Guest Review: AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE by Jill Mansell

An Offer You Can't Refuse

by Jill Mansell

ISBN-10: 1402218338

ISBN-13: 978-1402218330

Paperback, 416 pages

April 1, 2009

Sourcebooks Landmark

Reviewed by Cynthia Murphy

If you’re looking for a fun, fast read this season, Jill Mansell’s An Offer You Can’t Refuse definitely fits the bill. It’s a great piece of British chick lit. If you’re a fan of Helen Fielding or Sophie Kinsella, you’ll absolutely love this book. It is laugh out loud funny and romantic. Jill Mansell has created a delightful heroine in Lola Malone.

The story begins with 10 years earlier with seventeen-year-old Lola leaving her part-time job at Cod Almighty. When her boyfriend’s posh mother shows up, Lola suspects that something strange is about to happen. Her suspicions are confirmed when Adele Tennant offers her ₤10,000 to break up with Dougie. Lola turns her down, but reconsiders when she learns a secret about her stepfather. Lola actually manages to talk her into giving her ₤12,500. She breaks up with Dougie and moves to Majorca. Ten years later, Lola and Adele cross paths again. This time, Lola rescues her from a mugger. Lola doesn’t realize who she has helped until Adele’s new husband introduces them at a party. This moment brings Doug back into her life as well. While Doug is still angry about their breakup, Lola realizes that she still loves him. The rest of the novel follows Lola’s attempts to win Doug back. You can guess the ending, but the journey is hilarious.

Jill Mansell also has two fabulous subplots in An Offer You Can’t Refuse. The first subplot involves Doug’s older sister, Sally. Lola and Sally become friends and then neighbors when Sally moves into the flat across the hall. Sally is a funny, vibrant woman who has a terrible history with men. When Lola’s neighbor, Gabe, suddenly returns from Australia, he moves back into his flat with Sally. There is a mutual attraction, but their “Odd Couple” style relationship keeps them sparring for most of the book.

Sally also figures into the other subplot. Lola’s biological father finds her and enters her life for the first time. As Lola and her father, Nick, build a relationship, Sally develops a crush on him. Like Lola, Sally is definitely willing to make a fool of herself to impress her crush. Unfortunately, Sally’s attempts to get Nick’s attention result in a serious injury. (But it is a great bit of slapstick humor.) Ultimately, Sally does find love. It’s just not where she expected to find it.

Mansell does a great job of weaving her plots together. Everything blends very well. In fact the plot structure seems rather complex for this type of novel. My only small complaint is that Sally’s subplot occasionally overshadows Lola’s pursuit of Doug. This actually results more from character development than the plot itself. In some instances, Sally is just a scene-stealer. The characters play very well off each other, so the scene-stealing moments work beautifully.

I have to praise Jill Mansell’s ability to work pop culture references into this book. Lola is a bookstore manager, so Mansell does include some nice literary references. However, I was impressed by her ability to work in references to Doris Day and the movie Pillow Talk. I have to admit that I’m more than a bit biased about this particular movie since it is one of my favorites. This is one of the only modern books that I recall making positive references to Doris Day. (Most include a feminist rant.) When she threw in a few references to George Clooney, I thought I might have found my long-lost British twin.

I really loved this book. An Offer You Can’t Refuse is funny and fresh. It would be great beach reading or a nice escape on a dreary day. Jill Mansell creates interesting characters and charming plots. She should get ready to take her place on bestseller lists next to Helen Fielding and Sophie Kinsella. I can’t wait to read her next American release this summer.