The Strange Imagination of Pippa Clayton

by Claire Gallagher

5 out of 5

Synopsis

Pippa Clayton is a grown woman with an imaginary friend. Her daily life is accompanied by a soundtrack that she hears in her head. Pippa envisions fantastical scenes unfolding day-to-day, from travelling on the Hogwarts Express to using her trolley to bowl offenders who block supermarket aisles out of the way like skittles.

Clumsy but caring, Pippa is always there for her friends and always willing to raise money for a good cause. She lives alone with her cat, Mr. Fluffles, and works as a receptionist for an advertising agency where she has a huge crush on the new creative director, Tom Arnold, but when potential client Max Wild spots her hidden talent and asks her out on a date, Pippa has to be brave enough to leave the comforting world she has created for herself following an unexplained tragedy in her past and learn to face up to stark reality.

With the help of her family and friends, ranging from her BFF, Lucy; her hapless-with-women colleague, Tim; her hobby-obsessed mother (the more eccentric, the better); and her close friend Jemima, who is struggling herself with post-natal depression, Pippa learns to navigate the trials and tribulations of work and love as she finds herself confronting new challenges in her career and being caught up in a love triangle with Tom and Max.

Review

After being stuck in a rut and putting up with her imaginary friend, Pippa's luck is about to change.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Pippa is a secretary for a London marketing firm, she has her friends (real and imaginary), and she is content with life. Well, she has a huge crush on her new boss, but she's otherwise content.

Enter a new client, who just happens to be a handsome millionaire, and sees how much more Pippa could be.

I really enjoyed this book. It's the first one I've had in ages, where I have to keep reading - even if it makes me late for work!

It's full to the brim with British humour and sweet moments, but isn't afraid to kick you in the feels.

Yes, Pippa has an imaginary friend called Vanessa; and yes, she constantly hears the musical soundtrack to her life; but it never feels silly. It's just a part of her quirks.

I really liked the whole cast of characters. They are all well-rounded and realistic, and provide great support and entertainment for Pippa.

I liked how the story didn't rely on the stereotypical villain(s) you often get in contemporary romance books, yet the plot still managed to keep a good pace, and kept me entertained from start to finish.

I liked the love interests. They are attractive, really thoughtful, and both hooked on Pippa. It keeps you guessing throughout how it's all going to end.

I loved how it all turned out, and how it got there. It felt mature, realistic, but still magical.

The only thing I disagreed on - Home Alone is the better Christmas movie!

I will definitely be reading more by this author.

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