One-hit Wonder: 'A compelling story packed with intriguing characters' THE TIMES

Wow… AGAIN. Lisa Jewell’s books are so wonderful. One-Hit Wonder brims with amazing characters and, although I would love to share a dinner table with Ms Jewell, I would also be a bit wary, as she must people-watch and store up ideas in her imagination for these wonderful cameos that she paints on her pages. How would I come across, I wonder? Every single personality that crosses the stage of this story is still in my head. From the lovely elderly Amy Tilly-Loubelle, the main character Bee Bearhorn (what a name!!) “her shoulders hunched forward, her head bowed, curtain-like hair swinging forward to cover her face and a way of dressing – muted colours and flat shoes – in an effort to disguise her height”. She leaps off the page immediately and we want the best for this gawky, unhappy young woman. Arif, the greasy, ‘highly aromatic’ landlord, Bee’s awful highly-strung, neurotic, agoraphobic mother, Gay, the gorgeous bouncer/driver, Flint, Lol the exuberant, beautiful flatmate, creepy, self-opinionated Hugh and the mysterious, complex, missing-link character of young Zander, amongst only a few. They are all so real – no such-thing as cardboard, cut-out characters when Ms Jewell has her writerly paintbrush at work. One-Hit Wonder is mainly Ana’s story but it is also her sister Bee’s story and the way it unfolds is so skilful. We learn of Bee’s death very early on and the question marks Jewell gives us from the very start are like peeling fruit – some fruits rotten, some delicious. I loved each and every page of the quest to find out what happened to Bee and the mystery kept me turning pages and ignoring jobs until I'd devoured the last page. The book is poignant, it’s hilarious (laugh-out-loud in places), it’s cruel, it’s bizarre, it’s ugly, it's beautiful it’s real, it's fantastical. I loved every detail, every page. What a writer. What an observer of life. London plays a part too: its clubs, its convoluted and chaotic, colourful, outrageous life-styles of the 80s and 90s.The lines of that eighteenth century poem: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford…” kept coming to mind. Brilliant. I highly recommend. Have your tissues ready too. 5 stars without question.

Don't usually read chick-lit type books but quite enjoyed this one. A heart-warming story, easy to relate to, sad and sometimes funny. Engaging plot peppered with enough eccentric characters and romance thrown in to keep me wanting to find out what happens next. Great for an afternoon by the fire on a cold wet January during lockdown!

Lisa Jewell describes characters and settings so well that it makes it easy to imagine that the characters and the story are real. Such a twisting, turning tale from beginning to end, I loved reading it and I’m sad that I’ve finished it because I want to read another few chapters about what happens afterwards.

This seems to be the only Lisa Jewell book that I have only given three stars to. I know its a much earlier novel and her writing has matured over the years. I found the characters as quirky as ever, perhaps a bit too much so though. You have to suspend belief somewhat;it is just a novel, but this had me suspending it too much and too often. The premise of the story was fine and it was an entertaining read. I don't think I could see myself recommending this book, if only for the rather bad language alone. This was not occasional but almost continual. I know it is getting to me when I start to have to gloss over it and I did, a lot. If you have only read her later books, and I DO recommend them, I don't think this is a particularly good one to go back to.

Brilliant story couldn’t put this book down

Really enjoyable book, characters kept me hooked and entertaining, just what we need to read in these difficult time!

I loved this book. Unusual, funny, with a happy ending.

Loved this book. It was a moving tale of relationships,love,expectation,ambition,grief and emotion. Simple story but well rounded and a view on how relationships can affect us and our character growing up and developing.

worst book i’ve read for this author

This book was a very nice read. It was sad, but it made a lot of sense at the end.

If you are into Romance, you might like this. Very typical story of unconfident girl browbeaten by evil mother but at last attracting the love of handsomest guy in London. The mystery is quite good but sadly drowning in saccharine goop. Well written, because it's Lisa. But keep a barf bag handy for the last few scenes.

One thing I’ve found with all Lisa Jewell books - you CANNOT put them down once you start! I love how she makes you get so emotionally involved in the characters you just need to know what happens next. This was a bittersweet read, sad and beautiful at the same time. Must read!!

She really gets you into the characters even those who aren’t that likeable. The stories always have twists and turns that you can’t put books down.