Review: Heartwarming, emotional and whimsical
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 27, 2014
This book left me feeling a little bit sad and a little bit lost at the end of it.  Not because it was bad.  But because it was so enjoyable that I wasn’t ready for it to be over.  I loved the characters and hated saying farewell to them.First Life of The Life We Left:“Sarah, I’m not coming home tonight.”My thoughts on The Life We Left:I had high expectations of this book as I loved Carmel’s last book – Beyond Grace’s Rainbow – and along with those high hopes, I also had some fear.  What if it just wasn’t as good.  I swallowed the fears, jumped straight in a few days after the release day and by the end of chapter one those fears were firmly laid to rest.  I loved it.The Life We Left has so much to offer.  You have characters that are relatable and that you just want to be friends with, an Irish setting which I adore as it makes it all feel real to me, a storyline that is relevant and uplifting.  As I was reading, I laughed and cried and frowned and believed.Do you know what I mean when I say I believed?  I mean that I was swept away into the world that I was reading about.  I wasn’t just reading about Sarah, I was Sarah.  I was so into the book that I tuned out everything around me and was swept along in all that was happening in Sarah’s life.  I felt the love for her children, her heartbreak over her missing husband, her fury when she realised what was happening and her peacefulness when her friend Edward was nearby.It’s also not just a contemporary book as there is a whimsical element to it.  Her friend Edward is her guardian angel and I was a little afraid this would make the book twee.  But it didn’t at all.  It feels inspiring and hopeful and it added an extra special magical flavour to the book that I really enjoyed.  And speaking of flavours, there is so many descriptions of mouth watering cupcakes in the books that I’m still craving one.  Oh and there is a romance that is a little mouth watering too!Overall this is a book that has a lot to offer.  I loved how it portrayed modern day relationships, family life and friendships.  It gave me a happy glow just to read it and I know I’ll be revisiting it in the future.If you are looking for an escapist read;  grab this book, a packet of tissues, a glass of wine and some cupcakes.  Switch off, relax and enjoy!Who should read The Life We Left by Carmel Harrington?I’d highly recommend this to those who enjoy contemporary women’s fiction that feature lovable characters, strong friendships, family life and a side order of whimsy!  If you like Cecilia Ahearn, Patricia Scanlan or Cathy Kelly; then this one is a must read for you.