, has a killer smile, a cool job on a fashion magazine and he’s pretty (but in a manly way). Hope knew that Jack was The One ever since their first kiss after the Youth Club Disco and thirteen years later, they’re still totally in love. Totally. They’re even officially pre-engaged. And then Hope catches Jack kissing her best friend Susie…
Does true love forgive and forget? Or does it get mad… and get even?
She has red hair and a temper to match, as her mother is constantly reminding her. She can’t wear heels, is terrified of heights and being a primary school teacher isn’t exactly the job she dreamed of doing, especially when her class are stuck on the two times table.
At least Hope has Jack, and Jack is the God of boyfriends. He’s sweet, kind, funny, has a killer smile, a cool job on a fashion magazine and he’s pretty (but in a manly way). Hope knew that Jack was The One ever since their first kiss after the Youth Club Disco and thirteen years later, they’re still totally in love. Totally. They’re even officially pre-engaged. And then Hope catches Jack kissing her best friend Susie…
Does true love forgive and forget? Or does it get mad… and get even?
531 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
37 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
Sarra Manning
45 books1,928 followersSarra Manning is a teen queen extraordinaire. She spent five years working on the now sadly defunct J17, first as a writer and then as Entertainment Editor. She then joined the launch team of teen fashion bible Ellegirl, which she later went on to edit and has consulted on a wide range of youth titles including Bliss, The Face and More.
Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She's also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy
Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She's also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy
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February 18, 2012This was not what I expected. I thought the book was going to be about a girl who ends her relationship with her boyfriend when he cheats on her with her best friend. I thought the relationship would end within the first 100 or so pages and then we could get to her moving on and maybe even getting revenge.
Instead, this book is too realistic, in how absolutely shitty ending a relationship can be. Just completely draining and a bit depressing. By the time you get to the end, you feel like you need a pint of ice cream and some alcohol to comfort yourself.
I think most people have either been in a horrible relationship. Most people have probably even had one of those never-ending on/off horror-film relationships. You know in the horror movies when you scream at the dumb characters who do ludicrous things such as go into the basement when they hear a suspicious noise? Well, this book is kind of like that.
The first 200 pages weren't so bad because it seemed like the book was heading in a good direction. Then before I knew it, Hope and Jack were agreeing to go to couple's counselling.
Reading this book is like re-living the nightmare that was your most devastating relationship. I just feel drained. This book reminded me of those reallllllly depressing movies that really delve into the despicable nature of human beings in relationships(movies like Closer, Blue Valentine or Revolutionary Road).
I'm not saying it was ALL depressing. Just an awful lot of it. I think it wouldn't be as bad to read for someone who can't relate to any of it. This book would be best for anyone who hasn't been cheated on, or who haven't suffered through an awful relationship.
The last 200 or so pages just felt like emotional torture. I didn't mind Wilson but he was barely in the whole book. I wanted a story about moving on. The whole book was about Hope slowly realizing the relationship could not be saved. So slowly.
I'm not going to rate this yet. I love Sarra Manning but I was just so annoyed by this book. It's weird because I started out enjoying it and now I just want some happy. Maybe in the form of a cute Pixar movie. And some ice cream.
Instead, this book is too realistic, in how absolutely shitty ending a relationship can be. Just completely draining and a bit depressing. By the time you get to the end, you feel like you need a pint of ice cream and some alcohol to comfort yourself.
I think most people have either been in a horrible relationship. Most people have probably even had one of those never-ending on/off horror-film relationships. You know in the horror movies when you scream at the dumb characters who do ludicrous things such as go into the basement when they hear a suspicious noise? Well, this book is kind of like that.
The first 200 pages weren't so bad because it seemed like the book was heading in a good direction. Then before I knew it, Hope and Jack were agreeing to go to couple's counselling.
Reading this book is like re-living the nightmare that was your most devastating relationship. I just feel drained. This book reminded me of those reallllllly depressing movies that really delve into the despicable nature of human beings in relationships(movies like Closer, Blue Valentine or Revolutionary Road).
I'm not saying it was ALL depressing. Just an awful lot of it. I think it wouldn't be as bad to read for someone who can't relate to any of it. This book would be best for anyone who hasn't been cheated on, or who haven't suffered through an awful relationship.
The last 200 or so pages just felt like emotional torture. I didn't mind Wilson but he was barely in the whole book. I wanted a story about moving on. The whole book was about Hope slowly realizing the relationship could not be saved. So slowly.
I'm not going to rate this yet. I love Sarra Manning but I was just so annoyed by this book. It's weird because I started out enjoying it and now I just want some happy. Maybe in the form of a cute Pixar movie. And some ice cream.
June 29, 2012
I could say that the emotional ups and downs of this book were like a roller coaster ride. I could say that, if not for the fact that there were absolutely no thrills.
So really, this book was more like staring at a yo-yo going up and down for a few hours. At first, you feel slightly anxious trepidation as the yo-yo makes its way to the floor, and you wonder whether or not it's going to go back up, but then it does and you relax a little before it begins its descent downwards once more. After a few passes, however, you're feeling slightly queasy, bored, and pissed off that you're still sitting there watching this anticlimactic saga unfold when you could be doing something much more entertaining, like folding laundry or watching paint dry.
Hope is a whiny, immature, pathetic person who would stupidly take back a cheating boyfriend, and Jack is a whiny, immature, selfish arsehole who only thinks about himself. Susie, the best friend, is also selfish, whiny, and immature. The only person in the entire story that I actually liked was Wilson. Hope shows some promise at the end, but by then, it was too little too late.
I'm also wondering what the hell the title is supposed to mean. I really don't know. Nine uses? What uses? I didn't even see one use...?
So really, this book was more like staring at a yo-yo going up and down for a few hours. At first, you feel slightly anxious trepidation as the yo-yo makes its way to the floor, and you wonder whether or not it's going to go back up, but then it does and you relax a little before it begins its descent downwards once more. After a few passes, however, you're feeling slightly queasy, bored, and pissed off that you're still sitting there watching this anticlimactic saga unfold when you could be doing something much more entertaining, like folding laundry or watching paint dry.
Hope is a whiny, immature, pathetic person who would stupidly take back a cheating boyfriend, and Jack is a whiny, immature, selfish arsehole who only thinks about himself. Susie, the best friend, is also selfish, whiny, and immature. The only person in the entire story that I actually liked was Wilson. Hope shows some promise at the end, but by then, it was too little too late.
I'm also wondering what the hell the title is supposed to mean. I really don't know. Nine uses? What uses? I didn't even see one use...?
February 4, 2013
The story is about Hope who finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with her best friend. This is one of the most frustrating books I've ever read. I wish I never read this book because it kind of scarred me for other books.
*SPOILERS*
First of all I just want to say, who in there right mind would give the cheaters a happily ever after without giving one to the main heroine? I mean ok so she gets to live in Australia but by herself. With Wilson saying he wasn't even going to wait for her? This book makes me so mad!Then the author has hope reflecting on how bad she felt because Jack married Susie and got her pregnant. I mean come on! This is not a feel good story at all to me. I did not like Hope very much because of many reasons...at times she seemed so pathetic in getting him back and the apologizing for their cheating actually made me angry.
I just did not like this book. In the end I guess it wouldn't have made me feel better if the author didn't make Hope reflect on how sad she was that she wasn't the one for Jack. It frustrated me to no end and made me feel that if you are getting cheated on it's your fault, even though were being cheating on you should crawl back to the cheater, and you don't deserve a happily ever after. What kind of message is that to send???
*SPOILERS*
First of all I just want to say, who in there right mind would give the cheaters a happily ever after without giving one to the main heroine? I mean ok so she gets to live in Australia but by herself. With Wilson saying he wasn't even going to wait for her? This book makes me so mad!Then the author has hope reflecting on how bad she felt because Jack married Susie and got her pregnant. I mean come on! This is not a feel good story at all to me. I did not like Hope very much because of many reasons...at times she seemed so pathetic in getting him back and the apologizing for their cheating actually made me angry.
I just did not like this book. In the end I guess it wouldn't have made me feel better if the author didn't make Hope reflect on how sad she was that she wasn't the one for Jack. It frustrated me to no end and made me feel that if you are getting cheated on it's your fault, even though were being cheating on you should crawl back to the cheater, and you don't deserve a happily ever after. What kind of message is that to send???
July 10, 2014
Manning has always been my go to author for adult books, all her adult books I’ve read so far have been great in reminding me why I loved reading in the first place. In Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend our MC Hope catches her boyfriend of nearly 13 years Jack making out with her best friend Susie. And it’s not even an innocent peck on the cheek, but it looks like they’ve been familiar with one another for quite some time. I admired Hope as she wasn’t those type of girls who would just shy away and would wait for her boyfriend to bring up the possible situation of a break up, but actually confronted her boyfriend. I felt for Hope as there isn’t really a best place that you can confront your boyfriend of nearly 13 years, but for Hope it had to be when she had planned a dinner party for her nearest and dearest friends which included Susie. Hope had been slaving away for this dinner party for a while now, making certain meals every day, so that she could be certain that they could be perfect for the big day, but as she goes to get her dish out of the oven, she catches Jack messing around with Susie.
I liked Hope when she confronted Jack in front of everyone, Hope was hurt and it was clear that Susie and Jack weren’t just having a peck on the cheek. But from Hope standing up for herself and storming out on her guests, I thought that Hope would make the right decision when she came back. But no Hope was quick to trust Jack’s side of things when it was clear to her friends, Susie and Susie’s boyfriend that she was being played for a mug. I wished we had the Hope at the beginning for the middle of the book, Hope was clearly hurting, but still decided to continue to be with Jack, there were a lot of clues that he was up to no good, but she decided not to listen. But despite Hope dallying about there was still a lot of fun along the way, Hope and Jack’s parents were absolutely hilarious, their mothers were such busybodies especially Hope’s mum (she knew that Jack and Hope were meant to be and wouldn’t take no for an answer). I also loved Hope’s escapades with her blue class at school, her sharing her day to day activities with them was always a delight to watch. Two characters who I thoroughly enjoyed were Jeremy, Hope’s brother and Wilson, Susie’s boyfriend. Jeremy was described as your typical teenager who gets lost around town and wears his trouser far too low. As Jeremy was the youngest he didn’t really have a relationship with Hope, as she had moved out by then. But I loved how the week he came up changed a lot of things between them. Wilson I hated immediately, he seemed like some uptight guy who thought everyone was beneath him, but he actually ended up being the one person that helped Hope the most throughout her ordeal.
Manning once again has her romance nailed in this book, although it comes from the least expected of places, she creates a relationship which is truly believable and swoony scenes which will have you blushing furiously on the bus (at one point, I had to keep my copy on my laps, so I knew that no one would be reading it over my shoulder). Overall I would recommend giving Nine Uses for an Ex Boyfriend a go, the MC does dally about a bit in the book, but there are many laugh out loud moments and fun characters, that you can overlook this small aspect and end up really enjoying this book.
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
I liked Hope when she confronted Jack in front of everyone, Hope was hurt and it was clear that Susie and Jack weren’t just having a peck on the cheek. But from Hope standing up for herself and storming out on her guests, I thought that Hope would make the right decision when she came back. But no Hope was quick to trust Jack’s side of things when it was clear to her friends, Susie and Susie’s boyfriend that she was being played for a mug. I wished we had the Hope at the beginning for the middle of the book, Hope was clearly hurting, but still decided to continue to be with Jack, there were a lot of clues that he was up to no good, but she decided not to listen. But despite Hope dallying about there was still a lot of fun along the way, Hope and Jack’s parents were absolutely hilarious, their mothers were such busybodies especially Hope’s mum (she knew that Jack and Hope were meant to be and wouldn’t take no for an answer). I also loved Hope’s escapades with her blue class at school, her sharing her day to day activities with them was always a delight to watch. Two characters who I thoroughly enjoyed were Jeremy, Hope’s brother and Wilson, Susie’s boyfriend. Jeremy was described as your typical teenager who gets lost around town and wears his trouser far too low. As Jeremy was the youngest he didn’t really have a relationship with Hope, as she had moved out by then. But I loved how the week he came up changed a lot of things between them. Wilson I hated immediately, he seemed like some uptight guy who thought everyone was beneath him, but he actually ended up being the one person that helped Hope the most throughout her ordeal.
Manning once again has her romance nailed in this book, although it comes from the least expected of places, she creates a relationship which is truly believable and swoony scenes which will have you blushing furiously on the bus (at one point, I had to keep my copy on my laps, so I knew that no one would be reading it over my shoulder). Overall I would recommend giving Nine Uses for an Ex Boyfriend a go, the MC does dally about a bit in the book, but there are many laugh out loud moments and fun characters, that you can overlook this small aspect and end up really enjoying this book.
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
February 8, 2012
Ugh, silly question here, but what nine uses are there anyway? Because I’ve just unclenched my jaws from having had them clenched for a good ninety percent of the book. And couldn't get past how annoying/unlikeable the lot of them were. I mean really, I don’t know when the last time I encountered such silly MC's. Where Hope read weak and too willing to believe that love could conquer all, Jack was positively exasperating. At first, he's the typical commitment-phobe, but from there he went on to show just how terrible he could be. Cheater, liar, coward are just a few things that spring to mind. And you'd think, Hope would shine with him in contrast! She does not.
At first, I was going with flawed. Yes, she’s simply a flawed girl. And yes, I do have a love for flawed characters particularly the kind you root for; the kind you hope gets a dose of reality to become better. And I thought she was just that ten percent in, even fifteen percent, but if somewhere quite late in the book and she’s still doing what she did in the first bit to get her where she was. Well, how's that go again? Yeah, 'More fool you.'
So she went from being flawed then crossed into the realm of stupid. Why? Her realizations just came a little too late for my liking (as in ninety-plus percent!)
Seriously though, what nine uses are there?
At first, I was going with flawed. Yes, she’s simply a flawed girl. And yes, I do have a love for flawed characters particularly the kind you root for; the kind you hope gets a dose of reality to become better. And I thought she was just that ten percent in, even fifteen percent, but if somewhere quite late in the book and she’s still doing what she did in the first bit to get her where she was. Well, how's that go again? Yeah, 'More fool you.'
So she went from being flawed then crossed into the realm of stupid. Why? Her realizations just came a little too late for my liking (as in ninety-plus percent!)
Seriously though, what nine uses are there?
August 9, 2012
I'm a little conflicted over this book, I'll be honest. Coming from my new-favourite-author, I knew it was going to be a) superbly written, b) deeply gripping, and c) brilliant... And it certainly was all of those three things.
I think it deserves a better title, and cover, but that of course that doesn't have any effect on my overall enjoyment.
The heroine of this story is really put through the ringer - she's chewed up, spit out, then put through it all over again. But she never loses herself totally, and eventually becomes stronger because of it.
The book captures everything, warts and all, that people go through after infidelity and when a relationship ends. Mistakes are made, even from the heroine, and the author holds nothing back. I was never sure where the author was going to take us next and the story has so many twists, turns, and unexpected happenings.
That's what makes this book so brilliant. I enjoyed every page, wanting to either cheer out load, sob, or scream in frustration! It is, at times, painful reading.
Then I got to the last few pages... The epilogue left me feeling sad. The heroine had been treated appallingly by some people and they were still a part of her life, I feel after everything she had gone through she deserved so much better.
Because it was the last thing I read, this sticks in my mind, but the rest of the book is simply wonderful so I can forgive these last few pages!
Gritty and real, and intensely moving. Read it!
Originally posted at http://www.everyday-is-the-same.blogs...
I think it deserves a better title, and cover, but that of course that doesn't have any effect on my overall enjoyment.
The heroine of this story is really put through the ringer - she's chewed up, spit out, then put through it all over again. But she never loses herself totally, and eventually becomes stronger because of it.
The book captures everything, warts and all, that people go through after infidelity and when a relationship ends. Mistakes are made, even from the heroine, and the author holds nothing back. I was never sure where the author was going to take us next and the story has so many twists, turns, and unexpected happenings.
That's what makes this book so brilliant. I enjoyed every page, wanting to either cheer out load, sob, or scream in frustration! It is, at times, painful reading.
Then I got to the last few pages... The epilogue left me feeling sad. The heroine had been treated appallingly by some people and they were still a part of her life, I feel after everything she had gone through she deserved so much better.
Because it was the last thing I read, this sticks in my mind, but the rest of the book is simply wonderful so I can forgive these last few pages!
Gritty and real, and intensely moving. Read it!
Originally posted at http://www.everyday-is-the-same.blogs...
February 27, 2023
This book single handedly set gender equality back 140 years and tried to gaslight readers into apologising if THEY get cheated ON, not for cheating.
Reading 400 pages of "I'm so awful, I must have driven him away" is bad enough but the MC (Hope) is surrounded by a dozen people saying "Yes, it's your fault he forgot you'd been together for 13 years and thought is was okay to have a 5month affair with your best friend. It's all your fault. Get pregnant so he will want to stay with you" .... just, no.
Plus, the nine 'uses' was not a thing. There was a list of nine things Hope liked about her relationship with Jack but some of them were 'I don't THINK he will cheat again' ... how is that a 'use' for an ex? This fake titles is giving 'Dark Parties' energy and that is the worst energy to have, I don't even want to keep this book after reading (extremely rare for me).
Reading 400 pages of "I'm so awful, I must have driven him away" is bad enough but the MC (Hope) is surrounded by a dozen people saying "Yes, it's your fault he forgot you'd been together for 13 years and thought is was okay to have a 5month affair with your best friend. It's all your fault. Get pregnant so he will want to stay with you" .... just, no.
Plus, the nine 'uses' was not a thing. There was a list of nine things Hope liked about her relationship with Jack but some of them were 'I don't THINK he will cheat again' ... how is that a 'use' for an ex? This fake titles is giving 'Dark Parties' energy and that is the worst energy to have, I don't even want to keep this book after reading (extremely rare for me).
February 28, 2012
Hope Delafield is committed. They may not be engaged yet, but her and her attentive, easy-on-the-eyes boyfriend Jack have been together for thirteen years, and Hope can’t imagine their London flat and her life as a primary school teacher without him. So when she catches him and her best friend Susie making out at what was supposed to be her triumphant inaugural dinner party she couldn’t be more shocked and hurt. Instead of facing the cold hard fact of Jack’s cheating, Hope does what red heads do best: she storms off after expressing her raw anger towards her boyfriend and her best friend. It is only after realizing that she can’t remain unreasonably furious forever that Hope very slowly begins to face the state of their relationship head on. Nothing and everything at the same time between her and Jack seems clear cut. After thirteen years, it’s complicated doesn’t even cut it, and moving on might be the hardest thing Hope has ever done.
This was one of my highest anticipated releases of 2012 and it was with delight that I picked it up for the first time, intending to read only a few pages but instead reading a few chapters. Granted you know what will set the stage at the beginning but it’s more painful than you could imagine. Each of Sarra Manning‘s adult offerings has been so real, the lows and the highs. Like Grace from Unsticky and Neve from You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, she runs her heroines through the gauntlet. They may not emerged unscathed but they arise visibly better women than they were before in a way I always appreciate and that keeps me coming back for more.
As most books are, Nine Uses for an Ex-boyfriend unforeseeably diverted from and met my expectations. Although it is a Book With Cheating and I’m not someone who has a personal aversion to them, I still felt like I was on some precipice between loving or hating the result. It helped that I liked Hope and all of her namesake emotion. She is incredibly mature when it comes to her commitment to Jack even though there are not kids or a marriage contract involved. Whether it was one drunken kiss or a flow-blown affair, Hope does not take ending her relationship lightly. Some may find her willingness to give their relationship another shot a weak and desperate move, but I see it as an incredibly daring thing to do. That isn’t to say it wasn’t simultaneously the low road as well, but Manning doesn’t abbreviate or sugar coat anything. Their relationship is awkward and stilted at times to say the least and Hope’s very understanding lingering doubts eat away at her. I liked the scenes with Susie’s ex Wilson, a character I hated a first but to whom I gradually warmed. I never desired to see things between Hope and Jack fast forwarded but I was so tempted to look ahead in the book to peak at the future. The on/off fluidity of their relationship was painfully true to life, and I felt jerked around by the end. The surprising unpredictability of it all was at times frustrating. It was a good thing that I liked Hope, and better yet, that I could understand her point of view. Catching your partner cheating is kind of like being dumped when you’re still madly in love and the point is falling out of love takes considerably more time and casts yourself in your most unflattering light. I may not ever reread Nine Uses for an Ex-boyfriend but for the most part I enjoyed the rocky, nuanced ride and admired the stronger Hope that emerged. Recommended for contemporary romance readers who don’t always have to have a traditional happily ever after.
This was one of my highest anticipated releases of 2012 and it was with delight that I picked it up for the first time, intending to read only a few pages but instead reading a few chapters. Granted you know what will set the stage at the beginning but it’s more painful than you could imagine. Each of Sarra Manning‘s adult offerings has been so real, the lows and the highs. Like Grace from Unsticky and Neve from You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, she runs her heroines through the gauntlet. They may not emerged unscathed but they arise visibly better women than they were before in a way I always appreciate and that keeps me coming back for more.
As most books are, Nine Uses for an Ex-boyfriend unforeseeably diverted from and met my expectations. Although it is a Book With Cheating and I’m not someone who has a personal aversion to them, I still felt like I was on some precipice between loving or hating the result. It helped that I liked Hope and all of her namesake emotion. She is incredibly mature when it comes to her commitment to Jack even though there are not kids or a marriage contract involved. Whether it was one drunken kiss or a flow-blown affair, Hope does not take ending her relationship lightly. Some may find her willingness to give their relationship another shot a weak and desperate move, but I see it as an incredibly daring thing to do. That isn’t to say it wasn’t simultaneously the low road as well, but Manning doesn’t abbreviate or sugar coat anything. Their relationship is awkward and stilted at times to say the least and Hope’s very understanding lingering doubts eat away at her. I liked the scenes with Susie’s ex Wilson, a character I hated a first but to whom I gradually warmed. I never desired to see things between Hope and Jack fast forwarded but I was so tempted to look ahead in the book to peak at the future. The on/off fluidity of their relationship was painfully true to life, and I felt jerked around by the end. The surprising unpredictability of it all was at times frustrating. It was a good thing that I liked Hope, and better yet, that I could understand her point of view. Catching your partner cheating is kind of like being dumped when you’re still madly in love and the point is falling out of love takes considerably more time and casts yourself in your most unflattering light. I may not ever reread Nine Uses for an Ex-boyfriend but for the most part I enjoyed the rocky, nuanced ride and admired the stronger Hope that emerged. Recommended for contemporary romance readers who don’t always have to have a traditional happily ever after.
December 12, 2025
I didn't see any use of an ex-boyfriend in this novel, let alone nine.
The novel began with a five-star rating, but with each chapter, it deteriorated, and here I am, giving a Sarra Manning novel one star...
Hope, our Female Lead: Maybe one of the most frustrating leads I've ever read in quite some time. She's in a loop in this book. She'll cry, eat, think about Jack, reconcile with Jack, and then, again, fight with Jack. This goes for 400 pages in a 500-page book. I haven't read a more fool-in-love read.
Jack, our Male Lead: The so-called "ex-boyfriend" well... What can you say to a character who is sleeping with the leads' best friend? A lot of things, but that would include a lot of swearing.
Susie, the best friend: She didn't have much of a role as one would expect from a character who is both the best friend and the mistress. Of course, I didn't like her. But, there were more bad characters in the novel than her. Including:
Hope's (The main lead's) Mum: She wasn't a good mother at all.
Hope's Dad: He was in the book for a page only, but he said that
The saving grace in the book was: Wilson He was the ex-boyfriend of Susie, and well, he was the only person in the book that felt relatable to me, like how a normal, maybe rude person would handle things. He doesn't have enough of a role in the book, tbh.
Why did I mention Sarra Manning, the author, right at the start of the review?
ANS:
'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me' by the author is my No. 1 novel of all time, and then there is this... Go check that out; it's a proper rom-com!
Lastly, I want to say that I've read other reviews of the book, and they seem to like it. If you are intrigued by the premise of the book, go for it! But do not think that it's a rom-com about a lead who has written nine funny ways to use her ex-boyfriend. (At least, that's what I thought.) No, it's women's fiction about a cheating boyfriend.
The novel began with a five-star rating, but with each chapter, it deteriorated, and here I am, giving a Sarra Manning novel one star...
Hope, our Female Lead: Maybe one of the most frustrating leads I've ever read in quite some time. She's in a loop in this book. She'll cry, eat, think about Jack, reconcile with Jack, and then, again, fight with Jack. This goes for 400 pages in a 500-page book. I haven't read a more fool-in-love read.
Jack, our Male Lead: The so-called "ex-boyfriend" well... What can you say to a character who is sleeping with the leads' best friend? A lot of things, but that would include a lot of swearing.
Susie, the best friend: She didn't have much of a role as one would expect from a character who is both the best friend and the mistress. Of course, I didn't like her. But, there were more bad characters in the novel than her. Including:
Hope's (The main lead's) Mum: She wasn't a good mother at all.
Hope's Dad: He was in the book for a page only, but he said that
The saving grace in the book was: Wilson He was the ex-boyfriend of Susie, and well, he was the only person in the book that felt relatable to me, like how a normal, maybe rude person would handle things. He doesn't have enough of a role in the book, tbh.
Why did I mention Sarra Manning, the author, right at the start of the review?
ANS:
'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me' by the author is my No. 1 novel of all time, and then there is this... Go check that out; it's a proper rom-com!Lastly, I want to say that I've read other reviews of the book, and they seem to like it. If you are intrigued by the premise of the book, go for it! But do not think that it's a rom-com about a lead who has written nine funny ways to use her ex-boyfriend. (At least, that's what I thought.) No, it's women's fiction about a cheating boyfriend.
November 3, 2016
Although I really enjoyed Manning's two other adult books, Unsticky and You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, I didn't find myself enjoying this as much as I wanted to. It was still well written and filled with funny parts, but the fact that the main character of Hope kept going back to her cheating boyfriend really started to annoy me the third or so time, it just got so repetitive. I also found myself not liking the other main love interest of Wilson because of how awfully he was described when introduced.
Being a primary teacher myself I did enjoy the school scenes and how it was woven through the story very realistically (although the mention of six year olds said to be doing key stage two books meant the picky teacher inside of me wanted to cross it out and write 'key stage one'!), but the fact that I started to dislike the main characters towards the last quarter of the book means I can't give it more than a two star rating. Would recommend Manning's other books before this one.
Being a primary teacher myself I did enjoy the school scenes and how it was woven through the story very realistically (although the mention of six year olds said to be doing key stage two books meant the picky teacher inside of me wanted to cross it out and write 'key stage one'!), but the fact that I started to dislike the main characters towards the last quarter of the book means I can't give it more than a two star rating. Would recommend Manning's other books before this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2015
WHAT THE HELL?!
I'm sorry but I'm really miffed about this book. Lying, cheating bastard! I really hate it when guy's cheat on with their girlfriend's best friend.
I felt sorry for Hope but I didn't like how she handled things. Although she had a happily ever after ending, in real life not everyone is so lucky. I would have went "Gone Girl" crazy on his ass.
I'm sorry but I'm really miffed about this book. Lying, cheating bastard! I really hate it when guy's cheat on with their girlfriend's best friend.
I felt sorry for Hope but I didn't like how she handled things. Although she had a happily ever after ending, in real life not everyone is so lucky. I would have went "Gone Girl" crazy on his ass.
July 15, 2019
Basically this is a romance novel that appears to glorify gaslighting. Every character fell into stereotypes with no commentary or resolution to call out their toxic and abusive behaviour to a protagonist who is essentially a doormat. I wish I could get the day I spent on this book back.
February 23, 2012
I love Sarra Manning. I think this was a very brave book to put out there because she must have known it was going to annoy a lot of people. It's basically the story of a girl whose boyfriend of 13 years cheats on her with her best friend. And unlike most books that would show us the characters - or at least the heroine - moving on, learning to love again, gettin gher life back, Ms Manning instead takes the reader on the far more realistic journey of coming to terms with the betrayal - or rather NOT coming to terms with it for chapter after chapter.
Hope sometimes needs a good slap and she does come over as weak yet haven't many of us been there? So devastated and so still in love we just can't accept the truth even when it's staring us in the face? The problem is - that story does not make a happy book and even though this does have its HEA (of a sort) - the tortuous journey to get there is not going to please everyone. But it did please me. I don't like it as much as Unsticky, but it was a compelling read.
Still not sure about that title though....
Hope sometimes needs a good slap and she does come over as weak yet haven't many of us been there? So devastated and so still in love we just can't accept the truth even when it's staring us in the face? The problem is - that story does not make a happy book and even though this does have its HEA (of a sort) - the tortuous journey to get there is not going to please everyone. But it did please me. I don't like it as much as Unsticky, but it was a compelling read.
Still not sure about that title though....
March 26, 2025
I really love what Sarra Manning does, and enjoy her writing immensely. This, however, was a strange experience. I couldn't put it down and I did devour it in a couple of days - but it felt like the title and blurb were wildly off track from what the story was actually about. The strapline is: "Does true love forgive and forget? Or does it get mad... and get even?" and it's so off the mark, I almost don't know where to begin with it. This is the story of a relationship breakdown (with a somewhat sticky epilogue), and the story barely establishes one use for an ex-boyfriend let alone nine reasons? It's not the story of romance and revenge that I was quite expecting, let's just say that.
A strange experience, but Sarra Manning is still somebody I love. I suspect were it presented in a very different manner, Nine Uses... might have been a very different experience. It's just difficult to pull it free from its curious packaging.
A strange experience, but Sarra Manning is still somebody I love. I suspect were it presented in a very different manner, Nine Uses... might have been a very different experience. It's just difficult to pull it free from its curious packaging.
February 13, 2012
This is a 2 star only because it's by Sarra Manning, whose You Don't Have To Say You Love Me I completely adored. If it wasn't for her, this book would have been my first ever DNF.
For me, 9 Uses For An Ex-Boyfriend represents everything that is wrong with women and men today. A woman whose self loathing and mere stupidity reaches insanity levels. A guy who is so spoiled and self absorbed that he is blinded by it. Imagine the kind of relationship these two can have. Awful, yes? Now, multiply it by 100 times, and still you won't get the amount of awful that was each character separately and their relationship.
I would like to consider this book as a "What not to do when you're in a relationship" guide. This thought kept me from throwing it away, I'm telling you.
The best part of the book is when Hope goes to Australia. Because let's face it, Australia is awesome.
End of.
For me, 9 Uses For An Ex-Boyfriend represents everything that is wrong with women and men today. A woman whose self loathing and mere stupidity reaches insanity levels. A guy who is so spoiled and self absorbed that he is blinded by it. Imagine the kind of relationship these two can have. Awful, yes? Now, multiply it by 100 times, and still you won't get the amount of awful that was each character separately and their relationship.
I would like to consider this book as a "What not to do when you're in a relationship" guide. This thought kept me from throwing it away, I'm telling you.
The best part of the book is when Hope goes to Australia. Because let's face it, Australia is awesome.
End of.
February 6, 2012
I'm a big fan of Sarra Manning, but this book got me frustrated. Not that it was a bad story, instead it is a grown-up phase of a long relationship. To choose and decide which way to take after the cheating disaster. To choose the comfort zone or make up your mind and step on a new 'blank' area which might be better.
It's just me for not liking the theme, similar with me not liking a divorce theme where the opposite couple admitted that he/she is in love with somebody else while we've still not ready to release him/her. The process of struggling and accepting that conditions always frustrated me. It's been better if they broke up mad instantly and move on. But we all know that it never that easy when it's been a really good long relationship. To read it on a story was always hard and the distress from the situation always frustrated me. And I hate Jack for being such a selfish jerk and I'm annoyed that Hope still love him after what he had done to her. So next time I'll make sure to avoid such theme, even when it comes from my favorite author.
.... and she thought that if her heart wasn’t already broken, then it was broken now, because hadn’t this been her goal all along, ever since they started counselling? For Jack to see the wrong he’d done and vow to put it right? But when it really came down to it, they were just empty words coming from a man that she used to love, that she’d always love, but who wasn’t worthy of her love any more.
Overall, Manning's writing is always marvellous. I could really feel Hope's pain and hurt, I'm proud that at the end she take the hard path and challenge herself to be able to stand on her own. But even when the ending is quite satisfying, I'm still so annoyed and nothing could cheer my day.
It's just me for not liking the theme, similar with me not liking a divorce theme where the opposite couple admitted that he/she is in love with somebody else while we've still not ready to release him/her. The process of struggling and accepting that conditions always frustrated me. It's been better if they broke up mad instantly and move on. But we all know that it never that easy when it's been a really good long relationship. To read it on a story was always hard and the distress from the situation always frustrated me. And I hate Jack for being such a selfish jerk and I'm annoyed that Hope still love him after what he had done to her. So next time I'll make sure to avoid such theme, even when it comes from my favorite author.
.... and she thought that if her heart wasn’t already broken, then it was broken now, because hadn’t this been her goal all along, ever since they started counselling? For Jack to see the wrong he’d done and vow to put it right? But when it really came down to it, they were just empty words coming from a man that she used to love, that she’d always love, but who wasn’t worthy of her love any more.
Overall, Manning's writing is always marvellous. I could really feel Hope's pain and hurt, I'm proud that at the end she take the hard path and challenge herself to be able to stand on her own. But even when the ending is quite satisfying, I'm still so annoyed and nothing could cheer my day.
June 12, 2012
This book is long, but it's very readable because it's realistic. There are so many other chick lit books that involve our heroine breaking up with her boyfriend, crying for a week or two that is all summed up in a couple pages, and then (unrealistically) moving on with her life. This book isn't like that. On the first page Hope, our protagonist, finds her boyfriend of thirteen years, Jack, making out with her best friend Susie. From there, Hope's life is basically a hot mess. She cries, she yells, she forgives. She laughs, she eats, she drinks. She hates herself, she hates Jack, she loves Jack. It's a constant up and down struggle, and the reader is with her for every last second of it. Yes, I was yelling (out loud) at the character at times, but any woman who has been dumped or cheated on can understand Hope's mood swings, her horrible decisions, and her inexplicable changes of heart. It's much easier to look at it from the outside and criticize, but think about it, ladies...haven't we all been there?
The writing is good, but it is VERY British. I mean VERY. I have a degree in English literature and I still had to keep Google close in order to look up the slang. The sex scenes are real and written very well, and the buildup to said scenes is masterful. The book is well over 400 pages, but I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in 24 hours. The title has nothing to do with the plot, really. It makes it sound like the book is going to be some chick lit fluff, when it is anything but.
The writing is good, but it is VERY British. I mean VERY. I have a degree in English literature and I still had to keep Google close in order to look up the slang. The sex scenes are real and written very well, and the buildup to said scenes is masterful. The book is well over 400 pages, but I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in 24 hours. The title has nothing to do with the plot, really. It makes it sound like the book is going to be some chick lit fluff, when it is anything but.
August 19, 2013
My main issue with this book was the characters. Hope annoyed me, she took forgiving and forgetting to a whole new level. A level I did not approve of. And the whole love triangle with Wilson and Jack descended into me casting my vote for Wilson, not because I particularly liked him but because I really disliked Jack. However, I had warmed up to the characters by the end of the book and I approved (mostly) of Hope's final choices. The book was not as I had expected it to be. For a start he is only her "ex-boyfriend" for about a tenth of the book, and I am still not entirely sure where the nine uses come in. The tagline "Does true love forgive and forget. Or does it get mad... and get even?" was answered pretty resoundingly. It forgives and forgets. Again. And again. And again. And then apparently accepts blame for kissing someone else when she is single, even though he will not accept blame for cheating on her repeatedly whilst they were together. Which is some weird moral thing that I dont get. But anyway, I would have liked some getting mad and getting even. But maybe this is my own fault for expecting the book version of "John Tucker Must Die" and getting a woman with the beliefs of a 50's housewife instead. (Not that I think there is anything wrong with 50's housewives. I just object to the whole, "Ok so he cheated. I must still comfort him and assume the blame and then forgive him" thing.) Rant over. I actually quite enjoyed this book. Really I did. Dont let my random rant confuse you. I just dont think its a book I will reread.
February 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The title is extremely misleading and having never read anything of this author I was expecting either a funny tale of revenge or a man hating bitter story. What I got was an incredibly well written story about a woman dealing with her cheating "almost" fiancé and how if you really love someone and are not ready to give up yet, you will take, do and accept an awful lot in order to get your relationship back on track while at the same time dealing with your anger and the lashing out that comes with that. This book is at times hilarious, heart warming, infuriating and incredibly sad. Through the whole book I was simultaneously rooting for her to dump the cheating bastard and for them to get back together and truly work things out. This book really pulls you into Hope's world and her decision process. Very well written & a book that I would definitely recommend to a fellow chick-lit lover.
May 8, 2015
1.5
Terminado de leer 21/11/2013
*Profundo suspiro insatisfecho*
Es el estilo de la Manning, y en términos generales los personajes dan el pego a su tipo usual. Pero..., mis sentimientos están con el gif: 'es como si me rogaras que te odiara'
La cosa es que entiendes a los personajes, sus motivaciones, acciones, esperanzas y blah, pero simplemente es imposible conectar con alguno de ellos. Quizá porque aunque sabes que es algo que podría pasarte, fue planteado de tal forma que solo puedes verlo como algo (antes que autodestructivo y caótico) simplemente estúpido. Lo que sucede lo entiendo, mas no lo justifico, y pues eso.
Y en la misma línea del gif, me ruegas que te odie, pero no, no te odio. Simplemente malgastaste fundamentalmente mi vida en las pocas horas de lectura que invertí en ti 'Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend' y por eso resultas medianamente despreciable.
Terminado de leer 21/11/2013
*Profundo suspiro insatisfecho*
Es el estilo de la Manning, y en términos generales los personajes dan el pego a su tipo usual. Pero..., mis sentimientos están con el gif: 'es como si me rogaras que te odiara'
La cosa es que entiendes a los personajes, sus motivaciones, acciones, esperanzas y blah, pero simplemente es imposible conectar con alguno de ellos. Quizá porque aunque sabes que es algo que podría pasarte, fue planteado de tal forma que solo puedes verlo como algo (antes que autodestructivo y caótico) simplemente estúpido. Lo que sucede lo entiendo, mas no lo justifico, y pues eso.
Y en la misma línea del gif, me ruegas que te odie, pero no, no te odio. Simplemente malgastaste fundamentalmente mi vida en las pocas horas de lectura que invertí en ti 'Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend' y por eso resultas medianamente despreciable.
February 15, 2012
Amazing again, I always love Sarra's books. Every single one of her heroines has shaped me in some way, and Hope is no exception. Well-written, ludicrously funny and devastatingly sad for so many different reasons. I bought it on my Kindle at 00:30 the day it came out and finished it within 48 hours because I couldn't stop reading (apart from bloody uni and bloody work getting in the way!). Brilliant.
January 6, 2016
I got up to 38% and couldn't bring myself to finish this book.
March 23, 2018
Enjoyable enough for the fresh single that I am, giving me hope that you can go from hipster dudebros to dating "real men" :D
March 8, 2012
Reviewed at Books to Brighten your Mood
I love Sarra Manning! I just love her work, the way she writes, how she manages to make her heroes so real that you can't help but "feel" them, live through their stories. That being said, Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend was one of the most difficult books for me to rate.
You see, I liked this book so much that I couldn't put it down. Literally. Manning's writing style is just amazing. Her story flows in a way that you just can't stop reading. But despite all that, for almost 90% of this book I was more than frustrated with what I was reading. I had the urge to throw my e-reader more than enough times. Talking about feeling angry towards almost every single one of the characters of this book.
Manning, handles a really delicate and a bit difficult story in this book, that of cheating, and she decided to approach it in a very civilised way for my taste. It was different. And I really appreciate that, but still, I just couldn't agree with what I was reading. Not only agree, but not even understand why...
Her heroine Hope, is in a 13 years relationship with Jack when she finds him and her best friend kissing in their own house. From then on, all hell breaks loose. I won't say what happens cause I hate spoilers, but Hope's behaviour throughout every single thing that she learns made me scream at her again and again and again.
I could totally relate to Hope.In many levels. I, myself am in a 10 years relationship with my fiance and like Hope he is the only man I've ever been in my whole life. So, I could totally understand her attempts to save that relationship. I know I would myself, even if I hated myself afterwards. But everything has its limits. And plainly, some relationships just can't be saved... So even if I could see Hope as a real person, even if I could connect with her and feel her, I couldn't understand her decisions, her obsession with marriage and how much of a victim she was. I just couldn't. And in more than enough cases I just wanted to slap her and make her see the reality of her life. I was angry at her, frustrated with her decisions and bottom line, after a point, I just ran out of excuses for the way she handled things.
Jack on the other hand is plainly horrible. And honestly, I just couldn't understand what she loved of this man. Scratch that, he's not a man. He's just a spoiled little boy who wants everything, even when he doesn't even know what that everything consists of and doesn't respect himself and the people he claims he loves. He's one of the best written horrible characters I have ever encountered. Needless to say that I just hated him. Him and Hope's best friend Susie who is a slut. And I don't use that word lightly. She's not a slut because she made advances on her best friend, although that would be enough to label her, but the way she treats Hope later just highlight how much of a slut in essence she really is.
And talking about horrible characters in this book, I just have to mention Hope's mother whose behaviour is appalling to put it mildly. I can't even consider that woman a mother who treats her child in such a way. She repeatedly degrades Hope, she blames her for things that should really comfort her and all in all is so self centreed that I can really understand the way Hope treats herself throughout the whole book. When your own mother treats you that way it's only natural that you will let other people treat you the same way if not even worse. I think that Hope's mother was the one who I was most angry with.=
As you can see, I was angry with most of the characters of this book and Hope was so much of a victim that honestly spoiled everything for me. But even so, I just couldn't put this book down. Like a drug, I kept reading the whole time, hoping that Hope will finally wake up. Only she woke up really late in the story. Really, really late.
So you see, that is why I find it hard to rate this book. I mean, I hated almost every single one of the characters, I was frustrated with what I was reading, but even so, Manning's writing style is incredible and I was glued to my e-reader the whole time. In the same way I find it difficult to make my mind on whether I should recommend this book or not. So, I'll just say that go on, read it, Manning's writing style deserves it, but be warned that you will be more than angry with what you read. Except if you feel differently than me towards cheating. Then maybe, you will feel differently about this book as well. I don't really know...
June 2, 2013
I am going to agree with the other reviews of this book on this site. I was sorely disappointed in this book after reading the wonder you don't have to say you love me by the same author. The entire book was an exercise in frustration and really tests your patience. The main character Hope was completely spineless. She just kept apologizing to everyone for the fact that her stupid boyfriend cheated on her for five months and lied to her face about it. Jack, the boyfriend in question, was a cowardly, immature, emotionally and psychologically abusive little jerk. He would play on Hope's insecurities and blackmail her emotionally. He did not deserve his happy ending. I couldn't believe that he got the girl he wanted as well as the happy life. I would love to see what happens to Jack and Susie in ten year's time. He had cheated on Hope because their relationship had gone stale. What will happen when he is saddled with Susie and their kid for ten years? If he cheats with you, he'll cheat on you. I can only hope that will happen to Susie, who was supposed to be Hope's best friend yet she went ahead and had an affair with Hope's boyfriend and seemed incredibly entitled and unapologetic about it. When Hope finally grows a spine, and stops running after Jack like a pathetic puppy, and has an intense affair with Wilson (Susie's ex, there is a lot of boyfriend/girlfriend swapping going on here), Jack gets upset and throws a tantrum. What does Hope do? Apologizes. Why is she apologizing for doing something when she was broken up with Jack and yet he yells at her and treats her like scum when she deigns to get upset about a FIVE MONTH AFFAIR WITH HER BLOODY BEST FRIEND. The conversations felt very real, but I just couldn't believe that a woman would spend 3/4 of the book apologizing and grovelling to people who treated her like scum. At some point I would expect the character to grow a pair of ovaries and start moving on. To top it off at the end of the book she is friends with Susie. I can understand why she stayed friends with Jack. They manage to work through their problems, and salvage their 20+ year friendship, but I would not be friends with the woman who so callously, and unapologetically had an affair with my boyfriend. And why anyone would want to fight over Jack is beyond me. If anything I could see women fighting over Wilson. He was the saving grace of this book. His scenes with Hope elevates her character as well as the book. He is by far the best character in this book and saves this book from getting one star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
I read this in a Manning binge several years ago, but after virtuously finishing three books languishing on my TBR for a year I wanted a re-read treat. Manning on good form is so good – but she also reminded me that, as an empath who struggles with emotional boundaries, this is the kind of book that low-key traumatised me. Why? It’s essentially a book about going through a deeply traumatic breakup, traumatic not just because of the infidelity but because Jack is so deeply enmeshed in Hope’s sense of self. It’s like a novel-shaped warning against dating one person only from your teens up. (To be honest: I’d say any age below 25.)
Hope is TRULY pathetic in this, written in a way that had me squirming away from the page, wanting to rage at her as well as with her. The way Jack acts is so classically toxic, but at the same time, it's believable - almost too much so. Hope's self-acknowledged clinginess makes ME cringe, let alone a partner struggling to break away. I was actually panting after reading one of their interactions, from the effort of watching Hope crush down her better judgement because of her fear of an unknown future without Jack.
Therapy isn’t portrayed particularly positively, but equally I think Angela was right about Hope’s need to work on her anger management. (I’m not sure MANNING did, but hey, the writer doesn’t control everything about the characters.) Like all romance, the bleakness and bitterness of the events in question are softened by the human back-up plan, Wilson. I was astonished to note on this re-read that Hope and Jack don’t officially break up until about 85% of the way through, and Hope is only ‘single’ for three days before she shacks up with Wilson. It’s not that this is unreasonable of her, so much as that – like many a romance novel before it – it suggests an option that real life so seldom provides. A lovely, hot, understanding man, who is willing to shepherd you from breakup to good new relationship, with an interregnum of but SEVENTY-TWO HOURS, is about as likely as Mr Darcy showing up in your local nightclub. Or dating app, I guess. But that’s why books can be bad for you.
Also, the title is clearly about a different book Manning never wrote. LOL.
Hope is TRULY pathetic in this, written in a way that had me squirming away from the page, wanting to rage at her as well as with her. The way Jack acts is so classically toxic, but at the same time, it's believable - almost too much so. Hope's self-acknowledged clinginess makes ME cringe, let alone a partner struggling to break away. I was actually panting after reading one of their interactions, from the effort of watching Hope crush down her better judgement because of her fear of an unknown future without Jack.
Therapy isn’t portrayed particularly positively, but equally I think Angela was right about Hope’s need to work on her anger management. (I’m not sure MANNING did, but hey, the writer doesn’t control everything about the characters.) Like all romance, the bleakness and bitterness of the events in question are softened by the human back-up plan, Wilson. I was astonished to note on this re-read that Hope and Jack don’t officially break up until about 85% of the way through, and Hope is only ‘single’ for three days before she shacks up with Wilson. It’s not that this is unreasonable of her, so much as that – like many a romance novel before it – it suggests an option that real life so seldom provides. A lovely, hot, understanding man, who is willing to shepherd you from breakup to good new relationship, with an interregnum of but SEVENTY-TWO HOURS, is about as likely as Mr Darcy showing up in your local nightclub. Or dating app, I guess. But that’s why books can be bad for you.
Also, the title is clearly about a different book Manning never wrote. LOL.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2012
Having previously read and loved Sarra Manning’s You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, I was looking forward to reading more from her so I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one.
I certainly wasn’t disappointed because this story had me at the very first sentence “It was obvious it wasn’t the first time that Hope’s boyfriend and her best friend had kissed”, I knew then that I’d struggle to put this book down.
Hope is a really interesting character, she’s hot headed and feisty which made for some interesting reading after an eventful dinner party changes her life forever. She had so many ups and downs during the story that I really had no idea which way it was all going to go (even if I did have a strong opinion on which way I thought it should go).
I enjoyed reading about Hope’s job as a teacher of 6 year olds, being a mum of a child the same age I found it really interesting to see it from a teacher’s point of view and found myself laughing out loud as I pictured some of the funny classroom situations she found herself in. This story had plenty of laugh out loud moments that weren’t to do with her school teaching though and it also had some more serious moments that made me feel desperately sad for Hope.
Wilson was a great character, a quiet mysterious type who I seemed to like and dislike in equal measures. Jack annoyed me but that was probably because of the way he treated Hope and the rest of the characters were all likeable (yes even Susie) and seemed to fit well in the story.
This is a funny, sexy book that entertained me to the last word.
I certainly wasn’t disappointed because this story had me at the very first sentence “It was obvious it wasn’t the first time that Hope’s boyfriend and her best friend had kissed”, I knew then that I’d struggle to put this book down.
Hope is a really interesting character, she’s hot headed and feisty which made for some interesting reading after an eventful dinner party changes her life forever. She had so many ups and downs during the story that I really had no idea which way it was all going to go (even if I did have a strong opinion on which way I thought it should go).
I enjoyed reading about Hope’s job as a teacher of 6 year olds, being a mum of a child the same age I found it really interesting to see it from a teacher’s point of view and found myself laughing out loud as I pictured some of the funny classroom situations she found herself in. This story had plenty of laugh out loud moments that weren’t to do with her school teaching though and it also had some more serious moments that made me feel desperately sad for Hope.
Wilson was a great character, a quiet mysterious type who I seemed to like and dislike in equal measures. Jack annoyed me but that was probably because of the way he treated Hope and the rest of the characters were all likeable (yes even Susie) and seemed to fit well in the story.
This is a funny, sexy book that entertained me to the last word.
March 12, 2012
Hope Delafield hasn't always had an easy life. She has red hair and a temper to match, as her mother is constantly reminding her. She can't wear heels, is terrified of heights and being a primary school teacher isn't exactly the job she dreamed of doing, especially when her class are stuck on the two times table.At least Hope has Jack, and Jack is the God of boyfriends. He's sweet, kind, funny, has a killer smile, a cool job on a fashion magazine and he's pretty (but in a manly way). Hope knew that Jack was The One ever since their first kiss after the Youth Club Disco and thirteen years later, they're still totally in love. Totally. They're even officially pre-engaged. And then Hope catches Jack kissing her best friend Susie... Does true love forgive and forget? Or does it get mad... and get even?
As someone who has previously read Sarra Manning's novels and found myself unable to put them down until they were done, I was extremely disappointed with her latest offering. The book was lengthy - normally a good thing, but as the main plot points were short, they had to be drawn out, and this made the whole situation a bit tedious. The characters were unrelatable and unlikeable - even Hope, our protagonist, who in all honesty is a bit of a damp squib. The ending seemed rushed, and although it comes as a surprise, I found it to be the most unrealistic outcome you could imagine. Could do better.
As someone who has previously read Sarra Manning's novels and found myself unable to put them down until they were done, I was extremely disappointed with her latest offering. The book was lengthy - normally a good thing, but as the main plot points were short, they had to be drawn out, and this made the whole situation a bit tedious. The characters were unrelatable and unlikeable - even Hope, our protagonist, who in all honesty is a bit of a damp squib. The ending seemed rushed, and although it comes as a surprise, I found it to be the most unrealistic outcome you could imagine. Could do better.
August 16, 2012
Hope and Jack are childhood sweethearts who have been together for 13 years. They grew up next door to one another and their mothers are BFFs. They live a comfortable life with a shared mortgage, bank account and are practically pre-engaged. When Hope catches Jack and her best friend, Susie, snogging, Hope can't believe it! How could her Jack and Susie do this to her?
First, I have to say that I adore Sarra Manning's Unsticky and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. Nine Uses is different from her previous adult books. Usually in the chick lit novels I read, if the protagonist finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, we read about her journey getting over the guy and then finding out who she really is by the end of the book. In Nine Uses, we get Hope repeatedly trying to save her 13 year relationship by forgiving and taking Jack back. This really pissed me off b/c Hope comes off pathetic and desperate. (But in real life, I know that women can be this way. It's just that I don't want to read about it). Of course, Hope finally figures things out about Jack but it was way later into the book than I liked. Even though this isn't my favorite Manning novel, I appreciate her writing style & humor and can't wait to read more.
First, I have to say that I adore Sarra Manning's Unsticky and You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. Nine Uses is different from her previous adult books. Usually in the chick lit novels I read, if the protagonist finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, we read about her journey getting over the guy and then finding out who she really is by the end of the book. In Nine Uses, we get Hope repeatedly trying to save her 13 year relationship by forgiving and taking Jack back. This really pissed me off b/c Hope comes off pathetic and desperate. (But in real life, I know that women can be this way. It's just that I don't want to read about it). Of course, Hope finally figures things out about Jack but it was way later into the book than I liked. Even though this isn't my favorite Manning novel, I appreciate her writing style & humor and can't wait to read more.
April 14, 2012
I have no idea how to rate this book, so I'm going with 3 stars. I just don't like that the official description of 3 stars is "liked it" because I didn't like it. It kept me interested, I zipped through it because I kept hoping things would happen as I wanted them to, but that never panned out. I learned early on that this book was nothing close to what I was expecting, and even after I learned that and changed my expectations, it still wasn't what I expected. That's a good thing, I guess? Maybe? I don't know. All I know is that I ended up having little to no respect for Hope, and Susie and Jack can go eff themselves. I eventually warmed up to Wilson and liked him quite a lot, but... I still don't know.
The title is not fitting at all. It makes it sound like a lighthearted, silly revenge chick lit, which it really, really isn't. Instead, it's about holding onto a dead relationship, being pathetic and sometimes horrible and/or a doormat, grasping at anything to try to make it work. I get where the title came from and the significance (from a list that was meant to be reasons why Hope loved Jack), but it's misleading.
If there were half stars, this would get 3 1/2, but since there are no halfsies, I'm rounding down on this one.
The title is not fitting at all. It makes it sound like a lighthearted, silly revenge chick lit, which it really, really isn't. Instead, it's about holding onto a dead relationship, being pathetic and sometimes horrible and/or a doormat, grasping at anything to try to make it work. I get where the title came from and the significance (from a list that was meant to be reasons why Hope loved Jack), but it's misleading.
If there were half stars, this would get 3 1/2, but since there are no halfsies, I'm rounding down on this one.
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