TBR 5# The Other Side of the Story

This might look a littel sparse or odd, but Blogger has changed and certain things no longer work on my Internets, so you'll have to bear with...

I've already talked at length about how much I love Marian Keyes, so I was shocked to discover this one hiding away at the back of my shelves that I hadn't read yet. Like most of her books, its a doorstopper, but I flew through it as I always do, her books being so utterably readable, and enjoyed, for the most part, all of it.

Three women, written, like This Charming Man, in different styles, which vary on how well they work, explore what happens when parents divorce, when careers go astray, friendships go horribly wrong, and the murky and fascinating world of publishing.

Gemma is an unlikable but bluntly funny events organisor, living a party lifestyle in Dublin, still grieving for her ex boyfriend Anton, who dumped her for her best friend Lily. When her father leaves her housewife mother for a younger woman Gemma moves back home and attempts to clear up the mess. Emailing her best friend in America with her woes, Gemma is flabbagasted when she sends her witty outlets of grief to agent JoJo, who offers her a book deal. JoJo also happens to be representing Lily, whose first novel has been a suprising hit.

JoJo is the best character in the book. An ex-New York Cop turned high-flying agent with a fabulous figure and Jessica Rabbit hair, this is wish fulfillment in fiction at it's greatest. She's also likable, and funny, and relatable, and having an affair with her very married boss. As we see JoJo going through the will-he-leave-her hell so common in chick lit her revalation that actually she might be worth a bit more than that is a refreshing change from the usual 'she meets someone better and is swept away'.

Lily and Gemma are alright, the book serves, but this isn't Marian's best and for warmth and wit rather than a grasping story that is a little too naughties for comfort, I'd stick to Last Chance Saloon.