The Time of Our Lives by Jane Costello

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Release Date: 27 Mar 2014
Pages:  480
Source: Publisher

Imogen and her two best friends Nicola and Meredith have their fill of cheap vacations. But then their chances turn when they win a luxurious holiday to Barcelona, Spain, at the newest and hottest hotel in the city. A new world opens up to them and at the pool they are almost sipping champagne side by side with the jet-set. Everything seems to go well and as plan, but then Imogen get's a phone call that things aren't going well at her work back in the UK, and she seems the only one able to solve the sudden crisis. And then she is suddenly robbed from her necklace, which is the last special present from her boyfriend who isn't present anymore, and she bumps into a man, Harry:  a cute, sweet man, in the business class suite before boarding their flight to Spain. She literally bumps into him with a plate full of food and a glass of Bucks Fizz. Her mother is also calling her at the most impossible moments about nonsense. Meredith is heavily pregnant, and it might be not the most smart idea to go on holiday while being so. Anyhow, the girls find out soon enough that this will not be the relaxing holiday they hoped for..


Well, well! I think I haven't read such a fun and fast paced chick-lit before! Last year I have read Th Wish List, also by Jane Costello, but I must say that Jane truly hit the right tone with this fabulous new book. The characters where so much fun, and she gave them all three fun but believable characteristics and fun voices. She also pictured in a very vivid way the hotel the three friends where staying in, and I could imagine all the side characters she put into the story. I also liked theother tiny little red line in the story; Imogene has taken her copy of The Book Thief to Barcelona to read beside the pool. Everytime she starts reading you see the first line of the book, and then suddenly  something happens around Imogene so that she never can continue reading. The romance between her and Harry was also a good part of entertainment. Harry is truly a thrustworthy man for her, there are a few bumps in the road here and there but they are a true match. Overall this a fast paced rollercoaster kind of story with a great plot, cast and lots of unexpected and hilarious twists and turns. It was also very original, I didn't have a clue what was coming next and that is what I like with this kind of books. Highly recommend it!!