WHO DECIDES WHAT'S RIGHT OR WRONG IN LOVE...? Laura and Adam love their life in Brighton. They're in love, and it's uncomplicated, and that's just how they like it. But all that changes when Laura meets an eccentric older couple in the local cafe, Alessandros. Laura is immediately drawn to Rose and William, whose flamboyancy and joie-de-vivre appeal to a side of her that is rarely shown. But early in their friendship the terrible truth of Rose's future is revealed - she is in the final stages of a devastating terminal illness. Laura and Rose grow ever closer, and when the time finally comes they expect to be able to lay Rose to rest in the peace that she deserves. But soon insidious rumours are flying about as to the real cause of Rose's death; was it the illness that killed her, or did her husband, William, take matters into his own hands? In the weeks that follow Laura and William are thrown together as he struggles to prove his innocence - until finally, their friendship becomes something more, and Laura's life is changed utterly.
Another gentle book from Sarah Jackman with identifiable characters (or should I say characters with identifiable traits!). A story of mis-communication, or even total lack of it. The storyteller (it's a first person novel) is obssessive, neurotic and should be thankful for her forgiving relationship base! If you want a relaxed holiday read then this might just be it!
The main problem with this book is that it just wasn't very interesting. I read it but I was always on the verge of giving up. I couldn't care about the characters and the ending was just silly. Probably just 1* but I did in fact read it without skimming (well, just a bit).
This novel inspired myself into the inevitable feeling of being captured in the presence of love. I enjoyed the main character Laura and her views on Brighton the city and town she lived in. I found myself idolising the couple together as her Laura and her partner Adam had stayed true to adoring each other. The love they felt for each other I found to be the true definition of such love and loyalty to one another. It surprised me the obstacles facing the main character as her stability soon becomes all to much to handle. Her normal day to day lifestyle crumbling away of any normality left in her life. I imagined her partner Adam as a true gentlemen and found him to be very surreal as the simple man , the gardener. The compassion for each other they showed was breathtaking and the way the two believed in one another was just amazing!
I was very engaged and loved the little surprises involved within the story. Complications out to destroy Laura's confidence, Laura's wonderful sense of life the many threatening obstacles. The misdemenour of Rose the mysterious next door nieghbour, the enviness of Best friend Debbie and longing of intensity between Rose's estranged partner William. The diologue of the characters in the novel perhaps made even the story more realistic of an experience. The mutual respect was detailed in the conversations of each person. I thoroughly enjoyed the elements of romance between two characters Adam & Laura. It gave the novel a lovely feel of embracing inner true beauty. The relationship they represent was thoughtfully shown throughout the novel. Depicting love and lust,the other lover gives an innocent approach to chances of fate with the turbulence of the unexpected. I relatively found myself lost of this world at first glance but later on open to the possibility these relationships, obstacles and conclusions are happily introduced into the atmosphere leaving us the audience to guess the future of the 'The Other Lover's characters.
Ok, it's been a week and I'm still thinking about this book so I've changed it to a three star. That and that I want my sister to read it and she won't if it's less than 3! ;-p
2.5 stars but only because it got more interesting towards the end. I took me ages to get into it, and would've DNF if I didn't have my annoying OCD that doesn't allow me to abandon things half way through. I really only got me at 300 pages in and with only 100 page to tie up every thing that needed to be, there wasn't enough time so therefor thing got left unanswered. Debs annoyed the s£&t out of me and consequently so did Laura for putting up with her. I really liked Ad and William and would have likes a HEA for Laura with either one of them. We also never found out who sent the letters, my bet is Emma or Debs - but I wish we'd found out for sure. I think less word count could've been spent on the build up and more after the break up explaining the loose ends. 2.5/3 stars
I couldn't put my finger on it exactly, but I just didn't really enjoy this book. I think the main problem is that I just couldn't get on with the main character - I found her pretty unlikeable really and therefore found I didn't really care for what she was going through in the book. I wouldn't be tempted to read anything else by Sarah Jackman.
the book really grew on me as I got further and further along. I found it very different to most other books I have read in the past. I can't put my finger on it but there was just something about the story that I really liked! Shame i'm terrible at giving reviews :P
I picked this book up at random, for a long train journey & I didn't enjoy it very much I found the main character annoying and I absolutely hated the storyline, everything about it was just wrong.