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Close Call

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Think Bridget Jones Diary and The Vagina Monologues.

Twenty-two-year-old Jemma can’t seem to get her life in order. Her track record with men stinks, she constantly worries about getting fat and ending up a spinster at thirty. And to top it off, she has to be a bridesmaid at her most-hated cousin’s wedding. She feels like her life is over, until Doris decides to help out. Who’s Doris? Doris is Jemma’s vagina and she thinks more of Jemma than her own brain does. Doris is on a mission to save Jemma from herself, but is the task too much for one vagina to handle?

64 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Kriss.
300 reviews
December 6, 2013
Meet Doris, Jemma's vagina from Dionne Lister's latest adventure in the publishing world. This book may not contain dragons but there is something else that may need to be mentioned....

>>>>the following NOTE is part of a special review on Cabin Goddess, review to follow<<<<

A note from Doris...

Well, hello everyone, and thank you Miss Cabin Goddess for hosting me, Doris, a slightly disgruntled vagina. And so lovely to see you again, Helen (Cabin Goddess’s vagina). I hope you’re both keeping warm in the freezing winter. I’ve brought along some fur-lined underpants for Helen; I hope you like them. Oh, and Jemma says hello, too, but she’s busy trying to finish a graphic design on a website, so we’ll have to let her get on with it.

So, Cabin Goddess, when I heard you were reading Close Call and wanted to interview me, I was very excited! I don’t get many interviews. Would you believe that some people are scared of having me on their site because they would have to post the word ‘vagina’! I’m shocked. In this day and age when I hear Jemma bemoaning the fact that pop stars can have simulated sex on television, I can’t understand why I, a well-dressed, inoffensive vagina, am shunned. I’m getting used to it, but I can’t say I’m not annoyed — everyone just wants to be loved, right?

I take my underpants off to you, Cabin Goddess and Helen, because you’ve been brave enough to feature me, and the book Close Call: A Doris & Jemma Vadgeventure. Let’s hope all the vaginas unite and get their owners to read it, because they might just learn something from us wiser, softer souls — the fairer of the genitals . It’s been lovely chatting, but I must run, as Jemma has a waxing booked for later (I think she has a date tonight). Can’t say I’m looking forward to being tortured, but that’s life when you’re a vagina. Ciao!
doris-signature

Review by Helen

Thanks Doris! Hey guys, Helen here, yep you're right, Cabin Goddesses Grotto of Love, oh ya! At least I feel like one this week, wowza! The new BTS Issue came out and what does she put on the post? That hot guy looking at his Jingle Bells! I wonder what his penis' name is? Hey, I can look and the only touching that is happening is kept in the family, if you know what I mean. Oh then she read and reviewed Pavarti's new erotic romance yesterday, boy what a workout we got, I bet we lost a few ounces and I know some of our elasticity is back! Thank you Pav, oh and thanks to the Huz for bringing home that Lelo, man oh man... and today? Today I get to talk about another talking vagina, the first to come out of the panty drawer, Doris, Jemma's vagina!

She may be a bit disgruntled, but you would be too when you speak out thinking everyone would be totally down with having some insight to just what we as genitals think! But I guess some folks are still afraid of us! I don't get it, we are the ones doing most of the work here. If it was not for us, you could not get your ... groove on. I have to say Miss March really did Doris and Jemma proud and I for one am glad for this new story, this fight for our right to be safe, clean and for everyone to have the happy-ever-afters. It also proved my theory, most of us have matching personalities to a certain extent. Take Doris for instance. Jemma may have believed she was going to be a spinster at the age of thirty but Doris knew she had it in her to be her own woman, because Doris is a lot like Jemma, outgoing, but unlike Jemma she had not been exposed and exploited by popculture and marketing. Perhaps also the PTWD (Post Traumatic Wax Disorder) has something to do with it. and in the end it turned out she was right.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for equal voices. All genitals should have a say, but penis' have always had one up on us because as Miss March has exposed, many men think with their little heads when it comes to women and vaginas don't have a say. Sounds kind of familiar huh Kriss? Gee I have told you that for years! Thank goodness you found that Hus of yours! (Oh and thank you for finding your coffee*, it really does make me happy!)

Anyway, thanks for speaking for those who have had no voice for so long. For bringing to light the injustice done because of our lack of ability to communicate to the majority of our girls upstairs, and thanks Jemma for being the spokesperson and listening to Doris. Oh and Doris? I don't think you will be disgruntled for much longer, Henry sounds like he is pretty fabulous!
helen-and-kriss
*I have a coffee brew which I call Happy Vagina Coffee, and now it is confirmed, it really does make Helen happy!

Note from Kriss

*SMH*, this was awesome. I remember when Dionne sent me a snippet and said "You think I should scrap this or keep going?" Oh dear, Dionne, she who freaks out at the thought of toes? Keep going, expand your wings my dear, surprise us all! And boy did she. I for one am honored to have a book which uses the story device of talking genitals to tell the tale. It is a very funny one, but there are some messages too, I would expect nothing less from someone of Miss Lister's caliber.

She has surprised me, from her Dark shorts and flash fiction, to her middle school/YA fantasy with talking dragons to chick lit comedy, Dionne Lister has proven herself as one of the rising stars of the indie scene.
Viva la Vadgeventures!
Psssssssssst Doris? Don't worry, I have had five kids and my vagina is the same as it was before hand, that is a myth. Just keep squeezing and all will be fine! Helen has had no complaints yet! After all... five kids and ... well someone has a smile on his face right now! *grin*
Profile Image for Debra Dunbar.
Author 100 books1,276 followers
December 3, 2013
This book was a total hoot. Jemma has been making some rather poor choices in men, and her vagina, Doris, is taking control. Light hearted and an easy read, Close Call is perfect for anyone who has struggled to find Mr. Right in a sea of Mr. Wrongs.
I completely sympathized with Doris's dilemma, although if my nether regions began communicating with me, I'd probably run straight for the vodka.
Profile Image for Robert Zimmermann.
Author 6 books166 followers
December 4, 2013
I don’t think there’s a better way to start off this review other than by quoting the warning on the cover: “This book contains talking genitals.” That’s what really drew me into this one. It isn’t that I’m perverted and want to hear a vagina talk. Ok, maybe a little bit…it is a humorous concept. It’s also a very unique concept, and one that I wanted to see played out.

The idea that our genitals have a “mind” of their own, and can communicate with each other opens up the opportunity to show the world through another set of “eyes.” March did a great job of bringing this perspective to readers. There were many hilarious moments that occurred between Dorris (Jemma’s vagina) and the other genitals that she encountered.

I do think that I would have liked a little more POV from down there compared to from the human characters. Some parts of the book were a little more tipped to Jemma’s actions excluding Dorris, but I might have just been spoiled by the vagina talk and craving more. With the switching from human POV to genital POV during the same scene, it threw me off (but only slightly). It’s definitely a difficult way to write a story and it did work well for the most part.

As for the story itself, there’s a good romance to it. There’s a lot going on in the short length, but I was happy how the author concluded it. I do hope there will be more books to come, as I see this is probably the start to a great series. There’s some parts I hope to see explored in future installments and I can’t wait for a further development of Jemma and Doris’ relationship.
Profile Image for Melinda.
Author 1 book14 followers
December 17, 2013
A delightful, funny, and heart-warming read! At a glance, I cocked my eye at this one [no pun intended], but on reading it, I realised I had a knee-jerk reaction to the focus on genitals. I guess I couldn't help it - our culture primes us to largely expect references to vaginas to be derisive, gratuitous or objectifying.

As I continued to read, however, I discovered how playful, dignifying and humanising this story is toward the female nether region and how sad it is that we don't see more of it [more of the dignifying, I mean, not necessarily the nether region :)].
The premise that a vagina is sentient and sees the world of sex and relationships very differently to her 'owner' is unique and truly fabulous. The story is hilarious - I was smiling and laughing constantly at the plethora of visual gags and funny lines. But I was also unexpectedly touched by moments in this overall tongue-in-cheek, entertaining romance. I think most people could say they've been a little blind with relationships at some point in their lives or have seen ‘Jemma’ in their friends and wished they could help them. What makes this story for me is that in Doris, not only do we find a funny, talking vagina, we find our voice of reason.

I think March is really onto something, and I’m looking forward to her next instalments. I wonder where she will develop the Doris and Jemma Vadgeventures, as I feel Close Call is an introduction to her superb premise and hints at strong themes behind it.
I recommend this book to both the curious and the wary.
Profile Image for Cinta.
Author 101 books101 followers
December 4, 2013
I bought this book because I thought it was a funny concept. A talking vagina? What's that? I had to read it. But after reading it, would I compare it to Bridget Jones? No. Not at all.

Funny chick-lit with Jemma and Doris. You think they are friends? Well, in a way... Jemma is a young woman who is a complete mess in her life and Doris is... her vagina. Yes. And Doris is very vocal for being a vagina. Doris is sick and tired of Jemma picking guys in bars and not being able to be successful in life. So she tries to communicate with Jemma to let her know her thoughts and try to direct Jemma's life. Will she succeed in that task?

Hilarious situations and conversations between different vaginas and even between vaginas and penises. The characters are well defined, but their voices are not so. The constant and sudden changing of point of view bothered me quite a lot.

Funny book, very easy to read, and very short. Recommendable for reading while commuting from job to the house.
Profile Image for Sarah Fairbairn.
Author 4 books35 followers
December 17, 2013
Close call is an amusing story about a young women and her vagina, I giggled the whole way through, then got to the end and went ‘I want more’.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who’s ever been a woman with a vagina on the dating seen (I’d say that covers most of us) and any open minded men wanting a light, funny and refreshing read.

In this book you not only get to hear Jemma’s side of the perils of dating life, but insight from her vagina Doris and the information that Doris gets from talking to Penises. You can’t help but want Doris to succeed in finding Jemma and herself a good man. You would be forgiven for thinking, oh! Ok… taking vagina’s and penises, no thank you, but really it was a funny and most enjoyable read.
Profile Image for K.A. Last.
Author 30 books366 followers
January 12, 2016
If you’re looking for a light-hearted story, and a bit of a giggle, you can’t go past Close Call. This is a quick read, but a highly enjoyable one nonetheless. Doris is Jemma’s vagina, and she seems to know a lot more about Jemma’s love life than Jemma does. Doris’s mission is to steer Jemma in the right direction, stepping in at the right time to stop Jemma making a bad decision. Each vagina (and penis) Doris meets has their own unique personality, and thinking back on this story has me in stitches. Close Call is a unique idea that’s not meant to be taken too seriously. It’s fabulously funny, and I can’t wait to read more about Doris and her adventures.
Profile Image for C.E..
Author 9 books38 followers
August 24, 2016
Wow...just wow.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw the original launch details for this novella. Then I received my copy and I started reading it with a bit of trepidation. It was either going to be a hilarious lighthearted piece of escapism or a massive flop. I am pleased to say it was the former.

My only gripe is that it was not longer, I was just getting excited about the characters and the idea of talking genitals when the story started to wrap up to its close. Thankfully it appears that Eloise has more of these quaint novella's planned.

Profile Image for Peter Germany.
Author 12 books18 followers
October 24, 2015
This story was a vey fun read. I knew roughly what is was about going in but I wasn't expecting to get hooked straight away as I did.
It's a fun, creative and engaging story that showed an interesting side to how our actions may be viewed by our genitalia. I laughed aloud more than a few times and found I felt for the main characters as they had to put up with finding a decent date and eccentric family members.
It left me wanting more and I'm really hoping we see some more of Jemma and Doris in the near future.
Profile Image for Cheri.
906 reviews13 followers
January 24, 2015
Hilarious story about talking vaginas and penises. I had several laugh out loud moments that compelled my husband to ask what I was reading. There was a bit of jumping back and forth between POVs. Jemma sounded a bit vapid. Girl seriously needed to calm down. Twenty-two is a little too early to call yourself a spinster. The ending was really abrupt though. I enjoyed this novella and hope there's a second book in the making.
Profile Image for Charity Parkerson.
Author 315 books1,426 followers
November 29, 2013
Oh, if the vadge could talk. LMFAO!! Ever wondered what life is like for the gentler of the genitalia? Close call is just the story to let you know what your nether girl has to say about touchy topics like waxing, dirty public restrooms, and that 'last call' guy you went home with from the bar. This is a hilarious read and you won't want to miss it.
Profile Image for L.L. Hunter.
Author 105 books299 followers
December 4, 2013
I never thought I would ever read something like this, but I was feeling down and needed dating advice so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm so glad I did because it's hilarious and I'm so glad Ms March decided to publish it. I recommend this book to anyone in need of advice because they don't have a talking vagina of their own
Profile Image for Treasa.
54 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2014
It's a quick, funny read. I enjoyed it very much.
Profile Image for P.S. Winn.
Author 105 books366 followers
November 14, 2016
Although I have to give the author credit for a great writing style and a humorous story. For me this isn't the type of story I like. I understand the premise, but didn't realize what the story actually was until I started reading it. I think a lot of people would enjoy ths book because the author does have such a fun way of telling a story. So, if you don't mind listening to a talking vagina, then grab this one, because it is well told and funny.
Profile Image for Stacey Broadbent.
Author 67 books249 followers
May 15, 2022
What a laugh! A quick, entertaining read about talking genitals. Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d say!

Hilarious premise to a story. Everyone’s genitals can communicate with each other and can hinder or encourage hookups based on what they “see” and hear.

Profile Image for Maureen.
Author 9 books46 followers
March 18, 2014
Wow- where to start with this short, but very entertaining, read? I admit that it was the gorgeous cover that first drew me in. It’s one of those rare covers that actually looks like the cover artist has read the novel and designed accordingly. The author’s goodreads blurb is also pretty accurate. Think cross between Bridget Jones Diary and The Vagina Monologues and you end up with Close Call – a story that dares to ask what would happen if our private parts could talk. Not only does it dare to put our privates at centre stage, author Eloise March goes a brave step further in giving female, rather than male genitalia, the floor. Yes, this is a short, very feminist, novella about a 22 year old named Jemma who just can’t seem to find her Mr Right. Luckily, her vagina, Doris, is able to help (albeit with sometimes disastrous results).

As well as being feminist in giving women and their sexual desires voice in a world that often doesn't, varied sexuality is also explored in this piece (vagina’s liking vagina’s is discussed). However, I do wonder if homosexuality will come up in later novella’s in the series. I feel like I’d like to see this for the sake of fairness. But that’s not the central concern. This novella celebrates what it means to be ‘woman’ with humour and relatable situations galore. I especially enjoyed the ditzy blonde cousin whose Vagina is called Va Gina and who is just as idiotic and snobby as her ‘owner.’

Close Call is a fun, short and ‘woman’ affirming read. I did laugh reading it on the train next to the conservative looking elderly couple!

The only drawback? This is a fast read and the next in the series isn't out yet!
Profile Image for Helle Gade.
Author 25 books115 followers
January 3, 2014
Talking vaginas, yes you heard me right. Now you might think this an X-rated book or extremely naughty, well it is a tiny bit naughty, but in no way X-rated.

It is about Jemma who is single and desperately trying to find the right one while dealing with friends and family, some of which you love and some you do not.

In between looking for prince charming in nightclubs, we get an inside view, or you might say a down under view of how life is for Jemma’s vagina named Doris and her vagina friends. I'm still trying to recover from laughing my butt of (I wish), the description of the troubles poor Doris goes through is absolutely hilarious.

This is a well-written story that you can't stop reading once you have begun, so hurry up and get your copy.

A quote I love:

Doris was reminded of the movie Alien: in the space between a woman’s legs, no one can hear you scream…
Profile Image for Kim.
281 reviews16 followers
January 6, 2014
This book is absolutely hilarious!! This is a different genre for this author. I've read her dragon books and they were AWESOME! This took me by surprise, I'm so glad she wrote it.Talking vaginas and penis, with names! You read right, talking parts. All Jemma and Erin wanted were good men, they went out to clubs all the time. A part of this book makes me sad, because it's so hard to find a good man. That said, this had me laughing my butt off. Will Jemma and Erin find their men? I'm telling you this book is a fresh read. I totally recommend this book.
Profile Image for Miranda Kate.
Author 19 books77 followers
July 31, 2016
I enjoyed reading this so much. It's not for the prudish, being that it is about two girls in their early twenties and their talking vaginas, with a few talking penises thrown it, but it made me laugh out loud many times. It's a realistic tale about young female adults and their woes in love and sex. It is not brutal or coarse in any fashion, but direct and honest in a refreshing manner. It would be a perfect read for late teenage/young adult girls, being informative and preaching safety. I also loved the anti-plastic surgery overtones.

I can't wait for the next adventure!
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
July 11, 2014
This was sent to me for a laugh and of course it certainly allows for nothing but.

Not for those of a sensitive disposition but rather those who understand what it's like to be a woman and don't mind the funny side - in spades.

Cleverly done and well written - although I do prefer her fantasy stories.
4,374 reviews28 followers
May 7, 2014
Good

this was a humorous story that made you feel like the part about talking viganias and there people that they are part of was entertaining.
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