Reviews

Brand New Friend by Mike Gayle

asfaltsblommor's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

milomo's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lhodgson26's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

  I really enjoy Mike's writing as they're always so effortless books to read and the character's are so real as they are not shown to be perfect. I did really enjoy this book but I was disheartened that the whole premise was trying to show that men and women could be platonic friends yet Jo and Rob did end up falling in love with each other. Even though they didn't end up being with each other and running off as realised they were lovers at different times it was a bit disheartening. I loved their friendship and it was nice they could be their for each other at difficult times in their life. It was important as it showcased how difficult it can be to make friends when you're older and how you can sometimes feel alone and be overly dependent on others. I felt really sorry for Neil and Ashley as those two again were in the same situation but again Ashley and Rob had that special kind of love. 

planetpammy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

angie1306's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Loved the main characters. Enjoyed the mental turmoil of dealing with a platonic relationship, found it to be very observant.

paigeturners20's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

aliceexmachina's review against another edition

3.0

Great read if you're into observational humor about woman/man friendship with a very fitting end.

koplomps's review against another edition

I got to 95 pages and hardly nothing has happened. The man keeps complaining about being lonely but at the same time he is being very picky and judgy. Also, this book was published in 2005, written by a man and it shows.
 
Two moments that  really irked me:
1. Page 83, Ashley's friend squeezes her ass at a bar, in front of her friends and her boyfriend Rob. What Rob thinks is " Luke was always doing stuff like that to show Rob he'd known Ashley so much longer than Rob had that he could pinch her bottom secure in the knowledge that Rob couldn't say a word without seeming churlish". Does the writer really think a woman or any person wouldn't react to a "friend" squeezing their ass? Like what the heck?? How is it in any way an acceptable thing for Luke to do?

2. Page 95. Ashley has made a "looking for friends" advert in the local newspaper in Rob's name (kind os sketchy) and Rob is immediately calling it "gay". Is he really so insecure about his own sexuality that meeting a man, to make friends with him, is suddenly gay? All of his old friends were men and that wasn't a problem, why is it now? Found his reaction a bit gayphobic tbh.

I found the writing overall okay, a bit boring but it moved somewhat smoothly. I'd rate my current reading experience 2,5/5

sbl661's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

devon's review against another edition

4.0

Read October, 2006


Mike Gayle has easily become one of my go to authours. When he comes out with a new book I am amungst the first to order it, when I am in a slump and want to read something that is sure to give me a chuckle I pick up a Mike Gayle book. His voice is always fresh and his story lines are certianly not typical and in his latest 'BRAND NEW FRIEND' he delivers all that fans have come to expect from him.

Gayle has a knack for taking his readers on a laugh-out-loud funny journey into the male mind. Unfortunately it seems that all the men in his books are pretty similar (which makes me wonder...is that so unrealistic?) they love a good beer, hanging out with their friends in crappy bars, music, and talking about nothing (okay so it is pretty realistic!). But somehow he comes up with innovative story lines that force these men to make some tough decisions and examine feelings that they would much rather be kept buried. Gayle never, in my opinion, takes unrealistic turns in order to wrap the story up in a neat little package...everything doesn't always end up the way we would hope and 'BRAND NEW FRIEND'is no exception.

When Rob decided to take the plunge and move in with his girlfriend of two years, Ashley, he is forced to leave behind one of his most cherished assets...his friends. Because of Ashley's job Rob moves to Manchester two hours outside of his home town of London and is forced to try to make a new life for himself but that is not as easy as it sounds. Six months into the move and Rob has not yet made one single new friend, and not for lack of trying. After numerous "bloke dates" orchestrated by Ashley Rob is just about at the end of his rope when he meets Jo. She and Rob have everything in common and have the potential to be great friends...only problem is that J-O is not J-O-E.

Will Rob's relationship with Ashley survive his friendship with Jo? And is it possible for a man and a woman to really be "just friends"?

'BRAND NEW FRIEND' is at times hilariously funny and at times heartbreakingly realistic. This is definitely another winner from Gayle!