Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Someone's Gotta Give

Rate this book
The author of My What If Year is back with a fun, witty debut novel that takes you inside the world of extreme wealth and charitable giving.

Lucia thought she had it all figured out—until life in London as a new mom and expat turns everything upside down. She’s just barely keeping it together, when she unexpectedly lands a glamorous job as a philanthropic advisor to the poshest families in England. But is the world of the uber wealthy everything it’s cracked up to be?

At work, she’s rubbing elbows with royals and taking champagne-fueled meetings with heirs to the next generation of wealth; while at home, her teething one-year-old is up at all hours of the night, and her husband’s growing connection to his ex-girlfriend is making her question their marriage.

Something’s gotta give in this relatable and heartwarming dramedy about a woman caught between her career ambitions, her family’s needs, and the person she’s becoming. Can Lucia rediscover herself before it all falls apart? And can she still do some good in the world while she’s at it?

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

30 people are currently reading
11734 people want to read

About the author

Alisha Fernandez Miranda

2 books108 followers
ALISHA FERNANDEZ MIRANDA is the author of My What If Year. She serves as chair and former CEO of I.G. Advisors, an award-winning social impact intelligence agency that consults with the world’s biggest nonprofits, foundations, and corporations on their philanthropy and social initiatives. A graduate of Harvard University and the London School of Economics, her writing has been featured in Vogue, Business Insider, Romper, and Huffington Post. Originally from Miami, she currently lives in Scotland with her husband and children.

Follow Alisha on Instagram @alishafmiranda and her website at www.alishafmiranda.com.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
67 (24%)
4 stars
110 (39%)
3 stars
84 (30%)
2 stars
17 (6%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Sharon Orlopp.
Author 1 book1,146 followers
August 12, 2025
I received Someone's Gotta Give in a Goodreads Giveaway. I had read Alisha Fernandez Miranda's debut book, My What If Year: A Memoir and really enjoyed it. Someone's Gotta Give is her second book and it's terrific!

Lucia has quickly fallen in love, given up her career, moved from the US to London, and given birth to her daughter, Marley. She has somewhat settled into her new life but doesn't feel she quite fits in with her husband's group of friends and she feels she is missing her purpose in life.

She lands a job at a posh London bank in the philanthropic advisory department and starts meeting with wealthy clients to help them determine what causes to support. She begins spending less and less time at home with her husband and daughter.

The story is based in London with great references to food, language, the Tube, and iconic places such as Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, and London Bridge.

For the past two months, many of the books I've read have been true crime, psychological thrillers, and about The Troubles in Northern Ireland. I wanted something light and entertaining to read and Someone's Gotta Give fit the bill perfectly!
Profile Image for Lia Reads.
539 reviews473 followers
July 31, 2025
4.5 stars. I really really enjoyed this book. The journey of this woman trying to find herself was beautiful and I feel like a lot of women could relate to her story. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for ReadThisAndSteep.
563 reviews31 followers
August 6, 2025
This book is funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. While it raises some complex questions, it's also just a super enjoyable read. The author strikes the perfect balance between message and entertainment. Beautifully written and well-paced, it's about a woman named Lucia who is juggling several roles while trying not to lose herself in the process, and there are a lot of relatable and humorous moments.

The book also explores themes of extreme wealth, the motivations behind charitable giving, women's roles, and whether it is possible to "do it all." And, it explores these topics in a refreshingly honest way. I loved the characters who feel so real, the zippy dialogue, the unique premise, and the humor. What a fantastic debut! I look forward to reading whatever this author writes next.

Thank you to Zibby Publishing for the gifted review copy
Profile Image for Kate O'Shea.
1,335 reviews195 followers
August 14, 2025
Before I start I will admit that this isnt my usual fare. But I wanted something lighter so ...

Lucia is a charity worker who lives in Austin, Texas but her world is turned upside down when her very own Mr Darcy, Ollie, arrives and they fall in love.

A couple of years later Lucia is now living in London, a full time mum to Marley. She feels cut off from the world and when a chance to pursue her charitable works presents itself she jumps at the chance.

However Lucia finds out very quickly that this new job is more about protecting the wealthy than making a difference to those in need. Plus the job is playing havoc with her home life. How can she still be a mum but have friends and a satisfying work life?

I didn't really find Lucia a very sympathetic character. The descriptions of British life are also pretty hackneyed - we're all posh, we sound like the Queen and we care more about animals than people.

This simply wasn't my sort of book. However I would recommend it to those who like a little romance, a little intrigue and a lot of swanky characters. It would make a great light summer read.

Thankyou to Netgalley for the advance review copy.
Profile Image for Cheryl Sokoloff.
760 reviews27 followers
August 20, 2025
Fun read, I would definitely categorize as women’s fiction, all about living your true life, without compromising.
#zibbypublishing.
Profile Image for Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf.
876 reviews43 followers
August 6, 2025
Book Report: Someone’s Gotta Give

At First Glance: This looks fun and a bit nostalgic.

The Gist: Lucia finds herself newly married, with a baby and in a new country where she is managing all the things plus a newly high pressure job that she loves.

My Thoughts: I was spot on with the nostalgic feeling the cover gave me. It had me reminiscing about early 2000s media I gravitated towards… think Ugly Betty, Devils Wears Prada and I’m sure many more plots where someone gets a glamorous job and then their every waking moment is consumed by it… also Extreme wealth + Philanthropy was refreshing to read about. It did take me a bit to find my footing, but once I did I enjoyed the journey. Lucia wants it all! The family, the career and to make a difference and I’m all for a Girl Power moment so I was cheering her on through all of her up and down moments. I loved the quiet yet loud look at what it’s like to be a mom with a career and holding on to yourself. I think many can relate to this narrative.

My Question for Alisha: Lucia is the kind of woman I’d love to grab coffee with… so real, funny, and full of heart. Was there a part of yourself you poured into her character?

Thank you @zibbypublishing for the gifted ARC

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Profile Image for Stephanie Wilen.
244 reviews40 followers
October 1, 2025
I hate to say this because the author is an absolute joy, but Someone's Gotta Give is slow.

Lucia is struggling. She moved away from a job she loved in the US to her husbands home in England. The two met while he was traveling, fell in love and had a baby quickly. With that said, over a short period of time Lucias life has changed drastically. After a year at home with her daughter, Lucia starts work at a major bank, diving back into the world of philanthropic giving.

I am all for women, doing the things that set their souls on fire. 1000% YES.
I am NOT for ANYONE completely ignoring their family for work. There needs to be balance and this book offered none of that. The pacing was off and the messaging didn't sit right with me. I did enjoy learning about how philanthropy works behind the scenes. There is a lot of good information here on how to make the most impact with a donation.

Not for me, but maybe for you!
Profile Image for Jill Kennard.
47 reviews3 followers
July 22, 2025
Lucia has lost herself in motherhood, after a whirlwind romance, marriage and move to London. She doesn’t fit in with her husband’s family, friends, or country. Although she loves her daughter, giving up her job securing donations for immigrant causes was also giving up a piece of her identity. Why not get dressed up and go to an interview, just to check it out?!

In a flash, Lucia is immersed in the world of philanthropy again, only this time on the side of the super wealthy. She no longer has to plead for donations, but must entertain old money families, finding places to channel their money and make them look good in the process. She’s torn between the moral issues behind this wealth as well as the demands of her ladder climbing boss.

This novel gives off Devil Wears Prada/ “Younger” vibes. It was interesting to follow Lucia to the events with the rich and famous. It also sheds light on the motives behind some philanthropic endeavors being less than from a true spirit of generosity. Lucia’s struggles with losing part of herself when becoming a full time mom will be relatable to many. Really enjoyable book! No spice.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance read copy in exchange for my review.
Profile Image for Cari.
Author 21 books189 followers
May 27, 2025
Booklist review!
Profile Image for Louis (audiobookfanatic).
329 reviews31 followers
August 21, 2025
Someone’s Gotta Give by Alisha Fernandez Miranda is a genre-bending workplace comedy, domestic drama, and contemporary women’s fiction novel! The book has serious “The Devil Wears Prada” vibes as it blends office satire with an emotional, character-driven story of identity & reinvention!

The story follows Lucia, a Cuban-American expat living in London, who finds herself pulled in every direction at once: she’s a new mom, a wife trying to keep her marriage afloat, and suddenly, an unlikely player in the world of high-net-worth philanthropy. When she lands a job at an exclusive private bank, she’s tasked with helping the ultra-wealthy decide where and how to give away their money—a role that’s both exhilarating and morally complicated!

The writing is witty and sharp and includes lots of banter between Lucia and her work colleagues that will have readers chuckling throughout. A lot of the comedy in the story comes from the absurdities of the wealthy characters and Lucia’s hilarious experiences as an expat. She’s the epitome of a “fish out of water”—not only because she’s moved from Austin, Texas, to London, UK, but also because her husband’s family and friends are of a completely different wealth class—and their snobbish, self-indulgent attitudes are at odds with Lucia’s humble immigrant-family upbringing! The story is told entirely from Lucia’s POV, giving readers a glimpse inside her head as she navigates new motherhood, marriage strain, and the surreal world of billionaire philanthropy! The tone of the book often shifts between laugh-out-loud funny moments and Lucia’s serious reflections on motherhood and identity—offering something for many kinds of readers.

Lucia is a funny, self-deprecating, and introspective protagonist—all qualities that make her inner monologues very entertaining! Her anxieties and stresses are very relatable, especially for new mothers—sleep deprivation, marital stress, and an identity crisis surrounding her role as a mother and need for a career!

As a Cuban-American in London navigating expat life and cultural displacement, she often feels out of place and questions if she’s made terrible life choices. Fortunately her husband’s strong devotion to her and her beautiful daughter constantly provides her reassurance. Her husband is very loving but imperfect, and when Alicia stretches herself too thin, their marriage becomes strained.

Lucia’s relationship with her French boss, Celeste, is very reminiscent of the employee-boss dynamic in The Devil Wears Prada book—Celeste is intimidating, bold, and ruthless and is ready to fire anyone who doesn’t go along with her agendas. Lucia’s colleagues and close clients are also all richly developed, often in a satirical manner that makes them somewhat absurd, adding a lot of humor to the story!

There are a lot of scenes that discuss philanthropy, especially after Lucia joins forces with her client Henry, the son of a duke and duchess who’s determined to have his family’s fortunes used for the greater good. Some of their discussions feel a bit repetitive, especially in the mid-section of the book. The last chapters are more interesting, bold, and faster paced as Lucia comes to terms with the fact that she can’t do it all—and this leads her to take some big risks while readying herself for the fallout—somewhat reminiscent of the later plot points of The Devil Wears Prada story. The ending is satisfying but also feels a bit rushed and could have incorporated some more resolution between Lucia and her husband.

Overall, Someone’s Gotta Give is a smart, funny, and heartfelt debut. It’s mashup of different genres—satirical workplace comedy, reinvention story, and family drama—will make it appeal to a larger audience than your typical contemporary women’s fiction novel. If all of this sounds intriguing and you enjoy novels that make you laugh and nod in recognition, then grab a copy ASAP!
Profile Image for Sharada Mohan.
480 reviews
August 8, 2025
A funny and relatable mom-com!

Thanks Zibby Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. Also thanks to @librofm for the access to ALC.

Synopsis -

Lucia has roller bladed into her London life - falling in love, getting married and having her baby daughter, she’s figuring it all out as a new mom. But when a job comes up as a Philanthropic advisor at a highly reputed London bank, Lucia has to try to fit into the corporate world. With her one year old teething and getting stretched thin at work, Lucia is struggling to juggle both her family and professional life. Will she find her middle ground?

Review -

Oh this was such a fun & entertaining audiobook. The narrator Abigail Reno was simply brilliant - given that this novel demanded multiple accents - Spanish, French & British English. Her voice was seamless & rolled from one to the other with the story. The listening was so easy & I flew through the audio!

The author explores all the facets of today’s womanhood - the aspects of life as a SAHM, the feeling of invisibility/taken for granted, the lack of purpose, worthlessness and low self esteem, while also delving into the “mom guilt” once a mom goes back to work - how the feeling would now morph into “ the not doing/being enough”, over compensating and how the domestic burden still weighs heavy. What's more, there’s the overbearing new boss, the long hours and the toxic workplace where you need to prove yourself.

The other highlight of the book is the humor, the jovial tone of the writing that makes it so light-hearted and breezy to read. There’s a huge focus on Lucia’s previous career as a charity fundraiser back in Texas and themes of Philanthropy. It was mindblowing to learn about the kind of impact the gift of giving could have and the difference it makes to the needy.

Towards the end, though Lucia is scrambling to fix her life, seeking that rhythm and balance, I loved that she was determined to do good in the world and make it a better place, however small her role might be.

I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it as a breather between heavier reads!
Profile Image for Emma.
123 reviews
August 14, 2025
if anyone wants to know what it's like working in philanthropy, read this book
Profile Image for itsallaboutbooksandmacarons.
2,302 reviews51 followers
August 10, 2025
It was such an emotional listen. I was glad for Lucia and at the same time I thought she was so brave—being a mom and working, handling everything that life threw at her without giving up. I kept thinking about how much strength she must have had to keep going day after day. It wasn’t easy, but she didn’t give up, and that made me respect her even more.

Her husband really gave me some nerves. Sometimes I was frustrated with him because it felt like he didn’t understand what Lucia was going through. He didn’t always step up when she needed him, and that made me angry at times. I wasn’t sure if he would ever change or be the partner she needed, and that tension stayed with me throughout the story.

In the end, all was okay. It didn’t feel rushed or fake, just real. Now I just want to go to London because I liked it when I visited. The way the story made me think about the city reminded me of why I loved being there, and I want to go back and see it again for myself.
Profile Image for Merisha.
209 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing and story of this book. Lucia is a new mom, in a new country, without a job and has seemingly forgotten who she is as she is navigating her new normal. When it unexpected job opportunity arises, Lucia finds her back to herself, but not without some challenges and consequences.

I rooted for Lucia throughout most of the book, even when it was clear that she was making some terrible decisions and somewhat being dismissive of her husband’s and Sooz’s feelings. There were definitely several times where I was frustrated at her being non-communicative and letting things fester until things eventually became worse. Ultimately, I’m glad she got things together when it was obvious her life was falling apart.

The writing was good—fresh in a way where I immediately felt like I was taken back to London and alongside Lucia as she navigated the ups and downs. There were also times of hilarity over Lucia’s bumbling performance of an American in London—something I am all too familiar with!

Three and a half stars!
Profile Image for Rachel.
3 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2025
What a read!! This book is perfect. I loved the characters, the world is specific and exquisite, the way Alisha writes is vivid and delicious, and the themes of the book really make you think. It’s a perfect beach read that actually has nutritional value - it makes you ponder big questions about life, love, wealth, doing good - but is also an absolute delight to read. I laughed out loud constantly. More importantly, it’s one of those books that makes you look at your own life and feel more sparkly and inspired in it. This is a novel and a world that will stay with me for a very long time.
Profile Image for Nae.
368 reviews23 followers
August 4, 2025
thank you @librofm and @zibbypublishing for the alc and advanced copy!

someone's gotta give follows lucia, a new mom and american living in London with her husband and daughter, who's trying to balance motherhood and a new circle of friends. she gets a new job as a philanthropic advisor and now the goal is to balance everything on her plate. i struggled to connect with the characters and found it hard to stay fully invested in their journey. there were moments that had potential, but overall, it just didn't hit for me. not bad, just not for me.

⭐️ 3 stars!!
Profile Image for Jenn.
1,125 reviews13 followers
October 13, 2025
This was fun and sweet! Though, despite the author having children, I have questions about her knowledge of what 1 year olds are capable of! ;) Despite that, I really liked this and hope she writes more novels, even if this wasn't my usual genre!
Profile Image for Lauren Stroud.
115 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2025
I enjoyed this book so much!

I mean, anything that contains a scheme called Operation Bridget Jones is a no-brainer, right?

Lucia has met the love of her life, but being with him means moving to another continent and trying to find a place in his world. She loves her husband and precious daughter, but is she losing herself?

In a Devil Wears Prada-esque move, she takes a job in high finance, and things start to change.

This book made me laugh, and it made me tear up. I wanted to be best friends with Sooz and roll my eyes at pompous Belly.

And those touching moments between Lucia and sweet Marley… so genuine and heartwarming.

This is a story about staying true to who you are when life’s inevitable changes come your way, and Lucia is that friend I think we’d all want to get takeout and a glass of wine with.

Lucia’s work means a lot to her; what is your favorite job you’ve ever had?
Profile Image for Michelle.
259 reviews
July 22, 2025
Someone's Gotta Give by Alisha Fernandez Miranda was such a fun read. Who doesn't want to try and have it all? Landing a job when you aren't looking, Lucia is on her way to help people and reap the glamour and benefits of her important new role. Only at what cost to her family, friends and everything that truly matters? Following Lucia's ups and downs made you feel like you were tagging along for the ride, and rooting for her all the way. Pick this one up, it is a great new book and doesn't disappoint.

Thank you to Zibby's Publishing and net galley for the advanced reader copy.
Profile Image for Tori  Higa-Sarris.
37 reviews
April 30, 2025
Read this in one day. “Devil Wears Prada” for the philanthropy world. It is clear that Alisha Fernandez Miranda is familiar with the complexity of the nonprofit, fundraising, and philanthropy world and her characters try to navigate their personal ideology with the reality of having a job in this field that often requires you to make personal compromises. You’ll root for the main character while also yelling at her for the choices she makes
Profile Image for Christy Egan.
119 reviews3 followers
October 9, 2025
I listened to this on LibroFM thanks to Zibby Publishing. 4.5 stars-this was a great read that made me think back to the days of balancing being a working mom. I greatly appreciated the social topics (I grew up with my mom being the executive director at our area’s Migrant Education program). Well done!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
1,007 reviews39 followers
July 29, 2025
Someone’s Gotta Give by Alisha Fernandez Miranda is a fresh, funny, and emotionally layered novel that captures what it really feels like to lose yourself in the mess of marriage, motherhood, and ambition—and what it takes to find your way back. Thank you to Zibby Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

From the first page, I felt like I knew Lucia. Not because her life is particularly familiar—I’m not jetting off to Buckingham Palace or balancing teething toddlers with private banking clients—but because the internal tug-of-war she experiences is so honest. She’s a new mom in a new country, sleep-deprived, lonely, and stuck in a cycle of trying to “be grateful” when, deep down, she knows something is missing. That something becomes the catalyst for the novel when she stumbles into a job at an elite private bank, advising the absurdly rich on how to give their money away.

It sounds glamorous, and in some ways it is. Lucia’s days shift from spit-up and sleep training to black-tie galas, discreet meetings at private clubs, and hobnobbing with British aristocracy. The details are vivid and sharp without being overindulgent. You can smell the old money and taste the champagne. But what Miranda does so well is keep one foot in Lucia’s real life—her aching back from carrying her daughter, the resentment bubbling between her and her husband, the constant guilt for missing bath time or bedtime. It’s not just that she’s balancing two worlds; it’s that she’s quietly drowning in both.

There’s a brilliant tension in the book between the surface sparkle of philanthropy and the moral murkiness underneath. Lucia used to fight for immigrant causes and grassroots change. Now, she’s helping billionaires donate to opera houses and slap their names on buildings. She tells herself she’s making a difference, but that inner voice keeps whispering that something is off. One of the best lines in the novel comes when Lucia reflects, “Maybe I wasn’t saving the world anymore, but at least I could make it look like someone was.” That sentence hit hard—it’s funny, biting, and painfully true. It also captures Miranda’s tone perfectly: light on the surface but deeply aware of the compromises women make in the name of having it all.

Lucia’s relationship with her husband also deserves attention. It’s one of the more realistic portrayals of modern marriage I’ve read in a while. They love each other, but they’ve stopped being a team. The resentment is subtle at first, buried under polite conversations and small sacrifices. But it grows. His increasing connection with his ex is a slow burn that adds tension, not drama. Miranda resists easy answers—there’s no villain here, just two people quietly drifting apart. That restraint made the emotional moments land harder.

One of the things I appreciated most was that Miranda never lets Lucia off the hook. She makes bad choices. She’s selfish at times. She zones out, she lashes out, she ghosts her best friend. But she’s also trying—really trying—to claw her way back to a version of herself she can live with. The character arc is satisfying not because Lucia becomes perfect, but because she finally stops lying to herself. That’s growth.

There are lighter, funnier moments too. Lucia’s missteps as an American trying to navigate upper-crust British society are often hilarious—awkward curtsies, misunderstood slang, badly timed jokes. And the behind-the-scenes look at the charitable elite is endlessly entertaining. There are definite “Devil Wears Prada” vibes, but with more self-awareness and less snark. Think Younger meets Fleishman Is in Trouble, but with a working mom at the center of it all.

The pacing is tight, the dialogue snappy, and the emotional payoff well-earned. By the final chapters, I found myself rooting hard for Lucia—not to stay in her job, not to win anyone back, but to finally choose herself. This book is about what happens when you stop asking “Can I have it all?” and start asking, “What do I actually want?”

Alisha Fernandez Miranda has written a debut novel that is as smart as it is entertaining. Her voice is clear and confident, her characters multidimensional, and her insights spot-on. There’s no neat bow at the end—and thank god for that. What you get instead is something better: a real woman, making real choices, and owning every messy, complicated part of it.
Profile Image for Marnie.
850 reviews42 followers
November 22, 2025
We read this for my book club and it didn’t get rave reviews, but the people who seemed to dislike it the most listened to the audiobook and found the reader’s voices painful. I wonder if they would’ve liked reading a hard copy better.

I thought it was cute. Will I remember it forever? Doubtful. But I thought it had some cute moments and I enjoyed the clever title of Someone’s Gotta Give since main character Lucia Gutierrez Barrow is trying to figure out how to do everything (something’s gotta give) and she’s in philanthropy (someone’s gotta give).

Lucia was a workhorse for a non profit called ArteAustin in Austin, Texas before she met husband Ollie and moved to his home town…in another country (England). Ollie was wealthy, so Lucia didn’t work while their baby Marley was a baby. She found Ollie’s friends, especially the women, insufferable. So she was desperate for her own friends and met one in Sooz, an activist she met at the playground with her son Atticus. And once they discovered the love of the same romance author, it was solidified.

Lucia secretly interviewed for a bank after an old colleague recommended her for the position. She took the job, much to Ollie’s surprise but eventually support. He definitely didn’t like how much she worked and surely felt frustrated by her absence, but her boss Celeste was the French devil and took no excuses.

Lucia made great relationships with several of the banks wealthy clients and did good with their money. But she was unfulfilled with one rich girl’s cause- prosthetics for dogs. She wanted to help people. Her other client Henry Perry came from a wealthy family who could bankroll a building for migrants to help get them on their feet, but his parents were unsupportive of that. When they pulled the plug (after Melissa, Lucia’s jealous colleague blew up their plan), Lucia and Henry came up with their own plan to do a press release about their sizable donation, after which they couldn’t retract.

Lucia lost her job because of it but she was proud of her work. And her Devil Wears Prada boss seemed secretly impressed too and anonymously sent her a painting she had admired.

This quote from Lucia sums it up for me:
“ if she could just figure out how to win over Celeste, stay awake during sex with her husband, fix her friendship with Sooz, and get Marley to stop waking up every two hours, she’d be golden.”

I also liked this. Often donors expect foundations and nonprofits to be the most depressing places, but they are examples of the resilience of the human spirit.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,155 reviews32 followers
August 9, 2025
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2025/08/08/4-...

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

Someone’s Gotta Give is a debut novel by Alisha Fernandez Miranda. We go from Texas to London when an American falls in love with a Brit, who literally falls at her feet after tripping over her shoes.

Lucia is finding her way in a new country and feeling like a fish out of water. Her mother-in-law is not the warmest, and his friends all have strange nicknames and she’s never comfortable around them. When Lucia lands her dream job at a private bank as a philanthropic adviser, their life will never be the same due to her tyrannical boss and the long hours she must put in.

Sometimes Lucia’s husband, Ollie, seems too good to be true, and other times naive or in his own world, especially when it comes to Lucia’s feelings and his friend’s treatment of her, especially his ex. But their daughter, Marley, makes it all worthwhile, and she adds brightness to their days.

The story has a good flow, especially with the prologue and epilogue. There is a happily ever after once Lucia and Ollie communicate better, and she has the potential to take her career in another direction. However, I felt the story needed to go on a bit longer in several aspects since there were a few loose ends.

Someone’s Gotta Give is a story immersed in all things British, and when Lucia is thrown into that world, I was rooting for her to come out on top.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.
Profile Image for RedReviews4You Susan-Dara.
802 reviews25 followers
October 12, 2025
This book was everything I was looking for in a weekend read, and without a doubt, Alisha Fernandez Miranda delivered. Not only did the story entrance me—it transported me. I felt like I was back in London, a city I once visited in person, now revisited through the pages. The sights, the sounds, the scents, and the food were so vivid and grounding that anyone with London on their bucket list will feel like they’ve already been. That’s the highest testament I can give to Miranda’s writing: it’s immersive, evocative, and emotionally textured.

As for Lucia’s story, it has everything I love in a “New Girl in Town” narrative. She leaves Austin, Texas for a dream job in London, only to discover that her charity work may be more about protecting the wealthy than helping the vulnerable. How will she navigate this? What about her daughter? Her integrity? Her heart?

Miranda has the recipe for great Women’s Fiction:

A half cup of drama

A pinch of romance

A cupful of motherhood

A heaping scoop of How did I get here?

And just the perfect dash of humor to keep the pages flying

This is a book with a message and a story that’s as understandable as it is fanciful. Written in a prose style that’s clear, readable, and well-paced, it’s a novel you can fall into and stay in—with all the heartwarming qualities that keep you rooting for Lucia and turning page after page.

Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Sophie Kinsella, or anyone craving a heartfelt escape with bite. I’d happily recommend this to book clubs, weekend readers, and anyone who loves fiction with heart and humor.
Profile Image for Dawn.
475 reviews24 followers
September 25, 2025
Although this was Alisha Fernandez Miranda’s debut in fictional writing, it is clear she drew heavily from her own personal experiences. I was fascinated by the insights into the nonprofit sector, particularly the intricacies of fundraising versus the allocation of funds. While one would expect this career to be purely altruistic, the novel’s portrayal of the behind-the-scenes ethical dilemmas revealed just how complex such work can be.
Lucia had the job of her dreams as a fundraiser for a non-profit in the US, but life as an expat in London has her thrown off balance. Newly married and a mother, Lucia is struggling to find her place, but instead she’s feeling overwhelmed and lost. When an opportunity arises in the Philanthropy branch of a prestigious London bank, Lucia hopes it will reignite her sense of purpose. Yet, juggling motherhood, her husband and the demands of her high society clients is far more challenging than she anticipated. Being pulled in multiple directions is something so many readers will relate to.
There are a lot of characters in this novel, ranging from the sweet to the delightfully swanky, making for an entertaining read. While some sections required a willingness to suspend belief and overlook some drawn out parts, it was well worth it as the book cleverly delivers social commentary beneath its lighthearted and humorous tone. This story combines charm and wit with meaningful insights, and is something I will continue to think about.
Profile Image for Zibby Owens.
Author 8 books24.5k followers
October 15, 2025
This is the story of Lucia, a Venezuelan American who transitions from fundraiser to expat as she navigates motherhood, marriage, and the high-stakes world of philanthropy in London. As a new mother, Lucia believes she has finally found her footing when she lands a coveted position as a philanthropic adviser at one of the city’s most elite private banks. With opportunities to rub shoulders with royals and jet off to private islands, her life seems like a dream. However, beneath this glossy surface, she feels exhausted, overwhelmed, and is questioning everything. As work starts to blur into her personal life, her marriage begins to fray. The pressure to appear perfect clashes with the messy realities of motherhood and ambition.

The novel explores the intersection of identity, career, and family with warmth and honesty, reminding readers that even the most seemingly "put-together" women are often improvising behind the scenes. This book is part social comedy, part self-discovery journey, and filled with heart, revealing what it truly takes to balance success and self in a world that expects women to do it all.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
Profile Image for Keri.
713 reviews7 followers
August 19, 2025
Lucia thought her life was going to be great, she fell in love, got married had a baby and moved across the ocean from Austin to London. But Lucia doesn't fit in to her husband Oliver's fancy snotty friends and they don't give her any grace. In order to feel more like herself Lucia takes a job at an uber posh bank's philanthropy division. Now she's surrounded by wealthy people with open pockets to give to worthy causes, but she isn't fully feeling like she's accomplishing the same good that she did in Austin, and she is constantly working which is hurting her marriage. Can Lucia find the balance she needs to find happiness?

I really wanted to like this one but it fell a bit flat for me. There was quite a bit of miscommunication in the storyline and had the main characters just had an honest conversation with each other there would not have been a story to tell. I personally am not a big fan of miscommunication that can be easily addressed. That being said I did really like all of the characters the premise of the story. Unfortunately it was a bit slow and with the level of miscommunication it didn't work for me. I will definitely try another book by this author because I really did enjoy some of the banter and the characters.
3.5 stars
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,101 reviews34 followers
August 3, 2025
After a whirlwind lance and a quick Las Vegas wedding, Texas fundraiser Lucia moves to London with her new English husband and has a baby daughter. She’s having trouble adjusting to the life of a stay at home mom, the loss of her career and the general oddities of life in England when she’s offered a dream job. She will be working for a private bank, assisting wealthy clients with philanthropy decisions. On the surface, her life looks perfect. She has a nanny, a new wardrobe, wealthy new friends and a busy job related social life. The reality is that she has no time for her husband and her old friends. Her marriage is in trouble and a childhood friend of her husband, the improbably named Belly, has reentered his life. And Lucia is putting her principles aside to further her career. She is lost.

How she finds herself is what makes Someone’s Gotta Give a delightfully entertaining novel. You can’t not love Lucia! Other characters shine: Sooz, Ollie, the unforgettable Henry and even Celeste. The plot has its twists but what stands out is Lucia’s struggle to do the right thing - at home and at work. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zibby Publishing and Alisha Fernandez Miranda.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.