I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

This is the story of three women Cher, Sarah and Deb, best friends, who are looking for a change in their lives. They all have their own baggage. When all three friends get together one evening to discuss their problems, while consuming lots of wine, they discover a spell-book on Sarah’s bookshelf. They decide to cast a spell and make wishes…find love…have a baby and ditch the mother-in-law!

While there are some slight surprises, the plot is quite predictable. The characters aren’t always that likeable sometimes which puts me off.
An ok read.

Angela Marsons skillfully crafts a lighthearted and engaging tale from the perspectives of Cher, Sarah, and Deb. Each character's journey takes readers on a rollercoaster ride through their lives, evoking laughter and emotional resonance. The storyline is highly entertaining, filled with humor, and will keep readers chuckling throughout.

While the characters have their distinct personalities and challenges, Deb stands out as a relatable and endearing character, and her quest to have the wedding she dreams of tugs at the heartstrings. Cher's character, although likable, may test the reader's patience as her infatuation with her unappreciative boss persists. Sarah, however, comes across as more self-centered, making her the least likable of the trio.

The story holds readers' interest from the outset, and its well-paced and realistic narrative allows them to easily immerse themselves in the characters' lives. As the book progresses, the characters evolve, realizing that things are not always what they seem, and that happiness may be found in unexpected places. The conclusion is heartwarming and leaves a lasting impact, particularly during Deb's wedding.

'If Only' offers a refreshing change of pace from the author's usual crime novels, showcasing her versatility as a writer. Angela Marsons effectively ventures into the romantic fiction genre, crafting a delightful and enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of light-hearted romance. The storytelling is a testament to the author's ability to captivate readers in various genres, making 'If Only' a recommended read for those seeking a departure from the crime genre

Not for me. I thought it would be nice to read a different type of story from Angela's Kim.Stone stories but I was disappointed. Three friends romantic problems ,a mystical twist that didn't really work , and I really couldn't work out when this book was set - the nineties maybe ?

An easy read that is funny and lighthearted. Full of emotion, laugh out loud moments and a few tears may have been shed. A perfect summer read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I started reading this novel knowing how much I love Angela Marsons crime novels and I don’t think I was quite prepared for how different it would be.

This was a great little book with funny laugh out loud moments.

It was a really well written novel with a good cast of characters aswell as a storyline that kept me hooked.

Nice to see something different from this author. I’d love to see a psychological thriller too.

Very enjoyable read was a bit dubious as have read all the Kim Stone novels so wondered if this book would be a bit of a let down. But was really surprised and had fun reading it.

A lovely read from Angela. I am so used to her murder mystery books it took a while to get used to this one. I keep waiting for the murder. It’s tell the story of three girls Deb, Cher and Sarah as they go through many triangles tribulations in their lives. I really enjoyed it.

This book goes to prove that not only is this author the Queen of Crime, but that she can also write a pretty damn good light-hearted romantic read! Completely different to her bestseller Kim Stone crime series, this book focusses on three women – Cher, Sarah and Deb. Cher only has eyes for the big boss man, Michael Hunter, but he barely even looks her way, Sarah is having an affair with a married man and wants to start a new life with him and Deb is getting married, but her future mother in law is a complete nightmare! If only the boss would notice Cher, if only Sarah’s boyfriend left his wife and if only Deb’s future mother in law would just go away! Can those “if only’s” really happen?

I loved this book, it was such an easy, uncomplicated read! The characters were all likeable in their own ways, and I connected with each one of the women in one way or another. Told from the perspectives of Cher, Sarah and Deb, this story took me on a rollercoaster journey through their lives. The storyline was highly entertaining and kept me chuckling all the way through! Deb had to be my favourite character, all she wanted to do was get married, and yet with her future mother in law in charge of planning the wedding, Deb was never going to get the wedding she wanted. I really liked Cher as well, even though it did feel like you needed to bang her on the head to get her to open her eyes and realise what was going on! Sarah, for me, was the least likeable of the three, but only because she came across as very self-centred. All of the women did learn though, as the book moved on, that things aren’t always what they seem, and the grass is never greener on the other side!

This book held my interest from very early on, and I happily ploughed my way through it in a couple of days! I loved the ending, felt it really rounded up the women’s stories well, and I must admit to wiping away a tear or two with Deb’s wedding. The storyline was well paced and realistic – I could imagine myself doing a lot of the things that all three women did! – and I lost myself in their stories very easily. Yes, it’s completely different to what I’m used to from this author, but it made a wonderfully refreshing change! How clever to be able to write both – is there nothing that this author can’t do! Would definitely recommend!

A lovely , fun, quirky read that I devoured on a Sunday. Three friends and their love lives are explored over the pages of this book, taking us on the trials of tribulations of Sarah, Deb and Cher. Sarah who is in love with a married man and dreams of being recognised as an author , will either of her desires come true, Deb who loves Mark but does not love his mother so much, will she ever get her dream wedding and Cher, who wants to find true love and has her eye on her handsome boss , all the while she may be missing true love right under her nose. I found the characters so likeable I thought of them as my mates for a while. A fun read to relax and enjoy.

If only is a fun story about three best friends who are all very different and all are wishing for something more from their lives. An easy read that is funny and lighthearted. A perfect summer read.

Totally different to previous books I’ve read by this author but what a refreshing change. Really enjoyed everything about this book. Fun characters, well written & relatable I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

This is not the type of book I usually read but since I enjoy the series written by this author I thought I would give it a try. I’m glad I did. It was an interesting and enjoyable read. However, I did not see the promoted comedy in the storyline but instead saw it as a sad story about three rather pitiful women.

IF ONLY is a contemporary romcom by Angela Marsons, a complete change of genre, the author of the DI Kim Stone crime series. Not normally the type of book that I would pick up, but it was a pleasant surprise and a very good effort.

This is the story of three women Cher, Sarah and Deb, the best of friends, who are all looking for a change in their lives. They all have their own baggage.

Company secretary, Cher is head over heels in love with her gorgeous boss, but he barely even notices her except to ask her to make a pot of coffee. Cher is organized and smart and had studied business and commerce.

Sarah who worked as a manager in a bookshop is having an affair for five years with David, hoping that he will leave his wife, Bianca and spoiled five-year-old brat, Chelsea. Sarah is longing for a baby with the man she loves, but when or if was he going to leave his wife?

Deb, a sales manager is in a committed relationship, and due to marry Mark but marriage plans are not going smoothly due to Mark’s mother, Margie, who is trying to control and plan her whole wedding. Deb feels that her mother-in-law is probably never going to allow her to marry her precious son.

When all three friends get together one evening to discuss their problems, while consuming lots of wine, they discover a spell-book on Sarah’s bookshelf. They then all decide to cast a spell and make wishes…find love…have a baby and ditch the mother-in-law!

But it appears they are all searching for happiness in all the wrong places.

This well written book was a definite change in the genre that I normally read, but was a nice change. But I still love her DI Kim Stone Crime Series!

Many thanks to the author and Bookouture and NetGalley for my digital copy.

I read a lot of romcom books, and they usually get to the happy ever after, but the characters have to have some difficulties first that make sense. Unfortunately, these 3 women had unusual goals, one of them wanted to have a married man’s baby! I was out not long after that. 2.5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As much as I love romcoms and don't take them seriously, I found the three women - Cher, Sarah and Deb - rather shallow in some ways. While Cher is trying her hardest to win the affections of her super boss, Sarah is trying to have a baby by her married lover and Deb, is desperately trying to please her mother-in-law to be as she somehow doesn't think she's worthy of marrying her fiancé.

In the end each of their situations is resolved but not quite in the way they wished for.

A light and entertaining read.

This is a totally different departure for this author. Not a murder in sight!

Cher is so busy lusting after her boss that she doesn't see what is right under her nose!

Sarah is dating David, a married man, who she hopes will leave his wife and move in with her.

Debs is happily married, but she has the mother-in-law from hell.

What happens when these three friends begin to realise that getting what they wished for, might not actually be what they wanted after all, is a lesson to us all. There are some lovely laugh out loud moments, and quite a few teary ones.

Story of the book-

The story is told from three POVs of three ladies in their twenties. For the most part, with regards to different lead characters, every one of them is managing one explicit troubleshot. However, for this situation, we have two fundamental issues for each character that should be settled by the end of the book.

Deb: She is getting hitched soon to Mark. However, her future mother-in-law is a prevailing smarty pant who needs to give her opinion in all of her wedding decisions. Up for a forthcoming advancement at work, she has three months in which to substantiate herself more qualified to the new position than the other associate who is a slippery fox.

Sarah: She has an additional conjugal illicit relationship with David. She concludes that forgetting him was the only option, as asking him to leave his family is off chance. However, she gets pregnant with his child. She needs to have a vocation as an author. Yet she is reluctant to allow up her job and face this large challenge.

Cher: She adores her second-rate work and loves her boss. She keeps on dreaming regarding when they can be together, however, he gives no indications of being keen on her. With numerous cutoffs in her organization, her future by all accounts is unsteady. She is constantly taunted by her family for being an underachiever.

On an evening after a substantial drinking session, they run over an old book of spells and choose to take a stab, projecting a wishing spell to make their fantasies materialize. However, as it’s been said, we must be cautious about what we wish for.

My review-

This was a pleasant story yet had some genuine subjects discussed. I didn’t care for the entirety of the ladies, explicitly Sarah. I thought she was egoistic and was just contemplating what she needed. She was difficult to like. I preferred Deb. She was content with her life and didn’t need a major gathering of life. She didn’t care for getting controlled by her future mother-in-law, which was frustrating. Cher was in the middle. She was incensing and needed as a man depending on his looks, not his character. I was delighted in seeing their desires work out as expected, though not how they would have preferred them to.

I do cherish books with solid female characters, which this book has. Through and through, their accounts are fun and character-driven books. This book is a pleasant romantic comedy. I need to say that the storytelling was brilliant. On the chance that you appreciate romcoms, you need to read this book!

Angela Marsons writes excellent and gripping crime thriller and I wanted to love this book.
I think it's well written and liked the friendship between the three women but the story didn't keep my attention and it fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Being a massive fan of Angela's Kim Stone series, I was interested to read this book which is a totally different genre. I was certainly not disappointed! Cher, Deb and Sarah are 3 friends who would all like to change something in their lives: Cher would love her handsome boss to fall in love with her, Sarah longs for her married lover to leave his wife and Deb wishes her future mother in law would stop trying to organise the wedding. One drunken night they find a book of spells and decide to ask for their wishes to come true. However, you should always be careful what you wish for! This is a funny and hugely entertaining read with some great characters. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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