Book Review: 'A Walk in the Park' by Jill Mansell

Blurb:

“It’s eighteen years since Lara Carson vanished into the night, leaving first love Flynn Erskine with lots of questions – and no answers. He’s stunned by her return to Bath and can’t deny the spark between them. But is there something she isn’t telling him?

Lara’s childhood best friend, Evie Beresford, is thrilled to welcome her back – especially as she’s about to walk down the aisle with her dream man, Joel. But life’s never that simple, is it? Things are about to change drastically for everyone involved. And it all starts on the morning of Evie’s wedding…”

My thoughts:

This is the second book I’ve read by Jill and it’s just as great, if not better, than the first. The way she captivates your attention throughout the entirety of the novel is incredible.  It’s the kind of book that you find yourself convincing that you’ll just read one more chapter before bed, and then another… Until eventually you admit you’re struggling to keep your eyes open.

The characters explored in this book are so enchanting, as are the relationships that are pursued throughout. You find yourself willing particular characters to stop being so silly, wishing you could sit them down and shake some sense into them. However, the way it’s written means that you’ll be delighted with the ending. I must admit, I shed a tear or two.

I read this to and from work on the tube and I had to stifle laughter on more than one occasion but, equally, there were moments where I found myself being touched by a book and having to hold it together on the crowed tube journey. I was utterly absorbed into this book.

The relationship between Lara and Evie, as well as Lara and her daughter are relationships that everybody should experience at least once in their laugh. It also provides optimism for people that feel they’ve lost the one person they’ve ever truly loved and connected with – but it does it in a way that proves love is no walk in the park, hence the name.

I can’t wait to get my teeth into another Jill Mansell novel.  

Book Review: 'Breakfast at Darcy's' by Ali McNamara

Blurb:

"When Darcy McCall loses her beloved Aunt Molly, she doesn't expect any sort of inheritance - let alone a small island! Located off the west coast of Ireland, Tara hasn't been lived on for years, but according to Molly's will Darcy must stay there for twelve months in order to fully inherit. It's a big shock. And she's even more shocked to hear she needs to persuade a village full of people to settle there too.

Darcy must leave behind her independent city life and swap stylish heels for muddy wellies. Between sorting everything from the plumbing to the pub, she meets confident, charming Conor and sensible, stubborn Dermot - but who will make her feel really at home?"

My thoughts:

I think most of us have, at some point in our lives, wished that we could escape to an island for a while and just clear our heads (I know I would love to do this right about now); however, when Darcy McCall finds herself inheriting a small island after the death of her Aunt, it seems like the last thing she wants to do. Of course, as with most things, there's a catch - in order to inherit her Aunt's estate, she must live on the island for at least a year, as well as finding a certain number of people to move there with her.

Thinking mostly about the money she'll inherit and all the beauty-orientated things she'll be able to buy with it and helped in part by various signs and the increasing guilt of not seeing her Aunt Molly more frequently, Darcy decides to take the plunge and move to Tara.

It's always wonderful to follow the lives of characters but it's even more rewarding when the character you're following blossoms into a strong, passionate young woman. "Breakfast at Darcy's" follows the life of Darcy, along with those chosen to live on the island with her. It shows her ups and downs but importantly her changing from an almost shallow, 'beauty is everything' woman into a sensitive, caring individual. She watches as those around her fall in love, as everybody seems to do on Tara, and hopes that it will happen to her - but does that come in the form of Conor or Dermot?

This book is incredibly well-written and easy to follow. It touches upon love, friendships, and the importance of being true to yourself. Although elements of the story-line are fairly obvious at times, it still makes for a wonderful read. The main characters are clear and well formed. They almost become like friends of yours.

This is the first book I've ever read by Ali McNamara and it certainly won't be the last!