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I am Ella. Buy Me
'I am a ginger tom. I am a boy racer. I am a housewife. I am a pain in the arse.'
The first line sets the tone for Joan's debut novel, I am Ella. Buy me, a fast-paced romantic comedy set in Soho's mad, bad Adland in the sexist 80s. Ella is a woman in a man's world, trying to dodge her sleazy boss and make her way to the top. Faced with losing her job or sleeping with him, Ella turns to her friend, Adam Hart.
Can love help her go from a girl in the firing line to a woman calling the shots?
Based on Joan's experiences asa copywriter in top London advertising agencies, this fun tale is set against a backdrop of Thatcher's Britain where money trumps morals and lust is a must.
The first line sets the tone for Joan's debut novel, I am Ella. Buy me, a fast-paced romantic comedy set in Soho's mad, bad Adland in the sexist 80s. Ella is a woman in a man's world, trying to dodge her sleazy boss and make her way to the top. Faced with losing her job or sleeping with him, Ella turns to her friend, Adam Hart.
Can love help her go from a girl in the firing line to a woman calling the shots?
Based on Joan's experiences asa copywriter in top London advertising agencies, this fun tale is set against a backdrop of Thatcher's Britain where money trumps morals and lust is a must.
307 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Joan Ellis
4 books98 followersI spent years penning letters from dogs. As an award-winning copywriter, you have to be adaptable! I worked with talented people including Paula Yates, Jennifer Saunders and Harry Enfield. With a full-time job in a London advertising agency and a new baby, I did what any right-minded woman would've done and set up a comedy club. I even appeared on the same bill as Jo Brand. Once. As a university lecturer, I taught comedian Noel Fielding all he knows about advertising. I also tutored Wordsworth's great-grandson in the art: Buy a host of golden daffodils. Get a yellow one, free! I also wrote a column in a fashionable glossie about my young daughter. She is eighteen now and has never read a word of them. A Londoner, I now live beside the sea-side and eat mainly cream teas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 23, 2016
What an absolutely fantastic read this was!
I laughed out loud reading this very witty and funny book, I fell in love with Ella, our main character, there was nothing to not like really. Very entertaining and up there with some of the best witty chick-lit books I have ever read. Joan Ellis is an author to watch everyone.
Let's meet Ella shall we?
Ella! That's our girl! She kind of reminds me of Jess in the TV series New Girl, I don't know why, but I kept connecting them together.
Ella is working in the busy and competitive world of advertising in the 1980's, it's funny hearing that she is typing on a typewriter and things relevant to the era. She is a copywriter, her boss is a total twit, sexist and disgusting and he is fond of stealing her ideas and pretending he is the one with the creative brilliance. Ella can only take so much right?
She is SO likeable, I watched her grow and change during the book. It is so very enjoyable and readable. A breath of fresh air amongst heavier books I have read lately. I LOVE the humour in this book, I had many a snorting laugh moment. Hilarious in parts. Touching in others. Some of Ella's statements to her complex bunch of work colleagues is just sheer brilliance. I loved watching her grow as a person.
We follow Ella in her career ups and downs, her relationship hits and misses and all that goes in between. The character development in this book is brilliant. The pace is very fast and consistent and it's very dialogue driven which I love. There was nothing I did not like. This is not super "fluffy" chick-lit either. It's great.
If you like a lighter read but with a depth of plot and story, a touch of humour and a laugh or two is what you need, grab this one from Joan Ellis. I really loved this one. It's an easy 4.5 star read for me.
October 2015 - I have copies of this book available for review, please contact me at booklovercatlady@gmail.com if you are keen to read and review this great book.
For more of my reviews, books to win, competitions, author chat and more come and see me at:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
You can follow me on Twitter too: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
I received a copy of this book direct from the author Joan Ellis in exchange for an honest review, many thanks.
I laughed out loud reading this very witty and funny book, I fell in love with Ella, our main character, there was nothing to not like really. Very entertaining and up there with some of the best witty chick-lit books I have ever read. Joan Ellis is an author to watch everyone.
Let's meet Ella shall we?
Ella! That's our girl! She kind of reminds me of Jess in the TV series New Girl, I don't know why, but I kept connecting them together.
Ella is working in the busy and competitive world of advertising in the 1980's, it's funny hearing that she is typing on a typewriter and things relevant to the era. She is a copywriter, her boss is a total twit, sexist and disgusting and he is fond of stealing her ideas and pretending he is the one with the creative brilliance. Ella can only take so much right?
She is SO likeable, I watched her grow and change during the book. It is so very enjoyable and readable. A breath of fresh air amongst heavier books I have read lately. I LOVE the humour in this book, I had many a snorting laugh moment. Hilarious in parts. Touching in others. Some of Ella's statements to her complex bunch of work colleagues is just sheer brilliance. I loved watching her grow as a person.
We follow Ella in her career ups and downs, her relationship hits and misses and all that goes in between. The character development in this book is brilliant. The pace is very fast and consistent and it's very dialogue driven which I love. There was nothing I did not like. This is not super "fluffy" chick-lit either. It's great.
If you like a lighter read but with a depth of plot and story, a touch of humour and a laugh or two is what you need, grab this one from Joan Ellis. I really loved this one. It's an easy 4.5 star read for me.
October 2015 - I have copies of this book available for review, please contact me at booklovercatlady@gmail.com if you are keen to read and review this great book.
For more of my reviews, books to win, competitions, author chat and more come and see me at:
https://www.facebook.com/BookloverCat...
You can follow me on Twitter too: https://www.twitter.com/promotethatbook
I received a copy of this book direct from the author Joan Ellis in exchange for an honest review, many thanks.
August 24, 2016
3. 5★
Ella is a copywriter in an ad agency run by an egotistic, chauvinistic, narcissistic boss who is also an inveterate lecher. Not one of my favourite characters, Peter.
Ella tells us her story, often harking back to her childhood with her mother when she has those moments where she just wishes she could talk to her mum. Her dad walked out on them, and Ella became a clingy child, always relying on her mother for support.
Now she’s in the cut-throat advertising business and has to stand up to the competition. As far as her job goes, she’s fine. But personally, she’s still uncertain. She refers constantly to her bulging thighs and poor appearance, but we know better. Peter pursues her and other men flirt, so perhaps her lack of confidence in this area has something to do with the early abandonment issues.
Ella is propositioned, fired, rehired, fired, propositioned, possibly not all in that order, but you get the idea. It’s a colourful, incestuous industry where everybody knows everybody, and they work with the same models and photographers, and bid for work from the same clients. Plenty of bitchy rivalry going on.
Tom is a handsome, (younger) musician who helps her after a traffic bingle and immediately attaches himself to Ella. She becomes quite besotted with him.
“I am so happy it feels like a new emotion. A shiny pair of shoes straight out of the box. A rainbow on a rainy day. A size ten dress that fits. The elation I feel when I do a good piece of work doesn’t come close.”
Although Ella refers to her size and weight all the time, she seldom opts for the salad. Hunting breakfast one day with Tom (AFTER eating an ice-cream cone!), she says:
“ ‘Yeah, I know a little café, if I can find it,’ I tell him mentally calculating how man inches a full English will add to my tugboat thighs. Oh what the hell, we’re by the sea, they’ll fit in nicely.’”
There is as much about food as there is about advertising. She and her good mate, Adam, celebrate, drown their sorrows, or just plain enjoy all manner of cheeses, croissants, cakes, chocolate mousse and plenty of wine. Don’t read this if you’re trying to stick to a diet.!
Ella is reminiscent of Bridget Jones and seems to be a good-hearted girl. Thanks to Booklover Catlady publicity and the author for a copy for review.
Ella is a copywriter in an ad agency run by an egotistic, chauvinistic, narcissistic boss who is also an inveterate lecher. Not one of my favourite characters, Peter.
Ella tells us her story, often harking back to her childhood with her mother when she has those moments where she just wishes she could talk to her mum. Her dad walked out on them, and Ella became a clingy child, always relying on her mother for support.
Now she’s in the cut-throat advertising business and has to stand up to the competition. As far as her job goes, she’s fine. But personally, she’s still uncertain. She refers constantly to her bulging thighs and poor appearance, but we know better. Peter pursues her and other men flirt, so perhaps her lack of confidence in this area has something to do with the early abandonment issues.
Ella is propositioned, fired, rehired, fired, propositioned, possibly not all in that order, but you get the idea. It’s a colourful, incestuous industry where everybody knows everybody, and they work with the same models and photographers, and bid for work from the same clients. Plenty of bitchy rivalry going on.
Tom is a handsome, (younger) musician who helps her after a traffic bingle and immediately attaches himself to Ella. She becomes quite besotted with him.
“I am so happy it feels like a new emotion. A shiny pair of shoes straight out of the box. A rainbow on a rainy day. A size ten dress that fits. The elation I feel when I do a good piece of work doesn’t come close.”
Although Ella refers to her size and weight all the time, she seldom opts for the salad. Hunting breakfast one day with Tom (AFTER eating an ice-cream cone!), she says:
“ ‘Yeah, I know a little café, if I can find it,’ I tell him mentally calculating how man inches a full English will add to my tugboat thighs. Oh what the hell, we’re by the sea, they’ll fit in nicely.’”
There is as much about food as there is about advertising. She and her good mate, Adam, celebrate, drown their sorrows, or just plain enjoy all manner of cheeses, croissants, cakes, chocolate mousse and plenty of wine. Don’t read this if you’re trying to stick to a diet.!
Ella is reminiscent of Bridget Jones and seems to be a good-hearted girl. Thanks to Booklover Catlady publicity and the author for a copy for review.
April 26, 2016
This was a funny and light read for me in between heavier books. I found it really cute! I actually read the biggest part of it while at the beach on vacation.
Ella is a copywriter in an ad agency during the 80's in Britain. Her male co-workers (particularly her boss, Peter) are sexist and pretty self absorbed, wanting what they want and think women are really there to just entertain them. (reminds me a little of Mad Men, which I loved!)
We get to walk (run, hide, escape) with Ella through a number of predicaments and escapades. I couldn't help but picture Bridget Jones while reading this. That is because I really loved her character so much. I smiled and laughed a lot. And I could sympathize with Ella in many ways. In the romance department I know I made many similar mistakes. Sigh...
This is an easy read full of humor, but some struggles for Ella as well. I highly recommend it for fans of chick lit. It's a great escape and not my usual 4 star kind of book. But, maybe, because I was in the mood for just this kind of escape, I found it very entertaining. I think you will too.
Many thanks to Catlady Booklover Publicity and the author for providing me with the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Ella is a copywriter in an ad agency during the 80's in Britain. Her male co-workers (particularly her boss, Peter) are sexist and pretty self absorbed, wanting what they want and think women are really there to just entertain them. (reminds me a little of Mad Men, which I loved!)
We get to walk (run, hide, escape) with Ella through a number of predicaments and escapades. I couldn't help but picture Bridget Jones while reading this. That is because I really loved her character so much. I smiled and laughed a lot. And I could sympathize with Ella in many ways. In the romance department I know I made many similar mistakes. Sigh...
This is an easy read full of humor, but some struggles for Ella as well. I highly recommend it for fans of chick lit. It's a great escape and not my usual 4 star kind of book. But, maybe, because I was in the mood for just this kind of escape, I found it very entertaining. I think you will too.
Many thanks to Catlady Booklover Publicity and the author for providing me with the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2014
Originally posted on beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk
Huge thank you to the ever-lovely Leah from Girls Love To Read for getting me involved with Joan's blog tour for I am Ella. Buy me. And of course, another huge thank you to the author herself Joan, for providing me with a very entertaining story that I absolutely loved.
In I am Ella. Buy me. we meet Ella David. Ella works in Adland, where she battles against the advances of her sleazy, slimy boss daily, and writes letters on behalf of a cat called Marmalade. Ella wants to climb higher up the career ladder, but with over-confident men surrounding her, she's not getting very far. I am Ella. Buy me. is a brilliant story about a woman living in the sexist 80s, who gets knocked back again and again. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!
I absolutely LOVED Ella David. She made me laugh endlessly. There was a smart wit about her, and she spoke fluent sarcasm. I, being able to speak fluent sarcasm too, understood Ella as if we were speaking our own secret language. The fact that Ella worked in Adland just made reading this book all the more enjoyable. She was so easy to relate to, and the fact that she had to write a letter in the place of a cat made me laugh. She was sassy, and not about to take any crap from anybody. Ella was the type of woman that I'd love to sit across from in an office. I'd be endlessly entertained! There were a whole cast of characters that brought I am Ella. Buy me. to life for me, and it made it so so so believable. I was able to imagine everything, and everyone. I took an instant dislike to Ella's boss Peter. He was up himself in every sense of the saying, and the fact that he thought Ella wanted to sleep with him made me giggle. He honestly thought that he was the bee's knees, when he really, truly wasn't. In fact, he really ground my gears and wound me up to no end. Urgh, I could have happily slapped him around the chops! He was also a complete FAKE. What should have been Ella in the limelight turned into Peter taking Ella's ideas for his own. Ha, fortunately, his little plans didn't quite go the way he was expecting them to, and I practically high-fived my Kindle! Smarmy git!
The plot in I am Ella. Buy me. was fantastic. I loved watching her go through her daily routine; getting into the office, settling down at her desk. It was something that everybody could relate to. Joan's descriptions of some of her characters REALLY made me chuckle, and despite some of them not appearing to be very nice or likeable, I still enjoyed them popping up every now and again. Ella's story moved at a nice, easy pace. I didn't feel like I needed to rush straight through it, and I wouldn't say that it held me gripped, but it definitely entertained me whenever I picked my Kindle up and began to read.
Becca's Books is giving I am Ella. Buy Me. by Joan Ellis four cupcakes! It was written in a fresh, down-to-earth way that I absolutely adored. The characters were superbly developed, and Ella sounds like the type of woman that I could easily become best friends with.
Huge thank you to the ever-lovely Leah from Girls Love To Read for getting me involved with Joan's blog tour for I am Ella. Buy me. And of course, another huge thank you to the author herself Joan, for providing me with a very entertaining story that I absolutely loved.
In I am Ella. Buy me. we meet Ella David. Ella works in Adland, where she battles against the advances of her sleazy, slimy boss daily, and writes letters on behalf of a cat called Marmalade. Ella wants to climb higher up the career ladder, but with over-confident men surrounding her, she's not getting very far. I am Ella. Buy me. is a brilliant story about a woman living in the sexist 80s, who gets knocked back again and again. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!
I absolutely LOVED Ella David. She made me laugh endlessly. There was a smart wit about her, and she spoke fluent sarcasm. I, being able to speak fluent sarcasm too, understood Ella as if we were speaking our own secret language. The fact that Ella worked in Adland just made reading this book all the more enjoyable. She was so easy to relate to, and the fact that she had to write a letter in the place of a cat made me laugh. She was sassy, and not about to take any crap from anybody. Ella was the type of woman that I'd love to sit across from in an office. I'd be endlessly entertained! There were a whole cast of characters that brought I am Ella. Buy me. to life for me, and it made it so so so believable. I was able to imagine everything, and everyone. I took an instant dislike to Ella's boss Peter. He was up himself in every sense of the saying, and the fact that he thought Ella wanted to sleep with him made me giggle. He honestly thought that he was the bee's knees, when he really, truly wasn't. In fact, he really ground my gears and wound me up to no end. Urgh, I could have happily slapped him around the chops! He was also a complete FAKE. What should have been Ella in the limelight turned into Peter taking Ella's ideas for his own. Ha, fortunately, his little plans didn't quite go the way he was expecting them to, and I practically high-fived my Kindle! Smarmy git!
The plot in I am Ella. Buy me. was fantastic. I loved watching her go through her daily routine; getting into the office, settling down at her desk. It was something that everybody could relate to. Joan's descriptions of some of her characters REALLY made me chuckle, and despite some of them not appearing to be very nice or likeable, I still enjoyed them popping up every now and again. Ella's story moved at a nice, easy pace. I didn't feel like I needed to rush straight through it, and I wouldn't say that it held me gripped, but it definitely entertained me whenever I picked my Kindle up and began to read.
Becca's Books is giving I am Ella. Buy Me. by Joan Ellis four cupcakes! It was written in a fresh, down-to-earth way that I absolutely adored. The characters were superbly developed, and Ella sounds like the type of woman that I could easily become best friends with.
January 5, 2015
ACTUAL RATING : 3.5 STARS
I can't believe it took me this long to get to this book! It was one of the most entertaining books ever!
This book, set in the 80s(my favorite!) is about a a confused yet (I feel) confident Ella. She is a copywriter in CBA, under Peter ( read: the sexist and STD filled Peter!). Let's face it, being a copywriter as a woman is hard till this day and imagine in the male dominated world of the 80s? Ella was kick ass ! Her ideas were turned down, stolen and laughed upon. She is also threatened to be fired by Peter, unless.... drumroll... she agrees with their little arrangement, yeah u guessed right, it involves the STD filled bed of Peters. Ella needs this job bad, she needs money for paying the mortgage and supporting her mother (she is very novel I tell you!), but she wants to stay as far away as possible from Peters "very" cozy bed! So does she or doesn't she? Yeah right , like I will tell u that!
This book had an amazing protagonist, she is someonne I had come to respect through the book. She was witty, snarky and super super funny! I laughed like never before throughout the book! Ella was an iron hearted woman, she didn't let the male dominated world get to her! I love it when a woman is potrayed this strong, it's not just entertaining but inspirational! She reminded me of Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada!
The writing in this book was just perfect! It made u laugh when it was required, sad when it got kinda dark and thoughtful when she faced dilemmas! It was so realistically potrayed and I love that about this book! I also heard that Ms. Ellis added her real life experiences in the advertising world and boy did that just make the book whole lot better!
Well the negatives I found in this book were PETER! I EFFING HATE that son of a bitch... urghh... but it's supposed to be that way I guess!
I kinda lost interest in the plot in the middle so that's why I cut 1.5 stars!but all said i still couldn't put the book down! It took me just a day to finish! Its a must buy for people who are sick of the same old clichéd stories! It was very entertaining and I would sincerely like to thank Ms.Ellis for providing me with this book!
I can't believe it took me this long to get to this book! It was one of the most entertaining books ever!
This book, set in the 80s(my favorite!) is about a a confused yet (I feel) confident Ella. She is a copywriter in CBA, under Peter ( read: the sexist and STD filled Peter!). Let's face it, being a copywriter as a woman is hard till this day and imagine in the male dominated world of the 80s? Ella was kick ass ! Her ideas were turned down, stolen and laughed upon. She is also threatened to be fired by Peter, unless.... drumroll... she agrees with their little arrangement, yeah u guessed right, it involves the STD filled bed of Peters. Ella needs this job bad, she needs money for paying the mortgage and supporting her mother (she is very novel I tell you!), but she wants to stay as far away as possible from Peters "very" cozy bed! So does she or doesn't she? Yeah right , like I will tell u that!
This book had an amazing protagonist, she is someonne I had come to respect through the book. She was witty, snarky and super super funny! I laughed like never before throughout the book! Ella was an iron hearted woman, she didn't let the male dominated world get to her! I love it when a woman is potrayed this strong, it's not just entertaining but inspirational! She reminded me of Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada!
The writing in this book was just perfect! It made u laugh when it was required, sad when it got kinda dark and thoughtful when she faced dilemmas! It was so realistically potrayed and I love that about this book! I also heard that Ms. Ellis added her real life experiences in the advertising world and boy did that just make the book whole lot better!
Well the negatives I found in this book were PETER! I EFFING HATE that son of a bitch... urghh... but it's supposed to be that way I guess!
I kinda lost interest in the plot in the middle so that's why I cut 1.5 stars!but all said i still couldn't put the book down! It took me just a day to finish! Its a must buy for people who are sick of the same old clichéd stories! It was very entertaining and I would sincerely like to thank Ms.Ellis for providing me with this book!
October 24, 2014
*Originally reviewed for www.bookaholicconfessions.wordpress.com*
Set during the 80s, I Am Ella. Buy Me, gives a gloriously funny and at times, shocking, insight into what life was like for a young woman working in the then male-dominated industry of advertising.
Stuck working for her unbelievably sexist boss, Peter, Ella struggles to make her voice heard, and tiring of working on demeaning projects (such as pretending to be a cat) Ella feels there must be more to her career then she’s currently experiencing at advertising agency, CBA. Her ideas are dismissed and then stolen and she’s constantly threatened with being shown the door by Peter (unless they can come to a ‘little arrangement’…ick.) Ella is in a quandary. It’s the 80s, jobs are scarce and Ella has not only her own mortgage to pay, but she also supports her mum, feeling as though she owes it to her after her unhappy marriage to Ella’s father and the difficult years that followed.
Ella’s love life is not fairing any better, she has a serious patisserie addiction and is constantly told she had enormous thighs. Welcome to Ella’s world…
I feel I should issue a warning if you’re thinking of reading this book…You WILL laugh. And laugh. And laugh a bit more.
I Am Ella. Buy Me is one of the sharpest and wittiest books I have read in a while. Ella is a brilliant lead character; she’s feisty, smart and having grown accustomed to working in a ‘man’s world’ she gives as good as she gets. The dialogue between her and Peter will have you unattractively snorting with laughter and I love how she’s not afraid to stand up to him and unwilling to jump into bed with him just to further her career or get what she wants (as so many other women in this story seem to be.) However despite the ballsy front it soon becomes clear that Ella has a vulnerable side too as she starts dating wannabe rock star Tom, who she thinks she loves but is never quite sure. Plus she doesn’t know whether to believe half of what he says (could he REALLY have spent the night sleeping in a Photo-Me Booth…??)
Alongside the demands and difficulties at work and with her love life being so confusing, it’s no wonder Ella momentarily looses track of what’s important in life.
I loved the characterisation in this novel. Peter is the kind of man you’ll love to hate and he will make your toes curl, I found Tom difficult to suss out as I liked him at first but quickly changed my mind, then there’s the surprisingly nice Jill (who’d have thought it?) and two of my personal favourite characters, Wally the security guard at CBA, and Ella’s cake-loving friend Adam. Wally has got to be one of the sweetest characters, ever. He was adorable and I loved the relationship between him and Ella.
I kept forgetting this novel was set in the 80’s, then Ella would be clicking away on her typewriter and I’d suddenly think ‘oh yes, that’s right. We’re in the 80’s.’ I liked this aspect of the novel though, as it shows how much things and attitudes have changed (especially in the workplace.)
I Am Ella. Buy Me is a book you’ll sail through, desperate for Ella to succeed and for Peter to get his comeuppance. The way in which it is written makes it a book that not only is extremely funny, yet at times dark, but it also makes for a gripping and all-too-realistic read.
Joan Ellis is an extremely witty, talented writer and I love how the story is based on some of her real life experiences working for an advertising agency, giving us an exclusive glimpse into what that world was like…and the result is quite shocking.
Warm, funny, sad and true I Am Ella. Buy Me is a book that you definitely SHOULD buy.
Set during the 80s, I Am Ella. Buy Me, gives a gloriously funny and at times, shocking, insight into what life was like for a young woman working in the then male-dominated industry of advertising.
Stuck working for her unbelievably sexist boss, Peter, Ella struggles to make her voice heard, and tiring of working on demeaning projects (such as pretending to be a cat) Ella feels there must be more to her career then she’s currently experiencing at advertising agency, CBA. Her ideas are dismissed and then stolen and she’s constantly threatened with being shown the door by Peter (unless they can come to a ‘little arrangement’…ick.) Ella is in a quandary. It’s the 80s, jobs are scarce and Ella has not only her own mortgage to pay, but she also supports her mum, feeling as though she owes it to her after her unhappy marriage to Ella’s father and the difficult years that followed.
Ella’s love life is not fairing any better, she has a serious patisserie addiction and is constantly told she had enormous thighs. Welcome to Ella’s world…
I feel I should issue a warning if you’re thinking of reading this book…You WILL laugh. And laugh. And laugh a bit more.
I Am Ella. Buy Me is one of the sharpest and wittiest books I have read in a while. Ella is a brilliant lead character; she’s feisty, smart and having grown accustomed to working in a ‘man’s world’ she gives as good as she gets. The dialogue between her and Peter will have you unattractively snorting with laughter and I love how she’s not afraid to stand up to him and unwilling to jump into bed with him just to further her career or get what she wants (as so many other women in this story seem to be.) However despite the ballsy front it soon becomes clear that Ella has a vulnerable side too as she starts dating wannabe rock star Tom, who she thinks she loves but is never quite sure. Plus she doesn’t know whether to believe half of what he says (could he REALLY have spent the night sleeping in a Photo-Me Booth…??)
Alongside the demands and difficulties at work and with her love life being so confusing, it’s no wonder Ella momentarily looses track of what’s important in life.
I loved the characterisation in this novel. Peter is the kind of man you’ll love to hate and he will make your toes curl, I found Tom difficult to suss out as I liked him at first but quickly changed my mind, then there’s the surprisingly nice Jill (who’d have thought it?) and two of my personal favourite characters, Wally the security guard at CBA, and Ella’s cake-loving friend Adam. Wally has got to be one of the sweetest characters, ever. He was adorable and I loved the relationship between him and Ella.
I kept forgetting this novel was set in the 80’s, then Ella would be clicking away on her typewriter and I’d suddenly think ‘oh yes, that’s right. We’re in the 80’s.’ I liked this aspect of the novel though, as it shows how much things and attitudes have changed (especially in the workplace.)
I Am Ella. Buy Me is a book you’ll sail through, desperate for Ella to succeed and for Peter to get his comeuppance. The way in which it is written makes it a book that not only is extremely funny, yet at times dark, but it also makes for a gripping and all-too-realistic read.
Joan Ellis is an extremely witty, talented writer and I love how the story is based on some of her real life experiences working for an advertising agency, giving us an exclusive glimpse into what that world was like…and the result is quite shocking.
Warm, funny, sad and true I Am Ella. Buy Me is a book that you definitely SHOULD buy.
November 2, 2015
Originally reviewed at Musings over nothing
Ella is a copywriter in the mad Adland, who is determined to fight her way among her lecherous boss Peter Richards, too cool and handsome Alan, schmoozing Josh and other weirdos at work and keep her and her mother away from evictions. And her reckless sarcastic behavior doesn't help either. Her boss is horrible and often passing her ideas as his own. Her only solace seems to be eating cake at the right and new places, with her best friend Adam, and the company of Wally their watchman.
But Wally's death puts her into perspective and understands from his life about what is important in life.
I loved that anyone who had(s) a horrible boss could resonate with Ella and her getting caught up into one mess after another would hit quite close to home to few (me included). She wants to better herself but ill luck seems to follow her. But the happy ending was quite expected and appreciated - she deserves it.
The setting did remind me of 'Mad Men' with Ella as Peggy and Jill as Joan. Ella as the one who has it to fight up the corporate ladder while Jill knows to give in and get what she wants, as in take up what she deserves. Jill actually grew up after a while on me.
But why 3 stars only? I couldn't love Ella, though I could justify her actions with reasons of my own but still.. I could not see the integrity and strength that Ella is supposedly portraying. I tried to see her strength but failed.
I also wish I had seen more of Adam for he was the most likeable character in the novel and the part about his relationship with Jan was too short to understand how they survived so long and why they did break up. Maybe I am asking too much. But I simply didn't get enough of Adam.
I liked the writing style and I would look forward to reading more from the writer.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publicist free of cost in return for an honest review.
Ella is a copywriter in the mad Adland, who is determined to fight her way among her lecherous boss Peter Richards, too cool and handsome Alan, schmoozing Josh and other weirdos at work and keep her and her mother away from evictions. And her reckless sarcastic behavior doesn't help either. Her boss is horrible and often passing her ideas as his own. Her only solace seems to be eating cake at the right and new places, with her best friend Adam, and the company of Wally their watchman.
But Wally's death puts her into perspective and understands from his life about what is important in life.
I loved that anyone who had(s) a horrible boss could resonate with Ella and her getting caught up into one mess after another would hit quite close to home to few (me included). She wants to better herself but ill luck seems to follow her. But the happy ending was quite expected and appreciated - she deserves it.
The setting did remind me of 'Mad Men' with Ella as Peggy and Jill as Joan. Ella as the one who has it to fight up the corporate ladder while Jill knows to give in and get what she wants, as in take up what she deserves. Jill actually grew up after a while on me.
But why 3 stars only? I couldn't love Ella, though I could justify her actions with reasons of my own but still.. I could not see the integrity and strength that Ella is supposedly portraying. I tried to see her strength but failed.
I also wish I had seen more of Adam for he was the most likeable character in the novel and the part about his relationship with Jan was too short to understand how they survived so long and why they did break up. Maybe I am asking too much. But I simply didn't get enough of Adam.
I liked the writing style and I would look forward to reading more from the writer.
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publicist free of cost in return for an honest review.
August 2, 2016
I absolutely loved I Am Ella, it was realistic, funny, sexist and reminded me so much of my own office working days of the 1980's.
Ella is carving out a career as a copywriter in a male dominated office in London. She's good, very good, but is always put down or has her ideas stolen by her male colleagues until there is a chance to take over her boss's desk and she really starts to shine. We see Ella in her fraught, alcohol fuelled working life fighting off sexual advances from her boss and other male counterparts – all which were common place in the '80's – and also see her fairly unsettled home life with new boyfriend Tom. The only happy part of her life seems to be with rock-solid friend and confidante, Adam, who is a wonderful pair of ears as well as an endless supplier of cake, pastries and ice-cream.
The characters are realistic, likeable and well developed. The book is well written and the storyline is quick paced and humorous. There is love, sadness and pathos, especially when Wally, the office caretaker, is talking sense and looking out for Ella as much as she is looking out for him.
This is the first full length novel of Joan Ellis's I have read, previously I enjoyed her short memoir Things You Missed While You Were Away and liked her unselfish and humorous outlook on life. I Am Ella is well worth a read for lovers of chic-lit, humour and stories of life in general. I'll certainly read more by this author.
Ella is carving out a career as a copywriter in a male dominated office in London. She's good, very good, but is always put down or has her ideas stolen by her male colleagues until there is a chance to take over her boss's desk and she really starts to shine. We see Ella in her fraught, alcohol fuelled working life fighting off sexual advances from her boss and other male counterparts – all which were common place in the '80's – and also see her fairly unsettled home life with new boyfriend Tom. The only happy part of her life seems to be with rock-solid friend and confidante, Adam, who is a wonderful pair of ears as well as an endless supplier of cake, pastries and ice-cream.
The characters are realistic, likeable and well developed. The book is well written and the storyline is quick paced and humorous. There is love, sadness and pathos, especially when Wally, the office caretaker, is talking sense and looking out for Ella as much as she is looking out for him.
This is the first full length novel of Joan Ellis's I have read, previously I enjoyed her short memoir Things You Missed While You Were Away and liked her unselfish and humorous outlook on life. I Am Ella is well worth a read for lovers of chic-lit, humour and stories of life in general. I'll certainly read more by this author.
December 9, 2015
Where do I start? Ok, Ella. I had a hard time relating to Ella. While I sympathized with her putting up with her sleaze ball of a boss Peter (although, even if it was the 80s, I wouldn't put up with sexual harassment for ANY job position), I felt like she also kept giving her coworkers and fellow peers ammunition to make her job a living hell. For one, Ella needs to know her alcoholic intake limits. Period. Two, if she had paid attention to #1, Darren wouldn't have happened. Three, she should have built her portfolio, if she truly was fed up with her working arrangements so that she could hit the pavement looking for a better job. Next, the writing was on the wall with Tom, especially when she would see him exhibit his temper and mood swings. I loved Wally and Adam, they were the positive reinforcements she needed in her life. Jill wasn't so bad either, after she and Ella gave each other a chance. Once I got used to the vernacular of the book, it was an easy read. I did see Ella's character growth at the end, which was a redeeming factor for me. I like to think that Wally had a lot to do with that! I would read by this author again. Thanks to Booklover Catlady Publicity for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2014
Ella David is a lost soul. She is not really sure who she is and what she wants from life. She is in a relationship with the handsome up-coming rock star, Tom, but is it really love that she feels for him? And is he committed enough to their liaison to be faithful to her?
The only two truly meaningful people in her life are Wally, the elderly caretaker at work, and Adam Hart, a friend who shares her passion for chocolate and other treats that appeal to the sweet tooth.
This story is set in the time before the terms 'politically correct' or 'sexual harassment at the workplace' had been dreamed up. Ella is in a dead-end job as an advertising copywriter, with a horny boss, Peter Richards, who makes shameless sexual advances on the women he works with, and proudly boasts of his sexual prowess. Ella has thus far managed to stay out of his bed, but when she is in danger of losing her job, he tries to blackmail her into a 'little arrangement" on the side.
Peter's antics and the other eccentric characters Ella has to deal with put her in some hilarious situations. The book is well-written and fun to read.
The only two truly meaningful people in her life are Wally, the elderly caretaker at work, and Adam Hart, a friend who shares her passion for chocolate and other treats that appeal to the sweet tooth.
This story is set in the time before the terms 'politically correct' or 'sexual harassment at the workplace' had been dreamed up. Ella is in a dead-end job as an advertising copywriter, with a horny boss, Peter Richards, who makes shameless sexual advances on the women he works with, and proudly boasts of his sexual prowess. Ella has thus far managed to stay out of his bed, but when she is in danger of losing her job, he tries to blackmail her into a 'little arrangement" on the side.
Peter's antics and the other eccentric characters Ella has to deal with put her in some hilarious situations. The book is well-written and fun to read.
February 2, 2016
Set in the 1980s, this novel centres on Ella and her career and love life. She determined to succeed in her career as a copywriter, but is finding that her boss Peter Richards has another agenda. Ella really takes the reader on a journey with her, with some very moving moments in the book.
The timing of the novel provides an interesting spin in terms of sexism, morality and economic changes. It really makes you realise how much times have changed since then!
This is a very funny novel, which really makes you laugh out loud. Ella as a character is very likeable and as the novel went on, I warmed to her more. In fact, it was a sad day when I finished this book as I felt I had got to know Ella really well! Joan Ellis’ style of writing is very easy to read and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher and to Booklover Catlady Publicity for letting me read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The timing of the novel provides an interesting spin in terms of sexism, morality and economic changes. It really makes you realise how much times have changed since then!
This is a very funny novel, which really makes you laugh out loud. Ella as a character is very likeable and as the novel went on, I warmed to her more. In fact, it was a sad day when I finished this book as I felt I had got to know Ella really well! Joan Ellis’ style of writing is very easy to read and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher and to Booklover Catlady Publicity for letting me read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2015
I have read a few books by Joan Ellis, but I didn’t realize how talented she was being able to write in so many genres!
Ella is a woman living in the 80’s trying her best to advance her position as a copywriter, but she finds that it isn’t as easy as she thought. There is one person who is not so eager for her success and that is Peter Richards. Why is he so insistent on making Ella’s life miserable, because he wants to get her into bed!
This book was very good, funny and had a little bit of everything that you look for in reading a book. I loved Ella’s character, she was quirky, funny but very strong. She faced adversary head on and never let it hold her back.
Ella is a woman living in the 80’s trying her best to advance her position as a copywriter, but she finds that it isn’t as easy as she thought. There is one person who is not so eager for her success and that is Peter Richards. Why is he so insistent on making Ella’s life miserable, because he wants to get her into bed!
This book was very good, funny and had a little bit of everything that you look for in reading a book. I loved Ella’s character, she was quirky, funny but very strong. She faced adversary head on and never let it hold her back.
April 27, 2015
This is a fabulous and light hearted read. Set in the eighties we read Ella's story. She's a hard worker who wants to better herself. However Ella has to deal with her boss harassing her and trying to get her into his bed. The dialogue is off the scales laughing out loud funny.
I loved how the author was so descriptive. I felt as if I was right there with Ella. It's not often a book can make me laugh out loud. Would love to see this made into a film.
I loved how the author was so descriptive. I felt as if I was right there with Ella. It's not often a book can make me laugh out loud. Would love to see this made into a film.
March 27, 2016
I received this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review. I appreciated the opportunity to read and review this book. Thank you.
I am Ella. Buy Me. by Joan Ellis is a rather clever satire on the life of women in the cut-throat, post-women’s movement, career world of the 1980s. The satire is obvious and strong, much more Idiocracy than The Onion. As a character-driven reader, I struggled with the heavy-handed use of stereotype and the lack of nuance in storytelling. However, for those who do enjoy strong satire, then this tale of the hapless girl-about-town amidst the evil male wolves of advertising will make you laugh.
As a satire, it was well-drawn. Ms. Ellis painted the advertising industry 1980s as an alcohol and sex-infused workplace wherein women traded sex for advancement and talent had little influence on success. The men in the book took advantage of women at every turn and in every possible way (Trigger warning: this book contains a scene that most modern women would consider sexual assault. The experience is dismissed rather quickly. I was bothered by that to some extent.). Ella survives by a combination of happenstance and potential - she’s a Bridget Jones type, for sure. As she stumbles (at times literally) through the plot, the evil machinations of the men around her call out the presumed blatant sexism of the industry.
I was disappointed in the “romantic comedy” billing. The male caricatures made all men seem despicable. There are heavy-handed moments of feminist thought wherein the heroine blatantly dismisses the feelings, self-worth, and needs of male characters (even one she supposedly loves) and lectures on her unwillingness to give up her independent life. She is ON HER OWN in capital letters. The male romantic interest is adorable, but Ella is so dismissive of men, that she barely notices him beyond the things he does for her. I wish there had been more nuance to characterization so that I could feel more invested in the romantic outcome.
This book definitely has an audience. If you enjoy harsh satire, I think you’ll find the humor and unique writing style intriguing and amusing. For me, it was an easy and pleasant read, but not a favorite.
I am Ella. Buy Me. by Joan Ellis is a rather clever satire on the life of women in the cut-throat, post-women’s movement, career world of the 1980s. The satire is obvious and strong, much more Idiocracy than The Onion. As a character-driven reader, I struggled with the heavy-handed use of stereotype and the lack of nuance in storytelling. However, for those who do enjoy strong satire, then this tale of the hapless girl-about-town amidst the evil male wolves of advertising will make you laugh.
As a satire, it was well-drawn. Ms. Ellis painted the advertising industry 1980s as an alcohol and sex-infused workplace wherein women traded sex for advancement and talent had little influence on success. The men in the book took advantage of women at every turn and in every possible way (Trigger warning: this book contains a scene that most modern women would consider sexual assault. The experience is dismissed rather quickly. I was bothered by that to some extent.). Ella survives by a combination of happenstance and potential - she’s a Bridget Jones type, for sure. As she stumbles (at times literally) through the plot, the evil machinations of the men around her call out the presumed blatant sexism of the industry.
I was disappointed in the “romantic comedy” billing. The male caricatures made all men seem despicable. There are heavy-handed moments of feminist thought wherein the heroine blatantly dismisses the feelings, self-worth, and needs of male characters (even one she supposedly loves) and lectures on her unwillingness to give up her independent life. She is ON HER OWN in capital letters. The male romantic interest is adorable, but Ella is so dismissive of men, that she barely notices him beyond the things he does for her. I wish there had been more nuance to characterization so that I could feel more invested in the romantic outcome.
This book definitely has an audience. If you enjoy harsh satire, I think you’ll find the humor and unique writing style intriguing and amusing. For me, it was an easy and pleasant read, but not a favorite.
November 5, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book difficult to connect with, it took quite a while to get into it and at around 43% it clicked for me, I don't really know why as it's a great story line based in the 80s where sexism was tolerated and morals were limited! With the main character Ella who is the copywriter for a company called CBA. I found Ella a really strong character who quite frankly was Bad-Ass when you think about how she handles situations in the male environment of CBA.
< img src = "http://media.giphy.com/media/f2fX7GtX..." >
She is laughed at & belittled, her ideas are stolen, she is treated with little to no respect at all. Ella spends a huge amount of her time dodging the slime ball of a man Peter Richards her Boss the Creative Director of CBA, When they have a little to much to drink one lunch time Ela returns to the office to re do her speech/letter pretending to be Marmalade from Kitty Rescue,
Having had enough alcohol to make her be outspoken she writes Marmalades letter then leaves it on her desk, this is then faxed through to Kitty Rescue and Ella is fired! But her boss has other ideas in order for Ella to keep her job he want's to come to a " little arrangement "! Amm well that doesn't sound to good does it? But does ella agree to fulfil his sexual needs in the office? Even worse does she see them through?? Well, you just going to have to wait and find out!!
Peter was such a slime ball of a man I actually found him quite repulsive. Poor Ella!
I had two favourite characters. 'Wally & Adam' Wally was a very special character. I adored the relationship he had with Ella what a special man he was. Adam well he was just lovely and I'm so pleased with the ending of this book! Things are looking up for Ella!
This reminds me of the boys at CBA!
< img src = "http://media.giphy.com/media/f2fX7GtX..." >
Joan Ellis is an inspiring Author she writes with such sparkling wit and is incredibly funny.
I found this book difficult to connect with, it took quite a while to get into it and at around 43% it clicked for me, I don't really know why as it's a great story line based in the 80s where sexism was tolerated and morals were limited! With the main character Ella who is the copywriter for a company called CBA. I found Ella a really strong character who quite frankly was Bad-Ass when you think about how she handles situations in the male environment of CBA.
< img src = "http://media.giphy.com/media/f2fX7GtX..." >
She is laughed at & belittled, her ideas are stolen, she is treated with little to no respect at all. Ella spends a huge amount of her time dodging the slime ball of a man Peter Richards her Boss the Creative Director of CBA, When they have a little to much to drink one lunch time Ela returns to the office to re do her speech/letter pretending to be Marmalade from Kitty Rescue,
Having had enough alcohol to make her be outspoken she writes Marmalades letter then leaves it on her desk, this is then faxed through to Kitty Rescue and Ella is fired! But her boss has other ideas in order for Ella to keep her job he want's to come to a " little arrangement "! Amm well that doesn't sound to good does it? But does ella agree to fulfil his sexual needs in the office? Even worse does she see them through?? Well, you just going to have to wait and find out!!
Peter was such a slime ball of a man I actually found him quite repulsive. Poor Ella!
I had two favourite characters. 'Wally & Adam' Wally was a very special character. I adored the relationship he had with Ella what a special man he was. Adam well he was just lovely and I'm so pleased with the ending of this book! Things are looking up for Ella!
This reminds me of the boys at CBA!
< img src = "http://media.giphy.com/media/f2fX7GtX..." >
Joan Ellis is an inspiring Author she writes with such sparkling wit and is incredibly funny.
June 1, 2016
Ella works as a sparky, bright copywriter in a top London Advertising Agency in the 1980's. A woman's place in this industry was very different from today, as I know from my own experiences.
She works for the odious Peter who gets what he wants even if it is at the expensive of others, especially women. Ella's good work is not always recognised and sometimes is passed off as her boss's. He makes it clear that she should be showing her gratitude for having a job, and that always has sexual overtones.
She is a kind hearted girl and appreciates her own mother's sacrifices whilst bringing her up on her own. The main thing that makes her mother happy is the flat where she lives. Ella plays her rent and will do anything to ensure that she is employed to carry this on, and so keep her mother happy.
Her friend Adam, who thinks that chocolate and cake solve most crisis, and the aged Wally who works as the office caretaker are key people in Ella's chaotic life. Then she becomes besotted with Tom, who she does realise is a heartbreaker.
She battles on but with her wit and ability as a copywriter keeping us guessing about the next disaster to befall her.
This is the third book of Joan Ellis's that I have read and it could not be more different. It shows what a versatile writer she is.
With thanks to Booklover for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
She works for the odious Peter who gets what he wants even if it is at the expensive of others, especially women. Ella's good work is not always recognised and sometimes is passed off as her boss's. He makes it clear that she should be showing her gratitude for having a job, and that always has sexual overtones.
She is a kind hearted girl and appreciates her own mother's sacrifices whilst bringing her up on her own. The main thing that makes her mother happy is the flat where she lives. Ella plays her rent and will do anything to ensure that she is employed to carry this on, and so keep her mother happy.
Her friend Adam, who thinks that chocolate and cake solve most crisis, and the aged Wally who works as the office caretaker are key people in Ella's chaotic life. Then she becomes besotted with Tom, who she does realise is a heartbreaker.
She battles on but with her wit and ability as a copywriter keeping us guessing about the next disaster to befall her.
This is the third book of Joan Ellis's that I have read and it could not be more different. It shows what a versatile writer she is.
With thanks to Booklover for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 18, 2015
Originally written for Paris Baker's Book Nook.
Written for the I Am Ella. Buy Me. Blog Tour, organised by Girls Love To Read and I’m so pleased to be a part of it.
I LOVED Ella. She’s one snarky, sarky bitch and she cracked me up. The narrative of Ella’s voice was hilarious; she’s totally down on her luck and seems to get herself caught in one predicament after another. From her job of writing as a cat, her love of cake, her need for validation and her nightmare boss Peter (who made me want to be physically sick!), her life is full of drama.
Throughout the book, we see Ella wanting to better herself. We know she doesn’t want to turn out like her mother, but she feels trapped where she is, and the recession certainly isn’t helping. When rock star Tom Tyler becomes her new love interest, things are looking on the up. With the support of her sweet old colleague Wally, and adorable best friend Adam, Ella starts to work out what she wants, and what it takes to get there.
There’s an eclectic cast of characters to keep you entertained and endless amusing mishaps.
I Am Ella. Buy Me. is a really light and fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Written for the I Am Ella. Buy Me. Blog Tour, organised by Girls Love To Read and I’m so pleased to be a part of it.
I LOVED Ella. She’s one snarky, sarky bitch and she cracked me up. The narrative of Ella’s voice was hilarious; she’s totally down on her luck and seems to get herself caught in one predicament after another. From her job of writing as a cat, her love of cake, her need for validation and her nightmare boss Peter (who made me want to be physically sick!), her life is full of drama.
Throughout the book, we see Ella wanting to better herself. We know she doesn’t want to turn out like her mother, but she feels trapped where she is, and the recession certainly isn’t helping. When rock star Tom Tyler becomes her new love interest, things are looking on the up. With the support of her sweet old colleague Wally, and adorable best friend Adam, Ella starts to work out what she wants, and what it takes to get there.
There’s an eclectic cast of characters to keep you entertained and endless amusing mishaps.
I Am Ella. Buy Me. is a really light and fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
November 5, 2014
Ella is a woman stuck in a mans world.
It's the 80's and Ella is currently working as a copywriter under the watchful (read: leering) eye of Peter Richards. It's a cut throat world she's in and when she faces the reality that she might lose her job Peter proposes (threatens) an 'arrangement'. All Ella wants is to keep her job and stay out of Peters (STD filled) bed.
With the help of her dear friend Adam, who knows the industry and Wally the caretaker who always knows what to say, Ella does everything she can to climb her way to the top while keep her self respect.
In a time before human resources and sexual harassment lawsuits Ella learns how to handle herself and the men in the workplace, taking their snide comments and inappropriate remarks with a grain of sand.
I really enjoyed Ella's story, I'm sure it's not a shock that Wally was my favorite character, I loved how he was a complete 180 from the rest of the men in her office and how he was always there when she needed someone.
It was a quick read but one that rang true in every aspect and for that reason I'm sure it will stick with you long after the last page.
Read
November 23, 2015Not my usual read
( I received this book via Booklover Catlady in exchange for an honest review )
Well, I don't usually read books in this genre, but, Looking for something a little fluffy, I thought I'd give it a try :)
So, I am Ella, Buy me, is easy reading. It's not one of those books where you stay up late and cancel your day to ensure you finish it, that being said I did read it in three sittings. Basically, our hero, Ella works in an advertising agency as a copywriter, she is a great character, very 3 dimensional. We get to go with her through her career highs and lows, the book is well paced and doesn't stagnate.
The other characters are exactly what you would expect in an 80s ad agency, I'm not going to lie this book, to me, would be what you would expect if you dumped Bridget Jones in an episode of Mad Men, but don't let that put you off, it's a very funny book with some really hilarious moments.
Overall a good light read, the perfect book for someone looking for the sorbet course
( I received this book via Booklover Catlady in exchange for an honest review )
Well, I don't usually read books in this genre, but, Looking for something a little fluffy, I thought I'd give it a try :)
So, I am Ella, Buy me, is easy reading. It's not one of those books where you stay up late and cancel your day to ensure you finish it, that being said I did read it in three sittings. Basically, our hero, Ella works in an advertising agency as a copywriter, she is a great character, very 3 dimensional. We get to go with her through her career highs and lows, the book is well paced and doesn't stagnate.
The other characters are exactly what you would expect in an 80s ad agency, I'm not going to lie this book, to me, would be what you would expect if you dumped Bridget Jones in an episode of Mad Men, but don't let that put you off, it's a very funny book with some really hilarious moments.
Overall a good light read, the perfect book for someone looking for the sorbet course
August 5, 2016
Entertaining, hilarious, clever! I really feel like this would be a fantastic beach book. It's a relatively quick read and so fun. Warning: Ella eats a lot of fantastic sounding sweet treats and though I almost always prefer savoury snacks, I was searching my kitchen for chocolate. Might be best to have some on hand!
Ella works in the boy's club that is advertising in the 1980's. She's talented and confident in some aspects but so unsure in others. She's instantly relatable and likeable. You cheer her on throughout the book and cringe at her misses and bad decisions. She deals with cutthroat co-workers, a sexist and pervy boss, great friends, and a handsome but flighty new beau. This story has serious and sad moments as well, but mostly it's a light read. Not quite as fluffy as a lot of women's fiction. I went into it unsure of what I'd think but I very much enjoyed it.
I received at copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
Ella works in the boy's club that is advertising in the 1980's. She's talented and confident in some aspects but so unsure in others. She's instantly relatable and likeable. You cheer her on throughout the book and cringe at her misses and bad decisions. She deals with cutthroat co-workers, a sexist and pervy boss, great friends, and a handsome but flighty new beau. This story has serious and sad moments as well, but mostly it's a light read. Not quite as fluffy as a lot of women's fiction. I went into it unsure of what I'd think but I very much enjoyed it.
I received at copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in exchange for an honest review, thank you!
February 29, 2016
Ella is a mess, but she is a like-able mess. She is an advertising copy writer. She is a bit of a lush. Her boss is a nightmare. Her co-workers dislike her and the feeling is mutual.
The book follows Ella through job troubles and man troubles. It flashes back to a past growing up with nothing which explains why she struggles so heartily to hang on to what she has even though her job sucks. When she gets a chance to lead she kicks ass, but even that cannot last. Throughout it all Ella has one constant friend who is her beacon of hope and advice.
The book is apparently set in the 80's London, but it didn't feel dated. Well maybe the overt sexual harassment and drinking during lunch is a bit less common this day and age. It was wonderful to take a journey with Ella through all the ups and downs no matter what the time period.
The book follows Ella through job troubles and man troubles. It flashes back to a past growing up with nothing which explains why she struggles so heartily to hang on to what she has even though her job sucks. When she gets a chance to lead she kicks ass, but even that cannot last. Throughout it all Ella has one constant friend who is her beacon of hope and advice.
The book is apparently set in the 80's London, but it didn't feel dated. Well maybe the overt sexual harassment and drinking during lunch is a bit less common this day and age. It was wonderful to take a journey with Ella through all the ups and downs no matter what the time period.
October 28, 2015
This is the third book by Joan that I have read and I have to say this is so very different from the other 2 by miles!! A light hearted read, no doubt based on Joan's time in the marketing industry. Ella first comes across as the ditzy airhead. Little do we know that she has brains just not always how to use them due to events in her past life which caused a crisis of confidence. By the end we see Ella for what she really is- a sassy, girl about town just looking to be "normal" whatever that might mean! Ella sees the light due to a friend in need that she helped years ago and sees her for the real person she is below the facade. There is a little of all of us in here, smoke, mirrors, masks and friendships.
An enjoyable pick-me-up read
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
An enjoyable pick-me-up read
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
March 4, 2015
Saw this book advertised with Ms Ellis' other books in Waterstones, Newport, Isle of Wight as a local author. Thought I'd give it a try, not really sure what I was going to get. I really enjoyed the book! I could recognise some of the characters from my very early working life, at the end of the horrid 1980's for females working in London.
Ella made me cringe, laugh and cry. Peter gave me the creeps from the very start, as did Darren and Tom. Adam was a sweetie, who didn't deserve Jan. Wally reminded me of my dad!
I will definitely be reading more of this author!
Ella made me cringe, laugh and cry. Peter gave me the creeps from the very start, as did Darren and Tom. Adam was a sweetie, who didn't deserve Jan. Wally reminded me of my dad!
I will definitely be reading more of this author!
March 15, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I no longer have the book, as I have lent it to half a dozen friends since reading it myself. This book is very very funny, and whilst the cover is good, it doesn't do the book justice. Very honest, funny and time transportingly good. Do yourself a favour and read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the different events and funny parts. Well worth a read.
March 9, 2016
Well, what a romp of a read this turned out to be! I laughed my way through this book, and really enjoyed Ella's escapades. I even loved her awful boss, whose outlandish behaviour really did transport me back to the 1980s, and what it was like for women working in a man's world! After reading The Killing of Mummy's Boy directly before this, I couldn't believe this book is by the same author. They are poles apart; what a talented writer!
February 11, 2015
This review and many more at The Bibliophile Chronicles!
A hilarious, romantic comedy novel about a woman doing everything she can to succeed in the crazy world of advertising.
Synopsis
'I am a ginger tom. I am a boy racer. I am a housewife. I am a pain in the arse.'
Ella is a copywriter at Adland, one of the biggest advertising companies in Soho. She works hard and is good at her job. But working at Adland is not all it’s cracked up to be. Ella is constantly taken for granted, and treated as inferior by her sleazy boss Peter Richards. She is given the option of sleeping with him or losing her job. She cannot fathom sleeping with him, but she has a mortgage to pay, as well as her mum’s rent. Coupling this with the long working hours, Ella has very little chance of a social or romantic life. Can Ella find love and eventually rise to the top?
Review
I really enjoyed this book. As I'm in the middle of classes and slogging through long winded Victorian novels and theory essays, this book was exactly what I needed. It was fun, fast paced and kept me wanting more the whole way through it. Something that really struck me about this book was the characters. They were fantastically written and I really fell in love with Ella.
Where to start? Ella is witty, funny and she seems like such a genuine person. We follow her through life's ups and downs, she tells us about the hardships she faced as a child, as well as her career in advertising, and her attempts at relationships. She’s such a likeable character and I was constantly rooting for her, I wanted her to succeed, to get all that she hoped and dreamed. The thing I really liked about Ella is that she isn't perfect, she makes mistakes, says the wrong thing and worries about her body image, to me that made it seem so much more like a real person. Too often books have this all perfect protagonist that instantly knows how to rectify the situation, but Ella doesn't. She goes home, she frets and panics, just like a normal human being.
Then there was Peter Richards. Peter is fantastically written, and the whole way through the book I was rooting for him to get his comeuppance. Ella is treated horrifically by him - as a woman working in the 80s this isn't a surprise, but her ideas are stolen, he repeatedly tells her things like “go home and do some hoovering” and basically treats her like she isn't worth a penny. Not only Richards, but there are other men in the company who treat her this way. Ella being the kick-ass, sarcastic character she is, often stands up for herself, and hilarity often ensues.
There are so many other characters that I loved that I won’t go into too much detail about, I would hate to spoil such a fantastic story, but Wally, the sweet caretaker/night watchman who chats with Ella over biscuits and goes home to feed the ducks with his wife. And Adam the friend who is always there with chocolate cake.
The other thing I have to say about this book is that it is genuinely really funny. There were plenty of moments where I was on the train and I found myself laughing out loud, people might have thought I was crazy, but I think it’s a mark of a genuinely great book. Ella is a woman trying to stay afloat in a man’s world, she is everything you want in a heroine, and this sweet, fast-paced story will have you rooting for her like no character before.
A hilarious, romantic comedy novel about a woman doing everything she can to succeed in the crazy world of advertising.
Synopsis
'I am a ginger tom. I am a boy racer. I am a housewife. I am a pain in the arse.'
Ella is a copywriter at Adland, one of the biggest advertising companies in Soho. She works hard and is good at her job. But working at Adland is not all it’s cracked up to be. Ella is constantly taken for granted, and treated as inferior by her sleazy boss Peter Richards. She is given the option of sleeping with him or losing her job. She cannot fathom sleeping with him, but she has a mortgage to pay, as well as her mum’s rent. Coupling this with the long working hours, Ella has very little chance of a social or romantic life. Can Ella find love and eventually rise to the top?
Review
I really enjoyed this book. As I'm in the middle of classes and slogging through long winded Victorian novels and theory essays, this book was exactly what I needed. It was fun, fast paced and kept me wanting more the whole way through it. Something that really struck me about this book was the characters. They were fantastically written and I really fell in love with Ella.
Where to start? Ella is witty, funny and she seems like such a genuine person. We follow her through life's ups and downs, she tells us about the hardships she faced as a child, as well as her career in advertising, and her attempts at relationships. She’s such a likeable character and I was constantly rooting for her, I wanted her to succeed, to get all that she hoped and dreamed. The thing I really liked about Ella is that she isn't perfect, she makes mistakes, says the wrong thing and worries about her body image, to me that made it seem so much more like a real person. Too often books have this all perfect protagonist that instantly knows how to rectify the situation, but Ella doesn't. She goes home, she frets and panics, just like a normal human being.
Then there was Peter Richards. Peter is fantastically written, and the whole way through the book I was rooting for him to get his comeuppance. Ella is treated horrifically by him - as a woman working in the 80s this isn't a surprise, but her ideas are stolen, he repeatedly tells her things like “go home and do some hoovering” and basically treats her like she isn't worth a penny. Not only Richards, but there are other men in the company who treat her this way. Ella being the kick-ass, sarcastic character she is, often stands up for herself, and hilarity often ensues.
There are so many other characters that I loved that I won’t go into too much detail about, I would hate to spoil such a fantastic story, but Wally, the sweet caretaker/night watchman who chats with Ella over biscuits and goes home to feed the ducks with his wife. And Adam the friend who is always there with chocolate cake.
The other thing I have to say about this book is that it is genuinely really funny. There were plenty of moments where I was on the train and I found myself laughing out loud, people might have thought I was crazy, but I think it’s a mark of a genuinely great book. Ella is a woman trying to stay afloat in a man’s world, she is everything you want in a heroine, and this sweet, fast-paced story will have you rooting for her like no character before.
September 6, 2015
Fast-paced, dialogue-driven and immediate, for me, I am Ella. Buy Me is reading firmly outside my comfort zone, a million miles from my usual fair of half-forgotten, almost-classics and literary mysteries.
Slightly anxious about participating in my first blog tour, I was even more dubious when the book arrived. Its design, shiny cover, unusual format, and open-type face all screamed “this is not for you”, very loudly. So I didn’t embark on reading I am Ella. Buy Me with any expectation of pleasure or reward but rather somewhat fearful that I would hate it. And for the first few pages, I did. There is hardly a pleasant character in the novel, and the lovely Adam and the wise, warm and gentlemanly Wally don’t shine through until later on: I found it hard to warm to characters who measure their self-worth by the length of their car or who thought it acceptable to wash their smalls in the office.
For all these initial misgivings, I am Ella. Buy Me won out as an enjoyable read. It is at times incredibly funny. Crackling dialogue dances off the pages, bringing otherwise half-realised characters sharply into focus with depth and realism. No book has made me laugh so much since reading Isabel Lodasa’s The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment, albeit in a very different way. And there are some cameo scenes to die for- such as Wally dressing up in Ella clothes and then teaching her to dance, or Ella and Adam in the kitchen scoffing the dessert that Adam’s stuck up girlfriend is planning to serve to the her dinner party guests!
Ella is some ways a Bridget Jones of the 1980s: ambitious, confused, struggling to juggle priorities and overly concerned with cake and the size of her thighs. Having pulled herself up by her bootlaces from a disadvantageous childhood, she’s on a trajectory to nowhere, single with a stalled career, and surrounded by a cast of decidedly obnoxious men out to use and abuse her. Her affection and loyalty to her mother (who the reader never meets) is as touching as her inability to repel manipulation is frustrating. Ella’s story plunges us back into an uncomfortably accurate, albeit stereotypical, aspect of 1980s London. Here’s fashionably shabby Soho throbbing with a young, cut-throat competitive, wannabe generation: a workforce fuelled by sexism, selfishness and alcohol and surrounded in smoke. One of the things I liked most about I am Ella. Buy Me was the reminder it gave that, however much we may still be struggling to achieve equality in the workplace, and in life generally, there really has been a lot of progress since the yuppie days of Thatcher’s London. But I am Ella. Buy Me is click-lit and, true to its genre, it doesn’t dwell on the politics of Ella’s situation but rather remains firmly concerned with personality and relationships. An easy-going, untesting read which, by relating the emotional highs and lows of a love-lorn and love-torn heroine, provides pure entertainment.
Slightly anxious about participating in my first blog tour, I was even more dubious when the book arrived. Its design, shiny cover, unusual format, and open-type face all screamed “this is not for you”, very loudly. So I didn’t embark on reading I am Ella. Buy Me with any expectation of pleasure or reward but rather somewhat fearful that I would hate it. And for the first few pages, I did. There is hardly a pleasant character in the novel, and the lovely Adam and the wise, warm and gentlemanly Wally don’t shine through until later on: I found it hard to warm to characters who measure their self-worth by the length of their car or who thought it acceptable to wash their smalls in the office.
For all these initial misgivings, I am Ella. Buy Me won out as an enjoyable read. It is at times incredibly funny. Crackling dialogue dances off the pages, bringing otherwise half-realised characters sharply into focus with depth and realism. No book has made me laugh so much since reading Isabel Lodasa’s The Battersea Park Road to Enlightenment, albeit in a very different way. And there are some cameo scenes to die for- such as Wally dressing up in Ella clothes and then teaching her to dance, or Ella and Adam in the kitchen scoffing the dessert that Adam’s stuck up girlfriend is planning to serve to the her dinner party guests!
Ella is some ways a Bridget Jones of the 1980s: ambitious, confused, struggling to juggle priorities and overly concerned with cake and the size of her thighs. Having pulled herself up by her bootlaces from a disadvantageous childhood, she’s on a trajectory to nowhere, single with a stalled career, and surrounded by a cast of decidedly obnoxious men out to use and abuse her. Her affection and loyalty to her mother (who the reader never meets) is as touching as her inability to repel manipulation is frustrating. Ella’s story plunges us back into an uncomfortably accurate, albeit stereotypical, aspect of 1980s London. Here’s fashionably shabby Soho throbbing with a young, cut-throat competitive, wannabe generation: a workforce fuelled by sexism, selfishness and alcohol and surrounded in smoke. One of the things I liked most about I am Ella. Buy Me was the reminder it gave that, however much we may still be struggling to achieve equality in the workplace, and in life generally, there really has been a lot of progress since the yuppie days of Thatcher’s London. But I am Ella. Buy Me is click-lit and, true to its genre, it doesn’t dwell on the politics of Ella’s situation but rather remains firmly concerned with personality and relationships. An easy-going, untesting read which, by relating the emotional highs and lows of a love-lorn and love-torn heroine, provides pure entertainment.
January 3, 2016
Ella can only be described as a girl with ambition although she takes a circuitous route to attain any positive accomplishments.
She works in the cut-throat world of advertising, amid sleazy colleagues & ‘dumb’ secretaries .. bear in mind this is set in the 80’s so the over-bearing sexual harassment was par for the course then (how times have changed) the obnoxious boss was typical of an 80’s yuppie wannabe .. complete with Porsche & more money than sense .. he however wasn’t above stealing Ella’s ideas or threatening to fire her if she didn’t ‘sleep’ with him .. he was objectionable & it took me a while to get past hating him enough to actually find any pleasant characters in the book.
Tom, the ‘rockstar’ boyfriend also had issues that wound me up .. if only Ella was strong enough to kick him where it hurt! Wally however was a gent, so sweet kind, fatherly & just the influence she needed. Best friend Adam stole my heart .. anything in his world could be fixed with hot chocolate & cake!
There were times in this story I was chuckling out loud, other moments were rather depressing & following Ella as she developed was quite exhausting at times. While one appreciates jobs were scarce in those days I’m not sure she approached things the right way. She did show a caring, vulnerable side by ensuring she took responsibility for her mum so her heart was in the right place.
Easy to read, it sagged a little in the middle but all things considered it was an entertaining book .. I’m curious to explore others by Joan.
Many thanks to the author & Booklover Catlady for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
She works in the cut-throat world of advertising, amid sleazy colleagues & ‘dumb’ secretaries .. bear in mind this is set in the 80’s so the over-bearing sexual harassment was par for the course then (how times have changed) the obnoxious boss was typical of an 80’s yuppie wannabe .. complete with Porsche & more money than sense .. he however wasn’t above stealing Ella’s ideas or threatening to fire her if she didn’t ‘sleep’ with him .. he was objectionable & it took me a while to get past hating him enough to actually find any pleasant characters in the book.
Tom, the ‘rockstar’ boyfriend also had issues that wound me up .. if only Ella was strong enough to kick him where it hurt! Wally however was a gent, so sweet kind, fatherly & just the influence she needed. Best friend Adam stole my heart .. anything in his world could be fixed with hot chocolate & cake!
There were times in this story I was chuckling out loud, other moments were rather depressing & following Ella as she developed was quite exhausting at times. While one appreciates jobs were scarce in those days I’m not sure she approached things the right way. She did show a caring, vulnerable side by ensuring she took responsibility for her mum so her heart was in the right place.
Easy to read, it sagged a little in the middle but all things considered it was an entertaining book .. I’m curious to explore others by Joan.
Many thanks to the author & Booklover Catlady for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 25, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
I Am Ella. Buy Me. is the story of Ella, a woman who struggles to find out what she wants in life. She works as a copywriter, but gets anything but fulfillment from her job. Her boss is constantly harrassing her, trying to get her into his bed, and Ella has trouble continuing to deny his advances when he gets more and more persistent. Ella’s world ranges from frustrating to hilarious. The 80s form an interesting setting, with sexism, the power of money, and lack of morality. This is one of the first books I’ve read set in that time period, and it’s a real eye-opener.
The writing is down-to-earth, not too fancy, but this style makes it easier to relate to the characters, in particular Ella, and her two unlikely friends, who each add a different layer to the story. Ella also has some love troubles – she’s in love with Tom, an up-and-coming rock star, but the rock lifestyle might make his morals more questionable than she’d like to believe.
Yet despite all the drama and frustration, Ella is still just the girl-next-door. She could be anyone, which makes it so easy to connect with her as a reader. She’s just an ordinary person.
This is a hilarious chick lit novel that I would highly recommend if you want to have a laugh, or if you want to find a character you can easily connect with.
I Am Ella. Buy Me. is the story of Ella, a woman who struggles to find out what she wants in life. She works as a copywriter, but gets anything but fulfillment from her job. Her boss is constantly harrassing her, trying to get her into his bed, and Ella has trouble continuing to deny his advances when he gets more and more persistent. Ella’s world ranges from frustrating to hilarious. The 80s form an interesting setting, with sexism, the power of money, and lack of morality. This is one of the first books I’ve read set in that time period, and it’s a real eye-opener.
The writing is down-to-earth, not too fancy, but this style makes it easier to relate to the characters, in particular Ella, and her two unlikely friends, who each add a different layer to the story. Ella also has some love troubles – she’s in love with Tom, an up-and-coming rock star, but the rock lifestyle might make his morals more questionable than she’d like to believe.
Yet despite all the drama and frustration, Ella is still just the girl-next-door. She could be anyone, which makes it so easy to connect with her as a reader. She’s just an ordinary person.
This is a hilarious chick lit novel that I would highly recommend if you want to have a laugh, or if you want to find a character you can easily connect with.
November 11, 2014
~Received For An Honest Review~
Okay, this book is a little hard to review without thinking back to the content and laughing at some and and feeling frustrated in other areas. Poor Ella, I really felt so sorry for her, but in the 80's, what else could you really expect. All in all, this book is fast paced and interesting enough to keep you sitting for hours reading! Great read!
Okay, this book is a little hard to review without thinking back to the content and laughing at some and and feeling frustrated in other areas. Poor Ella, I really felt so sorry for her, but in the 80's, what else could you really expect. All in all, this book is fast paced and interesting enough to keep you sitting for hours reading! Great read!
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