Lovely book. As always, reading a book by Clare is like having a big warm hug, always pleasant, and never a disappointment!
This book was no exception; it was so lovely to read about Newcastle as well as I visit regularly now I have family living there so could picture some of it really clearly.
The story itself was wonderful, and I was so hoping for the ending that we got; made me so happy! Highly recommend this one.

I received a free copy of, Five Things I Love About You, by Clare Swatman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Miranda is pushing 50, and feeling out of sorts. She is divorced, her kids have left the nest, and now its her turn to shine. Except she ends up injured in the hospital. This was a nice read, Its nice to read book about middle aged woman.

Five Things I Love About You by new to me author Clare Swatman, published by Boldwood Books is a beautiful second chances story. Heartwarming, sweet, Miranda and Matt are just perfect for each other. I love the pace of the story, how easy I could connect with characters and storyline, 4 sweet stars.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Miranda, 49, is a divorced English teacher whose two children live abroad. Her boyfriend Dexter cheated on her but she isn't even all that bothered. She has two BFFs, Kirstie and Sophie who she talks things through so when her life seems to stall and her job gets taken away, she still has emotional support.

One day she has a bike accident and a guy looks after her until the ambulance arrives. She doesn't see his face properly but afterwards starts dreaming of him. Her friend Sophie reads her tarot cards and tells her she will find him if she starts looking. So Miranda moves to Newcastle and looks for "Jay", with the little information that she has. She gets help from Matt, a Geordie who has a little dog called Daphne and is smitten with her.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a little bit of magical realism but why does she not even know what her dream guy looks like? What follows is irrational and ridiculous, with Miranda going against her better instincts when she thinks she has found Jay. I wanted to shake her repeatedly, especially as the twist was obvious with a capital O.

I am afraid this didn't keep me invested. Both men were nice but weren't different enough and none of the side characters got fleshed out properly. When she went skydiving I thought she would do some self-discovery with various activities but there wasn't much personal growth and Miranda made silly choices based on unclear dreams and strange coincidences.

This is a cosy holiday read about female friendship, a middle-aged woman's fresh start and a slow, reflective romance with traces of serendipity if you like that sort of thing. I'm afraid I nearly broke my eyes rolling them.

Clare Swatman weaves such beautiful, immersive stories in such effortless ways that you forget you're reading and really feel part of that world as if it were real. I've read a few other books by her and just adore her books. They are airy and easy, without being empty or hollow.

I loved the premise of this book. I'd never read anything like that before -piecing together the puzzle of clues in dreams. It was so unique and done so well. I loved Miranda's friendships, life changes, and personal growth (though I do wish there had been more focus on personal growth outside of romance alone). Lovely and engaging, I'm so grateful I got to read.

Loved this, a good feel good book that has such a pleasant vibe!
I relate it similarly to the 7 year slip and other similar books!

As soon as I saw this book, I knew it was the one for me. I loved the cover and the plot really interested me. Miranda needs a change in her life but she does not know what that is. Nothing is satisfying her right now but when she is involved in an accident she sees her life flash before her and starts to get recurring dreams about this man. So she goes on a journey to find this man, the one she thinks is the love of her life. But will she finally get her happily ever after what she has been craving for, for so long. I loved this book from start to finish, it was a light and easy read and make me laugh through out. A really good storyline that is brimming full of relatable characters. It was a feel good read and I now need to read more of Clare's books.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Five Things I Love About You is a heartfelt and uplifting read about fresh starts, self-discovery, and the unexpected ways life can lead us to love. At 49, Miranda is at a crossroads—until a bike accident and a series of mysterious dreams send her on a journey to track down the man who keeps appearing in her subconscious. What follows is a charming, feel-good story filled with friendship, fate, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone.

I was fully invested in Miranda’s journey, especially in the first half, where she takes bold steps to shake up her life. Her friendships with Sophie and Kirstie were a highlight, adding warmth and humour that grounded the story. I loved that, even though romance was at the core, it also felt like a journey of reinvention—at least at first.

However, in the latter part of the book, I found myself wishing for more focus on Miranda’s personal growth rather than just her romantic choices. Her detour into a relationship with Jay and the lack of communication with Matt made the plot feel a little more predictable than I’d hoped. While I enjoyed the love story overall, I would have loved to see Miranda’s journey celebrate more than just finding “the one.”

That said, Clare Swatman’s writing is engaging, and the themes of love, fate, and second chances are beautifully woven throughout. While some plot choices didn’t fully land for me, this was a warm, enjoyable read that left me feeling hopeful. A solid recommendation for fans of uplifting, romantic fiction!

3🌟

49 year old Miranda is a divorced empty nester who is looking for the next thing in life. Miranda gets in a bike accident where she runs into a handsome mystery man. After the accident she cannot stop thinking, or should I say dreaming about him. After months of feeling like she knows this man more than their small encounter she starts her next adventure to seek out this mystery man. Is he her soulmate?

I can relate to Miranda’s story as a mom of a child who is growing up fast, I now struggle to find my next adventure & find myself outside of motherhood.

While I really enjoyed the concept of this book, the romance fell a little flat to me. I would’ve loved more story surrounding Matt.

🤍 new beginnings
🤍 soulmates & fate
🤍 self discovery
🤍 female friendship

Thank you netgalley, bold wood books & Clare Swatman for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

*Five Things I Love About You* by Clare Swatman is a sweet, emotional romance with a unique premise. The story revolves around a love letter that lists the five things the protagonist loves about her partner, which leads to a journey of love, loss, and self-discovery. The characters are relatable, and the relationship feels authentic, though some of the plot elements can be a bit predictable. While the writing is engaging and poignant, the story is more about the emotional growth of the characters than the romance itself. It's an enjoyable read for fans of contemporary romance, though it doesn't feel overly groundbreaking. Perfect for those looking for a heartfelt, easy read.