Rating: Summary: Very "zeitgeisty" Review: The first chapter was so descriptive that I got worried. Would this be one of those books that focuses on details of scene and costume and food at the expense of plot and character development? But my fears were soon put to rest. This is a well-written, enjoyable fling of a novel, not great literature, but a nice escape if you're a single thirty-something or thirty-nothing in search of a little fun and a little hope all wrapped up in a "Very 2000" blanket of description.
Rating: Summary: pretty funny, entertaining...not amazing though Review: well, i am addicted to all books brit. and this was on my list. and i found bits hilarious...and the mere mention of robbie williams sprinkled throughout gave it another star. the best part of this book was the middle, i could deal without the beginning or the end...in fact the end, kinda stunk. i hate those epilogues...where everything is just so perfectly movie-made. the same thing happened when i read amanda's wedding. the conclusion you thought would happen, happened but as bland as you could get.
Rating: Summary: Craving a bacon sandwich Review: The plot element of finally recognizing that your one true love has been in front of you the whole time is certainly not a new one. This story is played out time and again in books and film, most recently in Laura Zigman's book Animal Husbandry and film adaptation of Someone Like You. What sets Thirtynothing apart is the story that happens in between. Lisa Jewell turned two potentially one-dimensional characters into people that a reader could care about. As they make mistakes, we readers want to yell out, "Danger" and "Don't do that" while at the same time recognizing our own mistakes and wishing someone would have yelled out to us. By taking us back to Delilah and Dig's early friendship and through their own courtship years before, the end result is not just plausible, it is the only conclusion. Great Britain is producing more and more young writers every day and while not everyone can live up to Helen Fielding or Nick Honrby (Wendy Holden's Bad Heir Day, for example) Lisa Jewell shows there is room at the top for another creative, entertaining, smart writer.
Rating: Summary: Nothing to Lose Review: This is a wonderful story of two friends who are on the verge of their 30's. They are handling it w/a mixture of aplomb and terror. Both Dig n' Dean run into their "first" loves and realize that you can never go home again. They have to get over old hurts and look at what's always been right there. The result is a realistic look at saying goodbye to your madcap 20's and realizing that settling down is not "settling".
Rating: Summary: Not worth buying....or reading. Review: As a fan of modern British fiction, I am always on the lookout for new books to read in this genre. I had already read Ralph's Party, which was okay but nothing special. However, I had heard great reviews about this book so I decided to pick it up. Unfortunately, I don't think it lived up to the hype. Predictable, silly and boring are some of the words that come to mind when I think of this book. It was not witty in the least, and the sickly sweet ending is way over the top. Buy anything by Marian Keyes, Nick Hornby or Helen Fielding instead.
Rating: Summary: This isn't Thirty Nothing ~~ it's Thirty Special! Review: I got this in the mail the other day ~~ by a secret donor (well, I think I know who it is!) and I'm hoping that she doesn't want it back because I really, really enjoyed this book! I am 31 and can relate to Nadine and Dig's problems with commitment and with trying to recapture the feelings of the flush of first love. This book is well-written, fun, saucy and so romantic! I was late to work today because I just had to finish off the last two chapters ~~ there was no way I was going to stew about for the next 12 hours waiting to see what happens. If a book can capture my interest like that, then by golly, I am going to finish it!It is also a quick read ~~ but I can guarantee you that this is one book that you will want to re-read over and over. You will relate to Nadine ~~ who is a strong, independent woman with electic taste in clothes and designing flair. You will fall in love with Dig ~~ everyone's best friend and the one your mother always want you to marry. You will laugh over some of their adventures from being just best friends to realizing that they're in love with each other. Grab it ~~ you won't regret it! I am now anxiously awaiting for Lisa's next book. I hope it's soon because I don't know how long I can last while waiting for it! =) In the meantime, I'm passing this book onto my book club friends and urge them to read it! It's just one of those sweet unforgettable books that makes for a perfect day of reading!
Rating: Summary: Vapid nonsense Review: I should start by saying two things: I love British comic novels, and I'm approaching the age of the main characters of this book. Therefore, it seemed like a natural read for me. I found myself extremely disappointed at how vapid the characters were, even for books of this type. What's more, there isn't a sympathetic character in the book--you will be shouting yourself hoarse every time they make a stupid decision (which is about every other page). For a fluffy book like this to work, there has to be something to like about the protagonists--there just isn't here. I became tired of this book long before it ended. If this sounds like a book you might enjoy, skip it and read "Confessions of a Shopaholic" instead. It's in the same genre and features an intensely likeable, if somewhat scatterbrained, heroine.
Rating: Summary: A must read for the romantics...share it with your best mate Review: I couldn't put it down! I can definitely relate to these two characters having gone through a similar experience. Even if you're not in love with your best mate, it's definitely worth a read.
Rating: Summary: very tepid Review: I have to disagree with most reviews I find here. Don't expect any fantastic writing or surprise ending. The ending was sweet, but predictable from almost the get-go & the writing is just okay. This book can't hold a candle to BRIDGET JONES or even THE GIRLS' GUIDE TO HUNTING AND FISHING. Read it for fun, if you must -- maybe if you're a thirtysomething & single. If not, pass on it for something better.
Rating: Summary: From a twenty-something reviewer Review: Great book! I couldn't keep it down. I loved the situation that Nadine and Dig got themselves into. Dig turned thirty. He wasn't pleased. He was especially unhappy with the fact that the women he seemed to attract were teenagers. Nadine was a successful photographer who had a hard time committing to a nice man. Her free-spirited personality got in the way. Dig and Nadine made a pact: to find a substantial relationship and -- this is the tricky part -- hold on to it. So Dig rekindles his relationship with his high school girlfriend and Nadine runs into her college boyfriend. The novel got better and better. I thoroughly enjoyed Ralph's Party, Jewell's first novel. Thirty Nothing, however, is much better. Even though Lisa Jewell isn't quite as gifted as Marian Keyes and Helen Fielding, she is still able to write fun stories. I highly recommend it.
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