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Original Cyn: A Novel
From the acclaimed author of Breakfast at Stephanie’s comes a hilarious new novel about falling in love, breaking the rules, and other sinful pleasures.
A junior copywriter at a London ad agency, Cynthia Fishbein is the original good girl. She works hard, never complains, and takes care of everyone around her. Even Cyn’s therapist tells her she’s too nice. But all that’s about to change when a catty co-worker steals one of her ideas.
So Cyn goes her one She steals the woman’s identity.
Suddenly she’s breaking out of her shell, concocting a wickedly brilliant scheme to salvage her career–and maybe get a little revenge in the process. And once Cyn gets started, she just can’t stop. Soon she’s breaking the #1 rule of group therapy by dating Joe Dillon, the group’s sexy commitment-phobe. Leading a thrilling but terrifying double life, embroiled in a deliciously forbidden affair, she is having the time of her life–until her scheme starts to backfire in a major way. And unexpectedly Cyn is faced with a crisis that threatens her career, her relationship–and just might finish off her sterling reputation for good.
A junior copywriter at a London ad agency, Cynthia Fishbein is the original good girl. She works hard, never complains, and takes care of everyone around her. Even Cyn’s therapist tells her she’s too nice. But all that’s about to change when a catty co-worker steals one of her ideas.
So Cyn goes her one She steals the woman’s identity.
Suddenly she’s breaking out of her shell, concocting a wickedly brilliant scheme to salvage her career–and maybe get a little revenge in the process. And once Cyn gets started, she just can’t stop. Soon she’s breaking the #1 rule of group therapy by dating Joe Dillon, the group’s sexy commitment-phobe. Leading a thrilling but terrifying double life, embroiled in a deliciously forbidden affair, she is having the time of her life–until her scheme starts to backfire in a major way. And unexpectedly Cyn is faced with a crisis that threatens her career, her relationship–and just might finish off her sterling reputation for good.
367 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
4 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Sue Margolis
18 books138 followersSue Margolis is the author of nine books, which have more than half a million copies in print from Bantam Dell. She lives in England, where she's at work on her next novel.
Sue worked as a reporter for the BBC, before leaving broadcasting to write her first novel. She lives in London with her journalist husband Jonathan. They have three grown up children. Sue’s hobbies include napping, constantly interfering in her children’s lives, not going out, eating - especially the remains of the previous night’s take-out curry straight from the fridge, and watching made for TV true-life movies in her PJs.
She died of lung cancer, aged 62.
Sue worked as a reporter for the BBC, before leaving broadcasting to write her first novel. She lives in London with her journalist husband Jonathan. They have three grown up children. Sue’s hobbies include napping, constantly interfering in her children’s lives, not going out, eating - especially the remains of the previous night’s take-out curry straight from the fridge, and watching made for TV true-life movies in her PJs.
She died of lung cancer, aged 62.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 30, 2007
Good girl gone bad? This book was perfect for me, a good girl who dreams of going bad! But Cyn, the main character, only goes bad for a very good reason - to stand up for herself. It's a way-out-there story, but it's fun.
November 14, 2008
this was the first sue margolis book that i read and from it i read 4 more. which is crazy because i never read. so.. learn from me!!
August 20, 2022
Meh. There was potential with the "good girl gone bad" theme, but Cyn's entire characterization is built around her "not being like the other girls", which makes it hard to invest in her personal progression. Besides that, this story just DRAGS on. The author spends too long trying to build up essential plotlines that by the time we actually get to the essence of the story, you're already bored. Potential was there, poor execution.
July 15, 2019
This is the third book I’ve read by Sue Margolis. I have two more at home waiting for me. They are all light fun rom-coms in a book, but this was my least favorite. It get a little clunkier than the other two.
November 14, 2018
A very fun read! I must look into this author again. Funny Brittish humor which I love.
July 15, 2021
Cute rom-com, but pretty predictable. The sex scenes were a bit too graphic for my taste.
September 11, 2007
British Chick Lit- I am a huge fan of British Chick Lit and of Sue Margolis. Her books are always funny and not always predictable (which is nice). I particularly liked this book...the car that Cyn gets is hilarious! I can imagine her having to drive it around and the image alone keeps me laughing for several minutes.
A junior copywriter at a London ad agency, Cynthia Fishbein is the original good girl. She works hard, never complains, and takes care of everyone around her. Even Cyn’s therapist tells her she’s too nice. But all that’s about to change when a catty co-worker steals one of her ideas.
So Cyn goes her one better: She steals the woman’s identity.
Suddenly she’s breaking out of her shell, concocting a wickedly brilliant scheme to salvage her career–and maybe get a little revenge in the process. And once Cyn gets started, she just can’t stop. Soon she’s breaking the #1 rule of group therapy by dating Joe Dillon, the group’s sexy commitment-phobe. Leading a thrilling but terrifying double life, embroiled in a deliciously forbidden affair, she is having the time of her life–until her scheme starts to backfire in a major way. And unexpectedly Cyn is faced with a crisis that threatens her career, her relationship–and just might finish off her sterling reputation for good.
A junior copywriter at a London ad agency, Cynthia Fishbein is the original good girl. She works hard, never complains, and takes care of everyone around her. Even Cyn’s therapist tells her she’s too nice. But all that’s about to change when a catty co-worker steals one of her ideas.
So Cyn goes her one better: She steals the woman’s identity.
Suddenly she’s breaking out of her shell, concocting a wickedly brilliant scheme to salvage her career–and maybe get a little revenge in the process. And once Cyn gets started, she just can’t stop. Soon she’s breaking the #1 rule of group therapy by dating Joe Dillon, the group’s sexy commitment-phobe. Leading a thrilling but terrifying double life, embroiled in a deliciously forbidden affair, she is having the time of her life–until her scheme starts to backfire in a major way. And unexpectedly Cyn is faced with a crisis that threatens her career, her relationship–and just might finish off her sterling reputation for good.
June 19, 2011
I am putting these boo (this and Gucci Gucci Coo) together because they from the same author and I accidentally read them back to back. And thinking back about them, they are really the same book, just slightly different backdrops. But all the characters are the exact same and the exact same thing happens and the outcome happens in the same way. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, but looking back, I love connecting books, but this was a bit much.
Girl is a Jewish Brit. I love that, because it’s so so so rare! Has a weird family, but loveable. Boy enters girl’s life through weird path and has secrets, but she doesn’t really think about them. When she does try to push, Boy gets defensive and doesn’t want to revel everything. When he finally does, it’s lame lame lame. Girl gets pissed that Boy didn’t tell her in the first place, but the whole thing is lame. Girl uncovers some secret at her job, but doesn’t want to say anything, but it doesn’t matter anyway, because the people keeping the secrets end up “are not able to hold it in any longer, so they tell anyway”. Ain’t that handy! Girl ends up forgiving guy and they end up happily ever after.
I swear to god, both books are exactly like that, just different jobs and boys, sort of. Sorry if that made no sense, but if you read them, you’ll know what I was talking about. Not that you will, because I give them both a meh.
Grade: C
Girl is a Jewish Brit. I love that, because it’s so so so rare! Has a weird family, but loveable. Boy enters girl’s life through weird path and has secrets, but she doesn’t really think about them. When she does try to push, Boy gets defensive and doesn’t want to revel everything. When he finally does, it’s lame lame lame. Girl gets pissed that Boy didn’t tell her in the first place, but the whole thing is lame. Girl uncovers some secret at her job, but doesn’t want to say anything, but it doesn’t matter anyway, because the people keeping the secrets end up “are not able to hold it in any longer, so they tell anyway”. Ain’t that handy! Girl ends up forgiving guy and they end up happily ever after.
I swear to god, both books are exactly like that, just different jobs and boys, sort of. Sorry if that made no sense, but if you read them, you’ll know what I was talking about. Not that you will, because I give them both a meh.
Grade: C
June 3, 2015
So far, the main character, Cyn, is almost unbearably irritating. I'm gonna keep reading though, because I don't like not finishing books. Also, one of the reviewers had a spoiler on the main book page, so unfortunately I know what's about to happen. Super annoying.
Update- 1.5 stars
So, this book had the least sexy sex scene I've ever read. I'm no prude, but saying "bush" is a turnoff, in my opinion.
The end was better than the beginning and middle. Though in my opinion, Cyn got off way too easily in the end, and also all the loose ends were hastily tied off, too neatly to be believable, in a postscript. Like the author just couldn't be bothered.
I can't remember my opinion of "Breakfast at Stephanie's", to know if that was more redeeming, but I wouldn't recommend this book.
Update- 1.5 stars
So, this book had the least sexy sex scene I've ever read. I'm no prude, but saying "bush" is a turnoff, in my opinion.
The end was better than the beginning and middle. Though in my opinion, Cyn got off way too easily in the end, and also all the loose ends were hastily tied off, too neatly to be believable, in a postscript. Like the author just couldn't be bothered.
I can't remember my opinion of "Breakfast at Stephanie's", to know if that was more redeeming, but I wouldn't recommend this book.
December 15, 2010
Okay, looking at the length of time this spent on my "currently reading" shelf you would think I had given up on reading it or at least rated it with fewer stars. The truth is, while the first half of the book took me nearly one and a half years to read, the second half literally flew by. I think I became intrigued when a love interest appeared and the story wasn't all about work anymore. I understand why some of the plot lines were included in the book, however, it just really felt like it was two separate stories and the author tried too hard to make them one. Ultimately, this got three stars from me for the romantic comedy aspect and some unanticipated spiciness.
Read
July 25, 20112005- I picked up this book for two reasons. First, the main character, Cyn, was in the advertising business. Second, I thought the premise sounded interesting. Cyn takes over another women's identity, who has wronged her in the past. I was pretty disappointed on both fronts. The whole advertising business aspect wasn't very realistic, even for a chick-lit book. As far as the plot line goes, the author tried way too hard to make Cyn likable. I ended up hating her because she was so gosh darn nice. The whole identity-stealing sounded great, but came out pretty lame as well. A below par fluffy read.
July 25, 2011
Warning! This book is written in "English." As in England. As in Great Britain. As in "British." I didn't think it would matter. I thought the editor would make any necessary changes (i.e. translations) for the American market. Wrong. It took me over half the book to figure our that when someone was: pissed, pissy, or pissing, it didn't mean that they were mad, pms-ing, or peeing. It meant that they were drunk.
I just don't get the whole "Monty Python" humor thing. Maybe you do. If you do, you'll like this book.
I just don't get the whole "Monty Python" humor thing. Maybe you do. If you do, you'll like this book.
August 31, 2009
This book wasn't really that great, even for the $1 I spent on it. Plus, there are a lot of editing errors/typos throughout the book. For example, one of the protagonist's best friends is Hugh, but he is often referred to as "Huge" throughout the book. You think someone would have noticed that in copy editing.
June 12, 2008
It's one of those twisted stories. Cyn is some really goodie-two-shoes person and never blames anyone, until that witch of a co-worker stole her idea. And so Cyn takes revenge one step further-stealing the co-worker's identity while she's in the hospital, making a giant web of lies.
September 28, 2009
Quit being so nice!! We've all heard it. Time to do something about it. I loved this book. Cyn does something we all have wanted to do at some point or another. Revenge. And to someone who so deserves it!
Awesome story.
Awesome story.
June 16, 2024
this book was SOOO funny! OMG...i literally had to put it down a few times because i was laughing so hard. Also, the author wrapped up all the characters' ending very well and thoroughly.
I think it would make a fantastic funny film!
I think it would make a fantastic funny film!
October 18, 2007
A good chick book that is a quick read.
November 9, 2007
Again the mind candy cathegory. You don't learn anything earth-shattering from it but it's entertaining in a nice, unchallenging way.
November 28, 2007
Quick read! Good night time no-brain reading when I was trying to not think about wedding planning!
February 8, 2008
Cute story, Brit Chick lit, hanky-panky
Cyn has always been good, but when a co-worker pushes her to far she strikes back by taking her identity.
Cyn has always been good, but when a co-worker pushes her to far she strikes back by taking her identity.
September 12, 2008
perfectly predictable, cute, but took a bit to get into...
October 7, 2008
good, funny
December 30, 2008
Fun, easy read.
January 29, 2009
The crappiest book in the world. After reading it, I threw it away - in the trash.
February 6, 2009
It didn't exactly blow open my world, but this book was a perfectly fine mind-vacation.
August 5, 2010
I got this at a resale & got it for lack of better choices. Although I'm not big on these type of books, this was funny & well written.
August 26, 2010
This book was okay. It was soooo similar to her other books that I kinda confused the characters from time to time. Even some of the "love" scenes were very much the same.
August 2, 2011
Liked it, of course predictable in the end, but glad Cyn and Joe got together.
July 30, 2013
Book was okay I liked the story line & the commentary kept me laughing, but had a hard time on some of the slang & understanding some meanings of British humor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews