Alba in bookland: Joanna Bolouri

All I Want for Christmas is a hilarious and heartwarming Christmas romance from Joanna Bolouri, the author of The List, and perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary's The Flatshare, Sophie Cousens' This Time Next Year and Marian Keyes' Grown Ups.

Title: All I Want for Christmas

Author: Joanna Bolouri

Published: October 1st 2020 by Quercus

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: What if the love of your life was your best friend's girl? The sparkling Christmas romance to pick you up this year...

When Nick loses his job and is dumped by his glamorous but demanding girlfriend, he is forced to grudgingly accept work as a Santa at a local Christmas grotto. As his friends are getting married or promoted, Nick spends his days being terrorised by unfriendly elves and cried on by snotty, spoiled children.

Then he meets 4-year-old Alfie. All Alfie wants for Christmas is for his mum, Sarah, to be happy again. Moved by the boy's selfless wish, Nick arranges a date between Sarah and his best friend, Matt. But as Sarah and Alfie become part of all their lives, Nick realises that happiness for Sarah and Matt might mean heartbreak for himself.

Review: What a great story, I absolutely loved All I Want for Christmas. I am a big fan of Joanna Bolouri's books and once again, she has made me fall in love with her characters. I had so much fun with Nick, the main character in this story. After losing his job, he takes a temp job as Santa in a shopping centre and spends his days surrounded by very wild creatures, and I am not talking about deers here! Both his elves and the children are a great source of entertainment for us readers, but for him... not so much.

As you can imagine, the story made me laugh a lot. But it also had more serious notes, especially around single mum, Sarah, and her adorable son, Alfie. I loved them and rooted for them since page one and I really wanted the best for them. The friendship they formed with Nick was heartwarming.

Joanna Bolouri kept me on my toes for most of the story, as I really didn't know which way it was going to go until the very end. And I loved every minute of it!

All I Want for Christmas is a great book: original, fun and with Joanna Bolouri's special witty touch. The characters are spot on and the festive spirit is definitely there. I can only praise this story and I recommend it to absolutely everyone. One not to be missed, just go and get yourself a copy. You are in for a treat!

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

I love Joanna Bolouri's books because her stories are always hilarious and very original. I recently read her latest book, Relight My Fire, and today it's an absolute pleasure to welcome the woman herself in the blog for a bookish Q&A:

Hi Joanna and welcome! First of all, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi, I’m Jo! I’m a Taurus and I recently turned forty which didn’t go well for anyone involved. I’ve been writing books for around five years now and Relight My Fire is my forth novel.

Your new book, Relight My Fire, although it can be read as a stand-alone, catches up with the characters of your fantastic debut The List. For those new to the story, how would you describe Phoebe and Oli?

Phoebe and Oliver are childhood friends who fell in love. They’re a couple who thrive on passion and honesty, but humour is the key to their success. They really make each other laugh.

How did you feel going back to these characters? Is it more difficult to write about known characters or brand-new ones?

I think there’s a certain expectation in place when your return to previous characters, so it can be tricky making sure you stay faithful to what’s already been written. With newer characters, anything is possible.

Can we expect more stories with these characters?

Possibly but right now I’m more interested in creating new characters. I’d never say never but I’m in no rush to write them at the moment.

If you could switch places with a character from one of your books for a day, who would it be and why?

I’d quite like to be Emily from The Most Wonderful Time of the Year because she has a hot, rich, younger boyfriend and I don’t.

How does your writing process go? Do you plan everything first or you just start writing and let your characters talk to you? I have to say your stories always make me laugh out loud, do you also laugh while writing them?

Thank you! My process is one that involves a lot of scribbling in notebooks, pacing and talking to myself before anything actually happens. I always have an idea of where it’s going to go but that often changes the more I write and get to know the characters. I do make myself laugh, sad as it sounds but if I don’t find something funny, I won’t put it in the book.

Could you recommend us a novel that you have read recently and has stayed with you?

I read Wonder by R. J Palacio and I cried lots. It was beautifully written. I also had to stop reading Catherine Isaac’s You Me Everything because it was so good, I wasn’t getting any work done. I find it hard to read another author while I write as it put me off, so it’s top of my list when I’ve finished my next novel.

About the Book:

Title: Relight My Fire

Author: Joanna Bolouri

Published: by Quercus

eBook: March 1st 2018

Paperback: May 31st 2018

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Phoebe and Oliver are stuck in a rut.

With a five year old daughter and demanding jobs, it's not hard to see why the spark has gone.

Not one for giving up, Phoebe creates a sexy wishlist: a jar where they can ask the other for anything they've ever wanted in bed - or out of it.

But with distractions aplenty - such as, why do all her past lovers think now is a good time to make a reappearance? And, she may be wrong, but is Oli keeping something from her? - will they be able to relight the fire in the bedroom?

From mix tapes to 'sex jars', this is the naughtiest rom com you will ever read. From the bestselling author of The List.

Read my review here!

Make sure to follow the Blog Tour for more interesting content and book reviews!

Today's review is for Relight My Fire by Joanna Bolouri. This is the author's fourth book and it goes back to the characters of her acclaimed debut, The List. Here are my thoughts on this naughty story:

Title: Relight My Fire

Author: Joanna Bolouri

Published: by Quercus

eBook: March 1st 2018

Paperback: May 31st 2018

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Phoebe and Oliver are stuck in a rut.

With a five year old daughter and demanding jobs, it's not hard to see why the spark has gone.

Not one for giving up, Phoebe creates a sexy wishlist: a jar where they can ask the other for anything they've ever wanted in bed - or out of it.

From mix tapes to 'sex jars', this is the naughtiest rom com you will ever read. From the bestselling author of The List.

Review: I really enjoyed Joanna Bolouri's previous books, her stories are always a bit bonkers but hilarious and they are the perfect antidote after a stressful week. Relight My Fire is no different in this sense, it made me laugh out loud several times and I completely forgot about my life for a while.

This story focuses on Phoebe and Oliver, who starred in Joanna Bolouri's debut The List and shared some crazy sexual adventures back then. Things are not that wild right now though, after a few years together and a daughter, they can't even remember the last time they had proper sexy sex. Not only that, they are distant with each other in their daily life. So Phoebe decides it's time for couple counseling.

As you can imagine, the counseling is not your traditional kind, but quite a creative one, so our main characters embark in a few more sexual adventures. I have to say though that I didn't expected some of the secrets revealed during this process and the story kept my attention completely captured. There were also a couple more plot-lines to complement the main one, so you were never bored with the story and things kept happening.

Relight My Fire is hilarious, rude and highly entertaining. It keeps up with the fun tone of The List but it can still be read as a stand alone. So why not check it out?

Rating: 4 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Summer is around the corner and we've had some really nice weather lately in Munich, so I've been really looking forward to reading some summery and holiday reads. Luckily for me, May is coming packed with amazing books! Here are the ones I am most excited about:

The Wonder of Us by Kim Culbertson - May 3rd

Riya and Abby are:

Best friends.

Complete opposites.

Living on different continents.

Currently mad at each other.

About to travel around Europe.

Riya moved to Berlin, Germany, with her family for junior year, while Abby stayed behind in their small California town. They thought it would be easy to keep up their friendship, it's only a year and they've been best friends since preschool. But instead, they ended up fighting and not being there for the other. So Riya proposes an epic adventure to fix their friendship. Two weeks, six countries, unimaginable fun. But two small catches:

They haven't talked in weeks. They've both been keeping secrets.

Can Riya and Abby find their way back to each other among lush countrysides and dazzling cities, or does growing up mean growing apart?

Why so excited: I really like the look and the sound of this one. Plus, I love books that take you around the world. Living in Germany myself I am really curious to see what these girl will think of the country and what places they'll discover around here. Looking forward to joining them in their adventure.

Order it now!

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli - May 3rd

In this sequel to the acclaimed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda-soon to be a major motion picture, Love, Simon-we follow Simon's BFF Leah as she grapples with changing friendships, first love, and senior year angst.

When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat - but real life isn't always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she's the only child of a young, single mum, and her life is decidedly less privileged. And even though her mom knows she's bisexual, she hasn't mustered the courage to tell her friends - not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.

So Leah really doesn't know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It's hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting-especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.

Why so excited: I only read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda a couple of months ago but I absolutely loved it and I cannot wait to see the movie adaptation Love, Simon (it doesn't come out in Germany until June), so as you can imagine I am really excited for Leah's story and obviously, I also want to catch up with lovely Simon.

Order it now!

The House Swap by Rebecca Fleet - May 3rd

‘No one lives this way unless they want to hide something.’

When Caroline and Francis receive an offer to house swap, they jump at the chance for a week away from home. After the difficulties of the past few years, they’ve worked hard to rebuild their marriage for their son’s sake; now they want to reconnect as a couple.

On arrival, they find a house that is stark and sinister in its emptiness – it’s hard to imagine what kind of person lives here. Then, gradually, Caroline begins to uncover some signs of life – signs of her life. The flowers in the bathroom or the music in the CD player might seem innocent to her husband but to her they are anything but. It seems the person they have swapped with is someone she used to know; someone she’s desperate to leave in her past.

But that person is now in her home – and they want to make sure she’ll never forget...

Why so excited: I've read some smashing domestic noir stories lately and The House Swap sounds like another winner. Just reading the blurb, I got goosebumps so I am expecting a very nerve-wrecking and tense story.

Order it now!

Dear Martin by Nic Stone - May 3rd

Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut.

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack.

Why so excited: If the great John Green and the amazing Angie Thomas say that this book is absolutely incredible, then I need to read it, right? No, seriously, I have just started reading this story and I am completely hooked. This will be a very important book this year.

Order it now!

The Particular Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan - May 3rd

Masha is drowning.

Once a spirited, independent woman with a rebellious streak, her life has been forever changed by a tragic event twelve years ago.

Unable to let go of her grief, she finds solace in the silent company of the souls of her local Victorian cemetery and at the town's lido, where she seeks refuge underwater - safe from the noise and the pain.

But a chance encounter with two extraordinary women - the fabulous and wise Kitty Muriel, a convent girl-turned-magician's wife-turned-seventy-something-roller-disco-fanatic, and the mysterious Sally Red Shoes, a bag lady with a prodigious voice - opens up a new world of possibilities, and the chance to start living again.

Until the fateful day when the past comes roaring back...

Why so excited: I loved Ruth Hogan's The Keeper of Lost Things, it was such a special story, and this one sound just as special. I cannot wait to find out more about Sally Red Shoes.

Order it now!

The Surface Breaks: a reimagining of The Little Mermaid by Louise O'neill - May 3rd

Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.

Why so excited: I love the The Little Mermaid, I love re-telling and I love Louise O'neill. Plus, the book is stunning. So you can understand my excitement here!

Order it now!

Five Years from Now by Paige Toon - May 17th

The heartbreaking new novel from bestselling author Paige Toon, perfect for fans of One Day and The Versions of Us

‘One day, maybe five years from now, you’ll look back and understand why this happened…’

Vian and Nell are thrown together at the age of five when Vian's mother and Nell's father fall in love. At first archenemies, the two children soon become the best of friends. But five years later, tragedy rips them apart, and 10-year-old Vian is sent to Australia to live with his real father.

Fast-forward five more years and Nell is still angry at her dad for not trying harder to keep Vian with them. When her father finances a Christmas trip for Evan to visit, Nell soon discovers that the boy she once knew is now a wholly different creature. Vian is now ‘Van’ – a wild and carefree teenager who surfs with dolphins and dives with sharks. Chemistry crackles between them, but once again, they’re separated.

For the next two decades, Nell and Van cross paths every five years, but fate and circumstance continuously intervene to keep them apart. Will they ever find true happiness? And will it be together?

Why so excited: I had the pleasure of attending the Spring Blogger Evening at Simon & Schuster's, where Paige Toon talked about this story. It sounded amazing and I immediately devoured the proof we got. And guys, it is amazing. What a story! It left me with a huge book-hangover but it was totally worth it.

Order it now!

The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings - May 17th

Cornwall, summer of 1986.

The Davenports, with their fast cars and glamorous clothes, living the dream in a breathtaking house overlooking the sea.

If only… thinks sixteen-year-old Tamsyn, her binoculars trained on the perfect family in their perfect home.

If only her life was as perfect as theirs.

If only Edie Davenport would be her friend.

If only she lived at The Cliff House…

Amanda Jennings weaves a haunting tale of obsession, loss and longing, set against the brooding North Cornish coastline, destined to stay with readers long after the final page is turned.

Why so excited: Amanda Jennings' stories are always so unexpected and shocking and her writing is chilling, tense and brilliant, how can I not be excited for a new story? Plus, the first reviews I've read are ravishing about it.

Order it now!

Relight My Fire by Joanna Bolouri - May 31st

Phoebe and Oliver are stuck in a rut.

With a five year old daughter and demanding jobs, it's not hard to see why the spark has gone.

Not one for giving up, Phoebe creates a sexy wishlist: a jar where they can ask the other for anything they've ever wanted in bed - or out of it.

From mix tapes to 'sex jars', this is the naughtiest rom com you will ever read. From the bestselling author of The List.

Why so excited: I love Joanna Bolouri's stories, they are always hilarious. Relight My Fire goes back to catch up with the characters of her debut, The List, I cannot wait to find out how they are doing. I already laughed just reading the blurb, so I foresee may lol moment with this one.

Order it now!

The Hideaway by Sheila O'Flanagan - May 31st

The unputdownable new novel from Sunday Times bestselling Sheila O'Flanagan, author of THE MISSING WIFE and WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT. Perfect for readers of Catherine Alliott and Marian Keyes.

What would you do if you discovered you were living a lie?

When a shocking news report shatters Juno Ryan's world, she suddenly finds herself without the man she loves - and with no way of getting the answers she so desperately needs.

A distraught Juno flees to the enchanting Villa Naranja in Spain. The blue skies and bountiful orange groves - along with Pep, the winemaker's handsome son - begin to soothe her broken heart, but only Juno herself can mend it.

Just when she begins to feel whole again another bombshell falls. Can Juno put the past behind her? And will she ever learn to trust herself again?

Why so excited: I actually haven't read any books by Sheila O'Flanagan yet, but I've always heart great things about her stories, so it's about time I discovered it for myself, isn't it? The blurb definitely sounds very intriguing.

Order it now!

Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square by Heidi Swain May 31st

The heart-warming new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson and Cathy Bramley

Kate is on the run from her almost-divorced husband who is determined to have her back, and she has found the perfect place to hide... a little cottage on Nightingale Square in Norwich, far away from her old life in London. But the residents of Nightingale Square don't take no for an answer, and Kate soon finds herself pulled into a friendship with Lisa, her bossy but lovely new neighbour.

Within a matter of days Kate is landed with the job of campaigning the council to turn the green into a community garden, meanwhile all the residents of Nightingale Square are horrified to discover that the Victorian mansion house on the other side of the square has been bought by developers. But when all hope is lost, the arrival of a handsome stranger is sure to turn things around!

Why so excited: doesn't this look summery and perfect? I also had the pleasure of listening to Heidi Swain talking about this story at the Spring Blogger Evening, so I'm very excited to dive in!

Order it now!

My next festive book review is for Joanna Bolouri's third book, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I'm a big fan of Joanna's work so I was over the moon to get my hands on her latest. Spoiler alert: she did not disappoint at all!

Title: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Author: Joanna Bolouri

Published: October 27th 2016 by Quercus

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: A hilarious and heartwarming Christmas comedy. Perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Tracy Bloom & Chrissie Manby.

Thirty-eight year old Emily has a satisfying job, fab friends, an amazing car and, most importantly, a wonderful flat, exactly 411 miles away from the judgemental, batshit crazy, interfering family she reluctantly sees twice a year. In fact, the only minor stress in her life is her twenty-something neighbour Evan and his penchant for flirting, loud music and even louder sex... but he's nothing she can't handle.

Emily also has a boyfriend called Robert and it's going really well. So well, in fact, that this year Emily is hoping to take him home for Christmas to meet her family. Finally she won't be subject to five days of nosy questions from her parents and pity looks from her younger married siblings.

But when Robert breaks up with her a week before Christmas, Emily is gutted. How on earth is she going to face her family now? Enlisting the help of party boy Evan (in exchange for one month's rent and the use of her convertible) Emily is determined to take Robert home for Christmas come hell or high water, even if it isn't the real Robert...

Review: I absolutely adore Joanna Bolouri's novels. She always manages to create the most amazing stories. Stories I could read for hours and still be left wanting more. And The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is no different. Emily is just hilarious. I want an Emily in my life. I really warmed to her and was rooting for her from page one, especially with such a crazy family.

Her family was actually a great addition to the story. I had so much reading about them. They were not the most supportive and welcoming family but they made for great entertainment. And they actually managed to surprise me more than once.

The whole idea for the book was a bit bonkers: Evan, Emily's younger and definitely sexual active neighbour, pretends to be Emily's boyfriend during their Christmas celebrations. But surprisingly, it worked so well! Evan was fun and a great guy and the more we discovered about him, the more I liked him. His relationship with Emily was never boring, they fought like cat and dog but the chemistry between them was palpable. I never knew which way their interactions would go, something that kept me glued to the pages of the book for hours.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a great book: original, fun and with Joanna Bolouri's special witty touch. The characters are spot on and the festive spirit is definitely there. I can only praise this story and I recommend it to absolutely everyone. One not to be missed, just go and get yourself a copy. You are in for a treat!

Rating: 5 stars

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Another year down, can you believe it? And what a fantastic year it has been. After a couple of low months, on the end of the year I picked up my reading and have managed to read 134 book no less! This year I am really glad that I have tried new genres and new authors and I've had some really good surprises. It's been very difficult to pick my top ten as there were a least 15 or 17 books that deserved to be there but finally I have decanted myself for these (in no particular order):

A Girl Best Friend by Lindsey Kelk. This year Lindsey Kelk has spoiled us with two fantastic books. She published the stand-alone Always the Bridesmaid which I absolutely loved and was a firm contender for this list but when I read the new A Girl installment, A Girl's Best Friend, I decided to include this one instead because it's pure Lindsey Kelk. Everything I love in a book is in this book.

The Vintage Guide of Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood. Funniest book I’ve read in a long while. I loved Jessica Beam and her adventures following her grandma’s vintage guides. If you are in need of cheering up, definitely go for this one, genius!

Mobile Library by David Whitehouse. David takes us on a magic road trip on a mobile library. The story is beautifully written with a unique narrative and a mixture of adventure, fantasy, love and friendship but also with some darker details. A real gem of a book.

Asking For It by Louise O'neill. The last addition to my list has been this brave and controversial read. It tackles some really important topics and portrays the reality we live in. It made me angry and it made me reconsider a lot of things. Really worth a read.

I Followed the Rules by Joanna Bolouri. There was not a thing in this novel that I didn't love. Cat was one of the best leading roles I have read in a while. Unexpected, quirky and hilarious, I can assure that it will leave you will a content heart and some more eye wrinkles after all the laughing!

Silent Scream by Angela Marsons. This will be the year of D.I. Kim Stone. We met her on Silent Scream and her determination to catch the bad guys and her secrets captivated me. With the second and third books (as good as the first) of the series already out, this is the perfect one of crime lovers.

The Silent Hours by Cerca Major. Set in France during the Second World War and based on a historical event, it tells a powerful and moving story about life during war. With different points of views, I felt like I was part of the story too.

Appleby Farm by Cathy Bramley. This year I have completely fallen in love with Cathy Bramley's style and her cosy and beautiful books. I loved Ivy Lane too but I finally decided Appleby Farm had to be the one in this list because it has such a positive vibe around it.

And finally, if I had to choose a book of the year, it would be a tie between these two books. These are the books I'm still thinking about all these moths afterwards:

The Day We Disappeared by Lucy Robinson. Lucy’s talent just keeps surprising us. With her latest book, she fooled us all and took our breath away. A clever story with a twist you won’t forget in a long time.

Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey. An epic love story that made me cry a lot (in public places). This will probably be the debut of the year for me, so beautifully written and such a moving story. Also, it would make such a fantastic movie.

So here they are. The best books I have read this year. I can't wait to see what the next year bring. I'm already excited with the new releases I've seen.

Title: I Followed the Rules
Author: Joanna Bolouri
Published: July 2nd 2015 by Quercus
Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: Rule 1: Never ask him on a first date. Rule 2: Laugh admiringly at all his jokes. Rule 3: Always leave him wanting more.

. . . wtf?!

Have you heard of The Rules of Engagement? It's a book that promises to teach you to find the man of your dreams in ten easy steps. Unsurprisingly, I don't own a copy. What is it, 1892?

But I'm a journalist, and I've promised to follow it to the letter and write about the results. Nevermind that my friends think I'm insane, I'm stalking men all over town and can't keep my mouth shut at the best of times.

My name is Cat Buchanan. I'm thirty-six years old and live with my daughter in Glasgow. I've been single for six years, but that's about to change. After all, I'm on a deadline.

I Followed the Rules and this is what happened.

First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Review: I really enjoyed Joanna Bolouri's debut, The List. It was such a fun book that had me laughing out loud non-stop for hours! So I started I Followed the Rules with high expectations. When after a couple of pages I was already crying of laughter, I knew I was in for a real treat. And what a treat! I enjoyed I Followed the Rules even more than The List and I couldn't stop grinning while reading it. It is one of those reads that make you feel so good that you go all day round with a huge smile plastered on your face telling everyone who will listen what a fantastic book you are reading.

I Followed the Rules tells the story of Cat Buchanan, a journalist who writes a weekly column about the life of a single mother. But lately, her columns haven't been so witty and fun and her editor wants something more. Enter here: The Rules of Engagement. Cat has to follow the rules to land the perfect fiance while reporting everything to her readers. Obviously, the rules couldn't be more different to Cat's attitude towards dating and flirting with men but she does try her best to follow them, which causes some awkward and equally hilarious situations.

There was not a thing in this novel that I didn't love. Cat was one of the best leading roles I have read in a while. Her jokes and her way of seeing life was just spot on. She is one of those characters you wish they existed in real life and actually were your best friend. And her daughter was a real gem. As were the supporting characters, like Cat's sister and her husband, really caring but a bit too intrusive in Cat's love life. Or Cat's ex, who was about to marry his Gothic girlfriend (this also caused some more hilarious encounters).

I Followed the Rules is a real treat that I highly recommend. Unexpected, quirky and hilarious, I am sure it'll be one of my books of the year. I can assure that will leave you will a content heart and some more eye wrinkles after all the laughing!

Rating: