Nadia Knows Best

Are the days of chick lit numbered? That question exercises the glossies a lot these days, but on the evidence of Jill Mansell's Nadia Knows Best, there's still plenty of life in the genre--particularly if you can deliver goods as sassy, sharp and witty as this. In previous novels (such as Head Over Heels and Mixed Doubles), Mansell's subject has been the vagaries of love and friendship (with a healthy leavening of sex and revenge), and those ingredients are all well represented in the mix here.

A snowstorm has cloistered the guests at a secluded Cotswold pub. One of them is Mansell's heroine Nadia Kinsella, and she finds herself sorely tempted by beguiling fellow guest Jake Tiernan. But giving in to such alluring temptation is not that easy when Nadia has been virtually betrothed to the faithful Laurie since both were childhood sweethearts. Nadia's decision is not helped by the peculiar mix of personalities within her family: her irresponsible mother Leonie, her ruthless and uncompromising sister Clare, and her surprising grandmother Miriam, every bit as well turned out as the younger members of the family.

It doesn't matter how sharply wrought the dialogue is, or how buoyant the plotting--a novel such as Nadia Knows Best stands or falls on whether or not the reader identifies with the central characters. And it's here that Jill Mansell knows precisely what she's doing: it's impossible to resist becoming involved with the characters even when they irritate us (and Mansell knows that from Jane Austen onwards, the reader needs to heartily disagree with some of the characters' actions). This is a stylish and cuttingly funny read. --Barry Forshaw

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More twists and turns than a country lane! - Rated
When I first started this book, I never realised the plot would get as intense as it did!
The main story is focused on Nadia who starts off being stranded in a snow bound car and is rescued and has to spend the night in a pub with her rescuer, Jay.
She doesn't see him for a good while after, and in that time she has split from her partner and Jay offers her a job.
There are a few sub-plots surrounding her evermore dysfunctional family.
There a laughs, a few tears and a good fair few 'Oh my gods'!!
Good read for lounging in the bath!

a good beach read - Rated
another very entertaining story by Mrs. Mansell, I found the book funny and liked the characters. The storyline is good, it keeps you hooked and is well written. Recommended for a rainy afternoon or to read under a palm tree. Pure chick-lit!

Easy holiday read - Rated
This is a good book to read on the beach or by the pool with a cocktail in hand. It is far from taxing on the brain but as pure chic lit it is quite entertaining. I didn't care enough about any of the characters but the writing style made it easy to read and a real page turner. Under-16s would probably love this book but if you want clever plots, indepth characterisations or even to laugh out loud you will be disappointed. I have never read Jill Mansell before and would probably only pick up another one if there was nothing else around.

frustrating but fun! - Rated
This is the first Jill Mansell book that i have read and i have to say that i wasn't disappointed. The interwoven stories of "Nadia's" Whole family keep you both intrigued and entertained throughout. However "Nadia's" own story is quite frustrating, you find yourself wanting to yell at her for keeping the lovely Jay at a distance whilst at the same time finding it impossible to be angry at laurie!! who appears to be quite a nice guy!! On the whole a good read!!

brilliant read - Rated
i love this book! im only 14 years old and i love to read. my mum is a big fan of Jill Mansell's and therefor had loads of her books. when i reached the age of 13, i started reading my mums books. ive read loads of Jill Mansell's books and she is now my favorite author. i love this book but my fave Mansell book was her last 1, 'the one you really want'. that was the first one i rread. 'Nadia know's best', was the firts of Mansell's books i actually went out and bought and wil lbuy morei n the future and not just borrow my mums, wwhich makes sense as ive read all of hers. anyway, i love this book and all of Jill Mansell's others. thanks, bye!!
Siobhan O'Donnell, 14 years old, Croydon, Surrey