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Not Good Enough
A delightful, entertaining and sexy debut. Matt Cain. After his boyfriend of nine years betrays him, Charlie's carefully constructed world crumbles. At thirty-something, he's never navigated London's queer scene alone – and he's terrified. No relationship experience, no dating app knowledge, and absolutely no idea what he's supposed to do next.But sometimes devastating endings force beautiful beginnings. As Charlie stumbles through awkward first dates and a new flat share, he discovers there's more to life than being someone's other half. The queer community he never dared explore beckons, promising friendship, adventure, and maybe even love. If only he can silence the nagging voice telling him he's Not Good Enough. A heartwarming, story about finding yourself when life forces you to start again – because it's never too late to come out of your second closet and embrace who you truly are.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
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123 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 4, 2025
I received the book as an e-ARC from net galley in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book. It's refreshingly millennial, and I found myself somewhat called out by certain sentences. The supporting characters were a little bit cliched in my opinion, but I could easily see myself getting along with them in real life. A couple of scenes felt a little bit like wish fulfilment, with the characters saying the sorts of thing you think of days after the fact, but that doesn't detract from the overall point of the book.
It's an easy read even with certain dramatic elements that made me roll my eyes a little; could certainly be a good poolside book this summer.
I enjoyed this book. It's refreshingly millennial, and I found myself somewhat called out by certain sentences. The supporting characters were a little bit cliched in my opinion, but I could easily see myself getting along with them in real life. A couple of scenes felt a little bit like wish fulfilment, with the characters saying the sorts of thing you think of days after the fact, but that doesn't detract from the overall point of the book.
It's an easy read even with certain dramatic elements that made me roll my eyes a little; could certainly be a good poolside book this summer.
June 28, 2025
Definitely good enough for me
With a 9 year relationship hitting the rocks on the eve of moving to NYC, Charlie is left homeless, jobless and single once again as he struggles to find himself back in London. With his close knit group of uni friends to support him, Charlie has to navigate the world of dating, new flat shares and exploring the gay scene as a singleton while trying to wrestle with that inner voice that keeps telling he’s “Not Good Enough”.
When I first picked up this book I did so with a broad smile on my face thinking, finally a gay version of Bridget Jones. And to some degree, I was right. On the surface the similarities are all there: the quirky friendship group, navigating single life, awkwardly embarrassing sex, and a dash of self deprecation both the physical and mental. But then I thought, aren’t these just some of the common themes most single gay men deal with? In fact they are common themes for just about anyone, gay or straight. So with that in mind I took a leaf out of Charlie’s book, sat back and just slipped into someone else’s literary adventure. And I’m so glad I did.
From the perfectly described disastrous first night out, layered with melancholy reminisces, to the a dangerously risky BDSM anonymous hookup, Charlie’s life goes from zero to a hundred in a few months. And it’s not long before he starts to see how much of himself he lost during those 9 years with his so-called “perfect boyfriend”.
At first I thought I might struggle with this book as the humour, the rapid one liners and comedic self flagellation hit you thick and fast at the start. But then the author slows down just enough to allow some of the deeper themes to take hold. He never sacrifices Charlie’s comedic voice but the author skilfully adds enough depth to create an emotional bond with his readers. You soon start to care for Charlie and understand why he is so down on himself and where these feelings of ‘not being enough’ come from. Themes of acceptance and self worth start to emerge from the main storyline. He includes expertly written comedic scenes that suddenly morph into moments of self reflection and observation. And there is an incredibly written classroom scene between Charlie and Niamh, that brilliantly shows how to address the issue of being LGBTQ to a group of 10 year olds. Something so simple but which will have a profound affect on the lives of young LGBTQ children.
Sure there are story threads that are introduced but don’t get fully resolved on the page. And Charlie’s journey isn’t one that follows the typical narrative path. There isn’t a resolution to his story most readers will be expecting from a book like this. Instead the author has written a book that shows us how someone struggles to rebuild a life lost in a relationship. He isn’t given a magic pill to fix his problems. There’s no “Pretty Women” montage that shows him suddenly turn things around. This is a difficult struggle with moments of success mixed up with moments of failure. Charlie makes mistakes but eventually starts to rebuild his life. But all this is done with whit, sparkling humour and brilliant observations. In fact I was so engaged with Charlie’s story that when the end came I just wanted more. So here’s hoping we hear more from this author in the future.
4.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With a 9 year relationship hitting the rocks on the eve of moving to NYC, Charlie is left homeless, jobless and single once again as he struggles to find himself back in London. With his close knit group of uni friends to support him, Charlie has to navigate the world of dating, new flat shares and exploring the gay scene as a singleton while trying to wrestle with that inner voice that keeps telling he’s “Not Good Enough”.
When I first picked up this book I did so with a broad smile on my face thinking, finally a gay version of Bridget Jones. And to some degree, I was right. On the surface the similarities are all there: the quirky friendship group, navigating single life, awkwardly embarrassing sex, and a dash of self deprecation both the physical and mental. But then I thought, aren’t these just some of the common themes most single gay men deal with? In fact they are common themes for just about anyone, gay or straight. So with that in mind I took a leaf out of Charlie’s book, sat back and just slipped into someone else’s literary adventure. And I’m so glad I did.
From the perfectly described disastrous first night out, layered with melancholy reminisces, to the a dangerously risky BDSM anonymous hookup, Charlie’s life goes from zero to a hundred in a few months. And it’s not long before he starts to see how much of himself he lost during those 9 years with his so-called “perfect boyfriend”.
At first I thought I might struggle with this book as the humour, the rapid one liners and comedic self flagellation hit you thick and fast at the start. But then the author slows down just enough to allow some of the deeper themes to take hold. He never sacrifices Charlie’s comedic voice but the author skilfully adds enough depth to create an emotional bond with his readers. You soon start to care for Charlie and understand why he is so down on himself and where these feelings of ‘not being enough’ come from. Themes of acceptance and self worth start to emerge from the main storyline. He includes expertly written comedic scenes that suddenly morph into moments of self reflection and observation. And there is an incredibly written classroom scene between Charlie and Niamh, that brilliantly shows how to address the issue of being LGBTQ to a group of 10 year olds. Something so simple but which will have a profound affect on the lives of young LGBTQ children.
Sure there are story threads that are introduced but don’t get fully resolved on the page. And Charlie’s journey isn’t one that follows the typical narrative path. There isn’t a resolution to his story most readers will be expecting from a book like this. Instead the author has written a book that shows us how someone struggles to rebuild a life lost in a relationship. He isn’t given a magic pill to fix his problems. There’s no “Pretty Women” montage that shows him suddenly turn things around. This is a difficult struggle with moments of success mixed up with moments of failure. Charlie makes mistakes but eventually starts to rebuild his life. But all this is done with whit, sparkling humour and brilliant observations. In fact I was so engaged with Charlie’s story that when the end came I just wanted more. So here’s hoping we hear more from this author in the future.
4.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2025
I ended up enjoying this book! I always love a good LQBTQ+ contemporary. It also has a big focus point in friendships and how they are honestly the superior relationship in my opinion. The found family is just amazing, how they are just a group of friends navigating the gay scene in London. I also enjoy that you can really relate to these characters and just feel how they are feeling.
I like how all the characters are also very enjoyable and lovable (except George). My favorites are probably Dylan and Zachary and I related mostly to Charlie. The way he struggles with low self esteem and how it ranges from feeling great and then slipping down into that dark head space. Also the loneliness he feels when he’s in a group of his friends it’s just very relatable even if you aren’t a 31 year old male.
I also thought that it was such an amazing idea for the characters to have a talk about LGBTQ+ with the students at Niamh’s school. I do feel like it is still not talked about in schools or even the thought about it, so kids grow up to think that there is something wrong with them or that they should hide themselves away which is not true. Bringing it to light and in such a calm and peaceful way is so important and i’m GLAD THEY DID IT! The diverse set of characters also really helped with the talk so they could show the kids the different parts of it.
Was kind of disappointed about how Charlie didn’t really “grow” in the book, he was still over drinking and still sleeping around a lot, but it also shows that it can take a while for those things and changes to happen but he is taking the steps to better himself and all of his friends are there to help him through it. It’s really inspiring that all you need to change is loving yourself and having a good support system to help you along the way.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.
I like how all the characters are also very enjoyable and lovable (except George). My favorites are probably Dylan and Zachary and I related mostly to Charlie. The way he struggles with low self esteem and how it ranges from feeling great and then slipping down into that dark head space. Also the loneliness he feels when he’s in a group of his friends it’s just very relatable even if you aren’t a 31 year old male.
I also thought that it was such an amazing idea for the characters to have a talk about LGBTQ+ with the students at Niamh’s school. I do feel like it is still not talked about in schools or even the thought about it, so kids grow up to think that there is something wrong with them or that they should hide themselves away which is not true. Bringing it to light and in such a calm and peaceful way is so important and i’m GLAD THEY DID IT! The diverse set of characters also really helped with the talk so they could show the kids the different parts of it.
Was kind of disappointed about how Charlie didn’t really “grow” in the book, he was still over drinking and still sleeping around a lot, but it also shows that it can take a while for those things and changes to happen but he is taking the steps to better himself and all of his friends are there to help him through it. It’s really inspiring that all you need to change is loving yourself and having a good support system to help you along the way.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
This is a pretty deep dive into the “what comes next” phase of unraveling a long-term relationship. Charlie’s depression is present, but so is his determination to carry on and find himself. Small flashback vignettes reveal the underlying insecurity he’s struggled with, and how he’s never felt very good about himself, outside of how he felt with George. Despite his enormous inferiority complex, Charlie persists.
Having suffered along Charlie’s sad journey, this ending felt like an abandonment and was entirely unsatisfying.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
This is a pretty deep dive into the “what comes next” phase of unraveling a long-term relationship. Charlie’s depression is present, but so is his determination to carry on and find himself. Small flashback vignettes reveal the underlying insecurity he’s struggled with, and how he’s never felt very good about himself, outside of how he felt with George. Despite his enormous inferiority complex, Charlie persists.
Having suffered along Charlie’s sad journey, this ending felt like an abandonment and was entirely unsatisfying.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
August 29, 2025
Such a lovely feel good read! This book reminded me of being in uni and living in London, it felt so nostalgic to be reading about house parties and bad decisions. I liked that the characters are in their 30s because it made them relatable to me, and my friends in my life. This story had humour, emotion, strong topics and sex- all mixing to make a great read. I also really enjoyed the Niamh story-line and her struggles with trying to educate children on the LGBTQ+ community, I think it’s a really important conversation that needs to be had! Overall wonderful book and cannot wait for the next from this spectacular author✨
November 13, 2025
Very few books in my life have made me both laugh out loud and moved from beginning to end. I see a lot of myself in Charlie and I needed this to remind myself that life isn't all bleak as a mid-30s gay man.
August 17, 2025
I've just finished reading this debut novel and it was queer joy brought to life. It had me captivated from the beginning. From raw heartache and pain to hearty out-loud laughing and gasping, it had me feeling all the feelings the main protagonist Charlie experienced.
Others have described this as a gay Bridget Jones and I can absolutely see that.
There aren't many books that make you miss your tube stop. This was one of them. Can't wait to get my hands on whatever James Robert Moore writes next.
Others have described this as a gay Bridget Jones and I can absolutely see that.
There aren't many books that make you miss your tube stop. This was one of them. Can't wait to get my hands on whatever James Robert Moore writes next.
August 29, 2025
I’m going to miss Charlie! One of the most instantly likeable literary characters I’ve come across. A beautifully observed, witty, and heartbreaking portrait of millennial friendship. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
September 1, 2025
"Not Good Enough" is a smart, psychologically perceptive novel about learning to see yourself clearly (or at least more clearly, which is all any of us can hope for). As the story begins, the protagonist, Charlie Dowdeswell, is about to move from London to New York with his "perfect" partner of nine years, George Crawford - until their farewell celebration the night before their departure goes catastrophically awry and Charlie abruptly finds himself unemployed, homeless, and single. At thirty-one, Charlie has to rediscover who he is and who he wants to be without George and without the emotional, social, and financial insulation that their relationship provided.
Charlie is an appealing narrator with a believable backstory and issues to work through that seemed realistic but also surmountable. He frequently struck me as a British counterpart to one of Stephen McCauley's gay protagonists in the process of self-discernment (The Object of My Affection, etc.), and that's high praise indeed. I was particularly impressed at how Moore handled Charlie's complex relationships with all three members of his primary friend group since university: Niamh, Dylan, and Zachary. Part of Charlie's recovery from his break-up also inevitably includes reentering the London dating scene, which is alien territory to a man who has been partnered for nearly a decade, especially given the ubiquity of phone apps; this process yields an entertaining series of awkward encounters with a variety of potential suitors. And then there are the problematic women of Charlie's problematic family: his mother, sister, and grandmother.
The meanings of Moore's title, "Not Good Enough," multiply satisfyingly in the course of the novel, from Charlie's fears that he is not good enough to deserve love from others to his growing sense, as he sees himself more clearly, of what is not good enough for him to accept or to settle for from others. Through the story, Moore resists the temptation of easy, pat solutions, and the book is better for it.
"Not Good Enough" is a rewarding novel. I would read more from this author.
With thanks to Muswell Press for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley. All opinions are very definitely my own.
Charlie is an appealing narrator with a believable backstory and issues to work through that seemed realistic but also surmountable. He frequently struck me as a British counterpart to one of Stephen McCauley's gay protagonists in the process of self-discernment (The Object of My Affection, etc.), and that's high praise indeed. I was particularly impressed at how Moore handled Charlie's complex relationships with all three members of his primary friend group since university: Niamh, Dylan, and Zachary. Part of Charlie's recovery from his break-up also inevitably includes reentering the London dating scene, which is alien territory to a man who has been partnered for nearly a decade, especially given the ubiquity of phone apps; this process yields an entertaining series of awkward encounters with a variety of potential suitors. And then there are the problematic women of Charlie's problematic family: his mother, sister, and grandmother.
The meanings of Moore's title, "Not Good Enough," multiply satisfyingly in the course of the novel, from Charlie's fears that he is not good enough to deserve love from others to his growing sense, as he sees himself more clearly, of what is not good enough for him to accept or to settle for from others. Through the story, Moore resists the temptation of easy, pat solutions, and the book is better for it.
"Not Good Enough" is a rewarding novel. I would read more from this author.
With thanks to Muswell Press for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley. All opinions are very definitely my own.
dnf
July 9, 2025DNF @ 31%
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I really wanted to love it because the premise sounds great but the execution just fell completely flat for me.
My main issue was the writing style. I don’t vibe with it at all. The author tells us most of the story instead of showing it and it wasn’t enough to hold my attention. It felt like I was being given a play by play of the book instead of actually experiencing the story with Charlie.
I also struggled with the pacing of the book and how inconsistent it was. Some scenes felt like they were being dragged out and others felt like if I blinked, I’d miss it altogether.
The narrative also moved between past and present quite frequently which felt a bit jarring. There were also times this happened when the story in the past wasn’t actually relevant to the current story so I found myself questioning at times whether I had the full book or whether there were scenes missing from my copy.
I didn’t connect with Charlie at all. I found him quite irritating and some of his inner monologue had me wanting to throw my kindle if I’m honest. He displayed some, in my opinion, lowkey problematic beliefs. There were hints of fatphobia and in particular, he made statements as to how librarians should look and dress. It leaned into stereotypes and felt unnecessary and a little like reducing real life professionals to a costume. There is a chance that the author meant it ironically and it just didn’t translate for me but it just didn’t read well.
All that being said, I loved the found family aspect of the book. While Charlie treats his friends like shit, they still show up for him and give him their support. They seem like a great bunch and I always loved when they appeared.
All in all, if you can see past the writing style and pacing, then you may love it. If all you’re looking for is story, then you’ll likely enjoy it. I just personally couldn’t get past some of the issues but that is a me problem!
The book definitely has an audience, it just isn’t me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I really wanted to love it because the premise sounds great but the execution just fell completely flat for me.
My main issue was the writing style. I don’t vibe with it at all. The author tells us most of the story instead of showing it and it wasn’t enough to hold my attention. It felt like I was being given a play by play of the book instead of actually experiencing the story with Charlie.
I also struggled with the pacing of the book and how inconsistent it was. Some scenes felt like they were being dragged out and others felt like if I blinked, I’d miss it altogether.
The narrative also moved between past and present quite frequently which felt a bit jarring. There were also times this happened when the story in the past wasn’t actually relevant to the current story so I found myself questioning at times whether I had the full book or whether there were scenes missing from my copy.
I didn’t connect with Charlie at all. I found him quite irritating and some of his inner monologue had me wanting to throw my kindle if I’m honest. He displayed some, in my opinion, lowkey problematic beliefs. There were hints of fatphobia and in particular, he made statements as to how librarians should look and dress. It leaned into stereotypes and felt unnecessary and a little like reducing real life professionals to a costume. There is a chance that the author meant it ironically and it just didn’t translate for me but it just didn’t read well.
All that being said, I loved the found family aspect of the book. While Charlie treats his friends like shit, they still show up for him and give him their support. They seem like a great bunch and I always loved when they appeared.
All in all, if you can see past the writing style and pacing, then you may love it. If all you’re looking for is story, then you’ll likely enjoy it. I just personally couldn’t get past some of the issues but that is a me problem!
The book definitely has an audience, it just isn’t me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the book.
June 28, 2025
This book was hard to get through. If you have an embarrassment squick, pick something else. I kept reading, hoping the MC would change/grow at some point and the ridiculous behavior would end, but no, it just kept going and going and going and GOING (so much overdrinking, so much vomiting, so much self-inflicted humiliation)... and then, all of a sudden, it was over. I think we're supposed to believe that the MC grew up in the last, what, two pages? But why would I believe that, after the however many hundred preceding pages of not-growing?
For me, this passage summed up the book: "This exact scene could be taking place in the first year of university. In ten years absolutely nothing has changed. Niamh and I are still in a messy kitchen making mistakes and changing our minds about who we like and what we like"—yes, that's exactly the problem, but then it ends—"and in this moment I'm so glad we're here. We are exactly where we're supposed to be." What? You haven't grown a bit in ten years and that's great? Count me out.
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but for this reader, at least, the balance was waaaaaay off. I kept feeling as if it wanted to be Boyfriend Material but had been baked by someone with the cooking skills of Luc's mum. Okay, now I'm just getting mean, but... this had the potential to be so much better. It really did.
Also, I fervently hope the many homophone errors (peels/peals, Scarlett/scarlet [twice], naval/navel, rouse/ruse [okay, that's not even a homophone], Van Gough [wtf?], Ralf Lauren [ditto], hoards/hordes) are corrected before publication.
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
For me, this passage summed up the book: "This exact scene could be taking place in the first year of university. In ten years absolutely nothing has changed. Niamh and I are still in a messy kitchen making mistakes and changing our minds about who we like and what we like"—yes, that's exactly the problem, but then it ends—"and in this moment I'm so glad we're here. We are exactly where we're supposed to be." What? You haven't grown a bit in ten years and that's great? Count me out.
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but for this reader, at least, the balance was waaaaaay off. I kept feeling as if it wanted to be Boyfriend Material but had been baked by someone with the cooking skills of Luc's mum. Okay, now I'm just getting mean, but... this had the potential to be so much better. It really did.
Also, I fervently hope the many homophone errors (peels/peals, Scarlett/scarlet [twice], naval/navel, rouse/ruse [okay, that's not even a homophone], Van Gough [wtf?], Ralf Lauren [ditto], hoards/hordes) are corrected before publication.
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
October 2, 2025
Almost good enough, but not quite
—
I’m a firm believer that the right title can make or break a book, and in this case, the title could be a red flag depending on what you’re expecting.
On the eve of moving to New York with his perfect boyfriend, Charlie sees him with another man and so Charlie walks out of the relationship, the move and his job. Forced to be himself after a nine year relationship, Charlie faces home truths that he hadn’t before: that he had tucked himself away to be a boyfriend, that he had subsumed his own ambitions, that he had stopped being a good friend. As he leaps back into the dating fray, with some questionable hooking up and terrible dates, Charlie begins to realise that there’s more to life than being someone else’s plus one.
If you were expecting a romance, as I was, then this wasn’t quite good enough, as the eleventh hour ‘falling in love with his best friend’ is a) poorly telegraphed, and b) unresolved. Every other possible partner is wrong in one way or another, so there isn’t really a romance element in the novel; even the cheating ex comes and goes before you know it, and is seen mostly in flashbacks, and their resolution too is left open. Charlie is almost thirty, so this isn’t a new adult novel, so what exactly is it? I think it was trying to NOT be so many things that the narrative lost sight of the one good thing it could be, an urban comedy about finding yourself, which had more potential to be a hit with audiences. Almost good enough, but not quite.
—
I’m a firm believer that the right title can make or break a book, and in this case, the title could be a red flag depending on what you’re expecting.
On the eve of moving to New York with his perfect boyfriend, Charlie sees him with another man and so Charlie walks out of the relationship, the move and his job. Forced to be himself after a nine year relationship, Charlie faces home truths that he hadn’t before: that he had tucked himself away to be a boyfriend, that he had subsumed his own ambitions, that he had stopped being a good friend. As he leaps back into the dating fray, with some questionable hooking up and terrible dates, Charlie begins to realise that there’s more to life than being someone else’s plus one.
If you were expecting a romance, as I was, then this wasn’t quite good enough, as the eleventh hour ‘falling in love with his best friend’ is a) poorly telegraphed, and b) unresolved. Every other possible partner is wrong in one way or another, so there isn’t really a romance element in the novel; even the cheating ex comes and goes before you know it, and is seen mostly in flashbacks, and their resolution too is left open. Charlie is almost thirty, so this isn’t a new adult novel, so what exactly is it? I think it was trying to NOT be so many things that the narrative lost sight of the one good thing it could be, an urban comedy about finding yourself, which had more potential to be a hit with audiences. Almost good enough, but not quite.
July 16, 2025
⭐ 4.5/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Not Good Enough is an absolute breath of fresh air in the queer contemporary fiction space. From the very first chapter, I was rooting for Charlie. After a devastating breakup shatters his nine-year relationship, he’s suddenly thrown into a world he never thought he’d have to navigate: the London queer scene. Apps, dating, labels, Charlie has no idea where to start, and that’s exactly what makes this story so relatable and heartfelt.
James Robert Moore perfectly captures the vulnerability of starting over later in life. The writing is warm, witty, and full of those awkward, tender moments that make you laugh one second and clutch your heart the next. Charlie’s journey isn’t just about finding love—it’s about finding himself and embracing the friendships and community he never knew he needed.
What I loved most was the authentic representation of queer life, the highs, the struggles, and the sheer joy of chosen family. Moore handles heavy themes like self-worth and identity with such care while still delivering plenty of humour and heart.
If you’ve ever felt “not good enough,” this book will remind you that you absolutely are. Highly recommend for fans of uplifting LGBTQ+ stories full of heart and humour!
✅ Tropes/Elements I Loved:
✨ Self-discovery
✨ Found family
✨ Queer community representation
✨ Humour + heart
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Not Good Enough is an absolute breath of fresh air in the queer contemporary fiction space. From the very first chapter, I was rooting for Charlie. After a devastating breakup shatters his nine-year relationship, he’s suddenly thrown into a world he never thought he’d have to navigate: the London queer scene. Apps, dating, labels, Charlie has no idea where to start, and that’s exactly what makes this story so relatable and heartfelt.
James Robert Moore perfectly captures the vulnerability of starting over later in life. The writing is warm, witty, and full of those awkward, tender moments that make you laugh one second and clutch your heart the next. Charlie’s journey isn’t just about finding love—it’s about finding himself and embracing the friendships and community he never knew he needed.
What I loved most was the authentic representation of queer life, the highs, the struggles, and the sheer joy of chosen family. Moore handles heavy themes like self-worth and identity with such care while still delivering plenty of humour and heart.
If you’ve ever felt “not good enough,” this book will remind you that you absolutely are. Highly recommend for fans of uplifting LGBTQ+ stories full of heart and humour!
✅ Tropes/Elements I Loved:
✨ Self-discovery
✨ Found family
✨ Queer community representation
✨ Humour + heart
January 8, 2026
I haven't read a book in over 10 years, and then one of my childhood besties writes a book, and of course I have to read it! Took me a while from its release date to get started but my new year's resolution to read a book means I've finished it a few days into 2026. And wow, what a relatable story full of characters that you feel like you've known for years. I laughed out loud, I sobbed, I cheered and egged him on, and also worried for his poor decision making. I loved the references to our hometown and school, and picking up on anecdotes and character traits from our friends, but I think even if I didn't know the author, you could feel that connection regardless of where you grew up, because the story just feels so real. So true to the chaos of normal life. I loved being introduced to the queer characters and having them being shown as just people, such an important detail, as so often queer characters feel forced in to tick a box or share some huge trauma, but this was authentic of real queer people just living their lives and I appreciate that kind of story so much to normalise LQBTQ in today's very bizarre society. I can imagine this book being an awakening for anyone confused about their feelings, and I'm just so proud of what my friend has been able to achieve just by giving a normal yet chaotic everyday voice to a group of wonderful queer friends. I can't wait to see what James does next ❤️
July 16, 2025
This title took several chapters to hook me, but there was something that told me that it would be worth my investment. In the end, I read the last third of the novel in one sitting. The main thing that I want to highlight is that I found 'Not Good Enough' to be laugh-out-loud funny; something which is very rare for me. The humour, however, contrasts well with the moments of deep pathos and the author manages these two extremes very well for a debut novelist. The secondary characters are sufficiently well-fleshed out for their roles and the protagonist's main circle of friends are brought to life through the dialogue.
What has kept me from giving five stars is that I felt that the novel left some things unresolved which meant that the ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd have liked. To be clear, I am usually a fan of "unresolution", but there were some aspects that kept being hinted at that led to me wanting to know how these resolved. On the other hand, secondary plot points -- such as Charlie's relationship with his mother and sister -- were resolved, even though this would have been perfectly satisfactory if left open.
Overall, a fun and enjoyable read, with likeable characters.
I received an advance copy of the book from NetGalley free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
What has kept me from giving five stars is that I felt that the novel left some things unresolved which meant that the ending wasn't as satisfying as I'd have liked. To be clear, I am usually a fan of "unresolution", but there were some aspects that kept being hinted at that led to me wanting to know how these resolved. On the other hand, secondary plot points -- such as Charlie's relationship with his mother and sister -- were resolved, even though this would have been perfectly satisfactory if left open.
Overall, a fun and enjoyable read, with likeable characters.
I received an advance copy of the book from NetGalley free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 16, 2025
Not Good Enough is one of those rare books that feels like a warm hug and a wake-up call all at once. Charlie's world unravels when his boyfriend of nine years betrays him just before their big move to New York. Suddenly, he's adrift in London, navigating the queer dating scene for the first time, and feeling utterly out of his depth. But what follows is a journey of self-discovery that's both hilarious and deeply moving.
I found myself rooting for Charlie from the very first page. His awkward dates, mistakes, and moments of self-doubt felt so real that I laughed and cringed along with him. Beneath the humour, the story explores identity, self-worth, and the ways community can help us heal. The friendships in the book feel authentic and warm, making you really care about the people around Charlie.
This book is a celebration of resilience, love, and the beauty of finding your tribe. It's a reminder that even when life falls apart, it's possible to rebuild and find joy again.
If you're looking for a story that's equal parts funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, Not Good Enough is a must-read. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of love and friendship.
I found myself rooting for Charlie from the very first page. His awkward dates, mistakes, and moments of self-doubt felt so real that I laughed and cringed along with him. Beneath the humour, the story explores identity, self-worth, and the ways community can help us heal. The friendships in the book feel authentic and warm, making you really care about the people around Charlie.
This book is a celebration of resilience, love, and the beauty of finding your tribe. It's a reminder that even when life falls apart, it's possible to rebuild and find joy again.
If you're looking for a story that's equal parts funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, Not Good Enough is a must-read. It's a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of love and friendship.
July 24, 2025
Charlie's life seems to be going well, he's got good friends. A long term boyfriend of 9 years and they're about to leave the country and move to New York together. Only Charlie's boyfriend betrays him the night of their going away party by cheating.
After breaking up and having to leave his apartment Charlie is sent adrift. Not sure what to do with his life, where to live and dipping his toes in the dating pool after being in a relationship for 9 years.
I really enjoyed the Charlie's voice in this story. He has a very silly and often honest inner monologue not only about his life but also about those around him. It's so awkward seeing him how to try and date again, at times the second hand embarrassment was almost too much! Poor Charlie makes so many bad choices, it's sometimes hard to read. I will say that the general fatphobia in the story was a little over the top.
I really enjoyed Charlie's friends, they are very much his found family. I love when a story can show that you don't need a significant other in your life to be fulfilled. Charlie was extremely likable and you can't help but root for him. It was a joy to watch him grow and figure his life out.
This was a fun debut novel, I flew through it!
Thank you NetGalley and Muswell Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After breaking up and having to leave his apartment Charlie is sent adrift. Not sure what to do with his life, where to live and dipping his toes in the dating pool after being in a relationship for 9 years.
I really enjoyed the Charlie's voice in this story. He has a very silly and often honest inner monologue not only about his life but also about those around him. It's so awkward seeing him how to try and date again, at times the second hand embarrassment was almost too much! Poor Charlie makes so many bad choices, it's sometimes hard to read. I will say that the general fatphobia in the story was a little over the top.
I really enjoyed Charlie's friends, they are very much his found family. I love when a story can show that you don't need a significant other in your life to be fulfilled. Charlie was extremely likable and you can't help but root for him. It was a joy to watch him grow and figure his life out.
This was a fun debut novel, I flew through it!
Thank you NetGalley and Muswell Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2025
*4.5 stars rounded up*
Not Good Enough is an emotionally-packed story of resilience, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The book stayed incredibly engaging all the way through, which is impressive especially for a debut author.
I loved the way the story showed Charlie’s self-discovery and character development after his boyfriend of nine years, who he had basically defined his whole life around, betrays him. Charlie himself was a wonderfully-written character — well-fleshed out, selfless and brave. He was flawed like everyone else, but never in a way that hurt others. This made him feel very real and easy to root for.
I felt the side characters were great overall, but their various interesting personalities and quirks felt a little unrealistic at times.
Still, this was an incredibly engaging read and a very strong debut. Highly recommend if you enjoy emotional, character-driven stories about heartbreak, growth, and finding yourself again.
Not Good Enough is an emotionally-packed story of resilience, heartbreak, and self-discovery. The book stayed incredibly engaging all the way through, which is impressive especially for a debut author.
I loved the way the story showed Charlie’s self-discovery and character development after his boyfriend of nine years, who he had basically defined his whole life around, betrays him. Charlie himself was a wonderfully-written character — well-fleshed out, selfless and brave. He was flawed like everyone else, but never in a way that hurt others. This made him feel very real and easy to root for.
I felt the side characters were great overall, but their various interesting personalities and quirks felt a little unrealistic at times.
Still, this was an incredibly engaging read and a very strong debut. Highly recommend if you enjoy emotional, character-driven stories about heartbreak, growth, and finding yourself again.
June 30, 2025
DON'T SLEEP ON THIS ONE FOLKS! OH MY LORD!
Thank you to James Robert Moore, Muswell Press and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
This one? This one wrecked me. But in such a good way.
Emotionally loaded from start to finish, Not Good Enough is the kind of debut that doesn’t just ask for your attention. It actually demands it. The writing? Chef’s bloody kiss. Think Sally Rooney meets Coco Mellors but with a voice that’s all James Robert Moore. It’s introspective, sharp, and deeply vulnerable.
I’ve never related to a character so much it made my chest ache. Charlie's internal monologue felt ripped from my own thoughts.
As a debut, this was fucking fantastic! James, you’ve got something real here. Something electric. And I need more. Like yesterday.
Thank you to James Robert Moore, Muswell Press and NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
This one? This one wrecked me. But in such a good way.
Emotionally loaded from start to finish, Not Good Enough is the kind of debut that doesn’t just ask for your attention. It actually demands it. The writing? Chef’s bloody kiss. Think Sally Rooney meets Coco Mellors but with a voice that’s all James Robert Moore. It’s introspective, sharp, and deeply vulnerable.
I’ve never related to a character so much it made my chest ache. Charlie's internal monologue felt ripped from my own thoughts.
As a debut, this was fucking fantastic! James, you’ve got something real here. Something electric. And I need more. Like yesterday.
July 3, 2025
Charlie’s relationship with his long term boyfriend comes to a messy end the night before they are due to move to New York, what follows is Charlie’s rediscovery of himself and a journey of personal growth. Charlie is in his 30s and at a loss, he doesn’t know who he is or what he wants after basing his entire adult life around his ex, and he is incredibly lonely despite being surrounded by a fantastic group of friends. He attempts to lead the wild life he missed out on when he was younger due to his relationship and starts trying new and drastic things before eventually comes to the realisation that he needs to discover who he is alone before he can be with someone else. There is love, sex, embarrassing situations and I personally think Charlie can be pretty annoying in parts but it is honest and raw.
[I received an ARC from NetGalley]
[I received an ARC from NetGalley]
August 6, 2025
I was really torn on this book, and it is a time where I definitely wish that Goodreads allowed 1/2 stars, because it is a solid 3.5 stars. The story itself is well written and covers a lot of things that are issues in the lives of not only LGBTQ lives, but anyone who has a relationship with another human being. It's a lovely tale of friendships that often grow to mean more than the family you are born into, the evolution of new friendships and the dissolution of relationships with those you love. The book's weakness is that just sort of narrates a year in the main character's life, but made me feel like there wasn't much story to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 26, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed Not Good Enough. It was a comforting window into being a young queer person growing up and find themselves in London with its ups and down. Refreshingly NGE steers clear from any sort of a traumatic coming out story, instead it focuses on finding your feet after a break up from a long relationship and working out who you and how to exist as a single person in London. This book does a wonderful job of while focusing on Charlie’s story also shows a group of friends made up of a group of queer people making the best of their situations and trying to work out who they are in this world.
Would highly recommend. Order it now people
September 4, 2025
A heartwarming and witty story. After breaking up with his long term boyfriend, Charlie is forced to reassess his life. He realises that he has let so much of himself disappear into his relationship and we see him attempt to pick himself up from this heartbreak, reconnect with those that matter and eventually learn that he is good enough by himself. The book is full of great characterisation and laugh out loud moments, it captures the hardship of navigating life as queer person in a big city, the toxicity of dating in the gay community but the joy of queer friendship.
November 8, 2025
This one surprised me. It starts like a standard post-breakup spiral—awkward hookups, self-loathing, and emotional flailing—but it slowly morphs into something more grounded. The writing is sharp, the queer London setting adds texture, and the internal chaos feels earned rather than performative.
There’s no grand romance, just a quiet reclamation of self-worth with a few cringe detours. I rolled my eyes, winced, and rooted for him anyway. It’s messy, but it sticks the landing. Definitely worth the read—even if I wanted to shake the protagonist half the time.
There’s no grand romance, just a quiet reclamation of self-worth with a few cringe detours. I rolled my eyes, winced, and rooted for him anyway. It’s messy, but it sticks the landing. Definitely worth the read—even if I wanted to shake the protagonist half the time.
July 15, 2025
I received an arc from net galley
Overall it’s an easy fun read. Charlie is a super reliable character. I think we’ve all had the rug pulled out from under us at some point in our life and had to find our footing again. The characters in this book were by far my favorite part. I like that they felt like real people who are a little bit messy and imperfect. One thing I didn’t like is that I felt the pacing to be a bit slow for my liking. It felt like it was dragging on a bit in some spots.
Overall it’s an easy fun read. Charlie is a super reliable character. I think we’ve all had the rug pulled out from under us at some point in our life and had to find our footing again. The characters in this book were by far my favorite part. I like that they felt like real people who are a little bit messy and imperfect. One thing I didn’t like is that I felt the pacing to be a bit slow for my liking. It felt like it was dragging on a bit in some spots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
I enjoyed this book and some of the characters actually reminded me of how me and my friends behave sometimes. The book is incredibly human and so the characters do not behave perfectly or even how you would actually want them to behave but we have all done things that are stupid or embarrassing so it felt very real to me. There were some parts i got second hand embarrassment really bad though but still enjoyed it
August 21, 2025
Charlie has been in a long term relationship with his boyfriend for 9 years. On the night before their big move from London to New York, Charlie catches his boyfriend in a compromising position with another man.
Finding himself suddenly single, homeless, and without a job, Charlie is determined to live the life he missed out on all the years he spent with George.
What follows is a wonderful story of self discovery, growth, friendship, and healing. Charlie’s friends come through for him in an amazing way, encouraging and supportive. As Charlie tackles the dating scene with some hilarious consequences, they are there to help pick him up, brush him off, and get him back on track.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of this book.
Finding himself suddenly single, homeless, and without a job, Charlie is determined to live the life he missed out on all the years he spent with George.
What follows is a wonderful story of self discovery, growth, friendship, and healing. Charlie’s friends come through for him in an amazing way, encouraging and supportive. As Charlie tackles the dating scene with some hilarious consequences, they are there to help pick him up, brush him off, and get him back on track.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for this copy of this book.
July 28, 2025
I devoured this book in a couple of days. Touching, funny and relatable (as a Londoner in her early 30s). It’s also brilliantly witty and wonderfully wise. Couldn’t recommend it enough and would suggest offering it to any LGBTQ+ friend - or someone who is a relative/friend trying to better understand people who identify as such. You’ll learn and grow with a grin on your face throughout.
August 17, 2025
This was a fantastic book. I was so engrossed with it - if I had had the time I would have devoured it in a day! The characters are great and the writing is brilliant. The relationships were just gorgeous and then the ending was really good too. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing! One of the really good ones!
October 5, 2025
Like carrying a friend around with you and checking in with them every time you open the pages. It’s funny, relatable and compulsive. So refreshing to see queer joy represented so honestly.
A must read from a new writer - can’t wait to read what’s next!!!
A must read from a new writer - can’t wait to read what’s next!!!
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