This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Susan Lobban
By answering mostly Cs in a magazine quiz, Susie is dismayed to find this makes her a ‘leftover’. She is a single thirty something in a dead end job and she longs for fulfillment in both her work and home life.
Susie’s friends are keen for her to try internet dating but she's more interested in using her computer for stalking her ex on Facebook. Her grandmother’s philosophy is that there is a pasta shape and sauce for just about every situation and Susie follows this advice as she is overlooked for promotion, manages hellish clients and dips her toe in the dating pool again.
Susie may have a long way to go before she gets where she wants to be in life, but when she gets there she’ll certainly have a full stomach!
It has been a long time since I have read a single lady dating book, so I was keen to see how times had changed with this type of novel. Also, I had heard great things about Stella’s debut Pear Shaped. At first I thought not much had changed – lonely single girl taking solace in food, however as the story progressed so did the main character. Susie was a refreshing and opinionated woman. It is rare that I laugh out loud at a book, but Susie’s witty one liners had me in stitches. I liked that she took no nonsense and although she’d had her heart broken she came out of the other side stronger and more determined.
When I last read this style of story I was living a similar kind of life to the protagonist. Even though I couldn’t relate to the characters as intensely this time, I really enjoyed reading about them. While the plot doesn’t twist and turn as much as I usually like (not a great deal happens) the characters were strong and likeable.
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. By the final page I felt like Susie could be one of my friends and I was rooting for her to get the life she wanted.
Like pasta, Leftovers is a true comfort. A delicious read to enjoy with a glass of wine.
8/10