Poppy Does Paris & Lily Does LA

by Nicola Doherty

Genres: Women's Fiction

Synopsis

Jet off to romantic Paris and sunny LA with this exclusive two in one ebook, perfect for fans of Lindey Kelk's I Heart... novels. Paris. City of love, city of romance. The last place you want to go to on a work trip when you're in the middle of an epic dry spell. But that's where Poppy is headed, along with her colleague Charlie, who's shallow and annoying but very, very good-looking. During a white-wine-fuelled session with her friend Alice, Poppy concocts the perfect plan: work by day, and have some no-strings fun with Charlie by night. Of course, it might prove a little more complicated than that, but it's nothing Poppy can't handle - or is it? Lily is an actress. At least, that's what she tells people, even though she's currently working in a call centre and her last big part was an ad for Sofa Warehouse. So when she's invited to her cousin Alice's wedding in LA, it's a dream come true. Alice's fiance Sam is actually a Hollywood agent; how can Lily fail to get talent-spotted? There's only one problem; not only is Lily banned from mentioning acting, parts or producers to Sam, she's expected to spend the entire week doing wedding-related prep (read: chores) with Sam's boring groomsman Jesse. But Lily firmly believes that rules were made to be broken ... Girls on Tour is an irresistible series of interlinked stories about four ordinary girls who have extraordinary fun in faraway places. Expect the unexpected, the utterly hilarious and unforgettable, on this rollercoaster ride of love, laughs, surprises and sparks. You have a VIP pass to join each girl's adventure, so pack your bags and buckle your seatbelts, because just about anything is possible...

Release date: January 15, 2015

Publisher: Headline

Print pages: 139

Sample

‘A hugely enjoyable story’ Daily Mail

‘A modern-day Roman Holiday: smart, funny and totally unputdownable’ Gemma Burgess

‘A great beach read’ Star

‘A fun, quick read that will have you laughing out loud’ Bella

‘Fabulously enjoyable’ Bookseller

‘A gorgeous debut, reminiscent of early Jilly Cooper’ Irish Examiner

‘The classic beach read for die-hard romantics everywhere’ Irish World

‘Escapism at its very best’ Books Ireland

‘Immediately joins the ranks of Bagshawe and Kinsella . . . a fantastic debut novel’ Keep Calm and Read a Book

‘A hugely enjoyable read from start to finish’ Chick Lit Chloe

‘One of those rare amazing-all-round books . . . I was totally won over by this stunning weekend read’ Pretty Little Memoirs

‘It’ll definitely melt your heart . . . the perfect light-hearted read with a little added twist, a happy ending and some great laughs thrown in’ Rosie Reads Romance

‘Funny, sharp and an absolute delight’ I Heart Chicklit

‘I was thinking about it for days . . . an addictive story’ Into the Bookcase

‘A smart, funny and romantic debut novel’ Novelicious

‘Just the right amount of humour alongside loveable and believable characters . . . fun, fabulous and hilarious’ Book Addict Shaun

 

 

‘Packed with a few twists, drama and romance . . . a brilliant novella to be pushed to the top of your summer reading list’ Reviewed the Book

‘It had everything that I love in a great book – humour, wit, life-like characters, light-hearted romances, a fast pace, twists and a beautiful setting’ Dreaming with Open Eyes

‘A perfect quick feel-good read . . . full of fun, romance and laughs’ Jill Loves to Read

‘I absolutely loved this book’ Book Addict Shaun

‘With its likeable characters, gorgeous sights and amusing moments, I loved everything about Poppy Does Paris, so much so that I didn’t want it to end!’ 23 Review Street

‘Right from the very first page she had me chuckling’ Shaz’s Book Blog

‘A great story with touches of humour and romance’ Heather Duff

‘Poppy Does Paris is everything you could ask for from a chick lit novella; sweet, funny and easy to read, it definitely left me smiling’ Paris Baker’s Book Nook

‘This was a brilliant, feel-good read that left me wanting more. It is fun, flirty, and full of romance and laughs, perfect for a sunny day’ Escapades of a Bookworm

‘Nicola Doherty has managed to create a character who I wanted to be – flaws and foibles included’ Lisa Talks About

 

 

‘Nicola Doherty is one of my favourite chick lit authors for a reason and Lily Does LA only made me love her style of writing even more . . . The girls in this series are fun and full of life and energy which really lifts your spirits’ Reviewed the Book

‘The description of LA completely transports you there . . . Lily manages to get herself up to all sorts in the short period of time that she’s in LA which will have you laughing out loud, falling in love and feeling all emotional’ Erin’s Choice

‘A great story with new
beginnings, new friends, new city and finding things that you actually weren’t looking for. And it is amazing that Nicola could make such a short story full of action, full of laughter but also with some softer and poignant moments. Can’t wait for part three – roll on Maggie in Meribel!’ On My Bookshelf

‘With its amusing characters, beautiful city and amazing plot, I couldn’t think of a reason not to read Lily Does LA. If I had to sum up this book in three words, they would be Humour, Dramatic and Amazing’ 23 Review Street

‘A good, uplifting, feel good book that made me laugh. I would love to know what happens next for Lily, and am looking forward to meeting another of the girls in part three’ Jill Loves to Read

‘The ending to this novella was amazing, heart-warming and unexpected. I love that though it was a short story it wasn’t predictable like a lot of others I have read . . . Anyone who’s wanted to follow their dreams should get this book’ Chick Lit Pad

‘I love Nicola’s writing which is definitely her own style yet has the hallmarks of everything that makes a good chick lit book. It’s funny yet with serious moments too with characters that have their own identity rather than being cardboard cutouts we’ve read about a hundred times before’ Book Addict Shaun

‘I loved the excitement, the pace of the novella, the humor and Lily’s laugh out loud moments . . . The characters were fantastic, the plot kept me highly entertained the entire way through’ Dreaming with Open Eyes

‘Lily Does LA is my favourite so far. I love Nicola Doherty’s writing, it is humorous, fun and just pure chick lit. This short story is everything her full length novels have to offer’ The Book Corner

‘It’s got everything a great chick lit novella is supposed to have, interesting and oh so not perfect heroine with big dreams, giggly moments as well as some serious ones . . . Can’t wait to see what Nicola has got in store for us next’ This Chick Reads

 

 

 

 

Hi. I’m Poppy.

I stare at the blinking cursor. Where to start?

I’m a fairly normal girl.

Hah! I delete that right away. Bland Central Station, also not true.

I’m confident and outgoing.

No, that’s even worse – makes me sound totally conceited. This is awful. Right. Start again.

Hi, I’m Poppy. On an average day you’re likely to find me with my nose deep in a book, cycling home from the farmers’ market in Hackney with my basket full of goodies, or at a vintage fashion fair. I love soul music, baking, Smarties, the sea, the 10th arrondissement in Paris and the Dirty Burger from MEATliquor –

Oh, God. I sound like a revolting parody of middle-class hipsterdom: bikes, farmers’ market, Dirty Burger and all. It’s all so cringe-worthy; I feel like I’m listing myself on eBay. Also, I forgot I’m going to need a pseudonym. Patricia? Penelope?

I tap my fingers for a few minutes, and then decide to just type the truth and see how it looks.

Hi, I’m Poppy. I work really long hours in an office full of women, and I haven’t had a proper boyfriend in almost two years. I tend to rant on about things I find important and not many other people do, I’m addicted to cake and I’m like a demon when I’m hungry. I’d like to meet someone creative, intelligent and sensitive. I seriously doubt that I’m going to find such a gem on the internet, but I’ve tried all the other—

‘I’ve finished with these proofs,’ says Sorrell, breezing into the office. ‘Did you want to see them before they go up to production?’

‘Oh, thanks, that was quick. Yes please – just leave them there,’ I say, quickly minimising my screen. I don’t want my assistant to see me compose my internet profile, though probably Sorrell could give me some excellent tips. Her generation was practically raised on Tinder.

‘Hey, I like your leather trousers,’ I add, as she turns to leave.

‘Thanks,’ says Sorrell, doing a little twirl. ‘Sample sale. Alasdair says they remind him of The Avengers!’

Good lord. I was here a year before I even spoke to our managing director, let alone cracked jokes with him about my leatherwear.

‘Oh!’ I laugh. ‘Yeah. Very Emma Peel.’

‘Who?’ says Sorrell.

‘Emma Peel, you know. From The Avengers.’

‘Oh,’ says Sorrell. ‘Sorry. I don’t remember them first time around.’ And she’s gone, leaving me wanting to explain: I don’t remember them either! I was born in the eighties! Except I’m twenty-nine and Sorrell is probably twenty-three, at most.

As I watch her leather rear depart, I have a guilty, resentful thought: once I was the zany, confident assistant with the memorable name and the quirky style, who made friends with all the senior people. But that was six years ago and I’m starting to feel like part of the furniture – and not a very shiny one either.

Right: that’s enough of the pity party. I save my dating profile and start making myself presentable for today’s editorial meeting. I’m in one of my favourite dresses: a fifties-style party frock I made myself from some red Liberty print silk my mum found in a charity shop in Hastings. And my curls are looking frizz-free, thank God. I nearly cried when they discontinued the only leave-in conditioner that stopped me looking like one of the Supremes circa 1970, but I think I’ve found a replacement. I look in the mirror to check I don’t have pen marks on my face and I’m good to go.

Until I stand up, and hear the unmistakable rip of a seam. A quick feel confirms that the entire side of the dress has gone. Wonderful. I’d love to be able to blame the delicate vintage fabric, but the sad fact is that I’ve put on half a stone in the last six months. Too many work lunches, and too much time sitting at my desk. I quickly do a repair job with safety pins, throw on a spare cardigan that doesn’t really go with the dress, and scuttle off to the meeting.

It’s a long time since I’ve felt nervous when attending the editorial meeting, but today I do. There’s a book that I’m really passionate about and today I’m going to find out whether anyone else agrees with me.

‘Let’s make a start,’ says Ellen, our publishing director and my boss. ‘Ooh, what are those?’

‘They’re pasteis de nata – Portugese custard tarts,’ I say, putting down the box in the middle of the table along with some paper napkins. ‘Help yourselves.’

‘Don’t let me have one,’ says Ellen. I know how she feels – I probably shouldn’t have bought them either, but it was in a good cause.

‘Oh yum. Thanks, Poppy,’ says Melanie, the sales director, who’s rake-thin. ‘Can I take two? Where did you get them?’

‘Bar San Marco. You know the little snack bar down the road?’

My reason for bringing these in today was twofold. One, I think everyone will be more into my book if they’re high on sugar; and two, a bit of product placement. The San Marco is a little gem, but it’s struggling to compete against all the huge coffee shops, and the owner has told me he’s not sure how much longer he can keep paying the rent.

‘Is that the dingy little caff by the Tube?’ asks Charlie, one of the marketing guys. ‘I had a terrible coffee there once. Never been back.’ He takes a slug from his PretaCostaBucks paper cup.

I just smile. Charlie is nice enough, but he’s a bit of a lad. If it’s not in the Metro or sponsored by Nike, he doesn’t want to know.

‘OK, let’s begin,’ says Ellen. ‘Any new business? Poppy?’

I go over to the hot seat and as the room goes quiet I sit up straight and make sure I sound poised, enthusiastic and – above all – confident.

‘Last week I circulated to a few of you a very, very exciting debut novel. It’s a coming-of-age story set in London and Lagos . . .’ I recap my pitch for those who haven’t read the book, and wrap up with, ‘So what did people think?’

There’s an awkward pause while they all look at each other; it’s as if I’ve put a dead frog in the middle of the table. Melanie speaks first. ‘I thought the writing was beautiful, but . . . it felt like a difficult sell.’

Ellen nods. ‘Same here. I did like the voice, but I wasn’t one hundred per cent convinced either.’

I nod, trying to swallow my disappointment; if Ellen and Melanie don’t like it, it’s probably a lost cause.

‘Anyone else read it?’ Ellen asks.

‘I read it,’ says Charlie, to my surprise. I didn’t even send it to him.

‘And?’

‘I thought it was really well written,’ he says, making me even more surprised. ‘I could see it getting great reviews, good publicity, maybe even winning prizes . . .’

I’m leaning forward, amazed. I wouldn’t have thought the book was up his street at all. Have I completely misjudged him?

‘. . . and selling about ten copies.’

Everyone laughs; he pretends to look regretful but he obviously thinks he’s been funny – idiot.

‘Well, that sounds like a pass,’ I say, as lightly as I can. ‘Thanks for reading, everyone.’

‘Who’s next?’ Ellen asks.

‘Me,’ says Camilla, one of the non-fiction editors. ‘I have a lead on a book by Katie Chipping.’

Katie Chipshop, as she’s known, is a singer having her fifteen seconds of fame.

‘Fabulous! Yes please!’ says Melanie, and they start discussing it enthusiastically.

I do understand how important these books are to the business, but it’s depressing all the same. I look at Charlie, who’s now talking about Katie’s Twitter followers, and doing a partnership with a clothing brand, and think how unfair it is that we’re turning down a really talented writer for someone like Katie Chipping.

‘All other business,’ says Ellen. ‘Poppy, anything?’

‘Yes. I’m very excited to say that we have made an offer for a. . .