Reviewed by Leah on
Last year I read a fantastic debut novel, it was ‘anti-romantic’ and it was an insanely modern take on life as a singleton in London. That book was The Dating Detox by Gemma Burgess. I absolutely adored it, and when I heard Gemma was writing a second novel to be published in early 2011, I couldn’t wait to find out more. I thought the synopsis sounded fab, I loved the cover and when I received a proof copy I couldn’t wait to get stuck in! Thankfully for me, A Girl Like You was just as good as The Dating Detox!
Whereas The Dating Detox focused (as you might expect) on the main character, Sass, going on a dating detox (see what I did there?), A Girl Like You is all about getting back on to the dating scene and surviving. Because contrary to what Abigail believes, dating isn’t fun, dating is a chore. So it’s a Godsend when her flat-mate Robert offers to help her navigate the London dating scene and before you can say ‘relationship’ Abigail is loving and leaving men at every turn. I thought the plot was fantastic. I wasn’t completely sure I would be taken in by the book because, frankly, acting like a man would when it comes to dating seems a bit mean and cold-hearted, but it worked. I loved how Abigail went from being shy to being cocky and confident, it suited her and so did the loving and leaving.
But while Gemma tells a good story, it’s her characterisation that really blows me away. She introduces us to six or seven characters and as the book progresses they evolve and change and become like one big happy family. It’s the wonderful Abigail who takes us through the novel and I loved her immediately. Because we’re chucked straight into the story, with Abigail sobbing in a hotel in Japan, I was instantly sympathetic towards her and couldn’t wait to find out how it had gotten like that. Abigail was just like Sass, she was fun and someone you could imagine being friends with and that’s all I ask from a main character! As for Abigail’s friends, Plum, Henry and her sister, Sophie, I found them a very tight circle, and I found Plum particularly hilarious. As for Robert, Abigail’s flatmate and London lothario, I liked him. In the beginning, I didn’t expect to. He breaks hearts wherever he goes, and doesn’t seem the type to settle down but as he and Abigail get to know each other better and begin a friendship, we learn a lot more of him and by the time the first quarter of the book was up I loved him. I am rather fickle like that, I feel.
During the book the lovely Abigail goes through men like I go through hot dinners, I knew who I wanted her to end up with. In fact, I would have cried if the ending had been any different to how I wanted it to be. Because despite wondering how on Earth it could ever work out, I knew that the man I wanted Abigail to end up with was perfect for her. It really was that simple for me, and I was so so pleased to get the ending I wanted. A Girl Like You was just fantastic, from beginning to end and I was grinning like a total idiot by the time I turned the last page. Gemma Burgess may have only had two books published but she has the potential to become a huge Chick Lit star. Her witty way with words, and the way she just tells it like it is is hugely appealing, and it’s just so different to most Chick Lit I read, it’s a simple as that. I really, really hope Gemma is working on a third novel, because if not then that would be a talent wasted, I am not joking and I absolutely can’t wait to get myself a finished copy of A Girl Like You. I hugely recommend you read it, it was fab!
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 6 December, 2010: Finished reading
- 6 December, 2010: Reviewed