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BOOK REVIEW: Molly's Millions by Victoria Connelly

Let's face it, we've all wondered what we'd do if we scooped the lottery jackpot. How would you spend your winnings? What would you buy? Would you share it? Victoria Connelly's heroine wants to do exactly that in Molly's Millions, a unique story that hilariously explores the lottery dream.

Florist Molly Bailey wouldn't mind a bit of extra money, just to help her get by. After all, there's nothing she enjoys more than her flowers, and The Bloom Room is her pride and joy. But she's struggling with her finances, and Molly wouldn't mind a few extra pounds for a treat every now and then.

However, all that's about to change when Molly buys a lottery ticket for the first time ever - and scoops four million pounds.

Four. Million. Pounds.

With the misfortune of hailing from a family of Scrooges, Molly doesn't dare let her miserly relatives in on the secret of her new-found riches. After all, what's the point of having money if you can't enjoy it? And what on earth can she do with four million pounds? Kind-hearted Molly is determined to keep just enough for herself, and give the rest away...as soon as possible.

It's only a matter of time before Molly's family hears of her windfall...so she sets out alone in her trusty yellow VW Beetle on a mission to get rid of her cash.

After depositing a stack of fifty pound notes and a single yellow flower in the honesty box of a local farmer, Molly sets off on her road trip across England to help out those in need like a modern-day Robin Hood (minus the stealing, of course). Meanwhile, journalist Tom Mackenzie is in search of a story. Working at a local publication where big stories are rare, he just needs one headline-worthy article in order to save his career. And after hearing of the anonymous donation by chance, Tom is certain he's onto something, and heads off with the intention of finding out just who is behind the anonymous donation.

Molly is soon becoming a national heroine, leaving behind a trail of good deeds (along with yellow flowers.). Little does she know, Tom is not far behind her, questioning everyone she meets on the way. And thanks to Tom's freelance articles in the national press telling of the mysterious Molly, not only are her personal encounters exposed, but her family is now aware of her millions, setting out on a trail of their own to track down unselfish Molly before she does something she regrets.

But nothing's stopping Molly and her good deeds. She's quickly gained fame, with the public wanting to know more about the girl giving away her cash, and the media hunting her down. With Tom and her money-grabbing family still swiftly on her heels, it's only a matter of time before she's found.

Will Molly give herself up, or will she continue on her journey to share her wealth? And will Tom succeed in finding out everything there is to now about Molly Bailey? And what if there's more to her life that she's only just about to find out?

Molly's Millions is a delightful read that I devoured in one sitting. Molly's kindness is addictive, making this not only an immensely fun (and very amusing!) read but also heart-warming. Despite this book relying a lot on coincidences (which is a personal pet peeve), I still couldn't put it down. Am already looking forward to what Victoria Connelly has to offer next!

Rating: 5/5

Order your copy at Amazon.

Review: The Lost Daughter by Diane Chamberlin

Cee Cee Wilkes has had a pretty miserable life. Deserted by her father when she was born, her  mother died of cancer when she was just twelve and she spent  the rest of her childhood in a succession of children’s homes. At the age of 16 she finds work in a café to help fund her way through college and soon falls head over heels with Timothy Gleeson, the handsome, older college boy she serves each day.

Tim seems to reciprocate her feelings and Cee Cee is on cloud nine until one day Tim confides in her that he and his brother are planning  to kidnap the governor’s pregnant wife  and hold her hostage to secure the  release of their sister who is currently on death row for murder. He asks her to help him, and while Cee Cee is horrified by what he plans to do, she cannot refuse because she loves him so much.

Cee Cee cannot return to her normal life after her part in the plot and she disappears, takes on an assumed identity and never sees Tim again.

Two decades later the fragile happiness that Cee Cee has built up for herself is placed in jeopardy when the body of the Governor's wife is discovered but there is no sign of her unborn child. The sensational case becomes national news and Timothy Gleeson is charged with murder and now faces the death penalty himself. Cee Cee is the only person who can save him as she knows that Tim did not kill the governor’s wife and she also knows exactly what happened to the baby. Telling the truth will destroy not only her own life but that of her family. Can Cee Cee let an innocent man die to protect her lifetime of lies or will she listen to her conscience and destroy the lives of those she loves the most to save him.

This is a superb book. It is well written and Diane Chamberlin’s background in psychology has led her to create believable, fully drawn characters with real strengths and flaws. It is testament to the strength of her characterisation that while the reader is appalled by what Cee Cee has done they still want everything to work out for her because she seems so real, so likeable and because we fully understand the reasons for her actions. The story is so haunting that you will not be able to put the book down until you know what happens and you will find yourself reading well into the early hours every night. This is not a light, fun holiday read but I would highly recommend it. It is powerful and moving and raises issues about living with the consequences of decisions we make when we are young and foolish and in love.

5/5

Buy from Amazon

By Wendy Knowles

BOOK REVIEW: The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes

Last month I had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Lieknes, author of The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns. And I have to say, this is one of my favourite reads so far this year.

Lucy's life was perfectly fine - until at eleven years old, when she lost any future normality by writing a letter 'to whom it may concern' as her sister lay in a coma after a road accident. Willing to do anything to get her sister back, Lucy had unknowingly signed up for a real deadly job - and when He decided to write back, Lucy found that her future life as facilitator to Hell was set.

Despite being the one to do the Devil's dirty work and bring the evil to the Hell's portal (which, inevitably, is Lucy's basement), there are some perks: Lucy can eat whatever she likes without gaining a pound, she can have the long legs and great looks that she's always wanted. With each birthday comes one wish, and all she has to do to get whatever she wants is ask...

However, 29-year-old Lucy is starting to find her role a little bit of a chore. Bringing bad guys to their fiery ends can be rewarding in its own way, but due to her job and...well, overpowering boss, Lucy is unable to have a stable relationship or see her family. Hiding away from her parents and sister, Lucy lives alone, beautiful yet lonely.

The sister that Lucy tried so hard to save is still alive, corresponding only in letters. But what good was the bargain if she can't see her precious family? And when Lucy meets professor Luke, she finally decides that she wants out of her pact, even if it does mean losing out on the cosmetic benefits. Lucy assumes that she's bound for life to her job, but when a person who she's known for the majority of her life lets her in on a little loophole, Lucy realises that there is a way out, after all...and all she needs is a replacement.

The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns was an unputdownable read. Who can resist the tale of a girl who's responsible for the portal into Hell? But despite Lucy's job, she has a sensitive side, conveying the innocence that she handed over when her deal was made. Her sister's life...for a lifetime of work. Finding a replacement is a task Lucy might just be able to handle, and she'll waste no time in trying...

Elizabeth Leiknes is clearly a talented author with an excellent writing style showing serious plot dashed with plenty of humour. I'm already looking forward to her next offering!

Rating: 5/5

For more information about Elizabeth, check out her website.

BOOK REVIEW: A Brand New Me by Shari Low

For me, January 1st is one of my favourite days of the year, simply due to new year resolutions; a slightly tipsy bid to change your entire life by the time the evening rolls round again. 'Write that novel, go to the gym three times weekly and save the world' are just some of the usual goals on the annual-to-do list. But hardly any get done.

Just like Leni Lomond; a twenty-something I could relate to in the latest offering from the hilarious Shari Low (author of The Motherhood Walk of Fame). Excited at the prospect of the year ahead, Leni vows to change her life for good - by finding the perfect job, the perfect man and the perfect life.

Leni's resolutions are normally broken within days, but not this time - pretty soon, she finds herself landing a job as PA to Zara Delta, TV astrologist and crazy lady to boot. Zara's zany ways are sometimes hard to endure, and she's not exactly the peace-loving, quiet astrologist that she makes out to be on TV, either. But Leni needs the job, and if working for the demanding Zara is what she has to do, then she'll do it. Besides, it's a start to her fabulous new life. Not to mention the perk of working in the presence of handsome Conn, Zara's son.

But when Zara reveals her latest moneymaking project - a dating bible - Leni soon finds herself unwillingly dragged into the research.

The project requires Leni to date twelve men - each a different sign of the zodiac. Reluctantly, she agrees...besides, dating twelve strangers can't be that bad...can it?

Cue the mishaps, including a gay footie fan and his mouthy mum, a game addict and a nurse who seems positively perfect...except for the little issue of his girlfriend.

Leni's mission to find a man isn't exactly turning out so peachy. But there's still time - after all, she has a whole year...

And can she still find the perfect job?

A Brand New Me is a great read. Not as funny as Shari's previous novels, but amusing and aspirational nonetheless. As a fellow resolution-maker, Leni's self-promises and actions seemed rather familiar. Shari's writing style is addictive and fun, and already I can't wait for her next offering.

Rating: 5/5

BOOK REVIEW: The truth about Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell

Having read and enjoyed all Lisa Jewell’s other books I couldn’t wait to get started on her latest novel, The truth about Melody Browne, eager to see if it was as good as the others. And it is. Jewell has produced yet another book you simply won’t want to put down.

Melody Browne lost everything she owned when her house burned down when she was nine years old. Worse still, she also lost her memory of everything and anything that had happened to her before the fire. When she got pregnant at fifteen her parents' disapproval forced her to leave home and bring up her baby alone. Now in her early thirties Melody lives alone with her son and has not seen her parents since the day she walked out. Despite all this, Melody is happy enough with her life until a chance meeting changes everything and sends her on a bizarre and moving journey to find out who she really is.

On the way home from work on day, a good looking stranger sits next to her on the bus asks for her mobile number because she has amazing shoulders. He eventually persuades her that he is not mad and she agrees to go out with him. For their first date ( Melody’s first in years)  they go to see a hypnotist show where  Melody is picked from the audience and called up onto stage. On the count of five she becomes a five year old boy with a runny nose and a serious wind problem. It all stops being so funny though when she passes out and the show is called to a halt.

When she comes round she feels inexplicably different and in the days that follow she starts, very slowly to remember things from her early childhood. Just small fragments of unrelated flashbacks at first; an ice cream parlour, a big house in Broadstairs, another house in a small mews in London and a whole bunch of strangers who she feels should mean something to her. Slowly, little by little, Melody starts to piece together her early life and work out who she really is.

This is a warm and moving story so compelling that I guarantee you will be reading well into the early hours. Melody is a character that you really come  to care about and her story will stay with you long after you have finished reading the book. Lisa Jewell’s writing is so  readable that the only disappointment with this book is that you will finish it far too quickly and be left longing  for more.

If you enjoyed this and haven’t read any of Lisa Jewell’s other books then try Ralph’s Party, Thirty Nothing, One Hit Wonder,Vince and Joy and 31 Dream Street.

5/5

By Wendy Knowles

BOOK REVIEW: Mummy Said the F Word by Fiona Gibson

 Having not yet read any of Fiona Gibson's previous books, I was curious as to what Mummy Said the F Word had to offer. And it's downright hilarious.

Caitlin Brown's life is suddenly turned upside down when her husband announces he's leaving her – for a woman he met at work. Landed with the task of raising her children alone, Caitlin decides to do her best despite the dramatic change of circumstances.

As if life wasn't bad enough, Caitlin's job isn't exactly going fantastically, either. Trying to make wart creams and other such products sound appealing for a website was never exactly exiting in the first place, but it pays the bills.

However, things change when her magazine editor friend offers Caitlin the job of agony aunt for parenting magazine, Bambino. Replacing the former renowned parenting columnist seems like a hard act to follow, especially as Caitlin's parenting is far from the organic-eating Supernanny methods that Bambino seems to feature. Friends are supportive of her new venture, but Caitlin isn't so sure. After all, Bambino's ideas are a world away from her own...

Granted, Cait isn't partial to the idea of being an agony aunt at first, but seeing as the problem-solving gig is only temporary, how hard can it be?

But Caitlin soon finds that Bambino's problem page is more popular than she thinks, and she's soon inundated with problems helpless readers across the country, all with similar issues to herself. Seeing her husband with new girlfriend and pink-princess stepdaughter is heartbreaking, and only spurs Caitlin on further to assist the needs of Bambino readers with nowhere else to turn. It's not long before she becomes a small celebrity.

Meanwhile, son Jake is becoming obsessed with cleaning and Cait's ex is seemingly devoting more time to his new family than his own kids. Throw in single-dad friend Sam, and life seems to be getting even more complicated for Caitlin. And when she's offered the Bambino job full-time, what an she do? Readers are starting to adore her straight-talking approach to motherhood. Especially anonymous emailer R, with whom Cait seems to instantly click. She's been warned about meeting readers, but is it a chance she's willing to take? What about her feelings for Sam? And despite being the nation's favourite parenting expert, can she manage to keep her own family stable and happy?

Mummy Said the F Word takes a hilarious look at single motherhood. Fiona Gibson conveys family issues seriously, yet at the very same time, laugh out loud funny. Caitlin is a down-to-earth, sarcastic heroine with a lovely heart and a great, feelgood tale.

Rating: 5/5

If you liked this, you might like: The Motherhood Walk of Fame by Shari Low.

BOOK REVIEW: Are you there, Vodka? It's me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler

I’m a big fan of memoirs, particularly the funny, short-story sort (see: Jen Lancaster, Laurie Notaro, Marian Keyes…) So I was delighted to stumble across Are you there, Vodka…?, a memoir by American actress and comedienne Chelsea Handler.

 

Admittedly, I haven’t seen much of Chelsea's TV work, what with being in the UK and all. But after reading this book, I’ll tell you one thing: I love her.

 

Are you there, Vodka? Is a selection of short non-fiction stories, in which Chelsea shares some amusing anecdotes from her life. Starting at childhood, where she lies to classmates about starring in a movie with Goldie Hawn as a no-homework excuse to her first DUI, Chelsea’s essays discuss life with her family and friends and some of her hilarious antics, including the time she got dumped by a guy she didn’t even like in the first place...because of his hair.

 

Chelsea is hilariously witty and admittedly, had me laughing all the way through, particularly seeing as she’s very blunt. Granted, she can be a bit crude at times (so be warned: this book is not for the very easily offended!) but not afraid to say what she thinks!

I'm now going to check out her other book, My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands. Consider me a new fan of Chelsea Handler because I got through Vodka in a day and already can't wait to read more! Chelsea has a fantastic writing style and the ability to portray some of life's awkward moments in the funniest way possible.

And that is why I love her.

Rating: 5/5

MORE ON MONDAY: Buddha Da by Anne Donovan

Buddha Da is the debut from Scottish author Anne Donovan (who we interviewed last week!), which was shortlisted for both the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Whitbread Award.

Jimmy, a painter and decorator from Glasgow, has taken up Buddhism, much to the confusion of his family. Anne Marie, who knows her Da as a fun-loving 'try anything' type of man, wonders whether to take his new religion seriously. And Liz, Jimmy's wife, is starting to grow concerned about the time he spends at meetings down at the centre.

But Jimmy is serious about becoming a Buddhist, not realising how it's affecting his family. After going on a retreat, Jimmy meets more like-minded people and starts to make more friends. Meanwhile, Anne Marie is having to get used to the small yet noticeable changes in her Da, and the unusual choice he has made.

Buddha Da is written from the point of view of the three characters; Liz, Anne Marie and Jimmy himself, which gives the reader a sensitive and personal look at what the family is going through. This works brilliantly, allowing you a peek into each of the characters' own lives.

In addition, the book is written in Glaswegian dialect. Though this was easy to get used to and by the third page and was already hooked, the dialect becoming a wonderful addition to each character's plight. The book is also very funny, leaving me giggling throughout, with Jimmy's chapters especially.

Buddha Da is a funny, brilliantly written debut about a man who chooses an unexpected path, and the affect it has on his wife, daughter and friends.

Rating: 5/5

BOOK REVIEW: The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan

Sometimes a book comes along that is so magical, and so effortlessly transports you away from the everyday, that when you turn the last page you somehow feel bereft. This is how I felt about Mari Strachan's debut novel, The Earth Hums in B Flat.

It tells the tale of Gwenni, a twelve year-old Welsh girl growing up in the 1950s.  Gwenni reads voraciously, can fly in her sleep, and sees the Toby jugs in her dining room come alive; "Their fat cheeks turn redder and redder and their eyes grow darker and darker."

None of these traits endear Gwenni to her mother - she's always telling Gwenni not to be silly for fear of people thinking she's odd.  And that's on a good day - on a bad day her mother will scream and cry and tell Gwenni she wishes she'd never been born.

When a local man goes missing, Gwenni follows a series of clues: blood on the kitchen floor, the testimony of the man's children who say a black dog was with him, and the "spirit" she saw floating in the Baptism Pool one night when she was flying above the town.

Armed with the skills she's picked up from her detective books, Gwenni decides to investigate.  But she starts unknowingly to unravel the long-guarded family secrets.  And the truth will change her life forever.

This is a glorious, totally immersive novel, written convincingly from a wide-eyed child's point of view.  Gwenni observes but doesn't understand the subtle shifts that are taking place around her, and draws the sort of conclusions that will feel familiar to anyone who was puzzled by adults' behaviour when they were children.

Altogether it's an absolutely compelling read.  I can't wait for Mari Strachan's next one!

Rating: 5/5

FRIDAY FLICK: 13 Going On 30

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you woke up to find you were a teenager again? I expect we all have. (For some of us, yes, it's an excruciating nightmare, but I suspect revisiting school and ohmigod-I-used-to-wear-THAT hysteria would be a laugh for others, yes?) However, I expect the majority would cower in fear if we were to find we'd miraculously gone forward in time...to find ourselves a good few years older.

Which is what happens to thirteen-year-old Jenna in this 2004 romantic comedy. Ohhh Lordy...

Dorky Jenna (Jennifer Garner) is 13, and after being constantly teased by girls at school, wishes she was older. After playing a party game and getting locked in a closet by her cruel peers, Jenna awakens to discover that she's not herself anymore. Gone are her childlike looks, and even her home...in fact, she's woken up in a very nice Manhattan apartment that just so happens to be her own.

Yep, Jenna has left the eighties behind and is now a successful, highly attractive 30-year-old who works on a glossy magazine. What's more, she seems to have a very handsome hockey-player boyfriend who she finds in her shower.

Not knowing what's happened, Jenna realises that she has to live her life as an adult - though still being a gum-chewing, music loving 13-year-old inside. Things become difficult at work, especially when her school 'friend' is out to bag a promotion that Jenna's also in line for. Jenna's teenage admirer, Matt (Mark Ruffalo), is also back in her life - but sadly, he's engaged.

Jenna has no idea what happened in the previous years, and how she ended up as she did. And so Jenna has to love her life as a thirty-something, trying to piece together what happened in her life since that day in the 1980s, as well as deal with her love life, career and other adult things that she had not even considered before.

For those who loved Big and Freaky Friday, this is a fantastic movie that's both hilarious and refreshing at the same time. Jennifer Garner plays adult Jenna brilliantly, Definitely worth a watch (but thank goodness it's only fiction...)

Friday Flick archives.