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Any Way You Want Me
On paper, Sadies got it allthe partner, the children, the house. But in real life, that doesnt feel quite enough. Sadie cant help harking back to the time when she was a career woman by day and a party animal by night. And what happened to feeling like a sex kitten, anyway? The only sleepless nights shes getting now are due to the baby. Maybe a little reinvention is the answer Sadie cant resist creating a fictitious online identity for herself as a hot TV producer. Its only a bit of harmless fununtil truth and fantasy become dangerously tangled. It isnt long before shes wondering if the exciting alter ego she has dreamed up really is the kind of person she wants to be after all Wry, funny, and with a wonderful twist in the tale, Any Way You Want Me is an enchanting novel of infidelity, motherhood, and friends that heralds the debut of a lovely new voice in fiction.
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First published April 6, 2007
59 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Diamond
82 books1,418 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
First of all, a confession. My name isn’t really Lucy Diamond at all, it’s Sue Mongredien. I’ve used a pen name because ‘Diamond’ is a lot easier to spell and pronounce than ‘Mongredien’ and also because I’ve written lots of children’s books too and wanted to keep the genres separate. (There is actually another Lucy Diamond on Amazon who writes religious children’s books. That isn’t me, though.)
I was born in 1970 and grew up in Nottingham. I read English at Leeds University then moved to London and worked for various publishers before I packed it all in to go travelling around the world for a year and a half. When I came back to the UK, I worked in publishing again, then moved to the BBC. I now live in Bath with my husband and three young children and divide my time between writing and looking after them. You can have a look at my children’s books here.
Favourite things: beaches, holidays, chocolate, wine, reading, Green Wing, bubble baths, sunshine, hearing my children laugh, babysitters
Favourite books: The Magus (John Fowles), The Edible Woman (Margaret Atwood), The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Colour of Memory (Geoff Dyer)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
January 24, 2015
Actual rating: 1.5
I should stop buying books that are cheap. I got this for £1 in asda. Cheap and cheerful I hoped. Ugh. Wrong. This book annoyed me. Mother with two children and a partner (he doesn’t believe in marriage), has an affair. Could make for a good story. Except the main character was too annoying. The whole lies and decent. And i hardly know of any mother with two children, one being just five months old being able to pull off an affair anyways. The guy she got with was a total jerk. Like horrible. No matter how much attention you craved, he would totally have been the last resort. Ever. I felt sorry for the children, they were young but the mum seemed to sometimes ignore them. Like they were in the way. Then decides to own up to affair and voila is devastated that her partner leaves.
All this story proved was that people needed to talk and stop being so hypocritical. Do one thing, but say another. I didn’t like the book. I’m sure Lucy Diamond (v.cool name btw), is a brilliant writer. This can’t be her best story tho.
I should stop buying books that are cheap. I got this for £1 in asda. Cheap and cheerful I hoped. Ugh. Wrong. This book annoyed me. Mother with two children and a partner (he doesn’t believe in marriage), has an affair. Could make for a good story. Except the main character was too annoying. The whole lies and decent. And i hardly know of any mother with two children, one being just five months old being able to pull off an affair anyways. The guy she got with was a total jerk. Like horrible. No matter how much attention you craved, he would totally have been the last resort. Ever. I felt sorry for the children, they were young but the mum seemed to sometimes ignore them. Like they were in the way. Then decides to own up to affair and voila is devastated that her partner leaves.
All this story proved was that people needed to talk and stop being so hypocritical. Do one thing, but say another. I didn’t like the book. I’m sure Lucy Diamond (v.cool name btw), is a brilliant writer. This can’t be her best story tho.
September 4, 2023
A generous two stars, probably for me because I finished it! A most unlikeable person, Sadie is self centred and selfish. Annoying throughout, not worth bothering to be honest.
May 8, 2015
Despite not being the light hearted read I initially thought it was going to be, I ended up enjoying it. Yes, I didn't agree with the majority of Saddie's (the MC) choices, but I still quite liked her. I really don't think the cover suits the story. I was expecting something a bit fluffy and it was so much more complicated than the typical boy meets girl scenario.
I'm already looking forward to my next Lucy Diamond read.
I'm already looking forward to my next Lucy Diamond read.
June 11, 2012
3.5 stars.
When it comes to romance novels, infidelity as a theme is an absolute no-no for me. However, with chick-lit books I don't have a problem reading this, if it's handled well, mainly because these books are more life focused (it does happen!) and we're not necessarily reading for a HEA.
This book had the heroine being unfaithful, and it's not pretty. It's not because her partner doesn't treat her right, or he is also having an affair... No, it's the selfish kind of affair, but the author doesn't make any excuses for it.
Throughout the book the heroine behaves appallingly, but at the same time you can understand why and, after all, we all make mistakes.
The author does a nice job of keeping you guessing throughout and the rollercoaster journey the heroine goes on is on that is honest, gritty, emotional, and above all believable.
I do feel that the 'other man' character wasn't really used to full potential, the author makes a big effort to make us think that he really does love the heroine despite them both being in tricky situations, but then in the end he turned into a bastard, it seemed a little inconsistent.
Also, I felt this book may have been written a few years before it was published as there were a few things that felt a little dated.
But other than that, this is an interesting, emotional, and brave story.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
When it comes to romance novels, infidelity as a theme is an absolute no-no for me. However, with chick-lit books I don't have a problem reading this, if it's handled well, mainly because these books are more life focused (it does happen!) and we're not necessarily reading for a HEA.
This book had the heroine being unfaithful, and it's not pretty. It's not because her partner doesn't treat her right, or he is also having an affair... No, it's the selfish kind of affair, but the author doesn't make any excuses for it.
Throughout the book the heroine behaves appallingly, but at the same time you can understand why and, after all, we all make mistakes.
The author does a nice job of keeping you guessing throughout and the rollercoaster journey the heroine goes on is on that is honest, gritty, emotional, and above all believable.
I do feel that the 'other man' character wasn't really used to full potential, the author makes a big effort to make us think that he really does love the heroine despite them both being in tricky situations, but then in the end he turned into a bastard, it seemed a little inconsistent.
Also, I felt this book may have been written a few years before it was published as there were a few things that felt a little dated.
But other than that, this is an interesting, emotional, and brave story.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
February 20, 2014
Absolutely awful. The main character Sadie was a selfish cow, she had a wonderful partner and two lovely kids but it's not enough for this little bitch. So she jumps into bed with a complete prat she's only met twice before dropping her knickers and then thinks she's in love with him.
The blurb on the back of the book sounded much better than the drivel that was the actual story. There would have been far more enjoyment from Sadie had it been more about the fact she had made herself out to be a top TV exec on a school reunion site but although this is mentioned in the synopsis, it is barely mentioned in passing in the book itself. The author is more keen on developing the affair between Sadie and Mark.
I was waiting for her partner to do something heinous that would give me a little sympathy towards Sadie's behaviour but I couldn't fault Alex. If I'd have been in that position I would have packed up the kids and left for good. Sadie didn't deserve him to come back and he deserved better than a bratty wingeing madam like Sadie.
And don't get mne started on the whole 'Who's The Daddy' pregnancy debacle. Talk about a cop out by the author.
Completely dreadful and put me off reading any more by this author
The blurb on the back of the book sounded much better than the drivel that was the actual story. There would have been far more enjoyment from Sadie had it been more about the fact she had made herself out to be a top TV exec on a school reunion site but although this is mentioned in the synopsis, it is barely mentioned in passing in the book itself. The author is more keen on developing the affair between Sadie and Mark.
I was waiting for her partner to do something heinous that would give me a little sympathy towards Sadie's behaviour but I couldn't fault Alex. If I'd have been in that position I would have packed up the kids and left for good. Sadie didn't deserve him to come back and he deserved better than a bratty wingeing madam like Sadie.
And don't get mne started on the whole 'Who's The Daddy' pregnancy debacle. Talk about a cop out by the author.
Completely dreadful and put me off reading any more by this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
Two and a half stars to be precise...
September 6, 2018
A quick easy read, but it was just ok for me. I’ve read a couple of other books by Lucy Diamond & much preferred them. If this has been the first, I’m not sure I’d have been keen to read more. The main character, Sadie, was extremely annoying. I really couldn’t sympathise with her & liked her less & less as the book progressed. The whole infidelity made me feel uncomfortable, especially as I had to wonder what she saw in her lover. Compared to other books I’ve read by this author, this one was disappointing.
June 5, 2010
Ugh, horrible, horrible, horrible. A totally stupid main character, behaving in totally stupid ways, while everyone around her fawns over how beautiful and fun and perfect she is. Predictable from beginning to end, and not even entertaining along the way. Save your time and do laundry, clean the house, or scrub out your toilet instead of reading this book, any of those activities would be more fun.
May 22, 2023
Although I enjoyed the book, it felt odd not being able to like the lead character when she was so unlikeable from the choices she made.
The blurb on the book made it sound like it was primarily based about the character making a fictitious online identity for herself. This was a very small proportion of the book and not the premise of the main plot.
The blurb also states that the book was funny and a wonderful twist in the tale - neither of these were true!
The blurb on the book made it sound like it was primarily based about the character making a fictitious online identity for herself. This was a very small proportion of the book and not the premise of the main plot.
The blurb also states that the book was funny and a wonderful twist in the tale - neither of these were true!
December 21, 2015
I'm not even bothering to finish the book. Totally unrealistic in the aspect of what she is getting up to 5months after giving birth. Found that I couldn't care less about the main character. Glad this wasn't the first Lucy diamond book id read as I wouldn't have given her others a second look on the back of this.
July 13, 2017
I Really Liked this Book Towards the end as each chapter went on & on something new always happened the author never concentrated on just one storyline for ages & the cliffhanger towards the end was just I Want Another Book.
I Just Love This Author though as she always ends the books with you wanting more
I Just Love This Author though as she always ends the books with you wanting more
January 16, 2016
easily identifiable characters, good easy read
December 13, 2024
3.5! Audiobook- Some of it was great, some of it was ridiculous 🙈
December 4, 2011
I picked this book up because being a new mom I sometimes think of life prebaby. How quickly things could get done, going to sleep when I wanted to, staying up when I wanted to, and the ability to do things that interest me. Since having my son, I find that my husband is less than helpful and I don't get any "me" time. However, once I started reading this novel, I got very angry with her. She just wanted an excuse to be a slut and that's not cool. I wish she ended up alone at the end. Would have served her right.
July 18, 2017
Great light hearted read, lots of interesting characters and emotional situations to keep you interested.
The basic storyline is very believable in modern life though taken a touch over the top at times.
The basic storyline is very believable in modern life though taken a touch over the top at times.
February 28, 2019
Ahh where to start with this review. I am a big fan of Lucy Diamond; the first book I read of hers was On a Beautiful Day and I just absolutely fell in love with her writing style, and the way that she weaves amazing stories together. But if i’m being honest, if this was the first book that i’d picked up of hers, I definitely would not have picked up another. This sadly isn’t the first time this has happened to me with her books; I read Something to Tell You after I was given an e-book via NetGalley, and it just didn’t grip me as much as her other books did.
I do like her writing style, and that is why I have this book two stars – the book is easy to read however I just really didn’t get on with the plot line. What really got to me is that the premise on the book really does not reflect what the plot actually is; I went into this thinking the focus would be about her creating this fabulous persona online and the drama that came from that, but that was a virtually non-existent plot point.
Sadie comes across as a woman who is just bored of her life – fair enough we’ve all been there, but the way she talks and thinks about her children just didn’t sit right with me. She mostly just seems to be shouting at them and telling them to shut up – at one point because she’s so busy daydreaming about her bloke on the side, her son almost swallows a rock.
I do think at the start she starts off as likeable – the difficulty of balancing children, relationship and social life could have been something interesting to explore – I assumed that this book was going to be focused on her creating this fantasy life on friends reunited and bogging herself up – and then suddenly she’s almost shagging some bloke in the middle of a pub?? What baffled me is that she doesn’t necessarily seem unhappy at home just bored – take up a hobby don’t have an affair.
I do completely get her frustration with her husband Alex, he was selfish and only seemed to care about reading the paper, and going out to the pub after work. He also found it frustrating when he was left to care for his own children. So I can completely accept that she wasn’t happy with her life, but at no point does she try and speak to him about her frustrations? And later in the book when he does try and start changing, she feels like she can have the best of both worlds, and really doesn’t seem to accept that she’s hurting someone. What did amuse me quite a bit in this story is that whilst she is having this affair, her sister finds out that her husband is cheating on her – and this still doesn’t convince Sadie that what she is doing is wrong.
Also – the person that Sadie had an affair with is not a charming bloke – Mark is disturbing – and that comes across almost immediately. What attraction she felt to him just baffled me; it almost seemed like any bloke would do – there are three points in this book she considers having an affair; Danny, Jack, and Mark and we barely get an explanation as to why this is. It mostly just seems that she’s not happy that she’s not the “sex kitten” she used to be but we never really get to understand why she wants to have this affair – it just seems to be purely boredom? The relationship with Mark suddenly intensifies with no real explanation; we don’t see this progression of the relationship at all it’s just suddenly shoved in our faces and Mark is telling Sadie he loves her, and Sadie is actually crying at the thought of them not being able to have a quickie in his office.
I definitely felt that the ending was far too quick – there is this neat little summary with Alex being fine with everything – I felt the book spent too long watching her dither about and then rushed to conclude it neatly. Having just looked it up I’ve discovered that this was her first book in adult fiction – and honestly it shows – I’m hoping the other books I haven’t read yet are more similar to On a beautiful day – glad I didn’t pick this one up first! I honestly don’t think I could recommend this book, and will definitely not be keeping it on my bookshelf.
I do like her writing style, and that is why I have this book two stars – the book is easy to read however I just really didn’t get on with the plot line. What really got to me is that the premise on the book really does not reflect what the plot actually is; I went into this thinking the focus would be about her creating this fabulous persona online and the drama that came from that, but that was a virtually non-existent plot point.
Sadie comes across as a woman who is just bored of her life – fair enough we’ve all been there, but the way she talks and thinks about her children just didn’t sit right with me. She mostly just seems to be shouting at them and telling them to shut up – at one point because she’s so busy daydreaming about her bloke on the side, her son almost swallows a rock.
I do think at the start she starts off as likeable – the difficulty of balancing children, relationship and social life could have been something interesting to explore – I assumed that this book was going to be focused on her creating this fantasy life on friends reunited and bogging herself up – and then suddenly she’s almost shagging some bloke in the middle of a pub?? What baffled me is that she doesn’t necessarily seem unhappy at home just bored – take up a hobby don’t have an affair.
I do completely get her frustration with her husband Alex, he was selfish and only seemed to care about reading the paper, and going out to the pub after work. He also found it frustrating when he was left to care for his own children. So I can completely accept that she wasn’t happy with her life, but at no point does she try and speak to him about her frustrations? And later in the book when he does try and start changing, she feels like she can have the best of both worlds, and really doesn’t seem to accept that she’s hurting someone. What did amuse me quite a bit in this story is that whilst she is having this affair, her sister finds out that her husband is cheating on her – and this still doesn’t convince Sadie that what she is doing is wrong.
Also – the person that Sadie had an affair with is not a charming bloke – Mark is disturbing – and that comes across almost immediately. What attraction she felt to him just baffled me; it almost seemed like any bloke would do – there are three points in this book she considers having an affair; Danny, Jack, and Mark and we barely get an explanation as to why this is. It mostly just seems that she’s not happy that she’s not the “sex kitten” she used to be but we never really get to understand why she wants to have this affair – it just seems to be purely boredom? The relationship with Mark suddenly intensifies with no real explanation; we don’t see this progression of the relationship at all it’s just suddenly shoved in our faces and Mark is telling Sadie he loves her, and Sadie is actually crying at the thought of them not being able to have a quickie in his office.
I definitely felt that the ending was far too quick – there is this neat little summary with Alex being fine with everything – I felt the book spent too long watching her dither about and then rushed to conclude it neatly. Having just looked it up I’ve discovered that this was her first book in adult fiction – and honestly it shows – I’m hoping the other books I haven’t read yet are more similar to On a beautiful day – glad I didn’t pick this one up first! I honestly don’t think I could recommend this book, and will definitely not be keeping it on my bookshelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2024
I’ve read a lot of Lucy Diamond books and while some are more convincing than others, I generally find them enjoyable and relaxing. This was not the case with Any Way You Want Me. The shallow main character Sadie just wasn’t credible. Why would a party-going lush find herself a full-time stay at home mum in London, a city with countless employment opportunities and childcare options? The author’s attempts to show the attractions and inevitable fallout of an affair were quite good, but as whingey Sadie doesn’t appreciate anyone or want to get her life sorted out, it was hard to feel optimistic at the end of the story.
I can see that this was Lucy Diamond’s first published novel so that may account for the flaws in this book. I think her later stories are much better, with more complex characters and a wider range of plotlines.
I can see that this was Lucy Diamond’s first published novel so that may account for the flaws in this book. I think her later stories are much better, with more complex characters and a wider range of plotlines.
May 5, 2021
I gave this book 4 stars, not because of the content but because I couldn’t put it down. It was a real chic lit which sometimes we all love! The main character made you shake your head at some of her choices, especially with 2 small children!? Where on earth she found the energy?? But still an easy read.
April 12, 2019
2.5*. Intriguing enough for me to read in one sitting but very predictable and too similar to books I’ve read before. It was okay, the writing was good and I’d definitely pick up another Lucy Diamond book but this one just wasn’t really my cup of tea.
April 21, 2023
Appalling. The main character is a self centered unlikable women who’s a bit bored with her housewife life she she has an affair. Oh what fun.
Completely irresponsible novel representing as light entertainment but is so frivolous and harmful. Loathed it.
Completely irresponsible novel representing as light entertainment but is so frivolous and harmful. Loathed it.
March 30, 2017
I enjoyed the writing style, easy to read and the sort of book I would pick up and read quickly and enjoy.
Yet... I hated the main character and her decisions, hated the story and the way that the characters actions were justified. Although the character develops a bit, the way she talked about her children and her life made me really angry and yes things may happen etc (trying for no spoilers here) , i just felt that the whole situation was gahr!
Yet... I hated the main character and her decisions, hated the story and the way that the characters actions were justified. Although the character develops a bit, the way she talked about her children and her life made me really angry and yes things may happen etc (trying for no spoilers here) , i just felt that the whole situation was gahr!
January 12, 2018
This is an easy read that certainly kept me entertained and interested to the conclusion. This was one of the few Lucy Diamond books that I was yet to read, and it did not disappoint, although rather different in narrative to the others that I have read. Still a very satisfying read, however. Great stuff.
September 10, 2024
τι σαπιλα ηταν αυτη... αρχικα η περιγραφη του βιβλιου καμια σχεση με το τι σαχλαμαρες γινονται;;;; αντε να ηταν 10 σελιδες σχετικο με το πισω...
η πρωταγωνιστρια μια θεοχαζη παθολογικη ψευτρα. δεν αξιζε τιποτα καλο. επισης το τελος ειναι πολυ βιαστικο και οι αντιδρασεις των χαρακτηρων δεν βγαζουν νοημα σε σχεση με το πως μας τους ειχε προβαλει πριν.
ευχαριστο hate read ομως
η πρωταγωνιστρια μια θεοχαζη παθολογικη ψευτρα. δεν αξιζε τιποτα καλο. επισης το τελος ειναι πολυ βιαστικο και οι αντιδρασεις των χαρακτηρων δεν βγαζουν νοημα σε σχεση με το πως μας τους ειχε προβαλει πριν.
ευχαριστο hate read ομως
November 19, 2024
What a sweetheart Sadie our MC is. Her man works for a woman. Sadie has an affair, but just to complicate her man's life that extra measure, she fucks the boss's husband. Sadie's man is the sole income earner for Sadie's family, so why not risk his job. Unprotected sex with her affair partner, then has sex with her man exposing him to STDs. That's just the kind of special loving she gives her man.
She's a mother with two toddlers. She risks the future of her children: a broken home not living with their father, poverty too, because she's unemployed, all so that momma can get some hot loving from another man. That's just the kind of special loving she gives her children.
The level of disrespect she has for her man, the father of her children, is off the charts. She gives her man sloppy seconds after having sex earlier that night with the other man. Later she invites the other man to their house and has sex with him in the home she shares with Alex her partner! With their children asleep in another room! Really Ms. Diamond, this is who you chose to write a book about?
And what of her affair partner's marriage and wife? Our selfish cow of a MC seems to have little empathy for anything or anyone, you see that's their lookout, she needs to fuck that woman's husband.
Young mother wants excitement, has affair with another man. Unfortunately the author chose the standard plot for this story line. See if you can guess what happens next, how can you not... there's no surprises. She has unprotected sex with the other man, then a) happens, then b), then c).
She's a mother with two toddlers. She risks the future of her children: a broken home not living with their father, poverty too, because she's unemployed, all so that momma can get some hot loving from another man. That's just the kind of special loving she gives her children.
The level of disrespect she has for her man, the father of her children, is off the charts. She gives her man sloppy seconds after having sex earlier that night with the other man. Later she invites the other man to their house and has sex with him in the home she shares with Alex her partner! With their children asleep in another room! Really Ms. Diamond, this is who you chose to write a book about?
And what of her affair partner's marriage and wife? Our selfish cow of a MC seems to have little empathy for anything or anyone, you see that's their lookout, she needs to fuck that woman's husband.
Young mother wants excitement, has affair with another man. Unfortunately the author chose the standard plot for this story line. See if you can guess what happens next, how can you not... there's no surprises. She has unprotected sex with the other man, then a) happens, then b), then c).
August 4, 2013
Only got halfway through before skipping to the end and giving up. Loved another one of Lucy Diamond's books but this was not the same standard. Completely unlikeable main character. I myself am a stay at home mom so thought great a book I can relate to. Nothing nice was ever said about the children or the partner. Just seemed like tale of woe from the perspective of a spoiled self centred woman. Not to mention how the heck does a mother of 2 very young children find time for an affair or even have the energy for one????
March 20, 2017
Started reading this book by thinking there wasn't one likeable character - in fact the more I read the less I liked Sadie, Alex and especially Mark. Kept thinking they all deserved what was coming to them. But surprisingly this all leads to a very entertaining read and kept me turning the pages. Felt a tiny bit sorry for Sadie and Alex in the end. This was the authors debut book - and now I need to work my way through some of her earlier titles.
October 10, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this but did find it a different contrast to the authors other books. I found it slightly predictable in places & the main character annoyed me on occasion. In some ways you could tell that this was the authors very first novel.
January 20, 2017
Light weight drama. I can sympathise with the characters but sometimes I wish Sadie would stop.
The written form and way of the plot goes was simple and to the point. Some parts were a little crude but it didn't carry on.
For the ones who love gossips.
The written form and way of the plot goes was simple and to the point. Some parts were a little crude but it didn't carry on.
For the ones who love gossips.
May 1, 2012
Amazingly unlikeable main character surrounded by sycophants. I did not enjoy this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews