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Asking for a Friend

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No woman gets left behind

Three best friends are going to solve their relationship woes once and for all

Forty-something Jemima’s life is on track – well, sort of, she just needs to bat her troublesome ex away for good.

Twenty-something Meagan is in the midst of her five-phase plan and is nearly ready for phase three: a relationship.

While thirty-something Simi has had more it’s not yous than any I dos.

These best friends decide it’s time to ditch the dating apps and play the love game by their own rules. They’re going to ask people out in real life…but only for each other. What could possibly go wrong?

Comedian Andi Osho’s hilarious and uplifting debut novel features her trademark wit and is perfect for fans of Candice Carty-Williams, Talia Hibbert and Jasmine Guillory.

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 21, 2021

243 people are currently reading
7642 people want to read

About the author

Andi Osho

4 books30 followers
Yewande "Andi" Osho (born 27 January 1973) is a British stand-up comedian, actress and television presenter.

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5 stars
264 (9%)
4 stars
726 (25%)
3 stars
1,146 (40%)
2 stars
537 (18%)
1 star
185 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 383 reviews
1,657 reviews107 followers
January 3, 2021
I loved this debut novel it was funny and very refreshing. I loved all the character and was intrigued by all of them. I do hope his author will write more in the future.
Profile Image for Caterina Fucecchi.
60 reviews7 followers
March 8, 2021
I guess at this point we can safely say that light reads are not for me, but this was a torture. I hate not finishing books so even though I didn’t like it from the beginning, I kept going hoping it would get better. It didn’t.
I hated all three of the girls so much, they were unlikeable, weak, superficial and acted like hormonal teenage girls. I kept forgetting they were grown women. How is Simi being a 35yo even believable? She literally acts like a child.
The whole book was full of cliches, it was predictable, the punctuation was all over the place and the “big reveals” towards the end of the book were one more disappointing than the other. I lost count on how many times I rolled by eyes. This book was supposed to be funny and I didn’t laugh once. Not even by mistake. She was really trying too hard to be funny and it didn’t translate at all. Instead, what she got was overly exaggerated and unbelievable situations and character reactions.
On top of everything, she really didn’t leave much to the imagination because she had to write down every single thought that went through the characters’ head. How about show don’t tell? this book could have been half the length and would have worked just fine. I didn’t care about the outcome, I didn’t care about how the girls ended up.

I’m so frustrated that I wasted time reading this book when there isn’t a single good thing I can say about it, expect that at least it was reduced in price when I bought it.

I’m glad I finished it so now I can finally move on and enjoy a decent book.
Profile Image for K.J. Charles.
Author 65 books11.9k followers
Read
July 17, 2021
Energetically over the top tale of three women setting each other up on dates, ruined for me because it feels unedited. It reads like a first draft. I got to 38% because I like Osho's comedy and it had some very funny lines, but my god, why didn't the publisher put some work in? Could have been enormous fun, and doubtless is for those who are less bothered by this stuff than me.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,572 reviews174 followers
February 20, 2021
I loved the diversity of the three women in this story. I was initially connected to Jemima and gradually grew to care more about the other two women. This is a comic story about women trying to secure themselves in love after such abysmal relationships.

The narrative shifts between each woman’s perspective. Jemima, the oldest, is a writer and struggling to create a romantic back-story for her successful heroine. With no inspiration from her own love-life, Jemima cannot understand why her editors want this element to her novel. I really enjoyed the insight into the publishing world and feel that Osho has captured the struggles that writers face when trying to reach their final, approved draft.

Meagan is a very entertaining character. I loved her fiery responses and short-temper – I think she would intimidate me if I was her friend! One thing is for certain is her loyalty to her friends. Whilst she does not always make the right judgements, she is desperate to ensure that they are protected by her friendship. Meagan runs an agency for comedians and is struggling with her “friend with benefits” who clearly is moving to wanting more from their physical relationship. It was only as the story was really developed that I grew to like Meagan more and more; I thought she was dominated a lot by Jemima’s narrative instead.

Finally, Simi was the character I struggled to engage with the most. She seems really bland and insipid. This is partly deliberate from the author as it reflects the need for the dating game in the first place. Simi is clingy and cannot understand why her relationships repeatedly fail. When we are first introduced to her, she is presented in classic “break-up mode”: crying, snivelling, refusing to shower etc. Thankfully, Meagan and Jemima rally around to pull her out of her low mood and this is how the dating game is developed. Simi is a failing actor who cannot secure a decent audition. Meagan is her agent, but it soon becomes clear that by Simi blindly following Meagan’s advice is not the way to be successful. Over the story, I think it is Simi is matures the most and it was by the closing chapters that I really grew to respect her character. Simi evolves and I think I really liked her by the end and applauded her strength and determination; she has found her identity and does not feel the need to conform to other people’s expectations.

This was an entertaining story about trying to find love. The variety of men that are introduced on dates are broad and provided many chuckles. Scenarios that I am sure readers can relate to, I loved the different locations we are taken to in London – especially the cereal bar! It made for a really varied and interesting read, complementing the three women’s different personalities.

A strong debut novel, I think this will delight many readers. It is funny and relatable with interesting characters. Although it took me a while to warm to all of the women, I think there are many characteristics that we can all relate to on our own paths to love.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jodie.
4 reviews
August 22, 2021
I was so disappointed with this read.

Firstly, the element of the dating game is oversold; it just serves as a springboard to emphasise that all the women are single and have a different approach and history when it comes to romance. I was hoping for something fun and lighthearted, something to make me laugh, but really it just felt quite flat. It felt like this was marketed as the main storyline, but really it was just a subplot to reintroduce the fairly toxic and enabling relationship between the three protagonists.

The characters were not in the least bit likeable or relatable. They were varying degrees of naive, childish and embarrassing. I enjoyed the concept of 3 dissimilar women having a powerful friendship but in practice this wasn't met; I was ultimately left wondering why on earth these three women bothered maintaining a friendship that felt so empty and devoid of anything except a history of friendship.

The ending was also so disappointing, the elements of bad friendship and all wrong-doing being cast aside so abruptly just made little sense.

I was hoping for a comedic, light-hearted chick-lit book and I got a group of 3 women acting with minimal emotional intelligence and excusing bad behaviours with their past that never really got explained and a stream of messy dialogue that didn't allow for the reader to use any intuition.

2.5 stars rounded down (3 just felt too generous)
Profile Image for Jazz Webb.
400 reviews94 followers
January 29, 2021
Asking for a friend is centred around 3 women Jamima, Simi and Meagan they are as close as best friends can be. All their love lives suck! Jemima has a stalkery (although harmless) ex, Simi falls in love at the drop of a hat but her relationships never work and Meagan has a friend with benefits. So they create a dating game where they pick dates for each other in an effort to help Simi stay away from her usual type. However Jemima is using the experience to help influence her book and Meagan seems to be using it to distance herself from Todd (her friend with benefits).

I really enjoyed this book chick flicks aren't my usual go to book but I am glad to have read this debut novel by Andi Osho. The dating game element of the book I found funny, it just felt like something me and my best mate might do. The element of the book that kept me going was the intense relationship of the women. Their friendship just felt so real, most of us have at least one friend you have on speed dial and I loved that they had two. Each woman brought something to the story and that really strengthened it.

The story could of easily been one of those books that constantly bashes men but this story allows each women to see into themselves why they seeked out the relationships they had and try and explore how to change their habits.

It was one of those obvious love stories and you can tell that from grafter one but I forgive the author that because it actually was needed for the character progression.

Summary of each woman:

Simi: is a struggling actress signed to Meagans agency. Her shocking love life kicks off the whole dating game thing as she is dumped yet again. She is a very trusting person and at times quite ditsy. She can come across as immature but it's clear she just wants to be loved but also finds ways to sabotage herself.

Jemima: is a author and an established one at that. She runs when things get hard and she bolts so much so she is considering throughout the book whether or not to go to America to get away from her ex! She won't let people in and I think its because she is afraid of getting hurt. But she loves her friends and thats why some of her actions throughout the story do surprise me.

Meagan: is a comedy agent and a good one. She is an angry person though she seems to want to push people away before they can hurt her. Her relationship with Todd is a clear example of that. She comes up with the dating game but her intentions aren't all they seem to be. Her friends are afraid to upset her, but she clearly loves her friends deeply. She would do anything for them. She came from nothing and has built herself up.

In summary I really enjoyed this book I laughed out loud throughout but it also had me in tears. The book having 3 black ladies as leads as well I love, as a black woman myself its often hard to feel myself reflected in characters but I could in this book. I really wasn't sure when I picked it up but I struggled to put it back down. The writing is witty and the storyline is good. Like I said the dating game is neither here nor that for me the bond and friendship is something I loved reading about. I am giving 4 stars today, so close to 5 but I so think the predictability did let it down slightly I was hoping for a slight twist. My favourite woman was Meagan she is so funny. 4/5 stars


Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and Andi Osho for the digital advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.
1 review
February 8, 2021
Very poorly written book. Im half way through and now given up. The narrative is all over the place and one thing I really hate is the way the author has elongated words such as “yooooou” and “aaaaaalright” and sticking babes at the end of sentances, it takes away from the characters and their Intellect. We get it.. they’re mates and they talk like that but its so overdone that its cringe worthy. I’m only half way through and the story may become a good story but I can’t deal with any more “babes”, “mates” and “she replied” and “she said’s” it’s too basic.... sorry babes this just doesn’t do it for mate and I so badly wanted to enjoy it!
Profile Image for Stephen Clynes.
641 reviews39 followers
March 6, 2021
Remember years ago before online dating apps you could persuade one of your friends to approach a stranger to put in a good word on your behalf to ask them out for a date. The common used phrase at the time was “Asking for a Friend”. Move forward to the current day and follow 3 best friends as they share good and bad times, plus a number of dates.

I loved the format of this novel. Each chapter is from the point of view of the 3 best friends, Jemima 42, Meagan 29 and Simi 35. There is a strict linear time frame so that when you start a new chapter, it follows the moment after the previous chapter ended, even if the same characters are still in the same room. This made this novel extremely easy to follow and made the reader feel like the fly on the wall. In many ways the dynamics and chemistry of this book is the same as the popular British television series Birds of a Feather.

I think the writing quality is very high and with an extensive vocabulary. The pace is lovely with good editing, so there are no slow or boring bits. The story is a continuous roll as though you are living along with the characters. I found this novel to be engaging, bright and refreshing with a huge feel good factor.

Character development is very good and although it is centred around 3 women, this novel should appeal to male readers too. This is because Andi Osho is a successful British stand up comedian and her humour appeals to both genders. Of course men find some things especially funny, so here are my top 3 from this book…

‘You got her to take a shower?’ said Jemima as Meagan walked back into the living room. ‘She smelt like a steak bake, babes.’

What happened to the cursory ‘hi’ followed by a frantic quickie? One time they’d got down to it so fast it was only afterwards she realised she still had her handbag on her shoulder.

Nether regions that felt like a pounded chicken escalope. Yep. Sex had taken place.

… I wonder if Andi knows how many men are attracted by the smell of steak bakes? Apart from the thought of making love to a girl smelling like a steak bake, there is a fair amount of romance in this story but nothing to offend your grandmother or 69 year old wife.

Andi is a very intelligent woman and by coincidence I saw a repeat on television the other night of her appearing on The Chase back in 2017. The 3 other contestants did not get through to the final round, so Andi was on her own against the Chaser. Generally the Chaser always wins in this television quiz as it is their day job. However, Andi was so good at the vast range of questions, she beat the Chaser and won £7,000 for charity.

Asking for a Friend is the debut novel that is simply a pleasure to read. I was really impressed by the quality and her talent shines bright. I think this book is an OUTSTANDING read that gets the top score of 5 stars from me. This story would make a great television comedy drama to be broadcast after the 21:00 watershed, maybe sponsored by Greggs.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HQ Harper Collins for giving me a copy on the understanding that I post a review.
Profile Image for Angie Greenwood.
7 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2021
What an annoying read

Grant the reader with some intelligence
Unless this book is geared for teenagers I would avoid.
Reluctantly abandoned at 13%
Profile Image for Karen Andrew.
753 reviews53 followers
February 5, 2021
What a great read. Its one of those beach read books.

I fell in love with the characters who all want to find the one. They are hopeless romantics and I love that they are all there for one another.

It's cute, romantic and fun and a must read for anyone wanting an easy read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Mery.
329 reviews9 followers
August 30, 2021
This was ridiculous. Bloody spoilers ahead and a full on rant:





The main character behaves like an awful friend hurting everyone and everything for personal gain or fear. No character is flawless but she goes on and screws people's feelings for her personal professional gain. And by the end everyone just forgives her, because... that is what friends are for, right? What about what type of friend SHE is or is supposed to be??
Unrealistic in the portray of female friendship relationships. Unrealistic in the portray of men and love relationships.
What guy puts up with the type of mess up behavior Jemima throws on Chance's face over and over? Yes honey, I have never even been on a date or even kissed you but as I am on love with you... just because (wtf) I will allow all your crazy bitch stunts and wait for your to grow and let me love you... IN WHAT WORLD???
Megan and Jemima are awful to most men in their lives just because someone hurt them. Well boo hoo, that happened to everyone and not all women are acting like crazy bitches with any man crossing their way. Having a past, having been heart broken does not excuse using men, experimenting with them, researching them. If this book were about 3 male friends playing "the dating game" it would be crucified, talk about double standards. And except for Miles, all other guys were pretty cool...
Finally, true best friends do not, I repeat, DO NOT hide or lie as much as these women did to each other. It was not miscommunication, it was toxic relationship material.
And to top it all:I did not laugh at all. Not even once.
There is no saving grace, just don't read it.
Profile Image for Fon E.
241 reviews
April 16, 2021
If not for my disinclination to ever abandon a book - feels too much like admitting defeat- I wouldn't have gone much past half way in this one. I'll admit firstly that this is not the genre I usually go for. Romantic comedy is not my thing. But sometimes it's good to try something different. However, this book wasn't funny and wasn't very romantic either. The three characters it's centered around, Jemima, Meagan and Simi are in their 40's, 30's and 20's respectively but acted and behaved like characters in a bad film set in an American high school. I found them much more frustrating than endearing. Instead of hoping they would find themselves a fella and live happily ever after, I was more inclined to hope the men in question had the sense to turn tail and run and escape them.

Not for me, this one.
Profile Image for Bookgrrl.
341 reviews7 followers
January 17, 2022
I am really disappointed in this book, so I’m going to try and keep this review short and sweet. Frankly I hated the three main characters. They are so over-the-top and so incredibly immature that it is hard to believe they are grown women. Their ages range from late 20s to early 40s, but I would almost swear I’m reading about high school students, that’s how bad they are, in particular Simi. In addition, this is being billed as “hilarious“ because the author is a comedian in the UK, but the comedy attempts are just cringy and clichéd. I really am sorry that I don’t have anything positive to say.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harper 360 for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Janilyn Kocher.
4,969 reviews113 followers
December 22, 2021
An amusing tread about three friends who navigate the choppy waters of the dating world. Each friend has her own special angst and it was fun to read about their foibles. Dating is difficult, no matter what age, and keeping a good sense of humor while trying to find your special partner is good. Of course, reading about dating is more fun than dating, especially for this book. Thanks to Edelweiss, NetGalley, and Harper 360 for the early copy.
Profile Image for Yvonne Olson.
893 reviews20 followers
October 29, 2021
Asking for a Friend was a cute book that took some emotional situations to the extreme, and it made the book feel a little less fun.
Profile Image for Jodie.
491 reviews8 followers
February 8, 2021
I requested an arc through NetGalley for this as I was a fan of the authors stand up. I was really pleased to see a release from her.

The story follows three friends in London who are in varying stages of their lives with work and relationships. They decide to play a game where each of them asks out people on a date on behalf of their friends.

The humour in this is excellent, belly laughs. It was exactly what I was looking for in a fun, contemporary, chick-flick style book. It was predictable but I think it was still a satisfying journey.

It did suffer a little from the ‘Just Communicate!!!’ Frustrations a lot of the time and that was the only let down for me.

The real success in this is the characters, I could see this making a great TV series.

Recommend for fans of Sex in the City and Queenie.
Profile Image for Jennifer (Jaye) (checking back in slowly).
1,067 reviews56 followers
March 4, 2021
Asking for a Friend
By Andi Osho

*Friends & Revelations*

Three best friends Jemima a writer trying to find a way of giving her lead character a personal life, while having huge commitment issues herself which stifle her progress

Meagan trying to make her way in the world as an acting agent come so many things and everything has to be on her terms. She has huge control issues.

Simi is the actress trying to land The part to set her up. In her personal life she is a dreamer who wears her heart on her sleeve and cannot help planning her imaginary wedding with every relationship is she blinkered???

Now they decide to make a change in their dating life and play the dating game. All dating apps are banned. No side pieces and they must look for dates on behalf of each other by asking on behalf of each other...... is there a snag....

What will they learn from this, how will their relationship be tested.....
Profile Image for Dana.
155 reviews
September 11, 2022
2.5 stars

Elements I enjoyed: I did enjoy the variety of characters in this book- including having three friends of different ages. The background story of their meeting and subsequent friendship seemed realistic.

Elements I disliked: This was almost a DNF for me, but I kept hanging in thinking it would get better. I am not a fan of this trend where characters engage in bad behavior, mistreat others and excuse it all because of their life circumstances. Leave innocent people alone and go to therapy. It seems that a lot of writing rewards this behavior, especially in female characters...
Profile Image for Katie M.
694 reviews31 followers
March 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! I thought the dating game was cute and I loved the characters. I found it a little slow at times, but overall it was a great book. It really shows that you can be happy when you think about the others around you. If you’re looking for a great romcom with three besties, this one is for you!
Profile Image for Lexi Huron.
51 reviews
April 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, especially since I also have 2 bestfriends and we are quite the trio. I loved Meagan and her tough love, Simi with her always needing guidance and her friends, Jem being the neutral friend.
Profile Image for Natalie.
397 reviews17 followers
December 21, 2021
You see a lot of books with multiple perspectives, normally a romance with a pov form each person. This one has three pov’s, following a group best friends.

I really enjoyed the different perspectives but I really wanted more from Chance. I thought the characters were well developed and it did make me happy. But there was a little too much drama for the ages of these women! I still enjoyed it.

A special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Profile Image for Lilly.
70 reviews4 followers
April 9, 2021
A bit expositional throughout but once you lean into it it’s just a heartfelt, light read that leaves you feeling like part of the group of girls. Characters were messy and authentic. It’s probably a 3.5 but I’m rounding up because I think Andi did a great job at making them relatable and likeable and that makes up for the occasional predictable plot point!
Profile Image for Ritu Bhathal.
Author 6 books152 followers
December 22, 2020
It's a crazy time right now, and any excuse to fall into a world that takes you away from the horrors we are living through, right now, right?
I got approval for this book yesterday, and read and finished it today.
That is how invested I ended up, in the story!
Three friends, all with backstories of their won, that mould the women they've become.
One an aspiring actor, one an agent and one an author.
Love and relationships are both things that all three find hard to come by.
Then the chance to help each other out by playing a dating game, brings some relief, some giggles, but brings other issues to the surface.
I really enjoyed this, and one takeaway lesson... remember, if you're talking to a writer, you never know how much of what you're saying may just end up in a future book...!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for blaize !.
192 reviews
December 15, 2022
okay so i really really really wanted to like this book and up until about half way in i did!

i liked the dating game and i loved the chemistry between the characters but it all went downhill when the girls kept cycling into their old patterns over and over. Because it switches between each of their povs it was 3x the annoyance.

also, i just found it so hard to believe that these were grown women like are adults really running around being this disastrous? if so, i’m not looking forward to adulthood.

not the best start to bhm :(
Profile Image for Liv (llivsbooks).
25 reviews53 followers
March 1, 2021
In typical me fashion, I initially chose to buy and read this because I thought the cover was pretty :)

This would be the perfect beach read. The chapters alternate between three best friends; Meagan, Simi and Jemima, who are in their 20s, 30s and 40s respectively. The age differences mean they are in different stages of their lives career-wise, but all have one thing in common: they're single and wanting to find The One. They decide to play a game where they each have to find a single man for their friend to date. The concept is fun but would terrify me, personally!

This was a light-hearted and easy read, with laugh-out-loud jokes and a chick-flick feel. I expected the story to be a one-by-one recount of their dates, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this centred around their strong and admirable friendship with one another, despite their differences. As with all friendships, there were issues, mainly with communication (I found myself thinking "just spit it out!!!" several times).

I'd recommend for anyone looking for a quick, easy read with a light-hearted feel and plenty of fun.
Profile Image for Anna.
45 reviews3 followers
December 28, 2020
A lovely romance novel which is perfect for a beachy read!

I like the diverse set of characters who are on a quest to find the One but are not having a lot of success on their own. I thought the idea of your friends picking your next date was an intriguing idea and also that Jemima, Meagan and Simi were focused on their careers as well as wanting boyfriends.

It was a quite funny but not always my type of humour. I would recommend to those that love rom-com novels.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.
Profile Image for Kel.
597 reviews16 followers
March 5, 2021
I love trying a new author and enjoyed reading this book about the trio of friends. A story based around the general ups and downs of their love lives and how they had been shaped into the women they have become. The storyline was funny making me chuckle throughout and I liked how we got to know each of the friends separately and how different they were.

A great read, that I enjoyed but it didn't quite provide the escapism I've been craving lately in a book. I will be looking our for this author again as I liked her humour and whole idea behind the story.

A very solid 3.5*
Profile Image for Risa.
762 reviews31 followers
February 12, 2023
3.5ish stars

I liked this book, but I was hoping to love it, and it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It was light/funny and more serious by turns, and I enjoyed many elements of the character and major plot points, but the story didn’t completely hold my attention, and some elements felt a bit needlessly melodramatic. It wasn’t my favourite book in the romcom genre, but it was still a worthwhile and entertaining enough reading experience.

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.
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