REVIEW: You Had Me at Meow by Gracie James
Some girls get fairy godmothers.
Abby Thompson gets a talking cat with a British accent and absolutely zero chill.
After her latest blind date—arranged by her loving (but relentless) mother—ends in a concussion, a wine-soaked dress, and enough humiliation to power Manhattan, Abby decides she’s done with dating. Forever.
Too bad her cat, Mr. Whiskers, has other ideas. And he’s suddenly sharing them. Out loud.
“Honestly, Abby, your taste in men is almost as concerning as your taste in sweaters.”
His mission? Fix her train-wreck love life and help her land her dream job. His qualifications? None. He’s a cat. His methods? Questionable at best.
But somewhere between the disastrous first dates, ruthless office politics, and the unexpectedly charming veterinarian who might actually be worth shaving her legs for, Abby starts to wonder…
Is Mr. Whiskers a miracle? Or a catastrophe with whiskers?
Either way, her opinionated feline isn’t backing down. And if Abby wants her dream life, she might have to trust the one life coach she never asked for.
Her cat.
CW/TW – Mr. Whiskers is injured at one point but after a very quick surgery, miraculously heals – also very quickly.
Dear Ms. James,
The further I read into this story, the more Chick-Lit deja vu I felt. It’s been awhile since I read a chick-lit novel and I realize that I’ve missed it. Add a talking cat and I was a very happy camper.
I actually approve of not trying to explain how Mr. Whiskers gained the ability to speak. Just lay it out there and let heroine Abby and the reader flail around a bit (mentally if not physically) and then move forward. So here’s junior ad peon Abby living with her beloved cat in NYC. Somehow Abby lives in an apartment with a bedroom, kitchen, and the building has an elevator but sure, why not, as the book has a talking cat, too.
Because apparently the universe thinks I need a talking cat in my life? Sure. That tracks.
Abby is lovelorn and goes on horrible dates her mother sets up and also while being as nice as she is, she lets herself be run over by her coworkers including Summer – hiss, hiss. Suddenly Mr. Whiskers is delivering advice and critiques (he is a cat) in a plummy British accent which he tells Abby is due to all the Regency movies she watches.
Along with caving to her mother and coworkers, Abby also does the classic public displays of embarrassment expected of a chick-lit heroine. These I’m not as thrilled about, never have been, but they go with the territory so I accept them. Mr. Whiskers is always on Abby’s side even if he does judge her and offers unasked for advice.
I close the fridge slowly, then slide down against it until I’m sitting on the cold kitchen floor.Mr. Whiskers saunters over, his orange tail held high. “I must say, you’re handling this better than expected. I thought there’d be more screaming, or perhaps some running around in circles.”
So Abby has got to grow a backbone, come up with a perfect ad campaign to pitch to her boss, fend off snarky Summer, ditch the app date who sends a picture of his kibbles and bits, and moon over Mr. Whiskers’ dreamy vet.
“It can be. Just channel your inner cat. We never do anything we don’t want to do… and everyone respects us for it.”
The story hits all the needed beats and I loved listening to Mr. Whiskers’ tell it like it is. Cats apparently actually don’t have a verbal filter, just as I always thought. But Abby’s orange fuzzball does love her dearly – even if at times he snarks about budget canned cat food. He also has a good grasp on office politics and slowly gets Abby to buck up and take control of her personal and professional life. Character growth via cat life coaching.
There is a romance but this takes place mostly in the second half of the story though like a good story of its kind, we know early on who will win Abby’s heart and be approved by Mr. Whiskers. Abby’s final ad pitch and life decision are wonderful and I totally approve of the “Let’s be their voice” campaign. This is the fast, cute rom-com that I needed right now. B
~Jayne
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:)
@Darlynne: >^..^<
Aww. I can’t read fantasy or sci fi but somehow talking animals in novels don’t bother me?
@LML: Then you might enjoy a book with Mr. Whiskers. ☺
@Jayne, based on your review, I certainly expect to. Later tonight.