Based on Joan's own experiences in top London advertising agencies, this funny, fast-paced tale is set against a backdrop of Thatcher's Britain where money trumped morals and lust was a must. 'I am a ginger tom. I am a boy racer. I am a housewife. I am a pain in the arse.'
Working in Soho's mad, bad Adland in the sexist 80s, Ella David is a rare beast - a woman in a man's world. When her lothario boss, Peter Richards, bored with his ball-clicker, demands something or someone new to play with, Ella finds herself battling more than just fat thighs. Faced with losing her job or sleeping with him, Ella turns to her friend, Adam Hart the one constant bright spot in her life. Can love help her go from a girl in the firing line to a woman calling the shots?
Working in Soho's mad, bad Adland in the sexist 80s, Ella David is a rare beast - a woman in a man's world. When her lothario boss, Peter Richards, bored with his ball-clicker, demands something or someone new to play with, Ella finds herself battling more than just fat thighs. Faced with losing her job or sleeping with him, Ella turns to her friend, Adam Hart the one constant bright spot in her life. Can love help her go from a girl in the firing line to a woman calling the shots?
Ever since studying Graphic Design at university, I have been really interested in the world of advertising, so I was incredibly interested in this book from the get go.
This book was very easy to read with humour injected on every page. Set in the 80’s, this is something I kept forgetting, but there are moments that remind you, whether it’s the pop culture/political references or the fact that in the book someone paid for a pint of beer and a glass of wine with £5 and got some change! This doesn’t date the book though, you can still relate to Ella and the story.
Ella was a really interesting character. She works in a very male orientated industry, so she has developed a very confident, sure of who she is personality, and it was great to read someone like this. Though her relationship with Tom showed that she also has a vulnerable side.
I never really liked Tom from the get go. On the outside looking in on their relation, as always, I could see all of his flaws, that you are blind to if you’re in the relationship itself. He was selfish beyond belief, had an over-inflated ego, and showed to show Ella no care or attention unless it suited him. It all seemed like an act when he did something nice.
I loved Ella’s friendship with Adam. Their scenes no doubt would involve a delicious sounding cake or pastry, thank goodness you can’t gain weight from just imagining food! Ella and Adam’s dynamic was really fun to read, and seeing them both at Adam’s house like naughty school children when put with a bunch of more serious people Adam’s girlfriend knows was really funny to read.
Wally was another of Ella’s friends I really warmed to, he was such a sweet character and provided a lot of touching moments throughout the book.
Wally and Adam aside, most of the other male characters were incredibly easy to dislike. David was sulky, and Peter…put simply, Peter was absolutely despicable, not one redeeming quality about him.
I really liked Jill, who turned out to be completely different to how we were first introduced to her from inside Ella’s mind. I am so glad Ella adjusted her attitude towards Jill so we got to know the real person and not just the ‘Peter’s secretary’ side. She ended up a really bright and fun character, possibly my favourite in the book!
This book was smart, funny and warm and I really enjoyed reading this glimpse into the world of copywriting and advertising.
This book was very easy to read with humour injected on every page. Set in the 80’s, this is something I kept forgetting, but there are moments that remind you, whether it’s the pop culture/political references or the fact that in the book someone paid for a pint of beer and a glass of wine with £5 and got some change! This doesn’t date the book though, you can still relate to Ella and the story.
Ella was a really interesting character. She works in a very male orientated industry, so she has developed a very confident, sure of who she is personality, and it was great to read someone like this. Though her relationship with Tom showed that she also has a vulnerable side.
I never really liked Tom from the get go. On the outside looking in on their relation, as always, I could see all of his flaws, that you are blind to if you’re in the relationship itself. He was selfish beyond belief, had an over-inflated ego, and showed to show Ella no care or attention unless it suited him. It all seemed like an act when he did something nice.
I loved Ella’s friendship with Adam. Their scenes no doubt would involve a delicious sounding cake or pastry, thank goodness you can’t gain weight from just imagining food! Ella and Adam’s dynamic was really fun to read, and seeing them both at Adam’s house like naughty school children when put with a bunch of more serious people Adam’s girlfriend knows was really funny to read.
Wally was another of Ella’s friends I really warmed to, he was such a sweet character and provided a lot of touching moments throughout the book.
Wally and Adam aside, most of the other male characters were incredibly easy to dislike. David was sulky, and Peter…put simply, Peter was absolutely despicable, not one redeeming quality about him.
I really liked Jill, who turned out to be completely different to how we were first introduced to her from inside Ella’s mind. I am so glad Ella adjusted her attitude towards Jill so we got to know the real person and not just the ‘Peter’s secretary’ side. She ended up a really bright and fun character, possibly my favourite in the book!
This book was smart, funny and warm and I really enjoyed reading this glimpse into the world of copywriting and advertising.
Gratefully received from the Author for review (view her website here).
Thank you also to Girls love to Read for organising this Blog tour!
Want to wind down after a long week/day at work with a good book and a glass of wine?
I will talk about a nice wine I drank which I think suits the mood of this book.
I will talk about a nice wine I drank which I think suits the mood of this book.
Instead of choosing a wine, I am taking a leaf out of this book and opting to suggest a Champagne Cocktail that Ella regularly drinks in this book, Kir Royale.
Kir Royale is a shot of Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and then topped up with Champagne. You still get the lovely biscuitty flavours of Champagne but the cassis adds a slight sweet fruitiness, it's absolutely delicious. I used Lanson Black Label Champagne, but if you're on a budget I think a nice Cava will work just as well.
Kir Royale is a shot of Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and then topped up with Champagne. You still get the lovely biscuitty flavours of Champagne but the cassis adds a slight sweet fruitiness, it's absolutely delicious. I used Lanson Black Label Champagne, but if you're on a budget I think a nice Cava will work just as well.
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