Would Like to Meet, Rachel Winters

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Women's Fiction

First off, Women's Fiction – its 2020, this category is well past its sell by date. Men read and write books like this.
I loved the sound of this but....though it made me laugh several times, it wasn't one that was a great read for me. Its light and fun, but felt kind of cluttered with so many possible plots, so much going on. Its was just so busy that for me it kind of lost direction. I felt Evie was a pretty poor friend to the JEMS too, very wrapped up in her own life, expecting help and support from them, but rarely offering any back.

I didn't see how as an aspiring writer, encouraged by her dad since she was a kid, she let one rejection go to heart like that. Changed her whole career ambitions from it. Surely she'd know rejections are just part of a writers life?
The real stars were Ben ( I loved him) and of course Anette. She was an incredible kid, especially for only seven, but then maybe losing her mum made her grow up quick. Her actions were really touching.
I did like ( to dislike) the yummy mummies and their awful offspring and names. The vomiting session from Justice, reminded me of way back when as twenty somethings my husband and I had a small beach cafe. Picture it: busy lunchtime, seats all full and then right in the centre a kid vomits spectacularly over the table, floor, chairs, luckily didn't get any people. “Oh” says mum blithely “ that always happens when she has strawberry milkshake, but she really wanted it”. Of course mum wasn't the one that had to clean it up, that was me, muttering “why give her the damn stuff then....”

I'd guessed almost from the off what was going to happen with NOB and his manuscript, I don't mind sometimes, but that was just so predictable I was disappointed.
I'm a reader, not a film lover so maybe the story would have appealed more if I'd seen the films connected to the story.
Its a decent read but I felt didn't quite hit the spot for me. Usual caveat, what one reader hates another loves. Just because this didn't do it for me, doesn't mean you won't love it as much as other readers do. Reading is incredibly subjective.

Stars: Two and a half. Just didn't really work for me, too busy, too predicable in parts.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

Thanks to Orion and Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed the book but at times felt a little overwhelmed with the comings and goings of all the characters Evie is struggling to advance her career as an agent while still stuck in the role of assistant. The book is a good read though not my usual choice.

Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters a romping five-star read. This was a story that I knew I needed in my life when I saw the blurb a story about meet-cutes and rom coms, that’s what I enjoy most in life!! (other than chocolate and wine I suppose) Evie Summers, what are you going to do, this had me laughing and then pleading with a made up character not to do what I thought she was going to be doing!! There are a couple of twists with this tale and there was one twist in this that I am so glad I didn’t see coming as it would have clouded my judgment of someone that it was already a shadowy figure. This will be one of my favourite rom coms of 2020, I am looking forward to hearing more from Rachel Winters as she has a style of writing that brings a smile to my face, and a giggle to my life.

This was a really cute story. It follows Evie as she is desperate to become a writer but is stuck and her only chance is to persuade ‘Nob’ to complete his script. A funny heart warming book which would make a lovely film!

This story was cute based around Evie having to stage various 'meet-cutes' rom com style to help inspire a petulant screen writer she worked with. Some of the meet-cutes did make me smile as they were quite comical. However that was a lot going on in this story overall, lots of situations and people to get to grips with.

I felt that Evie actually was quite self absorbed during the story especially when it came to her friends one of who is planning her wedding. She really wasn't that great of a friend.

The Anette kid was a lovely character and grounded the story with her genuine observations throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

A great read.

Evie wants to be an agent, but is still an assistant and feeling like her career is going nowhere.

Then she sees a chance for promotion, and all she needs to do is get Ezra (NOB) to complete his screenplay. Easier than it sounds, when she has agreed to set up meet cutes like in the movies in order for her to find a boyfriend.

Her friends are trying to help her, but Ben isn't very supportive. I loved the character of Anette.

Firstly may I say that I really do not like the term 'meet-cute'.
Having said that there was a lot to enjoy in this story. Evie wants to be more than just an assistant writer. Her manager, the rather nasty Marcus, derides her abilities. She is given a chance to assist a world renowned writer with his new book.
He is a difficult and very childish character who pouts a lot and wont write without an incentive....in this case Evie's posts on her many meetings with men, most of which are disastrous.
I found the gang of friends to be superfluous to the story, too many people, too many issues. They made the story far too jumbled.
But the person who shone out was Anette, I would so like to have heard more of her. She was funny in a very understated way, she understood both Evie and her father Ben, and had her own way of approaching issues.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy of the book.