A Satchel of Richards by Lee Taylor

                                            

Ebook:  366 pages                                                                            

Genre:  Romantic Comedy, 

Publisher: January 20, 2026 by Periwink Press

Source: NetGalley

First Sentence: I pick my way across what could best be described as a moor.

My Opinion: 

'A Satchel of Richards' is the debut novel from Lee Taylor. It is a romantic comedy with frankly a ridiculous title.

Bridget an aspiring author and Josh a male model are the protagonists. Josh has dreams of becoming a script writer, so when Bridget's publisher recommends she spices up her writing , he is recommended as someone who may be able to help. Initially Bridget and Josh have rather different expectations of just how this help could be achieved! Their relationship is a confusing and chaotic roller coaster.

At times this was ok, at others so annoying. It feels like the basis of a good novel is there amongst all the confusion.  Lee Taylor is going to be an author to watch as one feels she could do so much better.

With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review.

 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Novelist Bridget Stanton’s life needs a massive rewrite. Between the mortgage on her first home, a perfect if teensy beach cottage, and the cost of feeding her horse-sized dog, she’ll never be able to quit her day job. Until it quits her.

Suspended for teaching the suddenly and inequably banned A Wrinkle in Time, her childhood favorite, she is desperate for a book advance. So she throws herself at the mercy, literally, of her brand new, witty, suave, unflappably charming agent, who has reluctantly inherited her.

His skip the Lit Fic and write steamy romance instead. Has he met her? Actually, no. But Bridget knows nothing about passionate sex. Ever ready with advice, he proposes a research—she needs to get herself a satchel of Richards.

Enter Josh, a wildly successful romance cover model with Hollywood screenwriting dreams. His vivid descriptions have helped numerous authors navigate their spiciest scenes, but Bridget, it seems, needs a more hands-on approach.

As their "research" heats up, she offers him credit on the book—a big break that could help launch his wished-for career. But her publisher balks. The God of Abs cannot share the byline.

Now, Bridget must do it their way and save her way of life or risk it all for a real-life love story.

Author Profile: 

                                                  

                                                                    Courtesy of Amazon

Lee Taylor lives and writes in one of the most bewitching forests in the Appalachians. You will find her most mornings before dawn in her "Yome Sweet Yome" (think yurt but better!) loving all the tropes, particularly the ones she turns on their heads. When not writing or hiking, she travels for a day job she loves, always on the lookout for an indie bookstore and if the city in question has a romance-only one---all the better!

Photograph and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Amazon Author Profile.     Goodreads Profile

Love Unscripted by Owen Nicholls

Paperback: 373 pages                                                                                                  
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Headline Publishing, August 2019
Source: Headline Publicity, Advanced Proof Copy.
First Sentence: When we were eleven, Leon Woodward told me about his plan to kiss Sally Carter.
Review Quote: High Fidelity with celluloid replacing vinyl - an astutely observed romantic comedy that had me shaking with laughter and sniffing away tears. Pure pleasure. (Nev Pierce, Contributing Editor EMPIRE Magazine)
Main Characters: Nick Marcet and Ellie Brown.
Setting: London, England.
My Opinion: Owen Nicholls debut in the world of romance is a romantic comedy with many classic film references. The latter of which were mainly lost on me although I do enjoy modern cinema.  Excited to be given the opportunity to read and review the paperback edition before publication by Headline Publicity I was disappointed when it did not meet my expectations, especially with the apparent current revival and popularity in romantic comedies.
Although the story is at times warm and funny, for me this is just another love story, where the protagonist a film projectionist is trying to understand what the difference is between his passion for love on the big screen and the reality of his own love life. 
The style is in my opinion reminiscent of Nick Hornby so if you enjoy his writing you will probably enjoy this.

Pre Publication Details Courtesy of Amazon: 

For film projectionist Nick, love should mirror what he sees on the big screen. And when he falls for Ellie on the eve of the 2008 presidential election, it finally does.

For four blissful years, Nick loved Ellie as much as he loved his job splicing film reels together in the local cinema. Life seemed... picture-perfect.

But now it's 2012, Ellie has moved out and Nick's trying to figure out where it all went wrong.

With Ellie gone and his life far from the happy ending he imagined, Nick wonders if their romance could ever again be as perfect as the night they met.

Can love really be as it is in the movies?

Author Profile:

Owen Nicholls is a screenwriter with a Masters in Scriptwriting from the University of East Anglia. His work has appeared in both Empire and the NME and earlier this year 'Love Unscripted' was selected for the Escalator Scheme run by the Writers Centre in Norwich. He lives in Norfolk with his partner and their two sons.


Photograph and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.


Amazon Author Page     Goodreads Page   Owen Nicholls - Twitter Profile 

Headline Publishing - Owen Nicholls

The Break by Marian Keyes

Paperback: 570 pages.                                                                                             
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Fiction
Publisher: Michael Joseph Penguin 2017
Source: Penguin - Bookmarks - Complimentary Copy
First Sentence: 'Myself and Hugh,' I say. 'We're taking a break'
Favourite Quote: 'Life is for living. Never let anyone tell you you're too old. If you want to do something, do it now because you might not get your chance again.'
Review Quote:'Classic Marian Keyes: a blizzard of wit and wisecracks. Mercilessly funny' The Times
My Opinion:  570 pages! If you are a fan of Marian Keyes then I guess this will please you as one can never get enough of a favourite author? There is no doubt that Marian Keyes is a great storyteller and I found myself reading a 100 pages a night as I kept just wanting to read a bit more. She successfully, sympathetically covers the serious and topical issues of grief and abortion.  Besides covering difficult issues providing food for thought there are also plenty of laugh out loud moments.


Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Amy's husband Hugh isn't really leaving her.

At least, that's what he promises. He is just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. For six-months Hugh will lose himself in south-east Asia, and there is nothing Amy can say or do about it.

Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet . . .

It's been a long time since Amy held a briefcase in one hand and a baby in the other. She never believed she'd have to go it alone again. She just has to hold the family together until Hugh comes back.

But a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns, if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman?

Because falling in love is easy. The hard part - the painful, joyous, maddening, beautiful part - is staying in love.



Video Trailer for 'The Break ' Courtesy of YouTube

                        Marian tempts you into reading The Break by reading the first chapter.



Author Profile

Marian Keyes was born 10 September 1963 in Limerick, Ireland. She writes both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for her work in women's literature. She is an Irish Book Awards winner. Over 22 million copies of her novels have been sold worldwide and her books have been translated into 32 languages. She became known worldwide for Watermelon, Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married, and This Charming Man, with themes including domestic violence and alcoholism.

For a full and interesting biography visit Marian Keyes - Website



Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.


Goodreads - Author Profile    The Break - YouTube   Marian Keyes - Author's Official Website

Instagram Account     Facebook Profile     Twitter Account     Amazon Author Profile

Yours Truly by Kirsty Greenwood

Ebook:  Estimated at 318 pages
Genre: Romantic comedy
Publisher:  Novelicious Books (4 July 2012)
Source: The author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence: 'In all my twenty-seven years of life, I have never before noticed the astonishing similarities between my own head and a ten-pin bowling ball.
Review Quote: "Kirsty Greenwood could totally be the next big Chick Lit star...she's written one of my favourite books this year." CHICKLITREVIEWSANDNEWS.COM
My Opinion: Bordering on farcical.


I was really out of my comfort zone with this novel which is really not a surprise now I have discovered that the author is influenced in her writing style by Jenny Colgan, Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes all excellent authors but not really ones I would consider myself a fan of, although I have read novels written by them all in the past. It is maybe not fair of me that I accepted a review copy from the author for review, as it is probably not one I would have selected for myself. Having said this I do have very eclectic tastes and am always willing to try and step out of my comfort zone. I think this time that I have grown out of such chick lit romps in the case of the majority of authors, although there are a few I still enjoy. Do not get me wrong I did not dislike 'Yours Truly' but at times it seemed to be bordering on farcical, there is certainly plenty to laugh about, maybe I was just not in the right mood for this one.

The protagonist is Natalie Butterworth  twenty seven, newly engaged, it seems she does not mind telling a few white lies here and there to keep herself out of trouble. She is happy but this is difficult to believe when you read about her incredibly dull fiancé plus a sister and mother that seem to control her life. Unfortunately thanks to attending a hypnotists show Natalie finds her life suddenly becomes very complicated and she is forced to face up to all sorts of situations that she would prefer to avoid. Just imagine what would happen to someone who didn't have the power to keep the sometimes hurtful truth to themselves and the trouble that would cause and you have the premise for this novel. From dodgy make overs, ugly wedding dresses, to an idyllic Yorkshire village which is full of secrets and nosey residents what chaos!  Will it all get sorted out and end with that perfect happy ending?  

This is one for the true chick lit fans and judging by the many five star reviews on Amazon my thoughts do not agree with the majority this time.


Author Profile

Kirsty Greenwood was born on April 17th 1982 in Oldham, Greater Manchester. A graduate of North Trafford College and Salford University, she is the founding editor of the female fiction and chick lit website Novelicious.  On her Goodreads profile she admits to drinking far too much tea and has an interesting list of Likes.  They are apparently, American telly, cooking,flittery book covers, green clothes, roasting potatoes, typography, 60s R&B, BOOKS!, Amy Farrah Fowler, singing, Sunday afternoon baths, wine, Beat Sheets, whimsical jewellery and smiley people.

Photo and Biographical Information is with thanks to the following sites where you can also find out more about the author and her writing. 

Goodreads Author Profile    Kirsty Greenwood - Official Website     Kirsty Greenwood - Facebook
Amazon Author Profile

I have chosen to read this title as the letter Y for The A - Z Book Challenge which I  decided to attempt to achieve in alphabetical order. I had a good selection of titles to choose from our bookshelves, so am pleased that it now looks as I have achieved my aim. You can follow my progress here.