Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 5)

When I read the news that Ellie Pilcher had written a book which was being published in June, I knew that I had to keep up to date as to when I would be able to request an ARC. She has and continues to do such amazing work, especially for publishing hopefuls like myself, but even for those already in the industry too. Her #MarketYourMarketing series of events, available to watch on YouTube, are so brilliant and informative. I was thrilled when I was accepted on NetGalley to read and review her book, in exchange for an honest review.

What Planet Can I Blame This On? did not disappoint. Filled with combinations of humour, romance, friendships and astrology, these all complement each other to create a wonderful, enjoyable read.

Pilcher excellently weaves in astrology into the storyline. I am one to check my horoscope if something that I am reading has a section on it but have never really been interested in going any further, although I have been tempted to have a tarot card reading in London like protagonist Krystal does which I am still considering! You do not need to be an expert in astrology however to both understand and enjoy the book, because explanations of terms and other concepts are provided within the novel. I really liked this element and after reading, I think I may need to do some research into my own Saturn Return. This was cleverly used to create a plot where Krystal’s coping mechanism evolves to the point where she bases her actions on interpretations of her horoscope each day, using external influences and this to get her life back on track at first. However, what eventually happens is that it becomes overwhelming to the point that it is a hinderance rather than helpful. It was really great as the reader to see her grow as a character and to come to this realisation that her own feelings and those who care for her are much more important than letting the planets decide.

Krystal is a hilarious and delightful character. Her narrative is full of jokes evoked from pop culture references and observations. Her friends and family are also such brilliant characters that you would just love to know in real life. Her friends Tina and Paige are hugely supportive whilst also being two figures to push her to realisations that she needs to make. They also add to the comedic elements. Krystal, Tina and Paige complement each other through their different personality traits which allows their terrific friendship group to function as amazingly as it does. Her grandad was also another standout character with positive outlooks on life and offers wise advice to his granddaughter. Krystal’s undeniable chemistry with Ryan from the start, even when they constantly rebuke each other at the beginning but not so much in a very nasty way, blossoms into a relationship where they support each other on their individual endeavours, which was a pleasure to experience as the reader. Basically, all of the characters, other than David of course as the terrible ex-boyfriend, are pretty great and are both relatable and loveable in different ways.

Whether you love astrology or just have a vague interest in it, as I did, you will really enjoy this stunning, fun, unique and addictive debut! As this book and Ellie’s other projects show, she is exceptionally talented, and I look forward to continuing to follow her future endeavours.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC of What Planet Can I Blame This On?, in exchange for an honest review!

This gave me strong Beth O'Leary vibes which for me means top-notch rom-com warm fuzzies. I loved it! The story, the characters, the pace, the humour, the pop-culture references - they all worked perfectly. It is charming and witty and so, SO funny but also quite moving at times. You can tell this was a labour of love, written with a lot of heart. Overall a really cracking debut!

This was an interesting look into the world of astrology through the eyes of the lead character Kris. I found her journey and deep dive into astrology quite interesting, although it became clear that she was using it as crutch of sorts. Her two best friends Tina and Paige were great and I really liked Ryan and the slow burn of that friendship/relationship. (3 1/2 ⭐️)

When Krystal is dealt blow after blow, she throws herself into astrology to cope. With the world overwhelming her, she delves deeper into all things spiritual. This faith in the stars made her bolder as she didn't fear the consequences of her actions - it's written in the stars after all - but this also means she doesn't consider them. As Krystal starts to become obsessed with following her horoscope, she begins to push away all the good things in her life (which is infuriating when it comes to a certain Irishman she's getting close to!). The dynamic between Ryan and Krystal is gorgeous. Their chemistry is electric. Sparks fly but fundementally, a real friendship is established and that's really lovely.

It's so nice to see positive female friendships represented. Paige and Tina are supportive, loving but know when to call Krystal out on her shoddy behaviour. Tina as a character is so funny. The conversations between the women made me laugh out loud. Very funny and genuine. I think one of the most special moments in the book is between these women. The moment is very impactful and cathartic. It packs a real emotional punch in a good way.

I really appreciate the relationships in this book. Whether that's with family, friends or anyone for that matter, they were all realistic and relatable. There were ups and downs, conflict, humour but at the centre was love and good intentions.


What a cracking debut from Ellie Pilcher!

Where do you find comfort?
I make myself a cup of tea. I pick a pastry. I give my dog a cuddle. I choose a book from my favorite series.
I now have a new favorite go-to novel to pick me up on rainy days, sad times, boring moments, or when I need to meet with friends.
Hello, What Planet Can I Blame This On?

Buffy, Willow, and Xander have nothing against Kris, Paige, and Tina! How do you like finding your perfect BFFs in books? I LOVE IT. Let me explain what I mean by perfect BFFs… No, I don’t have in mind clever talks every Thursday nights, high-octave voices, “aww”ing in all dishonesty at your amazing homemade pie. I’m talking PJ parties, brunches in the middle of the living room, late night calls, endless texts and instant messages, ugly-crying and belly-laughing. Those few people who see you at your best and at your worst. The ones you sometimes push to their limits because you know deep down that they will always be here for you. The ones you’d help bury a body. I must thank Ellie Pilcher for gifting me a brilliant team of friends. It is easy to idealise relationships, but this book delivers the real deal.

I discussed friendships, but there is more in the planet’s scheme! Yes, love is in the air. Well, love, tears, dead romance, douchebags, cuties, surprises, and adorable moments. I feel I am making lists of all the good things this book is about, but I just can’t help it because that’s what happens when a story pulls at your heartstrings and makes its way into your head forever. Kris gets engaged at the beginning of the book. No, this is not a spoiler. This is a “wait until you get the full picture” and a “OMG this is awful, relatable, perfect, and I feel bad for laughing!”

HOW DOES SHE DO IT?

I am hypersensitive but few books really get to me in every way. This one did. I was BOILING at Kris’s boyfriend newly promoted fiancé. As if I’d just opened the door to a place I already knew, I was swept away by the events, pulled in by the irresistible writing. I was excited about Kris’s new job. I was envious of her dream place in London. I think I related to her so much because I am fighting for my dream job, looking for my new home in London, and hoping I could get the kind of friendships she and the girls have. But that’s not the only reason. The author’s prose is easy, flowing seamlessly, and takes you down a road you can connect to, whatever your age or the stage of life you’re in. Some things are universal, and Ellie Pilcher has a knack for putting them on to paper in an enchanting and fun way.

Alright, I’m rambling on and on, but what does happen in Which Planet Can I Blame This On?

Well, to put it simply, Kris’s life hits a wall. Not in extraordinary ways. No, that would be too easy. Her fiancé has a weird idea of fidelity and marriage. Her perfect apartment is not so perfect, her new job disappears. She’s left bereft and lost. We’ve all reached that point when everything we thought we wanted, everything we’d taken for granted, vanished for a reason or another.

What you do when it happens is what matters. For Kris, it starts with a simple sentence from a friend, mentioning Saturn’s return. Don’t worry, you don’t have to know what it means. I didn’t either! In fact, I’m not into astrology. At all. I think stars are pretty to look at, that’s all. Don’t question me about planets or signs. I’m a Virgo, that much I know. The rest I am not interested in! But our main character needs a lifeline. So, she begins to look for the meaning behind Saturn’s return. Basically, it’s the reset button. Saturn returns to the place it was at for your birth, and everything turns sour. What best than blame the stars for her bad luck and rough days?? I must confess that I am very, very, very, VERY down to earth, so I didn’t know how well this part would play for me. Guess what. It was brought so suddenly, out of nowhere, and yet so simply that I found myself thinking “hm, why not?” Curiosity kills the cat, but in this case, curiosity got me read a little quicker to try and understand what the planets had to do with our lives, and if Kris could find her way back thanks to them.

Followed one of the cutest, warmest, “makes you chuckle” story I’ve ever read. London, its tube and unexpected encounters. Some wisdom. Brighter days. Worst days. Big days. Big fails. Big everything. I just can’t find the perfect words to convey how amazing the novel is. How good it feels to go clubbing with the girls. At the core of What Planet Can I Blame This On is a beating heart, and existential questions we all go through. What do I want? How can I go through this? Who am I? But in a “laughing so hard you can’t breathe and the dogs roll their eyes because you interrupted their nap” kind of way.

Tina and Paige, Krystal’s best friends, are one of the gems of the novel. They’ll make you wish you had their number so you could text them about your life too. My favorite part is and will remain their friendship and what the author does with it. Your friends are some the most precious things you have, never lose sight of them, even if you’re wrapped in the worst cloud of life ever. Lessons are sprinkled throughout the novel, in sweet messages that we can keep with us, knitted together by a writing full of personality and absolutely delicious. I need more!

I know we often fall for stories and recommend them but this one is special. It will talk to you. It'll whisper in your ear and make you smile/tear up/laugh out loud, and so much more!

What a stunning debut this is! I loved the cast of Krystal and her friends. Throw in a new interest in horoscopes and an episode of Hoarders (I've watched the whole series during lockdown) then this is the perfect read, even if it isn't always written in the stars! An author to look out for!

I have mixed feeling on this one. I enjoyed certain aspects, I’ve always been fascinated by astrology and I’m a big believer in star signs and their compatibility, but I’m not into it as much as Krystal. The writing was ok, Krystal was likeable but I found her friends Paige and Tina really not. When they had this weird intervention halfway through the book as they were put out at Krystal not being interested enough in them I couldn’t help but laugh. I thought this was unfair, the poor girl found out her fiancé was cheating on her, she lost her job and her flat flooded, of course she’s going to be busy trying to sort her life out. It was like a pair of 13 year olds whinging that their friend was leaving them out.

The best character in this book is the Grandad, who’s barely in the story, which I think says it all.

So this book was ok. It was nothing groundbreaking and very predictable, but it was an easy read, so if that’s what you’re looking for, then I recommend.

This was a fun, easy, attention-grabbing read by debut author Ellie Pilcher about a woman who turns to astrology after suffering a series of life-changing misfortunes. Astrology and horoscopes aren't topics that I have any particular interest in and yet I was really intrigued (and entertained) to follow the story of Krystal, who steadily becomes obsessed with astrology and her Saturn Return, to the point where almost every decision she makes is based on what her horoscope recommends. While I couldn't relate to the character at all, I could still tell that she was realistically written and can imagine there's a lot of people who'd find her and her struggles really relatable. Pilcher's writing style is pretty impeccable for a debut author – the humour was definitely a stand out for me and kept me engaged throughout. I loved all the references to London and British humour too. Would definitely recommend this to people who are into Bridget Jones types of books, about a main character trying to find herself in her late 20s and with a strong focus on female friendship.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's rare that a book really makes me laugh out loud, but this one did.
Krystal's sassy, authentic narration carries the reader effortlessly as she prepares for her 'Saturn Return' and delves into its meaning. I felt as if I were living her problematic life with her! I think I fell in love with Ryan a little before she did ...

This novel sounded so good, I admit to being one of those women who went through a period of reading my horoscope on an app each and every day, and equating things to the horoscope in question, saying 'SEE! My horoscope said it' with a smug smile. To myself. Because nobody else CARES, Leah. So I was intrigued to see what Krystal got up to in this novel, and I adore the title of the novel, it's witty and apt.

But, really, I just didn't *care*. I couldn't relate to Krystal at all and I just do not know how you can be in a relationship with someone for so long, and not know they want an open relationship? Like did David actually say that? Or did Krystal use it as a cover-up for his cheating??? I really don't know and it just puzzled me. It was such an inauspicious start to the novel and I should have abandoned ship there, really.

This just wasn't my kind of novel. I'm having fun re-discovering my love for Chick Lit but I do find certain tropes exhausting and this was one of them, there's reading your horoscope and then there's going completely the other way with it all and it just wasn't for me, unfortunately.

What happens when your coping mechanisms becomes the new cause of your problems?

In order to cope with her life falling apart just before her 29th birthday, Krystal Baker dives headlong into astrology in the delightful and relatable ‘What planet are we on?’ by Ellie Pilcher.

At first this helps get her life on track, until it then becomes her crutch, letting her miss what’s right in front of her, including her friendships and a burgeoning relationship with a rather lovely Irishman.

It’s easy to see our problems as something attributable to mystical factors, or find hope in the mystical realm, which is something relatable to many, especially women. I particularly like that Pilcher also addresses the fall out from this when Krystal becomes too reliant upon her horoscope to make decisions instead of taking control to decide for herself.

I loved Paige’s friends, the caustic and driven Paige and caring and reliable Tina who provide Krystal with support but also the much needed kick up the arse when she needs it. I also loved the wisdom shared by her grandfather in a very sweet scene after Paige’s newfound confidence hits a stumbling block.

If you’ve ever gone to astrology websites to plot your birth chart or read your horoscope, and are after a fun read, this is one to add to your reading list.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the ARC. Views expressed are by a Scorpio sun, Aquarian moon and Leo rising.

3.5 stars

Genre: Womens Fiction

Release Date: 3rd June 2021



Saturn Return. It marks the time in a womans life when Saturn returns to exact place it was on the day she was born, when they're 29.5 years old. And according to Krystals best friends and many legends it's the time that life spectacularly falls apart.

Usually Krystal wouldn't believe in that stuff - but now on her 29th birthday things aren't looking too great.

Her boyfriend of six years finally proposed - only for it to come out that he doesn't believe in monogamy and hasn't this whole time.

She's finally got her dream home - only for the pipes to explode and leave her homeless.

She's landed her dream job as a writer - only for the company to close two weeks in.

It looks like the universe is really out to get her. So it's time to align her chakras, bring out the lucky crystals and fight back. If the stars got into this mess, they can get her out of it.

This was an exceptionally bright and funny debut for Ellie Pilcher - as a woman in her 20's I felt every single thing Krystal was putting out and it was so damn relatable. Krystal was witty, real and so very lovable - even in her lowest points. As our narrator, she was hilariously truthful and kept up an exciting pace throughout.

This was a wacky, absurd twist on the classic coming-of-age stories - because we don't stop growing when we become adults, do we? Full of adorably cute romance that definitely made my heart flutter a little bit and Krystals amazing friends who were inarguably the highlight of this story for me. Watching Krystal learn to unlove her useless ex and open herself up to the future was amazing, but seeing her and her best friends grow, learn and love each other was the gem I didn't see coming.

Lightheared, utterly adorable and so, so funny - this is an easy read that's from an author who's one to keep an eye on now!



RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐



Thank you to Ellie Pilcher and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in return for an honest review.

“What Planet Can I Blame This On?” is a fun and quirky read that encapsulates what it’s like to have the rug pulled out from underneath you and finding the motivation to avidly create the steps needed get your life back on track... With some help from astrology, the stars, your horoscope and some funny friends.

About to turn 29, on paper Krystal is living her best life. Disaster strikes and she loses it all: she ends her long-term relationship with her cheating fiancé, goes to work to find out she’s lost her job, and then for the cherry on top - the pipes burst in her dream apartment, and has only a backpack of dry clothes to her name. Suddenly single/unemployed/homeless, she can luckily rely on the kindness of her best friends, Paige, with a rent-free sofa to sleep on, and Tina, who can’t help but think that Krystal’s bad luck is to blame on her Saturn Return.

I found the clever plot of this book fascinating, and I quickly did my own research of my Saturn Return - and unsurprisingly, I’m going through mine right now so this book was very welcomed. Google yours, it’s fascinating. Eagerly glued to living her life with what her horoscope tells her to do and how to act each day, we see Krystal obsessively follow the stars, tarot cards and her new crystals to prepare her for a new chapter that sees her life more on track than its current train wreck.

I valued the realistic journey of Krystal’s acceptance that not everything in her life can be determined by her daily horoscope. We see her cling on to a sense of consistency she finds in following it almost as a roadmap that will get her out of this funk. I adored her Grandfather’s character as the voice of reason and his lust for life and willingness to have a new hobby every few weeks. Each person in her life carries beautiful insights and it’s wonderful to see her surrounded by them.

I really enjoyed the way this story was written - it was quirky and made me laugh. The constant pop culture references fit perfectly with its tone of voice and I felt like I could relate to Krystal’s character throughout while she navigated life and love in London.

A massive thank you to NetGalley for an early e-copy of this book that came into my life at the perfect time... during my own Saturn Return.

“Could my life get any worse right now?”

Krystal Baker is turning 29 and has become the living embodiment of Murphy’s Law.First she finds out her fiancée has been cheating on her (for 5 and a half years), she’s just lost her dream job and a broken pipe has ruined her dream flat.

Then an astrology loving friend mentions Saturn Return- a time in a person’s life where Saturn returns to the position it was in on the day of their birth 29 and a half years ago (and can cause everything to go wrong).

Leading Krystal to revaluate her life, armed with the knowledge of her new spiritual awakening (courtesy of crystals, horoscope classes and tarot readings) she’s determined to get her life back on track.

In her brilliantly funny debut novel,Ellie Pilcher brings us a witty look at the peaks and pitfalls of the 20-something lifestyle. I couldn’t put this down,it was soo addictive- Krystal (the main character) could easily be the love child of Carrie Bradshaw and Bridget Jones, with maybe a little of Sophie Kinsella’s Rebecca Bloomwood thrown in for good measure.

Krystal’s quarter-life crisis obsession with horoscopes is relatable (I like to think we’ve all gone through some form of unnecessary obsessive phase).So,if you love Rom-Coms and Contemporary Romance then I wholeheartedly recommend you give this a read.

I also want to give a massive thank you Hodder Studio and Net Galley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.