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jules_writes's review against another edition
5.0
Probably closer to a 4.5* rating.
I loved it, the story was totally predictable and the main male lead was a bit cheesy, but I really liked Kat.
A fun read.
I listened to the audio book version and the narrator was fantastic, a perfect fit for the book.
I loved it, the story was totally predictable and the main male lead was a bit cheesy, but I really liked Kat.
A fun read.
I listened to the audio book version and the narrator was fantastic, a perfect fit for the book.
portybelle's review
5.0
I have seen this book described as a modern day Bridget Jones Diary and, like that book, it is certainly full of humour and wit with a main character you will just love! This is one of the funniest books I have read for ages. There are laugh out loud moments on pretty much every page! Cat Buchanan is such a brilliant character that I just couldn’t put this book down, wanting to read more about her search for love following ‘The Rules of Engagement’ set out in a book by ‘Guy Wright’ – a great pseudonym for a Glaswegian writer. (You need to say it with a Glaswegian accent!)
As I said, Cat is a great character – feisty, with a love of swearing, horror stories and country music. She also has fiercely protective love for her daughter, Grace, who also came across as a young lady with her own mind! Living across the corridor from her sister, who is forever trying to set her up with suitable men, Cat is trying to find love following the break up of her relationship with Grace’s father but never quite seems to find the right man. She decides to follow ‘the rules’ and write about her experiences in her weekly newspaper column.
Joanna Bolouri’s observations of family life are spot on – what mother can’t sympathise with having no privacy to go to the loo when your kids are wee? – and Cat’s conversations with her friends, particularly Kerry and Rose, are brilliantly funny too. Cat has to meet with Guy Wright as part of her research for her column and is surprised and rather shocked to find she actually already knows him rather well! The scenes that follow between them are comedy genius as he tries to convince her that following the rules to the letter will help her snag Tom, the handsome dentist, as her boyfriend. I was so involved with the characters’ lives that I almost googled his dental practice to see what he looked like, when Cat suggested to Kerry that she should!
So does following the rules bring Cat the happy-ever-after she is looking for? Well you couldn’t possibly expect me to ‘kiss and tell’ could you – that would definitely be against the rules of blogging! Be warned if you are reading this on public transport on the way to work, you may very well find yourself getting some funny looks as you snort out loud with laughter! A great, funny and feel-good read – I loved it!
My thanks to the publishers Quercus for providing a review copy via Netgalley.
As I said, Cat is a great character – feisty, with a love of swearing, horror stories and country music. She also has fiercely protective love for her daughter, Grace, who also came across as a young lady with her own mind! Living across the corridor from her sister, who is forever trying to set her up with suitable men, Cat is trying to find love following the break up of her relationship with Grace’s father but never quite seems to find the right man. She decides to follow ‘the rules’ and write about her experiences in her weekly newspaper column.
Joanna Bolouri’s observations of family life are spot on – what mother can’t sympathise with having no privacy to go to the loo when your kids are wee? – and Cat’s conversations with her friends, particularly Kerry and Rose, are brilliantly funny too. Cat has to meet with Guy Wright as part of her research for her column and is surprised and rather shocked to find she actually already knows him rather well! The scenes that follow between them are comedy genius as he tries to convince her that following the rules to the letter will help her snag Tom, the handsome dentist, as her boyfriend. I was so involved with the characters’ lives that I almost googled his dental practice to see what he looked like, when Cat suggested to Kerry that she should!
So does following the rules bring Cat the happy-ever-after she is looking for? Well you couldn’t possibly expect me to ‘kiss and tell’ could you – that would definitely be against the rules of blogging! Be warned if you are reading this on public transport on the way to work, you may very well find yourself getting some funny looks as you snort out loud with laughter! A great, funny and feel-good read – I loved it!
My thanks to the publishers Quercus for providing a review copy via Netgalley.
straciehniezdo's review against another edition
4.0
Ku knihám Joanny Bolouri som sa dostala skrz jej Hriešny zoznam - kniha, ktorá každého človeka pri zmysloch odradí hrozným názvom a ešte horšou obálkou (ktorú sa Čechom ešte podarilo prekonať) a predsa vďaka zvláštnej konštelácii hviezd a zatmenia mysle som sa ku knihe úplnou náhodou dostala a autorka ma svojim štýlom písania dostala.
V Podľa pravidiel síce chýbajú tie vtipné hlášky, ktoré ma nahlas rozosmievali, no všadeprítomný sarkazmus a občasný suchý britský humor mi to vynahradili a aj túto knižku považujem za veľmi vtipnú a vydarenú.
Hlavná postava Cat je autorkou stĺpčeka v prestížnych novinách, kde píše o láske a sexe s veľkou dávkou cynizmu, aby zakryla fakt, že tieto veci nie sú v jej živote prítomné o nič viac než súkromný ostrov a Lamborghini v garáži. Je pre mňa skutočnou záhadou prečo práve medzi tento typ sarkastických žien patria ženské postavy, s ktorými sa vždy najviac stotožňujem. No a v tejto knihe sa Cat podujme na randenie podľa pravidiel zo sexistickej príručky, podľa ktorých z nej má byť dokonalá žena, ktorá prikyvuje a veľkodušne mužovi prenecháva pocit kontroly. Ako správna novinárka sa do toho púšťa s obrovským skeptizmom a veľmi silnou nechuťou k autorovi.
Keďže to nie je americký román, tak sú postavy realistické a obyčajné, majú problémy normálnych ľudí a majú ďaleko od dokonalosti. Podľa pravidiel je tak veľmi príjemný a vtipný román, ktorý je spolu s autorkou v našich končinách absurdne prehliadaný, lebo podľa môjho skromného názoru patrí Joanna Bolouri k tomu najlepšiemu, čo ženský román ponúka. Odporúčam.
A k tomu všetkému som ju prečítala za pár hodín počas čitateľskej krízy, kedy som každú knihu okamžite zavrela.
V Podľa pravidiel síce chýbajú tie vtipné hlášky, ktoré ma nahlas rozosmievali, no všadeprítomný sarkazmus a občasný suchý britský humor mi to vynahradili a aj túto knižku považujem za veľmi vtipnú a vydarenú.
Hlavná postava Cat je autorkou stĺpčeka v prestížnych novinách, kde píše o láske a sexe s veľkou dávkou cynizmu, aby zakryla fakt, že tieto veci nie sú v jej živote prítomné o nič viac než súkromný ostrov a Lamborghini v garáži. Je pre mňa skutočnou záhadou prečo práve medzi tento typ sarkastických žien patria ženské postavy, s ktorými sa vždy najviac stotožňujem. No a v tejto knihe sa Cat podujme na randenie podľa pravidiel zo sexistickej príručky, podľa ktorých z nej má byť dokonalá žena, ktorá prikyvuje a veľkodušne mužovi prenecháva pocit kontroly. Ako správna novinárka sa do toho púšťa s obrovským skeptizmom a veľmi silnou nechuťou k autorovi.
Keďže to nie je americký román, tak sú postavy realistické a obyčajné, majú problémy normálnych ľudí a majú ďaleko od dokonalosti. Podľa pravidiel je tak veľmi príjemný a vtipný román, ktorý je spolu s autorkou v našich končinách absurdne prehliadaný, lebo podľa môjho skromného názoru patrí Joanna Bolouri k tomu najlepšiemu, čo ženský román ponúka. Odporúčam.
A k tomu všetkému som ju prečítala za pár hodín počas čitateľskej krízy, kedy som každú knihu okamžite zavrela.
annie26's review
5.0
5 stars, just a really fun book that I couldn't put down - even though I could see the plot twist from a mile away, still very well written, I really enjoyed this.
suzbluz's review
3.0
A unique idea, coated with epically hilarious dialogues and served on a plate of misadventures, is what makes this book stand out. It had the right balance of humour and seriousness to make this an enjoyable read for me.
However, the second wave feminism, character development contradictory and over character hypocrisy, put me off reading multiple times.
To be honest, I prefer the first half of the book to the second. The characters in the first half were new and fresh to me, with a whole new way of thinking and behaving. Even the plot, though very similar to some other books, was still well presented and unique. By the second half of the book, the characters lost their initial charm and uniqueness and the plot became more predictable and unoriginal. To me, this is what withheld the book from becoming a true masterpiece.
All in all, the book is predictable, with typical chick-flick/romance characters and overall plot. That being said, the authors quick wittedness and sharp mind glowed brightly in the voices of her characters.
However, the second wave feminism, character development contradictory and over character hypocrisy, put me off reading multiple times.
To be honest, I prefer the first half of the book to the second. The characters in the first half were new and fresh to me, with a whole new way of thinking and behaving. Even the plot, though very similar to some other books, was still well presented and unique. By the second half of the book, the characters lost their initial charm and uniqueness and the plot became more predictable and unoriginal. To me, this is what withheld the book from becoming a true masterpiece.
All in all, the book is predictable, with typical chick-flick/romance characters and overall plot. That being said, the authors quick wittedness and sharp mind glowed brightly in the voices of her characters.
omgvickyshutup's review
3.0
Loved the sorting of Bolouri in her other two books “The List” and “Relight My Fire” so was eager to complete my collection and pick this book up. It was enjoyable enough, the main character was relatable and likeable. However I felt something lacking from her other books, all in all a fun enough read but don’t think I’d pick it up again. As always look forward to whatever Bolouri works on next!
kimberlycarrington's review against another edition
2.0
Las dos estrellitas son generosas porque, básicamente, el libro es malo.
He descubierto hace poco a Joanna Bolouri y tiene un estilo desenfadado y fresco que, especialmente en La lista, conectó conmigo. Sin embargo, este libro me ha parecido un "quiero y no puedo", no llega ni de lejos al nivel de La lista (no al de Relight my fire, que tampoco es que sea gran cosa).
Una periodista tipo Carrie Bradshaw (pero mucho más real -punto a su favor-) empieza a seguir las reglas de un libro para conseguir maromo y contarlo en su columna. Cuál es el problema? Pues que tú esperas que haya algún interés amoroso que te mueva la lectura y esto ocurre cuando ya has leído la mitad del libro. Todo lo anterior es ver cómo es la vida de la protagonista (cuyo nombre ya he olvidado, imaginad lo que me ha marcado), que es bastante normalita. Una vez que se pone en marcha lo del libro y aparece el interés amoroso parece que el libro quiere arrancar pero no lo logra, no ves casi una relación entre prota y maromo, no tenemos casi momentos entre ambos y te quedas siempre con cara de tonta esperando algo más. No le doy una estrella porque me encanta que la protagonista sea una tía que sientes muy real (sin olvidar que esto es Romancelandia, claro) y porque ha tenido momentos en los que me ha dado la risa floja. Pero vamos, que es un libro que no merece la pena si buscas leer algo con una relación sexy y divertida (por cierto, de sexo apenas hay nada y contado todo muy por encima).
De todos modos seguiré leyendo a Joanna por si vuelvo a encontrar otro libro suyo con el que me eche unas risas. Este os lo podéis ahorrar.
He descubierto hace poco a Joanna Bolouri y tiene un estilo desenfadado y fresco que, especialmente en La lista, conectó conmigo. Sin embargo, este libro me ha parecido un "quiero y no puedo", no llega ni de lejos al nivel de La lista (no al de Relight my fire, que tampoco es que sea gran cosa).
Una periodista tipo Carrie Bradshaw (pero mucho más real -punto a su favor-) empieza a seguir las reglas de un libro para conseguir maromo y contarlo en su columna. Cuál es el problema? Pues que tú esperas que haya algún interés amoroso que te mueva la lectura y esto ocurre cuando ya has leído la mitad del libro. Todo lo anterior es ver cómo es la vida de la protagonista (cuyo nombre ya he olvidado, imaginad lo que me ha marcado), que es bastante normalita. Una vez que se pone en marcha lo del libro y aparece el interés amoroso parece que el libro quiere arrancar pero no lo logra, no ves casi una relación entre prota y maromo, no tenemos casi momentos entre ambos y te quedas siempre con cara de tonta esperando algo más. No le doy una estrella porque me encanta que la protagonista sea una tía que sientes muy real (sin olvidar que esto es Romancelandia, claro) y porque ha tenido momentos en los que me ha dado la risa floja. Pero vamos, que es un libro que no merece la pena si buscas leer algo con una relación sexy y divertida (por cierto, de sexo apenas hay nada y contado todo muy por encima).
De todos modos seguiré leyendo a Joanna por si vuelvo a encontrar otro libro suyo con el que me eche unas risas. Este os lo podéis ahorrar.
sarahs_bookish_life's review
5.0
If you loved Bridgit Jones you are going to love Cat (Catriona) Buchanan.
Being a single mum and not having much luck in her love life, Cat decides to kill two birds with one stone. Her column in a Scottish paper isn't getting the readers it once did and after being ambushed into reading The Rules of Engagement by a work colleague, Cat decides to take on the challenges in the book to find herself a man and to also write about her experiences in her column to hopefully bump the figures up.
I Followed the Rules is such a light hearted and uplifting read. I loved the storyline and there is a great mixture of characters.
Grace, Cat's daughter is adorable and I love Cat's interfering sister Helen. Cat herself is a great character and comes across as being a lot of fun, would certainly love to have her come along on a girls night out.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out what is going to happen in the story and that's what I love about chick lit books, they are so easy reading so that you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the story for what it is.
As with any love life things never go to plan even if you are following instructions! Luckily being married myself I won't be attempting the rules in The Rules of Engagement any time soon.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Being a single mum and not having much luck in her love life, Cat decides to kill two birds with one stone. Her column in a Scottish paper isn't getting the readers it once did and after being ambushed into reading The Rules of Engagement by a work colleague, Cat decides to take on the challenges in the book to find herself a man and to also write about her experiences in her column to hopefully bump the figures up.
I Followed the Rules is such a light hearted and uplifting read. I loved the storyline and there is a great mixture of characters.
Grace, Cat's daughter is adorable and I love Cat's interfering sister Helen. Cat herself is a great character and comes across as being a lot of fun, would certainly love to have her come along on a girls night out.
You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out what is going to happen in the story and that's what I love about chick lit books, they are so easy reading so that you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the story for what it is.
As with any love life things never go to plan even if you are following instructions! Luckily being married myself I won't be attempting the rules in The Rules of Engagement any time soon.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.