Miranda's Big Mistake

by Jill Mansell

Book by Mansell, Jill

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

475 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

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

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miranda's Big Mistake is a very long book. If it was shorter, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more than I did. Sadly, the problems I had with it far outweigh the good.

While reading it on my Kindle, there's a huge formatting mistake. There are no spaces or dashes to indicate a character shift. One second I read about one character then the next I would read about another. It was all very jarring.

So I mentioned that this was a long book. What's funny is that it could have ended 50% through the book with the premise of the book, but it just kept going on. It did pick up steam after that, but it wasn't because of Miranda.

Even though it's called "Miranda's Big Mistake," she's probably the least likable character. I loved all the supporting characters like Florence, Chloe and Finn, but didn't care much for Miranda. That's what added to the length. Those characters got their screen time. While Miranda did bring them all together, I just didn't care about her nor did I see why all the love interests fancied her.

Speaking of love, does that term sure get thrown about. Sure, it is chick-lit so it does follow a formula, but does every hook up have to start and end with 'I love you?' They can know each other for a day and that phrase comes out of their mouths.

Lastly, I'm not sure when this takes place. I thought it was early 2000s because they talk about singers who aren't as big any more, CDs, VCRs, but then next year gets mentioned and that next year is 2011. It just seems to me that they added 2011 without changing the rest of the book, which just didn't fit.

Overall, a disappointing book that could have been better with some tightening or fixing of the above mistakes. I thought at the least, that I would get an insight into a hair salon, but sadly, it didn't go into that much either.

[Jacob Proffitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I should have known from the blurb not to go there. I had hoped that Mansell would do her magic with Greg and not make him as horrible as it sounds. But no. He's actually worse—callus and selfish and manipulative. I hated him as soon as he walked out on poor Chloe when he finds she's pregnant. He might have had a leg to stand on because I can totally get not wanting children. But he just left and he left angry and he didn't even look back or hesitate. Chloe is well-quit of him and I hated that Miranda had fixed her sights on him at all and that he was getting away with his big deception.

And then Mansell manipulated circumstances just to ensure that Miranda didn't learn the truth by having her go eyes-closed, headset blaring sitting in a car in the middle of a first date while he goes in the house for some dumb reason. So she misses the ranting mother-in-law (who was a thoroughly despicable person in her own right, frankly) pounding on the car and yelling epithets at her before going on to take on the snotrag inside yelling about him leaving his wife just because she's pregnant. So Greg gets to lie outright and she's all "you're such a hero!" and my stomach turned.

So yeah. One star. I'd go lower if I could.

[Razvan Banciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course, we are not talking about Shakespeare, not even Archer or John Grisham, but that's a book I've liked quite a lot. The plot isn't so distinguished, the final (for all the characters) is somehow foreseeable, and yet there is some charm. Miranda and Florence are both lovable (in not too different ways, of course...), the dialogues have enough sharpness and all the good people get their final reward. Nice and tonic, that kind of book which wakes up your empathy, so a full four is more than deserved...

[Goddess Of Blah · Rating 1 out of 5]

DUMB. DUMB. DUMB. SO DUMB IT HURTS.

JUST SHUT UP. YOU'RE STUPID.

NO MORE PLEASE! YOU DUMB B****


Jill Mansell's books (that I have had the misfortune to read) have so far been an insult to any self-respecting intelligent (or even semi-intelligent) audience. All seem to follow the same premise of ultra chick lit trash. Be prepared to lose brain cells when reading her trite, clichéd rubbish.

The heroine is generally naïve and either unsuccessful in her career or from a disadvantaged background. A confirmed sap, she's invariably misunderstood by our dashing rich “hero” - and is usually betrayed by a former boyfriend or she has suffered an unfortunate break-up from a long term relationship.

The hero's are all from the same chick-lit mould - a text book recipe shared by the uncreative of romance authors: tall, dark and handsome (and invariably wealthy). If she could create a romance novel with a hero suffering a receding hairline, a middle income and of average height - her books would have some depth. If one recollects Jane Eyre - the characters' of a romance need not be good looking.

I loath absolute chick lit – and all her books are thus. Great if you're a bimbo though – because these books are so light that they float. Enjoy.

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous beach read! Love her stories.

[Anne Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off well enough, though I did find Miranda faintly irritating from the start - she's just too ditsy and so terribly nice that I instantly took against her, as it were. However, that's not a huge problem, as her friends and colleagues provide a far greater level of interest and have a decent-ish amount of page space - so if you get fed up with Miranda, then you soon have Chloe (who is Greg's newly pregnant and abandoned wife) and Bev (the man-mad colleague) to look forward to and concentrate on.

Greg, of course, is the man we all love to hate - he blames Chloe for getting pregnant and breaking her word to him about not wanting babies and instantly leaves her. Because he's just a very nasty man, to be honest. He's also rather unbelievable as I simply didn't credit that Greg could be such a downright despicable cad and yet get two nice women (Chloe and later Miranda) to fall for him. He's really more caricature than character - and this is also the case with Chloe's dreadful boss and his wife. Both of these people are frankly so horrible that I just kept laughing at them, and I'm not convinced that was the reaction Mansell was intending. Oh well.

Never mind, as there are a couple of menfolk in the mix who are adorable in every way - Fenn, the definitely straight hairdresser, and Miles, the lovely and witty famous racing driver, are a delight and should have had far more page space here than they actually do. It's a bit of a lost opportunity for the men, to be honest. Also, something dreadful happens to Miles about three-quarters of the way through which I think was totally unnecessary and rather stupid - and this leaves the way free for journalist Danny to take the place of the dreadful Greg as Miranda's potential partner. Are you keeping up at the back? I do hope so!…

It's a shame then that Danny is so terribly shallow and unattractive - in fact at one point after the Miles Debacle, he thinks something so utterly prejudiced and unloving about Miranda's potential relationship with Miles that I wanted to beat him to death with his own laptop. What a horrible man! Really, he and the irritating Miranda probably deserve one another but they're definitely not going to be happy as they simply don't gel …

So there it is. A mixed bag of a book, with an unlikeable heroine and hero, but with some very good secondary characters we should have seen more of.

Verdict: 3 stars. Average.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light and funny read. I enjoyed it so much that even though my GSCE exams are starting in 4 days I STILL devoured this book within 2 days. I loved how Jill linked all the lovely characters up, it was so cool I mean, one way or the other, directly or indirectly, everyone's' lives were linked together. throughout the book I felt like killing Greg Malone and Daisy. I must say, they were the most annoying characters ever, made me foam at the mouth! then there was dear Florence and Tom and gorgeous Daniel Delancey (bae) and MILES HARPER and Bev and FENN and sweet pregnant Chloe and OF COURSE MIRANDA, the girl with the red and green hair whom Danny had fallen in love with from the very first. I instantly connected with the characters. I sat idle with the book in my lap staring into space when Miles Harper died in that horrible car crash on the M1 and then after a while I startied crying. I was so furious when Daisy acted in front of the media that she was practically drowning in grief at Miles' death when she really didn't care at all. Before attending his funeral she even went to the fenn lomax salon to get her hair done because media was going to be there filming each movement that she'd make.
A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOK! I SWEAR YOU WONT REGRET IT.
JILL MANSELL YOU'RE THE BEST FOR WRITING THESE PERFECT ROMANTIC COMEDIES.
A FIVE STAR WORTHY BOOK AND DEFIANTLY MY FAVORITE ONE TOO.
I really wish I owned this book.
sorry I'm so brief at the moment, I have to go study biology and then when I take a break I'll be reading Jill's next book that I've borrowed from the library, 'Staying at Daisy's'. I know for a fact I won't be dissapointed I mean COME ONNN, its Jill Mansell we're talking about here, the QUEEN of chick lit!

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Mansell's books. They are always sweet and they never disappoint. Of course this one I actually wanted to listen to because of Gabrielle Baker, and she made is so much better. Her voice was perfect for it.

Miranda works in a fancy hair saloon. So far she does she lowly jobs, and hey, with her luck and messing things up, that might be a good idea. Her boss forgives a lot. Things others would not. But then she is sunshine. Happy, nice and funny. Who would not want to work with her. She is the one that the book is about, but since this is a Mansell book everyone else gets a lot of time in the spotlight too.

Like her boss ..Fen or Ben? I could actually not get that right. Anyway, the hot guy who owns the saloon and dates supermodels. But he is such a good guy.

Bev, who is the receptionist for the place. She is dyyyyyyying to meet someone, and this woman needs to calm down.

Flo, who owns the house where Miranda rents a room. Oh FLo was hilarious! I wish I am that cool and sassy when I get old.

Chloe, whose husband dumped her when she got preggers. That ahole! Chloe is so sweet and nice!

But as the blurb can tell you she will meet someone and fall in love, and dang he made is so hard to dislike him. Cos he is an ahole, but he does seem to like Miranda. There is also another mistake she makes early on that comes back through out the whole book, and I will not say more there, except, some mistakes are worth making.

The only weird thing was when she fell for someone and...let's just say, she got over it so fast. It felt like, why even write that particular story. It was strange and I can not say more.

But do not worry, everyone will be happy (except for Greg, he does not deserve too).

I enjoyed it

Narrator Gabrielle Baker
Oh she is just wonderful! I really like her voice and she makes for a great Miranda

[Radella · Rating 4 out of 5]

But enjoyable, nonetheless.
Miranda is the trainee at one of the trendiest hair salons. It's not quite clear how she has managed to keep her job- her regular tardiness is something of a joke among the shop workers. She lives with an elderly lady, doing things around the house for cheap rent. She's a bit of a pushover, always wanting to help others out. She's a bit of a dull character, with a ridiculously complicated love life. She first falls in love with Greg, only to find he isn't what she thinks. Then there's Miles, a race car driver. Throughout it all is Danny. Miranda and Danny are constantly at odds, until they suddenly aren't.
What really makes this story interesting, and the only thing that kept me reading, are all the side characters. The side stories are the redeeming quality in this book. Miranda's isn't the only love life who we get to see. There's Miranda's landlady who reconnects with an old friend and Chloe, another renter who unexpectedly falls in love in the midst of a divorce and pregnancy.
Miranda isn't all that interesting, and many of the situations she finds herself in are too contrived to be believable. She never really learns her lesson. Chloe, however, was a great character. I would have enjoyed more of her story in this story!

[Raquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nesta autora nada me surpreende nas histórias de amor que são contadas pela mesma. Adoro! Embora haja algumas personagens pelo meio que poderiam desaparecer que ninguém dava conta. Acho a história de Mirada e Greg mal resolvida aliás consegue-se saber logo pelo início mas lá se acabam por entender mesmo que seja quase para o fim do livro. Adorei!!!!

http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...

[Libonsor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually enjoy Jill Mansell's books; they are easy reads with sweet characters that you grow to love. Unfortunately the character building in this book was of a lower standard to most of her other books. I found that not only did Miranda's character not blossom as the book went on, I actually started to dislike her, part of me wishing the story was about Chloe who I felt more of a connection with.
I have only read to page 380 and have had to stop as I have become bored and frustrated with the story. I plan to go complete it at some point, as I hate to leave books unfinished, but to be honest I know how the story is going to end and therefore I don't harbour much enthusiasm. Disappointed.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually didn't finish this book, but I'm going to say that I did since it should've ended where I stopped reading.

For the most part this was a funny and enjoyable read with a good cast of characters, but the author clearly lost a handle on the overall plot. It felt like she had a couple ideas of what should happen to these characters, and instead of picking one, she just shoehorned them together into one book, one after the other. I read this as an ebook, and was kind of shocked when got to what seemed to be the climax, and then realized that I had about a third of the book left -- what else needed to happen?? I ended up deciding that the answer to that question was "nothing," as I just could not bring myself to continue reading.

The main character had three potential suitors in this book, which ended up being too many for the author to handle. There was the seemingly-charming but actually horrible guy, the seemingly-horrible but actually charming guy, and then...a famous racecar driver? The first two guys complemented each other and added to the story, but the third guy was just incredibly random. His little cameo near the beginning was fun, but it should have stopped there. There was no reason for his character to become so central to the story, and that's when I stopped reading. I've never experienced such an intense and immediate turn off while reading a book before, but that's what happened here.

It's a shame that the author so fucked up this story, because I was rather interested in the fates of the other characters. She had created an engaging and well-rounded cast of characters, but they ended up as a waste. Thankfully, it was easy enough to guess the endings for most of them, and I guess I'll have to be satisfied with that. (I could just skip to the end to see what happens, but the author did too thorough of a job turning me off of this story that I don't even want to do that).

I seriously don't understand what the author was doing with this book. It started off so promising and intriguing, and she ruined it for reasons I cannot guess. If this book had ended at an appropriate time I would have given it 4 stars, but as it is I'm generously rounding up a 2.5 star experience.

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was probably one of my least favorite Jill Mansell's so far. I found Miranda kind of annoying and felt that it was unrealistic for every guy she meets to fall in love with her (Greg, Daniel, Miles). I disliked the death of Miles because it felt like the cheap way out - why bother with having the character there in the first place?

I loved Chloe and her plot line. I wasn't too keen on Fenn to start with but their romance grew on me and I was happy with the way her story panned out. I actually would have loved a book with Chloe as the main character instead.

I also enjoyed Bev's story and was so happy that she got a HEA too!

The main problem I had with this book was the length and overall structure. I felt that it could have easily been two different books, especially as the Greg plot was dropped halfway through. It felt as if Jill came up with three different (and interesting) love interests and plots but ruined it by putting them all in the same book! She should have chosen one of three plots:
1. Miranda falls for a man who is already married and expecting a baby with her new roommate Chloe. (Unbeknownst to either Miranda or Chloe).
2. Miranda falls for her friend who she constantly flirts/argues with who is also the guy who tricked her into believing he was homeless.
3. Miranda falls in love with a famous racing driver but he already has a girlfriend who won't give up on him.

By putting all 3 plots into one book she makes the story longer uncessarily. Miles was largely absent from the start of the story, while the Greg, Simon/Verity and to an extent Florence storylines are barely mentioned in the latter half of the book.

As always, I found some parts laugh-out-loud and some parts heartbreaking, but the disjointed feel and overly long and complicated plot ruined this for me.

2.5 stars

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun read from Jill Mansell. Again, her cast of characters are so loveable that you want them to be your friends! Miranda's life seems to be a mess - but she is surrounded by many friends who love her and care about her - from her landlady Florence, her boss at the hair salon, Fenn and her best friend Bev. Even though she seems to have her share of bad luck when it comes to men, it seems that everyone who comes in contact with her is instantly taken in by her warm and giving personality.



Miranda befriends a homeless man who sits outside the salon - she gives him half her lunch whenever she sees him - and even goes so far to give him money for tea and a scarf and gloves. Of course, the gloves were left at the salon by a client, and after waiting weeks to take them and give them to this homeless man, the client phones up and wants them back! This sort of tells you how her life in general seems to go. How would you feel if you had to go back to a homeless man just minutes after giving him a warm pair of gloves and tell him that you needed them back?

After Miranda finishes with Greg, the soon-to-be ex-husband baby-daddy of her new flatmate, she decides that she is happy just as she is - until, of course, she catches the eye of a very handsome, very well-known race car driver. How fast can she fall for him?

I have really been enjoying Jill Mansell's books. If you missed my review of An Offer You Can't Refuse you should really go check it out too. I also did an interview with Jill Mansell - just click on her name. I am really excited to tell you she is going to have a fall release also - Millie's Fling! Watch for details.

[Solina Laevuo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Mintti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ihanaa kevyttä, ihmissuhdekoukeroita sisältävää hyvin kirjoitettua ja mielenkiintoa ylläpitävää hömppää.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first thought upon picking up this book club selection was who in the world writes a 500 page Chick Lit book? I mean, that really defeats the purpose of something light and easy to read on the beach. But I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by this huge book.

It was confusing in certain parts because the story is told from multiple perspectives and at times they were disjointed. And some of the British humor and terminology lost me for a moment, but the overall tone of the book was pretty funny. I would love to have a Florence in my life. But while the main character Miranda was quirky and a free spirit, it became quite implausible that the author wanted us to believe every hot looking man she meets falls instantly in love with her. She was like the equivalent of Edward in Twilight only with blue hair instead of sparkly skin. A real magnet.

I still believe the book could have been slashed in half and achieved the same thing minus one awe-struck lover. It felt like Ms. Mansell didn't want to stop writing her own book and kept adding on and on and on. But I'm an easy sucker for happy endings and all loose ties wrapped up nice and tidy in my Chick Lit. I was like metal to the magnet.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't read too much chick lit romance anymore, but once in a while I like reading something light in between thrillers. This was a very light and silly book, however i found the scenarios to be completely over the top. The premise is the Miranda falls for a man who just left his pregnant wife, Chloe. A couple of weeks or so later, it just happens that Chloe moves into the same house that Miranda lives in. Throw in other stories about a 'homeless' journalist, a celebrity race car driver, and minor characters all with their own problems, and you get completely unrealistic scenarios. It appears that any guy who meets Miranda falls head over heels for her. She falls in love with three guys in quick succession, even though the previous relationships ended with disastrous or heartbreaking results. Even Chloe seems to recover from her failed marriage fast. Also every other minor character in the story also find love by the end of the novel. I'm not even too sure what her big mistake is and what she learns from it.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I started this book last month and stopped reading it because I got busy doing other things. So, I started the book again on my flight back from Paris. I really enjoyed it. I have read a bunch of books by this author and I don’t think there’s been a bad one in the bunch.
The characters were interesting and I liked everyone except Bruce.
The setting is London and a lot of time is spent in a hair salon.
There are many “celebrity sightings” through out the book but it doesn’t really make it less credible.
The main character, Miranda, is in her early 20’s and the plot revolves around her, her job at the salon and her landlady who rents some space from her home to Miranda.
I like to take a “fluff” break every once and a while. Especially after reading murder mystery/thrillers.
This was a nice break and it made the trip home a lot faster.
I need to read more of these.

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read but not one of Jill Mansell's best. To start with it was incredibly long and when I thought it was wrapping up, it just kept going on and on. It's like the author had a heap of good ideas for a book but probably needed to select the best few rather than cramming them all in the one book. I loved nearly all the secondary characters but couldn't stand Miranda! She seemed a little too pathetic and annoying to me and I couldn't understand why every man she met seemed to fall madly in love with her. Without spoiling the plot, the whole Greg story line fizzled out pretty early on and was a bit of an anticlimax. This was disappointing considering it was supposably the main story line. A fun read, but have definitely read better stories by Jill Mansell.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully complex book about the sisterhood of friendship and an unwitting love triangle with a very deceptive Mr Wrong. There are several love stories woven into this one book, all of them charming, but the revenge plan cooked up by those wronged by Mr Wrong was by far my favorite--it had me holding my ribs and crying with laughter and re-reading it a couple of times to savor the cleverness of it. Mansell's characters really leap off the page and into your heart. A fun, fun read!

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have become addicted to Jill Mansell!! Her books are fun, fast, and she really spins a great story! I totally enjoyed the complications that her characters experienced in their lives. There were so many fun moments and a few of those "aha" ones to boot. Who can resist characters that pop off the pages and really pull the reader into their tale? Mansell delivers another solid Brit Chic adventure and I can't wait to read another one of her books!

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mansell's stories are some of my favorite chick-lit books. Her stories provide charming characters and the right humor that makes me happy. This one was no exception. I loved the characters and the story. Except for one thing: the part with the race car driver. Sometimes JM adds a story line that's just a little too much. I felt that Myles's part in the story was unnecessary and provided nothing to the overall plot. Other than that, it was another hit.

[Jerjonji · Rating 1 out of 5]

If reading one of Mansell's books is like eating cotton candy, reading two in the same week will give you a toothache. It did make me want to visit English countryside, and the characters were fun. The characters in this kept me reading long after the story was satisfying... kind of like fudge- you know you shouldn't have one more piece, but that nut looks soooo inviting!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

By turns infuriating and yet charming the eclectic cast of characters who inhabit this story never bore the books reader, rather they prove to be out-of-bounds good fun to follow from start to finish.

Our main female character Miranda may have made a big mistake but what she was rewarded with when all is said and done more than makes up for it for sure.

[Ashley♥Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one crazy story. I really liked how this story started and knew i would love the ending. by the middle of the book i thought it was kinda dragging on. I did really feel for Miranda, she has some pretty rotten luck. I really liked Miles. *sigh*

[Asti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really? Does it have to be a formula one champion, and DIE...
But since it was Jill Mansel writing, it was still a lot of fun to read.
Not among the worst of hers either, this one. Quite OK overall.

[Purple Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable and unbelievable, over the top and cliché, but fun!

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doua carti am citit de aceasta autoare, ambele mi-au placut foarte mult. Sper sa se mai traduca si altele!

[Eija Miettunen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Juoni lähti heti kulkemaan ja sitten ennen puolta väliä tuli ajatus, että mitämitä, nythän tämä jo ratkeaa! Ja sitten alettiin vielä uudemman kerran pyörittämään päähenkilön ongelmia, tai toimintamalleja. Vähän tuntui turhalta kun loppuratkaisu oli ihan selvä jo sivulta 9. Onneksi kirjassa on muutama muukin henkilö, joiden elämää seurataan, ja loppujen lopuksi saatiin monta onnellista loppua.