Friends Like These by Hannah Ellis

Blurb

When newly single Marie decides to shake up her social life, she has no idea what she is letting herself in for. With her sights set on the flamboyant Sebastian and his sophisticated group, Marie is sure that things are about to change for the better. But when a chance encounter brings some unlikely characters into her life, things start to veer off course. Marie would never normally be seen with this bunch of misfits but to her annoyance they just keep turning up. As lives quickly become entwined and unusual friendships form, Marie realises that we don't always get to choose our friends; sometimes they choose us. Buoyed by her newfound friendships, Marie might even take another chance at love.

Review

Uplifting, funny, sensitive, full of little surprises, and some really silly (in a good way) situations, this novel has vibrant characters, each one distinct and with a voice all their own, and a lovely message regarding friendships.

Loved the way the author holds a mirror to Marie's face and shows her what sort of person she is, but in a nice way. The main character's vulnerability shone through and although she grows and develops throughout the course of the story, Maria never truly loses that.

I particularly liked the idea that we don't chose our friends - they chose us. And that friendship can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

About the Author

Hannah Ellis is originally from Sheffield, England, and spent time living in America, Australia and Ireland before finally settling in Munich, Germany, where she now lives with her husband and two little boys. She self published her first novel 'Friends Like These' in 2015 and then went on to write two more books in the series: 'Christmas with Friends' and 'My Kind of Perfect'. Hannah can often be found tapping away on her laptop, trying to ignore the two small children swinging on her hair as she attempts to write more books!