How Not to Fall in Love, Actually

By: Catherine Bennetto

Narrated by: Rosie Jones

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Emma has a job in television which is distinctly less glamourous and exciting than it sounds. She's managed to claw her way up the ranks from Tea Maker and Rubbish Collector to Second Assistant Director (heavy on the assistant. Even heavier on the second.).

So when she finds she's accidentally very pregnant and at the same time accidentally very sacked (well, less accidentally: she did tell her boss to stick his job up his bum), she knows things are going to have to change.

Luckily she's also accidentally the heir to a lovely cottage in Wimbledon, with a crazy Doberman-owning octogenarian as a neighbour and a rather sexy boy as an accidental tenant. But this baby is coming whether she likes it or not, and she needs to become the sort of person who can look after herself, let alone another human being - and quickly.

©2017 Catherine Bennetto (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio UK

Body and sexuality shaming at its worst

I was enjoying the story - until the hate and hypocrisy started. The insanely selfish main character, Emma, demands a lack of judgement of her situation. And she deserves to have that because judgement is harmful. She also has a best friend whose beauty she admires, who has a healthy, open sex life. Again, no judgement.

However, the author has no qualms about ridiculing a character who is equally sexually active - but overweight. Martha is depicted in hateful, mean, ugly, deplorable terms, for her body and sexuality. She is judged and shamed, being dubbed by Emma as a “mega whore.” All the while, the more traditionally attractive friend engages in the same raucous behaviors and is loved and applauded. When Joe says that Emma is “fattist,” he is correct. She is a hypocrite who promotes shaming and ridicule, while demanding acceptance for herself.

I kept waiting for there to be a redeeming lesson learned, but it never came. Beyond disappointing.

This book and author promotes the bullying of women like Martha, who don't fit the author's narrow idea of acceptable bodies and behaviors. Her bitter hate of overweight people is stark and shocking at times. Let’s be clear: NO ONE IS DESERVING OF SHAMING. How sad that she has used the platform of a widely-read novel to promote bigotry.

Entertaining but lots of fat shaming

Really an enjoyable book but filled with so many cruel fat jokes I could barely listen. This isn't just that whole cliched chick lit humorous fear of eating carbs thing. This is full on hatred and disdain on the part of the main character for another character, Martha. It's not in anyway a social critique either (Emma never really learns); it takes what was already frankly lowbrow (though enjoyable) and makes it even more so. It's in terrible taste and shame on the author.

An OK story

The overall story was fine. There was a good bit of fat-shaming and self-loathing that I didn’t particularly care for, but overall it was a fine way to pass the time. This wouldn’t be one that I recommend as a must-read, but it was just ok.

Really Enjoyed

Just a good book. I questioned if there was going to be too much sex at the start but I hung in and was so glad I did. A lengthy book but it never seemed to drag. Love the characters even the ones I loved to hate. Great Narration. Try it.

A Few Spots if Humor Wrapped in a Snooze Fest

It took me forever to finish this book. Instead of being cheeky, it teetered between slut shaming and fat shaming with a few saucy moments in between. Otherwise I was just completely bored with the emotionally immature main character.

Recommended!

Comical, warm story with singular characters. Had laugh out loud moments. I absolutely loved the book. Rosie Jones interpreted it very well too.

I loved it!!

Such a cute, easy listen. I loved it, and would highly recommend it. So fun! I laughed and cried. It was great if you are looking for something light and easy, which was exactly what I wanted. 😊

Predictable but Hilarious

The standard “friends fall in love” plot was predictable, but the characters were appealing and it was super funny- I actually laughed out loud a couple times, which i rarely do!

Enjoyable, funny, excellent narration

Terrific characters that draw you in with humor and poignancy; a lot happens over the course of a year. Definitely not your typical room com formula.

I may listen again!

I've listened to countless audible books and while I've enjoyed many, I seldom write a review. I loved everything about this book as well as the narration. I often find that I have to warm up to the characters or the narration of the characters. I loved all of this from the first word to the last. Thank you Catherine, now hurry up and write a sequel for Rosie to narrate (pretty please.)

A fantastically, funny novel

What did you like most about How Not to Fall in Love, Actually?

At last – a rom-com novel that isn't saccharine, full of stereotypes and churns out the same tired out plot.

What did you like best about this story?

How Not to Fall in Love, Actually is a fun, feel good novel full of hilarious moments, well observed situations and people, an extremely likeable, relatable heroine and a page turning original plot. I loved this book and am looking forward to the next one already.

Any additional comments?

It's the perfect antidote to all the mad, sad and scary things that are going on in the world at the moment. You're in for a treat.

So much fun!

Oh my goodness this was such a fun read, I don't know how I waited as long as I did to read this one! I have a paperback copy of this book but I chose to download it on audiobook for a road trip I took with my Mum and we had such a fun journey listening to this one.

I recently bemoaned the fact that I hadn't read a book recently where someone has a baby and then this one comes along as if I knew I was waiting for it-so perfect. I just loved the whole storyline of this one. Anything that could go wrong for Emma does go wrong for her. Part of the mishaps that happen to her could possibly be blamed on her hormones and certainly the comedic way she deals with some of those mishaps are definitely because of the hormones, but some of them just come along and take her completely by surprise. I really enjoyed reading about how she deals with all those mishaps though. Despite the fact that so much is going wrong in her life, Emma stays optimistic that things will all work out eventually and we loved her for that!

I loved the selection of supporting characters in this novel too. Joe comes into Emma's life as a lodger and turns out to be so much more important to her than either of them realised. I totally fell in love with Joe and I would like to keep him please because he is just such a Prince Charming. I also loved reading about Emma's friend and family, who are course are all so funny and quirky in their own individual ways. I loved her friend Helen, particularly her reaction to Emma's pregnancy and impending child birth. I also really liked Emma's mum and I really wished that I had a sister like Alex to be there for me. I don't want to pass comment on Emma's ex and father of her child because this author has written him to be such a scoundrel that I don't like him one bit, a good job well done there!

This book just has it all and anyone trying to make relationships and career work in today's society will be able to sympathise and empathise with Emma 100%. I think though, that anyone would be able to find the comedy in this book and picking up this book will definitely keep you entertained from cover to cover, I can definitely recommend picking up this beauty for your holidays now!

An original surprise!

I felt the beginning was a bit slow, and I put it down for a two days, and then got back to it and once Joe had come into the picture I could not stop listening. It made me laugh out loud, feel a bit weepy, and was just so relative to my family I was crying with laughter. It really cheered me up.

Lovely chic lit.

loved it. was an easy listen and compelling story line. Safe and gentle with a happy ending

Brilliant and funny!

I totally loved this book. I was narrated really well. It was funny but real to life all the way though.

Funny and engaging story.

Some very funny moments in this book. Interesting storyline, found myself hoping for happy ending for Emma & Jo.
Narration excellent, just right for the story.

Hilarious! I loved it!

This was a brilliant book. So funny! I really enjoyed it and it had me giggling throughout.

great story

really enjoyable read. I especially liked the different accents by the reader she is wonderful to listen to.

lovely

I loved this book it was very light hearted and warm and made laugh a lot in places

I've found a new author that I really enjoy!

Both the author and narrator are fantastic. Very witty and smutty. Bring out more books!