Monday, October 11, 2010

Review: Single in the City by Michele Gorman



Title: Single in the City
Author: Michele Gorman
Available: Now
Reading Level: Adult


4 out of 5 Stars












Description from Goodreads:


What happens when you take one 26 year old American, add to one 2,000 year old city, add a big dose of culture clash and stir? 

Hannah Cumming and the population of London are about to find out. 

How is Hannah to know that there's a special technique to crossing the street or riding a bus, or that words like tomato will elicit snide elocution lessions from the locals? Hannah lands alone in London only to find that she is totally ill-equipped to live there. Not that a complete lack of forethought has ever stopped her before. She charges headlong into London life, perplexing its residents with continual faux pas and cultural misunderstandings in her pursuit of a new life, new love and sense of herself. 


First Line:

"Every other storefront is a sandwich shop without a low-carb advertisement in sight. Are Londoners really willing to embrace the doughy delights of an Atkins-free world? It’s a thrilling prospect for a girl raised in a culture plagued by cellulite bogey-men.”

Favorite Quote:

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate her obvious talent, but I take issue with breast implants the same way I take issue with a mother who does her adult son’s laundry. Both unrealistically raise men’s expectations about the women they date."


My thoughts:


One drunken evening Hannah decides it is time for a change. Not a little change either, we’re talking big changes. She is leaving Connecticut and moving to London. Settling into her new environment proves to be harder than she ever expected. 


I’m a huge fan of books that take place in London. When asked to review a copy of Single in the City of course I said yes, and I’m so glad I did! This book was so much fun! It starts with Hannah trying to order a sandwich in London, and realizing even though they speak English it isn’t the same English she is used to. I felt a little guilty laughing at her hardships, but couldn’t help myself. 


Hannah seems to straddle the fence of sanity at times, but I feel this actually added to her charm. Some of her behavior might also be considered a little stalker like. She’s flawed, no question, and not a character everyone will love. Luckily, I like flawed and found Hannah thoroughly entertaining. Some of the situations she managed to find her way into caused my jaw to drop. Thanks to one very descriptive scene, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at a sausage the same way again.  Hannah’s dating record is on the frightening side, but had it not been this book wouldn’t have been nearly as fun.


I loved the authors writing style, and how it made me actually giggle many times while reading. She has quick-witted one-liners down pat. The secondary characters were also a great asset to the story. I especially loved the half naked Aussies. I’m not sure if there are more romantic disasters adventures planned for Hannah, but I would love to see this turned into a series. Not for readers who desire a HEA. This is a book about a twenty-something who isn’t sure of herself, or where she is headed. I really liked how the author wrapped up everything at the end, and think it is open enough that we may see more of Hannah at some point.


Looking for a quick, lighthearted, and fun read? Give Single in the City a try. 


Michele Gorman on the web:


Single in the City is available through most bookshops and online, including Amazon (UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Japan) 

Order from Amazon:

Single in the City





Source: Received from publisher in exchange for my honest review.

3 comments:

  1. Great review! It does sounds and looks like a fun and cute book to read. :)

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  2. Lucky I don't eat sausages. XD I will definitely pick this up when I want a light read!

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  3. I am so glad you liked this. The authoress seems super cool and I know she was seeking reviewers. Great review :) I love this cover.

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