This was a delight to read. I found myself veering between laugh out loud moments and gasps of horror. Isabella herself is a wonderful creation. Her snootiness and supercilious detachment could make her thoroughly ghastly, but the hints at her troubled childhood and regrets are redeeming features. Her lack of self-awareness is both comic and tragic. I will never forget the fabulously terrible scene involving Dover soles and seafood! Original and refreshingly non-formulaic, I raced through this novel and look forward to reading the sequel.

I totally agree with the previous 2 reviews. I was spellbound by this book from the first page - so funny and light-hearted, yet touching on important issues of family, friendship, identity, integrity and faith. A book that makes you laugh - and think. I just love Ruth Leigh's writing style and her characters. The sequel is equally brilliant but can we have more, please?

I couldn't put this book down - it was such a good read! It reminded me of Bridget Jones in it's style and humour and relatability. Even though Isabella M. Smugge is wealthy and has a family and career others only dream of, her Instagram life hides the same troubles and obstacles we all have to overcome. As she navigates a move to the country, trying to fit in and build friendships... I was right there with her through it all. I can't wait for the sequel. I hope this will be the first book of many in this series!

I laughed out lot (on many occasions), and couldn't put this heartwarming book down. I grew to love Isabella, in all her smugness, and the deep themes of friendship and reconciliation were very powerful, but never over the top, as the humour and general ridiculousness of Isabella's life are wonderfully disarming. Such a brilliant read - entertaining, gripping and reassuring.