This was a light breezy read though the topic was definitely a deep one. Cara finds postcards in the trunk which opens up the proverbial can of worms. Trying to decipher and get to the bottom of her parents’ marriage and what really happened decades ago causes Cara to travel to the United States and then back to London till a funeral brings the past to the present.
The author Imogen Clark has tried to bring twists and suspense and a sense of family to this clearly difficult topic of bullying in a marriage and life in the 80’s where women were not allowed to work. But the novel did not touch the depths of emotions that I should have ideally felt. It did tell the story from different viewpoints and in different timelines. I could understand the problems women go through in this story, we still have those in my country. There was a definite struggle even where there was supposedly freedom. All the men were atrocious and controlling in the entire book, they were typecasted.
Friendships and relationships were shown, but I couldn’t connect to any of the characters. So for me it was a 2 hour read in between my thrillers to divert my mind though this could have been a real family saga had it just allowed feelings to seep into the pages.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of it, but I couldn’t really immerse myself into the story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Imogen Clark lives in Yorkshire, England with her husband and children. Her first burning ambition was to be a solicitor and so she read Law at Manchester University and then worked for many years at a commercial law firm. After leaving her legal career behind to care for her children, Imogen turned to her second love – books. She returned to university, studying part-time whilst the children were at school and was awarded a BA in English Literature with First Class Honours. Imogen loves sunshine, travel, the sea, bluebells and pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. She also writes books for young teenage girls under the pen name Lucinda Fox.
When Cara stumbles across a stash of old postcards in the attic, their contents make her question everything she thought she knew.
The story she pieces together is confusing and unsettling, and appears to have been patched over with lies. But who can tell her the truth? With her father sinking into Alzheimer’s and her brother reluctant to help, it seems Cara will never find the answers to her questions. One thing is clear, though: someone knows more than they’re letting on.
Torn between loyalty to her family and dread of what she might find, Cara digs into the early years of her parents’ troubled marriage, hunting down long-lost relatives who might help unravel the mystery. But the picture that begins to emerge is not at all the one she’d expected—because as she soon discovers, lies have a habit of multiplying.
Publication date: 7th August 2018
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
40 Responses
I’m confused by the idea of women not being able to work in the 80s. Is it set in the 1880s?
No honey it is still prevalent, most men want a housewife.. domestic violence and other problems are still widely prevalent including female infanticide ..
I realize this but in the 1980s in the US, most married woman worked, and in many couples I know, the woman is the primary earner.
You guys are lucky
No, 1980s
I’m sorry, Shalini. I didn’t know you have this in your country. 😔
Yes. A lot of other social problems including domestic violence, female infanticide, abuse are still prevalent
😔
Hmm I worked in the 80s and all of my friends did as well. I guess this book would be one that I would skip.
Yp… I have been working my entire, but I also know my friends who are not allowed to work by their husband and in-laws. They have to be a housewife
Shucks too bad. But, I don’t remember the 80s being like that, this sounds more like the 50s and 60s.
For us, these situations are still there… 😒
First of all, I love you. <3 Second, it's unfortunate that a book that covers such important topics didn't immerse you the way it should have. Lovely review, as always. <3 <3 <3
Great review, Shalini! Sounds like this one had a lot of potential! Too bad it didn’t bring out the emotions needed to work better for you
Hope you have a great weekend!
Happy weekend to you too Brenda 😍😘😘
I was shocked to read that you still deal with some of these issues in your country, Shalini. Loved your review though. Sorry you didn’t connect with the characters. Best wishes on your next! ♥️
Sorry you didn’t get the emotion you expected. Still, this one seems to tackle some major issues that aren’t the easiest to write about.
I understand… I have lived through them and most women in my country are still living through them, hence I probably wanted more emotions to connect
I hear ya.
oh yeah, it was tough. and in my mother’s generation divorce was shameful, an admission of failure. but i worked in the 70’s and was frowned on by my mother thinking i should have been home with the babies. yeah–but that’s when we needed my little extra income especially.
I understand… Life is still like that for most in my country
It sounds as if the potential of this novel was not fully used. Great review! x
I agree totally… I wanted the prose touching my heart…
It’s always frustrating when a book’s topic should wring you out emotionally, but fails to do so. I’m an intensely sensitive and empathic person, so if a book that should be highly emotional fails to evoke that response, it’s confounding. Better luck with your next read!
Thank you so much ❤️ I expected a bit more from the book
Ah, when you can’t connect with the characters, it definitely loses a lot of its awe-factor. It does however tackle some truly fascinating themes. Great review, Shalini! 🙂
I know Lashaan… Things out here are pretty bad, so we deal with those problems hence I wanted more feelings
Sounds like the book had a great premise and definitely tackled some important themes. Sorry to hear that you couldn’t connect with the characters though. Great review!
Thanks Diana… Well she writes well.. And sometimes it is difficult to feel the emotions if one has not gone through it.
How is your wedding preparations coming along? Hardly a month now
Three weeks to go. Had a surprise bridal shower on Saturday, it was super fun with some lovely gifts. The plans are going on well so far. Thank you for asking.
Hows your 2019 so far?
2019 has been different..
Problems at work, new thoughts, new ideas hopefully come to fruition
Sorry about the work issues. I hope things get better for you and all the best with implementing the new ideas. It shall be well <3
😍❤️😘
Loved the idea about bridal shower and lovely gifts.
I hope you are always happy Diana… My sincerest wishes 😘😘
Great review, Shalini! Sorry you didn’t enjoy this one…although it did tackle some issues that are hard to write about… Wishing you a better read next round! And how are you, Shalini?
I am good, Jee… How about you? How are your kids?
They’re well, thank you! I’m just hoping to catch up on sleep one day! 😂😂😂
A book with a lot of potential…
True ❤️
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