My So-Called (Love) Life

by A. L. Michael

[Leah]

When AL Michael put a shout out on Twitter for people to take part in her blog tour for her new book, I jumped at the chance, thinking it sounded really interesting. I'm actually really glad I did because My So Called (Love) Life is one of the most enjoyable books I've read so far this year, and good Chick Lit has been very hard to come by for me recently!

First off, I have to confess I really really wished AL had given her main character a different name. Tigerlily isn't a name. And the excuse that her parents are hippies didn't really wash with me, especially since her sister is called Carolina. My reaction was much like Ollie's when I heard her name - you must be kidding me. But I got over it (it was either get over it or just not read the book!) and while I never warmed to her name, I did warm to Tigerlily herself. I loved Tigerlily. I felt so sad that her ex had left her so down - and a bit perplexed because Darren was a tool, and we never saw any happy memories between the pair making me wonder why it had left Tigerlily in such a mess. He was hardly a prize and she was by far better off without him.

Ollie was by far my favourite character. He and Tigerlily just clicked right from the word go, and when they decided to fake date, to teach Tigerlily the ways of the dating world, I was so excited. I knew it would inevitably go wrong, but they were so well matched, so good and had great banter. When they eventually kissed I was soooooo excited, so happy for them, and also obviously filled with trepidation because I knew Ollie wasn't staying. It was everything I wanted but then on the flip side so wrong!

I really, really enjoyed My So Called (Love) Life. AL Michael tells such a great story with such good humour and delicious romance. Sigh. No, I wasn't a fan of Tigerlily's name, but I loved her. I loved that she transformed herself (though I wish we had seen it! I'm currently transforming myself slowly but surely and it would help massively to read about it and not just see the finished product). She and Ollie were just a match made in heaven and it made my heart ache in a good way. I also thought Tigerlily had some of the best friends a girl could ask for in Ames, Dana and Ruby! I'll definitely be checking out Andrea's other novels, she's definitely an author to look out for!