This is the first book I’ve read by Sophia Money-Coutts, definitely not the last!
Stella Shakespeare has lived an entitled life up till now, she’s lost the love of her life, been financially cut off by her family and all she wants is to be loved.
At first I really didn’t like her, but she grew on me as her character developed and won me over.
Meeting a very attractive man, in a Notting Hill pub, who seems to be the real deal, can she finally have found her happily ever after?
Has she been ignoring what’s in front of her for too long?
Becoming independent and responsible is the making of Stella.
Some very steamy scenes along with extremely emotional scenes and fabulous ending.
Definitely recommend!

I always struggle with books that are said to be "laugh-out-loud" as I normally find them not to be, but at least this one did raise a smile or two. I initially didn't like Stella, being a spoilt, rich kid. I did, however, started warming to her as the story went on, despite her rather raunchy past - there are several rather spicy scenes if these aren't your thing. I was very wary of Fitz, but again this was more due to him being good looking and rich, which unfortunately I'm not. I'm more like her neighbour Henry, but that isn't such a bad thing. Other characters include her very colourful boss, her flatmate with her boyfriend and Sam,a one night stand who all have their parts to play. For me this started off as a good book, but it really grew on me and hence the 5* and can definitely recommend it for more than just a simple boy meets girl story.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.

I have enjoyed all of Sophia Money-Coutts’s previous novels, although they are not my usual choice of reading matter, and I enjoyed Looking Out For Love too but I am now starting to want a bit more from SMC. This is her fifth novel and I could tell you how this novel would work out, almost from the very start, and guessed almost all the main plot points as the storyline revealed itself.

There was clearly an attempt here to ground the novel with some more serious issues, but I don’t really feel that they paid off. The main character Stella is not only beautiful but is supposed to the spoilt, but the latter just did not come across. Other than being explicitly told she was spoilt once or twice she read as too likeable and generally quite decent (SMC clearly can’t break the habit of her other heroines!). Similarly, other efforts at bringing a bit of seriousness to the plot (cancer, affairs) all felt a bit bolted on and unexceptional to really bring anything extra to what was a relatively standard rom-com plot.

I did enjoy this novel (it would be hard to dislike it), as SMC has a warm and readable style, but I now feel that she is starting to live a little bit on borrowed time. There needs to be some decisive development in the next novel, whether in plot or character, to keep me getting something out of them.

Pour yourself your favourite beverage, get snacks and get cosy because Looking Out for Love is the perfect escapist romcom and the antidote to the January blues.

Stella Shakespeare is looking for all consuming love. The sort that makes your pulse race. Instead, she's woken up to another one night stand with a man called Sam.

Drowning her sorrows at her local boozer, she then meets Fitz. Who appears to check all her boxes. Mysterious, sexy and charming. He has an air of danger and red flags galore (which Stella tends to ignore).

At the same time Stella is finally proving to herself and her toxic parents, that she is capable of standing on her own two feet when she gains employment with Marjorie, an 'affair hunter'.

There is so much to love about this book. The characterisation that gradually reveals layers of depth. I started out not liking Stella that much. By the end I adored her.

I thought I had Fitz sussed. Then I wasn't sure. Then I was again. The point is, this book is nuanced which I really enjoyed. I'd guessed some of the plot arc, but it was fun not being completely sure.

Then we need to talk about Sam. Who ends up not being a one night stand never to be seen again. Through Stella's neighbour, Harold (who is a gem) Sam and Stella become friends. And Sam is a peach. Kind, thoughtful and calm.

Then there's the friendship between Stella and Billie which was just written so beautifully. And the formidable Marjorie, queen of the pithy one-liner.

We travel through this time of change and discovery with Stella and we're rooting for her to see what we see.

You'll have to read this wonderful book for yourself to find out if she does.

Let me just say, you won't be disappointed if you're a fan of smart, sexy and feel-good romcoms.

Stella is the type of woman every woman can relate to at some point in life
A light hearted cosy read yet still quite a slow burner but it was okay. As a single woman I got it

I found Looking Out For Love quite a slow burner. It took me well over half way until I found myself actually wanting to find out what happens to Stella. Whilst being humorous, I found that Stella got herself into many unpleasant situations and Fitz, her love interest, was unlikeable from the start. I wish more time had been spent on building up the relationship with Sam. I did however enjoy the portrayal of Stella’s blossoming relationship with her elderly neighbour and her best friend suffering with cancer. These encounters were a joyful combination of humour with also sad reality.

Stella! I’m sure Stella resonates with every single woman at some point in their life. She certainly reminds me of my younger self!

Very Bridget Jones, a lighthearted easy read - I was gripped throughout! Definitely makes you realise that maybe being single isn’t a bad thing, and trusting the timing of the universe is something we should all do!

Stella always looking for love, after serial break up she still believe will meet the one. She not realize that already meet the one. I love how Stella blance her life. Between love, carrer, her friendship. All chaos and she try her best and she doing it good. I enjoy this book really laughable, cryable, heartwarming too.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#LookingOutForLove #SophiaMoneyCoutts #HQ #NetGalley #ARC

I really enjoyed this book. Stella Shakespeare is desperate to fall in love and live happily ever after. After being dumped by the man she thought she would marry, a series of one night stands leaves her feeling as though she will never meet Mr Right. Then she meets the gorgeous Fitz who sweeps her off her feet, but is he too good to be true? At the same time her best friend and flat mate is going through treatment for cervical cancer. This is a lovely, light hearted read which I thoroughly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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Absolutely brilliant, rom com at its best, laugh out loud moments mixed with sadness. . Stella has no job, no money and no man, then everything changes, is this going to be the life she's been yearning for? Impossible to put down, loved it.

This was a delightful story where life doesn't always meets ones expectations but is great anyway. Some really good characters and a true to life story. Very satisfying conclusion.

Looking Out For Love follows Stella Shakespeare, a floundering thirty-something whose main goal in life is to find a man who’ll sweep her off her feet. When the man of her dreams falls into her life, it feels as if all her dreams have come true. But is everything as it seems? Join Stella as she finds out who she really is, and who’s worth holding onto.

My main gripe with this novel was that there was almost nothing I liked about the main character. She’s spoilt, immature, self-centred and naïve to a fault, and while that could be excused if she was fresh out of school, the woman is thirty-two! Of course, she goes on a journey throughout the story and her personality does improve, but I still struggled to warm to her or even find her believable at all.

Likewise, her supposed love interest is so undeniably filled with red flags that as a reader I never rooted for the duo, and he was ridiculously cartoonish to the point he didn’t feel like a real person.

Semi-spoilers incoming, but also trigger/content warnings: life-threatening illness, infidelity. Surprisingly, my favourite thing about the novel was the depiction a young person going through life-saving treatment. As someone who’s watched a loved one go through similar treatment at a young age, the concerns and emotions felt accurate, and I appreciated that it’s neither turned into a huge drama, nor swept under the rug.

Overall, I didn’t hate this but I also didn’t love it. It’s described as a romcom and while I did find some parts funny, it wasn’t romantic at all. It could’ve done with being a bit shorter, and Stella’s romantic relationship really detracted from what could’ve been a very insightful look into the bonds of friendship and found family.

Brilliant, you can always rely on Sophia Money-Coutts to give you an easy lighthearted read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

This was your standard chick lit, easy going romance and these type of books are my palate cleansers. They are easy to get through, no major angst, all light hearted topics and make me relax - easy to get through them.

This book was exactly the kind of book I’d read, but unfortunately it didn’t hit the mark for me. Stella, the main character, was… gullible. I think that’s the right word. She was naive, and silly, and immature, and so desperate for love that she really did reek of desperation. I love a romantic as much as the next girl with issues, but this was too much. She was unrealistic, so much so that she became cringey and awkward to read about.

The topics of life threatening illnesses and infidelity ate spoken about in this book, which made me give it 3 stars because they are handled perfectly. They aren’t minimised, or blown out of proportion, or treated without care. They were handled respectfully and for that, I thank the author. I just wish that the author had made the main character more. Just more, that’s what I needed.

Very entertaining read, easy to get into, with a cast of likeable characters. This book is very reminiscent of a good old Jilly Cooper novel from my youth with maybe a touch of Bridget Jones, too. The story is a little predictable at times, but this does not spoil the appeal - all in all an enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed Looking Out For Love.

Stella Shakespeare is the main protagonist. She’s in her 30s and thinks she’s living her best life – she has a lovely home curtesy of her father and lives with her best friend however all is not rosy!

She has no job, she’s been cut off from her father and she’s been dumped!

Stella has some serious growing up to do as her best friend Billie starts a healthcare battle and needs Stella to be her rock.

She needs to get out of the pub and stranger’s beds and get into the real world pronto.

Through a series of strangely unlinked events that end up coming together, she finds herself a job, a man, another admirer, an unexpected new friend, and a lot of new drama on her plate.

This is an easy and enjoyable read with some laugh out loud moments.

I found myself being frustrated with Stella – I wanted to reach through the pages grab her shoulders and give her a shake!

There’s a few trigger warnings – infidelity and cancer but lots of laughs too.

With thanks to to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At the very start I wasn't sure whether Stella was a character I would get invested in, yet I soon found myself immersed. Loved the work bits (was picturing a slightly younger version of Miriam Margolyes) and the mix of humour and emotion. Great characters. A book to make you laugh and to tug at the heartstrings. Throroughly enjoyed.

I was hooked on this story right from the start, (reminded me of my younger 20 something self) it took a while to get going, but once it did, the characters shone and brought this book to life! Would be a great holiday read!

Being on holiday, I had tried three other books before settling on this and then couldn't put it down. Its light, entertaining, has hidden depths and will completely charm you . . . even if you have holiday brain!

Despite coming from wealth, Stella is a romantic. She has been burned a few times but continues to hope in meeting the "one". It doesn't help that she is pressured by her family to settle down. Luckily she has the support of her best friend - who keeps her grounded and sane and proves that there is more than "romantic" love.

We are taken on the journey of Stella finding herself. Stella is hilarious and charming and embracing the growth. I won't want to ruin the fun by revealing anymore, but there are a lot more escapades and depth crammed into this one book. Its guaranteed to keep you entertained and left light-hearted.

I really wanted to write a positive review of Looking Out for Love by Sophie Money-Coutts. The setting felt real and the story arc was strong. But the main character, Stella Shakespeare, was awful. Entitled, selfish and immature, I just couldn't find any point of sympathy with her, to the extent that I gave up on the book before the end.