Miranda has been having dreams about someone she nearly knocked over- that's a whole other story. Nearly every night she dreams of this man she thinks is called Jay and learns a little more about him. Her two close friends think she's nuts but go along with it. When she loses her job and has nothing to stay put for, she decides she is going to Newcastle to find Jay as he has a Geordie accent. Good plan right? When there she meets Matt who offers to show her around the area and she tells of her search for Jay and he is willing to help, however Miranda is falling for Matt. Will she find Jay and which one is the love of her life really?

This is a wonderful read and I'm smiling writing this. It's a wonderful, batty, premise, but we all get those spontaneous thoughts now and then, and hey go for it! It's uplifting, and inspirational and one that made me think about my own life in a very good way. (I did something spontaneous a while ago and it’s changed my life more than I could have imagined in a very good way). The twist made me smile and Gladys made me cry and smile (I won’t give anything away). A feelgood read I more than thoroughly enjoyed. A massive 5*

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Five Things I Love About You by Clare Swatman is a feel good romance about a woman named Miranda who is on an adventure to find a man she knows little about. This is my first interaction with this author and her novels, and I must say I think this one was a good way to dive in and I look forward to reading more in the future.

Throughout the novel, we learn lots about Miranda as a character, her best friends, her mystery man, and all the people she meets along the way. Written in a witty, down to earth voice that has a comforting feeling, this book takes you on a journey with the main character as she makes her way through this crazy thing called life.

Trying new things is scary, but Miranda takes the plunge with the universe on her side as she explores a new city. She learns so much about herself and what it means to expand your comfort zone that you can’t help but feel excited for her.

As with any well fleshed character, there’s a bit of nuance to her personality. She’s not perfect, but no one really is. She embraces her imperfections and broadens her knowledge any chance she gets. Her best friends are just as lovable, fiercely supportive, and always ready to catch her when she feels like she’s falling.

The pacing is well done, it didn’t feel like there was a lull to the storyline that dragged on, almost everything was seamless and fit well to the overall plot. There were some parts that I wish were expanded on a bit, such as some of her adventures to find out more about her mystery man, and perhaps having a bit more of a whimsy feel incorporated with her friends. But overall, it didn’t take away from the plot, I think it would’ve just added a bit more to it in terms of how she was going about getting more information on her mystery dream man.

Not everything is straight forward in life, and that’s displayed really well throughout this story as Miranda makes mistakes and choices that leave you wondering what she’s thinking. It can be hard to watch a character make decisions you know are the wrong ones, but I also think that’s part of what makes a compelling story. Where you’re getting so into it that you’re kind of yelling at the pages wondering what she’s up to and why she’s making the choices she’s making.

This feel good book wraps everything up neatly in a little blue bow. A few good giggles, some gasps, and a lot of wondering what the next move is going to be to figure out who her dream man is, brings this to an overall good read that was pretty enjoyable and fun.

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the Author Clare Swatman for this ARC.

I’m afraid this book wasn’t really for me. I found it highly improbable and very predictable. It’s a light, shallow read that it’s probably good if you’re looking for mindless entertaining but I’ve read better. More of a case of ‘it’s not the book, it’s me’ scenario, but still I couldn’t really warm to it.
With many thanks to Boldwood, NetGalley and the author for an early copy.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. This was a gentle, enjoyable read. Although I found the premise quite bizarre, I was invested in the story and Miranda and Matt's relationship, and I did not predict the final twist. A chilled, entertaining read.

Five Things I Hate About You isn't the type of novel I would normally read, but I loved the quirky storyline, and despite the improbability of it, I found myself sucked into it and really invested in what happened.

The protagonist is Miranda, and despite the difference in age and life experiences, I found her really easy to relate to. I admired her courageous attitude and I really wanted everything to work out for her. In terms of supporting characters, I loved them too, and I think every girl needs friends like Kirstie and Sophie! The three ladies are very different to each other, but they bounce off each other really well and I enjoyed the humour in the scenes between them.
I can't comment on the characters without mentioning the canine characters, Gladys, Alan and Colin, who are all absolutely adorable!

Most of Five Things I Love About You is set in Newcastle, and although I don't know the city well, I've visited enough to recognise some of the major landmarks in the novel, and the sense of place really helped me to visualise the scenes clearly.

The plot of Five Things I Hate About You is well constructed and, unusually for novels in this genre, it often took a different direction to the one I was expecting. I loved following all the twists and turns as the story reached a conclusion.

Lovely book. As always, reading a book by Clare is like having a big warm hug, always pleasant, and never a disappointment!
This book was no exception; it was so lovely to read about Newcastle as well as I visit regularly now I have family living there so could picture some of it really clearly.
The story itself was wonderful, and I was so hoping for the ending that we got; made me so happy! Highly recommend this one.

I received a free copy of, Five Things I Love About You, by Clare Swatman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Miranda is pushing 50, and feeling out of sorts. She is divorced, her kids have left the nest, and now its her turn to shine. Except she ends up injured in the hospital. This was a nice read, Its nice to read book about middle aged woman.

Five Things I Love About You by new to me author Clare Swatman, published by Boldwood Books is a beautiful second chances story. Heartwarming, sweet, Miranda and Matt are just perfect for each other. I love the pace of the story, how easy I could connect with characters and storyline, 4 sweet stars.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Miranda, 49, is a divorced English teacher whose two children live abroad. Her boyfriend Dexter cheated on her but she isn't even all that bothered. She has two BFFs, Kirstie and Sophie who she talks things through so when her life seems to stall and her job gets taken away, she still has emotional support.

One day she has a bike accident and a guy looks after her until the ambulance arrives. She doesn't see his face properly but afterwards starts dreaming of him. Her friend Sophie reads her tarot cards and tells her she will find him if she starts looking. So Miranda moves to Newcastle and looks for "Jay", with the little information that she has. She gets help from Matt, a Geordie who has a little dog called Daphne and is smitten with her.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a little bit of magical realism but why does she not even know what her dream guy looks like? What follows is irrational and ridiculous, with Miranda going against her better instincts when she thinks she has found Jay. I wanted to shake her repeatedly, especially as the twist was obvious with a capital O.

I am afraid this didn't keep me invested. Both men were nice but weren't different enough and none of the side characters got fleshed out properly. When she went skydiving I thought she would do some self-discovery with various activities but there wasn't much personal growth and Miranda made silly choices based on unclear dreams and strange coincidences.

This is a cosy holiday read about female friendship, a middle-aged woman's fresh start and a slow, reflective romance with traces of serendipity if you like that sort of thing. I'm afraid I nearly broke my eyes rolling them.

Clare Swatman weaves such beautiful, immersive stories in such effortless ways that you forget you're reading and really feel part of that world as if it were real. I've read a few other books by her and just adore her books. They are airy and easy, without being empty or hollow.

I loved the premise of this book. I'd never read anything like that before -piecing together the puzzle of clues in dreams. It was so unique and done so well. I loved Miranda's friendships, life changes, and personal growth (though I do wish there had been more focus on personal growth outside of romance alone). Lovely and engaging, I'm so grateful I got to read.

Loved this, a good feel good book that has such a pleasant vibe!
I relate it similarly to the 7 year slip and other similar books!

As soon as I saw this book, I knew it was the one for me. I loved the cover and the plot really interested me. Miranda needs a change in her life but she does not know what that is. Nothing is satisfying her right now but when she is involved in an accident she sees her life flash before her and starts to get recurring dreams about this man. So she goes on a journey to find this man, the one she thinks is the love of her life. But will she finally get her happily ever after what she has been craving for, for so long. I loved this book from start to finish, it was a light and easy read and make me laugh through out. A really good storyline that is brimming full of relatable characters. It was a feel good read and I now need to read more of Clare's books.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Five Things I Love About You is a heartfelt and uplifting read about fresh starts, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways life can lead us to love. At 49, Miranda is at a crossroads—until a bike accident and a series of mysterious dreams send her on a journey to track down the man who keeps appearing in her subconscious. What follows is a charming, feel-good story filled with friendship, fate, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone.

I was fully invested in Miranda’s journey, especially in the first half, where she takes bold steps to shake up her life. Her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie were a highlight, adding warmth and humour that grounded the story. I loved that, even though romance was at the core, it also felt like a journey of reinvention—at least at first.

However, in the latter part of the book, I found myself wishing for more focus on Miranda’s personal growth rather than just her romantic choices. Her detour into a relationship with Jay and the lack of communication with Matt made the plot feel a little more predictable than I’d hoped. While I enjoyed the love story overall, I would have loved to see Miranda’s journey celebrate more than just finding “the one.”

That said, Clare Swatman’s writing is engaging, and the themes of love, fate, and second chances are beautifully woven throughout. While some plot choices didn’t fully land for me, this was a warm, enjoyable read that left me feeling hopeful. A solid recommendation for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction!

3🌟

49 year old Miranda is a divorced empty nester who is looking for the next thing in life. Miranda gets in a bike accident where she runs into a handsome mystery man. After the accident she cannot stop thinking, or should I say dreaming about him. After months of feeling like she knows this man more than their small encounter she starts her next adventure to seek out this mystery man. Is he her soulmate?

I can relate to Miranda’s story as a mom of a child who is growing up fast, I now struggle to find my next adventure & find myself outside of motherhood.

While I really enjoyed the concept of this book, the romance fell a little flat to me. I would’ve loved more story surrounding Matt.

🤍 new beginnings
🤍 soulmates & fate
🤍 self discovery
🤍 female friendship

Thank you netgalley, bold wood books & Clare Swatman for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

*Five Things I Love About You* by Clare Swatman is a sweet, emotional romance with a unique premise. The story revolves around a love letter that lists the five things the protagonist loves about her partner, which leads to a journey of love, loss, and self-discovery. The characters are relatable, and the relationship feels authentic, though some of the plot elements can be a bit predictable. While the writing is engaging and poignant, the story is more about the emotional growth of the characters than the romance itself. It's an enjoyable read for fans of contemporary romance, though it doesn't feel overly groundbreaking. Perfect for those looking for a heartfelt, easy read.