The Cupid Effect

The Blurb

There’s something magical about Ceri D’Altroy . . .

After leaving London to follow her heart’s desire to become a psychology lecturer, Ceri D’Altroy vows to leave her matchmaking ways behind her for good. Unfortunately, all she seems to do is inspire the new people she meets to change their lives.

There’s Ed, who’s decided to declare his love to a woman who is way out of his league; Mel and Claudine, two long-term friends who are now tempted to start an illicit affair; and Gwen, the chain-smoking head of department who has a deep, dark secret she only wants to share with her new employee.

No-one who comes into contact with Ceri is ever the same again. Could this unsuspecting young woman be modern-day Cupid?

A delicious comedy about love, life and following your heart…

About The Book

The Cupid Effect is my first novel and was inspired by my ability to sort other people’s lives but not having as much clarity when it comes to my own life. There are a few (ahem!) similarities between me and the main character: I do watch a lot of Oprah and I own – and have read – rather a lot of self-help books (but, it’s not an autobiography and anybody who recognises themselves in the book should buy another copy, just to be sure).

Oprah and self-help books did inspire me to do a Ceri D’Altroy and follow my heart, which meant enjoying as much of my life as I can.

Reviews

‘Ceri D’Altroy is the girl who fixes everyone else’s love lives but can’t fix her own, instead relying on a steady diet of comfort food and comfort TV. She hero-worships Oprah Winfrey, but one day Ceri decides to follow her heart, leaves London and moves to Leeds to become a research student. But will a change of scene mean a change of love luck? Chatty and heaving with funny lines, Dorothy Koomson’s first novel leaves you hoping for more.’ Closer

‘Ceri’s obsession with talk shows has given her the courage to kick-start her dream career, but turning into Oprah has meant sacrificing her own love life to concentrate on match-making others. A hilarious read.’ OK’s Hot Stars

‘When Ceri D’Altroy decides to take Oprah Winfrey’s advice and follow her dreams, it leads to binning her job and heading to Leeds and the world of academia. Within days, her habit of getting involved in other people’s lives means she has outed the secret relationship of two of her colleagues and spiced up the love life of her flatmate. A funny, quirky read.’ Company

‘Dorothy Koomson’s first novel tells the story of Ceri D’Altroy, who has taken a chance on the advice of Oprah and followed her dream path to Leeds. When she gets there, romantic fireworks start going off. But although Ceri seem to light the touch paper, she’s too busy helping other people with their love lives to enjoy any saucy whizz bangs herself. Will Ceri ever have a love life of her own worth to mention? Will people, including perfect strangers, ever stop sharing their most intimate secrets with Ceri in return for her highly sought-after but rather inexperienced advice? And will her obsession with Angel, the 250-year-old TV vampire, eventually spiral out of control? All is revealed in this gem of a read, which will keep you from nodding off on the train and make fellow passengers sit up and take notice when you titter out loud. In a nutshell: A page-turning, bang-up-to-date romantic comedy and a must for every woman’s handbag.’ Spirit & Destiny

‘Setting off from London to Leeds for a new life, Ceri vows to leave behind her old matchmaking antics. But can she help herself? A laugh-out-loud, feelgood page-turner.’ She

‘Dorothy Koomson makes an impressive debut with a quirky, original, wise novel. Ceri’s always sorting out everybody else’s love life, but can’t ever seem to sort her own. This is a totally enjoyable story full of believable characters and situations.’ New Woman

‘How Oprah can change your life . . . We at Mango are really excited about fresh new talent Dorothy Koomson. Having written for the likes of the Guardian and Marie Claire, Dorothy decided to try her hand at fiction, and the result is this irresistibly funny and quirky debut.’ BOL

‘If you’re looking for a great read, then check out The Cupid Effect, a fantastic new debut novel written by Dorothy Koomson. Out from Piatkus, it tells the tale of Ceri an Oprah-obsessed woman, who follows her dream of going back to college. But after a few days, she finds herself busy playing Cupid – and disrupting lives! A funny look at love, life and matchmaking you won’t be able to put it down!’ All About Soap

‘Although only published in the UK at present we make no apologies for recommending this book. It’s a delicious comedy about love, life and following your heart . . . Written by a well-connected young journalist and published just in time for Valentine’s Day, this would make a wonderful present, but make sure you read it first – it’s too good to give away!’ Book World Gazette

‘Whether you are reading on the Tube or tucked up in bed, when a novel breezes along as brightly as this you simply cannot put it down. Dorothy Koomson writes about the matchmaking exploits of her heroine Ceri D’Altroy with such gusto that you sometimes wonder if she can keep the energy up for almost 300 pages. But she does and you feel completely caught up in her cautionary tale about following your heart’s desire rather than meddling in other people’s romances. Ceri may look just like any other modern miss wandering around Bromley shopping centre on a Saturday, but this magazine writer has turned into a secret Oprah lover – indeed, she watches far too much Oprah Winfrey for her own good. Bored with suburban life she takes Oprah’s advice and follows her heart’s desire by going back to college. But instead of lecturing she stars playing Cupid for others, only to discover that her own life is revolving around deadly normal blokes. It’s a comedy with a twist and also provides a wry commentary on growing older and learning to live without long-term sex for the rest of your natural life. What’s love got to do with it? Read and find out.’ What’s On In London

‘For Valentine’s Day you could propose to your lover or take them for a romantic meal somewhere swish. Or, if you’re looking for less emotional and financial commitment, you could buy them a book. For lively chick-fic try The Cupid Effect by Dorothy Koomson.’ The Daily Mirror

‘Ceri has reunited a parted couple and urged her flatmate to act on his unrequited love. So what will happen when she turns her attention to her own love life?’ Woman’s Own