Helpful Score: 6
Not at all that interesting. The story was dry and pointless. Chloe and Hugh, who were once in relationship meet up again 10 years later, and they are both involved with other people. The only bright spot of this book was Jenna, the nanny. I won't go into great detail but the story just ends rather abruptly. There was no kind of resolve, just a rush to finish the book. A waste of time, I don't think I'll be trying anything by this author in the future
Helpful Score: 3
I didn't really enjoy this book. There was really no point to the story and there was no character that was likeable. I've read better books by this author.
Helpful Score: 3
I am a HUGE fan of Madeleine Wickham (Sophie Kinsella) but this one wasn't one of my favorites. Not quite as clever as what I expect from her. However, I just finished her NEW one, I Have Your Number, and it was phenemonal! Back up to what I would expect ;-)
Helpful Score: 2
Not my favorite by this author, but still a good read.
Helpful Score: 2
I read it but it was slow and had an ending I didnt expect.
Helpful Score: 1
I first want to say that I adores Wickham! I have read all of her Kinsella books and adored them! The Shopaholic series wasn't my favorites that she's done, but I still enjoyed them. I've also read a good big of her Wickham books, I'm lacking three, I believe. This was the only book that I didn't like. It just didn't really make me smile, didn't make me feel any emotion except, What the crap was she thinking? From the beginning of the book you know that it's a book about two ex's who are thrown together on holiday. I knew I wasn't going to like it when I realized that both had families of their own, with small children. So, for a chick lit book it just didn't feel right. I don't mind reading heavier stuff, but I want my chick lit, to be funny, uplifting a little naughty. The premise just didn't feel right. I don't believe that it was a full circle story. There were some ok moments, thank God for the nanny that was hired because there would have been absolutely zilch comic highlights to the story. It wasn't a humorous tale at all. It wasn't what I expect to read from Wickham. Perhaps with the name change she wants to delve deeper into the human psyche, but it lacks on both being serious enough to be a "novel", but is too heavy to be chick lit. I think she needs to not try so hard to be literary and just enjoy mass appeal. There's a reason that the masses love it :)
Helpful Score: 1
I absloutely love this author under her other name, Sophie Kinsella, but i just cant seem to get into het works as Madeleine Wickham. This is by far not Wickham/Kinsella's best work. It was boring, long, and in the end very predictable. The characters are not that lovable/relatable and they are truly just a bore. Don't waste your time. If you want a fabulous read try any one of her Sophie Kinsella books!
Love this author by either name! This had a very clever plot, humorous at times although dealing with true life struggles of every average family.
Helpful Score: 1
Appears to be chick lit but actually tackles some real issues on parenting, relationships, work-life balance and such.
Gets better as it goes.
I enjoyed this book. An easy read for sure.
This was a funny book showing that somethings just don't work out for the reasons we think they do. It was funny,loving and a really good read.
Another fun book by Sophie Kinsella. Loved it!
Good easy read
I love Sophie Kinsella, and this was my first book by Madeleine Wickham. There were some humorous parts, but the story line was on the more serious side. It was a quick, easy read and was hard to put down. There were also a few surprises along the way. I enjoyed it!
I absolutely love Sophie Kinsella and this is the first book I've tried of her chick-lit line featuring less romance and more grounded issuesthrough her real name, Madeleine Wickham. Sleeping Arrangements is light, refreshing, and has a bit of a implausiblebut still charmingly Britishstoryline; I enjoyed it immensely, but don't think it's something from which I took much away.
The hidden past surrounding Chloe and Hugh is slowly unraveled through flashbacks. From their first encounter at Gerard's villa, there's an explosive recognitionboom. From there on, readers slowly learn what exactly it is that's between them, and how exactly they'll react. Without giving too much away, I will say the plot itself was highly extractable and far-fetched, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Wickham's characters aren't particularly deep. For the most part, they're static and unrelateable, but she pens them with such grace and endearment, that I can't help but like them all. Even the ones that are portrayed negatively, such as Hugh's ridiculously anal wife, Amanda, are pleasing and entertaining to follow.
The highlight of this novel would definitely be its execution. The plot and characters themselves are mediocre and unremarkable, but the writing flows easily, and Wickham's style is smooth, often subtly hilarious, and blithe. I breezed through this novel; Sleeping Arrangements is a quick, lighthearted story set to the backdrop of a gorgeous Spanish town; a great read for a sunny day!
Pros: Charmingly clever // Witty and perceptive // Linear storyline // Light, breezy read // Masterful, yet brief description of Spanish countryside
Cons: Shallow, two-dimensional characters // Nothing deep or profound // Unmemorable
Verdict: Cute and fluffy, Sleeping Arrangements isn't particularly complex or profound, but it's a damn entertaining read. The characters are fun to get to know and the story unravels by itself; this is effortless, feel-good chick-lit with stormy twists and turns and a penchant for family values. Madeleine Wickham weaves a funny, breezy, and tender story with her usual British magnetism and sprightliness of touch.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by TripFiction in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!).
The hidden past surrounding Chloe and Hugh is slowly unraveled through flashbacks. From their first encounter at Gerard's villa, there's an explosive recognitionboom. From there on, readers slowly learn what exactly it is that's between them, and how exactly they'll react. Without giving too much away, I will say the plot itself was highly extractable and far-fetched, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Wickham's characters aren't particularly deep. For the most part, they're static and unrelateable, but she pens them with such grace and endearment, that I can't help but like them all. Even the ones that are portrayed negatively, such as Hugh's ridiculously anal wife, Amanda, are pleasing and entertaining to follow.
The highlight of this novel would definitely be its execution. The plot and characters themselves are mediocre and unremarkable, but the writing flows easily, and Wickham's style is smooth, often subtly hilarious, and blithe. I breezed through this novel; Sleeping Arrangements is a quick, lighthearted story set to the backdrop of a gorgeous Spanish town; a great read for a sunny day!
Pros: Charmingly clever // Witty and perceptive // Linear storyline // Light, breezy read // Masterful, yet brief description of Spanish countryside
Cons: Shallow, two-dimensional characters // Nothing deep or profound // Unmemorable
Verdict: Cute and fluffy, Sleeping Arrangements isn't particularly complex or profound, but it's a damn entertaining read. The characters are fun to get to know and the story unravels by itself; this is effortless, feel-good chick-lit with stormy twists and turns and a penchant for family values. Madeleine Wickham weaves a funny, breezy, and tender story with her usual British magnetism and sprightliness of touch.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by TripFiction in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!).
Did not enjoy this book at all. Did not understand the premise of the book and how their lives were really effected. First time I read this author and did not emjoy the book at all.
Entertaining read, likeable characters and a happy ending.
