Tissues at the ready! This week’s top reads are packed with emotion – in a good way! Plus we have a fab video from author Lesley Pearse as well as a brilliant giveaway…
This week’s I’ve been reading:
Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse (£18.99, Penguin)
When 20-year-old Eva Patterson comes home from work to find her mum, Flora, dead in the bath, leaving a note that simply says: ‘Forgive me’, her world is turned upside down. She tries to be strong for her younger brother, Ben, and sister, Sophie, but her father, Andrew, completely ignores her and will only comfort his two younger children. Eva feels cast out and moves to London, where she starts to learn about her past – and realises that she didn’t really know her mum at all. On her journey to find out the truth, she has to deal with love, heartbreak and grief, then even her life is in danger. Will she ever be able to forgive her family for what they’ve done?
The verdict
Author Lesley Pearse has created a page-turner full of suspense, emotion and drama that keeps you guessing right to the end as Eva and Flora’s story is revealed. In fact, it made me gasp at loud! Eva is an easy character to like and relate to, which is central to the book’s success, as you find yourself rooting for her from the very start. Complete escapism of the very best kind.
- Watch our video of author Lesley Pearse talking about her writing:
We have 10 copies of Forgive Me by Lesley Pearse to give away! For your chance to win one, enter by 11.59pm on March 2.
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
I’ve also been reading:
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (£7.99, Penguin)
It’s not often that I tell people NOT to read a book. But do not read this book on public transport! I had to do that ‘biting the inside of your cheeks to stop yourself crying’ thing on the tube this week as I was reading The Fault In Our Stars. And I also laughed out loud so people turned and stared at me. Not many books can make me do this, so although I said do not read this book on public transport, I urge everyone to read this book (but perhaps at home with a box of tissues).
It’s about Hazel and Augustus, teenagers who both have cancer. Hazel’s illness is terminal but being managed, so she has to carry an oxygen tank around with her, while Augustus has had his leg amputated but is in remission. They meet at a support group and instantly have a connection. The two, who are in that period of being neither children nor adults, try to make sense of their lives and how cancer has affected them forever, in a poignant but sometimes hilarious way. Now, I know it doesn’t sound like a bundle of laughs for a relaxing weekend read, but it is an amazing and – although I don’t like using this phrase as it can sound a bit cheesy, but it really is – life-affirming book. It’s one of Richard & Judy’s book club picks this spring and has been huge in America, where author John Green lives. So good I think it should be compulsory reading for everyone!
- What have you been reading this week? Tell me on Twitter @FabFrosty and see you next week!
