This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Romy Fitzgerald always planned to go the
conventional route: boyfriend, marriage, children. Motherhood via cupboard sex
at a costume party with a stranger dressed as Darth Vader didn't feature on her
to-do list. But when she gives birth to her son Luke nine months later, he
turns out to be the best thing that ever happened to her. As Luke gets older
however, Romy knows that at some point she's goiong to have to tell him about
his father. Trouble is, she never found out 'Darth's' real name. But when an
old flame arrives back in her life, the plot thickens. Kit Masterson was always
'the one who got away' and now he's back from New York and seems intent on
playing happy families with Romy and Luke. But Kit has his own secrets to hide
. . . As Romy begins to wonder if she'll ever find her mystery man from the
party, she learns that in real life secrets rarely stay hidden, especially when
it comes to love. But will Romy find her dark knight or will she be left to
raise Luke (Han) solo?
Clodagh Murphy’s first two books placed her firmly in my romcom must read lists and I was excited to read her third – Frisky Business.
I blummin loved this book. There were Star Wars references, an absolutely stellar mystery thread, secrets, kinky sex and quips a plenty. How could I not love it?!
Murphy is a genuinely cracking writer who is becoming more accomplished with each new book. This is really showcased in Frisky Business; the prose is lively and confident, the descriptions vivid and original and the main characters fully realised, sympathetic and colourful.
I found protagonist Romy to be very engaging. She’s down to earth and funny, but what I particularly liked about her was how strong she was. Although her life was upended by not knowing who Luke’s father was and the arrival of ex fella Kit she got on with it and never wallowed in the negatives of her situation. She had the friend factor by the bucket load and I was sad to say goodbye to her as I turned the final page.
The supporting characters were an absolute joy to read. Sexually curious pensioner May was a star of the show and the other characters’ reactions to her had me howling. I particularly liked Romy’s friend Lesley who took to the search for Luke’s father by turning into a hilariously committed relationship private detective. Incident Nook? Genius.
Clodagh Murphy clearly had a load of fun writing this book and I had such fun reading it. It’s ballsy, witty, warmhearted, refreshingly original and very sexy. Can’t wait for the next one.
9/10