Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Put This Down!
Review: A week after I moved from Europe back to the USA, I discovered "Life Skills" by accident at a local Wal-Mart, of all places. At the time, I didn't realise it was Brit chick fiction, which I buy whenever I'm in London. I just about inhaled this book. Katie Fforde writes so well, I could see myself with the heroine on this crowded and cramped hotel boat, maneuvering tedious waterways and coping with the weirdo guests. I stayed up all night just to finish it, and I was genuinely sorry when the story ended. This is not "War and Peace," but a fun, escapist read, which reminded me of my various Brit friends, most of whom act and talk just like Katie's characters. I liked this so much, I bought the rest of her paperbacks on my last trip to London! For those who don't know Katie Fforde's writing, "Life Skills" is a fab introduction.
Rating:
Summary: laughed out loud
Review: A week after I moved from Europe back to the USA, I discovered "Life Skills" by accident at a local Wal-Mart, of all places. At the time, I didn't realise it was Brit chick fiction, which I buy whenever I'm in London. I just about inhaled this book. Katie Fforde writes so well, I could see myself with the heroine on this crowded and cramped hotel boat, maneuvering tedious waterways and coping with the weirdo guests. I stayed up all night just to finish it, and I was genuinely sorry when the story ended. This is not "War and Peace," but a fun, escapist read, which reminded me of my various Brit friends, most of whom act and talk just like Katie's characters. I liked this so much, I bought the rest of her paperbacks on my last trip to London! For those who don't know Katie Fforde's writing, "Life Skills" is a fab introduction.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put This Down!
Review: A week after I moved from Europe back to the USA, I discovered "Life Skills" by accident at a local Wal-Mart, of all places. At the time, I didn't realise it was Brit chick fiction, which I buy whenever I'm in London. I just about inhaled this book. Katie Fforde writes so well, I could see myself with the heroine on this crowded and cramped hotel boat, maneuvering tedious waterways and coping with the weirdo guests. I stayed up all night just to finish it, and I was genuinely sorry when the story ended. This is not "War and Peace," but a fun, escapist read, which reminded me of my various Brit friends, most of whom act and talk just like Katie's characters. I liked this so much, I bought the rest of her paperbacks on my last trip to London! For those who don't know Katie Fforde's writing, "Life Skills" is a fab introduction.
Rating: 
Summary: what a let down!
Review: Fforde gives the reader funny supporting characters and a great hero in this book, but the heroine has to be on of the most exasperating characters ever written! Most of her actions make no sense, and her reasoning (when she bothers to give a reason) is often weak and rather stupid. LIFE SKILLS does have many redeeming qualities, such as Fforde's descriptions of longboating, but the heroine is very, very silly. If you want a good Fforde book, read STATELY PURSUITS, which is absolutely lovely!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: I absolutely loved this book!! I swear, I started dreaming about boats after reading it. The second time I read it, I had read it in a day! It's still wonderful everytime I read it! It's very well written, and an absolute favorite. I even bought it for a few friends for Christmas!
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I gave 5 stars to Ms. Fforde's 2 previous books, but only 4 to this one because I didn't like the main character. The story line was interesting, and I enjoyed learning about canal hotel-boating. It had her usual style of humor and many interesting characters.
Rating:
Summary: A great fun read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book - as I have all of this authors work ! I did not find the canal boat "language" as off putting as one of your reviewers did - rather it increased my knowledge...and that has to be good. The characters were real, the plot believable, and the ending just right...not too much syrup! As always Katie Fforde has proved herself to be an avid "people-watcher" and provided her readers with a good read and a lot of fun.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book - as I have all of this authors work ! I did not find the canal boat "language" as off putting as one of your reviewers did - rather it increased my knowledge...and that has to be good. The characters were real, the plot believable, and the ending just right...not too much syrup! As always Katie Fforde has proved herself to be an avid "people-watcher" and provided her readers with a good read and a lot of fun.
Rating: 
Summary: a bit disappointing
Review: i was a bit disappointed, as i have read her other books. this seems to get bogged down with all the barge lore for almost half of the book and then the actual story and ending seem rushed. do read her previous works!
Rating:
Summary: Katie Fforde - not her best, but still 5 stars!
Review: Julie Fairfax needs a job. After answering an ad she is offered a job on a pair on canal boats as a cook and general helper. Through her experience we learn an awful lot about boats and just how narrow they are! Fergus, an old friend of the family who Julie does not appreciate, helps them out when they are in need of extra crew. Julie doesn't like this Fergus at all, with horrible memories of their intertwined childhood. Still he perseveres with attempting to court Julie, despite their arguments and differing views. However, it would seem that opposites do attract as we follow their lives down the canals and into happy ever after.
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