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The Back Up Man
PRE-ORDER THE HILARIOUS NEW ROM-COM FROM PHOEBE LUCKHURST NOW!
Unlucky in love? Then find your back-up man . . .
Shortly after her 29th birthday, Anya Mackie finds herself single, homeless and jobless. Well-meaning friends and family rally round, but she's soon stuck in a flatshare with Cold Claire and Weird Richard, and giving trumpet lessons to Glasgow's most unappealing twins. But when Anya stumbles on the pact she made with high school crush, Euan Carrick, where they promised to marry if they were still single at thirty, she thinks it's a lifeline. Until Anya discovers that Euan hasn't been seen for a decade.
Grudgingly accepting the help (and car!) of handsome-but-emotionally-unavailable Jamie Kildare - another blast from Anya's past, with his own mysterious reasons for tracking down their old school pal, the pair set off across the country to find Anya's back-up-man.
In the age of social media and blue ticks, how could Euan have disappeared?
Will he even remember their pact?
And are some things just better left in the past . . . ?
The Back Up Man is a hilariously romantic tale of mishaps and matrimony, love and long shots, foibles and friendship, that may make you text that old school boyfriend of yours . . .
Praise for Phoebe
'Entertaining, endearing, and truly unique. Found myself wincing and laughing with familiarity' Emma Gannon
'The year's most original rom-com' Elle
'Hilarious' Evening Standard
'Nostalgic, pitch perfect' Cressida McLaughlin
'Funny and compelling from page one' Lucy Vine
Unlucky in love? Then find your back-up man . . .
Shortly after her 29th birthday, Anya Mackie finds herself single, homeless and jobless. Well-meaning friends and family rally round, but she's soon stuck in a flatshare with Cold Claire and Weird Richard, and giving trumpet lessons to Glasgow's most unappealing twins. But when Anya stumbles on the pact she made with high school crush, Euan Carrick, where they promised to marry if they were still single at thirty, she thinks it's a lifeline. Until Anya discovers that Euan hasn't been seen for a decade.
Grudgingly accepting the help (and car!) of handsome-but-emotionally-unavailable Jamie Kildare - another blast from Anya's past, with his own mysterious reasons for tracking down their old school pal, the pair set off across the country to find Anya's back-up-man.
In the age of social media and blue ticks, how could Euan have disappeared?
Will he even remember their pact?
And are some things just better left in the past . . . ?
The Back Up Man is a hilariously romantic tale of mishaps and matrimony, love and long shots, foibles and friendship, that may make you text that old school boyfriend of yours . . .
Praise for Phoebe
'Entertaining, endearing, and truly unique. Found myself wincing and laughing with familiarity' Emma Gannon
'The year's most original rom-com' Elle
'Hilarious' Evening Standard
'Nostalgic, pitch perfect' Cressida McLaughlin
'Funny and compelling from page one' Lucy Vine
Paperback
Published January 19, 2023
35 people are currently reading
730 people want to read
About the author
Phoebe Luckhurst
2 books19 followersPhoebe Luckhurst is a journalist and author, who has written for publications including the Evening Standard, ES Magazine, ELLE, Grazia, Sunday Times Style, Guardian, Telegraph and Grazia.
The Lock In is her first novel, and she is currently writing her second.
The Lock In is her first novel, and she is currently writing her second.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
January 24, 2024
I loved this! I read it in a single sitting. I really enjoyed the plot and how the story developed. I will definitely read more from this author :)
March 14, 2023
It's not special, but I really liked it
June 25, 2023
took 200 pages to introduce the love interest .. come on now.
June 23, 2023
having a very hard time rating this mostly because i dont know if i assumed wrongly or if it was marketed wrongly but why did it take 200 pages to introduce the male love interest in a romance like none of it was bad but it was also so… mundane? idk i feel kinda cheated
September 8, 2024
Started off quite boring and felt like a drag to read but as I progressed, I was hooked and enjoying the book. With occasional laughter, this book was great. Made me realise that all good things from the past don’t need to be rekindled !
November 21, 2022
This book really took me by surprise. At first I was a bit concerned by how tragic everything seemed at the start, the breakup, the move out, the job. But I soon became really invested in Anya's life, I adored all the food references and how she slowly pulled herself out of her hole and, even if at times by being quite silly, found her passion and her confidence on the way. I even got really invested in Claire's relationship, the twins and, of course, the big mystery plot.
Also, as an avid listener and superfan of You're Wrong About, that little reference gets this book some bonus points.
4.5 🌟
Also, as an avid listener and superfan of You're Wrong About, that little reference gets this book some bonus points.
4.5 🌟
February 2, 2023
The plot of this book had potential that was partially mined. Anya Mackie, a homebody Glaswegian, is dumped by her okay boyfriend and has to move in with her rich but unfriendly cousin. She has a work melt-down, which forces her to seek temporary employment as a nanny to the unpleasant children of an Instagram influencer. She finds an old letter from her teenage sweetheart and decides to track him down, while simultaneously starting an Instagram-based catering company based on her amateur love of cooking.
It's in the second part where the book goes off the rails, after a reasonably strong start (aided by the non-London setting and the - THANK GOD - THIRD PERSON POV). The 'back-up' teenage sweetheart, Euan, was clearly never going to be a genuine candidate, given the brevity and lack of depth of their initial fling. The real target is Jamie, another old friend of Euan's, who joins and then aids and abets the half-baked and half-hearted mission to find a guy who doesn't have social media accounts. This was where the potential started to fail, both because it was so unlikely that Jamie would give up so much time to do this with a semi-stranger and because the scenarios themselves (visiting a flat in Aberdeen, going golfing in Gleneagles) yield almost nothing as regards comic or cringe material. In fact, we get quite a lot of filler writing about walking down train platforms and removing jumpers or drinking coffee. None of it goes anywhere.
It's finally revealed that the reason Jamie is looking for Euan is in fact because Euan dumped and stole money from Jamie's sister when they were dating the previous year. That he wouldn't reveal this information to Anya - especially after she reveals her own motivations - verges on psychopathic. It's clear Anya keeps going because she fancies Jamie, and I guess we are to presume it's reciprocated, because after they do find Euan Anya goes to Jamie's house and they have sex and the story is done.
The resolution with regard to Anya's career is left completely unfinished. She books three gigs through her Instagram account within two weeks of her 'launch'; her accounts are based on imaginary numbers and checked by her dad (not an accountant); her BFF in Canada sorts her marketing for free. This all seems unlikely. It also all seems like these should have been the challenges that drive the plot and the meet-cute and development of her relationship with the romantic lead. The best parts of the book aren't about Anya at all, but about the strained and sad relationship her babysitting charges have with their mother, and her cousin Claire's failing relationship.
The great thing about romance is the social contract of reading them ensures a HEA at the end. Before that, you can put the characters through ABSOLUTE HELL, safe in the knowledge that the reader knows it'll all be okay. Yet the modern crop of writers seems reluctant to push the boat out on how shit things can be. It's imaginary! You could have Anya move into a slum with no running water - we know it'll be fine!
I had hopes of the side-characters, especially when I thought perhaps something might develop between Paddy and Anya's sister Georgie. But nope - Paddy is the token gay, and Georgie and Tasha exist to be Anya's cheerleading squad with no independent existence outside of it. Even her mother comes across as annoying more because Anya thinks so than because of any egregious behaviour. It's disappointing, given the huge amount of romance I give up on and the huge amount that disappoints me, that the rare third-person POV failed. O well. Next.
It's in the second part where the book goes off the rails, after a reasonably strong start (aided by the non-London setting and the - THANK GOD - THIRD PERSON POV). The 'back-up' teenage sweetheart, Euan, was clearly never going to be a genuine candidate, given the brevity and lack of depth of their initial fling. The real target is Jamie, another old friend of Euan's, who joins and then aids and abets the half-baked and half-hearted mission to find a guy who doesn't have social media accounts. This was where the potential started to fail, both because it was so unlikely that Jamie would give up so much time to do this with a semi-stranger and because the scenarios themselves (visiting a flat in Aberdeen, going golfing in Gleneagles) yield almost nothing as regards comic or cringe material. In fact, we get quite a lot of filler writing about walking down train platforms and removing jumpers or drinking coffee. None of it goes anywhere.
It's finally revealed that the reason Jamie is looking for Euan is in fact because Euan dumped and stole money from Jamie's sister when they were dating the previous year. That he wouldn't reveal this information to Anya - especially after she reveals her own motivations - verges on psychopathic. It's clear Anya keeps going because she fancies Jamie, and I guess we are to presume it's reciprocated, because after they do find Euan Anya goes to Jamie's house and they have sex and the story is done.
The resolution with regard to Anya's career is left completely unfinished. She books three gigs through her Instagram account within two weeks of her 'launch'; her accounts are based on imaginary numbers and checked by her dad (not an accountant); her BFF in Canada sorts her marketing for free. This all seems unlikely. It also all seems like these should have been the challenges that drive the plot and the meet-cute and development of her relationship with the romantic lead. The best parts of the book aren't about Anya at all, but about the strained and sad relationship her babysitting charges have with their mother, and her cousin Claire's failing relationship.
The great thing about romance is the social contract of reading them ensures a HEA at the end. Before that, you can put the characters through ABSOLUTE HELL, safe in the knowledge that the reader knows it'll all be okay. Yet the modern crop of writers seems reluctant to push the boat out on how shit things can be. It's imaginary! You could have Anya move into a slum with no running water - we know it'll be fine!
I had hopes of the side-characters, especially when I thought perhaps something might develop between Paddy and Anya's sister Georgie. But nope - Paddy is the token gay, and Georgie and Tasha exist to be Anya's cheerleading squad with no independent existence outside of it. Even her mother comes across as annoying more because Anya thinks so than because of any egregious behaviour. It's disappointing, given the huge amount of romance I give up on and the huge amount that disappoints me, that the rare third-person POV failed. O well. Next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2023
The Back Up Man is an amusing and original story filled with great characters and an interesting journey.
The story is told primarily through present day, but with a glimpse into the past. 2007 sees a young past Anya and Euan delve into the origin of their pact.
Anya is a really relatable character and her ‘down on luck’ life events are really realistic. Her chasing the past as her present is altering is an interesting adventure to follow and her character development following this is great to read.
Saying that, the characters as a whole are all really interesting and extremely varied. Anya is surrounded by people from all different walks of life and they all serve a purpose which truly adds to the storyline.
The teenage Anya and Euan really threw me back to my own secondary school and university days. It feels like a lifetime ago but the descriptions of being excited to see your crush every day and hoping to get their attention as you pass in the corridor really brought back memories.
The inclusion of texts and emails within the narrative was a nice touch. This made it feel like we gained more of an insight into Anya’s life and it felt more realistic and personal.
Alongside Anya’s food influencer aspirations, their are naturally a lot of mentions of food and recipes within the book. These many mentions of various dishes had me almost constantly hungry and googling anything I hadn’t heard of. I was definitely inspired to do some broader cooking which was an unexpected takeaway from the book!
The story is told primarily through present day, but with a glimpse into the past. 2007 sees a young past Anya and Euan delve into the origin of their pact.
Anya is a really relatable character and her ‘down on luck’ life events are really realistic. Her chasing the past as her present is altering is an interesting adventure to follow and her character development following this is great to read.
Saying that, the characters as a whole are all really interesting and extremely varied. Anya is surrounded by people from all different walks of life and they all serve a purpose which truly adds to the storyline.
The teenage Anya and Euan really threw me back to my own secondary school and university days. It feels like a lifetime ago but the descriptions of being excited to see your crush every day and hoping to get their attention as you pass in the corridor really brought back memories.
The inclusion of texts and emails within the narrative was a nice touch. This made it feel like we gained more of an insight into Anya’s life and it felt more realistic and personal.
Alongside Anya’s food influencer aspirations, their are naturally a lot of mentions of food and recipes within the book. These many mentions of various dishes had me almost constantly hungry and googling anything I hadn’t heard of. I was definitely inspired to do some broader cooking which was an unexpected takeaway from the book!
May 31, 2023
This book didn’t entertain me a single bit. Midway the book i had high hopes that there’s gonna be some spicy plot twist or that we’ll merge more in the love story between Anya and Jamie but no. Instead the book mostly focused on how sad and unsuccessful Anya’s life became after some idiot decided to dump her in the most idiotic way. I mean, the typical story of a woman loosing herself after the breakup. At least she got up on her own instead of the fact that she met someone, so thats good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2023
SO PERFECT!! the way the characters talk to each other is so realistic and i love the way the author writes facial expressions
also i’d say the best part of this book was anya finally liking claire 😌😌 made me happy
also i’d say the best part of this book was anya finally liking claire 😌😌 made me happy
June 2, 2023
The main character was a proper drip
January 29, 2023
this cute rom-com is perfect for a cosy night in. At first, I was a little concerned that I wasn’t going to get on with this book as I struggled to connect to the story and Anya’s persona, but I kept coming back to it and ended up thoroughly enjoying it!
I really loved Anya, Georgia and Paddy’s friendship and I was hooked on the plot - I had a sneaky suspicion that she would end up with the person she did end up with hehe and I’m so glad she did! their story was so cute and he’s the perfect person - green flags all round.
I have previously enjoyed Phoebe Luckhurst’s books and I will continue to read them - she has a knack for nailing the rom-com style! I would really recommend this book to all!!
overall - adored it! I loved how Anya came into her own and her character growth thorough the story. <3
thank you net galley for allowing me to read this gem <3
I really loved Anya, Georgia and Paddy’s friendship and I was hooked on the plot - I had a sneaky suspicion that she would end up with the person she did end up with hehe and I’m so glad she did! their story was so cute and he’s the perfect person - green flags all round.
I have previously enjoyed Phoebe Luckhurst’s books and I will continue to read them - she has a knack for nailing the rom-com style! I would really recommend this book to all!!
overall - adored it! I loved how Anya came into her own and her character growth thorough the story. <3
thank you net galley for allowing me to read this gem <3
February 17, 2023
This was so wholesome, I loved it
May 21, 2023
3.5/5 ⭐️
December 29, 2024
Loved everything about this book.. feel good, twists & a wonderful journey of self love & self discovery
April 28, 2025
Overall a nice read, story wasn’t really for me but I really liked the writing style so i was invested. Also imagining them speaking in a Scottish accent was fun.
January 16, 2023
3.5 Stars
The Back Up Man is an entertaining romantic comedy, which is a lot of fun to read with many hilariously funny moments. The characters are likeable and also hugely relatable and I was was particularly drawn to Anya’s character, her love of cooking and her food blog.
Anya’s life has taken a turn for the worse after a breakup, losing her job and having to move out of her flat. However she soon begins to pull herself together and I became fully invested in her life as she gradually gets herself back on track. She becomes a childminder for a rather dysfunctional family and at the same time begins to focus on her catering business. I enjoyed following Anya’s and Jamie’s adventures to try to find Euan, a high school friend they have both lost touch with and need to find for their own reasons.
I was a little bit disappointed with the ending and although we had closure for Anya I was left feeling a little sad for her cousin Claire, whose small side story line was left wide open. This left me debating whether this might prompt a second book. That aside this book is a funny, entertaining and uplifting. It’s a joy to read, especially the delicious and mouth watering food references. I will definitely be seeking out recipes for Green Risotto with Hazelnuts and Kimchi fried rice.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley to review.
The Back Up Man is an entertaining romantic comedy, which is a lot of fun to read with many hilariously funny moments. The characters are likeable and also hugely relatable and I was was particularly drawn to Anya’s character, her love of cooking and her food blog.
Anya’s life has taken a turn for the worse after a breakup, losing her job and having to move out of her flat. However she soon begins to pull herself together and I became fully invested in her life as she gradually gets herself back on track. She becomes a childminder for a rather dysfunctional family and at the same time begins to focus on her catering business. I enjoyed following Anya’s and Jamie’s adventures to try to find Euan, a high school friend they have both lost touch with and need to find for their own reasons.
I was a little bit disappointed with the ending and although we had closure for Anya I was left feeling a little sad for her cousin Claire, whose small side story line was left wide open. This left me debating whether this might prompt a second book. That aside this book is a funny, entertaining and uplifting. It’s a joy to read, especially the delicious and mouth watering food references. I will definitely be seeking out recipes for Green Risotto with Hazelnuts and Kimchi fried rice.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley to review.
March 22, 2023
Anya Mackie, a homebody Glaswegian, is dumped by her okay boyfriend and has to quickly move in with her well-to-do but unfriendly cousin. She has a work melt-down, which forces her to seek temporary employment as a nanny to the unpleasant children of an Instagram influencer. She finds an old letter from her teenage sweetheart and decides to track him down, while simultaneously starting an Instagram-based catering company based on her amateur love of cooking. This is where Anya meets Jamie, a forgotten friend of her teenage crush, and they decide to track him down together.
The book had a lot of potential with the plot, and although farfetched - what romcom isn't, really? I enjoyed the duo working together to find Euan, but did find the fact that Jamie kept his true intentions secret for so long would have been a deal-breaker for a rational person. As well fleshed out as they were, the other characters were mostly there to cheer on Anya, so felt a bit flat.
A cute, easy read.
The book had a lot of potential with the plot, and although farfetched - what romcom isn't, really? I enjoyed the duo working together to find Euan, but did find the fact that Jamie kept his true intentions secret for so long would have been a deal-breaker for a rational person. As well fleshed out as they were, the other characters were mostly there to cheer on Anya, so felt a bit flat.
A cute, easy read.
May 3, 2023
First of all, what an unlucky shade this cover has. Anyway, I saw this book at my usual store and put it back because it sounded like it could be a fun read but not more than that. And... well, it deserves 3 stars. No more, no less. I ended up caving and getting it because I've been stumbling across some hidden gems with low Goodreads averages lately, but this one was not like that at all.
The writing style was kind of weird: way too many commas that broke the flow of the prose but also not a single Oxford comma in sight. The dialogues were stilted at times and the characters were not that great. Also, they were British and very obviously so. Not my cup of tea, if you'll excuse the joke. I could almost read this book with their accent, so kudos to the author for that.
This is something that kind of entertains you while it's happening but doesn't have any deeper meaning or message. Nor was it very funny.
The writing style was kind of weird: way too many commas that broke the flow of the prose but also not a single Oxford comma in sight. The dialogues were stilted at times and the characters were not that great. Also, they were British and very obviously so. Not my cup of tea, if you'll excuse the joke. I could almost read this book with their accent, so kudos to the author for that.
This is something that kind of entertains you while it's happening but doesn't have any deeper meaning or message. Nor was it very funny.
December 5, 2022
I found myself being drawn into the second half of The Back Up Man. The first half spent a long time introducing the main characters focusing on how unfortunate things has become for Anya. Splitting her time between trying to set up her own business and nannying for a horrible family. The various parts of the story just didn’t seem to connect enough to give weight to the story. The part I enjoyed most was Anya and Jamie’s adventures to try and find their friend from the past. I think this could have started earlier and been more of the focus.
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November 17, 2023perfect romcom to get you out of a reading slump!!
January 18, 2023
Rate : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Author : Phoebe Luckhurst
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for this honest review.
Upon reading the synopsis of this novel, I was immediately sucked in. Seeking out a high school sweetheart is always something I love, especially second chance romance as well as childhood friends/high school friends to lovers.
The book started off on a very sour note with our main girl, Anya, being hit with a very large stroke of bad luck. It seemed like it was one thing after another, first her breakup and then her quitting her job and then moving in with her weird cousin Clare who doesn’t seem the most friendliest of people. Although it seemed far fetched, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Anya and wished that she would find her lucky streak soon enough.
We got to connect with the characters and get to know them. For me, if I can’t connect with a character (especially the main character), I find it hard to like the book. Anya was a great character and had plenty of development throughout the novel. Her dream of owning a catering company was something I was rooting for. I have to admit, I loved Paddy and wished he had more time within the book.
For me, the plot didn’t actually start until halfway through the novel. It was a slow beginning with many trips of bars and pubs that were more filler to me than having any hand at aiding the plot. So, unfortunately, it took me a while to get into the book.
Luckily, it picked up more once Jamie was introduced into the plot and their quest to find Euan took place. I enjoyed piecing everything together as I read along and couldn’t wait for them to find Euan again and finally reunite after not seeing each other for around twelve years. You were rooting for them to get there.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there wasn’t a lot of romance in the novel. The romance that was there, it wasn’t a lot and the end couple (although one I rooted for) we didn’t get to see much of them.
Despite that, I did enjoy the read and would recommend this to anyone who loved a bit of mystery alongside some romance but I, personally, wouldn’t read it again.
CW/TW : Use of alcohol, arguing
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Author : Phoebe Luckhurst
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for this honest review.
Upon reading the synopsis of this novel, I was immediately sucked in. Seeking out a high school sweetheart is always something I love, especially second chance romance as well as childhood friends/high school friends to lovers.
The book started off on a very sour note with our main girl, Anya, being hit with a very large stroke of bad luck. It seemed like it was one thing after another, first her breakup and then her quitting her job and then moving in with her weird cousin Clare who doesn’t seem the most friendliest of people. Although it seemed far fetched, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Anya and wished that she would find her lucky streak soon enough.
We got to connect with the characters and get to know them. For me, if I can’t connect with a character (especially the main character), I find it hard to like the book. Anya was a great character and had plenty of development throughout the novel. Her dream of owning a catering company was something I was rooting for. I have to admit, I loved Paddy and wished he had more time within the book.
For me, the plot didn’t actually start until halfway through the novel. It was a slow beginning with many trips of bars and pubs that were more filler to me than having any hand at aiding the plot. So, unfortunately, it took me a while to get into the book.
Luckily, it picked up more once Jamie was introduced into the plot and their quest to find Euan took place. I enjoyed piecing everything together as I read along and couldn’t wait for them to find Euan again and finally reunite after not seeing each other for around twelve years. You were rooting for them to get there.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there wasn’t a lot of romance in the novel. The romance that was there, it wasn’t a lot and the end couple (although one I rooted for) we didn’t get to see much of them.
Despite that, I did enjoy the read and would recommend this to anyone who loved a bit of mystery alongside some romance but I, personally, wouldn’t read it again.
CW/TW : Use of alcohol, arguing
January 22, 2023
Rate : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Author : Phoebe Luckhurst
Upon reading the synopsis of this novel, I was immediately sucked in. Seeking out a high school sweetheart is always something I love, especially second chance romance as well as childhood friends/high school friends to lovers.
The book started off on a very sour note with our main girl, Anya, being hit with a very large stroke of bad luck. It seemed like it was one thing after another, first her breakup and then her quitting her job and then moving in with her weird cousin Clare who doesn’t seem the most friendliest of people. Although it seemed far fetched, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Anya and wished that she would find her lucky streak soon enough.
We got to connect with the characters and get to know them. For me, if I can’t connect with a character (especially the main character), I find it hard to like the book. Anya was a great character and had plenty of development throughout the novel. Her dream of owning a catering company was something I was rooting for. I have to admit, I loved Paddy and wished he had more time within the book.
For me, the plot didn’t actually start until halfway through the novel. It was a slow beginning with many trips of bars and pubs that were more filler to me than having any hand at aiding the plot. So, unfortunately, it took me a while to get into the book.
Luckily, it picked up more once Jamie was introduced into the plot and their quest to find Euan took place. I enjoyed piecing everything together as I read along and couldn’t wait for them to find Euan again and finally reunite after not seeing each other for around twelve years. You were rooting for them to get there.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there wasn’t a lot of romance in the novel. The romance that was there, it wasn’t a lot and the end couple (although one I rooted for) we didn’t get to see much of them.
Despite that, I did enjoy the read and would recommend this to anyone who loved a bit of mystery alongside some romance but I, personally, wouldn’t read it again.
CW/TW : Use of alcohol, arguing
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Author : Phoebe Luckhurst
Upon reading the synopsis of this novel, I was immediately sucked in. Seeking out a high school sweetheart is always something I love, especially second chance romance as well as childhood friends/high school friends to lovers.
The book started off on a very sour note with our main girl, Anya, being hit with a very large stroke of bad luck. It seemed like it was one thing after another, first her breakup and then her quitting her job and then moving in with her weird cousin Clare who doesn’t seem the most friendliest of people. Although it seemed far fetched, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for Anya and wished that she would find her lucky streak soon enough.
We got to connect with the characters and get to know them. For me, if I can’t connect with a character (especially the main character), I find it hard to like the book. Anya was a great character and had plenty of development throughout the novel. Her dream of owning a catering company was something I was rooting for. I have to admit, I loved Paddy and wished he had more time within the book.
For me, the plot didn’t actually start until halfway through the novel. It was a slow beginning with many trips of bars and pubs that were more filler to me than having any hand at aiding the plot. So, unfortunately, it took me a while to get into the book.
Luckily, it picked up more once Jamie was introduced into the plot and their quest to find Euan took place. I enjoyed piecing everything together as I read along and couldn’t wait for them to find Euan again and finally reunite after not seeing each other for around twelve years. You were rooting for them to get there.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there wasn’t a lot of romance in the novel. The romance that was there, it wasn’t a lot and the end couple (although one I rooted for) we didn’t get to see much of them.
Despite that, I did enjoy the read and would recommend this to anyone who loved a bit of mystery alongside some romance but I, personally, wouldn’t read it again.
CW/TW : Use of alcohol, arguing
October 2, 2024
"The Backup Man" follows Anya, who faces a series of unfortunate events: a breakup at a gas station, moving in with her rigid cousin Claire, and quitting her HR job in frustration. With no man, no home, and no job, she decides to pursue her dream of food blogging while babysitting two spoiled twin girls. When she finds an old note from high school promising to reconnect with her crush Euan if they’re both single by 30, she sets out to find him.
I went in expecting a lighthearted rom-com, but the first 100 pages felt like a slog through Anya’s misery. It was tough watching her struggle; I found myself wishing for more rom-com elements that just didn’t come. Even surrounded by friends and family, Anya felt so alone—like everyone was pitying her.
Things start to shift when Anya meets Jamie, who’s also on the hunt for Euan. Their chemistry is instant and feels so genuine. It's not flirty in the beginning, they just simply click, sharing the same sense of humour and vibe.
As Anya and Jamie team up to find Euan, the story shifts from a simple mission to something much more meaningful. Their quest becomes more of a reason to stay connected, and I really loved that. With Jamie, everything suddenly feels so easy. I wouldn’t say the book ever hits a traditional "climax," but it transitions nicely from misery to adventure, then to friendship, and - finally - into real romance.
Overall, if you can get through the beginning, you will find the book really enjoyable!
I went in expecting a lighthearted rom-com, but the first 100 pages felt like a slog through Anya’s misery. It was tough watching her struggle; I found myself wishing for more rom-com elements that just didn’t come. Even surrounded by friends and family, Anya felt so alone—like everyone was pitying her.
Things start to shift when Anya meets Jamie, who’s also on the hunt for Euan. Their chemistry is instant and feels so genuine. It's not flirty in the beginning, they just simply click, sharing the same sense of humour and vibe.
As Anya and Jamie team up to find Euan, the story shifts from a simple mission to something much more meaningful. Their quest becomes more of a reason to stay connected, and I really loved that. With Jamie, everything suddenly feels so easy. I wouldn’t say the book ever hits a traditional "climax," but it transitions nicely from misery to adventure, then to friendship, and - finally - into real romance.
Overall, if you can get through the beginning, you will find the book really enjoyable!
February 13, 2025
Phoebe Luckhurst's The Back Up Man is a delightful romantic comedy that explores the unpredictability of life and love. The story centers on Anya Mackie, who, at twenty-nine, finds herself single, jobless, and living in a less-than-ideal house share. Upon rediscovering a pact made with her school crush, Euan Carrick—to marry at thirty if both are still single—Anya embarks on a quest to find him, despite not having seen him in a decade. She reluctantly teams up with Euan's enigmatic best friend, Jamie Kildare, leading to a journey filled with humor, self-discovery, and unexpected connections.
Luckhurst's writing is engaging and witty, capturing the nuances of modern relationships and the complexities of revisiting the past. The characters are well-developed, with Anya's relatable struggles and Jamie's mysterious demeanor adding depth to the narrative. The dynamic between Anya and Jamie is particularly compelling, as their interactions evolve from reluctant partnership to genuine connection.
The novel shines in its portrayal of personal growth, highlighting how revisiting past promises can lead to new understandings and opportunities. The humour is well-placed, providing levity while addressing themes of love, friendship, and the expectations we set for ourselves.
Luckhurst's writing is engaging and witty, capturing the nuances of modern relationships and the complexities of revisiting the past. The characters are well-developed, with Anya's relatable struggles and Jamie's mysterious demeanor adding depth to the narrative. The dynamic between Anya and Jamie is particularly compelling, as their interactions evolve from reluctant partnership to genuine connection.
The novel shines in its portrayal of personal growth, highlighting how revisiting past promises can lead to new understandings and opportunities. The humour is well-placed, providing levity while addressing themes of love, friendship, and the expectations we set for ourselves.
August 20, 2024
OK rom-com lighthearted story. A bit too long really. Not much happens and the love interest is introduced too late with little tension between them getting together at the end. The 'twist' wasn't very well set up through the story so it comes out of nowhere that the love interest's intentions are different to what the protagonist expects. The stuff about the main character's baby sitting job, which culminated in winning over a 'snobby' mother and her rude twin girls with tasty food, went on for a bit too long. (Not to mention the coding of the mother as having 'plastic' nails and big eyelashes, of course unlike our protagonist who is completely bare-faced and natural (who cares) - which in itself appears to me a lot more snobby). The protagonist is pretty likeable, though she is 'not like other girls'. I want to see the fashion, makeup, hair and girliness in the life of these kinds of books - I don't really care about a thin posh boring looking Scottish woman who loves cooking luxury meals but who is actually edgy and down-to-earth because she doesn't wipe the hob after using it. Soz!!
January 15, 2023
This was a fun, easy read and I very much enjoyed it. Anya's life is falling apart - dumped by her long-term boyfriend she finds herself homeless when she has to move out of his flat, and she loses her job in dramatic fashion. In an attempt to make ends meet, she babysits for a somewhat dysfunctional family while she follows her passion and sets up her own catering business, and moves in with her rather smug cousin Clare. When she discovers a piece of paper and is reminded of a pact she and her high school crush Euan made, she decides to get in touch with him but he proves rather elusive - so when another school friend, Jamie, says he is also looking for him, they decide to team up to track him down.
Luckhurst has created some relatable and likeable characters, and I enjoyed Anya's relationship with her sister Georgie and best friend Paddy. Anya's and Jamie's escapades were very entertaining and it was nice to see Anya find herself, though her happy ever after ending perhaps felt a little too abrupt.
Luckhurst has created some relatable and likeable characters, and I enjoyed Anya's relationship with her sister Georgie and best friend Paddy. Anya's and Jamie's escapades were very entertaining and it was nice to see Anya find herself, though her happy ever after ending perhaps felt a little too abrupt.
December 28, 2022
After loving the first book by Phoebe, I was delighted to be approved for this one.
This is the story of Anya, starting with everything that can go wrong for her going wrong. Her boyfriend of 4 years dumps her out of the blue, making her homeless, as well as her losing her job in spectacular fashion. Homeless and jobless, she is reliant on her sister Georgie and best friend Paddy to help her out. Until she ends up sleeping on a mattress in the spare room do her haughty cousin Clare and discovers a scruffy “contract” between her and her teenaged love. This sets Anya off on a quest via babysitting, cooking and her best friend (working overseas but there for her regardless).
I found the book a bit slower to start off with but loved the premise and really enjoyed getting to know Anya and her supporting cast. I’m really glad I stuck with and I really enjoyed the book.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.
This is the story of Anya, starting with everything that can go wrong for her going wrong. Her boyfriend of 4 years dumps her out of the blue, making her homeless, as well as her losing her job in spectacular fashion. Homeless and jobless, she is reliant on her sister Georgie and best friend Paddy to help her out. Until she ends up sleeping on a mattress in the spare room do her haughty cousin Clare and discovers a scruffy “contract” between her and her teenaged love. This sets Anya off on a quest via babysitting, cooking and her best friend (working overseas but there for her regardless).
I found the book a bit slower to start off with but loved the premise and really enjoyed getting to know Anya and her supporting cast. I’m really glad I stuck with and I really enjoyed the book.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.
December 31, 2022
I’ve had Phoebe Luckhurst’s first book on my TBR for a while now, so I was really pleased to have been accepted for her second one.
Everything seems to go wrong for Anya all at once, losing her long term boyfriend, flat and job in quick succession. This takes her down some interesting paths, from babysitting, setting up her own catering business through her up her coming food blog, not to mention taking on the role of detective to track down a long lost crush with an old school friend.
I found the pace of this book quite slow for the first third or so, but absolutely flew through the rest as I was gripped in her and Jamie’s adventures trying to track down Euan. I especially loved the relationships Anya shared with her best friend, Paddy, and sister, Georgie. ⭐️ 4/5 star read ⭐️
*Thanks to Netgalley, Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Everything seems to go wrong for Anya all at once, losing her long term boyfriend, flat and job in quick succession. This takes her down some interesting paths, from babysitting, setting up her own catering business through her up her coming food blog, not to mention taking on the role of detective to track down a long lost crush with an old school friend.
I found the pace of this book quite slow for the first third or so, but absolutely flew through the rest as I was gripped in her and Jamie’s adventures trying to track down Euan. I especially loved the relationships Anya shared with her best friend, Paddy, and sister, Georgie. ⭐️ 4/5 star read ⭐️
*Thanks to Netgalley, Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
January 8, 2023
I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t put it down, I did find it very slow to begin with before it even got to the ‘back up man’ bit we were nearly 50% way through the book. I think it would have been better if Jamie was introduced earlier so we could see the dynamic better.
The ending felt a little rushed and predictable, I wished the relationship in the end wasn’t so rushed so we could see something more blossom between them.
I did enjoy the book and will likely pick up a physical copy once released, it’s definitely an easy read romance that I think is rather relatable these days especially with women in their late 20s.
I enjoyed the the cooking aspect too and wished to read about how the events went down.
I Would like to thank netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before publication.
The ending felt a little rushed and predictable, I wished the relationship in the end wasn’t so rushed so we could see something more blossom between them.
I did enjoy the book and will likely pick up a physical copy once released, it’s definitely an easy read romance that I think is rather relatable these days especially with women in their late 20s.
I enjoyed the the cooking aspect too and wished to read about how the events went down.
I Would like to thank netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before publication.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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