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Helen Grey #1
Fourteen Days Later
Fourteen Days Later was short listed for the Harry Bowling Prize 2008 and received a Highly Commended by the Yeovil Literary Prize 2009. It is a romantic comedy with a unique infusion of British and Turkish Cypriot culture. Written in a similar style to Marian Keyes, it is My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets Bridget Jones.
When accident-prone Helen Grey finds a thong stuffed into the pocket of her boyfriend's best work trousers, it's time for her to move on. His excuse that he needed to dust the photocopier and just thought that it was a rag sounds like a lame excuse.
Helen's life is propelled in an unexpected direction after her best friend, Ayshe, sets her a fourteen-day, life-changing challenge. Helen receives a task everyday which she must complete without question. The tasks are designed to build her confidence and boost her self-esteem but all they seem to do is push her closer to Ayshe's brother, Kalem.
How will Kalem and Helen get together when she's too foolish to realize that she loves him? How can he fall for her when he is too busy falling prey to her mishaps and too in love with his own perfect girlfriend? How will Kalem's Turkish Cypriot family react when they find out?
Is it really possible to change your life in fourteen days?
When accident-prone Helen Grey finds a thong stuffed into the pocket of her boyfriend's best work trousers, it's time for her to move on. His excuse that he needed to dust the photocopier and just thought that it was a rag sounds like a lame excuse.
Helen's life is propelled in an unexpected direction after her best friend, Ayshe, sets her a fourteen-day, life-changing challenge. Helen receives a task everyday which she must complete without question. The tasks are designed to build her confidence and boost her self-esteem but all they seem to do is push her closer to Ayshe's brother, Kalem.
How will Kalem and Helen get together when she's too foolish to realize that she loves him? How can he fall for her when he is too busy falling prey to her mishaps and too in love with his own perfect girlfriend? How will Kalem's Turkish Cypriot family react when they find out?
Is it really possible to change your life in fourteen days?
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2009
101 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
About the author
Sibel Hodge
55 books926 followersSibel Hodge is the author of the #1 Bestsellers Look Behind You, Untouchable, and Duplicity. Her books have sold over one million copies and are international bestsellers in the UK, USA, Australia, France, Canada and Germany. She writes in an eclectic mix of genres, and is a passionate human and animal rights advocate.
Her work has been nominated and shortlisted for numerous prizes, including the Harry Bowling Prize, the Yeovil Literary Prize, the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition, The Romance Reviews’ prize for Best Novel with Romantic Elements and Indie Book Bargains’ Best Indie Book of 2012 in two categories. She was the winner of Best Children’s Book in the 2013 eFestival of Words; nominated for the 2015 BigAl’s Books and Pals Young Adult Readers’ Choice Award; winner of the Crime, Thrillers & Mystery Book from a Series Award in the SpaSpa Book Awards 2013; winner of the Readers’ Favorite Young Adult (Coming of Age) Honorable award in 2015; a New Adult finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s International Digital Awards 2015, and 2017 International Thriller Writers Award finalist for Best E-book Original Novel. Her novella Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave has been listed as one of the top forty books about human rights by Accredited Online Colleges.
For Sibel’s latest book releases, giveaways and gossip, sign up to her newsletter at www.sibelhodge.com/contact-followme.php.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
September 19, 2015
What a really funny fantastic book! Loved it. (audible whispersync review)
Oh my, this book was so much fun to listen to. I absolutely loved it. Oh Helen Gray is a riot. Love all her antics and mishaps she gets herself into. The challenges were hysterical. She was an absolute delight to get to know. And I really loved Kalem too. He was so easy going and was always there it seemed.
This is sort of a romance story, but seemed more of her getting out of her funk of getting dumped, albeit by a loser. Her attraction to Kalem was slow and so believable. I really enjoyed these two together. There is no sex in this book and is very clean.
There was so much fantastic dialogue throughout the entire book. It was fantastic too. So many LOL moments. I am not usually a fan of books written in the first person. But this one is so well written, I don't think it would have been as good written any other way.
Great writing by the author. British chick lit is just so much fun.
As for the narration. It was fantastic. I love Fiona Hardingham. She does such a great job on everybody's voice including the mens. And her reading voice is fantastic.
If you are looking for a fun entertaining LOL book this is it for sure! I do hope the other books in this series show up on audible.
I got this on sale as whispersync for 1.99 and it really was worth a credit or the dollars.
Oh my, this book was so much fun to listen to. I absolutely loved it. Oh Helen Gray is a riot. Love all her antics and mishaps she gets herself into. The challenges were hysterical. She was an absolute delight to get to know. And I really loved Kalem too. He was so easy going and was always there it seemed.
This is sort of a romance story, but seemed more of her getting out of her funk of getting dumped, albeit by a loser. Her attraction to Kalem was slow and so believable. I really enjoyed these two together. There is no sex in this book and is very clean.
There was so much fantastic dialogue throughout the entire book. It was fantastic too. So many LOL moments. I am not usually a fan of books written in the first person. But this one is so well written, I don't think it would have been as good written any other way.
Great writing by the author. British chick lit is just so much fun.
As for the narration. It was fantastic. I love Fiona Hardingham. She does such a great job on everybody's voice including the mens. And her reading voice is fantastic.
If you are looking for a fun entertaining LOL book this is it for sure! I do hope the other books in this series show up on audible.
I got this on sale as whispersync for 1.99 and it really was worth a credit or the dollars.
December 8, 2011
I can always rely on this author for a humorous and enjoyable book. I love the British wit and all around fun characters that you can't help but laugh at and with throughout the story. And of course where would we be with out a little love thrown in.
February 3, 2020
I liked the idea of the story but there were too many slapstick mishaps for it to be credible for me. I do like a laugh but sometimes the humour was bordering on childish, eg the way the gym questionnaire was completed and the reference to "the only thing I caught fishing was a used condom"
I did really want to like this book but the stereotyping of some of the other characters (or walk-on types) in the book were quite annoying too, eg (and these are not my opinions) "Fat Americans", "Japanese Tourists doing David Bailey impressions" and the gay neighbour/friend who was obsessed with sex and the colour pink. And the referencing of non-characters was quite childish too, eg Mr Piercings.
Also some of the reactions in the sticky-situations were OTT - the way the security guards manhandled her and touched her boobs when accusing her of shoplifting before going back to the office to search her bags for any tags that had been left on - they would ask to look in her shopping bags first at the door. And the way that 999 was called for the knicker stealing incident - you would get into trouble for wasting police time if you did that in real life!
So, I think unless you can look past the attempts at humour in the style of a 12 year old girl then you should maybe give this book a wide berth.
I did really want to like this book but the stereotyping of some of the other characters (or walk-on types) in the book were quite annoying too, eg (and these are not my opinions) "Fat Americans", "Japanese Tourists doing David Bailey impressions" and the gay neighbour/friend who was obsessed with sex and the colour pink. And the referencing of non-characters was quite childish too, eg Mr Piercings.
Also some of the reactions in the sticky-situations were OTT - the way the security guards manhandled her and touched her boobs when accusing her of shoplifting before going back to the office to search her bags for any tags that had been left on - they would ask to look in her shopping bags first at the door. And the way that 999 was called for the knicker stealing incident - you would get into trouble for wasting police time if you did that in real life!
So, I think unless you can look past the attempts at humour in the style of a 12 year old girl then you should maybe give this book a wide berth.
July 2, 2020
The premise of this book is such fun. A challenge a day for two weeks, to turn Helen's life around after a breakup and open her to new experiences. Plus the fact that her best friend and her best friend's omnipresent brother are Turkish Cypriots, which is unusual.
Unfortunately it has not aged well. I am not a big supporter of the politically correct, but the book is just full of fat-shaming, skinny-shaming, several occasions where people are called "ugly", stereotypes of librarians wearing cardigans and looking boring. And the stereotypes of different nationalities too :( Plus the atrocious picture of Charlie, the gay neighbour, who is excessively camp and over-the-top, dressed in pink and talking about penises. The scene at the nude model painting was painful.
Maybe this passed when the book was written, but it's really too clumsy and awkward nowadays. Disappointing.
Unfortunately it has not aged well. I am not a big supporter of the politically correct, but the book is just full of fat-shaming, skinny-shaming, several occasions where people are called "ugly", stereotypes of librarians wearing cardigans and looking boring. And the stereotypes of different nationalities too :( Plus the atrocious picture of Charlie, the gay neighbour, who is excessively camp and over-the-top, dressed in pink and talking about penises. The scene at the nude model painting was painful.
Maybe this passed when the book was written, but it's really too clumsy and awkward nowadays. Disappointing.
April 27, 2011
Sibel Hodge outdid herself with this delightful tale. Helen, the star of our story, is on a fourteen day challenge to take her life back. The antics that she gets into during this challenge had me laughing out loud!! Helen is a mix of Becky from the Shopaholic books, Bridget Jones, and Stephanie Plum. I cannot wait to buy more books from this author!! Any reader that loves comedy and chick-lit needs to read this immediately!!!!
November 3, 2024
Very funny and immediately puts you in a good mood.
I think if you like Bridget Jones, you'll also like Helen Grey 🙂🙃🙂
I think if you like Bridget Jones, you'll also like Helen Grey 🙂🙃🙂
March 15, 2011
The book’s funny tone pulled me right into the story. The main character telling the story is quite hilarious and down-to-earth. I didn’t realize when I bought this book that it was in modern day Brittan which explains all the different expletives and odd words for everyday things. Their different vernacular made it a little hard to read.
I liked the main character. She was real, heartfelt, genuine, a basket-case, clumsy, and a total mess. This challenge was definitely something she needed. I wondered if she would be the same person after that 14 days had she not done the challenge? No definitely not. It probably would have taken her years to get to that revelation.
All the characters where different and totally extreme. The over-the-top gay neighbor, the extremely Christian friend, to name a few. Helen’s best friend Ayshe was about the only normal person in the bunch and even she was interesting and quirky. But the characters seemed a little too cliché.
The story was like a wild roller coaster ride of crazy mishap after silly slip-ups. I just hope there aren’t real people out there that do stuff she did—walk around with her skirt tucked in her underwear, swim with a boob hanging out, trip all the time, get arrested by accident. This girl was a mess! With the amount of crazy things in this book, it began to be not quite believable. This could not have possibly happened in a 14 day period. But it was all quite funny. I loved how she filled out her gym membership… I definitely LOL for that part.
The story was totally predictable and I couldn’t wait until the satisfying ending of seeing them together. The whole story was mixed together like a big cake, baked, frosted, and then the end came it was like I got one forkful. I was not satisfied by the ending. It was disappointing that we only see like five minutes of them together. Where’s the reward for reading about disaster after disaster?
RATING:
I enjoyed the book but can’t say it was the best. I’d rate it at a 3. Just Good.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Of course there’s a little bit of language. It was hard to read. There are several risqué scenes for only grown-ups. I’d recommend this book to only those who like romantic comedies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Bridget Jones’ Diary.
BOOK CLUB REIVEW:
We read this for our monthly book club. The consensus was that everyone loved the comedy aspect of the book but they were all impatient with the romantic side of the story. They rated it at an average of 3.5.
I liked the main character. She was real, heartfelt, genuine, a basket-case, clumsy, and a total mess. This challenge was definitely something she needed. I wondered if she would be the same person after that 14 days had she not done the challenge? No definitely not. It probably would have taken her years to get to that revelation.
All the characters where different and totally extreme. The over-the-top gay neighbor, the extremely Christian friend, to name a few. Helen’s best friend Ayshe was about the only normal person in the bunch and even she was interesting and quirky. But the characters seemed a little too cliché.
The story was like a wild roller coaster ride of crazy mishap after silly slip-ups. I just hope there aren’t real people out there that do stuff she did—walk around with her skirt tucked in her underwear, swim with a boob hanging out, trip all the time, get arrested by accident. This girl was a mess! With the amount of crazy things in this book, it began to be not quite believable. This could not have possibly happened in a 14 day period. But it was all quite funny. I loved how she filled out her gym membership… I definitely LOL for that part.
The story was totally predictable and I couldn’t wait until the satisfying ending of seeing them together. The whole story was mixed together like a big cake, baked, frosted, and then the end came it was like I got one forkful. I was not satisfied by the ending. It was disappointing that we only see like five minutes of them together. Where’s the reward for reading about disaster after disaster?
RATING:
I enjoyed the book but can’t say it was the best. I’d rate it at a 3. Just Good.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Of course there’s a little bit of language. It was hard to read. There are several risqué scenes for only grown-ups. I’d recommend this book to only those who like romantic comedies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Bridget Jones’ Diary.
BOOK CLUB REIVEW:
We read this for our monthly book club. The consensus was that everyone loved the comedy aspect of the book but they were all impatient with the romantic side of the story. They rated it at an average of 3.5.
September 6, 2013
FOURTEEN DAYS LATER is the debut novel from author Sibel Hodge and is very funny as Helen lurches from one mishap to the next as she carries out her challenges. I had several laugh out loud moments and a whole lot of smiling. The scenes that spring to mind and raise a chuckle even now are the art class and her gay friend’s reaction to the very well-endowed naked male model, the spa when the women all ganged up on the knickers thief, the hens night when the previously mentioned male model turned up again. My biggest laugh was when she went to the Gym and filled out the application form:
1) Sex? Answer: thanks, but no.
2) Age? Answer: thirty but look much younger.
3) Occupation address? Answer: anywhere
4) Occupational position? Answer: Standing but occasionally sitting down.
5) Do you have a heart problem? Answer: probably will in a minute.
6) Do you suffer from breathlessness during exercise? Answer: sometimes during sex but that was a long time ago.
7) Do you suffer from palpitations or unusual heart flutters? Answer: only when I think about someone special.
8) Do you have any back problems? Answer: Only when I did a handstand when I was very drunk.
9) Are you allergic to anything? Answer: men who cheat.
10) Have you had any operations? Answer: I think I had a lobotomy once, but I can't remember.
11) Do you enjoy a healthy eating programme? Answer: yes, started an hour ago.
12) Have you suffered from any illnesses? Answer: hangovers.
Isn’t that precious? Not quite what the Gym owner wanted!!! The tension was very nicely dealt with as well – Helen being torn because Kalem’s sister was a best friend and might not accept her as a sister-in-law; even though Helen was almost part of Kalem’s family she was scared they would make a fuss because she wasn’t Cypriot and of course she was scared that Kalem didn’t feel the same way in return. All the characters, even though over-the-top were well rounded out and real and the story was quite believable. I mean a girl can go into a supermarket at night and not realise her bum is exposed can’t she?
All in all FOURTEEN DAYS LATER was a light, fluffy and fun read and I am looking forwards to reading some of her other work – including the sequel to this ‘My Perfect Wedding’
1) Sex? Answer: thanks, but no.
2) Age? Answer: thirty but look much younger.
3) Occupation address? Answer: anywhere
4) Occupational position? Answer: Standing but occasionally sitting down.
5) Do you have a heart problem? Answer: probably will in a minute.
6) Do you suffer from breathlessness during exercise? Answer: sometimes during sex but that was a long time ago.
7) Do you suffer from palpitations or unusual heart flutters? Answer: only when I think about someone special.
8) Do you have any back problems? Answer: Only when I did a handstand when I was very drunk.
9) Are you allergic to anything? Answer: men who cheat.
10) Have you had any operations? Answer: I think I had a lobotomy once, but I can't remember.
11) Do you enjoy a healthy eating programme? Answer: yes, started an hour ago.
12) Have you suffered from any illnesses? Answer: hangovers.
Isn’t that precious? Not quite what the Gym owner wanted!!! The tension was very nicely dealt with as well – Helen being torn because Kalem’s sister was a best friend and might not accept her as a sister-in-law; even though Helen was almost part of Kalem’s family she was scared they would make a fuss because she wasn’t Cypriot and of course she was scared that Kalem didn’t feel the same way in return. All the characters, even though over-the-top were well rounded out and real and the story was quite believable. I mean a girl can go into a supermarket at night and not realise her bum is exposed can’t she?
All in all FOURTEEN DAYS LATER was a light, fluffy and fun read and I am looking forwards to reading some of her other work – including the sequel to this ‘My Perfect Wedding’
August 23, 2013
Merhaba Canims (hello, darlings!)
Helen Grey, wedding photographer extraordinaire, is an absolute klutz, and that's only the beginning of the trouble brewing around her. Ayshe and Kalem are her best friends since childhood.
After six months of moping about her two-timing ex, her friend Ayshe encourages her to take up fourteen days of challenges.
The first one seemed tame enough – she was to do a day of volunteering at the local dog shelter, taking a dog for a walk. Helen manages to get a neighbor upset when he witnesses the dog doing her business, terrorizes a child in his pram, cartwheels down a hill, and loses the dog. After being patched up by a local doctor, she calls Ayshe to pick her up, but Ayshe sends her brother Kalem.
Each challenge brings more mayhem: a visit to the children's ward at the hospital, an art showing, Sunday-night Singles Shopping, and always Kalem helping to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, Kalem is off-limits. They have been friends since grammar school. His Turkish Cypriot parents would not want him to be serious with an English woman. So, admitting her attraction would cost her his friendship, her best friend Ayshe, and the sense of belonging that has developed between Helen and his family.
I had requested an ARC on netgalley.com, but the download failed. At first, I was just going to wave it off, but each time I went into netgalley it was sitting there looking at me. I loved the cover so much, I decided to go to Amazon and hit the one-click. I am so glad I did! "Laughed out loud" doesn't even begin to cover it. There were many parts when I was laughing so hard I could not catch my breath. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Hodge!
Editing / Grammar: A – near perfect
Helen Grey, wedding photographer extraordinaire, is an absolute klutz, and that's only the beginning of the trouble brewing around her. Ayshe and Kalem are her best friends since childhood.
After six months of moping about her two-timing ex, her friend Ayshe encourages her to take up fourteen days of challenges.
The first one seemed tame enough – she was to do a day of volunteering at the local dog shelter, taking a dog for a walk. Helen manages to get a neighbor upset when he witnesses the dog doing her business, terrorizes a child in his pram, cartwheels down a hill, and loses the dog. After being patched up by a local doctor, she calls Ayshe to pick her up, but Ayshe sends her brother Kalem.
Each challenge brings more mayhem: a visit to the children's ward at the hospital, an art showing, Sunday-night Singles Shopping, and always Kalem helping to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, Kalem is off-limits. They have been friends since grammar school. His Turkish Cypriot parents would not want him to be serious with an English woman. So, admitting her attraction would cost her his friendship, her best friend Ayshe, and the sense of belonging that has developed between Helen and his family.
I had requested an ARC on netgalley.com, but the download failed. At first, I was just going to wave it off, but each time I went into netgalley it was sitting there looking at me. I loved the cover so much, I decided to go to Amazon and hit the one-click. I am so glad I did! "Laughed out loud" doesn't even begin to cover it. There were many parts when I was laughing so hard I could not catch my breath. I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Hodge!
Editing / Grammar: A – near perfect
November 5, 2011
If you ever need a really good laugh...sit down and read this book. Helen reminds me so much of myself, I couldn't help but laugh. I am obscenely uncoordinated...ask anyone who knows me, I fall all the dang time. Ugh. I made the mistake of reading this book late at night and nearly killed myself trying not to laugh and wake everyone up. Helen was just my kind of lady.
The book was fun, light-hearted, and inspiring. We find Helen approximately six months after she has rid her life of the cheating ex-fiance, Justin. Her best friend poses a challenge...everyday for fourteen days, Helen must do something that is outside of her comfort zone. Some of the things were normal every day things like volunteering to walk dogs...but others were a tad bit out there. Somehow, each of the challenges involved Helen running into her best friends brother, Kalem. Sadly the only times she ran into him was when something had gone horribly awry.
Along the way, Helen meets a few men who interest her. However, each one of them has a whole new set of issues that Helen can't overlook. Kalem goes out of his way to prevent one date from happening and Helen can't begin to imagine why. The further I read, the more I began to think of Kalem as Helen's challenge, then I decided it was his sanity that was being challenged.
See complete review HERE.
February 27, 2011
My daughter said I must read this book as it’s the funniest thing she’s read in ages. One look at the cover and I thought said daughter had gone doolally as it looks like this book is a deep, dark horror story but it couldn’t be more different. A pure chick lit is what this book is all about.
It’s got the typical, stereotype characters, Helen, the single, ditzy, thirty something girl with curly hair (why do all heroines have curly hair)? Kalem, the dark brooding type. Ayshe, the best friend thats getting married.
All the usual things happens in this book that normally happen with characters like this, walking out of the toilet with her skirt tucked into her knickers. Farting while doing yoga and many many more.
It sounds like I’m describing just another of the thousands of this type of genre, run of the mill chick lit but nothing could be further than the truth. This book was a first class read, it had the magic to draw me in despite the conventional plot.
Told from her point of view, Helen was an endearing character and I was rooting for her all the way through, for her to get what she wanted.
There’s a sequel to this book, My Perfect Wedding but sadly it’s only available as an ebook but hopefully will be coming out in paperback soon. I’ll be first in the queue when it does.
It’s got the typical, stereotype characters, Helen, the single, ditzy, thirty something girl with curly hair (why do all heroines have curly hair)? Kalem, the dark brooding type. Ayshe, the best friend thats getting married.
All the usual things happens in this book that normally happen with characters like this, walking out of the toilet with her skirt tucked into her knickers. Farting while doing yoga and many many more.
It sounds like I’m describing just another of the thousands of this type of genre, run of the mill chick lit but nothing could be further than the truth. This book was a first class read, it had the magic to draw me in despite the conventional plot.
Told from her point of view, Helen was an endearing character and I was rooting for her all the way through, for her to get what she wanted.
There’s a sequel to this book, My Perfect Wedding but sadly it’s only available as an ebook but hopefully will be coming out in paperback soon. I’ll be first in the queue when it does.
February 15, 2012
I have always loved Romantic Comedy flicks, and when I won an eBook copy of this story, I knew I would be hooked to it. And within the day I finished reading all the pages. From the first few pages of Helen's misery until her happily ever after, I had no dull moments. The whole book was filled with laughter and some romantic feelings which of course were just very light.
One of the reasons why I was drawn to this story was because I know how Helen felt when her cheater boyfriend left her. I see a lot of myself in Helen, who kept her world shut from the outside world just because of a broken heart. Having used to living alone because she became an orphan at an early age, she was used to having her boyfriend as her world, so when he left her everything fell apart. Good thing she has her friend Ayshe and her fiance, and her brother Kalem who then turned out to be someone she wasn't expecting.
Although stories like this are kind of evident in reality, it still feels good to somehow read a book that still assures someone of a happy ending. And although that happy ending might not be as fast as 14 days, but surely it will happen.
All in all, I had so much fun reading this book and I am anticipating to read its sequel. I hope I'll be able to score a copy soon because I am just as excited to read the next book as I was with this one.
One of the reasons why I was drawn to this story was because I know how Helen felt when her cheater boyfriend left her. I see a lot of myself in Helen, who kept her world shut from the outside world just because of a broken heart. Having used to living alone because she became an orphan at an early age, she was used to having her boyfriend as her world, so when he left her everything fell apart. Good thing she has her friend Ayshe and her fiance, and her brother Kalem who then turned out to be someone she wasn't expecting.
Although stories like this are kind of evident in reality, it still feels good to somehow read a book that still assures someone of a happy ending. And although that happy ending might not be as fast as 14 days, but surely it will happen.
All in all, I had so much fun reading this book and I am anticipating to read its sequel. I hope I'll be able to score a copy soon because I am just as excited to read the next book as I was with this one.
July 5, 2011
I have spent all weekend cotemplating how to rate this book. Originally I was going to give it 4/5 stars. But after finishing the book, the characters stayed with me. I kept thinking about them and when this happens then I believe a book is worth 5/5 stars. This is your typical chick lit book. The characters are well developed and the story is totally believeable.
Helen is a girl in her early 30's who has been broken up with her boyfriend of some years. She has been moping around for 6 months or so and her best friend challenges her to change her life around, to try something new everyday for the next 14 days. The story goes on to show us her daily escapades and the funny things that happen to her from each of these challenges.
The romance is pretty predictable from early on but that is usual in this genre. The fun is how Helen gets there. (I won't go into anymore details as to not spoil it for anyone)
I would totally recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, light read. I enjoyed it so much a immediately downloaded the second book in this series (possible thanks to my kindle).
Happy Reading!
Helen is a girl in her early 30's who has been broken up with her boyfriend of some years. She has been moping around for 6 months or so and her best friend challenges her to change her life around, to try something new everyday for the next 14 days. The story goes on to show us her daily escapades and the funny things that happen to her from each of these challenges.
The romance is pretty predictable from early on but that is usual in this genre. The fun is how Helen gets there. (I won't go into anymore details as to not spoil it for anyone)
I would totally recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, light read. I enjoyed it so much a immediately downloaded the second book in this series (possible thanks to my kindle).
Happy Reading!
July 10, 2013
ROMANTIC COMEDY
Helen Grey has been moping for the past six months since she discovered her long time boyfriend had cheated. But enough is enough her BF Ayshe has decided that Helen needs to move on with her life. So she sets Helen a fourteen day challenge. Each day Helen must complete a task set by Ayshe.
Helen is very accident prone, and where ever she goes there's sure to be a disaster of some sort. The story follows Helen as she takes on a fresh challenge each day, set by her BF Ayshe.
Liked this story it's fast moving and at times laugh out loud funny. The characters are well defined. The budding romance between Kalem, Ayshe's brother and Helen is a bit understated, I might have preferred a bit more of the story focused on them. Helen's constant accidents are maybe a bit too much at times, she comes across as a bit of a liability. On the other hand there were moments that I loved. Friday night at the supermarket was hilarious and the spa day as well. The scenes with Helen's grandmother were another highlight.
Overall this is well worth a read.
ARC courtesy of the author and NetGalley
Helen Grey has been moping for the past six months since she discovered her long time boyfriend had cheated. But enough is enough her BF Ayshe has decided that Helen needs to move on with her life. So she sets Helen a fourteen day challenge. Each day Helen must complete a task set by Ayshe.
Helen is very accident prone, and where ever she goes there's sure to be a disaster of some sort. The story follows Helen as she takes on a fresh challenge each day, set by her BF Ayshe.
Liked this story it's fast moving and at times laugh out loud funny. The characters are well defined. The budding romance between Kalem, Ayshe's brother and Helen is a bit understated, I might have preferred a bit more of the story focused on them. Helen's constant accidents are maybe a bit too much at times, she comes across as a bit of a liability. On the other hand there were moments that I loved. Friday night at the supermarket was hilarious and the spa day as well. The scenes with Helen's grandmother were another highlight.
Overall this is well worth a read.
ARC courtesy of the author and NetGalley
August 19, 2011
Helen is mess, or so she thinks. She's still pining over her ex-boyfriend Justin, who was cheating on her. She is uninspired and depressed. Her best friend Ayshe is shortly getting married, but in these weeks before the wedding, she challenges Helen to go outside herself in little ways every day. Helen also seems to have a little bit of a clutzy streak. As she moves along through her challenge hilarious mayhem seems to stalk her at every corner. Several different men come into her life. Who will be the one that stays????
I actually read the sequel to this book prior to reading the book, so I knew what happened. But it was comical watching this story progress. We've all had bad days like Helen, just not all in a row. Plus the supporting cast is fabulous and filled with their own unique flaws that build on the hysterical foundation of Helen.
Love Sibel Hodge's chick lit. Her main characters are much more grounded despite the overall mayhem that follows them around. Funny stories. Solid characters.
I actually read the sequel to this book prior to reading the book, so I knew what happened. But it was comical watching this story progress. We've all had bad days like Helen, just not all in a row. Plus the supporting cast is fabulous and filled with their own unique flaws that build on the hysterical foundation of Helen.
Love Sibel Hodge's chick lit. Her main characters are much more grounded despite the overall mayhem that follows them around. Funny stories. Solid characters.
November 18, 2014
I founds this book highly enjoyable with laugh out loud scenes that had me snickering till the next laugh out loud moment.
This is a sweet romantic (hysterical) comedy.
Helen is a sweet girl with all the best intentions, but mishaps and seemingly bad luck follow her everywhere, including her boyfriends infidelity. Her best friend, Ayshe wants her to move on, and has a perfect way for Helen to make a change. A 14 day challenge. Helen needs to step out of her comfort zone and start a new life. Helen agrees to let Ayshe choose 14 different things, one a day to help her make some needed changes. Ayshe's brother Kalem joins his sister in setting up some of the challenges for Helen, with each challenge hilarity ensues.
I was given a copy of Fourteen Days later by the author for a honest review. I listened to it via Audible.com, and I must say it was so much fun to hear the British accents and slang. It made this story all the more enjoyable.
This is a sweet romantic (hysterical) comedy.
Helen is a sweet girl with all the best intentions, but mishaps and seemingly bad luck follow her everywhere, including her boyfriends infidelity. Her best friend, Ayshe wants her to move on, and has a perfect way for Helen to make a change. A 14 day challenge. Helen needs to step out of her comfort zone and start a new life. Helen agrees to let Ayshe choose 14 different things, one a day to help her make some needed changes. Ayshe's brother Kalem joins his sister in setting up some of the challenges for Helen, with each challenge hilarity ensues.
I was given a copy of Fourteen Days later by the author for a honest review. I listened to it via Audible.com, and I must say it was so much fun to hear the British accents and slang. It made this story all the more enjoyable.
August 23, 2010
This was a hilarious romance! I truly was laughing out loud while reading this one. This author has a really great sense of humor that shows in her writing.
The storyline was entertaining and funny; the characters were unique, colorful, and relatable. I had a hard time putting this one down because I never knew what funny catastrophe or line would come next.
For example: (The main character has just gone to the grocery store for "singles" shopping.)
"It must have had a bit missing somewhere as it made a loud squealing noise like a mouse on ecstasy. The only way to steer it in a straight line was to try and twist it in a diagonal manner so it looked like I was purposely heading towards people, like a kamikaze shopper."
If you are looking for some light and fun romance then I would say to check this one out. I'm glad I read it!
The storyline was entertaining and funny; the characters were unique, colorful, and relatable. I had a hard time putting this one down because I never knew what funny catastrophe or line would come next.
For example: (The main character has just gone to the grocery store for "singles" shopping.)
"It must have had a bit missing somewhere as it made a loud squealing noise like a mouse on ecstasy. The only way to steer it in a straight line was to try and twist it in a diagonal manner so it looked like I was purposely heading towards people, like a kamikaze shopper."
If you are looking for some light and fun romance then I would say to check this one out. I'm glad I read it!
July 3, 2016
Helen is trying to get over a cheating boyfriend. So her friend, Ayshe comes up with a challenge to get her out of her rut and back into life. She's also hoping her friend can find love again. The challenge is to last for fourteen days and Helen must do whatever Ayshe tells her to do. Add the challenges and Helen's ability to find calamity at every turn and you have a very hilarious book.
This book is a great little chick-lit with romance and lots of comedy. My only complaint would be the main character is a bit unbelievable as far as her klutzy accidents. Anyone having luck that bad would be dead by now. But all in all, it was a very cute and funny read. Loved the author's style of writing and how fast paced the book was.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is a great little chick-lit with romance and lots of comedy. My only complaint would be the main character is a bit unbelievable as far as her klutzy accidents. Anyone having luck that bad would be dead by now. But all in all, it was a very cute and funny read. Loved the author's style of writing and how fast paced the book was.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 31, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, fast read. I adored Kalem and thought the disastrous Helen was hysterical. The banter between the characters was really fun and the relationships were very well defined. I also loved the side stories and characters. You get a lot of information in this book about a lot of different people, but it never felt overwhelming.
There were some grammatical errors and there were a few places where names were given and I didn't recognize them and had to catch up quickly with who they were. It would have been helpful for those names to be given (like Kalem's parents when they are first introduced, you just get their names...not who they are).
Obviously, it wasn't enough to make me drop the stars. I can't wait to find more by this author and see some of her other work.
There were some grammatical errors and there were a few places where names were given and I didn't recognize them and had to catch up quickly with who they were. It would have been helpful for those names to be given (like Kalem's parents when they are first introduced, you just get their names...not who they are).
Obviously, it wasn't enough to make me drop the stars. I can't wait to find more by this author and see some of her other work.
August 25, 2011
I'm really not sure where to start with this. I thought it was absolutely wonderful! Helen has decided to take up the challenge of trying a new thing every day for two weeks after being let down by her boyfriend. Along the way she learns new things about herself and finds love is sometimes nearer to home than you think.
I found it very very funny. I was laughing out loud in places and my partner was giving me some very odd looks. I so identified with Helen. I loved her clumsy disaster prone nature (very like myself!) it made her very endearing and lovable.
All in all another good one from this author. I am now off to read the sequel!
I found it very very funny. I was laughing out loud in places and my partner was giving me some very odd looks. I so identified with Helen. I loved her clumsy disaster prone nature (very like myself!) it made her very endearing and lovable.
All in all another good one from this author. I am now off to read the sequel!
September 13, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it’s really great and hilarious I love Helen’s character she started to a very low point in her life until she took the fourteen days challenge that she never thought would be possible to makeover her whole situation and indeed a lot had happened that changed her in some ways it’s really funny to read the thoughts that goes inside her head,how she say and write things. I’m really happy that all went well I highly recommend it to everyone especially for couples in their tough times,to those finding a cure how to mend their hearts, when you’re feeling a bit down or whatever take a fourteen days challenge of your own,learn and feel the new you afterwards.
November 15, 2014
If you really want to laugh out loud and don't care whoever watches and thinks you totally lost it YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK! It is realistic, the heroin is wonderful and a total mess, a VERY real person (I think we all are mostly like her). The narrator gives life to characters with her excellent and unbelievable British accent, you really feel like you live inside the story with all those people around you.
I laughed hysterically, I enjoyed all of it and I loved it.
Thank you Sibel Hodge and Fiona Hardingham of course!!!!
I laughed hysterically, I enjoyed all of it and I loved it.
Thank you Sibel Hodge and Fiona Hardingham of course!!!!
July 11, 2011
Hello there,
May I recommend a book to you? It's one a read a month or so ago and really enjoyed. Fourteen days later by Sibel Hodge is very, very funny and I can honestly say I haven't read such a fun book for years. The link I've included here will take you to Ms Hodge's page and hopefully my review on Amazon. Judge for yourselves - a splendid hilarious read. http://amzn.to/qhnr7Z
Good reading
Faithx
May I recommend a book to you? It's one a read a month or so ago and really enjoyed. Fourteen days later by Sibel Hodge is very, very funny and I can honestly say I haven't read such a fun book for years. The link I've included here will take you to Ms Hodge's page and hopefully my review on Amazon. Judge for yourselves - a splendid hilarious read. http://amzn.to/qhnr7Z
Good reading
Faithx
August 16, 2011
This was a super-quick, lighthearted romantic comedy. I haven't read that many books in this genre but I've seen my share of rom-coms, and this was a sweet example with plenty of gentle humour. The main character, accident-prone Helen, takes on a fourteen-day challenge to change her life and (hopefully) get over her ex. Meanwhile, her best friend is getting married and she's the wedding photographer. There's certainly plenty going on, and the pages whizzed by.
September 8, 2011
I thought that this book was hilarious! Sibel's sarcasm in the book makes for great reading. Helen's antics made me laugh out loud. The ending you can kind of see coming pretty early on but hey that is part of the chick lit genre. The main characters are fully developed and there were so many personalities that mixed in the story that made for some humorouse situations. There really aren't many books that make me laugh out loud but Sibel's books do!
January 17, 2012
I love Sibel's writing. The story is light and funny. Helen does humorous things throughout the book but the story falls a bit flat. I'm not sure if it is due to the fact that some of the events became outlandish or what? It is pretty obvious who she would end up with but the thing is that I didn't get that romantic vibe from them until the very end...I need to read the next book. I'm interested to know what happens next.
November 17, 2014
I listened to this audiobook on my trip from TN to NC and I enjoyed the story so much. I was laughing out loud and was cackling at the antics of Helen. Can you change your life in 14 days? Well, I think in reality Helen learned so much about herself as a person and other people that are very important in her life. This is the beginning of a series and what a beginning. Thank you Sibel for a humorous story! My trip was so fun listening to this story!
July 12, 2010
A well-meaning friend, a fourteen-day change-your-life-challenge and a dog named Pussy... What could possibly go wrong?
I haven't enjoyed a good rom-com like this for ages. Vivid characterisations with loads of laugh out loud moments made for a fun, witty and most entertaining read.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for some light relief.
I haven't enjoyed a good rom-com like this for ages. Vivid characterisations with loads of laugh out loud moments made for a fun, witty and most entertaining read.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for some light relief.
July 17, 2011
If your in the mood for a light-hearted romantic comedy read, this is it! Sibel does a delightful job of pulling you in and entertaining you to the end of this book with laughs and oops! Nice to see there is a sequel to this story! Helen decides to follow what an article calls the Fourteen Day Challenge to change her life which leads to some delightful antics
March 19, 2012
This was a great chick lit book and I loved reading it - my only complaint was that it go on for long enough!
The characters were hilarious, the plot flowed along really well, and it made me laugh-out-loud in several sections! It ended kind of abruptly, although I think there is a sequel so it may just continue on from where it left.
The characters were hilarious, the plot flowed along really well, and it made me laugh-out-loud in several sections! It ended kind of abruptly, although I think there is a sequel so it may just continue on from where it left.
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