Customer Reviews

The Little Lady Agency

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's been a while since I've found a book that I couldn't put down. Part of that may be how well I identified with the main character. The most pleasant surprise for me was how clean the story was. I enjoy reading the chick-lit beach books, but I don't like all of the sex that a lot of them have. This one was fantastic. I can't wait to read her next one; I hope it's an equally fun, clean read.

This is a very good freshman effort from a new writer, who manages to make a novel interesting and readable without resorting to steamy sex scenes (not that there's anything wrong with those). The book has a dry with about it, and the characters are nicely drawn. The most engaging bit about this novel is that the heroine assumes a different persona -- a stronger, smarter, more attractive version of herself -- and who amongst us would not like to do that successfully from time to time? It's enjoyable to watch her integrate the different facets of her personality and resolve her assertiveness issues.

The ending could have been a tad stronger, but all in all, this is a very pleasant way to while away an afternoon.

Hester Browne has brought us a unique chick lit heroine. Melissa is not a Carrie Bradshaw; she is much more a Bridget Jones. Melissa comes from wealthy, snobby stock, but she is not one of them. She is sweet and naive, honest and determined. In short, I really liked her and cheered her on throughout the story.

"The Little Lady Agency" has a good premise, one that hasn't been done to death, and for a first novel, I thought it was superbly edited. Unlike other first-time authors, Browne obviously worked hard to bring consistency and realism to her writing, rather than letting laziness and inexperience creep in. This book was almost slightly too long, but it kept my attention -- and my caring -- until the end.

A lot of the plot devices -- such as trying to find your real path in life and doing so through an assumed persona -- are routine; yet because Melissa isn't stereotyped, and just felt so real to me, it was fun to read through her "masked" adventures. I also liked the secondary characters, they came to life more than in other romance and similar novels I've read.

This is a good summer read, or a good read-in-bed book. I haven't read the two sequels (as I tend to stay away from series, as a general rule), but I'd say if you enjoy "The Little Lady Agency," then Browne has started something wonderful for you.

I bought this book on impulse at the airport due to its cute cover and the synopsis of the book and the book's author on the back of the book.

I know this statement is very puerile and vapid, but like the book's author, I collect red lipstick and etiquette books.

When I got back from my trip, I put it on my novel shelf since at the time, I was reading more "disturbing and deep" biographies and poetry that left me depressed.

Due to my reading too many depressing books (Sylvia Plath's books and poems are hardly high comedy), I decided to pick up this book in order to cheer myself up.

I found the book to be charming and I was also glad to find a contemporary book that was not full of graphic sex or violence.

I just love Melissa and her alter ego, Honey.

I was rooting for Jonathan and Melissa through the entire book.

And her father! What a jerk! I think his character is a great antagonist for poor Melissa!

I love the descriptions of Melissa's sisters. Allegra, the wilder sister and Emery, the vapid and shallow younger sister.

I do wish that Melissa's mother's character would be more developed, but I suppose that might stray from the author's intent.

I won't spoil the book's end, but it was cute and a paradox in all the right ways.

OK, this is not supposed to be "War and Peace" or even a Jacqueline Susann novel (Susann's novels are great, but always depress me).

The only "down side" I found at all is I do not like the title at all -- it gives the book a Old Lady flavor and it is far from that!

"The Little Lady Agency" it is just girly lit and fluffy as clouds on a beautiful summer day!

If you want a fun beach read or a feel good girly book, then I think you will love this.

Now I am off to order the sequel from Amazon: "Little Lady Big Apple"!

Oh yes, how about that Roger Trumpet's foul breath?

I normally do not like to read first person books, however, the way this author wrote this book captures your attention right away. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and was not ready to put it down. The characters are very realistic, I could relate to the main character and found myself laughing at some of the thoughts and dilemmas she was having because they made me think of myself at times. :0) I highly recommend you read this book, I do not think you will be disappointed in the least!!! I look forward to her next book Little Lady, Big Apple.

I recommend this story for anyone who needs a feel-good book! This tale is something on the line of a cleaned-up Bridget Jones. The other reviews already given will give the prospective reader an idea of the storyline. I just wanted to recommend this novel to one and all. It put a big smile on my face!

"Move over Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw, Melissa Romney Jones is the new heroine in chick lit."

Summary: Melissa Romney-Jones has many talents: she can help someone dress accordingly, plan a great party, and organize just about anything. Despite her qualifications, she is released from her job. Unsure of what to do next, Melissa decides to take the skills she learned at finishing school help hapless men.
Donning a blonde wig and snug clothing, Melissa becomes "Honey," a confident go-getter who helps give direction to clueless men. She helps them find clothes, buy gifts, break up with girlfriends, and occasionally acts as a date to a company party. When Jonathan, an American new to the area, hires "Honey" to help him ward off matchmakers as he heals from a broken marriage, Melissa finds herself falling for Jonathan. Does he care for her or just the persona of "Honey"?
My thoughts: I picked this book out simply because on the cover, Sophie Kinsella, a writer I enjoy, had a comment on the front. (I know, not always the best way to pick a book.) At first, I was leery of the plot. I did not want to read a book about a female escort or prostitute. This book is NOT that. It's about a woman becoming confident in her own skin after years of being put in a box by her family and offering support and encouragement to men in need. The characters are well developed, and I love the character of Nelson has the roommate and faithful sidekick. There is no sex in the book and little cursing. The book is an enjoyable read and entertaining throughout, especially considering it is Hester Browne's first book. I enjoyed the book enough to go get the rest of the series.

[...]

I simply adored this book! The characters are vivid and real, and complex (but still normal). There are few books that I enjoy simply reading about the day-to-day life of the characters, and this was one of them.

Melissa does her best to be a good person, even though she isn't always appreciated for it, and she has to fight against her less than supportive family and her own issues of self perception to become a stronger, more confident woman. In the mix are her best friend and flat-mate Nelson (which, who wouldn't love to have a Nelson in their lives?), her somewhat flighty, but fun and loyal, other best-friend Gabi, a $10,000 debt to her father, and a series of dead-end jobs and boyfriends.

Melissa finally decides to start her own career in which she plans to help bachelor men sort out the finer details of their lives that need that womanly touch (what types of gifts to give, how to pick out a good wardrobe, the best way to dump a girlfriend). Little did Melissa know that the Little Lady wasn't going to just change the lives of her clients, but her own life as well. Assuming a work-identity, Honey (Melissa) is free to be more vivacious, more outspoken and more confident. And some of her clients are pretty great guys (especially one American who seems to unwittingly blur the lines between Melissa and Honey).

There are so many layers to this story, and I loved the character arcs as much as the ins and outs of the Little Lady Agency. The book is funny, fun, sweet, endearing, and purely enjoyable. If I'm being super picky, there were a few plot ends that I felt weren't wrapped up as clearly as I would have liked, but that could be because (happily) there are sequels.

I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a chick-lit with depth, a comedy with heart, or a romance for the modern era.

If you compare a book to a meal and all of the words inside are the various ingredients, I'd tell you Browne is a marvelous cook and her meal was delicious! Melissa is a totally relatable character and you just want to root for her when people (i.e. her family) take advantage of her. I even believed the Little Lady Agency was such a good idea I began imagining myself starting a business like Honey's...although I'm sure it would only work in fiction or in large cities like London (where it takes place).

The plot was pretty predictable with only small elements of surprise which kept the story entertaining me. I just wanted to eat up every last morsel! Two thumbs up and lots of fun to read if you're in need of light reading.