This was enjoyable but rather predictable. This a novel about second chances and, at the heart of it, a lesson to be true to your feelings.
This is told through multiple points of view by relatable characters, mainly Lara, her eighteen year old daughter Eliza who is in search for her real father and her father himself as they try to navigate how their lives fit together, if at all. We also meet other family members, and I would have loved to get to know them better!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the begining to the very last page. Lara is a single mother and her grown up daughter Eliza is soon to turn 18. What she didn't account for was Eliza questioning more details on her birth Father. As far as Eliza is aware Steve is her Father and he is largely absent from her life. When Eliza gets a bombshell dropped regarding her real father it sets off a chain reaction and both her and Lara have no clue how things will turn out.

Now don't get me wrong I have read this kind of story over the years in a variety of ways and there was absolutely nothing wrong with this story, but it's just wasn't a book that I was blown away with. That small niggle aside Lucy Diamond has a real knack with storytelling and I was absolutely compelled to find out what happens with both Lara and Eliza. I wasn't overly keen on Eliza as a character which is unusual (normally I am a fan of characters LD creates) but the story and writing totally made the book worthwhile.

Overall a very enjoyable and escapist kind of read, and it's made me ensure all my unread Lucy Diamond books get pushed further up the 'to-read' pile.

A heart-warming and uplifting story about second chances and love. We are first introduced to Eliza who after turning 18 makes the decision to find her father. Along with her mother Lara the make a journey across the Atlantic to England. Lara and Ben were once in love, that is until he left. What will be like when she comes face to face with him again?

A lovely slow burn story with hopes of a reconciliation.

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

a book so easy to read giving a story of a single mum lara bringing up her daughter best she can only to finish off were she started 18yrs later back in the arms of the man she loves

Absolutely loved this book!

The writing style was really good and I look forward to reading any other books from this author in the future :)

Your big secret is out. What next?

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life.

Eliza needs answers - and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store...

Anything Could Happen is a warm, wise, funny and uplifting novel about love, second chances and the unexpected and extraordinary paths life can take us down.

'Gloriously romantic' The Sun

'A charmingly escapist read ... a tonic for trying times' Daily Mail

'A captivating, humorous and warm-hearted story elevated to must-read status' Heat

'I couldn't put it down' Jill Mansell

'The book we all need - full of escapism, romance, hope and kindness' Milly Johnson

Another great book by Lucy Diamond!

We meet Lara, a single mum to Eliza. Eliza at 18 years of age goes looking for her biological father and it’s not the man she thought it was.

This is a story of misunderstandings that created missed opportunities and how one teenage girl can change the future not just for herself but for those closest to her.

A great read and one fully worthy of five stars

What a glorious second-chance romance this is! It's also a slow-burn one that allows the reader to get to know the two main characters really well.

There is a substantial amount of will-they, won't-they because each of them had hurdles to overcome, and I felt for both of them.

All the characters have depth, all are nicely rounded and fleshed out, and I especially loved the way Lara's teenage daughter is so realistically portrayed.

A lovely story that will warm your heart.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily.
I have previously enjoyed this author's 'beach cafe' series, this standalone novel is completely different. The first chapter covers Lara's meeting with Ben, then the book moves on to 19 years later. Lara's daughter, Eliza is an angry teenager; her behaviour, attitude and general rudeness coupled with the language she uses made me dislike her instantly. As the story unfolds Lara's behaviour is shown to be duplicitous, she frequently lies (albeit sometimes by ommission) without any thought for the consequences or the effect on other people; a question later in the book "when did you get so nasty?" summed her up completely .
I thought that most of the characters in the book were not very likeable and I would have preferred less strong language and 'first night sex' but I accept that this is only my personal view and other readers would not view this as unrealistic. The story reflects 'second chances' in a way that is popular and I know many readers will enjoy this book.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for a review.

Such a cute read! I’ve loved Lucy’s work since I was young and as always a good little read :D

I really enjoyed this book, but I would have to admit I think it was a bit too long. It was a warm book that you could connect to the characters. I certainly had all the feels in this book.

I absolutely LOVE Lucy Diamond’s books, I am a fan of Lucy’s work. I particularly enjoyed the close mother daughter relationship throughout the book. The book explores the importance of the different types of loves that we have in our lives; parents, sisters, friends and partners.

I'll also be posting a review of this on my Instagram account at @blondesbooknook

Many thanks to NetGalley for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my opinion.

Great relaxing read with substance.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access this book in exchange for my feedback.

Lara thinks she has met the love of her life on a magical night in New York City but something goes wrong. Years later her daughter Eliza has questions about her parentage which force Lara to revisit aspects of her history and character which she thought were gone for good. I enjoyed reading this novel, although I felt it was not Diamond's best work. I liked that she did not shy away from the complicated aspects of the various relationships but I wasn't quite able to fully suspend my disbelief. I thought at times the author was going to go in a more unconventional direction but in the end she rather seemed to bottle out of it.

Another great read by Lucy
A really heartwarming read
Plenty of laughter
A great read to get lost in
Thanks NetGalley

Anything Could Happen by Lucy Diamond

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A chance encounter in New York City. A great love story on the cusp of beginning. And then he was gone.

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life.

Eliza needs answers - and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store...

My Opinion

This is not the first book I have read by Lucy Diamond, but it is the first book I have struggled with written by Lucy. For me, it felt like there was something missing. A slow burner that would make for a nice holiday read as there is a very relaxed feel about this book. Whilst this is not my favourite Lucy Diamond read, it still makes for an enjoyable read.

Rating 3/5

A nice captivating story, great characters that I loved and well written storyline. I actually read this in one night because I was so captivated in the story. A well earned ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5 stars. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#netgalley #anythingcouldhappen

Your big secret is out. What next?

For Lara and her daughter Eliza, it has always been just the two of them. But when Eliza turns eighteen and wants to connect with her father, Lara is forced to admit a secret that she has been keeping from her daughter her whole life.

Eliza needs answers - and so does Lara. Their journey to the truth will take them on a road trip across England and eventually to New York, where it all began. Dreams might have been broken and opportunities missed, but there are still surprises in store...

This was my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. A nice (predictable) story, which was gently humorous albeit a little slow in places. I liked that it wasn't a pure romance and more of a family drama really with a variety of well developed characters. Definitely worth a read but more of 'nice' read than 'must read' in my opinion.

A brilliant read for the summer - light - funny with family emotion all through it - Lucy diamond at her best - characters full of personality and quirkiness - a book that just reads itself