Things Are Looking Up is a cute, easy, feel-good read. Millie and Jed are very likable characters, flawed, but trying to overcome the past, Millie in particular. She's forced to reevaluate the choices she's made that led her to a rather terrible encounter with the front of a bus due to being too preoccupied with her phone and work.
I did feel that sometimes this theme is a little bit repetitive in the book - Millie's preoccupation with technology and the consequences thereof - but it's a worthwhile message that I think many, myself included, could take a little more to heart.
There are some great side characters in the book and I think it would have been nice to see those relationships develop in greater detail. There was a lot of heart in those relationships and I would have liked to see that aspect of the story explored more.
I did think that the story wraps up nicely, if not a little too quickly, but happy to have that HEA. Overall, more of a redemption story than a romance, but still great!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Maxine Morrey, and Boldwood Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest. review.

Things Are Looking Up is a cute, easy, feel good read. It was reminiscent of a Sophie Kinsella novel but where is was lighter on humour, it was bigger on heart. Millie and Jed (on a personal note, I disliked his name) are very likeable characters, flawed but trying to overcome the past, Millie in particular. She's forced to reevaluate the choices she's made that led her to a rather terrible encounter with the front of a bus. Sometimes, this theme is a little bit repetitive in the book - Millie's preoccupation with technology and the consequences thereof - but it's a worthwhile message, none the less. There are some great side characters in the book. It would have been nice to see those relationships develop in greater detail, instead of rehashing Millie's workaholic ways and the price she paid for them. There was a lot of heart in those relationships and I would have liked to see that aspect of the story explored more. Those were the best, most touching moments of the book. They even brought on the occasional tear. The story wraps up nicely, if not a little too quickly.

This is a perfect heartwarming read which has provided a great escape. I love how this has been written and cannot wait to read more by this author.

This was a brilliant story, it seemed so imaginary, but at the same time relatable and typical. It definitely reminds you to not take life for granted and to enjoy life but also to watch what you're doing. The main character is someone I feel I would get on with and it's about her self discovery, mistakes and ways to rethink old lives. I could not put this book down and finished so quickly.

I loved this book so much! Milly is a hustler. She hustles so hard she didn't see a bus coming as she crosses the street and ends up getting hit by the bus. When she awakes she's in a hospital and has been in a coma for a week, and when her ex boyfriend Jed shows up at the hospital and finds out he is still good friends with her family. It seems her luck has run out. Her roommate kicks her out, her freelance work has dried up and she can't come home with her family because of construction. So where does that lead her? Back to her ex's spare room. There he helps her realize that maybe those issues were blessing in disguises and soon they're friends again. But can they just be friends after all that history? And can you admit it when those feelings bubble up to the surface.

This wasn't corny or cheesy or soap opera-y. I couldn't stop turning the page. I finished it in 24 hours. I feel like a lot of us are stuck in the hustler harder grind and this was a great read that made me think about changing your perspective and stepping back from that culture. I loved Milly's relationship with her brothers family. And somehow when all the bad stuff is happening, somehow it didn't stress me out or be like "geez what else can go wrong" it was the perfect amount of error.

So Good.
It's the kind of storyline that seems so imaginary - I was hit by a bus! But in this case it is the reality for Milly.
A story that reminds you to not take life for granted and to watch where you're going!

Well I can't say I recall the last time I read a book where the main character is hit by a bus in the opening chapter - possibly because I think this could be the first one. Milly is so addicted to working and her phone, she literally doesn't see a bus hit her, and parts of her phone ended up really stuck to her in the aftermath.

I promise she lives, as this is a rom com, and she is our main character, and its a story of Milly learning to look up, take in the world around her, recovering from her hospital stay, and trying to rebuild her life. For while she is in hospital she is evicted and also loses all her work, contacts she used to be able to rely on, no longer want anything to do with her.

So the last thing she wants or needs really is for Jed to walk back into her life, or hospital room to be precise, much less being the bigger better man, and offering to take Milly in until she gets herself together, despite the fact that their relationship didn't exactly end well.

I loved seeing the growth in Milly's character as she re-discovers a love of books, of just enjoying the small pleasures in life, and seeing what is around her when she isn't completely hooked on her phone.

However it was Jed that I kept reading for. I loved him from the off as as the book progressed I fell further and further in love with him. Apart from his potentially iffy taste in women that is. Thankfully his taste in animals is a lot better and I loved the whole storyline involving a wonderful four legged friend.

This is a really enjoyable story, full of will they, won't they feelings, and characters you could be believe in. I especially loved Ravi and Sunni from the bookshop who seemed so down to earth and lovely people, just the story you would want running your local bookshop!

Definitely brightened up my week while I was reading this.

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

First of all, let me start by saying I loved Millie. Her determination and drive (whilst often a hinderance) was a great character trait but she was also sweet and very likeable.

The story itself is adorably uplifting and fun. It’s about self discovery, mistakes and rekindling old love.

A hug of a book💖

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

The concept was really good. It had me hooked in that I didn’t want to stop reading it. Some very sweet moments were nice to read.

I felt it had a message in it, that life’s not to be spent being glued to our phones, it’s just part of enjoying life, especially when you look around you and see what’s happening and be a part of enjoying those moments like others and not have regrets of not doing so.

Recommend It.

This book was so easy to read and I was hooked from the first page. Milly has always been a hard worker- so dedicated that she never pays attention to anything except her phone (which is always connected to work). This all changes when she gets hit by a bus and her world is turned upside down. Something has to change and soon Milly is living a different life. A book full of hope and second chances.

#BookTour 3.5 stars.

Milly is full of self doubt and is having a major life wobble but even in serious moments, the narrative remains funny without even trying. There are laugh out loud comments, observations and really turns of phrase

I loved Jed - Milly's gorgeous, American, tech billionaire ex who also happens to have a heart of gold. His soft, calming energy is wonderful and he's a really likeable character. The ultimate voice of reason. The sweet, intimate moments between him and Milly are lovely. I love their back and forth. The way they clash, the way they so easily fall back into a comfortable space. Their personalities clash but the love and care is there. The American vs British dynamic is brilliant too. I just wanted a little bit... more from them. By the time things really get going, the book is finished!

Another great character is Dmitri who is introduced late in the story. I think he had so much potential!

One thing I really didn't like the way Milly constantly took swipes at influencers and that culture. Don't get me wrong, I understand her frustrations but she just came across as bitter and jealous. Of course, after having her job swiped out from under her and given to a young, rich influencer, she'd bound to be put out but there's no need to be so catty.

There is mention of calorie content and feeling negative towards food because of it which could be triggering for some people.

Milly is a career driven, self focused woman (which shouldn't be demonised ) who spends way too much time staring at a screen- which I think we're all a little guilty of. In the world we live in, it's easy to become so absorbed in the virtual word that you forget to step back and look at the world outside of it. This story is all about tearing yourself away from the screen to ask yourself - Is this life making me happy?

It's about second chances, taking control of your own destiny and opening your eyes to see exactly what's in front of you.

Sometimes a second chance arrives because you weren't quite ready for the first one.

Centring on Milly, this novel focuses on her ups and downs after a near death experience ,ages her question her life choices up to now.

Another fabulous book from Maxine Morrey. I will read anything she writes.

I had real high hopes for this novel. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into the story - girl obsessed with phone, girl obsessed with work, girl obsessed with ex. There weren’t enough (any?) real comedy moments, and it just didn’t grab my attention in any way which was a real shame.

I always enjoy Maxine Morrey's books and Things Are Looking Up is as good as I expected it to be. Yes, it's a modern fairytale of sorts where everything works out without too much difficulty but there's nothing wrong with that. I like to read to escape for a while.

Milly reconnects with Jed after being hit by a bus and landing in hospital Whilst there her professional life falls apart and she is forced to reconsider the choices she has made and the road she has taken. Maxine Morrey's books always make me want to do the same but fortunately I realise that I don't live in a fairytale and things might not work out quite as easily in the real world!

Milly and Jed's lives do work out, although not entirely free of problems, and of course the end sees them together in a good place. But the beauty of Maxine's books is that, although you know what the ending will be, the journey there is always funny, well-told and a little bit thought-provoking.

Whereas one may call this troupe 'predictable' I call it comfortable. Grab a pair of leggings, a cozy shirt, snuggle under a quilt with a hot cuppa tea and settle in for a spell. Sometimes you want a something simple, a read that won't take much time. One that won't make you think more than necessary. This isn't a criticism, I promise. Something simple, you can put down if you must or read leisurely while sitting outside on a warm day with a light breeze. Enjoy.

Absolutely love Maxines style of writing. Nice easy read although somewhat predictable. Ending could of flowed a bit better.

I really enjoyed this book. Although somewhat predictable, I'm glad it ended the way that it did. The ending is sort of abrupt though and I do wish there was more of an epilogue to it. But overall, the story is well developed and takes you on a journey!

I didn’t enjoy this story. I might have, had I been in a different mindset. But this story reminded me of a Sophie Kinsella story and I read some reviews of that to remind me, and this story has some of the same flaws: bashing ambition in women.

Milly Finch is totally focused on her career. So focused she doesn’t see the bus coming and ends up in hospital, where she is kept in an artificial coma for a week. When she wakes up from her coma her brother immediately starts arguing with her that she’s always got her nose to the screen of phone and has put her career before friends, family and her own well-being. Which is a pretty shitty thing to do - the brother’s remarks, I mean - Milly just woke up from a coma. You’re not put in an artificial coma to help mend a broken arm; Milly probably had swelling to the brain, she may have brain damage and at the very least have a concussion. In Milly’s case however, a coma seems to be a nice rather long sleep as she is capable of arguing back at her brother.

The message of the book is set: career bad, family and friends good. At least the family and friends come to your hospital bed and the people you knew through work did not. It turns out no one told the work people that she was in hospital, so it’s not like they actually got a chance. And the friend and family only seem to be there to tell her what a bad person Milly’s been.

But, no more of that. After two weeks in hospital, Milly has missed all her deadlines and all her clients have let her know they never want to work with her again because she is unreliable. From a freelancer with a great network, she has gone to unemployed with nothing. She even has to move in with her ex-boyfriend because not paying rent is about all she can afford.

From then on Milly as a different person. She makes a few halfhearted attempts at still wanting to be independent and pulling her own weight (or putting casseroles in the oven), but other than that she’s looking up to appreciate the beauty around her, like making small talk with strangers.

A lifestyle most of us can’t afford because we do have to work before we can eat.

Not even the main hero can hold my attention, because he suffers from a flaw all Maxine Morrey’s heroes seem to have: they are too darn perfect. They are absolutely nice and understanding, make a lot of money and all ways have time for their tonnes of friends. They don’t even leave their shoes in the hallway in a way you can trip over them.

Time to just skip to the epilogue.

Career-driven woman, on her way to an interview with Vogue for her dream job, gets hit by a bus and wakes up from a coma a week later. Getting that from the book description was enough to make me want to read Things Are Looking Up. It made an impact and I was instantly curious.

Interesting book description, strong woman character, and an ex-lovers trope?! SIGN ME IN. This book made me realize how much I love the drama of a book with an ex-lovers trope. It's like the feeling of an enemies to lovers or a friends to lovers but heavier because both characters know they once loved each other. My heart just shakes from how they deny their own feelings and doubt the possibility of the other person still having feelings for them.

Our main character, Milly, annoyed me half the time and I appreciate her character development SO MUCH. I think that's the main highlight of the book. Following Milly as she discovers what she really want and what path she really wants to take. I couldn't connect with the characters that much but I loved the family and friends element. It was touching to read and I could really feel the love and care between them.

This was an easy read. It could've been shorter and it would still give the same effect. I really loved the last-ish part though!! It has the most exciting parts and I couldn't put it down during those parts. I honestly would've rated this 3.5 to 4 stars if the good feeling continued until the end but WHAT'S UP WITH THAT ENDING?? It ended so abruptly like they stopped writing the book then just gave it a random ending. Anyways, it was still an enjoyable read!

Thank you NetGalley, Maxine Morrey and Boldwood Books for the ARC of Things Are Looking Up. This is my personal review.
Milly is on her way to a job interview is so excited at Vogue magazine. This is her dream come to place to work. She was so focused on her cell phone she lost herself in where she was, and this leads to her getting hit by a bus.
Her time in the hospital has made her miss many appointments, deadlines and she has lost all her regular columns she was writing. This makes her stop and rethink that maybe life has more to offer than her work. She learns that others are quick to forget about her and her ex-boyfriend and family are the ones she can depend on.
This was an a very easy to book to foresee what was going to happen with no big surprises.