Rating: 
Summary: Expected a lot -- wasn't disappointed!
Review: I had read "Thirtynothing" several months before "Ralph's Party", having not been able to find RP in the bookstore at the time. Thirtynothing was a wonderful read, you can see what I thought of it in my review on that title's page. I therefore had high expectations for Ms. Jewell's debut novel, "Ralph's Party". I was not disappointed. In fact, I think I liked this book even more. The intertwining storylines are all engaging and appealing, though I tend to enjoy such non-linear narratives (see the film "The Five Senses" for a similarly constructed plot - though totally different in tone). Jewell's ability to construct characters that you care about from the first paragraph is truly remarkable. There isn't a character in the book that you won't have some degree of empathy for, especially the "long committed" couple, the subtleties of modern relationships are drawn with a sure hand. If you haven't read this book, or had reservations about doing so, order it now and anxiously await Ms. Jewell's latest release.
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: This book is perfect! It reminds me of the Bridget Jones series if you like that series you will like this book. I can't say enough about this book you will not be able to put it down. I can take a week to finish a book I finished it in two days. You will enjoy laughter, sadness and hope.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous and Fun
Review: I found this book to be great fun. I was waiting in anticipation all throughout to see what twist came next. A recommended read!
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: After reading some of the reviews I decided to buy this book. I have never been so disappointed. How can anyone even compare this book to Bridget Jones? I have to admit that I didn't even make it to the party. I have never been so bored in my life. There is no substance to any of the characters. It is all about meaningless relationships and not funny at all.
Rating:
Summary: Being single in the year 2001
Review: Ralph's Party was hilarious. It was so realtistic about being single in the year 2001. Lisa Jewell has also written another book not listed on amazon.com and it's called "Mr.Maybe." It too is definitely worth reading. You know a book is good when you laugh out loud. I definitely laughed so the neighbours could hear me. Read it. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down
Review: Ralph's Party is the kind of book that makes you feel as if you have to run out and buy every other book the author has written. (I did, starting with Thirtynothing!)Ever since I completed Bridget Jones, I have been hooked on this genre - the latest crop of books to emerge from London have fully satisfied this desire of mine!
Rating:
Summary: A party I would LOVE to go to...
Review: I will admit. I was hoping for a goofy, Bridget-Jones-type British novel. Ralph's Party did not live up, although it was a funny soap opera-ish tale in it's own right. And for a first novel, it really was quite good. Ralph and Smith are flatmates in search of a third person to share the load. Their new find comes in the form of young Jem, a sweet-looking twenty-something who winds up with both her new roomies competing for her. Of course, the story couldn't be as black-and-white as that... Throw a couple of love triangles in the mix: Even though Smith seems to be the winner of Jem's affection, he secretly harbors a five year passion for upstairs neighbor, Cheri. Meanwhile, Cheri has been having an affair with the downstairs neighbor, Karl. And of course Karl has his live-in love, Siobhan, who he's been with for the past 15 years. And what about Siobhan? Well, there are all sorts of changes waiting in the wings for her. The lives of these six people that intermingle throughout the novel finally culminates with a bombshell of a party that you DON'T want to miss! For readers who are in search of Bridget Jones humor, this novel is not for you. But if you crave a breezy tale of mixed-up Londoners with some interesting insight into the male mind (plus a few paragraphs of disgusting male behavior), then Ralph's Party will surely suffice.
Rating: 
Summary: A funny, light-hearted read
Review: I finished this book in a day and though I am not aching in the sides from laughing so hard (I was hoping it'd be that kind of read, but it isn't) ~~ it is cute and humorous. If you like those dry British wit, then this book is for you to read ~~ both men and women. Everyone who is single can definitely relate to this book ~~ Ralph with his puttering around till being in love with his flatmate made him a big success in the art world; Smith with his snobby attitude and in love with the girl upstairs while dallying with his other flatmate, Jem who is in love with him. Then there's Cheri who is in love with Karl, who is in love with Siobhan. It is a book about six people in love with someone other than whom they are with. It is a classic love triangle. And it comes to a final explosion at Ralph's party. Interspersed with grace and humor, there are some crudity ~~ what do you expect when you have guys in the book as well? But all works well by the end of the novel. And I do have to say, I totally relate to Siobhan, who left Karl after 15 years and rediscovered herself in the process. She and Jem are the only two characters (beside Ralph, of course) who have any depth to them. Those two are ordinary women who made themselves extraordinary by the time Ralph's party came into full swing. And Ralph. He's the guy every woman wants to bring home to meet their parents. At first though, he didn't give off a good impression. But he fell under Cupid's arrow and turned his life around ~~ that is impressive. Not bad for a first novel effort. I won't rush to the bookstore to buy her next book, but I won't turn her down either. I am curious to see how Thirtysomething would turn out ~~ if I ever get a hand on that copy. All in all, it is a good book. Grab a glass of lager and kick back for a few hours and read it. It's a great way to fritter away a cold night.
Rating:
Summary: An easy, quick, and fun read
Review: This is the first book I've enjoyed since I read "Getting Over It" by Anna Maxted. I particularly enjoyed the fact that all the characters live separate lives in the same apartment building, but come together at a big party (hence, the title) at the end. All the small plots going on at once kept me interested all the way to the last page. Jem (short for Jemima) has moved in as Ralph and Smith's new flatmate, and she is convinced that Smith is the man she has seen in her repetitive dream since she was young. Once Jem and Smith start dating, Ralph realizes, too late, that he has a major jones for Jem. The more they spend time together and find out how much they have in common, the more Ralph kicks himself for not pouncing on her first. Meanwhile, Karl and Siobhan, who live in the apartment upstairs, have been dating for 15 years. Siobhan has gained weight during this time, and is certain that Karl, although loving to her, has eyes for Cheri, who lives downstairs from them. Cheri is a beautiful tanned dancer with firm, young skin who enslaves every man she meets- including Smith, who has remained celibate for 5 years to save himself for Cheri, even though he is currently dating Jem- much to Ralph's fury. Can't keep up? Don't worry- everything comes spilling out in an explosive ending at Ralph's party, when all these people come together. I promise the book is an easy read. If the fact that this sounds like a soap opera puts you off of reading this, fear not- there's so much tangy British humor peppered throughout, it's a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of fun!
Review: This is a cute and fun novel about the lives of various Londoners who live in the same apartment complex. The reader is first introduced to three roommates -- Jem, Ralph and Smith. There is a fun twist when the characters in the book fall for one another. Ralph has fallen in love with Jem, whereas Jem might have fallen in love with Smith. But Smith has a secret crush on his neighbor, Cheri. Cheri, however, has set her eyes on a married man who lives in the same building. Things take a hilarious turn when Ralph hosts a party. This book is meant to be read for fun. The book is entertaining and the characters are likeable. You will definitely relate to the characters of this book if you have ever had neurotic roommates!
| 
