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The Girlfriends’ Club
I Feel Like There’s a But Coming
Relationship: Hanging by a thread.
Sex life: Dead on arrival.
Alcohol: Essential.
It’s normal to hate the man of your dreams, right?
Once upon a time, Abbie and Matt had swoon-worthy mini breaks in Paris, and Abbie would cook him steak wearing nothing but an apron and high heels. These days, they’re experiencing the longest dry spell on record… And Abbie is keeping a very big secret.
But she’s not ready to give up. Nobody knows Abbie like Matt does, and it helps that he’s tall, dark and handsome, with hazel eyes and dimples to die for.
Determined to reignite the romance, Abbie initiates Operation Memory Lane and recreates their happiest memories. Maybe breakfast in bed, sexy lingerie, dirty martinis and a romantic weekend in the countryside will bring back Abbie’s butterflies and make her giddy with happiness…
But revisiting the past is a risky business, and secrets always come out in the end. Will the truth ruin their second chance at love?
This totally addictive second-chance romance will give you All. The. Feels! Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella and Beth O’Leary.
Sex life: Dead on arrival.
Alcohol: Essential.
It’s normal to hate the man of your dreams, right?
Once upon a time, Abbie and Matt had swoon-worthy mini breaks in Paris, and Abbie would cook him steak wearing nothing but an apron and high heels. These days, they’re experiencing the longest dry spell on record… And Abbie is keeping a very big secret.
But she’s not ready to give up. Nobody knows Abbie like Matt does, and it helps that he’s tall, dark and handsome, with hazel eyes and dimples to die for.
Determined to reignite the romance, Abbie initiates Operation Memory Lane and recreates their happiest memories. Maybe breakfast in bed, sexy lingerie, dirty martinis and a romantic weekend in the countryside will bring back Abbie’s butterflies and make her giddy with happiness…
But revisiting the past is a risky business, and secrets always come out in the end. Will the truth ruin their second chance at love?
This totally addictive second-chance romance will give you All. The. Feels! Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Sophie Kinsella and Beth O’Leary.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2022
319 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Ranald
25 books568 followersSophie Ranald is the youngest of five sisters. She was born in Zimbabwe and lived in South Africa until an acute case of itchy feet brought her to London in her mid-20s.
As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she’d never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister’s Boyfriend (Wouldn’t It?) seemed to write itself.
Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat.
As an editor for a customer publishing agency, Sophie developed her fiction-writing skills describing holidays to places she’d never visited. In 2011, she decided to disregard all the good advice given to aspiring novelists and attempt to write full-time. After one false start, It Would Be Wrong to Steal My Sister’s Boyfriend (Wouldn’t It?) seemed to write itself.
Sophie also writes for magazines and online about food, fashion and running. She lives in south-east London with her amazing partner Hopi and Purrs, their adorable little cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
May 20, 2022
DNF
I do not understand nor connect with the story/ characters. Although I always drawn into a romance where the author takes their reader to after HEA.
I was hoping to find interesting plot in P.S. I Hate You. Instead I lost interest from the very beginning.
2 stars
I do not understand nor connect with the story/ characters. Although I always drawn into a romance where the author takes their reader to after HEA.
I was hoping to find interesting plot in P.S. I Hate You. Instead I lost interest from the very beginning.
2 stars
February 19, 2022
Please note that I received this via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
So here's the thing, don't go into this thinking this is the typical romance. The main reason why I gave this 4 stars, was that honestly it just read as not as fun/frothy as I thought it would be. I have read Ranald's prior books so I was expecting something different. This did not make this bad, but it was just not what I was expecting. And honestly, part of me was on Matt's side for some of this book. Not the whole thing, but I got really tired of Abbie about half way through. Just divorce if everything he is doing is making you crazy. Of course you have to keep reading to figure out what happened in the marriage that left them feeling so out of sync with each other. This is called a second chance romance, but am trying to think of the last one I read that had a married couple doing a second chance romance.
This follows a married couple (Abbie and Matt) who after 20 years together, have hit a very rough patch in their marriage. The book goes back and forth between when they first met, kissed, and the big and low moments of their lives together. In the end, the book asks how much do you really love someone, and what do you do when that love starts turning to dislike.
Abbie and her friends were great and very realistic. I did like how Abbie's friends kept encouraging her to talk things out and go down memory lane with Matt to rekindle things. You realize that they have more of the story than readers do, and when things get fully revealed, things make a lot more sense. I did feel for Abbie then.
I loved all of the scenes showing Abbie and Matt through the ages until the present day. You do get a sense of a true love story and two people who just like each other.
And you can tell both of them know things are wrong and want to make it better, but don't know how.
I did love the other characters we get in this one and I assume that one of them will pop up as the next main character in Ranald's books.
Though it's not explicitly said, the book seems to be taking place in a post-COVID or just plain COVID world. It's brought up that Matt and Abbie have both been working from home for a while. They have very little space and are in each other's face all day. The world seems a bit shut off. I think Ranald's last book where she includes COVID did so very well. I am curious if other romance authors are going to just ignore COVID, or just make it part of the dressing of the book so to speak.
The ending was very sweet I thought. And I loved that Ranald did not do something that I was ready for. No spoilers, but glad she went the other way with things. I also realized that I don't think that any of her prior characters showed up in this one like they have in prior books. No complaints from me since the last three books had me going ehh about some of them anyway.
So here's the thing, don't go into this thinking this is the typical romance. The main reason why I gave this 4 stars, was that honestly it just read as not as fun/frothy as I thought it would be. I have read Ranald's prior books so I was expecting something different. This did not make this bad, but it was just not what I was expecting. And honestly, part of me was on Matt's side for some of this book. Not the whole thing, but I got really tired of Abbie about half way through. Just divorce if everything he is doing is making you crazy. Of course you have to keep reading to figure out what happened in the marriage that left them feeling so out of sync with each other. This is called a second chance romance, but am trying to think of the last one I read that had a married couple doing a second chance romance.
This follows a married couple (Abbie and Matt) who after 20 years together, have hit a very rough patch in their marriage. The book goes back and forth between when they first met, kissed, and the big and low moments of their lives together. In the end, the book asks how much do you really love someone, and what do you do when that love starts turning to dislike.
Abbie and her friends were great and very realistic. I did like how Abbie's friends kept encouraging her to talk things out and go down memory lane with Matt to rekindle things. You realize that they have more of the story than readers do, and when things get fully revealed, things make a lot more sense. I did feel for Abbie then.
I loved all of the scenes showing Abbie and Matt through the ages until the present day. You do get a sense of a true love story and two people who just like each other.
And you can tell both of them know things are wrong and want to make it better, but don't know how.
I did love the other characters we get in this one and I assume that one of them will pop up as the next main character in Ranald's books.
Though it's not explicitly said, the book seems to be taking place in a post-COVID or just plain COVID world. It's brought up that Matt and Abbie have both been working from home for a while. They have very little space and are in each other's face all day. The world seems a bit shut off. I think Ranald's last book where she includes COVID did so very well. I am curious if other romance authors are going to just ignore COVID, or just make it part of the dressing of the book so to speak.
The ending was very sweet I thought. And I loved that Ranald did not do something that I was ready for. No spoilers, but glad she went the other way with things. I also realized that I don't think that any of her prior characters showed up in this one like they have in prior books. No complaints from me since the last three books had me going ehh about some of them anyway.
March 19, 2022
Abbie and Matt are childhood sweetheart and have been together for 20 years. Abbie once wishes she would only ever kiss Matt for the rest of her life, but standing their kitchen looking at his dirty spoon on the side she now wants to kill him. Question she has to ask herself is, is there any hope for their relationship or is it time to walk away.
Firstly I found this to be one of the funniest books I have read this year. Abbie on the advice of her besties decides to starting recreating significant moments from their past. Honestly they are so funny as we get to read the actual event and then today. It’s written really well because it’s a true redmflection of modern relationships espically regarding working from home .
Honestly this was a very raw story about marriage with humor to make it easier to digest. I feel I had a better connection with Abbie but maybe because the book was told from her pov. Plus the love of cats was a surprise I must say but I found myself attached to the poor abandoned cat shrimp.
Let’s just say this one will leave you laughing, crying and satisfied easy 4 stars. Recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre pick this up and get stuck in.
Thanks to netgalley the author and publishers for the advanced digital copy of p.s I hare you in exchange for my fair and honest opinions .
Firstly I found this to be one of the funniest books I have read this year. Abbie on the advice of her besties decides to starting recreating significant moments from their past. Honestly they are so funny as we get to read the actual event and then today. It’s written really well because it’s a true redmflection of modern relationships espically regarding working from home .
Honestly this was a very raw story about marriage with humor to make it easier to digest. I feel I had a better connection with Abbie but maybe because the book was told from her pov. Plus the love of cats was a surprise I must say but I found myself attached to the poor abandoned cat shrimp.
Let’s just say this one will leave you laughing, crying and satisfied easy 4 stars. Recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre pick this up and get stuck in.
Thanks to netgalley the author and publishers for the advanced digital copy of p.s I hare you in exchange for my fair and honest opinions .
January 31, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange of an honest review.
Blurb: Matt and Abbie have been together for 20 years. Now they’re both 37 years old, living together & fighting over the most inconsequential things. Abbie will try “Operation Memory Lane”, to remind her husband - and herself - about all the times she loved him and rescue her marriage.
I ate this book up in one sitting. I loved it, it was perfect. Witty, funny, and heartfelt, exactly what I’d expect from a romance like this. There were very emotional scenes and from those as well as other daily & domestic little things that span throughout the course of 20 years, we get to see in a real light what a relationship is all about.
The author did a wonderful job with the main characters, their quirks & memories, their chemistry and love. This was so genuine, I felt like my heart was in my hand the whole time.
This second change at romance book is perfect for fans of You Deserve Each Other, Relight my Fire, Landline & People We Meet on Vacation
Blurb: Matt and Abbie have been together for 20 years. Now they’re both 37 years old, living together & fighting over the most inconsequential things. Abbie will try “Operation Memory Lane”, to remind her husband - and herself - about all the times she loved him and rescue her marriage.
I ate this book up in one sitting. I loved it, it was perfect. Witty, funny, and heartfelt, exactly what I’d expect from a romance like this. There were very emotional scenes and from those as well as other daily & domestic little things that span throughout the course of 20 years, we get to see in a real light what a relationship is all about.
The author did a wonderful job with the main characters, their quirks & memories, their chemistry and love. This was so genuine, I felt like my heart was in my hand the whole time.
This second change at romance book is perfect for fans of You Deserve Each Other, Relight my Fire, Landline & People We Meet on Vacation
March 3, 2022
Favorite Quotes:
She’d snogged boys before, obviously. Gareth Roland, who’d tasted of cheese-and-onion crisps. Wayne– she’d never found out his last name– who’d stuck his tongue so deep into her mouth she thought she might choke. Vaughan Black, who she’d had the most enormous crush on but who’d groped her so enthusiastically he’d snapped her bra strap, and she’d had to spend the rest of the night clutching her left boob against her side with her elbow.
‘You can’t feed prawns to random cats! What if it had a shellfish allergy?’ ‘A cat with a shellfish allergy? Come on. What next– vegan, paleo, keto cats?’ ‘Aren’t all cats basically keto?’ ‘Yeah, I guess. But only some of them bang on about it endlessly to their mates.’
… how many relationships could withstand one partner telling the other he was so far up his own arse he needed a candle to read his emails…
It had been the long, grueling, unsuccessful process of trying to procreate that had stopped me feeling like a desiring, desirable, sexual person and made me feel like an egg-laying chicken in a battery farm– except my eggs were no good, and I’d get turned into pet food even sooner than my fertile sister chickens.
If the recipe for a happy marriage was barely being able to say a civil word to each other, I reckoned they’d nail it.
My Review:
Although I never dealt with the same unresolved issues as this couple, I identified with their plight. I would bet good money that the vast majority of couples who managed to stay married for a few decades have struggled, to varying degrees, with a sense of red hot disappointment in how parts of their lives together panned out, I know I certainly have. And kudos to those of us who made it through to the other side once dealing with the ennui, raging inner diva of entitlement, and the dawning realization that this is it so you better get with the program. And gold stars to those of us able to make the jump to maybe it’s not all on him or even about the annoying habits that trigger sudden warp speed jumps in blood pressure.
This was my first time reading Sophie Ranald and I applaud her clever use of humor, sensitivity, and surprising insight in dealing with several prickly issues that aren’t widely discussed. The characters’ independent and united journeys contained a few potholes and landmines that aren’t all that uncommon but can weigh heavily and turn nasty on a dime. The storylines were laced together with comedic descriptions as well as real-life issues while cast with characters that were well fleshed out, multi-faceted, and quick-witted with sassy banter and snarky observations. Ms. Ranald persuasively captured their peaks and valleys and day-to-day travails exceptionally well and deftly framed them with a surprising poignancy while still maintaining an engaging, entertaining, and amusing tale.
The main character of Abbie wasn’t always likable and could be rather horrid and quite the madam, but that is what made her true to life as don’t we all have our moments? I confess to having my share, and most of someone else’s as well. I adored her patient husband Matt and held my breath for fear he would decide he’d had enough of Abbie’s self-involved orientation and distance. But she was also making an effort and saw the potential as she replayed her memories and retraced their steps. I enjoyed the trek through their story and have added Ms. Ranald to my list of new favorites.
She’d snogged boys before, obviously. Gareth Roland, who’d tasted of cheese-and-onion crisps. Wayne– she’d never found out his last name– who’d stuck his tongue so deep into her mouth she thought she might choke. Vaughan Black, who she’d had the most enormous crush on but who’d groped her so enthusiastically he’d snapped her bra strap, and she’d had to spend the rest of the night clutching her left boob against her side with her elbow.
‘You can’t feed prawns to random cats! What if it had a shellfish allergy?’ ‘A cat with a shellfish allergy? Come on. What next– vegan, paleo, keto cats?’ ‘Aren’t all cats basically keto?’ ‘Yeah, I guess. But only some of them bang on about it endlessly to their mates.’
… how many relationships could withstand one partner telling the other he was so far up his own arse he needed a candle to read his emails…
It had been the long, grueling, unsuccessful process of trying to procreate that had stopped me feeling like a desiring, desirable, sexual person and made me feel like an egg-laying chicken in a battery farm– except my eggs were no good, and I’d get turned into pet food even sooner than my fertile sister chickens.
If the recipe for a happy marriage was barely being able to say a civil word to each other, I reckoned they’d nail it.
My Review:
Although I never dealt with the same unresolved issues as this couple, I identified with their plight. I would bet good money that the vast majority of couples who managed to stay married for a few decades have struggled, to varying degrees, with a sense of red hot disappointment in how parts of their lives together panned out, I know I certainly have. And kudos to those of us who made it through to the other side once dealing with the ennui, raging inner diva of entitlement, and the dawning realization that this is it so you better get with the program. And gold stars to those of us able to make the jump to maybe it’s not all on him or even about the annoying habits that trigger sudden warp speed jumps in blood pressure.
This was my first time reading Sophie Ranald and I applaud her clever use of humor, sensitivity, and surprising insight in dealing with several prickly issues that aren’t widely discussed. The characters’ independent and united journeys contained a few potholes and landmines that aren’t all that uncommon but can weigh heavily and turn nasty on a dime. The storylines were laced together with comedic descriptions as well as real-life issues while cast with characters that were well fleshed out, multi-faceted, and quick-witted with sassy banter and snarky observations. Ms. Ranald persuasively captured their peaks and valleys and day-to-day travails exceptionally well and deftly framed them with a surprising poignancy while still maintaining an engaging, entertaining, and amusing tale.
The main character of Abbie wasn’t always likable and could be rather horrid and quite the madam, but that is what made her true to life as don’t we all have our moments? I confess to having my share, and most of someone else’s as well. I adored her patient husband Matt and held my breath for fear he would decide he’d had enough of Abbie’s self-involved orientation and distance. But she was also making an effort and saw the potential as she replayed her memories and retraced their steps. I enjoyed the trek through their story and have added Ms. Ranald to my list of new favorites.
February 13, 2022
I AM A SUCKER FOR SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
This book was raw you guys!! I don’t like reading flashbacks sometimes because it can get all over the place but this book made the emotions so raw in past and present. Its so realistic and make the whole plot of trying to build back up the once fairytale marriage. Its not at all gonna be like the perfect smooth sailing ride and just like marriage it requires hardwork.
This story didnt have the spice factor (or too much drama) which was a bit disappointing for me but I FELT THE LOVE GUYS. And if it can make me swoon, im not complaining too much.
Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review <3
This book was raw you guys!! I don’t like reading flashbacks sometimes because it can get all over the place but this book made the emotions so raw in past and present. Its so realistic and make the whole plot of trying to build back up the once fairytale marriage. Its not at all gonna be like the perfect smooth sailing ride and just like marriage it requires hardwork.
This story didnt have the spice factor (or too much drama) which was a bit disappointing for me but I FELT THE LOVE GUYS. And if it can make me swoon, im not complaining too much.
Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review <3
April 5, 2022
2 stars. I wanted to enjoy this one so much more but it fell pretty flat for me.
Definitely for you if you enjoy:
- Second chance romance
- High school sweethearts
- Alternating timelines
Abbie and Matt fell in love when they were 17 and 20 years later, they’re married but not completely in love. When Abbie realizes this, her friends suggest a trip down memory lane and trying to reignite the flame. While recreating dates and trips and trying to fall back in love, it uncovers secrets and that they aren’t exactly who they were when they were 17. It also opens their eyes to who they are and how they can grow up together from where they are now.
ugh I soooooo wanted to like this one! this book was just very boring and really didn’t pick up until about 65% of the way through. even when it did pick up, it wasn’t anything incredibly exciting. i wanted more humor and more arguments and more of a moment when one of them realized they were still in love (a la You Deserve Each Other).
i has to mention this was taken place in england and maybe people in the UK would find this book funnier? i found some moments funny but it didnt even get a smile out of me. abbie and matt were flat characters and there seemed to not be any chemistry as lovers or enemies (which the tagline on the cover insisted). the summary was misleading to what this book was, which is boring and very tame. i love second chance romances with hijinks but this book unfortunately did not deliver.
I also didn’t like that the present timeline was in first person narrative and the past timeline was in past tense. it made for something a little more confusing and i believe the author should’ve stuck to one or the other instead of including both.
This one took a long time to read. I just had no urgency or want to pick it up because it was so slow and not as fun. There were some moments that were humorous and touching but they were so sparse, it was hard to connect to the characters.
thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in turn for an honest review.
Definitely for you if you enjoy:
- Second chance romance
- High school sweethearts
- Alternating timelines
Abbie and Matt fell in love when they were 17 and 20 years later, they’re married but not completely in love. When Abbie realizes this, her friends suggest a trip down memory lane and trying to reignite the flame. While recreating dates and trips and trying to fall back in love, it uncovers secrets and that they aren’t exactly who they were when they were 17. It also opens their eyes to who they are and how they can grow up together from where they are now.
ugh I soooooo wanted to like this one! this book was just very boring and really didn’t pick up until about 65% of the way through. even when it did pick up, it wasn’t anything incredibly exciting. i wanted more humor and more arguments and more of a moment when one of them realized they were still in love (a la You Deserve Each Other).
i has to mention this was taken place in england and maybe people in the UK would find this book funnier? i found some moments funny but it didnt even get a smile out of me. abbie and matt were flat characters and there seemed to not be any chemistry as lovers or enemies (which the tagline on the cover insisted). the summary was misleading to what this book was, which is boring and very tame. i love second chance romances with hijinks but this book unfortunately did not deliver.
I also didn’t like that the present timeline was in first person narrative and the past timeline was in past tense. it made for something a little more confusing and i believe the author should’ve stuck to one or the other instead of including both.
This one took a long time to read. I just had no urgency or want to pick it up because it was so slow and not as fun. There were some moments that were humorous and touching but they were so sparse, it was hard to connect to the characters.
thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in turn for an honest review.
March 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this book but I believe the title does not really fit the book. "Hate" is a strong word and I do not think at any point the characters hate each other. They might be frustrated with their situation, facing doubts about their relationship - but definitely not hate, not even close to it. Also, something about the title led me to believe that it would be a romcom, but the book definitely had more serious undertones (I am not complaining though)
While this book was very easy to read, the plot felt a bit unorganized. I understand that the Abbie and Matt were going through a rough patch in their marriage and they were both working together to fix that. But plot was all over the place. One moment they were trying to recreate their old memories, next moment they were adopting a cat. Abbie was working with a sex toy company. I thought it would come into play at some point but that did not happen. Abbie seemed close with her group of friends in the first half of the book, but then they were barely mentioned in the next half of the book. I wish we saw more of her bond with her friends and also her colleagues. I also do not understand how two characters who have been together for 20 years (since high school) have such major communication problem.
That being said, the book had many cute moments. The story how Matt and Abbie met and started dating was both hilarious and adorable. I loved how they realized their marriage was in a bad place and was willing to put in efforts to fix that. And I am glad that they finally learned how to communicate.
While this book was very easy to read, the plot felt a bit unorganized. I understand that the Abbie and Matt were going through a rough patch in their marriage and they were both working together to fix that. But plot was all over the place. One moment they were trying to recreate their old memories, next moment they were adopting a cat. Abbie was working with a sex toy company. I thought it would come into play at some point but that did not happen. Abbie seemed close with her group of friends in the first half of the book, but then they were barely mentioned in the next half of the book. I wish we saw more of her bond with her friends and also her colleagues. I also do not understand how two characters who have been together for 20 years (since high school) have such major communication problem.
That being said, the book had many cute moments. The story how Matt and Abbie met and started dating was both hilarious and adorable. I loved how they realized their marriage was in a bad place and was willing to put in efforts to fix that. And I am glad that they finally learned how to communicate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2022
Abbie and Matt were high school sweethearts brought together by a pigeon but twenty years later, it's the little things in a marriage that have Abbie questioning if she still loves her husband, after all they are always together as they both work from home and the small things he does have come to irritate Abbie.
.With the help of her friends, Abbie concocts a plan to rekindle their love, what could go wrong!
I felt Abbie with my whole soul. Being married is hard enough without being together 24/7.
I don't think it was even Matt's fault, you become complacent and you have to work on a marriage and choose to love your spouse every day.
I enjoyed reading the misadventures and it was a really enjoyable read.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
.With the help of her friends, Abbie concocts a plan to rekindle their love, what could go wrong!
I felt Abbie with my whole soul. Being married is hard enough without being together 24/7.
I don't think it was even Matt's fault, you become complacent and you have to work on a marriage and choose to love your spouse every day.
I enjoyed reading the misadventures and it was a really enjoyable read.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
August 4, 2022
P.S. I Hate You is one of the best romances I've read so far. It follows our two main characters Abbie and Matt from the first moment they met all the way up until their 9 year wedding anniversary as they fall and love, then out of love, and back in love again. It is a beautiful second chance romance that is so raw and emotional. You really get attached to Matt and Abbie along the way. They have such good chemistry as a couple and their struggle with their marriage feels so real and not sugar coated, I loved it. I'm really looking forward to reading other works by the author. Thank you to Netgalley as well as the publisher for allowing me to read an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
March 8, 2022
For this review and many others, please visit - https://bionicbookwormblog.wordpress.com
I love me a good second chance romance! Especially when it’s involving a well established relationship that’s fallen into a slump and they’re trying to rekindle the flame. I had high hopes that this was going to make my heart happy… instead it made me feel nothing at all. This is one of those books where you’ll either love it or hate it, with very little in between. It’s all going to come down to your own life and personal experiences that will determine how well you relate to this book. In a way it’s a good thing I didn’t relate though lol. I’ve been with my husband for 24 years in total (married 14) and every marriage has ups and downs. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. It’s not always anger and hurt. But there seemed to be so many things in this book that needed to be repaired and I’m not sure it was displayed enough to me to make me feel anything for these characters.
Here’s the thing – these characters were just flat. I have no real idea what their personalities are like, even after reading almost 300 pages. Their conversations were flat and holy hell did they ever lack communication in their relationship! They had been together for over 20 years and they still have secrets? How? They would speak to each other with very little emotion and then Abbie would have an inner monologue thinking about things from her past and how she wants things to be. But would she talk about any of this with Matt? Not really. She would skirt around the issue spending page after page wondering what he was thinking. That’s not my style at all and I think that’s what really drove me crazy. You need to talk with your partner if you expect things to change. You need to have a conversation letting them know what you want in order for changes to be made. You need to make your feelings known if you’re hurt, otherwise you’ll end up with 20 years of resentment… which is precisely what led them to this path in the first place. So yeah, it was the authors intent but it still irked me on a personal level.
What make this book even more difficult was the fact that their marital problems weren’t believable. Wait… that’s not entirely true. She made a good point where Abbie realizes (at the beginning of the book) that she’s not happy in her marriage when she sees a dirty spoon sitting NEXT to the dishwasher instead of being INSIDE the dishwasher. Seems trivial, right? It is, but that’s how marriage works sometimes. It’s not always the big explosive blowouts that cause problems. Sometimes it’s an accumulation of small things that pile up and break you. I’ve been there. But there wasn’t a whole lot from their past that was like the “AHA!” moment where she knew things were going wrong. We didn’t get a lot of background information on their marital problems in a way that would have made me connect with them more.
I honestly feel like, if this would have been a dual perspective novel, it would have been a GAME CHANGER! From where I sat, I really struggled to see how Matt was struggling because we only ever heard from Abbie. He seemed to be so loving and thoughtful around her. He would go out of his way to do things for her because he knew she liked it. He would touch her shoulder or say “I love you”. Small things that a partner does to let the other know they care. He didn’t seem as unhappy as she was, that’s for sure. But, though her perspective, she sounded as if he was utterly miserable. It wasn’t balanced. I needed to see things from both perspectives to really believe it. I would have loved to hear how he felt, not only in the marriage, but also through the recreation of happy times in their past and what that was doing to repair their relationship.
I feel like this book had a lot of potential but it really missed the emotional connection mark for me. Had it been dual perspective, I think that would have saved it. But I guess we will never know. And, like I mentioned earlier, I think the enjoyment of this book is all going to boil down to how you relate to the characters and the situation, which I didn’t have that connection either. I know that there are going to be people out there that love this book though! Second chances and reliving the past – it’s going to be someone’s new favourite… just not mine! Sorry!
I love me a good second chance romance! Especially when it’s involving a well established relationship that’s fallen into a slump and they’re trying to rekindle the flame. I had high hopes that this was going to make my heart happy… instead it made me feel nothing at all. This is one of those books where you’ll either love it or hate it, with very little in between. It’s all going to come down to your own life and personal experiences that will determine how well you relate to this book. In a way it’s a good thing I didn’t relate though lol. I’ve been with my husband for 24 years in total (married 14) and every marriage has ups and downs. It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. It’s not always anger and hurt. But there seemed to be so many things in this book that needed to be repaired and I’m not sure it was displayed enough to me to make me feel anything for these characters.
Here’s the thing – these characters were just flat. I have no real idea what their personalities are like, even after reading almost 300 pages. Their conversations were flat and holy hell did they ever lack communication in their relationship! They had been together for over 20 years and they still have secrets? How? They would speak to each other with very little emotion and then Abbie would have an inner monologue thinking about things from her past and how she wants things to be. But would she talk about any of this with Matt? Not really. She would skirt around the issue spending page after page wondering what he was thinking. That’s not my style at all and I think that’s what really drove me crazy. You need to talk with your partner if you expect things to change. You need to have a conversation letting them know what you want in order for changes to be made. You need to make your feelings known if you’re hurt, otherwise you’ll end up with 20 years of resentment… which is precisely what led them to this path in the first place. So yeah, it was the authors intent but it still irked me on a personal level.
What make this book even more difficult was the fact that their marital problems weren’t believable. Wait… that’s not entirely true. She made a good point where Abbie realizes (at the beginning of the book) that she’s not happy in her marriage when she sees a dirty spoon sitting NEXT to the dishwasher instead of being INSIDE the dishwasher. Seems trivial, right? It is, but that’s how marriage works sometimes. It’s not always the big explosive blowouts that cause problems. Sometimes it’s an accumulation of small things that pile up and break you. I’ve been there. But there wasn’t a whole lot from their past that was like the “AHA!” moment where she knew things were going wrong. We didn’t get a lot of background information on their marital problems in a way that would have made me connect with them more.
I honestly feel like, if this would have been a dual perspective novel, it would have been a GAME CHANGER! From where I sat, I really struggled to see how Matt was struggling because we only ever heard from Abbie. He seemed to be so loving and thoughtful around her. He would go out of his way to do things for her because he knew she liked it. He would touch her shoulder or say “I love you”. Small things that a partner does to let the other know they care. He didn’t seem as unhappy as she was, that’s for sure. But, though her perspective, she sounded as if he was utterly miserable. It wasn’t balanced. I needed to see things from both perspectives to really believe it. I would have loved to hear how he felt, not only in the marriage, but also through the recreation of happy times in their past and what that was doing to repair their relationship.
I feel like this book had a lot of potential but it really missed the emotional connection mark for me. Had it been dual perspective, I think that would have saved it. But I guess we will never know. And, like I mentioned earlier, I think the enjoyment of this book is all going to boil down to how you relate to the characters and the situation, which I didn’t have that connection either. I know that there are going to be people out there that love this book though! Second chances and reliving the past – it’s going to be someone’s new favourite… just not mine! Sorry!
March 3, 2022
Abbie and Matt were childhood sweethearts, friends have got together, had kids, split up etc but Matt and Abbie keep going, twenty years together and nine married. But lately Abbie has felt something is missing, they've lost that indescribable spark that let her forgive him for always leaving a dirty teaspoon on the side of the sink instead of putting it in the dishwasher (and Matt forgiving her for never closing a cupboard door - which my husband also does).
Abbie's WhatsApp friends group suggest she tries to recreate some occasions from their past, first date, etc. Of course what they are forgetting is that first dates when you are sixteen or seventeen are at Burger King and Nando's - not exactly the romantic dream LOL. Nevertheless, Abbie does try, and revisiting some of their old haunts/memories does bring them closer together, but there are some big issues and secrets causing the rift between them - will Operation Memory Lane heal the rift or break them apart?
This is the first book I've read which neither ignores lockdown nor dismisses it as something that happened in the past. Instead, there is no mention of COVID, just the grim reality of Abbie and Matt working from home together, at either end of their kitchen table, for months on end, the inability to get away from each other or do anything else, albeit that in Abbie and Matt's universe things are starting to return to normal.
There's humour, nostalgia (how I loved those trips down Memory Lane with the music and the food and the TV shows), pathos and so much more. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Abbie's WhatsApp friends group suggest she tries to recreate some occasions from their past, first date, etc. Of course what they are forgetting is that first dates when you are sixteen or seventeen are at Burger King and Nando's - not exactly the romantic dream LOL. Nevertheless, Abbie does try, and revisiting some of their old haunts/memories does bring them closer together, but there are some big issues and secrets causing the rift between them - will Operation Memory Lane heal the rift or break them apart?
This is the first book I've read which neither ignores lockdown nor dismisses it as something that happened in the past. Instead, there is no mention of COVID, just the grim reality of Abbie and Matt working from home together, at either end of their kitchen table, for months on end, the inability to get away from each other or do anything else, albeit that in Abbie and Matt's universe things are starting to return to normal.
There's humour, nostalgia (how I loved those trips down Memory Lane with the music and the food and the TV shows), pathos and so much more. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
April 19, 2022
I would like to start by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. In exchange, here is my honest review:
I thought this book would be a bit different to how it turned out to be. The name itself P.S. I Hate You wasn't completely accurate because at no point did I feel she really hated him, think she was just a little lost and didn't know where to go.
Regardless of slightly misleading title, I did enjoy this book. I don't know if that's because 10 years down the line, I could find myself in a very similar position to Abbie and Matt, having been with my boyfriend since we were 17. Reading about the rekindling of romance just sorta gives you hope, even if you're not at the point yet where it needs rekindling.
I thought the storyline was very relatable and real, lots of people would find themselves in similar positions, particularly when struggling to conceive. Though why adoption wasn't an option I'm not sure.
I would recommend this book though, was very easy to read despite the slightly tense topics at times.
I thought this book would be a bit different to how it turned out to be. The name itself P.S. I Hate You wasn't completely accurate because at no point did I feel she really hated him, think she was just a little lost and didn't know where to go.
Regardless of slightly misleading title, I did enjoy this book. I don't know if that's because 10 years down the line, I could find myself in a very similar position to Abbie and Matt, having been with my boyfriend since we were 17. Reading about the rekindling of romance just sorta gives you hope, even if you're not at the point yet where it needs rekindling.
I thought the storyline was very relatable and real, lots of people would find themselves in similar positions, particularly when struggling to conceive. Though why adoption wasn't an option I'm not sure.
I would recommend this book though, was very easy to read despite the slightly tense topics at times.
March 8, 2022
Abbie and Matt are experiencing a dry spell in their marriage. So dry, Abbie is considering divorce. After meeting in high school, they both thought they'd be together forever. But life and the setbacks that come with it have taken their toll. Now they barely speak. In a last ditch effort to save their marriage, Abbie comes up with a plan. Go back to some of the places that were benchmarks in their relationship. Reignite their love and try and remember the love that got them this far.
Told in alternating chapters, you'll follow Abbie and Matt from the beginning. From their first date to their wedding day. Throughout you'll see them revisit those places and memories while learning what went wrong and got them to where they are now. This book is truly beautifully written, but extremely heavy. You'll see them deal with infertility, a close friends addiction, and various other super heavy situations. I wasn't expecting it to be so damn heavy. This one is hard for me to review because I know the book was so well written, it was just personally hard for me to get through it. I'm also dealing with the dregs of a winter of depression, so the heaviness of the story made it hard for me to get through. Its truly very well written and a great tale of love lost and found. Just be ready to deal with super heavy and slightly depressing relationship situations. Its not something I have saw the author tackle before but she did it with grace and exquisite storytelling.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Thank you to Bookouture, Sophie Ronald, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Told in alternating chapters, you'll follow Abbie and Matt from the beginning. From their first date to their wedding day. Throughout you'll see them revisit those places and memories while learning what went wrong and got them to where they are now. This book is truly beautifully written, but extremely heavy. You'll see them deal with infertility, a close friends addiction, and various other super heavy situations. I wasn't expecting it to be so damn heavy. This one is hard for me to review because I know the book was so well written, it was just personally hard for me to get through it. I'm also dealing with the dregs of a winter of depression, so the heaviness of the story made it hard for me to get through. Its truly very well written and a great tale of love lost and found. Just be ready to deal with super heavy and slightly depressing relationship situations. Its not something I have saw the author tackle before but she did it with grace and exquisite storytelling.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Thank you to Bookouture, Sophie Ronald, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 28, 2023
Just one night can make or break a relationship. We meet Abbie and Matt on the first night that they shared a magical kiss as teenagers and journey with them through 20-plus years of love, laughter, adventure and so many teaspoons left on the kitchen counter RIGHT next to the bloody dishwasher.
PS I Hate You is a classic will they, won't they ‒ stay together ‒ story. When you meet, it's all the little things that drive you crazy ‒ in love. When you find yourself feeling distant even when together, it's because of all the little things that drove you just plain crazy. Like those damn teaspoons.
Is it possible to find your way back? And is that even what you want? That's what Abbie is asking herself daily. Not willing to give up without a fight, she launches Operation Memory Lane to try and rediscover why her and Matt fell in love in the first place.
This sweet, funny, sometimes sad, second-chance romance takes the two charming main characters from Nando's to The Ritz, walking new paths and old on their journey back to, hopefully, love.
I loved that the story wasn't just superficially about their relationship, but about their friendships with other people, major external stressors and long-kept secrets.
In the end, it comes down to one more night that determines whether or not the magic is still alive and well in their relationship. I was rooting for them.
Thanks so much NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book!
PS I Hate You is a classic will they, won't they ‒ stay together ‒ story. When you meet, it's all the little things that drive you crazy ‒ in love. When you find yourself feeling distant even when together, it's because of all the little things that drove you just plain crazy. Like those damn teaspoons.
Is it possible to find your way back? And is that even what you want? That's what Abbie is asking herself daily. Not willing to give up without a fight, she launches Operation Memory Lane to try and rediscover why her and Matt fell in love in the first place.
This sweet, funny, sometimes sad, second-chance romance takes the two charming main characters from Nando's to The Ritz, walking new paths and old on their journey back to, hopefully, love.
I loved that the story wasn't just superficially about their relationship, but about their friendships with other people, major external stressors and long-kept secrets.
In the end, it comes down to one more night that determines whether or not the magic is still alive and well in their relationship. I was rooting for them.
Thanks so much NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book!
March 4, 2022
Matt and Abbie are both 37 and have been together for 20 years. Now they fight over the most inconsequential of things. Abbie is going to ignite “Operation Memory Lane” to remind her husband and herself about all the reasons she loves him rather than the things she now hates, in an attempt to rescue her marriage.
P. S. I Hate You is witty and heartfelt, told through alternating past and present chapters from Abbie. Romantic and emotional in part, the author also allows a bird's eve view into the daily domestic minutiae of married life. The main characters, their habits, memories, chemistry and love are well portrayed. A good, solid romantic read written with astuteness, that isn't too sugary.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
P. S. I Hate You is witty and heartfelt, told through alternating past and present chapters from Abbie. Romantic and emotional in part, the author also allows a bird's eve view into the daily domestic minutiae of married life. The main characters, their habits, memories, chemistry and love are well portrayed. A good, solid romantic read written with astuteness, that isn't too sugary.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 25, 2025
As a woman some TikTokers would deem a "Genetic Dead-End," I appreciate the issues highlighted, the way the story is told, and how real the characters feel. I know the struggle of having a body that can't do what biology says it should be able to and constantly questioning what's wrong with me. I know the emotions and stress it can put on a relationship. Being a woman without children, trying to figure out if I want to have children, and having a body that feels broken is a weird and often heartbreaking experience (PSA: PLEASE do not tell women in this situation "well that worked out well" or "at least you don't want children" because it's gross). It was nice to feel seen, to feel understood. This is not the most exciting story, but it's heartbreaking, sweet, at times funny, and wonderfully hopeful.
May 2, 2022
what a ride from these two cuties. things happened and at the end, I felt their heart and how through all those, they wanted this, they wanted to be together. that was heart warming.
February 18, 2022
This story was about a second chance romance between the couple Abbie and Matt, they have been together for over 20 years now. The story switches between past and present times, showing how much their relationship has changed over time. In the past, you can feel them falling in love and understand the start of their love story, and in the present, you feel their disconnectedness and how everything they once had is not there anymore.
January 28, 2022
Let me start of by saying… I did not dislike this book, it just wasn’t for me. I kind of went in semi-blind to this and the plot line and the vibe of the book just isn’t what I usually go for. I tend to like a little more angst and tension and it just fell a little flat on that aspect of it. It was a super cute read and I know plenty of people who would love this book! I just didn’t vibe with the plot line and the characters.
That being said, I did read this book super fast and it’s a great read to get you out of a reading slump!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book.
That being said, I did read this book super fast and it’s a great read to get you out of a reading slump!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book.
February 5, 2022
It probably takes a lot of courage to write a book that goes on about life way past the 'Happy-Ever-After' moment, starting at the point where most romance books fear to tread. But it's for this reason that I wanted to read Sophie Ranald's take on an ol' married couple who have gone past the heady feeling of youthful love, into the realities of battered and bruising married life.
There's nothing in the (somewhat malicious-sounding) title however, that suggests it would fit the storyline at all; instead, Ranald tells the story of Matt and Abbie's meandering relationship and how it grows over the years (through third-person flashbacks and a first-person present) amidst adversity and Abbie's frantic attempts to revive what they used to have. And it's a journey that isn't a typical one that goes uphill and climaxes at the end with a horrible fight but one that mirrors many real-life relationships: sometimes plodding forward, sometimes halting.
I didn't exactly find myself laughing throughout as Ranald chooses to focus on more 'random' type flashbacks showing their incremental growth with some moments that would make you smile rather than say, significant sexual milestones. But throughout, there's a sense of rawness that's never lost and even by the end, we have Matt/Abbie not exactly waltzing into a golden sunset but finding peace enough to move forward despite the unsolved problems they've been facing.
I did go into this thinking it would be a 'hard' read and wasn't surprised when I was proven right..since I was actually keen on exploring stories that go past the HEA. Having Matt/Abbie stay the solid couple that Ranald wants them to be by the end and remain still standing despite everything thrown at them...and maybe that's really the whole point of it all for those who want to see that light at the end of the tunnel.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
There's nothing in the (somewhat malicious-sounding) title however, that suggests it would fit the storyline at all; instead, Ranald tells the story of Matt and Abbie's meandering relationship and how it grows over the years (through third-person flashbacks and a first-person present) amidst adversity and Abbie's frantic attempts to revive what they used to have. And it's a journey that isn't a typical one that goes uphill and climaxes at the end with a horrible fight but one that mirrors many real-life relationships: sometimes plodding forward, sometimes halting.
I didn't exactly find myself laughing throughout as Ranald chooses to focus on more 'random' type flashbacks showing their incremental growth with some moments that would make you smile rather than say, significant sexual milestones. But throughout, there's a sense of rawness that's never lost and even by the end, we have Matt/Abbie not exactly waltzing into a golden sunset but finding peace enough to move forward despite the unsolved problems they've been facing.
I did go into this thinking it would be a 'hard' read and wasn't surprised when I was proven right..since I was actually keen on exploring stories that go past the HEA. Having Matt/Abbie stay the solid couple that Ranald wants them to be by the end and remain still standing despite everything thrown at them...and maybe that's really the whole point of it all for those who want to see that light at the end of the tunnel.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
August 11, 2025
Abbie and Matt once had a swoon-worthy romance, full of Paris trips and playful nights at home. Now, they’re in the middle of a dry spell, and Abbie is hiding a big secret. Yet she isn’t ready to give up on the man she knows better than anyone—tall, dark, handsome Matt, with his killer dimples.
Hoping to revive their love, she launches "Operation Memory Lane," recreating their happiest memories with breakfast in bed, romantic getaways, and more. But as they revisit the past, old secrets threaten to unravel their second chance at love.
This isn’t just any second chance romance; it’s a story that picks up after the happily-ever-after, which is what drew me in the most. The opening was a shocker, especially if you skip the blurb, haha. I loved how Matt and Abbie’s marriage was portrayed—it's the kind of marriage I’d hope for.
Right from the start, Abbie didn’t sit well with me—how do you end up “hating” your husband? What's so bad if all she recounts is sweet and wonderful? It's clear Matt cares deeply for her and still loves her after twenty years together. I was really curious to know what went so wrong in their relationship; that mystery pulled me into the story.
I don’t want to spoil too much, but I’d absolutely recommend reading this book, whether it’s the marriage dynamics, relationship repair, fertility struggles, or any of the challenges they face that interest you. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster with tissues on hand—you’ll be tearing up from both laughter and heartache. It’s so easy to connect and relate to the characters, and I love how grounded the story is in reality.
This isn’t the first Sophie Ranald book I’ve read, and I definitely plan to read the whole series. But I already know it’ll take me some time—her books aren’t exactly light reads!
Hoping to revive their love, she launches "Operation Memory Lane," recreating their happiest memories with breakfast in bed, romantic getaways, and more. But as they revisit the past, old secrets threaten to unravel their second chance at love.
This isn’t just any second chance romance; it’s a story that picks up after the happily-ever-after, which is what drew me in the most. The opening was a shocker, especially if you skip the blurb, haha. I loved how Matt and Abbie’s marriage was portrayed—it's the kind of marriage I’d hope for.
Right from the start, Abbie didn’t sit well with me—how do you end up “hating” your husband? What's so bad if all she recounts is sweet and wonderful? It's clear Matt cares deeply for her and still loves her after twenty years together. I was really curious to know what went so wrong in their relationship; that mystery pulled me into the story.
I don’t want to spoil too much, but I’d absolutely recommend reading this book, whether it’s the marriage dynamics, relationship repair, fertility struggles, or any of the challenges they face that interest you. Prepare for an emotional rollercoaster with tissues on hand—you’ll be tearing up from both laughter and heartache. It’s so easy to connect and relate to the characters, and I love how grounded the story is in reality.
This isn’t the first Sophie Ranald book I’ve read, and I definitely plan to read the whole series. But I already know it’ll take me some time—her books aren’t exactly light reads!
March 25, 2022
Abbie and Matt have been together for twenty years, married for nine. Marriage has been good, but they both seem to be facing a brick wall in their relationship. While they do love one another they seem to no longer be in love. How can they get that loving feeling back? How about Operation Memory Lane, going back and re-creating memories that set the foundation for their relationship?
While they are navigating these waters, they do have some very serious issues that they are facing, and it is these issues that might break the tenuous hold they have on their marriage. This second chance romance is different than most books that use this trope since the couple is married. While they are looking for the secret to bring their joy back into their marriage, the story shifts back and forth to special moments in their marriage.
The title and description did not connect with me. In fact, both were misleading enough to keep me looking for something that I never found in this book. Instead, Abbie and Matt face very difficult challenges, even to the point where they may never find their connection again. Also, this book dealt with two very serious subjects that gave this book a lot of levity. In many ways this was a relatable read for couples with long relationships. It was interesting see how Abbie and Matt worked to find that sizzle although everything was from Abbie’s point of view.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
While they are navigating these waters, they do have some very serious issues that they are facing, and it is these issues that might break the tenuous hold they have on their marriage. This second chance romance is different than most books that use this trope since the couple is married. While they are looking for the secret to bring their joy back into their marriage, the story shifts back and forth to special moments in their marriage.
The title and description did not connect with me. In fact, both were misleading enough to keep me looking for something that I never found in this book. Instead, Abbie and Matt face very difficult challenges, even to the point where they may never find their connection again. Also, this book dealt with two very serious subjects that gave this book a lot of levity. In many ways this was a relatable read for couples with long relationships. It was interesting see how Abbie and Matt worked to find that sizzle although everything was from Abbie’s point of view.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
April 22, 2022
Had a hard time getting into this one.
February 8, 2022
P.S. I Hate You follows childhood lovers, Abbie and Matt. They have been together longer than they can even remember; 20 years to be exact, 9 of which they have been married. Although, during the time of the novel Abbie feels as though their connection is not as it once was. She finds herself getting upset at little things that Matt does, and not being able to overlook them anymore. Naturally, Abbie decides to go to her friends for advice. They tell her that she should attempt to recreate the couple’s best moments, like their first date. Abbie agrees to recreate old memories in hopes to ignite the spark that the couple once had, but along the way they run into some problems. Abbie and Matt both have secrets that they have kept in the past, but when they get revealed during Abbie’s attempts to salvage their relationship, they begin to run into some issues.
All in all, this book was not bad. I definitely had higher expectations after reading the description, but there was nothing terribly wrong about it. The main thing is that I found it to be somewhat slow paced. I think that a lot of things were drawn out and made longer than they needed to be. I found that I didn’t feel that big of a connection to Matt or Abbie, so I didn’t sympathize with their problems and flaws as much as I could have. I feel as though some of the problems that arose were not that huge of a deal and I didn’t fully understand the character’s frustrations about them. I also noticed that by the end of the book, it felt as though there were some things that weren’t tied up all that well. This may have been the point/style the author was going for, in which case it’s more of a personal preference that I like the end of books to tie up all loose ends.
As for positives, I really liked the flashback chapters. This is surprising for me as generally, flashbacks in books are not my favourite. I feel like this author did them very well, and the timing/placement of the specific flashbacks held significance, which made me enjoy it more as it didn’t feel pointless to have them. I also did like the general plot, I think the idea was a very strong one, I just feel as though the execution was not as good as it could have been.
All in all, I found the book to be enjoyable, it just seemed to take me a bit longer than usual to get through it. I would like to say thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an E-Arc of this book.
All in all, this book was not bad. I definitely had higher expectations after reading the description, but there was nothing terribly wrong about it. The main thing is that I found it to be somewhat slow paced. I think that a lot of things were drawn out and made longer than they needed to be. I found that I didn’t feel that big of a connection to Matt or Abbie, so I didn’t sympathize with their problems and flaws as much as I could have. I feel as though some of the problems that arose were not that huge of a deal and I didn’t fully understand the character’s frustrations about them. I also noticed that by the end of the book, it felt as though there were some things that weren’t tied up all that well. This may have been the point/style the author was going for, in which case it’s more of a personal preference that I like the end of books to tie up all loose ends.
As for positives, I really liked the flashback chapters. This is surprising for me as generally, flashbacks in books are not my favourite. I feel like this author did them very well, and the timing/placement of the specific flashbacks held significance, which made me enjoy it more as it didn’t feel pointless to have them. I also did like the general plot, I think the idea was a very strong one, I just feel as though the execution was not as good as it could have been.
All in all, I found the book to be enjoyable, it just seemed to take me a bit longer than usual to get through it. I would like to say thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an E-Arc of this book.
February 16, 2022
Even days after I finished reading P.S. I Hate You, I still think about it. This can be both good and bad, but in this case it’s definitely the latter.
P.S. I Hate You is a moving story of hope, tenacity, nostalgia and the strong conviction that you have to work for the things that matter to you. It’s about the fear of making life-changing decisions and fighting for your beliefs with the risk of failing in the end. It made me reflect on my own relationships and behaviour.
Sophie Ranald does a fantastic job at storytelling, her outstanding writing used just the right amount of description to paint a picture but not too much to not direct your fantasy a certain way.
I loved how the chapters were written from different perspectives. Chapters that take place in the present are told from Abby’s perspective, while flashback chapters were told by a third-person narrator. It created a great distance to the past of the MCs and gave the couples history more depths, which is essential in a second-chance romance.
P.S. I Hate You choses a very authentic approach without romanticising and it’s a perfect mix of comedy, drama and romance. Starting a new chapter, you’ll never know how you’ll feel in the end.
And that’s what it does best, it makes you FEEL. Big time.
If you expected a light and breezy love story, this might not be for you and I think it’s important to point out that this book contains triggers, so please be aware.
P.S. I Hate You is a moving story of hope, tenacity, nostalgia and the strong conviction that you have to work for the things that matter to you. It’s about the fear of making life-changing decisions and fighting for your beliefs with the risk of failing in the end. It made me reflect on my own relationships and behaviour.
Sophie Ranald does a fantastic job at storytelling, her outstanding writing used just the right amount of description to paint a picture but not too much to not direct your fantasy a certain way.
I loved how the chapters were written from different perspectives. Chapters that take place in the present are told from Abby’s perspective, while flashback chapters were told by a third-person narrator. It created a great distance to the past of the MCs and gave the couples history more depths, which is essential in a second-chance romance.
P.S. I Hate You choses a very authentic approach without romanticising and it’s a perfect mix of comedy, drama and romance. Starting a new chapter, you’ll never know how you’ll feel in the end.
And that’s what it does best, it makes you FEEL. Big time.
If you expected a light and breezy love story, this might not be for you and I think it’s important to point out that this book contains triggers, so please be aware.
March 7, 2025
2.5 - there’s nothing wrong with this. It’s exactly what I would expect of a British romcom of a second chance romance. It was so mundane and so surface level that this could be anyone’s story. That could be fine if the emotions behind all the passive aggressive actions was explored but wow this was just so nothing for me.
Maybe someone else reads this and feels seen, but for me I thought this was just so lame. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop or the human side come out from any of the characters, but no. Very regular things continue to happen very regularly, and these regular people delt with it all in an extremely regular nature.
I was misled by the cover saying “who needs enemies when you have a man like this” - a man like WHAT. He is a perfect gentleman if not a bit aloof. I CANNOT STAND when the rom coms I read have me rooting for the man. The fmc is relatable enough but wow she’s a bit insufferable and impulsive and I don’t think she’s in the right for any of this!! The man is dumb but ultimately kind hearted and good humored.
I just really felt like this was a waste of time, I don’t feel like this was accurate for the human experience and the attempts at humor were just a miss for me. Oh no, a sex toy!! Like, ok?? Just such immature humor based on “taboos” and nothing else
Maybe someone else reads this and feels seen, but for me I thought this was just so lame. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop or the human side come out from any of the characters, but no. Very regular things continue to happen very regularly, and these regular people delt with it all in an extremely regular nature.
I was misled by the cover saying “who needs enemies when you have a man like this” - a man like WHAT. He is a perfect gentleman if not a bit aloof. I CANNOT STAND when the rom coms I read have me rooting for the man. The fmc is relatable enough but wow she’s a bit insufferable and impulsive and I don’t think she’s in the right for any of this!! The man is dumb but ultimately kind hearted and good humored.
I just really felt like this was a waste of time, I don’t feel like this was accurate for the human experience and the attempts at humor were just a miss for me. Oh no, a sex toy!! Like, ok?? Just such immature humor based on “taboos” and nothing else
March 11, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!
Full review on: https://www.tikbookholic.com/2022/03/...
I feel like riding roller coaster in mind and heart while read this book....
Follow Abbie who already with Matt for 20 years and with 9 years of marriage. Everything tastes bland in their married life these days. Abbie would angry to Matt for a little matters and this make Abbie wondering is she still love her husband. But, she also think that she can't live without Matt. Her best friend told Abbie to do Operation of Memory Lane, to make the feeling between them spark again.
Honestly, I'm not married yet so maybe I can't really feel what Abbie feels. But, sometimes I wondering how it feel to live with the same person for almost all your life? what about your love? would you stay just because you're used to it? And this book exactly tell me that.
I can see how dilemma it is for Abbie. She want it to work with her husband but it's not easy. So, we will follow two timelines here. First from their early day as a couple and in the present day. Abbie try to follow her friend suggestion "Operation of Memory Lane" so we will see the memory first and follow their present. Why I said this is like riding a roller coaster? Because when I read in their younger days, I can feel how their love growing, how their life was colorful and how fun it was when they together, I really can feel it. But, when we look at their present time, I also can feel how dry and bitter their relationship turn out.
Mostly, that is what this book will tell us. But, I really enjoy following their growing up to become a better couple. And of course it gave me a lesson, about how important communication and honesty from this book. And I really love their younger life as couple, it so sweet and both of them really made for each other. That's why while read this book I really hope things will get better for them!
Full review on: https://www.tikbookholic.com/2022/03/...
I feel like riding roller coaster in mind and heart while read this book....
Follow Abbie who already with Matt for 20 years and with 9 years of marriage. Everything tastes bland in their married life these days. Abbie would angry to Matt for a little matters and this make Abbie wondering is she still love her husband. But, she also think that she can't live without Matt. Her best friend told Abbie to do Operation of Memory Lane, to make the feeling between them spark again.
Honestly, I'm not married yet so maybe I can't really feel what Abbie feels. But, sometimes I wondering how it feel to live with the same person for almost all your life? what about your love? would you stay just because you're used to it? And this book exactly tell me that.
I can see how dilemma it is for Abbie. She want it to work with her husband but it's not easy. So, we will follow two timelines here. First from their early day as a couple and in the present day. Abbie try to follow her friend suggestion "Operation of Memory Lane" so we will see the memory first and follow their present. Why I said this is like riding a roller coaster? Because when I read in their younger days, I can feel how their love growing, how their life was colorful and how fun it was when they together, I really can feel it. But, when we look at their present time, I also can feel how dry and bitter their relationship turn out.
Mostly, that is what this book will tell us. But, I really enjoy following their growing up to become a better couple. And of course it gave me a lesson, about how important communication and honesty from this book. And I really love their younger life as couple, it so sweet and both of them really made for each other. That's why while read this book I really hope things will get better for them!
March 4, 2022
Abbie and Matt have been together since they were teenagers. They’re now 37 and having a difficult time in their marriage. Unable to have a child, this has brought pressure on their relationship and they need to try to rekindle some of the romance that brought them together all those years ago.
P.S. I Hate You (Abbie never does actually hate Matt), skips back and forth between the present, and when Abbie and Matt first met, following them throughout significant events in their life together. The author focuses a huge amount on how important friends are in a woman’s life and how good friends stick around, no matter what. If Abbie has a problem, or is upset, it’s The Girlfriend Club’s WhatsApp group she turns to, and there is always someone at the end of a message with support and advice.
I enjoyed how Abbie tried to recreate some of the good memories that her and Matt had shared, some worked out, some didn’t but it both were keen to try! Sophie Ranald shows us the parts of relationships that people rarely talk about, the frustrating, annoying little things that when things are going well, we don’t care about, but when something isn’t right, then we create mountains out of molehills!
If you want something easy and fun to read, to while away a few hours, then try this new one from Sophie.
I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of P.S. I Hate You by Sophie Ranald.
P.S. I Hate You (Abbie never does actually hate Matt), skips back and forth between the present, and when Abbie and Matt first met, following them throughout significant events in their life together. The author focuses a huge amount on how important friends are in a woman’s life and how good friends stick around, no matter what. If Abbie has a problem, or is upset, it’s The Girlfriend Club’s WhatsApp group she turns to, and there is always someone at the end of a message with support and advice.
I enjoyed how Abbie tried to recreate some of the good memories that her and Matt had shared, some worked out, some didn’t but it both were keen to try! Sophie Ranald shows us the parts of relationships that people rarely talk about, the frustrating, annoying little things that when things are going well, we don’t care about, but when something isn’t right, then we create mountains out of molehills!
If you want something easy and fun to read, to while away a few hours, then try this new one from Sophie.
I am lucky enough to be a part of Books on Tour for this, so thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of P.S. I Hate You by Sophie Ranald.
June 29, 2022
3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I liked this book, it was a nice “second chance” love story, and I enjoyed that it showed how marriage can have good and bad times, but that after so long together, Matt and Abbie still wanted to be together and work things out.
It wasn’t particularly fast paced, and the storyline’s that normally propel the story forward were a bit lacking for me, (I am a fantasy reader though, so that could be why). But all in all very heartwarming.
(Spoiler)
Kinda made me upset though that the whole reason for their marital issues were the fact they couldn’t have kids. And then they just ended up accepting the fact they couldn’t? Understandably that’s what some couples do and go through, but it seemed off that they wanted kids so badly, then Matt turned around and said “actually, I never really wanted them. I just wanted you to be happy”. Like…???? Idk. Wasn’t the ending I really wanted to be honest…
I liked this book, it was a nice “second chance” love story, and I enjoyed that it showed how marriage can have good and bad times, but that after so long together, Matt and Abbie still wanted to be together and work things out.
It wasn’t particularly fast paced, and the storyline’s that normally propel the story forward were a bit lacking for me, (I am a fantasy reader though, so that could be why). But all in all very heartwarming.
(Spoiler)
Kinda made me upset though that the whole reason for their marital issues were the fact they couldn’t have kids. And then they just ended up accepting the fact they couldn’t? Understandably that’s what some couples do and go through, but it seemed off that they wanted kids so badly, then Matt turned around and said “actually, I never really wanted them. I just wanted you to be happy”. Like…???? Idk. Wasn’t the ending I really wanted to be honest…
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