Doesnt deserve such a harsh critique!
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This book has had a hard time in here but to my mind it was an easy read and very enjoyable. however, I felt the characters were caricatures (bored housewife/dizzy actress) rather than real people you could relate too. I also felt the ending was a bit rushed -- there was room to explore some of the issues further and to me it smacked of pressure of deadlines rather than a crafted piece of work. That said, it's Jane Green -- a relaxing romp through the lives of the characters and the havoc created through a meeting many years down the line. I liked it!
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Second chance? Second Rate!
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I have been a fan of Jane Green for many years and have read all her books. I would never describe Green as producing a literary classic, but on the whole, her books are well written and normally turn into 'page turners'. So what went wrong with Second Chance? Firstly, I found myself disliking Holly the main character immensely. A self obsessed , big house owning mother whose au pair looks after the two kids whilst she illustrates the odd greeting card for a living is not someone I can readily identify with. Secondly, it felt like Green had to evolve Marcus, Holly's husband, into a monster in order to justify her flirtation and subsequent cheating. After all, in the beginning of the book he is portrayed as a bit work obsessed, and possibly a little brand/label conscious. However, by the end of the book, he becomes this angry, rude, arrogant, cheat yet with no character formulation. Maybe Green felt that this may allow Holly to become slightly likable?
I was also confused as to Holly's reaction to her friends Tom's death, given they had had no contact for months and months. Also, the idea that Tom's (the deceased) Mother want's to have lunch with Holly whilst she drones on about how miserable her marriage is, seems laughable! Oh and obviously, Holly is this 'perceptive, creative, free-spirited' Mother Theresa type that everyone adores!
Really not my cup of tea, no page turning moments, no humor and by the way a bizarre use of the word 'Stoic'. Must have been used in almost every paragraph at the funeral!
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Surprisingly, I loved it!
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I have in the past tended to steer clear of Jane Green novels and any other novel, in fact, that has that unmistakable chic lit look about its cover. I don't really know why I decided then to pick it up and flick through it but within about half a minute I knew I wanted to buy it. It was not a disappointment. It is descriped on the cover as 'escapism' and that's exactly what it is except with the added ingredient that I found I could relate to so much of it from my personal experiences. Even with the characters and situations I couldn't directly relate to I could see some of my friends' and familys' circumstances and dilemmas reflected perfectly in the storyline. So I finished it within one day and was a bit surprised about it considering I usually can't bear chic-lit...however, after reading some óf the reviews on here it seems that this book is NOT typical of Jane Green and not really considered chic-lit in its purist form so perhaps that explains it! Very enjoyable.
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Not her best, but still a good read
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While this is not Jane Green's best book (Life Swap, Babyville and Spellbound were brilliant), it is still a very good read and I feel it deserves a bit more than some of the very bad ratings it has received here. Yes, it is more serious than some of her previous books, which makes it a bit different. But I thought the serious tone was handled well by the author. To use a fictitious terrorist attack as subplot might be not everybody's cup of tea, but I thought it was handled with great sensitivity and the process of shock and grieving for the people involved described well.
It is always interesting to see how a book is viewed differently by different people. I note that some previous reviewer found the actress strand in the book interesting, but the housewife one "yawnsville" if I remember correctly. Well, to be honest, for me it was exactly the other way round. While Saffron's story is not bad, it is too far removed from normal life to me, whereas Holly's story was far more gripping. Again it goes to show that books will mean different things to different people. If you like Jane Green, I'd still give this one a go. I certainly enjoyed it.
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Glorified Mills and Boon
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My husband picked up this book for me to read on holiday. I usually read something light when I am away. I am not a huge fan of Jane Green but had fond memories of working in a bookstore on Oxford st when Jemima J came out and found it utterly readable and addictive.
This book however was really disappointing. The characters are tiresome. Especially the main one - Holly Mac. I just don't have sympathy for this predictable and wet woman. Someone who is insufferably self absorbed. I cant feel sorry for a character 'stuck in a loveless marriage' whilst being able to sleep in and let the nanny deal with kids. (as well as living in a beautiful house who works part time as an illustrator and can buy anything she wants.)My heart bleeds. I would have perhaps had more sympathy if she were stuck in a loveless marriage, living in a council flat with very little money or prospects.
Jane Green is also terribly 'cliched' and I could just about predict what was going to happen next - to the very word.
If you were going to spend money on a Jane Greens title and this isnt it. The characters are pretty bland, the writing simple and predictable, the ending - obvious.
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