If The Dress Fits, Daisy James

 

Genre:  Romance,

 

I really looked forward to reading this, the description drew me in with its mix of events and second chance love. Sadly though it didn’t cut it for me.

 

Its a well written story, its simply Callie that really lets it down for me, and the way she is with Theo, her intransigent attitude.

I loved the events in the village and what happened to Gingerberry Yarns, loved the characters from Callie’s friends, both London and local, the baker Tom, and florist Jules (I think?) Of course I also adore the film star/rock star characters in a romance novel and Callie’s ex was lead singer for a top rock band. With all that its a story I ought to have been lost in, ought to have felt saddened when it finally ended, but ultimately satisfied. Instead though I just felt a bit detached from the story, and found myself rushing through parts to search for the romance.

To begin its all Callie’s London shop and The Dress, then back to Yorkshire and the events there. There isn’t really any mention of Theo til well into the book, and for me the romance never really takes off. I understood why Callie was upset at past events but given what both Theo and his and her friends explained her reaction was just over the top for me, and she was kind of dog in the manger about sticking to it.

Poor Theo, all those years they’ve been together, since they were so young, and he’s never given her any cause to doubt him. Then she drops him like a hot brick over what she thinks she saw, and throws everything away. I was just so cross with her and her constant pushing him away, refusing to talk, it just felt like she was blowing events up out of all proportion.

I didn’t really take to Lilac’s wedding planner and PA either – they seemed too ditzy and weird to have held such important and difficult positions and I couldn’t imagine anyone professional employing them. .

The humour was a little off the wall for me – and I’m an off the wall person…Added to that the lack of romance, plus Callie’s determination to believe the worst of Theo, even though he gave her no cause sadly made this book was a fail for me.

I’m sure others will love it, adore it, rave about it – that’s how reading goes, its very subjective, and what one of us loves others hate and vice versa. It doesn’t mean the book is good or bad, just that some readers enjoy this type of story while I don’t.

Stars:Two, just not one for me

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher