Posts with the label romance
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Tuesday, 28 May 2024
How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson book review: a hilarious and heartfelt tale of revenge, unexpected love, and personal growth.
How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson
Published: 2nd April 2024 by Thomas Nelson
Melissa Ferguson's How To Plot a Payback is a delightful rom-com that combines humour, heart, and just the right amount of drama. The story centres around Finn Masters who is ecstatic to secure his dream job as a writer for the hit sitcom Neighbors. His excitement, however, takes a nosedive when he learns that he will be working alongside Lavender Rhodes, the actress he has blamed for his troubles since their teenage years. Intent on getting his revenge, Finn devises several schemes to undermine Lavender. Yet, as his plans comically unravel, Finn starts to question his feelings and realises that Lavender is not who he thought she was. The narrative unfolds through a series of humorous misadventures and touching moments, ultimately leading to an unexpected romance. To sum it up, the book is a hilarious and heartfelt tale of revenge, unexpected love, and personal growth.
A few years ago I was lucky enough to receive an arc of Melissa Ferguson's Meet Me in the Margins, which I fell in love with, so when I saw she was releasing a new book, I knew I had to get my hands on it and I'm glad I did because it was just the dose of romance and joy that I needed. Melissa's writing is not only strawberry sweet, it's also addictive and gripping. I found myself swooning at a lot of Finn's thoughts about Lavender and was really rooting for the duo as a couple but also individually.
One of the book's real strengths is how well the characters are developed. Finn is incredibly relatable; his grudges and insecurities make him both lovable and occasionally exasperating. Lavender starts off as the supposed villain but gradually reveals her own layers, showing her struggles and strengths. The chemistry between them is electric, keeping readers invested as they navigate the chaotic world of Hollywood and their evolving relationship. Their journey is full of ups and downs, making it a compelling read from start to finish and making their unexpected happy ever after even sweeter.
As I say, the dynamic between Finn and Lavender is great, filled with witty banter and comedic misadventures. Finn's attempts at revenge often backfire, leading to laugh-out-loud moments and surprising twists. I did find Finn's revenge plots a bit ridiculous and they sort of took away from the realism of the story at times but there was also a good balance of sincerity which toned things down.
Also, while the story is highly entertaining, some elements might feel a bit predictable, and the pacing can occasionally slow things down. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise charming and engaging read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
The side characters and jobs of the two leads add to the charm of the story. Set against the backdrop of Neighbors (I was picturing the Australian show but i don't know if that's truly the vibe haha) we get a look at the inner workings of a writers room, and meet a host of lovable and hateable characters, all of whom add to the story and world.
How To Plot a Payback is a fun, feel-good romantic comedy that will leave you smiling. It's perfect for fans of lighthearted, character-driven stories with a touch of Hollywood glamour. If you're in the mood for a book that balances comedy with genuine emotion, give this one a try.
Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley book review: A Captivating Journey into the Depths of Human Emotion
embraces the honesty of life, presenting stories that feel authentic and sincere"
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
Published: 6th July 2023 by Michael Joseph
★★★★
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley is a beautifully quiet treasure of a book, taking readers on a heartfelt journey, through the complexities of human relationships. Daverley's storytelling is absolutely exquisite diving into the world's of her characters, leaving readers teary eyed and filled with a whirlwind of emotions.
The characters in Talking at Night are expertly crafted, with each one feeling genuine and relatable, baring their fears, insecurities and dreams for all to see. Daverley skilfully delves into their minds painting a picture of their struggles and victories. The protagonist, Rosie's, path of self discovery is captivating and truly inspiring while the supporting characters add a level of richness and depth that elevates the narrative and fully engages the reader.
The novel embraces the honesty of life, presenting stories that feel authentic and sincere. It beautifully showcases the significance of "normal" lives reminding us that they hold just as much magic and worth as those portrayed in larger than life media tales.
One of the books highlights is the interweaving of dual timelines featuring Will and Rosie, the leads. This technique enriches the plot and offers a reflection, on how our past shapes our present and future.
Daverley's poetic prose is another strong aspect of Talking at Night. Her use of words is incredibly powerful and she manages to captivate readers, by immersing them in the emotional world of the novel, never shying away from tackling difficult subjects. The exploration of themes like love, loss, forgiveness, and redemption are so thoughtfully handled, making the novel resonate on a profound level. The vibrant descriptions enable readers to feel the characters happiness and sadness as if they were personally involved resulting in a reading experience that's reminiscent of watching a film. Fans of Love, Rosie and Me Before You will certainly enjoy this tale.
My only slight reservation is that, in a few instances, the pacing felt slightly off and there was a slight lag. However, this is a minor flaw which doesn't really detract from how strong this book is, and in some ways could be seen as reflection of life and the up and down pacing of the real world off the page.
Talking at Night is an exceptional work of fiction that should be celebrated for its thought-provoking themes, remarkable character development, and lyrical prose. Claire Daverley has crafted a tale that tugs at the heartstrings and lingers in the mind, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates a deeply moving and immersive literary experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel and hope that it will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.
Reviewed by Olivia Mitchell
Thursday, 11 January 2018
Lobster, Theatre 503 | Review
Lobster
Theatre 503
Reviewed on Wednesday 10th January 2018 by Shaun Dicks
★★★
Theatre 503 is renowned for new writing. Its reputation precedes itself for creating fresh, innovative and thought-provoking work. Tonight, their offering was Lobster, not the food, but the new play by Lucy Foster. The thing with new work, especially previously untested work, is that it can be very hit or miss. Lobster is like an edge to first slip, it was neither a hit or a miss.
Lobster is the story of J and K, two young professional women in London. We follow them throughout this story as they narrate through their relationship history. J (Alexandra Reynolds) is the loveable geek who is almost unbelievably nice. Reynolds did a decent job playing J but it felt like it all fell on one note with her. It didn’t feel like a completely realised character and needs more work to really capture who J is as a character. Overall she felt quite bland. However, K (Louise Beresford) felt like a slightly more well-rounded character. Despite the character being very stiff, there is a dry humour about her that as an audience member you can’t help but laugh. K is a more well-rounded character because of her inability to let herself be happy, she is her own saboteur.
The story itself is a good one, it is one that needs to be told. In the modern age of technology, dating and relationships have become so much harder. It’s a minefield. But the script itself, though humorous, needs work. It needs tightening up in certain places and would benefit from a workshop or two and a fresh set of eyes. The direction from Kayla Feldman is standard but needs to be developed and worked further so that it can become special.
This show has the potential to be something special, the story is there, but there are certain aspects that need tightening or a metaphorical jolt in the arm. There is too heavy a reliance on modern culture for humour to land, the characters need development and the overall presentation of the piece needs work. If the show is to go any further, changes need to be made. The show as it is now is ok but it deserves to be better.
Lobster runs at Theatre 503 until January 20th 2018
photo credit: Ali Wright
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Hello!
