BLOG TOUR Review: My Year of Saying No by Maxine Morrey

My Year of Saying No by Maxine Morrey

Synopsis:

Lottie Wentworth has never been more pleased to hear Big Ben ring in the new year and wave goodbye to The Year of Saying Yes!

When a long-term relationship ended, her best friend’s scheme to get Lottie back in the swing of things seemed like a good idea. She’s kept her promise to Jess to see it through but, as a lover of the quiet life, Lottie couldn’t be happier to say hello to a brand new year – The Year of Saying No!

Unfortunately, the one thing she still seems unable to say no to is the crush she has on her best client and now friend, Army veteran, Seb Marshall. But she’s working on it, and with rescue dog Humphrey at her side, she knows that she’ll manage just fine.

Lottie’s decision to stop trying to please everyone has brought a sense of relief beyond what she had expected. Her actions and determination have also begun to send ripples throughout her life and those closest to her, bringing about changes none of them could have expected.

But will all those changes be for the good? Readers love Maxine Morrey’s books:
‘A stunning, perfect novel – it literally took my breath away.’ The Writing Garnet, 5 stars

‘A warm hug of a book.’ Rachel’s Random Reads, 5 stars

‘Maxine Morrey has easily become one of my favourite authors. I love the characters she creates in her books.’

‘A glorious love story for the modern age with a message we all need to hear….be wholly and authentically you. I loved every word.’

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Publication Date: April 16th, 2020

Publisher: Boldwood Books

 

My Rating:    

 

My Favourite Quote: *subject to change*

“You’re the quiet sort, but I get the feeling you’re a little bit like a swan–there’s a lot going on that nobody sees.”

Links: Goodreads, Amazon (This is an affiliate link, so if you choose to purchase the book via this link, I could earn a small commission. This is absolutely free for you and also, no pressure!)

 

My Review

A big shoutout to Rachel’s Random Resources and the the publisher, Boldwood Books, for including me in the blog tour and providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. 

I cannot stress enough, how much I related to the protagonist of this story. Be it her introverted needs—like staying at home, choosing to say no to things so on so forth—that all her other friends think isn’t a good sign. People automatically presume that staying in is a boring, unhealthy or unproductive thing to do. I love how much the heroine—though I wish she didn’t have to—stands up, even gently, for herself and her choices. I adored her very very much and I teared up at the same moments she did and enjoyed being inside her head so much! It was a safe and loving place to be.

The rapport and friendship between the protagonists was just so heartwarming. It’s not always easy to write about a friendship that’s already developed, especially between a hero and heroine, BUT, Maxine has nailed it. I felt from the first page how amazingly connected, relaxed and comfortable they were with one another. Seb and Lottie were fantastic friends before they were anything else and I’m going to add MYoSN to my now growing list of books that speak of real and gentle love stories that are just so heart-warming and uplifting to read.

The story flows almost tenderly but without feeling forced or slow, the characters find their balance in their own lives and with one another, clearing the air on their pain and misconceptions and encasing the other with love and appreciation.

My only issue, the smallest, is where I felt I wasn’t wholly convinced by the last issue that came up. Maxine had spoiled me by handing issues very well and taking care of my emotions that I would like for them to be, that I expected the same thing at every turn of the page.

Four stars! This was a definite definite feel good book with a clean romance that I would highly recommend to anyone—especially given the difficult times, this is something you can allow yourself to get lost in and cry happy tears.

Do make sure to check out the other blog tour stops for My Year of Saying No! Happy reading and say safe!

 

About Maxine Morrey

Maxine has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember and wrote her first (very short) book for school when she was ten. Coming in first, she won a handful of book tokens – perfect for a bookworm!

As years went by, she continued to write, but ‘normal’ work often got in the way. She has written articles on a variety of subjects, as well as a book on Brighton for a Local History publisher. However, novels are what she loves writing the most. After self publishing her first novel when a contract fell through, thanks to the recession, she continued to look for opportunities.

In August 2015, she won Harper Collins/Carina UK’s ‘Write Christmas’ competition with her romantic comedy, ‘Winter’s Fairytale’.

Maxine lives on the south coast of England, and when not wrangling with words loves to read sew and listen to podcasts. As she also likes cake she can also be found either walking or doing something vaguely physical at the gym.

 

Connect with Maxine

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