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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On New Years Eve, Josh plans to propose to his girlfriend on the London Eye. It sounds like a beautiful set up, until Jade says no. He then has to spend the remainder of the journey stuck in the capsule with the now ex girlfriend. The story follows Josh as he attempts to get his life back in order using a coin to guide his decisions!
At first I loved Josh, I certainly can understand his inability to make decisions and I am the same. However, as the book went on I found myself getting irritated by some of the things as I just found them really unbelievable. Some people may like this, but I am just not a fan of it!
There were parts of this story that I did really enjoy that made me smile and laugh out loud. I do love a romantic comedy and this did hit the nail on the head with that. It was a really easy read which was needed after a busy week at work. I just wish it was a little bit more realistic!
At first I loved Josh, I certainly can understand his inability to make decisions and I am the same. However, as the book went on I found myself getting irritated by some of the things as I just found them really unbelievable. Some people may like this, but I am just not a fan of it!
There were parts of this story that I did really enjoy that made me smile and laugh out loud. I do love a romantic comedy and this did hit the nail on the head with that. It was a really easy read which was needed after a busy week at work. I just wish it was a little bit more realistic!
Would you let the flip of a coin make all your decisions for a whole year? One flip, heads or tails, one choice or another…
That’s the premise for James’ debut novel The Flip Side which follows Josh and his fate-deciding fifty pence. After proposing to his girlfriend and being brutally rejected, Josh finds a fifty pence and decides to bestow upon it the power to make all of his decisions; because all the ones he’s made alone have ended terribly. What follows is the story of Josh, his fifty pence, a girl, Van Gogh’s sunflowers, pigeons, and a road trip with Jesus.
For a debut novel this is a blinder. James’ humour is present from the first page to last and the pages are alive with the wonderfully drawn characters. The protagonist, Josh, is funny, instantly likeable and I was rooting for him from the beginning. The situations he finds himself in after flipping the coin are hilarious and, at times, very moving. There’s a lovely balance between the genuine laugh-out-loud humour and serious, heart-warming scenes.
I devoured this book in a few hours and couldn’t put it down, it was compelling, paced perfectly and had a cast of characters I became hugely invested in. It is really refreshing to read a genuinely funny and warm romantic novel that is told from the point of view of a male character. It’s been a long while since I’ve read one of those! The book is infused with such astute and witty observations, situations and characterisations that make the whole book so brilliant.
The Flip Side is a laugh-out-loud, heart-warming romantic comedy that will leave you pondering whether you could ever leave fate up to the flip of a coin…
That’s the premise for James’ debut novel The Flip Side which follows Josh and his fate-deciding fifty pence. After proposing to his girlfriend and being brutally rejected, Josh finds a fifty pence and decides to bestow upon it the power to make all of his decisions; because all the ones he’s made alone have ended terribly. What follows is the story of Josh, his fifty pence, a girl, Van Gogh’s sunflowers, pigeons, and a road trip with Jesus.
For a debut novel this is a blinder. James’ humour is present from the first page to last and the pages are alive with the wonderfully drawn characters. The protagonist, Josh, is funny, instantly likeable and I was rooting for him from the beginning. The situations he finds himself in after flipping the coin are hilarious and, at times, very moving. There’s a lovely balance between the genuine laugh-out-loud humour and serious, heart-warming scenes.
I devoured this book in a few hours and couldn’t put it down, it was compelling, paced perfectly and had a cast of characters I became hugely invested in. It is really refreshing to read a genuinely funny and warm romantic novel that is told from the point of view of a male character. It’s been a long while since I’ve read one of those! The book is infused with such astute and witty observations, situations and characterisations that make the whole book so brilliant.
The Flip Side is a laugh-out-loud, heart-warming romantic comedy that will leave you pondering whether you could ever leave fate up to the flip of a coin…
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
I was very interested in reading a novel based on a heartbreak from a man's perspective. Reading this from Josh's side and what he does to cope with his ex-girlfriend saying "no" to his proposal and the journey he takes to find himself was truly heartwarming. I enjoyed following Josh's story and his journey in taking chances in life. To make big decisions in his life, Josh takes to flipping a coin and finding out what his next steps are when it comes to moving on.
This novel includes traveling, romance, a rabbit named Jeremy and the bond of a good friendship. I love the friendship circle in this novel and the hurdles Josh takes to finding his one true love.
This novel includes traveling, romance, a rabbit named Jeremy and the bond of a good friendship. I love the friendship circle in this novel and the hurdles Josh takes to finding his one true love.
The Flip Side was a cute and humorous British Rom-Com! Set in Bristol, main character Josh decided to flip a coin for all his decisions after a break up leaves him single, out of work, and moving back in with his parents. After reading many female protagonist romance novels, it was unique and interesting to read one with a male protagonist. However, I did find the female love interest to be underdeveloped and a bit "manic pixie dream girl-ish". And I would have liked even more insight on Josh's friends and family. That being said I really enjoyed reading this cozy and funny book after a long day. It would make a cute Netflix movie!
Thank you to author James Bailey, HarperCollins Publishers, and William Morrow Paperbacks for an advance reader copy of this book. Reviews are all my own.
Thank you to author James Bailey, HarperCollins Publishers, and William Morrow Paperbacks for an advance reader copy of this book. Reviews are all my own.
3.5 stars
What a cute, fun and adventurous romance about a quirky guy down on his luck. After a failed proposal on the London eye, Josh decides he's going to make every decision with the flip of a coin. Though his friends and family give me grief about it, he sticks with it and it takes him on a wild journey searching for the girl of his dreams.
The story started a little slow and sad with the direction Josh's life was going. He ended up jobless, living back at his parents' house with his rabbit. And the first few decisions he made frustrated me a bit but from the moment he met the 'Sunflower Girl', I was hooked to see how everything was going to unfold. I really enjoyed the bit when he traveled to different bookstores and the shenanigans that ensued. Overall, it was a fun romp around Europe following a man on his journey to find himself and what he wants from life. Recommend for fans of Bridget Jones' Diary and Ted from How I Met Your Mother.
What a cute, fun and adventurous romance about a quirky guy down on his luck. After a failed proposal on the London eye, Josh decides he's going to make every decision with the flip of a coin. Though his friends and family give me grief about it, he sticks with it and it takes him on a wild journey searching for the girl of his dreams.
The story started a little slow and sad with the direction Josh's life was going. He ended up jobless, living back at his parents' house with his rabbit. And the first few decisions he made frustrated me a bit but from the moment he met the 'Sunflower Girl', I was hooked to see how everything was going to unfold. I really enjoyed the bit when he traveled to different bookstores and the shenanigans that ensued. Overall, it was a fun romp around Europe following a man on his journey to find himself and what he wants from life. Recommend for fans of Bridget Jones' Diary and Ted from How I Met Your Mother.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was quite a fun situation in that we had a male author write a male POV contemporary romance. This was definitely a first for me.
The story was original and had potential to be great. However I felt the pace was extremely slow. I was itching for a bit more connection from the main character Josh. He just was so mopey, within reason he was just dumped. I was just hoping it would pick up a tad faster.
A bright note was watching the traveling unfold. As an English speaker living in Europe I was LOVING that part of the story. I often opened up my Google maps app and added places to visit when I am able.
Overall, I did enjoy the story. I would have loved a faster pace and a bit more in the romance area.
Thank you William Morrow and Netgalley for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story was original and had potential to be great. However I felt the pace was extremely slow. I was itching for a bit more connection from the main character Josh. He just was so mopey, within reason he was just dumped. I was just hoping it would pick up a tad faster.
A bright note was watching the traveling unfold. As an English speaker living in Europe I was LOVING that part of the story. I often opened up my Google maps app and added places to visit when I am able.
Overall, I did enjoy the story. I would have loved a faster pace and a bit more in the romance area.
Thank you William Morrow and Netgalley for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.