What an amazing book! I love the Happy Ever After and I love reading about the people that work there.
Verity is the character for me, it is so easy for me to relate to her. Life as an extreme introvert is hard sometimes and I truly felt for Verity and I loved reading about her and her feelings, feelings that I also have almost daily.
Cue in fake boyfriends. I loved that and Johnny turned out to be great even if he was an idiot at times.
Verity and Johnny’s love story gives hope for me too, the ultimate introvert, that I’ll some day find myself someone who I can stand daily too.
All in all, a great, happy romance

Thank you for this, I started a couple of times but I can't seem to get into this book. I appreciate the opportunity that was given for review but sadly can't complete it for this title. Many thanks.

Unfortuantely decidedly boring towards the end, and a bit repetetive as is often the case in this genre. But a nice and light read. 3 stars

In True Love At The Lonely Hearts Bookshop, we meet Verity Love and her crazy sisters. I loved their relationship with each other and the humour this created. I really enjoyed getting to know them and felt able to relate to them throughout the novel.

It sounds like the dream life to work in and live above a bookshop and I loved the literary references in the novel. In particular, Verity is a fan of Pride And Prejudice and Darling begins each chapter with a quotation from Austen's book. There are several subtle and more obvious nods to the book throughout the novel which means the plot has an intelligence that kept me interested in the fortunes of the characters. I realised whilst reading that Darling has written a series about the bookshop and I would be very interested in reading on and finding out more.

As well as the comedy moments, Darling also addresses some more serious issues in True Love At The Lonely Hearts Bookshop. She asks questions about relationships, unrequited love and grief, and it was also lovely to read as Verity grew and learnt more about her personality.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get around to reading True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop. I loved the Jane Austen theme running throughout along with the wonderful characters that this book features. Especially Verity she is such a loveable character, I couldn’t help but like her! With a fake relationship at its heart there is a little bit of humour along with plenty of charm, warmth and romance.

In True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop you see Verity step out of her comfort zone and throw herself into new experiences along with making a new friend in Johnny. Now Johnny is an interesting character I can’t say he was perfect because well as his motives were revealed they left a lot to be desired but there was also depth to his character that hints at so much more especially as you see his interactions with Verity.

It didn’t take me long to read this book it had a way of wrapping me up and carrying me along with Verity and Johnny as they attend an array of weddings, birthdays and other various celebrations. Now this book is part of a series however I do think it works perfectly well as a standalone so don’t let that put you off. Although after loving the first book I would recommend reading the wonderful The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts. It was so lovely to catch up with all the characters however this book is firmly about Verity. You also get the wonderful addition of Verity’s family especially her lively and entertaining sister Merry. This created a few fun moments that blended well with some of the more deeper moments.

Love, life and romance is all perfectly placed between the pages of True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop!

It's a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a good job, four bossy sisters and a needy cat must also have want of her one true love. Or is it?

Another delightful novel from the author of The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts. Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond and Jenny Colgan

Verity Love – Jane Austen fangirl, manager of London’s first romance-only bookshop Happy Ever, and an introvert in a world of extroverts – is perfectly happy on her own (thank you very much), and quite happy hiding in the office and lying to her friends about her fictional boyfriend Peter, whose presence is very useful for getting her out of social events.

But when a case of mistaken identity forces her to introduce a perfect stranger as her boyfriend, Verity’s life suddenly becomes much more complicated.

Because ‘Peter’ is actually Johnny, and he too could use a fictional girlfriend. So against her better judgement and because she can't stand sitting on the sad singles table, Verity and Johnny decide to partner up for a summer season of weddings, big number birthdays and garden parties, culminating in her sister’s Big Fat Wedding.

And by the end of the summer, there’s a bad case of heartache that even Verity’s beloved Pride And Prejudice might not be able to cure…

This is the first book I've read by Annie Darling and it was such a light-hearted, lovely, easy read. The perfect romance with a dose of humour to keep things interesting and what's more interesting than faking relationships? They're my favourite types of stories!

Verity is a relatable character in which she is sucked up in the world of books and fictional characters, that she no longer needs to find contentment and happiness in the real world. That is, until she slips up and is forced to bring her fictional boyfriend to life - luckily for her, the handsome Johnny (aka Peter) is all in.

Like any romance, the ending was predictable but I loved it either way. I'd much rather have a happy ending than an ending leaving me feeling empty!

I'll for sure be reading more of Annie's books in the future and so should everybody else!

I loved this book! Sparky, funny with well-rounded characters, it is a book I would recommend to anyone who is looking for love!

I enjoyed this book, but it was a little predictable at the same time. I’ve read some reviews and people are saying it doesn’t live up to the first book. I think it does. It was what I needed at the time that I read it. It was a glorious read, even with its predictable parts.

Verity was a nice character, and she did develop a little but at the same time, she stayed the same throughout the whole book. She had her brave moments, her very outspoken moments but then she’d just revert back to her normal, slightly plain self. I enjoyed meeting all of Verity’s family, her sisters made me smile (and grateful I’m not from a huge family).

I liked Johnny, however much he came across as a lost cause. He was funny, caring, considerate and an all round good guy. Shame he thinks he’s in love with a woman he can’t have though. I think Johnny’s development was the best of the book to be honest, to begin with his closed off, unreachable but then by the end he was an open book. He was honest, and in the right place for him.

The writing style was easy to get in to, it was very descriptive and sort of heart warming in a way. While I’ve not read it, I did enjoy all the references to Pride and Prejudice. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter was a nice touch. Towards the end of the book I did feel so much for Verity. I nearly shed a tear for her, she was in such a heartbreaking place.

I’ve given this book a 4 out of 5. I think if it wasn’t the predictable side of it, I would have given it a big 5.

Prejudice - Or is it Pride?

Anyway, lots of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice quotes for each chapter which tell you what the main thrust will be. Nicely played.

Oh, and it is set in a part of London we love - Bloomsbury. Just around the British Museum and which is full of blue plaques to famous people.

I really enjoyed this book. Partly for its literary references but also because I found the writing to be warm, funny, and good-natured. I too like some solitude and find parties stressful, and again because I was brought up in a very busy household with no place that was away from everyone and with some constant noise.

The story echoes the warning I give to many people about not trying for 4th child of another sex when you've got 3 the same. My GP did that and ended up with twins - 5 boys (!!!!),; and here it is 5 girls. Which is worse I wonder? Hormones versus smelly feet and constant washing of muddy sports gear?  Any comments anyone?

Completely charming, I adored this story! Verity was a wonderful, relatable and unique character, I felt like I wanted to be her friend!

Verity Love works at The Lonely Hearts Bookshop which was introduced to us in Annie Darling's first novel in this series. It has taken me awhile to get to the second one and the third is already knocking at my door waiting to be read!

Verity works very much behind the scenes in the bookshop as the manager, reluctantly being in 'the front' when she has to. She keeps herself to herself and sticks to what she knows best - Jane Austen and finding space, peace and calm.

Everyone Verity knows has other ideas about what Verity should be doing so to take some of the pressure off she invents a fictional boyfriend Peter, that keeps her from attending any events as fictional boyfriend is often away or they are out together. Verity can reread her Austen novels in peace and remain resolutely single.

Trouble is fate is against her and when by chance she encounters Johnny which results in some confusion it seems that Johnny is also after a fictional girlfriend to take the pressure off him.

Verity and Johnny seem to be able to be each others excuses and plus ones. What a fun summer it is going to be.

Trouble is though, everyone else they meet start making their own conclusions up. The only people who know the truth are Verity's sisters who were adorably funny.

Whilst this is a light-hearted read I was surprised at the reason behind Johnny's need for a fabricated girlfriend in his life. This brought a different edge, not what I was expecting and introduced us to some rather unpleasant conceited characters.

Of course like any good Austen novel, there is a few misunderstandings along the way but set against a wonderful bookshop and the joy of Verity's family this is a really good read.

Can be read happily read as a stand alone novel, the characters and focus of them change from book to book but it is lovely to know that Posy (from the first novel) venture into running a romantic fiction bookshop is still working.

A perfect book for romance fans.

This was a lovely read, made me laugh out loud in places and kept a smile on my face. I missed the first book but I'm going to rectify that asap!
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to discover this author!

A nice easy read, it didn't grab me, it was a little bit far fetched but I enjoyed it.
I like Verity's character and that of her family with all their raucousness. Johnny I found irritating.
I thought that the ending was a bit lack lustre and rushed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Annie Darling and the publisher Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I didnt enjoy this as much as the previous book. It felt a bit repetitive. Looking forward to the next one.

a very good read would recommend to my friends and family

This is the first book I have read by Annie Darling and I will definitely be hunting out the previous novel in the series The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts.

Verity Love is an introvert in a world full of extroverts. She hates small talk, mingling and any sort of noise. She lives alone, above a bookshop where she also works and has a cat called Strumpet.

The problem is, although she is happy being single, her friends and family are constantly trying to set her up. She needs a fake boyfriend so that people leave her alone. When she meets Johnny, he happily jumps into the role of fake boyfriend, as long as Verity exchanges the favour. There then follows months of weddings, birthdays and housewarming parties that Verity has to attend as Johnny's new love interest, even though she hates social gatherings.

Verity is a vicars daughter and one of five sisters. I adored the Love family and all their quirkiness. The vicar is a keen beekeeper and his wife happily feeds any waif or stray that turns up on the doorstep so the house is chaotic and noisy. Verity loves her family but she is the black sheep, preferring to read a book than join in at rowdy family get-togethers.

Her favourite book is 'Pride and Prejudice' and the story has many references and similarities to Verity's life. Her constant catchphrase 'What would Elizabeth Bennett do?' was inspired and she instantly dismissed any possible suitor who was not extremely familiar with the Jane Austin novel.

This isn't a predictable, sugar-coated chick lit. It is well written, witty and warm with characters you would love to meet in real life. I was sad when it ended because it felt like losing a friend, I hope we get to learn more about the characters of The Lonely Hearts Bookshop very soon.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review..

Sweet and easy, a comfort read that didn't require much involvement.

A wonderful romantic tale based on Verity who invents a boyfriend to keep her well meaning friends from arranging dates for her. Enter a complete stranger who has an imaginary girlfriend and there is bound to be trouble! Beautifully written with a poignant style that will bring laughter to the reader.

I rarely think a second book in a series is better than the first, but in this case I did (and I gave the first book 5 stars!) Posy, the main character from the first book, briefly featured also in this book, but this is all about the lovely Verity. I can’t make a description worthy of her, so just go and read the book! If you have a bit of an introvert in you, you will easily relate to Verity’s story. Enjoy!