REVIEW: One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Here's my review of a debut novel by American Kate Stayman-London. Much like reality TV itself this quickly sucked me in with its superficial drama, love/hate characters and intrigue about who Bea would pick as her 'Main Squeeze'.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher John Murray Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 7 July 2020

The blurb

Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers--and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show 'Main Squeeze'. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television? 

Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition--under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She's in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful anti-fat beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That's it.

But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She's in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, razor-sharp debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men--and herself--for a chance to live happily ever after. 

The review
Obviously based around reality show The Batchelor, this was a captivating plot as much like reality TV itself it quickly sucked you in with its superficial drama, love/hate characters and intrigue about who'd eventually be crowned the winner aka 'Main Squeeze'. I was hooked trying to work out, like Bea, if any of the guy's were genuine or not, vibing Sam, hating Jefferson and trying not to be charmed by bad boy Luc. Annoyingly though it was also quite repetitive with the constant reminders that Bea is a plus size girl - granted a key part of the story but I'm not sure we needed reminding quite that much.

Kate Stayman-London is an American author and normally that's not something I'd even really notice (perhaps other than the setting) but which was very evident here. Perhaps because it's a very contemporary storyline and narrative but there were lots of modern cultural references that I just didn't understand. Likewise words that I had to look up such as "confucius" and "canonically" - not that it really mattered but I'm just saying. 

It was also written in a very contemporary style with lots of tweet, blog, email and media interview excerpts. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about it. On the one hand it worked with story and made it really believable as it genuinely did feel like something real I was reading about online. But, it was also slightly jarring at times. 

I think this book is probably a bit Marmite - fans of reality TV will love it but if not then you probably won't. I do and so this was a welcome and much-needed entertaining, trashy, escapism.
 
The author
Kate Stayman-London is a novelist, screenwriter, and political strategist. She served as lead digital writer for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has written for notable figures ranging from President Obama and Malala Yousafzai to Anna Wintour and Cher. Follow @_ksl on Twitter or visit www.katestaymanlondon.com to find out more.

Confessions of a Forty-Something F##k Up by Alexandra Potter

Having absolutely loved this I'm pleased to share my review of the hilarious new romcom by British author Alexandra Potter. So funny, so relatable and such easy reading. A must-read for any forty-something or anyone whose life isn't working out quite how they'd planned. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Pan Macmillan for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 31 December 2020

The blurb 
Nell Stevens’ life is a mess. When her business goes bust and her fiancé with it, Nell’s happy ever after in California falls apart and she moves back to London to start over. But a lot has changed since she’s been gone. All her single friends are now married with children, sky-high rents force her to rent a room in a stranger’s house and in a world of perfect instagram lives, she feels like a f*ck up. Even worse, a forty-something f*ck-up.

But when she lands a job writing obituaries, Nell meets the fabulous Cricket, an eighty-something widow with challenges of her own, and they strike up an unlikely friendship. Together they begin to help each other heal their aching hearts, cope with the loss of the lives they had planned, and push each other into new adventures and unexpected joys.

Because Nell is determined. Next year things are going to be very different. It's time to turn her life around.

The review

I loved this - probably because like main character Nell I am a forty-something single. Not quite a f##k up but certainly not on the same page as everyone else around me or necessarily where I thought I’d be.

As such I totally related to so many of the themes regarding age, marriage and children, with some of my favourites being:

• “This keeps happening to me now...I read articles about middle-aged people as if they’re my parents or something, and then I suddenly realise – hang on, we’re the same age!”
• “I always feel the pressure to explain why I don’t have kids, in a way I’m not sure women who have children do.”
• “Who can make that kind of promise [marriage] when you truly have no idea what will happen in the next thirty or more years ahead?”

It wasn’t just the life stuff I agreed on but I was delighted to find someone (even if they were fictional) who shares my views on ‘The News’. I hate ‘The News’, religiously turning over the TV if it comes on – much to others incredulity – because it’s all doom and gloom. I know bad things happen but I really want to try and pretend they don’t. As Nell says: “It should be renamed the ‘Bad News at Ten’....one horrible headline after another...There is so much suffering. So much terror and injustice. The refugee crisis, our oceans filled with plastic, climate change, animal cruelty, gun and knife crime...the list is endless.”  

Hopefully I’ve already managed to convey that this funny – truly hilariously funny. There’s funny one-liners: “My theory is that’s why our eyesight goes as we get older: to protect us from seeing ourselves in sharp focus.” But, also plenty of situational humour such as Nell’s attempts at babysitter or dealing with Arthur’s dog-poo.

But, it’s not all laughs. There are some serious messages and life lessons too such as: “Real life is messy and complicated. Shit happens. One size doesn’t fit all....We’re all just living our life, and it might not tick all the boxes or look Insta-perfect, but that’s OK.” Feelings of depression and anxiety were also alluded to as “The Fear” but sadly in this case were somewhat lacking. I felt the topic should have either been fully/properly explored or not included as just the implication didn’t do the topic justice or add anything to the story.

This was set over the course of a year, with chapters denoted by months, which I really liked. It just made the course of events and speed at which relationships developed more realistic and believable than some romance novels where boy meets girl and settles down with her a week later. Unlike some this also wasn’t entirely predictable – I mean it did end up exactly as I hoped and thought but somewhere in the middle it wasn’t a given.

And, finally (gushing nearly over I promise) this had a great cast of characters but even more so was the dynamics between them. In particular “the super fabulous Cricket” was brilliantly entertaining and the friendship between her and Nell touching – different generations but so many similarities. Like Nell at the moment but I really hope I’m like Cricket when I’m in my eighties. Then, there was that well-known situation (like in the brilliant film Bridesmaids) where your best friend has got a new best friend who upstages you at every chance but slyly so your mate continues to think the sun-shines-out-of-her. But, it was the love/hate dynamics of unlikely housemates Nell and Edward that I really loved. 

So, in case you hadn’t guessed I absolutely love this. So funny, so relatable and such easy reading. A must-read for anyone but particularly if you’re too a forty-something or your life isn't working out quite how you'd expected. 

The author
Alexandra Potter is a best-selling British author of romantic comedies. To find out more visit www.alexandrapotter.com

REVIEW: The Shelf by Helly Acton

I'm pleased to review the debut novel by Helly Acton - billed as the freshest new voice in women's fiction. I absolutely loved this and I knew I would right from the very first page when Amy describes being "force-subscribed to a daily update of dribble, snot and tears" online from her friends with kids.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Atlantic Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 9 July 2020

The blurb 
Everyone in Amy's life seems to be getting married, having children and settling down (or so Instagram tells her), and she feels like she's falling behind.

So, when her long-term boyfriend surprises her with a dream holiday, she thinks he's going to finally pop the Big Question. But the dream turns into a nightmare when, instead, she finds herself on the set of a Big Brother-style reality television show, The Shelf.

Along with five other women, Amy is brutally dumped live on TV and must compete in a series of humiliating and obnoxious tasks in the hope of being crowned 'The Keeper'.

While inside the house, will Amy learn that there are worse things than being 'left on the shelf'?

The review
I absolutely loved this and I knew I would right from the very first page when I read: 

“Jane’s posted another close-up of the twins. This morning they’re smeared in a rank blend of banana and carrot...Amy resists the urge to post a vomit emoji with #pleasespareus. She wonders what would happen if she was honest online. She’d be cast aside as a kid-hater, which would be unfair given that she quite likes them....What she doesn’t love is being force-subscribed to a daily update of dribble, snot and tears.”

Having been subjected to the same myself recently I could totally relate. In fact this book could have been written for me – a fellow ‘shelfish’ - as I could totally relate to so many of the refreshingly real, contemporary and feminist view points and life lessons. Providing the source of inspiration, for her debut novel, are author Helly Acton’s own experiences as a single woman in her early thirties torn between settling down and savouring her independence. 

Basically everyone in main character Amy's life seems to be getting married, having children and settling down, and she feels the pressure to keep up without ever questioning whether that’s actually what she wants. That is until her long-term boyfriend brutally dumps her live on TV’s latest reality show ‘The Shelf’ where she must compete in a series of tasks and therapy sessions in the hope of being transformed into a 'Keeper'.

With the show’s resident therapist, Dr Hicks’, help (and the baby challenge) Amy realises that “trying to find someone to do life with” doesn’t necessarily have to mean mortgages, marriage and kids but could be seeing things and having experiences. In fact maybe the love of her life isn’t a man at all – “maybe it’s a secret beach in Asia somewhere. Or maybe it’s me, as self-centred as that sounds.”

I totally agree Amy and share many of Amy’s (new) life goals: 
• Start a blog tick
• Travel the world tick
• Have adventures tick
• Find love tick
• Be free 
• Have a family
• Make a home tick

Although it’s Amy’s best friend Sarah (and not the celebrity life coaches) that best sum up my feelings ‘on doing life’ with the sentiment:

“You don’t need to rush into anything. Hell you wouldn’t need to if you were seventy-two! Live life for yourself....If you meet someone who wants what you want, great. If you don’t, those are the cards you’ve been dealt.”

Anyway enough with the life lessons before you think this is some kind of bra-burning feminist or life-affirming self-help book because as you can tell from the opening it’s really not. It’s light-hearted, deeply satirical and brilliantly hilarious. I was literally crying with laughter at the baby challenge when housemate Hattie reluctantly leaves her baby with Jackie who accidentally dislocates her arm, handing her back with the limb reattached the wrong way round and a near-detached head.    

Such a great cast of diverse characters too, particularly in the form of the housemates – Selfish Jackie, Distant Gemma, Boring Hattie, Bitter Kathy, Easy Lauren and of course Desperate Amy. In fact I was actually more #TeamJackie or #TeamLauren than Amy.

Yes there was a lot of parallels to Love Island, Big Brother and the lesser known Channel 5’s ‘Make or Break’ – and yes I’m a reality TV aficionado. But, that just made it even more relatable and imaginable, so no bad thing especially as it was done in a satirical way.

So, to round-up in case you didn’t get it I absolutely loved this and can not recommend enough!!!

The author
In her mid-twenties, Helly took a career break to travel returning home six years later to find herself the last of her single friends. Helly uses her experience as a single woman in her early thirties, torn between settling down and savouring her independence, as a source of inspiration for her stories. Follow @hellyacton on Twitter or visit www.hellyacton.com to find out more.

REVIEW: The Wish List by Sophia Money-Coutts

I'm pleased to share my review of this funny feel-good contemporary romance by Sophia Money-Coutts. Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ Stories for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 6 August 2020

The blurb 
Florence Fairfax isn’t lonely. She loves her job at the little bookshop in Chelsea and her beloved cat Marmalade keeps her company at night. She might have been single for quite a while – well, forever actually, if anyone’s asking – but she’s perfectly happy, thank you. And then Florence meets eccentric love coach Gwendolyn, and everything changes.

When Gwendolyn makes Florence write a wish list describing her perfect man, Florence refuses to take it seriously. Finding someone who likes cats, has the sexual athleticism of James Bond and can overlook her ‘counting’ habit? Impossible! Until, later that week, a handsome blond man asks for help in the bookshop…

Rory seems to fit the list perfectly. But is he ‘the one’, or simply too good to be true? Florence is about to find out that her criteria for Mr Right aren’t as important as she thought – and that perhaps she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places…

The review
This is the story of 32-year-old Flo who’s never had a boyfriend, finds one after a love guru gets her to write a ‘wish list’ for her ideal man so that the universe can deliver it to her – in the form of Rory the Tory. And, I loved the essence of this book which is that “having the wrong boyfriend is way more complicated than not having a boyfriend at all.”

It’s pretty predictable in that Flo naturally ends up not with Rory the Tory but the guy who doesn’t meet any of the criteria on her wish list and who she dislikes instantly upon first meeting. But, mostly this genre is pretty predictable and I think that’s the point, it’s a tried and tested formula that we love because it works.

This is also slightly quirky in that it’s a bit yin and yang. In some respects it’s quite twee with brace-wearing toffs, Cinderella style stepmothers, Dickensian bookshops and vocabulary like “calamitous”. But, it’s also weirdly contemporary with laugh-out-loud situational humour, descriptive sex scenes, bloggers and hashtags. I particularly enjoyed the bit where a teenage Instagram poet’s dog humps Flo’s leg live on stage at the bookshop’s first author event.

This is an easy read, despite long chapters, providing much-needed funny feel-good escapism. 

The author
Sophia Money-Coutts is a journalist, author and real-life person despite her name, which suggests she's a made-up character from a Jilly Cooper novel. Follow @sophiamcoutts or find out more at sophiamoneycoutts.com

REVIEW: Katie's Cornish Kitchen by Rosie Chambers

I'm pleased to share my review of author Rosie Chambers second novel. This promised kindness, community and cake - and that's what it delivered. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ Digital for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 6 July 2020

The blurb 
After the heartbreak of being jilted by her fiancé, Katie Campbell has been mending her broken heart in Bali. She has local restaurant owner and new friend Agatha to thank for providing a listening ear in her moment of need. When Katie confides she’s worried about going back to what’s left of her life in London, Agatha has just the opportunity for Katie – to manage her old café in the beautiful, picturesque village of Perrinby in Cornwall.

Although reopening the café and making it profitable won’t be easy, Katie is determined to make the most of her fresh start. She quickly makes new friends in florist Jay, waitress Talia and handsome neighbour Oscar, and focuses on making the café a welcoming place for the community – from hosting floristry workshops to pizza-making nights and even the local knit-and-natter group. But, with the café under threat from the local property developers circulating just as she’s starting to grow closer to Oscar and finally feeling at home, can Katie find the recipe to make her Cornish Kitchen a success?

The review
Predictable from start to finish – yes - but that’s kind of the point with feel-good women’s fiction. Personally I love a story about a down-on-her-luck female throwing herself into a new business venture and village community, whilst making quirky friends and trying to avoid falling in love along the way. And, that’s exactly what I got.

The new business venture was a cafe, the village a picturesque Cornish seaside one, the community spirit provided by village fetes and other events, the friends eclectic Talia and flamboyant Jay, and the love interest local artist Oscar.

This book also delivered some good life lessons. My favourite, which really resounded with me as it echoed advice I was given by a life coach, was Katie’s realisation that you can’t control how other people acted, only your reactions to them. Sadly, though some of the ethical themes such as zero waste, veganism and good karma did feel a bit preachy at times.

This wasn’t a page-turner but it was an uplifting, feel-good story filled with fun, friendship, love and foodie treats – perfect for these current times.

The author
Rosie Chambers writes uplifting, feel-good stories set in sun-filled locations around the world. Her stories are filled with fun, friendship and foodie treats. Follow @RosieCbooks on Twitter.

REVIEW: In Case You Missed It by Lindsey Kelk

As a big fan of the I Heart series, I'm pleased to share my review of the latest standalone novel by Lindsey Kelk. And, I liked this fun, light-hearted romantic comedy...but just not quite as much as I Heart.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 23 July 2020

The blurb 
When Ros comes home after three years away, she’s ready to pick up with life exactly where she left it. But her friends have moved on, her parents have rekindled their romance, and her bedroom is now a garden shed. All of a sudden, she’s swept up in nostalgia for the way things were.

Then her phone begins to ping, with messages from her old life. Including one number she thought she’d erased for good – the man who broke her heart. Is this her second chance at one big love? Sometimes we all want to see what we’ve been missing…

The review
I love the I Heart series so was really excited to read something else by this author. And, I was pleased to find that this was actually very similar – a fun, light-hearted comedy with an overarching romantic theme. 

Main character Ros was another slightly chaotic but incredibly likeable, smart and funny lead – typical of this author. Whilst she frustrated me at times for letting boyfriend Patrick treat her so badly, I could totally relate to her feelings of self-doubt regarding her professional talent and career, blaming herself for life’s inevitabilities such as redundancy.

Ros was ably supported by a wonderful cast of secondary characters – in the form of friends Adrian, Lucy and Sumi as well as adorable love interest John and straight-talking colleague Veronica. The dynamics between the four friends was so true to life and best summed up by Lucy who when asked by Ros if she should hook up with Patrick again said “We both know you would have called Sumi if you wanted someone to tell you not.”

There were lots of laughs from Ros’ parents moving her into the garden shed to surprising her boyfriend (and his important colleague) dressed as tiger. But, my particular favourite was her fourteen-year-old celebrity client Snazzlechuff refusing to go on stage unless she agreed to a date,  only to then announce her as his girlfriend to the packed out crowd and world’s gaming press.

Being of a similar age to Ros, I also loved the moments of childhood nostalgia such as roller discos and Judy Bloom reference.

I’ve given this a solid 4 stars because whilst I really enjoyed it, it didn’t quite live up the I Heart series for me – which is probably unfair on this but I can’t help comparing the two.

The author
Lindsey Kelk was a children's book editor and is now a magazine columnist and author of many adult and children's books including the popular I Heart series. Follow @LindseyKelk or find out more at lindseykelk.com

REVIEW: If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

Bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane returns with another witty romcom. Predictable? Yes but the fabulous writing and characters make this a great read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Published: 1 January 2020

The blurb 
If faking love is this easy... how do you know when it’s real?

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling - not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment - and jealousy - of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend... 

The Review
I liked this a lot - mainly because of the author's astute and witty musings. Her style is quite dry, cynical but spot-on, for example "comedy is tragedy plus time." I particularly loved the first part of the book - the break-up of Laurie and her boyfriend of eighteen years - where mutual is defined as "one person has given up and the other person can't persuade them not to." Or "you're like the climber who can't carry their injured mate, so leaves them to die. Do what you need to do but don't pretend it's about anything other than your survival."

That's not to say the second part isn't great too where Laurie and colleague Jamie fake a relationship to get back at her ex and secure a promotion for him. On the surface they're an unlikely match but as their characters (and banter) develop so does their compatibility (and feelings). Predictable yes but utterly satisfying and enjoyable too especially as Jamie is one of those fictional beaus that you end falling for too. Why do real-life guys never life up to the fictional ones?

The only thing I disliked was that it was a real movie style romance, the kind where two people go from meeting to full-on life commitment seemingly within weeks. As such I think the characters should have heeded best friend Emily's advice and not rushed into the happy ever after ending - particularly as it really didn't fit with Jamie's character and would've been better suited to an epilogue.

And, speaking of Emily I liked that this was more than just a romance and also about friendship. Recalling the night she met both Dan, the ex, and Emily for the first time, Laurie says: "Emily? I've realised something....I did meet the love of my love that day. Only it wasn't Dan. You are the love of my life." There's also strong but subtle sub-messaging around equality and diversity, particularly in the workplace.

Predictable plot but the fabulous writing and characters make this a great read.

The author
Mhairi McFarlane's debut novel, the romantic comedy 'You Had Me At Hello', was an instant hit upon being published in December 2012. She's since written four others including this one.


Follow @MhairiMcF on Twitter or find out more at www.mhairimcfarlane.com

REVIEW: This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

What a great debut from new author Sophie Cousens. Here's my review of this contemporary romcom.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 1 August 2020

The blurb 
When Minnie meets Quinn at a NYE party, it’s clear that they’ve got nothing in common – except for the strange fact of their being born in the same place at the same time on New Year’s Eve. He is a privileged party boy who believes the world is his for the taking. She is a hard-working realist, whose lack of confidence tends to hold her back.

Opposites don’t really attract…it’s not like this is a rom-com, right?

But if Quinn and Minnie are from different worlds, why do they keep bumping into each other? And why is it that each frustrating interaction somehow seems to push their lives in the right direction? Could it be that instead of clashing, their different outlooks might complement each other?

Perhaps now is the time for them to finally come together...

The Review
What a great debut from a new author. This is a contemporary love story featuring "love twins" jinxed Minnie and privileged Quinn. Minnie's jinx started (and is especially bad) around New Years which is also her birthday and also the day Quinn stole her name (as well the cash prize for being the first baby born in 1990). Despite being from such different worlds Minnie and Quinn are inexplicably drawn to each other, finally meeting on their 30th birthdays having crossed paths unknowingly many times before.

That's really the essence of this - fate and finding your "player two" - which is great and something I believe in (kinda) but the number of near meet cutes for this pair was slightly unbelievable. That said the author has an effortlessly easy writing style, cleverly intertwining the present-day story with these past fateful moments. As well as being told across multiple timelines, there's also two points of view Minnie's and Quinn's which is one of my favourite narratives.

Both main characters were engaging. I mean who couldn't like warm, funny, jinxed Minnie who takes losing her coat with house keys, getting puked on and locked in a of all night in her stride because that's just a typical New Year's Eve for her. But, like Minnie I fell for "cardboard girl" Quinn, a boy who seemingly has it all (looks, money, success) but because of family responsibilities can't entertain love, like the story of a penguin at a zoo who fell in love with a cardboard cutout that couldn't love him back.

There's lots of laugh in this and not just provided by Minnie's bad luck. One of my favourite moments being Leila's dream over-the-top Disney themed proposal complete with singing animals, knight in shining armour, mermaids and nutella pancakes only for Leila to reveal she had no recollection of ever having 'asked for such a thing.

The big thing I enjoyed about this was that it wasn't just a romance or even a romcom. It was about relationships in general between friends, family and of course of the romantic variety. It was also thought-provoking and dream inspiring with its sub plot of Minnie's pie business and typical New Year's Eve question of "where do you want to be this time next year?"

Finally, I enjoyed the London setting - who knew you could actually wild swim at Hampstead Heath?

The author
Sophie Cousens worked as a TV producer in London for more than twelve years. This Time Next Year is her debut novel.

Follow @SophieCous on Twitter. 

REVIEW: The First Date by Zara Stoneley

Here's my review of the latest romantic comedy by Zara Stoneley - an author I've been meaning to read for ages. This was full of promise but unfortunately fell a bit flat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 24 April 2020

The blurb 
Right place. Right time. Wrong guy …

After breaking up with her childhood sweetheart, clueless dater Rosie has found herself in a boyfriend-drought. So when she finally swipes right on a guy who seems interested, she can’t wait to meet up in person.

Until she’s left standing alone. In a bar. Stood up.

Enter Noah. Confident, funny … and a serial first dater. Offering to give Rosie a crash course in seduction, this could be just what she needs. Until her matchmaker turns out to be the best date she’s ever had – and Rosie wonders if she wants the fake dates to be the real ones after all …

The Review
Zara Stoneley is described as an author of sex, scandal, live, lust and laughter. I was really looking forward to this expecting a witty, racy romcom but sadly found it a bit flat and a struggle to finish. I guess it had the sex, love and lust but was certainly missing the scandal and laughter.

The two main problems were the repetitiveness and the fact that nothing really happens. Newly single Rosie meets flirty, casual water Noah after her first date in fifteen years stands her up. Both obviously like each other, despite really not wanting to, and so run with the idea of Noah giving Rosie dating lessons pretty much as a reason to see each other again and again.

From the first meeting until the end, where they predictably and eventually get together, it's just a series of nice dates (aka lessons) between the same people, with the same feelings and intentions just a different setting/date activity each time. And, with no real drama, comedy or sub-plots it unfortunately starts to drag.

Also Rosie's dad is a cheater, Rosie's newly single, Rosie doesn't want to fall for a charmer and Rosie's pretty direct - I got it. I got it within the first few chapters yet the author felt the need to reiterate these things over and over again which was super repetitive and annoying.

Unfortunately, Rosie herself was also quite annoying as a character, moaning constantly about her Dad issues and wanting Noah to make all the moves or apologise even when she was the one in the wrong.

So, as much as I hate to say it disappointingly I just didn't really enjoy this - it definitely didn't live up to the blurb.

The author
Follow @ZaraStoneley on Twitter or find out more at www.zarastoneley.com

REVIEW: We Just Clicked by Anna Bell

Having absolutely loved this I am pleased to share my review the second novel from romantic comedy author Anna Bell. As one of the funniest books I've read in ages I totally recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher HQ for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The blurb 

Izzy Brown has always dreamed of being an Instagram influencer. So when fellow Instagrammer Luke suggests they ‘fake date’ to boost their profiles, Izzy says yes – against her better judgement.

Now Izzy’s profile tells the story of a confident, glamorous thirty-something with the perfect boyfriend, and her follower numbers are shooting upwards. So what if Izzy can’t stop bickering with Luke, his habit of checking his quiff in every single mirror is driving her insane, and behind the scenes she’s hiding a secret heartache? Everyone tells a few fibs on social media, right?

But when Izzy runs into Aidan, the mysterious stranger who saved her the day her world fell apart two years ago, major sparks start to fly between them. Izzy’s sure she can have the online success she’s always dreamed of, whilst continuing to fall in love – and heal her heart – in real life. After all, Aidan doesn’t use social media… what could possibly go wrong?

The Review
I absolutely loved this - one of the funniest books I've read in ages, perhaps even ever. 

The situational and observational humour was spot-on from the colleague who never makes tea to going out for the night but wondering how long you have to stay before it's acceptable to go home and get into your PJs. There's also the awkwardness of a glass-walled ensuite in your swanky hotel or not realising your girlfriend has a flat full of people when you start discussing your sex life over the flat' s intercom. 

A great contemporary story highlighting the difference between people's perfectly-filtered life online and their real life - including in Izzy's case a fake boyfriend. But, it wasn't all superficial hashtags though there's also deeper themes of a family moving on after the death of a loved one - which the author managed to blend seamlessly within the light-hearted romantic comedy. 

There's a great posse of characters from main character Izzy, whose feeds show Louboutins and candlelight dinners but really wears 80s slogan sweatshirts and eats ready-meals to work colleague Mrs Harris aka the winner of the Great Office Bake Off and also the one who never makes tea because of her dodgy knee. They are all people you'd love to know and be friends with in real life. I even loved fake boyfriend and fellow instagrammer, Luke, secretly hoping there were actually genuine feelings developing on his side.

I couldn't get enough of this, reading it at every opportunity and was gutted when the pages ran out as I just didn't want it to end. In case you hadn't guessed I would totally recommend this hilariously funny, fast-paced romance and can't wait to read more from this author.

The author
Follow @AnnaBell_writes on Twitter or find out more at www.annabellwrites.com

REVIEW: The Switch by Beth O'Leary

I'm delighted to share my review of the latest novel by an author I've wanted to read for ages, Beth O'Leary. Such an original and hilarious concept for a story with a great cast of lovable characters - I totally recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Quercus Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book prior to publication.

Expected: 16 April 2020

The Blurb 
Eileen is sick of being 79.
Leena's tired of life in her twenties.
Maybe it's time they swapped places...

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen's house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She'd like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn't offer many eligible gentlemen.

Once Leena learns of Eileen's romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend with in the city, stepping into one another's shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn't as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect - and distractingly handsome - school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

The Review
I loved the concept of this - 79-year-old Eileen swopping life in a Yorkshire village with that of her granddaughter Leena, who's in her twenties and lives in London. It was such an original idea and one which provided almost limitless opportunities for cross-generational and situational humour. Thankfully it was also one that delivered and was as good as the blurb suggested. 

It has the predictability and formulaic approach of most romcoms ie resolutely single girl falls for conveniently local, hot, single guy or two people that seemingly can't stand each other fall in love. There's nothing wrong with that, however, because it's something that works and that I love but the generational life swop gave this romcom a fresh, unique spin. 

As did the amazing cast of characters. It goes without saying that my favourite was obviously Eileen - a fiercely loyal, kind-hearted and enigmatic pensioner with lots of attitude, a quick wit and a blunt honesty that was hilarious. I was totally invested in her story, reading with a mix of admiration and protectiveness as she threw herself into online dating in London. She was truly inspirational and I can only hope that I'm like her when I'm her age. 

The side characters were just as lovable as the main ones and really involved in the story. Again I particularly loved Arthur, Eileen's crotchety, nosy neighbour. Who forms an unlikely friendship with Leena. The plot is similar, in that alongside the core storyline there's plenty of other things and sub-plots going on involving the supporting cast. 

Beth O'Leary is a brilliant storyteller, capturing the idiosyncrasies of the characters and British life perfectly with her trademark observational humour. Her portrayal of village life where everybody knows everybody's business versus London where people are immediately suspicious of anybody who tries to make eye contact let alone strike up a conversation. 

I would say, however, that I found the alternating narrative slightly confusing at times as both characters were so interlinked in terms of their back stories, supporting cast and life swop that sometimes I had to double-check whose chapter it was. Not that it detracted from my enjoyment but I also found it slightly repetitive. Both characters needed a life change as they struggled to cope following the death of a family member, hence the life swop. And, whilst this was important and the catalyst for the entire story we were unnecessarily reminded of the fact again and again. 

I really enjoyed this though, giving it a 4.5 rating, rounded up to 5 stars.

The Author
Follow @OLearyBeth or find out more at www.betholearyauthor.com