Just Saying is the first Sophie Ranald book I have read and I really enjoyed it.
It’s the story of Alice and boyfriend Joe. Both trainee solicitors until Alice finds out the company she works for has put a hold on recruitment so she is out of a job.
She finds herself working behind the bar in a pub and Joe invites his ex girlfriend Zoe, and her cat, to move in with them!

This book is so much more than that synopsis though. It covers serious issues like the Windrush Generation, the Me Too Movement and Homosexuality.........had I read that ahead of reading this book I would have been put off. Who wants a chick lit book covering serious issues like that when we just want escapism right?........Well me it seems! What Sophie Ranald manages to do is write an escapist chick lit book that covers serious issues with sensitivity and tact, winding them in to the story.
This book is definitely not the usual romance novel but that is what I found myself liking most about it.
It also has an excellent cast of characters, I especially like Shirley the landlady of the pub, in my head she was a mixture of Eastenders Shirley Carter and Peggy Mitchell.
Just Saying reminds you to cherish what relationships you have and see the value in true friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three and a half stars.

Alice seems to have it all. A promising job as a trainee solicitor, an offer of a permanent position in her law firm's Intellectual Property department at the end of her training, a fabulous boyfriend Joe and a small but charming flat. After Joe plans a perfect birthday celebration Alice thinks everything is perfect, and that's when it all goes to pot: her boss is suspended from work; her job offer is rescinded; and Joe's ex-girlfriend Zoe appears on the scene.

Almost by accident Alice finds herself working at the local grotty boozer (you know the one with sticky carpets in a swirly pattern, the same defeated-looking regulars, and a menu which went out in the 1980s). Then, to help with the rent, Joe invites Zoe to live with them as a lodger! Suddenly Alice is confronted by this beautiful woman wandering around their flat half-dressed, bonding with Joe over things that Alice has never enjoyed (like computer games). Alice is that super ex-girlfriend of our nightmares, beautiful, exotic, a brilliant chef, well-travelled, and all over Joe.

Is Alice taking a break from real life to run a run-down boozer or has she realised that the sensible job in law is not the career for her? Is her perfect boyfriend really perfect, or is there someone else waiting in the wings? What is the truth about Alice leaving her law firm?

I enjoyed reading this and I flew through it in less than day. However, I think the blurb is kind of misleading because the Alice/Zoe conflict isn't really central to the plot. Also, I think this novel will date quite quickly because it references a number of recently topical news stories (Brexit, the Windrush generation, #MeToo). More importantly, I felt that the novel trivialised these issues, as though they were easily solvable or not really worth worrying about (deliberately being vague to avoid spoiling the plot).

I was struggling to classify this novel, it's not your usual chick-lit, it's not romantic comedy, it's not women's fiction. Then I checked out another Sophie Ranald book I had reviewed Out with the Ex, In with the New and realised that this is a bit of a Bildungsroman, a voyage of self-discovery for Alice who finds out what is important to her.

A fun read which touches on some social issues, perfect holiday reading.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I liked the premise of this book, what do you do when your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend moves in. The characters were mostly likable and it was easy to understand their predicament. My stumbling point was that I didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters. Up until the end, I felt like they could end up together, or not, and I wasn't invested in either outcome. The writing was fine, but didn't elicit any big feelings about the characters, their story, or the outcome.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a matter of hours. This has been the perfect Saturday night read which I found impossible to put down.
I have read a few books by this author, this one is definitely my favourite. I have literally laughed out loud more than once.
I have loved the characters in this one, they are so realistic and likeable. It's made a great read. The plot of this one is absolutely fantastic and different from previous books.
This has another absolutely beautiful and eye catching cover which screams out to be read. I have loved it! Definitely a five star read. This is so deserving of the highest rating.
Amazing read which I highly recommend.