This is my first book review so be gentle with me please. I have to say that some of the literary reviews I have rated on this site have been rather good, which is a bit intimidating, so I thought I'd start with one of my favourites. 'Don't you want me?' by India Knight is a no-brainer, the kind of book you can read by the pool on holiday or in the bath and enjoy its feel-good factor without having to tax your grey matter too much. Don't get me wrong, I love a big fat historical account or a psychological thriller to sink my teeth into. I love a book which makes me think, but I will have to build up to reviewing these, and I have read some crackers recently, to avoid humiliation.

This was a last minute airport buy and I think it was £3.99 from WH Smiths. I simply liked the eye-catching pink cover and the blurb on the back sounded promising, although it was ruder than I expected. This is India Knights second book, which follows 'My Life On A Plate', another very enjoyable read.

The heroine of the book is a chic, slightly eccentric single mum called Stella. The daughter of a wealthy French businessman (whom Stella suspects is gay) and an acerbic English socialite, Stella grew up in Paris but now lives in trendy Primrose Hill with her adorable daughter Honey and her flame-haired, sex-obsessed housemate Frank.
Driven to distraction with her lonely, playgroup filled existence and bitter about the never-ending procession of one night stands Frank is enjoying, Stella decides that she deserves a little light relief herself and enlists Frank to advise her on modern 'pulling techniques'.

On her first visit to the ghastly Happy Bunnies mother and toddler group, a grubby church hall inhabited by monstrous kids with names like Ichabod and Mango, and their middle class, liberal Earth mothers, Stella meets a kindred spirit and fellow single mum Lousia. They spend girlie afternoons, while their little bundles of joy nap, quaffing wine and recounting stories of dating disasters, like Stellas latest conquest, a shame-filled romp on the shag pile with the ageing, perma-tanned cosmetic surgeon William Cooper, who she met at a dinner party.

Through Louisa, Stella meets hip DJ Yungsta, aka Adrian, a ridiculous real-life Ali G who invites them both to watch him perform at the nightclub where he works. Stella quickly realises that this is not a match made in heaven though, when she wanders off and stumbles upon a clandestine room full of drag queens and helped by some mood-enhancing drugs, ends up on stage with them, to the horror of her homophobic new beau.
Throw in Stellas' balding, perverse and unhappily married neighbour Tim, who harbors unhealthy fantasies of illicit couplings with her, and you have a recipe for unbridled belly-laughs.

The story has a real human warmth to it. Stella is charming and believable and the dialogue is beautifully written. The conversation between Frank ans Stella about what makes a 'dirty ride' is the kind of exchange you might hear in any pub on any Friday night and had me laughing out loud, it was hilarious.
Poor Stella. If only she could find her ideal man. A guy who adores Honey, can cook a mean roast dinner and is hot stuff in bed. But Frank is ginger. All over. Stella could never fall for a man covered in red body hair. Could she?

There is a half-twist at the end of the book which was a nice touch and the content has a saucy, seaside postcard atmosphere which feels like a cosy, candid chat with your girlfriends, leaving you feeling completely satisfied!
Highly recommended as long as you are not easily offended.