Rumour Has It

May 08, 2010 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: beach-read, chick-lit, humor

Story Overview

This is the story of what happens when a girl from the city moves to a little town and finds out what happens when people stop being polite ... and start being real. (Oh wait ... that is the description of The Real World, isn't it?) But, essentially, this book is about how living in a small town can be a little like living in fish bowl. The town in question is Roxborough (located in the UK ... but I'm not sure if it is a real town or a Mansell creation). When Tilly Cole is left by...more

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May 29, 2010 Kristi (Books and Needlepoint) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs

My synopsis: Tilly and Erin have been friends since college - but after Tilly went to London and Erin went home to Roxborough to care for an ailing mother. After her boyfriend moves out of their flat and leaves her with the rent, Tilly decides it is time for a change. When visiting Erin for the weekend she stumbles across an ad for a job - a "girl Friday" and decides to give it a shot.

Strong-arming her way in for an interview, she meets Max Dineen - interior designer, father of Lou, and decidedl...more My synopsis: Tilly and Erin have been friends since college - but after Tilly went to London and Erin went home to Roxborough to care for an ailing mother. After her boyfriend moves out of their flat and leaves her with the rent, Tilly decides it is time for a change. When visiting Erin for the weekend she stumbles across an ad for a job - a "girl Friday" and decides to give it a shot.

Strong-arming her way in for an interview, she meets Max Dineen - interior designer, father of Lou, and decidedly gay. He had been married to Kaye, Lou's mom, but finally had to admit that he was gay and so they divorced. He was looking for someone to help him with his business and raising his teenage daughter. Lou had lived in California with her mother for awhile, but decided that she missed this home too much. Max and Tilly hit it off famously and the deal was sealed.

Tilly meets Jack Lucas soon after moving to Roxborough and is warned by everyone that he is a "love 'em and leave 'em" type of guy and that she would just be a notch on his bedpost. She does a good job of keeping her distance until she learns that Jack had been engaged and that his fiance had died. She continues to get to know him, and despite herself, the attraction grows. She continues to push him away, telling herself that regardless of what he says, she would not be different than any other girl. Finally with a weekend with Max and Lou out of town, she decides to accept a date with Jack. Unfortunately Jack's almost in-laws show up that night and he has to call and cancel. For Tilly, that was the last straw - she feels she was saved from certain disaster.

Jill Mansell gives you a whole cast of wacky characters to round out the story. There is Erin, Tilly's friend. Fergus, Erin's boyfriend who is married but separated from Stella - Scary Stella as some call her. She has a way of being mean to just about everybody but tries to use the reasoning that she is just telling them the truth. Kaye, Max's ex-wife also joins the fray when she arrives from America - having been put on "trial by tabloid" and losing her job on a TV show. Oh - and we mustn't forget Betty, Max and Lou's dog!

I always enjoy reading one of Ms. Mansell's books. This one was no exception. The characters are fun and full of life and the books are always very humorous. If you are looking for a good British chick lit book/author - you need look no further. I am definitely a fan!
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Apr 15, 2010 Terra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am going to say right off the bat that I really could never get into Chick Lit, that is until now. This is the most hilarious story with that off the wall pure British comedy that will make you chuckle from page one to the end. This author has certainly shown me that light and fluff with a great storyline, a few important messages and some just down and out comedy is what you need every now and then. OMG, I'm still chuckling. I am so going to have to check out the rest of this author's line of...more

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May 07, 2010 Becky R. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really can't say enough how much I enjoyed reading this wonderful book. As a fan of Meg Cabot's adult books, and Sophie Kinsella's stand alone novels, I felt like I'd found a book that was reminiscent of the type of "chick lit" that allowed the main character to be strong, yet emotionally open. Tilly was a sweet character that only annoyed me in her resistance to Jack, who really manages to warm the heart. Jack isn't the regular Lothario that you're eager to hate; he's actually much more compl...more

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Apr 24, 2009 Emma rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

This book is a light and easy read, it is reasonably enjoyable but it seems like just another Jill Mansell book - same characters with different names in a different setting. Very predictable but fun nonetheless.

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May 18, 2013 Sarah Jordan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think I've been living under a rock, because this is the first book I've read by Jill Mansell, and it's the first I had ever heard of her. Shocking! Because this is easily one of the most sparkling, witty, delightful, engaging and every other happy, bubbly descriptor out there. It's the mimosa of books - bubbly, fizzy fun, with some quality writing thrown in.
Tilly is a rather aimless twenty eight year old, who is dumped by her boring boyfriend. She heads off to quiet little Roxborough to spend...more I think I've been living under a rock, because this is the first book I've read by Jill Mansell, and it's the first I had ever heard of her. Shocking! Because this is easily one of the most sparkling, witty, delightful, engaging and every other happy, bubbly descriptor out there. It's the mimosa of books - bubbly, fizzy fun, with some quality writing thrown in.
Tilly is a rather aimless twenty eight year old, who is dumped by her boring boyfriend. She heads off to quiet little Roxborough to spend the weekend with her best friend Erin, and impulsively ends up taking a job as a "Girl Friday" to Max, a divorced interior designer with a teenage daughter. Tilly is definitely aware of local hottie Jack Lucas, and it turns out he is Max's best friend. But Tilly is determined not to become another notch on Jack's bedpost, and does her best to ignore their mutual attraction. As Tilly adapts to her new job and life in quaint Roxborough, she realizes small town life is anything but boring.
While reading Rumor Has It, I was completely sucked in by the zippy narrative and quick-witted dialogue of all the characters. Mansell really has a gift for writing conversations that come alive and feel spontaneous, engaging the reader in the moment. Her secondary characters are just as interesting as Tilly, Jack and Max. Max's ex-wife Kaye is a Hollywood actress who comes home to hide after a paparazzi nightmare, Erin is having a love affair with Stella's estranged husband Fergus, and Stella herself is a bitchy, vindictive force of nature. There is a lot going on in this book besides Tilly and Jack's developing relationship, all of it interesting.
My only issue with this otherwise wonderful book is that, after I finished it, I realized I still had no real sense of Tilly. I couldn't really picture her in my head (physical descriptions are minimal for the most part), and never felt as if I knew her. She felt like an acquaintance and I had a window into her life, keeping me as the reader at a distance and not emotionally engaged. Entertained yes, but not personally engaged. During the reading of this book I didn't feel disconnected at all, because there was so much else going on plotwise. But after I had finished, rather than feeling intense satisfaction, I felt as if something was missing. It's the same feeling I get when I go see a Hollywood blockbuster-action-type movie, and I am thoroughly entertained for 90 minutes but once I leave the theater my brain's already starting to forget what I just watched. Which is not a bad thing:-)
Overall a delightful escape - and who doesn't need that in their life?(less)

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Apr 13, 2013 Jill Gilbert rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recently, I have been reading escapist, fluffy romance novels instead of my usual mix of YA dystopian books, contemporary fiction, and mysteries. This book reminded me quite a bit of The Casual Vacancy, only in an upside down, happy world. Both novels are set in claustrophobically small English villages where rumor and innuendo rule the day. But where the Rowling book spirals tragically, this book rides waves of happiness to its finish, while addressing issues of homophobia, character assassinat...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Lori Green rated it 3 of 5 stars

There was a recent sale on Jill Mansell titles and between Carolyn and I, we got a few. I'd read some previously and was lukewarm on what I'd read before. But a good sale and chick lit are a siren's call to me so what the hell.

I just finished Rumor Has It and thought it has the best and worst of what chick lit is.

Pro: it's a romance.

Pro: The women have careers.

Con: Men are more important than careers.

Pro: Gay ex.

Con: Gay ex.

Con: The hero was engaged previously and she died in a drowning accident...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Noise801 rated it 3 of 5 stars

The story about a girl escaping her life in London and moving to a small and quiet town, to work as a ‘girl friday’. Even though Tilly is happy to leave all the stress in London and move closer to her best friend Erin, she soon discovers the problem with small towns.
Rumours spread faster than the actual news. And suddenly, both Erin and Tilly are the main subjects.

Tilly finds herself in the middle of a confusing situation. Sure, Jack is hot and sweet and perfect. But what about the rumours. As...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Ria Lize rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. While some parts were hilarious, I found Rumor has It a bit predictable. For instance, right when we were introduced to Parker AKA mystery 'stalker', I kind of already knew he'd end up with Kaye. I just knew it in my gut.

Then when Tilly had to go and reject Jack so many times. Oh, Tilly. You're likable, but to a certain point. There should be a limit to how many times you would hurt Jack. To think she'd only succumb only when he practically had to drag her and buy her a ring. Although I don't de...more While some parts were hilarious, I found Rumor has It a bit predictable. For instance, right when we were introduced to Parker AKA mystery 'stalker', I kind of already knew he'd end up with Kaye. I just knew it in my gut.

Then when Tilly had to go and reject Jack so many times. Oh, Tilly. You're likable, but to a certain point. There should be a limit to how many times you would hurt Jack. To think she'd only succumb only when he practically had to drag her and buy her a ring. Although I don't deny that that bit was a pleasure to read.

But ...Tilly would rather he commit to someone else than her to prove he can actually be serious in a relationship? That's just... not done. I like my protagonists to be daring, to have spine and stand up for what they believe in, and even fight with the male lead sometimes to spice things up a little. But there is no spine in running away from a relationship- telling him she'd rather he have a relationship with someone else was just cowardly. Tilly was a little too hard-to-get for my liking. I wouldn't want her to surrender so easily, but at least to give him a chance to prove it to her. But... She wouldn't even give him the light of day.

Also, I love how Jack doesn't just run off to some woman and to the very end tried to prove his seriousness in his commitment. Even better, when I discovered (view spoiler)- I thought it was kind of a brilliant twist. Initially, I disliked Jack, but later on felt sorry for him. I wanted to hug him too.

Overall, I think it was a solid story. It's just that I didn't enjoy it as much as I would've liked. I love how there were really no bad guys in this one. The characters were warm and likable that I felt that if the author chose to, they could even have their own stories. The author certainly developed them to an extent that I would want to read about them too. So the alternating POVs could be seen as a good thing, though I kind of just wanted to read about Tilly and Jack. Until TIlly got a little silly (Ha! That rhymed), and I knocked stars off. Still, a wonderful read, great laugh-out-loud moments in this one too.

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Jul 18, 2012 Lydia Laceby rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-women-s-fiction

Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes

I enjoy Jill Mansell’s books well enough, but don’t get completely absorbed or enthralled in them and Rumour Has It one was no exception, but I’m sure her fans won’t be disappointed. I like her novels well enough, but they wouldn’t be the first on the list for me to read.

The plot of Rumour Has It is well structured and there are many side stories, none of them having any gaps and all seemed to relate to the small town gossip that is the theme of the novel. I...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Once again, Jill Mansell has written a wonderful book! I admire the way she weaves all these different characters in and out of the story, making you wish you knew them personally. Well, except for Stella, perhaps. But even though she was often quite nasty and outspoken, especially about Erin's affair with Fergus, she proved to be very human in the end. I really liked Max, his ex wife, Kaye, and their wonderfully rambunctious daughter, Lou. They were divorced after 10 years when Max admitted he...more

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May 22, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, contemporary-romance

I'm not sure how to described this book. It was okay, but I didn't love it.
The heroine Tilly is dumped by her boyfriend as a result of her self-sabotaging behavior. As she is about to depart from a small village where she's been visiting a friend, she spots a newspaper want ad for a "girl friday." She responds immediately and finds herself living with and working for a divorced gay man, Max, and his daughter.

There was too much going on this story. Tilly's best friend, Erin, was seeing a guy wh...more

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May 08, 2012 Stephanie Greene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Londoner Tilly Cole walks into her home one day to discover her live-in boyfriend of many years has dissapeared and left her in the lurch, so she decides to visit some pals in the English countryside, in Roxborough, to clear the cobwebs from her brain and to get her head together. There she meets Max Dineen, a local single dad, and his daughter Lou, as well as tragic widower Jack Lucas, who is so hot that he makes Tilly feel all hot and bothered.

Tilly decides to take a job working as Max and Lou...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Rowena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review

When we got this book for review, I was all about it because I adore reading chick lit book and this seemed like something that I knew I would be in the mood for and when I finally picked it up. I couldn't put it down. The book starts off with Tilly's boyfriend leaving her and her not being too bothered about it. She goes to visit her friend in the country and that trip changes the course of her life.

Watching as Tilly came into her own with her new job, her new home and everything else made for...more When we got this book for review, I was all about it because I adore reading chick lit book and this seemed like something that I knew I would be in the mood for and when I finally picked it up. I couldn't put it down. The book starts off with Tilly's boyfriend leaving her and her not being too bothered about it. She goes to visit her friend in the country and that trip changes the course of her life.

Watching as Tilly came into her own with her new job, her new home and everything else made for a very entertaining read. This book had me cracking up. I thought it was just too funny watching the adventures Tilly went through in this book. I really enjoyed the characters interactions and the British humor. They're such great conversationalists. I love reading and listening to the British slang and everything. They're such a hoot!

This book had it all. It had great dialogue and fantastic characters. What more is there to want? Not much but as much as I enjoyed this book, there were loads of things about Tilly that totally got on my frickin nerves. Tilly's whole thing about keeping her distance from Jack, even after she found out that she was wrong in everything she thought she knew about him (you know what they say about people who ASSume) that she walked away from him in an effort to save herself from heart ache. I could respect that if she knew that he was a player for real, she had concrete evidence then yeah, I could see her trying to save herself the heart ache but he WASN'T like that. He wasn't guilty of ANYTHING that she accused him of and she still kept her distance from him. It was so dumb and that was the other thing that annoyed me about Tilly. She called Jack on every little thing, everything and none of it was true and even when she was made to look like the idiot that she was, she didn't seem genuine in her apology. It was more like, "Oops, my bad" and then she just went back to whatever it was she was doing.

And while we're on that, Jack. He was the perfect guy, charming and hot and everything that a girl could want. Women all over town wanted to do him and he could have his pick of the litter and the one woman he does want makes him jump through hoop after hoop after hoop. It was so annoying that he let Tilly get away with treating him the way that she did. I kept waiting for him to get good and pissed at her but he kept trying to explain himself to her when he shouldn't have but alls well that ends well because I forgave them for acting like idiots. The book ends the way it's supposed to end and that's really all that matters but their stupidness does affect my grade for the book.

I really enjoyed getting to know the other characters as well. From Max and Lou to Kaye and Erin. I loved them all. Even Declan from the pub.(less)

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Jul 03, 2010 Rowena rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review

When we got this book for review, I was all about it because I adore reading chick lit book and this seemed like something that I knew I would be in the mood for and when I finally picked it up. I couldn't put it down. The book starts off with Tilly's boyfriend leaving her and her not being too bothered about it. She goes to visit her friend in the country and that trip changes the course of her life.

Watching as Tilly came into her own with her new job, her new home and everything else made for...more When we got this book for review, I was all about it because I adore reading chick lit book and this seemed like something that I knew I would be in the mood for and when I finally picked it up. I couldn't put it down. The book starts off with Tilly's boyfriend leaving her and her not being too bothered about it. She goes to visit her friend in the country and that trip changes the course of her life.

Watching as Tilly came into her own with her new job, her new home and everything else made for a very entertaining read. This book had me cracking up. I thought it was just too funny watching the adventures Tilly went through in this book. I really enjoyed the characters interactions and the British humor. They're such great conversationalists. I love reading and listening to the British slang and everything. They're such a hoot!

This book had it all. It had great dialogue and fantastic characters. What more is there to want? Not much but as much as I enjoyed this book, there were loads of things about Tilly that totally got on my frickin nerves. Tilly's whole thing about keeping her distance from Jack, even after she found out that she was wrong in everything she thought she knew about him (you know what they say about people who ASSume) that she walked away from him in an effort to save herself from heart ache. I could respect that if she knew that he was a player for real, she had concrete evidence then yeah, I could see her trying to save herself the heart ache but he WASN'T like that. He wasn't guilty of ANYTHING that she accused him of and she still kept her distance from him. It was so dumb and that was the other thing that annoyed me about Tilly. She called Jack on every little thing, everything and none of it was true and even when she was made to look like the idiot that she was, she didn't seem genuine in her apology. It was more like, "Oops, my bad" and then she just went back to whatever it was she was doing.

And while we're on that, Jack. He was the perfect guy, charming and hot and everything that a girl could want. Women all over town wanted to do him and he could have his pick of the litter and the one woman he does want makes him jump through hoop after hoop after hoop. It was so annoying that he let Tilly get away with treating him the way that she did. I kept waiting for him to get good and pissed at her but he kept trying to explain himself to her when he shouldn't have but alls well that ends well because I forgave them for acting like idiots. The book ends the way it's supposed to end and that's really all that matters but their stupidness does affect my grade for the book.

I really enjoyed getting to know the other characters as well. From Max and Lou to Kaye and Erin. I loved them all. Even Declan from the pub.

Review was originally posted at: http://thebookbinge.com by myself.(less)

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Jun 06, 2010 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked this book up as a lark in the bookstore yesterday and started reading it when I got home. Five hours later, I was reaching the end of one of the most enjoyable, light-hearted, fun, entertaining reads I have read in a while. While this book might be in that oft-derided genre of "chick-lit", it transcends it with its intelligence, irony, snark, sarcasm, and a cast of lovable characters in a small English town named Roxborough. In a Cranford meets Jane Austen meets Helen Fielding kind of w...more

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May 31, 2010 Gaby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, contemporary-romance, summer-reading

In Rumor Has It: In a town this small, a secret is hard to keep, Jill Mansell comes up with another hilarious madcap and satisfying read! In the best British chicklit tradition, Mansell creates slightly spacey but sympathetic women romantic lead characters. When Tilly comes home to find her apartment ransacked, it takes a while before she realizes that her boyfriend has left her. Tilly's response is to take the commuter rail to the small town of Roxborough -- to visit her best friend, Erin, for...more In Rumor Has It: In a town this small, a secret is hard to keep, Jill Mansell comes up with another hilarious madcap and satisfying read! In the best British chicklit tradition, Mansell creates slightly spacey but sympathetic women romantic lead characters. When Tilly comes home to find her apartment ransacked, it takes a while before she realizes that her boyfriend has left her. Tilly's response is to take the commuter rail to the small town of Roxborough -- to visit her best friend, Erin, for cheering up.

Tilly comes across an ad for a "Girl Friday" job in Roxborough just as she decides that she's ready for a change of scenery. A string of events make it possible for Tilly to chuck her old life and start anew, surrounded by a new set of friends. Among the different characters, we meet:

* Max - a loving father, who has recently come out of the closet and separated from his wife;
* Kaye - Max's ex-wife, a famous daytime television star in the US, based in California;
* Louisa - Max and Kaye's teenage daughter, ginger haired, pale, lively, and fun. Louisa draws everyone together and decides quite early on that Tilly would be a good addition to the household;
* Jake - Max's best friend, the most sought-after bachelor in the area, deadly good looks, wealthy, and not looking for a serious relationship; and
* Erin - Tilly's best friend from college, the owner and manager of a vintage/high end thrift shop in Roxborough.

As Tilly, Max, Louisa, Kaye, and Erin are upbeat and supportive of each other as they each face their personal crises. Coincidences, misunderstandings and mishaps abound to create a fun, romantic comedy. Mansell's humor, sense of timing and wit come together so well to make Rumor Has It a surefire hit! If you're looking for a hilarious and satisfying read in the realm of women's fiction, I highly recommend Rumor Has It!

ISBN-10: 1402237502 - Trade Paperback
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (May 1, 2010), 416 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.(less)

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May 21, 2010 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rumor Has It is a fantastic, fun read. A “chick-lit” novel, this book is set in Roxborough, England. Tilly has had enough of her life in London, especially after her recent boyfriend has moved out. While visiting her friend Erin in Roxborough, Tilly reads an intriguing help wanted ad that is advertising for a “Girl Friday.” She impulsively interviews and takes the job.

Living in small town England, Tilly learns a lot about the people of her village. She also meets a wonderful handsome man named...more

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May 16, 2010 Mason rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was intrigued when I read the blurb about RUMOR HAS IT.

Newly single Tilly Cole impulsively moves to a small town, only to find she's arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue, and rampant rivalry for the most desirable man—Jack Lucas, whose reputation is beyond bad. Tilly has no intention of becoming another notch on his bedpost. But she finds the thoughtful, caring guy she comes to value as a friend doesn't seem to fit the town's playboy image. Should she listen to her friends or her heart? Is...more I was intrigued when I read the blurb about RUMOR HAS IT.

Newly single Tilly Cole impulsively moves to a small town, only to find she's arrived in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue, and rampant rivalry for the most desirable man—Jack Lucas, whose reputation is beyond bad. Tilly has no intention of becoming another notch on his bedpost. But she finds the thoughtful, caring guy she comes to value as a friend doesn't seem to fit the town's playboy image. Should she listen to her friends or her heart? Is Tilly being mature and sensible—or running away from the love of her life?

After reading the book, I don’t think the blurb really does the book complete justice. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good blurb and gets your attention. However, there is so much more going on with the other characters that’s not mentioned.

There are several basic storylines happening at the same time. Author Jill Mansell has a unique way of intertwining all the storylines so they flow smoothly from one to the next and back again naturally.

Besides the fascinating story of Till and her attraction to the town’s Casanova, Jack; you have her best friend Erin, who owns a consignment dress shop. Erin falls for Fergus, who is estranged from Stella. Their story is funny, outrageous, sweet and touching. To have Erin’s grace would be amazing.

Next you have Tilly’s new box, Max, and his 13-year-old daughter, Lou. Max owns an interior design company and is gay. Lou is a typical teenager with moments of grownup wisdom.

Also in the mix is Max’s ex-wife, Kaye, a Hollywood actress. Kaye finds herself in a wee bit of trouble in the states, returns to Roxborough and soon has the attention of a “stalker” from New York.

All of this may sound a little confusing, but not to worry. RUMOR HAS IT is a delightful read from the opening line until the last word with no confusing bumps along the way.

If you enjoy YOU’VE GOT MAIL or SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, you don’t want to miss this book. It will have you laughing out loud, shaking your head in disbelief, stunned at some of the outrageous behavior, and even shedding a tear or two of joy and sorrow. This may be a chick-lit book, but I think male readers will enjoy it too. They just may not tell anyone they’ve read it.

As for the central figure, Tilly. She’s a wonderful character. She has the normal faults and concerns we all have. She does, however, find herself in some unusual circumstances from time to time.

When you need a relaxing, fun book to help you unwind and have a laugh or two, reach for RUMOR HAS IT. You won’t go wrong.(less)

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Apr 30, 2010 Namratha Kumar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

What do you do when you are stuck in the boondocks and have been flicked one too many times by a cow’s tail? You nudge Bessy (or one of her many cousins) aside, dig out a (hopefully) decent chick-lit and settle down for some good ol’fashioned reading.

And Jill Mansell’s Rumour Has It proved to be a surprisingly good entertainer. I use the term ‘surprising’ because I had expected it to be a run-of-the-mill smut-fest peppered with loads of gratuitous sex. I am happy to report that it was in fact a...more What do you do when you are stuck in the boondocks and have been flicked one too many times by a cow’s tail? You nudge Bessy (or one of her many cousins) aside, dig out a (hopefully) decent chick-lit and settle down for some good ol’fashioned reading.

And Jill Mansell’s Rumour Has It proved to be a surprisingly good entertainer. I use the term ‘surprising’ because I had expected it to be a run-of-the-mill smut-fest peppered with loads of gratuitous sex. I am happy to report that it was in fact a small-town tale about friendship, romance, gossip, slander and verbal slug-fests handled with refreshing candour.

Tilly Coleis twenty-eight years old and freshly dumped by her lacklustre boyfriend. She plans to leave behind the hustle and hassle of bright-lights London for the quiet charms of small-town Roxborough. She follows this up with an impulsive decision to take up the post of Girl-Friday and general dogsbody to handsome (and divorced) interior-designer Max Dineen. And no, she isn’t launching into a predictable relationship with him. She gets along splendidly with Max, bonds with his teenage daughter and provides a welcome ear to his surprisingly pleasant ex-wife; Kaye.

So who does Tilly blow hot-and-cold with? The charming, lady-slayer Jack Lucas. Jack hits all the right buttons but he’s also apparently alley-catted his way through all the ladies of Roxborough. Commitment-phobe Tilly doesn’t want to be another notch on his bedpost but he’s proving to be singularly hard to resist.

Other story-arcs include Tilly’s best friend Erin who has launched into a hush-hush affair with almost-divorced Fergus. Almost-divorced Fergus is still trying to escape the clutches of his scary wife, Stella. Max’s ex-wife Kaye also has an interesting number of pages devoted to her, what with being a prominent soap-opera star and facing the nasty side of Hollywood when a vindictive producer-wife decides to have her blacklisted. Kaye’s escape to Roxborough and the escapades that unravel thereafter provide for quite a few chuckles.

After being sorely disappointed by some seriously seedy chicklit, “Rumour Has It” turned out to be refreshing and the proverbial breath-of-fresh-air. It had all the twists and turns of an afternoon slot soap-opera but minus the air-brushed actors hamming it up.
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Mar 16, 2012 Amanda The Book Slayer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

3.5 Stars. I liked it a lot. I thought it was cute & corky. I love her writing style and the UK word choice just cracks me up. I loved the " tumble-dryer," "keen" & "wellies" word choice. It sounds so much better than "dryer," like/love" & "rain boats". Much more entertaining to read. Thank goodness we can get UK books here in the states!!!

In Jill Mansell fashion we have several different relationships going on in this book. The main one is Tilly and Jack Lucas, the notorious playbo...more

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Nov 18, 2011 Nan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, nook, romance

I think it may be obvious that I like Jill Mansell books. This one was exactly what I expect from her: a lighthearted romance with real depth of emotion. It follows the formula laid out in other Mansell titles, and that's not a bad thing at all.

The cover copy for the book only mentions Tilly and Jack, but this is a much larger story than just the two of them. It's the story of Tilly, yes, but it's also the story of Tilly's best friend, Erin, and her new flame, Fergus. And it's the story of Ferg...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Yaseena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit-contemporary-romance, fiction

4 Stars

This book was really great! Addictive really, the characters were excellent. The town engaging, the dramas worth investing in.

I loved Max and Lou in particular, such a fab father daughter pair.

The story is really good, with lots of perspectives to keep it all going and moving smoothly. Readers get an inside look at many different lives of the Roxborough residents and it was a pleasure to read about all of them.

The voices are great and unique to the different characters, and I love th...more

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May 24, 2012 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book and I absolutely loved the British-isms and the humor that was rampant throughout the novel. My new favorite line, courtesy of Jill Mansell and Rumor has it is “Tits Up” when something goes wrong. I love it and I was constantly laughing throughout reading this book.

Tilly’s storyline isn’t the only one, Mansell intertwines the secondary characters into the spotlight and not only are we seeing Tilly and her struggle to trust Jack, but we see Max and Lou’s struggle to ov...more

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May 09, 2010 Colette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was a Nutella kind of good. What you ask, is a Nutella kind of good? A Nutella kind of good is something that is rich, delicious, and all around filled with goodness that makes you sigh when you're finished with it, but when you're done you just want more of the goodness...that's how I felt when I finished Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell.

Tilly Cole has just been dumped by her boyfriend. The loser didn't even tell her face to face-he just left a letter for her to find when she got home fr...more

This book was a Nutella kind of good. What you ask, is a Nutella kind of good? A Nutella kind of good is something that is rich, delicious, and all around filled with goodness that makes you sigh when you're finished with it, but when you're done you just want more of the goodness...that's how I felt when I finished Rumor Has It by Jill Mansell.

Tilly Cole has just been dumped by her boyfriend. The loser didn't even tell her face to face-he just left a letter for her to find when she got home from work one day. Needing a shoulder to cry on, she goes to visit her best friend Erin, who lives in Roxborough, a small town in the English countryside. Once there Tilly finds that she not only enjoys seeing more of Erin, but the locals and way of life in a small town. On a whim she answers a classified ad that calls for a "girl friday" and moves from London to Roxborough. The girl friday job turns out to be a job where she does anything from walking her boss Max's dog, Betty for a walk, from helping him with his interior design business. As she helps her boss out she meets one of his best friends-Jack Lucas, who everyone tells her to stay away from because he's broken more hearts then anyone can count. One of my favorite lines from people warning Tilly away from Jack:

From pg. 60:

Erin to Tilly: Jack? You mean Jack Lucas? She looked horror-struck. "Oh no, don't even think about going there.That's one man you definitely wouldn't want to get serious about." "Why does everyone keep saying that?' 'It's like when you were little and your mum warned you that if you went any deeper into the pond, water was going to slosh into your wellies....pg.70: Lets face it, she was never had been able to resist getting her feet wet.

Tilly isn't sure she believes all those rumors about Jack, because the more time she spends with him, the more he just doesn't seem like the guy whom everyone is gossiping about. The lives of those around Tilly-her boss Max, his family, Erin and her boyfriend, Jack and his past, are all seamlessly interwoven into Tilly's story and the transition from each character has you feeling like you've known everyone forever.

Normally in book that has so many different story lines going on, some one gets lost in the shuffle, but each characters voice is heard, and no one gets left behind. Tilly was such a fun heroine. She had me laughing, saying "you go girl" to her, while at the same time shaking my head at her-I thought that she was a bit hard on Jack, but I loved the sparring that the two of them did. As for heroes, Jack is totally crush-worthy. I was totally sighing over him. This book has heart, depth, wit and cool British slang. (less)

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Feb 03, 2012 Chrissy (The Every Free Chance Reader) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, reviewed-on-blog

I enjoyed this book. It was cute and, as with all chick lit, had a happy ending. There were quite a few moments in this book when I did laugh out loud. I laughed so much in a few spots that my husband was asking me what was so funny.

There are basically four stories weaved throughout this book. All with the same message...Rumors can hurt and are not always true. In fact, most of the time, rumors are not true and the truth will come out eventually.

My favorite character was Erin, Tilly's best frie...more

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May 10, 2010 Meg rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010, women-s-fiction, sent-for-review

Londoner Tilly Cole walks into her home one day to discover her live-in boyfriend of many years has “done a runner.” Startled by just how heartbroken she doesn’t feel, Tilly gets away to visit her friend Erin in Roxborough, out in the Cotswolds, for a little fresh air and time to regroup. It’s there that she meets Max Dineen, a local single dad, and his daughter Lou — as well as Jack Lucas, the “tragic widower” whose gorgeous physique compete with his quick wit and friendly manner in terms of gr...more Londoner Tilly Cole walks into her home one day to discover her live-in boyfriend of many years has “done a runner.” Startled by just how heartbroken she doesn’t feel, Tilly gets away to visit her friend Erin in Roxborough, out in the Cotswolds, for a little fresh air and time to regroup. It’s there that she meets Max Dineen, a local single dad, and his daughter Lou — as well as Jack Lucas, the “tragic widower” whose gorgeous physique compete with his quick wit and friendly manner in terms of grabbing Tilly’s attention.

Knowing she has little left for her in London and eager to begin a new phase of her life, Tilly takes a job working as Max and Lou’s “Girl Friday,” helping out with Max’s interior decorating business and generally being a pal and helper for teenage Lou. When Kaye, Lou’s mom and Max’s ex-wife, is caught up in a Hollywood scandal and returns to England, Tilly immediately worries her easy relationship with the Dineens will be threatened — and her services no longer required. But it’s not as simple as all that.

In fact, nothing in Rumor Has It is simple — or an easy out, as far as Mansell’s concerned. Bring into the fold the burgeoning love between Erin and Fergus, a man still plagued by his drama queen ex-wife Stella, and a complete cast of extra quirky characters and then just try not to be bewitched by Roxborough. I certainly was.

We all know of my notorious obsession with England, so I gobbled up the British idioms and vocab like a fresh package of Peeps. In all of my far-ranging experience with chick lit, it doesn’t get much more “chick lit-y” than Mansell — and, for that matter, no British chick lit author surpasses her in my eyes. Her writing is so fresh and fun and the male leads so charismatic, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the men in her books.

What I love about Mansell’s novels are the realistic, fun and funky heroines — ordinary women who aren’t models, aren’t wildly successful, aren’t supernaturally beautiful: just regular people capable of great feeling. Tilly thinks like I do, acts like I do — has ridiculous things happen to her, just like we all do. (Think reeking of garlic breath just as the man of your dreams finally comes in for a romantic kiss. Yeah.) It’s the tiny details that set this and other novels, like Millie’s Fling, apart for me. And I adore them.(less)

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Dec 19, 2011 Kathleen Denly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Rumor Has It is my second Mansell novel and I enjoyed it at least as much as the first, Perfect Timing.

I liked that you grew to care about the "secondary" characters almost as much as the main character, yet it didn't detract from the primary plotline, nor ever feel confusing or overwhelming as can often be the case when an author attempts to tell so many stories at once.

I loved the original plot turns and how everything wove together in such a natural way, and there seemed to be a purpose (in...more

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Feb 12, 2013 P. Kirby rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, chick-lit

An astonishing collection of WTF-erry, preposterous premise(s), and stupid coincidences. I really wanted to like this...expected to, point of fact...but...ugh.

The main characters:

Tilly, formerly of London, now living in the little town of Roxborough, where she is employed by Max, an interior designer. Tilly's position is Max's live-in personal assistant, helping with his business and raising his fourteen-year-old daughter Lou. Soon after moving to Roxborough, she meets and starts to fall for the...more

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