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Anything for Love: An uplifting and heart-warming romantic comedy
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26A hilarious and heartfelt rom-com for anyone who's lost their faith in love.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO FIND THE ONE?
Sophie Smalls is happy with her life. She has a fabulous flat in London, a high-flying career in advertising, wonderful friends and a family she adores. But recently, something has been playing on her mind.
Sophie is in her mid-forties and has never been in love. And when she sees on Instagram that the only man she's ever properly fancied is engaged, a thought that was nagging at her becomes a full-blown crisis.
Panicked google searches follow, but luckily the internet is full of articles on how to fall in love and where to find it. One in particular catches her '365 days of Yes' by Alex Stewart. Sophie decides to use this article as a guide - to say yes to everything and to put herself out there at all costs . . . to do anything for love. What could go wrong?
WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO FIND THE ONE?
Sophie Smalls is happy with her life. She has a fabulous flat in London, a high-flying career in advertising, wonderful friends and a family she adores. But recently, something has been playing on her mind.
Sophie is in her mid-forties and has never been in love. And when she sees on Instagram that the only man she's ever properly fancied is engaged, a thought that was nagging at her becomes a full-blown crisis.
Panicked google searches follow, but luckily the internet is full of articles on how to fall in love and where to find it. One in particular catches her '365 days of Yes' by Alex Stewart. Sophie decides to use this article as a guide - to say yes to everything and to put herself out there at all costs . . . to do anything for love. What could go wrong?
- GenresChick Lit
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 4, 2026
I've always loved Bolouri's work, and was so excited to see something new from her. This was funny, charming, and subverted a few romcom tropes in a way that stopped it from being too predictable.
July 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC!
First of all, this book was a joy to read. Like Bridget Jones, but funnier. It had me audibly laughing and nodding my head in agreement with a lot of the quick remarks on dating. Sophie was a remarkable character, and it’s a joy to find myself relating to her (albeit due to the age difference, but I do live like a 45-year-old!). I loved that this book, although it was all about finding love, brought up so many different and uplifting challenges for women - the creepy men, doing things alone, believing in yourself and making the jump! I’ve read a few of Joanna Bolouri’s titles, and let me tell you, this was an instant five-star for humour, for pacing, and it just being such a fantastic read that I gobbled it up in a couple of hours.
First of all, this book was a joy to read. Like Bridget Jones, but funnier. It had me audibly laughing and nodding my head in agreement with a lot of the quick remarks on dating. Sophie was a remarkable character, and it’s a joy to find myself relating to her (albeit due to the age difference, but I do live like a 45-year-old!). I loved that this book, although it was all about finding love, brought up so many different and uplifting challenges for women - the creepy men, doing things alone, believing in yourself and making the jump! I’ve read a few of Joanna Bolouri’s titles, and let me tell you, this was an instant five-star for humour, for pacing, and it just being such a fantastic read that I gobbled it up in a couple of hours.
June 21, 2026
I will read anything Joanna writes because she is the QUEEN of lols. I started off highlighting all my fave lines in my kindle but it was slowing me down so much, I had to stop.
It was great reading about an FMC who's over 40 and whose life is sorted - fixation on a Moldovan Eurovision singer not withstanding. She's just looking for that 'extra' something - in this case, love - and comes across an article that encourages her to say 'yes' to more things.
She ends up on a cruise around the Mediterranean and strikes up a friendship with fellow passenger (and hot off-duty captain) Elliot. He tells her from the start that he's recently divorced and isn't looking for a relationship but this is a romance novel, so you suspect that Elliot may probably change his mind...
The book is full of weird and wonderful characters - special shout-out to the pineapple crew - and it's joy to watch Sophie navigate so many new experiences.
Along with its humour, Anything for Love is achingly romantic and will leave you with a big fat smile on your face.
SOME of my fave lines:
"Some influencers are brilliant and very business savvy, but some would partner up with Guantanamo Bay if they got an orange jumpsuit out of it."
"Pamela Smalls doesn't have anything to connect with unless you count 'liking strangers' photos on Facebook for no reason' as a viable pursuit."
"I'm not sure I've been that happy ever, apart from that time I found a rogue onion ring hiding in my Burger King fries."
"I politely refuse, even when my patience starts to run out with one particular guy who either has amnesia that he's already approached me six times or thinks he can wear me down into buying a braided beach bracelet. He can. He does. It's blue and pink."
He laughs. 'Come one! Face your fears! You've done zip lining, this will be a walk in the park.'
'I'd rather walk in the park.'
'You only live once, right?'
'That is exactly my point!'
It was great reading about an FMC who's over 40 and whose life is sorted - fixation on a Moldovan Eurovision singer not withstanding. She's just looking for that 'extra' something - in this case, love - and comes across an article that encourages her to say 'yes' to more things.
She ends up on a cruise around the Mediterranean and strikes up a friendship with fellow passenger (and hot off-duty captain) Elliot. He tells her from the start that he's recently divorced and isn't looking for a relationship but this is a romance novel, so you suspect that Elliot may probably change his mind...
The book is full of weird and wonderful characters - special shout-out to the pineapple crew - and it's joy to watch Sophie navigate so many new experiences.
Along with its humour, Anything for Love is achingly romantic and will leave you with a big fat smile on your face.
SOME of my fave lines:
"Some influencers are brilliant and very business savvy, but some would partner up with Guantanamo Bay if they got an orange jumpsuit out of it."
"Pamela Smalls doesn't have anything to connect with unless you count 'liking strangers' photos on Facebook for no reason' as a viable pursuit."
"I'm not sure I've been that happy ever, apart from that time I found a rogue onion ring hiding in my Burger King fries."
"I politely refuse, even when my patience starts to run out with one particular guy who either has amnesia that he's already approached me six times or thinks he can wear me down into buying a braided beach bracelet. He can. He does. It's blue and pink."
He laughs. 'Come one! Face your fears! You've done zip lining, this will be a walk in the park.'
'I'd rather walk in the park.'
'You only live once, right?'
'That is exactly my point!'
June 22, 2026
This was SUCH a fun little romp from start to finish.
One of the things I loved most about this book was Sophie. As a woman in her forties, she’s funny, free spirited, relatable and unapologetically herself. It was so refreshing to read a romance featuring a middle aged woman whose life isn’t portrayed as being “over” or lacking because she’s single. Instead, Sophie is happy, successful and surrounded by people she loves, and I adored seeing a character who proves that life still has so much to offer at any age.
Joanna Bolouri’s writing is completely bingeable and genuinely hilarious. Sophie’s sense of humour felt so familiar that I often found myself thinking we could easily be friends. I laughed out loud countless times and flew through the pages.
I loved following Sophie’s “year of saying yes” and all the wonderfully awkward, brave and unexpected experiences it led her into. While the romance was lovely, I particularly enjoyed the friendship that developed between Sophie and Ellis. Their connection felt authentic, warm and meaningful, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.
What stood out even more, though, was Sophie’s personal growth. Watching her embrace new experiences, challenge herself and develop an even fiercer zest for life was incredibly uplifting. This is a story about finding love, but it’s also about finding confidence, joy and fulfilment within yourself.
And as a completely unexpected bonus, this book has left me desperately wanting to go on a cruise!!
A funny, heartwarming and uplifting read with a heroine I won’t forget in a hurry.
I was gifted a free copy by Quercus in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I loved most about this book was Sophie. As a woman in her forties, she’s funny, free spirited, relatable and unapologetically herself. It was so refreshing to read a romance featuring a middle aged woman whose life isn’t portrayed as being “over” or lacking because she’s single. Instead, Sophie is happy, successful and surrounded by people she loves, and I adored seeing a character who proves that life still has so much to offer at any age.
Joanna Bolouri’s writing is completely bingeable and genuinely hilarious. Sophie’s sense of humour felt so familiar that I often found myself thinking we could easily be friends. I laughed out loud countless times and flew through the pages.
I loved following Sophie’s “year of saying yes” and all the wonderfully awkward, brave and unexpected experiences it led her into. While the romance was lovely, I particularly enjoyed the friendship that developed between Sophie and Ellis. Their connection felt authentic, warm and meaningful, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.
What stood out even more, though, was Sophie’s personal growth. Watching her embrace new experiences, challenge herself and develop an even fiercer zest for life was incredibly uplifting. This is a story about finding love, but it’s also about finding confidence, joy and fulfilment within yourself.
And as a completely unexpected bonus, this book has left me desperately wanting to go on a cruise!!
A funny, heartwarming and uplifting read with a heroine I won’t forget in a hurry.
I was gifted a free copy by Quercus in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's always a delight to read a book from Joanna Bolouri and this one was absolutely no exception.
This was a story full of humour, and I absolutely loved Sophie's decision to have a year of saying yes to everything in the hopes of possibly finding love in an unexpected place.
This leads to her having all sorts of adventures and then she takes a cruise. As a massive cruise fan, I loved hearing about the ship, itinerary and all the fellow guests that Sophie meets. There are characters that I would definitely recognise, and the descriptions of the ports were really good too.
I really enjoyed seeing what men Sophie was able to meet, and just seeing what was wrong with each of them.
This was such an entertaining read that kept making me smile. Between the dating disasters and then the sunshine of the cruise, everything was a delight for me. What a great poolside read,
Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This was a story full of humour, and I absolutely loved Sophie's decision to have a year of saying yes to everything in the hopes of possibly finding love in an unexpected place.
This leads to her having all sorts of adventures and then she takes a cruise. As a massive cruise fan, I loved hearing about the ship, itinerary and all the fellow guests that Sophie meets. There are characters that I would definitely recognise, and the descriptions of the ports were really good too.
I really enjoyed seeing what men Sophie was able to meet, and just seeing what was wrong with each of them.
This was such an entertaining read that kept making me smile. Between the dating disasters and then the sunshine of the cruise, everything was a delight for me. What a great poolside read,
Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Joanna Bolouri and Quercus for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Oh how I’ve missed you Joanna. What an absolutely bloody brilliant book! I absolutely flew through this. It’s witty (the actual laugh out loud type) , enjoyable and realistic. This is a book based on the adventures of an older woman, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it as a person in their 20s.
This was such a refreshing romance - because it wasn’t solely based on that, it was self discovery too. I felt like I earned the ending. It was something to gently work at, it wasn’t predictable (thank God).
The setting of the cruise was incredible, I drunk up every day she had there and was rooting for the romance so much that I felt myself feeling exactly what Sophie did! The minor characters were great too. I just had a blast. Thoroughly recommended - one of my favourite reads of the year!
Oh how I’ve missed you Joanna. What an absolutely bloody brilliant book! I absolutely flew through this. It’s witty (the actual laugh out loud type) , enjoyable and realistic. This is a book based on the adventures of an older woman, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it as a person in their 20s.
This was such a refreshing romance - because it wasn’t solely based on that, it was self discovery too. I felt like I earned the ending. It was something to gently work at, it wasn’t predictable (thank God).
The setting of the cruise was incredible, I drunk up every day she had there and was rooting for the romance so much that I felt myself feeling exactly what Sophie did! The minor characters were great too. I just had a blast. Thoroughly recommended - one of my favourite reads of the year!
June 24, 2026
What a hoot! 4.5 stars ⭐️
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, hilarious and well written and had me laughing out loud from start to finish.
As a lady in her forties myself I couldn’t imagine ever having to date again!
Sophie and her year of “yes” had me, I was willing her to find love on her quest, I found the whole cruise endearing, I adored the email exchanges with Alex and found Sophie witty and shameless. To top it all off the blossoming friendship between her and Ellis didn’t disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, hilarious and well written and had me laughing out loud from start to finish.
As a lady in her forties myself I couldn’t imagine ever having to date again!
Sophie and her year of “yes” had me, I was willing her to find love on her quest, I found the whole cruise endearing, I adored the email exchanges with Alex and found Sophie witty and shameless. To top it all off the blossoming friendship between her and Ellis didn’t disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
July 3, 2026
Имах по-високи очаквания, не знам защо. Но по времето за което я прочетох, става ясно , че не ми е била толкова интересна. Прекалено обстоятелствена за неща , които не ме интересуват.Ясно е , че една жена мине ли 40 години, става невидима, това го казвам и от личен опит. Няма как да наваксаш неща , които се правят на 20 години. Когато не си си взел определените дажби от купони,любови и приключения. когато му е било времето , на 40 и кусур , а има и още по-тежки случаи , няма да успееш да го направиш и няма да е същото.
Авторката има чувство за хумор, но този път не успя да ме завладее.
Авторката има чувство за хумор, но този път не успя да ме завладее.
September 18, 2025
This warm and feel-good read is filled with plenty of giggles along the way. Naomi is the absolute top-class character out of the ensemble, but there are plenty of other colourful characters too. Sophie’s quest is a fun read, with a spot-on setting and a plot that just works. Overall, it’s a fabulous read.
Thank you Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley
July 5, 2026
I loved it. Amazing, hilariously funny, I laughed out loud a lot and I was not bored for one second. There were unexpected things happening till the last page. I loved every minute of it. I read it in a day, it is one of the books you simply cannot put down.
I will recommend this to everyone till the day I die.
I will recommend this to everyone till the day I die.
July 19, 2025
Sophie’s in her forties, loving her London life and smashing it career-wise, but one Instagram post from the one that got away sends her spiraling. Cue the big life question: Have I ever actually been in love?
In a bit of a panic, she stumbles on an article about “365 Days of Yes” and decides to give it a go, putting herself out there with dating app disasters, dodgy dance classes, awkward encounters and even a cruise.
This wasn’t my first Joanna Bolouri book and, as always, it didn’t disappoint. It’s funny, relatable, and full of those cringey but hilarious moments that come with trying new things solo. I really enjoyed Sophie’s journey especially the cruise part, which brought great characters, fab destination descriptions, and classic holiday chaos.
A fun, feel-good read that’ll leave you smiling.
Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!
In a bit of a panic, she stumbles on an article about “365 Days of Yes” and decides to give it a go, putting herself out there with dating app disasters, dodgy dance classes, awkward encounters and even a cruise.
This wasn’t my first Joanna Bolouri book and, as always, it didn’t disappoint. It’s funny, relatable, and full of those cringey but hilarious moments that come with trying new things solo. I really enjoyed Sophie’s journey especially the cruise part, which brought great characters, fab destination descriptions, and classic holiday chaos.
A fun, feel-good read that’ll leave you smiling.
Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!
December 29, 2025
It's an extraordinary one, I promise.
June 18, 2026
Om Sophie som bestämmer sig för att säga Ja till allting under ett år.
July 2, 2026
This was a delightful romp!
I laughed so much reading this book, such a run and enjoyable story. This was absolutely heartwarming and a delight to read!
I laughed so much reading this book, such a run and enjoyable story. This was absolutely heartwarming and a delight to read!
Review of advance copy
I loved it, absolutely hilarious!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews