I truly enjoyed reading this book! You fall in love with Polly.
This is a heart felt chick lit book that I didnt want to end.
I've not heard of anything by this author but I sure will be adding her to my list of authors to follow!

I hadn’t read anything by Zoe May, and from the description I was interested in checking this one out.

I found this to be a light hearted, uplifting, humorous read.

Polly and Olly were never supposed to meet…

But then, they did!

I found the characters engaging and enjoyed the way Polly interacted with others.

The story was enjoyable if not a little slow at times but all in all it was a good easy read.

The rivals to lovers trope is such a fun one and the author does it so well in this book! You fall in love with the hero, and want to be the heroine. Such a good book I didnt want it to end!!!

Polly is a photographer but needs money so she goes to work for a company that goes through dating sites and picks people you are looking for so that you don't have to do it yourself. Polly starts at To the Moon and Back dating agency. But another company that does the same thing is owned by Olly, who is a hunk, This is the different challenges Polly has while having a crush on the opposition.
If you are into the chick lit books you will enjoy this one.

I thought When Polly Met Olly was a wonderfully written romantic comedy. It is a cute story about Polly trying to make it in her new job as a matchmaker in NYC, not wanting to have to go back home to her little town and live with her parents. All while also trying to actually make it as a real photographer. She experiences a little bad luck along the way. I really that each character has their own little quirky qualities. They are all likeable: Polly, Gabe, Derek, Brandon, Olly. With dating apps used so much these days, it is funny to see how her job for the agency works. I enjoyed the book. Thank you Netgalley for a copy for my honest opinion.

A refreshing read. Easy to follow, humourous, with likeable characters. I enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it to others to put on ther reading list.

I fully expected this book to be heavy on the romance. Why wouldn’t it be, it is a romance novel after all. I was pleasantly surprised to find the romance was not over loaded and that the wit and humour the main character oozes is what drives this story forward.

Polly lands a job at To The Moon And Back dating agency. She’s actually a photographer, but not landing any lucrative commissions has meant she’s had to take jobs that aren’t anything remotely to do with photography in order to get by.

Derek, her boss, is a sweet guy and when he asks Polly to pretend to be a potential client for one of his business rivals in order to better understand the competition, Polly wants to do her best for him. But when she actually meets Olly, the owner of Elite Love Match there’s a connection between them, leaving Polly feeling a little disconcerted by the obvious chemistry that was sparking between them.

When Polly Met Olly was a lovely read. It wasn’t too heavy on the romance, despite it being set around a dating agency. Polly is the kind of character that you warm to straight away. She’s clever, witty, humble, and genuinely wants to do her best for everyone she’s involved with, in whatever capacity.

The story takes a little while until we see the blossoming of romance between Polly and Olly, but to me, that felt like the right thing. It allowed the background story to tell itself, without the writer having to add bits on here and there for the reader to make sense of what’s happening. The story flows well and the characters all work well together too.

A well written, witty romance novel that doesn’t drown the reader with love and romance.

Highly recommended.

I couldn't get into this one. I got 40% through and had to skim the rest. The writing style didn't engage me with the story. It sounded more like a diary. Today we did this, and then we did this, then this happened, etc. Stop telling me what happened and show me with words and character. Overall, I was not a fan of this one.

When Polly Met Olly by Zoe May is a contemporary romance novel. Polly is a struggling photographer, who moved to New York to pursue her dreams. She comes on an opportunity to work for a small matchmaking agency leading to her meet the handsome competition that is Olly. At first I was not as interested by the description of this book, but I ended up reading it quickly. Polly is somewhat naive and I really thought Derek was going to be a conman (dude, that is corporate espionage). Boy and girl meet in awkward circumstances, boy finds out who girl really is, girl and boy fall in love, girl hears gossip about boy and ignores him, and then they make-up. This book is an okay read, but not unique.

When Polly Met Olly by Zoe May

This is the story of Polly, a British girl trying to make it professionally and romantically in New York City. Her photography career is going nowhere so she gets a job as a matchmaker for a small boutique dating agency. Olly is a New Yorker born and bred, who owns a rival dating agency, which is much more corporate and regimented. Sparks fly when the pair meet.

This is a super sweet concept for a book- two matchmakers who can’t seem to find love themselves. Polly herself goes through a great character act, as pushover to proud. However, Olly is a little two dimensional and we hardly get any time for their romance to blossom. Seriously I was 56% through the novel and we had hardly any page time for the main love interest. In fact we actually get to know the side characters more - her boss Derek and her flat mate Gabe. Olly for me seemed reduced to his tattoos and his love of designer clothing.

Saying that, the book is witty and sweet. I actually enjoyed seeing Polly’s photography profession flourish through the pages - from getting her revenge with using influencers and starting up her business. It’s a shame because the romance had all the potential to be amazing. However it did half a few little romantic twists in the plot I didn’t see coming, which kept it fresh.

Something else I should add is that this novel is too British. I myself am a Brit, but I found it jarring when her American boss called an Oreo a biscuit, an American would refer to this as a cookie. There’s quite a few little mistakes in here, I found it jarring so I can imagine it would be even worse for an American audience. It’s funny because this is something I usually notice when Americans write things set in the UK not vice versa.

This is a great light read, perfect by the pool novel.

- This ebook was provided for free from #netgalley for a honest review - all views are my own -

This book was ... fine. I can't say that since I've read it, I've thought a lot about it. I also can't complain that it was a difficult read (quite quick actually) - but it just doesn't really stick out from the pack.

Polly went to school to be a photographer. But she soon realizes that she needs to make some money, so she answers a classified add and becomes a matchmaker. Randomly, she ends up meeting Olly - who is also a matchmaker. And although he figures they should be together, it takes Polly longer to agree with him.

What worked:
Polly isn't a one dimensional character - Zoe May is able to create a sympathetic character who the reader will be cheering on. It's also nice that the book ends with Polly having a game plan for her future that feels authentic to her and her personal growth.

Polly's relationship with her boss. Super adorable. And it was sweet how much faith he put in her abilities.

What was a little lame:
Olly. Honestly he was a little one dimensional and too much of a typical "player gone right" stereotypical character. He was FINE - just nothing to get overly excited about.

I will admit that I read this after I had read Playing with Matches, and this was definitely similar but the better of the two books: the characters were more likable and believable and the story felt more authentic.

If you want a book that is quick, has a cute story line and who's main character proves to herself that she doesn't have to stay "stuck" - then this book is for you.

2.5 Stars

Also - Thank you Netgalley and HQ Digital for the copy.

I received a copy of When Polly Met Olly by Zoe May from HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I give this book 3.5 stars. Although this book was engaging and funny, I feel as though it missed the mark for a full 4 stars. So close. I definitely recommend this author and book for a quick, romantic read.

This was a feel good romance with much wit and humor. It was very enjoyable and made for a great beach read.
Many thanks to HQ Digital and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

💫Synopsis💫⠀
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Polly wants to be a photographer, having studied this at university, but ends up working for a dating agency when her photography doesn’t take off. Although it’s far removed from what she wants to do as a career, she actually enjoys it and her boss Derek is super loveable.⠀
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Polly’s path ends up crossing with Olly, who is from the rival dating agency, and after several non starters in her love life, she finds herself drawn to Olly, although his reputation precedes him. ⠀
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Although Olly has a terrible reputation as a womaniser, he soon realises that Polly is different, and maybe they both deserve some happiness and might just be what each other needs.⠀
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💭My thoughts 💭 ⠀
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This was a lovely book and I flew through it pretty quickly. I loved Polly and her flat mate, Gabe, is hilarious. ⠀
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It’s a funny book that made me smile and I was pleased with the ending, it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling.⠀
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The writing is fun and full of humour, I love books that make me smile and laugh out loud. All in all a lovely enjoyable read.

Was an enjoyable read. Characters were well written and relatable. Fun ride.Glad got a chance to read. Will pass along to friends and family .

I can tell if I've enjoyed a book when I stay up way past bedtime to finish reading it! This was a feel-good and light-hearted read. Although all about dating agencies, and how Polly finds a way in her new job to bring couples together it also shines a light on how love can come from the unexpected, that people don't necessarily have to look right on paper to be right for each other in real life. Also, that actually you should be thinking about how you can be your best self by setting the standards and expectations you want others to follow and expect for you without it having to come from a partner. However, as you would expect we do get the happy ending you expect from a book like this and they do make each other better people because they've found their 'match'.
My only gripe is that the kindle version could do with a little extra attention, especially towards the end of the book when names are spelt wrong or the character's names had been mixed up and used in the wrong place.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a hard book to finish, but I did for the sake of the review. It was not what I was looking for when I think of romcom.

This book just wasn't for me. It was really hard to get through this book. I couldn't connect with the characters or the plot. The main character Polly seemed snobby to me and manipulative and Olly I truly didn't like at all. There was no depth to Polly and the whole plot seemed all over the place. It just seemed boring. The dialogues seemed forced and none of the characters seemed to click or connect. The characters tried to seem funny and witty but it ddint work out.

When Polly met Olly is a romance story, or at least, according to the synopsis, it’s supposed to be. But when I get through 80% of a romance book and the romance is lacking, it gets harder for me to consider this a romance book.

Polly is a Brit whose dream has always been to make it in the Big Apple. She moved to NYC to study photography and after finishing her degree she was stuck. She ended up working at a bar to make ends meet and could only get odd photography jobs here and there which were clearly not enough for her to be able to live in the big city for long. So she decided to go to an interview for a job at a matchmaking agency. Here’s her background and where the book actually starts.

Polly gets the job. She needs to get wealthy Wall Street single men dates by finding women who will suit their tastes and requirements and then struck up conversation with them and hope to score these men dates. Shady, yes, but nothing too bad I guess.

Her boss asks her to go undercover to the rival agency and pretend to be interested in their services. That’s when Polly meets Olly.

Now, you’d think this is where things get interesting but other than gazing into each other’s eyes on their first meeting and bumping into each other at a bar - where he realises she lied about who she was - they don’t really meet up again until she finds out someone from his agency pretended to be a new client at her agency to survey the building her boss rents - nothing of real importance for the story other than getting them to meet again without anything coming out of it.

Meanwhile she becomes enamoured by one of the clients but still volunteers herself to find him his perfect someone, which she does.

66% into the book and Polly and Olly meet again at an agency party where they realise they had been talking to each other posing as their clients.
Now, we don’t read much of their bonding over texting, but we’re told they spent hours/days texting while posing as the clients.

They set up a date, it’s cute but we’re 80% into this book and we’re supposed to start rooting for this couple with no chemistry whatsoever and there hasn’t even been much tension or a kiss. Just intense gazing. Like, how about a bit more banter?

Polly cuts contact with Olly after learning about some of his past actions towards other women and this lasts until 91% of the book, and they finally kiss!!!

Keep in mind this is a short book and at 95% I was already reading the Acknowledgements page.

Something else I was “promised” and wasn’t delivered was the “All is fair in love and dating war...” bit. There was no war. When she confronted Olly about his undercover employee, he backed down right away, apologised and promised it’d not happen again. Like I said, absolutely no tension. Or chemistry for that matter.

There were also a lot of spelling mistakes, which I would not have pointed out had I liked the story enough to see past them.

I’m sorry if this review is all over the place, that’s how my thoughts on this book are right now and I’m writing this at 2am and am super frustrated.

Honestly, I’m left super confused and unfulfilled after reading this. I’m really sorry to say but this book did not deliver.

I really wanted to love this book. Despite the concept of a matchmaker, workplace romance not being wholly unique, the characters seemed extremely different and quirky in the description of the book which is what made me request it.

Upon actually reading though, I found the entire book sort of slow and boring. I think my main problem was that I had this great expectation of this witty, quirky romance between the two characters and in reality, their interactions were not only sparse but a lot of their conversations seemed forced. And what little interaction they did have, it lacked any sort of spark which is what I look for in reading romance books.

With that being said, I did find this to be an easy read. Slow, but easy. If you want a book that wont make you think too hard or take up too much brain capacity, then this might be a good book for you.