Zoe & Mila,
by Jodie Shelley
Zoe and Mila – BFFs to the extent they refer to themselves as Zola. Even when their situations diverge – Zoe being a successful business owner, Mila mother to a growing family, reluctantly in her case.
Then there’s immigrant Layla, who’s a handy person to have around when a job needs doing, even if it's a tiny bit dodgy; Owen, Zoe’s nightmare of a PA; Cleo, even more of a nightmare to Mila’s husband – literally, to his concern. Throw in a few more oddball characters to the mix for good measure. Perhaps offensive Owen and callous Cleo will get together as they deserve, I wondered, but you’ll have to read it to find out if that happens.
Add to all that, references to cosmetic surgery, face-lifts, boob jobs, vaginal rejuvenation (is there such a thing?), and more. Images of a foosball table and a pregnancy tester on the cover are there for good reason.
My own working life has been nothing like Zoe’s, I can't help thinking. Is this really how office mates relate and speak to each other now? Mila’s situation, too, is thankfully not relatable to my experience either. I guess it’s a younger readership that’s intended here. But the exploits of this group as they interact are fun to read about, so it’s something of an educational text for older ones too – those of us who “were cool before they were even born” in the words of Mila.
Short chapters give the viewpoints of the different characters, each reflecting their personalities well.
It's entertaining reading throughout, no matter your age – 16 and above.
by Jodie Shelley
Zoe and Mila – BFFs to the extent they refer to themselves as Zola. Even when their situations diverge – Zoe being a successful business owner, Mila mother to a growing family, reluctantly in her case.
Then there’s immigrant Layla, who’s a handy person to have around when a job needs doing, even if it's a tiny bit dodgy; Owen, Zoe’s nightmare of a PA; Cleo, even more of a nightmare to Mila’s husband – literally, to his concern. Throw in a few more oddball characters to the mix for good measure. Perhaps offensive Owen and callous Cleo will get together as they deserve, I wondered, but you’ll have to read it to find out if that happens.
Add to all that, references to cosmetic surgery, face-lifts, boob jobs, vaginal rejuvenation (is there such a thing?), and more. Images of a foosball table and a pregnancy tester on the cover are there for good reason.
My own working life has been nothing like Zoe’s, I can't help thinking. Is this really how office mates relate and speak to each other now? Mila’s situation, too, is thankfully not relatable to my experience either. I guess it’s a younger readership that’s intended here. But the exploits of this group as they interact are fun to read about, so it’s something of an educational text for older ones too – those of us who “were cool before they were even born” in the words of Mila.
Short chapters give the viewpoints of the different characters, each reflecting their personalities well.
It's entertaining reading throughout, no matter your age – 16 and above.
Review by Bronwyn Elsmore
Title: Zoe & Mila
Author: Jodie Shelley
Publisher: Bank Street Publishing
ISBN: 9780473728328
RRP: $35
Available: https://www.jodieshelleywrites.com/product-page/zoe-and-mila
Author: Jodie Shelley
Publisher: Bank Street Publishing
ISBN: 9780473728328
RRP: $35
Available: https://www.jodieshelleywrites.com/product-page/zoe-and-mila
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