RANDOM HOUSE BLOG TOUR for SOPHIE KINSELLA and I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL MY READERS!!!!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Random House of Canada Limited for asking me to participate in the blog tour for Sophie Kinsella's newest release I'VE GOT YOUR NUMBER.


I am a HUGE fan of Kinsella and of Random House and I enjoyed working with both very much.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the book to review and I was also able to ask Sophie a few questions, which you will find at the end of my review.  One note, however, - I do include spoilers in my questions, so, if  you have not read the book and don't want to know too much about the storyline, you might want to skip reading question and answer number 5.  Happy reading!

TITLE:              I've Got your Number

AUTHOR:        Sophie Kinsella


GENRE:          Chick Lit


RATING:         5 Stars


Link to the book at Random House Canada:  http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385342063


I am absolutely thrilled to have a new Sophie Kinsella novel to read.  Nobody does chick lit as well as she does and I actually read I've Got your Number in one sitting (or just about).  This is my kind of read and writing this review will be difficult as I don't want to gush too much (and for those of you  who read this blog regularly, you know that I am not much of a gusher).


Firstly, let's start off with the fact that this is a chick lit novel, in a world where chick lit is all but dying.  I love that Kinsella has stood by her writing "roots" so to speak and has continued to enjoy writing chick lit and makes no apologies about her love for writing this type of romance.  In fact, this is a topic that we discussed in our Q&A - her love of good romance. 


Secondly, the characters are fun to spend time with and while Kinsella does have a few secrets in store for us, I immediately liked Polly who is a bit scattered but is also someone that I found myself completely rooting for.  


I also love the premise of the novel, where Polly has finally found the man she wants to be with and she will do what she needs to do to make sure that they live happily ever after - although life, as it always seems to, will put a few obstacles in her way (as well as a few life lessons) before she ends up where she is supposed to be.

I am a firm believer in destiny - what will be will be -  and this is something that kept going through my head as I read this novel. Seemingly randomly small gestures and acts posed by Polly and Magnus (to a lesser degree) end up bringing them to their destinies - despite what they may "think" they need or want - very interesting and a nice surprise for me.


Finally, of course, there is the love story - which I adored.  It was not easy, it was not obvious at times, but it was there and it was wonderful.  Although I have no problem with the main character of a novel ending up single, I have to say that I was rooting for the love story in this novel.  


Another "main character" in this novel is the humor - which added a degree of entertainment that I thought was just perfect for the tone and storyline.  This was perhaps the most obvious with Poppy, who found herself in situations that were simply hilarious at times.  I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times and I have to say that this rarely happens to me.  


Kinsella seems to have a knack for writing exactly the type of story that I want to read.  I am sorry that I read this one so quickly as I now have to wait for her next book :(  I guess I can always wait a month and re-read this one again :)  Please read on for my Q&A with Sophie Kinsella.....

1)  There is an element of mistrust in this novel, that I have also noticed in many of your other novels, do you think that this adds to the storyline or do you believe that it is basically simply a fact of life that should/needs to be explored?

Great question! Drama is all about conflict, both external and internal. I'm always fascinated by the difference between the image people portray to the world compared to what's really going on inside their heads, or in their phones...! :) I think there are a lot of noble, almost transparent people in the world who would never cheat, double-cross or betray friends, family or colleagues... but also a lot of less trustworthy people and they are endlessly interesting to a novelist. 

2)  Would you consider writing a novel where the main character ends up single, alone and happy or do you believe that this goes against the type of book you enjoy writing?

I simply enjoy telling a good story with humour, and have no preconceptions about what kind of heroine I should write, or where she should end up. I think a heroine can end up in any position: single, married, employed, jobless...  as long as she has found  a satisfying place to end the journey told in the story. I don't rule anything out. Maybe one day I'll write a story featuring a nun as a heroine, who knows?!

3)  How important do you think it is for Poppy to have a sense of humour about her?

I think I would find it hard to write a heroine with no sense of humour, and I find that just as humour helps me in everyday life, it helps all my heroines face the obstacles which I put in their way! I think Poppy's sense of humour is particularly evident in her texts back and forth with Sam. He has a sense of humour too, of course, but a lot drier.

4)  Do you believe in destiny (which is what I kept thinking about as I read this novel - marvelling at the chain of events that happened in order for Poppy to "find" the phone which would start off a chain of events).

Another great question! I'm not sure I would call it destiny, but I too am fascinated by tiny events, their consequences, and the way the chain can unfold into massive, life-changing conclusions. Chance meetings... random decisions... they all influence our life hugely. I think it's true in real life and I certainly make it true in fiction. 

******SPOILER ALERT********

5)  I loved the way Poppy discovers that her "future" mother in law was actually, for the most part, on "her side" all the while being aware of the shortcomings of her son. I was interested in the fact that Poppy was actually not upset with her for not revealing her son's past antics (which I would have been). Why was this?

I think Poppy realises two things: firstly that Wanda has been hoping against hope, all the way along that Magnus has reformed, and secondly that she really wants Poppy for a daughter-in-law! She wouldn't reveal Magnus's past antics for fear this would frighten away Poppy. Poppy can't help but be touched by this. Even the ring shenanigans (I won't give too much away!) are an attempt by Wanda to make it all work.

Thank you so much Sophie!