Vince and Joy

This is the second book I have read by Jewell, and I was again entertained by her well written characters. Vince and Joy's story could echo that of any one of us who experienced a holiday romance at a seaside resort in the UK during our teens. The meandering journey of the pair through life, with fleeting opportunities to fulfil their destiny not seized, was an entertaining read. Chick lit it was not - rather a thoughtful journey through the lives of two soul mates who missed their opportunities for early happiness.

Detta var inte alls en bok som jah hade förväntat mig, denna historia var mycket bättre. En kärlek vid första ögonkastet som får ett tvär slut innan den ens hinner börja, detta handlar om livet och ödet, och två människors väg genom livet.
Boken är mycket lättläst, man kommer in i den efter första sidan, och den blir aldrig tråkig eller seg, de 54o sidor vänds av bara farten. :

I picked up Lisa Jewell after reading rave reviews about her previous books. This title was irrestible cause it reminded me of a similar book I had read of Cecilia Ahern, "Where rainbows end" and I was curious to see how Jewell tackled it.

It is fascinating how two authors handle the same theme in different ways. Ahern's book is about a series of notes, text messages and emails between two childhood friends who love each other but at each point they try to say it, fate intervenes, making them go different ways.

On the other hand, Jewell uses the same boy meets girl-falls love-fails to say it-and years later they meet-and-yet they do not confess their love-make different choices-concept using the flash back method. It is a very enjoyable show more read and though sugary at times, it does strikes a chord with the reader.

The Gist:

Nineteen-year-old Vince meets Joy at a caravan park and they lose their virginity to each other. However, after what is a subliminal experience, they part without saying goodbye. A lot happens over the intervening years such as disasterous relationships and family upheaveal till they finally meet at a point when eventually things do fall in place.

What works:

The style is frothy and very chick lit, yet Jewell tackles some tough issues, paints some unique characters and manages to convey the harsh truths in candy floss language.
Her story though is simple, it is layered with emotions that connects very well with the reader.

What doesn't:

The plot is a bit formulaic.


They are feel good escapist reads, but why am I complaining? Jewell's books are like chocolate, you cannot stop at one.I loved the book and am definitely going for another one of hers. show less

Vince and Joy fell in love one summer as teenagers, but a misunderstanding meant they lost track of each other. Over the next twenty years, they fall in and out of love with others, and both begin wondering if that first love was the one. Interesting, but a major let down in the end – we never get to find out how they are together again!

Chick-lit of the highest standard! Vince and Joy meet as teenagers and fall for one another. But then they lose touch with one another through no fault of their own. Circumstance conspires to keep them apart...

I don't want to say too much more than that about the plot, for fear of giving something away. However, I will say that this is a very enjoyable book. Full of Vince and Joy's near-misses and details of how their lives have turned out, it is funny and sweet.

A quick and light read that ponders how destiny can shape two peoples lives, Vince and Joy is a fun novel. I enjoyed both of the main characters, but was frustrated when each character made a bad choice and took an eternity to realize it. The plot stumbles a bit through these bad mistakes (trying to show character growth), but I found myself wanting the pace of the novel to pick up. The ending works for the book, but leaves the reader hanging and a bit disappointed.

To read the entire review, go to: http://barneysbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/review-vince-and-joy.html

I love all of Lisa Jewell's books. I plowed through this 500-pager in a weekend because I was so into the story. Makes me wish I was a single 20-something in London.