Working Wonders : (Hardcover)

Arthur Pendleton has led an unexciting life, working as a town planner and slowly realising that his life holds few surprises. Then he encounters the head of a team of management consultants, the beguiling and beautiful Gwyneth Morgan, a woman Arthur finds himself intimidated by. Her job is to inspire Arthur and his ill-assorted team of planners to take on a daunting task--ensure that Coventry becomes the new European city of culture. Looking around at such colleagues as nerdish computer expert Sven and the unhappy (and long-suffering) Cathy, Arthur becomes increasingly dispirited. And then, astonishingly, Gwyneth shows signs of being attracted to him, and (even more surprisingly) his team begins to fire on all cylinders with ideas. But which is more achievable: beginning a relationship with the intriguing Gwyneth, or making Coventry appear interesting? The elements that made Jenny Colgan's earlier books bestsellers are firmly in place here: quirkily observed characters, capricious plotting and a truly involving sense of the way in which most of us live our lives. Both Arthur and Gwyneth are beautifully drawn, and even if the basic theme (dull hero and brighter heroine in a non-metropolitan culture clash) may owe something to David Lodge's Changing Places, it's none the worse for that; this is an enchanting read. --Barry Forshaw

Review
'What really sets Jenny apart... is this: she is very, very funny' Express 'Compulsively comical' Cosmpolitan (of Amanda's Wedding) 'Colgan is on top form with her latest outrageous romp' Cosmpolitan 'Wonderful, warm and resonant' Hello 'Jenny Colgan is one of the leaders of the pack... and this will delight her legion of admirers. Fast-paced, funny, poignant and well-observed' Daily Mail

You need look no further than the dedication (don't miss it) to realize that here's a writer who intends to entertain. And entertain Colgan's fourth novel certainly does - in style. At the age of 32, Arthur Pendleton has reached a crisis. All he sees stretching ahead of him is 'more of the same, with less hair'. His five-year relationship with Fay has grown worse than stale and his town-planning job has never been remotely exciting. When the office is assessed for downsizing, Arthur finally flips and, for once in his life, behaves outrageously. Expecting instant redundancy, he finds himself ensconced with the company therapist and offered promotion instead. The first task is to fire his Tosspot Boss. Then things become really interesting. He must motivate an unlikely team to promote Coventry's bid to become European City of Culture. His co-workers include a financial whiz from accounts, cool yet alluring consultant Gwyneth and the dashing Rafe, not to mention a junk-food addict and his irritating 'God-knows-what' of a dog, Sandwiches. Gwyneth can't decide who is really the man for her and Lynne, the company therapist, has hidden attributes for Arthur to discover. Meanwhile, the ex-boss and ex-girlfriend have joined forces against him and are backing Slough for top honours. A battle of words, wills and winning ideas ensues, culminating in an outward-bound team contest where tactics become increasingly dirty. A mixture of side-splitting humour, tongue-in-cheek romance and fantasy with a brilliant twist, this is the perfect antidote to a bad day at the office. (Kirkus UK)

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