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
Anna’s world is rocked when she receives an invitation to her ex Toby’s wedding. Toby was The Love of Her Life, The One That Got Away. Will attending his Big Day finally give her the closure she needs?
Clare is Anna’s best friend, the person who was there for her when she and Toby split all those years ago. But little does Clare know that Toby’s wedding day will change her own life forever.
Ella is a femme fatale. She loves men and leaves them without a backward glance. But the one who’s never fallen for her charms is Toby. As he prepares to get hitched, is it too late for a last-ditch attempt to win his heart?
Rachel is the blushing bride-to-be. This should be the happiest day of her life. So how come she feels nothing but a terrible sense of foreboding?
I’d heard a lot about this book on the ol’ book grapevine, and after reading a couple of really good reviews I was convinced I had to read it. This is author Helen Warner’s debut book and I wasn’t disappointed by it.
The stories of the four main characters, Anna, Clare, Ella and Rachel are all interwoven throughout the book in some way or another. Anna, Clare and Ella went to university together so they have quite an extensive history. Each chapter of the book is based on one of the characters, so the beginning of the book opens up with Anna, who has just received her invitation to her ex's wedding in the post. After reading a few pages , I immediately felt a pang of sympathy for Anna, as she is clearly still hung up on her ex, Toby. I’m sure we’ve all been there when we see an ex with his new girlfriend!
Clare is Anna’s best friend and roommate, and on the day Anna receives the invitation, she is there waiting with wine and sympathy. She was also there when Anna and Toby first got together and all the way throughout their relationship. So when it all goes wrong for Anna and Toby, Clare is there to pick up the pieces.
Ella is a bitch. I know that may seem a little harsh but it’s true. She is one of those women that are convinced she can have pretty much any man she wants, yet she comes unstuck when she fails to catch Toby’s attention. He is that in love with Anna that he doesn’t even give Ella a second glance.
Last, but not least, is Rachel the bride to-be. She has been with Toby for seven years and is very happy that they have decided to get married. She is a couple of years older than our other main characters, so the focus on her character leans towards the ticking of her biological clock and her impending nuptials to Toby.
All of these characters are very cleverly interwoven, and throughout the book your feelings towards each one will go up and down more times than Oblivion at Alton Towers! I loved and hated each one of them in turn as things about them just made me want to shake them, yet at other times crawl into the pages and give them a hug.
This is a very impressive debut from Helen Warner that I couldn’t help but be taken in by, and I challenge you to read it and not feel the same way.
I’m giving this a 9/10!