Customer Reviews
Another fabulous, fabulous book! - By: Mass Consumer of Fiction in Arizona, 05 Jan 2009 
Christina Jones has done it again. I think we all want to move to the little piece of the world that she's createdin her recent books, with Happy Birthday continuing with a fine tradition! Happy Birthday weaves a few storylines together, including the humorous & poignant story of the older residents of Twilights. I must admit that it took me a bit to warm to Phoebe, but I did (and you will.) You can spot Rocky as the hero from the first time you see him on the page, & he doesn't let you downin the end. I'll warn you, you have to open yourself to a large dose of whimsy with this book, so if you like things stern & full of drama & bad things, well move on. But if you like well-written, funny, engrossing stories about original & eccentric characters, read on.
The very definition of "Rom-Com" - By: Lesley Cookman, 01 Dec 2008 Romantic - yes. Comedy - yes. Christina Jones writes the definitive rom-com, as it really should be. Wonderful characters & some scenes a sit-com would be proud of, there is always a classic romantic fiction situation,in which two protagonists are prevented (usually by themselves) from getting it together, but what makes Christina's books stand out are the circumstances she creates for them. In Happy Birthday we meet again the Motions & Ya-Ya Binks among others, & we're introduced to the retirement home I think I want to goin to - Twilights. Buy it & keep it. You'll read it again.
Truly Wonderful - By: D. Carr, 12 Sep 2008 Once again, Christina Jones has written a superb book, filled with colourful characters that absorb you immediately into their colourful world & revisting old friends, such as the fabulous, YaYa Bordello.
I couldn't wait to see how Phoebe dealt with Ben's insensitivity, & coped with the divine Rocky Lancaster living so closely to her. Their wonderful story, & that of the lovely Essie, with her birthday magic all made this an excellent read that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
Brilliant! - By: Damaskcat, 25 Aug 2008 I love the way Christina Jones includes characters from previous books so that you find out how life is treating them as well. It's almost like reading about people you know. Phoebe is jilted at the altar. At first she thinks she can never recover from the blow, but her friends are determined she will make the most of her life. In order to fill her lonely evenings Phoebe agrees to exercise her hairdressing skills at the nearby residential home - Twilights. Reminiscent of the TV series 'Waiting for God', the residents are far from at the end of their lives & the owners are awful. Phoebe makes friends with Essie - a reluctant resident with an encyclopaedic knowledge of astrology & the mystic arts. Phoebe herself has given up on all the ologies as they let her down over her wedding, but she is persuaded to give them another try. Soon she is muchin demand for her astrology readings. Measnwhile, she needs to decide whether to stayin a flat she cannot afford with an upstairs neighbour - Rocky - who has just beenin prison for GBH. But Rocky is not all he seems & Phoebe finds herself increasingly attracted.
This book sees the welcome return of YaYa Bordello - the drag artist from 'Heaven Sent', & the 3 Motions the undertakers. The scene at the summer fete is an absolute gem of its kind & I could see this book as a film. Only Christina Jones can get this mix of magic & eccentric characters right. Her books go from strength to strength & are a joy to read.
SUPERB ENTERTAINMENT!! - By: M. Wheeler, 23 Aug 2008 HAPPY BIRTHDAY is yet another triumph from the incomparable CHRISTINA JONES. It is the 5th bookin the magical village series which began with Hubble Bubble & continued through Seeing Stars, Love Potions & Heaven Sent. All are wonderful & the standard just keeps getting better & better. While each story stands alone, if you do read themin order you derive the maximum pleasure & enjoyment, meeting up with some familiar characters as well as meeting new ones who will swiftly join the favourite ranks. As usual, Ms Jones brings her unique humour & warmth to Happy Birthday, as well as the superb mix of characters young & old. Phoebe is an adorable heroine, picking herself up from one of life's cruel blows, moving on & finding that life is still worthwhile & love is still possible. Rocky is a gorgeous hero, misunderstood, rebuilding his life after a selfless act of bravery & finally getting the rewards he deserves. Ms Jones introduces us to the wonderful world of Twilights with its superb cast of residents & splendidly appalling owners!! There is so much scope here & I hope we see much of Twilightsin future books. This is a book that deliversin every way & is full of emotion, laughter, tears, warmth & sheer joy. I never wanted it to end - & once it did, I had to read it again, something that happens with every Christina Jones book. If you want a book that will make you laugh & cry & laugh again & make you feel good to be alive, then Happy Birthday is for you. Brilliantly clever observations & the kind of characters you care so much about & wish were your friends, make this another very special book from Christina Jones. As ever, I cannot wait for the next instalmentin this truly magical series. A joy, a triumph & a must-read book. It deserves to follow on the heels of past booksin this seriesin winning awards & nominations by the bucket-load.
