Wilde Like Me by Louise Pentland

Wilde Like Me by Louise Pentland
Buy Wilde Like Me by Louise Pentland at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com
Category: Women's Fiction
Reviewer: Holly Lewtas
Summary: If you're trying to find the perfect summer read then look no further. Robin Wilde will soon become your new best friend as you read the hilarious tale of her past year from worst dates to candy filled cocktails in New York.
Buy? Yes	Borrow? Yes
Pages: 416	Date: June 2017
Publisher: Zaffre
External links: Author's website
ISBN: 978-1785762932
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World famous fashion and beauty vlogger Louise Pentland, also known as Sprinkle of Glitter, takes on a new challenge in the form of her touching debut novel, Wilde Like Me. You will be transported into a world full of exasperating drama with the PSMs (Posh School Mums), heart-warming mother daughter moments and self-righteous men who you realise aren't the be all and end all. Now enters Robin Wilde, a single mum to Lyla and make-up artist living in her granny's house simply just trying to get by. The novel follows her journey of self discovery, which even she'd admit sounds like some awful cliche, and shows you that only you can make you happy.

Pentland expertly deals with what she refers to as 'the emptiness', which is a key theme throughout the novel, and has many similarities to depression. However, she deals with it in a way that does not depress the reader whilst ensuring that the protagonists feelings don't come across as any less important. Admittedly, as I started this novel I was concerned that all the issues Robin faces would be fixed by a miracle man… without spoiling the story, I was completely wrong. Although I might not have agreed with some parts of the novel, I don't think life changes that drastically when you buy some new clothes for example, but you can't help hanging off every word Pentland writes. You immediately want to copy Robin so that you can experience the highs right along with her.

Throughout the novel you're presented with various relationships whether it's best friends, aunties, daughters, one-night stands or your ex's new 'free spirited' girlfriend. Each character and the relationships between them teaches the reader a lesson; the main one being that sometimes you need to stop dwelling on the negative and look around at all the wonderful people already in your life. Even if those people infuriate you half the time, you couldn't survive without them.

Pentland sets out this novel in a series of five parts which, instead of being confusing, helps the reader understand the different phases Robin is going through in her life and the personal growth she has made during each part. The novel opens with the perfect ending to a love story and then flits to nine months beforehand. I spent the whole novel excitedly anticipating when Robin would get the stereotypical fairy tale ending she so badly deserves but everything was definitely not as it seems. Pentland's writing is so well crafted that you couldn't possibly predict the plot twists. As soon as you think you've worked out what will happen next, the following page completely throws you off. It is much more than your usual love story that I expected.

If you're looking for a light hearted, fulfilling read then Wilde Like Me is the perfect novel for you. Whether you're a young adult or parent wanting to escape from your kids for a few hours and enter Robin's world, you will thoroughly enjoy this novel. This novel empowers you and shows you how you don't need a man. This novel shows you how everyone has their own struggles even if they are seemingly perfect. Lastly, this novel shows you that you are your own worst critic. It doesn't matter if you're different or fancy wearing oversized jeans when you know you're about to eat your body weight in cake, you don't need validation from anyone.

As soon as you pick up this novel you will fast become best friends with Robin and all her quirkiness. You'll have moments were you're choking up at how cruel school mums can be and then laughing out loud at Robin's six-year-old daughter's one-liners. But most importantly you'll realise that everyone needs a bit of Robin Wilde in them.

Wilde Like Me expresses the importance of family throughout and if you're looking for a novel with a similar theme then I would recommend Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber.

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You can read more book reviews or buy Wilde Like Me by Louise Pentland at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Wilde Like Me by Louise Pentland at Amazon.com.

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