3.5/5 stars

As we spent about half the book getting to know the characters while they kept missing each other, I felt like the slow burn aspect made me not really care about any relationship-related drama the two were having up until that point. George being in a relationship did nothing to increase tension, it only served to annoy me every time he let his girlfriend treat him like crap. When you know that your MMC and FMC will eventually be together it's frustrating to watch him waste his time with Anya in real time at the same time that you are not getting a single moment of these two interacting face-to-face. While their crossword-related interactions were really cute and I liked what the author did with that premise, I feel like his girlfriend was unnecessary to the entire drama of the story. It would have been enough for him to be facing stress at work and to be feeling unfulfilled in that way. Since him and Ashleigh don't meet for so long there isn't a reason to make a barrier between him and her, the plot is already kind of doing that on its own. Zach suffers from a similar problem of just... not doing anything really, even though he has more impact on whether Ashleigh and George can be together.

I really liked the anxiety/panic attack representation through George. I really like the two main characters meeting the way they did and what Ashleigh's response to George was. I'm not going to get into more of that just to avoid spoilers. I just really love it when authors include anxiety rep and this author did it pretty well. I say this as someone who has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for years.

I think the major strength and also the major flaw with this book are the same: the side characters are far and above more interesting than our protagonists. I cared way too much about what Oz and Carlos were doing and not enough about whatever Ashleigh and George are doing. It's been a few days since I read the book and I honestly don't remember what was going on between the two of them, but I remember pretty clearly all the drama going on with Oz and Carlos. I also found them to be more interesting and dynamic characters.

Overall, despite my problems with some of the plot contrivances in the book, I would recommend it if you like slow burn romances and the premise interests you. I am not personally a fan of slow burn romances, at least not in the way this particular story went about its slow burn, if that makes sense? I don't think the book is irredeemable by any stretch of the imagination, just didn't do it for me.

Ashleigh is going through the motions of her life. She works at a job she loves and is good at but turns down a promotion. She gets set up on dates by some friends but doesn't really have her heart into actually meeting anyone. She is still dealing with immense grief and guilt from the passing of her best friend.

George has everything he could want. He just got promoted at work, a job he loves and is very good at. His girlfriend pushes him in his career. Only now he is suffering from debilitating panic attacks and is in denial about what is causing them

Ashleigh and George don't know each other and have never met, but Georg has just hired Ashleigh as his cleaning lady for his apartment, and over their shared love of crosswords and some nosy neighbours they may realize they were what was missing in each other's lives

This book took me by surprise. This book is very much a slow burn, and has a heavy emphasis on self discovery and healing. Both characters are dating other people for a big chunk of the book but there is no cheating, physical or emotional of any kind. The aspect of crosswords was so nerdy and niche but I have been really into crosswords lately so it helped me connect so much to the story. The chemistry and respect both characters had with each other felt so natural. They both very much made the other a better person not by changing the other but by supporting and encouraging the other. It explored grief, adult friendships, work-life balance, and anxiety and panic attacks.

I love slow burn, but this book’s pace was too slow that I found it hard to get into. I appreciate the plot and the themes of grief and anxiety, but those early chapters with Ashleigh were excruciating at times plot-wise (scenes with Os and Carlos) and to really get into understanding her. Overall this was a good debut and I’d still read Eve Devon’s next book.

Thoroughly enjoyed this story and all it brought a long for the ride. Showing the damage what happened to people and how it impacts their future self was paramount, and exploring the boundaries of new friendships left something truly magical.

Everything in Ashleigh’s life is completely fine. Sure, she avoids conversations with her mother at all costs, but doesn’t everyone? And yes, she did turn down that promotion at work, but she loves her job just as it is, right? Oh, and she has had to ask her friends to set up dates for her, but New York dating is awful for everyone, isn’t it?

Easy read with fun characters and dual POV. I love a slow burn and friends to lovers story. However, I found some bits a bit repetitive.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I really wanted to love this one, but it wasn't for me. I couldn't get a good connection with the FMC and it think it just made most of the book unenjoyable for me. I usually want to root for the characters to get together and in this one, I just didn't.

*No public review because it was under 3 stars for me,*

Very nice book, easy read & enjoyable.
The story explores the change that love brings to us. Ashleigh & George meet when Ashleigh cleans his apartment. Their friendship grows through both of them going through difficulties in their lives. You could feel the warmth building between them & I loved that. It's something we all deserve in our lives.
Recommended read.

I did really like this book, it got me out of a bit of a reading slump. I was loving the characters and their no-nonsense approach to love. This made it very enjoyable to root for the characters while also focussing on other parts of the story. Loved it!

Tha k you NetGalley, Eve Devon, and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was sweet. It took some time to get into and I almost stopped 40% in. Glad I kept up. It’s a slow read and I think that’s what had me stalling a little bit. The characters were sweet and very likable!

Devon did such a wonderful job of handling the tough topic of grief in The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love. It's beautifully written and will break your heart and put it back together. Ashleigh and George are each in need of the other but have no idea, and it's so wonderful watching their stories play out. I loved this one!

I am really sad to say I just didn’t vibe with this one. It had all the premise, and the cover is cute af (which is what initially drew me into requesting it), it was just okay but very meh. A bit too slow paced for me and I couldn’t really get into it because of that, especially as the two MC’s don’t even meet until like halfway through the book, I was kind of already checked out by then :(

Ashleigh is recovering from a great loss and trying to rebuild her lonely life in New York while working as a cleaner. One of the apartments she cleans belongs to George, a workaholic Brit who just moved to New York to continue his career and relationship to the daughter of the advertising agency he works at. George is not okay and his apartment reflects that, so Ashleigh sets to giving it some personality. Along the way, they both realize they have a great love for crossword puzzles and it starts a conversation that quickly turns into a healing and supportive friendship.

I loved everything about this book. Two characters who are grieving and confused unexpectedly finding their match in each other makes for an incredibly romantic read. The fact that it happens first through a deep friendship as the basis of it is also marvelously endearing. Also, consider all the wonderful friendships and relationships that happen around them and you're in for a great time.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the wonderfully endearing read!

Everything in Ashleigh’s life is completely fine. Sure, she avoids conversations with her mother at all costs, but doesn’t everyone? And yes, she did turn down that promotion at work, but she loves her job just as it is, right? Oh, and she has had to ask her friends to set up dates for her, but New York dating is awful for everyone, isn’t it?

This was a quirky romance that also dealt with some serious issues as well. I enjoyed this book very much and will definitely read more by this author!

I voluntarily listened and reviewed an audio of this book via NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: May 24, 2024
Pages: 300

This a first time read by Eve Devon, new author to this reader. This was a sweet, slow burn romance between George and Ashleigh before getting to physically meet. Two likeable characters…Ashleigh who technically will not admit that this are not as good as they seem. She tends to close herself off when dealing with situations that gets too close to home. Then there is George who is not that handsome but believes his fix is through a promotion…something that may get rid of his panic attacks. With all their nuances, they somehow click on some level. When they finally meet, things go from good to bad. This was a wonderful and delightful read. I totally enjoyed it as it at times brought a smile to my face when reading. I like those kinds of reads…something about making you feel a bit comfy when reading. Kudos to Ms. Devon on getting me to like this first from her.

This book is wonderful, it’s remarkable. It will make your heart do so many things: hurt, weep, sigh, rejoice, beat so fast you think you’ll faint. Silly parts, serious parts, swoony parts, it has them all. A story so well plotted, well written, with well-developed characters that become special to you.

Ashleigh’s not in a very good place but she won’t admit it. She’s dealing with grief by wrapping herself up, closing herself off, like a once wide open, blooming, beautiful flower that has now regressed to a tight little bud that may never bloom again. She’s just fine, thank you very much, and she has a response for every challenge to that declaration. She only needs a date to a wedding, not a relationship, so what’s wrong with asking her friends to interview potential candidates for her? Nothing. It was the right thing to turn down that promotion and leave her job, because she has a different job now, one she loves and excels at. Perfect. And if she says all this to herself enough times it might just become true.

Ashleigh is a cleaner. And that’s how she meets George. Well, ‘meets’ is not exactly accurate. She cleans his apartment and through spending several hours a week in his space learns many things about him, gets to know him well.

George, on the other hand, doesn’t think he’s fine but he’s sure he’s got the solution to fix that. He just needs that promotion and those pesky panic attacks will stop. And unlike Ashleigh, he does have a relationship – with the boss’s daughter who will someday run the company, a driven, to the point woman to be sure, but she and George clicked at some level at one time – he moved from England to New York because of it, didn’t he – so the relationship must be great. Yep, great.

Both Ashleigh and George have a lot of history they aren’t quite dealing with. His apartment is so tidy and clean he hardly needs a cleaner, but something about her being there (when he’s not) just feels kind of good.

They do eventually meet, and things seem good, then bad, then awful, then who knows what this is. Crosswords play a charming part in this story – wait for 7,2,4,4,3. You’ll love it. Bakery owners Oswald and Carlos of Oscars are delightful, caring, protective friends. Mrs. Lundy – Hildy – has some valuable insight and advice. And George’s romance speak? #MakesYourHeartFlutter.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers UK, One More Chapter for providing an advance copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love via NetGalley, and giving me one of the most enjoyable, smile-provoking, heartwarming stories I have read in a long time. Author Eve Devon has done a fantastic job in portraying people coping with loss and fear, trying valiantly to work their way through, buoyed by friends and family and provided a very, very, very satisfactory ending. I will definitely be reading more by this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Gosh this was such a cutie! I loved that it was funny while still being able to touch on difficult topics.

The crosswords were such an interesting way for Ashley & George to build their connection. I thought it was unique and fun. I didn't really like the slow-burn aspect of this. I feel that the book was a little drawn out because it touched a lot on Geroge's previous relationship which could have been better used to build on Ashleigh and George instead. Same with Asheligh's relationship with Zach, it felt unnecessary to me.

Overall this book was very cute! There was some good humor so it definitely made me laugh! Giving this 3.5 stars! I would recommend it for an easy, quick read!

I absolutely loved this story and found George and Ashleigh to be lovely characters.

Ashleigh leaves her safe career and sets up as a cleaner and finds that it truly makes her happy cleaning for other people she then gets a new client George and it seems like George really doesn't need a cleaner as his apartment is spotless.

I adored how it was a crossword that brought them together and loved the little notes they left for one another.

The story dealt with heavier topics such as grief and anxiety and I felt it was done very well and loved how they supported each other through their struggles

Loved it! Highly recommend

Ashleigh is a successful cleaner who takes pride in her work and enjoys the sense of control and order her role gives her. George moved to New York in the wake of his girlfriend and should be living the dream, but lately, his life has given him more anxiety than fulfilment. When Ashleigh becomes his new cleaner, they have no connection, but gradually, their lives entwine and make them consider what they truly want. The cast of characters is quirky but believable, and their dynamic is complex and relatable. This contemporary love story insightfully explores the life-limiting aspects of anxiety and how it can define a person. It's an emotional read taking you on a rollercoaster of ups and downs and everything in between. I like the characters, the dialogue's pace and variety and the engaging balance of humour and romance. It's a lovely read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

‘The Life-Changing Magic of Falling In Love’ by Eve Devon is a beautifully emotional slow burn romance told in dual POV by cleaner Ashleigh and her favourite client, ad exec George. Though the two don’t meet for a large chunk of the book, they bond over a shared love of crosswords and their mutual warmth and sense of humour. Throw in a meddling elderly neighbour, British traditions, some fake dating and two matchmaking best friends who run a bakery, and that’s the recipe for a love story that’s just my cup of tea.

I really enjoyed the scenes at George’s workplace and the way he reflected on what really made him happy, and I related to his Briticisms. Ashleigh was a likeable character and the way her life story was revealed slowly throughout the novel made her incredibly interesting. Her dating disasters and inner voice were hilarious and her defence mechanisms were heartbreaking. I loved the two of them together and enjoyed their “10 Down, fairytale ending, 7,4,5”.

Giving this 4.5 stars and would recommend to fans of Elena Armas, Abby Jimenez and Falon Ballard!

I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Harper Collins, One More Chapter via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

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