Monday, April 30, 2012

BOOK: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I've Got Your Number, by Sophie Kinsella, 435 pages

Kinsella is the master of, what is dismissively called, 'chick lit.' She is most famous for The Shopaholic books, but some of her stand alone books have been my favorites: Remember Me? and Twenties Girl.  I've Got Your Number reminded me more of the Shopaholic, still an enjoyable read, but covering more familiar characters and plot - silly good-hearted girl too concerned with what others think, high-powered man impressed with silly good-hearted girl, and misunderstandings a-plenty.

Poppy loses her fiance's heirloom engagement ring and her cell phone on the same day. She finds a cell phone (a necessity for today's modern girl) and tries to hide the fact that she's lost the ring. The cellphone belonged to the PA of  high-powered Sam, which allows nosy Poppy to insinuate herself into Sam's business and personal life. The use of the cellphone and texting was very well done and makes this a modern Three's Company of misunderstandings and mixed signals.

Like most Shopaholic books, I am detachedly bemused in the first half of the book, and then suddenly in the second half, unable to put it down, and impressed with the plotting. Kinsella gradually sucks me in, and the characters grow just enough to keep me invested in the ending, which while telegraphed a mile away, turns out just the way you want. Sigh. Nicely done.

also reviewed: joy at thoughts of joy; martina at virginie says; colleen at books in the city; chris at book-a-rama; jonita at the book chick; lindsey at reeder reads;