The Rules of Backyard Croquet in Aussie Readers

Jun 03, 2013 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-author

This funny, smart and sassy chick lit novel, March, is Sunni Overend's impressive self published debut. The owner of her own designer boutique, Sunni writes what she knows, setting March in Melbourne against the backdrop of the fashion industry.

Once, Apple March was the star pupil at the famed Emmaline Gray Academy but scandal ruined her promising fashion design career before it had already begun, and now the twenty nine year old Melbourne hipster is stuck in a dead end fashion retail job, tradi
This funny, smart and sassy chick lit novel, March, is Sunni Overend's impressive self published debut. The owner of her own designer boutique, Sunni writes what she knows, setting March in Melbourne against the backdrop of the fashion industry.

Once, Apple March was the star pupil at the famed Emmaline Gray Academy but scandal ruined her promising fashion design career before it had already begun, and now the twenty nine year old Melbourne hipster is stuck in a dead end fashion retail job, trading quips with the elegant Jackson about their conspicuously wealthy clientele and their insufferable boss, Veronica. It isn't until her sister announces her engagement and begs Apple to make her wedding dress that her dreams are reawakened and Apple begins to stitch together a new future.

I have to be honest, fashion does not interest me in least (nor shoes) but that didn't stop me from enjoying this entertaining, light-hearted novel. The third person narrative is enlivened with witty dialogue and good description. I loved the humour and the distinct 'Aussie' flavour of the story.

In terms of plot, Apple is hiding a secret from family and friends and Overend takes her time in revealing it. Romance is a fairly strong element of the story with Apple and Charlie's undefined relationship simmering away, despite the presence of Charlie's (horrible) fiance, Heidi and Apple's casual liaisons with Henri and Noah. Plus Mena is getting married and Apple's flatmate, Chloe, is contemplating the same. Perhaps the only flaw for me in the story stemmed from the subplot involving Apple and Mena's father. I think it should have been developed more, or perhaps left out all together, as I didn't find it particularly relevant in terms of story or character development.

The characters are wonderful. I really liked Apple, who is lovely and down to earth. Jackson made me laugh, and so did Veronica (well I mostly laughed at her). I found I could easily envision all three of these women, though I thought Mena and Chloe were fairly interchangeable. Charlie, the croquet playing heir apparent is just gorgeous and his younger sister, Jill, a delight.

I am impressed with this appealing debut novel. March is an enjoyable, funny and stylish read which I would happily recommend, particularly to fans of the chick lit genre.
...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Feb 13, 2018 Bree T rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, romance, chick-lit, contemporary

I really enjoyed The Dangers Of Truffle Hunting by Sunni Overend so I was pretty keen to try this – which is actually her first written manuscript and was self published several years ago but is now being traditionally published with the same publisher as Truffle Hunting.

Apple has been working in a fashion boutique in Melbourne for years – after scandal ended her study at a prestigious fashion college. Apple spends her days straightening up the store, dealing with the demanding owner, who is sti I really enjoyed The Dangers Of Truffle Hunting by Sunni Overend so I was pretty keen to try this – which is actually her first written manuscript and was self published several years ago but is now being traditionally published with the same publisher as Truffle Hunting.

Apple has been working in a fashion boutique in Melbourne for years – after scandal ended her study at a prestigious fashion college. Apple spends her days straightening up the store, dealing with the demanding owner, who is still living in the store’s couture past and gossiping with her work colleague. It isn’t until her sister Poppy gets engaged and begs Apple to make her a wedding dress that she realises she can’t keep hiding who she is anymore. She’s buried the creative part of herself so far down after humiliation and horrible accusations but it’s still there. She still has vision and she knows that she can create something incredibly fabulous for her sister.

Apple is so traumatised by what happened to her years ago, as an impressionable young woman. It’s a humiliation in two parts – an unwise affair where she didn’t know who she was dealing with and an accusation on her artistic integrity that led to her dismissal from the college where she was studying. She has been licking her wounds for years, immersing herself in being a sales assistant working for someone else in a job that basically means she’s in a holding pattern. Those in her life, particularly her sister Poppy are desperate to see her design again, to make things again. In terms of Poppy, she’s not afraid to push, trying to shake Apple from the comfort zone she’s surrounded herself in.

Apple’s unreliable car breaking down led to a meeting with heir to a jewellery empire Charlie and they cross paths again some time later while Apple is on a work trip. She is drawn into Charlie’s circle – his friends including Noah, who makes it clear he’s pretty interested, and also Charlie’s fiancee Heidi, a relationship that has existed since their teen years. Charlie is a delight, introducing Apple to such a different world – croquet games, charity events, fashion auctions. His younger sister Jill is good fun, although several in the circle are clear players with little respect for others. Apple ends up tangling with Noah, who is interesting but not as interesting as Charlie and the two of them don’t really have the connection that Apple and Charlie have had. It’s quite different reading a book where the characters with the most chemistry are clearly involved with other people for at least part of the book but at the same time I’ve never needed celibacy to believe in a pairing. Apple and Charlie are charming together – their interactions are quite sweet at first. Charlie is engaged to the quite frankly awful Heidi, who has no filter and tends to say whatever rude thing pops into her head, especially when she’s been drinking. It’s the sort of rich thing where they’ve known each other forever, their mothers were friends and they’ve been in a relationship since their teens. Both of them have changed and evolved though and neither seem particularly enamoured with each other anymore. Charlie’s whole family were lovely and I liked how Apple interacted with each of them.

I’m not a big fashion person – I like clothes but I’m not into expensive brands and couldn’t tell you Chanel from Gucci. But I enjoyed a lot of the fashion in this – the creativity of it, the struggle to make your mark in something. Apple has great vision and not only that, but when she decides that she’s stifled herself for long enough, she also has great determination. She still struggles with the feeling that her name is mud, bottling out of several opportunities because of old foes but when she finally decides to take her reputation back, she’s pretty damn amazing. She has grace and maturity as well, to apologise to someone she unwillingly and unknowingly wronged in the past and to move forward in the best way she can. I really enjoyed her friendship with Jackson, originally her colleague at the store, who also believes in her. Jackson is outrageous but awesome and she gives a lot of character to the book. A lot of this book is set in Melbourne and it’s almost like a love letter to the city – Melbourne prides itself on being fashion conscious, a bit hipster, with lots of black, good coffee and people not afraid to go to the opening of an envelope. In fact sub in polo for the croquet and you have just about every elite Melbourne summer event of recent years.

I found this book so light and fun and engaging but also…..in contrast, there was quite an amount of depth as well. It’s such a look at what’s important, being who you truly are inside and not letting things get in the way. Also I have such a soft spot for the ending. I love me a good reunion-type of scene!

Loads of wit and fun – definitely like this as much as Truffle Hunting. I think Sunni Overend is writing unique stories and I can’t wait to read more. Actually, I also really like the way the publisher has styled the titles to match and the cover designs are similar too. They’re very striking and will look great on a shelf….a whole row of them.

***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review*** ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2014 Joanie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, aus

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 15, 2018 Tien rated it liked it

Shelves: net-galley, romance, for-review, australian-author, womens-lit

tba

2 likes · Like · see review

May 12, 2018 Josie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Its been a while since I read anything chick-list-ish, in fact I tend to steer clear of them in general, so this was a really nice was to be lured into by its funky title and catchy cover!
This is as humorous as it is sassy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book itself was first published in 2013, in a self published format, and was released again by Harper Collins Books Australia in 2018.

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 22, 2019 Rina rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Look at that breathtaking cover! I'll be honest with you, I picked up this book because I couldn't take my eyes off the cover design. Also, Sunni's titles are always creative and intriguing, just like her other book I read, The Dangers of Truffle Hunting.

Rating wise, I was very troubled - it did leave me with bittersweet feeling, and I did enjoy the fashion details described in the book (probably the main positive I found in the book), but I didn't particularly care about the drama and character ...more

Like · see review