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Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy
'My love story may not be the sort you read about in books or see in films . . . Love stories have glorious highs and ghastly lows. But when it comes to my own life, I'd have to say, you can keep your fabulous highs and I'll happily steer clear of the terrible lows.'
After a rocky start in life, Jenny Taylor, 27, star receptionist at the local doctors surgery, has things all worked out thanks to 'The Smiling Fanny Manifesto' - a list of 10 daily things she must do to keep the blues at bay. But her life is turned upside down when she meets aspiring musician Joe King. And reliable boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum leaves her dad and moves into Jenny's flat determined to 'bond'.
Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy will make you laugh and cry - and it will make you look at your own love story in a new way. Lucy-Anne Holmes is the bestselling author of 50 Ways to Find a Lover.
After a rocky start in life, Jenny Taylor, 27, star receptionist at the local doctors surgery, has things all worked out thanks to 'The Smiling Fanny Manifesto' - a list of 10 daily things she must do to keep the blues at bay. But her life is turned upside down when she meets aspiring musician Joe King. And reliable boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum leaves her dad and moves into Jenny's flat determined to 'bond'.
Just a Girl, Standing in Front of a Boy will make you laugh and cry - and it will make you look at your own love story in a new way. Lucy-Anne Holmes is the bestselling author of 50 Ways to Find a Lover.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
83 people are currently reading
3255 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
February 3, 2014
This was my first book by Lucy-Anne Holmes so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after finishing Just A Girl Standing In Front Of A Boy, I can say I’m very much looking forward to reading more of her novels!
Jenny Taylor finally has things worked out in her life, but after meeting musician Joe King her life is turned upside down, and then on top of that boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum unexpectedly turns up too and Jenny’s life is thrown up in the air…
I really enjoyed this – I opened the first page and I was soon swept up in Jenny and her world, I didn’t want this book to end!
Lucy-Anne Holmes writes with such ease, the words flow beautifully and every chapter moves seamlessly from one to the next. Her humour is just brilliant and she had me giggling and smiling. There are also more serious moments that made my heart ache, and I had a few tears too. If I’m honest it just made me love the story that much more, wow.
The characters were wonderfully written – I immediately loved Jenny, her personality shone from the pages and I was really rooting for her throughout. The great thing about Jenny is that she is SO relatable, I really cared about what happened to her and I’m sure many readers like myself will instantly connect with her.
I LOVED the men in this, especially Joe King! He is handsome, charming, funny and oh how I wished he were real!
Just A Girl Standing In Front Of A Boy is romantic and witty, with a few moments that will really touch your heart. This is a truly stunning story.
Jenny Taylor finally has things worked out in her life, but after meeting musician Joe King her life is turned upside down, and then on top of that boyfriend Matt proposes. And then her mum unexpectedly turns up too and Jenny’s life is thrown up in the air…
I really enjoyed this – I opened the first page and I was soon swept up in Jenny and her world, I didn’t want this book to end!
Lucy-Anne Holmes writes with such ease, the words flow beautifully and every chapter moves seamlessly from one to the next. Her humour is just brilliant and she had me giggling and smiling. There are also more serious moments that made my heart ache, and I had a few tears too. If I’m honest it just made me love the story that much more, wow.
The characters were wonderfully written – I immediately loved Jenny, her personality shone from the pages and I was really rooting for her throughout. The great thing about Jenny is that she is SO relatable, I really cared about what happened to her and I’m sure many readers like myself will instantly connect with her.
I LOVED the men in this, especially Joe King! He is handsome, charming, funny and oh how I wished he were real!
Just A Girl Standing In Front Of A Boy is romantic and witty, with a few moments that will really touch your heart. This is a truly stunning story.
February 9, 2014
Stayed up until the small hours of this morning to finish this and oh my word was in floods of tears. I just loved it.
We have the very wonderful Jenny Taylor (aka Fanny; this is explained early on in the book) and her brilliant, devoted friend, Philippa. Her flat mate is the terrific Ali and then along comes her superb mum, Pam who I just loved. Jenny is in a relationship with workaholic Matt, who pays her little or no attention as he is always answering a call on his blackberry or replying to emails.
This book had me laughing out loud and crying in equal measures. For the last quarter of the book I literally couldn't put it down and it was just lovely.
I then couldn't get to sleep for going over it in my mind, but I just had to finish it.
An absolute treat of a book.
We have the very wonderful Jenny Taylor (aka Fanny; this is explained early on in the book) and her brilliant, devoted friend, Philippa. Her flat mate is the terrific Ali and then along comes her superb mum, Pam who I just loved. Jenny is in a relationship with workaholic Matt, who pays her little or no attention as he is always answering a call on his blackberry or replying to emails.
This book had me laughing out loud and crying in equal measures. For the last quarter of the book I literally couldn't put it down and it was just lovely.
I then couldn't get to sleep for going over it in my mind, but I just had to finish it.
An absolute treat of a book.
August 25, 2015
I can't think of anything to write.
I'm just feeling everything.
It's beautiful!
I'm just feeling everything.
It's beautiful!
March 15, 2017
Ugh, done. Finally. Cateful, this review is packed with spoilers.
I guess, this one had a kind of rough start, as the basic setting was exactly the same to the book I read before. The same type of boyfriend, the same best friend, extreme fear of heights and even more stuff/ characteristics.
So naturally, I had to compare both versions and unfortunately, I liked the other one better. Combined with a style of writing that I needed to get used to, I developed some kind of basic reluctance towards Jenny's story.
It didn't really help that Jenny and her best friend Philippa act like crazy preteens - fair enough, but they're late twenties, so no.
After a while, 'the new guy' is introduced. I really didn't like how this was handled. Jenny constantly defends her undying love for her fiancé in front of Philippa over and over again. (Even though he's obviously not 'the one'.) But at the same time, she gets at a moment's notice completelyobsessed with Joe. She scans the room for him ANYWHERE she goes, first thought when an anonymous number called her phone or when handed huge flower bouquet from a delivery guy etc.
She never thinks about her truly loved fiancé at all. How does she even believe herself? So annoying.
Oh boy. Then she starts planning a Beatles themed 16th-birthday-bash for her wedding. And immediately imagines Joe in a Beatles style suit. And thinks about him while shopping for a wedding dress. And all this without realising that her perfect workaholic fiancé might not be the right guy for that kind of party. Dumb dumb dumb.
At this point I started to look forward to the moment her stupid bubble bursts to a tiny pile of shattered dreams.
Joe is the lead singer in a cover band btw. Yeah wow, such an amazingly hot musician. An image of those cringy cover bands that perform at various 'fun events' in my home town pops up in my head.
But soon, Joe proofs that he's really talented. The third time he and Jenny see each other, I think it was (random meeting, not an official date). When he presented her the song he wrote for her. Because he loves her so much. So romantic.
Bit by bit, throwbacks enlighten you about dramatic stuff that happened in the past. Like how she met Matt, who bullied her at school or why her dad is so awful. I couldn't care less, to be honest. I just wanted her to stop.
However, at some point her mother turns up at her doorstep to move in with her. She left Jenny's dad and wants to make up for the past. But Jenny always flees when her mother wants to discuss her miserable childhood. Not once or twice, no, but a million times. She even locks herself in the bathroom one evening. She must have sat there for hours until her mum went to sleep? Ridiculous. So it took ages until you got to know what happened with her father. But as I mentioned earlier, I didn't even care anymore.
Back to the 'love-part'. She still doesn't get anything when Matt bombs her perfect wedding plans in front of her mother. (And just booked a place and date without asking her opinion.)
Blah blah blah and then SERIOUSLY? Suddenly her flatmate Al joins the love triangle by confessing out of the blue that he loved her for ages. Or rather a quadrangle, as there are four people involved by now. And to celebrate this, they casually end up in bed, cheating on Jenny's fiancé.
Nice, Jenny, imaginary affair with Joe, physical one with another guy.
At least she tells Matt and they call off their relationship for a while.
It then got better for a while. There was the funeral of one of her favourite patients from work. Who coincidentally was the granny of school time bully number 1, Steve. Matt, who wants to not call off the wedding (because of deposit he paid at the golf club). But she refuses that at first - good.
So I realised: everything not related to her love life/ torn feelings isn't too bad after all. That was nice to calm down a bit. To give my poor heart a little rest. That constant rage mode was not very relaxing.
Blah blah, then Jenny and Joe get closer at his party. It was so lovely that he wrote another song for her. The lyrics are amazing. And at their official first date I truly believed that fate brought them together. They have SO many crazy similarities! Like bully-worthy names, same outfits whenever they meet, same interests, same everything. They're just meant to be together. *sigh*
Hm hm then some more stuff happened. I already forgot most of it. But that was actually kind of alright. A lot of different events made the story not too predictable.
Aaaaah yes. Another short and awful incident occurred. One day, bully Steve was so touched by what Jenny did for his granny that he gets drunk, leaves his wife (bully bitch no. 1 of their school days) and declares that Jenny is so beautiful and he fancied her since back in the days. And he felt so bad that he ruined her life by buying her virginity for 50 bucks.
What else happened? Ah yeah, her mum suddenly dies. Well, that was tragic and added an interesting twist to the story.
So all in all, a lot of awful stuff happened. But the absolute worst case scenario I dreaded was a reunion with her dad. Like one of those personality turns, forced to build a happy happy end.
Well, we'll never know if that's going to happen, but Jenny organised a nice get-together to talk about everything. This possibly occurring situation was then outscored by an even better unexpected twist! Wow!
It turned out that her mother's little affair at some festival back in the days might be Jenny's father and not her awful awful dad. Nobody knows so far. And her mum lost that guy afterwards and never saw him again. But that's not even that bad. The worst thing is, that he is THAT famous comedian, whose DVD Jenny watched daily when she was lost in her period of deep depression. And he even turned up to her funeral. I'm glad this was the last page. Otherwise I'd have thrown this shit into the next bonfire to roast myself some campfire-bread-of-hate.
I mean, yeah, some twists and unexpected outcomes are great. It's even nice when there are some circles completed in a story. But not absolutely everything and not like this.
Another point I'd like to mention is: It's kind of great that a lot of different events happen in this book, but some of them just lead into nothingness. There was this part about Dave, who was very enthusiastic about an anonymous friendly note he found in his bag. (That was placed there by Jenny.) He planned to do a story about this, as a lot of people received such little notes over the last years. And it was prepared to be some meaningful input to the book, but was then forgotten in the end. Or what happened with Jenny's job situation. Or some other minor things.
Maybe it would have been better to reduce the amount of topics and focus to improve those selected ones? Would have been less crammed and chaotic, I think.
I guess, this one had a kind of rough start, as the basic setting was exactly the same to the book I read before. The same type of boyfriend, the same best friend, extreme fear of heights and even more stuff/ characteristics.
So naturally, I had to compare both versions and unfortunately, I liked the other one better. Combined with a style of writing that I needed to get used to, I developed some kind of basic reluctance towards Jenny's story.
It didn't really help that Jenny and her best friend Philippa act like crazy preteens - fair enough, but they're late twenties, so no.
After a while, 'the new guy' is introduced. I really didn't like how this was handled. Jenny constantly defends her undying love for her fiancé in front of Philippa over and over again. (Even though he's obviously not 'the one'.) But at the same time, she gets at a moment's notice completelyobsessed with Joe. She scans the room for him ANYWHERE she goes, first thought when an anonymous number called her phone or when handed huge flower bouquet from a delivery guy etc.
She never thinks about her truly loved fiancé at all. How does she even believe herself? So annoying.
Oh boy. Then she starts planning a Beatles themed 16th-birthday-bash for her wedding. And immediately imagines Joe in a Beatles style suit. And thinks about him while shopping for a wedding dress. And all this without realising that her perfect workaholic fiancé might not be the right guy for that kind of party. Dumb dumb dumb.
At this point I started to look forward to the moment her stupid bubble bursts to a tiny pile of shattered dreams.
Joe is the lead singer in a cover band btw. Yeah wow, such an amazingly hot musician. An image of those cringy cover bands that perform at various 'fun events' in my home town pops up in my head.
But soon, Joe proofs that he's really talented. The third time he and Jenny see each other, I think it was (random meeting, not an official date). When he presented her the song he wrote for her. Because he loves her so much. So romantic.
Bit by bit, throwbacks enlighten you about dramatic stuff that happened in the past. Like how she met Matt, who bullied her at school or why her dad is so awful. I couldn't care less, to be honest. I just wanted her to stop.
However, at some point her mother turns up at her doorstep to move in with her. She left Jenny's dad and wants to make up for the past. But Jenny always flees when her mother wants to discuss her miserable childhood. Not once or twice, no, but a million times. She even locks herself in the bathroom one evening. She must have sat there for hours until her mum went to sleep? Ridiculous. So it took ages until you got to know what happened with her father. But as I mentioned earlier, I didn't even care anymore.
Back to the 'love-part'. She still doesn't get anything when Matt bombs her perfect wedding plans in front of her mother. (And just booked a place and date without asking her opinion.)
Blah blah blah and then SERIOUSLY? Suddenly her flatmate Al joins the love triangle by confessing out of the blue that he loved her for ages. Or rather a quadrangle, as there are four people involved by now. And to celebrate this, they casually end up in bed, cheating on Jenny's fiancé.
Nice, Jenny, imaginary affair with Joe, physical one with another guy.
At least she tells Matt and they call off their relationship for a while.
It then got better for a while. There was the funeral of one of her favourite patients from work. Who coincidentally was the granny of school time bully number 1, Steve. Matt, who wants to not call off the wedding (because of deposit he paid at the golf club). But she refuses that at first - good.
So I realised: everything not related to her love life/ torn feelings isn't too bad after all. That was nice to calm down a bit. To give my poor heart a little rest. That constant rage mode was not very relaxing.
Blah blah, then Jenny and Joe get closer at his party. It was so lovely that he wrote another song for her. The lyrics are amazing. And at their official first date I truly believed that fate brought them together. They have SO many crazy similarities! Like bully-worthy names, same outfits whenever they meet, same interests, same everything. They're just meant to be together. *sigh*
Hm hm then some more stuff happened. I already forgot most of it. But that was actually kind of alright. A lot of different events made the story not too predictable.
Aaaaah yes. Another short and awful incident occurred. One day, bully Steve was so touched by what Jenny did for his granny that he gets drunk, leaves his wife (bully bitch no. 1 of their school days) and declares that Jenny is so beautiful and he fancied her since back in the days. And he felt so bad that he ruined her life by buying her virginity for 50 bucks.
What else happened? Ah yeah, her mum suddenly dies. Well, that was tragic and added an interesting twist to the story.
So all in all, a lot of awful stuff happened. But the absolute worst case scenario I dreaded was a reunion with her dad. Like one of those personality turns, forced to build a happy happy end.
Well, we'll never know if that's going to happen, but Jenny organised a nice get-together to talk about everything. This possibly occurring situation was then outscored by an even better unexpected twist! Wow!
It turned out that her mother's little affair at some festival back in the days might be Jenny's father and not her awful awful dad. Nobody knows so far. And her mum lost that guy afterwards and never saw him again. But that's not even that bad. The worst thing is, that he is THAT famous comedian, whose DVD Jenny watched daily when she was lost in her period of deep depression. And he even turned up to her funeral. I'm glad this was the last page. Otherwise I'd have thrown this shit into the next bonfire to roast myself some campfire-bread-of-hate.
I mean, yeah, some twists and unexpected outcomes are great. It's even nice when there are some circles completed in a story. But not absolutely everything and not like this.
Another point I'd like to mention is: It's kind of great that a lot of different events happen in this book, but some of them just lead into nothingness. There was this part about Dave, who was very enthusiastic about an anonymous friendly note he found in his bag. (That was placed there by Jenny.) He planned to do a story about this, as a lot of people received such little notes over the last years. And it was prepared to be some meaningful input to the book, but was then forgotten in the end. Or what happened with Jenny's job situation. Or some other minor things.
Maybe it would have been better to reduce the amount of topics and focus to improve those selected ones? Would have been less crammed and chaotic, I think.
November 25, 2015
Una lettura esilarante e dolcissima, una ragazza che ha saputo trarre il meglio da ogni brutta esperienza vissuta/subita. Che ha trovato il sostegno di persone splendide e affettuose... che ha regalato sorrisi e gesti affettuosi per circondarsi di positività e buonumore.
Il manifesto della felicità che diventa un pretesto, per regalare a perfetti estranei un sorriso nei momenti più difficili!
Dolcissima e incantevole Jenny il mondo dovrebbe avere centinaia di persone come te!
Joe sei il mio King ❤
Il manifesto della felicità che diventa un pretesto, per regalare a perfetti estranei un sorriso nei momenti più difficili!
Dolcissima e incantevole Jenny il mondo dovrebbe avere centinaia di persone come te!
Joe sei il mio King ❤
April 13, 2018
This is my first time reading book by Lucy-Anne Holmes. I really enjoyed this. The characters, the plot and all were beautifully written. What a stunning story!
May 31, 2017
I am still highly amused at the names of some of the characters, and just what they sound like if said quickly. I loved the banter between Fanny and her best friend, in fact their friendship is what made the book for me. They are nuts, but equally have each others best interests at heart. I loved the Smiling Fanny Manifesto, which is a set of 10 things Fanny needs to do each day, to try and stave off her depression, and it has assorted results. I found this to be quite a slow book to get into, which really wasn't what I wanted on my holiday, but once I got into the swing of it, it became far more enjoyable.
October 14, 2016
Oh dear God, what a wonderful book!
'just a girl standing in front of a boy' is about Jenny Taylor, called Fanny, who has been bullied by most of her classmates when she was a teenager. Even her father didn't really show any signs of love for her. Her mother kept silent all those years, so she wasn't a great help either. Back then she only ever had her best friend Philippa.
Now, she still has Philippa by her side, but also a boyfriend called Matt and a pretty cool flatmate called Al. One day though, her mum turns up on her doorstep after having left her father to spend more time with her. Also, her not always so cool boyfriend proposes. Then, she meets Joe King and falls head over heels for him. Soon, everything she thought she wanted is being knocked over...
When I first read the blurb of this book I thought: 'Hey! Nice and easy chick-lit! Yay!' And that was what I was still thinking while reading, but at some point it turned out to be much more than just 'nice and easy chick-lit'. I don't know, it became quite profound, really. There were things where I thought: 'OMG what will Fanny do?!' or 'What's going to happen now?!' Then that was over but there were even more things coming. Even I didn't really predict the ending (at least not correctly :D).
Also the style of writing was very witty and funny. So even if it hadn't been for all this excitement and suspense and everything it still would've been quite a fast read. I really liked that.
And the ending. The ending was gorgeous. Really, really gorgeous. ♥
I am ashamed to say that this book was left unappreciated in my bookshelf for a very, very long time. Thank goodness I started it a few days ago, though! It was absolutley worth it and I can totally recommend it! ♥
'just a girl standing in front of a boy' is about Jenny Taylor, called Fanny, who has been bullied by most of her classmates when she was a teenager. Even her father didn't really show any signs of love for her. Her mother kept silent all those years, so she wasn't a great help either. Back then she only ever had her best friend Philippa.
Now, she still has Philippa by her side, but also a boyfriend called Matt and a pretty cool flatmate called Al. One day though, her mum turns up on her doorstep after having left her father to spend more time with her. Also, her not always so cool boyfriend proposes. Then, she meets Joe King and falls head over heels for him. Soon, everything she thought she wanted is being knocked over...
When I first read the blurb of this book I thought: 'Hey! Nice and easy chick-lit! Yay!' And that was what I was still thinking while reading, but at some point it turned out to be much more than just 'nice and easy chick-lit'. I don't know, it became quite profound, really. There were things where I thought: 'OMG what will Fanny do?!' or 'What's going to happen now?!' Then that was over but there were even more things coming. Even I didn't really predict the ending (at least not correctly :D).
Also the style of writing was very witty and funny. So even if it hadn't been for all this excitement and suspense and everything it still would've been quite a fast read. I really liked that.
And the ending. The ending was gorgeous. Really, really gorgeous. ♥
I am ashamed to say that this book was left unappreciated in my bookshelf for a very, very long time. Thank goodness I started it a few days ago, though! It was absolutley worth it and I can totally recommend it! ♥
April 6, 2014
From the blurb alone, this seems like your typical chick lit book, but believe me when I tell you it is not. I went through 3 stages while reading this book. Firstly, I was taken by how likeable the protagonist, Jenny is. Then I began to get a little annoyed by the stream of consciousness-style narrative. And then finally, I realised this author is so wise! Some authors take you in their hands from the very beginning and you can read on, knowing that you are safe. Others simply tell a story. But Holmes goes beyond all this, creating a likeable and yet flawed character that you can trust and strike up a friendship with, while all along the author has complete control. The result? This is a book that you can learn a great deal from and at the same time have a giggle and a cry. I would change nothing about this book.
While romance and the issue of love at first sight is certainly a key theme, if there is only 1 thing that you take away from this book, let it be the importance of friendship. The ridiculous escapades that Jenny and her friends get up to will quickly make you forget your broken heart and pick up the phone to your bestie. This would be the perfect book for the post-breakup-blues. Wait just long enough until you are in control of your emotions again, less vulnerable and have gained a little perspective, and then let the healing begin. Because that is exactly what this book does. And as a side note, consider following in Jenny’s footsteps and creating your own Smiling Manifesto – a list of daily tasks to keep the blues at bay – it really works!
Reviewed by Elizabeth Wright on behalf of BestChickLit.com
While romance and the issue of love at first sight is certainly a key theme, if there is only 1 thing that you take away from this book, let it be the importance of friendship. The ridiculous escapades that Jenny and her friends get up to will quickly make you forget your broken heart and pick up the phone to your bestie. This would be the perfect book for the post-breakup-blues. Wait just long enough until you are in control of your emotions again, less vulnerable and have gained a little perspective, and then let the healing begin. Because that is exactly what this book does. And as a side note, consider following in Jenny’s footsteps and creating your own Smiling Manifesto – a list of daily tasks to keep the blues at bay – it really works!
Reviewed by Elizabeth Wright on behalf of BestChickLit.com
February 9, 2014
This was the first book I have read by Lucy, and I am so glad I did. I have felt let down lately by some chick lits, I felt they haven't delivered in a way that I wanted. This was certainly not one of those books!
I found this extremely easy to get into and once I got into it I didn't want to put it down. It had me laughing and crying throughout.
Jenny Taylor AKA fanny is a very likable character and I fell in love with her from the start. I felt that she was a character you could relate to well. All characters introduced in the story are well thought out and developed. They l have a valid reason for being there and have their own personalities. Jenny's mum turning up was a bit of a shock, but I felt it worked well and she adapted to Jenny and her friends lives.
This book illustrates love in the real world and that it is not always as it seems, this brings reality to the book, but Lucy writes it in such a way that it has you routing for the characters. This is ' real' love.
The way the book is written is brilliant, it has taken me a while to find a book that flows so well and has you wanting to not put the book down. It has the right mix of humour and sadness and still manages to pick you up.
This is not your average romantic chick lit and I would advise everyone to read it, it is funny but real.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this copy for an honest review.
I found this extremely easy to get into and once I got into it I didn't want to put it down. It had me laughing and crying throughout.
Jenny Taylor AKA fanny is a very likable character and I fell in love with her from the start. I felt that she was a character you could relate to well. All characters introduced in the story are well thought out and developed. They l have a valid reason for being there and have their own personalities. Jenny's mum turning up was a bit of a shock, but I felt it worked well and she adapted to Jenny and her friends lives.
This book illustrates love in the real world and that it is not always as it seems, this brings reality to the book, but Lucy writes it in such a way that it has you routing for the characters. This is ' real' love.
The way the book is written is brilliant, it has taken me a while to find a book that flows so well and has you wanting to not put the book down. It has the right mix of humour and sadness and still manages to pick you up.
This is not your average romantic chick lit and I would advise everyone to read it, it is funny but real.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this copy for an honest review.
July 2, 2016
This was the first book I had read by Lucy-Anne Holmes and my expectation was that it was going to be an all ends well love story that wouldn’t be that exciting. However, this book took me completely by surprise and picked me up and carried me on an emotional rollercoaster; I laughed and cried – a lot!
I really grew to love the main character, Jenny Taylor (aka Fanny), although confident and outlandish with her best friend Philippa, she has also has a sensitive side from a troubled past. One day, Jenny is at work at the local doctor’s surgery when suddenly her Mum arrives asking to stay with her as she has left her Dad. Previously Jenny has never had that close a relationship with her Mum, so this is a surprise out of the blue.
Meanwhile, Jenny’s boyfriend, work-obsessed Matt suddenly proposes out of the blue and in her excitement she agrees, although knowing it is not really what she wants. She then meets Joe King (fantastic names in this book!) and is drawn to him like a magnet. How will this affect her relationship with Matt? How will her Mum react?
This book takes the reader on many twists and turns and even at the end I was completely shocked at what happens. It has hilarious moments and also very sad moments – I loved it and cannot wait to read some more from this author.
I really grew to love the main character, Jenny Taylor (aka Fanny), although confident and outlandish with her best friend Philippa, she has also has a sensitive side from a troubled past. One day, Jenny is at work at the local doctor’s surgery when suddenly her Mum arrives asking to stay with her as she has left her Dad. Previously Jenny has never had that close a relationship with her Mum, so this is a surprise out of the blue.
Meanwhile, Jenny’s boyfriend, work-obsessed Matt suddenly proposes out of the blue and in her excitement she agrees, although knowing it is not really what she wants. She then meets Joe King (fantastic names in this book!) and is drawn to him like a magnet. How will this affect her relationship with Matt? How will her Mum react?
This book takes the reader on many twists and turns and even at the end I was completely shocked at what happens. It has hilarious moments and also very sad moments – I loved it and cannot wait to read some more from this author.
March 1, 2014
This is my favourite read for a while. It reminds me of one of those films where nothing really happens but you grow to love the characters and are left with a warm glow. Although it deals with some quite dark themes it does so in a gentle way and with humour throughout. Fanny, Phillipa and Al are the perfect friends and Joe King is my favourite book boyfriend for a long time - perfect!
April 9, 2015
4.5 JENNY TAYLOR STARS.
This was so so funny. Wanted to be their friend, wanted to go out with them, wanted to wear a balaclava?? And most definitely wanted to be a musketeer.
These were the best of friends. The craziest.
Their little town would be dull without them.
I loved this, loved the banter and loved the humour.
Can't wait for more.
This was so so funny. Wanted to be their friend, wanted to go out with them, wanted to wear a balaclava?? And most definitely wanted to be a musketeer.
These were the best of friends. The craziest.
Their little town would be dull without them.
I loved this, loved the banter and loved the humour.
Can't wait for more.
March 23, 2014
Really wanted to like it, couldn't finish it (very rare for me to give up on a book). Something about the way it's written, made it difficult for me to enjoy :S
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February 1, 2018dnf
36.7%
36.7%
October 15, 2018
Jenny Taylor with the most hilarious of nickname of Fanny. It's a very positive idea with the list of things she is given to do each day after her depression. I love her friends Philippa and Al.
I really wasn't keen on Matt from the start like Philippa. Who proposes up the London Eye when your wife to be is sick with heights. It was doomed from the start. You end up screaming at her DO NOT MARRY MATT! He shows his true colours in the end.
Her mum turns up and she wonders why having not talked to her properly for years after leaving home after her dad (or maybe he isn't after all) and Steve destroyed her. Now she seems in a much better place. It's very sad when Doris dies but it allows her to confront her past and come out stronger with Steve. He really did bring it all on himself.
Joe comes into Jenny's life just at the right time it's like fate and I love how she's in the chemist singing Kings of Leon and he's a music star and wearing the same T-shirt. I love their clothing sense unlike Matt who does not seem to like anything. Joe writes such lovely songs for Jenny and when he's having doubts it's so annoying but in the end you find out why he knows the secret regarding her mum and that she had six months to live. The letter is so sad that Jenny's mum wrote for her but it does explain how she was acting with everyone.
Right up until the end I was going to give this book a three star but it ended too well for me not to give it a four.
I really wasn't keen on Matt from the start like Philippa. Who proposes up the London Eye when your wife to be is sick with heights. It was doomed from the start. You end up screaming at her DO NOT MARRY MATT! He shows his true colours in the end.
Her mum turns up and she wonders why having not talked to her properly for years after leaving home after her dad (or maybe he isn't after all) and Steve destroyed her. Now she seems in a much better place. It's very sad when Doris dies but it allows her to confront her past and come out stronger with Steve. He really did bring it all on himself.
Joe comes into Jenny's life just at the right time it's like fate and I love how she's in the chemist singing Kings of Leon and he's a music star and wearing the same T-shirt. I love their clothing sense unlike Matt who does not seem to like anything. Joe writes such lovely songs for Jenny and when he's having doubts it's so annoying but in the end you find out why he knows the secret regarding her mum and that she had six months to live. The letter is so sad that Jenny's mum wrote for her but it does explain how she was acting with everyone.
Right up until the end I was going to give this book a three star but it ended too well for me not to give it a four.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
Wow this was exactly what I needed to get me out of my slump.
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Lucy-Anne Holmes is a brand new author to me and the first thing I will be doing after writing this review is looking for more books from her.
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I adored this book the characters, the friendships, the very real situations that people find themselves in, the short sharp chapters, the ending.........
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Just wonderful and a must read! ❤️
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Lucy-Anne Holmes is a brand new author to me and the first thing I will be doing after writing this review is looking for more books from her.
.
I adored this book the characters, the friendships, the very real situations that people find themselves in, the short sharp chapters, the ending.........
.
Just wonderful and a must read! ❤️
August 7, 2022
This was a re read for me as I was in a slump and didn't know what to read. This book will (mainly) put a smile on your face. Fanny is such a loveable character that you can't help but root for.
May 10, 2024
The BEST kind of rom-com! I laughed (out loud on the tube - embarrassing), I cried (not on the tube thankfully) and fully fell in love with Fanny. 5 stars :)
March 4, 2017
“…spesso tendiamo a complicare le cose, quando invece basta il vento sulla pelle e la terra sotto i piedi.”
il “Manifesto della felicità” il solo titolo mi ha spronato a leggerlo.... .dieci semplici regole che, se seguite ogni giorno, sono in grado di aiutarti ad essere felice !!!!!Felicità grande parolona ditemi chi effettivamente è felice????Di tanto in tanto è bene fare una pausa nella nostra ricerca della felicità ed essere semplicemente felici....... ma in questo romanzo cosi complesso dove vengono affrontate tematiche importanti ....l'autrice è riuscita a mantenere la lettura leggera e divertente.....Questo libro dovrebbe essere d’esempio per tutte le persone pessimiste che passano la vita a lamentarsi, perché si sa che la vita ti sorride se tu sorridi a lei. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ho adorato Philippa ......
“A tutte le donne straordinarie che lottano contro i giorni bui.
A quelle che ho conosciuto e a quelle che non conosco.”
il “Manifesto della felicità” il solo titolo mi ha spronato a leggerlo.... .dieci semplici regole che, se seguite ogni giorno, sono in grado di aiutarti ad essere felice !!!!!Felicità grande parolona ditemi chi effettivamente è felice????Di tanto in tanto è bene fare una pausa nella nostra ricerca della felicità ed essere semplicemente felici....... ma in questo romanzo cosi complesso dove vengono affrontate tematiche importanti ....l'autrice è riuscita a mantenere la lettura leggera e divertente.....Questo libro dovrebbe essere d’esempio per tutte le persone pessimiste che passano la vita a lamentarsi, perché si sa che la vita ti sorride se tu sorridi a lei. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ho adorato Philippa ......
“A tutte le donne straordinarie che lottano contro i giorni bui.
A quelle che ho conosciuto e a quelle che non conosco.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2014
Jenny Taylor, Fanny to her friends, is as charming as her creator and she instantly pulls you in to her story. Eccentric, witty, and a little bit scatty, Fanny has an admirable strength of character that quickly endears you towards her.
Fanny's life is disrupted when she meets Joe King, an aspiring musician who sends her supposedly taken heart into a bit of a spin. To make matters worse, her mother suddenly leaves her father and decides that it is time to bond with her daughter and moves in with Fanny and her wonderful flatmate, Al. The surrounding cast of Just a Girl are as equally loveable as our main character, and whilst we don't get to know them as well they're sure to worm their way into your heart right next to Fanny.
Fanny takes comfort in comedy and the reader will too; her easy, chatty manner will instantly warm you. But don't let her easy manner confuse you, she definitely has some troubles to overcome and her story isn't entirely light-hearted; there are a few darker moments ahead. Full of laughs, romance and ultimately uplifting, Just a Girl is the perfect light read to cuddle up with.
I loved the Lucy-Anne's style of writing, it instantly draws you in and gives you the impression of sitting down with a life-long friend.
Full review at Rosie Reads Romance
Fanny's life is disrupted when she meets Joe King, an aspiring musician who sends her supposedly taken heart into a bit of a spin. To make matters worse, her mother suddenly leaves her father and decides that it is time to bond with her daughter and moves in with Fanny and her wonderful flatmate, Al. The surrounding cast of Just a Girl are as equally loveable as our main character, and whilst we don't get to know them as well they're sure to worm their way into your heart right next to Fanny.
Fanny takes comfort in comedy and the reader will too; her easy, chatty manner will instantly warm you. But don't let her easy manner confuse you, she definitely has some troubles to overcome and her story isn't entirely light-hearted; there are a few darker moments ahead. Full of laughs, romance and ultimately uplifting, Just a Girl is the perfect light read to cuddle up with.
I loved the Lucy-Anne's style of writing, it instantly draws you in and gives you the impression of sitting down with a life-long friend.
Full review at Rosie Reads Romance
October 30, 2015
UPDATED with review in my blog: read here!
I give this book 10+ stars! I'm not kidding! I loved it from the very first word to the FANTASTIC last paragraph!!!
It's so late and tomorrow I have work but I couldn't stop reading! My heart is a mess, I cried, I cried while laughing, I smile while crying.
I think I will write a blog post about this book because now I can't elaborate what my mind is experiencing.
There are certain books that hit you. It's love at first word. I bought this book because bookdepository was having an hourly sale and I loved the title. I've had it for a couple months now. Realizing I had it and finding out that it may be one of my favourite books so far has to be DESTINY! I can't think of any other reason.
Fan-fantastic, hansome Al, incredible Philippa, brave Pam and sweet sweet Joe. I'll miss them and I'll miss Doris, Disgruntled Dave, Marge and everyone BUT Matt, I won't miss him. NO-I-WON'T!
I give this book 10+ stars! I'm not kidding! I loved it from the very first word to the FANTASTIC last paragraph!!!
It's so late and tomorrow I have work but I couldn't stop reading! My heart is a mess, I cried, I cried while laughing, I smile while crying.
I think I will write a blog post about this book because now I can't elaborate what my mind is experiencing.
There are certain books that hit you. It's love at first word. I bought this book because bookdepository was having an hourly sale and I loved the title. I've had it for a couple months now. Realizing I had it and finding out that it may be one of my favourite books so far has to be DESTINY! I can't think of any other reason.
Fan-fantastic, hansome Al, incredible Philippa, brave Pam and sweet sweet Joe. I'll miss them and I'll miss Doris, Disgruntled Dave, Marge and everyone BUT Matt, I won't miss him. NO-I-WON'T!
January 29, 2016
It's 1.30 am, I'm sick and I should be sleeping but I had to finish this book!
My sister recommended it to me and now I see why.
It's the kind of book that gives you a hell of an emotional rollercoaster and when you finish it you find yourself smiling because you enjoyed the ride.
It isn't the usual chick-lit novel, I'll tell you that. There is so much more to it. You get to know and love the characters, you get to live in their little world, you laugh and you cry with them...it's a very special book, indeed.
I'll never forget the unique Jenny/Fanny, the charming Joe King, the best friend any girl needs Philippa, the sweetest man ever Al, the worst man ever Matt...Pam, Marge, Doris, the Smiling Manifesto, the musketeers missions, the Jagerbombs, the dress codes and so on!
My sister recommended it to me and now I see why.
It's the kind of book that gives you a hell of an emotional rollercoaster and when you finish it you find yourself smiling because you enjoyed the ride.
It isn't the usual chick-lit novel, I'll tell you that. There is so much more to it. You get to know and love the characters, you get to live in their little world, you laugh and you cry with them...it's a very special book, indeed.
I'll never forget the unique Jenny/Fanny, the charming Joe King, the best friend any girl needs Philippa, the sweetest man ever Al, the worst man ever Matt...Pam, Marge, Doris, the Smiling Manifesto, the musketeers missions, the Jagerbombs, the dress codes and so on!
February 6, 2014
I adored this book. I love Lucy-Anne Holmes' writing style and she draws me in to the story so quickly. I fell in love with lots of the characters in this book, and the messages about depression struck a chord with me. This is an uplifting and emotional roller coaster of a book, very very funny, touching, heartbreaking and just a gorgeous book to sink into. I couldn't put it down and am sad to have finished it. Well done, Lucy-Anne, please write another one soon! xx
September 21, 2013
Really loved this. Funny, sweet, sad and sexy.
September 24, 2015
The book wasn't perfect, but it made me smile and I can't wait for my best friend to read it so we can talk about it.
January 14, 2014
Great book! I could not stop thinking about this book when I would put down and just wanted to finish whatever tams to get back to reading! Enjoyed immensely!!
January 26, 2014
Bloody brilliant! Lucy-Anne Holmes is back!
November 3, 2023
I want a Philippa and Al.
I found myself frustrated for a big part of the book. Jenny and Joe's attraction to each other were instant, so her mental gymnastics about still being with Matt drove me a little crazy because it was obvious they belonged together as much as socks and sandals.
Also, since they met so early in the book, I kept wondering whether I'd have to suffer her being with Matt the Twat until the end. At the same time, the author provided enough information throughout for me to understand why Jenny was confused, and I was pleased with that because it allowed me to turn that initial frustration into understanding.
I really loved the characters and the setting of this book. If I had friends like Philippa and Al, I'd be unstoppable. It was so fun and heart-warming to read about their friendship. I especially liked that they weren't the typical serious adult stick-in-the-muds you so often see in books. Yes, they were in their late 20s/early 30s, but they had this childishness and zest for life about them that I loved to see.
Another thing I appreciated a lot was the Jenny and Mum storyline, as well as the parallels between their individual stories. I loved her mum being able to have the fun she deserved.
The dynamic between Jenny and Joe, however, was a tad too much for me. Their relationship was immediately so full on and I found myself turned off by Joe's excessive cheesiness. I guess I should be all swoony at the idea of being called gorgeous and beautiful in every sentence, but it kind of made me cringe. It was almost caricatureish.
I'm not sure I liked the ending all that much. I think I'd have preferred it without the Larry Lemon thing because, again, it was just a bit too cheesy.
The writing was good, but nothing too special, and it seemed like the editor gave up in the second half of the book with all those run-on sentences. I also don't know if the author intended to give weird racist vibes at the beginning, but after the MC hypes Philippa's white skin, the way she described Joe's skin as 'the right colour, not too tan, creamy' definitely made me question.
I found myself frustrated for a big part of the book. Jenny and Joe's attraction to each other were instant, so her mental gymnastics about still being with Matt drove me a little crazy because it was obvious they belonged together as much as socks and sandals.
Also, since they met so early in the book, I kept wondering whether I'd have to suffer her being with Matt the Twat until the end. At the same time, the author provided enough information throughout for me to understand why Jenny was confused, and I was pleased with that because it allowed me to turn that initial frustration into understanding.
I really loved the characters and the setting of this book. If I had friends like Philippa and Al, I'd be unstoppable. It was so fun and heart-warming to read about their friendship. I especially liked that they weren't the typical serious adult stick-in-the-muds you so often see in books. Yes, they were in their late 20s/early 30s, but they had this childishness and zest for life about them that I loved to see.
Another thing I appreciated a lot was the Jenny and Mum storyline, as well as the parallels between their individual stories. I loved her mum being able to have the fun she deserved.
The dynamic between Jenny and Joe, however, was a tad too much for me. Their relationship was immediately so full on and I found myself turned off by Joe's excessive cheesiness. I guess I should be all swoony at the idea of being called gorgeous and beautiful in every sentence, but it kind of made me cringe. It was almost caricatureish.
I'm not sure I liked the ending all that much. I think I'd have preferred it without the Larry Lemon thing because, again, it was just a bit too cheesy.
The writing was good, but nothing too special, and it seemed like the editor gave up in the second half of the book with all those run-on sentences. I also don't know if the author intended to give weird racist vibes at the beginning, but after the MC hypes Philippa's white skin, the way she described Joe's skin as 'the right colour, not too tan, creamy' definitely made me question.
August 17, 2021
This has to get 5 stars from me. When a book takes me through the emotions it's a winner. I was worried when I literally laughed out loud reading the first page that it'd be downhill from there but this book has had me smiling and giggling away and also left me in floods of tears. Thank you Lucy Anne Holmes, this was just the tonic! I needed something different from my usually thriller type books as the last was great but horrific and thus really took me to a different place. 💖
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