The Nothing Girl (The Frogmorton Farm Series)

Nothing Girl is a funny, in fact, hilarious book to read. I kept on laughing out loud all the way through this book. My husband was giving me looks when I would burst out laughing. I loved it and will read more of Jodi Taylor's books.

A wonderful tale of a magical horse, ordinary, good people and a nasty, selfish trio. Fun dialogue, animal rescues and a gentle love story included at no extra charge. I like these people and you will too.

I absolutely loved it. There was something so beautiful about Thomas's love for and faith in Jenny. If every kid could have that...
I had laugh out loud moments and actually cried ( not something I do often with books).

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. Some parts required me to suspend belief more than others, but it wasn't so hard to do because the story was so enjoyable. No spoilers here, just a recomenndation for this book as a lovely way to pass a few hours

This author has the gift and the craft for creating enjoyable, quirky characters that are wonderfully capable of carrying an absorbing, character-driven storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three-quarters of the book, and I looked forward to seeing how the issues the heroine faced with her family and her marriage would be worked out (and how she would grow in the process). And then...

***SPOILER ALERT**** ****SPOILER ALERT*** ***SPOILER ALERT****

In the last quarter of the book, I was completely thrown off the tracks by contrived plot machinations that tumbled the story into a sudden, vicious, Agatha Christie-knockoff climax and villainously motivated conflagration. (I am not a mystery/suspense afficionado--where did I miss that in the book description?) The epilogue that followed resembled something from My Little Ponies. (What happened to you, Thomas???) I am giving what I genuinely (!) enjoyed in the book three stars, but I was disappointed at the end. :(

Unusual well written story about an emotionally abused orphan who is supported an taught to via herself by her imaginary horse friend Thomas. This book is funny with a good storyline and likeable characters. I will read it many times.

I quite enjoyed this novel. It captivated my attention and I was unable to put it down. Well written especially the attention to the storyline. I like the way Ms. Taylor twisted the plot and kept you guessing until the ending gave up the truth of who committed the crimes.

This was wonderful. Twists and turns in the story of the life of Jenny Dove, and how a young woman who was once in a prison, managed to live out her life. So many ups and down, Russell was such a villain! Life was so complicated. And people died by accident...or did they? I loved the lovable characters and loathed the loathsome ones, but sometimes it was hard to know which was which. I love Jodi Taylor's books, but I think I loved this one most of all. What a ride it was!
Magic, passion, fear, friendship and love. So many wonderful possibilities and what a bang up ending. I hope she brings them back to us again in a sequel. I can't think of a better book to have read to christen my new kindle Paperwhite!

What a perfectly lovely book. From the first pages I was completely taken with this whimsical girl and her magical world. Didn't want to put it down and stayed up much too late wrapped in Taylor's world.

To be honest, this isn't my normal sort of book. I enjoyed her St. Mary'sbooks, so took a chance on this.
Absolutely loved it. Poignant. Sorrowful. Enlightening.
Few books make me cry, but this was on the list.

I really enjoyed the character development in this story. The author does a great job of capturing the different personalities and quirks of each person. I could almost hear the individual voices in my head as I read them. The story was unique, original and interesting. I adored this author's other series and although this was completely different in context, the quality was there again.

Having read all of Jodi Taylor's 'St. Mary's Chronicles', I was not sure I was ready for something different. How could she do as good, or better?? Well 'The Nothing Girl' is on the top shelf along with the Chronicles. A very enjoyable read, suffused with the wonderful wit and humor that is found in the Chronicles Series. Now I don't care what she writes. I am ready, and eager.

I cannot say I loved this book. I wasn't even sure that I would make it past the first chapter, but I kept with it. I was interested to see how it would turn out, and I admit, I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the journey of Jenny finding herself. I won't spoil anything, but I caught onto the "twist" fairly early and for that, and feeling like it was a little too far-fetched, underdeveloped, and too quickly brushed over for a climatic point in the plot (even for me)...I gave it the 3 stars.

I read everything by Jodi Taylor and love it all. The Nothing Girl is a sweet little story with charactors you will quickly learns to love. There are also some charactors you may not like so much, then there's the donkey...

I love Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St. Mary's series - every one of them - and look forward to more. She has a way of making history real and has encouraged my companion reading in parts of the world's timeline that I never thought to explore before traveling with Max and Ian and Markham. That being said, this book reads like a 19teens Grace Miller White novel. The language and events are both stuffy and the characters are flat. "Nothing" pretty much describes it. Was it practice for the Chronicles series or a way for the author to amuse herself for the time it took to write it? It has all the substance of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

If you're looking for a whimsical relationship type story between a Golden Horse and a girl.......this really isn't it. It's barely about the Golden Horse and the girl at all.

Several things actually bothered me about this book.
1. To make the reader like man that the main character marries he randomly saves dying and sick animals. Not just once but over and over again. Way too much of this. Stupid.
2. I wish there was more story about the main character in the Golden Horse. More character and relationship building. Kind of disappointed about that.
3. Very silly scooby Doo ending.

With all that being considered I did finish this book but it was a real chore at the end.

The Nothing Girl, (Frogmorton Farm 1), Jodi Taylor

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:, Romance, paranormal

Well, an innocuous title for what proved to be an incredible read for me.
I wasn't sure about this book, but its free, so if I didn't like it I didn't need to read/review it. I've not read any of Jodi's other stories, having taken a quick look I'm not sure they're my kind of read but then this one surprised me so maybe someday..
There is a follow up but this book feels like it ends well enough for me and I'm not keen on sequels when I don't need them to feel story is complete.

Poor Jenny, brought up by her aunt and uncle after her parents die she's quiet, hidden away, “Jenny can't cope with/Jenny needs to be protected/Jenny will be upset and unable to speak”.... Its as if her relatives want the best for her, as if they're over protective and yet from the inside they don't really make her welcome, and seem to be happiest when she's tucked away in her room.
She's 13 ( I think) when we first meet her and decided to end her life. No one will miss her she thinks, and she's mulling over the tidiest way to do it, to leave the least mess when along comes Thomas.

Thomas is wonderful, and he feels so real, I adored him. I love all things equestrian anyway and Thomas just felt so very unique, and I had no problem believing in him. I loved when he referred to her as a foal, when he interpreted her snorts of laughter as swear works!
Only Jenny can see him, he's always with her, speaks and advises her and really helps her to cope with life. She's still quietly tucked away but with Thomas help has persuaded her aunt to let her have the whole of the attic where she and Thomas can make hot chocolate, watch TV and relax in their own private, happy space.
That's enough for many years then Thomas seems to decide its time for her to see more people, get more of a life. She doesn't need to work, has money from her parents and he seems to see that she's just becoming totally introverted. She's 29 now and still has to ask her aunt and uncle for permission for things, still believes them when they say she's “special” and can't be allowed freedoms others have, and allude that if she doesn't live quietly with them then she could end up somewhere with far more restrictions.....
And into this quiet, sombre life falls Russell, totally opposite, outwardly chaotic, charms everyone, a golden boy, talented artist whose fallen when he lost his muse. Said muse just happens to be Jenny's cousin Francesca, spoiled, rude, thinks life revolves around her and who had a fling with Russell where he painted her continuously, was at the top of the art tree, and she adored the adulation he gave her, along with his fame of course. Then the next victim comes along and she leaves him for someone who can further her ambitions. You can tell I don't like her ;-) and I was so angry at Russell's fixation, infatuation even when he's trying to help Jenny. And himself, of course, but he has good in him and sees Jenny for who she is, not who her relatives want everyone to think she is.
Jenny and Russell marry, and her life changes so much. She grows fast away from all the restrictions. Of course her relatives aren't happy and make many concerted attempts to bring her back, but Russell is determined, even when he's being a total ass over Francesca. He's truthful with Jenny, tells her how he feels but its an escape for her, the best chance of a life of her own and Thomas encourages her to take the risk.

Its a madcap book in many ways, chaotic at times and yet quietly poignant too, and we see Jenny growing slowly in confidence, finding she can live a life of her own, that there's no reason she needed to be hidden away.
And I kept thinking why did they do it? Were they just ultra protective, was there some reason I'm missing, did they just want their daughter Francesca to shine away from Jenny's light, maybe it was just easier to be a dutiful relative if they didn't have to actually interact much with Jenny.
There are some surprises and twists in store for Russell and Jenny, and some serious drama towards the end..

I went into this thinking it might be a YA, twee kind of read, but soon found myself immersed in Russell and Jenny's world, getting so cross that Russell couldn't see through the b itch Francesca, mentally shouting at his actions, feeling for Jenny and encouraging her to carry on, make plans, and hoping they'd both soon see what was obvious to everyone else.

Stars:Five, a fabulous, escapist read and one I know I'll return to.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher
 

Jenny is The Nothing Girl. She lives with her aunt and uncle who protect her from the world and from being institutionalized. Her cousin Francesca has a brilliant life but has dropped her boyfriend artist Russell Checkland for TV producer Daniel Palmer. Russell unfortunately does not take this well and becomes a drunkard. Jenny bumps into him by accident and they meet up several times at Frogmorton Farm where she helps him decorate. He puts his cards on the table when he asks her to marry him. He needs her inheritance and she needs to get away from her aunt and uncle. She says yes and then all hell breaks loose.

This book is funny, serious and nasty all in one go. There are several hilarious characters: Marilyn, the ever hungry donkey, Boxer the neurotic horse, the tipsy housekeeper and various other waifs and strays both Jenny and Russell collect along the way. Then of course there’s Thomas, Jenny’s imaginary horse. However, someone is trying to either hurt or kill Jenny and she believes it might be Russell.

The ending (without giving any spoilers) is totally unexpected. A lovely cozy book to read with a hint of humor and a little bit of spine chilling suspense. I am definitely going to read this a second time as I enjoyed it so much the first read.

originally posted at long and short reviews

I am a fan of Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's series, and have read (our listened to some on Audible) every one of them, including the short stories, but I almost passed on this novel. For some reason, I thought it was a children's book... between the cover art and the title, I believed this was for middle grade readers. Obviously, I was wrong, and thankfully! Once again, Jodi Taylor has come up with a cast of believable, lovable (and hate-able for the villains) and quirky characters. It is as well-written as the St Mary's books, although the plot is not quite as convoluted (re: simpler) and this main character, Jenny, is not a strong woman like Max, but that's a different story. I eagerly look forward to the short story "My Little Donkey" for a quick side read. Thank you Jodi for yet another fantastic story.

Loved this audiobook! I considered it a touch of the old movie Harvey combined with a contemporary romance set on a British farm that would have been right at home in Mitford :) . . . In the beginning, 13-year-old Jenny Dove begins seeing a golden horse named Thomas on the fateful day she feels her life of grief and isolation is too much to bear. Thomas gives her strength & courage to keep on living. He stays with her even when we jump forward 16 years to rejoin her journey as she meets & marries the charming Russell Checkland, an eccentric artist who fills his home (Frogmorton Farm) with the broken people & animals he encounters in life. The story of how they heal and grow into an unconventional family made me laugh & cry. Charming story & narrator. (A few instances of strong language & an intimate scene.)

Jodi Taylor's "The Nothing Girl" isn't my usual type of book, but a discount offer caught my eye just when I was ready to start something new. Very quickly, I was glad I took a chance on it. "The Nothing Girl" is a fresh, fun story about a group of eccentrics thrown together in a small estate in the English countryside, with the quiet, insecure Jenny the centerpiece of the group. As the story progresses, Jenny soon learns that she isn't as quiet and insecure as she and the people around her had thought.

Jenny gains her gradual, new self awareness amid many entertaining episodes, including animal rescues, an arranged (and later, genuine?) romance, frequent intrigues involving Jenny's relatives, and even, in the later going, a genuine mystery. Oh, also on hand is Jenny's imaginary friend, Thomas the Horse, but this element is done with a light touch and doesn't overwhelm the proceedings with whimsy. In fact, for a golden, talking horse, Thomas lent a good bit of grit and sense to the story when he showed up.

I actually listened to the audiobook version of "The Nothing Girl", which is beautifully read by Lucy Price-Lewis, but I'm sure the book would be equally enjoyable in print or on one's Kindle. Ms. Taylor wrote a great little story here, and I'm going to keep an eye out for more of her stuff.

Jenny is The Nothing Girl. She lives with her aunt and uncle who protect her from the world and from being institutionalized. Her cousin Francesca has a brilliant life but has dropped her boyfriend artist Russell Checkland for TV producer Daniel Palmer. Russell unfortunately does not take this well and becomes a drunkard. Jenny bumps into him by accident and they meet up several times at Frogmorton Farm where she helps him decorate. He puts his cards on the table when he asks her to marry him. He needs her inheritance and she needs to get away from her aunt and uncle. She says yes and then all hell breaks loose.

This book is funny, serious and nasty all in one go. There are several hilarious characters: Marilyn, the ever hungry donkey, Boxer the neurotic horse, the tipsy housekeeper and various other waifs and strays both Jenny and Russell collect along the way. Then of course there’s Thomas, Jenny’s imaginary horse. However, someone is trying to either hurt or kill Jenny and she believes it might be Russell.

The ending (without giving any spoilers) is totally unexpected. A lovely cozy book to read with a hint of humor and a little bit of spine chilling suspense. I am definitely going to read this a second time as I enjoyed it so much the first read.

originally posted at long and short reviews

I am a fan of Jodi Taylor's Chronicles of St Mary's series, and have read (our listened to some on Audible) every one of them, including the short stories, but I almost passed on this novel. For some reason, I thought it was a children's book... between the cover art and the title, I believed this was for middle grade readers. Obviously, I was wrong, and thankfully! Once again, Jodi Taylor has come up with a cast of believable, lovable (and hate-able for the villains) and quirky characters. It is as well-written as the St Mary's books, although the plot is not quite as convoluted (re: simpler) and this main character, Jenny, is not a strong woman like Max, but that's a different story. I eagerly look forward to the short story "My Little Donkey" for a quick side read. Thank you Jodi for yet another fantastic story.

Loved this audiobook! I considered it a touch of the old movie Harvey combined with a contemporary romance set on a British farm that would have been right at home in Mitford :) . . . In the beginning, 13-year-old Jenny Dove begins seeing a golden horse named Thomas on the fateful day she feels her life of grief and isolation is too much to bear. Thomas gives her strength & courage to keep on living. He stays with her even when we jump forward 16 years to rejoin her journey as she meets & marries the charming Russell Checkland, an eccentric artist who fills his home (Frogmorton Farm) with the broken people & animals he encounters in life. The story of how they heal and grow into an unconventional family made me laugh & cry. Charming story & narrator. (A few instances of strong language & an intimate scene.)

Jodi Taylor's "The Nothing Girl" isn't my usual type of book, but a discount offer caught my eye just when I was ready to start something new. Very quickly, I was glad I took a chance on it. "The Nothing Girl" is a fresh, fun story about a group of eccentrics thrown together in a small estate in the English countryside, with the quiet, insecure Jenny the centerpiece of the group. As the story progresses, Jenny soon learns that she isn't as quiet and insecure as she and the people around her had thought.

Jenny gains her gradual, new self awareness amid many entertaining episodes, including animal rescues, an arranged (and later, genuine?) romance, frequent intrigues involving Jenny's relatives, and even, in the later going, a genuine mystery. Oh, also on hand is Jenny's imaginary friend, Thomas the Horse, but this element is done with a light touch and doesn't overwhelm the proceedings with whimsy. In fact, for a golden, talking horse, Thomas lent a good bit of grit and sense to the story when he showed up.

I actually listened to the audiobook version of "The Nothing Girl", which is beautifully read by Lucy Price-Lewis, but I'm sure the book would be equally enjoyable in print or on one's Kindle. Ms. Taylor wrote a great little story here, and I'm going to keep an eye out for more of her stuff.

I absolutely love this series by Jodi Taylor, and desperately hope that she will bring us back to Jenny, Russell, Marilyn, et al. many times! The humor and sensitivity in the characters is a delight, and Jodi weaves in a darned good plot to go along with them. I have re-read these many times, revisiting Frogmorton Farm and its delightful inhabitants. More please, Ms. Taylor!

I love all of Jodi Taylor's works. I was a little worried about a romance book, but it was so cute! There is some fantasy thrown in, but it works beautifully. As with any of Taylor's works, it is the humor that is the main draw. It can drive the plot without you realizing it. I was a little annoyed with the "You're good for him" trope, but other than that, I could not ask for anything else in a book you want when you just want to calm down and relax..

The first time I read Jodi Taylor, I thought, "Where has this author been all my life?" Thoroughly enjoyed "The Nothing Girl." When the Audible ended, I started it again. Now that I'm almost through it the second time, I've snapped up "The Something Girl" and the free Audible of "Little Donkey." (Pro Tip: If you listen to the Audible, turn it off in the grocery story. People stare when you laugh out loud.)

I'll admit, at first I was sceptical. A grown woman with an imaginary friend? Wait, the imaginary friend is a ... HORSE? I set aside my scepticism and I'm SO glad I did! If the mark of a good book is that it has you laughing and crying in equal measure, then The Nothing Girl is a GREAT book. The characters are so well-drawn, the plot is interesting, the unlikely heroine is totally original. Add a pinch of love, attempted murder and donkey with a voice like a claxon ... what more do you need? Read this book, it will make you happy.

What a touching, moving side to Jodi Taylor's writing that we only get occasional glimpses of in her funny, exciting, dramatic St. Mary's time travel series. This stand-alone novel is exquisite in its portrayal of a young woman, fraught with self esteem issues who climbs to her rich potential in spite of those who would hold her back. I cannot say enough good about Ms. Taylor's ability to speak through Jenny --and, yes, her golden horse, Thomas. Anyone who has been damaged and survived will find hope and confirmation in this great story.

Loved the story! Although I'm not in the same situation as Jenny Dove was...I do wish I had a mystical golden horse to help me through my days.

My only issue was that since it was written by an English author, the language/words/terms/cliques used, made it awkward (at times) to understand. But, once I figured it out - all was well.

Jenny was an inspiration to me --- and I feel that her story (although fictional) has motivated me to be stronger in my own life.

Beautiful. Delicate. Hugely impactful. Emotional and insightful . The imagery of the companion who is the nothing girl's strength for so long tugs at my heart. Tears were shed even knowing there was hope amidst change. Thank you for your work.

I started this book at 11:00 pm one night and didn't put it down until I finished it. I had to keep my chuckling to myself so as not to wake my husband and work the next day was challenging :-) Good book, I missed the characters afterwards.

Scattered. Couldn't decide what it wanted to be.

I saw the review rating and I thought I was in good shape, but... WOW.

Read like a first draft. Hard to follow because of grouping of paragraphs and the dialogue was structured oddly.