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Liv Is Not A Loser
Should Liv take herself out of the friend zone, or are they better off there? Liv Granger has been flailing through life since her teens. When her brother, Joe, announces his engagement to his long-term boyfriend, Liv realises that she has never been able to commit to anything – a career, a fixed address, a relationship – and she may, in fact, be a massive loser.
With the help of Joe and Henry, her oldest friend, Liv comes up with the Loser ten tasks to change her life. The most challenging – three dates with the same person. After each increasingly disastrous date, Henry is always there to the rescue. Has what she’s been looking for been right in front of her the whole time?
Between restraining her mother’s wedding planning and doing everything in her power to not be her father’s wingman for his various short-lived girlfriends, Liv learns that the path to self-improvement needs to start with a little self-acceptance…
A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for fans of Sophia Money-Coutts, Sarah Hogle and Sally Thorne.
Praise for Liv is Not a Loser ‘A delight to read... hilarious, heartwarming, and healing. Henry and Liv's friends-to-lovers journey was swoon-worthy’ Camilla Isley
‘Glorious fun and full of warmth, with a red-hot cinnamon bun love interest. Heartily recommended!’ Laura Starkey
‘An adorable story that you won't put down until you've turned the last page. This is definitely a romance author to be watched! What a way to brighten my weekend’ Aimee Brown
With the help of Joe and Henry, her oldest friend, Liv comes up with the Loser ten tasks to change her life. The most challenging – three dates with the same person. After each increasingly disastrous date, Henry is always there to the rescue. Has what she’s been looking for been right in front of her the whole time?
Between restraining her mother’s wedding planning and doing everything in her power to not be her father’s wingman for his various short-lived girlfriends, Liv learns that the path to self-improvement needs to start with a little self-acceptance…
A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy for fans of Sophia Money-Coutts, Sarah Hogle and Sally Thorne.
Praise for Liv is Not a Loser ‘A delight to read... hilarious, heartwarming, and healing. Henry and Liv's friends-to-lovers journey was swoon-worthy’ Camilla Isley
‘Glorious fun and full of warmth, with a red-hot cinnamon bun love interest. Heartily recommended!’ Laura Starkey
‘An adorable story that you won't put down until you've turned the last page. This is definitely a romance author to be watched! What a way to brighten my weekend’ Aimee Brown
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2024
About the author
Lauren Ford
2 books17 followersLauren has a background in film distribution, acquisitions and script development with a focus on romantic comedies.
Lauren lives in Australia with her husband, two children and one overly excitable Sheepadoodle.
When she isn’t writing, she can be found reading anything involving romance, patting random unsuspecting animals or continuing her quest for the perfect gluten-free bacon and egg roll.
Lauren lives in Australia with her husband, two children and one overly excitable Sheepadoodle.
When she isn’t writing, she can be found reading anything involving romance, patting random unsuspecting animals or continuing her quest for the perfect gluten-free bacon and egg roll.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 11, 2024
Don't let the rating scare you away (as in, don't forget, a three is good) because this is a debut author I would definitely read from again. So why not a higher rating? Welllll.
I'll admit that considering this is marketed as a romance I found the romance to be the least believable part of the story. At least from one end of the pairing. Henry's feelings for Liv? The little references to his observations, his hidden feelings, it all told a bigger story that Liv took a little longer to catch-on to. Which is fine. But once Liv clued in.. I just didn't feel it. It felt rushed and unrealistic and overall I needed more.
And that's fine. Because ultimately this did read a bit more women's fiction than standard romance both in the telling of it and as there was a lot of growth and discovery and emotional history to work through from Liv's perspective as it came to both her professional life and personal/familial life. And I do like that Ford included Henry in this some of this same endeavour, too, as it felt more realistic. It's not always just one side of relationship pairing that can feel stuck or listless, sometimes it's both; and it seems like women are often the ones portrayed with these particular issues. So I liked that this was somewhat balanced.
What I also liked was the friend slash sibling group -- made up of Liv, her brother Joe, their bestie Henry, and Joe's fiancé, Seth. I wish we had gotten to know Seth a bit more, he ended up being the least fleshed out and with the least page time, but there was one beautiful scene with him that stood out. And it's that which made me wish we'd had more with him. I feel we could've had some of the random antics and flashbacks cut in favour of this and it definitely would've benefited and felt stronger as a result.
And by antics I mean.. the kids. I'm sorry but these were the least realistic-sounding eight year olds ever and it was just one (or two, maybe three) too many bits of weirdness to chew through. It's to a story's benefit to not be too tightly focused on a couple and their drama but sometimes it can also drift off into unnecessary filler and unfortunately I think we had that happen a bit here.
But. If you're looking for a story with a goal of self-improvement, unexpected love waiting in the wings, and some quirky and strange but more loveable than not family dynamics, you should definitely consider picking this one up.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
I'll admit that considering this is marketed as a romance I found the romance to be the least believable part of the story. At least from one end of the pairing. Henry's feelings for Liv? The little references to his observations, his hidden feelings, it all told a bigger story that Liv took a little longer to catch-on to. Which is fine. But once Liv clued in.. I just didn't feel it. It felt rushed and unrealistic and overall I needed more.
And that's fine. Because ultimately this did read a bit more women's fiction than standard romance both in the telling of it and as there was a lot of growth and discovery and emotional history to work through from Liv's perspective as it came to both her professional life and personal/familial life. And I do like that Ford included Henry in this some of this same endeavour, too, as it felt more realistic. It's not always just one side of relationship pairing that can feel stuck or listless, sometimes it's both; and it seems like women are often the ones portrayed with these particular issues. So I liked that this was somewhat balanced.
What I also liked was the friend slash sibling group -- made up of Liv, her brother Joe, their bestie Henry, and Joe's fiancé, Seth. I wish we had gotten to know Seth a bit more, he ended up being the least fleshed out and with the least page time, but there was one beautiful scene with him that stood out. And it's that which made me wish we'd had more with him. I feel we could've had some of the random antics and flashbacks cut in favour of this and it definitely would've benefited and felt stronger as a result.
And by antics I mean.. the kids. I'm sorry but these were the least realistic-sounding eight year olds ever and it was just one (or two, maybe three) too many bits of weirdness to chew through. It's to a story's benefit to not be too tightly focused on a couple and their drama but sometimes it can also drift off into unnecessary filler and unfortunately I think we had that happen a bit here.
But. If you're looking for a story with a goal of self-improvement, unexpected love waiting in the wings, and some quirky and strange but more loveable than not family dynamics, you should definitely consider picking this one up.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
June 26, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this book arc! It’s the first romance book I’ve dived into for a while, and here are my thoughts:
I enjoyed the author’s comedic writing, I often found myself chuckling to myself or being generally amused by the antics of different characters: especially side characters like Barry and Daisy who I feel really stole the show every-time they were mentioned. However, whilst on the topic of writing, I sometimes found the writing style to be rather long and sometimes confusing to read. It felt too lengthy at times and that occasionally maybe a sentence should of been shorter or tidied up a bit. I don’t like to nit pick grammar or sentence structures as I do not have an English degree or am in the professional field of writing but it was something I noticed as a reader.
Unfortunately this book, despite at times being very funny, was a miss for me as an overall romance book. I feel like it was more of a book about self discovery with a sprinkle of friends forever insta-love. I often found Liv to be very childish, and not endearing enough where I was rooting for her to change her ways. But, I also think she was a product of her environment. Her family often made me want to bang my head against the wall with the lack of boundaries, and whilst I know this is the reality for a lot of people- I genuinely wished that they got reprimanded more for it. Liv was a loser, childish and irresponsible, but she also was someone who had barely any real support from her family. They were unfortunately quite flat characters for me.
I didn’t mind the romance itself, I like the trope of friends to lovers but I think the main tension was ridiculous and spoke volumes to the main character’s childish behaviour. However, the author acknowledges this and I did enjoy the fact that it was rectified by acknowledging the character needed to self reflect and grow more. I would of thrown in the towel if the character got what they wanted (trying not to spoil here) but instead it was a great opportunity for character development. Henry was an enjoyable love interest, and a great friend to Joe and Liv. I’m glad he got his happy ending as he was one of my favourite characters (alongside Barry and Daisy).
I think overall I would market this more as a comedic self discovery find yourself novel, rather than a romance, I think that if you go into it as a romance you may not enjoy it as much. But, if you, like Liv, am someone unsure of their place in the world and find yourself lost, misunderstood and devalued by your family, then this is a relatable book.
I enjoyed the author’s comedic writing, I often found myself chuckling to myself or being generally amused by the antics of different characters: especially side characters like Barry and Daisy who I feel really stole the show every-time they were mentioned. However, whilst on the topic of writing, I sometimes found the writing style to be rather long and sometimes confusing to read. It felt too lengthy at times and that occasionally maybe a sentence should of been shorter or tidied up a bit. I don’t like to nit pick grammar or sentence structures as I do not have an English degree or am in the professional field of writing but it was something I noticed as a reader.
Unfortunately this book, despite at times being very funny, was a miss for me as an overall romance book. I feel like it was more of a book about self discovery with a sprinkle of friends forever insta-love. I often found Liv to be very childish, and not endearing enough where I was rooting for her to change her ways. But, I also think she was a product of her environment. Her family often made me want to bang my head against the wall with the lack of boundaries, and whilst I know this is the reality for a lot of people- I genuinely wished that they got reprimanded more for it. Liv was a loser, childish and irresponsible, but she also was someone who had barely any real support from her family. They were unfortunately quite flat characters for me.
I didn’t mind the romance itself, I like the trope of friends to lovers but I think the main tension was ridiculous and spoke volumes to the main character’s childish behaviour. However, the author acknowledges this and I did enjoy the fact that it was rectified by acknowledging the character needed to self reflect and grow more. I would of thrown in the towel if the character got what they wanted (trying not to spoil here) but instead it was a great opportunity for character development. Henry was an enjoyable love interest, and a great friend to Joe and Liv. I’m glad he got his happy ending as he was one of my favourite characters (alongside Barry and Daisy).
I think overall I would market this more as a comedic self discovery find yourself novel, rather than a romance, I think that if you go into it as a romance you may not enjoy it as much. But, if you, like Liv, am someone unsure of their place in the world and find yourself lost, misunderstood and devalued by your family, then this is a relatable book.
June 17, 2024
4.5 stars
Headlines:
Friends to more
Stuck in a rut
Escaping the rut
This debut from Lauren Ford was full of whip-smart wit, a great crop of characters and a plot that felt relatable. Rom-com feels were engaging from start to finish with a heroine to cheer for and a good guy giving longing looks.
Liv was the kind of character that was endearing. She didn't have her act together and she lacked self-belief. The loser list actually became something useful to her as she tried to focus her life a little, starting with dating, a phone plan and a pet.
The side characters in this story were rich and a big part of the tale, especially Joe, Seth and Felicity. Liv had daddy issues and that made for interesting self-discovery. All through this book, while I enjoyed Liv's chaos, I was willing her to find her way, accomplish her dreams and of course, get her man.
Henry was a bit of catnip to me. I love a friend that becomes something more, especially a good guy. He lifted Liv up, he empowered and encouraged her, laughed with her and gave great hugs. The twist that fell about two thirds in, really felt unexpected and left me feeling uncertain almost till the end.
This was a fantastic debut and I cannot wait to read more from Lauren Ford.
Thank you to Canelo for the review copy.
Headlines:
Friends to more
Stuck in a rut
Escaping the rut
This debut from Lauren Ford was full of whip-smart wit, a great crop of characters and a plot that felt relatable. Rom-com feels were engaging from start to finish with a heroine to cheer for and a good guy giving longing looks.
Liv was the kind of character that was endearing. She didn't have her act together and she lacked self-belief. The loser list actually became something useful to her as she tried to focus her life a little, starting with dating, a phone plan and a pet.
The side characters in this story were rich and a big part of the tale, especially Joe, Seth and Felicity. Liv had daddy issues and that made for interesting self-discovery. All through this book, while I enjoyed Liv's chaos, I was willing her to find her way, accomplish her dreams and of course, get her man.
Henry was a bit of catnip to me. I love a friend that becomes something more, especially a good guy. He lifted Liv up, he empowered and encouraged her, laughed with her and gave great hugs. The twist that fell about two thirds in, really felt unexpected and left me feeling uncertain almost till the end.
This was a fantastic debut and I cannot wait to read more from Lauren Ford.
Thank you to Canelo for the review copy.
July 21, 2024
Sometimes you need a book that isn't too topic-heavy, no complicated plot lines that you have to keep track of, no slow burn romance that you have to patiently sit through 500+ pages for etc.
Sometimes you need a book like this one.
'Liv Is Not A Loser' is part of Tadem Collective's Readalongs that they were hosting on Instagram. As soon a I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to take part. I've been in the mood for lighter, contemporary reads and I was hoping this one would satisfy my mood. The book follows our main character, Liv, a twenty-something woman who is feeling a bit stuck in her life. She feels like she is missing out and falling behind in all areas of her life– in her career and in her personal life– and when her brother announces his engagement to his long-time partner, that was the final nail in the coffin. Liv decides to make a checklist of goals that she wishes to achieve in order to bran herself as not a loser.
The romance was sweet. I love a childhood friends to lovers story, and this was one of the good ones. It might've progressed a little too fast for my taste, but it still concluded nicely. This book was almost a comfort read for me. I relate a lot to our main character and it was nice to witness her go through enough character development to realise that ultimately it's up to you to decide how you live your life and the at the end of the day we have choices. Liv's story is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the triumph of self-belief.
3.5
Novelstorian (Blog) ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter ✨
Star ratings and their meanings:
★★★★★: I loved everything about this book! I would re-read it and would highly recommend it to you, your family and your cat!
★★★★: I liked it. I didn’t love it but I still liked it enough to still rate it highly. I could see myself still recommending this book to a lot of people
★★★: It was an okay book. There maybe have been a few things that bothered me while reading this book but for the most parts the likes outweigh the dislikes.
★★: the cons outweigh the pros, unfortunately. There might be some things that were lacking in some areas—writing, characterisation, plot etc, but there may have been a few moments that I liked.
★: Nope. I should've just appreciated this book from afar.
Sometimes you need a book like this one.
'Liv Is Not A Loser' is part of Tadem Collective's Readalongs that they were hosting on Instagram. As soon a I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to take part. I've been in the mood for lighter, contemporary reads and I was hoping this one would satisfy my mood. The book follows our main character, Liv, a twenty-something woman who is feeling a bit stuck in her life. She feels like she is missing out and falling behind in all areas of her life– in her career and in her personal life– and when her brother announces his engagement to his long-time partner, that was the final nail in the coffin. Liv decides to make a checklist of goals that she wishes to achieve in order to bran herself as not a loser.
The romance was sweet. I love a childhood friends to lovers story, and this was one of the good ones. It might've progressed a little too fast for my taste, but it still concluded nicely. This book was almost a comfort read for me. I relate a lot to our main character and it was nice to witness her go through enough character development to realise that ultimately it's up to you to decide how you live your life and the at the end of the day we have choices. Liv's story is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the triumph of self-belief.
3.5
Novelstorian (Blog) ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter ✨
Star ratings and their meanings:
★★★★★: I loved everything about this book! I would re-read it and would highly recommend it to you, your family and your cat!
★★★★: I liked it. I didn’t love it but I still liked it enough to still rate it highly. I could see myself still recommending this book to a lot of people
★★★: It was an okay book. There maybe have been a few things that bothered me while reading this book but for the most parts the likes outweigh the dislikes.
★★: the cons outweigh the pros, unfortunately. There might be some things that were lacking in some areas—writing, characterisation, plot etc, but there may have been a few moments that I liked.
★: Nope. I should've just appreciated this book from afar.
September 3, 2024
Liv Granger has never been able to commit to anything – a career, a fixed address, a relationship – and she may, in fact, be a massive loser. With the help of brother Joe and her best friend Henry, they come up with ten tasks to change her life.
My Grade: DNF-D+ ⭐️⭐️ I thought that this book had so much promise, and there are some of my favorite tropes included (childhood friends to lovers, he falls first, secretly dating). But the FMC was too immature, and the romance was rushed. Very disappointing.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Some pretty steamy kisses and make out sessions, but unsure on how far it actually goes.
Why the Score?
-The FMC Liv was tough to understand. The book labels her as a "loser", but in actuality she is just a person who acts like a young teenager and has the inability to act like a responsible human.
-A romance between the FMC and her childhood bestie Henry is done so quickly and is really confusing. There needed to be more of a buildup, and perhaps more flashbacks to their childhood. It all came together so extremely awkward.
-The 3rd act breakup left me frustrated and just didn't make any sense. (not that they generally do anyways)
-Once an animal dies for no damn reason, I immediately DNF. This was so completely unnecessary and I don't know why this was included. Terrible.
My Grade: DNF-D+ ⭐️⭐️ I thought that this book had so much promise, and there are some of my favorite tropes included (childhood friends to lovers, he falls first, secretly dating). But the FMC was too immature, and the romance was rushed. Very disappointing.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Some pretty steamy kisses and make out sessions, but unsure on how far it actually goes.
Why the Score?
-The FMC Liv was tough to understand. The book labels her as a "loser", but in actuality she is just a person who acts like a young teenager and has the inability to act like a responsible human.
-A romance between the FMC and her childhood bestie Henry is done so quickly and is really confusing. There needed to be more of a buildup, and perhaps more flashbacks to their childhood. It all came together so extremely awkward.
-The 3rd act breakup left me frustrated and just didn't make any sense. (not that they generally do anyways)
-Once an animal dies for no damn reason, I immediately DNF. This was so completely unnecessary and I don't know why this was included. Terrible.
July 25, 2024
The only thing I knew about this book going into it was that it was a romantic comedy and I'm not going to spoil it by saying what the tropes are because my surprise at that, and therefore the plot, was one of my favourite things about this book. But let's just say, it's my all-time favourite trope. And honestly if we'd just had a book which focused on their relationship without any disturbances then I probably would have rated it 5 stars because THESE TWO 😍
This book is for anyone who feels stuck in a rut and doesn't know what to do with themselves. Anyone who wants a laugh. Anyone who wants to feel something and ESPECIALLY loves a good romance. And even if you don't like any of those things then you'll probably find something you like (and you might learn a cautionary tale and start writing your own list). So fun
This book is for anyone who feels stuck in a rut and doesn't know what to do with themselves. Anyone who wants a laugh. Anyone who wants to feel something and ESPECIALLY loves a good romance. And even if you don't like any of those things then you'll probably find something you like (and you might learn a cautionary tale and start writing your own list). So fun
July 10, 2024
If you're wanting a feel-good, charming, funny, sad read all rolled into one, this is it! I read this through my online bookclub Pigeonhole, and fell in love with several of the characters but in particular Barry, a biscuit of a boy, wise beyond his years and was delighted to hear that he, together with his love interest Daisy, are to be featured in a forthcoming book. 5 stars
July 24, 2024
Liv Is A Loser, is so adorably funny. I just can’t believe that this romantic comedy, best friends to lovers, novel, is Lauren Ford’s first novel.
It’s not very nice being evicted, with no where else to go, and being homeless, but sadly, Liv is in that situation. She has all her belongings in one suitcase and two plastic shopping bags with a bearded dragon just sitting on the side of the road.
Liv is quite lucky, her friend Felicity is putting her up, in her spare room, but there’s just one tiny thing, Liv forgot to tell her friend about Falkor her reptile. Well it’s not everyone’s cup of tea having a bearded dragon stay in your house. With her brother Joe and her best friend Henry Liv is going to set some tasks, to change her life with a set of ten rules, that I wondered if Liv will see this ten rule list through, and accomplish them all.
1, Commit to one drink at a time.
2, Get a new phone
3, commit to three dates with the same person
4, Find a permanent address.
5, Finish my degree.
6,Pursue and internship in my field.
7, Book and pay for a holiday that’s over six months away.
8, Start a savings account and direct deposit money into it every week.
9, Purchase a houseplant, and I also add to it
10, Buy a pet and keep it alive at all costs.
Liv Is Not A Loser is fans of Lindsey Kelk, and Sophie Kinsella
It’s not very nice being evicted, with no where else to go, and being homeless, but sadly, Liv is in that situation. She has all her belongings in one suitcase and two plastic shopping bags with a bearded dragon just sitting on the side of the road.
Liv is quite lucky, her friend Felicity is putting her up, in her spare room, but there’s just one tiny thing, Liv forgot to tell her friend about Falkor her reptile. Well it’s not everyone’s cup of tea having a bearded dragon stay in your house. With her brother Joe and her best friend Henry Liv is going to set some tasks, to change her life with a set of ten rules, that I wondered if Liv will see this ten rule list through, and accomplish them all.
1, Commit to one drink at a time.
2, Get a new phone
3, commit to three dates with the same person
4, Find a permanent address.
5, Finish my degree.
6,Pursue and internship in my field.
7, Book and pay for a holiday that’s over six months away.
8, Start a savings account and direct deposit money into it every week.
9, Purchase a houseplant, and I also add to it
10, Buy a pet and keep it alive at all costs.
Liv Is Not A Loser is fans of Lindsey Kelk, and Sophie Kinsella
August 11, 2024
*I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I really loved this! It wasn't super clear initially where this novel was set, and I don't think we ever got a state/suburb, but eventually I worked out that this was Australian. The banter between characters was really fun and entertaining. I loved the friend and family dynamics, and loved the relationship between Liv and Henry.
Either way, this was cute and I really enjoyed this.
I really loved this! It wasn't super clear initially where this novel was set, and I don't think we ever got a state/suburb, but eventually I worked out that this was Australian. The banter between characters was really fun and entertaining. I loved the friend and family dynamics, and loved the relationship between Liv and Henry.
Either way, this was cute and I really enjoyed this.
October 20, 2024
A new author and a promising debut.
Liv is at an age where most of her friends are settled, and here she is, still in a part-time job doing nothing much, and in her 7th year of trying to finish her degree. There is no relationship on the horizon and nowhere to live, thanks to being ceremoniously evicted with brief notice.
The story revolves around a list Liv makes with her brother, Joe, his boyfriend, Seth, and their friend, Henry, to pull her out of loser territory.
It is an easy-to-read story with a friends-to-lovers feel, including a bit of 'will they won't they?' and plenty of family dynamics.
Liv is at an age where most of her friends are settled, and here she is, still in a part-time job doing nothing much, and in her 7th year of trying to finish her degree. There is no relationship on the horizon and nowhere to live, thanks to being ceremoniously evicted with brief notice.
The story revolves around a list Liv makes with her brother, Joe, his boyfriend, Seth, and their friend, Henry, to pull her out of loser territory.
It is an easy-to-read story with a friends-to-lovers feel, including a bit of 'will they won't they?' and plenty of family dynamics.
June 19, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Canelo for this advanced copy.
This is that LOL, pull you out of your book slump, root for the underdog book. The friendship with Henry that becomes more, the misunderstood relationship with her dad that in the end brings them closer and Livs ever changing list of how to live life is what made this book great for me.
This was a wonderful debut and I can't wait to read more from this author.
This is that LOL, pull you out of your book slump, root for the underdog book. The friendship with Henry that becomes more, the misunderstood relationship with her dad that in the end brings them closer and Livs ever changing list of how to live life is what made this book great for me.
This was a wonderful debut and I can't wait to read more from this author.
October 2, 2024
Liv feels like a loser. Everyone around her is getting married, having kids or otherwise advancing in their lives. She decides to write a list to help her feel more accomplished. Her best friend Henry confesses his love for her, and she realises she's also in love with him.
This felt very long, and I didn't like Liv as a character. Wouldn't recommend
This felt very long, and I didn't like Liv as a character. Wouldn't recommend
June 17, 2024
This was so heartwarming and hilarious! I really enjoyed this and found it such a delightful debut.
Henry was definitely my favourite character. Right from the start you can tell he cares alot for Liv and I'm definitely a sucker for a friend's to lovers story. Also kept imagining Henry Cavill the whole time so can't really complain 🤭🥰🤣🤣
A massive thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Henry was definitely my favourite character. Right from the start you can tell he cares alot for Liv and I'm definitely a sucker for a friend's to lovers story. Also kept imagining Henry Cavill the whole time so can't really complain 🤭🥰🤣🤣
A massive thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2024
At the start of this book, Liv is actually a bit of a loser. She can’t commit to a roommate, pet, or to finishing her degree and pursuing her love of astronomy.
With the help of her brother and of her childhood friend, Henry, Liv resolves to change her life, and writes a list of ways to make things better. Following the list results in some hilariously funny events, but also in the slow realisation that commitment to Henry might be the best thing ever.
I absolutely loved this book. Lauren Ford is great at character building, and there’s a special friendship between Liv’s niece, Daisy, and her friend Barry, which is absolutely beautiful and also hysterically funny. At the end if the day, Liv is really not a loser! This is a lovely book, full of heart and love between family and friends as well as romantic love. Joyous to read.
Read with The Pigeonhole.
With the help of her brother and of her childhood friend, Henry, Liv resolves to change her life, and writes a list of ways to make things better. Following the list results in some hilariously funny events, but also in the slow realisation that commitment to Henry might be the best thing ever.
I absolutely loved this book. Lauren Ford is great at character building, and there’s a special friendship between Liv’s niece, Daisy, and her friend Barry, which is absolutely beautiful and also hysterically funny. At the end if the day, Liv is really not a loser! This is a lovely book, full of heart and love between family and friends as well as romantic love. Joyous to read.
Read with The Pigeonhole.
August 6, 2024
i honestly only j read this book coz i needed an extra book for a 3 books for 6 pound deal — and like i read the worst one out of the 3 first🗿
this book reminded me PRECISELY why i cannot STANDDDDDDDD romances; especially when the trope is friends to lovers. why was it soooo horribly written and why did they go from 0 to 100 in 2 seconds😂 like as a reader I need to be edged, where is the tension? where is the CONVERSATION? boringggg, yawning, rolling my eyes, pissing on the book.
this book reminded me PRECISELY why i cannot STANDDDDDDDD romances; especially when the trope is friends to lovers. why was it soooo horribly written and why did they go from 0 to 100 in 2 seconds😂 like as a reader I need to be edged, where is the tension? where is the CONVERSATION? boringggg, yawning, rolling my eyes, pissing on the book.
June 18, 2024
Do not be fooled by my 3 stars because there were so much I loved. I mean I absolutely loved everything except the fact that the romance wasn’t believable to me. Let me walk you through it.
The starting of the book was kind of boring and it took me some time to get into it. But at 23 or 25% mark I started enjoying the story. The characters are beautifully written, I loved how vivid each scene read and I found the subplots to be incredibly well done. But more than that, the strength of the book lies in how distinct every character felt, they had their own voices and mind and I literally enjoyed all of them.
And with everything going so well in this book, what absolutely made me sad is how under developed the main love story was. Let me paint you the picture.
Liv and Patrick are childhood friends who grew up together and still are in each other’s lives. In fact they along with Joe(Liv’s brother and Patricks’s best friend), Seth (Joe’s fiancé) are basically part of this close friend group who do everything together. And I loved their inter-relationships. It felt like watching the best episodes of Friends or The Big Bang Theory. And even before we knew them individually, we knew them as a group.
So after years of being friends Liv and Patrick kiss. And the kiss happens before 40% mark. So obviously no slow burn and no angst and no tension and no push and pull. But worse than that is, prior to this kiss, they only had three scenes where we see them actually talk and engage with each other. But the worst part actually comes now- they kiss only because Liv got curious and asked Patrick why he never seriously dates and their faces somehow come close together and the guy was always secretly in love with her but never before that point she even entertained the idea of them together let alone had any romantic feelings towards him. So even though I genuinely liked them both separately, it felt like an ‘she was lonely and he was there’ kind of situation.
But even after they kiss, we don’t get to see their tender side or the love that they talk about but never show. We see a handful of make-out scenes(I love smut but there was zero build up) and few failed attempts to set up date due to their over bearing friends and family always getting in the way. As much as I found those scenes funny, I didn’t get the relationship or romance or pining for each other that I was promised.
And then bam! They have a fallout which now I assume is the writer’s attempt at creating tension. But without the base of romance, the fallout and pining really did not mean much to me. They were great friends and we were supposed to believe they have that more than friends kind of feelings but prior to kissing, we never really see that emotion being explored. If before the kiss they both had more scenes together where we see the girl slowly entertaining the idea of Patrick as her love interest and her falling for him, this book would have been perfect. But without that it feels the opposite of ‘show, not tell’
Saying that, I know reading is subjective. Maybe others would find their romance believable. But either you believe their romance or not, one thing is for sure, I loved reading the book. I hope to read more from the author where she along with writing fully fleshed out characters writes the kind of romance that gives me all kinds of heart-burn.
3.5 stars but I am rating it down as 3 star because without believing in their romance rounding up as 4 stars doesn’t sit right with me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Romance for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The starting of the book was kind of boring and it took me some time to get into it. But at 23 or 25% mark I started enjoying the story. The characters are beautifully written, I loved how vivid each scene read and I found the subplots to be incredibly well done. But more than that, the strength of the book lies in how distinct every character felt, they had their own voices and mind and I literally enjoyed all of them.
And with everything going so well in this book, what absolutely made me sad is how under developed the main love story was. Let me paint you the picture.
Liv and Patrick are childhood friends who grew up together and still are in each other’s lives. In fact they along with Joe(Liv’s brother and Patricks’s best friend), Seth (Joe’s fiancé) are basically part of this close friend group who do everything together. And I loved their inter-relationships. It felt like watching the best episodes of Friends or The Big Bang Theory. And even before we knew them individually, we knew them as a group.
So after years of being friends Liv and Patrick kiss. And the kiss happens before 40% mark. So obviously no slow burn and no angst and no tension and no push and pull. But worse than that is, prior to this kiss, they only had three scenes where we see them actually talk and engage with each other. But the worst part actually comes now- they kiss only because Liv got curious and asked Patrick why he never seriously dates and their faces somehow come close together and the guy was always secretly in love with her but never before that point she even entertained the idea of them together let alone had any romantic feelings towards him. So even though I genuinely liked them both separately, it felt like an ‘she was lonely and he was there’ kind of situation.
But even after they kiss, we don’t get to see their tender side or the love that they talk about but never show. We see a handful of make-out scenes(I love smut but there was zero build up) and few failed attempts to set up date due to their over bearing friends and family always getting in the way. As much as I found those scenes funny, I didn’t get the relationship or romance or pining for each other that I was promised.
And then bam! They have a fallout which now I assume is the writer’s attempt at creating tension. But without the base of romance, the fallout and pining really did not mean much to me. They were great friends and we were supposed to believe they have that more than friends kind of feelings but prior to kissing, we never really see that emotion being explored. If before the kiss they both had more scenes together where we see the girl slowly entertaining the idea of Patrick as her love interest and her falling for him, this book would have been perfect. But without that it feels the opposite of ‘show, not tell’
Saying that, I know reading is subjective. Maybe others would find their romance believable. But either you believe their romance or not, one thing is for sure, I loved reading the book. I hope to read more from the author where she along with writing fully fleshed out characters writes the kind of romance that gives me all kinds of heart-burn.
3.5 stars but I am rating it down as 3 star because without believing in their romance rounding up as 4 stars doesn’t sit right with me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Romance for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 11, 2024
Three and a half stars.
Olivia 'Liv' Granger has trouble committing, to a career, to a hot drink, to an apartment, to a boyfriend, to a new phone, to her degree. When her brother Joe gets engaged to his boyfriend she realises that everyone else seems to have their lives together whereas she is still acting like a teenager. Together with her brother, his boyfriend, and her brother's best friend Henry, Liv creates a ten point list to stop her being such a loser (I can only remember seven):
1. Finish her degree
2. Get an internship in her chosen field
3. Sign a lease
4. Get a new phone
5. Commit to one hot drink (I feel in this I need to explain that she routinely buys three drinks at a time)
6. Have at least three dates with a guy before rejecting him
7. Keep a pet alive
Liv starts to make headway with her list, despite being dragged into wedding planning by her obsessive mother, and forced to meet yet another of her father's new girlfriends (each of whom believes she is far more special to him than she really is), but her dating life is terrible - it is only the calm acceptance and commiserations from Henry that keeps her going. But when Liv overhears a conversation between her niece and Henry she realises Henry may have feelings for her and when she looks at him in the light of this new knowledge she realises she might have feelings for him too.
Whilst I get that Liv was stuck in a bit of a rut, I also felt that her family/friends were pushing her into a pigeonhole (maybe because she was the youngest they felt she still needed to be babied and/or told what to do?), really is it too much for someone to want three drinks? Really is your reality so rigid?
I've read a couple of similar books recently and this one didn't really stand out from the rest. There was a bit too much therapy-style chat and things just quickly fell into place when Liv started her list. How many times have I said this? I liked it but I didn't love it.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Olivia 'Liv' Granger has trouble committing, to a career, to a hot drink, to an apartment, to a boyfriend, to a new phone, to her degree. When her brother Joe gets engaged to his boyfriend she realises that everyone else seems to have their lives together whereas she is still acting like a teenager. Together with her brother, his boyfriend, and her brother's best friend Henry, Liv creates a ten point list to stop her being such a loser (I can only remember seven):
1. Finish her degree
2. Get an internship in her chosen field
3. Sign a lease
4. Get a new phone
5. Commit to one hot drink (I feel in this I need to explain that she routinely buys three drinks at a time)
6. Have at least three dates with a guy before rejecting him
7. Keep a pet alive
Liv starts to make headway with her list, despite being dragged into wedding planning by her obsessive mother, and forced to meet yet another of her father's new girlfriends (each of whom believes she is far more special to him than she really is), but her dating life is terrible - it is only the calm acceptance and commiserations from Henry that keeps her going. But when Liv overhears a conversation between her niece and Henry she realises Henry may have feelings for her and when she looks at him in the light of this new knowledge she realises she might have feelings for him too.
Whilst I get that Liv was stuck in a bit of a rut, I also felt that her family/friends were pushing her into a pigeonhole (maybe because she was the youngest they felt she still needed to be babied and/or told what to do?), really is it too much for someone to want three drinks? Really is your reality so rigid?
I've read a couple of similar books recently and this one didn't really stand out from the rest. There was a bit too much therapy-style chat and things just quickly fell into place when Liv started her list. How many times have I said this? I liked it but I didn't love it.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
July 15, 2024
When you first start reading this book, you could be forgiven for thinking that Liv is, indeed a bit of a loser. She's smart, funny, and capable, yet she makes herself appear to be the opposite of all of those things. She's a complete commitmentphobe and that's whether you're talking about love, career, home, or, well, anything really.
Her nearest and dearest, consisting of her brother Joe, his fiance Seth, and their mutual family friend Henry, help her to put together a list of 'must do' tasks to stop Liv being, well, such a loser. This list includes things like 'Get a new phone' and 'Go on 3 dates with the same guy before ending it', 'Finish my degree', so you know, nothing too mindboggling - to non-losers that is.
Determined to follow the list, regardless of how scary and difficult this is for her, Liv leads herself (and of course those of us tagging along for the ride) on a chaotic trip through a couple of TERRIBLE dates, some interesting, if temporary pets, a fair stab at career improvement, and quite early on, a moment of realisation about a really obvious love-interest (obvious to everyone and his dog, excluding Liv, of course). This happens quite early on, so you know it's not just going to plain sailing from thereon in. Far too early for that!
I thought this book was great. I read it online with The Pigeonhole book club and most of my fellow Pigeons really enjoyed it too. It's a lighthearted and fun tonic for the times we are living in, however it also touches on some really sensitive and poignant issues and makes you root for loser Liv, who I think lives in most of us, even if just a little bit. The characters are really well written, as is the dialogue; it's realistic and funny without being forced. There's also an introduction to Daisy and Barry, who are two of the best characters I've met in a long time - I can't wait to find out what happens to them next.
Her nearest and dearest, consisting of her brother Joe, his fiance Seth, and their mutual family friend Henry, help her to put together a list of 'must do' tasks to stop Liv being, well, such a loser. This list includes things like 'Get a new phone' and 'Go on 3 dates with the same guy before ending it', 'Finish my degree', so you know, nothing too mindboggling - to non-losers that is.
Determined to follow the list, regardless of how scary and difficult this is for her, Liv leads herself (and of course those of us tagging along for the ride) on a chaotic trip through a couple of TERRIBLE dates, some interesting, if temporary pets, a fair stab at career improvement, and quite early on, a moment of realisation about a really obvious love-interest (obvious to everyone and his dog, excluding Liv, of course). This happens quite early on, so you know it's not just going to plain sailing from thereon in. Far too early for that!
I thought this book was great. I read it online with The Pigeonhole book club and most of my fellow Pigeons really enjoyed it too. It's a lighthearted and fun tonic for the times we are living in, however it also touches on some really sensitive and poignant issues and makes you root for loser Liv, who I think lives in most of us, even if just a little bit. The characters are really well written, as is the dialogue; it's realistic and funny without being forced. There's also an introduction to Daisy and Barry, who are two of the best characters I've met in a long time - I can't wait to find out what happens to them next.
July 1, 2024
Olivia granger is an astronomy former student who is currently working in a planetarium. The story begin with her need to vacate the apartment she was living in...it's really a simple book describing everyday struggles of a person.
As like any other person Olivia felt devastated knowing that every person she knows out there is successful in one way or the other and she is still lagging behind.
With the help of her friends that includes her now bf too she came to the realisation that the problems around her exist because she doesn't have a long term plan for herself. And so the story goes on as a simple journey of a person finding that missing piece of her life and finally putting it together
While she was on the journey, she even met few failures but didn't feel much of disappointment as she used to before, on pondering it she realised that it was Henry who was with her on this journey and yeah so she met the missing piece of her puzzle.
The book is overall good, some reality problem and some explanation of real life journey which many people can relate too not knowing what to do with their lifes. It's not boring and her pov is chaotic and enjoyable, also I think the chemistry between liv and Henry is really healthy. And i absolutely loved the fact that not every love story needs to start with love at first sight and how oblivious we could be towards people who like us. There are even some hilarious moments that I am sure readers will enjoy.
As like any other person Olivia felt devastated knowing that every person she knows out there is successful in one way or the other and she is still lagging behind.
With the help of her friends that includes her now bf too she came to the realisation that the problems around her exist because she doesn't have a long term plan for herself. And so the story goes on as a simple journey of a person finding that missing piece of her life and finally putting it together
While she was on the journey, she even met few failures but didn't feel much of disappointment as she used to before, on pondering it she realised that it was Henry who was with her on this journey and yeah so she met the missing piece of her puzzle.
The book is overall good, some reality problem and some explanation of real life journey which many people can relate too not knowing what to do with their lifes. It's not boring and her pov is chaotic and enjoyable, also I think the chemistry between liv and Henry is really healthy. And i absolutely loved the fact that not every love story needs to start with love at first sight and how oblivious we could be towards people who like us. There are even some hilarious moments that I am sure readers will enjoy.
July 8, 2024
Liv Granger feels like she has been flailing through life since her teens. When her brother, Joe, announces his engagement to his long-term boyfriend, Liv realises that she has never been able to commit to anything – a career, a fixed address, a relationship – and figures that this means she may, in fact, be a massive loser. With the help of Joe and Henry, her oldest friend, Liv comes up with the Loser List, picking ten tasks to change her life. The most challenging being dating, meaning she has to go through at least three dates with each potential beau. After each increasingly disastrous date, Henry is always there to the rescue. Has what she’s been looking for been right in front of her the whole time?
This is a cosy rom-com read with a cast of characters that you can’t help but love, right from the start! The friendship between Liv, Joe and Henry is so endearing, the stories they share from their past showing just how strong their relationships are. The pace is perfect, could easily be read in one sitting as you get so involved!
Also, you can’t help but love Daisy and Barry, please can we have another book in the future filling us all in about their entrepreneurial success! The path to self-improvement is clear for Liv throughout the title and with the romance mixed in this is a cosy summer read you’ll want on your shelves. A great debut from this author and I look forward to reading more by them in the future.
This is a cosy rom-com read with a cast of characters that you can’t help but love, right from the start! The friendship between Liv, Joe and Henry is so endearing, the stories they share from their past showing just how strong their relationships are. The pace is perfect, could easily be read in one sitting as you get so involved!
Also, you can’t help but love Daisy and Barry, please can we have another book in the future filling us all in about their entrepreneurial success! The path to self-improvement is clear for Liv throughout the title and with the romance mixed in this is a cosy summer read you’ll want on your shelves. A great debut from this author and I look forward to reading more by them in the future.
June 21, 2024
Liv has come to an uncomfortable conclusion, she is a loser. When her brother announces his engagement on the same day her sister announces her second pregnancy she realizes she does not now, nor has she ever had significant news. She doesn’t have a long term place to live, a job she likes, she has never had a relationship last more then two dates, she has never committed to anything. She is tired of waiting for her life to start and with the help of her brother, his fiancé, Seth, and childhood best friend, Henry, she comes up with a list. From getting her first phone plan to going on at least three dates with someone Liv has a blueprint to turn her life into something that she can be proud of that makes her happy.
I really like this book. The feeling of flailing your way into adulthood and not knowing how to get your feet under you is not uncommon and was very relatable. Liv’s relationship with her brother is enviable and he, and his husband to be are so caring and supportive of Liv and her list. This is a great feel good kinda story with a very endearing romance. Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo Publishing and Lauren Ford for letting me review Liv Is Not A Loser in exchange for reading it a bit early. Look for this one July 11 2024.
I really like this book. The feeling of flailing your way into adulthood and not knowing how to get your feet under you is not uncommon and was very relatable. Liv’s relationship with her brother is enviable and he, and his husband to be are so caring and supportive of Liv and her list. This is a great feel good kinda story with a very endearing romance. Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo Publishing and Lauren Ford for letting me review Liv Is Not A Loser in exchange for reading it a bit early. Look for this one July 11 2024.
July 19, 2024
What a bloody good debut from Lauren Ford. Jam-packed with humour and wit from the get-go, this book had me highly entertained right until the very end.
The characters were very relatable, Liv, just didn't really have her act together and was just plodding through life, and honestly, it was just so endearing to read about a character that was so real. I loved her loser list, and I felt like it really motivated her. Henry was just super cute it was quite obvious from the beginning that he was who she should be with. I adored their friendship how encouraging and supportive he was towards Liv. He's the friend we all need in our lives. Although Liv was the main character, I felt like all the side characters really had their place in the story and were a huge part of Liv figuring her life out.
Also, can I mention Daisy and Barry - you just know they're gonna be married when they're older, right? Lauren, I feel like we need a Daisy and Barry story next, please - when they're older navigating through college or something 😂
Well, Liv is definitely not a loser in my book, a highly enjoyable read. A massive thank you to Lauren Ford, Canelo, and Tandem Collective for the book and a spot on the readalong.
The characters were very relatable, Liv, just didn't really have her act together and was just plodding through life, and honestly, it was just so endearing to read about a character that was so real. I loved her loser list, and I felt like it really motivated her. Henry was just super cute it was quite obvious from the beginning that he was who she should be with. I adored their friendship how encouraging and supportive he was towards Liv. He's the friend we all need in our lives. Although Liv was the main character, I felt like all the side characters really had their place in the story and were a huge part of Liv figuring her life out.
Also, can I mention Daisy and Barry - you just know they're gonna be married when they're older, right? Lauren, I feel like we need a Daisy and Barry story next, please - when they're older navigating through college or something 😂
Well, Liv is definitely not a loser in my book, a highly enjoyable read. A massive thank you to Lauren Ford, Canelo, and Tandem Collective for the book and a spot on the readalong.
July 28, 2024
I read this with The Pigeonhole book club and enjoyed it immensely.
There's a lot going on around Liv - her sister is married with a daughter and another child on the way, her brother has his own business, and is getting married to his partner. Her mum and dad are divorced, and although mum's settled in her second marriage, dad has a string of girlfriends being introduced to Liv. Meantime, Liv is part-way through a degree she's been postponing finishing, and working in the cafe in the local observatory, living in a house-share where she won't sign a tenancy agreement. Is Liv really a loser?
This was a good story, with a great cast of characters - not least of which was Barry! Although there's a bit of romance, it wasn't the full focus of the story. This was about Liv finding her confidence to make decisions and follow them through. Lots of warmth and love here, a very good read.
The author is Australian, and I assume the story was set in Australia too although I don't remember setting being particularly emphasised. I mention this because this really gave me Irish-vibes. It made me think of Marian Keyes and Anna McPartlin - boisterous and loving family relationships abound.
There's a lot going on around Liv - her sister is married with a daughter and another child on the way, her brother has his own business, and is getting married to his partner. Her mum and dad are divorced, and although mum's settled in her second marriage, dad has a string of girlfriends being introduced to Liv. Meantime, Liv is part-way through a degree she's been postponing finishing, and working in the cafe in the local observatory, living in a house-share where she won't sign a tenancy agreement. Is Liv really a loser?
This was a good story, with a great cast of characters - not least of which was Barry! Although there's a bit of romance, it wasn't the full focus of the story. This was about Liv finding her confidence to make decisions and follow them through. Lots of warmth and love here, a very good read.
The author is Australian, and I assume the story was set in Australia too although I don't remember setting being particularly emphasised. I mention this because this really gave me Irish-vibes. It made me think of Marian Keyes and Anna McPartlin - boisterous and loving family relationships abound.
June 11, 2024
Liv Granger has been flailing through life since her teens. When her brother, Joe, announces his engagement to his long-term boyfriend, Liv realises that she has never been able to commit to anything – a career, a fixed address, a relationship – and she may, in fact, be a massive loser.
With the help of Henry, her oldest friend, Liv comes up with tasks to change her life. The most challenging – three dates with the same person. After each increasingly disastrous date, Henry is always there to the rescue. Has what she’s been looking for been right in front of her the whole time?
Between restraining her mother’s wedding planning and doing everything in her power to not be her father’s wingman for his various short-lived girlfriends, Liv learns that the path to self-improvement needs to start with a little self-acceptance…
This was a fun, quick read, showing that what you have been searching for is often right in front of you.
The chemistry was nice, characters were relatable, and it gave warm fuzzy vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
With the help of Henry, her oldest friend, Liv comes up with tasks to change her life. The most challenging – three dates with the same person. After each increasingly disastrous date, Henry is always there to the rescue. Has what she’s been looking for been right in front of her the whole time?
Between restraining her mother’s wedding planning and doing everything in her power to not be her father’s wingman for his various short-lived girlfriends, Liv learns that the path to self-improvement needs to start with a little self-acceptance…
This was a fun, quick read, showing that what you have been searching for is often right in front of you.
The chemistry was nice, characters were relatable, and it gave warm fuzzy vibes.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
July 21, 2024
At the beginning I loved this book, absolutely. Actually, I loved it all the time. But, as I can't read only one book at a time, I've started reading two other books and sadly, they were much better than this one.
But it doesn't mean that "Liv is Not a Loser" was not a good read, because it was! Funny and entertaining and the characters brilliantly carried the plot. Actually, those were the background characters that were absolutely the best, Joe, Seth, Daisy, Barry - brilliantly witty, they added tons of humour and depth to story. Liv was also a great character, especially her way to discover herself, to allow herself enjoy things, the emotional journey and working out her history. I think that Henry was the weakest link in this book, or maybe rather, the romance between the two characters - I had a feeling that Liv was in this completely, with her whole heart, but Henry not so, and it bothered me a little.
However, the writing style was light and so easy to follow, enveloping you like a long - missed hug.
It was a feel - good, uplifting, poignant, charming story with quirky characters and strange family dynamics (strange in a positive way!) that I truly enjoyed.
But it doesn't mean that "Liv is Not a Loser" was not a good read, because it was! Funny and entertaining and the characters brilliantly carried the plot. Actually, those were the background characters that were absolutely the best, Joe, Seth, Daisy, Barry - brilliantly witty, they added tons of humour and depth to story. Liv was also a great character, especially her way to discover herself, to allow herself enjoy things, the emotional journey and working out her history. I think that Henry was the weakest link in this book, or maybe rather, the romance between the two characters - I had a feeling that Liv was in this completely, with her whole heart, but Henry not so, and it bothered me a little.
However, the writing style was light and so easy to follow, enveloping you like a long - missed hug.
It was a feel - good, uplifting, poignant, charming story with quirky characters and strange family dynamics (strange in a positive way!) that I truly enjoyed.
July 11, 2024
Liv is a Loser by Lauren Ford
This book is super cute. It's like perfect cotton candy, light, quick, and joyful. Liv realizes her life is not where she wants it to be and makes a Loser List to try to pull it together. As she begins to take a chance on "adulting," she learns to trust herself, take risks, and that she is much less of a loser than she thought.
The relationships between Liv and her brother Joe and friend Henry were amazing. I think everyone wants supportive people like that in her corner. Joe and his partner had such a loving and supportive relationship. All of the characters were authentic and specific. I really appreciated the character arcs and how Liv and Henry (and her dad) matured through the course of the book. Felicity was also a hoot!
My one weird point is that I couldn't tell where this book was set. I was thinking England, but maybe it's Australia. Maybe I missed it, or she wanted it to be anywhere. But a minor quibble. Great summer read! 4 stars Thanks to Net Galley and Canelo Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book is super cute. It's like perfect cotton candy, light, quick, and joyful. Liv realizes her life is not where she wants it to be and makes a Loser List to try to pull it together. As she begins to take a chance on "adulting," she learns to trust herself, take risks, and that she is much less of a loser than she thought.
The relationships between Liv and her brother Joe and friend Henry were amazing. I think everyone wants supportive people like that in her corner. Joe and his partner had such a loving and supportive relationship. All of the characters were authentic and specific. I really appreciated the character arcs and how Liv and Henry (and her dad) matured through the course of the book. Felicity was also a hoot!
My one weird point is that I couldn't tell where this book was set. I was thinking England, but maybe it's Australia. Maybe I missed it, or she wanted it to be anywhere. But a minor quibble. Great summer read! 4 stars Thanks to Net Galley and Canelo Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 11, 2024
Liv is definitely not a loser, she has just lost her way a bit, which makes her an ordinary and relatable character with a brilliant sense of humour.
This book made me laugh which doesn't often happen. The dialogue is hilarious at times because the characters are individuals who like to do things their way.
From super organised planetarium manager Natasha, to child genius/life coach Barry, on to Joe with his pranks and big heart, and with Liv who is trying not to live a life accented by disaster after disaster, the characters pull the reader along in their wake of whirlwind relationships and romances.
Ultimately this is a feel good, easy to read, joyous meeting of hearts, with a friends or more than friends theme running throughout.
I will definitely read more when this author writes more and can recommend Liv is Not a Loser, and her lists, to others.
With thanks to the author, publisher and hosting team at Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read along and review.
Loved it!
This book made me laugh which doesn't often happen. The dialogue is hilarious at times because the characters are individuals who like to do things their way.
From super organised planetarium manager Natasha, to child genius/life coach Barry, on to Joe with his pranks and big heart, and with Liv who is trying not to live a life accented by disaster after disaster, the characters pull the reader along in their wake of whirlwind relationships and romances.
Ultimately this is a feel good, easy to read, joyous meeting of hearts, with a friends or more than friends theme running throughout.
I will definitely read more when this author writes more and can recommend Liv is Not a Loser, and her lists, to others.
With thanks to the author, publisher and hosting team at Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read along and review.
Loved it!
July 4, 2024
What a cute little romance that reminded me of childhood best friends, your first love, and the growth that comes with age.
I am not one for romance and didn’t truly realize that was what I was reading until about 45% of the way through (and I also thought Henry was Livs brother- I swear my reading comprehension is over 5%) but the last half of this book was incredibly sweet. Was it realistic?? In the ways that childhood love can grow and morph and become something great, yes. The storyline in other places was less developed, like liv and her personal journey early on. It took me a long time to realize she likely wasn’t on the spectrum, just written a little choppily.
All in all, this will be a really cute and sweet book when it’s published. And if Henry ever ends up at my door, I’d definitely open it!
I am not one for romance and didn’t truly realize that was what I was reading until about 45% of the way through (and I also thought Henry was Livs brother- I swear my reading comprehension is over 5%) but the last half of this book was incredibly sweet. Was it realistic?? In the ways that childhood love can grow and morph and become something great, yes. The storyline in other places was less developed, like liv and her personal journey early on. It took me a long time to realize she likely wasn’t on the spectrum, just written a little choppily.
All in all, this will be a really cute and sweet book when it’s published. And if Henry ever ends up at my door, I’d definitely open it!
July 20, 2024
Part romcom, part women’s fiction, part train crash (in a good way) - this is a funny, heartfelt read.
Lauren Ford’s first novel and she’s got lots happening. Liv is a bit of a loser in fact, and she does try to get herself together, but she’s got years of muddled thinking to work her way through. Henry is a delight, and he’s sooooooo patient, and he’s right there in front of her.
It’s in Liv’s point of view - she’s very well intentioned (possibly neurodiverse?) and a bit immature. It’s really about her growth, and Henry waits for her to get it together. It’s a tricky balance between humour and pathos, which isn’t perfect, but overall I cared about Liv and Henry and wanted them to work it out.
Lauren has a wonderful writing voice and I’m already looking forward to her next novel.
Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Ford and Canelo for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Lauren Ford’s first novel and she’s got lots happening. Liv is a bit of a loser in fact, and she does try to get herself together, but she’s got years of muddled thinking to work her way through. Henry is a delight, and he’s sooooooo patient, and he’s right there in front of her.
It’s in Liv’s point of view - she’s very well intentioned (possibly neurodiverse?) and a bit immature. It’s really about her growth, and Henry waits for her to get it together. It’s a tricky balance between humour and pathos, which isn’t perfect, but overall I cared about Liv and Henry and wanted them to work it out.
Lauren has a wonderful writing voice and I’m already looking forward to her next novel.
Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Ford and Canelo for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
November 16, 2024
This reminded me a bit of early Lindsey Kelk with a lovely gentle humour and characters I adored. It’s more women’s fiction than romance, but I adored the sweet slow realisation Liv comes to about her life and choices. I started the first half of this via audiobook before switching to book and at no time did I feel the need to speed up the narration nor skim. What I found refreshing was seeing Liv come to realisations about how she’s been drifting in life and needs to change, but also that change isn’t always linear, sometimes you may regress, but then you have to dust yourself back off, make amends and try again. It was frustrating to watch her let her family run ramshot over her boundaries a bit, but I liked that she does address this. I also adored Henry, a sweet and solid guy whose steadfastness is something Liv finally wakes up to.
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