Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination

 Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination by Helen Fielding

I borrowed the audiobook on CD from my local public library.


The Goodreads description:

"Move over, 007: a stunning, sexy - and decidedly female - new player has entered the world of international espionage armed with her own pocket survival kit, her Rules for Living, her infamous overactive imagination, and a very special underwire bra. How could a girl not be drawn to the alluring, powerful Pierre Ferramo - he of the hooded eyes, impeccable taste, unimaginable wealth, exotic international homes, and dubious French accent? Could Ferramo really be a major terrorist bent on the Western world's destruction, hiding behind a smoke screen of fine wines, yachts, and actresses slash models? Or is it all just a product of Olivia Joules's overactive imagination?"

My review, originally shared April 28th, 2012:

Cute book! I really loved this one on audio-- the reader was fantastic. It's not masterful literature and it's not as relate-able as Bridget Jones, but Fielding's "chin up, girls" voice comes through loud and clear. If you were intrigued by Bridget's adventures in Thailand and thought it would have been better if it hadn't been shoehorned awkwardly into a subplot, this would be a good book for you. 

Stars: 4

Runability rating: 4

 

There were a few sections where Fielding lost me for a bit and I had a hard time keeping track of what was going on; the action jumps around the globe and players emerge and disappear. For the most part, though, this was a light, fun listen, and, bonus, the protagonist runs to stay fit!