Review: `Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.' - Aristotle
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2014
British author Jo Iles after university moved from a successful world of recruitment consultancy in England to live in Hong Kong where she now enjoys a life with her fiancé where she has opened a new door writing romance novels. Her debut work, JESSIE SLAYMAKER'S NON-EXISTENT LOVE LIFE was successful and now she presents a new romance novel, LOVE REDESIGNED.Not only is Jo Iles accessible, the owner of a face that welcomes warmth, she also has a finely tuned sense of timing in relating her chosen story. Her book may fall comfortably into that enviable category (for readers) of chick lit, but careful reading of her latest novel proves that is just as much an exploration of the current state of relationships - both single and married - as it is a fine story. She also adds to her credibility by agreeing to cover art that explains the content of her book well - a fine artistic explanation of the story inside.Holly Madison has been living with her five-year-old son Harry Percival since the birth of Harry: her estranged husband and Harry's father Daniel Madison has been absent from their lives - until a ring of the doorbell reveals the surprise return of Daniel who we learn has arranged prior to the doorbell ring to take Harry to school. Holly's response is initially negative: she parted from Daniel because Daniel didn't wish to be a father. But time and intervening episodes have changed (both Holly and Daniel have matured) and much due to the fact that little Harry is thrilled to have his daddy back, the atmosphere melts from ice to feeling of longing  - an the part of both Holly and Daniel. A reconciliation, once thought impossible on the part of both of them, raises its head.LOVE REDESIGNED makes a fine read and at only 165 pages it provides a solid summer afternoon's read. Iles knows how to endear her audience with her tender dialogue between a mother and her beloved five-year-old son as well as anyone writing today. It is that kind of sensitivity that marks her as a new writer to watch. She knows well how to touch the heart as well as how to satisfy lovers of romance novels. Grady Harp June 14