Customer Reviews

The Nanny

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the third Melissa Nathan book I have read, and I am always blown away by her remarkable wit and her wry sarcasm. Although not typically a fan of 'chick-lit', I was drawn to Nathan's previous books due to the Jane Austen angle, and I wasn't surprised to discover that I liked her with her own plotline. 'The Nanny' is a quick, enjoyable read that you'll find hard to put down.

'The Nanny' introduces us to Jo Green, a twenty-three year old woman from the English countryside, who is dissatisfied with her life but doesn't know what to do. Impulsively, she answers an ad for a nanny position in London and gladly accepts to work for the lovely but dysfunctional Fitzgerald family. Jo almost immediately regrets this decision - it's her first time away from home, she's in charge of three kids (aged 4, 6, and 8), and an entire house. Life looks better for Jo though, when she meets Pippa, a fellow nanny who teaches her how to rule the household, and not be ruled by them. Things take a turn for the worse however, when Josh, a son from the husband's first marriage, moves in and takes a dislike to Jo. The feeling is mutual, or is it?

'The Nanny' showcases Nathan's trademark wit and clever asides. Jo is a well-drawn character, although not entirely like her namesake (Josephine from 'Little Women'). Even though predictable and almost seemingly made for a romantic-comedy screenplay, Nathan rises above the vapid fluff of numerous chick-lit novels and sets the pace for some truly talented writing.

This has to be with out a doubt the best book ive read! I wanted to laugh i wanted to cry and the depth of the characters is wonderful i felt i was there right beside them and i could see all the rooms! In fact this book is a first of Melissa Nathan's books for me and i want to read of of her books now, she is the best author around. A Must Read.

This is a well-written, modern comedy of manners that contains an occasional gem of a sentence. It's not exactly "chic lit" but neither is it War and Peace; the subject matter is light and familiar (at least to women) and the characters eccentric and charmingly British. I highly recommend it as a vacation read. It will entertain you, not strain you. But it won't rot your brain for lack of witty writing, like a lot of the other drivel being published under "romance" these days!

A warm story about a small town girl with big time dreams. Jo, the main protagonist is your quintessential girl next door, with a laid back boyfriend, relatable parents and friends she has grown up with. She knows she wants something more out of life and when the chance comes, she grabs it. In London she is a nanny to a crazy bunch of kids, and almost seems to be parenting the parents at times. How she adapts, finds love, finds her groove....is what this story is all about. A warm, bedside read on days when you want pop fantasy instead of the reality of a cold morning.

The bland title of this book almost put me off from buying it!! This book is much more than a "nanny" story...I started this book thinking I was going to be reading a knock-off of "The Nanny Diaries"-- a story about bratty children, an unbearable boss, etc...and the back cover actually leads one to belive this.

However, this book is none of the above! This was a real story..not just about one character, but about many. The reader gets to know the ins and outs of several characters throughout the book, thus making it a very complete and satisfying read.

The toilet humor I could have done without, though-- there seemed to be no point to it other than a lame, unsuccessful attempt at creating a laugh or two.

This book was a find....easily passed by due the title- I am happy I stumbled upon this one!

I've been working my way through a bunch of the chick-lit out there and was just starting to worry that I had already read all the good ones when I came across The Nanny. I loved this book! I really liked the way it concentrated on the entire Fitzgerald family and not just the romance between Jo and Josh. They were the center point of the book (and I loved their relationship), but the rest of the family made what would have otherwise been a typical book that I read then forget into one I'll reread and put up there among my favorites. Too often we're given a central story that we care about, only to have it ruined by side stories with not enough heart, that are there merely to fill pages. I can honestly say that this is not the case with The Nanny. Every one of these characters becomes important and adds to the already delightful relationship between Jo and Josh.

Jo Green knows she needs something more. 23 years old and still living with her parents, turning down three marriage proposals from her perfectly okay boyfriend, and living day to day with mundane tasks. When Jo finds an ad in the paper for a live-in nanny position in the big city of London, she eagerly accepts an interview with the Fitzgerald's. After securing a position and waving good-bye to her old life, Jo begins to settle into her new adventure, not expecting what will come next.

The Fitzgerald's lead a posh life, with Vanessa the hard working corporate mother and Dick the playful dad running a record store, his hobby. They have a Brady Bunch between them, with three children from their marriage added with two from Dick's previous marriage- which includes 25 year old Josh. After Jo commissions Josh out of work, the eldest son moves into the family home- and is practically sharing a bedroom with Jo. Jo tries to ignore the feelings of attraction for Josh, especially when boyfriend Shaun makes the trip to visit her, but the feelings are dismissed when Jo finds out he is helping his father hide an affair from Vanessa. The dysfunctional family lifestyle ensues, and soon enough Jo finds herself enjoying her day to hectic day responsibilities within the tizzy Fitzgerald home.

The Nanny, written by the late Melissa Nathan, is a fun tale of a girl trying to find her way. The story of Jo Green trying to make something of herself is entertaining to read, and the Fitzgerald family adds much needed humor in all the right places. The air of mystery surrounding the affair keeps readers interested throughout the way, and the romance between Jo and Josh is undecided until the very end. A light but endearing read.

Jo Green is tired of village life, living with her parents, her boyfriend, and hanging out at the local pub. She takes a nannying job in London with a dysfunctional yet fun family and her life is turned upside down as she discovers her true self and her true interests.

The Nanny is a light satisfying read. The plot is fairly predictable but the book is quick to read, humorous, and touching. Recommended as a great vacation book!

Becoming a big fan of Brit Chic Lits. The characters are ordinary people having everyday whacky things happen to them and praise to the author who can tell a story in a fun way. In American stories the main characters are always drop dead gorgeous, super wealthy with stupid issues, you just can't relate.

This is the first book I've read by Melissa Nathan, but it sure won't be the last.

The Nanny is the story of Jo, she's just had her 23rd birthday and feels this restless desire to do something different in her life. She's been with her boyfriend for 6 years, lives with her parents and does the same things every Friday and Saturday night. Then she finds an ad in the local paper and decides to take a job in London (a far cry from the little town she's from) for a family with 3 kids, two stepchildren from a previous marriage, and a very dysfunctional relationship. She's terrified but she needs to make a change in her life to find where her true priorities lie. Jo then meets Josh, the 25 year old son of her employer who she is forced to share a room with which makes her question her desires for her boyfriend of 5 years. All sorts of other plot twists ensue and Jo is forced to make a decision, her old life or her new London life?

While its not going to change your life one way or another this book is a really light and fun read. Jo is a very likable character and her confusion is believable. The ending is very predictable, but then again you shouldn't read this book if you're looking for deep and profound revelations. I will be reading all of her other books after this one.