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kellnbell's review
2.0
Good concept delivered Hallmark movie style. Not my cup of tea. I found myself rolling my eyes and tsking at the main character (Sarah) for much of this book. I was looking for something light and admittedly a chick lit book, but this was way too light and didn’t have any substance.
portybelle's review
4.0
Sarah has just come out of a disappointing relationship and heads home to the Whitsborough Bay on the Yorkshire coast for a bit of TLC from her family. While there, she is offered an amazing opportunity by her auntie, an opportunity which involves setting up a business which would turn her hobby into her work. She decides to go for it and sets about making a new life for herself back home. While moving into her new place, she discovers a tape recording from 12 years previously. The tape is a recording of a psychic reading she had when she was 18. The tape had vanished so she had never listened to it and being rather drunk during the reading, she couldn't remember the predictions. The predictions and messages on the tape recording are scarily accurate with some already have been fulfilled and others being proved right throughout the book. Most importantly, the clairvoyant says that Sarah will meet her one true love at the age of 30 and that he will be called Steven. And so the search for Steven begins!
I don't really think I believe in fortune tellers and psychics but I could understand if I had come across a tape like the one Sarah found with its accurate predictions, I would be out looking for a Steven too! As you can imagine, Stevens (and Steves and Stevies) suddenly appear all the time in her life and each time she wonders if he could be her Steven. It seemed to me though, and to others, that the perfect man for Sarah was right under her nose even if he wasn't called Steven.
The book is full of well drawn characters with Sarah's best friends, Clare from London and Elise from Whitsborough Bay, who can't stand each other, providing some great scenes. Her mum and dad were always so proud of her achievements, her matchmaking Auntie Kay with her own secret about love from the past was determined to help Sarah find her Charlie. And no I haven't made a mistake with the name, you'll understand if you read it.
Searching for Steven is a warm, sparkling story with a very satisfying ending. Sarah comes to realise that "when true love comes along, you have to hang onto it with all your strength because it's worth it." I know this book is the first part of a trilogy and hope to read the others too at some point.
I don't really think I believe in fortune tellers and psychics but I could understand if I had come across a tape like the one Sarah found with its accurate predictions, I would be out looking for a Steven too! As you can imagine, Stevens (and Steves and Stevies) suddenly appear all the time in her life and each time she wonders if he could be her Steven. It seemed to me though, and to others, that the perfect man for Sarah was right under her nose even if he wasn't called Steven.
The book is full of well drawn characters with Sarah's best friends, Clare from London and Elise from Whitsborough Bay, who can't stand each other, providing some great scenes. Her mum and dad were always so proud of her achievements, her matchmaking Auntie Kay with her own secret about love from the past was determined to help Sarah find her Charlie. And no I haven't made a mistake with the name, you'll understand if you read it.
Searching for Steven is a warm, sparkling story with a very satisfying ending. Sarah comes to realise that "when true love comes along, you have to hang onto it with all your strength because it's worth it." I know this book is the first part of a trilogy and hope to read the others too at some point.
ljwrites85's review
4.0
Sarah is living in London trapped in a dead end relationship with a firefighter named Jason, which should have ended a long time ago. Finally she gets the courage to end it but still worried she’ll end up dying alone like her Uncle Alan she flees back home to Whitsborough bay where her Auntie Kay offers her the opportunity of a lifetime, to take over her florist's shop.
While packing she finds a tape from when she was eighteen, predicting what her life would be like for the next fifteen years. On it, it says she will meet a man named Steven and he’ll be the one. With that in mind she starts her hunt for Steven but her eye catches the handsome Nick but he’s not called Steven. Then her ex, the one who’d she’d always thought was the one comes back into her life suddenly, who should she pick or should she keep searching for Steven?
So this is the second story I’ve read by the lovely Jessica Redland, the first Raving About Rhys (the prequel novella in the Whitsborough bay series) was really good so I was looking forward to this book.
I’m having real difficulty review into words because all I want to say is aww! (It gave me all the feels as the kids say) This book will make you laugh, cry and fall in love all within three hundred pages.
Not only does the writing flow well, making it fun and easy to read, the characters are fantastic too. I think we can all relate to Sarah in some way shape or form, from being trapped in a dead end relationship or that fear of dying alone or being a little socially awkward. Then we have the dishy Nick, who’s not just a pretty face but has burned in the past by love, who is absolutely adorable. Sarah’s two best friends add a little bit of conflict to the mix. Elise has been her best friend since primary school and married since she was young and then we have Clare who is the complete opposite, single and loving it and they both don’t get along! Also an honourable mention to Auntie Kay who gives Sarah her florists so she can live the dream turn her hobby into a job, I’m a little jealous to be honest, I’d love to do that myself!
I’ve seen a few reviews bemoaning that the storyline isn’t that original but seriously who doesn’t read a rom com and not want the main character to end up with the man of her dreams? As I said with her previous book, Jessica Redland takes a traditional romcom storyline and makes it her own, digging deeper and making her character really life like.
Even though this is set near to Christmas I’d say if you’re off on your holidays it’s a perfect read to take with you.
While packing she finds a tape from when she was eighteen, predicting what her life would be like for the next fifteen years. On it, it says she will meet a man named Steven and he’ll be the one. With that in mind she starts her hunt for Steven but her eye catches the handsome Nick but he’s not called Steven. Then her ex, the one who’d she’d always thought was the one comes back into her life suddenly, who should she pick or should she keep searching for Steven?
So this is the second story I’ve read by the lovely Jessica Redland, the first Raving About Rhys (the prequel novella in the Whitsborough bay series) was really good so I was looking forward to this book.
I’m having real difficulty review into words because all I want to say is aww! (It gave me all the feels as the kids say) This book will make you laugh, cry and fall in love all within three hundred pages.
Not only does the writing flow well, making it fun and easy to read, the characters are fantastic too. I think we can all relate to Sarah in some way shape or form, from being trapped in a dead end relationship or that fear of dying alone or being a little socially awkward. Then we have the dishy Nick, who’s not just a pretty face but has burned in the past by love, who is absolutely adorable. Sarah’s two best friends add a little bit of conflict to the mix. Elise has been her best friend since primary school and married since she was young and then we have Clare who is the complete opposite, single and loving it and they both don’t get along! Also an honourable mention to Auntie Kay who gives Sarah her florists so she can live the dream turn her hobby into a job, I’m a little jealous to be honest, I’d love to do that myself!
I’ve seen a few reviews bemoaning that the storyline isn’t that original but seriously who doesn’t read a rom com and not want the main character to end up with the man of her dreams? As I said with her previous book, Jessica Redland takes a traditional romcom storyline and makes it her own, digging deeper and making her character really life like.
Even though this is set near to Christmas I’d say if you’re off on your holidays it’s a perfect read to take with you.
supera710's review
3.0
I received a copy of Searching for Steven courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review.
Searching for Steven was a cute story about Sarah, who receives a flower shop from her aunt. While she's packing for the move, she comes across an old tape that she thought was lost. So she listens to it, and it's from when she saw a fortune teller and had her cards read. Basically, the lady told Sarah that one day she would meet and fall in love with a Steven. So Sarah begins her search for this mystery man, and some funny encounters ensue. Unfortunately, the guy she feels a connection with is NOT named Steven, but he's willing to help her in the great search.
I love chick lit, esp when it's set in England. Call me a sucker, but if I ever have to "start over" I'm pretty sure I know where I'm heading. I thought Sarah's quest was pretty comical, and I cringed along with her and her friends a few times. I found myself thinking "Forget Steven! Just go with Nick!" a few times, and laughed out loud over a few of her interactions with different Stevens. A cute, funny romantic comedy, that kept me interested until the end.
Searching for Steven was a cute story about Sarah, who receives a flower shop from her aunt. While she's packing for the move, she comes across an old tape that she thought was lost. So she listens to it, and it's from when she saw a fortune teller and had her cards read. Basically, the lady told Sarah that one day she would meet and fall in love with a Steven. So Sarah begins her search for this mystery man, and some funny encounters ensue. Unfortunately, the guy she feels a connection with is NOT named Steven, but he's willing to help her in the great search.
I love chick lit, esp when it's set in England. Call me a sucker, but if I ever have to "start over" I'm pretty sure I know where I'm heading. I thought Sarah's quest was pretty comical, and I cringed along with her and her friends a few times. I found myself thinking "Forget Steven! Just go with Nick!" a few times, and laughed out loud over a few of her interactions with different Stevens. A cute, funny romantic comedy, that kept me interested until the end.
the_impassioned_reader's review
4.0
4 stars!!
This is the kind of book you could pick up for some easy reading, and still find yourself not being able to put it down because it is really good.
I really liked the writing style, which fits the genre. I fell in love with the main characters, even though I found myself shaking my head at them sometimes.
This is a perfect book for a day in. I would definitely recommend it to fans of chick-lit.
This is the kind of book you could pick up for some easy reading, and still find yourself not being able to put it down because it is really good.
I really liked the writing style, which fits the genre. I fell in love with the main characters, even though I found myself shaking my head at them sometimes.
This is a perfect book for a day in. I would definitely recommend it to fans of chick-lit.
sanadw's review
4.0
I received an ARC of Searching for Steven from NetGalley. Slipping into this book was like slipping into a comfortable pair of slippers. Cute, engaging and totally comfortable.
misterrious's review
3.0
I received this book through netgalley.
I was so worried this was going to be a lame beach read. I was pleasantly surprised!
I thought, oh no, Sarah is going to be totally obsessed with finding her Steven (which she was a bit, but that psychic's prophesy was pretty accurate, who wouldn't be?) but she was still open to other possibilities, which I appreciated.
Her best friends were hilarious - it's always hard being a friendship of 3, especially with females, and the author wrote about that like she was experienced with that or something. ;-)
One of my favourite authors for nice beach reads is Katie Fforde, she usually has a main female character, a house/boat/store is tossed in there to be fixed up, men are introduced in a bit of a gothic romance kind of way, you're never sure who the good one is...and Jessica sort of followed that kind of template. Not a negative thing, it's fun to read when they're well done, and this one was.
I was so worried this was going to be a lame beach read. I was pleasantly surprised!
I thought, oh no, Sarah is going to be totally obsessed with finding her Steven (which she was a bit, but that psychic's prophesy was pretty accurate, who wouldn't be?) but she was still open to other possibilities, which I appreciated.
Her best friends were hilarious - it's always hard being a friendship of 3, especially with females, and the author wrote about that like she was experienced with that or something. ;-)
One of my favourite authors for nice beach reads is Katie Fforde, she usually has a main female character, a house/boat/store is tossed in there to be fixed up, men are introduced in a bit of a gothic romance kind of way, you're never sure who the good one is...and Jessica sort of followed that kind of template. Not a negative thing, it's fun to read when they're well done, and this one was.
thejoyfulbookblogger's review
5.0
Review originally posted on my blog http://www.livinglifewithjoy.com
I was recently introduced to Jessica Redland’s writing in her novella Raving About Rhys and absolutely loved it! Upon finishing, I immediately added her to my list of go-to authors. I hope you find yourself doing the same after reading Searching for Steven!
Searching for Steven was a fun and compelling read. In hopes of never ending up alone, Sarah goes through a series of relationships. She’s on the hunt to find and marry her true love and she’s already a few years behind schedule in her big Life Plan. Her search for a soulmate takes a life-altering turn when she comes across something she thought she lost ages ago. She doesn’t trust herself to make a decision without the use of post it notes and her two best friends Clare and Elise. After the help of her post-its and a few glasses of wine and conversation, Sarah finds herself on the hunt for love and searching for Steven.
Sarah’s search brings up the main theme of the novel; what true love means and how to know when you’ve found it. It introduces the idea that just because two people are compatible on paper, doesn’t mean that they’d make a good couple and be happy in a relationship. You have to have a spark and be attracted to that person, because without the attraction, they’re just another friend or brotherly type of guy in your life. When searching for true love, one must look inside themselves to know if it’s right or if it’s wrong.
You can’t force a relationship to happen just because you’re scared you’ll end up alone. That’s no way to live; you have to allow it to happen naturally. You have to be honest with yourself if you’re in it because you’re afraid of ending up alone, or if you’re in it because you can’t imagine your life without this other person. You need to be in a relationship with someone that makes you the best version of you and loves you for who you are, not who they want you to be. How do you know when someone is The One? When you can’t imagine your life without them and that even if you can’t be with them, then you’d rather not be in a relationship at all.
This book was filled with lessons of life, love and happiness, but also instances of tragedy and moving on after tough times. Another theme that presented itself in this story was the idea that things aren’t always as they seem and sometimes they’re exactly what we didn’t know we were looking for. There were a few major twists and turns that truly surprised me and the ending wasn’t at all what I was expecting, it was so much more. Thank you for penning a truly fabulous and compelling novel Jessica!
Memorable Moments:
I knew honesty was the foundation of a good relationship, but these were only little white lies, weren’t they?
‘I know you won’t want to hear this, but you need to get over this ridiculous obsession with getting married; it’s not the answer to life, the universe and everything you know.’
‘This is you we’re talking about. The girl with the Life Plan. The girl who uses post-it notes to make the key decisions in her life.’
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
I was recently introduced to Jessica Redland’s writing in her novella Raving About Rhys and absolutely loved it! Upon finishing, I immediately added her to my list of go-to authors. I hope you find yourself doing the same after reading Searching for Steven!
Searching for Steven was a fun and compelling read. In hopes of never ending up alone, Sarah goes through a series of relationships. She’s on the hunt to find and marry her true love and she’s already a few years behind schedule in her big Life Plan. Her search for a soulmate takes a life-altering turn when she comes across something she thought she lost ages ago. She doesn’t trust herself to make a decision without the use of post it notes and her two best friends Clare and Elise. After the help of her post-its and a few glasses of wine and conversation, Sarah finds herself on the hunt for love and searching for Steven.
Sarah’s search brings up the main theme of the novel; what true love means and how to know when you’ve found it. It introduces the idea that just because two people are compatible on paper, doesn’t mean that they’d make a good couple and be happy in a relationship. You have to have a spark and be attracted to that person, because without the attraction, they’re just another friend or brotherly type of guy in your life. When searching for true love, one must look inside themselves to know if it’s right or if it’s wrong.
You can’t force a relationship to happen just because you’re scared you’ll end up alone. That’s no way to live; you have to allow it to happen naturally. You have to be honest with yourself if you’re in it because you’re afraid of ending up alone, or if you’re in it because you can’t imagine your life without this other person. You need to be in a relationship with someone that makes you the best version of you and loves you for who you are, not who they want you to be. How do you know when someone is The One? When you can’t imagine your life without them and that even if you can’t be with them, then you’d rather not be in a relationship at all.
This book was filled with lessons of life, love and happiness, but also instances of tragedy and moving on after tough times. Another theme that presented itself in this story was the idea that things aren’t always as they seem and sometimes they’re exactly what we didn’t know we were looking for. There were a few major twists and turns that truly surprised me and the ending wasn’t at all what I was expecting, it was so much more. Thank you for penning a truly fabulous and compelling novel Jessica!
Memorable Moments:
I knew honesty was the foundation of a good relationship, but these were only little white lies, weren’t they?
‘I know you won’t want to hear this, but you need to get over this ridiculous obsession with getting married; it’s not the answer to life, the universe and everything you know.’
‘This is you we’re talking about. The girl with the Life Plan. The girl who uses post-it notes to make the key decisions in her life.’
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
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