We’ve made it to book 43 in my Goodreads Reading Challenge – Annie Darling’s True Love at the Lonely Hearts Bookshop.

‘Verity Love – Jane Austen fangirl and an introvert in a world of extroverts – is perfectly happy on her own (thank you very much), and her fictional boyfriend Peter is very useful for getting her out of unwanted social events. But when a case of mistaken identity forces her to introduce a perfect stranger as her boyfriend, Verity’s life suddenly becomes much more complicated.

Johnny could also use a fictional girlfriend. Against Verity’s better judgement, he persuades her to partner up for a summer season of weddings, big number birthdays and garden parties, with just one promise – not to fall in love with each other…’ (Thanks Amazon!)

So I chose to read this book based entirely on it’s sweet cover, the Jane Austen references and the fact that it has a bookshop in it – what more do you need!

Verity Love is one of five daughters to a Vicar, and as such she is quite the introvert.  Obviously, she absolutely does not need a man in her life, despite what her match-making friends think.  In social situations she often finds her asking what Elizabeth Bennet would do (and who wouldn’t – Elizabeth Bennet knew everything!). Verity is more than happy with her fake Oceanographer boyfriend Peter Hardy, however with it becoming increasingly difficult to come up with reasons for his absence she finds herself thrown into an unusual social situation with Johnny.

Johnny is becoming increasingly irritated with his friends attempts at matchmaking.  He is more than happy, particularly given the fact that he is already in love.  So when he finds himself cornered with Verity, he grabs the opportunity to create a mutually beneficial fake relationship that will cover them both for the entire summer, keeping both of their friends at bay with their matchmaking schemes.  There is only one rule in this arrangement – they must not fall in love with each other.  Which will be easy.  Right?

This novel is not one to read if you are looking for surprises.  You begin reading it and automatically know how it will end.  That is not the reason that I chose to read this novel though.  It is light-hearted, funny with some romance thrown in for good measure.  It’s a great novel to curl up with on the sofa with a cheeky glass of wine on a Sunday afternoon.  I’m aware that this is the second novel in the Lonely Hearts Bookshop series, so I look forward to reading the first one!  As the nights draw in and the temperature drops, light a fire, grab a blanket and enjoy this lovely feel-good novel.

Rating: 📖 📖 📖 📖

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishers for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.