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Finding Felix
A family wedding. A fake boyfriend. A recipe for disaster!
Singleton Dot Riley’s grandmother, Nanny Flo, is on her deathbed, surrounded by family and distraught at the thought of Dot being all alone in the world. Desperate to make Flo’s final moments happy ones, Dot invents a boyfriend – plumping in panic for her childhood friend, Felix, a firm favourite of Flo, but whom Dot hasn’t actually seen for 15 years.
But when Flo makes an unexpected recovery a few weeks before a family wedding, Dot is faced with a dilemma. Should she tell her frail grandmother that she lied and risk causing heartache and a relapse? Or should she find Felix and take him to the wedding?
Dot opts for finding Felix. But it’s not long before she discovers that finding him is the easy bit: liking him is the real challenge.
258 pages, ebook
Published August 6, 2018
209 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
August 21, 2018
It's not often that I laugh out loud when reading and even more so in public but reading this on whilst doing a 5 hour total of train travel today I had several big smiles and a few giggles. I was so engrossed that when my kindle battery ran out I had to load up the app on my phone to make sure I could find out what happened. It's that good a book.
I just really liked the characters. They are all so likeable and fully formed. I loved the premise of Dot lying to her dying grandma that she has a boyfriend and then having to firstly find him, then convince him to attend her sisters wedding and join the subterfuge. Felix is at first a little stuffy but then we find out why and I really grew to like him as he thawed out and started to enjoy life again.
It's a lovely, light-hearted book, fully of joy and a pleasure to read. I'm looking forward to reading the authors other books.
I just really liked the characters. They are all so likeable and fully formed. I loved the premise of Dot lying to her dying grandma that she has a boyfriend and then having to firstly find him, then convince him to attend her sisters wedding and join the subterfuge. Felix is at first a little stuffy but then we find out why and I really grew to like him as he thawed out and started to enjoy life again.
It's a lovely, light-hearted book, fully of joy and a pleasure to read. I'm looking forward to reading the authors other books.
April 16, 2019
I read this book right after I’ve watched To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on Netflix. And surprisingly, this book was somehow similar to that movie in terms of the “fake boyfriend” thing.
The story started with some family drama. Dot’s grandmother, Nanny Flo, was on her deathbed and only wishes one thing; and that was for her to find the person who she will be spending with for the rest of her life. Nanny Flo and her parents were worried that she will be alone after the terrible breakup she had with her ex, Alistair.
So, to assure her grandmother, Dot told a lie that became an eventful search for her childhood best friend, Felix, to ask him to be her fake boyfriend because it turned out, Nanny Flo is not going anywhere anytime soon.
After fifteen years of having no contact at all, it seems that the reunion between Dot and Felix didn’t quite went well as expected. I understand why Felix distanced himself and at first, gave Dot the cold shoulder. Putting myself on his own shoes, I would surely felt terrible too because Dot was only able to remember Felix when she needs something and on a rush to solve her supposedly small lie.
Having said that, Dot, obviously desperate to convince Felix in their little charade, truly cares for Nanny Flo's well-being. She knew that there's nothing good that comes out from lying and yet, she did exactly what she knew would make her grandmother better.
With the situation they're being in, Felix and Dot were able to rekindle the friendship they once had while Dot was able to discover old feelings she never knew she had for Felix. After all, there's still some good that happens to her little lie, right?
I like how breezy, light and funny the story was. Since I read Jo Platt’s You Are Loved the first time, I instantly fell in love with her writing and mash up details of humorous scenes she has incorporated especially with her main characters.
Though Dot was a delightful heroin, she truly didn’t stand out for me nor Felix. I wish there were more dialogue between them than Dot and her mother’s incessant phone calls who check on her and Felix all the time, or the fun-filled drama she had with her best friend, Kate. And since the story was obviously not focused on romance alone, I genuinely love how the author put a spotlight on friendship and self-acceptance which was the best takeaway I have in this story.
Still, I enjoyed this book and would still recommend it to everyone who would like to have an escape from reading heavy thriller or mind-boggling fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Jo Platt for providing me an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Full Review at Tale Out Loud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The story started with some family drama. Dot’s grandmother, Nanny Flo, was on her deathbed and only wishes one thing; and that was for her to find the person who she will be spending with for the rest of her life. Nanny Flo and her parents were worried that she will be alone after the terrible breakup she had with her ex, Alistair.
So, to assure her grandmother, Dot told a lie that became an eventful search for her childhood best friend, Felix, to ask him to be her fake boyfriend because it turned out, Nanny Flo is not going anywhere anytime soon.
After fifteen years of having no contact at all, it seems that the reunion between Dot and Felix didn’t quite went well as expected. I understand why Felix distanced himself and at first, gave Dot the cold shoulder. Putting myself on his own shoes, I would surely felt terrible too because Dot was only able to remember Felix when she needs something and on a rush to solve her supposedly small lie.
Having said that, Dot, obviously desperate to convince Felix in their little charade, truly cares for Nanny Flo's well-being. She knew that there's nothing good that comes out from lying and yet, she did exactly what she knew would make her grandmother better.
With the situation they're being in, Felix and Dot were able to rekindle the friendship they once had while Dot was able to discover old feelings she never knew she had for Felix. After all, there's still some good that happens to her little lie, right?
I like how breezy, light and funny the story was. Since I read Jo Platt’s You Are Loved the first time, I instantly fell in love with her writing and mash up details of humorous scenes she has incorporated especially with her main characters.
Though Dot was a delightful heroin, she truly didn’t stand out for me nor Felix. I wish there were more dialogue between them than Dot and her mother’s incessant phone calls who check on her and Felix all the time, or the fun-filled drama she had with her best friend, Kate. And since the story was obviously not focused on romance alone, I genuinely love how the author put a spotlight on friendship and self-acceptance which was the best takeaway I have in this story.
Still, I enjoyed this book and would still recommend it to everyone who would like to have an escape from reading heavy thriller or mind-boggling fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and Jo Platt for providing me an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Full Review at Tale Out Loud | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
December 27, 2022
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Finding Felix
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jo Platt
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romcom
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 6th August 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
Dorothy's beloved grandmother, Nanny Flo, has a severe case of pneumonia, and the doctors aren't hopeful that she will make it through. Nanny Flo's one fear is that Dorothy will be alone and as she tells Dorothy this, Dorothy did the only intrinsically thing she knew: she lied. After concocting a tale that an old beloved friend, Felix, had come back into her life after fifteen years and they were dating; Nanny Flo was overjoyed. And she was even more overjoyed when she made a full recovery, albeit a tad fragile; however, the pressure is on when Dorothy's sister Rebecca's wedding is coming up and their parents and Nanny Flo are absolutely delighted to be meeting Dorothy's beau, Felix. Now Dorothy is in a rush to find her old friend, but once found, Felix doesn't seem too overjoyed to see her.
Finding Felix: The feel-good romantic comedy of the year! literally took me two hours to read. It was such a light, warm, immersive piece. The narrative and colloquialisms is traditional with a decidedly British rom-com. There is a mild theme of body image throughout this novel, coupled with the romance and the comedy, but I found that the author, Jo Platt, rather than barrelling close mindedly into such a delicate and opinionated subject, decides to lightly embrace the issues instead, going for normalising all body types in her book, rather than body shaming.
Dorothy is such a likeable character, she's hare brained, funny, and endearing. She is nicely three dimensional, she defies equanimity in a quickly witted, captivating way. Her and Felix's relationship weaves undeniably good humour throughout the story, making the narrative immersive and enjoyable.
Felix initially is an enigma. For that reason only is why I read the book so quickly. The author depicts him as a dichotomy; past Felix, kind, caring, supportive, and present Felix, businesslike, dismissive, stoic. The mystery surrounding his inexplicable change is engaging and credible.
The novel concluded really nicely. All questions of any manner were answered, and the ending for me, was a satisfying one.
Thank you to Net Galley and Canelo for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
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↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Finding Felix
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jo Platt
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romcom
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 6th August 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5
Dorothy's beloved grandmother, Nanny Flo, has a severe case of pneumonia, and the doctors aren't hopeful that she will make it through. Nanny Flo's one fear is that Dorothy will be alone and as she tells Dorothy this, Dorothy did the only intrinsically thing she knew: she lied. After concocting a tale that an old beloved friend, Felix, had come back into her life after fifteen years and they were dating; Nanny Flo was overjoyed. And she was even more overjoyed when she made a full recovery, albeit a tad fragile; however, the pressure is on when Dorothy's sister Rebecca's wedding is coming up and their parents and Nanny Flo are absolutely delighted to be meeting Dorothy's beau, Felix. Now Dorothy is in a rush to find her old friend, but once found, Felix doesn't seem too overjoyed to see her.
Finding Felix: The feel-good romantic comedy of the year! literally took me two hours to read. It was such a light, warm, immersive piece. The narrative and colloquialisms is traditional with a decidedly British rom-com. There is a mild theme of body image throughout this novel, coupled with the romance and the comedy, but I found that the author, Jo Platt, rather than barrelling close mindedly into such a delicate and opinionated subject, decides to lightly embrace the issues instead, going for normalising all body types in her book, rather than body shaming.
Dorothy is such a likeable character, she's hare brained, funny, and endearing. She is nicely three dimensional, she defies equanimity in a quickly witted, captivating way. Her and Felix's relationship weaves undeniably good humour throughout the story, making the narrative immersive and enjoyable.
Felix initially is an enigma. For that reason only is why I read the book so quickly. The author depicts him as a dichotomy; past Felix, kind, caring, supportive, and present Felix, businesslike, dismissive, stoic. The mystery surrounding his inexplicable change is engaging and credible.
The novel concluded really nicely. All questions of any manner were answered, and the ending for me, was a satisfying one.
Thank you to Net Galley and Canelo for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
August 26, 2018
Jo Platt was one of the very first authors I reviewed for this blog; her book was 'You Are Loved' and I was so impressed that I jumped at the chance to review this one.
With her grandmother on her deathbed and Dot's single state seemingly over concerning, her granddaughter makes the foolish mistake of inventing a boyfriend to soothe the old lady. Faced with the need for a name for this figment of her imagination, in her desperation Dot uses the name of her childhood friend Felix, despite not having seen him for fifteen years ...
With Nanny Flo making a full - and surprising - recovery, her sister's wedding looming and the family expecting her to turn up with a partner, Dot decides it's time to track down Felix. Since splitting with the last man in her life and having no other romantic interest on the horizon, it would get her family off her back - wouldn't it?
What follows is fantastically funny and full of misunderstandings; a wonderful array of characters each with their own traits make this absolutely hilarious! Dot and Felix, each experiencing the aftermath of a messy break-up, find themselves not quite honest not only with each other but with others. Remaining characters all have their own things going on, creating even more enjoyment. The secrets abound in this novel, creating lots of laughs in the ensuing confusion. This is such a fun read; light-hearted with truthful undertones and sparkling all the way. Worthy of no less than five plump, glowing stars and the highest recommendation for a superb, giggle-fest which will leave the reader with a great big grin of happiness.
My thanks to publisher Canelo for my copy via NetGalley, and also for inviting me to participate in this blog tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
With her grandmother on her deathbed and Dot's single state seemingly over concerning, her granddaughter makes the foolish mistake of inventing a boyfriend to soothe the old lady. Faced with the need for a name for this figment of her imagination, in her desperation Dot uses the name of her childhood friend Felix, despite not having seen him for fifteen years ...
With Nanny Flo making a full - and surprising - recovery, her sister's wedding looming and the family expecting her to turn up with a partner, Dot decides it's time to track down Felix. Since splitting with the last man in her life and having no other romantic interest on the horizon, it would get her family off her back - wouldn't it?
What follows is fantastically funny and full of misunderstandings; a wonderful array of characters each with their own traits make this absolutely hilarious! Dot and Felix, each experiencing the aftermath of a messy break-up, find themselves not quite honest not only with each other but with others. Remaining characters all have their own things going on, creating even more enjoyment. The secrets abound in this novel, creating lots of laughs in the ensuing confusion. This is such a fun read; light-hearted with truthful undertones and sparkling all the way. Worthy of no less than five plump, glowing stars and the highest recommendation for a superb, giggle-fest which will leave the reader with a great big grin of happiness.
My thanks to publisher Canelo for my copy via NetGalley, and also for inviting me to participate in this blog tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
August 31, 2018
★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
This is all thanks to Ian Patrick -- if he hadn't tweeted about this book on Saturday, I wouldn't have heard about -- much less read -- Jo Platt's book (or Jo Platt, come to think of it). The term "romcom" just didn't seem like the kind of thing I should see coming from him. So I clicked the link, read about the blurb and decided to give it a whirl. There seemed very little chance that anyone would find a dead body, kill anyone or have to defend their lives -- which seemed like a good change of pace.
I'm glad I took the shot on this -- as you can see from the above, Dot Riley doesn't think things through too often. And it probably seemed like a good idea to assure her dying grandmother (Nanny Flo) that, no, she's not single; there's no reason to worry about her at this time -- in fact, she's dating that old friend from childhood that the whole family loved so much. But faster than you can say Norah Ephron, Nanny Flo makes a miraculous recovery -- and she credits the news about Felix for saving her life. Before she realizes it, months have slipped away and it's time for Dot's sister's wedding. Which, naturally, her boyfriend will be attending with her.
Dot has a couple of choices here: come up with a lame excuse for Felix's absence; telling her family the truth, which let's be honest, would possibly kill Nanny Flo; or . . . she could track down the man she hasn't seen since they left for university and get him to go along with the story. Because of the genre, it's easy to guess which she'll go for.
She tracks him down and he agrees to go to the wedding with her. You halfway expect them to hit it off immediately, or at least think about it -- but Felix doesn't seem that interested in anything about Dot as a person; and Dot is so thrown by the ridiculousness of her request and how Felix changed (as people do) in the decade or so since she's seen him that she isn't really that capable of getting past any of that.
You can pretty much plot out the rest of the book for yourself -- but that doesn't mean that Platt doesn't have a curveball or two to throw at the reader. And even the parts you do see coming are handled with such aplomb, wit and charm that you're not sitting there rolling your eyes and saying "yeah, knew that was going to happen." Rather, you grin and admire how she did it.
The key, obviously, to all this are the characters, in particular, Dot. Platt gives us a great group of characters -- whether around for a few paragraphs or for the entire book. Dot's a mess of a character. But in a good way -- she's tardy, she's impulsive, she's frequently unintentionally thoughtless, and she has an uncanny ability to ruin any encouragement she tries to give anyone by poor word choice. But she's got a big heart and great taste in friends. Thankfully, she's got a good sister and an equally good best friend/business partner who can keep her from mucking everything up too badly.
Felix is . . . Felix is a good character, too. I don't think I can say much more without spoiling some of the work Platt did in revealing him. So we'll move on to . . . Dot's mother? She tries really, really, really hard not to meddle in her daughter's lives. Well, she thinks she does, anyway. She loves them, and wants the best for them -- and will do everything she can to make sure that her daughter's do what they need to do get their lives to work out for the best (whether or not that's what her daughters actually want).
Dot's father is a hidden gem -- possibly the most valuable player here. He's funny, he's put-upon, he's the voice of reason (and humor) working to prevent her mother's emotional excesses from steamrolling their daughters and their daughter's significant others.
The relationships that Dot has with her sister and partner -- and their husbands -- are just great. I'd have easily enjoyed another 80-100 pages of filler conversations between any of them and Dot just to enjoy their interactions. They are cozy, fun, and honest in the way you only can be with those closest to you.
This was silly, it was earnest, it was sweet, it was fun -- I laughed out loud a couple of times, and even when I didn't do that, I appreciated the humor. If you're willing to buy into the conceit and genre (and I know some of you who wouldn't be), I can assure you -- you'll have a good time.
Oh, yeah, and there are no killings, attempted killings or lesser crimes committed at all. It's good to remember that you don't need any of that to get a good story.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
‘Head buried in the sand,’ she said. ‘Typical Dot.’
I frowned but didn’t feel able to challenge the statement. I knew she had a point. My tendency to refuse to confront personal challenges and consider their consequences until my nose was pressed up against them was undeniable. In my defence, it was an approach that on the whole seemed to work reasonably well. It cut down considerably on the amount of time spent worrying and stressing about things, and, nine times out of ten, a last-minute fix was just as good as a lengthy, considered and, in my opinion, tortured approach.
However, like it or not, I had to admit that this was not one of those times. This was definitely the one in ten.
This is all thanks to Ian Patrick -- if he hadn't tweeted about this book on Saturday, I wouldn't have heard about -- much less read -- Jo Platt's book (or Jo Platt, come to think of it). The term "romcom" just didn't seem like the kind of thing I should see coming from him. So I clicked the link, read about the blurb and decided to give it a whirl. There seemed very little chance that anyone would find a dead body, kill anyone or have to defend their lives -- which seemed like a good change of pace.
I'm glad I took the shot on this -- as you can see from the above, Dot Riley doesn't think things through too often. And it probably seemed like a good idea to assure her dying grandmother (Nanny Flo) that, no, she's not single; there's no reason to worry about her at this time -- in fact, she's dating that old friend from childhood that the whole family loved so much. But faster than you can say Norah Ephron, Nanny Flo makes a miraculous recovery -- and she credits the news about Felix for saving her life. Before she realizes it, months have slipped away and it's time for Dot's sister's wedding. Which, naturally, her boyfriend will be attending with her.
Dot has a couple of choices here: come up with a lame excuse for Felix's absence; telling her family the truth, which let's be honest, would possibly kill Nanny Flo; or . . . she could track down the man she hasn't seen since they left for university and get him to go along with the story. Because of the genre, it's easy to guess which she'll go for.
She tracks him down and he agrees to go to the wedding with her. You halfway expect them to hit it off immediately, or at least think about it -- but Felix doesn't seem that interested in anything about Dot as a person; and Dot is so thrown by the ridiculousness of her request and how Felix changed (as people do) in the decade or so since she's seen him that she isn't really that capable of getting past any of that.
You can pretty much plot out the rest of the book for yourself -- but that doesn't mean that Platt doesn't have a curveball or two to throw at the reader. And even the parts you do see coming are handled with such aplomb, wit and charm that you're not sitting there rolling your eyes and saying "yeah, knew that was going to happen." Rather, you grin and admire how she did it.
The key, obviously, to all this are the characters, in particular, Dot. Platt gives us a great group of characters -- whether around for a few paragraphs or for the entire book. Dot's a mess of a character. But in a good way -- she's tardy, she's impulsive, she's frequently unintentionally thoughtless, and she has an uncanny ability to ruin any encouragement she tries to give anyone by poor word choice. But she's got a big heart and great taste in friends. Thankfully, she's got a good sister and an equally good best friend/business partner who can keep her from mucking everything up too badly.
Felix is . . . Felix is a good character, too. I don't think I can say much more without spoiling some of the work Platt did in revealing him. So we'll move on to . . . Dot's mother? She tries really, really, really hard not to meddle in her daughter's lives. Well, she thinks she does, anyway. She loves them, and wants the best for them -- and will do everything she can to make sure that her daughter's do what they need to do get their lives to work out for the best (whether or not that's what her daughters actually want).
Dot's father is a hidden gem -- possibly the most valuable player here. He's funny, he's put-upon, he's the voice of reason (and humor) working to prevent her mother's emotional excesses from steamrolling their daughters and their daughter's significant others.
The relationships that Dot has with her sister and partner -- and their husbands -- are just great. I'd have easily enjoyed another 80-100 pages of filler conversations between any of them and Dot just to enjoy their interactions. They are cozy, fun, and honest in the way you only can be with those closest to you.
This was silly, it was earnest, it was sweet, it was fun -- I laughed out loud a couple of times, and even when I didn't do that, I appreciated the humor. If you're willing to buy into the conceit and genre (and I know some of you who wouldn't be), I can assure you -- you'll have a good time.
Oh, yeah, and there are no killings, attempted killings or lesser crimes committed at all. It's good to remember that you don't need any of that to get a good story.
November 16, 2021
Overall I enjoyed this book, it is exactly what I wanted from a fake dating romance novel! It moves pretty quickly in the beginning and leaves little room for building the reconnection of Dot and Felix but then the book focuses heavily on the continuation of their relationship and development in their own lives. My favourite part was the ENDING, there is this scene that is mentioned when Felix and Dot are out drinking and he wheels her home in a shopping cart as teens and then WE GET AN EPILOGUE IN HIS PERSPECTIVE AND WE FIND OUT HE HAS LOVED HER THIS WHOLE TIME SINCE THEY WERE KIDS. I am in love with the ending and how the book ties everything together. My only complaint is DOT NEEDS TO VOCALIZE HER FEELINGS geez. But either way, a fun read with two characters who make sense for each other and that makes me happy. Also lots of pregnancies from side characters that kinda don’t make sense to the main plot but good for them. Did this book make me yell at the main character multiple times? Yes. Was the ex drama way to much? Yes. Where there to many side character details? Yes. Should Dot and Felix spent more time actually together? Probably. Overall, did I enjoy the book? Yes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2020
I love the premise of this book. It is reminiscent of The Wedding Date or What Happens in Vegas. Unfortunately, it really missed the mark. It was so dull, I found it difficult to finish. The fake boyfriend scenarios that usually ensue with this kind of plot were hardly there. In fact, the two main characters weren't together that often nor were they pretending to date in front of her family but one night out of the whole book. The story mainly focused on two 36-year-old adults who are too afraid to admit their actual feelings for each other the entire book and instead, focus on the problems they have with their exes. I don't care about their ex drama. I was under the impression this book was about Dot and Felix falling in love, not Dot and Alistair and Felix and Beattie. There was just no character development whatsoever nor did we even know much about their exes so why were they the main topic of all Dot and Felix's conversations together? Some plot points I was anticipating an explanation for were forgotten and never spoken of again leaving me wanting so much more from this book.
August 18, 2018
Dot is single when her beloved grandmother is on her deathbed and worried about how Dot will cope alone and that she might be lonely so Dot lies to her and tells her that she is seeing her childhood friend Felix. When her grandmother then rallies in time for a family wedding Dot is in trouble...... she hasn't seen Felix in years can she get in touch and persuade him to go along with her lie or will she have to admit all to her grandmother and really disappoint her?
A great light hearted fun book, easy reading with lovely characters and plenty of humour so perfect summer breach read
A great light hearted fun book, easy reading with lovely characters and plenty of humour so perfect summer breach read
June 16, 2020
Really adorable novel! I couldn’t put it down.
September 1, 2018
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately but this has been the perfect book to bring me back out of it. From the start I could just tell that I was going to love Finding Felix, it’s the kind of situation that I could totally see myself in, letting a situation run away from me and getting myself in a bit of a pickle over it.
It was such an entertaining book, there were a few moments that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud to and lots of moments that I could relate to. It is a light-hearted book and there is, of course, some romance but actually the bits that stood out the most for me were the interactions between Dot and her friends and family.
The relationship between Dot, her sister Becca, and her mother was great, even though her mother was overbearing at times and drove Dot up the wall a little bit it was lovely to read about a solid family unit that knew and accepted each other's flaws. The friendship between Dot and Kate was also wonderful, they are such contrasting personalities but they work so well together. I also admired the fact that there were no fighting women in this, I’ve noticed that some romances tend to play women off against each other but this book has none of that.
Dot was such a fun character, if she were real we would be fast friends, a bit ditzy but also the kind of character that brings a lot of life to the book. Towards the end there were a few points that I felt like she maybe should have learned a little bit from her actions, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment in any way.
I liked Felix best when he started to open up a little, I can totally see why he was more reserved at the beginning but I felt like I couldn’t really warm up to him and Dot maybe becoming something when he was so uptight. Nanny Flo was also a gem, she always made me smile with her amusing and cheeky lines.
Finding Felix is a delightful book that I was engrossed in whilst reading and one that I was looking forward to getting stuck back into any time I put it down. This is one that I would definitely recommend and I’m looking forward to checking out some more of Jo Platt’s work.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
It was such an entertaining book, there were a few moments that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud to and lots of moments that I could relate to. It is a light-hearted book and there is, of course, some romance but actually the bits that stood out the most for me were the interactions between Dot and her friends and family.
The relationship between Dot, her sister Becca, and her mother was great, even though her mother was overbearing at times and drove Dot up the wall a little bit it was lovely to read about a solid family unit that knew and accepted each other's flaws. The friendship between Dot and Kate was also wonderful, they are such contrasting personalities but they work so well together. I also admired the fact that there were no fighting women in this, I’ve noticed that some romances tend to play women off against each other but this book has none of that.
Dot was such a fun character, if she were real we would be fast friends, a bit ditzy but also the kind of character that brings a lot of life to the book. Towards the end there were a few points that I felt like she maybe should have learned a little bit from her actions, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment in any way.
I liked Felix best when he started to open up a little, I can totally see why he was more reserved at the beginning but I felt like I couldn’t really warm up to him and Dot maybe becoming something when he was so uptight. Nanny Flo was also a gem, she always made me smile with her amusing and cheeky lines.
Finding Felix is a delightful book that I was engrossed in whilst reading and one that I was looking forward to getting stuck back into any time I put it down. This is one that I would definitely recommend and I’m looking forward to checking out some more of Jo Platt’s work.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
October 24, 2018
It took me a while to start reading this book but once I did, I couldn’t put it down.
Nanny Flo is dying and one of her greatest disappointments is that her granddaughter, Dot, is single at 36. To enable Nanny Flo to die happily, Dot tells her family that she has been seeing a boy who was her best friend throughout childhood, Felix Davis, who Dot has unfortunately not seen for about 15 years.
But when Nanny Flo doesn’t die, things get out of hand when Dot’s family start asking questions about Felix and wanting him to be invited to a family wedding.
Dot is a fantastic character and could have easily become annoying but the author has done a cracking job in making her into someone that you’d actually love to be friends with – maybe not someone that you would seek advice from – but a lovely woman.
At first it is hard to imagine how Felix and Dot had been such good friends in the past as he seems really uptight and unlikeable but as his character develops and Felix relaxes, it becomes more understandable.
This is of course, a predictable book but the journey is so fun and enjoyable with plenty of funny moments and not just from the two main characters. Dot’s mother is exactly how I imagine I’m going to be in a few more years and of course, Nanny Flo is a dream.
Nanny Flo is dying and one of her greatest disappointments is that her granddaughter, Dot, is single at 36. To enable Nanny Flo to die happily, Dot tells her family that she has been seeing a boy who was her best friend throughout childhood, Felix Davis, who Dot has unfortunately not seen for about 15 years.
But when Nanny Flo doesn’t die, things get out of hand when Dot’s family start asking questions about Felix and wanting him to be invited to a family wedding.
Dot is a fantastic character and could have easily become annoying but the author has done a cracking job in making her into someone that you’d actually love to be friends with – maybe not someone that you would seek advice from – but a lovely woman.
At first it is hard to imagine how Felix and Dot had been such good friends in the past as he seems really uptight and unlikeable but as his character develops and Felix relaxes, it becomes more understandable.
This is of course, a predictable book but the journey is so fun and enjoyable with plenty of funny moments and not just from the two main characters. Dot’s mother is exactly how I imagine I’m going to be in a few more years and of course, Nanny Flo is a dream.
August 27, 2018
Like all the best romantic comedy, this story starts with a dilemma that forces the well-meaning heroine to do anything to achieve the desired end, regardless of the consequences for herself. Dot wants to make her dying grandmother's wish come true and so plucks a friend out of her past and turns him into her fantasy boyfriend. Not unsurprisingly her well-intentioned lie comes back to haunt her when her grandmother rallies and wants to see the mystery boyfriend for herself.
Full of misunderstanding, which provides the story's humour and an undeniable wake-up call for Dot that Felix, in reality, is not how she remembered him. There's something there though, and despite the opportunity to extricate herself from the lie, she doesn't. An excellent supporting cast of believable characters adds depth to the story, which like all good romcoms ends happily.
Sophisticated romantic comedy that's fun to read and guaranteed to make you laugh.
I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 28, 2018
I found that that this was the type of book I could not put down and re-read the ending, which is always a sign that I have really enjoyed the story. I thought that the range of characters all added something to the story, especially Nanny Flo. This is such a likeable story with a warm and feel-good air about it. I also enjoyed the fact that you kind of knew what the back-story was going to be, but that it was still a surprise when it was unveiled in the prologue.
Felix himself is a bit of a riddle and it is only as the story progresses that you come to realise what his feelings are. My most favourite character of course is Dot, who seems to let her sub-conscious self take charge at all the key moments. She is funny and yet wears her heart on her sleeve for all those who care to notice it. For a light hearted and yet enjoyable read, this cannot be beaten. I will definitely search out some more by Jo Platt.
In short: A romcom with heart.
Thanks to Canelo for a copy of the book.
Felix himself is a bit of a riddle and it is only as the story progresses that you come to realise what his feelings are. My most favourite character of course is Dot, who seems to let her sub-conscious self take charge at all the key moments. She is funny and yet wears her heart on her sleeve for all those who care to notice it. For a light hearted and yet enjoyable read, this cannot be beaten. I will definitely search out some more by Jo Platt.
In short: A romcom with heart.
Thanks to Canelo for a copy of the book.
August 31, 2018
This is the second book I've read by Jo Platt (You Are Loved was the first - which I loved!), and it didn't disappoint. Like others have said, I didn't take to Felix at first, and I do wish he'd opened up a bit more than he did, but he opened up enough for me to like him, and his behaviour is explained. I loved Dot - what a great character. And her mother was entertaining, if somewhat annoying. Perhaps she could have been toned down a bit. I don't think we ever met Lynda from the office, but she had a role to play too. Unless I missed it the Gwyneth/Beattie mix-up wasn't explained, and also, not much was said about the letters / postcards going astray. I did find it a bit odd that considering Felix and Dot were so close when they were young, that they lost touch for over 15 years. If they cared that much surely they'd have followed up, even if letters / postcards weren't replied to. Well-written, great characters, funny, romantic, nostalgic - I'm sorry to have finished this book.
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2024
If you need a fun read for a weekend/ holiday/ reprieve from life, this is a good option. I'd say more a 3.5 than 4 but I'm rounding up as it's better than many others I've read since. I enjoyed its light and amusing tone and storyline. It's a by the numbers romance/ chick lit that has been done well.
I'll save any synopsis as the publisher does well enough (they're not overselling and under delivering). Protagonist Dot has a few flaws, but all slightly endearing. Then there's the encouraging best friend/ work colleague and the sister who make sure Dot (and thus the story) gets into gear. Felix is a likeable love interest - I'll note with pleasure that he's not some super rich rescuer for once - who's fleshed out enough to make you enjoy scenes he's in and want more of them. The only character I disliked was the mother, but I guess that was the point of her.
My only real disappointment with this was that it ended when it did. For once I wish that the author had given us a few more chapters of the Dot/ Felix story.
I'll save any synopsis as the publisher does well enough (they're not overselling and under delivering). Protagonist Dot has a few flaws, but all slightly endearing. Then there's the encouraging best friend/ work colleague and the sister who make sure Dot (and thus the story) gets into gear. Felix is a likeable love interest - I'll note with pleasure that he's not some super rich rescuer for once - who's fleshed out enough to make you enjoy scenes he's in and want more of them. The only character I disliked was the mother, but I guess that was the point of her.
My only real disappointment with this was that it ended when it did. For once I wish that the author had given us a few more chapters of the Dot/ Felix story.
February 28, 2019
3.0 stars
Cute. Very light read. Childhood bff's who lose touch at uni and reconnect in their mid 30's.
Felix was the chubby, disheveled kid everyone loved and he and Dot were inseparable. But then college happened and the contact was severed. 15 or so years on, Dot is in for a bit of a shock when she reaches out and sees him again - in more ways than one.
Things don't get off great, but it turns out a misunderstanding is the culprit in their long estrangement. Unwitting selfishness on Dot's part and Felix's anger further complicate things. However, once they get past the hurt feelings, they resume their friendship. They are both rebounding from bad breakups so a romance isn't in the cards. The pair are engaged in a deception that has good intentions but gets a little out of hand at times. Still, they realise the truth about what they are to one another and all's well that ends well.
Good 'waiting room' or lazy day read.
Cute. Very light read. Childhood bff's who lose touch at uni and reconnect in their mid 30's.
Felix was the chubby, disheveled kid everyone loved and he and Dot were inseparable. But then college happened and the contact was severed. 15 or so years on, Dot is in for a bit of a shock when she reaches out and sees him again - in more ways than one.
Things don't get off great, but it turns out a misunderstanding is the culprit in their long estrangement. Unwitting selfishness on Dot's part and Felix's anger further complicate things. However, once they get past the hurt feelings, they resume their friendship. They are both rebounding from bad breakups so a romance isn't in the cards. The pair are engaged in a deception that has good intentions but gets a little out of hand at times. Still, they realise the truth about what they are to one another and all's well that ends well.
Good 'waiting room' or lazy day read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2018
Yes, another great book from Jo Platt. This is the second one I have read, reviewed and taken part in the blog tour for after You Are Loved. Here's my review of that on my blog:
https://katherinesbookuniverse.wordpr...
Finding Felix book follows Dorothy (Dot) whose grandmother Flo is seriously ill with pneumonia as she visits her in hospital. All Flo wants is Dot's happiness in life and love. She invents a boyfriend who is really Felix, a friend she hasn't seen for 15 years. What Dot and her family don't expect is for Flo to recover.
Can she keep her lie going or should she come clean about Felix? She decides to track him down but the guy from the past is all different now.
Will things work for them? What will happen when they see each other again?
Jo Platt writes a brilliant witty true-to-life page turner with realistic characters and I really liked Dot.
Thanks to Jo Platt and Canelo for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
https://katherinesbookuniverse.wordpr...
Finding Felix book follows Dorothy (Dot) whose grandmother Flo is seriously ill with pneumonia as she visits her in hospital. All Flo wants is Dot's happiness in life and love. She invents a boyfriend who is really Felix, a friend she hasn't seen for 15 years. What Dot and her family don't expect is for Flo to recover.
Can she keep her lie going or should she come clean about Felix? She decides to track him down but the guy from the past is all different now.
Will things work for them? What will happen when they see each other again?
Jo Platt writes a brilliant witty true-to-life page turner with realistic characters and I really liked Dot.
Thanks to Jo Platt and Canelo for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
May 9, 2025
This was such a refreshing read from my last romance reads. Felix and Dorothy are adorable together.
I did hate how much everyone kept going on about how Felix used to be big. Literally everyone. I would HATE if everyone wouldn’t shut up about my weight if I suddenly lost it. Like, how unthoughtful and cruel! It’s dropping another star because of that.
Also…Dorothy is so so so bad at facing her fears and talking to people. She says literally the wrong thing every single time her mouth opens! I understand how she got into the mess which provoked Felix having to come to Becca’s wedding, but the fact she couldn’t tell her family it was over..?! Like, seriously…COME ON. It’s not that hard to just say “we’re over”!!
I did hate how much everyone kept going on about how Felix used to be big. Literally everyone. I would HATE if everyone wouldn’t shut up about my weight if I suddenly lost it. Like, how unthoughtful and cruel! It’s dropping another star because of that.
Also…Dorothy is so so so bad at facing her fears and talking to people. She says literally the wrong thing every single time her mouth opens! I understand how she got into the mess which provoked Felix having to come to Becca’s wedding, but the fact she couldn’t tell her family it was over..?! Like, seriously…COME ON. It’s not that hard to just say “we’re over”!!
August 15, 2018
3.5 stars. This is the first Jo Platt book I have read and I really enjoyed it as a light weekend read. The story was quite cute but I would have loved to have been given a little more in terms of Felix and Dot’s back story. Clearly they were close friends as youngsters but I think the story would have been enhanced with more insights into their friendship.
All additional characters were really likeable- particularly Dots colleague as well as her mum. Highly recommend as a light beach read!
Looking forward to reading more from this author. Thanks kindly to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
All additional characters were really likeable- particularly Dots colleague as well as her mum. Highly recommend as a light beach read!
Looking forward to reading more from this author. Thanks kindly to Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 11, 2018
Laugh out loud hilarious
This isn’t my first rodeo with Ms Platt. I adore her books and we must be very much on the same wavelength with regards to humour. So I knew I would enjoy the story but didn’t realise how much I would absolutely love all of the characters. Then there was the humour... I can’t remember laughing - the kind of belly ache, can’t finish a sentence with out bursting into laughter again - like that in so so long. ‘Deidre from Coronation Street’ - no joke, took me about 15 minutes to read those few sentences. So thank you Jo for your genius writing, story telling and laughter. As with all of your books I will look forward to reading this again
This isn’t my first rodeo with Ms Platt. I adore her books and we must be very much on the same wavelength with regards to humour. So I knew I would enjoy the story but didn’t realise how much I would absolutely love all of the characters. Then there was the humour... I can’t remember laughing - the kind of belly ache, can’t finish a sentence with out bursting into laughter again - like that in so so long. ‘Deidre from Coronation Street’ - no joke, took me about 15 minutes to read those few sentences. So thank you Jo for your genius writing, story telling and laughter. As with all of your books I will look forward to reading this again
October 12, 2018
Finding Felix is a romantic comedy. It opens with two best friends meeting up before they leave home for university. Dot and Felix have been friends since they were seven.
Roll forward eighteen years. Dot’s Grandmother is seriously ill; hoping to make Nanny Flo happy, Dot says that Felix is her current boyfriend. Thankfully Nanny Flo recovers, but Dot is stuck in an awkward lie which escalates when she’s expected to bring Felix to her sister’s wedding. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bMf
Roll forward eighteen years. Dot’s Grandmother is seriously ill; hoping to make Nanny Flo happy, Dot says that Felix is her current boyfriend. Thankfully Nanny Flo recovers, but Dot is stuck in an awkward lie which escalates when she’s expected to bring Felix to her sister’s wedding. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bMf
November 18, 2024
Hold on because I really liked this book and this story and these characters but WYM the climax was just "oops there was a miscommunication!" the romcom trope to end all romcom tropes when there was a carrot-and-stick about missing letters the entire book?? I was waiting for it to come out that Alistair had intercepted them but the mystery had no solution and the reason Felix and Dot didn't get together was just Felix assuming Dot and Alistair got back together and didn't clarify? End scene?
I still liked this book but what a disappointment :(
I still liked this book but what a disappointment :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2023
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read from start to finish. Fast-paced, no lingering descriptions or wildly long-winded tangents like a previous book I attempted (different author). The protagonist is likeable, witty, and very relatable and therefore a joy to follow on her journey. Highly recommend if you need a break between overly-serious novels. I didn't want to stop reading this! It made me laugh and cry - a wee bit! I'm going to look out for more by Jo Platt.
May 30, 2025
It's a basic romantic story. Storylines based on lies and then "not being able to set it right due to communication issues" are always a bit difficult to endure.
And then continuing to lie after being caught and therefore ending up in even more uncomfortable situations - even more difficult.
This is followed by instances of talking past each other in a way convenient-to-stretch-the-story. Difficult.
Without all that it had the potential to be at least fully pleasant to read. Too bad.
And then continuing to lie after being caught and therefore ending up in even more uncomfortable situations - even more difficult.
This is followed by instances of talking past each other in a way convenient-to-stretch-the-story. Difficult.
Without all that it had the potential to be at least fully pleasant to read. Too bad.
August 13, 2025
It took me a while to get through this short book because I didn’t like the first impression of Felix’s character as an adult. It felt disappointing.
However I persevered and while the book still didn’t grab my attention, I’m glad I finished it- the last chapter was a memory and it was sweet to read.
I feel like this book would be a better movie? Or perhaps needs more character development and story to be a bigger book. It felt chopped short and lacking.
However I persevered and while the book still didn’t grab my attention, I’m glad I finished it- the last chapter was a memory and it was sweet to read.
I feel like this book would be a better movie? Or perhaps needs more character development and story to be a bigger book. It felt chopped short and lacking.
September 17, 2018
A sweet book which although predictable was an absorbing and amusing read. A wide range of characters with a huge amount of dialogue between Dot and her overbearing mum.
Good interactions between Dot and Felix make this story rattle along and the mix ups and non verbal clues will have you feeling frustrated that the messages just aren’t getting across to the star struck pair!
A fun read 3.75*
Good interactions between Dot and Felix make this story rattle along and the mix ups and non verbal clues will have you feeling frustrated that the messages just aren’t getting across to the star struck pair!
A fun read 3.75*
January 9, 2019
Delightfully sweet, goofy story with a lot of time focused on love in friendships as well as romance. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot, though toward the end the miscommunication got to be a little too dramatic for me. Still, I laughed out loud several times to the point my husband felt the need to ask repeatedly what was so funny. 4½ stars
October 23, 2019
Found this really compelling despite the fact that I found it impossible to believe that anyone would really tell and compound lies in the way Dot did, or that anyone like her mum would truly exist in real life, or in the number of misunderstandings between Dot and Felix. Looking at what I've written you'd think I'd give it a lower rating, but despite all those issues I really enjoyed it.
April 19, 2020
Perfectly easy Sunday read
I read this in one sitting and wore a goofy, little grin the entire time. Fans of Bridget Jones will be enchanted by the ever relatable Dot as she wades through complications, misunderstandings, and her own insecurities as she tries to work through her feelings. Although it’s a rather predictable romance, I still found myself rooting for our heroine
I read this in one sitting and wore a goofy, little grin the entire time. Fans of Bridget Jones will be enchanted by the ever relatable Dot as she wades through complications, misunderstandings, and her own insecurities as she tries to work through her feelings. Although it’s a rather predictable romance, I still found myself rooting for our heroine
March 16, 2021
Audiobook: This book was beautifully written and warmed my heart. So many laugh out loud moments and beautiful ending. A few closure moments missing that left me wondering “what happened there?” But regardless, I felt warm and light when finished. Beautifully narrated too! Voices were great and made the story even better.
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