“She was a Jenga stack on the brink of collapse, just waiting for someone to take out the wrong block.”
If you’re a regular reader of this blog you might have wondered why I post fairly regular reviews about films I’ve seen, but not much about books that I’ve read. Why is that? Do I not read books?
Well of course I read books! But – well – I’m quite a critical person when it comes to literature (and movies, and food, and well, ok, everything), and I find it hard to reign in my thoughts if something is, in my less-than-humble opinion, slightly less than perfect.
This isn’t a problem when it comes to films. I’m unlikely to bump into Tom Cruise any time soon, or anyone else in the movie biz – but when it comes to books… well these are my peers. And us writerly types are a sensitive bunch. And it’s hard enough to make money at this game without me throwing my ten penneth into the mix and potentially messing it all up for someone who’s worked really hard to get this far.
So it’s with some trepidation that I’m going to review Single Woman Seeks Revenge by Tracy Bloom.
Here’s the gist: Local newspaper columnist & agony aunt Suzie has just been ditched by Alex – the smooth talking, devilishly handsome, sales executive who works for the same paper. Suzie, it seems, has a somewhat disastrous track record when it comes to romance, and her work desk has become a shrine to various multi-coloured ‘Troll’ dolls, each of which represents a failed relationship. Come on! Don’t tell me you don’t have a troll collection of your own – real or imaginary. We’ve all been there.
Actually, someone who doesn’t appear to have been ‘there’ is friend and long-suffering, sensible work colleague Drew. And whilst he clearly likes Suzie (but how much, we’re forced to ask ourselves) he’s ‘happily’ engaged to the lovely Emily. Well, I say lovely, she’s more ruthless than lovely. But ruthless in a cuddly divorce-lawyer kind of a way. ie. Not cuddly. You can see where this is going can’t you.
Meanwhile, our Suz has decided to take revenge on every man who’s ever broken her heart, ever – and pretty soon she’s dishing out advice to her love lorn readers about how they can do the same. Until… well, I’ll just leave it there for you to find out for yourself.
Did I enjoy it?
Of course I bloomin’ did. It’s quirky, comical, and pacy. What’s not to like? And if you’re looking for light hearted read this summer, and you’re a fan of rom-coms, well this might be right up your street. Find it on amazon here.
Phew! That wasn’t too difficult was it. Nobody died, nobody got offended. But maybe I’ll take a lie down in a darkened room for a while…
Hot news; my debut novel The Good Guy’s Guide To Getting The Girl is part of Amazon’s 99p Summer Book Promotion. Get my quirky, lad-lit, rom-com for less than a quid! But hurry – the promo is for July only!
The film will be along some time in the next decade.
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