The hot property is a des res in the Cotswold village of Lilcombe Magna, Paradise Cottage, which Claire Snow unexpectedly inherits from a long-forgotten great-aunt. Paradise it isn't, it's more an old heap seemingly miles away from anywhere, but Claire can't resist a challenge. But there's ... Read review
The hot property is a des res in the Cotswold village of Lilcombe Magna, Paradise Cottage, which Claire Snow unexpectedly inherits from a long-forgotten great-aunt. Paradise it isn't, it's more an old heap seemingly miles away from anywhere, but Claire can't resist a challenge. But there's more to it than money; she has to balance the demands of her employers in her tedious management job, boyfriends and other suitors, her best mate the ever-mercurial ... ...who walked out on her when she was a child and has a habit of reappearing when she's least welcome. There's also a smarmy, unscrupulous cousin who lives next door, and the cantankerous, lonely old sitting tenant whose best friends are the TV and his enormous pig Brucie, who contributes some of the story's classic moments.
You'll find moments of pathos in this helter-skelter of a novel, but in places it is screamingly funny and it made me laugh ... more
The hot property is a des res in the Cotswold village of Lilcombe Magna, Paradise Cottage, which Claire Snow unexpectedly inherits from a long-forgotten great-aunt. Paradise it isn't, it's more an old heap seemingly miles away from anywhere, but Claire can't resist a challenge. But there's more to it than money; she has to balance the demands of her employers in her tedious management job, boyfriends and other suitors, her best mate the ever-mercurial thespian Lorna, a Debbie Harry wannabe, and an insufferable mother who walked out on her when she was a child and has a habit of reappearing when she's least welcome. There's also a smarmy, unscrupulous cousin who lives next door, and the cantankerous, lonely old sitting tenant whose best friends are the TV and his enormous pig Brucie, who contributes some of the story's classic moments. You'll find moments of pathos in this helter-skelter of a novel, but in places it is screamingly funny and it made me laugh out loud. Though it is written from the female perspective, I'm sure men will love it too.
Advantages: Hilarious and light style Disadvantages: the nook has to end!
When I first went to buy a holiday book, this one immediately caught my eye: The cover was snappy and was unlike most covers. A woman looks like she’s about to fall over, and she’s carrying a big box of possessions. You immediately wonder what’s going on, and I just had to find out.
I started reading, as you do, seeing in I liked the style. A looked up, and found I had been reading for 20minutes and was well on my way through the second chapter! ... ...can't think of any bad ones.
The writing in the book is not too small. I had found with some books that I’m squinting to read on, but with this one, the writing’s just big enough to read whilst relaxing. The chapters are so compelling, when you have started reading this book, you can’t stop. I got it home, and was up till the early hours of the next morning finishing the book. As the storyline develops, I wanted to know what was coming next, so ...
GentleGiant 17.10.2002 (02.11.2002)
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Advantages: will make u laugh and leave u wanting more. Disadvantages: easy to read and quick to get through
ZoeBarnes is an excellant writer. She's witty and emotional and really gets to grips with her characters.
This is book 4 for Zoe and as with all the others this is funny and will leave you wanting more. If i had to complain i'd say that i got through the book far to quickly. The characters are gritty and can leave you with a good knowledge of their back ground. In Bouncing Back you even fall in love with little Colin the Skunk! Basicaly Cally looses her job her husband and her home in one day. The book follows her ups, downs and turn-arounds back to some sort of a life. Pervious books by ZoeBarnes include Bumps, Hitched and HotProperty. All worth a read. ...
Advantages: A good read Disadvantages: Too similar in parts to another Barnes book
ZoeBarnes is an accomplished author, having written a number of novels, including Hitched, Bumps, and HotProperty.
This novel, like the others I have read, have been written really well and, like some of the other novels, references are made ot things from the other stories - in this novel references are made to Seuss and Goldman, a department store that the main character of another book - Bumps - worked in.
Th main character of this story is Lorna, who has been widowed young and left with two young children to bring up. Th author has done a really good job of letting people know that bad things do happen in life, but at the same time puts a humorous slant on the story, as well as a positive perspective on things. You feel after reading this story that no matter what life throws at you, you will be able to get through it ...
Advantages: A great read with lots of comedy moments Disadvantages: Hard to put down
being threatened with closure. There are ups and downs in the book for all the characters, and the wedding talk certainly rings true. Anybody who has ever been married will be able to relate to all the talk of the wedding - there is a lot of work for just one day and this book looks at all that, while adding some humour to it.
ZoeBarnes, who wrote this book has also written others, including Bumps and HotProperty. I have read them both too, and there are little indirect links in each book about certain things in the other two, which sort of connects the stories in a way.
I got 'Hitched' quite cheaply at a coffee morning, although copies can probably be found cheaply at Amazon or on ebay. Try your local library too for a copy.
More information on ZoeBarnes can be found on www.Zoebarnes.supanet.com ...
Product Information for "Hot Property - Zoe Barnes" »
Product details
Type
Fiction
Genre
Modern Fiction
Title
Hot Property
Author
Zoe Barnes
ISBN
0749905301; 0749931116
Manufacturer's product description
Out of the blue, Claire inherits Paradise Cottage, a tumble-down wreck in the middle of nowhere and more in need of a demolition expert than a decorator. Not one to shirk a challenge, she decides to renovate the cottage herself, to the amusement of her hunky new neighbour, After all, problem-solving and trouble-shooting is what Claire does best!
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