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Puzzle Girl
Bridget Jones meets You've Got Mail in this exciting and laugh-out-loud debut for fans of Sophie Kinsella.
Twenty-six-year-old Cassy Brookes thinks she has everything under control, but one disastrous morning changes all that. She soon finds herself torn between searching for love and outwitting work-rival, Martin. Then, stuck in a doctor's surgery, Cassy scribbles a message in a puzzle book and when she returns for a check-up she sees someone has replied. Will finding the mystery puzzle-man be the cure to all her problems or will the truth turn out to be a bitter pill to swallow?
Twenty-six-year-old Cassy Brookes thinks she has everything under control, but one disastrous morning changes all that. She soon finds herself torn between searching for love and outwitting work-rival, Martin. Then, stuck in a doctor's surgery, Cassy scribbles a message in a puzzle book and when she returns for a check-up she sees someone has replied. Will finding the mystery puzzle-man be the cure to all her problems or will the truth turn out to be a bitter pill to swallow?
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First published March 16, 2017
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March 27, 2017
Puzzles obsessed Cassidy Brookes (Cassy), is unlucky in love, and at this moment in time is unlucky in her job too, as her colleague, Martin, suddenly becomes her rival, and he is not playing by all the rules. On the morning of a big meeting, Cassy ends up being run over by a cyclist, and with an ankle she can’t put pressure on, finds herself sat in the doctor’s office.
With nothing else to do she starts flicking through the magazines, until she notices a puzzle book with a ‘make your own crossword’ in it. She can’t help but write her own, with questions such as, ‘The man responsible for putting morons on bikes (7 letters)’ and ‘What Kind of animal dumps his girlfriend and steals her toothpaste (5,5).
After being seen by the doctor, she is told to come back to have her ankle looked at again. Whilst once again sat in the waiting room, she picks up the same puzzle book and is shocked to discover that someone has filled in her crossword, and left more clues. This is the start of her obsession to find the man, hopefully, who is obviously just as much puzzle obsessed as she is, and obviously her ‘Mr Right’.
Puzzle Girl’ is a fun, entertaining read. There is lots going on in the book, from Cassy’s office rivalry for promotion, to her friendship with best friend Dan, and of course her puzzle/man obsession.
Cassy becomes so obsessed with discovering the identity of the man behind the puzzles that it begins to takes over her life. She starts doing things that normal, rational, people wouldn’t do, such as, just how many times can you visit the doctor’s office with made up excuses for being there just so that you can read, and add, more clues to the crossword?
For a debut novelist, Rachael has written a superb book that pulls you into the story, and has you eager to know who the mysterious man is, and will he be the right man for Cassy?
It’s a feel good book, and will put a smile on your face the whole way through. Although Cassy is the protagonist of the story, another character that stood out to me was her friend Dan. He also had a lot of problems in his life that he needed to work through, and you can’t help hoping that everything will come good for him too.
The book is pure chick-Lit, quite cheesy, but will have you laughing, shaking your head, and utterly enthralled from beginning to end.
Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
With nothing else to do she starts flicking through the magazines, until she notices a puzzle book with a ‘make your own crossword’ in it. She can’t help but write her own, with questions such as, ‘The man responsible for putting morons on bikes (7 letters)’ and ‘What Kind of animal dumps his girlfriend and steals her toothpaste (5,5).
After being seen by the doctor, she is told to come back to have her ankle looked at again. Whilst once again sat in the waiting room, she picks up the same puzzle book and is shocked to discover that someone has filled in her crossword, and left more clues. This is the start of her obsession to find the man, hopefully, who is obviously just as much puzzle obsessed as she is, and obviously her ‘Mr Right’.
Puzzle Girl’ is a fun, entertaining read. There is lots going on in the book, from Cassy’s office rivalry for promotion, to her friendship with best friend Dan, and of course her puzzle/man obsession.
Cassy becomes so obsessed with discovering the identity of the man behind the puzzles that it begins to takes over her life. She starts doing things that normal, rational, people wouldn’t do, such as, just how many times can you visit the doctor’s office with made up excuses for being there just so that you can read, and add, more clues to the crossword?
For a debut novelist, Rachael has written a superb book that pulls you into the story, and has you eager to know who the mysterious man is, and will he be the right man for Cassy?
It’s a feel good book, and will put a smile on your face the whole way through. Although Cassy is the protagonist of the story, another character that stood out to me was her friend Dan. He also had a lot of problems in his life that he needed to work through, and you can’t help hoping that everything will come good for him too.
The book is pure chick-Lit, quite cheesy, but will have you laughing, shaking your head, and utterly enthralled from beginning to end.
Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
March 18, 2017
This is chicklit at its best. If you like chicklit/romance then this is a MUST BUY MUST READ for you. I simply loved it.
At the start of the story Cassey has an important dinner to get to. One that is integral to the development of her career. Cassey is waiting for her boyfriend of seven years to turn up. When she gets a text message from him to say it is over. Spineless dick pops to mind.
We fast forward around seven months. Cassey has stuck her head into her work and is working hard in the hope of a promotion. The problem is her arch nemises is also up for the same promotion.
Cassey is always really early for everything always super prepared and loves to write a good list. All three things I can relate too. Apart from the morning seven years after Seph dumps her and where the story really begins. Cassey has had a late night drink binge, she keeps hitting snooze on her alarm clock, she had missed her train and three of her back up trains. Then the signals on the trains are on a go slow and just as she is rushing to work. She nearly gets run over by a maniac bike rider. But is saved by a knight in shining armour. Where she badly sprained her ankle. To make things worse she cannot walk on it and has to make her way to the walk in centre to be checked over.
Cassey rings work to explain the situation but instead of her secutary picking up her arch nemesis Martin picks up the phone and delights in spreading rumours about Cassey all over the office about how she cannot cope and how she got drunk last night. Reading in the fact that he will need to do their important meeting on his own. With nothing to do but wait patiently Cassey picks up a puzzle book. But all the puzzles have been done incorrectly and in pen. Something that drives puzzle mad Cassey insane. However at the back of the book is a space to make your own puzzle and so Cassey goes about making one of her own.
When Cassey finally gets to work. She discovers to meeting having been done by Martin and the vicious rumours he has been spreading. Then things gets worse as her manager sends her home. Insenced CAssey returns home. Dan her best friend decides to move in with her to look after her and be there for her. But is there more to Dans act of chivalry then meets the eye?
When Cassey returns to the walk in for her follow up appointment. Cassey finds that her crossword has been filled out and a cryptic message has been left for her. Who is the mystery puzzle man? A hilarious spiral of events then takes place where Cassey keeps returning to the centre just to keep her correspondence with puzzle man going. Her Cassey befriends the doctor be receptionist after getting told off for wasting the Doctors time.
Remember seph? Yes he returns but is he all he makes out he is? Or is he hiding more then Cassey knows about?
Who is puzzle man? Who is Seph? What is going on with Dan? What is going on with the Doctors love life? Will Cassey get the promotion?
All this and much more will be revealed in this wonderful happy and uplifting chicklit. I really loved this book. Yes I guessed who puzzle man was about half way through. But do you know what I didn't mind. I was invested in the characters Cassey, Dan, grandma, mother, the doctor, Janet, Sophie? Even Martin had me reading this book to the last page.
Let me know what you think.
Happy reading everyone
At the start of the story Cassey has an important dinner to get to. One that is integral to the development of her career. Cassey is waiting for her boyfriend of seven years to turn up. When she gets a text message from him to say it is over. Spineless dick pops to mind.
We fast forward around seven months. Cassey has stuck her head into her work and is working hard in the hope of a promotion. The problem is her arch nemises is also up for the same promotion.
Cassey is always really early for everything always super prepared and loves to write a good list. All three things I can relate too. Apart from the morning seven years after Seph dumps her and where the story really begins. Cassey has had a late night drink binge, she keeps hitting snooze on her alarm clock, she had missed her train and three of her back up trains. Then the signals on the trains are on a go slow and just as she is rushing to work. She nearly gets run over by a maniac bike rider. But is saved by a knight in shining armour. Where she badly sprained her ankle. To make things worse she cannot walk on it and has to make her way to the walk in centre to be checked over.
Cassey rings work to explain the situation but instead of her secutary picking up her arch nemesis Martin picks up the phone and delights in spreading rumours about Cassey all over the office about how she cannot cope and how she got drunk last night. Reading in the fact that he will need to do their important meeting on his own. With nothing to do but wait patiently Cassey picks up a puzzle book. But all the puzzles have been done incorrectly and in pen. Something that drives puzzle mad Cassey insane. However at the back of the book is a space to make your own puzzle and so Cassey goes about making one of her own.
When Cassey finally gets to work. She discovers to meeting having been done by Martin and the vicious rumours he has been spreading. Then things gets worse as her manager sends her home. Insenced CAssey returns home. Dan her best friend decides to move in with her to look after her and be there for her. But is there more to Dans act of chivalry then meets the eye?
When Cassey returns to the walk in for her follow up appointment. Cassey finds that her crossword has been filled out and a cryptic message has been left for her. Who is the mystery puzzle man? A hilarious spiral of events then takes place where Cassey keeps returning to the centre just to keep her correspondence with puzzle man going. Her Cassey befriends the doctor be receptionist after getting told off for wasting the Doctors time.
Remember seph? Yes he returns but is he all he makes out he is? Or is he hiding more then Cassey knows about?
Who is puzzle man? Who is Seph? What is going on with Dan? What is going on with the Doctors love life? Will Cassey get the promotion?
All this and much more will be revealed in this wonderful happy and uplifting chicklit. I really loved this book. Yes I guessed who puzzle man was about half way through. But do you know what I didn't mind. I was invested in the characters Cassey, Dan, grandma, mother, the doctor, Janet, Sophie? Even Martin had me reading this book to the last page.
Let me know what you think.
Happy reading everyone
September 16, 2018
Review originally posted on The Bibliophile Chronicles.
This is a fun and enjoyable read and one that I absolutely raced through. I enjoyed it because it was a fresh take on the finding Mr right story.
The story centres on a surprise conversation through a puzzle book, and the protagonists subsequent attempts to find out who the person writing back is. I don't read an awful lot of chick-lit but I this struck me as a really interesting and unique take, so I was really excited to pick it up. It was definitely worth it, I really enjoyed Cassy's antics as she attempts to juggle her work life and find out who this mystery man is.
As for Cassy herself she’s the perfect protagonist. Fond of making lists (much like myself) and prepared for almost every occasion, it’s really fascinating to watch as her obsession with solving the puzzle begins to take over her life. She spends less time with her friends and family, and begins to lose sight of what is really important, in order to solve the puzzle. She's also far from perfect, she makes mistakes does things wrong and definitely lands herself in a few tricky situations.
I really enjoyed the work place rivalry within the story too. Cassy is up for a big promotion, but she's not the only one. Her and Martin don't really get along and it's fascinating watching the plot develop as they attempt to undermine each other and get ahead.
Puzzle Girl is also set in London, and the mentions of the DLR and other little London landmarks make for a really nice touch, and add to the overall feel of the book.
The story develops at a good pace, and gives the reader time to come up with different theories, without being too obvious at who the mystery man is. For me that is often the down-fall of chick-lit reads, I can guess the ending before the first few chapters are over and that somewhat spoils my enjoyment. That didn’t happen with Puzzle Girl, you pick up little pieces of information along the way, and that makes for a really fantastic story.
If you’re looking for a fun and clever book to read – especially now the that the sun is shining a bit more – this is definitely one to pick up!
This is a fun and enjoyable read and one that I absolutely raced through. I enjoyed it because it was a fresh take on the finding Mr right story.
The story centres on a surprise conversation through a puzzle book, and the protagonists subsequent attempts to find out who the person writing back is. I don't read an awful lot of chick-lit but I this struck me as a really interesting and unique take, so I was really excited to pick it up. It was definitely worth it, I really enjoyed Cassy's antics as she attempts to juggle her work life and find out who this mystery man is.
As for Cassy herself she’s the perfect protagonist. Fond of making lists (much like myself) and prepared for almost every occasion, it’s really fascinating to watch as her obsession with solving the puzzle begins to take over her life. She spends less time with her friends and family, and begins to lose sight of what is really important, in order to solve the puzzle. She's also far from perfect, she makes mistakes does things wrong and definitely lands herself in a few tricky situations.
I really enjoyed the work place rivalry within the story too. Cassy is up for a big promotion, but she's not the only one. Her and Martin don't really get along and it's fascinating watching the plot develop as they attempt to undermine each other and get ahead.
Puzzle Girl is also set in London, and the mentions of the DLR and other little London landmarks make for a really nice touch, and add to the overall feel of the book.
The story develops at a good pace, and gives the reader time to come up with different theories, without being too obvious at who the mystery man is. For me that is often the down-fall of chick-lit reads, I can guess the ending before the first few chapters are over and that somewhat spoils my enjoyment. That didn’t happen with Puzzle Girl, you pick up little pieces of information along the way, and that makes for a really fantastic story.
If you’re looking for a fun and clever book to read – especially now the that the sun is shining a bit more – this is definitely one to pick up!
January 13, 2019
As a HUGE puzzle fan myself (jigsaws, crosswords, sudoku, pub quizzes-you name it and I love it!! And I’m INCREDIBLY competitive as well which is very unlike my everyday persona!) I knew that Puzzle Girl by Rachael Featherstone was a book I needed to read. I was also a big Bridget Jones fan (until the final book!) so the comparison to my heroine drew me in towards Cassy in the hope of finding another Bridget but what I got was a far more unique and genuine young woman in an hilarious but considered storyline that got better with every single page I read.
It’s hard to believe this is the author’s first book as it felt accomplished and naturalistic as if she had been doing this her entire life! Cassy was a wonderful character creation and one that I took to straight away. I felt sorry for her after she faced a difficult end to her seven year relationship but in typical Cassy fashion she doesn’t do herself any favours when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of her breakup! She has her best friend Dan to keep her grounded in her personal life but when it comes to work, it’s a very different matter indeed! Cassy is determined to get a promotion whatever it costs and her work colleague Martin won’t be standing in her way if she has anything to do with it! But an accident throws Cassy an unusual puzzle to solve when she ends up at a walk in clinic. A cryptic clue left in a crossword book leads Cassy on a search for the elusive “puzzle man”, an hilarious journey that leads to misunderstandings galore and a chance to reevaluate everything Cassy holds dear.
My initial sympathies started to slide away once Cassy began her search for the man of her dreams as she began to make some very questionable decisions! Puzzle Man could have been anyone which was why she started to hang around the clinic like a viral infection it is impossible to rid yourself of! Everyone she met there was a possible suspect and these possibilities led to some of the funniest moments in Puzzle Girl for me. Every character explored was relevant to the plot in some form or other like a cryptic clue just waiting to be solved so it was often impossible to guess who was Cassy’s mysterious crossword solver was. This meant I was able to just sit back and enjoy the narrative for the pure pleasure of it!
This was a truly enjoyable game to play! Working out the clues to solve the mystery was certainly an enjoyable part of looking for Cassys puzzle man as I had my suspicions about who it would be long before they were revealed! But I don’t think I stopped smiling the whole time I was reading Puzzle Girl and that’s a sign of true pleasure for me so thank you Rachael Featherstone for the first class entertainment. It’s a must read for chick lit fans everywhere that I would definitely recommend.
It’s hard to believe this is the author’s first book as it felt accomplished and naturalistic as if she had been doing this her entire life! Cassy was a wonderful character creation and one that I took to straight away. I felt sorry for her after she faced a difficult end to her seven year relationship but in typical Cassy fashion she doesn’t do herself any favours when it comes to dealing with the aftermath of her breakup! She has her best friend Dan to keep her grounded in her personal life but when it comes to work, it’s a very different matter indeed! Cassy is determined to get a promotion whatever it costs and her work colleague Martin won’t be standing in her way if she has anything to do with it! But an accident throws Cassy an unusual puzzle to solve when she ends up at a walk in clinic. A cryptic clue left in a crossword book leads Cassy on a search for the elusive “puzzle man”, an hilarious journey that leads to misunderstandings galore and a chance to reevaluate everything Cassy holds dear.
My initial sympathies started to slide away once Cassy began her search for the man of her dreams as she began to make some very questionable decisions! Puzzle Man could have been anyone which was why she started to hang around the clinic like a viral infection it is impossible to rid yourself of! Everyone she met there was a possible suspect and these possibilities led to some of the funniest moments in Puzzle Girl for me. Every character explored was relevant to the plot in some form or other like a cryptic clue just waiting to be solved so it was often impossible to guess who was Cassy’s mysterious crossword solver was. This meant I was able to just sit back and enjoy the narrative for the pure pleasure of it!
This was a truly enjoyable game to play! Working out the clues to solve the mystery was certainly an enjoyable part of looking for Cassys puzzle man as I had my suspicions about who it would be long before they were revealed! But I don’t think I stopped smiling the whole time I was reading Puzzle Girl and that’s a sign of true pleasure for me so thank you Rachael Featherstone for the first class entertainment. It’s a must read for chick lit fans everywhere that I would definitely recommend.
April 6, 2017
I'd guess that as a fifty-year-old married woman, I'm not really the target market for Puzzle Girl. It's been a while since I read about twenty-somethings looking for the ideal man whilst aiming for the top of the career ladder. However, Puzzle Girl is such a refreshing read and I enjoyed it very much. It was the perfect medicine after a particularly busy week at work.
Cassy is an interesting character, she has a touch of Bridget Jones about her, certainly the annoying parts that drove most of us mad, and especially the endearing, lovable traits that made us all forgive Bridget anything. The reader is introduced to her on what is potentially a very big night for Cassy, she's attending a dinner with sought-after clients. If this goes well, then it will be the big break that she's worked for, it could open the doors to much bigger and better things. The one fly in the ointment is Martin; her colleague. He wants to get to the top just as much as Cassy does, and it seems that he will stoop to anything to get there.
The night does not end well. Cassy receives shocking and heart-breaking news just as dinner is about to be served. A few weeks later, when Cassy is given the opportunity to redeem herself, everything goes pear-shaped once again. She finds herself in the waiting-room of a NHS walk-in centre, waiting to see a doctor, with a suspected sprained ankle.
That visit to the walk-in centre is the real beginning of Cassy's story. When she discovers a half-completed puzzle in the waiting room, she becomes determined to track down the guy who filled out the answers; her 'puzzle man'.
Rachael Featherstone writes with wit and lots of humour. Cassy is infuriating, embarrassing, she over reacts, she's quite self-centred, but she provides great entertainment. Puzzle Girl is escapism at its best, it is fast-paced, packed with an assortment of well crafted characters who are vibrant and colourful.
An enjoyable, fun story that is well written and put a smile on my face.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
Cassy is an interesting character, she has a touch of Bridget Jones about her, certainly the annoying parts that drove most of us mad, and especially the endearing, lovable traits that made us all forgive Bridget anything. The reader is introduced to her on what is potentially a very big night for Cassy, she's attending a dinner with sought-after clients. If this goes well, then it will be the big break that she's worked for, it could open the doors to much bigger and better things. The one fly in the ointment is Martin; her colleague. He wants to get to the top just as much as Cassy does, and it seems that he will stoop to anything to get there.
The night does not end well. Cassy receives shocking and heart-breaking news just as dinner is about to be served. A few weeks later, when Cassy is given the opportunity to redeem herself, everything goes pear-shaped once again. She finds herself in the waiting-room of a NHS walk-in centre, waiting to see a doctor, with a suspected sprained ankle.
That visit to the walk-in centre is the real beginning of Cassy's story. When she discovers a half-completed puzzle in the waiting room, she becomes determined to track down the guy who filled out the answers; her 'puzzle man'.
Rachael Featherstone writes with wit and lots of humour. Cassy is infuriating, embarrassing, she over reacts, she's quite self-centred, but she provides great entertainment. Puzzle Girl is escapism at its best, it is fast-paced, packed with an assortment of well crafted characters who are vibrant and colourful.
An enjoyable, fun story that is well written and put a smile on my face.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
January 17, 2019
If you are a 'list' girl like I am, then you are going to love Cassy! Shes's a girl after my own heart too as she loves losing herself in crossword puzzles and when she is passing time in a waiting room and fills in a puzzle, I am sure she never saw it leading to her trying to solve her own puzzle when a mysterious person fills in the crossword puzzle and adds their own messages!
Cassy is on her own after her boyfriend of 7 years walks out on her, and she's left struggling. She's got problems at work as well so it's fair to say life is not going her way! When she is hit by a cyclist on her way to work one day and ends up at the walk in clinic she is probably wondering what is going to go wrong for her next! You do get a little bit of the Bridget Jones vibe about Cassy!
But with the support of her best friend Dan - who has his own complicated life issues to deal with! - she begins to turn things round and slowly takes back control of her own life and that is what connected with me as a reader. You really feel for Cassy and every problem she faces you are just cheering her on to end up with some happy news and a positive outcome! And the mystery of finding out who her fellow crossworld puzzle fan is, was just the thing to keep her fighting -and leads her to going to extreme measures to keep visiting the walk in clinic!
I thought this book was so much fun, really easy to read and so engaging! Highly recommended!!
My thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced reading copy in return for a fair and honest review.
Cassy is on her own after her boyfriend of 7 years walks out on her, and she's left struggling. She's got problems at work as well so it's fair to say life is not going her way! When she is hit by a cyclist on her way to work one day and ends up at the walk in clinic she is probably wondering what is going to go wrong for her next! You do get a little bit of the Bridget Jones vibe about Cassy!
But with the support of her best friend Dan - who has his own complicated life issues to deal with! - she begins to turn things round and slowly takes back control of her own life and that is what connected with me as a reader. You really feel for Cassy and every problem she faces you are just cheering her on to end up with some happy news and a positive outcome! And the mystery of finding out who her fellow crossworld puzzle fan is, was just the thing to keep her fighting -and leads her to going to extreme measures to keep visiting the walk in clinic!
I thought this book was so much fun, really easy to read and so engaging! Highly recommended!!
My thanks to the author and publisher for the advanced reading copy in return for a fair and honest review.
March 11, 2024
I didn't really enjoy this but persevered in the hope that the characters would grow on me. The main protagonist just irritated me with all her obsessions and actions for the majority of the book. Sadly was also able to work out the Seph/Joey plot and who Puzzle Man is long before the reveals.
lost-interest
March 21, 2017It had me at "You've got e-mail" reference.
March 17, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Ever since Accent Press started posting the book cover on social media (to tease me) at the end of last year, Puzzle Girl had put itself on my radar. There was just something rather unique and exciting about a multi-coloured, puzzle piece tree and I wasn't going to rest until I had read the book. As always, I'm true to my word and my excitement about #PuzzleGirl began to grow every time Accent Press posted anything about the book. I'm sure you can guess the look on my face when I got approached to review the book for the blog tour!
Now, I'm not the cleverest person when it comes to completing puzzles, especially as Sudoku reminds me of trying to work out your BMI (awfully frustrating), but I was intrigued to see how puzzles were going to be made into a storyline. I thought that maybe I needed to go on a word search(sorry!) to find out, but I ended up having a few cross words with myself due to the constant brain teasers of the storyline! Sorry, I will stop now!
It all started by Cassy finding a puzzle book in a doctor's surgery waiting room, working out and adapting a few clues (multiple times), whilst finding a mysterious replying puzzle man in the process. I can't even get people I know talking to me, never mind a stranger responding to me via a puzzle book!! Cassy had a bee in her bonnet and was adamant that she would find out who her puzzle man was, however, the only way that she could do that was by finding multiple (bizarre) reasons to drop into the clinic to check the puzzle book. The bee in the bonnet became an obsession, and the obsession started taking over her life, her friendships and her work life. Thanks to a smidge of rivalry in the office, Cassy's workplace was already taken over by a different kind of obsession...
At first, I found Cassy's obsession with her puzzle man quite funny, especially as she was making herself look like an absolute fool every single time she made an excuse to go to the clinic. She let it rule every part of her life which made me feel like she had taken the whole excuse thing completely overboard, making it more about finding excuses as opposed to finding out who the mystery puzzle person was. Her rivalry with a work colleague was hilarious, even if I did think that she had created a completely different version of her rival in her head! Martin didn't appear to be as big of an arrogant ogre as Cassy made him out to be, but her reactions to his antics were sometimes OVER dramatic that it was brilliant.
'Puzzle Girl' is the type of book that to believe it, you need to read it. There are so many unique, clever and utterly bonkers moments throughout the whole book which need to be ravished by your own imagination. There really is something truly hypnotizing about this book, I can't even put my finger on exactly what it is but all I know is that it filled a large void. I have never, ever read a book like 'Puzzle Girl' and I have read A LOT of books. Every character had a place in the book (even the grumpy receptionist!), not one of them gave off the vibe that they were just 'there to fill up the storyline'. Obviously, some of the characters were more memorable than others, but they all brought something completely different to the overall feel of the book. For me, that added even more depth to an already puzzling storyline.
Seeing as I was so excited to read 'Puzzle Girl', I had everything crossed that my excitement wasn't going to be short lived once I had begun reading it. I really had no need to worry as Rachael Featherstone's book ticked each and every box for me, multiple times. Yes, some parts of the storyline, for me, were over exaggerated at points, but it didn't ruin the book in any way. I just put those OTT situations down to Cassy's individual personality. After all, she is definitely a unique cookie!
It's hard to believe that 'Puzzle Girl' is Rachael Featherstone's debut novel, as to read it you might think that she had a fair few novels under her belt. Instead, she just has puzzle pieces!
Puzzle Girl is a humorous, bonkers and unique story which shows that love can be found in the most unexpected places, as long as you have a bit of two down and three across (not even a clue btw).
A fantastic, witty debut that resulted in me closing the book with a massive smile on my face. Absolutely loved it.
Thank you Accent Press!
Ever since Accent Press started posting the book cover on social media (to tease me) at the end of last year, Puzzle Girl had put itself on my radar. There was just something rather unique and exciting about a multi-coloured, puzzle piece tree and I wasn't going to rest until I had read the book. As always, I'm true to my word and my excitement about #PuzzleGirl began to grow every time Accent Press posted anything about the book. I'm sure you can guess the look on my face when I got approached to review the book for the blog tour!
Now, I'm not the cleverest person when it comes to completing puzzles, especially as Sudoku reminds me of trying to work out your BMI (awfully frustrating), but I was intrigued to see how puzzles were going to be made into a storyline. I thought that maybe I needed to go on a word search(sorry!) to find out, but I ended up having a few cross words with myself due to the constant brain teasers of the storyline! Sorry, I will stop now!
It all started by Cassy finding a puzzle book in a doctor's surgery waiting room, working out and adapting a few clues (multiple times), whilst finding a mysterious replying puzzle man in the process. I can't even get people I know talking to me, never mind a stranger responding to me via a puzzle book!! Cassy had a bee in her bonnet and was adamant that she would find out who her puzzle man was, however, the only way that she could do that was by finding multiple (bizarre) reasons to drop into the clinic to check the puzzle book. The bee in the bonnet became an obsession, and the obsession started taking over her life, her friendships and her work life. Thanks to a smidge of rivalry in the office, Cassy's workplace was already taken over by a different kind of obsession...
At first, I found Cassy's obsession with her puzzle man quite funny, especially as she was making herself look like an absolute fool every single time she made an excuse to go to the clinic. She let it rule every part of her life which made me feel like she had taken the whole excuse thing completely overboard, making it more about finding excuses as opposed to finding out who the mystery puzzle person was. Her rivalry with a work colleague was hilarious, even if I did think that she had created a completely different version of her rival in her head! Martin didn't appear to be as big of an arrogant ogre as Cassy made him out to be, but her reactions to his antics were sometimes OVER dramatic that it was brilliant.
'Puzzle Girl' is the type of book that to believe it, you need to read it. There are so many unique, clever and utterly bonkers moments throughout the whole book which need to be ravished by your own imagination. There really is something truly hypnotizing about this book, I can't even put my finger on exactly what it is but all I know is that it filled a large void. I have never, ever read a book like 'Puzzle Girl' and I have read A LOT of books. Every character had a place in the book (even the grumpy receptionist!), not one of them gave off the vibe that they were just 'there to fill up the storyline'. Obviously, some of the characters were more memorable than others, but they all brought something completely different to the overall feel of the book. For me, that added even more depth to an already puzzling storyline.
Seeing as I was so excited to read 'Puzzle Girl', I had everything crossed that my excitement wasn't going to be short lived once I had begun reading it. I really had no need to worry as Rachael Featherstone's book ticked each and every box for me, multiple times. Yes, some parts of the storyline, for me, were over exaggerated at points, but it didn't ruin the book in any way. I just put those OTT situations down to Cassy's individual personality. After all, she is definitely a unique cookie!
It's hard to believe that 'Puzzle Girl' is Rachael Featherstone's debut novel, as to read it you might think that she had a fair few novels under her belt. Instead, she just has puzzle pieces!
Puzzle Girl is a humorous, bonkers and unique story which shows that love can be found in the most unexpected places, as long as you have a bit of two down and three across (not even a clue btw).
A fantastic, witty debut that resulted in me closing the book with a massive smile on my face. Absolutely loved it.
Thank you Accent Press!
May 8, 2022
Puzzle Girl was a pleasant surprise, in the best way possible. I don’t know why I was hesitant to pick this one up but I think the lovely cover made me think it would be too light of a read for me (sorry cover designer) but I was so wrong, I had a really good time in Cassy’s presence.
I love novels where there’s written interaction between characters and they often score high for me (think The Flatshare or Dear Emmie Blue) but this one had an additional bonus of the ‘mystery man’ with whom Cassy makes these written exchanges, and I quite possibly liked this even more.
It was so much fun to see all of the excuses she had to come up with to gain access again and again to the puzzle book at the Threadneedle Walk-in Centre. Just imagining seeing the reaction of Janet, the receptionist of the clinic every time Cassy showed up again made me chuckle every single time. There were a few stories in the sidelines too that were also quite entertaining which involved her bestie Dan (a blend between Joey and Chandler of Friends) who decides to move in with her, Cassy’s attempts to make a good impression with her boss and their potential new client MediaTech and her strife with work colleague Martin. I had to give it to her, whatever is thrown at Cassy she never gives up, it made me love her even a little bit more.
Cassy works as an Account Director at a digital marketing company named Holeywells and even though her job is one of the focal points of the novel where much goes wrong, and as interesting as it sounds being a marketing strategist I was happy that I was never bored by actually having to listen to an entire pitch. The competition between Cassy and Martin and her feelings of animosity whenever he does something that puts her into a bad light were a great part of the story. There were times it reminded me of another novel that I loved this year and I was happy to find some similarities.
Maybe the outcome didn’t surprise me much but it didn’t really bother me, the story had enough drive that I never felt there wasn’t something else to discover. Cassy certainly discovers a lot about herself by the end of the novel and I do love a character having some introspection. And in the end all I wanted was for puzzle-girl to finally meet her dream puzzle-man.
I underestimated how much I would enjoy Puzzle Girl when I started it. If you’re looking for a fun summer romance in an office setting this is the perfect novel to escape into.
I love novels where there’s written interaction between characters and they often score high for me (think The Flatshare or Dear Emmie Blue) but this one had an additional bonus of the ‘mystery man’ with whom Cassy makes these written exchanges, and I quite possibly liked this even more.
It was so much fun to see all of the excuses she had to come up with to gain access again and again to the puzzle book at the Threadneedle Walk-in Centre. Just imagining seeing the reaction of Janet, the receptionist of the clinic every time Cassy showed up again made me chuckle every single time. There were a few stories in the sidelines too that were also quite entertaining which involved her bestie Dan (a blend between Joey and Chandler of Friends) who decides to move in with her, Cassy’s attempts to make a good impression with her boss and their potential new client MediaTech and her strife with work colleague Martin. I had to give it to her, whatever is thrown at Cassy she never gives up, it made me love her even a little bit more.
Cassy works as an Account Director at a digital marketing company named Holeywells and even though her job is one of the focal points of the novel where much goes wrong, and as interesting as it sounds being a marketing strategist I was happy that I was never bored by actually having to listen to an entire pitch. The competition between Cassy and Martin and her feelings of animosity whenever he does something that puts her into a bad light were a great part of the story. There were times it reminded me of another novel that I loved this year and I was happy to find some similarities.
Maybe the outcome didn’t surprise me much but it didn’t really bother me, the story had enough drive that I never felt there wasn’t something else to discover. Cassy certainly discovers a lot about herself by the end of the novel and I do love a character having some introspection. And in the end all I wanted was for puzzle-girl to finally meet her dream puzzle-man.
I underestimated how much I would enjoy Puzzle Girl when I started it. If you’re looking for a fun summer romance in an office setting this is the perfect novel to escape into.
March 23, 2017
*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Clever name, great cover, smart storyline.
The book started in a fab way, had some exciting moments, but at certain times I was kind of lost and struggled with the plot.
Let’s start at the beginning though. The story follows Cassy Brookes, who finds a puzzle book in a doctor's surgery waiting room. Now she wants to find „puzzle man “. At the same time, she has to deal with her workmate Martin.
The idea behind this book is really great and I liked the mystery behind it. Cassy’s journey to find puzzle man is full of adventure, ups and downs and excitement. I really loved following her around. I really adored her friend Dan, probably my favourite character in this book. Another character I really Liked was Martin, had added some extra spark to the story. They all had their own story shared in a way and some other characters too, a lot of sub-plots, but included in a clever way.
I felt that after a certain time her mission of finding THE man took over her life a bit too much.
Rachael Featherstone’s writing has a witty humour, is refreshing and just so much fun.
My fave thing about the book: The mentions of the different DLR stations, I always take it coming from the airport, so I know them all.
A superb debut novel!!!
Clever name, great cover, smart storyline.
The book started in a fab way, had some exciting moments, but at certain times I was kind of lost and struggled with the plot.
Let’s start at the beginning though. The story follows Cassy Brookes, who finds a puzzle book in a doctor's surgery waiting room. Now she wants to find „puzzle man “. At the same time, she has to deal with her workmate Martin.
The idea behind this book is really great and I liked the mystery behind it. Cassy’s journey to find puzzle man is full of adventure, ups and downs and excitement. I really loved following her around. I really adored her friend Dan, probably my favourite character in this book. Another character I really Liked was Martin, had added some extra spark to the story. They all had their own story shared in a way and some other characters too, a lot of sub-plots, but included in a clever way.
I felt that after a certain time her mission of finding THE man took over her life a bit too much.
Rachael Featherstone’s writing has a witty humour, is refreshing and just so much fun.
My fave thing about the book: The mentions of the different DLR stations, I always take it coming from the airport, so I know them all.
A superb debut novel!!!
August 13, 2024
3⭐️
-> i didn’t have super high expectations, but just picked it up as the concept seemed cute and i wanted a fun romance
-> it was really easy to read and quick to get through
-> the plot was cute although VERY predictable and some plot lines felt like they were really unnecessary
-> Cassidy (the main character) annoyed me in a lot of the decisions she made and ugh she was unlikeable
-> Dan (her surrogate brother who lives with her) was honestly a good character but had to deal with all of Cassy’s stuff
-> i felt like the ‘big reveal’ or whatever was so predictable and i even guessed it without reading the book (literally just reading the blurb)
-> anyway, i think it got me out of a slump as it was super quick and simple but i probably won’t think about it again and i had no connections to any of the characters
-> i didn’t have super high expectations, but just picked it up as the concept seemed cute and i wanted a fun romance
-> it was really easy to read and quick to get through
-> the plot was cute although VERY predictable and some plot lines felt like they were really unnecessary
-> Cassidy (the main character) annoyed me in a lot of the decisions she made and ugh she was unlikeable
-> Dan (her surrogate brother who lives with her) was honestly a good character but had to deal with all of Cassy’s stuff
-> i felt like the ‘big reveal’ or whatever was so predictable and i even guessed it without reading the book (literally just reading the blurb)
-> anyway, i think it got me out of a slump as it was super quick and simple but i probably won’t think about it again and i had no connections to any of the characters
January 24, 2024
3.5⭐️
Overall I quite enjoyed this book. I love that it was set in my hometown which made me feel really connected to the story and the characters. My only issue was that I found the main character quite insufferable. I just wanted to give her a reality check lol. This was a cute read with a refreshing plot. It was predictable at times but would still recommend.
Overall I quite enjoyed this book. I love that it was set in my hometown which made me feel really connected to the story and the characters. My only issue was that I found the main character quite insufferable. I just wanted to give her a reality check lol. This was a cute read with a refreshing plot. It was predictable at times but would still recommend.
September 9, 2017
3.7
Very well written. Loved Martin. Liked Cassy. You know it's a good book when you just have to share parts of the story with whomever is with you in the room at that moment. In my case, it was my sister and I described the whole story to her.
This could have been a 4, but unless there's a sequel to this book I don't see why it should have ended where it ended. It finished at the effing beginning! Just when things got started,the book ended. Say what? After so much, we deserved more of Martin and Cassy. Smh.
Very well written. Loved Martin. Liked Cassy. You know it's a good book when you just have to share parts of the story with whomever is with you in the room at that moment. In my case, it was my sister and I described the whole story to her.
This could have been a 4, but unless there's a sequel to this book I don't see why it should have ended where it ended. It finished at the effing beginning! Just when things got started,the book ended. Say what? After so much, we deserved more of Martin and Cassy. Smh.
July 14, 2017
I loved the fresh concept to Puzzle Girl, Rachael Featherstone’s debut novel. Though a story involving a woman, unlucky in love, who wants nothing more but to be part of the perfect couple whilst at the same time battling with work related issues is nothing against the norm in a contemporary romance novel, Puzzle Girl surprised me with its originality. Full of humour, this book had me laughing and cringing and smiling at the antics inside all the way through it.
Cassy is still stewing over being dumped by her boyfriend Seph when she was at an important work dinner. When she injures her ankle on the back of a hangover, she finds herself stuck waiting at the doctors with not even a spare puzzle in the puzzle book left to complete. When Cassy creates her own crossword in the book, and next time she is at the doctors sees that someone has completed her puzzle, Cassy dubs the mystery man Puzzle-Man and becomes completely and utterly obsessed with the puzzle-book stranger.
Cassy is a very dramatic character and her obsession with Puzzle Man quickly gets out of control and this amused me no end. She becomes completely caught up in the mystery and even on the first day she discovers he has answered her puzzle she is daydreaming over who he could be and how they could fall in love. I loved Cassy’s vivid imagination and she is a pretty bubbly character who keeps the reader entertained with her mishaps and overreactions.
On top of looking for love, Cassy is also vying for a promotion at work and finds herself rivalling with her colleague Martin who she feels is getting all the opportunities and she becomes desperate to come out on top. Cassy does nothing by halves and she doesn’t stop at anything to try and get what she wants. She builds Martin up to be a monster and I would almost have belived her if she didn’t overreact to everything. I think Cassy could be seen as a frustrating character but for some reason I didn’t really see her that way. Maybe that was because she was so over-the-top even from the first few pages that I knew what to expect from her and I just found it entertaining instead. I would have loved to view the world from Cassy’s perspective for a day and see just how dramatically she views everything as I’m sure it would be an interesting experience! I’m not sure I could have taken more than a day of that though.
Puzzle Girl is light-hearted and lots of fun. One thing I liked a lot about this book was the characters. Other than Cassy, there were other characters I loved such as Cassy’s gay best friend Dan who made me laugh all the way through the book. He’s fun and supportive of Cassy and tells it like it is, which is something Cassy evidently needs in her life. Dan was probably my favourite character. The moment we first meet him is when I settled into the story and I enjoyed getting to know more about him further into the book. Despite being there for Cassy when she needs him, he has his own issues in life and I really wanted him to get his happy ever after too.
Rachael Featherstone’s debut is a winner in my eyes. It took me a fair few chapters to get hooked on the story but once I did I enjoyed every single bonkers moment and all the mad excuses and ideas Cassy came up with to get her own way. The pacing of the book had me eager to read one more chapter again and again until I’d read two thirds of the book in one go. As well as the engaging storytelling, the narrative includes a mixture of puzzles, lists, texts and emails which kept me absorbed in the book and its fast-paced plot. Puzzle Girl is a really fun and witty book, a romantic comedy with a fair bit of character development and an uplifting story that puts a smile on your face for all of its 300+ pages.
Cassy is still stewing over being dumped by her boyfriend Seph when she was at an important work dinner. When she injures her ankle on the back of a hangover, she finds herself stuck waiting at the doctors with not even a spare puzzle in the puzzle book left to complete. When Cassy creates her own crossword in the book, and next time she is at the doctors sees that someone has completed her puzzle, Cassy dubs the mystery man Puzzle-Man and becomes completely and utterly obsessed with the puzzle-book stranger.
Cassy is a very dramatic character and her obsession with Puzzle Man quickly gets out of control and this amused me no end. She becomes completely caught up in the mystery and even on the first day she discovers he has answered her puzzle she is daydreaming over who he could be and how they could fall in love. I loved Cassy’s vivid imagination and she is a pretty bubbly character who keeps the reader entertained with her mishaps and overreactions.
On top of looking for love, Cassy is also vying for a promotion at work and finds herself rivalling with her colleague Martin who she feels is getting all the opportunities and she becomes desperate to come out on top. Cassy does nothing by halves and she doesn’t stop at anything to try and get what she wants. She builds Martin up to be a monster and I would almost have belived her if she didn’t overreact to everything. I think Cassy could be seen as a frustrating character but for some reason I didn’t really see her that way. Maybe that was because she was so over-the-top even from the first few pages that I knew what to expect from her and I just found it entertaining instead. I would have loved to view the world from Cassy’s perspective for a day and see just how dramatically she views everything as I’m sure it would be an interesting experience! I’m not sure I could have taken more than a day of that though.
Puzzle Girl is light-hearted and lots of fun. One thing I liked a lot about this book was the characters. Other than Cassy, there were other characters I loved such as Cassy’s gay best friend Dan who made me laugh all the way through the book. He’s fun and supportive of Cassy and tells it like it is, which is something Cassy evidently needs in her life. Dan was probably my favourite character. The moment we first meet him is when I settled into the story and I enjoyed getting to know more about him further into the book. Despite being there for Cassy when she needs him, he has his own issues in life and I really wanted him to get his happy ever after too.
Rachael Featherstone’s debut is a winner in my eyes. It took me a fair few chapters to get hooked on the story but once I did I enjoyed every single bonkers moment and all the mad excuses and ideas Cassy came up with to get her own way. The pacing of the book had me eager to read one more chapter again and again until I’d read two thirds of the book in one go. As well as the engaging storytelling, the narrative includes a mixture of puzzles, lists, texts and emails which kept me absorbed in the book and its fast-paced plot. Puzzle Girl is a really fun and witty book, a romantic comedy with a fair bit of character development and an uplifting story that puts a smile on your face for all of its 300+ pages.
March 1, 2019
I admit that prior to being invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘Puzzle Girl’, I hadn’t come across Rachael Featherstone before. I have certainly come across her now and I will definitely be keeping my peepers peeled for any of her future books and short stories. I absolutely ADORED reading ‘Puzzle Girl’ but more about that in a bit.
I couldn’t help but take to Cassy from the moment I first met her. At the start of the book she thinks she is in a happy relationship with a man called Seph and this girl clearly has ambitions because she wants to make a big impression at work, which will hopefully lead to promotion. Just when she thinks that things are on the right track, Cassy has the rug pulled from under her and she has to create a new life for herself. To begin with things start to go wrong both at work and at home. I think that it is only when she has hit rock bottom that she realises just what is important in life Cassy is funny, she’s certainly one of a kind, she’s kind, she’s gentle, she’s a great friend who is ready with a shoulder to cry on or to join in a bitching session over a bottle of wine and she is an all round good egg. Cassy also has a very analytical and problem solving mind and she is a huge fan of cryptic crosswords. This love of cryptic crosswords certainly takes her down an interesting path but I don’t want to go into specifics as I would hate to spoil the book for anybody. I couldn’t help but keep everything crossed for her that things would work out well for her in the end. Do things work out for her? Well for the answer to that question you are just going to have to read the book for yourself to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh. My. God. For me ‘The Puzzle Girl’ was an a-maz-ing book and then some. I began reading and literally before I reached the end of the first page, I was hooked on both the characters and the storylines. The author’s writing style draws you in and keeps your attention throughout the book or at least it did mine anyway. The author writes in an easy, chatty and funny manner, which had me chuckling away all the way through as I was imagining things happening at the same time as reading the words on the page. I picked up the book at an ideal time for me as I needed distracting from various things and this book certainly distracted me and then some. I literally could not put the book down- not because the book was glued to my hand (although it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me.) but because I was so ‘into’ the story, I believed in the characters and I was so desperate to find out how things panned out for Cassy that I couldn’t bear to be parted from the book. It didn’t seem to take me long to get through the book but the time seemed to fly by. I was gutted when I got to the end of the last page because it meant that I had finished the story and I had to say goodbye to Cassy.
In short I adored reading ‘The Puzzle Girl’ and I will definitely be recommending it to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Rachael Featherstone comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I couldn’t help but take to Cassy from the moment I first met her. At the start of the book she thinks she is in a happy relationship with a man called Seph and this girl clearly has ambitions because she wants to make a big impression at work, which will hopefully lead to promotion. Just when she thinks that things are on the right track, Cassy has the rug pulled from under her and she has to create a new life for herself. To begin with things start to go wrong both at work and at home. I think that it is only when she has hit rock bottom that she realises just what is important in life Cassy is funny, she’s certainly one of a kind, she’s kind, she’s gentle, she’s a great friend who is ready with a shoulder to cry on or to join in a bitching session over a bottle of wine and she is an all round good egg. Cassy also has a very analytical and problem solving mind and she is a huge fan of cryptic crosswords. This love of cryptic crosswords certainly takes her down an interesting path but I don’t want to go into specifics as I would hate to spoil the book for anybody. I couldn’t help but keep everything crossed for her that things would work out well for her in the end. Do things work out for her? Well for the answer to that question you are just going to have to read the book for yourself to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh. My. God. For me ‘The Puzzle Girl’ was an a-maz-ing book and then some. I began reading and literally before I reached the end of the first page, I was hooked on both the characters and the storylines. The author’s writing style draws you in and keeps your attention throughout the book or at least it did mine anyway. The author writes in an easy, chatty and funny manner, which had me chuckling away all the way through as I was imagining things happening at the same time as reading the words on the page. I picked up the book at an ideal time for me as I needed distracting from various things and this book certainly distracted me and then some. I literally could not put the book down- not because the book was glued to my hand (although it might as well have been because it came everywhere with me.) but because I was so ‘into’ the story, I believed in the characters and I was so desperate to find out how things panned out for Cassy that I couldn’t bear to be parted from the book. It didn’t seem to take me long to get through the book but the time seemed to fly by. I was gutted when I got to the end of the last page because it meant that I had finished the story and I had to say goodbye to Cassy.
In short I adored reading ‘The Puzzle Girl’ and I will definitely be recommending it to other readers. I can’t wait to read what Rachael Featherstone comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 14, 2019
Cassy Brookes knows the best way to deal with life is to write lists and do puzzles.
I thoroughly enjoyed Puzzle Girl. It’s light, entertaining, amusing and romantic without being saccharine. Rachael Featherstone writes with flair and realism so that the events and characters in Puzzle Girl feel fresh and believable.
My goodness Cassy has the ability to entangle herself in troubles. I loved the way in which she was so fixated on an actual puzzle book and discovering the mystery puzzle-man that she entirely missed the real life puzzle pieces around her, causing her to neglect her friends and be duped by those about whom she should know better. I didn’t much like her at times and thought the way in which Rachael Featherstone developed her character so that I learnt to care about Cassy was very skilful. The first person approach made Cassy come alive on the page. By the end of Puzzle Girl I felt she had been elevated to a convincing Everywoman so that there is much to learn from her life; particularly that we shouldn’t always jump to conclusions about others.
I found the minor characters perfectly balanced so that there were enough of them to create interest without stealing Cassy’s limelight. I know a book has worked well when I have a physical response to characters and in this case I would have been more than happy to punch Seph – hard! Of all of Cassy’s acquaintances, it was Martin I found the most intriguing, but you need to read the book to see why.
The plot races along with Cassy lurching from one, frequently self-induced, crisis to another. All the way through I kept thinking ‘what a tangled web we weave’. I’d love to see Puzzle Girl as a feature film as many of the events, particularly those surrounding the walk-in health centre would lend themselves to a rom-com. I did guess many of the elements but actually this enhanced my enjoyment of the book because I was intrigued as to how Rachael Featherstone would resolve them. The different settings add extra layers of interest too and I loved the deftly handled themes of identity, friendship and relationships.
Puzzle Girl is hugely entertaining and fun to read. It is wonderful escapism, perfect for a cold winter’s afternoon or a relaxing holiday. I thought it was enormous fun and very satisfying to read. I’d really rather like a follow up novel with some of the same characters now please, perhaps developing Dan further!
I thoroughly enjoyed Puzzle Girl. It’s light, entertaining, amusing and romantic without being saccharine. Rachael Featherstone writes with flair and realism so that the events and characters in Puzzle Girl feel fresh and believable.
My goodness Cassy has the ability to entangle herself in troubles. I loved the way in which she was so fixated on an actual puzzle book and discovering the mystery puzzle-man that she entirely missed the real life puzzle pieces around her, causing her to neglect her friends and be duped by those about whom she should know better. I didn’t much like her at times and thought the way in which Rachael Featherstone developed her character so that I learnt to care about Cassy was very skilful. The first person approach made Cassy come alive on the page. By the end of Puzzle Girl I felt she had been elevated to a convincing Everywoman so that there is much to learn from her life; particularly that we shouldn’t always jump to conclusions about others.
I found the minor characters perfectly balanced so that there were enough of them to create interest without stealing Cassy’s limelight. I know a book has worked well when I have a physical response to characters and in this case I would have been more than happy to punch Seph – hard! Of all of Cassy’s acquaintances, it was Martin I found the most intriguing, but you need to read the book to see why.
The plot races along with Cassy lurching from one, frequently self-induced, crisis to another. All the way through I kept thinking ‘what a tangled web we weave’. I’d love to see Puzzle Girl as a feature film as many of the events, particularly those surrounding the walk-in health centre would lend themselves to a rom-com. I did guess many of the elements but actually this enhanced my enjoyment of the book because I was intrigued as to how Rachael Featherstone would resolve them. The different settings add extra layers of interest too and I loved the deftly handled themes of identity, friendship and relationships.
Puzzle Girl is hugely entertaining and fun to read. It is wonderful escapism, perfect for a cold winter’s afternoon or a relaxing holiday. I thought it was enormous fun and very satisfying to read. I’d really rather like a follow up novel with some of the same characters now please, perhaps developing Dan further!
November 3, 2019
Cassidy Brookes -Cassy to her friends-starts this novel with her feet being swept out form under her-quite literally!-racing to a meeting where she is trying to stop her work rival, Martin, from passing her ideas off as his own again. Sideswiped by life, she finds herself unable to walk and has to submit to being taken to a walk-in medical center to be assessed. Here she finds a puzzle book with a 'create your own crossword' puzzle page in it and so begins a cat and mouse chase with a mystery person who starts solving Cassy's clues, and then writing some of their own...
Cassy is a character who deals in finite answers-she is the most unlikely person to take a gamble on an unchecked puzzle from a charity shop. She likes things to fit the spaces that they are made for, and creates mind games to challenge herself and also to give herself a sense of victory and control that she doesn't feel elsewhere in life.
So when she has to throw herself on the mercy of strangers, and has been let down so badly in love, it is no wonder that the puzzle of who is filling in her clues intrigues her.
This is a lovely first novel with a unique twist-how do you fall in love with someone you cannot see or whose name you do not know through a crossword puzzle? And does anyone truly know how to fill in all the gaps ? Can a cryptic clue have more than one answer?
I thoroughly enjoyed this very different take on romantic fiction-it was challenging,and thoughtful with a main character that you couldn't help rooting for. Her control issues lie in solving games to give herself a finite victory that she did not feel in real life. Seeing life as a series of challenges to solve was taken out of her hands by a random stranger who began communicating through a series of clues.
As Cassy races to work out who it is, the themes of women's representation in the work place, being treated badly by lovers and then expected to just carry on and inequality are explored all juxtaposed with the headlong rush of giving up your control mechanisms to trust fate and fall in love.
You root for Cassy, as you do for her best friend,Dan, who was there for her no matter what. At the end of the book, you feel that the pieces of a puzzle, like life, don't always neatly fit together but if you work at it, you might solve a larger mystery. It is a funny, heartwarming story that I would highly recommend for lovers of Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella
Cassy is a character who deals in finite answers-she is the most unlikely person to take a gamble on an unchecked puzzle from a charity shop. She likes things to fit the spaces that they are made for, and creates mind games to challenge herself and also to give herself a sense of victory and control that she doesn't feel elsewhere in life.
So when she has to throw herself on the mercy of strangers, and has been let down so badly in love, it is no wonder that the puzzle of who is filling in her clues intrigues her.
This is a lovely first novel with a unique twist-how do you fall in love with someone you cannot see or whose name you do not know through a crossword puzzle? And does anyone truly know how to fill in all the gaps ? Can a cryptic clue have more than one answer?
I thoroughly enjoyed this very different take on romantic fiction-it was challenging,and thoughtful with a main character that you couldn't help rooting for. Her control issues lie in solving games to give herself a finite victory that she did not feel in real life. Seeing life as a series of challenges to solve was taken out of her hands by a random stranger who began communicating through a series of clues.
As Cassy races to work out who it is, the themes of women's representation in the work place, being treated badly by lovers and then expected to just carry on and inequality are explored all juxtaposed with the headlong rush of giving up your control mechanisms to trust fate and fall in love.
You root for Cassy, as you do for her best friend,Dan, who was there for her no matter what. At the end of the book, you feel that the pieces of a puzzle, like life, don't always neatly fit together but if you work at it, you might solve a larger mystery. It is a funny, heartwarming story that I would highly recommend for lovers of Jenny Colgan and Sophie Kinsella
August 19, 2023
"I agree with you, anyone who uses pen is a loser, but perhaps in certain areas there is an alternative answer?"
On her way to work, Cassy gets run over by a hit and run cyclist. A stranger helps her to a near by walk in health centre, this is the turning point to where Cassy life begins to change. While waiting for her ankle to be looked at Cassy suppose a crossword book with a make your own crossword puzzle inside. This is where she decided to reflect on her life and current affairs with a recent break up she relates the clues to her life. She arrives back at the Health Centre a few days later to see how her ankle has healed and to her surprise, she finds someone has answered her crossword. Cassy now believes the puzzle answerer is her 'Mr Perfect'.
Cassy returns to work, where she has been working towards getting a promotion, while at the same time trying to beat her work rival Martin from getting it. As he always seems to be in the way and takes credit for her work. The mystery puzzle person ends up taking over her life, with Cassy own actions affecting her work life and her friendships especially with Dan.
I really liked the idea of the book, it was even jumped to the top of my TBR pile and knowing how long it is. This book should feel privileged. However, I was quite disappointed with it. The first third of the book I flew through the pages, don't get me wrong I finished the book within a day but about half way, I was losing focus and felt like it was dragging. I also felt some of the storyline was repetitive, over the top and many times felt cringe. I did predict a lot that was going to happen quite early on. The ending felt very rushed, we went from being dragged out to suddenly a lot happening within the last few chapters.
I didn't like Cassy at all she felt very self centred, self absorbed and didn't really have a care for others until they suddenly affected her own life. I didn't understand Martins unrequired love for Cassy as he didn't help her work life what so every. He made it a living from Cassy perspective- he told other work colleagues about her mental state, about not being in the right mind to deal with her break up , so shouldn't be at work at this moment. He also didn't say he was using Cassy ideas until he decided to quit. Then after Martin apologises to Cassy apparently everything is fine again.
Overall, I thought it was an ok book. It had potential but I felt it needed polishing.
On her way to work, Cassy gets run over by a hit and run cyclist. A stranger helps her to a near by walk in health centre, this is the turning point to where Cassy life begins to change. While waiting for her ankle to be looked at Cassy suppose a crossword book with a make your own crossword puzzle inside. This is where she decided to reflect on her life and current affairs with a recent break up she relates the clues to her life. She arrives back at the Health Centre a few days later to see how her ankle has healed and to her surprise, she finds someone has answered her crossword. Cassy now believes the puzzle answerer is her 'Mr Perfect'.
Cassy returns to work, where she has been working towards getting a promotion, while at the same time trying to beat her work rival Martin from getting it. As he always seems to be in the way and takes credit for her work. The mystery puzzle person ends up taking over her life, with Cassy own actions affecting her work life and her friendships especially with Dan.
I really liked the idea of the book, it was even jumped to the top of my TBR pile and knowing how long it is. This book should feel privileged. However, I was quite disappointed with it. The first third of the book I flew through the pages, don't get me wrong I finished the book within a day but about half way, I was losing focus and felt like it was dragging. I also felt some of the storyline was repetitive, over the top and many times felt cringe. I did predict a lot that was going to happen quite early on. The ending felt very rushed, we went from being dragged out to suddenly a lot happening within the last few chapters.
I didn't like Cassy at all she felt very self centred, self absorbed and didn't really have a care for others until they suddenly affected her own life. I didn't understand Martins unrequired love for Cassy as he didn't help her work life what so every. He made it a living from Cassy perspective- he told other work colleagues about her mental state, about not being in the right mind to deal with her break up , so shouldn't be at work at this moment. He also didn't say he was using Cassy ideas until he decided to quit. Then after Martin apologises to Cassy apparently everything is fine again.
Overall, I thought it was an ok book. It had potential but I felt it needed polishing.
February 7, 2019
Cassidy Brookes has the perfect life. She loves her job, has a strong seven-year-old relationship with partner Seph and a homely flat where she can unwind after busy days in the office. She has a plan for every scenario and a check-list that will enable her to succeed both personally and professionally. Marriage and promotion are set firmly in her sights. But when partner, Seph, dumps her via text during an important meeting with her bosses, even Cassy’s preparation and efficiency can’t fix it. Feeling foolish, Cassy hurries home to try to salvage their relationship when she arrives, Seph is gone, taking everything with him, even the toothpaste. Cassy’s confidence is broken with one fell swoop and her life cut to shreds, the only saving grace her loyal friend and neighbour, Dan.
After taking some time getting her life back on track, Cassy returns to work, ever more intent on getting the promotion she deserves and refusing to get pipped to the post by her work rival Martin. Organising a crucial meeting with her bosses, Cassy’s chance at success might finally have arrived. But her hopes are scuppered when she misses it following an accident that sends her to a walk-in centre. There, she loses herself in a dog-eared puzzle book, creating her own on the back page. Returning a week later for a check-up, Cassy discovers her puzzle has been solved. But by who? Cassy must navigate countless disappointments, embarrassments and lost opportunities to find out if Puzzle Man is her Mr Right.
Dan, Cassy’s best friend and adopted brother, is the shining star for me. His mischievous personality and hilarious quips added a whole new layer to the book. He and Cassy are characters you instantly fall in love with. You can’t help but feel for Cassy, quirky and sweet, as she struggles through some very sticky situations. I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, especially fans of Sophie Kinsella.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Cassy’s antics and discovering where her hunt for love would take her. Puzzle Girl has some stand-out characters and puns and quips that will have you grinning from ear to ear!
Engaging. Funny. Sweet.
After taking some time getting her life back on track, Cassy returns to work, ever more intent on getting the promotion she deserves and refusing to get pipped to the post by her work rival Martin. Organising a crucial meeting with her bosses, Cassy’s chance at success might finally have arrived. But her hopes are scuppered when she misses it following an accident that sends her to a walk-in centre. There, she loses herself in a dog-eared puzzle book, creating her own on the back page. Returning a week later for a check-up, Cassy discovers her puzzle has been solved. But by who? Cassy must navigate countless disappointments, embarrassments and lost opportunities to find out if Puzzle Man is her Mr Right.
Dan, Cassy’s best friend and adopted brother, is the shining star for me. His mischievous personality and hilarious quips added a whole new layer to the book. He and Cassy are characters you instantly fall in love with. You can’t help but feel for Cassy, quirky and sweet, as she struggles through some very sticky situations. I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, especially fans of Sophie Kinsella.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Cassy’s antics and discovering where her hunt for love would take her. Puzzle Girl has some stand-out characters and puns and quips that will have you grinning from ear to ear!
Engaging. Funny. Sweet.
January 23, 2019
My reading tastes tend to err on the darker side but every so often I like to read something a bit lighter as a palate cleanser of sorts. I loved the sound of Puzzle Girl, particularly because although there is no crime to solve, there is still a mystery at the heart of it.
What an enjoyable book this turned out to be! I loved Cassy, not least because she reminded me a little of my eldest daughter who shares her love of lists and also has a number of most hated words! Thankfully her life is less messy than Cassy's whose ordered existence is rapidly sent spinning out of control when her relationship comes to a sudden end.
There's a lovely flow to Puzzle Girl and it's a book I read in just a few hours chuckling away to myself at the situations Cassy frequently finds herself in. With the beautiful and historic scenes of London as its backdrop, I could easily imagine Puzzle Girl being filmed as a rom-com. I thought the relationship between Cassy and her best friend, Dan was a real highlight of the book and especially enjoyed the long history between the pair. Cassy's mum is wonderful too, at first I thought she was going to be the typical, rather over-bearing mother often seen in romantic comedies but she turned out to be a warm and wise woman.
I wasn't really surprised by the outcome of the mystery and I suspect not many readers will be; it doesn't matter though because the pleasure in reading Puzzle Girl comes from the delightful dialogue and the captivating plot which leads to Cassy making the discovery herself. The inclusion of the puzzle part of the novel is especially enjoyable as Cassy becomes obsessed with trying to communicate with her Puzzle-Man. This is an engaging, witty read and the development of Cassy's character and her gradual realisation that her behaviour hasn't always been wise is well-handled and empathetic.
I'm really pleased I decided to give Puzzle Girl a try, it left me with a warm glow and a smile on my face and I recommend it to anybody who enjoys well-plotted romantic fiction.
What an enjoyable book this turned out to be! I loved Cassy, not least because she reminded me a little of my eldest daughter who shares her love of lists and also has a number of most hated words! Thankfully her life is less messy than Cassy's whose ordered existence is rapidly sent spinning out of control when her relationship comes to a sudden end.
There's a lovely flow to Puzzle Girl and it's a book I read in just a few hours chuckling away to myself at the situations Cassy frequently finds herself in. With the beautiful and historic scenes of London as its backdrop, I could easily imagine Puzzle Girl being filmed as a rom-com. I thought the relationship between Cassy and her best friend, Dan was a real highlight of the book and especially enjoyed the long history between the pair. Cassy's mum is wonderful too, at first I thought she was going to be the typical, rather over-bearing mother often seen in romantic comedies but she turned out to be a warm and wise woman.
I wasn't really surprised by the outcome of the mystery and I suspect not many readers will be; it doesn't matter though because the pleasure in reading Puzzle Girl comes from the delightful dialogue and the captivating plot which leads to Cassy making the discovery herself. The inclusion of the puzzle part of the novel is especially enjoyable as Cassy becomes obsessed with trying to communicate with her Puzzle-Man. This is an engaging, witty read and the development of Cassy's character and her gradual realisation that her behaviour hasn't always been wise is well-handled and empathetic.
I'm really pleased I decided to give Puzzle Girl a try, it left me with a warm glow and a smile on my face and I recommend it to anybody who enjoys well-plotted romantic fiction.
January 12, 2019
Right, I'm just going to say this..........I love, love, love, LOVE this book! The end.
Oh, you want a bit more? Well, I was immediately intrigued by the idea of Cassy Brookes solving the puzzle of who the man leaving her cryptic clues in a magazine is. And I totally understood her mission to find him. After her seven year relationship with Seph ends she's entranced by the idea of this someone who might just be on her wavelength. Cassy loves puzzles and cryptic crosswords herself, you see.
I loved Cassy. In true romance style, she's one of those heroines who seems to lurch from one disaster to another. At times I wanted to reach into the book and grab hold of her and tell her to open her eyes (number 1) and stop being a divvy (number 2). But she's hugely likeable in all her anxiety-ridden glory.
She works at a design agency, chasing promotion along with her arch enemy, Martin. Then there's her best friend, Dan, and work colleague, Sofia, who make up the main cast of characters. Each one is so well-written, so well-formed. Dan is great, full of witty one-liners and him and Cassy make quite the double act. She even manages to rope him into some of her more crazy ideas to try and track down 'Puzzle Man' and teach Martin a lesson.
I laughed a lot whilst reading Puzzle Girl, mainly at Cassy's antics. But it also has its serious side as it looks at anxiety, desire to succeed, loneliness, and it's also such a heart-warming story with the sweetest ending. It really has it all going on.
Rachael Featherstone is a fantastic writer and I'm really looking forward to what she comes up with next. The story in Puzzle Girl is unique, intelligent and clever and I honestly struggled to put it down. It's a total joy.
Oh, you want a bit more? Well, I was immediately intrigued by the idea of Cassy Brookes solving the puzzle of who the man leaving her cryptic clues in a magazine is. And I totally understood her mission to find him. After her seven year relationship with Seph ends she's entranced by the idea of this someone who might just be on her wavelength. Cassy loves puzzles and cryptic crosswords herself, you see.
I loved Cassy. In true romance style, she's one of those heroines who seems to lurch from one disaster to another. At times I wanted to reach into the book and grab hold of her and tell her to open her eyes (number 1) and stop being a divvy (number 2). But she's hugely likeable in all her anxiety-ridden glory.
She works at a design agency, chasing promotion along with her arch enemy, Martin. Then there's her best friend, Dan, and work colleague, Sofia, who make up the main cast of characters. Each one is so well-written, so well-formed. Dan is great, full of witty one-liners and him and Cassy make quite the double act. She even manages to rope him into some of her more crazy ideas to try and track down 'Puzzle Man' and teach Martin a lesson.
I laughed a lot whilst reading Puzzle Girl, mainly at Cassy's antics. But it also has its serious side as it looks at anxiety, desire to succeed, loneliness, and it's also such a heart-warming story with the sweetest ending. It really has it all going on.
Rachael Featherstone is a fantastic writer and I'm really looking forward to what she comes up with next. The story in Puzzle Girl is unique, intelligent and clever and I honestly struggled to put it down. It's a total joy.
December 31, 2018
Full review at: https://wp.me/pajm6f-gW
Cassidy Brookes aka Cassy has had better days. Her long time boyfriend dumps her on a rough note and her office rival Martin is fierce and ready to do anything for a promotion! Cassy tries to tackle her life by making 'lists' to sort everything out. One morning on her way to work, she is hit by a cyclist and ushered to the nearby walk-in center for first aid. Bored and tensed, she gets distracted when she finds an old puzzle book with a page that says 'make your own crossword'.
Miracle happens when she visits the clinic next week to see the same crossword filled by someone else and left even more clues for her to continue. Obsessed by her curiosity to find her 'puzzle man' Cassy finds herself coming back to the clinic with the worst lies and excuses possible damaging her self-esteem in the funniest way possible!
Puzzle Girl is an entertaining page turner and kept me hooked till the last page. This is one of the feel-good books that I never want to end. I found myself completed absorbed with the plot and almost curious as Cassey to find the Puzzle Man!
The characters apart from Cassy and Martin includes Cassey's surrogate brother Dan who is a sweet youngster and I loved the bro-sis relationship between them! Then there is Sophia - Cassy's sweetest colleague. I even loved the nurse at the walk-in center who put up with all of Cassy's lame lies! Her reactions seemed hilarious to imagine and awkward if it had happened in real time!
I must thank Rachael Featherstone for putting a smile on my face the whole time I was reading the book. I am very much intrigued to see what she writes next. This cute, charismatic chick-lit is highly recommended to binge read over a beach weekend. Puzzle Girl could be your best company to snuggle up on your lazy days!
My sincere thanks The Dome Press for my early Christmas present. This book is completely worth the wait and I can't wait for you guys to read and talk more about it! Until next time. XOXO
Cassidy Brookes aka Cassy has had better days. Her long time boyfriend dumps her on a rough note and her office rival Martin is fierce and ready to do anything for a promotion! Cassy tries to tackle her life by making 'lists' to sort everything out. One morning on her way to work, she is hit by a cyclist and ushered to the nearby walk-in center for first aid. Bored and tensed, she gets distracted when she finds an old puzzle book with a page that says 'make your own crossword'.
Miracle happens when she visits the clinic next week to see the same crossword filled by someone else and left even more clues for her to continue. Obsessed by her curiosity to find her 'puzzle man' Cassy finds herself coming back to the clinic with the worst lies and excuses possible damaging her self-esteem in the funniest way possible!
Puzzle Girl is an entertaining page turner and kept me hooked till the last page. This is one of the feel-good books that I never want to end. I found myself completed absorbed with the plot and almost curious as Cassey to find the Puzzle Man!
The characters apart from Cassy and Martin includes Cassey's surrogate brother Dan who is a sweet youngster and I loved the bro-sis relationship between them! Then there is Sophia - Cassy's sweetest colleague. I even loved the nurse at the walk-in center who put up with all of Cassy's lame lies! Her reactions seemed hilarious to imagine and awkward if it had happened in real time!
I must thank Rachael Featherstone for putting a smile on my face the whole time I was reading the book. I am very much intrigued to see what she writes next. This cute, charismatic chick-lit is highly recommended to binge read over a beach weekend. Puzzle Girl could be your best company to snuggle up on your lazy days!
My sincere thanks The Dome Press for my early Christmas present. This book is completely worth the wait and I can't wait for you guys to read and talk more about it! Until next time. XOXO
August 10, 2018
PUZZLE GIRL by Rachael Featherstone is entertaining, fun, and a feel-good read that will brighten up the dullest of days.
Cassy Brookes has everything in order in her life - a long-term relationship and a career that seems to be taking her to the top. Until suddenly it all gets thrown into disarray. Dumped unceremoniously and fighting for a promotion that she deserves against her arch nemesis, Martin, life just seems to be a little more difficult than she thought it would be. When she finds herself injured and at a doctor's office, Cassy jumps into a puzzle while waiting and when she discovers that someone has responded, she wants to know who this person is. Could this mystery man be everything she ever wanted in a relationship? And is it possible to have it all?
From the very beginning, I was hooked by this easy and often laugh-out-loud romance that never falls flat. Cassy is a determined and feisty character who finds herself in the strangest of situations at times, and you can't help but fall into her life and want the best for her. There is devious deeds, friendship, and love throughout PUZZLE GIRL by Rachael Featherstone that has a cast of characters that will melt your heart (and a few who will drive you mad!).
PUZZLE GIRL by Rachael Featherstone is a must-read for fiction fans across the board and I cannot wait to read more from this wonderful author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Cassy Brookes has everything in order in her life - a long-term relationship and a career that seems to be taking her to the top. Until suddenly it all gets thrown into disarray. Dumped unceremoniously and fighting for a promotion that she deserves against her arch nemesis, Martin, life just seems to be a little more difficult than she thought it would be. When she finds herself injured and at a doctor's office, Cassy jumps into a puzzle while waiting and when she discovers that someone has responded, she wants to know who this person is. Could this mystery man be everything she ever wanted in a relationship? And is it possible to have it all?
From the very beginning, I was hooked by this easy and often laugh-out-loud romance that never falls flat. Cassy is a determined and feisty character who finds herself in the strangest of situations at times, and you can't help but fall into her life and want the best for her. There is devious deeds, friendship, and love throughout PUZZLE GIRL by Rachael Featherstone that has a cast of characters that will melt your heart (and a few who will drive you mad!).
PUZZLE GIRL by Rachael Featherstone is a must-read for fiction fans across the board and I cannot wait to read more from this wonderful author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
August 9, 2018
When the world gets too tough for Cassy Brooks she takes refuge in doing puzzles so when she meets with an accident on her way to an important meeting at work, she passes the time in the NHS walk in clinic by doing a 'make up your own' puzzle she finds in a magazine. When she returns later to the clinic she finds that someone has been leaving messages within the puzzle.
What then follows is a light-hearted and entertaining read about Cassy's search for the mystery puzzle person which not only means that she has to keep returning to the clinic under a number of excuses but also that this distraction starts to impact on her, already busy, time at work.
Puzzle Girl has all the hallmarks of a lighthearted summer read. It's really easy to get immersed in the convoluted chaos that is Cassy's life, and as we experience with her all the problems she has,first with a relationship break-up, and then with an over ambitious colleague at work, so we get to know, and understand, just what makes her act in the slightly loopy way that she does.
I really enjoyed reading Puzzle Girl. It's warm and funny, witty and slightly daft in places however, throughout the whole of the story I had a smile on my face and was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
What then follows is a light-hearted and entertaining read about Cassy's search for the mystery puzzle person which not only means that she has to keep returning to the clinic under a number of excuses but also that this distraction starts to impact on her, already busy, time at work.
Puzzle Girl has all the hallmarks of a lighthearted summer read. It's really easy to get immersed in the convoluted chaos that is Cassy's life, and as we experience with her all the problems she has,first with a relationship break-up, and then with an over ambitious colleague at work, so we get to know, and understand, just what makes her act in the slightly loopy way that she does.
I really enjoyed reading Puzzle Girl. It's warm and funny, witty and slightly daft in places however, throughout the whole of the story I had a smile on my face and was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.
December 10, 2023
it was fun reading as she got more and more unhinged. there was a bit of a fleabag feeling. because when she finally realizes how insane it is that she is coming up with random excuses to go to a doctor's office of all places??? she decides to leave it behind. overall, i don't forgive the guy. but i like her as a character and think that she was just going through it so she was valid (I'm writing this a couple weeks later tho so i can't be too sure cuz i don't remember everything). loved the plot twists. honestly at one point i thought every guy in this book was going to turn out to be one guy. i was suspicious that the lambo guy was the guy that she worked with, or worse... her ex. at that point it really felt like anything might happen. good build up. i like reading books about women that get progressively more unhinged.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
So overall I enjoyed the story and when I saw that the MC was also in digital marketing, I got excited!!
However, there was a lot that felt…meh?
I didn’t like Dan for like 3/4 of the book and I can’t really put my finger on why. Maybe just the lack of communication from him? Idk
As for Martin, I was not feeling him at all. How can you like someone that much and still be an absolute tw*t towards them? Saying ‘it’s playing the game’ as an excuse for his behaviour at work?? I wasn’t feeling the connection at all and I don’t think his actions showed his feelings enough🤷🏻♀️
The only other thing was just the constant embarrassing moments the MC had, it was a bit much and left me cringing.
Overall it’s not a bad story and I liked it enough to finish it!
However, there was a lot that felt…meh?
I didn’t like Dan for like 3/4 of the book and I can’t really put my finger on why. Maybe just the lack of communication from him? Idk
As for Martin, I was not feeling him at all. How can you like someone that much and still be an absolute tw*t towards them? Saying ‘it’s playing the game’ as an excuse for his behaviour at work?? I wasn’t feeling the connection at all and I don’t think his actions showed his feelings enough🤷🏻♀️
The only other thing was just the constant embarrassing moments the MC had, it was a bit much and left me cringing.
Overall it’s not a bad story and I liked it enough to finish it!
May 18, 2018
This book was silly, predictable, not very well written, and disempowering, and yet I couldn't stop reading it. I don't mean that I couldn't put it down, but rather that every time I stopped reading I said to myself, that's it, I'm done with it, I'm not going to read it anymore...and then I found myself picking it back up the next day. In the end I found it moderately enjoyable, albeit thoroughly ridiculous.
March 2, 2023
Wow, this was disappointing. I liked the book blurb, but the actual story fell very short. I really didn't like any of the characters, they were all pretty rotten and self absorbed.
I kept going because I thought there would be a decent love interest, sadly nothing happens until the end. By that time I was so glad it was over. Needless to say, I would not recommend.
** I listened to the audiobook which was the only reason I was able to finish. The narration was well done.
I kept going because I thought there would be a decent love interest, sadly nothing happens until the end. By that time I was so glad it was over. Needless to say, I would not recommend.
** I listened to the audiobook which was the only reason I was able to finish. The narration was well done.
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