Practically Perfect [Import] [Paperback]

Katie Fforde (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2006

Anna, a newly qualified interior designer, decides to risk everything on buying a tiny but adorable cottage so she can renovate it, sell it, and prove to her family that she can earn her own living. But the cottage interior isn’t the only obstacle she has to face; the other one is the arrival of Rob Hunter who puts up more obstacles than the Grand National.

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

“Fforde has imagination to spare, using witty writing and plotting to build a story.”
---The New York Times Book Review

“Katie Fforde’s unique spin on romantic comedy is a blend of the sweet, the sad, and the sexy.”
---Patricia Gaffney, author of The Saving Graces

“Deliciously witty and romantic.”
---Marian Keyes, author of Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married

“Romantic comedy is one of the hardest things to pull off, requiring aplomb, immaculate timing, and a relish for the absurd. Katie Fforde pays the form a spirited compliment.”
---Elizabeth Buchan, author of Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman

“Charming . . . enormously enjoyable . . . like listening to Cole Porter or watching The Philadelphia Story.”
---Newsday

“Fforde brings an appealing, bumbling innocence to the age-old formula...”
---Publishers Weekly

“Chatty, feel-good romance . . . Fforde moves the plot along at breakneck speed, with enough charm to entertain the most discerning fans.”
---Kirkus Reviews

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Century (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844136752
• ISBN-13: 978-1844136759
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,464,107 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

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.