The perfect man is out there . . . he just needs a little work.
Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Hol...
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reviews
Feb 15, 2012
June Louise
rated it: 
Yet another fine novel from Talli - this one was just as addictive as "Watching Willow Watts". Being a nurse who has worked in a private hospital where some cosmetic surgery is carried out, I especially enjoyed this book.
The novel is set in a private cosmetic surgery clinic, where the heroine, Serenity, is receptionist and her boyfriend, Peter, is the surgeon. A wannabe tabloid journalist, Serenity eventually gets the "break" she has been seeking, and has the assign More...
The novel is set in a private cosmetic surgery clinic, where the heroine, Serenity, is receptionist and her boyfriend, Peter, is the surgeon. A wannabe tabloid journalist, Serenity eventually gets the "break" she has been seeking, and has the assign More...
Feb 10, 2012
Lucy
rated it:
Article first published as eBook Review: Build a Man by Talli Roland on Blogcritics.
Build a Man is a chick lit novel from Talli Roland - it's not her first release, but I'll definitely be checking out her backlist having read this one!
It tells the story of cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland. Being a receptionist is about as far from her dream job as it gets - she wants to be a tabloid reporter, which is why she left Maine, America, and moved to London. She did More...
Build a Man is a chick lit novel from Talli Roland - it's not her first release, but I'll definitely be checking out her backlist having read this one!
It tells the story of cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland. Being a receptionist is about as far from her dream job as it gets - she wants to be a tabloid reporter, which is why she left Maine, America, and moved to London. She did More...
Jan 28, 2012
Rhoda
rated it:
Build a Man by Talli Roland
Serenity works as a receptionist at a cosmetic surgery clinic, whilst dreaming of becoming a tabloid journalist. When Jeremy stumbles through the door, wanting 'everything done', she finds the perfect pitch and the 'Build a Man' column is born. Unfortunately, being an undercover journalist means parking her integrity and lying to several people around her - her boyfriend, her parents and her 'subject' Jeremy. Inevitably, things go wrong and her secret comes o More...
Serenity works as a receptionist at a cosmetic surgery clinic, whilst dreaming of becoming a tabloid journalist. When Jeremy stumbles through the door, wanting 'everything done', she finds the perfect pitch and the 'Build a Man' column is born. Unfortunately, being an undercover journalist means parking her integrity and lying to several people around her - her boyfriend, her parents and her 'subject' Jeremy. Inevitably, things go wrong and her secret comes o More...
Nov 27, 2011
Kim
rated it: 
This is another thoroughly enjoyable, funny, easy to read book by the lovely Talli Roland.
Serenity Holland has moved to England to pursue her career as a tabloid journalist. She has however, got a little stuck along the way, by taking a job as a receptionist at a cosmetic enhancement clinic and moves in with Peter who is the owner and surgeon. Their life is very regimented, and a little dull and Serenity certainly doesn't feel like she's fulfilling her life dreams by having to be More...
Serenity Holland has moved to England to pursue her career as a tabloid journalist. She has however, got a little stuck along the way, by taking a job as a receptionist at a cosmetic enhancement clinic and moves in with Peter who is the owner and surgeon. Their life is very regimented, and a little dull and Serenity certainly doesn't feel like she's fulfilling her life dreams by having to be More...
Nov 07, 2011
Glynis
rated it:
After reading The Hating Game and Watching Willow Watts I was thrilled to find Talli Roland was releasing novel three; Build A Man. Another romantic comedy in the Chick-lit genre.
A young aspiring journalist, Serenity Holland, leaves America to live in the city of London. Her dream is to write for one of the big newspapers. However, lack of funds and opportunities in her chosen career, finds her working for her boyfriend.
Peter lives a straight-laced life as a Cosmetic Surgeon More...
A young aspiring journalist, Serenity Holland, leaves America to live in the city of London. Her dream is to write for one of the big newspapers. However, lack of funds and opportunities in her chosen career, finds her working for her boyfriend.
Peter lives a straight-laced life as a Cosmetic Surgeon More...
Dec 06, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
Talli Roland is rapidly running up my ladder of favorite authors. I couldn’t wait to read the latest from her, Build a Man, and am grateful she keeps sending copies my way! This story follows Serenity Holland, an American living across the Pond and working as receptionist at her boyfriend’s cosmetic surgery clinic. She really has dreams of being a tabloid reporter, and she is trying desperately to get noticed from a magazine. It is at the clinic that she meets Jeremy Ritchie, a man determined to
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Dec 06, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
Talli Roland is rapidly running up my ladder of favorite authors. I couldn’t wait to read the latest from her, Build a Man, and am grateful she keeps sending copies my way! This story follows Serenity Holland, an American living across the Pond and working as receptionist at her boyfriend’s cosmetic surgery clinic. She really has dreams of being a tabloid reporter, and she is trying desperately to get noticed from a magazine. It is at the clinic that she meets Jeremy Ritchie, a man determined to
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Feb 21, 2012
Rachel
rated it:
Picking up a Talli Roland story is akin to your best mate knocking on your door with chocolate and wine, saying 'I have had a crap day mate, let's get sloshed.' (In my mind, Talli is a broad speaking Yorkshire lass like myself, in reality she is in fact American turned Brit).
These books are so well written, the words just fly off the page and you instantly become absorbed in the characters. As all good chick lit does, it tells the story without the character even realising it. More...
Dec 02, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
I'm a super fan and I know other's won't deny Talli's gift for sass and strength in her characters! She'll leave you begging for more.
This novel is even more delicious than the last two. Talli has made her mark in the chick lit genre with these hilarious romantic comedies! I hope for all our sakes she's not going anywhere for awhile!
This fun and flirty tale is about Serenity. She's dying to work as a top named reporter but when her funds don't meet with her dream she's fo More...
This novel is even more delicious than the last two. Talli has made her mark in the chick lit genre with these hilarious romantic comedies! I hope for all our sakes she's not going anywhere for awhile!
This fun and flirty tale is about Serenity. She's dying to work as a top named reporter but when her funds don't meet with her dream she's fo More...
Dec 26, 2011
Meredith
rated it:
I'd like to give this book 4.5 stars.
In the beginning of Build a Man, the main character Serenity's dream is to write for a tabloid paper. The opportunity presents itself and she thinks her life is finally turning around until she finds herself trapped in a web of lies and has to decide if her dream is worth sacrificing her soul.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I loved being part of Serenity's journey as she tried to reconcile the life she thought she always wanted with More...
In the beginning of Build a Man, the main character Serenity's dream is to write for a tabloid paper. The opportunity presents itself and she thinks her life is finally turning around until she finds herself trapped in a web of lies and has to decide if her dream is worth sacrificing her soul.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I loved being part of Serenity's journey as she tried to reconcile the life she thought she always wanted with More...
Sep 30, 2011
India
rated it:
I've read all of Talli Roland's books, and I have to say this was my favourite. I'm not sure why I connected so well with Serenity, the main character, but I identified with her, in all her flawed, but charming glory. I've also had jobs I detested, so the workplace scenes cracked me up.
I also feel a little bit in love with Jeremey, possibly because he too was flawed. No self-centered alpha male here... just a sweet guy who'd been through a rough patch that left him a bit battered.
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I also feel a little bit in love with Jeremey, possibly because he too was flawed. No self-centered alpha male here... just a sweet guy who'd been through a rough patch that left him a bit battered.
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Dec 04, 2011
J.C.
rated it:
First off, quick disclaimer: I do not normally read chick lit, and rarely ever read romance, so I may not know what I’m talking about. Don’t judge me: I have some preconceived notions about chick lit (girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl gets boy back… All finished off with a saccharine sweet sprinkling of happily ever after.) All well and good for some, but not my idea of an entertaining, gripping read.
Then again, a good story is a good story, and it is the potential of a good read th More...
Then again, a good story is a good story, and it is the potential of a good read th More...
Nov 13, 2011
Anne
rated it:
I don't really read a lot of Chick Lit, but I found this book to be delightful. Talli Roland's characterization of Serenity was full and robust. Even the secondary characters were well formed. Serenity's feelings about her distasteful job as a cosmetic surgeon's receptionist were absolutely hysterical, and her emotional upheaval on becoming a "secret" reporter for a tabloid magazine was a masterful account of how a character arc should work.
When Serenity meets Jeremy, t More...
When Serenity meets Jeremy, t More...
Nov 22, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
Serenity Holland is working at her boyfriend Peter’s cosmetic surgery clinic on reception. It is not a job she is enjoying doing, it was only supposed to be temporary. Serenity had moved from America to London with all the ambition and determination to become a successful journalist and to land a job working in the tabloid world as a reporter. But six months later after trying really hard sending out many resumes and article pitches she is still working at the clinic. She’s got a successful man
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Nov 22, 2011
Leah
rated it:
Talli Roland has rather rapidly made a name for herself in the Chick Lit world with not one, not two, but three novels released in 2011. I absolutely adored her debut novel The Hating Game, but I admit to being disappointed with her second novel Watching Willow Watts. However, with the promise of her third novel being more like The Hating Game than Watching Willow Watts, I nearly died of excitement when my review e-copy came into my inbox because I expect a lot from Talli. She’s an author I enjo
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Jan 23, 2012
Katrin
rated it:
I loved reading this book right from the beginning.
Having won this book at a competition on Trashionista.com (thank you :) ), I had it on my tbr-pile for a couple of weeks and decided to read it as my first book on my very new Christmas-Kindle.
I love both - "Build a Man" any my Kindle.
Serenity Holland is an interesting caracter. I can picture her well sitting behind her computer, reading all the magazines online, checking in new Botox-clients.
She has a good More...
Having won this book at a competition on Trashionista.com (thank you :) ), I had it on my tbr-pile for a couple of weeks and decided to read it as my first book on my very new Christmas-Kindle.
I love both - "Build a Man" any my Kindle.
Serenity Holland is an interesting caracter. I can picture her well sitting behind her computer, reading all the magazines online, checking in new Botox-clients.
She has a good More...
Dec 26, 2011
Grace
rated it:
A delightful book that I couldnt put down and left me eager to read what happened next.
I suspect this book falls into the category 'Chick lit' - and if so, Build a Man is the first book in this genre that I've read and I'm impressed.
This was an easy read but with living breathing characters who I empathised with. I was right there with Serenity as she bore the arrogance of the botox babes: one of the strengths of this book is that even the walk-on characters are believable, but witho More...
I suspect this book falls into the category 'Chick lit' - and if so, Build a Man is the first book in this genre that I've read and I'm impressed.
This was an easy read but with living breathing characters who I empathised with. I was right there with Serenity as she bore the arrogance of the botox babes: one of the strengths of this book is that even the walk-on characters are believable, but witho More...
Jan 01, 2012
Rea
rated it:
Well the whole question as to if I enjoyed the book or not I feel has already been answered in the timescale that I read the book. I would easily say that Build a Man is my favourite book by Talli Roland and I feel it is a mixture between the unique storyline ( well have you read a book based around plastic surgery and botox!) and a great mix of characters which makes this book a great read.
I found Serenity very likeable from the first chapter, as she came across as a very down to eart More...
I found Serenity very likeable from the first chapter, as she came across as a very down to eart More...
Feb 19, 2012
Kirsty
rated it:
I've read a lot of chick-lit over the years, so I'm becoming more discerning as time goes on. This one was a lot of fun - especially from an author that appears to be independent! I liked the premise (it was quite weird because at the time, one of my web design clients was a cosmetic surgeon!) - and while I bordered on getting annoyed with Serenity, she redeemed herself in the end. The only thing that really frustrated me was the sheer number of times that Jaffa Cakes were mentioned! I'm from Au
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Dec 01, 2011
Tonya
rated it:
I absolutely loved Build A Man! I've read all of Talli's books and this has to be by far the one with the most heart. Her voice really shines through in her writing and her passion for her characters are proven in the way she develops her characters. With out giving too much away, I really fought for Serenity to dig deep in her moral soul and do what was ethically right for her life. Serenity shows that you can do a job you love and not compromise your moral compass. I also fell in love with her
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Dec 20, 2011
Georgina
rated it:
http://chicklitaholic.blogspot.com/2011/...
After reading and falling in love with Watching Willow Watts and The Hating Game by Talli Roland, earlier this year, I was on tenter hooks awaiting the release of her next book. Luckily I did not have to wait long before Build A Man was published in Novemeber. As soon as I recieved my copy, I could not resisit making time especially to get started on reading it. I am still in awe as to how Talli Roland has been able to release three books this More...
After reading and falling in love with Watching Willow Watts and The Hating Game by Talli Roland, earlier this year, I was on tenter hooks awaiting the release of her next book. Luckily I did not have to wait long before Build A Man was published in Novemeber. As soon as I recieved my copy, I could not resisit making time especially to get started on reading it. I am still in awe as to how Talli Roland has been able to release three books this More...
Jan 07, 2012
Nathalie
rated it:
This is the first book of Talli Roland's I have read, and will definitely be getting her other ones! I cannot wait for the sequel to 'Build A Man' to come out next year.
I did find this book a bit difficult to get into at first if I'm honest, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because within a few chapters I'd got into it and started to really enjoy it. The characters were great and I felt like I was getting behind them, and really rooting for them, despite their flaws!
I tho More...
I did find this book a bit difficult to get into at first if I'm honest, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because within a few chapters I'd got into it and started to really enjoy it. The characters were great and I felt like I was getting behind them, and really rooting for them, despite their flaws!
I tho More...
Feb 07, 2012
Jude
rated it:
I treated myself to this book after enjoying Ms Roland's The Hating Game. I certainly wasn't disappointed and found it hard to put down.
Serenity has to be one of my favourite heroines and I think there's a little bit of Serenity in all of us. She tries really hard to turn herself into someone she is not. She tries to be tidy and behave the way her boyfriend wants her to, but he shows more affection towards his snooty cat.
I fell in love with Jeremy almost straight away. I More...
Serenity has to be one of my favourite heroines and I think there's a little bit of Serenity in all of us. She tries really hard to turn herself into someone she is not. She tries to be tidy and behave the way her boyfriend wants her to, but he shows more affection towards his snooty cat.
I fell in love with Jeremy almost straight away. I More...
Jan 04, 2012
Sharon
rated it:
We meet Serenity in Talli Roland’s Build a Man while she is behind the receptionist desk at Transforma Harley Street clinic. It’s very obvious to the reader how she feels about the clients and her over-riding ambition to make it big in the tabloid scene.
Boss and partner Peter is a man ruled by routine. Everything is meticulously correct and he is pedantic to the extreme. Initially, Serenity is drawn to him though because of this. We always partner with someone who we think has th More...
Boss and partner Peter is a man ruled by routine. Everything is meticulously correct and he is pedantic to the extreme. Initially, Serenity is drawn to him though because of this. We always partner with someone who we think has th More...
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Jan 27, 2012
Marita
rated it:
The author pulls you into the story so much I found myself really disliking some of the characters. The main character (Serenity) is so flawed and likeable. I thought she would stand up for herself a little more, but I also understood the vulnerability of situation (being in a new town with only one friend who's preoccupied).
The description of London was so clear I could imagine myself wandering around Marylebone.
Her writing style was smooth and the book was a great escape f More...
The description of London was so clear I could imagine myself wandering around Marylebone.
Her writing style was smooth and the book was a great escape f More...
Dec 24, 2011
D.J.
rated it:
Build a Man is filled with the type of drama that Talli Roland’s readers have come to love except that this time she seems to have added an extra splash of feel good factor. This is a truly indulgent read, and one which is equally suited to the commute into work as it is to a duvet day. I was sorry to reach the end of Build a Man and look forward to Talli Roland’s next book.
Nov 13, 2011
Karen
rated it:
A fun read about an American girl new to London finding her career, her man, and herself. I especially enjoyed the London setting and experiencing the city through Serenity's eyes. And the theme of unnecessary cosmetic surgery and the Botox rage intrigued me. I kept visualizing the story as a movie while I read. It would make a good one!
Dec 08, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
This was the first book of Talli Roland's that I have read. I must say that I absolutely loved it. The idea was clever, the characters were believable and I can't wait for the next installment - 'Construct a Couple'. Well done Talli.
Nov 13, 2011
Joo
rated it:
If you are a fan of Talli's books, then you will love this. It is 'classic' Talli, so you know you are getting a fantastic chick-lit read.
It's no secret I'm a fan. The writing is superb, very readable.
It's an interesting story set in a plastic surgery about Serenity who wants to be a reporter. You really feel for her as things go wrong around her.
I think Talli's books get better and better and I again look forward to reading more.
It's no secret I'm a fan. The writing is superb, very readable.
It's an interesting story set in a plastic surgery about Serenity who wants to be a reporter. You really feel for her as things go wrong around her.
I think Talli's books get better and better and I again look forward to reading more.
Dec 04, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
I've read Talli's first two books, The Hating Game and Watching Willow Watts, and this is just as good, if not better! Serenity is the sweetest, most naive "idiot," I've ever loved. Ha! All I wanted to do was give her a hug and a slap in the face. This book is better than chocolate. And of course, as it seems to be a trend in Talli's work, it offers a valuable lesson to us all. So, my advice is, instead of spending your money on a family block of Cadbury's, buy this instead. It's much
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