Colin and Tara have been struggling with IVF for several years and have just failed attempt number three. They have lost their spark and both end up using a dating app called Fling. I thought the story was well written with a good pace and plot line. An easy read for a good bit of escapism. Thank you #netgalley

A thoroughly enjoyable read this debut novel has all the comforting predictability of a 'made for tv' romcom; the relationship that's struggling to stay afloat because of the difficulties of trying to conceive, the quirky, supportive sidekick characters (who are often my favourites in these kinds of stories!), the barmy, almost entirely implausible plot that culminates in a sappy, perfectly lit happy ending... what's not to love?!
Thanks to Netgalley.co.uk and Pan Macmillan for the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⚠️cw: IVF, Infertility, assumed cheating ⚠️

Tara and Colin have lost their spark. Married for six years, and feeling disconnected after several rounds of IVF, they meet their perfect match on a new dating app (Fling) for married people.

I really loved the premise, so I had high hopes for this debut novel. I thought the opening chapters were strong and immediately gripped me. The struggle with IVF was well-written, but as the story developed I found some of the language overly flowery and there were far too many metaphors for what is actually a pretty simple story, dragged out with a LOT of miscommunication (which is, unfortunately, my least favourite form of conflict).
My biggest issue was that I didn't particularly like either main character, although I appreciated the dual POV. I often found Colin to be rather whiny, and Tara needed to articulate herself better. There were some well-observed moments, such as how we start to resent partners, and their parts in daily minutiae, and the ensuing rising tensions. There is also some much-needed comic relief from Rory and Emily who I actually liked a lot more than Tara and Colin. Still, the final reveal was cute, even if the ending was a little convenient.

Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️
Heat Rating:
Emotional Rating: 💔😢😒🙈😬😂😡💓

It's hard to do this review without spoilers! I thought this had a clever concept for a rom-com. It's unflinchingly brutal about the difficulties of maintaining a long term love in parts, but across the novel you empathise with both of the main characters with ease. I particularly enjoyed the view into their relationships with their colleagues and friends, as it allowed us to see a different side to Tara and Colin and brought in perspectives other than their own.

I absolutely inhaled ‘Fling’ in a single day. I couldn’t put it down. It’s like an Irish ‘You’ve Got Mail’ crossed with ‘The War of the Roses’. It’s very funny and with a lot of heart. This deserves to be a huge hit

Originally DNF @ 26% but decided since it wasn't particularly long I would go back and give it another chance.

I did not feel the characters were likeable or relatable and the miscommunication trope was WAY to strong here for my liking. The writer drops metaphor after metaphor and it borders on cringe. It's a shame because I loved the premise but unfortunately, for me, it misses the mark. I carried on curious how the plot falls apart and comes back together again and whilst it did have me interested, it still lacked.

There were good moments and quotes that made me laugh. Emily and Rory were great comedy side characters and were more likeable but, again, bordered on cringe with the way they spoke and the things they said. The book reads a little as trying too hard.

This is a great Rom com which is fuelled by dramatic irony and miscommunication throughout, I loved the journey it went on and the use of fate and destiny. I really liked the concept that Murray used for the base of this novel, a marriage on the brink of collapse who fall in love with each other all over again with the help of ‘Fling’ because “every flower deserves to bloom”.

At the heart and soul of the two main characters, were relatable fears and the realities of getting older. This romance centred a couple in their late 30s who’s desire for each other had dried up with the stress of life situations and with that comes the journey to revive their spark and passion by showing the importance of being true to yourself and letting go of those inhibitions.

Being introduced to the app, I really enjoyed how the author used the humour of the characters to contrast the mundane life routine and struggling relationship. It touched on serious topics whilst using humour to lighten the overall mood of the book without disregarding the struggles. The side characters were classic foils to their friends, such a contrast that was both humours and effective in empathising the character flaws to ensure character development, eventually helping Tara and Colin to get back on track.

The anonymity of it was great for building up that tension of wondering when they were going to realise the truth. This was a long frustrating story in the best way, I felt so invested in the characters, waiting for them to finally notice each other. This would be great for all those rom com lovers looking for a something with fated lovers and enjoy miscommunication. This had all the elements of a rom com but the introduction of a possible affair and reading how both characters fall in love with each other without realising made the ending even more satisfying.

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Rate : ⭐️⭐️
Genre : Contemporary
Author : Joseph Murray

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fling focuses on a married couple who struggle to have a baby at the beginning, their relationship is already tense from the amount of tries. They then get at loggerheads with one another and end up downloading a new app called Fling which helps married people find others to have a secret affair with. Not exactly my kind of thing (cheating wise) but funny nonetheless when it gets halfway through the book.

To begin, I’d like to say that I wasn’t too keen on this book but I did enjoy the final twenty pages or so of this novel so that bumped up the book a little bit for me. It was an adorable way to end this novel, especially with the way it ended! Like it was finally something to smile about.

To be honest, I felt the characters were very one dimensional and stereotypical. Both Colin and Tara were extremely annoying in certain parts and you couldn’t really get to know them (don’t even get me started on their terrible communication skills). I felt like the whole novel was mainly them arguing and complaining about each other instead of growing as characters. Although I did enjoy Emily and Rory a lot more!

Another thing I wasn’t too keen on was the amount of pop culture references. I know some adults try to be down with the kids with all these references but sometimes it can be too much.

Despite that, I did enjoy the odd hilarious moment. Especially when both of them were trying to meet their secret affair but then noticing their spouse and running the opposite direction. Sure, it got tedious with all the fighting in between but it was very enjoyable.

However, I loved what Colin did in the shed for Tara! It was adorable and nearly brought me to tears! Despite their differences, Colin is such a good match for Tara. They just needed to work through a lot of miscommunication.

Would I reread this again? No. Would I recommend it? Possibly, depending on what they prefer. If someone likes romcoms with an adorable ending and some fighting in between, this would be for them.

CW/TW : Infertility, infidelity, slight misogyny and arguments

This was such a great and quick read! I LOVE knowing more than the characters when I’m reading a book and this was no different! It was written so well!

I couldn’t stop laughing throughout this book - Colin and Tara’s bickers are so relatable and I think it was the reality of their situation that made this book so enjoyable.

The couple encounter some bumps in their marriage and unbeknown to one another both download an app, Fling, which is basically Tinder for married couples who want to have an affair. We follow Tara and Colin through their attempts at being unfaithful, and how they discover things they didn’t know about themselves and their relationship along the way.

I liked that the plot didn’t take itself too seriously- I’ll look out for more books by this author in the future!

*Thanks to Netgalley and Pan MacMillan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. As a person going through years of trying to conceive with my partner of 17 years I was initially intrigued by the story. However, I found the male protagonist hard work and not relatable at all and the story of using an app in order to date other people hard to read. I think it was hard for me to read due to my personal situation but going by the other reviews on here perhaps not.

An interesting premise but unfortunately not for me: the extended interior monologuing slows the pace considerably, and I couldn't empathise with the characters because they weren't particularly sympathetic. Ultimately, plot which hinges on the characters choosing not to communicate is a little thin.

Where to begin... the book follows Tara and Colin, a couple in turmoil after 3 failed attempts at IVF. The premise of the book sounds great and that's about it. The characters fell flat, they felt very one dimensional and there was an overall lack of character development. It felt very stereotypical and read almost like a fanfic (sorry). It was cringey, cliched, and missed the mark. It felt like the author was scrolling on tumblr (!!!) to find catchy, silly, phrases to add in to try and sound funny or relatable and it just didn't work out. No one says "mercury in lucozade". Please. I am giving it two starts because I couldn't put it down, but more in the "I can't look away from a car crash as I drive by" way, not in a "I'm interested in continuing this journey" way.

Fling was a contemporary romance. I went to write rom-com, but I think romantic drama might be closer. It's the story of a couple in their mid 30s, who find their marriage falling apart after 18 years together, following their struggles with infertility and unsuccessful IVF.
Both of them secretly turn to online dating on a new app aimed at married people who are looking for a fling. And guess who they match with?!

The author could have turned the story to comedy with little effort, but instead it explores a loss of identity as people get older and relationships go stale. I imagine it could strike a lot of people in their late 30s and 40s, as it reminisces on how to get the spark back in your life when you no longer feel like a sexy 20 year old. Being 35, married and childless, I imagine I'm the target audience!

However, while I liked that side of the story, I found both of the main characters quite dislikable. Their lack of open communication causes the majority of their problems and they don't seem to have the healthiest of relationships, even without their 'fling'!

That being said, it'd make a great movie, and it was an interesting read. I'd definitely pick up another by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in return for an independent review.

Tara and Colin have had their third round of IVF & Tara deciedes she cannot continue in the relationship. They both download “Fling” which is an app for cheating on your spouse and instantly meet their 100% match. I could see from day dot where this was going. Quite a dull storyline - to be honest I preferred Emily and Rory’s characters. They felt more fleshed out and interesting.
Book should come with infertility and IVF warnings.

I very kindly received an ARC for Fling just before Christmas and I chose it as one of my January reads.

Fling follows Tara and Colin, a couple who are unhappy in their marriage. They end up downloading a new cheating app called Fling and both of them meet their 100% match. What the reader knows but Tara and Colin don’t, is that they’re talking to each other!

Unfortunately I did not enjoy much about this book. The story was slow and predictable and I didn’t really enjoy the writing. The majority of the characters were also irritating.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I thought the premise was a great idea but the execution could have been better. These days I feel too old and cynical so I have no patience with badly written books. The characters felt very one-dimensional.

Fling is simply sublime. Truly funny, smart, sexy and sweet, I devoured this book in a day.

Colin and Tara have just learnt that their third round of IVF has failed. As far as Tara is concerned, this is destiny telling her she's not meant to be a mother, and she desperately wants to begin a new chapter.

But Colin can't accept that she is giving up, and it feels to him, that it's only Tara who matters in this decision.

The distance that's been growing between them becomes a gaping chasm and their constant insidious animosity leads them both to look elsewhere.

Enter a new app - Fling. For discreet affairs. No photos or real names.

Are Tara and Colin really prepared to throw eighteen years away for the promise of something new and exciting?

The pleasure of reading a book lies partly in connection, and here there is so much to relate to. The petty snipes Tara and Colin make are all too familiar. They're funny because they're true.

Emily and Rory, the supporting characters are also brilliantly witty and dry.

I'm not going to give away any more of the plot as it would spoil it for other readers, but safe to say, things get complicated!

Such a cozy, happy book which cracked me up and gave me all the feels.

Perfection..

This book is perfect if you’re looking for a super quick read to get immersed in. I enjoyed the story although I did find it difficult to look past the aspect of the affairs but I did feel sympathy for both Tara and Colin. I was laughing out loud at moments which I totally love in a book!

Thank you #NetGalley for the #ARC of #Fling

The story starts with a third failed round of IVF. Their marriage is suffering as they struggle to decide what to do. As the story develops, they are fed up with their marriage and each other so they each decide to secretly try out Fling, a new app.

Fertility issues and the impact they have on couples is such an important topic which is why I was drawn to the book. Add in the idea of an app for infidelity and I thought it was intriguing. The execution of the story was not as well done as I would have liked. While the pair (unsurprisingly) have communication issues, the way that they argue and communicate is childish and there’s never really an attempt from either of them to understand each other.
They are evolving as people and their connection has changed but neither of them make an effort and then are frustrated with the other for not caring. Again, it’s childish and immature.

Overall, it’s not a book I would recommend.