Ready for love

by Jon Appleton

Looking for love? Looking to leave? Moving on? Moving in? Or just getting by

This sparkling debut comedy is for fans of Bridget Jones and Cold Feet.

Meet 30-somethings Minna and Jeff, who really ought to be a couple. Now meet the people who keep them apart - and the people who bring them together.\

This fresh and funny debut is a sitcom-in-a-novel - about people just like you - that will keep you smiling on your journey to and from work each day.\

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2016

Reviews

[Vicki White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of detailed observation which sometimes left me a little frustrated. I have never worked in a typical office environment and it seems I am missing out! I liked the main characters and the outcome but just wished there was more for the other characters who we had also come to know quite well within the story. Nothing too taxing, a nice read...

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start by stating what three stars means to me. It means “I liked” the book as opposed to “really really liked” it (4 stars) or “loved it to the point of doing backflips” (5 stars).

I went with a 3 star review because I wanted more raw emotions on the page so I could connect with the characters better instead of feeling like they were constantly at arm’s length from me. Less frenzied/rushed storytelling, better plotting, might also have helped me to connect with the characters better. And possibly other things contributed to my tepid reactions that I can’t entirely put my fingers on.

This is a light, romantic-comedy as billed, so to factor out for reader bias perhaps just check out the free sample to see if you can ignore my at-arm’s-length perspective.

(note: I was provided an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review)

[R_B _16 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve agonised over this review a bit as I am quite undecided on this book. The story is about Minna and Jeff and the minutiae of their lives. In fact, I wonder whether the name “Minna” is derived from “minutiae”. The writer painted a great picture with lots of attention to detail and in places I really felt a sense of angst from the main characters. I can see from other reviewers that they loved the fact they could recognise characters from their own lives in this story… the various types you find in office setting and surroundings. Everyone has probably worked with a Kerry or lived with a Niamh. But I’d have liked to see a bit more resolution in this story, such as finding out if any of the more unpleasant characters got their come-uppance, or suffered any consequences for their actions. We were given a subtle glimpse into their motives and I’d have liked to know more.

I liked the language and vocabulary used in the story, but I didn’t find myself overly endeared to any of the characters. Even our main protagonists were a bit annoying and their neuroses started to grate on me. I didn’t feel like I was desperate for things to go one way or the other for them.

The paragraphs on the kindle edition need to be separated out more as a lot of “scenes” (as it were) need to be differentiated. Paragraphs seem to run into each other without pausing for breath, which sometimes made me wonder if I’d accidentally tapped the page too many times and run ahead.

In summary, I liked the writing but didn’t love the characters and would have liked a but more development from the story.

I was given this book to review by THE Book Club (TBC) in return for an honest review.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good first book. I enjoyed the writing itself. The cover is very eye catching and makes you stop. Minna's work friends were funny and enjoyable to read especially Adam - I felt sorry for him as he didn't seem to get a break before something else occurred.

I enjoyed Minna's view point more than Jeff's. I felt that she had a lot more to say and a lot more happened in her life. I actually found Jeff boring. I would of preferred chapters as it's easier to read and the ending was very rushed. There was all this build up and description but not much interaction then a rushed ending.

The secondary characters were good and was interesting to hear about them. I would like a follow up and have a spin off.

Thanks goes to Jon and The Book Club for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a gentle read with characters that exhibit characteristics we are sure to recognise amongst our friends, family and colleagues. It dealt with two key characters, alternating as we see them try to find their place in life: both at work and in their relationships. There was some humour in the situations that the focal characters find themselves in and in their internal self doubt although I didn't feel that I entirely engaged with them as people. There were quite a few secondary characters and I would perhaps have liked to meet less of those but get to know them more. I did like the book and have no significant criticism but I didn't love it.
I received this book via TBC

[Karen Farrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gentle easy read about two main characters and their love lives and their attraction to each other. The book went into great detail about the characters and the supporting cast i.e. their friends, colleagues and family. The "supporting cast" could have been someone in your friendship group or office which made the book very believable. I would have been happier to hear what happened to the couple and their friends/colleagues and felt although the book was very descriptive the ending was too abrupt. I would read more by this author in the future as the book was nicely written.

[Between The Pages (Gemma M) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to TBC for allowing me a copy of this story, I have voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Ready to love is an average romance/chick-lit story! I awarded three stars as it personally took me a while to get into the story (half way through) and a few days to finish! Ready to Love does not contains chapters, instead the story is split into four long parts and personally I prefer chapters. However, the story is written well, has a beautiful ending and I love the cover! Enjoy.

[Emma Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel by Jon Appleton. The authors simple,well observed dialogue meant the characters felt more like friends. This book had dilemmas of relationships,families friends and strangers. Ninja is the main character and I absolutely loved her! :) It's a light hearted read :). I will booking out for more of his books.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great read ive finished recently, good light hearted humour - you can't go wrong with this kinda book :)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy going read that unfortunately took me a while to get into . Nice likeable characters

[Meg Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 40 pages

This was incredibly dull. Nothing was happening. They just spent 5 pages trying to track down a missing colleague who didn't show for work and then didn't explain where she was when she walked in late.

The FMC seems to have no wants or needs. Things are just happening to her (like breaking up with her boyfriend while on holiday in Australia or finding out another ex-boyfriend is gay) and she just moves along. No strong thoughts or feelings about these events.

And it's written in a very choppy way. There are LOTS of secondary characters and NONE are particularly distinct and there are big group scenes and so you don't really know who's who and why they are there.

Seriously, there was three pages of one of the FMC characters coworkers getting upset because the man at the sandwich shop didn't remember his order even though he is a regular. A whole office of people discussing this like it was incredibly serious and deep. AND THEN THEY ALL MOVED ON.

Maybe it's meant to appeal to fans of the Office? But it was just boring and pretty clear why the only other written reviews of this were people given ARCs.

[Clare Wakelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Jon and TBC for sending me this book in exchange for a honest review. I really liked this book. Its fun, light and easy to read. The characters are brilliant, they could be any of your friends or family. Loved that it gave you insight into the main characters and their view of life and love. I'm not really a chic lit type of girl but worth the 4 stars because of the reasons above.