The Case of the Missing Boyfriend by Nick Alexander
| The Case of the Missing Boyfriend by Nick Alexander | |
|
| |
| Category: General Fiction | |
| |
Reviewer: Sue Magee
 | |
| Summary: A book that's something more than standard chick-lit and looks at life choices and the consequences. It's an easy but thought-provoking read. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 416 | Date: March 2012 |
| Publisher: Atlantic Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0857896308 | |
|
Share on: | |
|
| |
You could be forgiven for thinking that CC had it all. At thirty nine she was near the top of the advertising business, owned her own flat in north London and had a group of close, party-going friends. That's what you saw from the outside, looking in. What CC saw was a life that lacked that one essential which she seemed unable to acquire. She was desperate to find the man of her dreams and preferably one who would whisk her off to a farm house in Devon where she'd live The Good Life. In the meantime she was stuck with the memories of too many heartbreaks, a mother whose current lifestyle brought a very unfortunate word to mind and being on the periphery of her friends' dramas - and as they were all gay she didn't have a lot of chance of meeting that elusive man.
Have you ever looked at the cover of a book and thought you had it pigeon-holed? From the headless girl on the cover, through the expensive shoes and the ability to sit with your knees together and your feet apart everything about this book shouted STANDARD CHICK-LIT in a loud voice. Even the title with it's reference to a boyfriend - missing or otherwise - would seem to support the idea. Well, it won't be a disappointing read but it won't be the light and frothy romance you might have been expecting.
It's about the choices we make in life, the consequences and the results. It's also about allowing other people to make their own choices but if that sounds rather worthy then think again. CC (no - I'm not going to explain where that comes from) sweeps off the page and she's totally convincing. You can see just how she's got stuck in a rut - even if it is the sort of rut which a lot of people would kill for - and it's easy to see why getting out of it requires some difficult decisions. Her gay friends are a delight and although you're glad that her mother doesn't live where you call home, you've got to respect the choices she's making and her reasoning.
The plot is good and it's this which lifts it above standard chick-lit. It's centred on CC but much of it revolves around her gay friends and the heartbreaks and problems in their lives. It's though-provoking and insightful. In places it's also deeply depressing in the way that's you feel down when a friend does something which you know is wrong for them - or when there's a tragedy. It is though a book which I'm glad I read and I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag. If you'd like to find out more, have a look at the book's website.
For more of life in the gay community w can recommend Gypsy Boy on the Run by Mikey Walsh. For more from the world of advertising you might enjoy Then We Came To The End by Joshua Ferris, although we had our doubts.
Please share on: 
Facebook, 
Twitter and
Instagram
You can read more book reviews or buy The Case of the Missing Boyfriend by Nick Alexander 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 The Case of the Missing Boyfriend by Nick Alexander at Amazon.com.
Comments
Like to comment on this review?
Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.
