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Life or Something Like It
Step into someone else’s shoes for a day…
And it will change you for a lifetime.
Cat is very good at her job. She runs a PR company with her best friend (and secret crush) Jesse, and is never happier than when her high-profile celebrities are glittering in the spotlight.
But when her footballer client gets in the press for all the wrong reasons, Cat’s career takes a sudden nosedive. So when her brother Andrew unexpectedly needs her to look after his kids for a few weeks, she can hardly say no. She’s happily single, hasn’t exactly been the ‘World’s Best Auntie’ over the years, and what she knows about looking after children would fit on the back of a postage stamp. But it’s only temporary until she gets her real life back on track – isn’t it?
And it will change you for a lifetime.
Cat is very good at her job. She runs a PR company with her best friend (and secret crush) Jesse, and is never happier than when her high-profile celebrities are glittering in the spotlight.
But when her footballer client gets in the press for all the wrong reasons, Cat’s career takes a sudden nosedive. So when her brother Andrew unexpectedly needs her to look after his kids for a few weeks, she can hardly say no. She’s happily single, hasn’t exactly been the ‘World’s Best Auntie’ over the years, and what she knows about looking after children would fit on the back of a postage stamp. But it’s only temporary until she gets her real life back on track – isn’t it?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2015
94 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Annie Lyons
14 books851 followersDear Reader,
thank you for dropping by to visit my Goodreads page. I am the author of seven novels and one novella. My first book, Not Quite Perfect was a Kindle number one bestseller and my novel featuring octogenarian, Eudora Honeysett was a USA Today bestseller as well as being nominated for the RNA Contemporary Novel Award. My latest book, The Air Raid Book Club is my first historical fiction novel. It tells the story of recently-widowed bookseller, Gertie Bingham and fifteen-year-old Hedy Fischer, who are thrown together by the events of the Second World War and who form a book club to support their community through these dark times. This book is particularly special to me as I’ve spent my life around books, from trips to the library with my mum as a child to my early career as a bookseller on Charing Cross Road and then over ten years in publishing and now as a writer and creative writing teacher. If I’m not writing or reading books, I like nothing more than to lose myself for an hour (or two if I can manage it) in a library or bookshop. I love the quiet calm and the smell of books, old and new. My favourite writers are Anne Tyler, Ruth Hogan, David Nicholls, Rachel Joyce, William Boyd, Katherine Heiny and Maggie O’Farrell but I love anything which makes me laugh and cry. I try to reflect this in my own writing and for me, it begins with the characters. I work to get to know them as well as my own friends and family as I write and allow them to lead the story. My aim is to write stories which are uplifting and ultimately hopeful as these are the books I love to read. My stories feature families, friendship, grief, love, happiness, singing, loss, betrayal, forgiveness, death, hope, books, joy and plenty more besides, and they invariably include a beloved family pet! My favourite thing about being an author is when readers contact me to let me know that a book has touched them, made them laugh or just served as a companion for a while. I recently received a card all the way from New York from eighty-four-year-old Rita in praise of the story of eighty-four-year-old Eudora and that was my week made. If you would like to get in touch, you can also find me on social media (links below) where I mainly talk about books, writing, my garden and my black Labrador, Nelson.
Happy reading!
Annie x
Instagram: @annielyonsauthor
Twitter: @1AnnieLyons
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annielyonswriter
Website: www.annielyons.com
thank you for dropping by to visit my Goodreads page. I am the author of seven novels and one novella. My first book, Not Quite Perfect was a Kindle number one bestseller and my novel featuring octogenarian, Eudora Honeysett was a USA Today bestseller as well as being nominated for the RNA Contemporary Novel Award. My latest book, The Air Raid Book Club is my first historical fiction novel. It tells the story of recently-widowed bookseller, Gertie Bingham and fifteen-year-old Hedy Fischer, who are thrown together by the events of the Second World War and who form a book club to support their community through these dark times. This book is particularly special to me as I’ve spent my life around books, from trips to the library with my mum as a child to my early career as a bookseller on Charing Cross Road and then over ten years in publishing and now as a writer and creative writing teacher. If I’m not writing or reading books, I like nothing more than to lose myself for an hour (or two if I can manage it) in a library or bookshop. I love the quiet calm and the smell of books, old and new. My favourite writers are Anne Tyler, Ruth Hogan, David Nicholls, Rachel Joyce, William Boyd, Katherine Heiny and Maggie O’Farrell but I love anything which makes me laugh and cry. I try to reflect this in my own writing and for me, it begins with the characters. I work to get to know them as well as my own friends and family as I write and allow them to lead the story. My aim is to write stories which are uplifting and ultimately hopeful as these are the books I love to read. My stories feature families, friendship, grief, love, happiness, singing, loss, betrayal, forgiveness, death, hope, books, joy and plenty more besides, and they invariably include a beloved family pet! My favourite thing about being an author is when readers contact me to let me know that a book has touched them, made them laugh or just served as a companion for a while. I recently received a card all the way from New York from eighty-four-year-old Rita in praise of the story of eighty-four-year-old Eudora and that was my week made. If you would like to get in touch, you can also find me on social media (links below) where I mainly talk about books, writing, my garden and my black Labrador, Nelson.
Happy reading!
Annie x
Instagram: @annielyonsauthor
Twitter: @1AnnieLyons
Facebook: www.facebook.com/annielyonswriter
Website: www.annielyons.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 7, 2018
I think I may have found a new author on the lighter side of fiction for me to enjoy. Annie Lyons has written a tale of self discovery with self assured Cat thrown in at the deep end with her niece and nephew. This is a world that Cat is far from used to, despite having to deal with divas of the glitterati.
“…for almost the first time in her life, Cat Nightingale had no idea what to do.”
Cat spends the summer re-evaluating everything including her outlook. Having kids is life changing and this is as close as Cat comes to having kids. Looking after children is an eye opener, you have to think less of yourself and more about them. It’s hard for Cat when she’s only used to looking after numero uno and I think Annie Lyons encapsulates this entirely. Cat is a likeable character and I totally got her frustrations with looking after Charlie and Ellie when she’s got Finn looking over her shoulder every two minutes.
I really enjoyed meeting Cat and going through her voyage of self-discovery. I’ll definitely be reading more of Annie Lyons’ books.
“…for almost the first time in her life, Cat Nightingale had no idea what to do.”
Cat spends the summer re-evaluating everything including her outlook. Having kids is life changing and this is as close as Cat comes to having kids. Looking after children is an eye opener, you have to think less of yourself and more about them. It’s hard for Cat when she’s only used to looking after numero uno and I think Annie Lyons encapsulates this entirely. Cat is a likeable character and I totally got her frustrations with looking after Charlie and Ellie when she’s got Finn looking over her shoulder every two minutes.
I really enjoyed meeting Cat and going through her voyage of self-discovery. I’ll definitely be reading more of Annie Lyons’ books.
July 13, 2015
Cat lives for her job. She works for her best friend's PR company and she does everything for him. Jesse is her secret crush and they've been friends since university. Jesse is married to a model though and apart from one unsuccessful night they've never tried anything together. Cat is happy though, she doesn't need a man in her life, she loves her world. She likes the expensive clothes, fancy restaurants and the money that comes with the job. She's completely happy living on her own and she doesn't want anything else.
When she watches her brother Andrew's children for a few hours the person who has taken over from her at work messes things up and Cat is the one who has to take the blame. Now Cat has more time to spend with her family. Ellie is six years old and Charlie is ten. They don't like her very much and the feeling is mutual. Cat doesn't want children and she also don't know how to be around them. That changes when Andrew's wife has to go to Australia for the summer because of a family emergency. Andrew asks Cat, who's suspended from her job, to help him watch the kids. Fortunately she isn't completely on her own. Andrew's friend Finn is watching his niece, who is Ellie's friend, and they can look after the children together. Cat's phone is glued to her hand, she doesn't know how to handle children and she's not used to talking to them either. Is this a recipe for disaster? And what will happen with her job, is there something for her to go back to or is the life Cat used to live truly over?
Annie Lyons is a great story teller. I love the way she writes. When I'm reading her books I immediately feel at ease. It makes me want to read on and on and I don't want to stop. That same thing happened to me again when I read Life or Something Like It. I immediately liked Cat even though she wasn't the most kind person at first. I knew there was more to it and was curious to see what would happen to her when she spent more time around children. I liked Ellie and Charlie, Annie Lyons has given them a great own personality. They're not just children who are there in a supporting role for the adults, they're real characters in the story who have their own distinctive personalities. I liked the interaction between Cat and her niece and nephew, for me that was the biggest strength of the story.
Finn is a know-it-all and Cat can't stand him at first. He means well though and he's a genuinely nice guy. I loved his personality and the way he made Cat feel. I bet he's the dream man of a lot of women, which makes his character so appealing. A wonderful summer holiday with a great setting made this story complete. I liked reading every page and think this is a perfect romantic book for the summer. This book has it all, it's cheerful, it's warm, it's special, it's loving, it's touching and it's sweet, a fantastic combination that works really well.
When she watches her brother Andrew's children for a few hours the person who has taken over from her at work messes things up and Cat is the one who has to take the blame. Now Cat has more time to spend with her family. Ellie is six years old and Charlie is ten. They don't like her very much and the feeling is mutual. Cat doesn't want children and she also don't know how to be around them. That changes when Andrew's wife has to go to Australia for the summer because of a family emergency. Andrew asks Cat, who's suspended from her job, to help him watch the kids. Fortunately she isn't completely on her own. Andrew's friend Finn is watching his niece, who is Ellie's friend, and they can look after the children together. Cat's phone is glued to her hand, she doesn't know how to handle children and she's not used to talking to them either. Is this a recipe for disaster? And what will happen with her job, is there something for her to go back to or is the life Cat used to live truly over?
Annie Lyons is a great story teller. I love the way she writes. When I'm reading her books I immediately feel at ease. It makes me want to read on and on and I don't want to stop. That same thing happened to me again when I read Life or Something Like It. I immediately liked Cat even though she wasn't the most kind person at first. I knew there was more to it and was curious to see what would happen to her when she spent more time around children. I liked Ellie and Charlie, Annie Lyons has given them a great own personality. They're not just children who are there in a supporting role for the adults, they're real characters in the story who have their own distinctive personalities. I liked the interaction between Cat and her niece and nephew, for me that was the biggest strength of the story.
Finn is a know-it-all and Cat can't stand him at first. He means well though and he's a genuinely nice guy. I loved his personality and the way he made Cat feel. I bet he's the dream man of a lot of women, which makes his character so appealing. A wonderful summer holiday with a great setting made this story complete. I liked reading every page and think this is a perfect romantic book for the summer. This book has it all, it's cheerful, it's warm, it's special, it's loving, it's touching and it's sweet, a fantastic combination that works really well.
July 22, 2016
To say that I DESPERATELY want to spend the summer in a beach hut in Suffolk after reading this book would be an understatement! This is a lovely summer read and a book that addresses the taboo that surrounds a woman's choice not to have children. Cat Nightingale, who enjoys her professional life working for a PR company in London, suddenly finds herself in charge of two small children, a position that is way outside of her comfort zone. I particularly enjoyed Cat’s misguided efforts to entertain the children with trips to the museum and a Michelin star restaurant! I found Finn a little hard to warm to, but that’s probably because I had already warmed to Cat and shared her view that he was a bit smug and patronizing. For me, this is a story about finding your tribe and following your own path, rather than conforming to society's expectations. Annie Lyons’ writing style is full of warmth and humour, and if you enjoy writers like Marian Keyes or Jojo Moyes, Life Or Something Like It will be right up your street.
October 22, 2015
Completely adored this book. I read half of it on holiday in Greece and lapped up the rest when I got home. I loved Cat's transformation and the hilarious moments with the children. My only complaint was I wish it was longer because I didn't want it to end. Highly recommended!
September 10, 2015
Originally reviewed on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/2...
It has been such a very long time since I last read a novel by the wonderful Annie Lyons, the last time being back in July of 2014 when I read the fabulous Not Quite Perfect, which I adored, so I couldn't wait to once again delve into a world created by Annie and meet a brand new batch of characters and situations that I could really lose myself to.
In Life or Something Like It, Annie introduces the reader to Cat Nightingale, a snappy, constantly-on-top-of-her-game business woman with a firm mantra that she lives by - 'Work hard. Have fun. No drama.' But when one of Cat's clients gets into some trouble for misbehaving, she's forced to take a break which, coincidentally, happens to collide perfectly with her brother Andrew needing a hand with his children. This is where the story really got fun for me, readers, because even somebody with half a brain could see how obviously useless Cat Nightingale was going to be when it came to her niece and nephew.
As I'd expected, Annie's writing within Life or Something Like It was spot on. There was humour, romance, and the learning, I thought, of how life could be truly wonderful, if only Cat Nightingale would take a step away from her constantly moving lifestyle and breathe in the fresh air and admire the scenery. Annie's creation of Cat was faultless, but I have to admit that I didn't immediately take to her character at the beginning of the story. She just seemed too focused on the less important things in my eyes, but what I loved was how my opinion of Cat changed throughout the progression of the novel. When Cat agrees to taking care of her brother's children, I really couldn't wait to see how she'd handle such an alien situation because that really is what this was to Cat. She very rarely dealt or spent time with children in her day-to-day life, and it became such a beautifully placed learning curve for Cat's character I had no choice but to warm to her and, ultimately, cheer her on. Annie's style stayed true-to-form within Life or Something Like It, in that it was gorgeously descriptive, witty and downright impossible to put down. More than that though, it was incredibly fun and entertaining, a story that really held my attention and kept me turning those pages, just to continue reading and being witness to how Cat would grow and change and, ultimately, see that life held so much more if she'd only take a moment to appreciate it.
There were a whole cast of wonderfully engaging characters within Life or Something Like It, ranging from the cheeky but adorable little ones, to lovely, lovely Finn, including a whole lot more. Each of these characters held something that would, in the end, unlock the parts of Cat Nightingale's heart that had been hidden away for so long and allow her to see what exactly she'd been missing out on while working like a maniac. It was such a life-affirming, invigorating and positively heart-warming story, about learning how to really really live your life to the fullest and enjoy every single second of it.
I loved this story so much, and being a family girl myself, it held such a wonderful premise for me as a reader. As I mentioned above, it was such an entertaining novel, focusing on the transformation of one hell of a hectic woman who finally learns to take a step away from the chaos and life and enjoy it from the back seat with a perfect view of the most important things. Life, family and love.
Becca's Books is awarding Life or Something Like It by Annie Lyons with FIVE SCRUMMY CUPCAKES! Such a gorgeously crafted novel with a heroine who will have you hoping against hope that she'll just give herself a break and enjoy all that life has to offer. With a warm 'family feel' and a whole lot of heart, this is one story that you should most definitely treat yourselves to.
It has been such a very long time since I last read a novel by the wonderful Annie Lyons, the last time being back in July of 2014 when I read the fabulous Not Quite Perfect, which I adored, so I couldn't wait to once again delve into a world created by Annie and meet a brand new batch of characters and situations that I could really lose myself to.
In Life or Something Like It, Annie introduces the reader to Cat Nightingale, a snappy, constantly-on-top-of-her-game business woman with a firm mantra that she lives by - 'Work hard. Have fun. No drama.' But when one of Cat's clients gets into some trouble for misbehaving, she's forced to take a break which, coincidentally, happens to collide perfectly with her brother Andrew needing a hand with his children. This is where the story really got fun for me, readers, because even somebody with half a brain could see how obviously useless Cat Nightingale was going to be when it came to her niece and nephew.
As I'd expected, Annie's writing within Life or Something Like It was spot on. There was humour, romance, and the learning, I thought, of how life could be truly wonderful, if only Cat Nightingale would take a step away from her constantly moving lifestyle and breathe in the fresh air and admire the scenery. Annie's creation of Cat was faultless, but I have to admit that I didn't immediately take to her character at the beginning of the story. She just seemed too focused on the less important things in my eyes, but what I loved was how my opinion of Cat changed throughout the progression of the novel. When Cat agrees to taking care of her brother's children, I really couldn't wait to see how she'd handle such an alien situation because that really is what this was to Cat. She very rarely dealt or spent time with children in her day-to-day life, and it became such a beautifully placed learning curve for Cat's character I had no choice but to warm to her and, ultimately, cheer her on. Annie's style stayed true-to-form within Life or Something Like It, in that it was gorgeously descriptive, witty and downright impossible to put down. More than that though, it was incredibly fun and entertaining, a story that really held my attention and kept me turning those pages, just to continue reading and being witness to how Cat would grow and change and, ultimately, see that life held so much more if she'd only take a moment to appreciate it.
There were a whole cast of wonderfully engaging characters within Life or Something Like It, ranging from the cheeky but adorable little ones, to lovely, lovely Finn, including a whole lot more. Each of these characters held something that would, in the end, unlock the parts of Cat Nightingale's heart that had been hidden away for so long and allow her to see what exactly she'd been missing out on while working like a maniac. It was such a life-affirming, invigorating and positively heart-warming story, about learning how to really really live your life to the fullest and enjoy every single second of it.
I loved this story so much, and being a family girl myself, it held such a wonderful premise for me as a reader. As I mentioned above, it was such an entertaining novel, focusing on the transformation of one hell of a hectic woman who finally learns to take a step away from the chaos and life and enjoy it from the back seat with a perfect view of the most important things. Life, family and love.
Becca's Books is awarding Life or Something Like It by Annie Lyons with FIVE SCRUMMY CUPCAKES! Such a gorgeously crafted novel with a heroine who will have you hoping against hope that she'll just give herself a break and enjoy all that life has to offer. With a warm 'family feel' and a whole lot of heart, this is one story that you should most definitely treat yourselves to.
July 16, 2015
Originally reviewed for Dreaming With Open Eyes
Actual rating = 3.5
I kindly received Life or Something Like It in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
Cat has it all. She loves her job, the lifestyle it afforded her, the two-bedroom house in a cool edgy corner of Shoreditch, the weekend away, five-star holidays to the best resorts, first class travel. Cat stopped believing in romance a long time ago she is happy on her own. Cat had a releationship with her iPhone that was more serious than any she had ever experienced with a man. Keeping in touch and up to date was vital. She had to be on top of everything as she is running her own PR Company with her best friend Jesse. All things change when a client of her PR company gets in the press for all wrong reasons she gets temporarily suspended of her job.
In this moment, Cats brother Andrew, needs her help to come after her duty to be an aunt and ends up to take care of her little niece Ellie and nephew Charlie. They are not affraid to show her dislike towards Cat, although the feeling is mutual. Cat has choosen her career over family. She is a workoholic and dosen't want any children. Luckily Cat has not to look after the kids on her own. There's Andrew's friend Finn who is watching his niece, who is Ellie's friend, and they can look after the children together. After a while Cat starts questioning herself and what she really wants in life. Is there something for her to go back to or is it time for change?
I had really been looking forward to reading this book because I heard so many great things about Lyon's first novel Not Quite Perfect. Being this the first book I have read by Annie Lyons, I don't have any other books of hers to compare it. I can say that I enjoyed reading it and wanted to keep reading to find out what happens. The characters were enjoyable as well as the setting.
The story wasn’t perfect, at least not for me. I have to be honest here, it was pretty predictable, but refreshing in some way. I would have liked Cat and Finn's romance to feel more ... like a romance I think.?! I would have loved to see more of these two together, without the children. Although I very enjoyed the aspect that it wasn't an instant love and that the romance was not the main topic of the book. Cat can't stand Finn at first and labels him as a know-it-all. I enjoyed reading about their journey from friends to lovers. The author did such a great job portraying the bond between Cat and Andrew's children. The bond is slowly building up as the story unfolds and it turns out be truly heartwarming. I really felt how much they care for each other and how important is for them to have each other in their lives.
Anyway, the story was lovely and if you want to read an entertaining Chick-lit novel with a slow build relationship, engaging main and side characters and great writing, I really recommend this one to you. A perfect read for your summer holiday.
Actual rating = 3.5
I kindly received Life or Something Like It in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via NetGalley.
Cat has it all. She loves her job, the lifestyle it afforded her, the two-bedroom house in a cool edgy corner of Shoreditch, the weekend away, five-star holidays to the best resorts, first class travel. Cat stopped believing in romance a long time ago she is happy on her own. Cat had a releationship with her iPhone that was more serious than any she had ever experienced with a man. Keeping in touch and up to date was vital. She had to be on top of everything as she is running her own PR Company with her best friend Jesse. All things change when a client of her PR company gets in the press for all wrong reasons she gets temporarily suspended of her job.
In this moment, Cats brother Andrew, needs her help to come after her duty to be an aunt and ends up to take care of her little niece Ellie and nephew Charlie. They are not affraid to show her dislike towards Cat, although the feeling is mutual. Cat has choosen her career over family. She is a workoholic and dosen't want any children. Luckily Cat has not to look after the kids on her own. There's Andrew's friend Finn who is watching his niece, who is Ellie's friend, and they can look after the children together. After a while Cat starts questioning herself and what she really wants in life. Is there something for her to go back to or is it time for change?
I had really been looking forward to reading this book because I heard so many great things about Lyon's first novel Not Quite Perfect. Being this the first book I have read by Annie Lyons, I don't have any other books of hers to compare it. I can say that I enjoyed reading it and wanted to keep reading to find out what happens. The characters were enjoyable as well as the setting.
The story wasn’t perfect, at least not for me. I have to be honest here, it was pretty predictable, but refreshing in some way. I would have liked Cat and Finn's romance to feel more ... like a romance I think.?! I would have loved to see more of these two together, without the children. Although I very enjoyed the aspect that it wasn't an instant love and that the romance was not the main topic of the book. Cat can't stand Finn at first and labels him as a know-it-all. I enjoyed reading about their journey from friends to lovers. The author did such a great job portraying the bond between Cat and Andrew's children. The bond is slowly building up as the story unfolds and it turns out be truly heartwarming. I really felt how much they care for each other and how important is for them to have each other in their lives.
Anyway, the story was lovely and if you want to read an entertaining Chick-lit novel with a slow build relationship, engaging main and side characters and great writing, I really recommend this one to you. A perfect read for your summer holiday.
October 5, 2015
The book begins with Cat Nightingale, who works hard and, while she lets her work define her, has no qualms about it doing so. She is a strong character who grabbed me from the start, I found her really refreshing. We are told how much she lives for her job, but then suddenly: bang! Cat is told that maybe she should stay away for a little while as part of the fall-out of a publicist’s nightmare, the faux pas of a bad boy footballer. Suddenly Cat has time on her hands which works to her brother, Andrew’s advantage. He enlists Cat to help mind his son, Charlie and daughter, Ellie. Cat is very much not a children person and she battles to befriend the two who aren’t very open to the idea of Cat being there. She is also left to deal with problems that Charlie has, issues that broke my heart and put it firmly in my stomach for a portion of the book. This all take place whilst dealing with Finn, a constant presence who is uncle to their friend and who seems to find Cat’s trials amusing. I adored the interactions between the two of them, their personalities matched the other in terms of smartness and speed and added to an already ever present wit and humour.
Then there’s the small issue of someone in Cat’s job trying to make things different for her. This was dealt with brilliantly, and I was on edge to find out what exactly was happening, and who she could really trust.
The characters in this were gold and performed their duties to perfection. I adored Cat, loved her best friend Ava, Finn, the kids … the only character I couldn’t warm to was her brother, Andrew. I loved where the book went in terms of showing the issues Cat was keeping inside, it was dealt with beautifully and also brought about showing us just how nicely Ms. Lyons does romance. The pages flew by and the comic moments put a smile on my face, as did the story.
This book is interesting in that it brings up the age old question of how people assume that females of a certain age are pre-disposed to want children. I cannot recommend this book enough for something light, yet thought provoking, definitely one to get the conversations going, though also one to make you smile. All in all, some very sweet, sad, melancholic moments, that gave me a jolt as it reminded me of times gone by. Highly recommended and I look forward to looking up ‘Not Quite Perfect’ by the same author.
Rating: 5/5
Then there’s the small issue of someone in Cat’s job trying to make things different for her. This was dealt with brilliantly, and I was on edge to find out what exactly was happening, and who she could really trust.
The characters in this were gold and performed their duties to perfection. I adored Cat, loved her best friend Ava, Finn, the kids … the only character I couldn’t warm to was her brother, Andrew. I loved where the book went in terms of showing the issues Cat was keeping inside, it was dealt with beautifully and also brought about showing us just how nicely Ms. Lyons does romance. The pages flew by and the comic moments put a smile on my face, as did the story.
This book is interesting in that it brings up the age old question of how people assume that females of a certain age are pre-disposed to want children. I cannot recommend this book enough for something light, yet thought provoking, definitely one to get the conversations going, though also one to make you smile. All in all, some very sweet, sad, melancholic moments, that gave me a jolt as it reminded me of times gone by. Highly recommended and I look forward to looking up ‘Not Quite Perfect’ by the same author.
Rating: 5/5
July 14, 2016
Cat's life starts to change, when her footballer client ends up in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons. Cat is made to take a sabbatical from work, and that coincides with her brother needing help with his kids over the summer.
However Cat has made it clear on many occasions to anyone she speaks to that she has no interest in kids, and she barely knows her niece and nephew. But she is up for a challenge and she determines that she will try to become the best Auntie ever, and in doing so she may just learn more about herself than expected.
I loved watching Cat with the kids, Ellie who's 6 and Charlie who's 10, and she starts off as not a fan of Finn, Ellie's best friend Daisy's uncle, but then they start to spend enforced time together, and something softens.
This is the first book I have read by Annie Lyons, despite having bought all of them, and my instincts to mass buy the author appear to be correct. This is a delight to read, and I found myself smiling at some of the comments the children came out with. Ellie is a very insightful 6 year old, while Charlie is acting out but for good reasons, while Daisy is adorable too.
I loved the way the book flowed, and the clear sense of humour with in it. The family interactions were really well done, and the story does touch on a couple of issues, including one that is becoming more common in schools in recent years.
My favourite characters were definitely all the children, with their distinctive personalities, and generally great outlook on life. Cat's first outing with Ellie and Charlie was particularly fab, as she had no idea what she was doing, but gamely trying her hardest to give the kids the sort of day that perhaps she would have loved herself.
I can't wait to see what Annie Lyons comes up with next, and I will on the back of this book endeavour to read more of her previous books too. What a great introduction to an author who is new to me.
However Cat has made it clear on many occasions to anyone she speaks to that she has no interest in kids, and she barely knows her niece and nephew. But she is up for a challenge and she determines that she will try to become the best Auntie ever, and in doing so she may just learn more about herself than expected.
I loved watching Cat with the kids, Ellie who's 6 and Charlie who's 10, and she starts off as not a fan of Finn, Ellie's best friend Daisy's uncle, but then they start to spend enforced time together, and something softens.
This is the first book I have read by Annie Lyons, despite having bought all of them, and my instincts to mass buy the author appear to be correct. This is a delight to read, and I found myself smiling at some of the comments the children came out with. Ellie is a very insightful 6 year old, while Charlie is acting out but for good reasons, while Daisy is adorable too.
I loved the way the book flowed, and the clear sense of humour with in it. The family interactions were really well done, and the story does touch on a couple of issues, including one that is becoming more common in schools in recent years.
My favourite characters were definitely all the children, with their distinctive personalities, and generally great outlook on life. Cat's first outing with Ellie and Charlie was particularly fab, as she had no idea what she was doing, but gamely trying her hardest to give the kids the sort of day that perhaps she would have loved herself.
I can't wait to see what Annie Lyons comes up with next, and I will on the back of this book endeavour to read more of her previous books too. What a great introduction to an author who is new to me.
May 25, 2023
Five words: repression, reluctance, resilience, reformation,resurgence
August 30, 2018
I liked the story. The pacing was well done and the main characters were more fleshed out than other characters. At first I didn't really like Finn but he grew on me much the same way he did for Cat. It's nice that she didn't throw herself at him and it was one of those met one day in bed before the day is over type of story. Also Cat knows what she does and doesn't want, at first she's a bit rigid but after taking care of the kids learns to let go a little but doesn't go crazy with newfound freedom. Ava turned out to be a better character then I was expecting, from first descriptions she didn't seem like something that could be counted on but turned out to be one of Cat's better friends. It was a nice lighthearted book and I'll definitely be reading more books by this author.
February 27, 2019
My favorite
I've read all of Ms. Lyons's books and, while I've loved them all, this one is my favorite. It's about a woman who is basically forced to really think about what she wants out of life after losing her job.
It's sweet and sad and funny. I ran the gamut of emotions and enjoyed every moment of it.
I've read all of Ms. Lyons's books and, while I've loved them all, this one is my favorite. It's about a woman who is basically forced to really think about what she wants out of life after losing her job.
It's sweet and sad and funny. I ran the gamut of emotions and enjoyed every moment of it.
July 23, 2015
"Life or Something Like It" is my first Annie Lyon's book, but after reading this one, for sure not the last! I have spotted tweets about this novel appearing as if by magic on Twitter, read only raving reviews, and then I had a better look at this beautiful, gorgeous, stunning cover and synopsis, and I thought I must read this story, period.
There were some great characters in this book, that's for certain, and they were all incredibly lively, realistic, larger than life people who were developing, also what I like most. Especially our lovely Cat has metamorphosed, and I truly enjoyed how she changed. My favourite version of her was for sure Holiday Cat, although Cat with the children and Cat who eventually decided what's truly best for her was also good! But when Cat came back to work, I had a feeling that mostly she was regarded as a real bitch, a boss from hell, and it confused me as well, because I didn't think about her like this. Yes, I knew that her job was her world, she didn't feel good when she wasn't at work, and her iPhone was the most important person in her life, but I have never spotted any presumptions or information that apart of being workaholic, she was a bossy, severe colleague.
Annie Lyons can also for sure write children's characters, because in my opinion all three kids in the book were brilliantly pictured and were not too forced, not too exaggerated, and I loved scenes with them, even if it was moody Charlie or too self - confident and very dominant Ellie. Also we can't forget the charming Daisy - all three were just like real children in their age. And the dynamics between Cat and her niece and nephew were brilliantly captured, and it was a real joy to see how this relationship changed.
All the other characters were incredibly well written and they were just popping out of the pages, with their problems, beliefs and opinions, and just the way they were. I only had some problems with the age of the characters. As far as I know, Cat was over thirty, am I right? Also, her best friend Ava told once that her daughter would be thirty already, so how old was she? Around fifty? Yet they didn't sound like such mature people at all, and I mean, there is nothing wrong in this, I only felt a little confused, that's all.
What was really exceptional in this story was the fact that - not as usually - the romance aspect was not as important. It was there, of course but the story mostly focused on how family functions and on developing bonds between family members. Well, Cat wasn't looking for a man in her life, but she wasn't also looking for a change in her life, and it was great to see how life takes her by surprise, how life teaches her a lesson, and Cat changes, from a woman scared of again loosing those who are closest to her into a woman who comes out of her shell and starts to appreciate what she has, not what she's lost.
You know, I think that having children and a person having no clue about children thrown together is a sure recipe for success - I mean, just imagine how hilarious their interactions can be! Here I more than once laughed at Cat and her antics, and at the way the children perceived her and other way round, and I truly enjoyed how she found her way in her new role, but to be totally honest, I've expected something more - something more original, fresh and new. Don't get me wrong please, it was a funny book with a message but it was also nothing new, I had a feeling that I've read about it thousand times already. I've missed something brand new that would take me by surprise. But other than that, I truly enjoyed this story!
I also liked one of the sub - plots that Annie Lyons decided to write about, namely about women deciding not to have children and consequences of this decision. My opinion is that if a woman doesn't want to have children, then she shouldn't have them, no matter why - let it be her comfort, her health, her attitude, doesn't matter - but let's allow it to be her decision. Why should it be other people's business? They should focus on their own lives, period. Every woman should be given the comfort of independent decision if she wants to be a mum or not, yet still mostly people criticise childless women. WHY? Life with children is nice, but life without children can also be nice.
So yes, under the surface of a merry, funny novel the author also tackles some very hot - spot issues, such as the above mentioned not having children out of choice or cyber - bullying.
It was also this kind of book when you could feel with all your heart how it is going to end, and what kind of things are going to happen, but this time it didn't bother me as much. Maybe because Annie Lyons is writing with her heart on a plate, her writing style is warm, lovely and engaging, and the story itself, even with some gentle moments or important messages, is nice, breezy and funny summer read, with great characters, lot of humour and tender moments, so, in fact, this book has it all! If you are looking for a breezy, warm, funny read with a lovely depth, then don't hesitate and read "Life or Something Like It"!
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
July 8, 2017
Easy read rom com
This author is reliably entertaining in a very undemanding way. The end of the story is predictable from the first chapter, but that didn't stop me reading it in one sitting. Good curl up with a book material.
This author is reliably entertaining in a very undemanding way. The end of the story is predictable from the first chapter, but that didn't stop me reading it in one sitting. Good curl up with a book material.
January 3, 2021
A nice book with good characters.
January 14, 2021
Annie Lyons writes beautiful books about families and relationships, she really draws you in from the first chapter
October 16, 2021
The first I've read by this author, I enjoyed it. You know how it'll end at the beginning but the author explores a few issues on the way to the happy ending.
February 28, 2022
I love Ellie and Charlie.
November 16, 2022
Another love story. I enjoyed this one.
The successful PR person steps in to help with her brothers children.
The successful PR person steps in to help with her brothers children.
May 9, 2023
Too cliché for my liking. Completely predictable.
July 7, 2023
Nice light summer read. Makes you think about everyday life and what is important.
August 13, 2015
Orginally on Book Mood Reviews
Every so often, I am lucky enough to be asked to read and review a book that completely takes me by surprise. Usually, this is due to the fact that I either I am asked to read a book that is out with my usual genre or it is an author that I haven’t heard of. In the case of this book, it was really neither. I had been asked to read one of Lyon’s previous books, Not Quite Perfect (which I am embarrassed to say is still sitting on my To Read Pile) and also I have been known to read books in the contemporary romance / Chick Lit genre. After reading Life or Something Like, I am really kicking myself for not picking up Lyon’s previous book sooner, if it is even half the quality of this gem of a book.
Like many books in this genre, the plot line centre’s round our unlucky heroine being thrust into a situation that is completely out of her depth. In this case, we have Cat. Our early thirty career woman being forced to take a sabbatical from her normal hectic life and in avertedly looking after her niece and nephew. It is during this journey of self discovery, she also ends up finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Where this book, in my opinion, really excels is in putting the romance in the background. Cat isn’t out to find a man in her life and though she has many personal reasons for this, the focus of this book is on her family. Here is a woman, so scared of what she might lose, she puts up barriers between those who she should be closest to. This is made all too clear with her early interactions with her niece and nephew. She has spent so little time with them that she doesn’t know them as people. As the book progresses, you see this morph and change and Cat changes before our eyes as her “fears” over children begin to melt. The result is that Cat has real empathy for those who have children.
Yes, Cat makes mistakes and although they are funny to read about, these situations are cemented in a reality that any parent or aunt can relate to. Lyons has captured these typical situations fantastically and you could almost imagine that these were told with some humour at a later date.
What makes matters worse for Cat, is the fact that her niece’s best friend’s uncle, Finn, seems to be Super-Uncle and can somehow read children like he is the uber-guru of children. Naturally, at first Cat is just rubbed up the wrong way with Finn’s know it all-ness and it does seem he is rather smug about it all. However, it is only during a holiday away to the coast, that we, and Cat, begin to see deeper within Finn. An attraction or some sort of chemistry begins to develop between the two characters and though it isn’t the sort of instant sparks flying I am used to seeing in books I have read recently, the organic development of their relationship is no less enjoying to watch.
As is the case in all matters of the heart, more than a few spanners are thrown in the works. Deep down I knew that everything would work out ok between Cat and Finn, but Lyon’s did manage to cast in a bit of doubt on who Cat would end up with, when her unrequited love seemed to suddenly show interest. I will admit, I did have my doubts on his sincerity and the situation around his sudden change of heart, but I did still wonder if there would be a curve ball or two.
This worrying was all for nothing and everything worked out for all parties concerned. When reading the epilogue of the last book, Lyon’s had me squeeing as I made an assumption about Cat and Finn’s future. This was a red herring, but what did transpire still made me happy and seemed to fit in nicely with the whole tone of the book. This just was one of those feel good books that you can’t help but smile at and I really enjoyed it.
VERDICT
Life or Something Like It is the perfect holiday or summer read, with characters you instantly fall for and in my case empathise with. The pages seemed to slip by and I was surprised at how quickly it seemed to be over.
Reading Life or Something Like It has reignited my love for this genre and has me adding Lyon’s on my must read list. She really has a gift for this sort of storytelling and would not be out of place in sitting beside Sophie Kinsella, Cecelia Ahern and Lindsey Kelk. This really is a book that will have you hooting with laughter one minute and welling up the next, all the while knowing that everything will work out in the end.
Every so often, I am lucky enough to be asked to read and review a book that completely takes me by surprise. Usually, this is due to the fact that I either I am asked to read a book that is out with my usual genre or it is an author that I haven’t heard of. In the case of this book, it was really neither. I had been asked to read one of Lyon’s previous books, Not Quite Perfect (which I am embarrassed to say is still sitting on my To Read Pile) and also I have been known to read books in the contemporary romance / Chick Lit genre. After reading Life or Something Like, I am really kicking myself for not picking up Lyon’s previous book sooner, if it is even half the quality of this gem of a book.
Like many books in this genre, the plot line centre’s round our unlucky heroine being thrust into a situation that is completely out of her depth. In this case, we have Cat. Our early thirty career woman being forced to take a sabbatical from her normal hectic life and in avertedly looking after her niece and nephew. It is during this journey of self discovery, she also ends up finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Where this book, in my opinion, really excels is in putting the romance in the background. Cat isn’t out to find a man in her life and though she has many personal reasons for this, the focus of this book is on her family. Here is a woman, so scared of what she might lose, she puts up barriers between those who she should be closest to. This is made all too clear with her early interactions with her niece and nephew. She has spent so little time with them that she doesn’t know them as people. As the book progresses, you see this morph and change and Cat changes before our eyes as her “fears” over children begin to melt. The result is that Cat has real empathy for those who have children.
Yes, Cat makes mistakes and although they are funny to read about, these situations are cemented in a reality that any parent or aunt can relate to. Lyons has captured these typical situations fantastically and you could almost imagine that these were told with some humour at a later date.
What makes matters worse for Cat, is the fact that her niece’s best friend’s uncle, Finn, seems to be Super-Uncle and can somehow read children like he is the uber-guru of children. Naturally, at first Cat is just rubbed up the wrong way with Finn’s know it all-ness and it does seem he is rather smug about it all. However, it is only during a holiday away to the coast, that we, and Cat, begin to see deeper within Finn. An attraction or some sort of chemistry begins to develop between the two characters and though it isn’t the sort of instant sparks flying I am used to seeing in books I have read recently, the organic development of their relationship is no less enjoying to watch.
As is the case in all matters of the heart, more than a few spanners are thrown in the works. Deep down I knew that everything would work out ok between Cat and Finn, but Lyon’s did manage to cast in a bit of doubt on who Cat would end up with, when her unrequited love seemed to suddenly show interest. I will admit, I did have my doubts on his sincerity and the situation around his sudden change of heart, but I did still wonder if there would be a curve ball or two.
This worrying was all for nothing and everything worked out for all parties concerned. When reading the epilogue of the last book, Lyon’s had me squeeing as I made an assumption about Cat and Finn’s future. This was a red herring, but what did transpire still made me happy and seemed to fit in nicely with the whole tone of the book. This just was one of those feel good books that you can’t help but smile at and I really enjoyed it.
VERDICT
Life or Something Like It is the perfect holiday or summer read, with characters you instantly fall for and in my case empathise with. The pages seemed to slip by and I was surprised at how quickly it seemed to be over.
Reading Life or Something Like It has reignited my love for this genre and has me adding Lyon’s on my must read list. She really has a gift for this sort of storytelling and would not be out of place in sitting beside Sophie Kinsella, Cecelia Ahern and Lindsey Kelk. This really is a book that will have you hooting with laughter one minute and welling up the next, all the while knowing that everything will work out in the end.
July 14, 2015
Annie Lyons has an intriguing way of mixing normal family life, dysfunctional relationships and important social topics of our time. It is so subtle you can barely tell and yet on a subconscious level you do take them on board. My point is Lyons makes her point without shoving it in your face.
Cat is a career girl through and through. The world of PR and the social media are the first thing she thinks of when she wakes up in the morning and her last thought at night. She has decided not to have children and focus on her career instead.
Unfortunately for Cat she ends up having to step up to mark as an auntie and take care of her niece and nephew. Two small humans, who don't exactly like Cat and aren't afraid to show it. One pre-teen and a very direct six-year old.What could possibly go wrong?
Cat finds herself questioning her own emotions. She realises she does care what her niece and nephew think of her. Ever so slowly the three of them start to build the beginnings of a fragile relationship.
I enjoyed the way Lyons brought up the age-old debate about career vs children. Women often feel as if they have to choose between one or the other, and those that have both know they can't give equal time to both of them. It is interesting to note that women tend to be the harshest critics of other women.
Instead of supporting members of their own gender they tend to point the fingers the most. Women who choose to stay at home are raked over the coals for doing so, and similarly career women are accused of neglecting their children or not being real women if they choose not to have any.
On top of that Lyons has also shone a spotlight on the topic of women choosing in general not to have children. Society tends to be critical and perceive those women as more selfish. Such a shame that the emphasis is placed on our role as baby-growers instead of women as individuals who have the right and freedom to choose.
Life or Something Like it is a breezy, comfortable read with plenty of funny moments and underlying serious ones, without ever being more complex than a just a simple 'girl discovers there is more to life than just her phone' story. It really is one of Lyons talents to create something memorable in such a simple and realistic setting.
Overall a good read and one I definitely recommend.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Carina Uk & Harlequin UK.
Cat is a career girl through and through. The world of PR and the social media are the first thing she thinks of when she wakes up in the morning and her last thought at night. She has decided not to have children and focus on her career instead.
Unfortunately for Cat she ends up having to step up to mark as an auntie and take care of her niece and nephew. Two small humans, who don't exactly like Cat and aren't afraid to show it. One pre-teen and a very direct six-year old.What could possibly go wrong?
Cat finds herself questioning her own emotions. She realises she does care what her niece and nephew think of her. Ever so slowly the three of them start to build the beginnings of a fragile relationship.
I enjoyed the way Lyons brought up the age-old debate about career vs children. Women often feel as if they have to choose between one or the other, and those that have both know they can't give equal time to both of them. It is interesting to note that women tend to be the harshest critics of other women.
Instead of supporting members of their own gender they tend to point the fingers the most. Women who choose to stay at home are raked over the coals for doing so, and similarly career women are accused of neglecting their children or not being real women if they choose not to have any.
On top of that Lyons has also shone a spotlight on the topic of women choosing in general not to have children. Society tends to be critical and perceive those women as more selfish. Such a shame that the emphasis is placed on our role as baby-growers instead of women as individuals who have the right and freedom to choose.
Life or Something Like it is a breezy, comfortable read with plenty of funny moments and underlying serious ones, without ever being more complex than a just a simple 'girl discovers there is more to life than just her phone' story. It really is one of Lyons talents to create something memorable in such a simple and realistic setting.
Overall a good read and one I definitely recommend.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Carina Uk & Harlequin UK.
July 13, 2015
Originally posted on: http://www.albainbookland.com/2015/07...
After reading Annie Lyons' book, Not Quite Perfect, last summer, I knew that she could make me laugh but also think about life and how to appreciate what we have. But with Life or Something Like It, Annie Lyons has overdone herself. She has created a fantastic character with Cat. She was a real workaholic at the beginning and regarded her nephew and niece as strange creatures that she had to avoid at all costs. But under all this you could easily see she was smart, generous and had a lot of love to share.
It was no surprise then to see this new version of her flourish during the story, especially when they went on holiday (she became, new and improved HollidayCat). I loved how her interactions with the kids slowly became easier and their bond grew. And the kids themselves were a joy to read, especially Ellie. This young girl had such a fantastic personality! She always said what she thought and more than once, her innocent comments were spot on. Without a doubt, she was my favourite character on the story. Although her older brother Charlie was really cute (sometimes). He was quite closed and moody (what can you expect from a pre-teen?) but also very protective of his sister. You could tell he loved her fiercely.
In the story there was a romantic line too, but I liked that it didn't take the main stage in the book. For Cat, what really mattered was this new found love for her family and her new love interest just added the perfect spark to the story. A story that will make you reevaluate your life for sure.
Life or Something Like It is a fantastic summer read. Half of it was set in a lovely coastal village in Suffolk and the descriptions were wonderful. It made me want to take a little vacation there myself. And it was the perfect spot for Car to rediscover herself.
I highly recommend this read for some laughs, especially at the first half of the story when Cat and the kids still don't understand each other, but also for a whole lot more of emotions!
After reading Annie Lyons' book, Not Quite Perfect, last summer, I knew that she could make me laugh but also think about life and how to appreciate what we have. But with Life or Something Like It, Annie Lyons has overdone herself. She has created a fantastic character with Cat. She was a real workaholic at the beginning and regarded her nephew and niece as strange creatures that she had to avoid at all costs. But under all this you could easily see she was smart, generous and had a lot of love to share.
It was no surprise then to see this new version of her flourish during the story, especially when they went on holiday (she became, new and improved HollidayCat). I loved how her interactions with the kids slowly became easier and their bond grew. And the kids themselves were a joy to read, especially Ellie. This young girl had such a fantastic personality! She always said what she thought and more than once, her innocent comments were spot on. Without a doubt, she was my favourite character on the story. Although her older brother Charlie was really cute (sometimes). He was quite closed and moody (what can you expect from a pre-teen?) but also very protective of his sister. You could tell he loved her fiercely.
In the story there was a romantic line too, but I liked that it didn't take the main stage in the book. For Cat, what really mattered was this new found love for her family and her new love interest just added the perfect spark to the story. A story that will make you reevaluate your life for sure.
Life or Something Like It is a fantastic summer read. Half of it was set in a lovely coastal village in Suffolk and the descriptions were wonderful. It made me want to take a little vacation there myself. And it was the perfect spot for Car to rediscover herself.
I highly recommend this read for some laughs, especially at the first half of the story when Cat and the kids still don't understand each other, but also for a whole lot more of emotions!
July 19, 2015
After reading something rather harrowing for the book club I belong to I was looking for something lighter and funnier for some summer reading. I should have saved this book for my holiday but I was too impatient! I have read Annie Lyon's previous books and enjoyed them and this one certainly didn't disappoint.
I loved the character of Cat and her PR world, trapped to her social media and constantly on some device. There are many Cat's out there and she was very realistic! She loves her job and she has no ties. You think she is a very sorted heroine. She adores her brother but finds his world completely alien as he is married with children and this is something that just doesn't feature in Cat's life, nor does she want it to. However, due to circumstances she ends up looking after her niece, hysterically truthful Ellie, and moody nephew, Charlie. It's full of funny moments and that is what this author does so well. Totally believable situations, with a smile to them. However, it is not all sunny as Cat's world is not as sorted as you were first led to believe and she has some demons of her own to get rid of as well as underlying problems for other characters to sort out. Finn (a romantic interest) is a great character as is his sister, who although is not in the book much, really stands out but as one other reviewer said that although there is romance the book is predominantly about family and what matters most to a person. Also that this can have negative and positive aspects to the work place.
I just really loved reading it and I was sad when I finished the last chapter (also a very clever twist on what you might expect). I look forward to more of the same from this witty and clever author
I loved the character of Cat and her PR world, trapped to her social media and constantly on some device. There are many Cat's out there and she was very realistic! She loves her job and she has no ties. You think she is a very sorted heroine. She adores her brother but finds his world completely alien as he is married with children and this is something that just doesn't feature in Cat's life, nor does she want it to. However, due to circumstances she ends up looking after her niece, hysterically truthful Ellie, and moody nephew, Charlie. It's full of funny moments and that is what this author does so well. Totally believable situations, with a smile to them. However, it is not all sunny as Cat's world is not as sorted as you were first led to believe and she has some demons of her own to get rid of as well as underlying problems for other characters to sort out. Finn (a romantic interest) is a great character as is his sister, who although is not in the book much, really stands out but as one other reviewer said that although there is romance the book is predominantly about family and what matters most to a person. Also that this can have negative and positive aspects to the work place.
I just really loved reading it and I was sad when I finished the last chapter (also a very clever twist on what you might expect). I look forward to more of the same from this witty and clever author
August 20, 2015
I came across this book on the Twitter feed of author CJ Morrow. I love it when I see a recommended book, but am always nervous as to whether it's my cup of tea or not. I have a wide ranging level of interest when it comes to reading. Some books take me weeks to finish, others I don't bother with. This one though was read in just over a weekend. Thanks to dog walks, I managed to fit more chapters in per day and they were well worth it. I absolutely loved this journey, it and reminded me fondly of the time I spent with my niece and nephews. I only wish I had the FINNish Cat did :) Highly recommend this, not just because it's chick lit, but it also serves as a reminder that there's more to life than work, work, work! After all, whoever came up with 'all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' was quite correct, regardless of gender!!
May 29, 2019
I enjoyed seeing the changes of perspective that Cat is forced to go through over her summer. Seeing her relationship with her family blossom was lovely, especially the children. I'm glad she finally gets the wake up call she needed for her life and her career.
I liked the style of this author and would like to look into what else she has written.
I liked the style of this author and would like to look into what else she has written.
February 4, 2017
This is the first book I've read by Annie and I wasn't disappointed. She has managed to write a story about a single woman with no kids or boyfriend without making the character sound like a complete loser! The brother's children began as brats but became quite winning, and the conclusion neatly avoided cliche. And did I mention that it was really funny? A very enjoyable read.
July 8, 2015
Too predictable. I gave up on it.
January 2, 2016
Really almost a three star book. Almost.
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