Scan barcode
rd18's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shanlouvicxo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
chrissireads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mamax4j's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cardigangirl's review against another edition
3.0
Reasonable page turner, some good one liners, but only here and there. There are various themes that run through it where we are waiting to know the answer to the mystery. This would be good, it builds to the crescendo we're expecting, but then, with one event, 2 of those mysteries are abrubtly solved, and about a chapter later we finish, in a manner a little too sugary for my liking. Still, not unpleasant.
elliexrebecca's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
faysieh's review against another edition
4.0
This was a funny book following the exploits of a long established relationship between Steph and Pip. Steph seems to have it all, three lovely boys and a hard working, high earning husband. Pip on the other hand, attracted to 'bad boys' has hardly had it easy on the relationship front and her husband walked out leaving Pip a single mother to Chloe.
Steph is far more organised than Pip and has always been on hand to lend support, help her out of scrapes, provide a roof over her head and share babysitting duties as well as all the joys and challenges that life throws at them. It is a friendship that is as strong, safe, reliable as the decades it has lasted. Nothing could ever test those bonds to breaking point, could it?
This novel explores marriage, how relationships change over time and how we can cause more damage to those relationships by trying to protect others.
Funny, silly, but full of warmth, what happens to Pip, Steph, Steph's husband Jules and Steph's friend Subash is entertaining, ordinary but fascinating if you like to read about what makes us human. The other hilarious element in this novel is Kirsten, shallow, mercenary, ridiculous, and serial mistress to men old enough to be her father. Where does she enter Pip and Steph's story and why?
Predictable, but the characters are so well written that it is very easy to love each one and empathise with their decisions and actions, including the new love interest for Pip, Scots fertility nurse Robbie.
All in all a humorous, very enjoyable read.
Steph is far more organised than Pip and has always been on hand to lend support, help her out of scrapes, provide a roof over her head and share babysitting duties as well as all the joys and challenges that life throws at them. It is a friendship that is as strong, safe, reliable as the decades it has lasted. Nothing could ever test those bonds to breaking point, could it?
This novel explores marriage, how relationships change over time and how we can cause more damage to those relationships by trying to protect others.
Funny, silly, but full of warmth, what happens to Pip, Steph, Steph's husband Jules and Steph's friend Subash is entertaining, ordinary but fascinating if you like to read about what makes us human. The other hilarious element in this novel is Kirsten, shallow, mercenary, ridiculous, and serial mistress to men old enough to be her father. Where does she enter Pip and Steph's story and why?
Predictable, but the characters are so well written that it is very easy to love each one and empathise with their decisions and actions, including the new love interest for Pip, Scots fertility nurse Robbie.
All in all a humorous, very enjoyable read.
culturenator's review
3.0
Probably would've given it 3.5 out of 5 if that was possible, whilst it was an enjoyable enough story I've never skim read so much of a book before. This was mostly due to incredibly self indulgent woe is me internal monologues of the female characters which were frankly boring most of the time.
yellowchairreader's review
2.0
Ah what a shame. I have read all of Adele's previous books and would class her as one of my favourite authors. the blurb for the book sounded great; something moving away from the 'chick lit' into something maybe more sinister and questioning. However the book just didnt sit right with me, it made me feel uncomfortable reading it. The topic of affairs is often written about in books that i read but this one i just felt awkward reading about. The characters i actually couldnt care less about which i think is why it didnt feel right. i did finish the book but it is not one that i think i will re-read.
ashlislibrary's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, I was so disappointed in this book. I have to admit that Adele Parks has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a few years now, and I was so excited to read this- but it did nothing except disappoint me.
First of all, the characters were so predictable. From the way they met, the popular friend being nice to the quiet girl. To one of them growing up ‘perfect’ but with resentment and secret. To the other being the typical scatterbrained woman who’s heartbroken and a mess. I could not connect to the characters at all. The story itself was unnecessarily long, there were chapter where the characters did nothing apart from the school run or a train journey, they were so dull I was actually counting down until the next chapter hoping for something interesting.
And then the main plot, which I won’t ruin here, was so predictable. You could guess which character did what and how it would all play out, I was glad to get this finished.
First of all, the characters were so predictable. From the way they met, the popular friend being nice to the quiet girl. To one of them growing up ‘perfect’ but with resentment and secret. To the other being the typical scatterbrained woman who’s heartbroken and a mess. I could not connect to the characters at all. The story itself was unnecessarily long, there were chapter where the characters did nothing apart from the school run or a train journey, they were so dull I was actually counting down until the next chapter hoping for something interesting.
And then the main plot, which I won’t ruin here, was so predictable. You could guess which character did what and how it would all play out, I was glad to get this finished.