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You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
Sweet, bookish Neve Slater always plays by the rules. And the number one rule is that good-natured fat girls like her don't get guys like gorgeous, handsome William, heir to Neve's heart since university. But William's been in LA for three years, and Neve's been slimming down and re-inventing herself so that when he returns, he'll fall head over heels in love with the new, improved her.So she's not that interested in other men. Until her sister Celia points out that if Neve wants William to think she's an experienced love-goddess and not the fumbling, awkward girl he left behind, then she'd better get some, well, experience.What Neve needs is someone to show her the ropes, someone like Celia's colleague Max. Wicked, shallow, sexy Max. And since he's such a man-slut, and so not Neve's type, she certainly won't fall for him. Because William is the man for her... right?Somewhere between losing weight and losing her inhibitions, Neve's lost her heart - but to who?
560 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2011
441 people are currently reading
19730 people want to read
About the author
Sarra Manning
43 books1,911 followersSarra Manning is a teen queen extraordinaire. She spent five years working on the now sadly defunct J17, first as a writer and then as Entertainment Editor. She then joined the launch team of teen fashion bible Ellegirl, which she later went on to edit and has consulted on a wide range of youth titles including Bliss, The Face and More.
Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She's also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy
Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She's also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,481 reviews
August 4, 2013
FIVE ALL TIME FAVOURITE STARS.
“She was so fed up with unrequited love and platonic love and all the other kinds of love that weren’t passionate, romantic, can’t-live-without-you, I-have-to-have-you-right-now, the-beat-of-your-heart-matches-the-beat-of-mine-love."
This is hands down one of my most favourite and treasured books. I LOVE this story with all my book heart. it's a book that I have read over and over again and will never tire of. It's my dreamy go-to book and I want everyone to love it as much as I do. 'You don't have to say you love me' is a gorgeous story of love finding itself in the strangest of places. Overconfident, successful playboy Max meets literature expert and self conscious, Neve. Through a tangled web of misunderstandings and misguided affections, this book follows the journey of a friendship and true love.
Max and Neve will always hold a special place in my book heart as my favourite ever book couple. If like me you are a bit of a romance - addict, and you always cheer for the unlikely couple then this will be a winner for you.
This book gave me book butterflies and entertainment at its gorgeous best. Sarra Manning, is an author who combines brilliantly witty, with knock out romance sprinkled with British style humour. This book has the perfect mix of anticipation, heartache and unspoken moments that make you fall in love. I HEART Manning and I'm always looking out for her next releases.
5 of my biggest stars possible.
“She was so fed up with unrequited love and platonic love and all the other kinds of love that weren’t passionate, romantic, can’t-live-without-you, I-have-to-have-you-right-now, the-beat-of-your-heart-matches-the-beat-of-mine-love."
This is hands down one of my most favourite and treasured books. I LOVE this story with all my book heart. it's a book that I have read over and over again and will never tire of. It's my dreamy go-to book and I want everyone to love it as much as I do. 'You don't have to say you love me' is a gorgeous story of love finding itself in the strangest of places. Overconfident, successful playboy Max meets literature expert and self conscious, Neve. Through a tangled web of misunderstandings and misguided affections, this book follows the journey of a friendship and true love.
Max and Neve will always hold a special place in my book heart as my favourite ever book couple. If like me you are a bit of a romance - addict, and you always cheer for the unlikely couple then this will be a winner for you.
This book gave me book butterflies and entertainment at its gorgeous best. Sarra Manning, is an author who combines brilliantly witty, with knock out romance sprinkled with British style humour. This book has the perfect mix of anticipation, heartache and unspoken moments that make you fall in love. I HEART Manning and I'm always looking out for her next releases.
5 of my biggest stars possible.
April 20, 2015
5 Pancake stars!!!
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a sweet romantic book that I just fell in love with! Every minute I listened, I smiled. There was nothing I didn’t love. The perfect light chick lit book. I read so many heavy books, lots of tears and intensity, and I love those types, but every once in a while a book like this is invaluable.
Neve is the total package. Oxford graduate, smart, gorgeous, funny and sweet. But she’s still single. She has been her entire life. After losing half of her body weight in the last three years, she’s ready. Ready to start living life, to fall in love.
Max doesn’t do relationships or commitment. He does sleep around a play the field. Max works with Neve’s sister and when they meet, well, I can’t really say they hit it off. Eventually, they become friends. Neve tells him about her idea for a pancake relationship. Max is all for it. Practice, a trial run. No sex. No handholding. Those are the rules. But they spend time together, date, hang out and do other things...
I loved loved loved Max and Neve together! And Keith... can’t forget about him! Both of the main characters were so fantastic! Max was charming, cool, sweet and sexy. You will just be drawn to him. He is so funny and lovable. Neve is the typical self deprecating woman, she’s insecure and so relatable to a majority of women. She’s intelligent, comical and all round the type of girl you want to be best friends with!
At the beginning their pancake relationship, Neve confides in Max that there is a man she writes letters to, a man she went to Oxford with that lives in the states. He’s coming back to England in several months and their time together will be over. They can still be friends, but thats all. Little by little, though neither one acknowledges it, it’s apparent. Neve and Max’s ‘Pancake relationship’ is starting to turn into the real thing.
Even though they both still say their relationship is ‘pretend’, it still doesn’t change the fact that real feelings are involved.
Sometimes, you don’t realize how deep your feelings run for someone until you’ve lost them. Sometimes, love hits you when you least expect it. And sometimes, someone who seems all wrong for you is just what you need.
And maybe the first Pancake isn’t always so bad...
A story about love, seeing beyond the surface, friendship, and how sometimes the most unexpected things turn out to be exactly what you need. It’s funny, sexy, sweet and one of the most lovely books I’ve ever read! Listening to it was so much fun. If you are looking for a feel good romance with two lovable character that will make you laugh, make you cry and make your heart swell, READ THIS! <3
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a sweet romantic book that I just fell in love with! Every minute I listened, I smiled. There was nothing I didn’t love. The perfect light chick lit book. I read so many heavy books, lots of tears and intensity, and I love those types, but every once in a while a book like this is invaluable.
Neve is the total package. Oxford graduate, smart, gorgeous, funny and sweet. But she’s still single. She has been her entire life. After losing half of her body weight in the last three years, she’s ready. Ready to start living life, to fall in love.
“She was so fed up with unrequited love and platonic love and all the other kinds of love that weren’t passionate, romantic, can’t-live-without-you, I-have-to-have-you-right-now, the-beat-of-your-heart-matches-the-beat-of-mine love.”
Max doesn’t do relationships or commitment. He does sleep around a play the field. Max works with Neve’s sister and when they meet, well, I can’t really say they hit it off. Eventually, they become friends. Neve tells him about her idea for a pancake relationship. Max is all for it. Practice, a trial run. No sex. No handholding. Those are the rules. But they spend time together, date, hang out and do other things...
I loved loved loved Max and Neve together! And Keith... can’t forget about him! Both of the main characters were so fantastic! Max was charming, cool, sweet and sexy. You will just be drawn to him. He is so funny and lovable. Neve is the typical self deprecating woman, she’s insecure and so relatable to a majority of women. She’s intelligent, comical and all round the type of girl you want to be best friends with!
At the beginning their pancake relationship, Neve confides in Max that there is a man she writes letters to, a man she went to Oxford with that lives in the states. He’s coming back to England in several months and their time together will be over. They can still be friends, but thats all. Little by little, though neither one acknowledges it, it’s apparent. Neve and Max’s ‘Pancake relationship’ is starting to turn into the real thing.
Even though they both still say their relationship is ‘pretend’, it still doesn’t change the fact that real feelings are involved.
“That was the worst thing about having a relationship with someone, even a pretend relationship. You opened up, let someone in, and when it was over, they had all the ammunition they needed to completely destroy you.”
Sometimes, you don’t realize how deep your feelings run for someone until you’ve lost them. Sometimes, love hits you when you least expect it. And sometimes, someone who seems all wrong for you is just what you need.
And maybe the first Pancake isn’t always so bad...
A story about love, seeing beyond the surface, friendship, and how sometimes the most unexpected things turn out to be exactly what you need. It’s funny, sexy, sweet and one of the most lovely books I’ve ever read! Listening to it was so much fun. If you are looking for a feel good romance with two lovable character that will make you laugh, make you cry and make your heart swell, READ THIS! <3
September 13, 2020
What a hilarious book. It was so bad that I honestly could not stop cracking up.
I don't want you to force yourself to read it, so let me give you the quick rundown of the basis of the novel.
There's Neve. She was fat. Now she's not. She has a job (even though no one knows what she ACTUALLY does at it), and she just goes about her life. Fascinating, isn't it? She lives in a flat and her sister has another flat in the same house, and her brother and his heinous wife lives in the third flat in this house. Now Neve's sister-in-law is what everyone calls a heinous bitch. Her name is Charlotte, by the way. She's an absolute witch of a woman, but Neve is too scared to call her out on it, so she just continues about her life, trying to be less annoying for Charlotte.
Riveted, aren't you?
Furthermore, Neve has fallen in love with a strapping young man named William. This William, however, has lived in California for the past few years, so Neve and he have been sharing correspondence in the form of eloquently written letters through priority mail. Their intellectual connection is beyond that of famous authors of lore! Clearly, they were meant to be.
But . . .
William will be returning to England in just a few months, and Neve must be a beautiful young woman when he arrives. So she loses weight. But wait once again. She's never had a relationship with a male before. How does that work? she ponders.
Aha.
She should have a pancake relationship!
What is that? you inquire.
Well, apparently, when one cooks pancakes, the first one is always misshapen and weird because the batter isn't fully formed or the pan wasn't right. Therefore, one must always throw away the first pancake. Similarly, a pancake relationship is the first pancake. One will understand the workings of a relationship by participating in this phenomenon but will eventually throw away the relationship for another, more fulfilling one.
Here enters Max. Playboy extraordinaire. The perfect man for this pancake relationship.
They start on going dates. Except . . .
They never go alone. Instead, they always go to Max's work parties, and Neve just mingles with the crowd.
What entertaining dates! I was truly entranced as I read about these fascinating and intriguing conversations between Neve and Max's coworkers. It really cemented the bond between the two.
About 80% of the novel passes by with nothing of importance occurring.
Then, suddenly, Neve and Max go to Max's friend's wedding. Ah, but at the last minute, Max is uninvited due to a mishap by the bride. Regardless, they have sex, and everything is okay.
Until it isn't.
Because William is coming back even sooner than expected, and Neve doesn't need Max anymore.
So she dumps him like a heartless bitch.
And she proceeds to lose weight quite rapidly. Unhealthily, in fact. She goes on a juice cleanse, starts doing colonic cleansing, and doesn't eat solid food until William comes back.
And she's miserable.
But William has arrived! The great love of her life! A date is arranged between the two, and William tells her that he has a special question to ask her.
Naturally, Neve knows that he is planning to ask her out on an official date, so she proceeds to spice herself up with fashionable clothes, hair, and makeup.
And finally the date is here.
William greets Neve and then talks about himself. The entire time. He makes a rude comment about her intelligence compared to her weight, and continues to talk about his life. He even deigns to forget about Neve's masters thesis! Poor Neve! She sacrificed so much! She dumped Max! She remembers everything about William that there is to know! How dare he be annoying when he actually gave no signal that he was even remotely interested in her!
And then the question. The long-awaited question. William declares that he is now accepting a teaching position at Warwickshire, and he expects Neve to be his research assistant. Naturally, this would require her completing a PhD, but surely this is an opportunity she could not pass up?
Neve firmly says no. How dare William take her away from her riveting job doing god knows what.
But wait. This date is not over.
William looks over Neve's shoulder and exclaims, "Hey, baby!"
Now who could that be?
Surprise, surprise!
William's fucking fiancee.
Because William actually had a fucking life in California unlike stupidass Neve.
Anyway, this experience leads Neve to realize how much Max truly meant to her, so she goes back to him, and they have sex.
The end.
I don't want you to force yourself to read it, so let me give you the quick rundown of the basis of the novel.
There's Neve. She was fat. Now she's not. She has a job (even though no one knows what she ACTUALLY does at it), and she just goes about her life. Fascinating, isn't it? She lives in a flat and her sister has another flat in the same house, and her brother and his heinous wife lives in the third flat in this house. Now Neve's sister-in-law is what everyone calls a heinous bitch. Her name is Charlotte, by the way. She's an absolute witch of a woman, but Neve is too scared to call her out on it, so she just continues about her life, trying to be less annoying for Charlotte.
Riveted, aren't you?
Furthermore, Neve has fallen in love with a strapping young man named William. This William, however, has lived in California for the past few years, so Neve and he have been sharing correspondence in the form of eloquently written letters through priority mail. Their intellectual connection is beyond that of famous authors of lore! Clearly, they were meant to be.
But . . .
William will be returning to England in just a few months, and Neve must be a beautiful young woman when he arrives. So she loses weight. But wait once again. She's never had a relationship with a male before. How does that work? she ponders.
Aha.
She should have a pancake relationship!
What is that? you inquire.
Well, apparently, when one cooks pancakes, the first one is always misshapen and weird because the batter isn't fully formed or the pan wasn't right. Therefore, one must always throw away the first pancake. Similarly, a pancake relationship is the first pancake. One will understand the workings of a relationship by participating in this phenomenon but will eventually throw away the relationship for another, more fulfilling one.
Here enters Max. Playboy extraordinaire. The perfect man for this pancake relationship.
They start on going dates. Except . . .
They never go alone. Instead, they always go to Max's work parties, and Neve just mingles with the crowd.
What entertaining dates! I was truly entranced as I read about these fascinating and intriguing conversations between Neve and Max's coworkers. It really cemented the bond between the two.
About 80% of the novel passes by with nothing of importance occurring.
Then, suddenly, Neve and Max go to Max's friend's wedding. Ah, but at the last minute, Max is uninvited due to a mishap by the bride. Regardless, they have sex, and everything is okay.
Until it isn't.
Because William is coming back even sooner than expected, and Neve doesn't need Max anymore.
So she dumps him like a heartless bitch.
And she proceeds to lose weight quite rapidly. Unhealthily, in fact. She goes on a juice cleanse, starts doing colonic cleansing, and doesn't eat solid food until William comes back.
And she's miserable.
But William has arrived! The great love of her life! A date is arranged between the two, and William tells her that he has a special question to ask her.
Naturally, Neve knows that he is planning to ask her out on an official date, so she proceeds to spice herself up with fashionable clothes, hair, and makeup.
And finally the date is here.
William greets Neve and then talks about himself. The entire time. He makes a rude comment about her intelligence compared to her weight, and continues to talk about his life. He even deigns to forget about Neve's masters thesis! Poor Neve! She sacrificed so much! She dumped Max! She remembers everything about William that there is to know! How dare he be annoying when he actually gave no signal that he was even remotely interested in her!
And then the question. The long-awaited question. William declares that he is now accepting a teaching position at Warwickshire, and he expects Neve to be his research assistant. Naturally, this would require her completing a PhD, but surely this is an opportunity she could not pass up?
Neve firmly says no. How dare William take her away from her riveting job doing god knows what.
But wait. This date is not over.
William looks over Neve's shoulder and exclaims, "Hey, baby!"
Now who could that be?
Surprise, surprise!
William's fucking fiancee.
Because William actually had a fucking life in California unlike stupidass Neve.
Anyway, this experience leads Neve to realize how much Max truly meant to her, so she goes back to him, and they have sex.
The end.
March 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this story! It's a lot more "chick lit" in style than a lot of things I usually read, but I really had a good time with it. I LOVED the dialogue and all of the literary references. It made me flex my English degree and literary minor muscles.
Also, I felt really connected to Neve. I too was a chubby kid that got teased for it, except my nickname was "Hippo" not "Heave." Now I never became obese and I thinned out by late middle school thanks to sports, but I definitely understand getting over the hurdle of feeling like a fat person in a thin person's body.
Typically, the romance of the story is my favorite aspect - and I did love it here - however, I think my favorite part of this story was Neve's mental journey and her coming to terms with her own self and her own body.
My favorite part of that journey?
I do wish the ending had been drawn out a little more...perhaps an epilogue? But overall I really had a good time with this and will look for more from Miss Manning.
Also, I felt really connected to Neve. I too was a chubby kid that got teased for it, except my nickname was "Hippo" not "Heave." Now I never became obese and I thinned out by late middle school thanks to sports, but I definitely understand getting over the hurdle of feeling like a fat person in a thin person's body.
Typically, the romance of the story is my favorite aspect - and I did love it here - however, I think my favorite part of this story was Neve's mental journey and her coming to terms with her own self and her own body.
My favorite part of that journey?
I do wish the ending had been drawn out a little more...perhaps an epilogue? But overall I really had a good time with this and will look for more from Miss Manning.
August 14, 2016
DNF 11%
This just isn't working for me.
Characters are one dimensional and the writing style is cringeworthy.
This just isn't working for me.
Characters are one dimensional and the writing style is cringeworthy.
September 12, 2014
I simply adored this book. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me took me by surprise and it turned out to be a real GEM of a book! ❤ It was witty and so much fun to read. It is that type of book that will leave you with lots of warm fuzzy feelings.
Neve has so much going for her. She is smart, funny, and beautiful. She is a happier person now but she wasn’t always happy. She is making changes in her life and becoming the person she has always wanted to be.
Max puzzled me a bit. He is a player. A guy who doesn’t do relationships, sleeps around and is a bit arrogant. Not much to love right. But there was so much more to him. And that “so much more” is what will draw you in and without doubt you will fall in love with him.
Things in Neve’s life are changing. See, Neve has always been overweight and has never experienced a real relationship with a man. But after losing over half her body weight, she is ready. She loves someone, or maybe it is the idea of this person that she is in love with. It is her William.
As things would have it, William is in the states working but he plans to return to England soon and Neve needs to be ready for when they reunite.
Because she has no clue what it is like to be in a relationship with a man, she comes up with this plan, sort of a test drive of sorts to get ready for her relationship with William. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea. Her sister Celia has doubts but she loves Neve and will go along with whatever she decides.
Have you ever heard of a pancake relationship? No? Neither have I. Part of the plan made sense and hey why not give it a try. What could go wrong getting involved with a handsome and sexy man with no strings attached? But whenever the heart is involved, does anything ever go as planned?
This sexy man ends up being Max. Neve and Max are different in so many ways but when rules are established and boundaries are set, he agrees to the pancake relationship figuring there really isn’t much that could go wrong.
I loved watching Max and Neve get to know each other. As they spend more time together sharing day to day things, inner secrets and intimate moments, the boundaries begin to blur. Both of them are experiencing feelings of a real relationship but they just keep tucking those feelings aside. It wasn’t supposed to be a real relationship it was only supposed to be pretend. So what will come of these two?
You Don’t Have to Say You Love me was so much more than just a love story. It was about friendships, acceptance, perceptions of oneself and others and it is about the unexpected. It is about learning to let go of your inhibitions and just be yourself.
And last but certainly not least it was a sexy read too! Some of the things Max said or did to and for Neve on a sexual level had me completely swooning over him. When Max finally “stripped” Neve of her intimacy fears, my god they were insatiable!! Neve as well gave a special piece of herself to Max. He was finding his way too and the moments when she would just hold him or kiss the top of his head just melted my heart.
Oh geez,I almost forgot about Keith. He is Max’s sweet dog. ❤ Your going to love him too. :)
I definitely highly recommend this one! I hope you decide to give it a go (if you haven’t already)!! I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes…
“Neve thought that her appetite was the most robust thing about her, and she didn’t kiss Max so much as she devoured him. Graceless, messy kisses without any thought or reason, but simply because she hungered for him. Kissed him with everything she had and everything she was, and she didn’t know why she could kiss Max and have him kiss her with the same fierceness but still be greedy for the next kiss and the one after that and the one after that and the one…”
Neve has so much going for her. She is smart, funny, and beautiful. She is a happier person now but she wasn’t always happy. She is making changes in her life and becoming the person she has always wanted to be.
Max puzzled me a bit. He is a player. A guy who doesn’t do relationships, sleeps around and is a bit arrogant. Not much to love right. But there was so much more to him. And that “so much more” is what will draw you in and without doubt you will fall in love with him.
Things in Neve’s life are changing. See, Neve has always been overweight and has never experienced a real relationship with a man. But after losing over half her body weight, she is ready. She loves someone, or maybe it is the idea of this person that she is in love with. It is her William.
As things would have it, William is in the states working but he plans to return to England soon and Neve needs to be ready for when they reunite.
Because she has no clue what it is like to be in a relationship with a man, she comes up with this plan, sort of a test drive of sorts to get ready for her relationship with William. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea. Her sister Celia has doubts but she loves Neve and will go along with whatever she decides.
Have you ever heard of a pancake relationship? No? Neither have I. Part of the plan made sense and hey why not give it a try. What could go wrong getting involved with a handsome and sexy man with no strings attached? But whenever the heart is involved, does anything ever go as planned?
This sexy man ends up being Max. Neve and Max are different in so many ways but when rules are established and boundaries are set, he agrees to the pancake relationship figuring there really isn’t much that could go wrong.
I loved watching Max and Neve get to know each other. As they spend more time together sharing day to day things, inner secrets and intimate moments, the boundaries begin to blur. Both of them are experiencing feelings of a real relationship but they just keep tucking those feelings aside. It wasn’t supposed to be a real relationship it was only supposed to be pretend. So what will come of these two?
You Don’t Have to Say You Love me was so much more than just a love story. It was about friendships, acceptance, perceptions of oneself and others and it is about the unexpected. It is about learning to let go of your inhibitions and just be yourself.
And last but certainly not least it was a sexy read too! Some of the things Max said or did to and for Neve on a sexual level had me completely swooning over him. When Max finally “stripped” Neve of her intimacy fears, my god they were insatiable!! Neve as well gave a special piece of herself to Max. He was finding his way too and the moments when she would just hold him or kiss the top of his head just melted my heart.
Oh geez,I almost forgot about Keith. He is Max’s sweet dog. ❤ Your going to love him too. :)
I definitely highly recommend this one! I hope you decide to give it a go (if you haven’t already)!! I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes…
“Neve thought that her appetite was the most robust thing about her, and she didn’t kiss Max so much as she devoured him. Graceless, messy kisses without any thought or reason, but simply because she hungered for him. Kissed him with everything she had and everything she was, and she didn’t know why she could kiss Max and have him kiss her with the same fierceness but still be greedy for the next kiss and the one after that and the one after that and the one…”
August 17, 2013
”Don’t you get it, Neevy? What you look like is just one part of who you are – but it’s not all you are.”
I fell in love with Neve and Max while reading this book. What started as a mortifying sexual experience quickly morphed into a cautious friendship/practice relationship then real and physical love. Through all of the changes these two experienced, there was never a time I didn’t enjoy this story. It’s always witty and funny, sometimes sad and I was rooting for them both the entire time.
Max was fumbling at her girl parts now and Neve was sure her clitoris was actually recoiling as it tried to evade his touch.
To say Neve and Max’s relationship gets off to a rocky start would be an understatement. Neve used to be overweight and has spent the last three years getting healthy and taking the weight off. The problem is she still sees herself as that same fat woman. She’s managed to lose close to 200 pounds but she still can’t accept the fact she looks good. She meets Max when her sister, who happens to work at a fashion magazine, drags her to a work party. Enter Max. He’s good looking, charming and not known for turning down sexual advances from beautiful women. They don’t meet pretty but Max somehow ends up back at Neve’s apartment. Told you he was a charming bastard! Neve has practically zilch in the way of sexual experience and because her “true love” will be coming home to London after several years spent in the U.S., she wants to rectify that whole “I’m not sure what to do with your penis” thing. After finally making it into the bedroom things take a turn for the awkward.
All she could do was sit there and stare half in horror, half in fascination at Max’s straining cock. It looked painful and it looked much bigger than she’d imagined, and it looked as if it was never going to fit inside her and it looked so other that all Neve could do was keep looking at it until it became more familiar. The way she did with a particularly troublesome crossword clue.
Needless to say that particular sexy time does not end well. Neve’s body issues eventually put an end to all things hard and that leads to more of the cringe worthy awkwardness. When they reconnect a week later to make sure the other isn’t permanently traumatized, they begin a friendship and enter into an agreement of sorts. Neve needs practice for the time when the love of her life comes home, sees her and immediately wants to do her and be her man. Max is a manwhore and has never had a relationship. Why not be each other’s practice relationship? Non sexual, of course and just for the sake of gaining some much needed knowledge. What could go wrong?
”Look, short of fucking some circus freaks and posting the video on YouTube, you name it, I’ve done it. At least twice. Having a relationship and not even a sexual one is so straight, it’s practically perverted.”
My favorite part of the story was watching these two grow, both individually and as a couple. Neve needed to start seeing herself as the rest of the world did. Max had a rough childhood and has kept everyone at arms length as a result. Being together begins to heal them both. The very best part? These characters are both fun!!! The ride they take together is funny, sweet, sexy and sometimes heart wrenching. You can see them falling in love, but they refuse to admit it to each other and to themselves. The relationship's destined to end, as agreed, and either want to risk putting themselves out there. For the reader, it quickly becomes obvious these two are made for each other.
They were working their way through the chocolate covered strawberries; Max biting off the chocolate and passing the strawberry to Neve when he was done.
See!!! It was meant to be. Read this book, People!
I fell in love with Neve and Max while reading this book. What started as a mortifying sexual experience quickly morphed into a cautious friendship/practice relationship then real and physical love. Through all of the changes these two experienced, there was never a time I didn’t enjoy this story. It’s always witty and funny, sometimes sad and I was rooting for them both the entire time.
Max was fumbling at her girl parts now and Neve was sure her clitoris was actually recoiling as it tried to evade his touch.
To say Neve and Max’s relationship gets off to a rocky start would be an understatement. Neve used to be overweight and has spent the last three years getting healthy and taking the weight off. The problem is she still sees herself as that same fat woman. She’s managed to lose close to 200 pounds but she still can’t accept the fact she looks good. She meets Max when her sister, who happens to work at a fashion magazine, drags her to a work party. Enter Max. He’s good looking, charming and not known for turning down sexual advances from beautiful women. They don’t meet pretty but Max somehow ends up back at Neve’s apartment. Told you he was a charming bastard! Neve has practically zilch in the way of sexual experience and because her “true love” will be coming home to London after several years spent in the U.S., she wants to rectify that whole “I’m not sure what to do with your penis” thing. After finally making it into the bedroom things take a turn for the awkward.
All she could do was sit there and stare half in horror, half in fascination at Max’s straining cock. It looked painful and it looked much bigger than she’d imagined, and it looked as if it was never going to fit inside her and it looked so other that all Neve could do was keep looking at it until it became more familiar. The way she did with a particularly troublesome crossword clue.
Needless to say that particular sexy time does not end well. Neve’s body issues eventually put an end to all things hard and that leads to more of the cringe worthy awkwardness. When they reconnect a week later to make sure the other isn’t permanently traumatized, they begin a friendship and enter into an agreement of sorts. Neve needs practice for the time when the love of her life comes home, sees her and immediately wants to do her and be her man. Max is a manwhore and has never had a relationship. Why not be each other’s practice relationship? Non sexual, of course and just for the sake of gaining some much needed knowledge. What could go wrong?
”Look, short of fucking some circus freaks and posting the video on YouTube, you name it, I’ve done it. At least twice. Having a relationship and not even a sexual one is so straight, it’s practically perverted.”
My favorite part of the story was watching these two grow, both individually and as a couple. Neve needed to start seeing herself as the rest of the world did. Max had a rough childhood and has kept everyone at arms length as a result. Being together begins to heal them both. The very best part? These characters are both fun!!! The ride they take together is funny, sweet, sexy and sometimes heart wrenching. You can see them falling in love, but they refuse to admit it to each other and to themselves. The relationship's destined to end, as agreed, and either want to risk putting themselves out there. For the reader, it quickly becomes obvious these two are made for each other.
They were working their way through the chocolate covered strawberries; Max biting off the chocolate and passing the strawberry to Neve when he was done.
See!!! It was meant to be. Read this book, People!
May 19, 2013
I loved this book. You want to know why ? Well first because my bestie across the pond Lisa Jayne recommended this book to me ! Two, I love all things Brit ( especially lisa ) so from the get go I was ready for and I quote Lisa here " love love love made easy peasy lemon breezy ". Finally a character I can relate to. Sure I trip at work all the time but there's no billionaire there to rescue this Anna. Hell no. My heads in the clouds but I do get a healthy dose of reality quite often. So Neve in this book was just ... So ME-like...Issues that were real....self esteem, height, weight, wardrobe issues, catty skinny sister from hell, everything looks better in dim lighting ...wrapped up with a monotonous job ( hey i make legal drug dealing kinda geeky-glamorous ) and pinning over Mr Wrong ( I've since rectified that situation ) this chica was real! I loved her story so it was a race to her happily ever after ! Now enter Max ... Who could ask for anything more ?! ! He was a true gentleman through and through. Yeah it's true .... He could knock the knickers off of you too ( google it if you're not familiar w the lingo. I did. Don't judge ). So this story to me was more than two people faking a relationship. It was about a strong foundation of friendship to chisel away at those walls Neve had put up when they launched this pancake relationship. It was a great journey !
4 great giggly, google-referring-to story about true love that involved more than a gentleman's sausage and a ladies strawberries while bumping real uglies !!!!
Lisa Jayne you're a gem ! Thank you for this book .... ❤Muuuuahhhh !
4 great giggly, google-referring-to story about true love that involved more than a gentleman's sausage and a ladies strawberries while bumping real uglies !!!!
Lisa Jayne you're a gem ! Thank you for this book .... ❤Muuuuahhhh !
June 23, 2021
4 Romantic, Very British, Wonderful Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free- A Very Early 2013 Review
Thank you Lisa Jayne for the push to this delicious story of self-discovery for both main characters.
It reminded me of why I love to read so much when things are done in such an entertaining way.
This is a tale of a very bright girl who has been very unhappy, evolving from being obese to a more standard weight. The hook is she is in love with a fella, thinks she needs to be a size 10 in order for everything to be perfect when they finally get together. He is teaching at UCLA in Los Angeles, California and she is still in London losing all this weight. She receives letters from him discussing all types of literary subjects as that is how they know each other; they were at Oxford together. She feels this is her true love and they are soul mates. When he returns after this 3-year separation, he will magically see how she is now Perfect and everything will fall into place.
Now living your life from a very young age with weight issues will stunt your experience in any dating situation. There are no high school fumbles or missed kisses. There are no first or second dates. So Neve needs to get some practice in dating and shhhhh, sex before she has her magical life with her dream fella.
This presents us with Max, known at the magazine as ManWhore. He flirts, leers, and charms all who come in contact. Somehow these two unlikely pair come together and starts a practice or per Neve, pancake relationship. For her, she learns how to be with a man.... to date, to socialize and eventually to do some activities of a sexual nature. For him, he really needs to learn to be a nicer, more caring person.
I loved this story... during the entire time I had the flavor of a Hugh Grant movie in the back of my head... I had the cross of Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and any other film that touched on that British flavor. The writing was excellent... there were many secondary characters and I felt all of them added to the feel of the tale.
I would totally recommend it; sweet yet real feelings came out of the time I spent with it. Thank you again, Ms. Lisa Jayne... you have become my Piped Piper of Romance. :DDDDD
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * Spoiler Free- A Very Early 2013 Review
Thank you Lisa Jayne for the push to this delicious story of self-discovery for both main characters.
It reminded me of why I love to read so much when things are done in such an entertaining way.
This is a tale of a very bright girl who has been very unhappy, evolving from being obese to a more standard weight. The hook is she is in love with a fella, thinks she needs to be a size 10 in order for everything to be perfect when they finally get together. He is teaching at UCLA in Los Angeles, California and she is still in London losing all this weight. She receives letters from him discussing all types of literary subjects as that is how they know each other; they were at Oxford together. She feels this is her true love and they are soul mates. When he returns after this 3-year separation, he will magically see how she is now Perfect and everything will fall into place.
Now living your life from a very young age with weight issues will stunt your experience in any dating situation. There are no high school fumbles or missed kisses. There are no first or second dates. So Neve needs to get some practice in dating and shhhhh, sex before she has her magical life with her dream fella.
This presents us with Max, known at the magazine as ManWhore. He flirts, leers, and charms all who come in contact. Somehow these two unlikely pair come together and starts a practice or per Neve, pancake relationship. For her, she learns how to be with a man.... to date, to socialize and eventually to do some activities of a sexual nature. For him, he really needs to learn to be a nicer, more caring person.
I loved this story... during the entire time I had the flavor of a Hugh Grant movie in the back of my head... I had the cross of Love Actually, Bridget Jones, and any other film that touched on that British flavor. The writing was excellent... there were many secondary characters and I felt all of them added to the feel of the tale.
I would totally recommend it; sweet yet real feelings came out of the time I spent with it. Thank you again, Ms. Lisa Jayne... you have become my Piped Piper of Romance. :DDDDD
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
May 25, 2015
I listened to the audio of this book and was so sad to see it end!
Over the hours I listened I became endeared to these characters. I loved Neve and Max. Their love story wasn't always pretty, but it was real, and to me that makes it beautiful.
Thank you for recommending Lisa Jayne and Chris for gifting this fantastic audio! Love you girls!! <3
Over the hours I listened I became endeared to these characters. I loved Neve and Max. Their love story wasn't always pretty, but it was real, and to me that makes it beautiful.
Thank you for recommending Lisa Jayne and Chris for gifting this fantastic audio! Love you girls!! <3
December 27, 2016
Too long (510 pages) and very boring :( It sure has a cliché plot but I thought it could be fun. It wasn't. After %25, all I wanted to do was to skim and scan and see the very predictable end...
It may be me, not the book. Perhaps, you should still try...
It may be me, not the book. Perhaps, you should still try...
June 6, 2020
"This body could do a faultless Downward Dog and run for the bus and fit into a cinema seat. She could cross her legs and squeeze between tables in a crowded café. She could go into any woman’s clothes shop on the high street and buy something to wear, without being banished to the plus-size section at the back of the store.
This was her body and she had to stop giving it such a hard time."
This is one of the difficult reviews, the ones that you don't know how to start or where is going to take you.
I read this book for the first time when I was 13-years-old, I remember loving it but I don't think I understood why.
A week ago I started remembering the plot and remembering that I had really enjoyed reading it so I started to search for it and, blessed be google, I found it.
This book resonates with me. I'm now 21-years-old and now I understand why I loved this book so much when I was a teenager.
Neve is so complex and so very me, which is funny since I'm a Latina girl and she is a very posh London girl, but I love her as much as I want to love myself someday. This book has its flaws, I know it does, which makes me find this whole story much more complex and real.
I like the love story between Max and Neve but to me, the highlight of the book is how Neve accepts herself throughout the whole story. Her growth, even when she messed up, is one of my favorite things.
I guess I should write more but honestly, I need to process it and then reread it so I can actually talk about characters and why I think Neve's journey is more meaningful in a feminist focus.
dnf
November 17, 2020⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Nope*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
DNF at chapter 8
I just didn't feel it. The second I started it, I knew it wasn't for me. When the description of our main male character came, I just thought no. If you know me, then you know that the male is the most important character in the book for me. I felt zero attraction for the male. I pictured him as a sleazy man-whore who's doesn't even look good. I didn't even liked the female. The book centers around Neve Slater (25), a literary archive senior archivist and Max Cannon, Editor-at-Large at Skirts fashion magazine.
From what I understand, Neve wants to get the information on how a relationship works - what to say and what nots - to be ready from her crush to come home. In trying to get ready - also losing weight - she meets and hooks up with Max, which goes "terribly" wrong. They meet up again and... I quitted the book. Overall, I think quitting is a good decision for me. I wanted another The Do-Over by M.K. Schiller, but this one just felt wrong from the beginning.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - Contemporary Romance .
Series: - Standalone.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - None.
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - No.
Would I recommend this book/series? - No.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - NO RATING DUE TO NOT FINISHING.
July 11, 2012
I’m so happy I took a risk on this new author, what a wonderful read, what an excellent writing. Everything was surprising from start to the very end, even though it was a very long book. Very realistic, original dialog while the story took me through many emotions including laughing out loud at the dry British humor sprinkled through the book. I loved it despite the things that usually bother me, such as no hero’s point of view and the heroine with weight issues theme (whining, uncertain heroines). But this time, even though she’s only slightly overweight, her desire to be slimmer matched her characterization perfectly. She was both weak and strong and focused on her romantic dreams and her story is told in such a real, emotional way that despite her low self-esteem I had to root for her. But more than that, I loved the H/h love story. We get to know the hero through his actions, not a worthy hero at the start, but a true hero by the middle, and no sappy words in his vocabulary either. Just a typical guy -so refreshing- and I just adored him. A keeper.
HERO is Playful, a prestigious editor of an entertainment magazine, a ladies man focused on the moment, sexy, extremely charming and easygoing, with serious commitment issues due to his past. When he meets a bookish young woman wanting to get some experience before the guy of her dreams comes back to town, he decides to accept the temporary relationship for reasons we only get to know in the book.
SCENES/CONTENT: several/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/mixed
LENGTH: 551 pages
HERO is Playful, a prestigious editor of an entertainment magazine, a ladies man focused on the moment, sexy, extremely charming and easygoing, with serious commitment issues due to his past. When he meets a bookish young woman wanting to get some experience before the guy of her dreams comes back to town, he decides to accept the temporary relationship for reasons we only get to know in the book.
SCENES/CONTENT: several/hot
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/mixed
LENGTH: 551 pages
October 2, 2025
WOW! I can't remember the time I ended up reading a novel again, right after finishing it!
The Story: It revolves around Neve, a healthy girl in the past who is still keen to lose more weight. What for? Because her friend (and crush) from college, William, was in California for 3 years and will finally be coming home to England in the next 6 months.
So, our lead wants to be perfect. Not only with her body, but she also needs to get relationship experience as well. For that... she needs a Pancake Boyfriend.
The Characters: I adored each and every one of them! Neve had a little inferiority complex but you do connect to her. Next: Max, our Male Lead, well, the ideal book boyfriend. He might be a pancake boyfriend but the way he handled situations is amazing.
The side characters like Neve's office friends, her sister, and others were just as lovely!
The Writing: Because of the nice writing, the book doesn't feel like a 500+ novel. It's so easy and yet not at all immature. Descriptive just the right amount.
Just a thing that was missing was: that I wanted to see a more evolved ending. I mean, what happened after?
The Story: It revolves around Neve, a healthy girl in the past who is still keen to lose more weight. What for? Because her friend (and crush) from college, William, was in California for 3 years and will finally be coming home to England in the next 6 months.
So, our lead wants to be perfect. Not only with her body, but she also needs to get relationship experience as well. For that... she needs a Pancake Boyfriend.
The Characters: I adored each and every one of them! Neve had a little inferiority complex but you do connect to her. Next: Max, our Male Lead, well, the ideal book boyfriend. He might be a pancake boyfriend but the way he handled situations is amazing.
The side characters like Neve's office friends, her sister, and others were just as lovely!
The Writing: Because of the nice writing, the book doesn't feel like a 500+ novel. It's so easy and yet not at all immature. Descriptive just the right amount.
Just a thing that was missing was: that I wanted to see a more evolved ending. I mean, what happened after?
March 17, 2015
Once upon a time, in a city far far away...
there was a smart bookish girl called Neve that suffered from chronial severe cravings (yeah, tell me about it!!!), resulting in wobbly bits and curves aplenty!
(Ok, I know this is Bridget but she is my all time favourite juicy heroine and I picture her as Neve!)
Yes, the anorexic majority of hateful females, especially her evil sister-in-law, Charlotte, would call her fat! And because of this, she didn't dare hope of having a man in her life.
But all our little Neve wanted was her own Prince Charming, whom she had found in the face of her academic advisor and selfless friend (whaaaa..?), William!
William had it all (in Neve's mind!): looks, brains, chivalry! No, he was no superficial, egotistical, caring only for his tea-bags and biscuits (major rolleyes!!!) kind of a person! He always thought of others, especially Nevie, when he asked her to quit everything she did in her life just to run his errands!
So, when William left Nevie to go to the US for a 3 year teaching position, she decided it was time to act in order to win her Prince's heart.... because being fat , she thought, was the cause of all her troubles!
Her goal in life till Prince Charming came back was for her to shrivel into a size ten and acquire basic relationship experience so she could live her HEA!
Meet Max!
The answer to asking the mirror on the wall "who's the man that bangs them all???"
Sleek, hot and sexy! The man she needed as a pancake relationship, a try-till-you-have-mastered-the-dos-and-donts-in-a-love-affair kind of a guy with extra....bonus points!!!(where do I sign up for an experiment with him??).... and the least possible man for her to go after in her current battle of the fat!
The pancake experiment
He was the one to offer her the experience she needed to win Prince Charming's heart, her sex tutor and Scrabble opponent!
She was the one to offer him a glimpse to how it would be to have a relationship that lasted more than a one-night stand!
She never expected him to beat her at Scrabble - once! - and be the one to dethrone her Prince from her heart!
He never expected her to win his dog's, Keith, - and not only - heart!
And while in a moment of anger his spiteful words were:
You 'll always be a fat girl. You don't know how to be anything else.
his actions spoke louder than his words!
And though our Nevie finally admitted that life is how it is and not how we want it to be, most of the times..........
maybe happiness is indeed so simple! all you need to do is keep your chin up, hold your bad boy tight.........
there was a smart bookish girl called Neve that suffered from chronial severe cravings (yeah, tell me about it!!!), resulting in wobbly bits and curves aplenty!
(Ok, I know this is Bridget but she is my all time favourite juicy heroine and I picture her as Neve!)
Yes, the anorexic majority of hateful females, especially her evil sister-in-law, Charlotte, would call her fat! And because of this, she didn't dare hope of having a man in her life.
But all our little Neve wanted was her own Prince Charming, whom she had found in the face of her academic advisor and selfless friend (whaaaa..?), William!
William had it all (in Neve's mind!): looks, brains, chivalry! No, he was no superficial, egotistical, caring only for his tea-bags and biscuits (major rolleyes!!!) kind of a person! He always thought of others, especially Nevie, when he asked her to quit everything she did in her life just to run his errands!
So, when William left Nevie to go to the US for a 3 year teaching position, she decided it was time to act in order to win her Prince's heart.... because being fat , she thought, was the cause of all her troubles!
Her goal in life till Prince Charming came back was for her to shrivel into a size ten and acquire basic relationship experience so she could live her HEA!
Meet Max!
The answer to asking the mirror on the wall "who's the man that bangs them all???"
Sleek, hot and sexy! The man she needed as a pancake relationship, a try-till-you-have-mastered-the-dos-and-donts-in-a-love-affair kind of a guy with extra....bonus points!!!(where do I sign up for an experiment with him??).... and the least possible man for her to go after in her current battle of the fat!
The pancake experiment
He was the one to offer her the experience she needed to win Prince Charming's heart, her sex tutor and Scrabble opponent!
She was the one to offer him a glimpse to how it would be to have a relationship that lasted more than a one-night stand!
She never expected him to beat her at Scrabble - once! - and be the one to dethrone her Prince from her heart!
He never expected her to win his dog's, Keith, - and not only - heart!
And while in a moment of anger his spiteful words were:
You 'll always be a fat girl. You don't know how to be anything else.
his actions spoke louder than his words!
And though our Nevie finally admitted that life is how it is and not how we want it to be, most of the times..........
maybe happiness is indeed so simple! all you need to do is keep your chin up, hold your bad boy tight.........
October 21, 2014
This was a lot of fun, though with a dash of seriousness underneath. Neve is a recovering, uh, person-of-size and that has a lot of importance to the story and is central to her character. Fortunately, it doesn't define her character; Manning does a good job making Neve a realistic "whole" person who has a weighty (couldn't help myself) issue she is dealing with. Further, Manning tackles it without judgment but still takes on the real and important health and image problems associated with getting to "26 stone" (yeah, I had to look up a conversion) and working down to less than half that—all without wagging fingers or soapbox sermons.
The book mainly works because you end up liking Neve so much. She's a big pile of kind of relentless insecurities, yet she never loses her charm. Buying into Neve then pulls you into Max (who starts off kind of a wash—though you can't help liking how attracted he is to Neve on every level). I suspect that this is hard to do as a writer because Neve's insecurities are earned and they're big and getting over them takes a lot of work and time and help. It's beautifully well-executed here, to the extent that the effort probably flies under the radar for most.
The book ends up being a solid chick-lit story with a lovely romance that overlays a serious exploration of body image and social stigma that I think is an important issue to explore in story. All that and a solid four star read (for pacing, humor, characters, and family) all the way through.
A note about Steamy: On the upper-middle end of my personal scale with three or four explicit scenes with some heft to them.
The book mainly works because you end up liking Neve so much. She's a big pile of kind of relentless insecurities, yet she never loses her charm. Buying into Neve then pulls you into Max (who starts off kind of a wash—though you can't help liking how attracted he is to Neve on every level). I suspect that this is hard to do as a writer because Neve's insecurities are earned and they're big and getting over them takes a lot of work and time and help. It's beautifully well-executed here, to the extent that the effort probably flies under the radar for most.
The book ends up being a solid chick-lit story with a lovely romance that overlays a serious exploration of body image and social stigma that I think is an important issue to explore in story. All that and a solid four star read (for pacing, humor, characters, and family) all the way through.
A note about Steamy: On the upper-middle end of my personal scale with three or four explicit scenes with some heft to them.
June 16, 2025
The second book in the space of 5 days to keep me up until 3am! Well, this week seems to be covering up for all the mediocre books I've been reading lately:)
In short, the premise was completely incredible (two incompatible people -an overweight, insecure, bookish heroine and a confident, sexy, handsome editor who's in speaking terms with everyone who's anyone- starting a 'fake' relationship as a test-drive to learn how to handle a real relationship in the future), the heroine hysterical -and I don't mean that in a good way- at times, the hero started as a manwhore who shugged everything that moved, the ending could have handled a thing or two differently to suit my taste, and yet, this book is going straight to my keepers shelf and I can see myself re-reading it in the very forseable future. As for the hero, words can't describe how perfect, kind, sexy & sweet Max turned out to be. On top of that, the humor and dialogues were amazing; I was laughing out loud in very inappropriate times, like when my husband was trying to sleep at 2am and he was looking at me with murder in his eyes. I was also heartbroken when those two had their fights, and cheering with Neve as she taught the WAGs what real exercise meant.
The only reason I didn't read this sooner despite my friends' encouragement, was that somehow, the cover had me believing that this was chick lit and YA to boot. If for any reason you suffer from the same misconceptions, let me set you straight: this belongs firmly to the contemp romance genre, the heroes are late twenties/early thirties guys and though the love scenes are not very detailed, they can be pretty sexy and hot!
Loved it. I think most SEP lovers will really like this one as well as all fans of light contemporary romance. Not to put any pressure on you, but you all HAVE to read it, like right now!
Update 13-11-15: After a re-read, this one remains still a keeper and one of my favorite books ever:)
It's a nice day for a WAG wedding! LOL, I just couldn't stop laughing when I read this; I love Billy Idol but I sure would like to hear it from Max's voice :P
In short, the premise was completely incredible (two incompatible people -an overweight, insecure, bookish heroine and a confident, sexy, handsome editor who's in speaking terms with everyone who's anyone- starting a 'fake' relationship as a test-drive to learn how to handle a real relationship in the future), the heroine hysterical -and I don't mean that in a good way- at times, the hero started as a manwhore who shugged everything that moved, the ending could have handled a thing or two differently to suit my taste, and yet, this book is going straight to my keepers shelf and I can see myself re-reading it in the very forseable future. As for the hero, words can't describe how perfect, kind, sexy & sweet Max turned out to be. On top of that, the humor and dialogues were amazing; I was laughing out loud in very inappropriate times, like when my husband was trying to sleep at 2am and he was looking at me with murder in his eyes. I was also heartbroken when those two had their fights, and cheering with Neve as she taught the WAGs what real exercise meant.
The only reason I didn't read this sooner despite my friends' encouragement, was that somehow, the cover had me believing that this was chick lit and YA to boot. If for any reason you suffer from the same misconceptions, let me set you straight: this belongs firmly to the contemp romance genre, the heroes are late twenties/early thirties guys and though the love scenes are not very detailed, they can be pretty sexy and hot!
Loved it. I think most SEP lovers will really like this one as well as all fans of light contemporary romance. Not to put any pressure on you, but you all HAVE to read it, like right now!
Update 13-11-15: After a re-read, this one remains still a keeper and one of my favorite books ever:)
It's a nice day for a WAG wedding! LOL, I just couldn't stop laughing when I read this; I love Billy Idol but I sure would like to hear it from Max's voice :P
July 26, 2014
You know what? Life is too short for shitty books with shitty characters and shitty plots. I started this book with not so high expectations and still was let down. So I'm not going to finish it.
For once, I'd like to read a book about a confident woman. A woman who not only loves her body, but loves her personality and her job. I'm so sick of these self-loathing chicks who are always insecure about belly fat and are frequently surprised when attractive men show them even the slightest bit if interest. It's so pathetic that every female character is sad and disappointed in themselves, surrounded by friends who are seemingly more gorgeous than they are and who are constantly trying to make their life better by finding them a guy to fix their problems.
This very much describes Neve. She's highly insecure and has this awful younger sister who is fashionable and thin and she meets this most handsome god named Max who fucks around with models and celebs. Now instead of just appreciating this Adonis, Neve blows her chance to be seduced like a regular woman by thinking about how totally fat and ugly she is.... And this is DURING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE!!!! YES. This man has his glorious holy penis inside her and all she can think about is how impossible it is for a man to even have an erection around her....
Now I would continue reading, just to see where this is going, because right now she's writing him a letter (yes a letter; fountain pen and everything) about why she tensed up like a dead alligator, ruined his stiffy and then told him to leave. But I simply do not have the time. I am tired of these women waiting for a man to convince them that they're beautiful and sexy. Sick and tired.
For once, I'd like to read a book about a confident woman. A woman who not only loves her body, but loves her personality and her job. I'm so sick of these self-loathing chicks who are always insecure about belly fat and are frequently surprised when attractive men show them even the slightest bit if interest. It's so pathetic that every female character is sad and disappointed in themselves, surrounded by friends who are seemingly more gorgeous than they are and who are constantly trying to make their life better by finding them a guy to fix their problems.
This very much describes Neve. She's highly insecure and has this awful younger sister who is fashionable and thin and she meets this most handsome god named Max who fucks around with models and celebs. Now instead of just appreciating this Adonis, Neve blows her chance to be seduced like a regular woman by thinking about how totally fat and ugly she is.... And this is DURING SEXUAL INTERCOURSE!!!! YES. This man has his glorious holy penis inside her and all she can think about is how impossible it is for a man to even have an erection around her....
Now I would continue reading, just to see where this is going, because right now she's writing him a letter (yes a letter; fountain pen and everything) about why she tensed up like a dead alligator, ruined his stiffy and then told him to leave. But I simply do not have the time. I am tired of these women waiting for a man to convince them that they're beautiful and sexy. Sick and tired.
February 10, 2014
~~~~ 5 GLORIOUS STARS!! OR 10/10!!!!!! ~~~~
I don't even know what to say....this was such an incredible read on so many levels.
Aside from the fact that Neve had so many issues any woman could relate to, aside from the fact that there are lessons to be learned in accepting yourself, aside from the fact that everyone is worthy of love.....AND aside from the fact that Max is **clutching my heart because there are no words**The most incredible, edible and fantastic man!!!
Aside from all that....this book was WOW.
Neve is like many women, concerned with her weight and obsessing about the magic size she must get to in order to be happy. She's intelligent, kind and unbeknownst to herself, beautiful. But she doesn't see that. This book was a tender and sweet portrayal of finding the courage to be who you are without sacrificing your integrity. It took a while for Neve to understand that she is more than a number. She was so lost in trying to be someone else that she almost lost sight of who she was.
Working towards making herself desirable for a man she's wanted for years, Neve enlists the help of sexy and seductive Max, an editor for Skirt magazine, the company where her sister works. She wants lessons in relationships and since Max is a bonafide manwhore, she's got no worries of falling for him.
But the best laid plans are the first to get ruined aren't they?
Gorgeous, sweet and sultry Max. I still find myself in awe of this wonderful, incredible man. I sensed he fell for Neve before she did for him. But when things got real, they both feared the rejection from one another, so neither said a thing. It was torture seeing them so happy but knowing there was an expiration date. Max hid behind his declaration of not wanting a relationship which only made him more vulnerable. Neve was so hung up on a dream that she didn't realize reality could be so much better.
I loved the growing friendship between Max and Neve. They honestly fell for each other so beautifully, so tenderly that it made me cry. This was such a great book, with so many heartfelt moments. So many scenes that are forever etched in my memory. I loved how Neve came to realize what she was losing, how our imaginations can build someone up so much that this person becomes a character lost in fantasy. She realizes all the things I realized about Max and I was ecstatic! The only, ONLY thing lacking was an epilogue. I am in desperate need of one although I know it's all roses.
This has become one of my favorites, a book that will forever move me and make me sigh in awe. The secondary characters were great and completely added to the story. Charlotte was a byatch beyond reason and her excuses although unacceptable still showed that everyone has insecurities, everyone. I think this is a book every woman should read, it has elements that all women could relate to. It was sometimes difficult watching Neve run herself into the ground, but it made it all the more sweeter when she shed her doubts and insecurities to embrace who she was and the man she was meant to be with.
If you fancy these type of story lines, you should check out Foreplay, by Sophie Jordan. Very similar to this.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Thanks to my lovely British beauty across the pond---Lisa Jayne!! Would have never discovered this without you! xoxo
I don't even know what to say....this was such an incredible read on so many levels.
Aside from the fact that Neve had so many issues any woman could relate to, aside from the fact that there are lessons to be learned in accepting yourself, aside from the fact that everyone is worthy of love.....AND aside from the fact that Max is **clutching my heart because there are no words**The most incredible, edible and fantastic man!!!
Aside from all that....this book was WOW.
Neve is like many women, concerned with her weight and obsessing about the magic size she must get to in order to be happy. She's intelligent, kind and unbeknownst to herself, beautiful. But she doesn't see that. This book was a tender and sweet portrayal of finding the courage to be who you are without sacrificing your integrity. It took a while for Neve to understand that she is more than a number. She was so lost in trying to be someone else that she almost lost sight of who she was.
Working towards making herself desirable for a man she's wanted for years, Neve enlists the help of sexy and seductive Max, an editor for Skirt magazine, the company where her sister works. She wants lessons in relationships and since Max is a bonafide manwhore, she's got no worries of falling for him.
But the best laid plans are the first to get ruined aren't they?
Gorgeous, sweet and sultry Max. I still find myself in awe of this wonderful, incredible man. I sensed he fell for Neve before she did for him. But when things got real, they both feared the rejection from one another, so neither said a thing. It was torture seeing them so happy but knowing there was an expiration date. Max hid behind his declaration of not wanting a relationship which only made him more vulnerable. Neve was so hung up on a dream that she didn't realize reality could be so much better.
I loved the growing friendship between Max and Neve. They honestly fell for each other so beautifully, so tenderly that it made me cry. This was such a great book, with so many heartfelt moments. So many scenes that are forever etched in my memory. I loved how Neve came to realize what she was losing, how our imaginations can build someone up so much that this person becomes a character lost in fantasy. She realizes all the things I realized about Max and I was ecstatic! The only, ONLY thing lacking was an epilogue. I am in desperate need of one although I know it's all roses.
This has become one of my favorites, a book that will forever move me and make me sigh in awe. The secondary characters were great and completely added to the story. Charlotte was a byatch beyond reason and her excuses although unacceptable still showed that everyone has insecurities, everyone. I think this is a book every woman should read, it has elements that all women could relate to. It was sometimes difficult watching Neve run herself into the ground, but it made it all the more sweeter when she shed her doubts and insecurities to embrace who she was and the man she was meant to be with.
If you fancy these type of story lines, you should check out Foreplay, by Sophie Jordan. Very similar to this.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Thanks to my lovely British beauty across the pond---Lisa Jayne!! Would have never discovered this without you! xoxo
March 3, 2017
Muy recomendable. Los dos protagonistas son dos seres con muchos problemas, unos más visibles que otros, y muy imperfectos, pero que juntos se complementan, a pesar de las muchas estupideces que pueden llegar a hacer y decir. Su relación de amor y la descripción de los personajes me pareció una de las más realistas que he leído en un libro, con sus mierdas, momentos hot y otros para matarlos/ quererlos.
March 24, 2013
Rating: 3.5 Stars
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is the type of novel whose story you can predict from the synopsis itself. You know, even before you crack open the spine, that it's going to be a typical romantic comedy, a chick-flick, just like the thousands you've already seen, but you're willing to give it a try anyway. Or, at least, I was. Granted, I picked it up primarily because I wanted a taste of Sarra Manning's writing for adults after enjoying her YA Novel, Adorkable, so much last year, but like with Adorkable, Manning's adult romance surprised me with its unexpected depth and poignancy.
With You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Manning creates a very Bridget Jones-esque protagonist. Neve is an intelligent young woman who works in an archive in London, but she's also a highly insecure one. Ever since she was in high school, Neve has been mercilessly teased about her weight. As such, she's always believed she was fat and has taken great pains over the past three years to lose weight. Even with her weight loss, though, she isn't happy. For Neve, happiness is a size ten dress and impressing her intellectual soul mate, William, who is in LA. William, who is returning in just a few months, is who Neve believes to be her Mr. Right. Not only is Neve preparing herself physically for William, but as a 25-year-old inexperienced with sex, she desperately wants to be prepared for a relationship as well. Thus, after a string of unsuccessful blind dates, she winds up fake dating Max, her sister's boss and a resident man whore.
As you can expect from the synopsis, Max and Neve fall in love, some drama ensues because they both have problems, and really, I am quite, quite sure you can guess what happens when William returns to London during the last couple of chapters of this novel as well. Yet, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is a fantastic novel, despite its predictable plot. What makes it such a page-turner (really, I could not put this down!), is that its protagonist, Neve, is so very endearing. From the first page itself, her voice is genuine, authentic, and easy to connect to. Although her constant cribbing about her weight can be a little irritating after awhile, it's obvious that her insecurities are real and not simply a statement to garner attention.
While I loved the manner in which Manning explored Neve's insecurities about her weight, using it as an issue that affected every part of her life and truly developing her thoughts about herself as her relationship with Max progressed, I did also have a few bones to pick with it. In some ways, Neve is a convenient heroine. As women, we all feel self-conscious at times, especially with the marketing industry the way it is and with Victoria's Secret models strutting around on TV and in magazines. Yet, for Neve, her obesity was genuine: a woman who used to be a little over three hundred pounds dropped to under half her weight. Thus, her insecurities were all based upon her bullying and the very real past since Neve was a big woman. On one hand, I appreciated that Manning took Neve as she was now, at just a hundred and fifty pounds, and made her still as insecure as she ever was; she took a woman who was curvy and made her see herself as perpetually fat, which is the reality for a lot of women. At the same time, however, I wish she had chosen to explore this image crisis for other women too. We get glimpses of Celia, Neve's sister, upset that she's very stick-like or even other women complaining about her bodies, but this book was so utterly focused on Neve and women just like her that it felt a bit too exclusive for my liking.
In addition to that, Neve's happiness with herself and who she was is directly linked to Max. Max and Neve's relationship progresses in a very realistic manner, with them both setting boundaries on their fake relationship and not truly trusting each other with their personal issues until much later. With such a large novel, Manning is able to really make this work over the course of a few months. Yet, we also see that when Neve is finally happy with Max, she ceases to care about her weight. While this is a great thing, I almost felt as if it gave the wrong message across. You don't need a man to have sex with you to feel good about your body image. You just don't. You can be single and STILL be perpetually happy and not dieting or constantly weighing yourself. I wish that at the end, this message was a little more clearer. It felt like the moment Max was out of the picture, it was just back to more and more diets.
Again, this is because Neve was bullied so badly for years - and that her bully happens to be her sister-in-law who lives downstairs and STILL bullies her - but, then again, isn't this just the exclusivity I was discussing before?
Nevertheless, despite my qualms with this novel, I really cannot stress enough that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Although it is a hefty book, it never felt too long or drawn out and I while frantically flipping the pages of this novel, I wasn't really worrying all that much about the issues I mentioned above. Instead, I was enjoying the hilarity and authenticity of Neve's narration and her blundering, romantic, and utterly sweet relationship with Max. Max has his fair share of problems, as does Neve, and the fact that he makes Neve eat properly and cares for more than just her appearance is so wonderfully brought across. While Neve's self-image is linked to the fact that she has a boyfriend, it is also evident that Neve has come a long way from the person she was in the beginning of the novel and still does, potentially, have a long way to go. Sarra Manning has written a novel that is compulsively readable, relate-able, and will keep you reading and laughing until the wee hours of the morning. Although this book tackles some very real and serious issues, it was such a cute contemporary that I genuinely loved. In fact, I am honestly torn about rounding this up to 4 Stars because my lower rating doesn't truly reflect how much I enjoyed the novel. Whether it be in adult romance or young adult contemporary, Manning is an author I can count on for a delightful and romantic reading experience. Guaranteed.
You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is the type of novel whose story you can predict from the synopsis itself. You know, even before you crack open the spine, that it's going to be a typical romantic comedy, a chick-flick, just like the thousands you've already seen, but you're willing to give it a try anyway. Or, at least, I was. Granted, I picked it up primarily because I wanted a taste of Sarra Manning's writing for adults after enjoying her YA Novel, Adorkable, so much last year, but like with Adorkable, Manning's adult romance surprised me with its unexpected depth and poignancy.
With You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Manning creates a very Bridget Jones-esque protagonist. Neve is an intelligent young woman who works in an archive in London, but she's also a highly insecure one. Ever since she was in high school, Neve has been mercilessly teased about her weight. As such, she's always believed she was fat and has taken great pains over the past three years to lose weight. Even with her weight loss, though, she isn't happy. For Neve, happiness is a size ten dress and impressing her intellectual soul mate, William, who is in LA. William, who is returning in just a few months, is who Neve believes to be her Mr. Right. Not only is Neve preparing herself physically for William, but as a 25-year-old inexperienced with sex, she desperately wants to be prepared for a relationship as well. Thus, after a string of unsuccessful blind dates, she winds up fake dating Max, her sister's boss and a resident man whore.
As you can expect from the synopsis, Max and Neve fall in love, some drama ensues because they both have problems, and really, I am quite, quite sure you can guess what happens when William returns to London during the last couple of chapters of this novel as well. Yet, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is a fantastic novel, despite its predictable plot. What makes it such a page-turner (really, I could not put this down!), is that its protagonist, Neve, is so very endearing. From the first page itself, her voice is genuine, authentic, and easy to connect to. Although her constant cribbing about her weight can be a little irritating after awhile, it's obvious that her insecurities are real and not simply a statement to garner attention.
While I loved the manner in which Manning explored Neve's insecurities about her weight, using it as an issue that affected every part of her life and truly developing her thoughts about herself as her relationship with Max progressed, I did also have a few bones to pick with it. In some ways, Neve is a convenient heroine. As women, we all feel self-conscious at times, especially with the marketing industry the way it is and with Victoria's Secret models strutting around on TV and in magazines. Yet, for Neve, her obesity was genuine: a woman who used to be a little over three hundred pounds dropped to under half her weight. Thus, her insecurities were all based upon her bullying and the very real past since Neve was a big woman. On one hand, I appreciated that Manning took Neve as she was now, at just a hundred and fifty pounds, and made her still as insecure as she ever was; she took a woman who was curvy and made her see herself as perpetually fat, which is the reality for a lot of women. At the same time, however, I wish she had chosen to explore this image crisis for other women too. We get glimpses of Celia, Neve's sister, upset that she's very stick-like or even other women complaining about her bodies, but this book was so utterly focused on Neve and women just like her that it felt a bit too exclusive for my liking.
In addition to that, Neve's happiness with herself and who she was is directly linked to Max. Max and Neve's relationship progresses in a very realistic manner, with them both setting boundaries on their fake relationship and not truly trusting each other with their personal issues until much later. With such a large novel, Manning is able to really make this work over the course of a few months. Yet, we also see that when Neve is finally happy with Max, she ceases to care about her weight. While this is a great thing, I almost felt as if it gave the wrong message across. You don't need a man to have sex with you to feel good about your body image. You just don't. You can be single and STILL be perpetually happy and not dieting or constantly weighing yourself. I wish that at the end, this message was a little more clearer. It felt like the moment Max was out of the picture, it was just back to more and more diets.
Again, this is because Neve was bullied so badly for years - and that her bully happens to be her sister-in-law who lives downstairs and STILL bullies her - but, then again, isn't this just the exclusivity I was discussing before?
Nevertheless, despite my qualms with this novel, I really cannot stress enough that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Although it is a hefty book, it never felt too long or drawn out and I while frantically flipping the pages of this novel, I wasn't really worrying all that much about the issues I mentioned above. Instead, I was enjoying the hilarity and authenticity of Neve's narration and her blundering, romantic, and utterly sweet relationship with Max. Max has his fair share of problems, as does Neve, and the fact that he makes Neve eat properly and cares for more than just her appearance is so wonderfully brought across. While Neve's self-image is linked to the fact that she has a boyfriend, it is also evident that Neve has come a long way from the person she was in the beginning of the novel and still does, potentially, have a long way to go. Sarra Manning has written a novel that is compulsively readable, relate-able, and will keep you reading and laughing until the wee hours of the morning. Although this book tackles some very real and serious issues, it was such a cute contemporary that I genuinely loved. In fact, I am honestly torn about rounding this up to 4 Stars because my lower rating doesn't truly reflect how much I enjoyed the novel. Whether it be in adult romance or young adult contemporary, Manning is an author I can count on for a delightful and romantic reading experience. Guaranteed.
You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
January 19, 2018
5++++ Neve and Max Stars Every Time!!!!
What's it about? A girl with an eating/body image disorder decides to have a temporary relationship with the local heart-breaker to help her prepare for the real thing...
The best bit: oh I LOVE this book sooo much. Every couple of years I come back to it and after having read this FOUR TIMES, I still absolutely devour every delectable word.
I love Neve.
I love her job as a literary archivist.
I love her apartment.
I love her self-discipline.
And I love her fitness stamina and endurance.
And I even love her commitment to her ideal illusion (that will make more sense once you read it).
I love Max and his traumatised dog.
I love Max's frayed jeans and his ability to accept defeat.
I love his humour and his patience.
I love his easy-going nature.
I love his eye-rolls and the way he eats strawberries with Neve.
I love Sarra Manning's insight into weightloss and body image.
I love her pacing and character development.
And I love that every female (and male) character in this book differs so thoroughly from eachother.
The worst bits: No resolution of Douglas' story, and an absence of heart-swoony declarations. (Okay, these worst bits are also, at the same time, the best bits. Weird, right?) I also wanted one more scene with Gustav.
Recommended for: fans of slow burn, faux relationships that turn to romance. The story also focuses on the body image issues that remain after profound weightloss and the obsessive vulnerability of eating disorders.
What's it about? A girl with an eating/body image disorder decides to have a temporary relationship with the local heart-breaker to help her prepare for the real thing...
The best bit: oh I LOVE this book sooo much. Every couple of years I come back to it and after having read this FOUR TIMES, I still absolutely devour every delectable word.
I love Neve.
I love her job as a literary archivist.
I love her apartment.
I love her self-discipline.
And I love her fitness stamina and endurance.
And I even love her commitment to her ideal illusion (that will make more sense once you read it).
I love Max and his traumatised dog.
I love Max's frayed jeans and his ability to accept defeat.
I love his humour and his patience.
I love his easy-going nature.
I love his eye-rolls and the way he eats strawberries with Neve.
I love Sarra Manning's insight into weightloss and body image.
I love her pacing and character development.
And I love that every female (and male) character in this book differs so thoroughly from eachother.
The worst bits: No resolution of Douglas' story, and an absence of heart-swoony declarations. (Okay, these worst bits are also, at the same time, the best bits. Weird, right?) I also wanted one more scene with Gustav.
Recommended for: fans of slow burn, faux relationships that turn to romance. The story also focuses on the body image issues that remain after profound weightloss and the obsessive vulnerability of eating disorders.
September 20, 2018
AVISO: No sé si mi trauma por Peter Kavinsky sigue y continuará pero dejenme decirles que MAX es un Peter K. en grande.
En serio, no dejaba de notar sus similitudes y enamorarme más y más. Comprendan gente, los de la trilogía son los últimos libros que leí y como que quedé traumada hahaha
***********************
AL FINAL CAÍ Y LO VOLVÍ A LEER.
No sé porqué pero francamente el inicio del libro se me hizo:
LENTO
TEDIOSO
ABURRIDO y todos sus sinónimos.
No me gustaba nadita y solo me pasaba a las partes de Max y Neve.
Pero pasado el 35% la cosa cambió y volví a disfrutar esta historia tanto como la primera vez.
Anyways... me gustó mucho el libro y le dejaré en 3.5
Por cierto, la escena del reclamo/pelea fue para pararme a aplaudir!!!!!!!!!!!!
En serio, no dejaba de notar sus similitudes y enamorarme más y más. Comprendan gente, los de la trilogía son los últimos libros que leí y como que quedé traumada hahaha
***********************
AL FINAL CAÍ Y LO VOLVÍ A LEER.
No sé porqué pero francamente el inicio del libro se me hizo:
LENTO
TEDIOSO
ABURRIDO y todos sus sinónimos.
No me gustaba nadita y solo me pasaba a las partes de Max y Neve.
Pero pasado el 35% la cosa cambió y volví a disfrutar esta historia tanto como la primera vez.
Anyways... me gustó mucho el libro y le dejaré en 3.5
Por cierto, la escena del reclamo/pelea fue para pararme a aplaudir!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 4, 2018
Neden 600 sayfa uzatılmış anlamadım. Bitsede kurtulsam diyerek okudum.
June 4, 2012
So I have had this book on my tbr since reading "Unsticky" by the same author. I finally got round to it and I have to say I really liked it. It was NOTHING like Unsticky (which is one of my fave's this year so far) so in a way I was really disappointed in that!! However, seeing as I am not a real fan of chick lit, I've got to say this is the best book I've ever read in that genre. It was REAL, it was FUNNY, and I could RELATE!!!!
The story was so well written. I completely got the issues getting over what happened during childhood/teenage years/issues with body image and self-esteem...and the need to find that special one. This book is a journey of someone who wants to be noticed not only for who she is but for her perseverance and her journey of pulling herself out of the shadows to the light by learning to LOVE herself AND letting others LOVE her.
This story is about sweet, innocent, self-doubting and body conscious Neve. She is a very intelligent and focused girl. Neve has always had issues with food. She became extremely over weight and this marred her for years. She has been in love with William since University but unfortunately he moved to LA and has been gone for 3 years. When William left for LA, Neve decided that she was going to loose all the excess weight so that by the time William came back he would fall in love with her and find her irresistible.
After a couple of years Neve is almost at her target weight but a new problem crops up. Neve is completely inexperienced when it comes to men! Her sister Celia takes it upon herself to rectify this by taking her out on "pulling nights" trying to set her up with her work colleagues...this is where we meet Max (who is *sigh* completely YUMMY HOT!!)!!!! I LOVED Max...how could you not!!! Max works with Celia and is a serial flirt!!
Max and Neve are complete opposites, they are Night and Day!! It should never work....not even a "pancake relationship" LOL..loved the analogy so won't spoil this one!! This is where I was absolutely HOOKED!!! The interaction between Neve and Max is HILARIOUS, SWEET, YUMMY, and HEART-WRENCHING!!! Ultimately they bring out the best in each other during their time together, however neither of them are perfect. Max is hiding a ton of issues behind his "male-slut" persona and Neve, well I don't even know where to start with her. There were times where I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall and shout at her to stop putting herself down and enough of the weight obsessing already, but Rome wasn't built in one day and neither is self-esteem!! That being said I was totally in tune with Max getting more and more annoyed and irritated with Neve!!
I really liked the other characters in the story too (except for William YUK!!)and the other running story lines only added to Neve and Max's journey. One being the bullying tension between Neve and her sister-in-law Charlotte, this one kind of cemented why I felt sorry for Neve rather than jump to the easy option of hating Neve's character for her obsessive self-doubts!!
I have a feeling this is a book you will either love or dislike depending on how you feel about Neve. I have no doubt that Max will win everyone over cause he is totally scrumptious...but Neve..well I'll let you decide but I loved her!!!
The story was so well written. I completely got the issues getting over what happened during childhood/teenage years/issues with body image and self-esteem...and the need to find that special one. This book is a journey of someone who wants to be noticed not only for who she is but for her perseverance and her journey of pulling herself out of the shadows to the light by learning to LOVE herself AND letting others LOVE her.
This story is about sweet, innocent, self-doubting and body conscious Neve. She is a very intelligent and focused girl. Neve has always had issues with food. She became extremely over weight and this marred her for years. She has been in love with William since University but unfortunately he moved to LA and has been gone for 3 years. When William left for LA, Neve decided that she was going to loose all the excess weight so that by the time William came back he would fall in love with her and find her irresistible.
After a couple of years Neve is almost at her target weight but a new problem crops up. Neve is completely inexperienced when it comes to men! Her sister Celia takes it upon herself to rectify this by taking her out on "pulling nights" trying to set her up with her work colleagues...this is where we meet Max (who is *sigh* completely YUMMY HOT!!)!!!! I LOVED Max...how could you not!!! Max works with Celia and is a serial flirt!!
Max and Neve are complete opposites, they are Night and Day!! It should never work....not even a "pancake relationship" LOL..loved the analogy so won't spoil this one!! This is where I was absolutely HOOKED!!! The interaction between Neve and Max is HILARIOUS, SWEET, YUMMY, and HEART-WRENCHING!!! Ultimately they bring out the best in each other during their time together, however neither of them are perfect. Max is hiding a ton of issues behind his "male-slut" persona and Neve, well I don't even know where to start with her. There were times where I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall and shout at her to stop putting herself down and enough of the weight obsessing already, but Rome wasn't built in one day and neither is self-esteem!! That being said I was totally in tune with Max getting more and more annoyed and irritated with Neve!!
I really liked the other characters in the story too (except for William YUK!!)and the other running story lines only added to Neve and Max's journey. One being the bullying tension between Neve and her sister-in-law Charlotte, this one kind of cemented why I felt sorry for Neve rather than jump to the easy option of hating Neve's character for her obsessive self-doubts!!
I have a feeling this is a book you will either love or dislike depending on how you feel about Neve. I have no doubt that Max will win everyone over cause he is totally scrumptious...but Neve..well I'll let you decide but I loved her!!!
February 9, 2014
5+ stars (and much more)
I wouldn't be able to express my feeling about this book even if i was talking about it for hours! I LOVED THIS BOOK! After finishing it i realize even more how in love i am with it. If i could date a book, this particular one would be my current companion!
Neve and Max.... Max and Neve... How could it possibly true that two people so different would make a perfect couple? Is it possible?
Without hesitation i say "it is!".
Max is sexy, handsome and full with experiences. Neve is sweet, bookish and obsessed with her weight!
She believes she can get William (her one "true love") if she was size ten. But then Max comes in her life and turns everything upside down.
“The thing about love was that it caught you unawares, turned up in the most unexpected places, even when you weren't looking for it.”
He is the one to prove her that she is a special girl and she is more pretty than she thinks!
He cares for her, he tease her, he makes her laugh and he is the only boy with the power to make her feel comfortable with herself.
“What you look like is just one part of who you are - but it's not all you are.”
From the time they start spending time together, they become inseparable! They light up each other's days! They make each other laugh so hard and they care more than they could possibly think...
The love and sex scenes are awesome and passionate and beautiful and real... do i need to carry on? I think we all got the message!! :P
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is a book about love when and where you don't expect you would, about believing and loving yourself and falling in love with an amazing boy!! It's a light read with a lot of beautiful messages about life and love...
I would recommend it to everyone who wants a beautiful and utterly romantic book to fall in love with!
“Each kiss was like biting into the richest darkest chocolate and pausing to savour the taste.”
Enjoy!!!! :D
I wouldn't be able to express my feeling about this book even if i was talking about it for hours! I LOVED THIS BOOK! After finishing it i realize even more how in love i am with it. If i could date a book, this particular one would be my current companion!
Neve and Max.... Max and Neve... How could it possibly true that two people so different would make a perfect couple? Is it possible?
Without hesitation i say "it is!".
Max is sexy, handsome and full with experiences. Neve is sweet, bookish and obsessed with her weight!
She believes she can get William (her one "true love") if she was size ten. But then Max comes in her life and turns everything upside down.
“The thing about love was that it caught you unawares, turned up in the most unexpected places, even when you weren't looking for it.”
He is the one to prove her that she is a special girl and she is more pretty than she thinks!
He cares for her, he tease her, he makes her laugh and he is the only boy with the power to make her feel comfortable with herself.
“What you look like is just one part of who you are - but it's not all you are.”
From the time they start spending time together, they become inseparable! They light up each other's days! They make each other laugh so hard and they care more than they could possibly think...
The love and sex scenes are awesome and passionate and beautiful and real... do i need to carry on? I think we all got the message!! :P
You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is a book about love when and where you don't expect you would, about believing and loving yourself and falling in love with an amazing boy!! It's a light read with a lot of beautiful messages about life and love...
I would recommend it to everyone who wants a beautiful and utterly romantic book to fall in love with!
“Each kiss was like biting into the richest darkest chocolate and pausing to savour the taste.”
Enjoy!!!! :D
March 23, 2021
I loved this story but I think is a bit too long...
October 19, 2015
I keep saying that I don’t read chicklit and I don’t but when it comes to Manning, somehow I do. It’s just that her writing style is so engaging. I may have said this before, I probably have in another review of her book and if I have, forgive me, but her writing style is akin to sitting down with a bunch of girlfriends and exchanging the most delicious gossip. There’s something natural, something charming about the tone in which the story is narrated that even the most fantastic circumstances become believable.
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me is about pancake relationships. A pancake relationship, according to Neve Slater is a practice relationship for the real one. Okay, Neve? Girl has many issues, the least of them being her weight. She has worked hard to lose all her weight but it isn’t enough, it won’t be enough until she reaches the magical size ten that will somehow transform her into the goddess that her love in America will see and fall for her. What distinguishes this from the usual fat-girl-slim novel is how realistically Manning narrates this. This is no Cinderella story, guys. Usually, in books that deal with these themes, the author glosses over the process of beautification, she doesn’t discuss what it means to be fat, what it means to be on a diet, the hunger pangs, the very real esteem issues, none of that is considered. In You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me these things are portrayed. The extreme diet, the exercise, the sacrifices, everything is told in a matter of fact tone. And I liked that. I could relate to that! I winced, I cringed, I laughed and I nodded my head.
And then there’s the romance. Manning is genius at creating these very swoonworthy love interests who are just so damned flawed but manage to be awesome anyway. There was that older guy in UnSticky and Christopher in Adorkable. Max is no exception. I love that he is fleshed out as a character and that his exchanged and conversations with Neve are less stilted dialogue and more an accurate reflection of what reality could possibly be. Their relationship is full of holes but they fit together. Even when they can’t see it, they do.
The ending also convinced me that this book deserves it’s five stars. Neve learns her lessons, about her weight, her worth and about illusion and reality. She learns to love not just herself but the man she didn’t expect to. Do I recommend this? You know, I do. I think this is one hell of a ride and who doesn’t like gossiping with their girlfriends?
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me is about pancake relationships. A pancake relationship, according to Neve Slater is a practice relationship for the real one. Okay, Neve? Girl has many issues, the least of them being her weight. She has worked hard to lose all her weight but it isn’t enough, it won’t be enough until she reaches the magical size ten that will somehow transform her into the goddess that her love in America will see and fall for her. What distinguishes this from the usual fat-girl-slim novel is how realistically Manning narrates this. This is no Cinderella story, guys. Usually, in books that deal with these themes, the author glosses over the process of beautification, she doesn’t discuss what it means to be fat, what it means to be on a diet, the hunger pangs, the very real esteem issues, none of that is considered. In You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me these things are portrayed. The extreme diet, the exercise, the sacrifices, everything is told in a matter of fact tone. And I liked that. I could relate to that! I winced, I cringed, I laughed and I nodded my head.
And then there’s the romance. Manning is genius at creating these very swoonworthy love interests who are just so damned flawed but manage to be awesome anyway. There was that older guy in UnSticky and Christopher in Adorkable. Max is no exception. I love that he is fleshed out as a character and that his exchanged and conversations with Neve are less stilted dialogue and more an accurate reflection of what reality could possibly be. Their relationship is full of holes but they fit together. Even when they can’t see it, they do.
The ending also convinced me that this book deserves it’s five stars. Neve learns her lessons, about her weight, her worth and about illusion and reality. She learns to love not just herself but the man she didn’t expect to. Do I recommend this? You know, I do. I think this is one hell of a ride and who doesn’t like gossiping with their girlfriends?
January 17, 2015
4 Stars
Neve has spent the last three years going fighting for her life in losing weight to be a sized 10. She's in love with William, whom she met at Oxford, but who has been in California teaching for the past three years. Part of Neve's goal is to look like the woman she believes he will want to spend his life with, not only in mind but in body. The problem is, at 25 years old, Neve has absolutely no experience with relations. She's devised a plan to have what she calls a pancake relations to gain experience, so that when William returns she will be ready to be in the perfect relationship. Enter Max.
Max works at the fashion magazine where Neve's sister works. One disastrous meeting with the manwhore that is Max and a failed attempt at sex brings Max into Neve's life as the perfect fake boyfriend. Neve believes she will never want more from him, if he can even stand being with her.
What Neve doesn't realize is nothing is perfect.
I thought this was a really sweet story. I loved Neve and her complete lack of knowing anything about relationships and what men and women really expect of each other. She was so used to being in the background that she didn't realized that the more you become involved with people the messier relationships become. From misunderstandings to forgiving someone for saying something that crosses a line.
I was a bit skeptical of what Max was getting out of their relationship until he revealed why he started dating her, when he never was one known for ever wanting a relationship. Although I loved their interactions and Neve discovering she had more of a backbone than even she realized, the idea that a guy who was consistently around models and celebrities, would choose a girl like Neve no matter how sweet and loving she was, a bit unrealistic. I would hope that things could actually be that way and someone stunning could look past the outside to the inside of a person. But that hasn't been my experience. But it's a nice idea.
Neve has spent the last three years going fighting for her life in losing weight to be a sized 10. She's in love with William, whom she met at Oxford, but who has been in California teaching for the past three years. Part of Neve's goal is to look like the woman she believes he will want to spend his life with, not only in mind but in body. The problem is, at 25 years old, Neve has absolutely no experience with relations. She's devised a plan to have what she calls a pancake relations to gain experience, so that when William returns she will be ready to be in the perfect relationship. Enter Max.
Max works at the fashion magazine where Neve's sister works. One disastrous meeting with the manwhore that is Max and a failed attempt at sex brings Max into Neve's life as the perfect fake boyfriend. Neve believes she will never want more from him, if he can even stand being with her.
What Neve doesn't realize is nothing is perfect.
I thought this was a really sweet story. I loved Neve and her complete lack of knowing anything about relationships and what men and women really expect of each other. She was so used to being in the background that she didn't realized that the more you become involved with people the messier relationships become. From misunderstandings to forgiving someone for saying something that crosses a line.
I was a bit skeptical of what Max was getting out of their relationship until he revealed why he started dating her, when he never was one known for ever wanting a relationship. Although I loved their interactions and Neve discovering she had more of a backbone than even she realized, the idea that a guy who was consistently around models and celebrities, would choose a girl like Neve no matter how sweet and loving she was, a bit unrealistic. I would hope that things could actually be that way and someone stunning could look past the outside to the inside of a person. But that hasn't been my experience. But it's a nice idea.
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