Book Reviews Spring 2020

Living Magazines Helen Rolfe The Little Village Library cover

The Little Village Library
By Helen Rolfe
Orion, £7.99
Release date 6 February 2020

When Jennifer opens the Library of Shared Things, she hopes it will bring her little town of Cloverdale closer together. When her younger sister Isla moves back home and single dad Adam agrees to run a mending workshop, friendships start to blossom. But it soon becomes clear that not everything is as it seems: Isla is keeping something back, and Adam is running away from his past – but what is he hiding, and will it threaten their friendship forever?

This is a lovely story of friendships, family and communities at its heart. But it has a darker side, and local author Helen has dealt with the subject matter carefully. But essentially this is a feelgood tale, and it will leave you feeling uplifted.

A perfect holiday read.

COMPETITION TIME!

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Helen’s book, go to our competitions page. Terms and conditions apply.

The Way Back
By Jamie Fewery
Orion, £8.99
Release date: 30 April 2020

Living Magazines Jamie Fewery The Way Back cover

This is Berkhamsted author Jamie’s second novel and this time the focus is on families.

When Gerry Cadogan knows he’s dying he has a plan to bring his estranged children back together – and he knows just how to do it. But will his three grown up children rise to the challenge, or will it be a huge mistake? This lovely, warm story, follows Jessica, Patrick and Kirsty as they drive across the British Isles together to scatter their father’s ashes – but can they find their way back to each other, or have they already drifted too far apart?

Jamie is excellent at creating strong, believable characters, and in this story they leap from the page so that you feel as though they’re people you really know. It’s a warm, funny and, at times, heartbreaking story of family love and forgiveness. I loved it.