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Girl 99
Before Tom finds The One, he needs to find himself.
When Tom’s girlfriend walks out on him the day before Christmas, he feels humiliated but not necessarily heartbroken. Sadie wasn’t, after all, The One. If we’re being precise, she was number eighty-five.
Tom’s first mistake is sharing this information with his best friend El. His next mistake is listening when El suggests that he bring his eighty-five up to a nice, neat one hundred.
It was never going to be a good idea, not least because everything else in Tom’s life is in complete chaos. His best friend is dying of a slow and cruel disease, his teenage sister is at war with his well-meaning but dogmatic father, his elderly neighbour is having romantic problems (and makes a dreadful cup of tea), and he has to shoot four commercials with four children and a bad-tempered producer.
And then Tom meets Verity. Whether she’s The One remains to be seen, but she’s certainly more than just another number.
Revised This edition of Girl 99 includes editorial revisions.
When Tom’s girlfriend walks out on him the day before Christmas, he feels humiliated but not necessarily heartbroken. Sadie wasn’t, after all, The One. If we’re being precise, she was number eighty-five.
Tom’s first mistake is sharing this information with his best friend El. His next mistake is listening when El suggests that he bring his eighty-five up to a nice, neat one hundred.
It was never going to be a good idea, not least because everything else in Tom’s life is in complete chaos. His best friend is dying of a slow and cruel disease, his teenage sister is at war with his well-meaning but dogmatic father, his elderly neighbour is having romantic problems (and makes a dreadful cup of tea), and he has to shoot four commercials with four children and a bad-tempered producer.
And then Tom meets Verity. Whether she’s The One remains to be seen, but she’s certainly more than just another number.
Revised This edition of Girl 99 includes editorial revisions.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2011
168 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Andy Jones
9 books103 followersAndy Jones lives in London with his wife and two little girls. During the day he works in an advertising agency; at weekends and horribly early in the mornings, he writes fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 7, 2017
Whilst in a relationship with Sadie, Tom kisses a colleague at the works’ Christmas party. He owns up to the indiscretion. Their relationship falls apart as Sadie returns a sexual indiscretion of her own. What ensues is a tug of war with their Mini Cooper, and several parking fines.
Meanwhile, as a result of a bet by his best friend El, Tom goes on a mission. They work out that Tom has slept with eighty-five women. El bets Tom one thousand pounds that he can’t round the number up to one hundred before his next birthday. The challenge begins!
It was so refreshing to read the male alternative to chick-lit. I guess you could call it ‘lad-lit’? Tom’s behaviour could appear as sluttish but his character is very likeable. He cares about his friends. He loves his family. He soon begins to grow up and see that he’s on the path to self-destruction. Although full of sexual confidence as he moves up the numbers, Tom realises that sex isn’t the be all and end all. He begins to understand what love is all about and finally grows up.
We meet a variety of realistic characters. I was especially drawn to Tom’s downstairs neighbour, Douglas. Although Douglas is much older than Tom, they have a beautiful and warm friendship. There is a lovely but cringeworthy conversation between Tom and Douglas’ lady-friend, Eileen. Tom reluctantly agrees to help Eileen out with a little problem that she has with Douglas. This results in Tom and Douglas’ friendship being shaken and Tom has to try to get things back on track.
Another character I liked was El. He suffers from the neurodegenerative disease, Huntingdon’s. Despite his illness, he remains down to earth and full of wit. He is in a loving relationship with a man named Phil. We see the love, sadness, and selflessness that the illness brings to their lives. We also see the humour which is lovely and heart-warming – and very British.
There are some very funny moments in the book. The scene with the somewhat crazy estate agent made me laugh. I could visualise what was happening thanks to the wonderful descriptiveness of Jones’ writing.
The outcome wasn’t predictable like a lot of chick-lit stories. I thought that ‘Girl 99’ was going to be a different person than she turned out to be. I was quite surprised at her revealing, but it worked well.
This is a vibrant and refreshing read which I’d recommend.
Reviewed by Jodie on www.whisperingstories.com
Meanwhile, as a result of a bet by his best friend El, Tom goes on a mission. They work out that Tom has slept with eighty-five women. El bets Tom one thousand pounds that he can’t round the number up to one hundred before his next birthday. The challenge begins!
It was so refreshing to read the male alternative to chick-lit. I guess you could call it ‘lad-lit’? Tom’s behaviour could appear as sluttish but his character is very likeable. He cares about his friends. He loves his family. He soon begins to grow up and see that he’s on the path to self-destruction. Although full of sexual confidence as he moves up the numbers, Tom realises that sex isn’t the be all and end all. He begins to understand what love is all about and finally grows up.
We meet a variety of realistic characters. I was especially drawn to Tom’s downstairs neighbour, Douglas. Although Douglas is much older than Tom, they have a beautiful and warm friendship. There is a lovely but cringeworthy conversation between Tom and Douglas’ lady-friend, Eileen. Tom reluctantly agrees to help Eileen out with a little problem that she has with Douglas. This results in Tom and Douglas’ friendship being shaken and Tom has to try to get things back on track.
Another character I liked was El. He suffers from the neurodegenerative disease, Huntingdon’s. Despite his illness, he remains down to earth and full of wit. He is in a loving relationship with a man named Phil. We see the love, sadness, and selflessness that the illness brings to their lives. We also see the humour which is lovely and heart-warming – and very British.
There are some very funny moments in the book. The scene with the somewhat crazy estate agent made me laugh. I could visualise what was happening thanks to the wonderful descriptiveness of Jones’ writing.
The outcome wasn’t predictable like a lot of chick-lit stories. I thought that ‘Girl 99’ was going to be a different person than she turned out to be. I was quite surprised at her revealing, but it worked well.
This is a vibrant and refreshing read which I’d recommend.
Reviewed by Jodie on www.whisperingstories.com
February 4, 2017
I’m getting to be a big fan of this author. My first introduction to his books was The Two of Us which I totally loved. If you’re a fan also, you will actually recognise a couple of characters from that book that appear in Girl 99 also.
Tom is a typical bloke and one that I took to straight away. His mum is no longer around and in a way he is a bit of a surrogate mother to his younger sister, Bianca. The relationship between brother and sister was an especially lovely and realistic one and one that I very much enjoyed reading about. Bianca represents youth and will very much remind readers of what it was like to be a sixteen year old again.
Even though overall Tom is a really nice guy, he is a bit of a player. He already has quite a few conquests under his belt already and when best friend El has a bet with him that he can’t sleep with a hundred women by a certain date, Tom reluctantly agrees. Tom obviously has a few commitment issues and is well within reaching the goal until he falls for Verity.
It’s hard to know what genre this authors books fall into. They feel like a mixture of chick/lad lit as well as contemporary fiction. There is some humour in there but there is always an underlying more serious note in all of the books also.
Girl 99 felt very much like a story of someone who finally grows up. Even though Tom is grown up in his family and work life, his love life has always been quite childish and selfish. In a way the bet takes him on a road of self discovery and it was one that I was more than happy to be a part of.
Yet another highly enjoyable read by an author who is vastly becoming one of my favourites.
My thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Tom is a typical bloke and one that I took to straight away. His mum is no longer around and in a way he is a bit of a surrogate mother to his younger sister, Bianca. The relationship between brother and sister was an especially lovely and realistic one and one that I very much enjoyed reading about. Bianca represents youth and will very much remind readers of what it was like to be a sixteen year old again.
Even though overall Tom is a really nice guy, he is a bit of a player. He already has quite a few conquests under his belt already and when best friend El has a bet with him that he can’t sleep with a hundred women by a certain date, Tom reluctantly agrees. Tom obviously has a few commitment issues and is well within reaching the goal until he falls for Verity.
It’s hard to know what genre this authors books fall into. They feel like a mixture of chick/lad lit as well as contemporary fiction. There is some humour in there but there is always an underlying more serious note in all of the books also.
Girl 99 felt very much like a story of someone who finally grows up. Even though Tom is grown up in his family and work life, his love life has always been quite childish and selfish. In a way the bet takes him on a road of self discovery and it was one that I was more than happy to be a part of.
Yet another highly enjoyable read by an author who is vastly becoming one of my favourites.
My thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
April 17, 2017
Oh! I enjoyed a lot...
It was funny and fresh and clever...
Tom was the caring brother, the lovely son and the man that looking his only one....
3,5 stars for Tom and his 99 girls !!!!
July 3, 2018
Girl 99 was a cute and quick audio book to listen to while at work today. Yes, TODAY. However, I feel like Verity was kind of meh to me.
This book follows Tom's love life. His girlfriend just broke up with him and he's now taking the time to sit and ponder about all the girls he has slept with. Now I'm not saying he's a man-whore but, hot damn! 85 women seems to be a lot. It could just be me though..
Of course no book is good without a sex bet. El, Tom's best friend, has bet him to shag enough women to reach the number 100. Again, the number seems to be way too freaking high. So Tom goes out on the prowl to get more notches on his bed post. He's on a pretty good roll until someone sweeps him off his feet. Okay, no - that didn't happen. She just kind of stopped his world and made him forget about the bet.
Speaking of the devil, one day he meets Verity. She basically flips his world upside down. They were working on a project together and instantly takes a liking to her. At the point, the number 100 went out the window. Actually anything and everything went with it too.
They were a cute couple and had some funny moments but I still kind of thought Verity was kind of plain and boring in my eyes. His other dates were a bit more fun or at least made me laugh. Again, I don't really know how I feel about these two being together but then again - it's not my love life.
Overall, it was a pretty cute book that had some fun moments. The ending was a bit underwhelming but I still enjoyed it.
This book follows Tom's love life. His girlfriend just broke up with him and he's now taking the time to sit and ponder about all the girls he has slept with. Now I'm not saying he's a man-whore but, hot damn! 85 women seems to be a lot. It could just be me though..
Of course no book is good without a sex bet. El, Tom's best friend, has bet him to shag enough women to reach the number 100. Again, the number seems to be way too freaking high. So Tom goes out on the prowl to get more notches on his bed post. He's on a pretty good roll until someone sweeps him off his feet. Okay, no - that didn't happen. She just kind of stopped his world and made him forget about the bet.
Speaking of the devil, one day he meets Verity. She basically flips his world upside down. They were working on a project together and instantly takes a liking to her. At the point, the number 100 went out the window. Actually anything and everything went with it too.
They were a cute couple and had some funny moments but I still kind of thought Verity was kind of plain and boring in my eyes. His other dates were a bit more fun or at least made me laugh. Again, I don't really know how I feel about these two being together but then again - it's not my love life.
Overall, it was a pretty cute book that had some fun moments. The ending was a bit underwhelming but I still enjoyed it.
February 15, 2017
This was a great Valentine's Day read for me! Cute, funny, entertaining, at times romantic but without being overly sappy... which I can't stand. I really enjoyed it.
Let's just say Tom had been around the block. When his most recent relationship ends, he realizes she was number 85 on his "list". He kissed a co-worker while his live-in girlfriend was away, and chooses to confess to her via email. (Come on, Tom.) The relationship didn't make it. He doesn't think she was "the one" anyway. Seems like a good time to sow some more wild oats. One of his friends, a longtime buddy with a debilitating disease, encourages him to try to get to 100 partners... taking pleasure from teasing his friend and listening to his stories. With a timeline and a fairly hefty amount of money to lose on the bet if he doesn't make it, he sets off to find 86-100. His family also features in the story, a teenage sister and his widower father. They bicker back and forth and use Tom as a peacemaker. They manage to be both charming and realistic and I loved when they were involved in the story.
Despite the sort of raunchy subject matter, this was a really cute book. Very entertaining and easy to read. El was one of my favorite characters and really added something to the story. Despite his experience, Tom Is pretty clueless about women but still manages to be likeable.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Let's just say Tom had been around the block. When his most recent relationship ends, he realizes she was number 85 on his "list". He kissed a co-worker while his live-in girlfriend was away, and chooses to confess to her via email. (Come on, Tom.) The relationship didn't make it. He doesn't think she was "the one" anyway. Seems like a good time to sow some more wild oats. One of his friends, a longtime buddy with a debilitating disease, encourages him to try to get to 100 partners... taking pleasure from teasing his friend and listening to his stories. With a timeline and a fairly hefty amount of money to lose on the bet if he doesn't make it, he sets off to find 86-100. His family also features in the story, a teenage sister and his widower father. They bicker back and forth and use Tom as a peacemaker. They manage to be both charming and realistic and I loved when they were involved in the story.
Despite the sort of raunchy subject matter, this was a really cute book. Very entertaining and easy to read. El was one of my favorite characters and really added something to the story. Despite his experience, Tom Is pretty clueless about women but still manages to be likeable.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
January 6, 2017
So this is what a guy's version of romcom is. Cute. Actually cute. I'm not sure what's the gender corresponding version of chicklit would be precisely, but this is it. A book about a young man with a fairly prolific sex life who gets challenged to extend his list of conquests to an even 100 and, what do you know, falls for girl 99. Sounds silly, doesn't it? And yet, the brisk pleasantly British narrative and a very likeable cast of characters elevates this to a perfectly enjoyable light quick read. For what it is, this one is actually nicely done. Thanks Netgalley.
June 14, 2017
My Review: If you are looking for a light hearted, funny and enjoyable book then Girl 99 will certainly fit the criteria. With wonderful characters and amusing and sometimes cringe-worthy situations, we follow Tom on his quest to bed 100 women in a bet with his best friend.
Girl 99 is an entertaining look at romantic comedy from a male point of view which combines love, relationships, family, life and shagging as many women as possible.
Girl 99 is an entertaining look at romantic comedy from a male point of view which combines love, relationships, family, life and shagging as many women as possible.
May 20, 2018
What a pleasant surprise!
Amazon was having one of those deals where you get like three $0.99 credits to put towards a curated list of books, most of them by people I'd never heard of. This blurb kind of intrigued me and it was free, so I thought why not.
I like books from male POVs, and I like books from British authors set in Britain, so all those things rang my bell. I liked Tom's personality and the way he approached things. Yes, he's slept around quite a bit, but he never acts like he's cock of the walk, or like he's some sort of player. It's just ... what he does. He's never disrespectful to the women he sleeps with, either, IMO.
I liked his relationship with his family, especially his sister. I LOVED his relationship with his best friend and that whole set up, the way they looked out for each other and took care of each other, it made me weepy at times. I liked the set up between him and Verity, though to be honest, the drama at the end was a little OTT - she seemed too cool to act that way.
Still, I highly recommend if you want a sort of no frills romance that offers a kind of glimpse into the way men approach it.
Amazon was having one of those deals where you get like three $0.99 credits to put towards a curated list of books, most of them by people I'd never heard of. This blurb kind of intrigued me and it was free, so I thought why not.
I like books from male POVs, and I like books from British authors set in Britain, so all those things rang my bell. I liked Tom's personality and the way he approached things. Yes, he's slept around quite a bit, but he never acts like he's cock of the walk, or like he's some sort of player. It's just ... what he does. He's never disrespectful to the women he sleeps with, either, IMO.
I liked his relationship with his family, especially his sister. I LOVED his relationship with his best friend and that whole set up, the way they looked out for each other and took care of each other, it made me weepy at times. I liked the set up between him and Verity, though to be honest, the drama at the end was a little OTT - she seemed too cool to act that way.
Still, I highly recommend if you want a sort of no frills romance that offers a kind of glimpse into the way men approach it.
April 24, 2017
Oh guys, you've no idea how excited I was to read a book by Andy Jones - finally! I love reading women's fiction written from a man's perspective, and I also have both Andy Jones's previous book on my TBR pile, though have never come to reading them - YET - and so I was truly desperate to read "The Girl 99".
So this book. Arrrgh, it got me a headache. So torn about this one! It may be a book also for women but mostly I think it was for men - the story seemed to me like a never - ending boastings of a man about his conquests - and it actually was only about taking girls in his bed and crossing them off the list. Just look at me, the pasha, ha! And truly, if it is the way that men think and behave than I am really happy to be a woman. I'm sorry, maybe I just didn't got the story but this is how I feel, and it has nothing to do with feminism - I just felt like the women were objectified in this story. It might be that the main character is only looking for real love, to find The One but well, for me he's looking in the wrong way. However, OK, Tom has redeemed himself showing that he also has feelings and emotions, that he's not the heartless bastard that his best friend wanted to make out of him, and - hallelujah! - he seemed to learn what real love is. Tom was rather prone to putting himself into embarrassing situations and mostly he was rather misunderstood by the opposite sex. Hmm. His journey into the happy ever after was bumpy and painful. I also liked the writing style - it was sharp, the author is a good observer of reality and the story is original.
I liked the fact that there were also other aspects to the story. The author touches upon family dynamics as well in his novel and Tom's family was really well portrayed. The interactions between Tom and his father and sister were entertaining yet poignant, and the relationships in this family were so well captured and felt so realistic - the author writes as it is. But sadly, there was nothing that wow-ed me in this story and eventually I started to skim reading.
At the end the author mentions that his debut story is about one of the characters that also stars in "The Girl 99". Well, duh, but it didn't make me want to immediately read this book. Sadly. I was hoping for much more, for a clever, hooking, unique read but sadly nothing doing.
All in all, "Girl 99" was light - hearted and humorous (though it was not my kind of humour, however it is just my personal feeling and opinion and it doesn't mean that other people are not going to enjoy this book, which they already do!) book about finding love when you don't expect it. It is written in a very modern way, full of nowadays remarks, and it is especially visible in the way the characters communicate, as the dialogues are sharp and well - written. Yes, it was not only a story about making it to number 100, but also about finding out who you are and what it is you want for your life, and I appreciate that, and I am really, truly sorry that it didn't work for me.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
June 30, 2018
Following a breakup, Tom confides to his friend, El, that he has slept with 85 women thus far in his life. El makes a bet with him to make it an even 100 by the anniversary of his first time. Tom goes about finding women to shag to add to the list. Along the way, he finds himself drawn to a quirky woman named Verity that he is working on a project with. His attraction to her makes him analyze his life and his exploits, especially the bet.
This one was just below average for me. I guess 2.5 stars would be more accurate as it is somewhere between OK and "I liked it". I saw another reviewer describe it as "Sweet, but icky" and I would have to agree. There is something about men recording notches in their bedposts as icky and betting on them even ickier. The author did make Tom realize the emptiness in his exploits and feel remorseful about his actions, but I'm not sure it was enough to make me like Tom in the end.
This one was just below average for me. I guess 2.5 stars would be more accurate as it is somewhere between OK and "I liked it". I saw another reviewer describe it as "Sweet, but icky" and I would have to agree. There is something about men recording notches in their bedposts as icky and betting on them even ickier. The author did make Tom realize the emptiness in his exploits and feel remorseful about his actions, but I'm not sure it was enough to make me like Tom in the end.
February 14, 2017
Tom’s on a mission. His best friend El has made him a bet that he can’t sleep with 100 women and, having just split from girlfriend Sadie, Tom accepts the bet.
I have to admit that initially I felt uncomfortable with the premise of Girl 99 that Tom is prepared to work his way through women as sexual partners as if they are a disposable commodity because that felt wrong to me, until I realised that that is the whole point of the book. Tom needs to come to the same conclusion and unless he does, he won’t find contentment. You’ll have to read Girl 99 to find out if this happens!
I love Andy Jones’ lively and engaging style of writing. It’s humorous, conversational and honest so that it’s really effortless to read. He is able to use dialogue in a natural way that makes me feel as if I am eavesdropping conversations rather than reading them on the page. I frequently found myself cringing at El’s language in the restaurant, but equally it was exactly as he would speak.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characterisation too. I really felt I got to know Tom as an individual. He’s endearing, frustrating, an idiot, good friend and a fool so that, much as I wanted to dislike him at times, I simply couldn’t. It’s this characterisation that is the particular strength of Girl 99. I really enjoyed meeting the different characters, especially El and it’s no coincidence that Verity is so named.
I think Girl 99 has something for every reader. Some will enjoy the racier passages and there is quite a bit of sex in this narrative. Some will find (as I did) the parts about the shoot for the advertising campaign highly entertaining. But for me, what I liked most was the exploration of relationships and human emotion. Andy Jones writes with such skill that he manages to encompass a wide range of these relationships without them ever feeling contrived, from the gay partnership between El and Phil, through Bianca’s burgeoning love life, to the senior relationship between Doug and Eileen so that Girl 99 isn’t just about a man on a mission to sleep with 100 women, but is actually about the variety, reality and honesty of relationships.
Girl 99 is not easily definable. Part chick-lit, part contemporary fiction, part lad-lit and part humorous narrative it is, above all, a really good read.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2017/02/14/...
I have to admit that initially I felt uncomfortable with the premise of Girl 99 that Tom is prepared to work his way through women as sexual partners as if they are a disposable commodity because that felt wrong to me, until I realised that that is the whole point of the book. Tom needs to come to the same conclusion and unless he does, he won’t find contentment. You’ll have to read Girl 99 to find out if this happens!
I love Andy Jones’ lively and engaging style of writing. It’s humorous, conversational and honest so that it’s really effortless to read. He is able to use dialogue in a natural way that makes me feel as if I am eavesdropping conversations rather than reading them on the page. I frequently found myself cringing at El’s language in the restaurant, but equally it was exactly as he would speak.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characterisation too. I really felt I got to know Tom as an individual. He’s endearing, frustrating, an idiot, good friend and a fool so that, much as I wanted to dislike him at times, I simply couldn’t. It’s this characterisation that is the particular strength of Girl 99. I really enjoyed meeting the different characters, especially El and it’s no coincidence that Verity is so named.
I think Girl 99 has something for every reader. Some will enjoy the racier passages and there is quite a bit of sex in this narrative. Some will find (as I did) the parts about the shoot for the advertising campaign highly entertaining. But for me, what I liked most was the exploration of relationships and human emotion. Andy Jones writes with such skill that he manages to encompass a wide range of these relationships without them ever feeling contrived, from the gay partnership between El and Phil, through Bianca’s burgeoning love life, to the senior relationship between Doug and Eileen so that Girl 99 isn’t just about a man on a mission to sleep with 100 women, but is actually about the variety, reality and honesty of relationships.
Girl 99 is not easily definable. Part chick-lit, part contemporary fiction, part lad-lit and part humorous narrative it is, above all, a really good read.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2017/02/14/...
May 2, 2017
This is the second book by Andy Jones that I've read and I have thoroughly enjoyed both. He writes really well and with great humour - indeed there are several lol moments!! A fun read and highly recommended!
June 29, 2017
I absolutely loved Andy Jones' debut novel, The Two of Us, so I didn't need to think twice before reaching for a copy of Girl 99. There's something so very refreshing and appealing about Andy Jones' style of writing; it's so honest and genuine that it feels like the book is talking to you. Although you don't need to have read The Two of Us to enjoy Girl 99 (but seriously you NEED to read The Two of Us), I was thrilled to see the inimitable character of El make another appearance and welcomed him as if he was an old friend of mine rather than Tom's.
Tom is a very multi-faceted and hilarious character. On one hand he is a lad's lad but on the other he is a loving part of a very close knit family, a family that is stronger than ever after suffering the devastating loss of Tom's mother when his sister was very young. Tom has almost taken on the mother role as he acts as intermediary between his Dad and his teenage sister, Bianca.
Tom gets himself into trouble and ends up breaking up with his girlfriend, Sadie, when he admits to kissing a colleague, Holly. When Sadie is collecting her things from the flat she finds Tom's diary (I know, a man with a diary!) but it's more of a notches on the bed post record than a diary as Sadie sees she is number 85 on Tom's list of conquests. Furious, she then makes plans to get her revenge and it ends up in a superb custody battle over the Mini Cooper!
When Tom meets his friend, El, for a night out to drown his sorrows, El encourages Tom into a bet that he will make it to 100 ladies before a set deadline. It's a gamble that Tom willingly accepts and sets off on his quest to hit that magic number, but he didn't gamble on falling in love along the way.
So warm, witty and all-round good fun, Girl 99 is as charming as it is hilarious. Seeing so many sides of Tom, I thought I would despise him for treating women like a number but that's not who he is underneath. The way he acts with his family and his elderly neighbour, Doug, shows the strength of character he really has. Add to this Andy Jones' ability to make me laugh on almost every page and you have a winner of a book; I should have known not to read it whilst eating as I almost choked on my rice salad when reading at lunchtime about Tom's first 'dorty book'. With hilarious quips about Brighton and Paul Daniels, I could not contain my laughter and I was gutted that I had to stop reading to wipe the tears of laughter from eyes.
Another fabulous book from Andy Jones, who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. A recommended read for anyone who loves a good romcom with an emphasis more on the realism of lad-lit than the mushiness of chick-lit.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Tom is a very multi-faceted and hilarious character. On one hand he is a lad's lad but on the other he is a loving part of a very close knit family, a family that is stronger than ever after suffering the devastating loss of Tom's mother when his sister was very young. Tom has almost taken on the mother role as he acts as intermediary between his Dad and his teenage sister, Bianca.
Tom gets himself into trouble and ends up breaking up with his girlfriend, Sadie, when he admits to kissing a colleague, Holly. When Sadie is collecting her things from the flat she finds Tom's diary (I know, a man with a diary!) but it's more of a notches on the bed post record than a diary as Sadie sees she is number 85 on Tom's list of conquests. Furious, she then makes plans to get her revenge and it ends up in a superb custody battle over the Mini Cooper!
When Tom meets his friend, El, for a night out to drown his sorrows, El encourages Tom into a bet that he will make it to 100 ladies before a set deadline. It's a gamble that Tom willingly accepts and sets off on his quest to hit that magic number, but he didn't gamble on falling in love along the way.
So warm, witty and all-round good fun, Girl 99 is as charming as it is hilarious. Seeing so many sides of Tom, I thought I would despise him for treating women like a number but that's not who he is underneath. The way he acts with his family and his elderly neighbour, Doug, shows the strength of character he really has. Add to this Andy Jones' ability to make me laugh on almost every page and you have a winner of a book; I should have known not to read it whilst eating as I almost choked on my rice salad when reading at lunchtime about Tom's first 'dorty book'. With hilarious quips about Brighton and Paul Daniels, I could not contain my laughter and I was gutted that I had to stop reading to wipe the tears of laughter from eyes.
Another fabulous book from Andy Jones, who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. A recommended read for anyone who loves a good romcom with an emphasis more on the realism of lad-lit than the mushiness of chick-lit.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 24, 2021
I have read and enjoyed Andy Jones's books previously so I thought this one would be similar. I was certainly pleased to see a character returning from Andy's debut novel El. He is Tom's best friend and is also the best friend in Just The Two of Us. I love the fact that El is gay and living with a disability but is still a fully formed character with a wicked sense of humour. Authors too often put in a disabled or gay character just to tick a box in their writing and so it was great to see El back again.
I had a hard time warming to Tom, our main character, as this book went on. I think that this is because he's just not the kind of person I would be friends with or really even cross paths with in real life and so I had trouble getting to know what he was all about. In my opinion he was really quite sexist and narrow-minded and so I really didn't warm to him. He is also well-written though and this is just a personal opinion.
In fact I struggled to come down on whether I actually enjoyed this book or not because of all the talk of getting to a certain number of sexual partners. That's just not the kind of thing I would sit down and judge someone by. I feel like the concept or trying to get to a higher number or stopping because your number is already to high is just really out dated and there are other judgements you make at the same time as making that one. I understand that this book wasn't written yesterday and so the attitudes were slightly different a few years ago but the whole concept just didn't sit with me.
There are also other things that the male characters do that kind of go hand in hand with talking about Tom's sexual conquests that I really didn't enjoy either. Their judgement of others is very much based on looks and their assumptions they make about a lot of the women they discuss is based around how that women dresses and how easy she might be to get into bed. I did persist in listening to the entire book because I wasn't sure if there would be a moral to all the laddish behavior exhibited by a lot of the characters and I was also hoping that the sensitivity displayed by Andy Jones in his previous books might shine through. Unfortunately it didn't and it wasn't and so I can't in good faith recommend this book.
I had a hard time warming to Tom, our main character, as this book went on. I think that this is because he's just not the kind of person I would be friends with or really even cross paths with in real life and so I had trouble getting to know what he was all about. In my opinion he was really quite sexist and narrow-minded and so I really didn't warm to him. He is also well-written though and this is just a personal opinion.
In fact I struggled to come down on whether I actually enjoyed this book or not because of all the talk of getting to a certain number of sexual partners. That's just not the kind of thing I would sit down and judge someone by. I feel like the concept or trying to get to a higher number or stopping because your number is already to high is just really out dated and there are other judgements you make at the same time as making that one. I understand that this book wasn't written yesterday and so the attitudes were slightly different a few years ago but the whole concept just didn't sit with me.
There are also other things that the male characters do that kind of go hand in hand with talking about Tom's sexual conquests that I really didn't enjoy either. Their judgement of others is very much based on looks and their assumptions they make about a lot of the women they discuss is based around how that women dresses and how easy she might be to get into bed. I did persist in listening to the entire book because I wasn't sure if there would be a moral to all the laddish behavior exhibited by a lot of the characters and I was also hoping that the sensitivity displayed by Andy Jones in his previous books might shine through. Unfortunately it didn't and it wasn't and so I can't in good faith recommend this book.
January 21, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised with Girl 99, not because I didn't expect to like it, but because it was better and more nuanced than I thought it'd be. Jones' novel is basically a guy version of chick-lit, in that it's about a flawed guy getting into situations he should've known better about while looking for love in all the wrong places. What's notable about the novel is that Jones doesn't let his protagonist Tom off the hook for all the daft choices he makes. While Tom is likeable, he's also an asshole, and probably of the worst kind, the nice kind, and Jones takes him to task for it. A novel where the premise is about a guy trying to have sex with 100 women could've gone south very quickly, but Girl 99 doesn't. We see Tom as a three-dimensional character, see his interactions with friends and family when no one's looking except for the reader, which helps Tom's case as he embarks on a redemptive journey. I needed something light to start off my reading year, and Girl 99 was perfect by being what you think this novel's gonna be from the blurb, but then much more.
August 13, 2017
This was a fresh take on a romantic comedy told from a male perspective. Tom breaks up with his girlfriend just before Christmas. As they share a car, they have to stay in contact for a while. Tom begins to reflect on his life and enters a challenge with one of his best friends.
The book explores superficial attractions, family relationships and great friendships. Tom spends a lot of time with his elderly neighbour and their bond is endearing. Tom does a lot of soul searching through the book and you see him try to get his life onto a less superficial level.
I know that there is another book that has some of the same characters in it- so I am keen to read more of Andy Jones work
The book explores superficial attractions, family relationships and great friendships. Tom spends a lot of time with his elderly neighbour and their bond is endearing. Tom does a lot of soul searching through the book and you see him try to get his life onto a less superficial level.
I know that there is another book that has some of the same characters in it- so I am keen to read more of Andy Jones work
February 6, 2020
I liked it. Sometimes it was funny, sometimes I liked Tom and sometimes I didn't.
February 25, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com.
You've no doubt heard males (sorry guys) talking with their mates about 'notches on bedposts', right? Maybe females have their own phrasing where their sexual endeavours are concerned, who knows? After all, I've always been led to believe that it's a high-five kinda thing for guys to up their notches on their bedpost. Although notches, or even lists; they're pretty much the same thing aren't they? A lot of people have lists for their weekly shopping; Tom has a list for his sexual endeavours, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
As a female, my first impression of Tom was - chauvinistic. He seemed to enjoy women as merely an object; an object to satisfy his needs before he dipped his wick elsewhere. However, whenever it comes to males getting their end away and celebrating multiple, or even triple figured amount of conquests, as outsiders, we only get to see one side. The 'manwhore' side, also known as a first impression; pretty much like mine. It took me a little while to rid my mind of my initial thoughts on Tom and his antics, I'm not going to lie. That said, being able to delve a little deeper into Tom's emotions made me stop and think 'HEY! This dude DOES have feelings', and that he doesn't always need to think with his man bits where females are concerned.
Tom's best friend was pushy yet hilarious. If he wasn't going through his own hurdles in life, I highly doubt that he would get away with half of what his character did. I did find the best friend moments a little heart breaking I must admit. Well, when I wasn't spitting my cuppa out due to laughter, obviously.
As I reached the halfway point of the novel, I began to relax and enjoy the storyline for what it was; one of a kind. There were moments throughout the storyline when I felt a teensy bit warm and needed to loosen my collar. HINT: definitely not a book to show your grandma, just saying. Some may say that the book was quite predictable; I'm not one of those! Tom first came across as such a manly man, full of sexual confidence whilst being incredibly blasé about it; as the storyline went on he grew a pair (not that he needed any extra help), and learnt what love was all about. That's why, for me, the predictable factor didn't even come into it.
As a tale of antics between the sheets and a bedpost full of notches to rival Hugh Heffner, Girl 99 is quite simply a novel like no other. Full of tongue in cheek moments, racy antics and plenty of humour; Andy Jones has written a book that will get everyone talking. Girl 99 is full of life; what with its modern-day twist quite similar to the well-known film; Thoroughly Modern Millie. Naughty but rather nice, Girl 99 is most definitely in a league of its own; alongside Tom of course.
Thank you to the author & Netgalley.
You've no doubt heard males (sorry guys) talking with their mates about 'notches on bedposts', right? Maybe females have their own phrasing where their sexual endeavours are concerned, who knows? After all, I've always been led to believe that it's a high-five kinda thing for guys to up their notches on their bedpost. Although notches, or even lists; they're pretty much the same thing aren't they? A lot of people have lists for their weekly shopping; Tom has a list for his sexual endeavours, and he doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
As a female, my first impression of Tom was - chauvinistic. He seemed to enjoy women as merely an object; an object to satisfy his needs before he dipped his wick elsewhere. However, whenever it comes to males getting their end away and celebrating multiple, or even triple figured amount of conquests, as outsiders, we only get to see one side. The 'manwhore' side, also known as a first impression; pretty much like mine. It took me a little while to rid my mind of my initial thoughts on Tom and his antics, I'm not going to lie. That said, being able to delve a little deeper into Tom's emotions made me stop and think 'HEY! This dude DOES have feelings', and that he doesn't always need to think with his man bits where females are concerned.
Tom's best friend was pushy yet hilarious. If he wasn't going through his own hurdles in life, I highly doubt that he would get away with half of what his character did. I did find the best friend moments a little heart breaking I must admit. Well, when I wasn't spitting my cuppa out due to laughter, obviously.
As I reached the halfway point of the novel, I began to relax and enjoy the storyline for what it was; one of a kind. There were moments throughout the storyline when I felt a teensy bit warm and needed to loosen my collar. HINT: definitely not a book to show your grandma, just saying. Some may say that the book was quite predictable; I'm not one of those! Tom first came across as such a manly man, full of sexual confidence whilst being incredibly blasé about it; as the storyline went on he grew a pair (not that he needed any extra help), and learnt what love was all about. That's why, for me, the predictable factor didn't even come into it.
As a tale of antics between the sheets and a bedpost full of notches to rival Hugh Heffner, Girl 99 is quite simply a novel like no other. Full of tongue in cheek moments, racy antics and plenty of humour; Andy Jones has written a book that will get everyone talking. Girl 99 is full of life; what with its modern-day twist quite similar to the well-known film; Thoroughly Modern Millie. Naughty but rather nice, Girl 99 is most definitely in a league of its own; alongside Tom of course.
Thank you to the author & Netgalley.
February 15, 2017
This is my first introduction to Andy Jones work and I really enjoyed this romcom. A modern day man’s bird’s eye view (get it!) of dating, life, relationships, families, love. I loved the honesty in the author’s writing it was real and relatable. Through all the fun elements of the story there were some very poignant moments that you could feel the vulnerability in Tom, the main character.
Tom has just recently split with his girlfriend Sadie and at the moment they both share the use of their mini car. This however, was to prove disastrous. Whilst Tom was out with his friend El the subject of his love life cropped up. El set’s a goal with Tom, a bet with a £1000 wager to bed his 100th fair lady by a certain date. El is terminally ill with Huntington’s disease, the disease is slowly taking over his body and mind which makes him talk very frankly. The relationship Tom and El have is very endearing, one minute they can be having a right good laugh and a joke the next Tom will show his caring side with El. It’s lovely but also very touching and sad.
Tom’s bet was on it’s way to the goal and at first Tom was quite complacent and enjoying himself. However, he starts to see the challenge as a chore/obstacle and it starts messing with his life with almost disastrous results. This change of thought seems to coincide with Tom’s developing friendship with Verity. Verity is different to all the girls he’s met before and he feels kind of shy around her.
Tom’s relationship with his dad and sister was wonderful, heart warming and tragic to read. These little interludes back with his family are very grounding for Tom.
This book Girl 99 was fun, heart warming, sexy, honest, it evoked real and raw emotions. I really did enjoy the story and the humour softened the sadness and blended the atmosphere of the book harmoniously. 5/5*
Tom has just recently split with his girlfriend Sadie and at the moment they both share the use of their mini car. This however, was to prove disastrous. Whilst Tom was out with his friend El the subject of his love life cropped up. El set’s a goal with Tom, a bet with a £1000 wager to bed his 100th fair lady by a certain date. El is terminally ill with Huntington’s disease, the disease is slowly taking over his body and mind which makes him talk very frankly. The relationship Tom and El have is very endearing, one minute they can be having a right good laugh and a joke the next Tom will show his caring side with El. It’s lovely but also very touching and sad.
Tom’s bet was on it’s way to the goal and at first Tom was quite complacent and enjoying himself. However, he starts to see the challenge as a chore/obstacle and it starts messing with his life with almost disastrous results. This change of thought seems to coincide with Tom’s developing friendship with Verity. Verity is different to all the girls he’s met before and he feels kind of shy around her.
Tom’s relationship with his dad and sister was wonderful, heart warming and tragic to read. These little interludes back with his family are very grounding for Tom.
This book Girl 99 was fun, heart warming, sexy, honest, it evoked real and raw emotions. I really did enjoy the story and the humour softened the sadness and blended the atmosphere of the book harmoniously. 5/5*
November 6, 2013
It was actually quite nice to read a story about a guy written of a guy.
To give you an idea of what the story is like think chick lit from a male perspective. It´s funny, and though there is romance in the story, it´s more about self discovery than to fuck your ways through 100 girls to find the one.
I like Fisher. Even when he was a jerk to some of the girls, I could see things from his perspective, and was cheering him on his way to reach his goal. Every time a bit more wiser than before.
And I loved all the other things happening in this book that shows what good hearted, but lost he is. His friendship with EL (long time friend sick from Huntington’s disease, and is a bit of a task to those around him (he was the one that came up with the bet!). His family that´s close, but still in sorrow after losing their mom/wife, his rebellious teenage niece he takes care of to give his sister some peace for the weekend. His job - everything that went down at the movie set while filming a new commercial. I just loved all of it.
It´s well written. Funny. Very british (I love that) and it´s a down to earth story.
I´m really excited to read the sequel!
To give you an idea of what the story is like think chick lit from a male perspective. It´s funny, and though there is romance in the story, it´s more about self discovery than to fuck your ways through 100 girls to find the one.
I like Fisher. Even when he was a jerk to some of the girls, I could see things from his perspective, and was cheering him on his way to reach his goal. Every time a bit more wiser than before.
And I loved all the other things happening in this book that shows what good hearted, but lost he is. His friendship with EL (long time friend sick from Huntington’s disease, and is a bit of a task to those around him (he was the one that came up with the bet!). His family that´s close, but still in sorrow after losing their mom/wife, his rebellious teenage niece he takes care of to give his sister some peace for the weekend. His job - everything that went down at the movie set while filming a new commercial. I just loved all of it.
It´s well written. Funny. Very british (I love that) and it´s a down to earth story.
I´m really excited to read the sequel!
September 26, 2013
LOVED this book.
Can't wait to read more by this author.
Can't wait to read more by this author.
January 14, 2017
Brilliant!! Hooked from the very first page which is filled with hilarious moments. Great, likeable characters. Andy Jones continues to be one of my favourite authors.
May 16, 2017
Very entertaining story, about one lad who is trying to get his number up to 100, as a result of a bet! This is an amusing lad lit book, and as a female, its always great to get inside a male brain and see just what guys get up to when there are no women about to reign them in!
Tom did the honorable thing and admitted to kissing another woman, to his then girlfriend. However admitting to that sort of indiscretion via email on a Monday morning is never the advised way to go about it. Understandably Sadie is upset and soon after Tom finds himself single.
While he is thinking, works out that he has currently slept with 85 women, in his life, but his mistake was mentioning it to his best friend. El, who has his own fascinating storyline, due to his degenerative illness, bets Tom £1,000 that he can't get his total up to a nice even 100, by a certain date.
In amongst Tom attempting to hit on almost everything wearing a skirt, in an effort to win the money, we also see a lot of him at work, where he makes adverts. Some of the best moments are the auditions for the series of adverts for Skittles, and then the production scenes. The right mix of humour and being quite sweet.
Tom meets and does more with all manner of women, but only some of them are described to the reader in any details, and even then the sex isn't explicit. I loved Tom's estate agent, some great scenes involving her, well not the agent herself but the antics. Then there is Tom and the car share with Sadie, where things aren't quite as simple as it sounds.
Then there is Tom's downstairs neighbour, an older man and one of Tom's friends. Watch out for an excruciating conversation between Tom and Eileen about Dave. Really though there was plenty of humour throughout the book, and even more memorable scenes.
I could probably sit and pick out memorable scenes all day, or I could urge you to have a look at the book for yourself!
Girl 99 will appeal to fans of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn and Steven Scaffardi, and for anyone that wants to see a story transforming a rather laddish man about town, into someone who meets a rather intriguing woman. There are plenty of laughs, some bad language, plenty of alcohol, and generally an all around entertaining feel to the book. In addition to a few deeper storylines, but even the those were offset with humour in the right way!
Thank you to Lake Union and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Tom did the honorable thing and admitted to kissing another woman, to his then girlfriend. However admitting to that sort of indiscretion via email on a Monday morning is never the advised way to go about it. Understandably Sadie is upset and soon after Tom finds himself single.
While he is thinking, works out that he has currently slept with 85 women, in his life, but his mistake was mentioning it to his best friend. El, who has his own fascinating storyline, due to his degenerative illness, bets Tom £1,000 that he can't get his total up to a nice even 100, by a certain date.
In amongst Tom attempting to hit on almost everything wearing a skirt, in an effort to win the money, we also see a lot of him at work, where he makes adverts. Some of the best moments are the auditions for the series of adverts for Skittles, and then the production scenes. The right mix of humour and being quite sweet.
Tom meets and does more with all manner of women, but only some of them are described to the reader in any details, and even then the sex isn't explicit. I loved Tom's estate agent, some great scenes involving her, well not the agent herself but the antics. Then there is Tom and the car share with Sadie, where things aren't quite as simple as it sounds.
Then there is Tom's downstairs neighbour, an older man and one of Tom's friends. Watch out for an excruciating conversation between Tom and Eileen about Dave. Really though there was plenty of humour throughout the book, and even more memorable scenes.
I could probably sit and pick out memorable scenes all day, or I could urge you to have a look at the book for yourself!
Girl 99 will appeal to fans of Mike Gayle, Matt Dunn and Steven Scaffardi, and for anyone that wants to see a story transforming a rather laddish man about town, into someone who meets a rather intriguing woman. There are plenty of laughs, some bad language, plenty of alcohol, and generally an all around entertaining feel to the book. In addition to a few deeper storylines, but even the those were offset with humour in the right way!
Thank you to Lake Union and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
October 5, 2018
Full review: http://swiftcoffee.blog/2018/07/16/gi...
Reading the summary, this book sounded like a silly plot from a sitcom, I thought I’d give it a try, though I didn’t expect much from it.
During about the first half of the book, it all seemed really stupid, obvious, missing all creativity. It was the same whining and doing pointless things that chicklits usually are, only with a male protagonist. It wasn’t interesting at all.
Well into the second half I was changing my mind, though. I couldn’t say what made me turn my opinion, but I started to feel it wasn’t that stupid at all. Not very poetic, sure, but it was nice, and besides being way too expectable, it seemed quite realistic in some ways. It showed that we can still care about the people around us and their struggles, and yet not get so involved that it takes our attention away from our own problems – may they be smaller or not. I think that is very human and is something many of us don’t quite admit, even to themselves. I liked the way this story pictured age, family, disease: in their own places, everything being what they are, not dramatizing them to be bigger, but not belittling them either.
For a long time I also thought that it was way too obvious who his “One” (or rather, 99) was going to be. I changed my mind about that as well. I realized that the only character I really liked (I mean as a ‘person’, not as a character) was this girl, and that is probably because I saw her the way Tom, the protagonist sees her. So I guess that is something the writer did very well.
Reading the summary, this book sounded like a silly plot from a sitcom, I thought I’d give it a try, though I didn’t expect much from it.
During about the first half of the book, it all seemed really stupid, obvious, missing all creativity. It was the same whining and doing pointless things that chicklits usually are, only with a male protagonist. It wasn’t interesting at all.
Well into the second half I was changing my mind, though. I couldn’t say what made me turn my opinion, but I started to feel it wasn’t that stupid at all. Not very poetic, sure, but it was nice, and besides being way too expectable, it seemed quite realistic in some ways. It showed that we can still care about the people around us and their struggles, and yet not get so involved that it takes our attention away from our own problems – may they be smaller or not. I think that is very human and is something many of us don’t quite admit, even to themselves. I liked the way this story pictured age, family, disease: in their own places, everything being what they are, not dramatizing them to be bigger, but not belittling them either.
For a long time I also thought that it was way too obvious who his “One” (or rather, 99) was going to be. I changed my mind about that as well. I realized that the only character I really liked (I mean as a ‘person’, not as a character) was this girl, and that is probably because I saw her the way Tom, the protagonist sees her. So I guess that is something the writer did very well.
March 9, 2017
4.5/5
I’ve read the first two books by Andy Jones and they were both very good, so I was definitely looking forward to this one. It has a slightly lighter tone than the other two, but still has the same sense of fun, and I was soon relaxing as I delved into the story.
The writing is as sharp and observant as the other two. You have the funny moments, even when it’s also quite bad at the same time, there is some humour to it.
I was worried initially that I wouldn’t like Tom because I couldn’t relate to his objective and at the start he was more about the numbers than the people in one way, but I was stupid for worrying. I actually really liked him, he’s flawed (aren’t we all?!) but likeable. I loved reading about him and his family. As he was a fair bit older than his sister, it left him in the middle a bit, but he stuck up for his sister a lot which was great to see. Also to see his sister grow as well, especially when going on
This book also stars El, who also starred in Andy’s book ‘The Two of Us’, but this book is set before then, so El’s illness is less progressed. This didn’t stop the emotion being there. el’s relationship with Phil was absolutely heartbreaking. It added a bit more depth, to a story that is relatively light hearted.
This book was a fairly quick read that offers a lot of heart, but also the sense of fun I’ve come to enjoy from Andy’s books, even more so than the other books given the lighter overall tone.
I’ve read the first two books by Andy Jones and they were both very good, so I was definitely looking forward to this one. It has a slightly lighter tone than the other two, but still has the same sense of fun, and I was soon relaxing as I delved into the story.
The writing is as sharp and observant as the other two. You have the funny moments, even when it’s also quite bad at the same time, there is some humour to it.
I was worried initially that I wouldn’t like Tom because I couldn’t relate to his objective and at the start he was more about the numbers than the people in one way, but I was stupid for worrying. I actually really liked him, he’s flawed (aren’t we all?!) but likeable. I loved reading about him and his family. As he was a fair bit older than his sister, it left him in the middle a bit, but he stuck up for his sister a lot which was great to see. Also to see his sister grow as well, especially when going on
This book also stars El, who also starred in Andy’s book ‘The Two of Us’, but this book is set before then, so El’s illness is less progressed. This didn’t stop the emotion being there. el’s relationship with Phil was absolutely heartbreaking. It added a bit more depth, to a story that is relatively light hearted.
This book was a fairly quick read that offers a lot of heart, but also the sense of fun I’ve come to enjoy from Andy’s books, even more so than the other books given the lighter overall tone.
May 8, 2017
The author has potential but this book was just ok. Coming from a male author with a male main character it was an interesting approach to a chic-lit story although I presume this book would be geared more towards the male audience. The story itself was about risqué topics from the perspective of the main character, Tom, but it limited the vulgarity which was appreciated. Initially I was hesitant to continue given the core values of the book but I pressed on. The novel wraps up nicely in the end, but it took me awhile to get there because I wasn't very interested in hearing about Tom's various conquests. Tom's friend, El, adds dimension to the story especially w/ his medical condition. There is a good amount of family dynamics in this story as well which the author does a nice job of depicting.
All in all, a one time read; which I may not have come across on my own.
I received the book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
All in all, a one time read; which I may not have come across on my own.
I received the book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
July 1, 2017
I chose to review this book for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because I’ve read a lot of Fantasy and Young Adult fiction recently. I figured I’m due something different. Secondly, it’s a male lead book. The books I’ve read recently have been pretty much all female leads, by female authors. Thirdly the synopsis sounded good.
When the paperback arrived I noted that the cover was simple enough, but was nice. The writing style took a little getting used to, but once used to it I found this book rather enjoyable. On occasion Tom seemed like he was whining, “woe is me” and all that, but this book was funny and light hearted considering it starts with a breakup. It was refreshingto see the ‘romcom/chic lit’ genre from a male perspective. The characters were written very well. Lots of backstory to each of them. I loved how close Tom and his little sister seemed in particular.
Even though I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy this, I was pleased that it left me pleasantly surprised.
Girl 99 gets a 4 stars out of 5.
review can be found at thepufflehufflekittehreads.wordpress.com
When the paperback arrived I noted that the cover was simple enough, but was nice. The writing style took a little getting used to, but once used to it I found this book rather enjoyable. On occasion Tom seemed like he was whining, “woe is me” and all that, but this book was funny and light hearted considering it starts with a breakup. It was refreshingto see the ‘romcom/chic lit’ genre from a male perspective. The characters were written very well. Lots of backstory to each of them. I loved how close Tom and his little sister seemed in particular.
Even though I wasn’t sure how much I’d enjoy this, I was pleased that it left me pleasantly surprised.
Girl 99 gets a 4 stars out of 5.
review can be found at thepufflehufflekittehreads.wordpress.com
April 11, 2020
When Tom’s girlfriend walks out on him at Christmas time, he quickly decides she wasn’t The One. After a meal out with his best friend, he makes a bet - to sleep with a total of 100 woman by a certain date. The idea is, he gets to a nice “whole number” or something like that. Anyway, he proceeds with this and of course as the title suggests - Girl 99 becomes more than a passing fling.
I like Andy Jones’ style. Easy humour and punchy writing. I did find that huge chunks of this book was a lot of waffle (primarily about an advert his work were making - lots and lots of mention of that?) so I did find myself needing to skip text as it became a bit irritating. Despite that, I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
I like Andy Jones’ style. Easy humour and punchy writing. I did find that huge chunks of this book was a lot of waffle (primarily about an advert his work were making - lots and lots of mention of that?) so I did find myself needing to skip text as it became a bit irritating. Despite that, I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
November 26, 2017
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. It follows are Tom, a 30 something man, just after he has kissed a girl on a drunken night out and confessed to his girlfriend who dumps him. The story continues after this where Tom is talking to his friend about how many partners he has had in the past. As the number is 85 he is then bet that he can't get it to the round 100 before the anniversary of the date he oringinally had sex. The story follows him as he has more conquests and also juggle his work life and normal life with the bet. He then falls in love with a woman and you have to read the book to find out more as I don't want to give the whole book away
I really enjoyed this book. It follows are Tom, a 30 something man, just after he has kissed a girl on a drunken night out and confessed to his girlfriend who dumps him. The story continues after this where Tom is talking to his friend about how many partners he has had in the past. As the number is 85 he is then bet that he can't get it to the round 100 before the anniversary of the date he oringinally had sex. The story follows him as he has more conquests and also juggle his work life and normal life with the bet. He then falls in love with a woman and you have to read the book to find out more as I don't want to give the whole book away
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews