What a delightful and enjoyable read. I'd never read any novels by Anna Bell but after reading this I wonder why. I feel like I say that about a lot of authors so I will definitely be broadening my reading! Although this cover isn't my most favourite ever, I enjoy the bright colours, the two main characters parallel to each other and the style of writing. It doesn't give much away but at the same time piques your intrigue and makes you want to find out what it's about.

This was quite a different novel to what I usually read, however this is no bad thing. I loved the character of Lydia, there are laughs throughout the novel and I found myself laughing at this novel on more than one occasion. I love a book that makes you feel good and this is exactly that.

The novel follows main character Lydia, who is feeling a bit 'bleh' about her life at the moment. She feels that everyone around her is moving on with their lives, either getting engaged or having a baby and she feels that time has stood still for her. So, when her mum buys her a ticket to Barcelona to 'find herself' again, she reluctantly goes. However, whilst she's out there, she bumps into old friend Danny, whom she's loved since she was a teen and they kissed at her sister's wedding. Sparks fly and the pair pick up from where they left off. One thing leads to another and the pair decide to go ahead with a pact they made when they were at the wedding, to get married to each other if they are still single by the time they're thirty. Lydia's made up because she's always loved Danny, well at least she think she has... and the pair indulge in a whirlwind romance. But is it all that's cracked up to be?

Oh, what an amazing story!! I literally could not put this down!! When it got to the 'sten' do, I was literally just so eager to carry on reading it and I was getting frustrated when I couldn't! I literally couldn't wait to find out what happened next and to find out what was going on. Why was Victoria and Danny acting so shifty? Was something going on between them? Will Danny and Lydia stay together? What happens with Ross? All of these questions kept flying around my head and I just had to know how it ended - and what an ending! One thing I loved about this story was Lydia and Danny's mums. They were just so funny and their antics had me in stitches. I also liked that we got to hear about other secondary characters as well. Such as Lucy and her fiancé Ed, Kerry and her family and the like.

I will certainly be looking out for more novels by Anna Bell in the future. And I'll be going back to finding some older ones of hers to read too! Overall, a brilliant unputdownable read. Thank you so much to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

'If We're Not Married by Thirty' is a romance story between two people who make a pact to marry each other, discovers that they do fancy each other but because of their personal lives, have never really gotten together until a holiday getaway that had Lydia and Danny rekindle their feelings and act on their pact. However, their plans of elopement fell apart when they had to wait for a couple of weeks, leading Lydia to think about her life and her relationship with Danny.

What I liked about the book are the secondary characters, as they bring so much life outside of the romance. These characters are not just peppered around Lydia and Danny to give them a semblance of a life, but they are entertaining and likable. If one is a fan of whirlwind romance, this is pretty much one. While they do know each other for most of their lives, and they keep track of each other's lives via mail (either electronic or physical), them jumping into marriage doesn't seem well-thought of. It was still an enjoyable read. There were some random tidbits dropped here and there that seems to be completely out of nowhere, but it does eventually make sense, so that's something to look for.

This book did make me want to book a flight to Barcelona to eat tapas and drink sangria.

Originally posted to www.katiealexandrablog.wordpress.com

I'm a bit torn about what I feel about this book. I read the first couple of chapters on Readers First and thought it sounded a fun and light read. I don't read a lot of romance, but thought the concept was cute and was ready for a funny book.

Don't get me wrong, it sure was cute. After keeping in touch via email for the last decade, and sending each other silly gifts in the mail as they keep missing each other wherever they live, Danny and Lydia finally meet by accident in what is supposed to be Lydia's 'find herself' holiday, and quickly fall under each others spell. They are absolutely smitten with each other, and are soon planning to act on that pact from so many years ago, that if they're not married by thirty, they'll marry each other.

One of my problems was that the two main characters both came across a bit immature. I liked their relationship - I'm a sucker for that childhood friend that you think you're not into but BAM - feelings! They obviously got along well and enjoyed each others company, but I would have liked to see a bit more of them being friends, not just both apparently great in bed.

I also didn't feel much for the secondary characters. I was underwhelmed with the inferred jealousy between Victoria and Lydia, Ross and Danny, and my only real favourite character was Hazel, Danny's mum. She had some cracking lines and provided much of the little comic relief. 

It was still a fun read, if you didn't read too much into the logistics and unrealistic factors of their at the drop of a hat wedding - despite some pact you made when you were younger, would you really rush into marriage like that? I found it unromantic, unnecessary, and like I said above, added to their immaturity. Overall, a 3 star rating.

If We’re Not Married by Thirty is the new book from Anna Bell. I absolutely loved this fun filled book.

Lydia and Danny have known each other all their lives, and after kissing at Lydia’s sister’s wedding they make a pact to marry if they are still single at 30. Over the years they have kept in touch with each other and when they unexpectedly meet up in Spain, fireworks sizzle between them and they realise they belong together. As they plan their future, will they find their happy ever after or will someone try to put obstacles in their way?

A wonderful feel good romantic comedy with an excellent cast of characters. Lydia and Danny are great characters but their mums, Linda and Hazel, were brilliant. This is an enjoyable entertaining book which I would recommend.

Childhood friends Lydia and Dan make a pact at a wedding that if either of them is single at 30 they would marry each other. 10 years pass and a chance encounter brings the childhood friends back together and giving their pact some consideration. How could it not be perfect when they know each so well?

Such a delightful book you cannot help but fall in love with Danny along with Lydia, For anyone who enjoys a great romance with a good heart.