The Dr. Pepper Prophecies

Chocoholic Series, Book 1

By: Jennifer Gilby Roberts

Narrated by: Elan O'Connor

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A laugh-out-loud chick lit/romantic comedy novel. Written with dry wit and just a touch of insanity. If you're a fan of Sophie Kinsella, Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones's Diary), Marian Keyes, or Jane Costello, or just love your romcoms, you'll love this!

Twenty-five-year-old Mel Parker has a few tiny problems:

• Her job is terrible
• She's been dumped yet again
• Her ex is now her boss
• Her parents think she's a loser compared to her perfect younger sister
• All her efforts to improve her life seem doomed to failure
• There just isn't enough chocolate in the world to make up for the above

The one good thing in her life has always been her best friend, Will, who has seen her through every crisis from lost toys to pregnancy scares. But his girlfriend (who's prettier, better-dressed, more successful, and secretly evil) is determined to replace Mel as the woman in his life, and how is Mel supposed to compete?

So what do you do when you've pretty much given up on your own life? Help others, of course!

After all, what's the worst that can happen?

©2002-2014 Jennifer Roberts (P)2014 Jennifer Roberts

Critic reviews

"From the moment I started reading this story, I was hooked and I couldn't put it down. I was having a bad day and feeling a little depressed at the time, but this book made me laugh so hard!"(Meredith's Rambles & Babbles)

Fabulous!

Any additional comments?

Overall, I loved the e-book. I have not read the printed version. The narration was singularly splendid and spot on. And there's a lovely quality to Elan O'Connor's voice that makes the book sing.

Loved it! Hooked 1/2 way through the 1st chapter!

If you could sum up The Dr. Pepper Prophecies in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious
Quirky
Relaxed

Have you listened to any of Elan O'Connor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but i loved it! Wonderful performance!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the beginning when she was trying to tell if she was pregnant!

Any additional comments?

This was the funniest book I've listened to for a while! I enjoyed every min of it! Fun!

First things first: I'm a dude

Would you listen to The Dr. Pepper Prophecies again? Why?

Yes - I'd totally listen again, and the answer "why" is simple: the narrator. Whoever this is, she seemed to not only "get" this character, but completely brought to life the story, the other characters, and made everything that much better. I can't wait to "read" the next in this series - that is, if there is one. (THERE BETTER BE :) )

What did you like best about this story?

It's just flat-out charming.

Which character – as performed by Elan O'Connor – was your favorite?

The lead - Mel. She's funny, quirky, upbeat, a little dirty ... I'd date her :)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud several times - and actually had to pause to Google some stuff (blue cervix?) - Mostly I was just so pleasantly surprised. I got this on a friend's recommendation (she'd read the book, thought I might find it funny), as I'm writing a script currently about the British dating scene and have gone through the "Bridget Jones" books already. I figured this would be a cheap knock-off, but ended up really really liking it on its own merits.

Any additional comments?

Check it out!

Also, Elan O'Connor - are you Irish? Single? Read me more books, yes and thank you.

What's the worst that could happen?

Any additional comments?

Dr Pepper had an add campaign with the theme "What's the worst that can happen", which is an ongoing theme in this book. Of course, whenever Mel, the main character, said "What's the worst that can happen" things tended to fall apart in a spectacularly hilarious fashion. The opening pages of this book had me laughing out loud at the ridiculous situation Mel got herself into inside an airplane toilet. This romantic comedy is full of pop culture references and had a best friend to boyfriend storyline. There were times when I wanted to shake Mel and tell her exactly how to sort her life out, but she got there in the end.

I listened to the audiobook version, which I received free in exchange for an honest review. I often have to speed up the narration as I find it too slow, but I didn't need to with this book. The narrator used a Brittish accent for the majority of the book, which was not her natural accent, but I found it pleasant to listen to. She attempted an Australian accent for one of the characters, which made me cringe, but then I have never heard a non native Australian do an Australian accent that didn't make me cringe.

Well worth reading

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was a bit predictable but still great.

Which character – as performed by Elan O'Connor – was your favorite?

I really enjoyed Beth. She had a few secrets that I never expected.

Any additional comments?

Mel has a few problems but hey who doesn't? Her ex is her boss, she doesn't much like her job and her family doesn't realise she exists. But... she has a best friend, she has a flat mate and she thinks she's a great matchmaker. What more do you need? This book covered a large number of anecdotes which are easily relatable. They are written well and the laughter came regularly. I don't know if I would read it again but it was worth listening to at least once. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lots of chocolate

British Chick Lit, so you know there will be chocolate. There is chocolate, tedious amounts of it. Mel is an annoying little whinger who constantly, well, whinges! This, like the chocolate becomes tedious. Her life is in a bit of a mess, a 25 year old woman (who holds a degree in administration) is working a poorly paid job where she deals with telephone complaints. She hates it of course, Then her workplace is made even less tolerable by her ex boyfriend, who due to a promotion, has become a pompous little prat overblown with self importance.
Melanie decides to help others by straightening out their lives for them, she is not good at it, not good at all. Finding herself jobless, loveless, short of money and forlorn, her life just lurches from one disaster to another. Her bestest friend Will has a serious girlfriend and she wants Melanie out of his life. On realising that she wants more from Will than friendship Melanie's chocolate consumption reaches alarming proportions.
I thought the story was well written and amusing in parts but it was too long, too many words, too many internet messaging conversations which may have worked better in print.
It was nice though to be reminded of all the British chocolate bars, particularly Yorkie, with its trucker sized chunks. When I finish my review I will read a few others in the hope of discovering the reason for the "Dr. Pepper" in the title - I don't understand!
If you like the modern "vaguely Jane Austin" format, you might like this.

Narrator
Elan O' Connor certainly sped the whole thing up, I thought I had mistakenly put the speed on to 1.25, but no, she just talks fast! Pleasant voice, good characterisations, she does an excellent pompous little prat voice. I'm not so sure that the Standard British accent she used is the one she was raised with though! If it's not, then she did a darned good job. Sound quality and editing are up to scratch. I'd certainly be happy to listen to more of Elans' work.
This audiobook was gifted to me in return for this, my honest opinion
I give Elan 5 stars and the story 3 stars

Wonderfully written and read!

If you could sum up The Dr. Pepper Prophecies in three words, what would they be?

If I could sum up Dr. Pepper's Prophecies in three words, they would be: insightful, funny, and delightful!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Since this story was told from Mel's point of view, I of course have to pick Mel. I loved the way her thought process worked.

What about Elan O'Connor’s performance did you like?

I loved how the narrator was able to embody every single character so well. Scottish, British, male, female, young, old - whatever! I instantly knew who was talking. It's like she has a bank of characters that she can just plug in at any time.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

When life gets you down, there's always chocolate.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely loved the audiobook! I highly recommend it!

if you like an English accent and light laugh,

With a somewhat goofy main character this book will certainly keep you smiling to the end.

Fun Read, Great Narrator

What does Elan O'Connor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great voices for the different characters and lots of spunk and aplomb to the main character

Fun and Flirty...is what my wife said

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you're into chick lit, it's super fun and easy. My wife and I listened to it on a trip back and forth from vegas, and when we arrived home (at 2:30 in the morning) she made me take our son inside so she could sit in the car and listen to the last 20 minutes. I think that means she liked it.

Which character – as performed by Elan O'Connor – was your favorite?

Mel, for sure. I'm fairly certain that isn't her normal speaking voice, but she might want to consider it. Kind of a sexy Minnie Driver.