What do you think?
Rate this book
Mister Mädchen für alles
Alex Hill macht Karriere und hat außer für den Job für nichts Zeit. Sie engagiert deshalb eine Haushaltshilfe: Ella soll sich um die Wohnung und vor allem um die kranke Mutter kümmern, die vor kurzem bei der Tochter eingezogen ist. Doch dann stellt sich heraus, dass nicht Ella, sondern deren Bruder Frankie den Haushalt in Schuss hält. Für Alex gibt es nur eine Lösung - die sofortige Scheidung vom neuen Hausmann. Aber das ist einfacher gesagt als getan...
398 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2008
19 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Annie Sanders
21 books51 followersAnnie Ashworth and Meg Sanders met at ante–natal classes and bonded as they learnt the benefits of raspberry leaf tea and relaxation breathing. Neither remedy worked but a friendship was born.
Annie's background is in advertising copywriting and journalism. She cut her teeth on a great little magazine called Southside, and put in the journo donkey work at Essentials, editing knitting patterns, and the late lamented Woman's Journal. Since going freelance in 1990, she has written for several publications including the Evening Standard and Homes and Gardens, as well as editing Inspector Morse for serial in the Sunday People, without giving away whodunnit. She has three boys and has built her own house on a hill in Warwickshire. She is director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival.
Meg comes from a book publishing background, though she started out by translating thirteen volumes of robot technology from French to English. Things got more interesting when she edited and wrote a series of activity books telling children how to cover the kitchen table in glitter and PVA glue. This was obviously before she had children of her own. After a diploma in horticulture, she edited and wrote gardening books but still can't work how to prune apple trees. She is married, has twins – a boy and a girl – and lives near Stratford upon Avon.
They started out together with a mission to save the planet from grammatical horrors and badly placed apostrophes by offering their services as website content writers. Luckily they were rescued from catatonia (after a very dull foray with a government quango report) by the commission to write a book. Trade Secrets resulted, a spin off from the cult BBC2 series of the same name, and was followed by Trade Secrets Christmas, How to Beat the System, Trade Secrets Parenting, Fat Club, Celebrity Fit Club, The Property Chain, but they definitely didn't write a Channel 4 book called Am I Good In Bed? (A title that doesn't bear an answer but the research was entertaining.)
A tedious train journey spawned the germ of an idea for a novel and the rest is literary legend...
Annie's background is in advertising copywriting and journalism. She cut her teeth on a great little magazine called Southside, and put in the journo donkey work at Essentials, editing knitting patterns, and the late lamented Woman's Journal. Since going freelance in 1990, she has written for several publications including the Evening Standard and Homes and Gardens, as well as editing Inspector Morse for serial in the Sunday People, without giving away whodunnit. She has three boys and has built her own house on a hill in Warwickshire. She is director of the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival.
Meg comes from a book publishing background, though she started out by translating thirteen volumes of robot technology from French to English. Things got more interesting when she edited and wrote a series of activity books telling children how to cover the kitchen table in glitter and PVA glue. This was obviously before she had children of her own. After a diploma in horticulture, she edited and wrote gardening books but still can't work how to prune apple trees. She is married, has twins – a boy and a girl – and lives near Stratford upon Avon.
They started out together with a mission to save the planet from grammatical horrors and badly placed apostrophes by offering their services as website content writers. Luckily they were rescued from catatonia (after a very dull foray with a government quango report) by the commission to write a book. Trade Secrets resulted, a spin off from the cult BBC2 series of the same name, and was followed by Trade Secrets Christmas, How to Beat the System, Trade Secrets Parenting, Fat Club, Celebrity Fit Club, The Property Chain, but they definitely didn't write a Channel 4 book called Am I Good In Bed? (A title that doesn't bear an answer but the research was entertaining.)
A tedious train journey spawned the germ of an idea for a novel and the rest is literary legend...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
May 10, 2022
Picked this up at the local Salvation Army because the title caught my eye. I have jokingly said, "I need a wife" many times due to my career keeping me from keeping up with those duties. A quick read of the synopsis assured me that this was not to be a homosexual tryst (although the male lead would throw out some red flags in real life, just sayin') but more a case of the right person for the right job even if it happens by accident.
In my quick look at the synopsis I didn't register the fact that this was set in London and would therefore be filled with bloody phrases that always throw me for a loop. "Oh bollocky bollocks" isn't a part of my normal vocabulary but I suppose it's better than an F-bomb which, by the way, was also used a few times in this story that opens with a sex scene. If those issues don't leave you wishing you hadn't chosen the sodding book, you might find it entertaining.
There's no question this is chic-lit and if that's your preference, or what you're in the mood for, this certainly could be adequate. There are a few chuckles and the pace picks up at the appropriate time but there are no surprises as far as the "villain" or the "happily ever after".
In my quick look at the synopsis I didn't register the fact that this was set in London and would therefore be filled with bloody phrases that always throw me for a loop. "Oh bollocky bollocks" isn't a part of my normal vocabulary but I suppose it's better than an F-bomb which, by the way, was also used a few times in this story that opens with a sex scene. If those issues don't leave you wishing you hadn't chosen the sodding book, you might find it entertaining.
There's no question this is chic-lit and if that's your preference, or what you're in the mood for, this certainly could be adequate. There are a few chuckles and the pace picks up at the appropriate time but there are no surprises as far as the "villain" or the "happily ever after".
August 28, 2025
This wasn't what I was expecting - I assumed from the beginning chapters that it was going to be a Mrs Doubtfire-style comedy about trying to keep it secret from business executive Alex that the 'wife' she has hired to cope with her housework is actually a man, but in fact that aspect of the plot doesn't last for very long. There is a fairly cursory and predictable romance, but by far the strongest part of the book lies in the non-romantic relationships between the characters. The Bean, Alex's mother who was a famous fashion model back in the Sixties, is a wonderful creation; as a mother she is quite impossible, but given the right amount of admiration and appreciation she can be very charming indeed, and Frankie and Alex see her through very different eyes, both entirely credible.
And it turns out that the main aspect of the book is not comedy or romance, but a 'cosy' thriller, in which Alex needs to work out who is actively sabotaging her job and her potential big opportunity at work. There is also supposed to be a sub-plot about her friend Saffron's lack of personal fulfilment after dedicating herself to her equally pretentiously-named children, which like the mother/daughter relationship ends up by tying into the main denouement, but apart from that satisfying climax I found it hard to get very worked up about her yummy mummy woes, I'm afraid.
This book is definitely chick-lit, but not in the way that it might seem; the beginning and the character introductions are a bit clunky, but its real strengths are in its depiction of intergenerational relationships (when it comes to dealing with spoilt divas or casting directors, the Bean saves the day!) and its light thriller plot. And Frankie, the 'wife' who is domestically organised but with an entirely masculine competence, an aspiring actor who reverences the theatricality of his employer's dramatic mother, is an endearing character. I'm interested to see that this is apparently the first fiction adventure produced by an established non-fiction writing partnership, which may explain a good deal - if they can avoid the usual cliches of the genre they should do well.
And it turns out that the main aspect of the book is not comedy or romance, but a 'cosy' thriller, in which Alex needs to work out who is actively sabotaging her job and her potential big opportunity at work. There is also supposed to be a sub-plot about her friend Saffron's lack of personal fulfilment after dedicating herself to her equally pretentiously-named children, which like the mother/daughter relationship ends up by tying into the main denouement, but apart from that satisfying climax I found it hard to get very worked up about her yummy mummy woes, I'm afraid.
This book is definitely chick-lit, but not in the way that it might seem; the beginning and the character introductions are a bit clunky, but its real strengths are in its depiction of intergenerational relationships (when it comes to dealing with spoilt divas or casting directors, the Bean saves the day!) and its light thriller plot. And Frankie, the 'wife' who is domestically organised but with an entirely masculine competence, an aspiring actor who reverences the theatricality of his employer's dramatic mother, is an endearing character. I'm interested to see that this is apparently the first fiction adventure produced by an established non-fiction writing partnership, which may explain a good deal - if they can avoid the usual cliches of the genre they should do well.
August 16, 2020
This was a delicious light-hearted feel good read for the summer! I thoroughly enjoyed this book with a happy ending!!!
November 6, 2011
I spotted Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders (Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders) on display at the library. A woman working her way up the fashion design ladder puts out a want ad for a "wife" to help her keep her elderly mother company and keep her domestic life under control.
I was hoping that the "wife" who responded would actually be a woman. It would have made for an interesting twist on things. Instead, it's a man — a struggling actor. What kept me reading at first was his immediate friendship with the main character's mother, known in London theater scene as "The Bean." She reminded me of Castle's mother.
Ultimately it was the design show plot that got me to the end. It read like something out of Ugly Betty. Throughout the book the main character struggles with a series of bad luck or small goofs. By themselves they are just glitches. Together, though, they add up to sabotage. Solving the mystery and seeing revenge served made the book a fun read.
I was hoping that the "wife" who responded would actually be a woman. It would have made for an interesting twist on things. Instead, it's a man — a struggling actor. What kept me reading at first was his immediate friendship with the main character's mother, known in London theater scene as "The Bean." She reminded me of Castle's mother.
Ultimately it was the design show plot that got me to the end. It read like something out of Ugly Betty. Throughout the book the main character struggles with a series of bad luck or small goofs. By themselves they are just glitches. Together, though, they add up to sabotage. Solving the mystery and seeing revenge served made the book a fun read.
Read
November 12, 2010I liked the ending of this one. The begining of the book was hard to get into, but the ending tied things up very well. I knew who the bad person was early on though - it was obvious to me!!! Hmm.. that might be bad...
May 3, 2020
I have the biggest smile on my face right now. I absolutely loved this chaotic novel. Funny and sweet and an absolutely perfect read! I guarantee you will fall in love with every one of the characters. Some were flamboyant, some were crazy, all were so wonderfully sweet! Could not recommend enough.
Miss independent Alex is always busy, swept up in the world of marketing. Her house is bare: there is no milk in the fridge, her clothes need washing but the machine is on the brink and she can’t remember the last time she cooked a meal.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is her best friend, Saffron, who is a stay-at-home mom. She is the most thoughtful, caring person you could imagine but as her kids grow up, she is wondering if she should be doing more with her life.
Enter: Alex’s mum. An icon from decades ago. A beloved ex-actress who cannot understand why her daughter is so serious all the time. When she has to move in with Alex for a few weeks, chaotic Alex hires Ella to look after the house (and her mum).
But Ella has no desire to learn how to cook and clean and views the old woman as a nuisance. Introducing: wanna-be actor, Frankie. Latest role was a banana on radio. He agrees to step in temporarily, but he gets along with Alex’s mom so well, and he loves the little notes Alex leaves for Ella. Then Saffron learns the secret, and suddenly Alex is the only one who doesn’t know a man is ironing her knickers.
But Alex has bigger problems. Her career is on the line and she suspects someone at work is trying to sabotage her. Oh Alex, everyone needs help sometimes.
Miss independent Alex is always busy, swept up in the world of marketing. Her house is bare: there is no milk in the fridge, her clothes need washing but the machine is on the brink and she can’t remember the last time she cooked a meal.
On the opposite side of the spectrum is her best friend, Saffron, who is a stay-at-home mom. She is the most thoughtful, caring person you could imagine but as her kids grow up, she is wondering if she should be doing more with her life.
Enter: Alex’s mum. An icon from decades ago. A beloved ex-actress who cannot understand why her daughter is so serious all the time. When she has to move in with Alex for a few weeks, chaotic Alex hires Ella to look after the house (and her mum).
But Ella has no desire to learn how to cook and clean and views the old woman as a nuisance. Introducing: wanna-be actor, Frankie. Latest role was a banana on radio. He agrees to step in temporarily, but he gets along with Alex’s mom so well, and he loves the little notes Alex leaves for Ella. Then Saffron learns the secret, and suddenly Alex is the only one who doesn’t know a man is ironing her knickers.
But Alex has bigger problems. Her career is on the line and she suspects someone at work is trying to sabotage her. Oh Alex, everyone needs help sometimes.
March 31, 2020
Fantastic, delightful... interesting read !
November 24, 2009
Hasn't every busy woman, whether they have children, a husband, and/or a career, wanted their own wife at one time or another? A traditional wife who would make sure there was always plenty of food in the pantry, the laundry basket never overflowed, and took care of all the annoying details of daily life such as oil changes and having appliances repaired? Marketing powerhouse Alex Hill is one of those women. In Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders, Alex has both professional and personal situations that suddenly require her full-time attention. Her mother has broken her arm and needs to stay with Alex for several weeks, right in the middle of a launch for a new line of sportwear that Alex has envisioned and worked on from the initial idea. Enter her good friend Saff who places an advertisement in the paper to get Alex some help. The job is filled by a bubbly young woman who appears to have all of the necessary qualifications, she's organized, friendly, responsible, and she can cook! Alex takes off on a business trip for several days, confident she is leaving her mother in very capable hands with Ella. But, like the premise for any story of this kind, all is not what Alex believes. Ella is actually lazy, foolish, disorganized, and a total slob. Luckily for Alex and her mother, Ella is bored by her new job in less than a day and persuades her brother, an out of work actor, who actually does have the skills of a fabulous wife, to take the position. Between Frankie, Ella's brother, and the Bean, Alex's mother, a secret is hatched to keep everyone happy, including Alex, by not telling her that her new assistant is actually a man.
If this sounds implausible, it really isn't when you realize that Alex only communicates with "Ella" via notes, and they never see each other. Of course there are the confusing moments, and the silly hijinks that make this a fun story in which I laughed along on the Bean's excursions, and worried with Alex about everything working out for the launch of her new product line. This is one of those rare stories where there really are not any characters that are unlikeable. Each character is real, with good qualities far outweighing annoying behaviors, and they all are what I would consider honest, decent people. There is only one real villain in the book, and that is not revealed until almost the end of the story. It may surprise some of you who it is, but I figured it out pretty quickly.
I have to say the only thing I didn't care for about this book was the cover art. Showing a woman crawling on the floor digging through a pile of fashionable stilettos, I question if the person who designed the cover even read the book. It is everything that Alex is not. She doesn't own a million pairs of shoes, and if she did, they'd be athletic shoes, which is what she wears almost every day, not high-heels. She also wouldn't both to crawl around looking for the perfect shoes, she'd just grab another pair and go. A small thing I know, but that kind of stuff bothers me!
With Busy Woman Seeks Wife, the writing team known as Annie Sanders has given us a must-read to put in the summer beach bag. It is in paperback, so it's great to carry with you!
If this sounds implausible, it really isn't when you realize that Alex only communicates with "Ella" via notes, and they never see each other. Of course there are the confusing moments, and the silly hijinks that make this a fun story in which I laughed along on the Bean's excursions, and worried with Alex about everything working out for the launch of her new product line. This is one of those rare stories where there really are not any characters that are unlikeable. Each character is real, with good qualities far outweighing annoying behaviors, and they all are what I would consider honest, decent people. There is only one real villain in the book, and that is not revealed until almost the end of the story. It may surprise some of you who it is, but I figured it out pretty quickly.
I have to say the only thing I didn't care for about this book was the cover art. Showing a woman crawling on the floor digging through a pile of fashionable stilettos, I question if the person who designed the cover even read the book. It is everything that Alex is not. She doesn't own a million pairs of shoes, and if she did, they'd be athletic shoes, which is what she wears almost every day, not high-heels. She also wouldn't both to crawl around looking for the perfect shoes, she'd just grab another pair and go. A small thing I know, but that kind of stuff bothers me!
With Busy Woman Seeks Wife, the writing team known as Annie Sanders has given us a must-read to put in the summer beach bag. It is in paperback, so it's great to carry with you!
September 16, 2009
Busy Woman Seeks Wife is the fourth novel of writing duo Annie Ashworth and Meg Sanders. Having already read – and reviewed – nevermind enjoyed Warnings of Gales I was thrilled to find another Annie Sanders novel. Could Busy Woman Seeks Wife live up to the great Warnings of Gales?
Yes, actually it could. It was a brilliant read – so much so that I read it in about 4/5 hours. Busy Woman Seeks Wife tells the story of Alex a high-flying marketing executive who ends up having to look after her mother – The Bean – after she has an accident. Because Alex is so busy she hires Ella to be her “wife” – trouble is Ella is just as undomesticated as Alex so Frankie, Ella’s brother and an actor, takes up the mantle. Also involved is Saffron, Alex’s best friend and her family. Then there are the minor characters who make up Alex’s working life. Not only that but Alex’s work seems to be being sabotaged!
Again I wondered which parts Annie wrote and which Meg wrote and again couldn’t really tell. Comparing the two novels I found Alex like Jo from Warnings of Gales and Saffron a bit like Imogen but that doesn’t mean a thing because I’m still clueless to who wrote what!
I found Alex an absorbing character – fiercely independent and great at what she does, I really enjoyed reading about her and wondered if she ever would need any help.
I loved The Bean – she was by far the funniest character. A sixties-style icon who spends her time regaling everyone with tales from the good old days. I loved her flamboyance and just loved her character.
Ella and Frankie were great. I loved that they were chalk and cheese when it came to domestic matters but I loved their closeness and felt the scenes between the two really worked.
Saffron was also a great character and I understood how she felt when no-one seemed to appreciate what she does in her role as housewife.
I liked how Alex had no idea it was Frankie doing her work for her and enjoyed Frankie, The Bean and Saffron’s scenes together.
It really was a great read and I was curious to know exactly who it was sabotaging Alex’s work. I admit I guessed it well before I was told but it was fun reading how it all came out and how everyone figured out exactly who it was.
Overall it really was a fabulous read. Annie and Meg really know how to write an addictive novel. I found it really hard to put it down for any amount of time and just wanted to keep reading to see how the relationship between all of the characters developed and to see if Alex could pull off her event even with the sabotager ever present.
Annie and Meg are becoming firm favourites of mine and I really can’t wait to read the last remaining novel I have of theirs Goodbye, Jimmy Choo. Not only that but they also have three other novels out (or nearly in the case of Getting Mad, Getting Even) which I can’t wait to get my hands on!
Rating: 5/5
Yes, actually it could. It was a brilliant read – so much so that I read it in about 4/5 hours. Busy Woman Seeks Wife tells the story of Alex a high-flying marketing executive who ends up having to look after her mother – The Bean – after she has an accident. Because Alex is so busy she hires Ella to be her “wife” – trouble is Ella is just as undomesticated as Alex so Frankie, Ella’s brother and an actor, takes up the mantle. Also involved is Saffron, Alex’s best friend and her family. Then there are the minor characters who make up Alex’s working life. Not only that but Alex’s work seems to be being sabotaged!
Again I wondered which parts Annie wrote and which Meg wrote and again couldn’t really tell. Comparing the two novels I found Alex like Jo from Warnings of Gales and Saffron a bit like Imogen but that doesn’t mean a thing because I’m still clueless to who wrote what!
I found Alex an absorbing character – fiercely independent and great at what she does, I really enjoyed reading about her and wondered if she ever would need any help.
I loved The Bean – she was by far the funniest character. A sixties-style icon who spends her time regaling everyone with tales from the good old days. I loved her flamboyance and just loved her character.
Ella and Frankie were great. I loved that they were chalk and cheese when it came to domestic matters but I loved their closeness and felt the scenes between the two really worked.
Saffron was also a great character and I understood how she felt when no-one seemed to appreciate what she does in her role as housewife.
I liked how Alex had no idea it was Frankie doing her work for her and enjoyed Frankie, The Bean and Saffron’s scenes together.
It really was a great read and I was curious to know exactly who it was sabotaging Alex’s work. I admit I guessed it well before I was told but it was fun reading how it all came out and how everyone figured out exactly who it was.
Overall it really was a fabulous read. Annie and Meg really know how to write an addictive novel. I found it really hard to put it down for any amount of time and just wanted to keep reading to see how the relationship between all of the characters developed and to see if Alex could pull off her event even with the sabotager ever present.
Annie and Meg are becoming firm favourites of mine and I really can’t wait to read the last remaining novel I have of theirs Goodbye, Jimmy Choo. Not only that but they also have three other novels out (or nearly in the case of Getting Mad, Getting Even) which I can’t wait to get my hands on!
Rating: 5/5
April 23, 2009
Busy Woman Seeks Wife has a very cute and original premise. I'm definitely not sharing more than what the blurb gives you, it's more fun to find out for yourself! While it was a bit slow to start, by the last 100 pages or so it was pushing ahead at full steam.
The whole story centers around Alex, who is busy beyond belief trying to put together a launch for a sports apparel crossover line. And she's sure that someone in her office is out to sabotage her. I will admit, she took awhile to grow on me but when she finally did I was totally on her side and I wanted her to pull off her launch without a hitch. I really liked how all the parts of her life and all the characters came together in the last 1/3 of the story, that was my favorite part.
My favorite character in the story was Frankie, a struggling actor that just so happens to be great at domestic chores. He was kind to everyone, from his flighty sister to "The Bean" an aging model and actress to the sweet Saff. Whenever Frankie was on the page I had a grin on my face.
I thought the saboteur plotline was really fun but there was never a question in my mind who the guilty party was. I also thought that Saff's (Alex's friend) plotline of realizing she wasn't satisfied with just being a homemaker was treated rather well and I also liked seeing Frankie's sister's (Ella) come into her own and mature a bit. I also completely understood Alex's feeling about her once famous mother "The Bean". Overall there is a great cast of characters here.
All in all a somewhat slow start but it completely ramps up to a great finish!
The whole story centers around Alex, who is busy beyond belief trying to put together a launch for a sports apparel crossover line. And she's sure that someone in her office is out to sabotage her. I will admit, she took awhile to grow on me but when she finally did I was totally on her side and I wanted her to pull off her launch without a hitch. I really liked how all the parts of her life and all the characters came together in the last 1/3 of the story, that was my favorite part.
My favorite character in the story was Frankie, a struggling actor that just so happens to be great at domestic chores. He was kind to everyone, from his flighty sister to "The Bean" an aging model and actress to the sweet Saff. Whenever Frankie was on the page I had a grin on my face.
I thought the saboteur plotline was really fun but there was never a question in my mind who the guilty party was. I also thought that Saff's (Alex's friend) plotline of realizing she wasn't satisfied with just being a homemaker was treated rather well and I also liked seeing Frankie's sister's (Ella) come into her own and mature a bit. I also completely understood Alex's feeling about her once famous mother "The Bean". Overall there is a great cast of characters here.
All in all a somewhat slow start but it completely ramps up to a great finish!
April 15, 2008
An absoloutely delightful read and very easy going. The book follows the stories of several characters as they interact throughout the journey of the tale.
Alex is a career woman, whose life is her job and whose social life is neglected because of this.
'The Bean' is Alex's mother, an icon of the theatre trying to hold on to the memories as the shine of the lights start to wan around her.
Frankie is a struggling actor trying to land a job and pay the bills.
Ella, Frankie's sister is a flighty girl trying to find a job which inspires and interests her quirky existence.
Saffron is a housewife who is slowly beginning to realise that although life may seem perfect to everyone looking in, she's slowly losing focus of who she is.
Between them they learn that life can't always be lived in the fast lane, that people need each other and friendships can evolve from the most unusual of circumstances.
Alex is a career woman, whose life is her job and whose social life is neglected because of this.
'The Bean' is Alex's mother, an icon of the theatre trying to hold on to the memories as the shine of the lights start to wan around her.
Frankie is a struggling actor trying to land a job and pay the bills.
Ella, Frankie's sister is a flighty girl trying to find a job which inspires and interests her quirky existence.
Saffron is a housewife who is slowly beginning to realise that although life may seem perfect to everyone looking in, she's slowly losing focus of who she is.
Between them they learn that life can't always be lived in the fast lane, that people need each other and friendships can evolve from the most unusual of circumstances.
August 14, 2009
Uh, well, I'm just not a chick lit fan. I pick one up every now and again thinking maybe I'll like THIS particular chick lit like I like chick flics. Long story short, I just don't. This is pretty typical of other samplings of the genre I've read so far - predictable and uninspiring characters, floppy so-so plot, sometimes lame dialogue, and though a quick read, really in the end not so much worth the time.
September 13, 2011
A decently funny chick lit book. My only real criticism is that the characters took a while to seem like they were growing and becoming real people, but at the end I thought that most of them had become more interesting for the changes they'd (finally) made. I also thought the villain was pretty easy to spot, but I can sort of see why Alex had trouble spotting said villain given how stressed out she was. All in all, a very sweet book that was a nice, quick read.
January 28, 2020
Fun, light a bit contrived but The Bean was adorable and memorable - shades of Twiggy :)
June 25, 2019
Alex a busy woman with her big corporate job with a high package who is a daughter of an erstwhile actress whose time has faded away but not the charm but she loves her only daughter in return ex also caring about her mom. A close childhood friend of Alex Saffron who is a family woman but confused with her regular housewife job wants to do something different also loves her friend Alex. Todd a boy friend of Alex whom nobody likes in family. Then Camilia the secretary of Alex who makes Alex confused with her own ideas. Then there is an entry of Ella and Frankie.. Frankie is charming young and handsome man if 32years and an actor but unsuccessful in his field so frustrated but good at his cleaning and make the house tidied. Ella suggests to take the job with Alex to look after her ailing mother Bean and both Frankie and Bean get along with so good that Alex forget about house problems. Later Twists and turns in story.. Overall a good read in summer vacation. I read Annie Sanders for the first time not disappointed. Story is mix of fuun, emotion and thrill as well. Though thrill is mild. Good read.
November 7, 2018
This was a cute audiobook that made the commute easier this last week. Alex is a high flying businesswoman. She hasn’t got time for things like waiting for a plumber, or cooking dinner every night. When her elderly Mum has to come and stay she decides to take best friend Saffron’s advice and advertise for a wife. As someone who has often complained that I need a wife to do the domestic chores, life admin and take on some of the #mentalload I think this is a brilliant idea! In the way of chick lit, this has a nice little romantic story line, misunderstandings and a cast of quirky characters. A fun read.
December 18, 2022
Fun chick lit, to me, is all about the characters that populate the story. This book, that I just randomly picked up at the library is filled with such characters. I really enjoyed this read and found myself alternately smiling and having a few 'awww' moments as well. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author (actually two authors it turns out).
April 23, 2023
Fun chick lit, to me, is all about the characters that populate the story. This book, that I just randomly picked up at the library is filled with such characters. I really enjoyed this read and found myself alternately smiling and having a few 'awww' moments as well. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author (actually two authors it turns out).
December 24, 2024
The 1st half was better than the 2nd, but maybe it was the wine?
Very close to what I thought it would be and similar to things I'd hoped would happen, but the last third missed the mark for me. Something about it felt like little payoff, and there's not quite the follow-through on the title and the back cover synopsis that you'd think.
Very close to what I thought it would be and similar to things I'd hoped would happen, but the last third missed the mark for me. Something about it felt like little payoff, and there's not quite the follow-through on the title and the back cover synopsis that you'd think.
July 5, 2017
Predictable but not as bad as it could have been. A quick summer read, good for poolside.
September 1, 2017
a Fun wittily written book that had me giggling from start to finish. It had lovable characters and a thoroughly believable villain to keep me entertained throughout.
November 9, 2018
A nice, feel good, chick lit book. Characters were pretty relatable.
October 26, 2020
Fun read. Somewhat humorous and fun to read. And Alex learns so much about herself along the way
March 4, 2021
Almost perfect! A man who is a dream at chores and sweet to Mama is a winner.
March 22, 2021
This was a 3 star until the last 100 pages which are fast paced and exciting and tie up all the loose ends. I liked most of the characters and the writing was good.
March 3, 2022
I gave it a 3 1/2 stars rating.
September 12, 2022
I can honestly say that I enjoyed this. Although it starts a little slow and is odd sounding, it picks up speed and holds your interest as you go along.
January 18, 2023
Easy read, picked it up from a book swap at Robe SA. Had a few giggles. Main character was a bit frustrating to begin with but I loved her by the end.
February 27, 2023
A quirky easy listening audiobook experience
October 7, 2017
Audible own outline to remind msyself of the story.
'What you need,' said Saffron, pouring Alex another glass of wine, 'is someone to take away your worries, someone you can rely on, someone to deal with all the boring details.' 'But I've got a bloke already,' protested Alex. 'No, no!' replied Saffron. 'I mean, what you need is a WIFE.' On the surface Alex Hill is every inch the polished high-flying marketing executive of a global sportswear company. But things are not quite as they appear - she's rushed off her feet with barely enough time to take out the bins, let alone pull together an amazing product launch. Then she discovers her Spanish cleaner has been using her flat to turn tricks in the afternoons, and in her bed! And to top things off, her demanding mother - an ageing 60s style icon - has a bad fall, requiring her to move in with Alex indefinitely. With so much to juggle, Alex begins to realise that she needs someone more committed than a cleaner - what she needs is a 'wife'. An advertisement is placed in the local paper and it isn't long before Alex believes she has found the perfect person. Ella comes across as enthusiastic and terrifically capable - a brilliant cook, and carer. But Ella isn't quite what she appears, and pretty soon Alex is contemplating 'divorce'ie sacking Ella.
Ella's out work actor brother Frankie who is fully domesticated has covered for Ella while she has taken up a job offer on radio. Frankie was initially turned down by Alex at the job interview been a man etc. Ella picked up the dismissal phone call message and surreptitiously eased her way into getting the job. Which due both to incapbabilty and a large dose of laziness could not cope.
The mother, former actrice, forms a real liking for Frankie. She helps through encouragement for Frankie to get an acting job. Frankie helps the bean the mother to get better and feel happier.
Alex at her work has unbeknown to her , her secretary subotage her work schedules bookings. Frankie realises about the secretary when he is working as a student trainee(for free) , ie acting the part. He is a spy for Alex. He went to Turkey to collect outfit for model as secretary had re arranged delivery date. He friend and mother had not told Alex aboutr him covering at Alex's home so she blew up and threw all three out. He made up when letting Alex know about her mother's debts. Thenthey temporarily fell fr each other jumped into bed then Alex's US boyfriend phoned. But still remained as friend then help unmasking using a set up the secretary confessing all hearing via radio mics that Ella got from now been re hired by Mike at the radio station. Ends with the bean getting Alex and Frankie together at her house for a meal.
'What you need,' said Saffron, pouring Alex another glass of wine, 'is someone to take away your worries, someone you can rely on, someone to deal with all the boring details.' 'But I've got a bloke already,' protested Alex. 'No, no!' replied Saffron. 'I mean, what you need is a WIFE.' On the surface Alex Hill is every inch the polished high-flying marketing executive of a global sportswear company. But things are not quite as they appear - she's rushed off her feet with barely enough time to take out the bins, let alone pull together an amazing product launch. Then she discovers her Spanish cleaner has been using her flat to turn tricks in the afternoons, and in her bed! And to top things off, her demanding mother - an ageing 60s style icon - has a bad fall, requiring her to move in with Alex indefinitely. With so much to juggle, Alex begins to realise that she needs someone more committed than a cleaner - what she needs is a 'wife'. An advertisement is placed in the local paper and it isn't long before Alex believes she has found the perfect person. Ella comes across as enthusiastic and terrifically capable - a brilliant cook, and carer. But Ella isn't quite what she appears, and pretty soon Alex is contemplating 'divorce'ie sacking Ella.
Ella's out work actor brother Frankie who is fully domesticated has covered for Ella while she has taken up a job offer on radio. Frankie was initially turned down by Alex at the job interview been a man etc. Ella picked up the dismissal phone call message and surreptitiously eased her way into getting the job. Which due both to incapbabilty and a large dose of laziness could not cope.
The mother, former actrice, forms a real liking for Frankie. She helps through encouragement for Frankie to get an acting job. Frankie helps the bean the mother to get better and feel happier.
Alex at her work has unbeknown to her , her secretary subotage her work schedules bookings. Frankie realises about the secretary when he is working as a student trainee(for free) , ie acting the part. He is a spy for Alex. He went to Turkey to collect outfit for model as secretary had re arranged delivery date. He friend and mother had not told Alex aboutr him covering at Alex's home so she blew up and threw all three out. He made up when letting Alex know about her mother's debts. Thenthey temporarily fell fr each other jumped into bed then Alex's US boyfriend phoned. But still remained as friend then help unmasking using a set up the secretary confessing all hearing via radio mics that Ella got from now been re hired by Mike at the radio station. Ends with the bean getting Alex and Frankie together at her house for a meal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews