Big Feelings: An anti-romantic comedy

by Amy Lovat

Sadie Thomas is obsessed with love stories, and whether hers stacks up. A relatable, neurotic, anti-romantic comedy for fans of Fleabag and High Fidelity.

Desert island, all-time, top five things you need to know about Sadie (in chronological order):
1. The perfect love story is all Sadie has ever wanted. Her parents' story is what rom-com dreams are made of. But, so far, no one has offered the Happily Ever After that Sadie is searching for.
2. Then she meets Chase. And falls in love with her.
3. Sadie is ready for her sail-off-into-the-sunset, credits-roll happy ending. But will her needling insecurity about their relationship, her choices, her life - herself - mess everything up?
4. Self-sabotage is one of Sadie's greatest skills.
5. Cue the break-up . . .

Hard truths will be uncovered and family secrets revealed, as Sadie tries to figure out how it all - love, life - went so wrong.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fiction, Lesbian

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review
Romantic comedies and love stories bless our screens regularly.
A formula that works with viewers globally.
In real life do we always get a happy ending?
Often a number of attempts are required and Sadie in this plot is testimony to this.
She adores this film genre but realises and learns life is full of journeys that divert in all directions.
Growing up she believed in the romanticism her own parents had and it definitely imprinted her ideology.
Relationship failures and even marriage marred the fantasy.
Meeting Chase was different.
When it was good it was good but emotions, self sabotage and flippancy surfaced and caused grief.
A heartfelt family tragedy, self appreciation and unveiled truths shape Sadie’s experience.
I enjoyed this anti romantic comedy ride although at times was a little confused with the timelines and aligned events.
It was a realistic portrayal of the hardships that life throws and the growth we all need to make a significant other the forever person.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, evocative, messy, unflinching.

Keen to read more from Aussie author Amy Lovat.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a gut punch and a half.
I bloody ADORED this book. The way this story was slowly unfurled was so enthralling and Sadie was an infuriatingly flawed protagonist who felt so real. The characters and settings were all so vivid. I could go on and on about how much I loved this, an excellent sophomore novel.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

the last few chapters had me looking like the cover of the book

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

[audiobook]

“My grief is as big as my love.”

Gosh, I was expecting a romance, albeit told in reverse through the lens of a breakup, and there was so much more to this novel. Full of heart and depth and reality. It was lightness, written in the fluency of an entirely millennial language of 2000s rom-com and desert island lists that I adored. (I am of the opinion that every book should have a compulsory viewing list at the end.) But it built a foundation of veracity that explored many of the core issues at the heart of many a millennial with an authenticity and vulnerability that felt fresh and nuanced. The questioning of children, the resistance of the assumed pathways. The impact of fertility decisions on relationships and the way misalignment of timelines can result in the slow devolution of a relationship. (Perhaps these moments perhaps taken for granted or glossed over in hetero relationships. Yet, still felt relatable…). The churning of these questions against the backdrop of the 2019 Australian fires followed by the global pandemic made interesting reflections on the way that time period deeply changed the way we lived and the decisions we made.



And just when I thought this was a circular reflection on self-sabotaged relationships, we are hit with two particular moments where love and grief collide. I was honestly moved by the final 15-20% of the novel. The way the author depicted such big moments with a balance of sharpness and tenderness. Loved this book and love supporting local Aussie authors. So glad I read it.

[Emily Michele Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not care much for this story. It definitely wasn’t comedy…. And the idea of anti romance sounded like my vibe…. However… the whole book was just on said character tanking all her romantic relationships because she was a grade A insufferable twit.

[alysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh god, this hurt my FEELINGS. This is exactly what I am talking about when I say I want to read a messy story about a real relationship. Self-sabotage is real, people are complex and nuanced and everything will be what it will be, but not every human is capable of loving you/being with you or deserving of you.

Chase is the star of this. Sadie was infuriating. This story perfectly encapsulates the feelings of being terrified of being stagnant while craving stability in your late 20’s, fear of settling for something you aren’t sure you deserve, and comparison truly being the thief of joy in the pivotal moments of life. This was an emotional journey and if you plan on picking this up, just make sure you don’t have any plans, because you will want to eat it up.

[Amy Rennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay obsessed, this felt so real/flawed/honest and like I was chatting to one of the girls. Really self-deprecating and funny but also heartbreaking, the last quarter of the book had me sobbing! Quite slow paced in parts but never felt bored which is testament to the writing style and story telling. Loved the references of desert island and the classic 90’s romcoms I grew up with, mixed with the reality of what love really looks like. I was soooo pleasantly surprised by this🫶🏽

[Larissa Larin · Rating 4 out of 5]

hot damn. i wasn’t too sure what i was expecting in this book but after reading mistakes & other lovers, i thought why not.
& i’m so glad i did. this book will be living on in my brain for awhile.

[Lauren Castle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It's honest and familiar as it explores relationships of all kinds and the messiness that comes with them.

[Kerenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie, wasn’t a fan. That girl needed some therapy.

But then the end of Chapter 41 came from nowhere (with an audible gasp of “oh fuck”) and I was all in.

[Bridget Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high, high hopes for this book based on the cover, title and blurb, but as each component of the plot revealed itself I couldn’t help but think how many things are going to happen and how is this girl still the same she was at the start of the story? not much character growth, a lot of plot frustration and a lot of shockingly sad things filled my reading sessions.

[Madeline Pentland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bisexual, dead mum, rural farm girl, dead (liar) American father, bushfires, COVID lockdown, failed IVF babies, endo, book store clerk - but also a visual artist - and a runaway bride? Pick a struggle girl, get up.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my poor heart!
What a whirl wind of emotions keeping up with Sadie and her relationships, the fun times and the messy times. But she had the most beautiful relationship with her dad and all those around her.

This story explores love, loss, fate and self discovery. It also addresses relationships, fertility themes and family relationships.

Maybe it was my tired mind but I did struggle a little with the timeline of events and the back and forth but I got the hang of it.

Sometimes Sadie was a little frustrating, but this book certainly made me feel big feelings! Those last 50 pages I cried my heart out!!

Thank you so much to the team @macmillanaus for sending me this copy.

[Mayra Alejandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMO cuando un personaje es neurótico, ansioso y presenta síntomas de posible TOC y más aún si usa referencias de películas, series o canciones ❤️
Sadie es la típica chica que encapsula si Rob Gordon de High Fidelity y Fleabag hubieran procreado. Obsesionada con encontrar al "one" y tener una relación perfecta como de Romcom y aspirando también a emular las historias que su papá le ha contado sobre su propio Meet cute con su fallecida mamá, podemos ver como casi desde el inicio que Sadie está encaminada a estrellarse muchas veces con su negación a hablar abiertamente de lo que piensa y cómo su realidad no está a la par de sus fantasías.

[Hanna El Shorbagy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I quite liked this. beautiful prose and language with some chilling imagery. The setting was expertly crafted and perfectly encapsulated a costal Australian country town. This explored love, grief, friendship and relationships. Every relationship Sadie had held its own value and the message was ‘not all relationships last but they can all teach you something.’

Sadie however was insufferably annoying. How many times can she think, “I could day this or I could say that but then they will know how I really feel. So instead im gonna say something avoidant and dumb”. She doesn’t learn from her mistakes, I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up which is sort of the point but it irritated me a lot.

[hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just loved it

[Miana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cried a lil not gonna lie. The ending, yikes. I kind of saw the twist at the end. Yeah was alright.

[danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so so beautiful and I cried for the last like 10 minutes :(((( also so many moments at the end of chapters when I audibly GASPED

[johanna stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. This book was simply beautiful, heartbreaking and raw. Sadie, a tortured soul with the biggest feelings, the title should have given it away but it got me, ugly tears and all. This book has imprinted on my heart. Thank you Amy.

Sadie Thomas has always been obsessed with love stories, especially her parents’ picture perfect romance. But while she dreams of her own happily ever after, real life keeps falling short.

When Sadie meets Chase, she finally believes she’s found it, the kind of love where the credits should roll. Yet Sadie’s insecurities, endless second guessing, and talent for self sabotage threaten to undo everything she’s built. Add in painful truths and buried family secrets, and Sadie is left wondering if she’s capable of writing a love story of her own or destined to ruin every chapter.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐ I really wanted to like this book. Amy Lovat's writing is lyrical and authentic. I loved all the pop culture references and the Australian setting. The main character however, was absolutely insufferable. It would be more believable if she was 19 or something (like in Mistakes and Other Lovers) but she was 30! Her partner, friends and family were saints for putting up with her.

[Robert Claireson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sadie’s the worst but aren’t we all

[Chiara · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF’ed at 75%, literally put me into a reading slump i cannot read books with unlikeable main characters unfortunately

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to this novel as audiobook for a book club I go to, and I’m not sure I would have picked it out normally, its whole premise didn’t really draw me in. I persisted and finished it, but have to admit I found it quite a bland read. I enjoyed that it was Australian and queer (with bi representation), but beyond that I was quite underwhelmed by the writing, and felt it was trying to be really profound in showing how people can behave kind of badly towards one another in relationships without even acknowledging it to themselves, but for me it fell short of really saying anything of substance. I was a little disappointed as it had marketed itself as being for fans of ‘Fleabag’ which I absolutely adored, however I did not find it to share the same exquisite brand of humour.

[Shelley Amar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this, like I actually really enjoyed the feelings, the laughs, the giggles and the emotions. This was a very special read because I feel like I have those same memories, although different genders, I have those stories of wild nights that on paper would be the stories of the rest of your life, set for the big screen Hollywood romance? They fizzled out… I love that first night at the bar, spotting each other and then well they move on… and more stuff happens. It’s like a perfect imperfect story. I loved the journey, I love that it’s raw and my gosh I loved the dad. What a character…

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Feelings by Australian author Amy Lovat is a delightful fiction romantic comedy that expertly blends family secrets, self-discovery, and the complex nature of modern relationship.

Written in the first-person narrative, we meet twenty-six-year-old Sadie Thomas living in Bellingen on the mid north coast of NSW. She is obsessed with love, not a practical love but the kind of love her parents had and what you read about and see in the movies, an unconditional selfless love with a happily ever after. Thus far she is yet to have it as she is a cynical love addict with commitment issues.

Celebrating New Years Eve 2018 at The Bello Brewery Sadie first laid eyes on Chase Anderson who was performing on stage. It was an inconvenient time falling for the girl with the guitar as Sadie was moving to Portland, Oregon for a one-year exchange with her works partner agency. When everyone had gone home Sadie stayed behind to see the guitar player in the flesh. After spending a magical night with Chase she suddenly didn’t want to go overseas.

The story is intriguing, and the smooth flow of the narrative captures the complexities of love and loss with subtle realism, drawing readers into Sadie’s world with vivid, descriptive prose and authentic emotion conveyed in speech and thought that allows readers to see every high and low and her reactions and processing.

Sadie is a truly flawed and relatable character with many quirks, she is a little scatter-brained but with plenty of sass. Her interactions with friends are funny and wholesome that you get the sense you've met her in real life. I especially enjoyed the strong relationship she had with her father Sebastian, since her mother’s passing it had been them against the world and the warmth of their relationship oozed through the pages.

There are some difficult themes, including family secrets, self-sabotage and breakups but also a reflection on resilience, friendship, and the unpredictability of life's challenges and what we need to focus on to achieve growth in life. Amy has woven these beautifully into the story so that the reader is aware of them, and the emotional responses they cause, but not so intensely that it detracts from the story itself.

This is my first time reading a work by Amy Lovat, and she certainly sets the bar high when it comes to writing LGBTQ fiction. Her gift lies not so much in the fact that she writes a story about same-sex romance, but more in telling it in what many would consider a study of differing personalities to bring through authenticity and connection. The open-heartedness of the story dishes up a meaty girl-meets-girl story where every page will make you forget the time and resonate long after the book is finished.

While the cover and title didn’t immediately grab my attention, the synopsis is what pulled me in and I’m sure glad it did. The charming and witty effect of Big Feelings will have you laughing, shaking your head in frustration, crying and smiling. It is what sets it apart as a must-read and a story that will stimulate book club discussions. I highly recommend.

Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Macmillan Australia, for the opportunity to read and review.

[Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, I really did. A queer romantic or anti-romantic novel, what's not to love? Some good holiday reading right there. Had I borrowed this book from a library (rather than foolishly purchased it online), it would have been returned to the library unfinished. But, because I spent good money on it, I fought through to the end.

My primary critique is that it's JUST TOO LONG. There's nothing wrong with a novel lengthier than the standard 80,000-100,000 pages, so long as the writing (and/or plot) can carry the reader. But while 'Big Feelings' has a few interesting plot arcs and twists, the prose itself dragged through the 344 pages. I'd say it's at least 200 pages longer than necessary for the quality of writing and the specific plot points. Quite frankly, I was bored within the first 20 pages; I just didn't really care what happened, or what happened to the protagonist. But I trudged on to the bitter end.

On the plus side, there were some laugh-out-loud moments; some decent plot and subplot arcs; and I enjoyed reading about parts of Australia that I've spent time in. If the author had contained this to maybe 150 pages, it could have been an okay book, rather than one long rambling tedious manuscript whose constantly switching timeframes also proved a little annoying and difficult to follow.

There are no half-star options for ratings, so I've rounded it down - otherwise this would be a two-and-a-half star rating from me.

[Mish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, I really did. A queer romantic or anti-romantic novel, what's not to love? Some good holiday reading right there. Had I borrowed this book from a library (rather than foolishly purchased it online), it would have been returned unfinished. But, because I spent good money on it, I fought through to the end.

My primary critique is that it's JUST TOO LONG. There's nothing wrong with a novel lengthier than the standard 80,000-100,000 pages, so long as the writing (and/or plot) can carry the reader. But while 'Big Feelings' has a few interesting plot arcs and twists, the prose itself dragged through the 344 pages. A good 200 pages longer than necessary for the quality of writing and the specific plot points. Quite frankly, I was bored within the first 20 pages; I just didn't really care what happened, or what happened to the protagonist. But I trudged on to the bitter end.

On the plus side, there were some laugh-out-loud moments; some decent plot and subplot arcs; and I enjoyed reading about familiar parts of Australia. If the author had contained this to maybe 150 pages, it could have been an okay book, rather than one long rambling tedious manuscript whose constantly switching timeframes also proved a little annoying and difficult to follow.

There are no half-star options for ratings, so I've rounded it down - otherwise this would be a two-and-a-half star rating from me.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly just picked this up initially because the cover sparked my interest due to it's similar vibe to Blue Sisters but I ended up really really enjoying it. It's messy and real and you just wanna shake Sadie sometimes but you also just want her to be happy and looked after.

The end in particular was was so well written and it probably took the book from a 3.5 stars to a solid 4 stars for me. In general I really loved the way the plot of Sadie's father was woven though out the story and how the version of her parents love story had ended up crimpling her emotionally for so much of her life only to find out that it was all a lie. It just felt like such a realistic representation of how parents try to protect their kids but sometimes it does so much more harm then good.

I think calling it a comedy is generous, I didn't really find the story comedic though I can see a world where it's adapted where the right actress could play the role as a comedic loveable selfish disaster.