This Charming Man - Marian Keyes

If I told you that I've just read a 676-page novel about Irish politics, corruption, domestic violence and alcoholism my guess is you wouldn't immediately think 'Aha, that sounds like just the perfect thing to read on the sun-bed on my summer holidays'. And I might agree - but only because it's just out in hard-back and probably weighs more than two pairs of shoes. However, it could be just the ideal book to hook you in and make you incapable of doing anything other than rushing home, microwaving the cat, stroking the ready meal and neglecting your ironing until you've finished it. Marian Keyes' most recent novel 'This Charming Man' is chick-lit for the thinking woman - ...  Read the complete review

I have been a big fan of Marian Keyes ever since a friend enthused about 'Watermelon' and since then have read all her work and looked forward to new releases from her. Her latest novel, 'This Charming Man' seemed rather different than her previous creations when I read the synopsis, but being a big fan I had no hesitation as she's never once let me down before. And as with most of Marian's novels this is set in Ireland. Paddy De Courcy is the charming man of the title, a politician who oozes charisma as well as being a hunk on legs. Females just swoon on sight of him and his outwardly sensitive side is a great charmer for the ladies. This most ...  Read the complete review

To Charm, according to the dictionary, means: - to act upon, with or as with a compelling or magical force; to charm a bird from a tree. - To endow with or protect by supernatural powers; - To gain or influence through personal charm: he charmed a raise of of his boss. Paddy De Courcy was a charmer; he aimed to please. A fifty-something politician, with an eye for the ladies, and knowing that he could have any woman he wanted as he had a certain charisma. He wasn't attractive, and was rather a bulky man, but nevertheless, once his sight was set on something or someone, he would single-mindedly aim to attain it. This Charming Man is ...  Read the complete review

This book revolves around the lives of four women the day they heard that Paddy de Courcy, an attractive Irish Politician is to be married. Lola, his current girlfriend, is shocked at the news because it isn't her he is marrying! Publicly dumped by the man she loves, she decides to escape Dublin for a while and recover. There is also Grace, a journalist who knew Paddy when they were teenagers and wants to get the latest scoop on him. Grace's sister Marnie also takes a lot of notice at this recent development; for her Paddy, is still someone she thinks of frequently as he was her first love. Then there is the woman he is marrying, Alicia, who is determined to ...  Read the complete review

I've enjoyed reading Marian Keyes' books in the past, so I just had to pick this one up at the supermarket on one of my recent shops. What Is It About? Marian Keyes typically writes chick lit style books, but the plot of this book has more depth to it than your average chick lit book. It follows four different women: Lola, Grace, Marnie and Alicia. Lola is a Dublin-based freelance stylist whose career falls apart when she discovers that Irish politician Paddy De Courcy (her boyfriend) is getting married to Alicia. Marnie had a teenage relationship with Paddy and has yet to really get over him, even though it is fifteen years later. ...  Read the complete review