Perfect Timing

Lovely book, especially if you're up for a little fun and romance in jolly ol' England. Not only does it have a great setting, it also has great characters. A little predictable, but fun none the less.

I'm now a Jill Mansell junkie! Perfect Timing is an ironic title for this British chicklit novel because nothing is perfectly timed in this novel, from Poppy's last minute decision to jilt her fiance hours before their wedding to finding her biological father after years of not knowing she wasn't living with him.

"'The thing is,' Poppy prevaricated, 'my room's only tiny.'

'And who am I, two-ton Tess? All I'm asking for is a bit of floor space.' Dina was wheedling now. 'I'll sleep under the bed if it makes you happier. In the bath, even.'" (Page 106 of ARC)

Poppy Dunbar is a twenty-something mess of a girl, who thinks she has her life figured out until she meets Tom at a bar during her bachelorette party. After giving Rob the brush off, she show more packs up and moves from Bristol to London to start her life over and to find her biological father. She works two jobs, lands a room in a house with a famous painter Caspar French and a haughty socialite Claudia Slade-Welch, but seems content.

"'Try patches. They worked for my agent and he was a twenty-a-dayman.'

Only a lifelong non-smoker, Rita thought affectionately, could think twenty-a-day was a lot.

'I was a fifty-a-day woman.' She looked depressed. 'Anyway, why d'you suppose I'm wearing long sleeves? I've already got a week's supply slapped all over me. Underneath this dress I look like Mr. Blobby.'" (Page 391 of ARC)

Mansell's writing style draws readers quickly into the drama as they watch Poppy grow, mature, and find her center. The dialogue between Poppy, Caspar, Claudia, and Poppy's boss, Jake, will have readers laughing out loud on their transit commutes, in their bedrooms, on their sofas, or wherever they happen to read.

Poppy is a disaster, but so are Caspar, Claudia, and Jake. It's a wonder they ever get it together in this book. Some of the funniest scenes are when Jake leaves Poppy along to bid at auctions and estate sales. Readers will enjoy how easily Poppy takes leaps into the unknown and how blind she is to the love and family she has in front of her. Mansell has another winner with Perfect Timing. show less

Well, it was a crappy, grey day and I was feeling crappy too. My plan - to hunker down on the couch and try to feel better, but with a book of course. As I perused my TBR pile, I just knew which book would do the trick - Jill Mansell's latest North American release from Sourcebooks - Perfect Timing.

Poppy Dunbar is out on her hen night, celebrating the night before her wedding to Rob. When she accidentally falls and is helped up by an attractive man named Tom, she is speechless. The attraction between them is instantaneous and undeniable. Tom voices it out loud" I wish you weren't getting married tomorrow."

And she doesn't - calling off the wedding for her own reasons. She runs away to London to start over. Once in London, she starts a show more new job, meets new friends, has madcap adventures....

Poppy is warm hearted, a bit of a scatterbrain, but infinitely lovable. Her new friends include a gorgeous painter who loves every woman he meets - literally, a jealous flatmate pining for love, the shy boss who can't seem to express himself, and older characters full of wit and wisdom.

Perfect Timing is full of Mansell's trademark style - missed cues, misunderstandings, lots of humorous situations and of course romance. And the best part of all - happy endings.

Really, Mansell is the queen of Brit chick lit. Her stories are addicting, the characters are people you'd like to know, and the settings places you'd like to live. (I wouldn't mind working in the Portobello Road market) You're guaranteed a feel good read, without question.

And yes, I forgot about how crappy I felt, lost in this fun filled, entertaining tale! show less

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, having never read a Jill Mansell novel before. But a friend lent me this book and recommended it, so I started it a few days ago. It begins with Poppy, on the night before her wedding, meeting a rather attractive stranger after falling down some steps...

I thought the characterisation was great. Caricatured in places, to be sure; but Poppy was a believable, untidy, disorganised romantic who I warmed to almost immediately. There was a large cast of characters, but they were different enough that I didn't get lost, and there were so many interesting subplots that I found myself reading it a great deal more quickly than I had intended to.

There's a painter, an antique dealer, a frustrated young mother show more (one of the less attractive people in the book), and plenty of attraction, partying and couples getting together. Yet, happily, there was nothing sordid or explicit, very little bad language, and a light touch that made this surprisingly readable.

Recommended to anyone who enjoys light women's fiction. Much better than the cover would suggest! show less

Perfect Timing by Jill Mansell is chick lit done right! Poppy Dunbar meets the man of her dreams the day before her wedding. The chance encounter is the catalyst needed to call off her wedding and embark on an adventure in London with hopes of finding Mr. Right again. Of course, she meets an array of delightful and quirky characters along the way. Her room mates Caspar (the terribly popular and successful artist) and Claudia (well-to-do but never happy with anything or anyone), her boss Jake (handsome yet could give a hoot about appearances or status) and the outrageous couple Rita and Alex (who just may be her father?).

It was such fun to tag along for the ride as these seemingly mismatched group of individuals live a roller coaster show more existence. Poppy was a joy to get to know. Sometimes a little over the top (she could have been nick named positive Polly) yet it works. Each character is so entertaining and written with such sparkle and wit. The interaction and meddling with each had just enough realism without losing any of the fun. Even those folks that were only mentioned in page left a mark due to short but witty descriptions. These quick meetings with others added that sensation of reading someone’s diary where every detail of a night out, no matter how small, is noted because it is important to create a complete picture of the situation.

Does Claudia run into Mr. Right? Will Claudia ever be happy? Will Caspar ever settle down? Is Max the father Poppy never knew? And poor dowdy Jake, will he ever come out of his shell? I could not wait to see what Ms. Mansell had in mind for everyone! show less

This was my first Jill Mansell book and wouldn't mind reading another from her. I normally don't seek out British chick-lit, but this one was entertaining and kept me interested all the way through. The characters were engaging and the story as a whole kept me sucked in.

In "Perfect Timing" outgoing Poppy has a fleeting encounter with a dashing man at her hen party. Moving to London, we meet a cast of mostly eccentric characters, making this a fun and energetic read.
This was my first book by Jill Mansell and it did make me read more of her books. Mansell has a good number of readers who have read more than one of her books. She has a style that fans become accustomed to - characters who are light and playful, plots that do have a serious side though much more humour and banter, and I do think she enjoys entertaining.