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Under the Bonnet
When your family fails its MOT, it's time to look UNDER THE BONNET...With a struggling second-hand car dealership in South London, Juliet and Andy Wyevale don't have it easy. And it's not just the business that needs a jump-start -- their relationship could do with an overhaul too. Andy's always too busy with work to help with the kids, and what's more, he's losing his hair and gaining a paunch. Although Juliet loves her husband dearly, she knows the passion leaked out of their marriage a while ago. So when Andy hires Steve, a gorgeous young mechanic with an appetite for fast motorbikes and older women, the sparks begin to fly. Will Juliet risk it all for a tumble on the tarmac? Or will she realise her family needs her now more than ever?
- GenresFiction
Paperback
First published August 15, 2004
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Woodman
28 books183 followersI began my working life as a small-animal vet. Like turning the pages in a book, I was never quite sure what was going to happen at the surgery next. From the sausage dog who swallowed a sewing needle to the telly addict of a rabbit who lost an eye to infection, there was never a dull moment.
I have always loved to read, escaping into all kinds of novels during those long nights on call, but I didn’t have much time to pursue writing until after my children were born and I gave up full-time work to look after them. I joined a creative writing group and entered all the writing competitions I could find.
My break into becoming a published author came in 2002 when I was joint winner of the Harry Bowling First Novel Award. At the award ceremony, I met Laura Longrigg of MBA Literary Agents who signed me up on delivery of a finished manuscript.
In April 2003, Laura rang to say that Headline were offering me a two book deal. I had to dial 1471 to check she really had called me and I wasn’t dreaming.
My first novel, Under The Bonnet, was published in November 2004. My second, Our House, was published in 2005, the third, Family Matters in 2006, and the fourth, The Boy Next Door in 2007.
Since then, I’ve been working on an exciting new project, a series of novels about The Otter House Vets, a fictional practice set in a quiet Devonshire market town. Trust Me, I’m a Vet, which will be published in paperback by Arrow Books in April 2010, closely followed by the second book in September 2010.
Since I last updated my website, my menagerie of animals has grown, much to my family’s delight. We now share our lives with two cats, three mad Border Terriers, two ponies and two pet rats which we found abandoned to starve in a cage in the woods nearby. You should have heard my husband’s sigh of resignation when I told him we were bringing them home!
I have always loved to read, escaping into all kinds of novels during those long nights on call, but I didn’t have much time to pursue writing until after my children were born and I gave up full-time work to look after them. I joined a creative writing group and entered all the writing competitions I could find.
My break into becoming a published author came in 2002 when I was joint winner of the Harry Bowling First Novel Award. At the award ceremony, I met Laura Longrigg of MBA Literary Agents who signed me up on delivery of a finished manuscript.
In April 2003, Laura rang to say that Headline were offering me a two book deal. I had to dial 1471 to check she really had called me and I wasn’t dreaming.
My first novel, Under The Bonnet, was published in November 2004. My second, Our House, was published in 2005, the third, Family Matters in 2006, and the fourth, The Boy Next Door in 2007.
Since then, I’ve been working on an exciting new project, a series of novels about The Otter House Vets, a fictional practice set in a quiet Devonshire market town. Trust Me, I’m a Vet, which will be published in paperback by Arrow Books in April 2010, closely followed by the second book in September 2010.
Since I last updated my website, my menagerie of animals has grown, much to my family’s delight. We now share our lives with two cats, three mad Border Terriers, two ponies and two pet rats which we found abandoned to starve in a cage in the woods nearby. You should have heard my husband’s sigh of resignation when I told him we were bringing them home!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 27, 2019
A while ago I bought all the vet books and a few stand-alone titles, I didn’t know the author but she got good reviews and they were on offer. I romped through the “Talyton St George” series which I thought was great but the reviews of this particular book were less enthusiastic, so I read the other titles, leaving this one for another time. I have at last decided to read it.
Although I listed this as “disappointing”, that is only because it feels that way compared to the vet books. I found Juliet rather stupid. I understand that her marriage has gone off the boil, the pressures of parenthood, running a home and financial problems etc. I get that she is flattered by the attentions of a virile young man when she feels taken for granted by her busy husband and demanding children, but to actually think anything could come of it? He’s 21 and she’s 39, if they were both 5 years older then maybe.
I was also bemused by her insistence that the child minder feed only healthy organic meals to the kids yet not be worried about the over-use of things like air fresheners which are nothing but horrible chemicals, meanwhile serving junk food at home.
SPOILERS HERE... In addition to Juliet’s stupidity I was appalled by her desperation to be with Steve, surely if she couldn’t find someone to offload her child onto, she should have stopped short of taking the child with her, but apparently not. Then to fail to be horrified by Steve’s attitude when he sees that Juliet has not come alone? What a dreadful woman.
I know Andy is not without blame, taking his wife for granted and not even attempting to diffuse the tensions between Juliet and his mother, but it is a scenario many couples fall into. I’m glad this was not my first by CW because I would not have read her other books.
Although I listed this as “disappointing”, that is only because it feels that way compared to the vet books. I found Juliet rather stupid. I understand that her marriage has gone off the boil, the pressures of parenthood, running a home and financial problems etc. I get that she is flattered by the attentions of a virile young man when she feels taken for granted by her busy husband and demanding children, but to actually think anything could come of it? He’s 21 and she’s 39, if they were both 5 years older then maybe.
I was also bemused by her insistence that the child minder feed only healthy organic meals to the kids yet not be worried about the over-use of things like air fresheners which are nothing but horrible chemicals, meanwhile serving junk food at home.
SPOILERS HERE... In addition to Juliet’s stupidity I was appalled by her desperation to be with Steve, surely if she couldn’t find someone to offload her child onto, she should have stopped short of taking the child with her, but apparently not. Then to fail to be horrified by Steve’s attitude when he sees that Juliet has not come alone? What a dreadful woman.
I know Andy is not without blame, taking his wife for granted and not even attempting to diffuse the tensions between Juliet and his mother, but it is a scenario many couples fall into. I’m glad this was not my first by CW because I would not have read her other books.
May 16, 2017
I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as her previous books I really got annoyed with Juliet and her blinkered attitude.
May 28, 2018
didnt enjoy this one, love the vet series from same author and was pleased to find this, but very disappointed, wouldnt recommend
July 28, 2012
This was a great find- the first book by the lady who wrote the vet series I've been devouring recently.
September 24, 2014
Very funny and entertaining book to read, really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews