i was actively smiling throughout this book. and there was even a few outward and inward giggles too. right from the cover this book alights your way into a fun, clever and sun beam type of feeling of a read.
i fully related to Sophie and her bravery in needing or wanting to say yes. its not always easy to play it safe. but even so even this state, if you know it can keep us where we are. for change or just go for it can feel very much scarier indeed! and sometimes it really doesn't work out. but sometimes it really does and that is where the magic can lie.
i then really enjoyed Sophie's many exploits which were a varied mix. and her take on all of them was so fun to read.
is Sophie happy where she is? she thought so, so why does seeing a post on social media make her question her life and even herself. is it just the nudge she needs? or maybe its just the coincidental push that can lead her to the answers she been finding herself asking all along?
what surprising avenues will this take her too? or to whom? and this part was done so well. that slow connection was a joy to read.
how Joanna told this type of "say yes" role was unique and smile worthy all the way through.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC!

First of all, this book was a joy to read. Like Bridget Jones, but funnier. It had me audibly laughing and nodding my head in agreement with a lot of the quick remarks on dating. Sophie was a remarkable character, and it’s a joy to find myself relating to her (albeit due to the age difference, but I do live like a 45-year-old!). I loved that this book, although it was all about finding love, brought up so many different and uplifting challenges for women - the creepy men, doing things alone, believing in yourself and making the jump! I’ve read a few of Joanna Bolouri’s titles, and let me tell you, this was an instant five-star for humour, for pacing, and it just being such a fantastic read that I gobbled it up in a couple of hours.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this ARC.

Sophie Smalls is 45 and works in marketing. She hasn't been in a proper relationship in a long time, and while she is generally content with her life, when she learns that an old flame has become engaged, it triggers dissatisfaction with her love life. She finds an article called "365 Days of Yes" by Alex Steward and decides to follow it in her quest for a man.

She emails the author and keeps him updated of her many attempts to find love, from hilarious attempts at online dating, speed dating, playing team sports, to taking dancing lessons, going to board games meets and lastly, embarking on a cruise through Italy.

The cruise gets the most time and pages dedicated to and it's full of lovely descriptions of Italian landscapes, food, the cruise experience and the people she meets. Funnily enough, I have just read The Cruise Club by Caroline James, so it was interesting to compare experiences and read yet again about swinger clubs on cruises advertised by upside down pineapples!

Saying yes to everything for an agreed amount of time is not a new concept but it is brilliantly executed, entertaining and so well-written. Joanna Bolouri really knows how to tell a story without becoming too predictable. I loved all the side characters including Sophie's colleagues, friends and her mother, plus the cruise passengers. This is a witty and humorous exploration of midlife dating with a gorgeous cover and a lovely slow-burn romance with Ellis who she keeps bumping into on the ship. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it

I loved this book! I could relate so much to Sophie and her journey. Not everything is a timeline and when you embrace and say yes to things the most unexpected and glorious things could happen!