Straight Talking

Author Profile

Jane Green is the New York Times bestselling author of one cookbook (Good Taste), and nineteen novels, including the huge hits Jemima J., and The Beach House. With over ten million books in print in over twenty five languages, she is credited as being one of the founders of the genre, “chick lit”.

She has had her own show on BBC Radio London, is a current storyteller for The Moth, was a correspondent for ABC News for the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, and is a regular guest on radio and television.

She has been featured in People, Newsweek, USA Today, Glamour, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and Cosmopolitan amongst others, and lives in Connecticut with her husband, six children, 2 dogs, 5 cats, and 6 chickens.

Connect with Jane: www.janegreen.com

 

Recap 

Imagine Bridget Jones, but swap the sensible shoes for stilettos and the sensible diary for a sassy inner monologue. That’s Tash, the heroine (or maybe anti-heroine?) of Jane Green’s “Straight Talking.” Tash is a single gal in her thirties navigating the murky waters of London dating. Let’s just say her love life is less rom-com and more “tragicomedy of errors.”

The book is a rollercoaster ride through dates gone wrong, awkward encounters, and the ever-present internal struggle of wanting love but being terrified of commitment.  Tash’s inner monologue is pure gold – witty, self-deprecating, and brutally honest. You’ll find yourself snorting with laughter (and maybe cringing a little in recognition) as she dissects the dating scene with a laser focus.

Is it a love story? Well, that depends on your definition of love. Tash might find a decent bloke by the end (or maybe she just finds a decent kebab), but the real love story is the one between Tash and her own hilarious cynicism.

Some Key Characters

Tash: The protagonist, a single woman in her thirties navigating the London dating scene. She’s witty, cynical, and has a hilarious inner monologue.
Andy: One of Tash’s best friends. She’s commitment-phobic and known for her string of short-lived relationships.
Mel: Another friend of Tash. She’s stuck in a lukewarm relationship with a cheating boyfriend.
Emma: The third member of Tash’s friend group. She’s the eternal optimist, constantly waiting for her boyfriend to propose.

Simon: Tash’s ex, who ruined Tasha’s perception of romance for good.

Adam: Simon’s friend, now Tasha’s friend, and later a “prospect”

Andrew: I-love-myself guy, Tash’s…ahem… fantasy.

Some Notes/Favourite Lines

Review 

Jane Green’s strength lies in her humor. Tash’s internal commentary is laugh-out-loud funny, dissecting the dating scene with a sharp wit that will have you snorting with laughter (and maybe wincing in recognition). The first chapter was laden with relatable anecdotes, so many that the whole chapter would have been stylised as “underlined” if I started highlighting my favourite lines. 

At first, it seemed like a lighthearted, relatable take on modern dating with a healthy dose of humor, and one that would maybe make you question your own dating choices in the process. I was so impressed that I added two more books of Jane Green in cart, from one of many online stores selling preloved books. 

But it went downhill from there, and how.

Slowly, the heroine started to sound annoying, and cocky and immature. The language became stronger and stronger, and the pace became slower and slower. Let’s break it down, shall we?
 

The Squad

Tash’s friends, the ever-supportive (and slightly chaotic) squad, add another layer of entertainment (and annoyance, thereof). Yes, Tash has a squad – three friends who mean well, but let’s be honest, they’re a walking advertisement for questionable choices. There’s Andy, the commitment-phobe serial dater, Mel, stuck in a lukewarm relationship with a cheating jerk, and Emma, the eternal optimist clinging to a maybe-marriage. Tash gets dragged into their dating disasters like a moth to a flame. There was Simon, and then Adam-Simon’s friend, and then Andrew-Adam’s friend. Were there more? It could have been a longer list. 
 

The Names

Anastasia-the heroine, Andy, Adam, Andrew, Annie… These are just some of the names of the main speaking characters. I may have said this earlier but there is video I watched about dos-and-donts of naming your character: don’t name all your character the same, no same alphabet, no same sound; and this has broken the rule. It bothered me, because remembering the characters became more difficult.

Parting Thoughts

Some stories are quick to read, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher Series, for instance, or James Patterson’s Cat and Mouse (even though it was not an easy read. There is a difference between quick and easy when it comes to reading). some are slow to read, like Dan Brown’s Inferno (parked aside after 5 pages). This book is neither.

It sits right in the middle, and somehow that’s not a perfect balance.

“Straight Talking” shines with humor, but sometimes a little reality check goes a long way. Tash’s constant string of disastrous dates, while funny, can get repetitive.  And while the self-deprecation is relatable, a touch more personal growth or introspection from Tash could have added depth.

Ultimately, “Straight Talking” is a light and entertaining read. It’s perfect for a weekend escape where laughter is the goal.  However, if you’re looking for a profound exploration of love and relationships, you might want to adjust your expectations. This is more “Bridget Jones’s Diary” with a dash of cynicism, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Just don’t expect to find your own happily ever after by following Tash’s (often questionable) path.

The Verdict: A Fun Read, But Maybe Not a Blueprint

You can buy Straight Talking  on Amazon.

Stay tuned for more book reviews. 

Until next time, happy reading!