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lykkes_laeserier's review
4.0
Enjoyable feelgood romance by Lucy Dillon.
This is my first Lucy Dillon book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found the main character, Lorna, engaging and her story complex and detailed enough to keep me hooked throughout. The romance was kept low key and as just one aspect of the story, which I particularly enjoyed. The main focus was on Lorna’s story both past and present, her relationship with her past and how she comes to terms with it so as not to let it determine her future.
I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a feelgood and cozy read. It is not a particularly challenging novel to read, nor is it dumbed down. 4/5 stars from me based on my enjoyment while reading this book.
This is my first Lucy Dillon book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found the main character, Lorna, engaging and her story complex and detailed enough to keep me hooked throughout. The romance was kept low key and as just one aspect of the story, which I particularly enjoyed. The main focus was on Lorna’s story both past and present, her relationship with her past and how she comes to terms with it so as not to let it determine her future.
I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a feelgood and cozy read. It is not a particularly challenging novel to read, nor is it dumbed down. 4/5 stars from me based on my enjoyment while reading this book.
fros86's review
4.0
A lovely story based around art, friendship, family and love. An easy read that kept me engaged throughout. It was also the story I was reading before giving birth to my daughter and so took me a little longer to finish than it usually would, but if I didn't enjoy it, I certainly wouldn't have gone back to it!! In usual circumstances, it would be a 'curl up and finish in a couple of days' kind of book ❤
crlyjn94's review
4.0
Sad and funny and happy. A book that I couldn’t put down that had me nearly in tears sometimes. The ending was guessed from the beginning but yet it wasn’t at the same time. It just felt the ending was a little bit rushed was all! Would read more from this author!
amylouwoo's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bluelavendar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book book falls into domestic drama category for me. It's the equivalent of watching Call the midwife, it's so warm and comforting and everything works out on the end.
The story follows Lorna who is moving back to her home town after a business venture goes awry and she looses most of her money. What she has left she uses to buy the local art gallery. The story follows her efforts to make the gallery a success as well as face her past.
I like all the characters, Lucy Dillon did an excellent job of making there flaws endearing with the exception of Sam's brother Gabriel who was easy to dislike and whenLorna is invited to dinner at the Osbornes and they have the nerve to as Lorna to coherce Joyce into leaving Rooks Hall I was outraged. The character development was good enough that I felt like I new Joyce and Lorna well enough and the Osbournes where rude strangers. Its been a while since I have been so invested in characters.
I like the wayRyan's long lost child was was explored. It gave me a new perspective, I like when a book does that. I understood why Jess felt betrayed and I remembered being a teenager and felt for Hattie as well. It made me think about the importance of trust and how multifaceted it is.
Grief is explored extensively in the book but in a more hopeful way than I have read before. I thought the experience older people being infantalised and having there autonomy taken away was betray well with Joyce. It made me feel differently about difficult older people.
The only thing I didn't like was Lorna's relationship with Sam. I think Lucy Dillon was going for a sort Pride and Prejudice sort of tension between them but I just thought that Sam was an arsehole. That Lorna had some trauma bond with him from her childhood. He never defended her when it matter he was only ever making up for it after the fact.when he didn't go to London and they got together It was super out of character for Sam, he became a different person in the last Epilogue and I just didn't want it to happen. Growth for Lorna would have been hermoving on
I thought there would be more of the dog in the book, love a book about a dog which is why I picked it up. But the Dashound is a supporting character not a main one.
It would have been 5 starts if it wasn't for the epilogue. Overall for style of fiction it was it was brilliant.
The story follows Lorna who is moving back to her home town after a business venture goes awry and she looses most of her money. What she has left she uses to buy the local art gallery. The story follows her efforts to make the gallery a success as well as face her past.
I like all the characters, Lucy Dillon did an excellent job of making there flaws endearing with the exception of Sam's brother Gabriel who was easy to dislike and when
I like the way
Grief is explored extensively in the book but in a more hopeful way than I have read before. I thought the experience older people being infantalised and having there autonomy taken away was betray well with Joyce. It made me feel differently about difficult older people.
The only thing I didn't like was Lorna's relationship with Sam. I think Lucy Dillon was going for a sort Pride and Prejudice sort of tension between them but I just thought that Sam was an arsehole. That Lorna had some trauma bond with him from her childhood. He never defended her when it matter he was only ever making up for it after the fact.
I thought there would be more of the dog in the book, love a book about a dog which is why I picked it up. But the Dashound is a supporting character not a main one.
It would have been 5 starts if it wasn't for the epilogue. Overall for style of fiction it was it was brilliant.
booksbycc's review
3.0
"To Jane Steele, with grateful thanks for all the time you gave us"
Sometimes you experience a bit of darkness.
The dream job turns out to be a nightmare, your life love is a revolving door, people paint unrealistic pictures of happiness and someone close to you dies. Your cracks just seem too much, but just like Lorna, you will soon discover, where there's a crack the light gets in.
Hello Book Buddies
Sometimes you experience a bit of darkness.
The dream job turns out to be a nightmare, your life love is a revolving door, people paint unrealistic pictures of happiness and someone close to you dies. Your cracks just seem too much, but just like Lorna, you will soon discover, where there's a crack the light gets in.
Hello Book Buddies
kitvaria_sarene's review
5.0
Another amazing book by Lucy Dillon.
I myself am not an arty person at all, so the topic itself did do nothing for me - but the characters once again captured me quickly.
Me still having 4 grandparents (youngest one turned 90 a couple of weeks back) meant I could so well engage with the caring for elderly people. It is wonderful but hard too.
In this one I didn't think the characters as "cliche" as with the last book. They felt three dimensional and well fleshed out! They had flaws and strengths and just felt real to me.
I loved just how well the mix of stubborness, self reliance, helplessness and strong will of the elderly main character was portrayed.
And I especially liked the end that actually made me cry, which happens very rarely. It wasn't purely sad tears though - more the sort that leave you relieved. The end was done realistic and not overly soppy. And it was perfect for the story.
Can't really recommend this one enough!
I myself am not an arty person at all, so the topic itself did do nothing for me - but the characters once again captured me quickly.
Me still having 4 grandparents (youngest one turned 90 a couple of weeks back) meant I could so well engage with the caring for elderly people. It is wonderful but hard too.
In this one I didn't think the characters as "cliche" as with the last book. They felt three dimensional and well fleshed out! They had flaws and strengths and just felt real to me.
I loved just how well the mix of stubborness, self reliance, helplessness and strong will of the elderly main character was portrayed.
And I especially liked the end that actually made me cry, which happens very rarely. It wasn't purely sad tears though - more the sort that leave you relieved. The end was done realistic and not overly soppy. And it was perfect for the story.
Can't really recommend this one enough!
milesabi's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
tushhh's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book gave me a similar warm and fuzzy feeling like when I read The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Makes me wanna hug my nan, have a pet, fall in love and crochet. Grief is a strong theme and I felt like it was explored really well. The feelings surrounding grief (not wanting them to go, past griefs effecting how you view life and ability to cope with future grief) wete detailed so honestly, I could really relate to Lorna.
Also can we talk about Lorna's arc? I loved journeying with her. Such a loveable character and she wasn't AT ANY POINT irritating, which is rare.
Gabe can kick rocks tho.
Also can we talk about Lorna's arc? I loved journeying with her. Such a loveable character and she wasn't AT ANY POINT irritating, which is rare.
Gabe can kick rocks tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death