Book Review: The Middle-Aged Virgin by Olivia Spring

Synopsis:
Sophia Huntingdon seems to have it all: a high-flying job running London’s coolest beauty PR agency, a lovely boyfriend and a dressing room filled with Louboutins.

But when tragedy strikes, Sophia realises that rather than living the dream, she’s actually an unhappy workaholic in a monotonous relationship, with zero personal life. Her lack of activity in the bedroom is so apparent that her best friend declares her a MARGIN, or Middle-Aged Virgin—a term used for adults who have experienced a drought so long that they can’t remember the last time they had sex.

Determined to transform her life whilst she’s still young enough to enjoy it, Sophia hatches a plan to work less, live more and embark on exciting adventures, including rediscovering the electrifying passion she’s been craving.

But after ending her fifteen-year relationship, how will Sophia, a self-confessed control freak handle navigating the unpredictable world of online dating?

If she does meet someone new, will she even remember what to do? And as an independent career woman, how much is Sophia really prepared to sacrifice for love?

My Review:
Firstly a huge thank you goes to Olivia Spring for reaching out and asking me to read and review her debut novel 'The Middle-Aged Virgin' 

The synopsis sounded right up my street, the book cover with it's happy yellow is very eye catching and definitely a book I would have picked up myself in the book shop.

The book is centred around Sophia Huntingdon, after hearing some sad news she decides that her life needs a makeover and some drastic changes need to happen.  Sophia decides to create an action plan of things to change and do over the next year before she hits the big 4 0!  One of the biggest changes was ending her fifteen year relationship with Rich who Sophia decides is not 'The One'. 

We then follow Sophia on her new adventure to find love, passion and happiness.  Along the way there are lots of highs, lows, yummy food, Italian men and lots of OMG moments...

The story throughout was good, I wasn't able to guess the ending and due to a few twists near to the end it kept me guessing right up to the last page however I must admit that I struggled to warm to Sophia.  I found her to be quite shallow and at times selfish, I found myself getting frustrated with some of the choices she makes and at times wanting to jump in the book and give her a slap!  I found it hard to relate to her, but I did find her personality change throughout the book and the Sophia we meet at the start is not the Sophia we leave by the end.

Some of my favourite scenes from the book were between Sophia and her two closest friends Roxy and Bella.  The friendship circle was very true to life and reminded me of my own group of friends.  True friends who might not agree with everything you say or do but support you throughout the decisions you make.  Sophia, Roxy and Bella meet on a regular basis and over food and drinks they put the world to rights and discuss everything... and I mean everything.  From careers to men to fashion to lady gardens! Yes! I mean everything! LOL

Overall the storyline was good and I would be intrigued to read a follow up on Sophia and what happened next!

I think Olivia Spring is an author to watch, with the right amount of comedy, romance and friendship I will be looking forward to her next read! 

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Book Review: From Paris with Love this Christmas by Jules Wake

Synopsis:
Just until Christmas…

That’s what Paris socialite Siena keeps telling herself. She’ll hide away in her sister Laurie’s cottage near London to escape her hot-tempered fiancé.

However, when Jason – gorgeous but a bit of a Grinch – picks her up from the airport, he reveals that Laurie hasn’t lived there for months, complicating Siena’s holiday getaway.

At first, Jason and Siena don’t see eye to eye. But after a weekend in the most romantic city in the world, experiencing all it has to offer – from the magic of a fir-lined Champs-Élysées, lit up by thousands of sparkling fairy lights, to the swoosh of skates on ice at the Eiffel Tower – Siena shows Jason her Paris, and a whole other side to herself. Suddenly Siena’s December deadline seems far too close…

My Review:

Kicking off my first review for 2019 is a festive read by Jules Wake 'From Paris with Love this Christmas.'  A feel good book full of new friendships, family, love and of course lots of Christmas cheer!

The story kicks off with main character Siena on a flight to London, from reading the blurb you already understand that this wasn't a planned vacation or visit but an escape from her fiancé.

Siena, hoping to stay with her sister Laurie after past promises that there would always be a room for her whenever she needed is surprised to find a grumpy but gorgeous Jason awaiting her in the arrivals hall.  Not knowing who he is and assuming he is a taxi organised by Laurie and Jason coming to his own conclusions that Siena is a little bit of a princess they get off to a rocky start.

Laurie no longer lives at the cottage that Siena was planning to stay at but as promised a room is waiting for her however she soon gets a shock when she realises that the stranger who collected her Jason is also staying at the cottage after finding out Laurie is his landlady.

Jules Wake's writing is fantastic, drawing you in from the first few pages. I absolutely love when an author writes from both the female and male voice, you get that extra inside scoop understanding the characters feelings.  Prime example is knowing from reading Siena's story that she isn't this precious money grabbing princess that Jason is led to believe and I loved reading how their first impressions are so far removed by the end of the story.

The locations and descriptions were on point, never having visited Paris myself this gave me a wonderful insight into Paris at Christmas time and it's now on my list of places to visit!

An easy read, this is perfect when you need a bit of me time to cosy up and shut off from the everyday chores!

Buy the Book!