Thirtynothing

Amazon editorial review "What did you do with the rabbit?" Not a surefire line to seduce a woman perhaps but when Dig Ryan bumps into his first love after a 12-year gap he just can't help himself. Instead of winning her back with his wit and whispered sweet nothings, Dig finds himself faced with an affliction he didn't know he had--he says completely the wrong thing at completely the wrong time. Often. But his ex, the delicious Delilah, seems as keen as he is and it looks like Dig is about to put the something into his thirty-nothing life.

So where does that leave Nadine--Dig's best friend since school? Instead of being thrilled that Dig is settling down, the reunion unlocks her insecurities and she regresses into the "big ginger gooseberry" she was as a teenager. She realises--just when it's too late--that she's in love with him, that she's always been in love with him. And, to make matters worse, she thinks she just might feel better if she gets back in touch with her ex (who Dig reckons is the Antichrist). The result is irresistible; an immensely enjoyable read that will guzzle up the hours and more than delight.

Thirty-nothing is Lisa Jewell's second novel, hot on the heels of Ralph's Party, which sold more than 200,000 copies and was the UK's top-selling debut novel of 1999. Lisa, who is currently writing her third novel, has also contributed a short story to the War Child anthology Girl's Night In, alongside Amy Jenkins, Marian Keyes and Freya North. Her Web site (www.lisa-jewell.co.uk) has a great guide to writing and getting published, plus a quirky list of Lisa's favourite novels and further information about her work. --Jane Honey

also by Lisa Jewell in our collection:

• A Friend of the Family
• One-hit Wonder
• Vince and Joy