I loved the characters in this book! Hazel and Alfie are so like many of us who are never sure how to relate to possible partners, and spend a lot of time screwing it up. Thank goodness they figure it out in the end! This book was funny, engaging, and very entertaining.

"Not Exactly What I Had in Mind" by Kate Brook is a quirky, endearing contemporary romantic novel. Fun characters and catchy entanglements, this book was certainly enjoyable. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the reader copy for review. All opinions are my own.

This was a truly stunning debut. It falls into the “slice of life” category, without much action outside of everyday life, but so immaculately crafted. I loved all of the characters, but Alfie was my favorite! The chemistry he had with Hazel was so well shown, and the way their friendship grew felt so organic and real. This book packs a lot into a short book, but is somehow able to tackle it all thoroughly. I would have loved to keep reading about these characters for a hundred more pages, and while I normally enjoy an ambiguous ending, I selfishly want to know what Hazel and Alfie decided on. The “will they/won’t they” killed me! The epilogue wasn’t my fave, but it certainly didn’t detract from how much I enjoyed this book. Highly recommend for the contemporary fiction lover!

Thank you to Penguin Book Group Dutton for this advance copy!!

My first time reading from this author, I really enjoyed the story and seeing where it went and there were some definite surprises along the way, that you would not expect it. I would give this book a chance, and you will love the characters, especially Alfie.

Hazel and Alfie are roommates that not only have just moved in together but also have just had sex. A drunken evening led them to the bedroom for a memorable evening. Hazel fiinds that she might have feelings for Alfie, but his continued mentions of his ex-girlfriend and other circumstances have led Hazel to try and push her feelings aside. Hazel's sister and wife have just moved back into town and want to start a family. Circumstances bring the four together in ways that Hazel never imagined. This book was, at times, funny and, other times, heartbreaking. I loved the characters and the way that they developed throughout the book. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 4 stars.

While "This is Not What I Had in Mind"  wasn't my favorite read, I was mostly along for the ride until the very end. It's been mentioned in a few reviews already, but that ending really threw me out of the story. Minus the epilogue and I might have given this story four stars. With the epilogue, I feel too generous giving it three. 

I actually almost forgot that this book was on my TBR. I read "The Arc" by Tory Henwood Hoen a few months back, and the cover art style was so similar that my brain thought I'd already read TiNWIHiM. Oops.

The beginning starts off with a bang- literally. Hazel and Alfie have just slept with each other- they've both enjoyed it and like each other-- but since they are flatmates, they decide to put the night past them and not talk about it so as not to ruin their living circumstances. Seems adult, right? Nope. Not at all. They never learn to communicate with each other, and as a reader, it gets very frustrating. I'm only slightly older than the characters, but I felt like I was stuck in a teenage drama at times.

I wish I could have loved this story. The writing style makes it easy to read and there are a few good discussions to be had about current world issues. At the same time, it's so hard to wash that ending out of my head. I'm just so disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group Dutton for an advanced E-copy of this book in exchange for a review. I received an e-copy, but this book was published in June 2022 and is available to read.

I feel like this author tried to cram a lot into this book. Hazel was the most frustrating character, and the moral of the story is that if people would learn to communicate, life would be a lot fucking easier. There were some aspects of the book I enjoyed, like the social commentary, but I think Kate Brook was trying to be the most woke person by putting in every single social issue imaginable. I also didn't love the big vegan push and shaming Hazel for eating a steak.. but that's just me I guess.. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I typically like stories with multiple POV's, but this one felt like way too much. It was all over the place, too mnay characters and sometimes hard to tell who's POV it was at a given time. It made it difficult for me to focus or really get invested into any of the characters or story, as I was confused much of the time. Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the ARC.

Not Exactly What I Had In Mind
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 6/28/22
Author: Kate Brook
Publisher: Dutton
Pages: 352
Goodreads Rating: 3.28

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Dutton and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Hazel and Alfie have just moved in together as roommates and just slept together. Due to financial reasons, they need to find a way to keep living together. Then Hazel's sister, Emily, and her wife, Daria, come for a visit, and Hazel's and Alfie's feelings about each other are pushed to the side in the whirlwind of their arrival. As the lives of Hazel, Alfie, Emily, and Daria collide, a complicated chain of events begins to bind them all together, bringing joy and heartache, hope and anxiety, and reshaping their relationships in ways that no one quite predicted.

My Thoughts: This is my first book from this author and I would be interested into adding others to my TBR. The characters are developed well with layers of depth, emotional, have chemistry, and the relationships are built over the course of the story. The characters were relatable and likable. The author’s writing style reminds of Sally Rooney, it is complex, creative, and unique. This story tackles various issues such as mental health, gay/lesbian relationship, genealogy, environmental concerns, and how having kids in today’s environment will impact the world. The only con was the ending for me, it was not what I expected and/or wanted. However, overall, this was a good read and I enjoyed it. This book was released last month.

This was definitely an interesting read. Not at all what I expected and I would say the description isn't quite accurate. While there were funny and witty parts, it felt like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I mostly just felt confused the entire time and kept waiting to get to the rom-com part. This is in no way a rom-com. I don't think it's a bad book at all - in fact, the more I digest it, the more I think I like it - I just was not at all prepared for the type of story it turned out to be. I'm not even sure how to accurately describe it. It's just one giant miscommunication and mis-step after another. There are several trigger warnings that also caught me off guard: miscarriage, cancer diagnostics, cancer related death, revenge porn.
3.5 stars - It might deserve higher, but I have to admit I didn't enjoy it while reading because I was so confused about what was going on. If I'd had different expectations going in, I might have enjoyed it a lot - hard to say.

Hazel is in her twenties living with her two roommates. Things get a little weird when she and her roommate Alfie have sex. Actual feelings start to develop after a while though. Alfie is ready to make his move when Hazel's sister Emily and Emily's fiancé Dana come to visit.

All of their lives begin intertwining making them all tp think about their own lives, relationships, and goals for life.

The writing the was funny and interesting to read. I really enjoyed this book.

I wish I went into this book with a more accurate understanding of what it would be about. I had one expectation and was met with something different, and that unfortunately had a negative impact on my opinion.

There were many characters, sub-plots, and themes, and I didn't find any of them to be enough. Hazel and Alfie like each other, but won't admit it to each other leading to a lot of angst on both of their parts. The story line with Hazel's sister trying to get pregnant was awkward. There are also trigger warnings for abuse, revenge, adoption...it just felt like the author was attempting to tackle too many serious subjects while at the same time telling a love story.

Short Review: This book made me laugh, cry, gasp in surprise, and simultaneously want to punch someone in the face. It was absolutely brilliant. A wonderfully poignant take on modern love and family. All the stars.

"But do you know what, Hazel, I reckon this is all the therapy I need. Just sitting here, talking to you."

Long Review: Oh my heart. What else can I say? I am completely smitten with this one. The characters are real and raw and convey exactly what it means to live in the modern 21st century. I loved every single one of them. Most of all, Alfie. Everyone needs an Alfie in their lives.

This book is about modern relationships, loving one another, having hope, healing from loss, and all the messy complications life throws at us. Get it on your must read list.

I am not happy that this book had to end. I want to know more and I need to know what happens in the next chapters of their lives.

I will be honest and tell you to please give this book a chance. I was nervous at first and realized that I needed to read it for myself.

I loved how these characters could very well be everyday people in our lives.

The author touches on racism, sexism, feminism, sex offense, and so much more. That was refreshing because that happens in real life! To our friends and possibly even to our family.

Again, this book hit home for me. Every single character in this story now has a safe place in my soul!

Really good book, an easy but not simplistic read. I really loved the characters except for Miles of course. The story was intellectually cozy (I just made that up I think, but it captures my thoughts nicely I think.) My favorite part of Brook’s writing is how she was able to really inhabit the psyche of so many characters it brought a lot of dimension to them and also served as a mirror in which I could see my own fear and insecurities and strengths and beauty. It was a great book to break a little reading slump I was in.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. As an American who briefly lived in England, I enjoy reading British novels simply for the language alone. The story was swift and engrossing, but I didn't love the vague ending. It also felt a bit rushed at the end. But overall I enjoyed it, and was rooting for all the main characters to get what they most desired.

This debut novel follows Hazel and Alfie as they navigate the aftermath of their one-time hook-up that may or may not mean something more. My main dislike of the plot would be how much it relies on the miscommunication trope. However, they get swept up in Hazel's sister, Emily's, pursuit of pregnancy with her wife, Daria. There is a lot going on in this book, and it sometimes felt overwhelming, though I did enjoy the four main characters as they navigated careers, pregnancy, family, relationships, health, and the climate crisis. I think this is a quirky read that handles some very heavy topics well, including miscarriage and revenge porn. And you've got to love an open-ended happy ending.

Thank you Dutton for my free e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review!

Hazel and Alfie are roommates who hook up once. Immediately, Hazel decides to play it off as a one-nighter to keep herself from getting hurt. Through some miscommunication, she and Alfie decide to stay friends even though neither one wants that. Hazel's sister Emily and her wife Daria come into town looking for a donor so that they can bear a child together. Alfie seems like the perfect person for this duty. This short synopsis sounds like I'm making this out to be a madcap rom com but this book is really not that. Each relationship is deep and enriching and the story is emotional at turns depending on which character is relating their story. I really enjoyed seeing where this went and there were some definite surprises along the way.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

I found this book to be cute and quirky, but not one I was overly excited about. I put it down and picked it up multiple times.
Hazel and Allie move into together just as friends. One night turned into more and they slept together. They promised it would change anything and they would keep it casual. Hazel tried really hard not to share her feelings. She even went on dates to prove it.
Hazels sister Emily and wife Daria move closer to Hazel and end up pushing Hazels problems aside. Emily desperately wants a baby, but Daria is not sure it’s the right time. They are just starting their new life and new careers.
Can either party figure out what they truly want?

Not Exactly What I Had in Mind is a meandering look into the lives of two roommates, Alfie and Hazel. Hypochondriac Alfie worries he will never find love in the masses of London. Hazel finds herself slowly falling under the influence of a new beau. Meanwhile, Hazel’s sister and her wife try to find the best way to grow their family. Have Alfie and Hazel missed their chance at a meaningful connection beyond friendship?

This book felt like a slice-of-life tv episode. Each of the characters goes through growth and are relentless in the pursuit of their goals. However, I didn’t feel particularly attached to the characters. Miscommunication is probably my least favorite trope, so I felt frustrated by its use here. I did appreciate the bond between the sisters and enjoyed the depiction of their found family. While this book was light on romance, aspects of Kate Brook’s writing reminded me of Beth O’Leary in terms of sense of humor. I will be curious to see what Kate Brook writes next! Not Exactly What I Had in Mind is available now. Thank you to Kate Brook, Dutton and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.