This book was entertaining, compelling and emotive. The lead characters, especially Johnny, Meg and Christian as well as the supporting cast, particularly Dana, Lena, Bess and Joseph make up a world that is believable and interesting. They are well developed and the reader often takes side. The first person narrative makes the story more immediate and it is seen though the lead character, Meg’s eyes making us privy to her varied emotions and helping us to side with her. My one criticism of this book is that at the start it seemed to take a long time to get going. Whilst I expect it to take me a couple of chapters to get to know the characters and work out their motivations I felt that establishing Meg’s feelings of guilt and worry about the paternity of her child got in the way of the plot.
Having said that once the plot got going it was brilliant and I found it very difficult to put the book down, often sneaking upstairs to read a few more pages while the kids were busy as I wanted to find out what happened next. The storyline is fast moving, takes in France, LA and Oxford and the pace suits the story and the complications in the characters lives will make you cross, happy and move you all at the same time. I won’t give too much of the plot away as that would ruin it for you, if you read the blurb you know that there is going to be emotional upheaval and difficulties for all involved. The settings are convincing and the first person narrative really helps to involve the reader in the story. The ending is convincing and fitting.
I hadn’t read a Paige Toon book before but on the strength of this one I shall be sure to seek out more.
