This is the perfect light romance novel. The characters are unique and engaging and the developing relationship between Verity and Johnny is explored well. I enjoyed this greatly

One of the sweetest, funniest books I have read for a while. Perfect for a rainy afternoon.

I really enjoyed the Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts when I read it last year, so it was delightful to go back for another visit - particularly as this features one of the other workers at the shop rather than being a sequel based around the same couple*.

It's always slightly weird (or at least it is for me) to read a story where the heroine has your name, but Verity is an engaging character and I enjoyed watching her find love. Relationships of convience/fake relationships are one of my favourite tropes too so this was right up my street.

My only gripe was with Johnny's back story - without giving too much away, I wasn't a massive fan of his reasons for needing a fake partner, and although it was written well, I'm not sure he quite saw the error of his ways enough and for long enough for me to be completely happy with the happily ever after. But lots of fun.

Oh - and it's chock full of Pride and Prejudice references - Lambton, Meryton, quotes, the whole shebang. Lovely.

*I have a troubled history with these because they so often involve splitting up the couple that you loved so much from the first book and then getting them back together again.

I honestly didn't think I'd like this book but I loved it. As someone who loves reading thrillers I do love a good heartwarming story to come along every now and again and knock me off my socks.

Verity (Very) Love is happy with her non-eventful and somewhat quiet life. Having grown up in a house full of extroverted sisters she wants nothing more than peace, quiet and to remain an introvert. However, this introverted life has left her as the only one not in a relationship and she has had enough of those pitying looks so she invents a boyfriend. This backfires however when she meets Johnny who also needs a fictional girlfriend and Very finds herself having her arm twisted into becoming his 'girlfriend'. Johnny's lifestyle is anything but introverted and Very finds herself having to adapt to many awkward situations including Johnny's ex girlfriend who he is hoping to make jealous in order to force a reunion between the two. The only problem is she is married.

Can Very help Johnny reunited with his lost love? Will she be able to leave her introverted life behind? Will she catch feelings?

I loved this book. The characters were extremely likeable and I could easily identify with Very. Now I live in hope of finding my own real life Johnny! Someone help a girl out here!

This isn’t my usual romance novel as I don’t tend to read contemporary romances set in the UK - too close to home and too hard to disappear into a fantasy world that way. I’ll admit that it did take me a while to get into the book, but once it got going, I was hooked. It was smart, rich and, at times laugh out loud funny. And perhaps because it was set in the UK, I felt a connection with the story and the characters.

Verity was a very real character and a true introvert. I loved how she owned her quirks and foibles and, without sounding like a sap, I really admired her, identified with her and looked up to her, despite her ‘flaws’. I could feel her pain and was 100% with her when she wanted to punch Marissa and her friends. I did too - so very much. It was nice to read about someone who went through the same problems as normal people and came out the other side - not unscathed - but still happy.

Much like Very, we didn’t get any insight into Johnny’s feelings as the story was told purely from her point of view. I think I ended up being just as frustrated as she was by not knowing what was going on in that daft, gorgeous head of his. He took a bit too long to stop being foolish but it was annoying realistic in that sense.

This book was definitely a slow burner. I loved how the progression of Very and Johnny’s friendship almost meandered along although there were significant milestones that were so small but so huge at the same time. It was lovely to watch the pair. And frustrating at times, too!

I normally prefer my romance books with a decent amount of sex in them. This didn’t have that and honestly, it didn’t need it. No, really - I didn’t miss it.

There were little Jane Austen quotes and titbits littered in the book which were fun to read. And the ending…I think I might have swooned. *Sigh* Definitely a re-readable moment.

I finished the book last night and I still find myself reaching for my kindle to read more about the lives of Very and Johnny. Because it took me about a week to finish the book - and also through the skill of the author in bringing the characters to life and making them feel like very real people - I feel like I know them and I’m going to miss them!

This book was a surprise to me. As I mentioned, it’s not my usual type of book but true love and bookshops? - I just couldn’t resist - and I’m so glad that I didn’t. The only reason for not giving this book the full 5 stars was because it took me quite a while to get into it (and only when I did did I realise it was set in London rather than a cute little village somewhere!). There was a lot of detail throughout the book but in the first few chapters I just wanted Very and Johnny to meet (and meet again) and get the love story started! The other reason is that I could have done with a bit more grovelling from Johnny at the end. It wouldn’t have worked with the way the story played out but I still wanted it.

I’m now off in search of Posy’s story (The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts) and (hopefully) any future stories with this same set of friends. The level of detail and richness of their stories means I must have more in my life! Add to that, I really found this story up-lifting. Even if this isn’t your usual sort of romance, I would recommend this book to you. Give it a shot - I know you won’t be disappointed. 4 stars.

This book surprised me. When I started to read it, it struck me as too much into the 'romance chick lit' category, too much so really. But I plod on and I was rewarded by a book that is very self-aware, full of tongue in cheek jokes about romance books and with a nice little romantic love story in the middle of it all. I didn't realise it was the second in the series, but I enjoyed it on it's on.

I absolutely adored this book! I could so easily identify with Verity (as I'm sure many bookworms could!). She finds it hard to socialise enmasse, would rather be in the background than be centre of attention, is a good listener but not very good at hugs or giving advice....and definitely prefers to be in her office rather than chatting to customers at the bookshop where she works.
While all Verity's friends seem to be loved up, she is happy to be single and when she meets gorgeous Johnny, who, by an amazing coincidence also needs a fictional partner for personal reasons, what could be more simple and straightforward they both agree.

I hadn't read the first book in this series The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts but I didn't feel I'd missed out too much as this is a stand alone book.
As I said, I loved this book, the storyline was funny, and sweet, and I loved Verity and her cat, and her saying 'what would Elizabeth Bennett do?' when she didn't have a clue what to do, I loved Johnny and his friends, the writing was enjoyable and at just the right pace.
Definitely one to recommend!

Devoured this book, enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Would read more from this author. Verity, her sisters and their friends were very funny, especially the parents. I am definitely going to buy her other book now.

A typical romantic novel with a safe and fairly predictable storyline. Great holiday read.

This book was not for me I'm afraid. It didnt have the sizzle I was looking for and therefore I couldn't read past the first few chapters. It didn't appeal to me.

Probably aimed at a younger reader than myself, I found it hard to relate to Verity who works and lives above the bookshop and has invented an imaginary boyfriend to keep her friends happy. She ends up meeting Johnny and it suits them both to let friends think they are a couple.

I loved this book - I was completely absorbed from the start all the way to the finish. I was initially interested in this book because of the synopsis (it totally had me at the Pride and Prejudice reference), it seemed to be my kind of book. And I wasn't wrong. It had me hooked right off the first chapter, and I just couldn't put it down.

Verity Love was a character I warmed up to very quickly. Verity is smart, kind and funny - and she is also an introvert. I think Annie Darling did a very good job of explaining the characteristics and challenges that come with being an introvert, and beautifully wove it into Verity's story. What I really appreciated was the glimpses into Verity's journey, and how she came to understand herself, and in turn overcome her obstacles. I really connected to Verity and could empathise with her struggles.

There were many things about Johnny that I loved, one of them being the way he understood Verity and there was this gentleness and ease to him that I admired. But, there were honestly some moments where I was so frustrated with him and was mentally face-palming myself. However, to a certain extent I did understand why it was taking him so much time to get out of the vicious cycle he was stuck in. And I couldn't have been happier when he was able to get himself out.

Verity's loud and crazy family which includes her four sisters were so much fun. There was never a dull moment when they were around, even just the presence of one sister brought with it never-ending chatter and a lot of laughter. I wholehearted cheered Verity and Johnny on throughout, and by the end I had the biggest smile on my face. The ending was beautiful and cute.

I did not realise that this was book two of the Lonely Hearts Bookshop series. However, it is a book that can be read as a standalone. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romance and chick-lit. I am very sure that I will be picking up the first book!

an enthralling .funny romantic novel.- I loved it, hated putting it down, and couldn't wait to start reading it again. Each chapter heading related the theme of that chapter to Pride and Prejudice,a favourite of mine. .I sjhall be looking out for other novels from Ms Darling.

Oh yes, oh yes and oh yes. I just want more of this. Everything you want in a story that keeps yu interested from start to finish

This is what I like to describe as a light and easy read. Not a great deal of depth but lovely nonetheless, perfect as something to lighten up your reading. Great characters, slightly predictable albeit not my choice of ending! Good all round chick lit

This book was a nice read, but I'm clearly not the target audience for this genre. The ending fell really flat to me and I have a feeling the author rushed the ending, which made it all the more frustrating to me by how main the male character was and how the narrative did nothing about it.

A fun light hearted read. Definitely chick lit, but with loveable characters, and a fun storyline, including lots of things that most women reading will be able to relate to in some way.
There was nothing very deep or meaningful about it - but sometimes that is the kind of read that I am looking for in-between some of the deeper, darker, emotional reads.

Not an author I have come across before, but I am sure I will now read her books again.

This book is part of a series, which I didn’t even realise when I first started reading it, but you don’t really need to have read the first, The Little Bookshop of Lonely Hearts, (although it can’t hurt can it?).

So I was initially drawn to this book by the blurb and the gorgeous cover. It’s not the kind of book I usually read but I am a huge fan of Jane Austen and this book proved to me that sometimes you have to break out and read something different.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was lighthearted, sweet and an easy read. I will warn you now that there are heavy references to Pride and Prejudice throughout the book, (like Verity’s favourite saying ‘What would Elizabeth Bennett do?’), which if you have not read it may not get. Also the whole fake relationship story line is not that original but I think the author makes it her own. But still I really loved the character of Verity, she doesn’t like socialising, prefers books to people and is a little taciturn (reminds me of myself to be honest!). Okay I do think it’s a little strange that she does have so many friends as introverted as she but it is fiction after all.

Had all the brilliance of perfect "chick lit". Couldn't put this book down, wanting to reach, but not really wanting to reach the ending where Elizabeth Bennett truly gets her Mr Darcy! We need a sequel!!

I must have enjoyed this book to some extent as I read it all, and pretty quickly, but there were so many things I didn't like.

Verity was such a whiny character, I didn't like her at all and was not invested in her happy ending. I thought the whole fake girlfriend thing was ridiculous and wanted to yell at Johnny for still being in love with Marissa - what on earth was that about?! Some of the characters were quite irritating and the whole Farv and Muv / Our Vicar and Our Vicar's wife I found a bit silly. Whilst I get that these sorts of books are always predictable this one just felt a little too apredictable.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Annie Darling for my copy in exchange for an honest review.