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aoifes_books's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I did prefer this Sophie Kinsella book more than My not so Perfect Life, those being the only two I've read from her. The story follow Effie, a mid-late 20s woman coming to terms with her parents divorce. The opening chapter introduces the characters, and brings the divorce into the picture right away. Jump to 18 months later, her dad has a new girlfriend and is selling the house Effie grew up in and moving to Portugal with the new woman, Krista. Before they sell, the new couple is hosting a "house cooling" party - but Effie wasn't invited. Determined to get back her old stuff, but not wanting to be seen, she starts out on a crazy stunt to get in and get out before being seen.
Effie, Bean and Gus are three siblings raised by their dad and stepmother, Mimi. Mimi is the only mother Effie knows, with her bio-mam having left before she really had any memories of her. Effie is the youngest, and when the divorce is announced she takes it the hardest. She doesn't take to Krista, and is more vocal about being against the changes being made to her childhood home. Krista doesn't enjoy this and at some point throws a drink over Effie - though this doesn't happen in the book it's referenced a lot.
The relationship between the characters is the main focus of the story, with the breakdown of communication being forefront for everyone. There is elements of reality here, with older siblings thinking they're being a good sister by not letting their adult, younger sister know anything about the not-so-nice end of things. There is growth throughout the story, but because it all takes place really over 2 days, it all feels a little rushed (and predictable).
I did enjoy how Effie matured a little by the end of the book, coming to terms with all the changes and moving on. The romance between her and Joe was a bit all over the place but the rekindling of an old teenage romance did make it a little easier to handle.
Effie, Bean and Gus are three siblings raised by their dad and stepmother, Mimi. Mimi is the only mother Effie knows, with her bio-mam having left before she really had any memories of her. Effie is the youngest, and when the divorce is announced she takes it the hardest. She doesn't take to Krista, and is more vocal about being against the changes being made to her childhood home. Krista doesn't enjoy this and at some point throws a drink over Effie - though this doesn't happen in the book it's referenced a lot.
The relationship between the characters is the main focus of the story, with the breakdown of communication being forefront for everyone. There is elements of reality here, with older siblings thinking they're being a good sister by not letting their adult, younger sister know anything about the not-so-nice end of things. There is growth throughout the story, but because it all takes place really over 2 days, it all feels a little rushed (and predictable).
I did enjoy how Effie matured a little by the end of the book, coming to terms with all the changes and moving on. The romance between her and Joe was a bit all over the place but the rekindling of an old teenage romance did make it a little easier to handle.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
theespressoedition's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Hello, hello - Sophie Kinsella does it again! I have yet to be disappointed by a single novel written by Kinsella. Her stories are creative, cute, and comical all wrapped into one and I'm constantly impressed by it.
The Party Crasher had me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the audiobook (which, by the way, was lovely - the narration was fabulously done and I enjoyed every second of it). I was hooked from the minute that Effie decided she would be "attending" (but not attending) the cooling of her childhood home in order to get her hands on a set of Russian dolls that have always been of great importance to her.
There are hijinks! I mean laugh-out-loud hilarious moments of hiding in closets and witnessing people removing Spanx as well as nearly falling from an opening in the attic onto your father and his girlfriend while they're roleplaying! Absolutely hysterical, I tell you. I was glad that so much of this was listened to while I was driving so I could truly guffaw as loud as I wanted (and I did just that... frequently).
There is second-chance romance! I couldn't help but just love Joe. Even though Effie could only picture how he broke her heart, I knew there was something more to the story and I held out hope that all would be revealed. Their story within the story is sweet and heartfelt.
There's family drama! And copious amounts of it, at that. From the very beginning, I absolutely adore Bean. Like, I want an entire book just about Bean - she's that precious. She's an incredible older sister with a heart of gold and I want to just protect her at all costs. Her relationship with Effie is so sweet and sincere and I loved how the dynamic between the two of them evolved over the course of the story.
This is the type of book I could consider a comfort because that's exactly how it felt as I read it: comforting. I could imagine picking it up again if I'm feeling a little downtrodden or when I want to get out of an odd reading slump. It's a great story and has an excellent combination of depth and comedy!
The Party Crasher had me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the audiobook (which, by the way, was lovely - the narration was fabulously done and I enjoyed every second of it). I was hooked from the minute that Effie decided she would be "attending" (but not attending) the cooling of her childhood home in order to get her hands on a set of Russian dolls that have always been of great importance to her.
There are hijinks! I mean laugh-out-loud hilarious moments of hiding in closets and witnessing people removing Spanx as well as nearly falling from an opening in the attic onto your father and his girlfriend while they're roleplaying! Absolutely hysterical, I tell you. I was glad that so much of this was listened to while I was driving so I could truly guffaw as loud as I wanted (and I did just that... frequently).
There is second-chance romance! I couldn't help but just love Joe. Even though Effie could only picture how he broke her heart, I knew there was something more to the story and I held out hope that all would be revealed. Their story within the story is sweet and heartfelt.
There's family drama! And copious amounts of it, at that. From the very beginning, I absolutely adore Bean. Like, I want an entire book just about Bean - she's that precious. She's an incredible older sister with a heart of gold and I want to just protect her at all costs. Her relationship with Effie is so sweet and sincere and I loved how the dynamic between the two of them evolved over the course of the story.
This is the type of book I could consider a comfort because that's exactly how it felt as I read it: comforting. I could imagine picking it up again if I'm feeling a little downtrodden or when I want to get out of an odd reading slump. It's a great story and has an excellent combination of depth and comedy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, and Alcohol
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