Publisher: Penguin/ Michael Joseph
Publishing Date: 19th August 2021
Source: Received from the publisher, thank you!
Number of pages: 416
Genre: Women’s Fiction, General Fiction (Adult)
Synopsis:
Escape to the sun-drenched shores of Lake Como in the irresistible and gripping new novel from the million-copy bestselling author of Thursdays in the Park, The Anniversary and The Lie
Connie McCabe longs for the summer where she spends the days leading tours across the continent.
But it’s on the glamorous shores of Lake Como where she is truly swept away, when Jared, a much younger man, falls for her.
Despite resisting his advances, Connie finds that he’s got under her skin.
And so begins a long, hot, intoxicating summer where Connie succumbs to temptation – breaking her marriage vows.
At the end of the season, Connie returns home to her husband, ready to put this affair behind her.
But Jared has other ideas . . .
Connie McCabe is a tour manager, travelling via train to different places in Europe. She’s married to Devan, a GP that recently retired. While before they didn’t have much time to spend together, now, with Devon all the time staying at home and hinting Connie should retire as well, not everything is rosy in McCabe’c household. Connie feels abandoned and lonely in her marriage, when Devan chooses to spend his time on his mobile phone, avoiding closeness and intimacy with his wife. And then, during one of her trips, Connie meets Jared who doesn’t hide the fact he’s interested in her. It’s hardly surprising that she’s flattered, right? Could there be something more between them? Is Connie going to risk her marriage for an affair? Is Jared who he says he is?
I think the fact that the author took us on a tour around Europe was only an added bonus. It took us a bit away from the main plot, however it also emphasised the fact that Jared was, actually, stalking Connie, and oh my, it annoyed me so much that Connie didn’t see what I’ve seen, that it took her so long to realise what I’ve realised so quickly. But back to travelling around Europe – I think it is a perfect job, it sounded interesting, however Connie was probably lucky with pretty uncomplicated tourists. I liked the fact that, next to such popular destination as Italy, Holland and Scotland, the author took us on a journey to Poland – I was in Ausschwitz. I know how the characterst felt.
There was a bunch of characters in the story, however I felt they need more depth, that they lacked a bit in development, that they were introduced to us and then stayed on the same level, without changing, without moving forward. Nevertheless, the author captured a very good picture of a relationship, she has executed it really, really well, leaving us a space for our own opinions and thoughts, giving us time to actually appreciate the differences and opposing views of Connie and Devan. I must admit that I felt more sympathy to Connie, Devan came too late with his sudden changing mind and desperation to spend quality time with his wife.
I missed Jared’s point of view in this all, I think. I’m also truly not sure about the whole stalking storyline, it seemed underdeveloped and so half heartedly done, not explored. He was such a significant character in this story yet it felt as if he was not there and absolutely not convincing – I’d love to know what has made him tick, what was his motivation.
Hilary Boyd explores here a long term marriage, one that had been together through thick and thin, where the couple started to feel too comfortable and, in the end, there is no more romance. I liked how she didn’t judge the characters, she didn’t blame them, she only showed how it truly is, in real life. She is a good observer, Hilary Boyd, and the actions and reactions of the characters ring a bell, seem true to life and are entirely realistic. However, the book itself felt slow, repetitive and not as tense as I thought it’s going to be. There were no life changing twists and what pained me so much was the fact that the story wasn’t going anywhere. But it was written in a lovely, uncomplicated, approachable and chatty way and felt close to life.
Altogether, it was an interesting story, easy to follow, written in a very good way. I wouldn’t call it a psychological thriller, it was more of a domestic dark noir and the author really nails all the feelings and emotions and family dynamics.
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