How Not to Fall in Love, Actually

The main character in this novel is a woman named Emma, who works in television, but it isn't as glamorous as it is cracked up to be.
She is in a relationship with Ned, who, although a very decent sort of gent, doesn't contribute anything financially to their relationship as he is always trying to come up with new ideas that will hopefully make him a fortune. Sadly, up until this point, his ventures have proven fruitless.
When Emma discovers that she is pregnant, she goes into panic mode.
She decides that she is better off just being friends with Ned, quits her job, (blame the pregnancy hormones!), and realises that she doesn't have all that much time to create an environment that is stable for not only herself, but for when her little bundle of joy arrives.
After her grandmother passes away, Emma is left a share of her home. (Her sister Alex is the other beneficiary but is busy travelling the world helping out those less fortunate in third world countries.)
Emma moves into the home, and is introduced to her adorable, quirky octogenarian neighbour, Harriet, who, along with her Doberman Brutus, sees it her duty to protect the neighbourhood from criminals and any unusual behaviour in the area.
She is just one of the many characters that I adored.
The way that Catherine describes each character gives them real personality; I could picture every single character in my mind.
There's Alex, Emma's sister, as I have mentioned. She is Emma's best friend and a great support for her sister.Their bond reminded me of the relationship I have with my sisters. That unconditional, non-judgemental, but tell-you-how-it-is relationship.
There's Emma's mum, Diana, who wears designer brands, and never has a hair out of place. But behind it all, she has Emma's best interests at heart, and I adored her. Plus, her efforts to maintain her youthfulness really had me laughing out loud. (Colonic irrigation anyone?!)
We also meet Joe, who shows up drunk on Emma's doorstep one night, and who ends up becoming her accidental tenant. Joe added a lot of heart to the story, and whilst I was wary of him at the start, we soon discover that he is a real gentleman.
There are many more great characters in this story, which left a lasting impression after I had finished the book.
I felt that Emma's journey through her pregnancy was paced well, and accurate. I could especially relate to the labour scene, as it was very similar to my experience.
This is a really heart-warming and delightful story that I'm sure many of you will enjoy.

This was a highly entertaining book with some definite laugh out loud moments - it actually for me is four and half stars of well worth readingness.

Emma is a truly fascinating character who is surrounded with a group of characters that are completely unforgettable. She works in television as an assistant director and life is fairly ordinary. There is work, there is home, there is work again. Emma's partner, Ned, is not the most regular of guys - always chasing the next great idea for the best invention or scheme of all times. Just as Emma realises that their relationship has reached its used by date and tosses Ned out, she also becomes aware that she is pregnant.

From this point on this book becomes a complete rollercoaster of a read as Emma careers from one minor setback to another including Ned clearing out her bank account and nearly sleeping with a marrried man while very pregnant on a zombie film set. This book has it all: supportive sister, slightly eccentric mother, the nosy neighbour, a horde of cute but precocious kids and a new potential love interest (not the married man). You do become quite attached to Emma as you hope she finds some semblance of normality and sorts the whole adulting thing out before the bump becomes a living breathing human.

Absolutely find a corner to hide with this book where you won't be disturbed, break out the tim tams and the pot of tea and laugh yourself silly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon& Schuster for the opportunity to become immersed in Emma's world.