What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Life
Dr Tess Carter is no starry-eyed heroine. After all, if your dad left without a backward glance you wouldn’t believe in romance either. And the voices in Tess’s head – you know, the ones that tell you you’re not good enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough – well, these voices are very loud. Very loud indeed. Especially when the disagreeable son of one of her patients starts challenging her every decision.
Edward Russell might have a big job and a posh voice, but Tess is determined not to let him get to her. And Edward, it turns out, may be less of a grump than he first appears…
In the real world, where gentlemanlike manners and out-of-the-blue declarations of love are a story-book fantasy, it’s up to Tess to decide whose voice to listen to … and how to make her own heard.
Edward Russell might have a big job and a posh voice, but Tess is determined not to let him get to her. And Edward, it turns out, may be less of a grump than he first appears…
In the real world, where gentlemanlike manners and out-of-the-blue declarations of love are a story-book fantasy, it’s up to Tess to decide whose voice to listen to … and how to make her own heard.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2021
11 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
August 14, 2023
I was initially thrown by this novel as it opens with the protagonist, Tess, seemingly on a talk show with a rather arrogant and insulting host. It sounded incredibly cruel but at the same time, reminiscent of how these chat shows can develop. Yet, when Jane Austen comes into the frame, I realised I had interpreted this too literally and there was more depth to this narrative.
The talk show host and Jane Austen are voices in Tess’s head. It is like having the Devil and Angel on your shoulder with one belittling and one supporting. In the earlier parts of the novel, the talk show host is dominant, viscously dragging Tess down and demeaning her. It shows how low her self-esteem is and poor Austen can do little to parry the self-inflicted blows. Furthermore, when I realised that Tess was purging as well to try and rid herself physically of these woes, it is evident that the protagonist is not the strong doctor that everyone perceives her to be.
This is the main element of the story and I thought it quite saddening. Naturally, working in a hospice was never going to be the foundation for a cheery story and the emotional journey that Tess undergoes really connected with me. Her main patient, Mary, is such a kind soul yet, readers know that her presence at the hospice is never going to end in a happy discharge. The story follows Tess as Mary undergoes aggressive therapy and the conflict that arises from family wanting the best, to what Mary personally chooses. It is a difficult situation and one that Tess has to navigate.
The love story was sweet but it did take a long time coming in the story. I think I yearned for this to be more prominent because of the sadness with Mary and the intense debates that Tess has in her head. Romance would have lightened the mood considerably and I think it would have become the story I was expecting.
On the other hand, the title is really clever, referring not just to the absence of romance in Tess’s life (which is what I initially interpreted it to be about), but also the importance of enjoying life as much as possible. This is therefore a reference to the hospice and I really appreciated the double meaning.
Overall, this was a pleasant story but with not enough cheer that I wanted. I thought the plot development was a bit slow and I struggled a bit with the harshness of Tess’s internal monologue.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The talk show host and Jane Austen are voices in Tess’s head. It is like having the Devil and Angel on your shoulder with one belittling and one supporting. In the earlier parts of the novel, the talk show host is dominant, viscously dragging Tess down and demeaning her. It shows how low her self-esteem is and poor Austen can do little to parry the self-inflicted blows. Furthermore, when I realised that Tess was purging as well to try and rid herself physically of these woes, it is evident that the protagonist is not the strong doctor that everyone perceives her to be.
This is the main element of the story and I thought it quite saddening. Naturally, working in a hospice was never going to be the foundation for a cheery story and the emotional journey that Tess undergoes really connected with me. Her main patient, Mary, is such a kind soul yet, readers know that her presence at the hospice is never going to end in a happy discharge. The story follows Tess as Mary undergoes aggressive therapy and the conflict that arises from family wanting the best, to what Mary personally chooses. It is a difficult situation and one that Tess has to navigate.
The love story was sweet but it did take a long time coming in the story. I think I yearned for this to be more prominent because of the sadness with Mary and the intense debates that Tess has in her head. Romance would have lightened the mood considerably and I think it would have become the story I was expecting.
On the other hand, the title is really clever, referring not just to the absence of romance in Tess’s life (which is what I initially interpreted it to be about), but also the importance of enjoying life as much as possible. This is therefore a reference to the hospice and I really appreciated the double meaning.
Overall, this was a pleasant story but with not enough cheer that I wanted. I thought the plot development was a bit slow and I struggled a bit with the harshness of Tess’s internal monologue.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2021
Disclaimer : I received e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Love Life was touching and heart-warming women’s fiction and romance that revolved around Doctor Tess finding love, confidence and selflove once again. The story was about secrets, kindness, family, friendship, betrayal, bulimia, getting over self-doubt, not giving control to nagging inner voice, loving yourself, loss, grief and bereavement.
Writing was engaging, fast paced and emotive. It was written in third person narrative from Tess’s perspective. Setting of Bristol was interesting but most of the story took place in St Martin’s Palliative care facility. Plot was much more serious that I had imagined and also dramatic with two voices in Alice’s head.
What I liked was the Tess’ time at hospice. I liked the way author showed the pain and suffering of cancer patients and their family, how staff at hospice work, how important job in palliative care are and how it can be emotionally difficult, stages of death, what exactly happens with terminally ill patients when they are near death and how staff handle it. Even though I didn’t like the inner monologues that much, it was realistic thing and it’s really common to have nagging inner voice.
Romance came much later in story. Edward had girlfriend and around in middle of story Tess too had boyfriend which made both hesitant and turn their love story dramatic. Tess’s feelings for Edward was clear from the beginning but Edward was hard to read making their romance uncertain and giving will they won’t they edge.
Why 3.5 stars-
I didn’t like that host’s Jerry Springer like voice. I get people have negative inner voices but things said through that voice was really extreme. I also didn’t like how much focused Tess was on her boyfriend’s betrayal. I don’t know she couldn’t see her ex might not know he was gay until he betrayed her. So many things Tess thought or believed was just in her head and it was really annoying at some point. I also didn’t like all of sudden Edward was turned into vulnerable person, not for grief and bereavement but a person who also had negative voice and had self-doubts.
Overall, Love Life was touching, emotive, and enjoyable women’s fiction and romance with some interesting and realistic aspect.
I recommend this if you like,
character with eating disorder
good character development
Hospice setting
will-they-won’t-they arc
theme of self-love and fighting inner voice
great supporting characters
Full review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2021/0...
Love Life was touching and heart-warming women’s fiction and romance that revolved around Doctor Tess finding love, confidence and selflove once again. The story was about secrets, kindness, family, friendship, betrayal, bulimia, getting over self-doubt, not giving control to nagging inner voice, loving yourself, loss, grief and bereavement.
Writing was engaging, fast paced and emotive. It was written in third person narrative from Tess’s perspective. Setting of Bristol was interesting but most of the story took place in St Martin’s Palliative care facility. Plot was much more serious that I had imagined and also dramatic with two voices in Alice’s head.
What I liked was the Tess’ time at hospice. I liked the way author showed the pain and suffering of cancer patients and their family, how staff at hospice work, how important job in palliative care are and how it can be emotionally difficult, stages of death, what exactly happens with terminally ill patients when they are near death and how staff handle it. Even though I didn’t like the inner monologues that much, it was realistic thing and it’s really common to have nagging inner voice.
Romance came much later in story. Edward had girlfriend and around in middle of story Tess too had boyfriend which made both hesitant and turn their love story dramatic. Tess’s feelings for Edward was clear from the beginning but Edward was hard to read making their romance uncertain and giving will they won’t they edge.
Why 3.5 stars-
I didn’t like that host’s Jerry Springer like voice. I get people have negative inner voices but things said through that voice was really extreme. I also didn’t like how much focused Tess was on her boyfriend’s betrayal. I don’t know she couldn’t see her ex might not know he was gay until he betrayed her. So many things Tess thought or believed was just in her head and it was really annoying at some point. I also didn’t like all of sudden Edward was turned into vulnerable person, not for grief and bereavement but a person who also had negative voice and had self-doubts.
Overall, Love Life was touching, emotive, and enjoyable women’s fiction and romance with some interesting and realistic aspect.
I recommend this if you like,
character with eating disorder
good character development
Hospice setting
will-they-won’t-they arc
theme of self-love and fighting inner voice
great supporting characters
Full review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2021/0...
August 28, 2021
If there's ever a case of a book having a cover that doesn't match its subject, its this one. When I picked it up, I expected fluff. I expected a light and cheery romance. What I didn't expect was a story of loss and grief, which harmed my enjoyment.
But truthfully, I think my main problem was the pacing of this. Our characters didn't even admit their feelings until 80%. And even when they did, it was in an act of cheating. This slowness made it so hard to feel the chemistry between them, and removed what little had been there.
I also really disliked the seriousness of this, and how quickly it was brushed off. Our main character struggles with bulimia, but this is almost never addressed. On top of that, her inner monologs are incredibly rude and demeaning, and tore me out of the story every time.
After putting this one off for months, I'm not exactly happy I finally started it. It was another bland read, and one with more negative than positives.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
But truthfully, I think my main problem was the pacing of this. Our characters didn't even admit their feelings until 80%. And even when they did, it was in an act of cheating. This slowness made it so hard to feel the chemistry between them, and removed what little had been there.
I also really disliked the seriousness of this, and how quickly it was brushed off. Our main character struggles with bulimia, but this is almost never addressed. On top of that, her inner monologs are incredibly rude and demeaning, and tore me out of the story every time.
After putting this one off for months, I'm not exactly happy I finally started it. It was another bland read, and one with more negative than positives.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
Love Life follows Tess Carter, a hospice doctor, and Edward Russell, the son of one of Tess’s patients. Tess and Eddie shared an unforgettable night five years ago, a night she never forgot. However, Eddie is very different now than he was when she first met him. He is colder and harsher, and he supposedly doesn’t remember their magical night together. Eddie, who hasn’t come to terms with his mother’s prognosis, questions Tess’s every decision. Will this pair have a second chance to be together?
Tess struggles to love herself and doesn’t think she needs or deserves her own happily-ever-after. Insecurity, rejection, betrayal, and more affect every aspect of her life, especially after Tess found her partner in bed with someone else. She gave up on love and a little on herself, as shown by the harsh and critical internal monologue that permeates the story.
Though I like the premise of the book, I did not enjoy Tess’s internal monologue. There are two different voices in her head, one that sounds much like a Jerry Springer talk show host and the other is Jane Austen, and I found both distracting. They took away from the story and felt overdone. That being said, the voices also create a well-developed and layered character. You really get to understand why Tess feels the way she does and why she acts inconsistently at times. I think many people can relate to that inner voice that says you’re not good enough.
I love the concepts of taking a chance on love, loving oneself, and starting over. However, the setting at a hospice wasn’t for me. It brings up too many painful memories. That being said, the author does a great job of creating a realistic and relatable setting and situation with sensitivity and authenticity. The hospice is also an interesting setting, as the end-of-life care contrasts with the new and budding relationship between Eddie and Tess. It’s an interesting juxtaposition.
I think I expected this to be a bit lighter than it is, and though it might appeal to readers who enjoy women’s fiction with darker/sadder themes, including death, grieving, eating disorders, and mental health, it just wasn’t for me. Thanks so much to the author, NetGalley, and One More Chapter for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Tess struggles to love herself and doesn’t think she needs or deserves her own happily-ever-after. Insecurity, rejection, betrayal, and more affect every aspect of her life, especially after Tess found her partner in bed with someone else. She gave up on love and a little on herself, as shown by the harsh and critical internal monologue that permeates the story.
Though I like the premise of the book, I did not enjoy Tess’s internal monologue. There are two different voices in her head, one that sounds much like a Jerry Springer talk show host and the other is Jane Austen, and I found both distracting. They took away from the story and felt overdone. That being said, the voices also create a well-developed and layered character. You really get to understand why Tess feels the way she does and why she acts inconsistently at times. I think many people can relate to that inner voice that says you’re not good enough.
I love the concepts of taking a chance on love, loving oneself, and starting over. However, the setting at a hospice wasn’t for me. It brings up too many painful memories. That being said, the author does a great job of creating a realistic and relatable setting and situation with sensitivity and authenticity. The hospice is also an interesting setting, as the end-of-life care contrasts with the new and budding relationship between Eddie and Tess. It’s an interesting juxtaposition.
I think I expected this to be a bit lighter than it is, and though it might appeal to readers who enjoy women’s fiction with darker/sadder themes, including death, grieving, eating disorders, and mental health, it just wasn’t for me. Thanks so much to the author, NetGalley, and One More Chapter for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2021
Love Life
By Nancy Peach
A quick read with some issues about cheating, eating disorder and low self-esteem. The story is centered on Dr. Carter, a palliative hospice doctor in training who deals with end-of-life care. Her self-esteem is shot after finding out that her boyfriend has a lover and feels she doesn't deserve a happy ever after.
Eddie is the son of Dr. Carter's patient - she remembers meeting him before but he doesn't remember the magical night they shared many years ago. Both characters have a sad past that they need to get over, and the setting in a hospice with Eddie's mother doesn't make for a quick happy ending for this romance read.
However, I feel that there are a lot to unpack in this story and may be a little much at times with the self-deprecating monologue (inner voices) and hard topics the characters do go through.
Overall a good read and good debut.
By Nancy Peach
A quick read with some issues about cheating, eating disorder and low self-esteem. The story is centered on Dr. Carter, a palliative hospice doctor in training who deals with end-of-life care. Her self-esteem is shot after finding out that her boyfriend has a lover and feels she doesn't deserve a happy ever after.
Eddie is the son of Dr. Carter's patient - she remembers meeting him before but he doesn't remember the magical night they shared many years ago. Both characters have a sad past that they need to get over, and the setting in a hospice with Eddie's mother doesn't make for a quick happy ending for this romance read.
However, I feel that there are a lot to unpack in this story and may be a little much at times with the self-deprecating monologue (inner voices) and hard topics the characters do go through.
Overall a good read and good debut.
July 29, 2021
A clever concept with the two voices in her head giving advice to Tess as she struggles through life.
A flawed character with so much going for her, Tess is rather frustrating at times. Her compassion for her patients though was wonderful to read about and I loved how she was able to move on from the challenges in her life and be more Jane.
A flawed character with so much going for her, Tess is rather frustrating at times. Her compassion for her patients though was wonderful to read about and I loved how she was able to move on from the challenges in her life and be more Jane.
July 18, 2021
1.5 Stars
One day, when Dr. Alice Carter is at the hospice she runs into a familiar face. Years before she was doing her rounds with palliative care she met Edward at a party and they had a connection.
At the time, both were in a relationship, and although they wanted to keep in touch, circumstances led them to be kept apart.
Until, the moment he accompanied his mother to be under Alice's care. She has terminal cancer and Edward had a hard time admitting palliative care is what she needs.
This is the central premise and despite the somber mood, it had potential being an enemies to lovers. But, Love Life completely misses the mark.
There's a style choice to narrate Alice's inners thought's as a Television Host and as Jane Austen. These musings get annoying early on, and they are so self-deprecating they are difficult to read.
Moreover, they harbor some glaring issues. First, there's a mention of bulimia that is completely brushed off and never mentioned again.
Second, the book starts when Alice finds her boyfriend cheating on her. The book makes sure to mention plenty of times that he was found with another man, and therefore Alice was so bad that she "turned him gay", and in another instance, one of her inner voices mentions ‘I Turned My Last Boyfriend Into A Homo, Can I Ever Love Again?’
I mean, this is so disrespectful and homophobic... The issue was that the boyfriend cheated, constantly bringing up his sexuality cheaped the whole thing, and left a sour taste.
But, even if I tried to ignore these things, both Alice and Edward were absurdly unlikable characters. They had zero chemistry, he was an insufferable bully and she had a terrible personality.
There's cheating involved, and so many other issues... Really, just a freaking train wreck.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One day, when Dr. Alice Carter is at the hospice she runs into a familiar face. Years before she was doing her rounds with palliative care she met Edward at a party and they had a connection.
At the time, both were in a relationship, and although they wanted to keep in touch, circumstances led them to be kept apart.
Until, the moment he accompanied his mother to be under Alice's care. She has terminal cancer and Edward had a hard time admitting palliative care is what she needs.
This is the central premise and despite the somber mood, it had potential being an enemies to lovers. But, Love Life completely misses the mark.
There's a style choice to narrate Alice's inners thought's as a Television Host and as Jane Austen. These musings get annoying early on, and they are so self-deprecating they are difficult to read.
Moreover, they harbor some glaring issues. First, there's a mention of bulimia that is completely brushed off and never mentioned again.
Second, the book starts when Alice finds her boyfriend cheating on her. The book makes sure to mention plenty of times that he was found with another man, and therefore Alice was so bad that she "turned him gay", and in another instance, one of her inner voices mentions ‘I Turned My Last Boyfriend Into A Homo, Can I Ever Love Again?’
I mean, this is so disrespectful and homophobic... The issue was that the boyfriend cheated, constantly bringing up his sexuality cheaped the whole thing, and left a sour taste.
But, even if I tried to ignore these things, both Alice and Edward were absurdly unlikable characters. They had zero chemistry, he was an insufferable bully and she had a terrible personality.
There's cheating involved, and so many other issues... Really, just a freaking train wreck.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2021
Love Life is a somewhat endearing story about a woman who is struggling with negative thoughts about herself while navigating her residency and relationships. It is by no means a light read and touches on many subjects including: eating disorder, cheating, death of family member and family drama.
Some of the side characters in the book were quite endearing and I found them lovely. Mary, the hospice patient was a wonderful character who helped provide advice and being the characters of the story together.
The problem I had was how some of these things were tackled. It felt like Tess’s eating disorder, though important, was never tackled and almost normalized. Tess has many negative thoughts, and the eating disorder felt like it was just “thrown in”.
Another problem I had was that an old flame of Tess’s cheated on her and it was made a really big deal that it was with another man and there was even discussion about “turning him gay”. Though these are thoughts a person may have, this is a badly perpetuated stereotype that didn’t sit right with me. The boyfriend cheated, and that’s bad, but it didn’t matter who the person was.
The other thing I struggled with in the book was the two voices Tess had in her head, the game show host and Jane. These two voices, I felt, really took away from the story for me. They distracted me, and though the concept is interesting, they took me right out of the story.
That being said, I felt like the discussion with the inner monologue provided some insight into Tess’s mental health, and been done another way would have been a good way to explore the impact of inner monologue on mental health.
There were definitely sweet moments in this book, but just not enough to keep me engaged throughout.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
Some of the side characters in the book were quite endearing and I found them lovely. Mary, the hospice patient was a wonderful character who helped provide advice and being the characters of the story together.
The problem I had was how some of these things were tackled. It felt like Tess’s eating disorder, though important, was never tackled and almost normalized. Tess has many negative thoughts, and the eating disorder felt like it was just “thrown in”.
Another problem I had was that an old flame of Tess’s cheated on her and it was made a really big deal that it was with another man and there was even discussion about “turning him gay”. Though these are thoughts a person may have, this is a badly perpetuated stereotype that didn’t sit right with me. The boyfriend cheated, and that’s bad, but it didn’t matter who the person was.
The other thing I struggled with in the book was the two voices Tess had in her head, the game show host and Jane. These two voices, I felt, really took away from the story for me. They distracted me, and though the concept is interesting, they took me right out of the story.
That being said, I felt like the discussion with the inner monologue provided some insight into Tess’s mental health, and been done another way would have been a good way to explore the impact of inner monologue on mental health.
There were definitely sweet moments in this book, but just not enough to keep me engaged throughout.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.
August 10, 2023
More a 3.5
I liked the serious themes debated and I liked that this wasn't a formulaic type of story for the most part; certain scenes and situations were actually surprising, considering the brightness of the cover would suggest something "lighter".
I can see why it would feel depressing or too dramatic for many readers, though.
There's a hint of romance, which partially seemed to develop in an interesting way. I wasn't as fond of the main character's behavior in a few specific scenes and that made me not like her decision making in the past.
The end was a bit too sweet, considering the content, but I didn't mind it.
I liked the serious themes debated and I liked that this wasn't a formulaic type of story for the most part; certain scenes and situations were actually surprising, considering the brightness of the cover would suggest something "lighter".
I can see why it would feel depressing or too dramatic for many readers, though.
There's a hint of romance, which partially seemed to develop in an interesting way. I wasn't as fond of the main character's behavior in a few specific scenes and that made me not like her decision making in the past.
The end was a bit too sweet, considering the content, but I didn't mind it.
July 6, 2021
Love Life started out well, but I soon found myself struggling to finish.
Tess, our heroine, discovered her boyfriend in bed with another man and she spirals mentally. She relapses with her old eating disorder and the dark thoughts in her head become loud. It’s those voices that I found so hard to read through. So much of Love Life was her own thoughts talking down to her.
When she meets up with “the one who got away” (which is a bit of a misnomer – they spent one night together) she’s crushed that he doesn’t seem to remember her. His mother is admitted to the hospice that Tess works at and Edward takes out his anger at the situation on her. Despite their inauspicious beginning and Edwards behaving terribly most of the book, the two form a friendship.
Love Life dealt with some severely dark topics like death, cancer, eating disorders, and mental health. It felt a little disjointed and sometimes it didn’t flow well. There were plenty of Jane Austen references, and I think that built up the anticipation for me. Yet I was let down.
The characters were not likable and the story didn’t hold my attention. I gave up on the overly flowery language and ended up skimming to the end just to finish.
Tess, our heroine, discovered her boyfriend in bed with another man and she spirals mentally. She relapses with her old eating disorder and the dark thoughts in her head become loud. It’s those voices that I found so hard to read through. So much of Love Life was her own thoughts talking down to her.
When she meets up with “the one who got away” (which is a bit of a misnomer – they spent one night together) she’s crushed that he doesn’t seem to remember her. His mother is admitted to the hospice that Tess works at and Edward takes out his anger at the situation on her. Despite their inauspicious beginning and Edwards behaving terribly most of the book, the two form a friendship.
Love Life dealt with some severely dark topics like death, cancer, eating disorders, and mental health. It felt a little disjointed and sometimes it didn’t flow well. There were plenty of Jane Austen references, and I think that built up the anticipation for me. Yet I was let down.
The characters were not likable and the story didn’t hold my attention. I gave up on the overly flowery language and ended up skimming to the end just to finish.
August 21, 2021
1☆
Wow, did I hate this, I almost DNF'd this at one point. I honestly don't know what was good about this book. I didn't like the romance at all, they had 0% chemistry and neither of the characters I liked. The only good characters in this book were Mary and the cat.
Here's a list of things in this book that were unnecessary and could have been deleted:
- the voices in her head. They were the absolute worst: annoying right off the bat, and the more they appeared the more I thought they were unnecessary (sometimes skimming them because just no), especially since the things that were said were super problematic.
- the bulimia. It felt like it was just added to give the main character a "struggle" (I don't even know) and it was not addressed later other than she stopped and also told the love interest.
- the dad. Again, why?
- the cheating. Obvious reasons.
TW: Bulimia, cheating
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, did I hate this, I almost DNF'd this at one point. I honestly don't know what was good about this book. I didn't like the romance at all, they had 0% chemistry and neither of the characters I liked. The only good characters in this book were Mary and the cat.
Here's a list of things in this book that were unnecessary and could have been deleted:
- the voices in her head. They were the absolute worst: annoying right off the bat, and the more they appeared the more I thought they were unnecessary (sometimes skimming them because just no), especially since the things that were said were super problematic.
- the bulimia. It felt like it was just added to give the main character a "struggle" (I don't even know) and it was not addressed later other than she stopped and also told the love interest.
- the dad. Again, why?
- the cheating. Obvious reasons.
TW: Bulimia, cheating
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2021
Fab read!
Dear Book Universe - can we have more books like this one, Love Life, by Nancy Peach please? I don't ask for much in this book life...ok that might be a little fib as I'm constantly begging you for good books but this is a formal request
in writing.
This book gave me a strong Bridget Jones vibe. It has a lovable female character who has a funny, inner monologue, who is true to life, who constantly feels like her life is on the slide and who, sadly believes she is unloveable. I was invested in Tess right from the start and I thought her inner thoughts were brilliant. Like most of us she's torn between her good side and her bad side. In this story her angellic side is presented to us in the form of a Jane Austen novel and her dark side - a rude TV talk show host. Fantastic because sometimes the voices in our heads are kind and other times they are demeaning and cruel. I know how cruel my mind can be when it’s left unchecked so I totally related to Tess's talk show host.
The story is set in a hospice and I did feel myself tense up at the start (recently lost my dad) however it is actually an uplifting and positive place. It was a realistic setting and it was created with sensitivity. There's warmth, humour and a lot of love for the patients in the hospice. I experienced this when Dad was on end of life care so I could relate. This book does deal with grief and how different people react to losing a loved one. It also looks at death and how it’s a personal journey and we all go on different paths towards it. I found this book to be a great help with my own grief journey.
Dear Book Universe - can we have more books like this one, Love Life, by Nancy Peach please? I don't ask for much in this book life...ok that might be a little fib as I'm constantly begging you for good books but this is a formal request
in writing.
This book gave me a strong Bridget Jones vibe. It has a lovable female character who has a funny, inner monologue, who is true to life, who constantly feels like her life is on the slide and who, sadly believes she is unloveable. I was invested in Tess right from the start and I thought her inner thoughts were brilliant. Like most of us she's torn between her good side and her bad side. In this story her angellic side is presented to us in the form of a Jane Austen novel and her dark side - a rude TV talk show host. Fantastic because sometimes the voices in our heads are kind and other times they are demeaning and cruel. I know how cruel my mind can be when it’s left unchecked so I totally related to Tess's talk show host.
The story is set in a hospice and I did feel myself tense up at the start (recently lost my dad) however it is actually an uplifting and positive place. It was a realistic setting and it was created with sensitivity. There's warmth, humour and a lot of love for the patients in the hospice. I experienced this when Dad was on end of life care so I could relate. This book does deal with grief and how different people react to losing a loved one. It also looks at death and how it’s a personal journey and we all go on different paths towards it. I found this book to be a great help with my own grief journey.
February 24, 2022
‘Love can be found in the most unexpected of places. I honestly wouldn’t have picked this book up if it hadn’t been February’s Tasting Notes book club pick, but I am so glad that I have read it.
Tess is a GP in training and as part of her training is working in a hospice as a palliative care doctor. An end-of-life patient is admitted, and Tess works her unending charms on both Mary and her family to make their last few weeks together as comfortable as possible. She realises that she has a shared past with Mary’s son Edward and for Tess, they get in the way of her professional duties. After a shaky start they kindle some sort of friendship through their care and love of Mary. As Mary and her family come to terms with her prognosis, Edward and Tess are brought together in a way that both of them feel the aftershocks of, but not in the best of circumstances.
The writing style was fast paced a perfect comedy romance that dealt with some hard-hitting topics thoughtfully and was written from several viewpoints and never shied away from the truth. It gave lots of points of view and gave voice to how different characters dealt with the differing emotions and outcomes.
This book gave me all the feels, from tears of laughter and sadness to proper gut wrenching, jaw dropping disbelief at some of the characters actions and choices. I may have even slammed this book shut in utter horror at some of the revelations.
The ending was the perfect way to end a feel-good romance, and it was a great read as part of both the Tasting Notes book club and the #romancereadathon2022.
Tess is a GP in training and as part of her training is working in a hospice as a palliative care doctor. An end-of-life patient is admitted, and Tess works her unending charms on both Mary and her family to make their last few weeks together as comfortable as possible. She realises that she has a shared past with Mary’s son Edward and for Tess, they get in the way of her professional duties. After a shaky start they kindle some sort of friendship through their care and love of Mary. As Mary and her family come to terms with her prognosis, Edward and Tess are brought together in a way that both of them feel the aftershocks of, but not in the best of circumstances.
The writing style was fast paced a perfect comedy romance that dealt with some hard-hitting topics thoughtfully and was written from several viewpoints and never shied away from the truth. It gave lots of points of view and gave voice to how different characters dealt with the differing emotions and outcomes.
This book gave me all the feels, from tears of laughter and sadness to proper gut wrenching, jaw dropping disbelief at some of the characters actions and choices. I may have even slammed this book shut in utter horror at some of the revelations.
The ending was the perfect way to end a feel-good romance, and it was a great read as part of both the Tasting Notes book club and the #romancereadathon2022.
July 27, 2021
So, what happens when you are a woman living the aftermath of a broken relationship, where you found your then partner, in bed, with another man? Coupled with doing your residency in a hospital, training to be a doctor? Alongside generally feeling like absolute rubbish, because, well, you are. Anyway, that's how life has made you come to view yourself?
This kinda sums up our heroine, Tess.
Oh, but I forgot, she has these two voices in her head, or rather like the devil and angel one might have on your shoulders, she has the chat show host, akin to Jerry Springer, rubbing her face in all the downs she encounters, with the lovely Jane Austen on her other side, cheering her along, with her ladylike grace.
While on her training stint in the hospice of the local hospital, she encounters a patient with who she develops a strong bond. What she wasn't counting on, was the son of said patient, who brings back certain memories... yet, he doesn't appear to remember her, at all.
It took me a short while to really get into the swing of the book, but once I was there, I was THERE, if you know what I mean!
Honestly, there were times I wanted to punch the Chat Show Host in the face - What an obnoxious man! But the light-hearted banter that spilt from the mouths of the two voices, along with the story, as it unfolds, had me wanting to read more!
Many thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This kinda sums up our heroine, Tess.
Oh, but I forgot, she has these two voices in her head, or rather like the devil and angel one might have on your shoulders, she has the chat show host, akin to Jerry Springer, rubbing her face in all the downs she encounters, with the lovely Jane Austen on her other side, cheering her along, with her ladylike grace.
While on her training stint in the hospice of the local hospital, she encounters a patient with who she develops a strong bond. What she wasn't counting on, was the son of said patient, who brings back certain memories... yet, he doesn't appear to remember her, at all.
It took me a short while to really get into the swing of the book, but once I was there, I was THERE, if you know what I mean!
Honestly, there were times I wanted to punch the Chat Show Host in the face - What an obnoxious man! But the light-hearted banter that spilt from the mouths of the two voices, along with the story, as it unfolds, had me wanting to read more!
Many thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2021
This book is a touching women's fiction book that covers many heavy topics and may not be for everyone but I did enjoy it. The beginning was rocky and I was not sure that I would be able to get through the book but it got much better. As I got used to Nancy Peach's style of writing I couldn't put the book down. The characters were very complex and I came to care about each one.
Dr. Tess Carter has to deal with betrayal, rejection, infidelity and an eating disorder all while being a palliative care doctor in the hospice wing of the hospital. She struggles with insecurity daily and this is demonstrated by the voices of a talk show host and Jane Austen that have taken up residence in her head.
This is not a lighthearted book but it is very heart warming to see the changes in Tess throughout her story. I am grateful to Netgalley and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.
Dr. Tess Carter has to deal with betrayal, rejection, infidelity and an eating disorder all while being a palliative care doctor in the hospice wing of the hospital. She struggles with insecurity daily and this is demonstrated by the voices of a talk show host and Jane Austen that have taken up residence in her head.
This is not a lighthearted book but it is very heart warming to see the changes in Tess throughout her story. I am grateful to Netgalley and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.
June 28, 2021
This was just a lovely story about a woman who thinks maybe she doesn’t get a HEA or a love story of her own. I would never tell what happens next but just know that laughs and tears follow but it was a wonderful read and I recommend it to anyone who wants a different kind of love story.
January 10, 2023
cute storyline, 1/3 through I thought “so much happened already, how is she gonna fill the rest of the book” but Nancy Peach didn’t disappoint. It never felt too long or that a scene was unnecessarily dragged out. “Read” it as an audiobook and the narrator was a 10/10 which made me enjoy it even more. overall a cute little pick me up book that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower to read but was fun nonetheless.
July 18, 2021
Love Life by Nancy Peach a four-star peach of a read. This could be a five-star read with a little more work, but I am being generous by giving it four stars at points. I enjoyed so many aspects of the story, setting a romance within a terminal care setting is brave, and that I enjoyed so much, but the way that we went from Tess POV to the occasional chip in by Eddie, if it had been a more clear who we were hearing from and maybe in a ideal world a chapter form each of them alternatively, with a chapter from Eddies mum who was a main character in essence, but doesn’t seem as important to me. I enjoyed that it was a romance with a deeper edge to it. I look forward to more from this author as they clearly have a good voice to hear.
March 13, 2023
4.5/5 stars
I just adored this, the plot, the characters and their depth, the romance itself and the chemistry between. I really really loved getting to read about a female protagonist who’s a doctor in the UK it was so amazing to connect in that way with a character. made me so so happy.
I just adored this, the plot, the characters and their depth, the romance itself and the chemistry between. I really really loved getting to read about a female protagonist who’s a doctor in the UK it was so amazing to connect in that way with a character. made me so so happy.
December 22, 2021
“It is a truth seldom acknowledged but nonetheless unassailable, that there are few moments more pivotal in the life of a young woman than finding her boyfriend in bed with someone else. Particularly when that someone happens to be another man.” - Jane Austen, inside Tess Carter’s head.
My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Love Life’ by Nancy Peach in exchange for an honest review.
I was engaged from the start given its above playful opening.
While at first glance its title and bright cover had suggested a light romantic comedy, finding that its lead, Tess Carter, was a doctor providing palliative care in a hospice shifted it into the romantic comedy-drama category. Not an issue for me though the setting and Tess’ profession might unsettle someone expecting more fluff.
There is whimsy in the form of Tess’ two competing inner voices. She enjoys the genteel Jane Austen commenting on her past and planning her future. Yet it’s the other voice that is most often in her head always pointing out her flaws: a blokey, jocular, mansplaining, daytime show host. The two often battle it out for Tess’ attention.
Tess no longer believes in romance. Her father had left twenty years ago without a backward glance and she discovered her last boyfriend in bed with another guy. So, the voice telling her that she’s not good enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough has become very loud indeed.
Now Edward Russell, the disagreeable son of one of her patients, is challenging her every decision. Tess is determined not to let him get to her, yet to do so she needs to stop the endless self-sabotage.
Nancy Peach, herself a practicing doctor, describes her debut novel as ‘Pride and Prejudice in a hospice’ and I felt that was a fair description. More importantly her medical background allowed her to approach the subjects of terminal illness, palliative care, and death with great sensitivity.
I felt that’Love Life’ was a novel that addresses compassionately these serious issues as well as loss and bereavement, yet also had moments of humour and hope. It also was a love story. So, definitely not fluffy escapism, which was fine with me. I found it thought provoking and uplifting.
Overall, an impressive debut and I shall be looking forward to news of her future projects.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. One More Chapter for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Love Life’ by Nancy Peach in exchange for an honest review.
I was engaged from the start given its above playful opening.
While at first glance its title and bright cover had suggested a light romantic comedy, finding that its lead, Tess Carter, was a doctor providing palliative care in a hospice shifted it into the romantic comedy-drama category. Not an issue for me though the setting and Tess’ profession might unsettle someone expecting more fluff.
There is whimsy in the form of Tess’ two competing inner voices. She enjoys the genteel Jane Austen commenting on her past and planning her future. Yet it’s the other voice that is most often in her head always pointing out her flaws: a blokey, jocular, mansplaining, daytime show host. The two often battle it out for Tess’ attention.
Tess no longer believes in romance. Her father had left twenty years ago without a backward glance and she discovered her last boyfriend in bed with another guy. So, the voice telling her that she’s not good enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough has become very loud indeed.
Now Edward Russell, the disagreeable son of one of her patients, is challenging her every decision. Tess is determined not to let him get to her, yet to do so she needs to stop the endless self-sabotage.
Nancy Peach, herself a practicing doctor, describes her debut novel as ‘Pride and Prejudice in a hospice’ and I felt that was a fair description. More importantly her medical background allowed her to approach the subjects of terminal illness, palliative care, and death with great sensitivity.
I felt that’Love Life’ was a novel that addresses compassionately these serious issues as well as loss and bereavement, yet also had moments of humour and hope. It also was a love story. So, definitely not fluffy escapism, which was fine with me. I found it thought provoking and uplifting.
Overall, an impressive debut and I shall be looking forward to news of her future projects.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
June 30, 2021
This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last for sure it’s a very easy read and so down to earth and true to life and the characters are very well portrayed. Plenty about romance and heartache and needing to gain in confidence in yourself and you never know what not happen.
Alice is a dr but has recently found her husband in bed with another man so really doesn’t believe romance is for her any more especially when she gets voices in her head saying she’s not good enough and when a patients family start questioning her she really does think she’s no good. But when Edward looses his mother and starts being a gentleman and she starts to think he’s not what she thought he was and she has to learn to listen to the right voice in her head and who will she choose and will love be for her again or not.
Worth more than five stars and a very realistic read.
Alice is a dr but has recently found her husband in bed with another man so really doesn’t believe romance is for her any more especially when she gets voices in her head saying she’s not good enough and when a patients family start questioning her she really does think she’s no good. But when Edward looses his mother and starts being a gentleman and she starts to think he’s not what she thought he was and she has to learn to listen to the right voice in her head and who will she choose and will love be for her again or not.
Worth more than five stars and a very realistic read.
March 8, 2022
A romance with a hospice for a background ! Tess is a Doctor working in pallative care and recognises one of her patients sons as someone she met years ago. He doesn't seem to recognise her so she doesn't mention it either. Its a romance that you know they will end up together but its the journey they take to get there !
There are some interesting voices that Tess hears in her head whenever something happens and they did make me laugh. There are some sad moments and I did have a cry but it does end up to be an uplifting feelgood story and I enjoyed it .
There are some interesting voices that Tess hears in her head whenever something happens and they did make me laugh. There are some sad moments and I did have a cry but it does end up to be an uplifting feelgood story and I enjoyed it .
July 18, 2021
Love Life
is an enjoyable second chance romance story. It follows two emotionally wounded individuals who initially connect, but the timing wasn’t right to be together. They lose touch as they move on with others and are brought together by a chance meeting. The two of them begin to get to know the other, but they are unsure if the initial feelings from years ago still exist or if they were just not meant to be. Essentially, the basic premise is amazing and there are amazing themes throughout this novel. However, there is a lot going on all at once that it sometimes feels that some issues got lost in the shuffle where it did not fully hit the mark for me.
Tess Carter is in her late twenties and is currently training to become a doctor. She is in the middle of training rotations with current plans to become a GP. Her current training is at a hospice facility where they look at end-of-life care for patients. Tess has A LOT going on internally that she struggles with on a daily basis aside from her career. One day she came home from work to find her boyfriend, Scott Wickham, in bed with another man. They broke up and Scott became serious with this man, Luke Foster. She has a very complicated relationship with her mother as her mother has drilled it into her head that men were bad from a young age, so Tess never dated or opened herself up to men until Pete, in university and was the boyfriend before Scott. She is half-Italian while her half-brother is half-Jamaican with their English mother. Her father left her mother when she was five years old and the two of them lost contact. Tess was under the impression that her father did not want anything to do with her anymore. Additionally, she suffers from very low self-esteem and developed bulimia that she sometimes has under control.
Throughout the story, the readers are introduced to the two inner voices in her head that I have mixed feelings about the inclusion of in the story. She has a television host that essentially is her own worst critic and points out every single flaw that Tess believes she has. Then, there is Jane Austen who gives the slightly more optimistic approach with some criticisms. It is a good concept with the “angel and devil” scenario as it is very relatable where everyone has inner doubts that can eat away at them. It gave some good insight into her mental health. Many issues from her past have affected how she sees herself in the present and how she pictures her future. For me, I think a slight reduction in their length would have been better as sometimes it went on a while and caused me to lose focus on what was happening before in the story.
Now Edward Russell, a 31-year-old lawyer for a large bank in London, has his own emotional struggles. When his mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he feels lost. He grew up with an emotionally unavailable father, so he was closer to his mother. Additionally, his father suddenly passed away from a heart attack only a few years ago. His sister, Madeline, lives in the United States with her family, so he can speak to her on the phone, but a lot of his mother’s care now falls on his shoulders. His current girlfriend, Clara, does not help matters as she is a very busy lawyer and is not always around to be a support system for Edward. When Edward’s mother, Mary, is brought to the hospice, he meets Tess who becomes his mother’s doctor. The two butt heads over differences of opinion with her care and perhaps recollections from their first meeting years ago back when Tess was with Pete.
As I said earlier, there is a lot happening in this story. I feel it would have been better served to take some of the pieces out in order to give some subjects the time and attention they deserved. While it felt realistic as some people do have that much going on at any given time, it felt like too much to fit into a single novel. The main issue that occurred with Tess at her clinic was her trying to find balance for being there for her patients without becoming too involved. However, Tess discusses learning from this, but I would have liked more from this part of the story. She faces possible professional repercussions from this, so it would have been nice to have more about how she learns from it and moves forward with her patients.
Overall, this was an excellent debut with tons of potential. It is not a light-hearted read as many darker/difficult issues are tackled; however, there are many moments of levity in the story. The story is mostly told from the perspective of Tess with occasional portions that were told from Edward’s. While I loved getting some inner thoughts from both main characters, it did become confusing when there was no transition so it bounced between from one paragraph to another. Ideally, I would have enjoyed a 50/50 split, but I did not feel it was necessary, and instead, I just wished for a little more transition between the two. I loved the ending between Tess and Edward as it was done well and fit the situation of the story. While not being fully my cup of tea, this novel was interesting and I would be interested to read more from Nancy Peach in the future.
**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, HarperCollins UK – One More Chapter, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Tess Carter is in her late twenties and is currently training to become a doctor. She is in the middle of training rotations with current plans to become a GP. Her current training is at a hospice facility where they look at end-of-life care for patients. Tess has A LOT going on internally that she struggles with on a daily basis aside from her career. One day she came home from work to find her boyfriend, Scott Wickham, in bed with another man. They broke up and Scott became serious with this man, Luke Foster. She has a very complicated relationship with her mother as her mother has drilled it into her head that men were bad from a young age, so Tess never dated or opened herself up to men until Pete, in university and was the boyfriend before Scott. She is half-Italian while her half-brother is half-Jamaican with their English mother. Her father left her mother when she was five years old and the two of them lost contact. Tess was under the impression that her father did not want anything to do with her anymore. Additionally, she suffers from very low self-esteem and developed bulimia that she sometimes has under control.
Throughout the story, the readers are introduced to the two inner voices in her head that I have mixed feelings about the inclusion of in the story. She has a television host that essentially is her own worst critic and points out every single flaw that Tess believes she has. Then, there is Jane Austen who gives the slightly more optimistic approach with some criticisms. It is a good concept with the “angel and devil” scenario as it is very relatable where everyone has inner doubts that can eat away at them. It gave some good insight into her mental health. Many issues from her past have affected how she sees herself in the present and how she pictures her future. For me, I think a slight reduction in their length would have been better as sometimes it went on a while and caused me to lose focus on what was happening before in the story.
Now Edward Russell, a 31-year-old lawyer for a large bank in London, has his own emotional struggles. When his mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he feels lost. He grew up with an emotionally unavailable father, so he was closer to his mother. Additionally, his father suddenly passed away from a heart attack only a few years ago. His sister, Madeline, lives in the United States with her family, so he can speak to her on the phone, but a lot of his mother’s care now falls on his shoulders. His current girlfriend, Clara, does not help matters as she is a very busy lawyer and is not always around to be a support system for Edward. When Edward’s mother, Mary, is brought to the hospice, he meets Tess who becomes his mother’s doctor. The two butt heads over differences of opinion with her care and perhaps recollections from their first meeting years ago back when Tess was with Pete.
As I said earlier, there is a lot happening in this story. I feel it would have been better served to take some of the pieces out in order to give some subjects the time and attention they deserved. While it felt realistic as some people do have that much going on at any given time, it felt like too much to fit into a single novel. The main issue that occurred with Tess at her clinic was her trying to find balance for being there for her patients without becoming too involved. However, Tess discusses learning from this, but I would have liked more from this part of the story. She faces possible professional repercussions from this, so it would have been nice to have more about how she learns from it and moves forward with her patients.
Overall, this was an excellent debut with tons of potential. It is not a light-hearted read as many darker/difficult issues are tackled; however, there are many moments of levity in the story. The story is mostly told from the perspective of Tess with occasional portions that were told from Edward’s. While I loved getting some inner thoughts from both main characters, it did become confusing when there was no transition so it bounced between from one paragraph to another. Ideally, I would have enjoyed a 50/50 split, but I did not feel it was necessary, and instead, I just wished for a little more transition between the two. I loved the ending between Tess and Edward as it was done well and fit the situation of the story. While not being fully my cup of tea, this novel was interesting and I would be interested to read more from Nancy Peach in the future.
**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, HarperCollins UK – One More Chapter, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
July 24, 2021
Actual rating 3.5⭐️
A hospice is an unusual setting for a feel good romance but that’s where we find the heroine of the tale, Dr Tess Carter, when she comes face to face with Edward Russell, a blast from her past. His mother Mary becomes one of Tess’s patients and inevitably Edward and Tess spend more time in each other’s company during his lengthy visits to the hospice. Although Tess recognises Edward immediately, it would seem he has no recollection of their long ago meeting but despite their differences in background and how best to deal with Mary’s prognosis they manage to forge a friendship of sorts. Romance definitely isn’t on the cards or is it?
I loved the premise of this novel. The author’s approach to writing romantic fiction initially feels fresh, original and a little bit quirky due to the two inner voices who jostle for space within Tess’s head, commentating on her actions, strengths and weaknesses in their own unique style, presiding as judge and jury. TV show host, channelling visions of Jerry Springer/Jeremy Kyle is the voice of doom, a voice full of invective, justifying and confirming every bad thought Tess has about herself. In contrast the voice of reason, the one believing in Tess as a decent, caring young woman worthy of love belongs to Jane Austen and the two constantly compete for Tess’s attention, each one trying to drown out the other. I loved both these voices, one quite amusing despite the rude, derogatory, vile comments, the other calm, dignified, very proper, ladylike and quaint. All I could hear was the dulcet tones of Vanessa Redgrave in my ear each time Jane Austen decided to pipe up! But who should Tess listen to? The devil or the angel?
I have very mixed feelings about this novel. Some aspects are good. The voices of Tess’s two alter egos are an inspired way in which to convey her inner turmoil. In addition the author observes a family in the midst of watching a loved one’s life ebb away, coming to terms with their impending loss and grief in a sensitive manner. Edward, as far as romantic heroes go is middle of the road but not one to necessarily make the reader swoon! On the other hand Nancy Peach may alienate some readers with her less than modern and cliched response to Tess’s discovery that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, a situation that kickstarts Tess’s downward spiral into self loathing. Should it really matter whether it’s a man or a woman?? Surely cheating is cheating? Any behaviour that undermines your self worth, albeit temporarily is the cue for much introspection and self flagellation but maybe not to the extent Tess experiences. I wanted to yell at her “GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!!” Letting this episode define her life going forward coupled with the insecurities her mother has saddled her with regarding men in general makes her a rather bitter and self pitying character and unfortunately it wears thin! Also the chip she carries on her shoulder in relation to her upbringing as opposed to Edward’s renders her spiky,angular and sharp; her edges need smoothing! In my opinion this is a shame as there’s plenty to like about the woman; her love for animals for starters and her bedside manner towards patients in her care which is genuinely warm and caring is another but Tess’s low opinion of herself overshadows all her lovely qualities and it becomes harder not to lose patience with her. But are her internal battles representative of the struggles many women face? If the answer is yes then at least on some levels you will be able to relate to Tess. On the whole the author has portrayed a flawed individual, capable of making mistakes both personally and professionally and one who is controlled by her more negative thoughts well. However I can’t help despairing of the fact that Tess’s happiness hinges solely on finding the love of a good man. Then I have to remind myself this is romantic fiction after all, even if at times attitudes towards love and romance appear outdated.
Large sections of the storyline are heavy going with issues of bulimia, low self esteem and confidence weighing and dragging this character and the mood down. In places I found it gloomy, depressing and far too angst ridden. You just wish Tess would lighten up a bit and not take life so seriously and for this reason the novel isn’t anywhere near as uplifting or feel good as I’d have liked although the author rectifies this the closer you move towards the ending. Thankfully she introduces a more positive,hopeful vibe even if I felt a couple of elements in the storyline are glossed over too easily. I liked that the final word is given to Jane Austen, prompting a wry smile to form upon my lips. Whilst there’s definitely room for improvement Nancy Peach’s debut shows promise and I’d be interested and happy to read more from her in the future. For me this novel almost hit 4⭐️ but it needed to be more lighthearted to reach that spot.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
A hospice is an unusual setting for a feel good romance but that’s where we find the heroine of the tale, Dr Tess Carter, when she comes face to face with Edward Russell, a blast from her past. His mother Mary becomes one of Tess’s patients and inevitably Edward and Tess spend more time in each other’s company during his lengthy visits to the hospice. Although Tess recognises Edward immediately, it would seem he has no recollection of their long ago meeting but despite their differences in background and how best to deal with Mary’s prognosis they manage to forge a friendship of sorts. Romance definitely isn’t on the cards or is it?
I loved the premise of this novel. The author’s approach to writing romantic fiction initially feels fresh, original and a little bit quirky due to the two inner voices who jostle for space within Tess’s head, commentating on her actions, strengths and weaknesses in their own unique style, presiding as judge and jury. TV show host, channelling visions of Jerry Springer/Jeremy Kyle is the voice of doom, a voice full of invective, justifying and confirming every bad thought Tess has about herself. In contrast the voice of reason, the one believing in Tess as a decent, caring young woman worthy of love belongs to Jane Austen and the two constantly compete for Tess’s attention, each one trying to drown out the other. I loved both these voices, one quite amusing despite the rude, derogatory, vile comments, the other calm, dignified, very proper, ladylike and quaint. All I could hear was the dulcet tones of Vanessa Redgrave in my ear each time Jane Austen decided to pipe up! But who should Tess listen to? The devil or the angel?
I have very mixed feelings about this novel. Some aspects are good. The voices of Tess’s two alter egos are an inspired way in which to convey her inner turmoil. In addition the author observes a family in the midst of watching a loved one’s life ebb away, coming to terms with their impending loss and grief in a sensitive manner. Edward, as far as romantic heroes go is middle of the road but not one to necessarily make the reader swoon! On the other hand Nancy Peach may alienate some readers with her less than modern and cliched response to Tess’s discovery that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, a situation that kickstarts Tess’s downward spiral into self loathing. Should it really matter whether it’s a man or a woman?? Surely cheating is cheating? Any behaviour that undermines your self worth, albeit temporarily is the cue for much introspection and self flagellation but maybe not to the extent Tess experiences. I wanted to yell at her “GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK!!” Letting this episode define her life going forward coupled with the insecurities her mother has saddled her with regarding men in general makes her a rather bitter and self pitying character and unfortunately it wears thin! Also the chip she carries on her shoulder in relation to her upbringing as opposed to Edward’s renders her spiky,angular and sharp; her edges need smoothing! In my opinion this is a shame as there’s plenty to like about the woman; her love for animals for starters and her bedside manner towards patients in her care which is genuinely warm and caring is another but Tess’s low opinion of herself overshadows all her lovely qualities and it becomes harder not to lose patience with her. But are her internal battles representative of the struggles many women face? If the answer is yes then at least on some levels you will be able to relate to Tess. On the whole the author has portrayed a flawed individual, capable of making mistakes both personally and professionally and one who is controlled by her more negative thoughts well. However I can’t help despairing of the fact that Tess’s happiness hinges solely on finding the love of a good man. Then I have to remind myself this is romantic fiction after all, even if at times attitudes towards love and romance appear outdated.
Large sections of the storyline are heavy going with issues of bulimia, low self esteem and confidence weighing and dragging this character and the mood down. In places I found it gloomy, depressing and far too angst ridden. You just wish Tess would lighten up a bit and not take life so seriously and for this reason the novel isn’t anywhere near as uplifting or feel good as I’d have liked although the author rectifies this the closer you move towards the ending. Thankfully she introduces a more positive,hopeful vibe even if I felt a couple of elements in the storyline are glossed over too easily. I liked that the final word is given to Jane Austen, prompting a wry smile to form upon my lips. Whilst there’s definitely room for improvement Nancy Peach’s debut shows promise and I’d be interested and happy to read more from her in the future. For me this novel almost hit 4⭐️ but it needed to be more lighthearted to reach that spot.
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2021
A romance book set in a hospice might not be something many feel-good book lovers would rush to pick up but, like the tag line in the book says, ‘Love can be found in the most unexpected of places’ and, similarly, a moving and uplifting love story can be found in the most unexpected of plot lines.
The main character is Tess, a young doctor working in palliative care in a hospice. Tess has been very hurt and let down by most of the men in her life (except her brother, Jake, who I was kind of in love with by the end of the book), so she is swearing off love and concentrating on her career. This approach is tested by the reappearance of a face from the past, which sets in motion the romantic escapades of the book.
Tess will be a very relatable character to most readers of the novel. Despite everyone around her being able to see that she is a capable, caring, genuine, accomplished human being who anyone would be privileged to know, she is riddled with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy and is constantly at war with these feelings which hold her back from having the kind of life she dreams of. This is amusingly illustrated by the warring voices she has in her head, one always telling her what an abject failure she is, the other trying to buoy her up. The fact that the second voice is that of Jane Austen added an extra layer of amusement for me, as the author has captured her voice perfectly. Whilst we may not all have voices literally talking to us as Tess does, we can all relate to what the author is trying to demonstrate – how loud and persuasively our inner critic can seem to us and how much they can influence how we feel and act.
There is no getting away from the fact that the book deals with a difficult topic, that of grief, and how grief again affects the way we act towards those around us. However, the topic is obviously something that the author is experienced in, understands and manages to deal with with a light and sympathetic but authentic touch. She manages to capture the emotion without the book straying into the realms of the terribly depressing, which I think is quite a skill, and may be unexpected to people who are taken back by the blurb. Readers should not let the idea that the book deals with end-of-life issues put them off. As someone who has dealt with a tragic and deeply personal loss in her life, I found the writing relatable and also slightly comforting. The scene in the church near the end, in particular, resonated deeply with me but in a positive way. It’s a hard sensation to describe but I did not come away from this book feeling maudlin.
The chemistry and relationship between the two main characters was believable and charged with heat. I had worried that it might feel inappropriate, given the circumstances of the plot, but it didn’t, even when a scenario in the book WAS inappropriate (people who have read this will know what I mean!) I really wanted Tess and Ed to end up together, I cared deeply about the outcome. The author did a good job of leaving the question of whether it would work out or not hanging, and it caused me real pain to think they wouldn’t. You cannot possibly ask for more from a romance novel that to create this kind of investment by the reader in your characters and their story.
If I had any complaint at all about this book, it would be that I felt the author slightly over-egged the pudding on the use of colloquial dialogue for the Yorkshire-based characters (and I speak as a native of the county) and I wish this has been dialled back slightly. Also, I took the quote in Chapter 8 about people whose well-read and well-loved books remain looking pristine being untrustworthy as a personal affront, as my books always look like they have just come from the shop no matter how many times I have read them! However, if you are a serial book-abuser from any other county in the UK, none of this will bother you at all, I’m sure.
Joking aside, I really loved this book. It dealt sensitively with some difficult issues, portrayed a believable and enthralling relationship, and walked the line between humour and pathos beautifully. I have no hesitation in recommending the book at all and back up this recommendation with the fact that I have purchased a copy of it myself for future re-reading. There is no better accolade I can give a book than spending my hard-earned cash on it.
The main character is Tess, a young doctor working in palliative care in a hospice. Tess has been very hurt and let down by most of the men in her life (except her brother, Jake, who I was kind of in love with by the end of the book), so she is swearing off love and concentrating on her career. This approach is tested by the reappearance of a face from the past, which sets in motion the romantic escapades of the book.
Tess will be a very relatable character to most readers of the novel. Despite everyone around her being able to see that she is a capable, caring, genuine, accomplished human being who anyone would be privileged to know, she is riddled with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy and is constantly at war with these feelings which hold her back from having the kind of life she dreams of. This is amusingly illustrated by the warring voices she has in her head, one always telling her what an abject failure she is, the other trying to buoy her up. The fact that the second voice is that of Jane Austen added an extra layer of amusement for me, as the author has captured her voice perfectly. Whilst we may not all have voices literally talking to us as Tess does, we can all relate to what the author is trying to demonstrate – how loud and persuasively our inner critic can seem to us and how much they can influence how we feel and act.
There is no getting away from the fact that the book deals with a difficult topic, that of grief, and how grief again affects the way we act towards those around us. However, the topic is obviously something that the author is experienced in, understands and manages to deal with with a light and sympathetic but authentic touch. She manages to capture the emotion without the book straying into the realms of the terribly depressing, which I think is quite a skill, and may be unexpected to people who are taken back by the blurb. Readers should not let the idea that the book deals with end-of-life issues put them off. As someone who has dealt with a tragic and deeply personal loss in her life, I found the writing relatable and also slightly comforting. The scene in the church near the end, in particular, resonated deeply with me but in a positive way. It’s a hard sensation to describe but I did not come away from this book feeling maudlin.
The chemistry and relationship between the two main characters was believable and charged with heat. I had worried that it might feel inappropriate, given the circumstances of the plot, but it didn’t, even when a scenario in the book WAS inappropriate (people who have read this will know what I mean!) I really wanted Tess and Ed to end up together, I cared deeply about the outcome. The author did a good job of leaving the question of whether it would work out or not hanging, and it caused me real pain to think they wouldn’t. You cannot possibly ask for more from a romance novel that to create this kind of investment by the reader in your characters and their story.
If I had any complaint at all about this book, it would be that I felt the author slightly over-egged the pudding on the use of colloquial dialogue for the Yorkshire-based characters (and I speak as a native of the county) and I wish this has been dialled back slightly. Also, I took the quote in Chapter 8 about people whose well-read and well-loved books remain looking pristine being untrustworthy as a personal affront, as my books always look like they have just come from the shop no matter how many times I have read them! However, if you are a serial book-abuser from any other county in the UK, none of this will bother you at all, I’m sure.
Joking aside, I really loved this book. It dealt sensitively with some difficult issues, portrayed a believable and enthralling relationship, and walked the line between humour and pathos beautifully. I have no hesitation in recommending the book at all and back up this recommendation with the fact that I have purchased a copy of it myself for future re-reading. There is no better accolade I can give a book than spending my hard-earned cash on it.
June 28, 2021
**This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
3.5 stars
A fun and engaging debut romance.
Things I loved: Firstly, the premise! Tess is a doctor working in a hospice, and her love interest, Eddie, is the son of one of her terminally-ill patients. I adore the idea of a romance with a hospice as backdrop, as end-of-life care is all about love and respect—essentials in a good relationship.
I also loved the nods to Jane Austen. Tess and Eddie begin their relationships with their hackles raised due to a hasty and misunderstood exchange of words in a stressful situation, not dissimilar to Lizzie and Darcy’s unfortunate meeting at Netherfield. Tess even has an updated Mr. Collins (Simon Collins) and is internally hyper-conscious of the class differences between herself (working-class background) and the man she’s pining for (a rich lawyer who grew up in a Georgian manor house). Tess’s ‘inner voice’ even speaks as an imagined (if rather exaggerated caricature of) Jane Austen, and is referred to as such—though here Miss Austen, rather amusingly, faces off with the voice of Tess’s inner insecurities, a meanspirited Piers Morgan/Jerry Springer crossover called ‘the television host.’
Lastly, I really enjoyed Eddie. While he and Tess don’t hit things off initially, he never seems like a complete prat; we understand the high emotions he’s dealing with due to his mother’s terminal illness, and he always treats Tess fairly, even when she messes up or acts unprofessionally.
Some things that didn’t work so well for me: It’s pretty obvious this book is a debut. It’s a very good debut, but the prose is sometimes jerky or unsure, and the pacing could use some work.
An example: around the 50% mark, Tess recalls, unprompted, that Eddie (who she had briefly met once several years prior) had said he loved animals and thought about being a vet. In the next scene, Tess has a surprise problem with an animal—and Eddie, naturally, swoops in to save the day. This could have been a really good scene, but as written, it felt paint-by-numbers: we need the hero to do something nice for our heroine: quick, make him an animal lover and have him rescue an animal for her! If Eddie’s love of animals had come up far earlier in the narrative, to then lie low, half-forgotten by the reader, until the need arose, the scene would have been significantly more satisfying, calling back to something we’d learned about Eddie far previously and letting Tess know that he hasn’t changed so much from the man she met years before.
The majority of the book is written from Tess’s point of view. However, every once in a great while we’ll get a few paragraphs from Eddie’s POV. While I appreciated these moments, because Eddie is a cool guy and I like being in his head, narratively it felt awkward. There isn’t always a clear distinction between Tess’s POV narration and Eddie’s, and Tess’s POV is well over 90% of the text. If Eddie and Tess got more of a 50/50 split in their POV narration, it would feel much more natural.
The sex scenes are strangely abrupt, and gel awkwardly with the rest of the text. I love a good sex scene in a romance, but these fell flat for me.
And finally, Tess—while a relatable, smart, and fun character to follow, with some Bridget Jones energy—was unprofessional as hell. I really respect hospice care, and I wish that we’d seen Tess caring for or even thinking about patients other than Eddie’s mother, and doing a bit more to separate her romantic entanglements and professional life. Tess is threatened with professional repercussions in this romance, and honestly, she deserved them; it would have been significantly more satisfying to read if these repercussions were more to do with malicious gossip than actual misconduct.
OVERALL: I really enjoyed this book. I think there were some growing pains and road bumps, but that’s expected with a debut novel. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future romances and romantic comedies by this author, and I will be recommending this title to all my romance-reading friends.
CW: Eating disorders prevalent in the narrative, end-of-life care
3.5 stars
A fun and engaging debut romance.
Things I loved: Firstly, the premise! Tess is a doctor working in a hospice, and her love interest, Eddie, is the son of one of her terminally-ill patients. I adore the idea of a romance with a hospice as backdrop, as end-of-life care is all about love and respect—essentials in a good relationship.
I also loved the nods to Jane Austen. Tess and Eddie begin their relationships with their hackles raised due to a hasty and misunderstood exchange of words in a stressful situation, not dissimilar to Lizzie and Darcy’s unfortunate meeting at Netherfield. Tess even has an updated Mr. Collins (Simon Collins) and is internally hyper-conscious of the class differences between herself (working-class background) and the man she’s pining for (a rich lawyer who grew up in a Georgian manor house). Tess’s ‘inner voice’ even speaks as an imagined (if rather exaggerated caricature of) Jane Austen, and is referred to as such—though here Miss Austen, rather amusingly, faces off with the voice of Tess’s inner insecurities, a meanspirited Piers Morgan/Jerry Springer crossover called ‘the television host.’
Lastly, I really enjoyed Eddie. While he and Tess don’t hit things off initially, he never seems like a complete prat; we understand the high emotions he’s dealing with due to his mother’s terminal illness, and he always treats Tess fairly, even when she messes up or acts unprofessionally.
Some things that didn’t work so well for me: It’s pretty obvious this book is a debut. It’s a very good debut, but the prose is sometimes jerky or unsure, and the pacing could use some work.
An example: around the 50% mark, Tess recalls, unprompted, that Eddie (who she had briefly met once several years prior) had said he loved animals and thought about being a vet. In the next scene, Tess has a surprise problem with an animal—and Eddie, naturally, swoops in to save the day. This could have been a really good scene, but as written, it felt paint-by-numbers: we need the hero to do something nice for our heroine: quick, make him an animal lover and have him rescue an animal for her! If Eddie’s love of animals had come up far earlier in the narrative, to then lie low, half-forgotten by the reader, until the need arose, the scene would have been significantly more satisfying, calling back to something we’d learned about Eddie far previously and letting Tess know that he hasn’t changed so much from the man she met years before.
The majority of the book is written from Tess’s point of view. However, every once in a great while we’ll get a few paragraphs from Eddie’s POV. While I appreciated these moments, because Eddie is a cool guy and I like being in his head, narratively it felt awkward. There isn’t always a clear distinction between Tess’s POV narration and Eddie’s, and Tess’s POV is well over 90% of the text. If Eddie and Tess got more of a 50/50 split in their POV narration, it would feel much more natural.
The sex scenes are strangely abrupt, and gel awkwardly with the rest of the text. I love a good sex scene in a romance, but these fell flat for me.
And finally, Tess—while a relatable, smart, and fun character to follow, with some Bridget Jones energy—was unprofessional as hell. I really respect hospice care, and I wish that we’d seen Tess caring for or even thinking about patients other than Eddie’s mother, and doing a bit more to separate her romantic entanglements and professional life. Tess is threatened with professional repercussions in this romance, and honestly, she deserved them; it would have been significantly more satisfying to read if these repercussions were more to do with malicious gossip than actual misconduct.
OVERALL: I really enjoyed this book. I think there were some growing pains and road bumps, but that’s expected with a debut novel. I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future romances and romantic comedies by this author, and I will be recommending this title to all my romance-reading friends.
CW: Eating disorders prevalent in the narrative, end-of-life care
August 22, 2021
[This review contains spoilers].
The synopsis of Love Life describes our protagonist Palliative Care doctor Tess Carter as “no starry-eyed heroine”. I jumped straight into this book knowing nothing about it, and reading the first chapter, immediately picked up on the nod to Pride and Prejudice. I expected it to be a Bridget Jones-esque humorous read but things quickly turned quite sad when we learn our central character is bulimic.
I think this is a good illustration of the ways in which the story surprised me, but I do think it perhaps tries to explore far too many topics at once. We have palliative care, terminal illness, loss of a parent, absent fathers, eating disorders, and low self-esteem manifesting in voices in Tess’ head - all mashed in amongst a familiar will-they-won’t-they trope. Since we have so many themes packed in to one story, it felt like sufficient room was not given to fully explore them in as much detail as I would have liked.
There are a few times where I felt some of the language used about the men in the book was bordering on misandry – but the descriptions of Tess and her half-brother Jake’s fathers are offensive. Both are described as being “exotic” – Jake’s father is Jamaican, and Tess’ father Italian but descriptions such as “Mum clearly had a thing not just for exotic-looking men but ones with a tendency to leg it as soon as the babies arrived” and “Up the duff at nineteen by a Yardie who left me!” made for uncomfortable reading – there is a lot of information available about the racist connotations behind the word ‘exotic’ and I would recommend avoiding it as a descriptor for people.
The other thing that really bothered me was that Tess is suffering from an eating disorder and low self-esteem, seems to have some good people around her, and yet no-one has noticed or is helping her, and neither issue is properly addressed in the book. In a time where society is trying to reduce the stigma around discussing mental wellbeing, and given Tess seems to have been suffering for years with this, I was really disappointed that it was never fully addressed. Tess eventually is able to tune out the worst of the two voices in her head, but never seeks professional help, and we miss the dialogue where she is supposed to have spoken to Edward about this (we just get one line in the epilogue). This feels quite a significant element to have omitted particularly in terms of the key theme of self-love.
I also struggled with the pace a little as it started off slowly, and I think at times the voices of the talk show host and ‘Jane Austen’ interrupted the flow of things. Perhaps a conscious choice to show how they were affecting Tess, but it made the prose feel a little fragmented.
Despite these issues, I did eventually warm to Tess and Edward and the romantic in me was rooting for them. The setting of a hospice was hard going but actually worked well for the story being told, and I also liked the supporting characters of Mary, Kath, Madeline, Dr Fielding and Morris the cat.
Thank you to NetGalley and OneMoreChapter for my copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.
TW: Grief, cancer, self esteem issues, mental wellbeing, bulimia.
The synopsis of Love Life describes our protagonist Palliative Care doctor Tess Carter as “no starry-eyed heroine”. I jumped straight into this book knowing nothing about it, and reading the first chapter, immediately picked up on the nod to Pride and Prejudice. I expected it to be a Bridget Jones-esque humorous read but things quickly turned quite sad when we learn our central character is bulimic.
I think this is a good illustration of the ways in which the story surprised me, but I do think it perhaps tries to explore far too many topics at once. We have palliative care, terminal illness, loss of a parent, absent fathers, eating disorders, and low self-esteem manifesting in voices in Tess’ head - all mashed in amongst a familiar will-they-won’t-they trope. Since we have so many themes packed in to one story, it felt like sufficient room was not given to fully explore them in as much detail as I would have liked.
There are a few times where I felt some of the language used about the men in the book was bordering on misandry – but the descriptions of Tess and her half-brother Jake’s fathers are offensive. Both are described as being “exotic” – Jake’s father is Jamaican, and Tess’ father Italian but descriptions such as “Mum clearly had a thing not just for exotic-looking men but ones with a tendency to leg it as soon as the babies arrived” and “Up the duff at nineteen by a Yardie who left me!” made for uncomfortable reading – there is a lot of information available about the racist connotations behind the word ‘exotic’ and I would recommend avoiding it as a descriptor for people.
The other thing that really bothered me was that Tess is suffering from an eating disorder and low self-esteem, seems to have some good people around her, and yet no-one has noticed or is helping her, and neither issue is properly addressed in the book. In a time where society is trying to reduce the stigma around discussing mental wellbeing, and given Tess seems to have been suffering for years with this, I was really disappointed that it was never fully addressed. Tess eventually is able to tune out the worst of the two voices in her head, but never seeks professional help, and we miss the dialogue where she is supposed to have spoken to Edward about this (we just get one line in the epilogue). This feels quite a significant element to have omitted particularly in terms of the key theme of self-love.
I also struggled with the pace a little as it started off slowly, and I think at times the voices of the talk show host and ‘Jane Austen’ interrupted the flow of things. Perhaps a conscious choice to show how they were affecting Tess, but it made the prose feel a little fragmented.
Despite these issues, I did eventually warm to Tess and Edward and the romantic in me was rooting for them. The setting of a hospice was hard going but actually worked well for the story being told, and I also liked the supporting characters of Mary, Kath, Madeline, Dr Fielding and Morris the cat.
Thank you to NetGalley and OneMoreChapter for my copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.
TW: Grief, cancer, self esteem issues, mental wellbeing, bulimia.
September 8, 2021
Hmmm I’m a bit stuck in this moment. I have a few conflicting thoughts towards Love Life. First the good: Edward and Tess seemed to be a perfect example of a British Rom-com (I easily imagined Hugh Grant as Edward) with very British banter. I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope and this began a little bit as such with a hint of amnesia thrown in. With all good love stories, if the characters are likable then I will root for them to be together and enjoy following their story whatever may come.
Love Life read as two separate stories for me. The first was about Tess and her myriad of insecurities stemming from her relationships with men (gay ex-boyfriend, absent father, etc.). A good portion of the time Tess navigates these insecurities through two narrators at war in her head; the “TV host” and Jane Austen. What I expected to be a cute example of personal growth through subconscious thought and rationalization became very draining to the storyline. I found myself skimming the narrated parts and did not feel that they added any personal growth to Tess. They felt like a crutch that could have been explored better.
In the first part of the story we become acquainted with Tess’s daily life as a rounding as a doctor in a hospice ward where the reality of death is a constant. Not what I would first expect from a romance, but I was intrigued. One of her patients, Mary Russell, becomes a fixture in Tess’s work life and with that comes the grumpy Edward. Great! I love a good grump/sunshine. I was pleased to see the introduction of Edward, however, the majority of the book stayed in this realm of Tess’s life (work, home, dating, insecurities) without moving forward the story of Tess and Edward.
The second half of Love Life is still mostly Tess’s story, but now we have her thoughts more fully focused around Edward and what having him in her life may bring. Without giving any spoilers, it takes one evening to engage this part of the story. I struggled with the way the love scenes were written, feeling that I just wanted more from Tess and Edward. The writing of their romance felt very assumed to me instead of playful, learning, or experimenting with what their relationship could be.
I felt there were a few story lines that either could have been cut or woven in better: Tess’s dad, her relationship with her brother. I think Love Life read as a manuscript to me more than a good story I wanted to get lost in. Romance readers want this! Is there a HEA? Of course, it’s a romance! I will continue to read romances, but did I want more for Tess and Edward? Yes, but unfortunately their story won’t be a romance to last forever in my head.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC. The opinions expressed here are fully my own and are not influenced by this adjacent copy.
Love Life read as two separate stories for me. The first was about Tess and her myriad of insecurities stemming from her relationships with men (gay ex-boyfriend, absent father, etc.). A good portion of the time Tess navigates these insecurities through two narrators at war in her head; the “TV host” and Jane Austen. What I expected to be a cute example of personal growth through subconscious thought and rationalization became very draining to the storyline. I found myself skimming the narrated parts and did not feel that they added any personal growth to Tess. They felt like a crutch that could have been explored better.
In the first part of the story we become acquainted with Tess’s daily life as a rounding as a doctor in a hospice ward where the reality of death is a constant. Not what I would first expect from a romance, but I was intrigued. One of her patients, Mary Russell, becomes a fixture in Tess’s work life and with that comes the grumpy Edward. Great! I love a good grump/sunshine. I was pleased to see the introduction of Edward, however, the majority of the book stayed in this realm of Tess’s life (work, home, dating, insecurities) without moving forward the story of Tess and Edward.
The second half of Love Life is still mostly Tess’s story, but now we have her thoughts more fully focused around Edward and what having him in her life may bring. Without giving any spoilers, it takes one evening to engage this part of the story. I struggled with the way the love scenes were written, feeling that I just wanted more from Tess and Edward. The writing of their romance felt very assumed to me instead of playful, learning, or experimenting with what their relationship could be.
I felt there were a few story lines that either could have been cut or woven in better: Tess’s dad, her relationship with her brother. I think Love Life read as a manuscript to me more than a good story I wanted to get lost in. Romance readers want this! Is there a HEA? Of course, it’s a romance! I will continue to read romances, but did I want more for Tess and Edward? Yes, but unfortunately their story won’t be a romance to last forever in my head.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC. The opinions expressed here are fully my own and are not influenced by this adjacent copy.
July 3, 2021
4.5 Stars
*Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Uk and One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I devoured this book! It was such an enjoyable read. I couldn’t sleep and decided to read for a little bit, then suddenly it was half 5 and I’d read 80% of this book. I couldn’t put it down and I would have continued reading if I wasn’t exhausted!
Love Life follows Tess, a Doctor working at a hospice. She doesn’t fully believe in romance as her Dad left when she was 5 years old and she found her last boyfriend in bed with another guy. The voices in her head are very deprecating and she does mention how she suffers with bulimia. If you would find that triggering then I wouldn’t recommend reading this book, as although it isn’t a constant presence, there is a recurring mention of it. Tess’ inner voices take the form of a TV show host and Jane Austen herself. I love that over the course of this book, she learns to love herself and combats her inner negative thoughts.
‘None of us wish to be in calm waters all our lives.’
Whilst this book was enjoyable, it wasn’t quite as lighthearted as I thought it might be. It deals with heavy themes and sometimes I found Tess’ inner monologue to be too much, or distracted me slightly from the story. I think the idea of the two voices was interesting, but I found myself skipping over them occasionally.
‘It does really make you think life is too short to be spending it doing something you don’t enjoy.’
This is an emotional romance book as the setting of the story is in a palliative care hospice. Tess meets her patient’s son, who she had previously met but he had no recollection of her. Edward Russell is struggling to come to terms with his mother suffering from cancer. He comes across as bit of a prat, but as Tess gets to know him more and spends time with him and his mother, she soon thinks differently. I loved their relationship and was constantly rooting for them to realise their feelings for each other. This was a fun read, and if you like romance books with a bit of a heavier theme, then this is the book for you!
*Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Uk and One More Chapter for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I devoured this book! It was such an enjoyable read. I couldn’t sleep and decided to read for a little bit, then suddenly it was half 5 and I’d read 80% of this book. I couldn’t put it down and I would have continued reading if I wasn’t exhausted!
Love Life follows Tess, a Doctor working at a hospice. She doesn’t fully believe in romance as her Dad left when she was 5 years old and she found her last boyfriend in bed with another guy. The voices in her head are very deprecating and she does mention how she suffers with bulimia. If you would find that triggering then I wouldn’t recommend reading this book, as although it isn’t a constant presence, there is a recurring mention of it. Tess’ inner voices take the form of a TV show host and Jane Austen herself. I love that over the course of this book, she learns to love herself and combats her inner negative thoughts.
‘None of us wish to be in calm waters all our lives.’
Whilst this book was enjoyable, it wasn’t quite as lighthearted as I thought it might be. It deals with heavy themes and sometimes I found Tess’ inner monologue to be too much, or distracted me slightly from the story. I think the idea of the two voices was interesting, but I found myself skipping over them occasionally.
‘It does really make you think life is too short to be spending it doing something you don’t enjoy.’
This is an emotional romance book as the setting of the story is in a palliative care hospice. Tess meets her patient’s son, who she had previously met but he had no recollection of her. Edward Russell is struggling to come to terms with his mother suffering from cancer. He comes across as bit of a prat, but as Tess gets to know him more and spends time with him and his mother, she soon thinks differently. I loved their relationship and was constantly rooting for them to realise their feelings for each other. This was a fun read, and if you like romance books with a bit of a heavier theme, then this is the book for you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews