This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Kelly Allen
Sophie Diehl is a criminal defence lawyer, who strives to avoid face-to-face consultations, safe in the knowledge that her clients are locked behind bars. Unfortunately, when a divorce case comes up and there is nobody to be at the initial meeting, Sophie is asked to step in and help with a one-off favour. The client is called Mia and she is of the utmost importance to the law firm as her father a very predominant figure in the community.
Sophie agrees to the initial meeting, but when Mia meets Sophie she knows that this is the lawyer for her even offering to pay for another lawyer to aid Sophie through her first divorce case. At first, Sophie doesn’t want the case, but over time she forms a bond with Mia and a passion for the case. Determined and different to most divorce lawyers, Sophie delivers blow after blow to Mia’s husband’s law firm.
With financial agreements to be made, child custody to be discussed and trying to keep Mia calm, Sophie still manages to find time to re-form bonds between herself and her father, realise her own worth within romantic relationships, and confide in her very best friend Mags via email.
Sophie’s world is full of coincidence, beauty and friendship. Will she make the right choices along the way and finally let go of the past?
From the look of the front cover, I was actually quite dubious as to whether I would enjoy this book or not. I thought it looked a bit too ‘fun’ for a tale of divorce with its bright pink cover. Also, I am married so it might be off-putting for that reason (my husband actually looked quite perplexed and commented on the title when he saw me reading it!); however, this book did not disappoint.First, its style is unique. The flow between emails and memorandums, handwritten letters and newspaper clippings allowed for several positive experiences. I could read in short bursts and it wouldn’t require a lot of work to get back into the story. Second, it was interesting and educational (especially learning about law, possessions and children), and third, it made the characters shine. There are definitely strong, defined characters in the book, which stand out even more because of the personal notes, letters and emails.
Being a firm John Grisham fan back when I was a teenager, this book revoked all the memories of my youth. Stories about crime and passion, right or wrong and just simply people who are at war with themselves as well as others.
I loved the main character Sophie; she was very captivating and experienced ‘normal’ things. She questioned her parents, wondered where her future would take her and questioned her own behaviour, too. Like most of the female characters in the book, she was quick-witted and fiery. That said, Mia stood out to me as the sharpest character – she never skipped a beat when her husband or his lawyers try to foil her. She made me laugh all the way through, especially her little notes for her soon-to-be ex-husband.
I had a hard time putting this book down, and towards the end I shed a few tears of relief and also sadness for Mia’s daughter Jane, who was stuck between two unhappy parents. Jane was an adorable part of the story; her misspelt letters, her concerns for her mother’s health and her way of thinking throughout the book was simply gorgeous. To me, she was the most important character in the book – the most vulnerable, too.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to those of you with interest in law, but also for those readers that love strong characters, a deeply moving storyline and an unusual yet clever style.
8/10