Single Girl Lit - Reviewed November 2009

I’m a big fan of Jill Mansell and this book didn’t disappoint me. It was what I expect from her- a detailed, character filled, happy ending type of story. I think I tend to enjoy her novels because the characters engage me from the beginning and although the premise of the story is common I still wanted to read it because I liked the characters so much.

The novel begins when young Lola, the main character, is offered money to break up with her boyfriend- by his mother. She meets him again later in life and is drawn back to him. I’m not sure I was totally convinced that this man, Dougie, was the love of her life but we’re led to believe that she thought it was so I went with it. I was completely compelled to read on simply because I was curious and because the friends and family in her life were great. Her friends Gabe and Sally are hilarious as they end up living together and have nothing in common. Her mother and the man she’s dating made me laugh and Dougie’s mother is like the wicked witch.

It’s what I think of as “gentle chick lit” as in it’s not over the top or out there but still very engaging and would recommend it if you’re looking for a fun read.

This was a quick read and it definitely hooks you from the get go. I enjoyed it more at the beginning, became less interested at points, and thought it was terribly predictable (which might have been why I became indifferent at times). Suitably cheerful, it’s single girl chick lit where girl looses boy and girl’s friends are fun and her mother is a little odd and his mother is even worse. I laughed out loud in spots, mainly towards the end, which was a nice surprise as I hadn’t until then.

I thought there were some character inconsistencies at times, especially with her friend Sally and I would have liked a bit more expansion of all the other characters as they played a large role in this novel, it was as much about them as the main character.

I don’t really have much to say about it other than I didn’t hate it and definitely didn’t love it. It’s somewhere in the middle for me, but then again, most of these types of chick lit are for me. They really aren’t my favorite but if you are looking for something more light and easy to read, this would fit the bill.