I Think I Love You

By: Allison Pearson

Narrated by: Sian Thomas

The new novel from the best-selling author of I Don’t Know How She Does It takes us on an unforgettable journey into first love, and—with the emotional intensity and penetrating wit that have made her beloved among readers all over the world—reminds us of how the ardor of our youth can ignite our adult lives.

Wales, 1974. Petra and Sharon, two 13-year-old girls, are obsessed with David Cassidy. His fan magazine is their Bible, and some days his letters are the only things that keep them going as they struggle through the humiliating daily rituals of adolescence—confronting their bewildering new bodies, fighting with mothers who don’t understand them at all. Together they tackle the Ultimate David Cassidy Quiz, a contest whose winners will be flown to America to meet Cassidy in person.

London, 1998. Petra is pushing forty, on the brink of divorce, and fighting with her own thirteen-year-old daughter when she discovers a dusty letter in her mother’s closet declaring her the winner of the contest she and Sharon had labored over with such hope and determination. More than twenty years later, twenty pounds heavier, bruised by grief and the disappointments of middle age, Petra reunites with Sharon for an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas to meet their teen idol at last, and finds her life utterly transformed.

Funny, moving, full of beautiful observations about the awakenings of both youth and middle age, Allison Pearson’s long-awaited new novel will speak across generations to mothers and daughters and women of all ages.

From the Hardcover edition.

©2011 Allison Pearson (P)2011 Random House

Fun listen

I Think I Love You was fun to listen to, a chance to go back to my teen past and experience David Cassidy all over again. I really enjoyed the 2nd half more, when Petra was grown and had the opportunity to indulge her teen-age fantasy by meeting the idol. The Welsh accent was hard to understand initially, but overall the listen was very satisfying. It was chick-lit type of stuff, so no 5 stars, only 4. The interview at the end was a great addition. I'd recommend this as a "beach read" or just light escapist audio.

Like watching a car crash.

If you could sum up I Think I Love You in three words, what would they be?

Passionate, funny, engaging

Who was the most memorable character of I Think I Love You and why?

Sharon. Doesn't everyone want a friend just like her?

Any additional comments?

This book reminded me of my early Middle School years. I was Petra. Made me so happy to realize...I survived.

Loved Every Minute!

I was a little too young to be a David Cassidy fan, but I fell hard for Shaun. I love the author's exploration of this topic: why do young girls go crazy over these beautiful, barely adult men? The answers are not so simple. More interesting, why is it so *real* to us? Allison Pearson portrays the young fan's thoughts and emotions, while never making fun of them. She captured the young girl I was perfectly.

Listen to it vs. read! Sian Thomas is brilliant.

The narrator was spectacular. As a David Cassidy fan from old, this story was quite moving to me, but it was way more than about him. It's really a coming of age, about how young girls attach ourselves romantically for the first times. About all the different levels of friendship building, betrayals, loss, growing up, and family dynamics. I was moved so many times as I could relate to all those topics, but also my memories of who I though David Cassidy was to me. I found out my mom passed when I was 13, at the very moment I was listening to my coveted Cherish album. There has been much to grieve about with his recent death and and all that sensory memory wrapped into my own mother's death. This book honestly has helped. A very lovely experience reading overall. Very poignant and somehow heartbreaking and lovely all together. Love the musical touches in the audio too!

NPR loved it and so did i

i was 'way too cool for david cassidy and i hate chick lit with a passion. the NPR review made me take a look at this and i am so glad i downloaded it. the book is rich and wise and beautifully written and by far the "adult" half of the novel is the richest. the narrator is absolutely terrific. and surprise, when i listened to the afterword interview by the author with david cassidy,i came away with enormous respect for him. NOT fluffy chick or teen lit!!!

Review of I Think I Love You book

Highly recommend this book if you had a crush on David Cassidy in the Seventies.

I Know I Love It

Would you listen to I Think I Love You again? Why?

I would listen to I Think I Love You again, and as a matter of fact I have! It is a terrific book that made me remember the tween scene of my youth having grown up watchingThe Partridge Family.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character would have to be Sharon because she represented the joy of just being young and carefree.

What does Sian Thomas bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I usually read a book first before I listen to the audio version because I like to have my own interpretation of a character's voice but Sian Thomas went over and beyond my imagining. Her enthusiasm and joy for the book came through so much to the point that even I was excited to be heading to London to see David Cassidy (LOL)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would absolutely listen to this book in one sitting. I started early with some gardening, through prepping for dinner and finished in time to read my gals their bedtime story. During the course of the day I am sure my family asked me several important questions and volunteered me for several school related activaties and I am clueless as to what they were...oh well it was worth it....wait a minute, I have to make how many brownies for the bake sale?!

Wow! That was so good!

I almost wanted to listen to it again immediately. I adore Allison Pearson as an author.

Fun premise but too much drivel

Pearson does a terrific job capturing the essence of unrequited longing I remember feeling as a young teenage girl. The problem is that she spends so much time on the drivel of that longing that not much happens in the first half of the book and it is, well, dull and repetitive. The book improves in the second half as the pacing picks up. It is a fun premise and walk down memory lane for any woman in her 40s or 50s. I particularly enjoyed Pearson's interview with Cassidy at the end of the book. For a more evenly paced, light-hearted read, try Pearson's I Don't Know How She Does It.

Great insights; melancholic

Just know that no one is happy in this book (which might be true for others irl), but I guess I was hoping for something like A Pearson’s other books. As a result of the pervasive ennui of the employed folks in London and Wales and middle school self-doubt and bullying, listening to this book was depressing. A Pearson writes so well, though, and provides on-point insights into life stages, failures, wins, substitute loves, and shame, that I kept going and am glad I did.