Jen Summer is all set to qualify as a lawyer, her snazzy hot shot boyfriend, Jack, in tow. But then she blows it by mucking up a deal and her man ditches her. What does she do? She turns to her friend, Maz, barmaid in the Scrap Inn, chat show presenter manque. Maz and Jen carry on life behind the bar, and Jen discovers the regulars are as good and loyal a family as a girl can get. So when the girls hear, inadvertently, that the pub has been put into the hand of developers, they are horrified but take comfort in the free tickets they've been given to a newly launched daytime TV show. Only when they hit the studio do they realise they've been set up: Jen is destined to hit the screen as ' problem girl', alongside the magenta hued 'marriage buster' and the teenage 'child of the devil'. Maz and Jen hit the roof and storm out - all captured on camera, all witnessed by the hunky work experience guy Jen has been making eyes at. And back at the Scrap Inn, it turns out that smarmy Jack is the guy behind the development deal. That's it: there's nothing like the wrath of a Geordie lass when crossed - nor the humour - nor her canny knack for sweet revenge...
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`A cracking tale...the pace never flags in this funny, fresh debut novel' -- PUBLISHING NEWS
From the Author
A little bit about me
Hi there I'm Lauren McCrossan the author of Serve Cool. Thanks for logging on to this part to make my pathetic attempt at four-finger speed typing worthwhile. Of course, as the author I would be bonkers to say anything about Serve Cool other than - 'It's brilliant, you must buy this book' - or perhaps - 'A rollicking good read, I couldn't put it down' (I've always wanted to say that!). So, I'll let you make up your own mind. All I will say is, I hope Serve Cool makes you laugh and that it brightens your day. I hope it helps you to escape to that special place - where the sun shines, where you win the lottery once a fortnight, where the streets are paved with Galaxy Caramel, where donuts are a health food etc. etc.. Basically, I hope it makes you happy.
Hi there I'm Lauren McCrossan the author of Serve Cool. Thanks for logging on to this part to make my pathetic attempt at four-finger speed typing worthwhile. Of course, as the author I would be bonkers to say anything about Serve Cool other than - 'It's brilliant, you must buy this book' - or perhaps - 'A rollicking good read, I couldn't put it down' (I've always wanted to say that!). So, I'll let you make up your own mind. All I will say is, I hope Serve Cool makes you laugh and that it brightens your day. I hope it helps you to escape to that special place - where the sun shines, where you win the lottery once a fortnight, where the streets are paved with Galaxy Caramel, where donuts are a health food etc. etc.. Basically, I hope it makes you happy.
My novel centres around Jennifer Summer and her best friend Maz and is largely set in the Scrap Inn pub, Byker. Yes, as in Byker Grove - say that without singing the theme tune. You may think that setting my novel in a pub was just a weak excuse for doing all my research in one but, believe me, I wasn't hanging around in swanky bars with A, B or Z list celebs (whatever they are). I did all my research in and around Newcastle, which seemed to me to be the perfect setting for a comedy fiction novel. I especially love Newcastle for the vibrancy of its characters, for the great shopping and for the bright lights of the Bigg Market and Whitley Bay - where I have been known to consume the odd low-alcohol Babycham and late night elephant leg kebab. I'm also engaged to a Geordie, which helped when it came to writing the accent, so I will be becoming an honorary Geordie myself later this year.
Now a little bit about me - I am 27 and eleven twelfths (!), I divide my time between Biarritz, Hawaii, Newcastle and Winchester and I used to work as a trainee solicitor in London. Working in law, I soon discovered, was not for me and the day my boss told me I smiled too much to be a lawyer, I knew it was time for a career change. I was already writing freelance and had a regular column in Surf Mag so I took the plunge (and a few temp jobs in between) and wrote Serve Cool. Here I am 3 1/2 years down the line, still smiling boss! Book 2 is in the editing stages and I have started Book 3 so, don't worry, I am working hard to keep you entertained.
I just want to say thanks to those of you who have bought Serve Cool and taken the time to write a review (especially the really good ones!). I really appreciate it and I'll speak to you again when book 2 hits the shelves. Bye till then,
Lauren xx
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
After a spate of Bridget Jones clones, we finally get one worth its salt. Funny, charming and featuring a thoroughly pathetic yet sympathetic female lead, Serve Cool also gives us a healthy dose of the working class element - real people, that is. After a series of freakishly unlucky incidents, our hapless heroine finds herself working in a pub in Newcastle surrounded by the charming and brutish denizens of the area. Well-drawn characters all, and a satisfying conclusion make this a light and not-too-taxing read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is one of the most funny, entertaining, books I have read in ages. Jenny Summer is like all of us girls, she loves too quickly and too hard, she pigs out too much and then moans forever about her weight, she gets drunk frequently, she has loads of really good friends and she is a good friend. I found you could relate to Jenny as one of your own mates, or sister. The book moves you on quickly through her life making you laugh and cry with her, making you frustrated at her pig headedness, but hoping she finds love in the end.The geordie dialog is easy to understand and adds to the friendliness of the book. I would really recommend this read, the author has captured the real person in Jenny that we have hidden inside us. I have bought it as a pressie for all my friends, so should you.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Unlike so many recent attempts at cashing in on the Bridget Jones bandwagon, "Serve Cool" is one novel that brings a brilliant new dimention to the flagging genre. From page one, Jen's heartwarming misfortunes had me hooked, with hilarious bits that made me laugh out loud! After being ceremoniously dumped and then subsequently sacked, Jen and her best friend Maz try and put her life back together- female friendship at its best. Lauren McCrossan successfully combines the "everywoman" in us all with a geordie setting and original plot, to create a read that stands apart from the rest.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
A good read for us lasses, just sounds like me!
I like the way I can relate to what she is saying, sounds like the catastrophies I have. Quite funny too.
Published on 18 Oct 2001
1.0 out of 5 stars
A shallow piece of second generation schlock
This is complete rubbish. You can absolutely see what happened- chick lit is doing well and publishers are casting around for anything at all with a young woman swearing in it. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2001
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a dissapointment
This story beggars believe. Our heroine, we are told, has nearly qualified as a solicitor, but a more brainless character I have yet to meet anywhere in fiction. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2001
2.0 out of 5 stars
Have I been reading the same book?
I bought this book on the strength of the reviews here and after wading through it had to go back to check that somehow I hadn't picked up something completely different. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
Serve Cool...Nuff said!!!
Serve cool. Look out Bridget here comes Jen!!! A great read and not just for the girlies!!! Really funny, great twists to the plot which you don't see coming and where do I find my... Read more
Published on 18 May 2001 by martin@crazynot2.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
A modern fairy-tale set in Newcastle
Serve Cool is a modern fairy-tale set in Newcastle. The heroine, Jen, starts with a nose-dive from her perfect life in the legal world into what appears to be a dead end working... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
excellent novel for first time author
a good story line set in Newcastle.The two main characters "jen and Maz" are as different as chalk and cheese but gel together to make their lifestyles humorous,... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Holiday Read. Funny and easy to read
Film rights here they come! This would make a brill heart warming film!!!
Really liked the plot. Made me laugh quite a lot. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2001 by alisonwheeler@hotmail.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, cool and enjoyable read
Who is Lauren McCrossan?, obviously a start in the making. What a book, really funny, witty and enjoyable. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book I've read this year!!
I was very excited to get my copy of Serve Cool in the mail. I sat down- ignored the kids- and read it right away. I loved it! Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2001
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