It’s always nice to be able to support a local author and when her books are as readable as this one it really isn’t a hardship at all. Carole has such an easy and relaxed writing style that her characters always feel like old friends.
When Jodie Jackson finds herself on a ferry to the Isle of Wight she barely recognises herself. She has a hectic job in London working in interior design and a husband of ten years that she can’t bring herself to even talk to. Her brother Bill suggests that that she goes and spends a little time on his newly renovated house boat and it seems like the perfect solution. Except Jodie wants to hide away and wallow in her misery but Bill’s cleaner Marilyn, a radiant vision in Day-Glo lycra has other ideas.
As Jodie starts to relax a little and meets new friends she finds herself wondering if the new version of her is the real Jodie. The freedom and friendship that she finds on the island make her start to wonder if she could have a new less complicated life. Inevitably the London life doesn’t let her go that easily and there are decisions to be made.
Its a fun romantic comedy with a great deal of pathos, dealing with all kinds of issues like grief, IVF, loss of a child, betrayal and mental health but all in a very sensitive and thoughtful fashion. In this year of staycations it makes the Isle of Wight feel like a very attractive prospect!
Supplied by Net Galley and Little Brown Book Group UK in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication date: May 27 2020. 400 pages.
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Categories: 4 Stars Book Review
angelnet69
Prolific reader, enthusiastic theatre and movie-goer and ex-Olivier Awards judge who spent twenty years working in the music industry in London. Sharing my house with a gorgeous cockapoo called Harry who has taken over completely.
I love sharing my favourite books with friends - nearly always spoiler-free as I hate reading a synopsis of the whole book in other reviews.
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