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The One You Really Want
It all starts with a shiny, red, riding lawnmower. When Nancy spies her Christmas present from her husband sitting on the lawn, she realises the jewelry she thought was for her must be on someone else. Her best friend Carmen isn't surprised (she never liked Jonathan) and persuades Nancy to leave Edinburgh and come and stay in her luxury London flat -- far too vast for Carmen since her husband, millionaire rock star Spike Todd, died. Soon Nancy's met gorgeous Connor O'Shea, who lives next door, and his daughter Mia is matchmaking -- not least because she'd like to see the back of Connor's current pushy girlfriend. Meanwhile Carmen, who's always been certain she doesn't want another man in her life, feels a spark when a handsome charity worker called Joe calls round. But Joe's not quite all he seems... The one you really want could be closer than you think. A sweet, funny, romantic novel from bestselling author Jill Mansell.
300 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
699 people are currently reading
5866 people want to read
About the author
Jill Mansell
87 books4,899 followersJill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that’s not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and spends hours on the internet marvelling at how many other writers have blogs. Only when she’s completely run out of displacement activities does she write.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
Jill Mansell's books have sold over ten million copies and her titles include: Making your Mind up, Fast Friends, Good at Games, Sheer Mischief and Solo, among many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 488 reviews
December 10, 2024
3.5 Stars.
An enjoyable light read. I knew what the outcome was going to be but there were a few twists and it kept me reading.
An enjoyable light read. I knew what the outcome was going to be but there were a few twists and it kept me reading.
February 13, 2024
I was hooked on this book almost immediately and felt completely part of all the characters' lives.
A really nice sunbed read that is perfect for holidays.
Four stars.
A really nice sunbed read that is perfect for holidays.
Four stars.
June 7, 2019
I want to kick something. This book didn't work at all, and the ending just cobbles together happy endings, that make zero sense when you read what has come before. I am all for happy endings in my romance books, but not with partners who come out of nowhere and or partners that have zero chemistry with the objects of their affection. I kept hoping Mansell would switch things up a bit and have Carmen and Nancy not do what is typical for these types of books, it just doesn't work.
"The One You Really Want" has best friends Nancy and Carmen dealing with Christmas and changes to their lives. Nancy expected that her husband was buying her some fancy jewelry, instead she gets the surprise of her life when she finds out he has been having an affair. Carmen is still grieving the death of her rock star husband, three years later. When her brother-in-law comes to visit (and stay) for the holidays, she finds she is not going to be able to shut the world away anymore.
I wish that Mansell had actually shown Nancy and Carmen hanging out solo more than she did. Instead we have Nancy working, dealing with her mother Rose, and crushing on Carmen's next door neighbor. I wish I had gotten a better sense of her character. She doesn't even care that her husband is cheating on her. She just pops smoke from Edinburgh to go and live with Carmen in her mansion in Chelsea. I don't know if I wanted her sobbing throughout the book, but she's not even grief stricken. And her mother and Carmen tell her how they never liked her husband anyway.
Carmen's story jumped all over the place. She has three love interests in this book and the first one fails miserably and the second is ruined because she lies about her history and how much money she has. It made no sense to me, and I felt annoyed about it. The worst for me is that Mansell has you rooting on one of these guys for most of the book, and throws a third person in the ring for her and it didn't work at all.
Carmen's brother-in-law Reenie did not read as realistic to me at all. He's a rockstar and has a new girl every day it seems, but it stretched realism that he was living with Carmen, Nancy, and Nancy's mom Rose and has zero friends it seems.
Nancy's mother Rose was okay, but not that exciting a character.
We also get the next door neighbor Conner and his 16 year old daughter Mia. I didn't really like Conner and thought him not actually standing up for his daughter more due to his BS relationship was eye-roll inducing. I didn't get why Nancy even liked this guy.
The setting of this book take place over Christmas. What's weird though is it doesn't read like a typical Christmas romance book. Also the book jumps ahead a few months here and there so I don't even know what month things ended on. It was summer I think.
The ending was a bit of a mess. We have Carmen deciding to start a relationship I didn't root for at all and then she fades away from the book. We switch to Nancy and she gets her totally not realistic happy ending too.
"The One You Really Want" has best friends Nancy and Carmen dealing with Christmas and changes to their lives. Nancy expected that her husband was buying her some fancy jewelry, instead she gets the surprise of her life when she finds out he has been having an affair. Carmen is still grieving the death of her rock star husband, three years later. When her brother-in-law comes to visit (and stay) for the holidays, she finds she is not going to be able to shut the world away anymore.
I wish that Mansell had actually shown Nancy and Carmen hanging out solo more than she did. Instead we have Nancy working, dealing with her mother Rose, and crushing on Carmen's next door neighbor. I wish I had gotten a better sense of her character. She doesn't even care that her husband is cheating on her. She just pops smoke from Edinburgh to go and live with Carmen in her mansion in Chelsea. I don't know if I wanted her sobbing throughout the book, but she's not even grief stricken. And her mother and Carmen tell her how they never liked her husband anyway.
Carmen's story jumped all over the place. She has three love interests in this book and the first one fails miserably and the second is ruined because she lies about her history and how much money she has. It made no sense to me, and I felt annoyed about it. The worst for me is that Mansell has you rooting on one of these guys for most of the book, and throws a third person in the ring for her and it didn't work at all.
Carmen's brother-in-law Reenie did not read as realistic to me at all. He's a rockstar and has a new girl every day it seems, but it stretched realism that he was living with Carmen, Nancy, and Nancy's mom Rose and has zero friends it seems.
Nancy's mother Rose was okay, but not that exciting a character.
We also get the next door neighbor Conner and his 16 year old daughter Mia. I didn't really like Conner and thought him not actually standing up for his daughter more due to his BS relationship was eye-roll inducing. I didn't get why Nancy even liked this guy.
The setting of this book take place over Christmas. What's weird though is it doesn't read like a typical Christmas romance book. Also the book jumps ahead a few months here and there so I don't even know what month things ended on. It was summer I think.
The ending was a bit of a mess. We have Carmen deciding to start a relationship I didn't root for at all and then she fades away from the book. We switch to Nancy and she gets her totally not realistic happy ending too.
January 31, 2025
That sort of modern fairy tale in which you take one of more young women (in their twenties or thirties) and put them into trouble.
Their lover or husband is a villain, their boss a rascal, their best friend is good or bad, as the circumstances demand, and so on. Close to the final, an abrupt twist happens and voila the happy-end. So, it's only a matter of how much sugar the author pours into the syrup, this time just a little bit too much, if you ask me.
And yet Rose and Rennie are two beautiful characters...
Their lover or husband is a villain, their boss a rascal, their best friend is good or bad, as the circumstances demand, and so on. Close to the final, an abrupt twist happens and voila the happy-end. So, it's only a matter of how much sugar the author pours into the syrup, this time just a little bit too much, if you ask me.
And yet Rose and Rennie are two beautiful characters...
August 25, 2013
I've just spent three weeks with family in a house by the beach. It was probably a "holiday" more than a holiday, as anyone with children and aged parents will appreciate. But I managed to read a few books, including this one by Jill Mansell.
I spotted this battered paperback in a roadside sale, and thought it would make a good beach read. As much as I adore my kindle, it is not beach friendly. Beaches in this part of the world (Cornwall) are mostly about the activities - surfing or bodyboarding, building sandcastles, clambering over the rocks. But you can sometimes pack the kids off to play in rock pools or build some really elaborate sand structure with newly made friends while you dig the paperback out, brush off the sand and settle in for a read.
Ive read and enjoyed Jill Mansell before and was expecting an enjoyable, undemanding read. And largely I got what I wanted. As I have said before, I prefer the slightly older, more sensible heroines and in this story we have two of them. Nancy is married to a philandering bore, and Carmen is still mourning the death of her rockstar addict husband. Nancy packs in the husband with staggering ease, and moves in with Carmen in her multi million pound Chelsea flat. Various comic scenarios ensue, as Nancy gets a job and develops a crush on her next door neighbour, and Carmen gets back in the dating game.
Although I liked the heroines, they were a little two dimensional. I enjoyed other characters more. Rennie was lovely, and my favourite of the love interests. I couldn't really go for Connor. I enjoyed Mia, Rose and Zac's stories.
All in all, a decent enough read. I wont take it home but instead will leave it on the shelf here for whoever stays next.
I spotted this battered paperback in a roadside sale, and thought it would make a good beach read. As much as I adore my kindle, it is not beach friendly. Beaches in this part of the world (Cornwall) are mostly about the activities - surfing or bodyboarding, building sandcastles, clambering over the rocks. But you can sometimes pack the kids off to play in rock pools or build some really elaborate sand structure with newly made friends while you dig the paperback out, brush off the sand and settle in for a read.
Ive read and enjoyed Jill Mansell before and was expecting an enjoyable, undemanding read. And largely I got what I wanted. As I have said before, I prefer the slightly older, more sensible heroines and in this story we have two of them. Nancy is married to a philandering bore, and Carmen is still mourning the death of her rockstar addict husband. Nancy packs in the husband with staggering ease, and moves in with Carmen in her multi million pound Chelsea flat. Various comic scenarios ensue, as Nancy gets a job and develops a crush on her next door neighbour, and Carmen gets back in the dating game.
Although I liked the heroines, they were a little two dimensional. I enjoyed other characters more. Rennie was lovely, and my favourite of the love interests. I couldn't really go for Connor. I enjoyed Mia, Rose and Zac's stories.
All in all, a decent enough read. I wont take it home but instead will leave it on the shelf here for whoever stays next.
August 10, 2022
Perfect happy chick lit. Exactly what I wanted.
February 24, 2016
Review will be shared when book is released April 2016!
(Hint: I really liked it)
(Hint: I really liked it)
December 24, 2023
This is something that I wouldn't normally read, so I'm probably not going to be able to judge it fairly - but here goes...
The edition I have isn't listed here. The cover has a blue Christmassy vibe. (I'm rotating between these, crime and ghost stories this festive season!)
Whilst the story opens with Nancy discovering her husband is cheating on her when she sees a receipt for some classy jewellery.
Nancy moves in with her best friend Carmen who's ready to move on with her life, having been in mourning for the death of her husband three years ago.
There felt like a lot of characters being introduced and whilst both women were central to the plot, I found my interest wavering.
Pretty forgettable and overly long.
The edition I have isn't listed here. The cover has a blue Christmassy vibe. (I'm rotating between these, crime and ghost stories this festive season!)
Whilst the story opens with Nancy discovering her husband is cheating on her when she sees a receipt for some classy jewellery.
Nancy moves in with her best friend Carmen who's ready to move on with her life, having been in mourning for the death of her husband three years ago.
There felt like a lot of characters being introduced and whilst both women were central to the plot, I found my interest wavering.
Pretty forgettable and overly long.
March 13, 2016
The story begins with Nancy opening a Christmas card from an expensive jewelers addressed to her husband. Assuming he has shopped at the store for her present, she looks forward to Christmas Day, only to be confronted with her gift of...a lawnmower! Enter Nancy's best friend Carmen and her brother in law Rennie, a member of a rock band, who invite her to stay with them and provide her with moral support when she discovers her husband is in fact having an affair. What I loved the best about Nancy's character was the fact that Jill didn't make Nancy your typical woman whose been cheated on. She knew her husband was scum and she didn't have a "Meltdown".
Having lost her husband, Rennie's brother, to a drugs overdose, Carmen is trying to put her life back together, but will it include Joe, the charity worker who was the first to give her butterflies in three years? As the story progresses we get to see Carmen really learn how to move on and as she does she hits many fumbles but her character is so endearing that as the reader I couldn't help to want her to have a "fairy tale" ending.
This is my second book by Jill Mansel whose characters are always so well thought out though and the stories enjoyable. I love the fact that this book had many characters and wasn't just telling a single story but was going back and forth between several different ones. .
From reading some of the reviews on this book, it seems many believed that the ending was predictable but I think the contrary. I couldn't have guessed the ending with all the stories going on. This was light hearted, funny and just a great read to curl up with on a stormy night.
Having lost her husband, Rennie's brother, to a drugs overdose, Carmen is trying to put her life back together, but will it include Joe, the charity worker who was the first to give her butterflies in three years? As the story progresses we get to see Carmen really learn how to move on and as she does she hits many fumbles but her character is so endearing that as the reader I couldn't help to want her to have a "fairy tale" ending.
This is my second book by Jill Mansel whose characters are always so well thought out though and the stories enjoyable. I love the fact that this book had many characters and wasn't just telling a single story but was going back and forth between several different ones. .
From reading some of the reviews on this book, it seems many believed that the ending was predictable but I think the contrary. I couldn't have guessed the ending with all the stories going on. This was light hearted, funny and just a great read to curl up with on a stormy night.
March 13, 2016
4.5 stars! Jill Mansell is sort of a new author for me. However, it's funny, whenever I see her books offered I'm like a kid in a candy store and all excited. I have never been disappointed and so excited to read them. This latest definitely falls into that category. As usual, she has many characters, all with their own story to tell. This one puts together a bunch of them that have a widow of a rock star band in common. They all end up living together in her mega mansion along with a few that live around the area.
It's a great story about finding love or even companionship. The sex is implied for those wondering. And the story is very well written with lovable and likable characters. So much so that you hate saying goodbye to them at the end of the book. The author does such a good job of making them so human like and they seriously begin to become part of your day. I woke this morning wondering what Rose was going to fix for breakfast! And, of course, whether Rennie even made it home last night. It is definitely one of those books that grabs you, brings you in to their lives and holds you there, loving being part of their lives. I was definitely entertained and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
It's a great story about finding love or even companionship. The sex is implied for those wondering. And the story is very well written with lovable and likable characters. So much so that you hate saying goodbye to them at the end of the book. The author does such a good job of making them so human like and they seriously begin to become part of your day. I woke this morning wondering what Rose was going to fix for breakfast! And, of course, whether Rennie even made it home last night. It is definitely one of those books that grabs you, brings you in to their lives and holds you there, loving being part of their lives. I was definitely entertained and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Thanks to Sourcebooks for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
December 12, 2018
3.5 steluțe. Nu-i rea pentru o carte din categoria asta. Am râs de multe ori, m-am relaxat și m-am atașat puțin de Rennie. Ar fi fost și mai drăguță lectura, dacă autoare aar fi scurtat povestea cu 100 de pagini. Cred că ar fi (și) mai savurată de o femeie cu probleme în dragoste. De citit în weekend, de uitat luni.
February 6, 2020
Niet het beste werk van deze auteur . Ik zou dit 3 en een halve sterren geven wanneer dat kon .
May 27, 2024
The mark of a successful author is apparent when their books are published and republished and Jill Mansell is such an author. This book was originally published in 2004, but I received a new copy in 2016. I am kicking myself for taking so long to read it as this book was fabulous.
This story is full of unique characters with vibrant personalities who all contribute to this story in different ways. At first glance, a reader may be put off by so many characters, all with their own voices and back stories, but it works beautifully here. I couldn’t pick a favorite character as they all wormed their way into my heart. These are people I would choose to spend my free time with and enjoy every minute of it. No story is complete without some vile characters and Jill Mansell doesn’t disappoint here either. Additionally, she includes some characters I didn’t care for at all but surprised me and turned out to be likable.
I love a book that makes me feel all the feels while anticipating what will happen next, and The One You Really Want delivers on all levels. This book offers romance, humor, apprehension, annoyance, grief and fear as I witnessed first-hand what these characters endure. I felt great empathy for them, crying in commiseration with them and laughing and cheering them on.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and women’s fiction as well as readers who enjoy stories that are character driven with people who come from various walks of life, societal statuses and wealth and poverty levels to remind us that first impressions might matter but if you don’t delve deeper, you may miss out on knowing some amazing people.
Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
This story is full of unique characters with vibrant personalities who all contribute to this story in different ways. At first glance, a reader may be put off by so many characters, all with their own voices and back stories, but it works beautifully here. I couldn’t pick a favorite character as they all wormed their way into my heart. These are people I would choose to spend my free time with and enjoy every minute of it. No story is complete without some vile characters and Jill Mansell doesn’t disappoint here either. Additionally, she includes some characters I didn’t care for at all but surprised me and turned out to be likable.
I love a book that makes me feel all the feels while anticipating what will happen next, and The One You Really Want delivers on all levels. This book offers romance, humor, apprehension, annoyance, grief and fear as I witnessed first-hand what these characters endure. I felt great empathy for them, crying in commiseration with them and laughing and cheering them on.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers of contemporary romance and women’s fiction as well as readers who enjoy stories that are character driven with people who come from various walks of life, societal statuses and wealth and poverty levels to remind us that first impressions might matter but if you don’t delve deeper, you may miss out on knowing some amazing people.
Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
December 31, 2025
3.75 stars. The tag line for this book is “The prefect Christmas gift could be closer than you think…”, but it’s not a Christmas story at all. I was wondering why people were smoking in restaurants, but the book is from 2005. Also, why does the dog eat chocolate and not get sick? Still a very enjoyable read.
April 24, 2021
Não sei muito bem o que dizer desta obra. Por um lado é muito ao estilo de Jill, tanto que mesmo que não tivesse capa saberia identificar o toque desta em toda a história e em toda a caracterização das personagens, mas por outro contínuo a não ser muito apologista das personagens só acabarem juntas mesmo no final e que os sentimentos do exemplar masculino sejam tão difíceis de identificar ou até de perceber. Aqui conseguimos estar bastante facilmente em consonância com Nancy. Ela própria não se apercebe dos sentimentos de Connor por ela.
Em relação às outras obras talvez considere que esta é bastante soft. Temos sempre a contribuição de outras personagens, como de Mia ou de Joe ou até da namorada de Connor. Gostei bastante da contribuição gay - dá sempre aquela diversidade e toque divertido.
Em relação a Jonathan - detestei-o! E aqui Jill Mansell conseguiu o que queria.
Mas, o que mais me marcou nesta história, foi o facto de desde o inicio me ter identificado e focado na personagem Carmen e não na Nancy. Confesso que todo aquele enlace com Joe não me cativou muito, mas depois... Adorei e torci sempre pelo cunhado!
Em relação às outras obras talvez considere que esta é bastante soft. Temos sempre a contribuição de outras personagens, como de Mia ou de Joe ou até da namorada de Connor. Gostei bastante da contribuição gay - dá sempre aquela diversidade e toque divertido.
Em relação a Jonathan - detestei-o! E aqui Jill Mansell conseguiu o que queria.
Mas, o que mais me marcou nesta história, foi o facto de desde o inicio me ter identificado e focado na personagem Carmen e não na Nancy. Confesso que todo aquele enlace com Joe não me cativou muito, mas depois... Adorei e torci sempre pelo cunhado!
November 25, 2014
Nancy opens a Christmas card from an expensive jewelers addressed to her husband. Assuming he has shopped at the store for her present, she looks forward to Christmas Day, only to be confronted with her gift of...a lawnmower! Enter Nancy's best friend Carmen and her brother in law Rennie, a member of a rock band, who invite her to stay with them and provide her with moral support when she discovers her husband is in fact having an affair.
Having lost her husband, Rennie's brother, to a drugs overdose, Carmen is trying to put her life back together, but will it include Joe, the charity worker who has set Carmen's heart racing again or someone closer to home?
A short way through this story, I remembered I'd actually read it before but never reviewed it, Jill's characters are always so well thought out though and the stories enjoyable so I carried on reading it. Yes, the outcome is a little predictable, but it is still a feel good, light hearted romance that you need on your chick lit shelf.
Having lost her husband, Rennie's brother, to a drugs overdose, Carmen is trying to put her life back together, but will it include Joe, the charity worker who has set Carmen's heart racing again or someone closer to home?
A short way through this story, I remembered I'd actually read it before but never reviewed it, Jill's characters are always so well thought out though and the stories enjoyable so I carried on reading it. Yes, the outcome is a little predictable, but it is still a feel good, light hearted romance that you need on your chick lit shelf.
February 23, 2016
Jill Mansell writes English like you only hear in the uk which might be fun for some, but honestly annoys me after a while. One of the characters says "Pet" to everyone and by the end I was pretty darn sick of it.
The characters are fun, but that's really all they are. They're not really deep, fleshed out characters. They're just there, the most description you get is hair colour which could be fun in a book that has your imagination running but here only made it harder to envision the story.
On top of that a lot of the book felt like it was just filler to make the book longer. If I were a speed-reader maybe I'd have enjoyed it a bit more but after countless of things happening for me to go "What was that even there for?" I'm happy to have finally finished.
That being said, it's a jolly book, not about anything serious so alright for a calm relaxed read. Or a boring read. However you want to see it.
The characters are fun, but that's really all they are. They're not really deep, fleshed out characters. They're just there, the most description you get is hair colour which could be fun in a book that has your imagination running but here only made it harder to envision the story.
On top of that a lot of the book felt like it was just filler to make the book longer. If I were a speed-reader maybe I'd have enjoyed it a bit more but after countless of things happening for me to go "What was that even there for?" I'm happy to have finally finished.
That being said, it's a jolly book, not about anything serious so alright for a calm relaxed read. Or a boring read. However you want to see it.
April 11, 2016
Reading a Jill Mansell book is like returning to an old friend. She writes chick lit so well and I know, for the most part, that I'm going to enjoy reading her novels. This one I enjoyed very much. I liked all the characters--Nancy, Carmen, Mia, Conner, Rennie, and especially Rose. I enjoyed their romantic disastrous lives:) I felt that their stories were very real and done with hope and humor. That's what I like about Mansell's books, you feel as though her characters are real and these situations could happen. Another light-hearted romp from one of my favorites of this genre.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2018
4.5 stars.
This is one of those books that I am sure is enhanced by being narrated. And I really enjoyed the narrator's interpretation, she and of course Jill Mansell had me chuckling often as I listened. Full of varied characters with various but similar challenges, there was nothing to dislike and all to enjoy. With of course the perfect satisfying ending. Some might say predictable, but then that's what I like in a book! A happy ending.
This is one of those books that I am sure is enhanced by being narrated. And I really enjoyed the narrator's interpretation, she and of course Jill Mansell had me chuckling often as I listened. Full of varied characters with various but similar challenges, there was nothing to dislike and all to enjoy. With of course the perfect satisfying ending. Some might say predictable, but then that's what I like in a book! A happy ending.
September 27, 2020
Adoro a personagem de Nancy e a sua própria evolução nesta história e também da sua amiga Carmem em que ainda está a lidar com a morte do seu marido, que era uma estrela do rock e acaba por se sentir muito sozinha, porque compreende-se perdeu a sua companhia...
Opinião completa em:
http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
Opinião completa em:
http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
May 21, 2016
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2016/04/review-...
Favorite Quote:
“Don’t you like parties?”
“The last party I went to, I came face-to-face with my husband’s mistress.”
“Then this one will be much better.”
Carmen lost her husband three years ago. Since then she has merely been going through the motions of life. Her brother in law, Rennie, decides to pop in at Christmas on the excuse he is taking a break, but in reality, he thinks it’s time for Carman to start living again. When Carmen’s best friend Nancy thinks her husband is cheating on her, Carmen and Rennie head down to her house, help her discover the truth, and bring her and her mother, Rose, back to London with them for a little R&R.
Once back in London, Nancy and Carmen find themselves looking for love in all the wrong places while rediscovering pieces of themselves in an attempt to put their lives back together once and for all.
The One You Really Want is classic Mansell with it’s light hearted humor, outrageous situations, clever, witty, dialogue, and lovely romantic tones. This particular title is a reprint. It was originally published in 2006. Unlike her later novels where the focus remains steady on one couple’s romantic journey with various secondary characters added to amplify the message(s) being given, this one chooses to focus on two women who are each dealing with a life altering experience. Mansell uses these two best friends to provide an interesting look at the various types of relationships we forge in life as they both decide to take a chance on life and love again with a few pitfalls along the way.
I enjoyed this one far more than I thought I would. The biggest draw of Mansell’s writing is her characters. She infuses a sense of realism into their personalities and situations; allowing you to connect intimately with them. They make bad decisions, say dumb things, and act inappropriately at times. Just like all of us. You’re never really sure what these engaging people are going do or where they will end up until the very the end. There are actually three main storylines in here that intertwine. Each one is given equal time with no sacrifices to the others. Any love scenes are completely off page but the story is strong enough without them.
Carmen and Nancy are delightful women whose intelligence, wit, and general love of life keeps the story flowing smoothly as we are pulled into their wake. I loved that Nancy isn’t given a fatalist attitude because her husband cheated on her. She knows it wasn’t her fault and doesn’t blame herself in any form or fashion. She dusts herself off and prepares rather easily for the next stage of her life. Finding her way proves harder than she imagines when her crush friend-zones her and she is inadvertently dragged into her boss’s turbulent love life.
Carmen’s issues run a little deeper. She and her husband had been together since they were teenagers. He was the love of her life. His rise to fame in a rock band and subsequent descent into drugs, which led to his death, left her in a precarious position. Her drowning grief was compounded by her vulnerability. Her wealth and her husband’s fame leave her with few to rely on for comfort and she finds herself unable and unwilling to move on. She is forced to lie about her wealth and identity, creating a barrier that works against her when she is ready to finally be free.
The secondary characters add delicious snarkiness and humor as they all scramble to find their place in this often capricious world. I laughed more than once at the dynamics between Rennie (Carmen’s brother in law) and Nancy’s mother, Rose. They could give Vegas a run for it’s money with their quirky and fast hitting one liners. A neighbor and his teenage daughter will leave you rolling your eyes affectionately as he struggles with becoming a full-time parent, a jealous girlfriend, and his daughter’s outrageous attempts at matchmaking. There are some bittersweet moments as Mansell divulges into the lengths one goes to keep family happy. Some fun misunderstandings only add to the overall appeal of these crazy, mad Brits.
Multiple storylines run rapid throughout here, each one seemingly random but the ties that bind them all together become increasingly more visible as we move closer to the conclusion. Various characters are at impasse in their own individual relationships and Mansell does an excellent job of showing us that sometimes we need to ride out the storm before the calm sets in order to make sure we are able to handle what life has to offer us.
The One You Really Want is a fun, quick read that hits all the right spots; humor and romance wise. Even with the multiple storylines and influx of characters, you aren’t left feeling overwhelmed or confused by what’s happening. Mansell easily captures the spontaneity of the characters and smoothly takes us from one situation to another with no bumps or lag time. The conclusion is sweet and fulfilling as Mansell wrap-ups the loose ties and gives everyone the answers they had been seeking the whole time. My only disappointment was that we weren’t able to see beyond the initial happy for now. Everything wraps up rather fast and then abruptly ends.
Grade: B
Favorite Quote:
“Don’t you like parties?”
“The last party I went to, I came face-to-face with my husband’s mistress.”
“Then this one will be much better.”
Carmen lost her husband three years ago. Since then she has merely been going through the motions of life. Her brother in law, Rennie, decides to pop in at Christmas on the excuse he is taking a break, but in reality, he thinks it’s time for Carman to start living again. When Carmen’s best friend Nancy thinks her husband is cheating on her, Carmen and Rennie head down to her house, help her discover the truth, and bring her and her mother, Rose, back to London with them for a little R&R.
Once back in London, Nancy and Carmen find themselves looking for love in all the wrong places while rediscovering pieces of themselves in an attempt to put their lives back together once and for all.
The One You Really Want is classic Mansell with it’s light hearted humor, outrageous situations, clever, witty, dialogue, and lovely romantic tones. This particular title is a reprint. It was originally published in 2006. Unlike her later novels where the focus remains steady on one couple’s romantic journey with various secondary characters added to amplify the message(s) being given, this one chooses to focus on two women who are each dealing with a life altering experience. Mansell uses these two best friends to provide an interesting look at the various types of relationships we forge in life as they both decide to take a chance on life and love again with a few pitfalls along the way.
I enjoyed this one far more than I thought I would. The biggest draw of Mansell’s writing is her characters. She infuses a sense of realism into their personalities and situations; allowing you to connect intimately with them. They make bad decisions, say dumb things, and act inappropriately at times. Just like all of us. You’re never really sure what these engaging people are going do or where they will end up until the very the end. There are actually three main storylines in here that intertwine. Each one is given equal time with no sacrifices to the others. Any love scenes are completely off page but the story is strong enough without them.
Carmen and Nancy are delightful women whose intelligence, wit, and general love of life keeps the story flowing smoothly as we are pulled into their wake. I loved that Nancy isn’t given a fatalist attitude because her husband cheated on her. She knows it wasn’t her fault and doesn’t blame herself in any form or fashion. She dusts herself off and prepares rather easily for the next stage of her life. Finding her way proves harder than she imagines when her crush friend-zones her and she is inadvertently dragged into her boss’s turbulent love life.
Carmen’s issues run a little deeper. She and her husband had been together since they were teenagers. He was the love of her life. His rise to fame in a rock band and subsequent descent into drugs, which led to his death, left her in a precarious position. Her drowning grief was compounded by her vulnerability. Her wealth and her husband’s fame leave her with few to rely on for comfort and she finds herself unable and unwilling to move on. She is forced to lie about her wealth and identity, creating a barrier that works against her when she is ready to finally be free.
The secondary characters add delicious snarkiness and humor as they all scramble to find their place in this often capricious world. I laughed more than once at the dynamics between Rennie (Carmen’s brother in law) and Nancy’s mother, Rose. They could give Vegas a run for it’s money with their quirky and fast hitting one liners. A neighbor and his teenage daughter will leave you rolling your eyes affectionately as he struggles with becoming a full-time parent, a jealous girlfriend, and his daughter’s outrageous attempts at matchmaking. There are some bittersweet moments as Mansell divulges into the lengths one goes to keep family happy. Some fun misunderstandings only add to the overall appeal of these crazy, mad Brits.
Multiple storylines run rapid throughout here, each one seemingly random but the ties that bind them all together become increasingly more visible as we move closer to the conclusion. Various characters are at impasse in their own individual relationships and Mansell does an excellent job of showing us that sometimes we need to ride out the storm before the calm sets in order to make sure we are able to handle what life has to offer us.
The One You Really Want is a fun, quick read that hits all the right spots; humor and romance wise. Even with the multiple storylines and influx of characters, you aren’t left feeling overwhelmed or confused by what’s happening. Mansell easily captures the spontaneity of the characters and smoothly takes us from one situation to another with no bumps or lag time. The conclusion is sweet and fulfilling as Mansell wrap-ups the loose ties and gives everyone the answers they had been seeking the whole time. My only disappointment was that we weren’t able to see beyond the initial happy for now. Everything wraps up rather fast and then abruptly ends.
Grade: B
August 28, 2023
This novel was the perfect antidote to a heavy and emotional read. Love the characters Mansell incorporates. Her novels always remind me of a mix between Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes and Kristan Higgins. There’s some zany ones but they’re always fun and will have you cheering for them. If you haven’t read one of her books before but you enjoy Sophie Kinsella, you’re in for a treat.
April 2, 2016
**Thank you so much to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing me a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley for the purposes of review**
*3.5/5
Jill Mansell has a way of writing books that I enjoy: the ones with which I can just curl up on a chair and know that I'm going to smile.
And that is just what I got with The One You Really Want, which brings me older, more sensible heroines than the ones targeted at my usual age demographic (i.e. New Adult). I love these older heroines, the ones who have some life experience behind them and are often thrust into situations that, to any reader, can seem familiar: Nancy discovers her husband is cheating on her, and Carmen is a widow, still mourning the death of her own husband to a drug overdose. While I myself have never experienced either of these things, I know people who have, which means I curl myself around Nancy and Carmen protectively, ready to hope that they find happiness.
Per the usual work of Mansell, The One You Really Want is full of comedic scenarios as these two ladies get back into the dating game, but more importantly, they get back into the game of "life" -- these characters have had their worlds metaphorically crumble apart. They have to decide whether or not to pick up the pieces or just walk over them and start building something else with new materials.
All in all, One what I wanted from Mansell: fun, funny, sweet, and pleased that I discovered this author's charming works in the first place. It wasn't my favourite, but it still made me smile.
*3.5/5
Jill Mansell has a way of writing books that I enjoy: the ones with which I can just curl up on a chair and know that I'm going to smile.
And that is just what I got with The One You Really Want, which brings me older, more sensible heroines than the ones targeted at my usual age demographic (i.e. New Adult). I love these older heroines, the ones who have some life experience behind them and are often thrust into situations that, to any reader, can seem familiar: Nancy discovers her husband is cheating on her, and Carmen is a widow, still mourning the death of her own husband to a drug overdose. While I myself have never experienced either of these things, I know people who have, which means I curl myself around Nancy and Carmen protectively, ready to hope that they find happiness.
Per the usual work of Mansell, The One You Really Want is full of comedic scenarios as these two ladies get back into the dating game, but more importantly, they get back into the game of "life" -- these characters have had their worlds metaphorically crumble apart. They have to decide whether or not to pick up the pieces or just walk over them and start building something else with new materials.
All in all, One what I wanted from Mansell: fun, funny, sweet, and pleased that I discovered this author's charming works in the first place. It wasn't my favourite, but it still made me smile.
Read
September 27, 2014I got this as a freebie for my Kindle, and I'm afraid I skimmed about the last third, so I can't rate it.
This book was written a while ago (ten years), so I assume that Ms Mansell has changed a lot in the intervening years. This story was a bit too predictably cosy for me, and the characters way too twee. I could see while I was reading it what people liked about it. I liked the multi-stranded story-line, the changing points of view, the fact that the characters had lots of downs as well as ups, but it was all kind of light for me. Take Carmen, for example, whose husband died of an overdose three years ago. She would have had a lot of baggage when she started seeing other men, but what we see is not the emotional stuff, but the fact that she's rich. And then she falls for her dead husband's brother, and the weirdness of that is dealt with in one line - Spike would have approved. Ditto, for example the fact that gay Zac is finally forced out of the cupboard by irritating sixteen year old Mia (who IMHO needed a good slap). His father just smiles and smacks his back. End of. The only time there was real drama and emotion was when Doreen the dog was kidnapped.
As I said, I get why people like this book and Ms Mansell's other books. I think maybe I was just expecting the wrong sort of thing, but this one didn't work for me.
This book was written a while ago (ten years), so I assume that Ms Mansell has changed a lot in the intervening years. This story was a bit too predictably cosy for me, and the characters way too twee. I could see while I was reading it what people liked about it. I liked the multi-stranded story-line, the changing points of view, the fact that the characters had lots of downs as well as ups, but it was all kind of light for me. Take Carmen, for example, whose husband died of an overdose three years ago. She would have had a lot of baggage when she started seeing other men, but what we see is not the emotional stuff, but the fact that she's rich. And then she falls for her dead husband's brother, and the weirdness of that is dealt with in one line - Spike would have approved. Ditto, for example the fact that gay Zac is finally forced out of the cupboard by irritating sixteen year old Mia (who IMHO needed a good slap). His father just smiles and smacks his back. End of. The only time there was real drama and emotion was when Doreen the dog was kidnapped.
As I said, I get why people like this book and Ms Mansell's other books. I think maybe I was just expecting the wrong sort of thing, but this one didn't work for me.
August 20, 2025
This somewhat cosy modern romance novel goes up to Edinburgh and down to London, meets married, separated, widowed and single women of three generations and mixes them up with some fun characters in the way of men. The emphasis is on the personal, not a struggle to survive. Women are shown as having identities outside marriage and an ability to adapt. The multi-stranded story carries warnings as well as romances.
Men round out the cast; there is the possibly philandering husband, the perhaps too keen ordinary bloke of lesser status, the nicely normal guy who made a mint by running a chain of gyms for people who want to socialise rather than be sporty, the arty lad who is into women's fashion, and my favourite, the also refreshingly normal incognito rock star brother. My favourite lady is the grandmother whose hobby, knitting, is worth a lot more than she realises until she visits London.
This book was first released in 2004 and I'm all in favour of re-releasing for a digital readership.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley for an unbiased review.
Men round out the cast; there is the possibly philandering husband, the perhaps too keen ordinary bloke of lesser status, the nicely normal guy who made a mint by running a chain of gyms for people who want to socialise rather than be sporty, the arty lad who is into women's fashion, and my favourite, the also refreshingly normal incognito rock star brother. My favourite lady is the grandmother whose hobby, knitting, is worth a lot more than she realises until she visits London.
This book was first released in 2004 and I'm all in favour of re-releasing for a digital readership.
I downloaded a copy from Net Galley for an unbiased review.
January 18, 2011
Devorei este livro numa tarde, é super divertido. Mas tem alguns senãos...
Agora, os senãos:
Que final tão horrível, sem mais palavras que o possam descrever.
Ficou tudo em aberto!
Odiei este final...desiludiu-me muito, porque com o andamento do livro, achava mesmo que ia haver ali finalidade, porque gosto de livros que tenham fim.
Será que fui eu que li mal as últimas páginas? Até fiquei incrédula. Não acontece nada de nada entre os parzinhos...
Rennie e Carmen - Nancy e Connor- Rose e William
Bem, que chatice, gostei tanto do livro que nem acredito que não acabou em beleza.
Diverti-me à grande com o livro todo para depois chegar ao fim e ...PUF. lá se foi o entusiasmo.
Queria mesmo apostar nesta autora, mas se os finais dela forem todos assim, não me parece.
(Entretanto, já experimentei mais 2 dela e foi a safa. Conseguiu virar a maré.)
Agora, os senãos:
Que final tão horrível, sem mais palavras que o possam descrever.
Ficou tudo em aberto!
Odiei este final...desiludiu-me muito, porque com o andamento do livro, achava mesmo que ia haver ali finalidade, porque gosto de livros que tenham fim.
Será que fui eu que li mal as últimas páginas? Até fiquei incrédula. Não acontece nada de nada entre os parzinhos...
Rennie e Carmen - Nancy e Connor- Rose e William
Bem, que chatice, gostei tanto do livro que nem acredito que não acabou em beleza.
Diverti-me à grande com o livro todo para depois chegar ao fim e ...PUF. lá se foi o entusiasmo.
Queria mesmo apostar nesta autora, mas se os finais dela forem todos assim, não me parece.
(Entretanto, já experimentei mais 2 dela e foi a safa. Conseguiu virar a maré.)
May 8, 2016
I read this for review at All About Romance and gave it a B+, so 4 1/2 stars. I wrote:
I generally read each new book by Jill Mansell within a few days of release, so I was very excited when this appeared on the review list. I was less excited when I discovered it’s a reissue, but ended up quickly captivated, enjoying both the story and the characters. However, if you’re looking for a straightforward romance this isn’t going to suit. Ms. Mansell slowly adds a large number of characters into the story, interweaving their lives in a variety of ways. Rather than a single hero and heroine we have two clear heroines, and until near the end it’s not certain just who each of them will end up with at the end.
For more of my review go here: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
I generally read each new book by Jill Mansell within a few days of release, so I was very excited when this appeared on the review list. I was less excited when I discovered it’s a reissue, but ended up quickly captivated, enjoying both the story and the characters. However, if you’re looking for a straightforward romance this isn’t going to suit. Ms. Mansell slowly adds a large number of characters into the story, interweaving their lives in a variety of ways. Rather than a single hero and heroine we have two clear heroines, and until near the end it’s not certain just who each of them will end up with at the end.
For more of my review go here: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
December 2, 2012
Another good read by Jill Mansell. I love the way her stories meander. Just like in real life, sh*t happens, lol. My particular favorites are Rose and Rennie. They play off each other perfectly. Too bad Rennie does not go for older women*wink,wink. Fortunately, Rennie does end up with the woman he loves,and naturally Nancy, Carmen and Connor all find their true loves also. It is reading about their pairings up with Mr/Ms Wrong along the way that is so much fun.
October 1, 2016
I enjoyed this book because it was a story about a group of friends putting their lives back together and starting over after some tragic circumstances. I liked how the characters were there for their friends in the good times and the bad times.
October 5, 2024
I still think Nancy and Connor deserved more attention in this book, compared to Carmen and Rennie
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