"Ruby Brown is ready for a change.
She's single for the first time in years and she's going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she's looking for is a serious relationship."

Another lovely summer romance beach read from Carole Matthews. Perfect light-hearted reading and one that I enjoyed and passed on to my daughter afterwards, so suitable for all ages.

I love Carole Matthews! Her books always make me laugh with sheer enjoyment. A book to escape from every day life, yet she writes about every day life. If you need escapism, this is for you.

I only have one regret from having read this book, I feel like my enjoyment would have been heightened had I had Take That on a loop in the background. I say this as Ruby's best friend, Charlie was my favourite character of the whole book.

And Charlie is a massive Thatter and even has a life size cardboard cutout of Gary Barlow in her house. In fact she is devoting her life to Gary Barlow, I regard myself as a huge Take That fan, or at least I did until I read about Charlie and her antics, and the sheer amount of other events going on around the country for fans, in addition to chasing down potential sightings.

Obviously Charlie was the character I connected with most, but what of Ruby our main character? Well I enjoy reading all of Ruby's antics and there are some very memorable scenes including some in Paris, a birthday party, and another moment of potential bonding with one of her prospects teenage children.

Ruby for most of the book seemed to be bouncing back and forth between two men, Mason who is a known womaniser and Joe who is a diving instructor when he can spare the time. They are completely different in all aspects of life and Ruby seems to gain different things from each of them.

I really enjoyed reading Million Love Songs, and despite needing Patience with Ruby's male dilema, I did have to Pray that Charlie may get a man for herself. Sure there were some highs and lows, especially since Mason seemed to want to Rule the World at private member club ownership, and there were many Promises being made by both the men to Ruby.

This is a book which I took a real Shine to, and it seemed like The Flood of Take That references would make it so that you could Never Forget just who it was Charlie loved. Being a massive fan of Carole Matthews, it always is the Greatest Day when a new book from her is announced. Just How Deep Is Your Love going to be for this marvellous book?

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A must read for any Take That fans. Ruby Brown is trying to get her life back together after her divorce. She changes her job and meets Charlie - Take That fan extraordinaire- who introduces her to the delights of Gary Barlow. In keeping with the new life she tries a new hobby scuba diving where she meets Joe who could be the one or is it Mason her boss. I really enjoyed the relationship between Ruby and Charlie always supporting each other regardless of the situation. Some really funny parts and equally heartbreaking. A great read

Million love songs is a perfect book for Take That fans or Thatters as they are called or those who enjoy a good sing to their music. It is littered with references to them they would understand the appeal of a cut out of Gary Barlow.
Ruby Brown is a recent divorcee finding her feet in the new world of singledom, dates and independence. She is helped by her best friend TT fangirl Charlie. It is an enjoyable story from one of my fave authors but I struggled to connect with Ruby unlike the main characters in her other books. I found Charlie had more depth and interesting backstory making me long for her story instead. Maybe one day Carole Matthews will revisit her.
As for the leading men, while I loved Joe, I shared Charlie opinion on Mason. He made my skin crawl from the start.
It is enjoyable though has a different feel to her other books and Carole Matthews talent pulled it off where other author may not but I doubt it will be one I revisit again and again unlike many of her others.

I love books by Carole Matthews. Always look forward to reading them and never disappoint. I really enjoyed this book. Ruby is single, in her late thirties and still trying to find Mr Right. She starts seeing 2 men, one of them is Mason who is a bit of a womenizer and Joe a soon to be divorced father of two children. Which one does she choose? This book is full of fun, emotions & surprises.

Carole Matthews certainly doesn't rest on her laurels as it was only in October that the gorgeous story that was Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights was published and now she is back with a brand new story featuring Ruby Brown called Million Love Songs. Ruby lives in Milton Keynes and is recently divorced from Simon, something she is slowly struggling to come to terms with. After five years it's hard to contemplate the fact that she is once again on her own but as they say when life throws you lemons you make lemonade and that's exactly what she is going to do. She has walked away from her secure, if slightly boring, job, her friends, family, everything. So a fresh start with new adventures is definitely on the cards if she can muster the energy and courage to get out there and attack that dating scene with gusto.

Ruby is known for her reliability and not her impulsiveness but this is an image she wants to shake off. Instead she wants to come across as if she is very sociable, communicative and always ready for fun and the unexpected. This came across very much as bravado on Ruby's part as it was evident she was bruised and broken from her experiences and it would take a lot for those images to vanish from her mind. She needs someone who will set her heart a flutter but what happens when two men present themselves? Can she choose between them? Does she feel she is worthy of either of them?

One could say Ruby was having a pity party based on her situation now stuck living in a granny annexe and working in a gastropub which couldn't have been more different from her previous job. But we have to reach the bottom and go through all the various emotions and experiences before we can see the light and emerge victorious and better off at the top. Her co-worker Charlie Clarke, who becomes her best friend and confidant, may just be the person to help her emerge from the sadness and lack of faith she has in herself. Charlie was a brilliant character, fun, likeable, supportive and never afraid to say what was on her mind. Telling a porky pie was never on her agenda and when Ruby was going down a route that you really wouldn't want your best friend to go down, Charlie wasn't afraid to express her opinion and say hey Ruby this is wrong and you should know it. Whether Ruby always took her advice remained to be seen.

Charlie and her fellow superfan Paul are obsessed with Gary Barlow and in turn Ruby is brought on their adventures as they queue for hours even just to catch a glimpse of their idol. In doing this it was another way for Ruby to get her confidence back, to get out there and do things she would have never thought possible. I was a huge Take That fan back in the day, although Mark was the one I followed, and at first I did enjoy all the Take That references but later it became a bit too much and I felt they could have been curtailed. It was clear Charlie was obsessed with Gary so continuous remainders and mentions weren't strictly necessary all the time throughout most chapters.

The chapters were short and snappy which I like as they usually keep the storyline moving on and if you need to stop reading for any reason there wasn't that frustration that you had to leave the story in the middle of the chapter. I did think the book was too long though, there were several points where I thought it had come to a natural conclusion and I would have been happy with the ending and yet it went on for several more chapters. Even the epilogue had plenty in it with one final surprise but by that stage I had thought the outcome had been achieved and then another twist had been put in. The indecisiveness of Ruby throughout the story irritated me at times. At the end of chapter she was firm, no that's it I'm having nothing to do with so and so and then a chapter later she was back with said person. In this sense she was reckless and dived straight in to things despite the advice of Charlie.

Charlie knew what she was talking about as we learn when more is revealed about her background and I wished Ruby had the good sense to listen to her friend. There was too much back and forth which I know is needed in a book where a woman is looking for a new start in life and a new love interest but it became confusing to keep track and therefore my general opinion of Ruby changed countless times. I wasn't even sure who I wanted her to end up with as the two men in question had attributes some of which I liked and some I didn't. I could see Ruby was confused and torn all the time and it was understandable given she had just come out of a marriage she believed to be very much stable and for the long term. But still she tested the waters a bit too much for my liking and the flitting back and forth at times hindered my enjoyment of the story.

So to the two men in question which have Ruby's heart torn in two and filled with indecision. Joe runs scuba diving classes which Ruby decides to try her hand at. She soon finds out it's a pastime not for her but maybe Joe could become more than a pastime? Unfortunately he is recently separated but has two teenage children and an ex who are very demanding. Ruby feels that with Joe she will never be the main priority, that his sole focus and attention will never be on her. She does have feelings for him but how can they develop into something more if one person gives 100% and the other doesn't. I can't say I had any particular feelings towards Joe. I didn't dislike him nor was I overly enamoured with him. He seemed to blow very hot and cold and didn't know what he wanted with regards to his future. I think he needed to be more honest with Ruby and not have her running after him thinking something deeper could happen when maybe he wasn't ready for that. He needed to find his own resolution before concentrating on Ruby.

Mason Soames is Ruby's boss at the pub. A man about town, business man. He was suave and sophisticated and had the reputation that went with it. He was cute, young, cocky, smooth and charming and ignited a spark in Ruby that made her transform from a broken woman to someone with fire in her belly willing to go against the persona she portrayed when we first met her. The weekend in Paris springs to mind even if what went on was very much not of her character. Mason had such a way about him, it was almost like Ruby fell under his spell as I am sure many readers will do to. But surely you need someone with a bit more stability, who won't act rashly and can keep their attention on one person at a time? Roving eyes aren't ideal in a relationship no matter how handsome you are and what you can provide someone with or even if the words you want to hear come out of their mouth.

The remainder of the story went back and forth between the two and Ruby's confusion and feelings increased. It became a bit repetitive and I can't say it held my interest throughout. Million Love Songs as a whole was bit of a mixed bag for me. It could have been amazing but I didn't get the compulsive need to never leave the book out of my hands in order to discover the final outcome. I much preferred Paper Hearts and Summer Kisses and the Christmas book I mentioned above. In general that's what happens with me with Carole Matthews books I like two or three in succession and then there is one that is not for me. I am glad I read this book because I think I would read anything Carole writes but this one just wasn't my favourite.

Ruby Brown has started a new job as a waitress. She’s recently parted with her boyfriend and is taking time out from dating so that she can mend her broken heart. It’s not nice finding out that your boyfriend has cheated on you. Yes, she’s well and truly off men.

Her new boss Mason has other ideas though. He’s up for a no-strings-attached casual relationship. There’s no doubt that he wants to bed Ruby. He’s handsome, wealthy and has lots to offer. He’ll jet her away for romantic weekends, woo her by taking her to gorgeous restaurants and he’ll take her out to posh clubs any time the fancy takes him. Then he’ll disappear off the radar skiing or holidaying somewhere exotic. But somehow it all seems so shallow, so pointless. Her best friend warned her off him before they even met, telling her that he’s a playboy Casanova but not a keeper. But he’s such fun, she’s definitely tempted.

Joe, on the other hand, is warm, encouraging and gentlemanly. He’s also very fit. She’s seen the evidence at first hand when he’s coaching her as part of her PADI diving course. It’s obvious that he’s lonely too. He’s a single father of two teenagers, all of them deserted by his cheating, selfish wife. He’s keen on their friendship, but juggling when they can see each other is a massive problem. Ruby isn’t at all sure she can cope with the baggage of such hurt, or even whether she wants to, but the more she sees him the more she likes him. Trust her to have to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea.

‘Million Love Songs’ tells Ruby’s story, her quest to mend her broken heart and find true love, because secretly that’s what she really wants most of all. Her best friend is a massive fan of pop group ‘Take That’ and in particular Garry Barlow. He wrote a song called ‘A Million Love Songs’ and his lyrics are echoed throughout this romantic, beautifully told story of indecision, missed opportunities and disappointment. It was really fitting that the man himself should feature so much in this novel. I loved the way Carole Matthews wrote with such understanding and injected humour into her story. I loved the characterisation and the contrast between her two would-be lovers. Mason wasn’t all bad and I loved the portrait the author painted of him as a sort of lovable rogue. He ‘came good’ in the end by showing his care and concern for Ruby. He wasn’t a total love rat by far. Joe was ‘the dream boyfriend’, kind, thoughtful and caring, but nevertheless with added complications in his life and divided loyalties. Ruby deserved to be loved and cherished. She deserved to be spoilt.

I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Sphere for my copy of this novel, sent to me in return for an honest review. Fans of Carole will lap up this novel greedily and if you like romantic novels, this is certainly worth your time reading.

It's been far too long since I read a Carole Matthews book and was glad I could get my teeth into this latest release. Ruby Brown is now going it alone. She lives in a granny annexe above a garage, works as a waitress at the local pub The Butchers Arms and her best friend Charlie is a crazy Take That fan. I instantly loved Ruby! A woman (not a girl child thanks Carole) who has seen a bit of life and feels like she is starting again following her recent break-up.

Mason Soames is Ruby's Boss and is every inch the typical Playboy. On the other side of the fence she strikes up a friendship with a recently seperated Joe. However Joe also comes with baggage in the form of 2 children and a spiteful ex-wife. I absolutely loved all the characters in this book. In all honesty I even loved the charactrs that were far from perfect. Ruby and Charlie's friendship was brilliant and Charlie's fan girl moments with Gary Barlow were priceless.

Carole Matthews is an author I have been reading for as many years as she has been writing and she never fails to bring new stories and characters that I love. This latest release is no different and is full of wit, humour and romance. I love the fact that towards the end of the story Carole throws in a bit of a curveball which I didn't see coming and it made a change for a 'typical;' storyline not to go to plan. It certainly made it more interesting. A thoroughly enjoyable book and one which is just as good as her others.

Whilst I have many of this author's back catalogue to catch up on, I am always delighted to be able to read her latest novel.

And if you have just broken into a bit of Take That when you read the title, then trust me the book is for you! But even if you are ambivalent over Gary Barlow, et al this is still a wonderful story which tugs at the heart-strings and in fact made me cry!

Ruby is single again, divorced, new job, new place to live and she wants to embrace everything, she does not want to get involved with anyone and certainly not seriously.

Mason Soames is the boss where Ruby works and has a nickname worthy of any lothario. Ruby has been warned but there is something about him, which excites Ruby, which means she throws all caution and reason to the wind. Trouble is he seems to be missing something

Joe Edwards, is Ruby's initial scuba diving instructor (you have to read the book to see how she manages to get into that situation!) and he is everything that Mason is not, especially as he comes with two teenage children and an ex-wife.

Charlie is Ruby's friend and she is determined to make sure that Ruby makes the right choices for her future and that if all else fails there is always Gary Barlow to fall back on. The dream is always best, the reality no doubt would be disappointing.

Looking back now I have finished the book, a lot is packed into Ruby's life in these pages. She is trying to make her way as a new woman and she tries many things. Some not necessarily are her thing, but she embraces most of them with enthusiasm even if they are not to be repeated. Through all her ups and downs she relies on Charlie as her friend and Carole Matthews has a way of showing wonderfully strong female friendships within her novels.

Of course there is plenty of romance thrown in along with the laughs but as I approached the end of the book which I did not want to end, I was worried about Ruby and the choice she was going to make. I had a little cry at the one she did make, but I am not telling you if that was tears of joy or sorrow, you will have to read the book yourself to see. Whether she made the right one, no one knows as the characters can only live on in our imaginations unless the author decides to pick them up again.

A great book, which might have overdone the Take That/Gary Barlow obsession a bit too far for my liking, but was probably well researched and there is no doubt many fans out there who experience what Carole Matthews was showing us. Carole has an ability to tap into the moment, the time, the world which we see around us and present it in a such a lovely way, you can forget all the bad things out there as you lose yourself in this book.

I highly recommend this book.

Excellent story line and great main characters. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend.

The story of Ruby, starting over after moving on from her cheating husband. Central to the book is her friendship with her Gary Barlow obsessed friend. Ruby starts dating again - no strings fun with Mason and complicated family man Joe

Ruby Brown. After her husband leaves her for another woman, Ruby decides to give her life a good shake up, gives up her boring office job and go in search of a shiny new exciting life. Hence we find her working as a waitress in her local pub/restaurant and signed up for a course of scuba diving lessons. Maybe not quite as spectacular as her husband's new partner who sports a sparkly vajayjay (in Matthews' own words, might I add) but it's a start. Ruby's new best friend is colleague Charlie who is resolutely single, awaiting the attentions of none other than Take That band member Gary Barlow.
Ruby soon draws the (unwanted) attention of pub manager and renowned womaniser Mason Soames and while Ruby is determined not to be drawn into another relationship just yet -especially with someone with Mason's reputation - she can't seem to say no to spending time with him. In an attempt to distract herself Ruby throws herself into her new found hobby of scuba diving only to find her body reacting in unwanted ways to sexy instructor Joe.
Matthews relates Ruby's exploits with her customary brand of humour as the spurned 30-something tries to work out exactly what she wants out of life - an exciting, rollercoaster social life with no responsibilities or a quieter life which offers more security. As I was reading I pictured Mason Soames as a similar type of character as that played by Hugh Grant in the Bridget Jones movies with Joe taking up the role of more a staid Colin Firth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with its comedy moments and more serious sections and I think it is fair to say that this is bound to be yet another big success for Carole.
This review will appear on my blog in January at www.sandiesbookshelves.blogspot.co.uk

I was so excited to to read Million Love Songs, and what beautiful, heart warming, delightful story it was, I couldn't stop smiling all the way through and had a little giggle a few times, it was just a perfect story, lovely characters, I just loved it!!!!!

I usually love Carole Matthews' novels, so I approached this one with anticipation. The story follows Ruby, a 38 year old waitress, who finds herself with two love interests when she rejoins the dating game after a failed marriage. Will she choose Mason, her charming boss, or Joe, diving instructor with kids in tow?

I will admit that I found this quite slow at times. I wasn't convinced that the preferred man was actually that nice (some of the things he does aren't really that forgivable, in my opinion). I was also irritated by Ruby's best friend, the Take That superfan - I don't mind TT, but I didn't need the details of various concerts and I don't know any 30-somethings who say 'obvs' (repeatedly). I do like Matthews' chatty style, but this book wasn't one of her strongest.

Overall, this is readable and mildly entertaining, but not as great as I'd hoped.