Wants and Needs by Roxy Dunn Misty has broken up with long term boyfriend Barney and had an operation on her knee, so she's back living with her mum in Brighton at the age of 32. When she ventures into the world of dating apps she matches with Christopher but doesn't notice ENM on his profile. When Misty finds out this means ethical non monogamy - he's in an open relationship with his partner and the mother of his child - she decides to meet him anyway and feels an instant connection. I loved the characters in this book, especially Misty's mum and her friend Erica who I thought were really refreshing female characters. And I thought the writing was perfect, funny in places and poignant in others, with sparkling dialogue. Those aspects were five stars for me. I could have lived without the spice - tmi and a bit cringe, but that's my personal taste - and almost wished the characters and dialogue were in a different story. But I'm sure others will really enjoy it so very highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

A lovely modern take on dating in the 21st century, this is a fresh, inciteful and creative read. I loved Misty in all her messy, confused and colourful chaos, really invested in how things would work out for her from the very first page. What sets this apart from the many similar novels in this genre is how sharp and concise the writing is, quickly cutting to the heart of issues, yet never feeling cold or harsh. Conversely the sharpness leads to a warmth and honesty that brings an immediacy to the characters and their relationships that draw you straight into their world.

I struggled with the concept of ENM (non monogamous marriage) and did not like Misty as a character. She seemed immature and not able to stand up for herself. Having said that, the subject was dealt with well and was very informative, just not for me.

When Misty stumbles across Christopher’s profile on a dating app, she doesn’t really realise what ethical non-monogamy really means. She embarked on a relationship with him and soon realised that he is married, yet in an ‘ open relationship’ with his wife. This is Misty’s voyage of self-discovery, as she decides what she really wants for herself, with or without Christopher.