Month: September 2025

Book Review: Am I Having Fun Now? by Suzi Ruffell

Posted on by Libby Price

A couple of years ago a friend recommended the podcast ‘Like Minded Friends’ with Tom Allen and Suzi Ruffell – saying it was a really lovely calming podcast, listening to two friends chat away. I started listening – and have been a fan ever since. The podcast started way back in October 2015 (before the whole world and his – or her – wife had a podcast) and whilst Tom and Suzi are both gay, and lots of listeners are members of the LGBTQ+ community – it is also for allies, which I would consider myself to be.

Suzi had mentioned on the pod about the book she was writing – and way back before it’s release I requested an advance review copy from Net Galley. I didn’t hear anything back – and was busy reading other books – so didn’t really worry, but then randomly, a couple of months after publication, I was sent a copy.

Here is the blurb:

“Does peaking in high school ruin you for life?
Was Miley Cyrus right, is it all about the climb (when it comes to building a career?)
And what – scientifically – is the best way to mend a broken heart?
Comedian Suzi Ruffell is considering life’s big questions.In this brutally honest, funny, and often moving memoir, Suzi winningly tells her life story, and asks a host of experts to answer the tricky questions it prompts along the way. Diamond life advice comes from the likes of Elizabeth Day, Dolly Alderton, Charlene Douglas, Laura Bates, Dr Kirren Schnack, and more.From masking anxiety with musical theatre and struggling to find her groove at school, on stage, and in her love life, to (eventually) coming out, falling in love, and becoming a parent, Suzi lays her life bare with trademark wit, verve and style. Am I Having Fun Now? is riveting, relatable and revealing. Studded with brilliant, cutting observations on feminism, being working class in the world of arts and comedy, LGBTQ+ equality and the up- and downsides of ambition, it’s perfect reading for fans of books by Fern Brady, Sarah Pascoe, Elizabeth Day and Tom Allen.”

I feel like I ‘know’ Suzi – listening to her chat to Tom every week – and so really enjoyed hearing more of her story – although I did feel familiar with lots of the other protagonists – Anne Ruffell, Alice etc #clang

Whilst the book tells Suzi’s life story to date – it does it by looking at big important life questions, it’s not a chronological autobiography (although does roughly follow Suzi’s life timeline). At the end of each chapter Suzi talks to a specific ‘expert’ about the topic covered – this gave it it a bit more ‘weight’ and thought than some celebrity memoirs.

As you would expect from a book written by a stand up comedian – some of it is really funny – but it is also thought provoking and interesting too.

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my review copy – albeit not advanced!

Book Review: Still Falling For You by Holly Miller

Posted on by Libby Price

Having enjoyed previous books by Holly Miller (although not for a few years, so I think I may have missed some of her back catalogue) I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her new book – out in February 2026. Here is the blurb:

“THEY SAY TRUE LOVE LASTS FOREVER. BUT WHAT IF IT REALLY COULD?
Josh is 18. Rachel is 18.
From the first night they meet as freshers, Rachel and Josh know they are meant to be. An electric connection quickly blossoms into plans to spend the rest of their lives together.
Josh is 29. Rachel is 29.
Inexplicably, none of the men in Josh’s family has lived past the age of thirty. As the fateful birthday approaches, Josh is wracked with fears: of his own death, and of leaving Rachel alone in this world.
So when a genius scientist offers him a radical new treatment – which might just save Josh’s future with Rachel – how can he possibly say no?
Josh is 29. Rachel is 31.
Rachel wanted nothing more than to grow old with her soulmate, surrounded by the family they longed for. Now, faced with the impossibility of that dream, she has a heartbreaking choice to make. Does the pursuit of happiness mean more to her than true love?”

OOh- this is good – and with an interesting premise that I really liked, and was beautifully explored and well written – but I don’t feel I can say too much without there being spoilers – and we all know I loathe a book review with spoilers in it!!

Rachel and Josh are just a few years older than me (at the start of the book anyway!) and so their reference points at Uni and getting married are similar to mine. The timeline starts in the late 80s – and goes through present day into the near future. Whilst a lot of the book looks at the relationship between Josh and Rachel – wider family and friends and those relationships are also explored – and how such relationships evolve over time.

You have to have an element of suspending disbelief over the ‘radical new treatment’ referred to in the blurb – but it does prompt lots of things to think about.

The book is thought provoking and emotional and makes you consider your own mortality and ageing. Overall I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC. You can pre order Still Falling For You now ready for it’s release early next year.

Book Review: The Impossible Fortune (The Thursday Murder Club Book 5) by Richard Osman

Posted on by Libby Price

I have declared before that I love Richard Osman – and the fan girling has only got worse. A family member has changed jobs and now works with Mr Osman and I am beyond jealous. I think even the aforementioned family member was quite concerned that Richard could be my specialist subject on Mastermind! Obviously when the next book in the Thursday Murder Club series was to be released, it was a no brainer that I’d need to read it immediately – I’d said as such when reviewing book 4! Here’s the blurb:

“Who’s got time to think about murder when there’s a wedding to plan?
It’s been a quiet year for the Thursday Murder Club. Joyce is busy with table plans and first dances. Elizabeth is grieving. Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favourite criminal.
But when Elizabeth meets a wedding guest who fears for their life, the thrill of the chase is ignited once again. A villain wants access to an uncrackable code and will stop at nothing to get it. Plunged back into their most explosive investigation yet, can the gang solve the puzzle and a murder in time?”

It was lovely to be back with the gang! As always the story is told by different points of view – with Joyce’s chapters remaining my favourites. And different members of the supporting cast had bigger and smaller parts this time around. For example, Joyce’s daughter Joanna (who is played by Richard’s wife Ingrid Oliver in the film adaption of the first book, which came out on Netflix in August!) had a more central role – whereas their police friends had more minor roles (Chris was far too busy learning how to handle his weapons!) – but everyone was still in and around the storyline.

This time there were codes and puzzles to crack – as well as murder(s) to solve – and each of the gang brought their own skills to the team.

As ever it is funny, clever, heart warming – and all of the things you’d expect from a Richard Osman book.

My absolute favourite ‘Easter Egg’ was when Ron is discussing his favourite James Bond – who he says is Pierce Brosnan. Now, as Mr Brosnan plays Ron in the film – it will be interesting to see how that is dealt with in film 5 (as surely there will be films of each books, there just has to be – even if the first one had some deviations from the original plot).

Another master piece from Richard Osman, which I am sure will take over the best seller lists yet again (even if it is released on the same day as the new Dan Brown (not on my TBR list) and Elizabeth Day books!)

Book Review: Christmas Fling by Lindsey Kelk

Posted on by Libby Price

“Is a fake boyfriend really just for Christmas?

One fake romance. One magical Christmas. One chance to fall in love.|
Laura was all set for a quiet solo Christmas – just her, a bottle of wine, and flat-sitting for a stranger. But when the stranger’s parents mistake her for his mystery girlfriend, she’s swept off to the snowy Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family.
Between the cosy sleeper train, charming pubs and breathtaking views, this could be the no-strings-attached Christmas of Laura’s dreams.
But stranger Callum is hot, hilarious and their ‘fake’ chemistry is off the charts.
So is this just a Christmas fling? Or the start of something more?”

As my multiple previous posts will attest, I love a Lindsey Kelk novel – and so was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her latest book which is out in October – and makes a perfect festive gift / read!

The ‘fake relationship into actual lovers’ has obviously been done many times before – but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Laura being a neurosurgeon was certainly unusual for a main character in a rom com (although I do wonder if her speciality changed during the writing process, as at one point the lack of ‘cardiac’ unit was mentioned) and I liked the different ‘vibe’ that gave the book. Callum was lovely – even though he could do with a shake sometimes!! Laura’s friends Desi and Joel were brilliant (definitely reminded me of Bridget Jones and her gang of mates) and really added to the colourfulness of the storyline.

The Scottish Highlands are described beautifully – and you could almost feel the chill off the page. I also liked the modern issues – phone reception (or lack of) and a major life incident in an M&S petrol station! It has also made me think I never want to the Caledonian Sleeper train!

It was a fabulous escapist read – and would be PERFECT to read over the Christmas holidays all cosy and warm curled up in a comfy chair with a hot chocolate (or mulled wine!) There were laugh out loud moments, scenes of great sexual tension – and the chaos of an extended family festive season.

A huge thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for my ARC.

Book Review: This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page

Posted on by Libby Price

Having enjoyed previous books by Libby Page, I was delighted to be granted an advance review copy of her next book, due out in January 2026 (but available for pre order now if you like the sound of it!) Here’s the blurb:

“Twelve stories. Twelve months. Once chance to heal her heart . . .
When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her fiancé waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly because Joe died five months ago . . .The gift is simple – twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.
Tilly sets out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to vlog her journey, her story becomes more than her own. With help from Alfie, the bookshop owner, her budding new following and her friends and family, can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again?”

This book is so lovely – and quite emotional – you really feel for what Tilly / Matilda is going through having lost her husband, Joe, a few months before. Whilst he wasn’t a book lover – he fully appreciated that Tilly was and set up this wonderful plan to give her a new book each month. The start of each chapter also has the book shop’s recommendation for the coming month too (and I loved that there were a mixture of books I had and hadn’t already read).

The thought that Joe has put into each month is really lovely – and you see how Tilly grows and changes over the year. There are flashbacks to Tilly’s life with Joe – and her relationships with family and friends (old and new) are also evolving. Clearly grief is an important issue throughout the book – and at times it was incredibly moving (quite embarrassingly I ended up snotty sobbing at the end whilst my daughter and her friend enjoyed splashing around at an Aqua Park!)

Whilst the book is primarily set in London – there are trips to Bali, Italy, Paris and New York – and each setting is described beautifully. Escaping metaphorically into the pages of a book, as well as escaping physically to other parts of the world are cleverly compared and contrasted.

The book also describes the importance of a physical book shop – and the difficulties they have to survive in an era of online purchasing. To be honest I think it’s the same for many independent shops on our high street nowadays – so let’s try and support them whenever we can!

One premise of the storyline is clearly a love for books. I love it when people recommend books to me – or send me book post – it’s so thoughtful (although when I sent a friend a book I thought she’d like, she didn’t see the gift note, and thought she’d been drunk shopping on the internet!!!)

Overall it’s another triumph for Libby Page – she writes such beautiful, emotive books – I’d definitely recommend pre ordering (maybe from your local bookshop) for when this is out in January 2026.

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC.