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geegee_74's review
Read almost half of this before giving up on it. Managed to be too light and too depressing all at the same time which is quite a feat. It's also written in that awful writing technique of flipping backwards and forwards in time. Didn't pull it off sufficiently to keep me reading.
jove64's review
4.0
This was a really enjoyable story set in the same town as [b:The Secrets We Keep|25546444|The Secrets We Keep|Stephanie Butland|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1431750890s/25546444.jpg|25591205]. Some of the main characters from the other novel appear here as secondary characters (and vice versa). The basic story is of a woman who has had a trauma in her past and has given up on the idea that she can have (or even deserves) love. She has found a way to have a pleasant life and is mostly content. When someone from that past recognises her, she is forced to come to terms with what happened and figure out if the things she thought were impossible really are. Disability (and adapting to it) is an important secondary theme.
portybelle's review
5.0
I read Letters to my Husband by Stephanie Butland earlier this year and really enjoyed it. I'm happy to say that The Other Half of my Heart is every bit as good. Bettina is the central character, working in a bakery at the beginning of the story. But 15 years earlier, something awful has happened which she is trying hard to forget. The story unfolds in both these time periods. In the present, Bettina walks with a slight limp, won't talk about her past and won't commit fully to her relationship with Rufus. If you have read Letters to my Husband you will recognise Rufus and some of the other characters and setting from that book. But it's not essential to have read that, this is a standalone novel. In the past Tina, as she was known then, is horse mad, working in a stables and madly in love with Olympic equestrian hopeful Roddy. He truly loves her even though she can't see why, feeling she is beneath him. The part of the book told from his point of view is particularly moving as we see just how much he adores Tina.
There is an underlying sadness which pervades this book. Stephanie Butland is particularly skilled at making you empathise with her characters' feelings and I felt I had a good understanding of Bettina as the story of what happened is gradually revealed. I could completely understand why she wanted to put the past behind her and begin again. Baking is her escape, a time when she can just create and knead and bake. Some of her creations sounded mouth-watering - I could almost imagine the smell of the bread baking and filling the kitchen. I am pleased that the author has included some recipes at the back of the book and will be trying the Scarborough Fair cob. I wouldn't thank you for the chocolate-orange cake Bettina bakes for Rufus as a sign of love though. I'm not a fan of that flavour combination! A mention of gingerbread had me searching for my favourite Nigella Lawson chocolate gingerbread recipe - must make that again sometime.
Although Bettina is the central character and most of the story is hers, there are some other great characters in the book. I was especially fond of Roddy's parents who despite their relative wealth, were welcoming, down-to-earth, accepting and forgiving.
This book is an exploration of how grief and feelings of guilt, whether justified or not, can affect so many lives. It is also a book about the enduring power of love. The ending is particularly poignant and uplifting, not necessarily what you might expect, but perfect for the book.
(I would like to thank the author and publishers for giving me a copy of this book to review.)
There is an underlying sadness which pervades this book. Stephanie Butland is particularly skilled at making you empathise with her characters' feelings and I felt I had a good understanding of Bettina as the story of what happened is gradually revealed. I could completely understand why she wanted to put the past behind her and begin again. Baking is her escape, a time when she can just create and knead and bake. Some of her creations sounded mouth-watering - I could almost imagine the smell of the bread baking and filling the kitchen. I am pleased that the author has included some recipes at the back of the book and will be trying the Scarborough Fair cob. I wouldn't thank you for the chocolate-orange cake Bettina bakes for Rufus as a sign of love though. I'm not a fan of that flavour combination! A mention of gingerbread had me searching for my favourite Nigella Lawson chocolate gingerbread recipe - must make that again sometime.
Although Bettina is the central character and most of the story is hers, there are some other great characters in the book. I was especially fond of Roddy's parents who despite their relative wealth, were welcoming, down-to-earth, accepting and forgiving.
This book is an exploration of how grief and feelings of guilt, whether justified or not, can affect so many lives. It is also a book about the enduring power of love. The ending is particularly poignant and uplifting, not necessarily what you might expect, but perfect for the book.
(I would like to thank the author and publishers for giving me a copy of this book to review.)
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