As soon as I heard about this book, I was honoured to be on the Canelo tour. I really fancied reading this story, especially with it being about a female writer. I wasn't disappointed either. I love books with numerous characters who are so much more than one dimensional, and these are plentiful here. I don't like spoilers in reviews, but get ready to hate the ex! I wanted to scream at Grace - 'Tell him to bugger off! He's a love rat!" Life isn't like that though, and their relationship was very interesting to follow through the book. He left quite a ripple affect in her life. Ultimately, this story was about Grace getting her mojo back, finding out what she wanted from life, and moving on. I haven't read Jo's books before, but she comes highly recommended from me. Excellent characters from all works of life are not easy to create, but this book is full of life.

I loved this story and didn't want it to end; in fact I re-read the ending. This is the first book I've read by Jo Platt, and I'll be looking out for more, as I like her writing style. This is a love story, but with layers. I loved Grace, the main character - so funny. In fact, that's something the author does very well, injecting humour to the story. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. I liked all of the characters; Neil and Gavin stood out, as did Percy, and as for James, Grace's love interest, he was as lovely as Grace thought him to be. I also enjoyed the subplots around Grace's writing, and her relationship with her ex-husband. Like I said, there was more depth to this love story, and it's a pleasure to (highly) recommend it.

Review: Well what can I say about You are Loved? Jo will be loved by millions on publication day which is the 14th, the same day the blog tour stops off at Chellsandbooks. I love this book. It has been a book that I am currently still reading and that is because I don't want it to be over but on the other hand I need to find out what happens. I have now brought Jo's other books so I can get my fix once I have finished this one. I am only a few pages away.

This book is so well written. Each chapter ends on a mini cliff hanger which means you just have to keep on reading. Such a clever skill to have as a writer. The plot is great. I thought I knew how the plot would go but I was proved wrong the further I read. I am now really excited to read the last few chapters.

I can completely relate to Grace who is our heroine but my favourite character would have to be Percy. She could have a whole novel written for her.

This is the first book of Jo's I have read and I was not disappointed this is by far the best book I have read in a while and I know this is going to be a great success for Jo.

Below is a link to the book so you can see for yourself what all the fuss is about. See also my other posts, the book spotlight on this book and author and also an extract from the book.

Grace Waterhouse is a successful author whose husband's left her for another woman, and they've just had a baby together. When she presents her latest novel to her literary agent and friend Neil, he dismisses it and says that she needs to go away and think about life.
When her cleaner Rose goes away on holiday for four months, Grace decides to step into the breach and use the cleaning jobs as a distraction, and hopefully, a source of inspiratation.
I must admit, when I first started reading this book, I didn't think I was going to like it...I wasn't sure where the story was going to go, and to be honest, who wants to read a book about a cleaner, but I will be the first to admit that I was wrong! I quickly fell in love with all the characters especially Neil and Gavin (who I would love to befriend and share a couple of bottles of wine with!) and Percy...don't get me started on Percy!! The whole world needs a friend like Percy!
The story is funny and there are lots of moments when I laughed out loud, and I will never look at a Dyson Small Ball again without giggling!!!
I have never read a book by Jo Platt before, but she has certainly gone to the top of my favourite authors list, her characters are completely believable, and people you actually want to befriend, and she is extremely funny!
This book has been hailed as the "must read rom-com of 2017" and I couldn't agree more!!!

*I received a free copy of this book from the publishers and Net galley in return for an honest review.

This is so funny! I’m always in awe of authors who can put words down on paper which make the reader giggle with the mental image it conjures up, and Jo Platt has it nailed!

Grace Waterhouse, one-time successful author seems to have lost the magic following her divorce and – understandably, ask any woman who has been cheated on – tends to favour bitter characters dreaming of recriminations. So a break from writing is a must. How to fill her time? That’s soon sorted thanks to Rose, her cleaner. She has some great clients and, along with Grace’s friends, the author has created some absolutely fabulous characters for this rom-com. The details are so well-defined that there is no problem in imagining them clearly. We follow Grace through a catalogue of disasters and misunderstandings, each funnier than the last with embarrassing moments abounding.

I adored this one from start to finish. It’s my first novel by this author, but it won’t be the last – I just couldn’t read enough, it was such a mood-lifter. This is the kind of book which leaves you grinning like an idiot when you recall the hilarious moments – and there are many. If you enjoy a good, funny read with an entertaining story line and easy, polished writing then I would most definitely recommend this one to you.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy. Also thank you to Ellie at Canelo for the opportunity to be part of the blog tour for this great book!

Grace is an author. Her ex-husband has had a baby with his new partner and her agent, Neil has told her that her latest draft for her new novel just isn’t good enough. Life couldn’t be better for her! Neil advises her to take some time out from writing and do something else. Her cleaner, Rose is going away for a while and asks Grace if she would take over her cleaning role for some of her other clients. What better way to do something different….so Grace agrees! She begins her new cleaning job at the house of lawyer, James Brooke. Things don’t start off well as she manages to set the burglar alarm off and get caught almost rifling through his box files. To top it all, she first meets him while wearing a shoe cover as a hairnet. He seems the most miserable man ever with a noticeable inability to blink, but he’s also very handsome! During her time as a cleaner Grace gets friendly with the neighbour, Percy – a wonderfully eccentric OAP with terrible baking skills, attends an unexpected funeral and “reconnects” with her ex-husband.

I wasn’t sure about this book at first. The cover didn’t jump out at me and the title didn’t give an awful lot away. It was also the first book I’ve read by this author. But…..I’m so glad I gave it a try because what a fantastic book!! I got into Grace’s story right from the beginning. Author come cleaner sounds like it wouldn’t work, but it so did!! (I wonder whether the actual author has experience of this!) I loved the way nothing seemed to go right for Grace, and no matter what she did to make things better, things seemed to get worse. This book is funny, light-hearted and romantic! It’s such an easy read, perfect for lazy days! You just know these kinds of stories always end up as a happy ending, but it was just such fun getting there! I chuckled my way through it, and just loved the characters of Neil and Gavin…oh and Simone….oh and, hang on, I loved all the characters (with the possible exception of Aiden, who just needed one big boot up the backside!)

I would definitely recommend this one! I’m also off to find some more by this author, because if her other books are as good as this one, then we’re onto a winner! Five Stars!