Not Exactly What I Had In Mind

This is an absolutely brilliant read.
So much more than Hazel and Alfie (who are great characters in their own right) but a wider cast list that is just lovely. Yay for LGBTQ+ representation- always happy to see this. But also some really topical and difficult subject matters are raised to the fore here for the right reasons. It challenges the reader, shocks, but also shines a light to injustice. I like how Hazel's creativity is used in this read.. I preferred the second half to the first, and the final thirs this really came into its stride.
Dazzling.

This was a really intersting and thought provoking read that was also gripping. Well written with a ast of well developed characters that all shone in this novel and an engaging and compelling storyline. This book handed some really hard hitting issues but did it in a sensitive and empathetic way. I highly recommend this book

This is such an endearing story! Warm witty and emotional!! I loved every second and can’t wait to read more by this author

My Novel Addiction! Wow. This is just my kind of book!… A brace yourself and buckle up read!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Such a great read, very entertaining and thought-provoking. The characters were brilliantly entertaining and very well drawn. the novel deals with some pretty hard-hitting topics but does with with such kind empathy. Beautifully written.

This book was not what I had in mind when I requested it. From the description, I'd imagined something a bit like The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary. I like that book but I enjoyed this far, far more.
From the opening, I thought it would be a conventional romance, perhaps a bit chick-lit-y. How wrong I was. It was much deeper than that. The characters felt so real, their dilemmas so true. I absolutely loved every word of it.

This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I expected it to be more of a chick-lit/rom-com vibe but it was so much deeper.

Centered mainly on Hazel and the people in her life, although Hazel is the mail character, you get an insight of many of the other characters without it getting confusing or too much.

Without leaving any spoilers, there are many topics in this book which aren't usually covered and may be triggering for some people.

Friendships, relationships and families narrated in great form. If you enjoy Beth O'Leary books and Laura Jane Williams books, you will really like this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Hazel and Alfie  are thirty something flatmates living in a shared house in London who have just had a one night stand and everything has got a bit more complicated!

Neither is sure whether the other wants a relationship or to just be friends with benefits and Not Exactly What I Had in Mind explores their journey, as artist Hazel goes on a series of unsuitable dates through Tinder and primary school teacher Alfie grapples with his feelings.

Into the mix comes Hazel's sister Emily and her wife Daria, who are hoping to have a baby but just need to find a suitable donor. They can see that Alfie and Hazel are meant for each other, even if the couple themselves havent worked that one out  yet!

This is a thought-provoking story which explores  relationships and why we choose to have them. There are also a lot of serious sub-stories packed into the book which cover some big issues for the characters, from racism, to health anxiety, phobias, revenge porn and fertility problems. I was really gunning for Hazel and Alfie through this book. However, im not sure the prologue was needed  as it felt a little bit like all the ends were trying to be tied up at once.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters seemed real and convincing, like the kind of people I have in my life already. I love that the conclusion of the story was set against the backdrop of the pandemic, it made it feel very real and up to date. I felt myself invested in the characters very early on in the book & I wanted to find out what would happen to them and how the story would conclude. Everything about this story felt real & authentic and I’m excited to read other material by this writer.

A fantastic book.
The cast includes a plethora of wonderful characters, with Hazel front and centre but with everyone else being well rounded, well thought out and thoroughly believable.
The plot touches on some fairly intense topics as interwoven side stories, all of which are dealt with beautifully.
I was rooting for Hazel and Alfie from the word go and it was great to follow their less-than-typical chick lit journey through their fledgling relationship.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.

A lovely, warm hearted story about love, family & friendship.
The story revolves mostly around Hazel and Alfie who are flat mates, and married couple Daria and Emily (Hazel's sister) who long for a baby.
The story touches on sensitive subjects that are handled brilliantly, and the characters are likable, and well written.
The characters experience joy, insecurity, embarrasment, bad choices, tragedy & huge life changing decisions between these pages, and you will find it a thouroughly enjoyable read.