This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Kay Brooks
Octavia and Roberta have been best friends since their more rebellious teenage years. As adults they are married to respectable men and have children. Unfortunately, Roberta’s husband’s respectability does not extend to his private life and his dominant, bullying ways have finally pushed Roberta to do what she should have done years ago: leave him. Now, Roberta is struggling to adapt to single life with a secretive teenage daughter in tow. Meanwhile, Octavia is watching with an inexplicable envy and wondering when her own marriage became so monotonous and lacklustre.
I loved Fisher’s earlier novel, The School Gate Survival Guide so I had high hopes for this book. Though very different, it certainly didn’t disappoint.
The novel is told from the first person perspectives of Roberta and Octavia with the chapters alternating between the two women. Their voices are very distinctive so there isn’t any confusion. Each chapter ends on a mini cliffhanger, which left me wanting to read on about that character, but then equally desperate to catch up with the other. In the opening chapter, Roberta is being processed at a police station so I was surprised to find she is the more prim and proper character. Octavia is the woman with a wild past. She loved to travel, dyed her hair crazy colours and even met her first true love in Corsica – a man she intended to stay with for the rest of her life. In contrast, her life now seems boring to her. The bond between the two women is shown through their unconditional support for each other. Even when one feels the other is making a mistake or are secretly envious, they are there for the other.
I found it difficult to like either of the women’s husbands. Roberta’s husband, Scott, is controlling and cruel. He is written so well that he genuinely made my skin crawl and every time he came close to Roberta, I hoped she would have the strength to stay away from him. Jonathan, Octavia’s husband, is equally unlikable. From the outset, he seems detached, painfully bland and selfish. Other characters are well developed and interesting. I have a strong dislike for teenage characters that are portrayed either as being completely awful or sickly sweet. However, Alicia, Roberta’s teenage daughter, is realistic and easy to empathise with.This is a perfect summer read. It’s engaging, pacey and has a lovely ‘Shirley Valentine’ escapism feel to it.
9/10