This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Reviewed by Susan Lobban
One minute Sarah Lawler is a happily married mother of three, the next she is left to juggle everything on her own as her husband Paul has decided he needs some space. Taking all their money with him, Sarah is left bewildered and alone struggling from one day to the next. She is shocked beyond belief but has three young children to look after, so battles on in the hope that Paul will return. However, as she pieces together more snippets of information, she discovers that there is more behind his decision to leave than she thought.
James uses his job as a private detective to woo the ladies and refuses to be tied down. However, when his twin sister’s life falls apart, he is there to step in and help pick up the pieces. He will do anything to make his sister's life easier and maybe his powers of deduction will come in handy for finding Paul.
Then there is Edward who was Sarah’s childhood best friend and has only just reappeared in her life. There's only one problem: Sarah is the only one who can see him – he is an angel. The last time she mentioned Edward to anyone she was taken to an asylum, so even though she desperately needs his guidance, she is not keen on letting anyone know he is here to help.
At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book due to the angel element and, to be honest, I didn't like it … I loved it! What could have been a schmaltzy yarn was actually a heartfelt, contemporary tale. Edward is not the main focus of the story – he is simply a guide for Sarah. He also opens her eyes to the fact that she has psychic abilities. I warmed to Sarah instantly and the way she found a determination in the face of adversity. Her young children were adorable and broke my heart with their innocence about what was going on with their mummy and daddy. I have mentioned before that I rarely cry while reading books, but this story had me in tears at its unexpected plot turns – especially when it affected the children.As Sarah tentatively uses her new found extrasensory skills we catch glimpses of her neighbours who are also facing troubles in their lives, too. Selflessly, despite her own problems, she strives to improve their situation and, in the process, widens her circle of friends and unexpectedly enriches her own life. By the end of the book, I was left rooting for all the friends and loved ones in Sarah’s life. You are left knowing that whatever life throws at her, she has a strong support system to help her deal with it.
The Life You Left is a touching story with a mystic charm that draws you in. Guaranteed to brighten your day – once you have dried your tears!
9/10