Its the Little Things

It's the Little Things has ratings and 90 reviews. Maia said: Erica James is a slight read, and yet also nearly always an immeasurable pleasure. He.
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Dan is enjoying being a stay-at-home father taking care of their young son, and Sally is the bread winner and loves her job as a partner in a Manchester law firm. The arrangement has worked out well so far, but when Dan starts to question whether Sally has got her priorities right, the cracks in their marriage begin to appear. Dan and Sally have everything Chloe wishes for in life—a happy marriage and a beautiful child. Dumped by her long term boyfriend just weeks after the tsunami, she's been on a mission ever since to find the perfect father for the child she craves.

When she meets Seth Hawthorne, she thinks she may have hit the jackpot.

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But is Seth the man she thinks he is? A life can change in a heartbeat but It's the Little Things is not simply about the moments when everything changes, but also a moving, compelling, and inspiring story of how we lead our lives in the days and years that follow. Hardcover , pages. Published February 1st by Orion Publishing first published January 6th To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about It's the Little Things , please sign up.

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Lists with This Book. Jan 12, Maia rated it liked it Recommends it for: Erica James is a slight read, and yet also nearly always an immeasurable pleasure. Her stories are grounded in a narrow circle and, though her writing is less than great for a pre editor, there are cringe-worth moments , her characters are nearly always believable. More importantly, you believe the author's voice--you believe that she believes what she is writing about, and cares about her characters. So that you want to care, too.

This isn't her strongest. The whole Tsunami thing didn't work fo Erica James is a slight read, and yet also nearly always an immeasurable pleasure. I pretty much feel that the ways she set it up, the story could have been the same--unchanged--without the Tsunami in the background.

Another problem I had was that I found Sally entirely unappealing, despite how hard James works to show her in light of her awful growing up. It still does little to redeem her qualities, or to excuse the appalling amorality with which she conducts her affair. I can buy, say, that a career-obsessed modern woman may not have a huge lot of 'natural' maternal instincts. I can't buy, however, that once her son is born and the bulk of his care is on her husband's shoulder--therefore, leaving her to only enjoy him--she'd be as callous and unfeeling as James depicts her.

I also wasn't thrilled by GP Clare and vicar Seth romance. Lastly, there was a sort of judgmental thread throughout the book in regards to abortion that, in this day and age, was less than thrilling. So in all, not my favorite Erica James book, but still a warm read and glad to have read it. She still has a special touch and I always look forward to her novels. Nov 03, Melanie rated it it was ok Shelves: That was somewhere between "Days of Our Lives" and "Home and Away" being smashed together with a British Accent, but smack in the middle of bad.

I hung on for the ending and was sorely disappointed in its predictability. With the exception of a couple Gardens of Delight and Hidden Talents that are still sitting on my bookshelf, plus Love and Devotion which I still have not obtained a copy of, I have now read all her novels. It was interesting to read at the end of the novel Erica James notes as to why she had written this novel.

Her starting point was the Boxing Day Tsunami of an event she herself witnessed and survived. She always felt that one day she would use this experience in one of her novels, not writing about the actual event but a story of how lives could be changed as the result of surviving such an ordeal. I think she has succeeded and written a very readable novel around this theme. We catch up with the lives they are now all living in the countryside not far from Manchester, Sally a successful Lawyer in Manchester, Dan a stay at home father and Chloe a local GP.

Dan and Sally appear to have a happy marriage and a child, two major things Chloe lacks and desires in her life having broken up with her boyfriend Paul. Chloe thinks she may have found the ideal man when she meets Seth Hawthorne, but it is complicated! As the story line is a realistic one it is easy to become immersed in the lives of the protagonists and find oneself feeling emotions regarding their behaviour.

Big Gigantic - The Little Things (Kasbo remix)

For example Sally Oliver is a most irritating and thoroughly unpleasant young woman, why did her husband Dan stupidly put up with her behaviour for so long. I suspect that these were just the sort of reactions to these characters that Erica James wanted us to have. Anyway in my opinion she has produced yet another delightful realistic novel of romance, duplicity and misconceptions in the 21st century. Feb 28, Dale Harcombe rated it really liked it.

I like the novels of Erica James ususally and this was no exception.

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When Seth comes on the scene and him and Chloe start to become involved the reader knows Seth has a secret but I doubt they will suspect what it is and no I'm not going to spoil it by telling you. If at times I became really annoyed with the selfish in my opinion attitudes of one or two of the characters it was because I was so involv I like the novels of Erica James ususally and this was no exception.

If at times I became really annoyed with the selfish in my opinion attitudes of one or two of the characters it was because I was so involved in the story so that's a good sign and hold firm views myself and some of the behaviour challenged those views. This novel has a lot to say about the way men and women relate and view their roles, especially when roles are reversed with Dan as the one staying at home looking after their child, Marcus, while Sally goes to work and works long hours.

Little Things Quotes - BrainyQuote

It also says a lot about men and women's expectations of each other and how they may change according to changed circumstances. Jul 17, Komal rated it it was amazing. It is my first book by Erica James. I picked this one from my local bookstore. When I saw a little kid on the cover, my hormones blame the bump! The blurb made me feel that it was going to be a fantastic read and I was right! It took me a while to get a grasp of the characters and the situation, mainly because it was not a usual run-of-the-mill, chick lit, where boy meets girl and they live happily ever after.

Set in the premise of Boxing Day tsunami, it takes us onto the journey where Dan and Sally, a married couple, survive the big chaos but soon find themselves being engulfed by the tsunami that they somehow unconsciously created and get destroyed by its far-reaching affects on their marriage and their child, Marcus.

I also could not comprehend how can a mother ignore her child, and be such a bad parent the way Sally was to Marcus , but that is where I admire the author for giving the readers a real heroine - a believable character created intelligently. I have to say Sally is one fictional character I hated so much, for her selfishness and mean attitude towards others. Coming to the other aspects of the story, there is the strong bond of friendship between Sally and Chloe, which undergoes a metamorphosis as the two friends are thrown in the situations, where they get tested for their loyalty and their priorities in life.

It is so amusing to see the unusual dynamics of their relationship as their religious concepts are totally different from each other. It kept me wondering whether they will be together in the end or not. Will Chloe face her inner fears and overcome them? Will she be able to trust Seth after what Paul did to her?

There is so much depth and meaning in the story which comes forward beautifully by the expert writing of the author. Erica makes sure the reader is fully absorbed throughout by presenting us with a vast array of genuine characters and her smart way of writing. The chapters are fast-paced, situations are threaded well together and come after one another with such a smooth flow that the reader remains fully absorbed till the end of the story.

View all 3 comments. Jan 25, Kerry rated it it was ok. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I wanted so much to enjoy this book and I desperately wanted the story to kick in and show it's potential which it did have according to the blurb. The Plot and main characters Sally and Dan, Sally is a workaholic wife and mother who often leaves Dan her ever laid back and in some cases wet husband at home with their young son.


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Chloe is Sally's best friend and the local gp. Paul is Chloe's ex boyfriend. Seth is the local vicar and love interest of Chloe. Basically Sally Dan, Chloe and Paul survive I wanted so much to enjoy this book and I desperately wanted the story to kick in and show it's potential which it did have according to the blurb. Basically Sally Dan, Chloe and Paul survive the boxing day tsunami. When they return Sally discovers she is pregnant and paul leaves Chloe.

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This book is set an a half years later and things have fell apart. There were numerous things which grated on me about this book. If you hadn't noticed the main one was Sally. A whole range of charcters are thrown into the story without further development or adding anything to the story for example the young girl who find's herself pregnant. Chloes abortion was thrown into the story in the last few chapters and added nothing to the story.

The Tsunami also wasn't given enough lime light and the characters could simply have been involved in a car crash or other minor crisis. I wont be harsh as this is the first of James's books I have read and a friend has suggested that I would enjoy others. Sep 07, Aileen rated it it was amazing. Chloe Henessy is 37 and a GP at the local surgery where her Dad previously worked, Chloe along with her friends Dan and Sally are grateful to be alive after being caught up in the Boxing Day Tsunami.

Chloe is single after being dumped by her Ex Paul after her Tsunami ordeal. Paul rings and asks her to meet up but will she? Dan and Sally are married with a 2 and a half year old son Marcus, Sally is the breadwinner and Dan the Househusband, Sally works too hard.

Are they really happy in their marriage? Or is Sally hiding something? Or are they friends? Has Seth told Sally evreything? Chloe, a doctor, and Sally, a high-flying lawyer, are close friends. Sally is a dynamic risk-taker, married to the peaceable Dan who stays at home with their delightful small son Marcus.

Chloe is still rather hurt by rejection from her last boyfriend, and reluctant to start another relationship. Then she gets to know Seth, who seems to be perfect in just about every respect Chloe, Dan and Seth are all very likeable people, but I couldn't quite bring myse Chloe, a doctor, and Sally, a high-flying lawyer, are close friends.

Chloe, Dan and Seth are all very likeable people, but I couldn't quite bring myself to believe in Sally, who, despite being a lawyer, behaves increasingly more stupidly as the book continues. And there are a rather large number of minor characters, some of whom I couldn't keep apart in my mind. A bit slow-moving at first, but as the tension increases, so does the pace.

Enjoyable light women's fiction. This was a very enjoyable read about the effect the Boxing Day Tsunami was still having on the personal lives of people caught up in it 3 - 4 years later. The lives of the people involved will never be the same again and this was a time of great transformation. Good interrelationships within this book with a few twists, and in particular a big one right at the end! Do tend to like Erica James's writing style.

Dec 31, Penny rated it really liked it. The 2nd Erica James book that I've read and like the 1st one I was surprised. It was different from my expectations based on the back cover information but I really enjoyed it. Her characters are all really believable and I can actually get emotionally involved with them. I'll definitely be reading more of her books. Nov 20, Joyce rated it liked it.

This was a light but good read. Maybe not as well done as some of hers, but I would still recommend it. I have read most of Erica James books, she is an English author who places her books in English settings. One of her better books. Not the greatest writing ever, but generally an easy, quick read, mostly believable characters, a good one to bury yourself in on a cold wet weekend when you don't want to have to use your brain too much. Jul 21, Tanis rated it did not like it.

I usually enjoy a light beachy read. But not this one. This was trite and predictable and full of snobby cliches. I thought it was dreadful and repetitive. It might have made a passable short story for a magazine but no more than that. Definitely won't be reading any more Erica James novels.

Jun 02, Leslie rated it really liked it. I enjoyed the story - was frustrated by the characters which meant I was invested in their future. Another great read A fantastic book which I could not put down. Lots of highs and lows but a great read non the less. Aug 29, Julie rated it liked it.

I had high hopes for this book, but the strong female characters disintegrated. Return it on time. Offer without being asked. Call for no reason. Remember your last conversation. Make them look good. Give your undivided attention. Steer the conversation to them.

Give without being asked. Keep your advice to yourself, unless asked. Meet them half- way.

Make them feel special. Tell it like it is. Look at them when talking. Show that you care. Let them go first. Ask if they need anything, to save them the trip. Get future posts by RSS feed, email or Facebook. Click your favorite option top right. Frank Sonnenberg is an award-winning author. He has written six books and over articles. Frank has served on several boards and has consulted to some of the largest and most respected companies in the world.

Some of these things seem so simple, yet they can make a meaningful difference in a relationship. This is a beautiful list and I truly appreciate you sharing. I am putting one up at our coffee bar at work to hopefully give everyone a nice little reminder! Thanks so much for sharing. I love your poster Frank and have put it on the wall behind my computer where I can see it to remind myself!

When I go go through the tweets for the day I always pay attention when I see something you posted as I know it will bring joy to my day! Your email address will not be published. Thanks, as always, Lolly.