'Painfully funny'
ELLE
'Hugely entertaining'
DAILY MAIL
'Wincingly good'
TIME OUT
'Unrivalled'
GLAMOUR
'I laughed a lot'
JEREMY PAXMAN
It's 1985 and Brian Jackson has arrived at university with a burning ambition - to make it onto TV's foremost general knowledge quiz. But no sooner has he embarked on 'The Challenge' than he finds himself falling hopelessly in love with his teammate, the beautiful and charismatic would-be actress Alice Harbinson.
When Alice fails to fall for his slightly over-eager charms, Brian comes up with a foolproof plan to capture her heart once and for all: he's going to win the game, at any cost. Because - after all - everyone knows that what a woman really wants from a man is a comprehensive grasp of general knowledge . . .
Read MoreStarter for Ten is the debut of the year; a recommendation repeated by all who come in contact with it ... Trust us, you'll love it - ArenaMoving, wickedly observed, warm, uplifting and above all blindingly funny, Starter for Ten hits the spot time after time. Read this book - JackA toe-curlingly embarrassing and cleverly observed comedy ... it'll have you wincing and laughing simultaneously. Fabulous - CompanyA bittersweet coming-of-age tale ... Brian conjure[s] up strong echoes of one of that era's literary heroes, Adrian Mole ... A fine, funny book - HeatSpry, affecting debut ... If it's possible to wince with your whole body, that broadly equates to my experience of reading it - Time OutA funny, touching novel reminiscent of the classic film Gregory's Girl with an authentic 1980s backdrop - Sunday MirrorNicholls' portrayal of student affectations is accurate and funny ... clever and well-written - IndependentHilarious ... you won't be able to put it down - OK