An easy to read rom com with a difference. I loved how the main focus was actually friendship. The good the bad and the ugly, with some relationship stuff thrown in the mix too. A really nice read that made me laugh out loud a few times.

I requested an arc through NetGalley for this as I was a fan of the authors stand up. I was really pleased to see a release from her.

The story follows three friends in London who are in varying stages of their lives with work and relationships. They decide to play a game where each of them asks out people on a date on behalf of their friends.

The humour in this is excellent, belly laughs. It was exactly what I was looking for in a fun, contemporary, chick-flick style book. It was predictable but I think it was still a satisfying journey.

It did suffer a little from the ‘Just Communicate!!!’ Frustrations a lot of the time and that was the only let down for me.

The real success in this is the characters, I could see this making a great TV series.

Recommend for fans of Sex in the City and Queenie.

So I did actually finish this in time for the blog tour but I’ve been struggling to put into words how I felt about this book. This book is mainly based around the friendship of 3 women, we have Jemima, Meagan and Simi. Each women has their history and problems in the present they are trying to solve. However the biggest thing that reasonated through me with this book is you can’t go through world without friends. If you asked me a year ago if I had a group of girlfriends I would have said no. But now yes I have met some amazing women I would class my friends and they are my rock and sounding board when I have troubles of ideas they are the first people I go to. This book portrays this and ally more, it was such a nice read and it had me laughing throughout.

If you need a book that will make you cry with laughter at points and ones that will have you reaching out to text your best friend then look no further than Asking for a Friend by Andi Osho.

As soon as I read the blurb for this book I needed to read it. I was kindly sent a copy from the publisher to read and review and let me tell you I am off to buy a copy as well as owning the arc. The book at times had me in stitches, the characters Jemima, Megan and Simi are literally girlfriend goals. Ones that have you back no matter what and when they have an argument you know that they are all getting ready for a fight BUT they soon realise the love they have for one another outshines everything.

The characters, Jemima, Megan and Simi couldn’t be any different but they have found that they can’t live without one another and are each others support network through the good, the bad and the ugly -yes I am looking at Simi here for this with her questionable choices.

The books main focus is about their friendship and how they each overcome their own internal struggles together and as a group. They hurt another along the way, they grow as people and they also may find love not only for themselves for a significant other.

Normally in a book like this I usually dislike one character and favour another however I found that Andi Osho has written all three characters superbly and I loved them all. I will admit however that Megan takes the top spot by the slightest of margins but that is because she is the one I felt that had the biggest growth in the book. I also liked how she described her partners penis – this literally had me cackling then sending my friends the paragraph in who then also cackled.

It was nice to read a book that even though talked about romance and was part the focus of the book it didn’t get in the way of the characters. I mean at times it was hilarious but it was also real for young females and males today. Some are searching for that one but others are searching for multiples and I loved how open Andi Osho spoke about sex in the book and that all three to a degree embraced their female sexuality and wasn’t ashamed of it.

I loved Todd, Megan’s – shall we say shag buddy. He clearly wanted more but never pushed Megan until she was ready to face the fact that she liked him and when he was dating someone else she didn’t like it. She had to come to the conclusion on here own and I applaud Andi Osho for creating Todd.

The book totally focuses on these three women who empowered each other. They had each others backs and even though at times they could be vicious towards one another they also loved so fiercely it made me reach out to my best friend.

EXCELLENT book, I cannot wait to see more from Andi Osho, and hopefully see this come to the screen at some point.

This didn’t quite live up to the hype of previous reviews for me. I love books about friendship but the only story I got fully invested in was that of Jemima.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this new release in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really fun and easy read all about three best friends choosing to ditch the dating apps and play their own dating games (choosing dates for each other) in a bid to get out of their own dating funk and face their issues head on. Or maybe some of them are using the game for their own purposes...The story naturally features the trio questioning their own love lives, their friendship to each other, and wondering what they want to get out of life, and if they are holding themselves - and each other - back.

The book is a great debut from Osho: the writing is fun and easy, the characters are developed well-enough and you can tell their friendship is strong. I like the use of in-jokes between the three women, though I felt that using “I had a bad relationship with a man/I have Daddy issues” explanations for their bad views on romance a little bit cliche. The ending was predictable, but that’s the same with most books of this genre and certainly not a criticism. The fun is in the journey, and there are plenty of fun scenes, though I wish the dating game had been utilised a bit more and we’d seen some more dates.

Overall this is a fun, witty and easy read if you fancy curling up on the sofa or reading at the beach, and a good reminder of the power of female friendship.

I can't believe this was a debut for Andi Osho! I really enjoyed this book and flew through it. I was so invested in these three friends and their love lives, can I be their friend too please?

I loved the concept of this book, asking guys out for your friends, choosing a suitable suitor for them, having some fun and a few dates whilst your at it. Sounds a wonderful game!

Simi, Meagan and Jemima all have brilliantly developed backgrounds who have moulded them in to the feisty and fiery women they are. I loved that they were all of different ages and career choices but had created a solid bond between them. #squadgoals

The dating game element of the book was a funny and crazy to read. You could easily imagine a group of women doing this in a bar, nightclub etc. It felt realistic and even though it was a game there was still depth and meaning behind each of the choices. They really wanted the best for their friends.

In summary, I loved this book, it had me laughing away as I turned the pages. It was witty, had some great one-liners and kept me wanting more.

I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.

What a great read. Its one of those beach read books.

I fell in love with the characters who all want to find the one. They are hopeless romantics and I love that they are all there for one another.

It's cute, romantic and fun and a must read for anyone wanting an easy read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I recently read this book, received from NetGalley. I enjoyed the story, although I found it was a little to long winded in places and from early on it was clear how the story would progress. I was not familiar with the author Andi Osho before.
The story was quite amusing at times, but also very slow at others. It is about 3 friends, whose ages span 3 decades who are all at different stages of life and have various relationship histories. They each believe that they know what they want out of life and are different in their expectations that this includes a long term partner. As such, after they rescue Simi from a broken relationship they agree to work together to pick new boyfriends for the the other 2. They set rules about the dates and how they shouldn't become involved with any other men during the month of the game. It becomes clear as time progresses that each character is using the game for different purposes and many of the problems and concerns are related back to their own unique experiences growing up. These very much colour both their expectations of a man and how they behave. Whilst it is quite a fun story, perhaps as someone who is past the age pf these characters it did't particularly engage me. Therefore my rating is low.

Many Thanks to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book before being published in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, refreshing, perfect for a quick read, a nice break from a no-normal life.

Three best friends helping each other, getting angry at each other and enjoying dating games between them. The three very high professionals with problems on their own. The three of them with unfortunate love stories.
That’s when they decide to start playing a dating game. They ask guys out for their friends and they have to go on at least one date to know the partner the other 2 have selected for her. They all get a date so nobody is left behind and they can´t have any other dates chosen by themselves in between.

It is a fine story with a fine end. Of course the romance is all over the novel and there are a lot of funny bits that it makes you laugh a lot.

It is a very enjoyable quick read and I recommended it to all who wants to spend a nice time with three best friends enjoying with them, suffering at times, and having a good laugh at some of their adventures.
Above all I have enjoyed the book and the special relationship between the three women. I will definitely be looking at reading more books by Andi Osho.

Plot

Three best friends are going to solve their relationship woes once and for all

Forty-something Jemima’s life is on track – well, sort of. All she has to do is muster the courage to bat her niggly ex away for good.

Twenty-something Meagan is in the midst of her five-phase plan and is nearly ready for phase three – a relationship.

While thirty-something Simi has had more it’s not yous than any I dos.

Deciding it’s time to play the dating game by their own rules, they’re going to ditch the dating apps and ask people out in real life. The catch? They’re playing matchmaker and can only ask out potential dates for each other because the most important rule is that no woman gets left behind.

Review

Ok, this was a difficult one fir me. Whilst I really liked the concept of this book and what the message was, the fact that you need your girls more than man, I did have a problem liking and relating to the characters.

Jen is so closed off it’s painful, Similar you just want to shake and Meagen is at times downright awful.

Thee were some giggle out loud moments especially when the dating game gets going but mostly I sped read just wanting to get to the end.

London is gorgeously represented as are career women but again, the attitudes do make them at times unlikeable.

On the plus side it’s a good, quick read if you’re looking for something not too heavy but sadly it’s something I probably won’t be reaching for again.

Rating

3.5

Recommend

Maybe but not automatically

Thank you to the publishers for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

A different take on finding 'the one'!

Jemima, Meagan and Simi are best friends despite the age differences, and the one thing they all have in common is lack of a happy love life. They are so good at picking wrong 'uns - what if they stop looking for themselves and start looking for each other? It's bound to work - right? After all, what could possibly go wrong?

This is a new author to me; I haven't come across Andi Osho's work before but she certainly knows how to make a reader smile, grin and - yes, even laugh out loud. This is an admirable debut novel. The antics of these three and the men who cross their paths are very funny and entertaining. My one criticism would be that it was obvious quite early on how it was all going to end, and everything in between was just filling the gap. However, this is well-written and an original story. The characterisation is excellent and the humour pitched just right. I'm happy to give this one 4*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I loved the ideas behind this story since I'm old enough to remember dating before dating apps. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the characters. So, this story didn't fulfil its potential. There is plenty that I liked, especially the dynamic between the characters. Their friendship bond is believable and well written. There is also an insightful look at contemporary life which captures its humour, and sadness well.

I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.
Three best friends are going to solve their relationship woes once and for all
Forty-something Jemima’s life is on track – well, sort of, she just need to bat her niggly ex away for good.
Twenty-something Meagan is in the midst of her five-phase plan and is nearly ready for phase three: a relationship.
While thirty-something Simi has had more it’s not yous than any I dos.
These best friends decide it’s time to ditch the dating apps and play the love game by their own rules. They’re going to ask people out in real life…but only for each other. What could possibly go wrong?
Reading the synopsis I though I would love this book, the premise of which is hilarious. What better way to solve your problems than having someone on the outside looking in to help? Being written by a comedian the scope for hilarious interactions was vast. Unfortunately I didn't love it. I didn't connect with the characters and thought they were flimsy. At times the book extracted a small giggle but in the main I found it a hard slog. It wasn't a book I looked forward to continuing. Sorry

Asking for a Friend is the story of three very different best friends, Simi - the romantic one - gets dumped. Again. Her besties Jemima and Meagan quickly rally round. They decide they all for one reason or another need take a new stance dating start a game where they each ask someone out on the behalf of the others. It quickly becomes apparent that there’s more going on in their lives than not being able to find The One.
The opening of this debut felt a bit amateurish every other paragraph seemed to build to a punch line this gradually settled down as the plot rolled out. I liked all the ladies, they were all quite different and the bond they had was lovely. It took a while for the dating game to kick in and when it did I felt it wasn’t used as much as it could have been. They didn’t actually have that many dates.
In the end this is a story about friendship and the love between these three best friends and how it is their bond and support for each other that helps them discover who they are and what they really want. Sometimes only your best friends can tell you the ugly truth about yourself whether you want to hear it or not.

Asking For A Friend centres on a trio of friends, Jemima, Meagan and Simi, who are making their way through life and facing the various hurdles in their way.

I loved that this set of friends were of a broader age range and therefore they had their own detailed and emotive backstory. I love that they were flawed, unlikeable at times and rash, because it made them human. I loved the depth of their issues - it was never just about finding a partner. I loved that they were each written in such a way that it was easy to feel “I know someone like that”, or even “I’m a bit like her”; the result is that any of these women could be in your friendship circle, and could be who you turn to for advice or comfort.

With alternating perspectives and well written subplots and supporting characters (Hello Todd!) I really felt like I got to know each of these women, and I felt invested in whatever their Happily Ever After might’ve looked like.

In short, I really loved this. If you enjoyed The Flat Share or Us Three, I would hope you’d love this too. I’ll definitely be looking forward to whatever Ms Osho has to share with us next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Asking for a friend is centred around 3 women Jamima, Simi and Meagan they are as close as best friends can be. All their love lives suck! Jemima has a stalkery (although harmless) ex, Simi falls in love at the drop of a hat but her relationships never work and Meagan has a friend with benefits. So they create a dating game where they pick dates for each other in an effort to help Simi stay away from her usual type. However Jemima is using the experience to help influence her book and Meagan seems to be using it to distance herself from Todd (her friend with benefits).

I really enjoyed this book chick flicks aren't my usual go to book but I am glad to have read this debut novel by Andi Osho. The dating game element of the book I found funny, it just felt like something me and my best mate might do. The element of the book that kept me going was the intense relationship of the women. Their friendship just felt so real, most of us have at least one friend you have on speed dial and I loved that they had two. Each woman brought something to the story and that really strengthened it.

The story could of easily been one of those books that constantly bashes men but this story allows each women to see into themselves why they seeked out the relationships they had and try and explore how to change their habits.

It was one of those obvious love stories and you can tell that from grafter one but I forgive the author that because it actually was needed for the character progression.

Summary of each woman:

Simi: is a struggling actress signed to Meagans agency. Her shocking love life kicks off the whole dating game thing as she is dumped yet again. She is a very trusting person and at times quite ditsy. She can come across as immature but it's clear she just wants to be loved but also finds ways to sabotage herself.

Jemima: is a author and an established one at that. She runs when things get hard and she bolts so much so she is considering throughout the book whether or not to go to America to get away from her ex! She won't let people in and I think its because she is afraid of getting hurt. But she loves her friends and thats why some of her actions throughout the story do surprise me.

Meagan: is a comedy agent and a good one. She is an angry person though she seems to want to push people away before they can hurt her. Her relationship with Todd is a clear example of that. She comes up with the dating game but her intentions aren't all they seem to be. Her friends are afraid to upset her, but she clearly loves her friends deeply. She would do anything for them. She came from nothing and has built herself up.

In summary I really enjoyed this book I laughed out loud throughout but it also had me in tears. The book having 3 black ladies as leads as well I love, as a black woman myself its often hard to feel myself reflected in characters but I could in this book. I really wasn't sure when I picked it up but I struggled to put it back down. The writing is witty and the storyline is good. Like I said the dating game is neither here nor that for me the bond and friendship is something I loved reading about. I am giving 4 stars today, so close to 5 but I so think the predictability did let it down slightly I was hoping for a slight twist. My favourite woman was Meagan she is so funny. 4/5 stars


Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Andi Osho for the digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.

The Dating Game – The Rules
1. You never ask someone out for yourself.
2. No fibbing or exaggerating about the person you’re finding a date for.
3. No falling in love (good luck with that). No vetoing a date someone has got for you.
4. No one gets left behind – so no dates on the night of The Game.
5. No breaking the law! No side pieces.

Overview
After thirty-something Simi is left heartbroken from another failed relationship, she turns to her best friends: forty-something Jemima and twenty-something Meagan for support.

During a boozy night out, they decide that enough is enough and they’re going to approach dating on their own terms. By ditching the dating apps they’ll play The Dating Game... asking people out in real but for each other! What could possibly go wrong?

My Thoughts
What a fantastic debut from Andi Osho!

As a single woman I was intrigued by the premise of this book. The idea of letting my friends pick out men for me to date quite frankly terrified me. Not something I would partake in myself, I was keen to read about how this approach would work for the women in Asking For A Friend.

I’ve always been a fan of a triple narrative and Osho executes this perfectly. Written in third person, each character is given their own voice and time to grow and reflect on the relationships they’ve had. I really liked witnessing Jemima, Simi and Meagan learn about themselves. It almost felt like you were part of their journey in understanding how the past has impacted the future.

Although the book is centred around The Dating Game, the main takeaway was the strength of friendship and how it can go through ups and downs like any other relationship. Friends know you better than anyone and Osho really captured the fundamentals of this.

It was refreshing for this genre of book to not only centre around the romantic relationships, but to feature the friendship of three best friends at its heart. That being said, I would have liked to get to know a like bit more Chance and Todd! They sounded perfect (on paper)!

A fun, at times hilarious read that is perfect for fans of Lindsey Kelk.

4/5

I love and respect the diversity and the representation in this book, and am a huge fan of Andi Osho generally, however, I'm sorry to say that I did not enjoy this book as I had hoped to.

For me, a book has to have strong, interesting, well rounded characters that readers can really understand and get to know; I could not connect with any of the characters in 'Asking for a Friend' and couldn't make myself care or engage with any of them.

I felt as though the story was rushed in places and I could not understand the motivation for the way some characters behaved or acted; the 'dating game' concept just felt weary to me - my disappointment rose when I realised how big a part of the plot this was going to be.

That said, the book is humorous and, whilst I didn't enjoy it, I can understand how others would and how it would be uplifting to some. It's one of those books that's just OK - entirely inoffensive, would keep you entertained but not one you'd stay up late into the night just to finish.

Asking for a Friend is the debut novel by comedian Andi Osho and she's done a cracking job with her first book. It has all the wit and humour you would expect but as we moved further into the story I found there were lots of deep observations too which added more depth to the characters.

The story is told from the points of view of the three women, Jemima, Meagan and Simi. They have all been unlucky in love and devise a game to help each of them break away from the usual men they go for, this results in some hilarious consequences.

For me it took a little while for me to warm to the characters but by the end of the book I fell in love with all three of them. What I loved most about this book is you think it's going to be a typical Romcom but it turns out that the love story is actually the friendship between the girls.

Reviews posted to Goodreads and Amazon - links below