Actress Meredith Whitelaw, axed from a popular television soap, has descended upon Prior's Ford to 'rest' - but instead she creates havoc for the local dramatic society.
Clarissa Ramsay, travelling the world, keeps in contact with her friend Alastair Marshall, who finds himself missing her more with each letter that arrives. Then Clarrisa aloof stepdaughter Alexandra bursts into his life, in search of refuge and consolation.
Unexpected news for Lewis Ralston-Kerr causes alarm and apprehension to his parents, busy refurbishing their tumbledown manor house. And Jenny Forsyth and her husband Andrew discover, when Jenny's long-lost stepdaughter Maggie moves in, that the sweet little toddler has become a difficult teenager with a grudge to settle ....
...... Outer back cover.
FIRST SENTENCE (Chapter 1): The red Post Office van provided a welcome splash of cover in the grey December landscape as it drove down the lane from Tarbethill Farm and turned left towards the village of Prior's Ford.
MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 190): "You're beginning to sound like a grumpy old man."
"That's because I feel like one, and what's wrong with that? Maggie's allowed to have her hair gel and her glittery belly-button, why can't I be allowed my grumpiness?
MY THOUGHTS: If like myself you haven't read the first book in Eve Houston's Prior's Ford series, Secret's In Prior's Ford, please don't be put off reading this, the second book, as it really does work perfectly well as a stand-alone novel.
A bit like becoming a newcomer to the village of Prior's Ford itself it took me a while to get to know my fellow villagers but once I did I found myself engrossed in the lives of characters such as the wonderfully out of touch (as for as teenagers go anyway) Andrew Forsyth and, my only criticism, the under-used Reverend Naomi Hennessey (think a Jamaican Vicar of Dibley type character with a son) who I hope we get to see lots more of in future books.
Warm, gentle, and yet with just enough soap opera type drama to make it feel realistic and not too sugary-sweet, this really is perfect armchair reading that because of the somewhat open ending will leave you wanting more.
KEEP IT OR NOT?: Ex-library stock. Alas not one for the shelves but I know several people who will love this.
In addition I would also urge that if you are reading this on any other page you contact the original blog owner/reviewer.
16 comments:
It sounds cute!
I'd probably enjoy this book!
You know me - I like to read my series books in order, but this does sound like a fun one.
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It seems to be fun to read
nice review
This sounds like a delightful read, Tracy. I am glad you enjoyed it!
This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
Sounds like a nice summer read! I'm glad you can read it as a stand-alone. Series books like that are nice.
Though I'm not certain it'll make my to read list, I definitely like the sound of the characters! The line you quoted was hilarious...why shouldn't he be allowed it indeed?! ^_^ Thanks for the share!
Sounds like a sweet read and glad to know it's a standalone.
It sounds like a great fun read. Thanks for the review!
This sounds like a fun read. I love when books work as a stand alone story. :)
This sounds like something I'd probably like, but not want to buy. I like a good soap opera book every once in a while!
Hi Tracy,
You must know by now, How bad I am at reading a series in order, so if you say that this works as a stand alone story, then I'll take your word for it.
Eve Houston is a new author to me, although I have read books under the name of Evelyn Hood, which she also writes.
Prior's Ford sounds like a very bustling place and although there are times when I think it would be nice to be part of an intimate community, I am not sure that I could cope with everyone knowing everyone ekse and their business.
I am sorry that it was perhaps a little 'tame' for you, but it sounds like just my kind of story, thanks for sharing,
Yvonne
a delightful read!
sounds like a book i would enjoy.
xx
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