Member Reviews

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books!

Poppy doesn't fit in. Poppy stands out. Poppy is too transparent. Poppy is just too much for her family, who seems to disapprove of everything she does and is. It also does not bode well that Poppy is a sex therapist.

Now it's time for Poppy's sisters wedding, and with that comes a week of family bonding time. Over the week, it comes to be that almost every family member comes to Poppy for help, and for once, she is able to prove her worth. All while also proving to herself that she is capable of opening her own heart.

An Un Romantic comedy is a family drama with a splash of romance and a dash of spice. This is a story that is comedically relatable. Phoebe MacLeod has written a book you don't want to put down.

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This book was just good fun. It was more about family dynamics than romance but I was totally down with that. This was a book I read in one sitting, I really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down.

I could so relate to Poppy, I have a very similar job and I get how misunderstood it can be. Her family finally realising she is good at her job and understanding her was great.

This book is more chick-lit than romance but it was definitely something I would recommend to anyone looking for some fun.

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This was perfect and hilarious and romantic. I really love MacLeod's writing - her writing style is so easy to read and they're very nice quick reads.

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“An (Un) Romantic Comedy” by Phoebe MacLeod is a hilarious and delightful rom-com that will have you laughing out loud from start to finish. The protagonist, Poppy, is a sex therapist who is struggling with her own romantic life while also dealing with a difficult relationship with her family.

The author’s writing style is engaging, witty, and filled with humor, making it a fun and enjoyable read. The characters are well-developed, and you can’t help but root for Poppy as she navigates the ups and downs of her life. Her relationship with her family is complex and adds an extra layer of depth to the story, making it more than just your typical rom-com.

What sets this book apart from other rom-coms is the way it tackles the topic of sex therapy in a way that is both informative and entertaining. Poppy’s profession is a unique and refreshing angle that adds to the overall appeal of the book.

“An (Un) Romantic Comedy” is a fantastic read that is perfect for anyone who loves a good rom-com. It’s funny, witty, and filled with heartwarming moments that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied. If you’re looking for a lighthearted and fun book to brighten up your day, this is the perfect choice.

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Super cute and very funny book. Loved it from start to finish. Definitely recommend reading this one if you enjoy a light comedy with some love and family drama thrown in.

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AN (UN)ROMANTIC COMEDY By Phoebe MacLeod

Poppy is a therapist. You’d think her parents would be proud. But Poppy is the type of therapist that makes her mother cringe - she helps people with their, ahem , bedroom problems… Normally Poppy deals with her difficult family - two parents, one brother, a couple of sisters and an assortment of nieces and nephews - by keeping at least a County or two between them. But with her little sister about to get married there’s no avoiding the week-long family holiday in Cornwall. The trip was always going to be a catastrophe, but Poppy never imagined how much her family needed her professional skills… Nor did she expect to meet a sexy surfer on what was supposed to be the most unromantic holiday ever. Can a nightmare holiday lead to the love of a lifetime?

😊What i liked -

✔ Wedding Romance/Drama.
✔ I Liked how Poppy stood up for her Profession.
✔ I loved the bond that Sam and his daughter shared.
✔ It was a nice read on a go.

🤔What could have been better -

✔ I did not like most of the side characters.
✔ Most importantly the book lacked romance.

📚Who Should read :

👶Beginners
💝Romance Lover


📈My Rating : 2.5/5


Thank you, Phoebe Macleod and Boldwood Books, for a copy.

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Thank you NetGalley, publishers and Phoebe Macleod for gifting me a copy of An (Un) Romantic Comedy in return for my honest opinion.

3/5 stars

The course of true love never did run smooth, but with Phoebe MacLeod it always gets a chance. Perfect for fans of Jo Watson and Mhairi McFarlane.
Poppy is a therapist. You’d think her parents would be proud. But Poppy is the type of therapist that makes her mother cringe - she helps people with their, ahem , bedroom problems… Normally Poppy deals with her difficult family - two parents, one brother, a couple of sisters and an assortment of nieces and nephews - by keeping at least a County or two between them. But with her little sister about to get married there’s no avoiding the week-long family holiday in Cornwall. The trip was always going to be a catastrophe, but Poppy never imagined how much her family needed her professional skills… Nor did she expect to meet a sexy surfer on what was supposed to be the most unromantic holiday ever. Can a nightmare holiday lead to the love of a lifetime?

This was a cute, fun read that kept me entertained throughout the book. The storyline was great and I loved the aspect of the sex therapist and all the different conflicts Poppy finds herself in due to her job. But her being a sex therapist is really the only interesting aspect of this book that would set it apart.

I was confused by this book, for a book centered around a sex therapist and talked about sex you think there would be some steamy/spicy sex scenes, but in that aspect, it was a disappointment. I also thought that there were way too many characters and it was very hard to keep track of all of them. Especially when some of the characters don't add anything to the story.

For me, while this is cute there wasnt anything exciting or interesting about it.

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A quick, easy and funny read that I finished in one sitting. I laughed out loud so much and I couldn't put it down

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Really great book!


"Thank you so much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗 "I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

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This book certainly lives up to its’ title! Although there is a smattering of romance, it is the comedy element that takes centre stage.

Taking what could potentially be a tricky main theme, namely Poppy’s career as a sex therapist, author Phoebe MacLeod weaves this deftly throughout the storyline, as Poppy is forced to draw on her expertise to support various members of her family.

This is more a tale of family dynamics and it is interesting to read the different scenarios as they play out and how Poppy handles each one in turn.

The writing style makes this an easy read and I often found myself grinning or chuckling at the humour. Poppy is a strong character and I admired the way she approached things.

One of my favourite moments was the conversation between Poppy and her mother when it came to light exactly what she thought her daughter’s job entailed, although it was equally an endearing episode as it seemed to indicate a breakthrough in their otherwise fractious relationship.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author, but I’ll definitely be adding her to my list for future releases. Recommended!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

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Poppy’s life as a sex and relationship therapist is interesting, and the book starts off with a genuine encounter with a couple of her clients. However, that may have been the only time I really felt that way. I think the opening chapter centering on Poppy’s counseling session was very intriguing, but it was extensive and maybe not necessary. If it had been half a chapter, I think I would have been sucked into the story faster.

The title was more of a warning than I initially realized, as the romance was not front and center. This was more of a story of Poppy and her journey to the end of her sister’s wedding.
There is so much time spent with her family, and while the dynamics are complex, some of the characters were downright unlikable. This was particularly true of Poppy’s mother who was very critical of Poppy as a person and their interactions made me very sad.

I think that this was a nice lighthearted read and it definitely fit the summery vibes I was looking for.

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I loved the chaos of family dramas. With so many different personalities there are always going to be fights/clashes

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This is a thoroughly entertaining read which fizzes along. There are some lively characters who all contribute to the story and Poppy’s family dynamics certainly add to the entertainment. Poppy herself is a likeable character and her sense of humour shines through.

Although Poppy usually keeps her family at arm’s length, she cannot help but get involved in each of their quandaries. Sometimes she needs to use her professional expertise. Not used to dealing with teenagers, she finds her nephews and nieces hard to pin down and an echo of her own sibling relationships. There is a gentle slow burn romance on the cards for Poppy but it is actually the humour that is found in the wedding preparations which sets the tone for this lively romcom.

In short: friends, family, wedding madness and love

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This book was very difficult to get through and I honestly don’t know if it’s the writing style or the characters. I think I’ll steer clear of this one for a bit. I won’t share this review elsewhere.

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This is a fun and hilarious rom-com following Poppy on her week away with her family for her younger sister’s wedding. Along the way, she meets a handsome surfer who is her little escape from the family drama, angst and therapy seeking family members(from Poppy who is a therapist, but they might not even realize that she’s “therapising” them).
Overall a fun read with a little twist.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy!

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MacLeod’s writing style is absolutely delightful.

Poppy’s character is well-developed. When the story begins, she is the black sheep. But by the end, her character has come a full circle, and the broken relationships are mended to quite an extent.
I liked the interesting choice of occupations for Poppy and Sam, a data scientist.

Poppy’s family is a unique bunch of interesting characters. Unfortunately, there are too many characters in the book and often I was confused by the names. Close to 15 characters in a book was a bit too much for me!

Poppy is a sex therapist, so there’s a lot of talk about SEX in the book. Right from a teen pervert to the virgin bride; a grandmother struggling to bring back the romance in their life to a ten-year-old kid watching porn!

I’ve no complaints as such except for the hurried resolution. I would have loved to see the direction Poppy and Sam’s relationship takes.

You will be disappointed if you are looking for romance in the book. But if you like family dramas, beach settings, and comedy, you are sure to enjoy An Un Romantic Comedy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of this book. My review is honest and voluntary.

Wordsopedia Rating 3.75/5

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The title really says it all. It is a comedy story based around a woman who is sort of estranged from her family which stays together for a week for the youngest daughter's wedding.
Poppy, the protagonist is not close to her family and learns a lot about them and they learn more about her during that trip while healing wounds from the past. During their stay at a beach house the family grows closer together, secrets are unveiled and Poppy meets a man and falls in love with him but the romance is not the main focus of the book.

Overall the writing style is funny, very fitting for the setting of the story informative due to Poppy's work as a sex therapist without being overly cheesy and condescending. It gave me sitcom feels while reading it and I could see it in the likes of New Girl or Gilmore Girls.

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This is a first time read for me by this author but it definitely won't be my last. The story was light-hearted and fun, and focused on Poppy's relationship with her various family members. Poppy is spending a week with her family at a beach house in preparation for her sister's wedding, and this proves to be difficult for her since she has a difficult relationship with them. Part of that has to do with the fact she is a relationship/sex therapist, and that job title does not go over too well with them, especially her mother. Despite her family's feelings about her career, by spending that extra time with them, Poppy realizes just how much her professional help they need, and she sure delivers. I liked the way the relationships had a chance to grow and blossom over the week long trip. Poppy was really there for them when they needed her, as someone who was there to listen to them without passing judgement, and they felt comfortable talking with. While the story did have some light romance, it was more focused on the family and their relationship with Poppy. That was the only thing I felt was a tiny bit lacking, more romance would have been nice. But that being said, the story was entertaining and well-written and I do look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy by Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

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Book Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Poppy, a single woman in her early thirties, has taken holiday from her successful practice (as a sex therapist), to help her sister tie the knot. It isn’t until she is reunited with her family that Poppy remembers how tumultuous their relationships truly are. Growing up in a conservative household was anything but ideal for the liberal teenage Poppy. Will this week be what the family needs to heal lifelong hurts, or will Poppy resign herself to being the forever odd one out?

MacLeod is a master at writing real life. No matter what racial, socioeconomic, or religious background, every family has its unique issues. An Unromantic Comedy dives into a fairly conservative, white, middle class household as they try to navigate family once the children are all grown up. It is a great catalyst for discussing sex in an open, tasteful, and healthy manner.

Anyone who knows me, would think reading a book about a sex therapist, to be completely outside of my character. However, I knew that anything Phoebe MacLeod wrote would be done tastefully. Let me be clear, this book is not about sex. It is about family dynamics.

In addition to helping destigmatize sex, this book also provides the perfect amount of humor, heart, and love. I managed to read this in one day because I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book for your next vacation, day trip to the beach, or free weekend.

Special thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Unpopular opinion

This was not what I expected from reading the blurb. I thought it was a lighthearted quick read, but it was rather boring with long descriptions of what the MC did.

The "unromantic" part felt rushed and not at all how I would expect a relationship therapist to start a relationship.

I didn't understand why the MC's family was so prudent. It's the 21st century!

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