On the closing day of the blog tour, it’s a delight today to be sharing my review of the latest book from Beth Moran, Have I Told You Lately: published by Boldwood Books on 24th January, it’s now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I’m rather a fan of Beth’s writing – she creates wonderful characters, her stories always have perfectly judged touches of both sadness and humour, and always have the most uplifting endings. In 2023, Take Me Home was a particular favourite and deserved its place in my 2023 Books of the Year list – an emotional story beautifully told, and a tentative romance that was everything I wanted it to be (you’ll find my full review here). Two books last year, and I very much enjoyed It Had To Be You – such an engaging read, emotional at times, sometimes painful, but ultimately filled with hope (review here). But the one I chose to include in my 2024 Books of the Year list was Lean On Me – moving and life-affirming, making me feel deeply for the individuals at the story’s heart, and totally unforgettable (you’ll find my full review here).
Let’s take a closer look at her latest…
One photo and a handful of letters can change everything.
Emmie Brown has always known she was adopted. Nellie Brown sacrificed everything to make their life together comfortable and, while not the most demonstrative or warm woman, Emmie never doubted her devotion. But, when Emmie finds a stash of letters and a hidden photo after her mother’s death, everything she has believed changes in an instant. And she won’t be able to rest until she finds the mysterious ‘G’ who sent the letters.
Emmie’s quest takes her to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Siskin and into the home of the gregarious, fiercely loyal Hawkins family. After an isolated and introverted life, the burst of colour and noise is overwhelming. But soon Emmie feels her heart begin to open, her mind begin to dream. And as her friendship with kind and gorgeous islander Pip Hawkins gets closer, endless possible futures draw into focus.
But the discovery of ‘G’s true identity will mean Emmie has to choose. One of her choices would mean revealing secrets hidden for decades, one could lead to happiness, but both will need Emmie to be braver than she’s ever been…
A truly uplifting, unputdownable, heart-warming and unforgettable read guaranteed to make you smile, read longer than you planned and punch the air with happiness at its beautiful ending. Perfect for all fans of Shari Low, Jill Mansell and Lucy Diamond.
I have a particular fondness for visiting the locations or areas where books are set – but, despite much googling, it seems the Isle of Siskin with its direct flights from Sherwood Airport is a figment of the author’s imagination. But it’s an exceptionally well drawn one – with its dependence on agriculture, its erratic public transport, and its community where everyone knows everybody else’s business. And from letters left by Emmie’s recently deceased adoptive mother Nell, it seems it has some significance in their personal history – the enigmatic “G” was clearly important to her, he lived there, and she’d like to find out more.
Her life is entirely focused on the pasty stall they ran together at the airport – rising daily before dawn, with no life of her own, driven by the work ethic Nell instilled in her and a determination to keep the business going whatever the personal cost. But maybe there’s more to life – and when new friend Pip (“the hot farmer”) heads home to Siskin for perhaps the last time, she decides the time has come to take a well-earned break, finding herself on the same flight thanks to the welcome intervention and organisational skills of best friend Blessing.
With no plans made, everything goes badly wrong on her arrival – feeling overwhelmed, she thinks she should maybe head home on the next flight. But she ends up staying in the new B+B run by Pip’s sister – a test run for when it opens, at no charge – and finds herself totally drawn into his large family. Alongside continuing to read those letters, she’s gradually able to make sense of Nell’s past and the experiences that made her cut herself off from life – but also to get closer to Pip, seeing if their friendship might turn into something more. But, as she grows in confidence and begins to feel at home on the island, seeing the possibility of a rather different future, it becomes clear that her presence isn’t welcomed by everyone.
The mystery at the book’s centre is fascinating as it slowly unfolds with unexpected twists and turns: the romance is gentle and very slow-burn, but adds an extra emotional touch to the story. And I was in Emmie’s corner throughout as she began to blossom – really deserving the possibility of a fresh start and some future happiness. But the relationship I perhaps enjoyed the most was her friendship with Blessing – just the person she so needed to watch her back and offer a helping hand when things became difficult, but with her interventions adding a lot of the book’s humour too. All the characters are beautifully drawn though – the obsessive ex-girlfriend, the wider family with their own relationships, and the smaller cameos of the island’s particularly quirky residents.
Emmie’s journey was one I thoroughly enjoyed – emotional at times, but very uplifting by the story’s end – and all those other elements made the whole book particularly engaging. Beautifully written as always, this was a lovely read – and one I’d recommend to all.
About the author
Beth Moran is the award winning author of fourteen contemporary fiction novels, including the top ten bestselling Just the Way You Are. Her books are set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she can be found most mornings walking with her spaniel Murphy. She has the privilege of also being a foster carer to teenagers, and enjoys nothing better than curling up with a pot of tea and a good story.
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