Perfect escapism - Rated 
This was a truly enjoyable read, very funny and cosy. I loved the descriptions of the barge and the atmosphere of the harbour. The Dutch background was also very true to life (I lived in The Netherlands for five years). A lovely escape this dreary summer!Finding Margo
'Chick Lit' - Rated 
Katie Fforde is in my opinion one of the better writers of `chick lit' This is her thirteenth novel and I admit to having read most of them, as her writing has always been enjoyable when I feel the need for some romantic escapism. However I was disappointed with this one as it even lacked a plot just a typical theme, take two very different women Jo and Dora, both sworn off men until they fall for the charms of Marcus and Tom. Neither of the romances felt convincing either, just all rather predictable. I also found more than a few of the comments and use of words irritating such as the over use of `perimenopausal' I think we got the message. As for the description on p114 when Dora was changing for the karaoke did we really need to know about `stray armpit hair' surely quite irrelevant?
The most interesting parts were those about the barge Jo and Dora lived on `The Three Sisters', most especially when it was sailed to Holland.
A pleasant enough read for an afternoon in the sun but not one of Katie Fforde's best, as once again lacking some of the spark of her earlier novels. I have mentioned this fact before in my review of `Practically Perfect' last year.
Maybe I am just outgrowing Katie Fforde, I hope not as I have been reading and enjoying her books since she was first published in 1995.
One last point to be aware of is that the ending comes sooner than expected. Due to the dire habit of the publisher treating us to an extract of the author's next novel. A fairly new practice that personally I find particularly irritating.
A romance too far? - Rated 
I am a long-standing fan and have avidly bought and read every book as it comes out. It seems to me the earliest are the best, with wittier, more 'real' heroines and men I want to meet. As KF's popularity has increased, so her characters have become more bland and the books more formulaic - as if she is being 'edited' to fit the generic chick lit market. I was excited by the prospect of an older heroine in Going Dutch, now I am in my 40s, but she (and Dora) lacked depth and complexity. Katie - if you read your reviews - I'd love to see you return to the form of Living Dangerously and Wild Designs, which are my favourites.Going Dutch
A definate miss - do not buy this book if you want romance read - Rated
Am a through and through romance novel consumist and this book has more or less none of it (except maybe a 50 year old woman having if off with a guy with all the juicy bits being completely overlooked and missed out). Its so frustrating when things don't do what they say on the label (or in this case the cover). It takes me a few days to read a good romance yet this one was dragged out for weeks. At some points the language just got plain annoying, I mean the cover says 'hey am a modern chilled out romance novel' yet the language is smeared with 'golly' 'oh heavens' 'gosh' 'cherub' etc etc... I would recomend this book to the middle classes with a 'proper' way about life and the over 50 ladies. Anyone outside these categories - stay away for your own sake!
Very disappointing - Rated 
I was expecting a light, easy-to-read romance and was disappointed by a very weak plot, silly, one-dimensional characters and endless meals and cups of tea.
| 
