Review of Letters to the Lost - Iona Grey

I must admit that when I first heard that this was based during the war I didn't think it would be my cup of tea but after attending the Spring Blogger Evening hosted by Books and the City, I had the pleasure of meeting Iona Grey and listening to her read an extract from the book and I soon changed my mind. I also instantly fell in love with the beautiful cover which depicts a timeless couple embracing.

The story starts in 2011 with a young girl, Jess who has hit rock bottom and is trying to escape from a disastrous relationship. She is so fearful of being found that she takes refuge in an old empty uninhabited house and this is where she finds the letter from an American pilot who is trying to trace his wartime sweetheart. Will is a probate assistant who is responsible for finding out who owns the house after the death of the most recent inhabitant and he becomes intrigued with Jess and the story of the wartime lovers.

Stella and Dan had met during the war and fallen in love but things could not run smoothly as Stella was unhappily married to a clergyman who had dark secrets of his own. Dan never forgot his promise to love Stella for ever but time is running out. Will Jess and Will manage to get to the bottom of Stella and Dan's story with just an old shoebox of letters to go on?

This story is exquisitely written and is almost two books in one, the intricate tales are beautifully interwoven and take the reader through feelings of anguish, heartbreak, guilt, sheer bliss and regret. The contrast between what was acceptable in those days and now is very apparent and the sad part is that their lives would have been so much different if they had lived later on. The relationships between the two separate generations also blossom into great friendships and manage to offer hope to the hopeless.

Jess and Will are both wounded souls but each finds strength for the other and can hopefully learn to trust again.The book raises many unexpected issues such as mental health and abuse and deals with them sensitively in the many twists and turns.

I loved this precious book so much that I just want to clutch it close to my heart and keep it all to myself. A heartbreaking story of true love.

Published by Simon & Schuster 23rd April 2015
Links: UK: Amazon   US: Amazon

Sincerely
Book Angel 

Review of 'The Two of Us' by Andy Jones

After meeting Andy Jones at the Spring Blogger Evening hosted by Books and the City, I was very much looking looking forward to reading his book. Andy read an extract and explained that he wanted it to start where most other books end...at the happy ever after!

Therefore we meet Fisher and Ivy just nineteen days into their relationship, immersed in the throes of passion and the not being able to keep their hands off each other stage. However things change abruptly when they are catapulted into real life.

Fisher impulsively introduces Ivy to his family but she suddenly seems very distant and cool towards him and he doesn't understand why, he also has a major revelation when his family are asking her all kinds of questions in order to get to know her and he realises that he doesn't know the answers and in fact hardly knows anything about her himself.

The relationship soon becomes fraught with complications and misunderstandings which lead to feelings of resentment and suspicion. Their lack of communication with each other causes emotions to escalate and fall dramatically with one minute Fisher feeling like it's over and the next being consumed with love for her.

The friendship with Fisher's childhood friend El has a steadying influence on the couple as it takes the focus away from them for a short time. El has Huntington's disease and his future is very bleak but there is a strong sense of compassion which is shown by the couple and El's lover Phil and this adds another dimension to their personalities.

Has their relationship burned out or can they develop it into something much deeper? This' will they/won't they' journey is an emotional rollercoaster of lust, excitement, happiness and heartbreak

Andy Jones wrote this book purely from Fisher's perspective and that's what makes it unique, I really felt as though I was in Fisher's head and privy to his innermost thoughts and insecurities, I sometimes wanted to shout at him to just be open and ask her what the problem was instead of dissecting everything in his head, Ivy too could be frustrating for not communicating what was bothering her. However this happens in real life and highlights the lack of knowledge and experience they have of each other. Despite the problems that arise there are moments where we can see what a good match Fisher and Ivy are with their shared sense of humour. We also witness Fisher coming to terms with certain situations, realising that the world doesn't just revolve around him any more and showing a maturity and selflessness that is very touching.

This is a cleverly crafted, beautiful story of love, friendships and heartache with moments so poignant that they made me shiver and then reach for the tissues, I finished it in an afternoon but the sentiment will stay with me for a long time.

Available to download now and published in paperback by Simon & Schuster on 7th May 2015.

Sincerely
Book Angel