Better Than the Real Thing

by Sue Haasler

Ever since she ditched her control-freak fiancé, Lia Bailey has avoided getting involved with anybody. Whenever a new man appears she can always think of a good reason why he isn't worth the bother. Then two come along at once to test her resolve. Exciting, dangerous Will Sheridan looks like a Pre Raphaelite hero and isn't like anyone Lia's ever met. Justin Salter is handsome, charming and successful. He's also going to be the best man at Lia's sister Jane's wedding. Can either of them break through Lia's defences? As well as worrying about whether Will might be an axe murderer and whether she can cope with Justin's taste in shoes, Lia has to deal with rebuilding her relationship with her mother and her sister in time for the wedding, and with a flatmate who doesn't seem too concerned about paying the rent. It's just as well she has the sanctuary of her job as an antiques restorer to keep her sane - until a valuable painting goes missing.

242 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2013

About the author

I'm a British author of contemporary and (recent) historical fiction, but have recently taken a detour into non-fiction by writing the official BBC Holby City tie-in book, 'Holby City: Behind the Screen.'

My new novel 'Half A World Away' (set in East Berlin before the Wall came down) is published by The Dome Press.

I'm currently working on a mystery/thriller set in the fashion world of 1960s London.

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is it that the British write the best chick-lit? Helen Fielding, Sophie Kinsella,and Marian Keyes (well…she’s Irish but spent her twenties in London—so close enough) write amazing books in this genre, and now, I am adding Sue Haasler to the list.

“Better than the Real Thing” contains all of the elements that make chick lit so fun to read. There is the unlucky in love first person narrator, the requisite family drama, a smattering of hot boys, A Mr. Wrong that seems to be a Mr. Right, and of course, the real Mr. Right waiting to be discovered at the end.

From a less skilled writer, this book could have ended up as yet another so-so offering to the mountainous pile of books in this genre. Instead, it is fresh, funny, and engaging. The main character is atypical of chick lit and is uninterested in her looks or finding a husband (and she doesn't work in publishing or fashion!).

I read and review a lot of independently published books and this is one of the best I have read. Sue Haasler is a great writer and this book is as good as any by a traditional publisher.

[Ninemiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely combination of art, antique furniture restoration, love and troubled family relationships. I instantly liked the main protagonist although she is and behaves (a little too much) like a tomboy.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Than the Real Thing. Sue Haasler
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
I was after something different to read, something light but romantic, so chose this. I didn't notice that humour was one of the descriptions, but soon was laughing from the clever quips and snarky comments in the novel. Its not in your face, spoon feed humour, but the more clever sort, that creeps in almost unnoticed and then has the reader sniggering – and there was lots of it. “I still remember the time you set me up with that clerk from Kent”...“Lewis Lane? He was a super man”. Its stuff like that – the little bridesmaids excitedly shouting at their uncle they were having a slash... “Sash! They're having a Sash”.... the sister describing her wedding dress choice as “blushing-bride-slash-nude” and Adrian the flatmate's comment that it sounds like a specialist porn mag...( not that he reads those you understand!!) There's just so much like that – him indoors kept saying “another funny bit?” as I sniggered my way through the novel.
So, as well as those lovely humorous parts, what about the characters? Well, they were a terrific mix. Lia, slightly cranky, cynical, but trying to stand up to her overbearing sister and mother. We see most of the novel from her viewpoint, and sympathise with her outlook, until every now and then she's given some advice that makes her look at the same incidents but from a different view. Same situation, but it changes according to how you view it – like life I guess... Jane, her sister, engaged to Paul – definitely a Bridget Jones “Smug Married” couple in the making, hh calls her “pudding” ( yuck! I’d kill him...) and she's gone really Bridezilla to everyone’s dismay. Adrian – flat mate extrordinaire – he was a great guy, clearly hot from all the females attracted to him, but also really kind, always helping Lia and keeping her on the right track, dispensing advice and hot chocolate along with Matrix reruns. Then the mysterious artist William, the co owner of Lia's shop Don, and his wife, and the driver Eddie. They all had very big personalities, and played strong parts in the story. I loved Eddie's flights of fancy into his would be film career, their landlord's comments about the comings and goings in the flat, Paul's brother Justin, who was trying hard to get closer to Lia, she wanted to but kept stopping herself. Throw in a quick bit of suspense/who dunnit along with wedding from hell plans, money worries for Don, Lia and Adrian, ( aren't they always there?) and a fabulous dialogue and you've a novel that kept me entertained right to the end. And I saw one bit coming, but not That :) Fabulous, and proved to be just what I was in the mood to read. It's excellent value at £1.53 for 253 pages.
Stars: four and a half.
ARC supplied by Netgalley

[Biliwiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

So-So. I have read worse, but I have also read loads much better. I amost gave up at 70 per cent, there seemed to be so much irrelevant content, but stuck with it to the quite predictable end. There was a bit of a story in there, for about four chapters or so.

[Estelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vraiment genial, plein d'humour, un des meilleurs livres que j'ai lu depuis longtemps...