Rating: 
Summary: Extremely disappointed
Review: I was at the library and happened to come upon this book and was excited to find that Helen Fielding had written another book - I loved the Bridget Jones books. It had reviews such as "Olivia Joules is the Bridget Jones of the 21st century". It was very witty in the beginning chapters, but lingered way too long on the time when she was in Honduras and the Sudan...couldn't wait to finish it just so I could be done and move on. Overall I wouldn't suggest reading if you expect it to be anything like Bridget Jones.
Rating:
Summary: A Big, Big Letdown
Review: I was so excited when i found out that helen feilding the writer of Bridget Jones' Diary had a new book out. I loved Bridget Jones but I could find no reason to love Olivia Joules. The plot of this book is not very good i tries so hard to be outrageously funny that it misses. Basically Don't waste your time.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than Brigid
Review: I'm afraid I must disagree with other esteemed readers. I loved Olivia more than I loved Brigid--and I liked her quite a bit. The book might be titled "Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination," but it's Fielding's overactive imagination that makes this book sing. It might not be WAR AND PEACE, but this book is exactly what this generation of young women need--an independent woman who is sucessful BECAUSE she is a woman--and sexy--not in spite of it. But most importantly, Olivia plays by her own rules--and wins. Hurrah for Olivia and Helen!
Rating: 
Summary: A STELLAR, SPIRITED READING
Review: Native Londoner Josephine Bailey gives a spirited reading to Olivia Joules, the latest incarnation from Helen Fielding who created a young woman to whom most could relate and therefore loved - Bridget Jones. Whether Olivia is falling in love or enmeshed in international intrigue, Bailey is right there with the proper inflections. At times reserved, at other times ebullient, the reader becomes Olivia.Let's say up front that Olivia Joules is not a Bridget Jones - far from it. Olivia is a fearless modern miss with a unique underwire bra and boundless imagination. Of course, she's drawn to handsome, wealthy, Pierre Ferramo. However, she does not believe he is the worldly tycoon he purports to be but rather a terrorist in disguise. Nonetheless, this woman's in love and she follows him all over the globe, which gives listeners entree to some of the world's most exotic locations. When the Brits hire Olivia to track Ferramo, she quickly becomes a female James Bond. All of which makes for fast paced listening and high adventure. Fantastic plot? Yes, at times it surely is. However, it's also great listening as we accompany our heroine from one hot spot to another and from out of the proverbial frying pan into some surprising conflagrations. - Gail Cooke
Rating: 
Summary: beach read
Review: OK, this is not Bridget Jones (which was 5+ star). Lower your expectations. But it is a light summer read, perfect for the beach, about a reporter with an overactive imagination that is really cleverly done in the first half of the book- she imagines espionage everywhere! and sees hidden motives in all she meets- this could have been a wonderful comic novel ala Basil Fawlty, but alas some true espionage does come Olivia's way and the book changes tone dramatically 2/3's of the way through and becomes quite serious. Or rather, tries to take itself too seriously, ala Ian Fleming, which I think was a big mistake. The latter half of the book seems at odds with the first half- were these written by 2 different authors? Did Ms Fielding take an extended holiday between parts 1 and 2? By the end of the book, one can imagine Ms Fielding writing with an eye to the Hollywood film this will no doubt become. All ends neatly tied up- though incredulously (one must suspend one's disbelief) Still a light read that may be worth reading- but not a keeper (ie, I would freely loan it to people I'd never expect to get it back from) and just don't expect Bridget Jones to appear.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring and Convoluted
Review: The only reason I finished this book is because I paid full price for it. I've enjoyed Helen Fielding in the past, but this book made me want to gnaw off my limbs. The characters are thin and insipid. The plot ridiculous in the extreme. I read the positive reviews posted here and wondered if they read a different book. Perhaps someone changed the cover on me? If you go in for the clumsy, ridiculous and poorly written, this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: The WORST book I have EVER READ!!!
Review: This was honestly the worst book I have ever read. I normally will burn though all of my "chick lit" books really quickly...I didn't even make it past the 7th chapter of this book. My husband was SHOCKED to find a book that I didn't finish. The plot was terrible, the main character I just could not get into and I was confused. This was an absolutely terrible book. I love the Bridget Jones' books and was seriously disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination
Review: What I loved about Bridget Jones's Diary was that Helen Fielding blurred the lines of chick lit and quality literature. It was a surprising, delightful cross-over, whereas Olivia Joules unfortunately isn't. It's fun and funny in places, but not nearly as good as Bridget Jones. I think her subject matter was off this time, and I'm hoping her next book will be back on track. If anyone is looking now for the next Bridget Jones cross-over, take a look at Jennifer Paddock's new novel, A SECRET WORD, which from what I see has only gotten positive reviews, and my friends and I absolutely loved it. Who knows why some books get the hype and some don't.
| 
