Main Character: Lessons from a Real-life Romcom

by Lizzie Frainier

A SHEERLUXE READING LIST PICK FOR 2025

'Fans of Bridget Jones will love Lizzie Frainier's tales from the dating front line' Sunday Times Style

'Lizzie Frainier is admirably frank and deeply likeable. She takes you along for the ride of her love life like a British Carrie Bradshaw' Catherine Gray, Sunday Times bestselling author

From Bridget Jones to Notting Hill ― do romcoms prepare us for the good, the bad and the disconcerting of dating?

Many of us who grew up on a strict diet of romcoms know all about the perfect meet cute that turns into a head-over-heels relationship. So when Lizzie was offered the chance to take part in a The Holiday-style festive house swap for an article, she knew she had to say yes and just do it for the plot - oh, and the trip to New York. In romcoms you always meet your match, your one true love, your soulmate, but in reality things don't always end with a happily ever after. Or at least the one we expected.

From falling for the emotionally unavailable 'cool boy' at school to receiving hideous dating app messages, and succumbing to the magnetic pull of a situationship to riding the incomparable high of an instant connection, Lizzie shares her experiences of the intensity of falling in love, the heartbreak of falling out of it and the friendships that have seen her through it all.

Charting a decade of electric first dates, meaningful encounters and lessons learned along the way, Main Character is an open-hearted celebration of romcoms and to the many ways in which love can show up in our lives.

Genres: Nonfiction

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

Reviews

[Maggie John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a life-long single gal, admitting that romance or, God forbid, love is something I’d like feels controversial. Friends in long-term relationships would tell me “trust me, you don’t want one”, others would go on and on about how much they love being independent and investing in their friendships only to couple up a few weeks later and I would be left wondering what the right answer is.

To read a book which celebrates romance and the weird and wonderful roads it takes us down is a joy. Frainier doesn’t sugarcoat it nor does she look at it through rose-tinted glasses, but above all she reminds us that it is supposed to be fun. She also reminds us that the pursuit of romance and investing in your friendships aren’t mutually exclusive & doing one doesn’t exclude the other so revel in doing both!

These days, it can be hard not to be cynical but Frainier’s debut has reminded me that I do love love and I’m already making a mental list of all the friends I need to tell about it.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a memoir and this one about love, dating and single life sounded fab, I don't think though that I was the target audience and whilst I did find each section interesting, I sometimes missed the connection to the romcom they were bouncing off of.
I found the last chapter was my favourite, I loved seeing the author solo travelling, being just as she was and not trying to attach herself. I would definitely read more of this authors work, especially travel writing.
I think that if you're younger or single then you would get so much out of this, so I would definitely recommend.

[Tara Odeinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very heartfelt, charming and witty read with plenty of lols. I was transported to each scenario through every chapter. The lessons learnt throughout the book will resonate with so many people on their journey in finding love.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a nosy person, getting front row seats to Lizzie’s dating history was great, but I especially loved how she linked it back to all our fave 00s romcoms. The stories were written with love and humour and it was very relatable.

[Annabel Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully comforting, like chatting over tea on the sofa with a bestie. Loved the conclusion. I AM the main character

[Zoë Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish I did not want to put this book down. Lizzie’s writing style is so endearing, and her relatable stories will have you laughing, crying and everything in between. Though memoirs predominantly of romance and love, a thread of friendship and growth runs all the way through. I would recommend this read to anyone who loves a rom com/chick flick, enjoys reminiscing on their dating life, or wants some inspiration to get back out there!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I don’t know why I haven’t seen more people talk about it but I need everyone to read it.

This book is a love letter to romcoms, but it’s also about love in all its forms. It’s fun, hilarious and at times heartbreaking. The writing is fantastic and I feel like everyone can relate to some aspect of the story (even if we haven’t all been backpacking through Thailand). It’s a memoir is reminiscent of Dolly Alderton’s Everything I know about love and Nora Ephron’s essays.

As Lizzie delves into her relationship history, it took me on a trip down my own heartbreak lane with equal parts of nostalgia and cringing- dating in London is brutal.

It’s laugh out loud funny and at times hilariously awkward.

Yes, romcoms are very middle class and only recently have started to become more diverse, but there’s something so comforting in a story with a guaranteed happily ever after.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious riot of joy & romance, humour & heartbreak all wrapped up in Lizzie’s wonderfully humorous, candid and relatable tone of voice. Reading Main Character is like sitting on the sofa with your girlfriends the morning after the night before, cup of tea in hand, squealing & squirming as you go through every last detail of who did what, when, where and…why?! Lizzie’s dating memoir is both funny and fabulous and she brings you along for the ride.
A must-read for anyone who’s ever been in love, in denial, in a situationship or in limbo… Whatever the state of your love life, Main Character will lift you up with its poignant observations and gorgeous celebration of love in all its forms. Go read it - and then tell your friends to do the same!

[Yvette Caster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main Character is a funny and relatable account of love, sex, friendship and dating in modern times. It’s all here - the highs, the lows, the green and red flags, the apps, the best friends and the chance meetings that change your life. The book is a romantic memoir, using everyone’s favourite romcoms for structure. I loved reading this - it made me laugh out loud in recognition, remember my first love and think of the friends and family who have helped me through heartbreak. The book is entertaining, thoughtful and enthused with optimism. Fans of Candace Bushnell (Sex And The City) and Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) will especially love this.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read! What a book.

I loved every chapter and every line. I laughed so much, I cried hard and I could not put it down. Lizzie writes so beautifully, so honestly, so fearlessly and so many parts spoke to me and were instantly relatable and comforting. Parts of it were like therapy, parts forced me to give myself a talking to, parts made me realise and admit things I should have a long time ago and gave me permission to do so, but mostly the whole thing just gave me such joy, and hope.

I truly believe there is something in this book for every woman in the world. For every ‘Main Character’. ❤️

[Daniel O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured Main Character. Frainier is a fantastic writer—her prose is sharp, her observations cut deep, and her storytelling keeps you completely hooked. She blends the witty, heartfelt charm of Dolly Alderton with a frankness that makes you root for her through every high and low.


It’s a brilliant novel about love, relationships, and self-discovery—full of messy, real, and deeply relatable moments. You’ll laugh, gasp (at the audacity of men), and smile your way through this. If this is her debut, I can’t wait to read her sophomore effort.

[MR MATTHEW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I defy anyone, whatever their gender, for whom this funny, honest and revealing memoir does not ring true and make you feel better about their younger self. Negotiating the complex and baffling quest to find love is often a mystery whatever your age and in whichever decade. Lizzie takes us on her journey which is full of incident as she reveals what she has learnt from her experiences and Hollywood RomComs. I look forward to seeing her story on the big screen.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in two days because it's such a pacey, enjoyable read. The format is thematic, focusing on different 'types' of love affairs, which means there's something in there for everyone to relate to.
It's an admirably honest and frank memoir, but also incredibly funny. I wish I had read this in my 20s as there's a lot of great, hard-earned wisdom about modern dating, and useful ways to tame the self-critical voice in your head when others are not being their best selves.

[Amy J Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious read into the wonderful world of dating through the eyes of the incredible Lizzie Frainer. The book takes you through journeys of heartbreak and hope, with plenty of laugh out loud moments and poignant life lessons. A read that will make you feel like you are having a cup of tea with your best friend, and ultimately by the end it will give you hope about keeping your heart open to finding love again.

[Emily Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! An exploration of the highs and lows of dating as we follow Lizzie through the last decade of her dating life, feeling every high and every heartbreak. Fun, witty but also emotive and inciting introspection as we accompany the author revisiting her past relationships. This book made me feel nostalgic but also made me want to be more spontaneous and seize life just as she does as The Main Character.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down! Main Character had me genuinely laughing out loud – something I’m not sure I’ve ever done while reading before. It’s wonderfully written and the stories are spectacular. I have to be honest, as a man I wasn’t sure I would connect to the author’s experiences. But I was completely wrong. Turns out dating is universally terrifying, cringe, hilarious, painful and exhilarating. Bravo Lizzie Franier!

[Nancy Larose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and read it in two days. Laughing out loud at times. I felt as though I was traveling through her life and adventures with her in the way she writes her story. The mishaps and good times with friends and family. Her discoveries about herself through one experience after another are heartfelt and wise. Funny, witty and always charming.

[Jennifer Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick this for your next summer read! Main Character is full of wit, warmth and a nostalgia for the 00s I didn’t know I needed! I love how Frainier transports the reader all over the world, too. Scenes from the book are really vivid in my mind months after finishing it, which is always a sign of a good read!

[Dhara Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read! If you’ve ever been single and had to navigate the world of dating, then you will easily relate to all of Lizzie Frainier’s stories and dating experiences.
Would highly recommend!

[Nick Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to read that is relatable for anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of dating in a big city. Extremely funny and also insightful, this book will make you re-think rom-coms and the role you play in your own dating stories.

[Olivia Galliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful - Lizzie writes so well and is so relatable. She reminded me of a mixture of Dolly Alderton and Carrie Bradshaw with her own twist. I loved it and genuinely couldn’t put it down, thank you for sharing your stories with us!

[Rachel Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Such a fun read but I also found her stories about friendships and heartbreaks so relatable. I absolutely flew through it and was laughing and cringing along with all her anecdotes! Looking forward to what she writes next!

[Jessica Poillucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire book feels like a cozy night in chatting with your girlfriends! Lizzie does such a good job at telling the stories of her romantic endeavors in a way that draws you in, both feeling like a real life romcom and something entirely relatable!

[Maria Pasquale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every second of this book! Lizzie has this way with words that drags you right into the script and you feel like you’re one of her friends. The right amount of intimacy, fun and romance! Well done on such a great book that I couldn’t put down!

[Keshet Haslum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Such a feel-good and heartfelt read that perfectly captures the ups and downs of the dating world. It’s funny, emotional, and makes you feel truly understood. A perfect mix of humour and heart that will leave you smiling!

[Chloe Blows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t recommend more - so funny, poignant and relatable!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! Each romance is told with so much heart, I flew through this book. Laughed, cried and beamed. I’m ready for the next book.

[Alycia Fritze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, warm, and honest account of modern dating. I laughed and cheered along with Lizzie!! I absolutely lapped it up x

[Camille Wyand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and cried throughout this book! I loved it so so much. The chapters were funny, sweet, and relatable. They made me appreciate the experiences you have as a singleton!

[Sia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun romp of a book with a lot of heart. Felt weirdly comforting and nostalgic - like a romcom I suppose!