My biggest issue - if I do not connect with the main character then I find it really hard to continue on with the story and read it with genuine interest. My review is short and sweet because The Setup was a DNF from me, regretfully. Mara's entirely personality was negative and self-absorbed and I quickly got tired of the astrology talks. The cover is super cute and the idea was promising, but the execution took a nose dive straight to the floor and it didn't hit the spot.

I remember going through a phase in my 20s where I read my horoscope every day. Mara, though, is another level of obsessed with astrology. As the novel progresses we learn more and more about why she constantly looks for signs in the stars to help her make decisions, and by turns I wanted to shake some sense into her and give her a big hug!

I loved Mara’s journey in this one, as she finally tries to learn how to trust her own judgement. She has some amazing people in her life to help her along the way, particularly the hilarious cast of characters she works with at the lido, who had me chuckling away.

An uplifting, summery read, which I heartily recommend. With thanks to @vikingbooksuk for sending me a digital copy to review.

Having previously enjoyed Lizzy's book The Summer Job, I was looking forward to The Set-Up and it did not disappoint. The main character of Mara was so relatable - she's not perfect or totally likeable 100% of the time but who is!? Lizzy writes 3-dimensional characters so well and the settings were beautifully described. I would definitely read more by this author.

Mara is a dreamer, the girl who lives her life based on what's she's seen in the movies she loves so much and on her horoscope. I love that she created Project Mara - a journey of self-improvement and discovery.

Mara's flatmate Ashley (Ash) is certainly the readers version of eye-candy. He is so kind and attentive - the perfect book boyfriend.

I felt like there was a good pace throughout the book with Mara's transformations taking place slowly. However, I felt like the last few chapters were rushed and I was still left with some questions. Originally I thought the book was funny but I ended up just feeling frustrated in the end.

Was the lido saved and turned into the great vision Mara had for it?
What happened with her and Charlie?
Did Mara check up on Joe again?

Absolutely loved this and what a breath of fresh air this was! Adored the characters and how the story unfolded. Really loved some of the laugh out loud moments too. Very funny. Of course it's inevitable how the story ends but that did not take away any of the enjoyment along the way.

Highly recommended as a feel good rom-com and well deserves the 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley.

I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about this book, I liked it a lot at times but at others, it was SO frustrating. I love the scene setting though, I want to go refurbish a Lido now and move to the sea side.

I loved the end game Mister and was glad my ship wasn't built for nothing!

Really enjoyed this.. great characters. Would recommend
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

What a lovely book. I expected to like this as I had enjoyed Lizzy Dent’s first book, but this book really blew me away.

Mara, the protagonist, is heartbreakingly insecure. She’ doubts herself so much, and she can’t make decision. She relies on astrology for guidance, and genuinely believes she is not good enough. When she is on a holiday in Budapest, a fortune teller tells her about that man she will meet imminently. When a man, Joe, almost immediately appears, she is convinced he is the one. She sets up a meeting for him later in the year, with him thinking he will meet his destiny, who is of course, Mara.

Mara then throws herself into becoming a better person, worthy of Joe. In doing this, she questions what she knows, makes new friends and discovers that she can do more than she ever thought she could.

Mara herself is loveable, but it’s hard not to be a little frustrated at her inability to see how much she is loved and how capable she is. Her colleagues and friends help her to become more sure of herself, and her flat are, Ash, is one of the most wonderful people ever to appear in a book.

I so enjoyed Mara’s journey, this is a wonderful book. It deals with depression, growing up, friendships, love, family relationships, and above all, how you value yourself. It’s a book that made me think, and it’s one that will stay with me.

Lizzy Dent is an author I will definitely look out for. I can’t wait to read her third book.

There are two men in my life. But this is not a love triangle.

Mara Williams reads her horoscope every day - but she wasn't expecting to be in a whole other country when destiny finally found her. Just as a fortune teller reveals that her true love is about to arrive, a gorgeous stranger literally walks into her life. And now Mara is determined to bring them together again . . . Surely even fate needs a nudge in the right direction sometimes?

But while Mara is getting ready for 'the one', the universe intervenes. Her new flatmate Ash is funny, and kind, and sexy as hell . . . There was no predicting this: it's as if her destiny just arrived on her doorstep.

So will Mara put her destiny in fate's hands - and finally trust herself to reach for the stars?

I've seen a lot about Lizzy Dent's book in the past and only just got round to reading one of her books. I can tell you now, I will be picking up more by her in the future.

This was an excellent romcom that combines romance and astrology. At first I thought this was going to be a combination I couldn't get on with, but I was completely wrong, I loved it. The characters are excellent and the writing is captivating too!

I will be on the hunt for more Lizzy Dent books now and would highly recommend you pick this one up!

Was a fun read but not the best book I’ve ever read. I really enjoyed some parts of the book but at times it was slow and predictable.

I adore this book, all Lizzy’s books are great and this one was heart warming and left me smiling.

Mara is addicted to reading horoscopes, even using them to help her make decisions, so when on holiday a surprise visit with a fortune teller and subsequently a tall, dark stranger, her mind in made up fate is in play.
Back in Kent, Mara returns to work and tries to change everything, her appearance, wardrobe, social interactions and the decor of her flat, all with the help of her new flat mate, Ash and her new found friends who work alongside her at the majestic Lido.
From sunny Budapest to Northumberland then idyllic Vienna back to Kent trying to find the answers to her prayers, which is already written in the stars!

Funny, sweet, lighthearted vibes for this book, which I found particularly witty and smart as someone who is *obsessed* with astrology myself! I wish it had had a bit more spice, but all in all a very enjoyable rom com!

Such a feel good book, just what I needed when I read it. Although Mara was obsessed with astrology and let it dictate the majority of her decisions (which is something I am not familiar with or truly interested in), her relationship with Charlie was the balance that her life needed.

This book was sweet and slightly spicy.

I am 100% sure this needs a follow up where she actually meets him! It was a nice story but it almost felt like the main plot line was a bit diminished and then hastily tied up. Still a lovely easy read and really enjoyed the sub plot around the lido and the community.

This was a fun book to read. It started with Mara being all alone and forlorn, with a huge desire to change her life.
Did 'project Mara' work?

A good read for people who want to 'find themselves'.

Thank you @netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this novel.

Such a lovely story, very entertaining and a really liked the characters.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Anyone who loves tarot or horoscopes, or knows their Big Three by heart will truly love this book. I also loved the humour in this book, it's just as funny as Lizzy's first book so she clearly has a gift for humour. Mara's insecurities were realistic and relatable to me, and I absolutely got caught up in the whirlwind of the romance, too.

This wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. A good middling romance novel. Missing the humour I was looking for but a decent light read.

Hilarious read! One of the funniest, memorable books I’ve read. My first Lizzy Dent, certainly not the last.