The debut novel by Giovanna Fletcher is absolutely charming. I could not put it down! This book touched me on so many different levels. I'll admit that I was intrigued to read about this romance between a seemingly ordinary girl and famous actor, especially considering it was written by the lovely wife of Mcfly member Tom Fletcher. I figured it would give us a glimpse into the life most teenage girls dream of. But it is so much more than that.As women I know that we often dream of meeting these gorgeous celebrities and them falling madly in love with us. We imagine what our lives would be like and how we would be swept off into this world of glitz and glamour. But in reality that is not always the case. Often times we fall for the illusions we have created of these people. We think that their lives are fabulous and how could our lives not be fabulous if we were with them. But like any life there are struggles and set backs. Being surrounded by people all the time does not cure loneliness. And being in love can not protect you from the harsh lessons life can bring us.
In the beginning the story leads us down the road we all dream of. A handsome stranger sweeping us off our feet and transporting us to this romantic magical world. But as it goes on it brings in the reality of things that can happen in any new relationship. Feeling out of place in this persons world and wondering how you are meant to fit into their life. It reflects upon how we can lose ourselves in relationships and how we try to do everything to keep things positive and not let our worries get in the way.
The underlying story is something that I personally connected with a lot. In life we can spend our lives trying to take care of the people around us and trying to be everything we think they need us to be that we can forget that we need to take care of ourselves. In being everything to everyone else we can lose who we truly are and it's not always easy to get back. I have struggled for many years trying to please my parents and my older brother and trying to be everything that I thought they wanted me to be. Now at the age of twenty five I am struggling to rediscover who I am. This book reminded me of that and helped me to see that hope is not lost.
Giovanna is an amazing writer. Every time I picked up this book I felt transported to Sophie's life in Rosefont Hill. As I was led through the ups and downs of the story I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. And while there are times
of sadness through out the book they still held a feeling of release. A way to let go of things we have no control over and to remember the good things in life.
Giovanna I thank you for writing this wonderful book. It has been an inspiration in more ways than one. I look forward to your next book.
