An easy, fast-paced, cute YA read. I won't throw this up there with my favorites, but was an enjoyable book. While the plot is a bit silly, I did love the traveling around and bookish references. The romance was sweet and the characters easy enough to root for. While this book did touch nicely on some deeper themes, overall I would have enjoyed it more with a bit more depth to the characters.

A bit difficult to get into but eventually it become very sweet and fun. American Brit travels all over the UK with British Luke. Very predictable but very fun.

A book about a literature-themed tour of England? What’s not to love?!?!

Britt comes into the story with a definite chip on her shoulder. Her college soccer dreams have gone up in smoke due to a medical condition, and without that scholarship, she doesn’t know how she’s even going to manage college. When this opportunity comes up, she is determined to win the prize and secure her future. Problem is, she has faked her way through her literature classes, so she’s starting out at a deficit.

Lucky for her, she meets Luke, who’s ready to do something crazy and unpredictable as he faces the death of some of his own dreams.

Along the way, Britt learns lessons not only about literature, but also about herself and her tendency to jump to conclusions about people. She’s able to not only kindle a relationship with Luke, but also to rekindle a childhood friendship. She learns who she is without soccer, and how to deal with parental expectations.

I love that Dean didn’t Americanize all the British terminology, instead smoothly incorporating explanations. The only place she let me down was continuing to call them “fries” instead of chips.

Speaking of food, Dean gave us quite a culinary tour! Fish and chips, pasties, Ribena, and so many beloved snack foods!

I had a couple of minor quibbles. How on earth did she get a passport in only a month?!? And the mention Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales being written in Old English. It wasn’t. Beowulf was Old English. Chaucer wrote in Middle English.

All in all, though, it’s a fun story with a satisfying ending.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Medical issues. Kissing. Going to pubs (totally okay for 18-year-olds in the UK). Parental abandonment. Cheating.

Who Might Like This Book:
Lovers of Britain, British food, literature, and coming of age.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/07/different-takes-on-coming-of-age.html

dnf . It is not the book issue. It was probably my reader's block. wish I enjoyed it more . Maybe in the future i might read it and like it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

I feel like fantasy really has a hold on the YA crowd these days but it was really nice to read a sweet romance. The cover is darling and the inside is just as good. A good choice for those readers not yet ready for adult romances but without sacrificing the prose.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

Love & Other Great Expectations is a cute whirlwind adventure and coming-of-age story about Britt who, having spent her life working towards goals of a soccer career, suddenly finds herself directionless. A competition to win $100,000 and spend a week exploring the romantic and literary-infused United Kingdom. This whirlwind journey would not be complete without the handsome, British love interest as well.

This story was sweet. Luke, Britt’s particularly endearing, literature-loving, nerdy paramour, is almost too good to be true. He’s an introvert with a penchant for reading to orphaned children and the elderly. He doesn’t like getting to know strangers, but he’s the first to step up and help. He loves museums, can quote the English canon, and has a vast knowledge of historically significant locales in the literature world. He’s written to act much older than his age so he has an air of maturity and seems wise beyond his years. Every book nerd’s dream guy.

Now for the downsides. The writing itself is mediocre. Take this book exactly as it is: as pure fluff. This isn’t the next life-changing novel, but it’s pure lightness and fun. I found most of the characters to be a bit irritating and the writing hard to get into, at least in the beginning. Britt is quite self-centred and really doesn’t think much outside of her own self. The remaining characters, particularly the American students, are shallow and really without much substance. I wished there was more done to make the characters more likeable, but the focus was mostly on the adventure and the romance. However, the story itself is heartwarming and enjoyable. It’s an excellent beach or airplane read.

Love & Other Great Expectations" is a novel by Becky Dean. It is a modern retelling of Charles Dickens' classic novel "Great Expectations" with a contemporary twist. In this updated version, the story follows the journey of a young woman named Pip, who navigates the complexities of love, ambition, and self-discovery in modern-day London. As Pip grapples with her own expectations and aspirations, she encounters a cast of colorful characters who shape her understanding of life and love. With its witty dialogue, relatable characters, and clever nods to the original novel, "Love & Other Great Expectations" offers a fresh and engaging take on a timeless story.

Didn’t read, probably won’t read, but it looks super cute. I’m sure someone will love it. Thank you for the opportunity to read it regardless!

This was a fine YA romance, but nothing remarkable. It leans a little cheesy for my taste (a girl named Britt in Britain? okay). If one really loves classic British literature they might like this one - but it does feel like a old school teen movie.

An adorably written YA book about discovering yourself, love, and all the other great things in the world. Our FMC is off on an adventure to help pull her mind from a devastating accident. In comes our MMC, a handsome British man who I’d personally love to meet! Our two main characters get off to a great start and we watch as their relationship evolves and expands. Becky Dean’s writing is so well done, too, that it makes this story easy to read and understand. Overall, the plot was great, characters were lovely to read on paper, and it was just one of those feel good stories that had problems, but they didn’t take over. Thank you for the opportunity!

Love & Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean is a contemporary retelling of the classic novel, Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens. This modern adaptation intertwines themes of love, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness, presenting a fresh take on a beloved story.

The novel follows the journey of Pip, a young woman navigating the complexities of love and relationships in the bustling city of London. As she encounters a diverse cast of characters, including the enigmatic Estella, the charismatic Finn, and the eccentric Miss Havisham, Pip's life takes unexpected turns that challenge her beliefs and desires.

Becky Dean's writing style is engaging and captures the essence of the original tale while infusing it with contemporary elements. The author skillfully weaves together familiar plot points and introduces new twists, providing a fresh perspective for readers familiar with the classic story. The modern setting and relatable characters add a relatability that will resonate with fans of contemporary romance.

Pip's journey of self-discovery and the exploration of her romantic entanglements form the core of the narrative. The themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness are central to the story, offering readers an opportunity to reflect on their own expectations and desires.

The characters in Love & Other Great Expectations are well-developed and have distinct personalities. Pip's growth and transformation throughout the story are evident, as she learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the importance of staying true to oneself. The interactions between the characters are engaging and add depth to the storyline.

While the novel captures the essence of the classic tale, some readers may find the pacing uneven at times, with certain plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped. Additionally, the book could benefit from further exploration of the supporting characters, whose roles often feel overshadowed by Pip's narrative.

Overall, Love & Other Great Expectations is an enjoyable contemporary retelling that offers a fresh perspective on a timeless classic. Becky Dean's adaptation successfully blends elements of romance and self-discovery, providing readers with an engaging and relatable story. Fans of Great Expectations will appreciate this modern interpretation, while new readers will find themselves immersed in a tale of love, growth, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a copy of Love & Other Great Expectations provided by the publisher.

The premise for this YA was so promising, unfortunately it just didn’t quite work for me. I could relate to Brit a lot, but the story as a whole was just a bit dull. The setting itself is a major character, but I felt underwhelmed with how it was described. I was never fully transported to the UK. The story did give early 00s Amanda Bynes movie vibes, but less funny and more unnecessary drama, in my opinion. I’m not the target audience and I could see how teens might like it! So it’ll get 3 stars from me!

This book was so cute!! I loved all the characters so much. It was all around funny and you are guaranteed to get butterflies while reading this. 10/10 recommend.

This was a very cute YA romance book, but that's just who it is for - young adults. I had to put myself back into my 13 year old shoes while reading this because reading it from the point of view of an adult, it was a bit boring, but as a young teenager who can only imagine the thrill of events in this point, this book would be thrilling. The issues that the Britt is dealing with are ones that almost all teenagers deal with, especially right out of high school but aren't as relevant to adults. The romance between her and Luke was very sweet and it was amazing how the book hit on different literary icons and the history behind them.

This book was sooo much fun to read! I thought the premise was super cute and the characters were very relatable! I really enjoyed Becky Dean's writing style and would be interested in reading future books from her! Really enjoyed this one!

2.5/5 Stars

After a knee injury that changes the course of her life, Britt Hanson embarks on a competitive scavenger hunt based on Bitish Literature. The hunt is across England against three of her classmates. The prize is $100,000 that she hopes to use towards her college tuition. Along the way she meets a boy who joins her on her journey of self-discovery.

I related to Britt a lot when it came to her feelings of identity loss with her soccer injury. I also had a career ending injury, so I completely understood where she was coming from, but that was where my enjoyment of her character ended. I found her to be very whiny and a tad bit annoying as the story went on. The concept of the book was what intrigued me, but I just didn't care about what was happening to the characters. I was a bit bored through out the whole thing. I also didn't think that Luke and Britt had much chemistry. The story was very one note to me.

This book was filled to the brim with British literary references and my bookworm self was so content. I loved picking out and deciphering the clues before continuing reading! However, I found the execution a bit lacking. At times the story was quite boring for me, and I couldn't be kept interested. All in all I can still highly recommend it.

This book was cute but didn't hook me completely. The insta-love aspect had me rolling my eyes. I wanted a bit more depth to the characters so that I could attach myself to their storyline and actually root for them. I did enjoy the UK setting (the reason I requested this book) and I found the scavenger hunt plot fun and exciting but this book was not a homerun for me.

Have you ever dreamt of being on an adventurous journey in the UK? This YA contemporary romance by Becky Dean is sure the perfect one for you.

This was a sweet and clean romance with nerdy British boys, banter, and lots of swoons and laughter.

Brittany is trying to wrap her head around her medical diagnosis, hence crushing her dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Instead of having pity on herself, she packs up and heads to London for a scavenger hunt based on classic British lit. During her journey, she discovers what genuine friendship and love means. And she finds meaning in who she really is as a person.