‘Everybody remembers where they were the day they heard that Paddy de Courcy was getting married’ But for four women in particular, the big news about the charismatic politician is especially momentous … Stylist Lola has every reason to be interested in who Paddy’s marrying – because although she’s his girlfriend, she definitely isn’t the bride-to-be. Heartbroken, she flees the city for a cottage by the sea. But will Lola’s retreat prove as idyllic as she hopes? … Not if journalist Grace has anything to do with it. She wants the inside story on the de Courcy engagement and thinks Lola holds the key. Grace’s sister, Marnie, might be able to help but she’s too busy holding her perfect life – perfect husband, perfect children, perfect house – together. And what of the soon to be Mrs de Courcy … Alicia will has waited a long time for this and is determined to be the perfect politician’s wife. But does she know the real Paddy de Courcy? Four very different women. One awfully charming man. And the dark secret that binds them all …

I bought this book because I am usually a big Marian Keyes fan but this book just irritated me especially Lola. She is portrayed as such a weak character and I felt that the attempts at humour failed...dismally.

It could be that my reading tastes have changed but this irritated me so much that I only got to page 155 before I put it down again.

Making into a bookring. Participants are:

Reetpetite - UK - ship internationally
arugh48187 - USA - ship within USA
Bethaniekay - USA - Ship internationally
Solskinn - Austria - Ship EU
karen07814 - UK - willing to ship EU
Laure69 - France

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to the first person on the list!

Thanks Scruffykaz. Oh dear you didn't like it, I can't finish a book if I don't like it either.

Really loved this book. The way the stories came together was brilliant & Marnie's story was so well written (I won't say more in case I spoil it). Lola's story was written as a diary a bit like Bridget Jones & it can be annoying but it was funny.
Thanks Scruffykaz.


Posted to arugh48187 by surface mail on 21st July

Caught this one in my mailbox this afternoon. It is the only bookring I have, so it shouldn't tarry long.

Well, I snuck a peak at the previous reader's journal entries and was hoping to like it better than most. And I am happy to say that I did. Lola's entries were indeed my least favorites, but it was more because she wrote in incomplete sentences than anything. The ending was almost perfect. I am glad that Marnie ended up the way she did and that Grace and Damien worked out their demons. I have liked almost all of Keyes' books and this one was no exception.

Thanks for sharing. I have the address of the next reader, and it will be off in the post next week sometime.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed off to BethanieKay who is next on the list. Happy reading!

Received today ... and just in time! I just finished a really deep, intense book - so reading a bit of light, fun Marian Keyes is just what I need! Will start reading soon! thanks!

p.s. The book looks like it's been "loved" quite a bit! It's a bit bent, probably from shipping, and although it's dry now, it looks like it's gotten a little wet at some point - since the BCID sticker inside is a little smudged. It won't bother me a bit, though - I love holding books that feel like they've been read and used by many fellow bookworms :)

Another "charming" book by Marian Keyes. I enjoyed how she developed each character, and in the end, how each of their stories intertwined. I liked Lola the best, even though her whining and self-pity at the start were annoying - but it was difficult to enjoy reading about Lola because of her "diary style" writing in incomplete sentences, which was quite annoying. I liked Marnie the least because I wanted to just slap her and make her get some help, already! But, I realize that her demeanor and actions were due to her situation, which I felt the author handled well. I liked Grace and Damien, and thought their story read well.

In all, this book had much more depth than I thought it would. I brought the book on a beach-weekend trip with me, thinking it would be light and fun - but it was actually somewhat deep and depressing at times. A good story, though, and I felt it ended just the way it was meant to. All wrapped up with a nice little bow :)

I've PM'd Solskinn for her addy ... will ship this off as soon as I get it.

(Oh, and note - there are now a few pages that are actually falling out of this book. Not sure if the binding is a bit defective, and maybe that's why the pages aren't "sticking" ... but I'll try to mend it a bit before sending it on!)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Book now on its way to Solskinn in Austria. Happy travels, little book!

Thanks for letting me join!

The book is here and it looks well read indeed. Thanks for sharing!

I really, really enjoyed reading this book, it was great!

As it happens so often, I expected a fluffy bit of chicklit, and what did I get: serious stuff. But hey, nothing wrong with that. - Marian Keyes has a great strength of developing and building up characters, describing their weaknesses, and when reading about these weaknesses and demons I was always wondering whether she really knows what she's writing about (as in: experienced it herself). I did a little research on her and found out that she actually is a recovering alcoholic.

I loved the Lola bits! - Opposed to everyone else it seems. I didn't find her diary style and the short sentences hard to read at all, and I actually laughed out loud many times at her funny way of seeing things, and her humor even in the worst of situations. I also liked her sensitive ways. - I think she'd make a great friend.

I also liked Grace a lot, and the situation with Damien was oh so understandable in parts. I am glad it turned out the way it did...

Marnie I didn't like too much. Sure, she's the most disturbed of all the characters, and sure, it is certainly not her fault at all, and sure, she just couldn't help it. Nevertheless, she seems like one of those people who always finds something bad in even the best of situations and is never really thankful for the people that surround her and all that she's got. She really needs some serious help...

Alicia: Hate her. - And by the way, I guessed right at the beginning who she was, and I was right all along. :)

Paddy: Actually, he isn't even worth to be mentioned hence I won't say more about him but that I strongly dislike (hate!) him.

Dee: Great character.

- Thanks so much for sharing this great book!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to the UK!

they just don't make books like they used to! it's here number 2 on tbr, thank you


I'm not sure. Didn't like. One narrator. Got over it. Continued. Got past page 155. New narrator with a much better flow.

I can see exactly why a person would give up when the first, irritating, narrator took up so much of the start of the book. However having stuck at it I have to say it's extremely well balanced. The research is excellent as far as the troubled parts are concerned. The bit about the peas put me in mind of a UK radio advert where the only sound is a key in the door. The sound is enough to change the day completely.

There are funny bits in it as well. I got it yesterday I finished it today, it's 800 odd pages but written as I used to do essays I didn't have an interest in...with lots of space on each page.

I may well read more of her books. The only doubt I have is whether or not they're formulaic?

Off to next person tomorrow

The book arrived yesterday. Oops the pages are falling apart.

What is really supposed to be funny as written on the cover ? Was it the purpose of the author (a woman) to laugh at such things ? I'm afraid I lack that kind of humour and found all this rather tiring. I just felt like shaking them all.

As Scruffykaz left BC and can't be PMed, this ring is going to be a ray. I'll try and find a new reader but the book is really damaged.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Found on a wish list and sent as a RABCK

Thank you for sending this book, I shall pick a David Gemmell book to send you in return. I hope you like it.