Meet Emily Turner - the Bridget Jones for the 2020s. I lost count of the number of times that I laughed out loud while reading this book and I'm usually more of a quiet smile than a laugh-out-loud person. Ryan's writing style is whip-smart, clever and very funny. But there's heartbreak and sadness too, which makes My (extra)Ordinary Life the kind of book that stays with you for a long time.
It'll be the perfect New Year read, filling readers with hope and compassion as Emily works through her very own Life List of resolutions for the coming months. This novel is also the perfect holiday read for 2023. So, this summer, if someone on the next sun lounger is sniggering away to themselves, there's a good chance they'll be reading this book. And if they also wipe away a tear, yep, it's definitely this.
The character of Emily is so well drawn that I felt like I knew her from a few pages in. And I kind of missed her once I'd finished. Vivid, sparkling and entertaining - what a great debut.

A story that can make you laugh out loud and well-up is a winner in my eyes. Author, Rebecca Ryan, has nailed the art of witty writing entwined with emotional moments, which are both familiar and cringeworthy. We all know an Emily Turner (it might even be you!). Her flaws are wonderful, her mistakes recognisable, and this encouraged me to root for her all the more through her journey to love and acceptance. For fans of Lia Louis, this is a heartfelt and truly genuine read.

After watching a documentary on averages, Emily Turner has come to the conclusion that her life is average. For some, this would be enough, but Emily has felt, for a long time, that there is something off, as though she is failing at life.

The thing is, Emily isn’t really average, but she is dissatisfied, all around her people are making changes, but she’s just stuck in a job that doesn’t make her happy, she never travels, she observes the lives of others and she wants to make a change.

With the 20th anniversary of her twin’s death upon her, she is being haunted by memories of their life as children, and though she can’t seem to recognise it, she’s sliding into depression.

Emily is so determined not to be average that she is pushing people away, she’s scared of settling into a routine that doesn’t appeal.

The story is both incredibly sad (by which I mean it made me cry) and funny. Moments such as when she is horrified by the picture taken after she finishes a Tough Madder run or did a bungee jump are amusing and made me chuckle. But then there are the sections where we learn more about her sister Claire and the tragedy that leads up to her far too premature death.

Character development and growth in this book are really well done and I don’t think there is a single person I could say I didn’t like. Everyone from Leon her colleague in the charity shop to Bruce the brutal but complex HIIT instructor contributes to the story and to Emily’s plans to change her life. As Emily does things that change her life, stepping out of her comfort zone, the thoughts of her sister seem to grow stronger.

I really enjoyed this book, I managed to read it in a few hours and I couldn’t put it down. It has everything you could want from a contemporary romance, including making me cry. I love a book that makes you feel everything.

A debut novel that had me chortling out loud while at some points shedding a tear. Emily decides she's average. In every aspect of her life - and so she makes a life list of targeted monthly goals. But it's not as simple as that - we learn through flashbacks that her twin sister died young and the list is there for her - to be the woman she believes her sister would have been. But alongside the sad undertone this book is really really funny. Emily is the most relatable protagonist with a brilliantly dry sense of humour relayed through her actions and internal monologue. However it's the deftness with which the painful backstory is told and a lightness of touch in writing style that really elevates the narrative. Highly recommend.

Not being a fan of literary romance, I've read My (extra)Ordinary Life with great pleasure.

In her narrative, Rebecca Ryan starts with the protagonist, Emily, not wanting to be average, once she realises, she actually is. But the reason why she wants to break out of being ordinary is actually very deep and moving, and gives complexity to the main character.

Emily's list for extraordinary life circles back to one late-night chat with someone special to whom she made a promise to live full life, but at 28 she realised she failed. As a protagonist of a romance novel, Emily doubts if this is the best time to fall in love, which is quite refreshing.

I also appreciate that the bit on trauma and how it influences people and their actions was seemingly researched well and portrayed authentically.

Becca has written an absolute cracker. I laughed out loud so much, but Emily's story about never having come to terms with the death of her twin sister is just so heart wrenching it made me cry too.

I liked the way that it was set mainly in the present, but there were some flashbacks to Emily's time with her sister Claire. I think this was important as it gives you a sense of who she was and therefore she doesn't become a two dimensional character.

I absolutely adored Emily - I think her inner voice of self doubt and her dreaming up worst case scenarios are traits that a lot of us can relate to, making her very real. The supporting cast of family and friends (everyone needs their own Kaz) are all great too.

This is a story about grief and love. It's about family and friendships and finding yourself. I read it in a few days and felt a bit lost when it was over.

This book just spoke to me. I could relate so much to Emily’s character. I can’t wait to read Emily’s journey to add more spice to her life and also how love works it’s way into the story as well. Full review to come on this one soon.

The Average UK Woman…

Has brown hair
Is 5’4
Eats meat
Doesn’t live in London
Will fall in love before they're 30…
Emily knows how she measures up. How do you?

When watching a documentary on the average human experience, Emily realises she's the epitome of the typical woman. Her name, her height, her occupation… even her blood group. The only thing unusual about her is that she’s a twin. But her twin died when they were only 8 and Emily can't help but think maybe her sister was meant to live instead of her. Secretly she suspects her sister would have done a better job at life... better than average anyway. So Emily writes a list committing her to live a more extraordinary life… she’ll become a vegan, run a marathon and bungee jump.

But the one thing she knows she can’t do though is fall in love… because according to the stats this is the perfect time for her to meet the person she’ll marry. And normal just won’t do.