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Sheer Abandon
A #1 bestseller from one of Britain’s most popular novelists. • An all-consuming story revolving around the consequences of a desperate act. • "Nobody writes page-turning women's fiction like Vincenzi." — USA Today
Martha, Clio, and Jocasta meet by chance at Heathrow airport in 1985 as they are starting off on separate backpacking adventures, and they decide to spend the first few days of their trips together in Thailand. When they go their separate ways, they vow to get together in London the following year. But many years pass before the three cross paths again, and the once-capricious, carefree girls now all have thriving careers. One of them, however, harbors a terrible On her return from her pre-college excursion, she abandoned her just-born daughter at Heathrow.
Clio has fulfilled her ambition of becoming a doctor, only to find herself trapped in a marriage to an arrogant surgeon who belittles her and her professional achievements. Martha is a highly paid corporate lawyer, just embarking on a political career. Dedicated to her job, she has had little time for personal relationships and lives a busy, but lonely life. Jocasta, a tabloid newspaper reporter with an infallible instinct for the big story, is in love with a charming colleague who can’t make the permanent commitment she longs for. The infant abandoned at Heathrow has grown up under the loving care of her adoptive family. Now a beautiful teenager named Kate, she sets out to find her birth mother—a quest that unexpectedly brings the women together and exposes the secret buried so many years before.
Impossible to put down, Sheer Abandon is top-notch women’s fiction.
Martha, Clio, and Jocasta meet by chance at Heathrow airport in 1985 as they are starting off on separate backpacking adventures, and they decide to spend the first few days of their trips together in Thailand. When they go their separate ways, they vow to get together in London the following year. But many years pass before the three cross paths again, and the once-capricious, carefree girls now all have thriving careers. One of them, however, harbors a terrible On her return from her pre-college excursion, she abandoned her just-born daughter at Heathrow.
Clio has fulfilled her ambition of becoming a doctor, only to find herself trapped in a marriage to an arrogant surgeon who belittles her and her professional achievements. Martha is a highly paid corporate lawyer, just embarking on a political career. Dedicated to her job, she has had little time for personal relationships and lives a busy, but lonely life. Jocasta, a tabloid newspaper reporter with an infallible instinct for the big story, is in love with a charming colleague who can’t make the permanent commitment she longs for. The infant abandoned at Heathrow has grown up under the loving care of her adoptive family. Now a beautiful teenager named Kate, she sets out to find her birth mother—a quest that unexpectedly brings the women together and exposes the secret buried so many years before.
Impossible to put down, Sheer Abandon is top-notch women’s fiction.
638 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
237 people are currently reading
1446 people want to read
About the author
Penny Vincenzi
65 books924 followersPenny was nine years old when she embarked on her storytelling career. She wrote her own magazine called “Stories”, which she copied out three times on carbon paper and sold for two pence at school. So began a career in writing which has seen 7 million copies sold, and 17 bestselling novels.
After secretarial college, Penny worked as a junior secretary at Vogue and Tatler magazines, before moving to the Daily Mirror as personal assistant to Marje Proops, Britain's legendary agony aunt.
Marje encouraged her to write, and she became fashion editor and beauty writer at the Mirror, working for the women's editor in what was irreverently known as the "fragrant department". Penny’s journalistic career as a celebrated writer and columnist spanned several decades working for many of the leading newspapers and magazines of the time.
She once asked bestselling British author Jilly Cooper for advice on writing a novel while interviewing her for a magazine profile. Jilly put Penny in touch with her own agent, who promptly auctioned off her (then unwritten) first novel. It was quickly snapped up and the rest, as they say, is history.
Penny died in 2018. She was the proud and much-loved mother of four equally proud daughters, and grandmother to nine grandchildren.
After secretarial college, Penny worked as a junior secretary at Vogue and Tatler magazines, before moving to the Daily Mirror as personal assistant to Marje Proops, Britain's legendary agony aunt.
Marje encouraged her to write, and she became fashion editor and beauty writer at the Mirror, working for the women's editor in what was irreverently known as the "fragrant department". Penny’s journalistic career as a celebrated writer and columnist spanned several decades working for many of the leading newspapers and magazines of the time.
She once asked bestselling British author Jilly Cooper for advice on writing a novel while interviewing her for a magazine profile. Jilly put Penny in touch with her own agent, who promptly auctioned off her (then unwritten) first novel. It was quickly snapped up and the rest, as they say, is history.
Penny died in 2018. She was the proud and much-loved mother of four equally proud daughters, and grandmother to nine grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
April 19, 2022
It took me a while to read this book and I did feel it was longer than it needed to be however I did enjoy the story line and I'm definitely going to miss the characters!
I would definitely read more from this author.
I would definitely read more from this author.
July 25, 2008
Why I didn't really like this book...
1. It could and should have been 300 pages. Instead, it dragged on for 627.
2. The author gives away important information early on in the book. Unless you are quite slow, you are going to know who the Mother and he Father of the abandoned baby are and you will be waiting rather impatiently for like 400 pages while the rest of the characters figure out what you already know.
3. I didn't like the writing style. The author jumps from character to character rather abruptly. I suppose this would be fine if there were something interesting going on.
Ultimately, I finished the book because I kept expecting something interesting to happen and it never did. In fact, the ending of the book was a big disappointment. I gave it 2 stars because the story was interesting, it just needed to be told more swiftly.
1. It could and should have been 300 pages. Instead, it dragged on for 627.
2. The author gives away important information early on in the book. Unless you are quite slow, you are going to know who the Mother and he Father of the abandoned baby are and you will be waiting rather impatiently for like 400 pages while the rest of the characters figure out what you already know.
3. I didn't like the writing style. The author jumps from character to character rather abruptly. I suppose this would be fine if there were something interesting going on.
Ultimately, I finished the book because I kept expecting something interesting to happen and it never did. In fact, the ending of the book was a big disappointment. I gave it 2 stars because the story was interesting, it just needed to be told more swiftly.
October 20, 2021
I had hoped that I'd found a new writer to read books from but sadly this one didn't work for me. To slow and I lost interest in the story and characters way to quick. Not sure why I finished it
July 29, 2008
This book should be retitled "The Never Ending Story"! Holy lord I thought it would never end. It wasn't necessarily BAD but it may have been a lot better as a movie. Lord knows it was long enough to be the actual script. In an approximately 620 page book, I didn't get into the story or anything that seemed fun to read until about page 420!!! Even the ending was disappointing. If I'm gonna read a book this long I want the ending to be wrapped up in a pretty little happy ending bow. No such luck. Save yourself the time and I'll write you two paragraphs summarizing this book for you if you're contemplating reading it.
May 27, 2014
This story of Sheer Abandon had me in tears. One thing for sure about Penny is when she writes a book she does give vaule for money by giving a story of plenty of pages to read. I have read lots of Penny Vincenzi books.
July 24, 2007
Simply amazing. The whole book was just one huge adventure, never quite sure of what was next. It was truly a heartfelt book, with human flaws so clearly decipted, but instead of feeling horrified, you cannot help but feel pity and love for them. Instead of wanting to strike out at them, I just wanted to protect them with a hug, telling them that it all will be okay. Especially Kate.
I loved this book, and it was definitely not what I expected. Not by far, and frankly that's a good thing. Sometimes if it's predictable, the way many books are these days, I'm turned off. This just held me in its grips until I finally got to the last page and I wished I could keep on reading, for I felt as if I was a part of the family. Not the blood related family, but the one held together by love and circumstances as well.
I loved this book, and it was definitely not what I expected. Not by far, and frankly that's a good thing. Sometimes if it's predictable, the way many books are these days, I'm turned off. This just held me in its grips until I finally got to the last page and I wished I could keep on reading, for I felt as if I was a part of the family. Not the blood related family, but the one held together by love and circumstances as well.
March 12, 2017
I have liked the other couple of Penny Vincenzi books that I've read, but not this one. Overall, I felt like there was very little plot and the book (626 pages) has about 300 pages too long. I got really annoyed with the constant switching back and forth between characters. Sometimes you'd only read a paragraph before moving on to the next character. I also didn't really buy the character development, especially Clio and Jocasta. And if I had to hear Kate say "cool" one more time, I was going to scream. Vincenzi needs to vary her teenage character's slang, please.
November 17, 2008
I'm putting this on my "read" shelf since I don't have a "it was too boring and I couldn't stand it so I gave up shelf"
September 7, 2023
3.5 stars.
March 5, 2017
I enjoyed this and would recommend it, but it wasn't quite as intense or riveting as the description let on. It was a good, solid read but was lengthy and more drawn out than I would have liked. I'm between 3.5 and 4 stars on this one.
February 14, 2024
Despite solving the mystery earlier on in the book, I still enjoyed this a lot. I did feel like the book was too lengthy and that everything could’ve been fit into at least half what the book was.
I also feel like the ending with one of the main characters was an easy cope out and that the ending could’ve been developed better so I’m super disappointed by that.
Otherwise I really liked the characters and how fallible and relatable they were.
I also feel like the ending with one of the main characters was an easy cope out and that the ending could’ve been developed better so I’m super disappointed by that.
Otherwise I really liked the characters and how fallible and relatable they were.
February 21, 2011
Sex, politics and a devastating secret … Penny combines these elements with the search of a sixteen-year-old girl for her birth mother, resulting in a novel that is both intoxicating and deeply moving. This is the story of three very different women—prickly, independent Martha, impulsive, fun-loving Jocasta and sweet, self-effacing Clio—who meet by chance at eighteen as they’re about to embark on several months travelling, and how, seventeen years later, their paths cross under extraordinary circumstances. As with all Penny Vincenzi’s novels, it is the characters that truly bring this to life. They might not always be likable, but it’s impossible not to feel for them, and to smile when you recognize their flaws in yourself. Sometimes sharply funny, at others poignantly sad, Sheer Abandon is above all a highly entertaining read.
May 23, 2011
Holy mother of Moses, this book was too long. As I'm sure most people did, I figured out Kate's parentage in the first few chapters and spent the rest of the book feeling thoroughly annoyed at the fact that the author insults the intelligence of her readers by acting as though her plot isn't terribly transparent for another 500 pages.
I give this book more than just one star because I did appreciate her skills at developing characters that readers can identify with.
Other than that, don't waste your time with this nonsense. I spent the better part of two days reading it to find out when the damn thing got interesting - it never did.
I give this book more than just one star because I did appreciate her skills at developing characters that readers can identify with.
Other than that, don't waste your time with this nonsense. I spent the better part of two days reading it to find out when the damn thing got interesting - it never did.
August 4, 2017
I wish I could say that this book brought me joy to read but no . The first three chapters started well, going from Kate to Martha, Clio and Jocasta finding out who they were and the main story line , who was Kate's real mum. Then it went down hill as we went through back stories and present day problems. I think the main problem with this book was the 632 pages, way too long it would have made a brilliant book under 350 pages as you lost interest half way through as the story was not entertaining enough for me after those pages. I think Penny Vincenzi has made some brilliant books but this is not one of them.
July 11, 2010
Two people who make life worth living: Nette and Penny Vincenzi. The former introduced me to the latter, and thank God, because a beach isn't a beach unless you're sitting on it with a deliriously trashy PV tome in hand.
August 16, 2016
It was a bit dragging - especially at the beginning. I think it would have done without all that political talk. But then once the story began to form, it was much better.
October 18, 2017
This book is about three teenage girls (Martha, Jocasta and Clio) that happen to be traveling in the same circle, establish a relationship and travel together for a bit and how their lives turn out.
Clio is a doctor and in an unhappy marriage. Ugh.
Martha is a successful lawyer, a bit unemotional on the outside and nabs a hot younger man.
Jocasta is a reporter with a commitment-phobe boyfriend.
Kate makes her entrance onto the scene...she was born at an airport and left by her mother. It is interesting how she ties in.
Penny Vincenzi is one of my top rated authors. I love her stories.
Clio is a doctor and in an unhappy marriage. Ugh.
Martha is a successful lawyer, a bit unemotional on the outside and nabs a hot younger man.
Jocasta is a reporter with a commitment-phobe boyfriend.
Kate makes her entrance onto the scene...she was born at an airport and left by her mother. It is interesting how she ties in.
Penny Vincenzi is one of my top rated authors. I love her stories.
November 13, 2022
Entertaining with a lot of twists and turns. The only thing that slowed the reading process down and was a bit boring were the political parts. Also one big story line was quite obvious from the start. Enjoyed it nonetheless! Excited to read more books again.
July 27, 2025
I enjoyed this book, but it could have been about 200 pages shorter! I found myself skimming over the political bits. the story really didn't need them. Some of the characters were difficult to like.
September 7, 2013
SHEER ABANDON - OF ALL YOUR HOUSEWORK!!!!!!!
I have seen a lot of negative reviews of this novel and felt I just had to review it to redress the balance. I have read every Penny Vincenzi book right from her brilliant first novel OLD SINS and this book did not disappoint either. I have recently read a few books that didn't seem up to my normal standard and become a bit bored and so I really needed something good to get my teeth into. I bought this book and, as I usually do just before I start a book, I read the Amazon reviews. I couldn't believe there were so many people who didn't enjoy it that much but Penny's previous reputation as an author reigned supreme and the reviews didn't put me off so I started the book. I had 2 days off work at the time and the weather was wonderful so all I did was sit out in the garden and read and didn't do much else for the next few days. The book was so easy to get into with characters you really care about. It was soon unputdownable. Some people have said it was too long but I didn't find it so-I think it was just right-any briefer and there wouldn't be enough detail but it didn't ramble at all the pace was just right. A real holiday read. Excellent
I have seen a lot of negative reviews of this novel and felt I just had to review it to redress the balance. I have read every Penny Vincenzi book right from her brilliant first novel OLD SINS and this book did not disappoint either. I have recently read a few books that didn't seem up to my normal standard and become a bit bored and so I really needed something good to get my teeth into. I bought this book and, as I usually do just before I start a book, I read the Amazon reviews. I couldn't believe there were so many people who didn't enjoy it that much but Penny's previous reputation as an author reigned supreme and the reviews didn't put me off so I started the book. I had 2 days off work at the time and the weather was wonderful so all I did was sit out in the garden and read and didn't do much else for the next few days. The book was so easy to get into with characters you really care about. It was soon unputdownable. Some people have said it was too long but I didn't find it so-I think it was just right-any briefer and there wouldn't be enough detail but it didn't ramble at all the pace was just right. A real holiday read. Excellent
August 10, 2015
I enjoyed this book and first time read by this author, but I thought even the storyline outlined in the jacket cover it would be a little more intense. Maybe it was the British reserve of the author.
After a gap year trip, one of the three main characters (Jocosta, Clio and Martha) gives birth in the London airport to a baby named Bianca. Sixteen years later the three meet again by chance and the beautiful young woman is searching out her birth mother. All have careers and liaisons of some sort. Each of the women are dealing with their own relationship issues and also there is the underlying theme of babies.
The book was over 600 pages long and while I thought it was a good read there were so many opportunities to add in some more juicy tidbits to the story. I guess I expected the story to be written more like a 1980’s novel turned mini -series rather than a subdued version.
After a gap year trip, one of the three main characters (Jocosta, Clio and Martha) gives birth in the London airport to a baby named Bianca. Sixteen years later the three meet again by chance and the beautiful young woman is searching out her birth mother. All have careers and liaisons of some sort. Each of the women are dealing with their own relationship issues and also there is the underlying theme of babies.
The book was over 600 pages long and while I thought it was a good read there were so many opportunities to add in some more juicy tidbits to the story. I guess I expected the story to be written more like a 1980’s novel turned mini -series rather than a subdued version.
June 16, 2010
This was an excellent book! It took me a little time to get into it, but after the first bit I couldn't put it down. There are quite a few characters, and I admit I was referencing the character list at the begining of the book. But, Vincenzi brought all of the characters to life. The plot twists were great and usually unexpected. I really liked her overall approach and the way it as written, especially how the reader knew a baby was abandoned, but it was unclear which character had abandoned the baby. I also thought the way the main characters had lost touch with each other and then ran across each other 15 years later was realistic and probable. I would definitely reccomend this book!
September 1, 2017
This book was just okay. It was pretty long and very predictable. It's about 3 young girls who meet at Heathrow airport right after high school because they are all going backpacking in Thailand. Most of the book takes place in present day (16 years later) when they all live separate lives. One of the girls had a baby on her return trip from Thailand and left her in Heathrow aiport. In present day, the girl is 16 and trying to find out who her mom is. The 3 women's stories all reconnect and you find out who the mom and dad were.
SPOILER: It was Martha, the uptight one of the group. As soon as the secret came out and the girl knew who it was, etc. Martha dies in a car crash. The father is Josh, the brother of one of the other girls (Jocasta)
SPOILER: It was Martha, the uptight one of the group. As soon as the secret came out and the girl knew who it was, etc. Martha dies in a car crash. The father is Josh, the brother of one of the other girls (Jocasta)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2008
This novel was more difficult for me to get into (I probably would have given this a 2.5 star rating if possible). It could have been the political arena that it was based in as I have no interest in politics. The characters were difficult to grasp at first but once I figured out everyone's role in the story then I had begun to 'enjoy' it more. When he big secret is revealed (I was able to figure it out before hand), I began to wonder how the author would tie it all together for the ending. I wasn't disappointed with the ending, but I am not able to say that had been different I would have liked it better. I am not sure I would read a sequel.
May 17, 2011
A big, juicy women's blockbuster in the tradition of Judith Krantz or Lisa Jewell. I have a huge soft spot for books like this, with a zillion characters and plotlines and births, deaths, marriages, et. cetera. This isn't as glamorous as the Krantzes that I read by the bucketload in college, and it's not as sexy as Jilly Cooper, but neither is it maudlin and suburban like Jodi Picoult. If you're looking for a good beach read, this is definitely it. I'll be working my way through Vincenzi's considerable backlog (unfortunately mostly not available on Kindle, or the torrents) this summer.
Not recommended for lovers of serious fiction. It's a beach read, people!
Not recommended for lovers of serious fiction. It's a beach read, people!
July 7, 2008
A long read for what amounts to not too much plot. It seemed like the twists and turns were there often just to provide more reading hours and prevent you from getting the answers the main mystery which was laid out in the first few pages. You, the reader, put the clues together very early and then it's just a frustrating wait to find out how the characters unfold the truth you've known for pages. After 600+ pages, you'd think the ending would be a bit more realistic, but then again, it is just a beach read.
April 23, 2009
This book could have been good. And I wanted it to be. Unfortunately, it was super freaking long, and not in a good way, like you wish books you LIKE were never ending, but in a horrible way- similar to rush hour traffic or the wait for your vacation to finally get here. During part three, I got the distinct feeling that she ended the book SEVERAL TIMES and then thought- or wait, let's add another twist!! Ugh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2009
I had high hopes for this book. I really enjoyed the author's Lytton family trilogy. I found most of the characters in this book both unbelievable and unlikeable and the plot was disappointingly predictable.
February 21, 2009
The never ending book ... the pages surely could have been cut in half and nothing would have been lost from the book!
March 15, 2009
there's coincidence and then there' contrivence.... then you can foresee whats coming next.this is definitely a romantic novel . way too much fluff for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews