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Woman Walks Into a Bar
100% OF ROYALTIES DONATED TO REFUGE - THE DOMESTIC ABUSE CHARITY. CLICK AND BUY A COPY TODAY TO #SUPPORTAFRIEND
Share your purchase on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtags #supportafriend and #womanwalks and you'll be entered into some fantastic prize draws.
A night out with the girls changes Sam’s life forever…
28-year-old single mother Sam spends her days working in the local supermarket and her Friday nights out with her friends letting her hair down at the White Horse. Life hasn’t been easy for Sam and her daughter, Beth (who always looks on the bright side) but she’s always hoped that one day she’ll break free from her past and meet The One.
But after a series of terrible dates with men she’s met through an internet dating site, that have all been as awful as her daughter's terrible jokes, she’s starting to lose heart - until her friends tell her they’ve set her up on a blind date. Sam’s horrified but finally she agrees to go. After all you never know when you might meet the man of your dreams; just maybe Sam’s happy ending is just about to begin….
But will Sam have to face up to her past before she can find a new future?
Share your purchase on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtags #supportafriend and #womanwalks and you'll be entered into some fantastic prize draws.
A night out with the girls changes Sam’s life forever…
28-year-old single mother Sam spends her days working in the local supermarket and her Friday nights out with her friends letting her hair down at the White Horse. Life hasn’t been easy for Sam and her daughter, Beth (who always looks on the bright side) but she’s always hoped that one day she’ll break free from her past and meet The One.
But after a series of terrible dates with men she’s met through an internet dating site, that have all been as awful as her daughter's terrible jokes, she’s starting to lose heart - until her friends tell her they’ve set her up on a blind date. Sam’s horrified but finally she agrees to go. After all you never know when you might meet the man of your dreams; just maybe Sam’s happy ending is just about to begin….
But will Sam have to face up to her past before she can find a new future?
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2006
17 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Coleman
49 books851 followersRowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 6, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️I did enjoy this, but it’s way too short and had literally hardly any plot (which is understandable as it’s a novella). This meant that I couldn’t really get involved in the story or characters🤷🏻♀️ It was sweet, quick, and easy to get through. I listened to half of this on the way to my work placement and half on the way home and then it was finished.
September 14, 2020
The book is the story of 28 year old single mother Sam. She's been unlucky in love ever since she left the father of her daughter, and has actually been quite happy that way. Her friends have tried to set her up on several blind dates, but to no avail. The men certainly haven't been ones that Sam can see herself settling down with, and she's sure she is destined to be single forever. But her friends promise her one final blind date that she will be pleased with... will Sam follow through with it and find her happy ending after all?
October 25, 2019
Wow. I can honestly say I've never cried while reading a book but this pulled on my heart strings. Possibly because like the main character, I was bullied at senior school for a full 3 years and also more recently suffered domestic violence. What a great book though and to know proceeds for the sale of it are going to a well deserved
March 12, 2018
The problem with this book is it was too short. Ha! Didn’t know it was a novella when I started and well, it ended far to quick. I enjoy Rowan’s writing. Emotional. I can connect with her characters. This was a cute story. The young teenage mom, now in her 20’s gets a 2nd chance at love. The bar owner of her local hangout, with whom she has a secret crush, ends up returning her feelings. The End.
May 4, 2024
Not what you expect from the title
Sam is a single mom who gets set up by her best friends on a blind date. As she prepares for the date, she recalls the series of terrible blind dates she's recently experienced. The twist at the end was pretty amazing and her last line shows Sam as the strong woman she is! If you expected some sexy romance based on the title this is not it! Instead it's real and warm and leaves you feeling good about women and their friendship.
Sam is a single mom who gets set up by her best friends on a blind date. As she prepares for the date, she recalls the series of terrible blind dates she's recently experienced. The twist at the end was pretty amazing and her last line shows Sam as the strong woman she is! If you expected some sexy romance based on the title this is not it! Instead it's real and warm and leaves you feeling good about women and their friendship.
September 2, 2018
Short read about lonely single mom who is venturing out on dates for the first time after becoming a single mom. Her 12 year old daughter and some lifelong friends assist but she finds herself bothered by memories of being bullied and mistreated. Will she find love or at least find a way to handle those old memories? Lovely little novella!
February 11, 2023
An emotional read that touches on bullying and domestic violence, and I'm so glad Sam stood up for herself when faced with Luke the second time. I'm having a hard time trusting Brendan despite his kindness because wasn't Adam the same at first too? But I'm staying optimistic and hoping Brendan won't switch up down the line.
June 1, 2017
I was walking past the Auckland city library and they were giving out a book.
This is the. One I was given. It was a Short Reads book, something new for me.
Read it on the bus and enjoyed something different like this!
This is the. One I was given. It was a Short Reads book, something new for me.
Read it on the bus and enjoyed something different like this!
July 15, 2017
There was something quite endearing about this book and about Sam. A good holiday read. Maybe she wouldn't have still been hung up on Luke really after that amount of time but I could forgive that as I liked the rest of the story.
May 20, 2018
What a great book
I loved this story and the characters, I just wanted to keep finding out more and more about the characters and the plot. I couldn't put it down it made me laugh in all the places. I have it 5\5 stars
I loved this story and the characters, I just wanted to keep finding out more and more about the characters and the plot. I couldn't put it down it made me laugh in all the places. I have it 5\5 stars
November 12, 2018
I enjoyed this short novel that focuses on the life of a young single mother reluctantly embarking on getting back into dating at the insistence of her daughter. Her realisation that she has actually left her old hurts behind allows her to move on and look forward to the rest of her life.
June 4, 2020
Woman walks into a bar by Rowan Coleman
This was a very clever and appealing short story. The storyline was excellent and the female characters were endearing, even her two daft friends.
Highly recommended
This was a very clever and appealing short story. The storyline was excellent and the female characters were endearing, even her two daft friends.
Highly recommended
August 19, 2017
Really enjoyed this book was an easy read
December 4, 2017
What a lovely story. Rowan does it again. I read it this morning and it nearly made me late for work! It’s a must read - especially as it supports such a good charity. 😀
December 15, 2018
It wasn't bad, but it was nothing special.
December 29, 2018
Good entertaining read and at times very funny especially where the female central character receives relationship advice from her twelve year old daughter Beth.
June 4, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and liked the storyline and the characters.
September 13, 2020
Nice quick and easy read.
October 10, 2020
Wayy to short
February 28, 2022
What does Fresh fish means in this book?
September 17, 2022
What a great read, definitely recommend reading it 📖
March 13, 2017
Enjoyed this
Nice bit of chick lit to start off my week and will and more Rowan Coleman's to the reading list.
Nice bit of chick lit to start off my week and will and more Rowan Coleman's to the reading list.
October 5, 2013
(nb: I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss)
“Woman Walks Into a Bar” tells the story of a woman who has not had an easy life, but she’s found a sort of comfortable agreement with it.
Samantha is 28 years-old, and she lives in a small flat with her precocious twelve-year-old daughter, Beth. If you do the math, that means Beth was born when Sam was 16. The story behind that is a sad one, and it was the first of Samantha’s bad relationships with men.
Sam was bullied and virtually friendless at school, so dropping out at sixteen was no problem for her. She’s content working at the supermarket; her daughter is smart and popular, and Samantha has a circle of friends who love and support her.
These friends are also committed to helping Samantha find a man.
“Woman Walks into a Bar” is a beautifully told novella. We see qualities in Samantha that she can’t see for herself: wit, a good mind, and tempered judgment. She’s a great mother, and a good friend. Honestly, she’d be an excellent catch for any man, and yet she keeps trying dates from an Internet dating service; these dates always end badly. There’s one guy Sam likes. However, she can’t imagine that he reciprocates, so she never asks him out.
The narrative moves from the present to various flashbacks of Sam’s early bad experiences. We can see the cruelty she endured, and compare that to her present-day, well-centered life. It’s baffling, except to say that some people just suck, and Sam used to be a magnet for them.
Rowan Coleman’s prose reminded me a lot of Joyce Carol Oates’s works, especially certain stories in “The Assignation.” There’s an indescribable sensuality in Ms. Coleman's writing. Her style is smart and lush, and this book is a pleasure to read.
This is the part of the review where I usually say, “I liked this book, but…” Happily, I don’t really have anything to dislike.
This is a novella. Ms. Coleman could doubtless have fleshed it out into a full novel, but it’s perfect the way it is: the length fits the story; there’s no reason to add more words or pages, just for the sake of adding more words and pages.
“Woman Walks Into a Bar” is a small gem of a novella, a beautiful character study with some of the sharpest writing I’ve read in a while.
Size isn’t everything. This book will move you and stick with you for a long time.
Most Highly Recommended
“Woman Walks Into a Bar” tells the story of a woman who has not had an easy life, but she’s found a sort of comfortable agreement with it.
Samantha is 28 years-old, and she lives in a small flat with her precocious twelve-year-old daughter, Beth. If you do the math, that means Beth was born when Sam was 16. The story behind that is a sad one, and it was the first of Samantha’s bad relationships with men.
Sam was bullied and virtually friendless at school, so dropping out at sixteen was no problem for her. She’s content working at the supermarket; her daughter is smart and popular, and Samantha has a circle of friends who love and support her.
These friends are also committed to helping Samantha find a man.
“Woman Walks into a Bar” is a beautifully told novella. We see qualities in Samantha that she can’t see for herself: wit, a good mind, and tempered judgment. She’s a great mother, and a good friend. Honestly, she’d be an excellent catch for any man, and yet she keeps trying dates from an Internet dating service; these dates always end badly. There’s one guy Sam likes. However, she can’t imagine that he reciprocates, so she never asks him out.
The narrative moves from the present to various flashbacks of Sam’s early bad experiences. We can see the cruelty she endured, and compare that to her present-day, well-centered life. It’s baffling, except to say that some people just suck, and Sam used to be a magnet for them.
Rowan Coleman’s prose reminded me a lot of Joyce Carol Oates’s works, especially certain stories in “The Assignation.” There’s an indescribable sensuality in Ms. Coleman's writing. Her style is smart and lush, and this book is a pleasure to read.
This is the part of the review where I usually say, “I liked this book, but…” Happily, I don’t really have anything to dislike.
This is a novella. Ms. Coleman could doubtless have fleshed it out into a full novel, but it’s perfect the way it is: the length fits the story; there’s no reason to add more words or pages, just for the sake of adding more words and pages.
“Woman Walks Into a Bar” is a small gem of a novella, a beautiful character study with some of the sharpest writing I’ve read in a while.
Size isn’t everything. This book will move you and stick with you for a long time.
Most Highly Recommended
January 8, 2014
As I've said before, ANY book that is written with ALL proceeds going to charity gets * * * * * stars from me!
Rowan is donating 100% of the royalties from her sales to the charity Refuge which helps women who are victims of domestic violence.
Rowan Coleman has written a fantastic little novella with Woman Walks Into A Bar, I really enjoyed it and found myself liking the main character Sam very quickly - she's genuine and honest and living like many of us in the real world do - as a single mother with a torrid past that defines her future. I enjoyed Sam's relationship with her daughter Beth too, again I found myself relating to the closeness between mother & (nearly) teenage daughter.
The topic of domestic violence is covered in this book , but that is unfortunately a reality for many women, and the reason for Rowan's donation, so completely understandable that it's a feature in this novella. Rowan deals with writing about it in a way that ensures the reader understands the awful reality some women face daily.
Woman Walks Into A Bar is a great, well written read that hooks you instantly and should be a feature in all of our e-readers! By buying this ebook for just £1.59 you'll help raise funds for the amazing and worthy Refuge charity, it's certainly money well spent!
This short story was perfect for me as it was my first glimpse into Rowan Coleman's books. I really enjoyed it, the perfect mix - laughing one minute, close to tears the next! Then to top it off, at the end of the book there was an excerpt from her new release The Memory Book - due for release 30th January 2014 and OMG I was hooked and sooo annoyed that I couldn't read any more! This too sounds fab, check it out here...
"The name of your first-born. The face of your lover. Your age. Your address...
What would happen if your memory of these began to fade?
Is it possible to rebuild your life? Raise a family? Fall in love again?
When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of momentoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold onto the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?"
I for one am DEFINITELY buying this when it's released! I am now a fully fledged, HUGE fan of Rowan Coleman's books!
Rowan is donating 100% of the royalties from her sales to the charity Refuge which helps women who are victims of domestic violence.
Rowan Coleman has written a fantastic little novella with Woman Walks Into A Bar, I really enjoyed it and found myself liking the main character Sam very quickly - she's genuine and honest and living like many of us in the real world do - as a single mother with a torrid past that defines her future. I enjoyed Sam's relationship with her daughter Beth too, again I found myself relating to the closeness between mother & (nearly) teenage daughter.
The topic of domestic violence is covered in this book , but that is unfortunately a reality for many women, and the reason for Rowan's donation, so completely understandable that it's a feature in this novella. Rowan deals with writing about it in a way that ensures the reader understands the awful reality some women face daily.
Woman Walks Into A Bar is a great, well written read that hooks you instantly and should be a feature in all of our e-readers! By buying this ebook for just £1.59 you'll help raise funds for the amazing and worthy Refuge charity, it's certainly money well spent!
This short story was perfect for me as it was my first glimpse into Rowan Coleman's books. I really enjoyed it, the perfect mix - laughing one minute, close to tears the next! Then to top it off, at the end of the book there was an excerpt from her new release The Memory Book - due for release 30th January 2014 and OMG I was hooked and sooo annoyed that I couldn't read any more! This too sounds fab, check it out here...
"The name of your first-born. The face of your lover. Your age. Your address...
What would happen if your memory of these began to fade?
Is it possible to rebuild your life? Raise a family? Fall in love again?
When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of momentoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold onto the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?"
I for one am DEFINITELY buying this when it's released! I am now a fully fledged, HUGE fan of Rowan Coleman's books!
October 28, 2013
This is the first piece of work by Rowan that I've read. I downloaded it on it's release day (10th September) after hearing about it on twitter on the lead up to its release. Rowan has been publicising this book like crazy for the last couple of weeks all for one very important cause. The royalties made from this novella (which is also available on paperback as well as to download) will all be donated, 100%, to Refuge - the domestic abuse charity. So, even if your TBR is longer than the journey from Lands End to John O'Groats download now to be entertained but also to #supportafriend.
The story follows 28 year old single mother Sam. Sam has recently started dating after a good 9 years of being single, convinced to give internet dating a spin by her 12 year old daughter Beth and her best friends Joy and Marie. Sam has been single since her abusive ex made his final exit from their lives. Internet dating though, it seems, isn't all its cracked up to be and after a string of crappy dates with even more crappy men, Sam is at the end of her tether when Joy sets her up on a blind date.
I fell in love with Sam's character straight away. She is so impossibly down to earth and so easy to relate to that I think it would be hard not to like her instantly. As a single mum her daughter comes first and her relationship with her daughter is described beautifully, highlighted throughout the story as together they try to make each other laugh with the worst jokes.
The story flicks between Sam's past and present which really lends itself to building up her character, so that even though it's only a novella you come away feeling like you know her really well.
The story is told in a really charming and endearing way and will have you feeling every emotion Sam does on her emotional roller-coaster walk through her past.
A great read and for such a great cause its too irresistible not to buy it and #supportafriend
The story follows 28 year old single mother Sam. Sam has recently started dating after a good 9 years of being single, convinced to give internet dating a spin by her 12 year old daughter Beth and her best friends Joy and Marie. Sam has been single since her abusive ex made his final exit from their lives. Internet dating though, it seems, isn't all its cracked up to be and after a string of crappy dates with even more crappy men, Sam is at the end of her tether when Joy sets her up on a blind date.
I fell in love with Sam's character straight away. She is so impossibly down to earth and so easy to relate to that I think it would be hard not to like her instantly. As a single mum her daughter comes first and her relationship with her daughter is described beautifully, highlighted throughout the story as together they try to make each other laugh with the worst jokes.
The story flicks between Sam's past and present which really lends itself to building up her character, so that even though it's only a novella you come away feeling like you know her really well.
The story is told in a really charming and endearing way and will have you feeling every emotion Sam does on her emotional roller-coaster walk through her past.
A great read and for such a great cause its too irresistible not to buy it and #supportafriend
October 24, 2014
Rowan Coleman is one of my favourite authors so when I saw she was re-releasing her short story Woman Walks Into A Bar I was super pleased, especially since she said that all royalties would be donated to charity – a girl after my own heart! I actually already had a review copy, but I of course purchased a copy, too, to make sure my money would go to the charity. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in, as you can’t beat a good novella.
When Sam’s friends tell her they’ve set her up on a blind date for their Friday Night girls night out, Sam is understandably wary, her friends Marie and Joy don’t have the greatest taste in men, Joy in particular, but Sam agrees nevertheless. She feels like the time is right and she’s finally ready to move on from her last, awful relationship nine years ago. Sam hopes with all her might that her date will be with the tasty bartender Brendan at her local. Sam is ready to move on, to date, but have her friends set her up with someone with relationship potential or will it be a disaster?
While Woman Walks Into A Bar might seem like a light, sweet, easygoing novella it does actually have a stronger message in the undertones, as we soon find out. Sam’s hardly had the best life growing up – bullied at school (which is the worst thing a person can go through, ever) and then her last relationship was a nightmare, and all I wanted was to see Sam happy and settled, because if anybody deserved a bit of happiness it was Sam. I really enjoyed Woman Walks Into A Bar, it was substantial and it took me about half an hour to read, which is a nice length for novellas. I enjoyed getting to know Sam and her daughter Beth. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a really strong message!
When Sam’s friends tell her they’ve set her up on a blind date for their Friday Night girls night out, Sam is understandably wary, her friends Marie and Joy don’t have the greatest taste in men, Joy in particular, but Sam agrees nevertheless. She feels like the time is right and she’s finally ready to move on from her last, awful relationship nine years ago. Sam hopes with all her might that her date will be with the tasty bartender Brendan at her local. Sam is ready to move on, to date, but have her friends set her up with someone with relationship potential or will it be a disaster?
While Woman Walks Into A Bar might seem like a light, sweet, easygoing novella it does actually have a stronger message in the undertones, as we soon find out. Sam’s hardly had the best life growing up – bullied at school (which is the worst thing a person can go through, ever) and then her last relationship was a nightmare, and all I wanted was to see Sam happy and settled, because if anybody deserved a bit of happiness it was Sam. I really enjoyed Woman Walks Into A Bar, it was substantial and it took me about half an hour to read, which is a nice length for novellas. I enjoyed getting to know Sam and her daughter Beth. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a really strong message!
November 2, 2013
I am not a fan of short stories but when I heard than one of my favourite authors was releasing one and that all the money the book earns will be going to Charity I decided to give it a try.
I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed this novella, this is perfect to read on a train journey to work something quick and easy reading. The main character Sam in a very lovable, genuine character who works in a supermarket. She is a single mother and thanks to her daughter and her friends she is back in the dating scene. It soon becomes apparent that with internet dating it is a bit like a Disney film kiss the frogs and the hopefully prince charming will come along!
The book is fun but also touches on a darker situation which was a nice balance. I am surprised how much I loved Sam in such a short space of time. I was still left wanting more but then I find this with all of Rowan Colemans books, you never want them to end!
This is a great way to do your bit for charity and also have a little treat for yourself at the same time. Easily the best novella I have read.
I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed this novella, this is perfect to read on a train journey to work something quick and easy reading. The main character Sam in a very lovable, genuine character who works in a supermarket. She is a single mother and thanks to her daughter and her friends she is back in the dating scene. It soon becomes apparent that with internet dating it is a bit like a Disney film kiss the frogs and the hopefully prince charming will come along!
The book is fun but also touches on a darker situation which was a nice balance. I am surprised how much I loved Sam in such a short space of time. I was still left wanting more but then I find this with all of Rowan Colemans books, you never want them to end!
This is a great way to do your bit for charity and also have a little treat for yourself at the same time. Easily the best novella I have read.
November 3, 2012
Woman Walks Into a Bar, is nothing like what I'd normally choose to read. The only reason I even considered it was because my wonderful aunty lent it to me and made me pinky swear (the most serious kind of promise) that I'd read it, plus it's realllllly short!
So I rated Woman Walks Into a Bar a 2.5 out of 5 stars for me, because the story is basically all it advertises to be about, a single mother who works in the local supermarket, getting back into dating. Exactly what it says on the tin, no additional information at all. Because of this the story is very short and sweet, plus utterly predictable, I saw the ending on about page ten. But even despite that, I still found it enjoyable to read about Sam's life and it was nice to delve into another genre for once, I must do it more often, even though I probably won't.
If your looking for an incredibly short read and love chick lit, I'd definitely give this a go.
So I rated Woman Walks Into a Bar a 2.5 out of 5 stars for me, because the story is basically all it advertises to be about, a single mother who works in the local supermarket, getting back into dating. Exactly what it says on the tin, no additional information at all. Because of this the story is very short and sweet, plus utterly predictable, I saw the ending on about page ten. But even despite that, I still found it enjoyable to read about Sam's life and it was nice to delve into another genre for once, I must do it more often, even though I probably won't.
If your looking for an incredibly short read and love chick lit, I'd definitely give this a go.
October 4, 2013
What a little gem, this books is - quickly read in a couple of hours, not only due to its length, but because of the unputdownable pace.
Sam is a likeable character from the start - a mum, a daughter and a best friend, with the challenges all those relationships throw up. The love between Sam and her well-meaning daughter, Beth, is beautifully portrayed, plus their relationship often raises a chuckle. And then there is the unassuming hero - by the end the reader is gunning for him and Sam to get together.
The flashbacks to Sam's schooldays raise the pace as questions are left unanswered just before we shift back to present time. The scenes of marital abuse aren't gratuitous or overplayed.
A great read, all in a good cause, that i'd highly recommend. Please, let's have a full-length sequel :)
Sam is a likeable character from the start - a mum, a daughter and a best friend, with the challenges all those relationships throw up. The love between Sam and her well-meaning daughter, Beth, is beautifully portrayed, plus their relationship often raises a chuckle. And then there is the unassuming hero - by the end the reader is gunning for him and Sam to get together.
The flashbacks to Sam's schooldays raise the pace as questions are left unanswered just before we shift back to present time. The scenes of marital abuse aren't gratuitous or overplayed.
A great read, all in a good cause, that i'd highly recommend. Please, let's have a full-length sequel :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews