Book Review: How to Get a (Love) Life by Rosie Blake

Synopsis:
Nicola Brown doesn't like to lose control.  Her flat is always meticulously tidy and her weekly meals carefully planned; Nicola keeps her life in order.  When her carefree colleague Caroline challenges Nicola to find a date for Valentine's Day, it's a surprise to them both when Nicola agrees.

As Nicola's search for a man beings, she is thrown in at the deep end - sometimes quite literally - of the dating scene.  From men more likely to sell their mother than open their wallet, to those who are determined to find a girlfriend who shares their passion for extreme sports, Nicole has to run the full gamut of dodgy dates.  But as the deadline looms closer, Nicola realises it isn't so bad to lose control.  It turns out that trying to get a love life can be rather a lot of fun...

My Review!
This book has been on my 'to be read' pile for aggeesss and I thought it was about time I started it. I am so pleased I did, I really enjoyed it, such an enjoyable fun read.

This story is all about Nicola and her dating disasters!

As the synopsis stated Nicola doesn't like to lose control or stray away from routine, eating the same dinner on the same day at the same time... I must admit it took me a few chapters to warm up to Nicola, I just found her character so rigid, however my opinion on her soon changed after her colleague Caroline decides a challenge is in order. Nicola, Caroline and even myself were surprised when she took up the dare of finding a date for Valentine's Day.

With only four months to go until the Big V Day we follow Nicola through some funny, disastrous and down right dodgy dates! The one date that sticks in my mind even after finishing the book was kayaking in November, WTF! I really did feel sorry for her then, (I must admit I did giggle through that scene, just the craziness of it!)

However bad the dates were Nicola was a fantastic sport and I enjoyed this side to her, although the dates weren't always up to scratch I really liked reading about this carefree version that was totally different to the beginning of the story. 

I loved the relationship between her and her brother Mark, you could tell straight away how close they were and the special bond they have (just don't trust him to arrange sensible dates for you!!) I liked the other characters too, Caroline her work buddy and James her boss, they had a really nice friendship within the group and it came across as a great place to work. 

So, I hear you ask... Does Nicola find the one? I won't answer that of course and let you find out for yourself. But know that to find your Prince Charming you must date some dodgy frogs first! 

This is only the second book I have read of Rosie Blake's and I thoroughly enjoyed both so I think I need to get onto Amazon quick sharp and get buying!!

Buy the book!

Book Review: How to Stuff Up Christmas by Rosie Blake

Synopsis:

Eve is heartbroken after discovering her fiance is cheating on her. Being surrounded by the joys of Christmas is more than Eve can bear, so she chooses to avoid the festivities by spending Christmas alone on a houseboat in Pangbourne. Eve gets gets an unexpected seasonal surprise when handsome local vet Greg comes to her rescue one day, and continues to visit Eve's boat on a mission to transform her from Kitchen Disaster Zone to Culinary Queen. 

But where does Greg keep disappearing to? What does Eve's best friend Daisy know that she isn't telling? And why is there an angry goose stalking Eve's boat? 

My Review!

Ok, I know it's January, the Christmas music is no longer playing in all the shops and the Christmas decorations are down and packed away in the loft, (sob!) no more eating chocolate for breakfast and binge watching your favourite festive films but who says you cannot keep reading Christmas books!? I say festive reads are for life.. Not just for Christmas!

This is my first book for 2018 and also my first book by Rosie Blake. I really enjoyed this book and so happy knowing that I have a few of her books lined up in my 'to be read' pile.

This book focuses on two characters, Eve and Greg. Each chapter changes between them both which I really love in a book. I found that some scenes are repeated but I really like to read both the female and male point of view.

I really liked the character Eve, who works at an Estate Agents with her best friend Daisy. Eve is heartbroken after finding out that her fiancé (Liam) cheated on her. After a messy breakup, arguing over the parental rights to their dog (Marmite) and it nearing Christmas (a year ago since Liam proposed, them wearing matching Christmas jumpers in their love bubble) she decides to put herself on a pottery course and take herself and Marmite to stay on a houseboat in Pangbourne for a few weeks in December. 

You meet Greg who is the local Vet at Pangbourne, straight away he comes across as such a loveable male character. After coming to Eve's rescue on the boat they soon hit it off, I wanted to jump into the book give Eve a big hug and tell her to forget loser Liam and yay to Greg! Greg visits Eve many times on her boat, and after reading his side of a scene you know he deliberately goes her way on the off chance of running into her. (awwww!)

Eve is a terrible cook, usually letting Liam do all the cooking during dinner parties and after food poisoning her friends she decides to try again and learn how to cook on the houseboat, with Greg's help she becomes more confident, baking lots of Christmas goodies. I loved that some chapter's of the book started with a different recipe with all things Christmassy, Christmas cookies, fruit loaf and Christmas pudding! Yum!

Although some things aren't what they seem, Greg keeps having to disappear and Daisy is acting strange keeping something back from Eve. This book kept me guessing right until the end, I did try to guess a few times, convinced I knew the truth and getting it wrong, so the last few chapters I was gripped!

This is a must read whatever the season! I really hope Rosie Blake brings out a follow on from this one, would love to catch up with all the characters! 

Buy the Book!