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Tangled Lives
Annie Delancey is happily married, in her early 50s, with three grown children. But Annie guards a dark secret. At age 18 she had a baby boy, and gave him up for adoption. She still thinks of him every day. Then, out of the blue, she receives an official-looking letter from Kent Social Services. Her son, Daniel, wants to make contact. On one hand she is overjoyed - she longs to meet him. On the other, she has never told her children that they have another sibling. Tangled Lives follows the effect this revelation has on her family, as, with Daniel as the catalyst, a few small tears in the family fabric suddenly gape wide.
377 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2012
100 people are currently reading
1143 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Boyd
40 books132 followersBoyd was born and spent the first six months of her life in Prestatyn, North Wales, where her father, an army major, was stationed after the war. She was later educated in London, then at the boarding school Roedean. She trained as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, and subsequently as a marriage guidance counsellor with Relate before reading English Literature at London University in her late 30s.
After college, Boyd became a health journalist, writing about depression, step-parenting and pregnancy. She began writing fiction as a hobby whilst raising three children and working at various day jobs including running a cancer charity, Survive Cancer, working for an engineering company, and an online vitamin site.
After college, Boyd became a health journalist, writing about depression, step-parenting and pregnancy. She began writing fiction as a hobby whilst raising three children and working at various day jobs including running a cancer charity, Survive Cancer, working for an engineering company, and an online vitamin site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
December 16, 2013
Truly banal, just dreadful. If your idea of entertainment would be reading about a pretend and pretentious family 'taking tea on the terrace' where the narrative depends on describing the decor of every single room, every last mind numbing article of designer clothing and perfectly choreographed menus of each mealtime... then god help you, this book is for you. This is a book about nothing. The author obviously has no experience of life outside of Woman's Own magazine.
July 5, 2014
I absolutely loved When you Walked Back into my Life and then Thursday's in the Park so, (after reading an amazing thriller which left me needing something light to read) I picked this up with glee, expecting a lovely, warm and fuzzy read; I was so wrong. This is just not of the standard of the other two. I know this was the second book by Hilary Boyd and that I have read them 'out of order' so to speak but it feels like it was written by someone else.
I think I knew I really didn't like it from the outset but stuck with it as I thought it would get better.
I'm not sure where the title comes from but the is nothing tangled about this family's life at all, just a lot of jealousy about a man who finds his birth mother and the husband and son of the mother feel left out. That's about it really, the rest is completely boring and a completely expected outcome.
I did find the whole thing very twee with snobby upper class English characters.
I'm glad this wasn't the first Hilary Boyd book I picked up, otherwise I wouldn't have read (and just loved) her other two.
I think I knew I really didn't like it from the outset but stuck with it as I thought it would get better.
I'm not sure where the title comes from but the is nothing tangled about this family's life at all, just a lot of jealousy about a man who finds his birth mother and the husband and son of the mother feel left out. That's about it really, the rest is completely boring and a completely expected outcome.
I did find the whole thing very twee with snobby upper class English characters.
I'm glad this wasn't the first Hilary Boyd book I picked up, otherwise I wouldn't have read (and just loved) her other two.
April 3, 2013
Originally reviewed at:
Tangled Lives was a pleasant surprise in every sense of the word. While I wasn’t familiar with Hilary Boyd’s work before I started reading this book, I’ll certainly pick up whatever she comes up with next.
The book tells the story of Annie – a middle-aged mother of three living in London – whose life suddenly turns upside down when her son she had given up for adoption at the age of 18 turns up out of the blue and wants to get in touch with her. It doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, however, it turns out that Annie’s children don’t know about her adopted son Daniel. And chances that they are going to take it badly are quite high. When she finally plucks up the courage to tell them a small family drama ensues, with her son storming out of the house and her two daughters staring at her in utter disbelief. While her husband and her younger daughter Lucy are quite supportive, her son and elder daughter can’t seem to forgive her and, if you ask me, act in a slightly childish and selfish way. Throw in an ex-boyfriend who not only happens to be Daniel’s father but who has absolutely no idea about his son, a pinch of emotion and a great deal of jealousy and you get an unputdownable tale of love, family, past secrets and forgiveness.
It would have been nice to learn a bit more about Daniel and what his life was like before he made contact with Annie and there were certain parts in the book (for example, the night of the party when Daniel is accused of hitting on Emma) which I found rather predictable, yet, all in all I really enjoyed the book. Annie and Lucy were lovely and relatable characters who I managed to connect with very easily and who, for me, definitely made the story as good as it was.
Tangled Lives for me was one of those books that’s perfect for spending a relaxed afternoon in a garden chair basking in the sunshine, sipping a cup of tea. Fans of contemporary fiction or family sagas are guaranteed to enjoy this one.
Tangled Lives was a pleasant surprise in every sense of the word. While I wasn’t familiar with Hilary Boyd’s work before I started reading this book, I’ll certainly pick up whatever she comes up with next.
The book tells the story of Annie – a middle-aged mother of three living in London – whose life suddenly turns upside down when her son she had given up for adoption at the age of 18 turns up out of the blue and wants to get in touch with her. It doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, however, it turns out that Annie’s children don’t know about her adopted son Daniel. And chances that they are going to take it badly are quite high. When she finally plucks up the courage to tell them a small family drama ensues, with her son storming out of the house and her two daughters staring at her in utter disbelief. While her husband and her younger daughter Lucy are quite supportive, her son and elder daughter can’t seem to forgive her and, if you ask me, act in a slightly childish and selfish way. Throw in an ex-boyfriend who not only happens to be Daniel’s father but who has absolutely no idea about his son, a pinch of emotion and a great deal of jealousy and you get an unputdownable tale of love, family, past secrets and forgiveness.
It would have been nice to learn a bit more about Daniel and what his life was like before he made contact with Annie and there were certain parts in the book (for example, the night of the party when Daniel is accused of hitting on Emma) which I found rather predictable, yet, all in all I really enjoyed the book. Annie and Lucy were lovely and relatable characters who I managed to connect with very easily and who, for me, definitely made the story as good as it was.
Tangled Lives for me was one of those books that’s perfect for spending a relaxed afternoon in a garden chair basking in the sunshine, sipping a cup of tea. Fans of contemporary fiction or family sagas are guaranteed to enjoy this one.
June 7, 2013
Two and a half stars. Stories that deal with adoption always interest me. The premise is interesting, with a son who had been adopted at birth contacting his birth mother after 35 years. Having read Thursdays in the Park and thoroughly enjoying it, I was looking forward to this one. Sadly, I was disappointed in this novel.
Though I read it all, I found myself not engaging with the characters and never emotionally invested. Annie in particular annoyed me with her habit of turning a blind eye to what she doesn’t want to see or deal with. She seems oblivious to the problems this long lost son will cause with her with her three adult children and with her husband Richard. I found a lot of her behaviour inexplicable and naive. Richard, Ed, one of her three children with Richard and Daniel the adopted son didn’t grab me greatly either. Daniel seemed too one dimensional. The two most real characters were Marsha and the irrepressible, wanting-to-save-the-world Lucy. To me this was readable but fails to connect on some level. I almost wondered if this was written before her Thursdays in in Park novel and just released after, as it doesn't seem have the depth of writing and character as the previous one.
Though I read it all, I found myself not engaging with the characters and never emotionally invested. Annie in particular annoyed me with her habit of turning a blind eye to what she doesn’t want to see or deal with. She seems oblivious to the problems this long lost son will cause with her with her three adult children and with her husband Richard. I found a lot of her behaviour inexplicable and naive. Richard, Ed, one of her three children with Richard and Daniel the adopted son didn’t grab me greatly either. Daniel seemed too one dimensional. The two most real characters were Marsha and the irrepressible, wanting-to-save-the-world Lucy. To me this was readable but fails to connect on some level. I almost wondered if this was written before her Thursdays in in Park novel and just released after, as it doesn't seem have the depth of writing and character as the previous one.
January 14, 2015
Tangled Lives was a pleasant surprise in every sense of the word. While I wasn’t familiar with Hilary Boyd’s work before I started reading this book, I’ll certainly pick up whatever she comes up with next.
The book tells the story of Annie – a middle-aged mother of three living in London – whose life suddenly turns upside down when her son she had given up for adoption at the age of 18 turns up out of the blue and wants to get in touch with her. It doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, however, it turns out that Annie’s children don’t know about her adopted son Daniel. And chances that they are going to take it badly are quite high. When she finally plucks up the courage to tell them a small family drama ensues, with her son storming out of the house and her two daughters staring at her in utter disbelief. While her husband and her younger daughter Lucy are quite supportive, her son and elder daughter can’t seem to forgive her and, if you ask me, act in a slightly childish and selfish way. Throw in an ex-boyfriend who not only happens to be Daniel’s father but who has absolutely no idea about his son, a pinch of emotion and a great deal of jealousy and you get an unputdownable tale of love, family, past secrets and forgiveness.
It would have been nice to learn a bit more about Daniel and what his life was like before he made contact with Annie and there were certain parts in the book which I found rather predictable, yet, all in all I really enjoyed the book.
Tangled Lives for me was one of those books that’s perfect for spending a relaxed afternoon chilling. It was an easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book tells the story of Annie – a middle-aged mother of three living in London – whose life suddenly turns upside down when her son she had given up for adoption at the age of 18 turns up out of the blue and wants to get in touch with her. It doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, however, it turns out that Annie’s children don’t know about her adopted son Daniel. And chances that they are going to take it badly are quite high. When she finally plucks up the courage to tell them a small family drama ensues, with her son storming out of the house and her two daughters staring at her in utter disbelief. While her husband and her younger daughter Lucy are quite supportive, her son and elder daughter can’t seem to forgive her and, if you ask me, act in a slightly childish and selfish way. Throw in an ex-boyfriend who not only happens to be Daniel’s father but who has absolutely no idea about his son, a pinch of emotion and a great deal of jealousy and you get an unputdownable tale of love, family, past secrets and forgiveness.
It would have been nice to learn a bit more about Daniel and what his life was like before he made contact with Annie and there were certain parts in the book which I found rather predictable, yet, all in all I really enjoyed the book.
Tangled Lives for me was one of those books that’s perfect for spending a relaxed afternoon chilling. It was an easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 23, 2019
Meh. I had a difficult time engaging with any of the characters. They all seemed very superficial, in the sense that they were largely undeveloped by the author. They also generally seemed shallow and self-involved, in the sense that if they were real people I would never be friends with any of them (except maybe Lucy) and would avoid them at the office party.
My inability to connect or even have any sort of strong feeling, one way or the other, with the characters of the book was unfortunate because this is a character- rather than plot-driven 'story'. The plot just plodded along with few interesting happenings and those happenings that did occur were not that interesting and felt fairly contrived.
I would never invite this type of person into my life in real life. I am unsure why I persisted in allowing them into my life through this book. But, I am glad that in this case I can return the lot to the library and move on. I doubt I will pick up any more books by this author.
My inability to connect or even have any sort of strong feeling, one way or the other, with the characters of the book was unfortunate because this is a character- rather than plot-driven 'story'. The plot just plodded along with few interesting happenings and those happenings that did occur were not that interesting and felt fairly contrived.
I would never invite this type of person into my life in real life. I am unsure why I persisted in allowing them into my life through this book. But, I am glad that in this case I can return the lot to the library and move on. I doubt I will pick up any more books by this author.
October 8, 2014
What a terrible book. Like many others I enjoyed Thursdays in the Park and so looked forward to this. It must be written by a different person. Are there two Hilary Boyds?
It is difficult to warm to any of the characters. The descriptions of rooms, clothes, food etc are tedious and unnecessary. We do not need to the know such boring intimate knowledge of everyday items. We are frequently taken further back in time with the author trying to provide us with some back story.
Although I read to the end I skipped pages where some room or a person was being described in tedious detail.
The main character, although being in an emotional, state nevertheless seems to be obsessed and irrational. She treats an adult son as if he were still a child.
A disappointing read. Not sure I will try other books of this author.
It is difficult to warm to any of the characters. The descriptions of rooms, clothes, food etc are tedious and unnecessary. We do not need to the know such boring intimate knowledge of everyday items. We are frequently taken further back in time with the author trying to provide us with some back story.
Although I read to the end I skipped pages where some room or a person was being described in tedious detail.
The main character, although being in an emotional, state nevertheless seems to be obsessed and irrational. She treats an adult son as if he were still a child.
A disappointing read. Not sure I will try other books of this author.
October 29, 2013
I like Hilary Boyd, against my better judgement. Its mature chick lit. I read Thursdays in the Park and thought it was ok, fairly circuitous in its inevitability but nicely written for a first novel.
This is an improvement and although it deals with some familiar ground in the familial disharmony and infidelity stakes it feels as though it has more depth and substance than its predecessor. There are no surprises here, no twists you can't see; Boyd doesn't aim to shock or titivate, simply entertain.
Marian Keyes for the 30+ bracket. I say that because I am 31 and I enjoyed it enough, a few years ago, maybe not.
This is an improvement and although it deals with some familiar ground in the familial disharmony and infidelity stakes it feels as though it has more depth and substance than its predecessor. There are no surprises here, no twists you can't see; Boyd doesn't aim to shock or titivate, simply entertain.
Marian Keyes for the 30+ bracket. I say that because I am 31 and I enjoyed it enough, a few years ago, maybe not.
April 6, 2013
A bit disappointing compared to Thursdays in the Park. I didn't like the characters so much. Annie is impossibly blind to all that's going on around her and Daniel is a bit one-dimensional. However, your long-lost adopted son turning up out of the blue is interesting scenario, one I hadn't thought about much, so credit to the author for one of the more original story lines I've seen recently. Not badly written and easily readable in one sitting.
March 18, 2018
On Tangled Lives
Well, I received this book from Goodreads and so quickly too! It came in the mail in only a couple of days, so I felt obliged to quickly read it and give my opinion (I read the Advanced Reader's Copy). Furthermore, I was very intrigued by the nice cover and the sturdy condition of the book (shallow, but I cannot help myself). So, as soon as I finished The Keep , I started this - both skeptical but also eager to like the content. Well, it was certainly a quick ride.
I'll admit, the beginning had me rolling my eyes. Other than the fact that the setting is in London, the characters were so predictable and everything was so 'orderly,' 'nonchalant' and 'happy'. It didn't help that Boyd didn't really describe these said characters; I didn't (and still don't) know what the main character looks like or who she really is. Throughout the novel, I got small peeks at her, but not enough to make me sympathize with her position. Perhaps it was on purpose, but this was the case with every character, so I wasn't too pleased in making up these characters in my head.
Overall, the story was quite predictable and there was nothing really to surprise me. By the time the 'big' twist came up, I had already guessed it too long ago. Once more, things were just too convenient and the fact that everything seemed to be resolved by the end really showed me that this is no real story (well, if it is, good for these people).
But, that is not to say that I did not enjoy this. I did, in fact, really look forward to getting through the book and seeing what happens with all our not-so-realistic characters. Annie was not my favorite character in the world but I did like her and her stubbornness. The constant shift of points-of-view without any notice was a welcome style, but again, it was just too convenient and easy to reveal the plot and that just does not really do it for me.
Overall, however, I would not say that I'm disappointed. No, I did enjoy this book; I probably won't remember its events five years from now but for the moment, I am generally pleased with how things unfolded (edit: I was right...I don't remember what happened and it hasn't even been 5 years). I mean, it was pretty obvious from the book's description but it wasn't a bad ride or anything. Not one of my favorites or anything, but would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys calm books with a definite resolute and a solid writing style.
Final word: Colorless.
Date started: 2014.05.18
Date finished: 2014.05.21
Rating: 2 | 5
Well, I received this book from Goodreads and so quickly too! It came in the mail in only a couple of days, so I felt obliged to quickly read it and give my opinion (I read the Advanced Reader's Copy). Furthermore, I was very intrigued by the nice cover and the sturdy condition of the book (shallow, but I cannot help myself). So, as soon as I finished The Keep , I started this - both skeptical but also eager to like the content. Well, it was certainly a quick ride.
I'll admit, the beginning had me rolling my eyes. Other than the fact that the setting is in London, the characters were so predictable and everything was so 'orderly,' 'nonchalant' and 'happy'. It didn't help that Boyd didn't really describe these said characters; I didn't (and still don't) know what the main character looks like or who she really is. Throughout the novel, I got small peeks at her, but not enough to make me sympathize with her position. Perhaps it was on purpose, but this was the case with every character, so I wasn't too pleased in making up these characters in my head.
Overall, the story was quite predictable and there was nothing really to surprise me. By the time the 'big' twist came up, I had already guessed it too long ago. Once more, things were just too convenient and the fact that everything seemed to be resolved by the end really showed me that this is no real story (well, if it is, good for these people).
But, that is not to say that I did not enjoy this. I did, in fact, really look forward to getting through the book and seeing what happens with all our not-so-realistic characters. Annie was not my favorite character in the world but I did like her and her stubbornness. The constant shift of points-of-view without any notice was a welcome style, but again, it was just too convenient and easy to reveal the plot and that just does not really do it for me.
Overall, however, I would not say that I'm disappointed. No, I did enjoy this book; I probably won't remember its events five years from now but for the moment, I am generally pleased with how things unfolded (edit: I was right...I don't remember what happened and it hasn't even been 5 years). I mean, it was pretty obvious from the book's description but it wasn't a bad ride or anything. Not one of my favorites or anything, but would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys calm books with a definite resolute and a solid writing style.
Final word: Colorless.
Date started: 2014.05.18
Date finished: 2014.05.21
Rating: 2 | 5
September 6, 2014
I MUCH preferred this to her previous book I read. For me it was a more enjoyable story and it had fewer mistakes as well, which made reading it more of a pleasure. I didn't keep Thursdays in the Park on my device but will save this one.
There were some laugh-out-loud lines in this as well....mostly from things the women said at times.
I did wonder why it was set so far back in 2002. I expected the epilogue to jump forward a decade to update us but it didn't which was a shame. I wondered at times about Annie's thoughts regarding Daniel. One minute she seemed overjoyed but she also wanted to keep him a secret from many people which I couldn't reconcile.
Rayburn isn't spelt Raeburn and I spotted some apostrophe mistakes. Also, when she first spoke with Charles he called her by her married name which he wouldn't have known. There were odd words dropped from sentences as well here and there. The biggest "ouch" for me was fawn spelt as faun !
I looked up Portrait of a Lady out of interest and the "lady" reminded me of Anna Massey !
I'd recommend this, though. I just watched Long Lost Family this week and it is like an episode of that but with the whole follow-up story included.
There were some laugh-out-loud lines in this as well....mostly from things the women said at times.
I did wonder why it was set so far back in 2002. I expected the epilogue to jump forward a decade to update us but it didn't which was a shame. I wondered at times about Annie's thoughts regarding Daniel. One minute she seemed overjoyed but she also wanted to keep him a secret from many people which I couldn't reconcile.
Rayburn isn't spelt Raeburn and I spotted some apostrophe mistakes. Also, when she first spoke with Charles he called her by her married name which he wouldn't have known. There were odd words dropped from sentences as well here and there. The biggest "ouch" for me was fawn spelt as faun !
I looked up Portrait of a Lady out of interest and the "lady" reminded me of Anna Massey !
I'd recommend this, though. I just watched Long Lost Family this week and it is like an episode of that but with the whole follow-up story included.
March 14, 2020
This is not a genre I normally read so my hopes weren’t too high but I was pleasantly surprised. I love books that are hard to put down and have at least one shocking twist. This book wasn’t like that. It did have one twist and it did manage to keep me interested. It was an average book for me and I won’t be reading more from this author.
July 31, 2024
I expected to like this one I did not expect to love it. Tangled Lives aka Annie's Tangled Family Life. Complicated enough with her three children between herself and husband Richard. Thrown in Tom or Daniel as he is called now things get even more complex. Through laughter and heartbreak they become quite the blended family.
August 8, 2021
This was terrible. I always keep a chick-lit/popular romantic fiction on my kindle for nights when I can’t sleep. This was 99p so I gave it a go. It gets one star for being so boring that it helped me doze off almost instantly.
October 25, 2014
Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/
Hilary Boyd has taken a hard-hitting issue, and wrapped it up in cups of tea, a family home and warmth. I absolutely loved reading Tangled Lives. It was emotional, it packed a punch and I found myself dithering between laughter and sadness.
Firstly, Hilary Boyd's cover for Tangled Lives is perfect. I adore it. All the flowers and the pretty patterns make for an eye-catcher, and I can tell you now, it definitely caught my eye. The title is also absolutely spot-on for the plot of the story, because in all fairness, that is what the story delves into. Tangled Lives.
Hilary begins Tangled Lives by taking you back in time to Kent, 1967. The prologue is short, and instantly catches your attention due to the emotional depth of what's happening. This is where we are first introduced to the main character in the story, Annie. It is the moment where Annie last lays her eyes on her beautiful baby boy, Tom, before being driven away in her mother's car. Hilary's prologue was bitter-sweet. Annie's love for her son was evident, but it was clear that she didn't have a choice in the matter.
Chapter One begins in North London, bringing you back to the present day in 2002. Annie is now completely settled into her life. She is married to Richard, they have three grown children and she works in a cake-shop creating luxury masterpieces for tasteful events. Hilary re-creates the perfect family breakfast. Annie and Richard, as well as their three children and their eldest son's girlfriend, are all sitting around the kitchen table, digging into breakfast. And that's when it happens. Slap bang in the middle of all the normalcy, Annie picks up the letter that changes everything.
The baby boy that she had never forgotten appears back in her life as if he'd never left. Suddenly, Annie's ordered life is thrown up into the air, and she's left to watch as the pieces scatter all around her and her beloved family.
I knew from the moment that Annie had held that letter in her hand at the kitchen table, that this was her son contacting her. My heart was in my mouth and I did actually hold my breath as she opened it up and read it. I think that is one of the most important moments in Tangled Lives, and it's definitely made to appear so with how Hilary writes. Annie gets up from the table, leaving her family downstairs, and reads it on her own in the bedroom. What I loved was the fact that she instantly knew that she was going to meet him, even though she appeared to dither and uhhm and ahhh about it. She knew deep down that not a thing in the world was about to stop her.
What ensues is a crazy, non-stop battle. That's how it felt to me anyway. Annie trying to bring her son into the family, and certain family members trying to lock him out. It seemed as though, as soon as Daniel (Tom's new given name) appeared, everything just went mental. Annie's eldest son, Ed, fires off and becomes distant for reasons of his own, Annie's husband, Richard, suddenly begins to work later nights, coming home drunk and collapsing on the sofa. It was an absolute scene of madness, carelessness and confusion. None of them are quite sure of whether they're coming or going. As Annie watches, her homelife begins to tremble and fall to the ground right in front of her, and she doesn't have a clue of how to fix it.
As well as the subject of adoption, there were so many other issues happening just underneath the surface too. I found Tangled Lives to be a very complex, but easy to read book, that intrigued and enchanted me with it's many bumps in the road. Hilary's characters were all fantastically built-up and each seemed incredibly real to me, which is something that I just love to find in a book.
Becca's Books is giving Tangled Lives by Hilary Boyd a brilliant rating of 5/5 stars! I loved reading it and I was completely engrossed in the plot. It was constantly moving and definitely kept me engaged.
Hilary Boyd has taken a hard-hitting issue, and wrapped it up in cups of tea, a family home and warmth. I absolutely loved reading Tangled Lives. It was emotional, it packed a punch and I found myself dithering between laughter and sadness.
Firstly, Hilary Boyd's cover for Tangled Lives is perfect. I adore it. All the flowers and the pretty patterns make for an eye-catcher, and I can tell you now, it definitely caught my eye. The title is also absolutely spot-on for the plot of the story, because in all fairness, that is what the story delves into. Tangled Lives.
Hilary begins Tangled Lives by taking you back in time to Kent, 1967. The prologue is short, and instantly catches your attention due to the emotional depth of what's happening. This is where we are first introduced to the main character in the story, Annie. It is the moment where Annie last lays her eyes on her beautiful baby boy, Tom, before being driven away in her mother's car. Hilary's prologue was bitter-sweet. Annie's love for her son was evident, but it was clear that she didn't have a choice in the matter.
Chapter One begins in North London, bringing you back to the present day in 2002. Annie is now completely settled into her life. She is married to Richard, they have three grown children and she works in a cake-shop creating luxury masterpieces for tasteful events. Hilary re-creates the perfect family breakfast. Annie and Richard, as well as their three children and their eldest son's girlfriend, are all sitting around the kitchen table, digging into breakfast. And that's when it happens. Slap bang in the middle of all the normalcy, Annie picks up the letter that changes everything.
The baby boy that she had never forgotten appears back in her life as if he'd never left. Suddenly, Annie's ordered life is thrown up into the air, and she's left to watch as the pieces scatter all around her and her beloved family.
I knew from the moment that Annie had held that letter in her hand at the kitchen table, that this was her son contacting her. My heart was in my mouth and I did actually hold my breath as she opened it up and read it. I think that is one of the most important moments in Tangled Lives, and it's definitely made to appear so with how Hilary writes. Annie gets up from the table, leaving her family downstairs, and reads it on her own in the bedroom. What I loved was the fact that she instantly knew that she was going to meet him, even though she appeared to dither and uhhm and ahhh about it. She knew deep down that not a thing in the world was about to stop her.
What ensues is a crazy, non-stop battle. That's how it felt to me anyway. Annie trying to bring her son into the family, and certain family members trying to lock him out. It seemed as though, as soon as Daniel (Tom's new given name) appeared, everything just went mental. Annie's eldest son, Ed, fires off and becomes distant for reasons of his own, Annie's husband, Richard, suddenly begins to work later nights, coming home drunk and collapsing on the sofa. It was an absolute scene of madness, carelessness and confusion. None of them are quite sure of whether they're coming or going. As Annie watches, her homelife begins to tremble and fall to the ground right in front of her, and she doesn't have a clue of how to fix it.
As well as the subject of adoption, there were so many other issues happening just underneath the surface too. I found Tangled Lives to be a very complex, but easy to read book, that intrigued and enchanted me with it's many bumps in the road. Hilary's characters were all fantastically built-up and each seemed incredibly real to me, which is something that I just love to find in a book.
Becca's Books is giving Tangled Lives by Hilary Boyd a brilliant rating of 5/5 stars! I loved reading it and I was completely engrossed in the plot. It was constantly moving and definitely kept me engaged.
December 23, 2013
I was thoroughly hooked in by this story, at least to begin with. When out of the blue Annie Delancey received a letter from Kent Social Services regarding the son she gave up for adoption 35 years ago, I felt the scene was set for a thoroughly absorbing, gripping read. Not far into the tale, a nervous Annie teams up with her best mate and confidante Jamie, who goes to take a peek first and runs back exclaiming "He's absolutely gorgeous!" This was the point where I tried to map out the storyline. It's a moment I always enjoy, and my enjoyment is complete when I get it completely wrong. That's what gets me on the edge of my seat, expectant and panting for more.
Now the title of this story is "Tangled Lives" and so I expected that I was going to get very tangled up when I tried to follow the tale; yet truly, there wasn't very much to get tangled up in. "Slightly muddled" lives might have been a more appropriate adjective although it would have made a crap title. It really wasn't that hard to follow and there weren't any major surprises. There was one death you saw it coming a long way off; and there again it was of a character whom nobody really liked, so it didn't hold much interest.
It certainly kept me reading, but I think that was more out of gay solidarity in general and sympathy for the homeless in particular. The story gripped me quite well, but it wasn't a satisfying grip. It was more like snorting another line of coke, even though I knew before, during and after that the habit was no good. Or watching the cliffhanger line in the Channel 4 'teen drama Hollyoaks. The story and its characters were as evanescent as steam, and I'm sure that by tomorrow they will have been well and truly forgotten.
Now the title of this story is "Tangled Lives" and so I expected that I was going to get very tangled up when I tried to follow the tale; yet truly, there wasn't very much to get tangled up in. "Slightly muddled" lives might have been a more appropriate adjective although it would have made a crap title. It really wasn't that hard to follow and there weren't any major surprises. There was one death you saw it coming a long way off; and there again it was of a character whom nobody really liked, so it didn't hold much interest.
It certainly kept me reading, but I think that was more out of gay solidarity in general and sympathy for the homeless in particular. The story gripped me quite well, but it wasn't a satisfying grip. It was more like snorting another line of coke, even though I knew before, during and after that the habit was no good. Or watching the cliffhanger line in the Channel 4 'teen drama Hollyoaks. The story and its characters were as evanescent as steam, and I'm sure that by tomorrow they will have been well and truly forgotten.
September 4, 2014
I’m impressed. Sophomore novel…really? Those aren’t easy to pull off. I’ve not read Hilary Boyd’s fiction debut (Thursdays in the Park), but now I’m inclined to. As well as whatever comes next. This writer is gifted. Her prose is uncomplicated yet lovely, her character real, her pacing absolutely spot-on.
I really enjoyed how there’s something to like and not-like about each of her main characters. (Except Aunt Best–her, you can only love.) I was also completely drawn into this story and relished the way it unfolded so believably. Really, for a while you’re wondering when the shoe is going to drop as the author lets out just enough line to keep you on the hook, keeping you guessing as to whether and when this family’s lives will get as tangled as the title promises. And then…it happens. And it happens so gradually, so credibly–it’s like the frog on boiling water scenario. So easy to imagine something similar happening to any one of us, where we look back and question how we got into such a pickle. And more, how on earth we’re going to get ourselves out of it.
I was a bit bummed at the nature of one of the bigger reveals about Daniel, the son given away at birth. I could see it coming, and hoped I would be wrong about it, but I wasn’t. It’s a twist that I feel has been so overdone in contemporary fiction that it now seems cliché. And there is a bit of language I could have done without. (Are all Brits inordinately fond of the f-bomb, or just the ones showing up in novels I’m reading?)
That said, I still found this to be a relatively light and easy read. I dashed through it in just a few days–and all this while packing for our trip to Africa. So that says something.
Thanks to Querus for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
I really enjoyed how there’s something to like and not-like about each of her main characters. (Except Aunt Best–her, you can only love.) I was also completely drawn into this story and relished the way it unfolded so believably. Really, for a while you’re wondering when the shoe is going to drop as the author lets out just enough line to keep you on the hook, keeping you guessing as to whether and when this family’s lives will get as tangled as the title promises. And then…it happens. And it happens so gradually, so credibly–it’s like the frog on boiling water scenario. So easy to imagine something similar happening to any one of us, where we look back and question how we got into such a pickle. And more, how on earth we’re going to get ourselves out of it.
I was a bit bummed at the nature of one of the bigger reveals about Daniel, the son given away at birth. I could see it coming, and hoped I would be wrong about it, but I wasn’t. It’s a twist that I feel has been so overdone in contemporary fiction that it now seems cliché. And there is a bit of language I could have done without. (Are all Brits inordinately fond of the f-bomb, or just the ones showing up in novels I’m reading?)
That said, I still found this to be a relatively light and easy read. I dashed through it in just a few days–and all this while packing for our trip to Africa. So that says something.
Thanks to Querus for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.
March 19, 2013
Tangled Lives touches upon the difficult subject of giving a child away for adoption and the implications it has both on the parents as well as on the child itself. They may not have been in each other's lives for 35 years but that doesn't mean they're not in each other's thoughts, or their blood band doesn't influence them one way or another.
When Daniel's beloved adoptive mother passes away he feels the need to connect to someone else and he contacts his birth mother in the hope that they can meet. When he does meet Annie the two get along well and as he quite quickly takes a prominent part in her life this change ripples in unexpected ways through her family. Good and bad. There's jealousy and misplaced anger, but there's also the undeniable connection between half-siblings who despite not growing up together simply click.
Part of the novel reminiscences real life stories like The Imposter as the reader starts to doubt whether everything Daniel claims really is in fact the truth. Just because he has a blood band to Annie, what is to say he is to be trusted? Particularly when someone who's been a part of the family for far more years claims that Daniel is not who he seems to be.
The novel doesn't always develop as the reader would want it to, with imperfect characters making selfish choices blinded by love and jealousy, but then that only makes the story more realistic. Tangled Lives was an engrossing read from start to finish and it definitely makes me keen to check out author Hilary Boyd's first novel Thursdays in the Park.
Many thanks to Quercus for a review copy of the novel!
When Daniel's beloved adoptive mother passes away he feels the need to connect to someone else and he contacts his birth mother in the hope that they can meet. When he does meet Annie the two get along well and as he quite quickly takes a prominent part in her life this change ripples in unexpected ways through her family. Good and bad. There's jealousy and misplaced anger, but there's also the undeniable connection between half-siblings who despite not growing up together simply click.
Part of the novel reminiscences real life stories like The Imposter as the reader starts to doubt whether everything Daniel claims really is in fact the truth. Just because he has a blood band to Annie, what is to say he is to be trusted? Particularly when someone who's been a part of the family for far more years claims that Daniel is not who he seems to be.
The novel doesn't always develop as the reader would want it to, with imperfect characters making selfish choices blinded by love and jealousy, but then that only makes the story more realistic. Tangled Lives was an engrossing read from start to finish and it definitely makes me keen to check out author Hilary Boyd's first novel Thursdays in the Park.
Many thanks to Quercus for a review copy of the novel!
June 30, 2014
How difficult is it to hold a secret you want to tell?
Annie Delancey has a wonderful husband, her children have grown into amazing people, relations with her mother are stable, but Annie has a terrible secret that is about to be revealed to mixed reviews. Annie had a one night relationship that led to a son she gave up for adoption which only her mother and husband are aware of until her son; Daniel wants to be a part of her life.
When the confession comes forth the reaction is mixed and the more integrated Daniel becomes in their lives the more combative Annie’s relationships become with her second son and then her husband. Everyone sees Daniel as an interloper into what they considered the perfect family life, but facing the fact that no one is leading a golden life comes with consequences. Annie’s husband grows distant, her children critical, and her mother even more remote. To reconcile that the life and love she has for the family she adores who are now jealous of a son from the past makes no sense. Annie is a mother to all of her children and will not have Daniel pushed out regardless of how much it takes out of her to keep him in.
When a scandal blows up and the sudden death of a family member come tumbling down on her shoulders Annie shows what she is made of, and even when the past has to be confronted nothing will stop her from mending hearts and fulfilling everyone’s needs.
Annie Delancey has a wonderful husband, her children have grown into amazing people, relations with her mother are stable, but Annie has a terrible secret that is about to be revealed to mixed reviews. Annie had a one night relationship that led to a son she gave up for adoption which only her mother and husband are aware of until her son; Daniel wants to be a part of her life.
When the confession comes forth the reaction is mixed and the more integrated Daniel becomes in their lives the more combative Annie’s relationships become with her second son and then her husband. Everyone sees Daniel as an interloper into what they considered the perfect family life, but facing the fact that no one is leading a golden life comes with consequences. Annie’s husband grows distant, her children critical, and her mother even more remote. To reconcile that the life and love she has for the family she adores who are now jealous of a son from the past makes no sense. Annie is a mother to all of her children and will not have Daniel pushed out regardless of how much it takes out of her to keep him in.
When a scandal blows up and the sudden death of a family member come tumbling down on her shoulders Annie shows what she is made of, and even when the past has to be confronted nothing will stop her from mending hearts and fulfilling everyone’s needs.
April 10, 2016
This book was very believable and easy to read, but very slow and boring in my opinion.
This story follows Annie Delancey and her happy, grown family as the child she gave up for adoption while she was a teenager tries to contact her. This ends up causing trouble within the family and the story follows this very drama.
While the drama that occurred was believable, I found that a little bit more action or drama could have happened to make the story more interesting. While more drama might have made it seem less realistic, it also would have made for a better novel.
The story moved very slowly, but the writing was very beautiful. The descriptions and word choices by the author made it a very beautiful read. Once I got about two thirds into the book, I did find myself hooked to the story since I wanted to find out what was happening to the characters.
I found the ending to be quite lame and uneventful. I expected an interesting ending that showed how the characters were years later, instead of a small summary of a random event to the family.
I did enjoy this book, and I would suggest it to other people but I would not read the book again. Well written with a believable plot, but not the most attractive read to keep you hooked onto the book.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This story follows Annie Delancey and her happy, grown family as the child she gave up for adoption while she was a teenager tries to contact her. This ends up causing trouble within the family and the story follows this very drama.
While the drama that occurred was believable, I found that a little bit more action or drama could have happened to make the story more interesting. While more drama might have made it seem less realistic, it also would have made for a better novel.
The story moved very slowly, but the writing was very beautiful. The descriptions and word choices by the author made it a very beautiful read. Once I got about two thirds into the book, I did find myself hooked to the story since I wanted to find out what was happening to the characters.
I found the ending to be quite lame and uneventful. I expected an interesting ending that showed how the characters were years later, instead of a small summary of a random event to the family.
I did enjoy this book, and I would suggest it to other people but I would not read the book again. Well written with a believable plot, but not the most attractive read to keep you hooked onto the book.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
November 15, 2014
I received this as a free Advanced Reader's Copy from the Publisher.
I originally picked out this book because I had seen Hilary Boyd's first novel, Thursdays in the Park, on the library shelf of new books where I worked, and liked the cover. The premise looked interesting: what would happen if the son you gave away for adoption 35 years ago, came back to your seemingly picture perfect family?
For Annie Delancey, who has kept the secret about her son from everyone but her husband and mother, and the identity of the child's father from everyone, it wrecks havoc on her personal life and her relationship with everyone. It also deals with issues of adoption and its repercussions.
I don't tend to read too many books about marital trouble and family drama, but this one was unexpectedly showed up at my door and was enjoyable.
I originally picked out this book because I had seen Hilary Boyd's first novel, Thursdays in the Park, on the library shelf of new books where I worked, and liked the cover. The premise looked interesting: what would happen if the son you gave away for adoption 35 years ago, came back to your seemingly picture perfect family?
For Annie Delancey, who has kept the secret about her son from everyone but her husband and mother, and the identity of the child's father from everyone, it wrecks havoc on her personal life and her relationship with everyone. It also deals with issues of adoption and its repercussions.
I don't tend to read too many books about marital trouble and family drama, but this one was unexpectedly showed up at my door and was enjoyable.
November 28, 2013
Enjoyable book exploring the dynamics of a family coming to terms with the mother's revelation that she gave up a baby for adoption before her marriage.
''Lizzie Delancey is happily married, in her early 50s, with three grown children. But Lizzie guards a dark secret. At age 18 she had a baby boy, and gave him up for adoption. She still thinks of him every day. Then, out of the blue, she receives an official-looking letter from Kent Social Services. Her son, Daniel, wants to make contact. On one hand she is overjoyed - she longs to meet him. On the other, she has never told her children that they have another sibling. Tangled Lives follows the effect this revelation has on her family, as, with Daniel as the catalyst, a few small tears in the family fabric suddenly gape wide.''
''Lizzie Delancey is happily married, in her early 50s, with three grown children. But Lizzie guards a dark secret. At age 18 she had a baby boy, and gave him up for adoption. She still thinks of him every day. Then, out of the blue, she receives an official-looking letter from Kent Social Services. Her son, Daniel, wants to make contact. On one hand she is overjoyed - she longs to meet him. On the other, she has never told her children that they have another sibling. Tangled Lives follows the effect this revelation has on her family, as, with Daniel as the catalyst, a few small tears in the family fabric suddenly gape wide.''
June 26, 2014
Having loved Thursdays in the Park, I hoped that Tangled Lives would not disappoint. It didn't; it was again a thought provoking story of family life and complicated relationships (basically the stuff of human life, then!). Annie lives a seemingly charmed middle class life in a well-to-do area of London, when a thunder bolt arrives in the person of Daniel, the son she was forced to give up for adoption thirty five years ago. The conflicts this produces for the family and for herself are well shown and the book held my interest throughout. Some incidents are a little predictable and there is not the mystery of Thursdays in the Park, but nevertheless it is again a novel that makes the reader think - and that is something I really enjoy.
December 9, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this eBook that I got from my local library not my usual genre but definetly a refreshing change the story was good & strong along with all the characters although I wasn't a big fan of Annie's younger son Ed who I can understand would be jealous of his new older brother he never knew existed but he could've been a lot more mature about it without his tantrums as his two younger sisters handled much more maturely. As for Annie's overbearing mother Eleanor well she was just a annoying snob. Tangled Lives was a page turner for me & I intend to read more novels by Hilary Boyd❤❤❤
May 7, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. I think the characters were okay but some were under developed and could have done with a bit more work, you only really saw Daniel every now and then it was like the book is about adoption but was centered around Annie and everything going on in her life not really about re-connecting with Daniel. Also didn't get why a previously 'perfect' husband turned out to be jealous of a lost son and started drinking and cheated as soon as the going gets tough.
Ed as a character was under developed aswell.
As a inbetween book this was good and I did really enjoy it as it is light easy reading.
Will now read Thursdays in the Park.
Ed as a character was under developed aswell.
As a inbetween book this was good and I did really enjoy it as it is light easy reading.
Will now read Thursdays in the Park.
February 13, 2017
So this looks to be my last audio book of the year (have you read my latest post on thesundayfeeling.wordpress.com?) I did enjoy this book, but there were a few parts that seemed a little dragged out, and some characters that were frankly just rather irritating.
I also think you can judge a book slightly easier when its an audio book, but in a sense your also judging the narrator as well as the story line. I think the narrator did a brilliant job in portraying each character.
I think I guessed the main "secret" a little while before it was revealed but it didn't ruin it for me at all.
I also think you can judge a book slightly easier when its an audio book, but in a sense your also judging the narrator as well as the story line. I think the narrator did a brilliant job in portraying each character.
I think I guessed the main "secret" a little while before it was revealed but it didn't ruin it for me at all.
August 12, 2019
In racing parlance – “Prefer others”.
Why am I reading this kind of thing? I wanted an audio book while I was painting the front room and, as I’ve complained before, the array at the library is limited to people who want to read about murdering someone and people who want to read about love. Or family complications.
Annie is brought into contact with her son whom she had adopted out 35 years ago. She had not shared this story with her family so it was something of a shock to her grown children. The particular conflict that ensues was quite a good idea but the book kind of fizzles. It’s a bit twee…
Why am I reading this kind of thing? I wanted an audio book while I was painting the front room and, as I’ve complained before, the array at the library is limited to people who want to read about murdering someone and people who want to read about love. Or family complications.
Annie is brought into contact with her son whom she had adopted out 35 years ago. She had not shared this story with her family so it was something of a shock to her grown children. The particular conflict that ensues was quite a good idea but the book kind of fizzles. It’s a bit twee…
December 9, 2019
I didn't really enjoy this bok. It was quite bland, I have been in a reading slump recently. This was an awful book to get back to. It was slow to take off and nothing really happened and the scandal between Daniel and Emma was dull and not well portrayed. I think characters were good and you got chance to get to know them but there wasn't any shock factor with the scandals and therefore was quite a boring novel to read.
September 11, 2017
This book wasn't what I expected but I still found it enjoyable. The characters were well rounded and likeable although human in the way they reacted. Not everyone welcomes a new family member with open arms so it was nice that it wasn't too 'long lost family'. Would have liked more to be made of the Ed, Emma, Daniel triangle but still enjoyable none the less.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2013
Really enjoyed this one - great characters and storyline. Must read her first book now.
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