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The Little Things
An exclusive ebook novella from bestselling author Jane Costello to celebrate the publication of her new novel, The Love Shack.
At twenty-eight, Hannah MacFarlane's career is on course to smash the glass ceiling and beat it into submission.
Then a shock company reshuffle leaves her sacked and bewildered, while her fiancé is promoted into a job nearly 5,000 miles away in Dubai.
Five months later, she is jobless, broke and worryingly addicted to Loose Women. Then her older sister Suzy intervenes after her child minder left them in the lurch and offers Hannah the job of looking after her FOUR young children.
Hannah has no other option but to accept. But while she was great at playing 'Cool Auntie', she soon discovers - with riotous consequences - that she is no Mary Poppins . . .
At twenty-eight, Hannah MacFarlane's career is on course to smash the glass ceiling and beat it into submission.
Then a shock company reshuffle leaves her sacked and bewildered, while her fiancé is promoted into a job nearly 5,000 miles away in Dubai.
Five months later, she is jobless, broke and worryingly addicted to Loose Women. Then her older sister Suzy intervenes after her child minder left them in the lurch and offers Hannah the job of looking after her FOUR young children.
Hannah has no other option but to accept. But while she was great at playing 'Cool Auntie', she soon discovers - with riotous consequences - that she is no Mary Poppins . . .
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2015
37 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Jane Costello
18 books1,101 followersI’m the internationally bestselling author of 15 novels, five of which have been published under the name ‘Catherine Isaac’.
The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!
I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
The latest of my ‘heartwarming and hilarious’ romantic comedies is ‘IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE’, the first book I’ve written that has a 40-something main character. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice!
I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 10, 2015
How beautiful is that cover? I know, I know I am a cover snob.
The Little Things by Jane Costello is a fast paced, charmingly funny, and very scouse book of babysitting, scandal, romance, and cheating. Full of colourful characters and a heroine who you totally relate too and love.
It's a great little read and one in which will leave you with a smile on your face.
4/5
The Little Things by Jane Costello is a fast paced, charmingly funny, and very scouse book of babysitting, scandal, romance, and cheating. Full of colourful characters and a heroine who you totally relate too and love.
It's a great little read and one in which will leave you with a smile on your face.
4/5
September 17, 2016
Vrlo šarmantno, duhovito i romantično, baš kako to Jane Costello i inače radi! Odlična!
April 12, 2015
For so long I have seen Jane Costellos book around but I never really had the chance to pick one up yet. I jumped at the chance to read her new exclusive ebook novella (available for free on Amazon) about Hannah who loses her job when she's expecting a promotion and ends up looking after her sister's children while her boyfriend jets off for a new job in Dubai.
The Little Things was one of those books I just happened to read at the right time which completely lifted my mood and made me feel and smile. It’s a fun, face paced, humorous and romantic. Just your perfect feel-good story for an afternoon with a cup of tea.
I loved Jane's fresh and witty writing. There is a great mix of several characters. They felt very likable and beliveable to me. I think I found a new author I look forward to read more of again soon.
The Little Things was one of those books I just happened to read at the right time which completely lifted my mood and made me feel and smile. It’s a fun, face paced, humorous and romantic. Just your perfect feel-good story for an afternoon with a cup of tea.
I loved Jane's fresh and witty writing. There is a great mix of several characters. They felt very likable and beliveable to me. I think I found a new author I look forward to read more of again soon.
May 14, 2015
Loved this - and left me wanting more.
September 28, 2017
Good fun if rather an abrupt ending. Having said that, this is a short novella so not a deal breaker.
September 13, 2018
Absolutely hilarious!! Should be sleeping but could not put this down. Loved it and love Jane Costello.
June 3, 2020
Loved it. Laugh out moments over Hannah being babysitter for her nephew after she loses her marketing job at Panther and her fiancee moves to Dubai to take the job she should have got.
January 31, 2021
Hi, I enjoy all of Jane Costellos books.
Her wicked sense of humor comes through with the heroine of the books particularly in The Little Things and each book is a light and easy to read.
Her wicked sense of humor comes through with the heroine of the books particularly in The Little Things and each book is a light and easy to read.
August 21, 2025
A Book that started and finished in half an hour, a lovely short story. Short enough for a waiting room read or a short train journey ..
April 2, 2015
Jane Costello is one of my favourite authors and her books belong to the auto - buy category. I am always waiting impatiently for a new release from her because I know that I am for a real treat. She has this incredible, light, easy to follow writing style and her dialogues are full of exceptionally one - liners, and she also has an incredible talent to describe a normal, usual situation in a way that makes you howl with laughter. So when I spotted "The Little Things" are for grab on Amazon it was really like birthday, Easter and Christmas coming early all at once.
Hannah is expecting a big promotion at work which means: moving to Dubai. Hooray! But it turns out that it's her boyfriend who's going to get the job and Hannah gets the sack...
Five months later there is still no news on the new job and when Hannah's sister offers her a post as a nanny to her four young boys, together with a room, Hannah of course has no other option but to accept. It's time to seriously try her managing and organizational skills and learn the new politics at the school gates. Not only politics, but also handsome young dad as well...
But Hannah wants of course to be re - united with her boyfriend as soon as possible and is looking for a job in Dubai. Is she going to get it? Or is her heart going to beat stronger for someone else?
I couldn't help but laughed so hard at Hannah and her antics with her four nephews. This what is normal for me, mum, was for certain very new and very unexpected for Hannah, and her observations were just priceless! The author has so brilliantly described the boys' behaviour, and I could only nod my head with agreement and well, feel a little sorry for the poor Hannah being in shock :)
There is a bunch of great characters in this book, as usually in Jane Costello's books. She can write incredibly vivid, popping out of the pages characters and it was no exception here. Hannah was at the beginning the career - girl but she still had this normal feeling to her and she was lovely from start to the finish. She has her moments, oh, of course she has her moments when she loses her head and agrees to work as a dogsbody in an office only to be with this git of a boyfriend of hers, but it just makes her more realistic in my eyes. What I liked so much in Hannah was the fact that she didn't pitied herself and she wasn't afraid of new beginnings.
The scenes with the boys were laugh - out - loud, the school runs exactly the same and every page brought something new, let it be a handsome divorced doctor at the school gates, virtual sex with a boyfriend or parents competing... erm, I mean, children competing at school, and this everything written in this smooth, engaging, Jane Costello's writing style. Ace, just ace!
And you know, this novella had such a feeling of normality to it. Dubai and parties here or there, but it just described life how it is, but with a brilliantly great dose of humour and wit to it. Right now I can't stop singing "The Wheels on the Bus" and I'm praying that my daughter won't start crying "Heeeeeeelllllppp" when I will be putting her in the car, although she had her moments already, for example when we were shopping and I took her by the hand and she cried: "Mum! You hurt me!!!" and the whole shop looked at us, so I really, really know how Hannah felt.
This short story has everything: brilliant pace, it's full to the brim with action and humour, it has interesting plot and, for a short story, it doesn't feel rushed at all, everything has its place and it just makes a brilliant quick read. It's Jane Costello at her best and please, please, please, just go and download this novella now!
Hannah is expecting a big promotion at work which means: moving to Dubai. Hooray! But it turns out that it's her boyfriend who's going to get the job and Hannah gets the sack...
Five months later there is still no news on the new job and when Hannah's sister offers her a post as a nanny to her four young boys, together with a room, Hannah of course has no other option but to accept. It's time to seriously try her managing and organizational skills and learn the new politics at the school gates. Not only politics, but also handsome young dad as well...
But Hannah wants of course to be re - united with her boyfriend as soon as possible and is looking for a job in Dubai. Is she going to get it? Or is her heart going to beat stronger for someone else?
I couldn't help but laughed so hard at Hannah and her antics with her four nephews. This what is normal for me, mum, was for certain very new and very unexpected for Hannah, and her observations were just priceless! The author has so brilliantly described the boys' behaviour, and I could only nod my head with agreement and well, feel a little sorry for the poor Hannah being in shock :)
There is a bunch of great characters in this book, as usually in Jane Costello's books. She can write incredibly vivid, popping out of the pages characters and it was no exception here. Hannah was at the beginning the career - girl but she still had this normal feeling to her and she was lovely from start to the finish. She has her moments, oh, of course she has her moments when she loses her head and agrees to work as a dogsbody in an office only to be with this git of a boyfriend of hers, but it just makes her more realistic in my eyes. What I liked so much in Hannah was the fact that she didn't pitied herself and she wasn't afraid of new beginnings.
The scenes with the boys were laugh - out - loud, the school runs exactly the same and every page brought something new, let it be a handsome divorced doctor at the school gates, virtual sex with a boyfriend or parents competing... erm, I mean, children competing at school, and this everything written in this smooth, engaging, Jane Costello's writing style. Ace, just ace!
And you know, this novella had such a feeling of normality to it. Dubai and parties here or there, but it just described life how it is, but with a brilliantly great dose of humour and wit to it. Right now I can't stop singing "The Wheels on the Bus" and I'm praying that my daughter won't start crying "Heeeeeeelllllppp" when I will be putting her in the car, although she had her moments already, for example when we were shopping and I took her by the hand and she cried: "Mum! You hurt me!!!" and the whole shop looked at us, so I really, really know how Hannah felt.
This short story has everything: brilliant pace, it's full to the brim with action and humour, it has interesting plot and, for a short story, it doesn't feel rushed at all, everything has its place and it just makes a brilliant quick read. It's Jane Costello at her best and please, please, please, just go and download this novella now!
April 10, 2015
By now you know I love a novella, they are great to break up larger books and allow you to slip into another world for a lunch hour or two.
Jane Costello is an author who has been popular lately and bas really taken off as a good chick lit writer and this novella is no exception to the standard of her books.
When I found 'The little things' on Amazon for free I had to make sure I snapped it up. I was not disappointed.
Hannah has a good job and is expecting a promotion at work. Her boyfriend also works for the company and as her promotion can leave to living over seas, they think this is going to be a brilliant new beginning for them. However th promotion meeting doesn't quite go to plan...
Hannah stays here while her boyfriend has been lucky enough to get a promotion and moves to Dubai, this is a stop gap, they both agree that Hannah will come and meet him out there once she has found a job. 5 months later Hannah is still jobless and her sister gives her the opportunity to be her children's nanny, until something better comes along.
This is a struggle for Hannah, she doesn't have children of her own and finds that it is more hard work than she imagined. This is extremely amusing and the way the humour has come across in this novella is brilliant. The school pick up night mares with 'yummy mummy' s' . Homework fiascos and other drama that comes along with looming after small children.
Although this is just over 120 pages, which is quite long for a novella, the story is told brilliantly and the characters are well developed. I didn't feel cheated by the length of the story as I found the characters were well created and believable .
I really loved this novella and it has really got me in the mood to read Jane's nee release. If the pace and structure is as good as this novella we are in for a treat! If you have not read this, what are you waiting for? Especially if it is still free on Amazon.
Jane Costello is an author who has been popular lately and bas really taken off as a good chick lit writer and this novella is no exception to the standard of her books.
When I found 'The little things' on Amazon for free I had to make sure I snapped it up. I was not disappointed.
Hannah has a good job and is expecting a promotion at work. Her boyfriend also works for the company and as her promotion can leave to living over seas, they think this is going to be a brilliant new beginning for them. However th promotion meeting doesn't quite go to plan...
Hannah stays here while her boyfriend has been lucky enough to get a promotion and moves to Dubai, this is a stop gap, they both agree that Hannah will come and meet him out there once she has found a job. 5 months later Hannah is still jobless and her sister gives her the opportunity to be her children's nanny, until something better comes along.
This is a struggle for Hannah, she doesn't have children of her own and finds that it is more hard work than she imagined. This is extremely amusing and the way the humour has come across in this novella is brilliant. The school pick up night mares with 'yummy mummy' s' . Homework fiascos and other drama that comes along with looming after small children.
Although this is just over 120 pages, which is quite long for a novella, the story is told brilliantly and the characters are well developed. I didn't feel cheated by the length of the story as I found the characters were well created and believable .
I really loved this novella and it has really got me in the mood to read Jane's nee release. If the pace and structure is as good as this novella we are in for a treat! If you have not read this, what are you waiting for? Especially if it is still free on Amazon.
July 10, 2015
Hannah MacFarlane is expecting a promotion at work which will result in her relocation to Dubai. But instead of a shiny new job title, Hannah is made redundant and it is her fiancé, James who is sent to work in Dubai instead.
Hannah brushes herself off and vows to find herself another equally high-powered job - preferably out in Dubai so she can be with James - but five months later the job hunt isn't working out quite as planned. When her sister offers her the temporary position as child minder to her four young boys, Hannah has no choice but to accept. Hannah is knowledgeable when it comes to marketing luxury cars, but she soon discovers that when it comes to being responsible for four boisterous minors, her skills are lacking.
Hannah is really thrown in the deep end with her nephews and although it's a bit of a nightmare for her, it's a lot of fun for the reader! The writing has such a nice flow to it and I found myself fully immersed in Hannah's world of explosive nappy-changes, art projects and school gate politics. I've read novels by Jane Costello before and this was a pleasant reminder of how great a writer she is. The pace is spot on and there is lots of humour and a sprinkling of romance, making this a perfect novella for fans of fun, light reads.
Although The Little Things is only a novella, it's absolutely jam-packed with everything I look for in a full-length novel; fun and humour, romance, fantastic characters and laugh-out-loud moments. By the end, I felt like I'd really got to know Hannah and it didn't feel like we'd been on such a short journey at all.
Hannah brushes herself off and vows to find herself another equally high-powered job - preferably out in Dubai so she can be with James - but five months later the job hunt isn't working out quite as planned. When her sister offers her the temporary position as child minder to her four young boys, Hannah has no choice but to accept. Hannah is knowledgeable when it comes to marketing luxury cars, but she soon discovers that when it comes to being responsible for four boisterous minors, her skills are lacking.
Hannah is really thrown in the deep end with her nephews and although it's a bit of a nightmare for her, it's a lot of fun for the reader! The writing has such a nice flow to it and I found myself fully immersed in Hannah's world of explosive nappy-changes, art projects and school gate politics. I've read novels by Jane Costello before and this was a pleasant reminder of how great a writer she is. The pace is spot on and there is lots of humour and a sprinkling of romance, making this a perfect novella for fans of fun, light reads.
Although The Little Things is only a novella, it's absolutely jam-packed with everything I look for in a full-length novel; fun and humour, romance, fantastic characters and laugh-out-loud moments. By the end, I felt like I'd really got to know Hannah and it didn't feel like we'd been on such a short journey at all.
December 5, 2015
This was a great little novella, I read it whilst traveling down to see my Mum on the train. So my journey passed very pleasantly with this to keep me amused.
I found this book to be packed full of great characters and a mix of emotions. The main character Hannah is relateable, funny and a great character.
From my experiences of working with Autistic children, I found it so funny and could really imagine myself in Hannah’s position. For example, when she is strapping her nephew into the car and he screams:
“HELLLLPPPP! which must give passers-by the strong impression that he’s being kidnapped”
The book often gave me thoughts of the saying ‘from the mouths of babes’. The Author was great at getting each character just right, from the lovely main character Hannah, to her dubious boyfriend, right down to her boisterous nephews. Leo says:
“If you die……, will you leave me your ipad?”
Overall, I enjoyed this quick read, it made me laugh, emphathise with Hannah, and passed my train journey pleasantly. I recommend it to you.
I found this book to be packed full of great characters and a mix of emotions. The main character Hannah is relateable, funny and a great character.
From my experiences of working with Autistic children, I found it so funny and could really imagine myself in Hannah’s position. For example, when she is strapping her nephew into the car and he screams:
“HELLLLPPPP! which must give passers-by the strong impression that he’s being kidnapped”
The book often gave me thoughts of the saying ‘from the mouths of babes’. The Author was great at getting each character just right, from the lovely main character Hannah, to her dubious boyfriend, right down to her boisterous nephews. Leo says:
“If you die……, will you leave me your ipad?”
Overall, I enjoyed this quick read, it made me laugh, emphathise with Hannah, and passed my train journey pleasantly. I recommend it to you.
April 2, 2015
A fun and romatic novella, that's more substantial than you expect, The Little Things follows Hannah - who loses her job when she's expecting a promotion and ends up looking after her sister's children while her boyfriend jets off for a new job in Dubai.
I really enjoyed the book - and although I had one of the plot twists pegged quite early on, that didn't spoil anything for me (I really wanted it to be right to... remove an impediment to my outcome of choice!).
Definitely worth a look if you like Jane Costello - or in fact if you're looking for a fun spring quick read. THere's definitely more novella here than preview of Costello's next book which is always a bonus (and doesn't happen as often as you'd like with novellas!)
I really enjoyed the book - and although I had one of the plot twists pegged quite early on, that didn't spoil anything for me (I really wanted it to be right to... remove an impediment to my outcome of choice!).
Definitely worth a look if you like Jane Costello - or in fact if you're looking for a fun spring quick read. THere's definitely more novella here than preview of Costello's next book which is always a bonus (and doesn't happen as often as you'd like with novellas!)
April 3, 2015
An excellent short story where Hannah thinks she's all lines up for a promotion which will take her abroad but I fact she looses her job and ends up at her sisters looking after her children. Her boyfriend is the one who gets the promotion and moves abroad wanting her to follow but while working at her sisters on the school run she meets a dad that she loves so does she more abroad to be with her boyfriend or stay behind. I wanted the book to continue as felt there was more but an excellent read.
April 17, 2015
Lovely little read where the world of a career woman collides with the world of mums!
Some bits were cliched, but I liked the fact that the role of stay-at-home mum was described as hard - it certainly is! Overall, this is a great read for those who love a bit of romance, a laugh, and escapism that is bite size.
Some bits were cliched, but I liked the fact that the role of stay-at-home mum was described as hard - it certainly is! Overall, this is a great read for those who love a bit of romance, a laugh, and escapism that is bite size.
June 8, 2016
I read this book in just over 2 days - it was bloody hilarious! Jane Costello is defo my reach to author when I'm feeling down - proper laugh-out-loud stuff. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough - it ended when I felt it was only getting started. But I really recommend it if you want a fun book to read on holiday :)
January 11, 2017
This book was very very funny and was written like real life. All of the characters were very realistic and were extremely likeable. I loved the way that the story developed and hat everything worked out ok in the end.
March 28, 2015
A very sweet little read, and rather than the 20-minute chunks of reading pleasure other short stories I've picked up recently have provided, this was a decently sized novella so there was plenty of opportunity for a proper story to unfold.
April 22, 2015
A lovely feel good novella. Engaged and thinks she is happy until realisation is proven to her right at the last moment. A funny, cute story with a happy ever after ending. This book could go further.
May 31, 2015
...but not wonderful. Reasonable story which is full of good humour, although not quite laugh out loud. A bit predictable too. The thing I found most difficult was that it was all written in the present tense, which I found a little weird.
June 23, 2015
This is a really fun read. Even though it's short, it still managed to include everything I love about Jane Costello's books: likable characters, humor, a little love, and an all around entertaining story.
August 11, 2016
A fun filled Novella that had me clutching at my sides the entire time. Hannah is hopeless and fantastic, she made me laugh and had me swearing out loud. She's incredibly likeable. You have to give her a 10 for the effort she puts into everything, even if half the time it goes wrong!
February 4, 2016
There are so many grammatical and spelling mistakes in this book. How do all of these mistakes get through? Also the story was extremely predictable but enjoyable to read none the less.
March 31, 2015
Very cute and funny quick read!
April 2, 2015
Loved this!!!!
September 9, 2015
Great little novella loved this Jane Costello does it again loved this book x
April 13, 2015
A very entertaining and quickly read story to lighten up one's day
April 9, 2015
A really great novella! Anybody who has ever looked after children or been on the school run will find there's lots to identify with. I loved it!
April 13, 2015
Such a cute story! I wished there was more!! First book I've read by Jane Costello but I'll definitely be reading more! :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews