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Wish Upon a Star
From the bestselling author of UPTOWN GIRL and THE FIRST WIVES CLUB comes a sparkling New York romantic comedy about one woman finding her very own Prince Charming where she least expected to.
Life in the city isn’t all about sex, shopping and Cosmopolitans…For Claire, a secretary from Staten Island who takes the ferry each morning into Manhattan, it’s spent working 9 to 5 at a law firm, listening to her friend’s disastrous love life and reading romantic novels, desperately wishing that her life could be as full of excitement as the heroines featured.
The only highlight is catching an occasional glimpse of devastingly sexy law partner Michael. Until the day Michael offers her the chance of a trip to London – all expenses paid.
When Claire sets foot on British soil she falls head over heels in love – with a country. From red double-deckers to afternoon tea, she’s finally found her home. Friends, family and even Michael are abandoned as she rents a room and sets out to make a whole new life as an American in London. But she reckons without the obstructive efforts of a very strait laced Englishman…
Life in the city isn’t all about sex, shopping and Cosmopolitans…For Claire, a secretary from Staten Island who takes the ferry each morning into Manhattan, it’s spent working 9 to 5 at a law firm, listening to her friend’s disastrous love life and reading romantic novels, desperately wishing that her life could be as full of excitement as the heroines featured.
The only highlight is catching an occasional glimpse of devastingly sexy law partner Michael. Until the day Michael offers her the chance of a trip to London – all expenses paid.
When Claire sets foot on British soil she falls head over heels in love – with a country. From red double-deckers to afternoon tea, she’s finally found her home. Friends, family and even Michael are abandoned as she rents a room and sets out to make a whole new life as an American in London. But she reckons without the obstructive efforts of a very strait laced Englishman…
501 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2004
61 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Goldsmith
48 books155 followersOlivia Goldsmith (January 1, 1949 - January 15, 2004) was an American author, best known for her first novel The First Wives Club (1992), which was adapted into the movie The First Wives Club (1996).
She was born Randy Goldfield in Dumont, New Jersey, but changed her name to Justine Goldfield and later to Justine Rendal. She took up writing following a divorce in which she said her husband got almost everything (including her Jaguar and the country house). A graduate of New York University, she was a partner at the management consultants Booz & Company in New York prior to becoming a writer.
Many of her books can be described as revenge fantasies; a constant theme is the mistreatment of women by the men they love, but with the women coming out the winners in the end.
Controversially, in late 1996 Goldsmith said, in response to an Entertainment Weekly reporter's question, that her favorite event of 1996 was when Bob Dole fell off a stage during a campaign function.
She also wrote several books for children, which were published under the name "Justine Rendal."
Goldsmith died as a result of complications from the administration of anaesthesia before cosmetic surgery. Her final two books were published posthumously.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, amended.
She was born Randy Goldfield in Dumont, New Jersey, but changed her name to Justine Goldfield and later to Justine Rendal. She took up writing following a divorce in which she said her husband got almost everything (including her Jaguar and the country house). A graduate of New York University, she was a partner at the management consultants Booz & Company in New York prior to becoming a writer.
Many of her books can be described as revenge fantasies; a constant theme is the mistreatment of women by the men they love, but with the women coming out the winners in the end.
Controversially, in late 1996 Goldsmith said, in response to an Entertainment Weekly reporter's question, that her favorite event of 1996 was when Bob Dole fell off a stage during a campaign function.
She also wrote several books for children, which were published under the name "Justine Rendal."
Goldsmith died as a result of complications from the administration of anaesthesia before cosmetic surgery. Her final two books were published posthumously.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, amended.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 9, 2025
Pure fantasy. Well, it is a fairy tale, but a very enjoyable one. Claire is a brave & likeable woman, & a lucky one, too. Re-read with a view to getting it off my shelves but it's such a comfort read that I may just keep it... we'll see.
The only thing I didn't really like is when Michael returns with very good intentions & Claire only wonders whether he loves her, not once did she consider whether she loved him, which should have been her first consideration. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt, but so it is with fairy tales.
The only thing I didn't really like is when Michael returns with very good intentions & Claire only wonders whether he loves her, not once did she consider whether she loved him, which should have been her first consideration. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt, but so it is with fairy tales.
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January 27, 2008i just finished this down, i liked it but it dragged on a bit but i couldnt put it down till i found out if she stayed or went.
January 20, 2018
Ich habe das Buch seit ca. 4 Jahren auf meinem Kindle. Nun dachte ich mir, das es langsam mal an der Zeit wäre es zu lesen, vor allem weil es Chick-Lit ist und sich sowas normalerweise immer schnell weg liest. Es war allerdings mehr als langweilig. Die Charaktere konnten mich nicht überzeugen und Claire hat einfach ZU VIEL GLÜCK. Man denkt sich "wann passiert mal ein bisschen was negatives?" aber nein bei ihr klappt alles. Ihre Freundinnen sind unausstehlich. Tun alles für Geld und geben damit auch noch an. Leider nichts für mich.
June 2, 2013
This was a fairly predictable ugly duckling story. Claire, a slightly overweight wallflower who has a boring job and lusts over a man who's out of her league, gets invited to London to provide a few nights of "entertainment" (no strings attached and no expectations set) for a rich and handsome man in her company. Once in London she decides not to leave, carving out a life for herself.
As an American expat I was constantly cringing. Claire has no visa, which isn't a barrier to her jobs since she gets paid under the table for menial labour in shops, but nobody mentions that she's only allowed to remain in the UK for a certain period of time, and if she takes weekend trips to Europe she's bound to get caught when she re-enters the country. I also found it hard to believe that someone as well-read as Claire had never heard of terms like "spotted dick" or "jumper." And when Claire went off in a sulk because the landlady at her super-cheap (but private) rooming house complained when Claire had a long, hot shower every morning AND a bath every night...let's just say I wasn't exactly on Claire's side.
But the book was oddly compelling, even if half the time it seemed like a travelogue. I kept turning page after page and rooting for Claire (who I didn't even really like). I'm inspired by books where someone drop-kicks their old lifestyle and fearlessly embraces a new one, cutting all ties to the past. (Anne Tyler did this better in Ladder of Years.)
As an American expat I was constantly cringing. Claire has no visa, which isn't a barrier to her jobs since she gets paid under the table for menial labour in shops, but nobody mentions that she's only allowed to remain in the UK for a certain period of time, and if she takes weekend trips to Europe she's bound to get caught when she re-enters the country. I also found it hard to believe that someone as well-read as Claire had never heard of terms like "spotted dick" or "jumper." And when Claire went off in a sulk because the landlady at her super-cheap (but private) rooming house complained when Claire had a long, hot shower every morning AND a bath every night...let's just say I wasn't exactly on Claire's side.
But the book was oddly compelling, even if half the time it seemed like a travelogue. I kept turning page after page and rooting for Claire (who I didn't even really like). I'm inspired by books where someone drop-kicks their old lifestyle and fearlessly embraces a new one, cutting all ties to the past. (Anne Tyler did this better in Ladder of Years.)
December 5, 2023
Lovely read, but the final chapter stinks.
September 15, 2018
When co worker Michael invites Claire to London she jumps at the opportunity.
She jumps at the opportunity, she is bored 😐 with her life and she has been fascinated about Michael for months.
While the romance ends she falls in love with London and chooses to stay as long as she can.
Claire starts making friends and starts making a living and a new happy 😃 content life for herself, finding the happiness and fulfillment she has never felt before.
The main character Claire Bilsop was realistic than other characters in other books l have read from Olivia Goldsmith.
I loved the storyline and the message of success achieved just being herself making the most of her talents.
Claire was a loveable character treating other people with kindness and respect, that was the key of going forward.
If we all managed to live lives this way happy endings would be a reality not always fiction.
I am a very big fan of Olivia Goldsmith, have now three more books to read of her book list.
I recently found a copy of this book in a second hand store and was so thrilled, it was so hard to find, bought it could not wait to read it.
I throughly enjoyed this book it made me love Olivia Goldsmith all over again after all these years.
Olivia Goldsmith is so sadly missed. 💗
She jumps at the opportunity, she is bored 😐 with her life and she has been fascinated about Michael for months.
While the romance ends she falls in love with London and chooses to stay as long as she can.
Claire starts making friends and starts making a living and a new happy 😃 content life for herself, finding the happiness and fulfillment she has never felt before.
The main character Claire Bilsop was realistic than other characters in other books l have read from Olivia Goldsmith.
I loved the storyline and the message of success achieved just being herself making the most of her talents.
Claire was a loveable character treating other people with kindness and respect, that was the key of going forward.
If we all managed to live lives this way happy endings would be a reality not always fiction.
I am a very big fan of Olivia Goldsmith, have now three more books to read of her book list.
I recently found a copy of this book in a second hand store and was so thrilled, it was so hard to find, bought it could not wait to read it.
I throughly enjoyed this book it made me love Olivia Goldsmith all over again after all these years.
Olivia Goldsmith is so sadly missed. 💗
April 9, 2024
✨️Book Review ✨️
It is an old-school love story not just between two people but a love story of finding your true self by getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things and finding a new adventure in the process
The book plays off in a time before we had smartphones doing all the thinking and finding adventures for us,
Claire went on a business trip with a fellow colleague (who she had a crush on) to London (her first ever trip anywhere) where she fell in love with the place and ending up quitting her job in NYC and trying to find her feet in London, starting from the bottom.
But Claire didn't have it easy after she walk out of the fancy hotel room that morning, she faced so many tests every day which definitely put her out of her comfort zone, but she pulled her self towards her self 😆 and made the best out of each situation every day.
I don't want to spoil to much of the book, but it is quite an old romance book and probably won't be available in the bookstores, but it MIGHT be found on any of the e-readers.
It is an old-school love story not just between two people but a love story of finding your true self by getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things and finding a new adventure in the process
The book plays off in a time before we had smartphones doing all the thinking and finding adventures for us,
Claire went on a business trip with a fellow colleague (who she had a crush on) to London (her first ever trip anywhere) where she fell in love with the place and ending up quitting her job in NYC and trying to find her feet in London, starting from the bottom.
But Claire didn't have it easy after she walk out of the fancy hotel room that morning, she faced so many tests every day which definitely put her out of her comfort zone, but she pulled her self towards her self 😆 and made the best out of each situation every day.
I don't want to spoil to much of the book, but it is quite an old romance book and probably won't be available in the bookstores, but it MIGHT be found on any of the e-readers.
July 1, 2019
Mousy, shy Claire gets the chance to travel to London with the office playboy last minute and jumps at the chance to shake up her boring life. She knows she’s going as a weekend lover with no strings attached and vows to enjoy every moment of her fling. But when Michael hooks up with an old flame during the weekend and lies about it, Claire takes a drastic step and decided to remain in London rather than return to her boring old life.
Here’s where the story lost me. Part of the problem was that a lot of the narrative reads as tour book - the sites, the streets, the Underground - are all written in great detail. Worse was the coincidences. She needs a job, she gets a job. She needs a place to stay, she finds a place to stay. She needs money, she gets money in odd ways. The easy answers come to her right til the end of the book. No twists that I’ve come to love from an Olivia Goldsmith book.
Here’s where the story lost me. Part of the problem was that a lot of the narrative reads as tour book - the sites, the streets, the Underground - are all written in great detail. Worse was the coincidences. She needs a job, she gets a job. She needs a place to stay, she finds a place to stay. She needs money, she gets money in odd ways. The easy answers come to her right til the end of the book. No twists that I’ve come to love from an Olivia Goldsmith book.
September 18, 2019
I would call this a comfort read.
First read and enjoyed many years back when the majority of my reading was chick lit. Moved on a lot since then, but have been slowly rereading some of my old books with a view to purging those that no longer interest me. This one is staying.
Yes, it’s implausible and the bit at the end is ridiculous, but I really liked the character of Claire. I liked how she relocated herself, albeit following an unsuitable man and being wronged, but was able to support herself and the experiences and small hardships she was able to overcome. I was relieved the happy ending wasn’t the typical one to be expected in this genre.
This really was a sweet little fairy tale.
It did strike me as odd that the independent Mrs Patel, who becomes a friend to Claire, is never known as anything other than Mrs Patel, though. Surely she had a first name!!
First read and enjoyed many years back when the majority of my reading was chick lit. Moved on a lot since then, but have been slowly rereading some of my old books with a view to purging those that no longer interest me. This one is staying.
Yes, it’s implausible and the bit at the end is ridiculous, but I really liked the character of Claire. I liked how she relocated herself, albeit following an unsuitable man and being wronged, but was able to support herself and the experiences and small hardships she was able to overcome. I was relieved the happy ending wasn’t the typical one to be expected in this genre.
This really was a sweet little fairy tale.
It did strike me as odd that the independent Mrs Patel, who becomes a friend to Claire, is never known as anything other than Mrs Patel, though. Surely she had a first name!!
February 14, 2019
This was a bit disjointed, and you need a huge leap of faith to believe half of what happens - it’s over the top magical coincidence at every turn. Claire is the kind of main character who is amazing and perfect and lovely and smart and kind - and doesn’t realize it, but in a way that makes you kind of hate her. My problem with the book, though, is that I went into it expecting delicious trashy sparkly goodness, and I got knitting and maybe two silly outfits (I love the silly dated outfit descriptions in this type of book) and a lot of angsty good girl but no character development or reason to care what happened. I enjoyed it while I was reading it, more or less, but now I’m like... yeah, that was a waste of time. When will I learn?!
January 4, 2022
Not as predictable as it first seems, this novel is about an average, normal girl called Claire who works in a dead-end corporate job. She gets the opportunity to go to London with a co-worker who is possibly the man of her dreams. What I loved about this book is that Claire is relatable and could literally be me (although she has a better fashion sense!) or any of us who have decided to make a big life changing decision at some point in our lives.
I loved the characters.
I'm saddened to read that this was Olivia Goldsmith's last book before her death. A loss readers everywhere feel. I'll be reading the rest of her novels for sure
I loved the characters.
I'm saddened to read that this was Olivia Goldsmith's last book before her death. A loss readers everywhere feel. I'll be reading the rest of her novels for sure
March 16, 2025
It was an ok read parts did ramble on a lot and you found yourself thinking just make your point steady but it’s a nice read once the story gets going.
I found parts quite hard to believe and the “twists and turns” weren’t edge of my seat reading but I did enjoy the strength Claire showed; even it was faltering at times.
I wanted to read more about Nigel and Claire story, did she get her papers?
What was Mrs Patel’s first name?
I wanted to know the meaning behind Tina’s sudden anger towards her.
Why was Abigail so nice to her?
Plus many, many more questions which sadly we will never know due to the author passing away and this was her last book she wrote.
I found parts quite hard to believe and the “twists and turns” weren’t edge of my seat reading but I did enjoy the strength Claire showed; even it was faltering at times.
I wanted to read more about Nigel and Claire story, did she get her papers?
What was Mrs Patel’s first name?
I wanted to know the meaning behind Tina’s sudden anger towards her.
Why was Abigail so nice to her?
Plus many, many more questions which sadly we will never know due to the author passing away and this was her last book she wrote.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2018
Amazing book. I have never been to London before but by reading this book, I feel I am there. The author and main character takes me around London....the places, people, food and culture. I absolutely loved reading this book. It is an easy read and soothing to the soul. Claire is an amazing person. She dare to take a big step of faith to change her life. Truly an enchanting love story.
January 6, 2025
Wow best story I have ever read
This has to be the best book I have ever read. It caught me up book line and sinker. I never wanted it to end. The characters were amazing and realistic. I just loved how it was based on knitting aswell. I definitely recommend reading this book. From ladyread365
This has to be the best book I have ever read. It caught me up book line and sinker. I never wanted it to end. The characters were amazing and realistic. I just loved how it was based on knitting aswell. I definitely recommend reading this book. From ladyread365
September 19, 2017
Oh my god.... what a sickening sweet sugary story. Yuk! to many happy things happen to the main character. I really was hoping for a very big disappointment or huge problem... but no... some stuff happens and then by magic dissappears and then you have something nice in return. Yikes!
December 26, 2020
3.5, it was slow, but it did activate my wanderlust. The dream is to move somewhere and live as they live with their culture, and to build a life for yourself as she did would be amazing. It was a sweet book, but I probably wouldn't read it again.
August 23, 2021
Heartwarming story!!
Love this story. Claire character, courageous and brave!!
The characters surrounding Claire are well done. Love it!
My first book written by Olivia Goldsmith. Will definitely read more.
Love this story. Claire character, courageous and brave!!
The characters surrounding Claire are well done. Love it!
My first book written by Olivia Goldsmith. Will definitely read more.
December 11, 2023
Nice lady finishes first
I always look forward to reading Olivia Goldsmith novels. It was an uplifting read and of course with its happy ending. Sometimes I just want to read something simple, nice and entertaining. Miss Goldsmith is missed.
I always look forward to reading Olivia Goldsmith novels. It was an uplifting read and of course with its happy ending. Sometimes I just want to read something simple, nice and entertaining. Miss Goldsmith is missed.
June 29, 2019
I needed this book. It was such a great escape from my reality. I’m sad that this was her last book, but she went out with a bang. Enjoy this book.
February 14, 2020
Claire acts like a sl*t, then completely changes character and becomes a mixture of Knitting Nancy, Pollyanna, and Milly Molly Mandy! I think the author was very confused.
March 26, 2021
Not one of her better works.
November 9, 2021
This one’s a modern day fairytale, heavy on the magic and light on the realism.
A fun read? Yep. Any depth? Nope.
Far prefer The First Wives Club - edgier, sassier and sexier.
A fun read? Yep. Any depth? Nope.
Far prefer The First Wives Club - edgier, sassier and sexier.
March 29, 2023
My favourite book, this book got me into reading at about 16 years old, I'm now almost 35 and still love love love this book
January 19, 2024
The book starts getting interesting around page 200. There are lots of descriptions and not enough dialogue for me. Also, throughout the whole book the main character seems to be a "pick me girl". In the last chapter it becomes pretty obvious with her "I'm not like other women" sentence. It was tough to get to the end of this book.
I did enjoy Nigel and all the side characters were just amazing.
I did enjoy Nigel and all the side characters were just amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2024
Gorgeous little read. Was a good little filler book in between the usual trilogies I read. Love it and loved the ending.
June 26, 2024
Found this one at a second hand sale. Light, fun, feel good. A little feminist come uppance. And all ends as it should!
January 25, 2016
I went into this one with big expectations since I'd enjoyed Bad Boy so much. Did I enjoy this one? Well, yes but it wasn't a favourite and it doesn't really compare to the other one but I'm not sorry for reading it. The story followed the life of Claire who really had not much going for her. In her life in New York she was a bit of background character. She didn't have any true friends, she didn't think much of her work and she didn't even like her own family. What she did have was a vivid imagination about the crush she had on Michael Wainwright (Mr Wonderful) one of the bosses at her work. Michael was a womaniser and always had several ladies on the go at once. Claire didn't for one moment think she had any chance of speaking with him let alone starting anything with him. However, by chance she had been at work late one evening when he needed some work done and she'd worked back for 2 hours to help him. He noticed her and a week or so later he asked her to accompany him to London for a long weekend. Claire went into the weekend knowing nothing would come of it, that she meant less than zero to him and that when they returned he'd likely not even speak to her again. But, she decided she was prepared to accept those terms, went out and spent a fortune on clothes & sexy lingerie to take and agreed to the weekend. It was a wonderful few days where he treated her like a princess. They travelled first class, wined and dined at the flashest restaurants, stayed in a suite in the fanciest London hotel and he was gentle, affectionate & loving toward her. It appeared that way at least. One night he had to go to a business dinner and apologised profusely. She didn't mind and went out walking, exploring on her own only to return to spot him in the arms of his ex. On the spot she made a decision not to confront him or make a scene. She simply went back to their room, packed and the next morning as he was being all lovey toward her she simply left. She said she wasn't returning to New York and decided to stay in London. This was daring on a whole new scale for Claire but this life suited her and she treasured every small achievement she made along the way. The story focussed upon the friends she made (Toby, Imogen, Mrs Patel, Mrs Venables & her son Nigel), the way she found work and a place to live. Of course toward the end when it seemed she might need to return to NY Michael tracked her down, apologised profusely, begged her to forgive him and asked her to come and live with him. After she didn't respond for a few days he upped the ante and proposed. Claire said she need to think about it but to Michaels surprise, she declined and he left. In the final few pages of the book everything started coming together for Claire so she could stay in London but it was the very last chapter I didn't like so much. Like the title, the story had been a bit of a fairy tale. Only in this fairy tale we got told "you might believe this happened....and you might believe that happened. Choose that if you will but all novels are like fairy tales....they create the magical illusion that the characters you read about are real...The novelist imagines and conjures but when the narration ends has no more idea of what happens to the characters than you, the reader does. The final sentence was...Fiction is so often preferable to life because, sadly, only in fiction can you write the magical incantation at the end; 'And they lived happily ever after'. What I read next really made me think. In the acknowledgments the words, Sadly Oivia Goldsmith died after completing Wish Upon A Star....I googled and she died unexpectedly at 54. A heartattack whilst under anaesthetic for a facelift which she'd told nobody about. And, if that isn't the truth of that last sentence about real life and fiction then I don't know what is.
October 25, 2014
" ...(A)ll novels are, in a sense, fairy tales. They are pulled from the air and create the magical illusion that the characters you read about are real, are living and the lives that are described have happened. The novelist imagines and conjures but, when the narration ends, has no more idea of what happens to the characters than you, the reader, does. Fiction is so often preferable to life because, sadly, only in fiction can you write the magical incantation at the end: ‘And they lived happily ever after.’"
So ends the final book in the short literary life of Olivia Goldsmith, as the afterward confirms that soon after these words were written the author died very suddenly. This story of Claire Bilsip and all whose lives she touched is in truth wrapped up in the generation who grew up with Disney Princesses and all the magic wishes can bring to life.
Claire is a worker bee in a very large hive. Her wish was to be a librarian, but her father died and she barely finished an Associates' Degree, and her friend Tina got her the job she literally drones on at.
And then, she gets noticed for a kindness and the workd changes into one of her novels. She goes to London with "Mr. Wonderful" and decides to abandon HIM and stay in Great Britan and make her own life. And when she starts living instead of "just droning" on, her life gets more color filled and animated, she meets new people, her world expands and "everything's coming up roses..."
Until, the inevitable denoument, where she is torn from her new life by a few unexpected twists. One can't help but be reminded of the final scene in Pretty Woman where Richard Gere asks Julia Roberts what happens when the prince comes to rescue the maiden..."she rescues him right back" is her response, and we cheer, because we hope it is as true as Goldsmith's final lines, that we can all write the magical incantation at the end.
So ends the final book in the short literary life of Olivia Goldsmith, as the afterward confirms that soon after these words were written the author died very suddenly. This story of Claire Bilsip and all whose lives she touched is in truth wrapped up in the generation who grew up with Disney Princesses and all the magic wishes can bring to life.
Claire is a worker bee in a very large hive. Her wish was to be a librarian, but her father died and she barely finished an Associates' Degree, and her friend Tina got her the job she literally drones on at.
And then, she gets noticed for a kindness and the workd changes into one of her novels. She goes to London with "Mr. Wonderful" and decides to abandon HIM and stay in Great Britan and make her own life. And when she starts living instead of "just droning" on, her life gets more color filled and animated, she meets new people, her world expands and "everything's coming up roses..."
Until, the inevitable denoument, where she is torn from her new life by a few unexpected twists. One can't help but be reminded of the final scene in Pretty Woman where Richard Gere asks Julia Roberts what happens when the prince comes to rescue the maiden..."she rescues him right back" is her response, and we cheer, because we hope it is as true as Goldsmith's final lines, that we can all write the magical incantation at the end.
November 16, 2010
Olivia Goldsmith was one of my favourite authors. The First Wives Club, together with Watermelon by Marianne Keyes, was the first of the genre now bandied about as chick lit.
I tried to read this book 5 times and decided that I could not put myself through the misery that is Claire and Michael’s love story. Goldsmith makes the fatal mistake of ‘telling’ us, in painstaking detail, about Claire’s shopping, banking and knitting habits. Who cares?
Olivia Goldsmith died this year. Ironically during plastic surgery – a topic that she frequently wrote about.
I wondered, as I read this pink offering, whether or not she actually wrote it. Perhaps this was a first draft. I cannot believe that Goldsmith would let this book out in the state it’s in. It’s in serious need of an entire makeover – or a face lift, at the very least.
I tried to read this book 5 times and decided that I could not put myself through the misery that is Claire and Michael’s love story. Goldsmith makes the fatal mistake of ‘telling’ us, in painstaking detail, about Claire’s shopping, banking and knitting habits. Who cares?
Olivia Goldsmith died this year. Ironically during plastic surgery – a topic that she frequently wrote about.
I wondered, as I read this pink offering, whether or not she actually wrote it. Perhaps this was a first draft. I cannot believe that Goldsmith would let this book out in the state it’s in. It’s in serious need of an entire makeover – or a face lift, at the very least.
July 10, 2015
I'm actually quite surprised by how much I enjoyed this book in the end. There's something quite delightful in seeing Claire getting her life together. And the colourful characters, even with their stereotypes that had me frown more than once, added to the charm of it all. The fairy-tale theme was a bit too heavy-handed, some descriptions unnecessary, and the last chapter not to my taste (although I must say the ending did not disappoint me as much as I expected it to), and yet I had a good time reading it, and I was smiling through most of it.
I do think it could have been reduced, as some parts really didn't add anything to the story, the words seemed to just be there to up the wordcount. The first part was especially tedious, but after that it got cute.
A feel-good book for those who do not have high expectations ! (but do have a lot of patience)
I do think it could have been reduced, as some parts really didn't add anything to the story, the words seemed to just be there to up the wordcount. The first part was especially tedious, but after that it got cute.
A feel-good book for those who do not have high expectations ! (but do have a lot of patience)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews