What do you think?
Rate this book
Billy and Me #1
Billy and Me
Sophie May has a secret.
One that she’s successfully kept for years. It’s meant that she’s had to
give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay
in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.
But then she meets the gorgeous Billy – an actor with ambitions to make
it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the
comfort of her life into Billy’s glamorous – but ruthless – world.
Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of
shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that
comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret
heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?
One that she’s successfully kept for years. It’s meant that she’s had to
give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay
in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.
But then she meets the gorgeous Billy – an actor with ambitions to make
it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the
comfort of her life into Billy’s glamorous – but ruthless – world.
Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of
shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that
comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret
heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?
396 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2013
409 people are currently reading
11941 people want to read
About the author
Giovanna Fletcher
24 books6,187 followersGiovanna grew up in Essex with her Italian dad Mario, mum Kim, big sister Giorgina and little brother Mario, and spent most of her childhood talking to herself (it seems no one wanted to listen) or reading books.
At thirteen she left Essex behind to attend the full-time Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met her husband Tom Fletcher. Following SYTS she completed an acting BA (hons) at Rose Bruford – since then she's been acting, chaperoning mini actors and dabbling in a spot of freelance journalism.
Giovanna is a firm believer in the power of magpies and positive energy. To see what makes Giovanna smile, view her blog at www.giovannasworld.com, or her Twitter page @mrsgifletcher
Billy and Me is Giovanna's debut novel.
At thirteen she left Essex behind to attend the full-time Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met her husband Tom Fletcher. Following SYTS she completed an acting BA (hons) at Rose Bruford – since then she's been acting, chaperoning mini actors and dabbling in a spot of freelance journalism.
Giovanna is a firm believer in the power of magpies and positive energy. To see what makes Giovanna smile, view her blog at www.giovannasworld.com, or her Twitter page @mrsgifletcher
Billy and Me is Giovanna's debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,526 reviews
June 26, 2013
Bleurgh. This book really isn't very good. I'm sure the author is lovely and sweet but this is one of the worst chick lit books I've read in a while. Here's why...
I'm not quite sure I liked one single character, especially not Billy. He was absolutely ridiculous - always cheerful, making stupidly boring/supposedly funny comments and as for the 'throw the head back' laugh?! Good god. He sounds like the most boring man of all time. Sophie was almost as bad, a spoilt over sensitive brat who you 'just have to love' - good god.
The writing. So! Many! Exclamation! Marks! ARGH!! Also the fact that every facial expression had to mark exactly what the person was feeling "curling his top lip, looking confused". I'M NOT STUPID. Then, there were the actions. There's at least two times in the book that someone buries their head in the carpet crying. Carpet?!
Argh. It's really annoying because the plot is actually quite good and could have been a really good story if it had just been written in a better style. The only thing that kept me going was the mention of constant cake.
I'm not quite sure I liked one single character, especially not Billy. He was absolutely ridiculous - always cheerful, making stupidly boring/supposedly funny comments and as for the 'throw the head back' laugh?! Good god. He sounds like the most boring man of all time. Sophie was almost as bad, a spoilt over sensitive brat who you 'just have to love' - good god.
The writing. So! Many! Exclamation! Marks! ARGH!! Also the fact that every facial expression had to mark exactly what the person was feeling "curling his top lip, looking confused". I'M NOT STUPID. Then, there were the actions. There's at least two times in the book that someone buries their head in the carpet crying. Carpet?!
Argh. It's really annoying because the plot is actually quite good and could have been a really good story if it had just been written in a better style. The only thing that kept me going was the mention of constant cake.
August 9, 2013
Gonna keep this short and sweet. I wanted to like this, I really did. But it felt like nothing more than a grammatically correct fan fiction.
There was no depth to any of the characters, bar a SLIGHT insight into Sophie's past.
Sophie and Billy's relationship escalated within pages and the book on a whole was fast paced, rushed and would sit best in the young adult section of a book shop at best.
There was no depth to any of the characters, bar a SLIGHT insight into Sophie's past.
Sophie and Billy's relationship escalated within pages and the book on a whole was fast paced, rushed and would sit best in the young adult section of a book shop at best.
January 16, 2019
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Here’s another book I never reviewed, despite finishing it LAST FALL. I thought I’d leave well enough alone, but then I remembered . . . .
I believe this was a “if you like this, you may like this” library software recommendation. I instantly requested it for the cover alone. Then I took a peek at the synopsis and was reminded of another story . . . .
But this poor little thing was just turrrrrrible. It started almost immediately . . . .
You know, once you start seeing things like that they just shine like beacons.
Then there was the fact that the female lead lived an hour outside of London, but knew absolutely nothing about the city other than Trafalgar Square. Seriously? I mean I’m as hermity as they come, but I still made sure to make the drive in order to putz around Chicago occasionally when I lived in Illinois. This was followed by the instaloviest of all love where our film star leading male decides after about 17.4 seconds to stay with the girl he pretty much just met followed by asking her to move in with him. Buuuuuuuut he makes sure he takes all the jobs there are to take and flirt with all the girls because that’s part of the job and then she makes sure to be super offended by the part of the job that is actually part of the job and they are both just horrible and have the emotional development of about an 11-year old and good lord I can’t believe this is A SERIES?!?!?!?! Yeesh. I’m also 100% blown away that this was not self-pubbed. The characters, plot, pacing, ALL of it was just awful.
Here’s another book I never reviewed, despite finishing it LAST FALL. I thought I’d leave well enough alone, but then I remembered . . . .
I believe this was a “if you like this, you may like this” library software recommendation. I instantly requested it for the cover alone. Then I took a peek at the synopsis and was reminded of another story . . . .
But this poor little thing was just turrrrrrible. It started almost immediately . . . .
You know, once you start seeing things like that they just shine like beacons.
Then there was the fact that the female lead lived an hour outside of London, but knew absolutely nothing about the city other than Trafalgar Square. Seriously? I mean I’m as hermity as they come, but I still made sure to make the drive in order to putz around Chicago occasionally when I lived in Illinois. This was followed by the instaloviest of all love where our film star leading male decides after about 17.4 seconds to stay with the girl he pretty much just met followed by asking her to move in with him. Buuuuuuuut he makes sure he takes all the jobs there are to take and flirt with all the girls because that’s part of the job and then she makes sure to be super offended by the part of the job that is actually part of the job and they are both just horrible and have the emotional development of about an 11-year old and good lord I can’t believe this is A SERIES?!?!?!?! Yeesh. I’m also 100% blown away that this was not self-pubbed. The characters, plot, pacing, ALL of it was just awful.
August 3, 2013
I'm sorry. I can see I'm out of kilter with most readers on this but this book just didn't work for me. Waitress and film star fall in love - that's fine. I use that too in one of my books. But this film star is just too good to be true. He's constantly smiling and laughing, using out of kilter phrases for his age, and is just so sweet that I couldn't believe in him. Yet I guess he's why the book appeals to so many. We all want film stars/pop stars to be lovely people and fall in love with ordinary people - just like us. Billy needed flaws. The only real hiccup came from something that wasn't his fault and even though he tried his best to sort it out, we have a heroine who aggravated me so much, I wanted to strangle her.
I loved the teashop bits! Sophie and Mollie were a lovely couple and I liked the way their relationship played out. But for the first half of the book there was no conflict and when it came - it was just too predictable. Sophie's big secret - for me - was a huge let down. I can see that it explained her staying at home etc but I'd have liked it to have been something more gritty.
But that, in essence, was why the book didn't work for me. Too nice. I like something with more meat, more bones, more character depth, more angst. If you like love stories with no sex, no bad language, then you might like this but it wasn't for me.
I loved the teashop bits! Sophie and Mollie were a lovely couple and I liked the way their relationship played out. But for the first half of the book there was no conflict and when it came - it was just too predictable. Sophie's big secret - for me - was a huge let down. I can see that it explained her staying at home etc but I'd have liked it to have been something more gritty.
But that, in essence, was why the book didn't work for me. Too nice. I like something with more meat, more bones, more character depth, more angst. If you like love stories with no sex, no bad language, then you might like this but it wasn't for me.
April 13, 2014
This book was awful and the only reason I finished it was because I am a firm believer in finishing a book no matter what. I did come very close to breaking my rule with this one though.
The characters were unlikeable, I found Sophie to be spoilt and pathetic and any girl who thinks that Billy could be lovable or a "perfect boyfriend" needs to have a reality check. I was annoyed by the fact that Sophie claimed that she wanted her independence and seemed like a hard-working knows-what-she-wants girl but she completely abandoned that for a boy. Then, in the end she started her own business - I would like to know how the author was going to explain Sophie and Billy actually going to be together with this new dimension added in. But,alas, the logistics of how a "perfect meant-to-be relationship" between them was left aside in a truly awful ending.
The storyline veered all over the place and made me groan in frustration, especially the part where Sophie gets all freaked out over watching Billy do a sex scene in a film he's shooting. He's a bloody actor and she knew what she was in for. So unnecessary. Then the part where Sophie freaks out and leaves him and basically treats him like crap but he sticks around waiting for her anyway. Absolutely pathetic and in the real world the scenario would not play out like this. The secret that Sophie was apparently keeping was very obvious from the beginning and, let's face it, wasn't really that big a secret anyway because everyone in the village knew about it except Billy.
Finally, the ending was shambolic. A car crash of an ending which involved Sophie crying (again)and Billy coming to the rescue by rubbing her back affectionately. Not in any way romantic or heart wrenching.
This book was poorly written and just simply horrendous. It was far-fetched and ridiculously over the top. Needless to say, I will not be reading any other books that are written by this author.
The characters were unlikeable, I found Sophie to be spoilt and pathetic and any girl who thinks that Billy could be lovable or a "perfect boyfriend" needs to have a reality check. I was annoyed by the fact that Sophie claimed that she wanted her independence and seemed like a hard-working knows-what-she-wants girl but she completely abandoned that for a boy. Then, in the end she started her own business - I would like to know how the author was going to explain Sophie and Billy actually going to be together with this new dimension added in. But,alas, the logistics of how a "perfect meant-to-be relationship" between them was left aside in a truly awful ending.
The storyline veered all over the place and made me groan in frustration, especially the part where Sophie gets all freaked out over watching Billy do a sex scene in a film he's shooting. He's a bloody actor and she knew what she was in for. So unnecessary. Then the part where Sophie freaks out and leaves him and basically treats him like crap but he sticks around waiting for her anyway. Absolutely pathetic and in the real world the scenario would not play out like this. The secret that Sophie was apparently keeping was very obvious from the beginning and, let's face it, wasn't really that big a secret anyway because everyone in the village knew about it except Billy.
Finally, the ending was shambolic. A car crash of an ending which involved Sophie crying (again)and Billy coming to the rescue by rubbing her back affectionately. Not in any way romantic or heart wrenching.
This book was poorly written and just simply horrendous. It was far-fetched and ridiculously over the top. Needless to say, I will not be reading any other books that are written by this author.
August 17, 2016
This was such a quick read, I loved it!
September 9, 2019
Where do I start with Billy and Me? I picked up this book from the library because I love Gi, I think she's lovely and incredibly talented. But let's just say I'm glad I didn't buy it.
This book had a plot that, written well, could've been really good. However, the characters were awful. By halfway through the book I was shouting at Sophie May (for example: 'I wish you were real so I could punch you in the face'), she was completely over sensitive to any situation and spun round any situation to suit her. It was ridiculous. Billy seemed sweet enough but never seemed particularly interesting. I don't know know how teenage girls could be falling at his feet. He always seemed to be 'booming' phrases and chucking his head back when he laughed, which I personally thought would have him awful neck cramp. He would do anything do suit Sophie and it was stupid how often he gave into her.
Furthermore there were too! Many! Exclamation! Marks! A perfectly average day-to-day phrase does not need an exclamation mark after it.
I read to the end plainly because I was curious. I would've given it a one star because it was horrific to read (it sounded like something a GCSE level student would write) but the end of Part 3 and Part 4 were easier to read (despite Sophie being as ridiculous as before) and were very sweet.
I could go on but I think I'll leave it on a more positive note.
I don't recommend this read to be completely honest. I'm sorry Gi, I still think your adorable and lovely and I might pick up your next novel from the library and give your writing skills a second chance.
This book had a plot that, written well, could've been really good. However, the characters were awful. By halfway through the book I was shouting at Sophie May (for example: 'I wish you were real so I could punch you in the face'), she was completely over sensitive to any situation and spun round any situation to suit her. It was ridiculous. Billy seemed sweet enough but never seemed particularly interesting. I don't know know how teenage girls could be falling at his feet. He always seemed to be 'booming' phrases and chucking his head back when he laughed, which I personally thought would have him awful neck cramp. He would do anything do suit Sophie and it was stupid how often he gave into her.
Furthermore there were too! Many! Exclamation! Marks! A perfectly average day-to-day phrase does not need an exclamation mark after it.
I read to the end plainly because I was curious. I would've given it a one star because it was horrific to read (it sounded like something a GCSE level student would write) but the end of Part 3 and Part 4 were easier to read (despite Sophie being as ridiculous as before) and were very sweet.
I could go on but I think I'll leave it on a more positive note.
I don't recommend this read to be completely honest. I'm sorry Gi, I still think your adorable and lovely and I might pick up your next novel from the library and give your writing skills a second chance.
January 4, 2019
This book has been on my shelf for a while and why did I wait to read it so long because I love it so much.
Sophie and Billy are from two very different worlds but are so meant to be together. It's interesting reading about the highs and lows of life in the limelight but it shows a message in the end of what really matters. Sophie really doesn't realise how special she is. Billy has one funny laugh too.
I also enjoyed all the parts about Sophie's past and how Molly helped her overcome all the tragic. It's sad, beautiful and tragic all thrown into one from start to finish.
To Molly!
My first Giovanna Fletcher book and certainly won't be my last now onto the next chapter of Billy and Sophie. Always With love!
Sophie and Billy are from two very different worlds but are so meant to be together. It's interesting reading about the highs and lows of life in the limelight but it shows a message in the end of what really matters. Sophie really doesn't realise how special she is. Billy has one funny laugh too.
I also enjoyed all the parts about Sophie's past and how Molly helped her overcome all the tragic. It's sad, beautiful and tragic all thrown into one from start to finish.
To Molly!
My first Giovanna Fletcher book and certainly won't be my last now onto the next chapter of Billy and Sophie. Always With love!
June 16, 2016
Review to come.
May 13, 2013
Originally on I Heart.. Chick Lit (www.iheart-chicklit.blogspot.com)
First stop of the BILLY AND ME BLOG TOUR!
What I thought about it:
BILLY AND ME HAS TO BE THE BEST DEBUT NOVEL FOR ME SO FAR. OK, so sorry for the shouty pointy capital letters, but you get my point, right? Have you ever woke up after finishing a book and feeling really satisfied but completely thrown that you have finished it already? Yup, that was how I felt!
Gorgeous cover, check. Exciting, intriguing plot. Check. What more do you need? When you see this book in bookstores, do NOT hesitate to pick it up. Just rush to the counter and purchase it, then scream your head off, proclaiming you just bought an utterly irresistible novel. OK?
Billy And Me is the story about Sophie May, a sweet, lovable and humble girl who is shied away in a quiet, idyllic village, running the local teashop with her best friend, Molly. Then one day, teen heartthrob Billy arrives in town for the filming of the new Pride & Prejudice. They cross paths and immediately fall for each other, but would Sophie want to risk it all to be Billy's sweetheart? After all, she has buried her traumatic past and being in the spotlight will risk it all.
I adored Sophie May. She is a rather lovely, warm heroine who you will want to root for, confide in and will lend you her shoulder to cry on. I really liked how Giovanna managed to create such a wonderful character with the kindest heart. On the other hand, Billy. *swoooooooon* Billy Buskin is not your average snobby film star. No, fame hasn't gone into his head and made him a total knob, so trust me, you will definitely want yourself a Billy. Please fantasise your favourite actor/celeb as Billy. Don't worry, you're allowed to do so! ;)
Aside from Sophie and Billy, the other characters in the book were a fantastic, colourful bunch! I really, really adored Molly, Sophie's best friend and boss, who is the kindest, most thoughtful soul I've ever come across in books. Psst. I would definitely work for Molly in her teashop if I can get free slices of cakes and tea in exchange for gossip!
The book is divided into three parts, spanning from the moment Sophie meets Billy, to their blossoming relationship towards the most heartbreaking ending. Billy And Me is such a delightful treat as I finished it in one day, totally immersed into the flow of the story. Some parts made me want to give poor Sophie a warm hug, others made me want to wonder if there are guys like Billy out there - romantic, kind and charming. Although the first part was light-hearted, romantic modern love story of how girl meets boys, but as the story progresses, it gets more emotional and heartbreaking. So don't judge the cover, guys!
Verdict:
Honestly, Billy And Me blew me away completely. I couldn't help but read and savour every page of it. I was gutted when I finished reading the last page. I loved it, everything in the book worked for me. Incredibly warm with the prefect blend of love, friendship and fighting for the one you love. A blissfully romantic tale, I adored Billy And Me!
A brilliant, sparkling, heartwarming debut by a fabulous new author on the block! Watch out, Giovanna Fletcher has just joined the ranks of my favourite authors and I am eagerly waiting for more news about her next book!
Rating : 5/5
First stop of the BILLY AND ME BLOG TOUR!
What I thought about it:
BILLY AND ME HAS TO BE THE BEST DEBUT NOVEL FOR ME SO FAR. OK, so sorry for the shouty pointy capital letters, but you get my point, right? Have you ever woke up after finishing a book and feeling really satisfied but completely thrown that you have finished it already? Yup, that was how I felt!
Gorgeous cover, check. Exciting, intriguing plot. Check. What more do you need? When you see this book in bookstores, do NOT hesitate to pick it up. Just rush to the counter and purchase it, then scream your head off, proclaiming you just bought an utterly irresistible novel. OK?
Billy And Me is the story about Sophie May, a sweet, lovable and humble girl who is shied away in a quiet, idyllic village, running the local teashop with her best friend, Molly. Then one day, teen heartthrob Billy arrives in town for the filming of the new Pride & Prejudice. They cross paths and immediately fall for each other, but would Sophie want to risk it all to be Billy's sweetheart? After all, she has buried her traumatic past and being in the spotlight will risk it all.
I adored Sophie May. She is a rather lovely, warm heroine who you will want to root for, confide in and will lend you her shoulder to cry on. I really liked how Giovanna managed to create such a wonderful character with the kindest heart. On the other hand, Billy. *swoooooooon* Billy Buskin is not your average snobby film star. No, fame hasn't gone into his head and made him a total knob, so trust me, you will definitely want yourself a Billy. Please fantasise your favourite actor/celeb as Billy. Don't worry, you're allowed to do so! ;)
Aside from Sophie and Billy, the other characters in the book were a fantastic, colourful bunch! I really, really adored Molly, Sophie's best friend and boss, who is the kindest, most thoughtful soul I've ever come across in books. Psst. I would definitely work for Molly in her teashop if I can get free slices of cakes and tea in exchange for gossip!
The book is divided into three parts, spanning from the moment Sophie meets Billy, to their blossoming relationship towards the most heartbreaking ending. Billy And Me is such a delightful treat as I finished it in one day, totally immersed into the flow of the story. Some parts made me want to give poor Sophie a warm hug, others made me want to wonder if there are guys like Billy out there - romantic, kind and charming. Although the first part was light-hearted, romantic modern love story of how girl meets boys, but as the story progresses, it gets more emotional and heartbreaking. So don't judge the cover, guys!
Verdict:
Honestly, Billy And Me blew me away completely. I couldn't help but read and savour every page of it. I was gutted when I finished reading the last page. I loved it, everything in the book worked for me. Incredibly warm with the prefect blend of love, friendship and fighting for the one you love. A blissfully romantic tale, I adored Billy And Me!
A brilliant, sparkling, heartwarming debut by a fabulous new author on the block! Watch out, Giovanna Fletcher has just joined the ranks of my favourite authors and I am eagerly waiting for more news about her next book!
Rating : 5/5
July 21, 2016
As usual, MAJOR spoilers ahead.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I couldn;t, tho. You know why? Because it was BORING!
Main character, Sophie, in theory was very relatable. I mean, if I got a dollar every time I dreamt about celebrity falling in love with me, I'd be so rich, that the psychiatrist I obviously need, could live with me full time in my huge mansion in Orange County.
How cool it would be if Matthew Daddario, stricken with our beauty, chatted us up in a bookstore? Or if Tom Hiddleston picked up the wallet we've lost and then (stricken by our beauty, OBVIOUSLY) fell madly in love with us? Or if Corey Taylor or Serj Tankian caught our eye during a concert and then serenaded us under our bedroom window? (oh shush you, it's my fantasy!).
What I mean, we all did that. That what makes Sopie so relatable.
What doesn't is her being so damn irritating!
I totally get her anxiety issues, even though she had exactly ONE panick attack in the most convenient moment. After that? Whoosh. No panick attacks.
She was a complete doormat to Paul and to Billy, never actually speaking her mind, because her wonderful boyfriend had such a stressfull time. You know who says that? Codepended wives with abusive husbands!
Talking of Billy. The heart throb. The irresistible cookie. The most boring character ever invented. EVER!
My main problem with him is that he has no flaws. Seriously. Even "The Fight" and "The Breaking Point" was about things he had no real part in. About things that just happened to him, because of someone else's scheming.
I mean, seriously?
I would be so much more probable if Billy actually did something wrong. Like kiss Heidi of his own free will. But noooooooo, he had to be set up, then Sopie had to freak out and leave, and then he HAD TO apologize over and over again, send creepy ass notes (that counts as stalkering and it's illegal. Just so you know, Billy. Just so you know.) until the very rushed happy ending.
What a perfect man. No flaw in him whatsoever.
You know who's flawless?
Jesus.
The relationship between Sopie and Billy was rushed.
Imagine: they meet, they hang out for like few weeks, then Billy gets a job in London and asks Sophie to leave her mom, her friend, her job that she adores and move in with him.
Who does that?
What's next?
Yeah. most likely.
Anyways, back to London.
Sopie is OBVIOUSLY moving in with him, because apparently living 1 HOUR away from the city would be too much. Well, tbh, it's hardly a long distance relationship if it takes you an hour drive to see the other person. When I was dating a boy who's now my husband, it took me longer to get to him by bus, and we lived in the same city!
The only person I liked in this book was Molly. She was such a wonderful person and what happened to her destryed me a bit.
I cried.
AT WORK.
The writing style is terrible. I'm sure the author is a wonderful person (well, she looks like she is) but she can't write for sure.
Too! Many! Excalamations!
And don't get me started on the flashabcks. I know that thanks to them we, bit by bit, learned about Sophie's story. We learned why she had anxiety (at least in theory. For me he was just shy. Who wouldn't be in a room full of famous strangers?), what happened to her dad and about the guilt she had inside all those years.
I know I was supposed to be moved and intrigued by those bits. I wasn't. It took FOREVER to read them, because they were chapter long. I was bored and annoyed, and that's not really the best combination.
Also, honourable mention to Sophie's manager from Coffe Matters. Polish guy named Andrezj. Really, Giovanna? REALLY? That's not how it's spelled. Do you mean "Andrzej"?
First I thought it was just a typo, but noooooo, it appeared again. And again. And again.
So, here's a piece of free advice from me. You can thank me later.
If you're not sure how to spell a foreign word you use in your book, then google it! Google the shit out of it. Ask someone who knows the language. And then google it again just to be sure.
See, even Edward knows it and he's a tool.
I'm not really interested what happenes to Billy and sophie. they can all die for all I care.
I will not read next two books.
I read that one so you don't have to.
This book deserve one star really, but I'm giving an extra one for the feels I had with Molly.
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I couldn;t, tho. You know why? Because it was BORING!
Main character, Sophie, in theory was very relatable. I mean, if I got a dollar every time I dreamt about celebrity falling in love with me, I'd be so rich, that the psychiatrist I obviously need, could live with me full time in my huge mansion in Orange County.
How cool it would be if Matthew Daddario, stricken with our beauty, chatted us up in a bookstore? Or if Tom Hiddleston picked up the wallet we've lost and then (stricken by our beauty, OBVIOUSLY) fell madly in love with us? Or if Corey Taylor or Serj Tankian caught our eye during a concert and then serenaded us under our bedroom window? (oh shush you, it's my fantasy!).
What I mean, we all did that. That what makes Sopie so relatable.
What doesn't is her being so damn irritating!
I totally get her anxiety issues, even though she had exactly ONE panick attack in the most convenient moment. After that? Whoosh. No panick attacks.
She was a complete doormat to Paul and to Billy, never actually speaking her mind, because her wonderful boyfriend had such a stressfull time. You know who says that? Codepended wives with abusive husbands!
Talking of Billy. The heart throb. The irresistible cookie. The most boring character ever invented. EVER!
My main problem with him is that he has no flaws. Seriously. Even "The Fight" and "The Breaking Point" was about things he had no real part in. About things that just happened to him, because of someone else's scheming.
I mean, seriously?
I would be so much more probable if Billy actually did something wrong. Like kiss Heidi of his own free will. But noooooooo, he had to be set up, then Sopie had to freak out and leave, and then he HAD TO apologize over and over again, send creepy ass notes (that counts as stalkering and it's illegal. Just so you know, Billy. Just so you know.) until the very rushed happy ending.
What a perfect man. No flaw in him whatsoever.
You know who's flawless?
Jesus.
The relationship between Sopie and Billy was rushed.
Imagine: they meet, they hang out for like few weeks, then Billy gets a job in London and asks Sophie to leave her mom, her friend, her job that she adores and move in with him.
Who does that?
What's next?
Yeah. most likely.
Anyways, back to London.
Sopie is OBVIOUSLY moving in with him, because apparently living 1 HOUR away from the city would be too much. Well, tbh, it's hardly a long distance relationship if it takes you an hour drive to see the other person. When I was dating a boy who's now my husband, it took me longer to get to him by bus, and we lived in the same city!
The only person I liked in this book was Molly. She was such a wonderful person and what happened to her destryed me a bit.
I cried.
AT WORK.
The writing style is terrible. I'm sure the author is a wonderful person (well, she looks like she is) but she can't write for sure.
Too! Many! Excalamations!
And don't get me started on the flashabcks. I know that thanks to them we, bit by bit, learned about Sophie's story. We learned why she had anxiety (at least in theory. For me he was just shy. Who wouldn't be in a room full of famous strangers?), what happened to her dad and about the guilt she had inside all those years.
I know I was supposed to be moved and intrigued by those bits. I wasn't. It took FOREVER to read them, because they were chapter long. I was bored and annoyed, and that's not really the best combination.
Also, honourable mention to Sophie's manager from Coffe Matters. Polish guy named Andrezj. Really, Giovanna? REALLY? That's not how it's spelled. Do you mean "Andrzej"?
First I thought it was just a typo, but noooooo, it appeared again. And again. And again.
So, here's a piece of free advice from me. You can thank me later.
If you're not sure how to spell a foreign word you use in your book, then google it! Google the shit out of it. Ask someone who knows the language. And then google it again just to be sure.
See, even Edward knows it and he's a tool.
I'm not really interested what happenes to Billy and sophie. they can all die for all I care.
I will not read next two books.
I read that one so you don't have to.
This book deserve one star really, but I'm giving an extra one for the feels I had with Molly.
January 9, 2016
Really easy and cute to read! A slightly predictable story, and I did find myself getting irritated by Sophie's mentality towards Billy's acting commitments, but still enjoyable. Not overly romantic or dramatic, just a simple slice-of-life!
March 25, 2022
Read for the #backlistreadathon for prompts: read a backlist with your favorite color on the cover (RED); read a backlist you recently hauled; read a backlist that was recommended to you (by Booktuber Rachel Cerys). The cover of this book would make you think this is a light rom-com, but I'll tell you, it is not. First, the romantic plot surrounding new rising film star Billy and our main lead, small town girl Sophie, is sweet, tender, they have to overcome issues related to him "being on the spotlight" and the pressure that the media sets on this couple. However, their relationship is not all that there is in the story. In a 400-page book the "romance" occupies half of it. The other half is family drama with some hard hitting issues in Sophie's past and present time. We know from the start she's keeping "a secret" from Billy that has to do with her absent father. Sophie is in her mid-twenties, she's never moved from her small hometown in order to take care of her mother and she seems satisfied with her daily job at a local tea shop. The thing is that the secret behind her father's absence is not difficult to guess, he's either dead or he abandoned his family. So, by the time the reveal comes, I was surprised. There's also a big part of the book devoted to Sophie and her boss and friend, Molly, who is a widow in her sixties, estranged from her only son, and her relationship with Sophie is more mother and daughter than just friends. And something happens to Molly towards the end that I felt it was just a cheap trick to get readers to cry - which I did not. I would have liked to see more of the struggling romantic relationship between Sophie & Billy instead of so much melodrama and personal tragedy. I read Fletcher's "You're the one that I want", which is a romance book centered around a love triangle and I liked that one more.
October 14, 2016
ARC received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
"Billy and Me" was such a fun read! The author, Giovanna Fletcher, featured a young woman from a small village who falls for a movie star. He falls for her as well and the story is off! Sophie's character is very well rounded and her back story is well explained. The only part of the story that I didn't like was Sophie's behavior after she and Billy parted ways. I found her to be simpering and she seemed so overly dependent on Billy that I couldn't root for them to get back together.
I enjoyed the supporting characters as well. Even though you know when you start reading that there will be a happy ending, the story still captures your attention.
I will be looking forward to the next story in the series.
"Billy and Me" was such a fun read! The author, Giovanna Fletcher, featured a young woman from a small village who falls for a movie star. He falls for her as well and the story is off! Sophie's character is very well rounded and her back story is well explained. The only part of the story that I didn't like was Sophie's behavior after she and Billy parted ways. I found her to be simpering and she seemed so overly dependent on Billy that I couldn't root for them to get back together.
I enjoyed the supporting characters as well. Even though you know when you start reading that there will be a happy ending, the story still captures your attention.
I will be looking forward to the next story in the series.
December 21, 2016
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:
I'm saddened that this didn't touch me more. I, too, am a young person dealing with the death of my father but this failed to capture me, considering how alike our stories are. I found the most interesting part of the narrative to be the beginning when Sophie met Billy in her village - considering that this is a massive romance cliche, for me it was the most interesting, and perhaps to others what would be considered the most interesting part of the plot (the move to London, Billy's life as an actor) I found to be the most boring. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, and questioned their actions, their choices, which made me feel quite disconnected. Others may enjoy this more, as I am not usually a fan of romance.
I'm saddened that this didn't touch me more. I, too, am a young person dealing with the death of my father but this failed to capture me, considering how alike our stories are. I found the most interesting part of the narrative to be the beginning when Sophie met Billy in her village - considering that this is a massive romance cliche, for me it was the most interesting, and perhaps to others what would be considered the most interesting part of the plot (the move to London, Billy's life as an actor) I found to be the most boring. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, and questioned their actions, their choices, which made me feel quite disconnected. Others may enjoy this more, as I am not usually a fan of romance.
July 23, 2015
I have wanted to read this book for quite awhile, now having read it, I am quite disappointed.
Warning: this review contains a long feminist rant.
At first, Sophie May seems like an easily relatable character. She's around my age, she had a hard time growing up and has anxiety issues. She works in this cute little tea shop with Molly, an elderly lady who took her in when she needed a job and they grew to be best friends. This sounds like a nice story, and I honestly would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it had focused on Sophie and Molly's relationship and not on the romance.
But of course, this is a romance book so then enters, Billy Buskin. An actor and teen heart throb who is in town for the filming of Pride and Prejudice. He's cute, he's charming, and he's sweet. Except, I feel like we didn't get to see much of that. He met Sophie, they flirted a couple of times, he asked out and then boom, they are in love and moving to London. There was no build up, we didn't get enough of them together to really develop a connection to them.
It didn't take long for me to realise that this was a bit of an unhealthy relationship. Sophie told Billy her dream of buying the tea shop off Molly one day and making it her own. With cakes, books, gifts and flowers. But then he asks her to move to London with him as he has a part in a new play. Meaning she has to leave her job, that she loves, and find a new place to work. Now, this would be absolutely fine if he wasn't so controlling.
Billy hated the idea, especially as, in his own words, he can happily provide for the both of us. It was difficult to explain that the thought of living off him and flying aimlessly through my days my days made me want to vomit. But he took it well, even if he didn't agree with it."
?????
This should not be a matter of him taking it well! He should agree with Sophie from the start if getting a new job in a coffee shop is what she wants to do. She didn't move there to just follow him around like a puppy or sit at home waiting for him to get back from work. Sophie has a dream too, it didn't just disappear when she moved to London. I'd be running for the hills already.
When she does get a job, it's at a popular coffee shop chain called Coffee Matters. They have to wear a bright, ridiculous uniform and it's nothing like her old job. People don't go there to sit down and chat, they get their coffee and then leave. Sophie stays there because it's better than nothing, and she hopes something better will come along.
One day, there is an overly rude customer who yells at her and puts her down, Sophie loses it and throws the drink on him (Not going to lie, I cheered when she did that). She grabs her bag and then walks out before she has the chance to be fired. Billy is waiting outside for her and is shocked to find out what happened.
But.
SHE APOLOGISES TO HIM.
"Billy you're girlfriend works at Coffee Matters..As if that won't be turned into some sort of story? They're going to have a field day with that!"
Billy looks down at the floor and bites his lip. I knew he didn't want me to take this job on, probably for this exact reason, and he just didn't know how to say it without offending me or sounding snobby. Therefore, it's unfair of me to make him feel bad for something that is clearly not his fault.
"I'm sorry. It's not your fault," I say.
Why on earth should she have to apologise? Billy shouldn't care where she works as long as she's happy! If he doesn't want her to work because he doesn't want a bad reputation then he's an asshole.
A few other things happen, like Billy coming home drunk with friends at 2am then after waking Sophie up after being so loud, calling her boring and guilt-tripping her for never going out with him (knowing that she has to get up early for work). Sophie gets up and goes out there, AND OFFERS TO MAKE THEM TEA OR COFFEE????
And after having left her job at Coffee Matters, he convinces her to not get another job and tries to get her to just use one of his credit cards. They agree that she won't work until the right job comes along, but Sophie said that she will do all housework and chores in return.
Also, his manager is a total asshole to Sophie most of the time. Putting her down in subtle ways and making her feel small. Not once does Billy listen to her when she tries to tell him. Where is the support?? He just laughs things off and showers her in compliments, as if that fixes everything.
They could just be little things, but it seems so unhealthy to me. There's no emotional support from his end. She gave up her life to live with him while he gets to his dream, expecting Sophie to just follow along.
*feminist rant over*
It does get more enjoyable during Part Three and Four. Sophie starts to stand up for herself, she starts to realise that she isn't getting enough from him. We get to learn more about her past, which leads to her building a stronger relationship with her Mum. In the end she does end up pursuing her dream, which I am really glad about. Like I said at the start of this review, I would of enjoyed it a lot more without the romance. I found Molly far more interesting than Billy, I just didn't connect with his character like I did Molly's.
There is some important lessons in this book but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
Warning: this review contains a long feminist rant.
At first, Sophie May seems like an easily relatable character. She's around my age, she had a hard time growing up and has anxiety issues. She works in this cute little tea shop with Molly, an elderly lady who took her in when she needed a job and they grew to be best friends. This sounds like a nice story, and I honestly would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it had focused on Sophie and Molly's relationship and not on the romance.
But of course, this is a romance book so then enters, Billy Buskin. An actor and teen heart throb who is in town for the filming of Pride and Prejudice. He's cute, he's charming, and he's sweet. Except, I feel like we didn't get to see much of that. He met Sophie, they flirted a couple of times, he asked out and then boom, they are in love and moving to London. There was no build up, we didn't get enough of them together to really develop a connection to them.
It didn't take long for me to realise that this was a bit of an unhealthy relationship. Sophie told Billy her dream of buying the tea shop off Molly one day and making it her own. With cakes, books, gifts and flowers. But then he asks her to move to London with him as he has a part in a new play. Meaning she has to leave her job, that she loves, and find a new place to work. Now, this would be absolutely fine if he wasn't so controlling.
Billy hated the idea, especially as, in his own words, he can happily provide for the both of us. It was difficult to explain that the thought of living off him and flying aimlessly through my days my days made me want to vomit. But he took it well, even if he didn't agree with it."
?????
This should not be a matter of him taking it well! He should agree with Sophie from the start if getting a new job in a coffee shop is what she wants to do. She didn't move there to just follow him around like a puppy or sit at home waiting for him to get back from work. Sophie has a dream too, it didn't just disappear when she moved to London. I'd be running for the hills already.
When she does get a job, it's at a popular coffee shop chain called Coffee Matters. They have to wear a bright, ridiculous uniform and it's nothing like her old job. People don't go there to sit down and chat, they get their coffee and then leave. Sophie stays there because it's better than nothing, and she hopes something better will come along.
One day, there is an overly rude customer who yells at her and puts her down, Sophie loses it and throws the drink on him (Not going to lie, I cheered when she did that). She grabs her bag and then walks out before she has the chance to be fired. Billy is waiting outside for her and is shocked to find out what happened.
But.
SHE APOLOGISES TO HIM.
"Billy you're girlfriend works at Coffee Matters..As if that won't be turned into some sort of story? They're going to have a field day with that!"
Billy looks down at the floor and bites his lip. I knew he didn't want me to take this job on, probably for this exact reason, and he just didn't know how to say it without offending me or sounding snobby. Therefore, it's unfair of me to make him feel bad for something that is clearly not his fault.
"I'm sorry. It's not your fault," I say.
Why on earth should she have to apologise? Billy shouldn't care where she works as long as she's happy! If he doesn't want her to work because he doesn't want a bad reputation then he's an asshole.
A few other things happen, like Billy coming home drunk with friends at 2am then after waking Sophie up after being so loud, calling her boring and guilt-tripping her for never going out with him (knowing that she has to get up early for work). Sophie gets up and goes out there, AND OFFERS TO MAKE THEM TEA OR COFFEE????
And after having left her job at Coffee Matters, he convinces her to not get another job and tries to get her to just use one of his credit cards. They agree that she won't work until the right job comes along, but Sophie said that she will do all housework and chores in return.
Also, his manager is a total asshole to Sophie most of the time. Putting her down in subtle ways and making her feel small. Not once does Billy listen to her when she tries to tell him. Where is the support?? He just laughs things off and showers her in compliments, as if that fixes everything.
They could just be little things, but it seems so unhealthy to me. There's no emotional support from his end. She gave up her life to live with him while he gets to his dream, expecting Sophie to just follow along.
*feminist rant over*
It does get more enjoyable during Part Three and Four. Sophie starts to stand up for herself, she starts to realise that she isn't getting enough from him. We get to learn more about her past, which leads to her building a stronger relationship with her Mum. In the end she does end up pursuing her dream, which I am really glad about. Like I said at the start of this review, I would of enjoyed it a lot more without the romance. I found Molly far more interesting than Billy, I just didn't connect with his character like I did Molly's.
There is some important lessons in this book but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
July 14, 2021
Okay so the romance-y element of this book is very predictable, but very enjoyable. I was settled on 3 stars but that LAST 50 PAGES, damn. I cried a fair amount!
May 16, 2013
Sophie May lives in her little village. Rather than travelling the world or setting off to university excitedly with friends, Sophie has instead stayed in the village of Rosefont Hill, living with her mum and spending her days working at the local teashop. The main reason for this is that Sophie May has a secret she’s been keeping. One day she meets the handsome Billy Buskin – an actor with high ambitions in his life, and as they fall in love, Sophie is pulled away from her village life and thrust into the spotlight. As Sophie is brought into Billy’s world – one which is different from her own – can she handle the attention that having such a public life brings?
I LOVED Billy and Me! As soon as I sat down to read it I was instantly drawn into the book and I couldn’t put it down! The story flows so easily, and before I knew it I had finished the last page.
The characters are wonderfully written! Giovanna has put so much effort, love and care into her characters and it shows. Every single character seemed so realistic to me, they all sprang to life and I genuinely felt as though I had been transported to Rosefont Hill and was watching all the characters right in front of me.
Molly was my favourite! Molly was so kind, caring and I felt so much warmth radiating from her! She is the definition of ‘homely’, I felt so at home when she was around and in a strange way she brought happiness and comfort to me. I would LOVE to sit in her teashop, I’d probably spend all my time in there drinking tea, sampling the gorgeous cakes and having a chat with the other lovely local people!
The relationship between Billy and Sophie was beautiful, I could feel the romance and the feelings between them, and I was gushing over their love as I read. I’m certain that like me, many others will fall deeply in love with Billy! He is not only handsome, but he is romantic and thoughtful – Sophie May is a very lucky girl!
One thing I really liked about Billy and Me was the focus on what dating someone in the spotlight is like. I know that many of us would love to date someone famous, but would we really be able to handle it? Would we know what to do or how to act? As Giovanna has some experience in this, I found this part of the story so intriguing and interesting. I also felt for Sophie, I realised how hard it must be to adjust to such a life, and I feel I connected with Sophie as I really rooted for her during the hard times.
Billy and Me is stunning. I loved every second I spent absorbed in this wonderful story. Billy and Me is a delightful novel full of romance, friendship, love and tears. I laughed whilst reading this, and I must admit there were a few moments where I cried too. And not just crying…I really wept, Giovanna’s writing provoked so much emotion in me that I was a mixture of tears and tissues! Giovanna Fletcher has created a very impressive first novel, and personally I cannot wait for her future releases! This is THE BOOK to read this summer!
I LOVED Billy and Me! As soon as I sat down to read it I was instantly drawn into the book and I couldn’t put it down! The story flows so easily, and before I knew it I had finished the last page.
The characters are wonderfully written! Giovanna has put so much effort, love and care into her characters and it shows. Every single character seemed so realistic to me, they all sprang to life and I genuinely felt as though I had been transported to Rosefont Hill and was watching all the characters right in front of me.
Molly was my favourite! Molly was so kind, caring and I felt so much warmth radiating from her! She is the definition of ‘homely’, I felt so at home when she was around and in a strange way she brought happiness and comfort to me. I would LOVE to sit in her teashop, I’d probably spend all my time in there drinking tea, sampling the gorgeous cakes and having a chat with the other lovely local people!
The relationship between Billy and Sophie was beautiful, I could feel the romance and the feelings between them, and I was gushing over their love as I read. I’m certain that like me, many others will fall deeply in love with Billy! He is not only handsome, but he is romantic and thoughtful – Sophie May is a very lucky girl!
One thing I really liked about Billy and Me was the focus on what dating someone in the spotlight is like. I know that many of us would love to date someone famous, but would we really be able to handle it? Would we know what to do or how to act? As Giovanna has some experience in this, I found this part of the story so intriguing and interesting. I also felt for Sophie, I realised how hard it must be to adjust to such a life, and I feel I connected with Sophie as I really rooted for her during the hard times.
Billy and Me is stunning. I loved every second I spent absorbed in this wonderful story. Billy and Me is a delightful novel full of romance, friendship, love and tears. I laughed whilst reading this, and I must admit there were a few moments where I cried too. And not just crying…I really wept, Giovanna’s writing provoked so much emotion in me that I was a mixture of tears and tissues! Giovanna Fletcher has created a very impressive first novel, and personally I cannot wait for her future releases! This is THE BOOK to read this summer!
October 20, 2016
'Billy and Me' follows Sophie and (surprise) Billy. Billy started his career as an actor in a teen-movie, but now wants to play more grown-up roles. So while preparing for filming a new version of 'pride & prejudice' in the small village where Sophie lives, he walks into the tea shop she works in. They begin talking and even pracitsing his lines together. Of course, they fall for each other, but it's not so easy for Sophie, what with her experiences in the past to suddenly be in the spotlight.
I really liked this book, altough it was not as good as 'you're the one that I want'. Sometimes I had the feeling that Sophie is A BIT behind the times. When Billy first walked into the tea shop she didn't recognize him. I mean ok, when you're not paying attention to anything happening in the media or something, or if you totally block out the world you may not know an actor who gets more famous by the minute. Maybe neither when you're 70 years old or whatever. But Sophie is a twenty-something and I guess at that age you can hardly escape such famous people, can you? They're everywhere, even if you don't want to hear anything about them. But that's just my opinion. Also, everytime she cries, there's a remarkably amount of snot coming out of her nose I guess, because it was stated every single time :D
The love-story happend quite quickly in a way. Usually, the two respective lovebirds fancy each other, then there are some problems or something and then follows the happy end. But with this story it was a little bit different. At least it felt kind of different. They became a couple quite fast and Sophie was instantly the love of Billy's life and so on. It was quite a nice change to the stories I usually read (even if it was probably not that big of a change, really).
The ending of the story was really sad and after being sad really cute. I liked that very much!
I really liked this book, altough it was not as good as 'you're the one that I want'. Sometimes I had the feeling that Sophie is A BIT behind the times. When Billy first walked into the tea shop she didn't recognize him. I mean ok, when you're not paying attention to anything happening in the media or something, or if you totally block out the world you may not know an actor who gets more famous by the minute. Maybe neither when you're 70 years old or whatever. But Sophie is a twenty-something and I guess at that age you can hardly escape such famous people, can you? They're everywhere, even if you don't want to hear anything about them. But that's just my opinion. Also, everytime she cries, there's a remarkably amount of snot coming out of her nose I guess, because it was stated every single time :D
The love-story happend quite quickly in a way. Usually, the two respective lovebirds fancy each other, then there are some problems or something and then follows the happy end. But with this story it was a little bit different. At least it felt kind of different. They became a couple quite fast and Sophie was instantly the love of Billy's life and so on. It was quite a nice change to the stories I usually read (even if it was probably not that big of a change, really).
The ending of the story was really sad and after being sad really cute. I liked that very much!
October 19, 2014
OMG G!! You are a genius!! I did NOT expect that one to be so good!! WOW. I picked it up because McFly (they're a band) are my all,my life,my reason of existing ,and stuff like that, for ten years now. And Giovanna has been a part of the family and i just love that girl so much!!! She's Tom's wife (Tom is from McFly). i'll spare you the gory details of my obsession with the Fletcher family and McFly, and i'll get on with my book review which is why you're reading this probably xD
'Billy and Me' is such a great book. I love Sophie's character. I could relate to her insecurities and her fear of change,her love of books and cake. Billy on the other hand is every girl's fantasy. The gorgeous actor,popular,rich,playing Mr Darcy,but deep down a good man,shy,with values and big heart. This book couldn't have been more dreamy and real at the same time.
There are a few scenes with the paparazzi,that i believe are often in that world,but still might shock you. Its really hard thinking how the people we all admire have to go through that every day,to be careful what they wear,say or do. Their lives constantly on the spotlight. It must be exhausting.
I also wondered if on some occasions,the scenes were taken from G's life with Tom. But i guess not. I don't know. xD Anyway. this book. BRILLIANT!! I loved it!! If there wasn't a name on the cover i would never have guessed it was written by G,the writing is so good and unique and i adored it!! ♥
'Billy and Me' is such a great book. I love Sophie's character. I could relate to her insecurities and her fear of change,her love of books and cake. Billy on the other hand is every girl's fantasy. The gorgeous actor,popular,rich,playing Mr Darcy,but deep down a good man,shy,with values and big heart. This book couldn't have been more dreamy and real at the same time.
There are a few scenes with the paparazzi,that i believe are often in that world,but still might shock you. Its really hard thinking how the people we all admire have to go through that every day,to be careful what they wear,say or do. Their lives constantly on the spotlight. It must be exhausting.
I also wondered if on some occasions,the scenes were taken from G's life with Tom. But i guess not. I don't know. xD Anyway. this book. BRILLIANT!! I loved it!! If there wasn't a name on the cover i would never have guessed it was written by G,the writing is so good and unique and i adored it!! ♥
April 3, 2014
Let me just flat out say that this book was incredibly cheesy. And not even in a good way! I was incredibly excited to get a copy of this, but I am extremely disappointed! There was no substance in this book at all.
Most importantly, there was no chemistry between Billy and Sophie. The author just chucked them out there, expecting us to work out their relationship, without even making an effort to make it work. Despite all the I love yous and I need yous being thrown around, it just didn't work. And why did it not work? Because the author did not build up to it. She just made them fall magically in love.
And don't even get me started on Billy. His lines were so cheesy it was nauseating. I felt like I was reading fanfiction. (No offense, I know there are some good ones out there. I've definitely read a lot better than this published book.) Everything was so mediocre.
I do apologize to the author. My review may seem harsh. But I was so excited for this book that I am a little mad it wasn't any good.
Most importantly, there was no chemistry between Billy and Sophie. The author just chucked them out there, expecting us to work out their relationship, without even making an effort to make it work. Despite all the I love yous and I need yous being thrown around, it just didn't work. And why did it not work? Because the author did not build up to it. She just made them fall magically in love.
And don't even get me started on Billy. His lines were so cheesy it was nauseating. I felt like I was reading fanfiction. (No offense, I know there are some good ones out there. I've definitely read a lot better than this published book.) Everything was so mediocre.
I do apologize to the author. My review may seem harsh. But I was so excited for this book that I am a little mad it wasn't any good.
November 3, 2016
The following is the unedited review posted on my blog at http://mypointlessmusing.blogspot.co....
I have also chronicled unedited chapter-by-chapter reviews/sporkings throughout the blog, if anyone cares to see where I'm drawing the following from. Spoilers are included, sorry:
So, I'm not going to type this into word and paste into the window. This is raw, no cursory proof-reading (I always suck at that anyway) and probably the worst way I could do this. I'm going to create a list of topics now to try and stay in some form of coherence throughout. So the themes that I noticed in Billy and Me?
1-Rural England is idyllic.
2-Only people who read classics can have an opinion on anything relating to them.
3-The way to a celebrity's heart is through cake and insults.
4-You can stay in the same town for 26 years for fear of change, then move in with your celebrity boyfriend after a mere few months of dating.
5-Social anxiety problems are never problems when there are photo ops.
6-Your celebrity boyfriend must become your life. You are allowed to resent him for this.
7-It's okay to have goals in life, unless they no longer suit your partner, in which case, they've changed. Change is Bad.
8-Cancer is a good way of removing superfluous characters.
9-The protagonist is always right.
I wish I could make it to ten. Sad times. So the above is a really hazy way of encompassing all those niggly little things within the storyline of Billy and Me that sent me over the edge. That's not including grammar fails, excessive ellipses and unnecessary exclamation marks.
Now, the first point may seem unfair. Rural England can be beautiful, and peaceful, and fulfilling to the soul. But in Billy and Me, it seems to be stuck in the dark ages, and used as a contrast to Sophie's experiences in London. So much of the events connected to London - Billy's stage show and film role, Heidi and Coco, the cast from the stage show dominating Billy's time, hell even the old lady at the bar in the awards show after party - it's all shown in a negative light. It's almost as if she's saying that Billy is being corrupted in the big city, and needs the ease of life in Rural England. It's not just subtext, it was one of the worries that Sophie voices in the narration leading up to her leaving home.
But I think it's unfair. A lot of the negativity associated with London was in Sophie's head. What happened in Kent when she was there? a) her father died. b) she and her mother stagnated in their depressive states for approximately 15 years. c) she found out her alleged best friend had cancer. d)she got papped there. Twice. Compared to the one time in London. e) her best friend died. I don't know about you, but to me, Kent seemed worse than London in this story. This is one of the many reasons I found Sophie to be an unreliable narrator.
The second point really annoyed me, the way Sophie felt about books and movie adaptations. She's like a lot of people you find in life, who's so obstinate about the fact her opinion is valid that she can't see the alternating perspectives. Schoolgirls - not schoolboys - ruin the classics from the library by leaving them in their bags. Do we really need another adaptation of Pride and Prejudice? No one understands P&P as well as Sophie, so of course she's the best choice for Billy to run lines with. But when she opens her teashop she's well within her rights to put her favourite books out for customers to read. You can be sure she encouraged people to read and then told them they were wrong when they gave an opinion about Jude, or Emma, or Lydia, or Heathcliff, unless they agreed wholeheartedly with Sophie.
This actually leads through to Billy's chosen roles. He repeatedly stated that he wanted to grow beyond a typecast, and go for difficult, gritty, intense roles. That's how he even got involved with Pride and Prejudice in the first place, though I still have trouble picturing happy-go-lucky Billy as proud, stalwart Darcy. So he went for a gritty stage play, and Sophie had nothing but negative comments hidden as positive reinforcements to say. I know that seems like an oxymoron, but encouraging him not to read reviews in case someone said something mean? Ignorance isn't the way forward. He went for the film, he spent forever prepping her about the context and subtext and expectation and yet she still played high and mighty over the scene she saw. I still cannot get over that scene of her sitting *as I pictured reading* ramrod straight and haughty in the chair while he grovelled on the floor. Her ignorance and stubbornness changed a guy who would throw his head back laughing, not a care in the world, into someone weak and broken on the floor. You know who does that? Abusers. Sorry, but she must have mentally abused him in some way to have him react like that, with those scenes proceeding. It is sick.
Which brings me neatly onto point three, because their first scenes were of her inept flirting and his cheesy chat-up lines. He was kind and warm despite her opening her foot and inserting mouth. Oh, I'm sure Giovanna meant it to come off as Sophie being socially awkward, with all her anxiety issues, but now I look back, it seems like the first moments of abuse, where he was still Billy and she put him down, insulted him every chance he got. The grovelling seemed out of character at the time, but in retrospect? Guys, we have read an abusive love story FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ABUSER. I'm not over-dramatising this, all the excuses and behaviours are there, hiding in plain sight. How did this go unnoticed? Why aren't more people unsettled by this story? Come on, she even tries to separate him from his friends, he's already isolated from his family. She wants it just him and her and gets jealous if even his boss threatens that, and goes into histrionics if anyone tries to compromise her whims. She leaves her work after assaulting a customer and then guilts Billy over her actions, despite the face she should be contrite over committing an actual crime, and getting the fuck away with it.
It feels like an epiphany I'm having. Sophie May, the girl-next-door, abused Billy Burkin, the film star. Shit. And looking back at the list? It encompasses so much of that. So many of those points are triggers. When she was moping in her room after leaving him, she might as well have signed her note that she was going to kill herself to manipulate the fuck out of him further (I'm not being blasé about suicide, far from it, but that is a form of manipulation common with abusive partners, that mindset of 'if I can't have you, no one can' to ensure their commitment). No wonder he looked so gaunt on that final TV show.
The only part of the list that doesn't seem to be under the abuse-umbrella, that I haven't covered so far? Molly's cancer, which made me feel just as angry. She got sick awfully quickly and didn't have any treatment? She died the same chapter the notion was fully introduced? No. Do you know what unsettled me most about Molly's cancer story? It fit into the pattern of my illness, of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. First time you get it, there's a slow burn of maybe a month. You'll be angry, irritable, beyond tired. You may bruise or get that pin-prick rash. And then one day it all builds to a head and you collapse, becoming a true medical emergency, where if you're not treated within days of collapse you're dead. Breast cancer (what Molly had) is more of a slow burn. It's lazy writing at it's best, just chopping Molly out to give Sophie exactly what she wants with minimal effort. It smacks of lack of research and wish-fulfillment. Why did Molly not get a lumpectomy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy? She would have had a 30% survival rate, which is better odds than I got given. Is there some hidden message that the NHS sucks, or Molly needed Sophie to survive? I honestly don't know at this point.
All I do know, is that I'm so disappointed. I went into this book with excitement, I'd been anticipating it for months. I was hoping for a light frolic, with a good narration from someone who had experience in her chosen topic. I was disappointed when it seemed it would be little better than the most generic of fan fiction. I was nauseated when I realised how awful Sophie truly was. In retrospect, maybe it's not so surprising that she both knows Dorothy Koomson and took her writing advice, since Dorothy Koomson has touched on topics like widowers who have no idea their former wives were prostitutes pimped out by his father, and fifteen year old girls manipulated by paedophilic teachers and accused of murdering him. The biggest difference is that Dorothy writes with a clarity about the baseness of her subject matter and pulls no punches about it being dark and horrific, whereas this book is sold as idyllic romance.
I have also chronicled unedited chapter-by-chapter reviews/sporkings throughout the blog, if anyone cares to see where I'm drawing the following from. Spoilers are included, sorry:
So, I'm not going to type this into word and paste into the window. This is raw, no cursory proof-reading (I always suck at that anyway) and probably the worst way I could do this. I'm going to create a list of topics now to try and stay in some form of coherence throughout. So the themes that I noticed in Billy and Me?
1-Rural England is idyllic.
2-Only people who read classics can have an opinion on anything relating to them.
3-The way to a celebrity's heart is through cake and insults.
4-You can stay in the same town for 26 years for fear of change, then move in with your celebrity boyfriend after a mere few months of dating.
5-Social anxiety problems are never problems when there are photo ops.
6-Your celebrity boyfriend must become your life. You are allowed to resent him for this.
7-It's okay to have goals in life, unless they no longer suit your partner, in which case, they've changed. Change is Bad.
8-Cancer is a good way of removing superfluous characters.
9-The protagonist is always right.
I wish I could make it to ten. Sad times. So the above is a really hazy way of encompassing all those niggly little things within the storyline of Billy and Me that sent me over the edge. That's not including grammar fails, excessive ellipses and unnecessary exclamation marks.
Now, the first point may seem unfair. Rural England can be beautiful, and peaceful, and fulfilling to the soul. But in Billy and Me, it seems to be stuck in the dark ages, and used as a contrast to Sophie's experiences in London. So much of the events connected to London - Billy's stage show and film role, Heidi and Coco, the cast from the stage show dominating Billy's time, hell even the old lady at the bar in the awards show after party - it's all shown in a negative light. It's almost as if she's saying that Billy is being corrupted in the big city, and needs the ease of life in Rural England. It's not just subtext, it was one of the worries that Sophie voices in the narration leading up to her leaving home.
But I think it's unfair. A lot of the negativity associated with London was in Sophie's head. What happened in Kent when she was there? a) her father died. b) she and her mother stagnated in their depressive states for approximately 15 years. c) she found out her alleged best friend had cancer. d)she got papped there. Twice. Compared to the one time in London. e) her best friend died. I don't know about you, but to me, Kent seemed worse than London in this story. This is one of the many reasons I found Sophie to be an unreliable narrator.
The second point really annoyed me, the way Sophie felt about books and movie adaptations. She's like a lot of people you find in life, who's so obstinate about the fact her opinion is valid that she can't see the alternating perspectives. Schoolgirls - not schoolboys - ruin the classics from the library by leaving them in their bags. Do we really need another adaptation of Pride and Prejudice? No one understands P&P as well as Sophie, so of course she's the best choice for Billy to run lines with. But when she opens her teashop she's well within her rights to put her favourite books out for customers to read. You can be sure she encouraged people to read and then told them they were wrong when they gave an opinion about Jude, or Emma, or Lydia, or Heathcliff, unless they agreed wholeheartedly with Sophie.
This actually leads through to Billy's chosen roles. He repeatedly stated that he wanted to grow beyond a typecast, and go for difficult, gritty, intense roles. That's how he even got involved with Pride and Prejudice in the first place, though I still have trouble picturing happy-go-lucky Billy as proud, stalwart Darcy. So he went for a gritty stage play, and Sophie had nothing but negative comments hidden as positive reinforcements to say. I know that seems like an oxymoron, but encouraging him not to read reviews in case someone said something mean? Ignorance isn't the way forward. He went for the film, he spent forever prepping her about the context and subtext and expectation and yet she still played high and mighty over the scene she saw. I still cannot get over that scene of her sitting *as I pictured reading* ramrod straight and haughty in the chair while he grovelled on the floor. Her ignorance and stubbornness changed a guy who would throw his head back laughing, not a care in the world, into someone weak and broken on the floor. You know who does that? Abusers. Sorry, but she must have mentally abused him in some way to have him react like that, with those scenes proceeding. It is sick.
Which brings me neatly onto point three, because their first scenes were of her inept flirting and his cheesy chat-up lines. He was kind and warm despite her opening her foot and inserting mouth. Oh, I'm sure Giovanna meant it to come off as Sophie being socially awkward, with all her anxiety issues, but now I look back, it seems like the first moments of abuse, where he was still Billy and she put him down, insulted him every chance he got. The grovelling seemed out of character at the time, but in retrospect? Guys, we have read an abusive love story FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ABUSER. I'm not over-dramatising this, all the excuses and behaviours are there, hiding in plain sight. How did this go unnoticed? Why aren't more people unsettled by this story? Come on, she even tries to separate him from his friends, he's already isolated from his family. She wants it just him and her and gets jealous if even his boss threatens that, and goes into histrionics if anyone tries to compromise her whims. She leaves her work after assaulting a customer and then guilts Billy over her actions, despite the face she should be contrite over committing an actual crime, and getting the fuck away with it.
It feels like an epiphany I'm having. Sophie May, the girl-next-door, abused Billy Burkin, the film star. Shit. And looking back at the list? It encompasses so much of that. So many of those points are triggers. When she was moping in her room after leaving him, she might as well have signed her note that she was going to kill herself to manipulate the fuck out of him further (I'm not being blasé about suicide, far from it, but that is a form of manipulation common with abusive partners, that mindset of 'if I can't have you, no one can' to ensure their commitment). No wonder he looked so gaunt on that final TV show.
The only part of the list that doesn't seem to be under the abuse-umbrella, that I haven't covered so far? Molly's cancer, which made me feel just as angry. She got sick awfully quickly and didn't have any treatment? She died the same chapter the notion was fully introduced? No. Do you know what unsettled me most about Molly's cancer story? It fit into the pattern of my illness, of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. First time you get it, there's a slow burn of maybe a month. You'll be angry, irritable, beyond tired. You may bruise or get that pin-prick rash. And then one day it all builds to a head and you collapse, becoming a true medical emergency, where if you're not treated within days of collapse you're dead. Breast cancer (what Molly had) is more of a slow burn. It's lazy writing at it's best, just chopping Molly out to give Sophie exactly what she wants with minimal effort. It smacks of lack of research and wish-fulfillment. Why did Molly not get a lumpectomy with radiotherapy and chemotherapy? She would have had a 30% survival rate, which is better odds than I got given. Is there some hidden message that the NHS sucks, or Molly needed Sophie to survive? I honestly don't know at this point.
All I do know, is that I'm so disappointed. I went into this book with excitement, I'd been anticipating it for months. I was hoping for a light frolic, with a good narration from someone who had experience in her chosen topic. I was disappointed when it seemed it would be little better than the most generic of fan fiction. I was nauseated when I realised how awful Sophie truly was. In retrospect, maybe it's not so surprising that she both knows Dorothy Koomson and took her writing advice, since Dorothy Koomson has touched on topics like widowers who have no idea their former wives were prostitutes pimped out by his father, and fifteen year old girls manipulated by paedophilic teachers and accused of murdering him. The biggest difference is that Dorothy writes with a clarity about the baseness of her subject matter and pulls no punches about it being dark and horrific, whereas this book is sold as idyllic romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2013
I will be honest, one of the main reasons I picked this up was because it was written by Tom from Mcfly's wife, bit of a daft reason for buying a book I know, but loads of girls (without offending any guys that have bought it!) will have picked it up for the same reason. I really liked the cover, it looked interesting and the usual for what I would normally choose when picking a book. This is Giovanna's first novel, so wasn't at all sure what to expect. Reading the blurb I was quite intrigued as the story seemed to have some good chick lit qualities to it, girl meets guy, girl falls in love, promise of ups and downs and hint at a happy ending - what more could you want from chick lit?
The story follows Sophie as she works in her local café serving cupcakes and sharing her days with the ladies of the village. It flicks between past and present revealing more information about Sophie and how her character has turned into the character she is in the present in the book. Billy turns up in the village as part of the cast of a film set in the village. Their relationship develops with them falling for each other the story then follows how their relationship develops and the struggles they have to face in a couple where one half is a celebrity.
At first I found it quite difficult to get into the story, it is quite slow to start setting the scene and really getting the readers acquainted with Sophie. I found it quite hard to like Sophie, for all you get to know her and her story; her character is quite weak and sometimes hard to believe. What I did find easy to believe was Sophie's secret which was an on-going theme throughout the story, although it wasn't a gripping secret when it finally was revealed, so I was a bit disappointed when it did come to light.
Billy walks into Sophie's life as a customer in the café. His character was easier to imagine than Sophie's however his characterisation was also quite weak and he doesn't seem to have much personality. I found that the further into the story I got the less I actually liked him, the opposite of what you would expect for the romantic hero.
The plot itself is quite good following their relationship as it grows and as they face troubles as a couple. I found it quite easy to believe that the bumps they hit along the way in their relationship would be the same for a celebrity/non-celebrity pairing. I found that the story was slow in the beginning but then really rushed when it came to Billy's overly (unbelievably so) romantic fairy lit first date to them moving in together, and then rushed towards the end when news from home means Sophie has to face up to losing someone close to her all over again.
I would have been good to see some chapters from Billy's point of view because it's sometimes quite difficult to see the story from his angle and how he sees his relationship with Sophie developing.
Overall I wasn't sure what to expect from the book, and it is only Giovanna's debut novel. The characters could have been a bit stronger and the story could have been a bit more focused on the early relationship between Sophie and Billy without as much preamble in getting to know Sophie. I'm looking forward to reading what Giovanna will write next and to see how her style develops as she makes, as I'm sure she will, a prominent standing for herself in the chick lit genre.
The story follows Sophie as she works in her local café serving cupcakes and sharing her days with the ladies of the village. It flicks between past and present revealing more information about Sophie and how her character has turned into the character she is in the present in the book. Billy turns up in the village as part of the cast of a film set in the village. Their relationship develops with them falling for each other the story then follows how their relationship develops and the struggles they have to face in a couple where one half is a celebrity.
At first I found it quite difficult to get into the story, it is quite slow to start setting the scene and really getting the readers acquainted with Sophie. I found it quite hard to like Sophie, for all you get to know her and her story; her character is quite weak and sometimes hard to believe. What I did find easy to believe was Sophie's secret which was an on-going theme throughout the story, although it wasn't a gripping secret when it finally was revealed, so I was a bit disappointed when it did come to light.
Billy walks into Sophie's life as a customer in the café. His character was easier to imagine than Sophie's however his characterisation was also quite weak and he doesn't seem to have much personality. I found that the further into the story I got the less I actually liked him, the opposite of what you would expect for the romantic hero.
The plot itself is quite good following their relationship as it grows and as they face troubles as a couple. I found it quite easy to believe that the bumps they hit along the way in their relationship would be the same for a celebrity/non-celebrity pairing. I found that the story was slow in the beginning but then really rushed when it came to Billy's overly (unbelievably so) romantic fairy lit first date to them moving in together, and then rushed towards the end when news from home means Sophie has to face up to losing someone close to her all over again.
I would have been good to see some chapters from Billy's point of view because it's sometimes quite difficult to see the story from his angle and how he sees his relationship with Sophie developing.
Overall I wasn't sure what to expect from the book, and it is only Giovanna's debut novel. The characters could have been a bit stronger and the story could have been a bit more focused on the early relationship between Sophie and Billy without as much preamble in getting to know Sophie. I'm looking forward to reading what Giovanna will write next and to see how her style develops as she makes, as I'm sure she will, a prominent standing for herself in the chick lit genre.
June 3, 2015
I enjoyed this book for what it was, a girly light read. I enjoyed it more as an audible than when I attempted to read it on my kindle I think this is because it flowed better and was easy for me to listen to whilst working than staring at a screen not really feeling it.
The blurb starts by saying "Sophie May has a secret" this is what drew me to the book I felt it might possibly be a little different to other Chick Lit but unfortunately the "secret" was a little disappointing for me to read. It didn't really mention this "secret" much through the middle and then it comes back out of the blue as if to just fill a few more chapters but if you took it out completely there wouldn't me much/any difference to the general gist of the story.
The novel is about an normal woman who falls in love with a movie star and gets drawn into the spotlight quite suddenly. Even though I enjoyed listening to this as it was light, fluffy and easy to listen to I do have quite a few issues with certain things.
Sophie as a character grated on me a little too in the beginning/middle she moved way too fast and dropped everything to be with a guy she had known for about a month. She was very insecure and paranoid and to a certain extent I understand this given the situation but also it was a little too much. Also towards the end she seemed to mope around and just feel sorry for herself and everyone let her, like he was a little kid instead of kicking her up the bottom. Billy too was a hard character for me, I'm all for a nice guy in a novel but she was just a little bit too "perfect" a little too "charming" it made me feel a little nauseous at times. The thing that bugged me the most was how unrealistic it seemed (in my opinion) how fast things moved after they first met, after their first date he was already asking her to move to LA! Sophie gave up a life she loved and a dream she had to be with a guy she had known a month and he didn't compromise or give up anything for her. It makes me sad to think that some people have this illusion of love that it's one sided and you have to change yourself, your dreams and your aspirations for a boy/girl when in reality love (to me) is about embracing and accepting everything your partner is and wants from life. My final complaint is that I found all the "emotional" parts to be predicable and so they didn’t really get me emotional like it would have done if I hadn’t seen it coming.
I wouldn't read this again as I only enjoyed it I didn't love it. I would recommend to people who read and enjoy chick lit and to anyone wanting an easy read as long as you went in knowing it's not going to be the best book you will ever read.
The blurb starts by saying "Sophie May has a secret" this is what drew me to the book I felt it might possibly be a little different to other Chick Lit but unfortunately the "secret" was a little disappointing for me to read. It didn't really mention this "secret" much through the middle and then it comes back out of the blue as if to just fill a few more chapters but if you took it out completely there wouldn't me much/any difference to the general gist of the story.
The novel is about an normal woman who falls in love with a movie star and gets drawn into the spotlight quite suddenly. Even though I enjoyed listening to this as it was light, fluffy and easy to listen to I do have quite a few issues with certain things.
Sophie as a character grated on me a little too in the beginning/middle she moved way too fast and dropped everything to be with a guy she had known for about a month. She was very insecure and paranoid and to a certain extent I understand this given the situation but also it was a little too much. Also towards the end she seemed to mope around and just feel sorry for herself and everyone let her, like he was a little kid instead of kicking her up the bottom. Billy too was a hard character for me, I'm all for a nice guy in a novel but she was just a little bit too "perfect" a little too "charming" it made me feel a little nauseous at times. The thing that bugged me the most was how unrealistic it seemed (in my opinion) how fast things moved after they first met, after their first date he was already asking her to move to LA! Sophie gave up a life she loved and a dream she had to be with a guy she had known a month and he didn't compromise or give up anything for her. It makes me sad to think that some people have this illusion of love that it's one sided and you have to change yourself, your dreams and your aspirations for a boy/girl when in reality love (to me) is about embracing and accepting everything your partner is and wants from life. My final complaint is that I found all the "emotional" parts to be predicable and so they didn’t really get me emotional like it would have done if I hadn’t seen it coming.
I wouldn't read this again as I only enjoyed it I didn't love it. I would recommend to people who read and enjoy chick lit and to anyone wanting an easy read as long as you went in knowing it's not going to be the best book you will ever read.
May 23, 2013
To be completely honest, my expectations weren't very high for this book. I adore Giovanna, but how often are debut novels really brilliant? I haven't come across many.
However, I really, really enjoyed this. I had absolutely no clue what it was about when I picked it up and I was really impressed with the story line. After a few chapters I was expecting it to be another cozy, tea drinking, cake eating, English countryside fantasy. Those can be great, but also quite flat and not exactly the ones you gush over with your friends, or rather, what I tend to do - shove it in their face and say "Read this. Just do it and thank me later.". I was excited to realise that this book actually had more depth to it than that and I was very impressed at how well Gi made you feel connected to the characters, maximizing their pain and joys as you experience them through the pages. And let's be honest, I'm a teenage girl, the whole "dating a superstar"-scenario did excite me a bit as well, at the same time as the realness of it all kept me reading without rolling my eyes (yes, I'm that weird mixture of teenage hormones and snobby book critic).
If you're in the mood for a fast read (I obviously finished it in a day!) that will make you laugh out loud as well as sob a bit (or a lot, if you're anywhere close to being as emotional as I am) and leave you with a warm feeling, definitely pick this one up! Really looking forward to more of Mrs Fletcher's work!
However, I really, really enjoyed this. I had absolutely no clue what it was about when I picked it up and I was really impressed with the story line. After a few chapters I was expecting it to be another cozy, tea drinking, cake eating, English countryside fantasy. Those can be great, but also quite flat and not exactly the ones you gush over with your friends, or rather, what I tend to do - shove it in their face and say "Read this. Just do it and thank me later.". I was excited to realise that this book actually had more depth to it than that and I was very impressed at how well Gi made you feel connected to the characters, maximizing their pain and joys as you experience them through the pages. And let's be honest, I'm a teenage girl, the whole "dating a superstar"-scenario did excite me a bit as well, at the same time as the realness of it all kept me reading without rolling my eyes (yes, I'm that weird mixture of teenage hormones and snobby book critic).
If you're in the mood for a fast read (I obviously finished it in a day!) that will make you laugh out loud as well as sob a bit (or a lot, if you're anywhere close to being as emotional as I am) and leave you with a warm feeling, definitely pick this one up! Really looking forward to more of Mrs Fletcher's work!
May 31, 2017
I don't really have a lot to say about this book. I really hated main character, and Billy was unbelievably annoying with his stupid "throw his head back" laughter. My main problem with this book was that I genuinely don't see what Billy did wrong other than be a little too cozy with one of his co-stars. I don't know if it's because I am studying acting and I know what's involved so I can relate more to his perspective, but Sophie knew exactly what she was in for, and if she can't differentiate between the actor and the character then it's her own problem. She blamed Billy for things that were part of his character??? And she goes on about how egotistical he had become but there's literally no evidence of that happening?? AND THEN BILLY APOLOGISES FOR DOING HIS JOB???? Y'all I can't be dealing with this I was so annoyed with this book. My only hope was that Sophie would see at the end that she was being stupid in giving out to Billy for doing his job, but nope. Billy was still the one at fault. I'm okay :) I just want to burn this book :)
January 1, 2017
3.5/5
It was time for a reread since the sequel has come out and I had no recollection of what actually happened in Billy and Me. This book has a particular significance to me, as I made it a point to buy it in London when I was studying abroad there in 2013. It's the only book I own that I've ever gotten in a foreign country, therefore no "Americanization" of the text. *Cough* Harry Potter *Cough. I enjoyed the story the second time around, though not quite as much as the first go around. I do like the lighthearted story and the fact that it didn't have copious amounts of sex like a lot of chick lit nowadays. It's just reminiscent of a lot of other novels in the genre and Giovanna has a tendency to overuse exclamation points in her writing.
It was time for a reread since the sequel has come out and I had no recollection of what actually happened in Billy and Me. This book has a particular significance to me, as I made it a point to buy it in London when I was studying abroad there in 2013. It's the only book I own that I've ever gotten in a foreign country, therefore no "Americanization" of the text. *Cough* Harry Potter *Cough. I enjoyed the story the second time around, though not quite as much as the first go around. I do like the lighthearted story and the fact that it didn't have copious amounts of sex like a lot of chick lit nowadays. It's just reminiscent of a lot of other novels in the genre and Giovanna has a tendency to overuse exclamation points in her writing.
October 15, 2014
HFAJFLKDLFJEI84D2DE9I4!!!! Ahhhhh!!! so many feelings!!!
I really thought that from all the books in the world, this one won't make me cry, but it did.
It's a beautiful well written story.
To be honest, I could have seen what's going to happen most of the times, but I still enjoyed every bit of the book. I loved the characters and everything about them.
There were times I felt Sophie was being overreacting, though.
Anyway, if you look for a cute love story that will make you smile or cry (depends in which part of the story we're talking about), you really should read this book.
I really thought that from all the books in the world, this one won't make me cry, but it did.
It's a beautiful well written story.
To be honest, I could have seen what's going to happen most of the times, but I still enjoyed every bit of the book. I loved the characters and everything about them.
There were times I felt Sophie was being overreacting, though.
Anyway, if you look for a cute love story that will make you smile or cry (depends in which part of the story we're talking about), you really should read this book.
September 1, 2016
Aslında pek ilgimi çekmedi kitap önceden ama bugün bir bakayım nasılmış diye okumaya başladım.Umduğumdan güzel çıktı.Zaten böyle ünlü ve sıradan karakter aşklarına ayrı bir sempatim olunca kitabı okumayı bırakamadım.
Yazarın ünlü biriyle evli olduğu için sanırım kitabı yazarken tecrübelerinden yararlanmış. :D
Ünlü erkek ve sıradan bir kızın aşkının çokta güllük gülistanlık olmadığını gayet güzel göstermiş bence.Yine de aşk her zaman kazanıyor tabi ki :)
Yazarın tarzını sevdim.Diğer kitabını da okuyacağım.Umarım beğenirim onuda.
Yazarın ünlü biriyle evli olduğu için sanırım kitabı yazarken tecrübelerinden yararlanmış. :D
Ünlü erkek ve sıradan bir kızın aşkının çokta güllük gülistanlık olmadığını gayet güzel göstermiş bence.Yine de aşk her zaman kazanıyor tabi ki :)
Yazarın tarzını sevdim.Diğer kitabını da okuyacağım.Umarım beğenirim onuda.
March 9, 2013
Beautifully written with an amazing story line. Read in less than 24 hours - couldn't put it down! Would class 'Billy and Me' as one of my favourite books of all time. Definitely one to read again and again, it's a must-buy!
Was so happy to win this as a first-read and was excited at the possibility of it arriving every day, make sure you've pre-ordered 'Billy and Me' to get it on 23rd May!
Well Done Gi!
Was so happy to win this as a first-read and was excited at the possibility of it arriving every day, make sure you've pre-ordered 'Billy and Me' to get it on 23rd May!
Well Done Gi!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,526 reviews