I loved the dry wit in this book. Amusing moments kept creeping up and I had to stop and give myself time to laugh at some of the almost hidden funny descriptions
It's all about Florence, who actually wishes it wasnt about her. She is content with her life and her lovely cat Marmalade. She has a good relationship with her two zany stepsisters and with her dotty step mother. They are determined to change her life, and send her off to an extremely weird 'love coach'. Slightly unbelievable really..
It's a most enjoyable book.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

If you want some funny feel-good escapism - this is the book for you.

I loved the concept of the wish list (haven't we all written one about who we think our ideal man is?) and the idea of challenging what we think we want. The characters were beautifully written, and although the story-line was somewhat predictable I still wanted to turn the page due to the sexy scenes, witty dialogue and some cringe worthy situations that made me laugh out loud.

This was a touching story of love, friendship, family and accepting your quirks, and I did have a good weep at some parts (no spoilers) and I was left with a warm fuzzy glow after reading.

I look forward to reading more of Sophia's books!

Thank you netgalley for letting me read this!

Oh my goodness, I LOVED this book.

I had never read one by this author before, but after hearing a friend rave about her I decided to give it a go. It's the first book in ages where I actually laughed out loud, and I was glued to it for an entire weekend.

I was immediately sucked in to the world of Florence, and I loved how she negotiated her quirky life in the bookshop and her dating life. I especially loved her relationship with her sisters. When the book started, I thought they were going to be painted as the 'ugly stepsisters' who left her out, but I was pleasantly surprised that they were supportive and lovely throughout.

A really excellent, feel-good and extremely relatable read. Would give more stars if I could!

I’ve been reading so many books since the UK went into lockdown, and I normally read crime/thriller books and psychological thrillers however I needed something to make me smile.

Firstly, I have to say, I love Florence! She is quirky, amusing and sweet and the relationship with her cat Marmalade is adorable. I also loved the relationship between her step sisters, Ruby the ‘model‘ and Mia who was getting married, as well as her Stepmother, Patricia. The less said about Rory the better!!

The story was predictable but who cares still, I loved it. Although I didn’t laugh out loud, this book did make me chuckle. Sometimes you need a feel good book which doesn’t have all the twists and turns and I’m happy to say The Wish List is just that.

There is nothing else to say other than I loved this book!

Thank you so much to HQ and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in return for my honest review, I feel very lucky.

I LOVED this book! From the moment I read the synopsis I wanted to read it and it was prefect, just what I needed as my next book!

‘The Wish List’ tells the story of Florence Fairfax and how she’s reached the age of 32 without any real love interest or boyfriend, just her and her loyal companion, her cat Marmalade. Florence isn’t bothered by this, she loves her normal routine life and her job in a bookshop. Following a forced visit to a love guru she has to make a list of what she wants from the ‘perfect’ man and lo and behold, a chance meeting brings him into her life. However has she been looking for love in all the right places?

I loved Florence, I loved Marmalade, I loved everything! The writing style had me captured from the minute I began and I would have devoured this book in a day (if work hadn’t got in the way!!) It made me laugh, it made me cry and, although I predicted what was going to happen, I didn’t care and thoroughly enjoyed the journey of getting there. I will however never hear the words ‘Cowabunga’ in the same way again!!!

LOVED it, no other words needed! Off to find other books by Sophia now!

Instagram: @somethingaboutbooks23

4.5

This was exactly what I was hoping for, witty, funny and with an engaging cast of characters, I really enjoyed escaping into this one.

Florence is an introvert and an obsessive compulsive 'counter', trapped in a routine and living with her two step sisters and family who she feels kind of separate from. She's never had a boyfriend and so after visiting a very odd therapist type woman/witch character she writes a very specific list of requirements for her ideal man.

The therapist's involvement was the only thing that didn't really work for me; that part of the story was bordering on the paranormal, my eyes were rolling. I would have preferred Florence to have her epiphany without the mad therapist getting involved. But that's just me.

Apart from that this was warm, sweet and uplifting, just the thing to escape into.

Complete story, recommended.

**Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the arc.**

I adored this book so much and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I must admit that I wasn't expecting to be so blown away never having read any of Sophia Money-Coutts's other books, but ill certainly be buying them now.

This book tells the story of Florence Fairfax who works in a bookshop and suffers from OCD. She is the most lovable heroine I've read about in a long time and there is one scene with her cat Marmalade which actually broke my heart. I've been left wanting to tell everyone to read it and then feeling slightly guilty as they will have to wait a few months to experience this incredible novel.

I'm so grateful to Netgalley for letting me read this now and cheering me up while lockdown continues to keep me away from the world. This book brought some sunshine back into my life and I am so thankful to Ms Money-Coutts for writing this.

First off, I loved this book. Second, yes, I loved it!

It passes all the tests of a good read. The characters are fully formed, the writing is good and the story is one you sort of don't want to end. There was a touch of Cinderella about it, except that the step-mother wasn't evil, just a bit ridiculous, and the step-sisters weren't ugly or mean, just a little full of themselves until they weren't. They all very much loved our heroine, Freya and so did I.

One of the reasons I think that the book spoke to me so fully is Freya's counting. I don't count as much as she does, but I do have things that have to be the right number. The only difference is that with her it's even-numbered and with me it's odd and certain numbers are just not allowed. Yes, I know, it is a little odd and I wish it wasn't, but it is. So, of course, I loved reading about a woman with the same sort of "quirk" as mine and I loved watching her grow and allowing herself to live a full life. I also adored Marmalade, her cat who reminded me of a cat I once owned.

This is a book that will make you laugh, in places it will make you really cross and I'm pretty sure it will make you cry because I certainly did. In short, it's a lovely read full of love and hope, family, sisterhood and happy ever after.

Predictable, yet enjoyable.
Eccentric spinster Florence is sent to a 'love guru' by her stepmother who is desperate to see her married off. She writes a list of all the desirable qualities for a boyfriend. Soon after, handsome, blond Rory walks into the bookshop where she works and asks her out. A few dates later and all seems to be going smoothly. Then Zach appears in the shop to help out with bringing things up to date. Tattooed, motorbike riding Zach is not Florence's type at all - or is he?
A bridezilla sister, a desperate mother-in-law, a cat and a self-help group all play roles in the development of the story. The ending is no surprise, but the book is enjoyable nonetheless.

I enjoyed this book. The story was a bit predictable but the characters more than made up for that. I found them likeable and enjoyed the book immensely.

A laugh-out-loud chick-lit novel with a heroine you’ll fall in love with! Florence writes a list of qualities her perfect man must have. He walks into her life, but is he the one? Lovely feel-good, emotional read for these dark times!

What a funny, warm and fuzzy novel to distract from the lockdown woes! Laugh out loud, spit out your coffee humour and wonderful characters that I could really identify with! Loved it!

The perfect feel good book!

If you’re looking for an easy read that’ll make you laugh and your heart flutter, try this!
It was uplifting and powering. I loved that Florence wasn’t the “perfect” woman.
I hated Rory... but I think that was the point.
I AM annoyed that I never found out the reasoning behind “cowabunga”!!
There was one sad scene that I didn’t like, but I get it had to be there because it progressed the plot.
Overall I enjoyed it! Read it in one sitting, perfect to drag your mind away from a global crisis!

A thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

At the beginning of this book I was a little uncertain of Florence, it took a few chapters to understand her quirks and ways. After a few chapters I completely understood her and grew to love her! Her bond with her sisters was a joy to see throughout and both sisters were completely loveable characters.

It was such a joy to read this book and I could not put it down! I was completely sucked in to Florence’s world at the most perfect time an escapism is needed (coronavirus lockdown).
A perfect laugh out loud story!
PS: I think Curtis the counting caterpillar sounds a cracking child’s story!


Also posted about this book on my Instagram - @WelshBookLover

Exactly the sort of book you need at times like this (coronavirus lockdown).

It’s silly and jolly and funny in places.

I loved the main character, Florence, well rounded and interesting and you could imagine being friends with her.

The storyline I found entirely predictable and the character of Rory, completely one dimensional, which maybe was the point.

The sort of book that you’d want to read on a plane, on holiday sitting on the beach or during a pandemic.

Thanks so much for my free copy in return for this review.

A great feel-good read that is perfect to relieve a little stress and just relax and enjoy. Florence is great. The kind of person you can imagine being friends with and I could relate to some of her worries and anxieties. There are incidents to make you laugh and I'd love a cat like Marmalade. I enjoyed this one but did find it a bit slow at times.

This was exactly the sort of book I was looking for at the moment (coronavirus lockdown). It is silly and jolly and funny in places. I really liked the main character, Florence. I thought she was well rounded and interesting and I could imagine being friends with her.

The storyline was entirely predictable and the character of Rory seemed completely one dimensional, which was probably the point.

In short, this is the sort of book that you want to read on a plane, at the beach, or during a global pandemic! It’s silly and distracting and ultimately a pleasant way to pass a bit of time.

Thanks so much for my free copy in return for this review.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.

I enjoyed this very much. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I quite liked Florence. Single at 32 with anxiety issues, she is sweet, however at times, I felt I lost a sense of her, with her emotions and feelings not quite feeling real or convincing. I found the writing of this book slow and dreary, which made the story drag for me. When reading a rom com, you expect liveliness in the writing, but this was just plodding. I thought the book was going to be funny, but aside from one moment (involving Marmalade and a blindfold), I didn't laugh. The narrative is peppered with 'jokes' but they're not delivered with much panache, just lines that feel thrown in - the execution feels really forced and unnatural. Even the Marmalade moment didn't exactly crack me up. I laughed more picturing it happening to me or someone I know than actually reading the text. Sorry, but this just wasn't for me.

This has been a great read, it’s reminded me a little of the Perfect Match by Zoe May. I have loved most of the characters in this one. Although, Rory has annoyed me from the very beginning. I have laughed out loud a few times reading this book. It is a great read and has allowed me to escape for the afternoon. This is one I’ll definitely recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️