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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Are you still a virgin? Want to talk about it in a safe space?
Meetings every other Tuesday.
You're not alone.

Kate Mundy's life is not going to plan. Nearing thirty, she's been made redundant from her job, her oldest friends have quietly left her behind, and she can barely admit her biggest secret: she's never even been on a date, let alone taken her underwear off with a member of the opposite sex.

Freddie Weir has spent most of his twenties struggling severe OCD and anxiety, and now his only social interactions consist of comic book signings and fending off intrusive questions from his weird flatmate Damian. There's no way Freddie could ever ask a girl out and now he's wondering if this is the way it might be forever.

When Freddie and Kate meet at a self-help group for adult virgins, they think they might just be able to help each other out so they can both get on with finding their real romantic destinies.

But might these two have more in common than just their lack of experience?

Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy of this book.

To be honest the cover and title didn't entice me to the book, maybe a bit plain? They definitely don't do justice to the book, it is funny, sweet, romantic, I really enjoyed it.

The main characters are ones that you instantly love, Admittedly it's fairly obvious how it is going to end but I like books like this!

The idea of adult virginity is one that is rarely looked at without ridicule so this was a nice change.  People were treated kindly and not as oddballs as is commonly the way. 

It was also nice to read a book where the  main female character isn't in a dead end office job. Overall an entertaining read.

A brilliant, funny well written book that is absolutely hilarious. Brilliant bunch of characters and the perfect little storyline.

Adult Virgins Anonymous by Amber Crewe a five-star read that will open your eyes. This wasn’t always a five-star read but I went for it as overall I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the back story and the depth we get into with Kate and Freddie and the original-ness of the story, its one that will make you stop and thing and grab those you hold dear, who get you, it made me desperate to make mine read this. There was a great flow to the story and even though Kate and Freddie are the main players, there are others in this story that bring the detail and they are all well written there isn’t a 2 dimensional character here, that’s so rare to find, especially from a debut. I loved the premise and it made me stop and think would I have looked twice at the add, would I have gone along, would you? Pick up the book and find out.

If I said I wasn’t drawn to this based on the title alone I‘d be telling fibs, I absolutely was, and whilst we all know virgins in romance aren’t exactly a rarity, virgins like Freddie and Kate and their group of new found friends are, and they were a delight. A diverse, sweet, awkward delight.

“People think there’s this magical spell thing when it comes to losing your virginity. Like that one experience is suddenly the most important experience you’ll ever have...” 

Self-confidence and belonging is at the heart of this story, and whilst I did find it a little slow off the mark, once Kate and Freddie’s friendship kicks into gear around the 40% mark everything fell into place and I enjoyed them together. Their life experiences, past and present, could be ours and it’s impossible not to relate in some way and empathise to their personal struggles and hopes at finding the place they belong and the person who unconditionally accepts them for who they are. 

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” 

Seeing these characters, particularly Freddie, grow in confidence is what stole this for me and although the ending was a bit speedy with more of a HFN rather than HEA, Adult Virgins Anonymous was an enjoyable and refreshing take on the virginity manacle.

The story was different but wasn’t truly convinced of the dialogues between the two main characters. 
Maybe this wasn’t a book for me

I loved this book!!!
I loved the concept of adult virgins. It's fresh, funny and honest.
I was hooked by this book and found it an easy read that was entertaining and real. I would have read more!

Kate is the shy, socially awkward woman who struggles to talk to men, her lack of experience and never being asked out by a man has left her to think she is undesirable, that no man will ever want to have sex with her. Unable to talk about it for the 'shame' Kate keeps it all in, making her think she is alone. 

Freddie is just like Kate, he is equally as awkward and a bit of an oddball as his OCD gets in his way, the lack of understanding and women not seeing past it has led him to avoid women and relationships all together. Thinking that if he finally lost his virginity he will somehow be better, be a different person and not the oddball in the family or in his group of friends.

Freddie and Kate cross paths at the meeting and have the common thoughts/ feelings that everyone around them, friends and family are moving on in there lives, marriage, exciting sex lives and babies seem to be everywhere and if anything, it makes both characters feel all the more single and lonely. 

I loved how there was a group where characters of different sexual orientation spoke about sex and what it means to them and that virginity isn't something to be ashamed of, or afraid of, its an experience. One that everyone comes across in there life.  The group members being from all different backgrounds and ages only adds to the diversity of virginity and that not everyone over the age of twenty is a virgin, normalising it and starting a conversation about sex and relationships in general.

Another thing I really enjoyed was how mental health and body insecurities were talked about, how in fact there is nothing to be ashamed of, that insecurities and mental health can be talked about, that the right person will listen and understand you, make you feel comfortable and not a 'freak'. These are just the things Freddie and Kate's relationship does, they fit each other perfectly. 

Contents: love, romance, humour, mental health & scenes/references to sex. 

Rating: 3.5* out of 5
A great, easy read, full of warmth.

..beautifully awkward..

This book has a storyline that drew me right in. So after my request was approved, I was overjoyed. It is a plotline that we don't see often or ever in books. The mixture of side characters that attend Virgin Annoynimus meetings is diverse from asexual, gender non-binary, to bisexual. Virginity is not a token or means to mock, but a way to tell a story of many people's life choices and different life journey.  

Kate & Freddie are our lead protagonists, which story we follow here. We also got a great back story about how they got here. I loved how Freddie's OCD and anxiety were handled. He is my favorite character. The romance wasn't anything special but I wasn't bothered by it. I was just happy for them being content. 

I loved the overall message of this book, finding your group of people where you belong. Being accepted and understood is a strong vibe I got from these wonderful characters. 

This is another debut novel I have read this year and liked very much. Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton publishing for the copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book.  It was an original idea, and I loved that adult virgins weren't mocked.  When people around them found out, they were kind.

Kate's story in particular was very relatable.  It was easy to understand how she had ended up aged 30 and a virgin.  She didn't start off with issues, but had never had sex due to various circumstances.  This then affected her self esteem and confidence, perpetuating the cycle making it harder to meet someone .

I really disliked Freddie's family.  Even his parents, although the author did try to soften them a little in the last few chapters.  I just thought they were selfish, and not nice.  They also displayed zero understanding and empathy for OCD and anxiety.

4.5 out of 5.  It wasn't quite a 5 for me, but a book I thoroughly enjoyed and would encourage others to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

Thanks for the e-arc.
Premise of the book caught my attention immediately..I had high expectations going in.
Though I appreciate the intention , about adult virginity, I thought the execution could have been more intresting. Initial chapters felt like a dream. As individuals characters were okay, but didn't feel the romance between them.
Good one but could have been better.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

I wanted to like this book but I just could not get into it - it seemed like every other English Chick Lit book written that is out there. Decidedly English named youngsters, school, romance, etc. etc. - I could not even get through the second chapter. (I said that I would be honest!)

As a librarian, if I do not learn something new or get engaged in the characters, I make a decision: I did not finish it as there are too many good ones out there to read and review. That also applies to just being a lover of books --- if it isn't interesting, on to the next one!

Content warning: OCD and OCD related behaviour particularly hygiene related

This book has some great intentions that I truly admire. It seeks to normalise adult virginity as not being the remit of *freaks* but instead either happy lifestyle choices (e.g. being asexual) or just circumstances of life. Honestly, it’s super exhausting how there are so many reality TV shows that attempt to demean people who don’t date much or are adult virgins by turning their lives into something to be pitied. So kudos for this book for giving us a nice diverse range of adult characters who happen to be virgins whether be it by choice or otherwise. 

The book primarily follows two characters, Kate and Freddie, who meet at a support-group meeting for adult virgins. Neither of them are happy about their sexual relationship status and feel almost that they are the last virgins on the planet. So the meeting becomes a place for them to find comfort and no judgment.

Kate has always thought of sex as something to be shared with someone she loves. She thought she’d have sex at university, but it didn’t happen for her then nor did it happen in the years following as she was attempting to create a career for herself. She’s now nearing thirty, her career trajectory has taken a sharp decline, and finds herself alienated from her school friends and without the funds to keep her apartment so has to move back home to her parents’ house. 

Freddie is the same age as Kate. He fell in love with a girl at university but didn’t realise it was one-sided. That his affection for her was purely friendship from her viewpoint. This deeply affected his self worth around women and made him unable to date due to nervousness. Coupled with this were depressive episodes that required family intervention (alluded to rather than fully described in the plot) and a lifelong struggle with anxiety and OCD. I particularly liked all of the storyline with Freddie’s family and how they treated him with this mixture of kid gloves and utter disrespect for his lifestyle/career choices etc. 

But through the meeting these two characters come together and help each other with their own insecurities through a sense of kinship and a deepening friendship. 

This was a nice story overall. I appreciated that the lead characters were given background storylines that made them feel authentic and well rounded on the page. I also liked how their virginity was never demeaned, belittled or used for a cheap laugh at any stage. 

What I was less keen on was the romantic aspect that developed between Kate and Freddie. 

Perhaps this is just my personal take but I didn’t feel like the first half of the book gelled well with the second half. What started out interesting and more of a gritty storyline, ultimately turned into a romantic comedy and for me the two halves just clashed. I do appreciate that ultimately the ending was very well handled and neither Kate’s nor Freddie’s struggles with their self confidence was swept under the carpet for a cookie cutter finish, but I just didn’t get their romantic connection. It felt too convenient. I understood them as friends because of their shared self-worth struggles but I never felt that spark of romance between them. It happened a bit too quickly I feel and I think there should have been a longer path of self-discovery for both of them, rather than their falling in love helping with their respective self-confidence crises. 

I also feel that Freddie was unrealistically naïve at times. I felt his character should have understood more of the general knowledge surrounding sexual activity and the differences for men and women regarding how their bodies react when aroused etc. A lot of the time it felt like Kate was teaching him too much; so much so that at times it felt like he had never had any sexual education at school. Perhaps his excessive naïveté was meant to be the case but if so, it should have been more clearly conveyed. 

However, I do have to give this book credit for not completely adhering to the typical heteronormative love story as it included characters that were asexual, gender non-binary, lesbian, involuntarily celibate among others. 

Overall, while not all things were to my taste, it was a compelling read with a good mix of believable characters and a sweet storyline. 

3.5 stars

 
*An e-copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A cute idea but the chemistry between the lead characters didn't quite do it for me. 

Some good representation in the story and am sure some people will love it but not quite a home run for me.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Adult Virgins Anonymous is a fun, easy and light modern romance. That is great to read in the bath or curled up on the sofa.

I think this is an example of this not being for me.

Objectively, there wasn’t anything wrong with it. I was really invested in the idea. It’s not often you hear of books focusing on late virginity, and it was one that inspired me to read it. However, I found that my issue was a matter of taste. I’m just not into romance, no matter how well it’s written. No matter how much I tried I just couldn’t get into the relationship between Kate and Freddie. They were great characters. I found myself relating to Kate and her backstory a lot, and Freddie’s personal struggles were relatable, but the romance didn’t convince me.

What I really enjoyed was the wide range of characters in the support group and their different reasons to why they are late virgins. It’s interesting to see the obstacles they face, and their own hang ups over it, while with some it’s a choice. However, it did get a bit repetitive after awhile, and it was obvious how certain situations would play out, but it’s still a book I would recommend to lighthearted stories or romance.