Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC which I will start with saying I enjoyed this very much.
This is the first novel I've read by this author and I could not give it lower than five stars

I really liked Alice, not at first, it took me while to engage with her, but now I know her a bit more and know why she is guarded and a comes across a little above herself, I'm all in. I loved her self discovery, and her desire to empower and support others. She was a bit of a gem really.

Similar story with Luke, he didn't have the greatest start for me, but once I'd warmed to him, I was obsessed!

I loved all of the other characters; Auntie, Joannie and Tylor and of course all the dates and the horrible boss. I really wanted to book to carry on as I loved being in Easington with them all. Such a warm community I recognised and felt I'd inhabited myself.

I'd read more of this author's books in heartbeat. Thank you very much.

Blog tour organised by SJV

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/02/03/blog-tour-the-philosophy-of-love-rebecca-ryan/

A very fluffy romance that deals with past traumas. I did like this one. It wasn’t what I was expecting to get out of it and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

A good romance story. However more lit fic than rom com. While dealing with emotional abuse, trauma and anxiety.

While we can see where this book will go pretty early on it doesn’t stop you from enjoying the ride,
Seeing the banter between the characters was fun. Seeeing a book set in the north of the UK was fun change from the usual of set in London.
We saw some great changes in Alice as she grew and found herself as the book progressed

Rebecca Ryan is a genius who knows how to write a seemingly sad story but somehow make it hilarious and uplifting!
This book brought me so much joy and made me reminisce about my small-town life in back in England. It made me happy, and sad, and squealing from joy too! I absolutely loved Alice and related to her on so many levels! If you’re a millennial (or pretty much any other generation feeling a bit lost) you’ll see yourself in this book. And by the end of it you’ll know - it’s okay not to have your life figured out in your late 20s, it’s okay to go out and put yourself out there as many times as needed in search of something unique and special, it’s okay to be a romantic and look for love even after many disappointments, it’s okay to go back to your childhood home/town when life gives you lemons. It’s all okay. And it will all get figured out. Somehow. No doubt.
While “main character going out with different guys to find the one” trope is not exactly my cup of tea, everything else about this book is wonderful! Luke was so great. He and Alice are so cute I still can’t get over it. I loved seeing friendships Alice made throughout this book and how her relationship with her family evolved. I loved seeing Alice change, learn things about herself, and become free from her past and happy again.

I had a great time on the blog tour for The Philosophy of Love by Rebecca Ryan, I finished it in 3 sittings.

I feel that Alice’s journey is put together and presented is wonderfully, the realisation of her role in her relationship with Charles and the damage she carries from that. Subtle and real. We gently visit a woman who has been gaslight, controlled mentally, emotionally, and financially. The one day she is slung out of that life and placed what feels to her like a backward step.

Having lived in London for over 10 years, finding herself back in the little village not far from Durham in her childhood bedroom with no prospects is quite devastating.

I love how she is thrown together with Luke Priestly with whom she jointly won an Academy Excellence Award at School, he went on to excel in education.

There are so many LOL moments in this book. It’s told in 5 parts, each part representing a male in her life.

Her mum and dad are wonderfully loving, her Aunt M is so so funny.

She has a friend from Uni called Gabby who pops up on her phone from time to time, her little job at the dire Chinese Restaurant gives her Joanie and her little boy to connect and grow with.

There’s also a lot of community love and spirit that are touched upon. Luke and Alice are so so different. He doesn’t believe in love and she does. Yet, they embark on a friendship and bet. It’s so much more about the journey than who wins.

I recommend this as an easy to follow, fun with some live lessons and exploration read.

This was an adorable, comforting and loving book. Who is to say whether the philosopher or the neurobiologist is correct in their ideas behind “love”?

Amazing book!
I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book and I didn't want to put it down! The author captured my attention from the get go! Five stars from me :)

Quite a witty read and it was such a fun romance. I thought the characters were great and well developed too. Great holiday read.

@currentlyreading__
Book 9 of 2024

After reading @becsryanauthor’s first book ‘My (extra) Ordinary Life’ and loving it, I was so happy to receive a copy of ‘The Philosophy of Love’ from @NetGalley. What I love about Rebecca’s writing is that it is so relatable. She writes a female protagonist we can all root for and what better one than Alice, escaping coercive and controlling relationship with the dastardly Charles. She retreats back to her native North East and finds safety in her childhood bedroom and reconnecting with her roots.

As a celebrated student of Philosophy at school, she was destined for success so reconnecting with her love of the field means applying for university as a mature student, a journey of self-discovery and meeting up with an old adversary to her academic success, Luke. He is now a scientist and believing that love is JUST a chemical reaction, they hedge a mutual bet on the subject of falling in love.

This is a really cosy read; characters you can’t help but relate to, a plot which, whilst some might say is predictable in the sense that Luke and Alice are destined to end up together, but isn’t that just what we want at times? A happily ever after with no questions asked - happiness just baked into the plot? Yes, I say - give me all the happiness and all of the love. After all, what is February if it’s not the month of love?! ❤️

Out now.

#bookstagram #bibliophile #bookworm #book #booknerd #bookstagrammer #kindle #instabook #reader #bookobsessed #rebeccaryan #thephilosophyoflove

I’m sure some people will like this book but it was nottttt for me. Most of the story felt way more like women’s fic than romance, with the main themes all being about personal growth and the MC believing in herself. I found Alice (the MC) irritating throughout the book, her sense of humour felt very immature and she didn’t come across like a real person but rather a bundle of cliches. Luke, the love interest, was bland and we didn’t really see enough of him for me to be invested in him as a character, or to feel any sort of interest in their relationship. Basically it was not for me in any way but if you want a women’s fic story of a woman finding her self worth then this might be the book for you.

I took loads of notes while reading this because things the characters said kept getting on my nerves so here’s a list of all those things so my notes weren’t for nothing:
- on p. 13 Barack Obama is misspelt as ‘Barak’
- throughout the book Alice acts SO dumb despite being intelligent both according to herself and her academic past
- in their first meeting (as adults), Alice refers to Luke as the “anti-christ of romantic love” despite only having had a single base level conversation and not knowing any of his thoughts on love yet???
- also during their first meeting, while they have a dry and convoluted conversation with 0 chemistry, apparently this is exciting enough for someone else in the cafe to “turn in his seat to watch” this thrilling interaction
- for some reason Alice’s mum plans a surprise bday party for the morning of her birthday, including a platter of beige snacks - why would anyone want this first thing in the morning?
- I’d give this book a slight disordered eating CW and a fatphobia CW
- okay like I GET what they’re going for with the realisation of class consciousness and like it’s good representation for a certain sort of person who has apparently had no awareness of baseline stuff about poverty but this is inconsistent with the characterisation of alice having been super smart at school, into all the arts, esp philosophy?!!
- why has she bought a che guevara flag? kill me
- omg fuck off why is the socialist protest she goes to just old men shouting ‘what have you done for the cause?’ and ‘tory scum’ at mums and kids
- I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift is referred to as “Taylor Swift’s ‘Trouble’”, which is such a weird error?
- flamenco dancing referred to as flamingo dancing?
- why is she at the bday party of a 3 year old who is the friend of her new friends child?
- first tiny spark between Alice and Luke and then they don’t speak for 2 months bc she is embarrassed she has a crush on him pls like I get it but I also don’t care about these characters enough to care
- also the sudden spark is so out of character? like their previous interactions have not naturally led to a point where they call each other knob and brat ??
- during a visit to a uni, Alice and a man she meets are are horrified that the SU is playing Radio 1, but he’s 25 and she’s 30 so why are they acting like they’re pensioners?
- p.251 it says ‘astronomy’ where it should say ‘astrology’
- Alice is horrified by seeing scrunchies and crop tops when clothes shopping, but scrunchies and crop tops have been in fashion for longer than a decade - they would have been in fashion when she was a teenager, even if they’re not something she’d wear now why is she acting like she has been living under a rock for her entire life?
- just after dealing with harassment and assault from her abusive ex, Alice’s aunt tells her to “enjoy your moment for now” which seems like a wildly inappropriate thing to say
- for some reason while getting ready for a girls night out, Alice and her friends have a conversation about S-E-X (it’s literally written like that on the page) as if they are 13 and not fully grown adults

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

O. M. G. Rebecca’s done it again.

I adored her debut novel, My extra(ordinary) Life, and I loved this one just as much, if not, more! It was such a comfortable and easy read, which is just what I needed after my head being blagged from Fourth Wing & Iron Flame.

It kept me hooked and I was SOOOO invested in the characters’ stories and the relationships between all of them. There were so many relatable moments throughout the book, some positive and some a bit more sad. I love how Rebecca writes such relatable and likeable characters, it’s such an important aspect for me when I read, if I don’t like the characters or relate to them in any way, then it can be really hard for me to continue reading.

The men throughout this book definitely represented the reality of the dating pool in this climate, and I could relate to every single experience that Alice had in her love life. Especially the types of men you encounter as a single woman.

I laughed out loud at so many moments in this book and had a right giggle. I absolutely love when a book can do that!! I don’t re-read books but I feel like if I was to re-read anything on my shelves, I would probably choose this one. It was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, but it made me laugh more than any ever books has done in the past.

I really enjoyed this book. I found I really liked the main character Alice. She has been through a lot and your heart just goes out to her. You find yourself feeling the emotions that Alice goes through in this book and you just have to cross your fingers and hope that she gets her happy ever after that she so desperately deserves. She is also a character that you can relate to and I feel like this book will help a lot of people going through the same.

This author has a fabulous style of writing which really captures you as a reader and makes you not want to put the book down. I know for sure I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.

Definitely make this your next read, you will definitely not be disappointed!

What is love? That is a big question and one which Alice would love to know the answer to! She thought she was loved and in love but was badly let down by her partner Charles. Left with no option but to return to her parents’ home and her old bedroom still with her teenage posters on the walls, it’s easy to understand why she feels like a failure. When she unexpectedly runs into Luke, an old schoolmate, they agree on a bet. As a scientist, Luke believes that love is nothing more than a chemical reaction and can easily be explained by science. They agree to date – other people, not each other – and if one of them falls in love, Alice wins the bet.

It was fun accompanying Alice on her various dates. Having been so badly let down, her standards are quite low and she thinks she might as well try dating more or less anyone. This led to some funny situations (I’m particularly thinking of Allan here) but most importantly helped Alice to see what she should be expecting in a loving relationship. Each date showed her some element of what had been wrong with her relationship with Charles. Of course, I was hoping that perhaps Luke might be the man for her but they just seemed to infuriate each other. The romance in the book, when it happened, was perfectly judged.

I loved reading about Alice’s friends and family. Her mum and dad were so loving and supportive of her, showing her what unconditional love is. Her Auntie M was hilarious! I particularly liked her new and younger friend Joanie. When a much loved community hall is threatened with closure, Alice recognises its value for so many people and galvanises the local community into action. I do love a book which brings together such an eclectic mix of people all working for the common good.

It was lovely to see Alice begin to grow as a character as the book went on. She had been put down so much in her previous relationship that she had very low self-esteem and didn’t believe that anyone could really love her just as she was. There is an important message about coercive, abusive relationships permeating the book. As Alice comes to see, love shouldn’t hurt and that is true whether in a physical or emotional sense. As well as looking for love, Alice has to learn to love herself.

The Philosophy of Love is a warm and witty read which will have you laughing out loud at many parts. While family, friendship, community and of course love are central to the story, it also includes more serious themes such as healthy relationships and mental health. Rebecca Ryan once again has written a very engaging book with some fantastic characters.

My (extra) Ordinary Life was one of my fav of last year and so I was very excited to review The Philosophy of Love from SJV for the tour this month.
This is another brilliant read from Becs Ryan - warm and heartfelt, I couldn’t help but fall in love with both Alice and Luke. Seeing Alice regroup and find courage again as she’s supported unconditionally by her mum and dad and the wonderful Aunty Moira.
All of the characters are wonderfully thought out, and even those with smaller parts like Gabby have such a big role to play in helping Alice move on.
Covering some serious topics within the smiles, Becs Ryan writes with compassion and sensitivity and I loved it.

I absolutely adored this book. Rebecca Ryan's debut novel was one of my favourite books of 2023 so I was expecting to love this one too, and it exceeded my expectations. This book made me feel a whole range of emotions. I was laughing out loud at some of the ridiculous things that were said or happened. I also shed quite a few tears at the more emotional parts,
I felt as though I was right there with Alice as she experienced different dates, each helping her to realise the toxicity of her abusive ex. I think it was a great representation of how relationships with others can impact our whole lives. I felt kind of proud seeing Alice realise the impact Charles had had on her and taking steps to move forward in her career, and relationships with people. Often it feels like if you don't stick to the timeline the world seems to suggest, you fail and this book proved that is not the case.
Finally, I learnt so much about science, philosophy, socialism. It was really interesting! Books from the north like this deserve to be celebrated as they represent people who don't often see themselves in the media. It was honest and heartwarming.
I

It is one of those books that transports you making you forget about real life and full of delightful characters that spring to life. I actually felt like I was there in the story with them ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐️ 5 ⭐️

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

My (extra)Ordinary Life was one of my favourite reads in 2023, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of Rebecca Ryan’s new book.
 
Ryan’s writing is so fluid; it sweeps you along, and before you know it, you’re on the last page. The characterisation is excellent, and I adored Alice and Luke — I think I even fell in love a little bit with Luke myself!

It’s witty and laugh-out-loud funny, but it also covers some more serious subjects, which are handled with sensitivity and care. It’s a wonderful story of family, friendship, love, hope, and self-belief.
 
The Philosophy of Love has already secured a place in my top reads of 2024.

This is my first Rebecca Ryan book but it won’t be my last – I’ve added her to my top fun romantic fiction writers along with Bella Osborne and Milly Johnson.
Unlucky in love Alice rashly places a £500 bet with old classmate Luke that love is based on more than biological reactions in the body, and that she can fall in love again in six months. And so she begins a dating quest that brings her into contact with muscle-bound Dwaine, political activist Andy and computer nerd Shaun.
But are any of them right for her? And can she trust Luke to play the dating game?
In amongst all this quest for romance is the serious issues of the coercive control Alice has suffered at the hands of her ex, Charles, which has left her vulnerable.
I really raced through this story. As the six months rolls along, we’re treated to a succession of incidents and events that are laugh-out-loud funny, while never losing sight of the emotional turmoil that Alice is going through. And the characters are so relatable. They’re fun, funny, but never overdrawn, and instantly recognisable. When she describes Alice’s mum as having discovered jeggings and rollnecks in middle-age, I had to check I don’t have a daughter called Alice – it’s just so spot on!
I can guarantee you’ll laugh lots, cry a little and make whole bunch of new friends as you read this story. You won’t want to say goodbye to any of them – but you’ll be so glad that you met them all, especially Alice and Luke.

An enjoyable and thought provoking read, looking at the different types of love we can enjoy (and why sadly sometimes we experience something different if we allow another person to spoil our self esteem). Great characters and some very funny moments