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Such a Perfect Sister
Yet another of Phoebe Redmond's friends is getting married and once again, as bridesmaid, she must suffer the mortification of a taffeta frock that does nothing for her figure. As if she didn't have enough problems, her job as sous chef at a smart bar and restaurant is like working in a war zone under the command of a psychopath. To cap it all, the man she wants, Luke, is dating someone else, and it happens to be her dazzling sister Alex. It's tough. It's even tougher because she suspects that Alex isn't really in love with Luke at all. Then Alex rashly accepts Luke's proposal and Phoebe must don taffeta once more. But Phoebe's not the only one let down in love. One evening, into the restaurant walks Will, all dressed up with nowhere to go. He's just come from a wedding—his own—where the bride jilted him at the altar.
- GenresChick Lit
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Donna Hay
34 books47 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Donna Hay's first novel, Waiting in the Wings, won her the RNA New Writers' Award, and since then she has attracted praise from critics for Kiss & Tell and Such a Perfect Sister. She writes regularly for TV Times and What's On TV, and has a weekly soaps page in Chat magazine. She lives in York, England, with her husband and daughter.
Donna Hay's first novel, Waiting in the Wings, won her the RNA New Writers' Award, and since then she has attracted praise from critics for Kiss & Tell and Such a Perfect Sister. She writes regularly for TV Times and What's On TV, and has a weekly soaps page in Chat magazine. She lives in York, England, with her husband and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 23, 2021
3.5
phoebewill 🙁🖤
phoebewill 🙁🖤
July 22, 2010
I like this book a lot, and it's one of the few that I've read multiple times. I don't know why I like it so much, because it's just a typical rom-com story, other than maybe I related to the main character a bit, and there's some humorous dialogue (also, it's not a horribly slutty, trash romance novel like you might expect). More interestingly though...does anyone else think the movie "27 Dresses" borrowed heavily from the plot of this book, or am I the only one who's noticed this? I feel like not a lot of people have read this book, and so maybe that's why nothing's been said...hmmmmm.
September 26, 2011
fun book to read:)
December 6, 2015
I was attracted to this book only because of the sister problem the main character have. Inferiority. It took me awhile to get into the story, but I still managed to finish. I loved how awesome and tolerant Phoebe was to her sister's every selfish antics but it did get annoying. Alex was nothing but a selfish person and I really hated her since the beginning. I thought she'd be nice, but sadly no. She could go to such lengths to make her sister miserable and all because she was jealous of her.
Well, because of that, I learned that you shouldn't get jealous of people and think they're leading such a perfect life. Everyone has flaws, problems, and worries. But that comes to the other lessons, STOP ASSUMING! Everyone has the tendency to assume on every little problem and it irked me so much. And... Always listen to people's explanation on not just one side of the problem, but both.
The other thing that irked me was Barry or Baz. I thought he was pretty decent at first until his jokes and tricks went too far that he probably almost destroyed any chance for two people who loved each other so much to be together forever. And he calls himself a friend?! It makes me wonder whether he was jealous of Will or something.
This book was amazing overall but I'm talking a star away because there wasn't a really conclusive ending to all the characters.
I loved Will's witty and likable character, Phoebe's maturity and kindness, Andrew being cool by just being himself, Joseph (Phoebe's father) was really kind and loving to Phoebe, and the side character development between Cameron and Titus (so sweet). But I hated how petty Alex acted to everything, how selfish Nadine was, and how Phoebe's mother was so uncaring towards Phoebe. But the author managed to conclude it well and explained the reason why Phoebe's mother was acting like how she was acting. I knew Alex was jealous of Phoebe since the beginning, either that or she was just someone mentally unstable, wishing for someone's misery and Phoebe was the only easy target near her.
But, despite all that, reading the book reminded me to:
1. Never assume the worse in a situation that you "heard" from someone without confirming the whole picture. You'll regret it.
2. Don't be jealous of someone else because, you know, they might be jealous of you. You might think your life is miserable, full of problems and worries, but you're not the only one. People tend to be jealous of what you have but you yourself don't realize what you were blessed with.
3. Don't be selfish. You'll just come off as a bitch or dickhead, and people will eventually hate you for it.
Now, I need to know whether the author wrote a spin-off where Andrew will appear as a main charcter. I need to see who he'll end up with, and how Will an Phoebe is doing!!!
Well, because of that, I learned that you shouldn't get jealous of people and think they're leading such a perfect life. Everyone has flaws, problems, and worries. But that comes to the other lessons, STOP ASSUMING! Everyone has the tendency to assume on every little problem and it irked me so much. And... Always listen to people's explanation on not just one side of the problem, but both.
The other thing that irked me was Barry or Baz. I thought he was pretty decent at first until his jokes and tricks went too far that he probably almost destroyed any chance for two people who loved each other so much to be together forever. And he calls himself a friend?! It makes me wonder whether he was jealous of Will or something.
This book was amazing overall but I'm talking a star away because there wasn't a really conclusive ending to all the characters.
I loved Will's witty and likable character, Phoebe's maturity and kindness, Andrew being cool by just being himself, Joseph (Phoebe's father) was really kind and loving to Phoebe, and the side character development between Cameron and Titus (so sweet). But I hated how petty Alex acted to everything, how selfish Nadine was, and how Phoebe's mother was so uncaring towards Phoebe. But the author managed to conclude it well and explained the reason why Phoebe's mother was acting like how she was acting. I knew Alex was jealous of Phoebe since the beginning, either that or she was just someone mentally unstable, wishing for someone's misery and Phoebe was the only easy target near her.
But, despite all that, reading the book reminded me to:
1. Never assume the worse in a situation that you "heard" from someone without confirming the whole picture. You'll regret it.
2. Don't be jealous of someone else because, you know, they might be jealous of you. You might think your life is miserable, full of problems and worries, but you're not the only one. People tend to be jealous of what you have but you yourself don't realize what you were blessed with.
3. Don't be selfish. You'll just come off as a bitch or dickhead, and people will eventually hate you for it.
Now, I need to know whether the author wrote a spin-off where Andrew will appear as a main charcter. I need to see who he'll end up with, and how Will an Phoebe is doing!!!
August 23, 2008
quotes#496210
"It's our busiest night. I need you here," he'd insisted. "Ronan spends more time poncing around than doing any work, and Ian's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard." p124
Phoebe looked around the kitchen. It was gloriously cluttered, warm and inviting. The mismatched assortment of china on the old Welsh dresser was almost hidden behind piles of letters, family photos and old copies of the Guardian. A fat ginger cat dozed by the Aga. Thw whole room was filled with the rich fragrance of cardamon and turmeric. Gina was obviously a dap hand with a Madras.
It was the kind of room Phoebe had always dreamed of having herself, a complete contrast to her own mother's joyless, interior designed kitchen, with everything ruthlessly in its place. p225
[comment: not literary at all, but still enjoyed the setting]
"It's our busiest night. I need you here," he'd insisted. "Ronan spends more time poncing around than doing any work, and Ian's about as much use as a chocolate fireguard." p124
Phoebe looked around the kitchen. It was gloriously cluttered, warm and inviting. The mismatched assortment of china on the old Welsh dresser was almost hidden behind piles of letters, family photos and old copies of the Guardian. A fat ginger cat dozed by the Aga. Thw whole room was filled with the rich fragrance of cardamon and turmeric. Gina was obviously a dap hand with a Madras.
It was the kind of room Phoebe had always dreamed of having herself, a complete contrast to her own mother's joyless, interior designed kitchen, with everything ruthlessly in its place. p225
[comment: not literary at all, but still enjoyed the setting]
March 28, 2008
There were quite a few character in this book that I couldn't stand.
First of all of course Alex, the bitch. Her mother Shirley is just as bad. Spoiling one daughter and negleting and constantly criticising the other one. Luke is also a typical male asshole (although it's not made THAT clear, but hey, convincing a girl to sleep with you - and you know that she is madly in love with you - and afterwards drop her and go back to her sister...)
And also Phoebe really got on my nerves. Seems as if she has no self-confidence and self-esteem and didn't learn to say NO for once in her life.
So I couldn't really pity her cause some things that happened were plainly her own fault. But at the end we of course have the obligatory happy end, and everything is alright.
First of all of course Alex, the bitch. Her mother Shirley is just as bad. Spoiling one daughter and negleting and constantly criticising the other one. Luke is also a typical male asshole (although it's not made THAT clear, but hey, convincing a girl to sleep with you - and you know that she is madly in love with you - and afterwards drop her and go back to her sister...)
And also Phoebe really got on my nerves. Seems as if she has no self-confidence and self-esteem and didn't learn to say NO for once in her life.
So I couldn't really pity her cause some things that happened were plainly her own fault. But at the end we of course have the obligatory happy end, and everything is alright.
September 21, 2015
This is a typical chick-lit book which doesn't exactly tax the brain, but which is perfect for some holiday reading.
Phoebe Redmond is your typical "girl next door" character who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride. To top it all, her ""perfect"" sister Alex has stolen the man she loves and has just announced their engagement. The story winds is way through the typical chick-lit ups and downs before ending in the typically cliched climax.
As a bride-to-be myself I found the wedding preparations laughable! Clearly Donna Hay has never been a bride herself! That aside, this is a nice little book if you don't want the old grey matter to be challenged too much!
Phoebe Redmond is your typical "girl next door" character who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride. To top it all, her ""perfect"" sister Alex has stolen the man she loves and has just announced their engagement. The story winds is way through the typical chick-lit ups and downs before ending in the typically cliched climax.
As a bride-to-be myself I found the wedding preparations laughable! Clearly Donna Hay has never been a bride herself! That aside, this is a nice little book if you don't want the old grey matter to be challenged too much!
September 10, 2016
Loved it.
November 16, 2012
Místy jsem se fakt smála hodně, ale zkuste se smát v jedenáct v noci do ticha domu :)
February 9, 2013
A book to curl up your toes with on a sofa and a huge drink. The storyline is not new but it makes in for an interesting read for all lovers of chicklit.
February 17, 2013
I enjoyed this book.
It's a quickish, fun read and I loved Phoebe and Will.
It's a quickish, fun read and I loved Phoebe and Will.
July 31, 2014
love it so much hope i can find the rest work of you my regrades from Eygpt
October 3, 2016
Easy read, you want to be the main character until the story gets a bit too "soap opera" cliche
January 25, 2017
This has been on my shelf for over four years now and each time I've picked it up - it hasn't appealed to me... until now! And I really enjoyed it. A lovely frothy girly book!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews