It’s such a pleasure today to share my review of the latest book from Louise Walters, We Are Family – independently published today (15th July) by her Louise Walters Books imprint, and available both as an ebook and in paperback. As I did, you might like to buy your copy via her website bookshop – especially if you prefer a paperback, as (although you will pay postage costs) it will be signed by the author. My thanks to Louise for forwarding my e-copy ahead of the official publication date.
It was 2017 when I read Louise’s novel The Road to California – a book that entirely captured my heart as it wrestled with issues of love, loss and family, the relationships between its characters joyful and uplifting, and the touches of gentle humour so perfectly judged (you’ll find my full review here). I had to wait until 2022 for her next book, The Hermit – proof that 33,000 well chosen and perfectly placed words can sometimes be enough, a book about love but certainly not the romance I usually read, emotionally engaging, its story quite wonderfully told, its impact stunning (you’ll find my review of that one here). But over the intervening years, Louise continued to delight – it was a joy to read and review the wonderful books by the seven other talented authors that she discovered and published via her independent imprint, Louise Walters Books. Very sadly, she’s no longer an independent publisher – a significant loss to the industry – but she’s a very fine author in her own right and I’m really delighted to be able to share my review of her latest.
Alison looked at Jennifer. How she envied the perfect make-up, the still-quite-fresh skin, the apparent lack of grey hairs, the slim figure unscarred by pregnancy and childbirth; the sophisticated, single existence.
Jennifer and Alison go back years, first meeting when teenagers at school. Their friendship has seen its ups, downs, highs, lows, triumphs, and disasters.
The friends are now in their late forties. Alison is happily married to the dull but dependable Malcolm, and they have a teenage son. Jennifer is divorced, well-off, and carefree, and determined to stay that way.
So she astonishes everyone when she announces she is pregnant. Shock turns to delight, and Alison is keen to support her oldest friend. But when she finds out who the father of the baby is, the friendship must face its biggest test.
A firm friendship established during their school days, when the more confident Jennifer became Alison’s protector – and one that has endured, despite the very different paths their lives have taken. Martin might not be the most exciting of partners, but Alison lives a contented life with him and their adult son. Jennifer’s life is very different – she certainly believes in living her single life to the full, having survived a difficult marriage, financially secure, enjoying every moment. Like all friendships, theirs waxes and wanes – but the bombshell dropped by Jennifer when she announces her late forties pregnancy, and the circumstances that brought it about, might just bring their friendship to an end. And there are more secrets and revelations to come, as Jennifer’s past catches up with her – and Alison struggles with any possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the way the women were depicted – both distinctly less than likeable at times. Alison’s reaction to the situation is wholly understandable in many ways, but my goodness, she’s frustratingly obstructive and determined to maintain her line. Even when her husband and son take a very different approach. And Jennifer, at first supremely selfish and self-centred, is forced to face up to the changes in her life – and often becomes the more sympathetic of the pair. It’s really cleverly handled, with exceptional emotional authenticity – there are some lovely touches of humour, and the unfolding story certainly has its moments of drama, heartbreak and joy.
The complications of family are also explored alongside balancing the scales of the relationship between the two women – with a wonderfully drawn supporting cast adding depth and texture to the story, along with a few real surprises. And it’s a beautifully told story – I raced through it in a single sitting, entirely caught up in the twists and turns of the individuals’ lives as they trod the difficult path towards forgiveness, reconciliation, and recognising the importance of their various relationships. It’s ultimately uplifting and particularly heartwarming too – one of those books that I put down at the end with a smile and a really satisfied sigh. Very much enjoyed, and enthusiastically recommended to all.
About the author
Louise Walters is the author of four previous novels – Mrs Sinclair’s Suitcase (Hodder 2014), A Life Between Us (Louise Walters Books 2017), The Road to California (Louise Walters Books 2018), and The Hermit (Louise Walters Books 2022). She’s a writer and a freelance editor, working from her home in rural Northamptonshire. She write novels that she describes as literary-lite, always readable, and realistic – about women, relationships, motherhood, love, betrayal, tragedy, revenge, and the search for happiness.
