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Love Again #1
The Ticket
Now an optioned book! Fasten your seat belts for a journey filled with humor and adventure.
Bachelor & newscaster Pete McCarney buys two plane tickets for a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but they split up shortly before the trip, and he can't get a refund. In a gutsy last minute move, Pete goes on social media asking for women with his girlfriend's exact name to apply to join him on the trip. Twenty-one women apply, and the ensuing interview process is both awkward and hilarious. When he finally chooses a feisty, headstrong, recently-divorced lawyer, he has no idea what to expect from their world wide adventures - and neither does Allie James. She has pretty much sworn off men since her divorce. Will either of them get the vacation they were so desperately hoping for?
Bachelor & newscaster Pete McCarney buys two plane tickets for a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but they split up shortly before the trip, and he can't get a refund. In a gutsy last minute move, Pete goes on social media asking for women with his girlfriend's exact name to apply to join him on the trip. Twenty-one women apply, and the ensuing interview process is both awkward and hilarious. When he finally chooses a feisty, headstrong, recently-divorced lawyer, he has no idea what to expect from their world wide adventures - and neither does Allie James. She has pretty much sworn off men since her divorce. Will either of them get the vacation they were so desperately hoping for?
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2016
1171 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
Heather Grace Stewart
37 books262 followersPicture this: an eight-year-old freckle-faced blonde girl, perched in a rickety treehouse, surrounded by a fortress of Archie comics and armed with a bag of Jujubes. That's where the writing bug bit me, and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride ever since.
Fast forward to my drama class days, where I ran lines with none other than a young Matthew Perry—yes, Chandler Bing himself. Could I be any luckier?
But wait, there's more! I even auditioned for a musical alongside Alanis Morissette, the powerhouse behind "You Oughta Know." Spoiler alert: She got the gig. Apparently, the universe decided my destiny was more "pen to paper" than "jazz hands on stage."
That path led me to Queen’s University and Concordia for Journalism, 24 published books, reaching over 400K readers worldwide, and one novel (The Ticket) that was optioned for film—and is now available again, ready for its next big adventure on screen.
I’ve also survived cruel 1-star reviews (with only minor emotional scarring), raised a kind kid who likes me (most days), and lived with another human for 27 years without turning us into characters in 911: Montreal.
But let’s be real. What matters most here is what I can offer you. That’s simple: I’m here to be your literary escape hatch from the daily grind. When Netflix has betrayed you with its "Are you still watching?" judgment, and your phone is just one scroll away from being practically grafted to your fingers, that’s where my books come in.
My mission is to make you laugh so hard you snort, cry just enough to release that pent-up emotion from your awkward ex-partner encounter at the corner store, and love the story so much you can’t help but text your bestie at 2 AM saying, “OMG, you have to read this!”
Whether you're into my romcoms, time-travel romances, screenplays, or poetry that's "for people who don’t think they like poetry" (their words, not mine), welcome to my world of words.
Oh—and if you prefer listening to your love stories while folding laundry, dodging traffic, or pretending to work out, my books are also available in audiobook format from Tantor Audio, a division of Recorded Books.
Fun fact: I’m a tenth cousin of Emily Dickinson. So yes, the em dashes are ancestral flair—and the poetry obsession might be too.
You can find me on Instagram, Threads, or my Facebook Author Page, where I'm probably inline skating, dancing with oven mittens, or trying to convince one of my cats to do my marketing for me. Drop by and say hi! Just don’t ask me to audition for anything. Unless it’s for “woman juggling dinner, a manuscript, and a strawberry yogurt face mask”—I’ve got that one nailed.
Fast forward to my drama class days, where I ran lines with none other than a young Matthew Perry—yes, Chandler Bing himself. Could I be any luckier?
But wait, there's more! I even auditioned for a musical alongside Alanis Morissette, the powerhouse behind "You Oughta Know." Spoiler alert: She got the gig. Apparently, the universe decided my destiny was more "pen to paper" than "jazz hands on stage."
That path led me to Queen’s University and Concordia for Journalism, 24 published books, reaching over 400K readers worldwide, and one novel (The Ticket) that was optioned for film—and is now available again, ready for its next big adventure on screen.
I’ve also survived cruel 1-star reviews (with only minor emotional scarring), raised a kind kid who likes me (most days), and lived with another human for 27 years without turning us into characters in 911: Montreal.
But let’s be real. What matters most here is what I can offer you. That’s simple: I’m here to be your literary escape hatch from the daily grind. When Netflix has betrayed you with its "Are you still watching?" judgment, and your phone is just one scroll away from being practically grafted to your fingers, that’s where my books come in.
My mission is to make you laugh so hard you snort, cry just enough to release that pent-up emotion from your awkward ex-partner encounter at the corner store, and love the story so much you can’t help but text your bestie at 2 AM saying, “OMG, you have to read this!”
Whether you're into my romcoms, time-travel romances, screenplays, or poetry that's "for people who don’t think they like poetry" (their words, not mine), welcome to my world of words.
Oh—and if you prefer listening to your love stories while folding laundry, dodging traffic, or pretending to work out, my books are also available in audiobook format from Tantor Audio, a division of Recorded Books.
Fun fact: I’m a tenth cousin of Emily Dickinson. So yes, the em dashes are ancestral flair—and the poetry obsession might be too.
You can find me on Instagram, Threads, or my Facebook Author Page, where I'm probably inline skating, dancing with oven mittens, or trying to convince one of my cats to do my marketing for me. Drop by and say hi! Just don’t ask me to audition for anything. Unless it’s for “woman juggling dinner, a manuscript, and a strawberry yogurt face mask”—I’ve got that one nailed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
February 27, 2020
Disclaimer: Romance novels are not really my thing. I read this book because it was a book club book. If someone would have gifted me this book, I probably would have read it because the premise did seem interesting, but this is not a book that I would have picked up on my own.
This book had potential. Even though this is not my usual cup of tea, I enjoyed that the author used a viral internet post to kick-start the story, but I feel like the book was poorly executed. There are a few examples that stick out most in my mind:
1) On page 34 - “In a world where it feels like everyone’s fallen for their iPhones, sometimes Trix’s intensity is too much for me.” What the hell does that even mean? There were a couple of phrases like this in the book that I was like....wait, what? This doesn't even make sense.
2) “Is she? I don’t notice color. She’s just a cat.” Really? How do you not notice that you named your white cat after a black civil rights activist? Oh, you don’t notice color! A fellow book clubber says this comes off as a joke in the audiobook and maybe it is meant as a joke, but a) it's a bad one and b) it's not written like that. I'm not a writer, but if this was intended as a joke, it should have stated “Is she? I don’t notice color.”, he teased or he said with a smile on his face or pick anything that indicated that he might have been joking.
3) The main characters are so immature. The main characters are supposed to be in their early 40's, but they sound like they just started college and this is the first time they have been away from their parents. At one point, they jump out of a plane and the female character compares the rush to dancing on a bar and having the bartender hose you down with water. Are you a stripper?
In my opinion, it's just not a good book.
This book had potential. Even though this is not my usual cup of tea, I enjoyed that the author used a viral internet post to kick-start the story, but I feel like the book was poorly executed. There are a few examples that stick out most in my mind:
1) On page 34 - “In a world where it feels like everyone’s fallen for their iPhones, sometimes Trix’s intensity is too much for me.” What the hell does that even mean? There were a couple of phrases like this in the book that I was like....wait, what? This doesn't even make sense.
2) “Is she? I don’t notice color. She’s just a cat.” Really? How do you not notice that you named your white cat after a black civil rights activist? Oh, you don’t notice color! A fellow book clubber says this comes off as a joke in the audiobook and maybe it is meant as a joke, but a) it's a bad one and b) it's not written like that. I'm not a writer, but if this was intended as a joke, it should have stated “Is she? I don’t notice color.”, he teased or he said with a smile on his face or pick anything that indicated that he might have been joking.
3) The main characters are so immature. The main characters are supposed to be in their early 40's, but they sound like they just started college and this is the first time they have been away from their parents. At one point, they jump out of a plane and the female character compares the rush to dancing on a bar and having the bartender hose you down with water. Are you a stripper?
In my opinion, it's just not a good book.
July 16, 2018
Preamble to the Review
Wow! Well, after reading some of the other reviews here I can't decide if I'm Jeuvenile, have an attention span which could be held by a parade of ants, or simply recognize an enjoyable bit of fun romance when I see it and don't expect every written word to drip from the pen of Christopher Marlow! To that end let me say of this type of fiction I would normally give this book five stars, but being the delicate idiot that I am (there's actually a book one and book two in this series to date and I read them out of order!), having done so book one would have been five stars had I not and book two would have been about three stars, but it's now popped up to five stars, so I highly recommend reading this book series in order!
The Review of Book One
The Plot
Our Hero, an Irish immigrant to New York City, also an on air personality for NBC in NYC, long overdue for a vacation purchases a three-week, six city, round-the-world junket to be taken with his girlfriend over the Christmas/New Year holiday season. Unfortunately, said girlfriend decides holidays in the tropics with considerably younger beau seems like a better idea so she dumps Our Hero leaving him with her tickets in her name for free for him to use, as long as he can find a traveling companion he can stand bearing her name.
Our Damsel is the married mother of two teenage girls, whose husband has just returned to town from Europe. The two of them are attorneys with different firms, she is desperately working to make partner. They have an appointment with their marriage counselor after work that night since there is no smooth road to happiness, but Our Damsel, thinking she doesn't want to wait to see hubby until after work, runs into the city early, drops by his favorite coffee shop and grabs a couple of lattes, toodles up to his office past his protesting secretary...(take a deep breath) to find him spoiling something, but I'm not going to tell you what.
I like the book. I don't think it's all predictable. I feel the author does an admirable job of expressing men's thoughts and wishes and not what women wish they thought and wished as some reviews have suggested. Men have been telling us for years they think about sex and I think it's time we believe them. I also have one I knew once who was sweet and sensitive, so I know they exist. I also know the jerks exist. They all put in appearances in this book.
I will probably read this book three times if I live long enough, that's how much I enjoyed it. You decide for yourself if if you think it's worth the risk. I think it's silly not to read it, especially if you own a cat, or dog.
Wow! Well, after reading some of the other reviews here I can't decide if I'm Jeuvenile, have an attention span which could be held by a parade of ants, or simply recognize an enjoyable bit of fun romance when I see it and don't expect every written word to drip from the pen of Christopher Marlow! To that end let me say of this type of fiction I would normally give this book five stars, but being the delicate idiot that I am (there's actually a book one and book two in this series to date and I read them out of order!), having done so book one would have been five stars had I not and book two would have been about three stars, but it's now popped up to five stars, so I highly recommend reading this book series in order!
The Review of Book One
The Plot
Our Hero, an Irish immigrant to New York City, also an on air personality for NBC in NYC, long overdue for a vacation purchases a three-week, six city, round-the-world junket to be taken with his girlfriend over the Christmas/New Year holiday season. Unfortunately, said girlfriend decides holidays in the tropics with considerably younger beau seems like a better idea so she dumps Our Hero leaving him with her tickets in her name for free for him to use, as long as he can find a traveling companion he can stand bearing her name.
Our Damsel is the married mother of two teenage girls, whose husband has just returned to town from Europe. The two of them are attorneys with different firms, she is desperately working to make partner. They have an appointment with their marriage counselor after work that night since there is no smooth road to happiness, but Our Damsel, thinking she doesn't want to wait to see hubby until after work, runs into the city early, drops by his favorite coffee shop and grabs a couple of lattes, toodles up to his office past his protesting secretary...(take a deep breath) to find him spoiling something, but I'm not going to tell you what.
I like the book. I don't think it's all predictable. I feel the author does an admirable job of expressing men's thoughts and wishes and not what women wish they thought and wished as some reviews have suggested. Men have been telling us for years they think about sex and I think it's time we believe them. I also have one I knew once who was sweet and sensitive, so I know they exist. I also know the jerks exist. They all put in appearances in this book.
I will probably read this book three times if I live long enough, that's how much I enjoyed it. You decide for yourself if if you think it's worth the risk. I think it's silly not to read it, especially if you own a cat, or dog.
October 15, 2025
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (My notes were atrocious so I dunno there might have been more)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: first person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: Takes awhile – chapter 6 of 32? (I don’t have percentages but it’s an hour into an almost 6 hour audiobook)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes – not labeled as such but I think the last chapter is 11 months or so later
Format: listened to an audiobook that I won in a giveaway (on Audiobooks app)
Why I chose this book: I won this book forever ago and it’s been lingering in the back of my TBR for too long!
Mains: Pete McCarney and Allie James - This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first of Stewart’s Love Again series.
Basic plot:
Pete and his girlfriend had tickets for a 3 week trip around the world – but when they break up, he goes to social media to find another Allie James to use the ticket.
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- American heroine / Irish hero
- heroine is a lawyer in New York
- divorced heroine
- heroine is in her 40s
- mother heroine – she has 2 girls in their older teens (I think 17 and 19??)
- newscaster hero
- pets – hero has a cat named Rosa Parks
- I think one full scene? I dunno I might have been off I had really bad notes, totally might have been more
Ages:
- I think heroine is 42, hero is 44
First line:
“Ouch! Mother fucker!”
My thoughts:
So I did like this one overall. This isn’t a book I would pick up normally, but I happened to win a giveaway with the audiobook and finally got around to it. And I really loved the set up of this plot. I thought it was so fun – the hero and his girlfriend break up before a trip around the world, so he hosts interviews to find someone with the same name to take on the trip with him. The set up was fun and there were a lot of cute and funny moments.
I brought it down a bit because it took a little while for me to get into the story and then I felt like there was a lot of focus on the heroine’s ex husband and his new relationship and her kids. I was also a bit frustrated with the heroine’s unwillingness to put herself out there.
Stewart is a new to me author but I liked a lot about this book so I’d definitely check her out again!
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 4 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (My notes were atrocious so I dunno there might have been more)
Humor: Yes
Perspective: first person from both the hero and heroine
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium to fast
When mains are first on page together: Takes awhile – chapter 6 of 32? (I don’t have percentages but it’s an hour into an almost 6 hour audiobook)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes – not labeled as such but I think the last chapter is 11 months or so later
Format: listened to an audiobook that I won in a giveaway (on Audiobooks app)
Why I chose this book: I won this book forever ago and it’s been lingering in the back of my TBR for too long!
Mains: Pete McCarney and Allie James - This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first of Stewart’s Love Again series.
Basic plot:
Pete and his girlfriend had tickets for a 3 week trip around the world – but when they break up, he goes to social media to find another Allie James to use the ticket.
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- American heroine / Irish hero
- heroine is a lawyer in New York
- divorced heroine
- heroine is in her 40s
- mother heroine – she has 2 girls in their older teens (I think 17 and 19??)
- newscaster hero
- pets – hero has a cat named Rosa Parks
- I think one full scene? I dunno I might have been off I had really bad notes, totally might have been more
Ages:
- I think heroine is 42, hero is 44
First line:
“Ouch! Mother fucker!”
My thoughts:
So I did like this one overall. This isn’t a book I would pick up normally, but I happened to win a giveaway with the audiobook and finally got around to it. And I really loved the set up of this plot. I thought it was so fun – the hero and his girlfriend break up before a trip around the world, so he hosts interviews to find someone with the same name to take on the trip with him. The set up was fun and there were a lot of cute and funny moments.
I brought it down a bit because it took a little while for me to get into the story and then I felt like there was a lot of focus on the heroine’s ex husband and his new relationship and her kids. I was also a bit frustrated with the heroine’s unwillingness to put herself out there.
Stewart is a new to me author but I liked a lot about this book so I’d definitely check her out again!
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 4 stars
Favorite book: This one by default
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
April 21, 2021
49% - have completely lost interest in continuing this. I'm so confused over her recent yelling, literal yelling. One second she's in his mates car headed to their farm to escape the paparazzi, everything is ok and then she hears the bathroom situation and suddenly screams at him? WTF? Where did that come from? A bit later and they've been in the hot tub, clothed, but he's sporting mega wood for her so turns to leave and now she's yelling at him again? What's with all the damn yelling?
Thought this sounded really fun, but even the idea of one woman with the same name as another taking an international trip of a lifetime with a spunky newsreader cannot save this from itself. She's super hung up on her cheating ex (major asshole alert there!) and he's recently split from his girlfriend. He's rebounding, she's... whatever the heck she's doing between yelling! I just don't care enough to keep going. Mission aborted.
Thought this sounded really fun, but even the idea of one woman with the same name as another taking an international trip of a lifetime with a spunky newsreader cannot save this from itself. She's super hung up on her cheating ex (major asshole alert there!) and he's recently split from his girlfriend. He's rebounding, she's... whatever the heck she's doing between yelling! I just don't care enough to keep going. Mission aborted.
September 23, 2023
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. When we meet Allie she is at a real crossroads in her life when her marriage is falling apart and her work doesnt appreciate her. Pete is also leaving a relationship and not looking for love. When they meet it is apparent that there is chemistry between them and that develops while they are on their vacation together. What I did not like was that the second half of the book didnt match the first in the writing sense. Everything kind of jumped around quickly and didnt have that build up that the first half had. Overall, a nice easy read for a summer day.
December 1, 2020
*3.5 stars*
I'm reading all the romances until I decide I do enjoy them.
Allison is a divorced, bitter mother of two. She refuses to fall in love again. Until she meets Pete.
I will say this was q slightly more unique read than most romances. I enjoyed the way Pete and Allison met. I'm not sure I'd ever be as bold as Pete and look for a stranger to tour the world with.
Romances are mostly predictable though and this was no different.
I'm reading all the romances until I decide I do enjoy them.
Allison is a divorced, bitter mother of two. She refuses to fall in love again. Until she meets Pete.
I will say this was q slightly more unique read than most romances. I enjoyed the way Pete and Allison met. I'm not sure I'd ever be as bold as Pete and look for a stranger to tour the world with.
Romances are mostly predictable though and this was no different.
May 31, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Generalnie spoko, dokładnie tego potrzebowałam! Postacie da się lubić, motyw podróży całkiem spoko, może trochę naciągany, ale cóż. Ale kurde, ilość katastrof i kłód, jakie dostają na tak niewielkiej objętości jest aż nienaturalna! Zwłaszcza pod koniec, jak to się wszytko zwaliło to aż wywracałam oczami. Autorkę jednak trochę poniosła fantazja ;)
Generalnie spoko, dokładnie tego potrzebowałam! Postacie da się lubić, motyw podróży całkiem spoko, może trochę naciągany, ale cóż. Ale kurde, ilość katastrof i kłód, jakie dostają na tak niewielkiej objętości jest aż nienaturalna! Zwłaszcza pod koniec, jak to się wszytko zwaliło to aż wywracałam oczami. Autorkę jednak trochę poniosła fantazja ;)
July 20, 2019
Not my usual genre, but it was ok....would’ve been much better if the main woman character wasn’t such a dramatic idiot.
September 7, 2022
Pierwsza połowa była całkiem w porządku, jednak druga połowa, a zwaszcza zakończenie było bardzo chaotyczne.
April 24, 2020
Romantic, adventurous and funny. A fun premise with Pete and his girlfriend about to go on a 6-city, round the world trip when she breaks up with him. Not enjoying travel on his own he announces his offer to take another woman with the same name as his ex, Allison James, on the trip. Allie is a head-strong lawyer and a perfect foil for Pete.
I really enjoyed how these characters challenge each other and the humor generated by their reactions. Yes, the romance happens quickly but it is supported by the characters personalities and the circumstances. Just the right amount of drama added to the adventures kept me engaged to the last word.
I really enjoyed how these characters challenge each other and the humor generated by their reactions. Yes, the romance happens quickly but it is supported by the characters personalities and the circumstances. Just the right amount of drama added to the adventures kept me engaged to the last word.
February 16, 2016
The story follows two very different people, Allie James and Pete McCarney and their coming together following the breakdowns of their individual relationships. Allie is a strong, independent woman lawyer who is still recovering from her divorce from her cheating husband, and is sent on a five week, forced vacation from her law firm. Pete is a successful TV news anchor who had booked a three week, six city tour across the world, only for his girlfriend, also called Allie James to dump him before they travelled.
Not wanting to travel alone, Pete decides to advertise for a travelling companion with the name Allie James and, well you can guess the rest and if you can’t, read the book.
It is clear Allie’s divorce is still a big issue for her and she still holds a huge grudge against her ex and his new partner, which has made her distrustful of men in general. She’s a hardworking woman, but who continually seems to have things happen to her.
Pete on the other hand, has everything; successful career, looks, charm and wit, but the only thing he’s missing is a one true love. It seems an unlikely match with his smooth Gaelic quotes and her foul mouth. Could he really fall in love with someone he’s just met? Even more so with a girl bearing the same name as the one who broke his heart?
What is unique about this book, and I’m seeing it a lot more in books, is that it is written from both protagonists viewpoints. At the start, it just focuses on Allie, but once Pete comes on the scene, the author writes from his perspective too. I know from experience that this is very difficult to do if the viewpoints are from opposite genders. But the author does this very well and the continuity of the story is well balanced and flows exceptionally well.
Obviously, I won’t spoil the book, but there is some sexual content. Usually I cringe when I read stuff like that. Not because I’m prudish or I grew up in Victorian England, but because of the way it is usually written. But in this instance, it is written in a tasteful manner and again, written very well. It is not crude or explicit, but rather leaves some to the readers imagination which, in my opinion is the best way to write scenes like that.
The story is really easy to follow. I am a very slow reader and when I’m reading a book, I always have to have a quick glance over what happened previously so I can continue reading. But this book was very simple to follow; I’d read the last line and remembered instantly what had happened and where I was up to. It’s nothing like these complicated books that take three pages to describe a room and still nothing happens; The Ticket is a page turner and, even though you have a pretty good idea what’s going to happen, it’s how they get got there that keeps the interest going and the pages turning.
Something else that was impressive was the amount of research that will have gone into it. Unless the author has actually been to every place mentioned (and let’s be honest, who would admit to willingly going to Coventry?) she has definitely done some excellent research. Talking of Coventry, it’s nice for once to see an author writing about a different city in England. Almost every book I read from non-British writers who are writing about England, they always inevitably focus on London, like this is the only City we have. This book this use London as a destination, however it’s acceptable in the context of the book.
One part of the book I very much enjoyed was the moment in Prague where it all made sense to Allie and she realised exactly what she wanted. It’s something that a lot of people can relate to, but it takes 14,000 feet in the air with the ground getting ever closer for her to realise it!
I would give this book 9/10. It was very enjoyable and demands a sequel!
Not wanting to travel alone, Pete decides to advertise for a travelling companion with the name Allie James and, well you can guess the rest and if you can’t, read the book.
It is clear Allie’s divorce is still a big issue for her and she still holds a huge grudge against her ex and his new partner, which has made her distrustful of men in general. She’s a hardworking woman, but who continually seems to have things happen to her.
Pete on the other hand, has everything; successful career, looks, charm and wit, but the only thing he’s missing is a one true love. It seems an unlikely match with his smooth Gaelic quotes and her foul mouth. Could he really fall in love with someone he’s just met? Even more so with a girl bearing the same name as the one who broke his heart?
What is unique about this book, and I’m seeing it a lot more in books, is that it is written from both protagonists viewpoints. At the start, it just focuses on Allie, but once Pete comes on the scene, the author writes from his perspective too. I know from experience that this is very difficult to do if the viewpoints are from opposite genders. But the author does this very well and the continuity of the story is well balanced and flows exceptionally well.
Obviously, I won’t spoil the book, but there is some sexual content. Usually I cringe when I read stuff like that. Not because I’m prudish or I grew up in Victorian England, but because of the way it is usually written. But in this instance, it is written in a tasteful manner and again, written very well. It is not crude or explicit, but rather leaves some to the readers imagination which, in my opinion is the best way to write scenes like that.
The story is really easy to follow. I am a very slow reader and when I’m reading a book, I always have to have a quick glance over what happened previously so I can continue reading. But this book was very simple to follow; I’d read the last line and remembered instantly what had happened and where I was up to. It’s nothing like these complicated books that take three pages to describe a room and still nothing happens; The Ticket is a page turner and, even though you have a pretty good idea what’s going to happen, it’s how they get got there that keeps the interest going and the pages turning.
Something else that was impressive was the amount of research that will have gone into it. Unless the author has actually been to every place mentioned (and let’s be honest, who would admit to willingly going to Coventry?) she has definitely done some excellent research. Talking of Coventry, it’s nice for once to see an author writing about a different city in England. Almost every book I read from non-British writers who are writing about England, they always inevitably focus on London, like this is the only City we have. This book this use London as a destination, however it’s acceptable in the context of the book.
One part of the book I very much enjoyed was the moment in Prague where it all made sense to Allie and she realised exactly what she wanted. It’s something that a lot of people can relate to, but it takes 14,000 feet in the air with the ground getting ever closer for her to realise it!
I would give this book 9/10. It was very enjoyable and demands a sequel!
July 9, 2016
The premise of this story is pretty unique. A guy's girlfriend breaks up with him shortly before they're supposed to be going on a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip to Europe and Asia, and the poor guy has a deep aversion to traveling alone. So what does he do? Interviews other women with the same name as his ex, until he finds a suitable travel companion who can use the tickets he's already purchased.
As soon as these two strangers meet, you just KNOW they're gonna get along famously, and will share lots of ups-and-downs, adventures, laughter and romance, but so what? It's a lot of fun joining them on their journey, as they get to know each other through good times and bad, and finally make it to their happily ever after. A fun read.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
As soon as these two strangers meet, you just KNOW they're gonna get along famously, and will share lots of ups-and-downs, adventures, laughter and romance, but so what? It's a lot of fun joining them on their journey, as they get to know each other through good times and bad, and finally make it to their happily ever after. A fun read.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
April 13, 2020
Heather Grace Stewart asks the question, Would you travel the world with a perfect stranger? After reading her book The Ticket, you bet I would!
After splitting up with his girlfriend, Pete decides to still go on his trip since he can’t get a refund for the tickets. In a gutsy move, he scours social media to find a girl with the exact same name as his ex so they can use the tickets. In comes Allie, who is recently divorced and has sworn off men. So she thinks...What will happen during their adventures abroad?
I had so much fun joining Pete and Allie on their adventures. I loved the humor, the adventure and the personalities of the characters. I recommend The Ticket to anyone whose looking for an escape and dive into a fun romantic story!
After splitting up with his girlfriend, Pete decides to still go on his trip since he can’t get a refund for the tickets. In a gutsy move, he scours social media to find a girl with the exact same name as his ex so they can use the tickets. In comes Allie, who is recently divorced and has sworn off men. So she thinks...What will happen during their adventures abroad?
I had so much fun joining Pete and Allie on their adventures. I loved the humor, the adventure and the personalities of the characters. I recommend The Ticket to anyone whose looking for an escape and dive into a fun romantic story!
January 2, 2024
Pete meets a woman who answers his ad for a free trip with him around the world to six cities. Unfortunately the paparazzi won’t leave them alone and they have to do their best to avoid them. Along the way they fall in love but conflicts cause them to cut the trip short at the fourth of the six cities. Allie needs time to juggle all her conflicting feelings before realizing what her heart is telling her.
I love these books Heather writes! They are down to home and speak of the issues most people face including balancing a love life after having the rug pulled out from underneath you after some 23 years of marriage. Thank God for her BFF and her parents and daughters who love her and her them! Add to that a man who makes her feel special again and stays with her even when she pushes him away!
I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful story of two people who take a chance to go on this trip as strangers and find love along the way!
I love these books Heather writes! They are down to home and speak of the issues most people face including balancing a love life after having the rug pulled out from underneath you after some 23 years of marriage. Thank God for her BFF and her parents and daughters who love her and her them! Add to that a man who makes her feel special again and stays with her even when she pushes him away!
I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful story of two people who take a chance to go on this trip as strangers and find love along the way!
Read
September 1, 2025oh goodness.. this is hard to review 🙃
The premise was so cute, this had a lot of potential... but ultimately it just didn't work for me.
If this had just focused on the main premise, this could have been really cute & a light read
(2 strangers traveling together after the MMC's girlfriend breaks up with him, and he finds a woman with the same name to travel with).
I feel like so many things happened that just didn't have to happen.
The last 10-20% was absolutely wild 😅
The premise was so cute, this had a lot of potential... but ultimately it just didn't work for me.
If this had just focused on the main premise, this could have been really cute & a light read
(2 strangers traveling together after the MMC's girlfriend breaks up with him, and he finds a woman with the same name to travel with).
I feel like so many things happened that just didn't have to happen.
The last 10-20% was absolutely wild 😅
April 6, 2024
Pete McCarney and his girlfriend, Allison James, broke up before their around the world trip. He decides to put an ad out for anyone named Allison james who would like to use the ticket and travel with him.
When Allie answers the call, she does so reluctantly. But when work forces her to take a vacation, she decides to go for it. Neither planned to fall in love. It was all supposed to be about companionship. But fall in love they did. And they resisteed. And then they didn't. And then while in Bankok tragedy strikes at home, in Bankok, and in their relationship.
I really liked this story. I like the immediate friendship these two developed and then evolved. The steam was there, but mild. Another great book by a Canadian author.
When Allie answers the call, she does so reluctantly. But when work forces her to take a vacation, she decides to go for it. Neither planned to fall in love. It was all supposed to be about companionship. But fall in love they did. And they resisteed. And then they didn't. And then while in Bankok tragedy strikes at home, in Bankok, and in their relationship.
I really liked this story. I like the immediate friendship these two developed and then evolved. The steam was there, but mild. Another great book by a Canadian author.
July 21, 2025
I just didn't feel the vibe between them.
September 28, 2023
Ohhhh the pacing. We all know I'm here for a fun round the world adventure that turns whirlwind romance. This was a cute concept. Totally rom-con-able. And the one bed trope? Of course I'm here for that. But the pacing and will they won't they tug and the multiple occasions of misunderstanding/miscommunication....eh. by the last quarter I didn't care if they would or wouldn't.
That said, it was really nice to see characters over 30. Oh please book gods, give us more characters over thirty.
That said, it was really nice to see characters over 30. Oh please book gods, give us more characters over thirty.
May 18, 2022
Książka jest krótka, napisana fajnym językiem i z ciekawą fabułą, pomimo to jest pare elementów które mi nie odpowiadały w treści. Nie jest to do końca mój styl.
October 4, 2024
Do you need an adorable read that makes you feel like it’s possible to love again? The Ticket by Heather Grace Stewart holds just that reminder within its pages. Imagine this. Your BFF comes to you with a proposition. A kinda famous guy from TV is looking for someone with your first and last name to accept a free, non refundable ticket he’s bought his ex flame for a round the world adventure. The downfall. You find his TV persona arrogant and don’t know if you could tolerate spending time with him even to score this free, likely very expensive ticket and a trip that could be a once in a life time opportunity.
What comes next is just as delightful as you might be picturing. The author hits the mark dead centre with this unique and seriously steamy gem.
This makes me wonder. What would you do if a stranger offered you a chance at a brand new life?
What comes next is just as delightful as you might be picturing. The author hits the mark dead centre with this unique and seriously steamy gem.
This makes me wonder. What would you do if a stranger offered you a chance at a brand new life?
October 22, 2021
What can I say except I loved it! Of course there’s angst and some problems due to the h’s creep of cheating husband and a divorce, but that really is expected. When the h meets the H everything changes for the two. A trip a around the world together for 3 weeks after just meeting is just the thing to forget that your children are spending quality(not)time with her ex and his new love. The trip didn’t turn out as expected to say the least but it sure was fun(mostly)getting there. I would recommend it to adult contemporary romance readers.
December 22, 2021
Strap yourself in, because once you’ve got The Ticket in your hands, you’re going to be taken on a wild ride!
Bachelor & newscaster Pete McCarney buys two plane tickets for a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but they split up shortly before the trip, and he can’t get a refund. Determined to go and throwing caution to the wind, he goes onto social media to find a woman with the same name as his ex to go with him. After a series of unfortunate interviews and encounters, he finally chooses a feisty, headstrong, recently-divorced lawyer, but neither of them have any idea what to expect from their world wide adventures, or each other.
Imagine JJ Abrams, Michael Bay, Nora Ephron, and Sandra Bullock have an orgy. The Ticket is their love child. It’s got bucket loads of humour, hot steam, pathos, revenge, karma, and Love with a capital L. Pick up this book, and soon you’ll be leaping out of planes, flying around the world, getting sexy in a hot tub, and finding the meaning of true love and friendship.
Heather Grace Stewart started her creative life as a screenwriter and The Ticket reads like you’re watching a high action, high octane film. It’s no surprise that it has been optioned to be a movie. If you like high concept romantic comedy with international travel, hot sex and lots of unexpected twists and turns then you’ll love The Ticket!
Bachelor & newscaster Pete McCarney buys two plane tickets for a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but they split up shortly before the trip, and he can’t get a refund. Determined to go and throwing caution to the wind, he goes onto social media to find a woman with the same name as his ex to go with him. After a series of unfortunate interviews and encounters, he finally chooses a feisty, headstrong, recently-divorced lawyer, but neither of them have any idea what to expect from their world wide adventures, or each other.
Imagine JJ Abrams, Michael Bay, Nora Ephron, and Sandra Bullock have an orgy. The Ticket is their love child. It’s got bucket loads of humour, hot steam, pathos, revenge, karma, and Love with a capital L. Pick up this book, and soon you’ll be leaping out of planes, flying around the world, getting sexy in a hot tub, and finding the meaning of true love and friendship.
Heather Grace Stewart started her creative life as a screenwriter and The Ticket reads like you’re watching a high action, high octane film. It’s no surprise that it has been optioned to be a movie. If you like high concept romantic comedy with international travel, hot sex and lots of unexpected twists and turns then you’ll love The Ticket!
March 5, 2021
Boring book
It’s your typical boy meets girl, boy falls in love with a girl and after a few hiccups they live together happily ever after. No spoiler alert as this book was predictable from page one. Completely unrealistic and I guess if I was a teenager, I might be impressed but I’m not that naive. The moral of the story, when a man is not ready for commitment, throw a fit like a 2 years old kid and he will come running after you. LMAO
It’s your typical boy meets girl, boy falls in love with a girl and after a few hiccups they live together happily ever after. No spoiler alert as this book was predictable from page one. Completely unrealistic and I guess if I was a teenager, I might be impressed but I’m not that naive. The moral of the story, when a man is not ready for commitment, throw a fit like a 2 years old kid and he will come running after you. LMAO
March 28, 2021
Ddelightful
A truly different take on boy meets girl. Lots of angst throughout this story mostly it is light hearted. I really enjoyed reading this story.
A truly different take on boy meets girl. Lots of angst throughout this story mostly it is light hearted. I really enjoyed reading this story.
March 3, 2023
3.7 stars rounded up to 4
Funny, adventurous, and a happy ending.
Funny, adventurous, and a happy ending.
November 17, 2024
The Ticket: The Perfect Holiday Later in Life Laugh Out Loud Romantic Comedy (Love Again Series Book 1), my first highly-enjoyable read from author Heather Grace Stewart , the first in her Love Again series. I've been adding her books to my library since January of 2017 yet never getting one read until now, I own 5 of them. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Remarkably Great: The Laugh Out Loud Funny Feel-Good Fantasy Romance (Strangely, Incredibly Good Book 2) just added to my TBR list. With the book blurb describing a guy stuck with an unused, non-refundable around the world trip ticket, in his ex-girlfriend's name, I was surprised when the book began with a woman. Intriguing with the switching between first person woman to first person man, but it works! I lost sleep reading this book, staying up all night to complete it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.
February 18, 2022
Sacha's Book Reviews Blog
I downloaded a free copy of this via a newsletter promotion.
The Premise
When Pete’s girlfriend dumps him suddenly, he’s left holding two non-refundable tickets for an amazing trip around the world. He decides to offer it to any woman with the same name, and many applicants throw themselves at the chance of a lifetime — and at him, as he’s a hot, eligible bachelor. The “Allie James” who wins the gig turns out to be a jaded divorcee who’s in no mood for love. Of course, that soon changes as the two of them embark on the trip of a lifetime — unfortunately, with some baggage and drama in tow.
The Pros
This was a great romp of a read with believable, lovable characters. It’s light and fluffy with just enough of a dark, shocking twist to drop your jaw and swoon at the same time! I flew through the book in a couple of days, eager to read on and see where this epic journey would take them. From hilarious scenes to friendship betrayals to steamy sex scenes, it’s a thrill of a ride from beginning to end and sweeps you off your feet. I like sassy heroines but hate when they go over the top, and thankfully our Allie has a nice balance. Their friends and families made great secondary characters, and of course there were the pets — nice touch!
The Cons
I really enjoyed the story, but I must admit that there were a few things that let me down. The age of her daughters made their behaviour seem strange — they are practically adults, but acted like much younger children! I also found the couple’s “big wow” of an argument to be a bit out of left field — like, they went from barely being friends and then somehow it jumped to expecting the world of each other a couple of weeks later… I just wish that the premise could have been something else, or it could have been written somehow differently — I’m not even sure what I want, I just knew it wasn’t that! Their communication just seemed to dip off-kilter and unrealistic, which was a shame because up to that point the dialogue was amazing.
Conclusion
Notwithstanding those minor disappointments, this was a fabulous read that I would highly recommend, particularly for mature readers. Later-in-life love stories can sometimes be dreary, but this one keeps your soul buoyant, and the twist at the end, along with the lasting message to follow your dreams and your heart — all of this totally makes it worth your while. I look forward to reading more by this author.
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December 24, 2023
Inspired by the true story of a Toronto man who sought a travel companion sharing his ex-girlfriend's name for a free trip around world, The Ticket is a delightfully hilarious romcom that takes readers into the “what if’s” of their romantic (and crazy) whirlwind journey.
I related SO HARD to lawyer Allie, newly single and fresh off a painful divorce she wasn’t seeking. She accepts the call to adventure after her bestie strongly encourages her to apply to accompany newsman Pete (tall, handsome and Irish - picture a Gaelic Mark Darcy type!) on a European vacation over Christmas break. The sparks fly when they meet, and slowly let down their guards with one another, leading to them find love of the most precious kind - unexpected love during life’s second act.
I’m not the first to say this, but this romcom would make a terrific movie! This is the first book I read from Heather Grace Stewart but if the non-stop LOLs and sighworthy scenes in The Ticket are any indication, I can’t wait to dive into the rest of her Love Again series.
I related SO HARD to lawyer Allie, newly single and fresh off a painful divorce she wasn’t seeking. She accepts the call to adventure after her bestie strongly encourages her to apply to accompany newsman Pete (tall, handsome and Irish - picture a Gaelic Mark Darcy type!) on a European vacation over Christmas break. The sparks fly when they meet, and slowly let down their guards with one another, leading to them find love of the most precious kind - unexpected love during life’s second act.
I’m not the first to say this, but this romcom would make a terrific movie! This is the first book I read from Heather Grace Stewart but if the non-stop LOLs and sighworthy scenes in The Ticket are any indication, I can’t wait to dive into the rest of her Love Again series.
February 14, 2024
A Irish born news reporter and his girlfriend break-up just before they are set to go on a trip around the world. He puts out a social media post to find a woman with the same name to take the ticket and go with him. He finds a middle-aged mom of 2 that is still rebuilding her life post divorce and she goes with him.
I recommend the audiobook because the MMC has an Irish accent and sometimes speak Gaelic.
Funny banter
2 🌶️
I recommend the audiobook because the MMC has an Irish accent and sometimes speak Gaelic.
Funny banter
2 🌶️
December 5, 2024
The Best Christmas Adventure
This is a heartwarming story of the struggle to start over. After a failed marriage Ally's ex runs off with his lover and takes the children for Christmas at dad's house. Ally has plans of her own she just met a handsome stranger named Pete. Ally is still dealing with the guilt and saddness of divorce. Nothing helps you forget an old flame like a new flame. This is the kind of book you want to have a warm fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa. Ally and her new friend Pete have Christmas dinner with the family and after that Ally and Pete take an around the world adventure. They reveal things about themselves, spend time together, joke and cuddle and share romantic times. When Ally gets home she has to deal with her ex and his new love and go back to being a single parent. Will she still keep Pete around or let him go?
This is a heartwarming story of the struggle to start over. After a failed marriage Ally's ex runs off with his lover and takes the children for Christmas at dad's house. Ally has plans of her own she just met a handsome stranger named Pete. Ally is still dealing with the guilt and saddness of divorce. Nothing helps you forget an old flame like a new flame. This is the kind of book you want to have a warm fireplace and a cup of hot cocoa. Ally and her new friend Pete have Christmas dinner with the family and after that Ally and Pete take an around the world adventure. They reveal things about themselves, spend time together, joke and cuddle and share romantic times. When Ally gets home she has to deal with her ex and his new love and go back to being a single parent. Will she still keep Pete around or let him go?
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