Billy and Me

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And don't even get me started on Billy. His lines were so cheesy it was nauseating. I felt like I was reading fanfiction. (No offense, I know there are some good ones out there. I've definitely read a lot better than this published book.) Everything was so mediocre. At first I found it quite difficult to get into the story, it is quite slow to start setting the scene and really getting the readers acquainted with Sophie. I found it quite hard to like Sophie, for all you get to know her and her story; her character is quite weak and sometimes hard to believe. What I did find easy to believe was Sophie's secret which was an on-going theme throughout the story, although it wasn't a gripping secret when it finally was revealed, so I was a bit disappointed when it did come to light.

AKT: No? Oh, you have to see it! And then you should see Nancy Buirski’s recent documentary on it and its times! Billy and Me' follows Sophie and (surprise) Billy. Billy started his career as an actor in a teen-movie, but now wants to play more grown-up roles. So while preparing for filming a new version of 'pride & prejudice' in the small village where Sophie lives, he walks into the tea shop she works in. They begin talking and even pracitsing his lines together. Of course, they fall for each other, but it's not so easy for Sophie, what with her experiences in the past to suddenly be in the spotlight. I also, funnily enough, as in the first book I didn't have any problems, couldn't engage with Sophie and Billy. They seemed a little too flat for my liking, their dialogues felt wooden and too forced and it really surprised me, as I still can remember the lovely feeling I had about them from "Billy and Me". I am also not sure what to think about Billy's family, maybe except for his brother and one of his sisters. The rest of the family was, well, I don't know, lazy? In any case, they benefited from Billy's fame and money. I could understand that his mother was bothered and wanted him to continue his career, but I also couldn't stop thinking that she was doing it for her own comfort and convenience. I don't know, there was something in her that made me want to yell at her, shake her and point her in the direction of the next job. And these are not only Sophie and Billy that are so different, but their families as well, they couldn't be more different - while Sophie's is small and quiet, Billy's is large and loud, and it was nice to see those contrasts. Billy is tempted by his celebrity status and Sophie sees that, sometimes in the media first. And Sophie works a lot, spends time with her mum and her mum’s fiancé Colin. Added to the picture then is Molly’s son Peter. Molly was very close to Sophie before she died and now Sophie is even more passionate about the shop. Well, Peter seems to become a great friend, can they just be friends?! Sophie is a spoilt little brat in this book. She pushes Billy to do a film, then complains the entire time he’s filming, she splits up with him for kissing someone in the first book, then makes a very similar mistake herself and hides it. But oh woe me, she’s the victim. She constantly victimises herself, making Billy the bad guy, when in reality he has changed everything for her. His entire personality and hopes and dreams are squished into a box so that she can continue to live her pathetic life on the hill.By contrast, if she’d sung, “They’re nothing like Billy and I,” that wouldn’t work — “They’re nothing like I” just sounds wrong. (Unless you add “am” to the end of that sentence, but let’s not overcomplicate things.) Of course as a teenager I was desperate for violence and swearing and sex, so I was actively seeking out these films. But at the same time, something of his old-fashioned-ness rubbed off on me, I think. Because I read that book over and over. The strange thing about it is, I was reading verdicts on, and little mini essays about, films which I had never seen and couldn’t possibly see. So his encapsulation of them was more real to me than the films themselves. I was waiting how the author is going to bring together lives of two so very different people and well, the outcome was really OK, but you must read the book for yourself of course and see how it ends. It was also interesting to see if the real love is going to conquer all the problems and obstacles, because it is crystal clear that Sophie and Billy are madly in love with each other (which give me hope, haha, as I also have a little crush on some pop star :D Please, don't say old and stupid :D ). Despite all my problems with the book I liked to see how the relationship between those two love birds developed and matured and it was great to see that the author has made it a "real" relationship, with ups and downs and not only a bed of roses. She shows how it really is when we have to do with a working relationship, with long - distance relationship, when family comes in the way. They could just be little things, but it seems so unhealthy to me. There's no emotional support from his end. She gave up her life to live with him while he gets to his dream, expecting Sophie to just follow along. Talking of Billy. The heart throb. The irresistible cookie. The most boring character ever invented. EVER!

The book is divided into three parts, spanning from the moment Sophie meets Billy, to their blossoming relationship towards the most heartbreaking ending. Billy And Me is such a delightful treat as I finished it in one day, totally immersed into the flow of the story. Some parts made me want to give poor Sophie a warm hug, others made me want to wonder if there are guys like Billy out there - romantic, kind and charming. Although the first part was light-hearted, romantic modern love story of how girl meets boys, but as the story progresses, it gets more emotional and heartbreaking. So don't judge the cover, guys! Billy you're girlfriend works at Coffee Matters..As if that won't be turned into some sort of story? They're going to have a field day with that!" I have no idea how Giovanna Fletcher, keeps writing these magical books, but I am so glad that she does, as she is fast becoming a favourite author of mine. Stand-ups Peter Kay and Adam Hills reveal how Billy inspired their comic careers. Billy's wife Pamela, no comedy slouch herself, talks about life with Billy from their new Florida home.Can Peter and Sophie just be friends? As someone who believes men and women can be friends I was slightly disappointed Peter tried to kiss her. I wanted them to remember Molly together. However it's not a major love triangle or anything more a misunderstanding. It's not the sort of thing that would ruin a relationship like Sophie and Billy's in my eyes.

Our conversations for the book spanned several years. Wilder played the part of the reluctant but fastidiously accurate subject, and I assumed the role of director playing hookey from his own career. Together we discussed his every script and film, though the lesser-known failures in his body of work would often cause him physical distress to recall. But recall he did, sometimes just before throwing me out of his office. (“Please, no more about Kiss Me Stupid!”) It's okay to have goals in life, unless they no longer suit your partner, in which case, they've changed. Change is Bad. Billy hated the idea, especially as, in his own words, he can happily provide for the both of us. It was difficult to explain that the thought of living off him and flying aimlessly through my days my days made me want to vomit. But he took it well, even if he didn't agree with it."

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Molly was my favourite! Molly was so kind, caring and I felt so much warmth radiating from her! She is the definition of ‘homely’, I felt so at home when she was around and in a strange way she brought happiness and comfort to me. I would LOVE to sit in her teashop, I’d probably spend all my time in there drinking tea, sampling the gorgeous cakes and having a chat with the other lovely local people!

I would be so much more probable if Billy actually did something wrong. Like kiss Heidi of his own free will. But noooooooo, he had to be set up, then Sopie had to freak out and leave, and then he HAD TO apologize over and over again, send creepy ass notes (that counts as stalkering and it's illegal. Just so you know, Billy. Just so you know.) until the very rushed happy ending. Narrator Suranne Jones is also a devotee: "My dad was a huge Billy fan and I grew up loving Billy. So, it's an honour to be involved in Billy Connolly & Me: A Celebration."It didn't take long for me to realise that this was a bit of an unhealthy relationship. Sophie told Billy her dream of buying the tea shop off Molly one day and making it her own. With cakes, books, gifts and flowers. But then he asks her to move to London with him as he has a part in a new play. Meaning she has to leave her job, that she loves, and find a new place to work. Now, this would be absolutely fine if he wasn't so controlling.