What about if instead of breaking up with your significant other, you are outsourcing the service to a specialized company that, in addition, will take care of the other person´s feelings in a gentle and diplomatic way? That´s the mission of Ellie Shaw´s Softer Landings.

But sometimes, her professional mission is getting too personal, as she decides to break up with ther boyfriend American Dan. One year after though, his new girlfriend may need some Soft Landing approach and Ellie is faced with a difficult challenge, as it looks like there is something left between her and Dan.

At the first sight, The Break-Up Agency by Sheila McClure is that kind of book one may adore reading during the weekend or on a holiday at the beach. However, it is much more than that, because in fact the entire setting - why, for example, may someone help ending up the relationship when the partnership is the responsibility of the persons directly involved - begs for a more serious approach. One of the reasons, in fact, I am so interested in reading this kind of literature is because it reveals not few ideas about real life and real interactions. The bonus of this book is to include in the web of the story various details of break-ups and the reasons they happened. It´s another way in which books, any kind of books, may help us navigate the life´s hardships.

Ellie is by far my favorite character: thoughtful, responsible, strong but also vulnerable and fragile. She is highly relatable and the contexts created for her do outline and enrich her personality.

The Break-Up Agency is built on an ingenious idea while exploring the modern web of relationships. It is funny yet thoughtful enough to keep your autumn weekend intellectually busy.

I love love LOVED this book! It was a heart warming, feel good, non sappy kind of romance story with just the right amount of spark. All of the main characters show so much personal growth from where they started, and like any good love story... happy endings all around 🥰

Ellie Shaw loves love. Unfortunately, she’s also an expert in break-ups. When a friend needs help with her ‘too nice to dump’ boyfriend, Ellie agrees to help. What she doesn’t expect is for American Dan to be kind, caring, to love dogs and look like a Disney hero. In other words, completely too good to be true.

She lets him down with grace and, encouraged by her friends, sets up Softer Landings, offering kinder, gentler break-ups.
A year later American Dan reappears in her life. With a new girlfriend. One who also decides he’s not the one for her.
The team hatch a plan to let Dan down easy, but while Ellie attempts to lead him gently away, real sparks start to fly. There’s just one big problem she can’t ignore. Can Ellie reveal that their romance is the result of an elaborate con without it feeling like a huge betrayal? Or is she about to star in the most awful dumping of all time?
Gripping and giving it four stars!

Thank you to Sheila, Amazon UK Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this at all. It was a bit of a slow burn for me (which is usually hard for me to get into).

Ellie runs Softer Landings, where they help clients gently break up with their partners. But when a new client wants to let her boyfriend down gently and this said boyfriend is Ellie's ex, things become more complicated and secrets may come out.

This novel has a great narrative and some great characters but I found the pace to switch quite a lot and so I found myself losing engagement.

I liked the character of Ellie but I did want more depth, however, I did not enjoy the character of Thea, who I found dramatic as well as condescending, I found myself thinking if I worked with someone like that I wouldn't want to speak to them. Overall this didn't take away from the novel and it was an enjoyable read.

I thought this was a really fun premise for a book when I first read the blurb on the blog tour invitation. What is there were an agency who could guide you through a relationship break up in a way that minimised the heartache for all the parties involved? Sounds like a good idea, right? But, once you dig down into it, is it really a moral thing to do, interfering in relationships where one party has no idea of your involvement?

This is the dilemma at the heart of the book and one which the author explores with gusto over the course of a light-hearted, romantic and engaging plot filled with lovable characters, many mishaps and the most gorgeous dog ever penned on the page. I think Gus was the character who most stole my heart in this story, but Ellie and Dan weren’t too far behind.

The book was just as fun as I expected, but actually left me very warm and fuzzy and uplifted at the end. I am going through an emotionally tough time currently and I am finding it difficult to focus on reading in a way that I have never encountered before. However, The Break-Up Agency managed to pierce through this emotional fog and engage me in a way that few books have done recently. You can tell that the author really loved the story and characters she was creating here, which made me love them too and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

My favourite bits of the story were the break-up anecdotes scattered throughout the book as the agency deals with a multitude of different clients and scenarios. These were as funny and shocking as you can imagine. Aside from these, the scene at the charity run was really moving and almost brought me to tears. This author has great skill in weaving humour and pathos together to make something really special. This is a beautiful, engaging and entertaining book that I loved and have not hesitation in recommending to one and all.

A fantastic read. I was hooked from the first page and read the whole thing in one sitting. I was rooting for Ellie and American Dan from the beginning!

OK, this was an unusual premise not the typical romance novel.

Ellie Shaw believes in love but is an expert in break-ups. A friend ask her to help to dump a man who is way too nice and Ellie offers her help. She didn't expect this American Dan to be handsome, but at the same time very nice. Ellie slowly and gently breaks American Dan up with the friend and sets up her own firm that experts on gently and kinder break-ups. But a year later, she meets American Dan once again.

As I mentioned earlier, the plot of the story was unusual but the story was slightly confusing and boring at times. However, I did like the ending, although it was predictable and I do like the characters in the book, particularly Ellie Shaw and American Dan. All in all, if you like a Hallmark romance novel, then this book is once for you--worth three stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What’s not to love about a rom-com with a girl who deserves all the love in the world and a cutie dog! This is a fabulous story of love, break-ups and friendship.

The main character, Ellie, is such a lovely character with a big heart and the weight of the world on her shoulders. She has her own past on there, her future, family - basically everything! But her friends from work, Thea and Simon, are on hand to help and make her laugh through the story.

Dan and Gus are such a great pairing, I loved reading about them and how much they got on with Ellie. I don’t think there is a character in this I didn’t like actually! The ending was fab, the story kept my interest all the way to through and I was sad it was over.

I had a lot of fun reading Sheila McClure's debut, The Break-Up Agency! I definitely recommend this very sweet & swoony (clean) romance to anyone looking for something heartwarming and a good time, and a book that isn't going to bring you down. Not too angsty, a lot of heart, and so very many good feels!

There is a whole lot going on in this novel - poor Ellie Shaw has been relegated to being the one her (younger) sister makes break up with all of her boyfriends. It's generally the same poor sod over and over again (spoiler alert - not really - the sister is now marrying that guy!). She's become so good at it, that she's created a side business out of it, "Softer Landings," to help others break up with their partners in a kinder way. She's even brought in 2 of her closest friends and work colleagues. When her boss lets her go as office manager, but lets her stay in the company to do this full time, allowing the friends to devote a certain number of hours per week to it, while somehow backing it, she thinks she just might have it made - until the guy that her one friend had her break up with a year ago (and left his dog with when he fled the country to follow his dreams), and she has been pining over ever since, is back... and his new, perfect girlfriend? She needs her services.

Ellie has to figure out how to break up with the perfect "America Dan" a second time, while also in love with him, trying to keep her (his?) dog from being taken back, and trying to use a new technique the new girlfriend has suggested... making him fall in love with her to make the breakup easier all around. What could go wrong - except literally everything.

This was the sweetest book I have read in quite a while, and there are so many surprises that keep popping up, especially with a twist at the end, that just makes so many things even more special and made me love it even more. A definite recommendation for anyone who loves love, and romance in general - looking for an uplifting read! I couldn't put this one down.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing, and this is my honest feedback and review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely enjoyed this book.

The Break-Up Agency by Sheila McClure is a most delightful contemporary novel that will leave you smiling.
The novel is about friendship and kind hearts. We need those around us who will always be there for us. There are some very kind hearts who just want to make the world a better place.
We hear of mission trips to bring medicine to those who have none. There are dangers lurking.
There is a beautiful dog, Gus, who is used as a PAT dog, helping anxious children who will open up when he is near. Gus’ boundless energy and affection really fill the characters and the reader with love.
The novel also has a character with a physical disability who does not let it hold him back.
All the characters were warm and welcoming. An air of love and friendship permeated the whole novel.
Family is important. Family is not necessarily those related by blood, but those who love us throughout all the seasons of life.
I absolutely loved The Break-Up Agency. It was a wonderful, warm read that I can highly recommend.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

The Break Up Agency

I like Gus. Gus is cute.

The beginning of this book was so busy that I was constantly confused. I liked the concept for this book, paying someone to do the dumping for you sounds like a solid plan. However the actual agency just didn’t sit right with me. I felt like they were clutching at straws the whole time, no one worked well together and Ellie was a shocking business woman.
The relationship with Dan and Ellie was sweet though. Slow burn, forced proximity, very pg romance, I liked Dan a lot (he’s nice and I dump-able) and I liked Ellie when she was with him.

Plus they had Gus. Did I mention I liked Gus?!?

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I read the synopsis and thought this book sounded so entertaining. Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into this one and found that it moved slowly with not much action. I gave it to 50% and DNF. I’m sure this will be a favorite for some but this wasn’t the book for me.

"It's a big responsibility, dabbling in other people's relationships."

While the premise/outline of the story was an interesting concept, the writing and characterization fell flat and the pacing was all over the place. Truth be told, had this not been an ARC I probably would have DNF'd, it was that much of a slog to get through.

Let's get the first big note out of the way - this is a contemporary fiction novel, NOT a romance. While filled with deep longing and pining by our MFC, Ellie, there is ZERO romance in this book until about the 85% mark, but even then I'd be hard-pressed to label it as 'romance', as their relationship (Ellie & American Dan's) is wrapped up in a cheating/OW scenario.

My biggest gripe is that Ellie is just not a likeable protagonist. She comes across as whiny and judgemental without any aspect of introspection to her own behaviours. Hers is a life full of deception - she's lying to her family about her current relationship status, she's lying to her coworkers about her personal life and background, she's lying to American Dan (yes, he's always called that...never just 'Dan') about her true feelings and what she does for a living, but most of all she's lying to herself. She spends a lot of time "thinking deep thoughts," but there's too much telling and not enough showing. Even though they're described as 30-somethings (we later find that Ellie is 28), tonally it reads very YA with the jargon, slang, behaviours, reactions, and treatment of one-another. "Ellie made a silly boo-boo face"...seriously, that line is pulled from the book. Ellie's big character arc is to overcome her pride, and had that been developed or given more focus rather than including some other ridiculous and pointless plot-points (seriously, what was the point of including a side-character's dying partner other than for said side-character to blow up at everyone to 'seize the day because you never know when it's your last'), I may have enjoyed it a bit more, but otherwise it's just fluff with no real substance.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a sweet rom-com! I loved American Dan and Gus the service dog! The first meeting between Dan and Ellie was adorable.

It started a bit slow, but then picked up. Although the plot was kind of predictable, it was still a really cute mash-up of tropes. There's a bit of fake dating, friends to lovers, and soul mates sprinkled here and there.

If only all break-ups could be handled by Ellie and Softer Landings.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬-𝘜𝘱 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 follows Ellie Shaw breaking up with her colleague's too good to be true boyfriend, Dan, for her. Combine that with years of experience breaking up with people on behalf of her sister? She's landed herself in a position to earn from her skill. And so she decides to open up Softer Landing - to help people break up with their partners with the interest of both parties at heart.
However, Ellie's problem? Dan's back in town and with him, so is her all encompassing crush.

- ~ -

Dan, the poor soul's, been dumped almost twice because he just too nice... and Ellie, who's been once dumped for the same reason, sees a kindred spirit in him. Too bad he's got a girlfriend... who wants Ellie to break up with him for her. It's about to get real awkward.

Ellie's too whiny. That's mostly all I could gather from the story. The woman fell in love within the span of a week when she hadn't even met the guy and 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 at 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘸𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
She really was a goner at the barest of human decency he showed. Uff.

The colleague trio character development is something I can get behind though. As well as Ellie's relationship progress with her family.

- ~ -

3.18 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘜𝘒 & 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I know this is meant to be a light hearted rom com about Ellie and Dan but it's not entirely. Ellie's asked to facilitate a breakup where one partner is terminally ill and that just.....Some of it is funny and some of it is poignant but on balance, this was, regrettably a miss from me. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

The story
When her friend Thea asks Ellie to break up with her boyfriend, “American Dan”, Ellie turns her skill into a business. Ellie works at a recruitment company by day and by night has the “break-up agency”. With her soft heart, she wants to make sure break ups aren’t painful and there is light at the end of the tunnel to give hope. But Ellie really wants more from her relationship with Dan, and not just to be his fellow dog-mom friend.

My thoughts
This is a sweet and different premise for a story. Ellie is extremely nice and kind and maybe a bit too nice for her own good. The start of the story jumps forward and backwards in time which was confusing, and there is a lot of angsty-ness. Ellie and Dan have strong feelings for each other, but keep these very hidden. They also seem to keep other key facts about their lives from each other, in the spirit of this being a “romcom”. I enjoyed the break up examples and how the threesome got really creative to get the job done well.

I was interested in this story idea but I could tell right from the beginning it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a fan of the writing style and the story felt like it had too many characters and too much going on. I had to keep reading parts over because it didn’t come across clear. It didn’t come across as fun as I thought it would be. Actually felt like more of a process. I’d still suggest others check it out but I wasn’t into it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.