Book Review - The Girl at the Window by Rowan Coleman - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Amazon UK

Title: The Girl at the Window

Author: Rowan Coleman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Ebury

Publication Date: 27th June 2019 

Rating: 4 Stars

Ponden Hall is a centuries-old house on the Yorkshire moors, a magical place full of stories. It's also where Trudy Heaton grew up. And where she ran away from...

Now, after the devastating loss of her husband, she is returning home with her young son, Will, who refuses to believe his father is dead.

While Trudy tries to do her best for her son, she must also attempt to build bridges with her eccentric mother. And then there is the Hall itself: fallen into disrepair but generations of lives and loves still echo in its shadows, sometimes even reaching out to the present...

A hauntingly beautiful story of love and hope, from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Memory Book and The Summer of Impossible Things

First a disclaimer that I've never read a book by any of the Bronte's, nor before going into this story know much about them at all.  I'm also not typically a fan of books with large historical sections...

....but I am a massive fan of Rowan Coleman, so I put my trust in her that I would enjoy the book, and she hasn't steered me wrong. 

Although not entirely for me, I did thoroughly enjoy the story-lines, the parallels in the history. Through such evocative writing i felt as though I knew every nook and cranny of Ponden Hall, and even the sceptic in me was starting to believe in ghosts, such was the conviction of the storytelling. 

There is a lot going on this story, and I couldn't help but feel for poor Agnes. And then there is in the present day Will who is utterly convinced his father is still alive, they just have to look harder for him. 

Despite the multiple time lines, it was always clear which bit you were following, which greatly helped. I enjoyed seeing how Trudy and Abe got together, and also how the relationship between Trudy and her mum develops .

Hauntingly beautiful writing, which I suspect may just infiltrate my dreams this evening,  Just hope this hotel doesn't have any ghosts of it own!   What a fabulous start to my holiday reading,  

Thank you to Ebury and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Guest Post - How Rowan Coleman writes about Time Travel - Blog Tour

Since I was a little girl I’ve been fascinated by the idea of time travel. The idea that I could somehow go back into the past, and see for myself the biggest events in history and know for sure exactly how they played out intrigued and thrilled me.

But when it came to creating the transatlantic time travelling adventure that is ‘The Summer of Impossible Things’ it wasn’t the those big historical moments that concerned me, but instead the small and intimate choices ordinary people make, that have the power to shape lives for generations to come. Because its true that the actions of our parents and grandparents shape out lives and our children’s lives, and so on, in ways that we can hardly imagine,

So, how to tackle time travel? That was the question.

I knew I didn’t want a time machine, as beguiling as the idea is, (and who doesn’t love a TARDIS) it didn’t feel right for what I wanted to achieve, so instead of looking outward at technology that doesn’t exist, I decided to look inwards, and wonder what it would be like if the potential for travelling through time and alternate dimensions exists within.

While the claim that we only use 10% of our brains is actually an urban myth (humans use pretty much all of their brains) there is still much to discovered in our understanding of neuroscience. And when I see gaps in understanding in science I like to fill those gaps with stories. What if, I asked myself, all of us have an ability to move within space and time hidden deep inside out brains, it just that it hasn’t evolved yet? And what if my heroine, Luna, is the first to uncover this hidden potential.

Then I set out to find out more about what we do know about space and time, reading all the books I could on how science understands the concept of Time, and the Universe and I was pretty pleased to discover that we know for certain so very little of our observable universe, and that even our understanding of time breaks down around certain anomalies like black holes and dark matter. More gaps for me to fill with stories, I thought cheerfully.

Out of these childhood passions, ideas and research I conjured up ‘The Summer of Impossible Things.’ It is a time travel story, and I hope you will find that as beguiling and exciting as I did while I was writing it. But it’s also, at its heart, a love story, not just between a woman or a man (although there is a swooney romance in this book) but between a woman and her mother and her sister.

Because there is one universal force that science so far isn’t studying; Love.

And I believe that Love has the power to change to the world, if we are brave enough to let it.

So tell me, how brave are you?

Well Rowan I'm not very brave, but I did love the book, as you can tell from my review last week. Thank you so much for sharing your interest in time travel with us. 

Amazon UK

How far would you go to save the person you love?

Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother's life.

Even if it means sacrificing her own.

Please follow along with the rest of the blog tour, to hear more about Impossible Things! 

Book Review - The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman

Amazon UK

Title: The Summer of Impossible Things

Author: Rowan Coleman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Ebury Press

Publication Date: 29th June 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

How far would you go to save the person you love?
Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother's life.
Even if it means sacrificing her own.

Easily the most accomplished and impressive book that Rowan Coleman has ever written. 

With every will in the world I was wasn't expecting to even like the book, and it was only due to it being written by an author that I greatly admire that I was willing to give it a go. 

Let me explain, I like my fiction incredibly contemporary and always worry if I know in advance there is any history in the book, I am also very skeptical and knowing that there was a time travel element in the book worried me too. However I did know that if it was all dealt with in a way that didn't wrankle me that I would be fine. And somehow having now read The Summer of Impossible Things, and despite the story not fully being realistically believable in a real world sense, I don't think the book would have worked any other way. 

In fact the main character Luna, does everything in her power to try and explain away what is happening to her, before fully embracing it, and instead of the book being confusing, I found it made complete and utter sense. I had the timelines straight in my mind, and ever what should have been a huge outlandish thing, was understated in a way that I can't fully explain. 

This is a story that is far more than those first elements that I was obsessing over. It is a story about love, possibly the purest form of love, from a daughter to her mother and sister.  The tale is beautifully written and drew me in completely, to the extent that I read the book in two sittings. 

Even when I wasn't reading the book, the characters and what was happening was playing on my mind, in fact I dread to start another book at the moment, as nothing will be able to compete.  I really can't explain the story, as I'm not talented enough to do is justice, for it really is a work of art. 

From the start you are aware that Luna is a scientist and that the author must have put a fair amount of research, so that she could explain things about space/time and just how they work. Although I'm not sure how much understanding I have of it, even now it certainly led an air of intellect to the book. 

Ultimately The Summer of Impossible Things is just that, it takes place in the summer, in New York,  where Luna experiences the impossible, and aims to make a believer out of the reader. It is an absolutely brilliant book and I would suggest you put your own beliefs on hold, and give it a go, or miss out on something really special. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ebury Press for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Other Sister by Rowan Coleman - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #50

Amazon UK

Title:  The Other Sister

Author: Rowan Coleman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Ebury Press

Publication Date: 17th November 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Every family has its secrets...
Willow and Holly are identical twins, as close as two sisters can be. But while Holly has gone through life being the ‘good twin’, Willow has always been the less than perfect one. Holly is happily married, Willow is divorced and almost twice her twin’s size. And while she puts on a brave face to the world, Willow knows she’s been hiding her unhappiness for far too long.
So when the past catches up with her, Willow realises it’s finally time for her to face her fears, and – with her sister’s help – finally deal with the secrets of their childhood before it’s too late.

The Other Sister has hidden depths to it, which completely took me by surprise. I could tell the story was leading up to something, and there had to be a reason why Willow and Holly, identical twins, seemed to be so different, but I just wasn't expecting what was revealed. 

Willow on the whole doesn't tend to like people, she likes her sister and her best friend, but generally doesn't want to spend her days with anyone else. She lives alone, and has a job in a talent agency and has an ex husband plus ex-stepdaughter. 

Over the course of just a few days Willow ends up sharing her house with a famous actress that is a client of the agency, needing a bolthole to lay low, and her ex-step daughter is suddenly back in her life too. What is seemingly the trigger of this is one day when Willow was heading back to the office, she accidently took a wrong turn, and found a shop that had the most magnificent pair of shoes in stock. 

Whether you believe it or not, these shoes, plus some of the other things in this shop appear to have magical qualities, or at the very least life altering consequences, and from that moment Willow is suddenly more open to people than she has been for years, more attractive to men than she has been for a long time, and generally is liking her own reflection a lot more. 

I loved the scenes involving Willow, India the actress and Chloe (the stepdaughter), and there are some great moments between the three of them. The trip to Hamleys brought a huge smile to my face as well as reminders of my own childhood. 

As I have said there is far more to this story than I want to say, mainly as its far more fun to discover everything for yourself. What I will say is from the start I was interested in Willow's story, and as more threads and characters were introduced, I felt more and more involved and just wanted to help Willow change to become a more rounded person. 

I've read quite a few of Rowan Coleman's books now, and I really enjoyed this one, it may not become a new favourite, but its still a lovely piece of writing, with warm hearted humour, as well as some far more serious subject matter too. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ebury Press for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly. 

Thank you to everyone that voted for The Other Sister this week. You managed to pick the one review book that was in the selection, which is rather helpful, as it fell into my backlog of review books, especially as it was released while I was deep into Christmas reading season! I'm very glad that I've finally read it and look forward to seeing what paperback I will be reading courtesy of this weeks vote. 

Book Review - A Home For Broken Hearts by Rowan Coleman - Back Catalogue Books

Back Catalogue Books is my new regular Saturday feature, focusing on books that are not the latest releases. There is going to be a mix of Q&As and also reviews, depending on what I have the space for. 

If you are an author wanting to take part in Back Catalogue Books then please do email on gilbster at gmail dot com and I'll whizz the questions over to you. 

I hope everyone enjoys this weekly look back at some of the slightly older books that are about but still great, and that I eventually make a dent in my TBRs as a result of it! 

So today I have a review of A Home For Broken Hearts that was originally released under a different title, and has been re-branded in the last year. 

Amazon UK

Title: A Home For Broken Hearts

Author: Rowan Coleman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Ebury

Publication Date: 28th August 2014

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Is there a cure for a broken heart?

Once upon a time, Ellen Woods had her 'happily ever after' moment when she married her beloved Nick. But fifteen years later her husband's tragic death leaves her alone with their soon-to-become-a-teenager son and a mountain of debt. 

On the verge of losing the family home Ellen decides to rent out some rooms, and all too soon a whole host of characters enter her ordered but fragile existence – each with their own messy life in tow. But will this be enough to pull her out of her grief so she can learn to live – and love – again?

Rowan Coleman manages to get the right mix between heavy emotions, some big issues, romance, comedy and all round fabulous writing in A Home For Broken Hearts. 

Ellen had the "perfect" marriage, when her husband Nick suddenly dies. A year later, Ellen is still coming to terms with everything. She then discovers the financial mess he left her in, and its suggested that she should take in some lodgers, so that the house can pay for itself. 

With the lodgers in place the house feels more alive yet Ellen is still struggling to cope. However everyone is trying their hardest to help. 

From time to time the focus shifts to Matt, who is working for a lads mag, and moves into Ellen's as its near the job. He initially provides fantastic comic relief with his cheesy pick up lines, and typical man about town ways, but slowly his true depths emerge and I found myself liking him more and more. 

Charlie, Ellen's nearly 12 year old son, is written brilliantly, he is the best mix between scared young boy, boy trying to become a teenager, and also concerned about his mum young man. Some of the statements he comes out with regarding sex are a mix of perceptive and innocence, and I just wanted to hug him. He is though a rather smart child  and when the hormones aren't raging was very perceptive and great to read about. 

And then there is Hannah, Ellen's sister who since Nick's death has been in their lives a lot more, but Ellen isn't really too keen, as they don't usually see eye to eye. 

As I have mentioned there are some big themes being explored in the book, that although they include key characteristics for a few characters and really do shape them, they don't overwhelm the story. They are though tackled head on, and sensitively handled. 

I really enjoyed reading A Home For Broken Hearts and at times found it almost impossible to put down. The story is immersive and I really wanted the best for all the characters. I am still wondering what happened to them after the book ends, which can only be the sign of a well written cast. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ebury for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.  

Book Review - We Are All Made of Stars by Rowan Coleman

Amazon UK

Title: We Are All Made of Stars

Author: Rowan Coleman

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Ebury Press

Publication Date: 21st May 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

Do not miss me, because I will always be with you…I am the air, the moon, the stars. For we are all made of stars, my beloved... Wherever you look, I will be there.

Stella Carey exists in a world of night. Married to a soldier who has returned from Afghanistan injured in body and mind, she leaves the house every evening as Vincent locks himself away, along with the secrets he brought home from the war.

During her nursing shifts, Stella writes letters for her patients to their loved ones - some full of humour, love and practical advice, others steeped in regret or pain – and promises to post these messages after their deaths.

Until one night Stella writes the letter that could give her patient one last chance at redemption, if she delivers it in time…

There are two main characters in We Are All Made of Stars, and everything that occurs in the story relates to one of their stories, whether you realise it at the time or not. We Are All Made of Stars is a very cleverly crafted story, that is a pleasure to read. 

Stella Carey, works in a hospice, offering love and care to all those patients there, whether in the hospice for a short of long time. She is a compassionate nurse and it is obvious she takes good care of anyone that comes across her path. She only works night shifts, as since her husband, Vincent, returned from Afghanistan, their relationship has changed. 

Stella, has got a reputation in the hospice for writing final letters, for those too frail to write themselves any more, and to post them to correct people after the writer's passing. The contents of the letters varies a great degree, but they are wonderful to read, and definitely add to the story, and fell of the book. 

When I first discovered what Stella does for a job, and that it would be the main setting for the book, I was worried that it would be a weepy, sad and traumatic story with no light points. I couldn't have been more wrong. I found the book to be written with such compassion and care, and Stella's letters are simply superb. I was in tears at the feelings in some of the letters (that tend to occur at the end of chapters), and laughing at others, which obviously must reflect the various states of mind a person can be in, as they approach their final days. 

The other main lead that we hear a lot about is Hope. Hope is a 21 year old Cystic Fibrosis sufferer. She is only present in the hospice, as she recovers from a bad infection (or as Hope would say, 'she stared at death, and beat it up). At the beginning she is surly, not interested in the world around her, and has a really bad attitude. As the story progresses you see many more sides to her personality, and I loved the story between her and Ben.

At the start of each chapter you get a header telling you who the chapter is focusing on, which is helpful, as it allows you to see a lot more into the lives of many other people, and lets you feel closer to all of them. At the end of the majority of chapters, you get to see one of the letters. All of them will make you stop and think for a minute, and I found myself wondering who I would write such a letter to and what it would contain.

I don't believe that We Are All Made of Stars is the best book that Rowan Coleman has written, but she has written some absolute crackers and it is still an incredibly good story. It is definitely worth all 5 of the stars I am giving it. 

We Are All Made of Stars is a life-affirming, courageous story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.  

Thank you to Ebury Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book. This is my honest review. 

We Are All Made of Stars is out tomorrow, in hardback and ebook, and in paperback later in the year. 

Book Review - The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman

Amazon UK

Title: The Memory Book

Author: Rowan Coleman

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Ebury Press (Fiction)

Publication Date: 30 Jan 2014

Rating: 5 Stars

When time is running out, every moment is precious…

When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold onto the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?

Let me just say what a fantastic book The Memory Book is. It deals with a subject that doesn't seem to occur in women's fiction that often, Alzheimers, with a certain degree of dignity, respect and sensitivity.

The story is told from various view points, mainly Claire, her 20 year old daughter Caitlin, and Claire's mother Ruth. You also get to learn of important sections of Claire's earlier life, by the things written by her and her family members in the red Memory Book.

Claire is determined not to let the disease take away everything from her, and at times you can see exactly how she must have been before she became ill, and the rest you get the point of view of someone who is utterly frustrated by what the disease is making her become.

I absolutely loved Esther's role in all of this. As a 3 year old, she was too young to really now what was going on with her mummy at least initially, and in a lot of ways Claire and Esther could really identify with each other. And there is some lovely role reversal as the book progresses.

I felt so sorry for Greg, Claire's husband. They have only known each other 3 years, and as one of the newest parts of Claire's memory, he was one of the first people to fade from it.

The Memory Book is a remarkable story, and there was a lump in my throat almost the entire time I was reading it. Rowan Coleman is an exceptionally talented lady, and it was a pleasure to have read this book.