Surfing in Stilettos in Ask Carol E. Wyer

Jul 18, 2012 Ciclochick rated it really liked it

Next time you’re feeling a little bit down in the dumps, don’t go to the doctor or reach for a happy pill, read this book. It’s a tonic, it’s feel-good, it’s fun. I guarantee it will lift your spirits and that you will ‘click’ the last page and say, “Oh, how I enjoyed that!”

The story centres around Amanda Wilson, who is in her fifties and has a newly retired husband. Husband Phil hasn’t quite encompassed the wonders of retirement too enthusiastically, and with an adult son who hasn’t grasped th ...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Nikki Bywater rated it it was amazing

This is the sequel to the fabulous Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines. The story follows on from the first book.

Amanda Wilson and her husband Phil and not forgetting a bright orange space hopper. Are about to embark on a gap year of travelling. They have arrived in France in a camper van. The trip is to bring them closer together, but they are in for a bumpy ride.

Todd Bragshaw is back on the scene, now seemingly a changed man, after a cycle accident leaves him seriously injured. Todd has set his mi ...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Janie Morris rated it it was amazing

I discovered Carol E Wyer thanks to a friend who recommended her book. I read her first book, Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines and enjoyed it so much, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, the sequel.
Was I disappointed? No way! Was it as good as the first book? No, it was even better and that is saying something.
In Surfing in Stilettos Ms Wyer shows gives us even more rounded characters, a plot that has an abundance of twists and turns, and a huge amount of hilarity.
Do not make the mistake of ...more

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Mar 20, 2013 J.B (Debbie) rated it it was amazing

Surfing in Stilettos is the follow up to Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines. However, saying that, Surfing in Stilettos can be read as a stand alone book. Having not previously read Mini Skirts and Laughter I did not have any difficulties at all getting into the story of Surfing in Stilettos.

Amanda and her super grumpy husband Phil are off on an adventure 'Gap Year' with Bertie the very unreliable camper van. The first leg of their journey starts off in France but Bertie has other ideas and breaks d Surfing in Stilettos is the follow up to Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines. However, saying that, Surfing in Stilettos can be read as a stand alone book. Having not previously read Mini Skirts and Laughter I did not have any difficulties at all getting into the story of Surfing in Stilettos.

Amanda and her super grumpy husband Phil are off on an adventure 'Gap Year' with Bertie the very unreliable camper van. The first leg of their journey starts off in France but Bertie has other ideas and breaks down. Amanda and Phil are forced to spend longer in France than they first intended. Amanda spends the time wondering if she will be able to stop herself from strangling Phil as he constantly complains, is poor company and seems downright miserable! Amanda is kept company via Skype with her very eccentric and totally bonkers mother Grace, whose philosophy of life is to live it to the full. Grace is a die-hard party animal who believes that one can never have too much fun, with age being no barrier!

Amanda and Phil leave their son Tom to house-sit, although they soon realise that this was a huge mistake and soon Phil leaves France to evict some uninvited house guests. Amanda decides to stay in France and soon meets the wonderful Bibi and they two become firm friends. But, Bibi has her own story and difficulties within her marriage that she endeavours to fix. However, Bibi's plan may backfire, having consequences for poor Amanda!

I have to say I absolutely adored this book! The characters were so entertaining and there were parts in the book that did make me laugh out loud. I loved them all! Grace is the sort of person I want to be when I am elderly! She is without doubt a Granny who rocks! I love that Amanda is unaware of the effect that she has on those around her. She really doesn't realise just how loved she is. Anytime I thought of Bibi I kept thinking of a very young Audrey Hepburn.

The story has a wonderful plot with keeps the reader interested and entertained. There are a few exciting plot twists that were not expected at all! I loved the fact that Amanda has a blog and shares her adventures with all her online friends. The central message throughout the book is that you are never too old for adventure, love, new direction in your life and a damn good time! I highly recommend this book! Its great fun and wonderfully entertaining. It is very well written, in a refreshing and humorous way and has that 'feel-good' factor that lots of books sadly lack.

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Mar 08, 2013 Sharon Goodwin rated it really liked it

We begin our journey with a blog post. Amanda has blogged on Fortifying Your Fifties about the impending gap year. Some of the comments make me chuckle.

Chapter One sees Todd Bradshaw experiencing a night of passion with Amanda. Waking exhausted he finds it was only a dream! Todd is a man who has missed the opportunities in the past but Amanda is still haunting him.

On the road, we learn from Phil about the night before. Amanda and her mother Grace (having recently got in touch) were up all night We begin our journey with a blog post. Amanda has blogged on Fortifying Your Fifties about the impending gap year. Some of the comments make me chuckle.

Chapter One sees Todd Bradshaw experiencing a night of passion with Amanda. Waking exhausted he finds it was only a dream! Todd is a man who has missed the opportunities in the past but Amanda is still haunting him.

On the road, we learn from Phil about the night before. Amanda and her mother Grace (having recently got in touch) were up all night drinking and reminiscing. Amanda is feeling rather ill …

Next we meet Bibi and we’re introduced to her life and her relationship with husband Didier.

With all our characters in place, what follows is a fast paced and engaging story of how their lives end up weaving in and out, with moments that make you laugh out loud but others more serious and in one particular case, life threatening.

Phil has lost his place in the world after retiring and right from the start of their gap year is grumpy. After Bertie the camper van breaks down and they stay in a rustic village, what should have been idyllic only exacerbates his feelings. With son Tom texting with disasters at home, one such text sends Phil home leaving Amanda in France.

Bibi’s husband has been having an affair and she uses social media as a non-threatening way to try to win him back. Amanda and Bibi become friends … and two other connections become important to them both (not both in a good way!)

Grace’s zany front hides a vulnerability underneath. She is such a fabulous character. We could all learn something from her!

With each character narrating in the third person, we get to know them well. Interspersed with the story are the blog posts from Amanda, filling in information and garnering some funny comments. I was delighted to see DizzyC making a comment

Surfing with Stilettos touches on some very real and harrowing life experiences. Marital infidelity, false identities and how that can be used to prey on vulnerable members of our society … and how we in our culture identify strongly with the work we do.

I have enjoyed being transported to France and being a part of these characters finding their own places in the world. My imagination has been fired, I’ve chuckled and bitten my nails in tension. I have no hesitation in recommending you add Surfing in Stilettos to your reading pile.

I would like to thank the author for providing a Kindle copy in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jan 26, 2014 Melanie Robertson-King rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Some great laugh out loud moments in this novel. Loved it... but I believe I've read this one before I should have. Amanda Wilson is first introduced to the world in Miniskirts and Laughter Lines. Carol's quick wit and zany sense of humour come through and are intermingled with more serious plot lines. And, I'll never look at a potted chrysanthemum the same way again...
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