What do you think?
Rate this book
Необвързани момичета
Двадесет и осем годишната Саманта Брукс вярва, че е открила идеалния мъж. Тя е убедена, че милият и чаровен Джейми, с когото са заедно от шест години, е перфектната й половинка. Е, не съвсем. Той мечтае да обиколи света и не иска и да чува за брак и деца. Сам обаче тайнo се надява, че с времето Джейми ще промени мнението си. Но той я напуска изненадващо.
Семейството и приятелите на Джейми смятат, че допуска огромна грешка, като изоставя любовта на живота си, но той е непоколебим и си запазва еднопосочен билет за Перу. За да си припомни колко хубав и вълнуващ би могъл да е животът.
Сам е готова на всичко, за да си го върне, но се нуждае от помощта на най-добрите си приятелки Ели и Джен. Те разполагат с три месеца, за да преведат в действие своя план, който включва съблазняване, интриги и... интернет запознанства с привлекателни мъже.
И точно когато Сам вече се наслаждава на положението си на необвързана млада жена, а Джейми се разколебава, в живота й се появява красив нов претендент за сърцето й.
Семейството и приятелите на Джейми смятат, че допуска огромна грешка, като изоставя любовта на живота си, но той е непоколебим и си запазва еднопосочен билет за Перу. За да си припомни колко хубав и вълнуващ би могъл да е животът.
Сам е готова на всичко, за да си го върне, но се нуждае от помощта на най-добрите си приятелки Ели и Джен. Те разполагат с три месеца, за да преведат в действие своя план, който включва съблазняване, интриги и... интернет запознанства с привлекателни мъже.
И точно когато Сам вече се наслаждава на положението си на необвързана млада жена, а Джейми се разколебава, в живота й се появява красив нов претендент за сърцето й.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
73 people are currently reading
2306 people want to read
About the author
Jane Costello
18 books1,100 followersI’m the internationally bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which have been published under the name ‘Catherine Isaac’.
The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!
I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!
I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
May 31, 2025
I had a love / hate relationship with this book - some parts I found incredibly funny and other parts really boring.
Middle of the road, three stars.
Middle of the road, three stars.
December 25, 2020
Sam Brooks has just been dumped by her boyfriend, Jamie of last six years. She tells her best friend Ellie the whole thing and cries her heart out. Jamie just didn't breakup with her but he's also booked a one-way trip to South America which is in five months. Sam knew from day one that Jamie is a free spirit but she didn't see this coming. She tries to reason with Jamie but Jamie simply tells her that he hates his job as a mobile phone salesman and he wants to go to South America.
Sam keeps crying over her breakup so Ellie and Sam come up with a plan to win him over and Sam only has five months before Jamie goes to South America. Sam starts to dress up even more nicely and make it look like she's more happier than ever to get Jamie's attention. When everything else fails, she joins a dating website on Ellie and Jen's insistence and find a man. A man she finds but all she wants to do is make Jamie see her with the man, Ben and make Jamie jealous. But in all this, she also starts to like spending time with him. When Ben realizes what Sam is up to, he's hurt and Sam tries to explain and eventually they end up becoming friends and start to spend time together again until one thing leads to another and they end up spending the night together. She had also asked Jamie to make a decision whether he wants to come back to her or not and not to be indecisive anymore and Jamie decides to come back and he moves in with her again.
Ben and Sam lose contact again but become friends again after that. When Jamie moves back in, he's an improved version for the first few weeks and although Sam is happy, she also keeps thinking about Ben. One day whilst putting clean laundry back in Jamie's drawer, she finds out that Jamie had cheated on her with his best and oldest friend, Dorrie. Jamie apologizes but Sam is furious and they breakup again.
Sam still keeps thinking about Ben but when she's about to tell him about the breakup, she finds out via Facebook that Ben is in a relationship and just leaves it at that. Jamie proposes (even though he never wanted to get married in his life) to Sam two days before he's about to leave to prove that he really loves her and wants her back. Sam tells him that she doesn't know yet but Jamie tells her that she can make the decision before he leaves. She is still confused between Ben and Jamie when Ben tells her that he is single and he likes her and she tells him that she likes him as well.
This is my sixth read from Jane Costello and I have enjoyed most of her books so far and this was no exception. I really liked Sam's character. She was hard-working, hilarious and independent. Although I was annoyed at her when she didn't get her car fixed or sell it throughout the book. I liked her friendship with Ellie and Jen. I also liked her relationship with her parents and her adopted sister, Julia. By the way, I guessed Julia's birth mother the moment her birth father entered the scene.
I liked Jamie in the beginning but as the book kept on progressing, I liked him less and less. I liked Ben a lot. He was caring and sweet natured and a good friend but my main issue was that he didn't appear until almost halfway through save for that one appearance early on and I guessed from that appearance that he'd be the main love interest. I liked Ellie and Jen, Lisa, Luke and Lorelai as well. All the supporting characters were pretty good and they had a bit going on as well. That's one of the main reasons that I like Costello's books that mostly her supporting characters have their own thing going on as well and the whole focus isn't entirely on the MC.
I loved it from the beginning to the end and it had a lot of laugh out loud moments like when Sam joins the dating website and the responses that she gets were hilarious. It had good pace, writing flowed and I especially loved the ending where she chooses a job in New York rather than one of the guys at the end. She does choose Ben but she chose her job first and I couldn't be happier. I also liked what happened to Jamie in the end and also Sam's colleagues. The main reason I am taking a star off is because it did drag out a but in the end, other than that I really loved it.
4.25 stars
Sam keeps crying over her breakup so Ellie and Sam come up with a plan to win him over and Sam only has five months before Jamie goes to South America. Sam starts to dress up even more nicely and make it look like she's more happier than ever to get Jamie's attention. When everything else fails, she joins a dating website on Ellie and Jen's insistence and find a man. A man she finds but all she wants to do is make Jamie see her with the man, Ben and make Jamie jealous. But in all this, she also starts to like spending time with him. When Ben realizes what Sam is up to, he's hurt and Sam tries to explain and eventually they end up becoming friends and start to spend time together again until one thing leads to another and they end up spending the night together. She had also asked Jamie to make a decision whether he wants to come back to her or not and not to be indecisive anymore and Jamie decides to come back and he moves in with her again.
Ben and Sam lose contact again but become friends again after that. When Jamie moves back in, he's an improved version for the first few weeks and although Sam is happy, she also keeps thinking about Ben. One day whilst putting clean laundry back in Jamie's drawer, she finds out that Jamie had cheated on her with his best and oldest friend, Dorrie. Jamie apologizes but Sam is furious and they breakup again.
Sam still keeps thinking about Ben but when she's about to tell him about the breakup, she finds out via Facebook that Ben is in a relationship and just leaves it at that. Jamie proposes (even though he never wanted to get married in his life) to Sam two days before he's about to leave to prove that he really loves her and wants her back. Sam tells him that she doesn't know yet but Jamie tells her that she can make the decision before he leaves. She is still confused between Ben and Jamie when Ben tells her that he is single and he likes her and she tells him that she likes him as well.
This is my sixth read from Jane Costello and I have enjoyed most of her books so far and this was no exception. I really liked Sam's character. She was hard-working, hilarious and independent. Although I was annoyed at her when she didn't get her car fixed or sell it throughout the book. I liked her friendship with Ellie and Jen. I also liked her relationship with her parents and her adopted sister, Julia. By the way, I guessed Julia's birth mother the moment her birth father entered the scene.
I liked Jamie in the beginning but as the book kept on progressing, I liked him less and less. I liked Ben a lot. He was caring and sweet natured and a good friend but my main issue was that he didn't appear until almost halfway through save for that one appearance early on and I guessed from that appearance that he'd be the main love interest. I liked Ellie and Jen, Lisa, Luke and Lorelai as well. All the supporting characters were pretty good and they had a bit going on as well. That's one of the main reasons that I like Costello's books that mostly her supporting characters have their own thing going on as well and the whole focus isn't entirely on the MC.
I loved it from the beginning to the end and it had a lot of laugh out loud moments like when Sam joins the dating website and the responses that she gets were hilarious. It had good pace, writing flowed and I especially loved the ending where she chooses a job in New York rather than one of the guys at the end. She does choose Ben but she chose her job first and I couldn't be happier. I also liked what happened to Jamie in the end and also Sam's colleagues. The main reason I am taking a star off is because it did drag out a but in the end, other than that I really loved it.
4.25 stars
May 6, 2014
I was on a great reading roll in April – whizzed through 5 books, this one being my sixth and let’s just say, - the buck stopped here. I just couldn't get into this one.
The book sounded like a light and interesting read about a girl trying to win back the love of her life who has decided to end things with her and take off on an adventure leaving her behind despite his love for her. Sam comes up with a plan with her friends to convince Jamie to stay and this primarily is comprised of Sam trying to make Jamie jealous so he realizes what he is about to lose.
But the story wasn't exactly as it was described on the back of the book – it was messier but not in a good way. I felt badly for Sam and while I do understand that people do crazy things for the person they love, a lot of her antics just made me feel embarrassed for her and sad. I fought my impulse and kept reading because I had to see how it ended – I felt like Sam had been through so much turmoil that she deserved a good ending - thankfully, she got one.
I think the book was trying to show people that love doesn't work out the way we want it too or expect it too - it can be so much better than we ever hoped and to some extent, the book did achieve that but it was just a very long journey, filled with some sidebar story lines that were difficult to get through, to get there.
The book had some merits and a great ending but overall - it was just o.k. for me.
The book sounded like a light and interesting read about a girl trying to win back the love of her life who has decided to end things with her and take off on an adventure leaving her behind despite his love for her. Sam comes up with a plan with her friends to convince Jamie to stay and this primarily is comprised of Sam trying to make Jamie jealous so he realizes what he is about to lose.
But the story wasn't exactly as it was described on the back of the book – it was messier but not in a good way. I felt badly for Sam and while I do understand that people do crazy things for the person they love, a lot of her antics just made me feel embarrassed for her and sad. I fought my impulse and kept reading because I had to see how it ended – I felt like Sam had been through so much turmoil that she deserved a good ending - thankfully, she got one.
I think the book was trying to show people that love doesn't work out the way we want it too or expect it too - it can be so much better than we ever hoped and to some extent, the book did achieve that but it was just a very long journey, filled with some sidebar story lines that were difficult to get through, to get there.
The book had some merits and a great ending but overall - it was just o.k. for me.
July 19, 2012
This is the first book I have read by Jane Costello and I'm smitten! It was brilliantly written and had my attention right from the very first page! There was a couple of moments in the book which made me snort with laughing! I couldn't stop reading this book and I will definitely look out for more by the same author!
February 14, 2012
I was only introduced to Jane Costello through her previous book, Girl on the Run, and when I received this book to review, I was eager to get started. I was not disappointed, a fantastic read, one of those books that you could be laughing out loud one minute and crying the next. One of those books that take you through a full range of emotions but is unputdownable until you get to the end.
The main character is Samantha Brooks and her long term boyfriend, Jamie, has just told her that he wants to split up with her because they want different things - she wants to settle down, get married and have children, while he wants to go travelling again. Samantha has three months to persuade Jamie that they should be together - but will she manage to persuade him?
There are other subplots throughout the book along with many other great characters! Samantha has some great friends and they play a big part in the book too. One of the subplots within the book is one of Samantha's denial of her alcoholism and Samantha's difficulties in getting her to admit she has a problem - this was tackled sensitively and I am sure this story could of been continued further after this book had ended.
There is also the story of Samantha's adopted sister, Julia, and her shock at her biological father contacting her out of the blue - this story is one which I found interesting and I enjoyed reading this story, another great idea which worked well throughout the larger story.
Jamie seemed like a lovely man at the start of the book but as I read further my view of him changed and I found myself hoping that Samantha would come to this conclusion too - I won't spoil the story by saying more about this, however it is a great roller-coaster!
The story also includes Facebook, which Samantha uses to keep 'tabs' on her former partner and also the new man in her life - but as is often the case, beware you don't always like what you discover.
As with Jane's books, the chapters are very short and it does mean that you can read 'just one more' before putting the book down, however it is very difficult to put down and although it is nearly 500 pages long, it is a relatively quick read.
I would recommend this book to lovers of chick lit everywhere - be prepared to loose a few evening while you devour it quickly!
The main character is Samantha Brooks and her long term boyfriend, Jamie, has just told her that he wants to split up with her because they want different things - she wants to settle down, get married and have children, while he wants to go travelling again. Samantha has three months to persuade Jamie that they should be together - but will she manage to persuade him?
There are other subplots throughout the book along with many other great characters! Samantha has some great friends and they play a big part in the book too. One of the subplots within the book is one of Samantha's denial of her alcoholism and Samantha's difficulties in getting her to admit she has a problem - this was tackled sensitively and I am sure this story could of been continued further after this book had ended.
There is also the story of Samantha's adopted sister, Julia, and her shock at her biological father contacting her out of the blue - this story is one which I found interesting and I enjoyed reading this story, another great idea which worked well throughout the larger story.
Jamie seemed like a lovely man at the start of the book but as I read further my view of him changed and I found myself hoping that Samantha would come to this conclusion too - I won't spoil the story by saying more about this, however it is a great roller-coaster!
The story also includes Facebook, which Samantha uses to keep 'tabs' on her former partner and also the new man in her life - but as is often the case, beware you don't always like what you discover.
As with Jane's books, the chapters are very short and it does mean that you can read 'just one more' before putting the book down, however it is very difficult to put down and although it is nearly 500 pages long, it is a relatively quick read.
I would recommend this book to lovers of chick lit everywhere - be prepared to loose a few evening while you devour it quickly!
August 27, 2018
No sé ni por dónde empezar. Miento. Sí que lo sé: el libro no me ha gustado. Pero, ojo, no es que no me haya gustado "porque no esté bien escrito" o "porque la trama no tenga ni pies ni cabeza". No me ha gustado porque la protagonista me ha parecido, de lejos, la más patética sobre la que he tenido que leer. Antes de que os llevéis las manos a la cabeza y digáis (escribáis) algo como "ya será menos", os voy a pedir que me deis unos minutos para explicarme. Samantha Brooks tiene un único objetivo en esta vida: volver con su novio. Empezamos mal. Empezamos muy pero que muy mal. Es harto triste que alguien base su vida entera en otra persona y, no, no me habléis de amor de madres y padres, porque esta chica no tiene ni hijas ni hijos.
Sam ha perdido al "amor de su vida". Un tío que, qué queréis que os diga, es un guarro mayor. Dios le libre de recoger su mierda, que ya tiene a la otra idiota para hacerlo. A parte, es egoísta a dolor y, ¡sorpresa, sorpresa!, es de esta gente inconformista. Un aventurero, o al menos eso dice él. Si queréis mi opinión, el tío lo que quiere es vivir del cuento y, como le sale mal, se enfada. El caso es que Sam, lejos de alegrarse de que Jaime (que así se llama la joya por la que nuestra chica suda sangre) se vaya lejos, se pone frenética. ¿Y qué hace? Un complot. Sí, sí, tal cual. Un complot en el que mete hasta el apuntador, con el objetivo de: "que vuelva Jaime". ¿Hola? No, esperad... ¡¡¿HOLA?!!
Las personas que me conozcáis un poquito más, sabréis que el tema de que te pisoteen no me hace ni puta gracia. Que la autora nos describa a una protagonista que ni Bridget Jones en sus momentos más lamentables, me toca las narices. Sam es patética. Patética nivel Dios, de hecho. Una chica que sólo se preocupa por estar guapa para su ex, que no hace más que lloriquear y que se humilla continuamente. Para que os hagáis una idea de cómo la lía: la echan de un bar por patrocinar un espectáculo, al parecer, bastante fuertecito (a mí me pareció una exageración, pero en fin); usa a otro pobre imbécil para poner celoso a su ex, se inventa mil y una mentiras que tienen como objetivo ser algo así como una "femme fatale" y, ¡el colmo de las gilipolleces!, le cuenta a uno de sus rollos - vía página de contactos, para acabar de joder la marrana - que ella es muy remilgada para el sexo. Ojo, que esto no es verdad, el problema es que ella no quiere acostarse con él para no traicionar a Jaime. ¿Lo entendéis? Ya, yo tampoco.
El libro es previsible y, cuándo no sabe por dónde avanzar, mete drama gratuito. ¡Cucharadas de drama! ¡Drama a puñetazos! Hay que llenar casi 500 páginas, ¿no? Pues allá que va. Si lo de la hermana no es de traca y media - ni en la mejor telenovela pasan esas cosas, vamos a ver -, lo de su gran amiga Ellie no es más forzado porque es físicamente imposible. Pero no os preocupéis, ¿eh?, que aquí la amiga Sam se convierte, de golpe, en un ejemplo de buena conducta. No sé, el aire iría cargadito de algo que le dio bien fuerte, porque de repente se da cuenta de que primero tiene que quererse ella. ¡¡WOW!! Nada, 500 páginas para llegar a esa conclusión. Por favor, aplausos.
No, no recomiendo el libro. No lo recomiendo para nada. Si estáis empezando a leer en inglés (como es mi caso) es una buena apuesta. El vocabulario es muy sencillito y es imposible perderse. Ahora bien, si queréis una historia entretenida, esta no es la opción. Lo único bueno que le saco es que lo he acabado, para que os hagáis una idea de cómo de cabreada he acabado con la vida de Sam.
Sam ha perdido al "amor de su vida". Un tío que, qué queréis que os diga, es un guarro mayor. Dios le libre de recoger su mierda, que ya tiene a la otra idiota para hacerlo. A parte, es egoísta a dolor y, ¡sorpresa, sorpresa!, es de esta gente inconformista. Un aventurero, o al menos eso dice él. Si queréis mi opinión, el tío lo que quiere es vivir del cuento y, como le sale mal, se enfada. El caso es que Sam, lejos de alegrarse de que Jaime (que así se llama la joya por la que nuestra chica suda sangre) se vaya lejos, se pone frenética. ¿Y qué hace? Un complot. Sí, sí, tal cual. Un complot en el que mete hasta el apuntador, con el objetivo de: "que vuelva Jaime". ¿Hola? No, esperad... ¡¡¿HOLA?!!
Las personas que me conozcáis un poquito más, sabréis que el tema de que te pisoteen no me hace ni puta gracia. Que la autora nos describa a una protagonista que ni Bridget Jones en sus momentos más lamentables, me toca las narices. Sam es patética. Patética nivel Dios, de hecho. Una chica que sólo se preocupa por estar guapa para su ex, que no hace más que lloriquear y que se humilla continuamente. Para que os hagáis una idea de cómo la lía: la echan de un bar por patrocinar un espectáculo, al parecer, bastante fuertecito (a mí me pareció una exageración, pero en fin); usa a otro pobre imbécil para poner celoso a su ex, se inventa mil y una mentiras que tienen como objetivo ser algo así como una "femme fatale" y, ¡el colmo de las gilipolleces!, le cuenta a uno de sus rollos - vía página de contactos, para acabar de joder la marrana - que ella es muy remilgada para el sexo. Ojo, que esto no es verdad, el problema es que ella no quiere acostarse con él para no traicionar a Jaime. ¿Lo entendéis? Ya, yo tampoco.
El libro es previsible y, cuándo no sabe por dónde avanzar, mete drama gratuito. ¡Cucharadas de drama! ¡Drama a puñetazos! Hay que llenar casi 500 páginas, ¿no? Pues allá que va. Si lo de la hermana no es de traca y media - ni en la mejor telenovela pasan esas cosas, vamos a ver -, lo de su gran amiga Ellie no es más forzado porque es físicamente imposible. Pero no os preocupéis, ¿eh?, que aquí la amiga Sam se convierte, de golpe, en un ejemplo de buena conducta. No sé, el aire iría cargadito de algo que le dio bien fuerte, porque de repente se da cuenta de que primero tiene que quererse ella. ¡¡WOW!! Nada, 500 páginas para llegar a esa conclusión. Por favor, aplausos.
No, no recomiendo el libro. No lo recomiendo para nada. Si estáis empezando a leer en inglés (como es mi caso) es una buena apuesta. El vocabulario es muy sencillito y es imposible perderse. Ahora bien, si queréis una historia entretenida, esta no es la opción. Lo único bueno que le saco es que lo he acabado, para que os hagáis una idea de cómo de cabreada he acabado con la vida de Sam.
February 6, 2012
If I read another book this year that I enjoy as much as this then I will be very happy!
I loved the writing, the story, the characters and the pace of the book - it was so much fun to read with some laugh out loud situations.
We first meet Sam, narrator and main protagonist when her car breaks down, she is the sort of girl who is normally unflappable in a crisis, but on this occasion, having just been told by Jamie that he is leaving her to live in South America, she breaks down in front of the bemused AA man.
While Sam tries to play it cool around Jamie pretending that she's doing great without him and even going out on dates trying to make him jealous, he just can't make his mind up - should he stay or should he go? Should Sam let him go and move on or should she fight tooth and nail to win him back? This is the main crux of the story, though there are plenty of other characters who weave in and out and who all have problems of their own, including her adopted sister who doesn't know whether to meet her real father, her friend, Jen, who can never keep hold of her boyfriends for long and doesn't know what she's doing wrong.
It's very easy to get involved with Jane Costello's characters, they are all so likeable and her easy writing style and short chapters make you want to keep turning the pages, hoping that it will all turn out right in the end because you want everyone to be happy.
Overall, I highly recommend this book!
I loved the writing, the story, the characters and the pace of the book - it was so much fun to read with some laugh out loud situations.
We first meet Sam, narrator and main protagonist when her car breaks down, she is the sort of girl who is normally unflappable in a crisis, but on this occasion, having just been told by Jamie that he is leaving her to live in South America, she breaks down in front of the bemused AA man.
While Sam tries to play it cool around Jamie pretending that she's doing great without him and even going out on dates trying to make him jealous, he just can't make his mind up - should he stay or should he go? Should Sam let him go and move on or should she fight tooth and nail to win him back? This is the main crux of the story, though there are plenty of other characters who weave in and out and who all have problems of their own, including her adopted sister who doesn't know whether to meet her real father, her friend, Jen, who can never keep hold of her boyfriends for long and doesn't know what she's doing wrong.
It's very easy to get involved with Jane Costello's characters, they are all so likeable and her easy writing style and short chapters make you want to keep turning the pages, hoping that it will all turn out right in the end because you want everyone to be happy.
Overall, I highly recommend this book!
January 23, 2018
Бях си казала, че няма да припаря до чиклит отново. Oops I did it again!
Саманта Брукс е дразнеща, отчаяна, глупава и страхлива - не знам, какво й харесваха толкова.
Истина е, че жените винаги обмисляме и премисляме нещата, но чак пък толкова!
Не искам да коментирам Джейми и как всички я бутаха в него с думите “той те обича”, “той наистина те обича”. Затова е започнал нова връзка, докато все още е бил със Сам и дори е щял да замине с “най-добрата” си приятелка. Оф, че глупости!
Салагам 2 звезди, само заради Бен Моран. Толкова перфектен образ и все пак сравняван милион пъти с изневеряващия боклук.
Започвам отново да се ядосвам, така че спирам до тук.
Саманта Брукс е дразнеща, отчаяна, глупава и страхлива - не знам, какво й харесваха толкова.
Истина е, че жените винаги обмисляме и премисляме нещата, но чак пък толкова!
Не искам да коментирам Джейми и как всички я бутаха в него с думите “той те обича”, “той наистина те обича”. Затова е започнал нова връзка, докато все още е бил със Сам и дори е щял да замине с “най-добрата” си приятелка. Оф, че глупости!
Салагам 2 звезди, само заради Бен Моран. Толкова перфектен образ и все пак сравняван милион пъти с изневеряващия боклук.
Започвам отново да се ядосвам, така че спирам до тук.
February 8, 2012
I've read a few of Jane Costello's books in the past and have really enjoyed them - they're funny, like laugh-out-loud funny and have good plots as well. My little bugbear is the need to have a new chapter every 2 or 3 pages, something I've never liked but somehow I manage to ignore this and plough on anyway, because straight away I really liked this book. I have to say that the quote on the front of my proof copy, calling Jane Costello "the new Sophie Kinsella" is a little too ambitious for my liking and not entirely accurate since I find them similar but not actually all that alike as authors to be honest! Also, I defy you not to have Beyonce's song banging around in your head once you see the title of this book, a good job I quite like the song really! Let's see if Jane Costello's new title lives up to the hype and whether it's a good read or not!
Samantha Brooks is deeply in love with her boyfriend Jamie, so when he announces he is leaving her to go and live in South America, she's somewhat shocked and desperate to change his mind - and she's got three measly months in which to do so. She recruits the help of her best friends Ellie and Jen, the sometimes helpful advice from Jamie's sister, and a good deal of changing herself too. However, when a new man, Ben, makes an entrance, Samantha starts to wonder whether what she thinks she wants is what she really wants at all. I was a little worried that this was going to be too much along the same vein as other books I've read on this topic recently (Stella Newman's 'Pear Shaped' and Sarra Manning's 'Nine Uses For An Ex-Boyfriend) and while it had similar overtones, Costello delivered it in a very different way and made it stand out from the crowd somewhat.
Samantha was a really good character, and I liked reading her story throughout the book. It's told in the first person so we really feel like we get to know her really well, and as such I found myself rooting for her, and for her not to take Jamie back because it would all end in tears! It's another case of girl doesn't want to let go of her first boyfriend, even though he's a bit of a twit and everyone but her can see he isn't a good apple. I enjoyed the funny scenarios Samantha found herself in, but did feel a bit sorry for the man she was stringing along to make Jamie jealous, she was a bit blind with him as well I fear! Jamie on the other hand wasn't a nice man at all, giving up the woman he loved so much just to go travelling again?! Why can't these men commit?! I didn't like him at all, despite the gushing that Samantha did about him, and I'm glad he wasn't too prominent throughout the book, as I far preferred the lovely Ben!
The book was set in Liverpool, somewhere I've never been myself but Costello writes about it well and brings it to life for the reader. Samantha's job does come up quite a bit but it didn't capture my attention that much I have to say, and I was far more interested in Samantha's attempts to make Jamie jealous! I really enjoyed the fact that Costello covers a more serious issue in this book regarding one of Samantha's best friends. I don't want to spoil it by revealing the topic as I liked how it was gradually revealed, but I feel Costello covered this very realistically and while it wasn't a nice storyline to read, it was well done and I think the characters involved all handled it well and it felt realistic to read. It's nice to see issues like this coming out in chick lit too as they are far more frequently being seen in today's world.
This book is a really great read, and contains Costello's usual fantastic laugh-out-loud humour, and good characters that will have you hooked as well. While at times I felt it was a story that has been done before, and quite recently too, I enjoyed Costello's spin on it, and while it was a fairly long novel, it did pass by quickly and I was hoping for an ending that would make me happy and round off the book in a good way. As well as the funnier moments, there are more serious ones to balance these out and it certainly makes for a really good read. If you've loved Costello's previous novels then you are going to really like this one, and if you haven't yet picked up one of her books, this would be a good place to start! I'm not sure Jane Costello is the next Sophie Kinsella, but she's certainly marking out a niche for herself as a great comedy writer whose books I look forward to reading each year!
Samantha Brooks is deeply in love with her boyfriend Jamie, so when he announces he is leaving her to go and live in South America, she's somewhat shocked and desperate to change his mind - and she's got three measly months in which to do so. She recruits the help of her best friends Ellie and Jen, the sometimes helpful advice from Jamie's sister, and a good deal of changing herself too. However, when a new man, Ben, makes an entrance, Samantha starts to wonder whether what she thinks she wants is what she really wants at all. I was a little worried that this was going to be too much along the same vein as other books I've read on this topic recently (Stella Newman's 'Pear Shaped' and Sarra Manning's 'Nine Uses For An Ex-Boyfriend) and while it had similar overtones, Costello delivered it in a very different way and made it stand out from the crowd somewhat.
Samantha was a really good character, and I liked reading her story throughout the book. It's told in the first person so we really feel like we get to know her really well, and as such I found myself rooting for her, and for her not to take Jamie back because it would all end in tears! It's another case of girl doesn't want to let go of her first boyfriend, even though he's a bit of a twit and everyone but her can see he isn't a good apple. I enjoyed the funny scenarios Samantha found herself in, but did feel a bit sorry for the man she was stringing along to make Jamie jealous, she was a bit blind with him as well I fear! Jamie on the other hand wasn't a nice man at all, giving up the woman he loved so much just to go travelling again?! Why can't these men commit?! I didn't like him at all, despite the gushing that Samantha did about him, and I'm glad he wasn't too prominent throughout the book, as I far preferred the lovely Ben!
The book was set in Liverpool, somewhere I've never been myself but Costello writes about it well and brings it to life for the reader. Samantha's job does come up quite a bit but it didn't capture my attention that much I have to say, and I was far more interested in Samantha's attempts to make Jamie jealous! I really enjoyed the fact that Costello covers a more serious issue in this book regarding one of Samantha's best friends. I don't want to spoil it by revealing the topic as I liked how it was gradually revealed, but I feel Costello covered this very realistically and while it wasn't a nice storyline to read, it was well done and I think the characters involved all handled it well and it felt realistic to read. It's nice to see issues like this coming out in chick lit too as they are far more frequently being seen in today's world.
This book is a really great read, and contains Costello's usual fantastic laugh-out-loud humour, and good characters that will have you hooked as well. While at times I felt it was a story that has been done before, and quite recently too, I enjoyed Costello's spin on it, and while it was a fairly long novel, it did pass by quickly and I was hoping for an ending that would make me happy and round off the book in a good way. As well as the funnier moments, there are more serious ones to balance these out and it certainly makes for a really good read. If you've loved Costello's previous novels then you are going to really like this one, and if you haven't yet picked up one of her books, this would be a good place to start! I'm not sure Jane Costello is the next Sophie Kinsella, but she's certainly marking out a niche for herself as a great comedy writer whose books I look forward to reading each year!
February 3, 2012
Immediately the reader is introduced to Sam’s misery. She’s on the roadside while the rescue service is repairing her car and is uncontrollably sobbing. Jamie has dumped her and for the first time in six years she is alone. The reader knows this is out of character for her because we are told she is usually unflappable, keeps her head and is unfazed by unpredictability. Heartbreakingly we see the love they share conflicts with how Jamie wants to live his life. He’s just as torn in two!
The first step of the plan that Ellie comes up with has some real laugh out loud moments. When things aren’t working to bring Jamie back, Sam tries the on-line dating scene. The guys she chooses and meets are quite interesting …
At first I thought Jamie was a really sweet guy but the more I got into the story the more my feelings changed negatively towards him. I thought that while Sam was in the relationship she put up with an awful lot – especially the selfishness. Jamie seemed to be living a life of his own! I also came to the conclusion that Sam wasn’t living for the person she was but the person she wanted to be to fit with Jamie – and Jamie made his own assumptions about her too. In fact I came to the conclusion that Jamie was a bit of a wimp. On the other hand, the other male lead, Ben, who Sam first meets at an event she is directing and later through the dating service … made me hold my stomach in as I was reading and I had butterflies alongside Sam! Swoon.
There are sub-plots running alongside the romance. Best friends Jen and Ellie also have their own problems, as does Jamie’s best friend Luke (not all romantic problems). Also we get to know Sam’s family – her mum and dad and sister Julia. We also spend time with her at work in her role as Events Director. I thought the author deals sensitively but realistically with adoption and alcoholism.
As you would expect from a modern chick lit, Facebook is also a part of Sam’s life. I’m sure most people will identify with Facebook spying!
Narrated in the first person I identified with Sam. The flow of the writing is impeccably timed which keeps you wanting to turn the pages. Although I guessed the sub-plot outcomes I didn’t know which of the two male leads Sam would end up with. Of course I knew which one I preferred but the author cleverly keeps the reader guessing.
I have several favourite scenes for different reasons but the one that stays in my mind is with Sam standing on the bridge at Cressington Station.
“My breathing slows as I step back from the railings and gaze at the perfect winter blue above the horizon. At the world beyond the station, beyond the decision. I look up and think of all the people, all over the world, looking at this sky with a million tiny and monumental decisions to make, just like mine.”
The tension in not knowing what she would choose was unbearable and I had to force myself not to scan to the end of the chapter. Her decision took me by surprise.
I adored the epilogue – it gave me just the ending I desired
All the Single Ladies is a chick lit that will thoroughly entertain you and engage your emotions. I’ve had many laugh out loud moments alongside the frustration and sadness. It certainly has that feel-good factor that we sometimes need to escape reality!
The first step of the plan that Ellie comes up with has some real laugh out loud moments. When things aren’t working to bring Jamie back, Sam tries the on-line dating scene. The guys she chooses and meets are quite interesting …
At first I thought Jamie was a really sweet guy but the more I got into the story the more my feelings changed negatively towards him. I thought that while Sam was in the relationship she put up with an awful lot – especially the selfishness. Jamie seemed to be living a life of his own! I also came to the conclusion that Sam wasn’t living for the person she was but the person she wanted to be to fit with Jamie – and Jamie made his own assumptions about her too. In fact I came to the conclusion that Jamie was a bit of a wimp. On the other hand, the other male lead, Ben, who Sam first meets at an event she is directing and later through the dating service … made me hold my stomach in as I was reading and I had butterflies alongside Sam! Swoon.
There are sub-plots running alongside the romance. Best friends Jen and Ellie also have their own problems, as does Jamie’s best friend Luke (not all romantic problems). Also we get to know Sam’s family – her mum and dad and sister Julia. We also spend time with her at work in her role as Events Director. I thought the author deals sensitively but realistically with adoption and alcoholism.
As you would expect from a modern chick lit, Facebook is also a part of Sam’s life. I’m sure most people will identify with Facebook spying!
Narrated in the first person I identified with Sam. The flow of the writing is impeccably timed which keeps you wanting to turn the pages. Although I guessed the sub-plot outcomes I didn’t know which of the two male leads Sam would end up with. Of course I knew which one I preferred but the author cleverly keeps the reader guessing.
I have several favourite scenes for different reasons but the one that stays in my mind is with Sam standing on the bridge at Cressington Station.
“My breathing slows as I step back from the railings and gaze at the perfect winter blue above the horizon. At the world beyond the station, beyond the decision. I look up and think of all the people, all over the world, looking at this sky with a million tiny and monumental decisions to make, just like mine.”
The tension in not knowing what she would choose was unbearable and I had to force myself not to scan to the end of the chapter. Her decision took me by surprise.
I adored the epilogue – it gave me just the ending I desired
All the Single Ladies is a chick lit that will thoroughly entertain you and engage your emotions. I’ve had many laugh out loud moments alongside the frustration and sadness. It certainly has that feel-good factor that we sometimes need to escape reality!
April 9, 2012
I have read all of Jane Costello’s books and I love them as they are always full of down to earth humour, which make the books such a joy to read so having thoroughly enjoyed her previous I had no hesitation in ordering her latest book All the Single Ladies even though it meant I haven’t been able to get the song out of my head!
As soon as we meet our main character Sam it is clear that her life has just been turned upside down. Partner Jamie has decided that he can’t be with Sam anymore as he now has plans to move to South America and these plans do not include Sam although he insists he still loves her. This is hard for any girl to hear and it sounds like mixed messages as surely if you love someone you cannot bear to be without them. Distraught Sam soon comes up with a plan along with the help of her tow friends and Jamie’s sister to try and win him back and change his mind.
We see some of Jane Costello’s familiar humour shining through in some of the situations that occur to win back Jamie one of my favourites involving a malfunctioning boob boost! I found that Sam’s character felt pretty in depth which I think is helped by the fact that the book is told from Sam’s point of view so we get to see and feel her thoughts and feelings first hand. I did find at one point in the book closer to the end that I wanted to throttle her for the way she was treating character Ben as I loved him he came across as a true caring gentleman.
Although the book was witty throughout the book there was also a deeper topic which was briefly covered to do with one of Sam’s friends and I thought this was covered very delicately and gave a lovely unexpected touch to the book.
I really enjoyed this book and part of me didn’t want it to end however I love the ending to this book as it was unpredictable and in all honesty I couldn’t have hoped for a better ending to a great book. I cannot wait for another Jane Costello book to come out, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
As soon as we meet our main character Sam it is clear that her life has just been turned upside down. Partner Jamie has decided that he can’t be with Sam anymore as he now has plans to move to South America and these plans do not include Sam although he insists he still loves her. This is hard for any girl to hear and it sounds like mixed messages as surely if you love someone you cannot bear to be without them. Distraught Sam soon comes up with a plan along with the help of her tow friends and Jamie’s sister to try and win him back and change his mind.
We see some of Jane Costello’s familiar humour shining through in some of the situations that occur to win back Jamie one of my favourites involving a malfunctioning boob boost! I found that Sam’s character felt pretty in depth which I think is helped by the fact that the book is told from Sam’s point of view so we get to see and feel her thoughts and feelings first hand. I did find at one point in the book closer to the end that I wanted to throttle her for the way she was treating character Ben as I loved him he came across as a true caring gentleman.
Although the book was witty throughout the book there was also a deeper topic which was briefly covered to do with one of Sam’s friends and I thought this was covered very delicately and gave a lovely unexpected touch to the book.
I really enjoyed this book and part of me didn’t want it to end however I love the ending to this book as it was unpredictable and in all honesty I couldn’t have hoped for a better ending to a great book. I cannot wait for another Jane Costello book to come out, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
September 16, 2012
An enjoyable read. This book had all the things I enjoy about chic-lit - romance, humour, girls nights out etc. plus there were some more serious themes in there to make it stand out.
There were some predictable bits in the book (I think that comes with the genre so I'm not complaining) but other aspects of the story were a real surprise so it was a good balance.
I'd definitely read another of Jane Costello's books!
There were some predictable bits in the book (I think that comes with the genre so I'm not complaining) but other aspects of the story were a real surprise so it was a good balance.
I'd definitely read another of Jane Costello's books!
January 23, 2015
This one is much better than the 1st Jane Costello I read (which is Girl On The Run). Based on this one, I think I will start collecting Costello's novels :)
August 10, 2015
Absolutely loved it. Gewoon een heerlijke chick flick die van begin tot eind heerlijk is om te lezen.
March 8, 2022
Easy to read chick-lit. I do enjoy losing myself is the saga and dramas of other people's love lives
August 19, 2012
Title : All The Single Ladies
Author : Jane Costello
Publication date : 2nd February 2012 (Hardback & Large Paperback)/7th June 2012 (Paperback)
Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK
Source : Sent by publisher, thank you!
Rating : 5/5
Samantha Brooks’ boyfriend has made a mistake – one everyone knows he’ll live to regret. Jamie, the love of her life, has announced he’s leaving, out of the blue. Jamie is gorgeous, loving, intelligent and perfect for Sam in every way but one – he’s a free spirit. And after six years in one place, doing a job he hates, he is compelled to do something that will destroy his relationship with Sam: book a one way flight to South America.
Only Sam isn’t giving up without a fight. With Jamie clearly still in love with her, she hatches a plan to make him realise what he’s giving up. A plan that involves dirty tricks, plotting and a single aim – to win him back. Only, by the time the tortured Jamie finally wakes up to what he’s lost, a gorgeous new pretender has entered Sam’s life. Which begs the question . . . will she still want him back?
If you love chick lit and a good romantic comedy and haven't heard of Jane Costello? Shoot yourself. Well, I would have done so if I had a gun. But that's not the point. The point is... Jane Costello is a talented writer and I loved her book, All The Single Ladies, I just want to bring it everywhere I go and shove it at people's noses and tell them this book is amazing and I read it and loved it and they haven't. But that would be terribly uncivilised and we wouldn't want that, would we?
Since S&S UK didn't have anything for me at that time, I requested All The Single Ladies because since I was on national service from January till March, I missed the publication of this lovely book, so I was targeting the paperback release, take this: Jane's book are so good, S&S decided to publish All The Single Ladies in hardback! And then, the drama started - it arrived in my mailbox. I wanted to start on it straight after clearing my reviews which were due, but lovely Alice sent me a large paperback, so it wasn't very convenient carrying a big book of amazing words around in school. So I started when the holidays started and finished it, just like *snaps finger* that!
All The Single Ladies is about Samantha Brooks, Sam, a really lovable and sweet woman in her late twenties, with a big heart and your average girl-next-door. I loved how Jane expressed her thoughts through Sam, from dealing with the heartbreak and helping her friends to being torn between the men she loves. I'd kill to have a friend like her, but luckily I have one! Sam carried the book really well, as the book is written from her perspective and it reflects how Jane reciprocates the situations in the book through Sam.
The characters in the book were to die for with the most fitting and lovable cast of amazing people. Sam's best friends - Ellie and Jen were such a thrill to read about. Although the book revolves around Sam's life but there are a few sub-plots, for example, Ellie's drinking problem and Jen's ability to pull men but not land them. This just shows how close Jane Costello is to Sophie Kinsella. (Yes, Jane. It's a compliment and please stop smiling and keep reading on). The blokes in the story really blended well in the story, from Jamie, the independent rocker/traveller ex-boyfriend of Sam to Ben the sweet, handsome and too-nice vet whose smile and biceps caught Sam's eye to the sleazy, needy and pathetic men from the dating website.
The flow of the story was sublime - what do you expect from a best-selling author-cum-contender to Sophie Kinsella? It worked really well with the plot and this delectable novel kept me up late night just to race to the ending, whether Sam would choose Jamie or Ben. I really loved Jane's writing style, it's similar to Paige Toon and Sophie Kinsella's, but with her own uniqueness to it, and bodes well with the narration of the story as it fits well as Sam.
Do you know the feeling you get when you discover a gem in the form of a book? That you'd care for it and treasure it and hope to read it again and again as the story doesn't bore you and the idea of the book makes the butterflies in your stomach flip and the warm nostalgic memories of reading it burst in you? Well, those are the feelings I get when I think about All The Single Ladies now. Before, it was always about good chick lit and the gorgeous cover for me, but now, however shallow I am, I loved this nugget of chick lit, presented to me by Jane Costello.
I am literally on tenterhooks, waiting for Jane's next one, The Big 3-Oh! which will be out in April 2013. Argh, the wait. In the meantime, I'll hunt around for her previous books. All The Single Ladies is for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Paige Toon and Lindsey Kelk, well it's for anyone who'll love chick lit and romantic comedies.
Author : Jane Costello
Publication date : 2nd February 2012 (Hardback & Large Paperback)/7th June 2012 (Paperback)
Publisher : Simon & Schuster UK
Source : Sent by publisher, thank you!
Rating : 5/5
Samantha Brooks’ boyfriend has made a mistake – one everyone knows he’ll live to regret. Jamie, the love of her life, has announced he’s leaving, out of the blue. Jamie is gorgeous, loving, intelligent and perfect for Sam in every way but one – he’s a free spirit. And after six years in one place, doing a job he hates, he is compelled to do something that will destroy his relationship with Sam: book a one way flight to South America.
Only Sam isn’t giving up without a fight. With Jamie clearly still in love with her, she hatches a plan to make him realise what he’s giving up. A plan that involves dirty tricks, plotting and a single aim – to win him back. Only, by the time the tortured Jamie finally wakes up to what he’s lost, a gorgeous new pretender has entered Sam’s life. Which begs the question . . . will she still want him back?
If you love chick lit and a good romantic comedy and haven't heard of Jane Costello? Shoot yourself. Well, I would have done so if I had a gun. But that's not the point. The point is... Jane Costello is a talented writer and I loved her book, All The Single Ladies, I just want to bring it everywhere I go and shove it at people's noses and tell them this book is amazing and I read it and loved it and they haven't. But that would be terribly uncivilised and we wouldn't want that, would we?
Since S&S UK didn't have anything for me at that time, I requested All The Single Ladies because since I was on national service from January till March, I missed the publication of this lovely book, so I was targeting the paperback release, take this: Jane's book are so good, S&S decided to publish All The Single Ladies in hardback! And then, the drama started - it arrived in my mailbox. I wanted to start on it straight after clearing my reviews which were due, but lovely Alice sent me a large paperback, so it wasn't very convenient carrying a big book of amazing words around in school. So I started when the holidays started and finished it, just like *snaps finger* that!
All The Single Ladies is about Samantha Brooks, Sam, a really lovable and sweet woman in her late twenties, with a big heart and your average girl-next-door. I loved how Jane expressed her thoughts through Sam, from dealing with the heartbreak and helping her friends to being torn between the men she loves. I'd kill to have a friend like her, but luckily I have one! Sam carried the book really well, as the book is written from her perspective and it reflects how Jane reciprocates the situations in the book through Sam.
The characters in the book were to die for with the most fitting and lovable cast of amazing people. Sam's best friends - Ellie and Jen were such a thrill to read about. Although the book revolves around Sam's life but there are a few sub-plots, for example, Ellie's drinking problem and Jen's ability to pull men but not land them. This just shows how close Jane Costello is to Sophie Kinsella. (Yes, Jane. It's a compliment and please stop smiling and keep reading on). The blokes in the story really blended well in the story, from Jamie, the independent rocker/traveller ex-boyfriend of Sam to Ben the sweet, handsome and too-nice vet whose smile and biceps caught Sam's eye to the sleazy, needy and pathetic men from the dating website.
The flow of the story was sublime - what do you expect from a best-selling author-cum-contender to Sophie Kinsella? It worked really well with the plot and this delectable novel kept me up late night just to race to the ending, whether Sam would choose Jamie or Ben. I really loved Jane's writing style, it's similar to Paige Toon and Sophie Kinsella's, but with her own uniqueness to it, and bodes well with the narration of the story as it fits well as Sam.
Do you know the feeling you get when you discover a gem in the form of a book? That you'd care for it and treasure it and hope to read it again and again as the story doesn't bore you and the idea of the book makes the butterflies in your stomach flip and the warm nostalgic memories of reading it burst in you? Well, those are the feelings I get when I think about All The Single Ladies now. Before, it was always about good chick lit and the gorgeous cover for me, but now, however shallow I am, I loved this nugget of chick lit, presented to me by Jane Costello.
I am literally on tenterhooks, waiting for Jane's next one, The Big 3-Oh! which will be out in April 2013. Argh, the wait. In the meantime, I'll hunt around for her previous books. All The Single Ladies is for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Paige Toon and Lindsey Kelk, well it's for anyone who'll love chick lit and romantic comedies.
April 6, 2012
An interesting tale where once the heroine gets what she thinks she wants she immediately begins to question it. Samantha, the lead character is likeable and is devastated when she learns that her boyfriend Jamie is planning to travel. She acknowledges that he is a free spirit and that this is the most frustrating thing about him.
Instead of lying around brooding Samantha summons the help of her two closest friends and comes up with a plan - to make Jamie jealous and make him see the error of his ways. We enter the world of internet dating with mixed results and then Ben arrives and things begin to get complicated.
As well as the problems Samantha has in her love life she comes to realise that her best friend is spiralling towards alcoholism and there are some touching scenes when she confronts her in an effort to help her deal with the problem. There are plenty of surprises and upbeat moments in the book. Samantha's family also feature and add to her worry load as her sister decides to seek out her birth father which leads to the unearthing of a few skeletons in the closets.
An entertaining read that is both funny and touching.
Instead of lying around brooding Samantha summons the help of her two closest friends and comes up with a plan - to make Jamie jealous and make him see the error of his ways. We enter the world of internet dating with mixed results and then Ben arrives and things begin to get complicated.
As well as the problems Samantha has in her love life she comes to realise that her best friend is spiralling towards alcoholism and there are some touching scenes when she confronts her in an effort to help her deal with the problem. There are plenty of surprises and upbeat moments in the book. Samantha's family also feature and add to her worry load as her sister decides to seek out her birth father which leads to the unearthing of a few skeletons in the closets.
An entertaining read that is both funny and touching.
October 24, 2011
I am so excited to be starting this book. I LOVED her previous title.
250 pages in now and I'm certain that Miss Costello has a new sure fire hit on her hands. Really loving everything about this book, it's funny and so true to life. I love Jane Costello's ability to make even the smallest of characters leap of the page they're do well developed.
Finished the book in the early hours of this morning and it's brilliant. Sam comes to realise that she doesn't need to have a man to be happy and that she's failed her family and friends. She's been so obsessed with trying to win back Jamie that she has been oblivious to the turmoils her family and best friends are going through. The portrayal of alcoholism is sensitively and realistically done, so often family don't realise how serious the problem has begun and that's what happens here.
Of course everything gets resolved in the end and we leave sam embarking on a new life with a new man and job realising what is truly important in life.
250 pages in now and I'm certain that Miss Costello has a new sure fire hit on her hands. Really loving everything about this book, it's funny and so true to life. I love Jane Costello's ability to make even the smallest of characters leap of the page they're do well developed.
Finished the book in the early hours of this morning and it's brilliant. Sam comes to realise that she doesn't need to have a man to be happy and that she's failed her family and friends. She's been so obsessed with trying to win back Jamie that she has been oblivious to the turmoils her family and best friends are going through. The portrayal of alcoholism is sensitively and realistically done, so often family don't realise how serious the problem has begun and that's what happens here.
Of course everything gets resolved in the end and we leave sam embarking on a new life with a new man and job realising what is truly important in life.
August 25, 2017
I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It's a full 5 stars chicklit! The writing was so easy to get into, The characters were all well-developed and there wasn't one annoying character here, and the story overall was pretty fun to read.
I have only read My Single Friend by Jane Costello and I thought it was quite fun but the ending was so a-hollywood-movie like. fortunately and unexpectedly, I found this book more than little realistic and the ending was simple and cute.
Sam is a great character. I loved reading about her and what she's thinking about. she's a very relate-able and funny person. I liked jamie a lot as well and I found myself ( crazy, i know. ) wishing he'd find someone else eventually. And Ben.. Ben Ben Ben Ben * dreamy sigh * he was TOO good to be true.. well, aren't all fictional characters are?
Anyways, it was a great read which I totally enjoyed and.. Ben? I love you.
I have only read My Single Friend by Jane Costello and I thought it was quite fun but the ending was so a-hollywood-movie like. fortunately and unexpectedly, I found this book more than little realistic and the ending was simple and cute.
Sam is a great character. I loved reading about her and what she's thinking about. she's a very relate-able and funny person. I liked jamie a lot as well and I found myself ( crazy, i know. ) wishing he'd find someone else eventually. And Ben.. Ben Ben Ben Ben * dreamy sigh * he was TOO good to be true.. well, aren't all fictional characters are?
Anyways, it was a great read which I totally enjoyed and.. Ben? I love you.
May 6, 2016
A cleverly written book that frankly I wish I'd read 25 years ago. This could be renamed the Single Women's Guide to Dating. We can be so blind and stupid in love, or what we take as love. Accepting such shoddy treatment and not really seeing the truth behind actions. That's what this book is all about. I love the way characters are revealed layer by layer until by the end of the story you wonder why on earth would you bother to get this lazy git back!! It just takes a while to get rid of those rose-coloured glasses....
I know the ending wasn't to everyone's taste, but I thought it was realistic and just sensible. Better to know you're not in a rebound situation, right? Just so long as the happy ending comes eventually, that's what really counts.
I know the ending wasn't to everyone's taste, but I thought it was realistic and just sensible. Better to know you're not in a rebound situation, right? Just so long as the happy ending comes eventually, that's what really counts.
June 8, 2012
Jane Costello is one of my top three favourite authors, so when I found out she was bringing a new book out I was over the moon. I normally wait for paperback releases, but I couldn't wait that long. (a few more days) so decided to plunge and get it. And I'm so glad I did, From the minute I met Sam, I was rooting for her happy ending. I wasn't surprised at the outcome but was very happy!
Look forward to her new book next year, The Big 3-0!
Look forward to her new book next year, The Big 3-0!
August 9, 2012
Oh wow I absolutely loved this book! It is so very funny, and I definitely laughed out loud many times during it! I have never read Jane Costello's books before, but after this one I will be sure to check out her other ones.
I really liked the lead character, she was someone you could completely get behind and care about what happened to her.
This was a book I couldn't put down, and is one I highly recommend. If you need cheering up, this is the book to do it!
I really liked the lead character, she was someone you could completely get behind and care about what happened to her.
This was a book I couldn't put down, and is one I highly recommend. If you need cheering up, this is the book to do it!
January 19, 2012
What a simply compelling book. Written so Sam thinks she knows what she wants, but actually is like all the rest of us and hasn't a clue. She has good friends and a good job but life keeps dealing cards that mess with her mind.
It made me laugh, almost cry and wish i knew a Ben, or Dan...or Luke for that matter :) It really is a book that should be on everyone's shelf.
It made me laugh, almost cry and wish i knew a Ben, or Dan...or Luke for that matter :) It really is a book that should be on everyone's shelf.
June 11, 2012
This is a very readable chick lit novel in the vein of Sophie Kinsella. Highly entertaining. Once you start you have to keep reading to the end. Lighthearted and sweet, this novel avoids the more serious issues that appear in some chick lit authors like Jane Green and Marian Keyes. Yet, Jane Costello's novels will give the famous chik lit authors a run for their money.
July 15, 2012
Parts of this book genuinely made me laugh out loud, and I can imagine a film of this story being released. I was a third through the book, but being ill one day I literally powered through the rest in a day and a half as a lot of plot twists and guessing etc made it very hard to put the book down!
January 14, 2018
Продължавам маратона с книги от категория "леко четиво" . Имам огромен запас .
В мрачните зимни дни , няма по-добро лекарство от такива книги, които ме карат да се смея с глас.
Разбира се, никога не съм ги подценявала, защото е много трудно да разсмееш някой.
След това в тях се съдържат толкова уроци за живота, има предателства, има любов, какво ли не.
Не прави изключение и тази.
В мрачните зимни дни , няма по-добро лекарство от такива книги, които ме карат да се смея с глас.
Разбира се, никога не съм ги подценявала, защото е много трудно да разсмееш някой.
След това в тях се съдържат толкова уроци за живота, има предателства, има любов, какво ли не.
Не прави изключение и тази.
May 15, 2014
This was a good quick read. The characters were realistic and the story flowed nicely.
My only criticism is that it ended quite abruptly and could have probably done with one more chapter to round it out.
It's never going to win any literary awards but was a pleasant book to read when you want something light and fluffy.
My only criticism is that it ended quite abruptly and could have probably done with one more chapter to round it out.
It's never going to win any literary awards but was a pleasant book to read when you want something light and fluffy.
May 25, 2016
Witty writing and not as annoying as Sophie Kinsella's character. This was a fun read when I don't need anything too heavy that I can't put down. I enjoyed the discovery of the character the realization that only dawns on us when we make our own mistakes. I wish I bought more Jane Costello book when I had the chance
February 16, 2012
Reading the reviews below (of this book), I feel like I've read a totally different book from everyone else. Or I misunderstood it. Not sure which.
Review to come
(hint: I really liked it. Lots to think about it now)
Review to come
(hint: I really liked it. Lots to think about it now)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews