"Lisa Jewell pulls off a rare trick which even the likes of Helen Fielding and Nick Hornby couldn't quite manage. She has written a book about rela...
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reviews
Jul 14, 2010
Amanda
rated it: 
Ralph and Smith are best friends, living at 31 Almanac Road - they spend most of their time in front of the TV, drinking and smoking spliffs. Smith holds a torch for Cheri, a blonde femme fatale who lives in the top floor flat, and has admired her from afar for five years. Ralph is in a tortuous relationship with Claudia, little realising that his life is about to change utterly. Because Jem (Jemima) moves in as the new flatmate, and Ralph falls helplessly in love with her. Linked and intertwine
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Nov 30, 2009
Rachel
rated it: 
It's been a long time since I've read a whole book in a weekend. It's nice to have the time to do it. Binge reading, how I've missed you :D
I can't believe it's been 10 years since this was first published, and I can't believe it's been 5 years since I last read it.
I think it speaks volumes about how much I've changed in the last 5 years that this book, which I always loved, has become kind of 2 dimensional to me. I found myself having less and less sympathy with any of More...
I can't believe it's been 10 years since this was first published, and I can't believe it's been 5 years since I last read it.
I think it speaks volumes about how much I've changed in the last 5 years that this book, which I always loved, has become kind of 2 dimensional to me. I found myself having less and less sympathy with any of More...
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Mar 13, 2009
Zippy
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I was amazed, I really enjoyed this book.
I am not a lover of "chicklit" at all but becuase of illness that means my attention span is small, memory terrible and anything that requires the least effort or thinking on my part, is just pointless for me to read becuase I completely lose track of,I am having to find effortless books to read as it is pointless to read my usual choice of a book that is either demanding or requires some thinking on my part, I picked up a load of More...
I am not a lover of "chicklit" at all but becuase of illness that means my attention span is small, memory terrible and anything that requires the least effort or thinking on my part, is just pointless for me to read becuase I completely lose track of,I am having to find effortless books to read as it is pointless to read my usual choice of a book that is either demanding or requires some thinking on my part, I picked up a load of More...
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Sep 17, 2011
Paula
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I have lost count how many times I have read 'Ralph's Party' (I am now on my third copy), its one of my favourite books. I love all the characters (apart from Smith), they are realistic and well written, I have always had a kinship with Siobhan for various reasons and I love how she changes in the book, its a positive change and its nice to read. Ralph and Jemima are both memorable characters, they are so similar in so many ways and they do not see it, you want them to be together. Smith is so
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Aug 06, 2011
Kristin (Kritters Ramblings)
rated it:
A wonderful fun and girlie read from the beginning to the end. I easily fell in love with each character and was able to keep their relationships to one another straight - made me fall in love with brit chick lit.
Taking in place in one building in London, with a cast of characters that are so woven together it makes the stories smart and a pure joy to read. As they intermix and mingle, it made for scenes that made me laugh completely out loud. In the basement are two men who are l More...
Taking in place in one building in London, with a cast of characters that are so woven together it makes the stories smart and a pure joy to read. As they intermix and mingle, it made for scenes that made me laugh completely out loud. In the basement are two men who are l More...
Jun 07, 2011
Emily
rated it:
Ralph and Smith are roommates ands friends, they have been for years. Jem is their new female roommate that just moved in, who started a relationship with Smith, but Ralph is smitten with her. Though in a relationship with Jem Smith is obsessed with Cheri, the girl upstairs who happens To be having an affair with Karl, half of the couple that lives on the middle floor. Karl and Siobhan, college sweethearts who seems to have fallen into a rhythm, but might not really be happy with the rhythm they
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Aug 29, 2008
Jennie
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This is the only book by Lisa Jewell that I didn't like. In fact, I thought every character in it was such an asshole that I immediately made my sister read it so I would have someone to rail on them with. This book started our fascination with "asshole books". An asshole book is a book where the characters are total assholes, yet you're supposed to like them. And, not in a Tony Soprano kind of a way where the character is an extremely complex and well-written creation and a major
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Feb 21, 2011
Camilla
rated it:
This is probably one of the best chick-lits I've ever read. I couldn't stop reading and it.
Lisa Jewell is talented, because she creates interesting and believable personas. You care for them, share their dreams and hopes and cheer on their success.
Just as in real life, noone is entirely good nor bad - there is always the "grey" area in between, making the personas much deeper and much more interesting.
I've read it two times since my first read, which is a rarity for me
Lisa Jewell is talented, because she creates interesting and believable personas. You care for them, share their dreams and hopes and cheer on their success.
Just as in real life, noone is entirely good nor bad - there is always the "grey" area in between, making the personas much deeper and much more interesting.
I've read it two times since my first read, which is a rarity for me
Oct 30, 2011
Rflutist
rated it:
There are a great many things that are clever about this novel. It's a love triangle story, told from a man's point of view. It is also the story of other, secondary characters who become integral to the plot. All are intertwined in a smart manner. When I finished reading, I wanted to read this book all over again. It is that great! It's also interesting to note that this is Lisa Jewell's first novel. It is extraordinary for a first time opus.
Jul 31, 2011
Jayne
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I was stuck in hospital and my boss turned up with this book, which he thought I might like. So of course I had to read it, though it's not really my cup of tea. To give the book its due, it's written with considerable spirit and wit. I was fascinated by a descriptive section late on in which someone is described as having 'squandered breasts'. What on earth are squandered breasts? But top marks for inventive prose. The story left me cold. Lots of twentysomethings in London, and a lot of stuff i
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Jan 16, 2012
Shanrina
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I thought some of the characters were interesting, but the story itself never really gelled for me. There were also some time skips where the author skipped forward to characters reacting to something that had just happened and then skipped back to the event itself, which was somewhat jarring and confusing. I kept thinking that I'd accidentally grabbed too many pages and that I needed to flip back to see what I missed.
Feb 05, 2012
Victoria
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Can you imagine suddenly losing your job, accepting a bet from a friend to write three chapters of a book, and launching a successful career as an author? That's Lisa Jewell's story and this is that first book, started as a bet. No, I didn't think this was as well-written as later ones I've read but it was a great read and definitely shows the promise she has fulfilled.
Apr 24, 2011
Lilu
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I read the book almost ten years ago, but probably more than once - i remember it being light and funny. Two episodes I still remember from the book (and actually often think of in similar situations) - 1) his pee mixes with hers; 2) trying to get the last bean out of a tin, cause "I don't want it to feel lonely".
Feb 13, 2008
Hannah
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I read this many years ago now, but I absolutely fell in love with Jewell's story telling talent. The book is centered around one house that is split into apartments and tells the story from each of the main characters' point of view through each chapter. It flows naturally and is clever in its use of humor and wit to carry the reader into "Ralph's Party". I very much enjoyed the twists in the story that changed my feelings towards the different characters, the characters that had s
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Jan 26, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
A british version of chick lit romance, I guess. It was engaging, and interesting but nothing too meaningful. At least not a pure romance novel, more of a regular novel. A cast of 6 people who have, find, and lose love like any typical Friends episode.
Apr 22, 2009
Philippa
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Lisa Jewell's first novel - but ironically the one I've left till last! Really enjoyed it, as I enjoy all her books. Compelling story, likeable and well drawn characters, lush with detail...another one I'll no doubt pick up again one rainy day.
Mar 16, 2010
Kari
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Another book I re-read to decide whether or not to keep it. It was one of Lisa's earlier works and I prefer this stuff to her later novels. A good piece of chick lit to read when you want something light.
Jul 14, 2011
Val
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I'm a complete Anglophile, so I thought it was a fun read and clever. If it were to have taken place in the U.S., I might not have liked it as much.
Jul 12, 2010
Redfox5
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Fun, light read :) First book I've ever read by Lisa Jewell. I'm glad I've got a couple of her other books in my TBR list.
May 24, 2009
Sarah
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All time favorite..
Actually a light read but the characters are all so interesting that I couldn't put it down!
Actually a light read but the characters are all so interesting that I couldn't put it down!
Feb 17, 2009
Katrina
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Enjoyable read by Jewell about three flatmates. But I'm still nostalgic for Vince and Joy.
Sep 17, 2009
Edna
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It's a 2.5. It started ok then got boring and then Ralph's Party was good. It's a typical, predictable fluff read.
Jul 25, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
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This first book by Lisa Jewell
keep me turning pages to the end.
keep me turning pages to the end.
Feb 05, 2011
Amy
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A solid piece of chick-lit. Fun, easy read about love in London. Great quick, beach read.
Jan 09, 2011
Lisa (scarlet21)
rated it:
Very funny, contemporary love story; amusing characters, a very warm read.
May 28, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
Need to read the sequel to this for review, found this one languishing on the TBR shelves.
