Tomorrow marks the 4th anniversary of Author Sophie Tanner’s sologamist cultural ceremony during the 2015 Brighton Fringe and to mark the occasion she is not only releasing her brand-new novel, Reader, I Married Me! But she is also hosting a celebratory flash mob. I was extremely lucky to have been gifted an advance copy of Sophie’s book and today I want to share my thoughts ahead of its official release. Thank you to Phoebe Morgan from Trapeze Books for sending me this book.
Synopsis
Chloe Usher has had enough of men.
After breaking up with the love of her life, Chloe’s friends tell her she needs to get back out there, and find another man before it’s too late. But after a particularly disastrous date and one too many gins, Chloe has a revelation – she doesn’t need a man to make her happy. It’s up to her to do it herself.
Never one to do things by halves, Chloe decides to make the ultimate commitment to self-love – she’ll marry herself! But planning a solo wedding isn’t easy, and soon Chloe finds herself on a bumpy journey of self-discovery. Will she finally get her happy ever after?
Review
30-something Chloe appears to have it all – a great job and a wonderful boyfriend who travelled halfway across the world to surprise her. However, Ant is reluctant to make the commitment to move in together and take their relationship to the next level, but it soon becomes clear why when Chloe discovers he has been cheating.
With some encouragement from her friends Chloe jumps feet first into the world of online dating which unfortunately ends disastrously. Disenchanted by men and relationships Chloe realises before she can offer her love to anyone else, she needs to learn to love herself. She finds herself embarking on a somewhat bumpy path of self-discovery culminating in her making the ultimate commitment to love and accept herself forsaking all others.
This beautifully written novel is loosely based on the author Sophie’s own experiences and you can tell as it’s packed with not only with passion for the topic, but is so relatable despite its unconventional theme. It’s a wonderfully light and easy read with some important messages that all of us can learn a thing or two from. With romantic love force fed to us daily online, in magazines and even by our own friends and family this book offers a refreshing view highlighting the importance of being responsible for your own happiness and celebrating yourself.
Both the fictional story and the real-life one behind this book actively encourage us to love and accept ourselves, something I know I often forget to do. Once I’d finished reading this, I felt so uplifted and positive deciding to made a pact with myself to work on loving me, accepting my flaws and improving my own self-esteem. It’s an empowering, heart-warming, fast-paced rom-com with a difference and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. If you are looking for a new read to give you that feel-good glow then this one is definitely for you.
About The Author
Writer, PR, content consultant and sologamist; I am Sophie Tanner. You can follow me on Instagram @TheSologamist or check out my website http://www.imarriedme.co.uk. I live in Kemptown Village, Brighton, with my bumptious Labrador, Ella. It is a mere romp from the beach and suits us very well. I am eternally curious about human behaviour and have a strong interest in literature, music and theatre. I have always been an avid reader; I absolutely love to curl up with a book. I am so delighted to see my first novel Reader, I Married Me published by Trapeze. It is a cheeky, light-heartedly subversive tale about a girl who decides to marry herself. I strongly believe that all good relationships begin with the self and that self love should be celebrated. And, reader, I did actually marry myself – in a cultural ceremony in Brighton in 2015!
Reader, I Married Me! is available to purchase now from Amazon*
Fraser’s Fun House 