Book info

• Title Uptown Girl
• Author Mark Mason
• Year 2005
• Genres Fiction, Romance

Kirsty is everything Sam has ever wanted in a woman - gorgeous, funny, bright, brilliant company. But when he asks her to marry him, he doesn't reckon on her response. The catch. For Kristy to accept him, he's going to have to prove he's marital material. Over the next twelve weeks, she's going to give his behaviour points (though she won't explain how he scores them). If his total hits 1000, then she'll be his bride. However much Sam does the ironing or puts the loo seat down, his tally resembles Norway's in the Eurovision Song Contest. Where's he going wrong? Assembling a sex war cabinet of best mates George, and Pete, Sam is no closer to an answer ... until the addition of work colleague Amanda opens his eyes to the surprising truth about what really winds women up ...

Thoughts

Sam has to reach 1,000 points in twelve weeks or his long term girlfriend won’t marry him. Trouble is, he doesn’t know how he wins or loses the points and gets only a running total each Sunday. Needless to say, he has troubles trying to reach his target.

Sam is an interesting character and he manages to give his insights into life in an amusing and approachable way. I didn’t warm to Kirsty, I think she was arrogant to even suggest the points thing and she’s pretty rude about expecting him to go through with it.

The style of writing is as though you are chatting with a mate, although it’s obviously quite male-orientated. Overall, I thought it was funny and an interesting concept, although by the end it had gotten a little repetitive.

Rating: 4 / 5