What do you think?
Rate this book
The Girlfriends’ Club
Not in a Million Years
Cute tick
Icy tick
Glossy tick
Person on the next sun *worst nightmare*
Chronically single Kate is winning at life. She’s finally saved enough to live alone in her dream home, she has a great group of friends, and she has – at last – perfected the ultimate chocolate cake. So what if her love life is dead on arrival? Forget sex, she can make a sponge that would blow your socks off.
Aside from her romantic dry spell (is it still a ‘spell’ if it’s been years…?!), everything is going according to plan. But when she finds out one of her oldest friends Andy is travelling abroad and needs her help, she knows she’ll have to drop everything and fly out to him.
Only problem is, Daniel , the mutual friend she blames for Andy’s wild lifestyle, is coming with her. It’s the first holiday abroad she’s been able to afford in years, and she has to spend it with him ?!
But when Daniel and Kate arrive, they soon find themselves having the unexpected romantic holiday of a lifetime. Swimming in crystal clear waters, sharing delicious meals and exploring beautiful local villages… It would all be perfect, if only they weren’t with each other.
And as the days pass, and more than one waiter mistakes her and Daniel for a honeymooning couple, Kate has to remind herself that there’s a reason she stayed single all these years. But as she sips her dry Martini and watches Daniel’s toned body dive into the pool, she wonders if it’s possible to have the perfect holiday with a man you hate… Or if maybe Daniel isn’t so bad after all?
Icy tick
Glossy tick
Person on the next sun *worst nightmare*
Chronically single Kate is winning at life. She’s finally saved enough to live alone in her dream home, she has a great group of friends, and she has – at last – perfected the ultimate chocolate cake. So what if her love life is dead on arrival? Forget sex, she can make a sponge that would blow your socks off.
Aside from her romantic dry spell (is it still a ‘spell’ if it’s been years…?!), everything is going according to plan. But when she finds out one of her oldest friends Andy is travelling abroad and needs her help, she knows she’ll have to drop everything and fly out to him.
Only problem is, Daniel , the mutual friend she blames for Andy’s wild lifestyle, is coming with her. It’s the first holiday abroad she’s been able to afford in years, and she has to spend it with him ?!
But when Daniel and Kate arrive, they soon find themselves having the unexpected romantic holiday of a lifetime. Swimming in crystal clear waters, sharing delicious meals and exploring beautiful local villages… It would all be perfect, if only they weren’t with each other.
And as the days pass, and more than one waiter mistakes her and Daniel for a honeymooning couple, Kate has to remind herself that there’s a reason she stayed single all these years. But as she sips her dry Martini and watches Daniel’s toned body dive into the pool, she wonders if it’s possible to have the perfect holiday with a man you hate… Or if maybe Daniel isn’t so bad after all?
316 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2023
740 people are currently reading
1048 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Ranald
25 books569 followersSophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to London in her mid-20s.
As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she’d never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister’s Boyfriend (Wouldn’t It?) seemed to write itself.
Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat.
As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she’d never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister’s Boyfriend (Wouldn’t It?) seemed to write itself.
Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
April 15, 2023
Trigger warning: Drug addiction.
This was very uneven. And I don’t think Kate even realizes she’s still an enabler and a mess. I honestly don’t know why Daniel was even into her. The biggest issue I had was though these characters all are about 40, they read way younger than that.
Full review:
So this must be one of the few of Ranald books I’ve been less than enthused about. I love that her books can be read as standalones. But it’s great to read the books to continue on with characters we’ve read before. I think the main reason why I’m disappointed is that we’ve been reading these same characters over the last 2 books and I can’t say that I like them all the same after this. Bigger issue is that this isn’t really a romance. The enemies to lovers trope I can enjoy, but this was more fixed on Kate’s messed up toxic friendship/plus more with another character. No spoilers, but I just wanted to yell at everyone involved.
Kate fears her long time best friend Andy may have fallen off the wagon again. He’s been sober for two years now, but all signs point to something may have happened. When she and Andy’s other friend (who she hates) Daniel track his last whereabouts to Turkey, they decide to head out to find him. The book follows Kate’s first meeting with both Andy and Daniel, but mostly the hurdles she dealt with by staying friends and honestly enabling Andy.
I have to say that Kate was written as someone 10 years younger. She’s almost 40 and couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I also cringed at her ignoring all the mess with Andy to just focus on him through the past I think 10 years or so. She’s been an awful friend to her so called best friends. Speaking of them, they were largely absent in this one. I just felt letdown by the relationships I saw between all of them in her last book.
Daniel just didn’t read consistently through the whole book.
Some readers may not like the but that didn’t bother me. What bothered me is that Kate doesn’t tackle it and no one else even brings it up except for a 100th hour reveal. I just couldn’t buy these people have been friends for so long when none of them discussed anything.
The writing was okay, the flow was pretty bad though. I think jumping back to now and then to past instances with Daniel and Andy just ruined any connection I felt to anyone. By the end of the book I was heartily sick of everyone.
When we get to the HEA it didn’t feel earned or even realistic. Way too much stuff not said. And Daniel disappeared for whole swatches of the book and when he did appear it was for him or Kate to be rude to each other.
This was very uneven. And I don’t think Kate even realizes she’s still an enabler and a mess. I honestly don’t know why Daniel was even into her. The biggest issue I had was though these characters all are about 40, they read way younger than that.
Full review:
So this must be one of the few of Ranald books I’ve been less than enthused about. I love that her books can be read as standalones. But it’s great to read the books to continue on with characters we’ve read before. I think the main reason why I’m disappointed is that we’ve been reading these same characters over the last 2 books and I can’t say that I like them all the same after this. Bigger issue is that this isn’t really a romance. The enemies to lovers trope I can enjoy, but this was more fixed on Kate’s messed up toxic friendship/plus more with another character. No spoilers, but I just wanted to yell at everyone involved.
Kate fears her long time best friend Andy may have fallen off the wagon again. He’s been sober for two years now, but all signs point to something may have happened. When she and Andy’s other friend (who she hates) Daniel track his last whereabouts to Turkey, they decide to head out to find him. The book follows Kate’s first meeting with both Andy and Daniel, but mostly the hurdles she dealt with by staying friends and honestly enabling Andy.
I have to say that Kate was written as someone 10 years younger. She’s almost 40 and couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I also cringed at her ignoring all the mess with Andy to just focus on him through the past I think 10 years or so. She’s been an awful friend to her so called best friends. Speaking of them, they were largely absent in this one. I just felt letdown by the relationships I saw between all of them in her last book.
Daniel just didn’t read consistently through the whole book.
Some readers may not like the but that didn’t bother me. What bothered me is that Kate doesn’t tackle it and no one else even brings it up except for a 100th hour reveal. I just couldn’t buy these people have been friends for so long when none of them discussed anything.
The writing was okay, the flow was pretty bad though. I think jumping back to now and then to past instances with Daniel and Andy just ruined any connection I felt to anyone. By the end of the book I was heartily sick of everyone.
When we get to the HEA it didn’t feel earned or even realistic. Way too much stuff not said. And Daniel disappeared for whole swatches of the book and when he did appear it was for him or Kate to be rude to each other.
December 21, 2025
It was rather bland for me.
Everything was so plain; the spark between the leads was vastly missing. With the plot, a lot of hilarious moments could've been developed. A missed opportunity.
Everything was so plain; the spark between the leads was vastly missing. With the plot, a lot of hilarious moments could've been developed. A missed opportunity.
January 24, 2023
This book started out so cute! It had a fun premise with the promise of lots of adventure and some great enemies-to-lovers vibes. Unfortunately, the rest of the book didn't live up to that adorable first 25% for me, in fact it almost felt like a different book altogether.
Kate and Daniel are enemies at the beginning of this book, but we don't know why. Their mutual friend, Andy has gone missing in Turkey, and they fly there together to get to the bottom of his disappearance. Of course, while there, sparks fly as they get to know each other more and spend time in a super romantic location. But when they return to London, will any of this last?
There was a lot going on in this book. As I said, the first quarter of this book was great. Kate and Daniel had excellent banter and I loved the vibe they had with each other. I was convinced they were enemies and was excited to see what went down in the past. This book took a turn when Andy came on the scene. He was a toxic character. His past interactions with Kate and Daniel also made me dislike them and how they handled certain situations. The romance between Kate and Daniel also took a huge backseat once they returned home and almost exclusively focused on Andy and his issues. The ending felt rushed and unbelievable because I hadn't seen much development of their relationship.
I think this book is marketed incorrectly. I went in thinking I was going to get "A totally hilarious and feel-good enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy" and that's not what this book is. It has more serious undertones, and that's fine, but I don't think it does the reader or author any good to misrepresent what the book is actually about. If I'm looking at the book overall, I think it's well written and interesting, but it is not what the subtitle suggests.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the advanced e-book in exchange for my honest review.
Kate and Daniel are enemies at the beginning of this book, but we don't know why. Their mutual friend, Andy has gone missing in Turkey, and they fly there together to get to the bottom of his disappearance. Of course, while there, sparks fly as they get to know each other more and spend time in a super romantic location. But when they return to London, will any of this last?
There was a lot going on in this book. As I said, the first quarter of this book was great. Kate and Daniel had excellent banter and I loved the vibe they had with each other. I was convinced they were enemies and was excited to see what went down in the past. This book took a turn when Andy came on the scene. He was a toxic character. His past interactions with Kate and Daniel also made me dislike them and how they handled certain situations. The romance between Kate and Daniel also took a huge backseat once they returned home and almost exclusively focused on Andy and his issues. The ending felt rushed and unbelievable because I hadn't seen much development of their relationship.
I think this book is marketed incorrectly. I went in thinking I was going to get "A totally hilarious and feel-good enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy" and that's not what this book is. It has more serious undertones, and that's fine, but I don't think it does the reader or author any good to misrepresent what the book is actually about. If I'm looking at the book overall, I think it's well written and interesting, but it is not what the subtitle suggests.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the advanced e-book in exchange for my honest review.
April 14, 2023
I thought that this book was good
February 21, 2023
First of all, a huge thank you to Bookouture & Netgalley for approving this arc and giving me the chance to review this romance book.
Not in a Million Years by Sophie Ranald isn’t your typical Rom-com book. It explores topics such as drug addiction and rehab as well as relationship manipulation and sexuality.
Even though it starts as really funny and we get to observe the comic side of Kate and her struggles with dating, insomnia and baking, the end is quite romantic and emotional.
Kate and Daniel’s story will keep you engaged and you will find yourself not being able to put the book down.
A huge plus for me: the vividly painted London scenery.
Not in a Million Years by Sophie Ranald isn’t your typical Rom-com book. It explores topics such as drug addiction and rehab as well as relationship manipulation and sexuality.
Even though it starts as really funny and we get to observe the comic side of Kate and her struggles with dating, insomnia and baking, the end is quite romantic and emotional.
Kate and Daniel’s story will keep you engaged and you will find yourself not being able to put the book down.
A huge plus for me: the vividly painted London scenery.
February 25, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Not In A Million Years' by Sophie Ranald
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sophie Ranald, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 22nd February 2023.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have also read 'He's Cancelled' and 'Santa, Please Bring Me A Boyfriend' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing cover and its hilarious sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A feel-good, feisty and fabulous romantic comedy, perfect for anyone who has ever found themselves in a love-hate relationship. Fans of Emily Henry and Sophie Kinsella will love this laugh-out-loud, snort-inducing read.' I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Sophie and if this is half as good as 'He's Cancelled' and 'Santa, Please Bring Me A Boyfriend'. it is guaranteed to be a hilarious page turner!! I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 37 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, England, UK 🇬🇧 and Turkey 🇹🇷. I always enjoy when books are partly or fully set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and gone on holiday in England on many occasions so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Kate Miller. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.
'Not In A Million Years' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Sophie discusses addictions.
What an absolutely gorgeous must read!!! Absolutely loved it fairplay!!! This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
I must admit that although I did laugh on several occasions and that this book is a romantic comedy that it has a more serious storyline to it than Sophie's other books I have read. This is not a bad thing and it is fantastic that Sophie has managed to take the topic of addiction and weave it into a gorgeous storyline while showing the affects in can have on friends and family. I love it when authors write about serious topics as they need to be discussed in order to help those struggling with them and their friends and family but not everyone is interested in reading self help guides. Sophie has managed to include advice, information and more that you would find in a guideline and put it into a great storyline that will keep you turning the pages. The storyline itself was absolutely unputdownable so make sure you clear your schedules before starting to read it!! Although there are serious topics discussed it was still a light hearted, easy read which made me laugh out loud so many times I lost count and had me rooting for a certain person all the way through. It is filled with friendship, love, addiction, $3x, lessons, heartbreak and so much more. It is filled with touching moments and I loved every single page of it!! Sophie's vivid descriptions paint the scenes of London and Turkey and captivated the atmosphere putting the reader straight into the storyline.
Another fantastic book by the very talented Sophie. I would love to see this turned into a movie!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. I absolutely loved Kate who my heart absolutely went out to. She does everything she can to help Andy who has suffered with addictions for years. However, sadly, she can't see what is really going and she misses years of living her own life because of it. I really liked Andy when I first "met" him but my feelings changed throughout the storyline. I was the other way around with Daniel and was not a huge fan of him when I first "met" him but warmed more to him as the story went on. Their three way friendship is extremely complex and I don't want to go into too much detail as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Sophie brings these characters to life, making them jump out of the pages at the reader.
A MASSIVE WELL DONE to Sophie on a HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more past and future. This is exactly why you are in my top 3 favourite romcom authors list!!
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first two chapters of Sophie's 'Sorry, Not Sorry' which promises to be just as hilarious and addictive as Sophie's 'He's Cancelled' and `Santa, Please Bring Me A Boyfriend' and is one I'm looking forward to reading myself!!
Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous book filled with friendship, laughter and love but with some serious moments due to the topic of addiction.
Genres covered in this book include Humour, Contemporary Women Fiction, Romance Novel, Humorous Fiction, Love, Sex & Marriage Humour, Contemporary Romance, Women's Humourous Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Sophie Kinsella, Emily Henry, Bridget Jones, Bridesmaids movie and anyone looking for a good laugh.
364 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#NotInAMillionYears #SophieRanald #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger
@NotInAMillionYears @SophieRanald @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Netgalley @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
Review for 'Not In A Million Years' by Sophie Ranald
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Sophie Ranald, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 22nd February 2023.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have also read 'He's Cancelled' and 'Santa, Please Bring Me A Boyfriend' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing cover and its hilarious sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A feel-good, feisty and fabulous romantic comedy, perfect for anyone who has ever found themselves in a love-hate relationship. Fans of Emily Henry and Sophie Kinsella will love this laugh-out-loud, snort-inducing read.' I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Sophie and if this is half as good as 'He's Cancelled' and 'Santa, Please Bring Me A Boyfriend'. it is guaranteed to be a hilarious page turner!! I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 37 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in London, England, UK 🇬🇧 and Turkey 🇹🇷. I always enjoy when books are partly or fully set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times. I have in fact visited and gone on holiday in England on many occasions so am looking forward to possibly recognising name places.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Kate Miller. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.
'Not In A Million Years' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Sophie discusses addictions.
What an absolutely gorgeous must read!!! Absolutely loved it fairplay!!! This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
I must admit that although I did laugh on several occasions and that this book is a romantic comedy that it has a more serious storyline to it than Sophie's other books I have read. This is not a bad thing and it is fantastic that Sophie has managed to take the topic of addiction and weave it into a gorgeous storyline while showing the affects in can have on friends and family. I love it when authors write about serious topics as they need to be discussed in order to help those struggling with them and their friends and family but not everyone is interested in reading self help guides. Sophie has managed to include advice, information and more that you would find in a guideline and put it into a great storyline that will keep you turning the pages. The storyline itself was absolutely unputdownable so make sure you clear your schedules before starting to read it!! Although there are serious topics discussed it was still a light hearted, easy read which made me laugh out loud so many times I lost count and had me rooting for a certain person all the way through. It is filled with friendship, love, addiction, $3x, lessons, heartbreak and so much more. It is filled with touching moments and I loved every single page of it!! Sophie's vivid descriptions paint the scenes of London and Turkey and captivated the atmosphere putting the reader straight into the storyline.
Another fantastic book by the very talented Sophie. I would love to see this turned into a movie!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. I absolutely loved Kate who my heart absolutely went out to. She does everything she can to help Andy who has suffered with addictions for years. However, sadly, she can't see what is really going and she misses years of living her own life because of it. I really liked Andy when I first "met" him but my feelings changed throughout the storyline. I was the other way around with Daniel and was not a huge fan of him when I first "met" him but warmed more to him as the story went on. Their three way friendship is extremely complex and I don't want to go into too much detail as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. Sophie brings these characters to life, making them jump out of the pages at the reader.
A MASSIVE WELL DONE to Sophie on a HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more past and future. This is exactly why you are in my top 3 favourite romcom authors list!!
Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first two chapters of Sophie's 'Sorry, Not Sorry' which promises to be just as hilarious and addictive as Sophie's 'He's Cancelled' and `Santa, Please Bring Me A Boyfriend' and is one I'm looking forward to reading myself!!
Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous book filled with friendship, laughter and love but with some serious moments due to the topic of addiction.
Genres covered in this book include Humour, Contemporary Women Fiction, Romance Novel, Humorous Fiction, Love, Sex & Marriage Humour, Contemporary Romance, Women's Humourous Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Sophie Kinsella, Emily Henry, Bridget Jones, Bridesmaids movie and anyone looking for a good laugh.
364 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#NotInAMillionYears #SophieRanald #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger
@NotInAMillionYears @SophieRanald @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Netgalley @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86
February 10, 2023
Firstly, thank you to bookouture and netgalley for this e-ARC. It was such a great little romance, perfect for this time of year 💘
I found myself gravitating towards this book, always wanting to pick it up and it was such an easy read 🤩
I really enjoyed Kate and Daniel’s story, it was an enemies to lovers but with a bit of a difference which was a nice change from the usual 🌷
It was funny, it was spicy, it was everything you’d want from a romance 💕
I was unsure where this book was going at the start and it took a little whilst for me to get into but in the end I really enjoyed it. I wish there was more of Daniel and Kate though, and maybe less of Andy (not a big fan of him 😂).
I found myself gravitating towards this book, always wanting to pick it up and it was such an easy read 🤩
I really enjoyed Kate and Daniel’s story, it was an enemies to lovers but with a bit of a difference which was a nice change from the usual 🌷
It was funny, it was spicy, it was everything you’d want from a romance 💕
I was unsure where this book was going at the start and it took a little whilst for me to get into but in the end I really enjoyed it. I wish there was more of Daniel and Kate though, and maybe less of Andy (not a big fan of him 😂).
December 16, 2023
Loved this book!
April 2, 2023
Well. I can tell you what this book is NOT. It is NOT "A totally hilarious and feel-good enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy". Whoever wrote that needs their head examined.
Drug addiction isn't totally hilarious. Being a snipey bitch for 90% of the book doesn't a feel-good enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy make.
This book is a mess.
It's about an addict fucking up the lives of everybody he knows who cares about him for 15 whole years, purposefully driving wedges between people who might otherwise have found happiness with each other and never once feeling remorse for what he's done. Also, he doesn't get better. Just ends up "sober for the moment". Because that's a happy ending.
Except the way I just described it would have been a better story than what I just read.
But I've read it now so ya'll don't have to. You're welcome.
Chapter-by-chapter reader's notes:
Drug addiction isn't totally hilarious. Being a snipey bitch for 90% of the book doesn't a feel-good enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy make.
This book is a mess.
It's about an addict fucking up the lives of everybody he knows who cares about him for 15 whole years, purposefully driving wedges between people who might otherwise have found happiness with each other and never once feeling remorse for what he's done. Also, he doesn't get better. Just ends up "sober for the moment". Because that's a happy ending.
Except the way I just described it would have been a better story than what I just read.
But I've read it now so ya'll don't have to. You're welcome.
Chapter-by-chapter reader's notes:
January 16, 2023
This was not your typical romcom. Kate is successful, has her own place, and has a great group of friends. However she has been unlucky in love and suffers from insomnia which allows her to bake way too much. While she is waiting for her next freelance job to start she finds out that her best friend, Andy might be in trouble. She ends up traveling to Turkey to try and find out what is happening. However she doesn't go alone. Daniel, another one of Andy's friends also goes. The problem is Daniel and Kate do not get along after something that happened in the past. The last thing Kate wants is to spend time with him. While on the trip Kate's feelings start to change and she might even imagine a future with Daniel. There are other forces at work that threaten to destroy what might be a possible romance of a lifetime.
I have read many different books with a similar plot line but this one felt different. Kate is an interesting main character who suffers from a fear of heights, loves to bake, and is determined to make it on her own. Andy, the friend they are trying to help has many problems and he truly is what makes this book different. This book was about Kate and Daniel but it was also about Andy and his problems. I think many people will find this relatable and have had friends like Andy in the past. There were also some really touching moments in this book that brought smiles to my face and even caused me to laugh out loud. This is a great book for anyone looking for a different type of love triangle or enemies to lovers romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have read many different books with a similar plot line but this one felt different. Kate is an interesting main character who suffers from a fear of heights, loves to bake, and is determined to make it on her own. Andy, the friend they are trying to help has many problems and he truly is what makes this book different. This book was about Kate and Daniel but it was also about Andy and his problems. I think many people will find this relatable and have had friends like Andy in the past. There were also some really touching moments in this book that brought smiles to my face and even caused me to laugh out loud. This is a great book for anyone looking for a different type of love triangle or enemies to lovers romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2023
First of all, thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The description of this book had everything I wanted in a cute beach read, and while I did spend most of my time giggling along at the sarcastic and blunt humour, I found myself thrown off by the Andy situation. It just felt a little too intense compared to the “enemies to lovers” vibe that was going on.
I do, however, think that Ranald did a very good job describing addiction and relapses and how easy it is to enable someone because you love them - that same love somehow driving our main characters apart and back together again.
Kate was witty, smart, stubborn and sometimes too risk-averse, and Daniel was a charming, caring, cat lover … and may have been the only person able to dish it back to our main girl Kate.
I did like watching them slowly come together again, although it was easy to see Daniel was a good match for her right away (I was 100% sold when he bought her Aloe for her sunburn). When you take their little rendezvous to find Turkey and separate it from the darker sadder side with Andy’s addiction, you have a really cute rom com. I just wish the book as a whole could stay light- but I may just be biased as I say and read from the sunny poolside.
Overall it was still a super cute read, and would recommend if you like a cheeky bit of London humour and are able to handle topics covering addiction, drug use, relapse, car accidents, and theft.
3 ⭐️
The description of this book had everything I wanted in a cute beach read, and while I did spend most of my time giggling along at the sarcastic and blunt humour, I found myself thrown off by the Andy situation. It just felt a little too intense compared to the “enemies to lovers” vibe that was going on.
I do, however, think that Ranald did a very good job describing addiction and relapses and how easy it is to enable someone because you love them - that same love somehow driving our main characters apart and back together again.
Kate was witty, smart, stubborn and sometimes too risk-averse, and Daniel was a charming, caring, cat lover … and may have been the only person able to dish it back to our main girl Kate.
I did like watching them slowly come together again, although it was easy to see Daniel was a good match for her right away (I was 100% sold when he bought her Aloe for her sunburn). When you take their little rendezvous to find Turkey and separate it from the darker sadder side with Andy’s addiction, you have a really cute rom com. I just wish the book as a whole could stay light- but I may just be biased as I say and read from the sunny poolside.
Overall it was still a super cute read, and would recommend if you like a cheeky bit of London humour and are able to handle topics covering addiction, drug use, relapse, car accidents, and theft.
3 ⭐️
May 14, 2025
3 stars
But I didn't want Goodreads algorithm to recommend some similar books, or thought god forbid, I enjoyed it.
It's been weeks since I got engaged with a book, and finally i thought, this is it. This is what i was looking for; the writing, the characters, and the pacing was so refreshing I couldnt stop thinking about it. Till we got to the part. The messiest drama ever and i didnt love it.
In the relationship, the characters were all jumbled up for cheap and weak third act break up?
I loved that Kate had such a good inisght on her mental health and she dealt it in a healthy way, she was also quite lovable at the beginning till daniel came up, which to this day, i have no idea what was the fight was even about?? what was the big fight that changed the trajectory of their threesome friendship cus allb the fight look and sound similar??
Andy was charming but thats it. that the best and the worst part about him. and i couldn't love him at all as a character nor was he ever held accountable for his actions people just swept under the rug and forgive him cus THEY ALL LOVED HIM?? really??
Finally, Daniel deserves better. I dont even love him but Kate should've had a good grovelling scene just for him cus seriously kate and andy did him dirty imo. he gave more than he took in the relationship and just for his HEA to be that quick, short and unsatisfying like that? criminal.
But I didn't want Goodreads algorithm to recommend some similar books, or thought god forbid, I enjoyed it.
It's been weeks since I got engaged with a book, and finally i thought, this is it. This is what i was looking for; the writing, the characters, and the pacing was so refreshing I couldnt stop thinking about it. Till we got to the part. The messiest drama ever and i didnt love it.
In the relationship, the characters were all jumbled up for cheap and weak third act break up?
I loved that Kate had such a good inisght on her mental health and she dealt it in a healthy way, she was also quite lovable at the beginning till daniel came up, which to this day, i have no idea what was the fight was even about?? what was the big fight that changed the trajectory of their threesome friendship cus allb the fight look and sound similar??
Andy was charming but thats it. that the best and the worst part about him. and i couldn't love him at all as a character nor was he ever held accountable for his actions people just swept under the rug and forgive him cus THEY ALL LOVED HIM?? really??
Finally, Daniel deserves better. I dont even love him but Kate should've had a good grovelling scene just for him cus seriously kate and andy did him dirty imo. he gave more than he took in the relationship and just for his HEA to be that quick, short and unsatisfying like that? criminal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2023
I wouldn’t say this was funny or even darkly humorous. The story is sad, people trying to cope with a loved one living with addiction and secrets. No real humor implied here. Kate wasn’t exactly a catch, but neither was Daniel or Andy. Kates friends seemed to just be fair weather friends to gossip with instead of people who cared about her.
February 19, 2023
thank you to bookouture & netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
i love sophie ranald’s books and this is another enjoyable one! it follows kate and daniel as they travel to turkey to find their friend who has seemingly fallen off the face of the earth.
the story includes flashbacks of the past to help explain why daniel and kate fell out and how andy’s actions impacted them both.
i would definitely recommend reading some of sophie ranald’s earlier published books to understand the background characters!
i love sophie ranald’s books and this is another enjoyable one! it follows kate and daniel as they travel to turkey to find their friend who has seemingly fallen off the face of the earth.
the story includes flashbacks of the past to help explain why daniel and kate fell out and how andy’s actions impacted them both.
i would definitely recommend reading some of sophie ranald’s earlier published books to understand the background characters!
February 9, 2023
This was so entertaining in the begininning!! I loved the characters, their dynamic and everything! But it just went downhill after the first couple chapters.. Honestly, it to a certain extent it felt like a whole entirely different book after a while!
March 12, 2023
Thank you to Bookouture & Netgalley for approving this arc.
This wasn't how I expected it to be.
I enjoyed the beginning a bit, but not so much after that.
Maybe it's because I had so much expectation for it
This wasn't how I expected it to be.
I enjoyed the beginning a bit, but not so much after that.
Maybe it's because I had so much expectation for it
July 26, 2023
Not totally hilarious
The story is fine and I liked the characters for the most part, but this book deals with a character's serious drug addiction and I don't find that subject funny. So I think calling this a "totally hilarious romantic comedy" is deceptive. It's not a romantic comedy and should not be marketed that way.
The story is fine and I liked the characters for the most part, but this book deals with a character's serious drug addiction and I don't find that subject funny. So I think calling this a "totally hilarious romantic comedy" is deceptive. It's not a romantic comedy and should not be marketed that way.
Read
March 22, 2023DNF @ 22% ..
September 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this
May 24, 2025
Weak resolution, Andy was so insufferable I was praying for his literal death, Kate was a vapid and shallow snob (I hated being inside her brain for this book)!
May 21, 2023
Kate has got her life together. She can’t ask for anything more - even if it means that she is chronically single. However, when her best friend Andy goes missing whilst travelling abroad, she needs to go and help him - even if that means going with Daniel, Andy’s friend who Kate is less than fond of. When they arrive, amongst looking for Andy, they take some time to enjoy their idyllic setting. Could Daniel perhaps not be so bad after all?
This was such a fun book to read. I felt like I was on holiday reading it, vividly imagining the landscape described. I loved reading about the relationship between Kate and Daniel as well, and how things are not always as they seem. I definitely recommend this for a fun beach read (or to cheer you up from the gloom of winter.
Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for the review copy.
This was such a fun book to read. I felt like I was on holiday reading it, vividly imagining the landscape described. I loved reading about the relationship between Kate and Daniel as well, and how things are not always as they seem. I definitely recommend this for a fun beach read (or to cheer you up from the gloom of winter.
Thanks to @netgalley and @bookouture for the review copy.
April 2, 2023
Esta historia está lejos de ser una rom-com!
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
Not in a Million Years de Sophie Ranald
Argumento:
Biquini lindo: tic
Cócteles helados: tic
Revistas brillantes: tic
Persona en la tumbona de al lado: *peor pesadilla*
La soltería crónica de Kate está triunfando en la vida. Finalmente ha ahorrado lo suficiente para vivir sola en la casa de sus sueños, tiene un gran grupo de amigos y, por fin, ha perfeccionado el pastel de chocolate definitivo. ¿Y qué si su vida amorosa está muerta al llegar? Olvídate del sexo, ella puede hacer una esponja que te volaría los calcetines. Aparte de su sequía romántica (¿sigue siendo un 'hechizo' si han pasado años...?!), todo va según lo planeado. Pero cuando descubre que uno de sus amigos más antiguos, Andy, está viajando al extranjero y necesita su ayuda, sabe que tendrá que dejarlo todo y volar con él.
El único problema es que Daniel, el amigo en común al que culpa por el estilo de vida salvaje de Andy, la acompañará. Son las primeras vacaciones en el extranjero que ha podido permitirse en años, ¡¿y tiene que pasarlas con él?!
Pero cuando llegan Daniel y Kate, pronto se encuentran teniendo las inesperadas vacaciones románticas de su vida. Nadar en aguas cristalinas, compartir deliciosas comidas y explorar hermosos pueblos locales... Todo sería perfecto, si no estuvieran juntos.
Y a medida que pasan los días, y más de un mesero los confunde a ella y a Daniel con una pareja en luna de miel, Kate tiene que recordarse a sí misma que hay una razón por la que permaneció soltera todos estos años. Pero mientras toma un sorbo de su Martini seco y observa el cuerpo tonificado de Daniel sumergirse en la piscina, se preguntasi es posible tener las vacaciones perfectas con un hombre al que odias… ¿O si tal vez Daniel no es tan malo después de todo?
Mi humilde opinión:
Según la sinopsis esperaba divertirne con esta lectura pero estaba lejos de ser una rom-com. Tuvo un par de momentos que me hicieron sonreír pero la mayor parte del libro fue duro para mí de leer. Casi todo el tiempo estaba asombrada, triste y enojada mientras Kate contaba su historia de amistad y amor.
Desde que Kate conoce a Andy su vida gira en torno a él, adicto al alcohol y las drogas. Con sus idas y vueltas a lo largo de los años cruzan los límites de la amistad que se.vuelve tóxica. Está también Daniel con quién ella no tiene la mejor relación pero lo soporta porque es amigo de Andy también. Los dos siempre siendo testigos de sus recaídas e intentado rescatarlo mientras se detestan. Kate ha tomado malas decisiones con Andy y juzgado mal a Daniel. Así que mayormente estaba leyendo a dos amigos ayudando a otro que no quería ser ayudado. Fue muy frustrante y triste todo eso.
Los protagonistas no me gustaban ni me disgustaban. Pensé que Kate podría haber puesto límites con Andy y no permitirle utilizarla, lo mismo Daniel. La forma en que Andy manipula a los dos fue horrible, más con Kate.
El romance no me encantó. Kate era desagradable con Daniel y él con ella todo el tiempo. El final fue lo único mínimamente romántico y sentí un poco de alivio luego de leer una historia tan fuerte. Una que prometió un divertido romance de enemigos a amantes para sentirse bien y estuvo lejos de ser nada de eso.
February 7, 2023
When Kate agrees to drop everything and jump on a plane to try and find her missing friend Andy during a potential spiral, she's not only happy to try and find her friend but kind of looking forward to her first holiday in forever.
If it wasn't for the mutual 'friend' Daniel who came along, it would be paradise. Clear seas, delicious food and and mesmerising sunsets are much harder to enjoy when the man who's caused so many problems for Kate, and Andy, is always there.
But as the days go by and their trip keeps getting longer, she can't help but feel that something has changed with Daniel - after all this time, there might be something she actually likes about him. But Kate has been chronically and purposefully single for years and this is probably just a holiday crush ... it wouldn't happen, not a million years. Or that's what she tries telling herself, anyway.
"I could only ignore the seismic shift that seemed to affect the way I saw not just Daniel, but my entire life."
I'd call Sophie Ranald my guilty pleasure, but I don't feel guilty at all for loving everything she writes. She always gives me that perfect romcom vibe with tried-and-true formulas but a refreshingly modern twist. This was a hilariously chaotic enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romcom in an absolutely stunning setting that made me feel the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. As usual, Ranalds writing is like butter - it's so smooth and the story flows from one moment to another with ease.
We return to a group of familiar faces from the Ranald-iverse to check up on all the characters we've loved (or not) from different stories and see where they're at now, which always makes me smile - if you've not read the others, don't worry because all these stories stand out alone and the stories don't rely on one another, but I'd read them anyway because they're delightful.
Kate was amazing - I loved how she took us with her on her thought trains and spoke right to us like we were one of her friends. She was the definition of a hot mess, a little lost, sometimes did dumb things - but she was strong, loyal, determined and bold. She wanted someone to love not because she needed it, but because she loved to love. Although it's not explicitly mentioned, she's also one of the most authentic characters with OCD/Anxiety I've read in a long time - showing how intrusive thoughts actually work and the physical manifestations they can show. Ranald tenderly and respectfully explores this, showing both the fragility and resilience we hold within in, whether through mental illness, addiction or health - but always with an honest and optimistic voice.
Her relationship with Andy was complex - there was a deep understanding and love there, but a lot of heartache and history. As we go back and reflect on their early friendship, we see the happy times but also the complicated, darker moments, where Andy wasn't a good friend and things got toxic. It made me think about how important my own friends are, and how far I'd go to make sure they were okay. He was utterly absurd, charismatic and charming, but troubled - something Kate blames partially on Daniel for his own bad influence. Kate and Daniels backstory reveals slowly but naturally, showing the complications that led to them being enemies, and watching as they turn into something much more.
Indulgently sweet and magnificently chaotic with a lot of heart - Ranald is the reigning Queen of feel-good for a reason and it's clear she isn't letting go of that crown.
If it wasn't for the mutual 'friend' Daniel who came along, it would be paradise. Clear seas, delicious food and and mesmerising sunsets are much harder to enjoy when the man who's caused so many problems for Kate, and Andy, is always there.
But as the days go by and their trip keeps getting longer, she can't help but feel that something has changed with Daniel - after all this time, there might be something she actually likes about him. But Kate has been chronically and purposefully single for years and this is probably just a holiday crush ... it wouldn't happen, not a million years. Or that's what she tries telling herself, anyway.
"I could only ignore the seismic shift that seemed to affect the way I saw not just Daniel, but my entire life."
I'd call Sophie Ranald my guilty pleasure, but I don't feel guilty at all for loving everything she writes. She always gives me that perfect romcom vibe with tried-and-true formulas but a refreshingly modern twist. This was a hilariously chaotic enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity romcom in an absolutely stunning setting that made me feel the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. As usual, Ranalds writing is like butter - it's so smooth and the story flows from one moment to another with ease.
We return to a group of familiar faces from the Ranald-iverse to check up on all the characters we've loved (or not) from different stories and see where they're at now, which always makes me smile - if you've not read the others, don't worry because all these stories stand out alone and the stories don't rely on one another, but I'd read them anyway because they're delightful.
Kate was amazing - I loved how she took us with her on her thought trains and spoke right to us like we were one of her friends. She was the definition of a hot mess, a little lost, sometimes did dumb things - but she was strong, loyal, determined and bold. She wanted someone to love not because she needed it, but because she loved to love. Although it's not explicitly mentioned, she's also one of the most authentic characters with OCD/Anxiety I've read in a long time - showing how intrusive thoughts actually work and the physical manifestations they can show. Ranald tenderly and respectfully explores this, showing both the fragility and resilience we hold within in, whether through mental illness, addiction or health - but always with an honest and optimistic voice.
Her relationship with Andy was complex - there was a deep understanding and love there, but a lot of heartache and history. As we go back and reflect on their early friendship, we see the happy times but also the complicated, darker moments, where Andy wasn't a good friend and things got toxic. It made me think about how important my own friends are, and how far I'd go to make sure they were okay. He was utterly absurd, charismatic and charming, but troubled - something Kate blames partially on Daniel for his own bad influence. Kate and Daniels backstory reveals slowly but naturally, showing the complications that led to them being enemies, and watching as they turn into something much more.
Indulgently sweet and magnificently chaotic with a lot of heart - Ranald is the reigning Queen of feel-good for a reason and it's clear she isn't letting go of that crown.
February 7, 2023
Sophie Ranald has done it again! I discovered Ranald last year and her books immediately gripped me so big thank you to NetGalley for approving this earc in exchange for an honest review.
Not in a Million Years is a book with all the tropes: enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity that will leave you laughing out loud with every interaction between Daniel and Kate. Their teasing banter between eachother was hilarious to read and I read the whole book within a day, I just could not put this down.
Ranald’s writing is so lovely, the first half of this book centres around the holiday to Turkey that Daniel and Kate have to go on to find their missing best friend Andy. I would say this is the typical light hearted romance portion of the book and let me just say, I want to book a holiday as soon as possible because the way Ranald set the scene had me itching to be on the beach in the sun somewhere!
However, I think this is important to note: this book is not just a typical lighthearted enemies to lovers on a holiday. I know it can come as a bit of a shock to some people if they have not previously read any of Ranald’s work and the book does revolve heavily around the subplot of their friend Andy being in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. This is what the second half of the book mainly revolves around, their battle and miscommunication on how best to help Andy and keep him in recovery. We do still have the lighthearted banter and interactions between them both but the plot does take a diversion.
I personally loved this, in the previous books I have read from Ranald, I always feel like her characters are so relatable and realistic. They are just normal people battling real life difficulties and navigating real life complicated love experiences. She has a way of writing about deep and heavy topics whilst still keeping an interesting plot and there’s always a “both sides to the story” perspective. People don’t and can’t always agree on the best ways to tackle these messy life events and Ranald portrays it so wonderfully in her novels.
All in all, the first half of this book would be an amazing summer beach reach and the romance is just beautiful. I routed for Daniel and Kate the whole way through and laughed out loud in place - but I did just want to put the disclaimer in that it can be heavy in parts and I feel the subtitle/blurb can be a bit misleading.
Not in a Million Years is a book with all the tropes: enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine and forced proximity that will leave you laughing out loud with every interaction between Daniel and Kate. Their teasing banter between eachother was hilarious to read and I read the whole book within a day, I just could not put this down.
Ranald’s writing is so lovely, the first half of this book centres around the holiday to Turkey that Daniel and Kate have to go on to find their missing best friend Andy. I would say this is the typical light hearted romance portion of the book and let me just say, I want to book a holiday as soon as possible because the way Ranald set the scene had me itching to be on the beach in the sun somewhere!
However, I think this is important to note: this book is not just a typical lighthearted enemies to lovers on a holiday. I know it can come as a bit of a shock to some people if they have not previously read any of Ranald’s work and the book does revolve heavily around the subplot of their friend Andy being in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. This is what the second half of the book mainly revolves around, their battle and miscommunication on how best to help Andy and keep him in recovery. We do still have the lighthearted banter and interactions between them both but the plot does take a diversion.
I personally loved this, in the previous books I have read from Ranald, I always feel like her characters are so relatable and realistic. They are just normal people battling real life difficulties and navigating real life complicated love experiences. She has a way of writing about deep and heavy topics whilst still keeping an interesting plot and there’s always a “both sides to the story” perspective. People don’t and can’t always agree on the best ways to tackle these messy life events and Ranald portrays it so wonderfully in her novels.
All in all, the first half of this book would be an amazing summer beach reach and the romance is just beautiful. I routed for Daniel and Kate the whole way through and laughed out loud in place - but I did just want to put the disclaimer in that it can be heavy in parts and I feel the subtitle/blurb can be a bit misleading.
January 15, 2023
Kate has a great job (Risk Management Consultant), great friends, and the possibility of a new boyfriend in the form of ex-colleague Claude. Okay, so their first date didn't go too well ... but he's still keen.
The only fly in the ointment is that Kate's best friend Andy seems to have gone AWOL, none of their friends have seen or spoken to him for weeks and he's not posted anything to social media either, something unheard of for Andy. Since Andy has struggled with addiction in the past his friends are worried that he may have started taking drugs again. Then Daniel, less of a friend and more of a frenemy, thinks he's found a clue to where Andy was last, Greece. Since Daniel is self-employed and Kate has five weeks between assignments it only makes sense for the two of them to go to Greece and try to find Andy. Even if they hate each other's guts, they've managed to keep it civil when out with their other friends, surely they can do the same to find Andy?
But travel niggles aside, Kate finds Daniel isn't the monster she thought he was, and as their search leads them to traipse around Greek hotels looking for Daniel there could be a spark of romance. But there is still the matter that led them to become sworn enemies ...
I was very much enjoying this while Kate, Andy and Daniel were in Greece. Unfortunately, once they got home to London I felt the novel started to drag, although the snarky banter between Kate and Daniel was awesome. Also the backstory about why Kate and Daniel fell out seemed weak. Basically, I felt the backstory with Andy kind of overshadowed the romance and was too much, the book would have been better without all that drama.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The only fly in the ointment is that Kate's best friend Andy seems to have gone AWOL, none of their friends have seen or spoken to him for weeks and he's not posted anything to social media either, something unheard of for Andy. Since Andy has struggled with addiction in the past his friends are worried that he may have started taking drugs again. Then Daniel, less of a friend and more of a frenemy, thinks he's found a clue to where Andy was last, Greece. Since Daniel is self-employed and Kate has five weeks between assignments it only makes sense for the two of them to go to Greece and try to find Andy. Even if they hate each other's guts, they've managed to keep it civil when out with their other friends, surely they can do the same to find Andy?
But travel niggles aside, Kate finds Daniel isn't the monster she thought he was, and as their search leads them to traipse around Greek hotels looking for Daniel there could be a spark of romance. But there is still the matter that led them to become sworn enemies ...
I was very much enjoying this while Kate, Andy and Daniel were in Greece. Unfortunately, once they got home to London I felt the novel started to drag, although the snarky banter between Kate and Daniel was awesome. Also the backstory about why Kate and Daniel fell out seemed weak. Basically, I felt the backstory with Andy kind of overshadowed the romance and was too much, the book would have been better without all that drama.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
March 20, 2023
Thank you to @bookouture for this advanced copy of Not in a Million Years by @sophieranald in return for an honest review.
General Thoughts 🤔
The marketing told me rom com and the book gave me rom com. What more could I have asked for really? I really enjoyed this story and that is evident from the way that I flew through reading it. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments and the enemies to friends trope was exciting to follow. I never really understood how people had romance tropes that they preferred but I’m starting to get it now. Enemies to lovers is definitely up there as one of my favourites.
Characters 👫👭👬
It was impossible to not like the characters in this book, flaws and all. Starting with Kate; she was stubborn and fiercely independent (reminding me of myself a little bit). She was 100% stuck in her own way for such a long time and I feel like everyone else could see something in Daniel that she wouldn’t let herself see.
Daniel was a sweetie. I was wishing he would put himself out there for Kate as it was obvious that he had feelings for her, however I imagine her coldness probably put him off that idea. I really liked Daniel’s attitude towards Andy and his recovery as it was kind of tough love with kindness. I don’t know how that balance existed but it did.
Writing Style ✍️
This is the first Sophie Ranald book that I’ve read and I really enjoyed her writing style. She wrote in funny scenes that weren’t in the least bit cheesy (which can be a put off for me with romantic comedy) whilst keeping an element of romance that had me invested in Daniel and Kate. Add in Andy’s problems that could be considered a little heavy going for a rom com, it all blended together really well and kept the plot interesting.
Conclusion & Scoring 🎖
This was a feel good book and I had such a great time reading it. It was romantic without being sappy and it was funny without being cheesy. I flew through reading it and found it to be a great weekend companion. I have also decided that my future husband must be a carpenter who restores furniture. I haven’t told my fiancé yet but I’m sure he’ll be ok with it. Definitely recommend Not in a Million Years for an easy going, enjoyable read.
General Thoughts 🤔
The marketing told me rom com and the book gave me rom com. What more could I have asked for really? I really enjoyed this story and that is evident from the way that I flew through reading it. There were plenty of laugh out loud moments and the enemies to friends trope was exciting to follow. I never really understood how people had romance tropes that they preferred but I’m starting to get it now. Enemies to lovers is definitely up there as one of my favourites.
Characters 👫👭👬
It was impossible to not like the characters in this book, flaws and all. Starting with Kate; she was stubborn and fiercely independent (reminding me of myself a little bit). She was 100% stuck in her own way for such a long time and I feel like everyone else could see something in Daniel that she wouldn’t let herself see.
Daniel was a sweetie. I was wishing he would put himself out there for Kate as it was obvious that he had feelings for her, however I imagine her coldness probably put him off that idea. I really liked Daniel’s attitude towards Andy and his recovery as it was kind of tough love with kindness. I don’t know how that balance existed but it did.
Writing Style ✍️
This is the first Sophie Ranald book that I’ve read and I really enjoyed her writing style. She wrote in funny scenes that weren’t in the least bit cheesy (which can be a put off for me with romantic comedy) whilst keeping an element of romance that had me invested in Daniel and Kate. Add in Andy’s problems that could be considered a little heavy going for a rom com, it all blended together really well and kept the plot interesting.
Conclusion & Scoring 🎖
This was a feel good book and I had such a great time reading it. It was romantic without being sappy and it was funny without being cheesy. I flew through reading it and found it to be a great weekend companion. I have also decided that my future husband must be a carpenter who restores furniture. I haven’t told my fiancé yet but I’m sure he’ll be ok with it. Definitely recommend Not in a Million Years for an easy going, enjoyable read.
February 16, 2023
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for free, in exchange for an honest review.
But oh my god, this is a shitshow. I don't know where to begin...
But I will try anyway. First of all, the cover and synopsis suggests a fun enemies-to-lovers romcom - to be fair the book starts just like that, but after a couple of chapters the whole story starts to fall apart. This story is definitely not the one you would expect based on the first few chapters and the light, funny cover.
It would have been nice to put some trigger warnings somewhere, because the book talks A LOT about drug addiction, living with secrets and alcohol problems -- which is everything but fun, in my opinion.
The characters are funny and likable at the beginning, but as the plot progresses, to be frank everyone becomes unlikable as fuck.
And the story is very slow paced as well. I find it important to emphasize it, because I'm a huge fan of the slowburn trope, but this was just such a drag.
As said, the characters became unlikable, our female main character actually is a bitchy narcissist, who seems to hate Daniel for no apparent reason but just for the sake of it. Splendid. Andy, about who the whole plot is circling, behaves like an awful dog with really bad manners, always on the loose. It's actually pathetic and borderline pitiful.
Some descriptions are too long and most of the dialogues feel unnecessary.
As cherry on top the shit-cake, sometimes not just the descriptions are unnecessarily prolonged, but it mentions UK-specific things (some metro station game for example), which is absolutely unenjoyable without having a deep knowledge about UK city structures and cultural things.
I definitely won't read anything else from this author because I legit feel misled. One-star.
But oh my god, this is a shitshow. I don't know where to begin...
But I will try anyway. First of all, the cover and synopsis suggests a fun enemies-to-lovers romcom - to be fair the book starts just like that, but after a couple of chapters the whole story starts to fall apart. This story is definitely not the one you would expect based on the first few chapters and the light, funny cover.
It would have been nice to put some trigger warnings somewhere, because the book talks A LOT about drug addiction, living with secrets and alcohol problems -- which is everything but fun, in my opinion.
The characters are funny and likable at the beginning, but as the plot progresses, to be frank everyone becomes unlikable as fuck.
And the story is very slow paced as well. I find it important to emphasize it, because I'm a huge fan of the slowburn trope, but this was just such a drag.
As said, the characters became unlikable, our female main character actually is a bitchy narcissist, who seems to hate Daniel for no apparent reason but just for the sake of it. Splendid. Andy, about who the whole plot is circling, behaves like an awful dog with really bad manners, always on the loose. It's actually pathetic and borderline pitiful.
Some descriptions are too long and most of the dialogues feel unnecessary.
As cherry on top the shit-cake, sometimes not just the descriptions are unnecessarily prolonged, but it mentions UK-specific things (some metro station game for example), which is absolutely unenjoyable without having a deep knowledge about UK city structures and cultural things.
I definitely won't read anything else from this author because I legit feel misled. One-star.
Read
January 29, 2023I’ll happily admit that I have a problem: when I don’t understand something, I need to ask whoever’s in front of me to explain. In real life anything. I say it’s a problem because there are things I wished I hadn’t asked. But anyway. With this book, I was told almost from the beginning that Kate (our main character) can’t stand Daniel (the book’s love interest). They’ve known each other for 15 years or so but haven’t talked to one another for several years, and yet from their first “reconnecting” meet-up in a bar in London, she’s straight-on aggressive—which felt a little much considering that they’re having a coffee to discuss their missing friend, Andy. Things don’t get better, Kate keeps repeating that he’s her nemesis or something, all the while she dreams about his body and the hand he put on hers on the plane. Um, excuse me? Could we have an explanation or something? Because as it is, I could obviously ask no one why she was always mad at Daniel and generally acting like a sad angry old bitchy woman…and it unnerved me, it really did. She was very unlikable (read: not at all). And it’s just too much drama for me (seriously, all these characters are nearing their 4th decade…).
After Kate and Daniel had champagne-induced sex (which, honestly, I didn’t expect to be so graphically detailed), she was (again) such a bitch that I wanted to DNF, but I went on because it was NetGalley. And so I finished it, and it didn’t work for me.
After Kate and Daniel had champagne-induced sex (which, honestly, I didn’t expect to be so graphically detailed), she was (again) such a bitch that I wanted to DNF, but I went on because it was NetGalley. And so I finished it, and it didn’t work for me.
February 8, 2023
Sophie Ranald tackles the aftermath of drug addiction and mental health through the eyes of loved ones in 'Not in a Million Years'.
Single Kate has been in a dry spell for many years, however she's happy with a group of friends (featured in previous Ranald books, such as 'P.S. I Hate You'), and has finally worked her way up the property ladder to buy her dream home.
After her best friend Andy goes missing, she is forced to travel abroad with Andy's other best friend Daniel to find him. Kate and Daniel have an antigonistic relationship as Kate blames Daniel for enabling Andy during his drug addiction where he stole from friends Abbie and Matt (as covered in 'P.S. I Hate You').
Kate is a protagonist who has to go through a huge journey after learning Daniel's point of view regarding her perception of his actions. However the most emotional parts of this book are Kate coming to grips with her relationship with Andy and the how she clinged desperately to a one-sided friendship at the expense of finding herself true love. At times this hits some raw nerves, as who can't relate to clinging onto a friendship or relationship (or murky mixture) out of love, while not facing up to how bad it is for you?
This book is heartbreaking, poignant an ultimately uplifting. Ranald tackles serious issues with care for her characters. I would, however not call this a rom com.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.
Single Kate has been in a dry spell for many years, however she's happy with a group of friends (featured in previous Ranald books, such as 'P.S. I Hate You'), and has finally worked her way up the property ladder to buy her dream home.
After her best friend Andy goes missing, she is forced to travel abroad with Andy's other best friend Daniel to find him. Kate and Daniel have an antigonistic relationship as Kate blames Daniel for enabling Andy during his drug addiction where he stole from friends Abbie and Matt (as covered in 'P.S. I Hate You').
Kate is a protagonist who has to go through a huge journey after learning Daniel's point of view regarding her perception of his actions. However the most emotional parts of this book are Kate coming to grips with her relationship with Andy and the how she clinged desperately to a one-sided friendship at the expense of finding herself true love. At times this hits some raw nerves, as who can't relate to clinging onto a friendship or relationship (or murky mixture) out of love, while not facing up to how bad it is for you?
This book is heartbreaking, poignant an ultimately uplifting. Ranald tackles serious issues with care for her characters. I would, however not call this a rom com.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.
March 29, 2023
TRIGGER WARNING: drug use and addiction
Kate's best friend Andy disappears abroad and she is anxious when he doesn't keep in contact. He has a history of drug abuse so she fears for his safety. In her desperation she agrees to travel to his last known location with Daniel, a friend of Andy's that she despises. Can they keep their arguments to a minimum and find their mutual friend...?
Not In A Million Years is described as a romantic comedy but I feel this doesn't do justice to the intense and emotional plot and characters. Yes, the romance strand is clear throughout the book as Kate and Daniel deny their true feelings for each other. But for me, the strength of friendship and the perils of addiction were just as strong as themes.
That makes it sound a bit heavy, and at times it was. I was so wound up by Andy's selfishness even while I tried to remember that addiction is an illness. Kate has good intentions and seems like a genuinely caring person. She suffers from insomnia as well as having a fear of heights and flying. These elements added to her authenticity as a character.
There were other moments of wonderful comedy, passionate sex scenes, and episodes that showed the gentleness and kindness of Kate and Daniel. I also want to mention the wonderful descriptions of the location. I have been to Turkey twice and felt like I was back there (plus I loved the inclusion of the cats!)
Not In A Million Years is an entertaining book and makes me yearn for the summer!
Kate's best friend Andy disappears abroad and she is anxious when he doesn't keep in contact. He has a history of drug abuse so she fears for his safety. In her desperation she agrees to travel to his last known location with Daniel, a friend of Andy's that she despises. Can they keep their arguments to a minimum and find their mutual friend...?
Not In A Million Years is described as a romantic comedy but I feel this doesn't do justice to the intense and emotional plot and characters. Yes, the romance strand is clear throughout the book as Kate and Daniel deny their true feelings for each other. But for me, the strength of friendship and the perils of addiction were just as strong as themes.
That makes it sound a bit heavy, and at times it was. I was so wound up by Andy's selfishness even while I tried to remember that addiction is an illness. Kate has good intentions and seems like a genuinely caring person. She suffers from insomnia as well as having a fear of heights and flying. These elements added to her authenticity as a character.
There were other moments of wonderful comedy, passionate sex scenes, and episodes that showed the gentleness and kindness of Kate and Daniel. I also want to mention the wonderful descriptions of the location. I have been to Turkey twice and felt like I was back there (plus I loved the inclusion of the cats!)
Not In A Million Years is an entertaining book and makes me yearn for the summer!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews