A few years ago, I read this endearing, captivating novel called The Flatshare, which I absolutely devoured in the way “easy reading” books allow. When I saw its author, Beth O’Leary, had a new book out, I immediately added it to my list.
It’s Valentine’s Day and three women all get stood up. While to some of you pessimists out there thinking “lots of people get stood up on Valentine’s Day”, these women all had something in common: their date was with the same man. Joseph Carter is a good guy. He has a good job, is charming and considerate, and he is really good at apologising. The reader flits between the perspective of the three women, watching Joseph Carter waltz through their lives and wondering when it’s all going to implode.
From the start, O’Leary’s got your mind turning, trying to figure out when the narratives are going to collide. While she has you waiting for that inevitable shoe-drop, O’Leary takes the time to introduce you to her unique and interesting characters. Sioban (pronounced Chevon for my US-readers) is a life coach who is fiercely independent and could sometimes benefit from her own advice. Miranda is a tree surgeon, a unique trade for a woman, and she relishes in the danger of her job but also in her role as eldest sister. Jane volunteers in a charity shop (thrift store) and all of her quirkiness is covering up a past she doesn’t like to share.
I’ll admit that there was a point about halfway through where I felt the book was dragging, but my was it worth it. O’Leary expertly upends expectations and the story progression had me fixated for the last 50 pages, waiting to see the whole story come together. Overall, I really enjoyed the novel. It was a story you got sucked into quickly, was easy to follow, yet complex enough to hold your interest. Definitely not disappointed by my latest O’Leary read.
Personal rating: 8/10
Recommend? Definitely a must-read for the summer
Re-read? Possibly, but not likely
Time: 1:47
Bonus Content: I love when an “easy” read still presents a bit of a challenge and these were a few of the great words I had to look up:
Vertiginous: (adj) characterized by suffering from vertigo or dizziness; causing or tending to cause dizziness.
Prevaricate: (v) to deviate from the truth