Hey guys, here is a review for my debut self-published novel The
Drought...
BestBooksToRead.co.uk
Occasionally I receive emails from authors asking if I would
be interested in reading their debut novels. Steven was no
different and to be honest when I checked out the bio of him I
was a little shocked. Yes I had heard of ‘Lad Lit’ but to be
honest had never really delved into the world of the Mike Gayle’s
and the Nick Hornby’s. I figured that as I was being offered a
chance to read it free, then why not. What I didn’t realise was
that Lad Lit is the perfect combination of humour and reading for
me and my dry and crude sense of humour!
When I read the synopsis I realised that Lad Lit really is just
that; Lad lit! The stories regarding love and romance; albeit
from a slightly different perspective than that of a woman! As
soon as I started reading a few things became apparent. The first
was that this author’s humour was right up my street. Brash,
crude and direct but laugh out loud funny. Dan Hilles is a
‘typical’ bloke. In the beginning of the book we see him break up
with his terrifying girlfriend (blimey, she was enough to give
all us women a bad reputation). Dan was a likeable bloke though
and it didn’t take me long to realise that Dan’s life was not
going to be as easy as he thought.
The whole idea of the book is that we see Dan struggle through
single life on a ‘drought’ meaning no sex and even less female
interaction. I read a review on Amazon which said that the book
was repetitive in its nature and that the reader knows that Dan
is on a sex drought. Well I have to be honest and say I was
confused by that statement. Yes we know he is on a drought,
that’s what the whole book is about, and believe me it is very
funny.
Yes, you certainly have to have a certain type of humour, but I
cannot imagine one of my friends not liking this book. Obviously
if you are somebody who prefers to read books that don’t involve
swearing or sex, then maybe pass on this one. If not, do yourself
a favour and give this book a chance.
I was reading this book on the train on my journey home and
actually managed to spit my tea out where I was laughing so hard.
The man opposite me was not impressed! As the story moves forward
we see Dan’s attempts at getting some female attention becoming
more and more daring, and to be honest more and more of a
failure. This book had me cringing, laughing and smiling all the
way home. I read it in a day and a half and have already started
telling my friends about it. The women will (like I did) laugh at
the shocking truths some of which will be close to home, and the
men will laugh at the sheer truth of it all.
I can tell you now that I didn’t know an awful lot about the
author until after I had read the book and I checked out his
website. I was shocked to realise that he self-published. Maybe,
having not read any other ‘Lad Lit’ I cannot compare his book to
others in that genre but I honestly think this would be a
fantastic author for a publisher to pick up! All I can say
Steven, is I seriously hope that even if you don’t sign a
publishing deal, you continue to self-publish because I will
definitely be buying the next one.
Overall, an absolutely cracking debut novel and I will be waiting
for the next one. HIGHLY recommended!!!
