What do you think?
Rate this book
Tickled Pink PB Warehouse Spec
The wonderful new novel from the author of Nothing to Lose.
Paperback
First published September 2, 2002
41 people are currently reading
850 people want to read
About the author
Christina Jones
85 books192 followersI've written all my life, but only became a published novelist in 1997. Before that, I wrote short stories and newspaper articles for pin money while doing a series of naff jobs. In fact I've had twenty seven jobs and been sacked from nineteen of them for writing when I should have been working. I've been, among other things, a shop assistant, waitress, cleaner, secretary, factory worker, market-researcher, nanny, bookseller, night-club dancer, civil servant, blood donor attendant, fruit-picker and barmaid. I'm now, apparently, a Real Writer.
Writing for a living is wonderful - a dream come true - and I now manage to combine writing novels, short stories and articles with not doing the housework, not doing the gardening, not cooking much, but at least attempting to look after my husband - the Toyboy Trucker - and my daughter and our 17 rescued cats.
I was born in Oxford and have lived in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Northumberland, London and Jersey. I blame my parents both for my itchy feet and my romantic soul. My Dad was a circus clown - Poor Billy, Prince of Laughter Makers - and my Mum who trained as a teacher, came from an army family, and had lived in six countries before she was 15. They met and fell in love while the circus was off the road and my Dad was working as Santa Claus in a department store. My Mum, at home for Christmas, was the fairy in his grotto. I was entranced by the way they met, that they were from such different backgrounds, and that their love for one another managed to survive every obstacle and objection thrown in its path. Every book I've written has their story at its core.
I grew up in a Berkshire village, in a tight, happy, secure and very working class community. My childhood was idyllically happy, and my friends from those days are still my best friends now. My novels reflect this community spirit, and all have small groups of people - crossing class, age and gender - who are friends and work together through the roller coaster ride of life. Also, because the women I grew up with were, by necessity, tough and go-getting with a sense of humour, my heroines are gutsy and strong. Real women in real situations. And the fact that the backgrounds to my books mirror my own past experiences is no coincidence, either.
My parents were great storytellers and avid readers, and taught me to read long before I started school, so I started writing my own stories at about five years old without thinking it in the least odd. Writing was an obsession, a friend, a way of life. I had my first short story published at 14, still blissfully unaware this was unusual. However, having a novel published was my life's ambition - and one that took another thirty writing years to achieve.
Having won a couple of awards for my short stories, I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 1993, and was lucky enough to be voted runner-up for the New Writers' Scheme Award at my second attempt in 1995. Dancing in the Moonlight was published by My Weekly Story Library, and as it didn't have an ISBN wasn't classed as a novel. I was, of course, ecstatic at this literary elevation - and it was at the RNA Awards Lunch that I was approached by an agent who suggested I should try writing full length commercial fiction. Going the Distance was the result, and amazingly it was sold to a publisher straight away and then, equally amazingly, chosen for the 1997 WH Smith Fresh Talent Promotion - and I haven't (touch wood and fingers and all other extremities crossed!) - looked back since.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Writing for a living is wonderful - a dream come true - and I now manage to combine writing novels, short stories and articles with not doing the housework, not doing the gardening, not cooking much, but at least attempting to look after my husband - the Toyboy Trucker - and my daughter and our 17 rescued cats.
I was born in Oxford and have lived in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Northumberland, London and Jersey. I blame my parents both for my itchy feet and my romantic soul. My Dad was a circus clown - Poor Billy, Prince of Laughter Makers - and my Mum who trained as a teacher, came from an army family, and had lived in six countries before she was 15. They met and fell in love while the circus was off the road and my Dad was working as Santa Claus in a department store. My Mum, at home for Christmas, was the fairy in his grotto. I was entranced by the way they met, that they were from such different backgrounds, and that their love for one another managed to survive every obstacle and objection thrown in its path. Every book I've written has their story at its core.
I grew up in a Berkshire village, in a tight, happy, secure and very working class community. My childhood was idyllically happy, and my friends from those days are still my best friends now. My novels reflect this community spirit, and all have small groups of people - crossing class, age and gender - who are friends and work together through the roller coaster ride of life. Also, because the women I grew up with were, by necessity, tough and go-getting with a sense of humour, my heroines are gutsy and strong. Real women in real situations. And the fact that the backgrounds to my books mirror my own past experiences is no coincidence, either.
My parents were great storytellers and avid readers, and taught me to read long before I started school, so I started writing my own stories at about five years old without thinking it in the least odd. Writing was an obsession, a friend, a way of life. I had my first short story published at 14, still blissfully unaware this was unusual. However, having a novel published was my life's ambition - and one that took another thirty writing years to achieve.
Having won a couple of awards for my short stories, I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 1993, and was lucky enough to be voted runner-up for the New Writers' Scheme Award at my second attempt in 1995. Dancing in the Moonlight was published by My Weekly Story Library, and as it didn't have an ISBN wasn't classed as a novel. I was, of course, ecstatic at this literary elevation - and it was at the RNA Awards Lunch that I was approached by an agent who suggested I should try writing full length commercial fiction. Going the Distance was the result, and amazingly it was sold to a publisher straight away and then, equally amazingly, chosen for the 1997 WH Smith Fresh Talent Promotion - and I haven't (touch wood and fingers and all other extremities crossed!) - looked back since.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 5, 2011
Beautiful book wonderful storyline realy enjoyed this one x x
October 15, 2018
I love Christina Jones' books as they are lovely, feel good, easy reading books that you can easily get into.
I love this book and its one of my read and reread books! I love the descriptions of the villagers and the great characters and liked the story of Lola managing to save herself from homelessness and getting herself a job. I also adore Christinas quirky placenames and character names in all her books!
A nice lighthearted feel good book if you dont want anything heavygoing.
I love this book and its one of my read and reread books! I love the descriptions of the villagers and the great characters and liked the story of Lola managing to save herself from homelessness and getting herself a job. I also adore Christinas quirky placenames and character names in all her books!
A nice lighthearted feel good book if you dont want anything heavygoing.
August 7, 2020
Delightful read
I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read but made you keep reading to find out the outcome of several relationship s. Ideal for a holiday read where you can dip in and out of a book
I really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read but made you keep reading to find out the outcome of several relationship s. Ideal for a holiday read where you can dip in and out of a book
July 1, 2018
I wanted a nice easy read and that is what I got with this. Just what I needed on a hot day when my brain wasn’t working as quick as usual. Will read more by this author.
August 4, 2018
Nice and a bit obvious.pleasant chick lit
February 11, 2019
Really enjoyed the different characters in this book, including the four legged residences of the B&B :).
June 15, 2021
Such a fun read. Just what I needed in the sun sipping juice and escaping the housework!!
January 12, 2022
Easy read comedic romance set in a quaint English town in the coutryside outside London
February 18, 2023
Brilliant !!!
No too schmaltzy. Sad bits as well but
ultimately uplifting. Love her books, plenty of emotion. And think I have read them all.
No too schmaltzy. Sad bits as well but
ultimately uplifting. Love her books, plenty of emotion. And think I have read them all.
August 31, 2023
I did like this but it was a bit longer than it need to be. It was fun though, with an interesting case of characters
February 15, 2024
Wanted a light read between all the serious stuff, and this fits the bill nicely. Whisks you along and makes you giggle. Similar to jenny colgan, and highly enjoyable.
July 15, 2025
An other perfectly wonderful romance story full of surprises and crazy happenings ! Christina Jones never disappoints
October 29, 2014
Steeple Fritton is a quaint country village in the doldrums. The village pub, The Crooked Sixpence, is run by the less-than-charming landlord, Hogarth, who is hardly welcoming. There are empty shops and a bed and breakfast that is barely managing to break even.
Posy is in the doldrums, too. When the novel starts she has been dumped by her childhood sweetheart and, as their wedding day arrives, she decides to run away and make a new life for herself in Swindon. As you do. Luckily for Posy, a problem with her beloved motorbike and a chance encounter with a dog called Persephone sees her heading back to Steeple Fritton, determined to hold her head high and show everyone she’s not defeated.
Lola arrives in Steeple Fritton by pure chance. She’s had the worst run of bad luck and feels life can’t get much worse. To make things even more difficult, she ends up at the bed and breakfast place run by Posy’s parents, and it turns out that she and Posy are both nursing broken hearts but are from different sides of the fence, which initially leads to a great deal of tension and hostility.
Gradually, Posy and Lola decide to take matters into their own hands and turn not only their own lives around, but the fate of Steeple Fritton itself. When two gorgeous men arrive in the village hearts begin to heal and hopes begin to surface, but Flynn and Ellis have their own baggage, and there are tough decisions, sizzling passion, laughter and heartbreak ahead for all four of them.
I loved the warmth of this book. It had a real, cosy village feel to it, and there was a wonderful assortment of secondary characters with marvellous names like Tatty and Glad and The Pinks. I liked the fact that good things didn’t just start to happen for Posy and Lola – they made them happen. They took charge of their lives and, despite the blows that life had dealt them, they stopped moping pretty quickly and set about changing things. In the process of improving their own lot, they managed to improve the lot of the villagers and put Steeple Fritton well and truly on the map. Both Lola and Posy are very likeable characters – women you would want to be friends with – and Ellis and Flynn are, well, phwoar!
With a carnival, an old-fashioned fair and the Orient Express all thrown in for good measure, this really is one steamy romance in the nicest possible way. And it’s made me quite nostalgic for Adam Ant. Read it and bask in the eccentric warmth of Steeple Fritton and its delightful characters.
Posy is in the doldrums, too. When the novel starts she has been dumped by her childhood sweetheart and, as their wedding day arrives, she decides to run away and make a new life for herself in Swindon. As you do. Luckily for Posy, a problem with her beloved motorbike and a chance encounter with a dog called Persephone sees her heading back to Steeple Fritton, determined to hold her head high and show everyone she’s not defeated.
Lola arrives in Steeple Fritton by pure chance. She’s had the worst run of bad luck and feels life can’t get much worse. To make things even more difficult, she ends up at the bed and breakfast place run by Posy’s parents, and it turns out that she and Posy are both nursing broken hearts but are from different sides of the fence, which initially leads to a great deal of tension and hostility.
Gradually, Posy and Lola decide to take matters into their own hands and turn not only their own lives around, but the fate of Steeple Fritton itself. When two gorgeous men arrive in the village hearts begin to heal and hopes begin to surface, but Flynn and Ellis have their own baggage, and there are tough decisions, sizzling passion, laughter and heartbreak ahead for all four of them.
I loved the warmth of this book. It had a real, cosy village feel to it, and there was a wonderful assortment of secondary characters with marvellous names like Tatty and Glad and The Pinks. I liked the fact that good things didn’t just start to happen for Posy and Lola – they made them happen. They took charge of their lives and, despite the blows that life had dealt them, they stopped moping pretty quickly and set about changing things. In the process of improving their own lot, they managed to improve the lot of the villagers and put Steeple Fritton well and truly on the map. Both Lola and Posy are very likeable characters – women you would want to be friends with – and Ellis and Flynn are, well, phwoar!
With a carnival, an old-fashioned fair and the Orient Express all thrown in for good measure, this really is one steamy romance in the nicest possible way. And it’s made me quite nostalgic for Adam Ant. Read it and bask in the eccentric warmth of Steeple Fritton and its delightful characters.
March 24, 2016
Christina Jones is probably one of my favourite romance/chick-lit writers, and I think it's because the love lives of the characters aren't all that are going on, so you can enjoy a bloody good story while working out who will end up with who - and you know that's going to happen!
This story focuses on Posy and Lola, both who end up a little lost and wanting start over in the little village of Steeple Fritton. Posy was born and brought up there, but her childhood sweetheart and one time fiancé has just got married and is having a baby with someone else. While Lola's long term boyfriend has just died and his wife now owns everything Lola thought of as hers. Both women decide that they have to do something radical to move on with their lives, but it's the sleepy village that ends up getting a makeover. And of course, the arrival of sexy American Flynn and young lothario Ellis will also stir up trouble.
With the usual mix of dotty, brilliant characters, clever little jokes and a 'nice' story, there isn't really anything not to like. I was grinning like an idiot through the last few chapters, as everything turns out ok and no-one's left unhappy - even the grumpy old barman ends up with the love of his life! It was nice to see some characters from 'Stealing the Show' back and still together too.
A great read, something to make you feel good about things and help polish up those rose-tinted glasses.
This story focuses on Posy and Lola, both who end up a little lost and wanting start over in the little village of Steeple Fritton. Posy was born and brought up there, but her childhood sweetheart and one time fiancé has just got married and is having a baby with someone else. While Lola's long term boyfriend has just died and his wife now owns everything Lola thought of as hers. Both women decide that they have to do something radical to move on with their lives, but it's the sleepy village that ends up getting a makeover. And of course, the arrival of sexy American Flynn and young lothario Ellis will also stir up trouble.
With the usual mix of dotty, brilliant characters, clever little jokes and a 'nice' story, there isn't really anything not to like. I was grinning like an idiot through the last few chapters, as everything turns out ok and no-one's left unhappy - even the grumpy old barman ends up with the love of his life! It was nice to see some characters from 'Stealing the Show' back and still together too.
A great read, something to make you feel good about things and help polish up those rose-tinted glasses.
December 9, 2011
I really enjoyed Tickled Pink. Christina Jones did a great job at keeping me in suspense as to who was going to end up with whom. It was also wonderful to have the entire village involved in the story more or less. I was unable to put the down the book once I'd started it. I just had to read and find out if the B&B was going to be saved and if Lola and Posy got their happy endings. Another great book by Christina Jones.
June 29, 2011
This book would have been a lot better if Posy wasn't so rude and judgmental. She was supposed to come off as charming but I hated they way she always justified being mean about and to other people. Lola was okay and so was Ellis. Flynn didn't have much of a personality and the ending was not that great.
July 30, 2014
I really enjoyed this novel from Christina Jones - which has just been rereleased on Kindle.
I'd already met the characters in a subsequent book so I knew who was going to end up with who, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment as the plot and machinations were so much fun. I'm looking forward to more of Jones' backlist being released.
I'd already met the characters in a subsequent book so I knew who was going to end up with who, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment as the plot and machinations were so much fun. I'm looking forward to more of Jones' backlist being released.
April 6, 2015
A very easy read for a bank holiday weekend. Girly chick lit, based quite local to me, which added an extra interest. Won't set the world on fire but enjoyable and fun story about two women of different ages that have been let down by men and need to start their lives again. I particularly liked the clamping story line and laughed out loud!
August 13, 2014
Perfect summer-afternoon-in-the-garden read.
I probably emphasize with all the characters that have (in one way or another) all hit rock bottom and are looking for direction in their lives. It's funny and real, and while the happy endings are there, they aren't what you expect. Lovely read :) Will be checking out more of her work!
I probably emphasize with all the characters that have (in one way or another) all hit rock bottom and are looking for direction in their lives. It's funny and real, and while the happy endings are there, they aren't what you expect. Lovely read :) Will be checking out more of her work!
August 3, 2013
Everything you would expect from Christina, great read but slightly predictable. Has all the usual funny and quirky characters though and this one is also about a funfair, so makes the story line more interesting.
February 23, 2014
This reminds me a bit of Maeve Binchy, in that it tells a story of a small village and the people in it- as do so many of MBs books. Not quite as fluent to read but a pleasure to go back to at bedtime. (A really really goid book has to be read during ghe day as well)
August 10, 2014
It took me a while to get into this book. But once I did, I enjoyed the storyline and enjoyed the fact that the will they won't they went on a lot until the end when it was tied up nicely. Definitely one for the holiday reading.
September 6, 2015
Being based near Newbury and involving small village life moterbikes, and traction engines, this was a winner for me. some of the plot felt a little squashed and stretched in places, I think so that the ending all kicked off at the same time. Good.
February 16, 2016
I found this book in a shop in Mollymook, Australia and loved it. It was amusing to be so far away from home with the familiar village names in the book. I really enjoyed the book and have told Christina so!
December 30, 2010
Found it slow. Couldn't finish it. :-P
July 11, 2011
Another winner by Jones. I just loved Flynn. Goodness but he was sexy and Ellis was to die for. Wish I could find men like this in my neighbourhood.
August 6, 2011
A happily every after fairy tale with some great characters that keep you reading and giggling until the end.
February 29, 2012
A happy ever after tale about life in the back of beyond. I loved it!
August 22, 2013
liked this book good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews