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Pillow Talk
What keeps you up all night?
They were high-school sweethearts who hadn't seen each other for seventeen years. And suddenly they're in front of each other—in a tiny sweet shop in the middle of nowhere. Neither can quite believe it. These days, Petra works in London as a jeweller while Arlo has left his rock-and-roll lifestyle for the wilds of North Yorkshire. Out of the blue, their paths have just crossed. But for first love to have a second chance both must put their pasts to bed. However, there are skeletons in Arlo's closet which keep him up at night. And just what is it that causes Petra to sleepwalk?
They were high-school sweethearts who hadn't seen each other for seventeen years. And suddenly they're in front of each other—in a tiny sweet shop in the middle of nowhere. Neither can quite believe it. These days, Petra works in London as a jeweller while Arlo has left his rock-and-roll lifestyle for the wilds of North Yorkshire. Out of the blue, their paths have just crossed. But for first love to have a second chance both must put their pasts to bed. However, there are skeletons in Arlo's closet which keep him up at night. And just what is it that causes Petra to sleepwalk?
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
83 people are currently reading
1283 people want to read
About the author
Freya North
41 books695 followersFreya North is the author of many bestselling novels which have been translated into numerous languages. She was born in London but lives in rural Hertfordshire, where she writes from a stable in her back garden. A passionate reader since childhood, Freya was originally inspired by Mary Wesley, Rose Tremain and Barbara Trapido: fiction with strong and original characters. To hear about events, competitions and what she’s writing, join her on Facebook, Twitter and her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
August 21, 2012
Pillow Talk reminded me of Twilight in that while you're reading, you are caught in the story, but the second you put the book down, you say, "WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ?!?"
In this story, Mary Sue, oops I mean Petra Flint, reminisces about some weird stuff that happened when she was a kid, dumps a jerk boyfriend, texts her friends (in irritating textspeak more befitting a ten-year-old than a grown woman), makes some kickass jewelry, and finally hooks up with the Boy of Her Dreams (TM). Also, the author thinks Doritos are tortilla chips, which nearly made my head explode. (Brits: Imagine reading a book where a character shows up at a party with, the narration informs us, a meat dish, and then having the character inform us in dialogue that he's brought Welsh rabbit. This is how wrong conflating Doritos with tortilla chips is.)
If you like cheesy romance, inconsistent verb tense, characters who vacillate instead of taking action, poorly realized descriptions of psychological maladies, scenery in place of character development, long disquisitions on the Power of Friendship (TM), women holding detailed dissections of every text message and phone call they receive from men, token gay friends, and preachments on the subject of gemstone ethics, you'll love this book. Otherwise, I recommend you avoid it. I'm just glad I didn't pay for it (it was free on my Nook).
In this story, Mary Sue, oops I mean Petra Flint, reminisces about some weird stuff that happened when she was a kid, dumps a jerk boyfriend, texts her friends (in irritating textspeak more befitting a ten-year-old than a grown woman), makes some kickass jewelry, and finally hooks up with the Boy of Her Dreams (TM). Also, the author thinks Doritos are tortilla chips, which nearly made my head explode. (Brits: Imagine reading a book where a character shows up at a party with, the narration informs us, a meat dish, and then having the character inform us in dialogue that he's brought Welsh rabbit. This is how wrong conflating Doritos with tortilla chips is.)
If you like cheesy romance, inconsistent verb tense, characters who vacillate instead of taking action, poorly realized descriptions of psychological maladies, scenery in place of character development, long disquisitions on the Power of Friendship (TM), women holding detailed dissections of every text message and phone call they receive from men, token gay friends, and preachments on the subject of gemstone ethics, you'll love this book. Otherwise, I recommend you avoid it. I'm just glad I didn't pay for it (it was free on my Nook).
April 17, 2017
3.3/5 stars.
It is OKAY. I don't hate it, but I can't wait for it to finish.
I'm always not comfortable with sex scenes, and this one is a bit sexy, well, it's an adult book. And I don't know much about music, so whenever Arlo's part comes and he talks about music with his students, I'm starting to get bored. I love Mrs. McNeil, she plays a very big role in the book, even though she doesn't appear often. And the tanzanite, I'd love to touch it, to have it in my hand.
One thing I like about this book is how realistic the story goes. It's unlike something you read everyday, it's different. It tells how the characters in the book live their life, moment to moment, and thus the drag. It is a bit slow, honestly.
If you like the not-cheesy-or-corny kinda books, you should try this one. And I hope you like it.
It is OKAY. I don't hate it, but I can't wait for it to finish.
I'm always not comfortable with sex scenes, and this one is a bit sexy, well, it's an adult book. And I don't know much about music, so whenever Arlo's part comes and he talks about music with his students, I'm starting to get bored. I love Mrs. McNeil, she plays a very big role in the book, even though she doesn't appear often. And the tanzanite, I'd love to touch it, to have it in my hand.
One thing I like about this book is how realistic the story goes. It's unlike something you read everyday, it's different. It tells how the characters in the book live their life, moment to moment, and thus the drag. It is a bit slow, honestly.
If you like the not-cheesy-or-corny kinda books, you should try this one. And I hope you like it.
May 8, 2008
This was absolutely superb, the best romantic novel I have read in a while. The characters were quirky and funny and the way they protrayed them and there lifes would make even the hardest of hearts melt.
I would actually say that this is one of the few books that I would happily read again.
I hope theres a sequel, I would love to know how Petra and Arlo got on, married, kids etc etc lol xxxxxxxxxx
Utterly fabulous. I will definately be reading more of Freya North.
I would actually say that this is one of the few books that I would happily read again.
I hope theres a sequel, I would love to know how Petra and Arlo got on, married, kids etc etc lol xxxxxxxxxx
Utterly fabulous. I will definately be reading more of Freya North.
June 19, 2012
A very entertaining story. My only previous experience with British chick lit is Jill Mansell, and though this was not as frothy or laugh-out-loud funny as her books generally are, it had a similar sensibility and feel. If the genre is a chocolate cream pie, Mansell would be the whipped cream and North the chocolate mousse--equally light and delicious, but with a little more depth of flavor.
In this case, we explore the concept that you never get over your first love (especially when it was mostly mental and never proceeded past the idealized first flush.) Running into each other again 17 years later, they get to explore who they are now and the baggage they bring as adults. It's the baggage of past emotional traumas that give this book that added complexity--it never veers anywhere close to being truly depressing, but you can still empathize with what the characters go through and rejoice as they move on together.
In this case, we explore the concept that you never get over your first love (especially when it was mostly mental and never proceeded past the idealized first flush.) Running into each other again 17 years later, they get to explore who they are now and the baggage they bring as adults. It's the baggage of past emotional traumas that give this book that added complexity--it never veers anywhere close to being truly depressing, but you can still empathize with what the characters go through and rejoice as they move on together.
September 3, 2012
The changing from past to present tense and from 3rd to first person within a few paragraphs is very distracting. There is always a break in the text before the change, but it keeps the story from flowing.
I hoped it would be good when I picked it up. I enjoyed it for the first 20 pages or so, but after that I really felt like I was slogging through it. It took me several weeks to finish. I ended up skipping about 100 pages, past the inevitable heartbreak, to where things got going again. I kept thinking it had to get better. When Arlo's big secret is finally revealed, my main thought was 'That's it?' It was kind of anticlimactic. It was similar for the cause of Petra's sleepwalking. It was disgusting, but there was such a big buildup that I guess I expected something different. It is a long book, so when I got to the end I hoped things would be resolved. They were for the most part, but I felt like after spending so much time with it, I'd rather have it neatly wrapped up. There was so much left unsaid though, it was less of an escape for me and alot more like real life.
I hoped it would be good when I picked it up. I enjoyed it for the first 20 pages or so, but after that I really felt like I was slogging through it. It took me several weeks to finish. I ended up skipping about 100 pages, past the inevitable heartbreak, to where things got going again. I kept thinking it had to get better. When Arlo's big secret is finally revealed, my main thought was 'That's it?' It was kind of anticlimactic. It was similar for the cause of Petra's sleepwalking. It was disgusting, but there was such a big buildup that I guess I expected something different. It is a long book, so when I got to the end I hoped things would be resolved. They were for the most part, but I felt like after spending so much time with it, I'd rather have it neatly wrapped up. There was so much left unsaid though, it was less of an escape for me and alot more like real life.
August 22, 2011
Petra Flint is a jeweler living in a shabby flat in London. She is quite happily creating her beautiful wearable works of art and semi-happy with her emotionally stunted boyfriend, Rob. They are polar opposites in most respects but Petra seems determined to find the knight in shining armor behind Rob's distant demeanor and seemingly nonchalant attitude towards their relationship. One bone of contention between them: Petra's sleepwalking habits which cause her to do a number of highly embarrassing and sometimes dangerous things such as locking herself out of buildings in the buff, urinating on the floor or heading head first onto the corner of a fireplace when she trips over furniture. She has no idea why she sleepwalks and no one, from doctors to her divorced and distant parents, can help her figure out why.
North of London on the moors of Yorkshire finds Arlo Savidge, teacher at Roseberry Hall, a school for boys. He has been hiding away behind the school's great gates and trying desperately to forget something terrible from his past. For the past five years, since he was last in a relationship with his fiance Helen and since the tragedy that he refuses to speak of occured, he has sworn off women to keep the feelings of love far away. If the feelings of love and passion are kept hidden, the grieving and guilt cannot find him. His body refuses to let him off the hook fully, however, and he finds himself an insomniac. While he makes friends with his coworkers at the school he never truly lets anyone into his heart and feels quite satisfied just being a teacher of music, his great passion.
These two people, living very different lives, are connected delicately by a shared history going back seventeen years to when they were both in school. They rarely spoke, they never dated or kissed or even held hands, but way back when Arlo sang to Petra during her lunch break. They didn't know each other and Petra was surrounded by all of her classmates, but Arlo looked directly at her and sang a love song he had written to someone he hadn't even met yet. And from that moment on they are forever connected.
When Petra catches Rob cheating on her she finally realizes that she hasn't really been in love with Rob but was in love with the idea of being in love and having someone who truly loved her back. Her parents were never very affectionate and barely seem to care what she does with her life. Feeling depressed and rejected she stays at a friend's place in Yorkshire to hopefully clear her head and get back to a happy place of creativity. On a trip to find some chocolate to make her Easter complete, Petra bumps into Arlo who has come to the same sweet shop to buy Easter chocolate for him mom who he is going to London to visit. Sparks seem to fly between Petra and Arlo and neither of them can get the other out of their head.
When they finally come together both are wondering how much fate might have played a part in bringing them together. They are elated to have found each other and seem to be falling madly in love quite quickly. But as Petra continues to sleepwalk and Arlo continues to hide his insomnia-causing past they both have to decide how much they are willing to let go of and give of themselves in order to come together and have the relationship that seemed to have started so long ago.
Having never read a book by Freya North before I was very pleasantly surprised by Pillow Talk! While some of the vernacular was foreign to me I enjoyed the banter between the characters. By far my favorite characters were Petra and one of her best friends Eric. While the story did seem to drag on at parts, looking back I don't think there is much that the author could have left out. Each part seemed needed to tell the whole backstory and story of Petra and Arlo and to fully explain how they came to be and where they were going. I am definitely excited to read more by Ms. North!
North of London on the moors of Yorkshire finds Arlo Savidge, teacher at Roseberry Hall, a school for boys. He has been hiding away behind the school's great gates and trying desperately to forget something terrible from his past. For the past five years, since he was last in a relationship with his fiance Helen and since the tragedy that he refuses to speak of occured, he has sworn off women to keep the feelings of love far away. If the feelings of love and passion are kept hidden, the grieving and guilt cannot find him. His body refuses to let him off the hook fully, however, and he finds himself an insomniac. While he makes friends with his coworkers at the school he never truly lets anyone into his heart and feels quite satisfied just being a teacher of music, his great passion.
These two people, living very different lives, are connected delicately by a shared history going back seventeen years to when they were both in school. They rarely spoke, they never dated or kissed or even held hands, but way back when Arlo sang to Petra during her lunch break. They didn't know each other and Petra was surrounded by all of her classmates, but Arlo looked directly at her and sang a love song he had written to someone he hadn't even met yet. And from that moment on they are forever connected.
When Petra catches Rob cheating on her she finally realizes that she hasn't really been in love with Rob but was in love with the idea of being in love and having someone who truly loved her back. Her parents were never very affectionate and barely seem to care what she does with her life. Feeling depressed and rejected she stays at a friend's place in Yorkshire to hopefully clear her head and get back to a happy place of creativity. On a trip to find some chocolate to make her Easter complete, Petra bumps into Arlo who has come to the same sweet shop to buy Easter chocolate for him mom who he is going to London to visit. Sparks seem to fly between Petra and Arlo and neither of them can get the other out of their head.
When they finally come together both are wondering how much fate might have played a part in bringing them together. They are elated to have found each other and seem to be falling madly in love quite quickly. But as Petra continues to sleepwalk and Arlo continues to hide his insomnia-causing past they both have to decide how much they are willing to let go of and give of themselves in order to come together and have the relationship that seemed to have started so long ago.
Having never read a book by Freya North before I was very pleasantly surprised by Pillow Talk! While some of the vernacular was foreign to me I enjoyed the banter between the characters. By far my favorite characters were Petra and one of her best friends Eric. While the story did seem to drag on at parts, looking back I don't think there is much that the author could have left out. Each part seemed needed to tell the whole backstory and story of Petra and Arlo and to fully explain how they came to be and where they were going. I am definitely excited to read more by Ms. North!
May 30, 2011
I can now say I am no longer a Freya North reader virgin!
I have had many friends recommend Freya North reads to me but I have never been pulled enough by the covers and the blurb of her books. I had no other books to read and found this one and that nagging voice in my head said to give it ago.
**Cover**
Like I said in my opening the books which I have seen by Freya North do not call out to me. It certainly doesn't stand out from other books. The main part of the front cover is Freya North written in big pink letters with the title Pillow talk in smaller black letters underneath. There is an illustration of a woman lying on pillows at the bottom of the book.
**Plot**
We are introduced to two teenagers Petra Flint and Arlo Savidge who spend little time together when Petra makes pottery while Arlo sings her songs whilst playing his guitar. They are childhood sweethearts but this is as far as their relationship goes at this young age.
Petra grows up to become a talented jeweller in London but has a problem at night, she sleepwalks.
Arlo becomes a music teacher at an all boys school in Yorkshire who also has a problem at night he is an insomniac.
The story brings Petra and Arlo back together years later when Petra comes to stay in Yorkshire. The question is can their childhood romance blossom all these years later or will both of their pasts cause a bit of a problem.
**Opinion**
As this was my first Freya North book I didn't really know what to expect when it came to her style of writing and I obviously had no other books of hers to compare with.
The story I find has a very slow start with most of the first half of the book just getting to know the two main characters Arlo and Petra. You do warm to both characters but in opinion it did not need half the book to get you in tuned with the characters.
I felt it would have been nice for the friends of the characters to have been introduced more as they were only spoken about in brief. At times when one of the friends were mentioned I had to think who they were!
The second half of the book improved somewhat and I was glad I persevered. Although the rest of the book was very predictive it was a nice warm story even if it did go off of the plot a bit too much when it came to describing gemstones and music. I found myself towards the end just brushing over these parts as I didn't feel these were needed in the book and became a touch boring.
The way Freya writes is very captive and the way she writes love scenes is not crude but warmly described and the reader can relate to this which I think some authors lack.
**Recommend**
I would recommend this book (not to my friends as they have all read this book I was lagging behind somewhat!!) I would say it is a light read, a book which you can put down and pickup a couple of days later and still be in tune with the story.
Having now read one of Freya North's books I will be looking out for another of her books.
I must remember not to judge a book by its cover!!!
I have had many friends recommend Freya North reads to me but I have never been pulled enough by the covers and the blurb of her books. I had no other books to read and found this one and that nagging voice in my head said to give it ago.
**Cover**
Like I said in my opening the books which I have seen by Freya North do not call out to me. It certainly doesn't stand out from other books. The main part of the front cover is Freya North written in big pink letters with the title Pillow talk in smaller black letters underneath. There is an illustration of a woman lying on pillows at the bottom of the book.
**Plot**
We are introduced to two teenagers Petra Flint and Arlo Savidge who spend little time together when Petra makes pottery while Arlo sings her songs whilst playing his guitar. They are childhood sweethearts but this is as far as their relationship goes at this young age.
Petra grows up to become a talented jeweller in London but has a problem at night, she sleepwalks.
Arlo becomes a music teacher at an all boys school in Yorkshire who also has a problem at night he is an insomniac.
The story brings Petra and Arlo back together years later when Petra comes to stay in Yorkshire. The question is can their childhood romance blossom all these years later or will both of their pasts cause a bit of a problem.
**Opinion**
As this was my first Freya North book I didn't really know what to expect when it came to her style of writing and I obviously had no other books of hers to compare with.
The story I find has a very slow start with most of the first half of the book just getting to know the two main characters Arlo and Petra. You do warm to both characters but in opinion it did not need half the book to get you in tuned with the characters.
I felt it would have been nice for the friends of the characters to have been introduced more as they were only spoken about in brief. At times when one of the friends were mentioned I had to think who they were!
The second half of the book improved somewhat and I was glad I persevered. Although the rest of the book was very predictive it was a nice warm story even if it did go off of the plot a bit too much when it came to describing gemstones and music. I found myself towards the end just brushing over these parts as I didn't feel these were needed in the book and became a touch boring.
The way Freya writes is very captive and the way she writes love scenes is not crude but warmly described and the reader can relate to this which I think some authors lack.
**Recommend**
I would recommend this book (not to my friends as they have all read this book I was lagging behind somewhat!!) I would say it is a light read, a book which you can put down and pickup a couple of days later and still be in tune with the story.
Having now read one of Freya North's books I will be looking out for another of her books.
I must remember not to judge a book by its cover!!!
September 12, 2013
Pillow Talk by Freya North is a contemporary romance.
London jewelry designer Petra Flint is surprised to hear a song on the radio by a boy that she once knew, and Petra wonders whatever happened to Arlo Savidge. She doesn't know that Arlo now teaches music at an English boys' school -- and that their paths are about to cross again after several years. When Petra and Arlo meet again, they find themselves reminiscing about the past and trying to forge a future together. But a series of misunderstandings and the secrets that they both have threaten to keep them apart for good this time ...
There were some things that I enjoyed about this book, especially the English setting, the tidbits about Petra's work as a jewelry designer, and Arlo's musings on music.
However, there's a lot going on in this book. Petra sleepwalks, is devastated to find out that her boyfriend is cheating on her, recalls memories of an elderly woman that she used to visit, and wonders what to do with the exquisite piece of tanzanite that the woman left her when she died. Arlo fends off the advances of a female teacher at his school, teaches music to his students, and struggles with the guilt he feels over how a past relationship ended.
Most of this happens before the two of them meet again. These story lines are interesting, but they really slow down the plot. I wanted to see Petra and Arlo meet and rekindle their relationship, but that doesn't happen until about a fourth of the way through the book. Then when they do meet, they're both on their way to somewhere else and don't exchange contact information, so they have to start searching for each other. Once they finally meet a second time, the plot finally kicks into gear.
Petra and Arlo have a sweet relationship, and it was nice to see them fall in love. However, I didn't think that a subplot about a past relationship of Arlo's added very much to the story. Neither did one about Petra's uneasy relationships with her divorced parents.
Overall, this book didn't work on every level for me, but if you like stories set in London, you may enjoy this one.
London jewelry designer Petra Flint is surprised to hear a song on the radio by a boy that she once knew, and Petra wonders whatever happened to Arlo Savidge. She doesn't know that Arlo now teaches music at an English boys' school -- and that their paths are about to cross again after several years. When Petra and Arlo meet again, they find themselves reminiscing about the past and trying to forge a future together. But a series of misunderstandings and the secrets that they both have threaten to keep them apart for good this time ...
There were some things that I enjoyed about this book, especially the English setting, the tidbits about Petra's work as a jewelry designer, and Arlo's musings on music.
However, there's a lot going on in this book. Petra sleepwalks, is devastated to find out that her boyfriend is cheating on her, recalls memories of an elderly woman that she used to visit, and wonders what to do with the exquisite piece of tanzanite that the woman left her when she died. Arlo fends off the advances of a female teacher at his school, teaches music to his students, and struggles with the guilt he feels over how a past relationship ended.
Most of this happens before the two of them meet again. These story lines are interesting, but they really slow down the plot. I wanted to see Petra and Arlo meet and rekindle their relationship, but that doesn't happen until about a fourth of the way through the book. Then when they do meet, they're both on their way to somewhere else and don't exchange contact information, so they have to start searching for each other. Once they finally meet a second time, the plot finally kicks into gear.
Petra and Arlo have a sweet relationship, and it was nice to see them fall in love. However, I didn't think that a subplot about a past relationship of Arlo's added very much to the story. Neither did one about Petra's uneasy relationships with her divorced parents.
Overall, this book didn't work on every level for me, but if you like stories set in London, you may enjoy this one.
April 18, 2018
This is the first Freya North book I ever read (back when magazines occasionally came with a free book as your ‘summer read’) and it remains my favourite.
The characters are engaging and you so want to root for them. I really enjoy reading books based in locations I’m familiar with and Freya paints a wonderfully accurate picture of some of my favourite childhood spots; Suggitts in Great Ayton continue to do some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had.
Petra’s awe and love of her Tanzanite sparked its own interest in me to learn more about its history.
And let’s face it, who didn’t fall for the guy in a band when they were a teenager?
I will continue to re-read this book and take pleasure in it every time.
The characters are engaging and you so want to root for them. I really enjoy reading books based in locations I’m familiar with and Freya paints a wonderfully accurate picture of some of my favourite childhood spots; Suggitts in Great Ayton continue to do some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had.
Petra’s awe and love of her Tanzanite sparked its own interest in me to learn more about its history.
And let’s face it, who didn’t fall for the guy in a band when they were a teenager?
I will continue to re-read this book and take pleasure in it every time.
February 14, 2017
Eindelijk dit boek uit. Voor mijn doen, heb ik er lang over gedaan. Dat komt omdat ik dit boek op een gegeven moment helemaal zat was en weg heb gelegd. Ik heb dit boek jaren terug gelezen. Ik dacht dat ik het toen wel leuk vond. Daarom had ik het nu als luisterboek. Het verhaal viel mij echter tegen. Veel te langdradig en de hoofdpersoon was soms echt dom. Ik hoefde nog maar een paar hoofdstukken. Daarom vandaag de papieren versie erbij gepakt en de laatste hoofdstukken gelezen. Ik heb al een paar keer gehad dat de boeken van Freya North mij tegenvielen, dus ik denk dat dit mijn laatste boek van haar is.
January 13, 2010
This isn't the sort of book I normally read so if you like light and fluffy chick lit then this would probably suit you. I got it free with a magazine and decided to try it out.
I found it all a bit stupid to be honest. The story was alright (if obvious) but the characters were vapid and the changes of perspective and tense were hugely irritating.
If you are completely obsessed with tanzanite then you'll probably enjoy this book which is heavy on descriptions of it. Personally, one description would have been enough.
I found it all a bit stupid to be honest. The story was alright (if obvious) but the characters were vapid and the changes of perspective and tense were hugely irritating.
If you are completely obsessed with tanzanite then you'll probably enjoy this book which is heavy on descriptions of it. Personally, one description would have been enough.
September 3, 2017
To be honest I have no clue how this book wound up on my Nook, but I read it and thought it was a quirky but enjoyable and fast read. Out of nowhere random sex scenes appear and it's as if a ghost writer steps in because it seems random and even raunchy with the rest of the story, the plot just seemed odd no unrelatable and there were many British idioms I couldn't figure out. If you're looking for something mindless and forgettable here's your book.
October 7, 2013
I think I'm getting a little old for chick-lit. I always enjoyed Freya North in the past, but a lot of similar themes always turn up - the kooky heroine, the amazing man who always just turns up, and some stupid secret that is alluded to throughout the entire novel and then turns out to be a bit silly! But an easy read and sometimes that's all you need!
August 19, 2018
This book is so warm, sexy and lovable that it can turn the most unromantic person swoon for romance. So simply put and yet so sophisticated in writing. I will actually take some time off before taking up any other book to read in order to reminisce its contents and stories. Real treat for bedtime read.
April 9, 2011
Lost interest about halfway. It's too slow moving for me. I might get back to it in the future.
Read
April 30, 2015Good book - easy read - what a revelation about people who sleepwalk and the embarrassing scenarios it can lead to.
July 22, 2025
What better reason to read a book by an author with my name!? Pillow Talk was a sweet book with some likeable and unlikeable characters to keep things interesting. I loved following Petra through her day to day life in England finding her feet in love and jewels while trying to understand her childhood traumas that still lingers in the present. It was very interesting to read a book that was written almost 20 years ago because while subtle, the language, grammar and cadence of Freya’s writing was noted. For this reason I found it a bit harder to get through and the tense changes made it a bit hard to follow. All in all the symbolism of this book was fun and I had a great time reading it!
September 2, 2023
Mocht je genieten van veranderde tijden en perspectieven waarin een boek is geschreven, binnen 1 pagina; dit is je boek
June 23, 2020
Good book. So much saucy sex I had to just move onto read the next bit as my hubby started looking worried, ha ha!
Changes in tense also very bizarre.
Changes in tense also very bizarre.
February 26, 2024
Da verujem u Boga, rekao bih da je osećaj kiše na mom licu nalik prstima anđela koji sviraju...
July 3, 2012
B&N Synopsis:
"By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweler working in a lively London studio. By night, she's a sleepwalker troubled by a past she can't put to bed and a present that leaves her clinging to an unsuitable boyfriend. Arlo Savidge was once a budding heartthrob musician. Then tragedy struck and he chose to forsake stardom and all future affairs of the heart for a quiet life in the countryside as a music teacher.
Petra and Arlo haven't seen each other since they were teenagers-when their feelings ran deep but the timing wasn't right. Now, seventeen years later, they run into each other once more. Might first love get a second chance-or will what keeps them up at night keep them apart forever?"
I am the first to admit that I normally do not read this type of fiction. However, I have been trying to expand my reading horizons, and the Nook free Fridays have really helped to do that, with mixed results, but I am grateful for the chance to experience them.
I also love most things British/UK, although at times the humor escapes me. This book was a little hard to read, not in terms of language but in writing style. It was slow going for me. Plodding along is the description I would use. I thought the subject was at least interesting - not having much experience with sleepwalking. I also thought Petra's job to be interesting, I just thought it amazing that she could make a living at jewelry making - but then, what do I know about that? Obviously not as much as I should, maybe.
I enjoyed the bits that were pure British slang and references, and admit that I had to look up a couple, even though I figured out most from the context. The sleepwalking provided a plot twist, and I just thought what a horrible thing to deal with, no sleep. How these people aren't zombies walking around, I'll never understand. I liked Petra and Arlo, but didn't feel like Petra was properly connected to her life. I didn't feel her. She felt the same, whether she was hurt by Rob, or hurt by Arlo, or her parents. It all seemed rather detached to me. I also couldn't understand how she wasn't messed up by her parent's lack of regard. I don't know why I felt such detachment from this character's life. Her inner life never seemed to match the outter, and vice-versa. Her friends - it was like they knew what was going on, and seemed to know her well - but I couldn't see why.
I'm not saying that ultimately I didn't enjoy it. I did. And I was entertained, and liked the journey, overall. Its just not my usual cup of tea, and I don't think it is something I will go back to again. I don't like feeling so disconnected from the events that happen and the characters involved, and I honestly don't know why I felt that way, except it might have worked better for me as a first-person narrative.
"By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweler working in a lively London studio. By night, she's a sleepwalker troubled by a past she can't put to bed and a present that leaves her clinging to an unsuitable boyfriend. Arlo Savidge was once a budding heartthrob musician. Then tragedy struck and he chose to forsake stardom and all future affairs of the heart for a quiet life in the countryside as a music teacher.
Petra and Arlo haven't seen each other since they were teenagers-when their feelings ran deep but the timing wasn't right. Now, seventeen years later, they run into each other once more. Might first love get a second chance-or will what keeps them up at night keep them apart forever?"
I am the first to admit that I normally do not read this type of fiction. However, I have been trying to expand my reading horizons, and the Nook free Fridays have really helped to do that, with mixed results, but I am grateful for the chance to experience them.
I also love most things British/UK, although at times the humor escapes me. This book was a little hard to read, not in terms of language but in writing style. It was slow going for me. Plodding along is the description I would use. I thought the subject was at least interesting - not having much experience with sleepwalking. I also thought Petra's job to be interesting, I just thought it amazing that she could make a living at jewelry making - but then, what do I know about that? Obviously not as much as I should, maybe.
I enjoyed the bits that were pure British slang and references, and admit that I had to look up a couple, even though I figured out most from the context. The sleepwalking provided a plot twist, and I just thought what a horrible thing to deal with, no sleep. How these people aren't zombies walking around, I'll never understand. I liked Petra and Arlo, but didn't feel like Petra was properly connected to her life. I didn't feel her. She felt the same, whether she was hurt by Rob, or hurt by Arlo, or her parents. It all seemed rather detached to me. I also couldn't understand how she wasn't messed up by her parent's lack of regard. I don't know why I felt such detachment from this character's life. Her inner life never seemed to match the outter, and vice-versa. Her friends - it was like they knew what was going on, and seemed to know her well - but I couldn't see why.
I'm not saying that ultimately I didn't enjoy it. I did. And I was entertained, and liked the journey, overall. Its just not my usual cup of tea, and I don't think it is something I will go back to again. I don't like feeling so disconnected from the events that happen and the characters involved, and I honestly don't know why I felt that way, except it might have worked better for me as a first-person narrative.
May 25, 2012
Every once in a while, it is important for a girl to read a trashy romance novel, especially if she's on vacation. Fortunately, Freya North's Pillow Talk is smart and entertaining, as well as a page-turner. Petra Flint is a talented jewelry designer in London. She starts the novel dating a horrid businessman and taking all of his crap. When they inevitably break up, she escapes the city to go north. There, she runs into a high school sweetheart and romance stirs up. However, these things are never quite that simple. The book is easy to read and is peppered with English slang. My favorite word in the book: "Blingtastic."
Fun fact:
Petra is a somnabulist, who has regularly sleepwalked since she was 8. Her struggles with the disorder are both tragic and funny.
Great character cast:
Lucy, Petra's diehard best friend who moved to Japan, but manages to be amazingly supportive.
The Studio 3: the three folks who Petra shares a studio space with.
Charlton: Petra's sometimes boss who lends her the place in the north.
Favorite quotes:
"Rather, the school was about not forcing a child to learn, but inspiring them to want to listen"
"The beauty of your oldest, closest friend is that, in a crisis, she has no compulsion to do anything other than come to your rescue. She puts her life on hold as she steps into your shoes to fight your corner for you. Because she can feel your pain, so she can take just a little bit of it away. She won't mince her words or indulge you; she'll talk to you straight and tell it how it is."
"A man should release your sparkle, not deflate your bounce."
"If I believed in God, I'd say the rain falling on my face feels like the fingertips of angels playing out a tune."
"Home isn't necessarily where the heart is... You have to put your heart into the place that you call home."
"Allow your future every chance to unfold."
"The journey in itself will be worth it."
"In my vast and colorful experience, I have come to the conclusion that all boys are daft bastards. It's actually down to us to tell them how they're feeling. Bless them - they wouldn't know otherwise. They wouldn't have a flaming clue."
"I don't know if love does conquer all, Arlo. But it certainly provides us with the blanket to comfort our woe and the armour to face our battles."
Fun fact:
Petra is a somnabulist, who has regularly sleepwalked since she was 8. Her struggles with the disorder are both tragic and funny.
Great character cast:
Lucy, Petra's diehard best friend who moved to Japan, but manages to be amazingly supportive.
The Studio 3: the three folks who Petra shares a studio space with.
Charlton: Petra's sometimes boss who lends her the place in the north.
Favorite quotes:
"Rather, the school was about not forcing a child to learn, but inspiring them to want to listen"
"The beauty of your oldest, closest friend is that, in a crisis, she has no compulsion to do anything other than come to your rescue. She puts her life on hold as she steps into your shoes to fight your corner for you. Because she can feel your pain, so she can take just a little bit of it away. She won't mince her words or indulge you; she'll talk to you straight and tell it how it is."
"A man should release your sparkle, not deflate your bounce."
"If I believed in God, I'd say the rain falling on my face feels like the fingertips of angels playing out a tune."
"Home isn't necessarily where the heart is... You have to put your heart into the place that you call home."
"Allow your future every chance to unfold."
"The journey in itself will be worth it."
"In my vast and colorful experience, I have come to the conclusion that all boys are daft bastards. It's actually down to us to tell them how they're feeling. Bless them - they wouldn't know otherwise. They wouldn't have a flaming clue."
"I don't know if love does conquer all, Arlo. But it certainly provides us with the blanket to comfort our woe and the armour to face our battles."
February 8, 2016
I bought this book quite a few years ago and when I started reading it I loved it, this is the story about a girl who for years has been sleepwalking when it's time she really needs to be asleep in the comfort of her own home. However as you start getting into this book you will fall in love with the characters.
Petra Flint works in a studio down in London, she is such a talented jeweller. She has been in a relationship with Rob for about ten months, so that's fairly new for her but since them being together it's been quite a lot for Rob to handle as he is constantly receiving phone calls on a night time informing him that Petra has been sleep walking and has ended up in the middle of no where.
Arlo Savidge teaches music at an all boys boarding school, the last time he saw Petra Flint was seventeen years ago while they were at school together. However he still has things that are buried in his past, but when he comes face to face with Petra in a small village, he could hardly contain his excitement.
Over time Rob starts to get rather annoyed with the constant need for him to look after Petra due to her sleep walking, and you can clearly see this as the story goes on. Meanwhile Arlo and Petra start spending more and more time together attempting to help each other with past problems and a rekindled friendship.
Will Arlo and Petra be able to help each other with their demons from their past or will it be too late. Even though it's been seventeen years will this be their second chance for each other.
I honestly loved this book from the very beginning and I can't get enough of Freya North's books.
Petra Flint works in a studio down in London, she is such a talented jeweller. She has been in a relationship with Rob for about ten months, so that's fairly new for her but since them being together it's been quite a lot for Rob to handle as he is constantly receiving phone calls on a night time informing him that Petra has been sleep walking and has ended up in the middle of no where.
Arlo Savidge teaches music at an all boys boarding school, the last time he saw Petra Flint was seventeen years ago while they were at school together. However he still has things that are buried in his past, but when he comes face to face with Petra in a small village, he could hardly contain his excitement.
Over time Rob starts to get rather annoyed with the constant need for him to look after Petra due to her sleep walking, and you can clearly see this as the story goes on. Meanwhile Arlo and Petra start spending more and more time together attempting to help each other with past problems and a rekindled friendship.
Will Arlo and Petra be able to help each other with their demons from their past or will it be too late. Even though it's been seventeen years will this be their second chance for each other.
I honestly loved this book from the very beginning and I can't get enough of Freya North's books.
June 1, 2012
First of all,I should say thay I really enjoyed this book before I get into the rest of my review. I thought it wa sa very nice story but it could be very maddening at times. It took almost hal fthe book for the characters to meet in person and then evem longer for anything to happen. In some ways that worked out because you got to know the two leads an dcould see that they were completely perfect for each other. At the same time, I was reading a romance andi wante dthe author to just get onwith it. Once Petra and Arlo - love the names, by the way - got together, it was well worth it. Petra was a very delicate, tender person and was with a complete boor at the start of the book. Arlo was a sensitive, damaged schoolteacher who obviously only needed the right woman to come out of his shell.
One of the main part sof the book was Petra's sleepwalking and I feel like that was handled really well. It was believable and only served to sbow how vulnerable Petra could be. There was also an interesting subplot about a big, beautiful piece of tanzanite. Overall, the subplots and devices North used all worked very well. It took some patience but I would recommend it to anyone who want san escapist, bubbly romance to lose yourself in.
One of the main part sof the book was Petra's sleepwalking and I feel like that was handled really well. It was believable and only served to sbow how vulnerable Petra could be. There was also an interesting subplot about a big, beautiful piece of tanzanite. Overall, the subplots and devices North used all worked very well. It took some patience but I would recommend it to anyone who want san escapist, bubbly romance to lose yourself in.
March 10, 2015
I really wish GR would allow users to give 1/2 stars in the rating. I really think this book is worth 2 1/2 stars as opposed to two but I decided to round down. This book started off well and for the first 1/3, I found it easy to read. North gives us an engaging story up to that point and a heroine that is easy to relate to. Her sleepwalking also made her sympathetic. Her boyfriend, Rob, was a cliched "bad boyfriend" that you tend to find in these types of books but that wasn't too bothersome. North's writing style also has a nice flow.
However, after Petra and Arlo are reunited, the story seemed to drag on. I like for these types of novels to end at the HEA because when they don't, they usually become very mushy and boring. That's exactly what happens to Pillow Talk. Between them getting together and then leaving each other for extremely contrived reasons , the mushy talks, and the navel gazing of both Arlo and Petra, I was so happy when this book finally ended.
However, after Petra and Arlo are reunited, the story seemed to drag on. I like for these types of novels to end at the HEA because when they don't, they usually become very mushy and boring. That's exactly what happens to Pillow Talk. Between them getting together and then leaving each other for extremely contrived reasons , the mushy talks, and the navel gazing of both Arlo and Petra, I was so happy when this book finally ended.
July 9, 2013
This was a free book that I was able to get, so I figured why not? I'm glad I picked it up and got the chance to read it, because it is a wonderfully charming and well paced book. Of course, it fed my love of all things British with characters that were well formed enough to create a clear picture in my mind of who they were and what they looked like.
I applaud Freya North's descriptions and her obvious investigation and study of things like sleepwalking and Tanzania. (both play a big role in the book - trust me, it will all make sense) And it was clear that she loved these characters very much.
My only complaint was the switching of point of view and tenses that happened. It made the story feel convoluted in certain points, though I understood what she was trying to do - most times it was successful, but there were those few times it wasn't.
The book lends itself to being a lovely movie or better, short series on television with the way it plays out. A thoroughly charming story with lovely characters - a perfect cup of hot chocolate type of book.
I applaud Freya North's descriptions and her obvious investigation and study of things like sleepwalking and Tanzania. (both play a big role in the book - trust me, it will all make sense) And it was clear that she loved these characters very much.
My only complaint was the switching of point of view and tenses that happened. It made the story feel convoluted in certain points, though I understood what she was trying to do - most times it was successful, but there were those few times it wasn't.
The book lends itself to being a lovely movie or better, short series on television with the way it plays out. A thoroughly charming story with lovely characters - a perfect cup of hot chocolate type of book.
March 3, 2008
Freya North is one of my favourite authors & this is superb, of course. It has just won Romantic Novel of the Year.
Synopsis
A story of first love and second chances from the bestselling author of Love Rules The sleepwalker. By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweller working in a lively London studio. By night, she sleepwalks. She has 40 carats of the world's rarest gemstone under her mattress but it's the skeletons in her closet that make it difficult for her to rest. The insomniac. At one time a promising song-writer, Arlo Savidge now teaches music at a boys' boarding school in North Yorkshire. He assumes he's happy with his isolated lifestyle. But, like Petra, ghosts from his past disturb his sleep. Putting the past to bed. Petra and Arlo loved each other from afar during their schooldays. Now, seventeen years later, in a tiny sweetshop one rainy day, they stand before each other once more. Could this be their second chance?
Synopsis
A story of first love and second chances from the bestselling author of Love Rules The sleepwalker. By day, Petra Flint is a talented jeweller working in a lively London studio. By night, she sleepwalks. She has 40 carats of the world's rarest gemstone under her mattress but it's the skeletons in her closet that make it difficult for her to rest. The insomniac. At one time a promising song-writer, Arlo Savidge now teaches music at a boys' boarding school in North Yorkshire. He assumes he's happy with his isolated lifestyle. But, like Petra, ghosts from his past disturb his sleep. Putting the past to bed. Petra and Arlo loved each other from afar during their schooldays. Now, seventeen years later, in a tiny sweetshop one rainy day, they stand before each other once more. Could this be their second chance?
December 25, 2014
Read the full review here: http://thereandtheir.wordpress.com/20...
To be honest I did not complete the entire book. Simply because the story was oh so obvious right from the start, and personally, I do not like to read stories where everything is so cliched, and works out exactly as you think it would.
The story starts with Petra being in an emotionally abusive relationship with a jerk face of a “handsome and rich” guy who treats her like a piece of furniture. But, like every true heroine she thinks he is heads over heals in love with her, and it is OK if he makes fun of her in front of the world, talks rudely to her, and what not? After all, who wants self respect when they can have love?
Then we have Arlo, who does not want to be in a relationship with anyone at the moment. And is a musician, who teaches at school and dedicated one song to Petra when they were in high school.
And then the story kind of became obvious.
To be honest I did not complete the entire book. Simply because the story was oh so obvious right from the start, and personally, I do not like to read stories where everything is so cliched, and works out exactly as you think it would.
The story starts with Petra being in an emotionally abusive relationship with a jerk face of a “handsome and rich” guy who treats her like a piece of furniture. But, like every true heroine she thinks he is heads over heals in love with her, and it is OK if he makes fun of her in front of the world, talks rudely to her, and what not? After all, who wants self respect when they can have love?
Then we have Arlo, who does not want to be in a relationship with anyone at the moment. And is a musician, who teaches at school and dedicated one song to Petra when they were in high school.
And then the story kind of became obvious.
June 3, 2018
Petra Flint has been a sleepwalker since she was 8. To say it’s bothersome, would be an understatement. However, the story isn’t really about that. It’s been 17 years since she last saw Arlo Savidge, her teenage love. Arlo is a songwriter turned music teacher in a private boys school in Yorkshire. A chance encounter in a sweet shop, crosses their paths and stirs up some feelings long buried.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The main characters were likeable and the chemistry between them was written well. Be prepared for some racy moments in the book, it leaves little to the imagination. The sleepwalking, although not the main plot, was handled well and gave an aspect of intrigue about how it all began.
The negatives are very few for me; the way the text messages are written was a little irritating. Some of the parts where Arlo is teaching is a bit long winded and there are a lot of music references which, reading now, aren’t very relevant.
A solid 3.5 for me.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. The main characters were likeable and the chemistry between them was written well. Be prepared for some racy moments in the book, it leaves little to the imagination. The sleepwalking, although not the main plot, was handled well and gave an aspect of intrigue about how it all began.
The negatives are very few for me; the way the text messages are written was a little irritating. Some of the parts where Arlo is teaching is a bit long winded and there are a lot of music references which, reading now, aren’t very relevant.
A solid 3.5 for me.
January 29, 2012
This is not one of her better novels and it reads like most of her others. Its very predictable, follows the same pattern of story line as the rest of her books and makes for an OK, Chick Lit book. The only time i would recommend this novel is for a holiday read, where you don't want to think about a novel and you want a nice predictable book to delve into.
The story itself was very predictable (even though I have read it before it was some years ago). The characters themselves are not very deep and don't have much of a personality, and although their was some comical bits in this book it was not greatly amusing. However the style of writing makes this book very easy to read, and to get through rather quickly.
Tegan's Book Reviews: Pillow Talk - Freya North http://t.co/ezsJaXFg @thebookreviewer on Twitt ·
The story itself was very predictable (even though I have read it before it was some years ago). The characters themselves are not very deep and don't have much of a personality, and although their was some comical bits in this book it was not greatly amusing. However the style of writing makes this book very easy to read, and to get through rather quickly.
Tegan's Book Reviews: Pillow Talk - Freya North http://t.co/ezsJaXFg @thebookreviewer on Twitt ·
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