A very enjoyable romantic comedy. I really liked Eoin, he was an interesting character with his fair share of flaws but there was a sense of credibility about him. I really liked Billy as well and I loved that we got to see the depth of his character.
Genuinely a lovely read and I’ll be recommending it.

I really liked this book. It's a very modern, compassionate, non-judgemental exploration of open relationships, which seems to be the default setting for every LGBTQ couple I know these days! But apart from that, at its heart, it's a book about self-realisation, and not so much growing apart in a relationship, but growing up. It also touches on what it's like to be an emigrant from Dublin to London, and how lonely that can be. A really lovely, sexy book from a a great new writing talent.

This was a lot of fun. So readable and so compelling, with an unexpected and lovely secondary romance. I liked the look at loneliness in London, especially with how sprawling the city is, and how hard it can be to find a community. (although as someone from London, who loves it, it was slightly jarring sometimes haha). All the characters were very realistically written, with the main character and his best friend the most interesting. My only criticism is that I thought it was a bit short - I would have liked a couple more scenes tacked onto the end and a bit more on Eoin finding his community. Although I think the subtlety works well too. I enjoyed it and look forward to more of this author's work.

4.25 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Bryan Moriarty for accepting me to be a pre-publication review of this book and audiobook - I primarily listened to it because the narrator (Moriarty himself) read it really well, his Irish accent lent itself well to the main character bringing the story to life and was in general a really great listen - so smooth and clear… also Irish accents are super nice so Yhh.

The basic plot is we follow Eoin via a first person account, his boyfriend of five years, Rich, suggests they consider an open relationship as something that ‘might be fun’ which he is not too keen on at first. He works at a cafe basically in the role of manager and there’s strange occurrences happening there, he hires a new employee James who makes him think about his own relationship in different ways. There are more storylines but don’t want to spoil anything. I did really like how Eoin considered the idea of who he was and in what spaces he felt comfortable being and expressing this true self and his journey was one of ups and downs but defiantly character growth. This brings me into the characters which I did really like, Eoin especially was really great and super lovable yet had some flaws making him more real, there were relatable parts of his story which I loved. James was also quite developed and I did really like him, Rich was alright maybe a little one-dimensional at points but not necessarily bad. Jax was fun and a good friend, Billy (employee) was clumsy but sweet and yhh nearly all of the characters had their pros and cons and were realised. I would say some parts were repetitive and a little unrealistic in how things panned out but mostly it was fine. The writing too was alright, not really that amazing but decent enough for a debut, it’s enjoyable and understandable. I don’t think Moriarty was going for a very impactful novel so it’s not this but the messages put forward I did resonate with and it was a nice lighthearted read. As someone who doesn’t particularly like reading smut, I appreciated that the sex scenes were implied occurring off the page and there’s no real TW topics to mention at all, great!

Overall, I would totally recommend checking this book out - specifically the audiobook read by the author as his accent is super smoothing and it brings Eoin’s character to life - and despite not being a new favourite I am excited to check out what Moriarty brings out next, I’ll be keeping an eye out.

I was curious how the open relationship element of this book would be portrayed. It’s a highly enjoyable read with likeable characters.

Despite the premise being interesting, I gave up on this - I just couldn't warm to the style, which to me is a gay-themed chick-lit style novel. Just not for me - but I realise that others may enjoy it, and rightly so.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

Eoin is in a long-term relationship with Rich. Rich is a few years older, and the main reason Eoin moved to London from Dublin. After a catch up with Rich’s friends, Rich brings up the idea of an open relationship. Eoin is hesitant at first, but then we get to see his journey of self-confidence, independence and finding out who he really is. I thought this was a bit rushed at times, but it was funny, light-hearted and relatable.

To be clear, I absolutely loved this novel. Moriarty's is a fresh new voice, and he's got the knack of hooking you with compelling characters and a seemingly 'everyday' contemporary narrative that is well put-together. There are some humorous moments that had me laughing aloud, and the relationships between characters are, I think, well developed and believable. The protagonist, Eoin, is one who would appeal to a wide audience, and although you might call this novel a 'page turner', it also implicitly tackles some important contemporary and cultural issues. I read it quickly, and looked forward to reading it, and I don't think you can ask much more from a novelist. Very much look forward to more from this writer. Excellent. Thanks very much to NetGalley and to the publishers for the ARC.

I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job of creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

This is a sweet and fun ride through the life of Eoin, whose life seems to be mostly decided by everyone else around him- his boss Rebecca, a mysterious figure who has seemingly abandoned her cafe, leaving Eoin in charge; his friends who are all at very different stages of life; and his partner, whose suggestion of an open relationship sparks many of the changes in the book.

I found this book utterly charming, and very quietly funny as it unfolded, devouring it in one long bus journey.

Although I would have preferred a slightly better representation of open relationships in the book (there were some nuances that felt like they were missing), the overall premise and story of this book felt like a fresh take on a more familiar plot.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

BRYAN MORIARTY – SOUNDS LIKE FUN *****

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Sounds like Fun describes itself well. A witty and wise stroll through London’s contemporary gay scene, bulging with humour and really great characters that I’m missing already. Not just the endearing but somewhat hapless narrator, Eoin, our Irish hero, who, in the very first sentence, comes off his bike because of a pothole, but his myriad of friends and lovers. Rich, his partner who decides he wants to try an open relationship, James, a budding actor hoping for success, and Billy, oh poor Billy, so sweet Billy, making every gaff known to mankind.

The principal setting – the Quarter Turn, a coffee shop with major problems, not least its absent owner - is drawn brilliantly, almost another character. Eoin and Billy work there and is joined by out of work actor James. But it is the periphery cast which create such a great background. The way their lives interact with each other, their highs and lows, is the canvas into which Eoin’s life is stitched so brilliantly. Which brings it alive.

To say anything more would mean spoilers, and this story is such fun that it is best to read it without too much previous knowledge.

Five stars. One of the most enjoyable stories I have read in ages. Should be a film.

Although I found the start of this novel slow and the characters and scenario introduced there quite irritating, very soon the quality of the writing and the authenticity of the voice persuaded me that here was a new author with interesting ideas.

Bryan Moriarty achieves what I most like to find in author's writing about the lives of gay men and that is a sense of ordinariness. Eoin's experiences of work, love and relationships are firmly rooted in reality and have resonances which will chime with many regardless of orientation or gender.

I am of a different generation. I came to terms with my sexuality, found love, a career and my life partner in the early 1970s yet there were so many points of contact for me with Eoin's story and it brought back much of the joy and pain of that time in my life.

This is a fine achievement for a first novel and I eagerly anticipate more.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the digital review copy.

This was a fantastic read. It was warm, fun and really beautiful. Thank you so much to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC via NetGalley.

This was a fun read indeed. Light-hearted with lots of laughs. Eoin moves to London to be with his boyfriend Rich, he works in a cafe and is happily plodding along, until a lot of changes happen in rapid succession, which change the way Eoin looks at himself and at the life he wants to live.
Really enjoyed it and read it in one night.

A heart-warming and fun book to read especially in windy and rainy weather. Characters are enough likeable to keep the reader reading though at times it gets too slow.

A warm hearted book with believable characters relevant for today's audience.
Rich and Eoin have been together for 6 years when Rich suggests their relationship becomes open. I did feel for Eoin and liked him. a good read

Really enjoyed following Eoin’s rediscovery of who he is after moving to London from Ireland. It was great to see a side of London that is often glossed over by films and books, one in which I feel a lot of people will be able to relate. The cast of side characters were amusing and I’d happily read a second book!

I thought this was such a fun (duh!) read, with really relatable characters and a whole load of interesting but brilliant scenarios. I flew through this and would definitely recommend it in terms of LGBT+ stories, romance stories and just all round upbeat reads.

This was such a funny, lighthearted, honest read that confronts the pitfalls and delights of contemporary dating and relationships. Eoin is so self-deprecating, realistic, hilarious, and just seems like someone i would be best friends with. He is so willing to question his own feelings throughout the book and very clearly looking to restructure his life for himself, leaving behind his younger self, who built his life for others. It's a great romance that really focuses on the journey towards building healthy connections with people that benefit you, as well as your partner. it's about acknowledging when you have outgrown a person and learning your own value. I loved the cliff hanger ending and this book did a fantastic job at steering away from romcom cliches, to create something really authentic and endearing. Loved it!

Eoin has been with his boyfriend Rich for six years, having moved from Dublin to London to be with him. Out of the blue, Rich asks that they open their relationship. What follows is a masterclass in how /not/ to approach consensual non-monogamy, all while Eoin is stepping up at the cafe where he works after his boss goes AWOL, and dealing with the realisation that he doesn’t know what he wants from life.

I stayed up until midnight to binge read this in one go. It was relatable, funny, both sweet and sad at times. While this is not big R genre Romance, there is a strong romantic element which ends on a hopeful note so it still ticks a lot of those boxes (the love interest is so lovely, with just enough bite to be interesting as well). One aspect I really enjoyed was the fact that Eoin and Rich’s relationship was Not Right instead of Wrong - rather than one of them doing something terrible or hurting the other in some way, they are simply navigating that difficult space where their relationship is no longer serving them as it once was.

The portrayal of bit city loneliness hit hard. The way you can be surrounded by co-workers and housemates but still have very few true friends, even after years there. That transition out of uni in your mid twenties when you have to start actively making friends and building community is so difficult, and Moriarty handled this depiction very well.