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The Other Side of the Story
There are three sides to every story -- your side, their side and the truth.
Focused and hardworking, literary agent Jojo Harvey combines the body of Jessica Rabbit with the mind of a steel trap. While watching her back on the corporate ladder and keeping an eye out for the low-flying ceilings, she falls for her boss. Her married boss.
Lily Wright, one of Jojo's clients, is enjoying overnight success of her debut novel. But nagging doubts are surfacing and she's all too aware of the fragile nature of her happiness. Her second novel doesn't want to be written -- but she must deliver it. She's already spent the advance -- Anton, the 'Love of her Life' persuaded her to buy their dream home. And then there's the guilt about Gemma.
Events Organizer extraordinaire Gemma Hogan was Lily's best friend -- until Lily stole Anton -- also the 'Love of her Life'. Coping with the demands of her recently deserted mother, Gemma's social life is flat-lining -- a mortifying situation which makes for hilarious emails to a friend. Tales so funny, they come to the attention of literary agent Jojho Harvey who takes Gemma on as a client.
All learning the hard way that the nature of real love can come in many forms...
Focused and hardworking, literary agent Jojo Harvey combines the body of Jessica Rabbit with the mind of a steel trap. While watching her back on the corporate ladder and keeping an eye out for the low-flying ceilings, she falls for her boss. Her married boss.
Lily Wright, one of Jojo's clients, is enjoying overnight success of her debut novel. But nagging doubts are surfacing and she's all too aware of the fragile nature of her happiness. Her second novel doesn't want to be written -- but she must deliver it. She's already spent the advance -- Anton, the 'Love of her Life' persuaded her to buy their dream home. And then there's the guilt about Gemma.
Events Organizer extraordinaire Gemma Hogan was Lily's best friend -- until Lily stole Anton -- also the 'Love of her Life'. Coping with the demands of her recently deserted mother, Gemma's social life is flat-lining -- a mortifying situation which makes for hilarious emails to a friend. Tales so funny, they come to the attention of literary agent Jojho Harvey who takes Gemma on as a client.
All learning the hard way that the nature of real love can come in many forms...
648 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
1252 people are currently reading
26009 people want to read
About the author
Marian Keyes
89 books11.7k followersMarian Keyes (born 10 September 1963) is an Irish novelist and non-fiction writer, best known for her work in women's literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes including domestic violence and alcoholism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,336 reviews
February 28, 2010
2.5
Mildly entertaining, but I HATED the characters.
1. Gemma. GET OVER IT. Yes, your best friend "stole" your boyfriend (not EVEN), but it happened THREE YEARS ago. And don't even get me started on Gemma's mother. What an IDIOT. I can understand being devastated after your husband of thirty-five years leaves you for a younger woman, but to make your idiot daughter take care of you for MONTHS as if you're terminally ill? GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK.
2. Jojo. I actually liked Jojo. I didn't have a problem with her affair with Mark, and I liked her ambition. Every time I reached a Jojo chapter, I breathed a small sigh of relief at having been done a ridiculous Gemma one.
3. Lily. OK, she was kind of sweet. But what an idiot with money, and she was such a WIMP. Reading a Lily chapter was like watching a train wreck, and then it just got old.
Marian Keyes, I will give you ONE MORE CHANCE, and then I'm calling it quits. Oh, and by the way, your novels DO NOT need to be this long.
Mildly entertaining, but I HATED the characters.
1. Gemma. GET OVER IT. Yes, your best friend "stole" your boyfriend (not EVEN), but it happened THREE YEARS ago. And don't even get me started on Gemma's mother. What an IDIOT. I can understand being devastated after your husband of thirty-five years leaves you for a younger woman, but to make your idiot daughter take care of you for MONTHS as if you're terminally ill? GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK.
2. Jojo. I actually liked Jojo. I didn't have a problem with her affair with Mark, and I liked her ambition. Every time I reached a Jojo chapter, I breathed a small sigh of relief at having been done a ridiculous Gemma one.
3. Lily. OK, she was kind of sweet. But what an idiot with money, and she was such a WIMP. Reading a Lily chapter was like watching a train wreck, and then it just got old.
Marian Keyes, I will give you ONE MORE CHANCE, and then I'm calling it quits. Oh, and by the way, your novels DO NOT need to be this long.
November 30, 2007
I was not expecting this book to be that good. I found instead that i was addicted to the three main characters' stories. This book is a typical girly novel, where the main characters are obsessed with their relationships. Gemma is pining over her ex and is oblivious to the fact that she would be better off with her friend Johnny. Lily is worried about the fact that she stole Gemma's boyfriend and that Gemma will seek revenge and Jojo is the object of a man's affair, and is desperately waiting for him to leave his wife.
The novel is, as i said before, highly addicting and very enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone who is stuck inside on a rainy day and looking for something fun to do.
The novel is, as i said before, highly addicting and very enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone who is stuck inside on a rainy day and looking for something fun to do.
May 15, 2023
Jojo Harvey is a dead ringer for Jessica Rabbit and the most ferocious literary agent in town!
As with all Marian Keyes books I enjoyed this a lot.
Five stars.
As with all Marian Keyes books I enjoyed this a lot.
Five stars.
September 30, 2008
What a welcome respite from the heaviness I’ve seemed to be reading lately. This is a not-quite-chic-lit book, and the characters, what characters they are! This is my first experience with Marian Keyes, and I have to read more. This particular novel takes place in Ireland and London (as I suppose most of her work does), and I loved reading all the English and Irish slang. She created some wonderful characters, male and female, all ages. My favorite character in this book was the 2-year old Ema, who reminds me so much of my own 3-year old, always coming through with something hilarious to bring joy back into joyless situations. Here’s an example: (To set the scene, Ema’s mother Lily is speaking - she is in the throes of writing a charming new book about the joys of life, and she tries it out on her own mother and Ema.)
That first night I read what I had written to Mum and Ema.
“Darling, it’s adorable,” Mum said.
“Dirty,” Ema agreed. “Filthy.”
Another passage:
Daily, I continued to write, the words pouring from me, and every night, when we put Ema to bed, I read that day’s work and Mum raved about it. Ema, too, offered comments. (“Jiggy.” “Seedy.” “Farty.”)
Funny stuff! I also loved the Russian neighbor Irina who works at the make-up counter. I felt like I could go on reading about these characters for much longer than the 500+ pages Keyes delivered.
I’m not offering much in the way of plot lines here, but the book really gets into the publishing industry, which I found fascinating. It illustrates the relationships between authors (hopeful and already signed), their agents, the publishers, and the readers who love or hate them.
That first night I read what I had written to Mum and Ema.
“Darling, it’s adorable,” Mum said.
“Dirty,” Ema agreed. “Filthy.”
Another passage:
Daily, I continued to write, the words pouring from me, and every night, when we put Ema to bed, I read that day’s work and Mum raved about it. Ema, too, offered comments. (“Jiggy.” “Seedy.” “Farty.”)
Funny stuff! I also loved the Russian neighbor Irina who works at the make-up counter. I felt like I could go on reading about these characters for much longer than the 500+ pages Keyes delivered.
I’m not offering much in the way of plot lines here, but the book really gets into the publishing industry, which I found fascinating. It illustrates the relationships between authors (hopeful and already signed), their agents, the publishers, and the readers who love or hate them.
October 17, 2014
This book was full of potential, but the characters were AWFUL. It could have been really funny.
Gemma - she was bearable, but so, so bitchy. Anyone out there saying "but woman are bitchy" - you've seen nothing yet. She's so hung up on losing her man that she considers his daughter "half mine". I'm rereading this just because I'm busy and still want to read - can put this book down easily.
Lily: she and her partner Anton were unbearable. I don't live in the real world per se, being just 18 and living at home, but I know that buying Jimmy Chos and renovating with no money is so stupid. Wondering where the money is, that's even worse. That poor little girl, it'll be a miracle if they send her to school, they might decide to build a rocket using tuition fees
JoJo: I didn't mind her, I found her story was written well. I'm not a fan of affairs but I think JoJo handled her cards well.
Gemma's Mam: I can't stand to read pages with her. I refuse. She is an idiot. Yep, her husband left her for another women.my parents were together a long time too when they split. My mum managed to get dressed and survive without fake heart attacksAND she pays bills!! My god!! Gemma's Mam was so out there and ridiculous, of the people I've encountered - divorcees and widows - no one carried on half as bad as Gemma's Mam.
Gemma's emails were. Rude and unfunny, don't know how Susan deals. 1/5, thanks to JoJo.
Gemma - she was bearable, but so, so bitchy. Anyone out there saying "but woman are bitchy" - you've seen nothing yet. She's so hung up on losing her man that she considers his daughter "half mine". I'm rereading this just because I'm busy and still want to read - can put this book down easily.
Lily: she and her partner Anton were unbearable. I don't live in the real world per se, being just 18 and living at home, but I know that buying Jimmy Chos and renovating with no money is so stupid. Wondering where the money is, that's even worse. That poor little girl, it'll be a miracle if they send her to school, they might decide to build a rocket using tuition fees
JoJo: I didn't mind her, I found her story was written well. I'm not a fan of affairs but I think JoJo handled her cards well.
Gemma's Mam: I can't stand to read pages with her. I refuse. She is an idiot. Yep, her husband left her for another women.my parents were together a long time too when they split. My mum managed to get dressed and survive without fake heart attacksAND she pays bills!! My god!! Gemma's Mam was so out there and ridiculous, of the people I've encountered - divorcees and widows - no one carried on half as bad as Gemma's Mam.
Gemma's emails were. Rude and unfunny, don't know how Susan deals. 1/5, thanks to JoJo.
August 10, 2017
I love Marian Keyes books soooo much and this was all sorts of happy, enjoyable, cringe worthy and heart warming. I do love a book that tugs at my heart strings.
July 20, 2007
The heroine of this book is a fun loving Irish girl who gets stuck in the middle of many misfortunes. Due to a turn of events, she has to stop her current life and help out her family. While the story starts off where you are feeling sorry for the main character, Marian Keyes does a great job of reeling the reader into the storyline and she does a great job of keeping the reader entertained throughout the book, no matter the subject. This book is a page turner and keeps the reader wondering what will happen to the heroine until the very end. She takes her misfortunes and she makes them positive, and in the end her life might turn out better then it was before.
This is a fun read if you would like to do some light reading before bed, or lounging around on a Saturday afternoon.
This is a fun read if you would like to do some light reading before bed, or lounging around on a Saturday afternoon.
April 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, over 500 pages but I sped through it with laugh out loud moments along the way.
The story is told through 3 characters. Gemma who is like an Irish Bridget Jones ( 30 something singleton, gay best friend etc). Her father just left her mother for a younger woman after 35 years of marriage. Then there’s Jojo, a literary agent having an affair with her married boss and lastly Lily. A writer, she has a baby daughter with her partner who is Gemmas ex, and Jojo becomes her agent. There’s loads of other characters and while it sounds complicated it’s easy to keep track of the story.
It totally hit the spot at the moment. Great read.
The story is told through 3 characters. Gemma who is like an Irish Bridget Jones ( 30 something singleton, gay best friend etc). Her father just left her mother for a younger woman after 35 years of marriage. Then there’s Jojo, a literary agent having an affair with her married boss and lastly Lily. A writer, she has a baby daughter with her partner who is Gemmas ex, and Jojo becomes her agent. There’s loads of other characters and while it sounds complicated it’s easy to keep track of the story.
It totally hit the spot at the moment. Great read.
October 8, 2011
I'm rather enjoying listening to this book as I drive to work and home each day, although I do find myself talking in a strange Irish accent :)
February 13, 2010
Firstly, I would just like to boast that I read this 600+ page book in ONE DAY. Completely, started it in the morning, finished in the evening. And so if I managed to do that, it must have caught my interest. And, well, yes it did. I was never bored, I just kept reading and reading, sucked into the stories of these three women. BUT it's the kind of book that I probably wouldn't choose to read again, nor will I remember much of it in a month's time. And now comes complaint time, because I found I didn't really relate to any of the three characters, and they all did things that really annoyed and frustrated me!
Firstly, Lily. I've always found it slightly distressing, actually, to read or watch characters who have no idea about managing money go about wrecking their lives. I just cannot fathom why you would buy an expensive house when you did not have a fixed, steady income to pay back the loan - but worse than this is the fact that even though they were broke, they went out on a shopping spree in a ridiculously expensive store, never mind the consequences of THE BANK TAKING THE HOUSE. It just reminded me of watching Middlemarch, when Tertius and his STUPID wife kept on spending well beyond their means, and she just didn't get it. Yes, like I said; it makes me distressed.
And Gemma...well Gemma wasn't too bad, apart from her obsession about a boyfriend she had YEARS before, who was 'stolen' by her best friend, oh, and the awful way she treated Owen.
But most annoying was Jojo (and no, it wasn't just her name!) who, apart from doing something I completely disagree with on moral and stupidity grounds, sounded like an adolescent for most of her parts of the story. I understand the author trying to give each of the characters different voices, but is it really realistic to have a 33 year old intelligent career woman saying 'like' and 'you know' every tenth word? And things weren't 'very' tempting, oh no, they were 'way, WAY' tempting, like, you know?
Hmmm...but I still read it all in one day!
Firstly, Lily. I've always found it slightly distressing, actually, to read or watch characters who have no idea about managing money go about wrecking their lives. I just cannot fathom why you would buy an expensive house when you did not have a fixed, steady income to pay back the loan - but worse than this is the fact that even though they were broke, they went out on a shopping spree in a ridiculously expensive store, never mind the consequences of THE BANK TAKING THE HOUSE. It just reminded me of watching Middlemarch, when Tertius and his STUPID wife kept on spending well beyond their means, and she just didn't get it. Yes, like I said; it makes me distressed.
And Gemma...well Gemma wasn't too bad, apart from her obsession about a boyfriend she had YEARS before, who was 'stolen' by her best friend, oh, and the awful way she treated Owen.
But most annoying was Jojo (and no, it wasn't just her name!) who, apart from doing something I completely disagree with on moral and stupidity grounds, sounded like an adolescent for most of her parts of the story. I understand the author trying to give each of the characters different voices, but is it really realistic to have a 33 year old intelligent career woman saying 'like' and 'you know' every tenth word? And things weren't 'very' tempting, oh no, they were 'way, WAY' tempting, like, you know?
Hmmm...but I still read it all in one day!
December 9, 2011
I really, really wanted to like this book more than I did.
I loved the idea, and some of the writing was brilliant, but it was the characters that let it down for me.
Gemma was kind of forgettable and a bit arrogant, although I'll admit that I took her side over the whole Lily thing. But it's a sad state of affairs when a reader is hoping that more bad stuff happens to a character, and this is what I found myself doing with Lily. I enjoyed every single bit of her suffering. There was just something so unpleasant about her, even though she is supposed to be nice.
And as for Jojo....I found it hard to swallow that anyone with any notions of a serious career would call themselves 'Jojo'. In addition, I just found her to be so over the top and exciting that she seemed a bit cartoonish.
In all I enjoyed this book, but just not as much as I've enjoyed other Keyes novels.
I loved the idea, and some of the writing was brilliant, but it was the characters that let it down for me.
Gemma was kind of forgettable and a bit arrogant, although I'll admit that I took her side over the whole Lily thing. But it's a sad state of affairs when a reader is hoping that more bad stuff happens to a character, and this is what I found myself doing with Lily. I enjoyed every single bit of her suffering. There was just something so unpleasant about her, even though she is supposed to be nice.
And as for Jojo....I found it hard to swallow that anyone with any notions of a serious career would call themselves 'Jojo'. In addition, I just found her to be so over the top and exciting that she seemed a bit cartoonish.
In all I enjoyed this book, but just not as much as I've enjoyed other Keyes novels.
August 9, 2007
I like Marian Keyes, that's why I bought this book.
I always think that every writer sort of take something from the writer's life into the book. Especially the first book. And, I sometimes think Marian Keyes does the same. Especially if you read Under The Duvet. But, so what, if Marian Keyes decided to write from something happened in her true life? This time, in The Other Side of The Story, it's her life as a writer. I guess.
It's a book of writer, and publisher. With it's glamorous and not so glamorous life. When ideas flowing like a river through the hands of the writer, when writer's block arrived. You can get a glimpse of what's writer life look like?
It's a book of love and betrayal. When a lover run way, when a lover lie, when a lover meet the mistress, when two lover finally end up happily after going up and down.
Although I had stuck two time (the first third part of the book, and the last three-quarter of the book), I like the book. In fact, due to my intense moment with this book, I had a row with the bf of me *wink*.
and, this book gave me idea on how I should write my little project.. yipeee
I always think that every writer sort of take something from the writer's life into the book. Especially the first book. And, I sometimes think Marian Keyes does the same. Especially if you read Under The Duvet. But, so what, if Marian Keyes decided to write from something happened in her true life? This time, in The Other Side of The Story, it's her life as a writer. I guess.
It's a book of writer, and publisher. With it's glamorous and not so glamorous life. When ideas flowing like a river through the hands of the writer, when writer's block arrived. You can get a glimpse of what's writer life look like?
It's a book of love and betrayal. When a lover run way, when a lover lie, when a lover meet the mistress, when two lover finally end up happily after going up and down.
Although I had stuck two time (the first third part of the book, and the last three-quarter of the book), I like the book. In fact, due to my intense moment with this book, I had a row with the bf of me *wink*.
and, this book gave me idea on how I should write my little project.. yipeee
June 23, 2008
I do so enjoy Marian Keyes' books; they're thick and full of real people and a combination of everyday and extraordinary circumstances, and I am always at least curious about how things will come out, if not actively caring.
This one involved three protagonists, and the bookjacket blurb drew a few links between them, and I expected there to be a big encounter between the three of them, but they seemed never to be in the same room at the same time. It read like three books loosely knitted together into a single novel, with publishing being the unifying thread. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but the "only sort of" linking didn't quite work for me. It didn't feel as polished as some of her other stuff, and the varying POV's (two first-person, and one third-person) felt awkward in some ways.
This one involved three protagonists, and the bookjacket blurb drew a few links between them, and I expected there to be a big encounter between the three of them, but they seemed never to be in the same room at the same time. It read like three books loosely knitted together into a single novel, with publishing being the unifying thread. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but the "only sort of" linking didn't quite work for me. It didn't feel as polished as some of her other stuff, and the varying POV's (two first-person, and one third-person) felt awkward in some ways.
August 8, 2007
Marian Keyes is such a doll. I've met her twice. Once when she did an event at the store I managed and another time when she was back through town and I was lucky enough to have lunch with her. She is one of the loveliest women I have ever met. And I loved this book too! I had a lot of fun with it because it was about an author, a literary agent and an event planner (I've worked in the book biz for years and have also worked as an event planner). The book is told from the points of view of all three women who know each other and who's lives intersect but not so much that you are hearing the same story three times. Bad review, fun book.A perfect beach read!
February 17, 2024
Loved it so very much! Hilarious!!!! Loved every single character! Read rather than audio! Reading was much better... "that which doesn't kill you makes you funnier"
November 27, 2024
Ultimately very disappointing. 2 of the 3 main characters were very frustrating and irritating, and the 3rd certainly had her moments. 2 of the 3 outcomes were not what I expected or wished for. In one case, justice did not prevail with a side character. That is a big no-no for me. All 3 women had happy endings, I guess though. But not romantically for all of them.
3 stars, but really 2.75. Bad for a Marian Keyes.
3 stars, but really 2.75. Bad for a Marian Keyes.
February 5, 2013
This book was very disappointing. It’s the first book I’ve read for Marian Keyes and I picked it up because of the excellent reviews it got.
I honestly don’t get it! It was supposed to be a story of three ladies whose lives are connected through the publishing world; a publishing agent and two authors who happen to be two ex-best friends (obviously because of a Guy… DAAHHHH). The idea is that we would normally judge these women based on the less than honorable decisions they have made but that there is always “another side of the story”. Unfortunately, the author failed at coming up with another side to the story that would make me sympathize or relate to the characters. There wasn’t even a solid link between the three characters and they didn’t even meet once. I felt that the book was very piecy, shallow and honesty.. very boring. At least with the two ex-best friends there were two different versions of the same story regardless of how unconvincing it was. Hence the title.. “The other side of the story”. But why add a twist to the publishing agent’s story that would just make me judge her without clearly giving it the proper justification so I could at least attempt to sympathize or understand the character? The story of the agent is part of the “two sides to every story” theme as you might assume but sadly, we were only given the 1 dimensional version of that story. Overall, very disappointing
I honestly don’t get it! It was supposed to be a story of three ladies whose lives are connected through the publishing world; a publishing agent and two authors who happen to be two ex-best friends (obviously because of a Guy… DAAHHHH). The idea is that we would normally judge these women based on the less than honorable decisions they have made but that there is always “another side of the story”. Unfortunately, the author failed at coming up with another side to the story that would make me sympathize or relate to the characters. There wasn’t even a solid link between the three characters and they didn’t even meet once. I felt that the book was very piecy, shallow and honesty.. very boring. At least with the two ex-best friends there were two different versions of the same story regardless of how unconvincing it was. Hence the title.. “The other side of the story”. But why add a twist to the publishing agent’s story that would just make me judge her without clearly giving it the proper justification so I could at least attempt to sympathize or understand the character? The story of the agent is part of the “two sides to every story” theme as you might assume but sadly, we were only given the 1 dimensional version of that story. Overall, very disappointing
June 4, 2011
Another Keyes, another long book. But unlike her other stories, which I can find painfully full of pointless detail, this one at least was spread amongst 3 different people, so if one was annoying, it wouldn't be too long before another one came in. But unfortunately, 2 out of 3 protags were annoying.
Protag #1 is a whiny, revenge-seeking crazy-person whose boyfriend moves to London (from Dublin) and then hooks up with her friend. Please, like you weren't going to break up anyway. Her father leaves her mother and for some reason, her mother becomes and helpless slag and she has to take care of her.
Protag #2 is the women the boyfriend left Protag #1 for and she is an insecure dreamer who writes some book and sells it to Protag #3.
Protag #3 is a book agent. She was my favourite as she took no shit from anyone, even though she was sleeping with a co-worker. She has a melt down near the end, which is kind of annoying, but luckily, she moves past that quickly and gets back to her normal self.
Protag #1 writes a book as well about her parents but only wants Protag #3 to rep it because she reps Protage #2 and she wants to bring her down because she stole her boyfriend. I hate shit like this automatically. Why does anyone want to be with someone who doesn't want to be with them in the first place? MOVE ON! Blah.
Grade: C-
Protag #1 is a whiny, revenge-seeking crazy-person whose boyfriend moves to London (from Dublin) and then hooks up with her friend. Please, like you weren't going to break up anyway. Her father leaves her mother and for some reason, her mother becomes and helpless slag and she has to take care of her.
Protag #2 is the women the boyfriend left Protag #1 for and she is an insecure dreamer who writes some book and sells it to Protag #3.
Protag #3 is a book agent. She was my favourite as she took no shit from anyone, even though she was sleeping with a co-worker. She has a melt down near the end, which is kind of annoying, but luckily, she moves past that quickly and gets back to her normal self.
Protag #1 writes a book as well about her parents but only wants Protag #3 to rep it because she reps Protage #2 and she wants to bring her down because she stole her boyfriend. I hate shit like this automatically. Why does anyone want to be with someone who doesn't want to be with them in the first place? MOVE ON! Blah.
Grade: C-
July 2, 2017
I don't why I keep doing this to myself. A possible glutton for punishment, who knows?! This was a painful read from the beginning and another Keyes book where I picked the storyline from the beginning. Little to no respect for the characters who just cannot seem to assert themselves in the circumstances that they find themselves in. There was an hilarious line from Gemma Hogan which went something like, "If Lily can write a book, it can't be that hard." That line made me snort laugh for a split second because I feel like I (or really anyone) could write a book better than this one (if I really felt the need and had the time). Also this book could have been 200 pages instead of more than 600, too much exposition for the unworthy plot.
July 7, 2025
Los odio a todos
August 6, 2016
NOPE.. just, no ..
Fist of all, I need to mention that my rating might have due to the fact that this kind of book is not my favorite genre. Moreover, the rating might have been affected by the thickness of the book. It also might have been because this book was not a high priority and had lots of books which I ached for reading them. Therefor, my review might not be credible.
Lets start with what the story is about, the story involves three main characters: Gemma, she receives a phone call from her mother that her father is leaving them for his secretary. She makes a book based on it and gets and agent, Jojo, whose Lily's agent. The second character is Lily, Gemma's used-to-be friend, because ,as Gemma thinks, Lily stole Gemma's boyfriend, Anton. The next one is Jojo, their agent, she is having an affair with her Manger, Mark and these three ladies lives intertwine.
What I feel about the characters is that they were annoying, well, Gemma is the most annoying and easily-to-hate of the three of them. First because, she spends so much time hating on her friend, and keeps dreaming that Anton might get back to her. She hooks up with a young man, Owen, and tells him that they are not in a "real relationship", , she cries and act as if he dumped her. In addition, she has nothing to do with her life she, somehow, stalks and wants to know everything about Lily and Anton, and keeps hoping that they will brake up , I mean, come on get a life you brat!!!
Lily is also a need-to-slap women. He gets her the agent, buys a house for them and does almost do everything for her. The guy is madly in love with her and she blames him, not them for losing the house. I just cant accept her attitude and how she doesn't see that she is as wrong as him.
While Jojo is my least "hateable" character in this book. I mean she is strong and everything. But her fault is that she is too proud, there is this incident where she blames Mark for not letting her persuade her plan, she is an independent woman, why she listens to his opinion and then blame him?? But I feel sorry for her, although she was at some point stubborn and annoying, but I like her. I shipped Jim Sweetmen with her, or the flower boy"
Not to mention, Gemma's mam was ridiculous. She does talk to her neighbor just because she made a cake for her other neighbor's daughter birthday, which the later asked the former. I mean it is not her fault, what should she do?? I mean she too need to get a life , oh yea, her husband left her for a young women. My bad..
The plot was meh.. It was slow but , I admit, then it went decently. Again, I should mention that it might have to do with the fact that it was 600+ pages, which I only accept if it was a fantasy or destopian book. I guess it was because it is somehow three small stories in one book, I don't know.
At some point I felt like I preferred reading about Cody or Johnny or Jim's stories rather than these women. Moreover, at some parts it got a bit confusing who was who, lots of characters were going on and whether it was a fantasy or reality maybe I was not reading the book very well. Also, while writing this review, I remembered the reviews in the book, how people were being mean to Lily's book. I hope I am not mean to Marian Keyes. "If you are reading this Marian, I respect you"
To sum up, the book was at some point funny and cringe-y at others. The Russian lady, Cody, Manooj, Owen and jJm were cool. And as I said, it was simply not my type and I wanted to read other books which might have affected and blinded my judgment. And I must admit that I came out knowing more about publishing and writing books from The Other Side of the Story.
Fist of all, I need to mention that my rating might have due to the fact that this kind of book is not my favorite genre. Moreover, the rating might have been affected by the thickness of the book. It also might have been because this book was not a high priority and had lots of books which I ached for reading them. Therefor, my review might not be credible.
Lets start with what the story is about, the story involves three main characters: Gemma, she receives a phone call from her mother that her father is leaving them for his secretary. She makes a book based on it and gets and agent, Jojo, whose Lily's agent. The second character is Lily, Gemma's used-to-be friend, because ,as Gemma thinks, Lily stole Gemma's boyfriend, Anton. The next one is Jojo, their agent, she is having an affair with her Manger, Mark and these three ladies lives intertwine.
What I feel about the characters is that they were annoying, well, Gemma is the most annoying and easily-to-hate of the three of them. First because, she spends so much time hating on her friend, and keeps dreaming that Anton might get back to her. She hooks up with a young man, Owen, and tells him that they are not in a "real relationship", , she cries and act as if he dumped her. In addition, she has nothing to do with her life she, somehow, stalks and wants to know everything about Lily and Anton, and keeps hoping that they will brake up , I mean, come on get a life you brat!!!
Lily is also a need-to-slap women. He gets her the agent, buys a house for them and does almost do everything for her. The guy is madly in love with her and she blames him, not them for losing the house. I just cant accept her attitude and how she doesn't see that she is as wrong as him.
While Jojo is my least "hateable" character in this book. I mean she is strong and everything. But her fault is that she is too proud, there is this incident where she blames Mark for not letting her persuade her plan, she is an independent woman, why she listens to his opinion and then blame him?? But I feel sorry for her, although she was at some point stubborn and annoying, but I like her. I shipped Jim Sweetmen with her, or the flower boy"
Not to mention, Gemma's mam was ridiculous. She does talk to her neighbor just because she made a cake for her other neighbor's daughter birthday, which the later asked the former. I mean it is not her fault, what should she do?? I mean she too need to get a life , oh yea, her husband left her for a young women. My bad..
The plot was meh.. It was slow but , I admit, then it went decently. Again, I should mention that it might have to do with the fact that it was 600+ pages, which I only accept if it was a fantasy or destopian book. I guess it was because it is somehow three small stories in one book, I don't know.
At some point I felt like I preferred reading about Cody or Johnny or Jim's stories rather than these women. Moreover, at some parts it got a bit confusing who was who, lots of characters were going on and whether it was a fantasy or reality maybe I was not reading the book very well. Also, while writing this review, I remembered the reviews in the book, how people were being mean to Lily's book. I hope I am not mean to Marian Keyes. "If you are reading this Marian, I respect you"
To sum up, the book was at some point funny and cringe-y at others. The Russian lady, Cody, Manooj, Owen and jJm were cool. And as I said, it was simply not my type and I wanted to read other books which might have affected and blinded my judgment. And I must admit that I came out knowing more about publishing and writing books from The Other Side of the Story.
December 23, 2012
Marian Keyes manages to win my heart again.
After reading my first of her novels a few months ago, I thought this is an author I need to read more of.
After now reading three books, I can safely say Marian is one of my favourite authors. I don't often read chick lit, but when I do I generally lean towards books set in the UK/Ireland.
This one in particular peaked my interest because it was set around two authors and an publishing agent. Being someone interested in that sort of job (and studying editing and proofreading at the moment) I generally find myself picking up those kinds of books.
But what really won me over, these girls are REAL. They have their flaws, they can be bitchy, feisty, deceitful... but they have good hearts.
The mother in Gemma's story was overbearing, annoying and was wayyy too dependant, but she was REAL. And I know that I've enjoyed a book when I am thoroughly and intensely frustrated with one of the characters, because everyone feels that way in real life about at least one person they know.
I love Jimmy and was so glad the ending worked out the way it did.
There were a lot of moments where I was completely shocked and moved by the story, Marian has yet again managed to influence me and make me feel as though I am a part of the story and these people are my friends.
I intend on buying every single one of her novels for my collection and look forward to reading another MK book asap.
After reading my first of her novels a few months ago, I thought this is an author I need to read more of.
After now reading three books, I can safely say Marian is one of my favourite authors. I don't often read chick lit, but when I do I generally lean towards books set in the UK/Ireland.
This one in particular peaked my interest because it was set around two authors and an publishing agent. Being someone interested in that sort of job (and studying editing and proofreading at the moment) I generally find myself picking up those kinds of books.
But what really won me over, these girls are REAL. They have their flaws, they can be bitchy, feisty, deceitful... but they have good hearts.
The mother in Gemma's story was overbearing, annoying and was wayyy too dependant, but she was REAL. And I know that I've enjoyed a book when I am thoroughly and intensely frustrated with one of the characters, because everyone feels that way in real life about at least one person they know.
I love Jimmy and was so glad the ending worked out the way it did.
There were a lot of moments where I was completely shocked and moved by the story, Marian has yet again managed to influence me and make me feel as though I am a part of the story and these people are my friends.
I intend on buying every single one of her novels for my collection and look forward to reading another MK book asap.
June 26, 2009
I liked this book better than I had expected. I very rarely read 'chick lit', but it can be nice to relax with, something cozy and mindless (meant in the best way!). I really liked Jojo, I loved how she lived in a very grey area - she was having an affair with a married man, but she felt so guilty and couldn't bear to be the cause of a broken home. Gemma seemed really immature for her age, and her whole writing thing really bugged me. The story she wrote sounded crap and it didn't seem fair to reward that sort of non-effort with money. Lily I sort of liked, but sort of didn't. It annoyed me how paranoid she was about Gemma getting revenge. I really really disliked Anton, I never figured out what Lily, or Gemma, saw in him. He hurt Gemma, and even though they were broken up at the time he didn't even care. Even though Lily was so upset over it, he still didn't care! And he was happy to sit back and be depressed over his crap job and let Lily stress over writing without even bothering to try and do anything to save them. I liked the way the story was told from every viewpoint, so that you got to fully understand what happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2017
I was so happy to discover a Marian Keyes book I hadn't read -- and it did not disappoint. Laugh out loud funny and meaningful, too.
I've read through a number of reviews, and the people who didn't like the book said they didn't like the characters -- one was stupid, one was whiny...etc.
It seems to me that a theme in many (if not all) of Keyes' books is the maturation process of her characters. So yes, some do start off as whiny or naive, or "stuck," but there is a sudden and unexpected occurrence that sets off a chain reaction with which the characters have to cope -- a good deal of the humor comes from their lack of ability to cope -- but eventually they figure it out, yet they never lose the essence of who they are -- they just become more fully themselves. I'd love my life to work out like a Marian Keyes character's does.
I've read through a number of reviews, and the people who didn't like the book said they didn't like the characters -- one was stupid, one was whiny...etc.
It seems to me that a theme in many (if not all) of Keyes' books is the maturation process of her characters. So yes, some do start off as whiny or naive, or "stuck," but there is a sudden and unexpected occurrence that sets off a chain reaction with which the characters have to cope -- a good deal of the humor comes from their lack of ability to cope -- but eventually they figure it out, yet they never lose the essence of who they are -- they just become more fully themselves. I'd love my life to work out like a Marian Keyes character's does.
July 18, 2019
I abandoned this book. I made it to page 166 and just couldn’t continue. I couldn’t get into the characters and the little that I did read just dragged on. The author writes with a lot of unnecessary details, ‘stuff’ that doesn’t push the plot forward. It felt unorganized and it was hard to follow. There were times when I would think I was halfway through the book only to discover I was only 9% finished (I read this on my kindle). Most of the time I will hang on in the hopes that the ending will make the crap in the middle worth reading and with this book, I just couldn’t hang on.
February 20, 2015
I didn't enjoy this one as much as "Sushi for beginners." For whatever reason, the characters of this novel were not as easy to sympathize with--I spent a good deal of time wanting to smack the three leading females...or at least try to re-make their lives.
September 21, 2015
"Marian Keyes does not know what it feels like to write a less than great book."
July 12, 2017
Marian Keys takes chick lit and makes it deep. Yet still hilarious with just enough love and romance. Despite the length of this book I finished it in two days because I could not stop reading!
March 28, 2024
I’ve loved some Marian Keyes novels (grown ups!) but this was dreadful. Gave up just over halfway through.
June 29, 2023
Gemma is still recovering from the heart-break of her best friend stealing her boyfriend when her father ups and leaves he mother after 35 years of marriage, to top it off, said boyfriend stealing ex friend has just released a book, something Gemma has dreamed of doing for years.
Lilly still reels from the agony of loosing her friend Gemma after meeting her soulmate, Gemma's ex boyfriend Anton. With a small baby and a book just published, she has a lot on her plate when Anton decides they should buy a house together.
Jojo is the most successful book agent at her agency and poised to be made partner, if only she can outsell the slimy Richie Gant and keep secret the affair she is having with the managing partner.
Another charming story by an author I have come to love. I got this on audiobook and loved the narration.
Lilly still reels from the agony of loosing her friend Gemma after meeting her soulmate, Gemma's ex boyfriend Anton. With a small baby and a book just published, she has a lot on her plate when Anton decides they should buy a house together.
Jojo is the most successful book agent at her agency and poised to be made partner, if only she can outsell the slimy Richie Gant and keep secret the affair she is having with the managing partner.
Another charming story by an author I have come to love. I got this on audiobook and loved the narration.
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