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.

A romance set in New York . George is in a relationship and Ashleigh is dating with a man who does not want commitment. Both have other issues in their lives. Ashleigh is now working for a cleaning company and is the cleaner at George's appartment. Although they have never met, they establish a relationship through notes and setting each other crossword clues. When they do meet, they share the problems (Ashleigh over the grief she feels after the death of her best friend and George over health issues) and build up a friendship.
A quick and easy read , emotions are dealt with well and there isn't too much of the filling in emotions for the other one which you see sometimes in these books. The plot is fairly predictable, but is a nice read.
Thanks to Net galley for the ARC

Not only does this story showcase the magic of falling in love, it also showcases the magic in the every day. In community. In healing. It was such a joy to read. Real life can be messy and mundane and also have goodness in both. I loved George and Ashleigh and their anxieties and growth, and love of crosswords. This wasn’t a dramatic story, or thrilling, and could use some spice. But it was perfect for a nice little read and I’’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends.

Thank you NetGalley and the OMC team for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this story. I felt like I knew the characters and their story was just one interesting journey that I would like to take again and again.

Today I’m reviewing The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love by Eve Devon. In this contemporary romance, we follow house cleaner, Ashleigh, who is has everyone’s best interest in mind, except her own. When Ashleigh is assigned a new client, she takes it, like she would any other assignment with pure excitement and the thrill of cleaning a new home. But Ashleigh isn’t ready for the quiet and reserved George, a marketing director who begins to question his life choices after a panic attack during a work meeting that could make or break his upcoming promotion.

What I Loved About it:
This was a heartwarming book. I loved that Ashleigh was a kind person to a fault. That she had everyone’s best interests in mind, and tended to set hers aside to ensure those around her are happy. She’s not a people pleaser by any means, just a good person. And when George’s relationship goes up in flames, it was so sweet to have Ashleigh there to help him put his life back together.

What Didn’t Work:
I think with a bit of editing this one could have been really good. I felt there was too much focus on side characters relationships, which didn’t move the story (i.e.. Ashleigh and George’s story) along. I also felt that there wasn’t a clear break between George and his ex. I had no idea they broke up and even George seemed perplexed when they finally had the talk about their ending relationship.

But overall, this is a good romance.

If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up book about workplace-ish romance, adorable crossword puzzle banter, two people trying to find their happy place, then give this one a try.

Happy Read

this book was a super cute, light romance story. the characters were fun and at times quirky, and the main couple were easy to root for!

parts of the book felt a bit unnecessary for the plot, and at times felt a bit jumbled, but overall a cute & quick read!

Ashleigh works for a cleaning agency, whilst George lives in a flat that she cleans. Although they haven't met they start leaving notes about their mutual love of crosswords.
Again this is a quiet book, slow paced but that suited the subject. It does have as a centre of its story panic attacks, and how debilitating they can be, which I also have personal experience of, and I thought that it described them really well without overplaying them. Both Ashleigh and George come across as likeable characters, although both with histories that continue to affect them. You do root for them to get together, but things are never straightforward, but you'll have to wait and see. In summary a book that I did enjoy, with some humorous moments to counterbalance some of the darker ones.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book and I subsequently purchased it on release.

The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love by Eve Devon is a light-hearted and sweet rom-com!
The book itself is really well written and I loved the characters.
It's a fresh, light reading with attractive, very well-written strong characters. 
I can’t wait to read more from Devon in the future!

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!