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Dec 17, 2009

Lindsey rated it:

The heroine of this book is a fun loving Irish girl who gets stuck in the middle of many misfortunes. Due to a turn of events, she has to stop her current life and help out her family. While the story starts off where you are feeling sorry for the main character, Marian Keyes does a great job of reeling the reader into the storyline and she does a great job of keeping the reader entertained throughout the book, no matter the subject. This book is a page turner and keeps the reader wondering what More...

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Aug 08, 2007

mellyana rated it:

I like Marian Keyes, that's why I bought this book.

I always think that every writer sort of take something from the writer's life into the book. Especially the first book. And, I sometimes think Marian Keyes does the same. Especially if you read Under The Duvet. But, so what, if Marian Keyes decided to write from something happened in her true life? This time, in The Other Side of The Story, it's her life as a writer. I guess.

It's a book of writer, and publisher. With it More...

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Nov 30, 2007

Paula rated it:

I was not expecting this book to be that good. I found instead that i was addicted to the three main characters' stories. This book is a typical girly novel, where the main characters are obsessed with their relationships. Gemma is pining over her ex and is oblivious to the fact that she would be better off with her friend Johnny. Lily is worried about the fact that she stole Gemma's boyfriend and that Gemma will seek revenge and Jojo is the object of a man's affair, and is desperately waiting f More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Sep 30, 2008

Robyn rated it:

What a welcome respite from the heaviness I’ve seemed to be reading lately. This is a not-quite-chic-lit book, and the characters, what characters they are! This is my first experience with Marian Keyes, and I have to read more. This particular novel takes place in Ireland and London (as I suppose most of her work does), and I loved reading all the English and Irish slang. She created some wonderful characters, male and female, all ages. My favorite character in this book was the 2-year old Ema, More...

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Jun 23, 2008

adventurat rated it:

I do so enjoy Marian Keyes' books; they're thick and full of real people and a combination of everyday and extraordinary circumstances, and I am always at least curious about how things will come out, if not actively caring.

This one involved three protagonists, and the bookjacket blurb drew a few links between them, and I expected there to be a big encounter between the three of them, but they seemed never to be in the same room at the same time. It read like three books loosely kni More...

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Aug 08, 2007

Crystal rated it:

Marian Keyes is such a doll. I've met her twice. Once when she did an event at the store I managed and another time when she was back through town and I was lucky enough to have lunch with her. She is one of the loveliest women I have ever met. And I loved this book too! I had a lot of fun with it because it was about an author, a literary agent and an event planner (I've worked in the book biz for years and have also worked as an event planner). The book is told from the points of view of all t More...

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Oct 07, 2011

Ellie rated it:

I'm rather enjoying listening to this book as I drive to work and home each day, although I do find myself talking in a strange Irish accent :)

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Nov 14, 2011

Melissa rated it:

This book is about three different women who are connected to each other, but are not necessarily friends. Gemma's father has left her mother and she has to be the one to pick up the pieces. She keeps her friend in Seattle updated via emails that are part venting and part escapism. Her friend sends them to a literary agent because she thinks they are good enough to be a book. Jojo is the literary agent who is tough and dedicated to her career. While working hard to further her career she fa More...

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Jan 11, 2009

Faith rated it:

So, now I have read all the Marian Keyes-books she has written (or has been published) this far. Marian Keyes is always Marian Keyes. U can never really hate it. Whatever u dislike in the book, u can never claim it wasn't entertaining... (in my opinion, but hey this whole thing is about my opinion...)

Well, this time the characters are as follows: Gemma Hogan, event organizer who's dad has left her mum, Lily Wright, Gemma's ex-best friend who has stolen her boyfriend and author who is More...

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Dec 15, 2011

Iris rated it:

I kinda thought this book was boring. I had read "Anybody out there" a while back and remember how much I enjoyed it and the tissue box which I had used up .... so I was looking forward to this one.

But really I can't say anything else than boring. We all have a bad day and I suppose what I did like was the description of the publishing side ... the pain we feel with bad reviews, the hope and the let-down - the roller coaster of being in this business. But there's nothing el More...

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Nov 07, 2011

Sikabarca rated it:

Hombres, pensó con desprecio. Cabrones inútiles con cerebro y pene pero sangre insuficiente para hacer funcionar ambas cosas al mismo tiempo. (Jojo)

La historia es contada por Gemma, Jojo y Lily. Es graciosa y, por momentos, tensa. La trama va bien, de lo normal a la desgracia. Otra cita:

¿Por qué no podemos amar a la persona adecuada? ¿Qué nos pasa que nos precipitamos hacia situaciones para las que somos claramente inapropiados, que nos dañan y dañan a otros? ¿Por More...

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Jun 03, 2011

Rebecca rated it:

Another Keyes, another long book. But unlike her other stories, which I can find painfully full of pointless detail, this one at least was spread amongst 3 different people, so if one was annoying, it wouldn't be too long before another one came in. But unfortunately, 2 out of 3 protags were annoying.

Protag #1 is a whiny, revenge-seeking crazy-person whose boyfriend moves to London (from Dublin) and then hooks up with her friend. Please, like you weren't going to break up anyway. Her f More...

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Feb 13, 2010

Josie rated it:

Firstly, I would just like to boast that I read this 600+ page book in ONE DAY. Completely, started it in the morning, finished in the evening. And so if I managed to do that, it must have caught my interest. And, well, yes it did. I was never bored, I just kept reading and reading, sucked into the stories of these three women. BUT it's the kind of book that I probably wouldn't choose to read again, nor will I remember much of it in a month's time. And now comes complaint time, because I found I More...

3 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 20, 2009

Ivana rated it:

This is a story of three women whose lives get tangled up in a game of love, betrayal, ambitions and books.
Gemma Hogan, a successful events organizer, is lost in her parent’s break up. She tries to keep her work on the top and nurse her lethargic mother. To make things worse, the Love of Her Life, Anton, goes to London, where he meets Gemma’s best friend, Lilly Wright. Lilly and Anton fall in love, and Lilly is driven with guilt for stealing her best friend’s boyfriend, believing that it wi More...

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Jun 26, 2009

Amanda rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 01, 2011

Chiara (Oscuro y Seductor Romance) rated it:

Que Marian Keyes es un genio como escritora no es algo que os vaya a descubrir ahora. Cuando estaba en mi epoca universitaria y casi no leía libros, fue mi hermana quien me descubrió a esta autora y desde entonces no ha habido uno solo de sus libros que no me gustara.

Marian Keyes ha pasado por todos los temas habidos y por haber y tratándolos todos ellos con el humor que la caracteriza. Desde problemas de drogas, pasando por enviudar y aguardar al amor de tu vida,hasta luchas en el tra More...

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May 11, 2009

maricar rated it:

A bit difficult to continue on reading at some parts. (Somehow, sometimes, the 3 stories of these 3 women acquire the feeling of being saturated that one needs to take a break to digest all that was happening.) Was also a bit predictable at some level—while some events (especially in the lives of Gemma and of Lily) felt like they gave way to the burden of instilling some kind of happy-ending-for-all—that some twists in the middle of their lives were put on to scramble things about for the sake o More...

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Jun 26, 2011

Artemisa rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Aug 28, 2011

Camy rated it:

I read 2 - 3 books simultaneously - one by my bedside, one in the living room and then one on my KOBO...hence reviews come in bunches!! I enjoyed this book very much. The element of humour from the very start was very addictive. Even through the angst - there was an opportunity to have a chuckle! Perhaps I enjoyed it from the perspective of an author-wanna-be. Gemma, Lily and Jojo were different yet the same - their goals are the same in life for love, family and friendship...the line "Happ More...

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Dec 09, 2011

Claire rated it:

I really, really wanted to like this book more than I did.

I loved the idea, and some of the writing was brilliant, but it was the characters that let it down for me.

Gemma was kind of forgettable and a bit arrogant, although I'll admit that I took her side over the whole Lily thing. But it's a sad state of affairs when a reader is hoping that more bad stuff happens to a character, and this is what I found myself doing with Lily. I enjoyed every single bit of her suffering. More...

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Sep 05, 2011

Michelle rated it:

I'll admit it, I had seen Marian Keyes books before but never really picked them up because I was judging the book by it's cover. Sorry but I was a Graphic Design major, can't help it. But I finally read one of her books; because a friend suggested it and Marian Keyes has a new fan out of me! What a cute, feel good story this book was! I was hooked from the beginning and didn't want to stop. I loved that she told a story through 3 different woman's lives; who were semi-connected through books. I More...

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Aug 06, 2011

Quintin rated it:

I am still in shock after the ending of this book.
It is still a brilliant book and I'm almost sorry to think I haven't read any of her work before. I am completely bowled over by the magical way that Marian gets the reader to love the characters; finding oneself on the edge on one's seat, rooting for someone. I simply can't put down the damn books!
The start was a bit slow and initially I was worried that this book is not going to be as good as the previous one, but quickly found myself cau More...

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Feb 28, 2010

Tiffany rated it:

2.5

Mildly entertaining, but I HATED the characters.

1. Gemma. GET OVER IT. Yes, your best friend "stole" your boyfriend (not EVEN), but it happened THREE YEARS ago. And don't even get me started on Gemma's mother. What an IDIOT. I can understand being devastated after your husband of thirty-five years leaves you for a younger woman, but to make your idiot daughter take care of you for MONTHS as if you're terminally ill? GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK.

2. Jojo. More...

3 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 06, 2008

Denise rated it:

I always like Marion Keyes books it's a nice break from most of the 'more serious' books I read. I especially like this one because it talks about writers and getting published. In my opinion Marion Keyes is in the top 3 of Chick Lit writers and everyone who likes the genre should ad her books to the list.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jan 07, 2010

Jayci rated it:

Another fun Keyes book. I was smiling throughout the entire story. Three strong woman---Jo-Jo: a no-nonsense book agent working to break that glass cieling while balancing a relationship with the boss. Gemma--Broken hearted after a terrible break up, Gemma finds herself nursing her mothers emotional wounds. Full of bitter from the betrayal of her once best friend Lily, Gemma creates a comedy of errors through emails to a girlfriend. It may just be the next best seller. And Lily: An author o More...

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Jun 30, 2009

Bookshop rated it:

I used to like Keyes but have not read her books since Watermelon and Sushi for Beginners. Either I've moved away from chicklit or this book is really not good. The characters are flat, whiny, and annoying. They're spineless in the face of their (unimportant) problems. Gemma is perpetually angry with her best friend for stealing her boyfriend (who doesn't even love her). Lily, the thief, is perpetually afraid of retribution for her deeds (when she technically didn't steal the guy). And Joj More...

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Feb 13, 2010

Erin rated it:

The Other Side of the Story is a hilarious look a life from the other persons perspective.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gemma walk throught her parents separation, the loss of her lover (to her best friend) and her new found talent as a published author. Lily was Gemma's best friend and I found myself captivated by her struggles with her love, her guilt, motherhood and a writer's block that cripples her up & coming career. I also felt a fondness for Jo Jo, the literary agent for both of thes More...

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Jun 06, 2009

Britt rated it:

I loved this book; I didn’t want it to end! The story was told through 3 women’s perspectives: an event planner who had her boyfriend “stolen” by her best friend, the best friend who fell in love with the guy, and their mutual literary agent who is the “other woman” in a relationship of her own. They go through their ups and downs and have their successes and failures both professionally and personally, and especially by the end I didn’t want to put it down because I had to know what happened More...

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Feb 10, 2009

Ellen rated it:

I picked this up at the library at the foreigner's club, remembering many happy hours in Poland reading Marian Keyes books supplied by my Welsh friend Michelle. I was not disappointed and now owe many happy hours in Korea to Marian Keyes. This is not great literature, but it's certainly an enjoyable and amusing story. Three stories, actually. The book follows a literary agent, an event planner, and a struggling author. I found the descriptions of the literary world fascinating, and the char More...

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Feb 04, 2009

Kate rated it:

This was my first Marian Keyes book, and she is definitely on my list of favorite authors now. I love a good "chic lit" book - no, I'm NOT afraid admitting that! - and this one definitely fit the bill. I read it on my way home for Christmas and it's a perfect plane read. Not a lot of thinking required, just enjoyment. Its a story of three women whose lives are all connected (I don't feel like explaining how), similar to the characters in This Charming Man. I like how Marian makes chara More...

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