Book Review: The Plus One by Sophia Money-Coutts

Synopsis:

The Plus One [n] informal a person who accompanies an invited person to a wedding or a reminder of being single, alone and absolutely plus none 

Polly’s not looking for ‘the one’, just the plus one… 

Polly Spencer is fine. She’s single, turning thirty and only managed to have sex twice last year (both times with a Swedish banker called Fred), but seriously, she’s fine. Even if she’s still stuck at Posh! magazine writing about royal babies and the chances of finding a plus one to her best friend’s summer wedding are looking worryingly slim. 

But it’s a New Year, a new leaf and all that. Polly’s determined that over the next 365 days she’ll remember to shave her legs, drink less wine and generally get her s**t together. Her latest piece is on the infamous Jasper, Marquess of Milton, undoubtedly neither a plus one nor ‘the one’. She’s heard the stories, there’s no way she’ll succumb to his charms…

My Review:

I kept seeing this book pop up online so I decided to give it a read, the synopsis is right up my street and I'm glad I did so big thanks to Netgalley for an early sneak peak!

We meet Polly Spencer whose best friend Lex is getting married and she needs a plus one!  Single and nearing her thirties she's not on the lookout for 'The One' but a plus one to the wedding would do... for now!

Some of the stories Polly covers for her job as a writer for Posh! Magazine were ridiculous, the avocado one making me LOL!  However one of the stories she takes on leads her to meet Jasper, Marquess of Milton who lives in a fancy castle, Jasper is constantly in the press and Polly is about to get an exclusive interview into the real Jasper and his family.

After a weekend away staying at the family castle, Polly gets to know the real Jasper behind the paparazzi cameras and she believes the press have it wrong about him and his family.  Jasper takes an interest in Polly which surely can only end badly, right?  Even though Polly knows all the stories and has even been told first hand of his charms by her work friend Lala.  Will she fall for his romantic side?!  I'll leave that for you to find out.

I loved the close relationship Polly has with her mum, how honest they were when speaking and the conversations between the two really made me laugh.  It reminded me of my relationship with my own mum and the way I can speak to her like speaking to a friend.  It was really nice reading some of the scenes between the two ladies.

I also liked the friendships Polly has built over the years, Lex and Bill being the closest two.  I liked the fact that Sophia gives a little background information on their first meets, it really does help to bond to a character no matter how small or large their part is in the story.

Although a little predictable at times which I honestly don't care as it's nice to see where the author is going with the story, I also love when I can say 'I guessed it right!' when I finish!  This is a perfect summer read for when you need a little escapism, it's funny with some heartwarming moments.  

Congratulations Sophia on your debut novel, waiting patiently for your next book!

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Book Review: What Fresh Hell by Lucy Vine

Synopsis:

Lilah Fox has just returned from the hen party from hell, vowing to actually spend time with her boyfriend and focus more on herself. Then she gets the whatsapp from her best friend Lauren to say she's just got engaged. And as maid of honour, Lilah just signed up for weekend wedding fairs and weekly planning meetings for the next year.

Just when she thinks things can't get any worse, she's about to discover a new fresh hell. 

My Review!

I really enjoyed Lucy Vine's debut novel 'Hot Mess' so when I saw this one I couldn't wait to start it. If you enjoyed Hot Mess I can promise you this one will not disappoint, like Hot Mess Lucy's writing is very clever and the stories are really very relatable! This book had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. 

What a year for Lilah Fox, demanding job as an assistant producer, stuck in the middle of her divorced parents who hate each other and see nothing wrong with slating each other to her, a brother who only appears when he needs to borrow money, endless hen nights to attend, following all the weddings and not forgetting the wedding gifts to be bought leaving her bank account in the minus, trying to find time to keep her relationship to Will alive and now to top it off her best friend Lauren announces she is engaged and lucky Lilah is the maid of honour... I feel exhausted just typing all that!

I really liked and believed in the character of Lilah, she is your typical woman in her late twenties, trying to please everyone and not being able to say no. There were times when I wanted to jump into the book and shake her as I could see she was taking on too much.

So Lilah's now maid of honour to her best friend Lauren.

Lauren... what a blooming nightmare bride! I fear that there are many Lauren's in this world and I really hope I wasn't a Lauren myself! I think there is something about weddings that bring out the bridezilla out of everyone! 

The number of hen do's in a year was ridiculous but not surprising... Lucy describes them all really well, they had me giggling and thinking 'oh my Christ!!' on many occasions, my favourite one being the juice hen party!!

All planning meetings, hen party's and weddings aside this book takes on a deeper story of Lilah. Trying to keep everyone happy is causing Lilah's private life to suffer and at some point something has got to give and Lilah needs to take back control of her life and start saying NO!

All in all this book is brilliant, funny and at times over the top but that just makes it even better! 

Thanks Lucy for another fab read! 

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Book Review: The Wedding Date by Zara Stoneley

Synopsis:

One ex.

One wedding.

One little white lie.

When Samantha Jenkins is asked to be the maid of honour at her best friend's wedding, she couldn't be happier. There are just three problems...

1) Sam's ex-boyfriend, Liam, will be the best man.

2) His new girlfriend is pregnant

3) Sam might have told people she has a new man when she doesn't (see points 1 and 2 above)

So, Sam does the only sensible thing available to her... and hires a professional to do the job.

Actor Jake Porter is perfect for the role: single, gorgeous and cheap! Sam is certain it's the perfect solution: no strings, no heartbreak and hopefully no chance of being found out.

But spending a week in the Scottish Highlands with Jake is harder than she imagined. He is the perfect boyfriend, charming sexy and the hottest thing in a kilt since Outlander! And his dog Harry is quite possibly the cutest things Sam has ever seen!

As the wedding draws closer, Jake plays his part to perfection and everyone believes he is madly in love with Sam. The problem is, Sam's not sure if Jake is acting anymore.

My Review!

This is one wedding you do not want to miss! I LOVED it! As soon as I saw the book cover (cake... need I say more..!) and the synopsis I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and after reading a few reviews I couldn't wait any longer and this book shot up my 'to be read' pile.

This story made me think of the brilliant 2005 film 'The Wedding Date' with Debra Messing and the lovely Dermot Mulroney! How was this film 8 years ago?! - I must re watch this!

This book has to be one of my fav books of 2018 so far, so good I was up till the early hours as I just couldn't put it down.

We meet Sam... good news is that her best friend is getting married, bad news is the best man is her ex boyfriend Liam.. The bad bad news is her ex boyfriend Liam has a new girlfriend and to make matters worse the bad bad bad news is the new girlfriend is pregnant!! Arghhhh!!!

So Sam is the maid of honour to her best friend, Jess. Unfortunately the groom's brother is Sam's ex boyfriend Liam. The wedding is the last place Sam wants to run into Liam but Sam being Sam the most caring and wonderful friend she puts her feelings to one side and plans to attend.

To save loosing face in front of family and friends at the wedding she decides to tell everyone that she has moved on and has a new boyfriend, problem is said boyfriend does not exist. After visiting her hairdresser Tim, she is presented with an idea of an escort or hiring an actor and here she comes away with a business idea that is Jake.. Sam and Jake meet and after hitting it off decide to confirm a contract with rules (rules are for breaking right?!) and off they leave for the wedding in the Scottish Highlands as 'pretend' boyfriend and girlfriend not long after Jake has played the perfect partner at dinner with the 'in laws'. (awww he's a keeper!)

Thank you Zara for Jake, I am sure I am not alone when I say he is the perfect date, such a charmer and I loved him from the first chapter he appeared in. My list of chick lit hotties is rather long (what's a girl to do?!) but I have to say Jake is right up at the top!

I really liked Sam, she was very relatable, and I really wanted nothing but good things for her. I did feel sorry for her in the beginning especially finding out that her ex boyfriend Liam (we hate him by the way) must have done the dirty deed on her but as I read further into the book I envied her for having such a hot date at the wedding of the year! (jammy dodger!!) On a serious note this book was also a self discovery for Sam on what she wanted out of life 'AL' (After Liam!) and I must admit Liam most probably did her a massive favour!

I loved the lead up to the wedding, lots of funny scenes many including Harry, Jake's dog... The most cutest, curious dog ever! I enjoyed reading the chemistry between Sam and Jake, Will Sam fall for Jake and just how good of an actor is Jake?! Arghhh questions.. questions...!

Well done Zara on such a blooming brilliant read, thank you for creating a story that kept me from sleeping, I love when a book does that!

This little beauty is due to be released as eBook 20th April, paperback due out 28th June! BUY BUY BUY!!

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