Review: A cosy and light romance, or antiromance.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2014
I was given a free copy of this to review, and in fairness, I think it is more a woman's book.  The story follows Holly, and there is some backstory that is inserted quite nicely. Holly and Daniel were married, Daniel did not want children, Holly was allegedly on the pill, Holly got pregnant, Daniel got angry and Holly walked out. The story starts about six years later, as Holly is getting Harry ready for school. Harry seems to go missing, then he turns up at the front door and announces he has been talking to daddy. Holly shakes her head at this, but yes, he has, and Daniel turns up shortly after. What follows is a sequence of spats and reconciliations. Daniel wants time with Harry, and he wants a divorce to marry Miranda. Then Holly discovers that Daniel/Miranda have made millions based on some intellectual property of hers that Daniel had (or she left when she ran out). In principle, this is all the material for some powerful stuff, but Jo Iles does not go down that path. Everyone is more or less nice and civilized, except at times, Harry.The story is well-written within the parameters noted above, and it shows some of the problems of a woman as a solo parent. The characterization is good at times, but I personally would have preferred a little less civilized behaviour at other times. It is nice and cosy, and not emotionally demanding.