Practically Perfect [Hardcover]

Katie Fforde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2006

In the latest novel from the top-ten bestselling author of Flora’s Lot, an interior designer decides it’s time she went solo. Katie Fforde is a reviewer’s favourite, a writer of delicious and breezy romances that are witty and comforting.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the less than sprightly latest from Fforde (Restoring Grace), newly minted interior designer Anna, 27, is renovating a run-down cottage in the Cotswold to flip for a profit. At her neighbor's request, she takes in a homeless greyhound, and it happens that Rob Hunter, the local greyhound rehoming officer, is also the inspector who ensures that historical homes are properly restored. Though he initially is a thorn in her inexperienced renovator side, Anna comes to appreciate Rob's humor, warmth and caring nature. But then Max Gordon, the architecture guest lecturer Anna's had a crush on for years after a near-miss on getting together when she was in college, appears at her London reunion and seems poised to sweep her off her feet. The cast of country secondaries provides color and interest, and Fforde adroitly registers Anna's subtler feelings. But the pace is slow, and the renovation details overwhelm the romance. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"'Old-fashioned romance of the best sort-funny, comforting' - Elle 'The romance fizzes along with good humour and is a good, fat, summery read' - Sunday Mirror 'A witty and generous romance - Jilly Cooper for the grown-ups' - Independent 'Delicious' - Sunday Times 'Can be scoffed at one sitting - tasty!' - Cosmopolitan"

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Century (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844136744
• ISBN-13: 978-1844136742
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,423,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read from the best of British chic-lit, June 14, 2010

By 

Marya Zanders (Iowa) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Practically Perfect (Paperback)

I always enjoy reading Katie Fforde. All of her titles are amongst my keepers to reread at leisure.

PRACTICALLY PERFECT has a very talented young heroine and mixes her struggles to renovate a a listed cottage with her feelings for two very different men. The story line also weaves in the difficulties of rehoming retired greyhounds and daily life in a small village.

I don't like to give too much away for those who haven't read PRACTICALLY PERFECT, but, as in all good chic-lit novels, there are issues beyond romance including friendships and family.

Katie Fforde writes stand-alone books, each having different themes and new characters. And each is well worth reading. Her female characters, regardless of age, remind of friends in England, the stories are told with humor. Each book leaves me satisfied and hoping there will be a new Katie Fforde out one out soon.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pink fluff, August 20, 2006

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practically Perfect (Hardcover)

Newly qualified interior designer and general all-round handywoman, Anna, sets about re doing the interior of a listed, working man's cottage. The fact that it's "listed" means that there are certain guidelines to which she must adhere, and that she must get permission from the local inspector of works. She's harboured a secret, schoolgirl crush on one of her college lecturers for years, building up in her mind, a picture of a romantic, heroic figure, against whom, no other man can compete, so when she finds herself becoming attracted to the local inspector, brushes it off in favour of her romantic dream. When she and "Prof. Dreamy" finally get togther, her childish dreams disintegrate in the face of his total self absorbtion and general selfishness (and the sex isn't that great either!) and so she redily falls for the charms of the earthier but worthier, inspector. Then this stupid twit of a woman reveals what an idiot she really is by imposing her ideas on to a project of the inspector's, when he is laid up in hospital, and proceeds to alienate him with her bossiness. It's a "pink fluff" story, ok for when you feel like something very light to read, but not at all attention holding.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love it, February 10, 2010

By 

L. J. Kearns (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practically Perfect: A Novel (Hardcover)

I love Katie Fforde's books! This was a great one, not my favorite of hers, but a great read. Entertaining, fun and I'm glad I purchased it.