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Spin the Bottle
(Called Greetings from Somewhere Else in the USA)
Lainey Byrne is a woman in control, juggling a hectic job, her boyfriend Adam and a family with more than its fair share of dramas.
Things go into a spin when she is wrenched from her life in Melbourne to run a B&B in Ireland for a year. Bed-and-breakfast quickly tumbles into bed-and-bedlam, especially when a reunion with childhood friend Rohan Hartigan sparks an unexpected romantic dilemma.
Meanwhile, back in Australia, her father’s taken to his bed, her mother’s up the walls, her three brothers are running amok – and as for Adam …
It’s going to take more than a game of spin the bottle to sort this one out!
Lainey Byrne is a woman in control, juggling a hectic job, her boyfriend Adam and a family with more than its fair share of dramas.
Things go into a spin when she is wrenched from her life in Melbourne to run a B&B in Ireland for a year. Bed-and-breakfast quickly tumbles into bed-and-bedlam, especially when a reunion with childhood friend Rohan Hartigan sparks an unexpected romantic dilemma.
Meanwhile, back in Australia, her father’s taken to his bed, her mother’s up the walls, her three brothers are running amok – and as for Adam …
It’s going to take more than a game of spin the bottle to sort this one out!
477 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
46 people are currently reading
1042 people want to read
About the author
Monica McInerney
46 books1,129 followerswww.monicamcinerney.com
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Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling author of twelve novels including The Godmothers, The Trip of a Lifetime, Hello from the Gillespies, The House of Memories, Lola's Secret, At Home with the Templetons, Family Baggage, The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls (named General Fiction Book of the Year in the 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards) and a short story collection, All Together Now. Her first children's book, Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat, will be published in Australia/NZ in November 2021.
Monica, 56, grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia, where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked in children’s television, tourism festivals, book publishing, arts marketing, the music industry and as a waitress, a hotel cleaner, a Kindergym instructor and a temp. For nearly thirty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They are currently in Australia.
Visit her website at www.monicamcinerney.com
facebook.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
instagram.com/monicamcinerneyauthor
Monica McInerney is the internationally bestselling author of twelve novels including The Godmothers, The Trip of a Lifetime, Hello from the Gillespies, The House of Memories, Lola's Secret, At Home with the Templetons, Family Baggage, The Alphabet Sisters and Those Faraday Girls (named General Fiction Book of the Year in the 2008 Australian Book Industry Awards) and a short story collection, All Together Now. Her first children's book, Marcie Gill and the Caravan Park Cat, will be published in Australia/NZ in November 2021.
Monica, 56, grew up in a family of seven children in the Clare Valley wine region of South Australia, where her father was the railway stationmaster and her mother worked in the local library. Before becoming a full-time writer she worked in children’s television, tourism festivals, book publishing, arts marketing, the music industry and as a waitress, a hotel cleaner, a Kindergym instructor and a temp. For nearly thirty years she and her Irish husband have been moving back and forth between Australia and Ireland. They are currently in Australia.
Visit her website at www.monicamcinerney.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
September 7, 2018
Two Things:
1. What a fantasy. I want to be called to travel far away to green, lush Ireland to renovate and run a B&B for a year (to fulfill terms of a will). Well...I mean, I could HIRE people to do the hard work of repairs and renovation (lets be real!). Sounds dreamy.
2. I’ve only read one other novel by Monica McInerney, which was also spectacularly fun. I guess I’m off to dig up all her others.
1. What a fantasy. I want to be called to travel far away to green, lush Ireland to renovate and run a B&B for a year (to fulfill terms of a will). Well...I mean, I could HIRE people to do the hard work of repairs and renovation (lets be real!). Sounds dreamy.
2. I’ve only read one other novel by Monica McInerney, which was also spectacularly fun. I guess I’m off to dig up all her others.
September 23, 2023
4.5 stars
This was lovely.
This was lovely.
February 28, 2011
It was enjoyable, except sometimes I skipped over the introspective bits, and kind of lost impatience with Lainey's little erotic fantasies. Wished there would be more about the B&B but I liked how it all worked out in the end.
May 24, 2016
As a fan of Monica McInerney, this book certainly didn't disappoint. A lovely follow up to Upside Down, Inside Out, this had the familiar sparkling characters and plot that made it difficult to put down.
June 25, 2009
I have mixed feelings about Greetings from Somewhere Else: A Novel by Monica McInerney.
At first glance, I did not like the cover. It seemed forced: a heart hose and a woman wearing a skimpy sundress (presumably to garden in) and large wellies. After reading, I found the cover even less appropriate as the woman depicted does not call to mind designer conscious, fashion-savvy Elaine/Lainey (and what's more I don't recall Lainey gardening, though perhaps I missed it in all the notations about her B&B renovations).
Speaking of renovations, unless the house (which was described as old, historic, and beautiful) had been in perfect condition (doesn't sound like May kept it that well) or minuscule, it's practically impossible that Lainey and Eva progressed through all the rooms in the house in two days. There were other parts of the story that didn't jibe.
My initial observations about McInerney's writing are somewhat harsh: stilted writing, false dialogue, unnecessary sidebars that increased the book's length by at least 100 pages. As I read on, I became less critical of the writing itself, and more critical about the story, and particularly the protagonist. I identify with Lainey in that I would label myself a plan-crazy control "freak," and yet if I had been dating a smart, sexy, talented chef and was leaving for a year, I wouldn't break up with him. I'd plan a way to convince him to come with. Either that or plan to the nth degree how we would keep our relationship alive long distance for one year. Perhaps that's just me and Lainey is completely realistic to everyone else, but seriously, what woman would ignore an almost-proposal if they even vaguely loved the guy?
On to the positives, I enjoyed:
- Reading about Ireland, its history and its beauty (definitely on my "wish list" to visit);
- Hugh's character, wanting at least to know his next hair color;
- Eva's character, she felt more human: squealing about a friend's possible romance, crying and angry about her husband's car accident, etc. (Once again I seem to have read a sequel without having read the prequel. I will definitely look into Upside Down, Inside Out as well as the rest of McInerney's books.)
Overall, and easy read with a story that pulls you through its >400 pages with some fluency.
At first glance, I did not like the cover. It seemed forced: a heart hose and a woman wearing a skimpy sundress (presumably to garden in) and large wellies. After reading, I found the cover even less appropriate as the woman depicted does not call to mind designer conscious, fashion-savvy Elaine/Lainey (and what's more I don't recall Lainey gardening, though perhaps I missed it in all the notations about her B&B renovations).
Speaking of renovations, unless the house (which was described as old, historic, and beautiful) had been in perfect condition (doesn't sound like May kept it that well) or minuscule, it's practically impossible that Lainey and Eva progressed through all the rooms in the house in two days. There were other parts of the story that didn't jibe.
My initial observations about McInerney's writing are somewhat harsh: stilted writing, false dialogue, unnecessary sidebars that increased the book's length by at least 100 pages. As I read on, I became less critical of the writing itself, and more critical about the story, and particularly the protagonist. I identify with Lainey in that I would label myself a plan-crazy control "freak," and yet if I had been dating a smart, sexy, talented chef and was leaving for a year, I wouldn't break up with him. I'd plan a way to convince him to come with. Either that or plan to the nth degree how we would keep our relationship alive long distance for one year. Perhaps that's just me and Lainey is completely realistic to everyone else, but seriously, what woman would ignore an almost-proposal if they even vaguely loved the guy?
On to the positives, I enjoyed:
- Reading about Ireland, its history and its beauty (definitely on my "wish list" to visit);
- Hugh's character, wanting at least to know his next hair color;
- Eva's character, she felt more human: squealing about a friend's possible romance, crying and angry about her husband's car accident, etc. (Once again I seem to have read a sequel without having read the prequel. I will definitely look into Upside Down, Inside Out as well as the rest of McInerney's books.)
Overall, and easy read with a story that pulls you through its >400 pages with some fluency.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2013
Well, I can finally shout it: I'm totally in love with United Kingdom's writers (British, Irish, etc.), they are just amazing!!! They're unique way of writing is marvelous, exquisite, and totally opposed from American ones (well, I have my faves there too!).
This novel is more than a romantic one: is about finding yourself in that long, hard, anxious, delirious, happy, magical journey called "introspection", thru meditation and thinking what you do really want to have in your life.
Lainey is a bright, analytical, control-freak woman, who's in a relationship with Adam, a total gentleman and a real man (or what a real man is for me: open, tender, with character, wanting and pursuing his own dreams, no fears aside). But unexpectedly, life swifts a huge change for her, and she makes her worst mistake, that hunts her thru all the novel.
These are the ways I imagine their love, after all the suffering:
I must admit that sometimes (a few times), she got on my nerves!!!
But, at the end, was a really rich, deep, tender novel, with depth, not shallow.
This novel is more than a romantic one: is about finding yourself in that long, hard, anxious, delirious, happy, magical journey called "introspection", thru meditation and thinking what you do really want to have in your life.
Lainey is a bright, analytical, control-freak woman, who's in a relationship with Adam, a total gentleman and a real man (or what a real man is for me: open, tender, with character, wanting and pursuing his own dreams, no fears aside). But unexpectedly, life swifts a huge change for her, and she makes her worst mistake, that hunts her thru all the novel.
These are the ways I imagine their love, after all the suffering:
I must admit that sometimes (a few times), she got on my nerves!!!
But, at the end, was a really rich, deep, tender novel, with depth, not shallow.
July 4, 2009
This is a pleasant beach read, though not the type of book I normally go for. My only big issue with this book is that I felt some of the dialogue was unrealistic, although I admit I don't know what a 'typical' Australian/Irishman sounds like in conversation. The premise was unique and the characters were cute. I never felt there was a slow point in the book, the author did a good job keeping the readers interested by moving along the plot. A couple things took me by surprise towards the end, and usually I can figure plot twists out before the main character does, so I was happy to be tricked in this case. Not overly sappy or romantic, just a light-hearted romp of a book.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway.
September 2, 2011
This book was okay, but it was very formulaic. It was particularly formulaic at the conclusion with a very moral of the story ending. I don't mind a moral, but not when it is spelled out and not woven into the narrative of the story.
March 17, 2010
In Australia this novel is called "Spin the Bottle".
This book was ok and easy to read chick lit, but the protaganist got on my nerves a bit, which is usually a sign I won't like the book.
This book was ok and easy to read chick lit, but the protaganist got on my nerves a bit, which is usually a sign I won't like the book.
December 29, 2014
It took me forever to finish this book because I just couldn't get into it. I found this book utterly predictable and boring, which is a shame because I have heard good things about this author. :-/
November 2, 2017
light hearted easy read
May 24, 2020
Very enjoyable This is the ninth novel that I have read by Monica McInerney. I am looking forward to read her three other novels. Her characters are lifelike and likeable and there is a bit of tension in her stories that makes me want go on reading.
September 22, 2023
A fun, light sequel. Now I want to visit Ireland and explore the Hill of Tara!
July 25, 2009
There are some books that are easy to figure out, particularly in anything that might be considered chick-lit. Greetings From Somewhere Else could have easily been one of those books. Girl breaks boy's heart, leaves the country, finds new boy, and wacky hijinks ensue along the way.
The back of the book tells you as much. Thing is? The back of the book is a bit of a tease.
Lainey is very much a bossy, control freak. When she has to leave Australia for a year in Ireland, she decides that it would be for the best if she broke up with her boyfriend Adam. She's sure he'll understand since it's not like they were all that serious anyway.
I mean, he only helped nurse her back to health right after they met, kept her as sane as Lainey ever seems to be when her father suffered an accident at work that left him in horrible pain [as well as turning him into a horrible pain:], and lived in the same building. Sure. A completely casual relationship.
Adam, naturally, saw things differently.
The second best thing about Greetings is that you get a love story in reverse. You know pretty much the second the other guy appears that he's not really a threat to Adam/Lainey. No, the threat to that relationship was always Lainey herself. Instead, you find out all the things Lainey loved about Adam as she remembers them while she's in Ireland. All the things she couldn't really see for what they were at the time, she realizes were far more important than she gave them credit for.
Plus a guy who understands that a girl misses her cat while she's thousands of miles away? Yeah, what's not to love about that?
The best thing about Greetings is that even when you know [or at least hope really strongly:] where the book is going, you still feel something when it gets there. A couple of plot points twist in ways you expect, others don't, but leave you laughing all the same.
I spend a lot of time disliking the main characters in books for various reasons. I honestly liked Lainey, even when she was at her most clueless, and about halfway through the book I wished it would suddenly become longer because I wasn't ready for it to end.
The back of the book tells you as much. Thing is? The back of the book is a bit of a tease.
Lainey is very much a bossy, control freak. When she has to leave Australia for a year in Ireland, she decides that it would be for the best if she broke up with her boyfriend Adam. She's sure he'll understand since it's not like they were all that serious anyway.
I mean, he only helped nurse her back to health right after they met, kept her as sane as Lainey ever seems to be when her father suffered an accident at work that left him in horrible pain [as well as turning him into a horrible pain:], and lived in the same building. Sure. A completely casual relationship.
Adam, naturally, saw things differently.
The second best thing about Greetings is that you get a love story in reverse. You know pretty much the second the other guy appears that he's not really a threat to Adam/Lainey. No, the threat to that relationship was always Lainey herself. Instead, you find out all the things Lainey loved about Adam as she remembers them while she's in Ireland. All the things she couldn't really see for what they were at the time, she realizes were far more important than she gave them credit for.
Plus a guy who understands that a girl misses her cat while she's thousands of miles away? Yeah, what's not to love about that?
The best thing about Greetings is that even when you know [or at least hope really strongly:] where the book is going, you still feel something when it gets there. A couple of plot points twist in ways you expect, others don't, but leave you laughing all the same.
I spend a lot of time disliking the main characters in books for various reasons. I honestly liked Lainey, even when she was at her most clueless, and about halfway through the book I wished it would suddenly become longer because I wasn't ready for it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2009
4.5 stars. What a wonderful book!! I liked this even more than its predecessor, Upside Down, Inside Out. This one focuses on Lainey, a successful events planner in Australia who's suddenly called back to her home country of Ireland after her aunt dies to run the aunt's bed and breakfast.
First of all, the scenery sounds beautiful. Reading this made me want to travel to Ireland and see all the sights for myself! I felt completely immersed in the setting and fell in love with the area the way Lainey did. She was a very likable character, full of flaws but trying to succeed despite them. I loved how she grew throughout the book, being forced to change her life because of the circumstances she was thrown and then all the realizations she came to. The relationships between Lainey and her family, as well as Lainey and her friends, were portrayed excellently. Without overtly explaining the dynamics between them, the author definitely makes the reader empathize with all the situations. And finally, the love story (stories?) was great. It didn't feel completely forced, and I enjoyed how all the characters acted like real people instead of ridiculous caricatures.
Definitely a very sweet book and one that I'd recommend to others. It's light reading but oh so good!
First of all, the scenery sounds beautiful. Reading this made me want to travel to Ireland and see all the sights for myself! I felt completely immersed in the setting and fell in love with the area the way Lainey did. She was a very likable character, full of flaws but trying to succeed despite them. I loved how she grew throughout the book, being forced to change her life because of the circumstances she was thrown and then all the realizations she came to. The relationships between Lainey and her family, as well as Lainey and her friends, were portrayed excellently. Without overtly explaining the dynamics between them, the author definitely makes the reader empathize with all the situations. And finally, the love story (stories?) was great. It didn't feel completely forced, and I enjoyed how all the characters acted like real people instead of ridiculous caricatures.
Definitely a very sweet book and one that I'd recommend to others. It's light reading but oh so good!
July 18, 2009
This is a pleasant, sweet, breeze of a book about a likeable young woman who has problems that most of us would consider a bargain. She has a very successful career, a nice boyfriend, a supportive family and some good friends. She has to return to Ireland to take care of an inherited B&B for a year before the family can sell it. Oh darn! She leaves her boyfriend behind and struggles through a couple of quirks that get wrapped up in some gentle personal-growth lessons by the end. In fact, this story is so mild and predictable that it may be the perfect escape for anyone with an actual real life with real challenges. For me, although it was very sweet, it just didn't have enough substance, and at times it read like the diary of a 20-year-old. In fact, I was a little surprised when I learned that Lainey was actually around 32. I would recommend this book for young readers of tame chick-lit who love to escape into fluffy fantasy clouds of other people's problems that are almost too good to be true. I really wanted to love this book but for my taste, it was just a little too... well... nice.
May 19, 2017
I loved this book. I had prior read a very serious and tragic true life story and was also going through a rough patch in my own life. So to escape into this light hearted novel was just what I needed. I already know the authors writing style - one I enjoy. So I was able to be whisked away into the characters hearts, brains and lives. A bit sad to finish the novel and come back into the real world again but a rather nice escape! Thank you Monica.
February 17, 2017
A fairly average read - the title didn't really reflect in the book, there was sort of a passing mention about things that happened in the past. In fact, the book was called 'Greetings from somewhere else' which was a much more fitting title. Be warned - you may have read this book before and Spin the bottle is just a rename! It was a feel good read with some interesting history.
November 27, 2019
The concept was good . The information about the local area was interesting. I think the fantasy parts were a bit silly and not needed. There did seem to be several parts of this book that could have been excluded.
July 12, 2021
This story was a bit long and repetitive, and too drawn out for 478 pages. Lots of Hill of Tara history I could have done without. This could have been edited down to a much better story. Loved Hugh and his videos, though!
November 8, 2012
I have been a fan of Monica's for a number of years but I was a little disappointed by this novel. I didn't find the plot or relationships had as much depth as usual.
July 9, 2017
3.5 stars
July 27, 2017
Easy light summer read.
September 7, 2017
3.5* The perfect way to spend a day sick in bed; with an easy to read chick lit novel.
October 29, 2017
Not much substance but still an enjoyable and easy read
November 26, 2018
Story of a young woman who goes to Ireland from Australia to run her aunt's B & B. Involves a boyfriend left behind in Australia and her family of brothers.
Loved it!
Loved it!
December 28, 2018
Up to speed with other monica mcinerney novels😊
February 14, 2019
Really enjoyed reading this book!
March 18, 2019
An entertaining follow up to Upside Down Inside Out. Love the little brother!
April 14, 2019
Typical chic lit book, fluffy and easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews