Wednesday 17 July 2019

Book ~ "Dumped, Actually" (2019) Nick Spalding

From Goodreads ~ When Ollie Sweet is very publicly dumped by ‘The One’, his seemingly perfect world dissolves into misery, self-pity, and a bizarre rooftop meeting with a suicidal man in flip-flops. While most would seek out the support of loved ones at such a torrid time, natural-born journalist Ollie asks the subscribers of his website: how did they get over their failed relationships?

When Ollie follows some of their more extreme advice, chaos inevitably ensues, including accidentally exposing himself to some unsuspecting wildlife, jumping out of a perfectly serviceable aeroplane and suffering from an extremely painful bottom, courtesy of a maniacal Scotsman.

Of course, all of this goes down a storm with his online following, and Ollie soon finds himself the centre of everyone’s attention - whether he likes it or not!

With his eclectic collection of supporters to guide him, can Ollie mend his broken heart, heal his broken bottom, and learn to find happiness again? 

Ollie had it all planned.  He was taking his girlfriend, Samantha, to the opening day of an amusement park on her birthday.  They were going to be the first to ride an amazing roller coaster.  When they got off, there would be a jazz band playing and Ollie was going to get down on one knee and proposed to Samantha.  Well, things didn't go as planned including Samantha turning him down.

Ollie didn't see this coming and is heartbroken.  He just wants what his parents have ... the perfect loving marriage.  Ollie is a journalist for an online magazine and his boss suggests that he write about his experience and ask his readers how to move on.  He receives many emails and suggestions including get a makeover, go camping, find someone else, do meditation, skydive, etc.  Some suggestions he does use and these become the basis of his ongoing articles.  He is honest in the articles about his experiences and this begins to draw more and more readers and fans.

This is the fifth book I've read by this author and I liked it.  I liked the writing style ... it was funny and sarcastic.  It is written in first person perspective in Ollie's voice and it's as if he was speaking to me, the reader ("breaking the fourth wall").  The author is English and the story happens there so some of the references weren't common to me ... I had to Google what a Wendy House, for example, is.  As a head's up, there is a swearing and adult activity.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.

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