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The Good Life #2
Bluffing for Beginners
Em never imagined she'd use "covert" and "shameless" in the same sentence. Until she had nothing left to lose.
Em Stewart is no pushover. She can hot wire a car, torpedo a beer in under ten seconds, and make the most curse-hardy trooper blush with her colourful tongue. But when she's abandoned by her long-time boyfriend twenty minutes into starting their new life together on a remote island, she's in a tailspin.
Somehow, she must forge their fresh start on her own in a place full of strangers and find her groove within the small island community - even with its songbird-loving eccentricities.
The problem is Em isn't very good at hiding the truth. Her face syphons blood off her organs every time she meets the local ranger, and she accidentally gives up the island's greatest secret to the one person most willing to exploit it.
Now Em has to perform the biggest bluff of her life to protect her new home against corporate interest, even if it means ruining a fresh shot at love before it's had much of a chance.
But Em's not afraid of going down in a blaze of glory. And one thing's for sure: She's about to take the islanders on the ride of their lives.
Bluffing for Beginners is the second of four stand-alone novels in the award-winning Good Life series.
Em Stewart is no pushover. She can hot wire a car, torpedo a beer in under ten seconds, and make the most curse-hardy trooper blush with her colourful tongue. But when she's abandoned by her long-time boyfriend twenty minutes into starting their new life together on a remote island, she's in a tailspin.
Somehow, she must forge their fresh start on her own in a place full of strangers and find her groove within the small island community - even with its songbird-loving eccentricities.
The problem is Em isn't very good at hiding the truth. Her face syphons blood off her organs every time she meets the local ranger, and she accidentally gives up the island's greatest secret to the one person most willing to exploit it.
Now Em has to perform the biggest bluff of her life to protect her new home against corporate interest, even if it means ruining a fresh shot at love before it's had much of a chance.
But Em's not afraid of going down in a blaze of glory. And one thing's for sure: She's about to take the islanders on the ride of their lives.
Bluffing for Beginners is the second of four stand-alone novels in the award-winning Good Life series.
424 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2020
2 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Merren Tait
8 books32 followersMERREN TAIT is the award-winning author of The Good Life series, a humorous exploration of kick-arse women changing gears and seeking a quieter life in the less-well travelled places of (a fictional) New Zealand. The first book in the series, The Year of the Fox, has been optioned for television.
Merren has lived a series of bookish lives. Her first incarnation was as a book-hungry child, then as a mildly pretentious English literature student. Her third life saw her teaching English to somewhat-willing high school students, and her fourth, sharing her love of books as a librarian. Now she has been reincarnated as a fiction creator.
She is of Scottish, English, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Irish and German extraction and attributes her cross-cultural comedic flair to the enthusiastic interbreeding of her ancestors.
Merren lives in a small house on a large piece of land near Raglan, New Zealand, where she dreams up fabulous names for her chickens. Like Princess Layer.
Merren has lived a series of bookish lives. Her first incarnation was as a book-hungry child, then as a mildly pretentious English literature student. Her third life saw her teaching English to somewhat-willing high school students, and her fourth, sharing her love of books as a librarian. Now she has been reincarnated as a fiction creator.
She is of Scottish, English, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Irish and German extraction and attributes her cross-cultural comedic flair to the enthusiastic interbreeding of her ancestors.
Merren lives in a small house on a large piece of land near Raglan, New Zealand, where she dreams up fabulous names for her chickens. Like Princess Layer.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 22, 2020
If you haven't read Merren Tait's first novel 'The Year of the Fox' well you really need to! Then you will understand why I've become a fan!
'Bluffing for Beginners' has sealed the deal as being a 'fab' novel to relax and lose yourself in. The characters are easy to visualize, and if you are a 'Kiwi' it's even easier to immerse yourself, as there are plenty of situations that seem so familiar to our own reality.
Em, the main character, Anaru the love interest, Ted the reclusive neighbour, and right down to her bogan brother Saxon and her unusual mum Janey, and are so imaginable that you end up chuckling out loud as you read.
I love the way Merren brings the story to life in her book, its a great read, and one that you can re-read again. Light hearted, funny, and informative!
I implore you to get yourself a copy, sit out on your verandah (we kiwis call it a 'deck') and relax your mind into a great read. It will be hard to put the book down, so try and pace yourself. Then, tell all your friends... That's what I've done!
Oh, and then get a copy of ' The Year of the Fox' if you haven't already, and you will be hooked on Merren Tait and waiting like I am for her next novel. Enjoy!
'Bluffing for Beginners' has sealed the deal as being a 'fab' novel to relax and lose yourself in. The characters are easy to visualize, and if you are a 'Kiwi' it's even easier to immerse yourself, as there are plenty of situations that seem so familiar to our own reality.
Em, the main character, Anaru the love interest, Ted the reclusive neighbour, and right down to her bogan brother Saxon and her unusual mum Janey, and are so imaginable that you end up chuckling out loud as you read.
I love the way Merren brings the story to life in her book, its a great read, and one that you can re-read again. Light hearted, funny, and informative!
I implore you to get yourself a copy, sit out on your verandah (we kiwis call it a 'deck') and relax your mind into a great read. It will be hard to put the book down, so try and pace yourself. Then, tell all your friends... That's what I've done!
Oh, and then get a copy of ' The Year of the Fox' if you haven't already, and you will be hooked on Merren Tait and waiting like I am for her next novel. Enjoy!
December 11, 2020
Great easy read with plenty of giggles. Fed my inner bogan too Merren, Highway to Hell is my guilty pleasure. Love supporting a fellow Raglan dweller.
December 20, 2020
I loved this book! Couldn't put it down. Lots of laugh out loud moments. Great characters and plot. Loved the setting on a remote NZ island. Great read!
February 16, 2021
Em leaves the life she knew behind to forge a new one with her boyfriend in New Zealand. Twenty minutes into their adventure her boyfriend realizes that this life is not for him and leaves her in the dust. Literally.
This is a great book about a woman reinventing what she thought her life would be, finding a supportive community and forging new relationships (sometimes in odd ways). This book is quirky, fun and full of laughs.
I want to thank BookSirens, the author and publisher for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.
This is a great book about a woman reinventing what she thought her life would be, finding a supportive community and forging new relationships (sometimes in odd ways). This book is quirky, fun and full of laughs.
I want to thank BookSirens, the author and publisher for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.
February 22, 2021
I loved this book! The dialogue and situations had me laughing out loud for most of the book. It’s worth reading just for the humor, but also for the very current social issues it addresses: subtle racism, conservation concerns, family relationships, entitlement and escaping the stress of living in the 21st century. Get it. Read it. Enjoy it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 19, 2021
Another fun, adventurous read in this Good Life series. I really enjoy Merren's humor, wit and of course, the local language. From the start of the book with Warren leaving Em stranded in what could almost be called a dump with a good view, to her learning he's her boss, of course meeting the lovely Anaru, and the extinct bird discovery, it was exhilarating. The characters she creates are perfect in their settings: Wolf, Ted, Janey, Saxon and Ruben. Truly enjoyed it.
May 16, 2021
Great read - really enjoyed the kiwiana-ness of this book. The herione is kick-ass and the hero pretty cool too. Loads of funny nuances, great sexual chemistry, lots of laughter, relatable and well thought- through characters and of course, a happy ending. My kind of book - will be reading all of her otherbooks asap.
February 14, 2021
This book has it all - animals, conservation, a sexy Maori , crazy family, weird small townspeople - and Em trying to make a new start! It was my first book by this author and I will definitely go back for more! So much fun and I read it in one sitting!
January 1, 2022
You have to love a character who knows what she wants and goes for it. She gets things wrong and gets things right while letting the reader accompany her in a journey of discovery not only of herself but also of a wonderful island and its amazing people.
It is a love story in every sense.
It is a love story in every sense.
January 20, 2021
Loved it. A great summer read, lots of laughs!
February 20, 2021
Second book from Merren Tait. Loved the "kiwiness" of this book - captured so well by the author.
March 28, 2021
Great holiday read. Characters are very believable and as my friend send Anaru sounds hot! Have really enjoyed both Merren’s books
April 19, 2021
An easy, fun and well written read with enough humour to keep me chuckling. Set in NZ I enjoyed relating to the local scenery. Definitely recommended.
June 7, 2022
I loved this easy, comical book! ! The ‘kiwism’ brought the scenes to life in Taika Waititi style on several occasions!
November 17, 2022
Very enjoyable read from an NZ author. The plot and characters are fun and there's some wonderful inclusion of NZ culture and environment which add unusual depth and interest to this romance.
December 17, 2022
Best beach read ever! This series is fun, light, sexy, addictive and totally kiwified! Love it!
August 10, 2024
Great read, wonderful conservation interest, wonderful story, very enjoyable (and great sexy scenes 😉)
Had read one of Merren Tait's books and was looking out for another at my library. Will look out for others ☺️
Had read one of Merren Tait's books and was looking out for another at my library. Will look out for others ☺️
November 19, 2025
A wonderful NZ based story introducing Te Reo in an everyday context.Thoroughly enjoyed it in one sitting, especially the clever outcome. Full of humour, heart and soul.
February 15, 2021
This book is a hoot! I chuckled and laughed while enjoying the various escapades of the heroine, Em, even though some of her adventures raised my eyebrows! While Em ends up being left alone in a strange new place after being abandoned by her fiancé, she decides to make a go of it on the island and go for broke. Her new house is falling down around her. Her neighbors are a bit, no - a lot, quirky and anything that can go wrong - does. Her previous boyfriend (the one who abandoned her) ends up being her new boss as she continues to work remotely through the wonders of the very limited internet access. Oh, and she meets the man of her dreams. This is an enjoyable and quick read with just enough insanity to make me think of my some of my own family and friends. I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 16, 2021
I leave this review voluntarily. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this book!
It has been really cold in Florida for the past few days, and curling up with escapist chick lit is very enticing. Tait's book fit the bill. I liked the character development of Em and her relationships with the islanders. The plot moved swiftly and the community of islanders came to life through every interaction.
This is a feel good story, as true escapist chick lit should be, with a happy ending. I read this book in less than two days, which does say something about how vested I was in the characters and what would happen to them. Highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to escape a cold winter or the realities of COVID-19 and our lack of ability to travel. I will read more from this author.
It has been really cold in Florida for the past few days, and curling up with escapist chick lit is very enticing. Tait's book fit the bill. I liked the character development of Em and her relationships with the islanders. The plot moved swiftly and the community of islanders came to life through every interaction.
This is a feel good story, as true escapist chick lit should be, with a happy ending. I read this book in less than two days, which does say something about how vested I was in the characters and what would happen to them. Highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to escape a cold winter or the realities of COVID-19 and our lack of ability to travel. I will read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews