5 Star
"Did she really just say that? I am fifteen again, except the reality is I am experiencing full parental horror, aged twenty-five. I want to die."
Life hasn't quite worked out how Arielle Lockley imagined it would. Becoming the next Coco Chanel was always her childhood dream, but she's spent the past four years living a dizzying whirl of glitzy parties, luxurious holidays and daily shopping sprees - all paid for by boyfriend Piers - and not doing anything to make her Coco dreams happen.
When the recession hits, it's not just the economy that takes a tumble and Arielle finds herself living back with her parents, on bad terms with Piers, and having a CV that's as welcome as a pair of knock-off Jimmy Choos. And maybe it's the location, but she's also finding unwelcome thoughts of her childhood sweetheart are popping into her head...
What's a girl to do? Can Arielle figure out what it is she now wants to do with her life and move on, or will she be doomed to spend the rest of her life dwelling over her worst mistakes, stuck listening to her parents' embarrassing dinner table talk each night?
Sabrina-Kate - 5 Star
I loved Kept! It was definitely a book that was epitomized the definition of chick lit. The main character actually reminded me a lot of a Bridget Jones type character and as most of us are probably familiar with her, I am sure you know what I mean. But if not, let me explain.
Arielle was a lovable but very mixed up young woman. Often second guessing herself and making an utter mess of things, she was a character that I enjoyed quite a lot because she seemed to blunder along and create problem upon problem despite herself. And who doesn't like or at least sympathize with someone like that? Because let's face it, a lot of us have been in comparable situations especially at that age.
I liked how even though Kept was standard fare, the story didn't always turn out as I suspected it would. It was immensely easy to read, basically a no-brainer, almost like speaking to a friend and catching up on things. Granted, it was quite an extensive conversation but many things happened in a relatively short period of time so I could just imagine how many coffees that chat would take.
Of course I am perhaps somewhat of an unfair judge as I truly do adore everything British and this book wasn't overly so but just enough to make it obvious and enjoyable, mostly in the turn of phrase and expressions used though some geographical mentions rounded things out.
This was a solid debut by an author that I am excited to have discovered, and I definitely can't wait for book number two which comes out later this month!
Connect with Elle Field:
Website
So pleased you loved Kept - thank you for reviewing it. :)
ReplyDelete