The Ick

Absolutely loved this book! I loved the characters storyline and could relate to being a bit picky when it comes to finding a partner. I loved how our MC took part in her friends study and I was so curious to read how it all worked out. It goes to show that not everything on paper is the same in real life and sometimes you could be surprised so don’t judge anybody.

Icks are something I find hilarious for the pure ridiculousness of some of them so a whole book about it intrigued me.

The MC is infuriating but not in a “can’t stand the book” way but in a way that made them interesting and added to the story. It’s rare I read a book where I want the MC to be forced to learn a lesson. Gem is not a bad person and I can see why she is the way she is but at parts I just wanted her friend to tell her to stop being so silly.

This is a fun read where you keep saying “just one more chapter”

Thank you to NetGalley and Dialogue Books for this ARC.

Gem loves Bollywood dancing and experimental toastie flavours and frequently gets the ick when dating, calling it intuition, warning her off an incompatible man before it's too late.

Her flatmate Shanti who is studying to become a clinical psychologist finds this hilarious and wants to include her on a paid study about whether the ick is real and serves a real purpose. She creates a contract that Gem needs to go on more dates with the same person over the next six weeks and spend time with him to see whether icks can be overcome or whether they have been a sensible warning from the start.

Gem only reluctantly participates because it will enable her to buy an all-singing all-dancing wheelchair for her mother Georgie so she has to worry less about her.

Enter Atlas: he is good-looking, with amazing hair and mesmerizing blue eyes, he dresses impeccably and is in any way perfect. Well, almost. His name is Atlas, he carries an embarrassingly large bag around, eats soup for lunch and loves football. Ick, ick, ick, ick.

This is an extremely predictable plot using the forced proximity trope to bring two people together who normally wouldn't have had more than one date. It is however done with charm, and both main characters as well as several side characters are well-rounded and interesting. Gem's caring relationship with her mother and Uncle Mike is explored well.

There is also an amusing and longstanding competition between Gem and Shanti going on to get scowly Jay from the cornershop to smile - just once will do!

This reads well and fast. Recommended for being fun and witty and exploring the high expectations we have of ourselves and others. I would read more from this author.