4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quality Chick Lit and a Great Love Story, Too, November 16, 2005
This review is from: Do You Come Here Often? (Paperback)
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes their chick lit with more of a focus on romance. _Do You Come Here Often?_ is a very well-written novel with great romantic payoff not only at the end, but throughout the story. The main and supporting characters are richly drawn and engaging-- you can't help but root for everyone to find happiness.
In some of these types of novels the author is too cutesy or the plot is so unbelievable that it's hard to relax and enjoy the story. But that's not the case with Alexandra Potter. She makes Jimi, Grace, Rhiana, Maggie, and Clive seem like people we either are or know well. She also takes her time developing all the key relationships. To that end, the book description doesn't really do it justice. Grace and Jimi do technically dislike each other, have a one night stand, and then don't see each other for another 13 years, but the motivations and detail that Potter puts into the development of these little hitches on the road to reconciliation are more complex and interesting than the blurb suggests.
This is a book worth your time. Enjoy!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than a typical British chick lit story, March 7, 2005
This review is from: Do You Come Here Often? (Paperback)
The story starts on Grace Fairley's 31st birthday. Her fiancé, Spencer, is too busy with his law practice to buy her a gift, but he arranged for dinner at a restaurant and invited Grace's friends.
The other main character is Jimi Malik, a journalist and aspiring novelist, who has been an ultra cool playboy. But he is about to marry 21 year old model, Kylie. His friends are throwing him a stag party at the same restaurant where Grace is celebrating her birthday.
At the restaurant, Grace sees Jimi. In a flashback, we see how Grace fell in love with Jimi as a teenager, gave her virginity to him, and never saw him again -- until now, thirteen years later. They share a taxi and cautiously start a friendship.
When Grace leaves Spencer because he refuses to set a wedding date even though they have been engaged for over two years, the story examines the difficulties of being single. Grace's friend, Rhian, has additional problems as a single mother. Grace and Rhian listen to a radio program called "Do You Come Here Often?" where the DJ gives advice to lonely hearts. Grace's life is contrasted with her co-worker, Maggie, who has a man devoted to her even when she discovers she has cancer.
Jimi also becomes single when Kylie dumps him just before the wedding. The story also includes Jimi's friend, Clive, who also listens to "Do You Come Here Often?",and ponders his own single life.
The story excels in describing the ache of unrequited love as Jimi realizes he has fallen in love with Grace. But Grace is focussed on what she had wanted with Spencer. Jimi realizes he made a mistake 13 years ago.
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2.0 out of 5 stars
A huge disappointment, December 14, 2010
This review is from: Do You Come Here Often? (Paperback)
I had previously read Me and Mr Darcy and thought I'd give this a go. However, I have been struggling to finish it. For chick fiction it is very long winded and the best part of the story happens in the flashback section early on. There is a lot spent on set up and links that are in the end pointless and don't develop the characters much. I remembered half way through why I only liked Me and Mr Darcy, it is her writing style. Great ideas over worked. If you are looking for a fun light read, avoid this and read something like Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella instead.
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