Bookseller Reviews
View all
A must read for people who feel like they are wasting their time sacrificing their sense of self to please other people!
I have followed Bryony Gordon on Instagram since I read her book 'You Got This' when I was thirteen in 2019. It was a fantastic guide for teenage girls abo... READ MORE
Synopsis
'You’re so desperate to make everybody else happy that you’ve forgotten what makes you happy. You’ve not just forgotten it, you’ve abandoned it, on a bonfire full of all your other hopes and dreams. A bonfire you’re too scared to light in case the neighbours report you to the council.'
Olivia Greenwood has been trying very hard to please people for a very long time.
But today is going to change Olivia in a big way. A soul-crushing career disappointment, a fiery young woman with a chip on her shoulder and a cigarette in her hand, and one single blue hallucinogenic gummy all lead to a raucous night out and one hell of a hangover. And when Olivia wakes up the next morning, it seems she’s unable to please anyone but HERSELF.
So who actually is Olivia Greenwood, when she’s not trying to be what everyone else wants her to be?
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241747438
- Number of pages: 304
- Dimensions: 242 x 163 x 29 mm
- Weight: 496g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allRecognisable, relatable and laugh out loud!
Loved this book which has a focus on how women are brought up to be “people pleasers” and how one woman fights back with a load of epiphany moments that al... READ MORE
Totally relatable
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley. It was an enjoyable book with a good dollop of humour. Totally relatable for many women especially those juggling... READ MORE
Laugh out loud funny, but with heart
In Bryony Gordon's 'People Pleaser' Olivia Greenwood is forced to change from someone who spent their whole life bending themselves into shapes that made o... READ MORE
A great read!
Olivia is a people pleaser, she has been all her life .
She’s not had an easy childhood .
Her parents are now divorced and her father an alcoholic is liv... READ MORE
excellent read
People Pleaser is a fiercely funny and unexpectedly tender exploration of what happens when a lifelong good girl finally snaps — or rather, wakes up after ... READ MORE
An engaging read
Bryony Gordon is a great writer and this story flows along at a good pace. After the first 20% or so I started to think that this was just another 'woe is ... READ MORE
laugh out loud, feel good novel for recovering people pleasers everywhere
Olivia Greenwood is frank, fearless and fabulous. The only problem is that she is currently in fawn mode as a life long people pleaser. When a chance meeti... READ MORE
Loved it
Like many of us Olivia is a people pleaser. But she starts to question just where it has got her in life. Working as a journalist for the local paper for o... READ MORE
OK read
I havent read any of Bryony Gordon's books before and enjoyed this one, with a slightly different way of calling out misogyny and allowing a woman to put h... READ MORE
Made me think
Not as light and fluffy as I thought it was going to be, it actually made me think quite a bit. Olivia and her situation were quite sad until she was awake... READ MORE
Humorous story
Olivia is a people pleaser, always putting others before herself. However, failing to get the job she had been hoping for, she is downhearted. When an un... READ MORE
A rebellious, rowdy, and riotous read
A rebellious, rowdy, and riotous read about life in one woman's world tackling family dynamics, career goals and everything you'd expect in a mid-life cris... READ MORE
A fab, funny tale of family and finding yourself
Olivia, the main character here, is not just a people pleaser but a complete doormat, so much so that the first few scene-setting chapters made me anxious!... READ MORE
Great debut novel
This was a great read which really resonated with me as a bona fide people pleaser. Great fun, uncannily accurate and informative I really enjoyed it.
Tha... READ MORE
Watch who you drink with!!!
An Awesome Read, something different from the norm and refreshing witty and well you should read to find out its well worthy of doing so.
Olivia defini... READ MORE
Fun and funny
As someone who has spent her life as a people pleaser, always trying to be liked and compliant, I felt that I couldn't pass up on this book. It's interesti... READ MORE
.
A mildly amusing story that unfortunately is all too familiar with the majority of women today. It does raise some serious issues in a light hearted manne... READ MORE
A cwake up call
A wake up call.
I think that we are all to some extent, people pleasers, we want to be liked, popular and fit in with everyone else, but what happens when... READ MORE
Escapist fun
Olivia is polite to a fault, she always tries to support and please those around her but Olivia is on the edge. When she doesn't get the promotion she exp... READ MORE
Somethings are worth fighting for
Olivia Greenwood is a middle-aged married woman with two children. She has grown up believing that every problem must be solved by her and that if her work... READ MORE
what happens when a female finds her voice
What happens when a female finds her voice. Instead of being a people pleaser at the expense of her own happiness and wellbeing Olivia stands up for hersel... READ MORE
Thought provoking read
The cover of this made me think it would be quite a fun, easygoing read and whilst it does have its lighthearted moments it’s focus on mental health (some ... READ MORE
Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes
Olivia is one of those people who is terrified of getting things wrong. She’s spent her whole life putting everybody else first & after an encounter with a... READ MORE
People pleasing!
I chose to read this book as I am known to be a people pleaser. Much as this book is lighthearted, it does touch on a subject that affects many people espe... READ MORE
A very good, very different read
At first I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book. However, I persevered and despite having to look up who Erling Haaland was! I soon became caught up... READ MORE
Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes
Olivia is one of those people who is terrified of getting things wrong. She’s spent her whole life putting everybody else first & after an encounter with a... READ MORE
fabulous
I’ve read lots of Bryony’s non-fiction and used to be an avid reader of her column in The Telegraph, so 8 was delighted to be offered an arc by NetGalley a... READ MORE
Witty and entertaining
A witty and relatable story about Olivia Greenwood, a forty something journalist, wife and mum who has spent her life to date conforming to what she though... READ MORE
No more Mrs Nice Girl
This is not my normal type of book so I was surprised how quickly I became immersed in it. Olivia is a people pleaser and has been for years, to the point ... READ MORE
Full of fun....
This story is full of fun and laughs. A real page turner. It made me think a bit too.
I enjoyed reading this book very much.
loved it
What happens when a female finds her voice. Instead of being a people pleaser at the expense of her own happiness and wellbeing Olivia stands up for hersel... READ MORE
Loved this book!
I was excited to read this book as I have long been an admirer of Bryony Gordon, her book ‘Glorious Rock Bottom’ was a superb read, albeit not fiction like... READ MORE
Extremely pleasing
Bryony Gordon usually makes me laugh and she does not disappoint in this new novel. Watching Olivia Greenwood turn from a doormat to a confident, unapologe... READ MORE
Wish fulfilment!
Wish fulfilment for every woman who’s had enough of pandering and people pleasing and being nice to those who really don’t deserve it! I could very much se... READ MORE
People Pleaser
I want to be Olivia Greenwood... Well, I want her kick-butt attitude, but maybe a wee tad toned down! Although, that said, I am doing better not giving a w... READ MORE
An enjoyable read
Imagine a day when you finally begin to speak your mind, after years of doing so, to keep everyone around you happy?
This is the premise for the story, wh... READ MORE
Warm, funny and relatable
I devoured People Pleaser by Bryony Gordon. A treat of a novel – warm, funny and relatable, serving up common issues of burnout and zero emotional boundari... READ MORE
A great read
This was a great read which really resonated with me as a bona fide people pleaser. Great fun, uncannily accurate and informative I really enjoyed it.
Th... READ MORE
Witty and Warm
I absolutely loved the character of Olivia. This book is absolutely spot on! Witty, warm and great writing. Highly recommended.
This incredible book is tender, funny, raw, heartbreaking and jam-packed with love
Olivia Greenwood, I LOVE YOU!
After decades of being treated like a doormat by her family and her colleagues, belittled by her mother and seemingly for... READ MORE
A quick and enjoyable read which I think will strike a chord with many women
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
3.5 up to 4.
This is a quick and enjoyable read. As a person older than the a... READ MORE
Witty but intelligent book
The first book I have read by Bryony Gordon. A witty but intelligent book with plenty to keep this reader interested. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley... READ MORE
Wickedly Funny. Olivia is my hero.
4.5
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Olivia Greenwood wants to please everyone - her mother, her sister, her husband, her kids, her colleagues and her b... READ MORE
a pleasure
Olivia bends over backwards to fit in and make everyone like her especially her creepy boss at the leading Newspaper, 'The Morning'. She constantly berates... READ MORE
A Must Read!
I don't even know where to begin here!
Ok, well, I absolutely adore Bryony's writing style, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, so I had a feeling I'd... READ MORE
Thought provoking for the mature woman
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley. An enjoyable book with a good dollop of humour. Totally relatable for many women especially those juggling many d... READ MORE
Good read
People Pleaser is an easy read about an important subject. The main character Olivia has been a “yes” girl throughout her whole career until the day she me... READ MORE
I loved this book
I think this book will resonate with every woman, mother, wife daughter, sister, employee, so busy being pulled in every direction, there is no time to jus... READ MORE
So funny and intelligent
I very much enjoyed getting to meet Olivia and follow her journey of self discovery from chronic people pleaser to saying exactly what she thinks. Her marr... READ MORE
Full of fun......
This story is full of fun and laughs. It made me think a bit too! A real page turner. I enjoyed reading this book immensely.
wild and joyous ride
Olivia Greenwood is a people pleaser. Her whole life is dedicated to everyone else’s needs.
However, when Olivia is not given the promotion for the new ... READ MORE
What if it wasn’t your house that got identified by What Three Words but you?
Well, if you’re Olivia Greenwood, those three words are Frank Fearless Funny.
Or at least, that’s what her byline says because she is a features journa... READ MORE
Definitely one for your Spring TBR
If you’ve ever smiled while dying inside, this book is for you. It’s sharp, incredibly cathartic & watching Olivia find her "No" was brilliantly funny.
D... READ MORE
A sharp, funny and surprisingly empowering read
People Pleaser by Bryony Gordon is a sharp, funny and surprisingly empowering read that sneaks up on you with its emotional depth. What begins as a very fa... READ MORE
A thought provoking, relatable page turner
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.
3.5 up to 4.
This is a quick and enjoyable read. As a person older than the a... READ MORE
I’m a people pleaser
Sometimes you just need to put your foot down and see what happens.Olivia Greenwood has always been a people pleaser, in her lacklustre job as a journalist... READ MORE
Frank funny and empowering
This is only the second book I have read by Bryony Gordon and I found it enlightening relatable
People pleaser epitomises the middle aged women who are ju... READ MORE
A Fabulous Read!
Olivia Greenwood is a textbook people pleaser, at work, at home, with strangers she encounters, she just needs to make everyone happy and she never wants t... READ MORE
A fun book which touches on some serious issues
People Pleaser by Bryony Gordon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Olivia (not Liv!) has spent a lifetime pleasing people, doing what she what she could to please everyone aroun... READ MORE
Deeply relatable!
Honest, witty, and deeply relatable, People Pleaser by Bryony Gordon is a refreshing and heartfelt read. Gordon shares her experiences with humour and vuln... READ MORE
Because we’re all people pleasers
This was a slightly different choice for me, picked up purely based on the description, and I’m glad I gave it a go.
Olivia Greenwood is a character man... READ MORE
Lots of fun
Olivia Greenwood is an entirely relatable character. She’s spent her entire life trying to make other people happy, at work and at home, and she’s lost sig... READ MORE
Funny, relatable and heartwarming
People Pleaser by Bryony Gordon tells the tale of Olivia Greenwood. She has been putting up with doing the dirty work of other people around her for the la... READ MORE
A really enjoyable read!
Olivia Greenwood is a textbook people pleaser, at work, at home, with strangers she encounters, she just needs to make everyone happy and she never wants t... READ MORE
This is a must read book!
A very relatable book!
Olivia thinks and has always thought that the only way to get on in life is to be a people pleaser, to make sure that everyone is h... READ MORE
Made me laugh out loud
In Bryony Gordon's 'People Pleaser' Olivia Greenwood is forced to change from someone who spent their whole life bending themselves into shapes that made o... READ MORE
People Pleaser
Olivia is a people pleaser. She is a journalist who has been overlooked for promotion. Her boss Stephen gives her the job of organising the centenian celeb... READ MORE
It's never too late for change!
Olivia has spent her life trying to fit in, ensuring everyone else’s comfort before her own in the belief that people will like her but when she is passed ... READ MORE
Funny & Chaotic. Emotionally Poignant & A Must Read.
When I read the blurb for this book, I immediately knew it was one I HAD to read. As a recovering people pleaser, I had high hopes for this story that prom... READ MORE
Pleasing
I am glad to have read this, it wouldn't have been something I would usually pick up but as an ARC and a sound concept what's a girl to do....apparently ta... READ MORE
Very relatable and enjoyable!
I really enjoyed this book and found a lot of it very relatable. The title alone appealed to me straight away! Being a people pleaser myself, I felt like t... READ MORE
Worth reading
I found this book very funny to start with when Olivia wanted to please everyone apart from herself. When she meets Rose and has a drunken night out helpe... READ MORE
A very good engaging read.
I think this book will resonate with every woman, mother, wife daughter, sister, employee, so busy being pulled in every direction, there is no time to jus... READ MORE
Hard recommend!
Bryony Gordon usually makes me laugh and she does not disappoint in this new novel. Watching Olivia Greenwood turn from a doormat to a confident, unapologe... READ MORE
Get past the first chapter, then you’ll be totally hooked!
I was excited to read this book as I have long been an admirer of Bryony Gordon, her book ‘Glorious Rock Bottom’ was a superb read, albeit not fiction like... READ MORE
People Pleaser
Being a recently reformed people pleaser myself, and a similar age to the protagonist Olivia, I really identified with both her and her story. She tries so... READ MORE
Midlifer mum fiction which had me cheering for the strong women
Loved this story of midlifer and Mum, realising that Gen X have been sold a lie that we can have it all!
This story really resonated with me, as a mid fo... READ MORE
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