Brooklyn Girls: Coco

Brooklyn Girls #3

by Gemma Burgess

Sweet, innocent Coco has always been the good one. But when she catches her boyfriend cheating on her, she decides it's time to break bad.

Coco swiftly goes from spending all her time baking and reading to working nights in (and dancing on) a bar, falling in and out of love (and lust), stealing education - and along the way discovers that she is stronger than she ever knew… In a time when her best friends are suddenly plunged into break ups, break-downs, big breaks, and on the verging of quitting New York City altogether, it's up to Coco to keep them together and find herself along the way.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, New Adult, Romance, Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2015

About the author

Gemma started writing anti-romantic comedies for girls who like chicklit that comforts and charms without the silly fluffy bits. She lives in Notting Hill in London, but grew up all over the place – mostly Hong Kong. She loves talking and writing, not necessarily in that order.

She also loves burgers, vodka, white-tipped Marlboro Lights, OK GO, Sixteen Candles, Lucky Jim, anything from Nora Ephron and Jilly Cooper, new wave music and clothes.

Email Gemma at gemma@gemmaburgess.com or get in touch with Sammie Rafique at Avon / Harper Collins, Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents (London) or Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management (New York).

Reviews

[Triss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sad that this series is over now. I'd love to read a 10 more books about the girls from Rookhaven. I dream that sometime in the future Gemma gets back to this story and writes more, maybe about girls in their late twenties. Something about getting engaged/married, planning babies, buying your own flat. Because that's where I'm right now and I would love to hear Gemma's voice of sanity in this mess called adult life.

Btw, loved Coco the most!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh. Sassy. Modern. Sweet. And a sinfully addicting chick lit!!!! Gemma Burgess is officially on my list of authors to watch out for. So I have a confession to make, I had no idea The Wild Ones was part of a series but after reading this book, I will definitely be picking up and reading the first two book of the series. With Ms. Burgess' witty, fresh, and beautiful prose, she has truly captured my attention in wanting to know these fictional characters as we explore the turmoils of every twenty-something city girl finding her way through the concrete jungle of New York City. I absolutely adore this gem of a read as Ms. Burgess allows her readers to feel and experience the life of Coco as she tries to reign in control of her life, love, friendship and work. This book was fun, sweet, hilarious, and truly a gem of a read. The writing was beautifully composed as readers like myself can see a young girl blossom into a young confident woman finding and making her mark in the world. So if you are looking for a book where characters are relatable and a story that will leave a sweet literary aftertaste then I highly recommend you to read The Wild Ones.




Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Gemma Burgess

[Love Fool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, innocent Coco has always been the good one. But when she catches her boyfriend cheating on her, she decides it's time to break bad.

What I like about this series is it's fun, you don't have to think too much while reading it, and it's quick. If you have a short commute I suggest reading this.

Coco reminds me of myself when I was younger, unsure with her future, hates her body, and not lucky with guys. I guess, like most young girls. I like the fact that Gemma Burgess doesn't make everything all clouds and unicorns, which is realistic. She shows how hard work pays off, which I think people need to read instead of just everything working out.

[Arch Bala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m very happy that this third book is finally about Coco. I loved Coco and her always-happy character’s disposition and I’ve been dying to read her story since the first book! Here, Coco narrates her feelings on living in Brooklyn with her sister and three other friends, her job as an assistant preschool teacher and her quest for her one true love.

To easily understand Coco, you need to know three things on her “Happy List”
1. She wants to be thin.
2. She wants to fall in love.
3. She wants to figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my damn life

Uhm, yes. Apparently, Coco has some body issue and many other things that make me want to shake her so bad because she just got everything wrong and I’m glad that she decided to finally take some control and speak up!

The first half of the story will make your blood-pressure gettin’ out of control because of so many reasons especially if you’ve been following the girls since the first book. I will mention a few of ‘em. Pia – gawd, I just wanna smack her into oblivion. Really, Miss Burgess – was that even necessary? Pia who professed to be crazy, madly in love with Aidan and that happened? I was like – fucking fuck! One of my biggest pet peeves! Ack! Ack! I’m never gonna like Pia again. Never. What a sl**. Okay, that was my rant number one which I just really need to vent out.

Number 2. Julia. You are a crazy control freak. Yes, you and your dad are trying to protect Coco but jeez, she’s 21 for fuck’s sake! I was like rolling my eyes all over that scene where they had this family meeting and don’t even get me started with that Topher guy. Really, that’s it? Where are the “avengers?” when you needed them?

And where the hell was Sam in this story? After that ending in the second book, you’d give us a page of him and that’s it? I feel like pulling all my hair ‘everywhere’ (ouch!) because it’s just so frustrating. I understand that this was Coco’s time to shine but man’ really? Why’d you do that to us???

Let’s go to the positive side of this third book. Joe. Glorious Irish-Joe. I loved Joe. I am in love with his character. I daresay he’s the best thing to ever happen in this book. I loved their whole set-up and the chemistry between him and Coco was too adorbs! I feel like he’s the saving grace of this whole book.

At the end of the book, we still got the same Coco. I wished the change in her was drastic. She was still very forgiving (teehee sorry I just have to write this one – I think I’ve some anger management issue LOL and I want ‘em girls to really served it with the guys and not just some lame revenge kind of thing) and very much the same Coco with a new goal and a hot new boyfriend. It was a fun read nonetheless. Will I be reading more from this series? Yes, I’d love to read something from Madeleine and see the development with the rest of the girls’ respective relationships.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

[Lulufrances · Rating 4 out of 5]

What shall I say?
Gemma Burgess has firmly established her hold on to my personal Queen of Chiclit Throne..and I think she's there to stay!
I hope she churns out a book a month from now on. (Don't you dare say it's too much to ask!)

In related news, this book made me a) want to read Anna Karenina asap and b) try out peanut butter and cucumber sandwiches for breakfast today, which tasted, um, interesting (in a good way?!) :D

Only thing that was a bit irritating was the very sloppy editing, I don't think I've encountered a book with so many hasty mistakes, e.g. neice instead of niece, heads when quite clearly a singular head was meant, alonee instead of alone etc. etc. ...(All of these I remembered from the top of my head (heads haha)...so that might give you an impression of the problem at hand, yikes)


Pre-reading freakouts
OK SO AFTER WRITING BELOW PARAGRAPH I JUST CHECKED AAAAND - THE PUB DATE IS ACTUALLY TODAY!!!!
Mild freak out.

UGH I AM CRAVING THIS.
If I am right, it publishes soon, which makes me v happy!!
Gemma Burgess is hands down my fav chiclit author, I've read all her books so far and loved all of them so aghhhh get in my haaaands!!

[Maťa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coco mi ako hlavná postava absolútne nesadla. Neskutočne ma rozčuľovalo, aká je blbá a ako mala všetko na dosah ruky a nevidela to.
Najslabší diel, ale aj tak som rada, že som ho čítala. A Rookhaven mi bude chýbať.
Ale aj tak si myslím, že táto kniha mala byť radšej o Maddie :D

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a long-time fan of Gemma Burgess. Ever since The Dating Detox came out, and A Girl Like You remains one of my absolute favourite Chick Lit books. In fact, I'm sure I'm due a re-read. I wasn't quite as enamoured with her first two Brooklyn Girls books, Pia and Angie, I mean they were fine, but they were only fine. They didn't blow me away like A Girl Like You did. But Coco? Oh, Coco is like my spirit fictional character. She's bookish like me, and that's always a good way to win me over. Books and cakes, and being the good girl.

Although I will admit, I'm quite devastated because as it turns out, this is the last Brooklyn Girl book. I was expecting two more - Maddie and Julia's books, but alas, that is not happening, which makes me profoundly sad because that means I genuinely don't know when I'll next read a Gemma Burgess book, and that's a travesty as she's one of the sharpest, wittiest writers on the block. For those who love Caitlin Moran and Lena Dunham, you'd love Gemma too. BUT you will see Gemma on TV screens soon, as she's writing a TV show which is freaking amazing, but I want another book. LOTS MORE BOOKS. *SAD FACE*

I got into Coco as soon as I started it, Coco is just ultimately likeable, and completely different to Gemma's other heroines, usually they're way more badass right from the off, but Coco was sweet, innocent, naive; until she decided to go a bit mad, have a bit of a wild time, as she tried to figure out her life, and why not? At 21, in New York, only having to pay for food, why not have a bit of fun and try and figure out what you wanna do with your life? That sounds luxurious (and mildly stressful).

Turns out being a millennial is hard (and I HATE that word with a passion it's been bandied about so much). Being an adult is hard. It's all much harder than it seems and what made it easier was the fact that Coco had Angie, Pia, Julia and Madeleine to help her through it, they all stuck together, they were all there for each other, and their friendship really shone through. To have friends like that is priceless. But my favourite character was Joe. Ahhh, Joe. He was just so much fun, so much less serious, and he brought out a lighter side to Coco, allowed her to stop thinking, for a little while at least and that was glorious. The two really just clicked and honestly, the pages they were in together just flew by.

I really enjoyed the book, Gemma's an amazing writer, honestly, one of the most under-rated authors ever, and deserves to be selling millions of copies, because she writes real, she writes life like it is, no candy coating, no holds barred, etc, etc. I'm sad this might be Gemma's last book, genuinely sad, but it was an amazing send off, and maybe I'll just have to re-read A Girl Like You every year and pretend I've never read it before. Or sit in the corner and cry, and curse that Gemma has movies to write and TV shows to write, and she's too busy for books. That works for me, too. OR maybe if everyone reads her books and we get a petition going, we can convince her books six to ten need writing ASAP? YES. I like that idea...

[cloudyskye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love these Brooklyn girls. Gemma Burgess is fantastic at drawing relatable characters and never-boring stories. This one could have been a little longer, especially towards the end, I would have liked some epilogue or at least one more little chapter since the relationship problem between Coco and Joe occurred rather late in the book and then was resolved in about 2-3 pages. The Pia affair, too, was over a leetle to fast for my taste. Still, I enjoyed the book a lot - Angie is still my favourite, closely followed by Coco. And please, write on, Gemma!

[Sašenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started out a little whiny. But then... Gemma did her magic, and it was fun and a lot of drama, just like we were used to from previous Brooklyn girls books. The only thing I regret it, that it's over. No more stories about Pia, Angie, Coco, Julie and Madelaine. Although better to end it like this, than to force it just because it makes money, but without a proper story to tell. But I will still miss them a lot.

[amoonchildsmind · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't ask .. it was okay, first Gemma Burgess book I didn't like a lot - it was funny at times, but mostly annoying because the main character was dumb as sh** ..

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

YABC.

Reading this is like a religious experience. Of course, my own church probably won't approve of this because of the almost explicit (but still in YA-territory) displays/descriptions of sex, the large amount of profanity, and the presence of lots of alcohol. But oh, my gosh. This book came at the right moment and right time in my life, and it... Well, I need to break it down to explain it.

Let's start with the world building. It's set in New York City, which is a place I have never visited before. It's set in our times, and it's easy enough to pick up. You don't need to know the ways of NYC to understand this book, although in some parts, the roads of NYC is mentioned and explained.

Coco is a very sweet character who will resonate with any person who is questioning themselves and wondering about their own future. (And yes, I'm most certainly lost and confused like Coco, and I have no idea what I want to do in the future. Probably finance, but who knows? But I'll probably end up as a human disaster.) It's so easy to empathize with her, and she, like everyone else, makes mistakes and chooses the wrong choice. But she always swings back, and even though she doesn't know exactly what she'll do in the future, her very character just sits very well with me and absolutely soothes me.

The romance is a big part of the story, and it's a wonderful one that captivates me completely (when Coco's own character and internal monologue isn't holding my attention). I do indeed want Joe and Coco to be together, and they are adorable! It's basically watching two love-sick people who say one thing but mean something completely different. And the message remains this: Lack of communication kills. (Not literally, of course.)

Coco's character arc drives the plot, and she remains as the center of the spotlight throughout the entire book. With progressive progress, she learns and learns and learns, and that is important. The plot goes along smoothly, and it doesn't stop until the sudden ending.

Speaking of the ending, it absolutely ends on a flat note. I totally want more from the story yet it just... Pft. Fizzles out. I wouldn't mind the ending to be drawn out a little more and explored; what's there so far leaves a lot of room for editing.

In conclusion, The Wild One is a story that begs to be read. It's one where any teenager searching for a purpose can understand, and it's definitely for those who are still looking and trying to understand what they want to have and, more importantly, who they want to be.

Rating: Four out of Five

-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com

[Sheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a responsible adult and shit ...

Is it weird that I can relate with every character so far in this series? Maybe it's because I'm still in my early 20's too but I've related with every character so far. And I really feel like this story was written about me. It's like me and Coco are the same people.

I couldn't wait for Coco's story because she's been my favorite character since the first book. And Gemma Burgess did not disappoint. I remember reading a comment someone wrote about this series before the first book even came out. That person said that Burgess didn't know anything about being a female in her early 20s living in NYC. Well I don't know about the NYC part but I do know that Gemma Burgess hit it on the nail with her characters. I enjoy all the books in this series but this one is my favorite so far. And it has to be the best one.

Even though this is Coco's story we get to see how the other characters have changed from the first story to. Which is a good thing because I love to see what else happens with the other characters. The other characters didn't take away from the main character but their stories still continue throughout the series. I can't wait for the next two books!

Someone should seriously think about making this series into a show!

[Lenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is only thing in my mind atm, when the next book comes out, even tough it might be about Julia and i don't like her that much :D But I loved little miss Coco and honestly anything I could write wouldn't do this book justice so I'm just gonna add one quote that sums up my feelings.

““You don’t need to rush,” Samantha says slowly. “You know, your generation of ­women experiences incredibly high levels of stress and anxiety. You all feel a huge pressure to succeed, without knowing what success even means for you, personally . . . And success is personal. There’s no one-­size-­fits-­all. And to make it worse, you’ve got all this information at your fingertips, you know? The Internet and social media mean you’re overinformed, overfocused, and overpressured to achieve your goals. But it’s not easy to achieve your goals. It’s not even easy to decide what your goals are.””

[Alice Wulf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely my favourite book of the series so far. Probably due to the fact that I empathize a lot with Coco, with her depression and anxiety and love of books. And Joe is the best Love Interest so far.

Although, having read the other two books in the series, I knew exactly how this one would go down. Coco and Joe would fall in love, Coco would do something to fuck it up (most likely Not Realizing her feelings), sadness, and then they get back together. So, knowing this, I was kind of on edge throughout the whole book, waiting for the other shoe to drop. And then it did, and I was like FUCK! and I had to put the book down and eat some sherbet until I calmed down.

Also, TOTALLY not happy with That Thing Pia Did. Very upset about that. VERY. MUCH ANGER. SUCH DISAPPOINTMENT.

[Karen Curley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it BUT I didn't like it as much as the others. I just couldn't relate to Coco as much as Pia and Angie. I also did not like Julia at all. She's too unforgiving and not likable at all. I did like reading Pia's and Angie's continuing story. I'd probably read the next one.

[Bookevin]

Possibly my favourite book in the series. Heh. Review to come.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this book, my new favorite books! I am 21 and I found them so relatable, and comforting. It was funny and romantic and gripping, everything I love in a book and there are three books! so you don't have to feel sad when it ends!

I love Gemma Burgess writing as it makes you feel as if you are friends with the girls and you can relate to them so much, it cheered me up on days I felt sad as all their worries and struggles were similar to mine and I felt less alone and made you giggle. The book makes you feel hopeful about turning your life around and bettering yourself and you feel good about your self, and feel that it's ok if you having sorted and planned your life out yet everything will be ok!

RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 100%

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got my hands on this! It had been a while since I read the other two, so it was nice that the characters were all summed up so nicely to start.

I did get frustrated at Coco's inability to see people for who they are, and a little irritated as to how quickly it all ended, but I did stay up much later than I should have to make sure it ended the way it did.

Quick read, entertaining, and a perfect mood booster.

[Ainhoa J · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I’ve ever read. It is special to me... I was new to the book community and didn’t even notice this was book #3 but it doesn’t matter... still really good. When I get the chance, I’ll like to read the others.

[Fabienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was way better than I thought it would be. It really was this journey of how a girl becomes a young adult and at times it was reaaally relatable haha. It was also fun as hell because the other characters were so damn interesting and the book was paced really well. Great poolside read!

[prostderpoesie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY LOVE GEMMA <3 her quirky, sassy characters are always a blast 2 read! I have to admit that the plot & some descriptions of places and stuff like that were a little bit chaotic (that’s why I only give 4/5) but it was nice to get to know Coco. I‘d love to have a Maddy-Book! What about you?

[Lauren Steinwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy read. I enjoyed it because I found it relatable to myself. Girls in their 20’s trying to figure out life!

[Nikki Matacic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a light, fun read. A nice little reminder of how great and fun life really can be

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was truely amazing! You get so involved in the story you just want to keep turning the page!

[Jacqueline Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book - the best of this series

[Christina Elkhoury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good quick read. Fun, easy to connect to, and I am excited to read more from this author!

[Amélie Robichaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Chris Farrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coco for life.

[Sara Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been super enjoyable. Just great chick lit. The stories are imaginative and spirited and each time have challenged me to open up to new characters and allow them to become as important as the last. I wish there were more!

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this book could have potentially been about me. It's not that I've ever experienced any of what Coco has, which probably has you wondering why I would relate so strongly to this book, but there's something about her and how she views herself that really resonated with me. I really felt like I was able to not only see Coco's life, and be a part of it, but understand what her perspective was and where it was coming from.

Coco is the youngest of five females living in a Brooklyn brownstone, Rookhaven, that she inherited from her mother whom she lost at a very young age. Coco is the most sheltered and most insecure of all the women. While the other females have their foibles, Coco usually deals with stress by baking and reading. However Coco isn't happy, with her life, or with her job, and she's beginning to feel overwhelmed by the fact she doesn't know what direction her life is going to take when it seems everyone around her has a goal and plan. They all seem to be going somewhere and doing something they love. All Coco knows is that what she has in not what she wants.

I really loved Coco. I've loved her from the moment I met her for the first time in Brooklyn Girls, the first book in the Brooklyn Girls series. Coco has always been the most introverted of the girls in the house and she's also been the one most sheltered. She's always done what her father and older sister Julia have told her was best for her; She's always taken the path of least resistance. I loved seeing her come out of her shell and taking control of her life. Granted she decided to the opposite of what she normally would have and be a stronger version of herself, which worked for a time, but it was great seeing her do that. I liked how Coco was discovering what she liked and what she wanted to do in all things, not just her romantic life but also her occupation.

Another thing about this book that I really enjoyed was how the story focused on Coco, but also how her other housemates played pivotal roles in the book. It was like getting Coco's book and updates in Pia, Maddie, Angie, and Julia's lives as well. I loved seeing how they were doing in their lives, both the positives and negatives. There were times when I was taken aback by what was going on in their lives, but I also surprised myself by how nonjudgmental I was about the choices the girls made. This book focused on a number of themes, one of which was self love. Another was about making the change in your life that you want and being happy. Yet a third was about acceptance and being non judgmental. While I would've enjoyed a story that was all neat and nice, fitting the romance mold, instead I enjoyed a book that was true to life and real. Life isn't neat and perfect, and neither are the lives of those who live in Rookhaven.

There's so much more I want to say, but this is truly a book that has to be read to be experienced. I feel like every high school girl and college going girl should read this for inspiration and confidence. Even when I was worried Coco was going to revert back into her shell, she surprised me. I think she and this book will surprise you too. Kudos to Gemma Burgess for writing a story that may seem light from the outside, but is packed with depth. This is not just a romance, but about a journey of self discovery, resilience, and strength. She touches on subjects relevant to young women today in such a way that promotes understanding and discourse. There are some hilarious laugh out loud moments and moments where you may find yourself in tears. I find myself looking forward to Julia's book and finding out what's going on in her life and in the lives of all those who reside in Rookhaven. I hope it's as spectacular as this book.