Review: 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' by Joanna Bolouri (2016)

Thirty-eight year old Emily has a satisfying job, fab friends, an amazing car and, most importantly, a wonderful flat, exactly 411 miles away from the judgemental, batshit crazy, interfering family she reluctantly sees twice a year. In fact, the only minor stress in her life is her twenty-something neighbour Evan and his penchant for flirting, loud music and even louder sex… but he's nothing she can't handle.
Emily also has a boyfriend called Robert and it's going really well. So well, in fact, that this year Emily is hoping to take him home for Christmas to meet her family. Finally she won't be subject to five days of nosy questions from her parents and pity looks from her younger married siblings.
But when Robert breaks up with her a week before Christmas, Emily is gutted. How on earth is she going to face her family now? Enlisting the help of party boy Evan (in exchange for one month's rent and the use of her convertible) Emily is determined to take Robert home for Christmas come hell or high water, even if it isn't the real Robert…
I love Joanna Bolouri and I'm not afraid to shout it from the rooftops! Her novels 'The List' and 'I Followed the Rules' (click here to read my review) were both brilliant and funny reads with great characters at the centre, and I've been eagerly anticipating her next release. Because of this reason her Christmas novel 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year', which was released in October 2016, is without a doubt one of this year's festive releases I've been looking forward to reading the most. Pretty high expectations, I have to admit, but I have a feeling Joanna will be able to live up to them without too much trouble...!
At the age of 38, Emily is pretty happy with how things are going for her. She really enjoys her job, has some great flatmates, lives roughly 400 miles away from her crazy Scottish family, and has a lovely boyfriend named Robert. In contrast to previous years, when the holiday season was always filled with annoying questions about her love life, Emily now hopes to bring Robert with her to Scotland to show him off to her family. But when they suddenly break up, Emily knows she needs a back-up plan to get her parents off her back; a good one. Luckily her neighbour Evan is willing to help her out with that. But will Emily be able to fool her family or does this Christmas have other things in store for her...?
If you're looking for an incredibly entertaining and laugh-out-loud chick lit read to get you in the holiday spirit, there's no need to look any further because Joanna Bolouri's 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' is the book for you. Joanna Bolouri has done it again, and I even have the feeling her novels are just getting better and better as we go along. Protagonist Emily immediately won me over, and I just loved reading about her life and all the situations she found herself in. She's determined to impress her family with her boyfriend this Christmas, but when she and Robert unexpectedly break up, the only solution for Emily is to go for a back-up plan starring her annoying but handsome neighbour Evan. The chemistry between Evan and Emily is undeniable and I loved any scene with the two of them in it.
A lot of us know what it's like to visit family for Christmas; having a delicious Christmas dinner, playing games, making fun of each other... Joanna Bolouri really managed to transfer this feeling onto paper, with the added nerves and pressure. The novel managed to give me that holiday feeling, which I absolutely loved. Joanna Bolouri's writing style is really funny and sharp, and she has become one of my favourite authors of the moment. If you're a fan of Tracy Bloom or Mhairi McFarlane, definitely pick up this book; you won't be disappointed. All in all, 'The Most Wonderful Time of the Year' is an incredibly enjoyable, fun and festive read that I loved from the first word until the very last!

Rating:10/10

  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.

Review: 'I Followed the Rules' by Joanna Bolouri (2015)

Rule 1: Never ask him on a first date. Rule 2: Laugh admiringly at all his jokes. Rule 3: Always leave him wanting more.
. . . wtf?!
Have you heard of The Rules of Engagement? It's a book that promises to teach you to find the man of your dreams in ten easy steps. Unsurprisingly, I don't own a copy. What is it, 1892?
But I'm a journalist, and I've promised to follow it to the letter and write about the results. Nevermind that my friends think I'm insane, I'm stalking men all over town and can't keep my mouth shut at the best of times.
My name is Cat Buchanan. I'm thirty-six years old and live with my daughter in Glasgow. I've been single for six years, but that's about to change. After all, I'm on a deadline.
I Followed the Rules and this is what happened.
Last year I got the chance to read and review Joanna Bolouri's debut novel 'The List', which turned out to be an incredibly funny and simply great read. I was really excited to see what Joanna would come up with next, so when her second novel 'I Followed the Rules' was released in July 2015, I immediately requested a review copy via NetGalley. Unfortunately there was quite a bit of trouble with getting a readable review copy of the book, so a few months ago I just decided to order a paperback copy of the novel. As soon as it arrived I added it to the top of my to-read list, because I couldn't wait to finally check it out, especially after all the 5-star reviews I'd seen on Goodreads and Amazon...!
Thirty-something single mother Cat Buchanan has been single for almost six years and she realises it's really time for her to change that. But how? When a colleague recommends the dating book 'The Rules of Engagement', written by author Guy Wright, Cat just knows the book won't be her cup of tea. But when she gets herself into the position where she will simply have to follow the rules as part of her column for the newspaper she works at, Cat decides to give it a fair try. However, the idea of finding the perfect guy by following 10 simple rules? That's something Cat is not so sure about will actually work...
With 'I Followed the Rules' Joanna Bolouri has given us another simply wonderful and incredibly funny read which I enjoyed just as much as her strong debut novel 'The List.' Joanna really has her own distinctive writing style; a style that is quite fast-paced, filled with sarcastic remarks and swear words, so one that might not be everyone's cup of tea but I personally really loved it. I thought the plotline, focusing mainly on Cat following the 10 dating rules mentioned in Guy Wright's 'The Rules of Engagement', was entertaining and it held my attention from beginning to end without any difficulty. There is some great dialogue in the book and just the right amount of scene setting and mood descriptions.
I think Joanna Bolouri is going to be a name to watch within the romantic comedy genre in the next couple of years, which is proven by just looking at the high number of four and five star reviews her books have so far gathered on sites such as Goodreads and Amazon. Readers who enjoy authors such as Rosie Blake, Tracie Bloom and Lisa Dickenson will undoubtedly fall in love with Joanna Bolouri as well, and 'I Followed the Rules' is certainly worth the pick-up. What else is there to say, really? I loved this book from start to finish; it's a hilarious, thoroughly entertaining and well-written romantic comedy that lived up to my pretty high expectations and one I highly recommend to any chick lit/romantic comedy fan!

Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Review: 'The List' by Joanna Bolouri (2015)

Phoebe Henderson may be single but she sure doesn't feel fabulous. It's been a year since she found her boyfriend Alex in bed with another woman, and wine-fueled nights of relationship analysis with her best friend Lucy have done nothing to improve her dating situation.
Faced with another year without love, Phoebe confronts her fears and decides to forgo romantic love altogether. She comes up with The List: ten things she's always wanted to do in bed but has never had the courage to try. One year of pleasure, no strings attached. Simple, right? In a chaotic, embarrassing, exhilarating, and ultimately transformational year of self-discovery, Phoebe finds surprises, friendship, confidence, and even love, through good and bad sex.
Scottish comedienne Joanna Bolouri's debut novel 'The List' was first released in 2013, but re-released by Quercus in January 2015. I was lucky enough to get a review copy of the book through NetGalley and had high hopes for this novel, since I had only read incredibly positive reviews (mainly saying the book is like 'Bridget Jones' but better and Joanna Bolouri is a refreshing new voice within the world of chick lit). I honestly think I haven't heard a negative thing about 'The List', which of course got me all excited about picking up the novel myself, but also raised my expectations and I had my fingers crossed the book would manage to live up to these expectations!
Thirty-something Phoebe Henderson finds herself at the start of a new year, still single after she found her boyfriend Alex cheating on her 12 months ago. Coming to the conclusion she doesn't want another year alone, Phoebe decides it is time to start focusing on herself and her own needs. After a few glasses of wine and with the help of her best friend Lucy, she comes up with The List, which consists of 10 things she always wanted to do in bed but never dared to actually try. She has one year to cross off all the ten items on her list and just have some no-strings-attached fun with any man she can find. This is the start of an exciting year for Phoebe in which she will not only discover new things about herself, but also about the importance of things such as love and friendship. 
After having read this book I completely understand all the enthusiastic and positive responses from others; what a great and fun read which definitely managed to live up to expectations! The book is written in a fast-paced diary style, which is probably where the comparison with 'Bridget Jones' (which I saw mentioned quite often in other reviews) comes from. However, I personally enjoyed 'The List' even more than I did 'Bridget Jones'! Phoebe is an incredibly funny and relatable heroine. I think many female readers will recognise themselves in her, and will laugh and cry along with her. Next to Phoebe, there's also her best friends Lucy and Oliver, and together they form a great group whose stories I simply couldn't get enough of. 
The novel was a really fast read and easy to get through. I didn't want to put it down and finished it in two sittings, mainly because it managed to hold my attention from chapter to chapter. The book is quite explicit (it includes a fair bit of bad language and, quite obviously, lots of talk about sex), so if that's not for you, you probably shouldn't pick this up. However, I do think Joanna Bolouri is indeed a refreshing and fun new voice within the world of chick lit and I'll happily join the queue of people already waiting for her next release! 'The List' is a fabulously funny, refreshingly honest, and naughty read which I couldn't put down; quite simply a read chick lit fans do not want to miss!

Rating:9,5/10

  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.

April 2014 releases!

The end of March is here which means two things: Spring has finally arrived (I think most of us have already experienced some lovely sunny afternoons!) and it's almost the start of April, a month filled with some fabulous book releases! Which books are you looking forward to reading? I'd love to hear about the releases you are most excited about!  

Riosin Meaney - 'After the Wedding' (3rd of April)

It's the beginning of May on the island of Roone, two years after Nell Mulcahy called off her wedding to the handsome Tim. Now she's preparing for another wedding - to Tim's brother - but as she sets off for an old church in County Clare, a disappearance on Roone throws the island into turmoil.

As the days pass and the search continues, the islanders cope as best they can - Nell adjusting to life as a married woman, Imelda and Hugh discovering the trials of fostering, Laura pregnant and under pressure and teenage Andy finding his first love.

Every summer on the island is eventful, but this year brings challenges that test everyone's courage. Will happiness be restored before autumn comes, or will Roone's magic finally run out?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Zoe Fishman - 'Driving Lessons' (8th of April)

Sometimes life's most fulfilling journeys begin without a map.

An executive at a New York cosmetics firm, Sarah has had her fill of the interminable hustle of the big city. When her husband, Josh, is offered a new job in suburban Virginia, it feels like the perfect chance to shift gears.

While Josh quickly adapts to their new life, Sarah discovers that having time on her hands is a mixed blessing. Without her everyday urban struggles, who is she? And how can she explain to Josh, who assumes they are on the same page, her ambivalence about starting a family?

It doesn't help that the idea of getting behind the wheel—an absolute necessity of her new life—makes it hard for Sarah to breathe. It's been almost twenty years since she's driven, and just the thought of merging is enough to make her teeth chatter with anxiety. When she signs up for lessons, she begins to feel a bit more like her old self again, but she's still unsure of where she wants to go.

Then a crisis involving her best friend lands Sarah back in New York—a trip to the past filled with unexpected truths about herself, her dear friend, and her seemingly perfect sister-in-law... and an astonishing surprise that will help her see the way ahead.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Joanna Bolouri - 'The List' (10th of April)

Phoebe Henderson may be single but she sure doesn't feel fabulous. It's been a year since she found her boyfriend Alex in bed with another woman, and multiple cases of wine and extensive relationship analysis with best friend Lucy have done nothing to help. Faced with a new year but no new love, Phoebe concocts a different kind of resolution.

The List: ten things she's always wanted to do in bed but has never had the chance (or the courage!) to try. A bucket list for between the sheets. One year of pleasure, no strings attached. Simple, right?

Factor in meddlesome colleagues, friends with benefits, getting frisky al fresco and maybe, possibly, true love and Phoebe's got her work cut out for her.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Carole Matthews - 'A Place to Call Home' (10th of April)

In the dead of night, Ayesha takes her daughter, Sabina, and slips quietly from her home, leaving behind a life of full of pain. Boarding a coach to London, all Ayesha wants is a fresh start. 

Hayden, a former popstar, has kept himself hidden away for years. He's only opened up his home to two people - Crystal, a professional dancer with a heart of gold, and Joy, an ill-tempered retiree with a soft spot for waifs and strays. 

When Crystal asks Hayden if Ayesha and Sabina can stay with them, he reluctantly agrees and, as different as they may be, they quickly form an unlikely bond. So when enemies threaten their peaceful home, they will do all they can to save it and each other. 

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Nicola Doherty - 'If I Could Turn Back Time' (10th of April)

What if you found The One, then lost him again?

Or not so much lost him as became the neurotic, needy girlfriend from hell. The girl who tried to make him choose between her and his job, and got seriously paranoid about his relationship with his female best friend...

Zoë Kennedy knows she doesn't deserve another chance with David Fitzgerald. But if there's the tiniest possibility of making things right, she'll snatch it. Even if it means breaking the laws of physics to do so...

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Cecelia Ahern - 'How to Fall in Love' (10th of April)

She has just two weeks. Two weeks to teach him how to fall in love – with his own life.

Adam Basil and Christine Rose are thrown together late one night, when Christine is crossing the Halfpenny Bridge in Dublin. Adam is there, poised, threatening to jump. Adam is desperate – but Christine makes a crazy deal with him. His 35th birthday is looming and she bets him she can show him that life is worth living before then. 

Despite her determination, Christine knows what a dangerous promise she’s made. Against the ticking of the clock, the two of them embark on wild escapades, grand romantic gestures and some unlikely late-night outings. Slowly, Christine thinks Adam is starting to fall back in love with his life. 

But has she done enough to change his mind for good? And is that all that’s starting to happen?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Lynn Montagano - 'Catch My Breath' (17th of April)

Lia Meyers’ plan for a relaxing Scottish vacation is short-lived when one uncharacteristic moment of clumsiness lands her in the arms of a dangerously attractive Englishman…

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Beth Thomas - 'Carry You' (24th of April)

Daisy has lost her mum to breast cancer. She’s at rock bottom and doesn’t think she’ll ever get back up again. Her best friend Abi has other ideas – she tells it like it is and she’s determined to make Daisy remember the person she used to be.

What Daisy doesn’t know is that, thanks to Abi, her life is about to take an unexpected turn, when she signs them up to do a charity walk. Added to which, someone is about to burst into Daisy’s world in a riot of colour reminding her that life can be full of surprises.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Fern Britton - 'A Seaside Affair' (24th of April)

When the residents of the Cornish seaside town of Trevay discover that their ramshackle but much-loved theatre is about to be taken over by a global coffee chain, Café au Lait, they are up in arms.

It is up to Penny Leighton, hotshot Producer and now happily married Cornish resident, to come up with a plan to save it. Armed with her only her mobile phone and her enviable contacts book, she starts to pull in some serious favours. Trevay soon finds itself at the centre of the universe when more A-listers than you can shake a stick at arrive to take part in a charity season at the theatre.

The play throws out a chance to Jess Tate, girlfriend to TV heartthrob Ryan Roberts. His career is on the rise while hers remains resolutely in the doldrums. But when opportunity comes calling, it isn’t just her career prospects that are about to change.

Tevay is about to put on the show of its life – but can the villagers, and Jess, hold on to the thing they love the most?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Tracey Garvis Graves - 'Covet' (24th of April)

Claire Canton is at a crossroads in her marriage. Her husband Chris has recently taken some knocks from life, pushing him to retreat to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. She feels alone and with nowhere to turn...

Then Claire is pulled over by police officer Daniel Rush, a man with a tragic past. And a random encounter blossoms into a friendship, which brings much needed light into both their lives.

As their relationship intensifies it's not long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads and skating close to a line that Claire has sworn she'll never cross...

But is it too late to go back? And does she even want to?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Tracy Bloom - 'Nobody Ever Has Sex On a Thursday' (24th of April)

Never has a late-night stand led to such chaos!

Childhood sweethearts Matthew and Katy agree they must never see each other ever again after they end up in bed together following a school re-union.

So all is forgotten...until eight months later when a shock meeting at an antenatal class forces them to confront the fact that Matthew could be the father of Katy's baby. Oblivious to the mayhem unfolding, Matthews highly strung wife frets over giving birth to twins and Katy's much younger boyfriend refuses to take fatherhood seriously.

Love and life are messy but Katy and Matthew take things to a whole new level as deep emotions begin to resurface and hormones run riot.

How will they navigate their way through this almighty pick-up?

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Nikki Moore - 'Crazy, Undercover, Love' (24th of April)

Uber-feisty career girl Charley Caswell-Wright travels to Barcelona for a weekend assignment as PA to the gorgeous Alex Demetrio, CEO of Demetrio International.

But she's there under entirely false pretenses: to get her life back on track. Having lost the job she worked so hard to earn, she’s determined not to give it up so easily, especially when she didn’t deserve to lose it in the first place.

Mr Dreamy CEO is her only chance of clawing back her career – and her reputation. So she has to keep things strictly professional… boy, is she in trouble!

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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Samantha Birch - 'The High Street Bride's Guide' (24th of April)

Brides-to-be, this one’s for you!

You can say your vows in a catwalk gown so beautiful it reduces your mum to tears (and not because she paid for it).

You can style a reception so stunning your guests won’t believe you didn’t hire an A-list planner.

And you can sprinkle the day with personal touches that make everyone feel like you gave them special attention before they even got there. Without spending a house deposit on it. Honest.

Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

Which releases are you looking forward to? I'd love to hear from you!