Member Reviews

Bit of a mixed bag. Funny in places but it was a bit far=fetched. I do like these types of books but this wasn't for me

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I loved this - reminiscent of Marian Keyes at her irreverent best, this is a rare find - a book with both humour and heart which doesn't patronise and is able to be read by women of any age, though perhaps is skewed younger. I was definitely sceptical as I tend to assume dual authorship = not good enough writer to go it alone, but happily I was proved wrong. I especially enjoyed the Irish voice here and recommend it highly.

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A hilarious ride through Dublin from the new Marion Keynes. A funny and moving story that I had to read in one sitting

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You may have come across Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen on Facebook with their satirical Aisling page. It has developed a bit of a cult following amongst the younger Irish community. This book is a big move to transfer Aisling and her eejit boyfriend John to a more formal setting.

Aisling is your organised friend who always has a list on the fridge, flip flops in her purse at weddings and never loses her phone. She can tell you the Weight Watchers points in absolutely everything. Aisling doubles up on contraception…using both anti-babby pills and french letters…just in case.

When the story opens Aisling is at yet another wedding in her hometown of Ballygobbard (or Ballygobackwards as some call it). Long term boyfriend John has been on the scene for the last seven years and resisted all attempts by Aisling hinting that it might be time for them to settle down. A much anticipated break in Tenerife still doesn’t produce a ring so Aisling decides it is time to call it a day.

Emer and Sarah have crafted a fun book that really makes you feel like you are propping up the bar in BGB with Majella and the crowd back home. It is a book that will have you laughing out loud in places and weeping alongside Aisling in others. You will get some odd looks when you’re chortling out loud on public transport! It’s gas!

Supplied by Net Galley and Penguin UK in exchange for an honest review.

UK publication Date: May 3 2018. 368 pages.

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An amusing book that felt that it was trying just a bit too hard... enjoyable but too much was assumed and the characters were not properly introduced

And a little far fetched at times but true to life in other ways.... a stream of consciousness but I suppose that’s the style they were after.

3* a mixed bag for me

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So glad I read this just before my first trip to Dublin. A riot of a novel about being a very average Irish woman trying to work out what she actually wants with her life. Really enjoyed it.

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I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book when I started it but it drew me in and I really enjoyed it. It was funny but also emotional which I wasn’t expecting. A good read I would recommend.

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I really liked Aisling's story. After reading about this novel on The Bookseller newsletter I knew I needed to read it! It was inspiring and I really liked that the main character grows and blooms throughout the book. The story was like life itself, with its doubts and wonders and fights, breakups and complicated situations but also with its funny moments. I loved that about the book.

Sometimes I felt like Aisling behaved a bit childish and I felt like her 'kiss' with Piotr was a bit random but I guess that's the point of it all. She also made me laugh so hard and it was great to read about Irish stereotypes.

The book also addresses important issues that we can find in our society like sexism, marriage, abortion and the LGBT+ community and it was refreshing to see it incorporated into everyday life, just as it should be.

All in all it was a funny and refreshing read and I hope people get the chance to meet Aisling and learn the lessons she wants to teach us all.

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I had a blast reading about Aisling, her family and her mates. Sure, it's an easy to read book and you could probably finish it on holiday but I found myself laughing out loud several times for sure. It's a bit like Sex In The City, because most of us have a Majella, or happen to know an Elaine, Ruby or Sadhbh. Every character has their own arc which I really appreciated- the authors do a great job fleshing everyone out without ever leaving the reader bored. I'd love to read more from the pair of them, or even visit Aisling and her corner of the world again.

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Oh My God, What A Complete Aisling a funny and honest four-star read. This is a must read for many young women, but if you are young and Irish then you need this book in your life, when it comes on paperback I’m buying it for a cousin as she will love this book, but isn’t a big reader. This book should come with a warning telling you not to drink tea while your reading as you will spit it all over the precious pages!! Its light hearted and funny, but there is also a deeper subtler emotional story underneath. It’s a very heart-warming and funny story, there is a light heartedness to the writing that will keep you interested and get you reading.

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One of my absolute favourite reads of this year. So, so good. Laugh out loud funny and real and moving.

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Oh dear

I tried very hard to like this and I am very disappointed that I just couldn't....in fact I feel like I've wasted several days reading it. My biggest issue is that for the most part i wasn't entirely sure what I was reading. The story seems a little disjointed even though it appears to centre around Aisling and her commitment phobic boyfriend John. Into this mix is thrown trouble at work, trouble with her friends and trouble with her family. The time line is difficult to follow - at one point an event is described and then the time frame of 'two years later' is given but is immediately followed by information that makes you think ' yeah but wait a minute, that was only a couple of months ago?'

Either way, it has a dissatisfying ending and it really wasn't my cup of tea at all.

Thanks to Netgalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review

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Thanks NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
I'm sorry that I didn't enjoy it. I struggled manfully to read till the end but it had no appeal for me at all. I'm sure it will be considered to be very funny.
Maybe I live in the wrong generation.

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A true gem of a read - the new Marion Keyes - I devoured this book and was delighted by the heroine Aisling. This book made me laugh out loud' brought tears to my eyes but mostly want a night out in Dublin with the girls for the 'craic' !! Read this book you will not be disappointed!!! Look forward to more by this duo

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The formatting needs quite a bit of work for reading on a Kindle Paperwhite. I gave up at 10% because it was spoiling my pleasure of a ‘new to me’ author. I am giving it a four star on the basis of the promise I perceive.

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