Nov 9, 2009

Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell


I'm now a Jill Mansell junkie!  Perfect Timing is an ironic title for this British chicklit novel because nothing is perfectly timed in this novel, from Poppy's last minute decision to jilt her fiance hours before their wedding to finding her biological father after years of not knowing she wasn't living with him.

"'The thing is,' Poppy prevaricated, 'my room's only tiny.'

'And who am I, two-ton Tess? All I'm asking for is a bit of floor space.'  Dina was wheedling now.  'I'll sleep under the bed if it makes you happier.  In the bath, even.'"  (Page 106 of ARC)

Poppy Dunbar is a twenty-something mess of a girl, who thinks she has her life figured out until she meets Tom at a bar during her bachelorette party.  After giving Rob the brush off, she packs up and moves from Bristol to London to start her life over and to find her biological father.  She works two jobs, lands a room in a house with a famous painter Caspar French and a haughty socialite Claudia Slade-Welch, but seems content.

"'Try patches.  They worked for my agent and he was a twenty-a-dayman.'

Only a lifelong non-smoker, Rita thought affectionately, could think twenty-a-day was a lot.

'I was a fifty-a-day woman.'  She looked depressed.  'Anyway, why d'you suppose I'm wearing long sleeves? I've already got a week's supply slapped all over me.  Underneath this dress I look like Mr. Blobby.'"  (Page 391 of ARC)

Mansell's writing style draws readers quickly into the drama as they watch Poppy grow, mature, and find her center.  The dialogue between Poppy, Caspar, Claudia, and Poppy's boss, Jake, will have readers laughing out loud on their transit commutes, in their bedrooms, on their sofas, or wherever they happen to read.

Poppy is a disaster, but so are Caspar, Claudia, and Jake.  It's a wonder they ever get it together in this book.  Some of the funniest scenes are when Jake leaves Poppy along to bid at auctions and estate sales.  Readers will enjoy how easily Poppy takes leaps into the unknown and how blind she is to the love and family she has in front of her.  Mansell has another winner with Perfect Timing.

Additionally, I would like to thank Jill Mansell and Sourcebooks for sending me a free copy of Perfect Timing for review.  Clicking on title links will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page, no purchase necessary.

13 comments:

jill mansell said...

Serena, thanks so much AGAIN!!!! Thrilled you enjoyed it. (It was originally going to be called Bad Timing but my ed thought that made it sound a bit depressing, so we switched it around!)
I really am so happy you like my writing.
Love
Jill x

ImageNations said...

thanks for this. I am glad.

Nikola said...

Yes!I am reading it right now, I should post the review really soon! :)

Sandy Nawrot said...

I've seen this one around the blogs, and it sounds lovely. And how nice that Jill came and visited us!

bermudaonion said...

Jill Mansell's books are so much fun! Glad to see this one lives up to her others.

Serena said...

Jill: I really did enjoy the book, and loved the title. I hope you got my interview request.

Nana: I'm glad you enjoyed the review.

Nikola: I really liked this one.

Sandy: I can't believe Jill came to visit!

Bermudaonion: I love that her books are fun. You just need a feel good book sometimes!

Julie P. said...

I am a big fan of Ms. Mansell's. She never disappoints.

The Bookworm said...

This sounds very good. I love chiclit.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Marie Cloutier said...

Sounds like fun! :-)

Veens said...

This one had great reviews all around! I am glad you liked it too.. I will keep an eye for this!

S. Krishna said...

I like Jill Mansell as well, I'll definitely have to pick this one up at some point.

Anna said...

Thanks for letting me borrow your copy. Can't wait to read it!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Luanne said...

I loved this too - really I can't imagine not liking a Mansell book!