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Second Prize
Lara Fenton is resigned to life on the shelf, especially now her best friend Julie's got engaged. But then Lara is swept off her feet by the divine Hugo Armstrong-Hamilton - and suddenly nothing can spoil her happiness. Hugh has his faults - Lara can't deny that - but who cares if he cancels dates at the last minute? What does it matter if he never picks up the bill? Lara can even put up with the insult from his snooty friends. Just to be seen in the arm of someone like Hugh is consolation enough. After Hugh, any man would seem like second prize. And Lara would never be able to settle for that. Or would she...?
265 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
5 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 14, 2012
Average read. Very frustrated with Lara. Had expected more from Chris Mansby
June 20, 2022
I can’t tell if this book was meant to be ironic or not.
For someone who had a very high opinion of who they should date Lara was a total dim wit. God she deserved Hugh with how much of a prat she was.
Avoid this book!
For someone who had a very high opinion of who they should date Lara was a total dim wit. God she deserved Hugh with how much of a prat she was.
Avoid this book!
January 26, 2021
It was... okay. I've definitely read better chic lit, but it was an easy read, slightly funny here and there. The main character doesn't have any positive dominant traits but she' not a bad person. Some of her interactions with other characters seemed a bit forced and the whole action was quite fast paced and chaotic in the beginning, only to slowly become boring and predictable afterwards.
January 26, 2021
Good easy read.
February 24, 2021
Wouldnt have bothered me if I dropped it in the bath or pool.
September 27, 2022
Utterly contrived storyline filled with idiotic characters and sexist stereotypes.
April 16, 2023
It got a bit dry. I DNF this book
September 19, 2023
És graciós, no cal pensar i se m’ha fet molt amè.
July 18, 2016
I've read several Chris Manby's back to back and I'm definitely noticing a pattern with them.
I like them, and it's fun chick lit, but the characters always seem to be a bit dumb and desperate with men, and here we have it again.
What the hell Lara sees in Hugh is beyond me for the entire book. Just when you think she's wised up, he sweet talks her again - but it's not even that sweet. I don't think I'd be too keen to hang onto a guy who cheated, stole and is tight with money despite being loaded.
With Chris's books, I find though they are good for a bit of light entertainment (or her 90's ones I am reading at the moment are, I would be interested in seeing how she's evolved as a writer), there's always the point of too far with suspending disbelief, which obviously if you're reading chick lit, you expect to do anyhow.
With this one it was Hugh borrowing money (or stealing it) from Lara. I couldn't buy that. Using her physically, yes, but what would he have to gain from stealing her money?? Unless it was part of some f*d game he was playing, but the book didn't really go there with him. Maybe it should have.
And the rattle. Come on. I'm sure they have the equivalent of a $2 store in the uk. If someone was that tight, they would go there. Another step too far.
I like them, and it's fun chick lit, but the characters always seem to be a bit dumb and desperate with men, and here we have it again.
What the hell Lara sees in Hugh is beyond me for the entire book. Just when you think she's wised up, he sweet talks her again - but it's not even that sweet. I don't think I'd be too keen to hang onto a guy who cheated, stole and is tight with money despite being loaded.
With Chris's books, I find though they are good for a bit of light entertainment (or her 90's ones I am reading at the moment are, I would be interested in seeing how she's evolved as a writer), there's always the point of too far with suspending disbelief, which obviously if you're reading chick lit, you expect to do anyhow.
With this one it was Hugh borrowing money (or stealing it) from Lara. I couldn't buy that. Using her physically, yes, but what would he have to gain from stealing her money?? Unless it was part of some f*d game he was playing, but the book didn't really go there with him. Maybe it should have.
And the rattle. Come on. I'm sure they have the equivalent of a $2 store in the uk. If someone was that tight, they would go there. Another step too far.
September 7, 2021
Bleh. Read another book by Chris Manby and did NOT like it. thought I would try one more time. Though this one was marginally better, I really was not a fan. The storyline was predictable and absolutely crazy sometimes...lots of unrealistic situations that were too outrageous to really ever happen. Will not be reading anymore by this author.
June 26, 2013
After reading another Chris Manby book a few weeks ago I was looking forward to reading this. I found the book started off well but then it seemed to become very predictable to the point where I had a feeling how it was going to end.
I got very frustrated with Lara as she just seemed so naive and couldn't see what was going on in front of her.
I know everyone will make their own mind up about the book, I hope it was just me and more people find it a lot more enjoyable than i did
I got very frustrated with Lara as she just seemed so naive and couldn't see what was going on in front of her.
I know everyone will make their own mind up about the book, I hope it was just me and more people find it a lot more enjoyable than i did
June 10, 2012
A great beach read
June 24, 2015
An enjoyable lighthearted read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews