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.
Disclosure: I received a copy of Millie’s Fling from Sourcebooks for review purposes. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2009 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I really enjoyed this one. I think this is my favorite of the Mansell Novels.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
There is something to be said about British humor. It just cracks me up! I could use a good laugh about now!
LikeLike
I’m on the bandwagon here with British chick lit, or British any lit, really. It’s so fun!
LikeLike
I really must borrow one of her books 🙂
Will stop tomorrow then, or the day after
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
Great review!!! I love Ms. Mansell’s books!
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
I haven’t read this author before, but it sounds like someone I should definitely try!
LikeLike
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Mansell novel. This one sounds like a good read.
LikeLike
Looks like fun, but maybe a little too chick lit for me.
LikeLike
I enjoyed this one as well. Nice review!
LikeLike
Sounds like a cute story and I just love the cover! It looks like something I would doodle on a notebook.
LikeLike
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
LikeLike
I’m a follower through Google reader
dancealert at aol dot com
LikeLike
Don’t you just love her characters. Can’t wait for the next one!
LikeLike
I love the idea of a female Mr. Bean – it makes me laugh just thinking about it. 🙂
LikeLike
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! 🙂
LikeLike
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 🙂
LikeLike
This sounds good. I,too, love British chick-lit, ever since Bridget Jones’s Diary. I’ll have to check this out
LikeLike
~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.
LikeLike
[…] May 17, 2010 by diaryofaneccentric I don’t read too many chick lit novels, but you can bet that when I hear about a newly released Jill Mansell novel, I’m all over it. Mansell’s novels are chick lit at its best. Her books are humorous romances with quirky characters, and Rumor Has It is no exception. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow for my review, but you can read my reviews of An Offer You Can’t Refuse, Miranda’s Big Mistake, and Millie’s Fling. […]
LikeLike
[…] by Deborah Weed and Ernest Socolov (illus.) Dirty Water by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith and Jere Smith Millie’s Fling by Jill Mansell Testimony by Anita Shreve Kali and the Rat Snake by Zai Whitaker and Srividya […]
LikeLike
[…] Millie’s Fling by Jill Mansell […]
LikeLike
[…] 30, 2009 by Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) The winners of Millie’s Fling by Jill Mansell […]
LikeLike
[…] I’m thrilled to welcome Jill Mansell to Diary of an Eccentric today! Mansell is the author of Millie’s Fling, Miranda’s Big Mistake, and An Offer You Can’t Refuse (click to read my reviews) […]
LikeLike
[…] Offer You Can’t Refuse Miranda’s Big Mistake Millie’s Fling Rumor Has It Take a Chance on […]
LikeLike
[…] Offer You Can’t Refuse Miranda’s Big Mistake Millie’s Fling Rumor Has It Take a Chance on Me Staying at […]
LikeLike