I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Morning After Memoirs by Kate Michaels Published by Ago Publishing on July 14th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Women, Fiction, General
Pages: 261
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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A smart, irreverent slant on modern dating, Kate Michaels’ sexy, laugh-out-loud debut reimagines the world of Sex And The City with the biting realism of Lena Dunham’s Girls.
Twenty-nine-year-old Jess wakes up on New Year’s Day a touch hungover and a whole lot confused. The man in bed next to her is not her boyfriend, Ben. In fact, she doesn’t even remember Not-Ben’s name. It won’t be the first time she finds herself in a questionable situation in a year that proves her new single-in-the-city lifestyle is far from the glamorous, Sex And The City world she’s been promised on TV. Between hacking through last year’s leg hair, accidentally snogging someone who may well be her cousin, getting hit over the head with a sex toy that isn’t even hers, and ending the night with a walk of shame into her parent’s garage, Jess’s single life is turning out more cockroaches than cocktails.
The Morning After Memoirs is the story of one woman’s search for love, meaning, and a low-calorie alternative to wine.
The Morning After Memoirs is a cross between Bridget Jones’ Diary and Sex in The City with plenty of humour, adult issues and poor choices to keep a reader guessing whats next. I found Michael’s writing style interesting and the British humour really refreshing. The Morning After Memoirs really highlighted that I don’t get to read enough British literature!
Jess goes from being a stable woman in a long term relationship to someone who has a drinking problem and a long succession of one night stands. She moves back home, starts drinking more than usual and meets all sorts of new characters. Over time Jess gets a new job, new place and begins to find a new normal after her disastrous New Years Eve. We see Jess make a lot of really terrible decisions that only makes her situation worse and lots of hilarious things happen along the way.
I really loved how Jess’ story goes full circle from the night everything goes to hell, to the night Jess begins to get back on track (sort of) — both of which are New Years Eve. A night for rebirth and renewal, how fitting!
The Morning After Memoirs is a novel you cannot take seriously. It’s not about life lessons. It’s pure comedy and entertainment.
I found that in order to really enjoy The Morning After Memoirs I needed a bottle of wine and the company of a good friend. I’m not saying that the novel required alcohol and friendship, but it helped me initially get on board with the humour. I was often frustrated and annoyed with Jess and her completely atrocious behaviour. I think I needed a friend to help me to stop taking Michael’s work SO seriously.
I really wasn’t amazed by The Morning After Memoirs mostly because I feel like the focus of this novel is for a much younger readers. I feel like I’m well past the age where drunken stupidity and one night stands are part of life so I often felt like Jess was focused on things that I am not. Perhaps this is just because Jess is a complete screw up with some serious responsibility problems, but I would suggest readers in their early twenties for this novel and not readers nearing thirty.
This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy comedic relief with their chick lit, British humour and novels with plenty of adult material. I would not suggest this novel to those who are easily disturbed because there are plenty of cursing, sexual situations and derogatory comments (all made in good fun, though).
About Kate Michaels
Kate Michaels was born in Birmingham. After studying English, drama and film, she moved to London where she currently lives with her boyfriend and two cats. As a journalist and copywriter she writes about everything from bars and theatre to luxury property. The Morning After Memoirs is Kate’s debut novel.
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