A city background in pink with two silhouettes of a man and woman looking at their phones.

About the Book

Title: I’ve Got Your Number
Published: 2011
Swoonworthy Scale: 8

Cover Story: Classic Girly Book
BFF Charm: Yay!
Talky Talk: Straight Up Chick Lit
Bonus Factor: Texting, Physiotherapy
Relationship Status: Call Me!

Cover Story: Classic Girly Book

There will be no doubt that you’re reading chic lit with this cover, but I kind of love it. I’m a girl who likes her pink to be used sparingly, but the fact that it’s paired with black here — and is also an outline of London — makes it more palatable.

The Deal:

Poppy has just lost her ring at a bridal do at a hotel. Correction: she has just lost the emerald and diamond engagement ring that has been in her fiancé’s family for generations! Magnus’ family already think she’s an idiot, so this is the last thing she needs, really. Then, to top it off, her phone is stolen. Just when Poppy is about set to call it a day and go hang herself in the oven, she sees a phone in the bin. Someone just chucked it, along with their conference badge at the hotel! Poppy gives the number out to the hotel staff in case they find the ring before finding out that the phone is the property of businessman Sam Roxton, (or rather, his ex-PA) and he wants it back.

Through wit and charm, the skin of her teeth and a little Beyoncé, Poppy convinces Sam to let her keep the phone — just for a couple of days until she finds her ring — as long as she forwards him all incoming mail, etc. Next thing she knows, Poppy is elbow deep in Sam’s personal and business life, as her wedding day looms closer and things in her own continue to fall apart.

BFF Charm: Yay!

Yay BFF Charm

Poppy was ridiculous fun, and I’d absolutely want her in my life. Her exuberance alone would keep me entertained, but I also think that Poppy could use a steady BFF like myself — someone who she could really talk to, who isn’t either too self-involved to really care or jealous of her. I’d be there to tell her to calm down, girl! And also that sometimes, she needs to butt out. And take a deep breath. Because when I wasn’t laughing at her inner ramblings and antics, or worrying over what was really happening at Sam’s company, I was saying “Oh Poppy, don’t!”. And then she would anyway.

Swoonworthy Scale: 7

Oh, Magnus Tavish and Sam Roxton. Kinsella manages to give us two options for Poppy who are each lovable in their own way, without making it a love triangle. (Score!) And she excels at conveying the anticipation of getting to know someone: the accidental eye contact, the meaningful pauses, the casual flirtation that whips this lady into a twitterpated mess.

Talky Talk: Straight Up Chick Lit

This is the first book I’ve read by Sophie Kinsella, but it won’t be the last. Her writing was fun and breezy, witty to the point of making me laugh out loud, and poignant enough to feel honest. I imagine it’s the perfect beach or vacation read, or perhaps the perfect read when you wish you weren’t stuck in a cubicle or office, or in my case, with your elbow in someone’s trapezius.

Bonus Factor: Texting

3 people standing against an orange wall looking at their phones.

This wouldn’t normally be a bonus factor for me, but I loved getting to know Poppy through the medium of her text messages with various people, but particularly how she and Sam got to know each other — the texting allowed them to cut through all of the normal bullshit formalities so they got to know very deep and personal things about each other, without actually knowing one another at all.

Bonus Factor: Physiotherapy

A stethoscope on a blue background.

Poppy is a physiotherapist! Like me! Except way cooler, because she’s in the UK, and I’m in the land of privatized insurance.

Relationship Status: Call Me!

This book has had my number for 26 hours and 14 minutes, and I’m trying to resist the urge to check my phone ever 2 minutes, because it’s only been one day since our accidental meeting-that-turned-into-a-date. I’m trying not to obsess about it — no I WON’T obsess about it. I’m going to live my life and if it calls, it calls, no big — wait, my phone’s ringing!

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from The Dial Press. I received neither money nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). I’ve Got Your Number is available now.

Jenny grew up on a steady diet of Piers Anthony, Isaac Asimov and Star Wars novels. She has now expanded her tastes to include television, movies, and YA fiction.