Billy and Me

by Giovanna Fletcher

A gloriously romantic novel about fame, friendship and falling in love, from the No. 1 bestselling author and Queen of the Castle - perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Sophie Kinsella & Cecelia Ahern

'Gloriously romantic' JILL MANSELL

'Warm and romantic, this will brighten up your day' CLOSER

Sophie May has a secret.

One that she's successfully kept for years. It's meant that she's had to give up her dreams of going to university and travelling the world to stay in her little village, living with her mum and working in the local teashop.

But then Sophie unexpectedly meets the gorgeous Billy Buskin - a famous actor with ambitions to make it to the top. As they begin to grow closer, Sophie finds herself whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy's glamorous - but ruthless - world.

After years of shying away from attention, can Sophie handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? How much is she prepared to give up along the way?

And is their love strong enough to keep them together against the odds?

Charming, heart-warming and utterly romantic, Billy and Me is an unforgettable story that will completely capture your heart.
___________

'Wonderfully warm and cosy. The perfect comfort read to curl-up with and enjoy' Ali McNamara

'Tons of charm and genuine warmth' Star Magazine

'A sweet and sparkling debut from a lovely lady. Sure to be a hit' Carole Matthews

Only the most hard-hearted could fail to root for Sophie as she falls for A-lister Billy and must take on the mad, bad world of showbiz. This sweet debut reminded me of Last Night at Chateau Marmont' Louise Candlish

'If you're looking for a romantic read and a summer treat that'll take you on a journey and leave you feeling like you've made a new friend, you'll love Billy and Me' Vanessa Greene

'This is one juicy read' Now

'Must read' Sunday Mirror

• ISBN10: 1405909951
• ISBN13: 9781405909952
• Publish Date: 23 May 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 11 March 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 432
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/isbn/9781405909952

Reviews

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Penguin for accepting my request for this book via Netgalley. I have a few of Giovanna’s books on my TBR pile but this is the first one I have read. I will admit that I totally requested this book because Giovanna is married to Tom Fletcher in McFly.

Sophie May lives in the little village of Rosefont Hill. Sophie works in the teashop on the hill run by Molly. Molly has helped Sophie turn from this shy introvert to someone who isn’t afraid to chat to the customers or make friends. Sophie didn’t go to university or take a gap year like everyone else she went to school with. Sophie stayed at home where she was needed and got a job. Sophie blames herself for something that happened in her past. I have to say that, without telling you what it was, Giovanna got those feelings perfectly. I have had a similar experience at a similar age and I can say I understood Sophie perfectly.

When Billy first enters the teashop Sophie has no idea who he is. This scene was funny and cringe-worthy all at the same time. At first I really liked Billy but as the story progressed I really started to hate him. Not all of it was Billy’s fault but I really wanted to slap him.

There are some real tear-jerker moments to this book that will have you grabbing those tissues but there are also many moments that are so sweet and romantic you can’t help but get swept away.

I really enjoyed Giovanna’s writing style and was soon as I finished this book I picked up the Christmas Novella, Christmas with Billy and Me. I look forward to reading more of Giovanna’s books in the future.

[Leah]

Don't judge me too harshly, but I have had Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher sitting on my TBR pile since it was released in 2013 (although that is not AT ALL the oldest book sitting on my TBR pile - THAT you can judge me on). It was just one of those books I never got around to, but after having a look at what books were hiding behind other books, I brought it out from it's hiding place and just NEEDED to read it. Helped by the fact the sequel Always With Love is out next month (wahoo!). Clearly I was waiting to read it because I knew I'd be waiting three years for a sequel...

Billy and Me was absolutely fantastic. Jill Mansell is absolutely right with her cover quote - this is a glorious book, with buckets of charm and I'm kicking myself (not literally) that it took me so long to read it. I LOVED it. For a while I thought I was going off the genre I've loved for such a long time, but books like Billy and Me remind me that this genre still has some hidden gems I've yet to read - including the rest of Giovanna Fletcher's books!!! It just made me feel so genuinely happy and I absolutely love books where a normal girl goes out with a famous person, and Giovanna has first-hand experience being married to Tom Fletcher.

Sophie is the loveliest character I've ever met. She's so sweet - and to learn about her history just made me want to squish her into the biggest hug ever. I loved that she stayed in her home town, and worked with Molly in Tea-on-the-Hill, because it seemed lovely, and exactly right for her, so who is anyone to judge just because she didn't go to Uni or on a gap year (neither of which I've done, or could ever afford to do). In the real world, you have to just get a job and get on with it, and Sophie did that, although her job with Molly sounded amazing, like the dream job. And their banter and interactions in the cafe were delightful. Then Billy came into the picture and it all got even better, because Billy was amazing too. I loved their chemistry right from the outset, and I spent most of the book smiling like an idiot, it made me so happy.

Billy and Me also made me cry, thank you for that Giovanna, it was ever so kind of you. Basically this book just had all of the emotions. Laughter, tears, happiness, sadness, characters you absolute adore, it was the whole package and I will not get over the fact it took me so long to read it. This was everything I wanted in a book and more and I can't wait for the sequel, because I need more of Sophie and Billy in my life.