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zeemonodee's review against another edition
5.0
As long as you reckon this isn't a romance per se (it's more chick-lit with a small serving of romance sprinkled in), then get on for the ride and enjoy this one. Loved how easy it was to fall into the prose and just read along - didn't feel like a slog at all. There's also a lot happening with Ella, and again, as long as you remember it's not a romance, then all the exposure to the intricacies of her life and especially the time with Lee don't feel like too much and we need to get on with it. It really builds the whole tale, and we see a lot of Ella in there in a way it wouldn't have been possible if the author had glossed over all that.
Loved to Ella coming into her own, especially on the building site (John turned out entirely adorable - never thought I'd say that when I met him), and then the whole subplot with Deborah had me hooked and I was dying to know what was going on there (the resolution to that one felt a little blipped over, but I can accept it had to happen that way).
Overall, an easy and enjoyable read perfect for time at the beach, the pool, or cozied up at home with a hot drink and a blanket
Loved to Ella coming into her own, especially on the building site (John turned out entirely adorable - never thought I'd say that when I met him), and then the whole subplot with Deborah had me hooked and I was dying to know what was going on there (the resolution to that one felt a little blipped over, but I can accept it had to happen that way).
Overall, an easy and enjoyable read perfect for time at the beach, the pool, or cozied up at home with a hot drink and a blanket
loreniporeni's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sachachi's review
45% in before we get to the meet cute… it’s just not for me. So much focus on the bf who did her dirty (who she still hasn’t broken up with?) and some other questionable interpersonal choices make this a tough protagonist to root for. I’m just not invested enough to keep reading.
lisa_2502's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
raye_loves_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, talk about someone's life being taken out by the selfish actions of another in one single move. That's exactly what happens to Ella. Though I was just waiting for the axe to drop I have to admit that I didn't exactly expect it to happen the way it did. So massive kudos for swinging it that way, unexpected, harsh and eye-opening.
When Ella's world implodes and she has to roll with it, understandably she's more than a little shell-shocked, but I admired her for not only standing her ground, but for doing what she should have done right from the beginning. Lee was just a jerk and all the way through the book I wanted him to get what was coming to him.
I enjoyed the story, loved the relationships that Ella built in her new life (though I am confused, is he Noah or Michael?) and liked that it wasn't based in a world I am familiar with. Sure, everyone has walked by a building site a time or two (when I was growing up my school was right next to a building site that was active the entire 7 years I was at the school - comprehensive and sixth form), but I loved how Ella proved herself capable and eventually won the respect of the men who were initially cautious around her.
The love story was almost secondary to Ella's growth and building of self-awareness (both things that she struggled with). I liked that she learned to let go, and adjusted so well to her life.
Overall, not what I was expecting, and I liked it because of that.
When Ella's world implodes and she has to roll with it, understandably she's more than a little shell-shocked, but I admired her for not only standing her ground, but for doing what she should have done right from the beginning. Lee was just a jerk and all the way through the book I wanted him to get what was coming to him.
I enjoyed the story, loved the relationships that Ella built in her new life (though I am confused, is he Noah or Michael?) and liked that it wasn't based in a world I am familiar with. Sure, everyone has walked by a building site a time or two (when I was growing up my school was right next to a building site that was active the entire 7 years I was at the school - comprehensive and sixth form), but I loved how Ella proved herself capable and eventually won the respect of the men who were initially cautious around her.
The love story was almost secondary to Ella's growth and building of self-awareness (both things that she struggled with). I liked that she learned to let go, and adjusted so well to her life.
Overall, not what I was expecting, and I liked it because of that.
hiervoordeboeken's review
2.75
Het opzet van dit boek is origineel, dat maakt het extra jammer dat de uitwerking wat tegenviel.
De dynamiek tussen Ella en haar zus is leuk en naturel, net zoals dat bij Noah (en ook John) wordt. De romance in dit boek is niet heel erg aanwezig, en wanneer het dan eindelijk gebeurt voelde ik de chemie niet echt. De romance lijkt wat geforceerd en plots heel snel (zeker als het deel met Lee - de eerste vriend - zo lang duurt). De karakters zijn allemaal ook tamelijk vlak en alles loopt wat te voorspelbaar af (of het is voor de lezer gewoon té snel duidelijk wat er mis is). Het hele project manager op een bouwwerf is thans wel veel interessanter dan je zou denken. Er zit ook heel wat humor in het boek en het is heerlijk Brits. Al bij al lijkt het een beetje een gemiste kans om een sterk boek neer te zetten.
De dynamiek tussen Ella en haar zus is leuk en naturel, net zoals dat bij Noah (en ook John) wordt. De romance in dit boek is niet heel erg aanwezig, en wanneer het dan eindelijk gebeurt voelde ik de chemie niet echt. De romance lijkt wat geforceerd en plots heel snel (zeker als het deel met Lee - de eerste vriend - zo lang duurt). De karakters zijn allemaal ook tamelijk vlak en alles loopt wat te voorspelbaar af (of het is voor de lezer gewoon té snel duidelijk wat er mis is). Het hele project manager op een bouwwerf is thans wel veel interessanter dan je zou denken. Er zit ook heel wat humor in het boek en het is heerlijk Brits. Al bij al lijkt het een beetje een gemiste kans om een sterk boek neer te zetten.
hannahjr15's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? N/A
4.0
theeclecticreview's review against another edition
4.0
This story is right up my alley. My husband is a home designer and a builder and Ms. McLeod does a great job explaining the precise and organized way to order building supplies on a schedule that most likely will have to change due to wrong orders, no deliveries, etc. Enter a desperate project manager who knows little about building materials, but is stubborn enough and determined enough to deal with all the mysterious setbacks caused by a corrupt woman with a nefarious agenda.
The story is told from Ella's point of view about a down-on-her-luck project manager at a software company who is thrown under the bus by her boyfriend and colleague. Having no luck finding a job near her current home she has to take what she can get as a project manager at a building site several hours away. The cute site foreman is kind and helpful, but she needs to prove herself as a lone female in a male-dominated field. In addition, her pay is much less than her previous job, the office is an unorganized mess, her new digs are called the "caravan of shit", and her new boss, Deborah, is called The Evil Bitch Queen (and rightly so). Can Ella get this site up and running smoothly, or will she fail and have to go live with her parents?
Ella is not one to back down on a challenge and boy, is this job a clusterfuck. I was glad she finally dumped her narcissistic ex-boyfriend after he treated her so despicably and may I add that I think that part of the book could have been shorter. It picked up after she started her new job working with Noah, the funny and supportive site foreman, and John, the bombastic and loveable team leader, who has a convoluted way of nicknaming his colleagues.
The way Ella deals with everything is commendable as she grows and becomes an exceptional leader. And, it's understandable Ella is a little skittish acting on an attraction with Noah considering that was a no-no in her previous job, but Noah is one of the good guys who treats her as an equal and gives her a chance. Ella is due to have a happy ever after and Noah is a perfect fit.
The best part of all was when Deborah and Ella's ex, Lee, got what they deserved. Karma, baby!
Despite the book dragging a little bit at the beginning, I am delighted to recommend this romantic comedy filled with fun British idioms and compelling characters.
Thank you to Ms. MacLeod for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
The story is told from Ella's point of view about a down-on-her-luck project manager at a software company who is thrown under the bus by her boyfriend and colleague. Having no luck finding a job near her current home she has to take what she can get as a project manager at a building site several hours away. The cute site foreman is kind and helpful, but she needs to prove herself as a lone female in a male-dominated field. In addition, her pay is much less than her previous job, the office is an unorganized mess, her new digs are called the "caravan of shit", and her new boss, Deborah, is called The Evil Bitch Queen (and rightly so). Can Ella get this site up and running smoothly, or will she fail and have to go live with her parents?
Ella is not one to back down on a challenge and boy, is this job a clusterfuck. I was glad she finally dumped her narcissistic ex-boyfriend after he treated her so despicably and may I add that I think that part of the book could have been shorter. It picked up after she started her new job working with Noah, the funny and supportive site foreman, and John, the bombastic and loveable team leader, who has a convoluted way of nicknaming his colleagues.
The way Ella deals with everything is commendable as she grows and becomes an exceptional leader. And, it's understandable Ella is a little skittish acting on an attraction with Noah considering that was a no-no in her previous job, but Noah is one of the good guys who treats her as an equal and gives her a chance. Ella is due to have a happy ever after and Noah is a perfect fit.
The best part of all was when Deborah and Ella's ex, Lee, got what they deserved. Karma, baby!
Despite the book dragging a little bit at the beginning, I am delighted to recommend this romantic comedy filled with fun British idioms and compelling characters.
Thank you to Ms. MacLeod for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
happylilkt's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/3 stars
I actually really liked the setting and some of the premise, but the obligatory misunderstanding hijinks were a bore as usual.
I actually really liked the setting and some of the premise, but the obligatory misunderstanding hijinks were a bore as usual.