What if a stranger threatened to take away a lifetime of cherished memories?
Lilly-Bob loves her home by the River Thames in the heart of London. Throughout her childhood, it echoed with music and her father’s love, and for seventy years it’s been her sanctuary through a life well lived. These days, the familiar walls and treasured memories keep loneliness at bay.
But for months she’s been ignoring letters from a building developer, and now a compulsory purchase scheme threatens to take her home by force. Seventeen-year-old Lilly-Bob didn’t fear change, but present-day Lilly refuses to let go.
As the pressure builds, Lilly feels increasingly alone. But as her neighbours rally together, she finds herself drawn into the fold―making new friends, finding purpose, and glimpsing the possibility of something new.
Torn between the comfort of the past and the call of progress, Lilly-Bob must decide: is home made of bricks and mortar, or is it a place inside ourselves?
What did I think?
Amanda Prowse books are always a guaranteed five star read for me and The Way Home is no exception. Amanda never fails to make me cry and I thought I had gotten away with it this time as my tears didn't appear until about 80% through. You got me again, Mrs Prowse!
I had never heard of compulsory purchase orders before and it must be very upsetting to be on the receiving end of one. That's what happens to Lilly-Bob when she is being forced to leave the only home she has ever known. All of her memories are in her home and it feels like losing her parents all over again.
With a past and present timeline, there are flashbacks of heartwarming and heartbreaking events from Lilly-Bob's life in between battles with the developer and her blossoming friendships with her neighbours and a mystery man she meets on the banks of the River Thames.
It really made me think about how much we attach memories to places and things when really the memories are inside ourselves all along. I completely understood why Lilly-Bob wanted to hang on to her home, but for some people it can be difficult to return to a place after the loss of a loved one as it reminds us that they're not there anymore. It's also a stark reminder that there are two sides to every story and it was this revelation that made me cry.
Filled with friendship, love and warmth, The Way Home is an incredibly emotional and heartwarming story that lingers long after the final page has been turned. All the stars once again for Amanda Prowse.
I received a gifted digital copy to read and review for the Love Books Tours bookstagram tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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