Book Review: The Year of Saying Yes by Hannah Doyle

Synopsis: Dear Readers,

 

I hold my hands up: I’m stuck in a rut. For three years and counting I’ve been hopelessly in love with the same guy – and the closest we’ve ever got is a drunken arse grab (NB: this doesn’t count). My favourite hobby is googling cats for spinsters and I’m sick of my shoestring salary that barely pays for my shoebox flat.

I need a head-to-toe life makeover. Enter my ‘Year of Saying Yes’, which is where you come in. To help me sort out my sorry life, I need you to #DareIzzy. For the next 12 months I’ll be saying ‘yes’ to your challenges, no matter how wild, adventurous or plain nuts they are. ‘No’ is not an option!

Here goes… Wish me luck! I’m going to need it.

Love,

Izzy x

Author: Hannah Doyle

Title: The Year of Saying Yes

Publisher: Headline

Date: 2017

I was fortunate enough to receive a proof of The Year of Saying Yes. I’m so grateful; I’m not sure if I would have found the book on my own. You know how some books make you sit up and suddenly think about your own life? This one did that for me!

Isobel is twenty-five, living in a poky flat, fantasizing about her dream man, unable to progress in her career and living her life by a schedule that may or may not be hers. But given the chance to write a feature for her magazine, Izzy has to leave her comfort zone and embrace some changes.

The characters are hilarious! I don’t think I’ve related to a character so much in a long time. I’m practically Izzy – well, old Izzy – so I immediately connected to her character. She’s quirky and full of life, but stuck in her ways. Her work colleagues are the perfect mixture of supportive and pushy – they are determined to see Izzy be the best she can, as is her best friend. George is a sod while Alex is lovely: it’s easy to vote for who Izzy should really fall for!

I guess I’ve learned the hard way that the little voice in my head needs listening to. Do you know why? Because she’s New Izzy. And New Izzy just got 5 per cent more Porsche.

The Year of Saying Yes is a book full of optimism, of embracing new changes and realising the small changes you make can change your entire mindset. It made me laugh, it made me grin like a loon and, I’m not going to lie, it made me squeal in delight in certain places.

This review is more personal than most. It’s hard to stay analytical when a book isn’t about the plot but purely focused on character development.

It’s also hard to stay analytical when the book touches you on a personal level. It made me realise how like Isobel I can be, especially when it comes to controlling my life through lists and not liking anything to upset the balance. It made me think about my own choices. But more than that, it made me do something.

I said yes to going to my brother’s, despite driving in the dark (which I hate) and tackling an evil roundabout (which was terrifying). It made me organise to see a friend and an aunt on separate occasions just because I could and had time to spare. It made me consider my work Christmas party, which for an introvert is petrifying.

It made me want to make the sort of changes that Izzy does, to spice up my life a little bit because otherwise it’s going to be gone before I’ve looked up from my list.

So if you’re looking for some inspiration this New Year, a way of tackling the resolutions without feeling negative about them, I strongly recommend this book. Not only will it leave you inspired, it will give you a laugh and that warm, bubbly feeling that comes with reading a good book.

It’s not serious. It’s not about pacing, plot-points and writing techniques. It’s about living though, which is far more important.

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