Rating: 
Summary: The *kayters* review
Review: I read Elizabeth Young's first novel Asking for Trouble and loved it, so I thought I would try this one! Harriett Grey is just your average London girl, though she has inherited half a house in Putney which she is living in with her best friends Sally & Jacko, Sally's infant son Tom, & Frieda, a Swedish girl who doesn't play a large part in the novel. The story begins with Harriett's friend Rosie telling her that Nina, an acquaintance they were at school with and hated because she was Little Miss Perfect and liked to lord it over them, has just been dumped by her boyfriend and she's put a private detective onto him because she just knows there's another woman. Harriett tells Rosie that she is the other woman and then the story goes into flashback mode to tell the story of how Harriett came to steal Nina's boyfriend! Or did she?This is not your average chick lit novel! Oh sure, the basic story line is there, but Ms. Young does such an excellent job of fleshing out the story and creating unique and intriguing characters that you can forgive the fact that there's not a huge twist on the usual plot. Ms. Young does an excellent job on her secondary characters - giving side plots that are almost as interesting as the main plot! Way to go and can't wait for the next one!
Rating: 
Summary: Fun Read
Review: I read Young's "Asking for Trouble" and did not care for it, so I started this book with some apprehension. I am halfway through it now and must admit that it is much better than "Trouble." It even had me laughing out loud on several occassions. Young uses a lot of British slang in her books, so if someone isn't familiar with the words it may get a bit confusing. I have been enjoying the book and can't wait to see how it ends.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVES THIS BOOK!
Review: I thought this book was really good. It's a wonderful story about love and friendship. All the characters are so well drawn and easy to identify with. The main character, Harriet, falls in love with John, who just happens to be the boyfriend of old school rival Nina--and haven't we all had a Nina in our life, the girl who got all the boys! This book is long at just over 400 pages, but I loved every page and hated to see the book end -- the sign of a truly good story. The love between Harriet and John builds slowly, and we have secondary love interest between Sally, Harriet's housemate, and Jacko, Harriet's friend. We also have Harriet's next door neighbor, a housewife taken advantage of by her family, who finally strikes out on her own. Altogether just a simply wonderful story. It's the hallmark of a well written book when you like all the characters (with the exception of Nina, of course)!
Rating:
Summary: I LOVES THIS BOOK!
Review: I thought this book was really good. It's a wonderful story about love and friendship. All the characters are so well drawn and easy to identify with. The main character, Harriet, falls in love with John, who just happens to be the boyfriend of old school rival Nina--and haven't we all had a Nina in our life, the girl who got all the boys! This book is long at just over 400 pages, but I loved every page and hated to see the book end -- the sign of a truly good story. The love between Harriet and John builds slowly, and we have secondary love interest between Sally, Harriet's housemate, and Jacko, Harriet's friend. We also have Harriet's next door neighbor, a housewife taken advantage of by her family, who finally strikes out on her own. Altogether just a simply wonderful story. It's the hallmark of a well written book when you like all the characters (with the exception of Nina, of course)!
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant book
Review: If you like British "chick lit", you'll like this one. It has likable characters and a good story. I thought the secondary "surprise" romance in the book was even better than the lead character's romantic adventures. I've recommended this book to friends.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant book
Review: If you like British "chick lit", you'll like this one. It has likable characters and a good story. I thought the secondary "surprise" romance in the book was even better than the lead character's romantic adventures. I've recommended this book to friends.
Rating:
Summary: warm, amusing contemporary romance
Review: In London twenty-nine years old Harriet Grey avoids any entanglement with John Mackenzie, though he probably hangs better than the fertility god statue of Wooden Wally in the store window and easily makes her heart beat faster. Harriet believes that John is the lover of her old schoolmate Nina, a perfect female specimen whom she has envied forever. John manages to talk with Harriet, not an easy task, which leads to their initial attraction for one another growing. Desiring to trump Nina, but afraid she is ASKING FOR TROUBLE, Harriet cannot simply accept that this wonderful male specimen would choose her over her beautiful rival. She asks for advice from her motley crew of housemates and just about anyone else who will listen. As John and Harriet begin to fall in love while the rest of her world confronts minor crises, she fears confronting her beloved on the key question whether he and Nina share a bed? A PROMISING MAN (AND ABOUT TIME, TOO) is a delightfully humorous romantic romp that once again proves London swings at least for the Chic crowd. The story line is at its best when the enchanting Harriet (what can you expect with a name like that?) is on the center stage as her doubts on competing with Nina come through loud and clear. When the vast secondary players go into a soliloquy they slow down the plot though they provide some insight into the star, but more into their own personalities. Though not satirical, Elizabeth Young writes a warm, amusing contemporary romance that is fun to read. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Long ...
Review: It was a good read but a bit long. I wanted them to get together already!
Rating:
Summary: A Thoroughly Satisfying Ending
Review: My title says it all. I really loved this book, but the ending was one of the most satisfying endings of books I've read in a long time. I've gone back and read the last few pages more than once, I admit. Lovely.
My only caveat is that this is definitely a British book, written in modern British slang. Since I've made a few trips to the UK and have British friends, I was able to make my way through most of the slang, but I thought it was interesting that the blurb on the back makes no mention of its locale.
But definitely: BUY THE BOOK!
Rating:
Summary: quite good!
Review: okay, i'll admit i've never understood the "lingerie-on-the-cover" scheme on both of young's books, but despite them the books are wonderful and different and refreshingly fun. after reading "asking for trouble" i didn't hesitate picking up "a promising man." i find young's heroines extremely witty, sure-footed and independent, which is a breath of fresh air from the insecurity of bridget jonesque characters (even though i do love bridget!). young is hilarious in her delivery; the dialogue is the kind that makes you burst out laughing for no good reason and i found myself finishing the book in one sitting then wishing i hadn't gone through it so quickly. definitely recommended!
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