What a truly heartwarming romcom. This dealt with awkward, sensitive issues in such a cute way. Yes, it was a predictable boy meets girl story, but surely that's the reason for reading romance books? There were several times I actually did laugh out loud as I pictured the scene. As a movie, this would be hilarious. This is clearly a sign of a great writer to me, making the book come to life in my head.

Freddie and Kate both have issues of their own including OCD and anxiety, which go way back to their younger years. They are also both virgins and meet at a group for "adult virgins" where they form a friendship. What develops from here is clearly what the book is about so I won't spoil it for you.

I read this over 2 afternoons sat in the garden, so it was a perfect light hearted weekend read for me.

Really enjoyed it so a big thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for an advanced reading copy.

Kate and Freddy are very different people but they have one thing in common. They are both adults. And they are both still virgins. When the pair meets at a self-help group for adult virgins they realise that they might be able to help each other out.

After reading the premise of the book I already felt as if I knew how the story ended, but that did not make the book less enjoyable. Freddy and Kate are both characters that the reader can easily relate to in some ways. Neither of them feel as if they have their lives sorted out and have the impression they are running out of time. While people around them are getting married or start working in their dream jobs, Freddy and Kate believe everything that is going wrong for them is just happening because they have never had a partner.
When picking up the book I expected to read a cute romance novel, but this book was so much more than that. The novel showed me that, no matter how old you are, it is never too late for anything and just because you haven’t yet found yourself does not mean you aren’t worth it.

I can recommend Adult Virgins Anonymous to everyone who has ever felt like something is not going as planned. The novel made me start looking at the things in life that are making me happy, rather than at things that aren’t working out.

I would like to start by saying that I read the first two chapters on the 19th of August and then got distracted by various other books and graphic novels. However, I started to actively read this novel on the 3rd of September and I have finished it already despite reading it around work. I couldn't put it down, and I didn't stop thinking about Freddie and Kate and what they were going through.

I personally don't have compulsive OCD or anxiety to the level that they do however I had various other issues that allow me to understand those compulsions and I understand doing something to the point of it hurting - but I don't think I've ever seen that being represented in a book so well before, so I would definitely like to thank Amber Crewe for that.

Seeing someone fight with body image issues is another thing that resonates with me (and being an "older virgin" too) but again, this was tackled really well. Honestly, how many of us have made friends at school because of convenience and then sadly (or not so) lost touch as you drift and move on with life.

I feel this tackled so many issues that come up in day to day society and life that it was a joy to read.

Also, I would be lying if I said I didn't want to hear about their future too! Encore!

Many Thanks to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book before being published in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy this book, didn´t love it though. I mostly read it through in a couple of days.
It is a nice romance story about Freddie and Kate, two grown ups that haven´t had sex yet (so what). They met casually in a group of people who get together to talk about why they are still virgin. And they get to know each other through sharing experiences, talking, going out, etc, where friendship is what always matters.

Freddie and Kate are surrounded by different and diverse type of characters in the group where they discuss why they are still virgin. That make the book more interesting. Interesting also read about their families and how different they are.

Anxiety and OCD are also explored in this novel and makes you realise o helps you to understand a bit about that type of behaviour
This was a nice story overall. A different way of talking about relationships making it quite enjoyable.

I will be recomend it to people who like romance books.

It seems that finally we have something that resembles some form of reality in a Romance book. Hoorah! Let's all celebrate the realistic qualities that some of us actually do possess! It is finally nice to see something that I could talk about to another human being and they would just as much appreciate what this book is able to offer to a great part of the population.

Kate and Freddie are shown to be on two varying paths in life. One in IT, the other recently having a rejig of her life, due to her redundancy in a very well paid job and now working in a gallery. So what makes the similar? Having that one secret, that really shouldn't be a secret, they are still virgins. Something that is perceived by both themselves and some parts of society to be weirdly bad. But as luck would have it, they both find the same advertisement of other virgins who meet up and chat about how it bothers them and life in general.

This story in particular has reminded me of so many indie/foreign films in the past that works off a similar premise, but somehow it still has that endearing quality to it. I think that it's because they aren't perfect and they can be susceptible to certain problems that affect them more than most. Kind of reminds me of many people that I have had the pleasure of getting to know throughout my life so far.

I genuinely enjoyed this book and how there wasn't any promise of what is meant to happen. Because that's life right? We never truly know what is around the corner, no matter how much we try so hard to plan. Maybe this is a book that we should all come to read as we are growing up. Taking away those feelings that you have to do anything right the first time, because you can always try again and it could even be better than the other versions before you. Life is not a race. We think it is. It's in our name. The human race. But that doesn't really say anything apart from species that we are all labelled as. Maybe if we all come to realise this, maybe we will be a little kinder to our peers.

So, the reason why I gave this a four star rather than a five, is the stereotypical cat and mouse chase. As much as I love a good old trope as the next, I'm not sure whether I liked it very much. Maybe I've seen too many and now I've become cynical. Either way, I think that it is still a great attempt of showing how life can be like and that it is not as bad as it seems.

I was interested to read this, especially as it depicted aspects of sexuality that aren't usual in romance novels, as the title indicates it focuses on 2 adult virgins who meet at a support group and how they gradually get to know each other. However I found the plot predictable and the writing style a bit flat.

Freddie and Kate meet at a uni leavers ball but fate gets in the way and it's several years later before they meet again at a support group for adult virgins.
This is such a quirky and unusual story that deals with an issue that still seems to be taboo in our society - adult virgins. There is a lot of discussion about Freddie's OCD which I mention just as a trigger warning but it is handled sensitively and with understanding. These people are not portrayed as freaks but as people with real issues who are struggling.
I enjoyed it and the romance between Kate and Freddie was sweet and romantic. It's certainly different but I would recommend it to anybody who enjoyed such books as "The Flatshare"

Adult Virgins Anonymous is warm, witty, romantic and real. You'll be rooting for Kate and Freddie to get their happy ending.

I think being a "late virgin" or "late bloomer" is something that carries a big stigma in our society and Adult Virgins Anonymous helps to deal with that stigma. I enjoyed the OCD representation in this book especially a male with OCD as it's not something I had read about before. This book had a lot of rep for all sexualities and gender identities also.

I'm not sure I really connected with the romance between Freddie and Kate but I think this was a solid read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC of this book.

<i> Adult Virgins Anonymous </i> was fantastic! I had the very best time reading it.

It is a well rounded, wonderfully written love story that has a very powerful message: Life is not a race.

Both main characters are not exactly where they should be according to society's standards and while it irks them, it is very clear that it irks them more because other people think they're <i> weird </i>.

The way this book is written and the way it deals with ideals and "normality" is absolutely great. Both Kate and Freddy are highly lovable characters, who just struggle a bit... generally. And that's okay. It's not me saying it's okay, it's the book saying it's okay.

Besides that, the book has amazing LGBTQ rep including asexuality, which is also discussed at the "Adult Virgins Anonymous" meetings. The general idea of this story is that it's okay to be a little different and to have different experiences to other people and having that sentiment in a book is like a whiff of fresh air that this society desperately needs.

I love this book with all my heart and can only recommend it to everyone.

I was in need of a light hearted read after getting through a pile of dark and twist psycholigical thrillers. This was absolutely perfect.

Nothing mega substantial, just a fluffy warm romantic comedy which did make me laugh and cringe in some parts but was quick easy enjoyable reading.

I really felt like I got to know the main characters Kate and Freddie and the writing style made them likeable, the kind of story where you are routing for them all the way til the end.

A solid 4 star read, many thanks to netgalley for provising an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'll be honest and say that the title of book drew me in immediately but I felt decidedly awkward throughout this book (maybe that is a skill that I learned from Freddie).

Kate and Freddie are virgins and they want to change that. Kate feels that her virginity should be given to someone she truly loves whereas Freddie's battle with mental health has left him awkward and feeling out of place. What remains are two people who feel that they don't belong because they don't feel 'normal'. But through the 'Adult Virgins Anonymous' club they see that they are not 'freaks' or 'weird' but that sometimes virginity can be by choice rather than just because they are 'not attractive enough' or weird.

I think the Kate and Freddie relationship was a little predictable and very awkward to read but there was an element of sweetness there too, especially when Kate tried to branch out to other men.

All in all it was an easy enough read.

I found this book A good read, along with an uncomfortable storyline, with very awkward moments. Saying that, I throughly enjoyed it.

I've got to be honest. The title totally drew me in.
A group for adult virgins? Bring it on!
A short segment at the beginning introduces two characters who don't know each other, at uni, in 2011. Kate and Freddie, are both plucking up the courage to approach people they like.
Fast forward to now, and those same characters have never quite managed to pluck up that courage, and now find themselves, almost ten years later, in the same place, romantically, as they were then.
A chance sighting of a card in a pub, advertising a group for Adult Virgins, leads them both back to their old university, where the meetings are held, and the story unfolds.
Low confidence, OCD, overbearing families, friends who really aren't, interspersed with new opportunities, new friends, and possible new love.
A cut story, which you know is going to have a HEA.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Staughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The title of the book was what drew me in. It sounded like it would be a light hearted romance style read with some humour injected.

It felt like it became a book trying to tackle lots of issues that weren’t thoroughly researched. Lots of characters were brought in but none had any real role in the story except the leading ones, from who’s point of view this was written.

it became quite hard work in the end and wasn’t a book that left me desperate to read more

I had high hopes for this title but was left feeling quite underwhelmed.

While the premise is fresh and exciting, my main take criticism was with the dialogue between characters which, to me, felt cliché and unnatural at times.

I admire the attempt of handling of some of the more delicate topics but, as someone with lived experience of OCD some of the depictions came across very surface level, which, as a romance novel is perfectly fine to not delve into too great detail for, but did risk coming across as a character trope which made for a disappointing read.

This was a sweet and lovely story about Freddie and Kate, both of who are approaching 30 and have never had sex. I enjoyed and appreciated a narrative about adult virginity, which is something that isn't talked about enough. I liked them both as characters, and found their relationship compelling. They didn't quite spark off the page but that's not who they were. However, and this isn't really criticism of the book, but I would love to see this type of story from characters who are not white/middle class/cisgender/heterosexual.

The cover and synopsis of this book really appealed to me, so I was happy to be approved for an ARC.

Freddie and Kate are both approaching 30 and both virgins. Both carry this around with them as a huge burden, having never had the opportunity to ditch the label in their university days and throughout the following years.

The story is told from both perspectives, which is nice, but it was quite confusing at times as to who was speaking and who’s POV it was.

There were lots of character names to remember and some of the characters had stories that didn’t seem to be completed...what happened to Steve? Lindsey being in Hong Kong? Pippa being ostracised from the group? India’s reasoning for being so horrid? What was the rainbow alley flashback all about? Theee were so many side stories that after finishing the book I didn’t feel done with it.

I love a romance book and I’m quite comfortable reading steamy scenes. Considering the title of this book and the theme of the story, I expected there to be a bit more emphasis on the moment of losing their virginity. I felt a bit cheated for the scene to be skimmed over so briefly. There was very little reference to how the sex had made them feel both physically and emotionally.

I found Freddie’s mental health interesting and loved Kate’s reaction to this. I also liked the inclusion of Andy; however, I kind of feel like Andy’s non-binary classification was thrown into the story to make it more current and woke. I wish the author had actually explored Andys character more.

I wanted to love this book, and I really did like it, but felt a little frustrated with certain bits. Overall, it’s a lovely romance which covers some sensitive mental heath issues in a nice way.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

A cute, sweet, chick lit book - a perfect beach read (or home read if like me you're on Staycation due to the Covid-19 pandemic!)
It does what it says on the tin, it won't ever win any prizes but a lovely read, frothy, predictable chick lit but well thought out with engaging people - reminded me of Sally Rooney's Normal People in lots of ways..
Thanks to Netgalley and Coronet for the ARE copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

August Read

Adult Virgins Anonymous - Amber Crewe
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ( EBook kindly provided by @netgalley & @hodderbooks)

So when I saw this book on NetGalley the title screamed to me. I knew it was going to be a fun light read and that was just what I wanted. However there was also some pretty serious mental health issues covered too; Freddie one of the main characters has OCD and the topics of loneliness and self image are also in there.

The story is split between two characters; Freddie and Kate, who are virgins in their twenties. Freddie has struggled with mental health issues since he was young and that has left him feeling like a pariah, even amongst his family. Kate meanwhile has struggled with “Mean Girl” friendship groups and her self worth has taken a battering since she lost her high flying job. When both of them meet at a Adult Virgins Anonymous group there is an immediate attraction and from there you can guess where the story goes.

Whilst it was a predictable boy meets girl story at heart, I think it had many layers, that made it so much more interesting that your average rom com. There’s heartache interlace with hilarity - the comedy factor when Freddie and Kate try to have sex made me LOL and there are plenty more giggles throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book and I think I might have given it 5 stars however I was a little confused about a flashback Kate has in the rainbow alley - does this mean Freddie was the boy she kissed at university (maybe I’m just been a little blonde?!) there doesn’t seem to be anything mentioned about this afterwards? Also I thought the ending was a little rushed. The story seems to be wrapped up in the last few pages - I would have liked a little more.

Thanks for this great read!

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