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Beg, Borrow or Steal #3
Anything But Easy
Kira Murphy is a liability: always has been. She might be small but her personality and heart are not: a sexual health doctor with a foul mouth, pink streaks in her hair, a bizarre world view, a reputation for being ‘pathologically social’, and a huge crush on the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth . . . she’s weird and lovable in equal measure.
The last thing Barclay Lucas needs is a liability. He’s made it into the cabinet with single-minded determination, sheer grit, and serious conservatism. But then a crazy, pink-haired, tiny dynamo turns his life upside-down and serious for Barclay is a thing of the past.
But he’s never liked feeling out of control – something he experiences with Kira on a daily basis. So he pushes her away when she needs him the most, and unfortunately for him she retreats at head-spinning speed. It’s only then he realizes that although being with Kira is anything but easy, the grey, boring alternative is far worse. He’ll have to use all his hard-earned political negotiating and maneuvering skills to get her back. Because after being dragged from black and white into full Technicolor with Kira, Barclay knows that, however serious and worthy his life is, he can’t live it without her.
Anything but Easy is an opposites attract, full-length romantic comedy.
The last thing Barclay Lucas needs is a liability. He’s made it into the cabinet with single-minded determination, sheer grit, and serious conservatism. But then a crazy, pink-haired, tiny dynamo turns his life upside-down and serious for Barclay is a thing of the past.
But he’s never liked feeling out of control – something he experiences with Kira on a daily basis. So he pushes her away when she needs him the most, and unfortunately for him she retreats at head-spinning speed. It’s only then he realizes that although being with Kira is anything but easy, the grey, boring alternative is far worse. He’ll have to use all his hard-earned political negotiating and maneuvering skills to get her back. Because after being dragged from black and white into full Technicolor with Kira, Barclay knows that, however serious and worthy his life is, he can’t live it without her.
Anything but Easy is an opposites attract, full-length romantic comedy.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2020
About the author
Susie Tate
22 books2,597 followersSusie is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author who writes addictive, feel-good contemporary romance with heroes who may make you a little ragey, but who always redeem themselves in the end! She’s been a doctor in the NHS for over twenty years and lives in beautiful Dorset with her wonderful husband, three gorgeous boys and an even more wonderful dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 510 reviews
October 21, 2020
I had high hopes for this one because I thought the plot seemed intriguing and the cover is just too fun!!! But... there were parts of this that ticked me off so much that I had to stop and do something else to calm down. I’d say up to about 70%, give or take, it was a five star read for me!! I love quirky Kira, her nicknames are awesome, definitely stealing a couple of those!! But then that last 30% tanked for me and I was super irritated about what was going on.
I know I should just get over it because everything seems fine in the end but,... that’s how situations like this usually look like from the outside. Just saying.
I’m probably in the minority, but I don’t recommend this one. I love the writing and this definitely had some great humor, but I can’t get past the chauvinistic behavior. I would, however, be interested in see what else Tate has written.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Check out this review and others on my Blog: https://shannarareads.com/?p=154
I know I should just get over it because everything seems fine in the end but,... that’s how situations like this usually look like from the outside. Just saying.
I’m probably in the minority, but I don’t recommend this one. I love the writing and this definitely had some great humor, but I can’t get past the chauvinistic behavior. I would, however, be interested in see what else Tate has written.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Check out this review and others on my Blog: https://shannarareads.com/?p=154
September 19, 2020
4 Stars
I bloody loved this book.
I won't lie, the heroine irritated me in the beginning. She was too much. I wanted to give up on the book but I liked the hero and I liked the originality. As the story progressed I found it harder and harder to stop reading and started liking the heroine more and more. In the end, I fell in love with her.
I don't know why I stopped reading British authors, they are the reason I started reading books in English in the first place. I love British humour with its sarcasm, quirkiness, creativity and originality. Not everybody can understand it. And not everybody will love this heroine. I consider myself lucky.
I bloody loved this book.
I won't lie, the heroine irritated me in the beginning. She was too much. I wanted to give up on the book but I liked the hero and I liked the originality. As the story progressed I found it harder and harder to stop reading and started liking the heroine more and more. In the end, I fell in love with her.
I don't know why I stopped reading British authors, they are the reason I started reading books in English in the first place. I love British humour with its sarcasm, quirkiness, creativity and originality. Not everybody can understand it. And not everybody will love this heroine. I consider myself lucky.
March 26, 2021
The first half was really good but the heroine was way too much rainbow and sunshine for me while the hero is just a typical broody guy. Also, the action hero took towards the end did not make sense, and I hope there was more groveling.
September 7, 2021
While not marked as a series, there are enough "other couples" that I dug a bit. It turns out that Tate is one of those authors who jumbles all of her novels into a shared world context. This one has characters from Limits and Beg, Borrow or Steal and I can't tell the timing of it, but Maid for Advertising is there, too. I'd say to read those others first, but I don't know if that's actually a good thing, as I hated at least one of them rather passionately.
I'm glad I had forgotten how much I hated Beg, Borrow or Steal because I was able to enjoy the merits of this one, such as they are, without conflating it with those negative feelings. Kira was a joy, frankly. She's nearly a manic-pixie-dream-girl, or, at least, that is the basis of the character in a lot of ways. Only, she's organized and careful so she's at the heart of various charities and accomplishes quite a lot when nobody is paying attention. But her effect on Barclay is very much that "loosening up the stiff" kind of thing you get with the trope.
So it's a little surface, but I like that kind of story and I liked seeing them connect and be a centering influence on each other. Plus, I liked that Tate played against expectation by making him explicitly a middle-center Tory and she managed to make most of the political surrounds human without banging drums (for either side). Though it's cheating a little to make fusion the magic thing that both works and crosses party lines. So maybe that's not so well-done? I dunno, maybe that's a bit surface as well.
Sigh. At any rate, Barclay is all surface all the way down and I'm most disappointed in him as a character. I mean, I love that he's enchanted by Kira and that he lets her into his world. And I loved the care for his brother that brings them into contact. But he spends their relationship in a bit of a selfish place and that remains constant for most of the story. So it's all about him and he doesn't bother asking what he's bringing to her or what she might be struggling with that he can help or what her joys and triumphs are. And that bugged me. A lot.
And then the dark moment happened and Barclay buried the jerk needle like he was the world champion jerk reclaiming his jerk title from the Russians in a jerk-based sports movie (starring Sylvester Jerklone, obviously). Seriously, I couldn't believe he went there and pretty much destroyed Kira. I'm afraid I spent the rest of the story going, "Can Tate actually pull off a recovery from this?" And the answer is, if you don't dig below the surface, maybe?
So you probably caught all the "surface" above and know where this conclusion is going. It's entertaining. And parts of it stood out. And Kira had me laughing out loud a few times. But that's only going to get you three stars and I wish it had been more . . . more.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple explicit sex scenes putting this on the low end of my steam tolerance. They aren't long and future shenanigans are behind closed doors. Which, now I think on it, was a real missed opportunity to show trust and intimacy that, frankly, this story needed.
I'm glad I had forgotten how much I hated Beg, Borrow or Steal because I was able to enjoy the merits of this one, such as they are, without conflating it with those negative feelings. Kira was a joy, frankly. She's nearly a manic-pixie-dream-girl, or, at least, that is the basis of the character in a lot of ways. Only, she's organized and careful so she's at the heart of various charities and accomplishes quite a lot when nobody is paying attention. But her effect on Barclay is very much that "loosening up the stiff" kind of thing you get with the trope.
So it's a little surface, but I like that kind of story and I liked seeing them connect and be a centering influence on each other. Plus, I liked that Tate played against expectation by making him explicitly a middle-center Tory and she managed to make most of the political surrounds human without banging drums (for either side). Though it's cheating a little to make fusion the magic thing that both works and crosses party lines. So maybe that's not so well-done? I dunno, maybe that's a bit surface as well.
Sigh. At any rate, Barclay is all surface all the way down and I'm most disappointed in him as a character. I mean, I love that he's enchanted by Kira and that he lets her into his world. And I loved the care for his brother that brings them into contact. But he spends their relationship in a bit of a selfish place and that remains constant for most of the story. So it's all about him and he doesn't bother asking what he's bringing to her or what she might be struggling with that he can help or what her joys and triumphs are. And that bugged me. A lot.
And then the dark moment happened and Barclay buried the jerk needle like he was the world champion jerk reclaiming his jerk title from the Russians in a jerk-based sports movie (starring Sylvester Jerklone, obviously). Seriously, I couldn't believe he went there and pretty much destroyed Kira. I'm afraid I spent the rest of the story going, "Can Tate actually pull off a recovery from this?" And the answer is, if you don't dig below the surface, maybe?
So you probably caught all the "surface" above and know where this conclusion is going. It's entertaining. And parts of it stood out. And Kira had me laughing out loud a few times. But that's only going to get you three stars and I wish it had been more . . . more.
A note about Steamy: There are a couple explicit sex scenes putting this on the low end of my steam tolerance. They aren't long and future shenanigans are behind closed doors. Which, now I think on it, was a real missed opportunity to show trust and intimacy that, frankly, this story needed.
October 9, 2021
Barclay Lucas is a bit boring but super handsome and also a well-intentioned politician. (There are so few of those in real life that kudos to fictional him for his political integrity.) As the current English Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, he's well known to the general English populace and our heroine Kira Murphy is no exception. She has been watching him from afar (mostly on TV) and crushing on him for some time.
Kira is a sexual health doctor. She's also quirky, extroverted, unfiltered, full of life and she tells it like it is and takes no nonsense from anybody. If any character in a book deserved the title Manic Pixie Dream Girl, it's Kira. She's over the top, dresses colorfully, says what she means, and, apparently, everybody loves her.
Barclay and Kira finally do meet, as it happens, at the sexual health clinic where she works. Barclay's younger brother Henry has been recently diagnosed with HIV and he's extremely depressed, has given up on life and is not taking his meds. Well, Kira is having none of that and manages to get through to him. Barclay is grateful and wants her to continue helping Henry.
So there it is. A romance between a tightly controlled, conservative, serious politician and a quirky, almost out-of-control pixie woman. Will these two ever get on the same page? Will she loosen him up or will he try to tighten her into a controlled "normal" person? Will being with her ruin his political future? If they do want a future together, will she have to become the typical politician's wife and lose herself in the process?
That's all for me to know and you to find out. This is an entertaining romance. It's a rom com but has some serious moments, in particular with regard to (a) Henry's HIV diagnosis, (b) the reason for Barclay's excessive seriousness, and (c) a problem Kira is having at the clinic with her supervisor.
I enjoyed this and felt that the characters were pretty well developed and not as cookie cutter as they might have been. No higher than three stars for the story, however. Kira and her mother were just a bit too OTT for me.
Kira is a sexual health doctor. She's also quirky, extroverted, unfiltered, full of life and she tells it like it is and takes no nonsense from anybody. If any character in a book deserved the title Manic Pixie Dream Girl, it's Kira. She's over the top, dresses colorfully, says what she means, and, apparently, everybody loves her.
Barclay and Kira finally do meet, as it happens, at the sexual health clinic where she works. Barclay's younger brother Henry has been recently diagnosed with HIV and he's extremely depressed, has given up on life and is not taking his meds. Well, Kira is having none of that and manages to get through to him. Barclay is grateful and wants her to continue helping Henry.
So there it is. A romance between a tightly controlled, conservative, serious politician and a quirky, almost out-of-control pixie woman. Will these two ever get on the same page? Will she loosen him up or will he try to tighten her into a controlled "normal" person? Will being with her ruin his political future? If they do want a future together, will she have to become the typical politician's wife and lose herself in the process?
That's all for me to know and you to find out. This is an entertaining romance. It's a rom com but has some serious moments, in particular with regard to (a) Henry's HIV diagnosis, (b) the reason for Barclay's excessive seriousness, and (c) a problem Kira is having at the clinic with her supervisor.
I enjoyed this and felt that the characters were pretty well developed and not as cookie cutter as they might have been. No higher than three stars for the story, however. Kira and her mother were just a bit too OTT for me.
September 16, 2020
Wooohoooo!!!
Let me tell you, I have never loved a female character like I loved Dr Kira Murphy...., well, as of lately, that is...
A for that alone, I give 5 stars...
I laughed out loud, smirked and snorted occasionally too...
right up my alley as the story development goes, characterisation too...the pacing was slower than I expected for this type of story BUT it was not really a major issue for me and it didn't ruin anything, it slowed it down but that's something I can live with! LOL
Let me tell you, I have never loved a female character like I loved Dr Kira Murphy...., well, as of lately, that is...
A for that alone, I give 5 stars...
I laughed out loud, smirked and snorted occasionally too...
right up my alley as the story development goes, characterisation too...the pacing was slower than I expected for this type of story BUT it was not really a major issue for me and it didn't ruin anything, it slowed it down but that's something I can live with! LOL
February 2, 2021
Audio - 5 Stars
Story 3.75 Stars
Story 3.75 Stars
June 24, 2020
This book wasn't for me.
Kira was so annoying, unprofessional, quite offensive at times and all together too much.
And the nicknames were horrid.
ARC.
Kira was so annoying, unprofessional, quite offensive at times and all together too much.
And the nicknames were horrid.
ARC.
February 25, 2021
I don't know, but I definitely didn't love it. Maybe not even liked it.
This was anything but an easy read.
I found this so problematic somehow?!?!? Barclay was pretty stalkerish, and constantly throwing his weight around. I didn't like the way he didn't even seem to realise he was insulting Kira, and believing the first person who said anything bad about her.
I also didn't love Kira.....what grown woman living alone lives in a house where the door doesn't lock, and is constantly burgled?!?!?! And her being weird to a certain degree is okay....I felt her weirdness and quirkiness were overdone in this book.
I also didn't like the constant nothing-but-sex-on-these-two's-minds thing. seriously, do you think of nothing but sex?!?!??And I didn't like that their relationship was almost completely based on nothing but sex?!?! Like, do you even know things that you should about each other!?!?
Barcley's overprotective alphahole behaviour was seriously making me start hating him, and remember that pushing away talked about in the synopsis?? That happens in the last 50 pages. Which is around 200 pages after when I wanted it.
Beyond all of that, this was a typical rom-com, but dialed up a bit with the enthusiasm....I was exhausted after I read this.
The parts about Sex Education and its importance were pretty good, and I liked how Kira didn't mind promoting it, but in some places I found it a bit inappropriate?
It was okay, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a light and funny read, and does not mind the slightly overprotective trope done too well.
This was anything but an easy read.
I found this so problematic somehow?!?!? Barclay was pretty stalkerish, and constantly throwing his weight around. I didn't like the way he didn't even seem to realise he was insulting Kira, and believing the first person who said anything bad about her.
I also didn't love Kira.....what grown woman living alone lives in a house where the door doesn't lock, and is constantly burgled?!?!?! And her being weird to a certain degree is okay....I felt her weirdness and quirkiness were overdone in this book.
I also didn't like the constant nothing-but-sex-on-these-two's-minds thing. seriously, do you think of nothing but sex?!?!??And I didn't like that their relationship was almost completely based on nothing but sex?!?! Like, do you even know things that you should about each other!?!?
Barcley's overprotective alphahole behaviour was seriously making me start hating him, and remember that pushing away talked about in the synopsis?? That happens in the last 50 pages. Which is around 200 pages after when I wanted it.
Beyond all of that, this was a typical rom-com, but dialed up a bit with the enthusiasm....I was exhausted after I read this.
The parts about Sex Education and its importance were pretty good, and I liked how Kira didn't mind promoting it, but in some places I found it a bit inappropriate?
It was okay, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a light and funny read, and does not mind the slightly overprotective trope done too well.
February 5, 2022
An Ok Read
Moments that made me smile but Barclay took way too long to get his head out of his ass and was to self-absorbed.
Issues of workplace sexual harassment and bullying emerge as themes in this book
Acquired via KU.
Moments that made me smile but Barclay took way too long to get his head out of his ass and was to self-absorbed.
Issues of workplace sexual harassment and bullying emerge as themes in this book
Acquired via KU.
August 23, 2020
Ok ... this book ... this book it's hilarious! I had so much fun reading it. The first half I was literally laughing out loud and the second half it was center more in serious subjects but I still enjoyed it so much.
So, we have Kira Murphy who specializes in genito Urinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases (a sex health doctor it's how she describes herself) and then we have this serious and dedicated politician, Barclay Lucas. And as you must expect these two have nothing in common and they are the definition of opposites which only makes everything more fun to read.
I gotta say that I loved Kira, she is one of the weirdest characters out there with an unique sense of humor and I can understand how she can be a little too much for some people but I loved her. She is the kind of person that brings happiness to everyone and takes care of everybody but forgets to take care of herself which drives Barclay crazy.
Overall it's was a great read. I had a good time reading it and I really liked how the author includes sensitive matters through the book.
I got this as an ARC. Thank you netgalley for giving me a digital copy of this book.
So, we have Kira Murphy who specializes in genito Urinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases (a sex health doctor it's how she describes herself) and then we have this serious and dedicated politician, Barclay Lucas. And as you must expect these two have nothing in common and they are the definition of opposites which only makes everything more fun to read.
I gotta say that I loved Kira, she is one of the weirdest characters out there with an unique sense of humor and I can understand how she can be a little too much for some people but I loved her. She is the kind of person that brings happiness to everyone and takes care of everybody but forgets to take care of herself which drives Barclay crazy.
Overall it's was a great read. I had a good time reading it and I really liked how the author includes sensitive matters through the book.
I got this as an ARC. Thank you netgalley for giving me a digital copy of this book.
September 14, 2020
I'm sure that I'm about the millionth person to say this, I've been in a reading slump. It's not really the lack of good books.
It's the difficulty focusing. & relaxing to read for fun. I've been reading a few good books lately, so it's been getting better. I just needed a mood builder. I was telling my husband that I wanted a book like the 2 that I'd read by this British author (Susie Tate) a couple years ago-. that really touched my heart. They were funny, sweet and romantic.I was on Netgalley a few weeks ago & I saw that this book was available!. I grabbed it right away. I loved the blurb. I needed to read this.
I just love an opposites attract/growly-grumpy Hero.(Barclay) & Free-spirit Heroine Kira
The Heroine, Kira is a force to be reckoned with. Kira is a Doctor in training. She's so wacky and unconventional. She has a way with her patients. One of them, Henry, isn't doing very well with his treatment. He's non-compliant in taking his meds. He's depressed and has just about lost hope.
Kira helps him get back on track. She meets his brother Barclay.. There's a spark between them.
Barclay is a politician & is all serious.- until he meets Kira. She breaks down a lot of his barriers. He can't resist Kira's sunshiny personality.
If you liked the book, by Christina Lauren: "Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating", then you might like this.
In real life, I've met a few free spirited people like Kira. I've learned not to turn my back on them. In this book, though, Kira really and truly is a nice person. Some of her antics bothered me. Her apartment situation, The cell phone resistance (she's a Doctor!);, the too short skirts-even at work & out for special occasions.. Those minor points were over-shadowed by how much I liked this couple and their story.
I wanted to have one person especially have his consequence spelled out more.To get what he deserved! I laughed at a lot of Kira's situations,but there was a serious point in the story that really got to me.
I loved the ending-omg. So funny and original. I'm not spoiling too much when I say Barclay really is a great guy.
Hint: I was reminded a little bit of Outlander opening credits and of that movie Love Actually.
Great supporting characters- I loved Henry, Sam, Libby (from "Beg, Borrow or Steal"); Pav & Millie (from the book "Limits") & Rosie-Libby's daughter.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC, this is out now on Kindle Unlimited.
It's the difficulty focusing. & relaxing to read for fun. I've been reading a few good books lately, so it's been getting better. I just needed a mood builder. I was telling my husband that I wanted a book like the 2 that I'd read by this British author (Susie Tate) a couple years ago-. that really touched my heart. They were funny, sweet and romantic.I was on Netgalley a few weeks ago & I saw that this book was available!. I grabbed it right away. I loved the blurb. I needed to read this.
I just love an opposites attract/growly-grumpy Hero.(Barclay) & Free-spirit Heroine Kira
The Heroine, Kira is a force to be reckoned with. Kira is a Doctor in training. She's so wacky and unconventional. She has a way with her patients. One of them, Henry, isn't doing very well with his treatment. He's non-compliant in taking his meds. He's depressed and has just about lost hope.
Kira helps him get back on track. She meets his brother Barclay.. There's a spark between them.
Barclay is a politician & is all serious.- until he meets Kira. She breaks down a lot of his barriers. He can't resist Kira's sunshiny personality.
If you liked the book, by Christina Lauren: "Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating", then you might like this.
In real life, I've met a few free spirited people like Kira. I've learned not to turn my back on them. In this book, though, Kira really and truly is a nice person. Some of her antics bothered me. Her apartment situation, The cell phone resistance (she's a Doctor!);, the too short skirts-even at work & out for special occasions.. Those minor points were over-shadowed by how much I liked this couple and their story.
I wanted to have one person especially have his consequence spelled out more.To get what he deserved! I laughed at a lot of Kira's situations,but there was a serious point in the story that really got to me.
I loved the ending-omg. So funny and original. I'm not spoiling too much when I say Barclay really is a great guy.
Hint: I was reminded a little bit of Outlander opening credits and of that movie Love Actually.
Great supporting characters- I loved Henry, Sam, Libby (from "Beg, Borrow or Steal"); Pav & Millie (from the book "Limits") & Rosie-Libby's daughter.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC, this is out now on Kindle Unlimited.
August 9, 2022
4 stars. Look, this is a good story, but definitely not for readers who don’t like a “quirky” heroine. Her quirkiness is definitely taken way too far at times, to a ridiculous extent. She’s somewhat a hippy, with no filter, extremely fun-loving, and not at all the type of woman that the politician hero should be pursuing.
The hero seeks out the heroine after she helps his brother at a sexual health clinic where she works as a doctor. His brother had been diagnosed with HIV and was not taking his pills because he didn’t see the point of continuing on with his life. The heroine helps his brother gain a better perspective and so the hero approaches her to keep seeing his brother privately. The heroine is absolutely against this, but she says she will agree to see his brother as a friend, not for pay. After one visit where she gets drunk with the hero’s brother, the heroine ends up staying the night. When the media catches her leaving his house in the morning, the hero’s campaign manager decides that a fake relationship with the heroine would be good for the hero’s tight-laced image. She agrees to play along, but the hero soon develops very real feelings for her. He does do a lot of pushing away because she isn’t suitable relationship material for a politician. But he eventually pulls his head out of his ass and grovels and they get suuuch a sweet HEA ending.
I really enjoyed this author’s writing thus far, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by her soon.
Safe; no virgins, no OW drama although there are some comparisons made between the heroine and the hero’s exes (didn’t really bother me). No cheating, no scenes with OM/OW, OM drama from the heroine’s boss who hit on her and sexually harassed her in the office. His actions did cause a rift between the MCs.
The hero seeks out the heroine after she helps his brother at a sexual health clinic where she works as a doctor. His brother had been diagnosed with HIV and was not taking his pills because he didn’t see the point of continuing on with his life. The heroine helps his brother gain a better perspective and so the hero approaches her to keep seeing his brother privately. The heroine is absolutely against this, but she says she will agree to see his brother as a friend, not for pay. After one visit where she gets drunk with the hero’s brother, the heroine ends up staying the night. When the media catches her leaving his house in the morning, the hero’s campaign manager decides that a fake relationship with the heroine would be good for the hero’s tight-laced image. She agrees to play along, but the hero soon develops very real feelings for her. He does do a lot of pushing away because she isn’t suitable relationship material for a politician. But he eventually pulls his head out of his ass and grovels and they get suuuch a sweet HEA ending.
I really enjoyed this author’s writing thus far, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by her soon.
Safe; no virgins, no OW drama although there are some comparisons made between the heroine and the hero’s exes (didn’t really bother me). No cheating, no scenes with OM/OW, OM drama from the heroine’s boss who hit on her and sexually harassed her in the office. His actions did cause a rift between the MCs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
I love it when an author knows her romance tropes, and here both the author and the heroine embrace a fundamental: the fake relationship.
Anyway, they’ve suggested that you . . . sort of pretend that . . .” He trailed off and bit his lip.
It was so sexy I very nearly jumped him. I swore I could feel my ovaries convulse. Then, understanding dawned and my eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Omigod!” I shouted, leaping from my beanbag and pointing an excited finger at him. “You want me to be your fake fiancée!” I was jumping up and down on the spot now. “I knew reading all those bad romance novels would pay off one day.”
“Woah, woah, woah!” Barclay said, leaping to his feet with both hands going up in protest, but I was on too much of a roll to notice. “I never said–”
“You’ll buy me a tonne of expensive clothes and other bollocks. I’ll pretend to object ’cause, you know, morals. Er, by the way – spoiler alert – I take the clothes. All the clothes. Got me?”
This is manic pixie girl heroine unbuttons the buttoned up hero plot. For the most part, he's a pretty decent guy, and it's the heroine who puts the brakes on because he is a RISING star in British politics and she is a chaotic force of nature. I can't help but think the Hugh Grant PM story from Love, Actually was inspiration which was a hell of a lot more fun than watching Severus Snape making Professor Trelawney cry.
Anyhoo, the H hires the heroine to help his HIV brother get out of his slump. Manic pixie girls are hard to write as too often they come across as utter idiots, too cutesy for words and fall into the I just don't know why other girls don't like me as their specialness devolves into eating meat not salad or not wearing makeup. Heroine has real friends and is only occasionally irritating.
Anyway, they’ve suggested that you . . . sort of pretend that . . .” He trailed off and bit his lip.
It was so sexy I very nearly jumped him. I swore I could feel my ovaries convulse. Then, understanding dawned and my eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Omigod!” I shouted, leaping from my beanbag and pointing an excited finger at him. “You want me to be your fake fiancée!” I was jumping up and down on the spot now. “I knew reading all those bad romance novels would pay off one day.”
“Woah, woah, woah!” Barclay said, leaping to his feet with both hands going up in protest, but I was on too much of a roll to notice. “I never said–”
“You’ll buy me a tonne of expensive clothes and other bollocks. I’ll pretend to object ’cause, you know, morals. Er, by the way – spoiler alert – I take the clothes. All the clothes. Got me?”
This is manic pixie girl heroine unbuttons the buttoned up hero plot. For the most part, he's a pretty decent guy, and it's the heroine who puts the brakes on because he is a RISING star in British politics and she is a chaotic force of nature. I can't help but think the Hugh Grant PM story from Love, Actually was inspiration which was a hell of a lot more fun than watching Severus Snape making Professor Trelawney cry.
Anyhoo, the H hires the heroine to help his HIV brother get out of his slump. Manic pixie girls are hard to write as too often they come across as utter idiots, too cutesy for words and fall into the I just don't know why other girls don't like me as their specialness devolves into eating meat not salad or not wearing makeup. Heroine has real friends and is only occasionally irritating.
April 15, 2021
3.5 Stars
What I liked
Except for a few times (where I thought she lacked some plain common sense and self-preservation), Kira was so freaking odd and hilarious, I loved it. She might come off as too much for some but I didn’t mind. I don’t think I’ve ever read about such a wacky character before.
I really liked how the book dealt with life after having contracted HIV (Barclay’s brother Henry). It was super interesting to read and see what someone might go through. This is something I’ve never read before and I always like it if an author is able to work in something new. After a decade of reading romance, I sometimes get the feeling that I’ve read it all already.
What I didn’t like
Even though the eye-catching cover made me take a second look, the blurb is what sealed the deal for me. It sounded like there’d be some epic grovel in here so of course, I signed myself up for this. Unfortunately, the blurb didn’t deliver what it promised. The groveling does not play a major role in the book. The part the blurb referred to, was only realized near the end of the book, and him using "all his hard-earned political negotiating and maneuvering skills to get her back" were pretty underwhelming and not at all what you’d think it would be. BUT! I did love how the heroine was no pushover, i.e. she knew how to say no to the hero and didn’t immediately accept him back.
For some reason, I lost interest in the couple halfway through, basically when they got together. At this point, I was basically only waiting for the other shoe to drop and for it to create some conflict between them. This might be a me-thing though because the most interesting part for me is always how they become a couple and not the after.
**ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
What I liked
Except for a few times (where I thought she lacked some plain common sense and self-preservation), Kira was so freaking odd and hilarious, I loved it. She might come off as too much for some but I didn’t mind. I don’t think I’ve ever read about such a wacky character before.
"Life is ten per cent what happens to you and ninety percent how you react to it. Don't waste yours looking back for what you've lost. Move on. Life isn't meant to be lived backwards.”
I really liked how the book dealt with life after having contracted HIV (Barclay’s brother Henry). It was super interesting to read and see what someone might go through. This is something I’ve never read before and I always like it if an author is able to work in something new. After a decade of reading romance, I sometimes get the feeling that I’ve read it all already.
What I didn’t like
Even though the eye-catching cover made me take a second look, the blurb is what sealed the deal for me. It sounded like there’d be some epic grovel in here so of course, I signed myself up for this. Unfortunately, the blurb didn’t deliver what it promised. The groveling does not play a major role in the book. The part the blurb referred to, was only realized near the end of the book, and him using "all his hard-earned political negotiating and maneuvering skills to get her back" were pretty underwhelming and not at all what you’d think it would be. BUT! I did love how the heroine was no pushover, i.e. she knew how to say no to the hero and didn’t immediately accept him back.
For some reason, I lost interest in the couple halfway through, basically when they got together. At this point, I was basically only waiting for the other shoe to drop and for it to create some conflict between them. This might be a me-thing though because the most interesting part for me is always how they become a couple and not the after.
**ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 22, 2023
2.5 stars.
My least favorite read so far from Susie Tate...it just wasn't my cuppa tea.
The main characters sort of reminded me of the film Love Actually where Hugh Grant plays the British Prime Minister, and he falls for his junior staffer Natalie. They were the least interesting characters for me in that ensemble cast and this is how I felt about these book characters.
It is the third in the series (I really enjoyed the first two) and I struggled a little to finish it if I am honest.
I don't mind quirky heroines at all, but I couldn't take Kira seriously most of the time and I really didn't feel the connection between her and the strait-laced Barclay.
My least favorite read so far from Susie Tate...it just wasn't my cuppa tea.
The main characters sort of reminded me of the film Love Actually where Hugh Grant plays the British Prime Minister, and he falls for his junior staffer Natalie. They were the least interesting characters for me in that ensemble cast and this is how I felt about these book characters.
It is the third in the series (I really enjoyed the first two) and I struggled a little to finish it if I am honest.
I don't mind quirky heroines at all, but I couldn't take Kira seriously most of the time and I really didn't feel the connection between her and the strait-laced Barclay.
May 5, 2021
I got this eARC from Netgalley in exhange for a honest review
Sadly the book fell flat to me, the characters were meh and boring. The story was missing something, i don`t really know what. But i didn`t care about the story, or find it funny as i had hoped.
Sadly the book fell flat to me, the characters were meh and boring. The story was missing something, i don`t really know what. But i didn`t care about the story, or find it funny as i had hoped.
November 3, 2024
I know it should be lower but loved it, hence 4,5 stars!
Want to Read
June 20, 2020💝
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
💝
September 16, 2020
Four and a half stars.
Fair warning, I love Susie Tate's novels so this is a bit of a fan-girl review and I get that she might be a bit like Marmite to some readers but I loved this book.
Kira Murphy is a sexual health Registrar (doctor) with pizazz - in my mind I see her like the character of Scarlett in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, diminutive with pink and red hair and a wacky dress sense. She is great with her patients and passionate about immunisation against genital warts (I am just wondering how I am ever going to get this review past the puritanical censor on the B&N website). She also has a secret crush on the latest Tory wunderkind MP Barclay Lucas (think British Justin Trudeau), the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, who is trying to get a revolutionary new scheme through parliament.
Kira and Lucas' paths cross when she gives a verbal tongue-lashing to one of her boss' HIV patients who isn't taking his meds, the patient turns out to be Lucas' younger brother.
Kira's crazy antics, such as making tea for all the press lurking outside Lucas' palatial London home, belie a dedicated healthcare professional who is devoted to the National Health Service. Lucas just can't understand why Kira won't accept private work treating his brother away from the local NHS hospital, but when the press see her leaving his house his approval ratings soar and so he suggests they play along. What I loved most about this was that Kira went off into a romantic comedy monologue where she told Lucas she would be his fake fiancé but they would fall in love for real etc, etc (all very tongue-in-cheek) and Lucas was horrified.
This is contemporary British romantic comedy at its finest IMHO, great characters, great plot, impressive use of cockwomble as a pejorative, and truly laugh out loud at times.
A minor niggle, which might be deliberate, towards the end, on what felt like consecutive pages, there was a line which felt like a direct quote from Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, followed by a visual reference to something that Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) does in Love Actually. Could be allusive, could be unintentional but they pulled me away from the plot a little.
Anyway, channelling Cherish Finden, one of the judges in the under-rated TV show Bake Off: The Professionals loved it, loved it, loved it! Now I am sad because I am going to have to wait months and months for another book - maybe I will re-read all the other books ...
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release and correcting typos.
Fair warning, I love Susie Tate's novels so this is a bit of a fan-girl review and I get that she might be a bit like Marmite to some readers but I loved this book.
Kira Murphy is a sexual health Registrar (doctor) with pizazz - in my mind I see her like the character of Scarlett in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, diminutive with pink and red hair and a wacky dress sense. She is great with her patients and passionate about immunisation against genital warts (I am just wondering how I am ever going to get this review past the puritanical censor on the B&N website). She also has a secret crush on the latest Tory wunderkind MP Barclay Lucas (think British Justin Trudeau), the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, who is trying to get a revolutionary new scheme through parliament.
Kira and Lucas' paths cross when she gives a verbal tongue-lashing to one of her boss' HIV patients who isn't taking his meds, the patient turns out to be Lucas' younger brother.
Kira's crazy antics, such as making tea for all the press lurking outside Lucas' palatial London home, belie a dedicated healthcare professional who is devoted to the National Health Service. Lucas just can't understand why Kira won't accept private work treating his brother away from the local NHS hospital, but when the press see her leaving his house his approval ratings soar and so he suggests they play along. What I loved most about this was that Kira went off into a romantic comedy monologue where she told Lucas she would be his fake fiancé but they would fall in love for real etc, etc (all very tongue-in-cheek) and Lucas was horrified.
This is contemporary British romantic comedy at its finest IMHO, great characters, great plot, impressive use of cockwomble as a pejorative, and truly laugh out loud at times.
A minor niggle, which might be deliberate, towards the end, on what felt like consecutive pages, there was a line which felt like a direct quote from Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, followed by a visual reference to something that Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) does in Love Actually. Could be allusive, could be unintentional but they pulled me away from the plot a little.
Anyway, channelling Cherish Finden, one of the judges in the under-rated TV show Bake Off: The Professionals loved it, loved it, loved it! Now I am sad because I am going to have to wait months and months for another book - maybe I will re-read all the other books ...
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release and correcting typos.
September 13, 2020
After finishing two really long and heavy fantasy books I was looking for a bit of light relief and this book perfectly fit the bill. I found it to be a compelling read and could not put it down. It is so refreshing, easy to read, humorous and I really enjoyed the opposites attract trope.
Kira is an energetic quirky and flamboyant character who is not afraid to speak her mind. She works as a sexual health doctor and is completely dedicated to her profession and also committed to helping people in her community. Despite her extrovert personality she completely wins people over and she is extremely well liked. Barclay on the other hand is a serious, straight-laced politician. I enjoyed the banter between them and there are some really funny and sweet moments. Their paths cross when Barclay asks for Kira’s help following her positive clinic consultations with his brother, who as a consequence is now showing a marked improvement. There is a great cast of supporting characters, the author really had a way of making their personalities shine and they are all so likeable. There are some serious issues explored, such as HIV stigmatism and sexual harassment which are sensitively addressed by the author.
All in all a fabulous book with great characters, a good plot and some wonderful laugh out load moments. This is such a fun story and the epilogue is wonderful. A gave it 5 stars as it hit the nail on the head for me in terms of what I needed to read at the time. I haven’t read any of this author’s books before, but I will certainly be exploring her previous novels.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book.
Kira is an energetic quirky and flamboyant character who is not afraid to speak her mind. She works as a sexual health doctor and is completely dedicated to her profession and also committed to helping people in her community. Despite her extrovert personality she completely wins people over and she is extremely well liked. Barclay on the other hand is a serious, straight-laced politician. I enjoyed the banter between them and there are some really funny and sweet moments. Their paths cross when Barclay asks for Kira’s help following her positive clinic consultations with his brother, who as a consequence is now showing a marked improvement. There is a great cast of supporting characters, the author really had a way of making their personalities shine and they are all so likeable. There are some serious issues explored, such as HIV stigmatism and sexual harassment which are sensitively addressed by the author.
All in all a fabulous book with great characters, a good plot and some wonderful laugh out load moments. This is such a fun story and the epilogue is wonderful. A gave it 5 stars as it hit the nail on the head for me in terms of what I needed to read at the time. I haven’t read any of this author’s books before, but I will certainly be exploring her previous novels.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book.
January 2, 2021
Nice funny and easy to read
The opposite attract each other in well developed the threshold of stereotipe touched but not too much
She fall fore him only for envivirment is quite lousy
In my taste she says pussy to much many times
He is a little mono dimensional
Good chemistry between the 2 not exceptional
Nevertheless nice
Anything but Easy by Susie Tate. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL] Edit
The opposite attract each other in well developed the threshold of stereotipe touched but not too much
She fall fore him only for envivirment is quite lousy
In my taste she says pussy to much many times
He is a little mono dimensional
Good chemistry between the 2 not exceptional
Nevertheless nice
Anything but Easy by Susie Tate. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL] Edit
July 15, 2020
***An eArc provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
My overall consensus is that this is an adorable modern romantic comedy with a sunshine/grumpy trope that progressing throughout the story. You are able to follow the two main characters, Kira and Barclay as they navigate their relationship and personality differences. The setting is in England, so the novel is filled with funny British anecdotes. This is a charming novel that put a smile on my face with its lively characters and heartwarming story.
Kira Murphy is a quirky sexual health doctor who is a free spirit at heart. Her counterpart is Barclay Lucas, who is a serious politician that is used to controlling every aspect of his personal and professional life. This novel follows these two characters and how their lives intersect and affect one another.
An interesting plot point is how Kira meets Barclay after treating his brother after he contracted HIV. I have never read about HIV as a major plot point in a contemporary romance and found this incredible moving and realistic in its portrayal. This aspect of the story offers a point of view and topic that is rarely discussed openly and honestly, which I appreciate as a reader. It added layers and nuance to the story and its characters.
I also appreciated having dual point of views for both main characters. You are able to understand why each character is apprehensive about starting a relationship with one another. Kira does not believe Barclay would have genuine feelings for a free spirit like her and Barclay cannot process his sudden passion for such a rare and outspoken person. These two characters are not “supposed” to work, but their personalities complement each other and you can feel their electric chemistry burst off the page.
This is a well written romance that is peppered with witty dialogue and well rounded characters that are relatable with honest depictions of their flaws and vulnerabilities within their relationship. I highly recommend this novel to put a smile on your face.
***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review***
My overall consensus is that this is an adorable modern romantic comedy with a sunshine/grumpy trope that progressing throughout the story. You are able to follow the two main characters, Kira and Barclay as they navigate their relationship and personality differences. The setting is in England, so the novel is filled with funny British anecdotes. This is a charming novel that put a smile on my face with its lively characters and heartwarming story.
Kira Murphy is a quirky sexual health doctor who is a free spirit at heart. Her counterpart is Barclay Lucas, who is a serious politician that is used to controlling every aspect of his personal and professional life. This novel follows these two characters and how their lives intersect and affect one another.
An interesting plot point is how Kira meets Barclay after treating his brother after he contracted HIV. I have never read about HIV as a major plot point in a contemporary romance and found this incredible moving and realistic in its portrayal. This aspect of the story offers a point of view and topic that is rarely discussed openly and honestly, which I appreciate as a reader. It added layers and nuance to the story and its characters.
I also appreciated having dual point of views for both main characters. You are able to understand why each character is apprehensive about starting a relationship with one another. Kira does not believe Barclay would have genuine feelings for a free spirit like her and Barclay cannot process his sudden passion for such a rare and outspoken person. These two characters are not “supposed” to work, but their personalities complement each other and you can feel their electric chemistry burst off the page.
This is a well written romance that is peppered with witty dialogue and well rounded characters that are relatable with honest depictions of their flaws and vulnerabilities within their relationship. I highly recommend this novel to put a smile on your face.
***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review***
September 14, 2020
ANYTHING BUT EASY is a romance novel, so of course our protagonists are going to become a couple, but when hippy-child and carefree Dr. Kira Murphy crosses paths with burdened-by-responsibility Barclay Lucas, you do wonder how such diverse and solid personalities will get there. And we do get there. Susie Tate has brought us another terrific read with this story of an NHS doctor whose light-heartedness clashes with an uptight Tory politician.
The attraction between Kira and Barclay is certainly electric yet between those hot-n-heavy moments, there was plenty of communication. The fought, bickered, insulted and even hurt one another but each interaction brought a better understanding between them.
There are plenty of shenanigans; some made me laugh, some had me wanting to take a Kira break – hey, I’m an introvert and Kira is an exhausting character – but I was always entertained.
Several characters from previous Tate books also make an appearance. Anything But Easy is book three in the Beg. Borrow or Steal series but it can be read as a standalone story.
I typically stay away from romance books featuring politicians – they’re not my thing – but here I am recommending this story by a hugely talented romance book author.
Review copy courtesy of the author and Netgalley
The attraction between Kira and Barclay is certainly electric yet between those hot-n-heavy moments, there was plenty of communication. The fought, bickered, insulted and even hurt one another but each interaction brought a better understanding between them.
There are plenty of shenanigans; some made me laugh, some had me wanting to take a Kira break – hey, I’m an introvert and Kira is an exhausting character – but I was always entertained.
Several characters from previous Tate books also make an appearance. Anything But Easy is book three in the Beg. Borrow or Steal series but it can be read as a standalone story.
I typically stay away from romance books featuring politicians – they’re not my thing – but here I am recommending this story by a hugely talented romance book author.
Review copy courtesy of the author and Netgalley
June 13, 2026
“Anything but easy” is the story of Kira and Barclay.
Our heroine is a happy go lucky, ball of energy filled, very schizotypal, adhd, eccentric sexual health doctor who is blood hilarious. She is the center of attention, life of every party and beloved by everyone. Her biggest crush is a politician, and what she doesn’t expect is that he’ll turn out to be a patient’s brother- or that he will try to hire her!
Our hero is a conservative Tory politician (yes I also eye rolled) who is as uptight as you would imagine. Thats all I can say about him.
The book is filled with the heroine’s hilarious antics and ability to light up the room, while the hero disapproves and glares. He soon stops fighting his attraction for her, and they begin a sort of relationship. But ofcourse, he doesn’t respect her, and one fine day goes too far in being a dnag.
I won’t spoil much about the book but I want to air my grievances a bit. The heroine is LOVELY. The hero is horrible.
Not only is he snooty and judgemental, after all that we don’t even get a proper grovel and apology? And the book ends with this insanely open heroine becoming a CONSERVATIVE?? Also sorry, the fact that she was facing sexual harassment and kept ignoring it and Millie had to fight for her was disappointing. Also the hero took zero interest in her life and made no gestures of care- all he did was be condescending, urge I hated him.
Meh
Safe
4/5
Our heroine is a happy go lucky, ball of energy filled, very schizotypal, adhd, eccentric sexual health doctor who is blood hilarious. She is the center of attention, life of every party and beloved by everyone. Her biggest crush is a politician, and what she doesn’t expect is that he’ll turn out to be a patient’s brother- or that he will try to hire her!
Our hero is a conservative Tory politician (yes I also eye rolled) who is as uptight as you would imagine. Thats all I can say about him.
The book is filled with the heroine’s hilarious antics and ability to light up the room, while the hero disapproves and glares. He soon stops fighting his attraction for her, and they begin a sort of relationship. But ofcourse, he doesn’t respect her, and one fine day goes too far in being a dnag.
I won’t spoil much about the book but I want to air my grievances a bit. The heroine is LOVELY. The hero is horrible.
Not only is he snooty and judgemental, after all that we don’t even get a proper grovel and apology? And the book ends with this insanely open heroine becoming a CONSERVATIVE?? Also sorry, the fact that she was facing sexual harassment and kept ignoring it and Millie had to fight for her was disappointing. Also the hero took zero interest in her life and made no gestures of care- all he did was be condescending, urge I hated him.
Meh
Safe
4/5
August 10, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Susie Tate for allowing me to review Anything But Easy by Susie Tate.
This was okay. I really had a hard time getting into this. Everything was just a little too ridiculous. The Heroine was so off the wall I could not connect and she came off more juvenile than quirky.
Having said that, it was still written well. The subject matter was great. You can tell that the author has knowledge of sexual health. It's just the characters were not connecting for me. I would try something else from Tate.
This was okay. I really had a hard time getting into this. Everything was just a little too ridiculous. The Heroine was so off the wall I could not connect and she came off more juvenile than quirky.
Having said that, it was still written well. The subject matter was great. You can tell that the author has knowledge of sexual health. It's just the characters were not connecting for me. I would try something else from Tate.
June 23, 2020
As always I just love these British books by Susie Tate (a GP herself), in this case about tiny hurricane Kira and Tory politician Barclay.
I must say I found Kira to be a bit tiresome sometimes, the energy exploding from her making me roll my eyes. But I do know some people like her and it is spot on. I liked the fact the characters from the other books are in this book as well (Millie/Pav, Libby/Jamie and even Sam - who notes the fact Kira is like his wife Katie). Very enjoyable!!!
*** I got an ARC from Netgalley and this is my honest and voluntary (and enhousiastic) review. ***
I must say I found Kira to be a bit tiresome sometimes, the energy exploding from her making me roll my eyes. But I do know some people like her and it is spot on. I liked the fact the characters from the other books are in this book as well (Millie/Pav, Libby/Jamie and even Sam - who notes the fact Kira is like his wife Katie). Very enjoyable!!!
*** I got an ARC from Netgalley and this is my honest and voluntary (and enhousiastic) review. ***
November 23, 2025
White people writing about “righteous” white conservative politicians has to be one of the biggest ironic jokes in the bookish community. I can not, will not, refuse to root for this guy. it helps that i hate the heroine equally, so they kind of deserve each other. But Susie Tate is an amazing author, she's incredibly funny. So I guess despite the horrid characters, the story was fine.
July 1, 2020
This is an 'opposites attract' story. We have Kira, who is very energetic, quirky, flamboyant, and a complete extrovert. Then we have Barclay, who is a politician, a cabinet minister to be precise. He is a serious, straight-laced, rule follower. Their personalities are extremely different; where Kira is spontaneous, Barclay is cautious. Kira is all vibrant color, whereas Barclay is all monotone. Their paths cross when Barclay's brother ends up being one of Kira's patients. What comes next, is a whirlwind romance. There are many funny moments here, sweet moments and steamy moments. The story was actually very predictable for me, but fun to follow. There's lots of attraction between our two main leads, then there are misunderstandings and fights and disappointments, but there are also some sweet intimate moments.
I liked the storyline, but I had a problem with the two main characters.
I disliked Kira in the first half of the book. I liked that she was shown to be so quirky and weird, and she does whatever she wants, wears loud, striking clothes, she speaks whatever is there in her mind and does not conform to society's norms. All this was great. What I did not like was her behavior. She behaves in such an immature manner. She is constantly encroaching personal boundaries. To me, she also seemed very judgemental. If someone does not agree with her views or opinions or suggestions, she immediately brands them as stuck-up and prude. She prefers staying in a dangerous environment rather than approaching her friends (who are extremely supportive and understanding) for help because she does not want to appear weak! Why?! I can understand the need to be self-reliant and independent, but asking for help is never ever a sign of weakness. So many times in the story, she advises others to be open about their issues and get help, and if they are resistant to her suggestion, she thinks they are stubborn. But she herself is not taking her own advice. All this made me feel very annoyed with Kira and I struggled to read her parts in the first half. Later in the book, I did start liking Kira, because she was helping Henry a lot and I liked how passionate she was about her work.
I had issues with Barclay as well. He is very judgemental and becomes very self-centered towards the end. Also, he thinks everyone should behave the way he wants them to behave. He seems to blame his mother for having mental health issues, which to me, felt very insensitive. Both Barclay and Kira's tone often felt too complaining and whiny, and their behavior was just plain stupid in some places. There were also one or two places in the book where the characters make impolite references to the people living in ghettos. So all through this book, I was having a problem with one of the two main leads.
I liked the supporting characters in this book, like Henry, Millie, Mark, Barclay's parents. But my overall enjoyment was hampered because I was having issues connecting with the main characters. Also, the ending was too cheesy for me.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a light, cheesy romance.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me an eARC. The above words reflect my honest opinion.
I liked the storyline, but I had a problem with the two main characters.
I disliked Kira in the first half of the book. I liked that she was shown to be so quirky and weird, and she does whatever she wants, wears loud, striking clothes, she speaks whatever is there in her mind and does not conform to society's norms. All this was great. What I did not like was her behavior. She behaves in such an immature manner. She is constantly encroaching personal boundaries. To me, she also seemed very judgemental. If someone does not agree with her views or opinions or suggestions, she immediately brands them as stuck-up and prude. She prefers staying in a dangerous environment rather than approaching her friends (who are extremely supportive and understanding) for help because she does not want to appear weak! Why?! I can understand the need to be self-reliant and independent, but asking for help is never ever a sign of weakness. So many times in the story, she advises others to be open about their issues and get help, and if they are resistant to her suggestion, she thinks they are stubborn. But she herself is not taking her own advice. All this made me feel very annoyed with Kira and I struggled to read her parts in the first half. Later in the book, I did start liking Kira, because she was helping Henry a lot and I liked how passionate she was about her work.
I had issues with Barclay as well. He is very judgemental and becomes very self-centered towards the end. Also, he thinks everyone should behave the way he wants them to behave. He seems to blame his mother for having mental health issues, which to me, felt very insensitive. Both Barclay and Kira's tone often felt too complaining and whiny, and their behavior was just plain stupid in some places. There were also one or two places in the book where the characters make impolite references to the people living in ghettos. So all through this book, I was having a problem with one of the two main leads.
I liked the supporting characters in this book, like Henry, Millie, Mark, Barclay's parents. But my overall enjoyment was hampered because I was having issues connecting with the main characters. Also, the ending was too cheesy for me.
I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a light, cheesy romance.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me an eARC. The above words reflect my honest opinion.
September 18, 2023
I read this book two days ago and its getting a little hazy, but ill just put my nose to the mirror and try my best 😂😂😂 (that's from Will and Grace btw when Karen needed to do something for Grace. I dont even really take tylenol). Annnnnyyyyyyhhhooooooooo!
Anything but Easy by Susie Tate
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Ok, first of all, I read a lot and this is the first time I've ever read ferret and testicles written together to name a band 😂😂 LURVE DAT.
This is book 3 and yes they talk about the other characters in the other books but I dun kur okur? I do what I WANT! You know this man.
h is a quirky, fun lovin, bad singing, dancing doctor of sexual diseases and H is a hawt Justin trudeau-like politician with good hair. She loves watching him on tv but never thinks she'll meet him until she meets his brother who is HIVV positive and depressed to all heckers. She gets him out of his funk and H offers to h to be his Dr and he'll pay her. She says nah brah, ill just be his friend and I won't take your monay.
He's a dumm dumm man many times
1. First time they kiss, he tells her it was a mistake 🤦🙈🙈 whoo boy
2. Uhhh...., hold on let me adjust my nose on this mirror....she walks out of his house and a bunch of paparazzi are out there and she waves and starts spewing health causes that ate important to her. Then H yells at her and makes her cry 😭😭😭😭😭 and THEN he tells her to go out the back door 😂😂😂😂🤦
3. His brother tells the public about his diagnosis at a strip club event she put together and H gets mad again and accuses her of setting Henry bro up. (I can't remember the main characters names but I can remember the brothers 💃 pats on my back
4. His dad is A barrister which I think is British speak for lawyer 🤷🤷🤦😂 he tells H that she's a liability and not suitable for a man who might be prime.minister one day. Then she looks at his hand and tells him to get the skin thing is checked (and also, I am not a doctor, just fyi). He does and it's cancer!!!! Dun dun dun! He dies and tells H as a ghost that he should marry h.....just kidding, hes fine after they get rid of it.
5. Her boss at work is trying to sabotage her and sexual assaults her b00by at work. bossman tells H that shes flakey at work and shes doing poorly on her exams and he believes him 🙈🙈She gets hurt and when he tells her he's sorry for believing her boss, shes had enough (gorl.....you take a lot of shiet for deals tho). She has a bit if a shut down period sprinkled with PTSD from getting her head bashed in and needing stitches 😭
At the end, the grovel is him getting (half) naked surrounded by Old women and friends, mud poured over him and is prepared to be flaggulated by a briar patch branch with thorns on it. 🤷🤷
Anyhoo, I loved it! i read unworthy by her and thought it was mid but i liked this one! There was never any weird lags of them just scratching their @zses you know?
No ow drama.(just talks about the types of women he used to date)
No romantic om drama. Drama with the boss
No cheating
Smexxx scenes were mid. He's not that great in bed
Refractory period for this is long!!!!! I read it two days ago and I'm old a f so ask now! 😂😂 👵
Anything but Easy by Susie Tate
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Ok, first of all, I read a lot and this is the first time I've ever read ferret and testicles written together to name a band 😂😂 LURVE DAT.
This is book 3 and yes they talk about the other characters in the other books but I dun kur okur? I do what I WANT! You know this man.
h is a quirky, fun lovin, bad singing, dancing doctor of sexual diseases and H is a hawt Justin trudeau-like politician with good hair. She loves watching him on tv but never thinks she'll meet him until she meets his brother who is HIVV positive and depressed to all heckers. She gets him out of his funk and H offers to h to be his Dr and he'll pay her. She says nah brah, ill just be his friend and I won't take your monay.
He's a dumm dumm man many times
1. First time they kiss, he tells her it was a mistake 🤦🙈🙈 whoo boy
2. Uhhh...., hold on let me adjust my nose on this mirror....she walks out of his house and a bunch of paparazzi are out there and she waves and starts spewing health causes that ate important to her. Then H yells at her and makes her cry 😭😭😭😭😭 and THEN he tells her to go out the back door 😂😂😂😂🤦
3. His brother tells the public about his diagnosis at a strip club event she put together and H gets mad again and accuses her of setting Henry bro up. (I can't remember the main characters names but I can remember the brothers 💃 pats on my back
4. His dad is A barrister which I think is British speak for lawyer 🤷🤷🤦😂 he tells H that she's a liability and not suitable for a man who might be prime.minister one day. Then she looks at his hand and tells him to get the skin thing is checked (and also, I am not a doctor, just fyi). He does and it's cancer!!!! Dun dun dun! He dies and tells H as a ghost that he should marry h.....just kidding, hes fine after they get rid of it.
5. Her boss at work is trying to sabotage her and sexual assaults her b00by at work. bossman tells H that shes flakey at work and shes doing poorly on her exams and he believes him 🙈🙈She gets hurt and when he tells her he's sorry for believing her boss, shes had enough (gorl.....you take a lot of shiet for deals tho). She has a bit if a shut down period sprinkled with PTSD from getting her head bashed in and needing stitches 😭
At the end, the grovel is him getting (half) naked surrounded by Old women and friends, mud poured over him and is prepared to be flaggulated by a briar patch branch with thorns on it. 🤷🤷
Anyhoo, I loved it! i read unworthy by her and thought it was mid but i liked this one! There was never any weird lags of them just scratching their @zses you know?
No ow drama.(just talks about the types of women he used to date)
No romantic om drama. Drama with the boss
No cheating
Smexxx scenes were mid. He's not that great in bed
Refractory period for this is long!!!!! I read it two days ago and I'm old a f so ask now! 😂😂 👵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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