Reviewed by Helen Redfern
As a Martina Reilly newbie I didn't know what to expect of All I Want is You. On first impressions the book didn't really show much promise. I thought both the title and the cover were a bit 'blah'. I t wasn't with great enthusiasm that I started to read.
Poppy Shannon is married to a successful architect in Dublin. She spends her days having facials, expensive haircuts, getting her nails done and shopping for designer clothes. Hmm. Was I going to enjoy this? I wasn't sure. As I read though I started to enjoy Reilly's fabulously snappy writing style. So I continued.
Poppy's life is turned upside down when her husband's business partner runs off leaving them with massive debts. They have to sell their palatial home and downsize. She has to stop shopping and her hair is to be cut in the local, cheaper salon. In the meantime her son's behaviour causes concern at his new school, her businessman father retires leaving him bored, her mother in law has to come and live with them and her own mother is busy with her charities. Pete, Poppy's husband, withdraws from her, his pride not allowing him to accept financial and emotional help. And he struggles to admit his son's behaviour might be a problem.
Worst still, Poppy has to take a job. In the 'everything's a Euro' shop.
I found Poppy difficult to like initially. Her shallowness, naivety (which almost bordered on stupidity) and her reluctance to stop spending made her somewhat irritating.
But as Poppy started to sort her life out, she blossomed into a strong, independent woman. I found myself rooting for her, admiring the way she dealt with problems and with people.
Yup. I was hooked.
The rich woman losing her money and turning her life around has been done before. You might guess how things will turn out after reading just chapter one. But it doesn't matter. How she gets there is what makes this book so readable and unputdownable.
In an interview with Trashionista earlier this year Martina said that her main aim when writing a book was "to create great memorable characters, emotional, funny, interesting scenes and a cracking page-turner of a plot". She has done this. Exactly. Along with brilliant dialogue, fascinating contemporary issues, and characters that you really care about.
The scenes between Poppy and her mother in law are particularly memorable. The dialogue is quick witted, straight talking, funny and in one particular scene extremely emotional.
It is lovely when you find a fantastic read most unexpectedly. Hidden behind the 'blah' book cover is one gem of a book. Martina – you have a new fan.
Rating: 4/5
Like this? Try Motherland by Maria Beaumont
