Portobello Book Blog

I am a big fan of Jane Lovering’s writing and this latest book did not disappoint. As opening lines go, this has one to make you spit out your (Yorkshire) tea! “My grandfather’s left me his nose. It’s in a matchbox.”  Willow has just learned of her unusual inheritance from her much loved grandfather. The other members of her family have similarly odd inheritances. Will, as she is known, is a single girl working for a newspaper and enjoying spending time with her friends. She’s not been particularly lucky in love, partly thanks to her ‘little problem’ – she is physically sick every time she meets a man she finds attractive. She has also been harbouring a crush on Luke, who she knew at university ten years ago. When she bumps into him again she still finds him as attractive as ever and amazingly (she thinks!) he seems to fancy her too. They begin a passionate affair but is he all he seems? 

Jane Lovering has a real talent for creating characters that I love. Some make me laugh. some make me furious and some make me feel protective. There is a combination of all of these in Can’t Buy Me Love. Her family are as quirky as their names: Flint, Breeze, Ocean and Willow’s twin Ash, blame the hippy parents! They are all quite different and like most families have their disagreements but as shown in the book, come together as a family when it matters most. Will’s friends, Katie and Jazz, were brilliantly funny, supportive and honest with her. Alarm bells were ringing for them about Luke, as they are for the reader, as they try to warn Will to be cautious and not move too fast. Ash’s friend Cal was an excellent addition to the story. Gorgeous working hard on his farm and a bit of a computer geek, he would seem to the be the perfect match for Will but he is the subject of her brother Ash’s attention so that doesn’t seem likely. They strike up a firm friendship which is a charming part of the story.

I have to say that this book includes one of the best revenge scenes ever. I can’t say what of course but let’s just say it was well planned, well executed and very well deserved. The hero of the book turned out to be everything you would expect of a ChocLit hero. And Will’s grandfather knew exactly what all his grandchildren needed, even if they didn’t know it themselves, with their odd inheritances all working out for the best in unexpected ways for all of them.

Can’t Buy Me Love is funny, warm and down to earth. You can rely on Jane Lovering for an absorbing and entertaining read every time.

Thanks to the publishers ChocLit for the review copy via Netgalley. Can’t Buy Me Love is available now as an e-book (only £1.99 at the time of writing) and you can order a copy here: Can’t Buy Me Love

From the back of the book

Is it all too good to be true?

When Willow runs into her old university crush, Luke, she’s a new woman with a new look – not to mention a little bit more cash after a rather substantial inheritance. Could she be lucky enough to score a fortune and her dream man at the same time?

Then Willow meets Cal; a computer geek with a slightly odd sense of humour. They get on like a house on fire — although she soon realises that there is far more to her unassuming new friend than meets the eye …

But money doesn’t always bring happiness, and Willow finds herself struggling to know who to trust. Are the new people in her life there because they care – or is there another reason?