Twenties Girl

Just lovely!

Wish I could have given 2 1/2 stars. If Sadie the ghost had stopped shrieking or if Lara had spoken up about how it was no longer 1923, I would have given it 3 stars. Other than that it was a typical Sophie Kinsella chick lit novel.

What I love about Sophie Kinsella's writing is that her heroines are always full of life and spark. Their thoughts tend to run wild but never off on tangents and they always seem to get themselves into hilarious situations. It's always a fun adventure when I pick up a Sophie Kinsella book, whether it is Lexi Smart who can't remember the past 3 years of her life or Lara Lington who thinks she gone mad because she's being haunted by her Great Aunt Sadie. Read More

Without a doubt, Kinsella's best book yet! I laughed, I cried, I could not put it down!

The first half was a train wreck of events that I could barely stand to watch, but in the end it was an enjoyable read.

This book almost made me cry. There are many sad and touching books, but I rarely cry reading them. But there's just something different about this one, and that's why it's so special.

Lara Lington is shocked when her great aunt, Sadie Lancester, suddenly appeared in front of her in the shape of a ghost. It was in Sadie's funeral, attended only by a few family members who think that it's just a waste of time. Sadie is making a fuss about her missing necklace, and through Lara, managed to stop the funeral.

Sadie is nowhere near your typical ghost. She wears lovely 1920s dresses, loves Charleston, and likes the idea of having cocktails in nightclubs. Her bossy attitude and comments seem to make Lara's life worse than it already is.

Work hasn't been great for Lara, as her partner — and also best friend — deserted her for a ‘true love' in Goa. Her love life? Not so great. Lara's still obsessed with her ex, Josh, who left her without giving a clear reason. Not to mention her uncle's rich family is overshadowing her own. And now she's got her great aunt's ghost pestering her to find the necklace.

Everyone thinks Lara is a bloody lunatic for talking to thin air. It couldn't get any worse when Sadie forces Lara to go on a date with a guy she choosed, wearing the clothes she wants, and doing things her way.

As Lara tries to figure out the necklace's whereabouts, the truth about Sadie's life starts to reveal. What happened to her in her youth, what kind of life she's been living, and why is the necklace so important to her.

Honestly, Lara isn't exactly a great main character. She's rather pathetic and could be downright annoying at times, especially when it comes to her obsession towards Josh. Sadie is no saint either, but somehow I find her character likeable. Despite her bossy i-don't-care attitude, she really does care about Lara.

The story about Sadie's life is a really sad love story. I find it more touching than any other aspects in the book. Second to that, is definitely the ending. It's not wrapped up in the usual happily ever after with a ribbon on top, and that's why I almost cried reading it.

Twenties Girl is a good reminder on how people should treasure their families. My favourite of all Kinsella's book.

Honestly, I thought I could expect more from Sophie Kinsella but somehow, Twenties Girl just fail to exceed my expectation.

The story itself is interesting but I had a sense of deja vu as I proceed from page to page. The siblings rivalry, the keeping-secrets-from-the-parents thingy, the I-thought-he's-a-perfect-boyfriend stuff... it's kinda getting old. But overall, Twenties Girl is an OK read for passing the time (especially when you're in the office, pretending to be working).

Can you imagine being haunted/hounded by a dead great-aunt? Make that an obnoxious, overbearing and commanding great-aunt. She's like a guardian angel, only a tad bit irritating. That's Sadie, the very little known dead great-aunt who's haunting and taunting her great-niece, Lara.

Together, they embarked upon a journey to find a piece of Sadie's past. Well, it is more of Sadie forcing Lara to help her by screaming at her ear for every 5 minutes. In the process, they got to know more of each other and Lara learns of her great-aunt's past and the family's little secret.

At first, I could not stand Sadie. But as the story unfolds, I thought I could use a guardian angel just like Sadie. Maybe ask her to torture a certain someone for me. Just a thought. Wink.

I have yet to meet a Sophie Kinsella book that I didn't just love and this is no exception. I lost count of the times I literally laughed out loud! I can't wait to see what Miz Kinsella comes up with next!

I have read all of Sophie Kinsella's books and have always found them good fun light reading and very enjoyable. She has had great success with the Shopaholic series but the subsequent books she's written have also been engaging and so I couldn't wait to delve into Twenties Girl.

I found the first few chapters of the book a little slow - it took me some time to get my head around the rather unusual plot line that the lead character Lara is seeing the ghost of her dead Great Aunt Sadie who follows her around generally causing mayhem and trying to get her to search for a necklace that has gone missing and which only once found will allow her to pass on to the other side.

If you can suspend your disbelief at the plot and that the lead character is clearly in public places talking to a ghost which is raising some eyebrows and questions about her sanity this becomes a really good read. Sadie's character is at first a little weak but this builds throughout the book and as the story comes together it is a very heartwarming read.

Innovative storyline, different from the usual girl meets boy chick lit and very very good.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Kinsella's other books.

I liked this book as much as the Shopaholic series.