A Married Man - Catherine Alliott

Advantages: light reading
Disadvantages: a meandering plot and far too long

...I have read and enjoyed quite a number of boks by Catherine Alliott so I was really looking forward to her latest offering 'Not that kind of girl'. Unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations and in my opinion is not nearly as good as some of her earlier novels. I will attempt to explain why... Firstly, a basic outline of the plot. The main character is Henrietta Tate who has been happily married to her husband Marcus for fifteen years (although we learn very early on that previous to marrying Marcus, Henrietta was jilted at the altar by the love of her life, Rupert). They have an idyllic lifestyle living in the country but with the children away at boarding school, Henrietta has time on her hands and decides to take on a part time job in London. Her employer, Lawrence, is a rather dashing writer, but also as it turns out... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A funny easy read
Disadvantages: None

...Olivia’s Luck is the latest novel from the pen of the very talented Catherine Alliott. Olivia is abandoned by her husband, with a wise-beyond-her-years daughter to bring up, and a house in the middle of a major refurbishment by a squad of likeable but unreliable builders. An ideal scenario for the familiar Alliott humour to flow fast and furious. As with her other novels, the sharp wit strikes you first, but there’s far more to Catherine Alliott’s writing than just humour. She constructs a well-devised and sometimes complex plot, with credible characters, and touches of romance and intrigue, all of which combine to make this un-put-down-able escapism. Good light reading after a heavy Christmas dinner!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Escapism at it's best
Disadvantages: It ends

...This is the book that I pick up every time I feel low and need to escape into another, warm and cosy world. I first read this book when I was 20 and have read it at least 10 times since! Now 31 I still love it. Catherine Alliott is a great author and her heroes are literally loveable. Nick the hero in this book makes you melt with love. All I can really say is that everyone who I've forced to read this book has thanked me. It is far better than any of her others. But so good you'd read them all just in case. I read a lot. A huge variety of books. By no means only female romantic fiction. However this book is amazing. If you're under 30 I guarantee you'll love it. If you're over thirty give it a go. What's the worst that could happen!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful