Thank you NetGalley for this Arc!

I think the description and title was a bit misleading on this one. Luke was not a big part of the story as I expected him to be and the romance was an even smaller part of the story. I enjoyed the way the everyone in the story wanted to help and look out for each other. I enjoyed Mabel’s character. I liked the lesson of taking time for yourself and your happiness. But I did not like Bee, I would often roll my eyes at her and when she dropped her bomb of who she lost I couldn’t garner no sympathy for her. I did not like how her mother’s character was thrown in just for a villain when it seems clear her mother was also dealing with a lot. I didn’t understand how Alex could be so patient with his mother but annoyed with Kevin when they both were suffering and acted the same way, angry and said no filter on what they say.

It was a nice story overall. I liked the ending.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book was a heartwarming story.

It is about Bee, she’s never met her father and after having a run of bad luck, she travels to Majorca to look for him. Alex, is looking after his mother who is in the early stages of Dementia.

Music, is something that helps both Bee’s father and Alex’s mother as Alex tries to get the band together that his mother was a part of and perform for one night.

Both Alex and Bee are at different stages in their personal lives, but their journey interlinks in a way they didn’t imagine.

The story has some lovely touching parts, laughter and it shows how music can help with sad times, how friendship and family too help.

I recommend this book.

This Thing Called Love by Debbie Howells

I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I went into thinking it would be a love story about Bee and Alex.

It ended up being so much more than that.

Alex is a patient and understanding son who wants to do something memorable for his mother who's just recently been diagnosed with dementia.

After a series of unfortunate events that all happened to her in one day, Bee decides to go on a journey to find her biological father.

On their own, individual paths, Alex amd Bee end up bringing together all these people who once played in a band together, a band that included Alex's mum and Bee's dad.

With the added flair brought by Bee's newly discovered younger sister, Mack, the book was new beginnings, trusting the path life puts you on and to just go with the flow. But also touched on making the most of what's given to you and learning to trust in your capabilities and the people around you. It reminded me to see the good in people.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read it.

"Life goes on, I remind myself. Just not always the way you'd imagined it would."

What an interesting ride! Typically in books, unfortunate events happen slowly to the main characters over time - but this was not the case for Bee, our FMC. She has <b>one</b> VERY bad day, but then embarks on a journey of self-discovery, found family, and feels the impact of just showing up.

"I'm a firm believer that there are times in our lives where we have to stop procrastinating and just do things. After all, we are put on this earth not to fester quietly, but to live."

Bee leaves everything she's ever known to find her recently revealed father in another country. Meanwhile, a stranger she once had a chance run-in with (literally) is also looking for him in an attempt to aid his mother with dementia. You'll have to read this one to see if their paths collide in their searches.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an e-arc of this book!

3.5 Stars

Debbie Howells has been a hit or miss author for me. I loved both The Life You Left Behind and It All Started With You , but The Vow and The Girl I Used To Be were a bit of a miss. I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised with this one and am so glad I gave the author another go.

This very emotional and moving story deals with loss and the bonds that tie us together. Our main character is Bee, and she is having a hard time with life, so she decides to look for the dad she has never known. Then we have Alex, who is dealing with a mother who is suffering from memory loss. Then, Bee and Alex meet and discover they are looking for the same man. Serendipity, right?

Howells always knows how to write stories that tug at my heartstrings. All her characters are thoroughly fleshed out and relatable; they're complex, and I became invested in their stories. I loved the emotional journey she took me on with Bee and Alex, it was both interesting and emotional. I so appreciated that Alex was such a sensitive man and cared so much about his mum. I liked the idea of found family, the emotional depth and the themes of grief and loss, which were written with a conscious sensitivity. I liked that when I turned the final page, I was left with a feeling of hope, even though some of the topics were tough.

What fell a little short for me was the pacing. The book felt a bit slow at times, and the plot took a long time to develop, but overall, I found the book to be very touching and emotional.

(4.5 rounded to 5)

Not Just a Romance—A Story of Healing, Hope, and Heart

🥹 Emotional | 💕 Heartfelt | 🇬🇧 Brighton / 🇪🇸 Majorca

I’ll admit—I often approach a book by a new author with cautious curiosity. You never quite know what you’re stepping into. But This Thing Called Love by Debbie Howells completely took me by surprise. What I found was a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that stayed with me long after I turned the final page. It explores dementia, loss, loneliness, friendship and grief in a way that is heart-warming and filled with hope, and I truly enjoyed it.

Set between the vibrant life of Brighton and the sun-drenched serenity of Majorca, the story unfolds around three strangers: Bee, whose life is falling apart just as she begins a search for the father she never knew; Alex, devoted to his mother whose memory is slipping away, and hoping music might bring her back; and young Mack, a little girl on a quiet island, writing a letter to the Universe asking it to make her grieving father smile again.

Howells has created something truly special—a novel that isn’t a typical romance but rather a story that explores all kinds of love: the love between parents and children, love rooted in friendship, the ache of love lost, and the quiet hope of love yet to be discovered. The characters are multi-layered, flawed and real, and their stories intertwine with a kind of gentle magic that feels both grounded and deeply moving.

What I loved most was the emotional honesty and the sense of quiet bravery—characters taking chances, stepping into the unknown, and learning to trust again. Howells’ writing style is lyrical yet accessible, the kind that wraps around you and makes it easy to lose yourself in the story.

This book is a beautiful reminder that love can take many forms—and sometimes, when you least expect it, the Universe has already begun to bring the right people into your path. Highly recommended for readers who love heartfelt fiction with depth, soul, and just the right touch of serendipity.

I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Boldwood Books.

Set against the dreamy backdrop of a Mediterranean island, this poignant and heartwarming story follows Bee and Alex, two strangers drawn together by long-hidden secrets and a shared connection to Luke, a father trying to rediscover joy. As their paths intertwine through chance encounters and emotional discoveries, Bee and Alex find themselves on a journey of healing, truth, and unexpected love. It’s a tender, soulful tale about hope, destiny, and the invisible threads that pull people together when they need it most.

This Thing Called Love by Debbie Howells is a heartfelt, beautifully written story that really stays with you. It dives into love, loss, and finding your way back to yourself with such honesty and warmth. The characters feel real and relatable, and their journeys are both emotional and uplifting. Howells has a gentle, thoughtful way of writing that pulls you in and makes you care deeply about what happens next. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, reflect, and feel just a little more hopeful by the end.

3.5 rounded down

This book was a heartfelt and hopeful story about resilience, connection, and the many forms love can take. Despite a few pacing issues, it’s an emotionally rich read with relatable characters and moments that will stay with you.

It’s a “found family” trope tale full of warmth, empathy, and heart. But it’s not overly sweet or unrealistic—serious challenges are thoughtfully portrayed, such as Bee’s rocky relationship with her mother and Alex’s quiet sacrifice as a caregiver. The book handles these moments with emotional maturity and hope.

My favourite part was the Dear Universe letters and in the final quarter, where all the paths interwined.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

One of the reviews I read for this book said it was perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond and Jill Mansell, who are two of my favourite authors. So I had high hopes, and they did not disappoint, despite a blurb that didn’t come close to describing what the book is actually about.

I loved how this book started, with a letter to the Universe from 9yo Mackenzie, and how the theme of trusting the Universe recurred throughout. This book explores dementia, loss and grief in a way that is heart-warming and filled with hope, and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending me an advance copy.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

What an emotional read that looks at human nature from so many different perspectives. Topics including dementia , grief, loneliness and friendship are so sensitively explored in this beautifully written book. When Bee loses her job, her boyfriend and home she has absolutely no idea what to do. Forced to move back home to her mum’s, who she doesn’t have a great relationship with, and never knowing who her father is she decides to find out. Little does she know that in Mallorca a little girl, Mack, is writing to the universe asking for her grief stricken dad Luke to be happy again. There’s also a young man called Alex who cares for his mum who has dementia. He is trying to get the band she used to play in back together to try and help her as he knows that music can be a great help for those with dementia. They are all linked and as the story weaves its way through their lives, reconnecting them, Bee goes through her own journey of self discovery, believing in the process and following her instincts. Wonderful characters with some absolutely heartbreaking, and heartwarming , moments this is a must read. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

They often say bad things come in threes. Bee, a social media expert with a passion for the environment, can attest to that: in one day, her boyfriend breaks up with her, she loses her job and her best friend tells her she can't rent with her anymore (meaning she has to move back in with her mother). It truly says something when the highlight of her day is a guy spilling coffee all over her. In his defense though, he is good-looking and has kind eyes.
We meet the owner of those kind eyes, Alex, in the next chapter, discovering the coffee-spill-meet-cute is a bit of a highlight for him too, as the rest of his day is spent working from home while simultaneously being the full-time caretaker of his Mum, Rachel, who has early-onset dementia.

Both Bee and Alex are on the cusp of something: Bee finally learns the identity of her father (which her Mum kept hidden from her all this time). Alex meanwhile learns his mother used to be the lead singer in a band. Bee decides to go to Mallorca to look for her father; Alex decides to attempt to bring Rachel's band back together, believing in the power of music in helping dementia patients.
And then there is 9 year-old Mack. A smarty pants little girl who sees her dad struggling every day and pleads with the Universe to do something to help. That plea may very well be the catalyst for changes in courses, crossing of paths, colliding with coffee.

This was such a sweet, sensitive story. While This Thing Called Love is a romance story, it ultimately is a story about many different kinds of love, and these love stories all shine. It's about love between Father and Daughter, Husband and Wife, Daughter and Mother. Between sisters. Between old friends (albeit reluctantly at times). Between a Son and his Mother. Even between neighbors. And if not about love specifically, there is a great deal of kindness and empathy here that just warms the heart. We all love a good Found Family story.

But this book is not saccharine sweet, it's not cloying. Plenty of believable dramatic moments happen. Besides Bee's Trifecta of Shit, there is the very strained and frustrating relationship between Bee and her mother, but Howells leaves in mature gray zones there. We of course read about Alex's responsibilites and lack of freedom as a caretaker of an ill parent. Alex: "When you're constantly caring for someone else, you tend not to think about yourself too much." It's on the nose, and something those of us in caretaker roles can relate to all too well. Howells has not written Rachel's dementia as too far advanced, so there is levity and a sense of hope, but we do see it wear on Alex. But he is that devoted to her, and it keeps him going. (Love!) Then we witness a couple of other characters go through intense grief, and it's handled with a "one step at a time" sensitivity.

This Thing Called Love showcases the power of showing up, and holding each other up, and just loving someone the best way you can, working with what you have at the moment.

Some things progress a little conveniently, or too quickly (gahhh I wish we got more on the band! The songs! Reminiscing!). Other things are repetitive. Hence the 4 stars. But it's still a book I highly enjoyed and would recommend.

I appreciated the unique approach to the romance element, letting it build slowly through little connections, almost in the background, trusting in the power of kismet. While I think some readers would like to see more emphasis on the romance, I liked how this novel allowed the other loves to shine as bright as they did. Those other love stories are so strong, they only give more power and a solid foundation to the romance at the ultimate center of it all.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

Beautifully written story of friendship, love, grief, heartbreak, and self-discovery!

from the first page, you are taken on this emotional but exciting journey with Bee. When life is at his lowest point, she goes on a journey to find her father. Here, a new chapter begins as she starts building a new life for herself.

My favourite quote is;

"The way I see it, some of our paths are intertwined long before we realise they are, only as our lives play out, bring us together with those of us who we are meant to share our journey with."

Loved this adventure. Thank you @@NetGalley_UK and @BoldwoodBooks for this advanced copy.

this was a touching read. it held topics that couldve been quite heavy in a sensitive way. there were ups and downs for all our characters and i love the authors way of creating an arc ive never seen before. it was so unique and such a beautiful way of writing our characters own story but then giving them a link.
our characters are all searching for something. all wanting someone to either help their pain or someone they love. or someone or something to help them feel like themselves matter, a belonging.
we have Bee who is struggling. life isnt handing her just lemons, right now it pelting them at her. but she has just found out the identity of her father. and goes on a quest to find him.
Luke is having his own troubles. he is a caregiver who is quickly losing who she is to dementia. but something does keep flickering and that is music. so he goes on a search for the man she played music with.
turns out these people are one and the same. its leading these two to the same person. and perhaps eachother?
we also have Luke young dirty. who is desperately searching for something to help her dad.
i could really feel the emotions each character was going through. Debbie did a great job of keeping them all individual as they slowly headed together. we learn of their own stories and i wanted to know more as the chapters went on. i also couldnt wait to see if and how they might all come together and if and how this might give them the "something" theyd were searching for. and might it be a different something to what they first thought as they set out on their journeys.
every character in this story felt just as important be it main or side. and that again i think is a major plus.
i actually did like how the romance part of the book didnt take over. i was invested in them all it felt real to keep the focus the way it did.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: This was sweet

When Bee loses her job, home, and boyfriend on the same day, she is at her lowest point. It doesn’t help that some guy spilled his coffee on her. However, she finally learns the name of her father, Luke Friday, a musician she has never met. Bee decides to search for him and find out more.
Alex is the guy who spilled coffee on her. At home, he takes care of his mother, whose memories desert her. In an attempt to help her, Alex wants to find a man called Luke Friday, someone with whom his mother played music once upon a time.
As Alex and Bee search for the same person, Luke’s nine-year-old daughter is trying to find something or someone to bring her father out of his grief. How will their paths cross? What happens next?
The story comes in Bee and Alex’s first-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
This is contemporary fiction and family drama where the lead characters are on their personal quests. Though their paths will eventually interact, it doesn’t happen until the last quarter.
The book deals with themes like dementia, being a caregiver, emotionally unavailable parent, loss of a partner and parent, loneliness, etc. While these make the story a bit heavy, the book doesn’t feel overwhelming.
It takes a little time to like Bee. However, her confusion, fears, vulnerabilities, etc., are well-presented. She is hesitant, sad, and ready to give up, much like how people react in similar situations. This elevates her character as the story progresses.
Alex is a good guy; someone easy to like, pretty much from the first. We can’t help but root for both main leads to find the ray of light in their lives.
Little Mack is adorable! God, I loved her! My heart broke for her, but she put it together with her childlike wisdom and innocence. The side characters are certainly interesting, and some of them have prominent roles.
Both main characters have careers related to nature (sort of), though we don’t actively see them at work. There’s a love track for them, which really doesn’t make any impact. It has been left too late and seems like a last-minute patch-up. Either they should have met earlier and shared a part of the journey, or their romance should have gotten a hint only at the end (like a slice-of-life ending).
Still, the rest of it is rather good, so I’m willing to look over the issues. Also, a certain character I disliked doesn’t have a 360-degree change of heart. There’s no forced ‘family comes first’ nonsense. Here, family is found family. Just the way I like it.

To summarize, This Thing Called Love is a heartwarming book about finding your people, caring for your loved ones, and the power of music and memories for people with dementia.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Tthis is a heartwarming, feel-good story that blends romance, friendship, music, and family. The novel follows Bee, who travels to Majorca searching for the father she’s never met, and Alex, a devoted son caring for his mother with early onset dementia. In Majorca, music becomes a healing force. Alex reconnects with his mother’s past as a rock band singer, sparking a spontaneous band reunion that culminates in a magical one-night performance. Both characters are at personal crossroads, and their journeys intertwine in unexpected and uplifting ways. The story is filled with laughter, emotional growth, and a celebration of love in all its forms. Through touching moments and uplifting turns, the book explores how faith, connection, and a little bit of music can transform lives.

This read was good and has an important message, it just was not for me and I sadly did not enjoy it.
I read this quickly and it was easy to read and continue. I liked the character of Bee, however Alex not so much and I found myself not looking forward to his chapters. Luke and Mack are also strong, likeable characters.
There was nothing I can pinpoint to not like, there was just something missing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance copy.

Bee loses' her job, her boyfriend and her home and begrudgingly goes to stay with her mother.

She has never known the identity of her father until she reads a diary of her mothers and finds his name, Luke Friday.

Alex, who had split coffee on Bee the day before and is caring for his mother, Roxy with dementia, also is looking for Luke Friday, whom he thinks might help his mother remember the days that they were in a band together.

A wonderful written story where the characters come alive and where love, family and a few tears makes this an excellent read!

I ended up dnfing this book. The story and message were good I just didn't like the writing style.so that through me off.