Review: 'Would Like to Meet...' by Polly James (2016)

Could the worst thing that’s ever happened to Hannah Pinkman also turn out to be one of the best?
She and her husband Dan have reached the end of the line. Bored with the same gripes, the same old arguments – in fact, bored with everything – they split up after a trivial row turns into something much more serious.
Now Hannah has to make a new life for herself, but that’s not easy. She’s been so busy being a wife and mum that she’s let all her other interests slip away, along with her friends. And when Hannah is persuaded to join a dating site, her ‘best match’ is the very last person she expects it to be...
I unexpectedly found a review copy of Avon's recent women's fiction release 'Would Like to Meet...' by Polly James on my doorstep several weeks ago and I have to say the lovely book cover immediately caught my eye. A bit of colour, a cup of tea, a promising title... Yes, my attention had definitely been grabbed! I was actually introduced to author Polly James some time ago when I got the opportunity to read and review her novel 'Diary of an Unsmug Married', which I quite enjoyed. I was curious to check out more of her work and 'Would Like to Meet...', which was released in paperback form on 30 June, provided me with the chance to do just that!
Hannah Pinkman loves her husband Dan; she has done so for the past 27 years that they've been together. But now with a grown-up son and stuck in a slightly boring marriage, both Dan and Hannah can't help but wonder what is actually still keeping them together. When a small row turns into an actual separation, Hannah realises she must move on and start a new life of her own, one without Dan in it. She's pushed to join a dating website to get back out in the field, but Hannah's not so sure the big scary world of online dating is really for her. Until she meets someone; someone completely unexpected and someone who manages to make her feel all those things she thought she'd never feel again...
Polly James' latest release 'Would Like to Meet...' tackles several topics which numerous readers will be able to relate to in one way or another: the idea of being stuck in a relationship/marriage that has become boring and too familiar, starting over, stepping into the world of online dating for the first time... Even though I personally couldn't relate that much to leading character Hannah, I warmed to her and was curious to see how she would cope after her separation. Polly James' writing was easy to get into, well-paced, and made me chuckle every now and again, which really fit the story and the feel of it. It's a fun and realistic women's fiction read with a storyline that held my attention until the end.
As already mentioned I thought Hannah was a lovely main character, but the book also has some fascinating secondary characters, such as Hannah and Dan's son Joel (whom I really liked and felt like he really added something to the story) and Hannah's colleague Esther (whom I couldn't help but intensely dislike!). While the story focuses mainly on the issues and dating world of a 40-something woman, I am certain younger readers will really enjoy this as well. Hannah's emotions and struggles are not specific for a particular age group, and there are several aspects that are either relatable or just fun and captivating to read about. Overall, 'Would Like to Meet...' is a fun, down-to-earth and enjoyable read about a couple that is going through a rough patch after a long relationship and what it is like to be out there again. A thoroughly enjoyable read by author Polly James and one I'm sure many women's fiction fans won't regret picking up!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.