Review- Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks

Goodreads Summary:

A gloriously witty novel from Sebastian Faulks using P.G. Wodehouse's much-loved characters, Jeeves and Wooster, fully authorised by the Wodehouse estate.

Bertie Wooster, recently returned from a very pleasurable soujourn in Cannes, finds himself at the stately home of Sir Henry Hackwood in Dorset. Bertie is more than familiar with the country house set-up: he is a veteran of the cocktail hour and, thanks to Jeeves, his gentleman's personal gentleman, is never less than immaculately dressed.

On this occasion, however, it is Jeeves who is to be seen in the drawing room while Bertie finds himself below stairs - and he doesn't care for it at all.

Love, as so often, is at the root of the confusion. Bertie, you see, has met Georgiana on the Cote d'Azur. And though she is clever and he has a reputation for foolish engagements, it looks as though this could be the real thing. However, Georgiana is the ward of Sir Henry Hackwood and, in order to maintain his beloved Melbury Hall, the impoverished Sir Henry has struck a deal that would see Georgiana becoming Mrs Rupert Venables.

Meanwhile, Peregrine 'Woody' Beeching, one of Bertie's oldest chums, is desperate to regain the trust of his fiancee Amelia, Sir Henry's tennis-mad daughter.

But why would this necessitate Bertie having to pass himself off as a servant when he has never so much as made a cup of tea? Could it be that the ever-loyal, Spinoza-loving Jeeves has an ulterior motive?

Evoking the sunlit days of a time gone by, Jeeves and the Wedding Bells is a delightfully witty story of mistaken identity, a midsummer village festival, a cricket match and love triumphant.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks from Random House India in exchange for an honest review. We thank the publishing house for the book! 

I came across Jeeves and the Wedding Bells in the wonderful Literary Blog Hop where it was up for grabs on quite a few blogs. I was lucky enough to win a copy and coincidentally, we even received it for review. For the life of me, I've never read or even thought of reading any P.G. Wodehouse book but I've heard some amazing things about them and do plan to pick at least a book or two sometime. I went into Jeeves and the Wedding Bells without having any idea about how it'd be but excited nonetheless because it sounded pretty interesting. Because I have no previously read P. G. Wodehouse experience to compare  Jeeves and the Wedding Bells to, my review is predominantly going to be about how the latter was for me. 

Honestly, the so to say "classic" or "literary" writing, though very beautiful, is something I find hard to follow and the- and again I say so to say- "old" or "traditional" English way of life, although supremely fascinating, is difficult for me to comprehend. And Jeeves and the Wedding Bells has both those which I found pretty nice and enjoyable but it couldn't hold my attention as it took me a lot of time to read the book. There are many, and I really mean many, many characters in the book which got really confusing at times but the main characters like Wooster from whose point of the view the book goes, Jeeves after whom the book is named and Georgina stood out and the numerous others, while very confusing to keep track of, were wonderfully put down. 

Jeeves and the Wedding Bells is quite an enjoyable read and I found myself laughing more than once at the absurdity of it and above everything else, the book truly amused me and for a first experience, it turned out to be pretty good. Maybe I didn't get the book as a Wodehouse fan would, but I did have a good time whilst reading it. I can say nothing about author Sebastian Faulks' take on a Wodehouse classic, but I have to say that the author's writing is very sharp and his story very entertaining. I enjoyed the references that I could understand and I only wish I'd liked the book more and maybe someday that's very far away when I decide to reread it, I actually will. 

RATING:

Review- Marry Go Round by Sadiqa Peerbhoy

Goodreads Summary:

A determined mother using blatant emotional blackmail to inveigle her NRI son into a marriage with the right sort of desi girl; a reluctant groom with a live-in girlfriend following him all the way to India; a bride on the rebound from a disastrous liaison with a married man; skeletons rattling in old family cupboards; an aunt on the vengeance trail ? and we have a heady cocktail of an arranged wedding that morphs into a love marriage with quite the wrongest possible girl?with a little tactical help from long-dead ancestors. Written in a refreshingly original style, Marry Go Round is one quaint combine of today?s merrily irreverent humour and a staid Hyderabadi milieu with its Nawabi hangover from grandiose times long past.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of Marry Go Round by Sadiqa Peerbhoy from Leadstart Publishing in exchange for an honest review. We thank the publishing house for the book! 

Marry Go Round sounded like a fun and frilly read and that's exactly how it turned out to be. Obviously, that means that there are possibilities of a cliché, but honestly, this book was anything but that. I was at the edge of my seat till the very end, thinking about which girl our hero Riaz would end up with and I was quite happy with the ending. I do enjoy these kind of chick lit and girly reads once in a while- once in a while being the most important part of the sentence. 

Marry Go Round is set in the charming city of Hyderabad, and the story takes place in a typical Hyderabadi Muslim home. Fortunately for me, I go to Hyderabad quite often so I know almost everything about the city. Although I've never really visited a Muslim home there, I've heard tons of stories about it. 

Riaz's mom wants her only son to get married as soon as possible for reasons only she knows. Working in New York, Riaz has a hip life going on there and he even has a White girlfriend Sarah. To make her son come visit, Sartaj Jehan makes drama that could beat any of those ridiculous soaps they air on TV. On Riaz's return, the drama takes a whole new turn and it's a silly but enjoyable ride. 

Each character in the book added their own unique personality to the whole story in general. Sartaj's inner dialogue and English were funny and her husband's Shakespeare obsession and quotes and hunger pangs added more humour. From Riaz's girlfriend to his suitors to his suitors' parents to his cousins to his relatives to his friends, everyone made this book a joyful ride. 

Author Sadiqa Peerbhoy's writing was charming and kind of reminded me of Salman Rushdie. She has written an absolutely enjoyable book that captures the charm of a hearty Muslim household and of the Nizam's bejewelled city of Hyderabad. 

Marry Go Round had many aspects relating to marriage that I don't quite like or even understand for that matter but the book ended with a type of marriage I love so I can oversee all the other flaws. The book can be read like a romantic comedy Bollywood movie where you don't really need to use your brain. All you gotta do is read and enjoy the ride. 

RATING:

Review- Isn't It Bromanctic? by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Goodreads Summary:

Having fallen in love in The Bro-Magnet, ultimate man's man Johnny Smith and D.A. Helen Troy marry at the outset of ISN'T IT BROMANTIC? Never has a sports-loving couple been so well suited. Now everything should be wedded bliss, right? Not exactly. On a honeymoon cruise, both contract a virus but Helen recovers more quickly. Still confined to their stateroom, Johnny is fine with her going off on her own, until Helen has a little too much fun playing beach volleyball with an all-male group of German tourists. And things only grow worse as they return home to CT and try to set up life as a married couple. Can Johnny and Helen's marriage be saved?

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of Isn't It Bromantic? from author Lauren Baratz-Logsted in exchange for an honest review. We thank Lauren for the book! 

I absolutely like and thoroughly enjoyed reading Lauren Baratz-Logsted's The Bro-Magnet (my review of which can be read here) and I was delighted when the author contacted us to review her book, Isn't It Bromantic?

Without even looking much into the book, I said yes because I know for a fact that Lauren's books come with the guarantee of the reader having a good laugh and a good time while reading. 

I thought Isn't It Bromantic? would be the story of one of the friends of Johnny, the protagonist in The Bro-Magnet although most of them were already married. I don't read summaries (yes, that's how it works for me) so I was in for a surprise with this one. 

I must admit that on the one hand, I was fairly surprised that Isn't It Bromantic? is the continued story of Johnny and Helen since they already got a happy ending in the first book. On the other hand, once I began reading, I realised how much I'd missed this cute couple. I even missed the whole of Johnny's gang and was happy to meet them again. Hell, I even missed his cat (although I'm not a cat person)! 

Isn't It Bromantic? starts off with Johnny and Helen's wonderful marriage ceremony followed by their cruise honeymoon and the two of them trying to fall into the marriage routine. They still find it amusing and hard to believe that they're married. 

Johnny is such a hilarious man, I love his sense of humour. Like I already said, you're bound to have a rocking time listening to the voice in his head. Sometimes, he does seem way too nice and way too concerned for a guy, but all his friends love that about him. He is cluelessly super sweet. He really is a caring, genuine and sweet guy. All that matters to him is his wife's happiness and he makes sure she gets it. 

Helen seemed a little off to me in this one but we get to know all about her reasons later on in the book. She is a very nice and smart girl with her own insecurities and problems and she's perfect for Johnny. They're both perfect for each other. 

It was such a pleasure to again encounter the hilarious bunch of people from The Bro-Magnet. 

Johnny's dad Big John and his Aunt Alfresca get married and are trying to work on that. They were both their usual jovial , wonderful and weird self respectively. Johnny's gang of friends Billy and his wife Alice and Drew were super interesting as usual and in their own ways, they all help Johnny with adjusting to the married life. 

Sam, Johnny's best friend, ex neighbour and business partner was her usual feisty self. I love her as a character. She keeps Johnny in line and I sincerely hope she gets a happily ever after for herself. 

An addition of characters brought more enthusiasm in Isn't It Bromantic? 

Johnny meets a little girl Willow on the cruise and the two remain friends. Willow was a complete darling and rather highly intellectually developed for her age, but lots of fun nonetheless. Johnny's barber Stavros, who takes shelter in the newly wed couple's home was entertaining and I admired him as a character. He had a great personality. Although I must admit that I missed meeting Helen's large, boisterous and cuddly family.  

Author Lauren Baratz-Logsted's writing keeps the reader awake, entertained and wanting more. Isn't It Bromantic? was an hilarious riot of the ups and downs of marriage. I adored how Johnny rounds up his married life with Helen. 

"We are flawed human beings, and we will spend the rest of our lives being flawed together." 

It had me go all 'aw, Johnny!'. Just like the first book, I absolutely liked and thoroughly enjoyed reading Isn't It Bromantic? as well. It was  an adorable read. The Nice Guy series is truly a nice series of a really nice guy. 

REVIEW:

Review- The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

Goodreads Summary:

Women have been known to lament, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride." For Johnny Smith, the problem is, "Always a Best Man, never a groom." At age 33, housepainter Johnny has been Best Man eight times. The ultimate man's man, Johnny loves the Mets, the Jets, his weekly poker game, and the hula girl lamp that hangs over his basement pool table. Johnny has the instant affection of nearly every man he meets, but one thing he doesn't have is a woman to share his life with, and he wants that desperately. When Johnny meets District Attorney Helen Troy, he decides to renounce his bro-magnet ways in order to impress her. With the aid and advice of his friends and family, soon he's transforming his wardrobe, buying throw pillows, ditching the hula girl lamp, getting a cat and even changing his name to the more mature-sounding John. And through it all, he's pretending to have no interest in sports, which Helen claims to abhor. As things heat up with Helen, the questions arise: Will Johnny finally get the girl? And, if he's successful in that pursuit, who will he be now that he's no longer really himself? THE BRO-MAGNET is a rollicking comedic novel about what one man is willing to give up for the sake of love.

REVIEW:

I got a copy of The Bro-Magnet when it was free on Amazon and I was so eager to read the book. The whole concept of the book seemed great and refreshing as we get a glimpse into a man's head. About what men think about women, about dating, about relationships and about marriage. We've all read about women always being the bridesmaids and never the bride, but this was the first time I came across the tag line 'always a best man... never a groom'. I was excited to begin reading this book and I was not disappointed. 
The Bro-Magnet is a hilarious, awesome and an absolutely refreshing read that had me laughing out loud innumerable times. I mean it when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed every page and it was a totally colourful and entertaining ride. 
The Bro-Magnet is the story of Johnny who has a great family and a great bunch of friends, who wanted to become a lawyer but follows his father's footsteps by taking up the family's painting job, who is looked up to, appreciated and admired by majority of the male population, who has been best man in so many weddings, whose best man wedding speech is a hit among the crowd and who is a HUGE baseball and beer fan. 
Unfortunately, he has never had any luck with women. His mother dies after giving birth to him, his aunt Alfresca accuses him of killing her sister, his first crush, Alice hates him and marries his best friend, his best friend, neighbour and co-worker, Sam is a lesbian. After looking at his married buddies, Johnny feels the absence of a woman in his life and that's when he deicides to take matters in his own hands and gets serious about finding his own life partner. 
I loved being with Johnny on his journey to find the right woman. His family comprising of his dad 'Big John' and his aunt Alfresca was a riot. They are people with a big heart and an even bigger sense of humour. 
His friends made loyal and a strong gang. It was fun reading about the changes that Johnny sees in his friends after their respective marriages. 
His best friend/neighbour Sam was, for me, the coolest character. She was fun, lively and had a kind of razzmatazz personality. 
Another significant character in the book is Leo, the coffee-shop owner and his wife whom he calls 'The Little Lady'. His story and the role he plays in shaping Johnny's views about love was moving and touching. 
When Johnny finally meets lawyer Helen Troy at a baseball game, he is intrigued by her and wants to get to know her. This is where Johnny's world turns upside down. 
With a lot of help and advice (necessary and unnecessary) from family and friends, he goes from being Johnny to 'John', remodels his home by throwing in flowers and little girly things, almost gives up his love for sports, buys a rather lazy and crazy cat, finds himself asking other men about how to woo women and women about how to impress them, but most importantly, he evolves as a man. 
I enjoyed reading about this phase and transition of John. He is so nervous about dates (on the first date, Johnny does not eat anything because he is afraid of having bad breath!) that sometimes I found myself thinking 'do guys even bother so much about such things?' and the answer was yes, they do. It matters so much to John what Helen thinks of him, how she looks at him, how selfless he is when it comes to Helen that he willing to do whatever she says. 
The meetings between Johnny and Helen's very close-knit, huge and jolly family and between Helen and Johnny's riotous and fun-loving family were gratifying and very sweet.
Johnny was cute, funny, sincere and loving while John was still the same guy with only a stronger belief in himself and in his relationships. Helen is smart, cool, very kind and warm-hearted. They are great as a couple, balance each other perfectly and are similar in more ways than one, which I cannot elaborate further without giving away spoilers! 
Author Lauren Baratz-Logsted's writing keeps you awake and alive and laughing and wanting more. At times, a few things did seem a bit too girly, nonetheless The Bro-Magnet was an awesome book and in the end, that is what matters- enjoying what you are reading and The Bro-Magnet ensures that you do just that- relax, read and enjoy.
The Bro-Magnet is a hilarious refreshing read that makes you laugh, appreciate a man's efforts, look at how much relationships matter to men, how willing they are to make it work when they know 'she's the one' and how a little bit of help and lots of humour goes into making a beautiful relationship. 

RATING: 

Sarika