Review: Rules for a Perfect Life by Niamh Greene
(Penguin Ireland, €14.99)
Niamh Greene's playful sense of fun has already made her a bestseller with her earlier books like Secret Diary of a Demented Housewife and Letters to a Love Rat. The demented diaries was a huge hit with stressed out Yummy Mummies both here and in the UK and sold over 80,000 copies.
Her new one, Rules For A Perfect Life, is a departure from the hilarious diary/letter format and a move into the more conventional popular novel structure. But her devotees can rest easy. It's as funny as before and likely to put her back on the best-seller shelves. If you haven't read her yet, but are a fan of the Sophie Kinsella school of wit, you will enjoy this lively and engaging fourth novel - a perfect antidote to the present doom and gloom.
Greene's wicked sense of humour provides much needed relief in these recessionary times and she injects shed-loads into this romantic comedy. Maggie, her designer-clad heroine, is plummeted out of her comfort zone when she loses her good job as an estate agent in Dublin and finds herself with nowhere to go except a country cottage in the sleepy village of Glacken.
Strappy Jimmy Choos are swiftly replaced by grotty trainers as the horrified Maggie realises she has to muck out stables for Edward, her handsome, widowed landlord, as part of her tenancy deal. An unwitting ingénue to rural life, she quickly makes enemies of his teenage daughter, his mother-in-law and Odette, the local vet, who has designs on Edward. Her only ally is six-year-old Polly, Edward's bubbly and precocious youngest daughter.
Things get off to a bad start with Edward but she gradually settles into the slower pace of country living and becomes involved in the small daily squabbles of the village. Despite a few major gaffes and hilarious misunderstandings, Maggie befriends the locals and has a Pollyanna effect on them. In return she learns that country life is much more exciting than she expected. Soon the makeover from Sex And The City slicker to Anne of Green Gables is complete and she discovers friendship and true happiness.
Engaging, wistful and funny, but with a real down to earth humour that has many laugh out loud moments.
Buy 'Rules for a Perfect Life' from Eason
Irish Independent
