Ruby and Zac both work as counsellors in job centres. When two branches are combined, one of them is going to lose their job. They end up sharing an office and competing for the the same job. Ruby is doing her best to keep her Generalised Anxiety Disorder a secret and to keep up a smiling face. Zac seems to completely at ease with the world. At least that’s how it looks until Ruby starts to realise that he has secrets of his own.
I liked Ruby and her struggle with anxiety. I can relate. [The is an on-page panic attack, which was handled very well]. I really liked the mental health representation. Zac is a really nice guy – Caring in every sense of the word. The secondary characters are fun too. Especially Priya – the gay best friend, who has a confectionery drawer in her desk.
Despite the serious topics that it deals with, this book is very funny in places and made me laugh out loud a few times. It’s Christmassy, but with the usual realism that you’d expect from Jane Lovering’s books.
I got a review copy from the publishers via Netgalley. Thank you!
As always, a disclaimer – I know the author in real life, but I’ve been a fan of her books since before I met her.
Rhoda Baxter 