What have these got in common? Well they all feature in my latest read -
If you like reading contemporary family dramas you will love
this book.
Set in France, Leah finds her
sisterly love lands her in family life up to her neck.
Being Aunt to two moody teenagers; neighbour
to a divorced helicopter pilot recovering from a crash, with his teenage Goth
son; sister and sister-in-law to a separating couple is a far cry from her
single, carefree life back in the UK.
The comings and goings of the
gîte turns into a catalogue of happenings akin to a
nightmare.
Yet there is still room for
love.
Sue Moorcroft writes with great attention to detail – her
research is outlined at the conclusion of the novel – regarding the helicopter
pilot, entering a world of a career most of us would have no knowledge of.
She obviously has experience too of ‘teen
speak’ with gaming terminology and colloquiums reserved for those precious
years when language has not met maturity.
Chocolate and quick nourishing meals feature too – I would love to
research these!
Excellent writing style makes the sex scenes (yes, there are a few)
delicate, not sordid; hot without crudeness; erotic without lurid words;
passionate and pleasing.
The moments
were brief but meaningful.
However,
frustration and confusion to the characters follows each occasion so not lovey
dovey romance but making Leah assess what she wants from life.
When I reached the final paragraph of page 267 I actually
said “
Wow” out aloud.
It stood out for
me as exquisite writing.
I had to put
the book down to reflect for a moment.
It left me questioning my ability to ever be a published author as I
must have had my ‘writer’ head on, not my ‘reader’ head whist living in the complexity of the holidaying family lives. Here
there was a build up, an explosion and an
aftermath all in one paragraph and following sentence.
I could quote it here but, out of context, it
would not have the same impact.
You will
need to read or have read the book to know what I mean.
Having met Sue Moorcroft a few times, sat with her at
Swanwick Writers Summer School and learnt from her teachings on novel writing,
I hold her in high esteem.
She conveys
her techniques of novel writing, and her work as a novelist, on a level I ‘get’.
She is a lovely lady with
extra-ordinary skill and passion for her work.
One I aspire to be like.
One that champions me on.
 |
| The 'bar' at Swanwick was a great meeting place |
So, back to the book – the ending is emotionally charged so
hankies at the ready.
I didn’t want it
to end but was certainly left flying high.
Would I recommend it? -
Yes, most definitely.
How do I rate it –
5*. Well done Sue Moorcroft, can you write a
sequel please? I want to know how Leah and Ronan and all the family go on from
here!
