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Lost for Words
Sasha Adams has it all. Fulfilling career, loving family, great friends, and… Who’s she kidding? She lives at home with her aging mother, Fleur. She works as a massage therapist, and spends all her time with her best friend, Bobbi. But damn it, she’s happy. Well, okay, maybe not happy, but she’s content. It’s enough. Until the well-meaning but meddlesome women in her life, Fleur and Bobbi, team up and enter Sasha into a writing competition with the potential to change her life.
Film producer and director Jac Kensington has the career she’s spent thirty years honing to perfection, with little thought to her personal life. She helps run an annual scriptwriting competition in search of new talent and projects for her company to produce.
Meddling might have brought Jac and Sasha together, but fate has plans of its own. Sasha’s life is on the brink of changing beyond all recognition in this bittersweet lesbian romantic comedy.
Film producer and director Jac Kensington has the career she’s spent thirty years honing to perfection, with little thought to her personal life. She helps run an annual scriptwriting competition in search of new talent and projects for her company to produce.
Meddling might have brought Jac and Sasha together, but fate has plans of its own. Sasha’s life is on the brink of changing beyond all recognition in this bittersweet lesbian romantic comedy.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2018
34 people are currently reading
805 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Bramhall
28 books298 followersAndrea Bramhall wrote her first novel at the age of six and three-quarters. It was seven pages long and held together with a pink ribbon. Her Gran still has it in the attic. Since then she has progressed a little bit and now has a number of published works held together with glue, not ribbons, an Alice B. Lavender certificate, and a Lambda Literary award cluttering up her book shelves.
She studied music and all things arty at Manchester Metropolitan University, graduating in 2002 with a BA in contemporary arts. She is certain it will prove useful someday… maybe.
When she isn’t busy running a campsite and hostel on the North Norfolk Coast, Bramhall can be found hunched over her laptop scribbling down the stories that won’t let her sleep. She can also be found reading, walking the dogs up mountains while taking a few thousand photos, scuba diving while taking a few thousand photos, swimming, kayaking, playing the saxophone, or cycling.
She studied music and all things arty at Manchester Metropolitan University, graduating in 2002 with a BA in contemporary arts. She is certain it will prove useful someday… maybe.
When she isn’t busy running a campsite and hostel on the North Norfolk Coast, Bramhall can be found hunched over her laptop scribbling down the stories that won’t let her sleep. She can also be found reading, walking the dogs up mountains while taking a few thousand photos, scuba diving while taking a few thousand photos, swimming, kayaking, playing the saxophone, or cycling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
August 3, 2018
'ARC Generously provided by Ylva-Publishing in exchanged for my unbiased review'
**'First and foremost,tell a story.I don't care what kind of writer you are or what genre you're writing in,you need to have a strong narrative---a coherent beginning,middle and end...'
Reasonable story!
2.5 stars!
How do you pretend that you're NOT disappointed by one of the many writers who's writings you have favored for a very long time -- but then on the otherhand try your best to sit and write an opinion piece of 'LOST FOR WORDS' which is filled with some of the most far out unrealistic and surreal dialogues,with so so chemistry and okay storytelling for which i am very conflicted on whether i should do my due diligence to encourage readers for this book. Depending on how astute a reader some of you might be,this storyline or i should say love story might also be stranger & zanier than you/readers think as you read along. Will try not to give too much insight about this book because it might be a hit or miss -- a little thing that i wanted to point out:- the blurb says Sasha has it all but when you end up reading the story that's NOT true. Then there is Jac who is 50ish and says that she has never ask anyone out on a date in her life,but calls herself a 'stud' And last but not least,the depth to which there is this unrelatable,unbelievable and even laughable quick hook-up that the author consider as a 'relationship' in this story that also leads both Sasha & Jac to move into together after only knowing each other for a few weeks....Is this for real
**'First and foremost,tell a story.I don't care what kind of writer you are or what genre you're writing in,you need to have a strong narrative---a coherent beginning,middle and end...'
Reasonable story!
2.5 stars!
How do you pretend that you're NOT disappointed by one of the many writers who's writings you have favored for a very long time -- but then on the otherhand try your best to sit and write an opinion piece of 'LOST FOR WORDS' which is filled with some of the most far out unrealistic and surreal dialogues,with so so chemistry and okay storytelling for which i am very conflicted on whether i should do my due diligence to encourage readers for this book. Depending on how astute a reader some of you might be,this storyline or i should say love story might also be stranger & zanier than you/readers think as you read along. Will try not to give too much insight about this book because it might be a hit or miss -- a little thing that i wanted to point out:- the blurb says Sasha has it all but when you end up reading the story that's NOT true. Then there is Jac who is 50ish and says that she has never ask anyone out on a date in her life,but calls herself a 'stud' And last but not least,the depth to which there is this unrelatable,unbelievable and even laughable quick hook-up that the author consider as a 'relationship' in this story that also leads both Sasha & Jac to move into together after only knowing each other for a few weeks....Is this for real
August 15, 2018
4.5 Stars. While I am a Bramhall fan, I’m not much of a rom-com fan. I was hoping to enjoy this read but I didn’t expect to like it as much as I actually did. In fact, I almost have nothing to complain about. This book was everything and more than what I was hoping for.
Sasha is an amateur scriptwriter and massage therapist, living with her mother who is recovering from cancer. When her script Nightingale, wins a competition to be made into a movie, her life will never be the same.
After reading a few reviews that mentioned that the book Nightingale, also by Bramhall, would be tied into this book, it gave me the kick I finally needed to read Nightingale. Nightingale is a heartbreaking read but very well written. You don’t have to read it before reading this book, but I enjoyed knowing more about the movie they were making. Really the only complaint I have in this whole book is I would have loved just a little bit more of the movie. I wanted to see it released and how it did, that sort of thing.
The rest of this book was pretty right on for me. First of all the characters are really great. Not just the two mains but the strong cast of secondary characters that often would steal scenes because they were so well written. This book had great witty dialogue. A few things were a little over the top, but in a funny way, not a roll your eyes way. I struggle with comedy in books, but it was not the case here. I found myself laughing out loud especially at the scene when Jac tries out a new snack food at Fleur’s house.
When it comes to the romance, I was very happy. Maybe it was a little fast, but it didn’t bother me at all. I really enjoyed them as a potential couple. Plus the sex scenes were all well done. Maybe it was because the characters were older, but Bramhall let’s her characters actually communicate. It was a nice breath of fresh air and I really appreciated it.
I do have to give a small warning. While I would call this a rom-com, I did need tissues at one point. While it was sad, it was also very touching and really well done. The book makes you feel which I always believe is a good thing.
I’m very happy with this read. As I mentioned before, this book is better than expected. I absolutely recommend this to romance fans. Once again Bramhall delivers.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA for a honest review.
Sasha is an amateur scriptwriter and massage therapist, living with her mother who is recovering from cancer. When her script Nightingale, wins a competition to be made into a movie, her life will never be the same.
After reading a few reviews that mentioned that the book Nightingale, also by Bramhall, would be tied into this book, it gave me the kick I finally needed to read Nightingale. Nightingale is a heartbreaking read but very well written. You don’t have to read it before reading this book, but I enjoyed knowing more about the movie they were making. Really the only complaint I have in this whole book is I would have loved just a little bit more of the movie. I wanted to see it released and how it did, that sort of thing.
The rest of this book was pretty right on for me. First of all the characters are really great. Not just the two mains but the strong cast of secondary characters that often would steal scenes because they were so well written. This book had great witty dialogue. A few things were a little over the top, but in a funny way, not a roll your eyes way. I struggle with comedy in books, but it was not the case here. I found myself laughing out loud especially at the scene when Jac tries out a new snack food at Fleur’s house.
When it comes to the romance, I was very happy. Maybe it was a little fast, but it didn’t bother me at all. I really enjoyed them as a potential couple. Plus the sex scenes were all well done. Maybe it was because the characters were older, but Bramhall let’s her characters actually communicate. It was a nice breath of fresh air and I really appreciated it.
I do have to give a small warning. While I would call this a rom-com, I did need tissues at one point. While it was sad, it was also very touching and really well done. The book makes you feel which I always believe is a good thing.
I’m very happy with this read. As I mentioned before, this book is better than expected. I absolutely recommend this to romance fans. Once again Bramhall delivers.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA for a honest review.
August 6, 2018
There are days when a book like this is just what I need. Sasha Adams is a 45-year-old who lives with her mother because she thinks her mother needs her. She’s a massage therapist by day but her real love is writing screenplays. Jac Kensington is a renowned producer who’s spent thirty years building her career. She’s been in a relationship with a woman half her age for 18 months but things start changing for her when she comes across a wonderful screenplay called “Nightingale”.
I’m fast becoming a fan of Bramhall’s writing although this is only the third book by her that I’ve read. All three have been completely different from each other and the only thing they have in common, really, is great writing. If I’d read more by Bramhall I would have recognized Nightingale as a highly rated 2014 novel by her. (It’s in my “want-to-read’ pile now and I don’t know if it would have added to this or not.)
Anyway, back to this novel. I adored the relationship between Jac and Sasha and the complete lack of manufactured angst. They're both well-rounded characters who struggle through their flaws and weaknesses. Along with great chemistry, there’s good communication, lots of banter and wonderful secondary characters to add to the fullness of the story. Sasha’s mother is a scream and her antics defy logic or good sense. But it’s not all sweetness and light, there’s pathos too.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.
Book received from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
I’m fast becoming a fan of Bramhall’s writing although this is only the third book by her that I’ve read. All three have been completely different from each other and the only thing they have in common, really, is great writing. If I’d read more by Bramhall I would have recognized Nightingale as a highly rated 2014 novel by her. (It’s in my “want-to-read’ pile now and I don’t know if it would have added to this or not.)
Anyway, back to this novel. I adored the relationship between Jac and Sasha and the complete lack of manufactured angst. They're both well-rounded characters who struggle through their flaws and weaknesses. Along with great chemistry, there’s good communication, lots of banter and wonderful secondary characters to add to the fullness of the story. Sasha’s mother is a scream and her antics defy logic or good sense. But it’s not all sweetness and light, there’s pathos too.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.
Book received from Ylva Publishing for an honest review.
August 16, 2018
One thing you can always count on with an Andrea Bramhall book is good editing and proofing…and, of course, a good story. She writes within a lot of different genres, but always manages to weave a decent tale that keeps me interested until the end.
This was definitely on the lighter side of Bramhall’s work and I’ve always preferred her darker fare, but I was really happy spending a few hours with Sasha and Jac. Of her traditional romances, and the only one that’s coming to me off the top of my head is ‘Just My Luck,’ I prefer this one. I actually found the humor funny and loved, loved, loved Sasha’s mother. We all need a Fluer in our lives.
One thing that confused me is the mention of humor in ‘Nightingale’ throughout this book. Maybe I’ve lost the plot or maybe it’s been so long since I read it that I’ve forgotten, but I do not remember that book being funny in the least. It dealt with some very heavy, very real issues, so perhaps the darker stuff was just more memorable part of ‘Nightingale’ (for me, at least). A small slice of me is glad to have read it before this, and a part of me really wishes I could go into it with new eyes after reading ‘Lost for Words.’ Unfortunately, I have read it and as wonderful as it was, once was enough.
Overall, ‘Lost for Words’ is a decent romance with good humor. There is a tissue moment, but it was handle in such a way that it was hard to feel truly sad.
This was definitely on the lighter side of Bramhall’s work and I’ve always preferred her darker fare, but I was really happy spending a few hours with Sasha and Jac. Of her traditional romances, and the only one that’s coming to me off the top of my head is ‘Just My Luck,’ I prefer this one. I actually found the humor funny and loved, loved, loved Sasha’s mother. We all need a Fluer in our lives.
One thing that confused me is the mention of humor in ‘Nightingale’ throughout this book. Maybe I’ve lost the plot or maybe it’s been so long since I read it that I’ve forgotten, but I do not remember that book being funny in the least. It dealt with some very heavy, very real issues, so perhaps the darker stuff was just more memorable part of ‘Nightingale’ (for me, at least). A small slice of me is glad to have read it before this, and a part of me really wishes I could go into it with new eyes after reading ‘Lost for Words.’ Unfortunately, I have read it and as wonderful as it was, once was enough.
Overall, ‘Lost for Words’ is a decent romance with good humor. There is a tissue moment, but it was handle in such a way that it was hard to feel truly sad.
August 8, 2018
Another sweet and enjoyable romance from Bramhall. This was my fifth book by this author, and I can easily tell, I like her writing and her narratives. This book is about family, friendship, love, loss and taking the chance for a dream job.
The forty-five-year-old Sasha has moved in with her mother Fleur again after, her Mom was diagnosed with cancer. She's supported her during the treatments and the recovering. She is content with her life, working as a massage therapist in a day spa clinic, together with her best friend Bobbie and in the spare time writing screenplays. But Fleur and Bobbie have other plans for her future.
Jac Kensington, co-owner of Kefran Media Limited, works as a film producer. Since she was abandoned as a baby, she has troubles to trust anyone, with the effect of having little personal life. When she gets her hands on a new screenplay, she has no idea what changes in her life will come.
First I have to mention the secondary character Fleur, because she is a really special woman. After fighting cancer she has nothing to lose and the only thing she want’s, is, that her daughter Sasha will be happy in life and job. She’s unique, sometimes crazy, silly and full of shit (in a positive meaning), you have to love her.
The romance between Jac and Sasha was wonderful, without a lot of angst and miscommunication. The characters are well developed and grown-up women, the chemistry was great, the love scene beautiful and the dialogues good. The story is realistic, convincing and like in real life not only sunshine and happiness. They have to take some hurdles before the HEA.
It’s an easy and very enjoyable story, just the right thing to read in this hot summer. I recommend this to every romance fan.
My rating 4 stars
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
The forty-five-year-old Sasha has moved in with her mother Fleur again after, her Mom was diagnosed with cancer. She's supported her during the treatments and the recovering. She is content with her life, working as a massage therapist in a day spa clinic, together with her best friend Bobbie and in the spare time writing screenplays. But Fleur and Bobbie have other plans for her future.
Jac Kensington, co-owner of Kefran Media Limited, works as a film producer. Since she was abandoned as a baby, she has troubles to trust anyone, with the effect of having little personal life. When she gets her hands on a new screenplay, she has no idea what changes in her life will come.
First I have to mention the secondary character Fleur, because she is a really special woman. After fighting cancer she has nothing to lose and the only thing she want’s, is, that her daughter Sasha will be happy in life and job. She’s unique, sometimes crazy, silly and full of shit (in a positive meaning), you have to love her.
The romance between Jac and Sasha was wonderful, without a lot of angst and miscommunication. The characters are well developed and grown-up women, the chemistry was great, the love scene beautiful and the dialogues good. The story is realistic, convincing and like in real life not only sunshine and happiness. They have to take some hurdles before the HEA.
It’s an easy and very enjoyable story, just the right thing to read in this hot summer. I recommend this to every romance fan.
My rating 4 stars
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
August 8, 2018
I received an ARC of this book from Ylva Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This is an odd position to find myself in . . .. I picked up two Ylva ARCs this time around and assumed I’d like/love the Jae one, and ‘enjoy’ the Bramhall one well enough but not love it. Since I tend to love Bramhall’s mysteries more than her other works, not that I’ve read everything by her yet.
As I was reading along my expectations were being mostly meet, an enjoyable enough book but not loveable. An odd thing occurred along the way, though, I began to get quite into the story, unable to stop reading, gobbling it up. There’s a certain amount of humor, but this isn’t a humor book; there’s a certain amount of tears, but it isn’t an angsty book (the tears are for . . . well, they weren’t from laughing too hard); certain amount of annoying ex, but barely – in the end this was a much deeper more enjoyable book than I expected when I started it an saw it was about a spa worker, her fellow spa worker friend, and Sasha’s ‘pothead’ mother.
Bobbi, that friend of Sasha’s, did a certain something behind Sasha’s back (and said it in a way that I knew I’d find irritating if it was repeated too much in the book, and it did seem, in the beginning, like it would be a reoccurring gag – the one friend constantly telling the other ‘I have a confession to make’ whereupon she would spill some horrible thing she just did – but for various reasons, that didn’t become an irritating reoccurring gag, though it did pop up a few more times). That certain something hinted at in prior sentence? Entered Sasha’s script into a film competition (well a script competition) being run by a film company. And Sasha’s script won.
That’s one point of view in the story – Sasha Adams, 45 year old Sasha Adams of many careers, and sometime secret scriptwriter. There are two other important people who ‘enter’ things through Sasha (well others, but two ‘main’ others) – Sasha’s mother (Fleur), and Nips, Sasha’s mother’s cat.
Pothead mother? Well, Fleur, you see, had a cancer scare about 5 years ago, a serious one. And ‘weed’ is one of the things Fleur uses to combat the still occurring pain. Also she wears tie-dye clothing and went to Woodstock.
The other point of view, meet much earlier than I’m letting on, is 50 year old Jac Kensington. Director, producer, and co-owner of the film company based in Manchester (where Sasha also lives and works) that is/was holding the scriptwriting competition.
And, unless I missed something, that’s the point of views in the book – a 45 year old and a 50 year old. Both full-fledged lesbians. Who live and work in Manchester England. I quite like the age of the main characters. *nods*
Right, so – from Jac’s side of things come: Mags & Sophie, the other two co-owners of the film company (which had a name like Keffan Media or something like that), and Vanessa – the ex-girlfriend of Jac’s (the 50 year old Jac’s 25 year old ex-girlfriend who opens the book still Jac’s girlfriend, short lived, though, that state of affairs would last (technically, to be really accurate, at that point Jac was still 49)).
The story, as maybe hinted at already, is about:
1) Sasha having yet another career change, as in becoming a paid scriptwriter;
2) Coming together of Sasha and Jac;
3) The family interactions of: a) Sasha and her mother (and to a certain extent her best friend Bobbi); and b) Jac and her chosen family, best friends Sophie and Mags;
4) Complications of aging;
5) Mean cats;
6) constant mention of both Sophie and Mags having significant others, but never actually seeing these women (like Norm’s wife in Cheers; or Frasier’s brother’s wife on Frasier – heard about, never seen), even when you’d expect them to be there (group party; occasions when people come together to help others – the kind even random strangers would show up to help at – but not the significant others for no given reason) – seriously, is this something of an attempt at a ‘hidden’ humor gag like thing, on par with Norm’s wife, Cliff’s mother, Frasier’s brother’s wife (why the heck am I channeling Cheers right now? Though technically that Frasier thing was only on Frasier)?
That’s a serious thing, by the way, that last point. If there was anything about this book that I found . . . less than excellent/perfect/whatever, it was the missing ‘significant others’ part that built and built and made me annoyed. It’s probably one of those things only I noticed (or not), and only I got annoyed about. But . . . I did notice. *shrugs*
Right, so, another enjoyable book read. Unexpectedly: loved it beyond all expectations (see: overuse of ‘unexpected’), and became teary-eyed beyond any expectations (this is not a book I expected to get teary-eyed about).
Rating: 4.8888
August 7 2018
This is an odd position to find myself in . . .. I picked up two Ylva ARCs this time around and assumed I’d like/love the Jae one, and ‘enjoy’ the Bramhall one well enough but not love it. Since I tend to love Bramhall’s mysteries more than her other works, not that I’ve read everything by her yet.
As I was reading along my expectations were being mostly meet, an enjoyable enough book but not loveable. An odd thing occurred along the way, though, I began to get quite into the story, unable to stop reading, gobbling it up. There’s a certain amount of humor, but this isn’t a humor book; there’s a certain amount of tears, but it isn’t an angsty book (the tears are for . . . well, they weren’t from laughing too hard); certain amount of annoying ex, but barely – in the end this was a much deeper more enjoyable book than I expected when I started it an saw it was about a spa worker, her fellow spa worker friend, and Sasha’s ‘pothead’ mother.
Bobbi, that friend of Sasha’s, did a certain something behind Sasha’s back (and said it in a way that I knew I’d find irritating if it was repeated too much in the book, and it did seem, in the beginning, like it would be a reoccurring gag – the one friend constantly telling the other ‘I have a confession to make’ whereupon she would spill some horrible thing she just did – but for various reasons, that didn’t become an irritating reoccurring gag, though it did pop up a few more times). That certain something hinted at in prior sentence? Entered Sasha’s script into a film competition (well a script competition) being run by a film company. And Sasha’s script won.
That’s one point of view in the story – Sasha Adams, 45 year old Sasha Adams of many careers, and sometime secret scriptwriter. There are two other important people who ‘enter’ things through Sasha (well others, but two ‘main’ others) – Sasha’s mother (Fleur), and Nips, Sasha’s mother’s cat.
Pothead mother? Well, Fleur, you see, had a cancer scare about 5 years ago, a serious one. And ‘weed’ is one of the things Fleur uses to combat the still occurring pain. Also she wears tie-dye clothing and went to Woodstock.
The other point of view, meet much earlier than I’m letting on, is 50 year old Jac Kensington. Director, producer, and co-owner of the film company based in Manchester (where Sasha also lives and works) that is/was holding the scriptwriting competition.
And, unless I missed something, that’s the point of views in the book – a 45 year old and a 50 year old. Both full-fledged lesbians. Who live and work in Manchester England. I quite like the age of the main characters. *nods*
Right, so – from Jac’s side of things come: Mags & Sophie, the other two co-owners of the film company (which had a name like Keffan Media or something like that), and Vanessa – the ex-girlfriend of Jac’s (the 50 year old Jac’s 25 year old ex-girlfriend who opens the book still Jac’s girlfriend, short lived, though, that state of affairs would last (technically, to be really accurate, at that point Jac was still 49)).
The story, as maybe hinted at already, is about:
1) Sasha having yet another career change, as in becoming a paid scriptwriter;
2) Coming together of Sasha and Jac;
3) The family interactions of: a) Sasha and her mother (and to a certain extent her best friend Bobbi); and b) Jac and her chosen family, best friends Sophie and Mags;
4) Complications of aging;
5) Mean cats;
6) constant mention of both Sophie and Mags having significant others, but never actually seeing these women (like Norm’s wife in Cheers; or Frasier’s brother’s wife on Frasier – heard about, never seen), even when you’d expect them to be there (group party; occasions when people come together to help others – the kind even random strangers would show up to help at – but not the significant others for no given reason) – seriously, is this something of an attempt at a ‘hidden’ humor gag like thing, on par with Norm’s wife, Cliff’s mother, Frasier’s brother’s wife (why the heck am I channeling Cheers right now? Though technically that Frasier thing was only on Frasier)?
That’s a serious thing, by the way, that last point. If there was anything about this book that I found . . . less than excellent/perfect/whatever, it was the missing ‘significant others’ part that built and built and made me annoyed. It’s probably one of those things only I noticed (or not), and only I got annoyed about. But . . . I did notice. *shrugs*
Right, so, another enjoyable book read. Unexpectedly: loved it beyond all expectations (see: overuse of ‘unexpected’), and became teary-eyed beyond any expectations (this is not a book I expected to get teary-eyed about).
Rating: 4.8888
August 7 2018
August 30, 2018
Sasha Adams is a massage therapist living with her cancer survivor mother. She's content with her life but she wishes to become a screenwriter. Her life changes radically when her mother and best friend enter one of her works in a writing competition and she wins it. Suddenly she gets a scriptwriting contract and a love interest in Jac Kensington, her new boss. Jac is a self-made businesswoman with abandonment issues and a predilection to never grow up. But when she meets Sasha, her world turns upside down and both women have to decide if they want to keep their old ways or take a chance at love and face together come what may.
It's hard to describe this novel. The cover and its rom-com labelling might suggest a lightness that's only half truth. As the blurb states, 'a bittersweet rom-com' is a better description, bittersweet being the operative word. Additionally, it's a romance in a broader sense of the word. There's not only romanic involvement but also maternal love (or lack thereof), friendship and unrequited love. You can truly say that love is in the air.
This novel is anything but 'Lost for words'. It shows the author's deep convictions and deals with issues such as abandoment, illness, aging and death. Ms. Bramhall pulls no punches, she's not afraid to tackle such difficult issues. The story is sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad. It will make you laugh and whenever you least expect, it'll punch you in the guts. It's no coincidence that the winning script referred in the book is 'Nightingale', a self reference to possibly Bramhall's most woeful novel. However, this is a more optimistic story, like it should be in a book about love. My only criticism is that at some points the book stretched too much and less words could have been more.
The characters are well written and realistic. It's refreshing to see leads in their late forties, early fifties. Jac, also known as 'Pan Pan' for her similarities with Peter Pan, is an incredibly complex character who very slowly opens up to reveal her real issues behind her carefree attitude. Sasha's unselfish personality and maturity is the perfect balance to Jac. Together they have great chemistry. The supporting cast is rich in layers, specially Sasha's mum, Fleur. She's a character that could have been written by Robin Alexander, with her quirky lifestyle and hilarious behaviour. She brings much of the lightness of the book.
Overall, a very good bittersweet book about love with endearing characters. Worth a read. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
It's hard to describe this novel. The cover and its rom-com labelling might suggest a lightness that's only half truth. As the blurb states, 'a bittersweet rom-com' is a better description, bittersweet being the operative word. Additionally, it's a romance in a broader sense of the word. There's not only romanic involvement but also maternal love (or lack thereof), friendship and unrequited love. You can truly say that love is in the air.
This novel is anything but 'Lost for words'. It shows the author's deep convictions and deals with issues such as abandoment, illness, aging and death. Ms. Bramhall pulls no punches, she's not afraid to tackle such difficult issues. The story is sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad. It will make you laugh and whenever you least expect, it'll punch you in the guts. It's no coincidence that the winning script referred in the book is 'Nightingale', a self reference to possibly Bramhall's most woeful novel. However, this is a more optimistic story, like it should be in a book about love. My only criticism is that at some points the book stretched too much and less words could have been more.
The characters are well written and realistic. It's refreshing to see leads in their late forties, early fifties. Jac, also known as 'Pan Pan' for her similarities with Peter Pan, is an incredibly complex character who very slowly opens up to reveal her real issues behind her carefree attitude. Sasha's unselfish personality and maturity is the perfect balance to Jac. Together they have great chemistry. The supporting cast is rich in layers, specially Sasha's mum, Fleur. She's a character that could have been written by Robin Alexander, with her quirky lifestyle and hilarious behaviour. She brings much of the lightness of the book.
Overall, a very good bittersweet book about love with endearing characters. Worth a read. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.com
February 18, 2021
"Just My Luck" by this author still falls into a favorites category for me because of how funny I found it to be. I was hoping to find the same amusement in "Lost for Words", which is described as a rom-com, but I was pretty disappointed.
As a heads up, not meaning to give a spoiler here, but the blurb basically advertises this more as a lesbian romance and a romantic comedy at that which tells me I should be in for a lighter read. The book offers that, yes, but it also goes in a maudlin, heavy direction which I wasn't expecting that I'd like to call out. Stop reading my review now if you don't want more detail.
"Lost for Words" is a mix of comedy and tragedy but the humor landed flat and the tragedy was heavier than I would've liked. I'll give Bramhall kudos for writing illness/end-of-life/death really well. She touched on it in "Under Parr" where she excelled with it there, too. But, this time, the comedy was more of a gross out and farcical variety that I found to be so-so.
Sasha is a forty something woman who's put her life in cruise control and is a secret writer at night, churning out unpublished novels and screenplays. When a film production company picks up her script, she's pushed into taking risks and reaching for the brass ring both in her career and her love life.
Sasha was a great character whom I liked a lot. The problem for me was that I didn't care for Jac, her love interest, so I couldn't be sold on the romance. Jac, until this point, has lived her life as a stud, focused on her friends and career. And, though she's fifty in the book, her inner world is more that of a dejected teenager. She felt incredibly young. I could see what Bramhall was trying to do but the balance between Sasha and Jac still didn't feel right for me in the end.
I wouldn't say "Lost for Words" is a bad book. It has its moments. But, on the whole, it fell more into the "okay read" category.
If anything, I'd say to pick up this book for the more tragic elements. Not a lot of people even broach the topic of terminal illness or death and certainly not as well as Bramhall. That aspect was handled with aplomb.
As a heads up, not meaning to give a spoiler here, but the blurb basically advertises this more as a lesbian romance and a romantic comedy at that which tells me I should be in for a lighter read. The book offers that, yes, but it also goes in a maudlin, heavy direction which I wasn't expecting that I'd like to call out. Stop reading my review now if you don't want more detail.
"Lost for Words" is a mix of comedy and tragedy but the humor landed flat and the tragedy was heavier than I would've liked. I'll give Bramhall kudos for writing illness/end-of-life/death really well. She touched on it in "Under Parr" where she excelled with it there, too. But, this time, the comedy was more of a gross out and farcical variety that I found to be so-so.
Sasha is a forty something woman who's put her life in cruise control and is a secret writer at night, churning out unpublished novels and screenplays. When a film production company picks up her script, she's pushed into taking risks and reaching for the brass ring both in her career and her love life.
Sasha was a great character whom I liked a lot. The problem for me was that I didn't care for Jac, her love interest, so I couldn't be sold on the romance. Jac, until this point, has lived her life as a stud, focused on her friends and career. And, though she's fifty in the book, her inner world is more that of a dejected teenager. She felt incredibly young. I could see what Bramhall was trying to do but the balance between Sasha and Jac still didn't feel right for me in the end.
I wouldn't say "Lost for Words" is a bad book. It has its moments. But, on the whole, it fell more into the "okay read" category.
If anything, I'd say to pick up this book for the more tragic elements. Not a lot of people even broach the topic of terminal illness or death and certainly not as well as Bramhall. That aspect was handled with aplomb.
August 9, 2018
With few exceptions I'm a pretty massive Bramhall fan. This makes my 11th book from her that I've read. And when the story started out pointing towards one of my favorites, Nightingale as being a part of 'this' story, that made me really pay attention. I've read that one several times over the years and listened to it a few times as well. The voice actress for that, Zehra Jane Naqvi, is absolutely positively brilliant. So if you have a chance to read/listen to it, I *highly* recommend it.
But then it kinda petered out. The Nightingale hook that is. I was looking forward to hearing about Charlie and Hazaar but that particular arc took a back seat to the main story here. I've no fault with that really, just that I would have liked to have seen some sort of conclusion to it since it's such a big part of this story. And that's about all the negative I have really.
The book has plenty of funny moments, a handful of sads, some good feels, and a few times you just want to cut a .... err... ex :) You get the picture, lol. All in all though I thought it was highly entertaining and paced well enough to really suck you into the story. Which is the hallmark of a great author.
Secondaries are so well done in this that they're barely secondaries. Especially Sash's mom and her BF Bobbi. Although I would have liked to have seen Bobbi get a little bit of a nudge of her own, shrug, I can only nit pick I guess. I liked it all that much :)
I really think a lot of folks out there are really going to like this one.
But then it kinda petered out. The Nightingale hook that is. I was looking forward to hearing about Charlie and Hazaar but that particular arc took a back seat to the main story here. I've no fault with that really, just that I would have liked to have seen some sort of conclusion to it since it's such a big part of this story. And that's about all the negative I have really.
The book has plenty of funny moments, a handful of sads, some good feels, and a few times you just want to cut a .... err... ex :) You get the picture, lol. All in all though I thought it was highly entertaining and paced well enough to really suck you into the story. Which is the hallmark of a great author.
Secondaries are so well done in this that they're barely secondaries. Especially Sash's mom and her BF Bobbi. Although I would have liked to have seen Bobbi get a little bit of a nudge of her own, shrug, I can only nit pick I guess. I liked it all that much :)
I really think a lot of folks out there are really going to like this one.
October 21, 2018
Heartbreakingly hilarious. That's how I would sum up this book.
This is an overall sweet story about falling love, learning to trust again and that sometimes family are the people you chose. This was also a lot funnier than I expected but beware, you just might need a tissue for 1 or 2 escaping tears as well.
Though the relationship between Sasha and Jac started off a little slow, things did develop rapidly towards the end. I would have loved to see more of them as a couple but the author instead spent a lot of time on the secondary characters.
Last but not least the book is pretty predictable but not in a bad way. The only thing I didn't like was towards the end when it felt like the author wanted to create a last minute drama fest. Not every story needs a Disney villain.
Overall a sweet and funny read that will surely tug at your heartstrings.
This is an overall sweet story about falling love, learning to trust again and that sometimes family are the people you chose. This was also a lot funnier than I expected but beware, you just might need a tissue for 1 or 2 escaping tears as well.
Though the relationship between Sasha and Jac started off a little slow, things did develop rapidly towards the end. I would have loved to see more of them as a couple but the author instead spent a lot of time on the secondary characters.
Last but not least the book is pretty predictable but not in a bad way. The only thing I didn't like was towards the end when it felt like the author wanted to create a last minute drama fest. Not every story needs a Disney villain.
Overall a sweet and funny read that will surely tug at your heartstrings.
November 25, 2018
I have a difficult time rating this book. To be honest, at the first 70% of the book, i was dead set on “this book not gonna be 5 stars”. I enjoyed the book. I like how both Sasha and Jac relationship progressed. And thank god! Oh.. no no I mean, thank Author! That you didnt make their relationship complicated like some other books made when there is a third person who try to get in between MCs. Vanessa was really annoying. But at least she didnt have many of her scenes, i think. And i like how MCs worked it out, they communicated within a reasonable period of time. Not like delay until they finish this or that in a few weeks or something.
One thing that i, myself, being stupid, let just say I’m being discriminate or judging or being a bitch here. i know i said it before, but yeah this is just me being stupid. So please dont mind, and sorry if i offended someone.
Now let get to the good part. Like i said, i didnt have intention of rating this book 5 stars, i was thinking between 3 and 4. But the last 30% of the book really hit my emotional nerve. It was sad and touching T.T My tears were just keep rolling. Don’t get me wrong, there were funny moment too, the banters between character made me chuckle sometimes. I really like Fleur. She was the awesome mum EVER! She is also the one who made me consider to rate this book between 4 and 5 stars.
Sigh.. I’ll go in between:
4.5 stars, rounding up.
Since GR doesnt have .5 star option >_>
One thing that i, myself, being stupid, let just say I’m being discriminate or judging or being a bitch here. i know i said it before, but yeah this is just me being stupid. So please dont mind, and sorry if i offended someone.
Now let get to the good part. Like i said, i didnt have intention of rating this book 5 stars, i was thinking between 3 and 4. But the last 30% of the book really hit my emotional nerve. It was sad and touching T.T My tears were just keep rolling. Don’t get me wrong, there were funny moment too, the banters between character made me chuckle sometimes. I really like Fleur. She was the awesome mum EVER! She is also the one who made me consider to rate this book between 4 and 5 stars.
Sigh.. I’ll go in between:
4.5 stars, rounding up.
Since GR doesnt have .5 star option >_>
August 30, 2018
Holy shit... what a rollercoaster of emotions I felt from this book. I cried from howling with laughter, and I cried from the sadness of the story line.
I really do recommend this book! It's got feels!
I really do recommend this book! It's got feels!
September 25, 2018
Tissues on hand?
Word to the wise, don’t read this in a public place, such as I did on a plane trip home, if you don’t want to be seen crying. But plenty of laughs too! I think it just had two big things going on that have happened to me and hit close to home, and thus the waterworks show for the poor guy in the seat next to me. Sasha’s Mom is a trip and kept the laughs coming throughout. I hope that when I get to her age I have the same personality and nonexistent filter! I also will never look at potpourri the same. Great chemistry between the leads and with their friends even though there was a little bit of drama between two of them. I would have no issues recommending this book for sure. The only problem is now I want to see a movie version of Nightingale. I absolutely loved that book as well.
Favorite quote in the book, “Life is full of changes, full of questions, full of moments that have us wondering ‘what if?’, and it’s never quite what we expect. Don’t start this relationship with Jac wondering ‘what if?’. Start it with a smile in your heart. The rest will come.”
Word to the wise, don’t read this in a public place, such as I did on a plane trip home, if you don’t want to be seen crying. But plenty of laughs too! I think it just had two big things going on that have happened to me and hit close to home, and thus the waterworks show for the poor guy in the seat next to me. Sasha’s Mom is a trip and kept the laughs coming throughout. I hope that when I get to her age I have the same personality and nonexistent filter! I also will never look at potpourri the same. Great chemistry between the leads and with their friends even though there was a little bit of drama between two of them. I would have no issues recommending this book for sure. The only problem is now I want to see a movie version of Nightingale. I absolutely loved that book as well.
Favorite quote in the book, “Life is full of changes, full of questions, full of moments that have us wondering ‘what if?’, and it’s never quite what we expect. Don’t start this relationship with Jac wondering ‘what if?’. Start it with a smile in your heart. The rest will come.”
August 4, 2018
Detailed score: 3.25
In one of the early scenes of this book, three characters discuss the merits of the ‘ABC romance’ vs the well researched, layers of meaning ... film. If I tell you that one of the ‘films’ was called Nightingale...
...it really doesn’t take much to read between the lines to discern that Lost for Words was Bramhall’s attempt to do light and fluffy without making everything too beer and skittles... but unfortunately I have to wonder if her heart was really and truly in it.
Some things that grated:
- if I never read another older character who is meant to be ‘quirkily endearing’ and ‘meddlesome but in a well meaning way’ it will be another one too many. Said character plays a major part in this book and, as usual, I just found her irritating
- self referential author: it is obvious that the film ‘nightingale’ which plays a central role in this work, is based on Bramhall’s book of the same name. And at one point (early on - I’m conscious of spoilers) characters discuss the themes and layered meaning and unappreciated depth of the work...I just found it really took me out of the book, as did each subtle call back’
- head hopping: in multiple instances I found it difficult to work out who was speaking. Partly this was because...
- ...the characters were underdeveloped. Certainly not 1 dimensional - but not richness and under-their-skin ness either. Which was compounded by...
- instalove and insta friendship
To be fair to the last two points though, I didn’t really like any of the characters - which may have influenced my views. But characters have to be written well enough for you to determine you don’t like them, and these were so...
I’m conscious that I’ve probably made this sound worse than it is... I did give it 3.25 after all... there is a - fine - story in there. But that’s all it is.
Kudos is in order for making the leads a bit older. And having them have conversations rather than the usual ‘break up over nothing at 75%’ trope...
Overall: fine enough but I wouldn’t be rushing out to buy it unless you’re a hardcore fan of the author
In one of the early scenes of this book, three characters discuss the merits of the ‘ABC romance’ vs the well researched, layers of meaning ... film. If I tell you that one of the ‘films’ was called Nightingale...
...it really doesn’t take much to read between the lines to discern that Lost for Words was Bramhall’s attempt to do light and fluffy without making everything too beer and skittles... but unfortunately I have to wonder if her heart was really and truly in it.
Some things that grated:
- if I never read another older character who is meant to be ‘quirkily endearing’ and ‘meddlesome but in a well meaning way’ it will be another one too many. Said character plays a major part in this book and, as usual, I just found her irritating
- self referential author: it is obvious that the film ‘nightingale’ which plays a central role in this work, is based on Bramhall’s book of the same name. And at one point (early on - I’m conscious of spoilers) characters discuss the themes and layered meaning and unappreciated depth of the work...I just found it really took me out of the book, as did each subtle call back’
- head hopping: in multiple instances I found it difficult to work out who was speaking. Partly this was because...
- ...the characters were underdeveloped. Certainly not 1 dimensional - but not richness and under-their-skin ness either. Which was compounded by...
- instalove and insta friendship
To be fair to the last two points though, I didn’t really like any of the characters - which may have influenced my views. But characters have to be written well enough for you to determine you don’t like them, and these were so...
I’m conscious that I’ve probably made this sound worse than it is... I did give it 3.25 after all... there is a - fine - story in there. But that’s all it is.
Kudos is in order for making the leads a bit older. And having them have conversations rather than the usual ‘break up over nothing at 75%’ trope...
Overall: fine enough but I wouldn’t be rushing out to buy it unless you’re a hardcore fan of the author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
Disclaimer: ARC was received from YLVA for a fair review.
4 stars.
Pros
*Well written
*Great leads and supporting cast
*Delightful story about love and family
*I just love Bramhall's brand of humor
*References to Bramhall's previous work, especially Nightingale
*Chemistry!
Cons
*Vanessa is annoying and a twat
*Their love could've used a bit more 'screen' time both in the build-up and in the following relationship.
Overall another pleasant read from Bramhall. No real negatives, lots of positives. Recommended read to all lesbian romance fans.
4 stars.
Pros
*Well written
*Great leads and supporting cast
*Delightful story about love and family
*I just love Bramhall's brand of humor
*References to Bramhall's previous work, especially Nightingale
*Chemistry!
Cons
*Vanessa is annoying and a twat
*Their love could've used a bit more 'screen' time both in the build-up and in the following relationship.
Overall another pleasant read from Bramhall. No real negatives, lots of positives. Recommended read to all lesbian romance fans.
November 18, 2019
Andrea Bramhall has slowly sneaked up on me - this is her fourth I've read without realising it - all 4* or 5*s - keep me entertained, bring on the tears and laughter (especially in this one) - well worth the read & I'll look out for more of hers. Thank you.
September 1, 2018
You never know what will come next from Ms Bramhall; romance, old school English mystery, overseas thriller. Her latest, “Lost for Words’ is a traditional romance with a lot of the author’s humour showing through, but also an emotional and heart-breaking sub-plot which had me in tears as it reached its conclusion.
Unusually there are three main characters; Sasha the author who hides her manuscripts, Jac the self-made movie producer who wants to produce Sasha’s script, and Sasha’s pot smoking and mischievous mum, Fleur. Each have strengths and weakness, each has a journey, even though Fleur’s may be short, and it is great to have the cast set in their 40’s and 70’s, dealing, despite the light-hearted romance, with real life issues. Secondary characters are strong, even the vapid Vanessa plays her role, and their inter-relationships and dialogue are often hysterical.
The primary plot is a traditional as you like, with the not quite lesbian U-Haul relationship, but the deeper sub plots of unrequited love and the impact of being a carer for an ageing parent give this a most unusual feel for a romance. Despite the high-speed love affair and the quick transposition from hidden author to successful script writer, the story is completely grounded by the boredom of work at the spa, by the reality of the estate, and of course most of all by Fleur’s illness.
It reminds me of a Beryl Cook painting, for those who know the artist.. (that may be an English reference - google her) with real-life people in real-life situations but full of life and hilarity.
I enjoyed the light-hearted romance, the frequent humour and the deeper and most touching relationship between Sasha and her mum. Good to read something a little bit different.
Unusually there are three main characters; Sasha the author who hides her manuscripts, Jac the self-made movie producer who wants to produce Sasha’s script, and Sasha’s pot smoking and mischievous mum, Fleur. Each have strengths and weakness, each has a journey, even though Fleur’s may be short, and it is great to have the cast set in their 40’s and 70’s, dealing, despite the light-hearted romance, with real life issues. Secondary characters are strong, even the vapid Vanessa plays her role, and their inter-relationships and dialogue are often hysterical.
The primary plot is a traditional as you like, with the not quite lesbian U-Haul relationship, but the deeper sub plots of unrequited love and the impact of being a carer for an ageing parent give this a most unusual feel for a romance. Despite the high-speed love affair and the quick transposition from hidden author to successful script writer, the story is completely grounded by the boredom of work at the spa, by the reality of the estate, and of course most of all by Fleur’s illness.
It reminds me of a Beryl Cook painting, for those who know the artist.. (that may be an English reference - google her) with real-life people in real-life situations but full of life and hilarity.
I enjoyed the light-hearted romance, the frequent humour and the deeper and most touching relationship between Sasha and her mum. Good to read something a little bit different.
August 30, 2018
Andrea Bramhall seems to be honing her craft with every new book. I’m a big fan of her Norfolk Coast investigation series. Lost for Words is not part of that series and is a standard lesbian romance book. Or is it?
The lead character Sasha Adams is an amateur writer of lesbian-themed screenplays. She started off by rewriting the stories of existing movies to make them less clichéd and predictable and therefore more engaging. It’s a case of the author’s creation mirroring her own work. Ms Bramhall has also examined the tropes of lesbian romance and found them wanting. Too predictable and some of them are very annoying, also not very realistic. Of course, the reader of a lesbian romance still wants escapism with a little glamour and a happy ever after (or at least a happy for the moment) ending.
Somehow Lost for Words delivers on all the expectations plus throws in a little extra. I loved the side story of Bobbi and Sasha’s relationship. It was bittersweet and all too relatable. Sasha’s Mum was a great example of tragi-comedy – I dutifully both laughed and cried.
I loved the way the romance was handled. Instant attraction was tempered by their work situation and Sasha’s home circumstances; but there were no false obstacles placed in their way. I really liked the handling of the malicious-ex-who-tries-to-undermine-the-relationship trope. It really exposed that tired old chestnut and I’m sure will have many readers silently cheering. So many times I’ve yelled in my head – or even out loud – “Why don’t you just ask her?” Situation resolved. Thanks, Andrea Bramhall for showing us how adults deal with that situation. Even drunk, grieving adults.
I both enjoyed and appreciated this book. It wasn’t the sexiest or most erotic book I’ve ever read, but it was warm and funny and immensely satisfying. I can unreservedly recommend it.
Note: I received an advance copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
The lead character Sasha Adams is an amateur writer of lesbian-themed screenplays. She started off by rewriting the stories of existing movies to make them less clichéd and predictable and therefore more engaging. It’s a case of the author’s creation mirroring her own work. Ms Bramhall has also examined the tropes of lesbian romance and found them wanting. Too predictable and some of them are very annoying, also not very realistic. Of course, the reader of a lesbian romance still wants escapism with a little glamour and a happy ever after (or at least a happy for the moment) ending.
Somehow Lost for Words delivers on all the expectations plus throws in a little extra. I loved the side story of Bobbi and Sasha’s relationship. It was bittersweet and all too relatable. Sasha’s Mum was a great example of tragi-comedy – I dutifully both laughed and cried.
I loved the way the romance was handled. Instant attraction was tempered by their work situation and Sasha’s home circumstances; but there were no false obstacles placed in their way. I really liked the handling of the malicious-ex-who-tries-to-undermine-the-relationship trope. It really exposed that tired old chestnut and I’m sure will have many readers silently cheering. So many times I’ve yelled in my head – or even out loud – “Why don’t you just ask her?” Situation resolved. Thanks, Andrea Bramhall for showing us how adults deal with that situation. Even drunk, grieving adults.
I both enjoyed and appreciated this book. It wasn’t the sexiest or most erotic book I’ve ever read, but it was warm and funny and immensely satisfying. I can unreservedly recommend it.
Note: I received an advance copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2019
This was such a great story. It has amazing wit, comedic timing, hilarious secondary characters, and a story that really pulls you in and keeps you reading. (And, ha, feeling all the emotions at the end.)
I really enjoyed this for many reasons, one of which being the bittersweet bit that is hinted at in the blurb and is something that I've had personal experience with, but it's also grounded in a way that so many comedies aren't. I love Sasha's mother Fleur, I love her best friend Bobbi, I love all of the crazy that happens in Sasha's life that makes her such a flushed out character that you automatically feel for her and understand some of her plights. Jac is such a force to be reckoned with, and because of her backstory it truly shows her depth as a person and what all she's experienced and overcome. Her friend family is so powerful and supportive and I love that the little theme of a certain children's book carries throughout.
This is an absolutely beautiful book. It will make you emotional at times, but laugh your butt off for almost all of the rest of it.
*This book was provided to me by YLVA for my honest review*
I really enjoyed this for many reasons, one of which being the bittersweet bit that is hinted at in the blurb and is something that I've had personal experience with, but it's also grounded in a way that so many comedies aren't. I love Sasha's mother Fleur, I love her best friend Bobbi, I love all of the crazy that happens in Sasha's life that makes her such a flushed out character that you automatically feel for her and understand some of her plights. Jac is such a force to be reckoned with, and because of her backstory it truly shows her depth as a person and what all she's experienced and overcome. Her friend family is so powerful and supportive and I love that the little theme of a certain children's book carries throughout.
This is an absolutely beautiful book. It will make you emotional at times, but laugh your butt off for almost all of the rest of it.
*This book was provided to me by YLVA for my honest review*
May 14, 2019
Plenty of laughs and some really teary moments when you read Lost for Words. I laughed and I cried with Sasha. This book is not just focus on the love and attraction between Sasha and Jac (the 2 MCs); don’t expect too much angst between Sasha and Jac cos there’s just none. It’s also about family, the love between Sasha and her eccentric mum, Fleur. I could only hope that I can emulate (a fraction, if not wholly) the mother-daughter relationship between Sasha and Fleur.
Finished reading the book today which so happen is Mother’s Day - how apt :) To all Mummies out there, Happy Mother’s Day... You are one hell of a superwoman! 💪🏻
4.25 🌟
Finished reading the book today which so happen is Mother’s Day - how apt :) To all Mummies out there, Happy Mother’s Day... You are one hell of a superwoman! 💪🏻
4.25 🌟
November 5, 2018
A really great read that made me laugh and cry in the space of a breath. I know this story is about Sasha and Jac but I have to point out the amazing job Bramhall has done with the supporting characters. This book is about more than Jac and Sasha's love, it is also about friendship and family, and I loved it from beginning to end.
There is a lot of good and not that much bad to say so I am not even going to bother but I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys an emotional rollercoaster.
*4.6 stars
There is a lot of good and not that much bad to say so I am not even going to bother but I do recommend this to anyone who enjoys an emotional rollercoaster.
*4.6 stars
August 25, 2018
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. Perhaps its the British humour that I could relate to, or the scene stealing mother and her embarrassing antics for her daughter.
Previously I have preferred this author's detective stories, but found myself really enjoying this slap stick humour. I also liked that the story focused on 50/45 age range instead of 30 somethings trying to find themselves. All the characters were entertaining and the story engaging that I found it hard to put down.
Arc received from Ylva for honest review.
Previously I have preferred this author's detective stories, but found myself really enjoying this slap stick humour. I also liked that the story focused on 50/45 age range instead of 30 somethings trying to find themselves. All the characters were entertaining and the story engaging that I found it hard to put down.
Arc received from Ylva for honest review.
September 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this. It was different as it was an older generation love story which I found refreshing. It's easy how you can get stuck in a rut and this book shows you by just taking a chance alot can change in your life. I loved the story and especially Sasha's quirky mum Fleur. There are emotional moments in this and I was cheekily reading this at work when a few tears started to roll down my cheeks so had to put it down. All in aĺl an enjoyable funny and emotional read.
June 14, 2019
I gulped this book in one go.
It was sometimes fun and sometimes sweet.
I found the mom's character a bit over the top though.
The sad background didn't add anything interesting to the second main character.
The drama about one of the main bestie fishing for more was a bit conventionnal but concluded more satisfyingly than usual.
On the plus side, I really liked how mature the main character is.
It was sometimes fun and sometimes sweet.
I found the mom's character a bit over the top though.
The sad background didn't add anything interesting to the second main character.
The drama about one of the main bestie fishing for more was a bit conventionnal but concluded more satisfyingly than usual.
On the plus side, I really liked how mature the main character is.
August 27, 2018
I absolutely love Bramhall’s books. This is my 8th book by her. Her books are so different from one another. I own Nightingale in ebook, paperback and audiobook and consider it one of my all-time favorite books. When I first began this book I was unsure if I would like it. It started slow for me, but about 40% in I was hooked. I consumed the final 60% all at once. I couldn’t put it down. Not going to lie, I cried near the end. Not the cute little slide down your face and disappear tears, but the huge fat splatter on the table kind of tears. I rarely cry but this book did it.
I enjoy that Bramhall writes characters that you could actually know. I respect authors who write realistic characters and work to make them relatable to readers. It feels like Bramhall does this with ease. She always has characters I enjoy. Reading this one made me want to reread Nightingale for about the 15th time. I am a re-reader; I love to read books over and over. This one will for sure be going into the favorites with a re-read in the future. May have to wait though, still feeling a little raw from the first read
I enjoy that Bramhall writes characters that you could actually know. I respect authors who write realistic characters and work to make them relatable to readers. It feels like Bramhall does this with ease. She always has characters I enjoy. Reading this one made me want to reread Nightingale for about the 15th time. I am a re-reader; I love to read books over and over. This one will for sure be going into the favorites with a re-read in the future. May have to wait though, still feeling a little raw from the first read
August 21, 2018
There really is so much I love about this book; an awesome main character in Jac, a well written and developed plot with an original and reasonably unpredictable (and realistic) narrative arc, and very importantly a smoking hot first kiss and one of the best sex scenes I've read in a very long time!
When I'm reading a book on my kindle that I know I'm going to be reviewing, I tend to make extensive use of the highlight and note features. Depending on the quality of the book, this can take the form of highlighting favourite lines or sections, or putting in notes that consist of angry rants. The reason that this book only has four stars instead of five is that it ended up covered in both highlights and my vitriol! First the high points: while Sasha is pretty cool, Jac is awesome and utterly swoon-worthy, "Her tall, lean body beneath the expensive business suit and the lilac tie. Her silver-grey hair, cropped close to the head on the left and worn almost to shoulder length across the centre and right-hand side gave her the air of both experience and having not lost her edge." (I also have a note elsewhere that just says "Jac is a dote"). After some very well written simmering tension they have sex, which as I mentioned already is very well written. Not only is it really hot, but the author manages to make it realistic (and a lot more varied than some other lesfic out there), include some excellent checking in/consent moments and also create a lovely playful equal but also challenging give and take dynamic between Sasha and Jac. Oh yes, how could I nearly forget - I'm again just going to directly insert my kindle note here because I think it covers everything: "Yay, safe sex!"
Another massive plus was that the romantic pair actually communicated (shock, horror!) We've all read novels where the break up that happens just before the end is caused by a half heard conversation and one party leaves without talking to the other, right? While Sasha and Jac are by no means perfect, they do avoid that particular cliché.
So, with all these positives, why only four stars? Firstly the emotionally damaged lesbian with a tragic past who is a player because she can't trust anyone trope reared its ugly head again and made my bang my head against a metaphorical wall. Not only that, but it was clumsily tied in with constant Peter Pan references and it just did not work for me. You know in House of Cards when Francis Urquhart/Underwood turns to the camera to speak to the audience to explain his motives? Yeah, it was kinda like that but really cringe-inducing. I prefer a bit more subtlety. Secondly, on their first date, Jac who is supposed to be cool and smooth picked up Sasha in a limo and wearing a tux! That was a bit too teenage boy/American prom style for me. I won't list all my issues so the final one I'll share is just something that struck me as strange; the author used one of her early novels as the basis (name, plot etc) for the screenplay that Sasha wrote in this novel. I know authors frequently recycle/cannibalise their own work but generally not published work. It came across as a weird plug.
Sooo, in short, after this long review: this is a very good book that has some flaws but it's worth your time and money.
When I'm reading a book on my kindle that I know I'm going to be reviewing, I tend to make extensive use of the highlight and note features. Depending on the quality of the book, this can take the form of highlighting favourite lines or sections, or putting in notes that consist of angry rants. The reason that this book only has four stars instead of five is that it ended up covered in both highlights and my vitriol! First the high points: while Sasha is pretty cool, Jac is awesome and utterly swoon-worthy, "Her tall, lean body beneath the expensive business suit and the lilac tie. Her silver-grey hair, cropped close to the head on the left and worn almost to shoulder length across the centre and right-hand side gave her the air of both experience and having not lost her edge." (I also have a note elsewhere that just says "Jac is a dote"). After some very well written simmering tension they have sex, which as I mentioned already is very well written. Not only is it really hot, but the author manages to make it realistic (and a lot more varied than some other lesfic out there), include some excellent checking in/consent moments and also create a lovely playful equal but also challenging give and take dynamic between Sasha and Jac. Oh yes, how could I nearly forget - I'm again just going to directly insert my kindle note here because I think it covers everything: "Yay, safe sex!"
Another massive plus was that the romantic pair actually communicated (shock, horror!) We've all read novels where the break up that happens just before the end is caused by a half heard conversation and one party leaves without talking to the other, right? While Sasha and Jac are by no means perfect, they do avoid that particular cliché.
So, with all these positives, why only four stars? Firstly the emotionally damaged lesbian with a tragic past who is a player because she can't trust anyone trope reared its ugly head again and made my bang my head against a metaphorical wall. Not only that, but it was clumsily tied in with constant Peter Pan references and it just did not work for me. You know in House of Cards when Francis Urquhart/Underwood turns to the camera to speak to the audience to explain his motives? Yeah, it was kinda like that but really cringe-inducing. I prefer a bit more subtlety. Secondly, on their first date, Jac who is supposed to be cool and smooth picked up Sasha in a limo and wearing a tux! That was a bit too teenage boy/American prom style for me. I won't list all my issues so the final one I'll share is just something that struck me as strange; the author used one of her early novels as the basis (name, plot etc) for the screenplay that Sasha wrote in this novel. I know authors frequently recycle/cannibalise their own work but generally not published work. It came across as a weird plug.
Sooo, in short, after this long review: this is a very good book that has some flaws but it's worth your time and money.
September 1, 2018
I couldn’t have loved this book more if I tried. 5 stars.
Sasha lives with her mother who is recovering from cancer, she works as a massage therapist, writes scripts in her spare time and the highlight of her week is hanging out with her best friend. That is until her mum and best friend send her script into a competition to get made into a movie. Jac is the media head and director for the movie. She’s cool, confident and isn’t in the market for love, that is until her first telephone conversation with Sasha and what begins as lust turn quickly into much more.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster (100% my kind of book), there are moments you’ll laugh, moments you’ll swoon and then moments where you will shed a tear or two. Completely worth every moment of your time. The build up to Sasha and Jac falling into each others arms was fantastic and I was glued to the page. The chemistry between Sasha and Jac was amazing and the sex scenes… Wow! I was reading one of the sex scenes on the train home and I was blushing the whole way.
I hadn’t realised at the time but Andrea Bramhall’s other book Nightingale is actually the book that Sasha writes and it’s the story she wins the competition with. It’s not a requirement to read Nightingale first but I know you’ll want to read it after. I know I will be heading to the Ylva website to download it straight away after I finish writing this review.
I really loved how much time was given in the book to Sasha and Jac as couple. I don’t always enjoy when an author ends the book once the protagonist’s have gotten together but this book really allowed for the reader to get to know them better as a couple.
Andrea Bramhall is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Her book Just My Luck is constantly on my re-read list and I think this book jumps into that category too.
Wonderful read. 5 stars.
Sasha lives with her mother who is recovering from cancer, she works as a massage therapist, writes scripts in her spare time and the highlight of her week is hanging out with her best friend. That is until her mum and best friend send her script into a competition to get made into a movie. Jac is the media head and director for the movie. She’s cool, confident and isn’t in the market for love, that is until her first telephone conversation with Sasha and what begins as lust turn quickly into much more.
This book is an emotional rollercoaster (100% my kind of book), there are moments you’ll laugh, moments you’ll swoon and then moments where you will shed a tear or two. Completely worth every moment of your time. The build up to Sasha and Jac falling into each others arms was fantastic and I was glued to the page. The chemistry between Sasha and Jac was amazing and the sex scenes… Wow! I was reading one of the sex scenes on the train home and I was blushing the whole way.
I hadn’t realised at the time but Andrea Bramhall’s other book Nightingale is actually the book that Sasha writes and it’s the story she wins the competition with. It’s not a requirement to read Nightingale first but I know you’ll want to read it after. I know I will be heading to the Ylva website to download it straight away after I finish writing this review.
I really loved how much time was given in the book to Sasha and Jac as couple. I don’t always enjoy when an author ends the book once the protagonist’s have gotten together but this book really allowed for the reader to get to know them better as a couple.
Andrea Bramhall is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Her book Just My Luck is constantly on my re-read list and I think this book jumps into that category too.
Wonderful read. 5 stars.
August 14, 2018
Lost for Words by Andrea Bramhall is anything but! This is a serious subject dealt in a delightful way. Sasha Adams by day works at a Spa with her best friend Bobbi Johnson. By night Sasha creates screen plays. Bobbi submits one of Sasha’s screenplays into a competition to be made into a film and wins. Sasha’s mother Fleur really is the star of this novel. At seventy plus years and being a bone cancer survivor Fleur is the light the other characters hover around.
What I find particularly touching is the loving relationship between mother and daughter. Some of us will become care givers to our parents in their latter years yet Ms Bramhall shows us that while it can be a trying experience if we allow it, it can also become a closeness and bonding experience if we allow it.
While making the film version of Sasha’s script she meets director Jac Kensington. They meet at a perfect time in their lives for love to find a home.
As I have only read Ms Bramhall ‘s “Norfolk Coast Investigation Series which definitely leans into the dark side of human nature I was surprised by the lightness and humour of this novel. Andrea Bramhall is definitely not a one trick pony.4.5 stars
What I find particularly touching is the loving relationship between mother and daughter. Some of us will become care givers to our parents in their latter years yet Ms Bramhall shows us that while it can be a trying experience if we allow it, it can also become a closeness and bonding experience if we allow it.
While making the film version of Sasha’s script she meets director Jac Kensington. They meet at a perfect time in their lives for love to find a home.
As I have only read Ms Bramhall ‘s “Norfolk Coast Investigation Series which definitely leans into the dark side of human nature I was surprised by the lightness and humour of this novel. Andrea Bramhall is definitely not a one trick pony.4.5 stars
November 2, 2019
Just what I needed after a run of mediocre books. Well written with laugh out loud moments
Just as enjoyable 2nd time round
Just as enjoyable 2nd time round
September 8, 2018
This lovely romantic comedy grabbed a huge chunk of my heart and held on to it. I must say that I adore Jac and Sasha a lot but it’s Fleur who had me doubled over and laughing until I couldn’t laugh anymore. This author has done a fantastic job of creating a humorous, heartwarming and touching story. I can’t wait to read more books from this awesome author!
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