March saw me trying to get down some of my NetGalley books and looking back I didn’t have a very good month, in that I didn’t choose well. It shows me that I need to be more selective, rather than behaving like a kid in a sweet shop. I read 5 NetGalley books as well as crossing off a couple more from my shelves by not reading more than a few chapters. So I did what I set out to do and reduced my waiting TBR list, though it is still too high. I also read the crime book club read, a friends book and one book on my bookcase, just to break things up.
April will see me reading the books of friends and people I know online. As writers we engage with each other online which is great, but it means the TBR is also ever-growing from that direction as well. So I’m making a dent in that side now.
This book today however is the last one I read from the NetGalley shelves and it was a break from all the crime as I felt it was needed.
Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell.
Genre; Contemporary Romance
Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her in every way, but he’s seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn’t have long to live. Time is running out…
Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more.
Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.
THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she’s about to be given new lungs. But whose?
My thoughts:
This was a lovely novel to read. The characters were really well-rounded and realistic. My favourite couple were Tasha (bin girl) and Rory. I absolutely howled with laughter at the scene where they met and where Tasha earned her nickname bin girl, and also the scene where they introduced their friends Joe and Carmel to each other. This foursome really made the novel for me.
The dialogue was brilliantly done and the comic timing just spot on throughout.
But humour isn’t the only element to the novel. Hallie, cystic fibrosis and the transplant list are also a part of the novel with the opening chapter having Hallie driven to the hospital for new lungs before we go back in time to meet everyone. Hallie isn’t made into a ‘victim’ character, she is strong and funny and has a great set of mates around her.
I really enjoyed this, though the only thing I would say about this novel is that there is a section where you could have a really good cry and Mansell puts too delicate a touch on and skims a bit and I didn’t feel it enough. If there is a sad part in the book, I want to really feel it. I want to feel bereft. But I think maybe for sensitivities sake a light touch was had, but this is fiction and we cared about what was happening.
If you want a feel good book, one that will have you laughing out loud and caring about the characters, then I would recommend this. Especially if you’re not too bothered about missing out on the tears!
Margot Kinberg says
I know exactly what you mean, Rebecca, about feeling like a kid in a sweet shop. There are so many books that beckon to me that it’s very hard to put the brakes on and think carefully about what I truly want to read. This one sounds like a solid novel with some well-drawn characters. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Rebecca Bradley says
That is such an important point Margot about thinking carefully about what it is you really want to read. It’s something I am going to have to do now. I’ve had my initial burst and I have to watch myself now. Though there are still far too many great books coming out at too far great a speed for me! And yes, this was a great book to read, I really enjoyed it. 🙂
MarinaSofia says
I’ve got 23 waiting for me on my Netgalley shelf – which is awful! So I completely understand your analogy. It’s just all far too tempting.
And I agree with you that you occasionally need to get away from crime.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think I just dropped mine to 22. So what it was before that! Maybe 27 or 28? It was scary whatever it was. As Margot says, you have to think carefully about what it is you want to read, but there are still some great books coming out at a quick rate on there. And I still have library books and bought books on my bookcase waiting as well.
Jacqui Murray says
Great title. It sounds like the book lives up to that scintillating promise.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is a book that has a lot about it. Lots of laughter, and a lot of thoughtfulness in it as well and some lighthearted romance. It ticked a lot of boxes.
readingwrites says
I have now added this to my enormous tbr pile. I am also in need of a non-crime book and this sounds interesting.
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s it isn’t it? You do need that break from crime sometimes and I suppose it’s the same with any genre you find is your favourite, you become slightly saturated. I hope you enjoy this. Do let me know what you think when you get around to it.