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Cocktails For Three
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Top positive review
54 people found this helpful
4.0 out of 5 starsWhy didn't anyone tell me!?!?
ByDevJohn01on 6 April 2006
Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors and I have been anxiously anticipating a new release from her to no avail, but I had no idea that she had previously penned five novels under the name Madeleine Wickham! Although 'COCKTAILS FOR THREE' is not her usual fare it still contained all of the spark and flare that we have come to expect from Ms Kinsella, or should I say Ms Wickham.
'COCKTAILS FOR THREE' is the story of three best friends who are each keeping major secrets from each other. The sexy and worldly Roxanne has been seeing a married man for the last six years but has yet to reveal his identity to anyone but when her friends find out it is sure to astound them. Candice is the sweet-faced girl that is easily taken advantage of and when a new "friend" sets her sights on Candice she attempts to do just that. Maggie the high powered, no-nonsense editor of the magazine where they all work finds herself overwhelmed when she finds herself relinquishing all of her power to her newborn daughter. At a time when these three need each other more than ever their secrets seem to be breaking them apart. Will these three ever be able to come clean and get their lives as well as their relationships back on track?
Anyone who has read Ms Wickham's books penned under the name Sophie Kinsella will be able to clearly tell that these are two very different sides to the same personality. While Sophie Kinsella's books kept me laughing so hard I'd have to put the book down at times to regroup, Madeleine Wickham's books are more refined and subdued in comparison. I will, however, be purchasing all books by Madeleine Wickham as well as all future books by Sophie Kinsella!
'COCKTAILS FOR THREE' is the story of three best friends who are each keeping major secrets from each other. The sexy and worldly Roxanne has been seeing a married man for the last six years but has yet to reveal his identity to anyone but when her friends find out it is sure to astound them. Candice is the sweet-faced girl that is easily taken advantage of and when a new "friend" sets her sights on Candice she attempts to do just that. Maggie the high powered, no-nonsense editor of the magazine where they all work finds herself overwhelmed when she finds herself relinquishing all of her power to her newborn daughter. At a time when these three need each other more than ever their secrets seem to be breaking them apart. Will these three ever be able to come clean and get their lives as well as their relationships back on track?
Anyone who has read Ms Wickham's books penned under the name Sophie Kinsella will be able to clearly tell that these are two very different sides to the same personality. While Sophie Kinsella's books kept me laughing so hard I'd have to put the book down at times to regroup, Madeleine Wickham's books are more refined and subdued in comparison. I will, however, be purchasing all books by Madeleine Wickham as well as all future books by Sophie Kinsella!
Top critical review
8 people found this helpful
1.0 out of 5 starsDisappointing!
BySusannaon 16 September 2010
I bought this book as I enjoy Sophie Kinsella's usual writing but found it dreary, slow and boring. The three main characters are stereotypical and the storyline is predictable. All in all I was really disappointed :(
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ByDevJohn01on 6 April 2006
Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors and I have been anxiously anticipating a new release from her to no avail, but I had no idea that she had previously penned five novels under the name Madeleine Wickham! Although 'COCKTAILS FOR THREE' is not her usual fare it still contained all of the spark and flare that we have come to expect from Ms Kinsella, or should I say Ms Wickham.
'COCKTAILS FOR THREE' is the story of three best friends who are each keeping major secrets from each other. The sexy and worldly Roxanne has been seeing a married man for the last six years but has yet to reveal his identity to anyone but when her friends find out it is sure to astound them. Candice is the sweet-faced girl that is easily taken advantage of and when a new "friend" sets her sights on Candice she attempts to do just that. Maggie the high powered, no-nonsense editor of the magazine where they all work finds herself overwhelmed when she finds herself relinquishing all of her power to her newborn daughter. At a time when these three need each other more than ever their secrets seem to be breaking them apart. Will these three ever be able to come clean and get their lives as well as their relationships back on track?
Anyone who has read Ms Wickham's books penned under the name Sophie Kinsella will be able to clearly tell that these are two very different sides to the same personality. While Sophie Kinsella's books kept me laughing so hard I'd have to put the book down at times to regroup, Madeleine Wickham's books are more refined and subdued in comparison. I will, however, be purchasing all books by Madeleine Wickham as well as all future books by Sophie Kinsella!
'COCKTAILS FOR THREE' is the story of three best friends who are each keeping major secrets from each other. The sexy and worldly Roxanne has been seeing a married man for the last six years but has yet to reveal his identity to anyone but when her friends find out it is sure to astound them. Candice is the sweet-faced girl that is easily taken advantage of and when a new "friend" sets her sights on Candice she attempts to do just that. Maggie the high powered, no-nonsense editor of the magazine where they all work finds herself overwhelmed when she finds herself relinquishing all of her power to her newborn daughter. At a time when these three need each other more than ever their secrets seem to be breaking them apart. Will these three ever be able to come clean and get their lives as well as their relationships back on track?
Anyone who has read Ms Wickham's books penned under the name Sophie Kinsella will be able to clearly tell that these are two very different sides to the same personality. While Sophie Kinsella's books kept me laughing so hard I'd have to put the book down at times to regroup, Madeleine Wickham's books are more refined and subdued in comparison. I will, however, be purchasing all books by Madeleine Wickham as well as all future books by Sophie Kinsella!
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ByKatie Cauthen Franciscoon 12 February 2003
Madeleine Wickham proves once again that she is more than just a "chick lit" author. Though her novels are short, they do pack a punch and try to teach a little life lesson besides.
Candice, Maggie and Roxanne are best friends who work at the Londoner, a monthly magazine in - where else? - London, and meet on the first of the month for cocktails at the Manhattan Bar. This particular month finds Maggie ready to give birth, Roxanne still with her married with children boyfriend and Candice having just broken up with her co-worker boyfriend, Justin. Candice recognizes their waitress as a girl she was at school with and says her name, just as she realizes that her recognition was probably best kept to herself as the waitress, Heather Trelawney, had to leave school when her family lost all their money due to Candice's swindling father. It strikes good-hearted Candice that she can try and make amends to Heather by helping her get a job at the magazine. Unfortunately, her good deeds don't stop there and as the saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished."
Follow these friends through the ups and downs of motherhood, affairs, death and evil machinations and enjoy every page of it.
Candice, Maggie and Roxanne are best friends who work at the Londoner, a monthly magazine in - where else? - London, and meet on the first of the month for cocktails at the Manhattan Bar. This particular month finds Maggie ready to give birth, Roxanne still with her married with children boyfriend and Candice having just broken up with her co-worker boyfriend, Justin. Candice recognizes their waitress as a girl she was at school with and says her name, just as she realizes that her recognition was probably best kept to herself as the waitress, Heather Trelawney, had to leave school when her family lost all their money due to Candice's swindling father. It strikes good-hearted Candice that she can try and make amends to Heather by helping her get a job at the magazine. Unfortunately, her good deeds don't stop there and as the saying goes, "No good deed goes unpunished."
Follow these friends through the ups and downs of motherhood, affairs, death and evil machinations and enjoy every page of it.
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ByKara Kuykendallon 27 May 2003
Madeline Wickham has a way with making you fall in love with her characters, feel like you are part of their group, and keeps you laughing at the same time. This book is a great read for someone who wants in depth character development and a great story line in a few words. The story is believable, honest, and laugh out loud funny yet sobering at the same time.
This was my first book by Wickham but I am hooked and cannot wait to read her other books!
This was my first book by Wickham but I am hooked and cannot wait to read her other books!
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ByCaroline P. Hamptonon 3 March 2003
I've been searching for a book that really makes me laugh, characters I can relate and enjoy and a story that keeps me interested beyond the first 30 pages. Well, I found it! "Cocktails for Three" by English author Madeleine Wickham had me completely enchanted. I found the three main characters (Maggie - the pregnant one on maternity leave / Roxanne - the dating a married man one / Candice - the trusting and will do anything for a person in need one) all well rounded and hilarious.
"Cocktails" goes beyond your basic "friends forever" novel and dives into real life problems and the effects those decisions have on you and those around you.
I found this book really unique and sparkling with touches of really dark and edgy comedy. A great find! I hope others will discover this secret of mine.
"Cocktails" goes beyond your basic "friends forever" novel and dives into real life problems and the effects those decisions have on you and those around you.
I found this book really unique and sparkling with touches of really dark and edgy comedy. A great find! I hope others will discover this secret of mine.
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BySusannaon 16 September 2010
I bought this book as I enjoy Sophie Kinsella's usual writing but found it dreary, slow and boring. The three main characters are stereotypical and the storyline is predictable. All in all I was really disappointed :(
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ByLeanneon 1 November 2011
Well, where to start. Like many readers in this current economic state, I skimmed over many reviews before I purchased this book. I wanted to know wether it was worth £3.18.
At first I was a bit hesitant. 'Cocktails for three', from what the blurb said, just seemed to be your average chick book. It was based around three women. One who was single and longing for love. One who was having an affair with a married man. And one who was expecting a baby and was married. So after downloading the sample onto my brand new kindle, I began reading, curious of where Madeleine Wickham (aka Sophie Kinsella) would take me.
Within 30 minutes I had read the sample and was addicted to this book. I immediately purchased this book. After that I could not put this book down. I speadily raced through the chapter. Of course I had to put it down to have a lavitory break and stop to have some dinner. But, other than this, I read to for 2 days straight.
Madeleine Wickham is a clever writer, however when she reveals who the mystery 'married man' was, I can't say I was surprised. Likewise with the man she eventually pairs Candice with. However I was not surprised, but intreged with what she was going to do with Heather. Sweet, innocent little Heather. Somewhere in the middle Madeleine introduces Hamish. If you don't find this book interesting and have already heard about this mystery Hamish, keep reading. All I can say, without giving who is he away, is all will be revealed about Heather and Hamish.
I did throughly enjoy this book, don't get me wrong. However I read it at speed on holiday in the sun. This is a perfect book for the light reader. However it is, quite obviously, written in a different style to the later shoppaholic series. I would not recomend this book for a more serious reader. For readers that want book to relate to their own lives I highly reccomend Jodi Picoult or Jaquline Mitchard.
This book without a doubt was worth the small price of £3.18. If your looking for a serious read... search for a different book. If your looking for a 'chick flick', often like the movies, this is the perfect book for you.
At first I was a bit hesitant. 'Cocktails for three', from what the blurb said, just seemed to be your average chick book. It was based around three women. One who was single and longing for love. One who was having an affair with a married man. And one who was expecting a baby and was married. So after downloading the sample onto my brand new kindle, I began reading, curious of where Madeleine Wickham (aka Sophie Kinsella) would take me.
Within 30 minutes I had read the sample and was addicted to this book. I immediately purchased this book. After that I could not put this book down. I speadily raced through the chapter. Of course I had to put it down to have a lavitory break and stop to have some dinner. But, other than this, I read to for 2 days straight.
Madeleine Wickham is a clever writer, however when she reveals who the mystery 'married man' was, I can't say I was surprised. Likewise with the man she eventually pairs Candice with. However I was not surprised, but intreged with what she was going to do with Heather. Sweet, innocent little Heather. Somewhere in the middle Madeleine introduces Hamish. If you don't find this book interesting and have already heard about this mystery Hamish, keep reading. All I can say, without giving who is he away, is all will be revealed about Heather and Hamish.
I did throughly enjoy this book, don't get me wrong. However I read it at speed on holiday in the sun. This is a perfect book for the light reader. However it is, quite obviously, written in a different style to the later shoppaholic series. I would not recomend this book for a more serious reader. For readers that want book to relate to their own lives I highly reccomend Jodi Picoult or Jaquline Mitchard.
This book without a doubt was worth the small price of £3.18. If your looking for a serious read... search for a different book. If your looking for a 'chick flick', often like the movies, this is the perfect book for you.
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ByAlison Marieon 12 October 2011
I am a massive Sophie Kinsella fan and especially love the Shopaholic series so I was keen to read cocktails for three one of the books she wrote under her own name Madeline Wickenham and has now republished as Sophie Kinsella writing as Madeline Wickenham. I guess why not use the success of Shopaholic to cash in on some books that didnt do that well in the first place right?
Cocktails for three tells the story of Roxanne, Maggie and Candice who all work together in the glossy world of publishing and always meet for cocktails once a month. The three are the best of friends but when Maggie becomes overwhelmed by the world of new motherhood and Candice tries to put right her buried past by inviting an old friend back into her life and Roxanne hiding a deep secret of her own the dynamics of their friendship are suddenly thrown into turmoil.
I thought this book sounded like a really good girly read but I felt pretty disapointed with it. The characters felt really flat and massively lacked any humour, you do expect a bit of a laugh with chick lit. There was only one moment in the book that made me go OMG, other than that I felt I could guess pretty easily what was about to happen. The scenarios that faced each of the characters individually just seemed to be predictable or resolved really easily without much of a sense of a journey,emotion or any big twist in events about them.
I was looking forward to some characters you could really love like Becky Bloomwood in shopaholic and an exciting story but sadly it just wasn't to be with this book.
Cocktails for three tells the story of Roxanne, Maggie and Candice who all work together in the glossy world of publishing and always meet for cocktails once a month. The three are the best of friends but when Maggie becomes overwhelmed by the world of new motherhood and Candice tries to put right her buried past by inviting an old friend back into her life and Roxanne hiding a deep secret of her own the dynamics of their friendship are suddenly thrown into turmoil.
I thought this book sounded like a really good girly read but I felt pretty disapointed with it. The characters felt really flat and massively lacked any humour, you do expect a bit of a laugh with chick lit. There was only one moment in the book that made me go OMG, other than that I felt I could guess pretty easily what was about to happen. The scenarios that faced each of the characters individually just seemed to be predictable or resolved really easily without much of a sense of a journey,emotion or any big twist in events about them.
I was looking forward to some characters you could really love like Becky Bloomwood in shopaholic and an exciting story but sadly it just wasn't to be with this book.
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ByStephon 1 August 2011
'Cocktails for three' is a great novel written as Madeline Wickham. Now for anyone who doesn't know this, Madeline Wickham is Sophia Kinsella's real name and a name she frequently writes under. Both personas write very different novels and I myself like both kinds but others seem to have varied opinions so I can't recommend this to someone who likes the shopaholic series for example as Madeline's books take a very different tone. Now I don't mean this in the sense that if you liked shopaholic you won't like this, I just can't tell you that if you like Sophia you will defiantly like Madeline cause they just take different tones.
I like both personas for very different reasons. I like Sophia's laugh out loud humour and not too serious novels but I also like Madeline's more serious topics and although there is some humour it does focus more on serious drama than a clumsy girl who really likes to shop.
Anyways on to the book. This book centres round 3 girls who meet every month for cocktails in the same place. There are a lot of main characters in the book but Madeline only writes from the 3 women's perspective. The book mainly focuses on different relationships, from mistress and mister to mother and baby from friend to friend and the book is not short of drama.
Now the start of the book was a bit tedious. I usually struggle to put a book down and at the beginning I was putting it down quite a lot but I persevered and I did eventually really enjoy the last part and could not put it down. The last half is really where all the drama unfolds which is probably why I was so hooked, but in the beginning nothing much was happening and it was just a bit boring.
The different relationships into the book were really thrilling and in-depth and although it is generally a very light heated book the struggles the characters go through are very real and serious and not your typical affair scandal. You have Maggie who is beginning a life of motherhood in the country and is struggling to settle into life away from the big city. Then you have Roxanne, she is a mistress to a high profile man and is struggling to fight her feelings of love towards him. Then you have Candice who is making up for her father's mistakes many years ago and ultimately gets burned.
It's a quick read but an enjoyable one and although 3 stars may seem pretty mediocre this was purely because of the effort it took for me to settle into the book. I would recommend it regardless of the score but would point out that it is not a Sophia Kinsella style of book and that it can be tedious at the beginning but at the end there is a good solid story.
I like both personas for very different reasons. I like Sophia's laugh out loud humour and not too serious novels but I also like Madeline's more serious topics and although there is some humour it does focus more on serious drama than a clumsy girl who really likes to shop.
Anyways on to the book. This book centres round 3 girls who meet every month for cocktails in the same place. There are a lot of main characters in the book but Madeline only writes from the 3 women's perspective. The book mainly focuses on different relationships, from mistress and mister to mother and baby from friend to friend and the book is not short of drama.
Now the start of the book was a bit tedious. I usually struggle to put a book down and at the beginning I was putting it down quite a lot but I persevered and I did eventually really enjoy the last part and could not put it down. The last half is really where all the drama unfolds which is probably why I was so hooked, but in the beginning nothing much was happening and it was just a bit boring.
The different relationships into the book were really thrilling and in-depth and although it is generally a very light heated book the struggles the characters go through are very real and serious and not your typical affair scandal. You have Maggie who is beginning a life of motherhood in the country and is struggling to settle into life away from the big city. Then you have Roxanne, she is a mistress to a high profile man and is struggling to fight her feelings of love towards him. Then you have Candice who is making up for her father's mistakes many years ago and ultimately gets burned.
It's a quick read but an enjoyable one and although 3 stars may seem pretty mediocre this was purely because of the effort it took for me to settle into the book. I would recommend it regardless of the score but would point out that it is not a Sophia Kinsella style of book and that it can be tedious at the beginning but at the end there is a good solid story.
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ByMonika Dittonon 21 December 2010
I have enjoyed all of Sophie Kinsella's books as they a great chick lits with lots of humour ... this story is completely different and I like it. I now also understand why Madeleine started the shopaholic series and her other romantic comedies under a different pen name.
Most chick lits follow the age old story of girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl and boy get back together and live happily ever after with hilarity and teary moments in between.
This book is very different and I would say more mature as it deals with friendship and secrets and more personal matters. There is romance in the book but it was nice to see 3 mature women deal with issues personal to them but affect their friendship group.
We have Roxanne who is a jet-setter writing for the magazine as a travel correspondent. She has a secret lover, who is married and has children and her friends don't know his identity despite the fact that they have been seeing each other for over 6 years. Her story looks at how she deals with having a married lover and how her friends react to her situation.
We have Maggie, a high powered woman who has had her first child. We see how she copes with a new born and how she isn't perfect at it despite what she thinks others think of her. There is so much realism in this story, it's nothing like the movie depict having a baby to be but what my friends and family tell me having a baby is like.
We have Candice, a lovely caring character who is very generous and finds herself on the receiving end of a someone abusing her generosity when a cocktail waitress who she used to go to school with turns up in her life.
One of the things I loved about this story is how real the characters were and how spot on Madeleine is with this story. It's not your usual chick lit but it's one that I loved reading and I couldn't put it down. I raced to the end of the story wanting to find out how these characters work through their problems.
A very good read and one I would recommend to my girl friends ... now I really fancy a cocktail ...
Most chick lits follow the age old story of girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl and boy get back together and live happily ever after with hilarity and teary moments in between.
This book is very different and I would say more mature as it deals with friendship and secrets and more personal matters. There is romance in the book but it was nice to see 3 mature women deal with issues personal to them but affect their friendship group.
We have Roxanne who is a jet-setter writing for the magazine as a travel correspondent. She has a secret lover, who is married and has children and her friends don't know his identity despite the fact that they have been seeing each other for over 6 years. Her story looks at how she deals with having a married lover and how her friends react to her situation.
We have Maggie, a high powered woman who has had her first child. We see how she copes with a new born and how she isn't perfect at it despite what she thinks others think of her. There is so much realism in this story, it's nothing like the movie depict having a baby to be but what my friends and family tell me having a baby is like.
We have Candice, a lovely caring character who is very generous and finds herself on the receiving end of a someone abusing her generosity when a cocktail waitress who she used to go to school with turns up in her life.
One of the things I loved about this story is how real the characters were and how spot on Madeleine is with this story. It's not your usual chick lit but it's one that I loved reading and I couldn't put it down. I raced to the end of the story wanting to find out how these characters work through their problems.
A very good read and one I would recommend to my girl friends ... now I really fancy a cocktail ...
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Bylachbcon 14 January 2011
I've read all of Sophie Kinsella's books, but had never read books by Madeleine Wickham but I will be now having read cocktails for three.
Firstly well done whoever in publishers thought to reissue them as Sophie Kinsella writing as Madeleine Wickham!
The best way of summarising the difference between Sophie and Madeleine is that with a novel like cocktails for three, is that it is more thought provoking, whereas with the shopaholic series there are hilarious moments of madness.
Firstly well done whoever in publishers thought to reissue them as Sophie Kinsella writing as Madeleine Wickham!
The best way of summarising the difference between Sophie and Madeleine is that with a novel like cocktails for three, is that it is more thought provoking, whereas with the shopaholic series there are hilarious moments of madness.
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