I’m always so chuffed when I can help kick off a blog tour for one of Jane Lovering’s books – today it’s publication day for Happily Ever After, and I’m delighted to share my review. Published today (17th February) by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), as an audiobook, and also in paperback. My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
You’ll know I have my favourite authors, and Jane will always be one of them – her characters unfailingly winning my heart, lots of laughter, a few tears, such original stories, and writing I always enjoy so much. I’ve read and enjoyed her books from the very beginning (if you pop her name into my search bar, you’ll find all my many reviews) and I don’t think there’s ever been a year when one of her books hasn’t made it onto my Books of the Year list.
Last year, there were three really strong contenders. I totally loved The Island Cottage – an unexpected visit to Orkney, a romance I really believed in, a wonderful setting, and more than a touch of real magic (you’ll find my review here – it’s available free with Prime reading). One of a Kind (available free via Kindle Unlimited) was something rather different – almost a thriller at times, but with plenty of laughs along the way, and a developing relationship fraught with issues and challenges but as “utterly beautiful” as the publishers promised (you’ll find my review here). But my personal favourite had to be The Start of the Story (available free with Prime reading) – in fact, I thought it was the best book she’s ever written – not without her trademark humour, but so emotionally engaging as two very sympathetic individuals grappled with the complexities of life and their impact, and found a particular depth of connection (you’ll find my full review here).
So, let’s take a closer look at her latest…
Andi Glover loves nothing more than a good book.
Any book in fact because when you’re raised by unconventional parents who think school’s for squares, alongside a deeply conventional sister who escapes home as soon as she can, fiction is eminently preferable to reality.
The only problem is that fiction isn’t the best way to learn about the real world. When Andi starts her new live-in job at Templewood Hall for the eccentric Lady Dawe and her enigmatic son Hugo, it’s tempting to think she’s fallen into the pages of one of her favourite gothic novels.
But the plot twists at Templewood Hall are stranger than fiction and it’s not long before Andi questions if she’s living in a romance novel or a whodunnit. Bumps in the night, a missing heir, ghostly apparitions and secrets that have been kept for generations – the mysteries mount up. Then there’s the inscrutable gardener who seems to appear when needed – is Andi right to hope for a happily-ever-after end to her story?
Something a little different from one of my favourite authors – that’s certainly not the first time I’ve said that, and it’s one of the (many) reasons I love her books. This time there’s a particularly Gothic vibe, a theme that real life can be rather less predictable than books would have you believe, an intriguing mystery, a very slow-burn but authentic-feeling romance – and bags of fun and laughs aplenty throughout.
Living at Templewood Hall and cataloguing Lady Dawe’s neglected library could just have been Andi’s dream job. Her upbringing was rather unconventional (her sister made a stand and walked away, while young Andromeda – her name an indication of her parents’ hippy-dippiness – was happy just to take refuge in the world of books): and life in the converted bus, her parents on another extended jaunt, was just starting to get a bit uncomfortable. And there’s always a chance she might find romance with gorgeous Hugo, the heir to the estate, and live happily ever after as the heroines in the books she loves so often do – but although he’s friendly enough, that looks increasingly unlikely. And she really hadn’t reckoned on her ladyship being such an unstable presence (and demanding employer), the freezing cold, the housekeeper from hell, the starvation diet, the things that go bump in the night, the stinky cat insistent on sharing her bed (but what a great character!) – or the real reason for her employment, a quest that looks increasingly impossible, until it becomes even more difficult. Although she might just find the romance she was hoping for – but not quite where she expected to find it.
The story is frequently laugh-out-loud funny – but not without those touches of particular poignancy the author always does so well. The setting of the neglected mansion is just wonderful, and the character development is excellent too. Andi really is rather less than likeable at first (I worried a little… although I loved her distinctive voice, quirky take on life, and dry humour), but the way she tackles the many challenges in her path see her growing, taking chances, and becoming increasingly sympathetic. But every single character is really well-drawn, and I very much enjoyed the unpredictable twists and turns of the story: the pacing is just right, and the story’s ending is pitch perfect with the real possibility of a happy ever after, but that’s only after an unexpected touch of particularly well-written drama. The literary chapter headings were a nice touch too. And I really must mention again that smelly but wonderfully characterful cat, The Master – I just loved his every intervention, especially when it actually seemed he was very much in Andi’s corner.
This book, I’ll admit, certainly wasn’t quite what I expected it to be – but I also think that’s also why I so thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s different, it’s quirky, it’s as beautifully written as always, with lots of warmth, and it’s tremendous fun – I’d highly recommend you give it a try.
About the author
Jane Lovering is a bestselling and multi-award winning romantic comedy writer. Most recently Jane won the RNA Contemporary Romance Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.
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Ooh sounds like a good read!
Fabulous review Anne. The Master was such a fun addition to the story! 😸