When her life in Canberra implodes piece by piece, Coralie finds herself in London, copy-writing by day and trying to write a novel at night. With no family and no real friends, she feels like she is drifting through her own life without ever really being noticed or having an impact. Then one day, in a classic rom-com meet-cute, she meets Adam. Funny, charming and unobtrusively handsome, Coralie is utterly smitten - and his adorable daughter Zora only makes him more appealing. Soon, their lives are bound to one another and Coralie can't imagine her feelings for Adam ever changing.

Except Consider Yourself Kissed actually opens ten years after that auspicious meeting by the Victoria Park duck pond, as Coralie quietly prepares to walk away from Adam, and the life they have built together, for good.

What follows is an examination of a relationship from its beginning to its end, our knowledge that Coralie and Adam are doomed haunting their blissful early days and adding an eerie dramatic irony to the cracks and tensions that begin to show. The title is an allusion to Mary McCarthy's 1963 novel The Group, which Adam picks up during his first visit Coralie's flat, and one character's habit of signing off his love letters with 'Consider yourself kissed,' until, as Coralie warns darkly, he has his beloved committed to an insane asylum. Again, this brief exchange sets the stage for a great love affair that will ultimately turn sour.

The relationship unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous decade in British politics, and author Jessica Stanley takes us on a tour of the dubious highlights: the replacement of the much maligned Conservative-Lib Dem coalition by a resurgent Conservative government; an unexpected result in a referendum on EU membership creating division, discord and uncertainty; the rise and fall of Jeremy Corbyn; five Conservative prime ministers in six years and a global pandemic which undermined trust in the government to such an extent that they may never be able to issue imperatives such as 'Stay at Home: Protect the NHS' again. Readers who are unfamiliar - or uninterested - in the ebbs and flows of British politics may find this thread, which the narrative is very much structured around, given Adam's job as a political commentator and biographer, tedious, but I was captivated by the way Stanley recaptured such specific, often horrifying, moments in history as the Tory landslide election victories in 2015 and 2019 and, in happier times, Boris Johnson's resignation, and tethered them to the lives of one family.

There's a lot more to Consider Yourself Kissed than politics though, and Stanley tackles grief, infertility, blended families and generational trauma with empathy and insight. Another huge theme is motherhood, and the sacrifices and concessions many women find themselves expected to make - their freedom, their careers, their bodies, their relationships, their dreams - and the resentment and feelings of exhaustion and dissatisfaction which this can nurture. Stanley eloquently conveys Coralie's sense of impotent rage at Adam's ambition and success at work, which has been achieved only through her willingness to set aside her own dreams.

Coralie is determined to be the best mother - and step-mother - she can be, in spite (or perhaps because) of her own childhood, which was spent either at boarding school or trying to avoid her father's volatile moods at home. That she feels unable to do this is a cause of tremendous shame and guilt, as she absorbs the messages from her boss, Adam and society which tell her that her best is not good enough. Especially in the final chapters, Coralie's narration is raw and unfiltered; the reader gets to hear all the thoughts she has learned to supress, from struggling with her ill-defined yet demanding role in Zora's life to her feelings of inadequacy in comparison to Adam's ex-wife. Though not autobiographical in the strictest sense, Stanley has said that 'every feeling Coralie has felt, [she's] felt,' and that certainly comes across.

Each of the characters, no matter how small their role, is infused with life and personality. They feel like real people and their dynamics ring true. I also thought Stanley's depiction of a long-term relationship - particularly the phases of communication and the way tension from other sources can infect the dynamic - to be honest and succinct.

As well as a sense of time, Stanley crafts a sense of place with affection and detail. The author herself moved from Australia to Hackney aged 29, and her love for her adopted home borough shines through descriptions of London Fields and Broadway Market.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Consider Yourself Kissed is a charming and uplifting romance that’s full of warmth, wit, and heart. Jessica Stanley creates characters you can’t help but root for, with chemistry that leaps off the page and dialogue that sparkles. The story balances lighthearted fun with genuine emotion, making it both entertaining and deeply satisfying. A joyful read that will leave romance fans smiling.

Coralie is nearing 30 when her ad agency job transfers her from Australia to London in 2013. Within a few pages, she meets Adam when she rescues his four-year-old, Zora, from a lake. That Adam and Coralie will be together is never really in question. But over the next decade of personal and political events, we wonder whether they have staying power – and whether Coralie, a would-be writer, will lose herself in soul-destroying work and motherhood. Adam’s job as a political journalist and biographer means close coverage of each UK election and referendum. As I’ve thought about some recent Jonathan Coe novels: These events were so depressing to live through, who would want to relive them through fiction? I also found this overlong and drowning in exclamation points. Still, it’s so likable, what with Coralie’s love of literature (the title is from The Group) and adjustment to expat life without her mother; and secondary characters such as Coralie’s brother Daniel and his husband, Adam’s prickly mother and her wife, and the mums Coralie meets through NCT classes. Best of all, though, is her relationship with Zora. This falls solidly between literary fiction and popular/women’s fiction. Given that I was expecting a lighter romance-led read, it surprised me with its depth. It may well be for you if you’re a fan of Meg Mason and David Nicholls. (3.5 stars)

The novel started a bit slow and remained a generally slow, introspective read. But the writing felt very real and I appreciated that. The book was as much about fictional characters' personal lives as about real political events which made it even more real. Coralie's story will resonate with a lot of mothers, especially those who sacrifice their career for their partner's.

📖 Synopsis: Coralie is an Australian woman who has recently moved to London. She meets a political correspondent Adam who is divorced and has a daughter. They fall in love and start living together. They go on to have two of their own children. As the years go by, Coralie feels more and more suffocated by the everyday. She and Adam have lost touch even though they live under the same roof. What will Coralie do next? And will Coralie and Adam find each other again?

Really enjoyed this really contemporary novel set during the political turmoil of Boris Johnson's leadership and lockdown. The relationship and subsequent mental breakdown, were described so brilliantly, The characters resonated with me so much. I would particularly recommend this book to millennials although I'm a lot older and thoroughly enjoyed it

I've seen the cover everywhere however had no clue what the book was about and was pleasantly surprised, Consider Yourself Kissed is a fun read that you can easily demolish in one sitting.
4 stars

This is an entertaining love story, told through ten years in the life of a woman set against an eventful decade of British politics.
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The start of the story is set in 2013. Coralie is an Australian woman in her 30s, who recently moved to London. She meets Adam who has a young daughter, Zora, and they fall in life. The books is about the ten years of how they build a life together and have two children of their own - there are also the interesting and very real bits about Coralie’s role as a stepmother to Zora and how they navigate co-parenting with Zora’s mother, Marina. Soon, it gets clearer and clearer what motherhood does to Coralie’s sense of self and it’s great that Jessica Stanley doesn’t shy away from writing about this.⁣
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“Grief is the price we pay for love, that’s what the Queen had once said. The price Coralie paid for love was fear and getting lost. Something was wrong with her, it set her apart—she couldn’t be in love, but she couldn’t be out of it either. If she didn’t love, she was half a person. But if she did love, she’d never be whole. Her hands shook as she packed her bag. Mother, writer, worker, sister, friend, citizen, daughter, (sort of) wife. If she could be one, perhaps she could manage. Trying to be all, she found that she was none...”⁣
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Another really interesting aspect is to see how the political backdrop, from Brexit, the various Tory prime ministers, to the Covid-19 pandemic, shapes the characters’ lives. Overall, I think the character development is really good, including the description of the flawed and imperfect characters. There are a few side stories that I would have loved for Stanley to delve further into, such as Coralie’s complex relationship with her own father, Roger, and so on. ⁣
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I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Consider Yourself Kissed started off strong for me, and I really enjoyed the emotional depth of the relationships at the heart of the story. Jessica Stanley does a great job creating layered, believable characters, and I found myself invested in their personal dynamics early on. The dialogue felt real, and there was a warmth in the way she wrote about friendships, romantic tension, and family that made the book feel very grounded and human.

However, about halfway through, the tone shifted more heavily into political territory—particularly around Brexit—and that’s where I started to lose interest. While I understand the context is important and relevant, it started to feel like the book was leaning more into commentary than storytelling. For me, the charm and connection I felt with the characters got a bit overshadowed by the political focus.

That said, I can absolutely see how others might connect more with that part of the narrative, especially if they’re interested in stories set against recent political backdrops. I just found myself wishing the story had stayed closer to its emotional core.

Overall, a solid read with strong character work, but not quite the immersive experience I hoped for by the end.

A story of two halves. First half, beautifully written and reasonably compelling. Second half, the tone really changed and became focused on politics and Brexit, which made it difficult to stay engaged with the story.

Coralie moves to England from Australia and meets Adam. They fall in love and make a family. Against the backdrop of all the political drama and Covid lockdowns, Coralie muddles along lost in family life. This is her story of the minutiae of day to day living as a partner, mother, daughter and sister.

"Consider Yourself Kissed" by Jessica Stanley is a literary love story that spans ten years in the life of Coralie, an Australian copywriter who moves to London. There, she meets Adam, a witty political reporter with a charming young daughter. Their relationship weathers numerous challenges, including births, deaths, Brexit, and the pandemic. As Coralie and Adam navigate the ups and downs of life, they must confront what it truly means to build a family and find happiness.

While the book offers a heartfelt exploration of love and family, I found it challenging to stay fully engaged at times. The narrative occasionally felt a bit whiny, which detracted from the overall enjoyment. However, Jessica Stanley's ability to create relatable characters and her keen observations on life's complexities still make this novel worth a read. If you enjoy stories that blend personal and public dramas with a touch of humor, give this one a try.

There is something really special about this book - I found it so compelling while being unable to put my finger on what it was that I really loved about it.
This is a love story, but it also perfectly weaves in politics and the realities of building a life - the imperfections, the struggles, the changes, and the heartache. Following 10+ years in the life of Coralie and Adam, from meet-cute through the twists and turns of their relationship, the book feels so tender, exploring not only the personal fears of two people sharing their lives, but much broader fears of our impact on the world and its impact on us.
The characters are so well formed and with it being set in the not-so-distant past of the last 10 years or so, there's something so grounded and familiar about the life that is depicted, and the communal terrors we have all shared of Brexit, several general elections, COVID, and the changing climate.
I found it utterly captivating - it's really burrowed its way into my brain.

I was intrigued by this one after seeing some reviews and luckily was given access to an early review copy. The premise of this one really appealed - what happens after you meet a man and fall in love, and fit into his already complicated life? This was a warts and all exploration of….well life and love, including the messy complexities of past relationships, giving up your own dream, losing part of yourself and then finding yourself.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Random House UK/Cornerstone, and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy. Consider Yourself Kissed is out now!

CYK is a novel where protagonist Coralie is battling post-brexit blues and building a new life in London Fields having abandoned Australia. Amidst her dreamy relationship with political author Adam, she battles work woes, being a mother, step-mother to Adam's daughter Zora and trying to keep her identity.

It's rich with east-London references and thoughtfully fleshed out characters bring the story to life. There is something for everyone - expectant mums juggling raising children and their own identity, women thinking of starting a family or single women wondering what it is like behind closed doors of a modern day family.. CYK makes you ask what does it take to keep the fire in a relationship when work, age and children continue get in the way?

I did enjoy the romance of this smart comedy focussing on Australian copywriter Coralie falling for English political journalist Adam and his excellent daughter but to be honest the political near-history angle took me back through times I’d rather not relive quite yet. Maybe in twenty years.

This is the sort of book that shows you, as Jo Walton says, how authors keep their books' covers apart without having wizards or spaceships in them. It's a novel about a young woman trying to make her way in London, through a serious long-term relationship, stepmotherhood and her own pregnancies, with a partner whose job as a political commentator makes the mad governmental upheavals of the 2013-2023 decade in Britain relevant in a particularly personal way. (When a leadership contest is announced among the Tories, for example, or the Brexit hard deadline might pass without a deal, Adam is excited because it gives him material; Coralie is enraged because it derails their childcare arrangements.) On the whole, I really liked it: at points it feels like a "kids ruin your life" novel, which I'm sick of, but Stanley is actually more subtle than that, and her supporting characters are fantastic. Really, quietly, it's a novel about surviving parental abuse and the permanent damage that can do to the coping mechanisms of children, which those children then have to fight not to pass on to their own kids. I can't identify at all with Coralie's maniacal longing for children, which made this a more anthropologically interesting read than expected. She also sometimes feels like an overly passive protagonist (I kept wanting to call through the pages at her, "Get therapy!"), but there's some verisimilitude in that; it mirrors the helplessness many of us felt.

The cover suggests a romcom but this book is so much more than that. At first it’s difficult to keep up with the pace as the characters sprint through their lives. Brexit and the pandemic are fitting backdrops as their lives move from exciting early days to the difficult monotony of many people’s lives. It’s sad, familiar and ultimately a really good read once you’ve got into the rhythm of it.

What I Loved About This Book
1. The story of an Australian woman living in London and finding love, creating a family and feeling frustrated by how life can swallow you up.
2. The writing. Wow. Jessica Stanley is funny, witty and uses beautiful metaphors.
3. The storyline and plot.
It was a fantastic book and I loved it.
However, while the political backdrop of Brexit and Boris Johnson adds authenticity to the setting, I personally found it unnecessary to relive those moments. If I were the editor, I might have streamlined those elements, but they undeniably shape the protagonist’s reality.

Romance set inLondon. Coralie rescues Zora when she falls in a park pond and so she meets Zora's dad, Adam. Coralie works in marketing and Adam is a political commentator who writes biographies of politicians. Sparks fly and soon Coralie has moved into Adam's house and is juggling fa ily with working while Adam is working.
Coralie begins to resent how Adam's work seems to take priority over hers. Throw in other family members on both sides.
For me, the story dragged and didn't really connect with the characters. Maybe that lifestyle isn't mine and so I didn't identify with it.

I was hoping this would be a light read with some substance, but I’m afraid I mainly found it a bit boring. It’s presented as a life-affirming, romantic red with some stuff bout the bigger picture, but I thought it was all rather superficial, both in the relationship bits and the political/global events parts.

Coralie, an Australian who moves to London, meets and falls in love with divorcee Adam. Adam has a charming daughter and a burgeoning career as a political commentator, author and radio presenter. He is not very present and Coralie ends up putting her dreams, ambitions and personal growth to one side in order to support him. All this in the shadow of Brexit and the Covid pandemic. There are unresolved issues around her and her brother Daniel’s abusive father thrown into the mix too. It’s all just too much and nothing is explored in any real depth. The book felt very long and left me with a distinctly underwhelmed feeling. I won’t be recommending it.