Review: Men, food and a trip to Barcelona - what's not to like??!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 31, 2012
I was sent an advanced review copy of this novel by the author.Susan Buchanan's second novel will appeal to anyone who would like a nice, jolly, easy read about a woman who signs up with a dating agency and all the men she meets through this.The novel centres round not only Gill's dates but also the relationship she has with her three best girlfriends - there's plenty of 'girly' stuff to identify with! In one part of the story she feels let down by someone with whom she had hoped to have a deeper relationship; I thought this bit was very good, and will ring true with all too many of us.This novel will appeal to 'foodies', too, or just people who love to go to restaurants, as there are many descriptions of those visited by Gill, her dates and her friends in various venues, both in Glasgow, where the novel is set, and in Barcelona - which brings me on to another area of appeal about the story. There are several chapters set in Barcelona, where Gill and her friends go for a short holiday. These chapters give a great deal of detail about the architecture, tourist attractions and history of the city, showing the author's great love for it - anyone who has been there will enjoy reading about a place they have experienced, too. I also liked reading about Glasgow itself.To sum up - the sort of book with which you might curl up in bed after a long day - it's 'cuisine lit' as well as sort of grown up chick lit - Gill's a businesswoman, not a ditzy shoe collector!