What was this book called?

[BillCar]

This is driving me mad. A book that I got free with a magazine in the early 2000s. A young woman working in media who got addicted to cocaine. The only details I can remember are an actor love interest called Hamish and the main character getting a Tiffany straw as a gift. I suddenly remembered it the other day and it's driving me mad not being able to remember what it was called!

It sounds like a Marian Keyes novel, possibly. I think there was one where the main character worked in journalism and developed a drug habit. I can't remember which one, though!

Aaah that's Rachel's Holiday - it wasn't anywhere near as good as that

Yes I think it might be a Marian Keyes too , I am sure I read it, and think it came with Marie Claire ? Or could it be Sophie Kinsella ? I will go and google.

It was a lot more rough and ready than Marian Keyes or Sophie Kinsella but thanks for the replies!

Is it called Rachel’s holiday by Marian Keyes?

Oooh cross posted sorry!

It's not Rachel's Holiday

Don't worry! Thanks for taking the time to reply

Is it a Freya North book? I seem to remember a few of her books being given away with magazines

Didn't Katie Price write a couple of novel. I know I got one free with a magazine.

Sounds a bit too gritty to be Sophie kinsella, I think she mainly does the Shopaholic series.

I used to love getting free books with magazines, I had one by Josie Lloyd and Louise bagshawe. Also a rather good book of short stories called Wild Girls which I got with Minx magazine 🤣

@purplecorkheart

Didn't Katie Price write a couple of novel. I know I got one free with a magazine.

It was much earlier than that

@Southernc0mfortmirror

Is it a Freya North book? I seem to remember a few of her books being given away with magazines

It was grittier than Freya North

I'm sure it came with Cosmopolitan. No idea what it was called though

@SydneyCarton

Sounds a bit too gritty to be Sophie kinsella, I think she mainly does the Shopaholic series.

I used to love getting free books with magazines, I had one by Josie Lloyd and Louise bagshawe. Also a rather good book of short stories called Wild Girls which I got with Minx magazine 🤣

I used to love a magazine chick lit freebie! I wish I'd kept them all and then this wouldn't be driving me mad 😂

Not to derail my own thread but there was also one I read about a high fashion designer who murdered her mum with a bubble of air in her syringe. Not as bothered about that one although I can't remember the name of it either. Some late 90s/early 2000s books were brilliantly bonkers

Party Girl by Anna David? Set in US and the main character is a journalist.

It was definitely UK based but keep them coming! Thanks for everyone's replies so far

Was there a dog involved in the story?

Louise Bagshawe possibly?

@WunWun

Was there a dog involved in the story?

Hmmmm I don't think so

@barberousbarbara

Louise Bagshawe possibly?

It wasn't Louise Bagshawe although I did once get Venus Envy free with a magazine and remember enjoying it!

Is it Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes?

Jenny Colgan had several books given away with mags back in the day

It wasn't the one where a boat full of cocaine ran aground and a group of young studenty types found it and just did the lot? Quite Shallow Grave, except with a boat. And cocaine.