Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite
Love & Pollination is a contemporary romance novel written by Mari Jane Law. Perdita really had no experience in dating or romance, and the birds and bees lectures given by the nuns at the convent where she grew up were strictly on the level of the birds and bees. So, when her elderly client recommended that she make some changes to get herself a man, Perdita figured she might just have the solution. Violet even compared finding the right clothing to flowers being bright and colorful in order to attract the bees that pollinate them. Could she find those bright colorful items for herself, get herself noticed by a man? Violet strongly recommended a thorough makeover, and Perdita found herself unable to resist. Would it, could it work at the upcoming work conference where Tony, her crush, would be? Armed with clothing that made her legs look like they went on forever, a perfectly fitted jacket that emphasized her assets, and spiky shoes, Perdita wondered what could go wrong?
Mari Jane Law’s Love & Pollination features a marvelous naive young woman whose quiet and unassuming life is forever shaken up and stirred after she sets out to catch her man. Law’s characters are a hoot and a half, especially Violet, Perdita’s matchmaking client, Luke and Gavin, her best friends and neighbors, and Perdita herself whose place of safety often ends up being underneath the nearest table. The author’s plot is zany and filled with twists and turns, and her writing style is perfectly suited for this appealing comedy of errors. Love & Pollination is highly recommended.
Kirsty Procter – Absolutely Brilliant – Amazon
I honestly really enjoyed this book! It was witty, fast paced and hilarious. The first thing I have to talk about is of course the main character Perdita. Her character really had me laughing, it was so comical watching her go through life being so absolutely clueless about men, she even had me cringing at some points. As I read more of the book I really felt connected with Perdita and every new thing that happened to her I really felt for her.
I was also wholly invested in Perdita and Saul’s relationship (when Saul wasn’t being a pain in the backside) I couldn’t wait to see the outcome of the story because I was really rooting for them as a couple.
This book had a great story arc it wasn’t just your usual rom-com, it was whacky and brilliantly thought out. It was nice that the story wasn’t solely focused on Perdita and Saul as well, there were some other good characters and it was nice to see their lives as well as the main characters.
Mari Jane Law developed some fantastic characters and a well thought out story.
Overall I loved this book and was surprised by how much.
Hannah Symonds – Goodreads – Hannah’s blog – Amazon
If you are after a laugh out loud book then this is the one for you, I genuinely could not stop laughing. I found this book to be well written and an easy read, I liked Perdita and I liked the fact that she was different and had a very quirky personality. Mari tackles the serious side very well, I liked the way Perdita does toughen up but also finds happiness. I look forward to the sequel. I really enjoyed this book, and one I would recommend and read again.
Adele – Goodreads
As soon as I read this novel I had to tweet how much I enjoyed it just to get the immediate word out there. This is what I wrote: “Don’t discount the quiet author who sits under the radar hoping to one day bloom. I adored this fun, slightly bonkers romcom. Perdita is one of those unique, quirky characters that are very endearing.”
I hadn’t heard of this author before I picked up Love & Pollination and it’s such a travesty when authors slip under the radar for prospective readers. Mari Jane Law has written such a fun, crazy caper of a story that’s filled with the day to day life of our quirky leading lady Perdita.
Perdita sadly had a tragic upbringing leading to her then being brought up by nuns in a convent so a few street life skills and warnings of the chapters of life were missed from the nuns’ parenting responsibilities.
Perdita has found a way of coping when she is faced with new situations but her life takes a sudden change in direction when she realises the job she has been doing is not all it seems and she feels she can no longer do the job justice. This decision leads Perdita on a stumbling block of ‘mistakes’ or ’embarrassing moments’ and one thing leads to another and she has consequences resulting in one of her ‘moments’.
Without revealing too much of the storyline we follow Perdita as her life takes on new challenges with new people bringing forth further emotional complications her way.
Perdita is such an endearing character that charms you into her life, she has quirks, yes, but these are what make her great. She may have had a sheltered upbringing and had been naive in certain aspects of her life but she has a heart of gold. I instantly warmed to Perdita’s character and was invested in her wellbeing, I laughed my way through her little ‘moments’ but also felt how brave she was learning anew and accepting life in all it’s glory.
The sub-characters in the storyline blended so well with the leading lady making them easily relatable and able to imagine in your head how they looked, acted and felt.
I’m hoping Mari Jane Law will treat us to some more stories with Perdita as I feel readers would love to join her journey through the wonders, trials and tribulations of life.
Dawn L Impossible not to like – Amazon
I’m sitting here writing this review with a big smile on my face – even though I was banned from reading “Love & Pollination” at bedtime due to the number of chuckles, snorts, and guffaws that issued forth (from me, obviously!). Our main character, Perdita, is impossible not to like, and I found myself wishing she was real. The writing is thoroughly enjoyable. The plot is… well, it’s just wonderful! I can’t tell you how much I loved this book, so just get yourself a copy. Feeling low? I recommend taking 10 pages, twice daily!
My thanks to the author. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
Laura (the bookish hermit) – Charming and funny– Amazon
This is a wonderfully written, fast paced and charming story about the very naive Perdita. Growing up in a convent and being brought up by catholic nuns has left her having a rather sheltered life so far and boy is she in for a few shocks!
We immediately learn that Perdita has been fired from her job because she doesn’t agree with some of the things that she’s being asked to do, so the management asks her to leave. This little setback puts her in a very tricky situation as she needs money to pay her rent and also her loan from the orphanage.
She has also had a very awkward first sexual encounter with a guy called Tony who is a sly, womanising weasel – the details surrounding this rendezvous are nothing short of hilarious!
Luke and Gavin are Perdita’s two gay friends who are always there to offer support and advice – their advice is often questionable but sets up some amazing one liners – I’m talking laugh out loud stuff here! These two are probably my favourite characters! I love the chemistry between them!
It soon becomes clear that Perdita is pregnant – or pollinated as she prefers to put it. A bee has been attracted to a brightly coloured flower – Her being the flower and the womanising guy Tony from her first sexual experience happens to be the bee – Perdita has a way of explaining things so that everything is kind of pink, fluffy and sugar coated, this is one of the many things that makes her such a lovable character!
I must mention another lovable character here and that is Frank the cat! No story is complete without an adorable fluff ball prowling around! He makes several appearances which adds a comforting feeling to the whole story – yes I am a cat lady, feel free to judge me!
So, Perdita has been ‘pollinated’ by Tony but she has her eyes set on a guy called Saul who kidnapped her earlier on in the story – another hilarious twist!
The story continues to evolve in a speedy and charming way, unpredictable situations come about and there are so many funny incidents that kept me turning the pages long into the night! I wasn’t able to predict what might come next at any point and there was a laugh or smile on almost every page!
The story also has another side, behind all of the comedy the message is clear – no matter what your situations and circumstances are, you can always change things, there are always options and unexplored roads. Live your life your own way and never allow anyone to take away your personal power.
I particularly enjoyed the way Law made her character Perdita so pure and innocent. Her way of using plant terminology in replace of words for intimacy was interesting and funny.
One thing is for sure – I’m never going to be able to look out into my back garden and keep a straight face ever again, and I will be avoiding garden centres for fear of the men in white coats being called to assess my laughing fits!
Overall an amazing easy five star read! You definitely want to pick this one up!
I’d like to say a huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this wonderful book! I’m looking forward to her next release!
Bozzy – Couldn’t put it down – Amazon
Whacky, most definitely! Far-fetched yet totally possible, and I like it how cleverly all the little bits fall into place of the bigger picture. Lovely sense of humour. Very much my wavelength! Most cer-tain-ly worth buying!
Llewellyn-McKenzie – Beautifully written. This is a must read – Amazon
I cannot recommend this book highly enough it is a must-read
This wonderful quirky romance comedy shows how heroine Perdita Riley upon listening to advice from acquaintance Violet Freestone finds herself shopping like she has never shopped before and whilst overcoming her first setback she finds herself at various junctions in her vulnerable life where fight not flight determines her next move will it be with Saul Hadley? Time will tell or would it.
Robyn R Pearce – I loved this delightful book with its quirky humour and fast-paced action – Amazon
Perdita, naive and hard-working, is no match for playboy Tony – Mistake No. 1. Then a major work stuff-up (not her fault) introduces grumpy and suspicious Saul. More mistakes and set-backs follow in a delightful, well-crafted and highly entertaining romantic comedy. Twists and turns follow in hilarious fast-paced action. It was a keep-you-up-to-the-end book – I surprised my sleeping cat in the middle of the night with several belly laughs.
Mari Jane Laws is an author to watch. She knows how to keep a story rollicking along, uses language confidently, and crafts a great plot. Do check out the dog video at her author page – it’s a stitch! I’ve already shared it with others. https://www.amazon.com/Mari-Jane-Law/e/B0889RN6S3/
This book has been such an uplifting read with fabulous characters, but at times I felt like I wanted to bang their heads together, while at others, it had me laughing not just when I was reading the story, but afterwards too. I have read several rom-com books before, but I have never come across anyone quite like Perdita. Rollback time about 100 years to find someone as innocent in everything as she is. There is, of course, always a reason why we are who we become, and Perdita has her unique past.
Perdita’s world is quite small, with only a few carefully chosen life long friends. Getting to know her felt like I was being accepted, as she opened up as the story unfolded. I always felt protective of her, but her naivety creates some hilarious moments in the story. There are some cracking one-liners.
I liked that the story has its tender moments but is balanced, with wrong choices and imperfections. Not everything is rosy. The title makes sense once you read the story, which sort of sums Perdita up with her quirky ways that make her stand out in a crowd. It is a matter of once seen never forgotten as characters disappear and reappear in the story at intervals.
Jim Barringer – Goodreads
First, let me say that if you’re thinking about buying this book, you shouldn’t read too many of the reviews – the less you know about what’s going to happen, the funnier it will be!
I loved several specific things about this book. First, I’m a huge fan of dry humor; “Love and Pollination” is hilarious, and effortlessly so. Second, the characters really put the whole book over the top. They all have their own quirks, and whenever there’s more than one in the same place, their quirks play off each other and make the whole scene even more ridiculous, which of course means even funnier. Everything that can go wrong does, and everything that can be misunderstood gets misunderstood…which is the mark of a good rom-com.
Perdita’s journey from clueless to *ahem* experienced in matters of love is a great example of a fish-out-of-water comedy. If you love stories like that, you’ll enjoy “Love and Pollination.”
A laugh out loud, quirky, adorable book
If you are in need of a pick-me-up sort of book, with quirky, adorable characters, grab yourself a copy of this book because it had me reading into the wee hours of the morning it was so good. I honestly couldn’t put it down. It’s laugh out loud funny, full of larger-than-life characters full of flaws, but you will root for them anyway.
I really loved Perdita and Saul’s story, along with Violet’s good-hearted meddling/matchmaking. As much as I loved Perdita and Saul, I honestly stayed for Violet, because she was the star of the book.
One of the most hilarious books I’ve read this year. Highly recommended.
Jim E. – One For The Ages – Amazon
The lead character, Perdita meets up with the wrong guy then finds the right guy, but with setbacks, and cover-ups mixed in how can Perdita get what she’s hoping for? This fast-paced romantic comedy is truly one for the ages.
CRAIG BARNARD – Very Enjoyable Read – Amazon
I really enjoyed this light hearted, humorous read. I would recommend and enjoyed the main character very much!
Irina – A sweet and romantic story, an easy read! – Amazon
Love & Pollination by Mari Jane Law was an interesting, funny, romantic and easy read.I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it was hard at times to take a break and read more later because it kept me curious as to what would happen next?! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Jacqueline Lam – Goodreads
Love & Pollination is more than a romantic comedy. It is educational and a must read for men who determine to understand the love in their life. It is a book written for young women by a woman.
The book starts with the colour of its cover. The various shades of pink invoke fantasy and welcomes readers to the fragile yet courageous Perdita, the lost child (p.96).
Perdita made awful lot of mistakes under circumstances that she was unaware of. Instead of moaning about her ill fate, she gracefully faced her ever-increasing setbacks and admirably made the best out of every situation. In the time of the on-going pandemic, it is a good read. The story brings us hope and lands us on an oasis intact of Covid-19.
The plot was comparable to Shakespeare’s Mid-Summer Night’s Dream. Everything that should not have happened, happened. The lives of the characters were entwined. Each one walked straight into each other’s existence at extraordinary hours and in bewildering situations, as in how Saul kidnapped Perdita in a shopping centre (p.90):
After sliding the scarf free from her neck, Perdita replaced it on the shelf. She wanted to go home. Turning, she noticed that a man with dark-brown hair, who had to be well over six feet, was about to career into her… She stretched out a hand to steady him, but he snatched his arm away and glared at her with gunmetal eyes. Frozen, she just stood there and then felt the clutch of his hand on her shoulder… ‘I need you to come with me. You owe it to me. You owe it to—’
Mari Jane Law firmly believed in female capability. She picked up the most unimaginable scenario for a modern 28-year old woman, who was intellectually capable, but paradoxically a complete disaster in her own romantic life. Depicted as an orphan raised by Catholic nuns, Law justified Perdita’s believable existence in the 21st Century. Perdita’s ignorance about men and sex landed her in the first and foremost setback. However, Law made clear that being women in this era, one can turn the tide.
Law had a special talent in using her words. Might it be her desire to represent Perdita’s purity, she euphemised all vocabulary items relating to human sex acts into plant growth – another interesting area for readers to explore.
I most appreciate Law’s attempt to ease prejudices against gay couples. The helpful, gentle and protective nature of Luke and Gavin was appropriately described and matched with those I have met in real life.
To fully enjoy the comic bits of the book, we now need an appreciative film producer who could interpret the humorous writing in the story as in pages 83-84, 88-89, 104, 146, 155-156, 222, 275, 305.
This is an interesting book to read for relaxation and for a bit of laughter.
Claire Doyle – Perdita, Actually – Amazon
From the convent to finding love in the outside world, Perdita – what a great name for a character, meaning ‘lost’ – has a lot to learn in this delightful, fun read of an English romantic comedy. Lots of action and lots of laughs as our protagonist bounces from Setback Number One to Setback Number Two and hopefully gets from ‘lost’ to ‘found’ in the arms of her desire! A good, fun take on the romcom genre with enjoyable friends and ‘helpers’ along the way.
Perdita, the focus of this novel, is infuriatingly naive at times, but likeable nevertheless. It doesn’t take long before you’ll feel invested in her story and those of her quirky band of friends and associates. Snappily written, the novel is well-paced and moves seamlessly to a satisfying end. Hope there’s more to come from these characters as there’s certainly scope for further adventures.
Rob – A bouquet of joy – Amazon
I hope everyone will enjoy following the escapades of the main characters in this novel as much as I did! A well-written novel and a very welcome addition to the romcom genre.
happy reader – Heartwarming romance – Amazon
This was a lovely, sweet and often humorous romance.
For people who enjoy the journey through difficulties towards a heartwarming ending, this is for you. 🥰
Siobhan – she, her – Goodreads
A romantic comedy that will have you swooning and laughing. You’ll probably have tears in your eyes and a wide grin on your face when reading this book.
You heard it from me, read this book!!
This book is beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed humour it contained.
Also the blossoming love was just my cup of tea!
Mari’s style of writing is also light and breezy. This just added to the romance and humour within this book!
I’m telling you, Love Books Tours has turned me into someone who now loves romance😂. This book was the perfect fit for me and I found it highly enjoyable! 🤩
All I’m saying is, read. this. book.
That’s all, thank you.🙈 (less)
I enjoyed every page as I went by. I took my precious time when I realized that I was about to finish the entire book in one sitting. Not only was the story unique, it was so relatable. Growing up I have had one too many of Perdita’s experience and even now my poor mind has not fully matured. It was a great read. A 10/10 and recommend this story to all you readers out there. Many thanks to you Mari, keep doing what you do best and continue to share your story with the world.
Amanda George – A must-read for romantics everywhere – Amazon
I’ve loved chapter 1! This is hopefully the start of a great book that I’ll really be able to get into… the full 5 stars are well deserved so far! Chapter 2 was good too… poor Perdita! So far so great with this novel, still a very well-deserved five stars… I’m wondering why each chapter is only a few pages long though?? I was wrong about the chapters only being a few pages – chapter 4 was definitely longer lol I’m deeply loving this book – currently up to chapter 9 and my life has been on hold since the first page because it’s so great… not gonna finish it before bed time tonight ‘cos I’m only 22% of the way through, but it’ll be the first thing I open tomorrow morning, even at the expense of my email which is usually one of the first things I open… you *have* to get your eyes into this book in my opinion! This is getting better and better… Perdita has just taken a librarian into a shop and met a friend there… innocent, right? Read chapter 15 to find out! Yep, still just as good the next day… books don’t usually make me tearful, but I’m feeling pretty choked up with pride at the end of chapter 25! WTG Perdita! Just read chapter 35 and it was such a huge relief that it happened… got 9 pages left to read and the author is doing a fantastic job of tieing up the story… WTG author! Chapter 36 is a huuuuuge relief and the author is doing a fantastic job. This is a truly fantastic book! Just finished it and I love a happy ending… this is most definitely a must-read and I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Jean N – delightful read – Amazon
This was a well written book. Very easy and delightful to read. I rarely laugh out loud but I did with this book!
Thomas Hillas – Laugh out loud entertainment – Amazon
A wacky thoroughly entertaining romp with the mixed up characters. They are just getting their act together when something, or someone, on the crazy side pops up and throws them and us into chaos.
I read it in two sessions over two days and I’m looking forward to a sequel.
Cristina – Hilarious, witty and fresh. Highly recommended – Amazon
This romantic novel is highly addictive and will keep you reading, unable to put the book down. Its pages are packed with funny moments, hilarious encounters, and witty remarks. Perdita, the heroine, makes the story fresh and to stand out from other romantic novels. She is full of quirks, and has her very own and special view of the world. Delightful and exasperating in equal amounts, she will have you vouching for her from the very first pages. The author makes a terrific job with the pace of the story, carrying the reader effortless from one chapter to the next, from one laugh to another, always in his toes, not knowing what the final outcome will be until the last page. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and look forward to future publications from Mari Jane Law. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to laugh, smile, be amused, and read something with a strong dose of originality and freshness.
Shivs – Getting to know Perdita – Goodreads
The heroine of this book, Perdita, is unique in my experience of reading romances. She’s funny, witty, sentimental, loyal, resourceful, naive, kind, honest, conniving, and an absolute treasure. The girl has principles and courage, and they lead her into situations, which are so entertaining, and a definite credit to the imagination of the writer.
An extraordinary innocence lands Perdita in hot water early on, and the temperature keeps rising as the book progresses. The twists and turns as the story unravelled kept me captivated. Just when I thought I was beginning to understand her, Perdita did something completely unexpected. And yet, she was so easy to identify with – her dreams, longings and hopes reflect those many of us hold. I wish I’d had half of Perdita’s creative courage in my life.
The book is jam-packed with hilarious comedic moments, not to mention tantalising descriptions of cooked lamb (hah!). Reading it became a compulsion, because I so enjoyed Perdita and the other main characters. They are well-drawn.
The best comedy romance I’ve read.
Amazon Customer – An engaging romp – Amazon
I immersed myself in this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story line is fresh and quirky and, for someone who does not read many books of this genre, I found it entertaining and gripping. A well crafted book with a delightfully light touch. Let’s hope there are more to come from Mari Jane Law’s pen.
High Scribe – Funny and refreshing – Amazon
Perdita is now one of my all time favourite romantic heroines. I love how different she is to the tired old fiesty-fashionista gal looking for love in most romantic comedies. She’s different and once I accepted that she wasn’t the norm then I began to really enjoy the quirks of her personality. Perhaps because of her character the story is also a little different. Again a huge plus. Sometimes the rom com formula can get a bit stale. Mari Jane Law has given it a big dose of originality. I loved Saul’s character. The contrast between them does well to highlight their personalities. Funny of course, but it also entertains some very serious issues. Recommended for anyone who wants to laugh and fall in love, but also wants something a little off the beaten track.
mr Ges Hartley – Good written style – Amazon
I loved the book, and as I came to the final page, I was hoping, fervently, that there would be a sequel! It was exquisitely written, stylish, and with brilliant touches of humour. I thought that it was entirely original, especially in terms of the main character, Perdita. She had a lot of integrity, and I enjoyed seeing her develop, assert her independence, learn about life but not lose her innocence, in the true meaning of the word. It was an instructive book. I don’t like trivial, cheap storylines, about shallow women, and this was anything but. It was good to see Perdita triumph over adversity, and toughen up, but at the same time make a future with the man she loves. I am totally looking forward to that sequel!
GwendaK – Quirky page-turner – Amazon
A quirky and enjoyable read. Perdita, the heroine, is likeable and exasperating in equal measure and you’ll quickly become invested in her story.
BookJo – Delightfully quirky – Amazon
A very light hearted easy to read story, great for bedtime reading. I loved the quirky lead character, Perdita, although was not sure if someone in this day and age could be quite so naïve! It was one of those books I looked forward to picking up my kindle, knowing I was heading back into the story, and I would definitely read more from this author.
Harry Goode – by email (apparently, despite having bought the paperback, Amazon would not allow the posting because Harry had not spent £40 within the previous 12 months)
The path to true love is always fraught with difficulties, with misunderstandings, and with suspicions. The paradise can be glimpsed, and in these sexually freer times there can even be some going to bed together. However, if you are only two thirds of the way through the book, you know that yet another, possibly a deeper, crisis can only be pages away. The romantic novelist’s art is to make these tired old tropes credible, and to actually have us wondering about the outcome. After all, these days it is possible for the heroine to take up body building, become a Me Too activist, and forever eschew the pleasures of love. Mari Law pulls this trick off remarkably well. Until the last chapter I wasn’t sure that the curmudgeonly Saul was going to finally learn to trust our heroine Perdita. This appropriately named lost soul is finally ….. Oh no! I mustn’t give away the ending.
Chris Points – emailed to me as he is unable to leave a review on Amazon.
Perdita Riley: We follow Perdita’s challenges, real dilemmas and setbacks. The pathways Perdita chooses to follow and the diverse and colourful characters she meets. Most notoriously, a principle free Tony who Perdita first met at a work conference. A more caring friendship was established with Violet who was seriously unwell, lost a substantial sum of money as a result of advice allegedly offered by Perdita. Saul, Violet’s nephew, found Perdita and obliged her to look after his aunt and offer additional care. It is the so unlikely relationship between Saul and Perdita that gives the story its real interest. Gavin and Luke, Sister Margaret and Father O’Connor are well drawn and represent a broad range of characters who contribute to the richness of the circumstances that Perdita has to cope with and overcome. This is a novel of varied and challenging events. The author, Mari Jane Law, has created a story which is diverse and compelling. A welcome new talent.
Fiona Tarr – 4.5 Stars of Fun, Romance and Hilarity – Amazon
Who would have thought anyone could be so naive but it seems Perdita is just that. It doesn’t take long to understand why.
A few scenes brought tears to my eyes. Tears of laughter that is. What a novel story, written in a very English Romantic Comedy kind of way. I could see Hugh Grant playing Saul and this story reminded me of a few of his movies, in particular Love Actually.
Honestly, I couldn’t put it down, which is rare for me. If you enjoyed Love Actually, Bridget Jones or Notting Hill, you will really get a kick out of this book.
Alice and Her Bookshelf – also on Amazon and Goodreads
I was kindly send Love & Pollination by Mari in exchange for an honest review. Immediately, I found myself being drawn to Perdita as a character. She was a fantastic protagonist to the novel and her voice was refreshing and unique. She was a charming and interesting character and I was automatically on her side. Because of the individuality of her character I found that I never quite knew how she would react to situations which I really enjoyed. Perdita is very naive but I found her innocence charming and it added to some of the comedy within the novel.
All of the characters within this novel were given purpose and their own story to tell. No character felt like they were there only to fill a place and I loved them all. I loved that each character had been so well thought out and it really added to my enjoyment of the novel. As Perdita’s counterpart, Saul was a complex character and I really enjoyed how the characters of Perdita and Saul bounced off one another. Their tension was so well written and I was completely rooting for them.
The novel is filled with comedic moments and it was such a lighthearted and hilarious read, it definitely deserves the label of romantic comedy. I enjoyed every page of the novel and finished it in no time at all, I was desperate to see how it would end. Although this novel is comical, the plot still had structure and pace to it. There were still twists and turns that kept me on my toes whilst reading which was great and left me wanting more.
I would recommend this novel to everyone who loves a lighthearted romance read. It was well written and paced with amazing characters. I was left wanting to read more about these characters as I loved them so much.
Mari Jane Law 