This book made my stomach hurt! ( )

Abby Rogers is on a health kick. She’s been on them before but never really taken them seriously and they’ve never lasted very long. But when she meets Oliver (Doctor Dishy) who is a member of the local running club along with her best friend, she is suddenly motivated to take up running.

I listened to this book while out running, so the subject was highly appropriate! A large part of the storyline is Abby’s decision to run a half marathon – motivated by a far more serious reason than just her obsession with Doctor Dishy – and her efforts to get in shape for it. However, there is a lot more going on too – her web design business with her kooky employees, her friendship with best pal Jess and her initial grudging friendship with fellow runner Tom, who she meets after accidentally driving her car into him and his motorbike at the start of the story!

It’s chick-lit, which is a very hit-and-miss genre for me. And true, it’s completely and utterly predictable – I knew exactly who would end up with who, and the ‘twists’ in the story were signposted ages beforehand, but nonetheless the story is told with so much wit and good humour that I could forgive all of that and just enjoy the ride.

A few words of praise for the narrator Emma Gregory too – I truly believe that some books are better to read, and some are better to listen to. Gregory’s narration made this fall into the latter category for me – she was superb, capturing the funny moments and the more poignant moments perfectly.

Overall, a great listen, and I would definitely consider listening to more audiobooks by Jane Costello – particularly if narrated by Emma Gregory. ( )

In a couple of weeks, I'm turning 28 so this book seems fitting as that the protagonist is 28. As I stated before, I can no longer stand reading not-real-fiction books, I need fiction that's related to my life, so a while ago I bought many books, and I bought 2 of Jane's novels. I decided to start this one because so far Abby reminds me of myself.

Let me tell you this, I LOVED loved loved this book! I giggled and cried and at some points laughed so loud and hard late at night I was afraid to wake up the whole household!

I don't just recommend this book, I devoutly exhort everyone especially the ladies who neglect their bodies like I used to do but are trying to change that like I am now. Abby will make you want to run at 5:30 in the morning!

Ladies, I have to warn you that you are going to love this book so deeply and all it's characters (except Jess) that you'll order all of Jane Costello's books like I just did! ( )

In a couple of weeks, I'm turning 28 so this book seems fitting as that the protagonist is 28. As I stated before, I can no longer stand reading not-real-fiction books, I need fiction that's related to my life, so a while ago I bought many books, and I bought 2 of Jane's novels. I decided to start this one because so far Abby reminds me of myself.

Let me tell you this, I LOVED loved loved this book! I giggled and cried and at some points laughed so loud and hard late at night I was afraid to wake up the whole household!

I don't just recommend this book, I devoutly exhort everyone especially the ladies who neglect their bodies like I used to do but are trying to change that like I am now. Abby will make you want to run at 5:30 in the morning!

Ladies, I have to warn you that you are going to love this book so deeply and all it's characters (except Jess) that you'll order all of Jane Costello's books like I just did! ( )

I have mixed feeling about this book; the love story was nice and easy, expected, but cool.
On the other hand the surrounding environment threw me off a bit:

The best friend is the most horrible person, and gets away with everything she does, didn’t appreciate that. Especially I didn’t find believable how she gets forgiven so quickly by everybody.

The so-called initial obsession for Dr. Dishy seems a bit far-fetched. I mean Abby obsess over a guy that she sees for months three times a week and never even kiss her, really?

The boyfriend Abby gets appears out of nowhere, one second she’s single, the next she has a boyfriend after what one date, two maybe? There is no description of this relationship; it’s sort of just put there.

And finally, I am sorry to say this, but when I read a chick-lit I am looking for an escape from reality, and a happy one. The decision of the author of making the whole novel pivoting around a sad, progressive, incurable disease was something beyond me. You want to raise awareness, I am with you, I am sure we all are… that everybody does what they can for the causes they believe in, but don’t do it to people that are seeking a break with a book that should supposedly bring them joy and easiness of mind. I found it so depressing it upset me a lot. Not the feeling I was looking for.
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