What do you think?
Rate this book
Dearest Rose
Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Dorothy Koomson and Liane Moriarty, this is an uplifting and heartfelt novel from the author of The Memory Book, which was featured in the Richard & Judy book club 2014
Sometimes you have to have the courage to start over…
Rose Pritchard has fled her home and her abusive husband with little more than the clothes on her back – and her most precious possession, her seven year old daughter Maddie.
But Rose does have one other thing left – a glimmer of hope that she can build a better life for herself and her daughter, whatever it takes…
Sometimes you have to have the courage to start over…
Rose Pritchard has fled her home and her abusive husband with little more than the clothes on her back – and her most precious possession, her seven year old daughter Maddie.
But Rose does have one other thing left – a glimmer of hope that she can build a better life for herself and her daughter, whatever it takes…
448 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2012
42 people are currently reading
2734 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Coleman
49 books851 followersRowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
September 29, 2013
****4 Gut Wrenching Stars****
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
You know, when I first started reading this book, I was ready to put it down and figure out how to word my review in order to not offend the author. But I kept at it and I wasn't disappointed - Yeah there were times that I got confused with the "timing" of the writing - it would bounce back and forth between the past and present without warning or preamble. Getting past this though, the story is heart-felt and touched my emotions.
Rose leaves her abusive husband along with her 7 year old eccentric daughter, Maddie and takes off for parts unknown except from a painting on a post card. This post card was sent to her from a man who visited her over 7 years ago looking for her father. Rose immediately felt a connection to him and it was through that memory and the post card that Rose was able to get through all the years of her abusive marriage.
Unexpectedly, Rose finds out that her estranged father lives outside the town pictured on her postcard (which by the way is a print he painted). Rose confronts her father after not seeing him since he took off when she was 9 years old. Rose, Maddie and John all work on building the foundation of a relationship and many times throughout the book, I found myself bawling my eyes out and then suddenly laughing through the tears.
This is also a romance between Rose and Rowan who is her fathers agent (plus he is the man who Rose was searching for). They go through friendship, promised love, heartbreak, friendship again....while all along Rose battles with the stress of her husband finding her.
This is a story of Rose and Maddie's journey of self discovery. Throughout the book we see both girls blossom into their own self identities. Rose is no longer the mousey, submissive wife while Maddie gains social skills and finds her happiness in life.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
You know, when I first started reading this book, I was ready to put it down and figure out how to word my review in order to not offend the author. But I kept at it and I wasn't disappointed - Yeah there were times that I got confused with the "timing" of the writing - it would bounce back and forth between the past and present without warning or preamble. Getting past this though, the story is heart-felt and touched my emotions.
Rose leaves her abusive husband along with her 7 year old eccentric daughter, Maddie and takes off for parts unknown except from a painting on a post card. This post card was sent to her from a man who visited her over 7 years ago looking for her father. Rose immediately felt a connection to him and it was through that memory and the post card that Rose was able to get through all the years of her abusive marriage.
Unexpectedly, Rose finds out that her estranged father lives outside the town pictured on her postcard (which by the way is a print he painted). Rose confronts her father after not seeing him since he took off when she was 9 years old. Rose, Maddie and John all work on building the foundation of a relationship and many times throughout the book, I found myself bawling my eyes out and then suddenly laughing through the tears.
This is also a romance between Rose and Rowan who is her fathers agent (plus he is the man who Rose was searching for). They go through friendship, promised love, heartbreak, friendship again....while all along Rose battles with the stress of her husband finding her.
This is a story of Rose and Maddie's journey of self discovery. Throughout the book we see both girls blossom into their own self identities. Rose is no longer the mousey, submissive wife while Maddie gains social skills and finds her happiness in life.
August 8, 2020
Worn down by an abusive husband/relationship, Rose Pritchard clings to the kind words written to her in a letter years ago.
Steeling her courage she takes her daughter and leaves everything behind and heads for the village of Millthwaite.
Rose then searches for the only person who had ever offered her even a smidgen of hope, but once she arrives she is confronted by obstacles she never expected and now wonders if she has made a terrible mistake after all.
At a crossroads now, she wonders if she should go back to the life she knew, or grasp her fleeting second chance at love?
The Runaway Wife is a nicely written and extremely well crafted tale of the different ways love enters and exits our lives.
While there was a vivid in depth range of emotions with the characters, there were for me a few things that "irked" me about her tale and that brought it down a star point and I had to make sure I really felt this way before I wrote my review, so I had set it aside before I did so.
I think it was mostly that having been in Rose's situation myself many years ago and yes I had to pull up the courage to walk out with two little ones, I sure didn't cling to a past person who entered my life and passed through just as quick then went searching right away for the "knight in white Shinning Armour" to fulfill what may or may not have been there.
Rose to me seemed to be living in a fantasy world, her daughter had issues, and they weren't her first concern. Full filling this "quest" was.
At least it seem to me, and a few other quibbles that bugged me but were minor than the others.
It could have been a more believable story for me if a few things were added or left out.
You know, one of those you'd like to re-write yourself.
(No offence to the author) but it was just my experience of reading the book/Rose's story, and in no way should it reflect another reader picking it up to try.
Steeling her courage she takes her daughter and leaves everything behind and heads for the village of Millthwaite.
Rose then searches for the only person who had ever offered her even a smidgen of hope, but once she arrives she is confronted by obstacles she never expected and now wonders if she has made a terrible mistake after all.
At a crossroads now, she wonders if she should go back to the life she knew, or grasp her fleeting second chance at love?
The Runaway Wife is a nicely written and extremely well crafted tale of the different ways love enters and exits our lives.
While there was a vivid in depth range of emotions with the characters, there were for me a few things that "irked" me about her tale and that brought it down a star point and I had to make sure I really felt this way before I wrote my review, so I had set it aside before I did so.
I think it was mostly that having been in Rose's situation myself many years ago and yes I had to pull up the courage to walk out with two little ones, I sure didn't cling to a past person who entered my life and passed through just as quick then went searching right away for the "knight in white Shinning Armour" to fulfill what may or may not have been there.
Rose to me seemed to be living in a fantasy world, her daughter had issues, and they weren't her first concern. Full filling this "quest" was.
At least it seem to me, and a few other quibbles that bugged me but were minor than the others.
It could have been a more believable story for me if a few things were added or left out.
You know, one of those you'd like to re-write yourself.
(No offence to the author) but it was just my experience of reading the book/Rose's story, and in no way should it reflect another reader picking it up to try.
June 27, 2022
3.5 stars
Rose and her 7-year old daughter, Maddie, show up at a B&B in a small town in the middle of the night. It turns out Rose has – on the spur of the moment – left her abusive husband. Rose’s own father left when Rose was only 9, and her mother died when she was 17. It was not long after, she met and married the older doctor, Richard. Unfortunately, now, Rose doesn’t know where to go, so she follows a picture on a postcard to this small town.
The postcard came from Frasier, a man she met once at her door when she was pregnant. Frasier was looking for John, Rose’s father and an artist, as Frasier was an art dealer. But he was a nice man and such a bright spot in Rose’s dreary day, home alone, long estranged from her own friends, that he’d become a fantasy for her over the following years. To Rose’s surprise, though she was following the postcard in hopes of finding Frasier, she also found her father, whom she hadn’t heard a word from since he’d left.
This was good. The bulk of the story revolves around Rose’s new life (though there are flashbacks to find out what exactly happened with Richard), her new friends in Millthwaite, and her emerging relationship with her father. I quite liked many of the secondary characters, particularly Jenny, the owner of the B&B.
Rose and her 7-year old daughter, Maddie, show up at a B&B in a small town in the middle of the night. It turns out Rose has – on the spur of the moment – left her abusive husband. Rose’s own father left when Rose was only 9, and her mother died when she was 17. It was not long after, she met and married the older doctor, Richard. Unfortunately, now, Rose doesn’t know where to go, so she follows a picture on a postcard to this small town.
The postcard came from Frasier, a man she met once at her door when she was pregnant. Frasier was looking for John, Rose’s father and an artist, as Frasier was an art dealer. But he was a nice man and such a bright spot in Rose’s dreary day, home alone, long estranged from her own friends, that he’d become a fantasy for her over the following years. To Rose’s surprise, though she was following the postcard in hopes of finding Frasier, she also found her father, whom she hadn’t heard a word from since he’d left.
This was good. The bulk of the story revolves around Rose’s new life (though there are flashbacks to find out what exactly happened with Richard), her new friends in Millthwaite, and her emerging relationship with her father. I quite liked many of the secondary characters, particularly Jenny, the owner of the B&B.
November 18, 2013
Rating: 3 out of 5
A beautiful poignant story about a woman who leaves behind a life of abuse, in search of something better for her and her daughter. This novel started out great and overall, it was pretty good. The trials and tribulations of life is beatutifully depicted here. The fact that one man's actions could have such great consequences, is humbling.
Having said that, however, I found it hard to like the characters.
For starters, the main character's father was a flawed man. He has ruined not only the life of his first wife and daughter, but also his second wife's, the woman he left them both for. I suppose I ought to be sympathetic, because he does regret it in the end, but regret wasn't enough. Set aside the great injustice he has done to both his wives, his daughter deserved much more than to be thrown away like a toy he had no interest in anymore... Nothing he said or has done could take back the the destruction he has caused in her life. And for reasons that were so bloody selfish...
I didn't like how the men in her life thought it was okay to push her around. I disliked Frasier very much. I don't know how a man could make such beautiful promises in one night and coldly take it away the next morning. All because she kissed another man, at a time when she knew that Frasier had a girlfriend. Even if she had slept with the other guy, I don't see how he could justify that. He says he loved her from the very first moment. What a lie! If he loved her so much, then why did he leave, even when he suspected that she was being abused? He left her there and then moved on with other women, and he dares to throw stones at her? He didn't even recognise her when he met her again! Not only that, but he calls her pathetic! He is the one who is pathetic and an idiot to boot. I was not okay with the verbal put down he gave her, considering her history of abuse. I wish this was a better women's novel, because I was not happy with the so-called hero. I think the heroine could have done much better. Which brings me to the heroine.
I didn't like that she forgives him. Did he take her back when she explained what happened with Ted? No! So why should she allow him the courtesy of forgiving him, when he couldn't extend the same thing to her. And honestly, he leaves her for such a little thing! If he really is that unsure of her, then I don't believe this relationship could ever be a HEA. I also didn't like how she forgave her father... He keeps on lying to her even throughout this book. And Tilda. Some people might consider others who forgive a better person, but I don't. I don't like how she forgave everyone who wronged her. There are somethings that are unforgivable.
The only person I liked was Maddie. She is such a beautiful child, and a joy to read about!
ARC Courtesy of Edelweiss and Gallery Books.
A beautiful poignant story about a woman who leaves behind a life of abuse, in search of something better for her and her daughter. This novel started out great and overall, it was pretty good. The trials and tribulations of life is beatutifully depicted here. The fact that one man's actions could have such great consequences, is humbling.
Having said that, however, I found it hard to like the characters.
For starters, the main character's father was a flawed man. He has ruined not only the life of his first wife and daughter, but also his second wife's, the woman he left them both for. I suppose I ought to be sympathetic, because he does regret it in the end, but regret wasn't enough. Set aside the great injustice he has done to both his wives, his daughter deserved much more than to be thrown away like a toy he had no interest in anymore... Nothing he said or has done could take back the the destruction he has caused in her life. And for reasons that were so bloody selfish...
I didn't like how the men in her life thought it was okay to push her around. I disliked Frasier very much. I don't know how a man could make such beautiful promises in one night and coldly take it away the next morning. All because she kissed another man, at a time when she knew that Frasier had a girlfriend. Even if she had slept with the other guy, I don't see how he could justify that. He says he loved her from the very first moment. What a lie! If he loved her so much, then why did he leave, even when he suspected that she was being abused? He left her there and then moved on with other women, and he dares to throw stones at her? He didn't even recognise her when he met her again! Not only that, but he calls her pathetic! He is the one who is pathetic and an idiot to boot. I was not okay with the verbal put down he gave her, considering her history of abuse. I wish this was a better women's novel, because I was not happy with the so-called hero. I think the heroine could have done much better. Which brings me to the heroine.
I didn't like that she forgives him. Did he take her back when she explained what happened with Ted? No! So why should she allow him the courtesy of forgiving him, when he couldn't extend the same thing to her. And honestly, he leaves her for such a little thing! If he really is that unsure of her, then I don't believe this relationship could ever be a HEA. I also didn't like how she forgave her father... He keeps on lying to her even throughout this book. And Tilda. Some people might consider others who forgive a better person, but I don't. I don't like how she forgave everyone who wronged her. There are somethings that are unforgivable.
The only person I liked was Maddie. She is such a beautiful child, and a joy to read about!
ARC Courtesy of Edelweiss and Gallery Books.
February 1, 2016
3 ½ stars. Enjoyable about a woman finding her strengths and a new life. The daughter’s personality added specialness.
Abused wife Rose runs away from her husband. She takes her 7-year-old daughter with her. Rose was married for 13 years. Frasier an art dealer visited Rose’s home once 7 years ago. He was looking for Rose’s father a painter. Frasier and Rose had a connection in their brief conversation. Because of that connection Rose travels to where she hopes to find Frasier. The story is mostly during the few months while Rose is living in a small village connected to Frasier. She makes friends and finds her long lost father. Her daughter Maddie comes out of her shell. I really enjoyed the parts about Maddie. She doesn’t censor her thoughts. She blurts out her exact thoughts all the time.
I enjoyed the story about Rose finding a new life. And I very much enjoyed the happy ending with some romance. But I would call this more womens fiction than romance.
I was disappointed that the author did not tell much about the abuse. The author said hundreds of women shared their stories of domestic abuse with her during her research. But she didn’t tell enough about that. This book had nothing new about abuse. It was generalities with no specific scenes. I’ve read many books that are much better showing behavior and abuse than this.
There was only one scene with the abuser - the main crisis. I liked how it was resolved.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 408 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual content: one attempted rape scene and some references to past rapes. Setting: current day England and Scotland. Copyright: 2012. Genre: womens fiction, domestic abuse.
Abused wife Rose runs away from her husband. She takes her 7-year-old daughter with her. Rose was married for 13 years. Frasier an art dealer visited Rose’s home once 7 years ago. He was looking for Rose’s father a painter. Frasier and Rose had a connection in their brief conversation. Because of that connection Rose travels to where she hopes to find Frasier. The story is mostly during the few months while Rose is living in a small village connected to Frasier. She makes friends and finds her long lost father. Her daughter Maddie comes out of her shell. I really enjoyed the parts about Maddie. She doesn’t censor her thoughts. She blurts out her exact thoughts all the time.
I enjoyed the story about Rose finding a new life. And I very much enjoyed the happy ending with some romance. But I would call this more womens fiction than romance.
I was disappointed that the author did not tell much about the abuse. The author said hundreds of women shared their stories of domestic abuse with her during her research. But she didn’t tell enough about that. This book had nothing new about abuse. It was generalities with no specific scenes. I’ve read many books that are much better showing behavior and abuse than this.
There was only one scene with the abuser - the main crisis. I liked how it was resolved.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 408 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual content: one attempted rape scene and some references to past rapes. Setting: current day England and Scotland. Copyright: 2012. Genre: womens fiction, domestic abuse.
September 5, 2014
Two and a half stars. Rose and her seven year old daughter Maddie arrive at a Cumbrian Bed and Breakfast, where despite the late hour and having no luggage, they are taken in by Jenny and Brian. They have ended up at Millthwaite following a chance meeting years with an art dealer called Frasier and a follow up postcard he sent her. Rose's only thought at the time is to get far away from a life that has become unbearable. Unexpectedly Rose finds she has ended up in the same place as her father who left her and her mother when Rose was nine. An artist, he is a selfish man who cares little for anyone but himself. Rose tends to live in a dream world and is very naive. I would consider myself a romantic but I found the whole situation and her obsession with Frasier implausible. Rose’s friend Shona, I found brash and obnoxious with an excessive use of bad language and risqué comments. The character I liked best was Maddie, who is far from your average seven year old. She is a quirky little character. Despite not being overly enamoured of most of the characters and deploring some of the bizarre choices made, I did finish the story.
The novel deals with the topic of domestic violence. Never having been in an abusive situation I struggled to understand why it took Rose so long to leave, even though the author does try to explain the reasons behind her behaviour. And also why Shona would go back into an abusive situation. But maybe it’s one of those things you have to have been involved in to understand.
It’s a quick read. To me it was just all a little too neatly tied up, though I did find myself cheering for Rose in the barn towards the end.
The novel deals with the topic of domestic violence. Never having been in an abusive situation I struggled to understand why it took Rose so long to leave, even though the author does try to explain the reasons behind her behaviour. And also why Shona would go back into an abusive situation. But maybe it’s one of those things you have to have been involved in to understand.
It’s a quick read. To me it was just all a little too neatly tied up, though I did find myself cheering for Rose in the barn towards the end.
November 10, 2013
When I started The Runaway Wife, I expected it to be another story of the wife who leaves, finds new love and life goes on. While it did have all of those things, it also had a strong emotional plotline about the loss of a father in a little girl’s life and how it has impacted her through her life. Rose Pritchard has left her controlling husband and come to a small town to seek out a man she met only once. Frasier McLeod showed Rose kindness at a time when she really needed it and she has never forgotten. When it turns out that her father resides in the same town, it sets in motion the means for Rose to fill all of the empty spaces in her heart and to understand the reasons why her life took the turns it did. Rose’s daughter Maddie, who is extremely bright but socially inept, also comes into her own in their new setting.
While this seems like a romance on the surface, I found the relationship between Rose and her artist father to be the most compelling part of the book. Rose makes a few bad decisions before she is able to set her own course and find happiness for herself and Maddie. When Rose arrived in town she thought a possible relationship with Frasier would be her salvation but she instead discovers how to save herself and get her happiness as a bonus. I really enjoyed this book and found myself quite emotional in parts. I have enjoyed other books by Ms. Coleman and this one did not disappoint.
While this seems like a romance on the surface, I found the relationship between Rose and her artist father to be the most compelling part of the book. Rose makes a few bad decisions before she is able to set her own course and find happiness for herself and Maddie. When Rose arrived in town she thought a possible relationship with Frasier would be her salvation but she instead discovers how to save herself and get her happiness as a bonus. I really enjoyed this book and found myself quite emotional in parts. I have enjoyed other books by Ms. Coleman and this one did not disappoint.
September 10, 2014
Found myself skim reading this book. Too predictable for me.
July 12, 2020
Rose left her abusive husband and bring her daughter, Maddie with her. She wanted to find Frasier a guy who she met only once and show kindness when she really need it. Goshhh she fall in love with him... I was like whyyy? You only met him once! How can you love someone that fast? asdfghjkl this is ridiculous!! But it's fine I guess? I kinda enjoyed this story lol
My favorite character is Maddie! For a seven years old kid she is pretty smart xD
My favorite character is Maddie! For a seven years old kid she is pretty smart xD
December 17, 2013
Amanda‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
5 STARS
The Runaway Wife by Rowan Coleman is a compelling novel that will stay with you long after it is over. It a story that touches on the subject of domestic abuse and of one woman’s journey of finding a safe haven for her and her daughter. The author unfolds this story one layer at a time, slowly uncovering the reasons for Rose leaving, which made me intrigued until the end. However, Rose is also running towards something that has given her hope for the past several years and hopes she can find a certain person.
Rose Pritchard’s life has never been the same after her father left her at the age of 9. Then dealing with her mother’s suicide and the abusive husband she has had enough and leaves. She travelled to the one place she hopes to find the one bright spot in her life and that is with Frasier. Several years ago he came to her door in search of her father and that brief encounter totally changed her outlook on her life. Now she is in the town based on the postcard she carried from Frasier and ends up at a B&B to find out that her estranged father lives nearby. Knowing that this might be an opportunity she may never get again she goes to him to find some answers.
There is a whole cast of characters that are quite memorable from her eccentric daughter Maddie, to her gruff and standoffish father John, and her foul-mouthed girlfriend Shona, who has her own set of problems with the man in her life. Each propel the story along with visits to the past to make you understand how they made Rose what she is today.
You can feel the danger lurking in the background and you never know when the other boot is going to drop but you keep on wanting it to come to it a dramatic climax. I wasn’t disappointed because you see a stronger and courageous Rose than when the book began. Rose made a few mistakes along the way with her landlady’s son Ted, but that is all part of the journey. I was touched by all the tender moments that the author created in this story and it pierced my heart to feel her pain and anguish. What I enjoyed is seeing the difference her running away had on her relationship with her daughter Maddie and that it was her daughter that helped pave a relationship with her father.
Overall this story was one of the best things I’ve read this year and I am so glad that the author took the time to develop a wonderful story of hope, love and reunion. The book had me thinking about myself and what would I have done if I was in her shoes. Rose was one of those genuine characters that could be anyone you know because she was so well written with her flaws, strength and courage. Within it there is a beautiful love story that developed softly but gained in strength when Rose was ready to stand on her own two feet. This was my first story by this author but definitely not my last. I definitely will be looking at her backlist and more from Rowan Coleman.
Review copy provided for an honest review
5 STARS
The Runaway Wife by Rowan Coleman is a compelling novel that will stay with you long after it is over. It a story that touches on the subject of domestic abuse and of one woman’s journey of finding a safe haven for her and her daughter. The author unfolds this story one layer at a time, slowly uncovering the reasons for Rose leaving, which made me intrigued until the end. However, Rose is also running towards something that has given her hope for the past several years and hopes she can find a certain person.
Rose Pritchard’s life has never been the same after her father left her at the age of 9. Then dealing with her mother’s suicide and the abusive husband she has had enough and leaves. She travelled to the one place she hopes to find the one bright spot in her life and that is with Frasier. Several years ago he came to her door in search of her father and that brief encounter totally changed her outlook on her life. Now she is in the town based on the postcard she carried from Frasier and ends up at a B&B to find out that her estranged father lives nearby. Knowing that this might be an opportunity she may never get again she goes to him to find some answers.
There is a whole cast of characters that are quite memorable from her eccentric daughter Maddie, to her gruff and standoffish father John, and her foul-mouthed girlfriend Shona, who has her own set of problems with the man in her life. Each propel the story along with visits to the past to make you understand how they made Rose what she is today.
You can feel the danger lurking in the background and you never know when the other boot is going to drop but you keep on wanting it to come to it a dramatic climax. I wasn’t disappointed because you see a stronger and courageous Rose than when the book began. Rose made a few mistakes along the way with her landlady’s son Ted, but that is all part of the journey. I was touched by all the tender moments that the author created in this story and it pierced my heart to feel her pain and anguish. What I enjoyed is seeing the difference her running away had on her relationship with her daughter Maddie and that it was her daughter that helped pave a relationship with her father.
Overall this story was one of the best things I’ve read this year and I am so glad that the author took the time to develop a wonderful story of hope, love and reunion. The book had me thinking about myself and what would I have done if I was in her shoes. Rose was one of those genuine characters that could be anyone you know because she was so well written with her flaws, strength and courage. Within it there is a beautiful love story that developed softly but gained in strength when Rose was ready to stand on her own two feet. This was my first story by this author but definitely not my last. I definitely will be looking at her backlist and more from Rowan Coleman.
November 20, 2014
“No one knows, do they, what it’s like inside? How you feel stuff you don’t want, think things you shouldn’t. It’s like . . . it’s like you’re two people–the person who knows what to do, and the one who does what she wants, whatever the consequences.”
This book has been on my radar for a long time. I was curious about both author and narrative, specifically her presentation on the topic of abuse.
I struggled with narrative and character. I found both flawed and disappointing. As far as the plot went, there was so much implausibility it was ridiculous. The absolute deal breaker was Coleman weaving a love story with the core of the narrative being abuse. I wish she selected one angle and stuck with it, the two competing for attention and reading time was a failure. The love story was preposterous, I don’t want to give too much away leading to a spoiler but it was insane – which leads me to Rose.
There is also an additional turn in the narrative involving a ‘reunion’ of sorts with an estranged family member. The way Coleman introduces this bit – its implausibility is suffocating. Absolutely difficult to wrap your head around, another misstep by the author. An entirely alternate approach would have made a world of difference.
Rose was a major let down. Her decisions and thought processes were horrible. I had to keep reminding myself Rose has been a victim of abuse AND a less than perfect family life. Sadly she hasn’t really matured or found herself. Being under the thumb of an abusive husband since the age of 17 (she is now 31) explains her immature and questionable behavior and poor decision making. I felt Coleman could have developed Rose much more differently. Rose really isn’t likable and her poor character development does not help.
The way Rose responds to men demonstrating any type of positive attention is a major turn off. Yes, I kept reminding myself of her circumstances nonetheless making it difficult to swallow.
The best part of the entire story, Maddie, Rose’s eight year old daughter. Maddie has unidentified ‘issues’ which isn’t a surprise living in an abusive household. This little firecracker does not have a verbal filter and this allows her to speak with brutal honesty. She is aware of what’s going on more than she is given credit. Not a talker but when she speaks her words are golden. An old soul in a little girl.
If Coleman focused on Rose growing and venturing on self discovery, her attention on moving forward with Maddie rather than the path she chose to author could have made a world of difference. As is I just couldn’t relate to plot or character. Left me utterly unimpressed.
I believe Coleman could have approached this story entirely differently. I understand where she was coming from but still there are plenty of areas for improvement. Needless to say this story resides in two camps – love it or hate it. No middle ground, just my thoughts.
This book has been on my radar for a long time. I was curious about both author and narrative, specifically her presentation on the topic of abuse.
I struggled with narrative and character. I found both flawed and disappointing. As far as the plot went, there was so much implausibility it was ridiculous. The absolute deal breaker was Coleman weaving a love story with the core of the narrative being abuse. I wish she selected one angle and stuck with it, the two competing for attention and reading time was a failure. The love story was preposterous, I don’t want to give too much away leading to a spoiler but it was insane – which leads me to Rose.
There is also an additional turn in the narrative involving a ‘reunion’ of sorts with an estranged family member. The way Coleman introduces this bit – its implausibility is suffocating. Absolutely difficult to wrap your head around, another misstep by the author. An entirely alternate approach would have made a world of difference.
Rose was a major let down. Her decisions and thought processes were horrible. I had to keep reminding myself Rose has been a victim of abuse AND a less than perfect family life. Sadly she hasn’t really matured or found herself. Being under the thumb of an abusive husband since the age of 17 (she is now 31) explains her immature and questionable behavior and poor decision making. I felt Coleman could have developed Rose much more differently. Rose really isn’t likable and her poor character development does not help.
The way Rose responds to men demonstrating any type of positive attention is a major turn off. Yes, I kept reminding myself of her circumstances nonetheless making it difficult to swallow.
The best part of the entire story, Maddie, Rose’s eight year old daughter. Maddie has unidentified ‘issues’ which isn’t a surprise living in an abusive household. This little firecracker does not have a verbal filter and this allows her to speak with brutal honesty. She is aware of what’s going on more than she is given credit. Not a talker but when she speaks her words are golden. An old soul in a little girl.
If Coleman focused on Rose growing and venturing on self discovery, her attention on moving forward with Maddie rather than the path she chose to author could have made a world of difference. As is I just couldn’t relate to plot or character. Left me utterly unimpressed.
I believe Coleman could have approached this story entirely differently. I understand where she was coming from but still there are plenty of areas for improvement. Needless to say this story resides in two camps – love it or hate it. No middle ground, just my thoughts.
May 12, 2017
Half and Half
There were parts of this book that were boring and slow and parts that were good. I thought this book was going to be more of a mystery/thriller. It is not. I actually did not like all of the characters in the book. Shona and Ted, I thought annoying. I think the story could of been shorter. There were parts just not interesting and could of been deleted. Better editing was needed.
There were parts of this book that were boring and slow and parts that were good. I thought this book was going to be more of a mystery/thriller. It is not. I actually did not like all of the characters in the book. Shona and Ted, I thought annoying. I think the story could of been shorter. There were parts just not interesting and could of been deleted. Better editing was needed.
February 12, 2017
I read maybe a quarter of the book and I JUST could NOT do it anymore...
Some books captivate you right from the first page. This was not one of them. I really really tried to finish reading this book but it was too boring. It could also be because I could not understand the main character. She went in search of someone she could barely call an acquaintance??!!!
Some books captivate you right from the first page. This was not one of them. I really really tried to finish reading this book but it was too boring. It could also be because I could not understand the main character. She went in search of someone she could barely call an acquaintance??!!!
August 21, 2017
Auf Rowan Coleman und ihre wirklich guten Bücher kann man sich eigentlich immer verlassen. Auch „Im siebten Sommer“ hätte großartig werden können, aber diesmal lag dieser Roman etwas hinter ihren bisherigen Büchern zurück.
Das Buch begann großartig und Rowan Coleman nimmt sich hier einem wichtigen Thema, nämlich der häuslichen Gewalt und Missbrauch an. Das Leben von Rose und so vielen anderen Frauen, die diese Gewalt erleiden müssen, war gut dargestellt und wirkte einfach nur traurig, erschreckend und demütigend. Es geht zudem um Selbstentdeckung, Familie und die Liebe. Da kommen natürlich viele und intensive Emotionen ans Licht. Dennoch hatte ich einige Probleme mit dem Buch. Zum einen hat mich die Langatmigkeit gestört. Oft wurden die Gedankengänge von Rose endlos in die Länge gezogen. Außerdem gab es ziemlich viele Wiederholungen in diesen Gedankengängen innerhalb von wenigen Seiten. Es hat mich leider ziemlich genervt, dass ich Dinge, die ich erst vor 5 Seiten gelesen habe dann erneut gelesen habe bzw. lesen musste.
Mein zweites Problem bestand in den Charakteren, denn zu keinem konnte ich wirklich einen Bezug aufbauen. Zunächst wäre da Rose. Ich finde es unglaublich mutig von ihr, dass sie der Gewalt ein Ende bereit hat und geflüchtet ist. Aber sie klammert sich an Frasier und diese eine kurze Begegnung vor 7 Jahren wie eine Ertrinkende an ein Schiff. Klar, gegen ein bisschen Träumerei ist nie etwas einzuwenden. Aber auf der Suche nach irgendwas Besonderem lebt Rose leider in einer Fantasiewelt und kam mir teilweise sehr naiv vor. Frasier selbst, der angebliche Ritter in weißer Rüstung, war auch ziemlich merkwürdig. Er ist auf jeden Fall besser als Rose gewalttätiger Ehemann Richard. Jeder ist in dieser Geschichte besser als Richard. Aber letztlich schiebt auch Frasier Rose von einen auf den anderen Tag umher wie einen abgenutzten Gegenstand. Warum Frasier in Rose Augen so wundervoll sein soll, konnte ich nicht verstehen. Shona, die beste Freundin von Rose, war einfach nur nervig und zu aufgedreht mit einem zu vulgären Wortschatz für ihr Alter. Ich wollte eigentlich noch etwas zu der Person sagen, die Rose in Millthwaite statt Frasier trifft. Aber erstens würde das langsam den Rahmen sprengen und zweitens würde ich damit nur unnötig spoilern. Denn mit wem sich Rose da plötzlich auseinandersetzen muss, ist ziemlich überraschend und für Rose ein langer und teilweiser nervenaufreibender Weg zu sich selbst.
Den einzigen Charakter, den man irgendwie noch mögen kann. ist Rose Tochter Maddie. Die 7-Jährige ist ein sehr eigensinniger, schrulliger Charakter und kam mir oft eher wie eine altkluge Frau vor. Manchmal dachte ich mir, dass kein 7-jähriges Kind auf dieser Welt so ist und hätte mir für Maddie einfach mehr Kind sein gewünscht. Aber das Schöne an Kindern ist ja oft, dass sie immer die Wahrheit sagen und noch keinen Filter besitzen, der ungewünschte Worte aussiebt. Maddie ist schonungslos ehrlich und zwingt Rose damit, sich mit vielen Dingen in ihrem bisherigen Leben auseinanderzusetzen. Das war der Punkt, den ich wiederrum mochte – dass Rose sich dadurch entwickelt und zu einer Art Persönlichkeit wird, die bei ihrem Ehemann immer unterdrückt wurde.
ABSCHLUSSWORTE
„Im siebten Sommer“ greift ein wichtiges Thema, dass nicht verschwiegen werden sollte, denn häusliche Gewalt ist heute leider noch viel zu oft präsent. Das Thema an sich wurde gut umgesetzt und bietet intensive Emotionen. Leider war das Buch an einigen Stellen für mich zu langatmig und verlor sich zu sehr in den Gedankengängen von Protagonistin Rose. Auch hatte ich einige Probleme mit den Charakteren, zu den ich leider kaum eine Bindung aufbauen konnte. Das Buch ist nicht unbedingt schlecht und kann durchaus gelesen werden. Aber leider war es für mich auch nicht ganz so gut, wie Colemans bisherige Bücher.
Das Buch begann großartig und Rowan Coleman nimmt sich hier einem wichtigen Thema, nämlich der häuslichen Gewalt und Missbrauch an. Das Leben von Rose und so vielen anderen Frauen, die diese Gewalt erleiden müssen, war gut dargestellt und wirkte einfach nur traurig, erschreckend und demütigend. Es geht zudem um Selbstentdeckung, Familie und die Liebe. Da kommen natürlich viele und intensive Emotionen ans Licht. Dennoch hatte ich einige Probleme mit dem Buch. Zum einen hat mich die Langatmigkeit gestört. Oft wurden die Gedankengänge von Rose endlos in die Länge gezogen. Außerdem gab es ziemlich viele Wiederholungen in diesen Gedankengängen innerhalb von wenigen Seiten. Es hat mich leider ziemlich genervt, dass ich Dinge, die ich erst vor 5 Seiten gelesen habe dann erneut gelesen habe bzw. lesen musste.
Mein zweites Problem bestand in den Charakteren, denn zu keinem konnte ich wirklich einen Bezug aufbauen. Zunächst wäre da Rose. Ich finde es unglaublich mutig von ihr, dass sie der Gewalt ein Ende bereit hat und geflüchtet ist. Aber sie klammert sich an Frasier und diese eine kurze Begegnung vor 7 Jahren wie eine Ertrinkende an ein Schiff. Klar, gegen ein bisschen Träumerei ist nie etwas einzuwenden. Aber auf der Suche nach irgendwas Besonderem lebt Rose leider in einer Fantasiewelt und kam mir teilweise sehr naiv vor. Frasier selbst, der angebliche Ritter in weißer Rüstung, war auch ziemlich merkwürdig. Er ist auf jeden Fall besser als Rose gewalttätiger Ehemann Richard. Jeder ist in dieser Geschichte besser als Richard. Aber letztlich schiebt auch Frasier Rose von einen auf den anderen Tag umher wie einen abgenutzten Gegenstand. Warum Frasier in Rose Augen so wundervoll sein soll, konnte ich nicht verstehen. Shona, die beste Freundin von Rose, war einfach nur nervig und zu aufgedreht mit einem zu vulgären Wortschatz für ihr Alter. Ich wollte eigentlich noch etwas zu der Person sagen, die Rose in Millthwaite statt Frasier trifft. Aber erstens würde das langsam den Rahmen sprengen und zweitens würde ich damit nur unnötig spoilern. Denn mit wem sich Rose da plötzlich auseinandersetzen muss, ist ziemlich überraschend und für Rose ein langer und teilweiser nervenaufreibender Weg zu sich selbst.
Den einzigen Charakter, den man irgendwie noch mögen kann. ist Rose Tochter Maddie. Die 7-Jährige ist ein sehr eigensinniger, schrulliger Charakter und kam mir oft eher wie eine altkluge Frau vor. Manchmal dachte ich mir, dass kein 7-jähriges Kind auf dieser Welt so ist und hätte mir für Maddie einfach mehr Kind sein gewünscht. Aber das Schöne an Kindern ist ja oft, dass sie immer die Wahrheit sagen und noch keinen Filter besitzen, der ungewünschte Worte aussiebt. Maddie ist schonungslos ehrlich und zwingt Rose damit, sich mit vielen Dingen in ihrem bisherigen Leben auseinanderzusetzen. Das war der Punkt, den ich wiederrum mochte – dass Rose sich dadurch entwickelt und zu einer Art Persönlichkeit wird, die bei ihrem Ehemann immer unterdrückt wurde.
ABSCHLUSSWORTE
„Im siebten Sommer“ greift ein wichtiges Thema, dass nicht verschwiegen werden sollte, denn häusliche Gewalt ist heute leider noch viel zu oft präsent. Das Thema an sich wurde gut umgesetzt und bietet intensive Emotionen. Leider war das Buch an einigen Stellen für mich zu langatmig und verlor sich zu sehr in den Gedankengängen von Protagonistin Rose. Auch hatte ich einige Probleme mit den Charakteren, zu den ich leider kaum eine Bindung aufbauen konnte. Das Buch ist nicht unbedingt schlecht und kann durchaus gelesen werden. Aber leider war es für mich auch nicht ganz so gut, wie Colemans bisherige Bücher.
April 10, 2018
Fantastic read. I was gripped from the beginning. Domestic abuse has been a hot topic for authors for many years, later novels getting darker and darker (e.g. Girl on the train, gone girl). This novel written in 2012 avoids the darkness and brings it into the light but in a way that you feel the fear, the wanting to succumb because it is easier and overall the fight to escape.
This is the second novel I have read of author and want to gobble up lots more.
This is the second novel I have read of author and want to gobble up lots more.
December 1, 2020
This book was simply lovely and incredibly heart breaking. Some things were quite obviously going to happen but it didn't make them any less enjoyable. Definitely one I'd recommend.
March 1, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It was such an easy book to read and so full of turmoil. You really felt for the characters. Would definitely recommend.
November 23, 2012
Rowan has always written about difficult even taboo subjects - death, divorce, single parenthood, loss, child abuse - always with some degree of humour as well as seriousness but with Dearest Rose she encompasses domestic abuse and manages to dispel the myths that domestic abuse is a predominantly working class problem that goes hand in hand with inner city sink estates and drug and alcohol problems. She is never judgemental in her writing, instead the thought and empathy that she has obviously put into this are there in her depiction of Rose and Shona and indeed Maddie - all victims, all SURVIVORS of domestic abuse.
Rose, abandoned by her father and then by her mother, is misled and overtaken by her need for love when she meets older and successful Richard, mistaking control and jealousy for love and care. But everyone has a line and when Rose's 'line' is crossed she disappears into the night with seven year old Maddie, the most precocious and delightful child you will ever come across in a book! And what propels lost and lonely Rose to the 'middle of nowhere'? A chance encounter over seven years previously, a tattered postcard with a few hope inspiring words; they, and a crossed line, are all the impetus Rose needs to look for a new life.
Indeed, new life she does find in the wonderfully described Middlethwaite and its cast of warm and eccentric characters including the no nonsense B&B owner Jenny, stern and stony on the outside and soft as butter inside who can't resist a bit of good natured interfering in Rose's life and her son, young, sexy and smitten with Rose; but will Rose find what she has come all this way to look for or has she just been following a pipe dream?
Rowan unfolds Rose's story one layer at a time, slowly uncovering the reasons for her hasty getaway and what hurt has been in her passed whilst also delving into her present anxieties and experiences and hopes for her future. It's a tender and thoughtful piece of writing that makes the reader think about Rose and Maddie as we get to know them properly and by the end we really are cheering them on, hopeful.
I loved the character of Jenny, she is someone you would want on your side, someone who will not let you down and as for Maddie...I adore Maddie, who couldn't love that eccentric and outspoken little girl, coping with her own pain in her own way.. she is amazing. There are wonderfully funny but tender moments with Rose and Ted that just bring home the innocence of and need in Rose. As for Shona, Rose's only friend, the strength and yet need in her are also brilliantly depicted. A character seemingly full of life but always hungering for something that she knows is wrong and dangerous - the story of a thousand more women. Rowan shows their ultimate strengths to a 't'.
Prepare to feel wrung out by the time you've read this.
Rose, abandoned by her father and then by her mother, is misled and overtaken by her need for love when she meets older and successful Richard, mistaking control and jealousy for love and care. But everyone has a line and when Rose's 'line' is crossed she disappears into the night with seven year old Maddie, the most precocious and delightful child you will ever come across in a book! And what propels lost and lonely Rose to the 'middle of nowhere'? A chance encounter over seven years previously, a tattered postcard with a few hope inspiring words; they, and a crossed line, are all the impetus Rose needs to look for a new life.
Indeed, new life she does find in the wonderfully described Middlethwaite and its cast of warm and eccentric characters including the no nonsense B&B owner Jenny, stern and stony on the outside and soft as butter inside who can't resist a bit of good natured interfering in Rose's life and her son, young, sexy and smitten with Rose; but will Rose find what she has come all this way to look for or has she just been following a pipe dream?
Rowan unfolds Rose's story one layer at a time, slowly uncovering the reasons for her hasty getaway and what hurt has been in her passed whilst also delving into her present anxieties and experiences and hopes for her future. It's a tender and thoughtful piece of writing that makes the reader think about Rose and Maddie as we get to know them properly and by the end we really are cheering them on, hopeful.
I loved the character of Jenny, she is someone you would want on your side, someone who will not let you down and as for Maddie...I adore Maddie, who couldn't love that eccentric and outspoken little girl, coping with her own pain in her own way.. she is amazing. There are wonderfully funny but tender moments with Rose and Ted that just bring home the innocence of and need in Rose. As for Shona, Rose's only friend, the strength and yet need in her are also brilliantly depicted. A character seemingly full of life but always hungering for something that she knows is wrong and dangerous - the story of a thousand more women. Rowan shows their ultimate strengths to a 't'.
Prepare to feel wrung out by the time you've read this.
October 14, 2012
I've been home from the wonderful island of Paxos for just over a week, as always, after a holiday, I've found it really difficult to get back into reading. I'm not sure why it happens, but it always does. I've picked up and abandoned a couple of books since we arrived home and was beginning to despair. I was really pleased to receive a copy of Rowan Coleman's tenth novel Dearest Rose this week and hoped that this would be the book to cure my reading malaise - sure enough it did! Thank goodness!
Dearest Rose was published on 27 September 2012 by Arrow Books; an imprint from the Random House publishing group. It's been quite a while since I've read anything by Rowan Coleman so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one. The cover picture is nice but quite ambiguous and could, quite possibly, put some readers off.
"You are a remarkable woman and you deserve all the happiness, contentment and love in the world. I, for one, know that I have never met anyone quite like you."
These are the words, written on the back of a well-worn postcard that Rose has cherished for many years. These are the words that were in the back of her mind when she finally, after years of unhappiness, left her husband. These are the words that Rose has based the rest of her life on, the words that have given her hope.
Dearest Rose is an intelligently written, captivating story of a woman who has never felt loved. She is a daughter, a wife and a mother yet feels as though she is a nothing. Every relationship throughout her life has been difficult, starting with her dysfunctional parents; the father who left when she was nine, the mother who committed suicide, the husband who controlled her and the daughter that lives in her own world. Frasier; the man who wrote the words on the postcard is the only person who ever thought Rose was someone special.
I found the first half of the novel to be quite slow-moving, Rose and her daughter Maddie are introduced to the reader quite slowly, their characters are slowly built up, with snippets of their backgrounds adding bit by bit allowing us to understand why and how they came to be where they are today. The second half the novel moves at a cracking pace, with the story unfolding and leading up to some quite traumatic and emotional scenes. It really is a quite draining and emotional read at times, but it's also a very satisfying and fulfilling story.
For me, the star of the novel is Maddie. Rose's seven-year-old daughter is a strange little girl, and she knows it. Intelligent and perceptive far beyond her years, she really shines throughout the novel. Her vulnerability is exposed alongside her abrupt and quite direct manner.
A remarkably well written novel that I enjoyed reading very much and would recommend highly.
Dearest Rose was published on 27 September 2012 by Arrow Books; an imprint from the Random House publishing group. It's been quite a while since I've read anything by Rowan Coleman so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this one. The cover picture is nice but quite ambiguous and could, quite possibly, put some readers off.
"You are a remarkable woman and you deserve all the happiness, contentment and love in the world. I, for one, know that I have never met anyone quite like you."
These are the words, written on the back of a well-worn postcard that Rose has cherished for many years. These are the words that were in the back of her mind when she finally, after years of unhappiness, left her husband. These are the words that Rose has based the rest of her life on, the words that have given her hope.
Dearest Rose is an intelligently written, captivating story of a woman who has never felt loved. She is a daughter, a wife and a mother yet feels as though she is a nothing. Every relationship throughout her life has been difficult, starting with her dysfunctional parents; the father who left when she was nine, the mother who committed suicide, the husband who controlled her and the daughter that lives in her own world. Frasier; the man who wrote the words on the postcard is the only person who ever thought Rose was someone special.
I found the first half of the novel to be quite slow-moving, Rose and her daughter Maddie are introduced to the reader quite slowly, their characters are slowly built up, with snippets of their backgrounds adding bit by bit allowing us to understand why and how they came to be where they are today. The second half the novel moves at a cracking pace, with the story unfolding and leading up to some quite traumatic and emotional scenes. It really is a quite draining and emotional read at times, but it's also a very satisfying and fulfilling story.
For me, the star of the novel is Maddie. Rose's seven-year-old daughter is a strange little girl, and she knows it. Intelligent and perceptive far beyond her years, she really shines throughout the novel. Her vulnerability is exposed alongside her abrupt and quite direct manner.
A remarkably well written novel that I enjoyed reading very much and would recommend highly.
May 17, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. If you enjoy stories by the late Maeve Binchy, I think you will enjoy Rowan Coleman's brand of storytelling. Although it is not quite on par with Binchy's mastery--the narrative has a similar feel to it. It is an easy, comfortable read with a satisfactory ending.
The book also had some reflections of Stephen King's _Rose Madder_ where an abused wife escapes her traumatic life by escaping into the landscape of an actual painting. In this book, the main character, Rose, escapes into a painting on a postcard. But it is to the town featured on the postcard that Rose flees--not into the actual painting.
The postcard was sent by an acquaintance that Rose met only once, years ago. The encounter was so meaningful that she carried the postcard with her always. The brief meeting with this man, Frasier, sustained her through some truly dark times in her marriage to a controlling and dangerous man.
I very much enjoyed the character of Rose's atypical daughter. One does not generally encounter children that are on the autism spectrum unless the book is specifically about that. And though the author does not come out and say that the child is on the spectrum, it is not a stretch to deduce that Maddie may have Aspergers Syndrome. She is presented as a very likable child who knows her own mind, but doesn't always fit into social settings and has trouble maintaining friendships. Living in a home with a tyrant of a father doesn't make matters any easier for Maddie.
Though there was some conflict added to the story that seemed completely fabricated and unlikely to ever occur in real life, it was a minor deviation from the main plot. It irked me, but didn't interfere too much with my enjoyment.
I don't think there was enough conflict unfolding in the storyline with the estranged husband--most of it was explained as backstory. That should have been the major conflict in the plot--but there wasn't as much as one would have expected in the resolution of the story. It all wrapped up very quickly in the end without much difficulty after the tension raised earlier.
I enjoyed the book. It was a light read that didn't take a lot of concentration to read. I was able to pick it up and put it down when my busy scheduled allowed for a chapter or two. It was just what I needed at this point in time.
The book also had some reflections of Stephen King's _Rose Madder_ where an abused wife escapes her traumatic life by escaping into the landscape of an actual painting. In this book, the main character, Rose, escapes into a painting on a postcard. But it is to the town featured on the postcard that Rose flees--not into the actual painting.
The postcard was sent by an acquaintance that Rose met only once, years ago. The encounter was so meaningful that she carried the postcard with her always. The brief meeting with this man, Frasier, sustained her through some truly dark times in her marriage to a controlling and dangerous man.
I very much enjoyed the character of Rose's atypical daughter. One does not generally encounter children that are on the autism spectrum unless the book is specifically about that. And though the author does not come out and say that the child is on the spectrum, it is not a stretch to deduce that Maddie may have Aspergers Syndrome. She is presented as a very likable child who knows her own mind, but doesn't always fit into social settings and has trouble maintaining friendships. Living in a home with a tyrant of a father doesn't make matters any easier for Maddie.
Though there was some conflict added to the story that seemed completely fabricated and unlikely to ever occur in real life, it was a minor deviation from the main plot. It irked me, but didn't interfere too much with my enjoyment.
I don't think there was enough conflict unfolding in the storyline with the estranged husband--most of it was explained as backstory. That should have been the major conflict in the plot--but there wasn't as much as one would have expected in the resolution of the story. It all wrapped up very quickly in the end without much difficulty after the tension raised earlier.
I enjoyed the book. It was a light read that didn't take a lot of concentration to read. I was able to pick it up and put it down when my busy scheduled allowed for a chapter or two. It was just what I needed at this point in time.
February 24, 2015
Rose ist mit ihrer Tochter Maddie von zu Hause geflohen. Ihr Mann Richard hat sie und ihre Tochter geschlagen,und da hat es Rose endlich als ihre Chance gesehen,abzuhauen. Sie flieht in den Ort Millthwaite wo sie im Bed&Breakfast von Jenny unterkommt. Sie findet dort einen Platz wo sie erstmal zur Ruhe kommt und alles verarbeiten kann. Das sie in Millthwaite auf ihren Vater John trifft,hätte sie nicht erwartet. John hat die Familie damals einfach verlassen,und hat sich seitdem nicht mehr bei Rose gemeldet. In Millthwaite wartet aber nicht nur ihr Vater auf sie. Nein auch Frasier,der Mann der ihr vor 7 Jahren Hoffnung gegeben hat. Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben....er ist auch der eigentliche Grund warum Rose nac Millthwaite geflohen ist...
Ich muss sagen das ich sehr lange gebraucht habe,um in das Buch und die Geschichte einzutauchen. Weswegen ich dem Buch,dann auch schlussendlich nur 3 Sterne gegeben habe. Die Geschichte an sich war sehr interessant. Es gibt heutzutage viel zu viel Gewalt in Ehen und Beziehungen. Das dieses Thema hier aufgegriffen wird,finde ich sehr gut. Ich denke an manchen tellen war die Geschichte einfach nur zu langatmig.
Die Protagonisten empfand ich als sehr toll. Ich weiß viele konnten sich mit ihnen nicht verbunden fühlen oder sie verstehen. Ganz entzückend fand ich Maddie. Anfangs noh komisch,hat man Maddie immer mehr kennengelernt und hat sie so genommen wie sie ist. Rose war bei vielen auch nicht so beliebt. Ich hingegen,konnte mich vollkommen mit Rose identifizieren. Ich konnte jeder ihrer Taten oder Handlungen verstehen und warum sie so gehandelt hat! Das hatte ich schon lange nicht mehr.
Leider kann ich dem Buch trotzdem nicht mehr als 3 Sterne geben!
Ich fand die Geschichte einfach zu langgezogen.
Ich muss sagen das ich sehr lange gebraucht habe,um in das Buch und die Geschichte einzutauchen. Weswegen ich dem Buch,dann auch schlussendlich nur 3 Sterne gegeben habe. Die Geschichte an sich war sehr interessant. Es gibt heutzutage viel zu viel Gewalt in Ehen und Beziehungen. Das dieses Thema hier aufgegriffen wird,finde ich sehr gut. Ich denke an manchen tellen war die Geschichte einfach nur zu langatmig.
Die Protagonisten empfand ich als sehr toll. Ich weiß viele konnten sich mit ihnen nicht verbunden fühlen oder sie verstehen. Ganz entzückend fand ich Maddie. Anfangs noh komisch,hat man Maddie immer mehr kennengelernt und hat sie so genommen wie sie ist. Rose war bei vielen auch nicht so beliebt. Ich hingegen,konnte mich vollkommen mit Rose identifizieren. Ich konnte jeder ihrer Taten oder Handlungen verstehen und warum sie so gehandelt hat! Das hatte ich schon lange nicht mehr.
Leider kann ich dem Buch trotzdem nicht mehr als 3 Sterne geben!
Ich fand die Geschichte einfach zu langgezogen.
March 16, 2014
This is the first book I have read by Rowan Coleman. It will not be my last! I enjoyed her style of writing, how she reveals a bit of "backstory" at a time & makes it flow right along with the present story being told.
Rose is a troubled character and readers will be captured by her & her daughter Maddie from the start. As I was reading, I put myself in her shoes--to leave home with my small child and nothing but the clothes on my back? I am not sure I would have the courage to do what Rose does in this story. For much of the book, Rose also doubts herself and that is mostly due to her years spent with her abusive husband. Her dysfunctional childhood did nothing to boost her confidence either. Rose has pinned all of her hopes on one chance encounter with a stranger that leads her to small village far away from her abusive husband.
I hate to simplify this story, but I also don't want to give too much away. I will say that Rose learns a lot about herself--her self-worth, her strength, her true capabilities on this journey. Just as importantly (or maybe because of her self-discovery?) she improves her relationships with family members, men and new friends. Readers might find themselves examining some relationships in their own lives that require reconciliation or repair--I know I did. This book has a "happy ending", but it's also very realistic. There is a lot of heartache beofre Rose finds happiness and a sense of purpose.
Read it, it's definitely worth it!
Reviewed by Joelle for Cocktails and Books
Rose is a troubled character and readers will be captured by her & her daughter Maddie from the start. As I was reading, I put myself in her shoes--to leave home with my small child and nothing but the clothes on my back? I am not sure I would have the courage to do what Rose does in this story. For much of the book, Rose also doubts herself and that is mostly due to her years spent with her abusive husband. Her dysfunctional childhood did nothing to boost her confidence either. Rose has pinned all of her hopes on one chance encounter with a stranger that leads her to small village far away from her abusive husband.
I hate to simplify this story, but I also don't want to give too much away. I will say that Rose learns a lot about herself--her self-worth, her strength, her true capabilities on this journey. Just as importantly (or maybe because of her self-discovery?) she improves her relationships with family members, men and new friends. Readers might find themselves examining some relationships in their own lives that require reconciliation or repair--I know I did. This book has a "happy ending", but it's also very realistic. There is a lot of heartache beofre Rose finds happiness and a sense of purpose.
Read it, it's definitely worth it!
Reviewed by Joelle for Cocktails and Books
December 14, 2013
Rose was in an abusive marriage. One day she opens the door while her husband is away and a kind stranger changes her life. When she finally gets the nerve to leave her husband the only place she thinks to go is on a post card sent by the kind stranger that she only met once years 7 years prior.
Finding herself on the run with her 7 year old daughter in tow she makes her way to a Bed and Breakfast in the town searching for the man who changed her life with an impromptu visit and some kind words.
While there her life completely changes and she runs into her past, a past that shaped the woman she was and the one she will become.
While it took me a while to get into the book which I now know for some reason has something to do with the different words used by International authors. Every time I have had trouble getting really into a book, I turn the book over to find out the author isn't from the States. Well, I call myself the Amateur Book Reviewer for a reason. Anywhooo...when I finally got into it, it did move quickly. Rose is a great female lead who only wants to be loved and made to feel she is worthy!
I found her 7 year old daughter Maddie to be one of my favorite characters and was entertained by her character. An old soul for sure and one of the reasons I loved the book so much.
Finding herself on the run with her 7 year old daughter in tow she makes her way to a Bed and Breakfast in the town searching for the man who changed her life with an impromptu visit and some kind words.
While there her life completely changes and she runs into her past, a past that shaped the woman she was and the one she will become.
While it took me a while to get into the book which I now know for some reason has something to do with the different words used by International authors. Every time I have had trouble getting really into a book, I turn the book over to find out the author isn't from the States. Well, I call myself the Amateur Book Reviewer for a reason. Anywhooo...when I finally got into it, it did move quickly. Rose is a great female lead who only wants to be loved and made to feel she is worthy!
I found her 7 year old daughter Maddie to be one of my favorite characters and was entertained by her character. An old soul for sure and one of the reasons I loved the book so much.
October 29, 2012
Finished this one in the early hours last night, thoroughly enjoyed every moment, and it's most definitely one of my books of the year. Rowan Coleman has always been more at the "thinking woman" end of the chick lit spectrum, but this one moved her writing into a whole new league for me. All the chick lit staples are there - the sexy young barman, the scatty friend, the near misses and misunderstandings - but this is a book with a really dark underside, and some of the strongest female characters you'll find. Maddie, Rose's unusual seven year old daughter, is a wonderful creation and an absolute joy - with some of the best conversational gambits and one-liners ever, but with a soft underside that melts your heart. Equally strong are Jenny the landlady - an excellent character - and Shona, Rose's brash but troubled friend. The book builds slowly, bringing in elements of the back story to reveal the full picture, and the last third is exciting, emotional, draining and satisfying in turn. The writing is effortless, which makes the reading that way too, and I can't recommend it too highly.
January 14, 2016
I bought this book to add to my collection of Rowan Coleman's books. I loved this story, it was emotional as there are a few personal issues in this story. I love the way even though there are personal issues, Rowan has approached it in a sensitive way but with lots of detail so she has obviously done lots of research. I loved the plot and I fell in love with Rose's daughter Maddie she is such a sweetheart but can hold her own. I found this book emotional but also heartwarming.
March 12, 2016
I confess I didn't actually finish this book. I tried really hard to keep going but Rose irritated me beyond belief and the whole story line was nothing new. Obviously, not having finished it I can't say how things will turn out but when I have to steel myself to read and would rather do anything else it is time to give up.
May 8, 2013
Loved the characters in this book, with a particular soft spot for Maddie. I made the mistake of reading the last few pages just before the school run - bit of a red eyed collection that was! I also love the cover of this book.
December 27, 2013
Terrible waste of time
October 23, 2016
Okay but not a patch on her other books such as the Memory Tree.
February 9, 2018
Listen, I thought I was going to love this book. It was a story I was really interested in, and it started off well. There were parts I really liked, but slowly but surely things went so downhill for me.
As always, spoilers ahead.
First off the writing was a mix of good and bad. Parts of the prose were great, but the dialogue. The dialogue stone cold murdered this book for me. The first and main thing was the weirdly formal way of talking. And I could have dealt only this book is 440 pages of this. So, for example, everything was 'he is' instead of 'He's'. Or 'I am' instead of 'I'm'. A few times? Sure. But almost every single sentence? No. No way do people actually talk like that. This might be the edition I'm reading but I also noticed several typos. And the emotion did not hit home because everyone was making very poetic speeches the entire time, to be point where it felt almost fake because it sounded so formal and grand. Our protag Rose has a seven year old child who is 'unusual' (Possibly on the spectrum, from her behaviour? But that's never stated but it would make sense.) Most of her quirks are put down to the fact she grew up in an abusive household, which makes sense and I could accept that. But sometimes they took it way too far with the way she talked. I understand she's a clever child and all that, but sometimes it sounded like a grown woman talking and idk, it just felt weird.
Now, this book is about domestic abuse and that was actually written very well. I know the author did her research, and the majority of Rose's abuse is emotional which isn't something we see a lot. I really thought that was a good way to go and it highlighted a lot of things that don't always get talked about and how anyone can find themselves in that kind of relationship. That was a strong point in the book. Her husband is honestly awful and that is reinforced totally.
But you know who I also thought was awful? The other men. Like we go through her alcoholic father's recovery and redemption - all good, they make up and it's not brushed over. But the two love interests, Ted and Frasier, were total let downs.
Ted was a nice guy (tm). There's a moment where he's rejected and proceeds to insult and lie about Rose and ruin her relationship with Frasier. He ends up apologising but he also inserts himself into the aftermath of her husband attacking her later on in the book. Also, he apologises for trying to kiss her without permission only after he realises her husband was a rapist. He just ignored her before that. It's the trying to kiss her that's treated as the really bad thing, and it is, but they sort of skate over the fact that he turned on her the instant he thought she was seeing someone else.
But you know who else does that? Frasier, the big end game love interest! Like, moving past the fact the love at first meeting trope could have been done well but wasn't really, he was just forgiven. He turns on her as soon as she reveals she had kissed Ted. He apologises, but he doesn't go into the fact he called her pathetic. After she had explained about her prolonged domestic abuse, he's so sorry and protective. Then he turns on her and calls her pathetic. Because of course, she's this broken little flower who can't so much look at another man because it doesn't fit with his hero complex? Jesus!
Also, these guys are so dumb. They both say 'I knew things with your husband were bad but I didn't think they were that bad so that's why I felt like I could treat you this way'. Or, that's what implied. Like, you couldn't guess? You really think she would have fled in the night, refuse to have sex, refuse to talk about anything that had happened, if there wasn't something deeply wrong in the marriage? Seriously.
There's a lot of great moments where Rose confronts them about their behaviour but they don't last long. She says it's basically her fault for leading Ted on (wrong!). Then, when she confronts Frasier about being hot and cold about his feelings and for making decisions about her life, she still wants to be with him. There's a moment just before this confrontation where she wonders what it would be like to go upstairs with him. This is like...a few days after her abusive husband found her and tried to rape her. She spent the whole book not wanting to have sex with anyone but not really because she actually does think about it??? (I mean thank god that that isn't something that happens or that they follow through on because it would not have made sense but still)
It also didn't need to be as long as it was, like, at all. A lot of the conversations were the same if i'm being honest.
So, yeah. Like I said, there were some great moments. I can't speak to the abuse rep but I did feel that it had been done well and it really lets you see how Rose ended up where she did. But the writing and, lets face it, the characters, dragged it down.
As always, spoilers ahead.
First off the writing was a mix of good and bad. Parts of the prose were great, but the dialogue. The dialogue stone cold murdered this book for me. The first and main thing was the weirdly formal way of talking. And I could have dealt only this book is 440 pages of this. So, for example, everything was 'he is' instead of 'He's'. Or 'I am' instead of 'I'm'. A few times? Sure. But almost every single sentence? No. No way do people actually talk like that. This might be the edition I'm reading but I also noticed several typos. And the emotion did not hit home because everyone was making very poetic speeches the entire time, to be point where it felt almost fake because it sounded so formal and grand. Our protag Rose has a seven year old child who is 'unusual' (Possibly on the spectrum, from her behaviour? But that's never stated but it would make sense.) Most of her quirks are put down to the fact she grew up in an abusive household, which makes sense and I could accept that. But sometimes they took it way too far with the way she talked. I understand she's a clever child and all that, but sometimes it sounded like a grown woman talking and idk, it just felt weird.
Now, this book is about domestic abuse and that was actually written very well. I know the author did her research, and the majority of Rose's abuse is emotional which isn't something we see a lot. I really thought that was a good way to go and it highlighted a lot of things that don't always get talked about and how anyone can find themselves in that kind of relationship. That was a strong point in the book. Her husband is honestly awful and that is reinforced totally.
But you know who I also thought was awful? The other men. Like we go through her alcoholic father's recovery and redemption - all good, they make up and it's not brushed over. But the two love interests, Ted and Frasier, were total let downs.
Ted was a nice guy (tm). There's a moment where he's rejected and proceeds to insult and lie about Rose and ruin her relationship with Frasier. He ends up apologising but he also inserts himself into the aftermath of her husband attacking her later on in the book. Also, he apologises for trying to kiss her without permission only after he realises her husband was a rapist. He just ignored her before that. It's the trying to kiss her that's treated as the really bad thing, and it is, but they sort of skate over the fact that he turned on her the instant he thought she was seeing someone else.
But you know who else does that? Frasier, the big end game love interest! Like, moving past the fact the love at first meeting trope could have been done well but wasn't really, he was just forgiven. He turns on her as soon as she reveals she had kissed Ted. He apologises, but he doesn't go into the fact he called her pathetic. After she had explained about her prolonged domestic abuse, he's so sorry and protective. Then he turns on her and calls her pathetic. Because of course, she's this broken little flower who can't so much look at another man because it doesn't fit with his hero complex? Jesus!
Also, these guys are so dumb. They both say 'I knew things with your husband were bad but I didn't think they were that bad so that's why I felt like I could treat you this way'. Or, that's what implied. Like, you couldn't guess? You really think she would have fled in the night, refuse to have sex, refuse to talk about anything that had happened, if there wasn't something deeply wrong in the marriage? Seriously.
There's a lot of great moments where Rose confronts them about their behaviour but they don't last long. She says it's basically her fault for leading Ted on (wrong!). Then, when she confronts Frasier about being hot and cold about his feelings and for making decisions about her life, she still wants to be with him. There's a moment just before this confrontation where she wonders what it would be like to go upstairs with him. This is like...a few days after her abusive husband found her and tried to rape her. She spent the whole book not wanting to have sex with anyone but not really because she actually does think about it??? (I mean thank god that that isn't something that happens or that they follow through on because it would not have made sense but still)
It also didn't need to be as long as it was, like, at all. A lot of the conversations were the same if i'm being honest.
So, yeah. Like I said, there were some great moments. I can't speak to the abuse rep but I did feel that it had been done well and it really lets you see how Rose ended up where she did. But the writing and, lets face it, the characters, dragged it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews