This was such a sweet romance! It was a light read, perfect to pass an afternoon. It’s funny and romantic and filled with drama. It’s a perfect romantic comedy. A Girl Like You by Gemma Burgess came out years ago in 2011. I’m picking it up now because lately I’ve been in the mood for reading very Nora Ephron-esque romantic comedies and this didn’t disappoint.

The story follows Abby in her late 20’s. After breaking up with her long time boyfriend she finds herself single for the first time since high school and living with a very handsome male roommate Robert, as she tries to get the hang of dating. With Robert being the charming womanizer that he is, Abby soon finds herself taking lessons from Robert on how to date like a man, and come out shining.

This is a pretty classic romance trope, girl meets player, player teaches girl in the art of… well playing and inevitably sparks fly, there is an accidental kiss and they live happily ever after. While the story itself follows the trope, it sells itself wonderfully. It comes across as original despite the trope, and in the romance genre when you have to follow certain tropes because they’ve been established through the ages that’s the most difficult thing to accomplish – originality. And A Girl Like You has originality in spades!

“I’ve discovered the secret to successful singledom. I’m acting like a man. And it’s working.”

― Gemma Burgess, 

The language is very very British, filled with colloquialisms and colourful slang from the 2010s. There are lots of humorous moments alongside deeper philosophical drunk conversations. The story flows simply following Abby on good and bad dates and building up her friendship with Robert.

More than the romance I absolutely adored Abby and Robert’s friendship. It was so cute! With their banter and their heart to heart conversations they were so comfortable around each other, and in any long-lasting relationship that’s so important! When things got dark for Abby, Robert was the one who came looking for her, found her, helped her out and didn’t pressurise her. They have so much chemistry and Gemma builds it up through their friendship till you’re at that amazing moment where you’re hitting your head because you know these two people love each other and so does every other character except for the dunces themselves!

This is a romance I’d recommend to everyone and even if you aren’t a romance fan it is a lovely light-hearted read filled with laugh out loud moments that can help when you’re looking for a lighter read. God knows, everyone needs some happiness this year!