Book Review - The Things I Know by Amanda Prowse - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Amazon UK

Title: The Things I Know

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook 

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 11th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Thomasina ‘Hitch’ Waycott loves living and working on the remote family farm and B&B. But she also wants more. To see the world. To own her own home. To fall madly in love.

But those are fairy tales, and if her life is a fairy tale, then she’s the ugly duckling. Her deformed lip, her crooked limbs and her weak heart have kept her from taking chances. But that’s about to change.

When Grayson Potts comes to stay, he’s unlike anyone Thomasina has ever met. He’s aloof, eccentric and exceptionally kind. He’s also totally unconcerned with the physical flaws that have always defined Thomasina.

The two form a bond that neither has had before. It’s possible that it could become something more, but Thomasina also wonders if it’s too good to be true. By putting her heart on the line, Thomasina may open herself to heartbreak. But she may also open herself to so much more.

Once again Amanda Prowse has written a book that has reached inside my heart and got me thinking about things in a different way. 

Seeing Thomasina's story first hand, her thoughts, her dreams, and how people treat her was eye opening, but it wasn't until the introduction of Grayson, who also has his own unique challenges,  that the book really came alive for me. 

Watching as these two characters grow in confidence, as their connection deepens,  seeing how they deal with their tricky family circumstances, as inspirational. 

For anyone going through any of the same things as Thomasina or Grayson, I'm sure this is a book that would provide comfort that you are not alone. 

I was completely absorbed into this story and their lives, and am astounded once again by just how warm, compassionate, and deep Amanada Prowse's range of writing is.   

I'm so glad I held onto this to read on holiday, as it meant I was able to read this uninterrupted over the course of an afternoon poolside.   Which really is the best way to read an Amanda Prowse story! 

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

Book Review - The Girl in the Corner by Amanda Prowse - #HolidayReading Mexico

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: The Girl in the Corner

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing 

Publication Date: 11th December 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling.

Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years. But in the break from real life, Rae realises her choices have always been made for her, and suddenly she’s questioning not only her fragile marriage but also her one-sided friendships. Is she really the pushover everyone else sees?

When Howard comes looking for reconciliation, Rae has a choice to make: keep the peace, as she always has, or put herself first for once and find out who she really is.

Completely gripping from the first few pages.  I could easily identify with Rae-Valentine and could see some of her life mirrored in my own.

This is story about being the person you want to be, to try to live the life you want, and not for those more pushy relations. 

Rae-Valentine is a quiet sort of girl, bit of a wall flower, eager to please, lacking in confidence. Her parents appear to favour her older sister, her best friend is rather bolshy and the complete opposite and her husband is her best friends brother. 

She has married into a whole different life to what she has grown up with and when one day she hears her husband confess to a brief affair, her life is sent off kilter.

This is a book of self discovery, the majority of which is on a holiday to Antigua. 

There are some hilarious moments in this, as well as some that brought me almost to tears, 

Like the majority of the books I have read by Amanda Prowse, it was an addictive read, hard to put down, and is definitely  a book worth clearing time in your schedule to read in one sitting. 

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

Book Review - The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link

Amazon UK

.Title: The Coordinates of Loss

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 25th September 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family’s boat in Bermuda, it’s to sunshine and yet another perfect day…until she goes to wake her seven-year-old son, Oscar. Because the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn’t there.

In the dark and desperate days that follow, Rachel struggles to navigate her grief. And while her husband, James, wants them to face the tragedy together, Rachel feels that the life they once shared is over. Convinced that their happy marriage is now a sham, and unable to remain in the place where she lost her son, she goes home to Bristol alone.

Only when she starts receiving letters from Cee-Cee, her housekeeper in Bermuda, does light begin to return to Rachel’s soul. She and James both want to learn to live again—but is it too late for them to find a way through together?

All consuming, utterly gripping story about a couple coming to terms with the sudden loss of their child, while at sea on day, in Bermuda. 

I could barely put the book down as the writing is so good, and it just drew me in and wouldn't let me know. 

However unlike other books by this author, I just didn't quite connect properly with the subject and the characters and I can only think that is because we didn't really get to see Oscar alive and connect to him before the tragedy, so its harder to feel his loss for yourself.  

We do get to know Oscar a bit through reminisces but given the book is all about his death and those coping with it, I was surprised that I didn't feel anything towards him, especially given I normally love child characters in books. 

What I loved were the letters that Cee-Cee, their housekeeper was writing to Rachel, to help her with her grief and through them we learn about Cee-Cee's own life and her heartbreak.  

I started to warm to Rachel once the complete despair stage was a bit lesser and watching her slowly come to terms with her new life and situation is rather inspiring. I am sure that if you are going through a similar situation and were in a position to read this, then it would give you some comfort, and hope.  Equally those that have unfortunately lived through what Rachel and James do, may connect to this book a lot more than I did. 

That being said I was unable to tear myself away, I had to read it in a few hours, in long stints, and wasn't really aware of what was going on around me.  I didn't find it emotional, but it was interesting and the topic is dealt with, with Amanda Prowse's typical levels of details warmth and sensitivity. 

This ia a great book and if you are new to the author it will certainly give you a fabulous idea of what she is capable of. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Anna by Amanda Prowse

Amazon UK

Title: Anna

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Publication Date: 8th March 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

There are two sides to every love story. This is Anna's.

Anna Cole grew up poor, but her mother's love made her feel rich every day. Then her mother died, and Anna was sent to a care home. As a teenager, Anna vowed that one day, she would have children of her own, and create the happy, noisy family life she always craved.

Then, one day, Anna meets Theo Montgomery in a lift. Theo has kind eyes, but a sad past. His family were rich, but his childhood was full of neglect. Theo can't imagine bringing a child into this cruel world, but he does want a soulmate. Someone to love him unconditionally; someone with whom he can share his family's wealth.

Theo and Anna are two damaged souls, from two different worlds. Is their love for each other enough to let go of the pain of their pasts? Or will Anna and Theo break each others' hearts?

I'm really in two minds about this book but I have been since this and Theo were announced. I can't fully explain it but two books showing the both sides of a love story should be ideal for me, but even having finished Anna, and having "met" Theo, I'm just not sure I want to read the next book.

I think part of it is although I liked Anna, and absolutely was hooked reading her childhood and the tougher parts of her life, I just didn't like who she became with the love of her life.   

Don't get me wrong while I was able t concentrate on the book, I felt the same pull I usually get when reading a book by this author, utter amazement at great the writing is, being drawn into the story and really believing in the characters that they are real people.  

Although I had mixed feelings towards Anna and Theo, the supporting cast were fabulous, I don't really want to name them as to give them context may give away parts of the story that are best discovered for yourself, but there are memorable characters from each section of Anna's past.  

The first half of the story brings us Anna's life from age 6 all the way up current day, and we visit each age for a period of time, so get a feel for Anna at various stages of her early life.  She had one tough childhood which I wouldn't wish on anyone, and the one thing she is craving the whole time is her own family.  

I absolutely love the intermittent letters to Fifi and Fox, and also Anna's alphabet game, both of which give a good indication as to elements of her personality. 

There were a few occasions during the book, including once while I was on public transport when I was on the verge of tears while reading this. At points it definitely gave me the feels, while at others I was wondering why I wasn't feeling the need to read this in one sitting. 

No doubt though that this is very good book, from an extremely talented author, I just think I may not have been in the right mind set for this particular story when I read it.  

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily, 

Thank you to everyone that vote for Anna this week, really appreciate being made to read this, as I may have left it for longer before getting to it, as I have been tending to stay away from emotional reads recently.  So what will you have me read this week?

Book Review - The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse

Amazon UK

Title: The Art of Hiding

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 22nd August 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

What would you do if you learned that the life you lived was a lie?

Nina McCarrick lives the perfect life, until her husband, Finn, is killed in a car accident and everything Nina thought she could rely on unravels.

Alone, bereft and faced with a mountain of debt, Nina quickly loses her life of luxury and she begins to question whether she ever really knew the man she married. Forced to move out of her family home, Nina returns to the rundown Southampton council estate—and the sister—she thought she had left far behind.

But Nina can’t let herself be overwhelmed—her boys need her. To save them, and herself, she will have to do what her husband discouraged for so long: pursue a career of her own. Torn between the life she thought she knew and the reality she now faces, Nina finally must learn what it means to take control of her life.

The second I saw this book was available for download I knew I had to have it, so pressed the buttons without even reading the blurb. About a month later I was finally ready to read it, had cleared my schedule to allow time to be drawn into hopefully one of Amanda Prowse's immersive stories and started it. 

Within a chapter I thought I'd just look at the blurb just to see what sort of book I had let myself in for this time, what huge topic was going to be tackled as is often the case by the author and I will freely admit my first impression of the blurb and the initial part of the story was that I have read many books on this sort of them. 

So then I was wondering, ok I have faith in the author and I am interested in whats happening so lets see how it proceeds. Well yes to be honest I've read the husband dies leaving a huge financial mess behind story before and how the rich family pick themselves up from it...

...but before long I realised exactly why I was reading this one, and its due to the depth of emotions that the author is able to display, the real nitty gritty of the situation, the horrifying realism and thoughts that any finding themselves in Nina McCarricks' position would be feeling. all has such a ring of truth about them. 

Yet within this there were also the small moments that make a person smile, a throwaway comment from Declan who is ten, and a thoughtful gesture from Connor who is 15, that give a bit of light relief, and offer a momentary release from the tension of their lives. 

For Nina and her family have to learn how to adjust and for Nina this is hard as she didn't really do much in her old life, and now suddenly has to be everything to her children and try to earn money too. Her job search is something many people will be familiar with. It strikes me just what an isolated life Nina had and it was interesting to see how she would deal with many unfamiliar circumstances. 

I read The Art of Hiding in about 4 straight hours with only brief breaks from it. At times I found tears were near the surface especially in the early part of the book, which for me shows how emotionally involved I was with this family from a relatively early stage.  This book took me on a journey that I am entirely glad I took, it really does highlight the differences in lifestyle between the rich and poorer, as well as how in extreme circumstances you can deal with situations so far out of your own comfort zone. 

Although not my favourite book by this author, it is still a very accomplished story that was gripping to read and easily up to her normal standards. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Idea of You by Amanda Prowse

Amazon UK

Title:  The Idea of You

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 21st March 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

With her fortieth birthday approaching, Lucy Carpenter dares to hope that she finally has it all: a wonderful new husband, Jonah, a successful career and the chance of a precious baby of her own. Life couldn’t be more perfect.

But the reality of becoming parents proves much harder than Lucy and Jonah imagined. Jonah’s love and support is unquestioning, but as Lucy struggles with work and her own failing dreams, the strain on their marriage increases. Suddenly it feels like Lucy is close to losing everything…

Heart-wrenching and poignant, this latest work by bestselling author Amanda Prowse asks the question: what does it mean to be a mother in today’s hectic world? And what if it’s asking too much to want it all?

Having just finished this this wonderful book, I have a lump in my throat and tears are just pricking at my eyelids. It is another masterpiece from the incredibly talented Amanda Prowse, and this time the theme of the book is parenthood and family. 

The writing is beautiful and draws you into the story right from the start. It was the perfect way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon, utterly absorbed in Lucy Carpenter's story with new husband Jonah and step daughter Camille. 

There are some incredibly emotional topics surrounding parenthood, including the desperate need to have a baby, and what happens when things go slightly wrong. There were certainly some surprises along the way in the book which just added to the unputdownability for me. 

Interspersed with the chapters which are all from Lucy's point of view, there are little letters are so filled with emotion, but you aren't fully sure initially just who they are to. I loved finding out the reasoning behind them, while really feeling for the writer of the letters. 

I was hooked on Lucy's journey in The Idea of You, feeling very closely both her ups and her downs. There are some light hearted moments in the book, to balance out all of the emotion. There are also blazing rows as tempers are high. It really is a roller coaster of feelings for all characters in this book. 

The topics discussed in this book are ones that the majority of people will be able to easily identify with, or know people that have gone through the same things. However  it was just hard for me to fully feel for the characters never having had children myself, but even with that drawback, I was still engrossed in the book, and enjoyed it thoroughly. 

I may have said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again but I am so glad that I discovered Amanda Prowse as an author a few years ago. Since then I have read a multitude of amazing books by her, and although this may not be my favourite, it is no less brilliant. I would eagerly recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a book with a lot of heart, that is well written and that will have you thinking afterwards. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Food of Love by Amanda Prowse - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: The Food of Love

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Publicist supplied review copy

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: 1st December 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

A loving mother. A perfect family. A shock wave that could shatter everything.

Freya Braithwaite knows she is lucky. Nineteen years of marriage to a man who still warms her soul and two beautiful teenage daughters to show for it: confident Charlotte and thoughtful Lexi. Her home is filled with love and laughter.

But when Lexi’s struggles with weight take control of her life, everything Freya once took for granted falls apart, leaving the whole family with a sense of helplessness that can only be confronted with understanding, unity and, above all, love.

In this compelling and heart-wrenching new work by bestselling author Amanda Prowse, one ordinary family tackles unexpected difficulties and discovers that love can find its way through life’s darkest moments.

Whenever I have a new book by Amanda Prowse, the first thing I do is clear at the very least an afternoon, when I know I shouldn't have interruptions, so that I can sit and absorb what I hope will be her latest work of brilliance. The Food of Love is no exception, and has rocketed into my top reads of the year. I have sat and been absorbed into this story, the attention to detail, the way it is written, and feel that my life is certainly richer for having read this amazing book. 

The Food of Love is potentially a life changing book for some people, I feel as though if you are suffering from, or know someone suffering from an eating disorder then there is a lot of merit in reading this brave and courageous book, which is all about how such illnesses affect all family members.

It is a work of fiction, but I honestly believe it has been so well researched, and written so poignantly that it is a real eye opener. This is all about 15 year old Lexi's struggle with food and all the related issues with it, and it takes over the entire family. 

Her parents when it is first mentioned that she could have a problem both have very differing view points, both of which are completely understandable, but I couldn't help but want to scream at Freya, Lexi's mother to cotton on to things earlier. I can only imagine though, thankfully, what it would be like to be confronted with these sorts of problems and in truth Freya's reaction are all too natural and I can see a lot of people would probably think like she would. 

I don't think I have ever read before a book that has dealt with this topic, for pretty much the whole book, and because it was written in the third person, I felt as though we could see just how far reaching the impact of one person's struggle with food is.  Lexi's behaviours are all what you would expect and in some respects this is quite a harrowing tale. 

It is though also a very real and warm hearted story of a family's love for each other wanting to over power a mental illness. It is incredibly clear just how much Freya, Lockie and eldest daughter, Charlotte all love each other and Lexi, and throughout the book there are reminisces of happier times. 

Although we don't really get to know young Lexi properly, through the flashback, we get a feel for the sort of girl she used to be, and just how her personality has changed too. 

 I am being deliberately vague as I don't want to give too much away, but this book took me on an emotional roller-coaster, while making me far more aware about the details of this disease. There are some moments of light hearted relief, just to make some of the book feel a bit more bearable, but on the whole it is serious, while clearly having been written with a lot of love, which I could feel through the words. 

The Food of Love is book I would urge you to consider reading, as is Amanda Prowse an author I would urge you to try as I don't think I have read a bad book by her yet.  Like with Another Love at the start of this year, The Food of Love is another book that I feel will stick with me long into the next year and beyond. 

Thank you so much to Simeon Prowse for sorting me out a copy of this book. This was my honest review. 

Please do follow along with the rest of the blog tour for this simply remarkable book. 

About Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse is a bestselling novelist with an incredible 136K followers on Twitter. This is her sixteenth novel and her books have been translated into a dozen languages and regularly top bestseller charts all over the world. Amanda has been dubbed ‘The Queen of Domestic Drama’ and writes about ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined.

Through writing The Food of Love, Amanda has come face to face with her own feelings of shame, secrecy and obsession with food. Overweight as a child and a yo-yo dieter as an adult, Amanda has struggled with body image and overeating all her life.

She now recognizes that the habits of her once anorexic mother had a profound effect on her growing up. By writing about eating disorders in The Food of Love, Amanda has faced her own food demons and has made incredible steps to correcting her unhealthy relationship with food. Since she started writing the book, Amanda has lost one and a half stone and aims to reach her target, healthy weight by 1st December, the publication date of The Food of Love.

 Connect with Amanda on Twitter at @MrsAmandaProwse  and on Facebook/amandaprowse

Book Review - My Husband's Wife by Amanda Prowse

Amazon UK

Title: My Husband's Wife

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Publication Date: 14th July 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

Once a week, Rosie Tipcott counts her blessings.

She goes to sit on her favourite bench on the north Devon cliffs, and thanks her lucky stars for her wonderful husband, her mischievous young daughters, and her neat little house by the sea. She vows to dedicate every waking hour to making her family happy.

But then her husband unexpectedly leaves her for another woman and takes the children. Now she must ask the question: what is left in her life? Can Rosie find the strength to rebuild herself? More importantly, does she even want to?

I'm sitting here in disbelief at how one author can make a reader experience a whole gamut of emotions, in just one cleverly crafted novel. I've gone from laughter, to anger, to disbelief at some of the decisions made, to almost being in tears due to my depth of feelings for the family at the centre of the book, back to laughter. I have gone full circle, as has this book, which deals with the aftermath of one man walking out on his family. 

I had purposely waiting until I knew I had a day without distraction in order to read  My Husband's Wife, purely as I know from experience just how gripping Amanda Prowse's books can be. She is a natural born storyteller, just telling the story of a reasonably ordinary family, but in such a way that you feel as though you know them. So their highs are your highs, and their lows are your lows. 

At no point did the story go where I may have expected it to, which made it even more of a pleasure to read. I like things not to be utterly predictable.  There is a lot of depth in this book, dealing with growing up without a mother, depression, adultery and what really is best for your children. 

I was so absorbed in the writing, that I devoured this book on a day off in a manner of hours. If you take nothing else from this review, take this - make sure you can read the book, or as much of it as possible in one sitting. Free up some time and you won't be disappointed. 

My Husband's Wife is yet another superb book from Amanda Prowse, and yet again its an honour to have been able to read it. 

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

Book Review - Another Love by Amanda Prowse

Amazon UK

Title:  Another Love

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Publication Date: 16th January 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

In the early years, she was happy.

Romilly had worked hard for her stunning, modern house in one of Bristol's most fashionable suburbs. She adored her gorgeous, gap-toothed daughter and her kind and handsome husband. Sure, life was sometimes exhausting - but nothing that a large glass of wine at the end of the day couldn't fix.

But then, as deep-buried insecurities surfaced, everything started to unravel. A glass of wine became a bottle; one bottle became two. Once, Romilly's family were everything to her. Now, after years of hiding the drinking, she must finally admit that she has found another love...

When I was offered the opportunity to read an advance copy of Another Love, having looked at its description, I knew I would be a fool to turn it down. In the past year that I have discovered Amanda Prowse's brilliance, I have been continually impressed by her writing, her empathy while dealing with serious subjects, and the treatment that Romilly and Celeste's story has been given in Another Love is no different. 

Another Love is told in alternating chapters, from Celeste's point of view and Romilly. With Romilly we are treated to her life from when she meets husband, all the way through her love affair with alcohol. And from Celeste, its her looking back on how it was to grow up with Romilly as a mother, and just what it can be like living with someone who has an additional love. 

We see snapshots of Romilly's childhood, and how she felt at key points growing up, that formed the base of her adult psyche, and could explain some of her reasons for liking to drink perhaps a bit more than necessary at times. 

The whole story is told in a very compassionate way, and I really did feel sorry for Celeste, and also found myself caring deeply for Romilly and wishing that she had the inner strength to react to situations differently. 

This book does not glamourise alcoholism, and I have to assume took a lot of research to write about so clearly, as with some scenes, it feels as though there is a great level of insight being exhibited by Amanda Prowse, and this comes through clearly. 

Another Love is one woman's struggle with her love of a tipple, or two, or three, and how it affects everyone around her, from her immediate family, friends, and anyone who tries to help her. Some of the book would have been quite funny, if it wasn't for the deep rooted problems that Romilly has. 

I hesitate to  say that I enjoyed reading this, as I don't normally take pleasure from others suffering, however I did find this was a gripping story that I kept going back to as I didn't want to leave it alone for very long at all. 

It is a magnificent piece of writing from Amanda Prowse, and amazingly this is only her first release of  what I believe to be is a very busy year for the author. If this is the start, I can't wait to see what else is released. 

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Head of Zeus and Simeon Prowse for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Cover Reveal - Amanda Prowse reveals two brand new covers

This morning on Rachel's Random Reads I am delighted to be able to reveal for you, brand new covers for two of Amanda Prowse's books.

First up is the brand new cover for Perfect Daughter

Amazon UK

I love the new design of this cover, but as I said, I have not one... but two covers to reveal, so here it is,,,,

Amazon UK

Another Love by Amanda Prowse

will be published on

16th January 2016 in hardcover and ebook

The new gritty, emotional bestseller from Amanda Prowse.

In the early years of their love affair, Romilly was happy. She had worked hard for her stunning, modern house in one of Bristol's most fashionable suburbs. She adored her gorgeous, gap-toothed daughter and her handsome, kind husband. Sure, life was sometimes exhausting - but nothing that a large glass of wine at the end of the day couldn't fix.

And then a new neighbour arrived and everything unravelled. A glass of wine became a bottle; one bottle became two. Romilly's family were once everything to her. Now, after years of hiding the drinking, she must finally admit that she has found another love...

Another Love sounds and looks fabulous, and I can assure you I will have a review up in late January for the book. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy to start reading it. 

So what do you think of the new covers? Are you looking forward to Another Love? What did you think of Perfect Daughter?  Let us know, we would love to hear from you.

Book Review - The Christmas Cafe by Amanda Prowse

Amazon UK

Title: The Christmas Cafe

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Publication Date: 22nd October 2015

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Bea does not believe in second chances.

A widow at fifty-three, Bea knows she must accept that she will be alone forever. She buries her grief in hard work, and soon the deli she runs in Surry Hills has a reputation for the best carrot cake in Sydney.

But then an email from a cafe-owner in Edinburgh leads her to take a trip to Scotland in the depths of winter. There, transported by the twinkling lights and falling snow of a traditional Christmas, Bea is drawn back to a secret past - and a secret love - that she has long ago tried to forget...

The Christmas Cafe is a beautiful love story, of lost true love. I found it got off to a slightly slow start, possibly due to Bea's husband dieing, and the initial grief, but once it moved on a bit, I was entranced by the story, and just wanted to read more and more. 

One year later, Bea runs a cafe in Surry Hills, Sydney and puts all of herself into her work, after her husband Peter dies. Out of the blue she gets an approach from The Christmas Cafe in Edinburgh, suggesting she become part of a group of cafe owners all over the world, to share business tips. 

She starts emailing the owner of the The Christmas Cafe back and forth, and develops a e-pen friend.  At the same time, her son Wyatt, is having trouble with his daughter Flora. Flora is 13 and is a slightly troubled teen, who has fallen in with not the best crowd at school. Flora is determined to stay with Bea. 

On a whim, Bea and Flora decide to go to Edinburgh for the two weeks before Christmas, her Wyatt and his wife are off to Bali anyway. It is the full introduction of Flora into the story, and then the initial reactions of them in Edinburgh, Scotland that really made me fall a bit in love with this book. 

The descriptions of an Australian teenager experiencing a cold Scottish winter for the first time, complete with snow, and seeing it through her eyes was magical. 

There was another story going on throughout the book, which started off as a slow burner, Bea's memories, every now and then flaring up, and then as they get to Scotland, this becomes the main storyline and its a heart warmer. 

As always Amanda Prowse has written an enchanting story, that you never want to put down and that leaves you feeling quite emotional.  This is not a Christmas book in the sense, that its going to be a light hearted, jolly look at the time of year, as it has a lot more depth to it. That being said there are some very funny scenes, and it is not heavy going either. 

The Christmas Cafe has just the right amount of substance to it, to make it an enjoyable holiday read. 

Book Review - What Have I Done? by Amanda Prowse - Paperback Summer

Amazon UK

Title: What Have I Done?

Author: Amanda Prowse

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Competition Win

Publisher: Head of Zeus

Publication Date: 1st July 2013

Rating: 5 Stars

Could you destroy your family to save your children?

Kathyrn Brooker seems the very picture of a fulfilled wife and mother. Anyone who peered through the downstairs window at the four figures sitting around her kitchen table would see a happy family without a care in the world. They would envy Kathyrn her perfect life.

But they would be wrong. Kathryn is trapped in a nightmare. And she is about to do something to change it. Something only a truly desperate woman would do...

Kathyrn Brooker did a truly despicable thing, something that was shocking, and doesn't show any remorse for her actions. But yet as the story evolves going back and forth over a ten year period, you can see how she was driven to her actions and even if you don't agree with her, you can understand her predicament. 

Noone can really tells what goes on in a marriage. You can put on a happy front for everyone, but yet have a spine chilling, truly fearful relationship in private. And what happens when you can no longer maintain that pretence, and have finally had enough. 

What Kathryn had to put up with during her marriage was truly awful, and I was filled with a hatred myself for her husband.  It is a topic that is dealt with in Amanda Prowse's usual sensitive manner, shocking with the truth of the situation, but equally filling you with compassion towards Kathryn. 

I found What Have You Done to be enthralling and utterly gripping. I was hooked from the first few paragraphs, and the only reasons I put the book down for short periods of time, was to get my head around what I was reading, and to absorb it fully. 

This book shows how you can attempt to rebuild your life, and how you can take a second chance if you are offered one. In the more recent years, her friendships become vital, and the work she is trying to achieve is awe-inspiring. 

Kathryn is a truly remarkable lady, and one that displays huge amount of courage in her life. I am saddened by how her children treat her throughout the book, although after the incident, I can understand them a bit more. 

Each chapter is just titled by how many years ago the chapter is set in, which gives you a good idea of the passing of time, and just where you are going to next in the story. I didn't find it confusing at all, and was glad of the reminder. 

What Have I Done? is a brilliant story that is full of the deep and rich complexities of human life.