She has only one chance to turn her life around...
Allie is bored with her job and starting to wonder whether she even likes her boyfriend, Ryan.
The high point in her day is passing a café on her walk home from work. It is the sort of place where she'd really like to work.
Then one day she sees as advert on the door: assistant wanted. But before she can land her dream job, Allie knows she must achieve two things:
1. Learn to cook
2. End her relationship with Ryan, especially as through the window of the café, she spies a waiter who looks much more like her type of man.
And when she learns that the café is in danger of closing, Allie knows she must do her very best to save the day ...
Review: Oh it was so lovely to be back in a Katie Fforde book, it really has been too long since I awarded myself that treat. When this quick reads title came out I knew it was the perfect excuse to be back in this author's world again and boy was it a good time.
This book is just the antithesis of heartwarming. It has all the ingredients of a great quick romance read: food, self discovery and a nasty boyfriend you need to get rid of. I loved the message of this book that you can do anything you set your mind to and that if you put in the effort you can make changes to your life at any time.
The main character in this book is just 20. I can't remember the last time I read a romance involving a younger protagonist that wasn't YA. I feel like this allowed me to really root for her throughout the book and also allow her come mistakes that I wouldn't necessarily allow an older heroin in a romance novel. It was great seeing someone so early on in their life be so driven and so determined to make a change.
This was such a treat of a book. I do have a vlog of me reading this and reacting to it as I read it so if you want to read along with me-do check that out!
To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US
Simone has a secret. She likes to stand at her bathroom window and spy on the couple downstairs through their kitchen skylight. She knows what they eat for breakfast and who they’ve got over for dinner. She knows what mood they’re in before they even step out the door. There’s nothing wrong with looking, is there?
Until one day Simone sees something through the skylight she is not expecting. Something that upsets her so much she begins to plot a terrible crime…
Review: I adored this story, once again Louise Candlish has created a very twisted main character and I loved being inside of her mind for even this short a period of time. By the time you reach the end of chapter one you'll be sucked into Simone's world and possibly just be worried about what actions she might take. I love the fact that this book has you gasping with shock by the end of the first act, thinking you know things are going to be OK by the end of the second act and then hav all of those theories thrown into disarray by the end of the book.
Quick Reads like this are just so wonderful because they can be a great introduction to an author you haven't read before. If this is your first tastes of Louise Candlish, you picked a great place to start and for fan of this author already this is like a beautiful bonus book when we're in between her full length novels. I love the fact that this is a brand new fully formed story and I loved reading it.
Being a quick reads book this book also has excellent pacing. There is something happening on every single page and the end of each chapter leaves you on a cliffhanger wanting more. The characters are dark and intriguing and you could totally see the events happening in real life. There are also multiple revelations throughout the book and so you're not waiting for a 'twist' to happen, they literally happen right the way through from the very beginning to the bitter end.
I loved this book and I highly recommend picking it up!
Lara Cliffe and her three friends are off on a mini break for her hen party. It’s three weeks before her wedding to ’Steady Freddie’, one of the kindest men on the planet. But something is worrying Lara. Her friends say it’s wedding jitters, but she isn’t so sure. Fifteen years ago the love of her life, Danny Belfont, walked out on her three weeks before their wedding and she has never been able to fully get him out of her heart.
Then, on the overnight ferry, Lara finds out that Danny is playing in the onboard band and he spots her in the crowd. Will she meet him the next night to talk?
As the wonderful city of Amsterdam works its magic on Lara, she tries to sort out her thoughts. And if fate has brought Lara and Danny back together … is it really for love or for something quite different?
Review: Oh I loved travelling to Amsterdam with Lara and her friends. I have done that ferry crossing and so I could easily picture the things they were doing but even if you haven't travelled in the same footsteps as this group of friends, you will be rewarded with the fun of the ship as well as a virtual tour of Amsterdam, so much fun!
I really loved the characters we get to meet in this book, you can imagine their friendships and how they have changed over the years as they have grown up, got married and had babies. This is such a realistic portrayal of women my age and how their friendships have to stand the test of time in this way. I really loved that fact that Vicky, Jo and Pip are all so different from one another but are so loyal to each other and to Lara.
There is quite a lot of drama contained in the very few pages of this book so be prepared for the whirlwind of past boyfriends, sex museums and of course a little seasickness. This book is divided into three parts and a bit of an epilogue so if you're expecting something that isn't fully developed in just under 100 pages, you would be wrong. This read had a little bit of everything and is just the perfect choice as one of this year's quick reads titles.
To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US
Today is publication day for Quick Reads 2020 and I couldn't be more excited about the line up of authors that just hit my kindle after my pre-ordering frenzy after these titles were announced. I am such a huge fan of Quick Reads and wanted to share a bit more about this year's Quick Reads collection-you can learn more about Quick Reads as a whole at the bottom of the post...
I'll leave buy links for all of these in the post but you can of course also request them from your local library!
Welcome to the life of a junior doctor. You work 97 hours a week. You make life and death decisions. You are often covered in blood (or worse) from head to toe. And the hospital parking meter earns more money than you do. Adam Kay's diary was written in secret after long days, sleepless nights and missed weekends. It is funny, moving and sometimes shocking. This is everything you wanted to know -- and more than a few things you didn't -- about life on and off the hospital ward.
Adam Kay says: "Literacy and healthcare have much in common; they are among our fundamental rights as individuals. They both require sustained funding, governments who believe in the possibilities they offer, and outspoken champions. Quick Reads are the most wonderful champion for literacy."
Detective Inspector Harry Virdee has a lot on his plate. His team is facing government cuts, tensions are building between Bradford's two rival drugs gangs and his wife Saima is due to give birth any day now. So when bodies start turning up in the old industrial district, the pressure is on to get the case wrapped up as quickly as possible, or risk a full-scale gang war. But the man behind the murders is ruthless. And things are getting personal. Harry must think fast and bend the rules if he wants to keep his city, and his family, safe...
A.A. Dhand says: "I'm thrilled to be part of such a vital scheme as Quick Reads and hope to give readers a short, sharp burst of entertainment which brings literacy and fast-paced storytelling into their lives."
When Lizzie's daughter Meg is given a life-saving heart transplant, Lizzie feels hugely grateful to the nameless donor. Then she receives a letter from the donor's mother, Karen, asking to meet, and it seems like the least she can do. But as soon as Karen is welcomed into their lives, Lizzie feels something isn't right. And, before long, she can't help but worry that by inviting Karen in, she might have put Meg in danger.
Clare Mackintosh says: "Quick Reads addresses a very real need -- pacey, good-quality storytelling, in an accessible format -- and I'm honoured to be contributing to 2020's line-up with a story I've been wanting to write for several years."
Lara Cliffe and her three friends are off on a mini break for her hen party. It's three weeks before her wedding to 'Steady Freddie', one of the kindest men on the planet. But something is worrying Lara. Her friends say it's wedding jitters, but she isn't so sure. Fifteen years ago the love of her life, Danny Belfont, walked out on her three weeks before their wedding. And she has never been able to get him out of her heart. Then, on the overnight ferry, Lara finds that Danny is playing in the onboard band and he spots her in the crowd. Will she meet him the next night to talk? As the wonderful city of Amsterdam works its magic on Lara, she tries to sort out her thoughts. And if fate has brought Lara and Danny back together... is it really for love or for something quite different?
Milly Johnson says: "It [Quick Reads] opens the door and says 'come on in and fall in love with books'. Reading is the key to a life enriched."
Sapphire is the hot-headed leader of Red Roses in an area where gang loyalty is all that matters. But after a tragic event, Sapphire vows to leave her old life, friends and her gang behind. Life without the Red Roses and the violence that always followed them is certainly quieter to say the least. When she meets a boy called Apollo on her way to Notting Hill Carnival, she feels something she'd never felt before, and thinks he could be the one. That's until she discovers he's a member of rival gang. Will she ever escape her past with the Red Roses, and how many lives will be ruined until she does? Funny, emotional and raw, with Notting Hill Carnival acting as the backdrop of this retelling of West Side Story, by the Sunday Times bestselling author of Queenie.
Candice Carty-Williams says: "As someone who comes from a family of non-readers, and someone whose mum is dyslexic, Quick Reads is such an important resource."
Following the end of her marriage, a woman finds herself in a department store where she agrees to have a makeover. She needs a fresh start. But the makeover doesn't go the way either she or the make-up girl expect.
Jojo Moyes says: "I've seen first-hand the real impact of Quick Reads and I believe these books are more important than ever."
Sophie Kinsella, Decluttering
When a couple set aside a day to unclutter their garage, they not only come across happy memories and fun secrets but also a painful family secret.
Sophie Kinsella says: "Simple, straightforward story-telling is a wonderful way to bring books to the widest possible readership, and I hope that a whole new tranche of readers will discover the power of words."
Ian Rankin, Easy Street
A woman darts back into her house to check everything is ready for her and her husband to go on holiday. As she is reminded of their life together he sits outside in the car. Full of surprises to the last gasp-inducing twist.
Ian Rankin says: "Writers need readers, which is why I'm such a fan of Quick Reads. An ability to read leads to a lifetime of enjoyment and opens up new worlds of knowledge."
Mari Hannah, Let No One In
Features the first outing for PC Kate Daniels from the bestselling DCI Kate Daniels series. She is on her first ever night shift, left to guard the crime scene, alone and unarmed. What happens next takes her completely by surprise.
Mari Hannah says: "Bravo to The Reading Agency for this wonderful initiative. Reading changes lives; it's a gateway to many opportunities."
Louise Candlish, Lock Up and Leave
On the day Clare and her cheating husband are due to go on holiday, she takes satisfying revenge on him and his mistress. It's payback time.
Louise Candlish says: "A recent discussion about crime fiction with inmates at a local prison confirmed what I'd first discovered as a bored child with a free public library on my doorstep - life is better with books. Much better."
Adele Parks, A Quiet Road
When a new neighbour raises the tone of the neighbourhood, Annie is only too pleased. The neighbour is divorced, comes with a big chest freezer and has a liking for night-time gardening. How can Annie have got her so very wrong?!
Adele Parks says: "I've met with hundreds of people who have told me that Quick Reads have changed their lives. Reluctant readers become confident ones."
Mahsuda Snaith, The Estate
Asmi and her mother know one kind of estate and it's not the glorious country pile they are invited to visit. On arrival, Asmi discovers she has inherited the house - but why? How does its history link with hers?
Mahsuda Snaith says: "As a dyslexic reader with a love for stories I absolutely support everything Quick Reads promotes; accessible reads by brilliant storytellers that not only leave you with the satisfaction of completing a whole piece of work but also take you on fantastic journeys."
Mike Gayle, You and Me
A poignant story of a newly single father taking his teenage daughter shopping for the first time.
Mike Gayle says: "Reading has always been so important to me, a gateway to other perspectives, worlds and times."
Keith Stuart, An Accidental Date
A spin-off from the bestselling A Boy Made of Blocks. 13-year-old Sam is on the autism spectrum. When he goes on his first date, his anxious father and mother decide to follow him - with surprising results.
Keith Stuart says: "I am incredibly proud to be involved with Quick Reads because literacy is such a vital life skill, not just practically but in terms of mental health and well-being."
Fanny Blake, Sisters
When two estranged sisters are brought together after their father's death, they find a letter that will change both their past and their future.
Fanny Blake says: "Reading can widen your horizons without your even having to leave home, and should be a pleasure that that is open to everyone at any age or stage of their lives."
Here's some more information from the Quick Reads site which you can visit here.
Quick Reads plays a vital role in addressing the UK's adult literacy crisis, engaging the one in three adults who do not regularly read for pleasure and the one in six adults who find reading difficult. Publishing on 20 February with a new brand identity by Here Design, the engaging and accessible books by best-selling authors will help bring the pleasures and benefits of reading to everyone, by inspiring emerging readers as well as those who have little time or have fallen out of the habit.
Showcasing the very best contemporary writing with everything on offer from comedy to crime, the standalone titles include a psychological thriller from Clare Mackintosh; Candice Carty-Williams' retelling of the West Side Story to a carnival backdrop; an adaptation of Adam Kay's hilarious and painfully honest memoir; a story of a life changing hen weekend from Milly Johnson; an introduction to DI Harry Virdee from A.A. Dhand; and an anthology edited by Fanny Blake, featuring everything from nosy neighbours to new-found family, with short stories from the likes of Adele Parks, Ian Rankin and Sophie Kinsella.
The titles are available for just £1 at bookshops and are free to borrow from libraries. They are used across the country in colleges, prisons, trade unions, hospitals and adult learning organisations.
Debbie Hicks, Creative Director at The Reading Agency said: "We are delighted that Quick Reads is returning with such an impressive list of titles. We are so grateful to all the authors who have given their words and time to support this life-changing programme, and of course to Jojo Moyes who has made this all possible. We look forward to sharing these brilliant stories by brilliant authors and to inspiring even more people to discover a love of reading."
Fanny Blake, Quick Reads Commissioning Editor and author of Sisters, in A Fresh Start said: "I have been involved with books and reading all my adult life, as a publisher, journalist, reviewer and novelist, and find it shocking that one in six adults in the UK find reading difficult. Quick Reads plays an invaluable part in changing this statistic, and I'm thrilled to have been involved with the programme for the last four years as an author and Commissioning Editor. Reading can widen your horizons without your even having to leave home, and should be a pleasure that that is open to everyone at any age or stage of their lives. Quick Reads can help make this happen, and I know that the extraordinary list of 2020 titles will bring pleasure to many more readers."
As the sun sits high in the sky over Cornwall, and the sea breeze brings a welcome relief to the residents of the seaside village of Trevay, a stranger arrives in need of a safe haven.
The fact that the stranger is a Hollywood heartthrob makes villagers Penny and Dorrie even more keen to help. They both know what it’s like to feel that you need a break from life, and they bring the village together to keep their stranger’s secret. It’s not long before he’s helping some of the villagers find the answers to their own problems. In return, they find a place for him in their hearts.
Pendruggan: A Cornish village with secrets at its heart
Review: I do love a Quick Reads book; they are such a good idea for encouraging new readers or perhaps forthose with not a lot of time for reading to enjoy stories from established authors. When I saw that the latest batch of Quick Reads included this one from Fern Britton, I looked forward to reading it, as I have not actually read any of her work so far. I was not sure what to expect, but was quickly immersed in the story.
The setting is the little Cornish seaside village of Trevay and the story harks back to one of Fern's earlier novels, A Seaside Affair. The person doing the getting away is a well known Hollywood actor in need of a break from the demands of a hectic life. The actor in question has been to the village before, his actions on that occasion gaining him many friends there. The villagers now rally round to protect his privacy and let him experience a more 'ordinary' lifestyle for a while.
I found this a most enjoyable, if not entirely believable, short story with some really likeable characters. It would be nice to think that people could really be as helpful and welcoming as the villagers in Trevay. It sounds an idyllic setting for anyone who enjoys a quiet holiday by the sea. I would recommend the book itself for anyone looking for an entertaining and easy read.
I am a massive fan of Quick Reads, a fabulous range of books from The Reading Agency and released once a year in the UK. So I wanted to shine a light on the project and this year's titles because they all sound absolutely fantastic! All of the information in the post can also be found on The Reading Agency Website. If you like the sound of any of the books, simply click the picture of the title and you'll be taken to the buy page.
One in six adults of working age in the UK find reading difficult and may never pick up a book. People's reasons for not reading are varied: some people say they find books intimidating, that they struggle to find the time or that books are difficult or boring.
Quick Reads sets out to challenge these beliefs and to show that books and reading can be for everyone. Each year we commission big name authors to write short books that are specifically designed to be easy to read. They are the same as mainstream books in most respects but are simply shorter and easier to tackle for adults who are less confident in their reading skills. The books are then sold through major retailers and online booksellers, or loaned from libraries.
Quick Reads is making real, lasting changes to people's lives. Since 2006, 4.5 million books have been distributed through the initiative, 3 million library loans have been registered and through outreach work hundreds of thousands of new readers each year have been introduced to the joys and benefits of reading. Quick Reads is a unique collaboration and we are very grateful for the support of everyone involved.
2018 Quick Reads Titles
This year's Quick Reads authors and titles, available from 1 February 2018, are:
• Cut Off by Mark Billingham (Little, Brown): A punchy, taut urban thriller about that moment we all fear: losing our phone! For Louise, losing hers in a local café takes a sinister turn. Billingham has sold five million copies of his novels and has twice won the Theakston's Old Peculiar Award for Crime Novel of the Year.
• The Great Cornish Getaway by Fern Britton (HarperCollins): As the sun sits high in the sky over Cornwall, and the sea breeze brings a welcome relief to the residents of the seaside village of Trevay, a stranger arrives in need of a safe haven. The former presenter of This Morning, Britton is now a Sunday Times bestselling author and this story is full of her usual warmth and wit.
• Clean Break by Tammy Cohen (Transworld): A dark and twisty portrait of a marriage coming to its bitter end, from the mistress of domestic noir. Can Kate rid herself of her jealous husband before it's too late? Cohen's acclaimed novels include The Mistress's Revenge, The War of the Wives and Someone Else's Wedding.
• Inspector Chopra and the Million-Dollar Motor Car by Vaseem Khan (Hodder & Stoughton): An enchanting Baby Ganesh Agency novella from the bestselling Khan set in the bustling back-streets of Mumbai. Inspector Chopra and his elephant sidekick have two days to solve the mystery of a missing - and very costly - car for its gangster owner, or there'll be a heavy price to pay.
• The Beach Wedding by Dorothy Koomson (Arrow): A gripping short read featuring a wedding, family drama, and old secrets. Tessa is thrilled when her daughter arrives in Ghana to get married but memories of the last time she was there haunt her; can she lay the ghosts of the past to rest or will they come back to haunt her daughter's future? Koomson is the bestselling author of 12 novels including The Ice-Cream Girls, My Best Friends' Girl and most recently The Friend.
• Six Foot Six by Kit de Waal (Viking): A charming novella from Costa First Novel Award shortlisted author de Waal about finding friendship in the most unlikely of places. Everything changes for Timothy, a 21 year-old with learning difficulties, when local builder Charlie calls on him for help. De Waal worked in criminal and family law and was a magistrate for many years before her international bestseller, My Name is Leon was published.
Quick Reads are available from libraries and bookshops across the country.
Ideas for using Quick Reads
Hold a reading break or start a reading group in your workplace, college, library or local community. You can create a buzz about reading that will encourage even the most reluctant readers to pick up a good book.
Set up a reading area at your organisation. You can provide a bookcase and a reading area if you have room. Use new books or ask people to donate their books.
Use Quick Reads as part of Reading Ahead, which challenges people to pick six reads and record their reading in a diary to get a certificate.
Hold a book swap by encouraging people to bring in books they have read and enjoyed to share with others. You ask people to write reviews or put stickers in the front of the books for people to write comments.
A woman reports a crime to the police, with unexpected results
The grieving widow who finds that she's about to lose more than just her husband
When a man attempts the perfect murder, it's not quite as easy as he thinks
Two men in prison play a deadly game of Scrabble
A young woman tries to trick an old man and gets more than she bargained for
Sometimes crimes are solved in ways you can't explain
A murderer about to be hanged finds that's not the worst thing that can happen
You never know who's going to turn up at your door
Original stories from Mark Billingham, Clare Mackintosh, James Oswald, Jane Casey, Angela Marsons, Harry Bingham, Antonia Hodgson and CL Taylor - specially written for Quick Reads.
Review: This crime anthology contains 8 stories. I'm not going to cover each one but look at the Quick Reads book as a whole. Last year Quick reads released an anthology of short stories as part of its anniversary and I really enjoyed that particular read so I was pleased to see that they had done it again this year. i was even more excited to see that it was a collection of crime stories because that is a genre i read very little of but when I do pick something up, I tend to enjoy it. I was excited to discover new authors!
Of course I didn't love every single story, but there really is something for everyone here. I definitely preferred reading more of the psychological thriller stories than the police procedural, but there was even one which covered the historical crime genre, not entirely my cup of tea but it was great to have it included. I think my favorites were the stories by Clare Makintosh and James Oswold!
I did read this book in one sitting, but this would be great to dip in an out of, a story for each day of a commute, or a story before bed, although with the genre type, perhaps reading before bed wouldn't be the best idea. I think this book is great for people like me who read little to no crime novels and want to get into that genre or discover new authors. I would highly recommend this book and it is definitely something that would appeal to a wide range of audiences!
Wanted: doctor for small island. Must like boats, the seaside and having no hope of keeping a secret...
Lorna lives on the tiny Scottish island of Mure, a peaceful place where everyone helps their neighbour. But the local GP is retiring, and nobody wants his job. Mure is too small and too remote.
Far away, in a crowded camp, Saif is treating a little boy with a badly-cut hand. Saif is a refugee, but he's also a doctor: exactly what Mure needs.
Saif is welcome in Mure, but can he forget his past? Over one summer, Saif will find a place to call home, and Lorna's life will change forever.
Review: I was delighted to find this short story from the brilliant Jenny Colgan on the shelves of my local bookshop. It's part of the excellent Quick Reads series. I love short stories, but occasionally they fail to deliver; fortunately, this one didn't fall into that category.
The story revolves around two main characters. The one we meet first is Saif, a refugee from the fighting in Syria who also happens to be a very well qualified doctor. The other main protagonist is Lorna, head teacher of the primary school on the small Scottish island of Mure, a community in sore need of a new doctor. That is how the characters come together and where the story really starts.
I'm sure we have all seen the disturbing scenes on TV of boatloads of refugees landing on foreign shores, and those who weren't so lucky. This story looks at one of these refugees from a different perspective - what happens next. Despite their need for a medical professional, how will the people in this small community accept this man from another world as their new doctor, and how will he relate to them? Also, although he is lucky to be safe, there is the question of what has happened to his family and how can he find them. Saif and Lorna are brought together by her father's illness. As the weeks and months go by, their friendship grows, but how far can it, and will it, go?
I really enjoyed this story. It was definitely thought provoking and well worth reading. Although short, it was not lacking in depth and substance. All in all, an excellent way to pass a couple of hours.
This book is available in paperback or Kindle and benefit the fabulous Quickreads! Just click here to get yours!
Original stories from Fanny Blake, Elizabeth Buchan, Rowan Coleman, Jenny Colgan, Philippa Gregory, Matt Haig, Veronica Henry, Andy McNab, Richard Madeley and John O'Farrell - with special anniversary recipes from The Hairy Bikers.
A young woman with memories of D-Day and a life both dangerous and exciting
A father and son with a shared birthday and deeply held secrets
A single mum taxi driver, whose envy for the rich couple on their way to the Ritz soon changes
The unlikely marriage, born in the depths of war
The Tudor wife receives the ghostly message, 'Never marry a dangerous man'
An agoraphobic widower, unable to visit his wife's grave
The Elvis impersonator who finds hope for a new romance with Marilyn Monroe
The ex soldiers burdened with the consequences of one bad decision
The long-held memories of a wartime tragedy
The anniversary supper which changed the world...
THE ANNIVERSARY - a collection of the very best short fiction around.
Review: Oh I so enjoyed this collection of short stories for Quick Reads tenth anniversary! This anthology included some of my favourite authors as well as some new to me authors. That was one of the best things about this book, it gave me a chance to read something a little bit different from some of my favourite authors, or other authors I have read before, as well as introducing me to new authors and allowing me to sample what they had to offer. Every short story was a tale in itself, complete, compelling and entertaining and each story was different from the last.
I would like to share a few of my favourites with you. I really loved Rowan Coleman's story about a father and son and their shared birthday. It contained a lot of mystery and i gasped more than once when I read this on the tube on the way home after the Quick Reads event! I also really enjoyed really Philippa Gregory's story because it concerns Tudor England and I love reading about that time period. I also really enjoyed this one because I've always fancied reading a Phillipa Gregory novel, but have felt a little intimidated so this was a nice easy introduction to her writing for me.
There are also recipes in this Quick Read. I can't say that I've made any of them but they are certainly intriguing and I think, give the book another level, another aspect. This book would be great to read on a commute or treat yourself to a short story before bed every night. You'll get something different, yet entertaining with each one and you'll find each of them quick and easy to read-a real treat!
Alice Love is twenty-nine, crazy about her husband, and pregnant with her first child.
So imagine Alice’s surprise when she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! She HATES the gym) and is whisked off to the hospital where she discovers the honeymoon is truly over — she’s getting divorced, , she has three kids, and she’s actually 39 years old. Alice must reconstruct the events of a lost decade, and find out whether it’s possible to reconstruct her life at the same time. She has to figure out why her sister hardly talks to her, and how is it that she’s become one of those super skinny moms with really expensive clothes. Ultimately, Alice must discover whether forgetting is a blessing or a curse, and whether it’s possible to start over.
Review: wow-I loved this book. I wasn't sure what to expect with it, I just decided to go for it on a whim-aren't those always the best book buys? I was sucked into this book right away and could not tear myself away from it! I downloaded it on audiobook and actually relished sitting in traffic last night because it meant that I got to listen to a whole chunk of it and then relish the last moments when I eventually got home. This was such a compelling read, so touching and such a well thought out storyline.
I think the idea for someone losing their memory and having to rediscover their life is not an original one, but it's not one that has been done as well as in this case. The storyline itself is just so intricately woven with every detail and every moment accounted for, you can tell this author put in a lot of thought and effort into how the twists and turns of the story were going to take place. I love that fact that Alice regresses just ten years, she can remember her husband, but not much else about her current life, and the more she discovers about the person she is now. The more she doesn't like her. It's a bit like a reverse Christmas Carol but without the snow. Some of the events that happen are seriously touching, others absolutely hilarious, but all are described in such details that you feel like you are actually living them yourself! At moments, the reader feels as if they are Alice and each thing that slowly unravels for her, also reveals itself to them-just so clever!
The characters in this book are just gorgeous. Alice is so likeable. When she loses her memory, she becomes so optimistic and so willing and open to everything it is impossible not to fall in love with her. Her friends and relatives provide a lot of comedy and I think it's hilarious that no on understands that she can't remember them! Her children are gorgeous characters and are an integral parts of the story, something which so many other books lack. Again, it's not just the storyline that is well-thought out. The characters themselves have traits that last from the present day, to ten years ago, to the future in the epilogue. They carry these traits right the way through the book and each and very detail is accounted for-so clever.
The book has an epilogue-which I love and it really wraps up the whole story so I was left feeling entirely satisfied by the ending, just like having finished a really comforting meal and feeling just ready to chill out. I just loved this book from beginning to end. It was lovely to have a book set in Australia, there aren't enough of these around and I think that every reader will be able to find something to love here. Because you are wanting to find out who Alice is and how the events that have come about have transpired this is a real page turner and so will be a very quick read, although the audiobook is superb and I really recommend that. Read this book and then appreciate what you have and those around you, I guarantee this will get you out of any reading slump/back to reading quicker than you can click your fingers!
Another guest review from my lovely mum! She really likes quick reads and short stories. They're a fabulous change from whole novels and are great if you have a short amount of reading time as you can get through the whole thing pretty quickly. Here's what she read:
Jenna is known as The Ice Cream Girl. She doesn't mind the name one bit. After all, it's a happy name, and there are far worse jobs than selling ice creams on Everdene beach.
Craig spends as much time as he can at the beach hut in Everdene he rents with a few of his mates. As a policeman, it is a restful change from his daily life, and he's surfing mad. One weekend he's down there on his own when he notices a girl on the beach. He's young, free and single and she catches his eye.
But on this particular summer weekend, both Jenna and Craig's lives are about to change . . .
Review: This really well written short story, part of the Quick Reads series, had me hooked from the word go. It is highly readable, and well organised into bite size chapters. I found that I just didn’t want to put it down, and polished it off in a very short time. I suggest that it would be an ideal addition to your summer holiday suitcase. Even the cover makes you want to go and sit on the beach and read it whilst listening to the waves lapping back and forwards.
The two main characters in the tale are extremely likeable.They are both facing struggles that are familiar to many of us in this day and age. She has financial problems, while he is trying to cope with a highly stressful career. They are cleverly brought together in strange circumstances, requiring a hard decision to be made, and the reader is left wondering what the outcome will be. You feel maybe you should not approve completely of their actions, but then they are such amiable people. The story comes to a most satisfactory conclusion, but the author keeps us guessing how it will all pan out all the way through.
Veronica Henry is a new author to me, but I shall be looking out for more of her novels, and look forward to reading them.
