Leftovers by Stella Newman.

Avon, April 2013.

Leftovers by Stella Newman

Review by Helen Jackson.

A novel about friendship, hope and the power of pasta from the bestselling author of Pear Shaped.

According to a magazine, Susie is a ‘Leftover’ – a post Bridget Jones 30 something who has neither her dream man, job, nor home. She doesn’t even own six matching dinner plates.

According to her friend Rebecca, Susie needs to get over her ex, Jake, start online dating – or at least stop being so rude to every guy who tries to chat her up.

But Susie’s got a plan. If she can just make it the 307 days till her promotion and bonus, she can finally quit and pursue her dream career in food, then surely everything else will fall into place. If only her love life wasn’t so complicated…

A sharp, witty and refreshing novel about love, friendship and enjoying what’s left on the table.

I really enjoyed Stella Newman’s debut Pearshaped when I read it earlier in the year. From the moment I closed it, I’d been waiting for Leftovers. When I got it in the post, I was ¼ of the way through another book, which, although I was really enjoying, I HAD to put down and start reading Leftovers.

I was not disappointed.

Like Pearshaped, the main character in this novel Susie, works with food and loves food. The novel is scattered with food descriptions, recipe ideas and restaurant stuff. For someone like me that loves romance novels and loves recipe books and food, it is just the best. Who needs either a recipe book, or a novel, when Newman brings you both?

I really liked Susie from the off. If I was single now, in my 30-somethings, I just know I’d be like her. She comes across so real, and vulnerable, still cut up over her ex, but not admitting it, and unwilling to move on. She’s not doing her dream job (join the club), and she’s not doing anything about getting to her dream job.

One of the things I liked the most about the novel was that it wasn’t really predictable. I totally thought I saw where it was going, and was nicely surprised at the ‘One year later’ last chapter. It made it seem more real. I can’t say anything more than that without giving something away.

What I can say, is that you should read this novel. It’s only just come out, and I’m already waiting for Newman’s next book – I just hope she’s writing one!

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.