This Charming Man Book

This book is a genuinely hilarious read. It really will take you through a rainbow of emotions as you learn about the secret lives of these three women. The story is told through three main characters (Lola, Grace and Marnie) each with a different grammar style and personality.

Lola, the bubbly wacky stylist, crumbles when she learns the truth about the end of her relationship, but as you read on you find out that perhaps her relationship wasn't as perfect as is first portrayed. Lola's career is jeopardized by her own mistakes, risking her livelihood and reputation. She is sent away to a quiet seaside village on Ireland's beautiful West coast where she meets a whole host of 'interesting' characters from Boss, Mrs Butterfly and, my favourite, 'Chloe'. As she begins to rebuild her self esteem and her life she learns a lot about herself and why De Courcy isn't the nice guy she first thought he was. Lola was by far my favourite character. At first the grammar was hard to get used to but it actually suits the light-hearted nature of her side of the story. Simultaneously you can sympathise with her, whilst also finding her situation comical. All I can say is her Friday night 'events' will have you laughing out loud!

Grace, tough as old boots but a journalist with a heart, becomes involved with De Courcy and his party Leader Dee Rossini through articles she is asked to write. She avoids De Courcy despite knowing him as a teenager, but why? As the story unfolds it becomes evident why she does not like him, but are there are skeletons hiding in Grace's own closet? To begin within Grace was a character I found hard to warm till until you realise she is a journalist with a heart who puts her family before herself. Grace is almost like the moral conscience of this story, driving the plot forward.

Marnie, mentally ill and desperately unhappy, represents the darker side of this book. Her family begins to be torn apart from her state of mind and her actions. I felt so sorry for this character, she is trying everything she can to not be so miserable. For a light-hearted book, Marnie's character adds great depths and explores a very relevant issue that affects many people on society regardless of class, ethnicity, sex, or age.

These three characters are all linked through Paddy De Courcy and the dark secrets that surround him (and them all). Even though this book is a chick lit I also found it to be empowering to women as they eventually stand up for what they believe in. The plot is full of twists and turns that you would have to be a clairvoyant to predict!

I would definitely recommend this book as a perfect beach/pool side read!

Lola has just found out that her boyfriend - charismatic politician Paddy de Courcy - is getting married. To someone else. Heartbroken, Lola flees the city for a cottage by the sea. But will Lola's retreat prove as idyllic as she hopes? Journalist Grace wants the inside story on Paddy de Courcy's engagement and thinks Lola holds the key to it.