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Life Skills Audiobook
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(3.00) - 995 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
London Times best-selling novelist Katie Fforde creates delicious romances that are both light-hearted and intelligent. Suddenly released from her engagement and out of work, Julia Fairfax is looking for a new direction in her life. When a classified ad catches her eye, she embarks on a hilarious trip through the English canals in a rickety hotel boat. Along the way, she encounters hard-to-please guests, an unsettling ex-boyfriend, and the challenges of cooking in a tiny galley with rattling crockery. Life Skills is both a delightful romp and a step-by-step guide about how not to see England's scenic canals.
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"I really liked this book, although the ending was a bit disappointing to me. Felt it needed a bit more feeling from Julia's side, explaining why she acted the way she did and that she felt the same as him. But otherwise I loved it!"
— Liezl (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Fforde’s romance is witty, original, and perfect for readers looking for something different.”
— Booklist -
“Fforde’s third cute-and-quaint English romance takes us on a delightful journey…Fforde’s writing blends just the right amounts of wit and wisdom to bring her characters and story line to life. This charming and captivating romantic summer read is recommended for all collections.”
— Library Journal -
“Julia and Suzy are funny and appealing, and their boating adventures turn them into a nautical Thelma and Louise as they explore female friendship, the lure of hunky men and sexual crises of several kinds.”
— Publishers Weekly
Life Skills Listener Reviews
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" Gave up with this. Not a patch on her others :( "
— Tracey, 2/20/2014 -
" I didn't enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed Katie Fforde's other novels, but it was still a nice easy read to take my mind off studying for exams. As another reviewer said, it does pick up a lot in the last 100 pages or so. "
— Emma, 2/17/2014 -
" It took a while to get into but when I did I really enjoyed it. "
— Emma, 2/8/2014 -
" Not my favorite Katie Fforde, to say the least. Although it had it's moments. I liked the last few pages and that one bit toward the middle. If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about. :) "
— Mary, 1/31/2014 -
" Somewhat interesting story line, I didn't even know England had a series of connected, boatable canals. However, the main character's stubborn refusal to see what was in front of her face got old. "
— Ashley, 1/28/2014 -
" Was okay, but the guy kept referring casual sex as "making love" and it bothered me. Sounds too much like feathery stroker phrase. Other then that it was fine. "
— Mulva?, 1/22/2014 -
" I quite liked it. Not as good as some of her other books, but not nearly as bad as some of the reviews here on GR. Only one aspect of the story dragged out rather too long for believability. "
— Teresa, 1/13/2014 -
" I enjoyed the setting, but the story was so-so "
— Elizabeth, 1/9/2014 -
" Another great read by Katie Fforde. I actually read this in a couple of hours , earning myself some sunburn at the time! Lol "
— Tracey, 12/4/2013 -
" maybe if your not a cut nut this book will not be to your taste. i dont enjoy her usual stuff. but i also spent a season on hotelboats so i can relate & lovet his very funny... very light reading. "
— Joy, 10/31/2013 -
" Good summer read. Learned a bit about the canals in England. "
— Lzarrow, 10/26/2013 -
" I loved reading about the canals of England and Katie Fforde is a good storyteller, but the main character was a little aggravating. "
— Sonia, 9/29/2013 -
" Another lazy, light and entertaining read. Like watching well-made romantic comedy films. "
— Oanh, 9/5/2013 -
" Interesting setting - makes me want to go to England and vacation on a canal boat. Pretty good character development as well. "
— Mariah, 8/28/2013 -
" This was a new author for me. While the book seemed to drag, the characters where terrific. I loved the building of Julia and Fergus' relationship. The setting on the boats was interested too. I'm not sure I'll pick up another book by Fforde but this was a good light read when I needed it. "
— Ann, 6/15/2013 -
" perfect book to read for a change in genre.. Katie Fforde has done it again. Such a brilliant book set on the Canals around England "
— Vikki, 5/29/2013 -
" Abandoned halfway. Just didn't work for me. Serves me right for picking up an author purely on account of her sharing a last name with one of my favourite writers (they're cousins, apparently). "
— Sangeeta, 5/20/2013 -
" contemporary chick lit. Set on a narrow boat on the canals of England. Fun, light, but not stupid, the characters make the story. "
— Kate, 1/12/2013 -
" Maybe it was my mood, but this is my least favorite Katie Fforde book I've read so far. "
— Nancy, 11/18/2012 -
" I enjoyed this I can pick it up at anytime and dip in at anypoint "
— Charlotte, 7/12/2012 -
" Very slow, boring, could not finish! I like her more recent novels, but this was a struggle to get through. "
— Jessica, 6/5/2012 -
" This is probably my least favorite of Katie Fforde's books. I've really liked all her others. "
— Haley, 5/4/2012 -
" Cute fluffy romance. Made me want to travel the canals. "
— Robin, 2/13/2012 -
" Another cozy book by my favorite chick lit author. This one takes a bit of getting into, but I think the last 100 pages or so make it worth it. Good times :)! "
— Liesel, 8/28/2011 -
" Ridiculous plot, syntax in sentence structure was awkward, Why would Fergus even WANT to marry Julia???? "
— Debbie, 8/27/2011 -
" Fforde makes her hapless heroine and unwed-motherhood surprisingly appealing in this slightly odd take on a modern romance. "
— Sharon, 7/16/2011 -
" Fforde makes her hapless heroine and unwed-motherhood surprisingly appealing in this slightly odd take on a modern romance. "
— Alice, 4/7/2011 -
" Is on page 119 of 343. I need something lighthearted after The Secret Sisters "
— Stephanie, 3/8/2011 -
" I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book much more than the last third. Julia's life changing decision and new path becomes conventional and boring. I was extremely frustrated by the lack of depth for the male protagonist who is seemingly perfect but the reader never fully knows. "
— Mel, 2/4/2011 -
" I enjoyed the setting, but the story was so-so "
— Elizabeth, 10/12/2010 -
" Not my favorite Katie Fforde, to say the least. Although it had it's moments. I liked the last few pages and that one bit toward the middle. If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about. :) "
— Ophelia, 7/6/2010 -
" Somewhat interesting story line, I didn't even know England had a series of connected, boatable canals. However, the main character's stubborn refusal to see what was in front of her face got old. "
— Ashley, 6/30/2010 -
" Good summer read. Learned a bit about the canals in England. "
— Lzarrow, 6/27/2010 -
" I loved reading about the canals of England and Katie Fforde is a good storyteller, but the main character was a little aggravating. "
— Sonia, 1/7/2010 -
" Was okay, but the guy kept referring casual sex as "making love" and it bothered me. Sounds too much like feathery stroker phrase. Other then that it was fine. "
— Mulva?, 12/1/2009 -
" I didn't enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed Katie Fforde's other novels, but it was still a nice easy read to take my mind off studying for exams. As another reviewer said, it does pick up a lot in the last 100 pages or so. "
— Emma, 10/30/2009 -
" This was a new author for me. While the book seemed to drag, the characters where terrific. I loved the building of Julia and Fergus' relationship. The setting on the boats was interested too. I'm not sure I'll pick up another book by Fforde but this was a good light read when I needed it. "
— Ann, 8/16/2009 -
" Now I really want to go travel the English canals on a hotel boat. <br/> <br/>But sheesh, what a silly woman! And yes, I know there are people like that. "
— Jaime, 1/27/2009 -
" Another lazy, light and entertaining read. Like watching well-made romantic comedy films. "
— Oanh, 1/20/2009
About Katie Fforde
Katie Fforde is the author of romance novels are set in modern-day England. She lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children,and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing, and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit.
About Davina Porter
Davina Porter has been enthralling listeners for over twenty-five years with her ability to mine the psychological depths of the characters she reads and bring them convincingly to life. In 2006, she won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Female Narration and in 2004 for Best Inspirational Literature Narration. She has been honored as an AudioFile Golden Voice and has won nineteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse and the Square One Theater, among others.