I really had high hopes for this one, but unfortunately it fell a little short and I didn’t really enjoy it.

I am a massive fan of Angela Marsons’ Kim Stone series, so I was really wanting to adore this book. Whilst I didn’t dislike it, the book didn’t blow me away. It was funny in places, had a mix of likeable and not so likeable characters. It was a bit of a slow burner to start, but a nice easy read.

Another cute story! Huge fan of this book and loved the characters. Very enjoyable! Definitely recommend picking up!

What a charming book, easy to get into and very enjoyable. Read it in one sitting, didn't want to put it down. Fantastic read author well done

What happens when three very tipsy best friends invoke a spell using kitchen herbs to bring about the change that they think is most important for them? Well, not exactly what they expect in If Only, a women’s fiction novel, by Angela Marsons.

Cher, self-deprecating, funny, and sweet, works in an office where she’s not challenged and kept in the dark by her supervisor who thinks that being the only one to handle things or know about them will keep him in his job. He’s wrong. As the offices are in turmoil, Cher longs for Michael Hunter, who is posh, effetely attractive and upper management. Because Cher is trusting, she never quite sees Michael Hunter for who he is nor does she see her colleague Dan for who he is.

Deb is about to get married, her third attempt because her soon-to-be MIL, Margie, keeps interfering and trying to control all aspects of the wedding. At the same time, Deb is forced into a competition with a sales colleague to see who can get the most sales and become the new manager. Between a duplicitous colleague and an interfering MIL, Deb is at the end of her rope.

Sarah, a wannabe writer, is in love with a married man. Like all other other women, Sarah is certain he will leave his wife for her and they will live in sexual bliss and happily-ever-after.

If Only is funny, charming, tender, sometimes mortifying, and bittersweet, absolutely making the reader feel an entire gamut of emotions. What it succeeds at is making the reader feel good at the end. That things can work out even if not in the way that you expect them to. And that sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for because you just might get it and not entirely in the way that you expect.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cute book. Very easy to read story that lets you sit back and enjoy it. No real thinking involved. Just let the story wash over you and enjoy.

As a massive fan of Angela Marsons and the DI Kim Stone series, I was intrigued to find out what a romantic comedy by the same author would be like. I was not disappointed!

The story follows three friends who all have their troubles in life, mainly due to the men ( or lack of them ) in their lives. For a joke after a few drinks one evening they cast a spell and wish for what they think is their hearts desire.

The characters are amusing and engaging. It was clear that they all thought they knew what they wanted when the reader can see that there is something so much better out there for them, generally staring them in the face. The book is light and well written at a good pace and was easy to pick up and enjoy.

I would love to read more of this author when she writes in this genre and will now look forward to these as well as the new Kim Stone detective series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm really picky when it comes to rom-coms and if I don't like the storyline/characters I just stop reading them or if I'm a little curious I just skip to the last chapter. This book was definitely not for my picky self.

For me, Deb was the only somewhat relatable character out of the three. But the storyline didn’t keep me hooked so I had to DNF. My very first ARC and I had to DNF it halfway. I really thought I was reading something meant for teenagers because the characters surely acted like it.

And and and Sarah who was having an affair with the married man (also, she met him while working in the bookstore when he came to buy books for his pregnant wife) plans to get pregnant so that the guy will finally leave his family.

I tried really hard to read it but just couldn’t get into it. I really feel like I should have DNF-ed it a little sooner. But I'm definitely going to check out crime/thriller books written by this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC for review.

If Only is a very enjoyable romcom by Angela Marson.
The 3 characters (Cher, Deb and Sarah) are very likeable. Cher wants her boss to fall in love with her. Sarah wants her married lover to commit with her and Deb wants her future mother-in-law to stop interfering with her wedding...

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If Only is an quick and easy read about three friends who are all in search of answers to their own, very individual problems. One night after a few drinks, they make a wish that their problems will be solved.
The women were not necessarily very likeable and their reasons behind the issues they had were a little immature considering the age they are all meant to be, but for a light read, this is worth a go.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adore Angela Marsons writing so even though chick lit books arent my thing, I couldnt resist.....I wish I resisted.

But being fair, its easy and light reading. Summer holiday reading.

If Only by Angela Marsons is a stand-alone novel and a departure from the crime novels she usually pens, so I was mightily curious to read it.

Cher, Sarah and Deb are best friends. Cher works at a company as a secretary and is in love with her boss, who has yet to notice her, romantically. Sarah is having an affair with David and sure that if she gets pregnant, he will leave Bianca, his wife. Deb's going to marry her fiancé, Mark but is having problems with his overbearing mother, Margie. The three women are having a girls night in at Cher's place with wine, lasagne and cheesecake. After several glasses of wine, they find an old spellbook and decide to formulate a plan to cast a wishing spell.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace and the story develops via alternative chapters from the friends. The characters are well-drawn and they were great in the roles the author had earmarked for them, creating a fun, amusing and entertaining tale.

With intrigue and lots of comedic moments, the ending was satisfying and I'm pleased to have read this mesmerising novel. Well done Angela Marsons!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Anyone who knows me, will know that I am a huge Angela Marsons fan. It just isn't even a question as to whether I will read her books.

So when I was offered to read the new book by her, in a new venture of this genre., I jumped at the chance to experience Angela's writing in another light.

What I loved about this book, was that you could feel Angela Marsons humour coming through the pages. To a point that I was laughing out loud.

This is a great book all about friendship, the fun the friends have, and also to stop missing what is right infront of you. If only we all knew how to live in the present and for the moment rather than expecting and hoping for something else, for something more. A great uplifting and funny read if your looking for something a little bit lighter.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for giving me the chance to review this book.

Sadly this was not my cup of tea, 3 different women, 3 different perspectives. I just couldn't get into this book at all. I did try and then gave up when I knew I was forcing myself to read more. (Which was making me not want to read it in the end).

I'm not saying it's a bad book, I'm just saying it's not the book for me but could be amazing for someone else.

First off, I love Angela Marsons. Her D.I. Kim Stone series is one of my favorites. I was surprised she wrote a rom-com but I will read whatever she writes, plus I enjoy reading that genre. This was a light, easy read. The writing was great, as usual. My only issue were the characters. Loved Dan. Deb was ok. Hated Sarah and Cher. It's hard to enjoy the book if you are not rooting for the characters. Do I really want the mistress who will purposely get pregnant and break up a family to get the man?

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for a copy of "If Only" in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you to bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. Shockingly I have never read one of Angie’s books and I thought now was the time to start.

This book has 3 main characters Cher, Deb and Sarah. I did find these women to be a bit frustrating. Cher is blinded by lust, Sarah is dating a married man and Deb is afraid to stand up to her soon to be mother in law.

Deb for me was the most likeable of the 3. She definitely had the most personality and someone that you could root for.I could see why she was biting her tongue so much and I really felt for her.

Cher frustrated the hell out of me. She was so obsessed with Michael Hunter when he just saw her as a means to an end. I spent so long yelling in my head for her to wake up! I was so happy when the spell was broken but I did feel her humiliation. As much as I was irritated with her, no one deserves that.

Sarah, Sarah Sarah. I have a big thing about cheating so for me Sarah was the least likeable. I really don’t know what she was thinking for half of the book. There were times when I did feel bad for her but she did get herself into this mess.

This story was a very easy read. It was the perfect escapism sort of book. It had some classic rom-com tropes and is the perfect book for a summer’s afternoon. It was a light-hearted read with some funny moments. I found it very easy to get lost in the story.

Well let me begin by saying that Angela Marsons is one of my all time favorite authors. Her crime thrillers are just phenomenal. So when I heard she was writing a romcom, I was gobsmacked and had to preorder immediately! It’s always fun to take a little break from the dark thrillers I read to breathe a little lighter with a sweet and funny romcom. If Only did not disappoint! It was everything I want in a lighthearted yet tender and funny book that tugs at my heartstrings. Marsons managed to make me love and want to throttle all three main characters simultaneously. She’s talented like that. And all for different reasons! This book definitely makes you think about the what ifs and the if only scenarios in your life! How differently things could turn out!
I’ll also say that if you enjoy this book but are bummer because Angie only wrote the one romcom (for now), I HIGHLY recommend that you check out the amazing romcom books by Kim Nash… who happens to be who If Only is dedicated to!

Deb, Sarah & Cher are best friends. Each of them want what they seem to be unable to get. Deb & Mark have been living together for years very happily, but now they have decided to get married Mark's mother seems to have taken over & Deb just wishes she'd disappear! Sarah has been having an affair with David for years but there is no sign of him leaving his wife. She's sure that if she was pregnant that would do the trick. Cher longs for the big boss to notice her- as more than a purveyor of coffee! After a boozy night out they find a book of 'spells' to give them their heart's desire- can't do any harm can it?

This light hearted book was a great summer read. The characters grew on me & I happily went along for the ride. Although this book is in no way comparable to the excellent Kim Stone series it was still an enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me do so.

This one follows 3 best friends in their late 20s as they have struggles with different relationships in their life - Cher is in love with her boss, Sarah with a married man and Deb has an annoying future mother-in-law.

I had a hard time connecting with both Cher and Sarah but enjoyed the chapters with Deb, she struck me as the only one somewhat mature and not trying to self-sabotage her life, her relationship with Mark was cute but you don’t get to see much of it throughout the book.

I’ll be honest, by 60% I was ready to see how it all turned out for them and get to a different story with more likable characters

I wouldn’t call this a romance and I understand that Angela Marsons is a popular crime writer - I might get to one of those at some point but this one just didn’t work for me.

✨Thank you to the author, @netgalley and @bookouture for an eARC of this book in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.✨

This review was posted on my Instagram account: @bm.bookish.girl

Cher often works late because her boss says he needs her to attend a meeting. Today, even though she has plans with her 2 friends, Sarah, and Deb, she doesn't mind terribly because Michael Hunter will be at the meeting as well. He is so handsome and she wishes he would notice her for more than to just ask for a cup of coffee.

Sarah is in love with David whom she met 5 years ago when he came into her bookshop asking for recommends for some books for his pregnant wife. Later, he returned and asked to take her for coffee to thank her for the book suggestions. They are now in the midst of an affair and she just wants him to agree to leave his wife. She thinks if she gets pregnant, he will.

Deb is being pressured by her fiancé’s mother, Margie, take over lots of plans for Deb’s upcoming wedding. The woman is a total irritant and is driving Deb crazy. She just wants to plan her own wedding.

At their latest get-together, the friends find an old book about casting spells. That’s when they decide to cast a spell on Margie; a spell for fertility for Sarah; and a spell for Michael Hunter to become obsessed with Cher.

I admit that I had a hard time getting into this book as it was nearly at the end before it finally got somewhere. Deb is the most level leaded person who dearly loves her fiancé but is so exasperated at her mother-in-law to be who made outrageous demands about her wedding. I’m surprised she gave into the woman as much as she did. Cher’s idea that Michael Hunter is her ideal man is rather pathetic. What a jerk. Sarah’s obsession with a married man is simply sad. Don’t try to break up a marriage. All in all, the ending for each woman is good and satisfying.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.