James Bailey's The Flip Side introduces readers to Josh, a young Brit grappling with a quarter-life crisis that many can relate to. After a breakup, job loss, and an unwelcome return to his parents' home in Bristol, Josh's life is a mess. In a bid to regain some control, he whimsically decides to let a coin dictate his romantic decisions. This premise promises a lighthearted, humorous exploration of love and life choices, reminiscent of the lad lit era that once captured my attention, particularly through the works of authors like Mike Gayle.

Unfortunately, I found myself underwhelmed by the execution of this story. While I was eager for a nostalgic dive back into the world of British rom-coms, The Flip Side didn’t quite satisfy my cravings. The humor felt a bit forced at times, and the emotional depth that I hoped for was lacking. Josh’s journey through the ups and downs of coin-flipping felt more like a gimmick than a meaningful exploration of his character and growth.

While there are certainly moments of charm, the narrative sometimes veered into predictable territory. I appreciated the light commentary on the absurdities of life decisions, but the stakes never felt particularly high, and the character development felt superficial. I found myself wanting more nuance and authenticity in Josh's interactions, particularly with the love interests who, at times, felt more like plot devices than fully realized characters.

Perhaps I’m not the book's key demographic, as I was hoping for a revival of the engaging lad lit I once adored. However, I can see how readers looking for a breezy, uncomplicated read might enjoy The Flip Side. It captures the spirit of its premise, and for some, the whimsical approach to love may resonate.

Was hopeful going into this one, as one who enjoys a starting over giving into the whimsy of letting a coin decide your fates, but after a bit the stereotype travel just got to be over the top. Using so many similar J names made it hard to follow as there was a large cast of characters. There is humor, it is light fiction, and mid 20's will relate with the feelings. However being older some of this was cringe, like who cares where you live or that your relationship didn't succeed, and he never really seemed to kick into "middle age". This is one that won't have a long shelf life for many libraries.

Hello

Apologies for the late notice, but I have decided not to review this title. While I am certain it's obvious by now, I wanted to also clear this off NetGalley, so it's not showing as open for either of us.

I look forward to continuing to work with you in 2023 and beyond.

Laura

I enjoyed this rom com that puts a twist on the traditional rom com and give it readers from the guys point of view. Which I don’t think I’ve ever read before unless the book itself is dual point of view of both the girl and the guy. I got to say I loved this because let’s face it guys get their hearts broken to.

I have had this book in my Netgalley TBR for a long time as well as a physical copy that I bought at Barnes and Noble. I am not a huge fan of this book. The concept is different, however I wasn’t able to become emotionally invested in the characters and their story.

I'm a sucker for a good rom-com and this one pulled me in from the description. What I loved most was that it's a male lead dealing with this quarter-life crisis instead of a female. I've read so many books that have women at the center of this and it's become stale. It was refreshing to have a male feeling that way for once. The book was a little slow for me and it wasn't the typical rom-com that I'm used to but it was enjoyable.

Penny wise or pound foolish? A heartbroken young Brit decides to turn his love life over to the flip of a coin—in this delightfully British rom-com in the vein of Jenny Colgan, Rosie Curtis, Nick Hornby, and David Nicholls.

This British romance is full of dry wit and wonderfully endearing characters.

Although this sounded like a good read, it's a miss for me. I couldn't get into it and found the main character grating. I'm sure there are other readers who will enjoy this title.

This is one of the best books I have read in a loooooooooong time! I loved the wit, the humor, the characters, so everything about it!

I almost DNF this book, I had to keep pushing myself to finish it. This story started off strong, but then it just lost steam for me. I give it 2.5 stars.

Josh decides to propose to his girlfriend of 4 years on New Years Eve only to be dumped. So he now has to move out of their apartment, quit his job because he worked for her dad, and move back home with his parents. When sees a coin on the ground and picks it up for good luck.

But that coin then becomes his decision making symbol. He lets the coin decide his fate. Heads or tails the coin decides Josh's future. His friends think he's crazy.

He meets a girl in an art gallery, doesn't get her name and then chases her around Europe because of the sunflower paintings of Van Gogh.

It was hard to keep my attention at times but I hate not finishing A book.

The Flip Side by James Bailey
Rating 3/ 5 Stars
Published by William Morrow
Published on 17 November 2020

Thank you to Netgalley, William Morrow, and of course, James Bailey, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A British Rom-Com - right up my ally! Josh is in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. With everything going wrong, he decides to move back home with his parents and dive into life in Bristol. While questioning his life choices, Josh decides - what would it be like to flip a coin to determine life? And so he decides to! It’s a joke at first until it starts to lead Josh to the life he wants, and so Josh puts his faith into the coin - until he meets the girl of his dreams, what will the coin say?

I enjoyed this as a Rom-Com. It was nice to follow Josh on his adventure. This was adorable, hilarious, and romantic. Bailey is a debut author and I think this stands tall as a Rom-Com and gives him a bright future.

I really, really wanted to like this book. I loved the concept and I was sucked in to the beginning but it just kind of fell apart after that.

Not quite the romance I was expecting, but a relatively fun read nonetheless. I really enjoyed the coin-flipping premise, as annoying as I found Josh's use of it at times. If you're looking for a lighthearted book to read, it's a quick and fun one to pick up.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.
The premise of this is adorable. The characters were interesting and well-rounded. I enjoyed this one. It was quick and easy but sweet. I am definitely a fan and would read more by the author.

This didn't do anything for me. It is just so so as romances go and just didn't hold my attention. I will not be buying this for the library.

I am not afraid to admit it, but I am a huge fan of romance books. And this book did not disappoint. Josh and a flipping coin dictate the fate of his life, and I was along for the ride. Truly an entertaining story. Loved the characters and the happy ending.

The Flip Side by James Bailey

A heartbroken young British man decides to turn his love life, his job, and his home over to the flip of a coin.

This was a slow-moving, very unrealistic turn of events, from losing a fiancé to losing a job and being homeless. Then, deciding on life’s choices by flipping a coin each time. The story was also dragged out. Not my favorite book.

Thank you Net Galley for sending me an advanced readers copy for review.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

A fun, quirky, laugh-out-loud story of a guy down on his luck who decides for one year to let the flip of a coin make his decisions for him. I really enjoyed the aspects of traveling Europe, and the true friendship between Josh, Jessie, and Jake that was a theme throughout. An easy read, great chick-lit fun. I would read more by this author.

I thought it was ok. Josh who proposes to his girlfriend on New Year's Eve is rejected, loses his job and his home all at the same time and is lost as to how to move forward. He sees his pap (grandfather) flipping a coin and decides to make all life decisions for a year by flipping a coin as he seems to keep agonizing before making a decison and seemingly making the wrong decisions. Josh runs into a lady who he clicks with right away and she evidently feels the same, but they never exchanged information. He flips his coin to decide what to do. A lot of laughs and groans along the way when his parents seem to unwittingly embarrass him at all occasions, but they do it with love. LOL! Received a free copy from Netgalley and HarperCollins.