I kindly received a review copy in exchange for an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.

In 2021 I have set the goal of reading as many books as possible from my NetGalley Shelf. To increase my percentage. Especially those books that have been lying on the shelf for years, waiting to be read. One of them was It’s Now or Never by Jill Steeples. In the past I endjoyed her books and I was looking forward finally readying this novel. Let me give you a quick overview of what the book is about.

Jen has been in a nine-year relationship with her long-term boyfriend. The planning for the future wedding was already in full swing. The newly engaged were visiting bridal fairs, deciding on color scheme and so on. Anyway, that was until Paul had pulled the rug from beneath her feet and called the wedding off. Her life was on hold while everyone around her was moving forward with their lives.

Jen's gramps hands her a letter from her mum, that she had read shortly after her mum's death, but hasn't thought about or re-read since. She reads this letter and with the urging from her mum, she decides to make various life changes and become the woman her Mum was so certain she was destined to be. It`s now or never! First she quits her job. She became quite busy with temporary jobs and starting her own blog. In the meantime, at her best friend wedding she meets handsome Alex who charms her completely, but who apparently knows exactly how her life is going to pan out for the next year, because when they go out for a drink after the wedding Alex writes his prediction on a piece of paper and hands it to the bartender not to open for Jen until until a year has passed. What will happen in that year? Will Jen stand up for herself and change her life for the better and finally do the things she hasn't done? There is only one way to find out :-)

Overall, I liked and enjoyed the story of It’s Now or Never. In the beginning I was really intrigued by the premisis of this novel. I found It’s Now or Never to be a very slow starter, but once it got going, I was finding it harder to put down. Although I've got mixed feeling about this book.

I absolutely liked Jen, Alex, and the other side characters and I enjoyed following their story. I was able to connect very well with Jen because we have a lot in common. I'm currently in a very similar situation to her. After 9 years I will leave my job and make a fresh start. So I could understand very well how she felt. Nevertheless, I have to say that I found it a bit off putting that the story was so superficial. In my opinion it’s laking of details so that the reader can empathize with the story and the characters. For example, we never find out what happened in Jen’s previous relationship. Why was she so defensive in front of Alex (her best friends warning can't just be the only reason)? Anyway, the book is well written and the dialogues tangible. It doesn’t change the fact that I still think that Jill Steeples is a great storyteller. I am looking forward to her brand new books in 2022.

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will. Enjoy

What a cute story! I could picture the whole story in my head as I was reading it. This was my first time reading this author