Today dear reader I have the absolute honour of kicking off the blog tour for Be More Octopus (Published 12 June 2023) By Suzanne Lissaman. A big thank you to the publishers Octosulis Publishing for sending me a copy to read and review, always appreciated. Also to the wonderful Anne for the invite to take part in the blog tour, you are amazing.
Be More Octopus
Is hitting a handsome professor with a vacuum cleaner a good way to start a new relationship? Em doesn't think so. But she's not looking for a new man, or is she?
When Em discovers that her fiancé's having an affair, she leaves her stressful call centre job, packs up her paints and easel and moves to the coast to build a better life on her own. But her new life becomes more complicated when charming professor, Jack Carver, arrives for a holiday. Who's he avoiding? And what do Jack and Em have in common?
Set in Birmingham, London and the fictional town of Dashford in North Devon, Be More Octopus is an entertaining, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy.
About The Author
Suzanne Lissaman is a romantic comedy writer based in the UK. When she's not writing, she's also an artist and award-winning photographer. She lives in the West Midlands with her husband, two children, and a demanding but adorable cat.
My Review
Em's life is turned upside down when she discovers her fiancé, Connor is having an affair. Fed up of always settling and never pushing herself to achieve her dreams of painting for a living, Em decides to take charge of her life. Told in three parts the narrative follows Em's journey to rediscover herself and her passion amongst the beautifully scenic backdrop of North Devon with a dash of love and humour thrown into the mix.
Em is a fascinating character to follow and extremely relatable. When she finds out that Connor has been having an affair she questions her life. Stuck in a job working in a call centre she makes the decision to quit and move back to her dad's. At 29 years old Em wonders what happened in her life to end up back at her family home. She goes into the loft and finds an old canvas which ignites her passion for painting. She suddenly sees that she has been stuck in a dead-end relationship and letting life pass her by. She makes a decision to never settle for second best and find something that isn't too challenging so it gives her time to work on her art. She stumbles across a job for a live-in part-time holiday let concierge in Dashford-On-Sea North Devon. Her new life leads her to the dashing and charming Jack Carver. While working at Dashford Grange, Jack who is a Professor of 18th and 19th century British history comes to stay on holiday to finish writing his book. The connection between Em and Jack sparks off the page, you feel a sense of desire and lust as they grow closer. You desperately want them to get together. I couldn't stop laughing at how they meet, a perfect meet cute. Em is instantly attracted but tells herself that he is not her type, that she does not want another man in her life so soon. She is avoiding men and taking the approach that her best friend Lucy suggested, 'Be more octopus" Did you know dear reader that a female octopus will throw rocks at unwanted attention from a male? Fascinating, isn't it? Lucy reminds Em of the trip they took at school to an aquarium where they learnt this fact. Em does her best to be more octopus but she keeps bumping into Jack at every turn.
Em quickly settles into life in Devon, it feels like home and she offers to paint her boss Nancy who is delighted with the results. She encourages Em to think about selling her portraits. But Em feels she needs more practice and offers to paint Jack. The more time they spend together, the more Em can feel herself falling for him but Jack is hiding a secret that could threaten everything.
I give Be More Octopus By Suzanne Lissaman a Five out of Five paw rating
Amusing and full of classic romantic comedy moments, this book is the perfect lighthearted read to escape to the picturesque quietness of North Devon.
Lissaman writes a delightful, heartfelt story about how starting over again is not always a bad idea. Follow your dreams and never let anyone tell you otherwise. Life is too short, so live it how you want to. Embrace every moment and fill your life with the things that make you happy.
Don't forget to follow the rest of the blog tour, dates below, enjoy!
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