This was a fun book that I got into quite quickly,it wasn't your normal chick lit which was quite refreshing and despite the title looking for Lucy wasn't really what the book was about. There were plenty of good characters including a few from previous books and I soon found myself rooting for Clementine

I feel a bit mixed about this book. I enjoyed the overall story and there's a great twist in it I just didn't see coming

However, it took me a long time to get into it and there's almost too many twists and turns to make it seem anywhere near believable

Clementine would do anything for her daughter, Allegra, which is why her friends can’t figure out why she’d add the difficulty of raising her on Emerald Street. Though she guards them, Clementine has her reasons, starting with her devotion to finding her twin sister, Lucy. But when Peter, a wealthy and frequent guest at the restaurant where she works, proposes, Clementine, for perhaps the first time in a long time, seriously considers how good her future could be. However, as she well knows, happy endings rarely come easy or as planned.

Julie Houston is one of the best storytellers working today. It’s a big statement, but rarely has there been an author with her ability to consistently craft a book with so much heart.

In Looking for Lucy, that heart rests entirely with Clementine. Determined and radiant, her focus is on bettering the world for her daughter—even if it leads to some seemingly unorthodox decisions. She practically bounds from the page, tackling hardship and problems without breaking a sweat—she simply doesn’t have the time for that—before seemingly striking gold when Peter proposes.

And this is where Houston really works her magic. Peter is not necessarily the most likable character. Although not exactly overt, he needles and wheedles to get what he wants—though he still has charm. This produces such a rich dilemma for Lucy that’s both morally complicated and compelling, and her decision spirals into a legitimately shocking event that permeates the rest of the book. From there, things shift to a story of family in all of its abundant drama that spotlights Clementine as the remarkable mother she really is.

But it’s not always so serious. Houston’s back at her best with laugh-out-loud one-liners and scenarios. As Clementine shifts into her new life, new career, and new dynamic, she surrounds herself with a group of friends that will be familiar to anyone who’s read Houston’s other novels. Between their gentle ribbing and Clementine’s own run-ins with her neighbor’s animals, there’s always a light moment to cut through when things get too heavy.

Not surprisingly, Julie Houston has offered up yet another success. Here’s hoping for many more of her gorgeous novels in the years to come.

I liked Clementine a lot but the story became very convoluted. Just an okay read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I feel a bit mixed about this book. I enjoyed the overall story and there's a great twist in it I just didn't see coming

However, it took me a long time to get into it and there's almost too many twists and turns to make it seem anywhere near believable. I'd probably remove the many different love interests for Clementine to slim the story a bit.

That said it was readable and an satisfactory ending

A wonderful, well written story with lots of twists and turns. It doesn’t end how I expected and absolutely loved it. The characters are well developed and three dimensional, the plot was well paced.tgisis the kind of book you won’t want to put down

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Another wonderful read from Julie Houston which I didn't realise, prior to reading, included some of the characters from her previous novels - it's a winner!

Clementine lives in a very unsavoury part of Leeds with her daughter, Allegra; she is aware it's not the best of addresses but she has her reasons for being there - apart from money being tight - and is working her socks off at her part-time job whilst completing her degree. Then along comes Peter who introduces both of them to a different, more affluent way of life and proposes marriage. Is it all too good to be true?

With the author's trademark warmth and understanding, this is a beautifully created story which fits in with her recent books, although it is totally different. With plenty going on - a bit of a mystery, family dynamics and the fabulous fun which is injected into all Julie's novels, I was thoroughly captivated by this one. I can imagine that there was a fair bit of research into producing such accurate details (especially the food!) and I just loved everything about it. With plenty going on, ups and downs along with a few unexpected twists, this one ticked all my boxes and left me with a feeling of great satisfaction. Totally worth all five glowing stars and a hearty recommendation from me to read not only this one, but also the author's preceding novels.

My thanks to publisher Aria for my copy via NetGalley; as always, this is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Loved it!! This is my favorite book by Julie Houston so far. I loved getting reacquainted with all the characters from the previous books. Clementine fits in perfect with Grace and Harriet. I so want to be friends with them!!! I thought the book was going to be about Clementine's search for her sister, but really that is such a small part of the book. Lucy pretty much showed up whenever Clementine wasn't looking for her. Lucy definitely wasn't what I was expecting. There were so many twists and turns. So many hidden secrets. I never knew what Clementine was going to reveal to her friends. There were many humorous moments.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. I hope there's more books with Harriet, Grace and Clementine or any character in Midhope.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has it all: laugh out loud moments, twists and turns of the plot and recurring characters make for a book you may not be able to put down. The main character, Clementine, has dealt with a lot, and is not finding life too easy. Can she give her daughter a brighter future at the expense of her own? Life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will!

An engrossing and well written story.
I rooted for the well written cast of characters and liked the well crafted plot and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Looking for Lucy is a great, engrossing story which I was happy to loose myself in. The characters, friendships, sneaky love, emotions was all a treat to read and experience.

'Looking For Lucy' was quaint, witty, warm, and... exhausting. After finishing 80% of the book, I still have doubts that I could nail down the plot. Funnily enough, the story line about Clementine finding her twin, Lucy, was much more of an afterthought than what the title would suggest. The writing was absolutely wonderful but when the reader stops reading more than once and maniacally laughs aloud, 'This is never going to end', then maybe some paring down might be in order. ;-)

The read was enjoyable; it just seemed hopelessly rudderless. 3-3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aria, and Julie Houston for an ARC of 'Looking For Lucy' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Thank you Netgalley and Aria publishing for this book.
This is my first Julie Houston book and it is certainly not going to be my last. I was a bit unsure about reading this book since I haven't read any book from this author before but at the same time I loved the blurb and was a bit intrigued by it. This book certainly didn't disappoint! I was about 10% into this when I realised I was having fun and I seriously couldn't stop reading. This was not your typical romance but it was so much more. It was surprising from the first chapter. The events which led to the opening of the book was more than just surprising to say the least and as the story progressed so did my interest in the events which took place. I don't want to say much about this but this certainly has a happy ending.
Such a absolute joy! I certainly would recommend it! Thanks again for this one. Happy reading!