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It Takes Two

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A fabulously feel-good romance.

Alison Warner knows love doesn’t always last. Wedded bliss is hit and miss and she’s not taking any chances. She’s the daughter of divorce lawyers, so Ali knows the statistics by heart. Now her parents are adding to the numbers and Ali’s more certain than marriage is not for her.

Others do not share her views. Her cousin Sasha’s got engaged; her best friend Jules is giving ‘Bridezilla’ new meaning and even her crazy gran, Gertie’s dogs are getting hitched. When her life-long friend, Simon Hart unexpectedly proposes, Ali’s convinced the world’s gone mad.

Having an arrogant new boss is the last thing Ali needs right now. Aidan Rourke has come to run The Shimmering River and Water Sports Centre – a job that should have been Ali’s. But at least she can be sure of one thing. Marriage is definitely not on Aidan’s mind. Although it’s abundantly clear something else is...

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 19, 2017

173 people are currently reading
72 people want to read

About the author

Emily Harvale

73 books215 followers
Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She believes in love at first sight and she loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn't always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily loves to connect with her readers. In addition to her newsletter, she has a readers' group on Facebook, where she shares all her latest news and even gets readers involved in choosing titles, book covers and more. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at https://www.emilyharvale.com

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not writing, Emily says she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, but she’s more likely to be found with friends, enjoying a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, and definitely some cake. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats, Beatrix and Portia, who like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.

Catch up with Emily on her website https://www.emilyharvale.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalew... or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

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5 stars
290 (50%)
4 stars
143 (24%)
3 stars
109 (18%)
2 stars
30 (5%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,272 reviews567 followers
August 14, 2017
A sheer pleasure to read, I was hooked on this easy to read, fast flowing story, that despite the blurb had far less weddings than I was expecting. In fact although Ali and Simons friends all seem to be getting engaged around them, there was only one wedding in the entire book, which I found quite refreshing.

Which meant that the book had a slightly different focus, and that is on Ali, her parent's argumentative relationship, Ali's friendship with Simon, her new boss at the Shimmering River and Water Sports Centre, Aiden, and also her friendships.

As the book is written in the third person, even though most of the chapters focus on Ali, there are occasional glimpses into Simon and Aiden's lives too. Aiden is a smooth talking, rich lothario and is someone my opinion changed about regularly. Simon on the other hand is Ali's long time best friend, but things became awkward after a proposal, which may or may not have been in jest.

There is a kayaking scene in which I found the dialogue to be quite witty and clever, while seeing what the town looked like from the river was quite novel too.

I have no idea how but I read this cover to cover in under three hours, in one sitting. I just couldn't tear myself away and as the chapters were generally quite short, even if you are the sort that continually says "just one more chapter" you may end up even further than you expected before you know it.

I am a huge fan of Emily Harvale's books and have been for many years, and this one is incredibly enjoyable, well written and even features one of the most unlikely weddings I've ever seen. Add to it warring divorce lawyers, a grandma who seems a bit off the wall, a bride-zilla of a best friend, a massive engagement party to open the book, and a character who doesn't believe in marriage and you have all the ingredients for It Takes Two, a fabulous romantic comedy.

Thank you to Emily Harvale for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nessa.
1,823 reviews69 followers
February 20, 2022
I’ve read a fair few books by author Emily this year and I’m really enjoying them all. My only regret is that I didn’t get around to reading any of her books sooner.

This was a lovely story, delightful and fun, plenty of laugh out loud moments. Wonderful characters, all well written as was the story.

I’m truly glad that Ali ended up with who she did, but then a I had a feeling she would as the other guy just clearly didn’t come up to par, not even close.

Already looking forward to my next read by Emily Harvale in the future.
Profile Image for Katie.
432 reviews146 followers
October 19, 2017
I found It Takes Two by Emily Harvale to be a quick, enjoyable, lighthearted read that I absolutely adored. This was my first book by Emily that I've read but it was brilliant and I just loved her writing style.

To be honest, I didn't read the blurb before starting and I only got it off kindle unlimited because of the cover, how beautiful is the cover. I was pleasantly surprised by the story, I enjoyed getting to know Ali and her family and friends in this stunning town location.

I loved Simon, he seemed like such a sweetheart and I was laughing at Gertie and her crazy antics. I would love to revisit Ali and her friends again at a later date, there's so much more that can be explored.

I will definitely be checking out Emily's other books though, I'm a new found fan!
66 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2017
Absolutely adorable!

Defiantly one of the sweetest books I've ever read! The characters were fun, quirky and very likeable. It's always fun to read a romantic comedy written in British English. I love the setting of this book as well. The small river town sounds like a magical place. What a great place to live!
I was a little bit put out with Ali's parents. I'm glad they grew up before the story ended!
Profile Image for Jane Willis.
181 reviews13 followers
October 11, 2017
A perfect "comfort food" book - undemanding and yet satisfying, perfect to brighten up a dreary October day. Although I could tell by the end of page 2 how the story would turn out, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through to the natural conclusion.
The characters, particularly the female ones, were very well written, and Ali's grandmother Gertie is the beat written of them all - I hope when I reach her age I will be like her, witty, insightful and not afraid to speak my mind.
1,870 reviews31 followers
August 11, 2017
Another brilliant read from the lovely Emily Harvale. Emily really knows how to write a love story at it's best. I think from this book is that communication is key to a healthy relationship. I wonder if there will be more from these characters as I felt as though I had only just got to know them which I suppose I had but we will have to wait and see.
88 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2021
Wonderful

Loved this book and all its characters, was sorry to get to the end but must say I loved the outcome. Emily can make any story an enjoyable read and look forward to my next book.
Profile Image for Kate Burton.
35 reviews
July 25, 2017
A lesson .....

A fantastic read, and a lesson on how important communication is to a relationship. Would love to to more about these characters.
1 review
August 26, 2017
Lovely feel-good clean fun

Perfect quick read. Characters were lively, fun and it hit the spot, with the quirky twists and passionate zeal for love.
112 reviews
January 1, 2018
Good read!

Nicely done. Moved a little fast toward the end but over all a good love story! Thanks for the entertainment.
25 reviews
February 11, 2018
Refreshing

Lovely very refreshing story which kept you guessing who she would choose wonderful from the start to finish read and enjoy
24 reviews
December 27, 2020
Ok

I always love Emily’s books but this one didn’t grab me like usual sorry Emily but this is the first one to miss 😘
Profile Image for Maria ruskin.
39 reviews
December 31, 2020
Wow what a book

This book as all before it had me hooked from the get go, I loved the characters (even Aiden). Thank you Emily for yet again, another fantastic well written book
Xx
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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