Member Review
Review by
Annette C, Librarian
I believe this is a reissue of a book written quite a few years ago- no mobile phones - and it does have a dated feel to it. That said I found it an enjoyable read , a superior romance and obviously a precursor to this author’s later success with The Nightingale and The Women, both books with strong female characters.
In this novel, Annie, the central character manages to find a strength that had always been within her.
When Annie’s 17 year daughter old flies off for a Summer in London and her husband of 20 years tells her there’s another woman and he’s leaving her, Annie is devastated.
She eventually decides to fly back to Mystic, where she grew up and where her widowed father lives. Hank brought up Annie alone after her mother died and welcomes her back, hoping that she will eventually reunite with Blake.
Annie is not so sure although she hopes he might relent and call her.
However, when she meets Nick a recently widowed school friend with a 6 year old daughter, her life starts to change and she realises she has never done anything for herself due to her caring responsibilities.
As she helps Nick with Izzy she begins to come alive again but then something happens that draws her back to her old life.
This is a book about father daughter relationships, about the expectations and experiences of women in society, how many women accept their lives, not daring to follow their dreams once life gets in the way.
Nick and Blake both have difficulties with forming relationships with their children but they react in different ways. Nick strives to improve, with Annie’s help whereas Blake ultimately accepts he won’t change. Hank is different- he gives Annie advice from an old fashioned point of view but finally realises he might have been wrong.
This is not “ just” a romance , it is much deeper than that which makes it a great novel to read- it certainly leaves the reader with much to think about.
I liked the ending as it left a lot to the reader’s imagination- I even felt that a sequel might be a possibility but who knows?.
A recommendation for those who like romance books that contain interesting and deeper themes as well as strong female leads.
Thanks to NetGalley af the publishers for my advance copy.
In this novel, Annie, the central character manages to find a strength that had always been within her.
When Annie’s 17 year daughter old flies off for a Summer in London and her husband of 20 years tells her there’s another woman and he’s leaving her, Annie is devastated.
She eventually decides to fly back to Mystic, where she grew up and where her widowed father lives. Hank brought up Annie alone after her mother died and welcomes her back, hoping that she will eventually reunite with Blake.
Annie is not so sure although she hopes he might relent and call her.
However, when she meets Nick a recently widowed school friend with a 6 year old daughter, her life starts to change and she realises she has never done anything for herself due to her caring responsibilities.
As she helps Nick with Izzy she begins to come alive again but then something happens that draws her back to her old life.
This is a book about father daughter relationships, about the expectations and experiences of women in society, how many women accept their lives, not daring to follow their dreams once life gets in the way.
Nick and Blake both have difficulties with forming relationships with their children but they react in different ways. Nick strives to improve, with Annie’s help whereas Blake ultimately accepts he won’t change. Hank is different- he gives Annie advice from an old fashioned point of view but finally realises he might have been wrong.
This is not “ just” a romance , it is much deeper than that which makes it a great novel to read- it certainly leaves the reader with much to think about.
I liked the ending as it left a lot to the reader’s imagination- I even felt that a sequel might be a possibility but who knows?.
A recommendation for those who like romance books that contain interesting and deeper themes as well as strong female leads.
Thanks to NetGalley af the publishers for my advance copy.
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