Book Review: Take a Look at Me Now by Miranda Dickinson

When Nell's on-off boyfriend Aidan calls her into his office, the last thing she expects is to lose her job. Heartbroken and unemployed, she makes a radical decision to blow her redundancy cheque and escape to San Francisco. But is the glamour of the city too good to be true? And can Nell leave her past behind?

I have enjoyed Miranda Dickinson's latest book so much. Take a Look at Me Now is a lovely, aspirational, entertaining and warm read. The only problem I had with it is that I now want to live in San Francisco!
Nell has lost her job, the shock made even worse by it being her on-off boyfriend firing her. Armed with her redundancy pay-out, Nell heads off to San Francisco where her cousin Lizzie is based. 8 weeks should be long enough to come up with a plan of action but the problem may be that she won't want to come back.
I have enjoyed all of the books I have read by Miranda Dickinson. Nell, like Miranda's other female characters is well, rounded, likeable and
more importantly, believable. Nell is worried about losing her job but she is not desperate to carry on in the same career. She has always wanted to run her own American diner so where better to do some research then one of the greatest American cities?
My favourite part of the book was San Francisco . Miranda's enthusiasm and in-depth research was clear to see. I felt that she really brought the city alive in the book and I found myself researching the places that explores during her visit.
I would highly recommend Take a Look at Me Now. Miranda Dickinson's writing is up-lifting and entertaining; I think she brings a breath of fresh air to this genre and I'm already excited about her future books.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Pages: 416

Publisher: Avon

Take a Look at Me Now is out October 24th!!!

Book Review: Kept By Elle Field

'Did she really just say that? I am fifteen again, except the reality is I am experiencing full paternal horror , aged twenty-five. I want to die.' Life hasn't quite worked out how Arielle Lockley imagined it would. Becoming the next Coco Chanel was always her childhood dream, but she's spent the last four years living a dizzying whirl of glitzy parties, luxurious holidays and daily shopping sprees- all paid for by boyfriend  Piers- and not doing anything to make her Coco dreams happen. When the recession hits, it's not just the economy that takes a tumble, and Arielle finds herself living back with her parents, on bad terns with Piers, and having a CV that's as welcome as a pair of knock-off Jimmy Choos. And maybe it's the location, but she's also finding unwelcome thoughts of her childhood sweetheart popping into her head... what's a girl to do? Can Arielle figure out what it is she now wants to do with her life and move on, or will she be doomed to spend the rest of her life dwelling over her worst mistakes, stuck listening to her parents embarrassing dinner table talk each night?

Kept is a brilliant debut novel from Elle Field. Arielle literally is a kept woman; she meets Piers who is happy to fund her life with his large earnings; Arielle is determined that the situation is a temporary one. But soon four years have gone by and Arielle's ambitions have not been met but she does have a well stocked wardrobe. Piers is under a huge amount of stress because of the recession so Arielle suddenly finds herself back at home with her parents, no achievements to speak of and a seriously out-of-date CV.
Kept is a classic tale of a young woman finding her way in life. Arielle has to be honest about what she wants to do with her life, there is only so much shopping she can do at the end of the day.
Whilst it is a classic plot, I found Elle Field's writing to be witty and stylish. Arielle's love life alone is enough to keep you reading the book but also I really took to this character and I was willing her to get her life and her future together.
Kept will appeal to readers of chick-lit and I felt that it had a similar feel to some of Marian Keye's ealry books. I think that Elle Field is one to watch out for and I would definitely read her next book.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.5/5