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Do We Really Have To Do This? : A contemporary women’s fiction novel about love, loss, and the courage to start again
Do We Really Have To Do This?
Iris can’t let go, Jack can’t hold on, but when Iris has to write Jack’s story will they ever find a happy ending of their own?
Journalist Iris Cooke loves her job at The Strawberry Times, the only problem is she just can’t stop writing happy endings. Jack Jones has everything money can buy – except the magical Strawberry House. He wants to turn it into one of his wonderful hotels, only the owners won’t sell it to him because he has a reputation for being such a grump.
Who better to write his story than Iris? Only it’s a case of ‘can’t stand one another at first sight.’ If Iris doesn’t deliver an upbeat but accurate profile of Jack Jones, she could lose her job.
The problem is Jack Jones really is a misery.
But then they meet seventy-nine-year-old Peggy and in one moment all their worlds change forever. The more time they spend with Peggy, the more they’re forced to face their own grief. But are they really saving her, or is it her last mission to save them?
Do We Really Have To Do This? is an uplifting romance in the cosy setting of Strawberry Village with a glamorous getaway to the Caribbean. It’s a story of love, grief and letting go and how your true love can be always be found - whoever you are.
Iris can’t let go, Jack can’t hold on, but when Iris has to write Jack’s story will they ever find a happy ending of their own?
Journalist Iris Cooke loves her job at The Strawberry Times, the only problem is she just can’t stop writing happy endings. Jack Jones has everything money can buy – except the magical Strawberry House. He wants to turn it into one of his wonderful hotels, only the owners won’t sell it to him because he has a reputation for being such a grump.
Who better to write his story than Iris? Only it’s a case of ‘can’t stand one another at first sight.’ If Iris doesn’t deliver an upbeat but accurate profile of Jack Jones, she could lose her job.
The problem is Jack Jones really is a misery.
But then they meet seventy-nine-year-old Peggy and in one moment all their worlds change forever. The more time they spend with Peggy, the more they’re forced to face their own grief. But are they really saving her, or is it her last mission to save them?
Do We Really Have To Do This? is an uplifting romance in the cosy setting of Strawberry Village with a glamorous getaway to the Caribbean. It’s a story of love, grief and letting go and how your true love can be always be found - whoever you are.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2023
7 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 28, 2025
As we all know, I’m primarily a fantasy or Sci Fi reader but, I do love a palate cleanser and for me there’s nothing better than a contemporary romance! Do We Really Have To Do This? by Ellie Barker is exactly that with an added level of sunshine and grumpy!
Iris is always looking for the silver lining, she needs a happy ending, she can’t cope without one but, this clashes somewhat with her job. Iris is a journalist and as we all know the news rarely brings a happy ending. Aligning with the grumpy / sunshine trope, Jack is the complete opposite, he’s even been labelled Mr Angry by the media following an appearance on a business reality show.
It all sounds pretty simple doesn’t it, grumpy meets sunshine, sunshine prevails but Ellie Barker doesn’t stop there, she really brings these characters to life, drawing out each individual’s own past relationships and personal trauma to provide additional perspective and understanding.
And then there’s Peggy, whose entry into the story uncovers even more about both Jack and Iris but also brings an extra dimension to them and their story. I absolutely loved how Peggy brought out the best in Jack and Iris – she truly brought them on a journey from completely opposing stances to a truly wonderful romance, and yes, this book did bring a tear to my eye.
Ellie Barker has truly created such an idyllic location in Strawberry Village, and I live in Bristol! I could really see it in my head, and it has brought a whole new perspective when I go to a certain part of the city plus, the other characters were absolutely adorable and fit perfectly in this cute and cosy world.
If you love a slow burn romance, cute, contemporary settings, great character development, mood lifting, grumpy/sunshine and cosy reads, you definitely won’t go wrong with Do We Really Have To Do This? and with that in mind I’m off to read the next delight in The Next Chapter Collection – What Really Happened To Me?
Iris is always looking for the silver lining, she needs a happy ending, she can’t cope without one but, this clashes somewhat with her job. Iris is a journalist and as we all know the news rarely brings a happy ending. Aligning with the grumpy / sunshine trope, Jack is the complete opposite, he’s even been labelled Mr Angry by the media following an appearance on a business reality show.
It all sounds pretty simple doesn’t it, grumpy meets sunshine, sunshine prevails but Ellie Barker doesn’t stop there, she really brings these characters to life, drawing out each individual’s own past relationships and personal trauma to provide additional perspective and understanding.
And then there’s Peggy, whose entry into the story uncovers even more about both Jack and Iris but also brings an extra dimension to them and their story. I absolutely loved how Peggy brought out the best in Jack and Iris – she truly brought them on a journey from completely opposing stances to a truly wonderful romance, and yes, this book did bring a tear to my eye.
Ellie Barker has truly created such an idyllic location in Strawberry Village, and I live in Bristol! I could really see it in my head, and it has brought a whole new perspective when I go to a certain part of the city plus, the other characters were absolutely adorable and fit perfectly in this cute and cosy world.
If you love a slow burn romance, cute, contemporary settings, great character development, mood lifting, grumpy/sunshine and cosy reads, you definitely won’t go wrong with Do We Really Have To Do This? and with that in mind I’m off to read the next delight in The Next Chapter Collection – What Really Happened To Me?
July 27, 2025
Grumpy and Sunshine do not even begin to describe Jack and Iris. Jack's level of grumpiness has even been labelled by the media, and Iris risks losing her job as her news articles are too upbeat and always looking for the positives. But, there is a lot more depth to both of these characters. They are both struggling with trauma in their own way with issues surrounding their mothers. This is put to one side when they meet Peggy, who brings them together and changes their perspectives forever.
I liked how there was a slow burn romance between them. Despite their differences and despite clashing a lot, it was clear they both felt a kinship and seemed to bring out the best in each other.
I found this such a cosy read. Strawberry Village is welcoming, cute, and full of wonderful characters that I hope we come across again through the series. I found the book enjoyable, entertaining, and uplifting.
I liked how there was a slow burn romance between them. Despite their differences and despite clashing a lot, it was clear they both felt a kinship and seemed to bring out the best in each other.
I found this such a cosy read. Strawberry Village is welcoming, cute, and full of wonderful characters that I hope we come across again through the series. I found the book enjoyable, entertaining, and uplifting.
August 1, 2025
The story in emojis: 📰🩵🍓
3 things about this book:
•Small Town Setting
•The Next Chapter Collection
•Slow burn romance
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In a word, YES, we do really have to do this!
I absolutely loved Strawberry Village and meeting the residents, I am definitely going to delve into the other books from The Next Chapter Collection to immerse myself back there.
This book was the perfect feel-good read, with a heartwarming story and characters that you just want to know more about.
Iris and Jack’s slow burn romance was perfect and I really enjoyed (although it was very sad) how Peggy’s story intertwined with them.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews