Title: Girl From Mars
Author: Julie Cohen
Publisher: Little Black Dress/Headline
Publication Date: June 2009
Paperback: 416 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 6/10
Back Cover Summary:
I, Philomena Desdemona Brown, do solemnly swear to forsake all romantic relationships… It’s not like the vow, made by Fil and her three nerdy male best friends, seemed much of a big deal at the time. Frankly, Fil wouldn’t know romance if it hit her in the face, and with her real love being her artist job at Girl from Mars, the comic whose heroine has never had a love interest, she doesn’t exactly mind being relationship-free anyway. Until her world is rocked to its core when one of her long-standing quartet and Girl from Mars herself both unexpectedly fall in love. Is it time to give in to temptation and finally fall in love?
Review:
With her blue hair and black baggy clothes, Philomena, or Fil to her friends is not your typical heroine.
Living with her best mate Jim, Fil’s life is simple and just how she wants it. She has three great friends and her dream job working as an illustrator for the comic ‘Girl From Mars’.
Then one night the sanctity of their foursome and the latest X-Files marathon is rocked. One of her friends had the audacity to go and fall in love. Completely taking the group by surprise the revelation shakes up Fil and the remaining two friends. Will their group ever be the same?
An amusing night and a few too many drinks later the remaining two friends: Fil, Digger and Jim take a vow to never date or fall in love. Thus keeping the group and their lives the same forever.
Then enter a new writer to Fil’s most beloved ‘Girl From Mars’ who decides that it’s time the comic had a shake up too and Fil is aghast. The Girl From Mars cannot fall in love too can she? You see, her job is more than a vocation for Fil, as far as she’s concerned in many respects she is the Girl from Mars.
I had a debate when I began to write this review about what genre to classify this book as. Officially it’s classed as Romance, but at times it very much reminded me much more of a chick lit novel. It clearly has a strong romance story running throughout, but Fil’s relationship with her friends and the sub plots surrounding them are equally important as the main love story.
Fil is a really funny character and I loved her rag tag group of X-Files, and Dungeons and Dragons loving friends. Enjoying the fact that this book deliberately avoided a lot of the clichés it could easily have fallen into.
Another important thing to note about this book is don’t be fooled by the cool Sci-Fi looking cover. Other than the fact that Fil is an illustrator for a Sci-Fi comic, there is nothing science fiction related about the plot at all. Which I found a bit disappointing.
The book looks at the role of your friends as you grow up and those pivotal moments that change your friendships forever. Everyone can remember your first friend to get a boyfriend, the first to get married and the first to have a child. And while those changes to the group dynamic are irrevocable, true friendships adapt and grow stronger.
This is a really fun book, it’s a tongue in cheek romp that good naturedly delights in the somewhat geeky antics of Fil and her friends.
However, while it became evident two thirds of the way through the book I wasn’t going to get my wish, I couldn’t help but think that Fil had ended up with the wrong guy. And would of loved to see how the book would of concluded if she had chosen her other suitor.
Verdict:
This book is an entertaining romantic comedy that comic book lovers will enjoy.
This book has its bases covered, from the will they, won’t they story line, to the romantic love triangle and the much coveted happy ending.
Personally, I was just hoping for a different one.
Source: Thank you to Headline for sending this book for review.
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You can find out more about the author here:
11 Comments
I love this cover. It's so Jetsons go to Vegas
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You've completely sold me on this! I wasn't aware of Julie Cohen's books – but I am now and intend to investigate!
I wish wish wish there was a fabulous list of gay male romance with lots of paranormal and sf elements. Any recommendations, anyone? Or will I have to write it myself?
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Morning Paul – there are lots of gay male romance with lots of paranormal/SF elements. I can't recommend any myself, as I haven't read any, but there are quite a few blogs who review them. One that comes to mind is smexybooks.com – hope that helps!
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Thank you so much for the review. I appreciate it.
Laura, when Girl from Mars came out, I was wondering when someone was going to say that my heroine Fil had ended up with the wrong guy. I have to admit, while I was writing the story, it tore my heart to pieces to have to make her choose. I have a real soft spot for the guy she didn't end up with, and to tell you the truth, I was cheering for him the whole way.
But in the end, I felt she had to make the decision to be with the person who would make her challenge herself and change, make her become her best self. And the other guy, as much as I really loved him, just wouldn't have done that for her.
You don't agree with that, and that's fine with me—in fact it's a great compliment, because it tells me that you identified with the book and cared about the characters. There's no better thing for an author to hear.
Thank you, you've made my day.
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@Juju great cover description
@Paul I'm glad you liked the review. I haven't read any gay male SF/UF romance either, sorry I can't help.
@Julie Cohen thanks so much for the comment! I did actually like both male suitors for Fil. And I totally see what you're saying about growth and challenging herself. But, I also liked the fact that she was unconventional. I was a little sad when she changed her hair colour from pink and think that the book could have been interesting to see where her and the other suitor went.
But. you're right it's good that people have opinions about your book. Look at Twilight – there are team Jacob and team Edward t-shirts everywhere – it doesn't mean people don't like the book any less
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too bad the innards didn't quite match the cover. because i do love the cover.
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Based on your review this book sounds like an interesting read.
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Now, that's something I could get behind…Team Jim and Team Dan t-shirts! LOL!
Juju and vvb32 reads, the cover was done by an amazing artist called Sharon Tancredi…I have a framed print of it on my wall because I love it so much.
Thanks everyone!
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Hi Laura – I'm glad I waited for your review. If it's not remotely sci-fi-ish, then it's not for me.
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Unfortunately, this one didn't really appeal to me either, especially with the mention of 'chick-lit' – love the cover though
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Nerdy romance! How cute! I hate it when the heroine ends up with the wrong guy though
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