Review: How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne

How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne
 
Genre: Literary Fiction/Romance
Page Length: 368 Pages
Publication Date: 31 May 2018
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Source: ARC via NetGalley
 
Stars:  5 out of 5
 
LINKS: AMAZON (UK)
 
ABOUT HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW:
 
'Turning thirty is like playing musical chairs. The music stops, and everyone just marries whoever they happen to be sitting on.'
 
Who the f*ck is Tori Bailey?
 
There's no doubt that Tori is winning the game of life. She's inspired millions of women to stick two fingers up at convention with her bestselling memoir, and she has the perfect relationship to boot.
 
But Tori Bailey has been living a lie.
 
Everyone around her is getting married and having babies, but her long-term boyfriend won't even talk about getting engaged. And when her best friend Dee - her plus one, the only person who understands the madness - falls in love, suddenly Tori's in terrifying danger of being left behind.
 
When the world tells you to be one thing and turning thirty brings with it a loud ticking clock, it takes courage to walk your own path.
 
It's time for Tori to practise what she's preached, but the question is: is she brave enough?
 
The debut adult novel by bestselling author Holly Bourne is a blisteringly funny, honest and moving exploration of love, friendship and navigating the emotional rollercoaster of your thirties.

My Review:

This book is being raved about; it is THE book to read this year. When I received a copy I was thrilled and after just a few chapters it was easy to see why.
 
It did those first chapters to get into the Tori's story, mainly because it was too honest and raw, the uncomfortable neurosis of self-image on and off social media is detrimental and Tori's inner-thoughts showed the hate/hate association and obsession with getting 'likes' on Facebook et al.
 
Had I been in a bad relationship when reading this book, I would have packed by bags, and not looked back. It's that powerful.
 
It's an empowering and inspiring piece of literature and even though it's fiction and not a self-help book, I will buy a copy for any friend having a tough time in a relationship.
 
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
 
Thank you so much the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy in return for an honest review.