Lately, Felicity just can’t shake a shadow of uncertainty. Her husband Quinn is the kindest person she knows and loves her peculiarities more than Felicity feels she deserves. But suddenly it’s as if she doesn’t quite belong.
Then Felicity experiences something extraordinary: a scent of perfume in the air which evokes memories that have been settled within her for a long time, untouched and undisturbed. As it happens again and again, the memories of a man Felicity hasn’t seen for ten years also flutter to the surface. And so do the feelings of being deeply, exquisitely in love . . .
Overwhelmed and bewildered by her emotions, Felicity tries to resist sinking blissfully into the past. But what if something truly isn’t as it should be? What if her mind has been playing tricks on her heart?
Which would you trust?
Earlier this year I was incredibly lucky to get an invite to attend the launch party for Julie Cohen's latest release, 'Where Love Lies', on the 24th of July, organised by Transworld. I always feel really honoured when receiving invites like this one and hope I will be able to actually hop on a plane and attend one someday in the near future! Unfortunately, this time I couldn't make it, but I did receive a review copy of Julie Cohen's new book, which was released as hardback on the 31st of July and the paperback version will follow in February 2015. I was already familiar with Julie's writing after reading her successful novel 'Dear Thing' last year, so I started the book with high hopes!
Felicity Bloom leads a good life together with her husband Quinn, who loves her to the moon and back and is willing to do everything it takes to make Felicity happy. Together they live in a beautiful cottage in a small town, close to Quinn's family, and they've settled in very nicely. Then one day Felicity starts to smell the sweet flowery scent of frangipani in the air, a smell that immediately brings back memories of her ex-boyfriend and first love, Ewan. Felicity starts to smell the distinctive scent more and more often and it is somehow combined with deep feelings of love. But love for whom, Quinn or Ewan? Felicity finds herself starting to doubt everything in her life and she knows she will have to take a step back into the past to discover what it is she is feeling.
I read Julie Cohen's 'Dear Thing' last year, which was an intriguing and really well-written novel filled with emotions, and ever since I'd been looking forward to Julie Cohen's next release, hoping it'd be just as compelling. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. 'Where Love Lies' is a unique story and I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like it before. I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but the book deals with some quite serious and fascinating topics and Julie Cohen's writing is simply wonderful; so captivating and descriptive, easily bringing the story to life with her writing style. I was intrigued by mainly Felicity's character from the first few pages and was really curious to see what would happen to her and how things would eventually work out for her and her husband Quinn.
While reading, I had mixed feelings when it came to Felicity. One moment I really felt for her and kept my fingers crossed for a happy ending for her, but at other times she made me quite angry with the decisions she made. Quinn is a simply wonderful husband and I think many female readers will develop a little crush on him, just like I did. I really cared about the two of them as a couple and I can't even start to imagine what it would be like if something like this would happen to someone I love. Once again, Julie Cohen has managed to treat us to a thought-provoking, original and heart-wrenching read; a book that comes highly recommended if you're looking for your next compelling women's fiction read!
Rating:
8
/10
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Anna has not been back to Oxford since her last summer at university, seventeen years ago. She tries not to think about her time there, or the tightly knit group of friends she once thought would be hers forever. She has almost forgotten the fierce sting of betrayal, the heartache, the secret she carries around with her, the last night she spent with them all.
Then a chance meeting on a rainy day in London brings her past tumbling back into her present, and Anna is faced with remembering the events of that summer and the people she left behind. As Anna realises that the events of their past have shaped the people they've all become, hope begins to blossom for what the future could hold...
I straightaway fell in love with the cover of Alison Mercer's novel 'After I Left You' as soon as I saw it. It's simple but stunning and makes me long for one of those lovely Spring days when you're walking in the sunshine and don't seem to have a care in the world. 'After I Left You' was released by Transworld on the 31st of July 2014 and I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of the book. I wasn't familiar with Alison Mercer's work and was curious to check out this new author; based on the cover alone I already had my fingers crossed for a hopefully enjoyable read!
It has been nearly seventeen years since Anna graduated from Oxford University and left her life as a student behind quite suddenly. Since her graduation, she hasn't seen anyone belonging to the close group of friends she was a part of during her university years and Anna personally believes that's probably for the best, after everything that happened. However, when she unexpectedly bumps into her old boyfriend Victor, it becomes almost impossible for Anna to ignore her past and the people who played such important parts in it. Before she knows it, she's drawn back to past places and past faces, and Anna knows she will have to finally face what she tried so hard to leave behind all those years ago...
In this novel, the reader gets the chance to see two different versions of the story's main character, Anna: Anna the student and Anna the grown-up. The novel is written in several parts which encompass the present day and Anna's time at university with her friends. I was really impressed by Alison Mercer's writing skills, because she really managed to convey two different Anna's and it was really fascinating to see the changes between the two, to see what certain events can do to people and how it can have an effect on them for the rest of their lives. Next to that, there was also another feeling clearly present in the book; the feeling of having close friends who mean the world to you and whom your entire world revolves around, and then the somehow unavoidable process of life suddenly taking over and losing these friends. Alison Mercer managed to capture these feelings perfectly and it's obvious she's quite the talented storyteller.
I personally loved the setting of the novel. Oxford University is one of those historical and magical places which I can't get enough of and it really added something special to the story for me. There's also a great mix of characters at the core of the book. Anna and her university friends Victor, Clarissa, Meg, Keith and Barnaby are all different individuals and it was really fascinating to learn more about all of them. I do have to admit I thought the book as a whole was quite dark, perhaps a bit too dark for my personal liking, but I can definitely imagine fans of Lisa Jewell's latest novels really enjoying this. 'After I Left You' is a raw, intriguing and well-written read; a convincing tale about love, friendship, secrets and betrayal.
Rating:
8
/10
For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
The second book in Jill Knapp’s fabulous series about dating in New York picks up after Amalia Hastings returns to Manhattan from her trip to Brazil – and finds that life has indeed gone on without her.
Fresh off the plane, Amalia’s feeling anxious and unresolved; left alone to pick up the pieces and deal with the repercussions of choosing her own path over Michael.
Without an apartment, without a job, and starting to wonder if she’s even without a best friend, she finds herself holding on tightly to the one thing she is familiar with, New York City.
Sometimes you have to let go of who you were to become who you will be…
Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Today is the release date of author Jill Knapp's new novel 'We've Always Got New York', the second part of her Harper Impulse series about dating in New York. I'm really excited to have Jill on the blog today to tell us a bit more about her new novel, her future plans and her own favourite novels!
Can you tell us something about your new novel, ‘We’ve Always Got New York’?
My new novel takes place after my main character, Amalia, returns home from her trip to Brazil. She is left without an apartment, without a boyfriend, and possibly without a best friend. The book takes place over the next 6 or so months of her life. She is back at NYU, starting her second year in her graduate program, and finding school harder than ever.
What makes this book different from the first, is that the POV’s flip back and forth from chapter to chapter between Amalia and Olivia. The first novel was only written from Amalia’s POV. I did this because I really wanted the audience to see Amalia from every angle, not just her own inner monologue.
Where did you get the inspiration for your novel? Is it in any way based on your own personal experiences?
I read a lot! Most of my favourite books are about New York City. Having said that, I realized I had never read a book before where the main characters were in graduate school. That’s not to say these books aren’t out there, just that I have yet to stumble across any. I have read countless books about students in law school, undergraduate, and even medical school, but never in a graduate program.
I was living in New York when I started writing the first novel. I wanted to pick a school that I knew a lot about, so I chose NYU because my sister is currently enrolled there. Between my knowledge of the city, and her help with some of the in’s and out’s of NYU itself, I was able to create a realistic world that took place mainly in Manhattan’s West Village.
All of the characters are completely fictional, but that’s not to say that some of the situations they find themselves in haven’t been inspired by similar situations I, or some of my friends, have gone through in the past. No character is actually based on anyone in real life though.
Can you tell us a bit more about the main protagonist, Amalia?
Amalia is, in a word, nervous. She is constantly worrying about everything in her life. She over-analyses and over-thinks everything. She has a good heart, and is very loyal to her friends, but not very smart when it comes to her dating life. She is definitely a flawed character with a lot of obstacles to overcome. She’s pretty, but not stunningly beautiful. She’s average weight, average height, but has beautiful, pale blue eyes that can grab any guy’s attention.
Her relationship with her parents isn’t a good one, but she is very close to her brother, Aaron, who attends college in Syracuse, New York. She is the type of person who would do anything for the people she loves, but also has a no-bullshit policy, and can only take so much before she snaps at you!
There’s a great cast of supporting characters in the novel as well. Which character did you most enjoy writing?
I had the most challenging time writing Olivia, so I am going to say she was my favourite to write. She isn’t a New Yorker by design, so just having her come from Rhode Island and become emerged in the social scene.
Did you do any particular research for this book?
Yes and no. Every place I wrote about in the book, I have been to. All of the bars and restaurants named are placed that I frequented when I lived in Manhattan. I have also been to Roosevelt Island (where Alex lives) and I am from Staten Island (like Amalia and Cassandra) however the area of Brooklyn that Olivia lives in I had never been to before. So I did have to do a bit of research on Park Slope, but not too much since Olivia is always in Manhattan anyway. And as I said earlier, my sister helped me fill in any of the gaps I had about NYU life.
Can you perhaps tell us something about your future plans? Are you perhaps already working on a next novel?
I am currently working on the third instalment of the “What Happens To Men…?” series! A lot is happening in this novel, so I am taking my time writing it. I want to make sure I address any questions the readers may have about the previous books, and wrap up the story tightly.
Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Don’t expect anything to just fall into your lap. You have to be aggressive when it comes to wanting people to read your work. Never worry about coming across as annoying. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take so take them all!
What is the last book you read that you’d like to recommend to others?
Lena Dunham’s “Not That Kind Of Girl”. I just finished it last week and it was one of the most compelling books I have ever read. I am currently reading “The Perfectionists” by Sara Shepard, who happens to be my favourite author.
Which book could you not live without?
“Siddhartha” by Herman Hesse
And last but not least, if you had to describe ‘We’ve Always Got New York’ in just three words, which words would you pick?
Realistic, Funny, and Eye-opening
Thanks so much, Jill!
