The Sooner The Better by Lynda Page

by Lynda Page

Fifteen years is a long time to wait for a marriage proposal, but it seems that Isobel Jenkin's patience has finally paid off. Lawrence Clayton is getting married but - to Izzie's total devastation -- it's not to her but to another woman whom he'd been secretly dating behind her back. When he mindlessly flaunts his new bride, Izzie decides enough is enough. But how can she put his betrayal behind her and start afresh? Izzie could never have predicted that helping an elderly lady find her way back to her residential home would provide the answer. The owner of the home, Mrs Johnson, instantly recognises Izzie's worth and offers her a job. But not everyone in the establishment is what they seem and there are those who are using the atmosphere of openness and trust to their own selfish advantage. Izzie soon finds she's embroiled in devious goings-on she could never have anticipated.

Paperback

First published February 5, 2007

About the author

Author of 29 books, Lynda Page was born and brought up in Leicester. The eldest of four daughters, she left home at seventeen and has had a wide variety of office jobs. She began her prolific writing career with her first novel during her 45 minute lunch hours at work. The book took 18 months to complete and was snapped up by the leading UK publisher, Headline, and she has been under contract to them ever since. She lives in a village in Leicestershire and is a full time writer.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not have a lot of expectations for this book, as it was given to me as a joke gift, so it came as no surprise to me that it didn’t manage to hold my interest. But I persevered and read it whole despite its slowness and almost complete lack of any action. The characters were quite flat and the conflicts never were quite able to reach any satisfying climax. However, most of my problems with the book lie in the main character.


Izzie is just so… good. She’s so self-sacrificing, hard-working, and nice, I tired of her very quickly. That is not to say I don’t like good characters, they can be quite entertaining when written well, but Izzie’s selflessness at times began to cross the line between kindness and sacrifice and I was anticipating a moment when she realizes she cannot burn herself to keep others warm but it never came. She does suffer a minor trauma from when her goodness of heart and naivety led to her being taken advantage of but that’s the only instance it leads to anything bad and I don’t feel that’s quite realistic. I didn't want her to be punished but I did want her to grow. And she never did.


I liked the fact that a lot of the book focused on female friendships even if they weren’t developed enough to my satisfaction. And the writing style was quite okay.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Lynda Page books and this was my favourite so far. All her books are like a big, comforting hug and this was no different. Really enjoyable.

[Ayny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and the background characters.

[Mekerei · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sooner The Better is the story of Izzie and her life as a spinster. She lives in Leicestershire with her brother, sister-in-law and their girls.

It was a nice easy chit lit novel. A women betrayed by a man, she changes her life, meets a nice man and they live happily ever after.

Three stars.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several Lynda page, but this has been my least favourite. Having said that, it was still a reasonably good read.

[Mrs A Duarte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl's journey through difficult times.

A good book. Finding herself through her kindness a whole new life. With various ups and downs along the way.