Lindsey Kelk strikes an astounding note again with this wonderful, laugh-out-loud novel. Who knew that mixing elements of My Fair Lady with Instagram could produce such a great story? I suppose when it’s an accomplished, best-selling author with the pen/laptop, the combination is almost guaranteed to be magical. Believe me, that’s exactly what One In A Million is!
The premise:
Annie Higgins has pretty much abandoned all hope of finding true love any time soon. Much as she doesn’t like to admit, she’s not completely over the break-up of her last relationship (not made easier when said ex-boyfriend proposes to his new girlfriend on TV). She’s also trying to focus all of her attention on her new digital marketing agency – she can help someone build their online profile but she can’t seem to make them pay her.
So when a co-tenant of their office building challenges her to a bet – make a stranger Instagram-famous in thirty days in exchange for a month’s rent – she immediately accepts.
Unfortunately, the individual chosen for online stardom is Dr. Samuel Page, a reclusive historian who doesn’t even want to answer his office door, let alone set-up any social media accounts.
Can Annie win him round? Or will her endlessly determined, competitive nature have to accept defeat?
Review:
This is undoubtedly a proper ‘feel-good’ novel. It’s actually perfect summer reading: a great cast of characters, an interesting plot, and the open, witty writing that Lindsey Kelk excels at.
Annie Higgins is a fantastic main character. I was engaged in her story from the start – she’s not perfect (who is?) but I understood why she was so competitive and relentlessly determined. Establishing those nuances in characters is often the key that makes a good story into a great one, and here, that’s exactly what happens. Everything from her tiny London flat to her relationship with her friends/business partners felt real, not least because of the wry humour that coursed through the narrative and the dialogue.
Dr. Page’s resolve to stay true to his own personality and ideas was as strong as Annie’s determination to change pretty much everything about him to make him ‘Instagram-able’. Again, the complexity of this was explored beautifully. On the one hand, why should he change how he looks and expresses himself (especially for a bet between two complete strangers)? On the other hand, though, is it right that he stay shut quite literally in his history books?
The first meeting between Annie and Samuel was, quite honestly, hilarious – both the ridiculous nature of their encounter and the tension between their personalities provided some real laugh-out-loud moments. I loved the little references to this encounter as the novel continued.
‘When you shut yourself off from an entire section of life, you miss out on some amazing stuff.’
‘And if you walk around with your nose glued to a screen, you miss out on life altogether.’
The concept itself was a fun and insightful look at how we use social media, and I enjoyed how balanced it was. Online platforms have their flaws, but they’re also fantastic means of connecting with people around the world; of sharing our stories and hearing others.
At its core, that’s what One In A Million is about: learning to understand a completely opposed point of view to your own without necessarily needing to change your own completely. The echoes of My Fair Lady are certainly there (Kelk has said that the idea for this book came when she was watching the film and looking at Instagram stories) but they are just that – echoes in a contemporary setting. I found that there was more balance in presenting Annie and Samuel’s perspectives, and indeed the whole idea of ‘fitting in’ with current trends.
The progression of the story felt much more natural because of this, although Kelk created some amazing little twists. One I had an inkling of quite early, but another just made my insides flip. That I felt for the characters so much in that moment is testament to how well this novel crafted.
Honourable mentions:
Miranda and Brian – Annie really does have great friends. They’re supportive when they need to be, but are also not afraid to pull Annie up on her behaviour when they need to. The banter between the three of them is amazing!
Breaking glass ceilings – there were two triumphant ‘punch their air’ moments in the book that I certainly appreciated. It was also significant because this character had questioned their own ability to achieve success in these situations.
Wellington – here’s a character who knows what he wants and how to get it (or convince other people to get it for him). His personality is certainly unique, if not always initially pleasing. Also, he’s a cat, which automatically qualifies him for a ‘best character’ nomination.
Overall:
One In A Million is a great read: fun, poignant, and engaging. Lindsey Kelk brings all the charm that has made her books so popular and works it into this wonderful story that asks some interesting questions.
Can you make someone Instagram-famous in thirty days? And more importantly, should you?
————————————————
*One In A Million, written by Lindsey Kelk, was published by HarperCollins UK in 2018
*Thanks so much to Felicity and Team HarperCollins for sending the beautiful pin badges and mug with my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.
Life with Literature 