-- Previously published in 2008 as 'Happy Endings' --
The witty, weird and wonderful abound in this early romantic comedy by Sunday Times bestselling author Trisha Ashley.
Tina Devino makes more money teaching people to write than writing herself. A middling romance novelist who dreams of penning a bestseller, she’s increasingly forced to compete with younger, blonder debut authors for her publisher and agent’s attention.
Feeling forgotten, Tina realises the only way up is to take her career and destiny in hand and build her own happy ending; which is perfect because, for a romance writer, Tina isn’t the most traditional of women… Although she does see her long term partner lover friend, Sergei, once a week which is ‘quite enough, thank you very much’. But her uncomplicated love life might soon need some unravelling when a mysterious Tube Man, unwelcome ex-husband and a shadowy figure in a butterfly mask waltz into the picture.
Only Tina can work through the drama and claim the life she’s always wanted… but will she succeed?
Hilariously warm, quirky and feel-good, Trisha Ashley's writing is perfect for fans of romantic comedies by Milly Johnson and Jill Mansell.
Trisha Ashley is now a full-time novelist, but she has been known to work for stained glass makers and/or plumbers. She likes to paint, eat, drink, and read literary biographies. Her previous hobbies included getting divorced and packing to move. She claims to have once actually eaten Bronte burgers at the Branwell café, but her publisher declines to verify this. She lives in North Wales.
First of all, can we all take some time to admire this beautiful cover?! I swear, Trisha Ashley has the most beautiful covers out there. I mean, every book written by her looks gorgeous! Honestly, tell me, if you saw this novel in a book store, would you be able to resist? Would you just walk away?? I don’t think so (at least I wouldn’t)!
Written from the Heart was previously published by other name: Happy Endings. So make sure to check if you already have that book on your bookshelf before buying yourself a duplicate (and then buy a book for a friend, if you already have it).
It was edited little, but since it was written many years ago (I’m not sure exactly when, but somewhere around time when Microsoft Vista was a new thing), it is outdated in a way, but it is also very interesting because of the same reason, for it shows us how much things and lifestyle have changed with new technology.
I think this book came to my life in time when I needed it. Lately, I like to read about writing and writers’ lives, so this book gave me a glimpse of that. Since the author herself is a very successful writer, I suppose she got an inspiration for this novel from many aspects of her own life.
The story follows Tina Devino who is a published author. Her books do sell, but they are far from being bestsellers, so she makes her living by giving other aspiring authors editing service trough her agency. She is in relationship with famous ballet dancer Sergei, but although they are together for many years, they do not live together because that is what works best for them. She spends most of her time writing her books, editing others’ manuscripts and hanging out with her best friend Linny.
Reading this book was like going back in time when Sex and the City was on going tv show. Tina’s voice reminded me so much of Carrie’s, in parts when she’s (Carrie) narrating the story. The writing style also reminded me of dairy, only without dates. What I noticed, and it took me by surprise, is how much Trisha’s own voice changed through the years. I feel like books she publishes today sound different then this one. I have to admit, it was pretty fascinating to me to notice that.
Even though I enjoyed reading this book, I have to admit that I didn’t enjoy the way it ended. I feel like Tine like character didn’t develop at all. We left the same woman we met at the beginning of the book, without any significant change in her personality or her personal life (and there was plenty of room for change, if you ask me!).
I really appreciate every little writing advice the writer gave us through Tina’s voice. I think this book would be appealing to aspiring authors out there too.
I would recommend this book to everyone who likes to read old school chick lit, and who enjoyed the tv show Sex and the City and would like to know more about one writer’s life (but fictional writer, keep in mind!).
Sorry Trisha, this one wasn't for me. I felt that it was disjointed especially when the letters were read out (I have to listen to my books). The lead character Tina is an author who, as a side line, critiques manuscripts some of which were amusing. She is cheated on by her lover and closest friend and forgives them both, her friend becomes pregnant. Tina becomes engaged to her lover Sergei. She also had success with her writing. The book then stops, you don't know if she marries, if she is swayed by the good looking agent and you don't know whether her friend gives birth to a boy or girl. Please, these are my opinions only, others may have enjoyed it more.
When I first read this book, I didn't love it. But on rereading it a few years later, I have actually found I like it much better than I did the first time around. In fact, it might be one of my favorites!
2 and Half from me. In my opinion the most engaging parts of the book were the letters written to aspiring writers- what was said and what could be inferred reading between the lines.
I did enjoy this book but didn’t find it quite as good as her other books but it was a warm and feel good book and funny at time time and plenty of romance. Tina makes her money teaching people to write but doesn’t write much herself. But she wants to dream of publishing her own book. Will she succeed in working through the drama and claim her own life she always wanted.
Another fantastic book by best selling author Trisha Ashley. Previously an old title released under a new name and slightly tweaked. This book was new to me as the old print had gone out of circulation a while ago. So it was lovely to read a new book for me anyway by Trisha.
Trisha just has a way of writing that I haven’t come across by any other author. Which makes her books a refreshing change from the norm.
Tina is a middle aged middle of the road known author. Who is tying to make it big in the literaturary world.
However in an increasingly differcult world where your agent and publisher what newer, younger, blonder authors is increasingly differcult and Tina is find it increasingly differcult to get her new books published. Especially when her ex husband is brought in as the new manager of sulubrious her publishing agent and decides that she doesn’t cut it any more for them.
Not only is Tina dealing with that but in her spare time she also proof reads and gives advice, guidance and criticism for the authors who are trying to make it in the book world but are struggling to get people to accept their books. Leading to many wonderful story’s, some very unwanted attention and some dodgy situations.
Not only that but in Tina’s private life she is dating Sergei a ballet prodigy. But things are not always plane sailing in the love department either.
Tina realises that to take her career, life and love life in the direction that she wants that she needs to be in control of it and needs to create her own happy endings.
A fun, fast paced, brilliantly written, highly enjoyable book. That I quickly devoured in a matter of a few hours. It left me with a massive smile on my face and I loved every minute of it. Fabulous.
Another fantastic book by best selling author Trisha Ashley. Previously an old title released under a new name and slightly tweaked. This book was new to me as the old print had gone out of circulation a while ago. So it was lovely to read a new book for me anyway by Trisha.
Trisha just has a way of writing that I haven’t come across by any other author. Which makes her books a refreshing change from the norm.
Tina is a middle aged middle of the road known author. Who is tying to make it big in the literaturary world.
However in an increasingly differcult world where your agent and publisher what newer, younger, blonder authors is increasingly differcult and Tina is find it increasingly differcult to get her new books published. Especially when her ex husband is brought in as the new manager of sulubrious her publishing agent and decides that she doesn’t cut it any more for them.
Not only is Tina dealing with that but in her spare time she also proof reads and gives advice, guidance and criticism for the authors who are trying to make it in the book world but are struggling to get people to accept their books. Leading to many wonderful story’s, some very unwanted attention and some dodgy situations.
Not only that but in Tina’s private life she is dating Sergei a ballet prodigy. But things are not always plane sailing in the love department either.
Tina realises that to take her career, life and love life in the direction that she wants that she needs to be in control of it and needs to create her own happy endings.
A fun, fast paced, brilliantly written, highly enjoyable book. That I quickly devoured in a matter of a few hours. It left me with a massive smile on my face and I loved every minute of it. Fabulous.
I usually love a Trisha Ashley book but this one really didn't do it for me. I believe it is a re release of an earlier book and I think it could have benefited from a rewrite as well. I couldn't find myself getting to know anyone the characters at all, even as the story progressed. There is no real hero to this story. I thought it was going to be Nathan but he never really came to life and in the end the story just sort of petered out. I actually checked to see if I was missing the end of the story some how!
I love Trisha Ashley, but I had forgotten how much I disliked the ending of this one the first time I read it back in the day under its previous title. Tina is funny and offbeat and I love the letters from her writing agency. I just wanted it to all work out differently.
******copy from netgalley in return for an honest review ****
A novel of a writer, who writes and critiques other writers, is often an interesting read. This book contains much more - humour, ballet and innuendo, literary festivals and friendship. Trisha Ashley has created Tina Devino who tells her story very much in her own words, and with her own suggestive tales of her regular lover, partner and friend, the retired but still active ballet dancer Sergei. There are letters throughout addressed to Tina’s agency for aspiring writers, where for a certain sum a range of individuals send their manuscripts of varying quality for Tina’s scrutiny and advice. She replies with humour and discretion and I enjoyed these insertions into the story very much. Meanwhile we see Tina’s interactions with various people in her life; her publisher, Salubrious Press with a surprise, her agent, Miracle, and her good friend Linny. She has local friends in the seaside town of Shrimphaven, who help her with diverse things as computers, as the internet was a new thing for her, and her pet mouse Minnie. This is a very funny book, with Ashley’s usual cast of characters and a plot that is far more than a straightforward romance. Tina is a wonderful creation, with a lot of determination to make the most of her career as a “mid list author”, and this is a most entertaining book.
The book opens with Tina receiving a dictaphone so she can make notes for her novels, which Linny confidently predicts will be bestsellers. That would certainly relive the financial pressures on Tina, but meanwhile she will keep producing her novels of gardening and passion and supplementing her income looking through the novels sent to her, often too long, beyond definition and not even in convincing English. They make for funny interludes, as she copes with Linny’s random behaviour and Sergei’s regular phone calls. Her brother is convinced that the family is from an Italian gangster background, and his family are all that is left of Tina’s relatives. She is no longer in contact with her ex husband, Tim, but her long term part time relationship with Sergei is quite exhausting. She becomes determined to save her career in the face of blonde debut writers, and decides that as her publisher will not spend anything on publicity for her book she must get some herself. Happily, that may not be too difficult with Sergi on her team.
This is a most entertaining novel with some very funny incidents, all seen through Tina’s remarkable point of view. Her clothes and her concerns are always funny. Her experiences at literary events have a certain ring of truth, especially when she is trying to lead a writing session. There are plenty of imaginative events involving Sergei, who embraces celebrity with great flair. The letters that are sent by the would be writers are very funny, as they reveal their great hopes for success and fame despite their frequent misunderstanding of genre and writing altogether. Every part of this book gives a picture of an unusual woman with a great sense of fun.
I completed the book but it really wasn’t one I loved like all the others by Trisha I have read before. I didn’t warm to any of the characters so felt no particular empathy towards any of them. I found the concept fun but the actual storyline didn’t really go anywhere. The letters from budding authors were amusing and the replies excellent - helpful but tongue in cheek. It read more like a serialisation in a magazine - fun & punchy but you don’t invest in the characters or what happens to them. I gave this 3 stars as I did sit one Sunday afternoon and read it in one, so it did offer me entertainment and in it’s own way was so different, I needed to read to see what might happen. It was a pleasant enough book, amusing in parts with quirky but somewhat stereotyped characters with no depth or likability.
Tina Devino is a romance author who also critiques and workshops other authors. She has a lover, Sergei, an ex-ballet dancer who she sees once a week, and a pretty good life despite never making it past the midlist rankings for her books. When her ex-husband suddenly becomes her new publisher and her agent wants to drop her, Tina has to decide what she really wants from life. This one is a bit different from other books I've read by Ms. Ashley, written in first person POV and I have to admit I didn't enjoy it as much. It almost felt like a series of vignettes for a certain time frame and not quite a complete story. This author always writes well and develops her characters enjoyably for the reader, so it's still a good story - just not one of my favorites.
A light and entertaining early novel from Trisha Ashley which I listened to on the Libby app. The narrator, Rachel Atkins, was very good.
I enjoyed hearing all the letters between Tina and her would-be writer clients - very amusing. It was good to hear about the success of some of the clients as well as Tina's own writing career taking off. The relationships both romantic or as friends between Tina, Sergei, Linny and 'tube-man' were fun to read about. Trisha Ashley has obviously put a lot of her own experiences in publishing into the book and Tina has a lot of good advice for authors looking to be published. I did feel the ending was a bit unclear though and would have liked maybe another chapter or two to wrap up what happened in Tina's personal life.
I highly recommend this book if you would like to journey to a fun and simpler time where we didn't seem to take ourselves so seriously! I darling romp with great dialogue and charming characters in spite of their flaws! I bought this book for my daughters as soon as I finished it! The audiobook makes the book even more darling, as the actress really captures the charm of the dialogue! I highly recommend splurging on Whispersync!
This was the first book I read by this charming author. Now, I'm reading all of her books!
Ms. Ashley, if you ever read any of your reviews, please keep up the good work!
Audiobook review. Writer Tina is a minor success (sex and gardening) for her small publisher. Then her ex is appointed publishing director and tells her her won’t be renewing her contract or publicising her new novel. Devastated, Tina visits her agent, who also drops her. Tina has a side hustle reviewing manuscripts, and these letters are very funny and poignant. Book is very dated, Tina struggles with Vista and emails. She requests payment by cheque. It’s an odd story. I didn’t particularly like Tina, and there didn’t feel like much of a plot. But I needed something fluffy and daft.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was loving this book, a nice easy read. For someone who struggles to stay awake long enough to read more than a few pages, I read the whole book this weekend. Much to my annoyance the book just stopped at what seemed to be mid story. I found this most odd indeed. I loved the letters intertwined with the story. If there is a following book why oh why is there no mention of it at the end? If there is not following book then as the reader if feel a bit let down. I usually love this Author’s books.
If I’m looking for a nice chilled, easy read then Trisha Ashley is always my go-to. I do find some of her books quite similar in terms of plot but they are feel-good reads and I have a shelf full of them! This book however was different to the other Ashley books I’ve read. It followed a very different plot pattern and the sassy female lead really appealed to me. I didn’t feel like very much happened though..an amusing, easy read but with less of a solid storyline than other Ashley books I’ve read.
This was not my favorite book by Trisha Ashley and my rating is higher than I thought the story deserves. More like 2 1/2 stars and that would only be because of the writing style and skills of the author and the humor within. The actual story and characters were definitely lacking as compared to other books she has written. After reading the last few lines, I kept looking for the rest of the ending. It is as if she just got tired of writing and stopped.
The covers of Trisha Ashley’s books are always amazing. Sadly this book wasn’t. I found it very disjointed with an abrupt ending. The loose ends were left dangling and I wanted them tied up! Tina, an aspiring author, has an on/off relationship with Russian ballet dancer Sergei. That’s all you need to know really.
Reading this has been like wading through treacle. It don’t even know where to start, it just didn’t flow and the characters weren’t really that likeable. It also came to a really strange and abrupt end. I only carried on reading it because I hate giving up on books but I should have just cut my losses and moved on.
I laughed out loud at the correspondence in this novel and was amused so much, it is a lovely book but to me it needed more depth. But I highly recommend it for anyone wishing to have a laugh and it is very well written
This is a talented writer and I enjoyed this book kind of ; sort of. It was witty and funny but it meandered all over the place with no beginning or end. As I said funny but very odd.
I don't like reading books that have been reissued under a different name as often I don't realise and then spend the whole book thinking " have I read this before?' The story was fine, a usual chick lit with a predictable ending, but nevertheless an easy read.
I do not think this book was one of Trisha's best stories. I found it hard to get into, and really didn't enjoy it as much as other books that I have read by this Author.