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All I ever wanted - Lucy Dillon



Description

Eva is forty-four, nearly forty-five. She always knew marrying a much older man meant compromises, but she was sure it was worth it – until Mickey dies suddenly, leaving Eva with only his diaries and a voice in the back of her mind telling her that perhaps she's sacrificed more than she meant to.

While Nancy's parents negotiate their separation, the question of weekend contact is solved when her father volunteers his sister Eva's house. As spring turns to summer, a trust slowly begins to form between a little girl with a heartbreaking secret, and a woman who has realised too late that what she yearns for is the love of a child.


Review

I have so many books to read and unfortunately this one slipped down the TBR pile. I really wish it hadn't because I have really loved reading this book, which was my first from Lucy Dillon but it won't be the last.

There are two threads to the story. One with Eva a widow with no children and the decision she faces whether or not to publish her late husbands diaries. The other Eva's brother and his wife decide to separate and the consequences for the children and the effects on them. Together with one of the parents trying to move on.

The star of the story is Nancy who her Mum calls fancy Nancy - something happens to her that is heartbreaking - I was rooting for Nancy throughout the book and could picture her clearly from the way she was described. 

I don't do spoilers, but there is a day when a calamity arises at Eva's house and the way it was written was just as good as any thriller - I was spellbound.

Although this is a chick lit type book there are such a range of subjects covered. The book does flip between Eva and Caitlin, this is done in a measured way though and I felt I knew exactly where I was in each of their stories. Not too many characters and I got to know all of them so well, I really didn't want it to end.

I did shed a few tears near the end of the book - it was just so moving and emotional, but not in a soppy way. So many different levels to the book, but I think if you really connected with the characters you would be hard pressed not to shed a tear.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book for review.


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