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Off the Record
Liz is a recently divorced thirty-something, trying to rebuild her career as a journalist. Nick is single, trying to improve his job prospects, deeply gorgeous but totally poor. They meet, are attracted and...if only life were that simple. For Liz and Nick, things are about to get a lot more complicated. A heady brew of incompetent exes, good friends, and alcoholic artists manage to disrupt the course of true love. Set against the dubious delights of the art world and the machinations of the national papers, Liz doesn't know what's hit her and Nick finds himself embroiled in the consequences of one small economy with the truth which threatens to wreck everything. Will either of them realise what's going on and see the answer through the chaos? Will they finally live happily ever after? Warm, sharp and hilarious, this is a novel for anyone who's ever fallen in love, taken a chance or had their life turned upside down by a delayed train.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1999
8 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Sue Welfare
27 books61 followersSue is an award winning and Times best selling author. She’s published around thirty novels under various pen names including Gemma Fox and Kate Lawson and written erotic fiction under a couple of others.
Sue was among the winners of the Channel 4 SitCom Fest and was the first ever BBC local radio Story Laureate.
Sue lives in Norfolk with her husband and two dogs.
When not writing she loves gardening, singing, cooking and making things – her current passion is making mosaics, which involves smashing crockery with a big hammer.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 27, 2020
Not my type of book, I'm afraid. Didn't grab me in any shape or form.
August 6, 2013
I was reflecting the other night on what it was that made a book a five-star read for me. When reviewing on Goodreads and Amazon, I’ve given five stars to a quite large number of books ranging from almost everything in the Choclit catalogue, quite a few recent psychological thrillers and some young adult reads. If we marked out of ten, I might have been able to separate them all by half points... but my measure for a five star book is that if it’s quite clear in what it sets out to achieve, delivers as promised and is an enjoyable read, then it’s earned the accolade. And that’s a very long introduction to why my review of Sue Welfare’s Off The Record is a five star one.
We meet Liz defacing her wedding album, her hopeless ex-husband having let her down by failing to pick up her sons for the weekend yet again. She has a wonderful, straight-talking friend called Claire who encourages her to take up her old career as a journalist to help her out with a double-booking. And so she finds herself travelling to the Flag Hotel in Norwich – a train journey fraught with bad luck and bad connections, to interview bad boy artist Jack Sandfi. Instead, she meets the gorgeous Nick Hastings who is there for a job interview with a female employer he’s never met. There follows a cleverly written episode of mistaken identity that it takes the rest of the book to disentangle.
The characters are beautifully written – the artist and his unusual domestic set up, the wronged wife, and the wonderfully predatory potential employer Jeanna O’Hanlon. The story twists and turns on coincidences and misunderstandings, but it’s very cleverly done, and I read the book in a single highly enjoyable sitting. The friendship with Claire is very well drawn, and it has its challenges to overcome. This book is unashamed chick lit, but a cut above the average, well written with believable characters (and some clever caricatures): it tugs at the heartstrings at times, but it’s also very funny. I once emphatically declared that I wasn’t really a fan of romantic comedy, but this is one of several recent reads that have really changed my mind – this is a story with both a heart and real intelligence.
We meet Liz defacing her wedding album, her hopeless ex-husband having let her down by failing to pick up her sons for the weekend yet again. She has a wonderful, straight-talking friend called Claire who encourages her to take up her old career as a journalist to help her out with a double-booking. And so she finds herself travelling to the Flag Hotel in Norwich – a train journey fraught with bad luck and bad connections, to interview bad boy artist Jack Sandfi. Instead, she meets the gorgeous Nick Hastings who is there for a job interview with a female employer he’s never met. There follows a cleverly written episode of mistaken identity that it takes the rest of the book to disentangle.
The characters are beautifully written – the artist and his unusual domestic set up, the wronged wife, and the wonderfully predatory potential employer Jeanna O’Hanlon. The story twists and turns on coincidences and misunderstandings, but it’s very cleverly done, and I read the book in a single highly enjoyable sitting. The friendship with Claire is very well drawn, and it has its challenges to overcome. This book is unashamed chick lit, but a cut above the average, well written with believable characters (and some clever caricatures): it tugs at the heartstrings at times, but it’s also very funny. I once emphatically declared that I wasn’t really a fan of romantic comedy, but this is one of several recent reads that have really changed my mind – this is a story with both a heart and real intelligence.
August 12, 2013
Some of the best literature written is about mistaken identity and this is no exception.
When divorced mum of two Liz agrees to help out friend Claire by interviewing renowned artist Jack Sandfi, and hopefully setting her back on the tracks of a journalistic career, she is expecting a reclusive and eccentric man. Instead, running late after her train is delayed, she walks in to the hotel to find an endearing and gorgeous man - not at all the raddled figure she's been imagining.
Nick is nervously waiting in a hotel for an interview, observing the flamboyant behaviour of a group of loud and entertaining drunks and reading the Jack Sandfi exhibition catalogue when in walks the woman he is here to meet, nothing like he'd imagined her, nowhere near as aggressive as she's sounded on the phone and much more attractive than he'd supposed.
It is only when Nick is called to reception and given a message from the woman he was actually supposed to meet that he realises there has been a mistake but by then he doesn't want to embarrass Liz and decides to carry on the pretense that he is who she thinks he is. What harm could come from it?
What happens is a catalogue of mishaps and pretensions and who knows where it will end! Throw into the mix the unmistakable attraction between Nick and Liz; a man eating woman who wants Nick's talent in and out of the workplace; Liz's annoying ex-husband; her straight talking best friend;the wiliness and plotting of the real Jack Sandfi and his jealous and much put-upon life partner and you have a real romp of a read as a case of mistaken identity leads to one incident after another with hilarious consequences and an ultimately happy end for all. A true comedy of errors that will delight any reader.
When divorced mum of two Liz agrees to help out friend Claire by interviewing renowned artist Jack Sandfi, and hopefully setting her back on the tracks of a journalistic career, she is expecting a reclusive and eccentric man. Instead, running late after her train is delayed, she walks in to the hotel to find an endearing and gorgeous man - not at all the raddled figure she's been imagining.
Nick is nervously waiting in a hotel for an interview, observing the flamboyant behaviour of a group of loud and entertaining drunks and reading the Jack Sandfi exhibition catalogue when in walks the woman he is here to meet, nothing like he'd imagined her, nowhere near as aggressive as she's sounded on the phone and much more attractive than he'd supposed.
It is only when Nick is called to reception and given a message from the woman he was actually supposed to meet that he realises there has been a mistake but by then he doesn't want to embarrass Liz and decides to carry on the pretense that he is who she thinks he is. What harm could come from it?
What happens is a catalogue of mishaps and pretensions and who knows where it will end! Throw into the mix the unmistakable attraction between Nick and Liz; a man eating woman who wants Nick's talent in and out of the workplace; Liz's annoying ex-husband; her straight talking best friend;the wiliness and plotting of the real Jack Sandfi and his jealous and much put-upon life partner and you have a real romp of a read as a case of mistaken identity leads to one incident after another with hilarious consequences and an ultimately happy end for all. A true comedy of errors that will delight any reader.
February 4, 2017
Ok, I had low expectations for this book, given my means of acquiring it (I got it for free on Kindle...) At the same time, there was a hint of suspense that kept me reading. I just had to know how it would finish, but to be honest the ending was underwhelming and awfully cheesy. The characters were a bit shallow: the protagonist and her allies lacking flaws, the multiple minor antagonists lacking positive attributes. To be honest, almost all the characters were quite annoying. It was an easy read which didn't require much attention to follow, which was kind of nice as I was travelling at the time so I would read with decent breaks in between and be able to pick up what was going on quickly. Overall, I wouldn't read it again and I wouldn't recommend it to others, simply because it is so uneventful.
September 22, 2020
I whipped through this book easy. A fun and easy read. Liz is the main character who thought she was interviewing a famous artist. But she wasn't. She didn't know this and so the story unfolds. I had to keep reading just to see how it panned out.
September 22, 2020
I whipped through this book easy. A fun and easy read. Liz is the main character who thought she was interviewing a famous artist. But she wasn't. She didn't know this and so the story unfolds. I had to keep reading just to see how it panned out.
May 20, 2022
not a bad read
September 8, 2013
I read this book on my Kindle, much of it while on the treadmill. It takes a good story to distract me from watching the timer count down, and this book certainly did the trick!
It all begins with a misunderstanding -- Liz thinks she is meeting a well-known artist, Jack, to conduct an interview, while Nick believes he is meeting with his potential future employer. Nick realizes that the woman he is chatting with has mistaken him for someone else, but believes he can later clear up the confusion, and before he knows it the situation has spiraled out of control.
Neither Nick nor Liz can deny that was chemistry between them, but Liz thinks that the chemistry she had was with the infamous artist Jack. Meanwhile, the real Jack has his own problems of the heart as he tries to deal with his long-time partner while still engaging in his womanizing ways. The narrative jumps back and forth between multiple points of view, and I found myself getting increasingly worried that the characters wouldn't correct what was quickly turning more and more convoluted! The story was engaging and kept me entertained throughout as I rooted for Liz and Nick.
The author did an excellent job of developing the characters in this book. Like most good stories, the characters were not all likable (here's looking at you Liz's ex-husband!), but they were all intriguing in some way. I particularly liked seeing Liz in her many roles -- as a teacher at the local college, home with her boys and conniving cat, and spending time with her best friend.
This was a perfect romantic comedy, full of missed opportunities and misunderstandings. I greatly enjoyed reading this story, and I can't wait to read Sue Welfare's other books!
It all begins with a misunderstanding -- Liz thinks she is meeting a well-known artist, Jack, to conduct an interview, while Nick believes he is meeting with his potential future employer. Nick realizes that the woman he is chatting with has mistaken him for someone else, but believes he can later clear up the confusion, and before he knows it the situation has spiraled out of control.
Neither Nick nor Liz can deny that was chemistry between them, but Liz thinks that the chemistry she had was with the infamous artist Jack. Meanwhile, the real Jack has his own problems of the heart as he tries to deal with his long-time partner while still engaging in his womanizing ways. The narrative jumps back and forth between multiple points of view, and I found myself getting increasingly worried that the characters wouldn't correct what was quickly turning more and more convoluted! The story was engaging and kept me entertained throughout as I rooted for Liz and Nick.
The author did an excellent job of developing the characters in this book. Like most good stories, the characters were not all likable (here's looking at you Liz's ex-husband!), but they were all intriguing in some way. I particularly liked seeing Liz in her many roles -- as a teacher at the local college, home with her boys and conniving cat, and spending time with her best friend.
This was a perfect romantic comedy, full of missed opportunities and misunderstandings. I greatly enjoyed reading this story, and I can't wait to read Sue Welfare's other books!
August 11, 2013
The novel starts with the introduction of the key characters Liz and Nick. Liz is defacing her wedding album, sick of men she turns her interest back to the world of journalism in order to help out a friend.
Nick meanwhile is trying to make something of his life and bored of churning out the same old work gets excited by the thought of working for Jeanna in her family run business.
Add in Jack the artist who has released a new exhibition but loves alcohol and takes his wife Morwenna for-granted and you have the making of a great read.
Liz is tasked to interview Jack but bumping into Nick who is waiting on Jeanna to interview him, makes the assumption he is Jack.Nick being a gentleman doesn't want to disappoint Liz( and truth be known has taken a shine to her) goes along with the mistake.
Meanwhile Jack wakens up in a post alcohol fog to discover the article written by Liz has boosted his career to no end but can't remember doing the interview and Morwenna has finally had enough of his boozing and womanising.
A hilarious concoction of mix ups that will not fail to entertain and leave you wondering will the truth ever come out and the consequences please all?
An easy read book with characters well explored and for the most part likeable but my favourite had to be Morwenna, that woman rocked!!!
Nick meanwhile is trying to make something of his life and bored of churning out the same old work gets excited by the thought of working for Jeanna in her family run business.
Add in Jack the artist who has released a new exhibition but loves alcohol and takes his wife Morwenna for-granted and you have the making of a great read.
Liz is tasked to interview Jack but bumping into Nick who is waiting on Jeanna to interview him, makes the assumption he is Jack.Nick being a gentleman doesn't want to disappoint Liz( and truth be known has taken a shine to her) goes along with the mistake.
Meanwhile Jack wakens up in a post alcohol fog to discover the article written by Liz has boosted his career to no end but can't remember doing the interview and Morwenna has finally had enough of his boozing and womanising.
A hilarious concoction of mix ups that will not fail to entertain and leave you wondering will the truth ever come out and the consequences please all?
An easy read book with characters well explored and for the most part likeable but my favourite had to be Morwenna, that woman rocked!!!
September 1, 2013
Off The Record – Liz Chapman; competent single mother with an Ex who has become as much of a disappointment as a father to their two sons as he was a husband. Her best friend Claire offers the opportunity for Liz to resurrect her pre-marital occupation as a journalist interviewing reclusive sculptor Jack Sandfi. Although Liz has deployed precision planning for their meeting cracks begin to appear with the cancellation of her train and ultimately Jack is not all he seems.
Quite simply this ticked my boxes for a feel-good weekend read. Sue Welfare has an amazing ability to transform her writing style and tone to accommodate which ever character has control of the story at that particular page.
This is one of those novels that is so well written it plays out visually in your mind’s eye; you can see the story unfold as you digest the words on the page and this would transfer very easily to the big screen.
The characters are well-formed, believable and they hook you from the offset and leaving you contemplating their interactions if you are forced to put the book down....and you will need to be forced!
Quite simply this ticked my boxes for a feel-good weekend read. Sue Welfare has an amazing ability to transform her writing style and tone to accommodate which ever character has control of the story at that particular page.
This is one of those novels that is so well written it plays out visually in your mind’s eye; you can see the story unfold as you digest the words on the page and this would transfer very easily to the big screen.
The characters are well-formed, believable and they hook you from the offset and leaving you contemplating their interactions if you are forced to put the book down....and you will need to be forced!
September 7, 2013
How a case of mistaken identity can change your life.......
Nick Hastings is to be meeting Jeanna O'Hanlon who holds the key to his dream job or so he thinks.
Liz Chapman is to interview and write an article for the local paper on Jack, an artist with a new collection.
What could go wrong? Trains, buses, illness and drunkenness are the main things that first catapult Liz and Nick together. Perhaps fate stepped in to spice up their lives and add a twist and turn along the way.
Adding to the twist and turns for these two are Liz's ex-husband Mike - what does he want? Jeanna has more than offering Nick a new job on her agenda. Liz's best friend Clare contemplates a new relationship, even if it will affect her friendship with Liz. Morwenna and Jack: are they meant to be? Will there be a new collection from Jack? Can Liz stop Winston the cat bringing his prey into the house and leaving it in her two sons' bedroom?
I had great fun finding out all the answers to these questions in this book and highly recommend it to you. Looking forward to seeing what other books Sue has to offer.
Nick Hastings is to be meeting Jeanna O'Hanlon who holds the key to his dream job or so he thinks.
Liz Chapman is to interview and write an article for the local paper on Jack, an artist with a new collection.
What could go wrong? Trains, buses, illness and drunkenness are the main things that first catapult Liz and Nick together. Perhaps fate stepped in to spice up their lives and add a twist and turn along the way.
Adding to the twist and turns for these two are Liz's ex-husband Mike - what does he want? Jeanna has more than offering Nick a new job on her agenda. Liz's best friend Clare contemplates a new relationship, even if it will affect her friendship with Liz. Morwenna and Jack: are they meant to be? Will there be a new collection from Jack? Can Liz stop Winston the cat bringing his prey into the house and leaving it in her two sons' bedroom?
I had great fun finding out all the answers to these questions in this book and highly recommend it to you. Looking forward to seeing what other books Sue has to offer.
August 12, 2013
And so we move onto my book review of another one of Sue Welfare's books, Off the Record. I gave this book a very strong 5 stars.
Sue has a knack of engaging the reader from the get-go and her characters get under the skin too. (My teeth still set on edge when I think of the ex-husband from Cooking Up a Storm, never have I wanted to punch a fictional character so much in my life!)
This book starts off with a misunderstanding, and unfolds to a great story combining great characters and another annoying ex-husband, who I loved to hate. (Another voodoo doll for the Welfare book collection. Note to self: stock up on pins!)
The writing is witty, funny, and enjoyable and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When I plough through my huge TBR pile, I plan to buy the back catalogue of Welfare's works, once I have enough fabric to make all the dolls I fear I shall need.
Perfect book to delve into and enjoy, so if you are like me and enjoy a great read, grab a copy together. You will not be sorry.
Sue has a knack of engaging the reader from the get-go and her characters get under the skin too. (My teeth still set on edge when I think of the ex-husband from Cooking Up a Storm, never have I wanted to punch a fictional character so much in my life!)
This book starts off with a misunderstanding, and unfolds to a great story combining great characters and another annoying ex-husband, who I loved to hate. (Another voodoo doll for the Welfare book collection. Note to self: stock up on pins!)
The writing is witty, funny, and enjoyable and I thoroughly enjoyed it. When I plough through my huge TBR pile, I plan to buy the back catalogue of Welfare's works, once I have enough fabric to make all the dolls I fear I shall need.
Perfect book to delve into and enjoy, so if you are like me and enjoy a great read, grab a copy together. You will not be sorry.
August 28, 2013
As part of getting herself together after her divorce, Liz accepts a freelance job, interviewing celebrated sculptor Jack Sandfi at a Norwich hotel. She meets a man she believes is Sandfi and thus begins this rather engaging comedy of errors.
The author Sue Welfare, weaves this web of near- misses, misunderstandings and farce with a gentle humour that beguiles the reader into turning one more page to find out how far things can actually go. You cringe as they go much further than you hoped and you roar with laughter and triumph at the end.
Her characters are fully realised and even when you're loving hating them, you can't help but have the slightest twinge of sympathy for Jack and his wife Morwenna. This is a book for those who love romance, with twists and a few tears along the way.
Enjoy.
The author Sue Welfare, weaves this web of near- misses, misunderstandings and farce with a gentle humour that beguiles the reader into turning one more page to find out how far things can actually go. You cringe as they go much further than you hoped and you roar with laughter and triumph at the end.
Her characters are fully realised and even when you're loving hating them, you can't help but have the slightest twinge of sympathy for Jack and his wife Morwenna. This is a book for those who love romance, with twists and a few tears along the way.
Enjoy.
January 23, 2015
This is a cleverly done but frustrating tale in which the two main protagonists are kept apart by a stupid misunderstanding early in the book and their twin stories are cunningly interwoven until fate takes a hand and all is made right. Another tale of adulterous husbands, handsome would-be heroes and women finally reaching their potential in their careers and life-choices. Well written as always and deeply satisfying (everything turns out right in the end).
January 24, 2016
Picked up more for the fact it was cheap, and the blurb sounded vaguely amusing, I didn't have high expectations of this. It is a good job that was the case - I like the odd bit of chick-lit every now and then, and this amused me for the afternoon that I read it, but this was very lightweight, very generic, and very forgettable. I'm sure it would 'do' for a train journey or for kindling, or to prop up a wobbling table leg, but.. not my sort of thing.
July 20, 2013
This is one of Sue's earlier books which she has revamped. It has all of the humor Sue loves to put in her books so will have you laughing at every page, while keeping it a heartfelt brilliant story. A story which will have you wondering and there are no sneaky giveaways, so you are left guessing till the final page. Pure brilliance from Sue again.
August 10, 2013
review to follow 4 and half stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews