Honeymoon [Kindle Edition]

In Honey's world of romance there are two choices. One is sweet, romantic Ed, a gorgeous gardener, who buys red roses, carpets a bedroom in delicate flower petals and says "I love You" without being a) ironic or b) prompted. The other is Alex, handsome, moody and nearly mute, who is something big in Hollywood films, sends you self obsessed e-mails, is a commitment phobe but will hold your hand for hours and a) explain how you are soul mates whilst b) flirting with a water ski instructor. Like, there is a choice? Why not marry one and elope with the other? Yep, that age-old dilemma is at the heart of Amy "This Life" Jenkins' debut novel "Honeymoon".

Honey wants romance, but she wants it realistic. There are rich kid helicopter rides, jokey white stretch limos, a feng shui-obsessed sister and American girls called Cherelle who declare: "Hello I also work my butt off at the agency and I'm hot." There's a soundtrack of dance records, casual drug references and cool, inspirational friends. In this modern world the characters are all young, flirty and angst-ridden as befits a time when being "romantic without irony is practically against the law." According to Honey, postmodern romance is like postmodern buildings: spacious, hygienic and soulless. Perhaps the book is a little like that too. It's sly and funny but a little hollow at its heart. The emotional dramas get worked out, but if it still feels like a disappointment it may be because this is more a case of okay for the time being than happy ever after. --Eithne Farry

'I devoured Honeymoon in one big gulp on the way to Italy for my weekend away and thought it was delightful! I see just what you mean - it is cleverer and more thoughtful than most of what is out there in the same ball park - and sweeter too. I had a real little pang for Honey at the end when she goes to find her parents' grave and Ed finds her there (tho I must confess I wanted to slap her for most of the book cos I just thought Ed was yummy and she didn't deserve him, the silly mare...). Anyway, really enjoyed it and will be word of mouthing good things about it like crazy...' Judith Murray 'This year's summer sizzler. A tale of a smart, single girl screwing up the search for her perfect mate is wacky and wise on the whos, hows and must-haves of love for life.' PS Magazine 'It displays the same sure touch - funny, knowing and utterly authentic - that Amy showed in THIS LIFE' You 'Told with zest and a satisfyingly grown-up ring of cynicism' Aura 'Jenkins pulls it off with spectacular brilliance. The characters are three-dimensional, the plot is smart, the angst is convincing and compulsive ... A cracking book' Minx 'a strong, pacey plot and humour.' Sunday Telegraph 'Honeymoon is a superior read for the beach. Jenkins' prose is conversational: breezy and full of good jokes' Daily Telegraph 'Slick and funny' Sunday Mirror 'Jenkins gives good romance, with lurve scenes that are genuinely feel-good' The Mirror 'Definitely one to make you miss your bus stop' The Later 'Jenkins has redefined the notion of a page-turner' Guardian 'Bridget Jones with more spunk' Sky Magazine 'Jenkins is a mistress of the smart line' Independent 'The eponymous Honeymoon - Honey for short - of Jenkins's slick romantic comedy debut is a sassy successor to Bridget Jones... she stands on her own two feet as a strong comic heroine. Honey is more maturely self-aware and intellectually brighter than previous literary creations within this genre, but she loses none of the frank raunch and charming self-involvement that readers demand.' Publishers Weekly (US) 'a surefire summer hit' Venue 'Funny and romantic without being sickly sweet or cliched and there is something of a serious message at the core' What's On 'Bouncy and skilfully written ... Will certainly be one of the most popular reads of this year's holiday season.' Bridlingron Gazette & Herald 'funny and ideal for brides who have captured the loves of their lives.' Your Wedding 'The hottest property in town. You can feel success rising off her like steam' -- Evening Standard 'Will certainly have Hollywood's studios clamouring for the film rights' -- Observer 'HONEYMOON is simply wonderful - so powerful and funny and compelling, and without a trace of dizzy fizzy saccharine. Makes me want to follow Amy Jenkins around bribing her with sweets to be my friend. It's an eye-wetting read and makes SEPARATE TABLES look like two footstools. Will recommend it to all.' -- Fiona Walker 'Amy Jenkins' tale of a smart single girl screwing up the search for her perfect mate is the latest in this genre. As the best it should also be the last - wacky in its proposition on What If You Meet The Man Of Your Dreams On Your Honeymoon? and - post-multiple mishaps - wise on the whos, the hows and the must-haves of love for life.' -- Madeleine Kingsley 'There seems to be a bottomless market at the moment for witty clever stories about girls finding husbands, social-life fiction. If that's what you want, what you're in the mood for, stop right here: this is the one for you. Amy Jenkins does witty and clever a great deal better than most.' -- Independent 'Filmic, sexy and fast-moving, it will go straight into the bestseller lists. Who are her fans? Just about every twenty and thirtysomething of either sex currently residing in Great Britain.' -- Marie Claire 'You'll love HONEYMOON - an addictively funny read by the writer of This Life.' -- Cosmopolitan "A frisky, frothy first novel ... an endearingly chatty take on flirty thirtysomethings . . a very enjoyable fast, fun book' -- Georgia Metcalfe, Daily Mail 'Undeniably entertaining... HONEYMOON will doubtless sell millions, take residency on every third beach towel this summer and be made into a film' -- Heat