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Five Things I Love About You
From bestseller Clare Swatman, the heartwarming story about a woman in need of a fresh start who’s ready to trust in fate to get it. One fate, five clues, and a love story waiting to be told.
With Miranda's children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, she is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?
An uplifting, magical story about fresh starts, best friends and soulmates.
With Miranda's children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, she is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?
An uplifting, magical story about fresh starts, best friends and soulmates.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2025
96 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
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April 30, 2025
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This is my seventh read by Clare Swatman, and her books have been hit-and-miss for me. While I loved A Love to Last a Lifetime , How to Save a Life , Before We Grow Old and The World Outside My Window . Last Christmas and The Lost Letters of Evelyn Wright were both a bit of a miss. I am so sad to report that this one was also a miss.
In this story, Miranda searches for an unknown man from a recurring dream. I loved the premise and the idea of looking for your better half via clues from your dreams. I connected with Miranda at first, but the more I read, the more I realized she isn't too bright. I get that she's going through empty nest syndrome and is having a hard time at work, but some of the things she did frustrated the hell out of me. I enjoyed how heartfelt the story was, but felt that the deeper emotional issues were just skimmed over.
The characters were relatable, and the story of female friendship shone through. This book was great as an escapist read. So overall, I would say that it was a pleasant enough read, and if you're into contemporary romances with a touch of woo-woo, you may enjoy it if the predictable plot points don't ruin the reading experience for ya.
Would I recommend this book? No. Would I read Clare Swatman again? You betcha. She has written some amazing stories in the past.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This is my seventh read by Clare Swatman, and her books have been hit-and-miss for me. While I loved A Love to Last a Lifetime , How to Save a Life , Before We Grow Old and The World Outside My Window . Last Christmas and The Lost Letters of Evelyn Wright were both a bit of a miss. I am so sad to report that this one was also a miss.
In this story, Miranda searches for an unknown man from a recurring dream. I loved the premise and the idea of looking for your better half via clues from your dreams. I connected with Miranda at first, but the more I read, the more I realized she isn't too bright. I get that she's going through empty nest syndrome and is having a hard time at work, but some of the things she did frustrated the hell out of me. I enjoyed how heartfelt the story was, but felt that the deeper emotional issues were just skimmed over.
The characters were relatable, and the story of female friendship shone through. This book was great as an escapist read. So overall, I would say that it was a pleasant enough read, and if you're into contemporary romances with a touch of woo-woo, you may enjoy it if the predictable plot points don't ruin the reading experience for ya.
Would I recommend this book? No. Would I read Clare Swatman again? You betcha. She has written some amazing stories in the past.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 18, 2025
💚🌹One fate, five clues, and a love story waiting to be told💚🌹. Five Things I Love About You written by Clare Swatman is an uplifting and magical story about second chances, self discovery, best friends, soulmates, and fresh starts. I haven't had the best luck with Clare Swatman, so I thought it would be best to give her books another try and then make my judgment, well I think I can now say that her books aren't for me, I know many people will love this author, but personally she's not for me. I know I'm a sucker for pretty covers and Five Things I Love About You definitely got me with the stunning cover. This book wasn't horrible by any means, but there were just a few too many issues I had with this one hence the three star rating. At first, I was going to give this book two stars because it ended so abruptly, and then I didn't agree with the main character, she just constantly made so many irrational choices. I know many people will love this book, but it just wasn't for me and that's okay, I'm still glad I had the privilege to be an early reader. I settled on a three star rating for the friendship aspect of this book, it was such a shining light and honestly it saved this book from being a total flop for me. 📢Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, everyone is allowed to have their own opinions, these are mine. Please be respectful📢. If anyone is interested in reading this love story, please mark your calendars for April 24th, 2025, I hope you love this book.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOLDWOOD BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
💌🖊FOR TODAY'S HOMEWORK: I WANT YOU TO WRITE DOWN FIVE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOURSELF AND OR GO TELL SOMEONE FIVE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM💌🖊!!!!!!!
"🐕💗💳Dogs are like the best parts of humans. Plus they are cheaper than a therapist, and infinitely cuter🐕💗💳".
"📚💯You can tell a lot about people by their taste in books📚💯".
Miranda Kennedy is a forty-nine year old empty nester. Miranda is at a crossroads in her life, she doesn't believe in fate, she's indecisive, her ex-husband left twelve years ago, and her two children are grown and moved out doing their studies around the world, that leaves Miranda completely alone besides her two best friends. Miranda, Kirstie, and Sophie have been best friends for over twenty-five plus years. I loved the friendship between these three friends, they kept each other on their toes constantly. In London, Miranda is a secondary school teacher, but one day on her way to work, Miranda is involved in a bike accident in the rain. Miranda wore her helmet, but ends up with a mild concussion and nearly ran over a man. After the accident, Miranda starts having dreams about this mystery man, Miranda can only see his dark hair and his slender neck, but the rest of his face is in shadow, this man has deep dark brown eyes with flecks of gold. After leaving the hospital, Miranda keeps having these dreams about this man, but only this time they get steamy, and Miranda continues to have these dreams while she's in real life relationships. Miranda never got this man's name, but she believes in could be Jay, James, or Jason, she just has no clue.
Despite being at a crossroads, Sophie gives Miranda a tarot card reading that says her soul mate is out their looking for her. Miranda thinks this is about the mystery man she nearly ran over. Despite not knowing this man's name or even know him, Miranda moves three hundred miles to Newcastle because she has nothing holding her back in London, she was just let go from her job as head of the English department despite being there for one year. Miranda decides to move to Newcastle to chase someone she almost ran over despite knowing absolutely nothing about him. Miranda honestly made so many irrational choices without thinking and they just irked me. Miranda now wants to reassess her life, she becomes a teacher in Newcastle while she tries to find this man who could also potentially have a dog, but Miranda still has no clue, she's just going based off of what her dreams tell her. I truly felt bad for Miranda, but this woman just made me want to knock some sense into her following the decisions she made based off of dreams mind you, like I completely agree about wanting to reassess your life, but moving across the country to chase a man from your dreams is just wild to me.
In Newcastle, Miranda gets into another accident when she's riding her bike drunk and causes a car to crash after swerving her bike right in front of this car. Again, she was just being careless. This man's name is James but everyone calls him Jay, could it be the man from Miranda's dream? Read this book to find out. Jay ends up in the hospital all bruised from the car accident, Miranda felt bad, so she shows up to help him out. Jay has a dog named Alan, he gave Miranda the keys to his apartment so Miranda can feed his dog, but while feeding the dog, Miranda decides to snoop through Jay's apartment trying to figure out some clues if he could be her soul mate. Jay is an adrenaline junkie, he's training to become a skydiving instructor, he plays golf regularly and loves football. Jay is kind, he makes Miranda laugh and as they spend time together, they both realize they have absolutely nothing in common. Honestly, I would so be weirded out if a stranger who could potentially be my soul mate snoops through my things after this so named person causes me a car accident, but anyway, I'm not Miranda. I love that Sophie and Kirstie encouraged Miranda despite having their disagreements, but ladies, y'all need to get your best friend a reality check because her choices were often delusional that I just couldn't agree with. Don't get me wrong, Miranda was a wonderful character, but her life choices were crazy.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOLDWOOD BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
💌🖊FOR TODAY'S HOMEWORK: I WANT YOU TO WRITE DOWN FIVE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOURSELF AND OR GO TELL SOMEONE FIVE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT THEM💌🖊!!!!!!!
"🐕💗💳Dogs are like the best parts of humans. Plus they are cheaper than a therapist, and infinitely cuter🐕💗💳".
"📚💯You can tell a lot about people by their taste in books📚💯".
Miranda Kennedy is a forty-nine year old empty nester. Miranda is at a crossroads in her life, she doesn't believe in fate, she's indecisive, her ex-husband left twelve years ago, and her two children are grown and moved out doing their studies around the world, that leaves Miranda completely alone besides her two best friends. Miranda, Kirstie, and Sophie have been best friends for over twenty-five plus years. I loved the friendship between these three friends, they kept each other on their toes constantly. In London, Miranda is a secondary school teacher, but one day on her way to work, Miranda is involved in a bike accident in the rain. Miranda wore her helmet, but ends up with a mild concussion and nearly ran over a man. After the accident, Miranda starts having dreams about this mystery man, Miranda can only see his dark hair and his slender neck, but the rest of his face is in shadow, this man has deep dark brown eyes with flecks of gold. After leaving the hospital, Miranda keeps having these dreams about this man, but only this time they get steamy, and Miranda continues to have these dreams while she's in real life relationships. Miranda never got this man's name, but she believes in could be Jay, James, or Jason, she just has no clue.
Despite being at a crossroads, Sophie gives Miranda a tarot card reading that says her soul mate is out their looking for her. Miranda thinks this is about the mystery man she nearly ran over. Despite not knowing this man's name or even know him, Miranda moves three hundred miles to Newcastle because she has nothing holding her back in London, she was just let go from her job as head of the English department despite being there for one year. Miranda decides to move to Newcastle to chase someone she almost ran over despite knowing absolutely nothing about him. Miranda honestly made so many irrational choices without thinking and they just irked me. Miranda now wants to reassess her life, she becomes a teacher in Newcastle while she tries to find this man who could also potentially have a dog, but Miranda still has no clue, she's just going based off of what her dreams tell her. I truly felt bad for Miranda, but this woman just made me want to knock some sense into her following the decisions she made based off of dreams mind you, like I completely agree about wanting to reassess your life, but moving across the country to chase a man from your dreams is just wild to me.
In Newcastle, Miranda gets into another accident when she's riding her bike drunk and causes a car to crash after swerving her bike right in front of this car. Again, she was just being careless. This man's name is James but everyone calls him Jay, could it be the man from Miranda's dream? Read this book to find out. Jay ends up in the hospital all bruised from the car accident, Miranda felt bad, so she shows up to help him out. Jay has a dog named Alan, he gave Miranda the keys to his apartment so Miranda can feed his dog, but while feeding the dog, Miranda decides to snoop through Jay's apartment trying to figure out some clues if he could be her soul mate. Jay is an adrenaline junkie, he's training to become a skydiving instructor, he plays golf regularly and loves football. Jay is kind, he makes Miranda laugh and as they spend time together, they both realize they have absolutely nothing in common. Honestly, I would so be weirded out if a stranger who could potentially be my soul mate snoops through my things after this so named person causes me a car accident, but anyway, I'm not Miranda. I love that Sophie and Kirstie encouraged Miranda despite having their disagreements, but ladies, y'all need to get your best friend a reality check because her choices were often delusional that I just couldn't agree with. Don't get me wrong, Miranda was a wonderful character, but her life choices were crazy.
May 3, 2025
EXCERPT: . . . I changed my mind and decided I would cycle after all.
See? I told you I was indecisive.
I'm trying to channel my earlier optimism now as I carefully edge past a car while my lungs fill nicely with exhaust fumes, but it's easier said than done.
Finally, free of both car and an enormous rainwater-filled pothole, I glance up. The lights are still green so I push down, trying to gather some speed and get over the junction before they change back to red. Rain is dripping from the helmet down the back of my neck and the car beside me is driving far too close to my leg for comfort. The lights begin to turn to amber. I'm not going to make it.
It takes a moment for the realisation to sink in. The following few seconds happen in slow motion.
First, a man steps off the kerb into the road.
Next, I tug on the brakes until my fingers turn white. At the same time I scream, a blood-curdling sound I didn't even know I was capable of. The man's head swivels round and his eyes widen, his mouth opens, and he freezes, eyes fixed on me. There's no time to stop this collision, and there's nothing wither of us can do except to wait to see how efficient my brakes and his reflexes are. I'm hurtling towards him, getting closer and closer until I can see the whites of his eyes, the dark flash of his hair, and the pink of his tie. I'm not breathing, braced for impact.
Right at the last second, something tells me I can stop this, and I yank my handlebars to the right.
I barely graze his arm as I pass.
I've done it! I've saved us both!
Except I haven't. Because my front wheel is stuck at a peculiar angle, and it's skidding across the tarmac. I am also no longer upright.
Panic floods my body.
Then I hit the ground.
Silence.
ABOUT 'FIVE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU': One fate, five clues, and a love story waiting to be told.
With Miranda's children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, she is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?
MY THOUGHTS: The high point of this read for me was Miranda's friendships. Her friends, Sophie and Kirsty, are incredibly kind and supportive. I think, had I been one of Miranda's friends, I would have had her committed until she came to her senses!
Putting aside the improbability of it all, I liked the fact that the story was based around more mature characters - late forties and early fifties - but the fact they often behaved and sounded like teenagers had me gritting my teeth. And when Miranda is trying to talk herself into 'being in love' with Jay, it is just nauseating! Clare Swatman couldn't have made it any clearer if she'd hired planes to skywrite where Miranda's heart truly lay.
Despite this and the fact that I had the solution figured out fairly early on, I never felt inclined to abandon this read which I thought was kind of cute and sweet in parts but downright silly in others.
⭐⭐.5 lifted to 3 stars (when are we going to get half stars GR?) because of Gladys the dog.
#FiveThingsILoveAboutYou #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Clare lives in Hertfordshire in the UK with her husband and two boys.
Even the cat is male, which means she's destined to be outnumbered forever.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Five Things I Love About You for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I was able to concurrently read and listen to Five Things I Love About You written by Clare Swatman and ably narrated by Antonia Beamish.
See? I told you I was indecisive.
I'm trying to channel my earlier optimism now as I carefully edge past a car while my lungs fill nicely with exhaust fumes, but it's easier said than done.
Finally, free of both car and an enormous rainwater-filled pothole, I glance up. The lights are still green so I push down, trying to gather some speed and get over the junction before they change back to red. Rain is dripping from the helmet down the back of my neck and the car beside me is driving far too close to my leg for comfort. The lights begin to turn to amber. I'm not going to make it.
It takes a moment for the realisation to sink in. The following few seconds happen in slow motion.
First, a man steps off the kerb into the road.
Next, I tug on the brakes until my fingers turn white. At the same time I scream, a blood-curdling sound I didn't even know I was capable of. The man's head swivels round and his eyes widen, his mouth opens, and he freezes, eyes fixed on me. There's no time to stop this collision, and there's nothing wither of us can do except to wait to see how efficient my brakes and his reflexes are. I'm hurtling towards him, getting closer and closer until I can see the whites of his eyes, the dark flash of his hair, and the pink of his tie. I'm not breathing, braced for impact.
Right at the last second, something tells me I can stop this, and I yank my handlebars to the right.
I barely graze his arm as I pass.
I've done it! I've saved us both!
Except I haven't. Because my front wheel is stuck at a peculiar angle, and it's skidding across the tarmac. I am also no longer upright.
Panic floods my body.
Then I hit the ground.
Silence.
ABOUT 'FIVE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU': One fate, five clues, and a love story waiting to be told.
With Miranda's children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, she is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?
MY THOUGHTS: The high point of this read for me was Miranda's friendships. Her friends, Sophie and Kirsty, are incredibly kind and supportive. I think, had I been one of Miranda's friends, I would have had her committed until she came to her senses!
Putting aside the improbability of it all, I liked the fact that the story was based around more mature characters - late forties and early fifties - but the fact they often behaved and sounded like teenagers had me gritting my teeth. And when Miranda is trying to talk herself into 'being in love' with Jay, it is just nauseating! Clare Swatman couldn't have made it any clearer if she'd hired planes to skywrite where Miranda's heart truly lay.
Despite this and the fact that I had the solution figured out fairly early on, I never felt inclined to abandon this read which I thought was kind of cute and sweet in parts but downright silly in others.
⭐⭐.5 lifted to 3 stars (when are we going to get half stars GR?) because of Gladys the dog.
#FiveThingsILoveAboutYou #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Clare lives in Hertfordshire in the UK with her husband and two boys.
Even the cat is male, which means she's destined to be outnumbered forever.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Five Things I Love About You for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
I was able to concurrently read and listen to Five Things I Love About You written by Clare Swatman and ably narrated by Antonia Beamish.
did-not-finish
January 10, 2026
Blurb:
"With Miranda's children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, Sophie is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?"
I DNF'd this book 20% in. It didn't grab my attention and I honestly didn't want to know what happened to the FMC and her quest. I tried to read forward, but I just couldn't bring myself to want to finish it for some odd reason. 🤷♀️ Maybe I'll read it again in the future. I hope it went well for her. 😅 But just because I didn't enjoy it, it doesn't mean you won't. I hope you will love it! 💖
Pub Date: 04/24/25
Thank you to Boldwood Books for the digital arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
#FiveThingsILoveAboutYou #NetGalley
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, Sophie is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?"
I DNF'd this book 20% in. It didn't grab my attention and I honestly didn't want to know what happened to the FMC and her quest. I tried to read forward, but I just couldn't bring myself to want to finish it for some odd reason. 🤷♀️ Maybe I'll read it again in the future. I hope it went well for her. 😅 But just because I didn't enjoy it, it doesn't mean you won't. I hope you will love it! 💖
Pub Date: 04/24/25
Thank you to Boldwood Books for the digital arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
#FiveThingsILoveAboutYou #NetGalley
March 19, 2025
I received a free copy of, Five Things I Love About You, by Clare Swatman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Miranda is pushing 50, and feeling out of sorts. She is divorced, her kids have left the nest, and now its her turn to shine. Except she ends up injured in the hospital. This was a nice read, Its nice to read book about middle aged woman.
May 6, 2025
One thing I absolutely, positively loved
about "Five Things I Love About You":
Narrator Antonia Beamish's outstanding narration.
Yes, narrator Antonia Beamish brought life to this uplifting, magical love story about fresh starts, best friends, and soulmates.
Although this escapist tale of a divorced, injured female cyclist using five clues from her dreams to identify and locate her new dream guy was pacey and heartfelt, it was waaaay too cheesy for this fastidious vegan.
The book's contrived and eye-rolling ending was lackluster.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
April 25, 2025
This one surprised me actually in a good way for several reasons:
1. It's has more mature protagonists. they are late 40s/early 50s which is refreshing.
2. Has a very sentimental part of the book to do with dogs that actually made me teary. I always say if a book can make you cry then it's doing something right.
3. It's got a magical realism element to it (dream prophecy) which i loved.
4. A lot of this book also focuses on the friendships of the main character which was absolutely fabulous. These friends were ride or die and I loved it.
5. The characters didn't have the misunderstanding trope which I hate or the imaturity we sometimes get when characters are dating which was so refreshing.
If you are looking for more mature characters whilst still being fun and sweet and heartfelt then give this book a chance please.
Just one niggle. I would have liked an epilogue on this one as the ending just seemed slight uprupt.
Many thanks to Boldworld books for providing me a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
1. It's has more mature protagonists. they are late 40s/early 50s which is refreshing.
2. Has a very sentimental part of the book to do with dogs that actually made me teary. I always say if a book can make you cry then it's doing something right.
3. It's got a magical realism element to it (dream prophecy) which i loved.
4. A lot of this book also focuses on the friendships of the main character which was absolutely fabulous. These friends were ride or die and I loved it.
5. The characters didn't have the misunderstanding trope which I hate or the imaturity we sometimes get when characters are dating which was so refreshing.
If you are looking for more mature characters whilst still being fun and sweet and heartfelt then give this book a chance please.
Just one niggle. I would have liked an epilogue on this one as the ending just seemed slight uprupt.
Many thanks to Boldworld books for providing me a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
March 8, 2025
Five Things I Love About You is a heartfelt and uplifting read about fresh starts, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways life can lead us to love. At 49, Miranda is at a crossroads—until a bike accident and a series of mysterious dreams send her on a journey to track down the man who keeps appearing in her subconscious. What follows is a charming, feel-good story filled with friendship, fate, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone.
I was fully invested in Miranda’s journey, especially in the first half, where she takes bold steps to shake up her life. Her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie were a highlight, adding warmth and humour that grounded the story. I loved that, even though romance was at the core, it also felt like a journey of reinvention—at least at first.
However, in the latter part of the book, I found myself wishing for more focus on Miranda’s personal growth rather than just her romantic choices. Her detour into a relationship with Jay and the lack of communication with Matt made the plot feel a little more predictable than I’d hoped. While I enjoyed the love story overall, I would have loved to see Miranda’s journey celebrate more than just finding “the one.”
That said, Clare Swatman’s writing is engaging, and the themes of love, fate, and second chances are beautifully woven throughout. While some plot choices didn’t fully land for me, this was a warm, enjoyable read that left me feeling hopeful. A solid recommendation for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction!
I was fully invested in Miranda’s journey, especially in the first half, where she takes bold steps to shake up her life. Her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie were a highlight, adding warmth and humour that grounded the story. I loved that, even though romance was at the core, it also felt like a journey of reinvention—at least at first.
However, in the latter part of the book, I found myself wishing for more focus on Miranda’s personal growth rather than just her romantic choices. Her detour into a relationship with Jay and the lack of communication with Matt made the plot feel a little more predictable than I’d hoped. While I enjoyed the love story overall, I would have loved to see Miranda’s journey celebrate more than just finding “the one.”
That said, Clare Swatman’s writing is engaging, and the themes of love, fate, and second chances are beautifully woven throughout. While some plot choices didn’t fully land for me, this was a warm, enjoyable read that left me feeling hopeful. A solid recommendation for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction!
April 25, 2025
I loved this story. It was such a a clever story and I got into it very quickly. The way the main character was searching for her dream man and it turns out he was in front of her all the time. Highly recommend this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 28, 2025
Cute story about fate and soulmates. Miranda was riding her bike to school (she’s a teacher) and crashes while trying to avoid a guy stepping off the curb. She gets injured and hears bits and pieces of his info. She then starts having dreams about this mystery guy, but can’t see his face in the dreams. These go on for months and she thinks it’s a sign from the universe to find him. Having been recently laid off, a divorced 49 year old mom of adult kids, she decides to move to Newcastle, where she thinks this soulmate lives. She befriends Matt shortly after arriving, while on her search. This story follows her journey of starting over, and searching for love. It has a brief closed-door scene and is a quick and easy read. Very cozy. Great library pick up.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2025
Clare Swatman's Five Things I Love About You offers a charming tale of self-discovery and second chances. The protagonist, 49-year-old Miranda, finds herself at a crossroads after a cycling accident and recurring dreams of a mysterious man. Encouraged by her friends, she embarks on a quest to uncover his identity, leading her to Newcastle and unexpected relationships.
The novel shines in its portrayal of female friendships; Miranda's interactions with her best friends, Sophie and Kirstie, are both humorous and heartfelt, adding depth to the narrative. However, the plot's predictability diminishes some of its impact. The central mystery unfolds in a manner that may feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre, and certain character decisions, particularly Miranda's, can be frustratingly naive.
Despite these shortcomings, the book's lighthearted tone and uplifting message make it an enjoyable read for those seeking a cozy romance. While it may not break new ground, Five Things I Love About You delivers a pleasant story about embracing change and the unexpected paths to love.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The novel shines in its portrayal of female friendships; Miranda's interactions with her best friends, Sophie and Kirstie, are both humorous and heartfelt, adding depth to the narrative. However, the plot's predictability diminishes some of its impact. The central mystery unfolds in a manner that may feel familiar to seasoned readers of the genre, and certain character decisions, particularly Miranda's, can be frustratingly naive.
Despite these shortcomings, the book's lighthearted tone and uplifting message make it an enjoyable read for those seeking a cozy romance. While it may not break new ground, Five Things I Love About You delivers a pleasant story about embracing change and the unexpected paths to love.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 7, 2025
3🌟
49 year old Miranda is a divorced empty nester who is looking for the next thing in life. Miranda gets in a bike accident where she runs into a handsome mystery man. After the accident she cannot stop thinking, or should I say dreaming about him. After months of feeling like she knows this man more than their small encounter she starts her next adventure to seek out this mystery man. Is he her soulmate?
I can relate to Miranda’s story as a mom of a child who is growing up fast, I now struggle to find my next adventure & find myself outside of motherhood.
While I really enjoyed the concept of this book, the romance fell a little flat to me. I would’ve loved more story surrounding Matt.
🤍 new beginnings
🤍 soulmates & fate
🤍 self discovery
🤍 female friendship
Thank you netgalley, bold wood books & Clare Swatman for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.
49 year old Miranda is a divorced empty nester who is looking for the next thing in life. Miranda gets in a bike accident where she runs into a handsome mystery man. After the accident she cannot stop thinking, or should I say dreaming about him. After months of feeling like she knows this man more than their small encounter she starts her next adventure to seek out this mystery man. Is he her soulmate?
I can relate to Miranda’s story as a mom of a child who is growing up fast, I now struggle to find my next adventure & find myself outside of motherhood.
While I really enjoyed the concept of this book, the romance fell a little flat to me. I would’ve loved more story surrounding Matt.
🤍 new beginnings
🤍 soulmates & fate
🤍 self discovery
🤍 female friendship
Thank you netgalley, bold wood books & Clare Swatman for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 15, 2025
Divorced Miranda lives alone since her children have left home and settled abroad. She’s bored. She feels like she needs a change and she’s lonely. One morning cycling to work., shes involved in an accident. Almost knocking over a man crossing the road, she swerved and ends up knocked out on the floor. Coming round she glimpses a dark haired man, with a Geordie accent. Waking later in a hospital bed, shes dreamed of this man. Over th course of the next few months, she dreams about him more and more. In her dreams they’re falling in love. If only she knew him in real life.
A short while later after being made redundant she makes the decision to move to Newcastle to see if she can find her mystery man. Renting out her house, registering with an agency, she sets off. With only her dreams to guide her she tried to find her mystery man.
This story had an interesting premise, and the characters were likeable. I enjoyed following Miranda as she settled in her new life, met new friends and then finally met her man, or was he?
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.
I initially downloaded this when it was titled Five things I love about you, but it has been renamed A Chance Worth taking and I actually think that title works better
A short while later after being made redundant she makes the decision to move to Newcastle to see if she can find her mystery man. Renting out her house, registering with an agency, she sets off. With only her dreams to guide her she tried to find her mystery man.
This story had an interesting premise, and the characters were likeable. I enjoyed following Miranda as she settled in her new life, met new friends and then finally met her man, or was he?
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title.
I initially downloaded this when it was titled Five things I love about you, but it has been renamed A Chance Worth taking and I actually think that title works better
March 27, 2025
What a perfect cold day book to read, light, and romantic, I loved the idea of this book how ahe goes looking for her man and what lies ahead of her. Loved the ending but wanted more..lol
Great read
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
Great read
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
September 5, 2025
This is a heartfelt, uplifting novel about fresh starts and self-discovery at 49. After a bike accident and a series of mysterious dreams prompt Miranda to track down a recurring figure from her subconscious, she embarks on a journey of reinvention. The first half of the book is vibrant, bolstered by the warmth and humor of her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie, while also exploring the courage it takes to step outside one’s comfort zone. However, the latter half shifts focus to predictable romantic detours—with a relationship with Jay and communication issues with Matt—that leave the reviewer wishing for more emphasis on Miranda’s personal growth beyond simply finding “the one.” Despite this, ’the engaging writing and the book’s themes of love, fate, and second chances make it a warm, enjoyable read, recommended for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction.
March 20, 2025
Five Things I Love About You by Clare Swatman is a feel good romance about a woman named Miranda who is on an adventure to find a man she knows little about. This is my first interaction with this author and her novels, and I must say I think this one was a good way to dive in and I look forward to reading more in the future.
Throughout the novel, we learn lots about Miranda as a character, her best friends, her mystery man, and all the people she meets along the way. Written in a witty, down to earth voice that has a comforting feeling, this book takes you on a journey with the main character as she makes her way through this crazy thing called life.
Trying new things is scary, but Miranda takes the plunge with the universe on her side as she explores a new city. She learns so much about herself and what it means to expand your comfort zone that you can’t help but feel excited for her.
As with any well fleshed character, there’s a bit of nuance to her personality. She’s not perfect, but no one really is. She embraces her imperfections and broadens her knowledge any chance she gets. Her best friends are just as lovable, fiercely supportive, and always ready to catch her when she feels like she’s falling.
The pacing is well done, it didn’t feel like there was a lull to the storyline that dragged on, almost everything was seamless and fit well to the overall plot. There were some parts that I wish were expanded on a bit, such as some of her adventures to find out more about her mystery man, and perhaps having a bit more of a whimsy feel incorporated with her friends. But overall, it didn’t take away from the plot, I think it would’ve just added a bit more to it in terms of how she was going about getting more information on her mystery dream man.
Not everything is straight forward in life, and that’s displayed really well throughout this story as Miranda makes mistakes and choices that leave you wondering what she’s thinking. It can be hard to watch a character make decisions you know are the wrong ones, but I also think that’s part of what makes a compelling story. Where you’re getting so into it that you’re kind of yelling at the pages wondering what she’s up to and why she’s making the choices she’s making.
This feel good book wraps everything up neatly in a little blue bow. A few good giggles, some gasps, and a lot of wondering what the next move is going to be to figure out who her dream man is, brings this to an overall good read that was pretty enjoyable and fun.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the Author Clare Swatman for this ARC.
Throughout the novel, we learn lots about Miranda as a character, her best friends, her mystery man, and all the people she meets along the way. Written in a witty, down to earth voice that has a comforting feeling, this book takes you on a journey with the main character as she makes her way through this crazy thing called life.
Trying new things is scary, but Miranda takes the plunge with the universe on her side as she explores a new city. She learns so much about herself and what it means to expand your comfort zone that you can’t help but feel excited for her.
As with any well fleshed character, there’s a bit of nuance to her personality. She’s not perfect, but no one really is. She embraces her imperfections and broadens her knowledge any chance she gets. Her best friends are just as lovable, fiercely supportive, and always ready to catch her when she feels like she’s falling.
The pacing is well done, it didn’t feel like there was a lull to the storyline that dragged on, almost everything was seamless and fit well to the overall plot. There were some parts that I wish were expanded on a bit, such as some of her adventures to find out more about her mystery man, and perhaps having a bit more of a whimsy feel incorporated with her friends. But overall, it didn’t take away from the plot, I think it would’ve just added a bit more to it in terms of how she was going about getting more information on her mystery dream man.
Not everything is straight forward in life, and that’s displayed really well throughout this story as Miranda makes mistakes and choices that leave you wondering what she’s thinking. It can be hard to watch a character make decisions you know are the wrong ones, but I also think that’s part of what makes a compelling story. Where you’re getting so into it that you’re kind of yelling at the pages wondering what she’s up to and why she’s making the choices she’s making.
This feel good book wraps everything up neatly in a little blue bow. A few good giggles, some gasps, and a lot of wondering what the next move is going to be to figure out who her dream man is, brings this to an overall good read that was pretty enjoyable and fun.
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the Author Clare Swatman for this ARC.
March 31, 2025
After an accident while cycling to work, Miranda begins to dream about the man she almost collided with. Convinced he's the man of her dreams, despite knowing very little about him, she uproots herself and moves 300 miles in the hope of tracking him down.
I tend not to read much romantic fiction. I don't mind a romantic element in uplifting fiction, but as a genre, it's not something I gravitate towards. There was just something about the blurb for Five Things I Love About You from Clare Swatman that caught my attention and I'm so glad it did, I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Miranda's world.
Miranda is approaching the end of her 40s, her children have flown the nest and she's single following an amicable divorce. Life is ticking along until disaster strikes. Cycling to work she narrowly misses colliding with a man and ends up in hospital with concussion. Her recollection of the accident is hazy but when she starts having amorous dreams about the stranger she almost crashed into she's convinced that fate had a hand in the accident.
Problems with work give Miranda the opportunity to do something drastic, so she rents out her London home and moves to Newcastle for six months in the hope she'll be able to track down her mystery man. I became completely wrapped up in Miranda's life; her worry that she was making a mistake, her apprehension in moving to a city where she knew no one and her excitement at the new possibilities that opened up for her.
Early on in her relocation Miranda is befriended by a stranger, Matt, who offers to help her find her bearings in the city and with her search. Matt is a wonderful character, a lovely example of the type of open, warm and welcoming residents of the North-East. I think it was the North-East setting that really made the story for me as I recognised lots of the places mentioned in the book, along with the biting wind that seems to be ever-present along the North-East coast.
As Miranda continues her search, her friendship with Matt grows stronger and stronger. It's pretty obvious to her friends, and the reader, that Matt has feelings for Miranda. It's glaringly obvious where the story is heading but the course of true love never did run smooth so there are some complications to overcome first. The biggest complication of all is when she finds her mystery man. Is the man in her dreams the man of her dreams?
If you enjoy romantic fiction, love books and like dogs then this is the perfect read. I had a massive grin on my face when I read the final page.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
I tend not to read much romantic fiction. I don't mind a romantic element in uplifting fiction, but as a genre, it's not something I gravitate towards. There was just something about the blurb for Five Things I Love About You from Clare Swatman that caught my attention and I'm so glad it did, I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Miranda's world.
Miranda is approaching the end of her 40s, her children have flown the nest and she's single following an amicable divorce. Life is ticking along until disaster strikes. Cycling to work she narrowly misses colliding with a man and ends up in hospital with concussion. Her recollection of the accident is hazy but when she starts having amorous dreams about the stranger she almost crashed into she's convinced that fate had a hand in the accident.
Problems with work give Miranda the opportunity to do something drastic, so she rents out her London home and moves to Newcastle for six months in the hope she'll be able to track down her mystery man. I became completely wrapped up in Miranda's life; her worry that she was making a mistake, her apprehension in moving to a city where she knew no one and her excitement at the new possibilities that opened up for her.
Early on in her relocation Miranda is befriended by a stranger, Matt, who offers to help her find her bearings in the city and with her search. Matt is a wonderful character, a lovely example of the type of open, warm and welcoming residents of the North-East. I think it was the North-East setting that really made the story for me as I recognised lots of the places mentioned in the book, along with the biting wind that seems to be ever-present along the North-East coast.
As Miranda continues her search, her friendship with Matt grows stronger and stronger. It's pretty obvious to her friends, and the reader, that Matt has feelings for Miranda. It's glaringly obvious where the story is heading but the course of true love never did run smooth so there are some complications to overcome first. The biggest complication of all is when she finds her mystery man. Is the man in her dreams the man of her dreams?
If you enjoy romantic fiction, love books and like dogs then this is the perfect read. I had a massive grin on my face when I read the final page.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
or on Bluesky; @debbiehartuk.bsky.social
May 1, 2025
Five Things I Love About You is a charming and uplifting tale by Clare Swatman guaranteed to leave you with a great big smile on your face.
Miranda cannot shake off this feeling that there is something missing in her life. With her kids having grown up, her amicable divorce a decade behind her and her career having hit the doldrums, Miranda knows that something needs to change, but getting knocked off her bike wasn’t the change she had been anticipating. Still, little does Miranda realise that she this accident might just end up leading her to the life she was always meant to be leading!
Plagued by recurring dreams about a man whose face she cannot see, Miranda is convinced that this is a sign for her to stop wallowing about her predictable life and inject some much needed excitement in her humdrum routine. With her dreams offering five clues about this man’s identity, Miranda vows to do everything she can to find him. But is she on a hiding to nothing? Will she find her knight in shining armour? Or is she merely setting herself up for a fall?
Five Things I Love About You is a fun and feel-good read with a heroine it is easy to relate to and see yourself in. Clare Swatman writes with wit and wisdom about situations we’ve all been in and explores feelings and emotions which we’ve all experienced. A captivating tale about putting yourself first, chasing your dreams and finding happiness, Five Things I Love About You is a warm-hearted, hilarious and heartfelt novel you’ll want to buy a copy of for all your girl friends – don’t miss it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Miranda cannot shake off this feeling that there is something missing in her life. With her kids having grown up, her amicable divorce a decade behind her and her career having hit the doldrums, Miranda knows that something needs to change, but getting knocked off her bike wasn’t the change she had been anticipating. Still, little does Miranda realise that she this accident might just end up leading her to the life she was always meant to be leading!
Plagued by recurring dreams about a man whose face she cannot see, Miranda is convinced that this is a sign for her to stop wallowing about her predictable life and inject some much needed excitement in her humdrum routine. With her dreams offering five clues about this man’s identity, Miranda vows to do everything she can to find him. But is she on a hiding to nothing? Will she find her knight in shining armour? Or is she merely setting herself up for a fall?
Five Things I Love About You is a fun and feel-good read with a heroine it is easy to relate to and see yourself in. Clare Swatman writes with wit and wisdom about situations we’ve all been in and explores feelings and emotions which we’ve all experienced. A captivating tale about putting yourself first, chasing your dreams and finding happiness, Five Things I Love About You is a warm-hearted, hilarious and heartfelt novel you’ll want to buy a copy of for all your girl friends – don’t miss it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 12, 2025
Miranda is looking for the man of her dreams; the literal man of her dreams.
Miranda is riding her bike to work one morning when a man steps off the curb with no time for her to stop. The two collide and she ends up on the ground with a man hovering over her, asking if she’s okay.
As she’s in and out of consciousness, she hears the man talking to a police officer. Next thing she knows, she’s waking up in the hospital after having the most delightful dream of the man she collided with. But she can’t see his face - all she remembers is that the man’s name starts with a “J,” he has a Geordie accent, a dog named Collin, and is wearing a pink tie.
As the months pass, she continues to dream about this mystery man and strangely begins to fall in love with him and learn things about him such as he’s a fan of a blue sports team and he’s been skydiving.
Her friends decide she needs to go look for this man in her dreams. With nothing tying her down, she rents out her home and begins her journey.
Will she find the mystery man? Or is he a figment of her imagination?
I’ve read several other books by Clare Swatman and I always enjoy them! This four-star book is about chasing your dreams, friendship, not giving up on yourself, and giving love a second, third, and fourth chance regardless your age.
I would definitely check this out and it’s available now! If you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s currently free!
Thank you NetGalley, Clare Swatman, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this delightful romcom in exchange for a review.
Miranda is riding her bike to work one morning when a man steps off the curb with no time for her to stop. The two collide and she ends up on the ground with a man hovering over her, asking if she’s okay.
As she’s in and out of consciousness, she hears the man talking to a police officer. Next thing she knows, she’s waking up in the hospital after having the most delightful dream of the man she collided with. But she can’t see his face - all she remembers is that the man’s name starts with a “J,” he has a Geordie accent, a dog named Collin, and is wearing a pink tie.
As the months pass, she continues to dream about this mystery man and strangely begins to fall in love with him and learn things about him such as he’s a fan of a blue sports team and he’s been skydiving.
Her friends decide she needs to go look for this man in her dreams. With nothing tying her down, she rents out her home and begins her journey.
Will she find the mystery man? Or is he a figment of her imagination?
I’ve read several other books by Clare Swatman and I always enjoy them! This four-star book is about chasing your dreams, friendship, not giving up on yourself, and giving love a second, third, and fourth chance regardless your age.
I would definitely check this out and it’s available now! If you have Kindle Unlimited, it’s currently free!
Thank you NetGalley, Clare Swatman, and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this delightful romcom in exchange for a review.
March 23, 2025
Miranda has been having dreams about someone she nearly knocked over- that's a whole other story. Nearly every night she dreams of this man she thinks is called Jay and learns a little more about him. Her two close friends think she's nuts but go along with it. When she loses her job and has nothing to stay put for, she decides she is going to Newcastle to find Jay as he has a Geordie accent. Good plan right? When there she meets Matt who offers to show her around the area and she tells of her search for Jay and he is willing to help, however Miranda is falling for Matt. Will she find Jay and which one is the love of her life really?
This is a wonderful read and I'm smiling writing this. It's a wonderful, batty, premise, but we all get those spontaneous thoughts now and then, and hey go for it! It's uplifting, and inspirational and one that made me think about my own life in a very good way. (I did something spontaneous a while ago and it’s changed my life more than I could have imagined in a very good way). The twist made me smile and Gladys made me cry and smile (I won’t give anything away). A feelgood read I more than thoroughly enjoyed. A massive 5*
For more reviews please follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @nickisbookblog
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April 17, 2025
This book was a feel good romance, Miranda has a chance meeting with a stranger and believing him to be the love of her life, she leaves London and moves to Newcastle on a quest to find him.
Miranda doubts her decision on many occasions but still strives on in the hope she will eventually find him. Along the way she meets Matt, a warm friendly Geordie, who volunteers to help her getting accustomed to her new neighbourhood and also help with her search.
I loved the setting of the North East, being familiar with some of the locations really made the story more special to me. As Matt and Miranda spend more time together, it’s obvious he’s beginning to become more than just her friend but Miranda is still obsessed with finding her mystery man, and this jeopardises her relationship with Matt.
A chance encounter means Miranda finds her mystery man, but is he really who she thought and dreamed he was? Can two completely different people really have a relationship or was that only part of a dream?
This book had me thinking of how sometimes the perfect thing can be right in front of your eyes but you can fail to see it. You can imagine a different future or relationship for yourself when real life is ultimately just as good.
If you love romantic fiction, this will tick all the boxes for you. Easy to read and with the perfect ending , I really enjoyed it.
Miranda doubts her decision on many occasions but still strives on in the hope she will eventually find him. Along the way she meets Matt, a warm friendly Geordie, who volunteers to help her getting accustomed to her new neighbourhood and also help with her search.
I loved the setting of the North East, being familiar with some of the locations really made the story more special to me. As Matt and Miranda spend more time together, it’s obvious he’s beginning to become more than just her friend but Miranda is still obsessed with finding her mystery man, and this jeopardises her relationship with Matt.
A chance encounter means Miranda finds her mystery man, but is he really who she thought and dreamed he was? Can two completely different people really have a relationship or was that only part of a dream?
This book had me thinking of how sometimes the perfect thing can be right in front of your eyes but you can fail to see it. You can imagine a different future or relationship for yourself when real life is ultimately just as good.
If you love romantic fiction, this will tick all the boxes for you. Easy to read and with the perfect ending , I really enjoyed it.
April 30, 2025
A man steps off the pavement as Miranda cycles to work in the rain around the North Circular – and she wakes up in hospital, remembering little, but the man has just featured in her dreams. He had dark hair, a Geordie accent, a pink tie, and his name might have started with a J, but she couldn’t see his face clearly – but the dreams are still happening nine months later (and she’s added the detail that he has a dog called Colin), and she knows she needs to find him, convinced that he really must be “the one”. So when she’s made redundant from her teaching job, her new relationship doesn’t work out, and her grown-up family are living their own lives, she decides there’s only one thing she can do – let her house, find some supply teaching in Newcastle, and try to find him.
This was such an original concept, and quite beautifully delivered – her quest seems impossible, but she really does give it her very best try. And it helped – even if I shook my head at times and didn’t entirely agree with some of her choices along the way – that Miranda was a character I really loved, wavering and indecisive at times, distracted from her mission, but both easy to identify with and extraordinarily brave as she attempted to achieve the seemingly impossible. I really enjoyed living through every setback and small victory with her – and I’m deliberately avoiding any mention of the way her life unfolds, as her story is one full of surprises that it’d be unforgivable for me to share.
Another thing I really loved about this book was the friendships – always so supportive, even if they (especially Kirstie, who’s only too happy to tell her so) think she’s taken leave of her senses, and still making wrong choices in her new life. Sophie’s rather more in her corner maybe – a little more open to the woo-hoo side of things, even grabbing the opportunity to give her a tarot card reading (with a little more negative energy from the more grounded Kirstie). But they’re both so very firmly in her corner, always there when she needs them – the special bonds between them all made me quite tearful at times.
The ending? Does she find him? And is he the one? Well, that’s for you to find out when you read it – but I will tell you that I loved every moment of the story, and couldn’t recommend this wonderful book more highly. It’s very different, it’s unpredictable, it’s emotional, it made me laugh and cry, and – by its perfect ending – it really made my heart sing. Do add it to your reading list – I think you might just love it as much as I did.
This was such an original concept, and quite beautifully delivered – her quest seems impossible, but she really does give it her very best try. And it helped – even if I shook my head at times and didn’t entirely agree with some of her choices along the way – that Miranda was a character I really loved, wavering and indecisive at times, distracted from her mission, but both easy to identify with and extraordinarily brave as she attempted to achieve the seemingly impossible. I really enjoyed living through every setback and small victory with her – and I’m deliberately avoiding any mention of the way her life unfolds, as her story is one full of surprises that it’d be unforgivable for me to share.
Another thing I really loved about this book was the friendships – always so supportive, even if they (especially Kirstie, who’s only too happy to tell her so) think she’s taken leave of her senses, and still making wrong choices in her new life. Sophie’s rather more in her corner maybe – a little more open to the woo-hoo side of things, even grabbing the opportunity to give her a tarot card reading (with a little more negative energy from the more grounded Kirstie). But they’re both so very firmly in her corner, always there when she needs them – the special bonds between them all made me quite tearful at times.
The ending? Does she find him? And is he the one? Well, that’s for you to find out when you read it – but I will tell you that I loved every moment of the story, and couldn’t recommend this wonderful book more highly. It’s very different, it’s unpredictable, it’s emotional, it made me laugh and cry, and – by its perfect ending – it really made my heart sing. Do add it to your reading list – I think you might just love it as much as I did.
April 23, 2025
Five Things I Love About You by Clare Swatman
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
At forty-nine, Miranda is ready for a new chapter.
With her children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, Sophie is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?
My Opinion
Five Things I Love About You is an uplifting read. This was only my second book by Clare Swatman but I really like the writing style. With only five clues Miranda is determined to find the man she has been dreaming about. With a great pace, this was a book that I struggled to put down. A delightful novel.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
At forty-nine, Miranda is ready for a new chapter.
With her children grown, a perfectly amicable divorce long behind her, and her career in need of a spark, life feels steady — but a little too predictable. She can’t shake the feeling that something has to change.
So, when she’s knocked off her bike and wakes up in hospital bruised but not broken, Miranda wonders if the universe is trying to tell her something. And when she starts to be plagued by recurring dreams featuring the same featureless man, Sophie is convinced it’s a sign.
Her repeating dreams offer five clues to the man’s identity so, with nothing to lose, Miranda sets off on a journey to the future she’s always longed for. Somewhere there’s a life and a love waiting for Miranda, but when destiny finally presents itself, will she take the leap?
My Opinion
Five Things I Love About You is an uplifting read. This was only my second book by Clare Swatman but I really like the writing style. With only five clues Miranda is determined to find the man she has been dreaming about. With a great pace, this was a book that I struggled to put down. A delightful novel.
Rating 4/5
July 10, 2025
In this charming new novel about second chances and moving forward, readers follow Miranda as she deals with the aftermath of an amicable divorce, grown children, and a stagnating career. Life is steady but a bit too predictable, so a bike accident and dreams about the same featureless man seems like a sign from the universe to find this man and take part in the future she had always longed for. Ready to find him and add some excitement to her life, Miranda’s story highlights fresh starts, friends, soulmates, and adventure. The characters are the stars of this novel, and their relationships really do a great job bringing the larger themes and messages of the book to life. Miranda’s trajectory is relatable -- if started in a slightly unorthodox way -- but readers will still resonate with her feelings and hopes for a second start on life. The locations and background characters do a good job fleshing out the larger story and offer nice contrasts and support to Miranda’s character arc, while the obstacles are both realistic and entertaining in the constraints of the story. A fun, feel-good novel about restarting life, readers will love this latest book and its heartwarming protagonist by Clare Swatman.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
May 10, 2025
The story follows Miranda Kennedy, a 49-year-old divorced woman who’s recently unemployed and now alone, as her kids are studying abroad. The only constant in her life is her two best friends, Kirstie and Sophie, who have been by her side for over 25 years. At a crossroads, Miranda doesn’t believe in fate and isn’t sure what direction to take next.
After a bike accident on a rainy morning in London, Miranda begins having vivid dreams about a faceless man with dark hair and gold-flecked eyes. Convinced the dreams are a sign, she decides to leave London and move to Newcastle to find him, despite not knowing who he is or what he looks like.
I liked the themes of second chances, self-discovery, best friends, soulmates, and fresh starts, but the magical element wasn’t my thing. It felt too far-fetched, and the emotional depth was lacking. The best part of the book was the dynamic between Miranda and her two best friends—they reminded me of my closest girlfriends, always pushing me out of my comfort zone. While I didn’t love this book and wouldn’t recommend it, I’d consider trying another from Clare Swatman.
After a bike accident on a rainy morning in London, Miranda begins having vivid dreams about a faceless man with dark hair and gold-flecked eyes. Convinced the dreams are a sign, she decides to leave London and move to Newcastle to find him, despite not knowing who he is or what he looks like.
I liked the themes of second chances, self-discovery, best friends, soulmates, and fresh starts, but the magical element wasn’t my thing. It felt too far-fetched, and the emotional depth was lacking. The best part of the book was the dynamic between Miranda and her two best friends—they reminded me of my closest girlfriends, always pushing me out of my comfort zone. While I didn’t love this book and wouldn’t recommend it, I’d consider trying another from Clare Swatman.
March 31, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
After an accident almost-50-year-old Miranda keeps dreaming about a man that was involved into the accident. She knows nothing about him other than his names might be Jay but is convinced that he is the One for her and moves to Newcastle in order to find him. There she meets Matt who helps her with her search and is clearly into her and after a while she actually meets a Jay... but is he really the person Miranda fell in love with in her dreams?
I have to say that I had trouble believing a lot of the plot like who would keep dreaming about a man and believe the things they dreamt about were real? Apart from that the story was fairly entertaining and I liked Matt's character a lot. I could not really relate to Miranda especially as she continues to lie about things. Also I liked the ending but the surprise about who Matt was was completely OTT for me.
All in all an unbelievable but nevertheless entertaining book.
I received an ARC via netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After an accident almost-50-year-old Miranda keeps dreaming about a man that was involved into the accident. She knows nothing about him other than his names might be Jay but is convinced that he is the One for her and moves to Newcastle in order to find him. There she meets Matt who helps her with her search and is clearly into her and after a while she actually meets a Jay... but is he really the person Miranda fell in love with in her dreams?
I have to say that I had trouble believing a lot of the plot like who would keep dreaming about a man and believe the things they dreamt about were real? Apart from that the story was fairly entertaining and I liked Matt's character a lot. I could not really relate to Miranda especially as she continues to lie about things. Also I liked the ending but the surprise about who Matt was was completely OTT for me.
All in all an unbelievable but nevertheless entertaining book.
I received an ARC via netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 21, 2025
I adore Clare Swatman’s books, which are always good when looking for a lighter read with a probable happy ending, and her latest is no different.
Facing more than just a mid-life crisis, Miranda leaves her family, friends and home behind to look for love. What she finds surprises even her, and she’ll have to challenge and believe in herself to get what she wants.
While predictable, I still found the writing engaging and the characters fun to follow. I adored main character Miranda and could absolutely relate to her desire for a fresh start (no offense to my husband, kids or job). I did find her a bit wishy-washy for my taste but still connected with her independence and strength. I loved, loved, loved the trio of Miranda and her two BFFs and their sweetest friendships - sticking with each other through the years, husbands, kids and life.
I’ve not been to London and have no idea if the smaller, northern England town Miranda visits is a real place but I want to go there right now! Swatman’s lively descriptions paint a clear picture of the idyllic town, and if it doesn’t exist, it should!
Give this a try if you’re looking for a light rom-com, uplifting story, strong female friendships, starting over, chance encounters, and generally just a feel-good read.
I was gifted a digital copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley.
Facing more than just a mid-life crisis, Miranda leaves her family, friends and home behind to look for love. What she finds surprises even her, and she’ll have to challenge and believe in herself to get what she wants.
While predictable, I still found the writing engaging and the characters fun to follow. I adored main character Miranda and could absolutely relate to her desire for a fresh start (no offense to my husband, kids or job). I did find her a bit wishy-washy for my taste but still connected with her independence and strength. I loved, loved, loved the trio of Miranda and her two BFFs and their sweetest friendships - sticking with each other through the years, husbands, kids and life.
I’ve not been to London and have no idea if the smaller, northern England town Miranda visits is a real place but I want to go there right now! Swatman’s lively descriptions paint a clear picture of the idyllic town, and if it doesn’t exist, it should!
Give this a try if you’re looking for a light rom-com, uplifting story, strong female friendships, starting over, chance encounters, and generally just a feel-good read.
I was gifted a digital copy by Boldwood Books and NetGalley.
March 24, 2025
I had never read a book by Clare Swatman until I read her new one, entitled “Five Things I Love About You.” Miranda is in her late 40s and feels like she’s at a crossroads. She’s been amicably divorced for over a decade and her children are grown and finishing their educations in other countries.
After Miranda has an accident while riding her bicycle to work one rainy morning, she begins to have dreams. They’re about the man she almost hit on her bicycle. She believes he may be her soulmate, but she only knows “five things” about him. Determined to find him, Miranda temporarily leaves her life behind to have the life she keeps dreaming about.
For me, the best part of the book was the conversations and relationship Miranda had with her best friends, Sophie and Kirstie. The romance part of the book fell flat for me and felt forced for most of the book. I will say this is one of those books where the ending saved the book for me. It also made me rethink what I had just read, but in a good way.
Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
After Miranda has an accident while riding her bicycle to work one rainy morning, she begins to have dreams. They’re about the man she almost hit on her bicycle. She believes he may be her soulmate, but she only knows “five things” about him. Determined to find him, Miranda temporarily leaves her life behind to have the life she keeps dreaming about.
For me, the best part of the book was the conversations and relationship Miranda had with her best friends, Sophie and Kirstie. The romance part of the book fell flat for me and felt forced for most of the book. I will say this is one of those books where the ending saved the book for me. It also made me rethink what I had just read, but in a good way.
Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
March 30, 2025
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
“Five Things I Love About You” is by Clare Swatman. I would call this a light cozy romance story. The book focuses on a nearly 50 year old woman, Miranda, who is in an accident. In some ways this book worked well - Miranda’s friends were great, especially their humor. But I never quite warmed up to Miranda - she wasn’t a bad character, but she made some rather odd choices. The first part of the story focused on Miranda making choices, while the second half focused on her search for “him.” Overall, I think the idea of this book was interesting, but this wasn’t quite executed in a way that I liked. But I do think those who like Ms. Swatman’s other books and cozy romances would find this book a good one.
“Five Things I Love About You” is by Clare Swatman. I would call this a light cozy romance story. The book focuses on a nearly 50 year old woman, Miranda, who is in an accident. In some ways this book worked well - Miranda’s friends were great, especially their humor. But I never quite warmed up to Miranda - she wasn’t a bad character, but she made some rather odd choices. The first part of the story focused on Miranda making choices, while the second half focused on her search for “him.” Overall, I think the idea of this book was interesting, but this wasn’t quite executed in a way that I liked. But I do think those who like Ms. Swatman’s other books and cozy romances would find this book a good one.
April 5, 2025
Londoner Miranda ends up in hospital after nearly crashing into someone on her bike - she doesn't know much about him, but then she starts to have crazy dreams about him. When she's made redundant, she talks to her best friends about the situation and realises she needs to do *something* to shake up her life. She thinks she's destined to fall in love with her mystery man, so she rents out her house and goes to look for him in Newcastle
Shortly after the move, she meets Matt and his wonderful dog Gladys - although she's attracted to him, she's determined to find her handsome stranger and persuades Matt to help her. They get closer as the search continues, but she's not ready to give up on finding Mr Mystery,..
Funny and heartwarming, and readers of romcoms who believe in fate and second chances will enjoy it.
Shortly after the move, she meets Matt and his wonderful dog Gladys - although she's attracted to him, she's determined to find her handsome stranger and persuades Matt to help her. They get closer as the search continues, but she's not ready to give up on finding Mr Mystery,..
Funny and heartwarming, and readers of romcoms who believe in fate and second chances will enjoy it.
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