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Girl In Between
Lucy Crighton has just moved in with some gregarious housemates called Brian and Denise . . . who are her parents. She's also the proud mother of Glenda, her beloved 10-year-old . . . kelpie. And she has absolutely no interest in the dashing son of her parents' new next-door neighbour . . . well, maybe just a little.
When you're the girl in between relationships, careers and cities, you sometimes have to face some uncomfortable truths . . . like your Mum's obsession with Cher, your father's unsolicited advice, and the fact there's probably more cash on the floor of your parents' car than in your own bank account.
Thank goodness Lucy's crazy but wonderful best friend, Rosie, is around to cushion reality, with wild nights at the local Whipcrack hotel, escapades in Japanese mud baths, and double dating under the Christmas lights in London.
But will Lucy work out what she really wants to do in life and who she wants to share it with?
Girl in Between is a warm, upbeat and often hilarious story about life at the crossroads. Featuring an endearing and irrepressible cast of characters, it will have you chuckling from start to finish.
When you're the girl in between relationships, careers and cities, you sometimes have to face some uncomfortable truths . . . like your Mum's obsession with Cher, your father's unsolicited advice, and the fact there's probably more cash on the floor of your parents' car than in your own bank account.
Thank goodness Lucy's crazy but wonderful best friend, Rosie, is around to cushion reality, with wild nights at the local Whipcrack hotel, escapades in Japanese mud baths, and double dating under the Christmas lights in London.
But will Lucy work out what she really wants to do in life and who she wants to share it with?
Girl in Between is a warm, upbeat and often hilarious story about life at the crossroads. Featuring an endearing and irrepressible cast of characters, it will have you chuckling from start to finish.
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2017
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449 people want to read
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August 18, 2017
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
I was drawn to the Girl in Between for the distinct Aussie flavour that is filtered throughout this debut novel. I was also in the mood for a spot of contemporary romance and a sharp comedy when I chose to read this book. Girl in Between delivered on all these aspects and I am very glad to have introduced to this debut author, who received a glowing endorsement from a fellow reviewer.
Wrapped up in this true blue Aussie tale is a coming of age novel that focuses on an early mid-life crisis of a thirty year old woman. Lucy Crighton is an aspiring writer, who has recently suffered from devastating breakup with her boyfriend. Retreating to her parent’s place in Rockhampton seems like the most logical thing to do at time of crisis. With the love of her eccentric parents to hold her up at this time of need, Lucy begins to look to the future. With the help of her best friend Rosie, the two embark on a number of adventures to rid Lucy’s mind of her ex. Despite some fantastic travel adventures to Japan and London, Lucy begins to think back to life as home. Was it so bad? And what about that hunky next door neighbour Lucy parents want to pair her with, could he be the love of her life? Questions of love, career, travel, family, friendship and life in general form this inviting tale from a delightful new voice in Australian fiction.
With an impressive resume of radio and television work, including presenting on a daily staple television program I love, The Project, has put debut author Anna Daniels in good stead for writing her first novel. I was completely enamoured by this titillating Australian contemporary fiction offering. In Girl in Between, Anna Daniels manages to achieve an ideal balance between comedy, romance and realism within her engaging novel.
Lucy is the prime protagonist in Girl in Between, in fact, she is the ultimate girl in between! Through the character of Lucy, Daniels portrays a young woman floating between life choices, romance, career aspirations and cities. It is a very real situation that many young women and men have faced at some point in their lives, or at more than one point in their lives. Although I am not in the same life situation as Daniels lead Lucy, I could relate to many aspects that she agonised over. Lucy is definitely likeable, but she can also be frustrating and indecisive. Lucy’s strong tendency to be indecisive is a quality I could see in myself! Despite any reservations you feel towards Lucy and her actions, it is hard not to root for her cause and overall happiness.
Daniels is adept in creating a wonderful array of side characters. Lucy’s parents, Denise and Brian, are quite the oddball couple, with some great quirks that I definitely won’t forget in a hurry! Much of the humour in Girl in Between is drawn from Lucy’s loveable parents. I really enjoyed the scenes in the novel involving this pair, especially Denise’s fixation on the Cher! Lucy is also supported by a great gal pal, Rosie. It is Rosie that takes Lucy from the depths of despair after her devastating breakup and whisks her away to places to help her forget her dropkick ex. Rosie was able to entertain me completely ands she left me with a warm fuzzy feeling in all the scenes she was a part of. Rosie also sent me longing for some time with my bestie, who sadly lives on the other side of the world.
Romance is also on the cards in Girl in Between. This is the type of romance where there is a real push/pull, will they/won’t they style romance. It was just what my heart and mind needed this past week. Lucy’s romantic journey is an authentic reflection on the complexities of modern relationships. Lucy’s bungles and hesitations in the romance department managed to put a smile on my face and warm the chambers of my heart.
If you love you novels injected with plenty of classic Australian colloquialisms, then Girl in Between is right up your alley. I loved that Anna was able to deliver a great play on words within her first novel. She managed to express the true nature of the Australian way of life and achieve a strong sense of comedic realism in her phrasing. It is hard for me to comment on the localised aspect of this novel, as I have never had the pleasure of visiting the small coastal locale of this novel, Rockhampton (I live in the other coastal town of Rocky, in Western Australia). It did however make me want to pay a visit one day to this part of Australia, which was depicted so clearly by Anna Daniels.
An entertaining Australian gem of a novel, Girl in Between enthralled me from the start to the finish. The plot rolled along happily, entertaining me for two days straight with this witty story of friendship, family, love, travel and above all, finding the things in life that truly matter. I really do hope that this is only the beginning of a bright career ahead in Australian fiction writing for new talent, Anna Daniels.
I was drawn to the Girl in Between for the distinct Aussie flavour that is filtered throughout this debut novel. I was also in the mood for a spot of contemporary romance and a sharp comedy when I chose to read this book. Girl in Between delivered on all these aspects and I am very glad to have introduced to this debut author, who received a glowing endorsement from a fellow reviewer.
Wrapped up in this true blue Aussie tale is a coming of age novel that focuses on an early mid-life crisis of a thirty year old woman. Lucy Crighton is an aspiring writer, who has recently suffered from devastating breakup with her boyfriend. Retreating to her parent’s place in Rockhampton seems like the most logical thing to do at time of crisis. With the love of her eccentric parents to hold her up at this time of need, Lucy begins to look to the future. With the help of her best friend Rosie, the two embark on a number of adventures to rid Lucy’s mind of her ex. Despite some fantastic travel adventures to Japan and London, Lucy begins to think back to life as home. Was it so bad? And what about that hunky next door neighbour Lucy parents want to pair her with, could he be the love of her life? Questions of love, career, travel, family, friendship and life in general form this inviting tale from a delightful new voice in Australian fiction.
With an impressive resume of radio and television work, including presenting on a daily staple television program I love, The Project, has put debut author Anna Daniels in good stead for writing her first novel. I was completely enamoured by this titillating Australian contemporary fiction offering. In Girl in Between, Anna Daniels manages to achieve an ideal balance between comedy, romance and realism within her engaging novel.
Lucy is the prime protagonist in Girl in Between, in fact, she is the ultimate girl in between! Through the character of Lucy, Daniels portrays a young woman floating between life choices, romance, career aspirations and cities. It is a very real situation that many young women and men have faced at some point in their lives, or at more than one point in their lives. Although I am not in the same life situation as Daniels lead Lucy, I could relate to many aspects that she agonised over. Lucy is definitely likeable, but she can also be frustrating and indecisive. Lucy’s strong tendency to be indecisive is a quality I could see in myself! Despite any reservations you feel towards Lucy and her actions, it is hard not to root for her cause and overall happiness.
Daniels is adept in creating a wonderful array of side characters. Lucy’s parents, Denise and Brian, are quite the oddball couple, with some great quirks that I definitely won’t forget in a hurry! Much of the humour in Girl in Between is drawn from Lucy’s loveable parents. I really enjoyed the scenes in the novel involving this pair, especially Denise’s fixation on the Cher! Lucy is also supported by a great gal pal, Rosie. It is Rosie that takes Lucy from the depths of despair after her devastating breakup and whisks her away to places to help her forget her dropkick ex. Rosie was able to entertain me completely ands she left me with a warm fuzzy feeling in all the scenes she was a part of. Rosie also sent me longing for some time with my bestie, who sadly lives on the other side of the world.
Romance is also on the cards in Girl in Between. This is the type of romance where there is a real push/pull, will they/won’t they style romance. It was just what my heart and mind needed this past week. Lucy’s romantic journey is an authentic reflection on the complexities of modern relationships. Lucy’s bungles and hesitations in the romance department managed to put a smile on my face and warm the chambers of my heart.
If you love you novels injected with plenty of classic Australian colloquialisms, then Girl in Between is right up your alley. I loved that Anna was able to deliver a great play on words within her first novel. She managed to express the true nature of the Australian way of life and achieve a strong sense of comedic realism in her phrasing. It is hard for me to comment on the localised aspect of this novel, as I have never had the pleasure of visiting the small coastal locale of this novel, Rockhampton (I live in the other coastal town of Rocky, in Western Australia). It did however make me want to pay a visit one day to this part of Australia, which was depicted so clearly by Anna Daniels.
An entertaining Australian gem of a novel, Girl in Between enthralled me from the start to the finish. The plot rolled along happily, entertaining me for two days straight with this witty story of friendship, family, love, travel and above all, finding the things in life that truly matter. I really do hope that this is only the beginning of a bright career ahead in Australian fiction writing for new talent, Anna Daniels.
May 15, 2017
Lucy is a 32 year old in betweener, in between jobs, in between boyfriends and in between cities. She’s moved back home until she can sort herself out.
Whilst always trying to choose the path that is right for her, Lucy ends up choosing no path at all. Lucy will travel half way round the world before she works out her commitment problems with both her relationships and career.
I found it hard to visualise the humour in the story unlike a movie, and I’ll quote the authors own example of Muriel’s Wedding, on screen you can see the boganism it’s in your face and it’s funny.
I think Lucy’s parents stole the show here. They were quirky and amusing and I found I connected more with them which goes to show that I am maybe too old for this type of story.
As a parent I was aghast that both Lucy and Rosie took drugs without a second thought to what they had taken. I had to remind myself that this is comedy, it’s not real it’s not even supposed to be believable.
It did have moments of hilarity such as the speed dating night; and again I think this would have been funnier on screen.
Daniel’s love of Rockhampton shines through and she cleverly depicts the Australian laid back life style and the friendly rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales. She shows, through her characters, not to take yourself too seriously.
I think this would be ideal for the screen and I would definitely watch it. And if it does who would you pick to play Lucy and Oscar?
Whilst always trying to choose the path that is right for her, Lucy ends up choosing no path at all. Lucy will travel half way round the world before she works out her commitment problems with both her relationships and career.
I found it hard to visualise the humour in the story unlike a movie, and I’ll quote the authors own example of Muriel’s Wedding, on screen you can see the boganism it’s in your face and it’s funny.
I think Lucy’s parents stole the show here. They were quirky and amusing and I found I connected more with them which goes to show that I am maybe too old for this type of story.
As a parent I was aghast that both Lucy and Rosie took drugs without a second thought to what they had taken. I had to remind myself that this is comedy, it’s not real it’s not even supposed to be believable.
It did have moments of hilarity such as the speed dating night; and again I think this would have been funnier on screen.
Daniel’s love of Rockhampton shines through and she cleverly depicts the Australian laid back life style and the friendly rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales. She shows, through her characters, not to take yourself too seriously.
I think this would be ideal for the screen and I would definitely watch it. And if it does who would you pick to play Lucy and Oscar?
January 29, 2018
DNF at page 80. I don't like the writing style. It's too choppy and full of pop culture. I also thought it was a bit too Australian, if that's even a criticism. Super Aussie words were included in every sentence - 'Triple J', 'tradie' and 'esky', it was too much.
March 21, 2017
I didn't hate this book. I don't finish books I hate. But I definitely had a few moments of thinking "why the fuck am I bothering with this air-head, her definitely-has-a-drinking-problem best friend, and her decidedly odd family?"
I get she is at a crossroad but seriously GET A FUCKING JOB ALREADY!!! You're in your 30s! Stop sponging of your mum and dad!
I guess I just don't have much sympathy for chicks who throw their life away over a guy.
This book was billed as "Hilarious" & "Laugh out loud". It's not. There are moments of mild amusement at best. Most of those come from Lucy's parents who are certainly the most amusing part of the book. I get the feeling Lucy's best friend is supposed to be the comic relief but she comes across to me as coarse, bogan and as lost as Lucy, especially at the start of the book. Maybe it depends a bit on your sense of humor - I think non-Australians might find it both funnier and weirder.
I get she is at a crossroad but seriously GET A FUCKING JOB ALREADY!!! You're in your 30s! Stop sponging of your mum and dad!
I guess I just don't have much sympathy for chicks who throw their life away over a guy.
This book was billed as "Hilarious" & "Laugh out loud". It's not. There are moments of mild amusement at best. Most of those come from Lucy's parents who are certainly the most amusing part of the book. I get the feeling Lucy's best friend is supposed to be the comic relief but she comes across to me as coarse, bogan and as lost as Lucy, especially at the start of the book. Maybe it depends a bit on your sense of humor - I think non-Australians might find it both funnier and weirder.
April 23, 2017
I love reading debut novels and this one was perfect Sunday afternoon reading. I wasn't completely sold in the beginning but the characters won me over and before long I was laughing with and at events as they unfolded. I kind of want to move to London, work in a bookstore and read up on Cher (the quotes included in the book are hilarious) now or maybe even take a trip to Queensland...
(I won this via a social media giveaway on instagram run by Allen & Unwin)
(I won this via a social media giveaway on instagram run by Allen & Unwin)
May 30, 2017
What a delightful little book. So enjoyed the Aussie flavour with all our slang and humour tossed in. You'll laugh out loud often whilst churning through the pages. You'll relate to so much that happens to these two best friends. All the characters have a depth that brings you into their world and you are cheering for them by the end.
May 2, 2017
You know you're reading a great book when you ignore all social contact because you are so engrossed in the story.
That's what happened with Girl in Between.
The story is about Aussie girl Lucy Crighton from tropical Queensland who is figuring out what she wants from her career, love and life in general.
The story is sweet and clever, the setting is unique with great descriptions of north Queensland and London and you will laugh out loud more than once.
Few authors can truly express Australian culture and quirks like Anna Daniels did in Girl In Between. It doesn't matter where you are from, all Aussies will relate to the town of Rocky just as much as we can relate to Porpoise Spit, Ramsay St and Bonnydoon.
Anna is a truly witty, entertaining story teller.
That's what happened with Girl in Between.
The story is about Aussie girl Lucy Crighton from tropical Queensland who is figuring out what she wants from her career, love and life in general.
The story is sweet and clever, the setting is unique with great descriptions of north Queensland and London and you will laugh out loud more than once.
Few authors can truly express Australian culture and quirks like Anna Daniels did in Girl In Between. It doesn't matter where you are from, all Aussies will relate to the town of Rocky just as much as we can relate to Porpoise Spit, Ramsay St and Bonnydoon.
Anna is a truly witty, entertaining story teller.
May 18, 2017
Absolutely loved Girl in Between by Anna Daniels.In an over serious world this book is like a breath of fresh air.It is exaggerated in its humour but still relatable.The characters are plausible and I particularly liked the transition to overseas destinations as well...London and Japan.
Well done to Debut Novelist,Anna Daniels,in providing us with a light hearted read set in regional Australia.Despite the humour,the characters still have depth.
I often read Crime/Fiction and Autobiographies so this is a departure from my usual genre however I am so happy that I decided to experience a lighter read for a change.Hope to see more from this talented author.
Well done to Debut Novelist,Anna Daniels,in providing us with a light hearted read set in regional Australia.Despite the humour,the characters still have depth.
I often read Crime/Fiction and Autobiographies so this is a departure from my usual genre however I am so happy that I decided to experience a lighter read for a change.Hope to see more from this talented author.
April 24, 2017
This book bored me to tears. And most of the protagonist's decisions are directed by her parents, the guy she crushes on and her best friend. By the end, I found that she had it way too easy.
PS Japan is not an "exotic" backdrop for white people to fetish over
PS Japan is not an "exotic" backdrop for white people to fetish over
February 23, 2017
This book is utterly delightful and made me belly laugh in places. I loved it!
April 23, 2017
#couldnotputitdown
I cannot recommend this book enough. I have never laughed out loud so much in my entire life. The characters are well rounded and very lovable, perfect book for a night in with a glass of wine! Just looking for other books by Anna Daniels, can’t wait for the next one?
I cannot recommend this book enough. I have never laughed out loud so much in my entire life. The characters are well rounded and very lovable, perfect book for a night in with a glass of wine! Just looking for other books by Anna Daniels, can’t wait for the next one?
April 10, 2017
Just finished reading 'Girl in Between' by debut author Anna Daniels and I'm counting myself lucky as I usually never win anything for free that I actually enjoy, but today I can firmly say I did! This book is bursting at the seams with Aussie humour and relatable characters. It's well written, introspective in places it should be yet uplifting with fun filled stories and witty dialogue. I think the Australian Rom-Com scene is calling out for this book. It's refreshing, light-hearted and not afraid to showcase character flaws, as we all have but are sometimes too proud to identify.
April 23, 2017
In today's global instability, Girl In Between is a timely reminder that we can safely 'laugh out loud' and appreciate our own insecurities. I was initially a bit sceptical about this book, but was proven wrong in everyway. Strong recommend, I have never read a book like this one and can only hope that Anna Daniels can continue such witty use of Australian colloquialism in future books to come.
April 19, 2024
Distractingly bogan, incredible lack of a plot, stretched and underwhelming romance, and the actual most annoying main character I have ever read. This one was not for me
December 13, 2017
I love a book that: has relatable conflict and makes me feel for the character; is quintessentially Australian (and yet it's been sold in Germany. Way to go, Anna!); and contains some classic comedic moments (some that are truly laugh-out-loud).
I first fell in love with Anna Daniel's kirky news reports when she was a guest on The Project TV. IN fact, she has such a unique style that I found myself reading Girl In Between with Anna's 'Rockhampton brogue' - and that made the experience all the more fun!
I was also keen to read this book because it's set in Rockhampton - a town I fell in love with while touring in 2015. I loved the place so much I set my fifth novel there - on a cattle station - and I took inspiration from a real-life property called Henderson Park Retreat in Barmoya.
I sometimes wonder when a 'TV personality' pops up with a fictional book (or a kids book) just how good it is AND how much the 'author' actually put into the end product. (Publishers love publishing books by famous people as they are generally great for sales.) Well, there is no doubt about Girl In Between. This is all Anna and all fabulous. A fun read. Highly recommended for the young and young at heart!
I first fell in love with Anna Daniel's kirky news reports when she was a guest on The Project TV. IN fact, she has such a unique style that I found myself reading Girl In Between with Anna's 'Rockhampton brogue' - and that made the experience all the more fun!
I was also keen to read this book because it's set in Rockhampton - a town I fell in love with while touring in 2015. I loved the place so much I set my fifth novel there - on a cattle station - and I took inspiration from a real-life property called Henderson Park Retreat in Barmoya.
I sometimes wonder when a 'TV personality' pops up with a fictional book (or a kids book) just how good it is AND how much the 'author' actually put into the end product. (Publishers love publishing books by famous people as they are generally great for sales.) Well, there is no doubt about Girl In Between. This is all Anna and all fabulous. A fun read. Highly recommended for the young and young at heart!
May 7, 2017
Girl in Between by Anna Daniels is a love letter to many – to Australia, with its love of the Queensland landscape; to Aussie English and all its colloquialisms and to those who find themselves wondering where everything is all going. With its easily likeable heroine Lucy, this is a super fun read that crosses several countries but knows that home is where the heart is.
Lucy is in her early thirties and not quite sure how she got there. She was doing pretty well in her career until she decided to follow her ex to Queensland. Now she’s back home in Rockhampton, living with two older flatmates (i.e. her parents), totally broke and writing a novel accompanied by her fur baby Glenda. Lucy isn’t sure where to go or what to do next. Is she a writer or better suited to being, say, a vet? Is there life after her ex and could it come in the form of the son of the lady next door? There are too many questions for Lucy to event ponder at the moment. Lucky for her that best friend Rosie is there to inject some fun into her life, with random nights out in Rocky and encouraging her to spread her wings again. Can Lucy transition into some semblance of an adult and make up her mind on love and work?
Girl in Between is a fun, occasionally madcap read. I haven’t been to Rockhampton (although I really want to go now), so I can’t say if all the quirky shop names are true and if there really is a matchstick production line in town. (The importance of this will make sense when you read the book). Lucy’s parents are fun, nailing the Aussie slang along with Rosie. Lucy’s mum is into everything, plus she is never short of a Cher quote when things get tough. Lucy’s dad is a slightly quieter character (the typical Aussie bloke) but never short of wise (and Cher-less) advice. Rosie was my favourite character though. She’s a dentist, but take everything you think of related to dentists and Rosie is the opposite. Rosie hates working full time, is an avid devourer of home gadgets catalogues and really likes to cut loose. She’s really quirky and I think even in the dentist’s chair, the conversation wouldn’t be boring.
Lucy tells her story in the first person, so we get to know her from the inside out, privy to her thoughts, feelings and indecision. She is indecisive, but it was never in an irritating way. Plus, it was really pleasing to see her grow as the story went on. I think Anna Daniels has constructed her in a very realistic way – we can all relate to Lucy, even though we secretly want to be fancy free like Rosie!
The ending was a little out there, but it wasn’t outside the realms of possibility. (Anyway, it’s fiction. Where else can you take a few liberties?) It was fitting to the story and it was sweet.
If you enjoyed The Castle, you’ll love the Aussie-ness of Girl in Between. It’s a light, amusing read that will remind you of all the great Aussie things in life.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Lucy is in her early thirties and not quite sure how she got there. She was doing pretty well in her career until she decided to follow her ex to Queensland. Now she’s back home in Rockhampton, living with two older flatmates (i.e. her parents), totally broke and writing a novel accompanied by her fur baby Glenda. Lucy isn’t sure where to go or what to do next. Is she a writer or better suited to being, say, a vet? Is there life after her ex and could it come in the form of the son of the lady next door? There are too many questions for Lucy to event ponder at the moment. Lucky for her that best friend Rosie is there to inject some fun into her life, with random nights out in Rocky and encouraging her to spread her wings again. Can Lucy transition into some semblance of an adult and make up her mind on love and work?
Girl in Between is a fun, occasionally madcap read. I haven’t been to Rockhampton (although I really want to go now), so I can’t say if all the quirky shop names are true and if there really is a matchstick production line in town. (The importance of this will make sense when you read the book). Lucy’s parents are fun, nailing the Aussie slang along with Rosie. Lucy’s mum is into everything, plus she is never short of a Cher quote when things get tough. Lucy’s dad is a slightly quieter character (the typical Aussie bloke) but never short of wise (and Cher-less) advice. Rosie was my favourite character though. She’s a dentist, but take everything you think of related to dentists and Rosie is the opposite. Rosie hates working full time, is an avid devourer of home gadgets catalogues and really likes to cut loose. She’s really quirky and I think even in the dentist’s chair, the conversation wouldn’t be boring.
Lucy tells her story in the first person, so we get to know her from the inside out, privy to her thoughts, feelings and indecision. She is indecisive, but it was never in an irritating way. Plus, it was really pleasing to see her grow as the story went on. I think Anna Daniels has constructed her in a very realistic way – we can all relate to Lucy, even though we secretly want to be fancy free like Rosie!
The ending was a little out there, but it wasn’t outside the realms of possibility. (Anyway, it’s fiction. Where else can you take a few liberties?) It was fitting to the story and it was sweet.
If you enjoyed The Castle, you’ll love the Aussie-ness of Girl in Between. It’s a light, amusing read that will remind you of all the great Aussie things in life.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
June 1, 2017
Lucy Crighton was a successful TV producer in Melbourne with a lot of potential. She never expected to be living in her childhood bedroom again in her thirties with a robot vacuum as her alarm clock. Using the excuse of moving back in with her parents to finish writing a book and assess her next move, Lucy is stuck. As she tries to find some direction and a job which pays, Lucy navigates advice from her slightly eccentric parents, distractions in the form of her handsome new neighbour and the crazy antics of her best friend Rosie. Lucy may be the girl in between but with the help of her loved ones she might just find just where she belongs.
Girl in Between is the Bridget Jones Diary for the millennial set. Lucy is a woman entering her thirties with her life in pieces. She got her heart broken and as a result of poor decisions following the relationship breakdown she's now without a job and feeling a little lost. Living with her parents was only meant to be temporary as she found her footing but now months later (and her finances still in tatters) Lucy shows no signs of moving out. Her best friend is only interested in working part-time but living life to the full - a concept Lucy's father doesn't understand in the slightest.
After meeting Oscar, the son of her parents new neighbour, Lucy's life gets more complicated. Not wanting to make a move on an unavailable man, Lucy tries to move on from any idea of Oscar as well as getting over the ex who sent her moving back to Rockhampton, Lucy has to work out what she wants from life. A story which crosses continents and includes many life lessons from Cher, Girl in Between is a heartwarming and clever take on one woman's coming of age (early mid-life crisis?) in the modern world.
I loved the character of Lucy. She's not a loser but rather she's just a little lost in life. She went out on a limb for love and ended up falling into pieces. And whilst she may have no money, no house and no romantic relationship to speak of she does have three things which help her get to where she needs to go: The love of a lovely puppy, parents who (whilst they don't understand her) love and support her through everything and a best friend who sometimes knows just what Lucy needs even when she doesn't know herself. I think one of the great things about Lucy is even when she is at her lowest, she never gives up on life. She takes jobs she's not passionate about because sometimes that's what being an adult is all about. And throughout everything she keeps her sense of humour.
The supporting characters are so much fun. They deliver the hard line when necessary but for the most part they add some hilarious comic relief to Lucy's story. The romantic storyline was deliciously complicated in the way all the best love stories are and I enjoyed not quite knowing how things were going to end for Lucy in that respect.
This book captures reality in a wonderfully funny way. There are parts of Lucy's story which will resonate with all readers. Her parents represent Aussie Baby Boomers in a fresh yet relatable way. Her mother's belief in Cher holding all the answers and her father's adjustment to life as a retiree was entertaining and real. Lucy's journey as she finds what makes her happy was a enjoyable one to follow with there being plenty of humour and heartfelt moments.
Girl in Between is a wonderful addition to the Aussie contemporary scene. A novel about modern life with all the complexities love and families bring, Lucy's story is sure to entertain and bring a smile to your face.
Many thanks to Allen and Unwin for the review copy.
Girl in Between is the Bridget Jones Diary for the millennial set. Lucy is a woman entering her thirties with her life in pieces. She got her heart broken and as a result of poor decisions following the relationship breakdown she's now without a job and feeling a little lost. Living with her parents was only meant to be temporary as she found her footing but now months later (and her finances still in tatters) Lucy shows no signs of moving out. Her best friend is only interested in working part-time but living life to the full - a concept Lucy's father doesn't understand in the slightest.
After meeting Oscar, the son of her parents new neighbour, Lucy's life gets more complicated. Not wanting to make a move on an unavailable man, Lucy tries to move on from any idea of Oscar as well as getting over the ex who sent her moving back to Rockhampton, Lucy has to work out what she wants from life. A story which crosses continents and includes many life lessons from Cher, Girl in Between is a heartwarming and clever take on one woman's coming of age (early mid-life crisis?) in the modern world.
I loved the character of Lucy. She's not a loser but rather she's just a little lost in life. She went out on a limb for love and ended up falling into pieces. And whilst she may have no money, no house and no romantic relationship to speak of she does have three things which help her get to where she needs to go: The love of a lovely puppy, parents who (whilst they don't understand her) love and support her through everything and a best friend who sometimes knows just what Lucy needs even when she doesn't know herself. I think one of the great things about Lucy is even when she is at her lowest, she never gives up on life. She takes jobs she's not passionate about because sometimes that's what being an adult is all about. And throughout everything she keeps her sense of humour.
The supporting characters are so much fun. They deliver the hard line when necessary but for the most part they add some hilarious comic relief to Lucy's story. The romantic storyline was deliciously complicated in the way all the best love stories are and I enjoyed not quite knowing how things were going to end for Lucy in that respect.
This book captures reality in a wonderfully funny way. There are parts of Lucy's story which will resonate with all readers. Her parents represent Aussie Baby Boomers in a fresh yet relatable way. Her mother's belief in Cher holding all the answers and her father's adjustment to life as a retiree was entertaining and real. Lucy's journey as she finds what makes her happy was a enjoyable one to follow with there being plenty of humour and heartfelt moments.
Girl in Between is a wonderful addition to the Aussie contemporary scene. A novel about modern life with all the complexities love and families bring, Lucy's story is sure to entertain and bring a smile to your face.
Many thanks to Allen and Unwin for the review copy.
May 28, 2017
Girl in Between (Allen & Unwin Books 2017) is the light-hearted and entertaining debut novel by Anna Daniels - Author. You may recognise Anna’s name from her appearances on The Project, or perhaps from the hilarious train-wreck of an interview she conducted many years ago with Russell Crowe (a derivative of which appears in the book, with names changed to protect the innocent). ‘Funny’ is very hard to get right, but Anna manages to take us on a comedy romp through a rom-com narrative that is both touching and romantic, as well as being peppered with Australian colloquialisms and familiar cultural references. Lucy Crighton is the girl in between: in between relationships, in between jobs and in between countries. Most of the book is set in her home town of Rockhampton, and Queenslanders will revel in the easily recognisable landmarks, language, habits and cultural norms of the state’s north. What Anna does best is the dialogue and the easy mannerisms of her characters, bringing them to life as quintessential Aussie larrikins of the modern age. The heart of the story is a romance – albeit Anna herself is none too sure of the focus of her attentions. The several attractive contenders keep pace with her witty best friend, Rosie, and her endearing parents, Brian and Denise, and of course her faithful kelpie, Glenda. As Lucy attempts to work out what she wants from life, and how she is going to get it, the cast of colourful characters keeps us entertained with laugh-out-loud exploits and crazy scenarios. Lucy relishes in wild nights at the local Whipcrack Hotel as she tries to revive her career as a TV presenter in the nation’s beef capital while simultaneously attempting to finish her first novel. While reading, I wondered how much of the narrative was autobiographical; many of the scenes certainly rang with the truth of lived experience. Lucy’s self-doubt, her ambition, her romantic desires and the loyalty of her relationships make you wish for a madcap friend like her. On a personal note, I found Lucy’s travels appealing (and I presume these stem from Anna’s own experiences), as I have travelled to or lived in many of the same areas: the remote and beautiful countryside of Koyasan in rural Japan, and the tropical heat and eccentricities of Darwin. Lucy also lives and works in London, a working holiday setting to which many young Aussies will relate. I was fortunate to hear Anna read from her novel at a Queensland Writers Centre event earlier in the year, and her television experience shone through in her animated and very funny reading. If you are heading to the beach in the upcoming holidays, this might be a good accompanying read.
June 9, 2017
Oh this was a brilliant read and I loved it for all of it's bogan glory! (I actually read this over the course of 1 evening.)
I've been somewhat "off" chick lit for a number of years now, but this was a refreshing sidestep from my usual go to reads these days.
Largely set in Rockhampton in northern Queensland of the east coats of Australia - which in itself is a great thing - this is a coming of age tale, in your 30s!
The locations this book weaved between were all familiar to me, so this really did just strike so many chords with me. I couldn't not love it.
The writing is unique outback Aussie and all in all its great to see an author keep it bogan real!
As much as I applaud the author for keeping true to her roots and heritage of Rocky - I can't help but feel a little sad that the people I can share this great read with will be limited due to just how Aussie this is. It will struggle to be appreciated, and even understood fully by the wider audience.
I guess on the flip side, maybe it's a good thing to keep these little gems to ourselves everyone once in a while!
I really hope that this author writes more.
I've been somewhat "off" chick lit for a number of years now, but this was a refreshing sidestep from my usual go to reads these days.
Largely set in Rockhampton in northern Queensland of the east coats of Australia - which in itself is a great thing - this is a coming of age tale, in your 30s!
The locations this book weaved between were all familiar to me, so this really did just strike so many chords with me. I couldn't not love it.
The writing is unique outback Aussie and all in all its great to see an author keep it bogan real!
As much as I applaud the author for keeping true to her roots and heritage of Rocky - I can't help but feel a little sad that the people I can share this great read with will be limited due to just how Aussie this is. It will struggle to be appreciated, and even understood fully by the wider audience.
I guess on the flip side, maybe it's a good thing to keep these little gems to ourselves everyone once in a while!
I really hope that this author writes more.
July 22, 2017
Review to come
May 4, 2017
What a read! If I recapture the essence of this book in a brief summary, I would liken it to a warmhearted, Muriel's Wedding/Castle style drop back with witty dialogue and a cast of characters which amuse and challenge you in equal measures. When I try to think of a similar Australian novel I am hard pressed to deliver. I found myself invested in the outcomes for the main character/s and related to their struggles. Simple yet poignant themes are woven throughout, and overall I can't help but look now at the cover of this book and feel a good dose of heart.
October 21, 2017
I had high expectations for this book. I wanted a fun, laugh out loud Australian contemporary and something a bit relatable to me and my experiences as I feel similar to Lucy. And while this book was not terrible, it was just far too over the top and quirky for me. The characters were not the easiest to relate to and I found I struggled to enjoy them or their relationships. I found Lucy’s parents to be the best characters in this book, but even then I struggled to really engage with this book and experiences.
I loved the integration of Australian culture and things that I knew. The representation of Australia and London was a highlight for me and felt it captured the reality of living in this country. I was even excited that the city I currently live in got a shout out as in most books and TV shows, even Australian ones, only tend to focus on the capital cities rather than regional ones so that was an exciting addition as well. It felt like it was a book written for Australians which can be rare considering that many Australian written novels try to appeal to a broader international market rather than integrating real Australian culture within this book. In a book that was very quirky and I struggled a bit to relate to, it was something that made the book easier to experience.
The characters were quite weak and underdeveloped, but not all the characters were badly written either. I liked that Daniels thought about her main character and allowed her to be flawed so that when she did get things it felt deserved. I found Lucy as a character to be a little annoying, but that added to her charm. The parents, like mentioned before, were a great addition to this book. They felt real and relatable, despite their quirks. Lucy’s best friend Rosie was kind of annoying in my opinion. I found her to enable some of Lucy’s bad behaviour and it seemed like she wanted to keep Lucy down on her life to prop herself up. But I did find that her main love interest, Oscar was extremely underdeveloped. He was the representation of what an author thinks we would like from a love interest, but failed to put any of those within this character. As such, he ended up being rather ordinary and lacking of personality. His brother Ben was slightly better, but both ended up being an idea of something we would want and this was not represented in the narrative.
This book also seemed to promote messages that are not harmful, but I think are cliche. I really wanted the ending to be a bit more empowering, especially since this book was talking about finding yourself, and then I felt that it became about the women in this book making sacrifices for the men in their life rather than following their own dreams. .
The other problem I had with this book was the pacing. This book tended to jump around a lot which meant that critical characters, such as Oscar, were not developed. We did not get to experience things with the characters, rather we were told about their lives. We did not get to care about them because the narrative would jump far too much. While the writing was good in the integration of Australian culture, it left me cold when it came to the way the story was told. I felt that it was one of those “tell-don’t show” type of stories and never improved as the book went on. Big important events were left out when they happened and when we found about them, it was hard to have the emotion. It sort of a felt like removed experience because things were happening, but we were never spending enough time in one place that it is impossible to read this book and immerse yourself in the experience. It was to the book’s detriment because it had a chance to have those real emotions, the story was there, it just was not told properly.
This book had a chance to be a fantastic Australian contemporary, but was let down by underdeveloped characters, a dull romance plot, terrible pacing and an unsatisfied ending. I would have felt this book had the potential to be something very special because it had the qualities that I look for in books, but it failed on its execution. I would be reluctant to recommend this book because I feel that it just did not deliver on what was promised. Despite its potential, Girl In-Between ended up being a disappointing read.
I loved the integration of Australian culture and things that I knew. The representation of Australia and London was a highlight for me and felt it captured the reality of living in this country. I was even excited that the city I currently live in got a shout out as in most books and TV shows, even Australian ones, only tend to focus on the capital cities rather than regional ones so that was an exciting addition as well. It felt like it was a book written for Australians which can be rare considering that many Australian written novels try to appeal to a broader international market rather than integrating real Australian culture within this book. In a book that was very quirky and I struggled a bit to relate to, it was something that made the book easier to experience.
The characters were quite weak and underdeveloped, but not all the characters were badly written either. I liked that Daniels thought about her main character and allowed her to be flawed so that when she did get things it felt deserved. I found Lucy as a character to be a little annoying, but that added to her charm. The parents, like mentioned before, were a great addition to this book. They felt real and relatable, despite their quirks. Lucy’s best friend Rosie was kind of annoying in my opinion. I found her to enable some of Lucy’s bad behaviour and it seemed like she wanted to keep Lucy down on her life to prop herself up. But I did find that her main love interest, Oscar was extremely underdeveloped. He was the representation of what an author thinks we would like from a love interest, but failed to put any of those within this character. As such, he ended up being rather ordinary and lacking of personality. His brother Ben was slightly better, but both ended up being an idea of something we would want and this was not represented in the narrative.
This book also seemed to promote messages that are not harmful, but I think are cliche. I really wanted the ending to be a bit more empowering, especially since this book was talking about finding yourself, and then I felt that it became about the women in this book making sacrifices for the men in their life rather than following their own dreams. .
The other problem I had with this book was the pacing. This book tended to jump around a lot which meant that critical characters, such as Oscar, were not developed. We did not get to experience things with the characters, rather we were told about their lives. We did not get to care about them because the narrative would jump far too much. While the writing was good in the integration of Australian culture, it left me cold when it came to the way the story was told. I felt that it was one of those “tell-don’t show” type of stories and never improved as the book went on. Big important events were left out when they happened and when we found about them, it was hard to have the emotion. It sort of a felt like removed experience because things were happening, but we were never spending enough time in one place that it is impossible to read this book and immerse yourself in the experience. It was to the book’s detriment because it had a chance to have those real emotions, the story was there, it just was not told properly.
This book had a chance to be a fantastic Australian contemporary, but was let down by underdeveloped characters, a dull romance plot, terrible pacing and an unsatisfied ending. I would have felt this book had the potential to be something very special because it had the qualities that I look for in books, but it failed on its execution. I would be reluctant to recommend this book because I feel that it just did not deliver on what was promised. Despite its potential, Girl In-Between ended up being a disappointing read.
May 3, 2017
Wow, what a fabulous read. I couldn't put it down! In fact I don't think I have ever read a book so quickly in my life! I'm 27, and I've told all my friends to grab a copy. I can't wait for the sequel Anna Daniels. Congratulations!
March 6, 2021
This has been sitting on my bookshelf since September 2018, when I bought it at a fundraiser that Anna was a guest speaker at.
Firstly, after hearing her speak this book is all her and somewhat semi autobiographical. I am from the same town and similar in age therefore I knew exactly what events and places she was referencing and where the names had been changed it was easy to work out.
This book would make a great Aussie RomCom Movie.
Firstly, after hearing her speak this book is all her and somewhat semi autobiographical. I am from the same town and similar in age therefore I knew exactly what events and places she was referencing and where the names had been changed it was easy to work out.
This book would make a great Aussie RomCom Movie.
May 10, 2017
This book is hilarious! The sense of place and the characters are so unique, yet so relatable! If you're looking for a fun, light-hearted yet at times poignant and well-written rom-com, then this is the one for you! Brilliant debut novel!
June 23, 2017
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Full Review Here
Prior to receiving this book, I hadn’t heard anything about it. I read the blurb and was really excited, it sounds like a promising read. I hadn’t heard of the author before, since Girl in Between is her debut novel. Recently, I’ve been reading a lot more adult fiction than YA fiction, and this one followed similar lines to adult fiction romances, and reminded me of Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life, but somewhat fell a bit short for me.
The writing style was alright, it seemed more like a verbal story than a novel at some points, and the flow was a little odd to me. The whole book seemed like it was going pretty quickly, going from different places, to being with different people, and it was just a tumbly turny adventure. It was definitely interesting though, and I was quite amused at the whole Cher theme.
The characters were a bit too wishy washy for my liking, I don’t like how indecisive Lucy and Oscar were, and I really, really don’t like anything to do with love triangles, especially if one part is already in a relationship????? Not cool. The characters were a bit meh to me, like I did like them, but I wasn’t attached to any of them, I also thought the age was a bit odd, since Lucy and Rosie did not act 32 at all. Lucy’s parents were a bit odd, but I liked them. I also really liked the relationship between Rosie and Lucy’s parents, I thought it was cool how close she was to them.
To be honest, I didn’t really laugh out loud at any parts (even though the cover promised a ‘laugh-out-loud novel’!), and I’m a bit sad about that, because I really wanted to love this book, the synopsis held so much potential. I feel like there’s potential in the story, but it could be developed a bit further.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this to readers outside of Australia, just because there was a very strong Aussie vibe to the book. I feel like the reader would have to be from Australia to be able to enjoy it properly, and even though I got most of the references, I wasn’t as into it.
I received a review copy from the publisher
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Full Review Here
Prior to receiving this book, I hadn’t heard anything about it. I read the blurb and was really excited, it sounds like a promising read. I hadn’t heard of the author before, since Girl in Between is her debut novel. Recently, I’ve been reading a lot more adult fiction than YA fiction, and this one followed similar lines to adult fiction romances, and reminded me of Sophie Kinsella’s My Not So Perfect Life, but somewhat fell a bit short for me.
The writing style was alright, it seemed more like a verbal story than a novel at some points, and the flow was a little odd to me. The whole book seemed like it was going pretty quickly, going from different places, to being with different people, and it was just a tumbly turny adventure. It was definitely interesting though, and I was quite amused at the whole Cher theme.
The characters were a bit too wishy washy for my liking, I don’t like how indecisive Lucy and Oscar were, and I really, really don’t like anything to do with love triangles, especially if one part is already in a relationship????? Not cool. The characters were a bit meh to me, like I did like them, but I wasn’t attached to any of them, I also thought the age was a bit odd, since Lucy and Rosie did not act 32 at all. Lucy’s parents were a bit odd, but I liked them. I also really liked the relationship between Rosie and Lucy’s parents, I thought it was cool how close she was to them.
To be honest, I didn’t really laugh out loud at any parts (even though the cover promised a ‘laugh-out-loud novel’!), and I’m a bit sad about that, because I really wanted to love this book, the synopsis held so much potential. I feel like there’s potential in the story, but it could be developed a bit further.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this to readers outside of Australia, just because there was a very strong Aussie vibe to the book. I feel like the reader would have to be from Australia to be able to enjoy it properly, and even though I got most of the references, I wasn’t as into it.
I received a review copy from the publisher
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March 29, 2017
Very easy to read and quite a light hearted book of a 30plus Lucy and her dramas between jobs and finding herself again. The characters certainly have some great almost Kath and Kim type elements but an enjoyable book overall.
March 22, 2017
What a charming book! The carefree style and simple Aussie honesty will make you warm inside. I loved it! A book which reminds you to not take yourself too seriously.
Look forward to reading more from this author.
Look forward to reading more from this author.
December 3, 2017
I understood what the author was going for, but this books makes Australian's sound ridiculous! Mate this, f*ck that, shortening everything - it was Aussie overkill! (Togs, who calls them togs over bathers?!) Makes us sound like simpletons and 'drongos'. I don't know anyone who talks like this on a regular basis...the occasional line dropped here and there, absolutely, but this style of writing did not warm me to the characters and kept me cringing most of the time.
It wasn't completely unreadable, otherwise I would have stopped, but it's not what I would call a quality read.
It wasn't completely unreadable, otherwise I would have stopped, but it's not what I would call a quality read.
April 29, 2017
I'd heard comments about this being hilarious and laugh out loud funny, so perhaps I had high expectations? Either way, I was left feeling underwhelmed.
Look, it was light, fluffy, easy to read. But to be perfectly honest, the characters seemed pretty shallow and I didn't feel invested in what was going on in their lives. Whether that's because Lucy/Rosie and I are such polar opposites? I don't know.
Look, it was light, fluffy, easy to read. But to be perfectly honest, the characters seemed pretty shallow and I didn't feel invested in what was going on in their lives. Whether that's because Lucy/Rosie and I are such polar opposites? I don't know.
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