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A sweet, funny and romantic novel from the Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller.
Lola has no intention of accepting when her boyfriend Dougie's snobbish mother offers her £10,000 to break up with him. Then she discovers a secret that makes her think again. Dougie would probably have broken up with her in the long run, and this way she can help one of the people she loves most in the world.
Ten years later, though, when Lola meets Dougie again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever. But she broke Dougie's heart – and he's about to discover that she was paid to do it. She can never tell him the truth, so can she get him back? Well, Lola's very attractive and very persuasive. But even she's got her work cut out this time…
Lola has no intention of accepting when her boyfriend Dougie's snobbish mother offers her £10,000 to break up with him. Then she discovers a secret that makes her think again. Dougie would probably have broken up with her in the long run, and this way she can help one of the people she loves most in the world.
Ten years later, though, when Lola meets Dougie again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever. But she broke Dougie's heart – and he's about to discover that she was paid to do it. She can never tell him the truth, so can she get him back? Well, Lola's very attractive and very persuasive. But even she's got her work cut out this time…
363 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2008
717 people are currently reading
8589 people want to read
About the author
Jill Mansell
85 books4,881 followersJill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 687 reviews
December 29, 2011
Awful.. such a painfully disappointing and dull read! It was pure torture reading it through, which is even worse, since I was so interested by the plot that I went to great efforts to order it online, buy it have it delivered, and all for such an irritating and boring, undeveloped, low quality novel which just dragged on and on! I'm not prejudiced against chick lit, I like it, there are some authors I love : Sophie Kinsella, Melissa Nathan, Marian Keyes, etc, but this one definitely put me off Jill Mansell. Her novel read as if it wasn't edited and if the first draft was published.
Her characters were one dimensional, not interesting at all, though I desperately tried to find one character I could like or identify with, but what she gave us was too small for that. The main character, Lola was behaving as a 17 year-old and not the 27 year-old she was, and each time she had those ridiculous eye-rolling daydreams with Dougie, I could have slapped her or hit my head on the wall. And that's not because I'm an old cynic, I'm 24, very romantic and playful, but she just wasn't behaving as an adult 27 year old would!
The plot sounded unique and interesting, it's a shame that nothing came out of it.
Definitely no more Jill Mansell for me.
Her characters were one dimensional, not interesting at all, though I desperately tried to find one character I could like or identify with, but what she gave us was too small for that. The main character, Lola was behaving as a 17 year-old and not the 27 year-old she was, and each time she had those ridiculous eye-rolling daydreams with Dougie, I could have slapped her or hit my head on the wall. And that's not because I'm an old cynic, I'm 24, very romantic and playful, but she just wasn't behaving as an adult 27 year old would!
The plot sounded unique and interesting, it's a shame that nothing came out of it.
Definitely no more Jill Mansell for me.
January 18, 2011
Bleh. Really, I should have known better than to read this. I loathe books where the entire plot revolves around some secret the main character can't divulge, thus creating all sorts of complications. But I read it, partly because I had enjoyed a previous Jill Mansell book, and thought that this would be as fun and quirky, too. Nope. Instead, I slogged through 400 pages of a bad plot and obnoxious characters.
Lola was an immature, shallow, self-centered brat, plain and simple. She talks about how nice she is, but I really didn't see much of that. She follows Doug around, whining like a little kid about him not forgiving her. She picks on her mother's wardrobe mercilessly. (Who the hell cares what she dresses like?) She disparages her mother's choice in boyfriends - although Malcolm clearly makes her mother happy - simply because she doesn't like the way he looks. Time and again she ignores other people's wishes because they don't coincide with her own. And she briefly goes out with a wealthy man who she doesn't have feelings for, but she chides herself for her lack of lust because *gasp* he's rich, so she should feel something!
The worst thing is, most of the other characters are equally unlikable. Sally, who throws temper-tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants, and has ridiculous fantasies about men sweeping her off her feet. (As in, she just met someone, and she's imagining having his children.) Doug's mother, the ultimate cold-hearted bitch. Nick, who propositions Blythe by saying, "Let's have sex for old time's sake, no one has to know, including your current boyfriend." Ugh!! I can't remember the last time I read a book with such an unlikable cast of characters!
***SPOILERS***
Her one selfless act was giving the $12,000 to Alex. But then she proceeds to keep his promise, even after he's died. So she made a promise. Fine. But Alex, who supposedly loved her more than anything, would selfishly want her to keep his secret rather than sharing it with Doug a decade later? I doubt it. What father would want his daughter to miss out on being with the man she loves because she still feels like she has to keep his secret? Not telling Blythe is one thing. But Doug? That was just an annoying way to extend the plot.
The ending of the book was abrupt and ridiculous. After 400 pages of Doug not being interested in Lola, he suddenly does a 180 after a brief conversation with her father? How could he be so dim-witted not to wonder what his 17-year-old girlfriend needed 12k for when he first found out, rather than someone having to spell it out for him?
Lola was an immature, shallow, self-centered brat, plain and simple. She talks about how nice she is, but I really didn't see much of that. She follows Doug around, whining like a little kid about him not forgiving her. She picks on her mother's wardrobe mercilessly. (Who the hell cares what she dresses like?) She disparages her mother's choice in boyfriends - although Malcolm clearly makes her mother happy - simply because she doesn't like the way he looks. Time and again she ignores other people's wishes because they don't coincide with her own. And she briefly goes out with a wealthy man who she doesn't have feelings for, but she chides herself for her lack of lust because *gasp* he's rich, so she should feel something!
The worst thing is, most of the other characters are equally unlikable. Sally, who throws temper-tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants, and has ridiculous fantasies about men sweeping her off her feet. (As in, she just met someone, and she's imagining having his children.) Doug's mother, the ultimate cold-hearted bitch. Nick, who propositions Blythe by saying, "Let's have sex for old time's sake, no one has to know, including your current boyfriend." Ugh!! I can't remember the last time I read a book with such an unlikable cast of characters!
***SPOILERS***
Her one selfless act was giving the $12,000 to Alex. But then she proceeds to keep his promise, even after he's died. So she made a promise. Fine. But Alex, who supposedly loved her more than anything, would selfishly want her to keep his secret rather than sharing it with Doug a decade later? I doubt it. What father would want his daughter to miss out on being with the man she loves because she still feels like she has to keep his secret? Not telling Blythe is one thing. But Doug? That was just an annoying way to extend the plot.
The ending of the book was abrupt and ridiculous. After 400 pages of Doug not being interested in Lola, he suddenly does a 180 after a brief conversation with her father? How could he be so dim-witted not to wonder what his 17-year-old girlfriend needed 12k for when he first found out, rather than someone having to spell it out for him?
July 13, 2017
A fun summer read. Just what I needed!
May 5, 2014
Well it wasn't bad, just not as good as JM's others. The big complaint, Lola should not have wound up with Doug at the end. I wish she would have met somebody better. Yep, she did break up with him at 17 for money, let's face it - two teenagers, one wealthy and the other not and the wealthy one with a mum who is quite willing to do anything to get the girl out of her son's life - the odds are good the relationship isn't going to work out and the girl really needs the money to save her family so she makes the best of a bad situation - cause it isn't too likely that wealthy, mummy-ruled sad sack is going to stick it out anyhow.
10 years on they meet again and it is that old black magic all over again until wealthy boy finds out what poor girl did and then gets irked and dumps her. He really doesn't listen to any explanations or try to see the poor side of it or even really consider talking to his overbearing, interfering mum but he supposedly lurved this girl more than any other. I can see getting pissed initially but to go on for months berating and abusing the girl all the while? Of course it doesn't help that said poor girl keeps throwing herself at him, trying to change his mind.
Eventually she gives up and tries to move on and said wealthy boy pops back in to take up where he left off. No explanations, no discussion just moving on to sex. Doug was a prat and Lola, for all her faults deserved better than the wuss he turned out to be with his little hurt feelings and no compassion. Hopefully the infatuation wears off after a few rounds in bed and Lola can find a real, decent guy who actually gives her the benefit of the doubt and knows her moral character a bit better.
10 years on they meet again and it is that old black magic all over again until wealthy boy finds out what poor girl did and then gets irked and dumps her. He really doesn't listen to any explanations or try to see the poor side of it or even really consider talking to his overbearing, interfering mum but he supposedly lurved this girl more than any other. I can see getting pissed initially but to go on for months berating and abusing the girl all the while? Of course it doesn't help that said poor girl keeps throwing herself at him, trying to change his mind.
Eventually she gives up and tries to move on and said wealthy boy pops back in to take up where he left off. No explanations, no discussion just moving on to sex. Doug was a prat and Lola, for all her faults deserved better than the wuss he turned out to be with his little hurt feelings and no compassion. Hopefully the infatuation wears off after a few rounds in bed and Lola can find a real, decent guy who actually gives her the benefit of the doubt and knows her moral character a bit better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2009
The main couple of the book not only bored me, but apparently they bored the author as well. No effort was spent on their relationship being developed, and all the effort was spent on EVERY OTHER PAIRED OFF COUPLE. It was like, if you saw that everyone else was happy, clearly, the main two will be alright. And even if he did discover, did he really PINE after her for ten years? A cute notion, but I think a bit unrealistic. however, it was a cute read, so it gets three stars. Would I read again? Maybe...but not soon.
May 18, 2009
A really, really fun book! If you're in a bad mood, it'll cheer you right up! And don't make plans --I read it in one sitting.
So...what about it...
Lola really never, ever, gave up on trying to get Dougie back -- even when he kept throwing daggers at her and quite frankly it was hilarious!
Don't worry, you don't have to be a sadist to appreciate the way Doug shuts her down, you just can't not enjoy it with Lola being Lola!
Plus, you have to admit, that from Dougie's point of view, he could have been way meaner than that!
I mean, the guy got dumped by the girl he thought was the love of his life when he was 18 (via a freaking letter!) with no real explanation, got his heart broken badly, and when he sees her again, he overhears that she broke up with him for money (thus cheapening even the memories he had of his first love)!
This leads to one thing I would've liked to have in this book: Dougie's POV!
I loved Lola's POV --it was plain funny, and I really didn't mind to have Gabe's and Sally's because I really liked them; but I guess I'm just greedy because I would've liked one more... ^^
And to be perfect, I wouldn't have minded 50 more pages to wrap up the end not as hastily. I feel like I didn't get to savor it as much as I could have. But overall, it's really a good read and entertaining as hell!
So...what about it...
Lola really never, ever, gave up on trying to get Dougie back -- even when he kept throwing daggers at her and quite frankly it was hilarious!
Don't worry, you don't have to be a sadist to appreciate the way Doug shuts her down, you just can't not enjoy it with Lola being Lola!
Plus, you have to admit, that from Dougie's point of view, he could have been way meaner than that!
I mean, the guy got dumped by the girl he thought was the love of his life when he was 18 (via a freaking letter!) with no real explanation, got his heart broken badly, and when he sees her again, he overhears that she broke up with him for money (thus cheapening even the memories he had of his first love)!
This leads to one thing I would've liked to have in this book: Dougie's POV!
I loved Lola's POV --it was plain funny, and I really didn't mind to have Gabe's and Sally's because I really liked them; but I guess I'm just greedy because I would've liked one more... ^^
And to be perfect, I wouldn't have minded 50 more pages to wrap up the end not as hastily. I feel like I didn't get to savor it as much as I could have. But overall, it's really a good read and entertaining as hell!
September 27, 2020
Lola namorava com Dougie mas a mãe dele não gostava dela e então decide não aceitar o suborno, até que uma das pessoas mais próximas de Lola precisa do dinheiro e acaba por aceitar o suborno da mãe dele para que ela acabasse a relação. Dez anos depois, Lola volta novamente à terra onde cresceu e acaba por reencontrar-se com Dougie e os sentimentos acabam por voltar novamente, ela sabe que ele não a vai perdoar por ela ter terminado a relação de um momento para o outro, mas será que vai conseguir? Eu acho que sim, aliás, foi dos romances que mais gostei da autora Jill Mansell, torcia pela Lola para que conseguisse reconquistar o Dougie, mas odiei mas odiei mesmo, a sogra, credoo...
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May 20, 2021
The best way to read this is to think of it as a healing journey for the h. She had a bad breakup with her first love, and she needed closure. After the book ends, they break up, because they are just not the same people they were.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
This novel follows Lola, a 17 year old who is offered £10,000 to dump her boyfriend – by her boyfriend’s mother. She believes Lola isn’t good enough for her son Dougie and that she dresses like a cheap tart. Lola shoots her down, but then discovers she needs the money to help her step-father get out of trouble. Her father took loans from different people and the total sum was 15,000 pounds. She promises her father to tell no one about the money, or why she took it, so she writes dougie a letter where she dumps him and leaves the country. Ten years later, back in the UK, she stops a mugging, only to later find out the lady who was being attacked was Dougie’s mother. Whilst she is round at the celebration meal, Dougie overhears her on the phone telling Gabe, her cute next door neighbour about the money. When he hears this all he can feel is anger and hate. However, in her distress, Lola strikes up a friendship with Sally, Dougie’s older sister, who ends up living across the hall from her. Lola can’t believe how she feels for Dougie though when she sees him again and finds ways to keep seeing him – of course this is helped by her friendship with Sally. Yet Dougie is not interested at all.
Lolas optimism got kind of annoying but i liked her regardless but i also felt sorry for her at times. I loved that she refused to tell anyone that was the reason why she took the money too. However, her persistant longing for Dougie was a bit annoying after a while – she seemed to pine for him all the time! I actually found Doug arrogant and a bit of an asshole! He was the injured party but he seemed to think he was better than Lola because he came from more money (like his mother in face – who I really didn’t like!) I did like Sally though! She seemed like she would be a fun person to hang out with! I liked Gabe too and felt sorry for him that the new job direction (being a papparazzi) he was going down wasn’t going well!
This is an entertaining book, a chick-lit novel about first love, friendship and what we will do for those we love. If I’m completely honest, this isn’t my favourite Jill Mansell novel. It was a simple story with a predictable outcome – the only shock being that Lola’s biological father turned up out of the blue. I didn’t find myself desperate to know what was going to happen, but that said, I did read it to the end and I did enjoy it. This didn’t challenge me or move me in anyway, but I did enjoy it and it did entertain me.
This was a fairly quick read, even if it was over 400 pages long! The outcomes – the different romances – didn’t surprise me at all. A light read, entertaining and fun. This isn’t the best Mansell I’ve read but it hasn’t put me off her books. I’m glad I’ve finally read this book and I did enjoy it. and yes i would recommend this to all.
Lolas optimism got kind of annoying but i liked her regardless but i also felt sorry for her at times. I loved that she refused to tell anyone that was the reason why she took the money too. However, her persistant longing for Dougie was a bit annoying after a while – she seemed to pine for him all the time! I actually found Doug arrogant and a bit of an asshole! He was the injured party but he seemed to think he was better than Lola because he came from more money (like his mother in face – who I really didn’t like!) I did like Sally though! She seemed like she would be a fun person to hang out with! I liked Gabe too and felt sorry for him that the new job direction (being a papparazzi) he was going down wasn’t going well!
This is an entertaining book, a chick-lit novel about first love, friendship and what we will do for those we love. If I’m completely honest, this isn’t my favourite Jill Mansell novel. It was a simple story with a predictable outcome – the only shock being that Lola’s biological father turned up out of the blue. I didn’t find myself desperate to know what was going to happen, but that said, I did read it to the end and I did enjoy it. This didn’t challenge me or move me in anyway, but I did enjoy it and it did entertain me.
This was a fairly quick read, even if it was over 400 pages long! The outcomes – the different romances – didn’t surprise me at all. A light read, entertaining and fun. This isn’t the best Mansell I’ve read but it hasn’t put me off her books. I’m glad I’ve finally read this book and I did enjoy it. and yes i would recommend this to all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2021
Ook ik ben ten prooi gevallen aan het 'makkelijk lezen'. Vooral in tijden van grote drukte en stress wil ik het liefst een boek dat de opzet heeft van 'A + B ontmoeten elkaar. Ze mogen elkaar totaaaaaaal niet. Wat zal er gebeuren?'
Nou, ik zou het écht niet weten hoor, geen idee. Wat? Zitten er fouten in het plot? Prima. Uitspraken die nergens op slaan? Is goed. De (duidelijk) eigen mening van een schrijver geuit in personages die in karakter nauwelijks van elkaar verschillen en geen enkele vorm van karakterontwikkeling doormaken? Yes. Een verhaal waarin het leven van een vrouw niet compleet is totdat ze een man ontmoet en daarna is alles plotsklaps perfect? Ja, ik ben zélfs bereid mijn woede over vrouwelijke schrijvers die lezers (meestal andere vrouwen) dit beeld doen voorkomen als het perfecte plaatje (MANNEN = TRANSCENDENTIE :D) opzij te zetten.
Maar dit boek was Zo Slecht. Ik wist niet of ik moest lachen of huilen. Wat me vooral bijstaat is de passage waarin een huisartsassistente (Sally) klaagt over haar ongeluk met mannen. Heel de wachtkamer begint hierop verhalen te delen over hun liefdesperikelen. Jonge meisjes, oude vrouwen, allemaal hebben ze een gebroken hart (gehad).
Dan vertelt een meisje dat haar ex haar keihard door de slaapkamer heen heeft geslagen, waardoor ze haar neus heeft gebroken. Sally verzucht hierop iets in de trant van 'het wordt nooit wat met mij, waarschijnlijk blijf ik helemaal alleen...'
HALLO?! Iemand vertelt net dat haar ex HAAR DOOR DE SLAAPKAMER HEEFT GEMEPT EN HAAR NEUS HEEFT GEBROKEN. Het gesprek gaat rustig door totdat een man vertelt over zijn zoveeljarige huwelijk met zijn vrouw. Godzijdank, Sally, er is hoop. Er is weliswaar geen empathie, er zijn geen ambities, maar er is wel de mogelijkheid dat er een leuke man in jouw leven komt. En anders heb je altijd nog je kleren en je make-up (of zoals Lola (de hoofdpersoon) en Sally tegen elkaar zeggen: geen enkele vrouw kan natuurlijk zonder make-up).
Make-up is love. Make-up is life. Live love laugh. Lekker uit met de meiden.
Anyhoo. Bij een gastles van een schrijver/recensent hoorde ik: lees altijd de boeken die 5 sterren krijgen én lees de boeken die 1 ster krijgen.
Nou, ik zou het écht niet weten hoor, geen idee. Wat? Zitten er fouten in het plot? Prima. Uitspraken die nergens op slaan? Is goed. De (duidelijk) eigen mening van een schrijver geuit in personages die in karakter nauwelijks van elkaar verschillen en geen enkele vorm van karakterontwikkeling doormaken? Yes. Een verhaal waarin het leven van een vrouw niet compleet is totdat ze een man ontmoet en daarna is alles plotsklaps perfect? Ja, ik ben zélfs bereid mijn woede over vrouwelijke schrijvers die lezers (meestal andere vrouwen) dit beeld doen voorkomen als het perfecte plaatje (MANNEN = TRANSCENDENTIE :D) opzij te zetten.
Maar dit boek was Zo Slecht. Ik wist niet of ik moest lachen of huilen. Wat me vooral bijstaat is de passage waarin een huisartsassistente (Sally) klaagt over haar ongeluk met mannen. Heel de wachtkamer begint hierop verhalen te delen over hun liefdesperikelen. Jonge meisjes, oude vrouwen, allemaal hebben ze een gebroken hart (gehad).
Dan vertelt een meisje dat haar ex haar keihard door de slaapkamer heen heeft geslagen, waardoor ze haar neus heeft gebroken. Sally verzucht hierop iets in de trant van 'het wordt nooit wat met mij, waarschijnlijk blijf ik helemaal alleen...'
HALLO?! Iemand vertelt net dat haar ex HAAR DOOR DE SLAAPKAMER HEEFT GEMEPT EN HAAR NEUS HEEFT GEBROKEN. Het gesprek gaat rustig door totdat een man vertelt over zijn zoveeljarige huwelijk met zijn vrouw. Godzijdank, Sally, er is hoop. Er is weliswaar geen empathie, er zijn geen ambities, maar er is wel de mogelijkheid dat er een leuke man in jouw leven komt. En anders heb je altijd nog je kleren en je make-up (of zoals Lola (de hoofdpersoon) en Sally tegen elkaar zeggen: geen enkele vrouw kan natuurlijk zonder make-up).
Make-up is love. Make-up is life. Live love laugh. Lekker uit met de meiden.
Anyhoo. Bij een gastles van een schrijver/recensent hoorde ik: lees altijd de boeken die 5 sterren krijgen én lees de boeken die 1 ster krijgen.
April 23, 2009
From the back of the book:
"Young Lola, under duress, accepts a huge bribe to break up with her boyfriend. The worst part is, the bribe is from his mother. Ten years later, when they meet again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever-but how is she going to win him back without telling him why she broke his heart in the first place?"
My thoughts:
My thoughts on this book can be summed up in one sentence: "What a fun read!" Seriously, it really was a fun read and I ended up enjoying this book immensely. I can't say that I read a lot of chick lit. but this is an author that I will be looking for more of. The main character was hilarious...Lola is far from perfect and not worried about it. She is lovable, crass, crazy, and not quite realistic at times. But I couldn't help but like her and hope for the best for her. And I am going to have to repeat how hilarious she was. There were times that I was reading this book where I was shaking with laughter (this happened while I was reading on my break at work..they probably all think I'm nuts now :) My only qualm with the book was that the plot wasn't realistic at times....the tidy bow type of ending for example. But it really didn't detract from the book for me because I liked it so much. It was pure escapist reading and I was caught up in its' thrall. One of the quotes on the back of the book said it best when they said "you won't get a thing done till it's finished." I didn't want to put it down and was constantly wondering what Lola was going to do next. All in all, a fun read and I have found a new author that I will reading more of in the future!
"Young Lola, under duress, accepts a huge bribe to break up with her boyfriend. The worst part is, the bribe is from his mother. Ten years later, when they meet again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever-but how is she going to win him back without telling him why she broke his heart in the first place?"
My thoughts:
My thoughts on this book can be summed up in one sentence: "What a fun read!" Seriously, it really was a fun read and I ended up enjoying this book immensely. I can't say that I read a lot of chick lit. but this is an author that I will be looking for more of. The main character was hilarious...Lola is far from perfect and not worried about it. She is lovable, crass, crazy, and not quite realistic at times. But I couldn't help but like her and hope for the best for her. And I am going to have to repeat how hilarious she was. There were times that I was reading this book where I was shaking with laughter (this happened while I was reading on my break at work..they probably all think I'm nuts now :) My only qualm with the book was that the plot wasn't realistic at times....the tidy bow type of ending for example. But it really didn't detract from the book for me because I liked it so much. It was pure escapist reading and I was caught up in its' thrall. One of the quotes on the back of the book said it best when they said "you won't get a thing done till it's finished." I didn't want to put it down and was constantly wondering what Lola was going to do next. All in all, a fun read and I have found a new author that I will reading more of in the future!
December 29, 2016
Please note that I gave this book 3.5 stars and rounded it up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
I read two Mansell books back in the day and told myself that maybe those two books should be enough. Both a lot of her works were available via my library and I decided to try again to see if I like any of these books much better. The answer is, I did and I didn’t. What grabs me a lot about this book is that I loved every character in this book except for the main character Lola. Lola is annoying and if she had been a man everyone would have been yelling at her that her nice guy act to her ex demanding another chance was out of bounds. I hate it when female characters do things we would give male characters crap for. Readers know right away (and the synopsis spoils you) that Lola takes money from her boyfriend’s mother when she is forced to. As part of the money exchange she dumps Doug and then in my opinion was doing great in her life until she comes face to face with Dougie again and decides she must have him because everyone knows your teen love is your forever love. And yes sometimes you are, but since I saw no chemistry at all between Lola and Dougie I felt a bit baffled by these two characters.
If that’s not enough, the story switches POV many times with Lola’s long time friend and next door neighbor, Dougie’s sister, as well as Lola’s mom and someone from Lola’s mom past. I recall not being in love with the parade of characters in other books, and this one had almost too many, but somehow everything works.
We get some secondary characters here and there, like Dougie’s mother who must be evil incarnate based on everything we are shown. I wish that we had a face to face with her and Lola ever, but instead that whole thing was just Lola asking to be forgiven and wanting to move on from the whole thing.
The writing to me was typical British chick lit which I loved. There were a few laugh out loud moments I had too. Mainly when we have Lola who is a bookstore manager dealing with customers thinking she should know everything about books. Her figuring out what books people are looking for would have been a nice recurring gag. I maybe snickered when another customer is bereft that his wife’s favorite author, Jane Austen has died. And yup, he thinks she died recently.
The flow was off though in this one. I think it’s because Lola’s best friend across the way and then his situation with a live in roommate felt like they were in two different books. They really took up a good portion of the book (not complaining) because maybe even Mansell got tired of Lola and her antics.
The ending for everyone else worked perfectly, but I thought Lola’s happy ending came out of nowhere. I wish that Mansell had went another way there with another love for Lola to think about or get involved with, since her being stuck on Dougie through the whole book after she lays eyes on him made me start calling her Ted (in honor of Ted Mobsy from How I Met Your Mother).
I read two Mansell books back in the day and told myself that maybe those two books should be enough. Both a lot of her works were available via my library and I decided to try again to see if I like any of these books much better. The answer is, I did and I didn’t. What grabs me a lot about this book is that I loved every character in this book except for the main character Lola. Lola is annoying and if she had been a man everyone would have been yelling at her that her nice guy act to her ex demanding another chance was out of bounds. I hate it when female characters do things we would give male characters crap for. Readers know right away (and the synopsis spoils you) that Lola takes money from her boyfriend’s mother when she is forced to. As part of the money exchange she dumps Doug and then in my opinion was doing great in her life until she comes face to face with Dougie again and decides she must have him because everyone knows your teen love is your forever love. And yes sometimes you are, but since I saw no chemistry at all between Lola and Dougie I felt a bit baffled by these two characters.
If that’s not enough, the story switches POV many times with Lola’s long time friend and next door neighbor, Dougie’s sister, as well as Lola’s mom and someone from Lola’s mom past. I recall not being in love with the parade of characters in other books, and this one had almost too many, but somehow everything works.
We get some secondary characters here and there, like Dougie’s mother who must be evil incarnate based on everything we are shown. I wish that we had a face to face with her and Lola ever, but instead that whole thing was just Lola asking to be forgiven and wanting to move on from the whole thing.
The writing to me was typical British chick lit which I loved. There were a few laugh out loud moments I had too. Mainly when we have Lola who is a bookstore manager dealing with customers thinking she should know everything about books. Her figuring out what books people are looking for would have been a nice recurring gag. I maybe snickered when another customer is bereft that his wife’s favorite author, Jane Austen has died. And yup, he thinks she died recently.
The flow was off though in this one. I think it’s because Lola’s best friend across the way and then his situation with a live in roommate felt like they were in two different books. They really took up a good portion of the book (not complaining) because maybe even Mansell got tired of Lola and her antics.
The ending for everyone else worked perfectly, but I thought Lola’s happy ending came out of nowhere. I wish that Mansell had went another way there with another love for Lola to think about or get involved with, since her being stuck on Dougie through the whole book after she lays eyes on him made me start calling her Ted (in honor of Ted Mobsy from How I Met Your Mother).
August 7, 2016
This is the first and only book I have read written by Jill Mansell and I found the book to be easy to read and was instantly hooked. I instantly loved the main character, Lola, who was in the worst possible situation at the beginning of the story - keep your boyfriend or have £10,000... Lolca decides to take the money and run, something which I had a bit of a shout about when I was reading that part of the book.... I definately formed a lot of opinions throughout reading this! Would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good debate..!
April 16, 2017
This book kind of sucked balls. There were too many characters, and they were all dreadfully boring characters at that. Too many twist and turns, all boring. And if this is supposed to be a rekindling romance between Lola and Doug, maybe they should actually spend some time together. Just my opinion. They were barely together in the story, maybe two or three time at the most and even then there was no flirting or stolen glances. Nothing happened in this book and it was all over the place.
March 12, 2010
If you have ever worked in a bookstore and either a)find chick lit remotely tolerable or b)are such an anglophile that you can overlook overt chick lityness if it's balanced by overt Britishness, this book is spectacularly funny. I personally fall more into category b than a, and therefore will concede that it's a ridiculously girly book, but massively enjoyable, a bit like chocolate.
But really the best part is the, "Oink."
But really the best part is the, "Oink."
July 11, 2021
You just can’t go wrong with a Jill Mansell book. Only reason it took me so long to read is because I’ve been so busy with barely any time to read.
Loved Lola. She has such a big heart and so loyal to her step-dad. Loved her friendship with Gabe and Sally. Couldn’t help but feel her frustrations with Doug and that inevitability when she realises she’s wasting her time.
It all comes good in the end and ultimately, that’s what it’s all about with Jill’s books.
Loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved Lola. She has such a big heart and so loyal to her step-dad. Loved her friendship with Gabe and Sally. Couldn’t help but feel her frustrations with Doug and that inevitability when she realises she’s wasting her time.
It all comes good in the end and ultimately, that’s what it’s all about with Jill’s books.
Loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 6, 2015
I love Jill Mansell. She gives me exactly what I want when I ask for it. Superb chick lit writer, one of the best in my opinion. I don't know how she does it, but I always fall in love with her characters, always care what happens to them, and even if I can sometimes predict who will end up with who, I don't care. Laugh out loud funny in so many places... another jem Jill x
September 2, 2015
Heerlijke afleiding tijdens een slapenloze nacht. en als bonus werkt de hoofdpersoon in een boekenwinkel, wat zorgt voor heerlijke quotes zoals "ze smachte naar een echte boekenwinkel zoals een junk naar een shotje" . wederom een heerlijk boek!
July 13, 2015
My head hurts from rolling my eyes so many times. I just couldn't get into it; the characters lacked depth and especially Lola frustrated me to no end: she has to be the most immature, selfish and shallow character I've ever come across. Just, no.
January 13, 2022
Oh this is a traditional Jill Mansell, from the book cover to the story itself. It delivered what I expected which was some light reading. Its been a while since I read this book and I prefered her other books, but still a good example of chick lit
June 10, 2017
haha geweldig boek weer van jill
September 15, 2019
An easy read. Light and fluffy.
February 1, 2017
Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
When Lola was 17, her boyfriend’s mother made her an offer she couldn’t refuse–a ton of money to stop seeing her son. Dougie was Lola’s first love, and Lola wanted to tell his mother to stick her money where the sun doesn’t shine, but she takes it, even negotiates a higher amount, to keep her family together. Distraught over the end of her relationship with Dougie, she flees the country.
Ten years later, Lola is living in Notting Hill as a bookstore manager. After a party, she intervenes in an attack on a woman and is thrust back into Dougie’s life. He finds out about the bribe, but Lola refuses to tell him–or anyone–why she needed the money. He wants nothing to do with her, but Lola is determined to win him back.
Lola’s quest to win Dougie’s forgiveness and heart is the backdrop for a humorous story that is chick lit at its finest. Jill Mansell peppers An Offer You Can’t Refuse with a cast of delightful characters: Blythe, Lola’s eccentric, fashion-challenged mother; Sally, Dougie’s older sister and Lola’s new best friend who’s had a rough time in the romance department; Gabe, Lola’s neighbor and good friend who everyone suspects is gay but isn’t; and EJ, the music mogul and dorky dresser who tries to win Lola’s heart.
The book is a quick, light read, and I really enjoyed it. But I wasn’t a big fan of Lola. I could see why she acted as she did at 17, but throughout the book, I had to keep reminding myself that Lola was 27 because she didn’t seem to grow up much at all. She couldn’t understand why Dougie was so angry with her, and she was shameless in her pursuit of him to the point where I was embarrassed for her in several scenes. She also was very shallow, wanting to break her mother and her boyfriend up simply because the boyfriend had a bushy beard, hairy toes, and a wardrobe in need of updating–even though her mother kept going on about how happy she was. If the point of the storyline was that Lola had changed over the past 10 years, I guess I just didn’t see it.
However, I loved Sally and Gabe. Gabe as a fledgling paparazzi was hilarious, and putting neat freak Gabe and messy Sally in the same flat made for some interesting scenes. Though predictable, An Offer You Can’t Refuse was fun and captivating.
When Lola was 17, her boyfriend’s mother made her an offer she couldn’t refuse–a ton of money to stop seeing her son. Dougie was Lola’s first love, and Lola wanted to tell his mother to stick her money where the sun doesn’t shine, but she takes it, even negotiates a higher amount, to keep her family together. Distraught over the end of her relationship with Dougie, she flees the country.
Ten years later, Lola is living in Notting Hill as a bookstore manager. After a party, she intervenes in an attack on a woman and is thrust back into Dougie’s life. He finds out about the bribe, but Lola refuses to tell him–or anyone–why she needed the money. He wants nothing to do with her, but Lola is determined to win him back.
Lola’s quest to win Dougie’s forgiveness and heart is the backdrop for a humorous story that is chick lit at its finest. Jill Mansell peppers An Offer You Can’t Refuse with a cast of delightful characters: Blythe, Lola’s eccentric, fashion-challenged mother; Sally, Dougie’s older sister and Lola’s new best friend who’s had a rough time in the romance department; Gabe, Lola’s neighbor and good friend who everyone suspects is gay but isn’t; and EJ, the music mogul and dorky dresser who tries to win Lola’s heart.
The book is a quick, light read, and I really enjoyed it. But I wasn’t a big fan of Lola. I could see why she acted as she did at 17, but throughout the book, I had to keep reminding myself that Lola was 27 because she didn’t seem to grow up much at all. She couldn’t understand why Dougie was so angry with her, and she was shameless in her pursuit of him to the point where I was embarrassed for her in several scenes. She also was very shallow, wanting to break her mother and her boyfriend up simply because the boyfriend had a bushy beard, hairy toes, and a wardrobe in need of updating–even though her mother kept going on about how happy she was. If the point of the storyline was that Lola had changed over the past 10 years, I guess I just didn’t see it.
However, I loved Sally and Gabe. Gabe as a fledgling paparazzi was hilarious, and putting neat freak Gabe and messy Sally in the same flat made for some interesting scenes. Though predictable, An Offer You Can’t Refuse was fun and captivating.
April 3, 2009
An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell is witty, charming, engaging, and Chicklit to the max.
For a reviewer this was a treat to find in a book, this is definitely how many of us feel about books and reading, and reading these lines instantly cemented my attention to this book.
Lola is a young girl in love with a boy, Dougie, whose family is wealthy and whose mother hates her guts. His mother makes her an offer that she can't refuse, so she takes it and says goodbye to the love of her life in a "Dear John" letter. Fast-forward to the present day and we find Lola has grown up physically, but still wears the same teenage, low-cut clothes and finds herself being mistaken for a prostitute when she walks into London bookstore after living in Majorca for about a decade. Eventually, Lola becomes more grounded and is the bookshop manager, but just as she thinks her life is stabilizing and in a good place, things get all topsy-turvy again.
This novel starts off in Lola's past, but readers may find that more background is necessary, particularly where her relationship with Dougie is concerned. The only drawback of this novel, which really isn't one, is that Lola's story is pushed to the sidelines quite a bit as the Sally's story takes center stage. However, Mansell carefully weaves the narration back to Lola and the resolution of her story. Readers may want to see more of Dougie in this novel, since much of the novel shifts in point of view between Lola, Sally, and Lola's friend Gabe.
Mansell's writing is engaging, and though some of her characters, like Lola and Dougie's sister Sally, are shallow at first, the complications in their lives force them to look beyond their own lives and come to terms with themselves, their families, and their love lives. Highly recommended for readers who love British humor, chicklit, and are in need of summer reading.
For a reviewer this was a treat to find in a book, this is definitely how many of us feel about books and reading, and reading these lines instantly cemented my attention to this book.
Lola is a young girl in love with a boy, Dougie, whose family is wealthy and whose mother hates her guts. His mother makes her an offer that she can't refuse, so she takes it and says goodbye to the love of her life in a "Dear John" letter. Fast-forward to the present day and we find Lola has grown up physically, but still wears the same teenage, low-cut clothes and finds herself being mistaken for a prostitute when she walks into London bookstore after living in Majorca for about a decade. Eventually, Lola becomes more grounded and is the bookshop manager, but just as she thinks her life is stabilizing and in a good place, things get all topsy-turvy again.
This novel starts off in Lola's past, but readers may find that more background is necessary, particularly where her relationship with Dougie is concerned. The only drawback of this novel, which really isn't one, is that Lola's story is pushed to the sidelines quite a bit as the Sally's story takes center stage. However, Mansell carefully weaves the narration back to Lola and the resolution of her story. Readers may want to see more of Dougie in this novel, since much of the novel shifts in point of view between Lola, Sally, and Lola's friend Gabe.
Mansell's writing is engaging, and though some of her characters, like Lola and Dougie's sister Sally, are shallow at first, the complications in their lives force them to look beyond their own lives and come to terms with themselves, their families, and their love lives. Highly recommended for readers who love British humor, chicklit, and are in need of summer reading.
October 19, 2025
I started to read this book because I thought the plot was interesting and the first 100 pages I thought “what an easy and cute book, this might get a 3 or a 4”. But then I got past the hundredth page and what a waste of time. ALL the careers were dum, one sided and completely useless. I liked non of the tropes, except of course for the main character’s love story. She was kind of a stalker and I got a little enemies to lovers vibe going on, but there was no relationship development. The love interest, “what’s his face”, was such an ass and the last three pages he was like “oh wait, I actually really like you. Maybe I should have listened to your story and put myself in your shoes? Anyways, let’s have sex!”. Absolutely pathetic. And the “best friend”!!!! Absolutely hated her. She was no girls girl, and she wanted to sleep with the main characters father! Yuck.
To sum it up. I think the author got tired of the story and just wrapped it up the last ten pages.
To sum it up. I think the author got tired of the story and just wrapped it up the last ten pages.
December 2, 2012
It was my first book of Jill Mansell, and after reading it I have bought/lend/found all of her other books, because I just love her style, her writing, her heroes, all the adventures and actually, everything:)))
Maybe Lola (and I hate this name!!!!! I don't know why, just because:) ) was not the perfect character, maybe she was too childish, she exaggerated a lot, she was really stalking Doug and it was actually not my style at all, but nevermind:) She was so warm and so sweet, one just must like her. And all of the other characters as well.
Maybe the end was not so optimal, for me it happened just too fast and out of the blue, but happy and is always happy end:)
Maybe Lola (and I hate this name!!!!! I don't know why, just because:) ) was not the perfect character, maybe she was too childish, she exaggerated a lot, she was really stalking Doug and it was actually not my style at all, but nevermind:) She was so warm and so sweet, one just must like her. And all of the other characters as well.
Maybe the end was not so optimal, for me it happened just too fast and out of the blue, but happy and is always happy end:)
May 13, 2020
Quando estamos tristes não há nada melhor que ler um bom livro, capaz de nos fazer nos arrancar umas gargalhadas sinceras. Os livros da Jill Mansell têm, na minha opinião, esse dom. Deixam-me alegre e com um sorriso na boca. Fazem-me olhar para o lado cómico da vida e encarar as coisas com outra leveza.
O resto da opinião em: http://palavras-escritasaovento.blogs...
O resto da opinião em: http://palavras-escritasaovento.blogs...
May 27, 2020
I chose this book because I wanted to break up my reading and this was a change of genre from the previous few books I’ve read. I was intrigued by the plot as it gives it an extra layer to a pure romance novel.
I thought it was successful how the book starts 10 years ago to set the scene, then jumps to a few years later to catch up on some details before the majority being set in the present day. That said, there was the issue that Lola doesn’t always act as a 27 year old in the main section of the book, some of her actions make it feel like she’s still 17, as she was at the beginning of the novel in the “10 years ago” chapters.
The strong friendship bond between Lola and Sally meant that the book wasn’t just about Lola trying to win Dougie’s heart back, which I appreciated as I always enjoy a “best friends” story incorporated into a novel as well.
However, in my opinion, Sally didn’t always act as a best friend towards Lola. I really disliked the storyline about Sally fancying Lola’s long lost father. I know some relationships with big age gaps work well but Sally virtually admitted it’d be inappropriate for them to be together, yet she didn’t give up on this fantasy. The only partial saving grace was that Nick was shocked once Sally had made a move on him but this storyline seemed to yield little further character development.
Although Nick wasn’t romantically interested in Sally, Jill Mansell regurgitated a similar plot at the end of the book when Lola unexpectedly found him on a date with her colleague, Cheryl, from the bookshop. I’m not sure how Nick finds it acceptable to date all Lola’s friends and I was really put off by both of these storylines.
No matter how sweet it was that Lola rekindled the relationship with her father and I’m truly pleased for her that she was able to meet Nick and get on so well with him, I still found it odd that, at the age of 27, he was interfering in her love life and trying to get her and Doug back together. On the other hand, it was cute, despite being totally cringey, that they did get back together in the end, I just thought they went about it the wrong way.
This was quite a slow read for me, I couldn’t really get into it and think I only found myself picking it up at any given opportunity just to get closer to finishing it, not because I was particularly enjoying the story. Sorry, Jill Mansell but I won’t be recommending this book to my friends. I should’ve just stuck with the books I know and love but I’ll just put it down to experience!
I thought it was successful how the book starts 10 years ago to set the scene, then jumps to a few years later to catch up on some details before the majority being set in the present day. That said, there was the issue that Lola doesn’t always act as a 27 year old in the main section of the book, some of her actions make it feel like she’s still 17, as she was at the beginning of the novel in the “10 years ago” chapters.
The strong friendship bond between Lola and Sally meant that the book wasn’t just about Lola trying to win Dougie’s heart back, which I appreciated as I always enjoy a “best friends” story incorporated into a novel as well.
However, in my opinion, Sally didn’t always act as a best friend towards Lola. I really disliked the storyline about Sally fancying Lola’s long lost father. I know some relationships with big age gaps work well but Sally virtually admitted it’d be inappropriate for them to be together, yet she didn’t give up on this fantasy. The only partial saving grace was that Nick was shocked once Sally had made a move on him but this storyline seemed to yield little further character development.
Although Nick wasn’t romantically interested in Sally, Jill Mansell regurgitated a similar plot at the end of the book when Lola unexpectedly found him on a date with her colleague, Cheryl, from the bookshop. I’m not sure how Nick finds it acceptable to date all Lola’s friends and I was really put off by both of these storylines.
No matter how sweet it was that Lola rekindled the relationship with her father and I’m truly pleased for her that she was able to meet Nick and get on so well with him, I still found it odd that, at the age of 27, he was interfering in her love life and trying to get her and Doug back together. On the other hand, it was cute, despite being totally cringey, that they did get back together in the end, I just thought they went about it the wrong way.
This was quite a slow read for me, I couldn’t really get into it and think I only found myself picking it up at any given opportunity just to get closer to finishing it, not because I was particularly enjoying the story. Sorry, Jill Mansell but I won’t be recommending this book to my friends. I should’ve just stuck with the books I know and love but I’ll just put it down to experience!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2019
I have to admit I struggled a bit with this one. It's an enjoyable read and very easy to follow, but I did find it difficult to fully engage with the characters and plot lines, and I think I can boil this down to a couple of reasons:
1) Lola - the central female protagonist - is extremely cocky. I love confidence in female characters but there is a fine line between that and sheer arrogance. She spends most of the book thinking she is the absolute bee's knees and that she can magically turn her ex's head and win him over again because she's just that good. Nope. Sorry, it doesn't sit well with me at all. Be confident, yes, but take your head out of your backside for five minutes, please. And stop chasing someone who is - at least outwardly - showing he isn't interested in you.
2) I had no interest in the sub-plots. Unfortunately I do find that with some of Jill Mansell's books, I tend to skip over at least one of the other characters' plot lines. In this book, I completely skimmed over Gabe and Sally's parts. I didn't connect with them at all.
3) The inevitable reconciliation happened way to late in the game. I'm talking about 10 pages from the end. I need more than that! Give me at least a chapter of them being together. (Plus, the way Doug explained his reluctance to allow Lola back into his life? I'm not buying it. Just have him admit that his ego was bruised, let him be honest about it. Honesty holds far more weight in my eyes.)
Overall, I'm glad I read this - as I am trying to make my way through Mansell's back catalogue - but it's not up there with my faves. Not bad, not great. Kind of a middle-ground book for me.
1) Lola - the central female protagonist - is extremely cocky. I love confidence in female characters but there is a fine line between that and sheer arrogance. She spends most of the book thinking she is the absolute bee's knees and that she can magically turn her ex's head and win him over again because she's just that good. Nope. Sorry, it doesn't sit well with me at all. Be confident, yes, but take your head out of your backside for five minutes, please. And stop chasing someone who is - at least outwardly - showing he isn't interested in you.
2) I had no interest in the sub-plots. Unfortunately I do find that with some of Jill Mansell's books, I tend to skip over at least one of the other characters' plot lines. In this book, I completely skimmed over Gabe and Sally's parts. I didn't connect with them at all.
3) The inevitable reconciliation happened way to late in the game. I'm talking about 10 pages from the end. I need more than that! Give me at least a chapter of them being together. (Plus, the way Doug explained his reluctance to allow Lola back into his life? I'm not buying it. Just have him admit that his ego was bruised, let him be honest about it. Honesty holds far more weight in my eyes.)
Overall, I'm glad I read this - as I am trying to make my way through Mansell's back catalogue - but it's not up there with my faves. Not bad, not great. Kind of a middle-ground book for me.
May 25, 2022
One of the most stupid books I have read in this genre.
Lola was beyond irritating. How can someone be so selfish, immature and unreasonable? There was nothing good about her. I would want to smack such a person in real life.
Doug was barely where for even 15 pages and was just doing that stereotypical rude, scowl faced nonsense. And then out of nowhere, he ends up being with her? How ridiculous is that? The lead pair had no chemistry. I thought the book was supposed to be about them but it was about everyone other than them.
Sally and Gabe had such a prominent role in the book that I felt like they were the lead pair at times. They were still more bearable than this Lola character.
The story had too many coincidences to help the plot along. The stepfather needs money at the same time as it was offered to Lola? And she just dumped her boyfriend she “loved” so much for that much money? And is this secret so important that she doesn’t share it with anyone? You have got to be kidding me!
I have never read a book written by this author previously and I don’t see myself picking up another book written by her. All I could think of was the number of trees destroyed to print such nonsense 👎🏼
Lola was beyond irritating. How can someone be so selfish, immature and unreasonable? There was nothing good about her. I would want to smack such a person in real life.
Doug was barely where for even 15 pages and was just doing that stereotypical rude, scowl faced nonsense. And then out of nowhere, he ends up being with her? How ridiculous is that? The lead pair had no chemistry. I thought the book was supposed to be about them but it was about everyone other than them.
Sally and Gabe had such a prominent role in the book that I felt like they were the lead pair at times. They were still more bearable than this Lola character.
The story had too many coincidences to help the plot along. The stepfather needs money at the same time as it was offered to Lola? And she just dumped her boyfriend she “loved” so much for that much money? And is this secret so important that she doesn’t share it with anyone? You have got to be kidding me!
I have never read a book written by this author previously and I don’t see myself picking up another book written by her. All I could think of was the number of trees destroyed to print such nonsense 👎🏼
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