'The Marrying Game' is one of my favourite reads of this summer. Kate Saunders weaves a cast of highly entertaining characters through an occasionally believable plot in such a way that you really can’t bear to put it down. Meet the Hasty sisters, Rufa – eldest, sensible and practical, Nancy – voluptuous femme fatale with a heart, Lydia – hopeless romantic, convinced her ex-husband still loves her, Selena – typical rebellious teen, and their eccentric mother Rose...
The girls' father, named only as ‘The Man’, has died and they are faced with massive debts and a near derelict family mansion that frankly would give even the Extreme Makeover team nightmares. After much soul searching, the solution is found; Rufa and Nancy will move to London and play ‘The Marrying Game’. The rules are simple – find the richest man and marry him. Enter a supporting cast of equally quirky characters, and a modern fairytale is born.
This book is thoroughly enjoyable. On first impressions it could appear a little daunting, at a lengthy 544 pages (paperback version), but as soon as you begin reading you forget this and find yourself transported into pure escapist fantasy. The storyline frequently teeters on the boundary of what is believable, but that only adds to its appeal. If you like your chick lit to be entirely realistic and full of Jilly Cooper-esque raunch then this isn’t going to be for you. However, for an entertaining read with laugh out loud moments add this one to the top of your list. [Jenni Nock]
