Ever After - Amanda Prowse

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner and Swimming to Lundy, comes a hopeful and inspiring story about the possibilities that await when you dare to start again.

If you’re given another chance at love, shouldn’t you take it?

Enya’s life has become small. Her husband’s death has left her bereft, and though she’s only in her early fifties, she’s happiest looking after her son, Aiden, his childhood sweetheart, Holly, and her beloved cat, Pickle.

So the spark she feels for the stranger who bumps into her car in the airport car park is a complete shock. But Enya can’t stop thinking about him.

Then, when Aiden makes a life-changing decision, Enya suddenly finds her close-knit community thrown into chaos. Her best friend, Jenny, isn’t speaking to her, Aiden’s future hangs in the balance, Holly is devastated, and the stranger from the car park is suddenly in her life.

Torn between family, love and loyalty, Enya faces a dilemma: stay safely where she is, or take a leap into the unknown? Because maybe her happily-ever-after could have one more chapter yet…

 

What did I think?

Amanda Prowse writes with so much heart that her books always move me to tears...every single time!  Ever After is no exception and I have to say I was reaching for the tissues when I read the dedication!  I finished the book with a little tear in my eye...oh ok I'll admit it, it was a veritable torrent of tears but I absolutely loved it.

Family and friendship is at the heart of the book and even though Enya is grieving the loss of her husband she is surrounded my friends and family who love her, until her son Aiden makes a decision that makes everyone pick a side.  My heart went out to Enya when people seemed to be taking out their anger and disappointment on her.  Enya had nothing to do with Aiden's decision, but she is the nearest one available to blame.

With her life in disarray, Enya has a little bit of enjoyment left in the form of an unexpected flirtation with the man who crashed into her car.  Of course, he's not being completely honest with her and there are more complications that may prove insurmountable.

There is so much warmth and heart in the book that made me really start to care about the characters and it was lovely to see them evolve and grow as each page was turned.  I didn't realise how much I cared about them until near the end when my emotions threatened to spill over (and ultimately did end up spilling over).  It's just a lovely yet realistic story and it makes a refreshing change to have a main character in her fifties.

Heartwarming, emotional and uplifting, Ever After is a fabulous book that really pulled at my heartstrings as I lived the ups and downs of life with Enya and her family.  Amanda Prowse is such a wonderful writer and Ever After is a wonderful book.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback to take part in the Tandem Collective readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp - Krystal Evans

When Krystal Evans was 14, the house that she shared with her mother and little sister burned down. Narrowly escaping by breaking a window and jumping out head-first Krystal suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and the unimaginable tragedy of losing her sister. That Evans has written such a warm and disarmingly funny memoir about what led the family to that fatal night, and how they coped with its aftermath, is nothing less than astonishing.

This is a spellbinding story of growing up poor in America, living with a mentally ill mother, and having a wolf for a pet (really). From the indignities of being rejected from a summer camp for burn victims, to putting up with a succession of her mom's increasingly shady friends and partners, Krystal and Katie's childhoods were marked by adult chaos, inappropriate behaviour, and never knowing what the next day would bring.

But, writing with joy, skill and candour, we witness Krystal growing as a person from the ashes of disaster into the confident, funny, and (reasonably) well-hinged adult, mother and comedian that she is today.

At the same time, funny, tragic and inspiring, it is the story of a family dangerously close to the edge, and of a girl struggling to make her way into adulthood, once the smoke clears.

 

What did I think?

Krystal Evans is a stand-up comedian so it's comforting to know that it all turns out ok in the end for her as her memoir is completely heart wrenching.  I wanted to reach into the book and give young Krystal a big hug as her family suffered such a devastating tragedy.

When I was reading this true story, I really wished it had been fiction as it broke my heart when Krystal lost her little sister Katie in the fire that destroyed their home.  It must have been very cathartic for Krystal to write this book and I was in tears at the end as her story really got to me.  It will be heartening for Krystal to know that Katie's memory will live on in the hearts of every reader who picks up this book.

It's often difficult to read Krystal's story but she makes it as lighthearted as she possibly can with a sprinkling of humour here and there.  It's not a funny story by any means but it is written in such an entertaining way that it is very easy to read.

Heartbreaking and inspirational, The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp is an emotional and powerful true story that will stay with me long after I turned the final page. 

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Isaac and the Egg - Bobby Palmer

When Isaac Addy walks into the woods on the worst day of his life and finds something extraordinary there, he already knows he's going to take it home.

A grieving Isaac and his curious new friend are unlikely companions. They don't even speak the same language. But their chance encounter will transform Isaac's life in ways he cannot yet imagine.

And maybe he will finally be able to tell the truth.

Sometimes, to get out of the woods, you have to go into them. Isaac and the Egg is one of the most hopeful, honest and wildly imaginative novels you will ever read.

 

What did I think?

I had seen a lot of excitement on social media about #ThatEggBook so I couldn't wait to read it; now I can see why everyone is talking about it as I absolutely loved it.  It really is an emotional rollercoaster; it's proper laugh out loud funny one minute and sob into your hanky heartbreaking the next.

Isaac is emotionally lost and my heart went out to him almost immediately - I wished I could have reached into the book and hugged him, but then he found Egg.  Egg!!!  I adored Egg - I don't think I have ever laughed so much when reading a book.  Egg's naivety and innocence completely stole my heart and I love how Bobby Palmer's vivid writing brings both Egg and Isaac to life.

This is very much a light and dark novel: there's Egg's hilarity that provides light entertainment and cracked me up (I had to get an egg pun in somewhere) and Isaac's devastating story that broke my heart.  It's so perfectly balanced and beautifully written that I had to triple check that this was Bobby Palmer's debut novel.

Original, unmissable and unforgettable, Isaac and the Egg will steal your heart and never return it.  It will make you laugh and cry but also make you want to read it all over again.  It's off to the favourites shelf for Isaac and the Egg.  If I compiled a books of the year list, Isaac and the Egg would definitely be on it.  Very highly recommended - don't miss it!

I chose to read an ARC that I received for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

UK.Bookshop.org

Amazon

About the author:

Bobby Palmer is a freelance journalist who writes for publications including Time Out, GQ, Men's Health and Cosmopolitan. Isaac and the Egg is his debut novel.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @thebobpalmer

Instagram: @thebobpalmer

Website: www.bobbypalmer.co.uk

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BLOG TOUR: His Guilty Secret - Hélene Fermont

Secrets & Lies Are Dangerous 

When Jacques's body is discovered in a hotel room his wife, Patricia, suspects he has been hiding something from her. 

Why was he found naked and who is the woman that visited his grave on the day of the funeral? Significantly, who is the unnamed beneficiary Jacques left a large sum of money to in his will and what is the reason her best friend, also Jacques's sister, Coco, refuses to tell her what he confided to her? 

Struggling to find out the truth, Patricia visits Malmö where her twin sister Jasmine lives and is married to her ex boyfriend. But the sisters relationship is toxic and when a family member dies shortly after, an old secret is revealed that shines a light on an event that took place on their tenth birthday. 

As one revelation after another is revealed, Patricia is yet to discover her husband's biggest secret and what ultimately cost him his life. 

His Guilty Secret is an unafraid examination of the tangled bonds between siblings, the lengths we go to in protecting our wrongdoings, and the enduring psychological effects this has on the innocent...and the not so innocent. 

What did I think?

I discovered Hélene Fermont when I read and enjoyed her debut: Because of You, so I didn't hesitate to pick up His Guilty Secret.  Somehow I have missed her second novel, We Never Said Goodbye, but I aim to rectify that in due course.

Jacques has it all: a loving, trusting wife, a good job as a pilot, a sister who can keep his secrets and a mistress who doesn't want to break up his marriage.  No wonder this double life causes him so much stress that he has a heart attack whilst in a hotel with his mistress, Isabelle.  His wife, Patricia, knows that Jacques likes to 'unwind after his flight' by staying overnight in a hotel but Patricia has no idea that he's not alone.  Oooh I could have shaken her - what normal man doesn't want to rush home to his family?  A man who's a cheating, liar that's who!

So in the aftermath of Jacques death, it becomes clear to Patricia that Jacques wasn't as faithful as she thought.  He loved her, of that there is no doubt, but he also loved Isabelle and, although he claimed to love both women and couldn't leave either one of them, he annoyed me as he was selfishly having his cake and eating it.  Patricia starts to dig into Jacques' secret life and I felt so sorry for her when she realised that her sister-in-law and close friend, Coco, knew all along about Jacques' relationship with Isabelle.  This is where Patricia really showed what she is made of, as she could have easily folded under the weight of grief and deception.  She picks herself up and gets on with her life, determined to unearth every last secret that Jacques had buried.  His deception hurt her so much that nothing else can hurt her now.

There's something so crisp, clean and refreshing about Hélene Fermont's writing that it is very aptly referred to as having a scandi-feel.  We hear a lot about the Danish concepts of 'hygge' and 'lykke' and I feel that His Guilty Secret completely embraces the ethos of the Scandinavians.  There is no woman scorned, crying for days and feeling sorry for herself in this book, it's more a 'keep calm and carry on' and make the most of what you have left.  So very thought-provoking and eloquent, I think Hélene Fermont could almost have a genre all to herself.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Hélene Fermont writes character-driven psychological crime fiction with a Scandi Noir flavour. Known for her explosive, pacy narrative and storylines, she has published three novels – Because of You, We Never Said Goodbye and His Guilty Secret – and two short story collections – The Love of Her Life and Who’s Sorry Now? Her fourth novel is due for release in the summer of 2019. After 20 years in London, Hélene recently returned to her native Sweden where she finds the unspoiled scenery and tranquillity a therapeutic boost for creativity. Enjoying a successful career as a Psychologist, when she’s not working her ‘day job’, Hélene spends her time writing, with friends and family, or playing with her beloved cat, Teddy. All three novels can be purchased via her website helenefermont.com/books/

Social media links:

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When All is Said - Anne Griffin

'I'm here to remember - all that I have been and all that I will never be again.'

At the bar of a grand hotel in a small Irish town sits 84-year-old Maurice Hannigan. He's alone, as usual -though tonight is anything but. Pull up a stool and charge your glass, because Maurice is finally ready to tell his story.

Over the course of this evening, he will raise five toasts to the five people who have meant the most to him. Through these stories - of unspoken joy and regret, a secret tragedy kept hidden, a fierce love that never found its voice - the life of one man will be powerfully and poignantly laid bare.

Heart-breaking and heart-warming all at once, the voice of Maurice Hannigan will stay with you long after all is said.

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, what an absolutely breathtaking book; I could honestly have read several hundred more pages of Maurice's story that is so flawlessly written by Anne Griffin.  I simply couldn't put it down, despite knowing that I was hurtling towards an inevitably heartbreaking ending.

I initially thought of Maurice as a bit of a grumpy old man; he's a bit like a conker - rather prickly on the outside but with a smooth and polished heart.  As Maurice shares his story, by raising a glass to 5 people he has loved throughout his life, we get to know him inside and out.  I was actually very surprised to find, as the tears rolled down my face, that Maurice had burrowed his way into my heart, and not just because we share tastes where drinks are concerned.  So it was with both tears of sadness and joy that I turned the final page and paused to catch my breath, raising my own virtual glass to Maurice.

I am absolutely stunned that When All is Said is Anne Griffin's debut novel.  The writing is so vivid and multi-dimensional that I felt as if I was sitting at the bar listening to Maurice's story.  As a fan of Irish alcoholic beverages, I do admit to being intrigued to see what drink Maurice would choose next and I was tickled pink that he chose to have a drop of my favourite Irish Whiskey, Bushmills.  This is a story I will never forget and every time I have a drop of Guinness or Bushmills I will raise a toast to my old pal Maurice Hannigan.

Anne Griffin is a natural storyteller and I have no doubt that her beautiful and breathtaking debut, When All is Said, is destined to be a worldwide bestseller.  I heartily recommend this novel and even if you don't read it with a pint of Guinness or a drop of Bushmills you will still feel as if you're sitting at the bar with Maurice.  Sláinte!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Anniversary - Hilary Boyd

Is the one you tried to forget the one you can't live without?

Stella once thought that if she never saw Jack again, it would be too soon.

But life has other plans for her and her stubborn, handsome ex-husband.

Looking after their daughter in a time of need, Stella finds herself unwillingly reunited with the man she shared the best years of her life with - followed by the worst.

Where tragedy once tore them apart, now Stella and Jack are being drawn back together. But each of them has a new partner and a new life.

Should they fight temptation?

Should the past remain the past?

Or are some loves simply meant to be?

What did I think?

I can't even begin to describe the level of emotion in this book, it's almost as if it's woven into the very fabric of the pages.  Although it is ultimately a love story, there are so many trials and tribulations to contend with which cause heartache and pain for the beautiful characters in the book.

I loved the character of Stella; she seems so strong and brave but underneath she is quite fragile and insecure.  You can't help but warm to her after what she has gone through in her life; a life that she thought would see her and Jack grow old together as they watched their family grow up.  Alas, fate had a different path in store for Stella and Jack which saw them splintering off in different directions, that is until their pregnant daughter needs their support and they realise that the love that they once shared has never fully left them...but now they're with other people, is it too late?

Oh my word, The Anniversary is such a heartbreaking love story, encompassing tragedy and hope but filled with nail-biting family drama.  It really broke my heart that Stella and Jack lost so many years of their life together but I completely understood that what happened to them would break up the strongest couple.  I loved how Eve's pregnancy brought them back together with the shared love they have for their daughter.  It felt like there was a low simmering pot on the stove as Stella and Jack's fractured relationship gradually began to repair and I was willing them to kiss before the pan bubbled over!

The Anniversary is a beautiful tragic love story, written with such intense emotion that I can't imagine any reader failing to be moved by this compelling story.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Great Unexpected - Dan Mooney

“If you’re going to end it, you better make it big. No slipping off bridges, it’s undignified for men of our vintage. Go big or don’t bother.”

Joel lives in a nursing home and he’s not one bit happy about it. He doesn’t like being told when to eat, when to sleep, when to take his pills. In fact, he doesn’t like living at all, and he’s decided he’s going to end his life on his terms.

When he tells retired soap-actor Frank about his dark plan, Frank urges him to go out with a bang. Together, they embark on a mission to find the perfect suicide, and along the way, discover the strength of friendship when you really feel alone.

What did I think?

Well this book was an unexpected surprise; it really is unexpected by name and unexpected by nature as I laughed, smiled and cried my way through this beautiful story of growing old disgracefully.

Joel isn't exactly everyone's favourite Grandad; he's miserable, argumentative and disruptive and just wants to die to put an end to his misery.  Joel is imprisoned in a nursing home and he's clearly still grieving for his wife Lucey, whose bed is now occupied by another resident.  The only positive for Joel is that his roommate, Mr Miller, is unconscious so Joel is left in peace to wallow in his misery...until the day that Mr Miller checks out and a new roommate moves in.  

Frank De Selby or Frank Adams, depending on which persona he adopts, is like Joel's personal antidepressant and we know Joel doesn't like taking his pills.  Frank is so virile, flamboyant and outgoing that it isn't long before Joel is swept along on an adventure that he will never forget.  Frank is a very clever chap as rather than talk Joel out of his suicide mission, he vows to help him come up with the perfect suicide.  I think he knew fine well from the start that he would show Joel that life is worth living after all.  I was in kinks of laughter as the pair hatched an escape plan that enabled them to escape from the nursing home and gallivant around town.  What a night on the town they had...it sounded better than any nights out that I have ever had.

My heart swelled with emotion as I saw Joel's fractured relationships with his daughter and grandchildren gradually being repaired.  Joel had been so caught up in his own grief that he couldn't see that his family were grieving too, but together they could help each other through this difficult time.  It's amazing yet sad to think that if Lucey hadn't died, Joel would never have met Frank and he would never have unearthed the love that his family have for him.  Fate is a cruel mistress sometimes but dying is unfortunately a part of life.

As disgruntledly charming as Ove, The Great Unexpected's Joel Monroe is my new favourite grumpy old man.  I laughed and cried at Joel and Frank's escapades but more than anything, they taught me a very valuable lesson: you only get one shot at life, so you have to make the most of it.

The Great Unexpected is one of those ageless books that appeal to both young and old and I would absolutely love to see this made into a film.  To see Frank and Joel strutting their stuff on the dancefloor would be absolute comedy gold.  I'm definitely going to read this book again and I can see it becoming one of my go-to books when I'm in need of a pick-me-up.  I am completely astounded at how uplifted I felt by this book; evoking such surprising emotions, it really is perfectly named as The Great Unexpected.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Find out more at Legend Press

Buy it from Amazon



About the author:

Dan Mooney is a writer, air traffic controller and amateur filmmaker, with one of his short films broadcast on national TV. Dan is also a fan of amateur dramatics, rugby and is a friend to many cats. He wrote his first piece of fiction for a child-operated local newspaper at age ten and has been writing ever since.

He is the author of Me, Myself and Them (June 2017) and The Great Unexpected (2018).

Follow Dan on Twitter @danielmoonbags

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BLOG TOUR: The Adulterer's Wife - Leigh Russell

Julie is devastated to learn that her husband, Paul, is having an affair. It seems her life can’t get any worse - until she comes home to find his dead body in their bed. 

When the police establish he was murdered, Julie is the obvious suspect. 

To protect her son from the terrible situation, Julie sends the teenage boy to his grandparents in Edinburgh while she fights to prove her innocence. 

With all the evidence pointing to her, the only way she can escape conviction is by discovering the true identity of her husband’s killer. 

But who really did murder Paul? 

The truth is never straightforward…

What did I think?

I haven't read any of Leigh Russell's acclaimed crime novels but I'll definitely be adding them to my wishlist after reading The Adulterer's Wife.  Although I had my suspicions early on about what had happened, and I'll not say if I was right or not, I still really enjoyed the book and found myself being thrown off the scent a little bit by the clever way that Leigh Russell had drawn her characters.

Paul makes the fatal mistake of leaving his mobile at home one day when it pings with a message and his wife, Julie, feels the bottom of her world fall out.  As Julie scrolls through the other messages, the evidence is overwhelming: Paul is having an affair.  Julie thought he was playing squash on a Tuesday when he was actually playing away with a woman named Bella.  When Paul rushes back home to retrieve his phone, Julie hides it and says she hasn't seen it.  Rather therapeutically I have to say, Julie takes the SIM card out and smashes the phone with a hammer.  Then she stupidly destroys the SIM card - nooooooooooooo, I yelled, you need to keep the evidence!  She hadn't even checked his photos.

So phone and marriage destroyed, Julie pretends that everything is ok for the sake of her son, Dan, who is taking his exams.  Once Dan's exams are over, Julie plans to kick Paul out.  On a night out with her friends, alcohol loosens Julie's tongue and she tells her friends about Paul's affair.  Julie is in quite a state when she gets home and when she wakes up the next day she finds Paul dead in the bed beside her.  Julie doesn't even shed a single tear; they have been married for 19 years, surely she should feel something!  It made me wonder whether Julie was so emotionless because she had killed Paul in a drunken stupor - the police certainly think so.  Julie protests her innocence but as the evidence mounts up against her, she turns to several people for help but it's clear that not all can be trusted.

It's odd that I enjoyed the book but I didn't like Julie at all.  I really couldn't cope with her lack of emotions when her husband died and perhaps can see why he ended up having an affair.  I loved the feeling of Julie running out of time like sand through an hourglass as she tried to escape the clutches of the police.  Once they got their hands on her she'd be going to jail as there was enough evidence to link her to Paul's death.  The book really made me think about trust and how we take it for granted that we can trust those closest to us but so many people are multi-faceted and you never know which face is the real one.

All in all, I think The Adulterer's Wife is a fast-paced, compulsive domestic noir style thriller.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon




About the author:

Leigh Russell, author of the internationally bestselling Geraldine Steel crime series, has sold well over a million books worldwide.

Her novels have been translated into Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Turkish. Reaching #1 on Kindle, her books have been selected as Best Fiction Book of the Year by the Miami Examiner, voted Best Crime Fiction Book of the Year in Crime Time, a Top Read on Eurocrime and shortlisted for the John Creasey New Blood CWA Dagger Award, long listed for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award, and a finalist for the People’s Book Prize. 

Leigh studied at the University of Kent, gaining a Masters degree in English. She serves on the board of the Crime Writers Association, chairs the Debut Dagger Judges, and is a Royal Literary Fellow

Links:

www.leighrussell.co.uk

www.facebook.com/leigh.russell.50

Twitter: @LeighRussell



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BLOG TOUR: The Cliff House - Amanda Jennings

Some friendships are made to be broken

Cornwall, summer of 1986.

The Davenports, with their fast cars and glamorous clothes, living the dream in a breathtaking house overlooking the sea.

If only… thinks sixteen-year-old Tamsyn, her binoculars trained on the perfect family in their perfect home.

If only her life was as perfect as theirs.

If only Edie Davenport would be her friend.

If only she lived at The Cliff House…

Amanda Jennings weaves a haunting tale of obsession, loss and longing, set against the brooding North Cornish coastline, destined to stay with readers long after the final page is turned.

What did I think?

Amanda Jennings is a new author for me, although I did buy a copy of In Her Wake quite some time ago; it's sitting in my bookcase winking at me right now and I'm silently promising to read it soon.  I suppose I am in quite a good position to review The Cliff House as I cannot compare it to Amanda Jennings' previous works, but I'm struggling to start my review as I feel slightly breathless and completely bereft since turning the final page and the only word that comes to mind is 'WOW'.  So here's my 'words fail me' review.

Set in 1986 with teenage main characters, this is a haunting tale of obsession and hidden envy that slowly creeps under your skin, inch by inch like the tide coming in.  Tamsyn can only dream of living in The Cliff House until she meets Edie Davenport one day and is invited into their perfect world.  Only it's not as perfect as it appears through Tamsyn's binoculars and she now has a front row seat as the idyllic lifestyle of the Davenports starts to implode.

Tamsyn is such a brilliant character; grieving from the death of her father, she is haunted by a raven that promises more death and destruction to follow.  Tamsyn is written in such a way that she quickly swings from innocence to menace as the raven's prophesies play out in her mind.  I loved these quick snapshots of darkness; they appeared out of nowhere and for a moment I felt myself straying into this dark alternate reality but then being snapped back almost in the blink of an eye.

Reading The Cliff House is like diving into a warm and inviting pool: smooth, immersive and all-encompassing to the point where I had to keep reminding myself to come up for air.  It feels like an innocent story of a forgotten summer at first, but suddenly it has the feel of menace and danger but, by then, I was powerless to resist as I too had fallen in love with The Cliff House.

Amanda Jennings, what a disturbing and hauntingly beautiful tale you weave; The Cliff House is simply breathtaking with outstanding, evocative prose and vividly painted scenery that I can still close my eyes and bring to mind long after turning the final page.  Completely stunning and highly recommended.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon


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Only Child - Rhiannon Navin

Heartstopping. Heartbreaking. Heartwarming.

Addictive and emotional, but also full of hope, Rhiannon Navin's Only Child is the most heartfelt book you'll read this year.

When the unthinkable happens, six-year-old Zach is at school. Huddled in a cloakroom with his classmates and teacher, he is too young to understand that life will never be the same again.

Afterwards, the once close-knit community is left reeling. Zach's dad retreats. His mum sets out to seek revenge. Zach, scared, lost and confused, disappears into his super-secret hideout to try to make sense of things. Nothing feels right – until he listens to his heart . . .

But can he achieve the impossible and remind the grown-ups how to love again?

Narrated by Zach, Only Child is full of heart; a real rollercoaster of a read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

What did I think?

Oh my word, Only Child completely captured my heart; I felt as if my heart had been ripped out of my chest, given CPR and put back in again leaving scars that will remind me of this beautiful book for the rest of my life.

Written from the perspective of a six year old boy who experiences the devastating event itself and the heart-breaking aftermath of a primary school shooting, Zach is a voice that I will never forget.  I felt my heart squeeze as Zach talked about the sky crying and I almost felt as if I had to be strong for him, as I struggled to hold back the tears that kept threatening to fall.  I don't want to write anything about the story as it could spoil it for others but I will say that Only Child is a book that is very hard to put down and impossible to forget.

I was reminded of the stages of grief as I read about Zach's story and saw how the adults around him were behaving.  From the shock of the initial event to the anger as the parents look for someone to blame and the final acceptance as life goes on.  I compared grief for an adult against grief for a child and although we think children are resilient and quick to bounce back, I think it was good to show Zach's denial and anger coming through.  It's also a stark reminder that little ears hear a lot more than we realise.

I was so completely invested in Zach's story that I felt every single emotion with the characters in the book.  I felt that Zach had a lot to teach us about acceptance and forgiveness but also that it's ok to be upset and angry.  Zach's unique voice, so honest through his innocence, is written completely flawlessly making this a very special book indeed.

Only Child is an absolutely stunning book and I am completely astounded that this is Rhiannon Navin's debut novel.  It's exceptional, outstanding, extraordinary, astounding...in fact it's all of the adjectives I can possibly think of and more!  Only Child is definitely one of my top picks of 2018; even the coldest heart won't fail to be moved by this perfect novel of loss, hope and everything in between.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from Amazon