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Practically Perfect
by
Katie Fforde
Anna, a newly qualified interior designer, has decided it’s time to put her money and her expertise where her mouth is and risk everythingto buy a tiny but adorable cottage in desperate need of renovation.
Outside, the chocolate-box cottage is perfect, but inside, all is chaos. With a ladder for a staircase, no downstairs flooring, candles the only form of lighting, and a s...more
Outside, the chocolate-box cottage is perfect, but inside, all is chaos. With a ladder for a staircase, no downstairs flooring, candles the only form of lighting, and a s...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
April 15th 2008
by St. Martin's Press
(first published 2006)
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I picked this off the shelf at the library just to take a break from all the kids books I read. But this was too long, some of the characters never settled for me, and the man-woman relationships didn't feel real.
If the girl wants to redo houses by hand, is qualified, and is good at it, why did she constantly seem to feel like she has to defend herself about it? Just get on with it. Maybe drink a little less champagne. And stop talking about how small the cottage is! It was very distracting of h...more
If the girl wants to redo houses by hand, is qualified, and is good at it, why did she constantly seem to feel like she has to defend herself about it? Just get on with it. Maybe drink a little less champagne. And stop talking about how small the cottage is! It was very distracting of h...more
The Book Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde wasn’t a very good one. Practically Perfect is 373 pages and is in the romance genre.
The book was basically about an interior designer named Anna, who is fixing up an old English cottage in the small town of Amberford. She is very close to her sister who lives in the city with her family. She also comes to know her neighbor Chloe who provides her with help, advice, tea and a rescue greyhound Caroline. The cottage is picture perfect on the outside, bu...more
The book was basically about an interior designer named Anna, who is fixing up an old English cottage in the small town of Amberford. She is very close to her sister who lives in the city with her family. She also comes to know her neighbor Chloe who provides her with help, advice, tea and a rescue greyhound Caroline. The cottage is picture perfect on the outside, bu...more
I discovered Katie Fforde a year ago. I went through a silly phase where I was randomly reading books with green covers. Fforde’s Restoring Grace cover jumped out at me. I think it had something to do with procrastination and a paint project at home – green paint, of course! Recently I was pleased to find two new Fforde books on the New Fiction Shelves – Bidding for Love and Practically Perfect.
Fforde’s books are set in Great Britain in various locations. They all have characters who could easi...more
Fforde’s books are set in Great Britain in various locations. They all have characters who could easi...more
Anna is binnenhuisarchitect en heeft alles op het
spel gezet door een klein maar schattig huis te kopen. Zo hoopt ze
meteen haar familie te bewijzen dat ze prima voor zichzelf kan zorgen.
Maar hoewel het huis er van buiten perfect uitziet, heerst er achter de
voordeur complete chaos: de vloer ontbreekt, ze gebruikt een ladder als
trap, en de verlichting bestaat uit kaarslicht. Anna begint zich al snel
af te vragen of ze zich misschien te veel op haar hals heeft gehaald.
Gelukkig
krijgt Anna behal
...more
spel gezet door een klein maar schattig huis te kopen. Zo hoopt ze
meteen haar familie te bewijzen dat ze prima voor zichzelf kan zorgen.
Maar hoewel het huis er van buiten perfect uitziet, heerst er achter de
voordeur complete chaos: de vloer ontbreekt, ze gebruikt een ladder als
trap, en de verlichting bestaat uit kaarslicht. Anna begint zich al snel
af te vragen of ze zich misschien te veel op haar hals heeft gehaald.
Gelukkig
krijgt Anna behal
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't really care about Anna's love life, as I could guess what would happen with that, but I loved reading about her friendship with Chloe and how her relationship with Caroline the greyhound deepened, and it was also interesting reading about all the building work as she did it all herself.
I am not a dog person, but after reading this I have to admit that owning a dog doesn't sound so horrible. The book also makes renovating a house sound like fun, although I thi...more
I am not a dog person, but after reading this I have to admit that owning a dog doesn't sound so horrible. The book also makes renovating a house sound like fun, although I thi...more
I have never read anything by Katie Fforde before but have always had a sort of guilty-pleasure-rooted fondness in "city girl moves to country and tries to make it" stories. Probably because of I've always wanted to move into a rural area myself...ideally a little village not unlike the one described in Practically Perfect.
However I found this read a little lack lustre. There were a lot of mannerisms which the characters shared (not great characterization) and I found kind of wooden or forced. I...more
However I found this read a little lack lustre. There were a lot of mannerisms which the characters shared (not great characterization) and I found kind of wooden or forced. I...more
I can only stand so much Fforde at once and this one put me over the limit. I enjoyed the interior design plots and the not-too-nice guy and the portrayal of a nice sisterly neighbors relationship, but I don't understand the pushy undertone of women finding their true niche in nurturing. I don't think there's anything wrong with nurturing, mind you, but sometimes Fforde seems to be offering some pretty reactionary lessons about Appropriate Choices for Women (not that all modern fiction doesn't p...more
As much as I enjoy reading Katie Fforde's A perfect proposal, I enjoy reading this one too. Although I think the excitement only comes later in the middle of the book. At the beginning of the plot, it seems dull and plain. I didnt get to feel the excitement like how I feel in A Perfect Proposal. Pardon me for comparing these two books because I have only got the chance to read two of Katie Fforde's books so far. I do think the existence of Max in the novel is rather unwelcoming, or I rather say...more
The thing is, this book was just slow. It seemed like too much time was devoted to really ordinary events; like characters drinking tea or Anna reminding the reader she has no shower or bath, and not enough to creating plot twists. Perhaps it’s just me, but I found myself losing focus in the middle little bit. Unfortunately this just made me concentrate on the irksome bits more. For example, the way Fforde constantly describes Anna as scruffy. I got that she was supposed to be a bit careless of...more
Katie Ffore is opne of my authors when I want to read for enjoyment. Her books may be called fluff by some readers, but everyone needs a little fluff at some time in their life.
This book is about Anna, an interior decorator, who with her sister, Laura, buys a small cottage within commuting distance of London. Anna sets about to refit and restore the cottage so that it can be resold. She does most of the work herself, from repairing flooring, plumbing and setting stones in the fireplace to buildi...more
This book is about Anna, an interior decorator, who with her sister, Laura, buys a small cottage within commuting distance of London. Anna sets about to refit and restore the cottage so that it can be resold. She does most of the work herself, from repairing flooring, plumbing and setting stones in the fireplace to buildi...more
Katie Fforde is my go-to author in the romance genre. Mostly because her books are undemanding and inoffensive in the sort of 'romance' they depict.
Actually, the romance plot is quite often the least convincing part of her books, and 'Practically Perfect' was no exception. From the first pages it was quite obvious where the heroine was headed, romantically. But that's not the main point, when it comes to Fforde's book, at least for me - what I like about them is that the heroine is usually a wo...more
Actually, the romance plot is quite often the least convincing part of her books, and 'Practically Perfect' was no exception. From the first pages it was quite obvious where the heroine was headed, romantically. But that's not the main point, when it comes to Fforde's book, at least for me - what I like about them is that the heroine is usually a wo...more
Dec 16, 2009
Darkpool
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who don't get out much,
Probably my least liked Katie fforde so far. I'd probably prefer to give this 2.8 stars, but it's only a 5 point scale. I found the characters annoying - in fact I wanted to shout at the heroine several times for being so stupid, saying really dumb things, over-reacting, being a drama queen, and generally needing a jolly good slap. Like her I couldn't quite credit the hero's reaction at the dramatic conclusion to the story, and felt the author had done very little to justify his behaviour: it di...more
Not bad, although I didn't think it was that good in the process. Language sometimes struck me as somewhat clumsy at times and love story a bit boring, but all in all by the time I finished I realised that I quite enjoyed it actually. It's a "comfort reading" (like in the episode when Cloe, the friend of the main character Anna comes to console her and cure her broken heart with fish and chips, bottle of vodka and a bag full of books). Not too engaging or thilling, but cosy. What I especially li...more
Not bad, although I didn't think it was that good in the process. Language sometimes struck me as somewhat clumsy at times and love story a bit boring, but all in all by the time I finished I realised that I quite enjoyed it actually. It's a "comfort reading" (like in the episode when Cloe, the friend of the main character Anna comes to console her and cure her broken heart with fish and chips, bottle of vodka and a bag full of books). Not too engaging or thilling, but cosy. What I especially li...more
Liked this more than 'Love Letters'. This book also featured a character called Laura. Katie must like that name and why not? All the best people are called Laura. Anyways, this Laura was cast as the bossy older sister.....doesn't sound like me at all.......She wasn't a main character but I just thought I'd bring it up because Laura is my name. I liked Anna and Chloe. I loved the little cottage she brought, it sounded lovely after she had done it up. I was gutted she had to sell it in the end. I...more
I wasn't crazy about this book, but I did enjoy some parts of it. It's about a woman named Anna who buys a cottage in the countryside of England. She's in love with a guy she's barely known named Max, but also meets a guy named Rob who she falls for. Anna also has a greyhound. Throughout the story Anna works on her house, while doing things with her neighbor Chloe, Rob and Max. One thing I didn't like was that she tried so hard to impress Max when even I could see at the beginning that he was a...more
One of my favorite Fforde books. I love the formula of her books. Girl meets boy, girl dislikes boy, boy falls in love with girl, girl falls in love with boy, some conflict, then a happy ending. She writes my kind of feel-good romance novel, and she is a very clean author. Some of her newer books have surprised me with a part that was a little more graphic, which has been a bit of a turn-off for her books. I also love how the heroine in each novel has some sort of hobby that the book revolves ar...more
Oct 19, 2012
Carola Johanningmeijer-harmsen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
chick-lit
Anna, binnenhuisarchitect, besluit haar leven over een totaal andere boeg te gooien. Ze verhuist naar een klein, pittoresk dorpje waar ze niemand kent, ver weg van haar bemoeizuchtige familie en onbeantwoorde liefde. Eenmaal aangekomen in haar nieuwe, maar zeer kleine stekje, blijkt dat ook daar het leven onvoorspelbaar kan zijn. Voor ze het weet zit ze opgescheept met een nieuwe huisgenoot en een man die een grote belemmering vormt in de renovatie van haar huis. Gelukkig vindt ze een nieuwe vri...more
Fairly standard for a Katie Fforde novel. It's a pleasant enough story with nice characters although it annoyed me somewhat that one of the main character's - Anna - suitors was so obviously a total **** that you couldn't believe that she wouldn't be able to see it in real life. The other main gripe I had - which is a bit more shallow - was that this is a character who can afford to buy and renovate houses, but she can't afford to buy a jumper that isn't falling apart.
Apart from that it was a de...more
Apart from that it was a de...more
Chick lit really does have a formula, girl falls in love with obviously the wrong sort of bloke who just happens to be good looking rich etc. Can't see for looking the man practically on her doorstep, who she starts of hating is the one she will end up. Finally sees the error of her ways, falls in loves, then has massive fall out with him and a, will they - won't they sort it our type thing and all ends happily ever after!!
On the plus side, they are easy to read, and don't take much brain power,...more
On the plus side, they are easy to read, and don't take much brain power,...more
I really enjoy Katie Fforde, but this was not one of her better efforts. She seems to have followed the same formula in other novels, so this seems a bit tired.
A young interior designer and DIY pro has purchase a small cottage in the country to fix up and re-sell (a.k.a. flip). She is befriended by the young mother of three next door and a rescue greyhound. After a few false starts with the man in charge of the historical registry and an old crush, she succeeds and finds true love with both a ma...more
A young interior designer and DIY pro has purchase a small cottage in the country to fix up and re-sell (a.k.a. flip). She is befriended by the young mother of three next door and a rescue greyhound. After a few false starts with the man in charge of the historical registry and an old crush, she succeeds and finds true love with both a ma...more
I love Katie Fforde's books, you always know where you are with them. They represent a wonderful fairy tale like lifestyle with real life twists, turns and complications. At first I did find the book hard to get into, however I don't put this down to the writing or plot but because I had read four books in the weekend that I started this one and it was probably too much for me. However, once I did get into the book (which was by the third chapter) I loved it and kept going with it!
I loved Anna,...more
I loved Anna,...more
Nov 16, 2008
Nikki
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
not-so-trashy-trashy-novels
Katie fforde has a surefire formula for the kind of romance books I like. Her heroine, who starts out either single or newly single, always has a project, and a challenging and creative project at that. She will not be looking for a "relationship," in fact she will normally say she hasn't time for one...but of course by the end of the book one will transpire. Occasionally there will be a Mr. Wrong somewhere in the middle. The heroine will also be a woman who enjoys and values the friendship of...more
Dogs and construction anyone?
I had high hopes for this tale. I was looking forward to reading the details of the property renovations at Anna's newly purchased house (and tales of animal rescue). However, I was slightly disappointed. The story was more about her relationships in a small town (which she elected to move to because of a crush) and falling in love.
I had high hopes for this tale. I was looking forward to reading the details of the property renovations at Anna's newly purchased house (and tales of animal rescue). However, I was slightly disappointed. The story was more about her relationships in a small town (which she elected to move to because of a crush) and falling in love.
Jun 29, 2009
The Library Lady
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fiction,
mindless-fluff
What is it with Katie Fforde?
Every time I read one of her books, I enjoy it and I get involved in it.
And then, somewhere near the end, though you're still interested SHE seems to lose interest in what she is writing. And suddenly you're at the ending and it feels like a let down.
I should know better by now. And yet, I like her books enough that I keep reading them....
Every time I read one of her books, I enjoy it and I get involved in it.
And then, somewhere near the end, though you're still interested SHE seems to lose interest in what she is writing. And suddenly you're at the ending and it feels like a let down.
I should know better by now. And yet, I like her books enough that I keep reading them....
Anna is redoing a home; she is an interior designer, but also very good with construction. However, the only reason she bought this particular home is because the mother of Max lives in the area.
Anna has had a crush on max for years, and she hopes to see him again.
She does run in to max, but she also meets someone else, Rob.
It is a cute, quick read.
Anna has had a crush on max for years, and she hopes to see him again.
She does run in to max, but she also meets someone else, Rob.
It is a cute, quick read.
A very light chicklit novel. I only spent only 1 day to finish it after reading Pramoedya Ananta Toer before that. Start to be very lazy after reading this kind of novel, It's all about a girl, her passion dreams on interior design and dogs. Relationship with a dog lover near her dream house.. and so on...
and the ending really shallow for me.
Okh just wanna sleep just read this chicklit
zzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzzz
and the ending really shallow for me.
Okh just wanna sleep just read this chicklit
zzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzzzzzzzz
It was ok. And I like the idea and everything, but from the two books I've read from this author so far.. the main people don't get together until the very last pages pretty much. And it feels like such an abrupt ending and I also don't feel like the main people like each other as much as we are supposed to believe, they need more time or scenes.
So-so Katie Fforde novel. I found the protagonists' career (interior design) rather boring, partially because Anna was already relatively confident so there was little room for strife or growth, and partially because it was described in tedious detail. Additionally, the romance(s) were less interesting than in other novels.
For me books are also reminders of where I am and where I have been, for me Practically Perfect reminds me of a summer day.
Katie's books are the kind of books you can lose yourself in and feel you are part of a story. I love the title. For me it sums it up how life is and Katie can make you feel like that.
Katie's books are the kind of books you can lose yourself in and feel you are part of a story. I love the title. For me it sums it up how life is and Katie can make you feel like that.
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Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married with Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She had three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing befor...more
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