The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

by Eve Devon

The only romcom you need to read!Everything in Ashleigh’s life is completely fine. Sure, she avoids conversations with her mother at all costs, but doesn’t everyone? And yes, she did turn down that promotion at work, but she loves her job just as it is, right? Oh, and she has had to ask her friends to set up dates for her, but New York dating is awful for everyone, isn’t it?

George is not ok. The beating in his chest isn’t normal, is it? If he could just secure that promotion at work moving to New York would all be worth it, wouldn’t it?

Ashleigh and George haven’t met yet, but Ashleigh knows a lot of things about George. She knows he loves soccer, that he likes his house to smell of the ocean breeze and that he’s a whizz at crosswords. All George knows about Ashleigh is that since she became his cleaner everything in his life is a little better.

Neither of them knows that their worlds are about to collide. Could they be just what the other one needs?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

419 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2024

About the author

Eve Devon writes sexy heroes, sassy heroines & happy ever afters...

Growing up in locations like Botswana and Venezuela gave Eve Devon a taste for adventure; her love for romances began when her mother shoved one into her hands in a desperate attempt to keep her quiet during TV coverage of the Wimbledon tennis finals!

When Eve wasn't consuming books by the bucketload, she could be found pretending to be a damsel in distress or running around solving mysteries and writing down her adventures. As a teenager, Eve wrote countless episodes of TV detective dramas so the hero and heroine would end up together every week. As an adult, still hooked on romance and mysteries, she worked in a library to conveniently continue consuming books by the bucketload, until realizing she was destined to write contemporary romance and romantic suspense herself.

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog

I really wanted to like this book and I honestly tried but it was so slow going and oh so repetitive. The same thing happens over and over again...she cleans, he tries at work, her mother bugs her about a date for a wedding, his girlfriend ignores him, she goes out for coffee and cake, he has a panic attack. This was on repeat until the halfway mark and by that time I was sick of these two. I am not into love triangles and I don't understand the need to have a date for a wedding. My friend is getting married in September and I am going solo. Is there something wrong with me?

The bakery that Ashleigh hangs out in belongs to Ozzie and Carlos and it is called...Oscars! (Taking the beginning of both their names) I liked that and I liked them. I found them funny, interesting and full of drama. Too bad the main characters weren't the same. Their dynamic and drama are the only thing that saved this book for me and had me giving it two stars.

I struggled to finish this one and it saddens me because I loved the premise, the cover and really had high hopes but it fell flat because it was such a slow burn. No one should have to read about two hundred pages before the couple talks to each other or meets face to face. I just didn't feel the chemistry between these two, other than Ashleigh drooling over his photo and they were both with someone at the start so that's a big no from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel could seriously be called The Life Changing Magic of Falling in Love With This Book! Ashleigh is a cleaner who is fastidious in her work. Her friends Oz and Carlos are a couple and own Oscars, a lovely bakery that has many patrons. George works at a prestigious firm and girlfriend, Anya is the boss's daughter but things are slowly falling apart for them. Throw all these people together and you have this remarkable book about friends, lovers, relationships, and yes, crossword puzzles! I laughed and I cried and I just felt so "full" when I finished this book that my heart is overflowing. This is one of those books you need to pre-order as soon as you can; you will not be disappointed!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't say exactly what didn't work for me in this book, but I could tend to say that there were no particularly interesting moments, just a series of events that unfolded exactly as expected. The two main characters are "lukewarm" and their interactions flat. Pity.

Non saprei dire esattamente cosa non mi ha fatto impazzire di questo libro, ma tendenzialmente potrei affermare che non ci sono momenti particolarmente interessanti, soltanto una serie di eventi che si susseguono esattamente come atteso. I due protagonisti sono "tiepidi" e le loro interazioni piatte. Peccato.

I received a complementary Digital Advance Review Copy from the Publisher in exchange for a honest review.

[Jani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up!

This was a good book. It was cute. It started out really great.

Ashleigh started working as a cleaner 6 months ago after losing her best friend in a freak accident. She is hired to clean George's apartment, who just moved to New York from England to be with his girlfriend, and is suffering from panic attacks at work, but they'll go away, right?

These characters don't meet face to face until 45% into the book. So, in half of the book, we get to meet the characters and see them interact through cute notes and crossword clues, which was pretty cute to see. This is the cutest part of the book imo. However, I did not love the OW/OM drama, which there is quite a lot of in this first part. George is in a relationship from the beginning of the book right up until they meet, and even though it was obvious they weren't going anywhere, I still didn't care to read about it. Moreover, Ashley is starting to date this guy Zach because she needs a date for a wedding and someone to share her weekends with (girl, were you wrong). We get to read how they meet and a bunch of their dates. I also didn't care about it much. Zach was the standard "go with flow", "I hate drama dude", so it was pretty obvious their relationship was never going to be serious, either. Still, I wanted to read about George and Asleigh!! This is probably on me, though. I abhor love triangles.

Despite this, I think the first part of the book was great. Ashley and George keep missing each other, and they communicate through little notes where they get to know each other. I love how thoughtful Asleigh was, leaving little presents for George in the apartment. Cute!!

Once they meet, which happens bizarrely with one of them almost naked while the other is having a panic attack, they are really cute scenes and friend-dates in the horizon. They really open up to one another, and there is a "only you see me as I really am" vibe.

However, I do think this last part was a little disorganized. There was just no clear ending or goal for the book. In the beginning, Ashleig is invited to a wedding in June of next year, which she needs a date for, and is the reason why she starts going out with this guy, Zach. But, then, suddenly, there is another wedding THIS June? And then George also has a wedding in the UK he has to go to and needs a date too? It just felt a little chaotic.

Overall, I enjoyed myself. The characters were cute and relatable. I like how this book dealt with grief, especially when you lose someone so suddenly. I also loved Oz and Carlos, I honestly was more interested in their drama than Ashleigh's sometimes.

Just as a last note, I have to say that I loved that the main character was a cleaner. We don't all have to be CEOs!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Debby *BabyDee* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily listened and reviewed an audio of this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: May 24, 2024
Pages: 300

This a first time read by Eve Devon, new author to this reader. This was a sweet, slow burn romance between George and Ashleigh before getting to physically meet. Two likeable characters…Ashleigh who technically will not admit that this are not as good as they seem. She tends to close herself off when dealing with situations that gets too close to home. Then there is George who is not that handsome but believes his fix is through a promotion…something that may get rid of his panic attacks. With all their nuances, they somehow click on some level. When they finally meet, things go from good to bad. This was a wonderful and delightful read. I totally enjoyed it as it at times brought a smile to my face when reading. I like those kinds of reads…something about making you feel a bit comfy when reading. Kudos to Ms. Devon on getting me to like this first from her.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love by Eve Devon

Release Date: April, 2nd, 2024

3.5 Stars

Ashleigh and George lead seemingly ordinary lives in New York City, each grappling with their own set of challenges. While Ashleigh navigates strained relationships with her mother and struggles with the dating scene, George is fixated on securing a promotion at work to validate his move to the city. Despite never having met, Ashleigh learns a lot about George through her job as his cleaner, while George remains unaware of her existence. As fate brings them closer together, they both wonder if the other could be the missing piece in their lives.


Readers are treated to a cute story. However, for me, the romance felt a bit too rushed, with the main female character falling for the male lead based solely on a picture! This aspect of instant attraction strained believability, impacting the overall enjoyment of the book for me.

Despite this, the rest of the story unfolds in a charming manner making it a cute read overall.


Thank you to The Publisher HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter , The Author Eve Devon & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny and enjoyable book. The characters made me laugh. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK but very repetitive by the end so skipped a lot

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashleigh has found her happy place, away from the 'career' her family thought she wanted, in a city away from everyone who knows her. Cleaning has been her saviour, though many would doubt that it was a sensible career move from her home in editorial.
The satisfaction she gets from cleaning the messes of others and learning about people she rarely meets helps her forget the real tragedy behind her leaving her first job.
Then she finds a new client who doesn't seem to need her, with a spotless, almost sterile apartment in a beautiful location. However, she finds a crossword incomplete, sparking a chain of events that will inevitably bring about a meeting of the two.
George, from the sterile apartment, lived his whole life in the UK to move to New York for a job, and his girlfriend, Anya, who happens to be his boss's daughter. He's lonely but happy in many ways, though he knows no one other than his colleagues and a couple of neighbours. This suits him, as it stops him from having to think about the medical condition he had, which caused his family to stifle his childhood and continue to worry about him even though he's quite okay.
Until the panic attack.
I love anything about words; essentially, words bring these two crashing into each other's lives. Ashleigh has been through the trauma of loss and in a cycle of blame which she has never admitted to anyone. George has spent his life trying to show everyone he is capable of living a normal life, just like anyone else, but there are still wobbles, which despite his best efforts, manifest in ways that affect his whole life.
I love the additional cast of characters: Ozzie and Carlos and their coffee shop, Oscars, as well as Hildy, the elderly neighbour of George and a client of Ashleigh's who, in their own way, become fast friends and a real network for both Ashleigh and George.\A lovely summer romance read, with a lotta heart.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Ashleigh is going through the motions of her life. She works at a job she loves and is good at but turns down a promotion. She gets set up on dates by some friends but doesn't really have her heart into actually meeting anyone. She is still dealing with immense grief and guilt from the passing of her best friend.

George has everything he could want. He just got promoted at work, a job he loves and is very good at. His girlfriend pushes him in his career. Only now he is suffering from debilitating panic attacks and is in denial about what is causing them

Ashleigh and George don't know each other and have never met, but Georg has just hired Ashleigh as his cleaning lady for his apartment, and over their shared love of crosswords and some nosy neighbours they may realize they were what was missing in each other's lives

This book took me by surprise. This book is very much a slow burn, and has a heavy emphasis on self discovery and healing. Both characters are dating other people for a big chunk of the book but there is no cheating, physical or emotional of any kind. The aspect of crosswords was so nerdy and niche but I have been really into crosswords lately so it helped me connect so much to the story. The chemistry and respect both characters had with each other felt so natural. They both very much made the other a better person not by changing the other but by supporting and encouraging the other. It explored grief, adult friendships, work-life balance, and anxiety and panic attacks.

[Erin Ballinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this! 3.5 /5 stars
This book is really split into two 'parts': the first following Ashleigh and George as they just merely touch each others lives through crossword puzzles left while Ashleigh is serving as George's maid. They both are dealing with heavy emotions in their life: George facing burnout at work, heavy anxiety, and a failing relationship, Ashleigh navigating the recent death of her best friend and feeling lost in her emotional relationships across the board. The second half of the book we finally get their meet cute, navigate their growing feelings for each other, and jam pack in a ton of tropes (weddings, meeting family, one bed, etc) to drive these two together.
I really enjoyed that this was dual POV with some very distinct voices, the little crossword puzzle match ups, the lack of a third act breakup, and how lovely the chemistry was between Ashleigh/George once they met each other. But I struggled a bit with the forced nature of bringing them together: something about that dynamic just felt off, and maybe it was because it took SO long and yet SO inevitable. I did really enjoy some of the subliminal plots on self discovery and healing though: I thought those were really well done

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love is a charming, slow burn romance, perfect for fans of authors such as Beth O’Leary.

Ashleigh and George had great chemistry, and I loved the premise of being united by a love of crosswords and messaging via crosswords before meeting. They meet relatively late in the book, but in addition to the dual POV it meant we really got to know them well individually, before as a couple. I enjoyed the trials and tribulations of the side cast of characters, my favourite was Hildy and her quiet meddling on the side!

I found the pacing of the book a little sporadic, but this didn’t take me out of the story too much. I really thought the author did a wonderful job of capturing the intrusive and spiralling nature of anxiety and panic. Sensitively woven through Ashleigh and George’s experiences of grief and loss, panic and anxiety was their strength in their ability to support and empathise with one another due to their lived experience.

Thank you HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashleigh is recovering from a great loss and trying to rebuild her lonely life in New York while working as a cleaner. One of the apartments she cleans belongs to George, a workaholic Brit who just moved to New York to continue his career and relationship to the daughter of the advertising agency he works at. George is not okay and his apartment reflects that, so Ashleigh sets to giving it some personality. Along the way, they both realize they have a great love for crossword puzzles and it starts a conversation that quickly turns into a healing and supportive friendship.

I loved everything about this book. Two characters who are grieving and confused unexpectedly finding their match in each other makes for an incredibly romantic read. The fact that it happens first through a deep friendship as the basis of it is also marvelously endearing. Also, consider all the wonderful friendships and relationships that happen around them and you're in for a great time.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the wonderfully endearing read!

[Gurl Go Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to express my gratitude to Netgalley and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately, I had to stop reading at 11% of the book. The female main character's behavior was too excessive and peculiar, as she was overly fixated on a client whom she had never even met. She continuously brought up this unknown individual during her date, which was unsettling. Additionally, the male main character was already in a happy relationship with his girlfriend. I couldn't quite understand the direction the author was taking with this storyline, but it did not resonate with me, and I would not recommend it to others.

[katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this book! Dual p.o.v is something that I like a lot and the author did a great job with this and not making it two opposite stories.

I was immediately pulled in by Ashleigh and her backstory with losing her best friend and trying to live without her. While the MCs don't meet until around the halfway point of the book, I did really appreciate the creative communication they had through crossword puzzles and notes. I have a huge soft spot for cutesy romances and this didn't miss the mark!

I was given an ARC copy of this book for writing an honest review ♡

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted romcom that begins with an interesting method of communicating- via crossword puzzle clues!

I enjoyed learning about our main character, I like how the author included their flaws in character, I hate it when everyone is painted as Perfect in a book. Flawed makes them relatable

I enjoyed following along on their little love story.

[ER · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book was intriguing and I enjoyed how sweet all of the characters were.

However, the main character's stream of consciousness dialogue was so hard to pay attention to. There was so much of it that I felt myself skimming over the text to the point of the story/scene.

I think this book could be more interesting with editing and some dialogue removed.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In search of comfort and a sense of control Ashleigh tries to cope with her grief by finding a job as a cleaner. When she walks into George’s flat to clean it and finds it spotless, she can’t help but feel intrigued by its owner. George, on the other hand, knows nothing about the woman who cleans his place other than their shared love of crossword puzzles. And so their friendship begins, with notes and crossword clues left for each other.

The premise of the book sounded intriguing and reminiscent of ‘The Flatshare’ by Beth O’Leary. I have to admit, it’s far from that. The characters don’t meet until halfway through the book, but I actually enjoyed that part. Yes, it was a bit repetitive but it was also engaging to get glimpses of their interactions and experience a sense of eagerness for them to finally meet. And when they do, that is where the whole thing actually starts to fall apart, as their interactions felt faux-deep, with unnatural dialogue and little to none chemistry. And when you take out the chemistry and your romance goggles off, the whole premise then loses its appeal and actually becomes borderline problematic and a tad stalkerish.

Many thanks to NetGalley UK and the publishers for this ARC.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quirky romcom! Ashleigh and George meet in the most unlikely of ways and form a friendship that proves to withstand the test of life!

They both go through so much and they are there helping each other out in anyway they can. Both have a lot to learn and a lot to figure out but love becomes their guide!

Ashleigh for me is so relatable because she is unapologetically her. She makes choices that shock those around her but she makes them for her own being and I loved the heck out of that. I love how she took charge when needed.

So many great characters within the pages of this book and one that should be picked up and enjoyed.

[zosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC via NetGalley

„Maybe I am too much, these days? Maybe I - wait, no. This is his loss. Everyone has baggage.”

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful, it’s remarkable. It will make your heart do so many things: hurt, weep, sigh, rejoice, beat so fast you think you’ll faint. Silly parts, serious parts, swoony parts, it has them all. A story so well plotted, well written, with well-developed characters that become special to you.

Ashleigh’s not in a very good place but she won’t admit it. She’s dealing with grief by wrapping herself up, closing herself off, like a once wide open, blooming, beautiful flower that has now regressed to a tight little bud that may never bloom again. She’s just fine, thank you very much, and she has a response for every challenge to that declaration. She only needs a date to a wedding, not a relationship, so what’s wrong with asking her friends to interview potential candidates for her? Nothing. It was the right thing to turn down that promotion and leave her job, because she has a different job now, one she loves and excels at. Perfect. And if she says all this to herself enough times it might just become true.

Ashleigh is a cleaner. And that’s how she meets George. Well, ‘meets’ is not exactly accurate. She cleans his apartment and through spending several hours a week in his space learns many things about him, gets to know him well.

George, on the other hand, doesn’t think he’s fine but he’s sure he’s got the solution to fix that. He just needs that promotion and those pesky panic attacks will stop. And unlike Ashleigh, he does have a relationship – with the boss’s daughter who will someday run the company, a driven, to the point woman to be sure, but she and George clicked at some level at one time – he moved from England to New York because of it, didn’t he – so the relationship must be great. Yep, great.

Both Ashleigh and George have a lot of history they aren’t quite dealing with. His apartment is so tidy and clean he hardly needs a cleaner, but something about her being there (when he’s not) just feels kind of good.

They do eventually meet, and things seem good, then bad, then awful, then who knows what this is. Crosswords play a charming part in this story – wait for 7,2,4,4,3. You’ll love it. Bakery owners Oswald and Carlos of Oscars are delightful, caring, protective friends. Mrs. Lundy – Hildy – has some valuable insight and advice. And George’s romance speak? #MakesYourHeartFlutter.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers UK, One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love via NetGalley, and giving me one of the most enjoyable, smile-provoking, heartwarming stories I have read in a long time. Author Eve Devon has done a fantastic job in portraying people coping with loss and fear, trying valiantly to work their way through, buoyed by friends and family and provided a very, very, very satisfactory ending. I will definitely be reading more by this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

[break.down.books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

As we spent about half the book getting to know the characters while they kept missing each other, I felt like the slow burn aspect made me not really care about any relationship-related drama the two were having up until that point. George being in a relationship did nothing to increase tension, it only served to annoy me every time he let his girlfriend treat him like crap. When you know that your MMC and FMC will eventually be together it's frustrating to watch him waste his time with Anya in real time at the same time that you are not getting a single moment of these two interacting face-to-face. While their crossword-related interactions were really cute and I liked what the author did with that premise, I feel like his girlfriend was unnecessary to the entire drama of the story. It would have been enough for him to be facing stress at work and to be feeling unfulfilled in that way. Since him and Ashleigh don't meet for so long there isn't a reason to make a barrier between him and her, the plot is already kind of doing that on its own. Zach suffers from a similar problem of just... not doing anything really, even though he has more impact on whether Ashleigh and George can be together.

I really liked the anxiety/panic attack representation through George. I really like the two main characters meeting the way they did and what Ashleigh's response to George was. I'm not going to get into more of that just to avoid spoilers. I just really love it when authors include anxiety rep and this author did it pretty well. I say this as someone who has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for years.

I think the major strength and also the major flaw with this book are the same: the side characters are far and above more interesting than our protagonists. I cared way too much about what Oz and Carlos were doing and not enough about whatever Ashleigh and George are doing. It's been a few days since I read the book and I honestly don't remember what was going on between the two of them, but I remember pretty clearly all the drama going on with Oz and Carlos. I also found them to be more interesting and dynamic characters.

Overall, despite my problems with some of the plot contrivances in the book, I would recommend it if you like slow burn romances and the premise interests you. I am not personally a fan of slow burn romances, at least not in the way this particular story went about its slow burn, if that makes sense? I don't think the book is irredeemable by any stretch of the imagination, just didn't do it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Daisy.readsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔘Slow burn
🔘Friends-to-lovers
🔘Grieving

After the devastating loss of her childhood friend, Ashleigh found herself battling crippling anxiety. In an attempt to change her career and distract herself from the constant unease, she took up a job as a housekeeper. Little did she know that this decision would lead her down an unexpected path of true friendships.

✨Thoughts✨
Assigned to clean the home of a man named George, Ashleigh initially had no idea how their lives would intertwine. But as she spent her days tackling the household chores, a unique bond began to form between them, all thanks to their shared love for crossword puzzles.

This story unfolds gradually, steadily building up the connection between the characters. Romance takes a back seat, blossoming much later on, as the main focus lies in how both Ashleigh and George learn to embrace life again after the hardships they've endured. What fascinated me the most was witnessing Ashleigh's genuine friendships with the people she met through her work. It felt authentic and natural, particularly her unexpected companionship with George, which she didn't even realize was happening. Somehow, without even trying, Ashleigh became a beacon of care and support in George's life.

George, on the other hand, was suffocating. Trapped in a passionless relationship and burdened by a demanding job, his stress levels reached their peak. However, his friendship with Ashleigh begins to awaken something within him, exposing him to new experiences and perspectives. It was truly heartwarming to witness their connection evolve and grow.

Overall, if you appreciate stories that slowly kindle emotions and relationships, then this is the read for you. Special thanks to the author, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

[Taylor B · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Life Changing Magic of Falling in Love is about two people going through their own anxiety and struggles who eventually meet and fall into a relationship. One star, with an additional star for the incredibly realistic, compassionate, and caring portrayal of anxiety and panic attacks.

I was overall disappointed in this book, for a number of reasons, numbers one and two being the main characters don't even physically meet until halfway through the book and and three-quarters of the way through, she is still dating someone else. I was confuse by their instant connection, as the one they'd been building via notes and crossword clues was hardly referenced. I felt like I was reading a book about two people who kind of co-existed and I was waiting for some kind of magic timeline twist to make it all make sense.

In an attempt to create a little mystery around the plot and characters trauma, there are a lot of casual mentions of things (along the lines of "it was like she was - no, there would be no visiting that again") that didn't pay off at the reveal. There was a beautiful moment at the end where grief and its non-linear processing was addressed that brought tears to my eyes, but I was overall left disappointed and confused.

Other complaints: The feathers were never truly explained and I think it was supposed to be a reference to the cover of Marie Kondo's book, but it is very unclear. Carlos is kind of a terrible friend and partner. I really didn't care about their relationship at all and was more interested in their individual growths.

Things I liked: Mrs Lundy, CIA jokes, and Ozzie-baby.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah Kate Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love' - Eve Devon

Set in New York, Ashleigh is a cleaner with an almost pathological need to clean and create order out of chaos. Meanwhile, George is a new client who doesn’t appear to need a cleaner; his apartment is so sterile and neat. What is going on? And what’s with all the crossword clues that they start to leave each other?

On the face of it, this is a book about two people connecting and falling in love. However, ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love’ is so much more than that. It looks at how our experiences growing up and our expectations as adults can often cause us to make the wrong decisions, in an effort to keep going or to run away and hide from our perceived failures. Anyone who has ever had a panic attack or suffered stress at work, will identify with the main characters and some of the side characters too.

I read ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love’ in one sitting. It is well written, fast paced and flows really well. I loved Ashleigh and George from the beginning which, for me, is half the battle. The novel is very romantic, funny and witty. It made me laugh out loud and also made me cry. It has a host of likeable characters besides the main protagonists who all add to the charm of this novel. ( I am aspiring to be Mrs Lundy when I am older).

Five stars from me!

Thank you to Chloe Cummings at One More Chapter - HarperCollins

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written, charming romance between a high-end house cleaner, Ashleigh, and an advertising executive, George, who are both recovering from trauma. I especially loved the epistolary interaction between the central couple in the first half, when they had never met but exchanged notes via crossword puzzles, and I enjoyed reading about Ashleigh's love of cleaning, home organization, and interior design.

The story references a lot of difficult material: George spent his childhood dealing with a heart condition and suffers from panic attacks in the first half of the book; and Ashleigh is slowly recovering from the sudden death of her lifelong best friend. The author manages to keep the tone light (in keeping with the cover and promotional copy - this is a rom-com!), which I appreciated. But that comes at the expense of letting the characters really grapple with their issues on the page, which meant their resulting actions sometimes felt arbitrary.

Logistically, also, the novel felt a bit adrift - Ashleigh seems to be about 24 but every other character must be at least in their early 30s, and even though the story purports to be set in New York City it feels like a smallish town in England. Like the rest of the book, this disconnect was charming and frustrating by turns.

[I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.]

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘The Life-Changing Magic of Falling In Love’ by Eve Devon is a beautifully emotional slow burn romance told in dual POV by cleaner Ashleigh and her favourite client, ad exec George. Though the two don’t meet for a large chunk of the book, they bond over a shared love of crosswords and their mutual warmth and sense of humour. Throw in a meddling elderly neighbour, British traditions, some fake dating and two matchmaking best friends who run a bakery, and that’s the recipe for a love story that’s just my cup of tea.

I really enjoyed the scenes at George’s workplace and the way he reflected on what really made him happy, and I related to his Briticisms. Ashleigh was a likeable character and the way her life story was revealed slowly throughout the novel made her incredibly interesting. Her dating disasters and inner voice were hilarious and her defence mechanisms were heartbreaking. I loved the two of them together and enjoyed their “10 Down, fairytale ending, 7,4,5”.

Giving this 4.5 stars and would recommend to fans of Elena Armas, Abby Jimenez and Falon Ballard!

I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Harper Collins, One More Chapter via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Anna Shenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read for me by author Eve Devon. Also rom com isn’t my usual choice, but the fun cover and enticing blurb was a pleasant draw to tempt me to try something new. I like the feel of connection when novels are written in first person and present tense too. I’m captivated from the start feeling devastated for Ashleigh as she struggles to overcome the loss of her best friend to a freak accident. I’m egging her on when she finds strength to move on and take a new cleaning job, which she is so proud of, where she becomes cleaner for George. The author cleverly sets the scene of bringing them together with fun crossword notes to each other. Ashleigh soon learns of George’s traits, and the fact that he loves the smell of the ocean breeze floating through his house makes her smile. I’m willing these two original unique characters on, hoping George can overcome his unsettled childhood too. I love the fine detail to description and all the believable characters as they portray the story. Endings to me are so important, the epilogue is a wonderful way of rounding everything up. This well-presented easy read, fun, rom com tale is sure to bring out many emotions as well as making you laugh. I’m so pleased I didn’t miss out.

[Lisi Bee (Beth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and lighter read despite some heavier themes. Ashleigh was once a magazine proofreader now working as a cleaner. George works in advertising, meets Ashleigh when she is assigned to clean his apartment. They're sweet, and the crossword puzzles were a nice meet-cute vehicle. I liked the touches of humor and Ashleigh had a nice level of snark. I was a little mixed on them as they were getting together initially, their face-to-face chemistry seemed clunky and it was almost as if their personalities were better expressed before they met in person. It did even out a bit after that, but I almost enjoyed their characters better when they were apart. Great supporting cast! Be warned that both characters struggle with anxiety issues, although for very different reasons, and there are a lot of instances of them dealing with and describing their anxiety and panic attacks. Their experiences with controlling their anxiety seems realistic, although the means to them resolving their anxiety issues felt a bit too formulaic (but realistic, I guess, for a rom-com). Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this story, this is my objective opinion.

[Kokechii · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars, not quite four.

I don't know how to explain the things that bothered me with this book without sounding incredibly insensitive about one certain aspect, so I'll just say that it did not sit well with me.

For the first 50% of the book I liked Ashleigh but then my focus switched over to George. Somehow I found myself falling for this George, the one that defends Ashleigh to her parents, the one that sees right through her and her insecurities and knows just the way to handle them (and her). He had me swooning a bit.

What I really liked besides George, were our side characters, from the neighbour lady to Oscar and his partner. The airport parts made me laugh out loud (although I admit that that voice message made my roll my eyes a bit, that was too cheesy even for me), as did the whole situation with George and the noodle guy, just imagining what he did, not the situation itself.

Honestly think it was a fine read - I read it while doing much travelling and it passed the time and kept me occupied.

I received and ARC from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to both NetGalley and the author.