Review: Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher

Title: Billy and Me
Series: No
Author: Giovanna Fletcher
Publisher: Penguin UK

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Goodreads Synopsis:
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 she meets the gorgeous Billy – an actor with ambitions to make it to the top. And when they fall in love, Sophie is whisked away from the comfort of her life into Billy’s glamorous – but ruthless – world.

Their relationship throws Sophie right into the spotlight after years of shying away from attention. Can she handle the constant scrutiny that comes with being with Billy? And most of all, is she ready for her secret heartbreak to be discovered and shared with the nation?

What I thought:
I wanted to love this one and I had sky high expectations. Unfortunately they weren't met.

I loved both Sophie and Billy and the character development was fantastic. They both grew throughout the book and learnt a lot about themselves and each other. Sophie finally had the courage to leave her shell of a life and take a chance at what life really has to offer. Billy needed someone to settle and ground him in his busy world and Sophie gave him that. He's also incredibly sweet and I'm pretty sure I'd pass out of adoration if he ever took me on a date.

I loved the whole setup with the Hollywood hotshot falling in love with the down to earth small town girl who then gets thrown in to the ruthlessness of a celebrity's life, but it just wasn't enough. When the troubles in paradise pops up it I think Giovanna could have taken it a step further. Sophie had a lot of insecurities about her and Billy and her own life in general but there was never any confrontation of any sort. I missed that, I wanted her to take charge and, maybe not yell at him, but at least talk to him. Isn't that what you do in a relationship when things aren't all that great? Instead she just grew more miserable by the day.

I loved Sophie and Billy as individuals but I didn't love them as a couple. And that's what the book is about, them and their relationship.

In short, I loved the idea of the book and the general plot but Billy and Me just fell a bit flat in my book.

Overall, Giovanna is a great writer and I'll definitely be on the lookout for her future books!

My rating:

About the author:
Giovanna grew up in Essex with her Italian dad Mario, mum Kim, big sister Giorgina and little brother Mario, and spent most of her childhood talking to herself (it seems no one wanted to listen) or reading books.

At thirteen she left Essex behind to attend the full-time Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met her husband Tom Fletcher. Following SYTS she completed an acting BA (hons) at Rose Bruford – since then she's been acting, chaperoning mini actors and dabbling in a spot of freelance journalism.

Giovanna is a firm believer in the power of magpies and positive energy.

Billy and Me is Giovanna's debut novel.

To reach Giovanna, contact her here through Goodreads or by any method below!

Website: www.giovannasworld.com
Facebook: Giovanna Fletcher
Twitter: @MrsGiFletcher