The Life and Soul of the Party

Written by Mike Gayle

Narrated by Claire Morgan, Harriet Carmichael, James Daniel Wilson and 4 more

It's their party… Meet Melissa and Paul: Five years after they split up he's still looking for love in all the wrong places while she wants the one thing she can't have: Paul. Meet Chris and Vicky: They're so in tune they even brush their teeth in time with each other. So what is Chris doing risking it all for a meaningless affair? Meet Cooper and Laura: He wants to settle down, she wants to take a grown-up gap year – but can their relationship really survive a year apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Jan 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781407453583

Mike Gayle

Mike Gayle is the author of the British bestsellers Turning Thirty, Mr. Commitment, and My Legendary Girlfriend. He's also a freelance journalist and a former advice columnist. He lives in England.

Reviews for The Life and Soul of the Party

[yuki7onna-681424 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a reread for me. Enjoyed it the first time, enjoyed it the second time. It's just the right equilibrium of lightness, partying and fun as well as drama, loss and grief.A fluffy contemporary, decidedly British, which touches serious topics as well. Not the deepest of characters, but most of them are likeable despite (or rather: because of) their flaws.

[seekingflight · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Previously I've enjoyed a few light reads by Mike Gayle. This one, however, I found disappointing. I don't think I'm spoiling anything (but stop now if you are very spoiler averse) by describing it as a year in the life of a troubled group of friends ...... one of whom states at the end of the story that life is okay, so long as you know that someone sometime will be throwing a party somewhere at which you can let your hair down and forget the circumstances of your life. I found the story mediocre anyway, and this 'resolution' really didn't work for me.