Catching Alice

by Clare Naylor

After losing a job, boyfriend, and apartment all within one kick-me-when-I'm-down week, Alice Lewis desperately needs a break. So when an old pal sweeps into London and offers her escape, Alice jumps at the chance--and onto the next plane to Los Angeles, the city of . . . yeah, right.

L.A. turns out to be a little less "angelic" than the down-to-earth English girl anticipated. For one, there's the new the unbelievably glamorous, frenzied chore of coddling (doing PR for) the stars--not to mention the bevy of gorgeous, stick-thin models who suddenly appear in Alice's orbit and the suntan/convertible lifestyle that taunts her pasty-white self (starting with her thighs). And just when she thinks her new life couldn't get any more surreal, Alice acquires that most American of her very own stalker.

While the B-list actresses grumble how unfair it is that Alice gets a stalker and they don't, Alice tries to figure out who the mystery man leaving her poems and flowers could be. Is it Charlie, the slick but twisted talent agent? Or Paddy, the hot Irish director who has eyes for any breathing woman? Or maybe it's Tommy, the unbelievably beautiful and totally wasted movie star? Because if truth be told, Alice doesn't think it's all that strange, this stalker business. In fact, she's pretty sure it's downright romantic . . .

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Humor

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Clare Naylor is the author of The Goddess Rules, Catching Alice, and Dog Handling, and the co-author of The Second Assistant with Mimi Hare. She lives in England.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was hard getting into this book, the writing was all over the place. The main character Alice was portrayed as a sloppy, drunk fat chick. I thought she was better than that. Alice could not think for herself. What was very irritating about this book was the unrealistic events. Alice is in LA and runs into her ex from London. Her current boyfriend finds her in NY in Central Park. Lisette and Simon are engaged within 22hrs of meeting each other. Really!!What I did like was the sweetness of Alice and Paddy together.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like the writing was a little "clunky" for lack of a better word. Normally when I start reading a good book I block out everything else around me, and I was distracted VERY easily with this one. There are probably 75 better chick lit books out there that I would recommend reading over this one.

[Eloise Keogh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m excited to discuss at book club and see what other people thought, I just really couldn’t get into it and really wasn’t rooting for anyone in this.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice has recently lost her boyfriend, her place to live, and her job. Crashing at her cousins' while he is out of town, she is spending her time fielding his long lone of cast aside females who keep calling and dropping by. Everyone else's lives seem to be better than her. One day while out Alice runs into Tash, her former roommate from school who lives in LA now. Tash sweeps Alice off to LA and throws her into her glamours life. Alice gets a job in PR and Tash sets her up on a date. Someone has other plans for Alice though as she has a secret admirer. An admirer who some of her new friends think is a stalker and are jealous of, but Alice thinks it is just kind of romantic, at least right now.

A few places I have read said that this is a re-imagination of Alice in Wonderland. I didn't really see that, but maybe it is because I haven't read Alice in Wonderland and am only familiar with the movies, those I don't see as much in this plot.

This was really kind of a fish out of water story in my opinion. Alice is thrown in really the deep end of LA. Tasha works in film and they all end up going to dinners and on dates with others in the movie industry. Alice doesn't know the social etiquette and makes some mistakes. She makes her own way and chooses who and what she wants to do. Even when she is pulled the other way by her friends.

See the rest of my review on my blog at http://teaandscribblesbooks.blogspot....

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catching Alice was a light and fluffy story of a British woman who heads for LA when she loses her house, man and job. The romance story line was kind of predictable. The job story line, focusing on public relations was really entertaining. I didn't like how unrealistically Alice came by the job though. Forty thousand dollar a year jobs in PR aren't often give to people with no experience or education simply because their not that powerful friend makes a call. It all seemed way too convenient. I was completely unaware, even after reading the book, that Catching Alice was supposed to be a re-invention of Alice Wonderland. I didn't see much comparison. Ultimately, Catching Alive was a breezy, although probably quite forgettable, chick lit novel.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think 3 stars was generous...probably more like 2.5. I just never really got into this book. If I was a quitter, I probably would've quit this one 50 pages in. I didn't connect with any of the characters, so I never felt hooked in their stories. And I thought that there were weird subplots that would pop up suddenly with no separation--like it would switch narration and story in the next paragraph with no warning. I liked the ending, just not the 300 pages it took me to get there, I guess. I won't be on the hunt for her other books!

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I spent most of this book wondering how long it would take me to finish it...not a great book.

[Heather Alverson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't as good as I thought it would be. It didn't keep my attention and was hard to stay interested in the characters and story line.

[Mairead · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book and struggled to get through it, almost giving up. The story has no likeable characters and many unbelievable events (like bumping into her former boyfriend in LA). Alice leads a miserable, alcoholic lifestyle and seems to spend the book being helpless and bedraggled. Don't bother picking this one up. Move on!

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not such a great story. Trouble getting into the book and I didn’t like the writing style. E.g. Patrick’s nickname was Paddy, but that name was also used in the narrative writing style instead of only used by the characters.

[Anca Mirela · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...

[Hendrix Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alice is a sweet treat and an excellent foil for Paddy's bumbling reformed rake.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not exactly Shakespeare or even very good chick lit…. But it was fine. Entertaining enough.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

My last of the turds! I am so happy that my spazz of crappy books is over! NEVER AGAIN! I must learn how to get more picky. Anyway, this book is about a British girl whose boyfriend dumps her and her life sucks, so she comes out to LA to hang out with her friend. Her friend finds her a job "so she can get a green card and just stay forever!" because it is so that easy. (Fun fact! This book was written in 1998! Was life so much easier back then? Who knows? WHO CARES!!!) Anyway, already I hate this book for lack of "realness". Some guy who met her once back in the UK like stalks her out to LA (CREEEPY!) and for some reason, she doesn't care. SO LAME!!! The author obviously had never been to LA when she wrote this book (and if she had, she only was in Santa Monica and the beach towns, as the characters never ventured east of the 405, north of sunset and south of the beach towns. I hate shit like this. Who even remember what else happened. WHO CARES! Finally, tomorrow, I am on to books I sort of care about (you'll see what I mean:-)).

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was completely different then what I normally gravitate to. It was a cute book...silly things happen to Alice...things that really don't seem like real life to me, but it is a book, right? The ending was lacking....I think even just one more chapter would have gotten all the loose ends tied up....I know, I know....that is what a cliffhanger is, but I really felt like it should have had a bit more.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I brought this book to Mexico with me because it was my beach read but forgot when you have two kids 2 1/2 and younger you have very little time to read!! So far it's just okay. Easy reading but a bit blah. We'll see, only 100 pages into it.

Fast forward-- just finished it last night and now I really liked the book. Fun, goofy and just an easy read. Ladies will love it!!

[Nicoleta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice pleacă din țara natală după pierderea slujbei și a iubitului. Nu știa că Los Angeles îi va aduce surprize ca încercarea de a identifica cine e admiratorul ei secret și adaptarea la o lume total diferită de ce se aștepta de la noua slujbă de PR. Totul e îmbrăcat în o povestire amuzantă care te ține în priză până la sfârșitul cărții.

[Margaret]

This was a really different type of read for me - I did enjoy the jaunt away from my usual stuff. Once I got past the British slang, this book was pretty easy going but I thought the plot was fairly predictable. Also not sure how realistic some of the plot twists really were but it was a fun read anyway.

[socerangel86 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very confusing when when the narrator switched from character to character. It was too abrupt and sometimes done in the same paragraph. It was slow to start. The issues Alice went through were a bit over the top. Some of the themes in the book were very thought provoking: stalker vs wooer and stuck-up LA people.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice is the underdog in this book. Her man has been unfaithful to her for months so she took some time and went to LA with a dear friend. She landed a killer job and Paddy in the process. She is beautiful in her own way but not as stunning as others but its her quirkiness and down to earth nature landed her her happy ending.

[Kavfrou · Rating 2 out of 5]

entertaining but again.. not very memorable story. the all similar plot of chic lit... cute girl being chasen by a hunk, cute girl have to prove how much she posessed girl power first, but in the end it's all falalala happy ending.. :)

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice is dumped by Jamie. She runs in to an old friend and joins her in LA. New job, new life, new men... Then a "stalker" leaves her love tokens. Is he dangerous or the man of her dreams?
Cute story.

[Nancy Fett · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine...didnt feel committed either way -- it wasnt as polished as the other books it mimics and I never felt like the characters were developed enough for me to care THAT much. I finished it though and it was fine.

[W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same as any other Brit chick-lit book a la Bridget Jones...even the story is familiar, though I'm pretty sure I haven't read this one before.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy and entertaining... just the way I like it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining.

[Pari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really cute, light comedy. Something to read when you don't want to use your head.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I enjoyed the Assistants series co-written by Naylor. I wouldn't recommend this one....even though it is pretty much "chick-lit" it wasn't very entertaining.

[Mulva? · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't say it's "amazing", but I loved it and thought it should have 5 stars.