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Peanuts & Eggcups
5 stars! "A fabulous book... don't read in public if snorting with laughter may be a problem!" - Ali the Dragon Slayer - reviewer
"5 stars! ... this book has it all. A romantic, fun and entertaining chick lit...the perfect recipe for a fabulous summer read." - Lazy Sunday Book Reviews
For Maggie Parsons there's only ever been one the stunningly delicious Luke Henderson. Unfortunately, he left her, without explanation, after their 'first night' together ...breaking her heart in the process.
Now ten years on, without any contact, he's back and going to her school reunion. Great! And, to confuse matters...so is his suave, sexy, brother Tony who makes a major play for Maggie, then turns up with his insufferable - supposedly ex - fiancée!
Via the reunion, a black eye, getting the sack (as a result) a madcap girlie holiday and juggling her confused emotions around the two alluring brothers...Maggie starts to build a picture of what she really wants in life.
Trouble is, Maggie's a pawn in a game she doesn't even know she's playing ...and things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.
"5 stars! ... this book has it all. A romantic, fun and entertaining chick lit...the perfect recipe for a fabulous summer read." - Lazy Sunday Book Reviews
For Maggie Parsons there's only ever been one the stunningly delicious Luke Henderson. Unfortunately, he left her, without explanation, after their 'first night' together ...breaking her heart in the process.
Now ten years on, without any contact, he's back and going to her school reunion. Great! And, to confuse matters...so is his suave, sexy, brother Tony who makes a major play for Maggie, then turns up with his insufferable - supposedly ex - fiancée!
Via the reunion, a black eye, getting the sack (as a result) a madcap girlie holiday and juggling her confused emotions around the two alluring brothers...Maggie starts to build a picture of what she really wants in life.
Trouble is, Maggie's a pawn in a game she doesn't even know she's playing ...and things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.
622 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 29, 2016
Five minutes into this book and I was already laughing my ass off the floor, (literally, coz I had my single mattress on the floor while reading this) thanks to Maggie Parsons and her quirky friends and officemates. But when she encountered one disaster after another (getting a black eye after falling facedown during their high school reunion) and getting fired from work (told her she was redundant yada yada yada), it was time for her to breathe again, relax and focus on what’s ahead of her.
Her friends Jenny, Pauline and Catherine were her rock. They did everything they could to see her smiling again and forget about her misfortunes. Maggie thought she’d see Luke Henderson again, her first love, the one man who took her heart and soul and purity away, but left her immediately without a glance or explanation. Hurt, betrayed and abandoned, that’s what she felt when she thought she’d see him again; all the more painful when she learned that he was getting married soon to a Swedish.
Then came her knight in shining armor… or was he? Tony Henderson, Luke & Jenny’s youngest brother, became enamored with Maggie and things seemed to shine brighter this side of the planet. But how long until this brightness last? Will Maggie ever know the reason why Luke left her? Was Tony the one for her?
Oh well, it took me about a week to finish this book but it’s all worth it. (The book is about 700+ long, so that was quite a feat!) True, Maggie wasn’t the strongest protagonist I’ve met, I was quite annoyed with her decision-making antics and immature approach to problems that come her way. Also, there were a lot of characters you need to meet, all of which played a part to her life. But the guy that really left a bad taste in my mouth was Tony. The jerk! At first, he got me really interested in him, what with all the witty banters and sexy comebacks he and Maggie had thrown each other. But once you get to see the real golden boy, I couldn’t help but curse him like there’s no tomorrow. Ugh, such a deceiver!
I couldn’t say quite the same with Luke, he also had his flaws and shortcomings. Can’t believe he was easily swayed by his brother’s obnoxious attitude. But what I liked about him was his compassion to those who need help and attention. He wasn’t afraid to show defeat but he also wasn’t brave enough to show his feelings. With this flaws, I think I like him already.
Maggie Magpie was quite similar with Luke. They both fell victims to circumstances beyond their control, and both have communication problems. I think that made them compatible with each other.
Peanuts and Eggcups is all about family and friends and gender equality. It talks about hatred, jealousy, pride, lies, lust and greed. Yes, like the deadly sins. In the end, the banters, the confrontations, the saucy encounters, the story took my breath away. Kudos Sara Mendes Da Costa for a thrilling first book!
P.S.
To answer Maggie's question - Does first love deserve a second chance? Personal feelings aside, and if the case was just like Luke and Maggie's - I think, yes.. First love deserves a second chance. But only one chance. Period.
Her friends Jenny, Pauline and Catherine were her rock. They did everything they could to see her smiling again and forget about her misfortunes. Maggie thought she’d see Luke Henderson again, her first love, the one man who took her heart and soul and purity away, but left her immediately without a glance or explanation. Hurt, betrayed and abandoned, that’s what she felt when she thought she’d see him again; all the more painful when she learned that he was getting married soon to a Swedish.
Then came her knight in shining armor… or was he? Tony Henderson, Luke & Jenny’s youngest brother, became enamored with Maggie and things seemed to shine brighter this side of the planet. But how long until this brightness last? Will Maggie ever know the reason why Luke left her? Was Tony the one for her?
Oh well, it took me about a week to finish this book but it’s all worth it. (The book is about 700+ long, so that was quite a feat!) True, Maggie wasn’t the strongest protagonist I’ve met, I was quite annoyed with her decision-making antics and immature approach to problems that come her way. Also, there were a lot of characters you need to meet, all of which played a part to her life. But the guy that really left a bad taste in my mouth was Tony. The jerk! At first, he got me really interested in him, what with all the witty banters and sexy comebacks he and Maggie had thrown each other. But once you get to see the real golden boy, I couldn’t help but curse him like there’s no tomorrow. Ugh, such a deceiver!
I couldn’t say quite the same with Luke, he also had his flaws and shortcomings. Can’t believe he was easily swayed by his brother’s obnoxious attitude. But what I liked about him was his compassion to those who need help and attention. He wasn’t afraid to show defeat but he also wasn’t brave enough to show his feelings. With this flaws, I think I like him already.
Maggie Magpie was quite similar with Luke. They both fell victims to circumstances beyond their control, and both have communication problems. I think that made them compatible with each other.
Peanuts and Eggcups is all about family and friends and gender equality. It talks about hatred, jealousy, pride, lies, lust and greed. Yes, like the deadly sins. In the end, the banters, the confrontations, the saucy encounters, the story took my breath away. Kudos Sara Mendes Da Costa for a thrilling first book!
P.S.
To answer Maggie's question - Does first love deserve a second chance? Personal feelings aside, and if the case was just like Luke and Maggie's - I think, yes.. First love deserves a second chance. But only one chance. Period.
June 20, 2016
From the moment I saw the cover, title and blurb for this I was fascinated .. what on earth do peanuts and eggcups have to do with each other!?
This is a fabulous book .. telling Maggie’s story. How the love of her life Luke left her after the ‘one’ night of passion they shared, he was her teen crush but could he also be the man of her dreams?
Strongly supported by her close friends, Jen, Pauline and Catherine we follow the group through some hilarious moments. Basically a coming of age tale where they experience all the drama of maturing into responsible adults.
Poor Maggie tends to be very accident prone and she provided me with several laugh out loud moments coupled with acute embarrassment .. one of my favourites involves needle and thread hanging dubiously between her legs!
It took me back to a time of young, carefree moments, the gang enjoying a holiday in Spain, the endless days of hangovers and trying to recall what on earth had happened the night before. Jye making a double appearance in the club was another fave moment.
Maggie, not only fancies Luke (still) but also becomes romantically involved with his brother Tony, they just happen to be Jen’s brothers so there is a lot of interconnections and family involvement.
Join in with the fun, prepare for a wedding (not who you expect) feel sorry for Timmy .. love Tom the grumpy cat there is SO much content in this book I can’t possibly say too much or it will give spoilers. Just take it from me you will be engrossed from beginning to end, never a dull moment. I love the way the writing flows and the author has done a tremendous job of entertaining the reader. And yes we do find out what reference ‘peanuts and eggcups’ have .. I learnt something new there!
So to sum it up .. a book full of every emotion, thoroughly enjoyable, don’t read in public if snorting with laughter may be a problem! Just one *trigger* warning it does contain drug references so be aware if that may be an issue.
Many thanks to Sara and Authoright for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is a fabulous book .. telling Maggie’s story. How the love of her life Luke left her after the ‘one’ night of passion they shared, he was her teen crush but could he also be the man of her dreams?
Strongly supported by her close friends, Jen, Pauline and Catherine we follow the group through some hilarious moments. Basically a coming of age tale where they experience all the drama of maturing into responsible adults.
Poor Maggie tends to be very accident prone and she provided me with several laugh out loud moments coupled with acute embarrassment .. one of my favourites involves needle and thread hanging dubiously between her legs!
It took me back to a time of young, carefree moments, the gang enjoying a holiday in Spain, the endless days of hangovers and trying to recall what on earth had happened the night before. Jye making a double appearance in the club was another fave moment.
Maggie, not only fancies Luke (still) but also becomes romantically involved with his brother Tony, they just happen to be Jen’s brothers so there is a lot of interconnections and family involvement.
Join in with the fun, prepare for a wedding (not who you expect) feel sorry for Timmy .. love Tom the grumpy cat there is SO much content in this book I can’t possibly say too much or it will give spoilers. Just take it from me you will be engrossed from beginning to end, never a dull moment. I love the way the writing flows and the author has done a tremendous job of entertaining the reader. And yes we do find out what reference ‘peanuts and eggcups’ have .. I learnt something new there!
So to sum it up .. a book full of every emotion, thoroughly enjoyable, don’t read in public if snorting with laughter may be a problem! Just one *trigger* warning it does contain drug references so be aware if that may be an issue.
Many thanks to Sara and Authoright for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 29, 2018
The Blurb :
For Maggie Parsons there’s only ever been one man: the stunningly delicious Luke Henderson. Unfortunately, he left her, without explanation, after their ‘first night’ together …breaking her heart in the process.
Now ten years on, without any contact, he’s back and going to her school reunion. Great! And, to confuse matters…so is his suave, sexy, brother Tony who makes a major play for Maggie, then turns up with his insufferable - supposedly ex – fiancée!
Via the reunion, a black eye, getting the sack (as a result) a madcap girlie holiday and juggling her confused emotions around the two alluring brothers…Maggie starts to build a picture of what she really wants in life.
Trouble is, Maggie’s a pawn in a game she doesn’t even know she’s playing …and things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.
My Thoughts :
The cover initially stood out to me, its very eye catching and what a title - Peanuts & Eggcups!!.
We meet main charactor Maggie Parsons. Maggie, Catherine, Pauline and Jenny have been best friends since school. They have a forthcoming school reunion and Maggie is worried about bumping into Luke, who broke her heart and was the love of her life. To confuse matters he is also Jenny’s brother. Maggie really doesnt want to go but her friends persuade her.
On the night she is disappointed that Luke didnt turn up and got into the spirit of things with Tony, Luke’s brother. As things start to become serious with Tony, Maggie needs to decide if its him that she wants or is it really Luke?!.
There is a lot of other things going on in the story with the other supporting cast including a wedding, a girlie holiday to Spain, a mystery illness and a birthday party.
So many parts of the story had me laughing out loud and routing for the girls, they had such a beautiful friendship that the story has a way of pulling you in, just like you are there in the moment.
I really engaged with Maggie and enjoyed the journey she went on
Although I really enjoyed this story I did feel it was too long, at over 700 pages I think the story could of been condensed down to less and that way it would of been a much easier read without added bits that didnt need to be in the story. That said I am looking forward to more from Sara Mendes da Costa in the future.
For Maggie Parsons there’s only ever been one man: the stunningly delicious Luke Henderson. Unfortunately, he left her, without explanation, after their ‘first night’ together …breaking her heart in the process.
Now ten years on, without any contact, he’s back and going to her school reunion. Great! And, to confuse matters…so is his suave, sexy, brother Tony who makes a major play for Maggie, then turns up with his insufferable - supposedly ex – fiancée!
Via the reunion, a black eye, getting the sack (as a result) a madcap girlie holiday and juggling her confused emotions around the two alluring brothers…Maggie starts to build a picture of what she really wants in life.
Trouble is, Maggie’s a pawn in a game she doesn’t even know she’s playing …and things are about to get a whole lot more complicated.
My Thoughts :
The cover initially stood out to me, its very eye catching and what a title - Peanuts & Eggcups!!.
We meet main charactor Maggie Parsons. Maggie, Catherine, Pauline and Jenny have been best friends since school. They have a forthcoming school reunion and Maggie is worried about bumping into Luke, who broke her heart and was the love of her life. To confuse matters he is also Jenny’s brother. Maggie really doesnt want to go but her friends persuade her.
On the night she is disappointed that Luke didnt turn up and got into the spirit of things with Tony, Luke’s brother. As things start to become serious with Tony, Maggie needs to decide if its him that she wants or is it really Luke?!.
There is a lot of other things going on in the story with the other supporting cast including a wedding, a girlie holiday to Spain, a mystery illness and a birthday party.
So many parts of the story had me laughing out loud and routing for the girls, they had such a beautiful friendship that the story has a way of pulling you in, just like you are there in the moment.
I really engaged with Maggie and enjoyed the journey she went on
Although I really enjoyed this story I did feel it was too long, at over 700 pages I think the story could of been condensed down to less and that way it would of been a much easier read without added bits that didnt need to be in the story. That said I am looking forward to more from Sara Mendes da Costa in the future.
June 26, 2016
When I read the blurb for this book I thought it sounded light and funny would be a good read to counteract books that get you gripped and so involved that you almost forget to breathe while reading. However, in order for the book to be what I expected I would have to like or have some sympathy for the main character and in this case I didn’t. While she did grow on me through the story and it was good to see her character develop I didn’t take to her at all, I found her childish, immature and unable to think for herself for a good part of the book.
Maggie has a job she doesn’t seem to enjoy but then loses it for arriving one day with a black eye, which leads to her temping (after a bit) and starting to realise, with the help of her friends, that she needs to find something that she wants to do, not get a job just to pay the bills. I liked that she realised this and decided to do something about it. This realisation as well as a few guiding nudges from friends seems to have been the starting point in her beginning to think more for herself and become a bit more mature. There were quite a lot of stories in this book that involved Maggie in some way and that was my other problem with the book. For me it was simply far too long, most of the books I have that are similar to this are around the 500 page mark whereas this came in at a little over 700 and I think those extra 200 pages simply complicated things. There was a lot of description in the book, which I found unecessary so if that was reduced and the page count lowered I think the book would work much better, at times I felt like I was reading and reading but not actually making any progress.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad book at all, if it were I would have given it a far lower rating, it just didn’t work for me. The pace did improve later on and things fairly whizzed along then with secrets being revealed and confusions being sorted out but that wasn’t enough to save it for me. I think this book might be better for the New Adult market where people are just starting to discover what the world of work is like and that making your own decisions is important for your own happiness. This is definitely a book that will appeal to many, sadly though I wasn’t one of them.
Many thanks to Authoright for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Maggie has a job she doesn’t seem to enjoy but then loses it for arriving one day with a black eye, which leads to her temping (after a bit) and starting to realise, with the help of her friends, that she needs to find something that she wants to do, not get a job just to pay the bills. I liked that she realised this and decided to do something about it. This realisation as well as a few guiding nudges from friends seems to have been the starting point in her beginning to think more for herself and become a bit more mature. There were quite a lot of stories in this book that involved Maggie in some way and that was my other problem with the book. For me it was simply far too long, most of the books I have that are similar to this are around the 500 page mark whereas this came in at a little over 700 and I think those extra 200 pages simply complicated things. There was a lot of description in the book, which I found unecessary so if that was reduced and the page count lowered I think the book would work much better, at times I felt like I was reading and reading but not actually making any progress.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bad book at all, if it were I would have given it a far lower rating, it just didn’t work for me. The pace did improve later on and things fairly whizzed along then with secrets being revealed and confusions being sorted out but that wasn’t enough to save it for me. I think this book might be better for the New Adult market where people are just starting to discover what the world of work is like and that making your own decisions is important for your own happiness. This is definitely a book that will appeal to many, sadly though I wasn’t one of them.
Many thanks to Authoright for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2017
I loved this book! Although it followed the same formula of other chick lit books, (why not, it's a winning formula), I found the main characters very likeable and engaged with their story very early on. In the same way Helen Fielding captured an audience by creating the character of Bridget Jones, with whom people could identify, Sara Mendes da Costa has done the same with Maggie and her friends.
Yes it is quite long, but once you are involved with the characters and the story, and sitting with a glass of wine, that doesn't matter as you want to know what will happen next. I highly recommend this book, especially for a summer holiday read.
Yes it is quite long, but once you are involved with the characters and the story, and sitting with a glass of wine, that doesn't matter as you want to know what will happen next. I highly recommend this book, especially for a summer holiday read.
June 30, 2016
Oh now where do I start?! Probably by saying that this book will be remembered by me for being the longest book I think I have read for a very long time! When I turned on my Kindle to start reading I got a HUGE shock when I saw that it was 727 pages long! I found it a little overfacing if I’m perfectly honest and the first chapter seemed to go on forever but then I gradually became so involved in the world according to Maggie Parsons that the pages just seemed to fly by!
I just adored Maggie Parsons, her relationships with her friends and her mad work life. The author totally appealed to my sense of humour and I loved the way she gave the small everyday nuances of Maggie’s life a comic twist. Maggie found almost a childlike wonder in little things, like her first set of ceramic hair straighteners, and as a fellow curly girlie I totally got her youthful excitement. There are so many little things dotted throughout this book that will make you chuckle out loud at how true to life they are. And was it any wonder that Maggie was a little ditzy when you meet her madcap family and friends? Add into the mix a school reunion, a girls holiday to Spain and a wedding and you have a hilarious journey where our heroine fights her way down the path of true love. But which of the Henderson brothers will be at her side?
There are echoes of Bridget Jones here, what with the girlie friendships and the two gorgeous men for the price of one but Maggie is a more realistic and believable character even though she manages to maintain a level of naivety most 28 year olds would have lost years ago! She brought a breath of fresh air to all her sticky situations and I was mentally cheering her on during her showdowns near the end. I notice that the author has signed to bring us two more books so I have a sneaky suspicion that this isn’t the last we will see of Maggie, Catherine, Jenny and Pauline and I’m hoping for more cameos from Tom the cat as well!
This book would make a fabulous beach read. Yes it’s long but it’s easy to pick up and dip into. You will want to find out why Luke abandoned Maggie and whether or not they will get back together. And you will also want to find out what, within its pages, could possibly lend itself to one of the strangest titles I have seen for some time!
I received a copy of this book via Rachel at Authoright in return for an unbiased review.
I just adored Maggie Parsons, her relationships with her friends and her mad work life. The author totally appealed to my sense of humour and I loved the way she gave the small everyday nuances of Maggie’s life a comic twist. Maggie found almost a childlike wonder in little things, like her first set of ceramic hair straighteners, and as a fellow curly girlie I totally got her youthful excitement. There are so many little things dotted throughout this book that will make you chuckle out loud at how true to life they are. And was it any wonder that Maggie was a little ditzy when you meet her madcap family and friends? Add into the mix a school reunion, a girls holiday to Spain and a wedding and you have a hilarious journey where our heroine fights her way down the path of true love. But which of the Henderson brothers will be at her side?
There are echoes of Bridget Jones here, what with the girlie friendships and the two gorgeous men for the price of one but Maggie is a more realistic and believable character even though she manages to maintain a level of naivety most 28 year olds would have lost years ago! She brought a breath of fresh air to all her sticky situations and I was mentally cheering her on during her showdowns near the end. I notice that the author has signed to bring us two more books so I have a sneaky suspicion that this isn’t the last we will see of Maggie, Catherine, Jenny and Pauline and I’m hoping for more cameos from Tom the cat as well!
This book would make a fabulous beach read. Yes it’s long but it’s easy to pick up and dip into. You will want to find out why Luke abandoned Maggie and whether or not they will get back together. And you will also want to find out what, within its pages, could possibly lend itself to one of the strangest titles I have seen for some time!
I received a copy of this book via Rachel at Authoright in return for an unbiased review.
July 6, 2016
A view weeks ago I received an email about the Blog Tour of ‘Peanuts & Eggcups’. After I read the book description of ‘Peanuts & Eggcups’ I just knew I had to read this book. This book sounded like so much fun. So I started reading as soon as possible.
Let me start by saying ‘Peanuts & Eggcups’ really was a great book! After a little slow first chapter, the main characters and the writing really got very good and so very funny. This book really made me laugh out loud many times and I just didn’t want to stop reading.
I especially loved the main character Maggie. Although she was a little immature at times, she really was a lot of fun to read about. At times I also really could relate to her. Maggie experienced a lot of clumsy moments and near disasters, which were funny and could definitely be written about me. LOL!!
What I also really loved about ‘Peanuts & Eggcups’ were the friendships. I loved reading about the friendship between Maggie and her best friend Catherine. Not only were those parts funny, but it was also very touching to read. It made me wish for a friendship like theirs.
So did I like everything about this read? No, there were a view things I didn’t like. For example the way Maggie reacted at times. She really was a little immature at some moments, which didn’t really fitted with her character if you ask me. But thankfully it didn’t bother me so much that it became irritating.
The other thing that bothered me a little was the length of this book. Don’t get me wrong. I loved this book, but 727 pages? Some parts in this book could have been a little less long if you ask me.
And the Romance?? Well, that was definitely something else. And since I don’t want to spoil anything you just have to read it for yourself. But it’s definitely different and very good. I loved it. I was definitely going for one guy, and then I changed my mind completely. Very interesting!! ;)
Overall this was a great and funny book that’s definitely perfect to read on a beautiful and sunny summer holiday.
Let me start by saying ‘Peanuts & Eggcups’ really was a great book! After a little slow first chapter, the main characters and the writing really got very good and so very funny. This book really made me laugh out loud many times and I just didn’t want to stop reading.
I especially loved the main character Maggie. Although she was a little immature at times, she really was a lot of fun to read about. At times I also really could relate to her. Maggie experienced a lot of clumsy moments and near disasters, which were funny and could definitely be written about me. LOL!!
What I also really loved about ‘Peanuts & Eggcups’ were the friendships. I loved reading about the friendship between Maggie and her best friend Catherine. Not only were those parts funny, but it was also very touching to read. It made me wish for a friendship like theirs.
So did I like everything about this read? No, there were a view things I didn’t like. For example the way Maggie reacted at times. She really was a little immature at some moments, which didn’t really fitted with her character if you ask me. But thankfully it didn’t bother me so much that it became irritating.
The other thing that bothered me a little was the length of this book. Don’t get me wrong. I loved this book, but 727 pages? Some parts in this book could have been a little less long if you ask me.
And the Romance?? Well, that was definitely something else. And since I don’t want to spoil anything you just have to read it for yourself. But it’s definitely different and very good. I loved it. I was definitely going for one guy, and then I changed my mind completely. Very interesting!! ;)
Overall this was a great and funny book that’s definitely perfect to read on a beautiful and sunny summer holiday.
April 29, 2017
Bought this for my girlfriend, she ignored me for 3 days while reading it. Couldn't put it down, kept laughing (and crying). Now I'm reading it too. Firm 5 stars from her.
August 16, 2025
good for a little light reading
I would suggest this is more for a younger market, very predictable but easy reading. Not a book I would recommend to a friend.
I would suggest this is more for a younger market, very predictable but easy reading. Not a book I would recommend to a friend.
June 23, 2016
Peanuts & Eggcups is the debut novel of Sara Mendes Da Costa. Who, as a side note also happens to be the voice of the talking clock. It is in what I would class as the ‘chick lit’ genre and first one I have read in a while. The story centres around Maggie and her twenty something friends. The book starts with Maggie trying to decide whether to attend a school reunion. The big issue being her high school love Luke will be attending, who she hasn’t seen since one fateful night.
The story is light, funny and while Maggie isn’t a perfect heroine. She makes mistakes, she’s not totally sure what he wants in life and there are more than a few times I wanted to give her a big shake. But she is fun, caring and very likeable.
The premise of the story is about Maggie attending the reunion with the hopes of meeting her lost love, but in fact bumping into his suave brother instead. But actually what it is really about the lives and loves of Maggie and her friends too. I enjoyed the dynamic between them all, the adventures and self discovery each goes through and the obvious affection they have for one another.
I do have to mention is that this book is over 700 pages long, and if I’m being honest a bit too long. The beginning of the book is really slow, and the pace really took a long time to fully establish itself. I’d start to really get into parts of the story and then it would slow down again and pick up again and repeat – this was quite frustrating. There were also too many sections where we found out what happened after the event rather than living it along with the heroine. Which I wasn’t a huge fan of. But (this is a big BUT) when the pace got going and I would say this would be about 60% in, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I actually wonder when she originally started writing it. If it’s one of those books that she had been writing for years as there were odd things that made me think it may have actually been written ten years ago, rather than more recently. For example, Maggie’s discovery of hair straighteners. It was like it was quite a new technological development rather than something that’s been around for years. Even if she had never purchased some herself, trust me as the owner of naturally wavy hair, hairdressers always want to use them on you. Then there were other small things like Maggie wearing a hipster belt and Maggie getting delivery reports on her mobile. I don’t think I’ve got delivery reports since one of my Nokia phones. It didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story, but it made me curious.
My last comment is on the ending. We do of course get the obligatory happily ever after and nearly all of the characters do. It was also a lovely ending, but it was just too short! After 700 pages of build up, I felt robbed of at least one last chapter where I got to revel in the happiness and find out more about how Maggie enjoyed living it.
Verdict:
A fun, light hearted book. It would have been so much better is some of the sections had been a bit shorter, for example the beginning reduced which would have improved the pace and the ending a teensy bit longer. But all in all, a fun summer read.
The story is light, funny and while Maggie isn’t a perfect heroine. She makes mistakes, she’s not totally sure what he wants in life and there are more than a few times I wanted to give her a big shake. But she is fun, caring and very likeable.
The premise of the story is about Maggie attending the reunion with the hopes of meeting her lost love, but in fact bumping into his suave brother instead. But actually what it is really about the lives and loves of Maggie and her friends too. I enjoyed the dynamic between them all, the adventures and self discovery each goes through and the obvious affection they have for one another.
I do have to mention is that this book is over 700 pages long, and if I’m being honest a bit too long. The beginning of the book is really slow, and the pace really took a long time to fully establish itself. I’d start to really get into parts of the story and then it would slow down again and pick up again and repeat – this was quite frustrating. There were also too many sections where we found out what happened after the event rather than living it along with the heroine. Which I wasn’t a huge fan of. But (this is a big BUT) when the pace got going and I would say this would be about 60% in, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I actually wonder when she originally started writing it. If it’s one of those books that she had been writing for years as there were odd things that made me think it may have actually been written ten years ago, rather than more recently. For example, Maggie’s discovery of hair straighteners. It was like it was quite a new technological development rather than something that’s been around for years. Even if she had never purchased some herself, trust me as the owner of naturally wavy hair, hairdressers always want to use them on you. Then there were other small things like Maggie wearing a hipster belt and Maggie getting delivery reports on her mobile. I don’t think I’ve got delivery reports since one of my Nokia phones. It didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story, but it made me curious.
My last comment is on the ending. We do of course get the obligatory happily ever after and nearly all of the characters do. It was also a lovely ending, but it was just too short! After 700 pages of build up, I felt robbed of at least one last chapter where I got to revel in the happiness and find out more about how Maggie enjoyed living it.
Verdict:
A fun, light hearted book. It would have been so much better is some of the sections had been a bit shorter, for example the beginning reduced which would have improved the pace and the ending a teensy bit longer. But all in all, a fun summer read.
June 19, 2016
At a hefty 727 pages long (10 hours on kindle) I felt a little daunted about tackling this book, but I needn't have worried. The pages absolutely flew by as I read about Maggie's trials and tribulations and felt like I ended the book as one of her close friends.
I think you could guess from its size that this isn't simply a no-brainer chick lit book and I really must raise my glass to Sara Mendes da Costa on her epic debut; she has really allowed the reader to fully immerse themselves in the book and be part of Maggie's story. I absolutely loved the writing style and regularly laughed out loud at Maggie's escapades that sometimes resonated all too frighteningly well with me.
Maggie and Catherine have been best friends since school, together with Jenny and Pauline they form a close knit group of four. As they arrange to meet up at their school reunion, Maggie is worried about bumping into her old flame (and Jenny's brother), Luke, so she contemplates missing the event. As her friends talk her into going, she is disappointed to learn that Luke will not be there so in the spirit of having a good time she flirts with some old pals, including Luke's brother, Tony. When things get a bit more serious with Tony, Maggie has to decide whether she really likes Tony or whether he simply reminds her of Luke.
Aside from Maggie's story, there are some excellent storylines for the other characters; Catherine is searching for true love and saving her virginity for 'The One'; Jenny has had an affair with a married man and has bowed out after the wife announced her pregnancy; and Pauline is stumping doctors with a mystery illness and has an unsympathetic husband who doesn't seem to be interested in her health.
As a debut, this is a really exceptional novel and I can't wait to see if we'll hear some more from this group of friends. There are some absolutely hilarious moments that did literally have me laughing out loud. I'm not going to spoil any of the book but I am still laughing thinking about Maggie at the dentist. When the dentist announces that she needs four fillings and a crown, whilst all his tools are in her mouth, she answers with "Huck" and I almost choked. Why do dentists ask questions when we can't move our mouths? I also have to give a shout out to my football team, Sunderland, for getting a small mention. Not in a hilarious way, surprisingly ;-)
This would be a great holiday read, keeping you entertained for hours as you soak up the sun. Of course there are some predictable elements, but at that point we care so much about the characters that it's exactly what we want to read. Peanuts & Eggcups is an absolutely delightful read and, despite its mammoth size, I didn't want it to finish.
I received this e-book from Authoright in exchange for an honest review.
I think you could guess from its size that this isn't simply a no-brainer chick lit book and I really must raise my glass to Sara Mendes da Costa on her epic debut; she has really allowed the reader to fully immerse themselves in the book and be part of Maggie's story. I absolutely loved the writing style and regularly laughed out loud at Maggie's escapades that sometimes resonated all too frighteningly well with me.
Maggie and Catherine have been best friends since school, together with Jenny and Pauline they form a close knit group of four. As they arrange to meet up at their school reunion, Maggie is worried about bumping into her old flame (and Jenny's brother), Luke, so she contemplates missing the event. As her friends talk her into going, she is disappointed to learn that Luke will not be there so in the spirit of having a good time she flirts with some old pals, including Luke's brother, Tony. When things get a bit more serious with Tony, Maggie has to decide whether she really likes Tony or whether he simply reminds her of Luke.
Aside from Maggie's story, there are some excellent storylines for the other characters; Catherine is searching for true love and saving her virginity for 'The One'; Jenny has had an affair with a married man and has bowed out after the wife announced her pregnancy; and Pauline is stumping doctors with a mystery illness and has an unsympathetic husband who doesn't seem to be interested in her health.
As a debut, this is a really exceptional novel and I can't wait to see if we'll hear some more from this group of friends. There are some absolutely hilarious moments that did literally have me laughing out loud. I'm not going to spoil any of the book but I am still laughing thinking about Maggie at the dentist. When the dentist announces that she needs four fillings and a crown, whilst all his tools are in her mouth, she answers with "Huck" and I almost choked. Why do dentists ask questions when we can't move our mouths? I also have to give a shout out to my football team, Sunderland, for getting a small mention. Not in a hilarious way, surprisingly ;-)
This would be a great holiday read, keeping you entertained for hours as you soak up the sun. Of course there are some predictable elements, but at that point we care so much about the characters that it's exactly what we want to read. Peanuts & Eggcups is an absolutely delightful read and, despite its mammoth size, I didn't want it to finish.
I received this e-book from Authoright in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2017
I think I am just too old for this type of fiction. The constant drunken or drug induced "hilarity" left me cold. The daily hangovers and sleepless nights made me want to bash the characters' heads together. They were in their late twenties, but still acting like they were irresponsible teenagers! I also found the undying love theme, the two people who were so right for each other, and their frustrating dance to stay away from each other too drawn out. I didn't really accept, either, that they hadn't changed and moved on in the ten years they were apart. Too much of a fairy tale ending for me.
That being said, I did read the book quite quickly, and did want to know how it would all come out in the end; hence the three stars instead of 2. My favourite character in the book was Margot, the secretary in the office that Maggie temped in.
That being said, I did read the book quite quickly, and did want to know how it would all come out in the end; hence the three stars instead of 2. My favourite character in the book was Margot, the secretary in the office that Maggie temped in.
March 15, 2017
Maggie Parsons has only ever really loved one man – Luke Henderson the elder brother of one of her best friends and that’s where the fun starts.
When her best friends Catherine, Jenny and Pauline talk her into attending their school reunion she is worried that she will bump into Luke who she hasn’t seen for years she is worried how she will react….after all he broke her heart years before by leaving for college and never looking back. Although she doesn’t bump into Luke she does bump into his younger brother Tony who she is attracted to. Problem is at first she is not sure if this is because he reminds her of Luke of if it is a genuine attraction. Tony is funny and attentive and makes the whole experience of the reunion a little bit more bearable. At the reunion you first see how accident prone Maggie can be (a problem I can totally sympathise with as I can trip over my own shadow as my family will attest to) when her heel breaks on her shoe and she literally face plants the floor. This leads to the usual comments back at work but the boss already not happy with her and looking to makes cuts sees her appearance as the final straw and decides hers is one of the posts that can go.
Now out of a job she agrees to go on a girlie holiday before settling back into finding a new job. Even on holiday Maggie and co just can’t seem to stay out of trouble and provided further comedy moments that had me chuckling.
Back home her relationship with Tony seems to be hotting up but Luke is now also back on the scene and he is not happy that she and Tony are an item and he hints that all is not as it seems. However Maggie is not so happy that he is butting into her life when it looked like he had rejected her in the first place.
Despite the story mainly being about Maggie there are some nice side stories for her friends. Catherine is looking for love and determined to remain a virgin until her wedding day, Jenny is trying to get over her affair with her married boss and Pauline is suffering from a mystery illness that the doctors are having problems diagnosing. You get to see how close the friends really are when they all deal with areas of self-doubt and a great contrast to the madcap, sometimes hilarious situations they find themselves in.
What made a pleasant change for me with this book was that Luke, despite being good looking and having a great career was filled with doubt when it came to Maggie and how she felt about him. Usually you find they are very confident and determined to get what they want no matter the cost. This time that role goes to Tony who has his own agenda for pursuing Maggie.
At first I found that I liked Tony, after all he was good looking, charming and funny and seemed determined to help Maggie get over her heartbreak and disappointment. As the book progressed however he seemed to get a little more distant and found constant excuses for not being around. Add to that the subtle digs that Luke seemed to keep making whenever he saw Maggie and you did have to wonder what he was hiding.
My favourite character in the book though was Jenny. She seemed to have her life worked out for her on the surface and really enjoys her career which enables her and the gang to benefit from some of the perks of her job. However it was her ability to tell it as it is no matter what that I liked the most. Some of my friends would liken me to her in a way (not the career part unfortunately) as I prefer to say things as they are rather than skirt around an issue.
If you are wondering what this all has to do with “Peanuts and Eggcups” then you really need to read the book as it has something to do with their childhood.
I flew through this book quite quickly which is considering it is 727 pages long that is no small task. I found that I wanted to know if Maggie was going to stay with Tony or if she would eventually end up with Luke and if she was ever going to find that career that she really wanted. I love a book that can make me laugh and at the same time get me frustrated at some of the characters to the point I could smack them up the side of the head, it means that I have really got involved in their lives and what they are doing. Despite its length Peanuts and Eggcups is the ideal summer read and one to read whilst lounging in the sun… however if you are going abroad you may want to get the kindle version.
When her best friends Catherine, Jenny and Pauline talk her into attending their school reunion she is worried that she will bump into Luke who she hasn’t seen for years she is worried how she will react….after all he broke her heart years before by leaving for college and never looking back. Although she doesn’t bump into Luke she does bump into his younger brother Tony who she is attracted to. Problem is at first she is not sure if this is because he reminds her of Luke of if it is a genuine attraction. Tony is funny and attentive and makes the whole experience of the reunion a little bit more bearable. At the reunion you first see how accident prone Maggie can be (a problem I can totally sympathise with as I can trip over my own shadow as my family will attest to) when her heel breaks on her shoe and she literally face plants the floor. This leads to the usual comments back at work but the boss already not happy with her and looking to makes cuts sees her appearance as the final straw and decides hers is one of the posts that can go.
Now out of a job she agrees to go on a girlie holiday before settling back into finding a new job. Even on holiday Maggie and co just can’t seem to stay out of trouble and provided further comedy moments that had me chuckling.
Back home her relationship with Tony seems to be hotting up but Luke is now also back on the scene and he is not happy that she and Tony are an item and he hints that all is not as it seems. However Maggie is not so happy that he is butting into her life when it looked like he had rejected her in the first place.
Despite the story mainly being about Maggie there are some nice side stories for her friends. Catherine is looking for love and determined to remain a virgin until her wedding day, Jenny is trying to get over her affair with her married boss and Pauline is suffering from a mystery illness that the doctors are having problems diagnosing. You get to see how close the friends really are when they all deal with areas of self-doubt and a great contrast to the madcap, sometimes hilarious situations they find themselves in.
What made a pleasant change for me with this book was that Luke, despite being good looking and having a great career was filled with doubt when it came to Maggie and how she felt about him. Usually you find they are very confident and determined to get what they want no matter the cost. This time that role goes to Tony who has his own agenda for pursuing Maggie.
At first I found that I liked Tony, after all he was good looking, charming and funny and seemed determined to help Maggie get over her heartbreak and disappointment. As the book progressed however he seemed to get a little more distant and found constant excuses for not being around. Add to that the subtle digs that Luke seemed to keep making whenever he saw Maggie and you did have to wonder what he was hiding.
My favourite character in the book though was Jenny. She seemed to have her life worked out for her on the surface and really enjoys her career which enables her and the gang to benefit from some of the perks of her job. However it was her ability to tell it as it is no matter what that I liked the most. Some of my friends would liken me to her in a way (not the career part unfortunately) as I prefer to say things as they are rather than skirt around an issue.
If you are wondering what this all has to do with “Peanuts and Eggcups” then you really need to read the book as it has something to do with their childhood.
I flew through this book quite quickly which is considering it is 727 pages long that is no small task. I found that I wanted to know if Maggie was going to stay with Tony or if she would eventually end up with Luke and if she was ever going to find that career that she really wanted. I love a book that can make me laugh and at the same time get me frustrated at some of the characters to the point I could smack them up the side of the head, it means that I have really got involved in their lives and what they are doing. Despite its length Peanuts and Eggcups is the ideal summer read and one to read whilst lounging in the sun… however if you are going abroad you may want to get the kindle version.
April 8, 2017
This book had me laughing virtually from the first chapter to the last. Maggie Parsons is a quirky, likable character, as are her friends and coworkers. Poor Maggie finds herself facing one disaster after another, which gives the reader more laughs, but also makes us feel compassion for her.
When Maggie and her friends take a holiday to Spain to get away from the madness, the misadventures continue, with huge hangovers and trying to remember what happened the night before.
I was a bit intimidated by the fact the book was 727 pages long, but reading the journey of the four friends toward maturity and responsibility, with plenty of humor and romance along the way, made it easier to get through than I had expected. I would highly recommend this as a vacation read.
When Maggie and her friends take a holiday to Spain to get away from the madness, the misadventures continue, with huge hangovers and trying to remember what happened the night before.
I was a bit intimidated by the fact the book was 727 pages long, but reading the journey of the four friends toward maturity and responsibility, with plenty of humor and romance along the way, made it easier to get through than I had expected. I would highly recommend this as a vacation read.
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June 30, 2017Maybe I'm just getting old, but I did not enjoy this book at all! I could not believe that the main characters were in their late twenties! They all acted as if they were still at school! I did not like or find any of the characters engaging. The book was also far too long and had too many stories going on at once. Unfortunately this gets no stars from me!
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