Advantages: Funny, entertaining read
Disadvantages: She hasn't released another book yet

...Here is my review of Marian Keyes most recent novel, The Other Side of the Story. I have read most of Marian Keyes books and am a huge fan of her work as it always makes me laugh and entertains me right till the end. As such, I had to get a copy of her latest work and set out to read it. I bought my copy from BOL a few months ago for around £7.00 and it is the club edition, large paperback style. I believe it will be released on ordinary paperback around March 2005 where it is likely to be priced around £5.99 RRP (or £3.73 - the usual supermarket price). Characters ~~~~~~~~~ There are 3 main characters in this story, Jojo – a literary agent who is having an affair with one of her married bosses, Lily – who had a hit with her first novel but is struggling with her second and Gemma - whose father has just left her mother... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A great read with lots of comedy moments
Disadvantages: Hard to put down

...This book revolves around the main character, Gemma Greene. She lives with boyfriend, Rory (they've been together for about 6 years) and works for a company called Homequest. She is not well paid in her job, but she really enjoys it. At the start of the book, Rory is away for New Year with some of his colleagues, including his boss Lisa Hepworth (Rory is her personal assistant). Not long after Rory's return from his trip, he proposes to Gemma. Gemma accepts, but does wonder why he has asked now after being together so long (we later find out that guilt has prompted Rory to propose). Gemma and Rory want a quiet wedding, but they get caught up trying to please everybody, including Rory's mum Amy. Amy has won the lottery and cannot understand why they want a quiet wedding and thinks it is is just because they can't afford anything... Read review

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Advantages: BRAIDS IN NO TIME,
Disadvantages: CAN BE DIFFICULT TO USE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES

...Just like any little girl aged 6, my daughter Gemma has started to take an interest in hair and makeup. During the past couple of weeks I have been pestered into putting her hair into various styles just to keep up with all her other friends at school. Mornings in our house are a busy affair at the best of times, and I started to find Gemma’s constant demands a pain in the butt to say the least, so I decided that she should put some of her Christmas money to good use, and purchase one of those new fangled products that she could use to make funky hair styles herself, while I could carry on with my normal morning mayhem. With Gemma in tow one Saturday afternoon, I went into town to see what was offer. First we went into Woolworths and it was there that Gemma spotted a Babyliss Crazy Braid. It was priced at just under £25 and I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: children can relate to the characters' situations.
Disadvantages: may not appeal to all age groups between 9-13

...I was given this book as a birthday present when I turned nine, it was from a friend who new me well- she knew how much I adored Jacqueline's books! STORY LINE I read this book, and my first thought on it was, 'a very good book, but will I really want to read this again and be able to enjoy it in say, 2 years time?'. Well, here I am, two years ahead, and I still reread Best Friends, but have found that, no, I do not enjoy it as much as I did before, partly I think, because of the story line. Gemma&Alice have been best friends ever since they were born in the same hospital, on the same day, but from different mother's. They are like chalk and cheese, because Gemma is gutsy and outgoing, whilst timid Alice is gentle, quiet and very girlie. When Gemma find's out Alice's big big secret, she concocts a plan with Alice to run away from... Read review

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