Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Six Months To Get A Life by @BenAdamsAuthor #wwwblogs

Today’s Review is from team member Luccia, she blogs at http://lucciagray.com/

Luccia chose to read and review Six Months To Get A Life by Ben Adams

Ben Adams Six Months to get a Life

Humorous View of a Life-Changing Crisis from A Man’s Perspective

I read many books about women, mostly told from a woman’s point of view. Many are about other women, but often they also deal with the male mind and its workings. It was refreshing and enlightening to read a book about a man facing a life-changing crisis, written by another man.

This novel could be referred to as ‘lad-lit’ which explores the male psyche, especially issues such as friendship, relationships, love, and sex. It reminded me of Nick Hornby’s About A Boy, and John O’Farrell’s The Best a Man Can Get, both of which I enjoyed immensely.

At first, I didn’t like Graham very much. He seemed pitiable, insecure, bitter, selfish, and incapable of any self-criticism, but he gradually grew on me as he faced the challenges of life after a divorce, and started to reflect upon his role in events and move on.

I felt sorry for him as he struggled to understand his responsibility in the lonely and uncertain situation in which he found himself, and tried to move forward into a new life, including new relationships, job, and way of life, after forty, which to my mind is very young, although he seems to think his life is almost over!

I loved the way his relationship with his children is so important to him and develops throughout the novel. It’s very engagingly written as a diary. I especially enjoyed the humorous way it was told, which makes it so easy and pleasant to read.

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book Review Team #RBRT Terry Reviews Six Months To Get A Life by Ben Adams

Today’s book review comes from team member Terry, she blogs at http://terrytylerbookreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

Terry chose to read and review Six Months To Get A Life by Ben Adams

Six Months To Get A Life by Ben Adams

4.2 out of 5 stars

This is a very well written, enjoyable, easy-read contemporary drama of the grown up ‘lad lit’ variety, and I read it all in one go – which is a good recommendation, for a start!

I was a bit worried, before I started it, that it might be too much like a Nick Hornby or David Nicholls, but Ben Adams definitely has his own style. His main character, father of two sons Graham Hope, is a newly divorced 42 year old, pretty despondent about most aspects of his life. Graham gives himself six months, until his 43rd birthday, to make the changes on his to-do list. The story is written in diary form, something I like and think works very well for a novel of this type.

I found Graham frustratingly unsure of himself and meek at first, but he does grow some cojones somewhere in the middle of the six months. It’s very ‘real life’ but in a cosy sort of way, and contains moments both touching and amusing; the humour is generally of the quiet smile provoking rather than the hilarious, though I did laugh out loud at some funny phone-connected bits at 44, 46 and 63% – I always note down when a book actually makes me do that!

Negatives? Hardly any. Not a great deal happens and some threads could have been developed more to good effect, but that’s fine; it works. I did find some of the dialogue a little odd; I can’t imagine any woman ringing up a man a couple of weeks after a one night stand and saying ‘It has been a while since we made love’, and I was a bit confused by Graham’s concern about what ‘having sex with a divorced woman’ would be like – it’s not the 1950s, when a divorced woman might be seen as a little racy, or indeed anything out of the ordinary! But Graham is not a man of the world, so perhaps that’s in character – I was just pleased he got out of the marriage to the draggy ex….

To sum up – I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who likes light family drama, lad it, stories about real life and realistic relationships, and especially if you’re divorced with children; you’ll probably relate to much of it. I liked Graham, and his sons; it’s the sort of book you close with a smile and makes you think, yes, I enjoyed that!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Rosie’s Book review Team #RBRT Liz Reviews Six Months To Get A Life by Ben Adams

Today we have a review from team member Liz, she blogs at https://lizannelloyd.wordpress.com/

Liz chose to read and review Six Months To Get A Life by Ben Adams

Six Months to Get a Life by Ben Adams

At the beginning of Six Months to Get a Life I found Ben Adams’ novel a relaxed easy read, of the type you might find in a Women’s magazine, except that this story is told from the point of view of a man. A man in the middle of a mid-life crisis, his marriage is over, he is living with his parents and spending weekends looking after his sons.

Graham Hope works in a boring office, earns barely enough to fund the maintenance of his ex-wife and sons, and longs for a new relationship. Writing in the form of a diary, he decides to take a positive attitude, intending that on his 43^rd birthday in exactly 6 months he will have a more interesting job, his own place to live, a social life and a good relationship with Sean and Jack.

At first we are forced to despair of Graham. He lacks confidence, relies on others and is indecisive. A blind date introduces him to “Miss Putney” but is this the promise of sexual satisfaction and companionship that he seeks? He may be forced to find another job quicker than he intended and increasing tension in his parent’s house, partly caused by his amiable but messy dog Albus, means an alternative residence is becoming urgent.

I enjoyed the fact that the novel is rooted in the present day with detailed references to last year’s football World Cup and mention of current events. Jack & Sean are charming, yet normal, boys at the outset of their teenage years. Although it is not easy to empathise with “the Ex” wife, Graham does allow us to understand her point of view. There is a delightful, very British, ironic humour running through the story.

As soon as things begin to improve for Graham, disaster strikes and he is forced to face up to his feelings and intentions for the future. The book takes a more serious turn, and I found myself reading well into the night to reach the denouement. This would make such a good TV serial but in the meantime I recommend that you read the book!

Find a copy here from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com