Dear Universe… this book was so good, uplifting and heartwarming. This will be a reread and a worn down copy. I fell in love with every single character. Loved the POVs and the authors writing. It’s a must read for anyone who is feeling down and needing something to boost spirits. Thanks to netgalley, the publisher & author for this eARC.

This Thing Called Love is a heartwarming, wonderful book by Debbie Howells. On a day when Bee loses her job, her boyfriend, and her room she also bumps into someone who spills coffee all over her. What a day, right? Little did she know that all of these things would lead her on a journey in search of her father and maybe herself. Ever since Bee way born, her mother never told her about her father. Bee doesn't know his name to this day and she's an adult. There's no name on her birth certificate other than her mother's. When Bee has no other choice, she moves back in with her mother until she can find another situation. Her mother is not the warm, fuzzy type. She constantly harps on Bee that she can only stay a short time and that she needs to find a job. She's the only person in Bee's life who calls her by her full name, Bethany. One day when her mother is out, she finds her diaries and goes snooping for information about her father. When Bee finds a name, Luke Friday, she thinks he must be her father. When she asks her mother later, she is furious that Bee read her diaries, and found his name.

Bee looks Luke Friday up online and finds that he was in a band and now lives in Majorca. Bee knows what she has to do and books a flight to Majorca. She writes down Luke's information and proceeds to pack. Bee's mother is angry that she's going to find him, but she's angry about everything. The man who bumped into Bee on her bad day is Alex. He can't stop thinking about the pretty girl he bumped into that spilled coffee on her jacket. He's moved back home to be a caregiver for his mom, Rachel, who has early onset dementia. It's very difficult as she goes in and out of different times and memories. Alex has to help her do everything and keep the door bolted to keep track of her. Rachel used to be the lead singer in a rock band and Alex wants to try to track the band members down. There's research about music helping dementia patients with their memory and Alex is hoping it will help his mother.

It turns out that both Alex and Bee are looking for the same man, Luke Friday. Luke and his 9 year old daughter, Mack, are suffering terribly. Luke's wife and Mack's mom passed away in a tragic accident 2 months ago. Mack is very worried about her Dad because he's so sad and doesn't seem to be doing well. Will Bee find Luke and Mack? How will Luke respond to her being his daughter? Did he know her mother was pregnant? Did he choose to not be a part of her life? Will Mack enjoy having a half-sister? Will Alex find Luke and convince him to get the band back together for his mom? Will Alex and Bee remember each other after a casual bump a few months back? Will the music help Rachel become Roxy again? This is a wonderful book that will make you feel so many emotions. I really enjoyed This Thing Called Love and rate it 4 stars. The book is available now and should be added to your TBR pile! I'd like to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of This Thing Called Love in exchange for a fair review. #ThisThingCalledLove

I don’t think I loved this book. It had a lot of great things about it, but something felt off the whole time. Bee and Alex finally getting together was definitely a little lackluster.

What a lovely read this proved to be,
Despite grief, loss and dementia you’ll see.
A story of memories, family and fresh starts, too,
Along with romances that are new.

One young daughter wants her Dad not to be sad,
Another just hopes to connect with her Dad.
A son hopes to connect his Mum with her life and friends
Read it for yourself to see how it ends!

There’s mystery and personal history to explore
Journeys, relationships and so much more.
It truly is an uplifting read
One that I hope you’ll need.

For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you to
As I share with you this, my honest review.

This Thing Called Love by Debbie Howells

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Two people’s lives are about to collide… but will they find love?

Far away, on a beautiful Mediterranean island, a little girl writes a letter to the Universe, with one wish – for something to change so that her father, Luke, can be happy again.

Little does she know, there are two strangers in search of Luke already. Bee, who has just found out a deep secret about her past. And Alex, who dreams of his mother finding some of her memories again, and who believes Luke might be the key.

As Bee’s and Alex’s lives are drawn together – in entirely unexpected ways – will they only find what they’re looking for? Or could the Universe also have a love story planned for two people who might just be soulmates, if only their paths could cross…

My Opinion

This Thing Called Love was a relatively quick book to read with some delightful characters. From the opening pages the reader is taken on an emotional journey as Bee discovers more about herself and Alex takes on the role of being a carer for his mother. A sweet read.

Rating 4/5

A beautifully written book about the love of a son for his mother, the disinterest of a mother in her daughter, and the search for the true meaning of family. Bee travels to Majorca to find a father (Luke) she has never known, while Alex hopes to persuade Luke to reassemble members of his old band in an effort to help his mother’s dementia. Very emotional, but heartwarming!

Debbie Howells' This Thing Called Love marks my first encounter with this charming author.

As we follow Bee, also known as Bethany, we embark on a journey of self-discovery. She faces the loss of her beloved job, her adored boyfriend, and the home she shared with her friend as she seeks to find her long-lost father, Luke Friday. Meanwhile, Alex has returned home to care for his mother, who is becoming increasingly dependent on him due to her fading memory. He believes that reintroducing someone into her life may help her recall the past. That person is Luke Friday, but Alex is not familiar with him. The plot thickens with the inclusion of a little girl trying to support her daddy in his grief, and that daddy happens to be Luke Friday! Talk about coincidences!!

I found it challenging to immerse myself in the story and maintain a connection. I set it aside and returned to it multiple times over the course of three or four days. However, this may have been influenced by my recent week in the hospital battling pneumonia, rather than any shortcomings in the narrative. I discovered the story to be deeply emotional and relatable for many, and I believe you will find it resonates with you as well.

I discovered Debbie Howells, as an author, through her psychological thriller ‘The Bones of You’ back in 2017, and I have been a firm fan ever since. With the change in genre I read my first women’s fiction and was hooked.

The latest in these books ‘This Thing Called Love’ is both uplifting and enveloping, though don’t be fooled, Debbie doesn’t shy away from challenges and there are many serious issues dealt accurately and with sensitivity throughout, like dementia. Having watched my own dad as he fought his battle with Alzheimer’s, I can attest to the way dementia affects Rachel’s (aka Roxy) behaviour. Her son, Alex, such a strongly developed character, was a joy to follow as he looks for ways to help his mum.

The other main character, Bee, grows throughout the book and the reader observes her facing her struggles and gradually revealing her past, helping her learn about herself and what she is seeking.

Set across two contrasting locations, Majorca and the UK (largely Brighton but also an arboretum), I found myself ‘seeing’ the raw, natural beauty of the island of Majorca and learning more about the importance of trees and their calming powers. Environmental issues were gently included, cleverly raising my understanding of the importance to our planet.

There are no spoilers here, so no further comments on the plot, this is an excellent read. I highlighted several meaningful passages to refer back to. One particular one, coming from a child, facing her own hardships, was that ‘sometimes we are given what we need rather than what we want’. The intricacies of the plot development were lovely, some predictable but always enjoyable.

I was left reflecting on so much, the beauty within, the paths of people crossing, how dementia changes people’s realities, the power of music for dementia sufferers and the importance of friendship.

This author has a habit of writing emotional stories that rip your heart out and then gradually put it back piece by piece. This was a heartwarming story of love and loss and family and friendships and also covered the topic of dementia in a very sensitive way. It has engaging characters whose lives are all intertwined as the story unfolds and it becomes apparent that they were meant to meet for a reason. This is also a story of hope and how sometimes fresh starts happen when you least expect them.

It's been an age since I last read one of Howell's books and then I remembered why I liked them so much. Her stories are beautifully written with warmth and come from the heart.

This Thing Called Love is a story of love and the wonderful ways in which it works. It's a story of friendships, family and self discovery.

I found all of the characters to be likeable and they were so easy to take to heart. It's light on the romance front and made way for many issues facing people today such as loneliness, dementia, and grief.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable book and took me on quite the emotionally charged journey

They say bad things come in threes, and for Bee, that couldn’t be more true—dumped, jobless, and couchless all in one day. But life has a funny way of throwing in surprises… like a charming stranger who spills coffee on her at her lowest point. Enter Alex: devoted son, full-time caregiver, and quiet hero whose life revolves around his mother, Rachel, who is living with early-onset dementia.

This book is so much more than a romance. Yes, there’s a sweet and slow-burning connection between Bee and Alex, but the heart of this novel lies in all the other kinds of love it celebrates—between parent and child, between old friends, between neighbors who show up, and between a little girl and the universe. It’s about grief and healing, about selflessness and sacrifice, and about the beauty in taking small steps toward joy, even when life feels impossibly heavy. Mack, Alex’s daughter, is an absolute standout—wise, funny, and heartbreakingly sincere.

What I loved most was how this story handles heavy topics—dementia, loss, strained family dynamics—with incredible sensitivity and hope. It doesn’t shy away from reality, but instead shows that love, in all its forms, is what keeps us going. There’s kindness and connection on every page, and while I wish we had more on the band storyline and a bit more romance at the forefront, this book completely won me over with its sincerity. A moving, compassionate novel that celebrates love in every shape it comes in.

Bee, newly unemployed and shocked about her sudden breakup, finds herself at a crossroads. Forced to move in with her mother, a decision she’s not thrilled about, an unexpected twist unfolds. Bee discovers the name of her father—a man she never knew, a man her mother has kept hidden from her. Intrigued, she embarks on a journey to Majorca to meet the man she’s always wondered about.

Meanwhile, Alex, a kind-hearted young man, is deeply concerned about his mother, who has early-onset dementia. Struck with an idea to help alleviate her symptoms, he sets out to find and meet a man who might provide some assistance.

As fate would have it, both Bee and Alex are looking for the same man, Luke Friday. This story becomes one of self-discovery and emotional exploration for each of them. Bee finds an unexpected connection and surprise when she meets her father, while Alex’s plan to revive a cherished memory from his mother’s past brings a sense of comfort and joy.

This heartwarming and emotionally resonant novel weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and unexpected twists. With its warm and tender tone, it captivates the reader from beginning to end.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

The book’s premise is an interesting one and while it is not the typical romance books which I love, I enjoyed reading this a lot. Mack’s letters are so full of hope and so innocently sweet and I enjoyed seeing her grow closer and closer to Bee as they spent more time together.

The book also focuses on caregiving and its difficulties. Both Bee and Alex perform some form of caregiving for their loved ones and it highlights how tiring it can be—both mentally and physically—to care for another.

Most of the book is based in Majorca and the place sounds absolutely amazing. I would totally love to visit someday and soak in the nature and peace. The romance in this book is quite underwhelming though and honestly this was more of a journey for Bee to discover herself, rather than a love story. So do read this with the right expectations.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book for my opinion. After Bee loses her job,boyfriend and her home virtually the same day, she finds herself reluctantly returning to her mothers house, where she is made to feel less than welcome. It's this chain of events along with the desire to find her father, that sees Bee travel to Majorca. The book features loss, grief and dementia, which is sensitively written, but it also features love, romance and friendships. A warm heartfelt & uplifting story.

This book by Debbie Howells is a beautifully written masterpiece about friendship, heartbreak, and family, delicately blended with a touch of romance. It follows the lives of two strangers—Bee, who is searching for the father she never knew, and Alex, who is caring for his mother with dementia—whose paths cross in unexpected ways.

The characters are skillfully developed to highlight the story’s central themes of love, loss, and the healing power of connection. Set against a backdrop of music, memory, and second chances, the author crafts a steady, emotionally rich plot that holds the reader’s interest throughout.

This novel is perfect for readers who enjoy heartfelt contemporary fiction with emotional depth, nuanced characters, and a quiet, hopeful charm.

i really enjoyed this! this was the second book i’ve read by debbie howells and i was really excited about it since i enjoyed the other one too
it was a lovely wholesome story and i really liked all the characters, and i loved having both bee and alex’s povs, i just wish we could’ve seen them together a little bit more

thank you to netgalley and boldwood books for this ARC!!

Thank you NetGalley for this Arc!

I think the description and title was a bit misleading on this one. Luke was not a big part of the story as I expected him to be and the romance was an even smaller part of the story. I enjoyed the way the everyone in the story wanted to help and look out for each other. I enjoyed Mabel’s character. I liked the lesson of taking time for yourself and your happiness. But I did not like Bee, I would often roll my eyes at her and when she dropped her bomb of who she lost I couldn’t garner no sympathy for her. I did not like how her mother’s character was thrown in just for a villain when it seems clear her mother was also dealing with a lot. I didn’t understand how Alex could be so patient with his mother but annoyed with Kevin when they both were suffering and acted the same way, angry and said no filter on what they say.

It was a nice story overall. I liked the ending.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book was a heartwarming story.

It is about Bee, she’s never met her father and after having a run of bad luck, she travels to Majorca to look for him. Alex, is looking after his mother who is in the early stages of Dementia.

Music, is something that helps both Bee’s father and Alex’s mother as Alex tries to get the band together that his mother was a part of and perform for one night.

Both Alex and Bee are at different stages in their personal lives, but their journey interlinks in a way they didn’t imagine.

The story has some lovely touching parts, laughter and it shows how music can help with sad times, how friendship and family too help.

I recommend this book.

This Thing Called Love by Debbie Howells

I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I went into thinking it would be a love story about Bee and Alex.

It ended up being so much more than that.

Alex is a patient and understanding son who wants to do something memorable for his mother who's just recently been diagnosed with dementia.

After a series of unfortunate events that all happened to her in one day, Bee decides to go on a journey to find her biological father.

On their own, individual paths, Alex amd Bee end up bringing together all these people who once played in a band together, a band that included Alex's mum and Bee's dad.

With the added flair brought by Bee's newly discovered younger sister, Mack, the book was new beginnings, trusting the path life puts you on and to just go with the flow. But also touched on making the most of what's given to you and learning to trust in your capabilities and the people around you. It reminded me to see the good in people.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it.

"Life goes on, I remind myself. Just not always the way you'd imagined it would."

What an interesting ride! Typically in books, unfortunate events happen slowly to the main characters over time - but this was not the case for Bee, our FMC. She has <b>one</b> VERY bad day, but then embarks on a journey of self-discovery, found family, and feels the impact of just showing up.

"I'm a firm believer that there are times in our lives where we have to stop procrastinating and just do things. After all, we are put on this earth not to fester quietly, but to live."

Bee leaves everything she's ever known to find her recently revealed father in another country. Meanwhile, a stranger she once had a chance run-in with (literally) is also looking for him in an attempt to aid his mother with dementia. You'll have to read this one to see if their paths collide in their searches.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an e-arc of this book!