About the Book:

Rory’s life is perfectly predictable, ordered and on track – just the way she likes it. She walks her 12,000 steps a day, writes her to-do list and each night she prepares her breakfast chia pods and lays out her clothes for the next day. She’s doing everything right. So why does everything feel so wrong?

Deep down, she knows her life and career – not to mention her relationship – are going nowhere, and so Rory, in a moment of desperation, takes an uncharacteristic step: letting the clues of The New York Times crossword puzzle dictate all her decisions for a week. Just for a week, she reasons. Just to shake things up a bit. What’s the worst that could happen?

A delightfully witty, deliciously original and astringently refreshing rom-com that reads like you’re inhaling a zingy citrus cocktail made by Nora Ephron, at a party thrown by Dolly Alderton and Beth O’Leary.

Published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia

Released 2^nd February 2022

My Thoughts:

This novel was an absolute delight. Witty, relatable, and so life affirming. I loved the references to rom com movies, particularly the Meg Ryan ones, of which I am a huge fan, and could recognise them all. It really took me back and now I’m filled with this need to start watching them all over again. It’s been too long. While I’m not one for a crossword, I still enjoyed the way in which they were woven into the story. The whole notion of using crossword clues to determine your own destiny was fresh and unique. I could also appreciate how crosswords had become akin to a security blanket for Rory and how something another person might regard as bonkers (using clues to make life decisions) would actually make perfect sense to her.

‘For every 24-hour period, I’m going to base my decisions on a maximum of three answers in The New York Times crossword. They won’t all be life changing. It could be about what to have for lunch. It could be about whether I go to a gallery opening that wasn’t already in my diary. It could be about whether or not I fudge the truth slightly, in order to be taken more seriously at work…’

Rory’s need for an ordered universe struck a chord with me. I am very much the same, I’d like to think I have a bit more flexibility in me than Rory did, but those who are close to me might beg to differ. As far as character’s go, Rory is pretty memorable and one of my favourites out of a book in a long time. I loved her internal thoughts; they were so entertaining and on point. This really is an excellent novel and there’s nothing whatsoever that I didn’t like about it. I think I just found my go to book for present giving this year.

‘A shoe basket signalled an organised life. A permanence and sense of order. The only thing I hadn’t consistently been able to get from my two homes growing up.’

Thanks to my lovely fellow book blogger, Great Reads and Tea Leaves, who recommended this one to me.

☕☕☕☕☕

*Book 3 in my 22 in 2022 challenge*