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What I Did For Love...
Three people. Two choices. One disaster...
Jim Meade is 30, single, unfulfilled at work and firmly under the perfectly manicured thumb of his monstrous mother Sylvia.
He’s also one half of west London’s least requested pub band – the other is his outrageous best friend Eric Chapman.
Jim can feel his life stagnating, slowly, in front of him.
But everything changes the day he meets the gorgeous, funny, Isabel Bradley. They hit it off instantly. Within a week, she’s moved into his flat. Within a month, they've big news.
But how will it go down with the matriarchal and desperately needy Sylvia? Especially when she’s harbouring dark secrets of her own. And how will Eric adapt to his closest friend’s changed circumstances? Not in the way anyone imagines.
Jim will find himself torn in all directions. But by trying to please everyone, will he end up losing them all?
What I Did For Love… is a romantic comedy about pride, attachment, betrayal and dysfunction. Of every kind.
Jim Meade is 30, single, unfulfilled at work and firmly under the perfectly manicured thumb of his monstrous mother Sylvia.
He’s also one half of west London’s least requested pub band – the other is his outrageous best friend Eric Chapman.
Jim can feel his life stagnating, slowly, in front of him.
But everything changes the day he meets the gorgeous, funny, Isabel Bradley. They hit it off instantly. Within a week, she’s moved into his flat. Within a month, they've big news.
But how will it go down with the matriarchal and desperately needy Sylvia? Especially when she’s harbouring dark secrets of her own. And how will Eric adapt to his closest friend’s changed circumstances? Not in the way anyone imagines.
Jim will find himself torn in all directions. But by trying to please everyone, will he end up losing them all?
What I Did For Love… is a romantic comedy about pride, attachment, betrayal and dysfunction. Of every kind.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2015
About the author
M.G. Woods
1 book1 followerM.G. Woods was a journalist on several UK national newspapers for more than a decade but not quite two. When the weather's not too sunny or inviting, he still works in the media.
He hasn't changed much since this photo was taken, except for having a few more teeth and a lot less hair. And he hasn't forgotten how to whistle with his tongue.
What I Did For Love... is his first novel.
He hasn't changed much since this photo was taken, except for having a few more teeth and a lot less hair. And he hasn't forgotten how to whistle with his tongue.
What I Did For Love... is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 14, 2015
It's rare to come across a book so thought provoking and so difficult to categorise. Described as a novel it feels far more like the pithy memoir of a reluctant to grow up 30-something. What I Did For Love tells the story of James Meade (no relation, check the spelling), his burgeoning relationship with Lucy, whom he met at a storage lock-up and eventually the expansion of their little family with the birth of Henry.
The book focuses on the themes of family and parenthood, as James tries to juggle the needs of both the women in his life, his girlfriend/wife Lucy and his mother Sylvia. The whirlwind nature of his and Lucy's romance and the unexpected arrival of Henry, lead James to question some of the decisions they make together. Sylvia's hold over James means he often fails to prioritise Lucy and Henry, out of a mistaken sense of duty and guilt.
Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com
The book focuses on the themes of family and parenthood, as James tries to juggle the needs of both the women in his life, his girlfriend/wife Lucy and his mother Sylvia. The whirlwind nature of his and Lucy's romance and the unexpected arrival of Henry, lead James to question some of the decisions they make together. Sylvia's hold over James means he often fails to prioritise Lucy and Henry, out of a mistaken sense of duty and guilt.
Read the full review at www.MJMeads.com
February 4, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. You might be forgiven for taking this as a romance at first sight, especially given the cover. What I Did For Love is a dry observational comedy. There is a cast of characters that would make it good for TV.
Told from James Meade's perspective in a reflective manner, we get little clues throughout about future events that hook you in. We meet his oldest friend, the love of his life, her parents and his family. There's drama in it all, and the outcome is often funny. Some of it even has a slapstick element to it. One of my favourite characters was his work colleague Tessa, married to a debt collector. Her dialogue and behaviour was amazing.
The premise is straightforward, but the story is anything but. James is smitten at first sight by Lucy, and it's mutual. Their first date ends up as a visit to A&E, but that still doesn't stop them getting to bed and making a baby. With a relationship on fast forward there's a lot of ground to cover and there are mishaps, misunderstandings and misadventures. Not least of which is James's dysfunctional family. Living at one remove from them in London he hadn't quite appreciated their level of dysfunction, but their situation has a disastrous effect on his relationship with Lucy.
A good chunk of the action is James trying to uncover the family secrets so that he can make amends with Lucy.
I empathised very well with the main character, his reaction to becoming a father made a lot of sense. If you're a parent, or over 30, then you're likely to recognise a lot of the story, either from your own life or from those that you know.
Told from James Meade's perspective in a reflective manner, we get little clues throughout about future events that hook you in. We meet his oldest friend, the love of his life, her parents and his family. There's drama in it all, and the outcome is often funny. Some of it even has a slapstick element to it. One of my favourite characters was his work colleague Tessa, married to a debt collector. Her dialogue and behaviour was amazing.
The premise is straightforward, but the story is anything but. James is smitten at first sight by Lucy, and it's mutual. Their first date ends up as a visit to A&E, but that still doesn't stop them getting to bed and making a baby. With a relationship on fast forward there's a lot of ground to cover and there are mishaps, misunderstandings and misadventures. Not least of which is James's dysfunctional family. Living at one remove from them in London he hadn't quite appreciated their level of dysfunction, but their situation has a disastrous effect on his relationship with Lucy.
A good chunk of the action is James trying to uncover the family secrets so that he can make amends with Lucy.
I empathised very well with the main character, his reaction to becoming a father made a lot of sense. If you're a parent, or over 30, then you're likely to recognise a lot of the story, either from your own life or from those that you know.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews