I love you 'with stars on' (By the Time You Read This - Lola Jaye)

Member Name: yellowroses

Product:	By the Time You Read This - Lola Jaye
Date:	15/03/09 (239 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good read

Disadvantages: Didn't live up to my high expectations

I was shopping in Asda last week and walked past a display of books for £1. This is where I picked up 'By the Time You Read This' by Lola Jaye. I'd never heard anything about this author before (It turns out to be her debut) but the title caught my attention. One of my favourite books of all time is 'PS I Love you' by Cecelia Ahern and I expected a similar sort of story. I read this book in about half a day when I was ill in bed and it kept me occupied.

**** The Author ****

Lola Jaye currently woeks as a counsellor for the NHS and has a degree in Psychology and masters in Psychotherapy. She has a blog, 'Diary of an unpublished author' and pages on myspace, bebo and facebook. For more information on this author go to www.lolajaye.com

**** The plot ****

The book follows the life of Lois Bates from the age of 12 through to 30. The story starts with her mum remarrying and Lois receiving a 'Manual' from her Aunt- her dead fathers sister. Lois has mixed reactions to receving this manual. Her instant reaction is to burst into tears as it provides proof that her father really is dead and is not just going to walk back into her life, although she has known this for 7 years there was always a slight hope. The manual has an entry for each birthday starting at 12 and finishing at 30 (the age her father was when he died) as well as extra entries about varrious things from exams and career to relationships.

The book is based around the entries in the manual and the narrative fills in the gaps between with Lois reflecting on the manual and events which lead her to reading it.


***** Themes ****

The main theme in this book is of course Lois growing up without her father. The fact he is dead and can't be there leads her to hero worship him and blame her mum for things that were not under her control.

Lois maturing and rebuilding a relationship with her mum. Lois was obviously a daddy's girl and Lois's dad is not spoken about in the house. Lois thinks this is because her mum doesn't care about him.

Following the trials and tribulations of a teenager growing up in the 1980s. Also having to adjust to a new step father and step sister. The issue of calling another man 'dad'.

The idea of leaving someone messages from beyond the grave and being able to pass on advice and tips you won't be around to share.

Lois coming to a realisation that as long as she hero worships her father other reltaionships are near impossible as no one else will ever compare.

***** Good Bits *****

The fact this book is written from a father to a daughter who was only 5 when he died. He follows all the themes and issues she will face as she grows up including relationships and sex. The way it is written you can easily imagine how difficult and perhaps cringe worthy this would be for any father to do.

'With Stars On' A song that Lois and her father used to dance too. She has forgotten about this until it is mentioned in the manual. This allows the author to coin the phrase 'I love you with stars on' which is quite a nice touch and reminds me a little of PS I Love You.

The camera he has left her has a picture of her father she herself has taken and although it is really bad it is her most treasured possesion and leads her to a change in career path.

The relationship between Lois, her best friend Carla and Carla's brother Corey is really believable. They grow up as naighbours and there lives are almost destined to be interlinked despite 'growing apart'

The way the reltionship between Lois and her mum is so effectively portrayed. How could any mother compete with the happy memories of a cherished father felt by a 5 year old. How could she compete with a manual to which Lois can't answer back? The fact Lois hides the manual from her mother and later finds out her mother knew all about it. You see Lois and her mother confide in each other more as she grows up.

The character of Lois was, for me anyway, easy to relate to. I did however find myself wanting to yell and slap her when it came to relationship issues (just as well she isn't real). I guess however this is a refection of how well she was brought to life.

**** The not so good bits ****

Okay people bearing in mind this is just my opinion I found myself at various stages of the book wondering why on earth I was bothering to read it. It isn't anything overly exciting or gripping or a 'new' story but as I said I was ill in bed and I'm glad I did finish it although the ending it a bit predictable.

I felt OLD reading this book (and thats never good). Not really sure why this was though. It was set in the 80s which does feel like a long time ago to me and perhaps it was the trip down memory lane in this resspect that left me feeling aged. Maybe as well I was left feeling old beyond my years by some of Lois's attitudes to life.

I was hoping for another PS I Love You. Perhaps I am being unfiar to Lola Jayne comparing the two but that is personally what my y hope were. In this respect 'By the time you read this' lacked emotion for me. I love books I can laugh and cry too (hey I'm a girl) and this book had me do neither whereas PS I love you had me do both at the same time.

***** Overall *****

This book was ok. Perhaps if I had read this one a few years ago I would have raved about it. Saying that however I read it in about 3-4 hours and literally didn't put it down and it didn't put me to sleep either. Worth a read but don't expect greatness.

I bought this book for £1 in Asda but it has a RRP of £6.99 It is currently selling for £5.49 on Amazon or £0.01 for an old copy.

Lola Jaye also has a new book out called 'Reaching for the Stars' for £1.99

Summary: A manual from a doting father beyond the grave