Tuesday 5 July 2011

Review - Working It Out by Nicola May

An absolute belter of a book!  Working It Out by Nicola May was hilarious from start to finish!  Ruby is the most likeable, vibrant main character of the book who after being made redundant, decides to spend the next 12 months trying out a different job each month, to find out what she wants to do with her life.  Also, not having a great deal of success in her love life, she also thinks that this new challenge may help her to find “the one”!   Ruby is a fun, vivacious, energetic, passionate and extremely kind soul who doesn’t stand for any nonsense, and is looking for love in all the wrong places and has a few “interesting” experiences along the way!

Ruby comes from a loving family, who were thrown into turmoil when her Dad died. Her family consists of brother Sam, an inspirational character who doesn’t let the fact that he is blind, stop him living a full life, and a Mom who deserves and finds happiness again after the loss of her husband.    Gorgeous George and James who live over the road, her best mate Fi, and the lovely old dear who lives next door, make this story a most enjoyable romp as a fly on the wall in their tremendously colourful lives. 

Touching in many parts, particularly when talking about the loss of a parent being the worst thing that can ever happen to you (of which I wholeheartedly agreed with and can speak from experience – bless you my lovely Mom!) and hilariously funny throughout, this book made me smile just thinking about it the next day!  The trials and tribulations of exploring varied careers, made me look forward to finding out what her next assignment would be.   Her encounters in her love life also made for interesting reading and the drunken nights out she had with Fi brought back many a memory for me and brought a huge smile to my face  (although I’m not prepared to elaborate on this!)

This book is a light, great fun read with messages of love and kindness throughout.  Ruby is a girl who you’d love to be best mates with – my goodness you’d be worn out, but you’d have some fun! A great ending to the story, giving you that “Ah, how lovely” moment at the end, made this a book I shall definitely be recommending to others!   Nicola is an energetic writer with lots of imagination that brings characters and places to life and to keep the laughter going throughout a whole book is an amazing skill.  Fab book Nicola, well done!

Nicola May lives in Berkshire. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses. Inspired by her favourite authors Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews.   She has written two other novels, Better Together and Star Fish.   You can find out more about Nicola and the other books she has written at www.nicolamay.com.

4 comments:

Janice said...

This book sounds great fun - and a must read. What an interesting plot - to try out twelve jobs over a year and find happiness. Thanks for the review Kim. That's another book on my To Read list!!!!

Kim The Book Worm said...

Sorry Janice, you'll never have any time to write if you read all the books I've read and loved and I don't want to be responsible for you not writing!
Kim
x

Linn B Halton and Lucy Coleman said...

I too want Ruby as a best mate! Love it Nicola - full of energy and laughter.....

Rea's Book Reviews said...

I have just finished this one and I have to agree was a very humorous read!!xx