“The Single Girl’s Calendar” is my first book by Erin Green and after reading synopsis I just knew that I want to read this novel. It turned out to be a light – hearted, funny and sometimes poignant book, and I really liked the concept of the Single Girl’s Calendar – I was really intrigued what challenges it’s going to bring, what tasks are there, awaiting Esme and her new single status.

The book introduced us to many characters. There is Esme, her ex – boyfriend, brother and parents, two work friends, four male housemates, an elderly neighbour from next door… It took me some time to eventually start to differentiate the boys, to be honest, and I could have lived without the neighbour subplot, to be honest. The boys, well, they were a solid part of the book but I’ve never felt connected to them, even though they became such a great part of Esme’s life. Her brother Kane, I’m not sure what it was that he did and why did he spent so much time at the flat? He was mostly unpleasant and rude and well, lazy. Jonah was awfully narcissistic, focused on himself and that was all. Russ… well, I can’t say much about Russ, I’m sorry, as well as about Dam who was mostly absent, at his parents. The most interesting and developed character was probably Asa, he was full of secrets and surprises, and he always said things as they were, and I think you need to get used to him because he can also come across as a very, very rude and not direct.

I had a problem with Esme. A huge one. I liked her, don’t get me wrong, but there were things that annoyed me so much in her. She acted as she was the centre of the world, as if everything revolved around her. She wanted to know everything and decide about everything. She jumped to conclusions and generally didn’t apologize for this. Almost in every single chapter she was happy to talk about herself with other characters and it was gladly reported that it usually took a lot of time – she was obsessed with herself, guys. However, there were also great sides to her. I absolutely loved how she ended her relationship and how consequent she was. I also liked her new friendship with the older neighbour and how well she looked after her. But mostly, unfortunately, I agreed with Asa’s assessment for her character – she did what other people thought was best for her, she seemed not to be capable of deciding for herself half of the time.

Each of the characters living with Esme seems to have a secret that Esme shouldn’t hear. Why? Oh boy, why? It was really annoying, I guessed all of them but it took Esme a lot of time to discover, because of course she was desperate to know everything. Typical Esme. Nothing about the other without her, even though it was not her business. The book started to feel repetitive, when Esme started to recount to the other characters about everything that happened to her. It started to drag on and I found myself losing my interest a little. The ending seemed much too rushed for my liking and it left me a little confused for a long time, to be honest. I felt a little disappointed with Esme’s decisions, and I didn’t understand it, it left me feeling the calendar, the tasks taught her nothing.

This book had me torn; flip – flopping guys, even though I can’t exactly tell you what it was that bothered me so much. There was just something missing. It was as if the author wanted to put so much into her story and ultimately we got a little of everything but on the whole there were missing elements, missing x- factor. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, it was entertaining and it had some really good moments but it just didn’t wow me as much as I thought at the beginning it’s going to. Because it started really good and then it slowed down and went a little downhill. But altogether, “The Single Girl’s Calendar” was a charming, nice read, a great book to unwind with. It was about showing that if things don’t end up going to plan then well, just start living differently and perhaps make a new plan or let life surprise you? It was nice, easy and relaxing. There were some unexpected turns and some deeper moments in the story as well. and I am looking towards reading more from Erin Green.

This is such a fun book to read, but not frivolous, the story contains real drama and great sadness. I loved the variety of characters, and the different relationships that unfolded. Although I was confident of a happy outcome, there were many unexpected twists and turns. I also liked that the characters weren't two dimensional, nice or not... they were more complex and not at all simple. The concept of the Calendar was great, and I think it probably would be a good product! My only complaint was that the book wasn't long enough, I wanted to know more about several of the storylines...

The Blurb :
A task a day to cure a broken heart.
Esmé Peel is approaching thirty with some trepidation, but hope in her heart. If she can just get her long-term boyfriend Andrew to propose, she will have ticked everything off her 'things to do by the time you're 30' list. She didn't reckon on finding another woman's earring in her bed however, and soon she finds herself single, homeless and in need of a new plan. Her best friend Carys gives her the perfect present – The Single Girl’s Calendar – which has a different cure for heartbreak every day:
Day 1: Look and feel fabulous with a new hair style.
Day 2: Step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Day 3: Reconnect with friends and enjoy!
Despite thinking it's a bit of a gimmick, Esmé hasn't got any better ideas, so she puts the plan into action. By the end of week one she has four new male housemates, and despite a broken heart she is determined to show Andrew she can do more than survive, she can thrive.

My Thoughts :
This was the first book that I had read by Erin Green. I do have a copy of her first book A Christmas Wish, but I have not yet read it.
After reading the blurb of this book, I knew it was going to be a great storyline.
We meet Esme Peel, Emse’s life gets turned upside down when she finds her boyfriend Andrew has been cheating on her. With the help of her family and best friend Carys, she is given a single girls calender which gives her a different task to do every day and help her get over the breakup and try to turn her life around.
This story will go on to entertain you with its wonderful array of charactors, especially the male ones in the flat share.
At times Esme could be annoying and I just wanted to shake her but overall this is was great read that will warm your heart and also have you laughing out loud in parts. Looking forward to more from Erin Green in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy. 2.5 stars.

Esme is devastated to find out her boyfriend Andrew has been cheating on her in their bed. She ends up in a house share with her brother's friends. Her friend buys her a single girl's calendar with a set task for everyday.

Although the story had great promise I really didn't connect with the characters until probably 80% into the book. They were just too stereotypical and one dimensional. Esme for example only has one ambition, to find Mr Right and live happy ever after. Ughhhhh this is 2017 not 1957. She seems to alternate moping with making some ridiculous decisions. There was zero character growth.

I think maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I was sat on a beach and could let my mind wander with the sound of the waves and a cocktail.

Esme and Andrew’s seventh year anniversary had arrived. Esme had everything set up for her and Andrew. To have a very romantic evening. Esme hoped she could lead Andrew to a proposal marriage to her. As he seemed to be content to stay as they were living together and Esme wanted to get married. Esme lived in the apartment and things were as Andrew liked it. Esme had used her money to get the things Andrew liked. When changing the bedding Esme found an earring and it wasn’t hers. When Esme confronted Andrew he admitted to cheating and in their bed. Esme was crushed. Esme left for a hotel for a couple of days as she had taken an extra day off work as part of her anniversary plans. Esme finds herself alone, homeless, and needs a new course to put ehr life on. Her best friend gave her a present -The Single Girl’s Calendar. The calendar had a different task everyday to help bear the heartache. Esme had found out after she had left that very night that Sadie - the woman Andrew had cheated with had been at the apartment. Esme ends up with four new roommates that had been Esme’s brother Kane’s friends. Kane is hanging around Esme’s new place a lot lately.
I had mixed feelings about this book. I did love the idea of the caladarto help combat the heartache. Esme definitely got screwed over and I felt bad for her and all the time and everything else she had invested in that butt Andrew. I laughed at times and choked up at times. But this did drag for me at times. Some of the characters were hard to connect with even Esme herself at times. But this was a quick and mostly enjoyable read. This was also a little predictable and I didn’t particularly care for the ending. Esme does need to put herself first more for sure. As I said I had mixed feelings on this book.

Loved this book - as soon as I finished it I wanted to read it again!
The story of Esme, who on a normal Thursday splits up with her boyfriend instead of being proposed to like she expected.
She gets The Single Girl’s Calendar from her friend Carys, and ends up making a series of random actions, including moving in to a house with 4 of her brothers friends.

My review is now live at

https://thespooniemummy.com/2018/01/06/blog-tour-book-review-the-single-girls-calendar/

Esmé Peel comes home expecting to get ready for a night that will change her life, with her boyfriend of 7 years, but what she finds is proof of Andrew's infidelity. And after confronting him, Esmé leaves for a hotel. But after a gift of a calendar, Esmé is left with a bad haircut and a Aston Villa hat!! But then her luck changes, when her loser brother loses out on a house share... Mainly because Esmé takes it when he can't afford to deposit!

So Esmé gets a fresh start, in a house with her brothers friends! And the calamity begins! With splitting dresses, arguments over pasta, tattooed roommates, breaking into graveyards at midnight, and a tarantula that bites the dust in a vacuum cleaner!

The Single Girl's Calendar is a laugh your trousers off book, that had me in stitches! Seriously, this book is awesome! I honestly don't think I've laughed this much in a long time, there was one bit that confuse me at the end, but I don't want to go into it cuz I will give away the story. The characters are diverse, But you mainly get to know Esmé, and even thou (understandably) she is whiney, you cannot help but like her, and cheer on her character.

The writing is great, and the book definitely leaves you with a feel-good factor, which is why I give it 5 stars, cause despite that one tiny part, that didn't make too much sense, because if you want to laugh out loud till you cry book! I totally recommend The Single Girl's Calendar!!

Favorite Quotes:

Sadie. Esmé instantly hated the name, adding it to the shit list of her life.

She and Andrew were finished. She wanted it to be dignified, she wanted a clean break. As long as his testicles fell from his body after having caught a serious, yet incurable, STD which he had instantly shared with Sexy Sadie during their love tryst.

I’m sure she’s heartbroken at the thought of less washing, less ironing and an end to the stream of blondes sneaking down her staircase at the weekend…

Seven was the luckiest number. Seven colours in a rainbow. Seven dwarves helped Snow White. Seven days in a week. Even, seven horcrux in Harry Potter.

Esmé’s forte was mentioning the elephant in the room during difficult situations. Andrew’s granddad had a prosthetic leg due to his diabetes – how many times had she unconsciously referred to pirates and wooden legs whilst visiting?

Esmé tucked into every course with gusto, despite the evident scorn of four svelte models on her table, who simply pushed their forks around their plates without lifting a morsel to their mouths. Esmé proudly scraped her plate clean… The room seemed to be full of beautiful stick insects and wide shouldered hunks, all with shiny coats, clipped nails and good teeth.


My Review:

I adored this amusing, quirky, and ingenious story from beginning to end. My interest was immediately snagged by Ms. Green’s crisp, enticing, and entertaining writing style; but it was the peculiar, eccentric, and intriguing characters that held me rapt to my Kindle. I couldn’t get enough of this superbly written, well-constructed, unpredictable, and cleverly contrived tale. It was divinely cheeky, irreverent, witty, humorous, emotive, and observantly insightful. I smirked, giggle-snorted, and laughed aloud during this delightful and engaging tale; it was found treasure.

The review shall be up on my blog 15/01 - thecosiestcorner.blogspot.com

What a beautifully uplifting and enjoyable book to read in the dreary days of January. I found that I really enjoyed this book and was so glad I got the opportunity to read it. This is the first novel I've read by Erin Green and now I'm quite shocked that I haven't picked up any of her other books before! It has great laugh-out-loud moments and when parts got intense I really couldn't put the book down.

I love the general idea of the book, the storyline dragged me in and didn't let me go until I'd read the final page. A calendar for single girls sounds like a really heart-warming way of getting over a break up and the things included in the calendar were brilliant and I found myself wondering if there was such a thing in real life! That would have come in handy for so many women all over the world who struggle to get over someone and need to learn to find themselves and that they don't need a man to make them happy.

The calendar turns out to be exactly what Esme needed, unfortunately for her she had just found out that her boyfriend of a very long time has been cheating on her with another woman and I cannot even begin to imagine the heartbreak that would cause! The calendar appears to be very handy and after just a few days I could see a dramatic change in Esme's overall happiness.

There are a lot of characters to get around but after a while you get to learn all of them and the more the book goes on the easier and better the story became. I just found the overall story of the book really uplifting and positive and I really enjoyed it.

Overall, a really lovely and uplifting novel. One that I really enjoyed. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Esme has her own plan in life - get married, have children, and settle down. As far as she is concerned, anything other than those three means she has failed. Yes, I know, you're probably sitting there rolling your eyes. I have to admit, I did think that Esme was a little high maintenance to begin with - it took me a little while to see the character for who she truly was underneath all of the military planning bravado. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having a plan in life - especially where your relationship is concerned. However, if the other person in the relationship doesn't seem to be on the same page as you, you can't really claim that you have failed when it wasn't actually YOU. Whilst I appreciate that it is incredibly easy for me to say that, trying to convince Esme of that fact was a whole other ball game. So much so, her best friend gives her a gift that will either give her a well needed kick up the backside, or would give her a reason to hide herself underneath her duvet for the immediate future. 

I thought the whole premise of the 'single girl's calendar' was absolute genius. It was the thing which made the real Esme shine bright like a diamond, instead of coming across like a spoilt princess. I preferred the real Esme as she was a lot more relatable than the one we met at first. There were times where I thought Esme was off her rocker with the rash decisions she made, but in a weird way, I guess part of me found it be quite endearing. At least she was trying to fix her life, right?

'The Single Girl's' calendar pleasantly surprised me! I thoroughly enjoyed this laugh out loud, relatable, heart-warming and addictive novel. It made me realise that if things don't end up going to plan in your life, just put on your big girl pants and own the change like the diamond that you are. Well, until shops decide to sell a real life 'single girl's' or 'time to sort your life out' calendar!

Definitely a fun-filled, memorable new novel from author Erin Green.

This was a great fluffy contemporary. I enjoyed myself!

As soon as I heard the name of this book and seen the cover for it, I was excited to read it! I knew it would be good!

I absolutely loved the character Esme, my heart just went out to her she's just had a disaster and had every girls worst nightmare happen to her, the worst bit was it was so unexpected!

I couldn't believe how quick things moved in this book, like within a few days Esme had a completely new life and I felt so happy for her.  From the minute she got the room in the boy's house she was just a different person completely she seemed a lot stronger and happier and we seen her having lots of laughter and fun!

A few points in the book and I was so annoyed I just wanted to tell Esme to pull herself together. Another part near the end I just could not believe what I was reading!

I was excited to see what was behind each other little doors! I loved this idea! It gives single girls something to focus on and look forward to each day!

The Single Girl's Calendar is hilariously good! Its pure fun and feel good! A bit like Bridget Jones but better!

What a lovely, well written book full of positivity and humour.
The characters were great, especially Esme and my only bugbear would be to say that the ending seemed quite rushed but it was a happy one which I was glad about.
Although Esme's lack of independence annoyed me at first, it was great to see her strengthen up and begin to find her own way with that fabulous calendar which I could do with myself!
I was really surprised at how easy this novel was to read, it flowed smoothly at a great pace and held my interest and sometimes frustration, right until the end.

It starts of exactly how the blurb promises, Esme full of hope that her long time partner would propose is instead met with the stark reality of a cheating not even finance to be. This being one hell of a deal breaker she leaves and desperately tries to scramble to sort out her life. With a calendar giving her a task a day she is well on her way to finding some sort of order in the chaos.

So I will start with everything that I liked about the book, it was a great little beach and wine kind of read, the nice easy relaxing sort of read which is great for holidays and relaxing. There wasn't to much indecision with the character as she knew she had to make a change and she went ahead, took the opportunities that were presented to her and just really went for it. The book took a few unexpected turns which to be honest I wasn't really expecting and there was a few side stories going on to break up the book a little bit. All was going well till about half way through.

The second half of the book I lost it a little bit with Esme, the decisions become a tad more erratic, character development seems to slow and I just couldn't get behind everything that was going on, but I was definitely still invested and I really wanted to see her get her happy ending. The ending I did not like. At all. It felt like it was going backwards, some of the 'twists' genuinely annoyed me and it really tainted how I felt about the entire book. I can see why the author chose to take the story in that particular direction, I just didn't like it. It took a bit of debate for me to decide how I wanted to rate it at all but overall I think it does deserve a solid 3/5 despite the ending. Saying that I did enjoy the writing style and at points it did surpass much of my expectations. Not one I will read again but it hasn't put be of trying more of the authors work.

This isn't meant to be taken too seriously- it's an escapist and frankly entertaining diversion about a woman who invested too much in a rat and who is now trying to find her way back to happy. Esme does seem to whine but wouldn't you if your beau of 7 years turns out to be a bad guy? The single girl's calendar gives her something to divert her mind. It's not a new concept but it's well done here. Green has a good sense of humor and she's written some entirely believable characters. If they sometimes seem a bit stock, well, that's ok too because this is a light read perfect for travel or the beach or when you just need a light one. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Esme comes home from work early on the eve of her seventh anniversary (of dating) with her boyfriend Andrew. She has decided that tonight is the night that he is going to propose so she sets the scene with candles, a romantic dinner of his favourite foods a daring negligee and brand new sheets on the bed. Unfortunately, whilst making the bed with the new sheets she finds a very distinctive earring WHICH DOES NOT BELONG TO HER.

Her friend buys her the single girl's calendar, which is a bit like an advent calendar - 31 days of miniature chocolates and a task behind each door. Day 1 is get a new haircut, day 2 is step out of your comfort zone etc. Soon Esme is sharing a house with four of her brother's friends (Dam, Asa, Jonah and Russ) and doing things she's never dreamed of before. But the housemates share more than just a bathroom, soon there are secrets and Esme is left trying to unravel just what is going on.

This is a difficult review to write. I liked the story, but I didn't really like the characters. Andrew was a caricature, Esme's brother Kane was unpleasant, Esme herself was a bit pathetic and needed a backbone, Jonah was a narcissist, Russ was just nothing, Dam was a stereotype Asian characters with no real role, and Asa was a sanctimonious prig with a facial tattoo.

Trying not to be spoilery, I just didn't 'get' the joke about Crystal, nor did I ever understand who she had visited in the flat. I saw no reason why any of the guys would ever like Esme, she was a bit of a drip who spent most of the book crying as far as I could see and she was like a broken record with Asa: no matter what he did or said she just kept assuming he was a deadbeat loser who liked heavy metal because he had a facial tattoo.

The ending just didn't really fit the plot, I just didn't understand why anyone did what they did, it seemed like a ridiculous plot device inserted 'just because'.

Final gripe, the tenses and POV slipped EVERYWHERE.
Would it be too cheeky to ask the trainee broom handler for her hair clippings in a doggie bag? Instead, she watched as they are swept into the corner...
And
...she had a quick drink with Carys and considered the possibility of matchmaking. What more could I ask for?
I found it very distracting.

I did consider giving this book less stars but overall it was a quick, enjoyable read, if the author sorted out the jarring grammatical points and gave the characters some likeable features it would easily rate another couple of stars for me. Bonus points for being set in Birmingham although the references were few and far between, not a Brummie accent in sight.

I enjoyed joining Esme on her 'wild' ride towards 'singledom' and back again... Her calendar and her housemates really added to the fun!
Great vacation or at-home day book to relax and join the fun!
Kudos!
~Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC~

A perfect get out of rut, story for singles especially singles. I enjoyed and would read it again. The characters are likable and the plot interesting enough to hold attention.

This was a fun read! Esme' may be a bit addicted to her routine and her long-range plans, but when she finds another woman's earring in her bed she does not hesitate to walk out that door and move on. 

As fate steps in along with the calendar, she finds herself trying her hardest to stick with the daily activities and step outside of her comfort zone.

I don't think there was a character in this lovely tale that I did not like! They were each so unique and each added something to Esme's new-found confidence.

Call it Chick Lit, call it Fluff, it put a smile on my face the entire time I read it!

Thanks to Aria/Netgalley     Release date is January 1st