What do you think?
Rate this book
Avoiding Mr Right
Peta thinks that '...taking a man to Melbourne would be like taking a sandwich to a smorgasbord', that's why she is leaving him at home.
Peta Tully has found her Mr Right – the only trouble is, she's not sure she's ready to settle down. Not just yet, anyway - so when she's offered a twelve-month contract interstate which just might win her the job of her dreams, she puts her Sydney life on hold, packs her bags and jumps on a plane, leaving her doting boyfriend behind. Peta takes a voluntary vow of celibacy, but sticking to it proves harder than she imagines.
This is Anita Heiss's second book about Peta, Alice, Liza and Dannie, four deadly, desirable and dynamic thirty-something chicks from Sydney's eastern beaches.
Peta Tully has found her Mr Right – the only trouble is, she's not sure she's ready to settle down. Not just yet, anyway - so when she's offered a twelve-month contract interstate which just might win her the job of her dreams, she puts her Sydney life on hold, packs her bags and jumps on a plane, leaving her doting boyfriend behind. Peta takes a voluntary vow of celibacy, but sticking to it proves harder than she imagines.
This is Anita Heiss's second book about Peta, Alice, Liza and Dannie, four deadly, desirable and dynamic thirty-something chicks from Sydney's eastern beaches.
356 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
8 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Anita Heiss
39 books570 followersProfessor Anita Heiss – bio
Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors, publishing across genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children’s novels.
Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
The anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which Anita edited, was named the Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Anita’s children’s literature includes Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, co-written with Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard, and more recently, Harry’s Secret and Matty’s Comeback.
Anita’s other published works also include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, which she co-authored with Peter Minter.
In 2004 Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You? was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Anita is proud to be a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and an Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College, the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.
She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, CIRCA and the University of QLD Press. In 2019 Anita was appointed a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and in 2020 is the Artist in Residence at La Boitte Theatre.
Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com
Storytime with Aunty Nita: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/lib...
Anita is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales, and is one of Australia’s most prolific and well-known authors, publishing across genres, including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children’s novels.
Her adult fiction includes Not Meeting Mr Right, Avoiding Mr Right, Manhattan Dreaming, Paris Dreaming and Tiddas. Her most recent books include Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms which was longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Prize and was named the University of Canberra’s 2020 Book of the Year.
The anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia which Anita edited, was named the Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year at the 2019 Australian Book Industry Awards.
Anita’s children’s literature includes Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, co-written with Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin. She also wrote two kids’ novels with students from La Perouse Public School - Yirra and her deadly dog Demon and Demon Guards the School Yard, and more recently, Harry’s Secret and Matty’s Comeback.
Anita’s other published works also include the historical novel Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence, Sydney 1937, non-fiction text Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight) – Publishing Aboriginal Literature, and The Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, which she co-authored with Peter Minter.
In 2004 Anita was listed in The Bulletin magazine’s “Smart 100”. Her memoir Am I Black Enough for You? was a finalist in the 2012 Human Rights Awards and she was a finalist in the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards (Local Hero).
As an advocate for Indigenous literacy, Anita has worked in remote communities as a role model and encouraging young Indigenous Australians to write their own stories. On an international level she has performed her own work and lectured on Aboriginal literature across the globe at universities and conferences, consulates and embassies in the USA, Canada, the UK, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Spain, Japan, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Anita is proud to be a Lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and an Ambassador of Worawa Aboriginal College, the GO Foundation and the Sydney Swans.
She is on the Board of the State Library of Queensland, CIRCA and the University of QLD Press. In 2019 Anita was appointed a Professor of Communications at the University of QLD and in 2020 is the Artist in Residence at La Boitte Theatre.
Anita’s website: www.anitaheiss.com
Storytime with Aunty Nita: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/lib...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 20, 2011
lousy. can't believe i even bothered through those chapters..
May 2, 2012
Not impressed, weak characters, weak plot
July 28, 2023
DNF @ pg 100
Gave it a shot but not for me. Too much dialogue, limited scene or character description except to mention how many men are in the particular location/venue, and so far there is no real plot. There is nothing keeping me reading this.
Gave it a shot but not for me. Too much dialogue, limited scene or character description except to mention how many men are in the particular location/venue, and so far there is no real plot. There is nothing keeping me reading this.
April 9, 2013
A gift from my Mum. Thanks, Mum!
This is a piece of Australian chick lit which is a lovely change. It's been a treat to escape to read the sunny streets of Melbourne and Sydney, as this eternal London winter drags on and on. The story follows Peeta as she starts a new life and a new job in Melbourne, leaving her 'perfect man' back home in Sydney.
Peeta's a great character - she's confident, funny, and up for a good time. And the story is sweet. But the writing is pretty exhausting. It's just SO detailed with unnecessary stuff, mundane tasks and unimportant plot points. And while sometimes it's nice to tag along with Peeta as she makes her way through the day, sometimes you just want her to get to the point!
Chick Liveability: Peeta's embrace of life and new opportunities is pretty inspiring. A brilliant guide for a chick lit life.
mychicklitlife.com
This is a piece of Australian chick lit which is a lovely change. It's been a treat to escape to read the sunny streets of Melbourne and Sydney, as this eternal London winter drags on and on. The story follows Peeta as she starts a new life and a new job in Melbourne, leaving her 'perfect man' back home in Sydney.
Peeta's a great character - she's confident, funny, and up for a good time. And the story is sweet. But the writing is pretty exhausting. It's just SO detailed with unnecessary stuff, mundane tasks and unimportant plot points. And while sometimes it's nice to tag along with Peeta as she makes her way through the day, sometimes you just want her to get to the point!
Chick Liveability: Peeta's embrace of life and new opportunities is pretty inspiring. A brilliant guide for a chick lit life.
mychicklitlife.com
October 14, 2015
I received the novel as a gift from a friend and was very excited by the synopsis. However the more I read, the more I really disliked almost everything about the book.
The main character, Peta, had no redeeming features at all! She was incredibly unlikeable and alienating. Not a character you want to spend a lot of time with or even care about. A major boo boo in writing fiction. Instead of grabbing her reader, Heiss managed to isolate with her careless portrayal of her central protagonist who no none would give a hoot about.
The dialogue was flat and unbelievable.
I truly wished I could have said something nicer but Overall I felt alienated and disappointed.
The main character, Peta, had no redeeming features at all! She was incredibly unlikeable and alienating. Not a character you want to spend a lot of time with or even care about. A major boo boo in writing fiction. Instead of grabbing her reader, Heiss managed to isolate with her careless portrayal of her central protagonist who no none would give a hoot about.
The dialogue was flat and unbelievable.
I truly wished I could have said something nicer but Overall I felt alienated and disappointed.
March 2, 2015
Only okay. Found it much too expository and too much inside Peta's unsustainable self justification. Would have been more enjoyable if not told from first person. I think I like the Dreaming series better than the Mr Right series.
February 28, 2019
This had a lot of potential. I really liked Peta and many individual scenes - but overall the book seemed to lack a distinct plot. And
June 18, 2014
"when you met the right man it would all fall into place." that's it, it summarizes the story.
October 14, 2015
Possibly one of the worst chick lit books I've ever read. Awful characters, stilted dialogue and terrible plot. Arrggh, just a painful read.
Give it a miss.
Give it a miss.
January 15, 2016
Blugh! Awful, awful, awful.
December 29, 2023
3.5 stars.
There are lots of parts of this book I enjoyed and it was well written. The audiobook was engaging. Unfortunately, the parts that I liked were often reduced because of Peta’s unlikability as the main protagonist. There were such amazing conversations centred around race, white fragility and the insane expectation that all Indigenous Australians need to “teach” white people out of their ignorance. However, when she was also preaching to strangers about her self imposed celibacy and the overblown Sydney verses Melbourne debate it just came across as contrary and argumentative for the sake of it. As self-described in the book “Peta is tough work” and that ultimately detracts from all the great elements of the novel.
There are lots of parts of this book I enjoyed and it was well written. The audiobook was engaging. Unfortunately, the parts that I liked were often reduced because of Peta’s unlikability as the main protagonist. There were such amazing conversations centred around race, white fragility and the insane expectation that all Indigenous Australians need to “teach” white people out of their ignorance. However, when she was also preaching to strangers about her self imposed celibacy and the overblown Sydney verses Melbourne debate it just came across as contrary and argumentative for the sake of it. As self-described in the book “Peta is tough work” and that ultimately detracts from all the great elements of the novel.
September 11, 2012
Pour mon premier billet pour le Australian Women Writers Challenge 2012, je me suis plongée dans Avoiding Mr Right / Je n'ai pas (encore) rencontré l'homme idéal (Editions de la Lagune, traduit par Virginie Lochou) d'Anita Heiss.
Je vous en direz plus sur le Challenge littéraire Australian Women Writers dans un prochain poste.
C'est ce qu'on appelle un vrai livre pour fille (ou Chick Lit' en anglais). Divertissant (lu pendant mes vacances dans le bush australien), piquant, et instructif (si si !).
Le synopsis: Peta Tully a rencontré l'homme idéal. Le seul problème c'est qu'elle n'est pas sûre d'avoir déjà envie de se casser. Donc, lorsqu'on lui offre un contrat d'un an à Melbourne pour un poste qui pourrait lui permettre d'atteindre le boulot de ses rêves, elle met sa vie de Sydneysider de côté, fait ses valises et saute dans un avion. Laissant son petit ami fou amoureux d'elle derrière elle, faisant vœux de célibat... mais ça va s’avérer plus difficile que prévu.
Ceux qui habitent en Australie connaissent la rivalité légendaire entre Melbourne et Sydney, mais pour tous les autres, voilà le type de clichés que les Sydneysiders ont sur notre belle ville de Melbourne.
« - Et pourquoi Melbourne ? demande Liza
- Je sais, je sais, c'est pas idéal, mais le boulot est à Melbourne, donc c'est là-bas que je vais. Et d'ailleurs ce n'est que pour un an.
- Ne soit pas ridicule Peta, tu détestes Melbourne !
- Haïr Melbourne me semble plus approprié…
- En fait, je ne pense même t'avoir déjà entendu dire quelque chose d’agréable sur Melbourne.
[...]
- La qualité principale [de Melbourne] c'est que le boulot me rendra heureuse professionnellement et personnellement, et j'imaginais que ça vous suffirez, mais comme ce n'est pas assez pour vous mesdames, allons-y.
Melbourne regorge d'endroits super pour faire du shopping - vous avez entendu parlé de Tourak road, Chapel street ou Collins street ? Oui, il me tarde d'aller faire du faire les boutiques, grâce à mon augmentation de salaire. J'espère que je pourrais quand même rentrer dans mes nouveaux vêtements, car je passerai aussi mes nuits à gouter la fabuleuse nourriture de Melbourne vers Lygon Street et Johnston Street et, comme j'ai l'intention de vivre à St Kilda, je mangerai probablement aussi trop de gâteaux sur Acland street. Ensuite, comme je vais travailler dans les arts et la culture, j'irai voir des concerts live dans des lieux prestigieux, au Crown Casino, dans des galeries d'arts, au théâtre et bien entendu dans les nombreux bars à vin. Dans le cadre de mes recherches culturelles, j'assisterai à des compétitions sportives, comme le AFL (Australian Football League), qui est une vraie religion à Melbourne. Regarder de magnifiques hommes aux corps sculptés sera ma dose [de cigarette]. En enfin, même si je ne cherche pas d'homme comme vous le savez, je pense que c'est un plus qu'il y ait plus d'hommes célibataires dans les alentours. Il y a beaucoup trop d'œstrogène à Sydney. Et ça ne vient pas que des femmes ! »
« La faiblesse de ton plan, c'est que tu laisses derrière toi tout ceux qui t'aiment, et je ne veux pas juste dire James, mais nous aussi. Et ce n'est pas tout ce que tu abandonnes. Regarde!" Elle fit un geste vers le balcon, vers l’océan étincelante de Coogee. Ma vie entière de Coolangatta jusqu'à Sydney, j'ai vécu avec un littoral d'une extrême beauté à ma porte.
« Et désolée de le mentionner, Melbourne a le MCG mais Sydney a le plus beau port du monde, et son pont. Nous avons aussi l’Opéra de Sydney tu te souviens ? Qui a abrité le premier Corroboree (les Aborigènes interagissent avec le Temps du rêve à travers la danse, la musique et le costume. Source Wikipedia), la nuit d’ouverture de Bangarra (danse aborigène), et des deadlys (remise d’un prix à un aborigène pour récompenser sa contribution à la communauté aborigène) comme tu aimes tant le faire remarquer. Sydney a des parcs nationaux fantastiques, l’esplanade du Rocks, le plus beau feu d’artifice de jour de l’an du monde et les plages…
- Il y a des plages à Melbourne aussi.
- Tu ne peux pas y nager, Peta.
- Et tu ne peux certainement pas surfer !
- Et as-tu pensé au climat ?
- Bien entendu, et figurez-vous que Sydney reçoit plus d’eau que Melbourne, donc l’idée qu’il pleut tout le temps a Melbourne est un mythe !
- En fait, ça ne l’est pas. On a peut-être plus de pluie, mais ici, elle tombe une bonne fois pour toute, alors que leurs averses sont moins importantes et durent plus longtemps, c’est pourquoi qu’on a l’impression que c’est toujours gris et humide là-bas. »
Je m’arrête là car tout le livre est dans ce style léger et drôle. Certains passages sont même très intéressant car comme Peta est d’origine aborigène (l’auteur aussi) elle donne son point de vue sur la situation entre « whitefellow » et « blackfellow ». Très parlant ! Ceux qui habitent à Melbourne reconnaitront pleins d'endroits familiers ce qui est aussi très agréable. Pour ceux qui habitent à Sydney, découvriront à quel point la vie Melbournienne est agréable et riche en rebondissements.
C’est un livre de plage qui m’a donné envie d’en savoir plus sur la question passionnante des aborigènes, pari réussi pour l’auteur !
Anita Heiss tient un blog qui pourrait vous intéresser. Elle vient de sortir Paris Dreaming.
Je vous en direz plus sur le Challenge littéraire Australian Women Writers dans un prochain poste.
C'est ce qu'on appelle un vrai livre pour fille (ou Chick Lit' en anglais). Divertissant (lu pendant mes vacances dans le bush australien), piquant, et instructif (si si !).
Le synopsis: Peta Tully a rencontré l'homme idéal. Le seul problème c'est qu'elle n'est pas sûre d'avoir déjà envie de se casser. Donc, lorsqu'on lui offre un contrat d'un an à Melbourne pour un poste qui pourrait lui permettre d'atteindre le boulot de ses rêves, elle met sa vie de Sydneysider de côté, fait ses valises et saute dans un avion. Laissant son petit ami fou amoureux d'elle derrière elle, faisant vœux de célibat... mais ça va s’avérer plus difficile que prévu.
Ceux qui habitent en Australie connaissent la rivalité légendaire entre Melbourne et Sydney, mais pour tous les autres, voilà le type de clichés que les Sydneysiders ont sur notre belle ville de Melbourne.
« - Et pourquoi Melbourne ? demande Liza
- Je sais, je sais, c'est pas idéal, mais le boulot est à Melbourne, donc c'est là-bas que je vais. Et d'ailleurs ce n'est que pour un an.
- Ne soit pas ridicule Peta, tu détestes Melbourne !
- Haïr Melbourne me semble plus approprié…
- En fait, je ne pense même t'avoir déjà entendu dire quelque chose d’agréable sur Melbourne.
[...]
- La qualité principale [de Melbourne] c'est que le boulot me rendra heureuse professionnellement et personnellement, et j'imaginais que ça vous suffirez, mais comme ce n'est pas assez pour vous mesdames, allons-y.
Melbourne regorge d'endroits super pour faire du shopping - vous avez entendu parlé de Tourak road, Chapel street ou Collins street ? Oui, il me tarde d'aller faire du faire les boutiques, grâce à mon augmentation de salaire. J'espère que je pourrais quand même rentrer dans mes nouveaux vêtements, car je passerai aussi mes nuits à gouter la fabuleuse nourriture de Melbourne vers Lygon Street et Johnston Street et, comme j'ai l'intention de vivre à St Kilda, je mangerai probablement aussi trop de gâteaux sur Acland street. Ensuite, comme je vais travailler dans les arts et la culture, j'irai voir des concerts live dans des lieux prestigieux, au Crown Casino, dans des galeries d'arts, au théâtre et bien entendu dans les nombreux bars à vin. Dans le cadre de mes recherches culturelles, j'assisterai à des compétitions sportives, comme le AFL (Australian Football League), qui est une vraie religion à Melbourne. Regarder de magnifiques hommes aux corps sculptés sera ma dose [de cigarette]. En enfin, même si je ne cherche pas d'homme comme vous le savez, je pense que c'est un plus qu'il y ait plus d'hommes célibataires dans les alentours. Il y a beaucoup trop d'œstrogène à Sydney. Et ça ne vient pas que des femmes ! »
« La faiblesse de ton plan, c'est que tu laisses derrière toi tout ceux qui t'aiment, et je ne veux pas juste dire James, mais nous aussi. Et ce n'est pas tout ce que tu abandonnes. Regarde!" Elle fit un geste vers le balcon, vers l’océan étincelante de Coogee. Ma vie entière de Coolangatta jusqu'à Sydney, j'ai vécu avec un littoral d'une extrême beauté à ma porte.
« Et désolée de le mentionner, Melbourne a le MCG mais Sydney a le plus beau port du monde, et son pont. Nous avons aussi l’Opéra de Sydney tu te souviens ? Qui a abrité le premier Corroboree (les Aborigènes interagissent avec le Temps du rêve à travers la danse, la musique et le costume. Source Wikipedia), la nuit d’ouverture de Bangarra (danse aborigène), et des deadlys (remise d’un prix à un aborigène pour récompenser sa contribution à la communauté aborigène) comme tu aimes tant le faire remarquer. Sydney a des parcs nationaux fantastiques, l’esplanade du Rocks, le plus beau feu d’artifice de jour de l’an du monde et les plages…
- Il y a des plages à Melbourne aussi.
- Tu ne peux pas y nager, Peta.
- Et tu ne peux certainement pas surfer !
- Et as-tu pensé au climat ?
- Bien entendu, et figurez-vous que Sydney reçoit plus d’eau que Melbourne, donc l’idée qu’il pleut tout le temps a Melbourne est un mythe !
- En fait, ça ne l’est pas. On a peut-être plus de pluie, mais ici, elle tombe une bonne fois pour toute, alors que leurs averses sont moins importantes et durent plus longtemps, c’est pourquoi qu’on a l’impression que c’est toujours gris et humide là-bas. »
Je m’arrête là car tout le livre est dans ce style léger et drôle. Certains passages sont même très intéressant car comme Peta est d’origine aborigène (l’auteur aussi) elle donne son point de vue sur la situation entre « whitefellow » et « blackfellow ». Très parlant ! Ceux qui habitent à Melbourne reconnaitront pleins d'endroits familiers ce qui est aussi très agréable. Pour ceux qui habitent à Sydney, découvriront à quel point la vie Melbournienne est agréable et riche en rebondissements.
C’est un livre de plage qui m’a donné envie d’en savoir plus sur la question passionnante des aborigènes, pari réussi pour l’auteur !
Anita Heiss tient un blog qui pourrait vous intéresser. Elle vient de sortir Paris Dreaming.
September 20, 2023
An easy audiobook to listen to while doing other tasks. Not typically my favourite genre to read and I can't say I liked the main character, Peta, but I knew what to expect having read Heiss' previous novel 'Not Meeting Mr Right.'
October 4, 2018
Just meh, probably my least favourite Heiss book. Easy to read but not something I felt driven to keep reading. To be honest I only finished it because I'm stubborn.
It was really good to see Aboriginal women portrayed in this way though: people who have many different experiences and who are not a homogeneous group of victims/tropey "strong women". And some of the scenes with the family in Melbourne had me giggling, thinking about my own extended family. It just wasn't very well written and the story was boring.
It was really good to see Aboriginal women portrayed in this way though: people who have many different experiences and who are not a homogeneous group of victims/tropey "strong women". And some of the scenes with the family in Melbourne had me giggling, thinking about my own extended family. It just wasn't very well written and the story was boring.
March 23, 2013
I really enjoyed this read! It wasn't just the Aboriginal commentary (although I could passionately agree with it) but all the characters and definitely the ending (how I was so happy to read it)! I love Peta - she is so career focused and passionate about her heritage, something I could easily relate to! A very nice light read and will definitely reading more of Heiss's work (cause she's an awesome lady too!)
=)
=)
May 14, 2009
Really enjoyed this chic-lit book more than I thought I would. I felt frustrated towards the end or passionately involved whatever way you want to look at it, over Peta's decisions. But a very good ending, so I was pleased.
December 6, 2021
I have just re-read this book as I wanted to use it as one of my books for the Australian Women Writers reading challenge for this year. I have reviewed the book further on my blog:
https://cathypowell.wordpress.com/202...
https://cathypowell.wordpress.com/202...
August 29, 2010
Lots of fun and a wonderful sequel to 'Not Finding Mr Right' - a great chick lit read
March 21, 2012
I enjoyed this one, but not as much as I enjoyed Manhattan Dreaming.
More thoughts on this later.
More thoughts on this later.
October 5, 2014
I honestly loved this book. I had never heard of the author Anita Heiss and I came across it randomly and I am glad I purchased it . I absolutely love love love it !!!!!
March 11, 2025
Usually a chick flicky / rom commy book suits me down to the ground, but this one wasn’t it… maybe my frontal lobe is developing….
I picked this book in a hostel in Townsville (where I met a cool hitchhiking lady from Patagonia!!!). I was thrilled to see it because the author had given a lecture in an aboriginal cultural module that I briefly attended (reason for not attending further was the delay in getting Ms.Heiss’s autobiography, hence I was of no use in the class, pity though.. classes also slipped off my radar as my time in UQ progressed…too much FUN and opportunities to play in the pool).
She uses her characters to highlight aboriginal issues and gives them representation that she didn’t see growing up. So I was intrigued going in however, I did not except the blending of aboriginal issues and the plot (already a thin one) to be SO poor. You’d be reading and then it’s like you were sitting into a lecture. No attempt at learning by assimilation present.
Anyways, I’d still probably read another and I loved all the references to Sydney and Melbourne that I have been to!!!! I felt very cool and well informed. also felt full circle to finally read her book (her autobiography which I finally have, is next, gonna be an interesting one!) as I saw her in my first month in Oz. ALSO I’ll take any chick flick that’s free from an east coast Australia beautiful hostel any time so no complaints other than a burning desire to be in an east coast hostel as I write this… (I’m imaging it instead 😊)
I picked this book in a hostel in Townsville (where I met a cool hitchhiking lady from Patagonia!!!). I was thrilled to see it because the author had given a lecture in an aboriginal cultural module that I briefly attended (reason for not attending further was the delay in getting Ms.Heiss’s autobiography, hence I was of no use in the class, pity though.. classes also slipped off my radar as my time in UQ progressed…too much FUN and opportunities to play in the pool).
She uses her characters to highlight aboriginal issues and gives them representation that she didn’t see growing up. So I was intrigued going in however, I did not except the blending of aboriginal issues and the plot (already a thin one) to be SO poor. You’d be reading and then it’s like you were sitting into a lecture. No attempt at learning by assimilation present.
Anyways, I’d still probably read another and I loved all the references to Sydney and Melbourne that I have been to!!!! I felt very cool and well informed. also felt full circle to finally read her book (her autobiography which I finally have, is next, gonna be an interesting one!) as I saw her in my first month in Oz. ALSO I’ll take any chick flick that’s free from an east coast Australia beautiful hostel any time so no complaints other than a burning desire to be in an east coast hostel as I write this… (I’m imaging it instead 😊)
October 12, 2023
Peta is career driven, she knows what she wants, just wishing her friends & partner could support her move to Melbourne for this. After all, its only 12 months and she will observe celibacy while she is there, thinking only of her partner...
Melbourne presents Peta a change, an amazing change not only in career but also different friends, colleagues and an endless stream of men who seem to be hot and keen. But she is not available, she is not interested, or is she.
A good read, fun, light and has that twist at the end that has you go "yep, there it is"
Thank you Anita Heiss for all her amazing reads, touching on equality and real world issues while still being a fun read, and Beauty & Lace for the chance to read!
Melbourne presents Peta a change, an amazing change not only in career but also different friends, colleagues and an endless stream of men who seem to be hot and keen. But she is not available, she is not interested, or is she.
A good read, fun, light and has that twist at the end that has you go "yep, there it is"
Thank you Anita Heiss for all her amazing reads, touching on equality and real world issues while still being a fun read, and Beauty & Lace for the chance to read!
January 4, 2024
I’m very confused by this book
I really enjoyed the writing style, and the depictions of Melbourne and I did like the main character (except when she was really nasty to flight attendants and talking about her and her friends weights??) but there was literally 0 plot?
it’ll not sure if it was meant to show her development over the year of her life but I didn’t really even show that and rushing some conversations to the end of the book didn’t really hit that mark
also her boyfriend is so annoying and I’m very confused about her just going on dates despite him anyway - like a lot of casual infidelity just not addressed
I really enjoyed the writing style, and the depictions of Melbourne and I did like the main character (except when she was really nasty to flight attendants and talking about her and her friends weights??) but there was literally 0 plot?
it’ll not sure if it was meant to show her development over the year of her life but I didn’t really even show that and rushing some conversations to the end of the book didn’t really hit that mark
also her boyfriend is so annoying and I’m very confused about her just going on dates despite him anyway - like a lot of casual infidelity just not addressed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2023
I now understand why people have rated so low for this book and i completely second that!
Rarely i ever don't like the protagonist but this character Peta was so dislikable i mean the attitude towards others was so bad and expects others to respect her.
Being independent and career oriented shown in such a negative way which truly isn't but the author through this character achieved the feat.
The most irritating and narcissist character i have ever read!
Rarely i ever don't like the protagonist but this character Peta was so dislikable i mean the attitude towards others was so bad and expects others to respect her.
Being independent and career oriented shown in such a negative way which truly isn't but the author through this character achieved the feat.
The most irritating and narcissist character i have ever read!
February 7, 2024
‘Tell, don’t show’. Some sections feel like they were written by tourism Australia and I spent a lot of time confused about when it was set (published 2008 but with modern references to IG, Greta Thunberg and Thelma Plum) - upon investigation, it’s been ‘updated’ for a 2023 re-release. Strange. 2.5 stars maybe?
August 11, 2023
2.5/5 stars
This had potential, but fell flat with repetitiveness, too much trying to be added in and not enough tension. I am keen to see Anita's growth as an author. This just needed some more work and refining.
This had potential, but fell flat with repetitiveness, too much trying to be added in and not enough tension. I am keen to see Anita's growth as an author. This just needed some more work and refining.
September 13, 2023
Story dragged a bit until she got tot Melbourne .. then it picked up. Some interesting themes and extras (astral travelling indigenous themes lots of Melbourne hotspots ) . I'll always read Heiss's books . Ps wish I'd realised this was second in a sequel
July 17, 2024
DNF got madddddd bored. Might pick it up again some other time but there really wasn’t enough to keep me going. Too much exposition not enough actual plot, no interesting characters. I’m a bit dissapointed if I’m honest
August 15, 2017
Great read! Enjoyed it while holidaying in Fiji so a nice light read!!
February 3, 2022
~ 3.5 stars ~
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews