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Airs and Graces
Ellen has been living on her own in a picturesque, if damp cottage since her husband abandoned her for the pleasures of life in Provence. She marries once for love, but is now determind that the second time around it will be for money.
Close at hand is Duncan, her not unattractive divorce lawyer who, most importantly, is single and enticingly wealthy. Then into Ellen's life comes Jo-Jo, a young homeless girl, several months pregnant, and Matthew, an artist who paints murals in country houses and criticises Ellen for being mercenary.
As Ellen plans for a future with Duncan, both Jo-Jo and Matthew know that you can't plan love...
Close at hand is Duncan, her not unattractive divorce lawyer who, most importantly, is single and enticingly wealthy. Then into Ellen's life comes Jo-Jo, a young homeless girl, several months pregnant, and Matthew, an artist who paints murals in country houses and criticises Ellen for being mercenary.
As Ellen plans for a future with Duncan, both Jo-Jo and Matthew know that you can't plan love...
432 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2001
127 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
Erica James
55 books1,059 followersWith an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 30, 2009
Not the greatest, but for some reason I could not put it down. Everything was just interesting enough to keep you engaged. It was an ok light read.
February 25, 2019
I read this book right after reading two heavy books. It was just what I needed. It was light and an easy reading book . I enjoyed the characters and how quickly the book moved. It didn’t take long before I was intertwined with the characters.
March 25, 2021
Myself and a friend both really enjoyed Song of a Skylark by Erica James which was an excellent story about the memories of an elderly lady about the arrival of the American troops into Britain.
So when I saw another Erica James book for sale, I thought that it would be of a similarly good standard. Sadly this book will not be lent to any friends! The characters were so unrealistic, I have never met anyone like 75% of the characters in this book. All very eccentric!!
I would suggest that you read Song of a Skylark instead!
So when I saw another Erica James book for sale, I thought that it would be of a similarly good standard. Sadly this book will not be lent to any friends! The characters were so unrealistic, I have never met anyone like 75% of the characters in this book. All very eccentric!!
I would suggest that you read Song of a Skylark instead!
September 21, 2022
When I started reading this book I realised I had read it many years ago but carried on reading as I was enjoying it all over again. Loved the eccentric characters especially Hermione who helped Ellen recover from her husband abandoning her and of course a man called Bonkers which made me smile.
January 17, 2022
Another great story from Erica James. I liked the different characters, all with their own peculiarities and some even had charm. Not my most favourite from this author, but a good story that I will most likely read again in future. Enjoy!
August 27, 2022
This is one of Erica James earlier novels. I thoroughly enjoy her writing and loved this easy-to-read story of Ellen and her friend Hermione, their village life and financial struggle. The seriousness of some of the underlying themes are cleverly offset with just the right balance of humour.
March 15, 2022
An airy comedy about three engaging female protagonists. Ellen Jacobs, recently divorced from her husband who ran away to the South of France with... a younger woman, of course. She takes council from her friend, Hermione, who is rather eccentric, recommending that if she marries again, it should be for money and not love this time! What could go wrong?!
On the way to having a cup of tea out, the two friends meet a young, pregnant and homeless Jo-Jo, and although both Ellen and Hermione an barely support themselves, they offer the young woman food and shelter.
This was easy to read and entertaining, especially as it was well read and I enjoy listening to it through audible. Great voice acting performances!
On the way to having a cup of tea out, the two friends meet a young, pregnant and homeless Jo-Jo, and although both Ellen and Hermione an barely support themselves, they offer the young woman food and shelter.
This was easy to read and entertaining, especially as it was well read and I enjoy listening to it through audible. Great voice acting performances!
November 1, 2021
Well, I am just so glad that I decided to go ahead and read this book despite some of the reviews left here...! I loved it!!
The story was really good and the twists and turns kept me hooked right to the very end. The characters were extremely well portrayed and believable, as they are in all of the Erica James books I have read so far.
The story was really good and the twists and turns kept me hooked right to the very end. The characters were extremely well portrayed and believable, as they are in all of the Erica James books I have read so far.
July 24, 2015
I really enjoyed this book, it is my first of Erica James and I can't wait to read more.
March 25, 2022
This is one of Erica's older books that I have only just discovered. I have enjoyed her other books and this one was completely different again. I do like the way she weaves a story.
This book is more light than some of her following books but still very good all the same. I see another reviewer has said she has never met people like the characters in this book - well I have!
However I never expect to meet the characters from a book.
Loved our 3 female main characters - good strong women even if Ellen was a bit to quick to procrastinate at times.
I disliked Duncan immensely - the sign of a good writer to elicit this response from me, but I rather liked Matthew from the start.
The story is so easy to read and flows beautifully with something happening all the time. A good read and not overly long. I'm glad I came across this book.
This book is more light than some of her following books but still very good all the same. I see another reviewer has said she has never met people like the characters in this book - well I have!
However I never expect to meet the characters from a book.
Loved our 3 female main characters - good strong women even if Ellen was a bit to quick to procrastinate at times.
I disliked Duncan immensely - the sign of a good writer to elicit this response from me, but I rather liked Matthew from the start.
The story is so easy to read and flows beautifully with something happening all the time. A good read and not overly long. I'm glad I came across this book.
August 8, 2022
A fine read for a day on a campsite whilst in the shade on a hot summer day. Chit lit doesn't do it for me and this a very close call. Ellen is divorced, he left her for the climes of Provence and a hot totty, finding her feet has been a matter of downgrading and finding a business that isn't yet lucrative. Her best friend (a generation older) is a strong and entertaining character who see's no harm in her finding a local lawyer to ease her every need. They (Ellen and Hermione) meet a young down and out girl who they befriend. Then comes Matthew, a painter along with Duncan, the lawyer. Jo Jo, the homeless teenager becomes a knowledgeable source who along with Mathew have the answer to Ellen's needs. I haven't mentioned Susan, she's there too and becomes the trusty employee that Ellen could do with and when.
September 30, 2023
Not my usual genre I found this book quite relaxing. Not the usual edge of the seat stuff I read at all. Normally I stay away from romance but this was well written and while the whole point of the book was to make sure Ellen ended up with the right man, it was not as heavy on the romance as many can be.
I loved the Englishness of the book, too many modern authors put so much effort into making a book suitable for an American market I feel they miss out on the opportunities the rest of the world has to offer.
Sometimes serious, sometimes witty, this book had a lot of good to offer. I was strangley compelled to keep reading even when the pace was meandering along and there was no immediate danger of anything bad happening. The whole sitution could so easily happen to anyone - no special skills required.
I loved the Englishness of the book, too many modern authors put so much effort into making a book suitable for an American market I feel they miss out on the opportunities the rest of the world has to offer.
Sometimes serious, sometimes witty, this book had a lot of good to offer. I was strangley compelled to keep reading even when the pace was meandering along and there was no immediate danger of anything bad happening. The whole sitution could so easily happen to anyone - no special skills required.
July 3, 2017
Really enjoy Erica James books. I know this one is a few years old (I picked it up at a second hand bookstore). I get caught up in the characters and imagine they could be on the big screen! Certainly age is not a factor when friends connect with each other. Would have loved to have a book #2 for the story to continue!
September 15, 2020
Twists and turns with a wonderful ending. I don’t think I’ve read one of Erica James’ before but I’ll definitely be looking for some more by her. A real page turner, enjoyable read with just the right amount of grit.
July 4, 2025
was an easy read . not something I could recommend. It was predictable. I'm not a huge fan of cheating so I found that hard . I did skim read a lot of this . she's very good at detailing every little bit
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2017
Another of her great stories - can’t think how I missed reading this one before.
December 30, 2017
Predictable, but a light read
April 25, 2018
Just OK, not one of my favorites by Erica James.
June 6, 2019
A nice story but a little too predictable.
September 15, 2019
B. fiction, women's fiction, England, divorced woman, artist, lawyer, pregnant teen. accumulated stash, discard
September 17, 2019
second hand bookshop find !
Have to say ..not a fave but enjoyable all the same
Have to say ..not a fave but enjoyable all the same
December 28, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. I found the characters likeable and was interested in their lives. Though I found the ending a bit predictable it was a good read for the stressful lead up to Xmas.
April 13, 2020
An engaging tale which ended how I hoped it would!
May 11, 2020
A really good riveting read with !ots of twists and surprises. Very hard to put down.
January 28, 2021
As usual a charming tale by Erica James filled with wonderful characters
February 17, 2021
good book
June 21, 2021
Didn't enjoy this nearly as much as I have her other books.
Just lacking in something. Skipped to get it over with faster.
Ending as it should, of course.
Just lacking in something. Skipped to get it over with faster.
Ending as it should, of course.
July 22, 2021
A perfectly lovely read.
August 23, 2022
The book is full of eccentric/weird characters to relate at all. meandering storyline with no proper plot.
February 3, 2023
Tiny bit dated
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews