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Naked in Knightsbridge
With mounting debts, threats from a crazy landlord and a cleaning business that was going well until she set fire to someone's house, Jools Grand is about to find herself homeless. She has to come up with a plan, and fast. So with an acute sense of desperation, Jools decides to auction herself online in a marriage of convenience. Who knows, she might even find romance? What Jools isn't banking on is a bidding war between two not-so-eligible bachelors - a wealthy, gay, would-be politician who needs a wife as a cover; and a deranged loner with a newly-refurbished basement prison. Add to that a lecherous father, some soon-to-be-exposed secrets and an addiction to pastries, and Jools is set to discover that nothing comes without a price.
350 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2009
14 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Schmidt
5 books4 followersHi there. I work in publishing and sneakily write books by day (hmm, should I say this) and night.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 14, 2009
Jools Grand is having a bit of a hard time. Her business has burned to the ground (literally!), she’s got no money whatsoever and is about to become homeless. To try and save herself from living on the streets Jools comes up with a foolproof plan: she’ll sell herself on Ebay in a marriage of convenience. Trouble is the only bids that Jools gets are from a deranged loner and a gay politician trying to appease his family. Is this marriage of convenience going to turn out to be more than it’s worth?
I’d never heard of Nicky Schmidt or her debut novel Naked In Knightsbridge until Prospera Publishing got in touch and asked us if we’d like to review it for the site. I took one look at the synopsis and said yes straight away. Due to the postal strikes it took a while to arrive but Prospera sent us the first two chapters to tide us over and I found them so absorbing I couldn’t wait to read more. As soon as the book arrived I started it immediately. I’m pleased to report that the first two chapters weren’t a one-off and I found Naked In Knightsbridge a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The opening to the book cuts right to the point with a letter from Jools’ bank telling her she’s way past her overdraft and she needs to get below it immediately. Each chapter has a letter of some sort at the beginning, kind of like the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, which I found highly amusing and I thought they were very readable and didn’t detract at all from the book. The book starts just before Jools decides to put herself on Ebay and we learn what happened to her cleaning business, I found that particular story quite amusing I have to say. As the pages go by I could see Jools was getting more and more desperate about her state of affairs until eventually she came up with her masterplan: auctioning herself on Ebay. That, folks, is one of the most unique plots I’ve ever read.
The auction itself was quite fun to read of, what with people being quite disparaging but the best part was the bidding war between Rodney and Niles. As the book was told in third-person, and thus switched points of view quite regularly, we could see why both men wanted Jools to marry them. Both reasons were at totally different ends of the spectrum on account of just how different the two men were considering one was a gay politician and the other a bit of a deranged loner. I knew who I wanted to win the bid, let me tell you. However there’s a clever twist just before the auction ends and it all seemingly goes to pot.
The auction itself isn’t really the main plot, though, it’s what happens after the auction on account of the plot twist I mentioned above. I don’t want to spoil what happens to the auction or what happens after the auction so I’ll just say that I thought it was incredibly interesting and it added a different spin on things. The blurb makes the auction sound as if it’s the focal point of the story but for me it wasn’t – for me it was what happens after the auction ends that really makes the book.
I thought all of the characters were incredibly well written. Jools is so far removed from your typical chick lit heroine it’s unbelievable: she’s the anti-heroine; she’s a chancer, a thief, she’s addicted to her food and she’s totally unashamed about anything and yet I loved her. She’s probably not someone you’d want to be friends with but she seemed to have her heart in the right place. Mel, Jool’s best friend, was likeable enough but I thought she was completely in denial about her boyfriend Michel. I really wasn’t a fan of Rodney or Niles, the guys bidding for Jools, as they were both liars and only really seemed to care about themselves. Jools’ dad makes a few appearances but he’s a bit of a perv and is wholly unlikeable. My favourite male character was undoubtedly Skuttle (Jools calls him Hunk of No Fixed Abode), a homeless man who Jools befriends. I knew he wasn’t all he seemed and I liked him immensely. Schmidt has really created quite a cast of characters: they’re all quirky and, you might think, really unlikeable and nothing like anybody you know in real life and yet they were so compelling and incredibly well rounded.
Naked In Knighstbride is uncategorically NOT chick lit. I have absolutely no idea where it should be placed but it’s so much more than chick lit. It deals with quite a few serious issues and just seems… I don’t know, I can’t explain it; it’s not light or fluffy and the characters aren’t all thin, rich and gorgeous. Schmidt has given us an incredibly great read but not one I can categorize in any which way. The book really shows how easy it is to lose your way and end up with no money and no home, I didn’t know becoming homeless was so easy. Jools doesn’t really help herself when she’s faced with homelessness but how can I judge when I have no idea how I’d act if it were me in that situation! The book really is a compelling read with quite a few twists and turns along the way. The last twist near the end of the book was fantastic and all was seemingly revealed!
I really enjoyed reading Naked In Knightsbridge. Nicky Schmidt is a talented writer and I hope she’s writing another book. She’s given us a quirky plot, even quirkier characters and has written a very compelling read. It really was a joy to read.
I’d never heard of Nicky Schmidt or her debut novel Naked In Knightsbridge until Prospera Publishing got in touch and asked us if we’d like to review it for the site. I took one look at the synopsis and said yes straight away. Due to the postal strikes it took a while to arrive but Prospera sent us the first two chapters to tide us over and I found them so absorbing I couldn’t wait to read more. As soon as the book arrived I started it immediately. I’m pleased to report that the first two chapters weren’t a one-off and I found Naked In Knightsbridge a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The opening to the book cuts right to the point with a letter from Jools’ bank telling her she’s way past her overdraft and she needs to get below it immediately. Each chapter has a letter of some sort at the beginning, kind of like the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, which I found highly amusing and I thought they were very readable and didn’t detract at all from the book. The book starts just before Jools decides to put herself on Ebay and we learn what happened to her cleaning business, I found that particular story quite amusing I have to say. As the pages go by I could see Jools was getting more and more desperate about her state of affairs until eventually she came up with her masterplan: auctioning herself on Ebay. That, folks, is one of the most unique plots I’ve ever read.
The auction itself was quite fun to read of, what with people being quite disparaging but the best part was the bidding war between Rodney and Niles. As the book was told in third-person, and thus switched points of view quite regularly, we could see why both men wanted Jools to marry them. Both reasons were at totally different ends of the spectrum on account of just how different the two men were considering one was a gay politician and the other a bit of a deranged loner. I knew who I wanted to win the bid, let me tell you. However there’s a clever twist just before the auction ends and it all seemingly goes to pot.
The auction itself isn’t really the main plot, though, it’s what happens after the auction on account of the plot twist I mentioned above. I don’t want to spoil what happens to the auction or what happens after the auction so I’ll just say that I thought it was incredibly interesting and it added a different spin on things. The blurb makes the auction sound as if it’s the focal point of the story but for me it wasn’t – for me it was what happens after the auction ends that really makes the book.
I thought all of the characters were incredibly well written. Jools is so far removed from your typical chick lit heroine it’s unbelievable: she’s the anti-heroine; she’s a chancer, a thief, she’s addicted to her food and she’s totally unashamed about anything and yet I loved her. She’s probably not someone you’d want to be friends with but she seemed to have her heart in the right place. Mel, Jool’s best friend, was likeable enough but I thought she was completely in denial about her boyfriend Michel. I really wasn’t a fan of Rodney or Niles, the guys bidding for Jools, as they were both liars and only really seemed to care about themselves. Jools’ dad makes a few appearances but he’s a bit of a perv and is wholly unlikeable. My favourite male character was undoubtedly Skuttle (Jools calls him Hunk of No Fixed Abode), a homeless man who Jools befriends. I knew he wasn’t all he seemed and I liked him immensely. Schmidt has really created quite a cast of characters: they’re all quirky and, you might think, really unlikeable and nothing like anybody you know in real life and yet they were so compelling and incredibly well rounded.
Naked In Knighstbride is uncategorically NOT chick lit. I have absolutely no idea where it should be placed but it’s so much more than chick lit. It deals with quite a few serious issues and just seems… I don’t know, I can’t explain it; it’s not light or fluffy and the characters aren’t all thin, rich and gorgeous. Schmidt has given us an incredibly great read but not one I can categorize in any which way. The book really shows how easy it is to lose your way and end up with no money and no home, I didn’t know becoming homeless was so easy. Jools doesn’t really help herself when she’s faced with homelessness but how can I judge when I have no idea how I’d act if it were me in that situation! The book really is a compelling read with quite a few twists and turns along the way. The last twist near the end of the book was fantastic and all was seemingly revealed!
I really enjoyed reading Naked In Knightsbridge. Nicky Schmidt is a talented writer and I hope she’s writing another book. She’s given us a quirky plot, even quirkier characters and has written a very compelling read. It really was a joy to read.
January 29, 2012
As you read chapter one, you quickly realize you are watching a train wreck. The main character is one of those people who consistently make bad choices hoping to take short cuts in life. You can see the wreck coming and you hope beyond hope the character turns the train around before it crashes. But she doesn't.
The rest of the book is about what happens after the crash and involves a psychopath, a politician and an angel in disguise. It has twists and surprises all along the way. It is the most unusual 'Chick Lit' book I have read. I could not put it down.
The rest of the book is about what happens after the crash and involves a psychopath, a politician and an angel in disguise. It has twists and surprises all along the way. It is the most unusual 'Chick Lit' book I have read. I could not put it down.
December 31, 2022
As you read chapter one, you quickly realize you are watching a train wreck. The main character is one of those people who consistently make bad choices hoping to take short cuts in life. You can see the wreck coming and you hope beyond hope the character turns the train around before it crashes. But she doesn't.
The rest of the book is about what happens after the crash and involves a psychopath, a politician and an angel in disguise. It has twists and surprises all along the way. It is the most unusual 'Chick Lit' book I have read. I could not put it down.
The rest of the book is about what happens after the crash and involves a psychopath, a politician and an angel in disguise. It has twists and surprises all along the way. It is the most unusual 'Chick Lit' book I have read. I could not put it down.
July 18, 2012
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
As the synopsis eludes, Naked in Knightsbridge is quirky, unique and full of unusual characters. I loved the cover of this novel. It intrigued me into finding out what the story was all about and this easy read provided some laughs for me, but unfortunately I did find it a bit frustrating at times.
I really wanted Jools to be able to figure it all out, to get away from all the crazies and not to be quite so ditzy and ignorant about everything. There were times I wanted to scream at her bumbling and found I wasn’t really able to relate to her character because of it. If she hadn’t been quite so ditzy about everything, I might have become more attached. She was likeable enough and I was rooting for her to sort herself out, but I couldn’t quite understand how she’d made such a mess of her life and how she was going about fixing it.
I had difficulty with a few characters that I wasn’t fond of, including Jools’ father and both of her ‘suitors’. I realize we weren’t supposed to like them, but it made reading about them difficult because I really grew to hate them and couldn’t see any redeeming qualities in any of them and wanted to find some in a few of them at least. The only exceptions really were Jools’ best friend and my favourite character, who was the homeless man, Skuttle, that Jools befriends.
The letters at the beginning of each chapter, similar to those in the Shopaholic series, were amusing and gave me some chuckles, but Schmidt has her own unique voice and her story, along with this cast of quirky characters, was just as easy to read and held some deeper issues than the Shopaholic series. Jooles is headed for disaster financially to the point of losing the roof over her head, issues we never saw in Shopaholic, and I loved that Schmidt tackled these.
Naked in Knightsbridge did make me laugh and I was curious to see what was going to happen and found myself grinning at the end. Although not my favourite read of the year, I would definitely read another Nicky Schmidt novel.
As the synopsis eludes, Naked in Knightsbridge is quirky, unique and full of unusual characters. I loved the cover of this novel. It intrigued me into finding out what the story was all about and this easy read provided some laughs for me, but unfortunately I did find it a bit frustrating at times.
I really wanted Jools to be able to figure it all out, to get away from all the crazies and not to be quite so ditzy and ignorant about everything. There were times I wanted to scream at her bumbling and found I wasn’t really able to relate to her character because of it. If she hadn’t been quite so ditzy about everything, I might have become more attached. She was likeable enough and I was rooting for her to sort herself out, but I couldn’t quite understand how she’d made such a mess of her life and how she was going about fixing it.
I had difficulty with a few characters that I wasn’t fond of, including Jools’ father and both of her ‘suitors’. I realize we weren’t supposed to like them, but it made reading about them difficult because I really grew to hate them and couldn’t see any redeeming qualities in any of them and wanted to find some in a few of them at least. The only exceptions really were Jools’ best friend and my favourite character, who was the homeless man, Skuttle, that Jools befriends.
The letters at the beginning of each chapter, similar to those in the Shopaholic series, were amusing and gave me some chuckles, but Schmidt has her own unique voice and her story, along with this cast of quirky characters, was just as easy to read and held some deeper issues than the Shopaholic series. Jooles is headed for disaster financially to the point of losing the roof over her head, issues we never saw in Shopaholic, and I loved that Schmidt tackled these.
Naked in Knightsbridge did make me laugh and I was curious to see what was going to happen and found myself grinning at the end. Although not my favourite read of the year, I would definitely read another Nicky Schmidt novel.
June 14, 2013
Worst book I've read in a while...
Ok, so maybe this sounds a bit harsh but there were several things that irked me about this book. One being that it was written from multiple perspectives with no definitive pattern to it. The plot kind of bumbles along and wraps up with no real drama and hence no real catharsis.
I think the author may have been onto something with the premise but the execution was poorly constructed.
Spolier after this!
The plot involving Niles/"Brad the American" went along with the promise of some suspense and possibly thrilling moments but is simply waved away with a simple, "That guy is taken care of. You'll not hear from him anymore." Just like that. No actual kidnapping attempt, no struggle in a dark alley. No hero to the rescue. And barely an explanation from Skuttle. Nothing! I mean, really, what was the point?!
But what really turned me off from the book was that the main character, Jools, whose perspective is highlighted most in the novel, is totally greedy and a complete glutton. The author does very little to build empathy toward Jools. Sure, she lost her business and yes, her life was in the dumps but she completely lacks humility or even attempts some self-control. All she does is run away from her problems and in the end, gets rewarded for it! If Jools had actually tried to make things work or showed some gumption instead of being a coward, stuffing her face and spending (the girl was dirt poor- surely she can show some self-restraint), then perhaps I may have felt some sympathy for her.
I also don't see what the title has to do with the story itself.
Compared to other novels of this genre, this story is seriously lacking in character and plot development. Two thumbs down :(
Ok, so maybe this sounds a bit harsh but there were several things that irked me about this book. One being that it was written from multiple perspectives with no definitive pattern to it. The plot kind of bumbles along and wraps up with no real drama and hence no real catharsis.
I think the author may have been onto something with the premise but the execution was poorly constructed.
Spolier after this!
The plot involving Niles/"Brad the American" went along with the promise of some suspense and possibly thrilling moments but is simply waved away with a simple, "That guy is taken care of. You'll not hear from him anymore." Just like that. No actual kidnapping attempt, no struggle in a dark alley. No hero to the rescue. And barely an explanation from Skuttle. Nothing! I mean, really, what was the point?!
But what really turned me off from the book was that the main character, Jools, whose perspective is highlighted most in the novel, is totally greedy and a complete glutton. The author does very little to build empathy toward Jools. Sure, she lost her business and yes, her life was in the dumps but she completely lacks humility or even attempts some self-control. All she does is run away from her problems and in the end, gets rewarded for it! If Jools had actually tried to make things work or showed some gumption instead of being a coward, stuffing her face and spending (the girl was dirt poor- surely she can show some self-restraint), then perhaps I may have felt some sympathy for her.
I also don't see what the title has to do with the story itself.
Compared to other novels of this genre, this story is seriously lacking in character and plot development. Two thumbs down :(
September 28, 2011
I had only heard great things about this book. It's the author's first book and I probably should have read this one first. The story is a little unbelievable. But that's not a bad thing. Things happen at a rapid pace and you can't help but wonder what disaster is going to befall Jools next. And boy has Jools made some big mistakes.
There are lots of places where I laughed, but there were more placed where I grimaced. Reading about Rodney, Michel/Michael, and Jool's prize of a father made me slightly sick to my stomach, but that just means Ms.Schmidt did a great job in writing them. And some of the family surprises were really out there. If there is one lesson I learned from reading this book, it is to be very responsible when it comes to money!
There are lots of places where I laughed, but there were more placed where I grimaced. Reading about Rodney, Michel/Michael, and Jool's prize of a father made me slightly sick to my stomach, but that just means Ms.Schmidt did a great job in writing them. And some of the family surprises were really out there. If there is one lesson I learned from reading this book, it is to be very responsible when it comes to money!
February 11, 2011
I hate to say it.. but this is one of the worst books I have ready in a very long time. It's not that its chic lit or a light read that bothered me, I like those as long as they're good. You might wonder why I even carried on, but I've got a weird OCD about having to finish any book I start.
There was so much wrong with this. It was badly written in my opinion, both in style and there were several big plot holes where there were contradictions and double up of information. Also, I hated the characters, every single one of them, not a redeeming feature in sight. The less said about this the better I think!
The only good thing was that it was a free Kindle download.
There was so much wrong with this. It was badly written in my opinion, both in style and there were several big plot holes where there were contradictions and double up of information. Also, I hated the characters, every single one of them, not a redeeming feature in sight. The less said about this the better I think!
The only good thing was that it was a free Kindle download.
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August 6, 2011Giving this 1 star is being kind. I was expecting empty pap from chick lit and this didn't disappoint. I haven't read anything as bad for years. If the author's going to poke fun at tabloid misrepresentation, then endless jokes about the size of the 'obese' (only 11 stone) heroine's bum are a little incongruous! By the end every other sentence seemed to mention her size, doughnuts or cupcakes. God knows how I struggled on that far. Possibly just to see if the twist that had been obvious since the first chapter would ever happen. It just made me angry.
January 12, 2015
I definitely need to read a gritty book now!
This one's fluffy but had enough of a story to keep me going until the end. Not my usual cup of tea but since buying my Kindle I find I can read so fast and with such variety (bloomin 1 click!) that I'll try anything!
I didn't feel I could tell people what I was reading with this one. (love how discreet Kindle is!) Why am I always embarrassed by Chicklits?
This one's fluffy but had enough of a story to keep me going until the end. Not my usual cup of tea but since buying my Kindle I find I can read so fast and with such variety (bloomin 1 click!) that I'll try anything!
I didn't feel I could tell people what I was reading with this one. (love how discreet Kindle is!) Why am I always embarrassed by Chicklits?
June 3, 2010
An enjoyable read. A little rough start and a bit more vulgarity than I'm comfortable with, but neither of these kept me from reading further. Only I kept craving cupcakes and doughnuts through the whole thing, can't imagine why. And if any British people can tell me what Hobnobs are, I'd sure appreciate it!
March 23, 2012
Yikes, I read it and at times I thought it was going to go somewhere funny and good but then it just didn't. It started off similar to the shopaholic series that I love but then just couldn't recover. I hated the characters. Actually I like Lady Margaret for most of the book but by the end I hated her. I think the initial plot was started good but just ended sloppy. Don't read it. Just don't.
February 26, 2015
Oh dear, what a let down. It's hard to believe this got published, given that it's such a blatant rip-off of Sophie Kinsella's shopaholic series, complete with letters to bank managers, bingeing of various types and a soppy and utterly predictable ending. And including a closet gay, would-be MP is just plain anachronistic. Best avoided.
November 17, 2009
If you like The Shopaholic series, you'll love Naked in Knightsbridge. This book is fantastic! An essential if you just want to sit back, relax and escape from the world. Jools is quite the character, one of my favorites, and she'll keep you laughing till the end.
April 29, 2013
I could not stand the main character. The description of the book sounded intriguing but as I was reading I found myself more and more disgusted with Jools and I stopped caring what happened to her. This book just really rubbed me the wrong way and the main character was the biggest cause!
June 3, 2010
Who can't help but love story where the a character who auctions herself off on the Internet? Hilarious and irreverant, this debut novel by Schmidt is the definition of a 'rollicking good time'!
October 21, 2010
Very fun read!
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October 25, 2019I got about 20% through this but got fed of reading about debt.. it probably gets better but for me i didnt like it so abandonded it..
December 21, 2010
I couldn't put this one down! I despised almost every single character and yet I loved this book! Check it!
March 22, 2011
Good fun read. Bit predictable but good for whiling away a day or so's reading time.
April 3, 2011
This book was just okay. I hated how the entire book they acted like Jools was HUGE and fat and the talked about her bring a designer size 12-16. It just got under my skin.
May 5, 2011
This was cute. Made me chuckle out loud more than a few times. Even though it was a bit over-the-top, it was fun and light. Just as chick-lit should be.
July 11, 2011
Kinda strange so far... not sure if I can finish it. Feeling a bit bored by it.
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June 28, 2011light reading with funny bits!
August 4, 2011
Brief review on my blog: Weezie’s Reading Roundup: January 2011
April 1, 2012
The only good thing to be said: I've read worse.
August 20, 2012
Probably the worst book I have ever read. Writing a main likeable character would be a start, I loathed the lead and every bit of idiotic and bad writing in this book, and the plot was just stupid.
August 9, 2012
so so.
Easy reading. Plot is promising but somehow I found character is too thin and it reminds me of many other book.
Easy reading. Plot is promising but somehow I found character is too thin and it reminds me of many other book.
March 26, 2015
Glad I didn't pay for this book. While it was a quick easy read, it seemed like a knock off of the Shopoholic books. It was funny at times but also incredibly far fetched to be believable.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews