An OK chick lit, well written but a bit run of the mill for me. Too many aspirational venues, experiences and products which I hope don’t reflect the twenty/thirty somethings. I decided to read this as I felt it might give me an idea of the way of life for the age range of my children, probably not the one they tell me, however it does feel miles away. The goals seem to be of partying and finding a husband and I really had hoped that these values from the seventies were long gone for today’s young people, but I suppose recycling, the daily commute and long working hours do not a fun read make!
However, as I said at the start, it is written well, is a little funny at times and has several kind hearted people in the mix. So as a quick, light hearted read for a summer’s day ( although I did skip the sex bits...too ‘shades of grey’ and submissive for me ) it is OK. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank so much Netgalley and HQ books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had never heard anything about this author nor this book before but I liked its synopsis and I thought it would be a cute read!

I liked that there were some very fun moments throughout the whole book. The main character, Florence´s personality was perfect for this book as she didn´t take life too seriously and always found something positive in everything she did. I also liked her humour, her way of facing the situation she was living, the way she talked about herself and how much she loved her job, which is the same as mine!

This book was very light and quick to read. It was romantic without being too cheesy, it had the perfect amount of humour, drama and real life problems.

I also liked the writing style. There were a lot of dialogues that made the book quicker and easier to read, there were a lot of Flo´s thoughts that made me smile and laughed, and there were a lot of situtations with her step-mother and her sisters that entertained me and made me flew by the book.

With that being said, there were also a few things that I didn´t enjoy that much. There were a couple of scenes that made me uncomfortable, and weren´t nice to read regarding to Rory (Flo´s friend) and his family, who was very unlovable in my opinion.

I knew from the very beginning were the love story was heading to and, although I enjoyed the ride and how events developped, I was kind of: Okay! But we know how this is going to end, right?

Another thing that stopped me from giving this book a higher rating was that, at some point, I felt like everyone around Flo´s live knew best than her what she needed, how she had to look like, how she had to behave, etc.

Like I said, the end was predictable and although I quite enjoyed the wedding scene, I can't give this book more than 2/5⭐

A wish list is made in this Cinderella take on romance. Enter Tory Rory and in he walks into the book shop. Perfect, at last, she has the boyfriend she's always dreamed of. Or does she? Zach, the owner's nephew arrives and together they plan events and Zach shows a different side, showing first impressions can be deceptive. The sex scenes with Rory were very tongue in cheek and took the mick out of the genre. An amusing modern day twist on the Cinderella story. I enjoyed the book.

I loved reading this book, a love story with elements of hilarity. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down.

Florence is single and her family are desperate for her to find a partner. Her mother pays for her to see Gwendoline a love coach, who advises she writes a wish list of all the requirements she is looking for in a man. Surprisingly soon after along comes Rory to her bookshop with his eccentric clothes and rather snobby attitude. Is Rory Mr right or just Mr right now!! Slowly she begins to see his true self and maybe true love is closer to her than what she thinks.

This is such a witty book, it had me laughing and crying. Let’s just say “Cowabunga” and I cannot stop laughing!!!

This is the first book I’ve read from this author but will definitely not be my last.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Oh how I loved this book, amazing characters- I loved Florence and her quirks. The wishlist had a heartwarming plot. Florence is 32 and has never had a boyfriend much to the disappointment of her stepmother who books her a block of sessions with a love guru. Before long Florence does meet someone and he ticks all of the boxes. I have to admit I was not a fan of Rory the Tory and did not warm to him from the off perhaps because of our current coronavirus predicament. An excellent read!

Absolutely loved this book. This is the second book I have read from this author and I can't wait to read the next one.
The main character Florence (who is very quirky) works in a quaint book shop. She reluctantly seeks help from an eccentric love guru and makes a wish list of traits she would like a potential boyfriend to have. She then meets Rory who seems to tick everything on her list.
Florence has 2 sisters, one who is due to marry. The wedding was hilarious!
This is a perfect feel good summer read. Yes, it was totally predictable, but then aren't all rom coms? Great characters, great story, just the right amount of humour, what's not to like!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Just what I needed during the Coronavirus lockdown.

This was such a lovely read, I couldn't put it down.

Yes it was predictable but all the characters were great and I loved the journey to the end of the story.

Perfect summer read. Thank you.

What a lovely read! I loved Florence who is quirky and interesting. All the characters were well written and though a little predictable, I really enjoyed the warmth and humour of the story as it unfolded. The wedding day writing made me nod with approval! A fab summer read that’s a little bit different.

A romantic comedy, yes, predictable, yes, feel-good, yes, recommend definitely.

Florence Fairfax is single, quirky and works in a bookshop and has a wavering aspiration of becoming a published children's author one day.
Florence likes order and routine. She is happy sharing her bedroom with her 17-year-old ginger cat Marmalade.
She lives with her stepmother Patricia and stepsisters Ruby and Mia. Her father, a diplomat in Argentina, is often away, and she misses him.

Patricia introduces her to a love coach, and a session is booked for her to attend. The therapist advises her to write a list of what qualities make up her ideal man.

Fans of women's fiction, comedy and romance, will enjoy this read.

I want to thank NetGalley, HQ and author Sophia Money-Coutts for a pre-publication copy to review.

This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this was such a lovely read! Exactly what I was looking for - a sweet, funny novel with plenty of cute rom-com moments. The plot was fairly predictable but I still enjoyed the journey and the characters kept me invested throughout.

Recommended as an easy beach read.

The Wish List
Thanks to Netgalley and Harpercollins for the proof.

“The Wish List” concerns Florence Fairfax, a 32 year old bookseller who doesn’t have a boyfriend. She’s a bit of a geek, and not as glamorous as her two half-sisters. Her pushy stepmother sends her to a “love guru” who tells her to write a list of what she wants in a man. The next day a good looking man walks into the shop…
I enjoyed “The Wish List” very much, but I’m afraid I guessed the ending. This isn’t necessarily a problem, because the book has a good many positive points. The characters are very relatable, particularly Florence and her friend Jaz. The bookshop setting was very recognisable and the inclusion of social media platforms like Instagram brought it right up to date. In many ways the book made me think of a slightly more glamorous version of “Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine” (a good thing as I totally loved that book.)

It's a good, fun, fast read – it only took a couple of hours to read – perfect for a holiday, or indeed lockdown. I said at the top of the review that I guessed the ending, of course it’s a happy one.

Star rating is because I guessed the ending.

I received an ARC of this book in via HQ and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description

You want me to write a list? Like a shopping list?’
Gwendolyn nodded. ‘Exactly. But for what you want from a man, not ASDA.’

Florence Fairfax isn’t lonely. She loves her job at the little bookshop in Chelsea and her beloved cat Marmalade keeps her company at night. She might have been single for quite a while – well, forever actually, if anyone’s asking – but she’s perfectly happy, thank you. And then Florence meets eccentric love coach Gwendolyn, and everything changes.

When Gwendolyn makes Florence write a wish list describing her perfect man, Florence refuses to take it seriously. Finding someone who likes cats, has the sexual athleticism of James Bond and can overlook her ‘counting’ habit? Impossible! Until, later that week, a handsome blond man asks for help in the bookshop…

Rory seems to fit the list perfectly. But is he “the one”, or simply too good to be true? Florence is about to find out that her criteria for Mr Right aren’t as important as she thought – and that perhaps she’s been looking for love in all the wrong places.

My thoughts

I’m somebody that will give all books a chance but, when I really think about it, there’s something about reading a fluffy, funny romance that makes me feel good. The Wish List definitely fits that description.

As someone who hasn’t had a boyfriend – but has had a few doomed dates and less than a few almost boyfriends in their time – I instantly felt a connection to Florence, the thirty something woman that this book follows.

Having a boyfriend isn’t at the top of her list of priorities but – thanks to her eccentric and class-driven step-mother – she finds herself attending sessions with love coach Gwendolyn, which changes her mindset and her life.

Initially, I wasn’t sure if I’d like Florence, as the character’s tone reminded me of Eleanor (from Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, a book I’ve been determined to read for ages but I just haven’t managed to get passed the first page) – a character I’m not crazy about. As I read on, though, I realised there was more to her than her odd habits, her cat and this desire for love that is suddenly instilled in her. She’s actually a funny, likeable and vulnerable character – I was either laughing with her or empathising for her.

The concept of a “list” in this novel, and the whole plot revolving around the quirky love guru, wasn’t what made this a good book for me. What I liked was the fact that the characters were so well written, I felt connected to everyone from Florence’s two half-sisters to her colleagues Zachary, Eugene and even her cat! These characters were all likeable in their own way and I couldn’t help but feel as though they were people I knew.

I wasn’t keen on Rory and Florence together, though. There’s no denying if a boy came up to me and talked about books with me I’d probably want him to be my boyfriend, too, but his character just got on my nerves from the get-go. I think that was supposed to happen but, because I didn’t like his character, it meant the romance between them fell flat.

The Wish List is a funny, character-driven book full of fun, family and finding out Mr Perfect is out there…he just might be somebody different than you thought!

The Wish List will be published on 6th August 2020.

If you’re looking for anything outside the regular and well-practiced chick lit genre, this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re after an unchallenging easy read during lockdown then this is exactly what you need. Two days after finishing it I can’t remember the heroine’s first name but it passed a few hours on a hot day in the garden so I’d recommend it as a holiday read.

A sweet and quirky Rom com perfect to while away a summers day. It took a while for me to get into it but once I was I was hooked. Loved Florence.

The Wish List is not my usual genre and although it took me a few chapters to get into and be enthralled by it, I did and could not put it down.
It made me laugh, smile and I just wanted more from the characters who I loved. Highly recommend.

I wasn't totally convinced that I would enjoy this book after reading the first chapter but I persevered and COWABUNGA! I was hooked. The story centres around Florence, who has a few quirky habits, and her desire to.find a boyfriend. She makes a list of requirements, hence the title, and miraculously meets Rory in the bookshop that.she works in. Rory is a bit of a toff, wears unfashionable clothes and is a workaholic as he strives to become a Conservative MP. Has Flo found her dream man or is she just relieved to have found just anybody? Gradually the rose coloured glasses begin to dim and when Zach helps out in promoting the bookshop she begins to realise maybe everything isn't as perfect as she thought, and then comes the stag do for her soon to be brother in law and everyone's eyes are well.and truly opened. A very wittily written book that has me smiling and at times laughing out loud. I loved it!

Just finished this book about finding “The One” that you think is perfect for you. This is quite a funny read in places and has a really good storyline throughout.
It starts really well but I did find in places that it seemed to “dip” a little bit and the pace slowed down slightly, but I have still given it 4 stars as I really did enjoy the overall feel of this book and felt like it flowed easily as the story progressed.
I’ve read quite a few books that have sex scenes in and I have to say that the scenes in this book leave nothing to the imagination, but are very well written.
Really good book with a great ending.

This was a sweet, quirky, funny romantic comedy.

However, I did take issue with Florence's list/features she looks for in men. Although the list was ultimately unimportant for the protagonist and was part of the character growth, one feature in particular (no umbrellas, it's not 'manly' enough!!) bothered me and wasn't criticised or addressed as I thought it should have been.

Ignoring that, I thought the romance in this book was very sweet, and I really enjoyed seeing Florence's self-worth grow through the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just loved this book. Adored the setting and the main character Florence..who is quite quirky!! She works in a bookshop with some equally quirky characters. Ends up dating Rory.....another oddity who she thinks is the right man for her. Enter Zach!! A little predictable, but a delightful easy read which I enjoyed very much! Will be looking out for more by this author.