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Practically Perfect
Anna, a newly qualified interior designer, has decided it's time to put her money and her expertise where her mouth is. She's risked everything on buying a tiny but adorable cottage so she can renovate it, sell it on, and prove to her family that she can earn her own living. Outside, the chocolate-box cottage is perfect, but inside all is chaos: with a ladder for a staircase, no downstairs flooring, candles the only form of lighting and a sleeping bag and camping mat for a bed, Anna's soon wondering whether she's bitten off more than she can chew. Her neighbor Chloe comes to the rescue, providing tea, wine and sympathy - and a recently rescued greyhound, Caroline. But just as Anna's starting to believe she's found the perfect idyll, the good-looking yet impossible Rob Hunter arrives on the scene, putting up more obstacles than the Grand National. Can Anna get over all of life's hurdles?
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
307 people are currently reading
3261 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
108 books2,292 followersCatherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
June 4, 2021
Practically Perfect is a pleasant read at first but then it takes a stupid and unnecessary turn towards the end which spoilt the plot for me completely but I still enjoyed the first half of the book so rating it three stars.
Anna moves to the countryside to renovate a cottage. She meets her neighbor Chloe who is married and has kids. Chloe is a perfect neighbor and helps Anna to get acquainted with the town. Honestly, I wonder what am I doing wrong because my neighbors aren't that lovely. Anyway, Anna and Chloe become really good friends. At first, I thought Chloe was being a bit nosy but I did like their friendship eventually.
Anna also meets Rob Hunter whom she doesn't like at first but then they profess their feelings for each other and live happily ever after. Only it is not that simple because Rob has an accident and a change of character completely. He becomes a deranged lunatic and creates a lot of unnecessary drama. Yeah, he apologizes but I wasn't convinced.
I didn't really like any of the characters but I liked the first half of the book and the writing was good in this. Not as many errors as other Katie Fforde books.
3 stars
Anna moves to the countryside to renovate a cottage. She meets her neighbor Chloe who is married and has kids. Chloe is a perfect neighbor and helps Anna to get acquainted with the town. Honestly, I wonder what am I doing wrong because my neighbors aren't that lovely. Anyway, Anna and Chloe become really good friends. At first, I thought Chloe was being a bit nosy but I did like their friendship eventually.
Anna also meets Rob Hunter whom she doesn't like at first but then they profess their feelings for each other and live happily ever after. Only it is not that simple because Rob has an accident and a change of character completely. He becomes a deranged lunatic and creates a lot of unnecessary drama. Yeah, he apologizes but I wasn't convinced.
I didn't really like any of the characters but I liked the first half of the book and the writing was good in this. Not as many errors as other Katie Fforde books.
3 stars
June 20, 2020
I do believe this is my all time favourite Katie Fford story. A pleasing tale with lovely characters and a happy ever after ending. Practically perfect ☺️
June 29, 2009
What is it with Katie Fforde?
Every time I read one of her books, I enjoy it and I get involved in it.
And then, somewhere near the end, though you're still interested SHE seems to lose interest in what she is writing. And suddenly you're at the ending and it feels like a let down.
I should know better by now. And yet, I like her books enough that I keep reading them....
Every time I read one of her books, I enjoy it and I get involved in it.
And then, somewhere near the end, though you're still interested SHE seems to lose interest in what she is writing. And suddenly you're at the ending and it feels like a let down.
I should know better by now. And yet, I like her books enough that I keep reading them....
September 15, 2015
A fun read with excellent characters. Further, Fforde manages both wit and charm in her characters and that made the whole thing shine.
Two things keep this from being an all-out win. First, Anna's fixation on Max went on way too long. It was clear that she liked him for her imagination more than anything real and her self-delusion became kind of tiresome when the much more delectable Rob was right there—and Rob was so much better in pretty much every way.
The second needs spoilers as it happens right near the end.
So it's an excellent romance, with a couple flaws. It's a solid 3.5 stars, but I laughed out loud enough (and was simply charmed off my socks enough) that I'm rounding it to a 4. Yeah, even that ending didn't completely disillusion me.
A note about Steamy: What? No steamy tag? Yeah, there's no steam here. Sex happens, but it's all off screen with only enough after-reference to get the tone.
Two things keep this from being an all-out win. First, Anna's fixation on Max went on way too long. It was clear that she liked him for her imagination more than anything real and her self-delusion became kind of tiresome when the much more delectable Rob was right there—and Rob was so much better in pretty much every way.
The second needs spoilers as it happens right near the end.
So it's an excellent romance, with a couple flaws. It's a solid 3.5 stars, but I laughed out loud enough (and was simply charmed off my socks enough) that I'm rounding it to a 4. Yeah, even that ending didn't completely disillusion me.
A note about Steamy: What? No steamy tag? Yeah, there's no steam here. Sex happens, but it's all off screen with only enough after-reference to get the tone.
December 17, 2009
Probably my least liked Katie fforde so far. I'd probably prefer to give this 2.8 stars, but it's only a 5 point scale. I found the characters annoying - in fact I wanted to shout at the heroine several times for being so stupid, saying really dumb things, over-reacting, being a drama queen, and generally needing a jolly good slap. Like her I couldn't quite credit the hero's reaction at the dramatic conclusion to the story, and felt the author had done very little to justify his behaviour: it didn't ring true for me. I found parts of the dialogue and narrative annoyingly repetitive, and felt as if I was being beaten over the head with some plot points. Towards the middle of the last disk I found myself longing for the thing to just finally end... but I persevered, and finished it. Might be a while before I go back for another Katie fforde tho. Perhaps I'm just over her.
January 2, 2019
I'd not read a Katie Fforde novel in ages, so was looking forward to getting stuck into this one. This was an enjoyable and lightly amusing romance. I love renovations (as long as I don't have to do them myself). Being a dog lover, including having adopted a lurcher from a rescue centre in the past, I loved reading about the Greyhound too.
February 10, 2009
I picked this off the shelf at the library just to take a break from all the kids books I read. But this was too long, some of the characters never settled for me, and the man-woman relationships didn't feel real.
If the girl wants to redo houses by hand, is qualified, and is good at it, why did she constantly seem to feel like she has to defend herself about it? Just get on with it. Maybe drink a little less champagne. And stop talking about how small the cottage is! It was very distracting of her to keep going on, when the next door neighbor's identical cottage has a family of 5 in it.
Now that I look at it, I'm not sure what the title is refering to either.
If the girl wants to redo houses by hand, is qualified, and is good at it, why did she constantly seem to feel like she has to defend herself about it? Just get on with it. Maybe drink a little less champagne. And stop talking about how small the cottage is! It was very distracting of her to keep going on, when the next door neighbor's identical cottage has a family of 5 in it.
Now that I look at it, I'm not sure what the title is refering to either.
October 25, 2011
Formulaic, clumsy writing; annoying cliched characters; a stupid plot "twist"... To be honest I only finished this on principal - I hate not finishing books, even if I dislike them as much as I disliked this one.
March 19, 2019
Sorry, not perfect at all.
The non-obvious thing is that it isn't all that easy to write fluff. Entertaining, undemanding literature from the reader's point of view takes just as much work by the author - when she doesn't shirk it, that is. Believable dialogue; well-paced and well-thought-out plot; fleshed-out characters: all these are required from a light, fun read if you are not to spend the time eyerolling and vaguely irritated instead. I'm afraid this book was lacking on all three counts, and as this is my second Katie Fforde I'm not likely to give her yet another chance.
The non-obvious thing is that it isn't all that easy to write fluff. Entertaining, undemanding literature from the reader's point of view takes just as much work by the author - when she doesn't shirk it, that is. Believable dialogue; well-paced and well-thought-out plot; fleshed-out characters: all these are required from a light, fun read if you are not to spend the time eyerolling and vaguely irritated instead. I'm afraid this book was lacking on all three counts, and as this is my second Katie Fforde I'm not likely to give her yet another chance.
July 2, 2011
Honestly I haven't even finished the book. The whole thing is just driving me a bit crazy. This is the first book I have attempted to read by Katie Fforde, but so far the writing is driving me crazy. Maybe it is just a bit too froofy for me at this time.
March 8, 2018
What a treat - a Katie Fforde book I haven't read. Not sure how I missed this one. A cast of likable characters all set in the beautiful Cotswolds. Even the cottage became a character in itself. Books like this are perfect for curling up with and leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
March 31, 2010
I can only stand so much Fforde at once and this one put me over the limit. I enjoyed the interior design plots and the not-too-nice guy and the portrayal of a nice sisterly neighbors relationship, but I don't understand the pushy undertone of women finding their true niche in nurturing. I don't think there's anything wrong with nurturing, mind you, but sometimes Fforde seems to be offering some pretty reactionary lessons about Appropriate Choices for Women (not that all modern fiction doesn't pretty much stress how much better it is for women to be attached and breeding, but Fforde's presentation just irritated me this time.)
Sometimes these books remind me of the guy who insisted that it was much easier when men did men things and women did women things and everyone stayed in their place. ("I'm sure it was easier for YOU," I told him, "since you're a man.") I'm sure this isn't Fforde's intention, but it sure felt like it!
Sometimes these books remind me of the guy who insisted that it was much easier when men did men things and women did women things and everyone stayed in their place. ("I'm sure it was easier for YOU," I told him, "since you're a man.") I'm sure this isn't Fforde's intention, but it sure felt like it!
January 26, 2015
Katie Fforde is my go-to author in the romance genre. Mostly because her books are undemanding and inoffensive in the sort of 'romance' they depict.
Actually, the romance plot is quite often the least convincing part of her books, and 'Practically Perfect' was no exception. From the first pages it was quite obvious where the heroine was headed, romantically. But that's not the main point, when it comes to Fforde's book, at least for me - what I like about them is that the heroine is usually a woman trying to 'find herself', turning her life around and that journey of self-discovery is interesting enough for me.
That and there's an odd charm of the 'old days' in her books.
In short, 'Practically Perfect' delivered exactly what I was expecting - uncomplicated comfort reading. Which is precisely what I needed at the moment.
Actually, the romance plot is quite often the least convincing part of her books, and 'Practically Perfect' was no exception. From the first pages it was quite obvious where the heroine was headed, romantically. But that's not the main point, when it comes to Fforde's book, at least for me - what I like about them is that the heroine is usually a woman trying to 'find herself', turning her life around and that journey of self-discovery is interesting enough for me.
That and there's an odd charm of the 'old days' in her books.
In short, 'Practically Perfect' delivered exactly what I was expecting - uncomplicated comfort reading. Which is precisely what I needed at the moment.
February 7, 2011
For a book billed as a romantic comedy, it was neither funny nor particularly romantic! Pass this book by. The only interesting thing (from my American prospective) was all the British terms. They call carpenters "chippies" and electricians "sparkies," seriously?
didn-t-finish
June 8, 2011I didn't want to waste my time on this book. I only made it to Chapter Two - life's too short to read bad books. The conversation style in the story seemed forced. Also, I don't know of anyone who would walk into a stranger's house, bathe their kids and do their dishes!
April 22, 2011
I love Katie Fforde's books, you always know where you are with them. They represent a wonderful fairy tale like lifestyle with real life twists, turns and complications. At first I did find the book hard to get into, however I don't put this down to the writing or plot but because I had read four books in the weekend that I started this one and it was probably too much for me. However, once I did get into the book (which was by the third chapter) I loved it and kept going with it!
I loved Anna, she was a great character. She was an independent woman who didn't like to rely on anyone and wasn't tied down to anyone. Just her work which she loved. When you first meet her you see that she is headstrong and once she's got an idea into her head there's no stopping her (as her sister Laura found out). When she had got to her project you were then introduced to her neighbour Chloe, and together they formed a great friendship which I loved. They got close quick and the addition of her children was also nice. It's nice to have that kind of break from some of the seriousness in a novel.
Speaking of seriousness, for chick-lit you expect it to be light hearted, and this book was. There was, however, some wonderful unexpected twists to keep you on your toes! It was great to see the book change so quickly, especially for some of the characters. Also, when Anna finally came to her senses about one potential love interest I was very relieved! In novels, I'm very interested when there are two love interests (in this Max and Rob) because it makes the novel slightly more unpredictable, and you start making choices for the character and the ending that you want. As usual I had my clear favourite.
The characters in this book were pretty perfect for me. They all had some sort of humour or charm about them (particularly on the first meeting) and some where easier to fall in love with than others (my favourite love interest for example). They all had some kind of depth and drama to add to their situations right until the very end! Which left me rather angry for a little bit at the end before I got to it. However, that is the sign of a great writer/book you get so into it you want the best for your favourite characters and you're pretty much heartbroken when it doesn't go your way, or appears that way.
The whole book was just a great read. Despite the difficulties I had at first they were easily overcome. The only reason I didn't give it the full five stars is because I would like there to have been an epilogue or something at the end to show the characters how they were getting on after everything that had happened.
I loved Anna, she was a great character. She was an independent woman who didn't like to rely on anyone and wasn't tied down to anyone. Just her work which she loved. When you first meet her you see that she is headstrong and once she's got an idea into her head there's no stopping her (as her sister Laura found out). When she had got to her project you were then introduced to her neighbour Chloe, and together they formed a great friendship which I loved. They got close quick and the addition of her children was also nice. It's nice to have that kind of break from some of the seriousness in a novel.
Speaking of seriousness, for chick-lit you expect it to be light hearted, and this book was. There was, however, some wonderful unexpected twists to keep you on your toes! It was great to see the book change so quickly, especially for some of the characters. Also, when Anna finally came to her senses about one potential love interest I was very relieved! In novels, I'm very interested when there are two love interests (in this Max and Rob) because it makes the novel slightly more unpredictable, and you start making choices for the character and the ending that you want. As usual I had my clear favourite.
The characters in this book were pretty perfect for me. They all had some sort of humour or charm about them (particularly on the first meeting) and some where easier to fall in love with than others (my favourite love interest for example). They all had some kind of depth and drama to add to their situations right until the very end! Which left me rather angry for a little bit at the end before I got to it. However, that is the sign of a great writer/book you get so into it you want the best for your favourite characters and you're pretty much heartbroken when it doesn't go your way, or appears that way.
The whole book was just a great read. Despite the difficulties I had at first they were easily overcome. The only reason I didn't give it the full five stars is because I would like there to have been an epilogue or something at the end to show the characters how they were getting on after everything that had happened.
November 17, 2008
Katie fforde has a surefire formula for the kind of romance books I like. Her heroine, who starts out either single or newly single, always has a project, and a challenging and creative project at that. She will not be looking for a "relationship," in fact she will normally say she hasn't time for one...but of course by the end of the book one will transpire. Occasionally there will be a Mr. Wrong somewhere in the middle. The heroine will also be a woman who enjoys and values the friendship of other women. Oh, and of course they are set in England.
Practically Perfect is no exception. Protagonist Anna is an interior designer, a profession she continually has to explain. (If you've ever watched Trading Spaces on BBC America, you'll understand when she gets a bit shirty if someone says, "Oh, like Linda Barker!") Having cut her teeth on a London flat she and her sister restored, she's now bought a cottage in Gloucestershire to do up. It turns out that it's a "listed building" (similar to the National Register of Historic Places here) and there are strict rules about what she can do to it. On top of that, she finds herself rescuing a greyhound, which was the last thing she needed, as she's living in the cottage (which previous owners had more or less gutted) while doing it up. During the course of the book she will meet up with an old flame, make friends, and have some hilarious adventures involving a Jacuzzi at a home show. All's well that ends well and this is a fine way to spend a few hours of escapism.
Practically Perfect is no exception. Protagonist Anna is an interior designer, a profession she continually has to explain. (If you've ever watched Trading Spaces on BBC America, you'll understand when she gets a bit shirty if someone says, "Oh, like Linda Barker!") Having cut her teeth on a London flat she and her sister restored, she's now bought a cottage in Gloucestershire to do up. It turns out that it's a "listed building" (similar to the National Register of Historic Places here) and there are strict rules about what she can do to it. On top of that, she finds herself rescuing a greyhound, which was the last thing she needed, as she's living in the cottage (which previous owners had more or less gutted) while doing it up. During the course of the book she will meet up with an old flame, make friends, and have some hilarious adventures involving a Jacuzzi at a home show. All's well that ends well and this is a fine way to spend a few hours of escapism.
July 21, 2015
This is a good poolside read - light and entertaining
May 26, 2020
Three and a half stars.
Slightly dated classic Katie Forde romance. Anna has bought a dilapidated end of terrace worker's cottage in the Cotswolds with the intention of doing it up and selling it, and also showcasing her interior design credentials (cue rather dated references to the TV series Changing Rooms). She quickly makes friends with the woman in the cottage next door with an absentee husband (travelling for work) and three small children. Her new BFF also saddles her with a rescue greyhound rather against Anna's better judgement which leads to a run-in with the local representative of the greyhound rescue centre who is less than impressed by Anna's dog-handling skills. Rob, aka B*stard Dog Man (as Anna calls him), also turns out to work for the listed buildings department and Anna finds out her lovely cottage is listed, which means no new wide staircase and no French windows. So Rob is now rechristened B*stard House and Dog Man. But aside from his officiousness about Anna's house and dog, Rob is actually very helpful.
Anna hasn't told anyone but one of the reasons she moved to the village was because the man she has been in love with years, Max, is originally from the area and his mother lives in the village. Max was a guest lecturer on Anna's university course and they had a moment at the end of year dance, but Anna threw his number away in a moment of madness and has been regretting it ever since. Now a college reunion beckons and Anna has the chance to see Max again.
So here we are set up for the classic love triangle, the sophisticated London architect that got away versus the well-meaning but bossy B*stard House and Dog Man. The only problem was, I found both men pretty obnoxious, they both treated Anna like a fluffy little girl who didn't know a thing and told her what to do with monotonous regularity.
Overall, I liked it but I didn't love it, I also thought Anna was a bit wet TBH.
Slightly dated classic Katie Forde romance. Anna has bought a dilapidated end of terrace worker's cottage in the Cotswolds with the intention of doing it up and selling it, and also showcasing her interior design credentials (cue rather dated references to the TV series Changing Rooms). She quickly makes friends with the woman in the cottage next door with an absentee husband (travelling for work) and three small children. Her new BFF also saddles her with a rescue greyhound rather against Anna's better judgement which leads to a run-in with the local representative of the greyhound rescue centre who is less than impressed by Anna's dog-handling skills. Rob, aka B*stard Dog Man (as Anna calls him), also turns out to work for the listed buildings department and Anna finds out her lovely cottage is listed, which means no new wide staircase and no French windows. So Rob is now rechristened B*stard House and Dog Man. But aside from his officiousness about Anna's house and dog, Rob is actually very helpful.
Anna hasn't told anyone but one of the reasons she moved to the village was because the man she has been in love with years, Max, is originally from the area and his mother lives in the village. Max was a guest lecturer on Anna's university course and they had a moment at the end of year dance, but Anna threw his number away in a moment of madness and has been regretting it ever since. Now a college reunion beckons and Anna has the chance to see Max again.
So here we are set up for the classic love triangle, the sophisticated London architect that got away versus the well-meaning but bossy B*stard House and Dog Man. The only problem was, I found both men pretty obnoxious, they both treated Anna like a fluffy little girl who didn't know a thing and told her what to do with monotonous regularity.
Overall, I liked it but I didn't love it, I also thought Anna was a bit wet TBH.
July 17, 2017
2.75ish
Oh, oh, oh. Sometimes I feel like I am quite generous with giving points to romance novels... mostly because I am a hopeless romantic, but sometimes also because I feel like I have to reward books that got at least something right, because I see so many poorly executed romance novels...
Here, I was happy that for once an author could make a character who was clumsy, klutzy and socially awkward who seemed like acting her age and was not over the top stupid. It should be a given, but I have seen so many bad examples, especially recently.
Other positives: it was fluffy, sweet, cute, it gives a great message to girls about how you should not think you are in LOVE just because someone is hot and charismatic and how being spoiled with luxurious stuff is not enough for romance when you are treated like crap. I also liked the romance. liked the portrayal of village life, too. I did enjoy the fact that the main heroine was someone who loved working and was good at what she was doing and was capable of doing great stuff on her own.
But this novel was not perfect, either. It, unfortunately, fell into a lot of classic "poorly / lazily written chick lit traps", like:
- REALLY OVER THE TOP and REALLY UNREALISTIC "embarrassing situations" (the bathtub one was CRINGEWORTHY)
- a totally unnecessary dramatic twist in the last pages to stir drama
- "when you cannot propel the story forward, throw in an accident or a tragedy"
- the overly dramatic break-up with the main heroine saying a really ambiguous one-liner to the love interest and that's it... no, it needs explanation to the other person as well, they need to know what they did wrong!
- the new best friend who is too random and does stuff without thinking them over and putting big responsibilities on the other friend's head, but "you just cannot be mad at her, because she's just soooooo cuuuute and fun!"
Oh, oh, oh. Sometimes I feel like I am quite generous with giving points to romance novels... mostly because I am a hopeless romantic, but sometimes also because I feel like I have to reward books that got at least something right, because I see so many poorly executed romance novels...
Here, I was happy that for once an author could make a character who was clumsy, klutzy and socially awkward who seemed like acting her age and was not over the top stupid. It should be a given, but I have seen so many bad examples, especially recently.
Other positives: it was fluffy, sweet, cute, it gives a great message to girls about how you should not think you are in LOVE just because someone is hot and charismatic and how being spoiled with luxurious stuff is not enough for romance when you are treated like crap. I also liked the romance. liked the portrayal of village life, too. I did enjoy the fact that the main heroine was someone who loved working and was good at what she was doing and was capable of doing great stuff on her own.
But this novel was not perfect, either. It, unfortunately, fell into a lot of classic "poorly / lazily written chick lit traps", like:
- REALLY OVER THE TOP and REALLY UNREALISTIC "embarrassing situations" (the bathtub one was CRINGEWORTHY)
- a totally unnecessary dramatic twist in the last pages to stir drama
- "when you cannot propel the story forward, throw in an accident or a tragedy"
- the overly dramatic break-up with the main heroine saying a really ambiguous one-liner to the love interest and that's it... no, it needs explanation to the other person as well, they need to know what they did wrong!
- the new best friend who is too random and does stuff without thinking them over and putting big responsibilities on the other friend's head, but "you just cannot be mad at her, because she's just soooooo cuuuute and fun!"
September 20, 2020
Na het lezen van de achterflap was ik nieuwsgierig. Ik ben meteen in het boek begonnen. Het hele verhaal houdt je in een soort van spanning. Je weet niet welke kant het op gaat en hoe het gaat eindigen. Welke keuzes er gemaakt gaan worden en wat de uitkomst ervan is. Het zorgt ervoor dat je blijft lezen zodat je snel te weten komt wat er weer gaat gebeuren
De hoofdpersonages worden goed beschreven daardoor leer je ze goed kennen. Weet je zelfs (bijna) hoe ze denken.
Ik kende de schrijfster nog niet maar ga zeker meer hoe je van haar lezen
De hoofdpersonages worden goed beschreven daardoor leer je ze goed kennen. Weet je zelfs (bijna) hoe ze denken.
Ik kende de schrijfster nog niet maar ga zeker meer hoe je van haar lezen
June 25, 2025
Had to dnf, been reading since February and it’s just so repetitive, all I could think about whilst reading, was wanting to finish so I could start a new book, not wanting to finish because there was a good storyline. The start was good but then it just got confusing towards the end I got about 70% way through. Felt like a chore trying to finish it
November 24, 2024
A fun ,light ,escapism read
I love Katie's books ,so easy to read & which leave you with a warm ,fuzzy feeling. Based in the Cotswolds it is a story about an interior designer & the errors she makes before finding true love.
I love Katie's books ,so easy to read & which leave you with a warm ,fuzzy feeling. Based in the Cotswolds it is a story about an interior designer & the errors she makes before finding true love.
January 19, 2018
Delightful easy read.
February 15, 2021
A throughly enjoyable romp of a book. House renovations, dogs, good female friends and romance. It’s a great story and a little departure from real life.
July 24, 2021
3.75 stars. Another great read by Katie Fforde. This one is not my favorite but still fabulous.
December 28, 2021
A wonderful hug in a book teaching the age old compromise and communication of love. I really enjoyed a different genre to my usual.
August 12, 2019
Probably not her best novel but after the last two books I've read nice to have a happy ending and a story that didn't really have any dark moments.
December 15, 2023
I enjoyed learning about what it’s like to be an interior designer. I also enjoyed the friendly relationships between Anna and her friends.
May 23, 2012
The Book Practically Perfect by Katie Fforde wasn’t a very good one. Practically Perfect is 373 pages and is in the romance genre.
The book was basically about an interior designer named Anna, who is fixing up an old English cottage in the small town of Amberford. She is very close to her sister who lives in the city with her family. She also comes to know her neighbor Chloe who provides her with help, advice, tea and a rescue greyhound Caroline. The cottage is picture perfect on the outside, but in dire need of TLC on the inside. With a ladder for a stair case, candles for lights, and no floors, Anna has a lot of work cut out for her. As her life is starting to settle down, Rob Hunter comes into play and throws Anna a curve ball. Anna is now confused on what to say and what to do. Will Anna ever be able to relax again?
I personally thought the book was awful. The author made Anna seem so annoying! She was very indecisive which held up the whole story and frustrated me. I would not recommend reading this book unless you want to read 12 chapters just to get into some juicy parts. Here’s an examples, “At the sight of Mrs. Gordon’s face, Anna turned away.” This could have been an awesome part if she wasn’t so shy! This sort of thing went on trough the whole book! Whenever there was a perfect opportunity for SOMETHING to happen, Anna would be shy, or concerned about what to do, and ruin it!
This is obviously one of the handfuls of weaknesses this book had. Another one is how long it took to get anywhere, and the author confused you about where the characters where. One sentence they would be in the garden, then all of a sudden their starring at the stove! This was very distracting and frustrating.
But the one thing I can connect to this book is that I want to be an interior designer, so this sort of gave me a piece at what I would be getting into. The only difference is that she was also par architect, and I don’t want to be. Over all I wouldn’t recommend this book to you unless you like to read books that take forever to get anywhere (which isn’t much) and on annoying, indecisive characters.
The book was basically about an interior designer named Anna, who is fixing up an old English cottage in the small town of Amberford. She is very close to her sister who lives in the city with her family. She also comes to know her neighbor Chloe who provides her with help, advice, tea and a rescue greyhound Caroline. The cottage is picture perfect on the outside, but in dire need of TLC on the inside. With a ladder for a stair case, candles for lights, and no floors, Anna has a lot of work cut out for her. As her life is starting to settle down, Rob Hunter comes into play and throws Anna a curve ball. Anna is now confused on what to say and what to do. Will Anna ever be able to relax again?
I personally thought the book was awful. The author made Anna seem so annoying! She was very indecisive which held up the whole story and frustrated me. I would not recommend reading this book unless you want to read 12 chapters just to get into some juicy parts. Here’s an examples, “At the sight of Mrs. Gordon’s face, Anna turned away.” This could have been an awesome part if she wasn’t so shy! This sort of thing went on trough the whole book! Whenever there was a perfect opportunity for SOMETHING to happen, Anna would be shy, or concerned about what to do, and ruin it!
This is obviously one of the handfuls of weaknesses this book had. Another one is how long it took to get anywhere, and the author confused you about where the characters where. One sentence they would be in the garden, then all of a sudden their starring at the stove! This was very distracting and frustrating.
But the one thing I can connect to this book is that I want to be an interior designer, so this sort of gave me a piece at what I would be getting into. The only difference is that she was also par architect, and I don’t want to be. Over all I wouldn’t recommend this book to you unless you like to read books that take forever to get anywhere (which isn’t much) and on annoying, indecisive characters.
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