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No Such Thing As Perfect
'I lost count of the number of times I laughed out loud, I was rooting for Laura from the first page. Tender, funny, smart and brilliantly observed. The perfect blend of uplifting escapism and social satire, an utter page turner and such a clever, perceptive moving one. I LOVED it!' DAISY BUCHANAN ________________ Laura Morrison's love life is far from perfect......In fact, she's all but given up on finding The One.But then she gets the chance to trial a new dating service that will draw on everything she's ever done online to find her perfect match, and figures it's got to be worth a try.Laura can't believe her luck when good-looking, kind, considerate Adam turns up for their first date. On paper he's...well...perfect.Only now she's developing feelings for the person who led her to her "match" in the first place. Should she trust her instincts when it comes to who might really be Mr Right, even if it means proving the formula wrong?Sharply-observed and laugh-out-loud funny, NO SUCH THING AS PERFECT is the perfect novel for anyone who has ever wondered if there's a formula for finding love.____________________________'Brimming with wit and razor sharp observations' SOPHIE COUSENS, author of This Time Next Year'Poignant, warm and very, very clever, this is perfect for anyone who thinks they're the only one without the answers. I felt vindicated and lifted after I'd read it!' LAURA JANE WILLIAMS'I ADORED it! Fast, funny, relatable and super uplifting, with a genius premise and a loveable lead character I was hugely invested in. Every page had me hooked' HELLY ACTON'I absolutely raced through No Such Thing As Perfect by the brilliant Emma Hughes. Hilarious, tender and oh so relatable, with a cracking cast of characters AND an adorable doggo' BETHANY CLIFT'A fresh, funny, sexy tale of dating woes, family expectations, technological adventure, and loyal friendships, this book will make your world a brighter place' KATHERINE HEINY'It is so funny (properly laugh-out-loud funny) and smart and full of characters I feel like I know' LAURA KAY 'Whip-smart on relationships, especially the trickiest of family dynamics, all so tenderly and charmingly drawn too' ABBIE GREAVES'An absolute cracker' JUSTIN MYERS
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2021
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1037 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
April 27, 2021
3.5 stars
‘We’re Cupid. We can find your perfect match by examining your digital footprint ‘, love by algorithm. Laura Morrison is a weekend magazine journalist for Bugle and is under the cosh with her work being appraised for four months then reviewed which could lead to a job loss. She’s definitely in the doldrums in more ways than one as she’s currently sleeping on an air bed at her sisters house as her previous housemates have moved on. Following an email at work from Cupid she agrees to sign up and will write an article about the resulting match which proves to be Adam Fraser.
This is an enjoyable easy read which does make some pertinent points to reflect on. The characters are good, Whit her brother in law is a lovely man if a bit clueless, her very correct sister Jaime is very proper and definitely spikey and Nush at Cupid is a gushing pain. Laura’s character is well fleshed out, she’s extremely likeable, she’s very down at the moment and has justifiably got some self esteem issues which she hopes Adam will help resolve. Adam is harder to make out, he seems perfect at first glance with his soft Scottish burr but as you read on doubts set in. I like the awkwardness of their first meeting which is a but cringe but feels authentic. I love the part in the book where Laura mets his stiff, traditional parents as it’s deliciously wicked. In places it’s quite amusing, I like the word definition at the beginning of each chapter which is appropriately chosen. The Cupid concept is awful and feels too much like 1984 Big Brother to me which I’m sure is entirely the point and you can have all the algorithms you like but it can’t necessarily produce a chemical reaction! The book poses good questions about head versus heart and it’s entertaining to read as Laura bumbles her way through.
However, the book is way too long and digresses too much into things that divert you from the meat on the bones of the storytelling and I dare say it also follows a fairly predictable path.
Overall, it’s a fun, well written book but which would definitely benefit from some text pruning!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc in return for an honest review.
‘We’re Cupid. We can find your perfect match by examining your digital footprint ‘, love by algorithm. Laura Morrison is a weekend magazine journalist for Bugle and is under the cosh with her work being appraised for four months then reviewed which could lead to a job loss. She’s definitely in the doldrums in more ways than one as she’s currently sleeping on an air bed at her sisters house as her previous housemates have moved on. Following an email at work from Cupid she agrees to sign up and will write an article about the resulting match which proves to be Adam Fraser.
This is an enjoyable easy read which does make some pertinent points to reflect on. The characters are good, Whit her brother in law is a lovely man if a bit clueless, her very correct sister Jaime is very proper and definitely spikey and Nush at Cupid is a gushing pain. Laura’s character is well fleshed out, she’s extremely likeable, she’s very down at the moment and has justifiably got some self esteem issues which she hopes Adam will help resolve. Adam is harder to make out, he seems perfect at first glance with his soft Scottish burr but as you read on doubts set in. I like the awkwardness of their first meeting which is a but cringe but feels authentic. I love the part in the book where Laura mets his stiff, traditional parents as it’s deliciously wicked. In places it’s quite amusing, I like the word definition at the beginning of each chapter which is appropriately chosen. The Cupid concept is awful and feels too much like 1984 Big Brother to me which I’m sure is entirely the point and you can have all the algorithms you like but it can’t necessarily produce a chemical reaction! The book poses good questions about head versus heart and it’s entertaining to read as Laura bumbles her way through.
However, the book is way too long and digresses too much into things that divert you from the meat on the bones of the storytelling and I dare say it also follows a fairly predictable path.
Overall, it’s a fun, well written book but which would definitely benefit from some text pruning!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc in return for an honest review.
April 26, 2021
3 to 3.5 on the fence stars
I wasn't quite sure what to make of this one. I went into it expecting a chick lit romance and while it was a chick lit, it wasn't really a romance but rather it was more about learning about yourself and maturing. I can't lie, I'd have preferred a nice belly-warming romance.
It was an easy enough read, but it also made me quite uncomfortable at times. She's under threat of redundancy from the magazine she writes for, her ex is getting on with his life with their ex flatmate in a rather smug fashion and she's living with her prickly sister and lovely brother in law. In the midst of all of that she agrees to be set up with her ideal match on a new dating site that uses data from...all over the place...to find your match and then write an article all about it. What follows is a series of awkward scenes as she dates her match and then returns to her sister's house for more awkwardness. I kept hoping for a spark and some feels with her beau, but after a while I had to accept that this wasn't that type of book.
I did enjoy watching her find her find her way and forge a new relationship with her family and there was lots of moments that made me smile. Her relationship with her friend was full of banter and wit that I absolutely loved, it wasn't all awkwardness I'm pleased to say.
The ending wasn't what I was hoping for, but then that's because I like to see everything neatly tied up and in this there's only a hint of a brighter future. I'm sure it's just me.
Complete story. Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the arc.
I wasn't quite sure what to make of this one. I went into it expecting a chick lit romance and while it was a chick lit, it wasn't really a romance but rather it was more about learning about yourself and maturing. I can't lie, I'd have preferred a nice belly-warming romance.
It was an easy enough read, but it also made me quite uncomfortable at times. She's under threat of redundancy from the magazine she writes for, her ex is getting on with his life with their ex flatmate in a rather smug fashion and she's living with her prickly sister and lovely brother in law. In the midst of all of that she agrees to be set up with her ideal match on a new dating site that uses data from...all over the place...to find your match and then write an article all about it. What follows is a series of awkward scenes as she dates her match and then returns to her sister's house for more awkwardness. I kept hoping for a spark and some feels with her beau, but after a while I had to accept that this wasn't that type of book.
I did enjoy watching her find her find her way and forge a new relationship with her family and there was lots of moments that made me smile. Her relationship with her friend was full of banter and wit that I absolutely loved, it wasn't all awkwardness I'm pleased to say.
The ending wasn't what I was hoping for, but then that's because I like to see everything neatly tied up and in this there's only a hint of a brighter future. I'm sure it's just me.
Complete story. Thanks to the publisher via netgalley for the arc.
August 4, 2021
No Such Thing As Perfect is a bubbly and reflective story of self-discovery. But it reminds me more of a coming-of-age tale than a contemporary romance. It still fits in the brackets of women’s fiction, and is ideal for fans of films like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Bridget Jones's Diary.
Laura Morrison earns the opportunity to trial a new dating service named Cupid. It generates matches based on internet search history, and Laura, who feels unlucky in almost all aspects of life, jumps at the chance to find a happily ever after.
Emma Hughes has a really effortless and undemanding writing style, which is evident in her likeable protagonist. The book is an easy read, and you are naturally drawn into empathising with Laura while experiencing the journey with her. There are times when her actions really frustrated me, but in the face of desperation her behaviours feel authentic.
As easy as this book is to read, it failed to hold my attention from start to finish. The excitement was missing in quite a few places due to the sluggish, almost standstill pace. By the middle, I stopped looking forward to the end and it was a push to keep reading. Laura is well developed but the other characters feel one-sided. And I think if the romance played a bigger role this would be more of a memorable read.
However, there are parts of this book that are vibrant, really made me chuckle, and provided a relatable escape. Overall, this is a great summer read!
Laura Morrison earns the opportunity to trial a new dating service named Cupid. It generates matches based on internet search history, and Laura, who feels unlucky in almost all aspects of life, jumps at the chance to find a happily ever after.
Emma Hughes has a really effortless and undemanding writing style, which is evident in her likeable protagonist. The book is an easy read, and you are naturally drawn into empathising with Laura while experiencing the journey with her. There are times when her actions really frustrated me, but in the face of desperation her behaviours feel authentic.
As easy as this book is to read, it failed to hold my attention from start to finish. The excitement was missing in quite a few places due to the sluggish, almost standstill pace. By the middle, I stopped looking forward to the end and it was a push to keep reading. Laura is well developed but the other characters feel one-sided. And I think if the romance played a bigger role this would be more of a memorable read.
However, there are parts of this book that are vibrant, really made me chuckle, and provided a relatable escape. Overall, this is a great summer read!
June 11, 2021
I'm a bit on the fence with this one.
The premise sounded fun ad the book started great, I was super interested but somewhere in the middle (or maybe even before that) it got really slow, Laura started to be annoying and I lost all interest in the story.
I don't even know how to review this one, as it wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't good either. None of the characters hold my interest, I honestly didn't care whetrer Laura was going to be made redundant or not, I didn't care who's she going to end up with as all possible love interests were just bleh.
Her constant whining about her sister, her ex, was just unbearable.
Other reviewers are gushing over it saying it's a great summer read, and maybe it is. It just not for me.
I received this book from the Publishet in an exchange for an honest review
The premise sounded fun ad the book started great, I was super interested but somewhere in the middle (or maybe even before that) it got really slow, Laura started to be annoying and I lost all interest in the story.
I don't even know how to review this one, as it wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't good either. None of the characters hold my interest, I honestly didn't care whetrer Laura was going to be made redundant or not, I didn't care who's she going to end up with as all possible love interests were just bleh.
Her constant whining about her sister, her ex, was just unbearable.
Other reviewers are gushing over it saying it's a great summer read, and maybe it is. It just not for me.
I received this book from the Publishet in an exchange for an honest review
August 5, 2021
No Such Thing as Perfect is a delightful romantic comedy with some interesting side stories. Laura works at the Bugle as a magazine journalist, her life is not going smoothly. Her job is on the line and she has recently moved to live with her sister and husband after her previous flatmates moved out together and sleeping on an inflatable airbed is not ideal. In her quest to find the perfect man and to try to save herself from redundancy Laura signs up with Cupid, a high tech match-making company who profess to be able to find her perfect match by examining her digital algorithm. In exchange she agrees to deliver a positive article about her dating experience.
Laura is a likeable character, she is playful, funny and has a wicked sense of humour. This is highlighted in the very uncomfortable restaurant scene when she meets Adam’s rather stuffy and traditional parents. Laura has never had a long term relationship and as a result suffers from low self esteem, believing this is all her fault. Cupid have matched Laura with Adam, the perfect gentleman who outwardly appears to be the ideal match. He’s good-looking, caring and very sweet and sensitive. Initially they are a great couple together and the awkwardness they felt getting to know one another is very endearing, however as the relationship progresses little cracks started appearing. Cass comes along and throws a bit of a spanner in the works. Laura feels she has an instant connection with him and that ‘he’s the one’. The path the story now follows is not quite as cut and dried as it would appear and it was interesting following Laura on her quest to find a meaningful relationship and in which direction it would take.
I was fully invested in the story and it has a satisfactory ending, however it’s left slightly open-ended in terms of the romance and the reader is left guessing what will probably happen next. I do wish there had been more closure for Laura! That aside, No Such Thing as Perfect is a fun and well written book, with some witty dialogue and interesting relationships explored. It’s a great storyline and the perfect summer romcom.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted advanced proof.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
Laura is a likeable character, she is playful, funny and has a wicked sense of humour. This is highlighted in the very uncomfortable restaurant scene when she meets Adam’s rather stuffy and traditional parents. Laura has never had a long term relationship and as a result suffers from low self esteem, believing this is all her fault. Cupid have matched Laura with Adam, the perfect gentleman who outwardly appears to be the ideal match. He’s good-looking, caring and very sweet and sensitive. Initially they are a great couple together and the awkwardness they felt getting to know one another is very endearing, however as the relationship progresses little cracks started appearing. Cass comes along and throws a bit of a spanner in the works. Laura feels she has an instant connection with him and that ‘he’s the one’. The path the story now follows is not quite as cut and dried as it would appear and it was interesting following Laura on her quest to find a meaningful relationship and in which direction it would take.
I was fully invested in the story and it has a satisfactory ending, however it’s left slightly open-ended in terms of the romance and the reader is left guessing what will probably happen next. I do wish there had been more closure for Laura! That aside, No Such Thing as Perfect is a fun and well written book, with some witty dialogue and interesting relationships explored. It’s a great storyline and the perfect summer romcom.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted advanced proof.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
January 8, 2022
This book was a quick easy read for me that I read in one day. It was light and funny. I found myself giggling along to Laura’s antics.
It poses some interesting questions around data and matchmaking which could be thought provoking but despite this seeming like it would be the main thread of the story, it wasn’t for me.
I liked Laura and the family elements throughout this story but the ending fell a little flat for me. I much prefer a neatly tied up ending and this one didn’t satisfy in that area unfortunately.
On balance I’ve rated this one a 3/5.
It poses some interesting questions around data and matchmaking which could be thought provoking but despite this seeming like it would be the main thread of the story, it wasn’t for me.
I liked Laura and the family elements throughout this story but the ending fell a little flat for me. I much prefer a neatly tied up ending and this one didn’t satisfy in that area unfortunately.
On balance I’ve rated this one a 3/5.
April 12, 2021
No Such Thing as Perfect is a witty, insightful and life-affirming story of Laura Morrison, who finds herself STILL single after a string of failed relationships. When the small-time newspaper she works for announces that she’s at risk of redundancy, Laura takes on an article about Cupid - the brand new dating app which uses all of your social media data to find your perfect match.
Think of everything you’ve ever liked or Googled, everyone you’ve ever Instagram stalked or unfollowed.... all being used to pair you up with your soulmate.
Laura is paired up with seemingly-perfect Adam, but things go downhill from there.
I really enjoyed No Such Thing as Perfect. There were several issues brilliantly tackled; Laura’s parent’s separation later in life, Laura’s low self esteem and her sister’s struggle to conceive were all handled very maturely.
100% recommend this one ✨
Think of everything you’ve ever liked or Googled, everyone you’ve ever Instagram stalked or unfollowed.... all being used to pair you up with your soulmate.
Laura is paired up with seemingly-perfect Adam, but things go downhill from there.
I really enjoyed No Such Thing as Perfect. There were several issues brilliantly tackled; Laura’s parent’s separation later in life, Laura’s low self esteem and her sister’s struggle to conceive were all handled very maturely.
100% recommend this one ✨
August 5, 2021
A thoroughly good story with plenty of humour – what’s not to like?
Laura Morrison doesn’t exactly have everything going for her at the moment; in danger of losing her job and currently sleeping on an air bed in her sister’s home she isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. Then she gets the chance to trial a new dating app and hopes that her resulting article may just secure her position. When Adam turns up as her perfect match, Laura can’t believe her luck but as time goes on she finds herself drawn to another and once more doubt creeps in. Where will it all end?
What a great story! An original take on online dating, this tale is beautifully created and one which led to me explaining to my husband what I was laughing at on several occasions – and he also laughed! The author has a winning way of making characters interact – and well-developed characters they are too. Truly delightful and full of surprises, this is one I’m happy to recommend. I hope to read more from Emma Hughes in future and am happy to give this one 4.5*.
Laura Morrison doesn’t exactly have everything going for her at the moment; in danger of losing her job and currently sleeping on an air bed in her sister’s home she isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. Then she gets the chance to trial a new dating app and hopes that her resulting article may just secure her position. When Adam turns up as her perfect match, Laura can’t believe her luck but as time goes on she finds herself drawn to another and once more doubt creeps in. Where will it all end?
What a great story! An original take on online dating, this tale is beautifully created and one which led to me explaining to my husband what I was laughing at on several occasions – and he also laughed! The author has a winning way of making characters interact – and well-developed characters they are too. Truly delightful and full of surprises, this is one I’m happy to recommend. I hope to read more from Emma Hughes in future and am happy to give this one 4.5*.
July 17, 2021
Laura Morrison’s life is a bit of a mess. She’s currently living on a blow up bed in her sister’s attic. She’s hanging on to her job by a thread. Her ex-boyfriend and former roommate has just moved in with his new girlfriend. And Laura is worrying that there is something wrong with her because she’s never had a long-term relationship. And then, along comes Cupid (and no, I don’t mean the baby with a bow and arrow). A new dating app that promises to find you your perfect match by having access to all your internet browsing. To save her job and open the door to love, Laura agrees to be the first to test it out.
I had high hopes for this book, I had just finished something very dark when I started this. Unfortunately, my hopes fell a little flat. Laura is a very relatable character, I mean who hasn’t worried that something is wrong with them? (Please tell me I’m not alone here). There are many times when you just want to jump through the page and hug her. However, after just a few pages, you know that Laura needs to learn to love herself instead of looking for love. And this is never properly dealt with in the book. To be honest, any issues that characters face are brushed off a little too lightly.
As for her love interests, well….. Adam seems to be a sweetheart, while Cass is a slimeball. As soon as Cass was introduced you knew straight away, not good news. But other than the typical good guy bad guy trope, neither of these men felt like real human beings.
The book does have some funny moments, with some witty dialogue. I think maybe my hopes were a little high when starting, but overall it is a good book. I think that I had hoped for a little more insight and self care when it came to Laura.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the copy of this book.
Rebecca, 1/3 of The Grim Readers.
I had high hopes for this book, I had just finished something very dark when I started this. Unfortunately, my hopes fell a little flat. Laura is a very relatable character, I mean who hasn’t worried that something is wrong with them? (Please tell me I’m not alone here). There are many times when you just want to jump through the page and hug her. However, after just a few pages, you know that Laura needs to learn to love herself instead of looking for love. And this is never properly dealt with in the book. To be honest, any issues that characters face are brushed off a little too lightly.
As for her love interests, well….. Adam seems to be a sweetheart, while Cass is a slimeball. As soon as Cass was introduced you knew straight away, not good news. But other than the typical good guy bad guy trope, neither of these men felt like real human beings.
The book does have some funny moments, with some witty dialogue. I think maybe my hopes were a little high when starting, but overall it is a good book. I think that I had hoped for a little more insight and self care when it came to Laura.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the copy of this book.
Rebecca, 1/3 of The Grim Readers.
July 10, 2022
3.5. Stars
They say it never rains but it pours and that’s certainly true for our protagonist Laura. She’s air-bed surfing at her sister’s house after her housemates coupled up, her job as a junior journalist is under threat and her parents’ marriage has just imploded. She’s also beginning to wonder if the one she let get away was actually THE ONE.
Then she’s contacted by Nush from a new concept app, Cupid. Is this the answer to Laura’s dreams or the start of another nightmare?
There are some fun moments in this and some of the banter is actually both funny and quite realistic. The biggest problem for me was that Laura was often extremely annoying. Instead of laughing at her thoughtlessness and rudeness, eg turning up drunk/late, two-timing, etc, I just wanted to tell her to grow up.
At the outset, Jaime seems uptight and condescending but by the end you understand why. She and her husband have to deal with the pain of infertility and watching them deal with adult problems in an adult way throws Laura’s recklessness into further relief.
It’s fairly light and I was lucky enough to get an ARC audio version which was well-narrated and a great accompaniment on my walks. Would just have been nice to see some personal growth in our protagonist through the course of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Audio for an ARC audiobook in return for an honest review.
They say it never rains but it pours and that’s certainly true for our protagonist Laura. She’s air-bed surfing at her sister’s house after her housemates coupled up, her job as a junior journalist is under threat and her parents’ marriage has just imploded. She’s also beginning to wonder if the one she let get away was actually THE ONE.
Then she’s contacted by Nush from a new concept app, Cupid. Is this the answer to Laura’s dreams or the start of another nightmare?
There are some fun moments in this and some of the banter is actually both funny and quite realistic. The biggest problem for me was that Laura was often extremely annoying. Instead of laughing at her thoughtlessness and rudeness, eg turning up drunk/late, two-timing, etc, I just wanted to tell her to grow up.
At the outset, Jaime seems uptight and condescending but by the end you understand why. She and her husband have to deal with the pain of infertility and watching them deal with adult problems in an adult way throws Laura’s recklessness into further relief.
It’s fairly light and I was lucky enough to get an ARC audio version which was well-narrated and a great accompaniment on my walks. Would just have been nice to see some personal growth in our protagonist through the course of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK Audio for an ARC audiobook in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2021
I was really looking forward to this book, but in all honesty I just didn't get along with it.
The story revolves around Laura. She's about to lose her job and had lost her home and had to move in with her sister, when she is given the opportunity to trial a new dating app called Cupid. Cupid is apparently designed to use clever algorithms to match you with someone that is mathematically perfect for you. But as the book says. There is no such thing as perfect.
The first chapter I came up against my first issue which took me a while to get around. The main protagonist is called Laura. Throughout the book she is referred to as Laura. For me this made it so much harder to get in too, than a book written from the MC POV.
Secondly. I think cheating is appalling so it just wasn't for me. Laura was so woe is me. I hated her sister Jamie. Her mum was a cheater. Her dad, as much as a felt sorry for him I couldn't understand how much of a wet blanket he was.
I think Lil and Inge were the only redeeming characters is my opinion.
Had a good twist but I wouldn't read again.
The story revolves around Laura. She's about to lose her job and had lost her home and had to move in with her sister, when she is given the opportunity to trial a new dating app called Cupid. Cupid is apparently designed to use clever algorithms to match you with someone that is mathematically perfect for you. But as the book says. There is no such thing as perfect.
The first chapter I came up against my first issue which took me a while to get around. The main protagonist is called Laura. Throughout the book she is referred to as Laura. For me this made it so much harder to get in too, than a book written from the MC POV.
Secondly. I think cheating is appalling so it just wasn't for me. Laura was so woe is me. I hated her sister Jamie. Her mum was a cheater. Her dad, as much as a felt sorry for him I couldn't understand how much of a wet blanket he was.
I think Lil and Inge were the only redeeming characters is my opinion.
Had a good twist but I wouldn't read again.
August 28, 2021
A perfectly nice book, an all rounder so will suit most people, I'm sure. I liked the range of characters that we got and would definitely hang out with Laura.
I'm bitter that they referred to Pembrokeshire as North Wales and I wiiishhhhhhh we had more of a grand reveal after the wire 👀
I'm bitter that they referred to Pembrokeshire as North Wales and I wiiishhhhhhh we had more of a grand reveal after the wire 👀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2022
The idea of this novel did sound interesting of how a new app called Cupid would suddenly match you with someone based on your online habits. Yeah that is far from what happened.
This book supports being a slutty cheat all around so no. I am not going into detail.
This book supports being a slutty cheat all around so no. I am not going into detail.
August 5, 2021
No Such Thing As Perfect has an intriguing premise that immediately grabbed my attention. This is a clever, modern-day dating story, but also so much more.
Laura Morrison’s life was not going as well as she had hoped. At twenty-nine, she was living in her sister and brother-in-law’s house and sleeping on an air mattress, her journalism job was hanging on by a thread, and her romantic life was pretty much nonexistent. When Cupid, a new dating service, offered her the opportunity to be one of the first clients in their pilot project in exchange for her documenting her experience at the newspaper she worked at, she figured that this story could not only save her job, but also find her soulmate.
With all of the dating apps and services out there, Cupid took things in a different direction by taking their clients Internet history and using it to find a compatible love interest. Yes, this was an intriguing premise, but also a scary and intrusive one. Think about all of the things that you’ve searched for online: from that WebMD self-diagnosis to the celebrity’s name from that movie that you just couldn’t think of to the multitude of shopping items that you just had to have. I shudder at the thought!
What I enjoyed most about this novel was that the characters were not perfect. I’m not the type of reader who wants to be swept up in an idealistic, too-good-to-be-true scenario. Bring on the flawed, realistic characters! Emma Hughes did just that.
Laura’s life wasn’t picture-perfect. She had been unlucky in love (at a bit of her own doing). Her ideas of love, romance, and marriage were a bit jaded by her own parents’ marriage. They weren’t the best role models of a happily ever after, as their marriage had been tumultuous and on the rocks for years.
When Cupid found Laura’s match, he was everything that she should have wanted: he was handsome, educated, had a good career, and was a family-minded person. But while she tried to find that spark between them, she just wasn’t feeling their connection. She did, however, feel a spark with one of the Cupid employees. Mm-hmm.
There were plenty of highs and lows on Laura’s journey. Her path wasn’t smooth and easy, but she plodded on and persisted. As I mentioned, she wasn’t a perfect character, but she was one that I couldn’t help but root for. I wanted her to find happiness, to be content in her life, to find true love. Did she? I’m not going to say, but her journey was one that I was glad to be on with her.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
Laura Morrison’s life was not going as well as she had hoped. At twenty-nine, she was living in her sister and brother-in-law’s house and sleeping on an air mattress, her journalism job was hanging on by a thread, and her romantic life was pretty much nonexistent. When Cupid, a new dating service, offered her the opportunity to be one of the first clients in their pilot project in exchange for her documenting her experience at the newspaper she worked at, she figured that this story could not only save her job, but also find her soulmate.
With all of the dating apps and services out there, Cupid took things in a different direction by taking their clients Internet history and using it to find a compatible love interest. Yes, this was an intriguing premise, but also a scary and intrusive one. Think about all of the things that you’ve searched for online: from that WebMD self-diagnosis to the celebrity’s name from that movie that you just couldn’t think of to the multitude of shopping items that you just had to have. I shudder at the thought!
What I enjoyed most about this novel was that the characters were not perfect. I’m not the type of reader who wants to be swept up in an idealistic, too-good-to-be-true scenario. Bring on the flawed, realistic characters! Emma Hughes did just that.
Laura’s life wasn’t picture-perfect. She had been unlucky in love (at a bit of her own doing). Her ideas of love, romance, and marriage were a bit jaded by her own parents’ marriage. They weren’t the best role models of a happily ever after, as their marriage had been tumultuous and on the rocks for years.
When Cupid found Laura’s match, he was everything that she should have wanted: he was handsome, educated, had a good career, and was a family-minded person. But while she tried to find that spark between them, she just wasn’t feeling their connection. She did, however, feel a spark with one of the Cupid employees. Mm-hmm.
There were plenty of highs and lows on Laura’s journey. Her path wasn’t smooth and easy, but she plodded on and persisted. As I mentioned, she wasn’t a perfect character, but she was one that I couldn’t help but root for. I wanted her to find happiness, to be content in her life, to find true love. Did she? I’m not going to say, but her journey was one that I was glad to be on with her.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
June 21, 2021
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Cornerstone and Penguin Random House UK for approving me for an ARC of this book.
I found this audio book really easy to listen to. Samantha Banks is a great narrator, it seemed effortless and her Scottish accent was brilliant!
This story follows Laura and her quest to find the perfect man and therefore the perfect life. To save herself from redundancy she decides to be a guinea pig for a new start up match making company, Cupid. They promise to find Laura her perfect match in exchange for a positive article detailing how thankful she is to Cupid for fixing her love life.
I have never been in the world of online dating but I know a few people who have. The likes of Tinder and Hinge are completely alien to me and so I loved that this book brought dating into the 21st Century and open naïve eyes like mine to that world. I’ve always been dubious about these dating apps and wondered how it all works so it was great to get some insider knowledge, even if Cupid weren’t as legit as they seemed.
I quite liked Laura and Adam as a couple at the start. I thought Adam was very sweet and had obviously been badly hurt in the past. You could see the cracks appearing quite early on though and that had me questioning if he was right for her? Her relationship journey took a rather predictable path in the story but I think that was the point and I quite liked Laura’s relationship status by the end.
This story had plenty of moments were I found myself having a little chuckle but there were some serious issues too. Laura and her sister Jamie had a really interesting relationship. Whilst Jamie seemed very cold and prickly I think a lot of that was down to her need to control her life especially given what her mum had done when they were both at school. How Laura’s relationships changed with her family was the golden nugget of the story. The frank conversations she had with not just Jamie but both her parents showed how far she’d come in the story. I have to give a special mention to Whit who, whilst being a little clueless, was such a sweet character who often made me smile.
Filled with funny, witty characters this will make the perfect summer read. I devoured it in almost one listen and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Grab your refreshments, get yourself comfy and get ready to smile!
I found this audio book really easy to listen to. Samantha Banks is a great narrator, it seemed effortless and her Scottish accent was brilliant!
This story follows Laura and her quest to find the perfect man and therefore the perfect life. To save herself from redundancy she decides to be a guinea pig for a new start up match making company, Cupid. They promise to find Laura her perfect match in exchange for a positive article detailing how thankful she is to Cupid for fixing her love life.
I have never been in the world of online dating but I know a few people who have. The likes of Tinder and Hinge are completely alien to me and so I loved that this book brought dating into the 21st Century and open naïve eyes like mine to that world. I’ve always been dubious about these dating apps and wondered how it all works so it was great to get some insider knowledge, even if Cupid weren’t as legit as they seemed.
I quite liked Laura and Adam as a couple at the start. I thought Adam was very sweet and had obviously been badly hurt in the past. You could see the cracks appearing quite early on though and that had me questioning if he was right for her? Her relationship journey took a rather predictable path in the story but I think that was the point and I quite liked Laura’s relationship status by the end.
This story had plenty of moments were I found myself having a little chuckle but there were some serious issues too. Laura and her sister Jamie had a really interesting relationship. Whilst Jamie seemed very cold and prickly I think a lot of that was down to her need to control her life especially given what her mum had done when they were both at school. How Laura’s relationships changed with her family was the golden nugget of the story. The frank conversations she had with not just Jamie but both her parents showed how far she’d come in the story. I have to give a special mention to Whit who, whilst being a little clueless, was such a sweet character who often made me smile.
Filled with funny, witty characters this will make the perfect summer read. I devoured it in almost one listen and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Grab your refreshments, get yourself comfy and get ready to smile!
April 27, 2021
Laura, a journalist at risk of redundancy, is unlucky in love. After numerous failed relationships and after losing her flat, she finds herself sleeping on an air mattress in her sister's spare room and as she's at risk of losing her job, she puts herself forward for trialling Cupid - a high-tech new dating service that will draw on everything she's ever done online to find her perfect match. Everything from a Google search, an online food shop, what photos she likes on Instagram and even what memes she's engaged with, will help determine Laura's perfect partner. She's due to write an article about the process, and the story charts her on-paper perfect match with good-looking, kind and considerate Adam but ultimately everything is not as it seems.
I had SUCH high hopes for this one, but I did feel as though it ebbs too much on the predictable side of the 'perfect' match trope, in that whilst someone on paper seems ideal, they're far from it in real life. Also, I was led into this story thinking it was going to be a feel-good romance or chick lit, but instead, it doesn't really fit into either category as the romantic moments feel a tad disjointed and sometimes just a tad awkward. With that being said though, it's great to see that the book tackles the less than perfect aspects of not only a relationship but life and its milestones and the expectations that face us when we reach certain ages like marriage, homeownership and children. It's candid, quirky and humorous, but doesn't pack a memorable punch.
The premise of a dating app that doesn't rely on swiping, or chat-up lines or filtered photos sounded intriguing, but it is not unique. It is something I've seen in other books and most recently I read Married at First Swipe which this reminded me too greatly of, and ultimately could be why this felt so predictable to me.
*Huge thanks to Netgalley and Cornerstone for my advanced review copy!
I had SUCH high hopes for this one, but I did feel as though it ebbs too much on the predictable side of the 'perfect' match trope, in that whilst someone on paper seems ideal, they're far from it in real life. Also, I was led into this story thinking it was going to be a feel-good romance or chick lit, but instead, it doesn't really fit into either category as the romantic moments feel a tad disjointed and sometimes just a tad awkward. With that being said though, it's great to see that the book tackles the less than perfect aspects of not only a relationship but life and its milestones and the expectations that face us when we reach certain ages like marriage, homeownership and children. It's candid, quirky and humorous, but doesn't pack a memorable punch.
The premise of a dating app that doesn't rely on swiping, or chat-up lines or filtered photos sounded intriguing, but it is not unique. It is something I've seen in other books and most recently I read Married at First Swipe which this reminded me too greatly of, and ultimately could be why this felt so predictable to me.
*Huge thanks to Netgalley and Cornerstone for my advanced review copy!
June 14, 2022
Oh yay!!! I liked this!! It was totally not what I expected- and such a good finale!!! YESSSS!!!
Overall this book was great! I liked the story line and it is definitely not your typical romance novel. It was quite refreshing. The characters were overall great and Jamie was definitely my favourite. I found Laura to be a bit petulant at times and I found that I would be annoyed with her when reading. I was definitely not her biggest fan at times- I felt like she constantly needed a reminder to grow up. I also loved the dynamic of the familial relationships- I found I could really relate to a lot of the things that happened to Laura’s family. Also- completely loved HARRISON- he was one of the most full of character dogs I’ve read about in a long time!
If you’re looking for an atypical “boy meets girl” novel with a refreshing ending- I suggest you pick this one up!
P.s Wish there was a book about Jamie and Whit!!! I’d love to hear how two completely different people wind up so madly In love- I don’t say this Often but… may be time for a prequel!! 😊
Arc received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Overall this book was great! I liked the story line and it is definitely not your typical romance novel. It was quite refreshing. The characters were overall great and Jamie was definitely my favourite. I found Laura to be a bit petulant at times and I found that I would be annoyed with her when reading. I was definitely not her biggest fan at times- I felt like she constantly needed a reminder to grow up. I also loved the dynamic of the familial relationships- I found I could really relate to a lot of the things that happened to Laura’s family. Also- completely loved HARRISON- he was one of the most full of character dogs I’ve read about in a long time!
If you’re looking for an atypical “boy meets girl” novel with a refreshing ending- I suggest you pick this one up!
P.s Wish there was a book about Jamie and Whit!!! I’d love to hear how two completely different people wind up so madly In love- I don’t say this Often but… may be time for a prequel!! 😊
Arc received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2021
An utter delight of a book, which pairs romantic comedy with self discovery, family-of-origin woes and a wicked dash of satire (the newspaper industry, east London gentrification and tech bro startup culture all get a knowing, affectionate skewering). At the heart of No Such Thing As Perfect, and the glue that holds it together, is Laura, a main character so likeable and relatable that you at once want to shake her and take her out for a drink. I'd have loved to have learned more about Cupid, the data driven dating app that is the book's meet-cute conceit, partly because I'm reading The Age of Surveillance Capitalism as my non-fiction book right now, partly because I'm a big nerd that way - but I guess there's only so far you can go before your contemporary women's fiction turns into another feminist dystopia. Regardless, this was a great read, and one I'd highly recommend for your summer holiday reading list!
March 3, 2022
With Thanks to Emma Hughes and Penguin Random House for an advanced audio copy of this book
3*
This one had/has so much potential, the protagonist is so lovely and bubbly. A really likeable character who you route for the whole way through. Great premise, MC trials a dating app called Cupid, which aims to set you matches based on you digital footprint, "Love by algorithm". More journey of self-discovery than it is a contemporary romance, reminds me a lot of Bridget Jones in its style and humour.
The issues? Why is it so long? It's just too long, it meanders around aimlessly in places and really disrupts the flow of what is otherwise a really good, enjoyable read.
3*
This one had/has so much potential, the protagonist is so lovely and bubbly. A really likeable character who you route for the whole way through. Great premise, MC trials a dating app called Cupid, which aims to set you matches based on you digital footprint, "Love by algorithm". More journey of self-discovery than it is a contemporary romance, reminds me a lot of Bridget Jones in its style and humour.
The issues? Why is it so long? It's just too long, it meanders around aimlessly in places and really disrupts the flow of what is otherwise a really good, enjoyable read.
May 26, 2025
So wanted to like this one - the blurb totally sold me on this one - but it somehow failed to deliver the carefree, breezy rom-com vibe that was implied. Found the main protagonist rather unsympathetic. from the constant hang-up on her ex to being so droll about 'my sister expects me to behave like a child so I will behave like a child with her even though I'm a grown woman...' The love triangle was also meh, not to mention the cheating involved, which further made heroine unsympathetic and not someone I'd want to back and cheer on.
Overall had potential but it didn't click with me
Overall had potential but it didn't click with me
July 26, 2021
I’m on the fence with No Such Thing As Perfect. From the premise I was expecting a fun read but I found the book quite slow going and some parts a little boring. I also couldn’t gel with any of the characters so found this book wasn’t really for me. I would rate it 2.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.
June 20, 2021
No Such Thing As Perfect by Emma Hughes an almost perfect four-star read. Some people will have issues with this one as there is cheating, that wasn’t what I had issues with, it was just that I didn’t like Laura for chunks of the story, I loved her at some points and wanted to shake her at others, just for her sheer short sightedness, for someone who was supposed to investigate and understand what was going on. It is more of a story about Laura’s journey than a romance, and if you want that they you will enjoy it, but if you want a heart-warming romance, avoid.
March 14, 2023
3.5, rounded down to 3
July 8, 2021
Full review here: https://theresnoenjoymentlikereading....
April 3, 2021
Genre: Romance | Womens Fiction
Release Date: Expected 5th August 2021
Laura Williams just lost her flat, and now she's on the verge of losing her job too. Living on an air mattress on her overbearing sisters floor, not much is going right. Her life is most definitely not perfect.
As a journalist, Laura is constantly bombarded by hundreds of emails a day which she swiftly deletes - including one from Cupid - a new dating start-up powered by digital footprints. No swiping, no pickup lines, just scientifically provden matchmaking with guaranteed results. But the email doesn't stay in the bin for long; if this works it could be the perfect piece to make her mark on the magazine and to meet Adam, her mathematically perfect match.
But it's a lot of pressure to be told you're someones soulmate before you've ever met - and can the head really replace the heart when it comes to love?
Laura and Adam were both adorable and so very awkward from the first meeting - I loved watching as they tried to figure out who each other really is and how that reflects on themselves. But love isn't simple, and as Laura finds herself more drawn to one of the people who led her to Adam instead, she's faced with the most basic human question - following her head or her heart?
Full of vibrancy and hilarity, No Such Thing As Perfect was funny and so cute - and a perfect representation of a twenty-something woman who is nowhere near where she expects to be in life and with no idea what's going on.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Emma Hughes and Random House UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.
June 23, 2021
Fun, light read about a young woman that feels she doesn't get the adulting thing. She has never been in a long term relationship, her job is at threat and she had to move in with her much more successful sister, because her flatmates got together and moved out to their own place. She works as a writer in Sunday paper and is offered an unusual opportunity to try a brand new dating service. This service collects all your internet history, churns it through data models and finds you a perfect match. She'll be first to try it out, they'll find a guy she'll be obligated to date for three months and after that she'll write an editorial on her experience. Considering her job situation, she feels this is her best shot at keeping her position, so she takes it on.
Various romantic antics ensue after that. Laura, the main character, is very likeable, and it was easy to cheer her on and empathize with her. I really enjoyed the story, especially when it turned slightly more into a critical investigation of what's up with this dating service.
The family dynamics that are a strong character in the story remind me way too much of the TV series 'Fleabag'. We have sisters where one is really successful and has a husband whose character is the total opposite of her and seems like they couldn't possibly be a great fit. Sister that is dating a lot and doesn't have a great handle on her life. And we have parents with their own problems, and a very tense relationship between the older sister and the father. I get this is not unique for Fleabag, and simple enough of a set-up to be represented in many stories. But it all just seems a bit too close to the show.
Various romantic antics ensue after that. Laura, the main character, is very likeable, and it was easy to cheer her on and empathize with her. I really enjoyed the story, especially when it turned slightly more into a critical investigation of what's up with this dating service.
The family dynamics that are a strong character in the story remind me way too much of the TV series 'Fleabag'. We have sisters where one is really successful and has a husband whose character is the total opposite of her and seems like they couldn't possibly be a great fit. Sister that is dating a lot and doesn't have a great handle on her life. And we have parents with their own problems, and a very tense relationship between the older sister and the father. I get this is not unique for Fleabag, and simple enough of a set-up to be represented in many stories. But it all just seems a bit too close to the show.
February 15, 2023
Really enjoyed it!!! Fingers crossed this author writes another book because I’ll definitely be buying it.
August 5, 2021
Laura Morrison works at Bugle Media. She is a forever Singleton and to save her beloved job following the threat of redundancy, she was offered a rare chance to make her future happy by piloting an independent new dating site, Cupid, where she would be matched with her dream partner based on data collection algorithms and statistics.
This became an ideal opportunity for her to prove her worth and enabling her to write an article for her beloved bugle!
As a chicklet it wasn't my favourite. There were a few chuckles but Laura's journey meeting her match Adam was very annoying and the introduction of the unlikely Josh was also frustrating.
The story was a bit hit and miss and quite annoying, predictable plot. I'm just pleased that she had one friend who didn't agree or accept her adulterous behaviour! It was silly....
It had such a weird strange ending with Laura ending up happily ever after with a random vet that it seemed only been introduced once or twice the entire novel?? This was a bit like the author didn't know where to go with the story that she began with... ''then I woke up and it was all a dream'' styleeeee ....
The chapters also flowed very strangely one minute I felt I was listening to Laura doing blah blah blah and then the story jumped and veered off in another direction. I kept having to rewind to see if I had missed something. It was very difficult to concentrate and keep up..
Despite a wonderful clear and accentual performance by Samantha Barks I felt that she was extremely fast-paced and in-your-face. I'm still on the fence.
Basically im so sad to say this is my first negative review ever.
Such a shame it didn't float my boat. Others seems to have enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cornerstone, penguin books and the author Emma Hughes for allowing me an advance copy of the audio version of this book book in exchange for an honest review.
As always I appreciate this opportunity as being registered blind I am loving listening & reviewing books!
This became an ideal opportunity for her to prove her worth and enabling her to write an article for her beloved bugle!
As a chicklet it wasn't my favourite. There were a few chuckles but Laura's journey meeting her match Adam was very annoying and the introduction of the unlikely Josh was also frustrating.
The story was a bit hit and miss and quite annoying, predictable plot. I'm just pleased that she had one friend who didn't agree or accept her adulterous behaviour! It was silly....
It had such a weird strange ending with Laura ending up happily ever after with a random vet that it seemed only been introduced once or twice the entire novel?? This was a bit like the author didn't know where to go with the story that she began with... ''then I woke up and it was all a dream'' styleeeee ....
The chapters also flowed very strangely one minute I felt I was listening to Laura doing blah blah blah and then the story jumped and veered off in another direction. I kept having to rewind to see if I had missed something. It was very difficult to concentrate and keep up..
Despite a wonderful clear and accentual performance by Samantha Barks I felt that she was extremely fast-paced and in-your-face. I'm still on the fence.
Basically im so sad to say this is my first negative review ever.
Such a shame it didn't float my boat. Others seems to have enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Cornerstone, penguin books and the author Emma Hughes for allowing me an advance copy of the audio version of this book book in exchange for an honest review.
As always I appreciate this opportunity as being registered blind I am loving listening & reviewing books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
For all the cliched characters, ludicrous plot and sizeable dollop of schmaltz., I enjoyed this chirpy romantic thriller. Good to see a little social realism and class conflict forcing its way on to the pages, as well as some interesting reflections on family, career, self-determination, maturity. The plot centres around a woman who finds herrself lagging behind her peers, single, broke, relying on relatives for support: emotionally wrecked while trying to cope with parents and work colleagues who seem still more wrecked. Will a new dating platform fix all her woes? Of course not. But the premise that it might does keep you interested and guessing.
Nicely observed, with some genuinely witty moments, as well as the odd self-conscious nod to Fleabag, this is a better than average beach read.
Nicely observed, with some genuinely witty moments, as well as the odd self-conscious nod to Fleabag, this is a better than average beach read.
August 2, 2021
Are you clued up or clueless when it comes to searching for love? How do you find the love of your life? That’s the million dollar question that mystifies and eludes many of us, myself included! Is it through work, through friends, or more likely these days through a dating app? Cupid is a dating service with a difference, a method of finding love based purely upon your internet search history and Laura Morrison is to be its first guinea pig. Single, unlucky in love and living with her sister Jaime and brother in law Whit at the age of 29 now that her housemates Walker and Sasha have walked off into the sunset hand in hand, Laura is at a crossroads in her life. Her work situation is as diabolical as her living arrangements since she’s currently being forced to prove her worth as editorial assistant on the Bugle’s weekend magazine. With just sixteen weeks to go until the prospect of unemployment becomes a reality Laura feels backed into a corner. The only way of potentially avoiding the push is by agreeing to write up a feature for new kid on the dating block Cupid with herself and her love match, Adam Fraser, revealing all the insider details of their journey from singledom to coupledom. What could possibly go wrong?!?
Well, this isn’t quite the alien concept it would at first seem but given that at least in western culture the heart rules the head when it comes to matters of the heart Cupid’s format for finding love could either be a recipe for disaster or an unexpected resounding success. Adopting this clinical approach to finding the perfect match, rather than giving into the usual randomness of choosing a mate, may be very modern and alternative but can algorithms succeed where good old fashioned chemistry has previously failed? Funny, hopeful, cringeworthy and realistic Emma Hughes observes the highs and lows of the dating game through the eyes of someone who feels as if she is very much left on the shelf. With time running out for finding The One, you feel every inch of Laura’s desperation and vulnerability as she decides to place herself in the hands of the Cupid team and the incredibly annoying pain in the neck Nush. All her insecurities about love, romance and commitment are tossed aside in favour of putting her faith in Adam being a gift from the gods; the gods of technology rather than those of love! From the moment Adam and Laura meet for their excruciatingly awkward first date I was silently praying that in conveniently bypassing some of the worst pitfalls usually associated with dating, Laura could time hop straight towards her happy ever after. But where is the fun in that? Is Laura about to discover her search for Mr Right has been wrong all this time? Her head might be telling her Adam is the safest option but is he the kind of man her heart truly desires? As we all know what works well in theory doesn’t necessarily translate so well in practice so you can expect Laura’s path to finding her soulmate to be riddled with potholes! Whilst this is pretty much typical standard fare for this genre; lighthearted and fairly predictable with no surprises along the way I liked it.
It’s always the characters in these type of scenarios who make the whole experience enjoyable and worthwhile. So, what the plot line lacks in originality the author makes up for with good characterisation. From dependable, handsome Adam to Laura’s uptight, argumentative, straight laced sister and amenable, friendly brother in law to her constantly warring parents and her colourful single friend Lil with her adorable daughter Dora these characters help Laura realise a few salient truths about love, lust and life in general. Many of the scenes are quite amusing, a few are impassioned and one is embarrassingly awkward and slightly tense thanks to Laura behaving rather badly, in a immature but delightfully devilishly wicked way. This particular scene had me snorting with laughter but generally this isn’t a laugh a minute read. Instead there’s a remarkable amount of tension in Laura’s life ranging from the heated exchanges between her and her sister, the ongoing need to act as a buffer between both her parents not to mention the sexual tension that has been lingering in the air ever since Laura welcomed Cupid into her life. But the Morrison family are a genuine decent bunch, warts and all, and it helps that they are glued together by Harrison, their aged canine companion. I liked that the nearer Laura steps towards the finishing line at least some of the family tensions are resolved. Love is represented here in all its guises, good and bad proving to Laura that what works for one couple won’t necessarily work for another. By far the easiest relationship of them all is the uncomplicated friendship that exists between Laura and Lil, a breath of fresh air amongst the maelstrom of emotions that are whooshing through Laura’s heart and mind. Will Laura find herself a winner in the love stakes or has this whole experience been one huge learning curve with no prize at the end? Well that’s for me to know and for you to find out! Suffice to say Emma Hughes wraps up this quest for love more in a “to be continued” style rather than with a resounding full stop which I personally find more appealing and realistic.
This probably isn’t a novel that will remain in my thoughts for long as none of the characters possess that star quality that renders them memorable, but it is well written and an easy pleasurable read. The storyline permits you to ponder over these lessons in love without having to put yourself through the painful process!
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this isn’t quite the alien concept it would at first seem but given that at least in western culture the heart rules the head when it comes to matters of the heart Cupid’s format for finding love could either be a recipe for disaster or an unexpected resounding success. Adopting this clinical approach to finding the perfect match, rather than giving into the usual randomness of choosing a mate, may be very modern and alternative but can algorithms succeed where good old fashioned chemistry has previously failed? Funny, hopeful, cringeworthy and realistic Emma Hughes observes the highs and lows of the dating game through the eyes of someone who feels as if she is very much left on the shelf. With time running out for finding The One, you feel every inch of Laura’s desperation and vulnerability as she decides to place herself in the hands of the Cupid team and the incredibly annoying pain in the neck Nush. All her insecurities about love, romance and commitment are tossed aside in favour of putting her faith in Adam being a gift from the gods; the gods of technology rather than those of love! From the moment Adam and Laura meet for their excruciatingly awkward first date I was silently praying that in conveniently bypassing some of the worst pitfalls usually associated with dating, Laura could time hop straight towards her happy ever after. But where is the fun in that? Is Laura about to discover her search for Mr Right has been wrong all this time? Her head might be telling her Adam is the safest option but is he the kind of man her heart truly desires? As we all know what works well in theory doesn’t necessarily translate so well in practice so you can expect Laura’s path to finding her soulmate to be riddled with potholes! Whilst this is pretty much typical standard fare for this genre; lighthearted and fairly predictable with no surprises along the way I liked it.
It’s always the characters in these type of scenarios who make the whole experience enjoyable and worthwhile. So, what the plot line lacks in originality the author makes up for with good characterisation. From dependable, handsome Adam to Laura’s uptight, argumentative, straight laced sister and amenable, friendly brother in law to her constantly warring parents and her colourful single friend Lil with her adorable daughter Dora these characters help Laura realise a few salient truths about love, lust and life in general. Many of the scenes are quite amusing, a few are impassioned and one is embarrassingly awkward and slightly tense thanks to Laura behaving rather badly, in a immature but delightfully devilishly wicked way. This particular scene had me snorting with laughter but generally this isn’t a laugh a minute read. Instead there’s a remarkable amount of tension in Laura’s life ranging from the heated exchanges between her and her sister, the ongoing need to act as a buffer between both her parents not to mention the sexual tension that has been lingering in the air ever since Laura welcomed Cupid into her life. But the Morrison family are a genuine decent bunch, warts and all, and it helps that they are glued together by Harrison, their aged canine companion. I liked that the nearer Laura steps towards the finishing line at least some of the family tensions are resolved. Love is represented here in all its guises, good and bad proving to Laura that what works for one couple won’t necessarily work for another. By far the easiest relationship of them all is the uncomplicated friendship that exists between Laura and Lil, a breath of fresh air amongst the maelstrom of emotions that are whooshing through Laura’s heart and mind. Will Laura find herself a winner in the love stakes or has this whole experience been one huge learning curve with no prize at the end? Well that’s for me to know and for you to find out! Suffice to say Emma Hughes wraps up this quest for love more in a “to be continued” style rather than with a resounding full stop which I personally find more appealing and realistic.
This probably isn’t a novel that will remain in my thoughts for long as none of the characters possess that star quality that renders them memorable, but it is well written and an easy pleasurable read. The storyline permits you to ponder over these lessons in love without having to put yourself through the painful process!
My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
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