The writing style of this book felt Fedrik Backman-esque as the 3rd person POV switched between each of the main character’s perspectives fluidly in a way I enjoyed. It made me care deeply about the characters, so even when the plot felt a little slow, I still felt invested in each person becoming happy.

I legitimately enjoyed this book until probably the 80% mark and then it all slowly went downhill. The ending came out of nowhere and didn’t provide any closure or even the kind of open ending that leaves you thinking. It was just sort of a tepid rolling stop.

And then the epilogue…yikes. The mentions of the pandemic were so forced and completely unnecessary and unrelated to the plot. And it didn’t even give the reader any closure. It was just an awkward extra chapter set during the pandemic.

HOWEVER, 3 stars for the vast majority of it being funny and interesting with characters that had me rooting for them. I wish the author had focused more on the relationships between the main characters and left out some of the climate change/protest stuff only because it felt like filler. I kept waiting for something to HAPPEN with Hannah and her wife but nothing ever did.

This author clearly has a talent for writing interesting characters and I felt very invested in them but just never felt that I was rewarded for that investment in the end.

This book was 100% exactly not what I had in mind. The description is vague and I went in thinking it would be about one thing. I was so surprised - and happy - to discover that I was completely wrong. I loved this! Hazel felt so real to me and the story was heartfelt and sweet.

This is a quick, fun read that I really enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for any honest review.

Available June 28, 2022

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of NOT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND by Kate Brook. I thought this was a really relatable story of what it's like to be a millennial these days, from Tinder dating to deciding to start a family to trying to figure out your career. The romance was a little bit disappointing, but I still felt like it had a natural, hopeful conclusion—and the book overall definitely was not a genre romance in structure or theme. The story dealt with a lot of current issues, especially climate change, in a nuanced way, and also delved into mental health, revenge porn, and infertility and miscarriage. It just felt very relevant and the stories pulled me through to the end.

Kate Brook’s “Not Exactly What I Had I Mind” is a title that foreshadowed my reading experience. What in Sam Hill did I just read? I’ll tell what it wasn’t—it wasn’t a romance despite being promoted that way. It was however, an in your face contemporary, politically and social issue charged work of fiction that I really didn’t enjoy. I’m all about tackling social and political topics--pick one any one and I’m here for it—but Brook’s picked like, all of them. There was just too much going on and it convoluted what started as a great storyline. Had she stuck to just one (or even two), I think it would’ve been a totally different and more enjoyable read. Instead, it was overwhelming, triggering and…it was just a lot.

I will say the writing is quite funny at times and I did like the multiple POVs from a diverse set of characters. As I said above, it did start out strong but I never quite connected and as more and more issues were introduced—revenge porn, the pandemic, pregnancy complications, etc.—it slowed down and I had to trudge through it. A personal side note…the miscommunication trope is not one of my favorites and literally everyone in this book falls into that. It was grating on my nerves but if you do enjoy that particular trope then this may be a book for you to pick up. If you’re like me, be warned.

What I thought was going to be a fun escape into a romance turned out to be and incredibly hard and emotionally demanding read that rewarded me at the end (that’s sarcasm) with a “wtf” epilogue.

I'd like to start out by saying that the writing was very funny. I enjoyed most of the characters and found myself involved on most of them on there journeys. The author lends a bright and fresh voice to her characters and develops them nicely. However, I felt that the book was a little rushed and that the author tried to really cover as many topics as could be covered in one book. There's a lot of social commentary of all types of subjects, which is a good thing, but it was just too many subjects and I was getting confused and felt that the book was rushed at that point. Several of the subjects could have been cut out and more focus could have been put on the remaining subjects. However I did like the novel, I did find it amusing and I think the author has wonderful style. I do recommend the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I love anything told from multiple POVs and this one had a variety of characters. The characters had a different relationship than I've seen in other books and I really enjoyed it. It felt like reading about friends, not something predictable the way some books can be.

The only problem I had was with the epilogue. Some of the details/plot just felt unnecessary, there could have been a better way to wrap things up.

All in all I enjoyed this one a lot! Friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, it had it all.

The writing was funny, I generally liked most of the characters, and I found myself cheering along most of them on their various journeys. The writing is witty and refreshing, but i feel like the book really tries to cover as many topics as possible. it's overflowing with social commentary of all kinds, which is good in and on itself, but i don't think there was enough space for it all!

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind started out great. I loved Allie and Hazel. I loved Hazels sister and wife. There were many funny parts mixed in with normal young adult life. It went down hill for me when suddenly I was thrown climate change and protesting, the current craziness that is revenge porn law, and then the pandemic and immigration thrown in for the last chapter. I would have been happier just to stay within the characters and their lives. Or limited the drama to just one of those issues.

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Dutton through NetGalley.
This one was not for me. Brook has a light touch and offers plenty of humorous takes on life just before the pandemic (plus an Epilogue set just following it). I felt she tackled too many areas at once - roommate sex complications, revenge porn, Lesbian couple wanting a baby, pregnancy phobia, and it went on from there. Sadly, that made it feel more contrived to work everything in than a full storyline.

When I began reading Not Exactly What I Had In Mind, I was wondering if I would enjoy this story. I like Rom-Coms and stories like that but I was never big into romance but I can say that Kate Brook creates a great story that hooked me. The only problem was the characters.

The issue was that I never latched onto any of the characters and that made a fun setup fall flat for me even with Brook’s writing and style gelling well with my reading style.

Overall Brook’s novel is good but suffered from characters who never seemed to leap off the page and latch onto the reader.

I didn't LOVE it, but this was such a light, easy read in between a few thrillers I had on my TBR. There's a lot of shocking content and moments that I found myself laughing at while reading, but the ending overall was a let down. I feel like I went on a rollercoaster of emotions with these characters and it could've ended just fine without that epilogue...

I would have given it 3 stars, but the epilogue ruined it for me. Just didn't vibe with this at all. Hazel and Alfie's story had potential though and that makes this book even more frustrating.

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind by Kate Brook was a great read and no what I expected. This story follows sisters Emily and Hazel. We also meet all the others in their lives. They are both struggling in life situations from bad boyfriends, trying to start a family, and the struggles of every day communications. I feel every reader can relate to something in this book. These poor sisters dealt with a lot. Overall, a great read. Very engaging but yet entertaining.

Where to begin??? Let's just say from the second I started this book, I could not put it down. The storyline was captivating, the characters were interesting with relatable characteristics and Kate Brook brought up some very important topics throughout the entire book. I am still impressed at the way Brook was able to write such a lighthearted, but heavy book all at the same time.
I also really like the fact that the epilogue included the pandemic and importance of Vaccines. It is nice to be able to relate in that sort.

This story follows the lives of two sisters Emily and Hazel and those around them.

They struggle through miscommunication, terrible boyfriends, starting a family and more.

It was hugely engaging and fun to read, even through the worst situations the characters encounter.

I enjoyed much of this book. The writing with light and the characters are enjoyable. I'm not usually a fan of stories that rely heavily miscommunication, but this one worked. What didn't work for me was the epilogue, which felt unnecessary.

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind by Kate Brooke
Format:(ARC e-book via NetGalley)

All the thanks to NetGalley and Penguin: Dutton for the ARC!

I’m not quite sure what I expected here, but it definitely took a huge turn from where I thought it was going! This book was extremely modern and timely (maybe a little TOO much so?), and the story was fresh and original. I enjoyed the book conceptually, but had a hard time wrapping my head around the characters in the beginning. Many important current social topics are covered here, and that’s where I wonder if it was a bit too on the nose? While these elements of the story were primarily stances I agree with, they seemed to be off balance in the plot. Over all, it was a very unique and prolific book that I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read!

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*Spoiler Free Summary*

Hazel starts out her relationship with new roommate, Alfie, and the two immediately question if their decision to hook up off the bar was a mistake. The two have an unspoken contract that they will make this work, and even choose to see other people. Meanwhile, Hazel’s sister, Emily, and her wife, Daria, are seeking to start a family of their own. The four characters’ impact in each others’ lives grows simultaneously more complicated and more essential as they experience an avalanche of unforeseen circumstances.

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Many thanks to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book. Unfortunately, this is the last nice thing I'll say in this review.

I absolutely hated this book. I read it hoping it would get better and it didn't. Alfie and Hazel are flatmates who end up having sex on page 1. They then spend the rest of the book in a giant miscommunication trope that wasn't even really resolved in a satisfying matter. Throughout the course of the book, Hazel ends up in a relationship with someone and it seemingly ends well until the ex finds out Hazel is posting comics based on their relationship. So what happens? Skip this if you don't want to have a spoiler that I will not put under a spoiler tag --- he apparently took pictures of her without her consent as well as videos of her during sex that he a) posts on the internet and b) sends to all her friends and family. So revenge porn. And it isn't handled well. Like...at all. I was so absolutely angry at this plot twist and it got even worse when the "resolution" came.

Throw in a subplot of Hazel's sister and her sister in law trying to get pregnant and yet one more miscommunication trope thrown in. The book is jumbled and absolutely makes no sense. Oh and it's marketed as a romance. Friends, this is not a romance. It's fiction yes but it is not a romance at all.

Trigger warnings for miscarriage, death (cancer related), cancer testing, revenge porn, lack of consent, miscommunication.

I'm going to go read an actual romance novel now.

I have to say that this definitely lived up to the description. It broke my heart several times. Alfie, Hazel, Emily and Daria are fleshed out nicely. But even the minor characters are given a nice depth. I love character driven stories. But this one also holds so many emotions. It was a little slow to take off and felt a little preachy at times, but overall it was satisfying.