Mr. Maybe [Hardcover]

Jane Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 5, 2001

To Libby Mason, Mr. Right has always meant Mr. Rich. A twenty seven-year-old publicist, she's barely able to afford her fashionable and fabulous lifestyle and often has to foot the bill for dates with Struggling Writer Nick, a sexy but perpetually strapped-for-cash guy she's dating (no commitments – really). So when Ed, Britain's wealthiest but stodgiest bachelor, enters the picture, her idea of the fairy tale romance is turned on it's head.

Mr. Maybe is the tale of her heartfelt but hilarious deliberation, irresistibly chronicled by bestselling author Jane Green. On one hand, Nick makes up for his low bank-account balance by his performance in the sack, or in the bathtub, as the case may be. But life with him means little more than nightly trips to the bar, a dark and grungy apartment, and plenty of dull political tirades to boot. But those blue eyes, and that tender heart...

On the other hand, there's Ed, whose luxurious house and gargantuan bank account are quite tempting to the starving Libby. But his unsavory mustache and bumbling ways make Libby wonder if the platinum AMEX and unlimited "retail therapy" are worth it. He may have fallen in love with her at first sight, but nothing seems to solve his lackluster performance in the sack – even speed reading The Joy of Sex. When the diamond shopping commences, Libby is forced to realize that the time for "maybe" is up.

Taking romantic comedy to a hip, sparkling new level, Mr. Maybe is a classic tale of what happens to one girl when her heart and her head aren't looking for the same thing. With a laugh and minute and a heroine whose struggles in the dating jungle will remind you of your own, Mr. Maybe is a story that all will leave you smitten.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yet another endearingly flawed, contemporary London career girl comes down the pike in this latest novel by British writer Green (Jemima J). Libby Mason, 27, enjoys her fashionable career in PR, but is determined to marry a rich, "gorgeous" man who will support her in sumptuous style and allow her to join the class of ladies who lunch. Her previous relationships have proven unsatisfactory on all fronts, but then she meets Nick, who happens to be "gorgeous," smart, funny, sensitive and unparalleled in the sack, but unfortunately also a struggling writer who lives in a "grotty" (but clean) bedsit. Libby decides to have fun in bed with Nick and not fall in love, because he's not rich and she doesn't like his left-wing, blue-collar friends. They do have lots of great sex, until Nick breaks up with Libby because he is too attracted to her and isn't ready for a relationship. Libby turns for comfort to her best friend, Jules, who is happily married to the "gorgeous" Jamie. On a girl's night on the town, Libby meets well-known financier Ed McMahon, who is very rich and very eligible, but not "gorgeous" he is older, pompous, boring and the worst lay she has ever had, but when he proposes Libby accepts, as she sees her dream of becoming the idle rich at last coming true. Despite an annoying overuse of the word "gorgeous," Libby Mason manages to garner reader sympathy and even a cheer or two. There are no surprises here and a few loose ends dangle (allusions to Nick's hidden upper-class roots are never explained), but Green has a charming way with dialogue and sex scenes, making this a cheerful summer read. 3-city author tour.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this follow-up to Green's Bridget Jones ripoff, Jemima J, a greedy young publicist is torn between sexy but broke Nick and oh-so-rich-but-boring Ed.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (June 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767905199
• ISBN-13: 978-0767905190
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (240 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,076,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Green is a bestselling author of popular novels. She has been featured in People, Newsweek, USA Today, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan. She lives in Connecticut with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Maybe is a big YES!, February 13, 2002

By 

Dianna Johnston "Compulsive Reader" (Joplin, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Maybe (Hardcover)

It's been awhile since I've had this much fun reading a British Chick Lit novel. I was expecting a fairly exciting but predictable read regarding the dating and mating plights of a twentysomething singleton. However, Mr. Maybe surprised me with its genuine storyline, pleasant humor, and characters that you care about.

Mr. Maybe begins in a typical fashion -- single and searching Libby Mason has a great job in Public Relations (natch!), wonderful and supportive friends, and an overwhelming desire to find the man of her dreams, preferably with a very large bank account. So, yes, I was bumbling along, enjoying myself, reveling in the familiarity, when suddenly this book turned serious (but in a lighthearted, fun sort of way....)!

First there comes Nick -- gorgeous, sexy, and unemployed. Lots of great chemistry happening here, but since Nick is trying to devote more time on getting his novel published, the relationship hits a dead end. But then Ed happens. And while he isn't much to look at, he's loaded, and that's what's most important anyway -- right? Well, figuring this one out is one heck of a journey....

Mr. Maybe is great fun. Jane Green writes sincerely about Libby's emotions. I recognized many of Libby's thoughts and trials as aspects in my own past struggles with relationships and commitment. The style of prose is very upbeat and easy to read. Ms. Green has created an exceptional character in Libby, a true heroine of British Chick fame and one I will always feel a kinship with. Mr. Maybe is an explicit detail of one single woman's process of deciding what counts in life -- love or money.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, funny escapist fiction, January 24, 2002

By 

[e-mail] (United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Maybe (Hardcover)

This book was a riot. I read it while on the stairmaster at 6AM when nothing is funny. But I was laughing out loud as people looked at me thinking I was clearly insane. There are so many funny lines in this book, I found myself trying to explain them to people. The main character is great -- from her relationship with family, to friends, and of course, men, she is a real, genuine, fun and funny person. I will miss reading about her!

There is nothing original or unpredictable about this book, except that the main character is not trying to improve her looks or lose weight. She does, however, struggle with her true identity. Is she a socialite type? Sophisticated, slique? Or all of the above. But this book is a blast.

Surely anyone who loves the new genre of Brit books will love this. Libby, a PR exec, loyal friend, and all around great girl decides to have a "fling" with the gorgeous, but not quite succesful, Nick. He agrees, as they both love spending time together but neither, allegedly, want a relationship. Nick falls for Libby (and she for him though she doesn't want to admit it) and so he breaks things off.
Libby then finds rich and eligable Ed, but is he the one? She certainly isn't attracted to him, but he does have everything she wants. And Libby's is not the only story that draws you in. Her best friend Jules is also an icredibly likeable character, with her own marriage issues to sort through.
This book is one to read, and this author is definitely on my list of must buys! Read it and have some fun!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny, light-hearted read, August 14, 2001

By 

Busy Mom (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Mr. Maybe (Hardcover)

This is a PERFECT summer read ~~ light, fluffy and funny. When I read out excerpts of this book to my boyfriend, he laughed over it. It is such a dishy read!

Libby is an aspiring woman who dreams of living in a fancy house, wearing designer duds, lunching at the coolest places in London, wining and dining, hobnobbing with the rich and famous ~~ but in her job as a public relations gal, it doesn't seem likely that her dreams would come true. Till she meets Ed, a successful financial investor ~~ and shows her a glimpse of the enticing world she has always dreamed of. Only to get cold feet as the day to start shopping for an engagement ring nears. Also, she cannot forget Nick, the last boyfriend she had before Ed ~~ the guy who is just perfect for her.

This book is hilarious in some takes and a fast read. I highly recommend taking this book to the beach (or a camping trip like I did) and prepare for a fun afternoon enjoying a light-hearted read!!