Review – Two for Joy by Helen Chandler

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

Julia’s best friend Toby has been there for her since her days as a student, providing good times and occasionally a shoulder to cry on. It’s only when his spontaneous marriage proposal to his glamorous ballerina girlfriend, Ruby, is humiliatingly rejected that she realises that she wants much more from him. His reciprocation of romantic feelings leads to a whirlwind weekend of passionate declarations and intense sex. The realisation that they are simply meant to be together is surprising but welcome. Everything seems to have fallen into place, until Toby receives a life-changing text message from a distraught Ruby.  She is pregnant. Reluctant but determined to do the right thing, Toby breaks off his new relationship with Julia via email and decides to give his relationship with Ruby another chance for the sake of their unborn child. Julia is left heartbroken, wondering whether she will ever be able to get over Toby and move on with her life. What she doesn’t realise is that recovering from Toby’s rejection is far from being the biggest challenge she is about to face.

The novel plays out in London and the surrounding areas and is suitably evocative of the chaotic, busy life that is typical of these areas. The storyline is fast-paced and eventful, meaning that there’s no chance to get bored of any aspect that’s explored. However, this did mean that some events and issues were only brushed over. Julia’s best friend, Rose, seems to have the perfect life with a hard-working, high-earning husband, a beautiful home in the country and a delightful, young son. Cracks are starting to show though and Rose’s unhappiness is growing. Her husband, Graeme, has a secret that will turn their family life upside-down, but it all seems to happen very quickly. The novel mainly focuses on Julia, so side characters like Rose, Graeme and single-mother and waitress, Simone, are just extras. They are such intriguing characters it would have been interesting to have more detail and the novel is well written, so being longer would not have been a drawback.

The main focus is a twist on the traditional love triangle and it works well, exploring the ups and downs of relationships, as well as the highs and lows of pregnancy. I didn’t always agree with Julia’s decisions but could understand why she made them. She’s a fantastic character whose flaws make her all the more loveable. At times, Toby seemed a bit wet. A mention is made of Darcy and Rochester, who are famous for their strong characters. The comparison does not seem apt. Toby seems indecisive and easily swayed, as well as very concerned about how he is perceived by others. There are times when he is not particularly considerate of Julia’s feelings. Despite not being a character that the reader can fall in love with, the relationship between him and Julia works. Neither of them are perfect which makes them more realistic and easy to relate to.

Ruby is a difficult character to like but it is hard not to sympathise with her. She is immature, petulant and insecure. When Julia admits that she can see some good in her though, it almost validated my own view of her. The novel explores the vulnerability and strength that accompany pregnancy and motherhood in a distinctive way.

8/10

MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK