I so loved Skip to the End by Molly James (reviewed here) that I was thrilled when Elizabeth Masters and Ana McLaughlin at Quercus Books sent me a copy of Molly’s latest book, One Day to Fall in return for an honest review. I’m delighted to share that review today.

One Day to Fall in Love will be published in paperback by Quercus on 1st August 2024 and is available for purchase in all formats through the links here.

One Day to Fall in Love

The clock is ticking, don’t let love run out . . .

When the love of her life falls for someone else, Rena finds herself desperately scrolling for a solution. That’s when an ad for a new dating app pops up:

24 hours to fall in love ❤️ A guaranteed love match by the end of the day or your money back.

Fueled by heartbreak and tequila, Rena signs up and prepares for her life to change. What she doesn’t know is that she is bound to repeat this day over and over again, until she finds her perfect match. One day they said, but there was no mention of how many times that day would play out . . .

My Review of One Day to Fall in Love

Rena is in love with Dylan. 

One Day to Fall in Love is just lovely. I so enjoyed it. 

The plot is smashing. As Rena has signed up for a dating app, she has also inadvertently signed herself up to repeating the same 24 hours over and over again until she finds her perfect love. I had anticipated that this structure might make the story repetitive, but not a bit of it. Molly James makes it fresh, lively, humorous and hugely entertaining. The narrative romps along.

The characters are warm and realistic. There’s an intimacy because of the focus on Rena and Nat, but a wide enough cast to add fun, comedy and interest, so that the story is beguiling and uplifting. Although a super romance is at the heart of the action, it is other relationships that give the book true emotional depth. Rena’s self-preserving distance from her father and Nat’s blind acceptance of Mark’s behaviour are both explored. Through these two wonderfully depicted women we see how the first step in any true relationship is an acceptance of ourselves. If we can’t be honest with ourselves, appreciate our own positives and accept our own flaws, then we can’t really expect others to do so. Consequently, One Day to Fall in Love is a book about romantic, family, self, platonic and genuine love. I thought this aspect was simply wonderful. 

Other messages in this diverting story are equally significant. The importance of belonging, of the Arts, and of not being afraid to step outside our comfort zones and try new things are aspects that are so well depicted. It means the story is inspirational as well as entertaining –  and frequently laugh aloud funny!

I really loved One Day to Fall in Love. I realised I was reading it with a smile on my face throughout and I finished it with a huge sigh of satisfaction. Molly James has written the kind of book to keep on your shelf as a pick-me-up when life feels bleak. It’s witty, warm and incredible fun – a true tonic. Don’t miss it. 

About Molly James

Molly James is the pen name of Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author Belinda Jones. While Belinda’s romcoms double as travel guides to dream destinations from Costa Rica to Capri, Molly’s love stories come with an exciting twist of magical realism. Belinda is dog-besotted, Molly favours felines. Both love a lavender latte!

For more information, find Molly on Instagram.