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Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future
Everything is going to plan - until she marries the wrong man . . .
'Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella . . . the feel-good book of the summer' Cathy Kelly, Number One bestselling author
Jenny Sparrow can tell you her future:
1. Meet soulmate at 25
2. Move in with him
3. Marry him this year . . .
According to the plan Jenny made at thirteen, it's time for her to get married. But when her boyfriend proposes a break instead of a wedding, a girls' weekend in Vegas is the only solution . . . until she wakes up in a stranger's bed, and discovers that this is the year she gets married - to the wrong man.
Jenny wants a quick divorce and her old boyfriend back.
But what if her accidental husband has other ideas?
'Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella . . . the feel-good book of the summer' Cathy Kelly, Number One bestselling author
Jenny Sparrow can tell you her future:
1. Meet soulmate at 25
2. Move in with him
3. Marry him this year . . .
According to the plan Jenny made at thirteen, it's time for her to get married. But when her boyfriend proposes a break instead of a wedding, a girls' weekend in Vegas is the only solution . . . until she wakes up in a stranger's bed, and discovers that this is the year she gets married - to the wrong man.
Jenny wants a quick divorce and her old boyfriend back.
But what if her accidental husband has other ideas?
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2017
2 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Pimentel
7 books141 followersMelissa Pimentel grew up in a small town in Massachusetts in a house without cable and therefore much of her childhood was spent watching 1970s British comedy on PBS.
At twenty-two, she made the move to London to do an MA in Modern Literature at University College London. She has lived there happily for ten years, though she still adamantly refuses to eat a scotch egg. Before meeting her fiancé, she spent much of her time trawling the London dating scene for clean, non-sociopathic sexual partners and blogging about it, which became the inspiration for her first novel.
These days, she spends much of her time reading in the various pubs of Stoke Newington and engaging in a long-standing emotional feud with their disgruntled cat, Welles. She works in publishing.
Love by the Book is her debut novel.
At twenty-two, she made the move to London to do an MA in Modern Literature at University College London. She has lived there happily for ten years, though she still adamantly refuses to eat a scotch egg. Before meeting her fiancé, she spent much of her time trawling the London dating scene for clean, non-sociopathic sexual partners and blogging about it, which became the inspiration for her first novel.
These days, she spends much of her time reading in the various pubs of Stoke Newington and engaging in a long-standing emotional feud with their disgruntled cat, Welles. She works in publishing.
Love by the Book is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 16, 2021
Jenny is an asshole!!
she is also very immature and the way she talks and treats people is appalling especially Jackson...their "romance" is so out of the realm of the possibility of working out IMO of course.. anyway I haven't disliked the protagonist as much as I did Jenny in a while... not fun at all..
she is also very immature and the way she talks and treats people is appalling especially Jackson...their "romance" is so out of the realm of the possibility of working out IMO of course.. anyway I haven't disliked the protagonist as much as I did Jenny in a while... not fun at all..
August 2, 2017
It is years since I read anything like Jenny Sparrow. I have been trying to remember and it probably is Sophie Kinsella whose books this is likened to. I need a poke in the ribs for leaving it so long, I loved every page of this novel and it was a welcome respite from crime fiction.
Jenny and Isla were brilliant characters, and even though Isla was a little exhausting with some dubious habits she was a good and loyal friend to Jenny. They had a strong friendship that had lasted through their childhood even though they did have different personalities.
You don’t realise at first why Jenny was so obsessed with her lists, I thought it would have been light hearted but there was something much deeper about it so whilst I laughed a lot while reading I was also weepy. In fact, this wasn’t a book I could read in public, laughing, crying and feeling frustrated at some of the decisions she made.
Despite the huge tourist attraction London it was also a lonely place to be and the isolation experienced by Jenny felt real. I liked seeing the different version of London when she was spending time with Jackson. The description of Las Vegas had confirmed its place at the bottom of my list of places I want to visit.
This book is a great read for the summer, I have a vision of it being read on beaches everywhere.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received
Jenny and Isla were brilliant characters, and even though Isla was a little exhausting with some dubious habits she was a good and loyal friend to Jenny. They had a strong friendship that had lasted through their childhood even though they did have different personalities.
You don’t realise at first why Jenny was so obsessed with her lists, I thought it would have been light hearted but there was something much deeper about it so whilst I laughed a lot while reading I was also weepy. In fact, this wasn’t a book I could read in public, laughing, crying and feeling frustrated at some of the decisions she made.
Despite the huge tourist attraction London it was also a lonely place to be and the isolation experienced by Jenny felt real. I liked seeing the different version of London when she was spending time with Jackson. The description of Las Vegas had confirmed its place at the bottom of my list of places I want to visit.
This book is a great read for the summer, I have a vision of it being read on beaches everywhere.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received
June 7, 2017
Book Title: Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future
Book Author: Melissa Pimentel
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Expected Publication Date: July 27th 2017
It’s been a really long time since I have read any chick-lit, so when I was offered this book, I was like, why not?
And why not indeed!
This was a good read. Light, fluffy just like your Saturday morning pancakes. I loved how it touched base in a comical way an important subject that we all (maybe not all?) went through at some stage in our lives.
Jenny Sparrow was all about planning. According to the calculated list she created when she was thirteen (laminated, mind you!), it’s time for her to get married. When her boyfriend proposes a break instead of a wedding, she goes off to join her best friend for a girl’s time out in Las Vegas. This seemed to be the perfect gateway till she wakes up the next morning, married and to a stranger!
It was really hilarious to embark on this self-discovery mission with Jenny, to realize that sometimes, things do no work out the way we want it to be and that it’s ok for them not to. It was quite amusing as well to read how Jenny dealt with all those sudden changes that happened after one irresponsible drunken night and to realize that you cannot force love/marriage but rather they would somehow find you.
This is a perfect read to distress with, have fun and enjoy at the moment. I would not consider this one as one of my favorite books or one what I would remember in the long run. But hey! That’s just me as I’m not really into chick-lit or rom-com anymore.
Thanks to @penguinUkbooks for the ARC, which was given in an exchange for an honest review.
Book Author: Melissa Pimentel
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Expected Publication Date: July 27th 2017
It’s been a really long time since I have read any chick-lit, so when I was offered this book, I was like, why not?
And why not indeed!
This was a good read. Light, fluffy just like your Saturday morning pancakes. I loved how it touched base in a comical way an important subject that we all (maybe not all?) went through at some stage in our lives.
Jenny Sparrow was all about planning. According to the calculated list she created when she was thirteen (laminated, mind you!), it’s time for her to get married. When her boyfriend proposes a break instead of a wedding, she goes off to join her best friend for a girl’s time out in Las Vegas. This seemed to be the perfect gateway till she wakes up the next morning, married and to a stranger!
It was really hilarious to embark on this self-discovery mission with Jenny, to realize that sometimes, things do no work out the way we want it to be and that it’s ok for them not to. It was quite amusing as well to read how Jenny dealt with all those sudden changes that happened after one irresponsible drunken night and to realize that you cannot force love/marriage but rather they would somehow find you.
This is a perfect read to distress with, have fun and enjoy at the moment. I would not consider this one as one of my favorite books or one what I would remember in the long run. But hey! That’s just me as I’m not really into chick-lit or rom-com anymore.
Thanks to @penguinUkbooks for the ARC, which was given in an exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2017
This was a really fun read. Recommend reading it when in the mood for a quick, feel good time.
July 30, 2017
If you are in the mood for a book that will make you laugh and hit all the right notes from start to finish, then JENNY SPARROW KNOWS THE FUTURE by Melissa Pimentel is exactly what you need. Endearing characters, witty and clever dialogue and plenty of unexpected action are just some of the reasons why this wonderful novel will burrow into your heart, and brighten up your day.
Jenny Sparrow knows exactly how her life will pan out because she planned it down to the finest detail when she was a young girl, and everything has happened according to her list ever since. Living in London with her boyfriend, Jenny is excitedly waiting for him to propose but when things take a wrong turn, she finds herself on a break instead of celebrating an engagement.
Convinced by her best friend Isla that a long weekend in Las Vegas is just what the doctor ordered, Jenny finds herself questioning everything in her life. If she doesn't get married this year then her life plan is thrown into disarray, and she cannot let that happen. But when she wakes up after a crazy night to find herself married to a stranger, this isn't exactly what she had planned. Determined to get a quick divorce and fix everything with her boyfriend back in London, is it possible that fate has other plans for the woman who likes to control every little detail?
JENNY SPARROW KNOWS THE FUTURE by Melissa Pimentel is a story of friendship, love, and letting yourself open up to the possibility of failure. The characters are likeable and vivacious, and the plot line is pacy and exciting which combine to make you want to put real life on hold so you can finish this excellent story.
JENNY SPARROW KNOWS THE FUTURE by Melissa Pimentel is the perfect read for a summers day or any day for that matter - an excellent all-rounder.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Jenny Sparrow knows exactly how her life will pan out because she planned it down to the finest detail when she was a young girl, and everything has happened according to her list ever since. Living in London with her boyfriend, Jenny is excitedly waiting for him to propose but when things take a wrong turn, she finds herself on a break instead of celebrating an engagement.
Convinced by her best friend Isla that a long weekend in Las Vegas is just what the doctor ordered, Jenny finds herself questioning everything in her life. If she doesn't get married this year then her life plan is thrown into disarray, and she cannot let that happen. But when she wakes up after a crazy night to find herself married to a stranger, this isn't exactly what she had planned. Determined to get a quick divorce and fix everything with her boyfriend back in London, is it possible that fate has other plans for the woman who likes to control every little detail?
JENNY SPARROW KNOWS THE FUTURE by Melissa Pimentel is a story of friendship, love, and letting yourself open up to the possibility of failure. The characters are likeable and vivacious, and the plot line is pacy and exciting which combine to make you want to put real life on hold so you can finish this excellent story.
JENNY SPARROW KNOWS THE FUTURE by Melissa Pimentel is the perfect read for a summers day or any day for that matter - an excellent all-rounder.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
October 8, 2017
Book provided by Penguin UK via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to both!
When I requested this book I was not expecting it to be the most original story, but I'm surprised at how much I ended up liking this! I'm a sucker for the wedding-in-Vegas-with-a-stranger thing and I was hoping this would be entertaining and (with any luck) funny, which totally was, but it was also an interesting story with even a healthy dose of reality - as much as you can expect in a chick lit anyway!
The book didn't start too well for me. In the first few chapters Jenny is your typical wedding-obsessed 30-something, the type that tries to be neurotically endearing but comes out as mildly exasperating at best, and not particularly funny. Luckily this changed as the story progressed - Jenny calmed down a bit and became a lot funnier, although I don't know if this was due to character growth or better editing or something else because the whole thing, writing included, improved noticeably after the first quarter or so.
Obviously the book is heavy on the romance but it was very nice to also see a healthy female friendship, and Isla was crazy in the best possible way. Further into the book we also learn more about the cause of Jenny's neuroses and I loved that a better explanation was offered other than 'because she is 30 and she's not married'.
I also loved that both love interests were nice guys, and I even felt bad for poor Christopher because he was adorable, but Jackson was just so charming! I didn't doubt for a second who she was going to choose but their story was still lovely, and the ending was just perfect, sweet without being cheesy, and it made sense!!
I recommend this book to all fans of chick lits and to anyone looking for a nice and funny feel-good story, I'll definitely keep an eye out on future books by Melissa Pimentel :)
When I requested this book I was not expecting it to be the most original story, but I'm surprised at how much I ended up liking this! I'm a sucker for the wedding-in-Vegas-with-a-stranger thing and I was hoping this would be entertaining and (with any luck) funny, which totally was, but it was also an interesting story with even a healthy dose of reality - as much as you can expect in a chick lit anyway!
The book didn't start too well for me. In the first few chapters Jenny is your typical wedding-obsessed 30-something, the type that tries to be neurotically endearing but comes out as mildly exasperating at best, and not particularly funny. Luckily this changed as the story progressed - Jenny calmed down a bit and became a lot funnier, although I don't know if this was due to character growth or better editing or something else because the whole thing, writing included, improved noticeably after the first quarter or so.
Obviously the book is heavy on the romance but it was very nice to also see a healthy female friendship, and Isla was crazy in the best possible way. Further into the book we also learn more about the cause of Jenny's neuroses and I loved that a better explanation was offered other than 'because she is 30 and she's not married'.
I also loved that both love interests were nice guys, and I even felt bad for poor Christopher because he was adorable, but Jackson was just so charming! I didn't doubt for a second who she was going to choose but their story was still lovely, and the ending was just perfect, sweet without being cheesy, and it made sense!!
I recommend this book to all fans of chick lits and to anyone looking for a nice and funny feel-good story, I'll definitely keep an eye out on future books by Melissa Pimentel :)
June 2, 2017
To get straight to the point, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I do love a good chick lit, but find that all too often they can be a tad on the unrealistic and fantastical side, but this one had just enough realism to balance the romance and grand gestures within the storyline. These grand romantic gestures that happen in chick lit are things that very unlikely happen in real life, but within Pimentel's novel there is enough mention of the daily grind and usual relationships trials and tribulations, that it made the grand gestures more believable.
The text flowed well, and I really enjoyed Pimentel's writing style. There was just enough detail without going overboard, and the book was just the right length. Sometimes I can get near the end of the book and wish the happy ending would just come, but this book had just enough juicy plot running throughout, so I didn't get bored at any point.
Pimentel is an author I shall be looking out for, as I'd love to see what else she is capable of. Definitely recommend giving her a go if you like chick lit or something to read on holiday.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
The text flowed well, and I really enjoyed Pimentel's writing style. There was just enough detail without going overboard, and the book was just the right length. Sometimes I can get near the end of the book and wish the happy ending would just come, but this book had just enough juicy plot running throughout, so I didn't get bored at any point.
Pimentel is an author I shall be looking out for, as I'd love to see what else she is capable of. Definitely recommend giving her a go if you like chick lit or something to read on holiday.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
December 9, 2017
I have been ignoring this for a while now because I really hate writing reviews for books that I genuinely disliked.
The only one thing I liked about this book is the character of the female protagonist’s best friend. She seemed like the voice of reason and the voice of passion at the same time. She felt so sure of herself and I love it when people know exactly what they want out of life.
I disliked everything else about the book.
Now, I’ve read two books by Sophie Kinsella, the first one was I've Got Your Number and the second one was Can You Keep a Secret?. I was a fan with the feel good style of her story telling. Her two books were warm, funny and enjoyable. And I thought that this book is similar. But it just lacked the feeling good part, it was not that funny and the plot was so predictable and familiar, not in a good way I may add. I just knew where the story is going and I know what will happen by the end. There’s nothing new for me.
Maybe I’m being too hard on this book because of how much disappointed I was after finishing. I wanted to love it so much and I expected more from the story. it just did not happen. Me and the book, we did not click not once.
The only one thing I liked about this book is the character of the female protagonist’s best friend. She seemed like the voice of reason and the voice of passion at the same time. She felt so sure of herself and I love it when people know exactly what they want out of life.
I disliked everything else about the book.
Now, I’ve read two books by Sophie Kinsella, the first one was I've Got Your Number and the second one was Can You Keep a Secret?. I was a fan with the feel good style of her story telling. Her two books were warm, funny and enjoyable. And I thought that this book is similar. But it just lacked the feeling good part, it was not that funny and the plot was so predictable and familiar, not in a good way I may add. I just knew where the story is going and I know what will happen by the end. There’s nothing new for me.
Maybe I’m being too hard on this book because of how much disappointed I was after finishing. I wanted to love it so much and I expected more from the story. it just did not happen. Me and the book, we did not click not once.
July 26, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Jenny was a fun character to follow, someone who had her mind set on something only for it to fall apart, her plans going awry. It proved that not everything goes to plan and sometimes you just have to let things simply happen when they happen. No one can schedule life.
It also showed that where some people can be together for years and stay in love there are others that can just as easily fall out of it. I'm glad it did show and implement those aspects of a relationship.
There were moments when I would find myself relating to Jenny, and I loved when I knew instantly what or who she was referring to in the narrative. (ie A character from a play I studied in English Literature or a song/phrase from a character in a cartoon film watched as a child). There would also be times I'd just burst out laughing.
I'm so glad Jenny was a character I never got annoyed or frustrated at. I was genuinely connected to her and her journey and understanding of things until she got to the place she wanted to go.
I loved Jackson, Isla, and Ben just as easily. I'd be so happy if there was a sequel to this book just so I could see more of Jenny and where her life goes, same with the other characters too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC!
It also showed that where some people can be together for years and stay in love there are others that can just as easily fall out of it. I'm glad it did show and implement those aspects of a relationship.
There were moments when I would find myself relating to Jenny, and I loved when I knew instantly what or who she was referring to in the narrative. (ie A character from a play I studied in English Literature or a song/phrase from a character in a cartoon film watched as a child). There would also be times I'd just burst out laughing.
I'm so glad Jenny was a character I never got annoyed or frustrated at. I was genuinely connected to her and her journey and understanding of things until she got to the place she wanted to go.
I loved Jackson, Isla, and Ben just as easily. I'd be so happy if there was a sequel to this book just so I could see more of Jenny and where her life goes, same with the other characters too.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC!
July 26, 2017
"Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future" is my first book by Melissa Pimentel, however this is this kind of book that you know, from the very beginning, deep inside, that you want to read. Firstly, this title is just brilliant, it's so eye - catching and promising tons of adventures. Secondly, the synopsis - after reading the synopsis (when I've eventually stopped looking at the gorgeous cover and gushing over the brilliant title and got to read the synopsis) I was dead sure this book is going to be a cracker - I love people making plans, maybe because I am the one who can't stick to a plan, as well as to to - do lists.
So, was it a cracker?
Hell, it was!
Jenny Sparrow wants to live her life according to a list that she created when she was 13 years old. You may not believe it, but she still has the list - the original one! - and it's laminated. So, according to her list it's time to get married now, and it looks really good but then Jenny's boyfriend Chrstopher, instead of popping the question kneeled down only to do his laces. So Jenny, instead of planning a wedding, goes to Las Vegas with her best friend. As we all already know, going to Las Vegas isn't often the best idea, because what happens in Las Vegas... you know the idea. Anything can happen there - you can lost all your money, or maybe incidentally get married...? To a total stranger...?
This whole story was actually one huge self - discovery lesson for our Jenny, and also for us. What happens when things don't go according to what we plan or what we want? The author shows us that it's ok, that life goes on! However, for our Jenny it was a shock to come out of her comfort zones, to deal with all the sudden changes, with all the surprises and with Jackson. I loved the way she dealt with those things - it was written in incredibly realistic way and when Jenny was scared, then she was scared, she didn't try to hide it, and when she was unsure she also told it as it was. She was a very likeable character, our Jenny, sometimes too whingey, sometimes too chicken - hearted, sometimes too of a pushover, but oh my god, guys, nobody's perfect, right, and she just felt so true and honest, and I just kept everything crossed for her.
This story is brilliantly observed and it is sharp about our reality. It shows the daily grind and battles but it also balances it with some grand gestures, and I really enjoyed this mix - it made impossible believable. The writing style was so light and modern, and the author truly knows her way with the words.
So altogether, "Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future" was a light - hearted, cheeky read with a lovely heroine and some troubles in paradise, yet it also dealt with some more serious issues but still, in a very light way. Showing it doesn't matter if you stick to your plan or not, and that you can't force love - it's going to find you in the most unexpected moment, come and hit you hard. Honestly, I have maybe expected there to be more humour, and there were moments that the story dragged on a little bit, but still it was a great read to relax with and just have fun. I am already looking toward more from Melissa Pimentel and in the meantime - guys, go and grab "Jenny Sparrows" - it's great read!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
July 31, 2017
The thing that caught my eye and made me want to read this book was the really bright colours. I really love the blue and the pink together and I really think it makes the cover stand out.
From the very first page I found myself drawn to Jenny's story. She has her heart set on sticking to this list she made for her life when she was younger, so far shes ticked many things off her list and when she thinks shes about to be proposed to by her current boyfriend she is very surprised to learn it isn't what he wants at the minute. I felt a lot of sympathy for Jenny as when your with someone you think your going to be with for the rest of your life of course wedding bells should be on the cards and when he tells her hes not ready my heart just sank for her.
It was great to see Jenny let her hair down in Vegas and I couldn't believe it when I found out what she did. However she heads home again to find her boyfriend has had a change of heart and really wants to marry her after all and from there everything seems to run smoothly.
I was just willing Jenny on through the book to find her happiness and for her to get everything she wants as she is a lovely kind hearted person that deserves to be treated better.
Jenny's story is really captivating and has lots of laugh out loud moments throughout. Reading Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future really makes you feel happy and really is a feel good book.
From the very first page I found myself drawn to Jenny's story. She has her heart set on sticking to this list she made for her life when she was younger, so far shes ticked many things off her list and when she thinks shes about to be proposed to by her current boyfriend she is very surprised to learn it isn't what he wants at the minute. I felt a lot of sympathy for Jenny as when your with someone you think your going to be with for the rest of your life of course wedding bells should be on the cards and when he tells her hes not ready my heart just sank for her.
It was great to see Jenny let her hair down in Vegas and I couldn't believe it when I found out what she did. However she heads home again to find her boyfriend has had a change of heart and really wants to marry her after all and from there everything seems to run smoothly.
I was just willing Jenny on through the book to find her happiness and for her to get everything she wants as she is a lovely kind hearted person that deserves to be treated better.
Jenny's story is really captivating and has lots of laugh out loud moments throughout. Reading Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future really makes you feel happy and really is a feel good book.
June 10, 2017
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can honestly say that I truly loved this book. I devoured in just a few days (would have been sooner, but had other demands).
As teens Jenny and Isla make out an almost bucket list of where and when they want to be at various stages of their lives.
Jenny unlike Isla lives by the list (so much so that she keeps a laminated copy in her bag). So, this is the year she expects to be engaged to be married.
However when her partner Christopher fails to purpose, Jenny escapes to Los Vegas to spend a couple of days with her best friend Isla.
The weekend starts with Jenny getting sun stroke, but she does manage to go out for a fun evening on the tiles. Everything seems fine until the following morning she wakes un in a strange hotel room, she quickly makes a run for it.
Upon her return to London, she finds Christopher waiting for her in arrivals, he goes down on one knee and makes her dream come true by popping the question. She decides that what happened on In Los Vegas will stay there and moves on with her life. Her plans are going well. However, that is until she is summoned to reception to be told that her ‘husband’ has come to visit. She is chuffed that Christopher is already using that title.
However, the man she see’s waiting is not her fiancée, but a man she recognises from a Casino in Los Vegas! Jackson foes on to inform her that they are married, Jenny has no memories of their nuptials.
Jenny will now need to get a divorce before she can marry the love of her life. Jackson agrees to a divorce, but only on the condition that Jenny will spend time with him each day for the rest of the week.
Jenny reluctantly agrees.
Maybe it is true, you never really know what the future holds. Fate is funny like that.
This book will keep the reader enthralled and a perfect holiday read.
I can honestly say that I truly loved this book. I devoured in just a few days (would have been sooner, but had other demands).
As teens Jenny and Isla make out an almost bucket list of where and when they want to be at various stages of their lives.
Jenny unlike Isla lives by the list (so much so that she keeps a laminated copy in her bag). So, this is the year she expects to be engaged to be married.
However when her partner Christopher fails to purpose, Jenny escapes to Los Vegas to spend a couple of days with her best friend Isla.
The weekend starts with Jenny getting sun stroke, but she does manage to go out for a fun evening on the tiles. Everything seems fine until the following morning she wakes un in a strange hotel room, she quickly makes a run for it.
Upon her return to London, she finds Christopher waiting for her in arrivals, he goes down on one knee and makes her dream come true by popping the question. She decides that what happened on In Los Vegas will stay there and moves on with her life. Her plans are going well. However, that is until she is summoned to reception to be told that her ‘husband’ has come to visit. She is chuffed that Christopher is already using that title.
However, the man she see’s waiting is not her fiancée, but a man she recognises from a Casino in Los Vegas! Jackson foes on to inform her that they are married, Jenny has no memories of their nuptials.
Jenny will now need to get a divorce before she can marry the love of her life. Jackson agrees to a divorce, but only on the condition that Jenny will spend time with him each day for the rest of the week.
Jenny reluctantly agrees.
Maybe it is true, you never really know what the future holds. Fate is funny like that.
This book will keep the reader enthralled and a perfect holiday read.
August 5, 2017
I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is a very funny chick-lit novel published by Penguin Books which I was very pleased to receive. Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future is by Melissa Pimentel, an American living in the UK who has written a book which is the perfect blend of British and American chick-lit. I'm someone who has been reading chick-lit for many years and I love both British and American chick-lit and how each feels so when I come across another that would fit in both markets, it kind of makes me feel all warm inside.
Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future is about an American woman who had been trying to live her life off of a list due to hard events in her past. When her boyfriend doesn't propose to her and suggests a break it throws Jenny off of her list and she spirals. One drunken night in Vegas meant she married someone who wasn't her boyfriend. She goes back to London thinking everything is normal and even sorts things out with her boyfriend but chaos breaks loose when her new husband visits her in London.
What I Liked
I mentioned before about this being a perfect blend of British and American chick-lit so I want to explain what I mean. To me, American chick-lit has always had bigger characters and sometimes presses on themes that the British won't in their books. British chick-lit, on the other hand, tends to specialise in those fluffy, Tony Curtis moments that you won't find elsewhere and are adorable to read. One of my favourite book series ever is the I Heart books by Lindsey Kelk which I adore because they introduce me to these American characters and settings but allows me to explore them with a character who is as British as me. Jenny Sparrow Knows The Future is the opposite and yes, it still has the big characters but this time it allows me to explore unfamiliar themes in a setting familiar to me that maybe I get in the way the character doesn't. Small things like the caterpillar cake made me grin like a loon.
As well as this I just generally loved the characters. I liked reading about their issues and struggles, I loved Ben and I loved Isla and I was fascinated by Jenny's work mystery. I was even happy with the way Jenny and Jackson's relationship went. They might have been sneaking around to hang out but they weren't really cheating. The romance didn't happen until the end and by then things were sorted out. It was a relief, actually, I really liked the characters but I was prepared to be disappointed and frustrated when the inevitable cheating happened. And then it didn't and now I'm really glad I gave the book a chance.
What I Didn't Like
The only thing I didn't like was that we didn't hear from Ben at the end. I know it would have been unlikely for him to be there but maybe an email or something... I just really liked Jenny and Ben's friendship.
This was a really good book and I most definitely recommend that you all pick this book up now!
This is a very funny chick-lit novel published by Penguin Books which I was very pleased to receive. Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future is by Melissa Pimentel, an American living in the UK who has written a book which is the perfect blend of British and American chick-lit. I'm someone who has been reading chick-lit for many years and I love both British and American chick-lit and how each feels so when I come across another that would fit in both markets, it kind of makes me feel all warm inside.
Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future is about an American woman who had been trying to live her life off of a list due to hard events in her past. When her boyfriend doesn't propose to her and suggests a break it throws Jenny off of her list and she spirals. One drunken night in Vegas meant she married someone who wasn't her boyfriend. She goes back to London thinking everything is normal and even sorts things out with her boyfriend but chaos breaks loose when her new husband visits her in London.
What I Liked
I mentioned before about this being a perfect blend of British and American chick-lit so I want to explain what I mean. To me, American chick-lit has always had bigger characters and sometimes presses on themes that the British won't in their books. British chick-lit, on the other hand, tends to specialise in those fluffy, Tony Curtis moments that you won't find elsewhere and are adorable to read. One of my favourite book series ever is the I Heart books by Lindsey Kelk which I adore because they introduce me to these American characters and settings but allows me to explore them with a character who is as British as me. Jenny Sparrow Knows The Future is the opposite and yes, it still has the big characters but this time it allows me to explore unfamiliar themes in a setting familiar to me that maybe I get in the way the character doesn't. Small things like the caterpillar cake made me grin like a loon.
As well as this I just generally loved the characters. I liked reading about their issues and struggles, I loved Ben and I loved Isla and I was fascinated by Jenny's work mystery. I was even happy with the way Jenny and Jackson's relationship went. They might have been sneaking around to hang out but they weren't really cheating. The romance didn't happen until the end and by then things were sorted out. It was a relief, actually, I really liked the characters but I was prepared to be disappointed and frustrated when the inevitable cheating happened. And then it didn't and now I'm really glad I gave the book a chance.
What I Didn't Like
The only thing I didn't like was that we didn't hear from Ben at the end. I know it would have been unlikely for him to be there but maybe an email or something... I just really liked Jenny and Ben's friendship.
This was a really good book and I most definitely recommend that you all pick this book up now!
August 2, 2017
Drawn-out fantasy novel
Unfortunately, this book did not appeal to me at all. It is about a silly girl who is so intent on marrying her boyfriend because, at the age of 13, she and her best friend Isla made a list of things they are going to do with their lives. Now, many years later, this is the year she is going to be married. Well, yes, we've all done that but I for one didn't get so hung up about the year my boyfriend was supposed to marry me because I'd written it in a list when I was 13!
She is so desperate to marry him that even when he bends down on one knee to tie his shoe laces after a night out on her birthday, she thinks he's going to propose. No wonder he backs off - who wouldn't!
The book continues into childlike fantasy when Jenny's profusely swearing best friend decides they are going for a booze-up to end all booze-ups break to Las Vegas, to give Jenny's boyfriend a chance to miss her!
Unfortunately, Jenny gets so plastered at a casino she wakes up in a bed to hear a male stranger tending to his ablutions in the bathroom but she doesn't remember a thing!
When Jenny returns to work in London she is flabbergasted when a man is downstairs in reception wanting to talk to her. He is the stranger in the hotel bathroom in Las Vegas. He tells her that he is her husband. They had a quickie marriage during her break in Las Vegas. Jenny cannot believe this and panics - what is she going to tell her boyfriend now that he's starting to warm towards marriage!
The sights and sounds of London appealed as Jenny takes her Las Vegas husband about town to talk about divorce but to be honest, I found it a bit of a silly bore with no depth but maybe I'm just out of touch with some young girls of the 21st Century.
Starship
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Unfortunately, this book did not appeal to me at all. It is about a silly girl who is so intent on marrying her boyfriend because, at the age of 13, she and her best friend Isla made a list of things they are going to do with their lives. Now, many years later, this is the year she is going to be married. Well, yes, we've all done that but I for one didn't get so hung up about the year my boyfriend was supposed to marry me because I'd written it in a list when I was 13!
She is so desperate to marry him that even when he bends down on one knee to tie his shoe laces after a night out on her birthday, she thinks he's going to propose. No wonder he backs off - who wouldn't!
The book continues into childlike fantasy when Jenny's profusely swearing best friend decides they are going for a booze-up to end all booze-ups break to Las Vegas, to give Jenny's boyfriend a chance to miss her!
Unfortunately, Jenny gets so plastered at a casino she wakes up in a bed to hear a male stranger tending to his ablutions in the bathroom but she doesn't remember a thing!
When Jenny returns to work in London she is flabbergasted when a man is downstairs in reception wanting to talk to her. He is the stranger in the hotel bathroom in Las Vegas. He tells her that he is her husband. They had a quickie marriage during her break in Las Vegas. Jenny cannot believe this and panics - what is she going to tell her boyfriend now that he's starting to warm towards marriage!
The sights and sounds of London appealed as Jenny takes her Las Vegas husband about town to talk about divorce but to be honest, I found it a bit of a silly bore with no depth but maybe I'm just out of touch with some young girls of the 21st Century.
Starship
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
June 5, 2017
Gentle romcom about Jenny who is in a long term relationship with Christopher. American Jenny and the typically English Christopher have been living together for three years after Jenny has moved to London so that they can be together. Jenny is now keen to get married but Christopher is not so sure he is ready for the commitment.
Jenny is incredibly organised and even has a list of how her life should progress and what should happen when, even down to the age when she should get married: she carries this laminated document around in her handbag and constantly refers to it. Compiled when she was a teenager with her best friend Isla, she religiously follows it even now as an adult in her thirties, clinging to it as it has given her purpose and continuity throughout her difficult teenage years.
When Christopher seems uninterested in marriage Jenny jets off to Vegas to meet Isla and in a drunken state meets handsome Texan Jackson.
On her return to London Jenny picks up her life and Christopher proposes but things do not work out as planned when Jackson reappears in her life.
However much you organise your life things do not always work out as expected.and often it is better to go with the flow rather than sticking to a grand plan. This is one of the main themes of the novel.
A quirky comedy narrated by Jenny in the first person, this is an ideal book to read.on the beach. I dipped in and out of it as I slipped in and out of the pool and I would recommend it to readers who want a light Summer read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
Jenny is incredibly organised and even has a list of how her life should progress and what should happen when, even down to the age when she should get married: she carries this laminated document around in her handbag and constantly refers to it. Compiled when she was a teenager with her best friend Isla, she religiously follows it even now as an adult in her thirties, clinging to it as it has given her purpose and continuity throughout her difficult teenage years.
When Christopher seems uninterested in marriage Jenny jets off to Vegas to meet Isla and in a drunken state meets handsome Texan Jackson.
On her return to London Jenny picks up her life and Christopher proposes but things do not work out as planned when Jackson reappears in her life.
However much you organise your life things do not always work out as expected.and often it is better to go with the flow rather than sticking to a grand plan. This is one of the main themes of the novel.
A quirky comedy narrated by Jenny in the first person, this is an ideal book to read.on the beach. I dipped in and out of it as I slipped in and out of the pool and I would recommend it to readers who want a light Summer read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2017
This is a light-hearted, amusing story which would be a great holiday read. The central character, Jenny Sparrow is very likeable and really stands out as a personality. All her life she has stuck to a plan she drew up when an early teenager. It is her security blanket. Watching her being forced to step off plan and try the unfamiliar makes her seem vulnerable and very human. Jenny's fear that she will develop the same illness that has struck her mother feels realistic as does her guilt that she is living on a different continent. She needs to feel in control.
You have to take the plot with a huge pinch of salt but in this type of escapist story, I can do that. Jenny's life in London rings true to me and Jenny's work colleague, Ben and her American best friend, Isla, adds a bit of humour. I rather enjoyed the side plot around the insurance case which Jenny is investigating.
Written in the first person, the prose reads easily and fluently. Melissa has struck just the right tone for what is ultimately an uplifting read. Life might not always work out as you planned but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
In short: an uplifting holiday read which never flags.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
You have to take the plot with a huge pinch of salt but in this type of escapist story, I can do that. Jenny's life in London rings true to me and Jenny's work colleague, Ben and her American best friend, Isla, adds a bit of humour. I rather enjoyed the side plot around the insurance case which Jenny is investigating.
Written in the first person, the prose reads easily and fluently. Melissa has struck just the right tone for what is ultimately an uplifting read. Life might not always work out as you planned but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
In short: an uplifting holiday read which never flags.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
November 4, 2017
I got this book as part of a monthly book club subscription wherein I chose the "surprise" genre option so I wouldn't be pigeonholed into a particular style of book. This month, the subscription gifted me 'Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future', and I knew from the moment I saw this that it was not the book for me - yes, I judged it hard by it's cover.
Everything about this book is a tired cliche. From the silly cover, to the description on the back, to the overall concept, and to the characters themselves - it was all very predictable. And not only was it predictable, but I felt at times the writing came off very lazy. Without giving away "spoilers" -if they can even be classified as that- things just happen to fall flawlessly into place in a too-perfect manor. And then the big event you saw coming from a mile away, between her and Christopher, also fell seamlessly into place. It was so flawless that it came off unrealistic and continued to pull me out of the story.
Overall, this is just not a book for me. I knew it from the moment I received it what I was getting myself into, but I gave it a chance anyway and it ended up being exactly as I expected. Don't get me wrong, I am a sucker for a good love story, but this was just ultra cheesy and too practicable for my liking.
Everything about this book is a tired cliche. From the silly cover, to the description on the back, to the overall concept, and to the characters themselves - it was all very predictable. And not only was it predictable, but I felt at times the writing came off very lazy. Without giving away "spoilers" -if they can even be classified as that- things just happen to fall flawlessly into place in a too-perfect manor. And then the big event you saw coming from a mile away, between her and Christopher, also fell seamlessly into place. It was so flawless that it came off unrealistic and continued to pull me out of the story.
Overall, this is just not a book for me. I knew it from the moment I received it what I was getting myself into, but I gave it a chance anyway and it ended up being exactly as I expected. Don't get me wrong, I am a sucker for a good love story, but this was just ultra cheesy and too practicable for my liking.
November 12, 2018
To be fair to the author, I am not a great fan of Chick Lit so this book was never going to get 5 stars from me. Jenny Sparrow is shouted a free weekend in Las Vegas by her best friend. She spend the weekend being miserable and acting like a thirteen year old. On the last night she gets so drunk she blacks out and later finds out she married a stranger. After her return to London her 'husband' shows up and she spends the following week going out every night with him and drinking to excess. I won't give away the ending but yes, it is predictable so you can probably guess what happens. I think the book was meant to be humorous and if you like to read about a woman who has fun by getting legless, lying to her fiance and only feeling fulfilled if she has a man to marry, then this is for you. The sad thing is that the book is well written and I enjoyed the author's writing style. What a pity none of the characters had any redeeming features.
July 8, 2017
I have read a lot of 'perfect for summer' reads recently, and this one is different. I loved everything about it - the settings, the characters, the witty dialogue, the underlying truths - oh how I wish I had read this, or something similar, when I was younger!
Jenny Sparrow has her life all mapped out - literally. She wrote her list aged thirteen and now, aged 30, she is still using it as her life plan. However, as we all know, plans are made to be broken ...
I really loved this novel. It has just the right mix of sureness and uncertainty, work and fun, sadness and happiness. A gorgeous warm, funny, uplifting, spirit-raising read - and if you're only going to manage to fit in one summer read make it this one! I closed my kindle with a little sigh of happiness at a book well read.
I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Jenny Sparrow has her life all mapped out - literally. She wrote her list aged thirteen and now, aged 30, she is still using it as her life plan. However, as we all know, plans are made to be broken ...
I really loved this novel. It has just the right mix of sureness and uncertainty, work and fun, sadness and happiness. A gorgeous warm, funny, uplifting, spirit-raising read - and if you're only going to manage to fit in one summer read make it this one! I closed my kindle with a little sigh of happiness at a book well read.
I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
July 29, 2017
I was looking forward to reading Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future and whilst this book didn't blow me away I did find it a fun read.
At the age of 13, Jenny and her friend Isla make a list of what they want to achieve and at which age. She wants to marry her boyfriend but when he proposes a break instead of marriage she ends up in Vegas with her best friend. Waking up one day in a strangers bed, she finds out she's married - but to the wrong man.
This book is a quick and easy read and is fairly entertaining. I would give it three stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author for the chance to review.
At the age of 13, Jenny and her friend Isla make a list of what they want to achieve and at which age. She wants to marry her boyfriend but when he proposes a break instead of marriage she ends up in Vegas with her best friend. Waking up one day in a strangers bed, she finds out she's married - but to the wrong man.
This book is a quick and easy read and is fairly entertaining. I would give it three stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author for the chance to review.
August 27, 2017
Jenny has her whole life mapped out and is determined for every thing to go to plan, but then her boyfriend proposes a break and a heartbroken Jenny goes to Vegas with her best friend. When she wakes up in bed with another man, Jenny is horrified and as soon as she is home decides to forget the whole thing. How ever not everything in Vegas stays in Vegas and soon it comes to haunt her.
I thought this was going to be a boring story at first but how wrong could i be. This was a hilarious story that just begged to be told. suspense on every page, amazing characters and a story that touched my soul too. Simply put this is a brilliant book that had me hooked and laughing at every page.
I thought this was going to be a boring story at first but how wrong could i be. This was a hilarious story that just begged to be told. suspense on every page, amazing characters and a story that touched my soul too. Simply put this is a brilliant book that had me hooked and laughing at every page.
July 16, 2017
When Jenny was 13 years old, she made a list of how her life was going to be, including that she would be married by the time she was 31. So on her 31st birthday, she is looking forward to her boyfriend finally proposing. Except that he doesn’t. Heartbroken, Jenny flies to Las Vegas with her best friend, Isla, and spends the night getting drunk. Next morning she wakes up in someone else’s bed, but she doesn’t remember the night before so she runs away, back to London where her boyfriend promptly proposes. She accepts but her happiness doesn’t last long when Jackson turns up at her office. Because it is not true that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and it seems that Jenny married Jackson during her wild night there. Jackson promises to give her a divorce if in exchange she spends a week with him exploring London.
The characters are likable and relatable and I especially liked Jenny’s best friend, Isla, who is blunt and knows how to have fun. Because of her childhood problems, Jenny follows her list and is afraid to do anything out of the ordinary until she meets Jackson, who teaches her that it is good to live your life without a plan. The novel also includes a nice tour of London as Jenny and Jackson explore the city together. It’s a great romantic comedy, full of funny scenes and witty dialogues.
The characters are likable and relatable and I especially liked Jenny’s best friend, Isla, who is blunt and knows how to have fun. Because of her childhood problems, Jenny follows her list and is afraid to do anything out of the ordinary until she meets Jackson, who teaches her that it is good to live your life without a plan. The novel also includes a nice tour of London as Jenny and Jackson explore the city together. It’s a great romantic comedy, full of funny scenes and witty dialogues.
July 6, 2017
I absolutely loved diving into Jenny's world and her 'list'.. she's just one of the most endearing main leads in recent chick-lit novels.
I was more biased towards Christopher as he is more 'My' kinda guy :) but Jackson is cool too... just a little too cool for my liking.
I LOVED Isla... I want one!!
Cute story... breezy read! Kudos Ms Pimentel, it was lovely!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my ARC! :)
P.S. Cutest cover ever! Compliments to the illustrator!
I was more biased towards Christopher as he is more 'My' kinda guy :) but Jackson is cool too... just a little too cool for my liking.
I LOVED Isla... I want one!!
Cute story... breezy read! Kudos Ms Pimentel, it was lovely!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my ARC! :)
P.S. Cutest cover ever! Compliments to the illustrator!
August 21, 2017
A really lovely read.
Light fun and frivolous- escapism at it's finest.
Well-written 'chick lit' with a tasty tale and good humour - some fab one-liners.
Would definitely recommend for a funny light read.
Light fun and frivolous- escapism at it's finest.
Well-written 'chick lit' with a tasty tale and good humour - some fab one-liners.
Would definitely recommend for a funny light read.
September 27, 2017
This is a good, modern romance. Jenny has had a life plan since she was 13 years old. She has stuck rigidly to this plan and now is 31. Unfortunately the plan is going wrong and Jenny has to learn that making changes and taking chances must be done in order to find love!
December 16, 2017
I always tend to turn towards light, fun reads like this one to pull me out of a reading slump. Melissa Pimentel's Jenny Sparrow Knows the Future did not disappoint! Found myself laughing and aww-ing through it! :)
September 3, 2020
A brilliant chick lit. It was pretty predictable at points but it was enjoyable.
The only thing I didn’t see the point of was the last chapter. I felt either there should have been more or not bothered.
The only thing I didn’t see the point of was the last chapter. I felt either there should have been more or not bothered.
August 12, 2017
A nice quick read. Its not serious and while the main character comes off as a bit of an airhead she does have some good qualities to her.
August 13, 2017
Very cute chick lit with good ol Shopaholic vibes
September 20, 2017
Very good. Characters were relatable and the story kept me wanting to know more. Thank you Netgalley for the proof copy.
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