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The Little Lady Agency #1
The Little Lady Agency
When sweet, naive Melissa seeks a job with her old Home Economics teacher she is halfway through the interview before it dawns on her that Mrs McKinnon isn't interested in her cookery skills, but is in fact running an escort agency. Melissa panics, but she needs the cash - and what harm can providing lonely men with stimulating conversation over dinner do? More exciting still, she'll get to wear a disguise...Enter her alter ego: Honey. As flirty and feminine as a Bond girl, as confident and sexy as Mary Poppins in silk stockings, Honey brings out a side to Melissa she never knew she had. A side that will get her into hot water, (and out of it) and that she'll never want to lose...
406 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2005
263 people are currently reading
28061 people want to read
About the author
Hester Browne
16 books814 followersHester Browne was born in England's Lake District, read English at Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked as a fiction editor before leaving publishing to write full time. She enjoys Scottish reeling, driving, baking, and trawling eBay for estate sale bargains. She doesn't enjoy hot weather, tax returns, or any talent programme where people have to plead to be allowed to juggle flaming chainsaws on national television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,201 reviews
February 5, 2009
I'm surprised how much I enjoyed this book, especially as I've been kind of "off" chick-lit these days. But, I thought it was really great--fabulous and fresh and frothy while still having backbone and heart. I love how it avoided a lot of the cliches so prevalent in chick-lit (for example, the heavenly Nelson, our leading lady Melissa's flat-mate, is neither gay nor her former lover... he is simply a dear friend who happens to be of the opposite sex!) I also loved that I DIDN'T really know what would happen in the end--yes, it wasn't all spelled out from page one. I found it unbelievably refreshing that Melissa is a GOOD person with the basic tribulations that we all might encounter in the course of being a good person, trying to be kind to our family, trying to have a fulfilling career, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, true love will come along. Also, this book is CLEAN--there is some innuendo, but Melissa prides herself on not being one to jump into casual intimate relationships. (That is not to say there aren't some very pleasant romantic moments, but they are heart-full and sexy in a PG, non-bodice-ripping way!) Finally, Melissa's business is really fascinating! :-) I'm looking forward to reading more in the series and hope the quality will continue.
October 16, 2015
Things I liked:
- The spunky heroine who sticks to her values (particularly when it comes to sex)
- The Knightly-like love interest
- The GINGER love interest!
- The focus on manners/good dress/etc.
- A kinda stereotypical American in a British book who doesn't just get hated on
- Remington Steele references <3
- The wonderfully empowering use of undergarments
Things I disliked:
- The love triangle....square....thing.
- How long this book was. It got repetitive.
- The extremely family dysfunction...everywhere.
- The CONSTANT reminders that Melissa/Honey is well-endowed. We get its. She's plump!
- The confusing roommate situation. WHY does she live with Nelson? Why has he 'seen it all'?
- How utterly dense Melissa is and how long it takes her to find resolution
After a while, this book felt something I had to get through instead of my fluff-read for the weekend. However, I did love the main character. This book just needed to be less drawn out. It needed a good editor (for the plot and grammar...I found three instances of quotation marks in the incorrect place or not there altogether) It had tons of potential and I like its overall message. Definitely good for readers of Sophie Kinsella, with the added bonus of a heroine who isn't desperate to get males into her bedroom. I really liked that Melissa embraces her talent and becomes a businesswoman in a very feminine way. It was nice to someone classy and ladylike and with strong morals as a heroine. Extra star for that.
- The spunky heroine who sticks to her values (particularly when it comes to sex)
- The Knightly-like love interest
- The GINGER love interest!
- The focus on manners/good dress/etc.
- A kinda stereotypical American in a British book who doesn't just get hated on
- Remington Steele references <3
- The wonderfully empowering use of undergarments
Things I disliked:
- The love triangle....square....thing.
- How long this book was. It got repetitive.
- The extremely family dysfunction...everywhere.
- The CONSTANT reminders that Melissa/Honey is well-endowed. We get its. She's plump!
- The confusing roommate situation. WHY does she live with Nelson? Why has he 'seen it all'?
- How utterly dense Melissa is and how long it takes her to find resolution
After a while, this book felt something I had to get through instead of my fluff-read for the weekend. However, I did love the main character. This book just needed to be less drawn out. It needed a good editor (for the plot and grammar...I found three instances of quotation marks in the incorrect place or not there altogether) It had tons of potential and I like its overall message. Definitely good for readers of Sophie Kinsella, with the added bonus of a heroine who isn't desperate to get males into her bedroom. I really liked that Melissa embraces her talent and becomes a businesswoman in a very feminine way. It was nice to someone classy and ladylike and with strong morals as a heroine. Extra star for that.
December 3, 2008
This is a typical chick-lit book in that the main chica is the underdog, someone uncomfortable with men, etc., etc. It's atypical in that it's basically clean and talks a lot about Issues of Conscience. And for that, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I really cared about Melissa and what happened to her, and the whole Honey dilemma got to be hilarious. I could actually see it as a sitcom! Here's just one of many, many funny lines -- in talking about a fling with your administrative help: "Oh, yes, I agree," I said. "Then when it all goes wrong -- and it always does -- you never get your photocopying done properly again because all the girls hate you, and everyone in the office knows about your intimate dermatitis."
LOL -- that's just one of many chuckle-worthy parts of this book. I must track down her next book!
I really cared about Melissa and what happened to her, and the whole Honey dilemma got to be hilarious. I could actually see it as a sitcom! Here's just one of many, many funny lines -- in talking about a fling with your administrative help: "Oh, yes, I agree," I said. "Then when it all goes wrong -- and it always does -- you never get your photocopying done properly again because all the girls hate you, and everyone in the office knows about your intimate dermatitis."
LOL -- that's just one of many chuckle-worthy parts of this book. I must track down her next book!
April 6, 2017
I didn't care much for it, but that's probably because romance has never been my genre. The protagonist of this novel is a very sweet girl Melissa. Very very sweet....well, a bit too sweet and a bit too naive. Nevertheless or perhaps because of it, she is quite easy to relate to ( we were all naive at times) and she is even likable to a degree, especially when she starts to develop some spine with the help of her alter ago persona Honey. I found it refreshing to read about Mellissa's /Honey's initial struggles, that part about her losing her job and struggling to find a new one was quite realistic and well written. Actually, that was the favourite part of this novel for me, all that talk about the heroine's determination to build her own business and to put her life in order. The fact that she decided to do something for herself was almost a surprise considering what a push- over this character generally was. That was nice to see. Speaking of the good sides of this novel, there is a fair amount of humour in it. It is British humour of the lighter kind, not the really dark one that I like so much, but still there are some funny moments in it. Yet, the novel doesn't feel distinctly British. It feels American...or maybe as a mix of the two? Like the love couple in the story.
What else do you need to know about Melissa? As soon as the love story develops, she seems to lose all her IQ points but maybe that is how it is supposed to be in this kind of novels? What else? Our protagonist comes from a particularly dysfunctional family and has a horrid father. I felt that the author didn't make the most of it, albeit I give her points for trying. It was a kind of a bold move, including a father that was such a brute...and oddly enough, he seems more real than most of the characters. Perhaps she plans to develop this 'daddy issue' more in the sequels? Too bad that I won't be reading them.
So, basically, this book was ok but I didn't enjoy it. I did like the beginning of the novel and some parts in the middle but as soon as the love story started to unfold, I lost my interest. Melissa, being the uncertain girl she is, starts to complain all the time and it gets tiring. The ending was also a disappointment. The love story itself bored me immensely. While Mellisa had some good points, the guy she falls for was so unremarkable...the writer kept singing him praises, but I failed to see why. What a bore! The love triangle was even more dull and unconvincing. Quite possibly the major problem I had with this one is its genre? I just don't like romance novels. Hence, I'm not a good person to recommend a one. It is that simple. I tried to share my views about it, but instead of the conclusion, I will have to get very generic and say something along the lines... If you're a fan of romance novels, by all means go for it. If you're not, stay away of it. It is a typical romance, if you ask me. That's the best I can do.
What else do you need to know about Melissa? As soon as the love story develops, she seems to lose all her IQ points but maybe that is how it is supposed to be in this kind of novels? What else? Our protagonist comes from a particularly dysfunctional family and has a horrid father. I felt that the author didn't make the most of it, albeit I give her points for trying. It was a kind of a bold move, including a father that was such a brute...and oddly enough, he seems more real than most of the characters. Perhaps she plans to develop this 'daddy issue' more in the sequels? Too bad that I won't be reading them.
So, basically, this book was ok but I didn't enjoy it. I did like the beginning of the novel and some parts in the middle but as soon as the love story started to unfold, I lost my interest. Melissa, being the uncertain girl she is, starts to complain all the time and it gets tiring. The ending was also a disappointment. The love story itself bored me immensely. While Mellisa had some good points, the guy she falls for was so unremarkable...the writer kept singing him praises, but I failed to see why. What a bore! The love triangle was even more dull and unconvincing. Quite possibly the major problem I had with this one is its genre? I just don't like romance novels. Hence, I'm not a good person to recommend a one. It is that simple. I tried to share my views about it, but instead of the conclusion, I will have to get very generic and say something along the lines... If you're a fan of romance novels, by all means go for it. If you're not, stay away of it. It is a typical romance, if you ask me. That's the best I can do.
December 7, 2010
I simply adored this book! The characters are vivid and real, and complex (but still normal). There are few books that I enjoy simply reading about the day-to-day life of the characters, and this was one of them.
Melissa does her best to be a good person, even though she isn't always appreciated for it, and she has to fight against her less than supportive family and her own issues of self perception to become a stronger, more confident woman. In the mix are her best friend and flat-mate Nelson (which, who wouldn't love to have a Nelson in their lives?), her somewhat flighty, but fun and loyal, other best-friend Gabi, a $10,000 debt to her father, and a series of dead-end jobs and boyfriends.
Melissa finally decides to start her own career in which she plans to help bachelor men sort out the finer details of their lives that need that womanly touch (what types of gifts to give, how to pick out a good wardrobe, the best way to dump a girlfriend). Little did Melissa know that the Little Lady wasn't going to just change the lives of her clients, but her own life as well. Assuming a work-identity, Honey (Melissa) is free to be more vivacious, more outspoken and more confident. And some of her clients are pretty great guys (especially one American who seems to unwittingly blur the lines between Melissa and Honey).
There are so many layers to this story, and I loved the character arcs as much as the ins and outs of the Little Lady Agency. The book is funny, fun, sweet, endearing, and purely enjoyable. If I'm being super picky, there were a few plot ends that I felt weren't wrapped up as clearly as I would have liked, but that could be because (happily) there are sequels.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a chick-lit with depth, a comedy with heart, or a romance for the modern era.
Melissa does her best to be a good person, even though she isn't always appreciated for it, and she has to fight against her less than supportive family and her own issues of self perception to become a stronger, more confident woman. In the mix are her best friend and flat-mate Nelson (which, who wouldn't love to have a Nelson in their lives?), her somewhat flighty, but fun and loyal, other best-friend Gabi, a $10,000 debt to her father, and a series of dead-end jobs and boyfriends.
Melissa finally decides to start her own career in which she plans to help bachelor men sort out the finer details of their lives that need that womanly touch (what types of gifts to give, how to pick out a good wardrobe, the best way to dump a girlfriend). Little did Melissa know that the Little Lady wasn't going to just change the lives of her clients, but her own life as well. Assuming a work-identity, Honey (Melissa) is free to be more vivacious, more outspoken and more confident. And some of her clients are pretty great guys (especially one American who seems to unwittingly blur the lines between Melissa and Honey).
There are so many layers to this story, and I loved the character arcs as much as the ins and outs of the Little Lady Agency. The book is funny, fun, sweet, endearing, and purely enjoyable. If I'm being super picky, there were a few plot ends that I felt weren't wrapped up as clearly as I would have liked, but that could be because (happily) there are sequels.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a chick-lit with depth, a comedy with heart, or a romance for the modern era.
May 3, 2009
I adored this book.
First and foremost, it isn't particularly deep - no rich metaphors or literary acrobatics. It's a novel of manners, plain and simple.
The whole point of the novel is that the main character must learn to love herself for who she is, and only then will she reach her full potential. In order to learn this, she takes on an alter-ego that expresses characteristics she thinks are too bold, audacious, sexy...etc. She only begins to see both the contrasts and overlaps between her perceived-self and alternate-self when the switching back and forth impacts her relationships with others when she's in either role.
The story has a good dose of romantic hijinx and scandal lurks below the surface all the time, but you're spared any in-your-face sex scenes. The author does use Melissa's introspections to dig pretty deep into relationship psychology, and sometimes you wonder if you're reading a therapy session-made-novel. It doesn't have exciting thrill-ride value of a bodice buster and it doesn't have the hyperbolic mishaps of Bridget Jones. I'll probably offend the purists by saying so, but I put this in the same category of Jane Austen's lighter novels. Emma or Pride and Prejudice.
First and foremost, it isn't particularly deep - no rich metaphors or literary acrobatics. It's a novel of manners, plain and simple.
The whole point of the novel is that the main character must learn to love herself for who she is, and only then will she reach her full potential. In order to learn this, she takes on an alter-ego that expresses characteristics she thinks are too bold, audacious, sexy...etc. She only begins to see both the contrasts and overlaps between her perceived-self and alternate-self when the switching back and forth impacts her relationships with others when she's in either role.
The story has a good dose of romantic hijinx and scandal lurks below the surface all the time, but you're spared any in-your-face sex scenes. The author does use Melissa's introspections to dig pretty deep into relationship psychology, and sometimes you wonder if you're reading a therapy session-made-novel. It doesn't have exciting thrill-ride value of a bodice buster and it doesn't have the hyperbolic mishaps of Bridget Jones. I'll probably offend the purists by saying so, but I put this in the same category of Jane Austen's lighter novels. Emma or Pride and Prejudice.
January 21, 2008
This is one of those books hoping to ride the coattails of the Bridget Jones phenomenon. Although it seems to me that phenomenon has come and gone. Anyway, young English woman starts her own business as a 'life organizer' for bachelors, adopts an alter ego to do so, ends up falling in love with one of her clients, etc. Predictable and not really very entertaining. I don't mind reading light and fluffy books as long as they're fun and engaging, but I really just got through this one because I don't like leaving books unread. Also, it was one of the few books available to me while on vacation in Germany, and when I'm desperate, I'll read just about anything.
July 15, 2015
This was one of the stupidest books I have read in awhile...I guess I shouldn't have trusted the library's insistence that this was a "different" kind of romantic comedy-esque read (except for the fact that it took place in London and there was no witticism whatsoever). The Little Lady Agency is so cliche that it hurts. The ending is wrapped up in around 2 pages with everything working out for everyone. What bothered me the most was how Honey/Melissa was just plain dumb, even though she was supposed to be smart and sharp and everything. She wasn't. She couldn't see what was right in front of her. "Gosh, Jonathan has done all this for me and has told me he wants me as his gf, but I'm scared he doesn't want me as his gf" is basically the gist of the story. Melissa is extremely self-pitying even though she outright claims that she's not, complaining to Nelson about blah, blah and bemoaning the possibility of him and Gabi even though she treats them both pretty badly (mostly Nelson). Ugh. I'm really angry, I feel like I lost IQ points while reading this, and the only reason I read it is because I forgot my other book at work and this was a last resort. I recommend this book to anyone that's in need of a good cry because you will definitely cry after suffering to get through this stupid, stupid book.
December 10, 2017
Well this was a breath of fresh air. A delightful story that kept me entertained (and guessing!) until the last page. A few confusing moments (the father, for one) but this was one of those rare stories where the woman was competent without being bossy or 'sassy' or just plain rude and the man was kind and considerate and a gentleman!
A fun read that I will definitely read again. :)
A fun read that I will definitely read again. :)
May 20, 2014
Hilarious and warmhearted, this "deliciously addictive" (Cosmopolitan) debut romantic comedy stars a woman who goes from doormat to diva when she sets up shop as the ultimate freelance girlfriend.
Omg everyone you need to read this book. Like right now. It was funny and different and we all need to thank Hester Browne for this gem. I LOVE books that I can picture myself as the main character (and her style!!!). Plus, this business idea she planned was brillant and needed! Can this please be made into a movie!
Omg everyone you need to read this book. Like right now. It was funny and different and we all need to thank Hester Browne for this gem. I LOVE books that I can picture myself as the main character (and her style!!!). Plus, this business idea she planned was brillant and needed! Can this please be made into a movie!
July 26, 2020
Straight up chick-lit... and just what I was in the mood for!
June 25, 2009
I'll just start this review off by saying: I'm torn after reading this book.
The Little Lady Agency is the first in a three part series starring Melissa Romney-Jones, a girl who has been fired - once again - from her job and has no clue where to go from there. Extremely organized and good at soothing the ruffled feathers of her co-workers and friends, Melissa, after a string of highly amusing events and coincidences, decides to open her own agency specially marketed to those blokes who have more than a little trouble organizing their lives. Whether it be a clothes makeover, someone to advise them on asking a girl out, posing as a girlfriend to get matchmaking mamas off their backs, or just firing the hired help, Melissa can handle anything with her no-nonsense attitude - everything except for laundry and sex that is.
Only thing is, Melissa doesn't want to be recognized due to her politically prominent family and thus dons a blonde wig and an alternate personality, Honey during 'business hours'. As Honey, Melissa wears tighter clothing and can make the honest yet somewhat brutal remarks accommodating Melissa would never dream of uttering. Even though her wonderful friends Nelson and Gabi insist that side of Melissa has always been there, she can't see it.
Okay, so now for my reasons for not totally being wowed by this one. I mean, at times, it's hilarious. Melissa gets into some laugh-out-loud situations with her awkward bachelors and her family had me in stitches to no end. My beef comes with her choice in men. I know Ms. Browne was going for a whole passion-over-friendship thing but I really don't see her decision working out for her in the end. I don't want to spoil it here, but if you too are feeling less than pleased with how things end up, let me know cause I am more than a little miffed at her decision. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book - the characters were great, it was surprisingly clean for a 'chick book', and it dealt with all things London and English. My idea of a good time.
The Little Lady Agency is the first in a three part series starring Melissa Romney-Jones, a girl who has been fired - once again - from her job and has no clue where to go from there. Extremely organized and good at soothing the ruffled feathers of her co-workers and friends, Melissa, after a string of highly amusing events and coincidences, decides to open her own agency specially marketed to those blokes who have more than a little trouble organizing their lives. Whether it be a clothes makeover, someone to advise them on asking a girl out, posing as a girlfriend to get matchmaking mamas off their backs, or just firing the hired help, Melissa can handle anything with her no-nonsense attitude - everything except for laundry and sex that is.
Only thing is, Melissa doesn't want to be recognized due to her politically prominent family and thus dons a blonde wig and an alternate personality, Honey during 'business hours'. As Honey, Melissa wears tighter clothing and can make the honest yet somewhat brutal remarks accommodating Melissa would never dream of uttering. Even though her wonderful friends Nelson and Gabi insist that side of Melissa has always been there, she can't see it.
Okay, so now for my reasons for not totally being wowed by this one. I mean, at times, it's hilarious. Melissa gets into some laugh-out-loud situations with her awkward bachelors and her family had me in stitches to no end. My beef comes with her choice in men. I know Ms. Browne was going for a whole passion-over-friendship thing but I really don't see her decision working out for her in the end. I don't want to spoil it here, but if you too are feeling less than pleased with how things end up, let me know cause I am more than a little miffed at her decision. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book - the characters were great, it was surprisingly clean for a 'chick book', and it dealt with all things London and English. My idea of a good time.
November 29, 2013
This could've been something I was really into, but unfortunately too many of the side storylines ended up bothering me for one reason or another.
December 27, 2023
In "The Little Lady Agency" a hard working and intelligent young woman who is often dismissed and sabotaged by her less talented peers masquerades as a much more confident and self assured bombshell with the aide of a blonde wig and a racy new wardrobe and finds herself on a new and furiously fast paced career path reforming the dress, hygiene and dating habits of London's least eligible bachelors. In the process she finds new confidence in her abilities and begins to realize that there may be more to her number one client then she originally thought.
This book is pure unadulterated "Chick-Lit" and has the expected character types, scenarios and romance but due to its clever story telling and compelling cast of characters it may appeal to many readers who do not normally enjoy that genre.
Recommended for fans of aspirational corsetry, loveable underdogs and anyone who has run out of "Alias" reruns to watch.
This book is pure unadulterated "Chick-Lit" and has the expected character types, scenarios and romance but due to its clever story telling and compelling cast of characters it may appeal to many readers who do not normally enjoy that genre.
Recommended for fans of aspirational corsetry, loveable underdogs and anyone who has run out of "Alias" reruns to watch.
October 31, 2008
LOVED this one! It kept my mind off of both of my 4 hour cross-country flights (and I don't like flying!) I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
March 3, 2009
Fun,summer time read. Young english woman finds her calling and love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2022
4 stars - English Ebook
When Melissa is made unfairly redundant from her job at an estate agents' office, she decides it's time for a change.
Instead of working for other people, Melissa will go into business for herself: using her organisational skills to whip the lives of London's socially and romantically challenged men into shape.
Then Melissa meets Jonathan, and suddenly she must decide if she can mix business with pleasure....
I really really like British books. I've read all the charming books by Miss Read, and all the books by Sophie Kinsella.
I searched for a couple of months for some new chic-lit to read and tried a few that fell short of the expectations.
Then I somehow came across Hester Browne. This book was so incredibly enjoyable. It was like reading the Shopaholic books but a tad better. And for me the most enjoyable part is that it was clean. It made for really enjoyable light reading.
When Melissa is made unfairly redundant from her job at an estate agents' office, she decides it's time for a change.
Instead of working for other people, Melissa will go into business for herself: using her organisational skills to whip the lives of London's socially and romantically challenged men into shape.
Then Melissa meets Jonathan, and suddenly she must decide if she can mix business with pleasure....
I really really like British books. I've read all the charming books by Miss Read, and all the books by Sophie Kinsella.
I searched for a couple of months for some new chic-lit to read and tried a few that fell short of the expectations.
Then I somehow came across Hester Browne. This book was so incredibly enjoyable. It was like reading the Shopaholic books but a tad better. And for me the most enjoyable part is that it was clean. It made for really enjoyable light reading.
January 10, 2018
Cute, light and fluffy and amusing.
April 28, 2020
I wanted to give this book more stars, because I really like the idea of the whole Little Lady Agency, but I just missed something... I needed more story for me to rate higher.
The writing is nice but I just dont "love" the main character.
So while its a cute book, its still just "okay" for me. I would like to read the next 2 books, but they sadly arent published in my country, so I will have to wait a little.
The writing is nice but I just dont "love" the main character.
So while its a cute book, its still just "okay" for me. I would like to read the next 2 books, but they sadly arent published in my country, so I will have to wait a little.
November 8, 2009
I have to admit, I was disappointed by this one. I'm usually enamored by anything British-Chick-Lit, but this book failed to do much for me.
The biggest problem was the main character Melissa (who has an alter ego, "Honey," for her agency). I just didn't like her. The way she let everyone, especially her family, walk all over her made me crazy. Even in the book's resolution, she doesn't really stand up for herself. She lets a few other people do it for her, but she ends up giving in to her father (and everyone else) once again. I just wanted to shake her. (And don't get me started on the hooker-esque name "Honey" . . . ) And she was so completely dense! How does this character not get some of the very obvious things going on in her life? It was just frustrating to read.
But to be honest, there weren't many characters in the book who were likeable. Her best friend Gabi is a materialistic brat, and from the way Melissa thinks of her and acts toward her, I kept trying to figure out why they were friends at all, much less best friends.
Even Jonathan, her main love interest, was less than impressive. I couldn't really figure his personality out, actually. One minute he's suave and flirty, then next minute he's mean and abrupt. And the way the author kept inserting "American phrases" into his vocabulary like "awesome" and "cool," things I couldn't really picture this big-shot business man saying in context, made me think maybe she shouldn't be writing an American character at all.
In fact, I really wanted Melissa to end up with her flatmate Nelson, who was the one and only likeable character in the whole book.
What was noticeably missing in this book was any and all humor. The romance was just okay, and I was literally gritting my teeth during any interactions Melissa had with her family. I just kept waiting for her to just once put her foot down and tell them, "No." Here's a spoiler for you: she doesn't.
Overall, I can't say I hated it, but it was really just an okay read. I give it 1 1/2 to 2 stars.
The biggest problem was the main character Melissa (who has an alter ego, "Honey," for her agency). I just didn't like her. The way she let everyone, especially her family, walk all over her made me crazy. Even in the book's resolution, she doesn't really stand up for herself. She lets a few other people do it for her, but she ends up giving in to her father (and everyone else) once again. I just wanted to shake her. (And don't get me started on the hooker-esque name "Honey" . . . ) And she was so completely dense! How does this character not get some of the very obvious things going on in her life? It was just frustrating to read.
But to be honest, there weren't many characters in the book who were likeable. Her best friend Gabi is a materialistic brat, and from the way Melissa thinks of her and acts toward her, I kept trying to figure out why they were friends at all, much less best friends.
Even Jonathan, her main love interest, was less than impressive. I couldn't really figure his personality out, actually. One minute he's suave and flirty, then next minute he's mean and abrupt. And the way the author kept inserting "American phrases" into his vocabulary like "awesome" and "cool," things I couldn't really picture this big-shot business man saying in context, made me think maybe she shouldn't be writing an American character at all.
In fact, I really wanted Melissa to end up with her flatmate Nelson, who was the one and only likeable character in the whole book.
What was noticeably missing in this book was any and all humor. The romance was just okay, and I was literally gritting my teeth during any interactions Melissa had with her family. I just kept waiting for her to just once put her foot down and tell them, "No." Here's a spoiler for you: she doesn't.
Overall, I can't say I hated it, but it was really just an okay read. I give it 1 1/2 to 2 stars.
September 20, 2021
What is the point of this book...?
I give it one star, even though I finished it. I enjoyed the idea of the book and I think it had potential but I strongly despised this actual book.
The Little Lady Agency has all the type of people I try and avoid in real life, self-absorbed, materialistic, spoilt, stupid, etc
The entire story is based of a silly coincidence. If you write a story where the only reason it is a story is a massively unrealistic coincidence, it won't be a good story....
Main Character: As Melissa, she's shy, quiet and a bit of a pushover, but has good friends she loves. Yet, this character prefers herself as Honey, a sexy and assertive woman who has become selfish and is horrible to her friends. Geez....priorities?? But in both Melissa and Honey can we say what a stupid woman she is?
Take her finances for example, rich little girl determined to make her own way and not rely on her daddy's money. She owes $10,000 pounds to her daddy as she borrowed it for one of her boyfriends (how stupid can you get). She can't pay her phone bill or her rent. Yet then she goes out and buys a magazine "as a treat" - she could really do with some financial advice. Anyway, at her new business she's making a lot of money! She's borrowed money from granny to start her business, then has been working for at least 4 months, that's about 16 weeks, lets say 20 hours a week minimum, at an average of 100 pounds an hour. So really she should have made 32,000 pounds. Yet somehow she only has 4,000 to pay back to her daddy. What is she doing with all this money!?
This book also reinforces so many gender stereotypes that the world could do without. I guess it's part of the social circle I don't belong to but I honestly pity people who are like the characters described in this book.
I'm annoyed I finished this book, because it was a complete waste of time.
I give it one star, even though I finished it. I enjoyed the idea of the book and I think it had potential but I strongly despised this actual book.
The Little Lady Agency has all the type of people I try and avoid in real life, self-absorbed, materialistic, spoilt, stupid, etc
The entire story is based of a silly coincidence. If you write a story where the only reason it is a story is a massively unrealistic coincidence, it won't be a good story....
Main Character: As Melissa, she's shy, quiet and a bit of a pushover, but has good friends she loves. Yet, this character prefers herself as Honey, a sexy and assertive woman who has become selfish and is horrible to her friends. Geez....priorities?? But in both Melissa and Honey can we say what a stupid woman she is?
Take her finances for example, rich little girl determined to make her own way and not rely on her daddy's money. She owes $10,000 pounds to her daddy as she borrowed it for one of her boyfriends (how stupid can you get). She can't pay her phone bill or her rent. Yet then she goes out and buys a magazine "as a treat" - she could really do with some financial advice. Anyway, at her new business she's making a lot of money! She's borrowed money from granny to start her business, then has been working for at least 4 months, that's about 16 weeks, lets say 20 hours a week minimum, at an average of 100 pounds an hour. So really she should have made 32,000 pounds. Yet somehow she only has 4,000 to pay back to her daddy. What is she doing with all this money!?
This book also reinforces so many gender stereotypes that the world could do without. I guess it's part of the social circle I don't belong to but I honestly pity people who are like the characters described in this book.
I'm annoyed I finished this book, because it was a complete waste of time.
February 25, 2009
I can't decide if I like or hate this book. I'm sure over time I'll gravitate towards one or the other. This was a wandering inner monologue that meandered in every direction. Here's the author's inner monologue, "Hmm... I don't like the direction this story is taking, I think I'll make a U-turn." It was like the author read that leather bound collected works of Jane Austen all at once and had starred the storylines she wanted to put in. Then she watched Briget Jones's Diary from her LA apartment. I don't actually know where Hester Browne lives, but apart from sparse but well known British slang, this novel pulls equally from British and American pop culture. Nearly every reference would be well known to both sides of the ocean, despite its London setting.
So, I'm thinking I'm not big on this book. The more I think about it's structure, the more it feels thrown together from current storylines on TV. I'll probably read the sequel and decide for certain when that's done, but there was no real resolution or adequate explanation of events in the end. The only character who is fully developed is the emotionally and financially abusive father. He allows us to alternate between a cheery move it along storyline and crippling pain for the heroine. I think we might have discovered some daddy issues. Anyway, I guess I'll end this like the book did...
So, I'm thinking I'm not big on this book. The more I think about it's structure, the more it feels thrown together from current storylines on TV. I'll probably read the sequel and decide for certain when that's done, but there was no real resolution or adequate explanation of events in the end. The only character who is fully developed is the emotionally and financially abusive father. He allows us to alternate between a cheery move it along storyline and crippling pain for the heroine. I think we might have discovered some daddy issues. Anyway, I guess I'll end this like the book did...
October 8, 2017
I have so many friends who claim they “just don’t have time to read.”
They go on and on about how much they admire the time I have to read and are jealous of how many books I can plow through in a year. They cannot believe I have all of this “free time” on my hands to shop for books, read books, blog about books, etc. And they are the same friends who get overwhelmed in bookstores and are afraid of wasting time on a bad book, mainly because books are expensive.
I have a few suggestions for these friends:
Make time. You have it – you just gotta make it. A book doesn’t have to be read in a day, a week, or a month. It doesn’t even have to be read in six months. If you can dedicate 5 minutes a day to reading, then dedicate that. If you can dedicate more – then do it. We all have time, it’s just what you do with it. Set a reading goal and stick with it. If you put your devices down (laptop, mobile phone, tablet) for the last hour before you go to bed, studies show you sleep better anyway. So put the electronic device down and grab a book.
How do I personally make time? I read an average of a book a week, sometimes two, if the books are shorter. I set a personal goal of 50 pages a day. Most books are between 300-500 pages. I usually read more than the 50 pages, because I read all day. I read ten minutes here and five minutes there. I read while I’m nursing my baby to sleep. I read while I’m eating my lunch. I read while I’m waiting for my son to finish doing his hair in the morning and I’m sitting in my car alone, waiting to take him to school. I read in the bubble bath that I dedicate to myself every night. I read while my kids are doing homework, and I’m sitting near them for moral support. If you just carry a book around with you and stop telling yourself that you need an hour of complete silence to sit down and read, then I promise you that you can get through a book.
Don’t have time to shop for books? Amazon is your friend. Not only can you have books delivered to your door next day (same day, in some areas – like mine), you can browse the book section of Amazon based upon reviews, ratings, genre, and about 500 other parameters. Don’t have time to read the back and decide if it’s the book for you? Don’t worry, literally thousands of other people have already done it for you and have blessedly rated books so you don’t have to do the legwork. Don’t know where to start? That’s okay too – Amazon has several lists you can browse from on their main page in the Book Department, such as Best Books of April and Award Winners.
Books are expensive. Yes, they can be. Want that new bestseller? Chances are it’s only in hardback and will set you back about $20, even if you have a membership to the bookstore or find it on sale. And what if you don’t like it? What a waste of money, right? Well – that’s why we have libraries! And most libraries have wonderful websites set up where you can have books held for you online and they let you know when it’s available. All, for free! And if you have a Half Price Books near you, you’d be surprised at A) how many beautiful and bestselling books you can find for under $3 in their clearance section and B) just how often they mail you coupons. Sign up on their website to get paper coupons, or they can email/text them to you. A 50% off coupon on a book that is already 50% off can save you….a lot. AND they don’t limit what you can use your coupon on. So if you really want that $25 bestseller, it’s already marked down to about $20 at Half-Price, plus you can use a coupon, so you can take it home for about the cost of a lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Still finding books too expensive? Try the Half Price Books Marketplace website where you can find books listed for $1, with cheap shipping.
What if you don’t like the book? Easy, put it down and pick up another. There is no rule that says that once you start a book you must finish it. Give a book three chapters to hook you and if it hasn’t, then don’t waste any more time. Most professionals in the literary world are trained to only read the first three chapters before deciding to sign a book or not, so those words had better be good.
The books I like are immature. . . Don’t worry. You aren’t the only adult who likes YA books more than the ones your “own age.” Don’t ever be embarrassed about what you want to read. Just buy it, read it , love it, and join the fandom.
So stop saying you don’t have the time to read. I promise you – you do! I’ve read 17 books this year and I have five animals, three kids, a husband, and a partridge in a pear tree. You can do it.
Most of my friends are women and most of these women like fun and easy reads. The Little Lady Agency is one of those, and it completely fits the bill for a book that you can read a little bit at a time, and not find yourself confused when you pick it back up. Readers who like Sophie Kinsella and Meg Cabot will enjoy this trilogy surrounding an unlikely girl-for-hire named Melissa – AKA Honey.
No one takes Melissa Romney-Jones seriously. Not her father, the prominent member of Parliament, and not her uptight and snobbish co-workers at the estate house. She doesn’t quite feel as if she fits in anywhere unless she’s lounging at home with her flatmate or out on the town (albeit quietly, at a respectable restaurant at a respectable hour, and of course, with proper shoes on) with her best girlfriend. But when she loses her job (sigh, again) and needs to find a way to make ends meet, she is a bit lost. After an unusually fortuitous job interview, she finds herself wrapped up in something completely different than what she’d originally penciled into her day planner – and she decides to take matter into her own hands by taking a real chance. . . recreating herself as . . . “Honey.”
Honey Blennerhesket, to be exact.
Honey can be all of the things that Melissa cannot. She can be everything Melissa wishes she could be. She’s got luxurious blonde hair (care of a meticulously placed wig) that men find super attractive. She can be no-nonsense and opinionated, and people will actually listen. She can be glamorous and confident, and she can let go and not worry about what others think. Honey is a woman that people – especially men – respect.
As the owner/operator of The Little Lady Agency, Honey expedites of the needs of men. Not sexually, of course, because Honey may be voluptuous and sexy, but she also has strict manners and high values. You never give the milk away for free, and all of that. She handles all of the other things that men just cannot seem to manage. She can take a dowdy and hopeless nerd and turn him into a well-dressed gentleman. She can keep the meddlesome mother off of a son’s back by pretending to be his girlfriend at Christmas parties and events. And she can make sure that a man’s home is decorated tastefully and subtly, all while making sure his dry-cleaning is picked up and he has the right reservation at the perfect restaurant. And even though there is a man or two who come through her program acting like complete immature lechers, Honey can handle almost anything.
Well, almost anything. A certain dashing American keeps calling on her for her services, and against her better judgement, she finds herself catching feelings. It feels like he might be too. . .but the trouble is, she can’t quite figure out if Jonathan Riley likes her for Honey or for. . . herself. And at the end of the day, she has a job to do, and nothing will keep her from making her client happy.
The Little Lady Agency is charming and funny. And although the premise of the story is very close to that of a call-girl, Melissa’s character is always above reproach when it comes to her manners and etiquette. The author has kept everything clean and tidy; no foul language or sexually graphic scenes. The interactions between Honey and her clients are at times, downright hilarious and cheeky. It’s just a good ole’ chick-lit book, akin to the likes of Jane Austen in it’s feminine flair and wit. The characters are likable and not terribly cliche, and as the story is told over three novels – you won’t get the ending you’re expecting out of this one.
I give The Little Lady Agency 4 stars and highly recommend it for a light and fun read. It is sure to leave you giggling and nodding your head as readers will find they can truly relate to Melissa’s (mis)adventures in dating (even if the men aren’t her real boyfriends). Her struggle to be her own woman and to build confidence in a world that so eagerly and voraciously tries to tear her down is admirable. Melissa is someone I would love to be friends with, grabbing a cocktail after a long week. She’s a good person, and continues to be one no matter what is thrown her way or how others try to put her down. I love how she finds that she is more like “Honey” than she originally thought and her evolution from timid girl to confident woman is paved with wonderful values and dreamy expectations.
They go on and on about how much they admire the time I have to read and are jealous of how many books I can plow through in a year. They cannot believe I have all of this “free time” on my hands to shop for books, read books, blog about books, etc. And they are the same friends who get overwhelmed in bookstores and are afraid of wasting time on a bad book, mainly because books are expensive.
I have a few suggestions for these friends:
Make time. You have it – you just gotta make it. A book doesn’t have to be read in a day, a week, or a month. It doesn’t even have to be read in six months. If you can dedicate 5 minutes a day to reading, then dedicate that. If you can dedicate more – then do it. We all have time, it’s just what you do with it. Set a reading goal and stick with it. If you put your devices down (laptop, mobile phone, tablet) for the last hour before you go to bed, studies show you sleep better anyway. So put the electronic device down and grab a book.
How do I personally make time? I read an average of a book a week, sometimes two, if the books are shorter. I set a personal goal of 50 pages a day. Most books are between 300-500 pages. I usually read more than the 50 pages, because I read all day. I read ten minutes here and five minutes there. I read while I’m nursing my baby to sleep. I read while I’m eating my lunch. I read while I’m waiting for my son to finish doing his hair in the morning and I’m sitting in my car alone, waiting to take him to school. I read in the bubble bath that I dedicate to myself every night. I read while my kids are doing homework, and I’m sitting near them for moral support. If you just carry a book around with you and stop telling yourself that you need an hour of complete silence to sit down and read, then I promise you that you can get through a book.
Don’t have time to shop for books? Amazon is your friend. Not only can you have books delivered to your door next day (same day, in some areas – like mine), you can browse the book section of Amazon based upon reviews, ratings, genre, and about 500 other parameters. Don’t have time to read the back and decide if it’s the book for you? Don’t worry, literally thousands of other people have already done it for you and have blessedly rated books so you don’t have to do the legwork. Don’t know where to start? That’s okay too – Amazon has several lists you can browse from on their main page in the Book Department, such as Best Books of April and Award Winners.
Books are expensive. Yes, they can be. Want that new bestseller? Chances are it’s only in hardback and will set you back about $20, even if you have a membership to the bookstore or find it on sale. And what if you don’t like it? What a waste of money, right? Well – that’s why we have libraries! And most libraries have wonderful websites set up where you can have books held for you online and they let you know when it’s available. All, for free! And if you have a Half Price Books near you, you’d be surprised at A) how many beautiful and bestselling books you can find for under $3 in their clearance section and B) just how often they mail you coupons. Sign up on their website to get paper coupons, or they can email/text them to you. A 50% off coupon on a book that is already 50% off can save you….a lot. AND they don’t limit what you can use your coupon on. So if you really want that $25 bestseller, it’s already marked down to about $20 at Half-Price, plus you can use a coupon, so you can take it home for about the cost of a lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Still finding books too expensive? Try the Half Price Books Marketplace website where you can find books listed for $1, with cheap shipping.
What if you don’t like the book? Easy, put it down and pick up another. There is no rule that says that once you start a book you must finish it. Give a book three chapters to hook you and if it hasn’t, then don’t waste any more time. Most professionals in the literary world are trained to only read the first three chapters before deciding to sign a book or not, so those words had better be good.
The books I like are immature. . . Don’t worry. You aren’t the only adult who likes YA books more than the ones your “own age.” Don’t ever be embarrassed about what you want to read. Just buy it, read it , love it, and join the fandom.
So stop saying you don’t have the time to read. I promise you – you do! I’ve read 17 books this year and I have five animals, three kids, a husband, and a partridge in a pear tree. You can do it.
Most of my friends are women and most of these women like fun and easy reads. The Little Lady Agency is one of those, and it completely fits the bill for a book that you can read a little bit at a time, and not find yourself confused when you pick it back up. Readers who like Sophie Kinsella and Meg Cabot will enjoy this trilogy surrounding an unlikely girl-for-hire named Melissa – AKA Honey.
No one takes Melissa Romney-Jones seriously. Not her father, the prominent member of Parliament, and not her uptight and snobbish co-workers at the estate house. She doesn’t quite feel as if she fits in anywhere unless she’s lounging at home with her flatmate or out on the town (albeit quietly, at a respectable restaurant at a respectable hour, and of course, with proper shoes on) with her best girlfriend. But when she loses her job (sigh, again) and needs to find a way to make ends meet, she is a bit lost. After an unusually fortuitous job interview, she finds herself wrapped up in something completely different than what she’d originally penciled into her day planner – and she decides to take matter into her own hands by taking a real chance. . . recreating herself as . . . “Honey.”
Honey Blennerhesket, to be exact.
Honey can be all of the things that Melissa cannot. She can be everything Melissa wishes she could be. She’s got luxurious blonde hair (care of a meticulously placed wig) that men find super attractive. She can be no-nonsense and opinionated, and people will actually listen. She can be glamorous and confident, and she can let go and not worry about what others think. Honey is a woman that people – especially men – respect.
As the owner/operator of The Little Lady Agency, Honey expedites of the needs of men. Not sexually, of course, because Honey may be voluptuous and sexy, but she also has strict manners and high values. You never give the milk away for free, and all of that. She handles all of the other things that men just cannot seem to manage. She can take a dowdy and hopeless nerd and turn him into a well-dressed gentleman. She can keep the meddlesome mother off of a son’s back by pretending to be his girlfriend at Christmas parties and events. And she can make sure that a man’s home is decorated tastefully and subtly, all while making sure his dry-cleaning is picked up and he has the right reservation at the perfect restaurant. And even though there is a man or two who come through her program acting like complete immature lechers, Honey can handle almost anything.
Well, almost anything. A certain dashing American keeps calling on her for her services, and against her better judgement, she finds herself catching feelings. It feels like he might be too. . .but the trouble is, she can’t quite figure out if Jonathan Riley likes her for Honey or for. . . herself. And at the end of the day, she has a job to do, and nothing will keep her from making her client happy.
The Little Lady Agency is charming and funny. And although the premise of the story is very close to that of a call-girl, Melissa’s character is always above reproach when it comes to her manners and etiquette. The author has kept everything clean and tidy; no foul language or sexually graphic scenes. The interactions between Honey and her clients are at times, downright hilarious and cheeky. It’s just a good ole’ chick-lit book, akin to the likes of Jane Austen in it’s feminine flair and wit. The characters are likable and not terribly cliche, and as the story is told over three novels – you won’t get the ending you’re expecting out of this one.
I give The Little Lady Agency 4 stars and highly recommend it for a light and fun read. It is sure to leave you giggling and nodding your head as readers will find they can truly relate to Melissa’s (mis)adventures in dating (even if the men aren’t her real boyfriends). Her struggle to be her own woman and to build confidence in a world that so eagerly and voraciously tries to tear her down is admirable. Melissa is someone I would love to be friends with, grabbing a cocktail after a long week. She’s a good person, and continues to be one no matter what is thrown her way or how others try to put her down. I love how she finds that she is more like “Honey” than she originally thought and her evolution from timid girl to confident woman is paved with wonderful values and dreamy expectations.
February 7, 2018
Meh! I’m not sure this book ended the way I wanted it to. Did she end up with the right guy? I may have to get the next book, I just can’t decide if I want to commit that much time to it.
And what a crazy dad!!
There were a couple of unresolved issues that left me scratching my head. Maybe I read the end too fast trying to get out the door to book club.
And what a crazy dad!!
There were a couple of unresolved issues that left me scratching my head. Maybe I read the end too fast trying to get out the door to book club.
April 2, 2018
Very very entertaining! :D
May 8, 2021
Thank Ipthar for English rom-coms. And ginger frescatinis. What a day. /thud
January 14, 2024
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
August 22, 2024
What a fun change of pace!
October 4, 2021
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I was given the series by my godmother in a house cleaning spree, and thought they'd be nice fluff. The last British, manners woman book I read "The Finishing Touches" was an outdated, sexist disappointment. Same author here, but much better characters and humor.
As an American reader in 2021 I had to do some translating from 2006 English slang and references. Apparently years of BBC and London visits wasn't enough, so I know some jokes and references went over my head.
There is definitely a romance in this book, and very well-developed, but the main focus is Melissa/Honey's independence. I really appreciated the attention to detail regarding networking, office setup, advertising and different client needs. Much better than just salvaging a finishing school!
The romance angle was a delight, with nearly a Cinderella/Pretty Woman twist. I liked that Jonathan was clear in wanting to know Melissa's real self, but also that he had his own baggage to overcome. Their relationship takes nearly a year to blossom and she's clear from chapter one that she doesn't sleep around. Only two kissing scenes in the whole book.
The density of details, random family drama and lack of true swooning heat kept this from five stars. But Browne injected genuine chuckleworthy humor in Mel's asides throughout, had a solid love triangle option, and built a genuine heroine with character growth to root for.
As an American reader in 2021 I had to do some translating from 2006 English slang and references. Apparently years of BBC and London visits wasn't enough, so I know some jokes and references went over my head.
There is definitely a romance in this book, and very well-developed, but the main focus is Melissa/Honey's independence. I really appreciated the attention to detail regarding networking, office setup, advertising and different client needs. Much better than just salvaging a finishing school!
The romance angle was a delight, with nearly a Cinderella/Pretty Woman twist. I liked that Jonathan was clear in wanting to know Melissa's real self, but also that he had his own baggage to overcome. Their relationship takes nearly a year to blossom and she's clear from chapter one that she doesn't sleep around. Only two kissing scenes in the whole book.
The density of details, random family drama and lack of true swooning heat kept this from five stars. But Browne injected genuine chuckleworthy humor in Mel's asides throughout, had a solid love triangle option, and built a genuine heroine with character growth to root for.
November 30, 2011
Why? Why? Why?
Why did I waste my time and energy reading this book. I might as well have been tortured. Heavens, this is an absolutely terrible pitiful book I have read in a while. It is so foolish that I couldn't multiply a simple 2*2 after I got done. I bow my head in shame as I write this review. I want no one to associate me with this book. This book has a plot, a plot that is badly developed and sounds like what a 2yr old wrote. I might even give the book kudos if the plot was to brainwash people. If its plot was to brainwash people then I guess it succeeded. Brainwash people and fill them with carp upon carp.
Where do I start?
I think I will start with the characters. They are ultimately idiotic and put a new meaning in the word moron. You have the main character, Melissa, crying in about every page. She signs up in this agency that hires women to guys who just want to "have a talk". Notice the quotations, but Melissa being the dimwit she is thinks that her being paid to have dinner with men will only involve talking. I guess if she was 10years old you might cut her some slack, but she is in her fucking twenties or thirties. Now when she realizes that she was not hired to just talk to men over dinner she starts crying. Oh boowoo I guess she has been living under a rock for the past years of her life.
Now you would think a book of course has one terrible character, but every single character in this book is as annoying apart from Nelson, the only person in the book whom made any sense.
Saying that I would like to progress unto Melissa's love interest, Jonathan Riley. He is so freaking boring my eyes were drooping whenever I read his lines. He hardly knows crap about Melissa and all he ever does his hold Melissa while she cries. Come to think of it that is what seems to be happening in the whole novel.
Melissa is hiding from her dad. Melissa cries. Someone comforts Melissa. Melissa starts fretting about money. Melissa cries. Melissa thinks about calling her dad. Melisa cries or she meets up with her friend Gaby, who had no input in the book, but just seemed to be popping up everywhere.
The book is meant to make you realize that you do not need to look hot to feel good about yourself. Charming idea except I could have read all about that in a pamphlet that I see in the school office.
Talking about school, I do not even want to get started about how idiotic the private school Melissa goes to sounds like.
Now since I have criticized this book so much the question you might be wondering to yourself is "If she hated the book so much. Why keep reading?" Well I can answer that. I did not finish the book. 30pages into it and I shot myself.
Save yourself the trouble and excruciating pain and do not read this book.
Why did I waste my time and energy reading this book. I might as well have been tortured. Heavens, this is an absolutely terrible pitiful book I have read in a while. It is so foolish that I couldn't multiply a simple 2*2 after I got done. I bow my head in shame as I write this review. I want no one to associate me with this book. This book has a plot, a plot that is badly developed and sounds like what a 2yr old wrote. I might even give the book kudos if the plot was to brainwash people. If its plot was to brainwash people then I guess it succeeded. Brainwash people and fill them with carp upon carp.
Where do I start?
I think I will start with the characters. They are ultimately idiotic and put a new meaning in the word moron. You have the main character, Melissa, crying in about every page. She signs up in this agency that hires women to guys who just want to "have a talk". Notice the quotations, but Melissa being the dimwit she is thinks that her being paid to have dinner with men will only involve talking. I guess if she was 10years old you might cut her some slack, but she is in her fucking twenties or thirties. Now when she realizes that she was not hired to just talk to men over dinner she starts crying. Oh boowoo I guess she has been living under a rock for the past years of her life.
Now you would think a book of course has one terrible character, but every single character in this book is as annoying apart from Nelson, the only person in the book whom made any sense.
Saying that I would like to progress unto Melissa's love interest, Jonathan Riley. He is so freaking boring my eyes were drooping whenever I read his lines. He hardly knows crap about Melissa and all he ever does his hold Melissa while she cries. Come to think of it that is what seems to be happening in the whole novel.
Melissa is hiding from her dad. Melissa cries. Someone comforts Melissa. Melissa starts fretting about money. Melissa cries. Melissa thinks about calling her dad. Melisa cries or she meets up with her friend Gaby, who had no input in the book, but just seemed to be popping up everywhere.
The book is meant to make you realize that you do not need to look hot to feel good about yourself. Charming idea except I could have read all about that in a pamphlet that I see in the school office.
Talking about school, I do not even want to get started about how idiotic the private school Melissa goes to sounds like.
Now since I have criticized this book so much the question you might be wondering to yourself is "If she hated the book so much. Why keep reading?" Well I can answer that. I did not finish the book. 30pages into it and I shot myself.
Save yourself the trouble and excruciating pain and do not read this book.
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