The Debt & the Doormat

By: Laura Barnard

Narrated by: Elisa Hilton

Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Poppy and Jazz have been best friends since the first week of uni. Whenever these two get together, trouble isn't far away - and things haven't changed much. When Jazz gets herself into financial trouble, Poppy, being a good friend, offers to help. Instead, she ends up being talked into swapping lives, with Jazz insisting it will be good and will help her get over her broken heart.

Poppy is thrown into a new life full of crazy housemates: there's fitness freak Izzy, horrendously beautiful bitch Grace, and the slightly gorgeous, if not incredibly grumpy, Ryan. Quickly, with the help of Jazz, her life is thrown upside down. Madness ensues, and her need to please everyone gets her in more trouble than she could ever imagine.

Before she knows it, she's got a fake boyfriend and is hiding so many secrets that she's scared they'll spill out at any minute. With a bullying boss, a sex-crazed colleague, a mental mother, and three brothers -each with their own dramas - life has gotten pretty difficult for Poppy. And all of this would be much easier if she could just stop falling over.

Will she get her life back to normal before her brother's upcoming wedding? And will she want to?

©2013 Laura Barnard (P)2015 Laura Barnard

drama lamas

I'm a type 'A' person, so I hated Jazz and could have cheerfully choked the life out of her from the first page until the end. She used and abused Poppy. I cringed at Jazz's actions and words so much that my shoulders are now permanently stuck up by my ears from the gesture. I did like how protective and invested Poppy's new roommates were. If there's any mercy in the world Poppy's mom will lose the gift of speech permanently. She's a selfish superficial trouble maker. Why did Poppy keep her end of the deal with Jazz, when Jazz blatantly doesn't??? By the end of the book I could throttle Poppy for letting everyone run over her wishes. It takes the ultimate trauma for Poppy to finally stand up. smh!! Jazz's declaration was very much expected as it was hinted at frequently. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing it to life.

A fun mess

The Debt & the Doormat
By: Laura Barnard
Narrated by: Elisa Hilton
Book 1 of 3

Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins

I listened to this book at 1.50x

After listening to this to long book, I could help thinking of a post I saw on Facebook. It is the only way to describe this book. But first this is a story of 2 friends who decided to live each other lives for awhile. One super straight laced and one irresponsible party girl.

Ok Facebook post that describe book.

I needed to do the laundry, but then I realized I was out of detergent, so I went to write a shopping list and realized how unorganized the junk drawer was, and started checking pens for ink.
When I went to toss all the junk, I saw that the trash was full, but before I took it out I wanted to get rid of old food in the fridge. Thats when I realized the juice jug had leaked and I had to clean it up but when I went to grap a rag, I saw that the pantry closet was a nightmare so I started organizing it.
And thats how I ended up on the floor looking at my old photo albums from 1990s. And not doing laundry.

Narrated by: Elisa Hilton She did a fantastic job. I was able to run with her from here to there.

Poppy is great

Ok, have you ever seen the movie Bridget Jones’ Diary? OMG this book totally reminds me of that movie. The inner dialog, the crap luck…it’s all just a perfect disaster. I laughed so hard at all the things that happened. So embarrassing yet funny to the bone.

I’m not really sure why Poppy allows Jazz to just switch their lives and she ends up with the shit end of the stick. She goes from her cozy apartment to Jazz’s shared rundown apartment. All in the hopes that she is helping Jazz sort out her debt and live a little. They are supposed to be bestfriends but to me it seems like Jazz is self-centered and NOT a very good friend. AT ALL. She’s a bit too pushy and does things friends should not.

Drama and disaster seem to follow Poppy everywhere she goes. She tries so hard to please everyone that she forgets who she is. In the end, Jazz’s idea, although it was a total disaster at every turn, worked for Poppy. She finds herself. I loved this book so much. I can’t wait to listen to the next one.

New to Me Author!

This was my very first read and listen from this author, and it did not disappoint! Great job!

Can't wait for Book 2 in the series - loved it!

Give me more of Poppy and Jazz. I loved them and laughed all the way through the book. I love chick-lit books but with everything going on in the world, reading a book that makes me escape and laugh is priceless. The Debt & The Doormat did just that for me.

I really relate to Poppy! Always trying to do the right thing, responsibilities first, fun last. However, most bizarre things happen to Poppy that had me laughing until my sides hurt. Two best friends there for each other through thick and thin or wax and glue!

Loved all the characters.....Poppy's family (all brothers and a crazy mom and aunt), Grace, Izzy, and Ryan who share a house with Jazz (but Poppy and Jazz switch places), Poppy's co-workers and boss and Poppy's neighbors (setting a fire - OMG!). Love it so much I have started book 2 - The Baby & The Bride (still loving it and laughing)!

Chick Lit / Rom Com

The Debt & The Doormat by Laura Barnard is a chick lit that I listened to on audio narrated by Elisa Hilton.

I absolutely love Laura’s books! They always leave me with a smile on my face. I absolutely loved all the quirky characters: Poppy, Jazz, Izzy, Lily, Grace, and Ryan. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series The Baby & The Bride so I can get more of Poppy and Jazz’s crazy adventurous.

Elisa did an amazing job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future. I did notice a few sections where passages were repeated. But overall it didn’t take away from the story.

I would highly recommend this series if you love Chick Lits or Romantic Comedies.

These two friends are a hot mess of hilarity!

I sort of split time between the audio and the ebook on this one.

1.) Hilarious!
2.) Poppy needs to learn to speak up.
3.) Jazz is that friend you adore but at the same time want to strangle.
4.) Why is Poppy friends with Lily again?
5.) Your twenties are so confusing.
6.) Ryan is HOT, but also a manslut. (He slept with 2 of 3 roommates, and well, I guess it's now 3 of 3)
7.) Jazz is well intentioned but kinda oblivious to the trouble her intentions cause.
8.) I think I had a hangover reading/listening to this.
9.) Definitely a cautionary tale about drinking too much. lol
10.) Poppy's ex is a douche canoe.
11.) Her brothers...OMG!
12.) Poppy's boss!! Both of them!!
13.) Ryan is a LAWYER?!
14.) Hilarious.
15.) Poppy's mom! She is hilarious! Annoying, but hilarious.

Let's just say, I enjoyed this ALOT! Although if I were Poppy, Jazz might have been slapped a few times. But I guess she punishes herself in the end.

And Jazz's roomies, the ladies, I think I would have smothered the hot beautiful one in her sleep.

All in all, an enjoyable read/listen. I'm ready to move onto book 2.

I enjoyed the narrator's performance and wish she was the narrator for the second book also.

fun!

The Debt & the Doormat by Laura Barnard is a hilarious introduction to tge adventures and misadventures of best friends Poppy and Jazz.  Two young women so incredibly opposite from one another that you sometimes wonder how they can be friends.  But I get it... they give each other something the other needs . And for us the audience we are treated to hilarious scenes and dialog.

The story is fun and the characters are somewhat annoying at times, but in 5hat way that still makes you want to hear their story to see them grow and mature.  I for sure became dedicated to following these two through their journey of life and love and self discovery.  Elisa Hilton does a great job as Narrator and brought tge story to life.

The Debt & the Doormat

What a set of quirky characters. I have to admit, there were times I just wanted to shake Poppy and tell her to stand up for herself and get her crap together. At times it was like a train wreck, but I just couldn’t stop listening. I found myself needing to know what kind of trouble Poppy would get into next.

Laura Barnard certainly kept my interest. The story was at times a bit unbelievable, but then again that’s just what I came to expect with this cast of characters.

Overall, Elise Hilton did a nice job with the narration. This was quite a long tale and she kept the energy up throughout.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Laugh out loud listen!

What did you like most about The Debt & the Doormat?

Poppy and Jazz; their lives are just hysterical.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Izzy, she has a good heart.

Have you listened to any of Elisa Hilton’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't but I enjoyed her narration.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Modern day Bridget Jones

Any additional comments?

If you want a good laugh, give this a go!

This book deserves more stars

I have definitely found a new favourite author and also a new favourite narrator both Laura and Elisa have made this book absolutely fantastic. The humour is off the charts. I’ve been laughing all the way through. I highly recommend this book!!

Great Book and Listen

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish and the way that Elisa Hilton performed it was very entertaining.
The book itself is highly addictive, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the audible experience, but I really did, and it didn't detract from how fantastic this book is at all. In fact I found that I got the opportunity to take it on dog walks and shopping which I can't do with an actual book, so another bonus for audible.
I would definitely recommend this book on audible or to read, Laura Barnard is a fantastic author.

An easy listen

I enjoyed this book while I did chores, went for a walk or did stuff. It's not taxing, mildly infuriating because like anyone would get themselves into those stupid situations? After a couple they are not funny.
You can see the love interest coming a mile off, so if you're looking for a predictable easy listen this is for you.

A TRULY FUNNY BOOK

THIS LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY BOOK WAS HILARIOUS FROM START TO FINISH. THE AUTHORS WAS OF WRITING FLOWS EASY AND TRANSLATES WELL TO AUDIO. I LOVED POPPY'S INNER MONOLOGUES AND RAMBLINGS. A MUST FOR ANY READER.

I enjoyed this book

I enjoyed this book although it is quite a big book I did not think it dragged which being so bit it could have done. Poppy and jazz had me laughing out load and the situations Poppy gets herself made me think of some of my friends. I have to admit I did not like Poppy's mum though that's just my view and there parts with other characters I would have liked to find out more about and this is the only reason did not give this 5 stars.

Fantastic!!!

This was a brilliant listen. I laughed out loud in parts. The narrator was perfect, I just wish the other books were on Audio. I really really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it.

excellent humorous read

my only gripe was a tiny annoyance with the narration, unless it was done deliberately as part of an accent. Anythink for anything Mischie vee ous for mischieve ous. I found it irritating Othewise it was very well narrated. The book itself absolutely enjoyed it. Had me laughing out loud. It would make an excellent sitcom. Great story great characters.

brilliant! ! !

loved this book,literally couldnt put it down definitely recommend this book to anybody wanting some light hearted romance

Rubbish.

Probably one of the worst books I have come across, 15 hours of girls drinking vomiting and swearing. This trash belongs in the bin.