I'm so sad to have to leave only 3 stars. I absolutely adore Giovanna and her writing, it's so relatable and I normally fall in love with her characters. This for me was just a little underwhelming. I didn't feel like the story actually went anywhere. It just sort of sailed through the end without anything exciting (bar the beginning part)
It was nice enough, an easy read but for Giovanna I was left disappointed

This was a really gentle and relaxing read that was exactly what I needed after a stressful day. I didn't have to pay too much attention to it to grasp what was going on. The plot that you need on the blurb takes up around of quarter of the story and the rest...well, I guess we follow the recovery of Lizzie as she attempts to redefine herself outside of a relationship. There's not a lot of conflict as things go infinitely well for her.

If anything, it's an uplifting story of a woman's success and taking back her life after feeling slightly repressed in a relationship for ten years. It was really positive to read about such a happy outcome to something quite tragic.

But, honestly, not enough happened to interest me but I was too far into the book before I came to the realisation that I didn't want to not finish it.

The story of a woman piecing her life back together after a harsh break-up should be all about going it alone and doing all the things she was unable to do before. And that's a positive in this book. It's not just a story about a woman needing a man to feel whole again. But because it followed the rom com style so thoroughly it sort of seemed like something was missing. I wanted to love it but I just liked it. Probably a three and a half if pushed!

I think Some Kind of Wonderful is pretty average to be honest. It didn't have me gripped, but it was a light, easy read. Apart from what happened at the beginning of the story, not a lot happened after that. Where was the drama? It was too obvious in parts - there was a lot of telling rather than showing.

I didn't warm to Lizzie at the beginning being as she was obsessed with her boyfriend proposing, but as the story unfolded and Lizzie learnt more about herself, I warmed to her. I didn't like her sister much (and didn't think the Christmas present "plot point" was necessary), nor do I feel that Ian was given enough of a part. For me Lizzie and Ian's story was left unfinished. Although the ending was satisfactory, the door was left open for a sequel. If there is one, I hope Fletcher adds more conflict.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Out of the blue, Lizzie’s world is rocked spinning. She wonders where she went wrong, and is introspective about the loss of her dreams. At 28 years old, she sets out to look at the girl she was 10 years ago, and realises how much she has changed, trying to build on her new uncertain future.
Lizzy is a warm, funny, and humorous character, and has the ability to laugh at herself. Her best friend Connie, sister Michelle, and family try to help her to adjust, and move bravely on. All characters are believable, and add to the humour in the story.
On the downside, not much happens in the story, and it can be quite slow in places. The book is well written, with a quirky sense of humour which I enjoyed. Will certainly look out for more of this author’s books.

Not your classic chicklit novel (but filled with delightfully familiar tropes for lovers of the genre), some kind of wonderful is more a journey of self discovery than it is a classic love story. A funny, awkward, and soul-affirming read -- I inhaled it in a (long) single sitting.

Gi has, without a doubt, done it again. I have been eagerly awaiting this book since the last one, and I think Gi is on top-form. This was such a heartwarming story with characters I really believed in. Natalia might be my favourite!! I found some of the cultural references a bit distracting, mostly because I follow Gi on social media, and so it felt quite pointed when she dropped in mention of CoppaFeel and body positivity post-baby and so on, but I tend to look on this as a greater insight into Gi's personality (rightly or wrongly). I loved every moment of this read and will wait patiently for the next one - please not so long a gap next time!

This is a book that has its heart in the right place and is a lovely comfort read when you are feeling a bit meh and need cheering up.

Lizzie is a great character. I didn't warm to her at the start of the book, because she was so fixated on getting a ring on her finger that she lacked any depth or redeeming features. However, as the book progressed and Lizzie dealt with the realisation that she was now on her own, she became a much more endearing person and I found myself cheering her on as she made some quite dramatic life changes that were all about herself.

I did find the book a little obvious in places though and it felt a little too self conscious with the psychological insights. I also felt that these detracted from the cosy flow of the book.

Thank you to the publishers and net galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review. I will add my review to Amazon when the book is published.

This is the first Giovanna Fletcher book I have read and I was ever the cynic on 'celebrity' writers however I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Some Kind of Wonderful hooks you in and makes you feel a part of the story. It is well written and has a great balance of emotion throughout.

I had a hard job putting this book done as I continually needed to know what was going on!

3*

I haven't read any of this author's books before but have heard good things about her. After books about gangsters and serial killers I was particularly looking forward to something a bit lighter.

After 10 years with her boyfriend Lizzy is unexpectedly on her own. She realises she no longer knows who she is so sets out to become the person she wants to be.

I read this book on and off in one day. It didn't have my attention so much that I couldn't put it down but I did enjoy picking it up and reading more. There were a couple of bits that I didn't think went with the storyline (Christmas present from her sister, really?!) but on the whole it was enjoyable. The extra 1/2 star is for the ending.

ARC copy received for honest review.

Some Kind of Wonderful, Giovanna Fletcher

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Women's fiction, Romance

I loved Billy and me, simply adored it. Sharp dialogue, great characters and a drama filled, wonderful romance. That was my first GF read, and then I read Your the one that I want - and really didn't like it. Still, that could just have been a bad choice for me so when I saw this I wanted to see if it recaptured for me the wonderful feeling of Billy and me. Sadly it didn't :-( 

I found this story dragged, after the initial break-up. 10 years, I could understand the pressure from friends and family, but it seems to have got to the point where Lizzy is focussed on a wedding more than their life together. When they break up, she feels she's lost; lost Ian, lost those ten years and mostly, lost the person she might have been if they hadn't been together. 
I did feel for her, it was awful the way it happened and anyone would react as she does, look at themselves , the time where they could have become a different person. but that's how life is, its a series of paths and we chose the route.

Looking back, reminiscing, making her resolutions for the future - all those parts I liked but....I was wanting a romance book, and though we met someone who could fit that partway through the book, they don't even get as far as exchanging phone numbers until the very end of the story. That's not what I need in a romance read, I expect an actual romance, not just the possibility of one in the future.
Though I enjoyed Lizzy's memories, seeing her come to resolutions about various issues I wanted a romance read and TBH for me this failed at that.
Billed just as Women's Fiction I'd have had different expectations, and rated accordingly but it isn't and I felt let down by the lack. 

Stars: 2.5. I wanted romance, I got a fun story about growing up, finding yourself, looking forward in life not back, but it wasn't what I was expecting.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I cannot recommend this book enough I read it all in one sitting and it made me laugh aloud sometimes and near tears another what a fantastic story

I was a little bit disappointed with the content of this book as I was hoping it would be all about travel and adventure as Lizzie tried to rediscover herself. The only adventure that was detailed in it was joining a local choir. There was a lot of detail of the breakup and the aftermath which wasn't really what I was hoping for.. Although I am sure that many other people will love it especially if they like soaps and the details of family relationships and their complexities. Good luck with it I am sure it will be warmly welcomed by many people as it is very well written, but just not my cup of tea. Many thanks.

Some kind of wonderful, Giovanna' best novel yet. Loved it. The book follows Lizzy a 20 something who's life wasn't quite going as she planned. The books characters are easy to get relate to, get to know, fun and her sister makes me laugh out loud. A lovely story that has a few twists and turns and wasn't predictable. I love the fact that Billy gets a mention too. Would definitely recommend.

I’m giving a three star review since it is pretty much impossible to review the book based solely on it’s blurb.
The story seems incredibly interesting though, looking forward to reading it.

I am looking forward to this book but was a bit disappointed this sampler was a blurb rather than opening chapter - can't wait to read the actual book!

It is nigh on impossible to give a star rating to a book on this basis.

Absolutely gutted to download this all excited and discover zero content to read or review. Hopefully I can read it when it is published and love it then :-)