What I did on My Holidays by Chrissie Manby

Hey everyone             Having the most fantastic time! The beach is amazing! I’m getting an incredible tan! I am absolutely definitely, categorically not hiding out in my bedroom… The Balearics are wonderful at this time of year, Wish you were there? I know I do Sophie xox

 
 When Callum dumps Sophie the night before they were meant to go to Majorca together, she has a choice. Completely forget about the holiday, or go  without him?

In a show of bravery and independence, Sophie says she’ll go to Majorca alone. But actually she hides in her London flat. And when her friends and family (not to mention Callum) seem impressed by her single girl courage, Sophie decides to go all out and create the ultimate ‘fake break,…..with hilarious results.

This is a light rom com that is great for reading over a weekend curled up in front of the fire with some junk food. It has some great moments, when you think you have worked out where things are going, only for a twist to take you down another route. I highly recommend and I am looking forward to reading one of Chrissie Manby’s other books.
The Commuting Bookworm 2013

The Greatest Love Story of all Time by Lucy Robinson

Its Frans 30^th birthday and things are good. She’s bluffed her way into a very posh job and her outlandishly handsome and talented boyfriend Michael is escorting her to the Ritz with a bulge in the shape of a ring box in his pocket.

But something has gone wrong. By the end of the evening Fran is howling in bed with a bottle of cheap brandy and one of Michaels old socks.

In her quest to figure out why her life has suddenly gone down the pan, Fran comes up with a failsafe plan: live like a badger, stalk a stranger called Nellie and cancel her beloved Gin Thursdays in favour for drinking gin every night. But then Frans friends force a very different plan on her and its nowhere near as fun. How could eight dates possibly make her feel better?

But eventually she agrees. And so begins the greatest love story of all time………

The blog on the back of this book, nowhere near covers the delectable delights, the LOL one liners that are in store for the reader. The emotional turmoil that most of us can relate to when we are dumped, but also with an alcoholic mother who is having a 20 year affair with a tory politician there is some real emotional depth. As a daughter of two alcoholic parents I totally get the angst that Fran goes through.

Without giving too much away, I guarantee a feel good ending that we expect from this kind of story. A lovely light, entertaining read that I would highly recommend.

The Commuting Bookworm 18/03/2013

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

June the first, a bright summers evening, a Monday and into the busy bustling homes at 66 Star Street slips unseen, a mysterious visitor. As the couples, flatmates and repentant singletons on No 66 fall in and out of love, clutch at and drop secrets, laugh, cry and simply try to live, no one suspects the caller patiently in the wings. For soon: really soon, everything is going to change…….

This is my first Marian Keyes, and it took a while to get into it. Not because of her style but because I was trying to work out who or what the narrator is. However once I penetrated the story and I was in, there was no putting it down until the last page was turned.  This novel is like peeling an onion there are so many layers to it. If you have chunks of time to read blocks of pages in each reading sitting, this is a worthwhile read.

Having spoken to a friend who has read more Marian Keyes, this one is not representative of her others. This has wet my appetite and I will read another at some point in the future.

The Commuting Bookworm 2013

Lifesaving for Beginners by Ciara Geraghty

She has lots of friends, an ordinary job, and she never ever thinks about her past. This is Kats story. None of it is true.

Milo McIntyre loves his mam, the peanut butter and banana muffins at the funky Banana café, and the lifesaving class he does after school. He never thinks about his future, until the day it changes forever. This is Milo’s story, all of it is true.

And then there is the other story. The one with a twist of fate which somehow brings together a boy from Brighton and a woman in Dublin, and uncovers the truth once and for all.

This is the story that’s just about to begin……..

This really is a read with real depth. It also shows how society has changes in its opinions over the last 20 years. This is a family that faces crises and grows through it. A wonderful heart-warming, believable tale. Ciara Geraghty has been compared to Marian and I can quite understand why. A very enjoyable read and should not be overlooked for this year’s holiday reads selection.

The Commuting Bookworm 2013