Introducing Eoin: 27 years old, Irish, kind of running a cafe in London, happy with his long term partner Rich (even if, after six years, they still have no plans to move in together). When, after a long day of work, Rich suggests spicing up their love life by opening things up, Eoin's life begins to take some interesting turns. Including the realization that, actually, Eoin can have more fun than he's had in a long time courtesy of some apps, even if it doesn't feel rewarding afterward. But when his work situation changes - his manager's disappeared, some strangers are dropping by the cafe, and a new coworker is too cute to ignore - Eoin realizes that life might not be as fun as it should be for him, and that maybe he should change some parts of his life.

Bryan Moriarty's debut novel gives us a loveable character in some occasionally predictable moments in this novel that feels as much inspired by Nora Ephron's Heartburn as other contemporary queer fiction writers, such as Ryan O'Connell, Henry Fry, or Byron Lane. Here we get another soft, confused, creative protagonist whose potential seems just out of grasp. We get the villainous other half who from page one is wrong for our protagonist. We get sassy best friends and complicated dynamics with straight men. It's all a bit familiar -- but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable here.

I didn’t realise straight away that Eoin is a man, so the fact that this is a story about gay relationships initially passed me by! But I very quickly realised that love is love, and it absolutely doesn’t matter who the protagonists are.
I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review.

Funny, sad and heartwarming in equal measure. Good read and great debut novel. The lead character is compelling and comes across like someone you could come across in your life. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

A fun queer read about a couple opening up their relationship.

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Unfortunately, it goes for the tired non-monogamy trope that 'opening up means you will break up', so this book is quite disappointing in that respect, hence the three stars. Plenty of queer folks have happy, long-term ENM relationships, so it would be lovely if some writers could write a love story about it.

That said, I really enjoyed Moriarty's writing style and Eoin's character and their journey with their workplace crush. It was an easy, light, enjoyable read. Just don't take any of the messaging about relationship styles too seriously.
</spoiler>

The characters were so three-dimensional and charming, the places were so vivid and it was such a relatable and real portrait of queer London life. It was so lovely to watch Eoin's character develop throughout the novel - I was rooting for him the whole way through.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was different to a lot of the genres I usually read, however I am SO glad I read it. It was so refreshing to read a book with good quality queer representation. The characters are likeable, realistic, and well developed - no overused tropes or token “gay best friend” vibes here.

Eoin’s self awareness and personal growth are palpable throughout the book. He is such a lovely and realistic character that it felt like returning to an old friend, and I rooted for him right until the end and was invested in his happiness throughout his journey.

The writing style is straightforward and suitable for reader of all levels, without coming across as basic in any way - although I’ve read some reviews commenting that the book was too short, the length and ending felt perfect for me, as I was able to finish this in one day, which I feel allowed me to absorb the story and enjoy it far more. This book would also make a brilliant film. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my book group, and buying a copy as soon as it’s available!

I loved this gentle romance and Eoin, our protagonist was just so endearing. An overthinker, a little insecure and quiet, he is totally thrown when his long term partner Rich, suggests they try an open relationship. He immediately thinks it's because he's not enough. But, putting his feelings last, he agrees.

Meanwhile at the cafe he works at, owner Rebecca is awol and things are chaotic. When a new member of staff begins, there is tension between him and Eoin. But soon Eoin finds he is looking forward to his shifts with James and they start to hang out after work as well.

It becomes clear that James feels the same as Eoin and they share a first kiss. But soon after Rich decides he wants them to be exclusive again.

What will Eoin do?

A really feel good story that avoids clichés and is simple and warm. For me, it is a reminder to follow your heart, and to remember that your feelings matter as much as anyone's.

A quick easy read that made me laugh. Eion is forced to look at the problems with his life and relationship and what he wants. Nicely written. Would recommend and read again.

Eoin is left in charge of a café abandoned by his friend. He is surprised to find his partner wants an open relationship. An enjoyable read with a bit of humour and a different view on life. Easy going and quick to read.

I absolutely loved reading this story and the characters were actually so fun to see their stories play out

This is an absolutely wonderful book! I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction books so I wasn't sure how I would feel about it going in but I absolutely adored it - before I knew it I had read a huge chunk of it in one sitting!

The characters were so three-dimensional and charming, the places were so vivid and it was such a relatable and real portrait of queer London life. It was so lovely to watch Eoin's character develop throughout the novel - I was rooting for him the whole way through.

Can't wait to see more from this author!

'sounds like fun' is an utterly charming coming of age debut that follows eoin, a twenty-seven-year-old irish barista living in london. when eoin's handsome, mature and hyper-independent long-term boyfriend rich suggests they open up their relationship, eoin's fear of losing him results in his reluctant agreement. life as eoin knows it quickly shifts from steady to turbulent; suddenly his days are filled up by swiping on grindr, sex with strangers and clubbing, which, he discovers, is a lot less fun than it sounds... until it isn't.

this book was a total treat to read. it tells a warm and uplifting story about navigating relationships and loneliness in your twenties while trying to find your place in the world, and there's really nothing not to like about it. i was consistently engrossed in the story due to moriarty's light-hearted, inviting and accessible writing style, and i was enamoured by eoin. his personality just glows on the page, and i found myself genuinely rooting for him as he attempted to remain upright throughout the whirlwind of change he was confronting. definitely worth the read!

thank you for the arc!

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange of an honest review!
I loved Eoin's story. When his boyfriend of give years asks for an open relationship, he is forced to look at the problems of his relationship and his life closer.
It was so fun reading about reading finding out more about the things he want in his life. It's a great novel about growing up, even when you are already an adult.

I eat drink and sleep crime fiction. It's my go to, bread and butter, genre of choice. But it can get a bit samey, stuck in a rut. So I find that a change is always as good as a rest. So when I get the chance to find something new, something a little different, I usually jump at it. Hence this book! I am usually good when I take a punt on something. And I was definitely on my game here as I loved it.
We meet Eoin who has moved to London from Dublin, following his heart, well, following Rich anyway. He works in a cafe for boss Rebecca who is currently on holiday. Or so he believes. And then there's best friend Jax who flits from bad relationship after bad life decision often relying on his shoulder.
But he is ticking along nicely until he and Rich have the talk... Rich wants an open relationship... To say Eoin is shocked is a bit of an understatement but he has no choice if he is to keep his man in one way shape or form. But he is thrown into a whole new world he has never considered before...
This is a very character driven book and to achieve in this genre you really need to have great characters. And our cast in this book definitely tick that box. I took to Eoin straight away - probably my overwhelming need to mother him but that's my issue, and however we connected doesn't matter, we connected! Being a hetero-cis-50ish-woman I have no idea if the relationship stuff is well represented, it's not my call to comment on that with no experience. What I can and will comment on is that, as a reader, it all came across as credible and felt real. And that is what matters to me personally. It also felt well balanced and included quite a lot of humour which played well against the relationship developments. Especially the scenes in the coffee shop!
It's a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. I do admit to getting a bit over involved at times and did shout at the characters along the way when I thought they were either not seeing something I thought was blatantly obvious or did something stupid. The mother in me again I think!?
I followed every step of the way, every failure, every success, and was rewarded with what I considered to be the best ending, which wholly satisfied. Although that said, I was also sad at having to say goodbye to the characters - another tick for them feeling real!
All in all a cracking debut from what looks like a new voice that will only mature further as he writes more books. Speaking of which, clock is now ticking, hurry up Mr Moriarty! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is a book that will resonate with anyone who has ever faced adversity and come out the other side, and it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Highly recommended.

I saw this was recommended by Berts Books as one of his favourite reads so was keen to read it, Im so glad I did, I loved the book, I read it in one swoop and wanted to keep on reading more.

Eoin lives in London, near Rich, his boyfriend of 6 years, happy in their relationship, happy with his job as a barista, enjoying London life enough for now. When Rich says he'd like them to have an open relationship, it crushes Eoin, who thought that their relationship was going well, its the only real relationship he's had.

He starts to explore the no strings dating scene, ending up in some very interesting scenarios. At the same time, things in the cafe are becoming more fraught as the manager is AWOL and Eoin is trying to keep everything going as best he can. James, a new employee joins the team - he and Eoin clash from the outset, arguing over every little thing. Even though I could guess where the story was going to take us from the first meeting, the journey there was gorgeous with some beautiful moments in it.

The author has a great talent for conjuring up realistic people and situations, dealing with feelings of loneliness and isolation, wondering where your life is going and have you achieved enough- a great read that I would definitely recommend.

As an older woman living in the North I'm maybe not the demographic this book is aimed at, but I really loved it.
A gentle romcom, full of coffee, self doubt, dating apps, sex, love and finding yourself. All told in an easy style thats full of humour - what's not to like?
Thank you to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advance copy of this book

I loved this book! It was so light-hearted and yet full of depth and empathy. The characters were so well drawn and likeable that I was immediately invested in their happiness. The whole story was believable and relatable and a good insight into the realities of life for twenty-somethings in our world today. I was amazed to learn this is a first-time novelist because it was handled with confidence and self-assurance.

This would be a wonderful TV drama box set - the screenplay was oozing out of every page!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Sounds Like Fun is a smooth blend of gay characters with a frothy crème of romance and relationship issues.
The story focuses around Eoin and his daily work at a struggling coffee house, trying to keep the business afloat with ineffective co-workers and an awol manager / owner. He has few friends outside those of his long term boyfriend Rich but when he reluctantly agrees to try an open relationship, Eoin begins to reassess his life.
An easy, fun read with sympathetic characters and a low stress romance.

I found myself engaged by Bryan Moriarty’s writing right from the first page: I read the first third in one go which threw a planned early night out of the window. You wouldn’t think that this story of a twentysomething still finding his way in life and working out who he wants to spend it with would resonate with me, twenty years older and a whole lot more set in my ways, but it’s joyous and poignant and bursting with warmth.
The main character Eoin is really sympathetic, making questionable decisions as I think we all do in our twenties, and the secondary ones really well drawn too, from Eoin’s former flatmate Jax to long-term boyfriend Rich. The observations of everyday life and relationships are spot on, and often very funny.
I only lived in London for a year in the 1990s but I’m a keen tourist and I love books that show me parts I already know or ones I don’t. The location is a really big part of the story here and adds a lot to the atmosphere. The writing is so engaging and the characters so vibrant that I ate it up in three evenings.