Everyone in Ellie Knight’s life is worried about her singledom. Ellie doesn’t feel particularly lonely although she has to admit as the big 3-0 approaches perhaps she doesn’t have the life she’s supposed to. She shares a house with a guy who despite being hugely good looking seems to go out of his way to annoy her; she’s stuck in a job she hates; and her dad’s just started writing his first novel, 75 Shades of Tony, which he delights in sending to her and her sister. So maybe everyone’s right and she needs to find a boyfriend. Her best friends Sophie and Thomas set her up on Tinder so surely she’ll get her happy-ever-after before she’s 30?
This may be Lucy Vine’s debut novel but it absolutely can’t be her last, because she brings a whole new philosophy to chick lit with her lewd sense of humour, her brilliant characters and her desire to shake up convention. Her no-nonsense language and humour may not be to everyone’s tastes (she’s not afraid to use a swear word or several) but I can’t remember the last time I laughed as much at a novel. Absolutely riotous fun and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this new girl on the block. (JC)
The heroine of UK journalist Lucy Vine's debut novel, Hot Mess, a 20-something singleton, is being touted as "a modern Carrie Bradshaw meets Bridget Jones". The summary says: "Hot Mess [n.] - someone attractive, who is often in disarray.
Ellie Knight is just like you. Her life isn't turning out the way she thought it would. Some people might say she's a hot mess but then who really has their s**t together anyway?
It's Valentine's Day and Ellie finds herself eating Nutella in the bar stockroom after a no-show date.
But single doesn't have to be the loneliest number, does it?
She goes back home to her flatshare and weird flatmates.
It's ok there's black mould everywhere, right?
With a hangover from hell, she goes to the office job she thought she would have quit by now.
Doesn't everyone hate their job?
Maybe Ellie isn't following the *official life plan* but perfect is overrated." Hot Mess is out In May 2017.