Thursday, September 10, 2009

Millie's Fling by Jill Mansell

Once again, Jill Mansell has reminded me why I enjoy British chick lit and need to read a fun romance every once in a while. There's plenty of romantic mishaps and entertaining characters in Millie's Fling, the latest of her novels to be released in the U.S. by Sourcebooks.

The heroine of Millie's Fling, Millie Brady, is a 25-year-old woman living in Cornwall, England, who describes herself as a female Mr. Bean. She's dumped by her boyfriend in the very first chapter of the novel -- he's asking her to move in with him, but she's more concerned about the woman ready to jump off the cliff at Tresanter Point. That woman is Orla Hart, the best-selling romance novelist who is deeply hurt by her husband's infidelity. Millie convinces her not to jump, and a close friendship -- and work relationship -- blooms. Orla, still reeling from a bad book review, decides to shake things up a bit with her latest novel, which she decides to base on Millie's life. Millie must spill the beans on everything that goes on in her life -- such as comforting her best friend and roommate, Hester, as she tries to juggle a long-distance romance with Nat, a chef working in Glasgow, and her long-time crush on Lucas, a womanizer who becomes Millie's boss.

Other than her job as a roller-skating gorilla who delivers kissograms, Millie has a boring life (or so she says). The people around her, however, are another story. As usual, Mansell creates several interesting characters that kept me turning the pages, from Millie's desperate mother, Adele, to the horrid couple with whom Millie worked as a travel agent. The supporting characters have mishaps of their own, which makes for an entertaining read. As for Millie, Orla figures introducing Millie to various men will spice up her life and enhance the plot of the book being written about her. However, Millie gets herself into a pickle with Hugh Emerson, a widower whom she meets after finding his lost wallet and playing a phone prank on him.

Mansell writes bumbling but endearing heroines whom you can't help but like, and though her books tend to hover around 500 pages, it's easy to get so wrapped up in the story that you forget about the length. The dialogue, particularly the banter between Millie and Hugh, is brilliant and had me smiling and chuckling to myself. While the plot was predictable, Millie's Fling is a feel-good book for chick lit fans or readers looking for a light and funny novel packed with memorable characters.

Tomorrow, Jill Mansell will be stopping by Diary of an Eccentric to talk about Millie's Fling and how she handles weight issues in her books. And look for information on how you can get your hands on a copy of the book!

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of Millie's Fling from Sourcebooks for review purposes.

21 comments:

Serena said...

I really enjoyed this one. I think this is my favorite of the Mansell Novels.

bermudaonion said...

I love British chick lit, too and I agree that Mansell's characters are great - I can relate to them so much because they're so real. Great review.

Sandy Nawrot said...

There is something to be said about British humor. It just cracks me up! I could use a good laugh about now!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I'm on the bandwagon here with British chick lit, or British any lit, really. It's so fun!

Blodeuedd said...

I really must borrow one of her books :)
Will stop tomorrow then, or the day after

Rowena said...

This book sounds really good. I was just talking about how I'd like to read a new British Chick Lit book..this sounds right up that alley. Thanks for the heads up and the review!

Julie P. said...

Great review!!! I love Ms. Mansell's books!

Jenners said...

First of all, I got totally hung up on the idea of a novelist being so upset by a bad book review! At least that wasn't why she was going to jump off the cliff! And anyone who works as a roller-skating gorilla delivering kissograms does not have a boring life! Sounds like a fun, light read!

Jill said...

I haven't read this author before, but it sounds like someone I should definitely try!

Belle said...

It's been a while since I've read a Mansell novel. This one sounds like a good read.

Anonymous said...

Looks like fun, but maybe a little too chick lit for me.

S. Krishna said...

I enjoyed this one as well. Nice review!

Ladytink_534 said...

Sounds like a cute story and I just love the cover! It looks like something I would doodle on a notebook.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I don't have just one. I love the women in Catherine Anderson's books!
I really would like to read this book!

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I'm a follower through Google reader

dancealert at aol dot com

Luanne said...

Don't you just love her characters. Can't wait for the next one!

Alyce said...

I love the idea of a female Mr. Bean - it makes me laugh just thinking about it. :)

Unknown said...

I haven't read any books by this author even though I'm a brit chick. This books does sound fun though, thanks for the review! :)

Veens said...

I have not read British Chick Lit! Great review as always and I have read many good reviews of this one! I really need to pt this on my wish-list :)

bookmagic said...

This sounds good. I,too, love British chick-lit, ever since Bridget Jones's Diary. I'll have to check this out

Anna said...

~Serena: It's my fave so far, too.

~bermudaonion: Thanks! I hope you get a chance to read this one.

~Sandy: This one certainly is funny~

~rhapsodyinbooks: I hear ya!

~Blodeuedd: I hope you get your hands on her books.

~Rowena: You're very welcome!

~Julie: Thanks! Me, too.

~Jenners: That's what I was saying!

~Darla D: Hope you get a chance to read one of her books.

~Belle: I think you'd enjoy this one.

~carolsnotebook: It's definitely pure chick lit, but it's better than a lot of the other chick lit books I've read.

~S. Krishna: Thanks!

~Ladytink: I do like the Mansell covers, but they really look all the same.

~Brenda: Hope you get a chance to read it!

~Luanne: I'm looking forward to the next one, too, but unfortunately, I missed out on the ARCs.

~Alyce: Are you a Mr. Bean fan? I love that show!

~Book Chick City: I highly recommend Mansell. Hope you get a chance to read one of her books.

~Veens: I do hope you get your hands on this one!

~bookmagic: I hope you do. Nothing compares to British chick lit in my book.