This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Victoria Sutton
As soon as I received Me and Mr Jones in the post I
was hankering after travelling somewhere hot to read it, preferably to an
exotic beach, all the while humming Robbie Williams (yes I know that’s ‘Me and
Mrs Jones’ covered by Robbie but you can see where I’m coming from!). The cover
is so sparkly and sunny, with the drawings of suitcase, sunglasses and swimsuit
making you instantly think of holidays. Alas, I was unable to take it to any
faraway shores but it was an exceptionally sunny weekend in Liverpool when I
read it, and I managed to dip a toe in the children’s padding pool…
As the title suggests this novel is about the Jones family; a mother and father and their three grown up sons and the women they are involved with to be exact. The action centres around Mulberry House in the picturesque village of Loveday. What was once the family home morphed into an award-winning B&B after the three boys had left home and their parents, Lilian and Eddie Jones, had begun letting rooms to guests. Now though they are looking to retire but are unsure which, if any, of their sons are up to the task of taking over Mulberry House…
Eldest son Hugh is the favourite but he, with his wife Alicia, has a very comfortable set up of his own already and they are unsure that he would want to make such a change to his life. Although as she approaches forty feeling less than fabulous Alicia is keen to make some changes for herself. Next son David seems an easy choice given the bad luck he has had in his career recently but he and wife Emma are having their own personal struggles as they try for a baby. Youngest son Charlie is instantly dismissed as too much of a risk but as he begins a relationship with Izzy his more responsible side shines through.
Although we are initially introduced to the men of the family it is the women who are the true heart of the novel. Each of their personal stories drives the narrative and the relationship between the women shows how you can often find confidents in the least likely of places. Even Lilian who at first glance appears to be the mother-in-law from hell is not all she seems! The way we learn in alternative chapters a little of each woman’s story compels us to read on (and on!) to get to the next update for each character. I was especially hooked to Izzy’s story because of the mystery surrounding her past and the unfolding drama.
Me and Mr Jones gives an interesting and often funny insight into family (and extended family) life. I could relate to elements of each woman’s story and I felt that most readers would feel this way; if it hadn’t happened to them then it probably had to someone they knew, or someone who knew someone they knew! It was like spending time with a good group of girlfriends over a bottle of wine, setting the world to rights. Perfect holiday, or simply sunshiny day, or even rainy day, reading!
9/10