Remember years ago before online dating apps you could persuade one of your friends to approach a stranger to put in a good word on your behalf to ask them out for a date. The common used phrase at the time was “Asking for a Friend”. Move forward to the current day and follow 3 best friends as they share good and bad times, plus a number of dates.
I loved the format of this novel. Each chapter is from the point of view of the 3 best friends, Jemima 42, Meagan 29 and Simi 35. There is a strict linear time frame so that when you start a new chapter, it follows the moment after the previous chapter ended, even if the same characters are still in the same room. This made this novel extremely easy to follow and made the reader feel like the fly on the wall. In many ways the dynamics and chemistry of this book is the same as the popular British television series Birds of a Feather.
I think the writing quality is very high and with an extensive vocabulary. The pace is lovely with good editing, so there are no slow or boring bits. The story is a continuous roll as though you are living along with the characters. I found this novel to be engaging, bright and refreshing with a huge feel good factor.
Character development is very good and although it is centred around 3 women, this novel should appeal to male readers too. This is because Andi Osho is a successful British stand up comedian and her humour appeals to both genders. Of course men find some things especially funny, so here are my top 3 from this book…
‘You got her to take a shower?’ said Jemima as Meagan walked back into the living room. ‘She smelt like a steak bake, babes.’
What happened to the cursory ‘hi’ followed by a frantic quickie? One time they’d got down to it so fast it was only afterwards she realised she still had her handbag on her shoulder.
Nether regions that felt like a pounded chicken escalope. Yep. Sex had taken place.
… I wonder if Andi knows how many men are attracted by the smell of steak bakes? Apart from the thought of making love to a girl smelling like a steak bake, there is a fair amount of romance in this story but nothing to offend your grandmother or 69 year old wife.
Andi is a very intelligent woman and by coincidence I saw a repeat on television the other night of her appearing on The Chase back in 2017. The 3 other contestants did not get through to the final round, so Andi was on her own against the Chaser. Generally the Chaser always wins in this television quiz as it is their day job. However, Andi was so good at the vast range of questions, she beat the Chaser and won £7,000 for charity.
Asking for a Friend is the debut novel that is simply a pleasure to read. I was really impressed by the quality and her talent shines bright. I think this book is an OUTSTANDING read that gets the top score of 5 stars from me. This story would make a great television comedy drama to be broadcast after the 21:00 watershed, maybe sponsored by Greggs.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HQ Harper Collins for giving me a copy on the understanding that I post a review.
Asking for a Friend is available as an Amazon Kindle eBook and was written in 2021.
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