Reviews

Courting Trouble by Kathy Lette

hearts4bon's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

erinnejc's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the first Kathy Lette novel I have read. I have seen her interviewed on TV and found her very funny. While the subject matter of rape is a very serious one, throughout this novel she mixes up the legal side of things with her hilarious one liners which almost take over the book. I kept picturing her (Kathy) though as the barrister, which wasn't a bad thing I guess. I enjoyed the book and while some sections may have been a little 'over the top' she probably has more insight in to the legal system than me.

Great novel, and I would read more by Kathy any day.

kateelinda's review against another edition

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funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Cringy, predictable romance. 

mazza57's review against another edition

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2.0

It was Ok for its type easy to listen to but nothing to put it above all the other fiction in this genre

renee_conoulty's review against another edition

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3.0

I received a copy of the audiobook signed by Kathy Lette from Bolinda Audio as part of a Christmas giveaway. The narrator did a great job, changing between various British and an Australian accent for the different characters. This is the fourth book by Kathy Lette I have read and even more packed with one liners than the others. It was my least favourite so far.

The story focusses around a mother daughter law firm that champions womens cases. I don't know much about the court system, but I have a better understanding of the difference between Barristers and Solicitors now. The main case deals with the gang rape and blackmail of a teenage girl. Serious topics such as rape, assault, blackmail and cyber bullying are interspersed with sarcastic humour and romance. It does end with "to be continued" but it wasn't enough of a cliffhanger to have me chasing the next installment.

tsheehan's review against another edition

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5.0

It was interesting as it was about Aussies living in London. There was a twist I didn't see coming at the end. I think Kathy wrote this book from a realistic point of view.

_booksanddogs_'s review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars
I found this book quite original in it's story as I have never heard or read anything like it before, I found it to be very funny and entertaining in some parts but also quite annoying and frustrating in others.

The fact that the story was based around a rape case made it interesting but also a bit weird as Kathy tried to make it sort of humorous. I found it engaging though in the sense that I learned a lot about how the legal world works and it would be interesting to see how much research was actually done on rape cases and trials.

The fact that the story does involve the context of a young girl being raped is quite confronting at times but it also does prove a lot of points in the sense that it is a problem that is becoming much more common in poor societies and that many girls are subject to it and can't do anything to help themselves get out of the situation, especially when drugs are also involved.

I loved the feminist views and belief that was involved throughout the book, and as my values are quite similar I really liked that I could read a book from a feminist's point of view. Some of the one liners are also hilarious, I laughed out loud so much it was such a unique but interesting and wonderful read.

Matilda's character annoyed me a lot throughout the book, she came across as very selfish and self centred. Throughout the serious parts of the book she would continue to think about herself and I found those parts very hard to get through at times as she just frustrated me so much.

The other characters however got me through the book. I absolutely loved Roxy and her strong independent values, she made me want to work towards being that way as well.

I would read a sequel if Kathy wrote one, I just hope Matilda isn't the narrator next time.

Courting trouble was a very interesting and unique read, parts of it are quite confronting and hard to get through but if you like a book in which there is a strong heroin and women are in control this book is for you!

britany24xoxo's review against another edition

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3.0

Personally as a feminist the book was quite liberating, however as a reader it did not satisfy my needs. I found myself quite frustrated with the stubbornness of the protagonist Tilly. The ending did not reaching my expectations. Despite all these it still told a great story and was a easy read.

knrt_17's review against another edition

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4.0

I have read this author before, way back in the puberty blues book. I listened to the audiobook. This was a very English setting with a female barrister. The side characters were amazing. Lots of twists and turns to keep up with. I’ll read this author again.

laurapatriciarose's review against another edition

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4.0

Originally posted on:> http://lauraslittlebookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/blog-tour-courting-trouble-by-kathy.html

What an action packed, slightly unexpected read Courting Trouble was! The cover and synopsis of the book really did not give much away as to the controversial topics that it would entail!

Tilly is an instantly likeable character, especially with her quick fire sarcasm; even though they say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit; is a trait that I definitely wished I had! Tilly does have her flaws though like the rest of us, and one of those is that is an awful judge of character! And there was a point in the book where I got really frustrated with her. Her Mum Roxy though is hilarious and a force to be reckoned with, but Tilly's daughter Portia was my favourite and the only one out of the three that saw sense most of the time.

I particularly liked the courtroom case scenes and that Tilly was a lawyer as this is something that I rarely come across in fiction and would definitely like to read more of. There were a few scenes where I felt my anger surface at what the prosecution/defence was saying and think that the author really managed to get across exactly what it would be like in a courtroom.

The pace of Courting Trouble propels you to read on and I finished this really quickly. There are a great mix of characters and it had my heart pounding in places! So although unexpected, it was a really good read.

This managed to be lighthearted and funny, but deal with serious, real life issues at the same time. It is definitely a novel to get you thinking and it got me thinking about the current justice system and how it may not be as just as it is supposed to be. There is also a hint as to there being more from Tilly and her story and I will certainly be looking out for it.

A funny, fast paced, compelling read from Kathy Lette.