'Dancing With Mules' is the debut novel by Morag Prunty, and with it she firmly positions herself in the company of other great Irish chick lit writers. This is a cleverly written book, combining a varied cast of rich, likeable characters with a classic plot turned on its head. It's fluffy fun with an unexpected ending that helps seal the deal!
Early in the book we are introduced to Xavier Big, an Irish American billionaire who is looking for an Irish wife. Cue a selection of the ladies hoping he will sweep them off their feet. Each of the major players in the running are endearing, and no matter how different they initially seem to yourself, you quickly begin to identify with them. The means and ends they seem prepared to reach, to win his hand in marriage, range from the honest to the underhand to the downright dirty and provide opportunity after opportunity to laugh out loud.
One of my favourite things about this book was that whilst the ending was perhaps not the one I was expecting, it was one I agreed with. The change in writing style for the concluding pages was perhaps a bit of a gamble, but one that paid off. It was a refreshing change of pace that left me feeling happy and content as I closed the book. Definitely one to add to the collection. (Jenni Nock)
