Making Your Mind Up by Jill Mansell is a story that I struggled to complete. I was not a fan of the main characters (talk about an unlikeable, shallow bunch). The children need a lesson in manners and some strict discipline (I know it is fiction, but there needs to be some realism since it is not a fantasy novel). The romance was predictable (beautiful people who fall in love instantly). This story had too many characters (most of them are unlikeable) and storylines (a number of them are unbelievable). I was surprised (and shocked) when a teacher threatened to call social services because of whom the mother was dating (I know it is fiction, but this is beyond the pale). I thought the whole thing was incongruous. I thought the story lacked substance. I found Making Your Mind Up to be long (479 pages) and it had a slow pace. Making Your Mind Up has an abrupt ending (no warning, no lead up, nada). I found parts of the book to be dated. I forced myself to finish this book (I never DNF a book). Making Your Mind Up is the first book that I have read by this author, and, based on this story, it will be the last.

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Quite an enjoyable story, rich in detail and so character driven, I honestly had a challenging time who I wanted to see more of. Though Lottie and Tyler are major characters, there were also several that I felt a deep connection with. Cressida, Freddie, Mario, Amber, Jojo as well as Lottie’s children, Ruby and Nat who were quite bratty for two thirds of the book. Usually books with this many characters all with different storylines can be a challenge to follow and keep everything straight, but Ms. Mansell does it so seamlessly without dragging the reader out of the story.

As the reader gets to know Lottie, Cressida and Amber and how they are all connected, I loved how each of them are in a place in their lives where they need to make up their minds. Lottie needs to make up her mind about Tyler. Will she allow her children to dictate her love life? They like Seb, but he’s really just an overgrown kid himself. Will he be there when life throws hurdles in their path?

Cressida lives a solitary existence making greeting cards and spends lots of time with Jojo, who is her ex-husband’s daughter. I found this relationship surprising and a little disturbing, but I quickly warmed up to these two and realized how well they got along and felt bad that Cressida’s husband left her for not giving him a child but relies on her to take care of the child he has with his next wife. Wouldn’t have minded seeing that guy get run over by a bus. Cressida meets Tom and his son Donny and may have a chance at romance but will need to make up her mind about Jojo and her role in Jojo’s life.

Amber is dating Lottie’s ex-husband, Mario. She gets along wonderfully with Ruby and Nat (don’t get me started about how unfair these kids are towards Tyler dating Lottie) but she has trust issues with Mario and begins to wonder if his bad boy persona is just that or if he really is a liar and cheater. Amber needs to make up her mind about whether she needs to find someone who she can fully trust and will make her happy or if she should stay with Mario.

In addition to all of this going on, Lottie’s boss, Freddie wants Lottie’s help tracking down people from his past that he needs to make amends with, as he has already made up his mind about his life and the direction it will go.

My Final Verdict: A story with so much to unpack but leaves me caring so much about what happens to them is a book not to be missed. This book made me smile and cry. There were some laugh aloud moments and some moments of righteous indignation and irritation. What more could a reader ask for? Fans of romance and fiction will find something in this story that will tug on their heartstrings. You just need to make your mind up but save yourself the trouble of indecision and just go for it.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Making Your Mind Up from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Jill Mansell is such a great story teller. Her novels are so funny and lighthearted but full of soul and depth. Her characters are flawed but so enjoyable. I loved, loved "Making Your Mind Up"

drey’s thoughts:
The Plot: Boy meets girl, boy is rejected by girl’s offspring, boy and girl move on. Jill Mansell’s Making Your Mind Up has quite a few bumps on the road to happily-ever-after…

The Characters: I quite enjoyed Lottie Carlyle’s sense of humor and particular brand of practicality, even as her waffling drove me a little batty. She’s funny, just-enough sassy, and adorably protective of her children (who’re quite capable of totally bratty behavior). Lottie is such a people person, she gets along with everyone – including her ex-husband, and his girlfriend. Then she meets Tyler, her new boss. And she doesn’t quite know what to do when her children instantly dislike him.

Tyler Klein is instantly taken with Lottie, but he’s not quite as enamored with her children. Or rather, he’s not quite sure what to do with them. Or how to talk to them. Or what to bribe them with. All in all, he’s not quite sure about children in general. Pretty big bump in the road, that…

The Story: Making Your Mind Up is an apt title for this quirky love story. There’s drama, of course, but overall this is a pretty light read, filled with Mansell’s sense of humor. I didn’t love it as much as some of her other titles, but this is still one to add to your summer reading.

drey’s rating: Pick it up!

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will. Enjoy

A delightful, sweet, and surprisingly profound read that promises to make readers laugh, cringe, and cheer. Mansell takes a storyline that seems overworked and overdone and weaves something refreshing and new with it.

I had every intention of reading this book and writing an honest review but it expired before I had the chance. My apologies, If you like to resend it to me I would be happy to get it reviewed,

I enjoyed this story of what seemed to be the ill fated romance between main characters Lottie and her boss, Tyler. They were both good characters, and the storyline kept my attention. I really didn't like the way Lottie's small children dictated who she could and could not see. That is my only quibble with the book. The story as a whole was very cute and entertaining, as I've found everything that I've read by Mansell to be.