Nicky Schmidt's debut novel, Naked in Knightsbridge, is one of my favourite chick-lit reads of all time, and when I found out about Nicky's second book, Marrying Out of Money, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And seeing as I've recently bought a wonderful Kindle (FINALLY!) this was one of the first books I downloaded*.If you enjoyed Naked in Knightsbridge, then chances are you're going to love Marrying Out of Money one hell of a lot more. I was expecting this to be a good read, but it was more addictive than I thought.
In Marrying out of Money, coffee heiress Lou Hubbard (well, originally born as Cristal by her slightly mad mother) is loved-up with rock star boyfriend Hedge. Despite their differences - Lou the daughter of millionaire Nigel Hubbard; Hedge a poor hippy intent on 'pretekting the planit' - Lou really wants their relationship to work. Although Lou's mother has other plans, wanting nothing more than to get rid of Hedge and marry her off to a rich heir, thus making the Hubbard family well and truly upper class.
Meanwhile, Lady Morphia Stomeworth has a problem. She may be one of the most feared and respected ladies of the aristocracy, but her family home is falling to pieces. With the family fortune swindled away by an uncle, the Stomeworths will shortly be forced into poverty and humiliation. But there remains one other option. To force son Harry into marriage...to someone incredibly rich.
Lord Harry Stomeworth, a well-known playboy who sees settling down as a nightmare, isn't thrilled with the idea - especially when he finds out who his mother plans on making him wed. And Lou Hubbard isn't best pleased either. So unhappy in fact that she goes to every length possible to make herself seem the most disgusting, common, insane lady going. With the help of Sloaney friend Fin, Lou tries everything to ruin dinner parties with the Stomeworths, including painting her face, refusing to wash, wearing pornographic t-shirts...
Sadly, Lou's attempts are in vain, and her other is furious. Her father is ill, and mysteriously gets a little bit worse each time Lou voices her opinion on the arranged marriage...could Mrs Hubbard have anything to do with it?
As Nigel is bedridden, Lou is taking over the business, which isn't entirely performing at its best. Add to that the Hedge situation. Hedge is asking for money - money which Lou doesn't have. But there's a way to get the ten grand that her bedraggled boyfriend needs. She could, of course, blackmail her mother.
With the mothers hiding their own hatred for each other, it seems as though this marriage is going ahead. But not without a fight.
And while Lou and Harry are trying everything to get out of this atrocious marriage, Harry's got some new problems in the form of supermodel Claudia. And Hedge isn't behaving too well, either...
As the plans progress and the parents' attempt to save their families looks as though it might just go to plan, things are about to erupt, big time. Can the pair eventually get what they want? Or will this mad coupling actually lead to something they never thought was possible?
One thing I like about Nicky Schmidt is that even though her books seem to be aimed at the 'chick-lit' market, her books aren't typical of the usual chick-lit format. Which may seem like an odd thing to say, given that I'm one of the biggest chick-lit fans around. But there's something refreshing and very unique about the way Nicky writes that makes me love these books even more.
Although I do have to say that despite wonderfully funny, this book is VERY unrealistic. The characters are hilarious - especially Lou's mother and the awful Hedge - but if you're expecting something true to life, this is not for you! In fact, it almost read like a parody of some of the more 'serious' stories out there, but for me that's what made it so, so enjoyable. It's brilliantly funny, especially as Lou tries to make herself repulsive and utterly embarrassing. And aside from all the silliness, there is a very serious backstory about Lou's friend Fin.
I enjoyed every page of Marrying Out of Money and am now eagerly awaiting Nicky's upcoming novel, The Anti Model Agency.
Rating: 5/5
*If you have a Kindle and have yet to read Nicky's books, check out the Nicky Schmidt bundle that's available on Amazon.
