A Date With Destiny ~ Reviewing The Setup by Lizzy Dent
Featuring a love triangle of sorts, a chaotic but loveable horoscope-obsessed protagonist (the seagull scene is everything), and a heart-warming cast of supporting characters, it was the perfect beach read to see us through the heatwave.
From the author of The Summer Job comes a laugh-out-loud rom-com about a woman’s impulsive fib that starts a summer of reinvention and learning about love, life, and what it means to accept yourself.
We auto-buy anything by Lizzy Dent and The Setup was no exception. Featuring a love triangle of sorts, a chaotic but loveable horoscope-obsessed protagonist (the seagull scene is everything), and a heart-warming cast of supporting characters, it was the perfect beach read to see us through the heatwave.
Before we get into the team reviews, here’s the back cover blurb!
Mara Williams reads her horoscope every day but she wasn’t expecting to be in a whole other country when destiny finally found her. Just as a fortune teller reveals that her true love is just around the corner for her, a gorgeous stranger literally walks into her life in the meet-cute of all meet-cutes. And now Mara is determined to bring them together again… Surely even fate needs a nudge in the right direction sometimes?
But while Mara is getting ready for ‘the one’, the universe intervenes. Her new flatmate Ash is funny, and kind, and sexy as hell… There was no predicting this: it’s as if her destiny just arrived on her doorstep.
So will Mara put her destiny in fate’s hands – and finally trust herself to reach for the stars?
Lareese’s Review…
Hello holiday read! I took The Set Up with me on a recent trip to Tulum and I have to say it made for peak poolside reading. I loved Lizzy Dent’s debut novel The Summer Job last year so was super excited for this release and raced through it on my holiday!
Although I didn’t love it quite as much as TSJ, I still found myself invested in Mara’s quest to find The One and the tumultuous journey that comes with first, second and even third guessing your intuition. Although there were certainly cliche elements of the story, Mara’s experience of heartbreak, drifting from a once ride-or-die bestie and feeling inadequate about her career choices encapsulated the highs and lows that so many will be able to relate to in their twenties.
Lizzy does a great job of vividly building a picture of Mara’s life in Broadgate and those that surround her, and I found myself drawn to pick it up whenever I had a free moment on my trip. Lareese
Lizzy does a great job of vividly building a picture of Mara’s life in Broadgate and those that surround her, and I found myself drawn to pick it up whenever I had a free moment on my trip. The Set Up is the definition of an easy read, and makes for a great escape from reality if you’re looking to step out of your own world for a little while- especially for those who are partial to making decisions based on their horoscope reading…
Rating: 4/5
Would you recommend it? Yes! Especially for a beachy or poolside holiday.
Lily’s Review…
This was such an easy fun read! I really enjoyed some parts and I was interested in main characters and their romance!
Lizzy has the innate ability to create flawed characters who frustrate you and make you want to shake some sense into them while also wanting to give them a big hug and a pep talk.Lily
The Set Up follows main character Mara Williams, who’s always let her horoscope, the universe and fate as her guide. She’s never had the confidence to trust her own instinct/gut. Lizzy has the innate ability to create flawed characters who frustrate you and make you want to shake some sense into them while also wanting to give them a big hug and a pep talk.I am a newbie to rom-com books, as I tend to stick to solid romance, thriller or drama/crime books. However, if you are a SOLID lover of chick-flick rom-com novels then it is a bit of you!! It is safe to say that manifestation and alignment is very current right now, so if you are also an astrology admirer then give this novel a read.
After The Summer Job and now The Setup, Lizzy Dent will hold a place on my author TBR. I really enjoy the niche she has carved out with these two publications.
Rating out of 5: 3.5/5
Would you recommend it? Beach PLEASE – it’s a yes from me!
Charlotte’s Review…
Hello holiday read! I took The Set Up with me on a recent trip to Tulum and I have to say it made for peak poolside reading. I loved Lizzy Dent’s debut novel The Summer Job last year so was super excited for this release and raced through it on my holiday!
Mara’s experience of heartbreak, drifting from a once ride-or-die bestie and feeling inadequate about her career choices encapsulated the highs and lows that so many will be able to relate to in their twenties.Charlotte
Although I didn’t love it quite as much as TSJ, I still found myself invested in Mara’s quest to find The One and the tumultuous journey that comes with first, second and even third guessing your intuition. Although there were certainly cliche elements of the story, Mara’s experience of heartbreak, drifting from a once ride-or-die bestie and feeling inadequate about her career choices encapsulated the highs and lows that so many will be able to relate to in their twenties.
Lizzy does a great job of vividly building a picture of Mara’s life in Broadgate and those that surround her, and I found myself drawn to pick it up whenever I had a free moment on my trip. The Set Up is the definition of an easy read, and makes for a great escape from reality if you’re looking to step out of your own world for a little while- especially for those who are partial to making decisions based on their horoscope reading…
Rating: 4/5
Would you recommend it? Yes! Especially for a beachy or poolside holiday.
Danielle’s Review…
Lizzy Dent has done it again with The Setup, I adored this book! Performed by Anna Gilthorpe I listened to this one whilst I was away this summer and enjoyed every second of it. Similar to her last novel The Summer Job, there are definitely points where you want to give the main character Mara a kick up the ass, but don’t we all have friends like that?!
When anyone single asks me about finding ‘the one’ I usually tell them to work on themselves over anything else, so it was refreshing to see Mara get herself into a position where she was “ready” for the meeting! Danielle
Parts of this book reminded me of one of my favourite autumn movies – Serendipity. As Mara follows her horoscope and fate to take her on a bit of an adventure in an attempt to make her life bigger than what it is now – which is something I can personally relate to! When anyone single asks me about finding ‘the one’ I usually tell them to work on themselves over anything else, so it was refreshing to see Mara get herself into a position where she was “ready” for the meeting! Obviously, some of these things were just superficial like having your nails done, but making new friendships and experiences really does widen your horizons.
Rating out of 5: 4.5/5
Would you recommend it? Absolutely, a fun easy read!
