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Lost in Manchester Found in Vegas
Ricky Lever’s life is thrown into despair following the break up of his long-term relationship, and with it comes the realisation that life is in danger of passing him by. Desperate for answers, he embarks on a soul-searching trip to Las Vegas with three of his oldest friends, hoping that a new direction in life will be revealed to him.
In the midst of the excitement, madness and ecstasy of the city’s atmosphere, life changing revelations prove to be a little harder to come by than Ricky hoped, and he is pushed to take the ultimate gamble.
Bringing the city of Las Vegas to life with a killer soundtrack running throughout, this uniquely told coming of age story twists and turns through euphoric highs and emotive lows.
From excessive gambling to heavy drinking, strip clubs to the desert, the biggest hotels to the lowliest bars, ride along for the trip of a lifetime as these four ordinary lads from Manchester make the most of the extraordinary world of Las Vegas.
Seen through the eyes of Ricky, ‘Lost in Manchester, Found in Vegas’ is a hilarious, honest, and emotional journey showing how six nights in Sin City can influence a man at a crossroads in life.
In the midst of the excitement, madness and ecstasy of the city’s atmosphere, life changing revelations prove to be a little harder to come by than Ricky hoped, and he is pushed to take the ultimate gamble.
Bringing the city of Las Vegas to life with a killer soundtrack running throughout, this uniquely told coming of age story twists and turns through euphoric highs and emotive lows.
From excessive gambling to heavy drinking, strip clubs to the desert, the biggest hotels to the lowliest bars, ride along for the trip of a lifetime as these four ordinary lads from Manchester make the most of the extraordinary world of Las Vegas.
Seen through the eyes of Ricky, ‘Lost in Manchester, Found in Vegas’ is a hilarious, honest, and emotional journey showing how six nights in Sin City can influence a man at a crossroads in life.
398 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 12, 2019
Lost In Manchester, Found in Vegas takes the best of Sideways, The Hangover, and Swingers and gives you a unique and unforgettable story about escaping your demons amongst the temptations of girls and gambling.
You can’t help feeling the rush Sin City as you become fully in Ricky Lever’s cathartic journey of self-discovery with his friends. Through his detailed descriptions, you feel as though you’re experiencing the grandeur and temptations of Las Vegas along with them.
Ricky’s trip Vegas comes as he’s still trying to get over being dumped by his longtime girlfriend who didn’t even have the decency to break up with to his face. As Ricky attempts to put the past behind him in Sin City, he meets a girl who leaves an indelible mark on him. But, if you’re thinking this a typical "boy breaks up with girl, boy meets new girl" story, it is not. Lost In Manchester, Found in Vegas is a unique story that doesn’t follow any formula. The prose is reminiscent of Rex Pickett’s novel Sideways and the story is as rich and vivid as a personal diary. Ricky is a relatable character who will root for through the entire emotional journey.
N.J. Cartner has also created a supporting cast you wish you could personally go on a Vegas trip with, because you can’t help having fun reading about their escapades! That’s not to say this is merely a story of lavish excess in Vegas… it definitely is not. Vegas is merely the setting for a relatable story of personal growth that anyone who has had to get over a break-up can identify with.
You can’t help feeling the rush Sin City as you become fully in Ricky Lever’s cathartic journey of self-discovery with his friends. Through his detailed descriptions, you feel as though you’re experiencing the grandeur and temptations of Las Vegas along with them.
Ricky’s trip Vegas comes as he’s still trying to get over being dumped by his longtime girlfriend who didn’t even have the decency to break up with to his face. As Ricky attempts to put the past behind him in Sin City, he meets a girl who leaves an indelible mark on him. But, if you’re thinking this a typical "boy breaks up with girl, boy meets new girl" story, it is not. Lost In Manchester, Found in Vegas is a unique story that doesn’t follow any formula. The prose is reminiscent of Rex Pickett’s novel Sideways and the story is as rich and vivid as a personal diary. Ricky is a relatable character who will root for through the entire emotional journey.
N.J. Cartner has also created a supporting cast you wish you could personally go on a Vegas trip with, because you can’t help having fun reading about their escapades! That’s not to say this is merely a story of lavish excess in Vegas… it definitely is not. Vegas is merely the setting for a relatable story of personal growth that anyone who has had to get over a break-up can identify with.
September 19, 2023
Ricky and his friends are in Vegas for the holiday of a lifetime. He is hoping to move forward with his life after a difficult break up and throws himself into everything that Vegas has to offer.
This is a highly entertaining rollercoaster of a story.
I loved the variety in this book because it had everything from laugh out loud moments to really emotional scenes. It was easy to connect to Ricky as a character because you get to know him through his thoughts and backstory.
I would love to go to Vegas myself one day and I thought that the book really captured the spirit of what I imagine it to be like. I also enjoyed the references to Manchester, in particular to the bars and areas that I'm familiar with. I found the book to be very immersive because every time I picked it up to read I was right there with the characters where I had left off.
I am already looking forward to reading the sequel to this great book.
Thank you to N. J. Cartner for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This is a highly entertaining rollercoaster of a story.
I loved the variety in this book because it had everything from laugh out loud moments to really emotional scenes. It was easy to connect to Ricky as a character because you get to know him through his thoughts and backstory.
I would love to go to Vegas myself one day and I thought that the book really captured the spirit of what I imagine it to be like. I also enjoyed the references to Manchester, in particular to the bars and areas that I'm familiar with. I found the book to be very immersive because every time I picked it up to read I was right there with the characters where I had left off.
I am already looking forward to reading the sequel to this great book.
Thank you to N. J. Cartner for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
February 7, 2019
An adventure on finding one’s true self after a low point in his life, Ricky seeks to unravel this ball of yarn that his mind is tangled up in. A true exciting novel leaving reader wanting to read “just one more chapter”. Packed with comical moments, jaw dropping scenes and moments where you really feel relatable to the character. I cannot recommend this book enough for an enjoyable read. I myself write and have suffered with writers block for some months now, reading Nigel’s book inspired me write some material that has enabled me to write again. Thank you Nigel, I really cannot wait for the Sequel to come out.
October 8, 2017
Loved this book. Funny, emotive and real. Ricky Lever embarks on a lads holiday to Vegas that is also a journey of self discovery. A relationship break up has left Ricky lost and he sees the holiday in Vegas with his mates as an opportunity to find himself and a new direction. There's a lot of humour, some sex and romance, a bit of gambling and some great music references!
May 7, 2025
At first, I couldn't get into it, not my usual genre.
But I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.
For me, personally it brought back memories of my past, stuck in a rut, wanting to break the seal and do something in my life. I did go travelling. But in this book, it tells the story of Ricky and how little changes help make a better version of yourself.
But I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.
For me, personally it brought back memories of my past, stuck in a rut, wanting to break the seal and do something in my life. I did go travelling. But in this book, it tells the story of Ricky and how little changes help make a better version of yourself.
May 25, 2025
I enjoyed this storyline. The characters were well written and you got a great sense for their personalities. I found the point of view written from man’s viewpoint interesting and enlightening. The author does a great job conveying the feelings of the main character as he navigates his soul searching journey of trying to peace and healing. The story was extremely relatable.
January 19, 2019
It'll take me a while but for sure, I'll post a review.
Update:
I'm in the middle of writing the review I promised but I have a feeling that it's going to be a really long one. So I've decided to post it on my blog once it's finished. I'll share the link here for you guys to have a look at it.
Update:
I'm in the middle of writing the review I promised but I have a feeling that it's going to be a really long one. So I've decided to post it on my blog once it's finished. I'll share the link here for you guys to have a look at it.
January 10, 2020
Boys / mates go on holiday to Vegas, Ricky has just come out of a relationship and this is his chance for a new start this book tells of his adventures about his life & the relationship with his 3 friends - this is enjoyable
October 11, 2024
As a Manchester lad and actually meeting Nick by chance at a book signing, I obviously bought and read this. What a roller coaster of a story. I'm not a massive reader, but trust me you'll enjoy this one. Give it a whirl and enjoy the ride!
June 19, 2025
The fact I read this in 3 days says it all .A few things I connected with , and I am sure many a reader will too .I will be putting a play list together mirroring the list of bands and their songs which is detailed at the end of the book .
May 24, 2019
Highly recommend this, a real page turner, I was transported to Las Vegas, and all the music mentioned is exactly what I love.a fantastic first book and hope there will be another.
March 4, 2021
I won’t lie, I don’t really want to leave a review for this book; however, as part of my 100 reads challenge for 2018 I need to. Let me make it clear as to why the review is a struggle for me. Some months ago now I met the author, who was doing a book signing in my local Tescos. As a soon-to-be-published writer (at the time) I took pity, and stopped for a chat. Of course, I ended up with a copy and since then have been meaning to read the bloomin’ thing.
Over that time, I’ve had a couple of coffees with Mr Cartner (oh, so formal) and we’ve compared war wounds (not least about online reviews). Now, I’m well aware I can be quite a scathing reviewer, but always on the basis that I’m never going to have to face my victim. Which probably says a lot about me – and not in a positive way.
Which just means I need to treat carefully with this one. And probably future ones, if I’m being entirely honest.
Did I love this book? No. I can’t lie – but that’s a personal preference and shouldn’t detract from the story itself, at all. Am I glad I read it? Definitely. It has a lot to recommend it, and Cartner does a fantastic job of bringing his characters, especially Ricky, alive. You feel like they are genuine people, and not just the hairbrained idiotic lads you’d expect on a rowdy trip to Vegas.
That said, and I may well be alone here, I found Ricky to be a bit too much of a whiner. The whole traumatic relationship ending and need to find closure/rebuild confidence/rediscover himself was a little too over-egged for me. However, I say that fully aware I am the one in a group who has the approach that every day above ground is a good one, so quit moaning. If you want lots of cuddles and sympathy, you don’t come to my door.
Ricky would have been told to do one long ago, and I’d have happily driven him to the desert myself.
All that said, he was endearing in a way, and it was interesting to read his journey through his despair (oh so much of it though). Without spoilers, there were some bits that just really grated with me. There were times it felt like I’d stumbled from The Hangover in to 50 Shades of Grey, and as I am, without question, NOT a fan, pointless and overly explicit sex-scenes just really don’t do it for me. Thankfully though, they are very limited!
I shall keep harassing Cartner for the sequel, as I’d love to know what happens next for Ricky. Whilst I didn’t find it to be a riveting read, I can definitely understand why so many other reviewers have.
Really fantastic shot at a debut novel!
Over that time, I’ve had a couple of coffees with Mr Cartner (oh, so formal) and we’ve compared war wounds (not least about online reviews). Now, I’m well aware I can be quite a scathing reviewer, but always on the basis that I’m never going to have to face my victim. Which probably says a lot about me – and not in a positive way.
Which just means I need to treat carefully with this one. And probably future ones, if I’m being entirely honest.
Did I love this book? No. I can’t lie – but that’s a personal preference and shouldn’t detract from the story itself, at all. Am I glad I read it? Definitely. It has a lot to recommend it, and Cartner does a fantastic job of bringing his characters, especially Ricky, alive. You feel like they are genuine people, and not just the hairbrained idiotic lads you’d expect on a rowdy trip to Vegas.
That said, and I may well be alone here, I found Ricky to be a bit too much of a whiner. The whole traumatic relationship ending and need to find closure/rebuild confidence/rediscover himself was a little too over-egged for me. However, I say that fully aware I am the one in a group who has the approach that every day above ground is a good one, so quit moaning. If you want lots of cuddles and sympathy, you don’t come to my door.
Ricky would have been told to do one long ago, and I’d have happily driven him to the desert myself.
All that said, he was endearing in a way, and it was interesting to read his journey through his despair (oh so much of it though). Without spoilers, there were some bits that just really grated with me. There were times it felt like I’d stumbled from The Hangover in to 50 Shades of Grey, and as I am, without question, NOT a fan, pointless and overly explicit sex-scenes just really don’t do it for me. Thankfully though, they are very limited!
I shall keep harassing Cartner for the sequel, as I’d love to know what happens next for Ricky. Whilst I didn’t find it to be a riveting read, I can definitely understand why so many other reviewers have.
Really fantastic shot at a debut novel!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews