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The A to Z of Us
Can love ever be as easy as abc?
If you want to know the A-Z of love then it starts with Alice and ends with Zach.
Alice is a self-confessed cynic when it comes to love. She’s never had a serious relationship herself and after supporting her best friend through a devastating break-up, she’s not about to let down her barriers anytime soon. Relationships always end badly.
Zach is a romantic. Even after his parents got divorced, he still believed in love and is eager to settle down and have a family of his own. He just hasn’t met The One yet.
After a chance meet-cute at an art gallery, Zach is immediately intrigued by Alice and realising their names bookend the alphabet suggests that their next date needs to begin with a B. Alice agrees to one date while Zach is determined to make her believe in love. But can love ever be as easy as abc?
A fun and feel-good romantic comedy with dating as you’ve never seen it before, for anyone who’s missed Happy Hour drink dates and meet-cutes in real life. Fans of Sophie Cousens, Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Ranald won’t be able to put down this heart-warming page-turner.
If you want to know the A-Z of love then it starts with Alice and ends with Zach.
Alice is a self-confessed cynic when it comes to love. She’s never had a serious relationship herself and after supporting her best friend through a devastating break-up, she’s not about to let down her barriers anytime soon. Relationships always end badly.
Zach is a romantic. Even after his parents got divorced, he still believed in love and is eager to settle down and have a family of his own. He just hasn’t met The One yet.
After a chance meet-cute at an art gallery, Zach is immediately intrigued by Alice and realising their names bookend the alphabet suggests that their next date needs to begin with a B. Alice agrees to one date while Zach is determined to make her believe in love. But can love ever be as easy as abc?
A fun and feel-good romantic comedy with dating as you’ve never seen it before, for anyone who’s missed Happy Hour drink dates and meet-cutes in real life. Fans of Sophie Cousens, Mhairi McFarlane and Sophie Ranald won’t be able to put down this heart-warming page-turner.
304 pages, ebook
Published June 11, 2021
59 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Doyle
9 books68 followersHannah is a bestselling author of feel good fiction. THE PICK UP is her fourth novel. She's also written The Year of Saying Yes, Just My Type and The A to Z of Us.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 10, 2023
I quickly fell in love with this book because of the quirky nature of the romance. I loved the concept of two people randomly meeting and there being an instant connection. Starting with a “meet-cute” at an art gallery, I felt invested in the relationship between Alice and Zach, desperate to see the happy ever after that the cover anticipates.
So, as you might have guessed, there are twenty-six chapters in this book. Each one is a date that begins with the next letter of the alphabet. And for those smug ones out there, let me reassure you that chapter twenty-six does not take place in a zoo! I loved how creative Doyle is with the date themes and locations; each time I thought I could guess what was coming and instead, Doyle takes us on a far more interesting date. To be honest, I thought I should use this as inspiration for real life! These dates were definitely a big appealing part of the story.
Yet, I did fall out of love with the plot because it felt so slow. I wanted a bit more romance, to be honest, and thought that Zach was far too nice for Alice. For a lot of the story, he is forced to tiptoe around Alice for fear of upsetting her. This is not in any way meant to be sinister, but I did get a bit fed up with Alice’s antics. Amongst her friends, she has the nickname of ‘The Bolter’ because she does not settle down to relationships. Alice has a personal rule to not be with someone beyond three dates – which she makes explicitly clear to poor, old Zach. This kind of sets the tone for the rest of the book because it is evident that the feelings are largely one-sided. Zach is quickly invested in his connection with Alice, believing her to be ‘the one’. On the other hand, Alice remains reserved, aloof and almost determined not be happy.
I understood why Alice felt this way. The writer gives both us and Zach an insight into her past and why she tries to keep others at a distance. But with happiness clearly staring her right in the face, I wanted there to be more of a balanced display of feelings, rather than seeing Zach hold in what he truly wants to say. He knows Alice does not feel the same way as he does at the time, which is fair, but I was frustrated by his need to be more closed off to keep her happy. It makes Alice seem more spoiled and like a child having tantrums.
Furthermore, there is a bit of a sub-plot that connects Zach, Alice and Zach’s ex. I thought this would be continued throughout the story but it really only features in a couple of chapters. In my opinion, this could have helped rock the boat a bit more, especially as Alice is working for Zach’s ex girlfriend. Instead, this is more forgotten about as Alice and Zach’s dates continue, which I think was why I felt a bit bored by the narrative.
I loved the premise but thought it started to get a bit repetitive. Whilst the dates are unique and not what I was expecting, the content and declaration of feelings felt too similar throughout. It’s not often I say this, but I thought this romance read could have been more romantic and gushy… although there is always a point when this can be too much. It’s a great idea for a story but I think Alice’s behaviours ruined Zach’s romantic journey for me.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, as you might have guessed, there are twenty-six chapters in this book. Each one is a date that begins with the next letter of the alphabet. And for those smug ones out there, let me reassure you that chapter twenty-six does not take place in a zoo! I loved how creative Doyle is with the date themes and locations; each time I thought I could guess what was coming and instead, Doyle takes us on a far more interesting date. To be honest, I thought I should use this as inspiration for real life! These dates were definitely a big appealing part of the story.
Yet, I did fall out of love with the plot because it felt so slow. I wanted a bit more romance, to be honest, and thought that Zach was far too nice for Alice. For a lot of the story, he is forced to tiptoe around Alice for fear of upsetting her. This is not in any way meant to be sinister, but I did get a bit fed up with Alice’s antics. Amongst her friends, she has the nickname of ‘The Bolter’ because she does not settle down to relationships. Alice has a personal rule to not be with someone beyond three dates – which she makes explicitly clear to poor, old Zach. This kind of sets the tone for the rest of the book because it is evident that the feelings are largely one-sided. Zach is quickly invested in his connection with Alice, believing her to be ‘the one’. On the other hand, Alice remains reserved, aloof and almost determined not be happy.
I understood why Alice felt this way. The writer gives both us and Zach an insight into her past and why she tries to keep others at a distance. But with happiness clearly staring her right in the face, I wanted there to be more of a balanced display of feelings, rather than seeing Zach hold in what he truly wants to say. He knows Alice does not feel the same way as he does at the time, which is fair, but I was frustrated by his need to be more closed off to keep her happy. It makes Alice seem more spoiled and like a child having tantrums.
Furthermore, there is a bit of a sub-plot that connects Zach, Alice and Zach’s ex. I thought this would be continued throughout the story but it really only features in a couple of chapters. In my opinion, this could have helped rock the boat a bit more, especially as Alice is working for Zach’s ex girlfriend. Instead, this is more forgotten about as Alice and Zach’s dates continue, which I think was why I felt a bit bored by the narrative.
I loved the premise but thought it started to get a bit repetitive. Whilst the dates are unique and not what I was expecting, the content and declaration of feelings felt too similar throughout. It’s not often I say this, but I thought this romance read could have been more romantic and gushy… although there is always a point when this can be too much. It’s a great idea for a story but I think Alice’s behaviours ruined Zach’s romantic journey for me.
With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 24, 2021
I'm upset I didn't enjoy this book as I thought I would. The premise is the sweetest thing - Alice is a florist and a cynic when it comes to love. Zach is an artist and a hopeless romantic. They meet in an art gallery after Zach's first exhibition, and since their names are from A to Z, they decide to go on a sequence of dates inspired by the Alphabet. Swoon, right?
Unfortunately, the execution really let me down. I understand this is supposed to be a feel-good book, but the lack of drama translated into a lack of plot. I mean, there were some fights/misunderstandings but they were more annoying than actual character development. The story didn't go anywhere, and it really missed the mark in creating that push and pull tension you need from a good romance.
Alice was very immature for her age and Zach was petulant at times. Overall, even though there were some cute moments, I couldn't connect with the main characters. Their relationship had no spark, and I was honestly bored during a big part of it.
Thank you HQ for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, the execution really let me down. I understand this is supposed to be a feel-good book, but the lack of drama translated into a lack of plot. I mean, there were some fights/misunderstandings but they were more annoying than actual character development. The story didn't go anywhere, and it really missed the mark in creating that push and pull tension you need from a good romance.
Alice was very immature for her age and Zach was petulant at times. Overall, even though there were some cute moments, I couldn't connect with the main characters. Their relationship had no spark, and I was honestly bored during a big part of it.
Thank you HQ for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2021
I absolutely loved The A to Z of Us!
It all felt so real to me. The feelings and struggles were all so realistic and I really felt for both Alice and Zach.
The A-Z dates they went on were the cutest & most wholesome idea, and each of the dates were funny in their own way.
I definitely recommend The A to Z of Us if you’re looking for a sweet romance book to read!
It all felt so real to me. The feelings and struggles were all so realistic and I really felt for both Alice and Zach.
The A-Z dates they went on were the cutest & most wholesome idea, and each of the dates were funny in their own way.
I definitely recommend The A to Z of Us if you’re looking for a sweet romance book to read!
June 17, 2021
I throughly enjoyed this sweet book. It was an interesting idea and I loved finding out what was going to happen. So pleased it was a happy ending. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review
June 2, 2021
I was given an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I really wanted to like this book. I thought the premise was really cute - an interesting meet-cute, a series of alphabet-inspired dates, and a story of a commitment-phobe and the hopeless romantic that comes along and changes everything for her.
This book had everything to make for a good rom-com read, but it felt really lacking. There was no chemistry or spark between the two leads, and everything felt forced. There was hardly any conflict, and while I understand that that was the point, it felt a bit flat. Real relationships are not sensationalized or full of drama but deal with complex emotions and people in different stages of their lives. The conflict comes from not knowing if the relationship is what you want, if you are on the same page, if you want the same things, and while I can appreciate what the author was trying to do here, it didn't work for me.
I found Alice to be incredibly immature, especially for someone who was almost 30 and owned their own business and I found Zach to be clingy and petulant when things didn't go his way. There was a whole mess of insecurity in both of them that likely needed to be unpacked before they got into a relationship with each other. This book just wasn't a good fit for me.
I really wanted to like this book. I thought the premise was really cute - an interesting meet-cute, a series of alphabet-inspired dates, and a story of a commitment-phobe and the hopeless romantic that comes along and changes everything for her.
This book had everything to make for a good rom-com read, but it felt really lacking. There was no chemistry or spark between the two leads, and everything felt forced. There was hardly any conflict, and while I understand that that was the point, it felt a bit flat. Real relationships are not sensationalized or full of drama but deal with complex emotions and people in different stages of their lives. The conflict comes from not knowing if the relationship is what you want, if you are on the same page, if you want the same things, and while I can appreciate what the author was trying to do here, it didn't work for me.
I found Alice to be incredibly immature, especially for someone who was almost 30 and owned their own business and I found Zach to be clingy and petulant when things didn't go his way. There was a whole mess of insecurity in both of them that likely needed to be unpacked before they got into a relationship with each other. This book just wasn't a good fit for me.
November 10, 2021
I love a book that makes me snort, and it was like I had my own personal farm when I was reading this. Alice has no intention of ever getting hurt from a relationship, so she has a three-date rule, then she ends it. Or she did until she met Zach, who is quite a romantic guy. After managing to insult Zach, they end up going for a coffee. He persuades her to begin an alphabet date night as her name begins with A and his Z. Each, in turn, takes the following alphabet letter and arranges a date with it. And so it begins.
It is brilliant any time of the year read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The pair are very different and yet perfect for each other too. Alice and Zach’s banter had me in stitches, and I loved how unusual some of the dates were. From rock climbing to digging in her allotment, it was well thought out and fun.
I enjoyed how inventive the author was with the places they went to, and how each date played out. Friends and family play a big part in the story too. I liked too that not every date was a success and that they didn’t always see eye to eye. It is about taking chances and loving what you have had and could have in the future and, moving forward. A great pick me up story.
I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.
It is brilliant any time of the year read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The pair are very different and yet perfect for each other too. Alice and Zach’s banter had me in stitches, and I loved how unusual some of the dates were. From rock climbing to digging in her allotment, it was well thought out and fun.
I enjoyed how inventive the author was with the places they went to, and how each date played out. Friends and family play a big part in the story too. I liked too that not every date was a success and that they didn’t always see eye to eye. It is about taking chances and loving what you have had and could have in the future and, moving forward. A great pick me up story.
I wish to thank the publisher and Net Galley for an e-copy of this book, which I have reviewed honestly.
September 19, 2021
Alice and Zach have a chance meeting and they decide to have 26 dates as they date through the alphabet.
A great easy read of two people who have a different perspective when it comes to love and romance.
A great easy read of two people who have a different perspective when it comes to love and romance.
June 14, 2021
"This is exactly why you should never fall in love, I remind myself. It opens you up to all kinds of emotional distress."
This book left me very divided.
I LOVED the idea behind it. Zach is a romantic in love with love. He meets Alice, a little cynic and happily single, at his art exhibition and invites her out. Not just once. One date for each of the alphabet letters. An adorable meet cute that had the potential to be the amazing book I was looking forward to.
But. Yes, there is a but. Something didn't click.
I didn't love the characters, especially Alice. She becomes annoying with her meltdowns over nothing, at one point I wanted to jump into the book and shake her. Or, well, tell her I would happily go out with Zach because she didn't deserve him.
I found the drama a little underwhelming, all linked to Alice's bursts of craziness rather than real obstacles to be overcome.
One thing I really didn't like is
Overall a cute story but also a little too long, with some parts that were dragging. An easy read for summer.
"You can't pick and choose when life-changing things happen to you."
[Many thanks to Netgallery and and HQ Digital for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.]
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Questo libro mi ha lasciato molto divisa.
Ho amato l'idea di fondo. Zach è un romantico innamorato dell'amore. Incontra Alice, felicemente single e un po' cinica, ad una sua esibizione d'arte e si innamora a prima vista di lei. Zach chiede ad Alice di uscire, ma non solo una volta. La invita fuori con l'idea di organizzare un appuntamento per ogni lettera dell'alfabeto. Una storia adorabile che aveva molto potenziale.
Ma. Sì, c'è un ma. Mancava qualcosa.
Non mi sono innamorata perdutamente dei personaggi. Specialmente di Alice, che a lungo andare diventa quasi insopportabile con i suoi continui sbalzi d'umore e ripensamenti senza fondo. Ad un certo punto volevo entrare nel libro e scuoterla. O dirle che me lo prendevo io Zach, visto che lei non se lo meritava.
Ho trovato il dramma un po' sottotono, tutto basato sulle idee di Alice più che su veri ostacoli da superare.
Una cosa che davvero non mi è piaciuta è stato
Insomma, una storia carina ma un libro troppo lungo, con alcune parti che si sono protratte troppo. Una lettura ok per l'estate.
[Grazie a Netgallery e HQ Digital che mi hanno fornito una copia gratuita di questo libro in cambio di una recensione onesta. Tutte le opinioni sono personali.]
August 31, 2021
Big thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me this to read and review.
I’m clearly on a big romance kick this month.
I loved the idea of 26 dates and going through the alphabet one letter at a time because there names start with A and Z. I thought it was quirky, fun and cute. I absolutely loved Zach and Alice as main characters and I loved that the Author did a split POV so we get to see feelings and thoughts from both Alice and Zach.
I really enjoyed this book not just because of the main characters but also because of the side characters Ellie, Raph and Natalie. I really loved how Natalie and Alice have each other’s backs no matter what. It was heart warming to see alongside the main characters trying to get through there own problems to be able to finally come together. Overall this was a quick, flirty and fun read.
I’m clearly on a big romance kick this month.
I loved the idea of 26 dates and going through the alphabet one letter at a time because there names start with A and Z. I thought it was quirky, fun and cute. I absolutely loved Zach and Alice as main characters and I loved that the Author did a split POV so we get to see feelings and thoughts from both Alice and Zach.
I really enjoyed this book not just because of the main characters but also because of the side characters Ellie, Raph and Natalie. I really loved how Natalie and Alice have each other’s backs no matter what. It was heart warming to see alongside the main characters trying to get through there own problems to be able to finally come together. Overall this was a quick, flirty and fun read.
September 29, 2022
this was so cute that i had to stay up till basically 2am to finish lol
June 24, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet, light hearted and unique love story. A perfect summer read. Alice doesn't believe in love and doesn't get past three dates. Whereas Zach is a romantic at heart, and can't wait to meet the one. After meeting they decide to go on 26 alphabetical dates. I really loved following the A to Z of dates, a lovely concept which I might have to do myself. A chance to get out of their comfort zone, and learn more about each other. The dates alternate from both point of views so you feel connected to them both. There were sad and laugh out loud moments. Can they be together if they both want different things? The playlist added to Spotify was also a lovely touch. I can't wait to read more.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2021
This book had me laughing from literally the first paragraph. This is my first Hannah Doyle book so I did not know what to expect and was very pleasantly surprised. It was bonkers and and an all around delight. I loved both Alice and Zach from their meet cute where Zach catches and is highly amused by Alice having a conversation with herself mocking his artwork.
This book isn’t the typical romance of will they get together, it’s a story of will they stay together. So it lacked a lot of that will they won’t they tension I’ve come to expect in my romances. Each chapter revolves a different date, each chosen based on a letter of the alphabet going from A to Z (hence the name of the book). The book is dual POV with the chapters alternating between Alice and Zach.
Many aspects of this book, including a lot of the humor I think was written directly for me. The first line is literally, “There’s crap everywhere,” which is 100% something I have said. Alice carries Uno cards in her purse, which I haven’t done, but I now want to do that. The fact that Alice has an ongoing argument with a pigeon who se calls “the Big Shitter” is something me with my hatred of pigeons would have. On of their dates Zach quizzes Alice on “Notting Hill” film quotes, which hello, is my ideal date. Like I said, it’s a bit bonkers, but exactly my type or bonkers.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book isn’t the typical romance of will they get together, it’s a story of will they stay together. So it lacked a lot of that will they won’t they tension I’ve come to expect in my romances. Each chapter revolves a different date, each chosen based on a letter of the alphabet going from A to Z (hence the name of the book). The book is dual POV with the chapters alternating between Alice and Zach.
Many aspects of this book, including a lot of the humor I think was written directly for me. The first line is literally, “There’s crap everywhere,” which is 100% something I have said. Alice carries Uno cards in her purse, which I haven’t done, but I now want to do that. The fact that Alice has an ongoing argument with a pigeon who se calls “the Big Shitter” is something me with my hatred of pigeons would have. On of their dates Zach quizzes Alice on “Notting Hill” film quotes, which hello, is my ideal date. Like I said, it’s a bit bonkers, but exactly my type or bonkers.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2021
To have 26 dates, and each of them starting with another letter of the alphabet, is a really lovely idea. I would have gone on each of them myself, and I was glad that I could at least accompany Alice and Zach. Hannah Doyle just built a bit too much drama into the story, for example when Alice is hurt about things from Zachs past relationship. I really couldn't understand her way of thinking there. Unnecessary complications in my opinion.
Apart from that I liked that not everything was seen through rose-tinted spectacles, but that some dates ended different from the way they were planned.
Apart from that I liked that not everything was seen through rose-tinted spectacles, but that some dates ended different from the way they were planned.
June 10, 2021
i really wanted to like this book; the blurb sounded interesting and the whole idea of a-z dates was really great. besides, i love romance between two completely different people, so a heroine afraid of commitment and a hero who is a romantic? this got me very excited. sadly, the book did not meet any of my expectations and i ended up strongly disliking it.
i will start by saying that for me it is impossible to enjoy a romance book if there is no chemistry between the characters; if there’s no spark is this really a romance worth reading? and that was unfortunetely the case of alice and zach. i didn’t feel anything between them, no connection at all, which made it really hard to care about their relationship. adding the fact that the characters were bland, i knew after a few chapters that this book will not do it for me.
besides the boredom caused by romance, i need to say that everything between the characters was happening way too quickly. the fact that after their first meeting (that didn’t even last that long) the hero couldn’t stop thinking about the heroine or that they were crazy about each other after two dates? it wasn’t really convincing to me, especially considering the fact that the heroine was supposed to be cynical about love. at 24% it was said that they’re seeing each other/dating, at 47% they officially called themselves boyfriend and girlfriend. and maybe that wouldn’t be so bad if it was shown how their relationship was developing, but there wasn’t anything like this. we got only uninteresting dates and unnatural, prim conversations between characters, that additionally often gave me second-hand embarassment, because they tried way too much to be funny (and weren’t at all).
another thing and probably my biggest issue with this book was the hero himself. what i want to say is that he was literally obsessed with the heroine. i must say that i absolutely do love when characters are obsessed with each other, i really do, but zach did grab me in the wrong way. he gave me weird vibes and many red flags and how could i enjoy a story with a character like this? firstly, like i’ve mentioned before, he said after his first meeting with the heroine that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. at second date (when they barely talked at all) after walking her home he says that her house resembles her perfectly (it was the time that they still knew almost nothing about each other). after third date at the thought of not seeing her again he feels physical pain and is miserable. here also happens one important conversation, when heroine’s friends tell her that he’s worth her time, that he’s a great guy, ,,a catch’’. he is praised so much, only because he cared about her feelings in one scene and wasn’t an asshole. he literally did the bare minimum and was described as amazing dude after that (spoiler alert: he was not an amazing dude).
but let’s talk about other shitty things he did. example one: he caused a big, loud argument with the heroine, when her best friend wasn’t being nice to him. he was so angry and petulant, just because her friend was being too protective of her; it was ridiculous. example two: forcing heroine to do things she didn’t want to and creating drama and leaving her every time things didn’t go the way he wanted. when she wasn’t sure about moving in with him (she didn’t say no, she just wasn’t sure) he - like always - made her upset and left. so, he was not so understanding as the author wanted the reader to think. despite the fact that he knew what kind of person alice was, what her fears were, when she was not sure about taking the next big step (which did happen very quickly, because they have only been dating for a few weeks) he way always like ,,me and my love for you are not enough, will never be enough, we want different things’’ etc etc. he knew what he was getting himself into since the beginning, he knew how alice was, it was stated that he was so in love with her, but he sure as hell didn’t care about not pressuring her. he didn’t even try to compromise in any way, which was really infuriating. this is not what ,,great guys’’ do, sorry.
having said what i wanted, i’ll just state that this book not only didn’t meet my expectations, but also make me really angry and annoyed. i would not recommend it.
- i received a complimentary copy of this book from HQ. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
i will start by saying that for me it is impossible to enjoy a romance book if there is no chemistry between the characters; if there’s no spark is this really a romance worth reading? and that was unfortunetely the case of alice and zach. i didn’t feel anything between them, no connection at all, which made it really hard to care about their relationship. adding the fact that the characters were bland, i knew after a few chapters that this book will not do it for me.
besides the boredom caused by romance, i need to say that everything between the characters was happening way too quickly. the fact that after their first meeting (that didn’t even last that long) the hero couldn’t stop thinking about the heroine or that they were crazy about each other after two dates? it wasn’t really convincing to me, especially considering the fact that the heroine was supposed to be cynical about love. at 24% it was said that they’re seeing each other/dating, at 47% they officially called themselves boyfriend and girlfriend. and maybe that wouldn’t be so bad if it was shown how their relationship was developing, but there wasn’t anything like this. we got only uninteresting dates and unnatural, prim conversations between characters, that additionally often gave me second-hand embarassment, because they tried way too much to be funny (and weren’t at all).
another thing and probably my biggest issue with this book was the hero himself. what i want to say is that he was literally obsessed with the heroine. i must say that i absolutely do love when characters are obsessed with each other, i really do, but zach did grab me in the wrong way. he gave me weird vibes and many red flags and how could i enjoy a story with a character like this? firstly, like i’ve mentioned before, he said after his first meeting with the heroine that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. at second date (when they barely talked at all) after walking her home he says that her house resembles her perfectly (it was the time that they still knew almost nothing about each other). after third date at the thought of not seeing her again he feels physical pain and is miserable. here also happens one important conversation, when heroine’s friends tell her that he’s worth her time, that he’s a great guy, ,,a catch’’. he is praised so much, only because he cared about her feelings in one scene and wasn’t an asshole. he literally did the bare minimum and was described as amazing dude after that (spoiler alert: he was not an amazing dude).
but let’s talk about other shitty things he did. example one: he caused a big, loud argument with the heroine, when her best friend wasn’t being nice to him. he was so angry and petulant, just because her friend was being too protective of her; it was ridiculous. example two: forcing heroine to do things she didn’t want to and creating drama and leaving her every time things didn’t go the way he wanted. when she wasn’t sure about moving in with him (she didn’t say no, she just wasn’t sure) he - like always - made her upset and left. so, he was not so understanding as the author wanted the reader to think. despite the fact that he knew what kind of person alice was, what her fears were, when she was not sure about taking the next big step (which did happen very quickly, because they have only been dating for a few weeks) he way always like ,,me and my love for you are not enough, will never be enough, we want different things’’ etc etc. he knew what he was getting himself into since the beginning, he knew how alice was, it was stated that he was so in love with her, but he sure as hell didn’t care about not pressuring her. he didn’t even try to compromise in any way, which was really infuriating. this is not what ,,great guys’’ do, sorry.
having said what i wanted, i’ll just state that this book not only didn’t meet my expectations, but also make me really angry and annoyed. i would not recommend it.
- i received a complimentary copy of this book from HQ. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 5, 2022
thank you to HQ & NetGalley for a proof of this book (which has taken me almost a year to get round to - oops!)
The A to Z of Us follows Alice, a 29-year-old florist and hater of love and Zach, an artist and romantic. After a chance encounter at one of Zach’s art exhibitions, the pair instantly hit it off. Since their names have A and Z initials they decide to go on dates in alphabetical order (Art exhibition, book club, comedy show, dog walk, etc…). It’s not as smooth sailing as expected though, as Alice and Zach have to deal with their own pasts and clashes in personality.
I thought this was fab, it was the perfect balance of a cute and wholesome romance with some more serious themes like grief and divorce, plus plenty of friendship drama too.
I think this was exactly what I needed at the moment. The characters felt so real and it all tied up so well. That ending was exactly what I hoped for after rooting for Alice and Zach the whole way through. 100% recommend !!!
The A to Z of Us follows Alice, a 29-year-old florist and hater of love and Zach, an artist and romantic. After a chance encounter at one of Zach’s art exhibitions, the pair instantly hit it off. Since their names have A and Z initials they decide to go on dates in alphabetical order (Art exhibition, book club, comedy show, dog walk, etc…). It’s not as smooth sailing as expected though, as Alice and Zach have to deal with their own pasts and clashes in personality.
I thought this was fab, it was the perfect balance of a cute and wholesome romance with some more serious themes like grief and divorce, plus plenty of friendship drama too.
I think this was exactly what I needed at the moment. The characters felt so real and it all tied up so well. That ending was exactly what I hoped for after rooting for Alice and Zach the whole way through. 100% recommend !!!
June 11, 2021
This book was so cute! By the end I was totally in love! At first I was a little nervous if I was going to like it because it jumps straight into Date A and how the main characters/love interests meet. I almost wanted a little more background to begin with, but as I kept reading you get the background for both of them and fall in love with them as they fall for each other. Super super cute!
Thank you netgalley and HQ digital for letting me read this ebook.
Thank you netgalley and HQ digital for letting me read this ebook.
August 21, 2021
I really liked the premise of this book. Cynic Alice and romantic Zach go on dates following the alphabet.
Unfortunately I didn't like the characters and was bored by the slow plot. Yes, there are a few misunderstandings that keep the story going, but they are nothing that helps character development.
Unfortunately I didn't like the characters and was bored by the slow plot. Yes, there are a few misunderstandings that keep the story going, but they are nothing that helps character development.
September 5, 2021
Really enjoyed the concept of this book and how it was alphabet themed, would have been 4 stars but I found the main character annoying to read about at parts and dis have to push through reading at about halfway because of this
June 12, 2024
This was a really wholesome, lovely story of falling in love intertwined the trials and tribulations of navigating friendships, jealousy and painful pasts together.
February 23, 2025
i'm so here for nothern english representation in romance!!! loved this
June 6, 2021
I really do not know how to formulate this review. I have this weird feeling it could be all-over-the-place. So, I am going to try to keep a, somewhat, organized method to this madness.
This is not the book's/Author's fault. This is completely a "me" issue.
I began this book a few weeks ago and then a personal crisis struck...I got my 2nd vaccine shot...and then something akin to a Mid-life crisis struck me, in a good and bad way. Then I simply did not want to read anything, at all. Just wanted to think and contemplate my life. Concentrate on harder issues and flimsier issues, but also not be distracted. My choice was sound because I knew once I returned to the book/Author, I would be better at absorbing what I was reading.
Tricks of the trade in becoming a Better and Competent reader and reviewer. When you know you "mood" read, best not to read when your mood's in the shitter.
This is one of those perfectly quaint Summer Read books. Ones readers need that can be a soft palate cleanse because everything else you pick up to devour is just...pissing you off.
I love the way in which this book is told. I love how easily these two main characters, Alice and Zach, kind of live and breathe off the pages. They feel so comfortable and real. I love how funny and compatible they are with one another. Their scenes were, or, really, became a breathe of fresh air.
Sometimes you wonder why authors create characters because whatever choice they've made to drive or run their Plot becomes mired in something outside of their creation. I see tons and tons of Authors writing content that never makes any sense. Especially these days when you want Authors to stand for something important... equality, diversity, inclusion, fairness...a bunch of decisions made prior to the book even beginning. Too many Authors, lately, are losing sight of just what they meant to convey when they began writing and editing, and what is leftover is some garbled mess of nothing special.
A reader assumes, going in cold, that what is told to them in PR hype... or even in the Summary of what they are up against...then why is what is inside this book in my hands never matching what was promised outside?
I never assumed anything about this book. Not because of the blurb. Not because of the Title or Cover. Even the Author, Hannah Doyle, is new to me. I strolled in pretty blindly and was not disappointed.
What Hannah Doyle gives a reader is something far greater...a gentle understanding about what makes story, character and purpose in a great Plot an incredible gift to voracious readers like me.
This is not an inventive Plot. It's 26 dates to represent 26-letters of the Alphabet. Simple. Easy.
But Hannah Doyle does so much with very little that you keep on pushing through because every page improves upon discovery and, eventually... my god, you come to know and like her MCs and then you are now solidly invested in their emotions and feelings as they become a couple.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention there were a few times I was gently taken "out" of the story. This is merely because I am an American, not born in the UK so there are some Pop Culture references [some personal life "mentions" like snacks/food in childhood] in here that go over my head. A quick Google search helps me out.
But, never fear, not once did it truly exit me out-of-the book, because Hannah Doyle allowed her characters to create an atmosphere, within their dialogue where I never "lost the Plot", ya' know? Sometimes I was fully aware of what was happening Across the Pond so I was able to correlate it inside my fragile brain.
Alice and Zach are close enough to my age, but they are a generation behind me, but every single thing they connected on was a part of my 20s, when they were teens. I am a Gen-Xer...but I still know what they were conversing about, at times. Others, I needed some Internet help.
Why I am mentioning it is because I am not profoundly taking away ANY ratings because it's a UK World and I was never a part of it. As a 35+yr Romance Reader, I have been privileged to read from many wonderful UK, Australian and Asian writers.
Hannah Doyle did enough in her awesome writing ability to make me feel like I could relate because she gave Alice and Zach an ease in relate-ability and such a great ease in dialogue.
My obvious favorite of this book is really ALL THE DIALOGUE. This was a serious master-class in how Dialogue can be an Author's friend. Not just an ease in conversation, but also Alice and Zach are BOTH such adorable, hilarious people and together they tend to crack one another up;I could not stop smiling or chuckling with every conversation they had during their Alpha-dates.
And it's there right in the book. Hannah Doyle didn't have to force feed it to me. I saw proof a dozen or more times.
Alice and Zach also...they have weird moments of miscommunication but then... something incredible happens where Alice or Zach... or whomever feels like they messed up the night before, during their "dates", THEY HAVE REAL and TOUGH ADULT CONVERSATIONS... about feelings and emotional baggage and... They talk the hard stuff out and come to a new level of being closer. I loved seeing this in their story.
And I like that Hannah Doyle felt comfortable enough with her audience to trust them to bear witness to some... adult struggling. It's funny, as a kid, you think Adults have it easy and you strain and yearn to BE AN ADULT, so badly. Life isn't bullshit like it is in high school... and with dumb boyfriends & crazy girlfriends and stupid, stubborn parents...
But, yeah, ADULT-ing never gets ANY easier when you get older...20s, 30s, 40s,etc. Goal posts change in life but everything is almost the same because caricature people in our daily lives never seem to change. Eh, things become more and more serious, but only if you allow it.
I also enjoyed how we alternated the Alphabet Dates, but also the variety of chosen dates was always out-of-nowhere--so everything was new and fascinating how it would unfold. Alice got to choose one, Zach could decide the next... and then they kept going. And both where inventive and creative enough to not make it so dull.
Hannah Doyle knew, somehow, to not make the "dates" formulaic to every other Romance Book out there. So these moments between them sometimes had such a deeper meaning, at times. This was wonderful and made every next chapter joyful... because the reader wants to know, "what's next?". Great sign of a smart writer.
At some points in this book, as a reader, one begins to become invested in Alice and Zach. In some books, one may find they side with the woman...others side with the man. But, once in an odd-while...an ingenious writer can have the science of their story and characters down so perfectly that you "root" for BOTH of them... and then you want them together.
I cannot recall the exact moment when sex is on the table, as a couple, but this is all Closed-Door/Off-Book sex. And this was refreshing for me. Mainly because... well, it gave me a better ability to focus on Hannah Doyle's wonderful writing and equally interesting characters. Sex was never so important that it factored in to why they had bigger issues to deal with.
Maybe I should start to explain, before I lose my crazy-train-of-thought... why I did not give this 5-stars. I sound like I am giving this amazing glowing review the book deserves and maybe I am making it too glowing for a 4-rating...
So, yeah... some things did cause me to grow a bit frustrated.
Mainly, it had to do with Alice. But it's not anything against her as an MC of this book and half of the main couple. It is just certain choices made where had they not been done... eh, maybe the book would look, and read, a little different, in subtle ways.
Like I said...Alice and Zach have emotional baggage, as we all do. But WOW, was Alice a hardcore person I was not expecting. So what I feel happened in my disconnect with her was... she had become so "set in her ways"... while she did budge on some issues--like her 3-date rule of thumb w/men... there were times she would not allow for certain issues to DIE a SLOW DEATH and move on. It's like the bee in the pretty bonnet she cannot get rid of.
Alice has really big issues in her life and she allows them to cloud her thinking to a point where... man, Zach pleading his cases to her, time and time again... my heart broke for him.
Zach ended up proving to me he was "in" this relationship, full-on, with Alice, by any means he could do it. And he wanted to work with her and compromise but not sacrifice himself. While it did show me how much he wanted Alice, no bones about it... it also was, like, "Dude, She's just not THAT into you. Move on. Better fish in the sea and all that muck.".
I think I have a soft-spot for men in Romance books, especially when they show to not be Cookie Cutter Alpha males. I lean heavily in masculine-directions in my own personal life...and, sometimes I don't cut many women I know a break. I have seen the good and bad people of both sexes but sheesh...there was something about Zach that sounded more like "me".
Even though I like both Alice and Zach, I tended to fall on my sword for Zach, because Alice wouldn't... or couldn't-didn't want to, almost? Sometimes heavily refused to because she DID NOT WANT MESSY DRAMA in her life. And, I "hear" this so often in my own head... Alice had me in her grip but then she would lose me, utterly and completely.
There is an EX in Zach's life... and his break-up is fresh. I mean days-to-mere-hours fresh when he meet-cutes Alice. The Ex really played Zach for all he was worth... especially as an already insecure guy who doesn't have a lot of experience in love/relationships.
Small Towns/Villages exist everywhere... so, yeah, The EX comes back into Zach's life... and, of course, chooses Alice as part of her Wedding Planning scenario [Alice is a florist]...but my deal is...
By this time, Alice knows Zach...better than she will know her stranger client who is Zach's EX...and still, Alice instantly chooses to side more with the woman who broke Zach's heart than side with Zach. And it really rankled me.
Not only because...wow, once you hear the story of what his EX did to him... how he was duped...a fool in love, as he loves with his heart on his sleeve...somehow Alice just erased days of knowing Zach against an instant "like" of a new client. And the Ex was a pretty shitty girlfriend who could not, would not ever get over her prior Ex... as she is now engaged to HIM [the EX she was never OVER and also still w/while with Zach??] and now, she is trying to get back in contact to Zach... like, huh? For what purpose? To rub YOUR HAPPINESS in his face?
And then Alice would tend to throw up walls and roadblocks, using the circumstances w/the Ex and the past break-up as a means of holding Zach's feet to the fire. It became tiresome and petty. Because, to me, what you never want to do is choose sides right off the bat. Remember there are TWO SIDES to every story and, maybe even 3... His & Hers and then The Truth.
It was such a horrible way to treat this new guy who has never shown any kind of duplicity... that suddenly, with the first sign of "clay feet"... every negative idea of a man shoots into the brain and Zach is now BAD DUDE Numero Uno...and never is cut any slack.
Alice knew Zach was horrible with loving too early/too soon... he's horrifically shy, quiet and insecure... and yet, she kept holding HIM responsible for EVERYTHING. I just... I understand Alice had hang-ups and baggage in her own dating life.. but my god...until it settled inside of Alice's head, on her own...it was so very frustrating to watch Zach have to endure the unwarranted ridicule.
There's a couple more incidents where Alice just abandons all trust in Zach to side with certain people and I really saw a kind of inability to cooperate...or even her disassociating with hearing ANY "side" from Zach... because any words out of his mouth would make him WRONG, automatically.
And then... there were moments Alice blew my mind, because she finally [possibly?] began to "read the room" a bit better...and she would put herself OUT THERE, like she had never done before. Because...wow, by the ending, it's so clear to readers this couple is IN IT... together... in some schmaltzy, cheesy Forever-kinda way. And it is okay but also spectacularly wonderful...
Oof, I now feel like I have to end this in some manner, because if I don't stop at a point then it really will make one wonder why I did not give this 5-stars, all the way...but eh, I will certainly be checking out Hannah Doyle's future projects and her, I believe, prior novels [2? maybe?] because I feel like this is an Author I can trust with my whole heart as a Romance Reader.
She actually delivers the "goods" and then so much more...the extra bits we beg some of our favorite writers to give us, time and time again, but really don't because of "reasons".
I won't easily forget this pleasure of a read, nor Alice or Zach...so thank you, Hannah Doyle, for making my come-back to reading such an extraordinary and charming moment I will always remember fondly.
**I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This is not the book's/Author's fault. This is completely a "me" issue.
I began this book a few weeks ago and then a personal crisis struck...I got my 2nd vaccine shot...and then something akin to a Mid-life crisis struck me, in a good and bad way. Then I simply did not want to read anything, at all. Just wanted to think and contemplate my life. Concentrate on harder issues and flimsier issues, but also not be distracted. My choice was sound because I knew once I returned to the book/Author, I would be better at absorbing what I was reading.
Tricks of the trade in becoming a Better and Competent reader and reviewer. When you know you "mood" read, best not to read when your mood's in the shitter.
This is one of those perfectly quaint Summer Read books. Ones readers need that can be a soft palate cleanse because everything else you pick up to devour is just...pissing you off.
I love the way in which this book is told. I love how easily these two main characters, Alice and Zach, kind of live and breathe off the pages. They feel so comfortable and real. I love how funny and compatible they are with one another. Their scenes were, or, really, became a breathe of fresh air.
Sometimes you wonder why authors create characters because whatever choice they've made to drive or run their Plot becomes mired in something outside of their creation. I see tons and tons of Authors writing content that never makes any sense. Especially these days when you want Authors to stand for something important... equality, diversity, inclusion, fairness...a bunch of decisions made prior to the book even beginning. Too many Authors, lately, are losing sight of just what they meant to convey when they began writing and editing, and what is leftover is some garbled mess of nothing special.
A reader assumes, going in cold, that what is told to them in PR hype... or even in the Summary of what they are up against...then why is what is inside this book in my hands never matching what was promised outside?
I never assumed anything about this book. Not because of the blurb. Not because of the Title or Cover. Even the Author, Hannah Doyle, is new to me. I strolled in pretty blindly and was not disappointed.
What Hannah Doyle gives a reader is something far greater...a gentle understanding about what makes story, character and purpose in a great Plot an incredible gift to voracious readers like me.
This is not an inventive Plot. It's 26 dates to represent 26-letters of the Alphabet. Simple. Easy.
But Hannah Doyle does so much with very little that you keep on pushing through because every page improves upon discovery and, eventually... my god, you come to know and like her MCs and then you are now solidly invested in their emotions and feelings as they become a couple.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention there were a few times I was gently taken "out" of the story. This is merely because I am an American, not born in the UK so there are some Pop Culture references [some personal life "mentions" like snacks/food in childhood] in here that go over my head. A quick Google search helps me out.
But, never fear, not once did it truly exit me out-of-the book, because Hannah Doyle allowed her characters to create an atmosphere, within their dialogue where I never "lost the Plot", ya' know? Sometimes I was fully aware of what was happening Across the Pond so I was able to correlate it inside my fragile brain.
Alice and Zach are close enough to my age, but they are a generation behind me, but every single thing they connected on was a part of my 20s, when they were teens. I am a Gen-Xer...but I still know what they were conversing about, at times. Others, I needed some Internet help.
Why I am mentioning it is because I am not profoundly taking away ANY ratings because it's a UK World and I was never a part of it. As a 35+yr Romance Reader, I have been privileged to read from many wonderful UK, Australian and Asian writers.
Hannah Doyle did enough in her awesome writing ability to make me feel like I could relate because she gave Alice and Zach an ease in relate-ability and such a great ease in dialogue.
My obvious favorite of this book is really ALL THE DIALOGUE. This was a serious master-class in how Dialogue can be an Author's friend. Not just an ease in conversation, but also Alice and Zach are BOTH such adorable, hilarious people and together they tend to crack one another up;I could not stop smiling or chuckling with every conversation they had during their Alpha-dates.
And it's there right in the book. Hannah Doyle didn't have to force feed it to me. I saw proof a dozen or more times.
Alice and Zach also...they have weird moments of miscommunication but then... something incredible happens where Alice or Zach... or whomever feels like they messed up the night before, during their "dates", THEY HAVE REAL and TOUGH ADULT CONVERSATIONS... about feelings and emotional baggage and... They talk the hard stuff out and come to a new level of being closer. I loved seeing this in their story.
And I like that Hannah Doyle felt comfortable enough with her audience to trust them to bear witness to some... adult struggling. It's funny, as a kid, you think Adults have it easy and you strain and yearn to BE AN ADULT, so badly. Life isn't bullshit like it is in high school... and with dumb boyfriends & crazy girlfriends and stupid, stubborn parents...
But, yeah, ADULT-ing never gets ANY easier when you get older...20s, 30s, 40s,etc. Goal posts change in life but everything is almost the same because caricature people in our daily lives never seem to change. Eh, things become more and more serious, but only if you allow it.
I also enjoyed how we alternated the Alphabet Dates, but also the variety of chosen dates was always out-of-nowhere--so everything was new and fascinating how it would unfold. Alice got to choose one, Zach could decide the next... and then they kept going. And both where inventive and creative enough to not make it so dull.
Hannah Doyle knew, somehow, to not make the "dates" formulaic to every other Romance Book out there. So these moments between them sometimes had such a deeper meaning, at times. This was wonderful and made every next chapter joyful... because the reader wants to know, "what's next?". Great sign of a smart writer.
At some points in this book, as a reader, one begins to become invested in Alice and Zach. In some books, one may find they side with the woman...others side with the man. But, once in an odd-while...an ingenious writer can have the science of their story and characters down so perfectly that you "root" for BOTH of them... and then you want them together.
I cannot recall the exact moment when sex is on the table, as a couple, but this is all Closed-Door/Off-Book sex. And this was refreshing for me. Mainly because... well, it gave me a better ability to focus on Hannah Doyle's wonderful writing and equally interesting characters. Sex was never so important that it factored in to why they had bigger issues to deal with.
Maybe I should start to explain, before I lose my crazy-train-of-thought... why I did not give this 5-stars. I sound like I am giving this amazing glowing review the book deserves and maybe I am making it too glowing for a 4-rating...
So, yeah... some things did cause me to grow a bit frustrated.
Mainly, it had to do with Alice. But it's not anything against her as an MC of this book and half of the main couple. It is just certain choices made where had they not been done... eh, maybe the book would look, and read, a little different, in subtle ways.
Like I said...Alice and Zach have emotional baggage, as we all do. But WOW, was Alice a hardcore person I was not expecting. So what I feel happened in my disconnect with her was... she had become so "set in her ways"... while she did budge on some issues--like her 3-date rule of thumb w/men... there were times she would not allow for certain issues to DIE a SLOW DEATH and move on. It's like the bee in the pretty bonnet she cannot get rid of.
Alice has really big issues in her life and she allows them to cloud her thinking to a point where... man, Zach pleading his cases to her, time and time again... my heart broke for him.
Zach ended up proving to me he was "in" this relationship, full-on, with Alice, by any means he could do it. And he wanted to work with her and compromise but not sacrifice himself. While it did show me how much he wanted Alice, no bones about it... it also was, like, "Dude, She's just not THAT into you. Move on. Better fish in the sea and all that muck.".
I think I have a soft-spot for men in Romance books, especially when they show to not be Cookie Cutter Alpha males. I lean heavily in masculine-directions in my own personal life...and, sometimes I don't cut many women I know a break. I have seen the good and bad people of both sexes but sheesh...there was something about Zach that sounded more like "me".
Even though I like both Alice and Zach, I tended to fall on my sword for Zach, because Alice wouldn't... or couldn't-didn't want to, almost? Sometimes heavily refused to because she DID NOT WANT MESSY DRAMA in her life. And, I "hear" this so often in my own head... Alice had me in her grip but then she would lose me, utterly and completely.
There is an EX in Zach's life... and his break-up is fresh. I mean days-to-mere-hours fresh when he meet-cutes Alice. The Ex really played Zach for all he was worth... especially as an already insecure guy who doesn't have a lot of experience in love/relationships.
Small Towns/Villages exist everywhere... so, yeah, The EX comes back into Zach's life... and, of course, chooses Alice as part of her Wedding Planning scenario [Alice is a florist]...but my deal is...
By this time, Alice knows Zach...better than she will know her stranger client who is Zach's EX...and still, Alice instantly chooses to side more with the woman who broke Zach's heart than side with Zach. And it really rankled me.
Not only because...wow, once you hear the story of what his EX did to him... how he was duped...a fool in love, as he loves with his heart on his sleeve...somehow Alice just erased days of knowing Zach against an instant "like" of a new client. And the Ex was a pretty shitty girlfriend who could not, would not ever get over her prior Ex... as she is now engaged to HIM [the EX she was never OVER and also still w/while with Zach??] and now, she is trying to get back in contact to Zach... like, huh? For what purpose? To rub YOUR HAPPINESS in his face?
And then Alice would tend to throw up walls and roadblocks, using the circumstances w/the Ex and the past break-up as a means of holding Zach's feet to the fire. It became tiresome and petty. Because, to me, what you never want to do is choose sides right off the bat. Remember there are TWO SIDES to every story and, maybe even 3... His & Hers and then The Truth.
It was such a horrible way to treat this new guy who has never shown any kind of duplicity... that suddenly, with the first sign of "clay feet"... every negative idea of a man shoots into the brain and Zach is now BAD DUDE Numero Uno...and never is cut any slack.
Alice knew Zach was horrible with loving too early/too soon... he's horrifically shy, quiet and insecure... and yet, she kept holding HIM responsible for EVERYTHING. I just... I understand Alice had hang-ups and baggage in her own dating life.. but my god...until it settled inside of Alice's head, on her own...it was so very frustrating to watch Zach have to endure the unwarranted ridicule.
There's a couple more incidents where Alice just abandons all trust in Zach to side with certain people and I really saw a kind of inability to cooperate...or even her disassociating with hearing ANY "side" from Zach... because any words out of his mouth would make him WRONG, automatically.
And then... there were moments Alice blew my mind, because she finally [possibly?] began to "read the room" a bit better...and she would put herself OUT THERE, like she had never done before. Because...wow, by the ending, it's so clear to readers this couple is IN IT... together... in some schmaltzy, cheesy Forever-kinda way. And it is okay but also spectacularly wonderful...
Oof, I now feel like I have to end this in some manner, because if I don't stop at a point then it really will make one wonder why I did not give this 5-stars, all the way...but eh, I will certainly be checking out Hannah Doyle's future projects and her, I believe, prior novels [2? maybe?] because I feel like this is an Author I can trust with my whole heart as a Romance Reader.
She actually delivers the "goods" and then so much more...the extra bits we beg some of our favorite writers to give us, time and time again, but really don't because of "reasons".
I won't easily forget this pleasure of a read, nor Alice or Zach...so thank you, Hannah Doyle, for making my come-back to reading such an extraordinary and charming moment I will always remember fondly.
**I received this e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
April 18, 2021
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The A to Z of Us by Hannah Doyle is a cute, fluffy romantic comedy perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. The story revolves around Alice, a cynic who doesn't believe in love, and Zach, a romantic. Since their names begin with A and Z, they decide to embark on an A to Z adventure and go on dates that follow the letters of the alphabet. Here is an excerpt from Chapter One, when Alice first meets Zach at an art gallery:
"'And then she said something about ragu and the Amalfi Coast and earth red. I mean, talk about pretentious. It was a black square. It was even called 'Black Square'! Want to hear the best bit? It cost four hundred and fifty quid! The artist must be laughing all the way to the bank. I could literally have painted that myself,' I snort.
It dawns on me that the man on the bar stool next to mine has been listening for some time, his deep green eyes looking at me intently.
That's interesting, because 'Black Square' was inspired by the Amalfi Coast. My family are Italian,' he says.
I'm confused. Who is this absolute snack next to me?
'I don't think we've met,' he smiles, holding out a hand. 'I'm Zach and this is my exhibition.'"
Although I typically read fantasy and thrillers, sometimes, I need a break from more heavy topics and intense books. I picked up The A to Z of Us in between some "deeper" reads, and it was just what I needed. After reading about the dark sides of humanity, I realized that I wanted something funny and romantic. The A to Z of Us fulfilled my need for a light-hearted read. I did take off one star though, because after the novelty of the concept of the alphabetical dates wore off, the book started to lose steam. Neither the romance nor the humor maintained my interest. Although it's not the best book I ever read, I did enjoy reading it, and I highly recommend it for all fans of rom-coms.
Overall, The A to Z of Us by Hannah Doyle is a perfectly fine romantic comedy. If you're looking for a break between more intense reads like I was, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in June!
The A to Z of Us by Hannah Doyle is a cute, fluffy romantic comedy perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella. The story revolves around Alice, a cynic who doesn't believe in love, and Zach, a romantic. Since their names begin with A and Z, they decide to embark on an A to Z adventure and go on dates that follow the letters of the alphabet. Here is an excerpt from Chapter One, when Alice first meets Zach at an art gallery:
"'And then she said something about ragu and the Amalfi Coast and earth red. I mean, talk about pretentious. It was a black square. It was even called 'Black Square'! Want to hear the best bit? It cost four hundred and fifty quid! The artist must be laughing all the way to the bank. I could literally have painted that myself,' I snort.
It dawns on me that the man on the bar stool next to mine has been listening for some time, his deep green eyes looking at me intently.
That's interesting, because 'Black Square' was inspired by the Amalfi Coast. My family are Italian,' he says.
I'm confused. Who is this absolute snack next to me?
'I don't think we've met,' he smiles, holding out a hand. 'I'm Zach and this is my exhibition.'"
Although I typically read fantasy and thrillers, sometimes, I need a break from more heavy topics and intense books. I picked up The A to Z of Us in between some "deeper" reads, and it was just what I needed. After reading about the dark sides of humanity, I realized that I wanted something funny and romantic. The A to Z of Us fulfilled my need for a light-hearted read. I did take off one star though, because after the novelty of the concept of the alphabetical dates wore off, the book started to lose steam. Neither the romance nor the humor maintained my interest. Although it's not the best book I ever read, I did enjoy reading it, and I highly recommend it for all fans of rom-coms.
Overall, The A to Z of Us by Hannah Doyle is a perfectly fine romantic comedy. If you're looking for a break between more intense reads like I was, you won't regret checking out this book when it comes out in June!
July 5, 2021
Thank you to the publisher HQ for providing me with an arc copy of this book via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion.
The A to Z of Us was a bit of a random find on NetGalley when I was scrolling through one day, but I am so glad that something about it caught my eye. I don't think that I would have ever picked this book up on my own, but I am pleased that I did.
I really liked the two main characters in The A to Z of Us, and they balanced each other out nicely. None of the drama between the two of them felt too forced or conceived; it all felt as if you were watching a relationship play out in real-time. I adored Alice as a character because she knew what she wanted, but she was open to having her mind changed by Zach, which I really appreciated. I also loved Alice's friend Natalie and would love a spin-off about her and path to love after the growth that you see in her throughout the book.
I think that the concept of The A to Z of Us was really original and I really like that. We only focused on the 26 dates that Alice and Zach go on throughout the book and don't cover any of the mundane day-to-day life events that may occur. While I liked this, I would have loved to have just seen a little bit more of them individually because it made their relationship seem like Insta-love at times because we didn't get to see any of the background work that had been laid down and any of who they are without the other.
The only other thing that I didn't like was the final conflict between the characters. It didn't really feel as if there was any conflict as all the items argued about had already been brought up and worked through. I would have much prefered there have been something original in terms of the book because this just felt a little bit boring, especially the direction that Hannah Doyle could have taken the book in.
Overall The A to Z of Us is a cute summer read that had a nice plot but didn't really provide me with any excitement. However, if you are looking for a nice, easy contemporary romance, I recommend picking it up as it is pretty fast-paced and does flow nicely.
The A to Z of Us was a bit of a random find on NetGalley when I was scrolling through one day, but I am so glad that something about it caught my eye. I don't think that I would have ever picked this book up on my own, but I am pleased that I did.
I really liked the two main characters in The A to Z of Us, and they balanced each other out nicely. None of the drama between the two of them felt too forced or conceived; it all felt as if you were watching a relationship play out in real-time. I adored Alice as a character because she knew what she wanted, but she was open to having her mind changed by Zach, which I really appreciated. I also loved Alice's friend Natalie and would love a spin-off about her and path to love after the growth that you see in her throughout the book.
I think that the concept of The A to Z of Us was really original and I really like that. We only focused on the 26 dates that Alice and Zach go on throughout the book and don't cover any of the mundane day-to-day life events that may occur. While I liked this, I would have loved to have just seen a little bit more of them individually because it made their relationship seem like Insta-love at times because we didn't get to see any of the background work that had been laid down and any of who they are without the other.
The only other thing that I didn't like was the final conflict between the characters. It didn't really feel as if there was any conflict as all the items argued about had already been brought up and worked through. I would have much prefered there have been something original in terms of the book because this just felt a little bit boring, especially the direction that Hannah Doyle could have taken the book in.
Overall The A to Z of Us is a cute summer read that had a nice plot but didn't really provide me with any excitement. However, if you are looking for a nice, easy contemporary romance, I recommend picking it up as it is pretty fast-paced and does flow nicely.
May 30, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, HQ and Hannah Doyle for gifting me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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I had really high hopes for this one. I loved the title and cover and the blurb had me hooked right away. The meet cute was perfect but the first issue came during that night at the art exhibit. There is zero transition between scenes in this book. I found myself doing a double take and rereading trying to see what I missed almost every single time the scene changed. It makes following the plot hard and really disrupted my reading pace. I was never able to really get into the book because I was constantly hitting those little patches. Picture a skipping CD, but it was my brain. I still really loved the plot idea so I pushed forward hoping I wouldn’t care once I really got into the book. There you find my second issue and ultimately the reason I’m setting this one aside. I’m already not much of a fan of instant love in my books, but their cute was great and I mean, they do need to get through an entire alphabet, so I didn’t care at first. Zach gives off so many red flags and warning bells. I legitimately felt kinda creeped out and uncomfortable reading his character. Here’s Alice, an independent and strong woman who right off the back puts herself and her expectations out there and then there's Zach, who chooses to ignore everything she has said. She even left dates early, explained feeling uncomfortable and then he asked her to be official?? There was ZERO chemistry between the two. When they finally get to the date where things turn physical, it's worse than a fade to black. They get to the front door and then it's the next chapter/day. They REALLY needed that chemistry to play out because it wasn't working otherwise. After the first chapter at the art exhibit, everything goes downhill. Zach’s character is one of the most cringeworthy I’ve read in awhile.
This is all very harsh and I feel bad saying these things knowing an author has poured themselves into a book, but this really just isn’t ready for the masses yet.
.
I had really high hopes for this one. I loved the title and cover and the blurb had me hooked right away. The meet cute was perfect but the first issue came during that night at the art exhibit. There is zero transition between scenes in this book. I found myself doing a double take and rereading trying to see what I missed almost every single time the scene changed. It makes following the plot hard and really disrupted my reading pace. I was never able to really get into the book because I was constantly hitting those little patches. Picture a skipping CD, but it was my brain. I still really loved the plot idea so I pushed forward hoping I wouldn’t care once I really got into the book. There you find my second issue and ultimately the reason I’m setting this one aside. I’m already not much of a fan of instant love in my books, but their cute was great and I mean, they do need to get through an entire alphabet, so I didn’t care at first. Zach gives off so many red flags and warning bells. I legitimately felt kinda creeped out and uncomfortable reading his character. Here’s Alice, an independent and strong woman who right off the back puts herself and her expectations out there and then there's Zach, who chooses to ignore everything she has said. She even left dates early, explained feeling uncomfortable and then he asked her to be official?? There was ZERO chemistry between the two. When they finally get to the date where things turn physical, it's worse than a fade to black. They get to the front door and then it's the next chapter/day. They REALLY needed that chemistry to play out because it wasn't working otherwise. After the first chapter at the art exhibit, everything goes downhill. Zach’s character is one of the most cringeworthy I’ve read in awhile.
This is all very harsh and I feel bad saying these things knowing an author has poured themselves into a book, but this really just isn’t ready for the masses yet.
January 17, 2023
The A to Z of Us is a cute romantic story. When self-confessed cynic Alice a florist, meets romantic Zach, an artist, at an art show, the two of them decide to go on 26 dates, one for every letter of the alphabet. I love this idea of coming up with a new date that begins with each letter, and this inspired me to give it a try to see what I could come up with. The story not only goes through the various dates following each letter of the alphabet, but it alternates POV between Alice and Zach. I love alternating POV romances as it is nice to get inside each character’s head.
The two of them share some great banter along with obstacles as they approach love differently and each come with their own emotional baggage. Alice is under the impression that three dates is the limit for guys and as the story moves forward, it becomes clear that she is set in her ways and immature. I wish that it was explained more why Alice readily agreed to date Zach in the first place considering she’s not into dating. As for Zach he falls hard and fast in love, where he can’t stop thinking about Alice since their first meeting. He not only is set in his ways, too, but can be very petulant at times.
While the two at a lot of potential as a couple, it was very difficult to connect to them together. They seem to have tons of ups and downs without fully exploring their inner issues. Zach has an ex that plays a larger role in the story, and I think I missed something while reading how she tied together with Alice. I did not understand how she lacked trust at times and how she handled it. Since I am trying to not spoil anything, it is difficult to fully explain, however, I did feel that there needed to be more depth to motivations/thoughts. There also needed to be more for the transitions as it seemed the story went from one thing to the next and it was difficult to connect to it. Overall, this was a fun concept, but needed a little more polish, for me, to love it.
The two of them share some great banter along with obstacles as they approach love differently and each come with their own emotional baggage. Alice is under the impression that three dates is the limit for guys and as the story moves forward, it becomes clear that she is set in her ways and immature. I wish that it was explained more why Alice readily agreed to date Zach in the first place considering she’s not into dating. As for Zach he falls hard and fast in love, where he can’t stop thinking about Alice since their first meeting. He not only is set in his ways, too, but can be very petulant at times.
While the two at a lot of potential as a couple, it was very difficult to connect to them together. They seem to have tons of ups and downs without fully exploring their inner issues. Zach has an ex that plays a larger role in the story, and I think I missed something while reading how she tied together with Alice. I did not understand how she lacked trust at times and how she handled it. Since I am trying to not spoil anything, it is difficult to fully explain, however, I did feel that there needed to be more depth to motivations/thoughts. There also needed to be more for the transitions as it seemed the story went from one thing to the next and it was difficult to connect to it. Overall, this was a fun concept, but needed a little more polish, for me, to love it.
June 8, 2021
Have I found a new comfort read? I think so. The A to Z of Us is a heartfelt romantic comedy with everything you need to feel warm and happy inside. It follows Alice and Zach as they go on 26 dates, starting with each letter of the alphabet, and they learn to navigate their emotions and feelings towards love. It’s a classic opposites attract between a girl that doesn’t believe in love and a boy that, in his own words, loves love. Alice and Zach make such a sweet couple that bring out the best in each other, learning from their mistakes to find happiness.
Doyle’s writing is lighthearted and humorous whilst still expressing the emotions of the characters fully. She gets straight into the plot, there’s no hanging around and dragging out unnecessarily, the protagonists meet in the first chapter and we get straight into it. It gently touches on issues of grief and broken families, whilst still keeping things upbeat. I know that not everyone appreciates a fluffy book, but personally that’s exactly what I need sometimes. It was easy to read, with lots of laughs and likeable characters. I really don’t have any complaints.
I think it might be a problem that every time I read about a guy named Zach I fall in love, but he really is the most sensitive and gentle character. Both Zach and Alice have their flaws but they work through them together and they’re still both such lovable characters. They are relatable and understandable and so easy to read about. I think we all deserve someone to love us like Zach and bring us out of our shell like Alice.
The A to Z of Us is the perfect summer read, it’s full of fluff and comfort. A soft romance with just the right amount of comedy. I absolutely loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publish for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Doyle’s writing is lighthearted and humorous whilst still expressing the emotions of the characters fully. She gets straight into the plot, there’s no hanging around and dragging out unnecessarily, the protagonists meet in the first chapter and we get straight into it. It gently touches on issues of grief and broken families, whilst still keeping things upbeat. I know that not everyone appreciates a fluffy book, but personally that’s exactly what I need sometimes. It was easy to read, with lots of laughs and likeable characters. I really don’t have any complaints.
I think it might be a problem that every time I read about a guy named Zach I fall in love, but he really is the most sensitive and gentle character. Both Zach and Alice have their flaws but they work through them together and they’re still both such lovable characters. They are relatable and understandable and so easy to read about. I think we all deserve someone to love us like Zach and bring us out of our shell like Alice.
The A to Z of Us is the perfect summer read, it’s full of fluff and comfort. A soft romance with just the right amount of comedy. I absolutely loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publish for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book. It made me sad and then laugh all within the same chapter. It was such a wholesome romance and it was a lovely read. I loved the idea behind this book, Alice and Zach meet at an art gallery and decide to carry on their dates in alphabetical order. It was an interesting concept and I thought it was well thought out.
The chapters were labelled as each date so we got to read a lot about their dates. I actually enjoyed reading about just those because that’s what the book was based on. We did get to read a little bit about their life outside dating but not too much. Reading mainly about the two main characters, highlighted their dates and how their love developed throughout the book. I also liked how the chapters alternated between the two characters, this was because they alternated choosing the next date. We got a good insight into how both of the characters were feeling and as the book went on, we got to see more and more of their personalities.
I loved both Alice and Zach as main characters, I thought they were the perfect opposites for each other. I enjoyed reading about their growing relationship and hearing how they met each other’s loved ones. Alices friendS were funny to read about. I thought Nat was interesting as she was going on her own journey throughout this book as well. Zach’s family were so loveable, I enjoyed reading about them as well.
Going through the alphabet, some letters seem difficult to choose date ideas for and I though Hannah had some amazing ideas for dates, especially for those awkward letters. The date ideas the characters had were very unique and most of them had a meaning behind why they were chosen. Some of them turned out perfectly and others not so much. These dates had me rooting for Alice and Zach while laughing alongside them.
The chapters were labelled as each date so we got to read a lot about their dates. I actually enjoyed reading about just those because that’s what the book was based on. We did get to read a little bit about their life outside dating but not too much. Reading mainly about the two main characters, highlighted their dates and how their love developed throughout the book. I also liked how the chapters alternated between the two characters, this was because they alternated choosing the next date. We got a good insight into how both of the characters were feeling and as the book went on, we got to see more and more of their personalities.
I loved both Alice and Zach as main characters, I thought they were the perfect opposites for each other. I enjoyed reading about their growing relationship and hearing how they met each other’s loved ones. Alices friendS were funny to read about. I thought Nat was interesting as she was going on her own journey throughout this book as well. Zach’s family were so loveable, I enjoyed reading about them as well.
Going through the alphabet, some letters seem difficult to choose date ideas for and I though Hannah had some amazing ideas for dates, especially for those awkward letters. The date ideas the characters had were very unique and most of them had a meaning behind why they were chosen. Some of them turned out perfectly and others not so much. These dates had me rooting for Alice and Zach while laughing alongside them.
June 12, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, author Hannah Doyle, and HQ Digital publishing for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
Is it easy to find the one as ABC?
This book was a very enjoyable read for me. I loved Alice and Zach. Their meet cute was so good. The idea of having 26 dates according to the letters of the alphabet was such brilliant concept especially for Alice, who was very reluctant to date anyone pass three dates. Zack was definitely the sunshine one of the pair. He really wants to be everything for Alice. He was so patient with Alice and was willing to talk about her fears. He really listened to her and understood where she was coming from. Both came up with such excellent dates for each of the letters. Their chemistry was well developed and believable. I liked how both characters shared and communicated with each other about the obstacles and hurdles the couple faces. The secondary characters were also wonderful. I loved their quirks and personalities. The author was able to get across the realistic ups and downs within a relationship that grows deeper for two people that come with baggage. The writing and pacing kept me interested in the story the entire time. The whole Dylan "friendship" was not overly clear to me what exactly he felt for Alice, but I liked their friendship. The ending left me with a grin on my face. For those who are looking for a light-hearted feel good romance, this book is for you. This was my first Hannah Doyle book and it will not be my last. I can't wait for her next new release.
4 stars
Is it easy to find the one as ABC?
This book was a very enjoyable read for me. I loved Alice and Zach. Their meet cute was so good. The idea of having 26 dates according to the letters of the alphabet was such brilliant concept especially for Alice, who was very reluctant to date anyone pass three dates. Zack was definitely the sunshine one of the pair. He really wants to be everything for Alice. He was so patient with Alice and was willing to talk about her fears. He really listened to her and understood where she was coming from. Both came up with such excellent dates for each of the letters. Their chemistry was well developed and believable. I liked how both characters shared and communicated with each other about the obstacles and hurdles the couple faces. The secondary characters were also wonderful. I loved their quirks and personalities. The author was able to get across the realistic ups and downs within a relationship that grows deeper for two people that come with baggage. The writing and pacing kept me interested in the story the entire time. The whole Dylan "friendship" was not overly clear to me what exactly he felt for Alice, but I liked their friendship. The ending left me with a grin on my face. For those who are looking for a light-hearted feel good romance, this book is for you. This was my first Hannah Doyle book and it will not be my last. I can't wait for her next new release.
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