Sophie is a serial procrastinator, and is worried that she's not achieving the things she dreamed of doing when she was younger. Both traits that strike a chord in me. I could win gold in the procrastinating Olympics, and go to sleep worrying about all the things that I 'should have' done by now. So, Bramley had me intrigued from the start - but I was well and truly hooked when protagonist Sophie got into the home renovation game.Written with characteristic British wit, Bramley imbues her cast of characters with quirky personalities, giving each of them enough background for the reader to be interested in what's happening with them, but not enough to detract from the main storyline. It took me a little while to get into it, but soon enough was drawn into Sophie's life, and rooting for her to get it together. It was a little frustrating that she let herself be taken advantage of by her idiot ex for so long, but I felt that some of her push-over personality traits were due to low self esteem, so I tried to be patient with her!A story about family dramas and growing up, Conditional Love is an aptly named novel about a woman finding her way in life. This book is Cathy Bramley's debut novel, yep that's right her DEBUT. I am flabbergasted (a word I love and that isn't used enough). Cathy's debut had the feel of a seasoned pro and I found myself engrossed from the very beginning. Sophie is at first a little bit pathetic, but likeable if you know what I mean. She is the girl who has her head in the clouds, but actually seems to roll over for her vile boyfriend. The boyfriend I spent the most part despising and wondering when somebody was going to give him a slap!I liked the architect character who is at first just as socially inept as Sophie. But as a character I couldn't help feeling for him, and wondering why he found himself in such awkward positions half the time. I also rather liked the two flatmates that lives with Sophie as they give another layer to the story, as well as the added drama that comes with two polar opposites (the two are sisters)! As soon as Sophie is given the choice of meeting her absent father in order to gain her aunts house things get so complicated for her. Not only does she have to answer to her mother, but her flatmates as well. In addition to this she has to try and work out if her own opinions matter?!?The story, although not original, kept me interested from the beginning right through to the very end. Although the idea and storyline may not be original, the way Cathy Bramley tells the story, and brings the characters to life certainly is. If I had read this knowing nothing of her background, I would have made the assumption that she had written numerous books. IF you are a fan of Milly Johnson and the like, then Cathy Bramley will definitely be up your street. I for one, will definitely look forward to her next book, and wouldn't be altogether surprised to see a big publishing house sign her in the coming months. If they don't, then it's their loss and Cathy's gain, a debut that most definitely wasn't like a debut!
What do You think about Conditional Love (2013)?
This book was not the greatest but it was not the worst.I had to find out how the book ended though
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A sweet book to read :) but loved Sophie's banter with life, totally chick li
—dlgueva
