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Review
'Warm, witty and wise storytelling with a lovely, feel-good factor and a charming, intriguing plot.' -- Sarah Broadhurst SUNDAY TIMES 'Escaping from their pasts, two characters are drawn together in one of James's best.' -- Fanny Blake WOMAN & HOME 'A sophisticated and satisfying read.' -- Chloe Rhodes DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Witty and quirky...it's a fast enjoyable read.' BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH
Book Description
If you've ever dreamt of starting over, then this bestselling novel from Erica James is just what you need...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
68 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Clayton Miller has lost everything. He was one of the country's best selling comedy script writers. His writing partner and best friend Bazza drops a bombshell and leaves not only the partnership but takes Claytons long term girlfriend Stacey with him. Clayton is on the edge and when the press start hounding him, his agent decides that a break out in the sticks where nobody knows him will do him good until the media hype dies down. Clayton moves into a house through rented by one of his agents friends. When he arrives he doesn't expect to see anybody, so when a cleaning lady turns up from the agency he is shocked. Alice Shoemaker is the cleaner, except what Clayton doesn't realise is that she is actually a Voiceover artist and is doing this job to help out a friend. Alice quickly realises that this rude and obnoxious man is acting suspiciously. Clayton in turn is also realising that Alice is not quite telling the truth. Over time the two of them form a friendship but what they don't realise is the extent of the deception that both of them are guilty of.
I have read each and every one of Erica James' books. I have always enjoyed them and rated them at least 4 out of 5, except for her last book `It's the little things'. I was disappointed to a certain extent and only gave it 3 out of 5, so I was hopeful that this book would be an improvement on her last as I have always enjoyed her books. Thankfully this one is a definite improvement.
The story is pretty quick to gather momentum and I fell for the characters almost immediately, which is always a positive in my eyes. Clayton is a great character and although the beginning of the story introduces him to us as a bitter and grumpy man you can't help but feel for him. He is like a duck out of water having previously lived his whole working life in London. Now he finds himself out in the sticks with just fields for company.
The initial meeting with Clayton and Alice is also quite funny and the author has written it incredibly well with just the right dose of humour. Her books in the past sometimes are meaningful and sometimes more the romantic type but with this one she seems to have hit the mark and got the balance just right.
We meet a few characters along the way which I can imagine fitting in perfectly in the village. We meet the crazy neighbour known as George. Her first meeting with Clayton sets the scene perfectly for just how eccentric the old lady is. We also meet Ronetta, Alice's next door neighbour and friend along with her son Bob who has a soft spot for Alice.
The character Stacey is the perfect woman that we all love to hate. Selfish, money grabbing and very cold hearted. Although Bazza has done the dirty on Clayton you can't help but root for him. I wouldn't like to add spoilers but the way things end with Stacey was absolutely perfect!
The story is told with snatches of Alice's past built in to explain the current state of play and it makes for fantastic reading. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought that it was a perfect mix of all that a reader wants. Unfortunately, I wouldn't rate the book as a 5 star because there are other books that I have read very recently that in comparison are much better, but it was a great read all the same. I will continue to read Erica James and only hope that her books continue being this enjoyable.
I have read each and every one of Erica James' books. I have always enjoyed them and rated them at least 4 out of 5, except for her last book `It's the little things'. I was disappointed to a certain extent and only gave it 3 out of 5, so I was hopeful that this book would be an improvement on her last as I have always enjoyed her books. Thankfully this one is a definite improvement.
The story is pretty quick to gather momentum and I fell for the characters almost immediately, which is always a positive in my eyes. Clayton is a great character and although the beginning of the story introduces him to us as a bitter and grumpy man you can't help but feel for him. He is like a duck out of water having previously lived his whole working life in London. Now he finds himself out in the sticks with just fields for company.
The initial meeting with Clayton and Alice is also quite funny and the author has written it incredibly well with just the right dose of humour. Her books in the past sometimes are meaningful and sometimes more the romantic type but with this one she seems to have hit the mark and got the balance just right.
We meet a few characters along the way which I can imagine fitting in perfectly in the village. We meet the crazy neighbour known as George. Her first meeting with Clayton sets the scene perfectly for just how eccentric the old lady is. We also meet Ronetta, Alice's next door neighbour and friend along with her son Bob who has a soft spot for Alice.
The character Stacey is the perfect woman that we all love to hate. Selfish, money grabbing and very cold hearted. Although Bazza has done the dirty on Clayton you can't help but root for him. I wouldn't like to add spoilers but the way things end with Stacey was absolutely perfect!
The story is told with snatches of Alice's past built in to explain the current state of play and it makes for fantastic reading. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought that it was a perfect mix of all that a reader wants. Unfortunately, I wouldn't rate the book as a 5 star because there are other books that I have read very recently that in comparison are much better, but it was a great read all the same. I will continue to read Erica James and only hope that her books continue being this enjoyable.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very enjoyable read and in one place laugh out loud funny (Clayton hiring what he thinks are garden gnome sized cute toy animals, for Stacey and Bazza's garden, as way of an apology).
I wont do a detailed synopsis because the previous reviewer has already done one. As the grumpiness and irritation dies down on the part of Clayton and Alice, she agrees to tell him the story of her childhood (up until the age of 18) in Cuckoo House, in return for his story of what really happened between him, Bazza and Stacey. That is really the main hinge of the story, plus what happens next when Clayton unlocks his writer's block.
I really enjoyed it and it flows well, holding you to the developing story.
I wont do a detailed synopsis because the previous reviewer has already done one. As the grumpiness and irritation dies down on the part of Clayton and Alice, she agrees to tell him the story of her childhood (up until the age of 18) in Cuckoo House, in return for his story of what really happened between him, Bazza and Stacey. That is really the main hinge of the story, plus what happens next when Clayton unlocks his writer's block.
I really enjoyed it and it flows well, holding you to the developing story.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was OK - I always enjoy Erica James books - but it was far from her best. The development of the relationship between the two main characters felt somewhat forced, the overall plot was unconvincing and the ending was not only unbelievable but downright silly!
Precious Time and The Holiday were my favourites! This one is not a patch on those, but I still look forward to the next Erica James - one less than perfect book does not a bad author make!
Precious Time and The Holiday were my favourites! This one is not a patch on those, but I still look forward to the next Erica James - one less than perfect book does not a bad author make!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An excelent read
My wife was really happy with this purchase, and has not been able to put it down, there for she has finish the book and says it was an excelent read
Published 16 hours ago by kartherman
good reading
bought this book and was delighted with the price and condition. To top it off it was a thoroughly good read.
Published 5 months ago by susieq
new beginnings
a big fan of erica james, i have bought all her books, i had to have this when i saw it on amazon, amazing price and quick delivery. i wouldn't shop anywhere else for my books now
Published 6 months ago by glen
the complete package!
This is my first Erica James book and I loved it pretty much from the start.............It had a great story, there is lots of intrigue and mystery that really draws the reader in... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mrs. F. A. Bell
SUPERB!
I always enjoy Erica James books and this one lived up to expectations! The characters are all believable in their humanity and it really is one of those books you can't put down! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Sharpy
Another Erica James Treasure
Have listen to all the Erica James novels so far, this story I thought went on a bit long, and whilst the lady reading the book was good, I personally prefer Jenny Agutter's... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mrs. La Watts
The Queen Of New Beginnings
Have read a few books by Erica James and this is just as good as some of her others. Would recommend to anyone.
Published 16 months ago by Karen Gooderham
Not Erica's best
book by any means, and I felt a little let down by it. Kept putting the book down and reading other things in between. Read more
Published 19 months ago by FrancescaD
Not her best
The fact that I had to go back to the description on Amazon to remind myself what the book was about (even though I only read it about a month ago) shows that it wasn't the most... Read more
Published 20 months ago by johnb
Erica James
Haven't started this novel yet but I know I won't be disappointed. Erica James has never let me down with her books. I'm going to save it for a cold wet winters day !
Published 20 months ago by pam
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