Jill Mansell
Author of Millie's Fling
About the Author
Jill Mansell is a British author of romantic comedy. Mansell grew up in the Cotswolds and attended Sir William Romney's School in Tetbury. After working at the Burden Neurological Institute in Bristol for many years, she became a full-time writer in 1992. Jill Mansell is among the bestselling and show more most well-known chick-lit authors. In 2009, The Telegraph listed Jill Mansell as one of the best-selling authors of the decade. Her novel, Rumour Has It, spent eight weeks in The Sunday Times hardback bestseller list in 2009 and the paperback ranked third in The Sunday Times bestseller list An Offer You Can't Refuse, was in The Sunday Times paperback charts for five weeks in 2008. In 2011, 'Take A Chance On Me' won the Romantic Novleists Association's Romantic Comedy Prize. Her book title's include: Fast Friends, Solo, Open House, Falling for You, Millie's Fling, Don't Want To Miss a Thing and The Unpredictable Consequences of Love. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Image credit: Uncredited image from author's website.
Works by Jill Mansell
Just One Look At You: There is nothing like a Jill Mansell book to make the world feel better (2026) 5 copies
Jill Mansell Boxed Set 2 copies
Kaikkien aikojen häät 1 copy
Associated Works
Of Love and Life: Making Your Mind Up / Second Honeymoon / Be Careful What You Wish For (2006) — Author — 3 copies
Jill Mansell - February 2016: Audible Sessions: FREE Exclusive Interview (2016) — Narrator, some editions — 2 copies
Of Love and Life: Take a Chance on Me / Winter Garden / A Summer Fling — Contributor — 2 copies
Het Beste Boek 264: Blind vertrouwen / Eenmaal andermaal verliefd / Sluipschutter / Met fluwelen pootjes (2010) — Author — 1 copy, 1 review
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Mansell, Jill
- Birthdate
- 1957-06-15
- Gender
- female
- Occupations
- writer
- Agent
- Jane C. Judd
- Nationality
- UK
- Places of residence
- Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, UK
Cotswolds, England, UK
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England, UK - Map Location
- England, UK
Members
Reviews
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. At first I hard cringed when I started reading and the premise was that one woman (Clem) had a meet-cute with a man who has now come back to her life in a surprising way. This leads Clem to faking a relationship with her best friend Ronan who has his own reasons for agreeing to go along with things. Clem's stepsister, Belle, doesn't know what is going on with Clem, but the two of them seem to be constantly battling each other with Belle refusing show more to let Clem get the upper hand. Since this is a Mansell book there are some other characters we follow too, Ronan's mother Josephine, a woman named Kate, and another woman named Marina.
I honestly loved Belle's story-line the most. It was beautifully done and I loved the ending that happened there. And I have to say, that I was glad that Belle confronted Clem about her behavior and things she said. I was hard cringing anytime these two characters had scenes together. Clem believed the worst in Belle and was nasty IMHO to Belle as much as Belle was rude and nasty to her. I do wonder how these two parents were not in this book and thought that was a bit odd that Clem's mother and Belle's stepfather were just absent through the majority of the book.
Ronan's story-line was my second favorite part of this book. I don't know how realistic it would really be in the end. But I smiled throughout it and loved it. Ronan was also very well developed which was a nice touch. I often find sometimes the men in contemporary romance novel's are not developed as much as the women.
Marina's story-line was really good and it gets slowly revealed. I am a bit sad though that she doesn't appear to get a HEA like the other characters.
Clem I kind of ho-hummed about. Besides her meet-cute I didn't find myself that engaged with the character. I also thought it was stupid she faked a relationship. I didn't get any sense of chemistry between her and the love interest at all. And I don't want to spoil it, but the love interest's story-line turned me off a bit. It didn't help that besides that he wasn't really in the story properly. We just hear about his past in a info dump, he appears a few times to make Clem uncomfortable and then love.
I loved the writing and did laugh a few times. When Clem and Ronan go off to show listings it seems as if every odd person in the world is trying to sell their places. The flow was really good between shifting narratives too. You know if you read a Mansell book there's going to be at least 6 people you are tracking, and Mansell does that very well.
The setting of St. Cary's sounds wonderful. The beach, the water, and the people sounded delightful. A good book to read during the winter months in Virginia.
The ending was a surprise (for one side character I had not thought that much of honestly) but we get to catch up with Belle, Clem, Ronan, and others. I was really happy seeing everyone's HEA. show less
I honestly loved Belle's story-line the most. It was beautifully done and I loved the ending that happened there. And I have to say, that I was glad that Belle confronted Clem about her behavior and things she said. I was hard cringing anytime these two characters had scenes together. Clem believed the worst in Belle and was nasty IMHO to Belle as much as Belle was rude and nasty to her. I do wonder how these two parents were not in this book and thought that was a bit odd that Clem's mother and Belle's stepfather were just absent through the majority of the book.
Ronan's story-line was my second favorite part of this book. I don't know how realistic it would really be in the end. But I smiled throughout it and loved it. Ronan was also very well developed which was a nice touch. I often find sometimes the men in contemporary romance novel's are not developed as much as the women.
Marina's story-line was really good and it gets slowly revealed. I am a bit sad though that she doesn't appear to get a HEA like the other characters.
Clem I kind of ho-hummed about. Besides her meet-cute I didn't find myself that engaged with the character. I also thought it was stupid she faked a relationship. I didn't get any sense of chemistry between her and the love interest at all. And I don't want to spoil it, but the love interest's story-line turned me off a bit. It didn't help that besides that he wasn't really in the story properly. We just hear about his past in a info dump, he appears a few times to make Clem uncomfortable and then love.
I loved the writing and did laugh a few times. When Clem and Ronan go off to show listings it seems as if every odd person in the world is trying to sell their places. The flow was really good between shifting narratives too. You know if you read a Mansell book there's going to be at least 6 people you are tracking, and Mansell does that very well.
The setting of St. Cary's sounds wonderful. The beach, the water, and the people sounded delightful. A good book to read during the winter months in Virginia.
The ending was a surprise (for one side character I had not thought that much of honestly) but we get to catch up with Belle, Clem, Ronan, and others. I was really happy seeing everyone's HEA. show less
I simply adore the cover of Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay – it’s warm and relaxing, just what you need for summer. Unfortunately, I read this under a pile of blankets with a summer cold but it was just the treat I needed. Because that’s what this book is, a treat. It’s simply delicious, combining love, mix-ups, heartfelt reunions and delicious takedowns all in one big box. All the twists and turns (and some are a little out there, it must be said) are just a bonus. Meet Me at show more Beachcomber Bay is a true delight – it’s like opening a box of chocolates to find it only contains your favourites!
The overarching theme is love, in all forms and sizes. It seems that all our characters have issues that are best solved by true love in the gorgeous seaside backdrop of St Carys, a seaside resort town in Cornwall. We open with Clemency, a real estate agent, finding true love in the seat next to her on a plane, until her seatmate Sam tells her after landing that he’s married. Fast forward three years, and Clemency is single but pretty happy. Then her stepsister Belle brings home her new boyfriend, who is looking for a place in St Carys. Of course, it just happens to be Sam! Belle lords it over Clemency yet again, until Clemency decides to invent a fake relationship with Belle’s ex-crush and her best friend Ronan. Ronan is known in town for being a ladies’ man, but he’s okay with the pretend relationship as he lost his heart to mail-lady Kate months ago. Plus, he really wants to find his birth mother without upsetting his beloved adoptive mother. Painter and friend Marina hides a secret – and it’s not her annoying ex-husband, as does Kate. Will all of this unjumble itself?
Of course it will, but it’s an absolute delight getting to that point. Plus, there are even more twists (only one of which I saw coming) that make reading this novel so delicious. It’s incredibly funny in places too. And the final wedding – well, that was the piece de resistance. Master subterfuge right there! I read over half this novel in one day as it really is that much fun. The characters range from gorgeous (Ronan with his cheeky ways) to sweet (Sam, the man with a heart of gold). Even the minor characters, such as the pharmacy assistants who seem to do nothing but gossip are quirky and individual. But my favourite character was Marina’s ex-husband George who is equal parts repulsive and hilarious in his self-assured, blind faith that he is God’s gift to women!
There’s plenty to love about this book – it’s warm, witty and as sparkly as the sea on a summer’s day. Yes, it’s a fast read but it’s as satisfying as your favourite treat – without the calories.
Thanks to Hachette for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com show less
The overarching theme is love, in all forms and sizes. It seems that all our characters have issues that are best solved by true love in the gorgeous seaside backdrop of St Carys, a seaside resort town in Cornwall. We open with Clemency, a real estate agent, finding true love in the seat next to her on a plane, until her seatmate Sam tells her after landing that he’s married. Fast forward three years, and Clemency is single but pretty happy. Then her stepsister Belle brings home her new boyfriend, who is looking for a place in St Carys. Of course, it just happens to be Sam! Belle lords it over Clemency yet again, until Clemency decides to invent a fake relationship with Belle’s ex-crush and her best friend Ronan. Ronan is known in town for being a ladies’ man, but he’s okay with the pretend relationship as he lost his heart to mail-lady Kate months ago. Plus, he really wants to find his birth mother without upsetting his beloved adoptive mother. Painter and friend Marina hides a secret – and it’s not her annoying ex-husband, as does Kate. Will all of this unjumble itself?
Of course it will, but it’s an absolute delight getting to that point. Plus, there are even more twists (only one of which I saw coming) that make reading this novel so delicious. It’s incredibly funny in places too. And the final wedding – well, that was the piece de resistance. Master subterfuge right there! I read over half this novel in one day as it really is that much fun. The characters range from gorgeous (Ronan with his cheeky ways) to sweet (Sam, the man with a heart of gold). Even the minor characters, such as the pharmacy assistants who seem to do nothing but gossip are quirky and individual. But my favourite character was Marina’s ex-husband George who is equal parts repulsive and hilarious in his self-assured, blind faith that he is God’s gift to women!
There’s plenty to love about this book – it’s warm, witty and as sparkly as the sea on a summer’s day. Yes, it’s a fast read but it’s as satisfying as your favourite treat – without the calories.
Thanks to Hachette for the copy of this book. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com show less
**Disclosure: I was provided an advanced reader copy by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
The characters are all delightful (except for one, which you will take great relish in wanting to throttle at first opportunity.) Hallie's unrequited love will tug on your heartstrings, her sense of humor is endearing and her fight with trying to live the life she has as best she can while battling cystic fibrosis is brave, indeed. Tasha show more and Rory meet in a hilarious manner, and in a move just short of writing a Craigslist "missed connection" post, he finds her again. He is an adrenaline junkie, and she is anything but - a less likely match is not to be imagined, but they work. Flo is just lovely although her landlord cat, not so much, and I can't even explain that one - you'll have to read the book. She is the dig in/no-nonsense girl so typical with British authors and I have come to love characters like this (perhaps because I'm anything but). Her budding relationship with Zander, the well-off nephew of her cat's late owner (I said it was a hoot), was perhaps the least developed at the start but grew on me.
All in all, it is Jill Mansell's characters that keep me coming back book after book - quirky and funny and endearing (or infuriating), they always worm their way into my heart, and leave me wanting to know "and what next" even as the tale ends.
Three different storylines flow through the book and collide in a most unexpected way - and as my brain is usually rushing ahead, I was thinking "Oh NO she wouldn't take the plot that way..." and she didn't - she gave it a totally different and unexpected twist.
While solidly in the chick-lit camp, Three Amazing Things About You has a bit more depth and weight to it than others I've read of late. At times touching and hilarious, this is yet another book by Jill Mansell that does not disappoint. Fans of Sophie Kinsella will love this book, and if you have not yet discovered this amazing British author, you need to remedy that situation right away. show less
The characters are all delightful (except for one, which you will take great relish in wanting to throttle at first opportunity.) Hallie's unrequited love will tug on your heartstrings, her sense of humor is endearing and her fight with trying to live the life she has as best she can while battling cystic fibrosis is brave, indeed. Tasha show more and Rory meet in a hilarious manner, and in a move just short of writing a Craigslist "missed connection" post, he finds her again. He is an adrenaline junkie, and she is anything but - a less likely match is not to be imagined, but they work. Flo is just lovely although her landlord cat, not so much, and I can't even explain that one - you'll have to read the book. She is the dig in/no-nonsense girl so typical with British authors and I have come to love characters like this (perhaps because I'm anything but). Her budding relationship with Zander, the well-off nephew of her cat's late owner (I said it was a hoot), was perhaps the least developed at the start but grew on me.
All in all, it is Jill Mansell's characters that keep me coming back book after book - quirky and funny and endearing (or infuriating), they always worm their way into my heart, and leave me wanting to know "and what next" even as the tale ends.
Three different storylines flow through the book and collide in a most unexpected way - and as my brain is usually rushing ahead, I was thinking "Oh NO she wouldn't take the plot that way..." and she didn't - she gave it a totally different and unexpected twist.
While solidly in the chick-lit camp, Three Amazing Things About You has a bit more depth and weight to it than others I've read of late. At times touching and hilarious, this is yet another book by Jill Mansell that does not disappoint. Fans of Sophie Kinsella will love this book, and if you have not yet discovered this amazing British author, you need to remedy that situation right away. show less
I know I know. I usually give Mansell some grief, however, this one really works on all levels and I loved that Mansell didn't just give everyone a happy ending. She was quite realistic about some follow-ups with certain characters. I will say though, that this whole dude who didn't realize he wasn't the father of the child that was born plot reminded me a bit of one of her other books though.
"Thinking of You" has Ginny Holland dealing with her empty nest after her daughter goes off to show more university. Ginny had her daughter Jem are very close. Ginny doesn't see how she is going to get through her days without her daughter coming home to her. After visiting Jem and meeting her new flatmates, Ginny realizes she is going to need something to do so that she doesn't ruin Jem's independence. Ginny takes on a new job waitressing and also rents a room out at her place.
Due to the room renting and new job, Ginny meets new people, Finn (her boss), Evie (runs the restaurant portion of the antiques store he runs), Laurel (her new lodger), and Perry (Laurel's brother). Up until now most of Ginny's life has revolved around Jem, her best friend Carla and her ex-husband Gavin.
Mansell manages to juggle several story-lines throughout the book.
Ginny tries to start dating again and thinks that Perry would be the perfect guy. Though he has lying tosser written all over him, I did shake my head at how Perry was able to get women to do what he wanted. Ginny also finds her thoughts shifting to Finn and I liked how these two interacted together after their terrible meet-cute where Finn accuses her of being a shoplifter (I cracked up).
Ginny's ex-husband Gavin sounds like a total pain, but I laughed at all of his get your life together pep talks to Laurel (Ginny's lodger). Laurel was a hot mess though I laughed at her and her constant bringing up of her ex.
I also really like that Mansell included Jem's third person POV. We do get to see how badly she is with things while she is away from home (falling for someone totally unsuitable) and how she starts to act towards her friends like Davy and Lucy.
The writing was really good and at times very funny. I laughed out loud a few times with the banter between Gavin and Laurel as well as between Ginny and anyone else.
I thought the ending was quite sweet, but was happy to see some foreshadowing that some relationships which were said to be fine, came to an end or almost an end by the epilogue. And I was very happy we didn't see Jem or Lucy thinking of their friend Davy beyond being friends. Most romances would have had one of the girls fall for him or something. show less
"Thinking of You" has Ginny Holland dealing with her empty nest after her daughter goes off to show more university. Ginny had her daughter Jem are very close. Ginny doesn't see how she is going to get through her days without her daughter coming home to her. After visiting Jem and meeting her new flatmates, Ginny realizes she is going to need something to do so that she doesn't ruin Jem's independence. Ginny takes on a new job waitressing and also rents a room out at her place.
Due to the room renting and new job, Ginny meets new people, Finn (her boss), Evie (runs the restaurant portion of the antiques store he runs), Laurel (her new lodger), and Perry (Laurel's brother). Up until now most of Ginny's life has revolved around Jem, her best friend Carla and her ex-husband Gavin.
Mansell manages to juggle several story-lines throughout the book.
Ginny tries to start dating again and thinks that Perry would be the perfect guy. Though he has lying tosser written all over him, I did shake my head at how Perry was able to get women to do what he wanted. Ginny also finds her thoughts shifting to Finn and I liked how these two interacted together after their terrible meet-cute where Finn accuses her of being a shoplifter (I cracked up).
Ginny's ex-husband Gavin sounds like a total pain, but I laughed at all of his get your life together pep talks to Laurel (Ginny's lodger). Laurel was a hot mess though I laughed at her and her constant bringing up of her ex.
I also really like that Mansell included Jem's third person POV. We do get to see how badly she is with things while she is away from home (falling for someone totally unsuitable) and how she starts to act towards her friends like Davy and Lucy.
The writing was really good and at times very funny. I laughed out loud a few times with the banter between Gavin and Laurel as well as between Ginny and anyone else.
“But you were the one who came to see it! You said it was just what you were looking for!” Her voice rising—and not in an I-fancy-you way—Ginny said, “You said it was perfect!”
He blinked, nonplussed. “It is perfect. For Laurel.”
Frantically, Ginny ran back through everything he’d told her. “No, hang on, you said your flat was too small…”
"For ninety minutes now she had been listening to the Story of Kevin. Ninety minutes was the length of an entire film. She could have watched Anna Karenina and been less depressed."
I thought the ending was quite sweet, but was happy to see some foreshadowing that some relationships which were said to be fine, came to an end or almost an end by the epilogue. And I was very happy we didn't see Jem or Lucy thinking of their friend Davy beyond being friends. Most romances would have had one of the girls fall for him or something. show less
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