Debut novel A Random Act of Kindness by Sophie Jenkins follows a young woman name Hannah who battles with her personal trauma, unsuccessful relationships, and feeling stuck in her normal everyday routine. I really enjoyed Hannahs character Developmemt throughout the book. She opens herself up despite her internal struggles. I also enjoyed reading the other characters and felt they were also well developed. A Random Act of Kindness is a heart warming and at times predictable, but i loved the books message about the importance of empathy for others and for ourselves.

After being fired from her job as a personal shopper, Fern sets up her own second hand clothes stall.
Add Dinah, Moss, Kim and David to the mix in their various roles and you have a fabulous mix of characters and storylines sewn together to make a great story.

Set during lockdown it was easy to see how people could feel lonely and abandoned but unfortunately this just highlights the tip of the iceberg, there are many who suffer loneliness every day. Without a kind thought by a neighbour or passer by. It only takes one kind thought and that can set in motion a chain that brings people together even though they are separated

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own. This was a slow start and it really didn't keep my interest. I didn't connect with the characters or story.

This was definitely a feel good book. The main character and everyone around her were fun and I do seem to be partial to books set in England. I love fashion and clothes so the fact that Fern sold vintage clothing was appealing to me.

This sounded really good but I think there was just too much emphasis on the clothes and fashion for my liking. I couldn't get into it at all.

Sorry - forgot to post this review, now going through reviews had written and saved, yet not posted:

Using a 'mature' character was a brave move here and made for an interesting read. However, I did struggle a little to connect with the main characters and this was a more cosy read than I suspect was the purpose.

**I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

A light-hearted, quick read. Fern was a charming character and it was nice to follow her on her journey. I was rooting for her and cared about her story. This is categorized as "Women's Fiction" so the romance is secondary, but I wish there was more development. It moved a little bit fast which made it unbelievable. This is a dual perspective and it was a bit disorienting at first, but it all came together. I do wish it was edited down a bit as the pacing slowed down in parts.

All in all, I was looking for a light read and this delivered exactly what I was looking for.

Jenkins is 400 pages of sweet. The story follows the aftermath of a personal shopper and vintage clothing enthusiast’s kind act towards an older more sophisticated woman. While I enjoyed Fern’s caprice for life and/or love and lust for fashion, what I appreciated most about this read was it’s ability to highlight and elevate the value of older women. Like movies and television shows, novels grossly under represent the role of middle aged and elderly women in our world. For that, I applaud Jenkins.

Random Acts doesn’t resonate as well as The Idea of You or even other books to which it has been compared, but any literature that increases the number of mature female characters who are not validated by their connection to a man is a winner in my book. I wholeheartedly support reading it for yourself and rounding up. It’s always good to err on the side of feminism.

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

I actually wound up purchasing this book after I received a preview digital copy (which is why it took me so long to review!). This is Elinore Oliphant (quirkiness) meets the whole vibe I get from most Sophie Kinsella (an underlying heart of gold in characters - an innocence and kindness) books. There's also a kind of coziness to A Random Act of KIndness that I thoroughly enjoyed. Books about vintage clothing and shops just completely warm my heart. I see old clothing just like I see old books. I want to surround myself in the history of old pieces. I also want my own Dinah in my life! And Kim was so charming and kind. A great escape. Thank you for the opportunity to read this, Netgalley! (One note: I feel like the cover doesn't match the book somehow - I can't put my finger on it. Just too simplistic, I suppose).

I read about half the book but it was not a story that captivated my interest, although the writing was okay.
I will not write a review about it, because I consider that it will influence some readers and ithat would never be my intention.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read it.

Please note that this book is not for me - I have read the book, However I had to DNF and because i do not like to give negative reviews I will not review this book fully - there is no specific reason for not liking this book. I found it a struggle to read and did not enjoy trying to force myself to read this book.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for the opportunity to read this book

I enjoyed this feel-good story. The main character Fern was really relatable and I enjoyed seeing how she grew as a person over the course of the book. I felt like the book took a little while to establish itself but once it did it was an enjoyable read.

A great read, thank you for allowing me to read it! While the book started off a little slow for me, I was eventually swept into it! The love of fashion was just as fun as the romance present. The characters were fun and interesting! Definitely a feel-good read!

Thank you publisher and netgalley for the early copy!

I started the novel but could not connect with the main plot. I decided to put it down.

Very cute story, unfortunately it just didn't keep my interest. Took a while for me to complete.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Fern is passionate about making other people feel great about themselves. She just doesn’t feel that great about herself. Her vintage fashion business is not doing as well as she (or her mother) would like, and the man she is in love with is in love with another woman.

When she meets 85 year old Dinah and her husband Moss. Her business takes on a new direction.

With a cast of beautiful characters (cross dressing Kim, woodworker David, and pensioners Mercia and Betty) this book leaves you feeling happy that Fern finally gets her happy ending, the one she always pushes other people towards.

Can a random act of kindness ever go unpunished?

I finally have the chance to read ‘A Random Act of Kindness’ and I can’t wait to read more of Sophie’s books.

The story focuses on Fern Banks and her vintage clothing business, after she loses her job. From this point she meets some very interested people; there’s David Westwood who she’s taken a particular shine to and the very unique Dinah and her husband Moss. Fern has shown me that it’s important to be yourself even if that doesn’t make everyone else happy. I was inspired by her passion for vintage clothes. Of course I took a bit of a dislike to Fern’s mother, she’s very self-centered!

Sophie’s writing is witty and uplifting, her character’s personalities show the more you turn the pages. ‘A Random Act of Kindness’ is a cosy read with a magical touch of astrology ❤️

I found myself trying to guess what was going to happen to Fern next (and never guessing correctly!) I give ‘A Random Act of Kindness’ 4*/5* 😊

Thank you to Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley

The message behind the book was good. I liked the character Kim. But overall it was a bit of a lukewarm story. Nothing outstanding about it.

I received this book way back in March and for some reason thought it wasn't going to be good so I kept putting it off and not reading it.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

I finally sat down to clear all my queue before the year is over and within 20 pages, I didn't want to stop reading this lovely story. I loved the wide array of characters, each of whom were interesting on their own. I loved the beautiful clothing descriptions. I loved the dynamics between the characters, none of them were simple and while it was a sweet, romantic book, it also felt like I got close to each of the characters a little bit.

Sometimes I read a sweet novel and am left with an empty after taste, this felt more like a satisfying meal. It made me smile, and even laugh at parts, and I loved the happy ending that I knew was coming.

If you like to curl up with cozy, sweet, romance stories, you will enjoy this one. I did.

with gratitude to netgalley and avon books for an early copy that i clearly should have read much sooner.