Perfect Timing: When you meet the man of your dreams on the night before your wedding, it's hardly... [Paperback]

Jill Mansell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009

When you meet the man of your dreams on girls night out, it's hardly…Perfect Timing

In this fresh and funny contemporary romance by bestselling author Jill Mansell, Poppy Dunbar's whole life gets turned upside down after a chance encounter with a handsome stranger...

Never a troublemaker, Poppy had always been content with the way things were supposed to be done—which included marrying predictable Rob McBride. But that was before she met Tom Kennedy the night before her wedding. Could she really be falling in love with a stranger?

Unable to forget Tom, or go through with the wedding, Poppy runs off to London. Her new life and colorful friends are anything but predictable. Misunderstandings, family secrets, and jealous quarrels ensue, but can Poppy stop running long enough to figure out what—or, rather, who—is in her heart?

PRAISE FOR JILL MANSELL:

"Pick this up at your peril: you won't get a thing done till it's finished."
Heat magazine

"Classy chick-lit that appeals to women of all ages. She [Jill Mansell] has a fantastic ability to keep a number of storylines running at the same time without losing the reader in a labyrinth."
Daily Express

"Slick, sexy, funny stories."
Daily Telegraph

"A romantic romp full of larger-than-life characters."
Express

"Fast, furious and fabulous fun. To read it is to devour it."
Company

" Expect to run the gamut of emotions, as this book is both laugh-outloud funny and tear-jerkingly sad. Basically, you won't put it down."
New Woman

(20091026)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mansell's Brit chick lit invasion continues with this enjoyable romp that begins with Poppy Dunbar meeting a charismatic stranger at her bachelorette party. Next thing you know, she's abandoning her intended at the altar and heading to London, but not before she learns that her dad isn't her biological father. In London, she shares a flat with spoiled but desperately insecure Claudia and roguish artist Caspar French, and sets out to find her mystery man and her real father. Soon, though, Poppy learns that getting what you want isn't the same as getting what you need. While undoubtedly by-the-numbers, the story is elevated by strong characters; Poppy and Caspar in particular, and even Claudia, who could so easily be a cliché, earn the reader's sympathy. The end result is thoroughly enjoyable. (Nov.)
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Review

A fantastic, fun, fabulous book... Jill Mansell is swell. (Tea Kettle Read with Tea 20091102)

This is one of those books that can pick you up and inspire you to take some action.
(Katrina Hall Bloody Bad Books 20091104)

Perfect Timing is superb entertainment. Loved it! (Camellia The Long and Short of It 20091105)

Chick lit done right! (Christine Zegelis Book Tumbling 20091109)

Quirky chick-lit that you will breeze through in a flash. (Audrey Salick Drey's Library 20091109)

[Jill Mansell] is one of the very best writers in the chick lit genre. (Julie Peterson Booking Mama 20091109)

Mansell has another winner with Perfect Timing. (Serena Cox-Agusto Savvy Verse & Wit 20091111)

If you enjoy the Sophie Kinsella type books I think you will enjoy this one. (Debbie Suzuki Debbie's World of Books 20091113)

Jill's writing style and ability to tell a funny, romantic story, which is also tearful and dramatic at times, kept me reading well into the night. (Virginie Barbeau Virginie Barbeau 20091113)

I was sorry to see this story end... a great read. (Jennifer Ritter Jenny Loves to Read 20091123)

If I lived in London and these characters were real, I would hang out with them... Ms. Mansell has just become my favorite British, romantic, comedic author. (Cheryl Koch Cheryl's Book Nook 20091124)

Quintessential chick lit. (Amy Santos Park Avenue Princess 20091124)

Reading Perfect Timing, I kept thinking how come this book wasn't available on the American market sooner! (Nikola Septic Nikola's Book Blog 20091130)

All the characters you meet along the way are just so unique and quite special... This is chick lit at it's best! (Nely Sanchez All About the {n} 20091130)

If you like romantic comedies with a twist then I believe you will like this book. (Stormi Johnson Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! 20091201)

Mansell is the queen of Brit chick lit... You're guaranteed a feel good read, without question. (Luanne Olliver A Bookworm's World 20091202)

This has been my fourth Jill Mansell book that I have read and I have enjoyed them all. (Cindy Smith Cindy's Love of Books 20091202)

Move over Bridget Jones! (Jackie Lester My Ever Expanding Library 20091209)

Perfect Timing has just the right mix of interesting and likable characters, romantic leads, crazy plot twists, and satisfying moments (Gaby Lupus Starting Freshhttp://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/11/book-review-of-jane-mansells-perfect.html 20091214)

Mansell brings such a vitality to all characters, main and supporting alike. The plot was interesting, and the interactions between the characters were downright hilarious. (Ashley Lee Bellas Novellas 20091218)

Witty, entertaining, and romance set the tone for this fast-paced, hard-to-put down British Chic-lit. (Wendy Hines Wendy's Minding Spot )

Another winner... Mansell weaves an entertaining tale with rich, interesting characters. (Lanine Bradley Sacramento Book Review )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Reissue edition (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402226748
• ISBN-13: 978-1402226748
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious and exciting book for readers of any age, February 13, 2001

By 

alex (Manchester, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perfect Timing (Paperback)

I am only 14 years old, yet I found this book as fast-moving and funny as my mum did. I simply couldn't put it down, and the relationships and predicaments of the characters only added to its appeal. I have also read 'Head Over Heels', 'Miranda's Big Mistake' and 'Good At Games', and found them as light-hearted and amusing as 'Perfect Timing'. I would recommend any of Jill Mansell's novels to readers of any age, as the hilarious plot-lines and surprising twists will keep everyone laughing and guessing until the end. A great book.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's time for the USA to discover Jill Mansell!, February 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Perfect Timing (Paperback)

For this genre (and we all know what it is!!) "Perfect Timing" is, well, perfect. Yes, some of the characters and plot lines are a bit over the top, but life can be a bit wacky too. The dialog is funny and the story moves along just like you'd want it to. I like the twist on the story that's too good to be true - we all know that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is. For those of you who aren't familiar with Jill Mansell's books, she usually takes one or two outrageous elements to begin with. To this, she adds a cast of totally realistic and believable characters that make the whole thing ring true. The result is just enough escapism, with a good balance of real life. She also writes solid dialog that rings true, with gentle humor and wit. She's written many, many wonderful books - too bad this is the only one that's available (as of today) on Amazon in the US. If you like Perfect Timing, I suggest trying Amazon.uk for her other books.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun and bubbly read!, February 21, 2001

By 

CoffeeGurl - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Perfect Timing (Paperback)

What are the odds that you would meet the man of your life at your bachelorette party? That, of course, would mean that the man you're about to marry isn't the one, wouldn't it? That's what happens to Poppy Dunbar. On the night that she says goodbye to her single life, she meets a charming doctor. She is smitten. It is love at first sight. There is one problem: she will be married the next day. What is she to do?

This British romance is a quick and enjoyable read. Keep in mind that this isn't meant to be a thought provoking and literal novel, but one that hopeless romantics could enjoy. I highly recommend it.