A book about relationships, after Covid. Unfortunately the 4 main characters were just not that interesting or easy to relate to for me. A little out of my comfort zone as far as reading for pleasure.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for my honest review.*

A group of 4 people are trying to navigate love, dating, and relationships in Great Britain during and after Covid. Two are roommates. Two are sisters. Two are married. There is a lot going on.

I felt like there was almost too much going on right from the start and it took me a bit to get into the novel. But once I got past that, I was eager to see how their lives would connect and interact throughout the novel. I feel like some things could have been left out. It makes me wonder how day to day life in England is. Whether I live under a rock too much or does everyone really contemplate the environment and wokeness and carbon footprints as much as some of the millennials in novels.

Getting past all of that though, I thought this was a really sweet novel and I enjoyed the ending.

Hazel worries that hooking up with her new roommate, Alfie, might make things awkward. She has no idea.

While she definitely feels a connection with Alfie, she knows she’s not the only woman who’s shared his bed recently so she decides to keep her options open. Then she meets Miles, who is an incredibly hot fellow artist, with better connections than she has.

She ignores some misgivings about Miles (and the fact he’s disappointing in bed) as well as the subtle and not so subtle hints from friends and family that Miles is kind of a dick. Then things implode in an epic manner, forever altering the trajectories of both her and Allie’s lives. Will they find their way back to each other?

The finely drawn Romany and secondary characters (who I really want to be friends with) elevate this novel far above the typical romance. Alternately hilarious and heart wrenching but definitely memorable. #NotExactlyWhatIHadInMind #NetGalley

Unfortunately this was to quote the title “Not Exactly What I Had in Mind”.

I wanted to step out of my comfort zone with this one and unfortunately it was not a hit. I did not connect with Hazel, Alfie, Emily, or Daria.

I think that this seemed to be described as something that would be more in the vein of a romantic comedy and I didn’t get that vibe from it.

I think that this will be wonderful for some, especially if you love depth and smart writing that depends on relationships.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to review this. Thank you NetGalley and Dutton!

I really liked the characters of Not Exactly What I Had in Mind. This story is full of love, family, disappointment, abuse, sadness, joy and determination. What happens to Hazel is frustrating and I'm sure happens a lot more in real life than what we know.

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind is perfect for fans of Sally Rooney. This was a fresh, fun, character driven novel that follows two roommates and two sisters as they navigate life and find love. I really enjoyed following these characters, as they were impossible not to like. It was fun to see each character's journey unfold. Overall, I really enjoyed the novel--but could have done without the epilogue. Huge thank you to Dutton Books for the gifted copy.

The synopsis and the book don’t match up in the sense that the book completely lacks in the wit and humor that was promised in the synopsis. I am am easy reviewer but to be honest I am struggling for anything positive to say. I felt like the story was totally flat, unnecessarily complicated, the characters extremely one dimensional, and in many places wildly unbelievable… and I’m not even going to say what I think about the terrible epilogue.

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind by Kate Brook was a thought provoking book. It contained some sliding doors moments as well. I was intrigued by the will they won’t they roommates living in London then Brook zoomed out and I saw more layers of the story.

I think the title summarizes exactly how I felt about this book. I don't think I'm cut out for literary fiction.

Unfortunately a DNF for me. The writing style was not dragging me in for the first 10% but I did want to continue as it had been marketed as funny and witty and that's usually a hit for me, but by 20% I didn't feel that or a huge connection to the characters so it was time to move on. Potentially I will revisit in the future but not for now.

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind lives up to the name. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind -- I imagined this would be a romance-dominant story, and while there are romantic elements, it's much more about the quarrels of modern dating, platonic relationships, and the ability to trust people.

This story was weaved together in surprising ways and I wasn't entirely sure what was going to happen. I found it funny, heartwarming, and also deeper than anticipated. It is a heartwarming debut and I found was gripped from the beginning. I think some aspects of this story could've been developed a bit more, but overall I really enjoyed it.

Rating: 3.5 stars

NOT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND By Kate Brook

Alfie and Hazel are flatmates and they need to keep it that way. Although things are messy they're adults and they can figure it out.

Until Emily and Daria, Hazel's sister and sister-in-law crash the flat, and then suddenly everything is up in the air.

Thoughts:
When I reach for a book, especially a romance book, I'm seeking to escape for a couple of hours. This book provides no escapism.

I felt the author was trying to surprise the reader. There are words used and scenarios proposed that are unnecessary and create an atmosphere of detritus that is as fun to read as it sounds.

There is one particular storyline that I felt was not wrapped up completely that could be upsetting to some readers. Especially if they have been through a similar situation.

There is no one that I would recommend this book to.

NOT EXACTLY WHAT I HAD IN MIND...⭐️


Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for the advanced copy!

I really struggled with this one and ended up dnfing. A lot of the writing was witty and comical but I thought it would be more of a romance story. I feel like this read similar to Sally Rooney in a way and that is not for me at all. The miscommunication tropes also pushed me over the edge.

When I requested Not Exactly What I Had In Mind, I didn't know what to expect..The title intrigued me but the cover confused me. I at least expected a summer room com.
What I got? A crazy mixed up mess.
The problem for me is I didn't really like the characters. They all seemed so wishy washy and changed their mind completely if it fit the plot. Maybe the author was trying to prove a point that people who pick up a cause...being vegan or getting involved in protests...aren't really dedicated but just jumping on the trendy bandwagon and will tire of it at some point so people aren't really dedicated to a cause except when it suits their fancy. I have actually seen this myself with friends and family so that is a good point and makes sense.
The only character I liked was Alfie but he didn't really do anything. He mainly listened to others. I was surprised he agreed to be the donor for Emily and Daria. The scene with his first attempt to provide hus sperm in the primary school where he worked was just creepy and stupid. Hazel might have been OK if she wasn't so obsessed with her own pity party. I don't think Emily and Daria were sincere characters. Daria has a fear of pregnant women and childbirth???? That doesn't even seem realistic.
Very disappointed in this book. I appreciate NetGalley and author Kate Brook for giving me a free copy and my opinion is freely given and my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was good and the storyline was fast paced and interesting. I would definitely recommend this book at my library

This book tackles a lot, and not everything is well fleshed out. Some of the character interactions are great, actually making me LOL, while others have no context or lack any depth.

The epilogue completely threw me off and seemed very unnecessary. I hope writing about the pandemic is not going to be a trend in the coming years. I do want to live through it all again each time I open a book to escape.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind was a really unique read. I loved all the characters we had the pleasure of getting to know: Alfie, Emily, Daria, and Hazel.

There were turns in the book and character/relationship developments that I absolutely did not see coming but were quite timely and relevant.

Emily especially I felt drawn to as I shared many of her own anxieties about the world and about bringing a child into the world as it is now. At time her anxieties triggered my own and I had to work to separate the storyline from my own anxiety, but ultimately it had a positive affect on me because I didn’t feel quite so alone in those fears.

At times, the lack of communication between Hazel and Alfie had me pulling out my hair, but it was quite indicative of how complicated roommate relationships can get.

I thought the way these four characters were entwined and connected was lovely to watch. A very timely and enjoyable read.

This book was not exactly what I had in mind. I think it’s a mistake to market it as a rom com. It’s more contemporary fiction with perhaps too much social commentary. For the most part I liked the book, it was just different than what I thought I was getting. I liked the relationships between the characters and there’s some great witty dialogue. Would have been a higher rating without the epilogue, my advice would be to skip it.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Group Dutton for giving me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought it was pretty good. It let my attention fairly well and despite the characters getting on my nerves from time to time, they were good too. I’d read more from this author.

Hazel and Alfie have been roommates in London for a few months; they have sex and each would like to date the other but each thinks the other isn’t interested in more than a one-night stand.

When Hazel’s sister and her wife visit, they get to know Alfie and really like him. They keep thinking the two will get together, but they just don’t. Emily and Daria are moving back to England and buy a house and are ready to start a family. They are just facing a few complications. Then they think of how Alfie may be able to help them.

I think this may have been an interesting book written with less vulgarity, but I just couldn’t read further than halfway. There are just so many instances of crude and vulgar talk and some scenes I can only describe as icky. So it just wasn’t for me.