Member Reviews

This is a heartwarming and witty story that is packed with positivity, self-love and a cast of colourful characters. I was engaged from the first page and really enjoyed the light and laughs along the way.. I’d definitely recommend for a fun and cosy holiday read!

Was this review helpful?

Reader I Married Me by Sophie Tanner is a warm and witty novel brimming with hope and positivity. I enjoyed reading this book a lot and picked it up any time I had a few minutes spare. The chapters were fast-paced and addictive and I smiled my way through this book.

When we meet Chloe Usher, she is feeling lucky in love, lucky to have found her soulmate, Ant. Though they're not at the kids stage, she's ready for what she feels is realistically the next step in their relationship - to get a house together. When you're with the right person, why not live together? Ant, however, has other ideas. He likes his space. And women who wear the kind of g-strings Chloe wouldn't be seen dead in.

Chloe's idea to marry herself was one of those drunken ones that got made public - there was no going back. But the madder the idea was, the more empowering a character Chloe became and this truly was a feel-good read that encourages self-care, putting yourself first and reaching out when you need help. What originally was an idea born in the bottom of a gin cocktail soon grew from strength to strength and Chloe's solo wedding had everyone intrigued.

This is a light-hearted read but one which is also thought-provoking as protagonist Chloe had some very valid beliefs about life and the importance of taking the time to learn who we are and grow to like who we are. It could have turned out like the often cringy or clichéd motivational quotes you see on Facebook or Instagram, but it didn't. Chloe was a fab character - through her ups and downs she kept her spirit and her strength and she was an engaging character to follow and root for. She made me laugh a lot through the course of the book and I loved how whatever setback she faced, she'd always get back up and fight through it. Her voice was strong and compelling and made this book a joy to read.

One thing I particularly loved about this book was the brilliant cast of characters. Chloe truly was the hero of her own story but there was such a great group of supporting characters in this book with many who were still memorable when the book had finished and I'd began reading something else. Chloe's workmates, her best friend, the elderly woman she befriends - each one had their own little story which kept the book entertaining throughout.

Another thing I really liked about this book was just how fresh and relevant it felt. Chloe wanted to lose the stigma about being single. She wanted to lose the segregation between different generations. She couldn't stand homophobia. Chloe was judged all through this book by different people for her idea to marry herself, but she was such a determined, caring, likeable character that as the reader I couldn't help but join her on her journey and want that happy ending for her.

Reader I Married Me is a must-read book this summer. Take all your doubts about solo weddings into this book and let Chloe prove them wrong on every level. This book is about learning to love yourself, and Chloe Usher is 100% the best character to show you how.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book, a bit different to other books you typically see. At times it was a bit far fetched but overall an enjoyable read

Was this review helpful?

Naomi works for an off-the-wall advertising and creative agency. However she is ,again, passed over for promotion, and then discovers her boyfriend is not as loyal as he pretends. Luckily she has some good friends, including Dom, the gay fashion blogger, and a strong bond with her Mum, and Dad, even though they are divorced.
Her flaky flatmate Saffron is driving her crazy, and she finds herself single and fed up. Then she has a brainwave, she will marry herself! However, this proves difficult, without the help of her friends, and she often finds herself drunk and in tears.
This story has some stand out characters including Naomi, a plot which keeps moving, and often makes you laugh out loud. The ending is not what I expected - bu no spoilers!.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book! I adored Chloe's character and the whole idea of self love and marrying yourself. Amusing at times and heart warming too. A mix of supporting characters, some great and some you love to hate! This was my first introduction to Sophie Tanner but I'd love to read more from her in the future.

Was this review helpful?

Sometimes you need a book to make you laugh even at the serious parts!

Reader, I Married Me tells the story of Chloe, who works in PR, lives in Brighton and has it all but it all starts to fall apart when she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her when her dog poops out a thong! After a disastrous date, too many drinks, she has an epiphany - she is going to commit to herself and marry herself. This is a book about self acceptance, and self love, and the power of friendships. This would be a great book to give to a friend if they have recently gone through a breakup and need a pick me up. This is a funny and empowering read.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked the premise of this book and was interested at the end when the author said she did marry herself and it was based on her experience however whilst I appreciate it is a light read it all just felt a bit obvious and clichéd.

Chloe in the interview with the TV was great and I loved when she was feisty but had funny goofy sides with Dom and Emma but on the flipside she was so naïve to the point I got really frustrated. It was a quick and easy read.

The book was all about celebrating yourself was is a great message and how Chloe had every right to be happy and single so I felt the ending when Seth asked her out at her single marriage was a bit too over the top and a little disappointing.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an arc.

Was this review helpful?

A feel good read. Funny, emotional, clever. Poses interesting questions. A very modern story and touches on a lot of the topics, thoughts and feelings for women today. Some good pieces of advice in the story, and eventually a celebration of love. Definitely worth a read!

Was this review helpful?

This was totally different to what I expected. It was light hearted and had lots of twists and turns, some obvious and others not-so-much. I really enjoyed it, it was a storyline I’ve never come across before. The only problem I had was remembering all the names, there’s a lot of characters. I would recommend this to any romcom lovers or those wanting a heartwarming story.

Was this review helpful?

Such a lighthearted and enjoyable read that I devoured whilst smiling. A great, fast paced, easy to read book that I will be recommending to family and friends.

Was this review helpful?

I am not sure whether I would recommend the book to anyone. If I actually had more books to read at the time, I wouldn't try and finish this one off. Somehow the book didn't feel natural, the characters and their actions seemed forced.

Was this review helpful?

I am not sure whether I liked this book or not. It was engaging enough for me to finish, but I think I had an issue with the whole premise and just didn't find the lead character entirely believable. Having said that, it was well written and in parts, funny and I guess I would recommend as an escapist beach read rather than anything particularly memorable.

Was this review helpful?

Chloe, having been disappointed by the men in her life decides to take charge and marry herself. I loved the premise of the book and the writing is witty and enjoyable, but then starts to drag a bit. I wish all the disappointment didn't come down to sex- sexual infidelity, sexual dishonesty, sexual assault. The only guy that wasn't disappointing was the gay best friend, which I think is a myth that needs to die- gay best friends can be very disappointing. The bitchy co-worker, the frenemy, the perfect best friend, the weird flatmate, it became a little bit like a character checklist without any real character development. All in all, would recommend as a breezy read.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! I could identify with the main character as I am of a similar age and am also single. I found that I had a similar world view so devoured the book! I think this book will make a great read for a book club as there is a lot of critique of society and its views of women. Will be recommending it to the book clubs in my library!

Was this review helpful?

I found it hard to get into this book initially, and at one point I wondered whether to continue. Maybe I'm too old now (early 40's) to be reading books where the character gets drunk like Chloe does (frequently). I think the fact the book opened with her being on some sort of team bonding exercise, with a whole load of unlikeable characters, didn't help. But once Chloe returned home to Brighton the story perked up and held my interest. It's a really interesting premise - marrying yourself - and not being intent on the character finding a partner by the end of the story. I didn't like any of the office scenes, but I enjoyed the charity work Chloe gets involved in.

There were a lot of characters to dislike in this book, but I guess that meant that Chloe and her true friends could shine. I really liked Chloe and I'd like to hear more from her.

Lastly, good on the author addressing parents who tell people without children that they don't know what love is. It's incredibly patronising. Nice one, Sophie!

Was this review helpful?

I'd read so many good reviews on this novel, and I have to say now I've read it I can certainly see why. It was a refreshing read, certainly. Where the main character, Chloe, chooses to love herself rather than anyone else. I can see why she chose to change and do this! However, I probably wouldn't be the same but it's fun and enjoyable seeing someone else's perspective!

It was laugh-out-loud funny in places and other places really quite heartwarming. I'd recommend this novel for someone looking for a light-read.

Was this review helpful?

I was a little worried about starting this one. Possibly a bit “chick lit” for my taste, I thought as I started...but actually I was wrong.

This is a real feel good read. It’s an easy read, but it captures your heart firmly somewhere along the way and makes you want to find out what will happen. And whilst there were no real surprises, it was a great, smiley story which kept me reading.

Definitely recommended - it is what it is, but it does it fabulously.

Was this review helpful?

I did enjoy this book, however I found it to be very frustrating at times, as some parts of the story didn’t seem to fit as well together as other parts. Some of the characters were a little annoying at times, but I suppose that’s just how it is in books sometimes - you can’t love everyone! The story gave out a great message and I like the whole ‘love yourself’ theme. I don’t think I’d read it again but it was a good read for a cosy night in!

Was this review helpful?

This story is a mad-cap romp around Brighton, following the main character who has been seriously let down by the men in her life. Instead of believing what society wants her to - that being single is somehow an admission of failure, she makes a monumental decision. She chooses to love herself.

Not only a blogger, an instagrammer and a viral star, she also works at a cutting edge digital agency, which is fairly toxic and ripe with the possibility of pending lawsuits in almost every inappropriate comment!

This is a modern day, fresh, inclusive book that takes a good look at the realities of modern life and modern relationships, as well as fiercely examining modern day values.

The character I personally identified with most was Emma, the at home mum who had lost all sense of herself. But there is such an array of characters with their own agendas, mindsets and backgrounds, that really I think this would suit a wide ranging audience.

A great, fast paced, easy to read book!

Was this review helpful?