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A Day at the Office #1
A Day at the Office
One office, five lives, on the most romantic day of the year.
For most people, Valentine’s Day means flowers, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. But for five of Seek Software’s employees, it’s shaping up to be as much fun as a trip to the dentist.
Long-term singleton Sophie has a crush on colleague Nathan but worries he doesn’t even know her name. And is there really any point in her sending a card to the man who organises the annual office Anti-Valentine’s party?
Overweight, insecure, and still living with his mum, Calum’s desperate for a girlfriend. He’s recently met the woman of his dreams online but his exaggerated profile might mean tonight’s first date could also be their last.
Mark’s been besotted with Julie since she kissed him at the office Christmas party. While she doesn’t seem to remember a thing, today might be his best chance to remind her. If only he could work out how.
A Day at the Office is a wise, wonderfully moving, and laugh-out-loud novel about life, love, and relationships by bestselling novelist Matt Dunn.
For most people, Valentine’s Day means flowers, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. But for five of Seek Software’s employees, it’s shaping up to be as much fun as a trip to the dentist.
Long-term singleton Sophie has a crush on colleague Nathan but worries he doesn’t even know her name. And is there really any point in her sending a card to the man who organises the annual office Anti-Valentine’s party?
Overweight, insecure, and still living with his mum, Calum’s desperate for a girlfriend. He’s recently met the woman of his dreams online but his exaggerated profile might mean tonight’s first date could also be their last.
Mark’s been besotted with Julie since she kissed him at the office Christmas party. While she doesn’t seem to remember a thing, today might be his best chance to remind her. If only he could work out how.
A Day at the Office is a wise, wonderfully moving, and laugh-out-loud novel about life, love, and relationships by bestselling novelist Matt Dunn.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2013
439 people are currently reading
1287 people want to read
About the author
Matt Dunn
23 books369 followersMatt was born in Margate, but eventually escaped to Spain to write his first novel (in between working as a newspaper columnist, and playing a lot of tennis). Previously he has been a professional lifeguard, fitness equipment salesman, and an IT head hunter, but he prefers writing for a living, so hopes people will keep buying his books.
Matt is the author of four contemporary romantic comedy novels; Best Man, The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook (which was shortlisted for both the Romantic Novel Of The Year award, as well as the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance), From Here To Paternity, and Ex-Girlfriends United. He's also written about life, love, and relationships for various publications including The Times, Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, Glamour, and The Sun.
Several of Matt's novels have been translated for various European markets (he's big in the Balkans, apparently), as well as as far afield as Malaysia and Indonesia. He's a regular on the literary festival scene, and rates the recent lecturing stint he did on the Creative Writing degree course at London Metropolitan University as one of the most rewarding things he's ever done - and not only because of the number of ideas he was able to appropriate from his students for his books.
Matt is the author of four contemporary romantic comedy novels; Best Man, The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook (which was shortlisted for both the Romantic Novel Of The Year award, as well as the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance), From Here To Paternity, and Ex-Girlfriends United. He's also written about life, love, and relationships for various publications including The Times, Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, Glamour, and The Sun.
Several of Matt's novels have been translated for various European markets (he's big in the Balkans, apparently), as well as as far afield as Malaysia and Indonesia. He's a regular on the literary festival scene, and rates the recent lecturing stint he did on the Creative Writing degree course at London Metropolitan University as one of the most rewarding things he's ever done - and not only because of the number of ideas he was able to appropriate from his students for his books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
June 4, 2013
This is a comedy of errors, sadly lacking in comedy. It follows a group of neurotic twentysomething office workers angsting about their love lives on Valentine's Day.
The characterisation is flat and I couldn't warm to any of the people in this story. They over-think and over-analyse every single thing, which becomes irritating very quickly. In fact, they all behave like kids in the school playground. What humour there is is lamer than lame and shoehorned in. I didn't enjoy this at all.
The characterisation is flat and I couldn't warm to any of the people in this story. They over-think and over-analyse every single thing, which becomes irritating very quickly. In fact, they all behave like kids in the school playground. What humour there is is lamer than lame and shoehorned in. I didn't enjoy this at all.
July 4, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
Light read, a bit too much dwelling on little irrelevant details at times and going around in circles over small issues, but overall light entertaining read.
recognisable characters make more fun.
Wouldn't be a book to chose but if you happen to stumble over it, it'll do.
Light read, a bit too much dwelling on little irrelevant details at times and going around in circles over small issues, but overall light entertaining read.
recognisable characters make more fun.
Wouldn't be a book to chose but if you happen to stumble over it, it'll do.
March 10, 2017
וולנטיינס דיי הוא כנראה לא היום של הרווקים והבודדים. לכן, נתן מארגן מפגש אנטי ולנטיינס עם חבריו למשרד בבאולינג המקומי.
אלי, בת זוגו של נתן עזבה אותו לפני 3 שנים בדיוק בוולנטיינס דיי. הוא הציע לה נישואים והיא סיפרה לו שבגדה בו והיא לא חושבת שהם יכולים לתחתן. מאז נתן מארגן את האנטי וולנטיינס.
סופי, דלוקה על נתן. היא תעשה תרגילים רבים כדי להיות איתו לבד בוולנטיינס דיי.
קאלם מחפש את האחת. הוא קבע עם אמה פגישה שהוא מקווה שתגאל אותו מסצנת הדייטים ומייסוריו הרבים עם נשים.
מארק מאוהב בג'ולי מאז כריסטמס אבל היא מתעלמת ממנו. ג'ולי מתלבטת כיצד להמשיך בחייה והאם להיענות למארק.
ספר נחמד בסה"כ. הרעיונות לא מסעירים או חדשים אבל הכתיבה קולחת.
אלי, בת זוגו של נתן עזבה אותו לפני 3 שנים בדיוק בוולנטיינס דיי. הוא הציע לה נישואים והיא סיפרה לו שבגדה בו והיא לא חושבת שהם יכולים לתחתן. מאז נתן מארגן את האנטי וולנטיינס.
סופי, דלוקה על נתן. היא תעשה תרגילים רבים כדי להיות איתו לבד בוולנטיינס דיי.
קאלם מחפש את האחת. הוא קבע עם אמה פגישה שהוא מקווה שתגאל אותו מסצנת הדייטים ומייסוריו הרבים עם נשים.
מארק מאוהב בג'ולי מאז כריסטמס אבל היא מתעלמת ממנו. ג'ולי מתלבטת כיצד להמשיך בחייה והאם להיענות למארק.
ספר נחמד בסה"כ. הרעיונות לא מסעירים או חדשים אבל הכתיבה קולחת.
January 4, 2020
I’ve enjoyed previous books by Dunn but this was just awful. Farcical, way too based on puns and bad jokes and an extreme obsession with people’s weight/figures/boobs/waistlines, et cetera in absurdum. The female characters are so flat it’s actually distressing. Shame, I had high hopes!
October 26, 2020
It is Valentine's Day and all our MCs are hoping that something will happen today that will change their lives for the better. Calum has his first date with someone he's met through an internet dating site. Sophie is hoping to seduce Nathan who unbeknownst to her is still reeling from a breakup that happened 3 years ago. Mark is hoping that he can reignite a spark that occurred between him and Julie at the office Christmas party.
This is a charming story about what can go wrong, and what can go right when trying to find that connection with someone special. I thought it would be funnier. There are some funny parts, but I was expecting to be laughing more. I think I liked Calum's story the best. The poor guy is so desperate to meet someone but doesn't think he is worthy of anyone truly special. I loved that he found out he was wrong.
This is a charming story about what can go wrong, and what can go right when trying to find that connection with someone special. I thought it would be funnier. There are some funny parts, but I was expecting to be laughing more. I think I liked Calum's story the best. The poor guy is so desperate to meet someone but doesn't think he is worthy of anyone truly special. I loved that he found out he was wrong.
March 7, 2013
I don't give many books five stars, because it seems to imply perfection, and while I don't believe that's possible, Matt Dunn's "A Day at the Office" is pretty close to a perfect story. It follows several London singletons through a single day--Valentine's Day--at the office (as the title implies). One of the reasons I loved this book so much was that it was rip-roaring funny in some parts, and even the parts that were touching had elements of humor in them and were never mawkish, maudlin, or sentimental. Plus, I was never quite sure I knew what was going to happen in any of the story lines, so it was delightfully unpredictable. Can't wait to read Mr. Dunn's other books!
March 22, 2013
I kept thinking of the F word while I was reading this - fab, flirty, funny and feelgood. I really liked that it was set over one day; except I couldn't put it down, as I was desperate to know if everyone would end up with the right person. Telling a story from several viewpoints could have been tricky to pull off, but it's handled perfectly with very distinctive voices for each, and the author clearly has impressive insight into the female psyche! Laugh out loud in places, with a satisfying ending, this is a thoroughly entertaining read that leaves a nice warm glow. Fantastic.
October 10, 2019
Ich habe es vor Jahren gekauft und damals hat es mich echt angesprochen, doch nachdem ich es gelesen habe, muss ich sagen, dass es echt langweilig war.
3 Sterne
3 Sterne
May 12, 2020
https://leiturasdelaura.blogspot.com/...
SPOILER FREE
Conheci o autor inglês Matt Dunn há relativamente pouco tempo, com o livro 13 dates, que me deixou positivamente surpresa. Não é sempre que encontramos um autor homem escrevendo bem histórias românticas. Apesar de não ser o suprassumo do gênero, guardei o nome do autor para futuras leituras.
Daí esse ano, com todos os seus problemas, me levou a ler mais livros leves do que o meu normal, e Matt Dunn entrou em promoção na Amazon, e, assim, acabei pegando para ler A Day at The Office. A melhor descrição desse volume é uma versão limitada a um escritório do filme Simplesmente Amor. Como a história se passa no dia dos namorados (versão inglesa! 14 de fevereiro é Valentine's Day), e é montada em torno de encontros e desencontros amorosos com personagens muito ingleses, a comparação é inevitável. Mesmo com o filme se passando no Natal, ele ainda gira em torno de uma data comemorativa comercial com personagens muito ingleses e encontros e desencontros amorosos.
Como sou fã do filme, o livro ganhou vários pontos comigo quando percebi a semelhança no jeitão do enredo. E os personagens de Matt Dunn são muito divertidos, com excelentes diálogos e um humor bastante inglês que me agrada. Apesar de algumas improbabilidades serem usadas para fazer a história andar e dar um toque extra de comicidade, não fiquei com a sensação de forçação de barra. No geral, ficou apenas mais divertido. E diferentemente do livro anterior que li do autor, os finais das histórias românticas são bastante realistas e variadas, sem cair nos clichês de final feliz que poderiam muito bem ter sido usados aqui até cansar.
Uma leitura excelente para quem gosta de romances e para quem precisa de um livro mais leve na vida.
SPOILER FREE
Conheci o autor inglês Matt Dunn há relativamente pouco tempo, com o livro 13 dates, que me deixou positivamente surpresa. Não é sempre que encontramos um autor homem escrevendo bem histórias românticas. Apesar de não ser o suprassumo do gênero, guardei o nome do autor para futuras leituras.
Daí esse ano, com todos os seus problemas, me levou a ler mais livros leves do que o meu normal, e Matt Dunn entrou em promoção na Amazon, e, assim, acabei pegando para ler A Day at The Office. A melhor descrição desse volume é uma versão limitada a um escritório do filme Simplesmente Amor. Como a história se passa no dia dos namorados (versão inglesa! 14 de fevereiro é Valentine's Day), e é montada em torno de encontros e desencontros amorosos com personagens muito ingleses, a comparação é inevitável. Mesmo com o filme se passando no Natal, ele ainda gira em torno de uma data comemorativa comercial com personagens muito ingleses e encontros e desencontros amorosos.
Como sou fã do filme, o livro ganhou vários pontos comigo quando percebi a semelhança no jeitão do enredo. E os personagens de Matt Dunn são muito divertidos, com excelentes diálogos e um humor bastante inglês que me agrada. Apesar de algumas improbabilidades serem usadas para fazer a história andar e dar um toque extra de comicidade, não fiquei com a sensação de forçação de barra. No geral, ficou apenas mais divertido. E diferentemente do livro anterior que li do autor, os finais das histórias românticas são bastante realistas e variadas, sem cair nos clichês de final feliz que poderiam muito bem ter sido usados aqui até cansar.
Uma leitura excelente para quem gosta de romances e para quem precisa de um livro mais leve na vida.
October 30, 2014
I listened to the audiobook and for the most part I enjoyed the story. There were many scenes that made me laugh and others made me cringe out of sympathy for the characters. I do wish the author developed the characters a bit more. All of them had wonderful one-liners but after a while that's all they had. I wanted to get to know them more. Still the book is a light read and fun.
November 14, 2015
3.5 STARS!
This book was a funny read/listen there were some funny moments with the multiple main characters. Did I sometimes get confused with all the different characters? Hell yes, of course I did but to be honest that is my standard state of mind most days. i was disappointed with one couple but I won't spoil the book by saying anymore. An ok read/listen.
This book was a funny read/listen there were some funny moments with the multiple main characters. Did I sometimes get confused with all the different characters? Hell yes, of course I did but to be honest that is my standard state of mind most days. i was disappointed with one couple but I won't spoil the book by saying anymore. An ok read/listen.
May 25, 2013
Loved this, loved this, loved this. Had me laughing out loud and cringing with embarrassment. All the characters were excellently portrayed and a truly great ending.
March 8, 2019
Le doy a este libro 2,5 estrellas, y aquí comienzan las quejas...
Este es el segundo libro que leo del autor, siempre le doy al menos dos oportunidades a cada uno antes de decidir que no son para mi, y lamentablemente me he encontrado con otro autor que no me agrada.
Para empezar les cuento un poco de que trata, es San Valentin, y uno de los personajes organiza una salida anti-san Valentín para todos los solteros de la empresa en la que trabajan. Mientras nos van presentando a los personajes, todos al parecer se ven atraídos por alguien más de la oficina, por lo que se envían tarjetas, y mensajes para ver si el otro "descubre" que son ellos y deciden hacer algo. Finalmente, tras muchos desencuentros, algunos personajes parecen superar sus crisis con sus ex-parejas, o enamorarse instantáneamente de otros, y termina siendo todo muy confuso.
Julie es una mujer casada que quiere separarse de su marido pero no lo hace. En la ultima fiesta de la empresa lo engaña con un compañero de trabajo, Mark, quien no sabe que ella está casada, y espera que algo vuelva a pasar en esta salida. (Finalmente se entera que ella está casada, pero bueno, parece no importar tampoco).
Sophie está desesperada por contacto físico e imagina miles de situaciones en las que otro de sus compañeros, Nathan, finalmente la invita a salir. Este personaje tiene algunos problemas económicos, pero aun así no duda en gastarse su sueldo completo en un conjunto de lencería por si consigue llevar a cabo su estrategia. Cuál es? Emborracharse para convencerlo que se vaya con ella y finalmente tener relaciones después de haberse separado de su ex, quien acaba de descubrir está comprometido. Mientras tanto, Nathan no puede dejar de pensar en su ex-novia, quien lo engañó y lo dejó, pero el sigue creyendo que es la mejor mujer del mundo y solo quiere estar con ella.
Calum es el último personaje, y acaba de conocer "al amor de su vida" online y van a encontrarse por primera vez el día de San Valentín. Este personaje no tiene nada de confianza en si mismo, y casi todo el libro gira en torno a sus miedos, y desesperación por que las mujeres se sientan atraídos hacia el.
De más está decir que no pude conectar con ninguno de los personajes, me parecieron vacíos, y que rondaban mucho sobre las mismas cosas y no aportaban a la trama del libro. Los personajes no tienen desarrollo alguno, si bien algunas de las historias tienen una especie de cierre, no llegan a ningún lado, y si el libro estaba pensado para tener algo de comedia en el fondo creo que no lo llegué a comprender.
Finalmente, lo que más me molesta de este libro, y en general del autor, son frases del tipo "tranquilo, que como es mujer siempre va a llegar tarde", a ver... llegar tarde no es algo particular de mujeres, muchos hombres llegan tarde también, no me gustan las generalizaciones y mucho menos cuando son para adherir algún tipo de comportamiento a un grupo solo por ser parte de un género. Hay muchos comentarios bastante sexistas en el libro, con los que no concuerdo, y me parece que es el tipo de escritura del autor, ya que tuve los mismos problemas con su otro libro.
Este es el segundo libro que leo del autor, siempre le doy al menos dos oportunidades a cada uno antes de decidir que no son para mi, y lamentablemente me he encontrado con otro autor que no me agrada.
Para empezar les cuento un poco de que trata, es San Valentin, y uno de los personajes organiza una salida anti-san Valentín para todos los solteros de la empresa en la que trabajan. Mientras nos van presentando a los personajes, todos al parecer se ven atraídos por alguien más de la oficina, por lo que se envían tarjetas, y mensajes para ver si el otro "descubre" que son ellos y deciden hacer algo. Finalmente, tras muchos desencuentros, algunos personajes parecen superar sus crisis con sus ex-parejas, o enamorarse instantáneamente de otros, y termina siendo todo muy confuso.
Julie es una mujer casada que quiere separarse de su marido pero no lo hace. En la ultima fiesta de la empresa lo engaña con un compañero de trabajo, Mark, quien no sabe que ella está casada, y espera que algo vuelva a pasar en esta salida. (Finalmente se entera que ella está casada, pero bueno, parece no importar tampoco).
Sophie está desesperada por contacto físico e imagina miles de situaciones en las que otro de sus compañeros, Nathan, finalmente la invita a salir. Este personaje tiene algunos problemas económicos, pero aun así no duda en gastarse su sueldo completo en un conjunto de lencería por si consigue llevar a cabo su estrategia. Cuál es? Emborracharse para convencerlo que se vaya con ella y finalmente tener relaciones después de haberse separado de su ex, quien acaba de descubrir está comprometido. Mientras tanto, Nathan no puede dejar de pensar en su ex-novia, quien lo engañó y lo dejó, pero el sigue creyendo que es la mejor mujer del mundo y solo quiere estar con ella.
Calum es el último personaje, y acaba de conocer "al amor de su vida" online y van a encontrarse por primera vez el día de San Valentín. Este personaje no tiene nada de confianza en si mismo, y casi todo el libro gira en torno a sus miedos, y desesperación por que las mujeres se sientan atraídos hacia el.
De más está decir que no pude conectar con ninguno de los personajes, me parecieron vacíos, y que rondaban mucho sobre las mismas cosas y no aportaban a la trama del libro. Los personajes no tienen desarrollo alguno, si bien algunas de las historias tienen una especie de cierre, no llegan a ningún lado, y si el libro estaba pensado para tener algo de comedia en el fondo creo que no lo llegué a comprender.
Finalmente, lo que más me molesta de este libro, y en general del autor, son frases del tipo "tranquilo, que como es mujer siempre va a llegar tarde", a ver... llegar tarde no es algo particular de mujeres, muchos hombres llegan tarde también, no me gustan las generalizaciones y mucho menos cuando son para adherir algún tipo de comportamiento a un grupo solo por ser parte de un género. Hay muchos comentarios bastante sexistas en el libro, con los que no concuerdo, y me parece que es el tipo de escritura del autor, ya que tuve los mismos problemas con su otro libro.
February 5, 2025
great book
This is a great book kept me smiling from start to finish lots of different stories in the book all set in the office on Valentine’s Day well worth a read
This is a great book kept me smiling from start to finish lots of different stories in the book all set in the office on Valentine’s Day well worth a read
June 22, 2017
A story told from the point of view of 5 people who all work within the same London office. Love is in the air on Valentines Day, with each character having some romance issues.
It started off well. Each character had a good background story and you quickly understood what their Valentine's Day dilemma was.
Calum was adorable and probably represents most singletons. He was shy, extremely unconfident and had no belief in himself a person or as a partner. You couldn't help but fall in love with him and admire his plight.
The ending was a bit abrupt and didn't necessarily go the way I was expecting for one character. However, it was a light-hearted and enjoyable read. Something quick to pass the time.
It started off well. Each character had a good background story and you quickly understood what their Valentine's Day dilemma was.
Calum was adorable and probably represents most singletons. He was shy, extremely unconfident and had no belief in himself a person or as a partner. You couldn't help but fall in love with him and admire his plight.
The ending was a bit abrupt and didn't necessarily go the way I was expecting for one character. However, it was a light-hearted and enjoyable read. Something quick to pass the time.
February 14, 2018
A Day at the Office was an enjoyable read about a day in the lives of five co-workers whose romantic lives have gone awry on Valentine’s Day.
For five Seek Software employees, this Valentine’s Day isn’t shaping up to be a good one. Sophie has a crush on Nathan who she’s worried doesn’t even know she exists. Plus, he hosts the office’s annual Anti-Valentine’s Day party, so is it even worth it to reveal her feelings? Calum has recently met the woman of his dreams online but he fudged a bit on his profile and he’s worried she’ll take one look at him and bolt. Mark has been interested in Julie for months and after she kissed him at the office Christmas Party he thought he had a shot only for her to pretend it never happened.
This book is written in a way where when one thing goes wrong, it quickly snowballs and everything goes wrong. As the characters used other people to deliver their messages, a series of misunderstandings occur and several people believe the person they are interested in is interested in someone else. There is a lot of scheming and manipulation by several of the characters as they try and orchestrate time alone with the person they’re hoping to be with which did get a bit old after while.
One of the couples ends up not working out by the end of the book which honestly I think is the better choice. I won’t say which couple it is, but if everyone got who they wanted the book would have been a bit unrealistic. I will say out of all of the couples, Mark and Julie were my favorite and I was rooting for them the most.
There were only a few characters outside of the main five, so the fact that I disliked a couple of the main characters did affect my enjoyment of the book as we basically just rotate between the five throughout the book. Also, I was somehow unaware this book took place in London when I picked it up, so I was usually a bit lost as I didn’t know a lot of the places mentioned or the slang used.
While ultimately I did enjoy A Day at the Office, it wasn’t my favorite as the humor isn’t really my kind of humor and I struggled with some of the characters. I am however interested to see what becomes of the relationships in this book and will be reading the sequel at some point.
For five Seek Software employees, this Valentine’s Day isn’t shaping up to be a good one. Sophie has a crush on Nathan who she’s worried doesn’t even know she exists. Plus, he hosts the office’s annual Anti-Valentine’s Day party, so is it even worth it to reveal her feelings? Calum has recently met the woman of his dreams online but he fudged a bit on his profile and he’s worried she’ll take one look at him and bolt. Mark has been interested in Julie for months and after she kissed him at the office Christmas Party he thought he had a shot only for her to pretend it never happened.
This book is written in a way where when one thing goes wrong, it quickly snowballs and everything goes wrong. As the characters used other people to deliver their messages, a series of misunderstandings occur and several people believe the person they are interested in is interested in someone else. There is a lot of scheming and manipulation by several of the characters as they try and orchestrate time alone with the person they’re hoping to be with which did get a bit old after while.
One of the couples ends up not working out by the end of the book which honestly I think is the better choice. I won’t say which couple it is, but if everyone got who they wanted the book would have been a bit unrealistic. I will say out of all of the couples, Mark and Julie were my favorite and I was rooting for them the most.
There were only a few characters outside of the main five, so the fact that I disliked a couple of the main characters did affect my enjoyment of the book as we basically just rotate between the five throughout the book. Also, I was somehow unaware this book took place in London when I picked it up, so I was usually a bit lost as I didn’t know a lot of the places mentioned or the slang used.
While ultimately I did enjoy A Day at the Office, it wasn’t my favorite as the humor isn’t really my kind of humor and I struggled with some of the characters. I am however interested to see what becomes of the relationships in this book and will be reading the sequel at some point.
June 23, 2013
It took me a little while to get into this book and at first I thought it wasn't going to be any good - it seemed as if it had a great premise for a story, focussing around Valentine's Day spent in an office, and the various mix-ups surrounding cards and dates, but at first it didn't seem to pan out that well - it seemed a bit insipid somehow. However, once the story did get going, and I got inside the various obsessions and desires of the characters, I found I really, really enjoyed it.
I actually read most of the book during a two-hour each way coach trip accompanying my 7-year-old son and his classmates on a school trip. On the way there I was surrounded by over 50 screaming and over-excited primary school kids with only the prospect of telling kids off who were unlikely to take any notice of me, having panic attacks when I lost them in the gift shop and being vomited upon during the journey home stretching in front of me, and this book STILL made me laugh a lot - that's how good it is.
The characters were funny, flawed and fantastically realised - utterly believeable and well-rounded in every way. In addition, this author has a real way with words - there are some great turns of phrase in this book, some fabulous wordplay/puns. I felt the real star of the book was the setting - London itself. The author clearly knows it very well and the city was rendered in all its vibrancy and really brought to life. It reminded me of Rom-coms such as Notting Hill and I couldn't help but think that this would make a great film of the British Rom-Com variety.
Just a couple of criticisms - "pour" is spelt wrong on page 97 - people tend to "pore over something" not "pour over something" (as in go over it minutely, not pour it away). Also "genteel" is spelt wrong on page 290 (should be "genteel" not "gentile") Minor points I know, but it really gets on my pip when authors/editors don't spell things correctly. There's no excuse if the book has reached the stage of being published - it should be as polished as it's possible to be. (Okay, rant over)...
Minor points aside, this is a very funny, very witty, very lovely story - buy it while it's cheap on Kindle!
I actually read most of the book during a two-hour each way coach trip accompanying my 7-year-old son and his classmates on a school trip. On the way there I was surrounded by over 50 screaming and over-excited primary school kids with only the prospect of telling kids off who were unlikely to take any notice of me, having panic attacks when I lost them in the gift shop and being vomited upon during the journey home stretching in front of me, and this book STILL made me laugh a lot - that's how good it is.
The characters were funny, flawed and fantastically realised - utterly believeable and well-rounded in every way. In addition, this author has a real way with words - there are some great turns of phrase in this book, some fabulous wordplay/puns. I felt the real star of the book was the setting - London itself. The author clearly knows it very well and the city was rendered in all its vibrancy and really brought to life. It reminded me of Rom-coms such as Notting Hill and I couldn't help but think that this would make a great film of the British Rom-Com variety.
Just a couple of criticisms - "pour" is spelt wrong on page 97 - people tend to "pore over something" not "pour over something" (as in go over it minutely, not pour it away). Also "genteel" is spelt wrong on page 290 (should be "genteel" not "gentile") Minor points I know, but it really gets on my pip when authors/editors don't spell things correctly. There's no excuse if the book has reached the stage of being published - it should be as polished as it's possible to be. (Okay, rant over)...
Minor points aside, this is a very funny, very witty, very lovely story - buy it while it's cheap on Kindle!
September 4, 2017
A Day At The Office is a must read for anyone who has worked in an office and had a crush on a co-worker, and let's face it, who hasn't at some point or another!!!!
Valentine's Day is the day that most couples look forward to, and most singleton's dread, and it's no different for a group of workers at the Seek Software Office in London. Can a stolen kiss at the Christmas party progress to more, can a crush turn into a date? Cards and mysterious presents are exchanged during the day and the outcome? Well, you'll have to read it and find out for yourself!!
It has laugh out loud moments, and if I'm brutally honest, a few moments when I guessed what was going to happen next, but the characters are adorable and so realistic. I wanted to hug Callum for being so insecure about his height, slap Nathan across the back of the head for lingering over a lost love, and I wanted to sit down over a glass of wine with Julie and have a heart-to-heart girlie chat.
A really lovely read and it comes highly recommended.
I just have one question...do they need an Admin Assistant at Seek Software, because my CV is ready and I want to go and work with these people!!!
Valentine's Day is the day that most couples look forward to, and most singleton's dread, and it's no different for a group of workers at the Seek Software Office in London. Can a stolen kiss at the Christmas party progress to more, can a crush turn into a date? Cards and mysterious presents are exchanged during the day and the outcome? Well, you'll have to read it and find out for yourself!!
It has laugh out loud moments, and if I'm brutally honest, a few moments when I guessed what was going to happen next, but the characters are adorable and so realistic. I wanted to hug Callum for being so insecure about his height, slap Nathan across the back of the head for lingering over a lost love, and I wanted to sit down over a glass of wine with Julie and have a heart-to-heart girlie chat.
A really lovely read and it comes highly recommended.
I just have one question...do they need an Admin Assistant at Seek Software, because my CV is ready and I want to go and work with these people!!!
June 17, 2014
I know a lot of people prefer British romantic comedies to American productions--both in book and movie form--and while I do admit a particular weakness for works of a 'Bridget Jones' ilk, I felt like 'A Day at the Office' fell short of what I expected. Despite what I've heard about Dunn's previous work, I was still hesitant to pick up something written by a man in what is obviously a female-driven and dominated market. It ended up being what I would consider about average for a rom com novel, with a standard plot and characters that neither repulsed nor enthralled me. I mostly appreciated how short it was--not because I was desperate for it to end, but because it came to a reasonably satisfying conclusion without dragging on for pages, as is common with so many books in this genre, it seems. Overall, a fluffy and cheap (99 cent) break from reality with characters and a plot that, while nothing out of the ordinary, are more often enjoyable than not.
December 30, 2016
While I enjoyed the story, the female characters are so one dimensional it's insulting. They are rudeto anyone that doesn't look like them, they are only focused on what someone else (men) think of them and they are dumb. The male characters are so developed, so much so that I looked forward to when they were engaging in dialogue because it endeared me to the story. I'm not sure why these women are painted as such but,honestly, it's not like people like this don't exist. They just seemed so scheming and helpless, even with deciding how to pick out underwear. There were a few redeeming characters, though and that's why I enjoyed the story.
December 8, 2016
Very fluffy whimsical British romantic comedy.
Questions I asked myself while reading:
1) Do single men really obsess this much over Valentines Day? I thought it was just a subset of single women. I guess I'm being sexist.
2) Did I behave so ridiculously when I was in my twenties working in an office, crushing and dating? (Answer: Painfully, probably so.)
3) Isn't it lovely when the crushes are mutual? I remember a lot more of the other kind.
All in all, a light, amusing read.
2.5 stars which I rounded up because the last several Kindle Unlimited books I've tried were unfinishable.
Questions I asked myself while reading:
1) Do single men really obsess this much over Valentines Day? I thought it was just a subset of single women. I guess I'm being sexist.
2) Did I behave so ridiculously when I was in my twenties working in an office, crushing and dating? (Answer: Painfully, probably so.)
3) Isn't it lovely when the crushes are mutual? I remember a lot more of the other kind.
All in all, a light, amusing read.
2.5 stars which I rounded up because the last several Kindle Unlimited books I've tried were unfinishable.
February 17, 2013
I read this in a day! A lovely, touching, funny book following five people in the same office over the course of one Valentine's day. There's Sophie (your typical singleton), Calum (nice to see a man who's insecure about his weight for once), Nathan (hurt in the past), Mark (unrequited love) and Julie (it's complicated!), and the book tells the story from each of their points of view, while linking their stories together cleverly. Loved it!
June 6, 2013
I picked this one up as light entertainment when my daughter was first born in order to have something I could easily pick up and down while holding/feeding her and it was perfect for that. It focuses on one day in the life of a number of people who work in an office in Soho and that day happens to be Valentine's Day since each of the characters is looking for love/romance. An entertaining story which perhaps ends as expected but perfectly readable nonetheless.
May 18, 2018
Perfect light-hearted chick-lit read for the holidays.
I don't read much of this style so it was nice to pick one up and not have to be bored by endless descriptions of outfits and designer homewares. Having the story told from multiple male viewpoints as well as the females was an interesting change from what is typical of this style.
Good plot and characterisation with enough going on to keep the pages turning.
I don't read much of this style so it was nice to pick one up and not have to be bored by endless descriptions of outfits and designer homewares. Having the story told from multiple male viewpoints as well as the females was an interesting change from what is typical of this style.
Good plot and characterisation with enough going on to keep the pages turning.
July 16, 2014
A feel good book. Following the comic antics of a group of ppl who work together all trying to sort our their love-lives. Read it in a day, after having trouble getting into reading a couple of other books.
July 5, 2016
This book was so... I mean it was just so corny! And there were so many cheesy one liners! But man, did it make me laugh!
It's a good ol' romantic comedy set in the heart of Valentine's Day which is just fun and effortless to read!
It's a good ol' romantic comedy set in the heart of Valentine's Day which is just fun and effortless to read!
May 24, 2014
A charming rom-com of a book about Valentine's day at a small office. Mixed signals about but it all works out in the end - and manages not to be trite. Cute. I read it in literally 90 minutes.
November 10, 2019
3/5 ⭐️
It had some good bits but other then that it felt like all the adults acted like 12 year olds do when they’re around their crush.
It had some good bits but other then that it felt like all the adults acted like 12 year olds do when they’re around their crush.
February 5, 2018
This was a fast read, kind of cute although so much of the plot was driven by the characters just being stupid and not speaking well. Entire conversations with only pronouns and no names - of course someone is going to get confused who we are talking about! Or worse, one entire conversation in a fake third person "If someone were do give someone else a card, and that someone else though that the first someone ..." blah blah blah. FREAKING A PEOPLE. Do conversations like this happen in real life? If so, you need to stop. Right now.
But, I generally liked the idea of the story. The characters were pretty flat, but for this kind of read they really didn't need to be more than they were. It wasn't a character driven story, like the characters need to grow as people before the end of the book. It's a comedy of errors, and there's no reason for a lot of depth there. The situations the people got left in are realistic and ripe with opportunities for humor (girl likes boy, boy is completely oblivious to her obvious-to-everyone-else attraction; guy is still sulking over a relationship that ended 3 years ago and refuses to give anyone else a chance; woman falls for coworker and kisses him after the christmas party and then avoids him for a few months because she's ashamed of her situation and behavior; man goes on blind date and his date turns out to be completely other than he expected...). Sometimes the humor is done well, sometimes not. But overall the book kept me entertained.
My only disappointment was
But, I generally liked the idea of the story. The characters were pretty flat, but for this kind of read they really didn't need to be more than they were. It wasn't a character driven story, like the characters need to grow as people before the end of the book. It's a comedy of errors, and there's no reason for a lot of depth there. The situations the people got left in are realistic and ripe with opportunities for humor (girl likes boy, boy is completely oblivious to her obvious-to-everyone-else attraction; guy is still sulking over a relationship that ended 3 years ago and refuses to give anyone else a chance; woman falls for coworker and kisses him after the christmas party and then avoids him for a few months because she's ashamed of her situation and behavior; man goes on blind date and his date turns out to be completely other than he expected...). Sometimes the humor is done well, sometimes not. But overall the book kept me entertained.
My only disappointment was
April 15, 2021
One office, five lives, on the most romantic day of the year.
For most people, Valentine’s Day means flowers, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. But for five of Seek Software’s employees, it’s shaping up to be as much fun as a trip to the dentist.
Long-term singleton Sophie has a crush on colleague Nathan but worries he doesn’t even know her name. And is there really any point in her sending a card to the man who organises the annual office Anti-Valentine’s party?
Overweight, insecure, and still living with his mum, Calum’s desperate for a girlfriend. He’s recently met the woman of his dreams online but his exaggerated profile might mean tonight’s first date could also be their last.
Mark’s been besotted with Julie since she kissed him at the office Christmas party. While she doesn’t seem to remember a thing, today might be his best chance to remind her. If only he could work out how!
💌💌💌
I have had this on my kindle since... 2013. Honestly. Don’t even get me started. I went through a phase of loving Matt Dunn’s books, I’ve got all his first six novels in paperback form and have read them so many times! I just sort of fell out of love with the rom-com genre and fell in love with thrillers.
This was a ‘Love Actually-esque’ book. It followed five people in the same office, over Valentine’s Day. It followed all their romantic trials and tribulations, their attempts at successfully... and unsuccessfully... finding love, on what can be either the best or worst day of the year.
The characters were all likeable, and I wanted them all to get their ‘happy endings’, I wanted it all to work out for them. There’s a second book which I’ll have to get, and read, soon, while all the characters are still fresh in my head! I’d like to see what happens for them, as at the end of this book, Julie had asked Mark to wait for her, Calum had been on a wonderful first date with Mia-Rose, and Sophie and Nathan had both ‘picked up’ a doctor and barista respectfully. So it would be nice to see where things go for them!
All in all a nice easy read! My only reasoning for three stars is that it just wasn’t gripping- it was just easy. Not that that’s a bad thing! 💌
For most people, Valentine’s Day means flowers, chocolates, and candlelit dinners. But for five of Seek Software’s employees, it’s shaping up to be as much fun as a trip to the dentist.
Long-term singleton Sophie has a crush on colleague Nathan but worries he doesn’t even know her name. And is there really any point in her sending a card to the man who organises the annual office Anti-Valentine’s party?
Overweight, insecure, and still living with his mum, Calum’s desperate for a girlfriend. He’s recently met the woman of his dreams online but his exaggerated profile might mean tonight’s first date could also be their last.
Mark’s been besotted with Julie since she kissed him at the office Christmas party. While she doesn’t seem to remember a thing, today might be his best chance to remind her. If only he could work out how!
💌💌💌
I have had this on my kindle since... 2013. Honestly. Don’t even get me started. I went through a phase of loving Matt Dunn’s books, I’ve got all his first six novels in paperback form and have read them so many times! I just sort of fell out of love with the rom-com genre and fell in love with thrillers.
This was a ‘Love Actually-esque’ book. It followed five people in the same office, over Valentine’s Day. It followed all their romantic trials and tribulations, their attempts at successfully... and unsuccessfully... finding love, on what can be either the best or worst day of the year.
The characters were all likeable, and I wanted them all to get their ‘happy endings’, I wanted it all to work out for them. There’s a second book which I’ll have to get, and read, soon, while all the characters are still fresh in my head! I’d like to see what happens for them, as at the end of this book, Julie had asked Mark to wait for her, Calum had been on a wonderful first date with Mia-Rose, and Sophie and Nathan had both ‘picked up’ a doctor and barista respectfully. So it would be nice to see where things go for them!
All in all a nice easy read! My only reasoning for three stars is that it just wasn’t gripping- it was just easy. Not that that’s a bad thing! 💌
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