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Kismetology
Finding the perfect man isn't easy. Especially when it's for your mother...
Mothers. Can't live with them, can't live without them, can't live three doors down the road without them interfering in every aspect of your life.
Mackenzie Atkinson's mother has meddled in her love life once too often and something has to be done. Mackenzie decides to turn the tables and find love for her lonely mother.
Her lonely and very fussy mother.
Surely finding an older gentleman looking for love won't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
If you've ever thought that boys grow up, here's the problem: They don't. Ever.
And Mackenzie is about to learn that the hard way.
Faced with a useless boyfriend, dressed up dogs, men who wear welly boots on dates, men who shouldn't be allowed out in public, and men who make reptiles seem like attractive company - will she ever find the perfect man for her neurotic mother?
Mothers. Can't live with them, can't live without them, can't live three doors down the road without them interfering in every aspect of your life.
Mackenzie Atkinson's mother has meddled in her love life once too often and something has to be done. Mackenzie decides to turn the tables and find love for her lonely mother.
Her lonely and very fussy mother.
Surely finding an older gentleman looking for love won't be that hard, right?
Wrong.
If you've ever thought that boys grow up, here's the problem: They don't. Ever.
And Mackenzie is about to learn that the hard way.
Faced with a useless boyfriend, dressed up dogs, men who wear welly boots on dates, men who shouldn't be allowed out in public, and men who make reptiles seem like attractive company - will she ever find the perfect man for her neurotic mother?
345 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2012
48 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
Jaimie Admans
32 books709 followersJaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 26, 2024
Jaimie Admans' debut novel is a hilarious take on the world of dating and matchmaking. It may also be the UK's answer to Everybody Loves Raymond, although I haven't asked Jaimie whether she planned it that way on purpose or whether it's just a happy coincidence.
Mackenzie Atkinson and her boyfriend Dan would be deliriously happy together if it weren't for the fact that her Mum, who is fifty and single, lives three doors down and likes nothing better than to pop round with her annoying pets to watch Coronation Street, Emmerdale or Eastenders.
Dan seems like a tolerant kind of guy, but he can take only so much, and Mackenzie herself finds these visits less than convenient. So she decides to solve all their problems at once by herding her mum gently back into the world of dating. Yes, that's right. She's trying to hook her mother up with Mr. Right.
She tries any number of things, from looking in the classifieds to trying dating websites to... dating the prospective gentlemen callers herself, under her boyfriend's protective eye, to make sure they're suitable for mater (or Eleanor, as she prefers to be called). Unfortunately for Mackenzie, dear old Mum (well, not so old, as she's on the verge of fifty) is even fussier than she is, and no matter how much trouble the poor girl takes to screen Eleanor's dates, no-one seems to be good enough.
Will Mackenzie and Dan ever have an evening to themselves? Will Mum ever find happiness and stop interfering in her daughter's life? Will the animals ever stop chewing, scratching, biting and peeing on the furniture and the plants?
I wouldn't want to drop spoilers, so you'll have to read the book to find the answers to these and other vital questions.
Mackenzie Atkinson and her boyfriend Dan would be deliriously happy together if it weren't for the fact that her Mum, who is fifty and single, lives three doors down and likes nothing better than to pop round with her annoying pets to watch Coronation Street, Emmerdale or Eastenders.
Dan seems like a tolerant kind of guy, but he can take only so much, and Mackenzie herself finds these visits less than convenient. So she decides to solve all their problems at once by herding her mum gently back into the world of dating. Yes, that's right. She's trying to hook her mother up with Mr. Right.
She tries any number of things, from looking in the classifieds to trying dating websites to... dating the prospective gentlemen callers herself, under her boyfriend's protective eye, to make sure they're suitable for mater (or Eleanor, as she prefers to be called). Unfortunately for Mackenzie, dear old Mum (well, not so old, as she's on the verge of fifty) is even fussier than she is, and no matter how much trouble the poor girl takes to screen Eleanor's dates, no-one seems to be good enough.
Will Mackenzie and Dan ever have an evening to themselves? Will Mum ever find happiness and stop interfering in her daughter's life? Will the animals ever stop chewing, scratching, biting and peeing on the furniture and the plants?
I wouldn't want to drop spoilers, so you'll have to read the book to find the answers to these and other vital questions.
October 20, 2012
Kismetology is an amazing chick-lit that tells the story of Mackenzie, who recently moved with her boyfriend Dan, leaving her mom alone..or almost. Infact, she has moved just three house further on the same street where her mother lives. She couldn't have done worse: her mother is always sneaking in their house, complaining about her boyfriend, her furniture and the color of the walls; but worst, she's not alone, she has a little plants-killer Yorkshire with her.
Mackenzie realises that for saving her relationship with Dan she needs to do something to keep her mom busy: find her a date. That's how she will start her own activity: first she needs to know what kind of man/woman the customer wants to date, then she organises several dates in which she knows more about the candidate and then, if he/she is compatible with the customer, she set up a real, final date between the two. Through the hard work to find her mother a date, Mackenzie will discover the meaning of the real love and this intuition will upset her ordinary life.
WOW! I loved this book SO much! It had all the ingredients for the perfect romance: it was fun, fluent, well-written and full-packed with irony, comedy and romanticism. As all my readers knows I usually don't like romantic books but this one was an exception, especially because the author mixed romanticism with parody, in order to make the book more interesting, not boring at all. The framework was excellent, and I immediately thought, from the first page "This is going to be fun"; the idea of a mother always sneaking with her little dog peeing everywhere, really scares me to death!
In its simplicity and humor the book deals with some important issues: love, family relationship, the realisation of our working ambitions. The attempt of Mackenzie was not a simple way to get rid of her mother, but she wanted to find her the man of her life, maybe because she realised that she's never found hers; I think it was very sweet of her and the idea of a direct approach with the candidates, symbolizes how careful Mackenzie is toward her mother and how she wants to avoid her disappointments. In the middle part of the book the author describes a long variety of men of all kinds: from the man who has porns in his pockets, to the one who likes to watch people urinate; apart from being a hilarious description, it really tells the reality of nowadays. I mean, is or is not true that today it has become increasingly difficult to find the perfect man? And that's where the book focuses: sometimes it is necessary to overlook some details because nobody's perfect. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, we just have to valorise our strenghts and try to learn how to deal wit the weaknesses; it is also true that sometimes some details can't be overlooked and in this case we need to give up about that persone and move on: like Mackenzie did, she's always thought Dan was the love of her life but when all his defects start to become unbearable she decides to break up; it is never too late to find happiness!! Awwwww, how positive this book is?
Speaking of the characters, Mackenzie is a really strong girl! She's not scared about meeting people she doesn't actually know anything about ( and some of them really are perverts!) and she puts her family above all, even if that mean arguing with her boyfriend. What I really liked about her personality is that she's so corageous in changing her life completely and in following her dreams and ambitions; even if some of her friends don't support her in her decision to start her own activity, she doesn't give up and in the end she savors the taste of victory.
Dan was SO irritating! At the beginning he seemed to be okay, I mean supportive, sweet and everything a guy should be. But then he's revealed to be rude and discouraging, a real couch-potato. Just the fact that he was always with his feet on the coffee table was unnerving; I think Mackenzie wasn't quite up to him so she'd totally taken the best decision for her future by breaking up with him. I though he was also quite aggressive sometimes and I didn't like how intolerant he was about Mackenzie's mother situation: someone who talk like he did, about my mother doesn't deserve a minute more of my affection!
Mackenzie's mother was a difficult character to understand; she's the incarnation of a lonely middle-aged woman who searches for consolation in her daughter; I thought that sometimes she liked to annoy the couple,especially Dan but in the end I realised that, with her own manners, she just wanted to let Mackenzie understand that she wasn't living the life she's always dreamed about and that she deserved a better one.
Mackenzie realises that for saving her relationship with Dan she needs to do something to keep her mom busy: find her a date. That's how she will start her own activity: first she needs to know what kind of man/woman the customer wants to date, then she organises several dates in which she knows more about the candidate and then, if he/she is compatible with the customer, she set up a real, final date between the two. Through the hard work to find her mother a date, Mackenzie will discover the meaning of the real love and this intuition will upset her ordinary life.
WOW! I loved this book SO much! It had all the ingredients for the perfect romance: it was fun, fluent, well-written and full-packed with irony, comedy and romanticism. As all my readers knows I usually don't like romantic books but this one was an exception, especially because the author mixed romanticism with parody, in order to make the book more interesting, not boring at all. The framework was excellent, and I immediately thought, from the first page "This is going to be fun"; the idea of a mother always sneaking with her little dog peeing everywhere, really scares me to death!
In its simplicity and humor the book deals with some important issues: love, family relationship, the realisation of our working ambitions. The attempt of Mackenzie was not a simple way to get rid of her mother, but she wanted to find her the man of her life, maybe because she realised that she's never found hers; I think it was very sweet of her and the idea of a direct approach with the candidates, symbolizes how careful Mackenzie is toward her mother and how she wants to avoid her disappointments. In the middle part of the book the author describes a long variety of men of all kinds: from the man who has porns in his pockets, to the one who likes to watch people urinate; apart from being a hilarious description, it really tells the reality of nowadays. I mean, is or is not true that today it has become increasingly difficult to find the perfect man? And that's where the book focuses: sometimes it is necessary to overlook some details because nobody's perfect. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, we just have to valorise our strenghts and try to learn how to deal wit the weaknesses; it is also true that sometimes some details can't be overlooked and in this case we need to give up about that persone and move on: like Mackenzie did, she's always thought Dan was the love of her life but when all his defects start to become unbearable she decides to break up; it is never too late to find happiness!! Awwwww, how positive this book is?
Speaking of the characters, Mackenzie is a really strong girl! She's not scared about meeting people she doesn't actually know anything about ( and some of them really are perverts!) and she puts her family above all, even if that mean arguing with her boyfriend. What I really liked about her personality is that she's so corageous in changing her life completely and in following her dreams and ambitions; even if some of her friends don't support her in her decision to start her own activity, she doesn't give up and in the end she savors the taste of victory.
Dan was SO irritating! At the beginning he seemed to be okay, I mean supportive, sweet and everything a guy should be. But then he's revealed to be rude and discouraging, a real couch-potato. Just the fact that he was always with his feet on the coffee table was unnerving; I think Mackenzie wasn't quite up to him so she'd totally taken the best decision for her future by breaking up with him. I though he was also quite aggressive sometimes and I didn't like how intolerant he was about Mackenzie's mother situation: someone who talk like he did, about my mother doesn't deserve a minute more of my affection!
Mackenzie's mother was a difficult character to understand; she's the incarnation of a lonely middle-aged woman who searches for consolation in her daughter; I thought that sometimes she liked to annoy the couple,especially Dan but in the end I realised that, with her own manners, she just wanted to let Mackenzie understand that she wasn't living the life she's always dreamed about and that she deserved a better one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2013
Kismetology by Jaimie Admans stars Mackenzie (better known to her friends as Mac). After dating her boyfriend Dan for a year, they decide to move in together. Unbeknownst to them, Mac's mother chose a house and payed a deposit before they knew it. The main catch? It's three doors down from her own.
Three months later and tensions are beginning to reach boiling point. Every night they perform the same dance. Mac's mother comes over, puts on a soap and complains about everything. Most of the time her attention is focused on belittling their choices in decor or putting Dan down, while her Yorkshire Terrier (Baby) runs around, chewing up their expensive cushions and peeing in all the house plants.
The time had come for a change, and Mac decides the best way to occupy her mother is by getting her a new man. She has been divorced for 10 years and Mac's reasoning is that she must be lonely. If she can get her the company of a man, he might keep her preoccupied long enough for them to enjoy some time "mum-free". But, how do you find the perfect man for a woman who takes three months to choose curtains? Or sews very detailed animal costumes for her dog, sometimes resulting in a near arrest after taking Baby to the park dressed as a crocodile?
The more Mac thinks about it, the more she becomes involved. After all, she can't just bring her mum any Tom, Dick or Harry. So what does she do? She decides to screen dates, a sort of date interview if you will. She finds men, goes on a "date" with them to see whether they're suitable and, if so, passes them along to her mother.
But Mac has no idea where to start. How does a 29 year old woman go about meeting men twice her age? So she starts with people she or people they know. Her first potential match? Jenn (a colleague from work) suggests her father, Jeff, who has been divorced for 6 years. Mac thinks he's charming and kind- the perfect man for her mother. So, she sets them up. At first her mother is a little skeptical of being set up on a blind date, but soon gets into it.
All seems to go well, until her mother comes back asking for someone else. A few tries later and Mac finds things getting awkward. Asking friends may not be the best strategy, so she starts trawling the personal ads. Of course, everyone knows you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince and Mac meets a lot of them. The things she does for her mother. But, she has to find the cream of the crop or her mother won't be interested, or worse, may even doubt her skills and call the whole thing off. Mac screens man after man after questionable species, coming up with a few good catches, that her mother turns her nose up at.
But something magical has happened. Through the process, Mac discovers she actually likes being a matchmaker and maybe she could make a career out of it. Why not? There must be a market for it? She doesn't particularly enjoy her current job, so maybe this could be a new beginning for more than one of them?
The main plot is enjoyable, but the subplot is a less so. Mac and Dan are going through a bit of a rough patch in their relationship and they can both be a little unpleasant to each other at times. But the thing is, all relationships have lows, but if the majority of the interactions between two people are lows, it won't last much longer. To me, there were't enough good moments between them to make their story pleasant. Everything in moderation after all. You can't have just bad or just good, but need a little of both. Otherwise, there's a danger of the characters being boring or irritating. Mac and Dan just never seem to do anything together. Almost all of the interactions we see between them involve other people. And the conclusion to their story is predictable.
But, like I said, the main plot is entertaining. Some of the characters are hilarious and the dates ofter go from bad to worse. Between her eccentric mother and the unbelievable men she meets for her, there are bound to be a few laughs.
Overall, this is a feel-good book. An easy read, that modern times would call a good "beach read". Personally, I never really liked the term, so I'll call it the perfect lazy afternoon read.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Three months later and tensions are beginning to reach boiling point. Every night they perform the same dance. Mac's mother comes over, puts on a soap and complains about everything. Most of the time her attention is focused on belittling their choices in decor or putting Dan down, while her Yorkshire Terrier (Baby) runs around, chewing up their expensive cushions and peeing in all the house plants.
The time had come for a change, and Mac decides the best way to occupy her mother is by getting her a new man. She has been divorced for 10 years and Mac's reasoning is that she must be lonely. If she can get her the company of a man, he might keep her preoccupied long enough for them to enjoy some time "mum-free". But, how do you find the perfect man for a woman who takes three months to choose curtains? Or sews very detailed animal costumes for her dog, sometimes resulting in a near arrest after taking Baby to the park dressed as a crocodile?
The more Mac thinks about it, the more she becomes involved. After all, she can't just bring her mum any Tom, Dick or Harry. So what does she do? She decides to screen dates, a sort of date interview if you will. She finds men, goes on a "date" with them to see whether they're suitable and, if so, passes them along to her mother.
But Mac has no idea where to start. How does a 29 year old woman go about meeting men twice her age? So she starts with people she or people they know. Her first potential match? Jenn (a colleague from work) suggests her father, Jeff, who has been divorced for 6 years. Mac thinks he's charming and kind- the perfect man for her mother. So, she sets them up. At first her mother is a little skeptical of being set up on a blind date, but soon gets into it.
All seems to go well, until her mother comes back asking for someone else. A few tries later and Mac finds things getting awkward. Asking friends may not be the best strategy, so she starts trawling the personal ads. Of course, everyone knows you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince and Mac meets a lot of them. The things she does for her mother. But, she has to find the cream of the crop or her mother won't be interested, or worse, may even doubt her skills and call the whole thing off. Mac screens man after man after questionable species, coming up with a few good catches, that her mother turns her nose up at.
But something magical has happened. Through the process, Mac discovers she actually likes being a matchmaker and maybe she could make a career out of it. Why not? There must be a market for it? She doesn't particularly enjoy her current job, so maybe this could be a new beginning for more than one of them?
The main plot is enjoyable, but the subplot is a less so. Mac and Dan are going through a bit of a rough patch in their relationship and they can both be a little unpleasant to each other at times. But the thing is, all relationships have lows, but if the majority of the interactions between two people are lows, it won't last much longer. To me, there were't enough good moments between them to make their story pleasant. Everything in moderation after all. You can't have just bad or just good, but need a little of both. Otherwise, there's a danger of the characters being boring or irritating. Mac and Dan just never seem to do anything together. Almost all of the interactions we see between them involve other people. And the conclusion to their story is predictable.
But, like I said, the main plot is entertaining. Some of the characters are hilarious and the dates ofter go from bad to worse. Between her eccentric mother and the unbelievable men she meets for her, there are bound to be a few laughs.
Overall, this is a feel-good book. An easy read, that modern times would call a good "beach read". Personally, I never really liked the term, so I'll call it the perfect lazy afternoon read.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.
January 13, 2013
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Jaimie Admans!)
29-year-old Mackenzie is sick of her mother interfering in her life. Mac and her boyfriend Dan recently moved in together, but her mother even interfered in that – finding them a house to rent only 3 doors down the road from her.
Moving out hasn’t stopped Mac’s mum though, now she pops round every night and puts on her soaps, and Mac and Dan get no time alone together in peace.
But then Mac comes up with an idea – maybe if she found a man for her mum, then her mum would leave Mac and Dan alone. Now Mackenzie just has to find the perfect man for her mum.
Deciding the best thing to do is vet these men before letting her mother meet them, Mackenzie goes on bad date after bad date, and being propositioned by 50 year old guys is not exactly her most favourite thing to do.
Can Mackenzie really find the perfect man for her fussy mother though? How many dates will she have to go on with lousy men? And is matchmaking something that Mackenzie was born to do?
This book was just funny! I mean laugh your face off funny! By about 15% of the way in I was crying with laughter – talk about comic relief!
I’d describe this book as a chick-lit, with a healthy dose of comedy, so if you’re feeling a bit miserable (after reading all those sad books), then read this – it will definitely cheer you up!
Mackenzie is a great lead character. She tries so hard to find her mother someone to love, as well as trying to distract her mother so that she can have some quiet nights in with her boyfriend – even if he doesn’t really appreciate the lengths she is going to for him.
The men that Mackenzie ‘dates’ while trying to find someone for her mother are a right mixture, and they’re not obviously hideous at first, so when they then do something weird, it is sort-of unexpected. While some of the men’s faults are maybe a tad cliché, it doesn’t actually feel that way at all as you read the story, purely because it is written so nicely, and Mackenzie is such a normal sort of girl.
I did laugh a lot at Mackenzie’s failed adventures though, and it was nice that she tried to find men in several different ways so that the story felt that it was constantly going somewhere. The story also had a beginning, middle, and end which was nice, and although I did guess who her mother would end up with, there were plenty of twists and turns in the plot so that you were still kept guessing as to what would happen next.
Overall; I really enjoyed this book, and it had great comedy value, as well as being an awesome chick-lit read. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up or just a great chick-lit story – grab a copy of this! You won’t regret it!
8 out of 10.
29-year-old Mackenzie is sick of her mother interfering in her life. Mac and her boyfriend Dan recently moved in together, but her mother even interfered in that – finding them a house to rent only 3 doors down the road from her.
Moving out hasn’t stopped Mac’s mum though, now she pops round every night and puts on her soaps, and Mac and Dan get no time alone together in peace.
But then Mac comes up with an idea – maybe if she found a man for her mum, then her mum would leave Mac and Dan alone. Now Mackenzie just has to find the perfect man for her mum.
Deciding the best thing to do is vet these men before letting her mother meet them, Mackenzie goes on bad date after bad date, and being propositioned by 50 year old guys is not exactly her most favourite thing to do.
Can Mackenzie really find the perfect man for her fussy mother though? How many dates will she have to go on with lousy men? And is matchmaking something that Mackenzie was born to do?
This book was just funny! I mean laugh your face off funny! By about 15% of the way in I was crying with laughter – talk about comic relief!
I’d describe this book as a chick-lit, with a healthy dose of comedy, so if you’re feeling a bit miserable (after reading all those sad books), then read this – it will definitely cheer you up!
Mackenzie is a great lead character. She tries so hard to find her mother someone to love, as well as trying to distract her mother so that she can have some quiet nights in with her boyfriend – even if he doesn’t really appreciate the lengths she is going to for him.
The men that Mackenzie ‘dates’ while trying to find someone for her mother are a right mixture, and they’re not obviously hideous at first, so when they then do something weird, it is sort-of unexpected. While some of the men’s faults are maybe a tad cliché, it doesn’t actually feel that way at all as you read the story, purely because it is written so nicely, and Mackenzie is such a normal sort of girl.
I did laugh a lot at Mackenzie’s failed adventures though, and it was nice that she tried to find men in several different ways so that the story felt that it was constantly going somewhere. The story also had a beginning, middle, and end which was nice, and although I did guess who her mother would end up with, there were plenty of twists and turns in the plot so that you were still kept guessing as to what would happen next.
Overall; I really enjoyed this book, and it had great comedy value, as well as being an awesome chick-lit read. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up or just a great chick-lit story – grab a copy of this! You won’t regret it!
8 out of 10.
March 31, 2013
**Original review posted on Honest Reviews Corner**
As an avid reader of Sophie Kinsella’s books, I was able to understand some of the British-isms present in Kismetology. However, if you are unfamiliar with British authors – and British humor – this may not be the best book for you. To be perfectly honest, even if you do enjoy books written by British authors, this still may not be the book for you.
Kismetology is a fun and unique concept, and really drew me in at the beginning. I laughed along with Mac through the first several dates and, like Mac and her boyfriend, quickly grew annoyed with her mother. You can guess where Mac’s story is going to end up within the first few chapters, though you are left guessing about the ending for Mac’s mother. So, the question of whether or not Mac would be able to find a man for her mother was enough to keep me interested in the story.
However, I found it starting to drag on a bit before I even hit the halfway mark. It says something about the book if you get that far into the story and realize that you just want to skip to the last chapter. After a while, I started skimming through Mac’s dates with the various men as well as the interactions between Mac and her mother. Both the dates and the mother became too repetitive.
[As a side: are there really that many ridiculous and disgusting 50-year-old men running around England? Seems like with all the dates Mac went on, she really should have encountered at least a few more relatively normal and stable options.]
Ultimately, Kismetology has its good moments, but almost landed on my “never finished” shelf. I can tell you that the ending is perfectly understandable even if you just skip to the last 10 pages or so. I think this book would make an interesting discussion topic because I am curious to know if my opinion of it is a result of being American. Perhaps UK readers will enjoy it more.
September 20, 2012
I read this book as it was written by an up and coming indie author and I liked the premise of the story. I have read a number of indie books and have to say that Jaimie is up there with the best of them!
I have to say that this book is extremely well written and is an impressive full length novel. This is particularly unusual for a first time self-published author. I would even go as far as saying that Jaimie has the potential to be up there with the great chick lit writers as I have read plenty of books by conventionally published chick lit authors that pale in comparison to this one.
The story is about a girl named Mackenzie who moves in with her boyfriend a few doors down from her meddling mother and sets out to find her a man to keep her occupied. The book is very funny and thoughtful and isn’t as predictable as a lot of chick lit. There are enough events in the book to keep you interested and it isn’t over complicated with too many characters as a lot of books can be. I also enjoyed the pace of the book and how the story unfolded.
I have to say that I think Jaimie is an indie author to keep an eye on. She has real talent and as the quality of her first book is so high then I am particularly excited about reading more of her work.
If you like authors such as Talli Roland, Jane Costello and Marian Keyes then this book is for you!
I have to say that this book is extremely well written and is an impressive full length novel. This is particularly unusual for a first time self-published author. I would even go as far as saying that Jaimie has the potential to be up there with the great chick lit writers as I have read plenty of books by conventionally published chick lit authors that pale in comparison to this one.
The story is about a girl named Mackenzie who moves in with her boyfriend a few doors down from her meddling mother and sets out to find her a man to keep her occupied. The book is very funny and thoughtful and isn’t as predictable as a lot of chick lit. There are enough events in the book to keep you interested and it isn’t over complicated with too many characters as a lot of books can be. I also enjoyed the pace of the book and how the story unfolded.
I have to say that I think Jaimie is an indie author to keep an eye on. She has real talent and as the quality of her first book is so high then I am particularly excited about reading more of her work.
If you like authors such as Talli Roland, Jane Costello and Marian Keyes then this book is for you!
February 3, 2013
I thought the premise of this book was original - daughter trying to find her mother a new lover and screening the men before they get to meet her mother. This makes for some funny situations, and I also liked the humour in the book and the British-ness of it all (I've lived in the UK for a while and I am an avid reader of Sophie Kinsella). The biggest problem with this book, however, is that there are no sub-plots. What you see is what you get: daughter tries to find suitable man for mother. Nothing else. That is why the story is dragging here and there, because after a while, it gets old to read about Mackenzie meeting up with total losers (for various, hilarious reasons) just to find a few gems who get to date her mother. I skipped a few parts because of this - it was too repetitive. Overall, I liked the book, but it could have been edited better and therefore a bit shorter and more gripping!
(disclaimer: I received the book for review purposes from the author, for which I am grateful!)
(disclaimer: I received the book for review purposes from the author, for which I am grateful!)
September 29, 2022
It was the best of books, it was the worst of books.
I am a huge fan of this author. And I always expect wonderful and get wonderful when I read her books. Not this time.
Mackenzie (Mac) lives with Dan and they both want her mother to spend time away from them. Eleanor is there every night. And she is constantly telling Mac what a terrible person Dan is. In reality he is a successful chef, and very patient. If I were Dan, Eleanor would never be allowed in my home to disparage me.
Mac wants to help her mother find someone to love. So, she starts seeking an age appropriate man. She even interviews the most likely candidates in person. The personal ads Mac read and their descriptions were funny. Not much else is funny. Some of these men were not just disgusting, they were appalling. But, funny.
Eleanor lies to her and never appreciates anything that is done for her. Mac spends nearly ever evening interviewing. And all the interviews are providing her with free meals at the restaurant where Dan is chef. While all these evenings are happening, Eleanor is bad mouthing Dan to Mac, and Mac is listening.
I got tired of Eleanor and her ugliness. I got tired of Mac and her spinelessness. I got tired of pets being allowed to destroy personal property. To me, none of these things were funny.
I will read more books by this author, but this one was neither memorable nor entertaining to me.
I am a huge fan of this author. And I always expect wonderful and get wonderful when I read her books. Not this time.
Mackenzie (Mac) lives with Dan and they both want her mother to spend time away from them. Eleanor is there every night. And she is constantly telling Mac what a terrible person Dan is. In reality he is a successful chef, and very patient. If I were Dan, Eleanor would never be allowed in my home to disparage me.
Mac wants to help her mother find someone to love. So, she starts seeking an age appropriate man. She even interviews the most likely candidates in person. The personal ads Mac read and their descriptions were funny. Not much else is funny. Some of these men were not just disgusting, they were appalling. But, funny.
Eleanor lies to her and never appreciates anything that is done for her. Mac spends nearly ever evening interviewing. And all the interviews are providing her with free meals at the restaurant where Dan is chef. While all these evenings are happening, Eleanor is bad mouthing Dan to Mac, and Mac is listening.
I got tired of Eleanor and her ugliness. I got tired of Mac and her spinelessness. I got tired of pets being allowed to destroy personal property. To me, none of these things were funny.
I will read more books by this author, but this one was neither memorable nor entertaining to me.
November 23, 2020
This book was such a total letdown for me. I just finished The Little Bookshop of Love Stories by the same author and loved it. Raved about it. Gave it all the possible stars, then ran eagerly to get another book by her.
Okay, the concept is interesting. The overbearing mother is interfering with the daughter's relationship with her boyfriend, so Mac, the daughter, decides to find her mother a significant other of her own.
The characters are awful people. Mac is judgemental and whiny. She 'interviews' each guy on a first date to see if she thinks they're good enough for her witch of a mother. And her mother is obnoxious. She constantly denigrates Dan, Mac's boyfriend, who is the only good person here. Most of Mac's interviews/dates are horrifying and not in a funny way. She's a mean girl, just like her mother, without an ounce of compassion. She thinks nothing of using Dan's credit card to buy a 100 quid bottle of champagne for one of her mother's dates without bothering to ask and while she's agreeing with her mother about Dan's imagined deficiencies. This was so not a feel-good romantic comedy, at least for me. However, it is the author's first book, I guess, and she wrote such a lovely book after this. I advised you to skip this one and move onto The Little Bookshop of Love Stories.
Okay, the concept is interesting. The overbearing mother is interfering with the daughter's relationship with her boyfriend, so Mac, the daughter, decides to find her mother a significant other of her own.
The characters are awful people. Mac is judgemental and whiny. She 'interviews' each guy on a first date to see if she thinks they're good enough for her witch of a mother. And her mother is obnoxious. She constantly denigrates Dan, Mac's boyfriend, who is the only good person here. Most of Mac's interviews/dates are horrifying and not in a funny way. She's a mean girl, just like her mother, without an ounce of compassion. She thinks nothing of using Dan's credit card to buy a 100 quid bottle of champagne for one of her mother's dates without bothering to ask and while she's agreeing with her mother about Dan's imagined deficiencies. This was so not a feel-good romantic comedy, at least for me. However, it is the author's first book, I guess, and she wrote such a lovely book after this. I advised you to skip this one and move onto The Little Bookshop of Love Stories.
July 1, 2021
I don't often give one star to a book that I manage to finish, but I hated this so much more than any of my two-star reads, I see no alternative.
Mackenzie has moved in with her boyfriend in a house in the same street as her divorced mother. The mother is a nightmare narcissist who finds excuses to spend every evening at Mackenzie's house watching TV. The boyfriend is understandably not happy about this and nor is Mackenzie, but instead of biting the bullet and telling her mother where to go, she tries to please and distract her by fixing her up with a new man.
The first half of the book is made up of Mackenzie's tedious "dates" (all in the same restaurant) with various men age 50+ that she decides she must vet before they can meet Mum (not sure why, because Mum has the skin of a rhinoceros).
Mackenzie has moved in with her boyfriend in a house in the same street as her divorced mother. The mother is a nightmare narcissist who finds excuses to spend every evening at Mackenzie's house watching TV. The boyfriend is understandably not happy about this and nor is Mackenzie, but instead of biting the bullet and telling her mother where to go, she tries to please and distract her by fixing her up with a new man.
The first half of the book is made up of Mackenzie's tedious "dates" (all in the same restaurant) with various men age 50+ that she decides she must vet before they can meet Mum (not sure why, because Mum has the skin of a rhinoceros).
August 31, 2020
I'm glad I didn't read this one first!
If I had I never would have read another. As it is I've read at least four books and loved each one. T he female character in some is a bit neurotic, but Mackensie and her mother are lunatics! The mother is so overbearing and needy that she takes over her daughter's relationship with Dan. Mackensie has no ability to put boundaries to limit her mother's manipulation. The only character I liked was tje boyfriend, Dan, and he was eventually driven away. He was the only logically thinking adult. I dragged myself to the end of the book only to find out it could have been shorter by half. I own one more book by Jaimie and that story will determine if I buy another. I LOVED the other stories I read and the characters were wonderful I hope this was a one off.
If I had I never would have read another. As it is I've read at least four books and loved each one. T he female character in some is a bit neurotic, but Mackensie and her mother are lunatics! The mother is so overbearing and needy that she takes over her daughter's relationship with Dan. Mackensie has no ability to put boundaries to limit her mother's manipulation. The only character I liked was tje boyfriend, Dan, and he was eventually driven away. He was the only logically thinking adult. I dragged myself to the end of the book only to find out it could have been shorter by half. I own one more book by Jaimie and that story will determine if I buy another. I LOVED the other stories I read and the characters were wonderful I hope this was a one off.
February 10, 2022
Having read majority of Jaimie books to date I was delighted to finally get the chance to reading her debut book, the first book she had published. It was definitely different to her other books and no I don’t mean that in a bad way.
This story Kismetology was actually really nice read, very hilarious in places and a fair bit of drama too. I thought it was a pretty accurate picture of what dating can be like, especially when you throw personal ads and online dating into the mix, as you can guarantee you’re going to come across some weird and creepy dates in amongst the nicer dates.
I thought the mother/daughter relationship was really nice and again represents a true enough picture of what a mother/daughter relationship can really be like at times.
So all in all I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this story.
This story Kismetology was actually really nice read, very hilarious in places and a fair bit of drama too. I thought it was a pretty accurate picture of what dating can be like, especially when you throw personal ads and online dating into the mix, as you can guarantee you’re going to come across some weird and creepy dates in amongst the nicer dates.
I thought the mother/daughter relationship was really nice and again represents a true enough picture of what a mother/daughter relationship can really be like at times.
So all in all I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this story.
December 30, 2019
I'm normally a Jaimie Admans fan, but this one was rough. I think it was only her first or second book, and it shows- overblown dialogue with sometimes conflicting points (like multiple edits were combined without extensive editing for continuity), a weak plot, the demonization of a character in order to move the plot forward, the lack of resolution for the actual problem (the MC's inability to draw and maintain boundaries with her overbearing mother), and the naive concept that romantic love "fixes" people and situations. I can see where the individual plot ideas made for a cute story, but the execution failed it...and it frankly needed more character development and less manufactured drama. Alas.
September 21, 2020
Everything wrong with love
This book is everything that is wring with love. I liked Mackenzie at first but the longer the book went on the more of a spoiled, selfish brat she became. Dan was a jerk but I would have been too in his situation. The mother spends the entire book trying to break up the couple until she succeeds and apologizes for none of the misery or abuse she heaps on her daughter.
This book is everything that is wring with love. I liked Mackenzie at first but the longer the book went on the more of a spoiled, selfish brat she became. Dan was a jerk but I would have been too in his situation. The mother spends the entire book trying to break up the couple until she succeeds and apologizes for none of the misery or abuse she heaps on her daughter.
May 19, 2021
I struggled really quickly with this book. Started off ok then became repetitive and I found myself skipping through it. Didn’t like any of the characters and got very bored with the same plots and lack of assertiveness over her mothers constantly being in Mac and Dans house. I absolutely loved her book The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea and could t wait to read another. I just wish it hadn’t been this one!
October 9, 2021
I read a lot of different genres and styles but not normally romantic comedies so went into this book with no real expectations and have been pleasantly surprised. This is a well thought out and delivered story that flows well and is one I'd highly recommend.
August 8, 2017
It was just ok...
One of the type books you forgot you read right afterward. Made me chuckle a couple of times but nothing special. The mom is hot bucket of mess though.
One of the type books you forgot you read right afterward. Made me chuckle a couple of times but nothing special. The mom is hot bucket of mess though.
April 18, 2018
A fun read, with an interesting twist. A tale of self-discovery.
July 29, 2020
Meh
Long-winded, too many disagreements between the characters to feel they should even spend time together, I finished it just for something to do, totally not interesting.
Long-winded, too many disagreements between the characters to feel they should even spend time together, I finished it just for something to do, totally not interesting.
April 14, 2021
Interesting and enjoyable overall, but awfully cringeworthy at times.
February 14, 2016
‘Mac here knows her stuff when it comes to kismetology.’
This enjoyable contemporary novel deals with matters of the heart in an entertaining and humourous way. Mackenzie Atkinson moved three doors down the road from her mother Eleanor’s house to live with her partner Dan. As she might perhaps have suspected, this has resulted in her mother being a regular visitor to her home, made a problem by the fact that her mother doesn't hesitate to interfere in all aspects of Mackenzie's life, in particular her love life, and often comments, usually unfavourably, about Dan, even if he is in the same room! Mackenzie decides that what would help an awful lot is if her mother were less lonely and had her own romantic interest, and she sets out to help her find a perfect match.
The twist comes in that, rather than send her mother out into the world on blind dates with complete strangers, Mackenzie decides that she will do the advertising and sourcing of potential suitors and that she will even meet any prospective partners before her mother does and vet them first, only lining up dates with her mother if the men are up to scratch. Cue many episodes of Mackenzie meeting often very unsuitable and sometimes downright awful candidates! Finding a balanced, mature gentleman proves much more difficult than first anticipated. The story kept me engaged as I wondered who, if anyone, Mackenzie's mother would like, and whether Mackenzie's own love life would survive the whole experience intact too.
I really enjoyed this romantic, funny novel, and the storytelling and the editing impressed me. Mackenzie has a likeable personality and is an engaging lead character who carries the story throughout. Her reactions to the various different men she meets on the dates are brilliant. As well as trying to help her mother, Mackenzie begins to consider her own situation and wonders if she could improve it, in particular in terms of work but also love. Eleanor is an interesting character, usually accompanied by pampered pooch Baby. Despite the antagonism between mother and daughter at times, it comes across that Mackenzie genuinely cares about her mother and wants to see her happy. The only small thing I would mention is that sometimes the thing that Mackenzie had made her mind up to do was repeated several times in her thoughts; I think this was just to reiterate her determination to do what she had planned, but occasionally I thought the idea had been described and didn't need repeating again, or arguing about with Dan again.
I thought this was a light, entertaining and funny read and many will sympathise with Mackenzie's situation. I looked forward to reading a bit more every time I picked up my ereader and the story always kept me interested and often made me smile. Jaimie Admans writes really well and with heart about love, relationships and families and has crafted a promising debut novel. Also I think the book cover is really pretty and attractive.
This enjoyable contemporary novel deals with matters of the heart in an entertaining and humourous way. Mackenzie Atkinson moved three doors down the road from her mother Eleanor’s house to live with her partner Dan. As she might perhaps have suspected, this has resulted in her mother being a regular visitor to her home, made a problem by the fact that her mother doesn't hesitate to interfere in all aspects of Mackenzie's life, in particular her love life, and often comments, usually unfavourably, about Dan, even if he is in the same room! Mackenzie decides that what would help an awful lot is if her mother were less lonely and had her own romantic interest, and she sets out to help her find a perfect match.
The twist comes in that, rather than send her mother out into the world on blind dates with complete strangers, Mackenzie decides that she will do the advertising and sourcing of potential suitors and that she will even meet any prospective partners before her mother does and vet them first, only lining up dates with her mother if the men are up to scratch. Cue many episodes of Mackenzie meeting often very unsuitable and sometimes downright awful candidates! Finding a balanced, mature gentleman proves much more difficult than first anticipated. The story kept me engaged as I wondered who, if anyone, Mackenzie's mother would like, and whether Mackenzie's own love life would survive the whole experience intact too.
I really enjoyed this romantic, funny novel, and the storytelling and the editing impressed me. Mackenzie has a likeable personality and is an engaging lead character who carries the story throughout. Her reactions to the various different men she meets on the dates are brilliant. As well as trying to help her mother, Mackenzie begins to consider her own situation and wonders if she could improve it, in particular in terms of work but also love. Eleanor is an interesting character, usually accompanied by pampered pooch Baby. Despite the antagonism between mother and daughter at times, it comes across that Mackenzie genuinely cares about her mother and wants to see her happy. The only small thing I would mention is that sometimes the thing that Mackenzie had made her mind up to do was repeated several times in her thoughts; I think this was just to reiterate her determination to do what she had planned, but occasionally I thought the idea had been described and didn't need repeating again, or arguing about with Dan again.
I thought this was a light, entertaining and funny read and many will sympathise with Mackenzie's situation. I looked forward to reading a bit more every time I picked up my ereader and the story always kept me interested and often made me smile. Jaimie Admans writes really well and with heart about love, relationships and families and has crafted a promising debut novel. Also I think the book cover is really pretty and attractive.
September 3, 2016
Jaimie Admans is a self-published author and Kismetology is her first novel which was published in September 2012.
I found this to be an easy read, it's the story of Mackenzie who's trying desperately to find her mother a man so she'll be out of her hair. It kept me interested and turning the pages till the end but you find yourself wanting to keep reading just because you have to know who Eleanor ends up with...or doesn't. I did think that she agreed to the dating really easily and quickly. I can't imagine my mum would agree so quickly...mmmm there's pause for thought!
You can't help but sympathise with Mackenzie though, her mother is a total nightmare and her relationship with Dan is less than perfect and I was hoping she might actually find herself someone new!
The descriptions of the dates are really funny, there's allsorts in there: Mr Rude, Mr Unemployed, Mr Almost Perfect and Mr Toy Boy to name but a few. We've probably all experienced someone like one of these. I have personal experience of dating sites and having been offered an affair, a threesome and the option for a f**k buddy, the dating disasters Mackenzie experiences seem spot on...unfortunately! The lies people tell never cease to amaze me and people just don't think they'll get found out!
Credit where credits due, as Jaimie's first novel she's done a great job. I've read self published authors before and they've had several typo's and grammatical errors and I didn't spot any here :)
Overall, it's an enjoyable, funny out of the ordinary romance novel with some laugh out loud moments and a nice little twist at the end!
I found this to be an easy read, it's the story of Mackenzie who's trying desperately to find her mother a man so she'll be out of her hair. It kept me interested and turning the pages till the end but you find yourself wanting to keep reading just because you have to know who Eleanor ends up with...or doesn't. I did think that she agreed to the dating really easily and quickly. I can't imagine my mum would agree so quickly...mmmm there's pause for thought!
You can't help but sympathise with Mackenzie though, her mother is a total nightmare and her relationship with Dan is less than perfect and I was hoping she might actually find herself someone new!
The descriptions of the dates are really funny, there's allsorts in there: Mr Rude, Mr Unemployed, Mr Almost Perfect and Mr Toy Boy to name but a few. We've probably all experienced someone like one of these. I have personal experience of dating sites and having been offered an affair, a threesome and the option for a f**k buddy, the dating disasters Mackenzie experiences seem spot on...unfortunately! The lies people tell never cease to amaze me and people just don't think they'll get found out!
Credit where credits due, as Jaimie's first novel she's done a great job. I've read self published authors before and they've had several typo's and grammatical errors and I didn't spot any here :)
Overall, it's an enjoyable, funny out of the ordinary romance novel with some laugh out loud moments and a nice little twist at the end!
March 28, 2013
This review was originally posted on my blog, Ramblings of a Daydreamer. You can find it, and many more reviews at the blog.
Kismetology is unlike any other book I’ve ever read. It had me laughing from the first page, and appreciating that the story was completely different from anything I’d read before. Also - and I do feel the need to point this out, because I know some people pass when they see a book is self-published - this was hands-down one of the best-written (and edited) indie books I’ve ever read. Kudos to Ms. Admans!
While the story started out very strong, I felt like it lost a bit of steam around the halfway mark. I got a bit tired of the dates, and I have to admit, I kind of lost interest when Mac decided she wanted to become a professional matchmaker. The dates were still funny, but it got to be a bit much, and the conversations/arguments between Mac and Dan and Mac and Eleanor got to be repetitive.
That being said, I still very much enjoyed this book. I liked Mac’s character growth and the discoveries she made. While she was out looking for the perfect man for her mother, she realized some things about her life and her own relationship, and it all felt very genuine. She had a strong voice, and her personality was a great balance to her mother’s and Dan’s.
Overall, a very strong debut from an author who shows great potential. Well written, laugh-out-loud funny, charming, and unique, Kismetology is sure to please fans of chick lit.
Kismetology is unlike any other book I’ve ever read. It had me laughing from the first page, and appreciating that the story was completely different from anything I’d read before. Also - and I do feel the need to point this out, because I know some people pass when they see a book is self-published - this was hands-down one of the best-written (and edited) indie books I’ve ever read. Kudos to Ms. Admans!
While the story started out very strong, I felt like it lost a bit of steam around the halfway mark. I got a bit tired of the dates, and I have to admit, I kind of lost interest when Mac decided she wanted to become a professional matchmaker. The dates were still funny, but it got to be a bit much, and the conversations/arguments between Mac and Dan and Mac and Eleanor got to be repetitive.
That being said, I still very much enjoyed this book. I liked Mac’s character growth and the discoveries she made. While she was out looking for the perfect man for her mother, she realized some things about her life and her own relationship, and it all felt very genuine. She had a strong voice, and her personality was a great balance to her mother’s and Dan’s.
Overall, a very strong debut from an author who shows great potential. Well written, laugh-out-loud funny, charming, and unique, Kismetology is sure to please fans of chick lit.
November 29, 2012
I have to say, I’m not much of a chick-lit reader. Something about it just throws me off, but this book is the exception to my rule. The mother almost made me want to toss the book away, but fortunately it’s on my Kindle, no tossing any books that are on there! ;) No, but seriously. The mom… whew. She reminds me of the bad times I’ve had with my mother and there have been many. That’s the great thing about growing up, you learn that neither of you are perfect. Fortunately though Kismetology brings out the funniness of having a mother like this as the main character of the story goes off to find her mother a boyfriend.
Sadly MacKenzie has to go through a few, and I do mean a few men to find that ONE for her mother. I mean there are a few doozies in here! The main plot of the book is really positive and upbeat. Hilarious at times. Literally in a, I nearly spit out my tea I was laughing so hard. I didn’t love Dan from the beginning. I don’t know why, maybe I’m just a pessimist but that guy just gets under my skin for some reason. MacKenzie however is a sweet, courageous girl who just wants the best for her mother.
As I said above, this is a total feel good story. And I must say I was quite impressed that I came away feeling SO good about it. Who knew I could find a chick lit that I was in love with!? For a first novel I think this is outstanding and I can’t wait to see what else Jaimie comes up with! A++
Sadly MacKenzie has to go through a few, and I do mean a few men to find that ONE for her mother. I mean there are a few doozies in here! The main plot of the book is really positive and upbeat. Hilarious at times. Literally in a, I nearly spit out my tea I was laughing so hard. I didn’t love Dan from the beginning. I don’t know why, maybe I’m just a pessimist but that guy just gets under my skin for some reason. MacKenzie however is a sweet, courageous girl who just wants the best for her mother.
As I said above, this is a total feel good story. And I must say I was quite impressed that I came away feeling SO good about it. Who knew I could find a chick lit that I was in love with!? For a first novel I think this is outstanding and I can’t wait to see what else Jaimie comes up with! A++
December 1, 2012
Mackenzie Atkinson always had her reservations about moving in with her boyfriend three doors down from her overbearing mother. But the reality is even worse than she could have imagined. Meddlesome, boyfriend-hating and super critical, Eleanor parks herself on Mackenzie and Dan’s sofa every night to watch Eastenders with her yappy dog, Baby and cat, Pussy (no, really). To save her relationship with Dan, Mackenzie needs to keep her mother out of harm’s way and what better way than to find her a lover of her own. Mackenzie finds herself interviewing dozens of unsuitable men hoping to meet her mum, from leery old-timers to clueless wellie-wearers. And vetting all these men for her mother is hardly giving her more time to spend with Dan, but does she really mind that much after all? It is more important to her not give up until The One is found. For her mum, of course.
Kismetology introduces us to a riotous array of unseemly gents as Mackenzie goes on her fast-paced matchmaking marathon. And just as the dating format begins to get repetitive, Admans creates more hilarious ways for Mackenzie to meet older men. This novel really explores what relationships are all about and questions anyone who is willing to settle for ordinary instead of trying to find, and cling onto, that elusive true love. The perfect uplifting book for real romantics.
Review by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com
Kismetology introduces us to a riotous array of unseemly gents as Mackenzie goes on her fast-paced matchmaking marathon. And just as the dating format begins to get repetitive, Admans creates more hilarious ways for Mackenzie to meet older men. This novel really explores what relationships are all about and questions anyone who is willing to settle for ordinary instead of trying to find, and cling onto, that elusive true love. The perfect uplifting book for real romantics.
Review by Nikki Mason on behalf of BestChickLit.com
January 14, 2013
I received a copy of Kismetology by Jaimie Admans in exchange for an honest review.
Kismetology by Jaimie Admans starts off stating two truths: finding the perfect man isn’t easy and mother’s – you can’t live with them or without them. And it doesn’t take long for young Mackenzie Atkinson to prove them both. For as long as she can remember, Mackenzie’s mother has meddled in her love life … well, she has had enough. She decides to turn the tables and set her dear old mom up for once. It can’t be that hard, right? What ensues is absolute hilarity as Mackenzie realizes that part of the problem is that boys never seem to grow up. She is quickly faced by a wide array of interesting prospects but will any of them be a good match with her dear mom?
I absolutely loved this fresh take on a story that is often told. Who hasn’t dealt with a mom meddling in their love life? I know they mean well, but sometimes they take it too far and I absolutely loved the way that Jaimie handles their relationship. This story was heartwarming, charming and hilarious from the get go and I am so glad that I got a chance to read it. I also loved the way that Mackenzie started to really question her own relationship with her boyfriend. Overall, this book definitely brings witty romance to a new level and I really enjoyed it. A phenomenal debut! Plus, isn’t the cover to die for?
Kismetology by Jaimie Admans starts off stating two truths: finding the perfect man isn’t easy and mother’s – you can’t live with them or without them. And it doesn’t take long for young Mackenzie Atkinson to prove them both. For as long as she can remember, Mackenzie’s mother has meddled in her love life … well, she has had enough. She decides to turn the tables and set her dear old mom up for once. It can’t be that hard, right? What ensues is absolute hilarity as Mackenzie realizes that part of the problem is that boys never seem to grow up. She is quickly faced by a wide array of interesting prospects but will any of them be a good match with her dear mom?
I absolutely loved this fresh take on a story that is often told. Who hasn’t dealt with a mom meddling in their love life? I know they mean well, but sometimes they take it too far and I absolutely loved the way that Jaimie handles their relationship. This story was heartwarming, charming and hilarious from the get go and I am so glad that I got a chance to read it. I also loved the way that Mackenzie started to really question her own relationship with her boyfriend. Overall, this book definitely brings witty romance to a new level and I really enjoyed it. A phenomenal debut! Plus, isn’t the cover to die for?
June 24, 2013
What a great first book for this author. I began the book and practically read it in one sitting. The story revolves around Mackenzie, who is searching for a true love for her divorced mother—so her mother will cease “stopping by” the house where she and her boyfriend Daniel live and getting on their nerves. As Mackenzie finds man after man for her mother, who just as quickly discards the men for no real reasons, the reader begins to feel a great deal of empathy for Mackenzie. However, she cannot fathom why her mother keeps discarding the men. Naturally, in her search, Mackenzie tries out finding the men in various ways: through a friend, through an acquaintance, through on-line dating sites, through speed dating programs. Follow Mackenzie as she navigates today’s dating scene, all the while filled with quirky ins and outs (and prospective dates) as well as hilarious situations. In addition, Mackenzie learns a lot about herself and her relationships with her mother and her boyfriend Daniel. I found this book well written, with well developed, believable characters. The story flowed from one scene to the next. If the reader is looking for something easy to read as well as enjoyable, I recommend this book. I know I will be looking for her next book to come out. I received this book free to read and review from Library Thing.
March 28, 2013
Mackenzie Atkinson made the mistake of only moving three doors down from her interfering mother. When the interfering and unannounced visits become too much for Mackenzie and her boyfriend Dan, she decides she needs to help her mother to be happy in her own life and then she will be far too busy to be interested in her and Dan’s life.
So Mackenzie comes up with a plan, to find her mother’s perfect man, with Mackenzie herself going on dates with the prospective candidates to see which one will be her mum’s perfect match. Will finding her mum’s perfect partner be the answer, or will it make Mackenzie question and learn things about her own life?
This is the fantastic first novel from author Jaimie Admans. I loved every page of this book. Written in a very lively, fun and comical way, that makes this book highly entertaining and a hysterical, hilarious read. I will definitely be reading more books by this author
Jaimie is a 27 year old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese and onion crisps.
So Mackenzie comes up with a plan, to find her mother’s perfect man, with Mackenzie herself going on dates with the prospective candidates to see which one will be her mum’s perfect match. Will finding her mum’s perfect partner be the answer, or will it make Mackenzie question and learn things about her own life?
This is the fantastic first novel from author Jaimie Admans. I loved every page of this book. Written in a very lively, fun and comical way, that makes this book highly entertaining and a hysterical, hilarious read. I will definitely be reading more books by this author
Jaimie is a 27 year old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese and onion crisps.
June 4, 2013
It was the cover of this book that made me want to read it - it's attractive and understated. The premise also sounded good - a daughter doing her utmost to matchmake her somewhat demanding mother and failing (or so she thinks) dismally! The lead character, Mackenzie is also having boyfriend problems of her own. Dan is not as supportive as he could be, what's more, he dislikes Mac's mother intensely - tricky when she only lives a few doors up! A good, light-hearted read, the words flowed effortlessly. There's plenty of laughs too - some of the men Mac has to 'interview' (sourced from a variety of places, not least personal ads in the local newspaper) are truly horrendous, making for some very comic moments throughout. This is a debut novel, very well-written with good insight into a variety of characters - you can tell the author had fun dredging up the worst case scenarios. I have to say, the mother drove me mad too so I was able to identify complelety with Mac and how keen she was, in the nicest possible of ways, to offload her. Am looking forward to more from this talented author.
May 27, 2013
If you like British humour then this is a book for you.
The story follows Mackenzie Atkinson in her quest to find her mother a man. Yes, she wants her mother to be happy, but she also wants her out from under her feet and meddling in her own love life. Mothers ay?
Mackenzie decides dating the potential candidates herself first will be the perfect way to find her mother the best match. After numerous disaster dates, she finds herself thinking that maybe there is a business idea in what she is doing and if she can pull off one perfect match with her mother being the client from hell then she could be a very successful matchmaker.
As much as this book is extremely witty and the dates had me giggling. I found it very one dimensional, therefore making it very repetitive and drag.
The plot is original and the characters unique. The sub plot with Mackenzie and her partner Dan could have had a lot more in it too, this would have boosted the book up and gave it a lot more depth.
It's witty, original and an overall good debut novel.
Give it a try, see what you think.
3.5/5
The story follows Mackenzie Atkinson in her quest to find her mother a man. Yes, she wants her mother to be happy, but she also wants her out from under her feet and meddling in her own love life. Mothers ay?
Mackenzie decides dating the potential candidates herself first will be the perfect way to find her mother the best match. After numerous disaster dates, she finds herself thinking that maybe there is a business idea in what she is doing and if she can pull off one perfect match with her mother being the client from hell then she could be a very successful matchmaker.
As much as this book is extremely witty and the dates had me giggling. I found it very one dimensional, therefore making it very repetitive and drag.
The plot is original and the characters unique. The sub plot with Mackenzie and her partner Dan could have had a lot more in it too, this would have boosted the book up and gave it a lot more depth.
It's witty, original and an overall good debut novel.
Give it a try, see what you think.
3.5/5
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