Sophie Ranald’s ‘No, We Can’t Be Friends’ is the perfect blend of wit, romance, and poignance. Sloane and Myles have been married for five years, and have settled into a sense of domesticity and trust. Or so Sloane thought. While in the process of trying to have a baby, Sloane discovers that Myles has a secret, and the life she thought she had ends up taking a U-turn. This novel tracks her journey of self-(re)discovery as she reclaims her life and leaves her old one behind.

I love a strong, yet human, female protagonist, and Sloane fits this bill and then some. Her trajectory isn’t fluid, it’s messy, and you feel like you’re along for the entire ride. There was nothing about this novel that felt overwrought or stodgy; I was there for every minute of the narrative. And, without spoiling anything, let’s just say I found the last third of the book to be wholly satisfying and rewarding.

This is a great read for anyone who loves a hint of romance packed into a whole lot of female empowerment. This is the first novel of Ranald’s that I’ve read, and it definitely won’t be my last. (I also wouldn’t be sad if this got made into a film. Just saying.)

**A huge thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

Some mild spoilers

I chose this book because it was described as laugh out loud and hilarious, both on the cover, and in multiple reviews in the description. However, I think they must have read a different book, as the first 90% didn’t have a single moment that even mildly amused me, never mind made me laugh. There are: 2 miscarriages, a cheating husband, a marriage breakdown, an alcoholic mother who dies, she ends up being very briefly homeless. She was unhappy for most of the book, until she finally left her husband two thirds of the way through.

The last 10% of the book was good, there was some sass and a bit of amusement, as well as the happy ending. The book is well written, and a good story, it just really doesn’t match up to the laugh out loud description and reviews. I certainly wouldn’t have chosen it if I’d known.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story of a young woman who enters into married life and then finds things settling into ruts that she did not expect - and whose husband not only takes her entirely for granted, but abuses her trust in him - is an unexpected gem. Chick lit is not my usual genre, but this sounded like a bit more than that - and it delivered on that promise. I loved the way the heroine picked herself up and got on with life on her terms, without wasting time on revenge fantasies or self-pity. Instead, she put all her energy into going after the life she wanted - and getting it. The author did a great job of bringing her characters to life - not just the heroine, but so many of the other people in her life too.

Goodreads review here (direct link not possible): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3066234476

Sophie Ranald's heroines are the real deal!

Sloane just had her world blown up. She hurts. She grieves. Yet, she picks herself up. And when Edward, The Knight in Shining Armour, comes riding up on that proverbial white horse, Sloane slaps that beast on the rump and tells Edward she's good—no damsel in distress to rescue here. Onward!

No bitterness. No vengeance. No self-pity. Sloane resets her own course in life with dignity and aplomb. Another charming and uplifting read from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Sophie Ranald for an ARC of 'No, We Can't Be Friends' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Overall rating-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐and more...this book deserves more.

Okay first things first. This book is so good. Like so so good. And so so realistic. Husbands like Myles, unfortunately,exists and so do wives like Sloane. What happened to Sloane in this book happens a lot to every other woman every other day. I really felt anger and then some more anger on behalf of her. But I have to hand it to Sophie Ranald. The author book on a serious subject, covered it up in pretty colors with a plot so deep and realistic that it punches you in the gut with the struggle that comes with the idea of an ideal marriage life or simply the life of modern women these days. Hats off to her. Simply brilliant and absolutely unputdownable. I read it in one go and the next thing I know its come to an end. I literally devoured it in one go and thats the thing that never happened to me before. Don't be fooled by the bright cover, this is realistic fiction at its best!
This book has little romance in it and most of the part can be catagorised as realistic fiction/woman's fiction. The character transformation that not only Sloane but most of the woman folk went through, supporting each other, being there for the other, made this more fun to read about. Sloane was not alone. She had the whole gang beside her starting from Megan, Bianca, Ruby, Viviene to wonderful Edward and a whole lot of more people. They all made this book special.And all's not justified without her wonderful father and stepmom. And also the glimses of Sloane's past with her mom and her struggle with the sensitive issue is something that was discussed with utmost delicacy and pure talent on the writers part. Honestly I can't praise this book enough. I highly recommend this book to all woman's fiction lover or to anyone who loves a beautiful story. This is a must and so good that I can promise you that you won't regret it.

Again a huge thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this wonderful ARC. I was simply passing time and didn't take the book seriously. I was pleasantly surprised by Sophie Ranald's latest. Worth a read to all the fans of Jane fallon and Celia Adhern and Dani Atkins and Giovanni Fetcher and Sophie Kinsella. Highly recommended.
Happy reading!
P.S. I loved the ending. Sloane got what she was desperately wanting.
P.P.S. no more spoilers.This was not my first SR book and definately not my last.
P.P.P.S. I really am regreting judging the book by its cover.