Admittedly, I had only read two of Chris Manby's many
books before I came across Getting Over Mr Right, and after liking both, I did
expect to enjoy it. However, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and
after reading Getting Over Mr Right twice in the space of a month, this book is
now right at the top of my list of favourite reads for this year, leaving me to
seek out the rest of Chrissie Manby's books because surely I'm missing out
here!
Ashleigh, after a decade or more of downright disastrous (and just plain weird) dates, finally decides to give up on men. But they say that true love arrives when you least expect it, right? Sure enough, Ashleigh soon discovers her Mr Right at a party, albeit hidden behind some atrociously high-waisted trousers and mismatching shoes.
Everything goes swimmingly for months until, after gaining a promotion at work, Prince Charming himself (aka Michael) decides to change. And not for the better. When Ashleigh is dreaming of a house big enough for their future children and sensible cars fit for baby seats, Michael is soon upgrading his flat to an equally child-unfriendly new flat in a trendier area. Add that to the sports car, new wardrobe and gym membership and BOOM - the first stages of relationship doom.
And it soon comes true. Worse still, Ashleigh is only alerted to her dumping via Michael's new relationship status on Facebook. Where, horror of horrors - she's even been defriended.
Ashleigh simply refuses to accept that it's over, clinging on to every little glimmer of hope that it's not. Surely it's just a Facebook glitch, right? Michael loves her really, he's just a bit stressed...
With Michael still being her Mr Right in Ashleigh's mind, and determined to get answers, she sets out to get the explanation she deserves. Especially when she discovers that Michael has a new girlfriend.
Ignoring the sound advice of her best friend Becky, Ashleigh begins her (slightly insane) quest to win back Michael. Only what starts off as a slightly understandable mission turns out to become a scary obsession indeed...
When Ashleigh's plan of gaining back her boyfriend the usual, civil way - through talking - fails to work, she knows that she has to up her game. Cue excessive cyber-stalking, e-books full of breakup advice and turning up at Michael's workplace with flowers.
And when THOSE methods don't work, Ashleigh turns to the paranormal, phoning premium-rate psychics and casting spells.
Being seemingly unable to get over Michael and move on, Ashleigh is quickly becoming obsessed, stalking him and his new girlfriend at every opportunity, and ignoring pleas from Becky to cease her odd behaviour and forget about him.
But it's not that easy. Ashleigh won't stop until Mr Right is back in her arms. And she'll do whatever it takes...
Getting Over Mr Right is addictive, hilarious, witty and downright fantastic. I couldn't put it down, drawn in by Ashleigh's dangerous behaviour and hooked on what she would do next, Towards the middle of the book, Ashleigh's tactics grew weirder by the chapter and it was interesting to read what would happen next. Without giving too much away, Ashleigh's friends and family, especially younger brother Lucas, are fabulous characters and work well as they try and get Asheligh to stop her stalker-like tendencies!
Despite Ashleigh being unable to let go, the book rang true in a variety of places. How many of us have snooped or stalked on Facebook? It was amusing to read about Ashleigh in these situations and in some chapters I couldn't help but agree, thinking 'Okay, just might have done that as well...' This was a brilliant read and after finishing Getting Over Mr Right, I realise how much I've probably missed by not reading more of Chrissie Manby's previous novels. So you can imagine what's up next on the wishlist!
Rating: 5/5
