This book is not what I expected as I picked it purely by the cover, it is an uplifting book but does discuss domestic violence (Trigger warning for some people) It was my first Rachel dove book and will definately read more by this author, I read this in only 2 nights, It features a cute bookstore in a tiny little village with amazing community spirit and of course an amazing police dog called Bullet. I would highly recommend this book to anyone as it is in my opinion a perfect book for curling up on the couch and binge reading.
Huge thank you to netgalley and HQ for sending me this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I was hoping it would be a RomCom, but this book turned out to be a heartwarming novel with a heavy subject (Domestic violence). I like both Hannah and Brody’s story and their romance. This novel has a powerful story, and cute small town and a wonderful community, but for some reason I couldn’t exactly connect with it. :( I really really wanted. I can’t put my finger on why exactly. Maybe it is the author’s voice (which was not bad and at times very lyrical) or maybe the book didn’t have the humor that I usually like. I’m having a hard time rating this book because I have mixed feelings.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Not sure where to start this review. I picked this book mainly because of its adorable cover and because I found the description interesting. It’s got a single parent (one of my all time favourite tropes) a cute dog and it’s set in a small town - the perfect combination for me. Yet I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit disappointed.

I had a really hard time finishing this book. I’m not even sure why… there’s nothing wrong with the book per se; it’s just that it’s a bit too slow and I feel like much happened in the book tbh, not until the very end anyway. It doesn’t exactly focus on Hannah’s past and her abusive relationship but at the same time the romance is lacking and I didn’t really feel their emotional connection.

I liked both main characters but I feel like I don’t know all that much them and for that reason it was really hard to connect to either of them. Having said that, it was great to see Hannah grow throughout the book and how hard she fought for her and her daughter’s happiness.

Overall, this one wasn’t my cup of tea but I definitely see how it would appeal to others.

★ 3/5 Stars ★

A huge thank you to HQ and Netgalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[TW: Domestic Violence]

Someone Like You by Rachel Dove is a heartwarming read. I read a blurb that said it was perfect for summer, but I think its great anytime. Its a sweet read and you'll be rooting for this couple.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book.

First of all thank you so much to Rachel‘s team for giving me this ARC - I am extremely grateful and thank you!

I have been given this ARC in exchange for a an honest review and will do so, here’s my opinions on Someone Like you by Rachel Dove.

I don’t know what it was about this book, but I personally did not enjoy it. I didn’t find it captivating or interesting or constantly pulling me in, like I never not wanted to put it down. That was not how I felt, and I feel like for me to be interested or invested in a book I would constantly be attached and hooked. I think the story line basis – the plot is good, but it was not what I expected.

The cover was, really cute and that was one of the main reasons why I chose to pick this book. Personally, I just don’t think it was for me but I can understand why some people would have appeal to this book. For me, I didn’t really love the single mum trope even though the single dad is one of my favourites, this just didn’t really appeal to me personally.

I just didn’t really connect to Hannah, but I think that is just me personally but I did think that the plot basis is really good and will appeal to other readers.

I feel like maybe, if I got the actual book when it’s released, maybe I can try again and see if it will captivate me. But I definitely feel like, even if this wasn’t for me, I could try again and see if this has anymore appeal to me.

I wanted to love this one, I really did. Hannah and Brody's story had amazing potential to lure you in. It was a combination of hallmark light hearted and nicholas sparks' safe haven. The quick read undertones didn't really support the heavy topics of Hannah's backstory before she ended up in Brody's little town. Their meet not cute following an attempted mugging resulted in a very obvious lust at first site. Brody's advances felt a little pushy given Hannah's continued responses and heightened need to be guarded. The story portrayed their relationship in terms of physical attraction but we as the reader didn't get to see their emotional connection.

The community that welcomed hannah in is positively the best. She ended up exactly where she needed to be and it was great to see her growth over the course of the book. Also, who doesn't love a sweet dog sidekick?!

Thank you Netgalley and HQStories/Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for my review!

"... you have the power to say: this is not how the story is going to end."

Oh wow, this book became everything for me as soon as I sat down to read it. I can't believe I was lucky enough to read this because it felt like a book almost every survivor/victim of domestic abuse wants to read. This happiness and peace after living a horrible nightmare. I cried, I had to stop a few times, but not because of how hard the story was but because it reminded me of what I survived and how it felt after I was able to free myself from my abusive ex husband. The trauma Hannah was living and all the voices still in her head is something I'm still living.

And Brody is just so perfect, just the perfect men for a soul in pain who deserves to be loved and taken care of. And Bullet, his dog, oh just a sweetheart!!!! Thw friendships and the support from the people, it made me so happy

The story was hard for me to read but at the same time I couldn't stop smiling and being happy for the characters. I wanted to jump into the book and hug them. I was so so excited when the feelings started to develop and also understanding of her pain and how she was so scared. This was too sweet and it is sweet because it talks about second chances, about trust, about strength, about loving yourself, about allowing you to feel, about letting go... ohmy it just has it all and it was such a perfect read.

And being honest to you, as I always am, I wish every single victim of abuse could find happiness. We deserve it. We deserve to be understood, we still deserve to be loved when when we fear it. This book has a happy ending, sadly thousands of victims won't have a happy ending. If you know someone who is a victim/survivor stay close to them, show them your love and make them feel loved and cared.

TW. Abusive relationship survival

Thank you to HQ Digital, netgalley and the author ♥︎

Review will be posted before/pubday on instagram @pink.bibliophile

This was not what I expected when i started reading this book! I was thinking it would be classic romcom, I was wrong! This book was so much more. This author takes you on a journey of a single mom running from an abusive partner and having to start all over again while looking over her shoulder.

It is a very uplifting story that will make you laugh, cry and want to track down her husband yourself!

There is also a cute bookstore, very supportive friends, amazing dog & hunky man!

This would be a great fall read cuddled up in some blankets!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Moving to Leadsham Hannah with her daughter Ava has left behind a life she didn’t like. She wants to not get involved with the community and make a fresh start, away from her violent ex-husband.

But, she didn’t expect was meeting Brody, a police officer, and as soon as he meets her, he knows everything isn’t how it should be, and wants to help her.

But, not having had a good experience with the police and men in the past, Hannah, doesn’t want his help, but it’s not working, as the more doesn’t want him to help her, she’s finding herself drawn to him.

Brody isn’t like the man she has left behind, he is kind and patient and cares for those he knows.

Will Hannah be able to let someone else into her heart and forget the past?

I recommend this book.

When I saw this cover on NetGalley, I thought it'd be a cute little romance, with maybe some banter or something. And wow, this book definitely took me by surprise. In a great way!

The story is way deeper, more emotional, and more layered than I initially thought. It made for an intertaining read yes, but also a very interesting and educating one.
So yes, it is a romance story, but it's also a story about a journey to self rediscovery, to self affirmation of a brave young mother.

The characters were really well portrayed!
Brody is truly amazing! I fell so in love with him way too quickly 😂 I mean, we all need a Brody in our life. He's compassionate, caring, a little protective, funny, just what you need.
Hannah... Hannah is the epitome of a strong FMC, the portrait of a single mother ready to do anything for her child. I was in awe all along, watching her go through life, building herself back up while trying to provide for her daughter.

I didn't give a 5 star because the writing felt a bit choppy at times. The dual POVs are not separated but chapters or a different font. So it took a couple of chapters to get used to! But the plot and the characters were definitely 5⭐ material.
This book has a truly powerful story. I can only recommend it!

🛑 Do check the TW first please, as the book touches quite a few heavy subjects.

💁🏽‍♀️ Read if you like: small town romance, dual POVs, single parent, policeman MC, dog as a side character

Thank you NetGalley, HQ and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful. Devastating. Powerful.

Firstly please please check the trigger warnings before reading this book. TW; Domestic abuse/violence.

Hannah leaves her life and uproots her Daughter to a new location to escape her awful husband. Hannah goes through a journey of having to start over again, hide from the new people she was meeting and lie to them. The story in itself was devastating yet beautiful in its own way. The writing style was simple yet it drew you in and had your feelings invested.

About 70% in I was curious where it was going as I felt that it was going to continue to be plain sailing and was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy it. However I was wrong and the story turned and the pace quickened and I honestly was rooting for a happy ending for Hannah.

This book tackled a really difficult situation, it’s not until after you finished the book either that you realise what the dedication was for and why it was so relevant.

I would highly recommend this although like I said please go in knowing the triggers.

Beautiful story about moving on, finding peace and a safe place where you can leave happily ever after with a man who truly loves you. The story shows what’s it’s like when you run away from an abusive relationship and you star a secret new life just so you can give your baby a life she deserves.
Andrew was just the perfect man I’ve ever met. I loved this story with all my heart. Definitely recommend.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from HQ and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

An enjoyable read that will delight many,

DNF at 45%.

Hannah's husband is violent and abusive, one night, with the help of a friend she takes her baby daughter Ava and flees to the village of Leadsham. With barely any money, no afraid to use any documentation that her husband might use to trace her, Hannah is keeping a low profile, until an opportunist bugger tries to steal her bag in the park. Hannah is rescued by off-duty police officer Andrew and his dog. Despite all efforts to repel him, Hannah gradually finds herself drawn to Andrew, sensing that he is an honest and decent man, especially when he helps her get a part-time job in the bookshop owned by his former partner. However, Hannah is too ashamed to share her past with Andrew and scared that her husband could sweet talk his way around anything she claimed, after all he's done it before with the police. Hannah's inner monologue is 'this man is kind and gentle, but I am ashamed of being beaten up by my husband, I can never tell Andrew and so I must push him away, but he has been kind so I must return the favour'.

Frankly, Andrew is a pretty poor cop if he doesn't see a young woman with a baby, no money, terrified of men and violence and can't infer that she may be an abused spouse, certainly the slow and quiet way in which he moves and talks to her suggests he has his suspicions. However, his inner monologue is all 'what is she hiding, why won't she tell me, I must know the truth'.

Throw in a small town, a pregnant bookshop owner (the partner's wife, not Andrew's partner) with a heart of gold and I'm afraid you get the simpering sweetness of a Hallmark Sunday afternoon film with all the menace of a paper bag. Andrew appears to be trying to bring down an organised crime drugs ring, yet he also appears to be the local beat copper in the small town, known to everyone and his police dog goes to the local library to meet the small children and their mums!

Overall, its slow, its dragging, and its totally predictable so I gave up at 45% after stopping and starting reading several times.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Remember the old 1990's movie with Julia Roberts called Sleeping with the Enemy? Well, I thought of that movie constantly while reading this book. (I guess that shows my age. lol) It's sort of like a cross between that thriller movie and a Hallmark movie. The heavy theme of escaping domestic abuse is sort of simplified and lightened up, like Hallmark would do to most stories. I do think this book shed an emotional and important light on domestic abuse and the courage it takes to escape, but it packaged the story a little to neatly.

Hannah, the protagonist in this story, had a supportive friend to help her escape, then she made instant new friends and a quick love connection, which gave her immediate support. Most domestic abuse victims do not escape quite so easily and smoothly. Because of this, I was torn on my feelings about this story.

I also wish that the cover was different. The cartoon cover just made the book look too much like a Rom Com, which it really wasn't. This was an emotional, suspenseful, and heartfelt story. I really was invested in Hannah from the first chapter, and was very interested in where the story was going. I was hoping for a Happily-Ever-After!

I did really like this book, and I will read more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I rate it 4 solid stars!

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 starts with Hannah on a train station with a one-way ticket in her hand, terrified but firm in her decision to escape her abusive marriage especially for the same of her daughter, unbeknownst to the fact that she's saying goodbye to the person she used to be and welcoming a new stronger version of herself.

- ~ -

While the story involves romance, it wasn't really about Hannah finding Brody but more about Hannah choosing herself and her daughter above all else. Before anything, she's a mother who wants nothing more to give her child the best life possible.

Hannah White or whoever she is, is one hell of a woman. She might initially come off as skittish and timid but ultimately she emerges out of her shell with the help of the lovely people who surround her. She finds herself again but this time with thrice as much courage.

Officer Brody knew he was a goner the day he saw Hannah in the park patting and thanking his dog, but he never pushed her limits. He let her find her voice, gave her the chance to open up to him on her own accord, all while he stood there beside her supporting her the best way he could.

Lastly, the best supporting role goes to Bullet the doggo who could easily unalive anyone but is really a gentle beast who's wrapped around Ava's tiny baby fingers just like his owner.

- ~ -

3.72 / 5✩

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

I couldn’t get invested in it. DNF at 12% I may return during a dry spell and attempt it again, then update this review.

Hannah ends up in the village of Leadsham when she takes her daughter, Ava, and runs away from her abusive husband. She wants to disappear and start all over but she did not plan on the people of Leadsham to be so welcoming and involved. First, there is Andrew Brody, a police officer who helped her in a park mugging, but he knows something is up with Hannah. He recommends that she look for a job at the local bookstore/cafe without telling her that the owners are his best friends. Hannah gets the job at the bookstore and is able to barely make ends meet to buy what Ava needs. Brody takes his job of protecting Hannah and Ava very seriously and before you know it, he has fallen for her...Will she let him in or will she stay scared from her pervious experience.

I thought it was sweet how the town protected Hannah and Ava, I kept waiting for her ex-husband to show up earlier in the book and even though abusive relationships are not something I enjoy reading about, it showed the strength that Hannah had to get her child and get out much like others have had to do.

I really enjoyed this! The bubbly cover was a bit deceiving because the story was much deeper than I expected. I really enjoyed reading Hannah and Brodys love story and getting to know these characters.

Plot: Hannah flees to Yorkshire with her baby daughter, Ava. After suffering at the hands of an abusive husband she wants a fresh start and to build a new life for Ava. After an attempted mugging she meets Police Officer Brody and his police dog bullet and from them on their lives seem to take a positive turn.

Review: This was a very enjoyable read. It was well written with very likeable characters. Although it tackles a very sensitive subject, it is very heartfelt and full of compassion for Hannah and her situation. I would definitely recommend it and will be seeking out more books by this author.