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Galentine’s Day
Pre-order the funny, insightful love-letter to female friendship now, perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton and The Bold Type!
Thirteen years, three women, one sleepover.
13th February 2013. Alicia, Marnie and Hannah have a sleepover on Galentine’s Day, the day before Valentine’s Day, for the first time. They’re eighteen, single, and the world is at their feet. Tomorrow, they’ll go their separate ways, to university, to a job, to a different country. But they promise that every year, they’ll have their annual sleepover.
13th February 2026. After thirteen years of faithful attendance at their annual sleepover, only two women are attending this year. Their friendship has seen partying, breakdowns, marriages, kids, divorces, and everything in between, but are their best Galentine’s Days now behind them?
Thirteen years, three women, one sleepover.
13th February 2013. Alicia, Marnie and Hannah have a sleepover on Galentine’s Day, the day before Valentine’s Day, for the first time. They’re eighteen, single, and the world is at their feet. Tomorrow, they’ll go their separate ways, to university, to a job, to a different country. But they promise that every year, they’ll have their annual sleepover.
13th February 2026. After thirteen years of faithful attendance at their annual sleepover, only two women are attending this year. Their friendship has seen partying, breakdowns, marriages, kids, divorces, and everything in between, but are their best Galentine’s Days now behind them?
384 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2026
23 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 24, 2025
Thank you to Avon books UK for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Before this book I’d never heard of Galetines day, so when I read the blurb I was intrigued. So we follow Marnie, Alicia and Hannah over 13 years as they celebrate Galetine’s day, one thing that struck me as I was reading was that Marnie was the glue holding them all together. As Hannah and Alicia were a bit awkward when they were together, I couldn’t think of two people anymore different. I really did enjoy this book, following the three women as they navigate life through break ups, marriage, pregnancies etc.
At certain points in this book I really did not like Hannah but I warmed up to her at the end, the one I most felt for though was Alicia as she had everywhere mapped out and my heart broke for her as it all fell apart. I liked Marnie, can’t say I agree with all her choices but she was real and messy. This book was a tribute to female friendships and how they change over the years, I enjoyed the writing and the text message exchanges were a nice touch. Overall a really good book and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
Before this book I’d never heard of Galetines day, so when I read the blurb I was intrigued. So we follow Marnie, Alicia and Hannah over 13 years as they celebrate Galetine’s day, one thing that struck me as I was reading was that Marnie was the glue holding them all together. As Hannah and Alicia were a bit awkward when they were together, I couldn’t think of two people anymore different. I really did enjoy this book, following the three women as they navigate life through break ups, marriage, pregnancies etc.
At certain points in this book I really did not like Hannah but I warmed up to her at the end, the one I most felt for though was Alicia as she had everywhere mapped out and my heart broke for her as it all fell apart. I liked Marnie, can’t say I agree with all her choices but she was real and messy. This book was a tribute to female friendships and how they change over the years, I enjoyed the writing and the text message exchanges were a nice touch. Overall a really good book and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
January 7, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon Books and Rebecca Anderson for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Thank you for sticking by me throughout all these years, and for loving all versions of me”.
‘Galentine's Day’ is the ultimate love letter to female friendships. Think Jacqueline Wilson’s ‘Girls in Love’ series but for adults. This is a book from the POV’s of three women - Marnie, Alicia and Hannah. It looks at the ups and downs of their friendship, their lives and general struggles over 15 years - from sixth form to their 30’s, through the plot structure of Galentine’s Day, with the girls making a promise to meet every year on this day. We see each year come around on the 13th February and discover what has happened for them recently.
It was such a heartwarming story, very lighthearted and easy to read - the ultimate ‘girl’s night in’ sort of book. It really made you stop to think about how life is so short and what we do with it - whether it be your job, your living space, any sudden changes. Yet, at the heart of it all are your friendships and relationships with others.
Life isn’t easy for any of these women, but they always have each other there to share the good times and the bad. I chose the above quote because they do truly see so many versions of each other throughout the years, and yet they stick around for one another through it all. I enjoyed how different personality wise they all were as a trio, but how this acts as a gel for them to bounce off each other, always landing back together despite challenging circumstances. The power of female friendship is strong.
Definitely recommend as an alternative to all of the romance books coming out in February!
“Thank you for sticking by me throughout all these years, and for loving all versions of me”.
‘Galentine's Day’ is the ultimate love letter to female friendships. Think Jacqueline Wilson’s ‘Girls in Love’ series but for adults. This is a book from the POV’s of three women - Marnie, Alicia and Hannah. It looks at the ups and downs of their friendship, their lives and general struggles over 15 years - from sixth form to their 30’s, through the plot structure of Galentine’s Day, with the girls making a promise to meet every year on this day. We see each year come around on the 13th February and discover what has happened for them recently.
It was such a heartwarming story, very lighthearted and easy to read - the ultimate ‘girl’s night in’ sort of book. It really made you stop to think about how life is so short and what we do with it - whether it be your job, your living space, any sudden changes. Yet, at the heart of it all are your friendships and relationships with others.
Life isn’t easy for any of these women, but they always have each other there to share the good times and the bad. I chose the above quote because they do truly see so many versions of each other throughout the years, and yet they stick around for one another through it all. I enjoyed how different personality wise they all were as a trio, but how this acts as a gel for them to bounce off each other, always landing back together despite challenging circumstances. The power of female friendship is strong.
Definitely recommend as an alternative to all of the romance books coming out in February!
October 31, 2025
3.5 🌟 for reasons detailed later.
Galentines Day did win me over and I was locked in, but it also grated a bit.
I loved the concept. We initially meet in the present day, and there’s tension in the air between a group of women who are lifelong friends. We are swept back to 2013 when all 3 friends arrange a Galentine’s day sleepover to cheer one of the trio up after a rejection in the month of romance, then given updates of their lives and the long held tradition of every Galentine’s since, a lot of the story is an ode to female friendship, the highs and the lows, the sticking by one another through thick and thin, the way their lives evolve and how essentially they drift apart yet always keep the date, I really enjoyed getting to know them, although some of the detail was scant or a bit surface level, I rooted for them, I felt their irritation and sometimes neglect of one another. I wanted to love the group chat, but this is where it grated on me for want of a better way to put it, it felt like the author had done a quick google search of what happened in the UK in each year and inserted it into the chat, now obviously it’s natural that people will talk about current events but it made the book very British in theme and took time away from exactly what the girls were doing, the first couple of entries offered nostalgia fir me but it wore thin.
Overall though I really enjoyed the story, the friendship and the narration was lovely, and I can definitely see it becoming a big hit!
Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
Galentines Day did win me over and I was locked in, but it also grated a bit.
I loved the concept. We initially meet in the present day, and there’s tension in the air between a group of women who are lifelong friends. We are swept back to 2013 when all 3 friends arrange a Galentine’s day sleepover to cheer one of the trio up after a rejection in the month of romance, then given updates of their lives and the long held tradition of every Galentine’s since, a lot of the story is an ode to female friendship, the highs and the lows, the sticking by one another through thick and thin, the way their lives evolve and how essentially they drift apart yet always keep the date, I really enjoyed getting to know them, although some of the detail was scant or a bit surface level, I rooted for them, I felt their irritation and sometimes neglect of one another. I wanted to love the group chat, but this is where it grated on me for want of a better way to put it, it felt like the author had done a quick google search of what happened in the UK in each year and inserted it into the chat, now obviously it’s natural that people will talk about current events but it made the book very British in theme and took time away from exactly what the girls were doing, the first couple of entries offered nostalgia fir me but it wore thin.
Overall though I really enjoyed the story, the friendship and the narration was lovely, and I can definitely see it becoming a big hit!
Huge thanks to HarperCollins UK audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
December 28, 2025
3.5
It took me forever to get into the story, but once I did I was sold. I cried reading the last chapter because I was so invested in Alicia. Right away I hated Hannah and it took me until the end of the book to come around and forgive her. I will say that the amount I hated her gives credit to the author for writing complex characters because even as I hated her I understood her poor behavior. Marnie was an okay character for me.
Maybe I’m not a very forgiving person but I am shocked the three women stayed friends and showed such loyalty after everything they went through. Their friendship was a journey.
I didn’t love the text messages in between years because they felt more like a check list of current events. It was a really interesting experience to drop into their lives once a year.
I recommend this book to people who don’t mind a slow start and would enjoy watching characters grow over 15 years.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.
It took me forever to get into the story, but once I did I was sold. I cried reading the last chapter because I was so invested in Alicia. Right away I hated Hannah and it took me until the end of the book to come around and forgive her. I will say that the amount I hated her gives credit to the author for writing complex characters because even as I hated her I understood her poor behavior. Marnie was an okay character for me.
Maybe I’m not a very forgiving person but I am shocked the three women stayed friends and showed such loyalty after everything they went through. Their friendship was a journey.
I didn’t love the text messages in between years because they felt more like a check list of current events. It was a really interesting experience to drop into their lives once a year.
I recommend this book to people who don’t mind a slow start and would enjoy watching characters grow over 15 years.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.
December 9, 2025
it was alright I got the audio. I had to keep the speed low so I could understand her. but I enjoyed that these girls were a strong group of friends and I envy that because I have 2 real friends total.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read this ARC.
A fabulous tale of female friendship, told over 15 years, centering around a promise made by 3 teenage girls to spend every 13th Feb/Galentine's Day together, no matter what.
Hannah, Marnie and Alicia all have very different dreams about how they want their lives to be, but you know what they say about best laid plans...
As the story plays out, we hear each woman's perspective, with chapters taken in turn from the POV of each character. The struggles they face, and not only how they deal with it, but how they are there for each other - even when they may not like each other all the time! All such strong, inspirational women, but in such different ways.
Of course this book was fun and funny, but beyond that, it had heart.
You may not like them all all of the time, but it felt like an honest portrayal of friendship.
Personally, I enjoyed how the story was broken up with their group chats/messaging. It felt like another insight into their relationship, whilst also allowing the story to flow through the years at a steady yet easy to follow pace.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this.
A fabulous tale of female friendship, told over 15 years, centering around a promise made by 3 teenage girls to spend every 13th Feb/Galentine's Day together, no matter what.
Hannah, Marnie and Alicia all have very different dreams about how they want their lives to be, but you know what they say about best laid plans...
As the story plays out, we hear each woman's perspective, with chapters taken in turn from the POV of each character. The struggles they face, and not only how they deal with it, but how they are there for each other - even when they may not like each other all the time! All such strong, inspirational women, but in such different ways.
Of course this book was fun and funny, but beyond that, it had heart.
You may not like them all all of the time, but it felt like an honest portrayal of friendship.
Personally, I enjoyed how the story was broken up with their group chats/messaging. It felt like another insight into their relationship, whilst also allowing the story to flow through the years at a steady yet easy to follow pace.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this.
January 8, 2026
This book caught my attention because it sounded intriguing and looked so cute. I love stories that highlight female friendships, and this one looked like such a lovely read for Galentine’s Day.
Overall, I enjoyed it, though I have some mixed feelings. It had a bit of a slow start, but once I got into it, I was along for the ride and wanted to know more.
It was interesting to see how their lives transformed year after year as they figured out their paths, careers, and life decisions, as well as their place in each other’s lives. However, it did leave me wondering why they didn’t always share important life events with one another.
Watching their journey from teenage girls to mature women was meaningful. Seeing their growth, accepting that friendship can look different at different stages of life, and consciously choosing one another was truly beautiful.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!
Overall, I enjoyed it, though I have some mixed feelings. It had a bit of a slow start, but once I got into it, I was along for the ride and wanted to know more.
It was interesting to see how their lives transformed year after year as they figured out their paths, careers, and life decisions, as well as their place in each other’s lives. However, it did leave me wondering why they didn’t always share important life events with one another.
Watching their journey from teenage girls to mature women was meaningful. Seeing their growth, accepting that friendship can look different at different stages of life, and consciously choosing one another was truly beautiful.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC!
December 30, 2025
Galentine’s Day - Rebecca Anderson
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Avon Books UK for the ARC opportunity.
This felt very Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson, but grown up. All the intensity of teenage friendships, now complicated by adulthood, time, and unspoken resentment. Thirteen years of Galentine’s Day sleepovers, and watching these friendships stretch, strain, and change felt painfully real.
I really enjoyed the nostalgia and the love letter to female friendship, but some of the characters did frustrate me at times, which stopped me fully connecting. Still, it captures that messy in-between space of growing up and growing apart beautifully.
Enjoyable, emotional, and very relatable — just a little uneven for me 💕
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Avon Books UK for the ARC opportunity.
This felt very Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson, but grown up. All the intensity of teenage friendships, now complicated by adulthood, time, and unspoken resentment. Thirteen years of Galentine’s Day sleepovers, and watching these friendships stretch, strain, and change felt painfully real.
I really enjoyed the nostalgia and the love letter to female friendship, but some of the characters did frustrate me at times, which stopped me fully connecting. Still, it captures that messy in-between space of growing up and growing apart beautifully.
Enjoyable, emotional, and very relatable — just a little uneven for me 💕
January 12, 2026
I found this at the library and had to read it since Galentine’s Day is coming up soon.
It follows three friends Alicia, Marnie and Hannah as they navigate life but still meeting up every year on Galentine’s Day.
They started it because one boy in high school, who does appear later, ditched Hannah.
The friendship juggles university, teen pregnancy, sex, careers, expectations, marriage, dating, miscarriage and fights along the way.
It truely shows real life and what female friendships are made of…it definitely made me cry in the end because we’ve all chosen wrong paths. But those are simple a chapter in our long lives.
It follows three friends Alicia, Marnie and Hannah as they navigate life but still meeting up every year on Galentine’s Day.
They started it because one boy in high school, who does appear later, ditched Hannah.
The friendship juggles university, teen pregnancy, sex, careers, expectations, marriage, dating, miscarriage and fights along the way.
It truely shows real life and what female friendships are made of…it definitely made me cry in the end because we’ve all chosen wrong paths. But those are simple a chapter in our long lives.
January 9, 2026
This gave me all the warm, nostalgic feels and made me want to hug my friends a little bit tighter when I next see them! The story feels honest, messy, and very real. I loved how authentic the friendships felt, not perfect, not always easy, but deeply meaningful. It’s the kind of book that makes you reflect on your own friendships and the people who’ve been there through different stages of life.
Overall, a heartfelt and relatable read that celebrates showing up for your people, even when life gets busy.
Thank you to the publishing team for the early release of this via NetGalley!
Overall, a heartfelt and relatable read that celebrates showing up for your people, even when life gets busy.
Thank you to the publishing team for the early release of this via NetGalley!
December 3, 2025
Quick easy read. Liked the narrator.
A snapshot into female friendships and how life can just get in the way of those connections. Really heartfelt and for the length of the book the author has managed to get a lot in.
Arc received from net galley
All opinions are my own
A snapshot into female friendships and how life can just get in the way of those connections. Really heartfelt and for the length of the book the author has managed to get a lot in.
Arc received from net galley
All opinions are my own
January 8, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
When I first started reading it I thought oh god this is going to be boring but actually as it got into the story I really enjoyed it!
When I first started reading it I thought oh god this is going to be boring but actually as it got into the story I really enjoyed it!
January 10, 2026
maybe 4.5⭐️!! i adored this story and how messy and real these characters and their friendships were. i saw bits of myself in all three of the girls but especially alicia and i loved her ending so much.
October 17, 2025
"Perhaps it's more about accepting that our friendship looks different now to when we were eighteen ... choosing to reconnect with each other again and again, even after bust-ups, drifting away and busy lives."
When I met my best girlfriend, it was actually almost thirteen years ago just like our story. We used to spend our weekends drinking cheap beer, discussing our latest dumb decisions at sleepovers and being silly teenagers. Flash forward, our precious and pre-scheduled weekends include cooking each other dinner, just the one glass of prosecco, weddings, playing with her kid - we are entirely different people and I still love her just as much, if not more, than I did back then.
This book is an ode to lifelong female friendships, the love of sisterhood and the way we become friends over and over again as we change throughout our life. Exploring the growth and changes of a group of friends as they grow up, the real impact friends can have our lives and the deep sadness when we think we've lost them.
We first join Hannah and Alicia on their first sleepover without Marnie - and right away I was locked in. I felt awkward, uncomfortable, desperate to know why these two people who were once everything to each other are struggling to talk. We jump back to the ghosts of Galentines Days past, seeing our trio go through life, watching them grow up and figure out who they are. They take it in turns to switch perspective, sometimes I can find a third person style with multiple voices a little clunky but it worked here, keeping a quick, energetic pace throughout.
It might not always feel like there's a plot per se, but instead it's a brilliant collection of snapshots with it's own charm. We watch over many phases of their lives, seeing them take different paths and the changes that happen each Galentines Day. It was just so unapologetically relatable at every single turn.
The characters were just on point. The girls jumped off the pages for me; so distinct, full of personality, with their own lives to discover. Through them, we explored what it's like to live with the shadow of tradition or expectation, of wanting to grow up, of your plans being derailed, of feeling behind and ahead and everything in between. I absolutely loved them. Reading their stories felt like getting an update from old friends.
Warm, funny and relatable with characters that could be your own friends - this is a beautiful coming-of-age story and a love letter to female friendship. I'll leave you with the one quote that honestly made me rather emotional and resonated so deeply with me: "I fucking love cheesy garlic bread."
When I met my best girlfriend, it was actually almost thirteen years ago just like our story. We used to spend our weekends drinking cheap beer, discussing our latest dumb decisions at sleepovers and being silly teenagers. Flash forward, our precious and pre-scheduled weekends include cooking each other dinner, just the one glass of prosecco, weddings, playing with her kid - we are entirely different people and I still love her just as much, if not more, than I did back then.
This book is an ode to lifelong female friendships, the love of sisterhood and the way we become friends over and over again as we change throughout our life. Exploring the growth and changes of a group of friends as they grow up, the real impact friends can have our lives and the deep sadness when we think we've lost them.
We first join Hannah and Alicia on their first sleepover without Marnie - and right away I was locked in. I felt awkward, uncomfortable, desperate to know why these two people who were once everything to each other are struggling to talk. We jump back to the ghosts of Galentines Days past, seeing our trio go through life, watching them grow up and figure out who they are. They take it in turns to switch perspective, sometimes I can find a third person style with multiple voices a little clunky but it worked here, keeping a quick, energetic pace throughout.
It might not always feel like there's a plot per se, but instead it's a brilliant collection of snapshots with it's own charm. We watch over many phases of their lives, seeing them take different paths and the changes that happen each Galentines Day. It was just so unapologetically relatable at every single turn.
The characters were just on point. The girls jumped off the pages for me; so distinct, full of personality, with their own lives to discover. Through them, we explored what it's like to live with the shadow of tradition or expectation, of wanting to grow up, of your plans being derailed, of feeling behind and ahead and everything in between. I absolutely loved them. Reading their stories felt like getting an update from old friends.
Warm, funny and relatable with characters that could be your own friends - this is a beautiful coming-of-age story and a love letter to female friendship. I'll leave you with the one quote that honestly made me rather emotional and resonated so deeply with me: "I fucking love cheesy garlic bread."
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Reviewed for Harper Collins UK ahead of publication - Release Date: Jan 06 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it is a testament to genuine female friendship.
From my experience, novels around female friendship are usually shallow/airy fairy/and cliche. However, Galentine's Day isn't like that. It gives a true to life example of how pregnancies, career shifts, and mental health struggles can actually create distance between even the closest of friends. With it's draw on recent real life world events, I couldn't help but feel like the fourth member in the main trio of friends, sipping my tea and having a good b*tch about the exact same things.
It's clear that Anderson's experience as a practicing counsellor had played a part in bringing this story to life, as the character's had a unique depth to their personal lives. I adored how they navigated the very real emotional and physical hurdles to topics such as intimacy, with a level of realism and humour that worked to break the stigma around the shame that we can feel as women, especially around the expectations that are put upon us by our parents, peers or society.
I'm not usually one to enjoy books with the type of format that jumps from one moment in time to another, however by using the annual Galentine's Day sleepover as a milestone, the format allows you to see how the characters have evolved and honestly, the jump in time felt very reminiscent to true-to-life friendships I've experienced, where sometimes you can only catch up once a year.
Overall thoughts:
I found this story to be both incredibly relatable, fun and witty. I thoroughly enjoyed how it felt like a celebration that honoured the complexity and depth of female friendships, whilst also keeping it light (although heart wrenching at times). I would absolutely recommend it and will be buying my sisters a copy when it is released.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it is a testament to genuine female friendship.
From my experience, novels around female friendship are usually shallow/airy fairy/and cliche. However, Galentine's Day isn't like that. It gives a true to life example of how pregnancies, career shifts, and mental health struggles can actually create distance between even the closest of friends. With it's draw on recent real life world events, I couldn't help but feel like the fourth member in the main trio of friends, sipping my tea and having a good b*tch about the exact same things.
It's clear that Anderson's experience as a practicing counsellor had played a part in bringing this story to life, as the character's had a unique depth to their personal lives. I adored how they navigated the very real emotional and physical hurdles to topics such as intimacy, with a level of realism and humour that worked to break the stigma around the shame that we can feel as women, especially around the expectations that are put upon us by our parents, peers or society.
I'm not usually one to enjoy books with the type of format that jumps from one moment in time to another, however by using the annual Galentine's Day sleepover as a milestone, the format allows you to see how the characters have evolved and honestly, the jump in time felt very reminiscent to true-to-life friendships I've experienced, where sometimes you can only catch up once a year.
Overall thoughts:
I found this story to be both incredibly relatable, fun and witty. I thoroughly enjoyed how it felt like a celebration that honoured the complexity and depth of female friendships, whilst also keeping it light (although heart wrenching at times). I would absolutely recommend it and will be buying my sisters a copy when it is released.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
How could anyone resist grabbing this book after seeing that gorgeous front cover image!!?
Now, I'm a total introvert and don't have any major, long lasting girl friendships like the ladies in this book, but what a wonderful look back over the last thirteen years of friendship that this trio have navigated.
It really makes me think about what I've missed out on by not having anything like this.
When Hannah's valentine's plans go awry, she turns to her friends for solace and what started out as a rage against the boy who let her down, turned into an annual get-together where the girls could come together no matter where their lives took them!
I loved seeing this friendship go through great times and tough together - and to see where each of their lives travelled along the way over this thirteen year period.
It was great to see the ups and downs of friendship and life itself, as each of the girls make plans and succeed and fail as they realise that life rarely runs a smooth path not goes to plan.
The thing that does stay strong (even though there are major wobbles) is the commitment the girls made to each other and the way that their friendship remains.
Following all three girls through life took us on many a journey, all relatable, some happy and some sad and I loved this balance throughout that kept things light - even when we were dealing with some tough topics - this was balanced by humour and this unbreakable bond.
As the girls drift away from home, we see some good use of mixed media which really keeps this upto date and brought back a few memories of early social media and growing up through this era.
I imagine that this will be different for different ages but there's definitely going to be something for everyone here.
A great read - my first from this author - but I can't wait to read more soon.
Now, I'm a total introvert and don't have any major, long lasting girl friendships like the ladies in this book, but what a wonderful look back over the last thirteen years of friendship that this trio have navigated.
It really makes me think about what I've missed out on by not having anything like this.
When Hannah's valentine's plans go awry, she turns to her friends for solace and what started out as a rage against the boy who let her down, turned into an annual get-together where the girls could come together no matter where their lives took them!
I loved seeing this friendship go through great times and tough together - and to see where each of their lives travelled along the way over this thirteen year period.
It was great to see the ups and downs of friendship and life itself, as each of the girls make plans and succeed and fail as they realise that life rarely runs a smooth path not goes to plan.
The thing that does stay strong (even though there are major wobbles) is the commitment the girls made to each other and the way that their friendship remains.
Following all three girls through life took us on many a journey, all relatable, some happy and some sad and I loved this balance throughout that kept things light - even when we were dealing with some tough topics - this was balanced by humour and this unbreakable bond.
As the girls drift away from home, we see some good use of mixed media which really keeps this upto date and brought back a few memories of early social media and growing up through this era.
I imagine that this will be different for different ages but there's definitely going to be something for everyone here.
A great read - my first from this author - but I can't wait to read more soon.
August 20, 2025
Thank you Rebecca Anderson, Avon, and NetGalley for approving my request to review this advanced copy of ‘Galentine’s Day’.
This was a three-star read for me. It was fun, easy to get into, and had plenty of real-life drama. However, I did struggle with connecting to the characters. While the events the characters went through in the book felt realistic, I struggled to connect with them on a deeper level. I would have loved some more insight to their thoughts and emotions – I often felt this was lacking and the book just quickly moved on to the next drama. I did, however, really enjoy Alicia’s chapters. I found her chapters to be the most relatable and for her to be a very grounded character. I really enjoyed reading her perspective.
A highlight of the book for me was each chapter ending with the girls groupchat. To me, this added extra context to things we were not seeing in the chapters, kept things moving, and provided information in a manner that was not overwhelming as it was nicely spread apart. My only issue is I felt sometimes there was key information being said in it which was never mentioned again and would have benefitted from being a key point in the chapter. Despite this, this way of doing things allowed the story to flow nicely.
I initially struggled with the layout of the book, however I understand this may be because it is not yet published and on a digital platform and not an issue with the book itself.
Overall, I found this to be a fun and wholesome read. It portrays the highs and lows of friendship in an authentic way, highlighting how friendships change over time. It wasn’t my favourite read but I still found it enjoyable!
Publication Date: January 6th 2026
This was a three-star read for me. It was fun, easy to get into, and had plenty of real-life drama. However, I did struggle with connecting to the characters. While the events the characters went through in the book felt realistic, I struggled to connect with them on a deeper level. I would have loved some more insight to their thoughts and emotions – I often felt this was lacking and the book just quickly moved on to the next drama. I did, however, really enjoy Alicia’s chapters. I found her chapters to be the most relatable and for her to be a very grounded character. I really enjoyed reading her perspective.
A highlight of the book for me was each chapter ending with the girls groupchat. To me, this added extra context to things we were not seeing in the chapters, kept things moving, and provided information in a manner that was not overwhelming as it was nicely spread apart. My only issue is I felt sometimes there was key information being said in it which was never mentioned again and would have benefitted from being a key point in the chapter. Despite this, this way of doing things allowed the story to flow nicely.
I initially struggled with the layout of the book, however I understand this may be because it is not yet published and on a digital platform and not an issue with the book itself.
Overall, I found this to be a fun and wholesome read. It portrays the highs and lows of friendship in an authentic way, highlighting how friendships change over time. It wasn’t my favourite read but I still found it enjoyable!
Publication Date: January 6th 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
In Galentine’s Day we follow 3 friends as they navigate life from their late teens to their early thirties. We pick up each year on 13th February and I thought that was an interesting way of telling the story. The text messages between the years was a good way of showing the ebb and flow of the friendship - although sometimes it felt like a way to shoehorn in real life UK/world events that didn’t add to the story (I don’t need to be reminded of royal weddings, Boris Johnson and Covid!).
The three women were all well defined characters. I feel like I resonated with each one at various points in their lives and the portrayal of their friendship felt very authentic. The characters were all likeable in a way but it took a while for me to warm up to Hannah which I believe is the point. She is the most outgoing and extroverted of the group who doesn’t believe in a corporate job and who starts many jobs/careers/courses before quickly moving on to a new thing. She later becomes a social media influencer and I will admit I thought it was unrealistic that she kept turning up for Galentine’s Day. Both Marnie and Alicia also make decisions that were frustrating and made them unlikeable at times but again I believe the point was to show how hard it is to grow up and keep childhood friendships as you mature into different adults and it is a choice to keep those friendships alive. I thought this was done well and showed how hard it is to not compare yourself to others including your closest friends.
One tiny thing that I couldn’t get over was Marnie getting BBC at A-levels and still getting accepted to St Andrews University - highly unlikely!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In Galentine’s Day we follow 3 friends as they navigate life from their late teens to their early thirties. We pick up each year on 13th February and I thought that was an interesting way of telling the story. The text messages between the years was a good way of showing the ebb and flow of the friendship - although sometimes it felt like a way to shoehorn in real life UK/world events that didn’t add to the story (I don’t need to be reminded of royal weddings, Boris Johnson and Covid!).
The three women were all well defined characters. I feel like I resonated with each one at various points in their lives and the portrayal of their friendship felt very authentic. The characters were all likeable in a way but it took a while for me to warm up to Hannah which I believe is the point. She is the most outgoing and extroverted of the group who doesn’t believe in a corporate job and who starts many jobs/careers/courses before quickly moving on to a new thing. She later becomes a social media influencer and I will admit I thought it was unrealistic that she kept turning up for Galentine’s Day. Both Marnie and Alicia also make decisions that were frustrating and made them unlikeable at times but again I believe the point was to show how hard it is to grow up and keep childhood friendships as you mature into different adults and it is a choice to keep those friendships alive. I thought this was done well and showed how hard it is to not compare yourself to others including your closest friends.
One tiny thing that I couldn’t get over was Marnie getting BBC at A-levels and still getting accepted to St Andrews University - highly unlikely!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2025
4.5✨
Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Anderson and Avon for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - Galentines Day publishes January 6th 2026.
Galentines Day spans 13 years of friendship between Alicia, Marnie and Hannah who reconnect every year for their annual Valentines sleepover. It’s a journey of life, growing up, love and friendship.
I loved the premise of this book, and it being compared to the Bold Type sold me (my love for Sutton, Jane and Kat is endless!!) and I really, really enjoyed this book!
It’s slice of life, you watch the girls grow up over the span of their friendship and you get all of their POVs with some of the chapters crossing over to hear the other perspective.
I loved the group chat messages - they were such a fun addition and I enjoyed the references to big events that were relevant to each year (hello the gold & white or black & blue dress!!)
I felt there was a good amount of depth to the characters, you saw them mature, develop and go through their individual challenges each year from school to adulthood. They’re all very different people and they bring something unique to the friendship group.
I think Hannah was my least favourite - but I had my frustrations with each of the girls individually as we went through the story for their behaviour in different situations (trying to not spoil anything here!)
The ending was beautiful, a lovely way to wrap up all of the girls stories.
Overall, a really brilliant read from Rebecca, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I flew through it, it was very addictive and such an easy read.
Thank you NetGalley, Rebecca Anderson and Avon for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - Galentines Day publishes January 6th 2026.
Galentines Day spans 13 years of friendship between Alicia, Marnie and Hannah who reconnect every year for their annual Valentines sleepover. It’s a journey of life, growing up, love and friendship.
I loved the premise of this book, and it being compared to the Bold Type sold me (my love for Sutton, Jane and Kat is endless!!) and I really, really enjoyed this book!
It’s slice of life, you watch the girls grow up over the span of their friendship and you get all of their POVs with some of the chapters crossing over to hear the other perspective.
I loved the group chat messages - they were such a fun addition and I enjoyed the references to big events that were relevant to each year (hello the gold & white or black & blue dress!!)
I felt there was a good amount of depth to the characters, you saw them mature, develop and go through their individual challenges each year from school to adulthood. They’re all very different people and they bring something unique to the friendship group.
I think Hannah was my least favourite - but I had my frustrations with each of the girls individually as we went through the story for their behaviour in different situations (trying to not spoil anything here!)
The ending was beautiful, a lovely way to wrap up all of the girls stories.
Overall, a really brilliant read from Rebecca, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I flew through it, it was very addictive and such an easy read.
November 28, 2025
#netgalley #GalentinesDay
3.5⭐️
This fun coming of age story, spanning life and friendship of three women over 13 years, highlights the importance of showing up for each other and choosing to keep reconnecting through the highs and lows of where life takes you.
A fast paced, interaction driven story, told through snippets of time, where our three best friends in this story interact with each others as they grow up spanning their teens to their thirties, focusing around Galentine’s day each year. Three very different lives are three very different women, was a fun read and I particularly enjoyed the dipping in and out of their lives in this story telling format! However I do feel like that format of story telling did maybe prevent me from connecting as well with these characters as maybe I would have liked too but that being said, their friendship and how it evolved, waivers and rebuilds feels like the main character of this story.
At moments the girls choices, almost made them unlikable and frustrating, but that sort of felt like the point. Growing up is hard, and everyone makes silly choices and bad decisions in order to grow - and this is the tale of how friendships, especially female ones, help us along the way!
I was lucky enough to read this story in book and audio form, and I really think listening to parts of the story, especially with the writing style added a lot to the story; and the audiobook was excellently narrated and directed!
Thanks to Rebecca Anderson, NetGalley and Avon Books UK for access to this arc!
💗🧁
3.5⭐️
This fun coming of age story, spanning life and friendship of three women over 13 years, highlights the importance of showing up for each other and choosing to keep reconnecting through the highs and lows of where life takes you.
A fast paced, interaction driven story, told through snippets of time, where our three best friends in this story interact with each others as they grow up spanning their teens to their thirties, focusing around Galentine’s day each year. Three very different lives are three very different women, was a fun read and I particularly enjoyed the dipping in and out of their lives in this story telling format! However I do feel like that format of story telling did maybe prevent me from connecting as well with these characters as maybe I would have liked too but that being said, their friendship and how it evolved, waivers and rebuilds feels like the main character of this story.
At moments the girls choices, almost made them unlikable and frustrating, but that sort of felt like the point. Growing up is hard, and everyone makes silly choices and bad decisions in order to grow - and this is the tale of how friendships, especially female ones, help us along the way!
I was lucky enough to read this story in book and audio form, and I really think listening to parts of the story, especially with the writing style added a lot to the story; and the audiobook was excellently narrated and directed!
Thanks to Rebecca Anderson, NetGalley and Avon Books UK for access to this arc!
💗🧁
December 8, 2025
Hannah, Marnie and Alicia have been friends since their teens, when they first had a Galentines Day sleepover as a screw you to a boy that had turned down Hannah when she asked him out for Valentines Day. On the face of it they're all very different - Alicia has a 5 year plan that involves a sensible career, marriage and children, Marnie is going to change the world (maybe even solve climate change) and Hannah just doesn't want to fall into a corporate job, and do something creative instead - but fast forward to today and they've celebrated every Galentine's together through all of life's challenges.
The book opens with 13th February 2026 and it appears that Alicia and Hannah are still meeting up but barely speaking to each other, whereas Marnie is nowhere to be seen. Before long we've flashed back to the first Galentine's sleep over and from there, the story follows them through life and every 13th Feb since. Its an ode to female friendship, to how we can all be walking different paths and yet remain together regardless, supporting each other through life. I loved the 3 characters and how they were so different to each other but yet they stayed together through thick and thin, always lifting each other up no matter what life threw at them. If you've ever had a group of friends, or even that one amazing friend who stay with you from childhood to adulthood, you'll relate to Marnie, Alicia and Hannah. Its a coming of age story with a difference and I'm totally here for it.
The book opens with 13th February 2026 and it appears that Alicia and Hannah are still meeting up but barely speaking to each other, whereas Marnie is nowhere to be seen. Before long we've flashed back to the first Galentine's sleep over and from there, the story follows them through life and every 13th Feb since. Its an ode to female friendship, to how we can all be walking different paths and yet remain together regardless, supporting each other through life. I loved the 3 characters and how they were so different to each other but yet they stayed together through thick and thin, always lifting each other up no matter what life threw at them. If you've ever had a group of friends, or even that one amazing friend who stay with you from childhood to adulthood, you'll relate to Marnie, Alicia and Hannah. Its a coming of age story with a difference and I'm totally here for it.
January 5, 2026
I loved the concept of this book but it took me longer than I liked to get me fully invested. With only sitting with these characters for one day out of the year for most of the book, it was hard to feel like I was truly getting to know them or get invested in their individual lives outside of the yearly Galentine's Day sleepover.
The texts throughout the year were both fun and extremely heartbreaking. It felt all too familiar to see months go by and realize that these three friends were growing apart, not prioritizing each other, or just letting life get in the way. But then, no matter what, the Galentine's Day tradition continued.
Marnie, Alicia, and Hannah each follow 3 extremely different paths over the 15 years the book covers. And by the end of it, it feels like they've all grown so far apart that the friendships would never survive. Hannah is busy jet setting somewhere new, Alicia is too wrapped up in her own anxiety to let anyone in, and Marnie is focused on giving her daughter the best life any way that she can. I found myself frustrated throughout most of the book at one, if not all of them.
This is a story that shows the friends who stand by us at our worst and see us grow through the years are some of the most important relationships we will have. These woman will celebrate our careers, cry at our heartbreaks, love our kids like their own. It may not always be perfect but, like the tradition of their Galentine's Day sleepover, we can should be able to always rely on them.
The texts throughout the year were both fun and extremely heartbreaking. It felt all too familiar to see months go by and realize that these three friends were growing apart, not prioritizing each other, or just letting life get in the way. But then, no matter what, the Galentine's Day tradition continued.
Marnie, Alicia, and Hannah each follow 3 extremely different paths over the 15 years the book covers. And by the end of it, it feels like they've all grown so far apart that the friendships would never survive. Hannah is busy jet setting somewhere new, Alicia is too wrapped up in her own anxiety to let anyone in, and Marnie is focused on giving her daughter the best life any way that she can. I found myself frustrated throughout most of the book at one, if not all of them.
This is a story that shows the friends who stand by us at our worst and see us grow through the years are some of the most important relationships we will have. These woman will celebrate our careers, cry at our heartbreaks, love our kids like their own. It may not always be perfect but, like the tradition of their Galentine's Day sleepover, we can should be able to always rely on them.
January 11, 2026
Galentine’s Day is dramatic, painfully relatable, and unbelievably messy.
We follow a 13 year friendship between Hannah, Marnie, and Alicia through their annual Galentine’s Day celebration despite all life throws their way. Anderson’s style here is very slice of life, with alternating point of views so we can follow each character come of age.
Hannah is the drama queen of the group, the creative spirit that struggles to find her footing as an adult. Alicia is more serious with her entire life planned out to the minute, she is the antithesis of Hannah. And finally, Marnie is somewhere between the two. She went from total free spirit akin to Hannah to more stereotypical mature adult like Alicia.
This was MESSY! When I truly didn’t think it could get messier, it somehow always did. It has similar vibes to the drama of Tell Me Lies, without the law evading secrets ofc 🤪 Despite the mess, these girls choose each other every time. There were times I struggled with the mess, namely with Hannah, but I am so glad I kept on. The character development was so well done and had me shifting my perspective on these characters. Each character is distinct and unlikeable at some point in the book, which immediately made me much more invested. It was comedic, heartwarming, and at times, utterly heartbreaking. This is such a beautiful ode to friendship and girlhood that doesn’t spare the reader from all the turmoil that comes with growing pains. Such a great, reflective read for the new year!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an arc in exchange for my honest review!
We follow a 13 year friendship between Hannah, Marnie, and Alicia through their annual Galentine’s Day celebration despite all life throws their way. Anderson’s style here is very slice of life, with alternating point of views so we can follow each character come of age.
Hannah is the drama queen of the group, the creative spirit that struggles to find her footing as an adult. Alicia is more serious with her entire life planned out to the minute, she is the antithesis of Hannah. And finally, Marnie is somewhere between the two. She went from total free spirit akin to Hannah to more stereotypical mature adult like Alicia.
This was MESSY! When I truly didn’t think it could get messier, it somehow always did. It has similar vibes to the drama of Tell Me Lies, without the law evading secrets ofc 🤪 Despite the mess, these girls choose each other every time. There were times I struggled with the mess, namely with Hannah, but I am so glad I kept on. The character development was so well done and had me shifting my perspective on these characters. Each character is distinct and unlikeable at some point in the book, which immediately made me much more invested. It was comedic, heartwarming, and at times, utterly heartbreaking. This is such a beautiful ode to friendship and girlhood that doesn’t spare the reader from all the turmoil that comes with growing pains. Such a great, reflective read for the new year!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an arc in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely loved listening to the audio of ‘Galentines Day’ whilst commuting to and from work- in the lead up to the Christmas School holidays. Was nice to have an audiobook read by a British Narrator- and throughout the book there are brief references to events that happened in Britain over those years.
The novel is essentially a coming-of-age story, sharing the close friendship between 3 school friends over the course of 13 years as they navigate break ups, first boyfriends, subsequent relationships, babies, jobs and generally surviving in the adult world. Rebecca has written the book in such a sensitive, humorous, yet perfectly unperfect manner, it becomes so relatable I can promise you will see parallels within your close friendships!
The story centres around Marnie, Alicia and Hannah as they celebrate Galentine’s day, 13th February after a rejection. Promising from then onwards to drop everything each year to meet on this date and celebrate their sisterhood and support each other- as time passes and the girls begin their careers and families will they still have as much in common? Will their sisterhood survive the test of time?
Really easy to read, light-hearted, fun book- a love letter to female friendship. The inclusion of message exchanges as well as each characters perspectives throughout was a nice touch.
Many thanks to Rebecca Anderson, HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the chance to review.
The novel is essentially a coming-of-age story, sharing the close friendship between 3 school friends over the course of 13 years as they navigate break ups, first boyfriends, subsequent relationships, babies, jobs and generally surviving in the adult world. Rebecca has written the book in such a sensitive, humorous, yet perfectly unperfect manner, it becomes so relatable I can promise you will see parallels within your close friendships!
The story centres around Marnie, Alicia and Hannah as they celebrate Galentine’s day, 13th February after a rejection. Promising from then onwards to drop everything each year to meet on this date and celebrate their sisterhood and support each other- as time passes and the girls begin their careers and families will they still have as much in common? Will their sisterhood survive the test of time?
Really easy to read, light-hearted, fun book- a love letter to female friendship. The inclusion of message exchanges as well as each characters perspectives throughout was a nice touch.
Many thanks to Rebecca Anderson, HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for the chance to review.
January 7, 2026
I really really enjoyed this book, especially how it was formatted. We get to see a friendship evolve throughout the years, through the lens of Galentine’s Day. I love books like this (One Day is one of my favorite books of all time- shoutout!), and it’s usually revolving around a romantic relationship, so it was a really nice change to have it be about a trio friendship. I also like how it starts in 2026 and then goes all the way back, year by year, so we really feel like we’re in the story with them.
Marnie, Alicia, and Hannah have been friends since their school days. Having a sleepover on Galentine’s Day (the day before Valentine’s Day for those who are unaware) becomes a yearly tradition, and some are easier to keep than others as they grow up, especially as life gets in the way. All three are very different in personality. Hannah is probably the hardest to take in the first half- and then something happens in the second half that really makes you feel for her. They all really have some moments that are super frustrating to read, but you can easily see why they’re all friends.
“Galentine’s Day is a love letter to female friendship” is in the description and honestly, this is the perfect way to describe it, I couldn’t do it better. These three could easily be your friends in real life, which is what made it such a relatable read. I’m sure in many cases we HAVE actually had a friend like one (or all!) of them.
Marnie, Alicia, and Hannah have been friends since their school days. Having a sleepover on Galentine’s Day (the day before Valentine’s Day for those who are unaware) becomes a yearly tradition, and some are easier to keep than others as they grow up, especially as life gets in the way. All three are very different in personality. Hannah is probably the hardest to take in the first half- and then something happens in the second half that really makes you feel for her. They all really have some moments that are super frustrating to read, but you can easily see why they’re all friends.
“Galentine’s Day is a love letter to female friendship” is in the description and honestly, this is the perfect way to describe it, I couldn’t do it better. These three could easily be your friends in real life, which is what made it such a relatable read. I’m sure in many cases we HAVE actually had a friend like one (or all!) of them.
October 9, 2025
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this book. As a big fan of literary fiction (and novels like Blue Sisters), I kind of knew it would be right up my alley and it didn’t disappoint. Also, can we just talk about the cover? Stunning.
What really stood out to me was how well it explored female friendships and complicated characters. The author is brilliant at writing people who are flawed but still lovable. There were definitely moments when I didn’t like Hannah or Alicia (I honestly thought there was no way I’d like them by the end), but the story kept shifting and by the last page, I adored them all.
I’ll admit, parts of it might feel tough if you’ve ever lived through the drama of intense friendship groups, some scenes hit really close to home. There were times when I hated certain characters, but that actually made me appreciate the writing even more. Their messiness felt real, and the story as a whole was super heart-warming.
Marnie was probably my favorite, but honestly I saw a bit of myself in all of them. The author did such a good job showing each character’s growth that I ended up rooting for everyone.
From the first chapter, I was hooked. The writing is so good and the whole thing felt so well paced. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re into literary fiction or love books on female friendship.
I absolutely loved this book. As a big fan of literary fiction (and novels like Blue Sisters), I kind of knew it would be right up my alley and it didn’t disappoint. Also, can we just talk about the cover? Stunning.
What really stood out to me was how well it explored female friendships and complicated characters. The author is brilliant at writing people who are flawed but still lovable. There were definitely moments when I didn’t like Hannah or Alicia (I honestly thought there was no way I’d like them by the end), but the story kept shifting and by the last page, I adored them all.
I’ll admit, parts of it might feel tough if you’ve ever lived through the drama of intense friendship groups, some scenes hit really close to home. There were times when I hated certain characters, but that actually made me appreciate the writing even more. Their messiness felt real, and the story as a whole was super heart-warming.
Marnie was probably my favorite, but honestly I saw a bit of myself in all of them. The author did such a good job showing each character’s growth that I ended up rooting for everyone.
From the first chapter, I was hooked. The writing is so good and the whole thing felt so well paced. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re into literary fiction or love books on female friendship.
November 5, 2025
Thank you Avon, HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the ALC before it’s released in 2026!
The second I saw Galentine’s Day was for fans of The Bold Type, I knew I’d enjoy it. I wasn’t wrong. “Galentine’s Day is a love letter to female friendship, that celebrates messiness, real relationships, and growing up together.” I was hooked from the start and ended up devouring it in one listen.
I’m a huge fan of stories with multiple character POVs, once you work out who’s who it gets easier, especially when the narrator is the same for all three characters. Anushka Chakravati is a new-to-me narrator, one that I’ll be keeping a listen out for in the future. It was a joy to listen to her talk about Alicia, Marnie and Hannah’s lives over 13 years in 9+ hours. The audiobook was cleanly edited, I didn’t hear any errors or word repeats. 5 stars.
I agree with other reviews that I’d have liked to known the characters better. It felt like we got this with a couple of the characters in their later years, but I didn’t feel like I knew all three in the same way or on the same level. That said, I enjoyed it overall. I would recommend it to friends or book readers who enjoy human stories of friendship. 4 stars.
Galentine’s Day is out 6th January 2026, just in time for Galentine’s 2026 🫶🏻💖
The second I saw Galentine’s Day was for fans of The Bold Type, I knew I’d enjoy it. I wasn’t wrong. “Galentine’s Day is a love letter to female friendship, that celebrates messiness, real relationships, and growing up together.” I was hooked from the start and ended up devouring it in one listen.
I’m a huge fan of stories with multiple character POVs, once you work out who’s who it gets easier, especially when the narrator is the same for all three characters. Anushka Chakravati is a new-to-me narrator, one that I’ll be keeping a listen out for in the future. It was a joy to listen to her talk about Alicia, Marnie and Hannah’s lives over 13 years in 9+ hours. The audiobook was cleanly edited, I didn’t hear any errors or word repeats. 5 stars.
I agree with other reviews that I’d have liked to known the characters better. It felt like we got this with a couple of the characters in their later years, but I didn’t feel like I knew all three in the same way or on the same level. That said, I enjoyed it overall. I would recommend it to friends or book readers who enjoy human stories of friendship. 4 stars.
Galentine’s Day is out 6th January 2026, just in time for Galentine’s 2026 🫶🏻💖
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Avon Books UK | Avon and NetGalley for the eARC.
A coming of age story that spans decades, as a group of 3 friends navigate love, loss, and friendship while always standing by each other.
I loved the concept of this book, the girls meet up every year the day before Valentine's Day through thick and thin. I felt the only 1 day aspect of this book was interesting and I wondered how the plot would move. The texts at the end of the chapters were a good way to move the story along throughout the year and kept the integrity of the relationships intact.
It wasn't until the last 10% of the book that it started to work for me. It was hard to only see deep into 1 day a year with only a little back story sprinkled in. I didn't feel like the friendships were thriving or surviving even in the middle there. I thought this was a good concept, but I need more information other than just a glimpse into 1 day in each of their lives. The idea that lifelong friends are the ones that will always be there for you is a lovely concept and I enjoyed seeing the girls grow up together and come back to each other. A heartfelt journey that spans over a decade and will make you want to check in with your friends to see how they are actually doing.
A coming of age story that spans decades, as a group of 3 friends navigate love, loss, and friendship while always standing by each other.
I loved the concept of this book, the girls meet up every year the day before Valentine's Day through thick and thin. I felt the only 1 day aspect of this book was interesting and I wondered how the plot would move. The texts at the end of the chapters were a good way to move the story along throughout the year and kept the integrity of the relationships intact.
It wasn't until the last 10% of the book that it started to work for me. It was hard to only see deep into 1 day a year with only a little back story sprinkled in. I didn't feel like the friendships were thriving or surviving even in the middle there. I thought this was a good concept, but I need more information other than just a glimpse into 1 day in each of their lives. The idea that lifelong friends are the ones that will always be there for you is a lovely concept and I enjoyed seeing the girls grow up together and come back to each other. A heartfelt journey that spans over a decade and will make you want to check in with your friends to see how they are actually doing.
December 27, 2025
I was able to read this book as part of the Librofm influencers program. As an audio book I found it quite easy to listen to - listening on 1.9 speed.
Galentine’s Day is a deep dive into the friendship of three women - Hannah, Marnie and Alicia. Three different personalities and three different life trajectories with a foundation of a school based friendship. They pledge to get together every year on Valentine’s Day regardless of their whereabouts and circumstances and what follows is a meandering look at their varying connections over the years.
This was a story that was easy to listen to. It was realistic and readers will likely identify ‘their’ Hannah, Marnie or Alicia. Their experiences are common and the book considered how each navigated the experiences and the degree to which they shared what happened with their oldest friends. Through the ups and downs the reader is encouraged to form their own relationships with the characters and invest in their collective friendship and in some sense, their quest for happiness and finding love.
I’m happy I listened to this on audio - I’m just now sure how the pacing would have suited me in print form and whether it would have held my interest.
Plus for Asian representation (Hannah)
3.5 ⭐️
Galentine’s Day is a deep dive into the friendship of three women - Hannah, Marnie and Alicia. Three different personalities and three different life trajectories with a foundation of a school based friendship. They pledge to get together every year on Valentine’s Day regardless of their whereabouts and circumstances and what follows is a meandering look at their varying connections over the years.
This was a story that was easy to listen to. It was realistic and readers will likely identify ‘their’ Hannah, Marnie or Alicia. Their experiences are common and the book considered how each navigated the experiences and the degree to which they shared what happened with their oldest friends. Through the ups and downs the reader is encouraged to form their own relationships with the characters and invest in their collective friendship and in some sense, their quest for happiness and finding love.
I’m happy I listened to this on audio - I’m just now sure how the pacing would have suited me in print form and whether it would have held my interest.
Plus for Asian representation (Hannah)
3.5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book follows the stories of three friends from when they were 18 up to the present day, thirteen years later. Alicia, Marnie and Hannah meet up every year on the 13th of February as an antidote to Valentines day. Their relationships between each other don't always go smoothly, nor do their relationships with men.
I did struggle with this book, in fact I put it to one side a couple of times, but did persevere and finished it. Normally there is a male main character that I can relate to, however this wasn't the case in this book which made it more difficult for me to get into. That shouldn't be taken as being too negative, more that I'm not the target audience for this book being a gentleman of a certain age who does enjoy "women's fiction". The three girls are certainly disparate characters, but do seem to get on most of the time, with the occasional wobble. The book does jump between the three girls and forwards in time, but this is clearly signposted and didn't affect my enjoyment of the book . In summary not the type of book that I would normally choose, but many will certainly enjoy it.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
I did struggle with this book, in fact I put it to one side a couple of times, but did persevere and finished it. Normally there is a male main character that I can relate to, however this wasn't the case in this book which made it more difficult for me to get into. That shouldn't be taken as being too negative, more that I'm not the target audience for this book being a gentleman of a certain age who does enjoy "women's fiction". The three girls are certainly disparate characters, but do seem to get on most of the time, with the occasional wobble. The book does jump between the three girls and forwards in time, but this is clearly signposted and didn't affect my enjoyment of the book . In summary not the type of book that I would normally choose, but many will certainly enjoy it.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
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