Daniella (Reading With Daniella)'s Reviews > I've Got Your Number

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3.5 stars

This was my first time reading a Sophie Kinsella novel, but I must admit, I wasn’t blown away. I’ve always heard such positive things about her writing. I hear endless raving about her Shopaholic series among others, and I know that many people seem to view her as the queen of adult chick-lit romance. I was so excited to dive into one of her books for the first time, but I can’t help but be a tiny bit disappointed.
Also, totally irrelevant, but I had no idea that Sophie Kinsella was British or that this book took place in England going into it. I suppose the outline of the Big Ben and the London Eye on the cover of the book should have been a giveaway, but I somehow didn’t notice it until part way through the book. Again, irrelevant; just a fun fact.

Don’t get me wrong; some parts were entertaining. The scene in which Poppy and Sam visited the jeweler together to get a replacement ring was laugh-out loud hilarious. It was brilliantly done, and genuinely one of the funniest things I have ever read. It still makes me giggle just thinking about it, months later! There was also some wonderfully comedic dialogue at times, such as this delightful tidbit:
"You wanted two rings?" Wanda seems almost speechless.
"Well, I hope that desire won't apply to your husband as well as your engagement ring!" Antony says, with heavy humour. "Eh, Magnus?"
If only the whole book had been as well-done as those scenes! And that’s what confuses me. Some parts were super funny and entertaining to read, without being overly unrealistic. But then there were other scenes that were so obscenely stupid and ridiculous they left me completely baffled. For instance, I'm still trying to recover from the scene in which Poppy announced that she was a singing telegram to the Japanese businessman, and then proceeded to sing his name to the tune of Single Ladies. And dance. In the middle of a hotel lobby. I am still speechless. It was truly the most ludicrous thing I have ever read. How the hell did somebody come up with this idea, think that it was a good idea, write a scene for the idea, send it to an editor, who did dot demand that this scene be deleted, and then get this book published WITH THE SCENE?! I can’t believe that somewhere, somehow along the way somebody didn’t put an end to this insanity! HOW?
That brings me to my main issue with the book. Most of it was simply too unrealistic and far-fetched. I also did not particularly care for any of the characters. Poppy was annoying and nosy and I struggled to gain any sort of emotional attachment to the other characters. Most of them seemed to fall flat or felt more like caricatures.

I will say that the plot twist (view spoiler)[ in which we discovered Magnus had used that same old ring that had been passed down in his family to propose to COUNTLESS OTHER WOMEN was pretty fantastic! As the reader, you, just like Poppy, are so annoyed with Magnus’ parents because they seem to think that they and their son are too good for Poppy. You are saddened and offended when they try to talk Magnus out of the marriage. But then, oh, but then, you find out that they were actually trying to protect Poppy from their son who had also tried to marry numerous other women in the past (with the same engagement ring!)! It actually took me completely off guard and it was a very pleasant surprise. And then when Magnus’ mother told Poppy that if a man really wanted to marry her, he would pick out a ring for himself. When Magnus returned soon after that with a supposedly new ring that is later revealed to be from his mother's jewelry box, it was another great little twist, even if it had been a tin bit more predictable. (hide spoiler)]

If I’m to be entirely honest, I initially hated the book because I couldn’t get over how annoying and unlikable Poppy was, as well as how unrealistic many of the situations, including the overall plot were. However, elements of it grew on me and overall, I would say that I did enjoy the novel. I would never read it again, and I don’t see myself picking up another Sophie Kinsella book in the near future, but perhaps some day.
I feel like you have to take the book for what it is. Don’t go into it brilliant writing, well-developed characters, or a realistic storyline. Go in for a quirky, fluffy rom-com, and stay for the occasional hilarious scene or piece of dialogue. That’s what I did..