This was the first book I have read by Phoebe Luckhurst and it has already made me go and pick up her first. I love when romantic novels have the comedy element - it makes it SO much more fun to read.

I wasn’t immediately taken by the lead characters but their relationship and chemistry really bloomed in the second half.

This was laced with some crazy desperation to go searching for a high school boyfriend and based on a random silly pact but I wanted to believe it wasn’t as desperate or weak as it sounded…. It really was and whilst most of the characters really weren’t all that interesting I happily read through the romance bubbling away. I’m not sure I feel strongly enough either way on the two main characters nor their final outcome and so the book wasn’t one to remember but not so bad I couldn’t finish and wasn’t as cringeworthy as I first feared for the crazy scheme

The Back Up Man was my first novel of 2023. I found it to be pleasant enough with some nice characters but it just didn’t really grab me. The first half seemed particularly slow but second half improved drastically. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.

The back up plan was such a joy to read. Phoebe luckhurst way of writing draws you in until you finish the book. If you like Beth oleary you will enjoy the back up man.

I’ve had Phoebe Luckhurst’s first book on my TBR for a while now, so I was really pleased to have been accepted for her second one.

Everything seems to go wrong for Anya all at once, losing her long term boyfriend, flat and job in quick succession. This takes her down some interesting paths, from babysitting, setting up her own catering business through her up her coming food blog, not to mention taking on the role of detective to track down a long lost crush with an old school friend.

I found the pace of this book quite slow for the first third or so, but absolutely flew through the rest as I was gripped in her and Jamie’s adventures trying to track down Euan. I especially loved the relationships Anya shared with her best friend, Paddy, and sister, Georgie. ⭐️ 4/5 star read ⭐️

*Thanks to Netgalley, Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I found this to be a nice quick, fun read. All the characters were like real life people where none were totally perfect, all had their flaws which mashed together to make an interesting gallery of people to read about.
The story was interesting, seeing how Anya coped and found her best life after the one she was living totally fell apart was an entertaining read due to the humour that the author injected here and there, especially the moments with the twins!
I'm hoping there will be a follow up to this book as I didn't realise the ending was coming when it did and I would love to spend more time with these people, maybe from someone else's point of view next time however?

'The Back Up Man' is a hilarious, romantic-ish, contemporary women's fiction.
From the get-go, it reminded me of 2010 'Leap Year' and 2011 'What's your number?' rom-coms, and it did not dissapoint. I loved the story of Anya's life and her self-discovery journey after a break up and quitting the job she hated. As a twenty-something year old, I found myself relating to her and her friends, which has to be a first for me. It made the book that much more enjoyable!

Seeing as the book took place in-between Anya's relationships, I'm not sure I would categorise it as particulary romance-y, but that didn't take anything away from the book. I actually loved discovering who Anya was as a person, right alongside her!

The writing style of Phoebe Luckhurst is straigh up my alley. I devoured 'The Back Up Man' in two days and I am ready to pick up her other book straight away.
Great job!

Anya is jobless after a break up with her boyfriend of 4 years. She has to move in with a cousin and her partner . She finds a mutual pact from her school boyfriend that if they were both single at the age of 30, they would marry. .A search for him leads to meeting up with his schoolfriend, Jamie, also looking for him. A lovely, entertaining romcom.

I found Anya to be relatable and loved her relationship with Paddy and Georgie. I would have loved if Jamie was introduced into the book a bit earlier. I felt that the romantic connection between the two was slightly rushed at the end.
I did enjoy the book overall but wasn’t rushing to finish it.

After loving the first book by Phoebe, I was delighted to be approved for this one.
This is the story of Anya, starting with everything that can go wrong for her going wrong. Her boyfriend of 4 years dumps her out of the blue, making her homeless, as well as her losing her job in spectacular fashion. Homeless and jobless, she is reliant on her sister Georgie and best friend Paddy to help her out. Until she ends up sleeping on a mattress in the spare room do her haughty cousin Clare and discovers a scruffy “contract” between her and her teenaged love. This sets Anya off on a quest via babysitting, cooking and her best friend (working overseas but there for her regardless).
I found the book a bit slower to start off with but loved the premise and really enjoyed getting to know Anya and her supporting cast. I’m really glad I stuck with and I really enjoyed the book.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I enjoyed reading this. It was a quick and easy romcom. It had a decent storyline and it drew you in. The characters were loveable and I enjoyed learning about them.

Such a nostalgic read, made me want to relive my teenage years as well as my late thirties. So many great characters with some fabulous friends, siblings and interfering mothers (of course). Strong banter, good plot and sub plots and some irritating twins to liven things up! An excellent read - go get your copy.

The premise of this book drew me in and I was excited for a fun romance full of travel and adventure, but it felt like it took a while to get there.

During the first half of the book we see Anya starting to get her life back together after her breakup - which means it’s only the second half that covers the romance and mystery.

I loved the way the book was written and the humour throughout - I think the author just had so many good ideas (I want to know more about the catering and kids Anya babysits) that there wasn’t enough book to put it all in?

The mystery, adventure, drama and romance in the last 25% of the book was fantastic, I just wish more of the book focused on those plot points - but also get maybe we needed some of big build up to get the payoff?

An enjoyable read and I’d definitely read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the ARC.

The blurb for this book had the promise of a fun-filled journey to finding her old high school crush with the help of his best friends before realising that maybe love has been there under her nose all the time. Instead, the first half of the book covers her getting dumped, moving in with her cousin (who she doesn’t like) and quitting her job. All around her talking about her love of cooking and attempting to be Instagram famous.
It takes until halfway to even be introduced to the crush's best friend and almost to the end of the book before the crush makes an appearance - very disappointing.

A fun, quirky women's comedy read. I wouldn't call this a romance since you don't meet the love interest till much further into the book. That said, I enjoy the voice and will buy a hardcopy when it comes out.

It just lacked a certain spark that made me want to race through it.

This book is amazing. In the build-up to Christmas reading this, I needed a cozy romance to lighten these dark nights and Luckhurst pulled through exceptionally. I absolutely adore Anya as the main character, and found myself genuinely rooting for her throughout the narrative. The main male character as well was perfectly written - not overdeveloped, but just right in order to leave me in support of him and desperate to know more about his life.

While I did find the pace slightly slow to begin with, especially as we are introduced to Anya's life and the people are her, it picked up brilliantly by the middle of the book and I found myself unable to put it down! One thing that I found a bit of a shame is that so much of the novel is dedicated to her catering aspirations, and it felt slightly frustrating that we never found out what happened to the events she had booked.

Overall, this is a great, comforting romance that once you're hooked, you won't be able to put down. Don't be surprised when you find yourself craving some of Anya's home comfort food!

This book had such a great premise, but I feel like nothing happened? The blurb made it sound like we’d be on adventure hunting down her childhood friend and they would get together now they’re 30 like they agreed.

But the guy she’s looking for appeared literally 83% in, and was there for 2 pages.. Any ‘romance’ elements were skimmed over so fast I almost didn’t realise they were happening.

I enjoyed the relationship between Anya and Jamie on their adventure, but this should’ve started much sooner in the book, and not nearly halfway in. The first third of the book felt like a cookbook, and yes it made me hungry, but I get it, she’s a food blogger, give me something else?

Sadly a let down, but it may be my ill soul being a harsh critic..

I found myself being drawn into the second half of The Back Up Man. The first half spent a long time introducing the main characters focusing on how unfortunate things has become for Anya. Splitting her time between trying to set up her own business and nannying for a horrible family. The various parts of the story just didn’t seem to connect enough to give weight to the story. The part I enjoyed most was Anya and Jamie’s adventures to try and find their friend from the past. I think this could have started earlier and been more of the focus.

I loved loved loved this book. I seriously cannot say enough good things. Will be acquiring, promoting, and sharing it with everyone I can. Anya was such a great fun character. I think everyone could relate to her at some point in life. I was so excited to see her track down Euan whom was her high school crush she made a pact with and I was not disappointed. Full review to follow. Thank you beyond for the opportunity to read this book in advance. Truly a privilege. 5 stars!!!
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Twenty-nine, single, jobless and in a house share with her cousin who can barely look at her, things could be going better for Anya Mackie.

When she stumbles across the pact she made with high school crush, Euan Carrick - to marry at thirty if they're still single - a silly teenage idea suddenly seems like a lifeline.

However, Euan hasn't been seen for a decade.

Reluctantly enlisting the help of Euan's emotionally unavailable best mate Jamie Kildare, who has his own mysterious reasons for tracking Euan down, Anya sets off across the country to find her Back Up Man.

A lovely read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.