What do you think?
Rate this book
That Loving Feeling
A wonderfully wise romantic comedy about the ones we love and the one that got away...
Juliet Joyce has been happily married for twenty-five years. But with two grown-up children who treat the house like a hotel, a seventy-year-old mother who's just moved in and a father who's announced he's gay it's hardly surprising that her relationship with her husband Rick is beginning to suffer. Juliet's resigned to the fact that the only romance she's going to get is from the pages of her library books, so nothing prepares her for the unexpected return of Steven Aubrey. Last seen twenty-six years ago, when he jilted Juliet on their wedding day, he ignites a passion in her that she thought was long gone. But will Steven sweep her off her feet or can Rick remind her of the loving feeling that they've lost? There's only one way to find out...
Juliet Joyce has been happily married for twenty-five years. But with two grown-up children who treat the house like a hotel, a seventy-year-old mother who's just moved in and a father who's announced he's gay it's hardly surprising that her relationship with her husband Rick is beginning to suffer. Juliet's resigned to the fact that the only romance she's going to get is from the pages of her library books, so nothing prepares her for the unexpected return of Steven Aubrey. Last seen twenty-six years ago, when he jilted Juliet on their wedding day, he ignites a passion in her that she thought was long gone. But will Steven sweep her off her feet or can Rick remind her of the loving feeling that they've lost? There's only one way to find out...
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
55 people are currently reading
1020 people want to read
About the author
Carole Matthews
75 books1,720 followersCarole Matthews is an international bestselling author of hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and critical acclaim all over the world.
A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.
In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.
Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.
A Minor Indiscretion and A Compromising Position both reached the Top 5 in the Sunday Times bestseller chart in the UK. You Drive Me Crazy reached number 8 in the original fiction charts. The novel Welcome To The Real World was shortlisted for RNA romantic novel of the year 2007.
In 2006 Carole co-edited - with writer Sarah Mlynowski - two new editions of the hugely popular Girls' Night In charity series called Girls' Night Out - one for the USA and one for Canada. All proceeds go to War Child.
Carole has presented on television and is a regular radio guest. When she’s not writing novels, television or film scripts she manages to find time to trek in the Himalayas, rollerblade in Central Park, take tea in China and snooze in her garden shed in Milton Keynes which is near London, England.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
December 31, 2024
Vermakelijk en lekker veel drama
October 29, 2015
What can I say? I have to be totally honest and say that whilst reading this book I embarrassed myself on numerous occasions by actually laughing out loud whilst on the train. This book was an absolute joy to read. I am a huge fan of the series the Chocolate Lovers and found that I was comparing each book to that series. This book needed no comparison.
Juliet Joyce is a typical married mother of two. Her husband Rick along with their two children in their late teens Tom and Chloe, live in a regular close leading a very ordinary life. Juliet's mother has recently moved in after deciding that upon reaching her 70s she was going to start living her life the way she wanted. Juliet works in the local library and the most excitement her life sees is what lies in store for her when she gets home with regards to what new and inventive ways her children have come up with top avoid cleaning their rooms, or god forbid, getting a job!
However, when her ex fiancé who jilted her at the alter, Steven Aubrey turns up, her life is thrown into the mixer. This along with the predicaments her husband manages to get himself into along with the behaviour of her kids, her party animal mother, and her father who has changed his life dramatically make for an absolutely explosive and hilarious story. Her marriage starts to teeter when Steven comes on the scene and she has to decide whether she wants to make a new life for herself or stick with what she already has.
This story was told with such humour that I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters are the most honest version of mixed up families I have read in a while and some of the one-liners that were told had tears running down my cheeks. I finished this book in a day and a half and haven't laughed that much at a book in a long time. Thoroughly enjoyed every page and would highly recommend to anybody. The Chocolate Lovers series although still a firm favourite, doesn't seem quite as important after reading this latest Carole Matthews books. A definite must have.
Juliet Joyce is a typical married mother of two. Her husband Rick along with their two children in their late teens Tom and Chloe, live in a regular close leading a very ordinary life. Juliet's mother has recently moved in after deciding that upon reaching her 70s she was going to start living her life the way she wanted. Juliet works in the local library and the most excitement her life sees is what lies in store for her when she gets home with regards to what new and inventive ways her children have come up with top avoid cleaning their rooms, or god forbid, getting a job!
However, when her ex fiancé who jilted her at the alter, Steven Aubrey turns up, her life is thrown into the mixer. This along with the predicaments her husband manages to get himself into along with the behaviour of her kids, her party animal mother, and her father who has changed his life dramatically make for an absolutely explosive and hilarious story. Her marriage starts to teeter when Steven comes on the scene and she has to decide whether she wants to make a new life for herself or stick with what she already has.
This story was told with such humour that I was hooked from the first chapter. The characters are the most honest version of mixed up families I have read in a while and some of the one-liners that were told had tears running down my cheeks. I finished this book in a day and a half and haven't laughed that much at a book in a long time. Thoroughly enjoyed every page and would highly recommend to anybody. The Chocolate Lovers series although still a firm favourite, doesn't seem quite as important after reading this latest Carole Matthews books. A definite must have.
December 8, 2012
I enjoyed this book i didn't relise at first that the characters in this book are the same as the one's in with love at christmas so i knew diferent things from that book to this book so it ruined it a bit should of read this book first i enjoyed the characters wasn't keen on stacey but she grew on me. Would read more from carole matthews.
September 20, 2021
You can never go wrong with Carole Matthews books they are simply so well written. Full of romance and heartbreak and learning what you do want from life. All her books make you feel good and can just relax and enjoy.
Juliet has been married to Rick for 25 years but the spark has gone her mum has moved in with them they have two children who treat the home like a hotel. They just don’t get time for themselves and when Juliet’s ex moves back she is taken in by him and seems to feel the thrill with him but will she choose him or her husband when it comes to it or will she go off with her ex.
Juliet has been married to Rick for 25 years but the spark has gone her mum has moved in with them they have two children who treat the home like a hotel. They just don’t get time for themselves and when Juliet’s ex moves back she is taken in by him and seems to feel the thrill with him but will she choose him or her husband when it comes to it or will she go off with her ex.
May 11, 2024
Qué bonito final y que satiisfactorio cuando acaba como quieres que acabe.
Llevaba literalmente todo el libro sufriendo porque pensaba que iba a acabar de otra manera y no quería y ahoora estoy muy muy feliz :)
Llevaba literalmente todo el libro sufriendo porque pensaba que iba a acabar de otra manera y no quería y ahoora estoy muy muy feliz :)
November 21, 2017
Uggghhhhh. This was so painful.
Now don’t get me wrong - I love a fluffy chick lit that I can get lost in and don’t have to think too much about. I finished this in a day. But there were very few redeeming features about this train wreck.
And what a wreck! It reads like a budget romcom script. From at least three separate “wrong place wrong time” innuendos involving the husband (cappuccino foam on your pants can now lead to arrest) to over the top romantic liaisons (“my lover” “my old love” “my ex flame” made me cringe, particularly when they would occur more than once on a page) to the slapstick physical comedy of choking on one’s noodles when one’s elderly father announces he wants to move in with his toy boy (yes, you read that right). It was like some horrible, teen-written, soft-core mash of 50 Shades of Grey and Unfaithful.
So much goes on in this book it’s hard to feel anything but annoyance for the characters. The adult children are beyond horrible, the mother in law is, for some reason we’re never told, super critical and judgemental of her only child, the protagonist is wishy washy and flip flops more than a pair of jandals with just as much material to work with, and no one over the age of 25 could take the cringe-inducing Lothario seriously. So many things go wrong, which might translate well in film but just makes you roll your eyes when another disaster crops up before the previous one has even been addressed. In any other world, the mother would have been fired or at least hauled into the office for taking so many long lunch breaks (for romantic picnics, of course) and constantly needing to attend to her husband/kinda-fling/children’s dramas.
There was so much unnecessary filler. We won the lottery, oh wait no we didn’t, somehow we’re now the laughing stock of the town - what?? Our 20 year old daughter is doing a useless degree, has started stripping and is now knocked up to a guy she “might” love - so now is the perfect time to fret about her throwing away the education that was previously deemed a waste of time. Never mind where she will live or how she’ll provide for her child. It was all very bizarre.
My first book by Carole Matthews but sadly it may be my last.
Now don’t get me wrong - I love a fluffy chick lit that I can get lost in and don’t have to think too much about. I finished this in a day. But there were very few redeeming features about this train wreck.
And what a wreck! It reads like a budget romcom script. From at least three separate “wrong place wrong time” innuendos involving the husband (cappuccino foam on your pants can now lead to arrest) to over the top romantic liaisons (“my lover” “my old love” “my ex flame” made me cringe, particularly when they would occur more than once on a page) to the slapstick physical comedy of choking on one’s noodles when one’s elderly father announces he wants to move in with his toy boy (yes, you read that right). It was like some horrible, teen-written, soft-core mash of 50 Shades of Grey and Unfaithful.
So much goes on in this book it’s hard to feel anything but annoyance for the characters. The adult children are beyond horrible, the mother in law is, for some reason we’re never told, super critical and judgemental of her only child, the protagonist is wishy washy and flip flops more than a pair of jandals with just as much material to work with, and no one over the age of 25 could take the cringe-inducing Lothario seriously. So many things go wrong, which might translate well in film but just makes you roll your eyes when another disaster crops up before the previous one has even been addressed. In any other world, the mother would have been fired or at least hauled into the office for taking so many long lunch breaks (for romantic picnics, of course) and constantly needing to attend to her husband/kinda-fling/children’s dramas.
There was so much unnecessary filler. We won the lottery, oh wait no we didn’t, somehow we’re now the laughing stock of the town - what?? Our 20 year old daughter is doing a useless degree, has started stripping and is now knocked up to a guy she “might” love - so now is the perfect time to fret about her throwing away the education that was previously deemed a waste of time. Never mind where she will live or how she’ll provide for her child. It was all very bizarre.
My first book by Carole Matthews but sadly it may be my last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2014
This book was really annoying! I imagine that when an author begins a book they sit down and make a big list of potential plot lines that the could include. Carole Matthews did this, but then forgot that she was supposed to narrow the number of plot lines down to a reasonable number. Any 3 or 4 of the subjects covered would have been enough to fill a book but Carole genuinely had about 10!
I've read quite a lot of Carole Matthew's books and have a few more on my bookshelf. They're always a quick and entertaining read but she's definitely a bit hit and miss and this one was not a favourite.
I've read quite a lot of Carole Matthew's books and have a few more on my bookshelf. They're always a quick and entertaining read but she's definitely a bit hit and miss and this one was not a favourite.
December 4, 2012
I haven't read any of Carole's books before but I saw a review which likened her to my beloved Marian Keyes so I thought it give it a whirl.
It's definitely not on the scale of Marian's witty writing, but there were some extremely funny laugh out loud moments, and on the whole I liked the book and the characters. It is easy reading and one which I did in a couple of days.
I am just about to start reading the sequel, With Love At Christmas, to get me in the festive spirit and hope its as good as this one.
I'm not normally a fan of chick lit but I needed a break from mystery and thrillers, my very favourite genre, as I am becoming a super sleuth at figuring out who the perps are, and indeed I could apply as a CSI at the rate I've been going!
Nice, easy reading if you need a little light relief.
It's definitely not on the scale of Marian's witty writing, but there were some extremely funny laugh out loud moments, and on the whole I liked the book and the characters. It is easy reading and one which I did in a couple of days.
I am just about to start reading the sequel, With Love At Christmas, to get me in the festive spirit and hope its as good as this one.
I'm not normally a fan of chick lit but I needed a break from mystery and thrillers, my very favourite genre, as I am becoming a super sleuth at figuring out who the perps are, and indeed I could apply as a CSI at the rate I've been going!
Nice, easy reading if you need a little light relief.
September 20, 2019
I really liked this book. I’ve just not had much time to read. I realised when I started reading it that it’s the first book, to sequel “With Love At Christmas” which is actually the first Carole Matthews book I ever read earlier this year and what got me into loving the author. She is now one of my favourites. I think I’ve read about 13 of her books now, or around that mark. Lots of ups and downs in this story. Lots of laugh out loud at Rick’s crazy encounters and how something simple can be misconstrued. It’s a great light read with lots of funny moments. Highly recommend 😊
February 25, 2015
This book started off a bit slow but it just got better and beter as I read further into it. The story had some very funny twists and turns that pretty much kept you always wanting to read one more page to see what happens next.
March 10, 2019
Great story of Julie who has been married to Rick for nearly 25 years and the hiccups they face when her ex, who jilted her the day of her wedding, returns. Easily flowed story with other family dynamics thrown in and lots of laugh out loud moments
June 24, 2019
I’ve read this book twice now and it never fails to make me laugh, so many twists and turns to keep you guessing. However it’s sometimes a little bit predictable. It’s perfect if you want to read something lighthearted.
February 24, 2015
Lovely romance, with characters I can relate to and believe in, gently humorous yet very credible and entertaining.
February 12, 2017
Loved it. Great easy reading loved the story. It was fun to read.
May 16, 2020
Sorry, didn’t enjoy this book at all. Didn’t like the characters, and thought they were cringeworthy, despicable and bratty.
January 10, 2023
Didn't finish this one,total rubbish.
October 28, 2024
Alright, let’s dive deeper.
Imagine you're watching a Netflix-worthy rom-com drama, but in novel form. This story revolves around a wonderfully chaotic family, each member a distinct piece of work. I absolutely adored the light humor that kept popping up throughout the narrative, offering little moments of levity.
The heart of the story centers on a female protagonist who's been married for 25 years. She's grappling with the realization that she might no longer be in love with her husband. Just as she's navigating these turbulent emotions, her ex-lover makes a dramatic reentry into her life, leaving her feelings and doubts in a whirlwind.
The novel beautifully explores her internal struggle as she juggles between the resurfacing emotions for her ex-lover and the comforting familiarity of her husband. It's a journey of suppressed desires and the search for true happiness, all wrapped up in a fast-paced, easy read. It's the kind of book you can always pick up when you need a feel-good escape.
Imagine you're watching a Netflix-worthy rom-com drama, but in novel form. This story revolves around a wonderfully chaotic family, each member a distinct piece of work. I absolutely adored the light humor that kept popping up throughout the narrative, offering little moments of levity.
The heart of the story centers on a female protagonist who's been married for 25 years. She's grappling with the realization that she might no longer be in love with her husband. Just as she's navigating these turbulent emotions, her ex-lover makes a dramatic reentry into her life, leaving her feelings and doubts in a whirlwind.
The novel beautifully explores her internal struggle as she juggles between the resurfacing emotions for her ex-lover and the comforting familiarity of her husband. It's a journey of suppressed desires and the search for true happiness, all wrapped up in a fast-paced, easy read. It's the kind of book you can always pick up when you need a feel-good escape.
February 13, 2023
Heartwarming
You know its a good read when your hubby asks if you're crying to where you swiftly reply you have something in your eye, to where your mother then chimes in "yes - tears!" I live at home with my parents, husband, 4 kids and occasional stray cat. So this hit quite close to home. Throw in the near miss dad had with the london underground bombings - very close. I love all of Matthew's books she is a genius mastermind of cosy reads. 100% recommend this boom to readers who love a relatable and funny story that at times really makes you appreciate what you have in life. 10\10
You know its a good read when your hubby asks if you're crying to where you swiftly reply you have something in your eye, to where your mother then chimes in "yes - tears!" I live at home with my parents, husband, 4 kids and occasional stray cat. So this hit quite close to home. Throw in the near miss dad had with the london underground bombings - very close. I love all of Matthew's books she is a genius mastermind of cosy reads. 100% recommend this boom to readers who love a relatable and funny story that at times really makes you appreciate what you have in life. 10\10
September 2, 2023
Amaturish. Alliteration for alliterations sake. Was rather annoying how people always needed to be addressed by their full name when first name would suffice. Undertone of homophobia towards bisexual people. Outdated views on female liberation. Also felt like the book was promoting adult ku for the duration. People won (almost) the lottery, hold in a robbery and a terrorist attack all in the space of 400 pages?! Unrealistic spilling of coffee foam on crotch leading to an arrest for you can guess what. Was just ludicrous. Meh.
September 25, 2024
2,5
It was long, annoying.
I hated how Juliet wasn’t reacting and doing anything with her kids and mother, treating her like a doormat. If you don’t react don’t complain! It was so frustrating to read.
And Rick with everything wrong happening to him - that seemed too over the top.
I don’t know what the burglary had to to do in this story.
It became interesting 85% in the book, such a disappointment
It was long, annoying.
I hated how Juliet wasn’t reacting and doing anything with her kids and mother, treating her like a doormat. If you don’t react don’t complain! It was so frustrating to read.
And Rick with everything wrong happening to him - that seemed too over the top.
I don’t know what the burglary had to to do in this story.
It became interesting 85% in the book, such a disappointment
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
This book was a truly engaging read. Initially, I was eager for Juliet to leave her husband—I felt she deserved better. But as the story unfolded and I saw the bigger picture, my perspective shifted. I began to realize that it might not be worth sacrificing the family they had built for someone like Steven. By the end, I was genuinely happy with how things turned out. The conclusion felt just right—hopeful, satisfying, and true to the story's heart.
January 30, 2022
Well what a little gem this book is! I found myself laughing out loud on a couple of occasions whilst reading which is something I never normally do.
Thoroughly enjoyed every page and didn’t want it to end. Having said that the ending has left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
I’m a huge fan of Carole matthews and I have to say I think this is one of her best books I’ve ever read.
Thoroughly enjoyed every page and didn’t want it to end. Having said that the ending has left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
I’m a huge fan of Carole matthews and I have to say I think this is one of her best books I’ve ever read.
January 15, 2023
Rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I like my characters to be ordinary, no celebrities or billionaires etc. and CM delivers on that score, everyday folk dealing with everyday issues, financial worries, kids that never want to grow up, feeling unappreciated, tired and ground down by the daily drudge, but somehow this one didn't quite manage to move me in the way some of her other books have.
October 5, 2022
Another amazing book by my favorite author. Short chapters, a great storyline. Funny most of the times. I enjoyed reading it. Love all her books. Took me a month to finish it as I was distracted by Netflix and Crocheting 😹
October 14, 2024
Another easy read on holiday found it in a charity shop and loved the sparkles on the front cover lol! Not amazing but not bad - was a little cringey and aimed for an older audience I’d say but a pleasant read !
September 30, 2017
I think the book was funny and slow some times and I loved the mother-in-law .
August 1, 2018
A fun chicklit read
September 15, 2018
Another funny book from Carole Matthews. Her characters are so real.
December 20, 2019
Very enjoyable *****
March 12, 2020
Was not my fave Carole Matthew's boom. In fact I felt a little let down by it.
Way to much going on in the story line with Rick.
Way to much going on in the story line with Rick.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews