oh Alex, what a brilliant read you have just given me. a brave and wonderfully written journey ive just been on with Esme. a character i was feeling for and then rooting for right from the very start.
from the very beginning this read had all my emotional self captured. poor Esme. what a marriage to have to go through. what a way to break a woman down. now at 42 that marriage is over. im thankful for her at this point. get him gone. but also totally feeling for her because she suffered it, and now suffers the fallout out. whilst he seemingly has had his own way, shes stayed and then he has the final blow when he simply leaves for another woman. ugh. (expletives added here).
of course Esme is now left with heartbreak. not just for a marriage lost but also for a life that seems to hard because was it wasted being with him, and also a future she now has to re_write because obviously that future was with her husband. until its not. and at this age in anyones life that can make you feel even worse, even more adirft and even more like "what now for me" it can feel like you are too far one way and too far another to find life, peace and what about love again.
but thats not where this ends for our Esme. because then she meets Callum. a vibrancy and sparky connection goes off between them. the chemistry is all there it practically give us the reader electric shocks from the pages we turn! but its sits somehow with such tenderness too. its not just getting over someone by being under kind of fun with no feeling or no depth. no, somehow this has the spice but also something more meaningful. if only for how happy i was for what Esme has found. something bright and colourful has entered where i felt there might just be heartbreak and sadness.
life still happens though. and that means life still happens lol. and we still go on this journey with Esme. because of course there is going to be more aimed at her for this younger man she now has a connection with. because a woman cant possibly do that. ugh.
Esme's life and her plan for it came crashing down. but she didn't. she doesn't fall. there might be a freedom infact. this is her. her choices and her time to be chosen. if only she can be brave enough and feel good enough to grasp it. and i lvoe we get to be by her side cheering her on to do just that. i genuinely was wanting her to be ok. i really was invested in her getting some happy.
its not all rainbows and sunshines where she can now be freeeeeeee. no, no. thats now how life and being hurt works. but it is still life, and there is far more moments of bravery and fight to come. one you just urge her to keep going through. her vulnerability is real and therefore hits you hard in the chest. her insecurities again are so real and relatable its hard not to take it on, feel it too. or just sympathise with similar feelings. and thats not help when societal expectations seems to want someone in a choke hold too.
Alex handles it all with care. there is moment to be light and feel joy, but there is also the very real and comforting honesty she brings. with the hard moments it feels held. held by someone who cares for her characters and maybe even for us readers too.
there is sparkle but complexities to come. there is moments to question and moments to just live in the moment. there is real moments of self worth failures but moments of how to just keep going anyway.
its raw and honest and also courageous and strong. and it made me feel all those thing both in the pages and off it. its such an aware book. i loved it. and loved how it made me think for our characters but also wider.
this was a love story but for so many more reasons than you think.

I loved this book. This was a theme I’ve been dying for and that is unfairly unexplored. Author did a great job bringing to light unfairness and treatment of women of certain age as compared to their male counterparts, as well as exploring female desire and emotional drive in the period of life where the world expects you to wind yourself down.

Best slow burn age-gap romance Ive read 👌🏻📖🥰😭 I totally enjoyed this book and took my time reading it ! I totally loved the tension that was building with Callum and Esme . Him being all about her , even if she was nervous. What I totally find this book impressive was that instead of a Man being older the woman was the older one and the mmc was the younger one ! My fave character was def Zara shes funny and also a very girls girl 🫶🏻🌸 The ending was perfect totally was sad for a bit and then I had happy tears firs time that ever happens to me while reading a book!😭🫶🏻🫣🫣

This one leans into discomfort in a way that actually works.
Someone Your Own Age follows Esme at a point in her life where everything feels like it’s quietly falling apart. Her marriage ends, her sense of self feels shaky, and then she steps into something that completely challenges how she’s been told to exist, especially as a woman in her forties.
The relationship at the center is complicated. It’s not written to feel neat or universally acceptable, and that’s kind of the point. There’s tension in the age gap, in the secrecy, in how Esme sees herself versus how she’s seen by others. It makes the story feel more grounded, even when it’s pushing against social expectations.
What stood out most is how much of this is about reclaiming something. Not just romance, but confidence, desire, and the right to not shrink yourself just because the world expects you to. Esme’s internal dialogue carries a lot of that weight, and it feels very real at times, especially in the way she questions her own worth.
The tone balances humor with vulnerability. It’s sharp in places, a little biting, but also reflective in a way that slows things down just enough to sit with the bigger themes.
Overall, this is less about the relationship itself and more about what it represents. It’s messy, a little bold, and very aware of the societal pressures it’s pushing against.

This sharp, witty story leans into messy reinvention, second chances, and the complicated freedom that can come when life doesn’t go according to plan. It’s bold, funny, and emotionally honest, exploring what it means to rediscover yourself when the version of your life you expected suddenly disappears.

Esme is a refreshingly flawed and relatable protagonist. Her vulnerability, insecurity, and desire to reclaim joy make her journey feel authentic, especially as she grapples with expectations around age, career, and relationships. The narrative handles these themes with humor and bite, balancing introspection with playful, flirty energy.

The romance brings a spark that feels both exciting and complicated. There’s a natural tension between what feels right and what’s considered acceptable, and that push-and-pull drives the emotional core of the story. The chemistry is lively, and the tone remains confident and self-aware throughout.

What stands out most is how the book explores female ageing, societal expectations, and the idea of rewriting your own rules. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, and sharp without losing its warmth. The result is a story that feels empowering, entertaining, and quietly reflective all at once.

Sexy, funny, and self-assured, this is a compelling love story about letting go of limitations and choosing what brings you back to life.

This was such an easy book for me to read! I enjoyed the topic, and Neve’s writing was superb. The characters are flawed but interesting, and the action was flirty and fun. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Someone Your Own Age by Alex Neve is a compelling women’s fiction romance that blends emotional depth with a richly layered love story. At its heart is Esme, a 42-year-old woman navigating the fallout of a marriage shattered by her husband’s repeated infidelity and eventual departure for a younger woman. What follows is not just a story of heartbreak, but one of rediscovery, resilience, and unexpected passion.

Through her work, Esme meets Callum—a younger man whose connection with her is immediate and electric. Their relationship is charged with chemistry, offering moments that are both tender and undeniably spicy, yet grounded in something genuine and deeply felt. The romance unfolds alongside real-life challenges, making their journey all the more engaging and believable.

What truly stands out in this novel is its exploration of female ageing and self-worth. Esme’s character is written with nuance and strength, portraying a woman who refuses to be defined by societal expectations or past disappointments. Her growth throughout the story is both empowering and relatable.

Alex Neve’s writing style is immersive and fluid, striking a perfect balance between emotional intensity and comforting familiarity. The narrative keeps you fully engaged, with well-developed characters who feel authentic and memorable. It’s ultimately a cosy yet emotionally resonant read that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you NetGalley, Canelo, Author Alex Neve for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publishing date: May 28th 2026

Someone Your Own Age by Alex Neve is a sharp, emotionally layered romance that explores love, vulnerability, and the complicated expectations people place on relationships. With witty dialogue and deeply human characters, the story balances humor with moments of genuine emotional honesty as it digs into themes of maturity, connection, and figuring out what you truly want. Neve’s writing feels fresh and insightful, creating a romance that’s both thoughtful and deeply engaging. It’s a smart, heartfelt read that lingers well after the final page.