The Dr. Pepper Prophecies

Chocoholic Series, Book 1

By: Jennifer Gilby Roberts

Narrated by: Elan O'Connor

A laugh-out-loud chick lit/romantic comedy novel. Written with dry wit and just a touch of insanity. If you're a fan of Sophie Kinsella, Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones's Diary), Marian Keyes, or Jane Costello, or just love your romcoms, you'll love this!

Twenty-five-year-old Mel Parker has a few tiny problems:

• Her job is terrible
• She's been dumped yet again
• Her ex is now her boss
• Her parents think she's a loser compared to her perfect younger sister
• All her efforts to improve her life seem doomed to failure
• There just isn't enough chocolate in the world to make up for the above

The one good thing in her life has always been her best friend, Will, who has seen her through every crisis from lost toys to pregnancy scares. But his girlfriend (who's prettier, better-dressed, more successful, and secretly evil) is determined to replace Mel as the woman in his life, and how is Mel supposed to compete?

So what do you do when you've pretty much given up on your own life? Help others, of course!

After all, what's the worst that can happen?

©2002-2014 Jennifer Roberts (P)2014 Jennifer Roberts

Critic reviews

"From the moment I started reading this story, I was hooked and I couldn't put it down. I was having a bad day and feeling a little depressed at the time, but this book made me laugh so hard!"(Meredith's Rambles & Babbles)

Fabulous!

Any additional comments?

Overall, I loved the e-book. I have not read the printed version. The narration was singularly splendid and spot on. And there's a lovely quality to Elan O'Connor's voice that makes the book sing.

First things first: I'm a dude

Would you listen to The Dr. Pepper Prophecies again? Why?

Yes - I'd totally listen again, and the answer "why" is simple: the narrator. Whoever this is, she seemed to not only "get" this character, but completely brought to life the story, the other characters, and made everything that much better. I can't wait to "read" the next in this series - that is, if there is one. (THERE BETTER BE :) )

What did you like best about this story?

It's just flat-out charming.

Which character – as performed by Elan O'Connor – was your favorite?

The lead - Mel. She's funny, quirky, upbeat, a little dirty ... I'd date her :)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud several times - and actually had to pause to Google some stuff (blue cervix?) - Mostly I was just so pleasantly surprised. I got this on a friend's recommendation (she'd read the book, thought I might find it funny), as I'm writing a script currently about the British dating scene and have gone through the "Bridget Jones" books already. I figured this would be a cheap knock-off, but ended up really really liking it on its own merits.

Any additional comments?

Check it out!

Also, Elan O'Connor - are you Irish? Single? Read me more books, yes and thank you.

Loved it! Hooked 1/2 way through the 1st chapter!

If you could sum up The Dr. Pepper Prophecies in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious
Quirky
Relaxed

Have you listened to any of Elan O'Connor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but i loved it! Wonderful performance!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the beginning when she was trying to tell if she was pregnant!

Any additional comments?

This was the funniest book I've listened to for a while! I enjoyed every min of it! Fun!

What's the worst that could happen?

Any additional comments?

Dr Pepper had an add campaign with the theme "What's the worst that can happen", which is an ongoing theme in this book. Of course, whenever Mel, the main character, said "What's the worst that can happen" things tended to fall apart in a spectacularly hilarious fashion. The opening pages of this book had me laughing out loud at the ridiculous situation Mel got herself into inside an airplane toilet. This romantic comedy is full of pop culture references and had a best friend to boyfriend storyline. There were times when I wanted to shake Mel and tell her exactly how to sort her life out, but she got there in the end.

I listened to the audiobook version, which I received free in exchange for an honest review. I often have to speed up the narration as I find it too slow, but I didn't need to with this book. The narrator used a Brittish accent for the majority of the book, which was not her natural accent, but I found it pleasant to listen to. She attempted an Australian accent for one of the characters, which made me cringe, but then I have never heard a non native Australian do an Australian accent that didn't make me cringe.

Well worth reading

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was a bit predictable but still great.

Which character – as performed by Elan O'Connor – was your favorite?

I really enjoyed Beth. She had a few secrets that I never expected.

Any additional comments?

Mel has a few problems but hey who doesn't? Her ex is her boss, she doesn't much like her job and her family doesn't realise she exists. But... she has a best friend, she has a flat mate and she thinks she's a great matchmaker. What more do you need? This book covered a large number of anecdotes which are easily relatable. They are written well and the laughter came regularly. I don't know if I would read it again but it was worth listening to at least once. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.