Book Review: Million Love Songs by Carole Matthews

A big massive hello and welcome to Carole Matthews. I am pleased to be kicking off the blog tour for her new novel, Million Love Songs which was released by Sphere on 22nd March 2018. 

Ruby Brown is ready for a change. She’s single for the first time in years and she’s going to dive into this brave new world with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. The last thing she’s looking for is a serious relationship.

Mason represents everything Ruby wants right now: he’s charming, smooth and perfect for some no-strings-attached fun. Joe on the other hand is kind and attractive, but comes with the sort of baggage Ruby wants to avoid: an annoyingly attractive ex-wife and two teenage children.

Ruby thinks she knows what she wants, but is it what she needs to be truly happy? It’s about to get emotional in Million Love Songs.

Carole has created a spotty playlist for this new book which you can check out here: https://open.spotify.com

Looking at this playlist, it has me thinking about my favourite love songs. I am very much a hopeless romantic. A romantic film, a song about love and I am trying not to cry.

There are many love songs I love and to be honest, I have found it hard to pick. Therefore, I have picked three (i know, it’s cheating but I don’t care.)

My first favourite is one that is also on Carole’s list and that is ‘I Knew I Loved You’ by Savage Garden. This song was the one played for the first dance at my wedding and so it will always hold a special place.

My second favourite is ‘She is Love’ by Oasis. This is a great, upbeat love song (and in my opinion, one of the songs by this band that I can hear The Beatles sing.)

My final favourite is ‘Once in a Lifetime’ by Landon Austin. This song is a beautiful song that I just think is very romantic.

My verdict on Million Love Songs: 

Million Love Songs is Carole Matthews at her best. I have recently read Christmas Cakes and Mistletoe Nights, loved it and was therefore really looking forward to reading the latest novel from one of the queens of romantic comedy.

I was hooked by the title alone. I was (still am in fact) a Take That fan and have fond memories singing along to A Million Love Songs at my first concert as a teenager. The mentions of Take That throughout the book brought back very happy memories. Also, this cover is just beautiful.

Ruby has just recently been through a divorce and is working at a waitress at a pub in Milton Keynes.
Still reeling from the fact that her ex husband cheated on her, Ruby feels very lost as she tries to navigate her way through her new circumstances as she also tries to figure out what the hell happened. I wanted to give her a hug.

Resigned to her fate as a new singleton, no one is more surprised that Ruby when she starts spending time with her boss, Mason. Also, through a bid to try new things, Ruby also meets the lovely Joe.

I don’t want to give too much away about the plot as I don’t want to spoil it but there were certain characters I loved (Ruby, Charlie and Joe,) and then others I didn’t.

All of these people felt realistic and characters that you can relate and empathise with. Carole is very good at creating wonderfully likeable characters (this novel being no exception.)

Charlie sounds like a no-nonsense, warm and loyal friend to Ruby and I liked their double act. Mason to me was a lot like Daniel Cleaver – someone who is charming but very untrustworthy.

The further I got into this novel, the more I couldn’t stop reading. The writing is full of humour, warmth and heart – all the things that are standard in Carole’s novels.

This is a perfect holiday read. I loved it.

About Carole Matthews: 

Carole Matthews is the Sunday Times bestselling author of over twenty-nine novels.

 In 2015, Carole was awarded the RNA Outstanding Achievement Award. Her novels dazzle and delight readers all over the world. She is published in more than thirty countries and her books have sold to Hollywood.

For all the latest news from Carole, visit www.carolematthews.com, follow Carole on Twitter (@carolematthews) and Instagram (matthews.carole) or join the thousands of readers who have become Carole’s friend on Facebook (carolematthewsbooks).

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.