Disappointmentville: Nadia Knows Best by Jill Mansell

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 480; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1500 KB | Expected Release Date: May 1, 2012 (Reissue) | Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark | Obtained: NetGalley

"Nadia Knows Best" by Jill Mansell

My Book Summary : Nadia has been with Laurie for quite a long time, going from friends to lovers’ years ago. However, their relationship is a little tougher now that he is a model and traveling the world. Even so, she'd never cheat on him, even if the man she runs into (Jay) and is trapped alone with for a night was tempting.

Now, over two years later, things have completely changed since now Nadia's single, she's run into Jay again recently and is now working for him. Therefore, when everything seems to be working well in her life Laurie moves back to town and says that he plans to get back together with her no matter how long he has to wait. Will she decide on going back to Laurie (the one who broke her heart but shares a lot of things with her) or stay with Jay (the one she doesn't really know but has a connection with)??

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. So not what I expected, this novel was a soap opera that has a story for every character with so many twists that you could never be sure where this novel was going at times. Even so, it kept my attention and me hoping everything ended the way I wanted it too. Nevertheless, by the time everything wrapped up and turned out the way I wanted it was over and not even with the best of endings since it leaves you hanging. =0/

About the Characters:
• Nadia: She's the oldest sister. Has dated/been friends with Laurie for years. Likes Jay as a friend and boss (and thinks he's hot). Doesn't like her mother (Leonie) that much. Has more of a "head on her shoulders" like her father then her sister Clare.

• Jay: Nadia's boss. He likes Nadia and goes to her for comfort during his difficult time. Whenever Nadia and he get closer, something always seems to get in the way.

• Laurie: Nadia's friend and "Ex-boyfriend." Still in love with Nadia. Was a male model turned actor for a while.

• Clare: Nadia's sister and the middle child, twenty-three years old. An artist. Very flighty and bratty. Is in love with Piers, who's rich and treats her poorly.

• James: Nadia & Clare's father. Falls in love with Annie (a convenience store employee).

• Tilly: Nadia & Clare's younger half-sister who has grown up with them, thirteen years old. Wishes she had a mom who wanted her in her life more. Very idealistic. Gets the lead in the school play and makes new friends.

• Leonie: Nadia, Clare, & Tilly's mother. Doesn't like being a mother so she took off years ago, but calls and makes visits often-ish. Puts herself and her own agenda first.

• Miriam: James' mother. Let James and the girls move into her house years ago when Leonie left and they all still live together. Has a secret past that she's afraid will get out.

Plus, this story would have been better if some of the secondary stories wrapped up (like did Suzette ever come clean with Nadia about what happened between Laurie and her?? did Laurie and Suzette get together in the end? etc) instead of them being left hanging.

I just wish it were a bit better. However, if you’re interested in reading a comedic contemporary romance novel filled with drama then this is the book for you!

Book Teaser(s) :

"OK, it's over. But you were still going to sleep with me tonight." Nadia waited, holding his gaze. "For the last time." Another pause, followed by a tiny playful smile. "Well? Do you still want to?"
It was as easy as asking a five-year-old if he wanted to open his Christmas presents a week early. She saw the spark of relief in his eyes as he reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"Of course I still want to," said Laurie.
When in the history of the world had any man ever said no?
Feeling powerful for the first time that evening and deciding that sometimes it was worth forking out for a taxi, Nadia rose to her feet and said icily, "Well, that's a real shame, because you can't." ~ within Chapter 4

"Not always. You can meet girls anywhere. At the gym," said Jay. "Or the squash club. Or at auctions, parties, art galleries..."
Was it really that easy? Nadia pictured girls flinging themselves at him everywhere he went. Locking himself in his house and drinking himself to death was beginning to sound preferable.
"Once I even found one crashed in a ditch."
Oh humor, very droll. Now he was making jokes about the situation. ~ within Chapter 33

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Jill, then please check out her website.