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Diary of a Contemporary Woman

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Having reached 34, Angelique Santoro finds herself feeling trapped and deeply unhappy within the constraints of traditional relationships.
Uneasy to perform the role of life partner or girlfriend in the way society has designed for all women.

Finally, she takes the courage to break free and becomes single for the first time in 15 years. Breaking away from the ties that bind us. Breaking away from the fear of being alone and lonely to become what she was always meant to be.

Diary of a contemporary woman follows Angelique in her new life, her adventures. Utterly compelling, beautiful, honest and bold.
Angelique will have you laughing and crying at the same time, willing her on to find happiness and that rare calm within.

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2021

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About the author

Lucy Pussett

2 books29 followers
Hi I'm Lucy. I am a first time Novelist from Brighton, England.
I started writing during lockdown inspired to do so as I felt there were a desperate need for a girl power character living her life without reservation, without barriers.
I live in Brighton with my life partner and our very needy rescue cat and dog!
Diary of a Contemporary Woman is the first in the Trilogy of Angelique Santoro's adventures!

Please follow my updates on my website, social media accounts and share the widget book2look as per below:

https://www.book2look.com/book/UnWRvW...

www.facebook.com/lucypussett34

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Love, Lucy x

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5 stars
45 (52%)
4 stars
28 (32%)
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9 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Natalie  all_books_great_and_small .
2,698 reviews127 followers
January 6, 2022
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the author.

Diary of a contemporary woman was such a different read for me and I really enjoyed it. Angelique is such a straight talking, fun and inspiring character and I'd love to have a friend like her. Angelique isn't afraid to be who she is and go after what she wants which I found to be a breath of fresh air. There are highly sexual scenes (so be warned! lol) but they were tastefully done and all consensual scenes too.
I loved learning about Angelique and her background as well as her friendships, family and career - what a girl! The book was written like a diary and it speaks to you as you read it. I loved the relationship reforming with Angeliques sister towards the end and the non-perfect family drama and set up too. I hope to read more of Angelique and look forward to reading more by the lovely Lucy Pussett!
Profile Image for lacy white.
637 reviews54 followers
July 5, 2021
Find this review and others like it at https://aravenclawlibraryx.wordpress.com

tw: bullying, homophobia, cheating, intense sexual scenes, hit and run, drug use, choking during sex that wasn’t consented

Starting reviews is so hard for me, so I’m just going to dive right in. This book was fantastic! I feel this was what 50 Shades of Grey should have been because, well it had consensual sex scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I love 50 Shades but I also recognize how problematic it was with the way the sexual scenes were handled. I’ll get more into that later though. I also wanted to mention that we have a strong female character, Angelique, who isn’t afraid to be herself. She loved sex, was proudly bisexual and career focused. We need more women like that in literature.

I mentioned the consensual sex scenes because it was a very prominent thing in this book. There is only one incident of choking during the sex that wasn’t consensual. But other than that, I loved that this book was sex positive and there was safe sex talked about. Condoms were used and talked about. If someone wasn’t okay with something, it was known and things stopped. It was so refreshing to see this.

Speaking of sex, one of the major things that drew me into this book was that Angelique was bisexual. I only recently came to terms with my bisexuality and talking about it. This book made me so happy and I realized that just because I am with a man, that it doesn’t invalidate my bisexuality. Angelique met with both men and women and she was still just as bisexual. That made my heart so happy.

I also enjoyed the way this book was written. It really was written like a diary hence the title. Normally, that would annoy the heck out of me, especially with an adult fiction book like this but I think because I bonded so much with Angelique, the writing worked here. The writing helped to really solidify that bond with Angelique.

Overall, I am so glad the author reached out to me to read her book. It’s definitely going on the list to buy a physical copy of because I loved it so much! If you are into a character driven, sex positive book then this absolutely is the book for you. I just hope the author writes more books about Angelique because I need more books about her.
Profile Image for Jessica (Odd and Bookish).
621 reviews816 followers
September 18, 2022
I received a copy of the book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book was quite the ride!

First, I want to preface this review and mention that the story does contain multiple explicit sexual scenes. If that is not your thing, then you probably should skip this one. But I will also say that this book is so much more than just sexy scenes.

There was a good balance between the sexy and the more serious. The book delves deep into the main character and her journey of self discovery. It also heavily explores complex family dynamics. The main character’s family is a piece of work to say the least!

I loved the conversational tone of the book. It really felt like I was reading the main character’s diary and that she was talking directly to me as a friend. It made it such an easy and pleasant read.

As a bonus, the author made a Spotify playlist of the songs mentioned in the book. I love it when authors incorporate music into their books. It helps bring the story to life!

My one critique is that the book ends rather abruptly and on a major cliffhanger. I believe this is just the first book but I wanted a little more closure.

Overall, if you’re looking for a quick and easy women’s fiction book, and don’t mind some hot and steamy scenes, consider reading this one!
Profile Image for Brandi | the_reading_bee .
207 reviews42 followers
January 18, 2022
DIARY OF A CONTEMPORARY WOMAN was a wild ride all the way through. The book follows Angelique, who is newly single and ready to take back her sexuality and rediscover herself. Their were some really great friendships in this book that took me by surprise and so much more to the plot than I originally expected. I was pleasantly surprised. Lucy must also be a music enthusiast because the song recommendations in this book were *chef’s kiss* good! I was seriously wanting a Spotify playlist with all the songs that were mentioned in this book! And oh my gosh that cliffhanger in the end! I need to know what happens!⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
This book is not for the faint of heart, but if you enjoy erotic fiction then definitely add this to your list! ⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟: self love, erotica, great music, Flock⁣⁣⁣
Profile Image for Kealyn.
425 reviews35 followers
August 8, 2021
I just finished this book a minute or so ago. I really enjoyed this book. It's about Angelique who just ended her relationship. Her relationship was boring, and she didn't get sexually satisfied in it. You follow Angelique on her journey, where she explores her sexuality.
And that was one of the highlights of this book for me. I loved how she wasn't ashamed to explore her body, her needs and her fantasies. I loved the intimate scenes. They were very well written. I loved the connection she had with her partners. Those scenes deserved 5 big stars!

But the book isn't solely about her sexuality. It's also about the personal relationships she has with her parents, sister, friends and people at work. I liked that that was explored in this book too.
Though it was a bit difficult to connect with all the side characters. There were quite a lot.
A part of me wished the author had chosen a few less, and deepened those relationships she focused on. So that I as a reader was more invested in what happened with everyone. (For instance, I would have loved to feel her sister's emotions a bit more. Or felt the coldness of her mother more.)
Or that the book was a bit longer, so that all the characters were worked out a bit more.

Also there are a lot of details. The one thing that pops in my mind is that the author repeats a few times she had a Dyson hairblower. I get that it is mentioned once. But after that she could have just mentioned her doing her hair. Instead of repeating the detail several times.

So overal I liked the book. I like how it's normalized that whatever your sexual preferences are. Everything is okay. You shouldn't be ashamed of yourself. And you shouldn't be shamed because of what you like in the bedroom. I loved the openness. The freedom and acceptance that was shown in this book.

I also loved how the author showed that things can change during sex quickly. SPOILER ALERT: near the end of the book, a man suddenly starts to choke her. And she defends herself. I appreciated that that was in the book too. Because things can change quickly. Even if it starts consensual, things can cross a line fast.
I truly hate his guts! Especially for threatening her.

The last thing I had a bit of trouble with is that during the book, the character speaks directly to us readers. It was a bit of mix in which Angelique tells us her story. And in which is was purely a novel. But maybe that is personal preference. I would have liked if it was completely diary like, or completely novel like. It that makes any sense.

Overal I really liked this book. For a debut novel it's fantastic! Lucy nailed the sex scenes. She writes in an easy and inviting way. I absolutely loved the vibe she created.

The book has quite an open end. So I am looking forward to reading the next book! If that one comes along. To see how the story continues. And to see if the author developes her craft even more! Because she really has a lot of talent. If the characters were deepened out a bit more. It would have been a solid 4 star book for me!

Lucy has a gift. And I hope she will write many more books!

So I'll give the book 3.5 stars overall.
Profile Image for Khyati Gautam.
814 reviews211 followers
July 18, 2021
Diary of a Contemporary Woman by Lucy Pussett, as the name suggests, is a diary of a young woman who is on her way to find herself and become one with it. It's a story of 34-year-old Angelique who grew up with repressed emotions and as a victim of transphobia. The negative experiences go on to shape her life. However, with time, she ends up discovering her true self to set herself free and happy.

The book essentially follows Angelique and her years growing up in Brighton, England. It captures her difficult relationships, her tough times dealing with emotions, her encounters with people, and ultimately, her authentic self. I love her character because she represents a strong-headed woman. And, I always look forward to reading about fierce and beautiful women. Besides this, all other characters get ample space in the story to contribute and mark their presence. They are well-sketched and real humans, with real flaws. The equations between different characters are realistic and rooted in contemporary dramatic relationships.

Through sex, Angelique expresses herself. Yes, she is a bisexual and it takes time for her to fully accept it, without having to hide it or feel bad about it. There is an explicit discussion of sex and therefore, anybody not interested in erotica shouldn't be reading it. However, the latter half of the book brings in different energy. As Angelique makes her way through her family issues, vulnerabilities, and family values, we get to see a different side of her.

In all, the book does a good job of entertaining the readers. With lucid narration and a contemporary setting, it is sure to keep one engaged. If the premise sounds good, and you do have an open mind, you might give it a shot.
Profile Image for Amanda.
179 reviews36 followers
Read
June 27, 2021
I recieved this copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Lucy for reaching out to me.

Now I don't normally read books with steamy parts, but I decided to give this one a chance. While it's still not my thing, I ended up liking this story. Angelique was fun and sexual and I liked her a lot. And thank God this is the first book of a trilogy because I refuse to accept the ending as it was.

What I Liked:

I wound really like Angelique. I felt for her for the relationship that ended and for her deciding I'm doing something different now. I feel that.

She had some interesting friends. Gareth was my favorite and I would have loved to have Angelique as a friend during my school days.

I'm not always into reading steamy but this was different. Angelique loves both men and ladies. So I will say the steam was nicely written.

What I Didn't Like:
Some parts were a little prolonged so sometimes I found myself kind of dozing off. Not a bad thing but just me.

I think that's it to be honest.

I will say there are some minor trigger warnings toward the end of the book with drug use and dealing with a not consented BDSM act. If you love a book about a woman rediscovering herself and some steamy moments with both men and women, give this book a try.
2 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2021
“Diary Of A Contemporary Woman” is a story about real life. There are explicit depictions of sex, so if that’s not for you, then avoid it. However, sex is a part of real life, and the depictions of sex (which are very well done) serve to create a full picture of the protagonist’s life.

The story follows Angelique, a newly single woman, who discovers her own voice and independence after a break up. The reader is led through a number of sexual escapades, as well other important events in Angelique’s life that change her post-break up perspective.

The prose is witty and conversational. The characters, even minor ones, are fleshed out and stir genuine emotions in the reader. Further, the story captivates right from the start.

Above all else, the highest praise for this book is that it’s real.

It’s an authentic story about real life.
1 review1 follower
June 28, 2021
A must read. From start to finish I loved Angelique. Such a free spirit with such a good head on her shoulders. She knows what she wants and she goes for it.
Forget your inhibitions and dive into the world of Angelique. It probably won’t be what you’ve experienced but hey live life through Angelique. You’ll want to be more like her. You’ll love her friends. With a twist towards the end you will be cheering her on to make the right decision and it leaves things open for there to be a sequel.
Profile Image for Katelyn.
577 reviews60 followers
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October 25, 2021
Unlike anything I’ve ever read! A less problematic 50 shades of gray. A MC that’s bisexual. A 34 year old who finds herself single and is truly finding herself. There’s a lot to unpack here, but it was a quick read!
96 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2021
A sexually enlightened page turner!!

This is a purely adult read, not just because of some fun sex scenes, but from a few sensitive topics being raised... Spoiler : drug addiction (not Angelique!) and an assault.

I was hooked from the very first page. I really like Angelique, being inside her head is fun and interesting. She has an intoxicating confidence about her and knows how to make the most of, and enjoy, life. I also like how this isn't written like a diary, more like having a chat with a friend, so feels more natural and flows better.
Angelique is a bit of an inspiration, she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go for it.
I can't believe we've been left with, not a cliffhanger as such, but a few loose ends....that grabbed me.....I need more!!! I need to know how things turn out. So with that in mind, I think I'd like it to be a bit longer or fingers crossed there's a sequel....... especially as the clear winner of douche bag of the year needs to have a good bit of comeuppance!!
Profile Image for Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews.
1,236 reviews103 followers
June 27, 2021
First, I want to thank Lucy Pussett for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

WOW!! I totally commend Lucy Pussett a million percent for making her debut novel Diary Of A Contemporary Woman so bold on so many levels. She boldly goes where some woman don’t want to admit to thinking about let alone confess that they have those feelings or urges. This is not a book for everyone but if you are willing to keep an open mind this may be the book for you.

This book is dedicated to Lucy’s partner who has been right by her side throughout her journey.

I was totally flabbergasted when I read that of all people her parents were the proof readers for her book along with Editors in Chief. She must have crazy cool parents because if my parents knew I was reviewing this type of book and interested in this lifestyle...it wouldn’t be good!

This is a story of Angelique’s sexual self discovery over the years starting at her young teens to adulthood. Some exploration is into bisexuality, being in mff threesome, and mmf threesome, etc.

There is a song and band that is mentioned in the book called “All The Things She Said” by t.a.T.u it was considered a controversial song back in the day. Oh how I played that song over and over again. It was one of my favorites and I loved the two singers from the group. After reading this passage in the book I admit I had to google the video and watch it again. Good memories.

Lucy has a very talented gift at writing very arousing erotic intimate scenes that are very detailed. You can totally tell that it is written by a woman in what she wants and desires from a woman herself. This is what makes the scenes more passionate and meaningful to read.

There was a scene in the book that I was livid about in that someone caught the two girls kissing and took a picture of them in the act and reported it to the headmaster of the school! Needless to say, that individual wouldn't mind their own business and Angelique was only 15 they were banned from being together. Even though she was in love with her! Oh I was yelling at my kindle during that scene!

As you got into the book there was some drama on many different levels!
Profile Image for Samantha.
432 reviews40 followers
October 2, 2021
Thank you to  for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was in the middle for me. There were parts that I enjoyed and others not so much.

I adored Angelique. I love the way she took her life into her own hands and experimented sexually with different things to really find out who she is sexually. With that said, the sex scenes in this book are graphic and descriptive. There is nothing left to imagination as everything is laid out for you in expressive detail.

What I didn't like was how the book started off sexy and fun and then about halfway through it suddenly got very serious. For me it didn't seem consistent. It was fun, and then it wasn't. While the more serious half of the book did decrease my enjoyment of the story overall, it was certainly not a writing issue. I think the writing is good, I just would have rathered if the heavy sex and the serious issues addressed at the end had of not been in the same book.

If you are looking for something with detailed sex scenes in it, you should give this one a try. The sex scenes alone are enough to satisfy any erotica lover.
Profile Image for Bruce Spydar.
Author 9 books39 followers
September 1, 2021
I had a gut feeling about this one.

I came across this author by chance on Instagram, and I’m so glad I did. Seeing the book cover, the title and the author’s IG feed, I just had a gut feeling about it. It was quite low key, and clearly there was an erotic element to it … but it is so, so much more than that.
It’s true, there is an erotic part, and indeed the mind-blowing, pulse-racing scenes were really hot (and too graphic for people looking for a clean read), but it was also such a wonderful portrayal of relationships and life issues, that it stirred up emotions from several of my own experiences, insecurities and inadequacies.
The style is heartfelt and humorous, and the characterisation so beautifully real. The storyline touches so many aspects of life: bullying, self-control, heartbreak, friendship, family relationships, drugs, abusive behaviour, different sexual relationships and orientation ... a whole lot of stuff. It set me thinking more about my life … “what I did/should’ve done/wish I’d done/glad I didn’t etc.” This book hit me in the mind, heart, gut and loins all at the same time. Thank you, Lucy Pussett … I really hope there’s a sequel.
3 reviews
June 8, 2021
A good read. A is a modern woman who loves sport,music, driving her car and Brighton. What she now needs is the freedom to find herself - who she really is and what she really wants. The Diary follows her ups and downs before ending with a twist
Profile Image for Kara (Books.and.salt).
513 reviews42 followers
January 27, 2022
A self care read through and through! Angelique is strong willed and confident and we need way more women like that in our romance novels.

If you enjoy steamy novels with LGBT leads, this should be on your list.
1,212 reviews8 followers
August 27, 2021
"You know that point as a child becoming an adult...you see your parents for what they truly are? Just people. Dad isn't Superman. He is just a man who has made a mistake..."

For a book that is classified as erotica there are so many genuine emotional moments in Diary of a Contemporary Woman by debut novelist Lucy Pussett.

Angelique is 34, beautiful and, once again, single. She has decided it is time to find herself and accept herself sexually and emotionally. She realizes that she is a modern woman who does not have to live by the morally accepted standards of society.

There is so much I loved about Angelique's story from her endearing friendship with best friend Gareth, her loving Spaniel Ralph to her relationship with music in her life. Just like most of us her journey has a sound track and certain songs inspire and console her. As a side note I know the writer is a huge Springsteen fan so, of course, she has great musical taste!

Besides her sexual adventures we are privy to her awesome British dry sense of humor, her often dramatic family dynamic and her opinions on everything from private religious schools (which treated her horribly about a kiss with another girl) to bullying, homophobia and cheaters.

This book does take a very serious dramatic turn involving consent and reminded me at times of the controversial book and movie Looking For Mr. Goodbar. It was a realistic look at how we have to be aware that not everyone we meet has the same agenda as ourselves.

This book is the first in a trilogy and has a bit of a cliff hanger in a soap opera kind of way. This sexual themed novel might not be for everyone but if you have an open mind, a wicked sense of humor and don't mind needing a cold shower after reading Chapter 8 Part Two then you really should give it a try.

I received a free copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Nikki Lamers.
Author 13 books170 followers
October 4, 2021
This book is written as if it were the MC’s thoughts. We follow Angelique, a newly single sexually confident woman who’s intelligent, sassy, strong & independent and living with her gay best friend, Gareth whom I love. Right from the start, you should know the book is explicit. If that’s not for you, neither is this book. That being said, Angelique has a lot going on in her life and this book addresses so many issues in today’s society with a confidence and finesse you can’t ignore. I love her spirit and energy. Her relationships with her friends, colleagues and those she mentors is inspiring. She encounters new experiences she’s dreamed of and doesn’t fear taking her chance. Her family life is opposite that of her friends and we delve into that side of things and see a different side of her. The book does leave you hanging, but there will be more to come. I congratulate the author for taking on so much and doing it well.
May 30, 2021
Great read

This book is sassy, funny, written for the modern day women. I loved it from beginning to end and will be looking forward to Angeliques future adventures
1 review
June 13, 2021
This was a great read! Superior to a lot of adult fiction, well paced, an engaging cast of characters with a strong, interesting (got) and evocative central character. I want to read more!! I want a sequel!!
5 reviews
June 9, 2021
One of the funniest, most compelling erotic books, I have read in the last few years! The author makes you part of her story, it feels real and authentic. Chapter 8 is my fav one...I can just say: hot! hot! hot!!
I am looking forward to her next book, hopefully this is part of a trilogy...
Profile Image for Megan Copsey.
136 reviews5 followers
January 28, 2022
This book was horrible.

1- we get it you hated relationships and now sleep with all the people/ things.
2- the writing is honestly cringy.
3- it’s like a horrible journal you feel embarrassed to own.
It reminded me of those kids books “dear America” series 😂😂🥸
2 reviews
June 13, 2022
This book will captivate you, as the talented Lucy Pussett introduces you to the main characters in Angelique's life as a young woman in her 30s, taking you through her journey into discovering who she is - from her relationship with herself, to her extended family, and closest of friends.

What I particularly loved about this read is that it is not for the "vanilla" erotica lover, as it challenged my thinking, boundaries, and feelings. Each chapter and experience with Angelique left me hungry for the next, and as the book progressed, I fell in love with her, I cried with her, I got angry with her, and of course got turned on with her. How? Why? Because Angelique is in all of us, wanting to break free of the constraints that bind us in society and life. This read is a new spicy erotica flavor that begs for another round or two, or twenty!

Bravo Ms. Pussett! 5 stars here...I'd give more if it were allowed!

2 reviews
September 3, 2022
I'm an avid reader and I haven't enjoyed a book so much for a long, long time. Lucy Pussett has created such a fantastic character in Angelique. I love how she's such a bad ass, sexy alternative to some of the lazily written female characters in certain well known erotic fiction pieces.
Lucy's writing style really draws you in and I was instantly hooked, eager to see what adventures Angelique would get up to next. It's not just all about the sex scenes, I loved the story and supporting characters, it'll make you laugh, cry and feel turned on in the space of one chapter! As for the sex scenes, they really blew me away. They are so incredibly erotic and I was thinking about them for days afterwards. What I loved about them the most was the way Angelique has such confidence in herself and isn't afraid to take control, a great example to women everywhere! I really hope Part 2 is out soon as I can't wait to see what happens next :)
Profile Image for anie.
1,124 reviews47 followers
September 22, 2021
Diary of a Contemporary Woman follows Angelique, single for the first time in a long time, as she rediscovers herself and deals with life as it comes. There are flashbacks to the past, to the experiences that shaped her.

Angelique is an interesting character to follow. She is strong-headed, free, but still tied down by past and society standards.

While I like the story and the main characters a lot, I wasn't the biggest fan of the pacing. There was some part that just flew by, and parts that seem to drag on forever. For some reason, I had a hard time getting into the story.

received from author
2 reviews
June 12, 2022
Brilliant and unique novel that takes you into the fascinating life and experiences of Angelique Santoro. Lucy's style both as a writer and a woman is captivating. She is sassy, sexy, witty, erotic and someone you want as your friend, although certainly not as your enemy. Love the detail that paints a complicated, yet vivid picture of what makes Angelique tick. Utilizing Spotify as a soundtrack to the book definitely adds another level to the experience. Diary of a Contemporary Woman takes you on an erotic roller coaster that leaves you emotionally spent yet wanting more. Can't wait to read book 2.
Profile Image for Linda (Lily)  Raiti.
479 reviews78 followers
January 29, 2023
This is not the genre I would normally read, but I’m so glad I did!
This is a wonderful debut novel! I loved Angelique and her journey.

The writing is beautiful and flows easily, packed with a wonderful cast of characters that the author brings vividly to life. It’s heartwarming to read about a strong female protagonist who showcases her vulnerabilities her desires and her unshakable strength!

Well done Lucy, I loved it!!
Profile Image for Brianna Brickey.
26 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2022

I received a digital copy of this novel for an honest review and it was very different from any book I’ve ever read! If you like character driven, slice-of-life novels, and if you are comfortable with reading sex scenes, then this novel is right up your ally! If you are conservative or not a huge fan of descriptive sex scenes, then this book probably isn’t for you.

What made this book so different for me was that it was an erotica. Before this, the closest thing to an erotica I’ve ever read was the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas, so I was a bit nervous about reading it, but I was also excited because of the premise:

Having reached 34, Angelique Santoro finds herself feeling trapped and deeply unhappy within the constraints of traditional relationships.
Uneasy to perform the role of life partner or girlfriend in the way society has designed for all women. Finally, she takes the courage to break free and becomes single for the first time in 15 years. Breaking away from the ties that bind us. Breaking away from the fear of being alone and lonely to become what she was always meant to be.
Diary of a contemporary woman follows Angelique in her new life, her adventures. Utterly compelling, beautiful, honest and bold.
Angelique will have you laughing and crying at the same time, willing her to find happiness and that rare calm within.

The story was definitely character driven which I loved, and the sex scenes were surprisingly well written. Now there is one sex scene with non consensual violence, but the topic was handled pretty respectfully. There were a few grammatical issues with the book, but that didn’t ruin it for me. It was written like a diary, like Angelique was directly talking to me and no one talks with perfect grammar, so I was okay with it, but some people may not be able to look past it. There were also a few ammature writing mistakes, but the story and protagonist were so compelling, that I didn’t care. Plus that’s expected for a first novel. It made me unsure, but the more I read the book, the more I got sucked into the story and I was completely immersed in Angelique’s journey and all the emotions it evoked.

This book truly was about a woman finding herself and I loved that it was a character journey. Angelique grew a lot as a character and she definitely holds a special place in modern literature since she is a career-driven, family-driven, and sex positive woman who also happens to be bisexual. She was very brave and unafraid to speak her mind and go after what she wants. She.was very human, flawed, and full of self-doubt and it was fun to read about her overcoming them. Angelique was so human that whenever she did something, it usually reminded me of someone I knew. I didn’t agree with all her decisions, like how she handled a situation with the first ex she talked about for example, but I still really liked her character. I love how her character showed that a woman can care about her career and her family. So many people still try to categorize women when humans are complicated and no one fits into an archetype box. Angelique perfectly embodied this because she felt like an actual person, not a fictional character. She was unique and refreshing! I also loved the character development with her family and the family drama, it was so real. There were scenes of bullying where Angelique dealt with homophobia that might be triggering, but those scenes were real too and showed the struggles she faced.


I also loved how this book handled sex positivity. It wasn’t just a bunch of adults being horny. They discussed safe sex, consensual sex, and were honest about things they didn’t like or consent to which was great. There was one not completely sensual scene with choking that could also be triggering, but the topic was handled very respectfully, The way they talked about sex in this book and the way Angelique always stepped up for herself was wonderful to read! We need more characters like this
Profile Image for Escape Into Reading.
980 reviews41 followers
June 24, 2021
I am a huge fan of reading little-known authors/unknown books. About 90% of the books waiting to be downloaded to my Kindle (I got a new one for Christmas and haven’t downloaded them all) are Indie Authors. I love picking up a book, reading it, and thinking, “Wow, this author is talented.” Of course, it does go the other way too, but for me, those are few and far between. I am happy to say that Diary of a Contemporary Woman was a massive hit for me. And its author, Lucy, has been an absolute doll.

Diary of a Contemporary Woman is a story about finding yourself and being comfortable with yourself once you do. Angelique is 34 and single for the first time in 15 years. This book follows the humorous and often crazy situations that Angelique finds herself in on her journey of self-discovery.

This book is set almost entirely in Brighton, England. I was intrigued by the author’s description of Brighton. So much so that I have it written down on my list of places to visit if I ever visit England.

It is full of English humor and sayings. It also clued me to a few things that I didn’t know. Like, Angelique ate her chips with garlic mayo instead of ketchup. I was intrigued, and if anyone has a garlic mayo recipe, please send it over. I don’t particularly appreciate dipping my fries (or chips) in ketchup and usually eat them plain.

Diary of a Contemporary Woman is a fast-paced book. However, the author did a great job of keeping the pace going as the book went on. A few times, it lagged (mainly around when Angelique’s mother made her announcement), but it picked back up.

I felt that the storyline was well written, and the flow of the book was great. The author was able to phase in and out of Angelique’s different situations without disrupting the book’s flow. That is critical for me because I tend to lose focus/interest quickly if that happens.

Angelique had a lot of sex in Diary of a Contemporary Woman. I wasn’t surprised by this, seeing that the book was billed as erotica. Some people might be turned off. But, seriously, don’t be. Sex is part of Angelique finding herself and is vital to the story.

I loved how Angelique’s relationships were portrayed. They were messy and drama-filled, which is how real-life relationships are. Heck, I even liked how her relationship with her parents and sister was realistic.

The end of Diary of a Contemporary was a little shocking. I was not expecting what happened to Angelique or its fallout. I also was not a fan of the cliffhanger. I hate them. But it did do its job, and I want to read the next book now.

I enjoyed reading Diary of a Contemporary Woman. I connected with the characters and loved how realistic they were.

I would recommend Diary of a Contemporary Woman for anyone over the age of 21. There is graphic sex. There is some mild violence. There is language.
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