Thoughts

Ruth Jones is an author that I follow closely, obviously being a massive fan of Gavin & Stacey but also loving her work in other things like Stella. Her previous books have been hit and miss for me, generally well-written but the plots aren't always for me. This one I picked up in the library, so the stakes were low and my expectations somewhere in the middle.

It was incredibly easy to read. Several quotes used to market the book say you can devour it in one sitting, and I think that's probably true. I did it in a couple, it was the kind of story that washes over you like a comfort blanket.

Following two timelines, our main protagonist Linda looks into the history of a complete stranger, and the man in question turns his life upside down for love. Linda is a great lead, the kind of warm and approachable character you want to know.

But actually, it turned out the secondary timeline was the more absorbing one. Levi's story of love, of uprooting his life to create a family, the decision he made to lie to his daughter - trying to protect her and ultimately losing her - all against the backdrop of the beautiful Scottish islands. Each chapter added another thread to the tapestry and it was lovely to settle in and watch it grow.

The book does contain moments of heartbreak and grief, it's not 100% cosy comfort reading. But the balance is right and nothing is gratuitous, you're just understanding what makes these characters tick. I felt like this book sits in the same camp as Dawn French novels - warm, family-driven stories, with an undercurrent of real drama, although perhaps not quite as dark as some of French's work.

Overall I enjoyed the story and the conclusion, but I can only give this 4 out of 5. One half of the timelines worked far better than the other, and I ended up wanting to spend more time there than in the 'now'.

Rating: 4 / 5