This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Lisa Spoors
This is the first Mike Gayle book I’ve read since My Legendary Girlfriend over ten years ago. I really enjoyed that at the time, so was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this one.
The book is a novel (ahem) concept – two separate stories following a soon-to-be-wed couple on their respective stag and hen parties. The reader can choose which character to join first – Helen or Phil.
Helen’s weekend involves a stay in a swanky spa hotel with a group of friends (and one frenemy) where she just happens to run into her ex-boyfriend. And this isn’t just any ex; it’s the former fiancé who broke Helen’s heart. She’s already suffering from pre-wedding jitters, and the ex has a bombshell to drop that could change everything.
Phil’s do is a rather predictable trip to Amsterdam with the boys where, whilst queuing to get into a bar, he bumps into someone he discovers a connection with and who, unexpectedly, gives him plenty to think about.
Since these are separate stories there’s very little interaction between the two main characters in the book, so insight into their relationship is given mainly from the perspective of either Helen or Phil, which makes it a little different from the usual chick-lit/relationship drama novel. It also means, though, that we don’t learn a great deal about the couple as characters and to be frank what we do learn makes both of them come across as a little boring. I didn’t find Helen or Phil particularly likeable and found myself getting annoyed at some of the decisions they made.
I did enjoy Gayle’s writing style – it’s down to earth and engaging. There were parts where I felt I was with Helen and Phil on their respective weekends away – although if I had been I think I’d have ditched the do and come home early
Since I enjoyed the style of writing I would definitely read more of Mike’s books, but I feel that the lack of depth to these particular characters and slightly dull plotlines let this novel down.
To sum it up, The Stag and Hen Weekend was a bit like a Big Mac Meal – I enjoyed it at the time, but was left feeling unfulfilled after I had finished.
5/10