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.
Every now and then, you come across a book that you’re just so desperate to share with others. One of those books that you’ve enjoyed so much that you might burst if you don’t tell anyone else about it. It’s so rude though, isn’t it? You’re enthusing about a book that no-one can get their hands on until it’s published at the end of July. But then again, people might be pre-ordering, planning their future reading… and I know the book’s already available to reviewers on netgalley.
Anyway, let me tell you about this wonderful book. It’s my second read by Julie Cohen – I reviewed her previous novel, Dear Thing, back in August last year and really loved it. And now we have Where Love Lies, due for publication on 31st July by Bantam Press/Transworld – this book is quite simply one of the very best books I’ve read this year.
It draws you in from the first few pages – as Felicity searches for a restaurant she knows well, painted yellow, with a sign made of curly wrought iron, while a busker plays “Walking on Sunshine”, then catches a scent of perfume in the air – then it sweeps you up, you laugh and cry through its pages, you experience exactly what it feels like to be blissfully in love. This is a book that will move you at the deepest emotional levels – it’s an experience you’ll enjoy, immensely original, with the author’s deft touch for observation and humour, but at times your heart will ache so unbearably that you can barely keep on reading. It has people at its centre who you get to know so well that you feel everything they feel, however painful, however joyous… It will also make you think deeply about what love is, whether to follow your heart or your head, all about memories and what they mean to you, the fragility of life, and the way in which actions can let people down or save them.
I’ll say no more – I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, I want you to experience this book the same way I did. Please, just make sure you get your hands on this book.
My thanks to Tess Henderson at Transworld (who I hounded quite shamefully…) for my advance reading copy.
Julie Cohen grew up in the mountains of western Maine, USA, and wrote stories from an early age, most of them involving rock stars or magic. After taking an honours degree in English from Brown University, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she spent three years researching fairies in Victorian children’s literature. As this had very few practical applications, she became a secondary school English teacher, writing novels in the evenings and in the school holidays. She currently writes full time and lives in Berkshire with her husband, son and about a million guitars. For more information on the writer and her books, do visit Julie Cohen’s excellent website.