Book Review: Watermelon by Marian Keyes

Synopsis:
On the day she gives birth to her first child, Claire Walsh's husband James tells her he's been having an affair and now's the right time to leave her.

Right for who exactly? Exhausted, tearful and a tiny bit furious, Claire can't think of what to do. So she follows the instincts of all self-respecting adults in tricky situations.

. . . And runs home to Mum and Dad.

But while her parents are sympathetic, Claire's younger sisters are less so. Helen wants to share the new toy (she means baby Kate). While Anna is too busy having out-of her-head experiences.

So when James slips back into her life, desperate to put things right, Claire doesn't know whether to take a chance on a past she feared she'd lost forever or face an uncertain future of her own.

But is she as on her own as she really believes?

My Review:

I admit I have only read a couple of books by Marian Keyes, one of which is the fourth book from the Walsh family series (Anybody out there) After seeing Marian at a book signing, the Walsh family were spoken of a lot and I felt like I had missed out on some fantastic stories. So I got straight down to my local library (libraries by the way are the best places!) decided it was about time I started back at the beginning and read Marian’s debut novel, which is the first book in the Walsh family.

I love that the first chapter takes you straight into the story, Claire minutes after giving birth is content and full of happiness, a loving relationship with a great husband, perfect home, good job and her first baby a beautiful daughter. Can it get any better than this… Of course not, it’s all downhill from now on. As her husband James suddenly announces in the hospital that he no longer loves her and that his been having an affair! I can now confirm James is the worst!

Poor Claire… with her marriage in tatters, a newborn baby and a body that she doesn’t recognize as her own she catches the next flight back home to Dublin to her dysfunctional family. Here we are first introduced to the Walsh family! What a family they are!

I read some reviews before starting where people have remarked on Marian’s ramblings throughout the book but I really liked this, I liked reading Claire’s inner thoughts and musings and getting an insight into each character of the family and stories from their childhood. It always helps me to set the scene and picture it! But I know that’s not everyone’s cup of tea!

Back in Dublin, Claire takes refuge to her bed to recoup only to fend for her baby daughter, here we witness Claire at her lowest, going through what you can only describe as mourning, and the stages from sadness to anger.

Thankfully Claire pulls through and takes back control of her life, no longer feeling worthless and knowing she and her daughter deserve better than James.

Here she meets Adam, a friend of her sister Helen; Adam is younger, shy and very very cute! Adam takes an interest in Claire and they hit it off from their first meet. After bumping into each other away from her family you could clearly see an interest for them both. I felt that the attention from Adam was exactly what Claire needed to give her the confidence and the boost to feel like her again.

I guess I should speak about James at some point…! We hate him by the way, what a horrible man… I won’t spoil for you with what happens between Claire and James, as you know from the synopsis James does return to Claire most probably realizing that the grass isn’t always greener. Few scenes when he returned made me angry which shows how well Marian writes her characters, James was written very cleverly the way he could change Claire’s confidence in herself. Anyway enough about James!

I liked the ending of this story, it wasn’t exactly how I imagined it planning out, the story is a little predictable so the end part did throw me but that’s what’s great about Marian Keyes, she always does like to keep you on your toes.

Despite the sad storyline and the situation Claire was in, the story was full of humour and comical moments which I really enjoyed. I cannot wait to get started on reading the rest of the books from the Walsh family.

Buy the Book!

Books Review: Mums Just Wanna Have Fun by Lucie Wheeler

Synopsis:

Meet Nancy...

Single mum Nancy will do anything for her little boy. Jack's autism makes life difficult at times, but she's determined to ensure he lives the best life possible. So, when her best friend Harriet suggests a holiday to Ibiza, Nancy is torn: will Jack cope with the change in routine...will she?

And Harriett...

Workaholic mum Harriet convinces Nancy it's the break they all need. A chance to have some fun with the kids, away from the stresses of normal life. And she's determined to switch off her laptop, ignore her inbox, and just have fun with her kids for seven whole days...

Cocktails and kids' club - what could go wrong?

Ibiza is beautiful, but Jack struggles with everything, Harriet refuses to put her laptop away, and Nancy begins to think she's made a huge mistake. And then Nancy meets Cameron and his young son, Aiden and discovers that sometimes the best fun happens when you least expect it...

Can these two single-mum's swap their mummy guilt for sunglasses and sangria?

My Review!

Not only was I excited to take part in Lucie's blog tour with an author interview (see earlier post here) and thanks to the lovely people at Netgalley I was also able to get my hands on an early copy of this fantastic book!

I enjoyed Lucie's first book 'The First Time Mums Club' so I knew I would be in for a treat! It did not disappoint It was such a fun read about two single mums holidaying in Ibiza. 

Harriett and Nancy have been friends since forever and after a disastrous year for them both, Harriett decides they need a break away and manages to convince Nancy that what she needs is sun, sea and cocktails! 

As the synopsis mentions above, Nancy's little boy Jack has autism. I really liked that Lucie has included this into her story, myself not knowing anyone with autism I found it really interesting understanding how Jack coped in certain situations and environments. I really liked the relationship between mother and son and the way Nancy communicates with him by simply putting her hand on his arm and waiting for him to be ready to speak to her, it was really heart warming to read. You could tell that Lucie has done her research or maybe knows someone with autism, it was a real eye opener for myself. 

My favourite character has to be Harriett, successful business woman and mother to two she is superwoman and has it all under control. (so she would have you believe) but through the book we get to see a different side to Harriett that simply made her human and normal with every day struggles of trying to keep that work life balance. Trying to be the best mother by working all the hours to provide for her children which then results in loosing time to spend with them. 

After a bumpy start to the holiday and with some minor dramas throughout it turns out the holiday is just what the ladies needed and they would be returning with a different outlook to life both wanting to make some positive changes and bringing home some new friendships. 

Well done Lucie on another fantastic read, the book does have a serious message running throughout the background of the storyline however you kept it light hearted, fun including lots of jokes and cocktails along the way. I really hope you included cocktail research while writing this book, Nancy and Harriett I am sure made their way through the whole of the cocktail menu and I must admit I noted down a few to try when I am next out! 

Oh and one more person that we must not forget to mention.. CAMERON...! 

Thank you Lucie for bringing Cameron into my life..! What a gentlemen, such a fun, caring but cheeky character who just fitted into the storyline perfectly. 

I am looking forward to what is next and Lucie Wheeler is definitely an author to watch! 

Buy the book! 

Book Review: A Year of Being Single by Fiona Collins

Synopsis:

Three friends. One year. Absolutely no men...

Imogen is supposed to be on the most romantic weekend of her life and instead she's quickly realised that her current boyfriend definitely isn't 'The One' and actually One Big Mistake.

Frankie is fed up. Fed up of her good-for-nothing husband and her four, unappreciative children. Well, they hardly notice her anyway, maybe it's time to shake it up a little....

Grace thought she had the perfect life. Gorgeous little boy and perfect, hardworking husband. Or rather, she did, until she realised her husband was shagging his 'work'.

These single ladies don't need to put a ring on it... right?

My Review!

First off who doesn't like an easy fun read about friendship!? Secondly who doesn't love Beyoncé's 'Single ladies'?! I know I had this song in my mind throughout the whole time I read this book!!

Imogen, Frankie and Grace are best friends who live down the same street. The chapter's are written by each of the ladies point of view, I always enjoy reading these types of books, I feel you get to know the characters so much more. However I am a little slow getting into them just while I remember who is who!

On the same day they all let out silent screams, they have had enough of their current relationships and decide a change is needed.

Their relationships are all very different but they are not happy and had enough of men so they agree to make a pact and stay single for a whole year... Easy right?!

We first meet Imogen who was on a romantic weekend in Paris with her boyfriend (Dave), successful career in her early 40's she is not having much luck in finding the one and Dave is most definitely not it. She decides to take action and finishes the relationship as soon as they return to London. 

Frankie has had enough of her husband and four children, for a break away from Rob and the kids she buy's one night hotel stays to relax and binge watch TV. Frankie feels taken for granted and decides she wants peaceful weekends instead of clearing up after everyone. She asks her husband Rob to leave.

Grace, poor Grace... I really felt sorry for her, she was the only one who was happy in her relationship until she found a text message on her husband's (James) phone from another woman and finds out he has been cheating on her. 

As soon as they made the deal with each other I did think it wouldn't be long until a man showed up.. As they say things always happen to people when they are not looking for it, they also say that the grass is sometimes not any greener!! 

Being an Essex girl myself I really loved this book and reading all the places mentioned throughout, 'Hylands House' and 'Romford Dogs'! It just made it that little bit easier to imagine the street they lived on and the places they visited.

The story follows the lives of the three women however as you can imagine over the months they struggle to stay single and they each end up getting involved with new men they have met. (hot new men to add!) Being best friends they share everything however as none of them wanted to be the one who broke the deal they start to keep secrets from each other and they become distant. I wasn't too keen on how much they were drifting apart in just a few months.

I did wonder at times whether they would stay single for the whole year or whether they would find love. I did agree with the ending it was a perfect way to end for the three friends. Great book by Fiona! Looking forward to reading many more!

Buy the book!