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mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
'Millie's Fling' was typical Chick-Lit; light and humorous but nothing to set my reader's world alight. Despite it being a fairly easy read, it was just soooooo loooooong. The middle seemed to drag more than a dog that has realised it is going to the vet. Every time I put the book down, it would take me a few days to go back to it, because it just wasn't holding my interest at all during that central part.
My biggest problem was that there were a lot of characters that weren't particularly likeable or well-developed. On the other hand there were some really likable and interesting characters that were given very little page time or development.
For example, I really disliked Hester. I could almost understand that in the absence of Nat, she turned to Lucas, her first real crush and things started to happen. But that she had little guilt or thought for consequence just made me dislike her. She was too eager to cheat, she actively pursued it in fact. If she had just started being around Lucas and felt the urge, then fine. But no, girl was a cheater and Nat didn't deserve it.
Similarly, there wasn't a single character that liked Millie's Mum. She was narcissistic, rude, selfish… so why give her and her affair so much page time? It was just filler. I was literally skipping any sections about her because I didn't like her or her fellow cheater. It had absolutely no impact on the storyline at all from start to end so it was pointless.
Yet, characters like Nat, Lucas and Con who had depth and were interesting were barely given page time. It was in brief snippets of other character's stories that they came through. I really wanted to know more about Con's new boyfriend and the impact on the family. I wanted to know whether Lucas really was as bad as all that, or whether he had his heart set on someone. I wanted to know how Nat felt about Hester, whether he had been tempted too but had fought against it only to have Hester give in, and how that made him feel. I even wanted to know if Lucas and Nat's restaurant excelled.
I liked both Millie and Hugh, as they both had a depth and warmth. Their relationship was well-developed and I felt their genuine connection, there were enough personal obstacles and plot obstacles to keep them apart and coming back together without it feeling forced.
Overall, I thought that this was a good enough read, but if the focus had been given to more developed characters, or if the characters in focus had been better developed, then it wouldn't have been as much of a slog as it was to get to the end.
My biggest problem was that there were a lot of characters that weren't particularly likeable or well-developed. On the other hand there were some really likable and interesting characters that were given very little page time or development.
For example, I really disliked Hester. I could almost understand that in the absence of Nat, she turned to Lucas, her first real crush and things started to happen. But that she had little guilt or thought for consequence just made me dislike her. She was too eager to cheat, she actively pursued it in fact. If she had just started being around Lucas and felt the urge, then fine. But no, girl was a cheater and Nat didn't deserve it.
Similarly, there wasn't a single character that liked Millie's Mum. She was narcissistic, rude, selfish… so why give her and her affair so much page time? It was just filler. I was literally skipping any sections about her because I didn't like her or her fellow cheater. It had absolutely no impact on the storyline at all from start to end so it was pointless.
Yet, characters like Nat, Lucas and Con who had depth and were interesting were barely given page time. It was in brief snippets of other character's stories that they came through. I really wanted to know more about Con's new boyfriend and the impact on the family. I wanted to know whether Lucas really was as bad as all that, or whether he had his heart set on someone. I wanted to know how Nat felt about Hester, whether he had been tempted too but had fought against it only to have Hester give in, and how that made him feel. I even wanted to know if Lucas and Nat's restaurant excelled.
I liked both Millie and Hugh, as they both had a depth and warmth. Their relationship was well-developed and I felt their genuine connection, there were enough personal obstacles and plot obstacles to keep them apart and coming back together without it feeling forced.
Overall, I thought that this was a good enough read, but if the focus had been given to more developed characters, or if the characters in focus had been better developed, then it wouldn't have been as much of a slog as it was to get to the end.
kimberussell's review against another edition
3.0
This was B&N's free nook book a few Fridays ago. It's a funny little book about Millie Brady, a 20-something girl in Cornwall, and her celibate summer that wasn't. From author Orla Hart to Millie's sex-crazed roommate Hester to Millie's nutty mother Adele, the characters are larger than life. And they all keep running into each other.
If you're looking for a deep thought-provoking story, this isn't it. If you're looking for a fun romp where everyone you care about gets a happy ending, grab this one.
This would be a great fizzy beach book.
If you're looking for a deep thought-provoking story, this isn't it. If you're looking for a fun romp where everyone you care about gets a happy ending, grab this one.
This would be a great fizzy beach book.
imogen_rowena's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thereaderofbooks89's review against another edition
5.0
I will admit that this book is one of my favorite books and I find myself rereading this book at least once a year, twice during COVID.
I can't help it, I just love this story!
Millie is a hilariously wonderful main character who may or may not make bad mistakes in her life, including a prank call that she feels totally guilty about.
Part of me wishes that I could have Millie's life, having my love life being used as a story for an author seems like it would be okay, but stressful to me.
Having never been to England, I can just imagine what it's like to live in Millie's hometown, it seems perfectly magical and vivid to me, Ms Mansell is an amazing story teller.
The plot is funny and despite my reading it all the time, it still brings tears of laughter, joy and sadness to my face each and every time I read it.
When people ask me to recommend a book for them, this is right up there along with my other favorite authors!
Don't sleep on this book, you're in for a world of crazy hijicks!
I can't help it, I just love this story!
Millie is a hilariously wonderful main character who may or may not make bad mistakes in her life, including a prank call that she feels totally guilty about.
Part of me wishes that I could have Millie's life, having my love life being used as a story for an author seems like it would be okay, but stressful to me.
Having never been to England, I can just imagine what it's like to live in Millie's hometown, it seems perfectly magical and vivid to me, Ms Mansell is an amazing story teller.
The plot is funny and despite my reading it all the time, it still brings tears of laughter, joy and sadness to my face each and every time I read it.
When people ask me to recommend a book for them, this is right up there along with my other favorite authors!
Don't sleep on this book, you're in for a world of crazy hijicks!
spirallingshape4385's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
Better than the usual chick lit -- very funny! Thanks for the recommendation, Sarah!
carlacbarroso's review against another edition
2.0
Jill Mansell é das minhas autoras favoritas neste género, apesar de não ter lido assim tanto é das que recordo gostar bastante sobretudo pela construção das personagens, mas este livro ficou um pouco aquém de todas as minhas expectativas. O par principal, Millie e Hugh, até são personagens interessantes de seguir ainda que o seu drama talvez pudesse ser resolvido um pouco mais depressa e sem muitos mal entendidos. A química está lá, e as cenas com estas personagens são as mais bem conseguidas. No entanto e com a excepção de um Colin (a sério, as personagens com este nome, não sei porquê, encontram rapidamente um lugarzinho no meu coração), as restantes personagens fizeram-me revirar os olhinhos, sobretudo a amiga da nossa protagonista, Hester, cuja vida amorosa me meteu nervos.
Para além disso, não há cão! E o que se vê na capa?! Um cão! Há um cão, com óculos de sol, na capa! Porque colocam um cão na capa se nunca, nunca, aparece menção a um cão?! Publicidade descaradamente enganosa! *continua a protestar porque queria livros fofos com cães*
Para além disso, não há cão! E o que se vê na capa?! Um cão! Há um cão, com óculos de sol, na capa! Porque colocam um cão na capa se nunca, nunca, aparece menção a um cão?! Publicidade descaradamente enganosa! *continua a protestar porque queria livros fofos com cães*
merkyr's review against another edition
4.0
Oh how I do love British Chick Lit. Always a treat and a lovely feel-good book.
leapais's review against another edition
4.0
Depois da trilogia David Hunter e da desilusão d’Os 100 (vejam a série, não leiam os livros), precisava mesmo de uma leitura leve, previsível, que me deixasse bem disposta e sem necessidade de pensar muito. Jill Mansell nunca desilude neste aspecto.
Ninguém espera (ou pelo menos não deve esperar) que Jill Mansell seja o supra-sumo da literatura ou sequer que seja um livro intelectual. Romance Atribulado e todos os outros livros que já li desta autora são uma leitura de conforto, de descanso, uma leitura simples, despretensiosa, com muito humor à mistura (aliás, ontem no comboio, de regresso a casa, acho que, quem estava ao meu lado, pensou que eu estava com problemas sérios pelas gargalhadas que dei).
Ainda que comecem com uma tentativa de suicídio, como é o caso deste Romance Atribulado, os finais são sempre felizes, ainda que nem sempre pareça.
E, às vezes, é só isto que queremos encontrar num livro.
Ninguém espera (ou pelo menos não deve esperar) que Jill Mansell seja o supra-sumo da literatura ou sequer que seja um livro intelectual. Romance Atribulado e todos os outros livros que já li desta autora são uma leitura de conforto, de descanso, uma leitura simples, despretensiosa, com muito humor à mistura (aliás, ontem no comboio, de regresso a casa, acho que, quem estava ao meu lado, pensou que eu estava com problemas sérios pelas gargalhadas que dei).
Ainda que comecem com uma tentativa de suicídio, como é o caso deste Romance Atribulado, os finais são sempre felizes, ainda que nem sempre pareça.
E, às vezes, é só isto que queremos encontrar num livro.