-- This review is also on my blog www.hookedbythatbook.com --

Lottie has decided to have a year of saying no, after an eventful year of saying yes to pretty much everything. Seb, her biggest client, is also her biggest supporter. They only communicate online, and have never talked face-to-face. Their first in-person meeting was a bit akward, but also great at the same time.

Oh Lottie. (Shaking my head here.) I felt like either banging my head against the table or slapping her. She was extremely frustrating at times. This story was a great example of people assuming they know the other person’s intentions instead of asking or taking a chance. It’s been a while since I have felt to frustrated by any character. And, oh dear me, the amount of apologizing going on between them was off the charts.

But Seb and Lottie had a great rapport and obviously enjoyed each other a great deal. And despite some misunderstandings, they always managed to save their friendship. I really liked the idea of the two of them together.

I loved Lottie’s idea of saying no. Saying no to guilty feelings, saying no to letting people get to you, saying no to things that make you unhappy. Definitely something worth trying.

The ending was sweet. Obviously the ease that they already had with each other helped them to let go of their reservations and finally talk to each other.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC to review. Any thoughts and opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book! Probably the best book I’ve read from Netgalley so far! Absolutely devoured it poolside in 2 days! The most gorgeous characters who you can’t help but absolutely adore! It was obvious what was going to happen from the start but did not make it any less enjoyable.

So, after reading the Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, I thought this would be a fun riff on that concept. However, I found myself pretty bored with the plot of this book. Perhaps it was only dull due to the times that we are in, but something about a book about saying no right now in the time of social distancing was tough. Perhaps if I read this at a different time, I would have enjoyed it more.

Maxine Morrey has become a must-read for me. So I was extremely happy to get this ARC. And it did not disappoint in the slightest! I enjoy her slow-burn romances. The characters have a time to develop real relationships before they hop into bed or declare their love for one another.

In this fun novel, Lottie has decided to say no to anything she doesn’t really feel like doing. But one person she can’t say no to is her partner/friend, good-looking Major Seb Marshall. He hired her several years ago to be his digital PA, but their professional relationship has evolved into a close friendship as they chat online together just about every day. She’s shared her bad dates and aggravations with the activities that her friend got her involved in. And he’s shared some of his life as he works to run a charity for injured war veterans.

Finally, it’s time for them to meet in person. And they get along just as well in person as they do online. And their dogs like each other also! Now, if they could just learn to communicate a bit more forthrightly with each other, all could be perfect. I couldn't put this one down as I enjoyed both characters and the secondary characters so very much.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Another wonderful book from Ms Morrey - I think this might be my new favourite of hers.

Lottie and Seb are both just gorgeous and both come with their own emotional baggage (and both have the most amazing doggos which makes me love them more). Maxine always loves to write a slow burn which makes you sit at home almost wanting to knock the protagonists heads together (in a nice way of course) but which also makes you root for the couple even more (and trust me I was soooo rooting for Seb and Lottie).

A warm and funny read with the biggest of hearts. It felt like a giant hug.

This is my first read from author Maxine Morrey and it definitely won’t be my last. I really enjoyed Lottie and Seb’s story. I love Lottie’s straightforward attitude and her devotion to her family. I love Seb’s protective nature. This was a slow burn yet a satisfying one. The author did a great job giving the characters a backstory so end up really rooting for them.

This is my third #MaxineMorreyMarch read and I am in love. Maxine Morrey writes in a special kind of way. Every one of her books I've read (now 4!) has that extra bit of something-something.

My Year of Saying No is her latest release, and I will admit her writing has got better as her novels have gone on and this is definitely one of her best (#NoFilter is an equal first place - read my review here).

My Year of Saying No follows Lottie who embarks on... a year of saying no. After a year of saying yes. I did love that the beginning of this book there was a flashback style chapter where it gave you a hint of what happened during her year of saying yes and gave some background info as to why Lottie would finally want to start saying no! It gave a bigger understanding which made me more invested in the story.

Lottie is fabulous. I loved reading about a main character with such strong views about what she wants for herself. Lottie took a chance and did the Year of Saying No because her best friend asked her too, but then her Best Friend found love, and Lottie found less desirable things coming her way. But when she stands up for herself she changes, and she takes the same attitude and decides to do what she wants to do and I 100% think we could all learn something from Lottie.

Lottie is a Self Employed Virtual Assistant so her relationship with Seb, her hottie of a Client is purely virtual. So I loved seeing this virtual relationship blossom into something so beautifully written. See and Lottie are bloody adorable. Even as friends I loved them.

Seb was a fantastic character. Maxine Morrey seems to include characters with aspects most rom-com type novels don't often contain. My Year of Saying No addresses aspects of Soldiers back forms he war and the difficulties some of them face in a slightly uncensored way. Her knowledge is there and it shows. Nothing about Sex felt faked or embellished. He was very realistic and very well written. He had a kind-hearted nature and his personality was so strongly written he became a very lovable character. In a roguish kinda way.

MYOSN had some ups and down and the suspense was built and everything I wanted to happen, happened. Without spoiling it of course.

Maxine Morrey writes the best relationships. I think sometimes it's about what isn't written than what is, and to build that suspense and anticipation on paper. Is just the best thing to experience and it's why I love to read.

I honestly fell head overhauls in love with this book.

My Year of Saying No is an uplifting novel that gives you the courage to stand up and do what makes you happy and stop doing so many things that's just expected of you. When you read a Maxine Morrey novel you invest in the storyline you find yourself eclipsed in nothing else. It's all you read. They get your devote attention and they deserve it too. I promised myself 2020 would be the year that I did what I wanted to do and I left a job of nearly 5 years to make myself happy. It was a totally selfish and very drastic choice. My Year of Saying No only made me feel more confident in that everything is going to be ok. And sometimes saying no, is ok too.

I cannot stress enough how much I think you should read this novel.

Another very enjoyable story from Maxine Morrey.

There were many many occasions where I wanted to either slam Seb and Lottie's heads together, or lock them in a room - either way for them to work out what I'd realised very early on that they would be made for each other!!

Despite the characters not really wanting to admit to their true feelings, much less act on them, the rest of the book did nothing but please me greatly.

I loved the idea of Lottie's year of saying no - well saying no to things she really doesn't want to do, and it's lead to her family viewing her differently and i loved the way it inspired positive changes in her friends lives too.

One thing Lottie though did say yes to, was getting a rescue dog, and Humphrey is just adorable,and he's not even the only dog in this story. I do love dog loving humans!

I really enjoyed Lottie and Seb's interactions, they have such a great connection between them, and I was willing them to see sense continually. Their friends and families were also characters I really liked.

I always enjoy books from this author, and this was no exception. I seem to have scrambled my brain so I can't get my thoughts in order, but I do really recommend it, it's great to while away a few hours from the current horrors of the real world situations. Pure fun escapism.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This book had an interesting start as Lottie is ending her year of Saying Yes and starting her year of Saying No. From the beginning it was clear that Seb was the love interest and it was really obvious that the both of one really liked each other. The back and forth and set up of their relationship in the beginning felt cute but their reasons not to engage with each other really felt flimsy, first with Lottie and towards the end with Seb. I never quite understood the motivations the way they were described and the conflict resolutions when they happened seemed almost too easy. That said, the story was cute with some nice characters that you really wanted to get to know and love. I liked it, expected a bit more though.

Bloody brilliant!!! I adored this book and everything it made me feel! This author has a way of making characters jump off the page and makes you feel like you could be friends with them! I love British books and humor and this made me laugh out loud many times! I loved Lottie! Her vulnerabilities allows every woman to identify with her. Seb was a perfect book boyfriend and I loved him from the start. The plot was realistic and there was no cheesy romance, but a solid love story. I love Maxine Morrey and she's done a wonderful job on My Year of Saying No.

This was honestly pretty bad. There was barely any plot - virtual assistant flirts with boss, they meet, a couple of misunderstandings happen like in ANY romance novel, etc - but it's all quite poorly done. A lot of the chapters are just dialogues, but not particularly lively or engaging - they are often meant to be flirty but that did not quite work.. The characters were both irritating - the virtual PA who is super organised and overthinks, and the cute veteran who apparently "grins" every second sentence, and has soooo much wisdom to share with the world.

I cringed a bit more at each chapter. Honestly would not recommend - there are so many good romance novels out there and this is not one of them.

I really liked the idea of this book, I think we all want to say no to people and things, but it's far easier to say yes most of the time to avoid feeling awkward. I loved that Lottie was taking charge, and it opened up a lot of fun! I loved the veteran angle, it's a very important subject matter and it was dealt with well. Fresh and new, I really enjoyed saying Yes to Lottie and her world. 4.5 stars from me

Unlike the year of saying yes, this is the novel dedicated to Lottie finding her voice and liking who she is. Because of this, she knew her strengths and turned her company into a great success. Her relationship with Jess became stronger as did Sally and she found her great love in Seb. Her vulnerability made her stronger. Highly recommended.

My year of saying no by Maxine Morrey was the first book I ever read by this author, and man what a ride it was!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, the friendships, the writing style, the plot and the pacing.

I did think the first chapter was weird, but once I got into the second chapter it only seemed like a small hiccup. I wish the first chapter could have been it’s own book because I did say “Wait, what’s going on?” but then I understood the point of it after.

I really liked the main character and how others viewed her. Also, there’s dogs. Dogs automatically make stories better.

I was very pleased to discover that I had two other books by Maxine Morrey because I now want to read all of her books, even her Christmas one that I have. Despite the minor hiccup, this was a five star rating and I definitely recommend this for fans of Sophie Kinsella or just romance in general.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this. This had no impact on my thoughts, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow oh wow!!

What an absolutely gorgeous read, with utterly amazing characters. I have loved this book so much. It has been an absolute joy to read.

I have loved main characters Lottie and Seb, so much that I’m hoping for a follow up of this book. I have been rooting for them from the start.

This is filled with many ups and downs. A book which will definitely stir up your emotions- but guaranteed to leave you smiling.

This is definitely a book I’d recommend and I can honestly say that this is a heartwarming and magical story which should be on everyone’s TBR.

Definitely a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ worthy book, even though this is highly deserving of five million stars. It is a fantastic read!!

3.5 stars- I really liked this rom com in the vein of Christina Lauren or Sophie Kinsella. I loved the title (as saying No is my favorite thing to do.) Lottie is an virtual PA and one of her clients is an Army vet who was injured and runs a non-profit in London. Flirting and will they/won't they ensues. I really liked the male lead having a disability and how well his character was written. Although sweet and predictable, the writing and main characters made this romance stand out for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free, advance copy.

This book is sooooo lovely😍 i just fell for it from the beginning💕
If you are looking for a romantic book which also feels real, then this book is for you!💑
I was looking for a book like this for the longest time, a feel-good which also feels real. Like you know that it could happen in a normal person's life and that makes this book even more lovely😍💖
.
Lottie's year of saying no seems difficult at first; but the more she insists on saying no, even to her family and friends, the more she feels relieved and confident.
.
Maxine Morrey seems to be concerned about the mental and physical condition the war veterans are in, and tho heart breaking, it was so nice to read how they manage to overcome their traumas and injuries and adapt to a normal life.
.

I'm not telling you anything about the heart warming love story going on in the book, i want to keep it all to myself😂😈 . .
. .

The only thing that bugged me was overusing the phrase "One Large Hand"😳
Honestly i got the point the first time, i dont know why the writer thought it was important to tell us how large his hands are every time😂
. .
.
. 🌱 Honestly i'm not a person to say yes to everything, but this book was a nice reminder that i needed to say more NOs and not feel guilty🙏

I loved #No Filter and The Christmas Project by Maxine so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book! And it didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed the character of Lottie, as I could see aspects of myself in her. I'd recommend this as a summer holiday read as it is light but a very engaging read!

I loved the writing style of this. Unfortunately I’m still not sure if it was really for me. I found myself drifting off several times throughout the book. 3 stars for great writing and interesting characters!

This book was adorable! Everything I thought it would be and more when I requested it!!! Such fun, quirky characters that I rooted for the entire book! The authors writing just pulled me in and I had to finish it. Thanks to Netgalley for my advanced ebook copy !