Just One Look at You – Jill Mansell | Book Review | #JustOneLookAtYou @JillMansell @headlinepg @RandomTTours #Booksky

The most heart-warming novel you’ll read this year, from the Queen of Feelgood Fiction

Venice. The perfect setting for romance, and for secrets to be shared.
Fen can’t believe her luck. A luxury holiday with her beloved grandmother Disa – what could be more delightful? It doesn’t cross her mind that she might fall in love. Or that love can bring complications . . Jamie can’t help it that women always fall for him, rather than for his kind-hearted friend Leon. Nor that only one of them got the looks (that would be Jamie). But how will he feel if the girl he’s drawn to only has eyes for Leon?

Disa has a secret. A few weeks ago, an old letter in a file revealed a shocking truth about her late husband. She’s come to Venice to find out more.

There’s news on the way that will reverberate through all their lives, as Jill Mansell’s joyful, heartbreaking new novel takes readers on a roller coaster ride of emotion – and makes us believe in love again.

Publisher : Headline
Format : Ebook, Audiobook, Hardback (29 January 2026) Paperback (7 May 2026)
Source: Review copy

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to Anne of Random Things Tours for the invite and to the publisher for the gorgeous hardback copy to review. I’ve reviewed many of Jill’s books here (just put her name into the search bar), she’s been a favourite author since the very first book and that one book a year is something I look forward to.

There is so much to love about this story. The glorious setting of Venice and its islands which I love AND a river cruise (I’ve done many ship cruises, including to Venice, but I’m still trying to persuade my OH to go on a river cruise) plus of course characters that you can take to your heart and feel every moment of joy and heartache with them.

At the age of 72 widowed Disa has made a discovery which upends her life as she knew it. To find out more, her destination is Venice and a luxury river cruise to which she invites her grand-daughter Fen. Fen is delighted at the prospect of spending time with her beloved grandmother although an incident at the airport involving a scotch egg leads to Fen finding an unexpected connection. Add in a good looking ex rugby star/much in demand TV personality and his best friend (not so in demand or as good looking but nonetheless loyal, kind and funny) and you have the perfect cast of both main and supporting characters – looking at you especially Hattie and Guy!

One of the things I always love about Jill’s books is the way the story evolves and changes – at their heart they are romance led and you are expecting that HEA but there is always an emotional depth too, and I love the humour – making me snort with laughter one minute to then having wet eyes the next. I think this is the most emotional of her books which I wasn’t expecting however ultimately the story is an uplifting one of love, family, second chances and enduring friendship. I expected to love it and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Another recommended read from this very talented author.

Finally, I just had to Google ‘Lemon Drop Martini’s’. Why have I never heard of these before. 🍸

Jill Mansell started writing fiction while working in the NHS, after she read a magazine article that inspired her to join a local creative writing class. Since then she has written over twenty-five Sunday Times bestsellers. Her acclaimed novels include The Wedding of the Year, Promise Me, Should I Tell You?, And Now You’re Back, It Started with a Secret and You and Me, Always. Jill’s books have sold over 14.5 million copies worldwide. Jill lives in Bristol and for many years worked in the field of clinical neurophysiology. You’d think inventing characters and stories would be easier, but she can assure you it isn’t.

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