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A review by clair_82
The Second Love of My Life by Victoria Walters
5.0
A stunning debut novel which is beautifully written, which had me both laughing and in tears!
This book is absolutely beautiful, I was excited to read this after reading the short story prequel, The Summer We Met which was a fabulous introduction to the main characters but is from Emma’s perspective how she met John.
The Second Love Of My Life is written from Rose’s perspective, set in the town fictional town of Talting, 2 years after the tragic death of Lucas. The prologue opens the book, 2 years prior to Lucas’ death when he and Rose are newly engaged, this is such a bittersweet opening as they are so excited as to what their future as husband and wife will hold whereas we know that this is not to be. After 10 years, Rose has suddenly found herself without her best friend.
Rose is an artist however she has lost all creativity since Lucas’ death. The annual Talting Fair is coming up and Rose is selling paintings which have been in the press as the last pieces that she will ever paint. The Fair itself is also a painful reminder as to what she has lost because she always attended these with Lucas by her side.
The charming but mysterious Robert is in town after seeing the article about the paintings and is wanting to snap an original Rose Walker whilst he still has the chance, he falls in love with the town and decides to stay for the summer.
The Second Love Of My Life is not only about grief and the loss of a loved one, it is also about hope and recovery; how you can go through the absolute worst time of your life and come out the other side. Walters most definitely writes this book from the heart, the emotions that Rose is going through is so eloquently written, but not only about the feeling of loss, also the guilt and sense of unfairness that goes along with her grief. Rose has lost a future that she assumed that she would have and is lost, haunted by what could have been. Rose is anticipating that Emma will soon announce that she is pregnant following her marriage to John (as well as it’s all she’s ever wanted) and Rose feels so saddened that Emma will have something that they always envisioned doing together. Rose feels guilty that she cannot see how she is going to be happy for her friend once it happens – the selfishness of her guilt and of a future she hasn’t anticipated is sensitively written.
This book certainty had me laughing one minute and with a lump in my throat the next. I loved all the characters, and Talting which is a much as a character as the people themselves! The friendship between Rose and Emma is genuine, built upon strong foundations – they are both each others rock.
It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel, it is beautifully written full of emotion and hope, a heartwarming read from start to finish. It is a fantastic story about the recovery after a devastating lost, finding yourself once again and accepting that you can have a future again full of happiness and hope.
Victoria Walters is most definitely one to watch and I hope there are many more books to come!
Thank you to the author and publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is absolutely beautiful, I was excited to read this after reading the short story prequel, The Summer We Met which was a fabulous introduction to the main characters but is from Emma’s perspective how she met John.
The Second Love Of My Life is written from Rose’s perspective, set in the town fictional town of Talting, 2 years after the tragic death of Lucas. The prologue opens the book, 2 years prior to Lucas’ death when he and Rose are newly engaged, this is such a bittersweet opening as they are so excited as to what their future as husband and wife will hold whereas we know that this is not to be. After 10 years, Rose has suddenly found herself without her best friend.
Rose is an artist however she has lost all creativity since Lucas’ death. The annual Talting Fair is coming up and Rose is selling paintings which have been in the press as the last pieces that she will ever paint. The Fair itself is also a painful reminder as to what she has lost because she always attended these with Lucas by her side.
The charming but mysterious Robert is in town after seeing the article about the paintings and is wanting to snap an original Rose Walker whilst he still has the chance, he falls in love with the town and decides to stay for the summer.
The Second Love Of My Life is not only about grief and the loss of a loved one, it is also about hope and recovery; how you can go through the absolute worst time of your life and come out the other side. Walters most definitely writes this book from the heart, the emotions that Rose is going through is so eloquently written, but not only about the feeling of loss, also the guilt and sense of unfairness that goes along with her grief. Rose has lost a future that she assumed that she would have and is lost, haunted by what could have been. Rose is anticipating that Emma will soon announce that she is pregnant following her marriage to John (as well as it’s all she’s ever wanted) and Rose feels so saddened that Emma will have something that they always envisioned doing together. Rose feels guilty that she cannot see how she is going to be happy for her friend once it happens – the selfishness of her guilt and of a future she hasn’t anticipated is sensitively written.
This book certainty had me laughing one minute and with a lump in my throat the next. I loved all the characters, and Talting which is a much as a character as the people themselves! The friendship between Rose and Emma is genuine, built upon strong foundations – they are both each others rock.
It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel, it is beautifully written full of emotion and hope, a heartwarming read from start to finish. It is a fantastic story about the recovery after a devastating lost, finding yourself once again and accepting that you can have a future again full of happiness and hope.
Victoria Walters is most definitely one to watch and I hope there are many more books to come!
Thank you to the author and publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.