Tuesday 22 August 2017

Book Review & Giveaway - It Takes Two by Emily Harvale

Amazon UK
Title: It Takes Two
Author: Emily Harvale
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied review copy
Publisher: Crescent Gate Publishing
Publication Date: 19th July 2017
Rating: 5 Stars


Alison Warner knows love doesn’t always last. Wedded bliss is hit and miss and she’s not taking any chances. She’s the daughter of divorce lawyers, so Ali knows the statistics by heart. Now her parents are adding to the numbers and Ali’s more certain than ever: marriage is not for her.

Others do not share her views. Her cousin Sasha’s got engaged; her best friend Jules is giving ‘Bridezilla’ new meaning and even her crazy gran, Gertie’s dogs are getting hitched. When her life-long friend, Simon Hart unexpectedly proposes, Ali’s convinced the world’s gone mad.

Having an arrogant new boss is the last thing Ali needs right now. Aidan Rourke has come to run The Shimmering River and Water Sports Centre – a job that should have been Ali’s. But at least she can be sure of one thing. Marriage is definitely not on Aidan’s mind. Although it’s abundantly clear something else is...

A sheer pleasure to read, I was hooked on this easy to read, fast flowing story, that despite the blurb had far less weddings than I was expecting.  In fact although Ali and Simons friends all seem to be getting engaged around them, there was only one wedding in the entire book, which I found quite refreshing. 

Which meant that the book had a slightly different focus, and that is on Ali, her parent's argumentative relationship, Ali's friendship with Simon, her new boss at the Shimmering River and Water Sports Centre, Aiden, and also her friendships. 

As the book is written in the third person, even though most of the chapters focus on Ali, there are occasional glimpses into Simon and Aiden's lives too. Aiden is a smooth talking, rich lothario and is someone my opinion changed about regularly.  Simon on the other hand is Ali's long time best friend, but things became awkward after a proposal, which may or may not have been in jest. 

There is a kayaking scene in which I found the dialogue to be quite witty and clever, while seeing what the town looked like from the river was quite novel too.  

I have no idea how but I read this cover to cover in under three hours, in one sitting. I just couldn't tear myself away and as the chapters were generally quite short, even if you are the sort that continually says "just one more chapter" you may end up even further than you expected before you know it.  

I am a huge fan of Emily Harvale's books and have been for many years, and this one is incredibly enjoyable, well written and even features one of the most unlikely weddings I've ever seen. Add to it warring divorce lawyers, a grandma who seems a bit off the wall, a bride-zilla of a best friend, a massive engagement party to open the book, and a character who doesn't believe in marriage and you have all the ingredients for It Takes Two, a fabulous romantic comedy. 

Thank you to Emily Harvale for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 


Giveaway to win 1 x signed copy of It Takes Two (Open Internationally)

Emily Harvale is as always being incredibly generous to readers of Rachel's Random Reads, and has given me one signed copy of It Takes Two to give away to a lucky winner. 


Giveaway open internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 31/08/2017. Winner will be announced on twitter, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.


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