The Rescue by S L Rosewarne
What a triumph, writing a whole book for adults from the point of view of a dog. Not something quirky like a comedy, but an at times gut-wrenching novel of human love, grief, desire and second chances.
Told from terrier Moll’s point of view, The Rescue is about what happens after Suki’s beloved husband dies and how Moll resolves to help her to build a new life. Everything is seen from Moll’s eye view and for the author to think herself inside a dog’s head to this extent takes not only exceptional observational skills, but also huge talent as a writer.
The Beach Holiday by Isabelle Broom
Although the very first line of this book drew me in, I groaned inwardly when I realised this book had a celebrity protagonist, because it’s a trope I don’t generally get on with. However the setting was son wonderfully drawn I thought I would read on for a while, if only to learn more about creating a sense of place from a writer at the top of their game.
I am so glad I did. After their initial meeting the characters, Honor and Kellan, have real depth and I found them very believable, so I was increasingly drawn into their story. I knew there would be up and downs, ins and outs until they reached their HEA, but this is a romance novel after all. A very good one too, and the perfect book to devour from your sun lounger or on the plane to your perfect holiday destination.
Everything is Beautiful by Eleanor Ray
It took me a little while to sink into this book, to properly get a handle on Amy, but I guess that was the point. And I loved the premise of the book as it revealed itself; that everyone has baggage of one sort of another, but it shouldn’t stop you from living your life.
Amy’s life – and house – are filled with things she considers beautiful, and hark back to her relationship with Tim who disappeared in mysterious circumstances some years before. The structure takes us back in time, object by object, which was appealing, as Amy’s life begins to move slowly forwards.
The book is really well written, but I did wonder if every plot strand was strictly necessary, and some fell into place a little too snugly at the end. But overall I thought it a very good read.
The Invisible Women’s Club by Helen Paris (published 3rd August)
The main character, Janet, was so harshly drawn in the opening chapters I almost put the book down, but I am so very glad I didn’t because I ended up absolutely loving her story.
Janet is in her early seventies, intensely prickly and full of her own importance. But that hides a terrible loneliness, so achingly described; the loneliness of never having a meal cooked for you by another person, of going through whole days, weeks, months, without having a conversation. Her one solace is her allotment, but even there she seems apt at falling out with other gardeners. The point being, that when you are alone so much you are likely to lose your social skills.
But then the allotments are threatened and Janet smells a rat. She decides to consult a former colleague at the other end of the country and by fluke her outgoing neighbour, menopausal midwife Bev, ends up taking her. And then Janet’s adventures really begin.
This book is all heart and all soul, with a huge dollop of feminist militancy and just the right amount of humour. The more I read, the more I adored it and I thoroughly, thoroughly recommend.