Abigail Mann

Smart, biting humor, and fun!

Poppy has been separated from her gaslighting ex-husband Josh for sometime although one would hardly know it given they still have infrequent sexual relations.
A talented wildlife photographer, Poppy is determined to get away and follow her first love, capturing images in the wild. She’s all set to travel to a secluded island to take shots of her favorite birds, Puffins. Her trip is slightly deflected (read knocked off course) when her best friend Lola, an up and coming wedding planner who’s invested her all in meeting the demands of an exclusive high society wedding, asks Poppy to step in and replace the high fee commanding wedding photographer who’s had to bow out temporarily. An island wedding surrounded by extreme security with ALL cell phones being commandeered. (Sort of). Ripe for nonsense! More a business takeover than a wedding, the groom is gorgeous and likeable, the bride heavily into time alone to align her mantras. Poppys photographic talent is extended to the full.
We all know from the get go this wedding is going to have serious comic hiccups. Romantic comedy at its best (or hilarious worst!)
A fun read with heart ❤️

Thanks to Harper Collins for the invitation to preview this ARC via NetGalley… (altro)

Hilarious and heart warming!

It took me some time to get into this tale, but when I did I didn’t look back!
Abigail Mann has a wicked sense of humor with some wonderful 'in girl' jokes that kept me chortling.
Our central character Ava Is the sub-editor of Snooper, an online media program. She's been brought up by a hippie type, Eco warrior mother who never mentions who Ava's father is—so when the opportunity comes Ava takes it. Imagine her shock when she not only finds out where he's from, a small coastal village out of Inverness but during the live streamed media program, Ava discovers she has a halt-sister!
Very Bridget Jones!
Now the program wants her to write a blog type expose on meeting her sister. Nothing simpler! Right? No problems here--a quick whip in, reconnoiter, say Hi to the lost "blood blister" and return to London!
What follows is deception, hilarity, village characters worthy of a Vicar of Dibley / Hamish McBeth crossover, complete with a dishy minister (I keep thinking Granchester), amongst them.
Joyful and funny dealing with issues around believing in yourself, of self determination, of taking chances, of finding you way, of trust, and growth, and love.
An upbeat read with lots of on the edgy moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Thanks to HarperCollins via NetGalley for the opportunity to enjoy this fun read.… (altro)

Living in a modern Whirl!

This was a really enjoyable read. Elissa, who just can't seem to get her life together, has a non wage earning internship as an App blogger /media start up worker for a somewhat dodgy Internet dating type organization called Lovr.
Financially she lives on the edge. Her boyfriend/partner is a jerk who obviously has lost interest but Elissa doesn't clue into that until he leaves her high and dry. Mind you, sharing his bedroom in a shared household does cut costs.
This is when Elissa meets eighty-three year old Annie. Forced to look for other living arrangements Elissa embarks on a wholly different life style and 'surprise, surprise' she begins to find herself.
On the work front Elissa is treated badly (talk about continually going around the mountain!) Just another instance where she seems to allow herself to be taken advantage of.
When Elissa decides to step up things become way more interesting!
Her work cohorts are a disconnected group, the atmosphere and design of the work place is very rah rah--living in a glass house à la Silicon Valley type arrangement, with some rather awkward/funny moment. Her boss is somewhat on par with her boyfriend and not only dreadfully sexist, but completely narcissistic. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him! On the other hand Elissa's gay female workplace friend Suki is a scream!
I loved this cross generational story where the disparate age groups find they have something to offer each other, and our heroine comes into her own--with a little help from her old and new friends. The story invoked much chuckles and laughter in amongst the frenetic pace.

A HarperCollins UK ARC via NetGalley… (altro)