Thursday 21 June 2012

Review - Completing the Puzzle by Amanda Egan

Another absolute cracker from this amazing author.
 
Fee lives in a marriage where her and her husband have got into a real rut and while she still loves him dearly, she is not in love with him or her life.  She is fast approaching the menopause and works as a school nurse for Sir Fuckwit as she has affectionately nicknamed him.  She has nineteen year old twin boys and her best friend Cordelia is always stuck in the middle of one crisis or another and she is constantly dealing with her dramatics.  Her dad lives with her since he lost his wife and mopes around all day and even the cleaner who has been with her for donkey's years is taking the mickey out of her by not actually doing much cleaning. 
 
Husband Hugh is a dentist and when he starts acting mysteriously, she wonders if he is having an affair and realises that even if he was, it wouldn't really bother her.  This is the point where she realises that her marriage is over, her sons are old enough to soon be fleeing the nest, and that she should have a more fulfilling, happy life.  She decides that the worm has turned!
 
She goes to a party at Cordelia's family home where she meets Marcus, the village vet and while she finds him extremely attractive and tempting, doesn't realise at this point the important part that this man might play in her life!
 
I can't believe how this author can make you cry, laugh, sob and smile all within such a short space of time.  The highly emotional rollercoaster that this book takes you on is just amazing.  The characters are wonderful and you feel like you know them all inside out right from the very first page. 
 
Amanda captures real life in such a descriptive and genuine way that so many people out there must be feeling and relate to and this book gives you hope that things can change for the better and that you do deserve a life of happiness and fulfillment.  
 
Fee is a fabulous character, and a wonderful mom, the way she opens up her home and welcomes everyone in, makes you want to pop in and sit at the kitchen table, have a glass of wine and put the world to rights with her yourself.  The way that she has brought up her sons, to be the men that they are, and the relationship that she has with them is delightful.  She actually reminded me very much of my darling mom, who was always the perfect hostess, always managing to whip up a meal for and welcome unexpected visitors and who loved a houseful of people. 
 
Amanda Egan is such a talented writer and has such a fantastic sense of humour that comes across in her writing, that I could read her books all day long and this was another one that I didn't really want to end.  I just can't wait for her next one.  Her books should be flying off the Amazon bookshelves, they are such a pure pleasure to read.
 
Another thoroughly enjoyable read for me from Amanda which certainly made me sit up and think about life.  
Amanda Egan was born and bred in London, and she trained professionally as an actress. After many years of procrastination, she has turned her hand to writing Chick/Mummy-lit. She focused more on her writing after her son developed school phobia when he was 11 and she had to hang around his school in the background while he regained his confidence. In her spare time, she loves to read anything from Maeve Binchy, Jill Mansell, and Penny Vincenzi to Noel Coward, Dostoevsky and Zola. She also love crafts and entertaining, particularly hosting themed dinner parties.



 
You can read her blog
 

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