Behaving Like Adults

Interesting book! Maxted's heroine Holly rings true as she tries to hold herself together after a date rape. And while her reactions and her struggle to cope with this, on top of a broken engagement to a man she loves, is painful -- it's written with a loving humor. And somehow, as important as that story line is, it's secondary to the Holly and Nick theme.

I'm not being very articulate -- but Maxted dealt with a horrifying subject in a truthful yet hopeful way, eventually getting it into context in Holly's life.

I recommend it.

#3, 2006

I've enjoyed all of Maxted's books (I think I've read them all now); they're chick-lit (twenty-something woman, usually British, looking for love), but Maxted takes on some deeper psychological issues than most other authors in the genre. This book is centered around the main character's date rape, and how she recovers from the various different traumatic aspects of it. I did find the book to be fairly predictable (it was easy to guess what was going to happen to the main character), but Maxted did surprise me with some of the twists and turns in the other, minor plotlines. In spite of being able to guess at the plot, I found it an enjoyable and satisfying read.

I wasn't sure if I would like this. I decided to give it another chance. Not too long in the book I was laughing out loud and that does not happen to me that much so I decided to keep reading. Then something i totally did not expect happened. The rape. You don't expect it in a chick lit book.
Anyways then when reading a bit more I thought O no, she is going to be nice to her rapist? I do not think I can read anymore, but I did keep on and glad I did.
It took me ages to read, I am not sure why. Maybe because of the small print, maybe the book itself was the cause, but when i was done I felt a bit sad. So that's a good sign.
Going to give this book 8.5.
thanks for sharing Rosie

Good Lord this is a terrible book. I thought I had read something by Maxted before that I had enjoyed but judging by this novel I find that almost impossible to believe.

If you delight in plots propelled by insipid characters who refuse to take the obvious necessary action for 300+ pages while behaving like total idiots in the meantime - this is the book for you!

Looks like chick lit, written like chick lit, NOT chick lit. It's about a girl who gets raped and then tries to regain control of her life.

I did not like this book. As far as I can tell none of the characters acted like adults.

british chick lit. if you like bridget jones and sophie kinsella then you will prob like anna maxted.