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Good At Games
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
Suzy fell for Harry the moment she showed him her husband's sperm sample. It didn't really belong to her husband, though, because she wasn't married. It wasn't a sperm sample either, it was a drinks carton containing the dregs of her milkshake. But when you're trying to get off a speeding charge you just have to improvise, don't you? And it wasn't actually love at first sight. Still, it was undeniably a healthy attack of lust...
Suzy fell for Harry the moment she showed him her husband's sperm sample. It didn't really belong to her husband, though, because she wasn't married. It wasn't a sperm sample either, it was a drinks carton containing the dregs of her milkshake. But when you're trying to get off a speeding charge you just have to improvise, don't you? And it wasn't actually love at first sight. Still, it was undeniably a healthy attack of lust...
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
140 people are currently reading
3033 people want to read
About the author
Jill Mansell
85 books4,869 followersJill 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
August 11, 2020
I have the perfect shelf for this:
Everyone is loathsome.
Everyone is loathsome.
May 1, 2012
While the action in 'Good at Games' centres around the mansion home of ex-rock star and former alcoholic, Jaz Dreyfuss, as well as his ex-wives, current bubble-head, and a selection of their relatives and friends, the lead role and heroine of the tale is taken by feisty, wise-cracking, ex-wife number two, estate agent extraordinaire, Suzy. Suzy's mother, recently departed, , has left Suzy and her siblings to discover a skeleton (with skin and blood still attached) leaping out of the family cupboard.
An excellent, witty story full of likeable and believable characters. I didn't want the book to end!
An excellent, witty story full of likeable and believable characters. I didn't want the book to end!
March 8, 2017
I will have to come back and think of a pithy title for this review some other time. For now, I am just going to go with the title of the book. I honestly don't have much to say about this book besides finding it boring as sin and also very rage inducing at times. I do love my romance reads, but from the beginning I found the whole premise of this book a bit hard to take. It made me think of a grown up Dawson's Creek (and a truly terrible 90210) since most of the people in this book were married, divorced, or had sex with each other at certain times. You do want to say to them all don't you know anyone else? I only talk to a handful of people I knew in high school. My circle of friends from undergrad and grad school is even smaller.
"Good at Games" follows Suzy, Jaz, Fee, Rory, Lucille, Harry, and Leo. There's Jaz's girlfriend Celeste and Suzy and Rory's sister Julia, but this book is overly long so don't expect me to discuss them much.
The main character is supposedly Suzy, but honestly this book shifts perspective so much I just consider her one of many of the characters "Good at Games" follows.
Suzy works with her brother Rory in his real estate business. After Suzy uses the worst excuse ever to get out of a traffic ticket (her husband and her are running to have her impregnated with his sperm which was in a drink cup from a fast food place) Suzy daydreams about the hot cop (Harry). Suzy then runs into Harry at a party (doesn't give him her information) and later on when she and her siblings (Rory and Julia) are getting ready to listen to their mother's will being read. There they find out their mother had an affair and had another child, Suzy's half sister Lucille. While that seems like a lot, it's nothing when you factor in Suzy living next door with her ex husband's first wife, Fee and she is still on friendly terms with her ex husband Jaz. Did you follow all of that?
Through a ridiculous set-up Suzy eventually gets to go out on a date with Harry, but though she likes him, she wonders if that is all there is since she apparently thinks that a man who treats you okay is a terrible boyfriend to have. She wants some fire (drama). Enter Leo, Harry's older brother who sets up Suzy and honestly shows that she is not someone that anyone should date. Of course Suzy then starts thinking about Leo cause hey when a guy treats you like dirt he is totally the one. Do not even get me started of the many times Leo accuses Suzy of cheating on Harry and practically spiting whore at her.
I honestly don't even want to get into the other characters. The main premise of the book though is that Suzy finds herself engaged to Harry though she doesn't want to be. And though Harry initially seemed to be the only one who was a decent character except for Fee, he quickly descends into douche-bag territory so you want Suzy to dump him.
The writing is typical Mansell, but honestly this does not have the humor of her other books. Reading about terrible people doing terrible things gets old after a while. A good part of this book could definitely have been cut.
The flow was off too. I think honestly since the book kept jumping around you honestly don't know who is doing what to who or why you should care.
The ending though has a HEA for everyone except for two people who honestly I hoped would be eaten by sharks at this point.
"Good at Games" follows Suzy, Jaz, Fee, Rory, Lucille, Harry, and Leo. There's Jaz's girlfriend Celeste and Suzy and Rory's sister Julia, but this book is overly long so don't expect me to discuss them much.
The main character is supposedly Suzy, but honestly this book shifts perspective so much I just consider her one of many of the characters "Good at Games" follows.
Suzy works with her brother Rory in his real estate business. After Suzy uses the worst excuse ever to get out of a traffic ticket (her husband and her are running to have her impregnated with his sperm which was in a drink cup from a fast food place) Suzy daydreams about the hot cop (Harry). Suzy then runs into Harry at a party (doesn't give him her information) and later on when she and her siblings (Rory and Julia) are getting ready to listen to their mother's will being read. There they find out their mother had an affair and had another child, Suzy's half sister Lucille. While that seems like a lot, it's nothing when you factor in Suzy living next door with her ex husband's first wife, Fee and she is still on friendly terms with her ex husband Jaz. Did you follow all of that?
Through a ridiculous set-up Suzy eventually gets to go out on a date with Harry, but though she likes him, she wonders if that is all there is since she apparently thinks that a man who treats you okay is a terrible boyfriend to have. She wants some fire (drama). Enter Leo, Harry's older brother who sets up Suzy and honestly shows that she is not someone that anyone should date. Of course Suzy then starts thinking about Leo cause hey when a guy treats you like dirt he is totally the one. Do not even get me started of the many times Leo accuses Suzy of cheating on Harry and practically spiting whore at her.
I honestly don't even want to get into the other characters. The main premise of the book though is that Suzy finds herself engaged to Harry though she doesn't want to be. And though Harry initially seemed to be the only one who was a decent character except for Fee, he quickly descends into douche-bag territory so you want Suzy to dump him.
The writing is typical Mansell, but honestly this does not have the humor of her other books. Reading about terrible people doing terrible things gets old after a while. A good part of this book could definitely have been cut.
The flow was off too. I think honestly since the book kept jumping around you honestly don't know who is doing what to who or why you should care.
The ending though has a HEA for everyone except for two people who honestly I hoped would be eaten by sharks at this point.
January 17, 2019
When you read the back of the book. You think this is going to be a fun book. This is going to be hilarious and easy read. But...this book was boring, utterly and completely boring. I did not care about any of the characters... maybe a little bit with the dog, Baxter. Because he sounded cute. But other than that, dragging myself through this book was just... meh. I expected more. I expected funny and maybe random things to happen... but nope. Not one bit. Just ugh. It felt like nagging - the book consisted of nagging and complaining 80% of the time. Plus there were some cruel people there... Leo and Suzy (Main character) were somewhat cruel... Harry were kiind of creepy... the others were just.. nagging and boring.
I have read other books by Jill Mansell wich were far better than this, so this one dissapointed me a great deal.
I have read other books by Jill Mansell wich were far better than this, so this one dissapointed me a great deal.
April 15, 2014
This is the worst Mansell book I've read to date. I mean, I've given some of her books a 1-star rating before because I thought they were terrible, but my God, they were nothing compared to this piece of utter drivel and nonsense! I'd go back and change all the previous 1-star ratings if I could, but I'd much rather give this a NO star rating.
It was terrible. TERRIBLE. I am not exaggerating. This was really a horribly written book with the worst plot imaginable and the worst group of characters to ever grace the pages of a book. What BS! I cannot believe Jill Mansell was happy to let this book be published, she should be ashamed of herself.
Suzy is one of the most screwed up protagonists I've ever read about. I cannot believe that she was made into the protagonist, she should be the villain! She's arrogant, shallow, self-absorbed, silly, stupid, an airhead, and absolutely shameless brat. In fact, every character in this book was like that. I don't know what Mansell was going through when she wrote this book, but man oh man, it must've been a terrible time in her life to come up with such despicable, abominable, distasteful bunch of characters. The deception, the infidelity, the lies, and manipulation - why?! How is this supposed to be a feel-good chicklit?! Or a romcom?
There was no depth to any of the characters. Every one was manipulating another person. Suzy pursues one guy, Harry, only to realize she doesn't like him because...well...because, nothing. She just doesn't like him for no reason! And decides to pursue his brother, Leo, who happened to have a history of taking Harry's girlfriends and then tossing them aside and then having them become so miserable that they commit suicide. What kind of man is this?!?! What kind of f----d up hero is this?! I don't care how much time has passed, you're still scum!!
And Harry...sweet Harry, suddenly turns into a villainous, treacherous, cheat! REALLY?!?! He cheats on Suzy with HER ex's girlfriend, Celeste, and then when Mansell tries to redeem herself by allowing us to believe that it was true love and therefore SOMEWHAT forgivable because they truly love each other, we find out a few chapters later that they cannot stand to be with one another anymore!! And Celeste is seen grovelling at Jaz's feet to take her back again - Jaz being Suzy's ex, by the way.
Oh my God!! I could go on, but this just makes me so mad!! Everyone is horrible!! Everyone!!
The only two characters I liked enough to care what happens to them was Suzy's brother, Rory and Jaz's first wife whose name completely fails me right now.
What truly astounds me and baffles me though, is the amount of 5 and 4-star rating this book has received.
It was terrible. TERRIBLE. I am not exaggerating. This was really a horribly written book with the worst plot imaginable and the worst group of characters to ever grace the pages of a book. What BS! I cannot believe Jill Mansell was happy to let this book be published, she should be ashamed of herself.
Suzy is one of the most screwed up protagonists I've ever read about. I cannot believe that she was made into the protagonist, she should be the villain! She's arrogant, shallow, self-absorbed, silly, stupid, an airhead, and absolutely shameless brat. In fact, every character in this book was like that. I don't know what Mansell was going through when she wrote this book, but man oh man, it must've been a terrible time in her life to come up with such despicable, abominable, distasteful bunch of characters. The deception, the infidelity, the lies, and manipulation - why?! How is this supposed to be a feel-good chicklit?! Or a romcom?
There was no depth to any of the characters. Every one was manipulating another person. Suzy pursues one guy, Harry, only to realize she doesn't like him because...well...because, nothing. She just doesn't like him for no reason! And decides to pursue his brother, Leo, who happened to have a history of taking Harry's girlfriends and then tossing them aside and then having them become so miserable that they commit suicide. What kind of man is this?!?! What kind of f----d up hero is this?! I don't care how much time has passed, you're still scum!!
And Harry...sweet Harry, suddenly turns into a villainous, treacherous, cheat! REALLY?!?! He cheats on Suzy with HER ex's girlfriend, Celeste, and then when Mansell tries to redeem herself by allowing us to believe that it was true love and therefore SOMEWHAT forgivable because they truly love each other, we find out a few chapters later that they cannot stand to be with one another anymore!! And Celeste is seen grovelling at Jaz's feet to take her back again - Jaz being Suzy's ex, by the way.
Oh my God!! I could go on, but this just makes me so mad!! Everyone is horrible!! Everyone!!
The only two characters I liked enough to care what happens to them was Suzy's brother, Rory and Jaz's first wife whose name completely fails me right now.
What truly astounds me and baffles me though, is the amount of 5 and 4-star rating this book has received.
October 11, 2020
Ik heb weer regelmatig kunnen lachen / grijnzen om die heerlijke verschillende typetjes die J.M. in haar verhaal weet te verwerken . De één wat sympathieker dan de ander maar daardoor ga je juist des te meer duimen dat het allemaal wel goed komt voor de aardige types .
Er is eigenlijk maar één reden waarom ik haar boeken nooit vijf sterren geef : er zit totaal geen opbouw in de romantiek , er gebeurt zo veel tegelijk met zoveel verschillende stelletjes dat er voor een langzaam smeulende en daarna opvlammende liefde gewoon niet genoeg pagina ruimte over blijft .
Er is eigenlijk maar één reden waarom ik haar boeken nooit vijf sterren geef : er zit totaal geen opbouw in de romantiek , er gebeurt zo veel tegelijk met zoveel verschillende stelletjes dat er voor een langzaam smeulende en daarna opvlammende liefde gewoon niet genoeg pagina ruimte over blijft .
January 6, 2025
Lu et relu à de nombreuses reprises. J'adore la personnalité pétillante de Suzy et Leo me fait craquer.
June 16, 2012
What can I say? Yet another great book by Jill Mansell. It's amazing how she has so many interweaving story-lines going on and yet she juggles them perfectly. I love her writing style and will just add that if you like English style chic lit, you will LURVE this book!!!!
May 12, 2022
Listening to this before bed now but I think it's one of Mansell's worse ones. The leading man is a judgmental asshole with no redeeming qualities, the other kind-of-leading man is an entitled and pretty abusive jerk (definitely gaslighting) and the leading lady for some weird reason goes like "whelp I can't help but go along with this abusive jerk's plot" when there's literally NO reason for her whatsoever to do any of that. A few of the side characters are nice, that's about it.
Also why is everybody cheating?
Also why is everybody cheating?
December 19, 2015
4.5 Stars! This was a fun and entertaining book. There were so many couple twists in this story. No one ends up coupled with whom they are with at the beginning. The way that comes about is a hilarious and fun journey through the words of Jill Mansell.
I spent an enchanting evening reading this book and definitely recommend it. The characters are quirky, fun, likable (for the most part) and enjoyable. I really wasn't ready for the book to end. I had come to think of these characters as friends and did not want to see them go.
Huge thanks to Sourcebooks for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. This was not my first Jill Mansell book and I definitely look forward to the next one!
I spent an enchanting evening reading this book and definitely recommend it. The characters are quirky, fun, likable (for the most part) and enjoyable. I really wasn't ready for the book to end. I had come to think of these characters as friends and did not want to see them go.
Huge thanks to Sourcebooks for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. This was not my first Jill Mansell book and I definitely look forward to the next one!
December 16, 2016
Een leuk boek. Het is grappig en leest vlot. De enige reden waarom ik er zolang over gedaan heb, is dat ik weinig gelezen heb. In het begin moest ik even aan de vele personages wennen. Soms had ik moeite om iemand te plaatsen. Echt een feelgood roman. Een aanrader als je op zoek bent naar een vrolijk en luchtig boek.
October 2, 2012
Confession - the books cover grabbed my attention first, then the blurb on the back cover drew me in. And finally the hilarious plot and well written characters snagged me.
I am now a Jill Mansell fan.
I am now a Jill Mansell fan.
November 30, 2012
How can you not love Jill Mansell's books? This one was no exception! If you want to read something light and filled with positive-ism (as I find myself not a few times after reading some paranormal book), Jill Mansell is the one. I seriously adore this lady!
September 25, 2008
A great fiction quick read, funny, and hard to put down!!
October 4, 2024
Almost all of the characters are assholes or dicks, but damn, do I still enjoy this book so much
July 22, 2018
Really more of a 3.5 / 3.75 Stars than 3 but not quite 4 either. I think Jill Manuel is a good Author but I found this book to be a little drawn out. I also feel like the drama wasn’t as good as it could have been? I do like that everyone got their happy ending but it was also a little predictable. This is more Chick Lit than Romance as the most she describes is kissing even though the characters do have sex. I would still recommend this for a beach or pool read. I will also check out some other books by the author as this is a feel good type of read.
July 21, 2019
2.5
Pleasant enough in places. But felt interminable in other places. This author does light romance and usually pulls it off. In this one, it almost felt like the characters were pieces on a chessboard being shuffled around. I don't read JM for depth, but even so, this was a little too surface.
Also too much of the plot relies on people just letting things happen to them and haplessly dealing with the fallout. Even though their personalities are clearly established as not being passive.
There were places where some of the characters some alive and some situations were authentically amusing, but not enough to really elevate the book.
Pleasant enough in places. But felt interminable in other places. This author does light romance and usually pulls it off. In this one, it almost felt like the characters were pieces on a chessboard being shuffled around. I don't read JM for depth, but even so, this was a little too surface.
Also too much of the plot relies on people just letting things happen to them and haplessly dealing with the fallout. Even though their personalities are clearly established as not being passive.
There were places where some of the characters some alive and some situations were authentically amusing, but not enough to really elevate the book.
September 30, 2017
This is one twisted story 😂😂 but it’s cute .. loved all the characters and it’s good to read about something other than sci-fi 😁😁
January 9, 2018
Always kind of the same story in a different coat, but still liked it. Jill Mansell is the author that got me hooked on chicklit so I have to stay faithful!
April 28, 2024
I have enjoyed this book very much. The topics are light and it's the perfect palate cleanser between "heavier" books.
I am definitely in my Jill Mansell era.
I am definitely in my Jill Mansell era.
June 18, 2017
Cute, quirky, a lot like a rom-com movie. Slightly predictable and rather slow in the middle. Liked the MC and her staggering self confidence. Enjoyed it thoroughly!
October 5, 2018
I really wanted to like this one, and I'm certainly still a big fan of Jill Mansell, but it just felt very disjointed and I didn't overly connect with the characters. Still fun, just not my favorite.
January 25, 2019
I think I may have found my new favorite author. I loved every moment of this messy book and it's messy characters and it's messy plot. It's been a hot minute since I actually laughed out loud while reading a book. (Not many books can make me laugh, maybe smile, but not laugh so loud that the people around me ask me what the heck is so funny. Haha!) I picked this up I think a year ago, I want to say??? And I don't know why it's taken me so long to read it. Alas! I have and once I got through a quarter of it, I went out and got more of her books and I can't wait to read them!
I loved Suzy's character, I loved her confident, crazy ass. Suzy is the definition of a hot mess. Haha!
For starters, Suzy lives in the same building as her ex husband, Jaz's ex wife, Fee, and they live next door to Jaz and his fiance, Celeste, whom they both hate, because she's a stuck up dependent who still dresses like a child lost in a Disney fantasy land and thinks she's better than everybody because she's marrying a rock star legend. Suzy meets a man named Harry when he pulls her brother, Rory, over for speeding and she saves him from getting a ticket by feigning tears, claiming they're on their way to the hospital with a cup of of her pretend husband's (Rory, her brother's) sperm (milkshake) to try to have a baby. All while trying not to flirt with the guy (Harry). Haha! Harry then bumps into Suzy at the bar, drunk as a skunk with her coworkers and friends, nearly falling off the back of another man. Having put the pieces together, Harry realizes that she played him like a fiddle with the sperm in cup bit and asks her out on a date.
It doesn't go as planned, but she runs into Harry again, when he arrives at her home after Suzy's mother's funeral with his friend who ends up being her sister from another mister named, Lucille.
And come to find out, Lucille has known about them, despite them (Suzy and her siblings) not knowing of her existence, and she lived in the same town as them all these years and when their mother was "traveling the world" she was actually visiting Lucille. (I know it's alot, but there's more, please bear with me!)
Harry and Suzy finally starts to date, and things seem to be going okay, aside from the fact that Harry is coming on too strong and Suzy feels like there is something missing/lacking from Harry and she just can't seem to put her finger on it. In comes Harry's older brother, Leo. Nooooow Suzy realizes what the "what" is that's missing from Harry. And Leo's got it and Suzy wants it/him bad! Haha! Realizing Suzy wants Leo and not Harry, her plans of dumping Harry gets put on hold because, BAM! SHAZAM! Out of nowhere, Suzy finds herself engaged to Harry with Jaz as their best man! (The mess of it all, I know!) And Suzy can't seem to catch a break with Leo, because she is constantly running into him with yet another man!
There's so much more to this story, but I don't want to spoil it and give it away! Just go get the book! It's wonderful and funny, entertaining and fantastic! I loved it and hope you do too!
I loved Suzy's character, I loved her confident, crazy ass. Suzy is the definition of a hot mess. Haha!
For starters, Suzy lives in the same building as her ex husband, Jaz's ex wife, Fee, and they live next door to Jaz and his fiance, Celeste, whom they both hate, because she's a stuck up dependent who still dresses like a child lost in a Disney fantasy land and thinks she's better than everybody because she's marrying a rock star legend. Suzy meets a man named Harry when he pulls her brother, Rory, over for speeding and she saves him from getting a ticket by feigning tears, claiming they're on their way to the hospital with a cup of of her pretend husband's (Rory, her brother's) sperm (milkshake) to try to have a baby. All while trying not to flirt with the guy (Harry). Haha! Harry then bumps into Suzy at the bar, drunk as a skunk with her coworkers and friends, nearly falling off the back of another man. Having put the pieces together, Harry realizes that she played him like a fiddle with the sperm in cup bit and asks her out on a date.
It doesn't go as planned, but she runs into Harry again, when he arrives at her home after Suzy's mother's funeral with his friend who ends up being her sister from another mister named, Lucille.
And come to find out, Lucille has known about them, despite them (Suzy and her siblings) not knowing of her existence, and she lived in the same town as them all these years and when their mother was "traveling the world" she was actually visiting Lucille. (I know it's alot, but there's more, please bear with me!)
Harry and Suzy finally starts to date, and things seem to be going okay, aside from the fact that Harry is coming on too strong and Suzy feels like there is something missing/lacking from Harry and she just can't seem to put her finger on it. In comes Harry's older brother, Leo. Nooooow Suzy realizes what the "what" is that's missing from Harry. And Leo's got it and Suzy wants it/him bad! Haha! Realizing Suzy wants Leo and not Harry, her plans of dumping Harry gets put on hold because, BAM! SHAZAM! Out of nowhere, Suzy finds herself engaged to Harry with Jaz as their best man! (The mess of it all, I know!) And Suzy can't seem to catch a break with Leo, because she is constantly running into him with yet another man!
There's so much more to this story, but I don't want to spoil it and give it away! Just go get the book! It's wonderful and funny, entertaining and fantastic! I loved it and hope you do too!
August 16, 2012
Quando pensamos que já folheamos todas as loucuras possíveis através das palavras de Jill Mansell, heis que descobrimos Jogos Secretos para provar que a criatividade desta autora não tem limites, assim como a sua boa disposição e as suas personagens, incontornáveis, caricaturas perfeitas dos nossos desejos mais íntimos mas que, preferencialmente, não deveremos seguir como exemplo ou acabaremos envolvidos em alucinantes peripécias.
Gostaria de vos dizer que Suzy, a protagonista, é uma mulher perfeita no entanto, até mesmo ela que se tem em alta estima, saberia dizer-vos que não é bem assim. Ela veste-se como uma verdadeira senhora, sim, tem um bom emprego e, à sua maneira, sabe que até é muito bonita mas quando se trata de seduzir o homem perfeito, é um verdadeiro milagre que este não desate a fugir de si a sete pés. Ora vejamos, quando ela descobre um espécime masculino que realmente lhe interessa, mente-lhe (por uma causa que apenas ela considera nobre), mais tarde, quando o revê, é raptada (de uma forma que ela considera tudo menos nobre) e quando finalmente se voltam a encontrar, e se conhecem, tanto a sua família como o seu figurino estão no seu pior momento. Suzy não tem, de todo, a vida facilitada e sabe que o seu destino pode sempre piorar!
A uma protagonista pouco convencional, com a capacidade inata de vos fazer gargalhar, juntem Jaz, o ex. marido músico famoso que já não canta, Celeste, uma aberração de pompons coquete e a actual mulher de Jaz, Lucille, uma irmã que nunca existiu, Harry, um policia com queda para herói e Leo, o irmão do policia com ar vilão, acho que, definitivamente, se pode afirmar que o universo de Suzy parece congeminar, literalmente, contra si, ameaçando destruir totalmente as suas hipóteses de descobrir o homem da sua vida.
Para lá das mil e uma voltas e reviravoltas mirabolantes que só esta autora sabe criar, através dos seus enredos fantásticos e preenchidos, o leitor poderá ainda encontrar abordagens ligeiras a temas muito diversificados como por exemplo, neste caso particular, o alcoolismo ou bigamia, que servem de ponto de partida para desenvolver alguns dramas afectivos mas tudo isto, claro está, de maneira tremendamente divertida.
Dos mais tímidos aos mais desinibidos, passando pelos corações apaixonados àqueles que se recusam a sentir, nesta história quem lê terá oportunidade de encontrar um pouco de tudo no que respeita a intervenientes o que permite explorar, profundamente, as relações humanas sem que, em momento algum, fique de parte o maior trunfo do livro, a garantia de comédia e entretenimento.
Sem dúvida, o tipo de leitura irresistível para os adeptos de romances mais exigentes que pretendam disfrutar de páginas que proporcionem um bom momento de descontracção.
Opinião completa: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.pt...
Gostaria de vos dizer que Suzy, a protagonista, é uma mulher perfeita no entanto, até mesmo ela que se tem em alta estima, saberia dizer-vos que não é bem assim. Ela veste-se como uma verdadeira senhora, sim, tem um bom emprego e, à sua maneira, sabe que até é muito bonita mas quando se trata de seduzir o homem perfeito, é um verdadeiro milagre que este não desate a fugir de si a sete pés. Ora vejamos, quando ela descobre um espécime masculino que realmente lhe interessa, mente-lhe (por uma causa que apenas ela considera nobre), mais tarde, quando o revê, é raptada (de uma forma que ela considera tudo menos nobre) e quando finalmente se voltam a encontrar, e se conhecem, tanto a sua família como o seu figurino estão no seu pior momento. Suzy não tem, de todo, a vida facilitada e sabe que o seu destino pode sempre piorar!
A uma protagonista pouco convencional, com a capacidade inata de vos fazer gargalhar, juntem Jaz, o ex. marido músico famoso que já não canta, Celeste, uma aberração de pompons coquete e a actual mulher de Jaz, Lucille, uma irmã que nunca existiu, Harry, um policia com queda para herói e Leo, o irmão do policia com ar vilão, acho que, definitivamente, se pode afirmar que o universo de Suzy parece congeminar, literalmente, contra si, ameaçando destruir totalmente as suas hipóteses de descobrir o homem da sua vida.
Para lá das mil e uma voltas e reviravoltas mirabolantes que só esta autora sabe criar, através dos seus enredos fantásticos e preenchidos, o leitor poderá ainda encontrar abordagens ligeiras a temas muito diversificados como por exemplo, neste caso particular, o alcoolismo ou bigamia, que servem de ponto de partida para desenvolver alguns dramas afectivos mas tudo isto, claro está, de maneira tremendamente divertida.
Dos mais tímidos aos mais desinibidos, passando pelos corações apaixonados àqueles que se recusam a sentir, nesta história quem lê terá oportunidade de encontrar um pouco de tudo no que respeita a intervenientes o que permite explorar, profundamente, as relações humanas sem que, em momento algum, fique de parte o maior trunfo do livro, a garantia de comédia e entretenimento.
Sem dúvida, o tipo de leitura irresistível para os adeptos de romances mais exigentes que pretendam disfrutar de páginas que proporcionem um bom momento de descontracção.
Opinião completa: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.pt...
January 10, 2016
Really 1.5 stars
Good at Games was originally published in Britain in 2000, so it’s an older work just being published in the U.S. for the first time. Having read it, I can see why the publishers didn't rush to put it out here.
The story centers around Suzy Curtis, who is young, attractive, well-off, and popular with men, but who typically chooses to date men who aren’t very nice. The exception is her ex-husband and friend, Jaz, a formerly alcoholic rock star who is now on the wagon. At the beginning of the book, Suzy meets a handsome cop, Harry, who she winds up dating—and his best friend just happens to be Lucille, the half-sister Suzy didn’t know she had. Then Suzy meets the cop’s brother, Leo, and finds herself much more attracted to him. But how can she be with the brother of the man she’s dating? Especially when he happens to be engaged? Then Suzy finds herself accidentally engaged to her boyfriend, and her life gets even more complicated.
Good at Games has the humor and the happy endings for multiple couples that mark Mansell’s later novels. But this book has its problems. For one thing, I found it to be overly complicated, with too much going on. I also didn’t find Suzy very likeable; she was a bit too much of a schemer for my tastes. But the biggest problem is that the central romance, between Suzy and Leo, doesn’t really succeed. They spend almost no time together during the course of the book, because the plot is so overstuffed with other couples and other story lines. It’s hard to see how Leo and Suzy could even decide they love each other, given the amount of interacting they do in the course of the book. In comparison, the secondary romances that the author cooks up for Jaz, Lucille, and Suzy’s brother seem more real and interesting.
Read it if you are a fan of Jill Mansell and want to read everything she wrote. Otherwise, I’d recommend skipping this one in favor of some of her other books.
An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Good at Games was originally published in Britain in 2000, so it’s an older work just being published in the U.S. for the first time. Having read it, I can see why the publishers didn't rush to put it out here.
The story centers around Suzy Curtis, who is young, attractive, well-off, and popular with men, but who typically chooses to date men who aren’t very nice. The exception is her ex-husband and friend, Jaz, a formerly alcoholic rock star who is now on the wagon. At the beginning of the book, Suzy meets a handsome cop, Harry, who she winds up dating—and his best friend just happens to be Lucille, the half-sister Suzy didn’t know she had. Then Suzy meets the cop’s brother, Leo, and finds herself much more attracted to him. But how can she be with the brother of the man she’s dating? Especially when he happens to be engaged? Then Suzy finds herself accidentally engaged to her boyfriend, and her life gets even more complicated.
Good at Games has the humor and the happy endings for multiple couples that mark Mansell’s later novels. But this book has its problems. For one thing, I found it to be overly complicated, with too much going on. I also didn’t find Suzy very likeable; she was a bit too much of a schemer for my tastes. But the biggest problem is that the central romance, between Suzy and Leo, doesn’t really succeed. They spend almost no time together during the course of the book, because the plot is so overstuffed with other couples and other story lines. It’s hard to see how Leo and Suzy could even decide they love each other, given the amount of interacting they do in the course of the book. In comparison, the secondary romances that the author cooks up for Jaz, Lucille, and Suzy’s brother seem more real and interesting.
Read it if you are a fan of Jill Mansell and want to read everything she wrote. Otherwise, I’d recommend skipping this one in favor of some of her other books.
An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2012
Num universo ficcional chuvoso e acolhedor onde nada é o que aparenta ser à primeira vista, onde a verdadeira beleza muitas vezes se esconde por entre expressões tímidas e roupas simples e onde a surpresa, o sentido de mudança e o amor se encontram mesmo ao virar da esquina, evitar soltar uma gargalhada, um arrepio ou um suspiro mais profundo torna-se uma tarefa não só árdua, e também, algo impossível...
«Jogos Secretos» trata-se de mais uma narrativa extraordinariamente divertida e dinâmica sobre as peripécias comuns do coração que afectam um fabuloso grupo de personagens peculiares e deveras excêntricas, ligadas entre si através de estreitos laços de amizade, cumplicidade e intuição. Num romance que se adivinha excepcional em surpresas e gloriosos momentos de partilha de afecto, escolha alguma poderia substituir a leveza, descontracção e naturalidade com que esta autora premeia as suas obras, a um público que não só necessita como igualmente procura um meio de escape face o «complicado» do dia a dia.
Jill Mansell escreve com tal carisma e magnetismo, simplicidade e ternura, afeição, que muito dificilmente o leitor conseguirá colocar os seus romances de lado antes do virar da última página. É magistral a imaginação e cuidado que esta autora emprega aos seus romances, bem como a espontaneidade que confere aos seus diálogos, mas, ainda assim, é o humor característico do seu estilo de escrita o elemento que mais atrai nas suas histórias, e que instiga à leitura desenfreada de todas as suas obras.
Opinião completa, em:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.p...
«Jogos Secretos» trata-se de mais uma narrativa extraordinariamente divertida e dinâmica sobre as peripécias comuns do coração que afectam um fabuloso grupo de personagens peculiares e deveras excêntricas, ligadas entre si através de estreitos laços de amizade, cumplicidade e intuição. Num romance que se adivinha excepcional em surpresas e gloriosos momentos de partilha de afecto, escolha alguma poderia substituir a leveza, descontracção e naturalidade com que esta autora premeia as suas obras, a um público que não só necessita como igualmente procura um meio de escape face o «complicado» do dia a dia.
Jill Mansell escreve com tal carisma e magnetismo, simplicidade e ternura, afeição, que muito dificilmente o leitor conseguirá colocar os seus romances de lado antes do virar da última página. É magistral a imaginação e cuidado que esta autora emprega aos seus romances, bem como a espontaneidade que confere aos seus diálogos, mas, ainda assim, é o humor característico do seu estilo de escrita o elemento que mais atrai nas suas histórias, e que instiga à leitura desenfreada de todas as suas obras.
Opinião completa, em:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.p...
March 15, 2014
2.5 stars
This is a light breezy novel which you can finish off in one sitting. It has its funny moments and some adorable main characters. Is it just me or was everyone 'simply gorgeous' in this story?
The thing about Jill Mansell is that she's always keen on a happy ending, meaning the good guys get what they want, while the bad ones suffer uproariously. While this is something I usually enjoy enormously, it just seemed a bit forced now. And I didn't like how everyone paired off in the end, for example
Also, hehehe,
Glad that's off my chest now.
This is a light breezy novel which you can finish off in one sitting. It has its funny moments and some adorable main characters. Is it just me or was everyone 'simply gorgeous' in this story?
The thing about Jill Mansell is that she's always keen on a happy ending, meaning the good guys get what they want, while the bad ones suffer uproariously. While this is something I usually enjoy enormously, it just seemed a bit forced now. And I didn't like how everyone paired off in the end, for example
Also, hehehe,
Glad that's off my chest now.
January 21, 2016
I’m always up for a few hundred pages of fun when they’re written by Jill Mansell. If you’ve never read her British chick lit, pick up Millie’s Fling or Staying at Daisy’s – my two Mansell faves. And if you’re already a fan, try Good at Games. It’s not Mansell’s best, but it IS unique and enjoyable.
Main character Suzy finds herself engaged to a man she doesn’t love – or even really like anymore. Meanwhile, Suzy has chemistry with his brother, she lives next door to her ex-husband, and takes in her long-lost half sister. Between the the love triangle, misunderstandings, and sneaking around, Good at Games is a comedy of errors that had my head spinning!
Though a little convoluted for my “fluff” tastes, this book gets thumbs up for fresh, fun characters and a happily ever after.
http://randombookmuses.com/2016/01/20...
NetGalley provided an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2017
Despite many of the characters being certifiable sociopaths and the socially incestuous relationship plot lines, and despite being too long at over 500 pages it was a pretty quick light read. This an early Jill Mansell book and her more recent books are better in every way. Not sure why it was called Good at Games though. Some characters played Boggle, but otherwise no games.
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