30 Sep Blog Tour + Review: ‘Another Love’ by Amanda Prowse
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Another Love by Amanda Prowse
Published by Head of Zeus
Published on 16.01.2016
Genres: Women’s fiction
Pages: 368
In the early years of their love affair, Romilly was happy. She had worked hard for her stunning, modern house in one of Bristol’s most fashionable suburbs. She adored her gorgeous, gap-toothed daughter and her handsome, kind husband. Sure, life was sometimes exhausting – but nothing that a large glass of wine at the end of the day couldn’t fix.
And then a new neighbour arrived and everything unravelled. A glass of wine became a bottle; one bottle became two. Romilly’s family were once everything to her. Now, after years of hiding the drinking, she must finally admit that she has found another love…
‘Another Love’ is a brilliant, memorable, unputdownable emotional rollercoaster of a story, one I devoured in a single sitting and was so sad when it was over. It tells the story of Romilly, a victim of her own choices, a mother and a wife torn between the love for her husband and daughter and the other kind of love, the destructive one which has closed her in not allowing her to breathe.
Told from two point of views, Romilly and her daughter’s (Celeste) we learn about the history of these two women, the devastation and destruction alcohol made them experience, the highs and lows in their family, the many crises and cries for help. When I started reading this book, I thought it would be about Celeste and her relationship with her estranged mother. Partially it was about that, about all the reasons these two drifted apart, about a broken family and many broken hearts.
However, I didn’t expect this book to be so… heavy? Not sure if I got the right word, but each page did feel like a stone crushing my heart. The story is authentic, heart breaking, layered and beautifully written, you’ll be hooked from the very first line. It speaks honestly about some very sensitive topics and there’s no way Ms Prowse’s words won’t touch even the coldest heart. Even if you’re not a mother and even if you’ve never met someone with an addiction, the story will have a deep impact on you, drawing you into this dark world full of struggle, making you root for the characters, wanting them to change their life for the better, feeling disappointed each time they give in to temptation. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably finish reading with heavy tears falling down your face, sad the journey’s come to the end and feeling blessed for everything you have in your life.
It’s a difficult book to review, because as much as the story is important, it’s the characters and human nature which are more important. Their flaws, their history, their dreams and sacrifices, the way people through their own choices can experiences the greatest highs and the deepest, darkest falls. I don’t remember I’ve been so invested in a book in a long time. Ms Prowse’s writing and descriptions of the states Romilly goes through, are simply perfect and there’s no way you won’t be immersed in the story.
If I’m correct, this is Mrs Prowse’s 10th book and definitely one not to miss out! If you’re new to her books, I strongly suggest starting with this then works your way through her backlog. Trust me, she’s an author who deserves all the praise and certainly an author who pours every atom of her imagination, experience, knowledge and, most importantly, amazing talent to each new book. This book certainly set the bar high for the following ones, but I’m absolutely sure Mrs Prowse will never disappoint me or her huge army of fans. Also, it’s only January but this book is definitely going on my list of Best Books of 2016 and is already on my list of all time faves.
Yes, I LOVED ‘Another Love’! Utterly brilliant, fascinating, heart breaking story you must not miss out on! Simply put, Mrs Prowse is an author who speaks to my heart.
About Amanda Prowse
Amanda has always obsessively crafted short stories and scribbled notes for potential books, but it wasn’t until she was forty that she began writing full time. The result was Poppy Day, the story of an army wife, whose incredible love for her husband gives her the courage to rescue him from hostages in Afghanistan. This was followed by the number 1 bestseller What Have I Done? Amanda now has ten novels and four novellas published.
All of Amanda’s books in the No Greater Love series share common themes in that they are contemporary love stories, the main characters are women, just like you and I, who find themselves in extraordinary situations for love.
Her new series is the No Greater Courage series, tales of women facing the trials that life throws at them and having to dig deep to find the will and strength to succeed. This series includes the A Mother’s Story and Perfect Daughter, which continue to receive brilliant reader and press reviews.
Amanda’s ambition has always been to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can’t possibly read another book until the memory fades…
Currently, Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their 18 & 19 year old boys Josh and Ben.
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