
MY REVIEW
Teddy and May were amazing foster parents and amongst the children they looked after were Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele who met as teenagers. Now May has died, the teens are adults and are all back in Lanrock, Cornwall. The story follows their lives as well as seeing how Teddy has apparently found a new love, a younger Russian woman called Olga.
I first read Jill Mansell’s novels back in the 1990s and have enjoyed all her books I have read, I know she is an author you can rely on to never disappoint, so I was very excited to get a proof copy of her new book to review. This one looks gorgeous and has a lovely map of Lanrock inside. (I know lots of readers like a good map!)
When I was reading this book, one thing that struck me was how good it was to read about positive experiences of foster care. Often the books I read have negative experiences – the guy becomes a criminal because he was abused in foster care, that kind of thing – so it was great to read this side of things and see how inspirational Teddy and May were to their young charges.
The characters bounce out of the pages, they are so well-rounded and realistic. The chapters are the ideal length, they hold your interest and make you want to read the next one. The story is detailed, yet easy to follow (mainly because the characters are so well-described and clearly defined) and all the strands are worth pursuing, I wanted to know what was going to happen to everyone.
I really have no criticism to make of this book, it’s a complete joy from start to finish. I loved all the intertwining stories and it’s such a positive, uplifting and joyful novel.
9.5 out of 10
BLURB
Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met as teenagers in the seaside home of kind-hearted foster parents. Arriving in glorious Cornwall was the best thing that ever happened to them – and now, as adults, their bond is stronger than ever.
But Amber has a secret. She’s in love with Lachlan. She can’t confess her feelings because that would never work. Restless Lachlan dates a lot and definitely isn’t the settling-down type. Surely it’s better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?
Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can’t understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him?
Now their widowed foster dad Teddy thinks he’s found love again. Younger, charming and strikingly beautiful, is Olga as perfect as she seems? Or will she end up breaking Teddy’s heart?
Against a backdrop of sparkling seas and sunny skies, the unexpected is always just around the corner. Welcome to Lanrock!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Mansell is the author of over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers including The One You Really Want and Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay. Take a Chance on Me won the RNA’s Romantic Comedy Prize, and in 2015 the RNA presented Jill with an outstanding achievement award.
Jill started writing fiction while working in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology in the NHS, but now writes full time. She lives in Bristol with her family.
Publishing in Hardback by Headline Review on 20th January 2022, £14.99
