Book Review #7

As you know, I’m a bit of an avid reader.  I read a book most nights before bed just to stop my mind from racing around.  This last year I’ve stumbled across an author who I’ve loved – Amanda Prowse.  So I thought I’d share with you a few of my favourite reads from her vast collection.

The Food of Love

This has to be my absolute favourite book – it was the first one I read and it had me hooked straight away.  I think I read it over the course a sunny weekend sat in the garden (remember those times?!)  It tells the story of Freya, a food journalist with a wonderful husband and 2 daughters.  One of the daughters develops anorexia and this tells not only the story from  Freya’s side as a mother but also how it affects the rest of the family dynamics.  Not an easy subject to write about but done with integrity and honesty.

There’s not that many books that make me cry (I think One Day and  Me Before You the only two that spring to mind).

The Idea of You

I read this book during a time that was very significant for a close friend of mine – perhaps not the right book to read!  As Lucy approaches 40 she realises that she wants to start a family.  She is able to get pregnant but for unknown reasons she is unable to hold on to the baby.  Her husbands teenage daughter comes to stay for the summer and Lucy has to fall into a step-mother role which adds to the complications of wanting her own child.  The book shows that family can be anything, if not the ‘normal’ conventional one.

My Husband’s Wife (No Greater Courage)

This tells the story of Rosie, a family Mum who is struggling to keep everything together – 2 rowdy children, a husband that works all the hours and a job for her that pays the bills and yet they never seem to quite have enough money.  She spends a little time for herself every week on the bench that overlooks the Devon beach where they live and remembers everything for which she is grateful for (something we could all take a lesson from sometimes…).  However, various things start to unfold and life that Rosie once knew is no longer the same.  This wasn’t my favourite book and has a bit of ‘twee’ happy-ever-after ending which I saw coming from the start.

The Art of Hiding

This was the last book I read by Amanda.  Nina believes she has it all – children, a loving husband, a huge house, no need to work and no money troubles.  Until Nick is killed in a car crash.  This follows Nina rebuild her life from having it all to having nothing.  It portraits the harsh reality of having no money and not being able to afford the luxuries she was used (private education, latest clothes, fabulous holiday) very well.  It highlights that these possessions are only ‘things’ and that you don’t need them to be healthy and happy.

As our holiday looms, I’ll be downloading some more of Amanda’s books to get me through the 26 hour flight!

What have you been reading recently that you can recommend?!

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6 Comments

  1. Beautylymin
    19/12/2017 / 9:23 am

    The first two books sound right up my street! I think I might read them over the Christmas break! xx

  2. Lady Writes (@LadyWrites_Blog)
    19/12/2017 / 11:07 am

    I’ve never read any of hers but I need to find a good book so I’m going to mooch at these today! x

  3. Nicole
    19/12/2017 / 12:13 pm

    This year i did a terrible job at reading. I really hope to do better in 2018 🙂

    http://www.glitsxgrace.com/2017/12/12/lets-get-2018-ready/

  4. prettifulblog
    19/12/2017 / 1:40 pm

    I haven’t heard of this author before, but I really intend on getting into reading a bit more this coming year!

  5. Erin
    20/12/2017 / 10:21 pm

    I SO wish I had time to read again, its the one thing I miss SO much with college and working, I really miss getting lost in a book!

    Erin || MakeErinOver

  6. Issy Fox
    21/12/2017 / 11:36 am

    Haha she’s one of my Mum’s bestfriends, I love her books she’s such a funny person x

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