Katie or Cat has dreamt of the bright lights of London since she was a child. But now that she is living in London, those lights are not so bright. Her bedroom is the size of a shoebox, her job is not that glamorous and when her boss Demeter calls her into her office for a special project what she actually wants is for Katie to help her dye her hair. When Demeter fires her, Katie has no choice but to pack her things and go back to Somerset where she helps her father and stepmother to turn the family’s farm into a glamping camp (a luxurious camp site for rich people). When Demeter suddenly turns up with her family and doesn’t recognise her, Katie sees her chance to get her revenge.
Sophie Kinsella’s characters are so realistic and down-to-earth that you feel you can connect with them. Katie’s struggle to leave behind her country manners and accent and make it in the big city is relatable and I love how she never loses her hope and optimism even when she finds someone else’s sandwich in her mouth during a horrible commute or when the hammock that she uses as storage space over her bed falls on her. Witty dialogues, fascinating and quirky characters, and hilarious scenes create another brilliant and outstanding novel from one of my favourite authors. (NP)
Sophie Kinsella's latest novel, My Not So Perfect Life, is about presenting the perfect life when the reality is far from the truth. The summary says: "Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie's life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle - from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she's trying to negotiate. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she's desperate to make her dad proud.
Then, just as she's finding her feet - not to mention a possible new romance - the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family's farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away - until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie's future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life." My Not So Perfect Life is out in February 2017.