Member Reviews
I loved it, I thought there was plenty of plot to keep me interested, the characters were engaging and I would recommend this book to a friend! I am a huge fan of this author as well, so to be given the chance to receive an ARC of this one!
Looking Out For Love is a fabulous read, Stella is desperate to be in love and be loved, having a string of failed relationships she is spending her time unemployed, drinking too much and sleeping with random men she meets at bars. Her father who has been financing her has had enough and threatens to cut her off. She realises she needs to get a grip and takes up the offer of being an assistant to an eccentric female private investigator.
Her flat mate and best friend has had bad news and will need much support off Stella over the next few months. Stella then meets Fitz and there is mutual attraction, She is positive that finally she’s found ‘the one’. There are lots of other characters in this book that very much add charm, humour, pathos a host other other emotions.
Gradually we start to see Stella blossom from a rather annoying flake to a supportive friend, she realises that pure kindness is truly wonderful more than searching for any type of relationship or drama.
A really enjoyable read with quite a few laugh out loud moments, every thing turns out well but oh how I would of loved an epilogue just to see a little of Stella’s future life.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
I enjoyed the only other book I've read by this author but I absolutely LOVED this. I enjoyed the way the 'romance' played out and the essence of finding someone to be the frosting on your cake (not your cake) really resonated. But it was the friendships that really made this for me. I enjoyed Billie and Stella's friendship but my favourites were definitely any of the scenes with elderly neighbour Harold and eccentric affair-hunter Marjorie. A captivating, light-hearted and comical read which I loved.
This is the second book I’ve read by Money-Coutts. Great writing style. Witty and light. Easy reading and escapism.
This book has romance, friendship, family drama, tears and so much laughter. Couldn’t help routing for Doctor Sam
The story starts with Stella Shakespeare is trying to find her path in life. Off to an interview in last night’s clothes. The ultimate walk of fame.
Loved Billie, Doctor Sam and Stella’s neighbour Harold.
Another good read. Looking forward to the next read
What a wonderfully heartwarming and hilarious romance from Sophia. I absolutely love her style of writing and always look forward to reading a new novel from her.
Stella has been dumped by her boyfriend. Life is really not looking great for her. No boyfriend, no job and a wealthy father who insists she stops spending his money and gets a job!
When Stella goes for a job interview set up by her father, it couldn't be more of a disaster! But afterwards, a chance meeting looks as though it may turn her job prospects around.
Stella is a dreamer. She wants to find love. She wants to be loved. After failed relationships and kissing lots of frogs, she is looking for her Prince Charming. She unexpectedly meets the man of her dreams one night in her local pub and things are looking great for once in her life. But are they?
The friendship between Stella and her best friend and flatmate Billie was heartwarming, and the way the author dealt with a cancer diagnosis was well written.
Great supporting characters including Harold, an elderly neighbour who lived in the flat downstairs with his dog. Everyone needs a neighbour like Harold.
I know people will say that this kind of romantic comedy has been done before but I loved it and can't wait to hear what others think of it.
📣 A few raunchy moments described in detail. 😉🌡
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC.
Ultimately we have seen this book before, girl meets busy entrepreneurial boy, she starts a new job, finds another lad attractive, first guy becomes distant and is only really interested in sex, then the second guy becomes unattainable. However, the one interesting part is the main character starts working for a detective who solves affairs and cheating scandals. I found the main character was a bit whiney and I wasn't too interested in her progression. I did love her best friend though! Even though she herself has a rought time throughout this book, she is always there for her best friend.
I loved this book!
As always, this author didn't dissapoint. Admittedly, I could see most of what was coming long before it happened but it didn't take away from my enjoyment and it didn't happen in quite the way I expected it.
I absolutely adored Stella and Billie's friendship and how much of the focus was on that and not just the romantic relationships.
An amazing light read for anyone who loves chick-lit. And bonus points for not being in first person!
This is the first book I’ve read by Sophia Money-Coutts, definitely not the last!
Stella Shakespeare has lived an entitled life up till now, she’s lost the love of her life, been financially cut off by her family and all she wants is to be loved.
At first I really didn’t like her, but she grew on me as her character developed and won me over.
Meeting a very attractive man, in a Notting Hill pub, who seems to be the real deal, can she finally have found her happily ever after?
Has she been ignoring what’s in front of her for too long?
Becoming independent and responsible is the making of Stella.
Some very steamy scenes along with extremely emotional scenes and fabulous ending.
Definitely recommend!
I always struggle with books that are said to be "laugh-out-loud" as I normally find them not to be, but at least this one did raise a smile or two. I initially didn't like Stella, being a spoilt, rich kid. I did, however, started warming to her as the story went on, despite her rather raunchy past - there are several rather spicy scenes if these aren't your thing. I was very wary of Fitz, but again this was more due to him being good looking and rich, which unfortunately I'm not. I'm more like her neighbour Henry, but that isn't such a bad thing. Other characters include her very colourful boss, her flatmate with her boyfriend and Sam,a one night stand who all have their parts to play. For me this started off as a good book, but it really grew on me and hence the 5* and can definitely recommend it for more than just a simple boy meets girl story.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.
I have enjoyed all of Sophia Money-Coutts’s previous novels, although they are not my usual choice of reading matter, and I enjoyed Looking Out For Love too but I am now starting to want a bit more from SMC. This is her fifth novel and I could tell you how this novel would work out, almost from the very start, and guessed almost all the main plot points as the storyline revealed itself.
There was clearly an attempt here to ground the novel with some more serious issues, but I don’t really feel that they paid off. The main character Stella is not only beautiful but is supposed to the spoilt, but the latter just did not come across. Other than being explicitly told she was spoilt once or twice she read as too likeable and generally quite decent (SMC clearly can’t break the habit of her other heroines!). Similarly, other efforts at bringing a bit of seriousness to the plot (cancer, affairs) all felt a bit bolted on and unexceptional to really bring anything extra to what was a relatively standard rom-com plot.
I did enjoy this novel (it would be hard to dislike it), as SMC has a warm and readable style, but I now feel that she is starting to live a little bit on borrowed time. There needs to be some decisive development in the next novel, whether in plot or character, to keep me getting something out of them.
Pour yourself your favourite beverage, get snacks and get cosy because Looking Out for Love is the perfect escapist romcom and the antidote to the January blues.
Stella Shakespeare is looking for all consuming love. The sort that makes your pulse race. Instead, she's woken up to another one night stand with a man called Sam.
Drowning her sorrows at her local boozer, she then meets Fitz. Who appears to check all her boxes. Mysterious, sexy and charming. He has an air of danger and red flags galore (which Stella tends to ignore).
At the same time Stella is finally proving to herself and her toxic parents, that she is capable of standing on her own two feet when she gains employment with Marjorie, an 'affair hunter'.
There is so much to love about this book. The characterisation that gradually reveals layers of depth. I started out not liking Stella that much. By the end I adored her.
I thought I had Fitz sussed. Then I wasn't sure. Then I was again. The point is, this book is nuanced which I really enjoyed. I'd guessed some of the plot arc, but it was fun not being completely sure.
Then we need to talk about Sam. Who ends up not being a one night stand never to be seen again. Through Stella's neighbour, Harold (who is a gem) Sam and Stella become friends. And Sam is a peach. Kind, thoughtful and calm.
Then there's the friendship between Stella and Billie which was just written so beautifully. And the formidable Marjorie, queen of the pithy one-liner.
We travel through this time of change and discovery with Stella and we're rooting for her to see what we see.
You'll have to read this wonderful book for yourself to find out if she does.
Let me just say, you won't be disappointed if you're a fan of smart, sexy and feel-good romcoms.
Stella is the type of woman every woman can relate to at some point in life
A light hearted cosy read yet still quite a slow burner but it was okay. As a single woman I got it
I found Looking Out For Love quite a slow burner. It took me well over half way until I found myself actually wanting to find out what happens to Stella. Whilst being humorous, I found that Stella got herself into many unpleasant situations and Fitz, her love interest, was unlikeable from the start. I wish more time had been spent on building up the relationship with Sam. I did however enjoy the portrayal of Stella’s blossoming relationship with her elderly neighbour and her best friend suffering with cancer. These encounters were a joyful combination of humour with also sad reality.
Stella! I’m sure Stella resonates with every single woman at some point in their life. She certainly reminds me of my younger self!
Very Bridget Jones, a lighthearted easy read - I was gripped throughout! Definitely makes you realise that maybe being single isn’t a bad thing, and trusting the timing of the universe is something we should all do!
Stella always looking for love, after serial break up she still believe will meet the one. She not realize that already meet the one. I love how Stella blance her life. Between love, carrer, her friendship. All chaos and she try her best and she doing it good. I enjoy this book really laughable, cryable, heartwarming too.
Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.
#LookingOutForLove #SophiaMoneyCoutts #HQ #NetGalley #ARC
I really enjoyed this book. Stella Shakespeare is desperate to fall in love and live happily ever after. After being dumped by the man she thought she would marry, a series of one night stands leaves her feeling as though she will never meet Mr Right. Then she meets the gorgeous Fitz who sweeps her off her feet, but is he too good to be true? At the same time her best friend and flat mate is going through treatment for cervical cancer. This is a lovely, light hearted read which I thoroughly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.
Absolutely brilliant, rom com at its best, laugh out loud moments mixed with sadness. . Stella has no job, no money and no man, then everything changes, is this going to be the life she's been yearning for? Impossible to put down, loved it.
This was a delightful story where life doesn't always meets ones expectations but is great anyway. Some really good characters and a true to life story. Very satisfying conclusion.
Looking Out For Love follows Stella Shakespeare, a floundering thirty-something whose main goal in life is to find a man who’ll sweep her off her feet. When the man of her dreams falls into her life, it feels as if all her dreams have come true. But is everything as it seems? Join Stella as she finds out who she really is, and who’s worth holding onto.
My main gripe with this novel was that there was almost nothing I liked about the main character. She’s spoilt, immature, self-centred and naïve to a fault, and while that could be excused if she was fresh out of school, the woman is thirty-two! Of course, she goes on a journey throughout the story and her personality does improve, but I still struggled to warm to her or even find her believable at all.
Likewise, her supposed love interest is so undeniably filled with red flags that as a reader I never rooted for the duo, and he was ridiculously cartoonish to the point he didn’t feel like a real person.
Semi-spoilers incoming, but also trigger/content warnings: life-threatening illness, infidelity. Surprisingly, my favourite thing about the novel was the depiction a young person going through life-saving treatment. As someone who’s watched a loved one go through similar treatment at a young age, the concerns and emotions felt accurate, and I appreciated that it’s neither turned into a huge drama, nor swept under the rug.
Overall, I didn’t hate this but I also didn’t love it. It’s described as a romcom and while I did find some parts funny, it wasn’t romantic at all. It could’ve done with being a bit shorter, and Stella’s romantic relationship really detracted from what could’ve been a very insightful look into the bonds of friendship and found family.
Brilliant, you can always rely on Sophia Money-Coutts to give you an easy lighthearted read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.