In Review

21 November 2008 20:21 BST

Clicking Her Heels by Lucy Hepburn

Published by Avon, out now, paperback, 406pp, £6.99.

In a nutshell...

Frothy, light, mildly amusing, shallow.

What's it all about?

Shoeholic Amy Marsh is devastated when her boyfriend falsely accuses her of cheating and sells her prized shoe collection, including her deceased mother's ballet pumps, on eBay. In an effort to retrieve her favourite accessories Amy jets off to New York, Miami and Ireland in a bid to find the buyers and recover her heels.

This trip introduces Amy to an array of unlikely characters, and also to more about her past then just the memories held with her shoes...

Who's it by?

This is Lucy Hepburn's first venture into the literary world. She started off writing short stories and sketches to amuse her friends at work and is a self-confessed shoeholic with dreams of fame. As readers may guess from the numerous ballet references throughout the book, she initially planned a career as a ballet dancer, although she has since been diverted from that path.

As an example...

"Do you know, I'm starting to discover the next best thing is actually getting the shoes back is finding out about the person who bought them so that I can imagine the new life they have, even though they're not with me any more."

"Honey, I think we both know that the phrase 'nothing important' should never be used within a hundred miles of the word 'shoes', don’t we?"

Likelihood of becoming a Hollywood blockbuster

Unlikely. There is nothing about this book that makes it stand out from the vast number of similar paperbacks aimed at the female market, and not enough romance to make it into a Hollywood rom-com.

What the others say

"It's not a tear-jerker of a book although it could have been – there is a vaguely heartfelt story behind the shoe search, especially in the case of a few pairs. Instead it's a sometimes funny, mostly amusing book that will make you titter rather than chortle, but is a nice easy read." Zoe Page, bookbag.co.uk

So is it any good?

Clicking Her Heels keeps to the tried-and-tested formula of heartbreak, comedy, romance and fabulous clothes that has characterised the chick-lit genre. While not pushing any boundaries, the book delivers these expected elements well enough. While the book is at best mildly amusing, the plot is interesting enough to keep a reader turning the pages.

Like many books of this calibre realism appears to have taken a backseat. Working for a travel website in central London supplies Amy with the means to buy many pairs of designer shoes and take taxis around the city, as well as enough cash to jet off around the world at a moments notice. A gritty depiction of modern life for a 25-year-old this is not; however it is perfect, escapist literature.

Initially Amy comes across as a Carrie Bradshaw-style character without the depth - shoe-obsessed and shallow. The book is too short to explore much that it throws up but the reader learns a lot more about Amy throughout and certainly begins to warm to her, especially as more comes to light about her past and what this means for her future.

This book is no carefully crafted Manolo Blahnik. It is more of a sparkly ballet pump, with no unexpected twists and turns but enough glitter to blind the reader to its faults. A fun read, ideal for entertainment without stretching the brain.

6/10

Lucy Williams

"A superb review which perfectly captures the tone of the book. Well done." - Hugo Menandez

"I must agree with your reviewer. Beatifully written and captures the tone of the novel to perfection. Congratulations." - Iviemena De Marco

"I couldnt stop laughing when I read Clicking Her Heels, am a shoe addict just like Amy. Lucy is a good writer and I can't wait for her next book." - Esther Sofeda

"Brilliant, every women that loves shoes will love reading this, it's a must read!" - Stacey Jones