A festive, coming-of-age tale about an Oxbridge candidate and a young homeless man who find themselves in the bittersweet predicament of falling in love with exactly the right person at exactly the wrong time.
Well-to-do Jed never imagined he’d end up homeless, but family circumstances have made it his only option. Local vicar, Ben, tries to help him but there’s an element of self-punishment to the homelessness that makes Jed continue to put up with his situation – until disaster leads him to re-consider the vicar’s offer of a place to stay.
Hattie is on the cusp of adulthood, frantically trying to persuade her mum that she doesn’t want to attend an elite university, preferring the idea of pursuing her love of art and textiles. When she meets Jed, she badly wants to understand his circumstances and why, when she has everything at her fingertips, he doesn’t.
Hattie’s mum, Christine, has had a hard life and is desperate for more for her only child. When she meets Ben, the vicar who’s trying to help Jed, she finds an unlikely ally, and the two heartbroken souls find themselves drawn to each other. Until they find their relationship suddenly tested to the limit.
One thing’s for certain: none of these characters is looking forward to Christmas. It’s the worst time of year for each of them, for different reasons. But perhaps this year, the festive season could defy all expectations.
Rebecca Boxall is the award-nominated author of five bestselling novels – Christmas at the Vicarage, Home for Winter, Christmas on the Coast, The Christmas Forest and Christmas by the Lighthouse. She is also the author of Christmas at the Farmhouse and her popular short story, A Winter’s Day.
Rebecca Boxall was born in East Sussex in 1977 and grew up in a bustling vicarage always filled with family, friends and parishioners. She now lives by the sea in Jersey with her family and Rodney the cat. She read English at the University of Warwick before she trained as a lawyer and more recently worked at a psychiatric unit.
She is the No. 1 bestselling author of Christmas at the Vicarage and Christmas on the Coast as well as the bestselling writer of Home for Winter, The Christmas Forestand Christmas by the Lighthouse, in respect of which she was nominated for the Romantic Novel Awards in 2020. She is also the author of Christmas at the Farmhouse and her popular short story, A Winter’s Day.
It’s never too early in the year to do some promo of a Christmas story!
Synopsis
Alisha Jones, or Princess Christmas as she is affectionately known, is joint heir to her Grandpa Frost’s family fortune, but being third behind an older sister and brother means she has to work three times as hard to prove herself.
Marsha Underwood, her Grandpa’s PA and ever-present thorn in her side, is determined to undermine her at every turn and Alisha finds herself powerless to prevent this.
An encounter with a fortune teller at the Frost Christmas Ball leads to a bewildering dream of the future; and the added complication of Tom Walker, the son of Frost’s new business partner leads to a tumultuous year.
With her friends by her side, will she be able to turn things around? And what exactly does the strange dream mean?
A story of family, friendship and love at first sight with a sprinkle of Christmas magic.
Leonora Bacchetti was once a happy child. But at the age of seventeen she has become a wild and rebellious young woman who leaves her parents in despair when she runs away from home with a group of itinerant travellers.
In the eyes of their friends and neighbours in the tight-knit village of Montacciolo, her parents’ good name is ruined.
At first, Leonora keeps in touch with her mother and father, sending letters and postcards from different countries until, very abruptly, her correspondence stops. The girl has vanished.
Vague, unreliable rumours of her fate abound, but newspaper appeals, police and private investigations reveal nothing.
Until, eighteen years later, in the midst of a snowstorm, a stranger from Sardinia knocks on the door of Leonora’s father’s little mountain house.
Now a widower, he has come to terms with never knowing what happened to his daughter. But everything changes when the unexpected visitor claims that he has new information.
The two men quickly bond and gradually begin to piece together the truth about Lenora, provoking deep questions about her life and how they have lived their own – questions about love, loyalty, honesty and what being a family really means.
The Sardinian Story is a novel of exquisite power and deep emotion which will live long in the memories of its readers.
GuestPost
In October 2021 I made the decision to leave the security of my life, job and home in England and to move to Italy, the country of my birth, to write full time. To some it seemed a rash decision, but it was not made lightly. I thought about it for a whole day, and by the end of that week, most of my possessions were packed and anything which was surplus to requirement was listed on Gumtree. Within a month, my husband and I were on the road to Italy and driving towards a new adventure and a new way of life – fingers crossed it would all work out!
The house we were moving to was built by my great grandfather. It was a house I had known during my childhood and the very place which had provided the backdrop of the PARADISO novels. What better place could there be to continue writing the series, surrounded by the Lombardy landscape, the people, the local stories and legends? I sat at my desk, steeped in inspiration, and let the creativity flow.
Did I look out of my window and describe the rich,agricultural Lombardy Plain, with its endless fields and vast, dramatic skies? Did I turn my new friends and neighbours into characters for the next PARADISO novel? Well, yes…in part. I did indeed throw myself into the third book of the series, DAUGHTER OF PARADISO, but half way through my creative attention was distracted and at greater speed than I thought possible, I wrote a novel set in the Apennine Mountains and Sardinia about the disappearance of a girl.
The process of writing THE SARDINIAN STORY was not in any way planned, and this was a wholly new experience for me. My previous books had been organised, with plots and timelines set out on spreadsheets. There was no such preparation for THE SARDINIAN STORY. All I had was the germ of an idea in my mind and an obsessive compulsion to write about it. The characters were born on the page as the story developed. Even naming them was a serendipitous process. As I was trying to find a name for one particular character, from outside I heard a neighbour call for his dog, Dante; thus one of the book’s protagonists was christened ‘Dante’. Every day, words poured out of me and new chapterstook shape. I had no idea exactly how the story would conclude. I just kept writing, trusting that it would find its way.
The first eighty percent of the book was written in eight weeks. My working day began the moment the first cup of coffee kicked in, and I would hammer away at the keyboard for hours, until my brain was scrambled and my eyes were aflame. I never wanted that creative high to end. Everything else became secondary. The house was a mess. The garden was a wilderness. My husband was showing signs of neglect. But all that could be remedied in good time. I just had to keep writing.
Bringing THE SARDINIAN STORY to a satisfactory conclusion was the first problem I encountered, not because of a lack of ideas, more owing to a glut of them, but finally, after almost five months of writing and editing, the book was complete.
Whilst I was in the midst of my writing frenzy, it did not cross my mind that there were parallels between the spur of the moment decision to change life, profession and country and the creation of THE SARDINIAN STORY. In both cases, caution was thrown to the wind and I tore headlong into what felt right. Fingers crossed it will all work out.
Sophie Potter’s job is helping people deal with the worst, because Sophie Potter knows what the worst feels like.
An expert at keeping moving, with her trusty motorhome and faithful dog Muffin, Sophie has built her life around keeping her loves and loyalties as few as possible.
Fabulous fifty-something Hattie Langford has kept her heart and past safely stored away too. But for reasons she’s only willing to share with a stranger, Hattie needs to tell the story her family has been hiding at Riverbend, their home in Sherwood Forest. There is a history of heartbreak and hurt that Hattie is ready to face.
As Sophie helps Hattie uncover the secrets of generations of women who have lived at Riverbend, along with the stories of the men they have loved and lost, they start to see echoes in their own pasts. And as Riverbend shares its biggest secret of all, can Hattie and Sophie finally embrace the lives they’ve put on hold for so long, and risk their hearts to men who can break the Riverbend curse?
My review
After having experienced the worst, Sophie has made it her job to help people to deal with their own worst. When Hattie Langford needs her help, Sophie is wondering what exactly Hattie needs her help for, as usual Sophie helps families after losing a loved one, but Hattie is still very much alive. But for some reasons Hattie isn’t ready to share yet, she needs to tell someone the story of her family and their lives at Riverbend, in Sherwood Forest. A home which Hattie believes curses all the women. Sophie helps Hattie to uncover all the secrets and the hurt, but also finds a place that perhaps calls like home like no other place ever did. Yet even the presence of Gideon isn’t enough for Sophie to decide to stop her nomad life and settle down with her dog Muffin. Or is it?
Beth Moran has the talent to write such heart – breaking yet at the same time hopeful stories. And this book isn’t the exception!
My heart went out to Sophie, as she suffered an immense tragedy. It’s easy to see that she is still at loss, and that her grief is still very much present, not allowing her to move on with her life. She is afraid of commitment, in any kind of way. She doesn’t allow many people into her inner circle, even her friends can be counted on one hand. She is afraid of love in all its aspects. And the smallest thing can be a trigger for her to make all the pain resurface. So yes, my heart broke several times for her…
But I was curious to see how accepting the latest job at Riverbend would affect her. While I somehow admired her for doing what she does, it still felt like she wanted to escape her own pain, by feeling other people’s pain. And Hattie’s need for Sophie’s help for sure is out of the ordinary.
Also in Hattie’s case, we can see that despite her façade, she has endured a lot of pain and grief. And with the setup of cleaning out the attic, ‘exploring’ the history of all the women living at Riverbend, slowly we learn more about not only Hattie but also the pain the house has.
I have to say, it’s clear from the start that there is more going on with Hattie than she let’s everyone believe. And while I could understand that she didn’t want to talk about to everybody, I nevertheless disagreed a bit by not confiding in anyone.
Yet I could also see all the good she was doing for the people of Sherwood Forest and around. While perhaps her views aren’t that ‘standard’, I think I could understand that a different approach perhaps could be more affective.
I found it sweet how Sophie and Hattie are bonding over time, yet it also frustrated me a little bit to see how strict Hattie could be at times, and how that affected Sophie’s progress. Because like it or not, Sophie finds herself making friends, the amazing Gals, but also finds comfort in the presence of Gideon.
And it was sweet to see how Sophie, who has been adamant of never getting close to anyone, suddenly finds herself not only wanting to have more, but actually has more. We see a great evolution going through in her. From being distant and closed, we see her opening up, and even finding the courage to face her demons.
Of course Gideon is a great help to Sophie, but the romance part may have been what has ignited the change in Sophie, the romance isn’t the main reason. It’s the sense of belonging, of finding a place that feels like home that could make start that change in Sophie. Yet Sophie also makes it clear, involuntarily perhaps, that change isn’t something that happens overnight, as there are a lot to overcome, and that sometimes we need to show our investment on the long – term.
This story talks about a lot of pain, but also about how to get rid of the pain, in a slow pace. There are also a few twists that I just saw coming at the last moment, but showing us also that we never know what happens behind closed doors and how that can affect our further loves. The author shows us with this book, that with the right incentive, being love, changes can be made. And that people can find a place where they truly belong, a place to call home. And that place will give them the courage to lose all the grief and pain that is holding them back…
Best friends (with benefits) would do anything for each other…
Synopsis
A high-flying investor
New Yorker Jake Harrington loves a lot of things about living in London: his lucrative hedge fund job, the way British women melt at the sound of an American accent, being thousands of miles away from the girl who betrayed him. And, oh yes, his just-sex arrangement with his gorgeous roommate, Jess.
His sexy British flatmate
Jess’s deal with Jake suits her fine. No commitments, no risk of being hurt again, just fun and friendship. And friends do each other favors, like agreeing to go on a trip to New York where Jake will have to face his past.
And a vacation that will change everything…
What friends shouldn’t do? Suddenly find themselves feeling something much more complicated than simple lust. When “no strings” is no longer enough, will Jake be willing to take the ultimate gamble?
My review
Jake and Jess are best friends. Best friends with benefits. Jake for sure enjoys his life in London, even if that means that he is far away from his home and family in New York. His hedge fund job made him successful, and the British women for sure love his American accent. And he knows he can always count on Jess, from rescuing from exactly those women who don’t get the message, to their arrangement. But Jess is also there when Jake truly needs his best friend the most. Even if that means to go to a trip to New York with Jake, where he has to face the girl who betrayed him years ago. Jess counts her blessings to have a friend like Jake, as she has someone to rely on. And their arrangement suits her perfectly, as that means no commitments or risks of getting hurt ever again. Jess needs Jake in her life, just as friends. But is it really just as friends that they see each other?
The start of this book threw me a bit off. We see how a young Jake is best friends with Emily and how he, even at his young age, is being a knight in shining armour. But I didn’t understand at first why we having this bit of information, as I thought it would be a story centred around Jake and Jess, and their relationship.
Yet it was a necessity, to understand how Jake has been affected by how he has been betrayed by Emily, or at least how he saw it and still feels it.
Years have passed, and I found it great for Jake that he has someone else as a best friend in his life. Obviously his bond with Jess wasn’t built overnight, but it was lovely to see how these two broken characters have found each other.
Yes, they may have a arrangement that perhaps I don’t fully understand or agree, but if it works for them, who am I to judge them? Especially to see that beside that specific arrangement, they truly are best friends, they are always there for each other. They understand each other even with just one look, and they would walk on water for each other.
I understood the sense of betrayal Jake felt years ago. And while partly he was also to blame, as not making an effort sooner, or taking Emily for granted, I felt the sense of betrayal. And I comprehended how difficult it is for Jake to see the woman again that not only broke his heart, but also was his best friend. So when Jake goes back for a visit to New York, and seeing Emily is inevitable, of course he needs his best friend by his side. And Jess, being the best friend she is, how can she refuse? Especially if she can fulfil a dream she once hoped to fulfil with her father.
Jess’ story for sure broke my heart. She truly felt alone for so long, and seeing how love could hurt and even break people, made her afraid for giving in to that feeling. I could see how nobody truly could understand her pain, even if attempts were made, only to end up in heart – break for Jess again.
Of course, everyone in New York could see just like us how things truly are between Jake and Jess, even if those two aren’t aware of it themselves. It’s clear that yes, they are best of friends, but their care and love for each other goes much deeper than just friendship.
We see glimpses of protectiveness, even jealousy, making it crystal-clear how deep they truly care each other.
But this isn’t just a story about two people taking their arrangement further, but mainly about two people that have been hurt by love and are afraid to admit those feelings back into their hearts. It’s also about a story about the depth of feelings, and not understanding them. Because the feelings shown are clearly deeper than Jake and Jess understand. So that makes this a story about already having the deepest of feelings but not seeing them for what they are. And how fear can blind it even furthermore. And it makes this also a story about finding the courage to admit those feelings, and find the courage to put your trust and heart in the hands of someone else. And who else better than your best friend to give them too?
I once again enjoyed reading a story from this author, who just keeps amazing me with great books, taking love over oceans, and showing its strength!
Today a guestpost about something that affects all of us, in some way or another
Synopsis
“I don’t know what to say” and “I don’t know what to do” are common responses to a life-threatening diagnosis. Voices of Cancer is here to help.
Every cancer story is different, but there is one commonality: both patients and the people supporting them often struggle to properly articulate their wants and needs through particularly challenging and in many cases, uncharted territory. Lynda Wolters knows firsthand: she was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal mantle cell lymphoma in August of 2016.
Voices of Cancer offers a candid look into the world of a cancer patient, informed by Lynda’s own story and conversations had with dozens of patients weighing in on their needs, wants, and dislikes as they navigate the complex world of diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. With comprehensive and accessible insight from people who’ve been there, Voices of Cancer helps educate, dispel fears, and start positive conversations about what a cancer diagnosis truly means, while shining a light on how best to support a loved one on their own terms.
Guest Post
It has been a few years since I’ve written Voices of Cancer, and while I am currently healthy, I read back through this book and realize what a blessing it was that the universe put this project at my feet. Being diagnosed with cancer and going through the treatment – not so good, but the people; just wow!
I didn’t speak cancer when I was diagnosed, had only had an outsider’s second-hand experience of the dreaded disease and felt more like my boss who when I told him I had cancer he crossed himself and said, “Thank God it’s you and not me.” A lot of people take offense to that statement. Not me. And here’s why.
Cancer was likely the single best life changing event that occurred to me and for me. What I mean by this is, I was never a bad person, never outwardly mean, or malicious, never in trouble (not so much as a speeding ticket), and while I checked all the right boxes (volunteering, showing up on time, earning my way), I did it all because I was expected or obligated to. Cancer gave me the insight of perspective – and that it is mine to choose how I want to show it and live it. I chose to move forward with love and with my truth (meaning I started to set healthy boundaries).
Voices of Cancer was a catalyst of my treatment and my conversations but what the book may not convey is the distinct inner change that occurred when I was diagnosed and then afforded the opportunity to write and share with the world what cancer patients really need and what really drives us mad. (Hint: We don’t want you sympathy.)
I will never say I am glad to have my diagnosis, to know that it is always inside me, incurable, and lurking, but I can say, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.
As you read Voices of Cancer, keep in mind that a few things are certain and one of them is, we all die. With cancer, most of us have some time to digest and reflect, to reach out and have the touch conversations, to make our amends, ask forgiveness, give forgiveness. I would take this route any day as my friends and family know what they mean to me and how I feel about them.
A singles’ holiday to India’s Golden Triangle – Taj Mahal, the pink city of Jaipur, tiger-spotting in Ranthambore, the noisy, crowded streets of Delhi – all go to make up a trip that is hot, humid and spicy. Eve Mitchell, Travel Together’s tour manager extraordinaire has a couple of familiar faces in her little group of travellers and others that she hasn’t met before; sexy man-eating pensioners, a compulsive over-eater, a constant whiner and a man with a personal problem. And there’s a big surprise awaiting someone -and Eve – early one morning. By the end of the tour, which sees our group travelling by coach, rickshaw, train and elephant, she will know rather more about some of their innermost secrets than she’d like. But Eve deals with all the twists and turns the trip throws at her as we come to understand what makes people travel the world with a bunch of complete strangers and appreciate the success that is a singles’ holiday
My review
As Travel Together’s tour manager, Eve Mitchell is ready for her new trip to India. Amongst the singles, there are a few familiar faces, which pleases Eve. But travelling with a very diverse group also means that Eve will have to face a variety of issues that she is expected to solve. Each member of the group has a different expectation, and it’s up to Eve to make sure that each and every one of them will have an experience to remember. And while the group starts of with being one of complete strangers, will the return back home, after visiting India’s most beautiful places, be one of a group of new friends?
I have to say, I was very curious to read this second part of a series. I didn’t know how the story would be. Would the focus be purely on Eve, and we would see how she would have to fix once again several problems caused or affecting anyone of the group? And who would be back on the tour? Especially as I had a few favourites on the trip to Antigua.
Of course Eve takes a big part of the story. And while in the first book we see a very professional Eve, we see here a more ‘human’ Eve. Of course that doesn’t mean that she suddenly is being anything but professional, but perhaps because we already her, we can see more Eve as a person, and not like the well – oiled – tour manager – machine we know she is.
But obviously we also get to know the group better. And once again there were people I liked from the start, people that I instantly disliked, and people I was glad to see back.
And seeing how an old acquittance now had changed his tune, put a smile on my face. Where he in the first book was very annoying, he now has ‘learnt’ from the previous trip and now he was put in the group of people that I liked. Just like he proved it, between the two trips, the returning characters have been evolving, even maturing further.
I have never been to India myself, but of course I have an own image of it in my mind. And even I had only the words on the page to use, I could depict all the places perfectly. It felt like I was part of the group, discovering beautiful places.
Now, I know that I said about the previous book that the length of chapters were not my cup of tea. As each chapter describes one day, with different perspectives, they are rather lengthy chapters. Bu I have to say, now that I was mentally prepared for it, and I knew what I would get, it didn’t bother me to read long chapters.
Perhaps I enjoyed reading this book more that the first book, as I knew already all about Eve and the returning characters. and I was curious to read about the new entries. And I was pleasantly surprised to see characters that were cliché – wise annoying, frowning – eyebrows disturbing, but also to see characters that started off as obnoxious perhaps, and then changing for the kind of character you just want to wrap in a warm hug!
And once again, I find myself curious to see what this author has more in store for Eve and those close to her in her next adventure!
To chase after your dreams until they come true, is it possible?
Synopsis
It’s time to return to Ivy Lane, where hopes and dreams become happy-ever-afters.
Erin Donohue would describe herself as happy. Well, maybe not exactly happy… but not unhappy either.
For the most part she loves her job as Head Chef at The Ivy Inn, working alongside bestfriend, Jo and making a home with boyfriend Aaron. Things are going just fine. Or so she thinks…
After a tough shift, Erin returns home to be greeted by silence. There is no trace of Aaron or his belongings. In that split second her whole life and world are turned upside down. It seems Aaron has exited the building and her life.
After a small pity party, Erin pulls herself together and starts to re-evaluate her life. Her friends seem to be chasing their dreams while she’s been left single and wondering what on earth her next move will be. But then fate throws her a sign.
Can she find the courage to build the life she always dreamed of but believed was out of her reach? And can her bravery inspire other residents of Ivy Lane to take a chance on finding their own happy ending
My review
Erin Donohue is rather happy with her life. Things aren’t all rainbows and unicorns, but she cannot really complain. She loves her job as Head Chef at The Ivy Inn, for one of her best friends, and she is in a relationship for a while now with her boyfriend Aaron. But when she returns home from a shift, she realizes that there is nobody waiting for her. Aaron is just gone, with all his stuff, without a word of explanation. After wallowing in pity for a moment, Erin now has the chance to re – evaluate her life. And with encouragement from her friends, who have done the same thing and truly believe in her, and an opportunity she cannot let pass by, she finds herself chasing her dreams. Erin starts to believe that she will finally have her true happiness. And perhaps she can persuade the other residents of Ivy Lane to do the same?
With such a title, is it surprising that I had the whole time I was reading one song playing on repeat in my mind? J I found myself even swaying along with it! 🤣 But this review is about the book, so let’s get it on!
Oooh, this was such a marvellous, inspiring, warm and strong book!
It doesn’t start as a strong story, meaning that Erin is being dumped by her boyfriend. Well, dumped is not the correct word, as she is just being ghosted by the man she has been together for years now.
I just don’t get it how people can act like that… Even if you want to break up, at least have the guts to do in your partner’s face. But Aaron shows more than once just what a coward he is. Not only that, but also how selfish and spoiled he is…
For Erin, it’s good riddance, but of course it takes some time for her to overcome the hurt. I felt sorry for her, as she started to doubt herself, thinking that perhaps she did something wrong. Even worse, she think there is something wrong *with* her, as she sees how happy all her friends are, and she is single and lonely. But she doesn’t ask herself those questions with a string of jealousy, as she is truly happy for her friends to have found love and have chased their own dreams.
I found Erin a very strong character, as she decides to put that break – up behind her, and she is determined to use this ‘opportunity’ to make a change in her life, and find the courage to chase her dreams. And why shouldn’t she, especially when she finds the perfect available place!
No matter how much I liked Erin just as her, what I liked the most was the love and kindness she is surrounded by. She and her friends are those kind of people who would go lengths to help out. No matter is it’s by offering emotional support, edible support or even financial support (by being a silent partner) , we see so many offers being made that just cannot be refused.
And by having (and being one too) such supportive friends, we also see Erin’s confidence coming back and even expanding! She truly starts to believe that she can make her dream come true.
I found it also sweet to see how Erin becomes even closer to Flora, how she finds more comfort in this elder lady than in her own parents. And the love they share, is shown in the most beautiful homage, that even made me feel emotional.
Beside seeing Erin chasing her dreams, of course it was lovely to see my dear friends again. It warmed my heart even more to see how they were doing. And how they still are as lovely as I had left them a few books ago. I for sure would love it to have them as my own friends!
All the friends together are also a bit up to mischief, but with the most right intentions possible! They want every resident on Ivy Lane to be happy, and if that means to give some gentle pushes to some of them, they won’t be stopped!
I absolutely devoured this book, as I wanted to keep being surrounded by so much love, warmth and strength. Sometimes what we think is the worst that could happen to us, can turn out to be the best, as it gives us the chance to re – evaluate our lives. That allows us to see things and people (even those close to us) in a different way. And seeing things differently can be the push to chase our dreams and see it all come fruition. And is there anything better than living your dream, with the people you love the most?
Homes don’t come much more idyllic that Primrose Hall. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Primrose Woods, and restored to its former glory, Pia Temple still pinches herself when she wakes up there every day.
Waking up next Jackson Moody is pretty great too. And since the couple rekindled their first love, they’ve become an unstoppable team running Primrose Hall’s packed calendar of events, surrounded by the friends and family who make up the crew at the hall.
But not everything is perfect at Primrose Hall. Pia is beset with doubts about the future, and a new arrival shakes everything Jackson thought he knew about his past. And as the events come thick and fast – literary festival, craft fayres, Halloween and the much-anticipated Christmas Carols evening – the many balls Pia is juggling threaten to tumble down around her ears. Will the year at Primrose Hall be a time of endings or new beginnings…
My review
Pia Temple is in a happy place, literally and figuratively speaking. Not only has her teenage romance with Jackson Moody a second life, but living in the majestic Primrose Hall is a dream coming true. She would have never thought a few months ago that she would be loving her job as event planner of the place she lives in, with the man she loves. But even if everything is running smoothly, Pia cannot stop herself doubting over the future. Not only would she lose the man she loves in a worst case scenario, but also her home and her job. And when someone arrives with a shocking revelation, Pia sees a side of Jackson she didn’t know about, even if it’s normal that Jackson is shaken by it. Add in the equation that Pia learns that perhaps Jackson isn’t sharing the same thoughts about weddings, children and other things, Pia is wondering between several events, how the new year will look for her…
First of all, I will be stating the obvious, as it was a delight to return to Primrose Hall and its Woods. I was truly looking forward to see my friends again, and I was very curious to see the next phase in everyone’s life.
I have to admit, while I was expecting all the possible unicorns and rainbows, this wasn’t completely that kind of story. That doesn’t take away that I still fully enjoyed reading this book! We see several struggles Pia is facing, not only on her own, but also as being part of a couple. And yes, of course we all want that happily ever after, but let’s be honest for a moment, that isn’t the reality.
That is exactly what we see in this book, because getting together is perhaps the easiest bit. But especially in a relationship there are hurdles that need to be taken.
While Pia truly loves Jackson, and she finds it wonderful to wake up with him by her side, she also knows that she has to rely on him for everything. It’s his house, it’s a job he gave her and even if everything is fine by now, what if…
Now, it’s not all gloom and doom, as it was wonderful to see Pia and Jackson as a couple. They were able to put the past behind them. Pia with her optimism is the perfect antidote for Jackson’s moodiness (lamest pun intended! J). And Jackson’s calmness is the perfect antidote for Pia’s overthinking. They are just the yin to each other’s yang!
Jackson isn’t always the easiest character to like. He is rather adamant in some of his opinions, and also his behaviour wasn’t always that that lovely. But then I remembered what he has been through, and what new changes and revelations he is facing now, and I cut him some slack. And seeing his actions telling something else than what he is saying, well, showed in fact that he isn’t that cold – hearted or stiff as he may seem.
Being in love and in a relationship doesn’t mean there aren’t any doubts. Not about each other, but about all the possible ‘what if’s’. It’s all about trust, communication, understanding and also patience. Because only with those, can doubts be erased, fears overcome and misunderstandings talked out. Love and relationships are always an ongoing work in progress, and both parties have to be open to only gain a higher layer of happiness and love.
This was a beautiful story about the pitfalls in a relationship, but mainly about the beauty of it. Because two are always stronger than one. And we see here two lovely people deeply in love, but also ready to fight the struggles together. I truly enjoyed reading this story making us understand that love is worth to fight down all the doubts and fears we have!
Can lost friendships be found again, for the sake of the greater good?
Synopsis
Four friends, one big secret… and the journey of a lifetime.
It’s nineteen years since they stopped speaking to each other, but now Morgan needs to contact her three best friends from school: Paige, Emily and Tiff.
Her teenage son wants to meet his dad and Morgan can’t ignore his requests any longer. And Paige, Emily and Tiff all knew what actually happened back then. Even if that was what led to their friendship group falling apart, they’re the only people Morgan can think of who might be able help her find the man who disappeared without a trace before she could tell him she was pregnant.
Can Morgan persuade her old friends to go on a road trip to track him down? As adults – with marriages, children and a whole bucket-load of their own problems – will they be able to work together to solve the mystery? And if so – just when forgiveness for the past looks like it might be possible – how will they cope with the biggest shock of all?
A story about love, families and how the people who know you best are the ones you will always need in your life. Totally heartbreaking, brilliant, uplifting fiction for fans of Jill Mansell, Paige Toon and Sheila O’Flanagan.
My review
Nineteen years ago, Morgan, Paige, Emily and Tiff were best friends. Believing that nothing or no one could break their bond, all it took was one prom night for the girls to never talk to each other again. But with Morgan’s teenage son determined to meet his father, she cannot ignore those requests any longer. And to find his whereabouts, Morgan knows that the only people that can help her, are those that don’t talk to each other. Just like the old times, Morgan hopes to bring the club together and solve the mystery. But with what happened nineteen years ago, and the problems that adult life brings with it, will the former best friends come together? And is this perhaps a chance to forgive and forget? Or will it be more a case of ‘too much has happened’?
Oh, how much have I enjoyed reading this book! It all felt so real and all felt so possible. Sometimes you read a book and even if you loved it, you can sense that things like that would never truly happen in the real world. But not with this book!
The focus is on Morgan, as it’s because she needs the help of her former best friends. My heart went out to her, because the young Morgan had so many dreams, and the Morgan of now has fulfilled none of them. I see her also as a real Momma – bear, as she loves her son Olly deeply, but she also comes a bit over as too overprotective. Yet I could also understand her, as she had and still has to raise a child on her own.
Perhaps I didn’t agree with her keeping Olly’s father identity a secret, and still refusing to give Olly just some information. But who am I to judge someone’s decision? How can we tell anyone what to do or not to do when we are not in the same situation?
Like I said, this story felt so real. Because haven’t we all have had friendships that we thought would last a lifetime, but for some reason or another all hell brakes loose. And that is what happened with Morgan, Paige, Emily and Tiff. And all hell brakes loose because of one person, whom nobody thought would be able to break such a strong bond.
Even if things ended badly for the four friends, I liked reading how close they all were, despite them being all so totally different from each other. it only shows that being different can complement us.
Of course Morgan’s cry for help isn’t initially welcomed that warmly. Each woman is in a different stage of their lives, and the last thing they need is to unearth the past. A past that has hurt them and
scarred them again all differently.
Yet it warmed my heart to see how they all realize that they need to help, for Olly’s sake, even if the revelation of the father’s identity is a shock to them. And somehow it was funny, yet in a sweet way, to see how these once – friends, despite their determination not to, are getting closer again. They open up, reveal their thoughts they never felt able to talk about to anyone else. For me, this was proof that real friendship can never truly be broken.
And yes, there were some twists in the story that I didn’t see coming, making me even fearful that the fragile bond would be broken once again. But wisdom comes with the years, and these women show now that they are being more responsible and mature about everything, compared to nineteen years ago. Which is absolutely logical, as we all grow more mature and have come to an age where things can be more relativized.
The author wrote a story about putting your own needs and feelings aside, for a bigger purpose. But at the same time it’s also about finding each other again. It doesn’t always has to be a story with a great romance, but an honest story about real friendship and form that strong bond again, can also be a very fulfilling read. And perhaps it’s about taking one step at the time, with some trail and errors made, but what about that feeling of belonging to a ‘club’, isn’t it worth it to take those small steps? Because you know that in the end, those people will stand by your side, every (difficult) moment of your life.
Tizi’s Book Review 