Open House

by Jill Mansell

Love is always just around the corner in a Jill Mansell novel - with a few surprises and a lot of humour on the way to happiness

Nell O'Driscoll's known Marcus Kilburton for years - according to her diary, she even had a crush on him as a teenager. When he decides to open Kilburton Castle to the public, Nell takes a job as his assistant - and soon sparks are flying between them. But is Nell free to pursue Marcus, when a figure from her past refuses to let go?

Meanwhile, Nell's best friend, Hetty Brewster, has other problems. Her husband has abandoned her for a bitchy but successful writer. Now the press is full of stories about the frumpy, boring wife losing out to a younger, slimmer model. But Hetty's about to get her chance for sweet revenge - if she can stop being a nice person long enough to take it!

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Ebooks

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Jill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.

Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mansell is the mistress of juggling a mass of quirky characters and resolving their various dilemmas.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another week gone another book read. This time it was Open House by Jill Mansell. I’ve never read one of Jill Mansell’s books before and to be fair it did take me a few chapters before I got into it but I’m glad I stuck at it! The whole book is wonderfully written. The characters are lovable too! Which always helps.

The story centre’s around two characters. Petronella “Nell” O’Driscoll and Hetty Brewster. They’re best friends and the story shows both of their lives at the same period of time. Nell finds herself working for the Earl of Kilburton (Marcus) who she used to have a crush on and love. He remembers her from their teenage years and discovers he still has some kind of feelings for her - fantasising about her most nights. Throughout the book I found myself wanting the couple to be together without any complications, but being a book that was highly unlikely. Near the beginning of the book you hear of Ben and his heartbreaking tale of how he became a resident at a nursing home, Nell is torn between Ben and Marcus. Both of which she loves.

Hetty on the other hand has a teenage daughter and her husband has recently left her for a glamourous writer (Vanessa) who is a complete cow. The writer produces books on her and her boyfriends (Tony - Hetty’s ex husband) active sex life. Everyone who reads the book assumes that they have the best relationship and they have everything going for them. However, Tony is fed up with the fact he has diets thrusted upon him and he always has to perform to “olympic standards” in the bedroom. So he sneaks back to Hetty who seems surprisingly happy to have him back. But it’s not because she wants him back. Oh no, she wants revenge.

The book has a wonderful balance of drama and humour. There are lots of characters that you love to hate who then grow on you. Despite all the twists and turns in the story. There is a lovely heart warming ending which will leave a smile on your face. This is truly an amazing book.

The author, Jill Mansell, is a lovely woman too. She has time for her fans and is extremely talented - you must check her out!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric

Jill Mansell’s Open House begins with a spat between 15-year-old Nell O’Driscoll and the Earl of Kilburton’s arrogant son, Marcus. The O’Driscolls have a reputation in the village and almost enjoy being the subject of local gossip. Fast forward a decade, and Nell finds herself working for Marcus, the new earl, as he prepares to open the family’s castle to the public. Marcus sees Nell in a different light, but old hurts and secrets force her to keep her distance. Meanwhile, Nell’s best friend, Hetty, is struggling to rebuild her life since her husband left her for a successful novelist — who has no qualms about parading her sex life through the media, even if it means hurting Hetty and Tony’s teenage daughter, Rachel, whose crush on Nell’s younger brother, the suave Derry, pushes her down the wrong path.

The myriad characters Mansell worked into this novel — from Hetty’s ex-husband’s obnoxious mistress Vanessa to Marcus’s over-the-top, whiny sister Jemima — were all thoroughly entertaining. There was a lot going on in this novel, but it never felt like too much. Mansell even describes various people in the village who hardly make an appearance, but doing so paints a richer portrait of life in a small town, where everyone’s business is known by everyone and where gossip runs rampant. Even when I have a pretty good idea of how it’s all going to play out, Mansell always manages to throw in a few surprises.

Open House is an utterly charming, feel-good novel from start to finish. Mansell never lets me down, always providing an enjoyable novel with plenty of humor, romance, and even some weightier moments. She perfectly balances the numerous subplots and secondary characters, which I usually find just as interesting as the main story. Her characters are endearingly flawed, and I can always relate to them in some way. Like the many Mansell books I’ve read before, Open House had me laughing out loud and never wanting it to end. Mansell is my go-to author when I’m in need of a pure comfort read.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 sterren - Nederlandse paperback

Jill Mansell kan je in één zin met enkele goedgekozen woorden beschrijven wat voor persoon iemand is. Zo kan ze je met één zin doen meeleven met een personage of er net voor zorgen dat je een hekel aan hem of haar krijgt. Zo is Nell erg begaan met haar familie en vrienden, ze is uiterst loyaal en geeft iedereen gelijke kansen. Marcus maakt geen goede start door zijn jeugdige verwaandheid maar krijgt tijdens het opgroeien gelukkig een veel aangenamer karakter. Een inzicht dat zijn zus Jemima nog steeds niet verworven heeft.

Dit romantische én grappige verhaal lijkt op het eerste gezicht uiterst luchtig, maar het leuke aan Jill Mansell’s boeken is dat er steeds heel veel verhaallijnen met elkaar verweven zijn. Zo leren we Nell’s vriendin Hetty kennen die veel onzekerder is en steeds aan zichzelf twijfelt, maar ook de schaamteloze Timmy, de hautaine Jemima, Derry en Clemency die elk hun eigen vorm van openhartigheid en ontembare energie met trots dragen.
In een woord; een leuke chick lit.

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Geen spanning in het verhaal, te veel irrelevante personages, te veel onrealistische competitie tussen vrouwen (Jemima vs Nell), en het verhaal van Rachel vond ik ook iets te veel normaliseren dat vrouwen hun lichaam moeten haten als ze wat zwaarder zijn. In het kort, dit boek is niet echt goed oud geworden.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

After staying up until 1am I managed to finish it last night. I just couldn't stop so close to the end. Having only read one other Jill Mansell book, I don't have as much to compare it to, so I had a great time with it. I do think I enjoyed watching the secondary characters more than Nell and Marcus. Derry, Hetty, Tony, Vanessa and Kiki all managed to crack me up. I think we all know a Vanessa (pushy and slightly insulting) in our real life, but my concern is that I might be her in mine. :D
www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1305904

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm fuzzy story. A great distraction from the real world.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

After moving 14 times in the last 50 years, I just had to read this novel. This was a witty but entertaining read. I especially enjoyed her English move and renovation. I have always wondered what prompts some people to move frequently while others live their entire adult life in one home.

[Vân Nhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! The multi-storyline had me confused for a bit in the beginning but it eventually tied up very neatly. Jill Mansell's writing is also humorously endearing and the the characters' development was brilliant ☺️

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

Wonderful book, I really needed something like this to read to forget my problems for a bit.

[Dan 141 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy chick lit read!

[Tonie Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re after a feel-good chic lit you can’t go wrong with Jill Mansell!
Very predictable but cosy and sweet
Definitely 4⭐️

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iets minder dan de andere boeken van Jill Mansel, maar alsnog prima vermakelijk

[Zwart Raafje · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nell O’Driscoll’s volledige voornaam is Petronella en die naam is even uitzonderlijk als haar zigeurnerfamilie. Hun familienaam lijkt gemarineerd te worden in de vele voordelen van het roddelgraag dorpje waar Nella opgroeit. Het is dus maar goed dat Nell doof is voor al die praatjes en laster als is het geen leuke ervaring om als kind steeds opnieuw geconfronteerd te worden met haar – volgens andere – geringe afkomst.

Ze laat zich echter niet zomaar doen, al helemaal niet door de jonge graaf Marcus Kilberton die zich als tiener boven iedereen verheven lijkt te voelen. Nell is de enige van de Driscoll’s die zich met plezier op haar studies toelegt en dankzij die inzet ontgroeit ze het dorp en vindt ze een degelijke functie in de stad.

Onverwachtse omstandigheden zorgen er echter voor dat ze haar moeder te hulp schiet door terug te keren naar haar geboortedorp en op het Kilberton Kasteel te gaan werken. De jonge graaf is ondertussen opgegroeit, maar Nell is hun verleden nog lang niet vergeten…

Mijn volledige recensie kan je hier terugvinden.

[Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eén van de mindere boeken dat ik gelezen heb. Een echte chicklit, dat wel, ontspannende lectuur.
Persoonlijk was ik meer geïnteresseerd in het verhaal van Nell en Ben, die dan weer minder vaak aan bod komt. Ik was dan ook een beetje teleurgesteld toen dit wat slecht afliep. In plaats daarvan komen er steeds meer andere personages bij wat het verhaal minder interessant maakt. Een beetje jammer...

[Georgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This loses one star simply for killing off Ben Torrance. Up until that point I'd hoped Mansell would find a way for Nell (and Marcus) to deal with Ben's presence in their lives. Having read four books now by Jill Mansell, however, although drawn in by her quirky characters and witty writing, I realise she tends to take the easy way out. A shame.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk luchtig boek om tussen door te lezen. Beetje voorspelbaar maar wel de moeite waard.

[Paula Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first Jill Mansell book I had read, and it was perfect for the car journey to visit family. It revolved around Nell and Marcus and their work to revive Kilburton Castle. The characters were OK, and the story was entertaining, but it didn't enthral me as much as other writers in the genre.

I found Nell to be an interesting character at times, with fortune telling and working hard to stand out from the others in her family (from time to time I am sure we have all done this) but I found it difficult to believe that she would be so loyal to the point of bankruptcy in her caring for Ben, and whilst I am sure there are parents as uncaring as Ben's in this world, I do find it difficult to believe that they would totally abandon their son emotionally and financially when learning of his predicament. Jemima too I found to be very annoying; I can believe that level of snobbery but she became a caricature, and I am not sure this is what Mansell wanted. Marcus was the most believable of them all!

The turning around of Kilburton's fortunes was miraculous, and having worked in heritage where visiting public is crucial to success, I can say that the level of organisation, licenses, insurances, health and safety checks and passes needed makes this a little too miraculous an event for me, but I suppose one could say being monied does help!

It is what it is, this book. It is Rom Com/ chick lit, an easy read and entertaining. Expect nothing more or less.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased Open House through Thriftbooks, which is a new goldmine for me, especially for books like this which have not yet been released in the US. Of course, I loved it. I frankly have yet to find a Mansell book that I haven't liked.

Love is always just around the corner in a Jill Mansell novel - with a few surprises and a lot of humour on the way to happiness Nell O'Driscoll's known Marcus Kilburton for years - according to her diary, she even had a crush on him as a teenager. When he decides to open Kilburton Castle to the public, Nell takes a job as his assistant - and soon sparks are flying between them. But is Nell free to pursue Marcus, when a figure from her past refuses to let go? Meanwhile, Nell's best friend, Hetty Brewster, has other problems. Her husband has abandoned her for a bitchy but successful writer. Now the press is full of stories about the frumpy, boring wife losing out to a younger, slimmer model. But Hetty's about to get her chance for sweet revenge - if she can stop being a nice person long enough to take it!

Great characters, great character storylines and of course a great ending. Perfect summer read. US readers - if you can obtain a copy, it's worth the read. Perhaps not the $4,072.90 someone is selling it for on Amazon. That's a bit pricey even for a book dragon like me.

[Frances Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok-ish

This was an ok read but nothing more. I’ve tried to work out why I don’t enjoy the older books as much as the newer ones. This one was written almost 30 years ago, when I was in my 30s and apart from the frequent references to people smoking, the format is not too different from the current ones.
From my perspective there are a lot characters in the book and their romantic relationships seem to water down the impact of that of the main characters. All their stories evolved but they seemed to be devoid of strong emotions and there is little romance around.
I enjoyed the start of the book with young Marcus and Nell, they were attracted to one another but were determined not give way to the attraction. Then they both left the village and went into the world to make their way until circumstances forced them back. Marcus’s father died, meaning he was now in charge of running the estate, whose finances were in a poor way. He had to rationalise the estate and find savings where he could. Nell’s family would be the first to feel the impact, as none of them worked for the estate any longer they would have to vacate their house in the village. To get around that Nell offered to work for the estate so that her family could stay. Marcus turned down her offer at first but eventually gave her a job, at which she excelled.
The story moved along and there were happy endings but it was a bit lacking in pace or fun or towering romance.

[Lisa van der Burg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ik vond dit echt een van de meest teleurstellende boeken die ik de afgelopen periode heb gelezen. Het leest totaal niet lekker weg en er zit ook geen leuk meeslepend verhaal in.

Al vanaf bladzijde 1 verwacht je al wel dat de zigeuner Nell uiteindelijk verliefd zal worden op Marcus die van adel is. Wanneer zij voor hem gaat werken op zijn kasteel bloeit de liefde langzaam op.

Er zijn nog een paar sidestories zoals:
- Ben: de oude geliefde van Nell die een ongeluk heeft gehad en waar Nell nog de zorgen voor draagt.
- Jemima: het verschrikkelijke arrogante zusje van Marcus dat een hekel heeft aan Nell omdat ze niet van adel is.
- Hetty: een vriendin van Nell die nog steeds naar bed gaat met haar ex die inmiddels opnieuw getrouwd is met een ware diva.

De verhalen zijn stuk voor stuk niet zo boeiend en daardoor is het een boek om lastig doorheen te komen.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Open House made for the perfect Corona read. Although it was written in the early 1990s and might seem dated to some, (INXS, Nokia phones...) it continues to make for a truly good read in 202o. This in itself should indicate the power of Mansell's writing. Mansell writes in a manner that encompasses multiple characters' points of view & makes the transition from one to the other seamless. Her writing style is cheeky and her characters are lovable. Derry's escapades, Vanessa's cringe-inducing pushiness and young Marcus's glib attitude had me chortling well into the night. Mansell managed to make a protagonist named Petronella or rather, Nell - as she is referred to for a majority of the book, well liked. If that doesn't tell you something I don't know what will.

[Smriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

hits like it did in 2014

*****

British writing is always better (not internalised colonialism, I swear): the diction, jokes, and storylines are usually more fun. Open House was a random book I'd picked up as a teenager off my mother's untouched bookshelf, and I had such a good time then, and the nostalgia value held up.

ofc, it was written in 1995. it's been over 20 years; there's a lot of what would be labelled problematic. There's a decent bit of women existing only for men, but there's a lot of women standing up for each other too. So, take with many grains of salt. (CW: ED, domestic violence; characters take a stance against both towards the end)

get in the car, ladies, we're going to get salacious goss from 1995

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course you know from the beginning of the book how it will end. That is pretty normal in almost any romance novel but it doesn’t really seem to matter. It’s the journey you take through the book and the characters you meet along the way. As with every book written by Jill Mansell, you meet characters who you are quirky and eccentric who would be fun to know in real life. The story itself is almost secondary to the characters. It is a feel good book that had me smiling all the way through.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally love anything Jill Mansell writes

I’m not sure why, but this book just never caught my interest like most of her do. I honestly didn’t like many of the characters and felt no connection, which is so odd for a Jill Mansell book. This must be an older book, several things are very dated and kept pulling me out of the story.
Definitely will still read this author and adore her books, just wouldn’t recommend this particular one.

[Mrs REM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Different to romances I’ve read before. Less focus on the central pair and their romance. More characters involved and definitely far wittier. There was something to identify with in each of the characters. The description built a good picture in the mind. Lots of twists and turns along the plot line. Definitely a feel-good read. Will definitely look at other things by this author.

Trigger warnings:
Brain damage; adultery; eating disorders; smoking

[William Jeanes Memorial Library]

While this novel would never be classified as "great" literature, it is a very entertaining book. An earl has to open his castle to visitors to make ends meet and a local woman with whom he has a history bulldozes her way into getting hired as his manager. The book examines class differences in England, body image and esteem particularly of someone who is overweight, and what is owed to a former lover who has become disabled. Don't worry - there are happy endings.
-Patron B.W.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a weird one because it was too long, but each character had a clear personality and that’s one of Jill Mansell’s strengths. I will say Jemima drove me crazy and I hate that domestic violence storyline. Her pain was so minimized, it was awful. it really showed the 1993 publication date. You could never get away with that today (and nor should we)! The Ben storyline was interesting, but wrapped up far too neatly.

[Susan Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jill Mansell does it again with another cracking read. I really enjoyed this book, the characters were really likeable (even the less likeable characters) The time I took to read it was no reflection on the novel and more to do with not giving reading enough of a priority in my schedule. I am already looking forward to the next novel of Jill's I will read.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept having the sensation that I'd read this before, but I think that's because it was just so typical of Mansell's other books--like it was pulling lots of bits and pieces from other books and knitting them together in a "new" book. So, a comfortable way to spend your time if you're a Mansell fan, but not especially original, and nowhere near as good as my favorites.