Well gosh, hello there, lovely reader, don't you look wonderful! I'm -
"Aren't you going to open it?"
Ahem, sorry for the interruption, I just wanted to explain that this is a novel told in three parts and...
The Blurb
Jemma has lived a thousand lives through books. The only life she isn’t living is her own.
That is, until the day she finds a note from a stranger in her favourite library book. When she replies, the pair begin a longhand conversation about their love of novels that sees Jemma finally coming out of her shell. Is she ready to fall in love for the first time – with someone she’s never met?
Clara has always run away from her problems, but this might finally be one she can’t escape.
Everyone wants to know what happened to Clara in America – but Clara isn’t talking. Instead she’s focusing all her energy obsessing over a hot new actor, starring in the TV adaptation of her twin Jemma's favourite book. Soon, Clara is reading every interview, trawling his social media, and following him to showbiz parties in the hopes he’ll notice she’s The One.
As the sisters fall hard for two men they’ve never met, it’s time to ask the question: Can either relationship survive the real world?
My Review
I read this book over the Christmas holiday season and haven't had the opportunity to post my review until now. I couldn't have read anything that left me with such a feel-good ending more than this book did.
The book tells the story of non-identical twins Jemma and Clara. Jemma is the serious one who loves books and works hard. Clara is the party animal who takes no responsibility for herself. They could not be more different.
The author did a fantastic job of bringing the two main characters alive on the page. However, she does an equally good job of imbuing the more minor characters with life, and they each have an important role to play in this story.
I loved the plot. Jemma has been exchanging notes hidden within a library book with an unknown library user. Clara has suddenly arrived back in the UK, having fled the US where she has lived for several years. Little by little, the author builds on this concept and produces this marvellous novel which kept me enthralled throughout.
I loved watching the two main characters, Jemma and Clara, develop both as individuals and together. They have always had a difficult relationship, and the author builds on this really well. I liked the way in which the chapters are told from the points of view of the two sisters. It was great to read their individual perspectives.
There were some things which kept me guessing throughout. Who is Jess's mystery letter writer? What has Clara run away from in America?
The book is an easy, entertaining read which was very funny in parts, but with some serious aspects running alongside.
I have never read anything by this author before, but I shall definitely be reading more of her work. In fact, I already have a copy of A Date With Destiny on my shelves which I will endeavour to read quite soon. I would definitely be prepared to buy this book as a gift, as I know several people whom I think would enjoy this. I highly recommend it.
Book Details
ISBN: 978 1398532021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Formats: e-book, audio and paperback
No. of Pages: 400 (paperback)
Purchase Links
About the Author
Lucy is the best-selling author of novels, Hot Mess, What Fresh Hell, Are We Nearly There Yet?, Bad Choices, Seven Exes, and Date With Destiny. Book seven is called BOOK BOYFRIEND and was published 19 June 2025. Lucy’s currently working on book eight, out summer ‘26.
Her books have been bought in 17 territories - including the US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Serbia, Japan, the Netherlands, Czech, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Finland, Slovakia and Sweden. Hot Mess was optioned for a TV series in America, while Hot Mess and Are We Nearly There Yet? have both been longlisted for the very brilliant Comedy Women In Print book award.
In a previous life, Lucy was a journalist, working for magazines and newspapers including GRAZIA, Stylist, heat, Fabulous, New, Now, marie claire, Glamour, COSMOPOLITAN, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and The Mirror.
Lucy is also an events host (available for hire!), and previously ran a regular event and podcast series with Waterstones, called the Hot Mess Clubhouse, featuring conversations with funny women.
You can also find Lucy at:
(author photo courtesy of Instagram)
(author bio courtesy of the author's website)
(all opinions are my own)
(Bookshop.org affiliated)
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