This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
REVIEWED BY KIRA SLAUGHTER
It’s been a while, but Lara Carson’s back in Bath and lives are set to change as a result. Because Lara left her family and boyfriend Flynn eighteen years ago without a word to anyone,. Why has no one heard from her since?
Her childhood best friend Evie is thrilled Lara’s back and able to share her happiness. Evie’s about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. Or so she thinks…
Then there’s Flynn Erskine, even more attractive now and stunned to see Lara again. The spark between them is as strong as ever, but how’s Flynn going to react when he discovers the secret she’s been keeping from him?
Oh yes, there’s a lot of catching up to be done…
Now anybody who regularly visits Novelicious knows that I am a massive fan of Jill Mansell. Her books never fail to cheer me up or keep me hooked right up until the very last full stop. I have to say that this one was no exception.
This story centres on Lara, who after fleeing her home in Bath and running away to live in the Lakes with her aunt, has returned to attend her father’s funeral. She’s not upset by his death as he made her life hell after her mother died, yet she is shocked when the house he lives in is left to Lara in his will. From then on Lara’s life is far from boring as she meets up with her oldest friend Evie, comes face to face with her ex boyfriend and love of her life and moves in to her father’s old house.
The fast pace of the book keeps the reader continually guessing what might come next as each character goes through some life changing experiences, as well as finding love in the oddest circumstances ( the plot involving Lara’s friend Harry is odd but touching and sweet!).
The whole situation with Lara and Flynn is the book's primary plot, and quite rightly as you wonder how these two will react towards one another after eighteen years apart. As well as their growing attraction to each other, there are much bigger things this couple has to worry about…
When reading a book it obviously helps to like the main character, and if you don’t it’s a sure fire way to put a dampener on reading the rest of the book. I liked Lara, she was feisty and funny, yet her friend Evie was the one I was drawn to. She goes through a bit of a tough time at the beginning , and yet she comes out of it fighting and a much stronger person.
The fact that after I’ve finished each book of Jill Mansell’s I’m straight on Amazon looking for when the next one will be out, just shows that, after twenty three novels, she still has the knack of creating storylines that you can’t help but get pulled in by.
I’m giving this a well deserved 8/10
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