Title: Porn Money & Wannabe Money
Author: Laura Barnard
Publication Date: 23 March 2016
Twitter: @barnardlaura
Website/blog: www.laurabarnardbooks.co.uk
Rating: 4 out of 5
Blurb
What is it about turning thirty that sends rational women into a tailspin?
Suddenly going from having all the time in the world, to cringing at the ticking of her biological clock, Poppy is drowning under the strain of trying to get pregnant.
With a dad in the throes of a mid-life crisis, a crazy mother-in-law and time racing towards Lilly’s wedding, will she be able to cope with it all…and give Ryan the baby they so desperately want?
Finally able to inherit her dad’s porn money, Jazz can’t wait to be rich! She can buy a house in Chelsea, go out partying with her old mates and start living how she deserves.
But with Ollie, Jemima and Meryl each clawing at their own little piece of her happiness, will she have to leave behind those closest to her in exchange for it?
The real question is, can Poppy and Jazz rescue their own lives before everything gets ruined, or will their own stubbornness destroy the lives they’ve created.
Review
Thank you to Laura Barnard for providing a copy of Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy in return for an honest review.
Porn Money and Wannabe Mummyis the new release from author, Laura Barnard, and the third instalment in The Debt & The Doormat series. I have read a few of Barnard’s earlier books and always find them very entertaining, as such I was very keen to give this new one a try.
The plot is told from a dual point-of-view and can really be split into two main storylines – Poppy’s wish to start a family and Jazz’s big inheritance. Poppy is married to the gorgeous Ryan and they are keen to start a family but are struggling to conceive. This is made worse by the fact that everybody around them seems to be falling pregnant, including Ryan‘s ex-girlfriend, Nicole. Poppy confides in Jazz, but she has her own problems to worry about. After inheriting a fortune from her deceased father, Jazz’s attempts to recapture her former lifestyle results in serious problems in her relationship with Poppy’s brother, Ollie.
Porn Money and Wannabe Mummyis essentially an (almost slapstick) comedy interspersed with some real-life problems and heartfelt emotions. The laughable moments take precedence from the starting scene and I found myself giggling away from the very first chapter. The book really is a laugh-a-minute type read with a lot of physical comedy which would probably translate very well onto the big screen.
Barnard’s writing in Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy is detailed, realistic and very readable. The dialogue and situations can become slightly crude at times, but they remain in keeping with the story. Barnard manages to strike a perfect balance between comedy and more touching scenes. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Poppy and her father.
The characters are always one of the big strengths in Barnard’s stories and this book proves to be no exception. Each character has their own purpose within the tale and comes with their own sub-plot which pushes the story forwards. Poppy is a great protagonist – loyal, dependable, vulnerable and a total klutz, always putting other people before her own wants and needs. She is such a likeable character and my heart went out to her when faced with her troubles falling pregnant. Her best friend Jazz is an equally great character – selfish, spoilt, a total mess but loads of fun. The supporting characters to some extent steal the show with their laughable antics – including Ryan, Ollie, Grace, Izzy, Michael Sworsky, Nicole and, last but not least, Poppy’s crazy and cringe–worthy parents. I can honestly say that if I had a mother-in-law like Meryl, I would very likely not be married now!!
Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy is, in the most part, a fast paced story with a slightly chaotic feeling! It is somewhat bawdy, smutty, laugh-out-loud funny, fabulously witty, emotional and very entertaining – a great big bundle of fun and a perfect example of chick-lit at its best! The book is a hugely enjoyable mix of friendships, family, romance, laughable shenanigans and some hilariously embarrassing moments. Overall, another fantastic book from Barnard!
Whilst this is the third book in the series, I think it can be read as a standalone. Be warned though, you will want to go back and read the earlier two books!
About the Author
Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or ‘chick lit’ as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.
She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She’s a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!
She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!
Buy Links
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