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Randy Love.....at your service!
Randy Love is a tall, charming and a physically fit young man. Women of all ages fall at his feet and opportunities just seem to come his way. So here lies the conundrum, how can someone with an excellent education, stable home life and is fluent in several languages have such an inane lack of common sense?
Constantly bailed out of situations of his own making by his Father and friends, Randy Love at your Service is a varied and exciting account of a British young man’s journey through early adulthood.
Constantly bailed out of situations of his own making by his Father and friends, Randy Love at your Service is a varied and exciting account of a British young man’s journey through early adulthood.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 16, 2018
Randy Love...at your service follows its titular character’s life in 2000s-ish England as he stumbles his way through his twenties. The story is divided into chapters that at times read more as short stories in a collection rather than as part of an entire novel, and each chapter tells a singular story or anecdote in the extremely handsome and extremely cocky boy’s life. As the book progresses, events begin to play into each other more and a story emerges until we leave Randy in a new life in a new city.
Read the rest of my review here at OnlineBookClub.org: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
Read the rest of my review here at OnlineBookClub.org: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
September 21, 2018
Following is a volunteer review "Randy Love...at your service" by Elizabeth Kane
3 out of 4 stars
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3
Review of Randy Love at Your Service
Randy Love at Your Service by Shay Carter
A quaint British novella about a young man's coming of age and his struggle to find his way in the world. Randy Love was born into an impressive family of overachievers, in the suburbs of London. His only downfall some would say was that he was his mother's change of life baby. Because of that Marjorie and John his father, were never as hard on him, as they were his siblings, Heather and James. They were always pushing them for better grades and to reach milestones that they would continually place farther down the road. Of course this had the intended effect, Heather graduated top of her class, at the University with a degree in Architecture and James, did equally well in his studies of law. But with Randy there was always a teacher meeting or a discussion with the headmaster of the school. It wasn't that Randy lacked intelligence, on the contrary he was quite bright he remembered everything he heard and read verbatim. The problem centered around the fact that this "cheekiness" led to one thing or another, and then...Marjorie and John well, they were older now they had been looking forward to retirement, not late nights and " hella ba loo". So rather than fight it, they indulged it, and/or overlooked it.
Some of the most comical scenes in the novel are because of Randy's mischievous antics. One of my favorite scenes occurred when Randy declared war on Mickey the landlord. For anyone who has ever had a misunderstanding with a landlord sometimes revenge is served sweet, and Randy certainly knows how to serve it. Upon receiving his eviction notice and realizing he was not going to get his deposit back, Randy devised an amazing (by anyone's standards) exit. After packing up, he neatly spread superglue along the edges of all the windows frames so that upon closing they would be stuck shut and for maximum effect he locked them with a key. He moved on to the bathroom door and repeated the process. With the easy part out of the way he moved on the to the best part. Earlier in the week Randy had bartered with a homeless man who hangs around outside the bank to buy his coat. The coat he had been wearing smelled like unwashed bodies, urine, and who knows what, but it was perfect and Randy had put it in a bag, now removing it he hung it on a hangar, the special one he made with Mickey's picture on it. Using the rest of the glue, Randy applied it around the door frame as he done in the bathroom and around the windows, locking up Randy strode out of the apartment wishing his neighbors goodbye.
After some good natured ribbing from Michael, an old family friend Randy realizes that he must consider his employment options and sets out to establish a job in the financial sector, his chosen field of study. Of course not having much experience other than some temporary "gigs" he picked up from time to time Randy has to start at the virtual bottom of the barrel. His job at a London bank affords him time to enjoy the benefits of his newly appointed position. Which solely means, since the bank was so short handed, and Randy had more education than the other two tellers, he was promoted head Customer Service Manager and allowed to use the office. During this time, Randy kept up his usual antics making calls setting up dates, sleeping off hangovers etc. but something else occurred to Randy as well. Randy actually began to think about his future and how he didn't want to spend his life watching paint peel off the wall. One day as he was busy reading the newspaper marking time till the lunch hour break, a man walked in asking to speak to Randy. As shocked as Randy was, he listened as the gentleman explained that he was a headhunter whose job was to find intelligent young men who had bright futures in the financial world. He gave Randy his card and told to him to call after he had passed the Financial Licensing Exams.
After he had gone Randy began to think, hard work and determination is what got Heather and James where they are today, not alcohol filled partying of college days. In a leap of faith, Randy applies to sit for the financial exams. Afterwards, he visits with James and his wife Flis, they invite him to join them at James' law firm function, while there they introduce him to a junior attorney Nikki. Randy is "smitten" the two arrange to see each other again. After seeing each other fairly regularly, Randy would still rather be a playboy like everyone has always known and loved except Nikki is more interested in something more, Randy does not see the virtue and worth of building a relationship.
It's this fear if commitment, the fear of the future, of the unknown, that every person on the planet has experienced at one time or another. Randy has the normal growing pains of adulthood, when as a college student he was away from home, he was able to make his own decisions, able to be independent and he was out of the country studying in the United States. Then he returns home, not just to England, but to John's where he could rely on his father to help cover the costs of his living expenses and put a roof over his head when necessary. It's as if he had each of his feet in a different world. One foot in a care free world without responsibility and the other being an adult, no longer a student but now needing to be responsible both feet connected to the same body. The young man yearning to be free. How to rectify such inner turmoil, so all could be whole, that is the conundrum, and an age old question. In Randy's case, like so many other college graduate's, introspection answers many of life's puzzles. I enjoyed Randy Love as a character and I believe he was a joy to write. I would definitely recommend Randy Love to others especially for that landlord chapter. I rate this book 3 stars out of 4 stars. There were minor errors, none that stood out to anyone not looking for them.
******
3 out of 4 stars
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3
Review of Randy Love at Your Service
Randy Love at Your Service by Shay Carter
A quaint British novella about a young man's coming of age and his struggle to find his way in the world. Randy Love was born into an impressive family of overachievers, in the suburbs of London. His only downfall some would say was that he was his mother's change of life baby. Because of that Marjorie and John his father, were never as hard on him, as they were his siblings, Heather and James. They were always pushing them for better grades and to reach milestones that they would continually place farther down the road. Of course this had the intended effect, Heather graduated top of her class, at the University with a degree in Architecture and James, did equally well in his studies of law. But with Randy there was always a teacher meeting or a discussion with the headmaster of the school. It wasn't that Randy lacked intelligence, on the contrary he was quite bright he remembered everything he heard and read verbatim. The problem centered around the fact that this "cheekiness" led to one thing or another, and then...Marjorie and John well, they were older now they had been looking forward to retirement, not late nights and " hella ba loo". So rather than fight it, they indulged it, and/or overlooked it.
Some of the most comical scenes in the novel are because of Randy's mischievous antics. One of my favorite scenes occurred when Randy declared war on Mickey the landlord. For anyone who has ever had a misunderstanding with a landlord sometimes revenge is served sweet, and Randy certainly knows how to serve it. Upon receiving his eviction notice and realizing he was not going to get his deposit back, Randy devised an amazing (by anyone's standards) exit. After packing up, he neatly spread superglue along the edges of all the windows frames so that upon closing they would be stuck shut and for maximum effect he locked them with a key. He moved on to the bathroom door and repeated the process. With the easy part out of the way he moved on the to the best part. Earlier in the week Randy had bartered with a homeless man who hangs around outside the bank to buy his coat. The coat he had been wearing smelled like unwashed bodies, urine, and who knows what, but it was perfect and Randy had put it in a bag, now removing it he hung it on a hangar, the special one he made with Mickey's picture on it. Using the rest of the glue, Randy applied it around the door frame as he done in the bathroom and around the windows, locking up Randy strode out of the apartment wishing his neighbors goodbye.
After some good natured ribbing from Michael, an old family friend Randy realizes that he must consider his employment options and sets out to establish a job in the financial sector, his chosen field of study. Of course not having much experience other than some temporary "gigs" he picked up from time to time Randy has to start at the virtual bottom of the barrel. His job at a London bank affords him time to enjoy the benefits of his newly appointed position. Which solely means, since the bank was so short handed, and Randy had more education than the other two tellers, he was promoted head Customer Service Manager and allowed to use the office. During this time, Randy kept up his usual antics making calls setting up dates, sleeping off hangovers etc. but something else occurred to Randy as well. Randy actually began to think about his future and how he didn't want to spend his life watching paint peel off the wall. One day as he was busy reading the newspaper marking time till the lunch hour break, a man walked in asking to speak to Randy. As shocked as Randy was, he listened as the gentleman explained that he was a headhunter whose job was to find intelligent young men who had bright futures in the financial world. He gave Randy his card and told to him to call after he had passed the Financial Licensing Exams.
After he had gone Randy began to think, hard work and determination is what got Heather and James where they are today, not alcohol filled partying of college days. In a leap of faith, Randy applies to sit for the financial exams. Afterwards, he visits with James and his wife Flis, they invite him to join them at James' law firm function, while there they introduce him to a junior attorney Nikki. Randy is "smitten" the two arrange to see each other again. After seeing each other fairly regularly, Randy would still rather be a playboy like everyone has always known and loved except Nikki is more interested in something more, Randy does not see the virtue and worth of building a relationship.
It's this fear if commitment, the fear of the future, of the unknown, that every person on the planet has experienced at one time or another. Randy has the normal growing pains of adulthood, when as a college student he was away from home, he was able to make his own decisions, able to be independent and he was out of the country studying in the United States. Then he returns home, not just to England, but to John's where he could rely on his father to help cover the costs of his living expenses and put a roof over his head when necessary. It's as if he had each of his feet in a different world. One foot in a care free world without responsibility and the other being an adult, no longer a student but now needing to be responsible both feet connected to the same body. The young man yearning to be free. How to rectify such inner turmoil, so all could be whole, that is the conundrum, and an age old question. In Randy's case, like so many other college graduate's, introspection answers many of life's puzzles. I enjoyed Randy Love as a character and I believe he was a joy to write. I would definitely recommend Randy Love to others especially for that landlord chapter. I rate this book 3 stars out of 4 stars. There were minor errors, none that stood out to anyone not looking for them.
******
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2019
Read this earlier in the year for a paid review, gosh don’t even bother! 😹 ( Claudia made me add it to my Goodreads account )
October 22, 2024
"Randy Love...at Your Service" by Shay Carter follows the hapless Randy, whose attempts to find his footing in life are as half-hearted as his commitment to renting apartments. The book provides an amusing glimpse into Randy's misadventures and reluctance to embrace adulthood, especially in office settings where his antics are relatable to anyone familiar with tedious workdays. However, Randy's cluelessness and tendency to shirk responsibility may frustrate some readers. The humor may not fully land for those unfamiliar with British culture, but the outlandish situations still offer moments of entertainment. A case study in lovable (or not) irresponsibility.
March 3, 2019
Randy Love...at your service by Shay Carter shows the journey of Randy Love from being unemployed to obtaining a more respectable Full time job. Randy Love, youngest child of John and Marjorie Love. John, a salesman who upholds a ruthless reputation of selling sands to the Arabs and ice to the Eskimos. Marjorie is the matriarch of the family. She helps her husband to achieve his career goals and took good care of her children. This also implies the effect of her loss in Randy’s life.
Refer this link for the full review https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
Refer this link for the full review https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
April 1, 2019
This is what happens when you pick up something that is fast paced, easy, and a very light read. The book is really okay. I mean the callous approach of Randy Love does get to me after a point of time, but it starts pretty well. This proved to be a quick and a very fluid read but I am still not live with Randy Love.
March 24, 2019
Written as a fantasy novel by a Millennial for their dream life. Bored me to tears.
April 6, 2018
It all starts when Randy sets out on a path to work for his professional success. He's made to hop from one place to another, until he's convinced he's as dumb as his dad John and his dad's best friend Michael predicted for him to be. He's one of those people who are convinced they can never do anything wrong, and they're one of the smartest people gracing earth with their presence. Pride hath a fall, and Shay Carter portrays this fact in her story.
I loved the humor that was a part of John Love, Randy's dad, also Michael's witty banter and sarcasm is appreciated in this otherwise dull story. The name of the story 'Randy Love at your service', not once does it relate to the content of the story. I kept wondering, what kind of services does he offer ? All I can see him doing his jumping from one rental property to another.
*** John pushed his spectacles further up his nose before adopting a severe demeanor. "You are a very bad dog." He took a deep breath before continuing, "I want you to go to your basket and think about what you've done." ***
This story had me feeling from page one to the last that the story is about to start, something exciting is just about to happen ! I should continue reading it, the book has just started, of course the author won't just pile troubles after troubles and not 'really' start the actual story. Unfortunately, pile one thing atop the other is what the author did, and the exciting part never came. Till the last page, it seemed the actual story never started, lack of ups and downs make me grant it 2 out of 4 stars.
The best part of the story is John Love, Randy's dad. I did enjoy that part, but he wasn't the main character, hence the enjoyable part does not take long to end. I laughed out loud at the part he chided his dog. That part was among the starting pages, and it made me squeel in delight, yayyy ! A good funny story.
If you're interested in knowing what troubles await you after leaving college, you may go ahead and give it a read. I gave it two stars, although I didn't find it worth reading, you may. You'll find yourself saving money after reading this book.
I loved the humor that was a part of John Love, Randy's dad, also Michael's witty banter and sarcasm is appreciated in this otherwise dull story. The name of the story 'Randy Love at your service', not once does it relate to the content of the story. I kept wondering, what kind of services does he offer ? All I can see him doing his jumping from one rental property to another.
*** John pushed his spectacles further up his nose before adopting a severe demeanor. "You are a very bad dog." He took a deep breath before continuing, "I want you to go to your basket and think about what you've done." ***
This story had me feeling from page one to the last that the story is about to start, something exciting is just about to happen ! I should continue reading it, the book has just started, of course the author won't just pile troubles after troubles and not 'really' start the actual story. Unfortunately, pile one thing atop the other is what the author did, and the exciting part never came. Till the last page, it seemed the actual story never started, lack of ups and downs make me grant it 2 out of 4 stars.
The best part of the story is John Love, Randy's dad. I did enjoy that part, but he wasn't the main character, hence the enjoyable part does not take long to end. I laughed out loud at the part he chided his dog. That part was among the starting pages, and it made me squeel in delight, yayyy ! A good funny story.
If you're interested in knowing what troubles await you after leaving college, you may go ahead and give it a read. I gave it two stars, although I didn't find it worth reading, you may. You'll find yourself saving money after reading this book.
March 24, 2020
This book only received two stars because it was not the worst book I have ever read. I must admit, I loved the beginning of the book. It added a lot of personal details and cute family details that I really enjoyed reading. However, I could not stand Randy Love.
The description claims that he knows multiple languages, however this is never actually mentioned in the book. I would have liked to see such an interesting aspect explored. The summary of the book also claims that Randy Love is book-smart, but completely lacking in common sense. However, I found it to be quite different. He had plenty of common sense, he was just a horrible person. To me, tricking a bunch of people into believing that you are temporarily living with them in place of their former roommate in order to make them pay all the bills, is not a lack of common sense. His character was funny in the first few chapters, but he quickly became someone so unlikable, I almost didn't want to finish the book.
Not only was he horrible, but the book itself was sexist. As I read, I noticed that most of the characters were pretty flat, but especially the women. Some of the men had actual details about their lives as Randy got to know them, but women only had their appearances to go by. Even Randy's long-term girlfriend had very few details. All I know about her is that Randy was very annoyed with her for cooking him a lot of food (he never actually tells her this, he just eats it all and complains) and that telling him about her life was the most annoying thing he could possibly thing of. But she was good in bed, and that's why he stayed.
I really was looking forward to this book, but I was so disappointed. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Unless of course, you only want to look through a selfish and chauvinistic male perspective.
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=110464#p1197408
The description claims that he knows multiple languages, however this is never actually mentioned in the book. I would have liked to see such an interesting aspect explored. The summary of the book also claims that Randy Love is book-smart, but completely lacking in common sense. However, I found it to be quite different. He had plenty of common sense, he was just a horrible person. To me, tricking a bunch of people into believing that you are temporarily living with them in place of their former roommate in order to make them pay all the bills, is not a lack of common sense. His character was funny in the first few chapters, but he quickly became someone so unlikable, I almost didn't want to finish the book.
Not only was he horrible, but the book itself was sexist. As I read, I noticed that most of the characters were pretty flat, but especially the women. Some of the men had actual details about their lives as Randy got to know them, but women only had their appearances to go by. Even Randy's long-term girlfriend had very few details. All I know about her is that Randy was very annoyed with her for cooking him a lot of food (he never actually tells her this, he just eats it all and complains) and that telling him about her life was the most annoying thing he could possibly thing of. But she was good in bed, and that's why he stayed.
I really was looking forward to this book, but I was so disappointed. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Unless of course, you only want to look through a selfish and chauvinistic male perspective.
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=110464#p1197408
October 21, 2017
Not a bad story, but poorly written.
May 4, 2019
So, here's the link to my review on this book:
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
Hope you guys give it a read :)
https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...
Hope you guys give it a read :)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews