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Did the Earth Move?

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Meet Four kids; One hectic job; Two complicated exes, and a lot on her mind.

Like… Is sex with the vet better than no sex at all?

Is she too old to shop at Topshop, or dye her hair pink?

Are violets the new geraniums?

What the hell is in the fridge for supper?

And, most importantly of all, has she let the love of her life get away all too easily?

Did the Earth Move? is a sexy, thought-provoking and wildly entertaining novel.

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

13 people are currently reading
346 people want to read

About the author

Carmen Reid

68 books233 followers
Carmen was born and brought up in a chilly and windy corner of Scotland in the depths of the countryside.

This may explain her lifelong phobia of cows and abiding interest in cities, department stores, books, the cinema and newspapers.

She is currently working on her eigth novel for grown-ups and her third novel for teenagers. Well, she likes to keep busy.

Carmen did once study English Literature at University College London, but, ignoring everything she’d learned, she spent most of her 20s working as a local, regional and then national newspaper reporter.

Knowing deep down that she was supposed to be an author not a journo, she left her day job to have a baby and write her first novel. (Hey, and just four sleepless, penniless years later it was published!)

Although there is a corner of her heart that will always belong to London (property developers welcome) she now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, with her husband, Thomas, and two children, Sam and Claudie, plus Jimmy the (lunatic) Jack Russell and Clive, Orangey and Gorcha, the fish.

Fortunately her hobbies are cooking, cleaning, arguing about whose turn it is to walk the dog, clean the fish tank, take out the rubbish, do the laundry... and so on.

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5 stars
128 (28%)
4 stars
129 (28%)
3 stars
140 (30%)
2 stars
45 (9%)
1 star
14 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Nina Draganova.
1,179 reviews73 followers
July 31, 2024
2022
Почти наизуст знам някои книги, но въпреки това , ми харесва да съм в тяхната компания.Създават ми уют . Даже не можах да повярвам , колко години не съм я препрочитала. Харесвам нестандартни хора, може би затова , героинята Ив е една от моите хора. Намирам много общи неща , които ни свързват. Доказва го и последното определение на дъщеря ми за мен самата - "човекът оркестър".

2013
Една от много любимите ми книги.

19-20.11.2016

Откакто открих тази книга , с много неподходящ превод на заглавие, си я препрочитам почти всяка година.
Може би ме привлича с това, че много ясно откроява човешките ценности.
В този ужасно забързан свят е важно да стоиш здраво стъпил на земята , и да можеш да оцениш истински ценните неща. Да забелязваш дребните на пръв поглед детайли и жестове.
Много,много ми харесва .

09.12.17
След всяко прочитане откривам още неща заради , които съм харесала тази книга. Няма излишен патос, напротив става дума за истинския живот с неговите спадове и върхове. С уроците , които всеки получава и изводите от тях. За истински важните неща.
Точно този тип книги харесвам, не захаросаните , които напоследък ни заляха.
Ето и текста , който ме определя напълно :
"Аз съм този тюркоазен на райета,ръчно плетен чорап, който не може да се комбинира по никакъв начин ."
Profile Image for Mandy.
23 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2009
There are things I liked about this book.1. Eve found her way after her husband left her. 2. That she was kinda of a hippy. and that is about it. The things I hated. 1. The endsless sex scenes. Honestly wtf? 2. How her looks kept being brought up in the book. OKay I get it she is a sexy bitch in her late 40's.3. Why did the american teeage girls have to be into drugs? Dennis could have been a bad dad to them but why would it have to go to that? 4. She never confronted the chick for having an affair with her husband. and 5. it wraped up to easy..might as well have put they lived happily ever after.
I am just happy I bought this book for $2.00 and not full price. The only reason I got it is because I thought it might be funny...nope no chance in that.
Profile Image for Carous.
551 reviews19 followers
October 21, 2020
Começo a achar que As joias de Manhattan foi um ponto fora da curva de Carmen Reid. Único chick lit dela que me agradou, único em que ela não apelou para a vulgaridade na hora das cenas de sexo.

Acho uma pena porque ela é uma boa escritora e consegue criar personagens e enredos bem diversificados, mas cisma em ser chula quando escreve sobre os personagens transando. E a mania de jogar assuntos polêmicos para pagar de moderninha... --'

Meu problema nem foi com a personagem principal, Eva. Pelo contrário: finalmente uma mulher em busca de companhia que não é uma jovem atrapalhada. Quarentona, vivida, mãe de 4 filhos e uma vida pessoal complicadíssima, eu me empolguei com essa personagem apesar de não me identificar nem nenhum aspecto da sua vida.

Agora os filhos mais velhos dela... Não sei nem por que Carmen resolveu transformá-los em mais do que personagens secundários. Bom, foi uma tentativa de movimentar a história que não deu certo. Quando eles apareceram cheirando, fumando e abusando das drogas ilícitas, bajulando o pai ausente depois de tudo o que esse cretino fez com eles e com a mãe que batalhou duro para dar uma vida decente aos filhos, a leitura, que já não estava atraente, simplesmente não andava. Eu tentava passar as partes em que esses chatos apareciam com seus problemas com namoradas e gravidezes inesperadas, mas parecia que as páginas não acabavam! Um verdadeiro inferno!

Então, depois de mais de um ano de pausa na leitura, anotando os prós e contras dar outra tentativa, eu resolvi que não é para mim. Estou abandonando. Sinceramente, o que me prendia era a capa, que é linda, porque de resto... Quem sabe um dia Carmen escreva um chick lit tão envolvente quanto As joias de Manhattan e aí eu dê uma chance?
Profile Image for Kirsty (BookBlogger).
2,038 reviews63 followers
April 9, 2023
Did the Earth Move? by Carmen Reid

Blurb

It's all about Eve.

At least, it should be -- after divorce with Dennis and being jilted by Joseph, Eve could use a little "me" time. Yoga and tending her tiny organic garden keep her centered, but life's complicated when you have two barely grown sons, two little ones at home, and a demanding job. At the end of the day, Probation Officer Eve morphs into Mommy Eve, master of meals, homework, laundry, and bath time.

It's all or nothing.

But Eve is irrepressible, a free spirit who still ponders the big questions: Is she too old to dye her hair pink? Does a one-night stand with the veterinarian count as a sex life? Did she let the one man who truly adores her get away? When her oldest son announces he's getting married, Eve's exes come hurtling back into her world, and she sees the men in her life with new eyes. After all, there's more to love than out-of-this-world sex. Though if you're lucky, you can have both....

My Opinion

This was a nice, relaxing read. There is something that everyone will connect to in this book with characters to love and hate. Carmen Reid has written about an inspiring character, writing about how life can continue after a divorce. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book when I started it but stick with it, you might find that you enjoy it.

Rating 4/5
Profile Image for Rachel.
1,469 reviews30 followers
October 29, 2017
"Eve Gardiner is a rather cool urban single mum who lives in a small North London flat with her four kids, Denny (22), Tom (20), Anna (9) and Robbie (2). She gardens and does yoga every day to keep herself sane, while holding down a stressful job as a probation officer. She is pretty content and her life is filled with her children, friends, work and occasional casual sex. Then suddenly Tom announces that his 20-year-old girlfriend Deepa is pregnant and that they want to get married, (her family deeply disapprove of the match). And things start to get really complicated when Tom decides to track down his father Dennis (who walked out of their lives when his business collapsed leaving them penniless) and invite him to the wedding. And if that's not enough to put the cat among the pigeons, Eve's alarmingly attractive, much-younger ex-boyfriend Joseph (and father of Anna and Robbie) appears on the scene again and they both begin to wonder whether they did the right thing when they split up..."

Yes, it's chicklit, but it's well written and has a bit more substance than you sometimes get. Very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Ренета Кирова.
1,320 reviews57 followers
July 5, 2020
Тази книга ми завъртя главата, но не в хубавия смисъл. Започна интересно, забавно, но после стана една мешаница от случки, събития, връщане назад, включване на нови и нови герои, прескачане напред, абе пълна лудница. Докато я четях усещах една какафония в главата си, сякаш звуците и лудницата в книгата се пренесоха в действителността. Не ми допадна този начин на поднасяне. Стилът на авторката е посредствен и може би ще се хареса на тези, които искат нещо лековато за четене. Аз не можах да я оценя.
Разказва се за една майка на 4 деца, две от бившия съпруг и две от бившия приятел. Тази жена се справяше успешно с кариера и деца, но не и с мъжете в живота си. Твърде късно разбира, че всъщност иска да си върне бившия приятел и още е влюбена в него. Но синът й от бившия съпруг, който е на 20, й поднася неочаквана изненада и настава пълна лудница.
300 reviews
November 4, 2023
An easy read.

Essentially, Eve is on a journey of self-discovery and we are taken along for the ride.

I enjoyed how the book kept jumping back to cover sections of the past to show how Eve got to where she is now and looked forward to seeing how the future was going to turn out for her.

Eve is a different kind of character - a real free spirit who is constantly evolving.

I listened to the Bolinda Audio version of this book and found the narrator suited to the story.

Am I glad I read it - yes
Was it a waste of my time - no
Would I sit down and read it all over again - probably not
Would I read more by this author based on this book - I would certainly be willing to give another of her books a go.
Profile Image for Plum-crazy.
2,467 reviews42 followers
December 4, 2017
An okay tale about Eve...40ish, very slim despite having had 4 children, long blond hair, able to wear funky teenage style clothes without looking like mutton dressed as lamb...but despite that you can't dislike her!
It's a fairly standard chick-lit plot: Eve's first husband abandoned her & their two sons Denny & Tom & after her relationship with Joseph failing, she's also bringing up Anna & Robbie. Eve has never really gotten over Joseph & Anna has decided that it's time Mum & Dad got back together. Nothing particularly original there but the likeability of Eve makes it an amusing enough read.
Profile Image for Lorraine Shorter.
Author 8 books20 followers
January 19, 2018
This is a slow to start chick-lit about loving what you have and letting go of fear.

Initially I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to finish the book as I couldn't see the direction the story was going in. But once events started to unfold and the ending I was hoping for became a possibility I found myself breaking off to read it more and more, until sadly, I was done.

There are characters to love, characters to hate; and most importantly a main character that you cant help but be inspired by and hopeful for.

A lovely read when you're in the mood to romance yourself and get some quality time away from it all.
Profile Image for Michelle Andreassen.
30 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2023
I admit that I probably gave it five and not four stars because I am a yoga teacher in my forties with pink hair and my life mission is helping women be brave and authentic, so this book really did it for me. I don't think it was amazing writing, but it was relatable and with great characters and story lines that got perfect endings, so even though I both laughed and cried while reading it, I also felt satisfied when I got to the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melanie.
61 reviews
June 25, 2023
Loads of names to keep track of, sometimes containing typos thereby making it more confusing. It's hard to sympathise with the main character as she's very self absorbed. It did however make for an ok read on a slow day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle.
262 reviews3 followers
March 6, 2020
A real feel good book. Really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Alfred.
107 reviews
March 21, 2021
It was funny! Especially the moments with the vet.
91 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2023
Привлече ме корицата, но за съжаление просто този тип книги не са ми по вкуса.
Profile Image for Malvīne  S..
187 reviews7 followers
October 30, 2024
Ja gribas lasīt kaut ko pavisam vieglu, vienkāršu, varbūt mazliet banālu, tad noteikti var palasīt šo.
Profile Image for Claire Gilmour.
445 reviews4 followers
January 4, 2021
A perfect, feel-good romp to end the year! Classic chick lit with just the right amount of sizzle, sass and sexy time! Really enjoyed this one, 5 stars!
Profile Image for Pam.
2,203 reviews32 followers
February 16, 2008
02/16/08
TITLE/AUTHOR: DID THE EARTH MOVE? by Carmen Reid
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/2003/415 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: Stand-ALone
TIME/PLACE: Present/UK
CHARACTERS: Eve/Probation officer
FIRST LINES:Nils. Yes? Nothing. I'm just trying it out.

COMMENTS: 01/24/08 rec via bookcrossing/ring ray. Eve is in her early 40's, has 4 children and is a probation officer. She has 2 sons in their 20's from her 1st marriage and a girl 9 and boy 2 from her ex-boyfriend. Eve married Dennis when she was only 20 and left her studies to become the wife of a up & coming businessman. She lived in a big house w/ all the toys, gourmet foods, designer clothes etc. When her husband lost his business, all their material goods were also reclaimed and Dennis soon took off for a job in Singapore leaving Eve alone w/ the boys. After this abandonment, she had serious trust issues and never wanted to rely on so much "stuff" again. She learned to live simply, a small basement apt, thrift shop clothing, garden grown veggies, etc. She even simplified her name from Evelyn to Eve. She later meets the younger Joseph and has 2 children but despite his many proposals she can never commit. Her second son, 20-yr-old Tom is soon to marry Deepa who is w/ child. The wedding brings varied family members together and gives the almost-grandmother-Eve a chance to take a new look at who and what she values in her life. Found this very entertaining and bit more substance than the title might lead you to believe. The ending left me smiling.
Profile Image for Preet.
3,383 reviews233 followers
August 19, 2011
I love the theme of old lovers reuniting. There is just something about it that makes me root for exes. Eve is the mother of four and has two failed romances under her belt. One of her sons has just let her know he's getting married AND he's about to become a father at the age of 20. Her youngest is just 3 years old. It just seems to be the start of bad news for Eve. One thing after another happens and Eve is left feeling alone and overwhelmed. She's worried she's not over Joseph, failed romance #2, and is making do with Nils her Dutch vet.

I also love Eve's character. She's got her priorities straight and she's trying to do the best she can. Her attitude is also wonderful and it was very easy to smile, laugh, and commiserate with her as events unfolded. Carmen Reid has done a marvelous job with this book and I look forward to reading more from her!
Profile Image for Rachel Brand.
1,043 reviews104 followers
April 6, 2009
Other than the fact that this book started with a sex scene, I don't remember anything about it. And that when I was fifteen, I noticed my mum reading this book and asked her what she thought of it. She said it was okay, and that I was probably old enough to read it, to which I commented that I'd already read it a few years earlier. I honestly don't know how I got this book past her when I was thirteen - on the bright side, I really didn't know what "Did the earth move?" meant, or that it was a reference to orgasms. I've never heard someone use this phrase so I guess it's no longer popular. Anyway, pretty standard chick-lit, nothing remarkable.
Profile Image for Rosemarie.
20 reviews4 followers
October 28, 2012
Eve has had a hard time of it. Her first husband Dennis ran away, her long-term lover Joseph is now engaged, single mother to four kids with a wide age gap, you really feel for her. Yet, she's strong, resilient with a great sense of humour throughout. You learn her story during the book as she comes to terms with the fact, she will soon be a grandmother.

This book show exactly what it's like being a single parent, trying to make sense of life and maintaining hope for relationships in the future.

I have no idea why the title...I suspect the author and editor really didn't know what to call it. But it's a great read.
Profile Image for Catherine.
485 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2009
Exactly what I needed on my birthday: fun and undemanding chick-lit that says just because you're the 'wrong' side of 40 and have four kids you can't have (reasonably) uncomplicated sex or romance. All the same there were bits of this that were rather incredible: I can't imagine Eve having the time or the money to stay looking as she claims she does (although I can imagine the rushing around would keep her thin), and the vet was rather too conveniently nice throughout the story, but hey, it's escapism.

Warning: not one for those of you who like to be left outside the bedroom door.
Profile Image for Kat A.
65 reviews3 followers
February 13, 2012
I have to say, I just hate the tag line her editor came up with for her: "A fabulous read. A sexy read. A Carmen Reid." It's so cheesy. Anyway, on to the actual book. It was pretty good actually. I liked the plot, specifically the way she turned things on their head with the main character being 10 years older than her love interest and the unplanned pregnancy storyline about her 20 year old son. I found I invested in the characters a lot more than her other books and was pleased with the pat outcome. A good beach read, light and fun.
Profile Image for Agi.
1,678 reviews105 followers
June 26, 2011
I really liked this book. Maybe not as much as I like Annie Valentine series, but still. It's nice to read from time to time about a woman, mother of 4, who managed to get her life in her hands and is doing really good. Who is fighting for her luck.
The only thing that I didn't like in this book were the sex scenes, too much Jackie Collins for me, and there is only one Jackie...:)))
Profile Image for tenamoh.
6 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2013
i read the book earlier this year and the funny thing is that i really dont know how to relate the "did the earth move?" to the whole story but all in all,i really loved the story(except for the "scenes" in the beginning). Eve's portrait characteristics are so realistic that it seems like im just watching her everyday and enjoying her story.looking forward to read more of Carmen's....
22 reviews
September 3, 2016
DNF.

The thing that made me stop reading this book is that one minute I am reading from the main character's POV while she is having sex and then a few pages later I am reading from the POV of her 9-year old daughter! WTF????? Definitely way too weird for me.
Profile Image for Sandy.
147 reviews10 followers
January 18, 2013
Took some getting into but once the story evolved ,the pace of the book was enjoyable .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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