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The Cost of Loving #1
Can't Buy Me Love: A wild coming of age journey through the swinging sixties.
It’s the sixties, and London might be swinging, but not for our girl Edith. Raised in a miserable home full of anger and hate, life for poor Edith seems to hold little hope. But she finds plenty when she teams up with her older gay cousin, Ronnie, who makes her his mission with a plan to re-shape her into the fabulous young woman he knows she deserves to be.
Once free of her father and her weak, defenseless mother, her transformation is swift and dramatic. Suddenly, life is an exciting adventure, full of twists and turns, as Edith’s coming of age becomes a roller-coaster ride of glorious highs and frightening lows, including a father who comes back to haunt her. But where will it take her, and how will it end? Who will win, and who will lose?
‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is the first of six volumes in the ‘The Cost of Loving’ Series. If you like stories of success over adversity, family dramas and sexual diversity, then you will love Martin Humphries’ bitter-sweet voyage of discovery through some of the most exciting years in living memory. Years chock full of changes of every kind, when being gay usually spelt trouble with a capital T.
Start traveling this fascinating journey through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s today by buying ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, and follow Edith through London, Europe and Hollywood, over two decades, as she matures from troubled teenager to famous beauty.
Once free of her father and her weak, defenseless mother, her transformation is swift and dramatic. Suddenly, life is an exciting adventure, full of twists and turns, as Edith’s coming of age becomes a roller-coaster ride of glorious highs and frightening lows, including a father who comes back to haunt her. But where will it take her, and how will it end? Who will win, and who will lose?
‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is the first of six volumes in the ‘The Cost of Loving’ Series. If you like stories of success over adversity, family dramas and sexual diversity, then you will love Martin Humphries’ bitter-sweet voyage of discovery through some of the most exciting years in living memory. Years chock full of changes of every kind, when being gay usually spelt trouble with a capital T.
Start traveling this fascinating journey through the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s today by buying ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, and follow Edith through London, Europe and Hollywood, over two decades, as she matures from troubled teenager to famous beauty.
Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2017
341 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Martin Humphries
7 books11 followersMartin Humphries is a first time author who, once he started writing, couldn’t stop. Now, after five industrious years, Martin has completed ‘The Cost of Loving’ Series of which ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ is the first volume.
Five more volumes, ‘Love For Sale’, ‘Free Love’, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing’, ‘The Price of Love’ and ‘Love Hurts’ complete this dramatic coming of age story that spreads over two decades and two continents. It is a bittersweet, rollercoaster ride of a life lived in the spotlight and with the dark side well hidden from view.
After so many decades of life, Martin is full of stories that need to be told and is busy working on several of them right now. These include a sequel series to ‘The Cost of Loving’ that follows our cast of characters through ‘The Plague Years’ of the 1980’s and beyond, when AIDS changed everything.
Martin lives quietly on Gabriola Island, one of the Gulf Islands off Vancouver, on Canada’s wild and rugged west coast, but enjoys some excitement vicariously through his lively cast of imaginary characters.
It’s a wonderful place to write, surrounded by so many other creative people, his partner of twenty three years, Paul, and the best dog in the world, Alfie.
Five more volumes, ‘Love For Sale’, ‘Free Love’, “Love Don’t Cost a Thing’, ‘The Price of Love’ and ‘Love Hurts’ complete this dramatic coming of age story that spreads over two decades and two continents. It is a bittersweet, rollercoaster ride of a life lived in the spotlight and with the dark side well hidden from view.
After so many decades of life, Martin is full of stories that need to be told and is busy working on several of them right now. These include a sequel series to ‘The Cost of Loving’ that follows our cast of characters through ‘The Plague Years’ of the 1980’s and beyond, when AIDS changed everything.
Martin lives quietly on Gabriola Island, one of the Gulf Islands off Vancouver, on Canada’s wild and rugged west coast, but enjoys some excitement vicariously through his lively cast of imaginary characters.
It’s a wonderful place to write, surrounded by so many other creative people, his partner of twenty three years, Paul, and the best dog in the world, Alfie.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 14, 2019
This book is exactly what it is billed as - a coming of age romp in the sixties featuring a young character finding her way with her very self-assured cousin. She manages to touch on numerous social movements during this time like feminism and the anti-Vietnam War protests, even almost seeing the Beatles live (through an almost laughable turn of events, she doesn't see them - I imagine that becomes important elsewhere in the series). Edith, or as she re-names herself, Sophie, explores herself and the possibilities an adult world offers her.
While I agree with other reviewers who describe the unfinished ending, I don't at all mind something that leads us into the next book. Honestly, if the story warrants it, I'd rather have the entire story told thoroughly and well. However, there isn't a single character here who is conflicted or interesting enough to justify a six-book series.
Edith/Sophie attempts to be a phoenix, leaving her old life behind in the ashes while flying to higher heights. Unfortunately, her character isn't well fleshed out enough at any point for us to have an emotional experience with her. Sophie is flat, without emotion or deep conflict at any point, and that means that her mistakes grate against the nerves more than they might for another character. For example, when she gets drunk and calls her aunt (her provider and mother figure) "old," I found no forgiveness or understanding.
I think the main missed opportunity here is Ronnie, Sophie's elder cousin who is gay and acts as her Henry Higgins. Ronnie exhibited no conflict in his way of life and the way he thrust Sophie into situations for which she had no preparation. He should have been an exceptionally deep character, but unfortunately he was not.
"Can't Buy Me Love" is a fine, quick read - it took me all of three hours, but left me with no further desire to read more in the series. I don't feel compelled to find out what comes next, but think it could be very nostalgic for some. "Fine" is probably the best word for it, but with so many books out there I wouldn't recommend going further.
While I agree with other reviewers who describe the unfinished ending, I don't at all mind something that leads us into the next book. Honestly, if the story warrants it, I'd rather have the entire story told thoroughly and well. However, there isn't a single character here who is conflicted or interesting enough to justify a six-book series.
Edith/Sophie attempts to be a phoenix, leaving her old life behind in the ashes while flying to higher heights. Unfortunately, her character isn't well fleshed out enough at any point for us to have an emotional experience with her. Sophie is flat, without emotion or deep conflict at any point, and that means that her mistakes grate against the nerves more than they might for another character. For example, when she gets drunk and calls her aunt (her provider and mother figure) "old," I found no forgiveness or understanding.
I think the main missed opportunity here is Ronnie, Sophie's elder cousin who is gay and acts as her Henry Higgins. Ronnie exhibited no conflict in his way of life and the way he thrust Sophie into situations for which she had no preparation. He should have been an exceptionally deep character, but unfortunately he was not.
"Can't Buy Me Love" is a fine, quick read - it took me all of three hours, but left me with no further desire to read more in the series. I don't feel compelled to find out what comes next, but think it could be very nostalgic for some. "Fine" is probably the best word for it, but with so many books out there I wouldn't recommend going further.
February 16, 2019
I went into this book, not really knowing anything about it, except for a very short blurb that I had read. The first few pages foreshadowed something that made me a bit nervous about continuing on, because I’m kind of living my reading life in the land of fluff and nonsense these days. I’m glad I stuck with it and read the entirety of Can’t Buy Me Love. It was a good read with enough of a balance of happy and not-so-happy, and some sad, that kept me turning the page.
I enjoyed both of the main characters, and the complement of supporting cast. Edith is technically the main character, but there is no story without Ronnie. I think the author does a good job of bringing both of them along together. I liked that the other characters that come into Edith and Ronnie’s lives. They come in with stories of their own, and the author does a good job of bringing them in with enough backstory to give you more depth to the story.
As I said, I picked up this book, not looking for much about it. I’d read a short blurb, but didn’t really look for much more. I usually prefer to not have the whole story that I’m about to read, in my head before it unfolds as I read. It does mean however, that I’m sometimes blindsided by things like books being part of a series. So I felt a little bit disappointed to get to the end of the book and realize that it was Volume I. Then again, I was also glad, because it meant that the author would take time to tell the whole tale and not rush through wrapping up the story. There are lots more layers of Edith’s story to uncover, and I’m excited to read the next book!
I enjoyed both of the main characters, and the complement of supporting cast. Edith is technically the main character, but there is no story without Ronnie. I think the author does a good job of bringing both of them along together. I liked that the other characters that come into Edith and Ronnie’s lives. They come in with stories of their own, and the author does a good job of bringing them in with enough backstory to give you more depth to the story.
As I said, I picked up this book, not looking for much about it. I’d read a short blurb, but didn’t really look for much more. I usually prefer to not have the whole story that I’m about to read, in my head before it unfolds as I read. It does mean however, that I’m sometimes blindsided by things like books being part of a series. So I felt a little bit disappointed to get to the end of the book and realize that it was Volume I. Then again, I was also glad, because it meant that the author would take time to tell the whole tale and not rush through wrapping up the story. There are lots more layers of Edith’s story to uncover, and I’m excited to read the next book!
February 15, 2019
Entertaining read featuring the years 1964 thru
1967 in London. Very descriptive story regarding
the social issues and changes taking place
during that period.
The main characters are vivid, well fleshed out,
colorful and interesting. They are cousins who
help each other through their awkward stages
into being successful in their ventures than they
would be without each other.
The book is a series so the ending ends abruptly
leading the reader into the next phase their lives.
I volunteered to read Can’t Buy Me Love. Thanks
to the Review Crew for the opportunity. My
opinion is my own.
1967 in London. Very descriptive story regarding
the social issues and changes taking place
during that period.
The main characters are vivid, well fleshed out,
colorful and interesting. They are cousins who
help each other through their awkward stages
into being successful in their ventures than they
would be without each other.
The book is a series so the ending ends abruptly
leading the reader into the next phase their lives.
I volunteered to read Can’t Buy Me Love. Thanks
to the Review Crew for the opportunity. My
opinion is my own.
February 13, 2019
I really loved the storyline and the characters and it would be a "great" book if it went a little bit deeper into those characters and what their experiences were that made them who they are. I love the relationship between Sophia and Ronnie, their bond is amazing and they are great for each other really bringing out the best in one another through hard times. I do feel that the book is just surface, not too deep. So if you are looking for an easy read with not too much depth, this is your book. It could have continued as it was a relatively short book but it leaves you hanging having to buy the second book if you want to see what happens next.
May 4, 2018
As much as I liked reading this, I am only giving it three stars for the way the ending left off it was not a satisfying ending. It really didn't complete the first part of a series, and just leaves you with feeling like you MUST read the next one and have it right there in front of you ready to continue. So for that, I gave it only three stars. The story was entertaining but with an ending style like that, I do not want to commit hours to another to be left at the end of it waiting for another instalment.
October 17, 2019
I got this as a Read Now from NetGalley, it was tagged as a Memoir, since been changed to Women's Fiction. Fiction it is, written in the style of a memoir, only told from two peoples perspective. Sophia, formally known as Edith and Ronnie her cousin.
It didn't really do it for me. All the sex scenes and “How wonderful I look” from Sophia, and the wonderful Ronnie, it's all a hedonistic lifestyle that they are trying to pursue.
The writing was good and it was an easy read. I also, unknown to me at the time got the second book so I read that as well. At least I didn't feel short changed that the first book just finished.
Not sure I would pay for the other books just to see how it ended.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in return for an honest review.
It didn't really do it for me. All the sex scenes and “How wonderful I look” from Sophia, and the wonderful Ronnie, it's all a hedonistic lifestyle that they are trying to pursue.
The writing was good and it was an easy read. I also, unknown to me at the time got the second book so I read that as well. At least I didn't feel short changed that the first book just finished.
Not sure I would pay for the other books just to see how it ended.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for my ARC in return for an honest review.
September 22, 2018
As interesting as it was to relive the '60s--and from the other side of the pond--I'm not sure what I think of this book. Books, actually, as the sequel was included. Overall, it depressed me., I think. I certainly can't imagine reading beyond this (someone I just scrolled past said the series is SIX books...)
It's all stuff that matters--all these things we take for granted and younger people can't conceive were ever any other way--but hard to immerse yourself again if you've already lived through it.
Astounding what women couldn't do before 1970, as an example:
http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/05/28...
It's all stuff that matters--all these things we take for granted and younger people can't conceive were ever any other way--but hard to immerse yourself again if you've already lived through it.
Astounding what women couldn't do before 1970, as an example:
http://msmagazine.com/blog/2013/05/28...
October 10, 2023
Wow! What a great read!
This was written so well, I felt as though I was seeing the world as it was just before I was born. I was born in1969 and much of the events described in this book were still happening as I was growing up. This story was so relatable that I was completely and utterly embedded as though I was looking at the events from above. Just an experience for me that I gave my all to. Thank you for sharing- much of my family's story meshed so thank you for putting this into words.
This was written so well, I felt as though I was seeing the world as it was just before I was born. I was born in1969 and much of the events described in this book were still happening as I was growing up. This story was so relatable that I was completely and utterly embedded as though I was looking at the events from above. Just an experience for me that I gave my all to. Thank you for sharing- much of my family's story meshed so thank you for putting this into words.
November 24, 2018
The start of this book was interesting but as the story evolved it lost something for me and I could just not finish it. This is book one of a six-part series that I just left was not for me but if you enjoy a coming of age journey set in the sixties this just may be a better read for you. I thank the Author for an ARC copy of this book to which I have written my honest and voluntary review. Not my cup of tea but you may just love it.
April 25, 2018
The first book in a six book series this was a fun read but not good enough to continue reading the entire series. I will read book two however, as I have to find out what happened after the ending in book one.
September 8, 2018
An eye-opening look at the 60's revolutions
Being a baby-boomer I loved reminiscing through the music, fashions and lifestyle references. It was a very interesting story with several surprises. I enjoyed reading it.
Being a baby-boomer I loved reminiscing through the music, fashions and lifestyle references. It was a very interesting story with several surprises. I enjoyed reading it.
October 15, 2018
Boring
This book was dry,not enough excitement. It ends with Sophia seeking revenge on her dad & revealing her secrets. This was a free read and the title intrigued me. Not sure if I would continue reading this series. Probably not.
This book was dry,not enough excitement. It ends with Sophia seeking revenge on her dad & revealing her secrets. This was a free read and the title intrigued me. Not sure if I would continue reading this series. Probably not.
November 6, 2018
Normally I don't read contemporary fiction, but this sounded interesting. I liked the strong characterisation, but wanted more setting. I wanted to be immersed in the 60's, and didn't feel the book went deep enough.
August 22, 2019
This book is really good. Tells the story of a young girl escaping her terrible life and trying to make something of herself. It also tells of her cousin who saved her while also dealing with the prejudice of his life style.
June 21, 2018
Since I was a child of the 60's this was an interesting read. Don't like books that don't end.....Will continue reading the second book "Love for Sale" to see how it ends.
June 27, 2018
More of a series of anecdotes that seemed to be lifted from magazines and newspapers. Plus the homosexual episodes were a bit over the top.
November 15, 2018
Review
It seemed to get redundant. I was disappointed. I was expecting more about the 60’s and some of the things that happen then.
It seemed to get redundant. I was disappointed. I was expecting more about the 60’s and some of the things that happen then.
February 10, 2019
Good story
I enjoyed the story. It was an easy read. It’s not one I would normally choose, but it was worth the read. I’ll check out the rest of the series.
I enjoyed the story. It was an easy read. It’s not one I would normally choose, but it was worth the read. I’ll check out the rest of the series.
March 12, 2021
Sorry but I found this book very boring and tedious. Only managed to get about 30% through it before I gave up
June 12, 2021
Love these
A very modern love story set in London at first. It charts the sexual awakening of an abused girl, who comes to terms with her fears loved it.
A very modern love story set in London at first. It charts the sexual awakening of an abused girl, who comes to terms with her fears loved it.
April 25, 2022
Pretty stupid book. I’m actually not quite done with it and not sure that I want to finish it. I keep waiting for a plot, but it’s just a bunch of boring sex act descriptions. Guess a kid who has never had sex might find it interesting.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews