Girl from Mars (Little Black Dress) [Paperback]

"Girl from Mars" by Julie Cohen was my first Little Black Dress book by her (she also writes for Harlequin/MillsandBoon) and I just loved it.
Philomena Desdemona Brown's (she goes by Fil) life couldn't be better, she has three great male friends (all single and a bit nerdy) that share her love for comics and ScFi and accept her exactly like she is (blue hair and all). Plus a job she loves as the artist who draws "Girl from Mars" the best female super hero out there.
But when one of her friends suddenly is in a steady relationship the dynamics of their friendship change irrevocable and Fil just doesn't know how to handle the new situation.
But not only her private life gets more complicated by the minute, because sale numbers are down Fil is forced to work with famous screenwriter/director Dan McKay (a real hottie). Dan has some new ideas how to spice up the love life of "Girl from Mars" but Fil is shocked by the new developments because she doesn't want anything to change in "her" comic. Even though Dan and Fil come to an understanding regarding the comic things still stay complicated between them because they are attracted to each other but Fil is afraid of how a relationship with Dan would change her frienship with her platonic friends. Things get even more difficult when she falls in love with Dan, the father of one of her friends nearly dies and she realizes that her best friend may have deeper feelings for her.

"Girl from Mars" is a great book. Fil, her friends and Dan are great characters and I loved reading about Fil and Dan and how their relationship evolves. But I also enjoyed the platonic friendship between Fil and her male friends. I can absolutly understand why Fil is afraid of change and that's why I love that in the end she understands that change can be positive and beautiful and is finally ready for it.
I can sincerely recommend this awesome book about love and friendship to all fans of romances.

Even if I finished this book yesterday I haven't been able to start another one properly because I'm still feeling the turmoil of emotions surrounding the characters in Girl From Mars. I loved the storyline and I loved the characters with all their faults and gifts. They became real to me on the page through their actions and descriptions and you could see how the author had put so much thought into them. Every single word in the book was there for a reason. Even objects which you thought were superfluous to the story played a role at some point. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves romance.

With her blue hair and black baggy clothes, Philomena, or Fil to her friends is not your typical heroine.

Living with her best mate Jim, Fil's life is simple and just how she wants it. She has three great friends and her dream job working as an illustrator for the comic 'Girl From Mars'.

Then one night the sanctity of their foursome and the latest X-Files marathon is rocked. One of her friends had the audacity to go and fall in love. Completely taking the group by surprise the revelation shakes up Fil and the remaining two friends. Will their group ever be the same?

An amusing night and a few too many drinks later the remaining two friends: Fil, Digger and Jim take a vow to never date or fall in love. Thus keeping the group and their lives the same forever.

Then enter a new writer to Fil's most beloved 'Girl From Mars' who decides that it's time the comic had a shake up too and Fil is aghast. The Girl From Mars cannot fall in love too can she? You see, her job is more than a vocation for Fil, as far as she's concerned in many respects she is the Girl from Mars.

I had a debate when I began to write this review about what genre to classify this book as. Officially it's classed as Romance, but at times it very much reminded me much more of a chick lit novel. It clearly has a strong romance story running throughout, but Fil's relationship with her friends and the sub plots surrounding them are equally important as the main love story.

Fil is a really funny character and I loved her rag tag group of X-Files, and Dungeons and Dragons loving friends. Enjoying the fact that this book deliberately avoided a lot of the clichés it could easily have fallen into.

Another important thing to note about this book is don't be fooled by the cool Sci-Fi looking cover. Other than the fact that Fil is an illustrator for a Sci-Fi comic, there is nothing science fiction related about the plot at all. Which I found a bit disappointing.

The book looks at the role of your friends as you grow up and those pivotal moments that change your friendships forever. Everyone can remember your first friend to get a boyfriend, the first to get married and the first to have a child. And while those changes to the group dynamic are irrevocable, true friendships adapt and grow stronger.

This is a really fun book, it's a tongue in cheek romp that good naturedly delights in the somewhat geeky antics of Fil and her friends.

However, while it became evident two thirds of the way through the book I wasn't going to get my wish, I couldn't help but think that Fil had ended up with the wrong guy. And would of loved to see how the book would of concluded if she had chosen her other suitor.

Verdict:

This book is an entertaining romantic comedy that comic book lovers will enjoy.

This book has its bases covered, from the will they, won't they story line, to the romantic love triangle and the much coveted happy ending.

Personally, I was just hoping for a different one.