A Gift from Tiffany's

From Tiffany's #1

by Melissa Hill

Doesn’t every girl dream of getting… something from Tiffany’s?

On 5th Avenue in New York City, two very different men are shopping for gifts for the women they love.

Gary is buying his girlfriend Rachel a charm bracelet. Partly to thank her for paying for their holiday-of-a-lifetime to New York. But mainly because he’s left his shopping far too late.

Whereas Ethan’s looking for something a little more special – an engagement ring for the first woman to have made him happy since he lost the love of his life.

But when the two men’s shopping bags get confused, and Rachel somehow ends up with Ethan’s ring, the couples’ lives become intertwined.

As Ethan tries to reunite the ring with the woman it was actually intended for, he discovers this isn’t that easy. Does fate have other ideas for the couples? Or is there simply a bit of Tiffany’s magic in the air…

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Christmas, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, New York

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Melissa Hill is a USA Today bestselling author living in Ireland’s beautiful County Wicklow. Her page-turning contemporary novels of family, friendship and romance are published worldwide and have been translated into twenty-six languages.

A Hollywood adaptation of her international bestseller Something from Tiffany's, by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine and Amazon Studios, was released worldwide in Dec 2022.

Other novels including A Gift to Remember and The Charm Bracelet have been adapted for screen by Hallmark Channel USA, with multiple other titles currently also in development for film and TV.

For more info, visit her website at www.melissahill.info

Facebook: facebook.com/melissahillbooks

Instagram: @melissahillbooks

Melissa also co-writes forensic thrillers with her husband under the pseudonym Casey Hill. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Reviews

[Tina(why is GR limiting comments?!!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who, doesn't love that little blue Tiffany's box or little blue bag 😂 I admit just the title and cover got me right away! 💍

This book was originally published 10 years ago but I wanted to read it before watching the new movie on Prime Video.

It's a cute premise about a mix-up two men make when shopping at Tiffany's in NYC on Christmas Eve. While the idea is a good one for a ROM-COM I did find the book lagged and was a little repetitious. It was a quick and easy read though and I'm still glad I read it.

My daughter did watch the movie and told me she enjoyed it so I'm gearing up to maybe this time enjoying the movie more than the book.

[Barbara Elsborg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. I liked the premise - the idea of a mistake leading to such confusion but this was nowhere near enough to sustain a novel of this length. It would have been great for a short story but it was a struggle to keep reading it because the characters were so wet and annoying. All it required was a question to be asked and yet it never was - the reasons for not doing so made the guy look so pathetic, he didn't deserve a happy ending. I've liked Ms Hills other stories but this didn't work for me at all.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and sweet read. Sometimes universe knows that things have to get mixed up to be put right and with a little Tiffany's and Christmas magic it's all possible.
Fun and engaging book, perfect to brighten up a dreary January morning.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t want to review this book until I had finally watched the Prime Movie version – which I finally got around to this weekend. You see, the premise of the print version was sure to be an absolutely adorable romcom: two different fellas are shopping at . . . .



One for a generic Christmas present for his girlfriend, the other for the Queen Mary of all Tiffany’s gifts for his. They find their bags doing the ol’ swippy swappy during an accident. Then it’s all about how to correct that epic boo-boo while realizing maybe who they thought was “the one” actually wasn’t until the end when . . . .



Like I said, super cute premise, but the book left a lot to be desired. Mainly it was the pacing. The story moved at a snail’s slog only to really ramp up to 100MPH at the very end. The book version also had me feeling super sorry for the intended recipient of the ring for most of the story as well. She really needed to be presented as a bad choice right from the beginning in order for this idea to work. Good news is, the movie version was just as cute as I hoped it would be and while Reese Witherspoon’s book club selections often leave me shaking my head, she (and her production company) are real good at the screen versions of romcoms. Maybe skip the book and just watch this one instead.

[Purcheria · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars May contain spoilers

Right. Well I have officially lost a few brain cells/grey matter to this book as well as my precious and ever-fleeting time and well at least one of those things I am POSITIVE that I will not be getting back.
This book was absolutely RIDICULOUS!! The only, and I mean only reason why I finished it was because despite myself (and my hard-earned time and grey matter) I really wanted to know who would stop being a jackass - within the plethora of mindless and utterly "STOOPID" (yes I spelled it that way on purpose, so it wasn't due to my reduction of said brain cells...but I digress)characters - would actually figure out the ridiculousness of the situation and come clean about the whole thing.

I had several issues with this book, as you have probably been able to discern from my long-winded rant.
I will not go into all the details, because like I've said, enough time has been wasted on this. But I will touch upon the things that bothered me the most...Erm, here goes.
The plot is all about a mix-up when a gentleman (Ethan) goes to Tiffany's to buy an engagement ring for his soon-to-be fiancee. At the same time another young man Gary goes to buy a bracelet for his girlfriend...There's an accident,...yada, yada, yada and the bags get mixed up because Ethan decided to help Gary.
To make a long story short, Ethan wants his ring back, but Gary is unconcious and can't give it back.
Now keep in mind that this is an engagement ring from Tiffany's, TIFFANY'S people!! Not your girl Tiffany from way back when, but the ACTUAL Tiffany's store. So we KNOW this ring cost a purrrty penny. This man (Ethan) went ALL THE WAY to TIFFANY'S in New York from LONDON....ENGLAND specifically for the ring!!! The reason I stress this is because the first time Ethan gets the chance to ask Gary's girlfriend for the ring back, he doesn't because he doesn't want to upset her further because her boyfriend is hospitalised...Ummm...Okay, maybe, maybe, we can sorta understand that (or maybe not, depends on how gullible you are as a reader, but whatevs). Still, we are talking about a five-figure ring people! Anyhoo. So the story lumbers on and he returns to London (without said ring, mind you) and when he has another opportunity to call Rachel (Gary's girl), he decides not to because it's his daughter's bedtime, you see. So he doesn't...No, seriously.
The story continues to lumber on and well you can imagine that if the plot starts like that, imagine how the rest of the book continued on. Let's just say that it involved Gary not telling the truth, Rachel's best friend stealing the ring back for Ethan, Ethan also finding out "disturbing" news about his love Vanessa (the one he initially bought the ring for)and Gary and Ethan setting aside their differences (Ummm...Wha??!!) all for a neatly wrapped ending with a contrived and VERY unbelievable romance...Or two.
Trully, the only reason why this book got that extra .5 is because the daughter, Daisy, was a dear at times.

Well there you have it.

But you know, maybe I was being a little too harsh with this book. Maybe my thoughts were a bit jaded because I happen (whispers) to own a $150 silver bracelet from Tiffany's which I happen to love.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book and watched the movie on Amazon Prime. I must say the book was better than the movie. The movie was like a highlight of the book. The story is about an incident where two men buy gifts from Tiffany's and the gifts gets exchanged in an accident. They go to the wrong person and lots happens after that. The book had a lot of surprising twists and turns, the movie not so many and it did not even end the same. The book had a surpise ending, the movie had an expected ending. As I said I did enjoy the book a lot it was like a romantic comedy with lots of twists and turns. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a good story about love and Christmas in New York City.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Tiffany's was a magical place filled with fantasy and romance."

A Hello Sunshine/Prime feature film, 'Something From Tiffany’s' is an adorable holiday romance about taking chances, falling in love and trusting destiny.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick, holiday read! It held my interest and I genuinely wanted to know if things would sort themselves out for the two couples. Hill explores fate versus free will and adds a magical element to the little blue box and the fairy-tale ending we associate with it!

I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, A Diamond From Tiffany’s!

I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Andie Long · Rating 1 out of 5]

A frustrating, annoying book that could have been settled by one of the characters just opening their mouth and asking for something. I sussed the ending straight away and could have happily slapped all the characters barring Daisy, the 8 year old. Loathed it and expect better from Melissa who has written some darn fine books in the past.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read that Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine had picked this one up to adapt into a film for Amazon (to star Zoe Deutch, an actress I'm a fan of), I jumped on this read.

I stuck it out to see how things ended for these characters, but overall I found the plot to be *so* frustrating, in large part because it's pretty darn unbelievable. Not to mention there's several twists in the back half that are tonally wrong/disingenuous to the characters. They left me feeling like I'd had the narrative rug pulled out from under me.

Will I still watch the forthcoming adaptation? Yes (she mumbles under her breath).

Do I wish I would have just waited for the movie and passed on this book? Also yes (she says with a sincere pang of regret in her voice).

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started out with a lot of promise, but midway it bogged down with way too much repetition. The ending was sweet. I watched the movie adaptation on Amazon, which followed the basic premise of the story but took a lot of liberties. Both were cute and sweet Christmas entertainment.

[Carina Gironella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book beautifully written by Melissa Hill.

The book is about two men who bought a gift for their girl at Tiffany’s Christmas Eve.

Gary Knowles, a self-conceited, bike-enthusiast whose business is going down the drain. While in New York, he got preoccupied with shopping for himself that he forgot to get a gift for his girl, Rachel Conti. He thought of buying her something that would level the generosity of Rachel, for she solely payed their holiday trip for Christmas. Tiffany’s was the first shop he spotted and bought her a charm bracelet.

Ethan Greene, a widow, school professor/lecturer and a father to a sweet 8 year old girl, Daisy. He was buying the perfect engagement ring at Tiffany’s for Vanessa, the first woman he has ever loved since the lost of his lovely wife Jane.

But then their Tiffany bags got mixed up. And their lives become intertwined.

Is it fate that the bags got mixed up?

“Or is there simply a bit of Tiffany’s magic in the air?” – MH

This is my first book of the year and I loved it! I had moments wherein I had to put the book down just for a second and imagine. It was detailed that it felt like I was there – in New York at Tiffany’s! There are a lot of twist and turns and also a hint of mystery which just keeps you turning the page until the end. It’s a good read. <3

[•Anna• · Rating 1 out of 5]

Non sono riuscita ad arrivare a pagina 100 che già iniziavo a saltare capitoli (convinta che qualcosa l'avrei comunque capita, dato che la Hill si ostina a ripetere e ripetere nemmeno fossimo dei ritardati). E fu così che, sulla scia degli insegnamenti di Orazio, decisi di risparmiare tempo e fiondarmi al capitolo finale, concludere con l'epilogo e realizzare di avere fatto un acquisto di merda.
Una trama ridicola, in cui l'autrice ha curato meglio i dettagli più inutili (di quelli che non te ne può fregare - i drogati di cioccolata e di caramelle, com'è bella NY a Natale, la tipa che attacca bottone con le infermiere, le discussioni nerd di una bambina di soli 8 anni, Gobshite della malora) anzichè cercare di rendere solo lontanamente INTERESSANTE la storia principale!
Mi sento una vera sfigata: da quanto tempo non becco un libro veramente bello o NORMALE? Uno più palloso dell'altro,oh.
Melissa Hill non mi freghi più, e soprattutto non mi fregheranno più quei giudizi straordinariamente carini sul retro della copertina!

[DeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a good quick book for the airplane. Characters were interesting but didn't really draw me in to the story. I didn't predict the ending.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting in New York and moving to London and Dublin, where we don't see much of the locations, this light romance follows a diamond ring which is bought for one lady but gets swapped for a different package and ends up with another lady. Only one man had been intending to propose.

The book feels padded with some repetition and could have done with editing for length; but the editors may have asked the author to plump it up a bit because they could price it more highly. Characters are neatly drawn and they are the making of the account: an earnest widowed father with a bright eight year old daughter; a young man whose idea of heaven is a new motorbike rather than getting settled just yet; two nice ladies running a café near the Ha'penny Bridge with a cheeky chef; and a worried young woman who isn't sure that her relationship is in the right place.

There are issues which the author never looks at and should have. We're told at the purchase point in Tiffany's that the ring has accompanying papers. A professor would put great store on documentation and authenticity, and Tiffany's would guarantee that this was ethically sourced and not a blood diamond. So all the professor had to do was to ask the other man to produce his own diamond certificate, credit card statement and sales receipt, while the sales staff would have explained that the ring could be diamond tested in any jewellers. And he would have asked for the papers, it's the first thing he would have done.

I don't want to spoil a lighthearted romance by being overly picky so have fun with this Christmas-themed story. You may find yourself skipping lightly through pages after halfway, but do stay on for the end, it works out well.

[Mariann {at} Belle's Book Bag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this cover!! Wow.. there were so many twists and turns and lies in this story that I couldn't wait to read what happened next. I wasn't expecting that. I was fidgety through out most of the book waiting for the point when everything would be revealed. lol

I genuinely felt bad for Rachel because not only was she deceived by the man she loved, but by her friends also. I honestly don't know how she forgave them~I'm not sure I would have been able to. Oh...Ethan...he told so many lies that I don't know how he kept it all straight and every time he got close to getting the ring back something would happen to put it further out of his reach. lol Then there was Gary...UGH...I didn't like him from the beginning and even in the end, I'm not sure that he was fully redeemed in my eyes. He was definitely a piece of work~he had me equal parts annoyed and laughing at the things he did. I cannot believe that he wasn't going to give the ring back~who does that!! lol Wow...never saw the Vanessa thing coming~shocked!! I loved Daisy ~ she was so cute.

I can almost understand why Ethan didn't tell Vanessa right away about the mix up. But if it was me and I lost something that cost over $20,000.00~I would have been out of my mind and I wouldn't have cared what condition Gary was in~I would have told Rachel the truth. lol :)

In the end, a whole lot of hurt, misunderstandings, time, money and frustration could have been avoided if everyone would have come clean and told the truth. I liked the ending but wished it was a little further into the future to be able to see how the relationships had progressed. I also wish that it hadn't taken so long for the truth to finally come out. But then the book wouldn't have been half as good as it was!!

An entertaining well written book that will have me looking for more from Melissa Hill. I so loved the concept of the mixed~up packages and the way so many lives were affected by a simple mistake. And, of course, what woman wouldn't want to receive that signature blue box under the tree for Christmas?!?! I definitely will be hoping to find one under my tree on Christmas morning!! lol ;) 3 out of 5 rating!!

***Copy obtained per St. Martin's Press~Thank you so much!!

[Aditi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tiffany's..AAh, that sound itself can make any women sweep off her feet. Wow, "Something From Tiffany's" is a very beautiful and charming book. This book has got everything from LOVE to deception, from heart-break to falling-in-love. I don't know after reading this how much being in love with the characters you'll feel, but I must say, you'll definitely fall in love with Tiffany's Store.

This is about two guys- Ethan and Gary buying their special something for their gals. It's Christmas time, no doubt, every girl wants to get proposed from their boyfriends, so as Vanessa(Ethan's girl) and Rachel(Garry's girl) expects the same from the love of their lives. Ethan wants to propose, so he gets an engangement ring for his girl, and also he wants to settle down with Vanessa, as he have a daughter Daisy who needs a mother. Garry, on the other hand, being having no plans of settling down right-at-the-moment, so he gets a charm bracelet for Rachel. But an unfortunate accident of Garry happen to make both these men lives interwined as such both their presents get swapped. Now the crazy drama begins. To find out more, you need to get your hands on this book. Anyways, it do have a happy ending.

This book is filled with so many twists and turns, it'll definitely going to keep you on the edges and make your heart bit, because in every page there is "Love is in the air" feel. The author has represented the store in a very detailed way, it'll make you feel like you're standing right inside Tiffany's store. And yeah the characters were quite colourful and interesting ones, specially, Ethan's daughter, Daisy. She's the one of a kind girl. Well from the first page of the book, it coins itself as a page-turner. So ladies, get a slice of Tiffany's in this book.

[☠tsukino☠ · Rating 1 out of 5]

La prima parte estremamente pesante, banale e francamente inutile; dopo poche pagine si capisce già dove vuole andare a parare e da lì non si schioda per circa trecento pagine.
Il discorso sull’anello è assurdo e inverosimile: al di là del valore emotivo che può rappresentare, il comportamento di Ethan è altamente improbabile anche solo per la questione economica (tralasciamo il resto). Sai che c’è stato uno scambio di pacchi, incontri una perfetta sconosciuta e, per non ferire i suoi sentimenti, perdi tempo a parlare di biscotti e non le dici niente? Non esiste.
Il lungo avvicinamento al fulcro della storia mi ha fatto venire letteralmente l’ansia e dire che l'ho preso come lettura natalizia. Le ultime cinquanta pagine sono le più briose e con qualche sorpresa, ma non bastano per salvare il libro.
I protagonisti non hanno lasciato il segno:
Ethan, gran signore, ma veramente mollaccione.
In un sacco di libri ci sono degli adorabili bastardi che colpiscono il cuore, Gary non può neanche fregiarsi di questo titolo, è semplicemente un troglodita idiota.
Rachel non si capisce come possa amare il suddetto troglodita.
Vanessa, personaggio che più insipido di così non si può.
Si salvano solo Daisy, tenera, problematica bambina e Terri, rivelazione dell’unica parte inaspettata.
Lettura decisamente scarsa.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reviewer: JoAnne
Source: Publisher
JoAnne's review was first posted at Romancing the Book's blog.

I like stories set at Christmas and felt I could relate to this one since most of it took place in New York where I grew up. There was romance, love, family, lots of deception and discourse by all, a child that got dragged into every adult situation, and storylines set in England and Ireland as well as New York . The description of all the locations made me feel I was there since I could visualize the snow, the landmarks in New York, the streets in London and the Irish countryside and the cafe, Stromboli's, in particular.

I found the book very choppy at times bouncing around from character to character none of whom were really totally developed. There was a connection between most of them by the end of the book but I didn't find closure. I liked the epilogue but that only tied up one storyline with a very unexpected happily ever after since I thought I was reading about a different couple at the time until I got to the last few lines. Another potential happily ever after was alluded to but I would have liked the author's take on whether it came to pass or not.

I did like how Jane, Ethan's deceased wife and Daisy's mom was quoted throughout. Although some of what she "said" was whimsical a lot of it seemed like practical advice for her husband and daughter to live their lives by.

I haven't read books by this author before but would give others of hers a try to see if there were better developed characters and closure and also less choppiness.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it up on a Christmas' book sale and I have to say that after reading such a heavy book, Something from Tiffany's does have its own magic to make me feel light again! With the current state which I am in right now; my chaotic life (which I am sure what most of us are having too), this book is a good diversion from reality. I think I can imagine, how every girl in the world would swoon over a diamond ring or any jewelleries from Tiffany's. Having said so, I would admit that the sight of an expensive rock on a ring does make my heart pound. Well, what can I say because diamond is every girls' best friend! ;)

Although this is my first experience reading a novel by Melissa Hill, I have to say that the plot is a bit loose. I agree with most of the reviews that this book could have been much shorter and simple only if Ethan has the courage to come clean and go straight to the point when trying to get the ring back. I hate to admit that the book caught me off guard with a little twist at the end. Not that I am dissapointed, I am quite pleased actually for the book had not ended like what I had expected. For that, I am happy to say I enjoy this book.

A sprinkle of magic from 'Something from Tiffany's' is exactly what I needed to escape from the reality, even just for a while ;)

[kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

During December I like to take a break from my usual books and read fluffy Christmas stories. Nothing wrong with that, they are fun, frothy little snowflakes. Usually.
Unfortunately, this isn't a Christmas story. It is a story which feels that the holiday connection is tacked on at the beginning and end. This story could take place anywhere at anytime. The Tiffany's connection could be any Tiffany's store in any city. I didn't get any feel of New York City at Christmastime. And again, it doesn't matter because this truly isn't a Christmas story. I feel somewhat cheated in that regard.
So, as to the story. It sort of plods. There isn't any feeling of urgency which there truly should be from the plot. A very valuable ring has ended up in the wrong hands and yet, everyone pussy-foots around about it.
And I didn't buy either of the happily ever-afters. Neither one felt authentic or even made much sense, probably because the author didn't build either relationship in a way that you could see any actual attraction, let alone the basis of a life together. It just didn't work for me.
But, all that aside, I wish this one was better. I'm saddened that I didn't like it. The premise is fun, but the actual story is not.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why did no one want to tell Rachel the truth??!!! If I had spent 20 thousand on a ring and it got lost in a mixup and went to the wrong person, I wouldn’t care about how the woman who got the ring would feel - I would tell her the story and get my property back!

Also, how dumb was Gary???? “I didn’t really think about where the ring had come from.” He ended up with a ring he didn’t buy due to a mixup and didn’t think to try and figure out what happened? I didn’t care for him at all, and I was annoyed that Rachel chose him in the end. What did she see in him anyway???

Ethan and Terri had very few interactions, and I was not happy they ended up together either.

It had some cute moments, but was completely unrealistic and not very much of the book is set at Christmas.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Something from Tiffany's. It was a page turner right from the start. The fact that it is set in New Yorks to begin with, sets the book up to be a great one. The characters are easy to get to know and like and it will have you craving some freshly baked bread. The book also keeps you guessing in the manner of watching an episode of desperate housewives or a seriously good romcom. There were twists and turns making me gasp right up until the last page. I applauded the final page, it was just such a good ending. I will be passing this book on to my friends.

[Maria Lavrador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um romance muito simpático de encontros e desencontros, com algum sentido de humor e o amor sempre a pairar no ar. Sabe bem ler uns livros destes de vez em quando, que nos deixam bem dispostas e com vontade de saber o seu final, para saber como a escritora desembrulha o rolo onde meter as personagens. Sendo esta a minha estreia nos livros desta escritora, fiquei com vontade de ler mais coisas dela.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little too sweet for me. The characters were all too false and not at all true to life. They seemed only interested in the material things and not about the person who was giving the present. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Mairead · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jesus. What a load of rubbish!

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened to watch the movie first, so I thought I knew what would happen in this book. I was wrong because while the basic premise is the same, the details are different.

Once I got past that part, I enjoyed the story. Ethan is too nice, not wanting to hurt Rachel's feelings, Rachel is in a relationship with a self-absorbed jerk (aka Gary), Teri is a well-meaning friend, and Daisy is the bright spot in the stories.

The book was a quick read, filled with deceit on multiple fronts and the desire to find true love. There is a HEA for some of the characters, but not all.

[TALITA]

pra variar um livro de natal com personagens burros e bananas. sério nunca vi tanta gente burra em um livro só. caramba como esse gary é escroto

[Juh Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

É um livro muito bonito e charmoso. Tem de tudo, desde muito amor a grandes decepções, de partir o coração a apaixonar-se. O final foi um tanto inesperado, e foi uma leitura que me divertiu muito e me irritou em alguns momentos. De modo geral, gostei bastante.

>> Divertido. Aquece o Coração. Tocante - Nota: 7,5

Veja mais em: Ninho de Pirilampos

[Patrícia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opinião do Blogue Chaise Longue: http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt...

Apesar de ser irlandesa de nascimento, Melissa Hill tem conquistado tanto as leitoras da sua terra natal como as britânicas e desde 2002 que tem feito as delícias e trocado as voltas a milhares de fãs, sendo uma das autoras irlandesas melhor sucedidas. Sem nunca ter pensado numa carreira que envolvesse os gatafunhos que escrevia na escola, Melissa acabou por alcançar o sucesso e onze anos, onze romances e um milhão de cópias vendidas depois ela continua a fazer com os que os seus leitores se surpreendam a tua última página. Os seus livros, publicados em mais de vinte e três línguas, têm sido um sucesso de vendas e dois deles ganharão vida, um como série e outro no grande ecrã. Para além dos romances chick-lit, Melissa é co-autora de thrillers com o marido Kevin.
Prometo Amar-te, possivelmente o livro mais famoso de Melissa, foi um dos melhores livros de 2011 na Irlanda e Inglaterra, conta com catorze edições e esteve oito semanas seguidas como número um de vendas em Itália. Sendo o mais recente livro da autora traduzido por terras lusas, este livro promete as mesmas reviravoltas, humor e romantismo dos restantes.
Uma caixinha azul envolvida por um laço branco é sinónimo de sonho, felicidade e vestido de noiva e, que de certeza absoluta, o moço que lha deu acha que é a mulher da vida dele. Invocando Audrey Hepburn, o Natal e o felizes para sempre, Ethan escolhe um solitário para dar mais um passo na sua vida e mudá-la para algo melhor mas a magia e o romantismo da Tiffany’s não estão do seu lado e ao armar-se em bom samaritano perde um anel de noivado e vira a sua vida do avesso. Entre Nova Iorque, Londres e Dublin, casais vão separar-se, apaixonar-se e descobrir que um anel pode muito bem decidir com quem quer ficar mesmo que seja o único a achar isso… Por entre o cheiro de pão, o glamour dos diamantes e as tempestades provocadas pelas mentiras, as promessas vão desfazer-se, ganhar um novo brilho e mostrar onde realmente está o amor verdadeiro.
Através de uma escrita divertida e romântica, Melissa apresenta-nos a vida de dois casais e como uma reviravolta do destino pode mudar a vida deles com apenas um gesto. Uma narrativa cheia de humor, reviravoltas e uma mãozinha das estrelas, este livro guarda o seu final como um bem precioso e, até mesmo ao fim, o destino de cada personagem fica em aberto até que cada peça se junta para nos apresentar o mais inesperado que possam imaginar. Normalmente, surpresas e fins com que ninguém está a contar é um bom ingrediente mas desta vez não consegui ficar convencida. Melissa usa e abusa das reviravoltas, dos enganos, dos desastres e afins para prolongar a história até ao máximo e isso acaba por criar um certo enfado no leitor que até está a gostar da história, já está a ver o rumo todo e de repente as voltas são todas trocadas e a solução está cada vez mais longe de estar a vista.
O que começa como uma história divertida e romântica acaba por se tornar um arrastar de acontecimentos cuja resolução já podia ter sido dada e isso, apesar da escrita fácil e envolvente da autora, acaba por retirar um bocado do prazer da leitura. Até meio do livro, as situações caricatas prendem-nos a atenção e o carisma das personagens fazem-nos antever finais felizes e altares no horizonte mas a meio já só queremos que a história acabe até porque começamos a perceber que a autora vai mesmo pregar-nos uma rasteira. Um final surpreendente é bom mas um final que o leitor não antevia nem queria deixa um sabor agridoce e é isso que Melissa nos faz quando as últimas páginas começam a ser viradas a uma velocidade assustadora e a coisa começa a sair do controlo. Parece que este é um típico nos seus livros e isso faz-me pensar que é melhor não gostar muito das personagens senão não vou gostar de como tudo vai acabar.
Quanto às suas personagens têm carisma, são leves e divertidas, rodeadas de estereótipos e mereciam um livro mais curto para não perderem a piada pois o prolongamento torna os seus dramas algo irritantes. A meu ver, com um livro mais curto a autora tinha ganho mais e nós leitores também pois é a história tem um potencial imenso mas acaba por perder o romantismo e depois de um arrastar infinito de situações o fim acaba não só por saber a pouco como se dá tão rápido que mal damos por ele. É preciso encontrar um equilíbrio pois se ele existisse eu teria gostado muito mais deste livro.
Apesar de não totalmente convencida, penso ler outro livro da autora para tirar as teimas e ver se este é apenas um caso isolado.

[I love books · Rating 1 out of 5]

New York, la vigilia di Natale. Due uomini sono alla ricerca del giusto regalo per le rispettive fidanzate e la scelta di entrambi cade su Tiffany; Ethan compra un costosissimo anello di fidanzamento mentre Gary un semplice braccialetto portafortuna. Ciascuno ignaro della presenza dell'altro, ritirano il loro pacchetto con tanto di fiocco e ritornano nelle trafficate strade della metropoli: ma le loro strade sono destinate ad incrociarsi. Gary viene investito da un taxi ed Ethan si precipita in suo soccorso e attende con lui l'arrivo dell'ambulanza, contento di aver fatto una buona azione, anche se in realtà il suo gesto cambierà la sua vita. I pacchetti di Tiffany si sono scambiati durante la confusione, disastro! Ethan cercherà in ogni modo di recuperare l'anello, ma come potrebbe infrangere il sogno di Rachel, la fidanzata di Gary, che si è ritrovata al dito un diamante di Tiffany?

Di solito le mie recensioni non sono negative perchè non avendo soldi da "buttare" cerco sempre di andare sul sicuro e quindi compro libri che so già che mi piaceranno. Per fortuna non ho comprato questo libro, sarebbero stati i 10€ peggio spesi della mia vita. E dire che mia suocera mi aveva avvisato quando me l'ha prestato.. Non vedo il senso di questa storia: perdi un anello da 20 mila dollari ma non te la senti di dire alla ragazza che lo ha "guarda che è mio, lo posso dimostrare". Potrebbe rimanere ferita, come potrebbe il premuroso Ethan dirle che il suo fidanzato fa orecchie da mercante alle sue richieste di avere indietro ciò che è suo.. Non sia mai! Ma la parte migliore è Gary che dice: "Non ci sono prove a sostenere che l'anello non sia mio".. Ma scherziamo!? Uno straccio di ricevuta esisterà oppure anche lì si evade il fisco?
400 pagine abbondanti per raccontare una storia che non sta in piedi; poteva essere un libro carino, bastava risolvere il problema dello scambio mentre l'investito era in ospedale e da lì far continuare il tutto, ne sarebbe uscita una storiella almeno leggibile.
Non mi sento di consigliarlo sinceramente a meno che non vogliate provare il brivido dell'azzardo, comunque ricordo che questa è la mia opinione personale, magari a voi potrebbe piacere ^^