Member Reviews
First of all thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was tempted to DNF this at 25%, but I am glad I didn't. The plot intrigued me enough that I wanted to see if it was headed where I thought it was. It definitely headed that way.
The writing was robotic and almost clinical at times, though I am sure this is deliberate. It was super easy to read. There are three POVs in this book and for the most part, I did like all of them. All three characters really grew throughout the book and they were definitely quite a bit different by the end of the story. I think this book also serves as a reminder that love comes in many forms.
Would make a great Black Mirror episode, but unfortunately I loved the author's audacious first novel so much that this one was rather overshadowed by it. I'm not a fan of sci-fi and found the romance elements too conventional. Also while I really liked Indiana, the quasi-autistic voice has been done to death by romance writers, accurately observed though her personality was. Didn't finish it, though I will look out for what Bethany Clift does next.
Love and Other Human Errors is clever, intriguing, tender and just all round perfection! Engaging characters and a fun and witty plot. Thoroughly enjoyable would recommend.
Oh I just adored this book! I actually listened on audio too and the narrator's were fantastic at bringing the characters to life. Peggy was just amazing - I absolutely adored her and Alan the dog was another notable favourite character. It felt like all the characters in this book went on a real journey, and it was an absolute joy to be a part of it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Clift's last novel was a surprise hit with me (genuinely wasn't sure how I'd feel reading a book about a pandemic in a pandemic) and she's now made a deft move away from dystopian fiction towards romance fiction. Rather than feeling like she's experimenting with genre, Love and Other Human Errors is a sensitive and empathetic look at issues such as loneliness, mental health and career vs family while also looking as whether love can ever be algorithmically quantified. I liked the characters and enjoyed the narrative, which had enough twists and turns not to feel too cliche. Whichever genre Clift picks next, I'm sure it'll be great!
A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.
Bethany Clift is wonderful across genres! Love and other human errors is much different from her first book, but is still highly enjoyable. I really look forward to whatever books come next from her!
I loved this book. The main character was eccentric and I really enjoyed reading her. The story was unique and uplifting and everyone should read this! It's a hidden gem and more people should be talking about it!
Another fabulous book from Bethany Clift. An interesting storyline, just slightly different from anything else out there, and charming characters make this a great read. I love her quirky point of view and can’t wait for her next book.
What a fabulous and original book this is! I absolutely adored the mix of characters and the romance and friendship elements. The writing is superb and just flows so I couldn't put it down.
What a fabulous story, I loved everything about this book. The charcater of Indiana and her transition throughout. Lina and her discovery of who she and who she wants to be, career woman, mother, wife or all.3? I really enjoyed watching her grow and change throughout. Jack was a gorgeous character, the description of his grief and the effect it had on him and how he interacted with people was so accurate and tugged at my heart.
I loved Peggy, spider, doris and even Emily!
I enjoyed the jump slightly into the future. I love that Beth's books have a slightly dystopuan feel with things that could well happen in a few years. It makes you think!
I absolutely loved Bethany Clift's Last one at the Party but this book just wasn't for me.
I tried to read it on numerous occasions but I just couldn't get gripped.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book was so bloody charming, it's unreal. Having loved Last One At The Party (a story about a virus killing 99% of the population, released a year into Covid) I was very excited to read her follow-up - it surpassed my high expectations. As a huge fan of books with multiple points-of-view, this is an incredibly charming sci-fi tinged romance.
I love love love Bethany Clift. Her debut book was physical and this is equally as brilliant. I remember this being announced because I actually squealed.
This is a book set sometime in the future, with software that can predict your soulmate from wearing a bracelet. Unique? Intriguing? A million per cent- you can’t help but want to know more as you turn the pages of this one.
Clift’s characterisation is brilliant. You feel connected to the individuals that fill the pages. I have found that they have had a familiar sense about them- a true talent of this author.
This is a book unlike any I’ve read before, the uniqueness of this book makes it even more wonderful to read. Clift does take us on a rollercoaster of emotions with this gem. There are moments of laughter, tears and a lot of hope.
This is perfectly paced, you are able to get to know the individuals whilst following the plot. This is a complete and utter gem from beginning to end and really reminds us, why we love Bethany Clift.
The synopsis alone is genius and this is a book I have devoured in just one sitting. I can honestly say there’s nothing negative to say about this book. It’s definitely one I will be recommending to everyone.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Bethany Clift's debut, Last One at the Party, was an absolute highlight of 2021 for me so I was really excited to see what she did next.
Love and Other Human Errors is set in the near future and it spans a few genres, romance, drama, with a dose of speculative fiction in there for good measure. Indiana Dylan has created an algorithm designed to find a subject's soulmate. She envisages this algorithm removing the uncertainty of dating and romance and getting straight to the point. After taking the product to market, Indiana finds herself forging relationships with new co-workers whilst they try to help her demonstrate the algorithm's effectiveness.
In this book, Clift brings us some lovely characters, each of whom's lives are upended by the unfolding events. Indiana in particular is a wonderful character, very much believing she is an island, with no need for anyone else in her life. Watching her change and grow throughout the book was a joy. Jack and Lina also outwardly have their lives just the way they want them, only to have this challenged through the book.
The book is at time hilarious, and others, moving and has cemented Clift on my "authors to read" list.
Great contemporary fiction. Loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my feedback.
I have a special love for books that feature eccentric women and the fact that I was drawn to this book without knowing that the main character was exactly that feels like fate. I had such a good time with this unique, uplifting book and I can’t wait for more people to discover it.
Indiana Dylan has created Tru, a matchmaking program that guarantees users to find their soulmates. All the human errors that occur when searching for love have been eradicated and the software is an expert at matching people. So, imagine Indiana’s shock when JaneDoe, the company interested in buying the program, find Indiana’s soulmate via Tru and insist that she go on a series of dates with him to prove that it really works. There’s absolutely no way that Tru could be wrong, right?
Indiana lives a life of logic, rules and hard work. She has no time for things like family, friends or romance because she has dedicated her life to Tru and the science behind it. Everything is so precise and strategically thought out, so of course I had complete faith that she had created something remarkable that could revolutionise the way that people found love. I was always on Indiana’s side.
The book delves into Indiana’s childhood and past a little but I think I wanted more of this. She has clearly had a difficult time but I’m sure there are some interesting and maybe even some funny stories in those years. It was great to get some insight into how Indiana became so independent and focused on success but maybe there’s room for expansion in possible future Indiana Dylan books?
There is plenty of humour in the book and I think I snort-laughed several times. It seemed that the funny lines came out of nowhere and therefore had a bigger impact than they might have done, had I been expecting them. From witty one-liners to some hilarious conversations and situations, there’s plenty to laugh out loud to.
We are not quite in the world that we know. I think the book is set in 2030 and things have changed, particularly in the corporate world. I really enjoyed seeing London as a place that I undoubtedly recognised but also getting the chance to explore it as a new, thriving centre of tech innovation.
I think calling these new, swanky, free brothels ‘Meet Markets’ is what puts a bad taste in my mouth. I’m not opposed to places where people can freely meet up for sex without any shame or judgement but when I hear the term ‘Meet Market’, I just think of a butcher’s market stall. I really don’t want to think of human bodies in that way but I do also acknowledge that it’s a clever name for what it is. The concept of social media becoming a world for the elite is interesting too and I wonder if that is something in our future.
We get glimpses into what it’s like to be a woman in this world. Fran is a woman who works at JaneDoe and she has a miscarriage in the middle of the working day. However, she is afraid to leave work and seek medical and emotional assistance for it because of the impact it might have on how she is perceived at work. Lina Galaz, our other principal female character, insists that Fran leaves and says that she’ll cover for her in front of their no-nonsense boss Dr Cameron. I know that thoughts like Fran’s exist in our world and women feel guilty about having to leave work unexpectedly, even if the reason is a pretty serious one. I think this is a commentary on the extreme lengths that women go to in order to be successful and the complete lack of compassion that some businesses show for very human, emotional issues.
Eventually, Lina realises that she has given her life to her work and JaneDoe. She isn’t sure who she is outside of her career and I was hit with a wave of pity for her. I’ve been lucky enough to have a career that I’ve mostly enjoyed and that have had a good work-life balance. I can’t imagine being so absorbed in your work that you cease to have a full identity outside of it. Again, this feels like a call for reform and to ensure that businesses do all they can to help their employees become happy, well-rounded people rather than loyal, obedient machines.
When I realised that Indiana was in fact falling in love, I think I audibly cheered. I wanted nothing but the best for her and I really enjoyed the not so subtle hints that were dropped. It’s a very confusing conflict that wages inside her but I was just praying that she would realise that true love is something completely intangible and that you just have to give into it.
Love and Other Human Errors is a joyful rollercoaster of a book with some fascinating, wonderful characters. It explores topical themes that will spark your thoughts, make you angry and perhaps even challenge your pre-conceived ideas of society. Overall, it’s a thoroughly immersive story of truth, friendship and learning with a brilliant journey towards its hopeful ending.
This book was absolutely magical. I’m not kidding when I say I loved every single word. Just WOW.
The plot is so unique and interesting, and the characters are all really well developed and lovable. I enjoyed how I could escape whilst reading this book - the world is different to ours now (the book is set in 2030) yet it’s not too dystopian or unbelievable. Although it is a romance, there are no cringe parts which I was glad for. I recommend this to anyone who likes the idea of romance books but finds the usual suspects boring, predictable, and lacking in imagination. I can’t wait to reread Love & Other Human Errors again and again.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Clever, intriguing, witty, tender and just all round perfection! I want to fast forward to 2030 and befriend Indiana, Jack, Lina, Alan & Biscuit. I want a Peggy & Spider in my life too. I really couldn’t see how Bethany Clint’ could top The Last One at the Party, but this is as good, if not even better. Now, how soon can we get book number three?
I can't stop raving about this book! A wonderfully quirky and clever storyline, a superb cast of characters. I absolutely loved it and have recommended it to everyone. Really fantastic