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Red
Emmy Sumner is sure she's met her match in William Scott, graduate doctor, when their paths cross during Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations. So much so that, when she returns to Australia and William returns to England, she trusts his promise that they'll be together again.
Contact is precious, and is kept up with the help of technology interspersed with the tradition of handwritten letters. That is, until one day Emmy receives a final postcard from William before he disappears. Completely. What went wrong? Where did he go? Why?
An opportunity to work in London sends Emmy back in William's direction, a crumpled photo the only thing that remains of them. Should she look for him? Will he remember her? Will they still share the same connection they once had?
Contact is precious, and is kept up with the help of technology interspersed with the tradition of handwritten letters. That is, until one day Emmy receives a final postcard from William before he disappears. Completely. What went wrong? Where did he go? Why?
An opportunity to work in London sends Emmy back in William's direction, a crumpled photo the only thing that remains of them. Should she look for him? Will he remember her? Will they still share the same connection they once had?
- GenresRomance
345 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2015
2 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
About the author
Belinda Missen
14 books211 followersAn avid reader and daydreamer, Belinda Missen can often be found behind the wheel of her car, buzzing about while devouring audiobooks. Her published works include A Recipe for Disaster, and the bestselling One Week ’Til Christmas.
As well as writing books, Belinda recently co-authored the screenplay adaptation of Escape from the Commodore 64 with David Hearne. It has since received official selection at the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards.
Residing in Australia, Belinda is currently working on her next novel.
As well as writing books, Belinda recently co-authored the screenplay adaptation of Escape from the Commodore 64 with David Hearne. It has since received official selection at the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards.
Residing in Australia, Belinda is currently working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 25, 2015
I love a good chick-lit book as much as anyone, but I was a bit worried about this one as it was not published through traditional means. Yet I was willing to trust the word-of-mouth that brought the book to my attention and I was not disappointed.
The dialogue and characters grabbed me from the start and I found myself racing to finish the book in just two days time. These characters felt real and alive. Yes there was the occasional grammar gaff, but they were so few and far between that I could overlook them. And the relationship was downright compelling.
But I dropped a star in my rating for two reasons. While the dialogue was fantastic (& really one of the strongest bits of the book), it felt like there was very little plot. This story feels almost more like a romance novel because of that, because it is solely based on relationship. It straddles the genre lines of chick-lit and romance (with a little bit of soap opera thrown in) and ultimately I was okay with that. Until the book struggled with a crisis two thirds of the way through the story.
You see, in a romance plotline, the characters must come together then be driven apart before reuniting again for the last time. The crisis event in this book that culminated with work place awkwardness involving HR seemed totally unbelievable to me given the fact that the instigating character had already been established as unreliable. Yet the heroine believed her contrived story hook, line and sinker and ditched the hero. Really?
It is this bit and parts of the resolution that I struggled with and why I dropped a star. Yet if that was my only problem with the story, I don't see why this author didn't publish the traditional route. It really is a great read.
The dialogue and characters grabbed me from the start and I found myself racing to finish the book in just two days time. These characters felt real and alive. Yes there was the occasional grammar gaff, but they were so few and far between that I could overlook them. And the relationship was downright compelling.
But I dropped a star in my rating for two reasons. While the dialogue was fantastic (& really one of the strongest bits of the book), it felt like there was very little plot. This story feels almost more like a romance novel because of that, because it is solely based on relationship. It straddles the genre lines of chick-lit and romance (with a little bit of soap opera thrown in) and ultimately I was okay with that. Until the book struggled with a crisis two thirds of the way through the story.
You see, in a romance plotline, the characters must come together then be driven apart before reuniting again for the last time. The crisis event in this book that culminated with work place awkwardness involving HR seemed totally unbelievable to me given the fact that the instigating character had already been established as unreliable. Yet the heroine believed her contrived story hook, line and sinker and ditched the hero. Really?
It is this bit and parts of the resolution that I struggled with and why I dropped a star. Yet if that was my only problem with the story, I don't see why this author didn't publish the traditional route. It really is a great read.
April 14, 2015
I received this book as a good reads giveaway & it arrived wrapped in brown paper & string with some book cards inside & was signed by Belinda. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I raced through it & couldn't wait to get back to it when I had to put it down. The characters are pretty believable even though their reunion seems a little too good to be true. Their banter is fun & easy. For Antipodeans who have lived & worked in the UK & traveled to Europe on weekends the plot is true to life & brings memories flooding back. Easy to read & a great Rom-Com debut novel. Looking forward to what Belinda writes next.
February 16, 2015
It's not often a character stays with me and outlives the book he inhabits, but Red has done so. A thoroughly entertaining debut novel. I look forward to the next.
June 9, 2015
You had me at the first page, the first paragraph.
My father was a creative writer, and he always reminded me that when a reader opens a book, there is a contract struck between writer and reader. The writer promises a plot worth reading, believable characters and a story that takes you in, caresses your soul and takes you to another world. The reader promises to trust the writer and allows the writer leeway to show their wares, their world, their characters. The contract I entered into with Red was firmly struck and I am so happy I did.
How do I perfectly describe a delicious read such as "Red" and rave adequately enough about an author like Belinda Missen that has such a level of talent it is simply breathtaking?
I can tell you I love this book, plain and simple. It is now my "go to" book for rainy days, winter days, any days that I need to lose myself in characters that are not simply believable - but have such personality they are just a pleasure to read. They fit, Red and Emmy - like a glove, their personality is three dimensional on the page, the language fluid and comfortable, perfectly paced, not fast not slow - just perfectly paced.
I received this book in the mail from Belinda herself, after a long day at work that didn't finish until after 9pm. At bedtime I started to read, and read and read - until 2am and the threat of a very early meeting beat it's way back into my conscience. At night I'm usually an owl of sorts, not wanting to go to bed too early, falling asleep on the couch until the wee small hours then dragging myself out the next morning regretting terribly my wayward habits. The second night I couldn't wait to get to bed, ready to see if Red and Emmy were where I'd left them. Only because of work I read this book in three nights. Only because of work this was not a one-sitting read.
I challenge anyone to not love this book, it's a keeper.
My father was a creative writer, and he always reminded me that when a reader opens a book, there is a contract struck between writer and reader. The writer promises a plot worth reading, believable characters and a story that takes you in, caresses your soul and takes you to another world. The reader promises to trust the writer and allows the writer leeway to show their wares, their world, their characters. The contract I entered into with Red was firmly struck and I am so happy I did.
How do I perfectly describe a delicious read such as "Red" and rave adequately enough about an author like Belinda Missen that has such a level of talent it is simply breathtaking?
I can tell you I love this book, plain and simple. It is now my "go to" book for rainy days, winter days, any days that I need to lose myself in characters that are not simply believable - but have such personality they are just a pleasure to read. They fit, Red and Emmy - like a glove, their personality is three dimensional on the page, the language fluid and comfortable, perfectly paced, not fast not slow - just perfectly paced.
I received this book in the mail from Belinda herself, after a long day at work that didn't finish until after 9pm. At bedtime I started to read, and read and read - until 2am and the threat of a very early meeting beat it's way back into my conscience. At night I'm usually an owl of sorts, not wanting to go to bed too early, falling asleep on the couch until the wee small hours then dragging myself out the next morning regretting terribly my wayward habits. The second night I couldn't wait to get to bed, ready to see if Red and Emmy were where I'd left them. Only because of work I read this book in three nights. Only because of work this was not a one-sitting read.
I challenge anyone to not love this book, it's a keeper.
April 8, 2015
When it comes to books, I struggle to complete them if I can't picture what is going on within the first chapter. I get bored with it and put it away to come back to another day. I am also not normally into chick-lit or romance novels but I will always give them a go.
I picked up Red from my table and sat down with my drink, ready to get into it. I was drawn in so quickly, that my drink sat untouched for the first 26 chapters before I was interrupted and brought back to reality.
I found myself laughing at the banter, smiling at the childish behaviour and feeling the tension when things got rough; the anger at the devious ploys. I felt like I was a bystander within the story, unseen by the characters. I could picture every moment; I could see the facial expressions, the colours of the rooms, hear the sound of the wind through trees, feel the cold of the snow, even smell the croissants.
I was hooked and could not wait to get back in to finish it. Everything flowed nicely and the dialogue was fantastic. I felt like I knew the characters personally.
Red is an easy-to-read, beautifully written story with the door being left open for sequels to follow. This is something I am very much looking forward to and hope it won't be too long until I can meet Red and Emmy again.
I picked up Red from my table and sat down with my drink, ready to get into it. I was drawn in so quickly, that my drink sat untouched for the first 26 chapters before I was interrupted and brought back to reality.
I found myself laughing at the banter, smiling at the childish behaviour and feeling the tension when things got rough; the anger at the devious ploys. I felt like I was a bystander within the story, unseen by the characters. I could picture every moment; I could see the facial expressions, the colours of the rooms, hear the sound of the wind through trees, feel the cold of the snow, even smell the croissants.
I was hooked and could not wait to get back in to finish it. Everything flowed nicely and the dialogue was fantastic. I felt like I knew the characters personally.
Red is an easy-to-read, beautifully written story with the door being left open for sequels to follow. This is something I am very much looking forward to and hope it won't be too long until I can meet Red and Emmy again.
May 4, 2015
Red
by Belinda Missen
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a romance story filled with emotions. It finds love, loses it and finds it again. It has a load of twists. Each time you feel you know where it is going something else pops up. The story deals with many different aspets of life.
William aka Red and Emily aka Oz meet over a weekend in Scotland. It appears too be a meeting of soulmates. Place a return for Emily and add a couple of years.
The characters are extremely believable and we should all be able to compare each of them to someone we know or know about.
This debut novel has been one of the most enjoyable reads and I look forward to reading more of Belinda's work. It is my hope that we will see a sequel to this story and be able to follow Red and Oz into the next era of their lives.
The humor is such an added plus.
This is a five star novel and should be on the Want to Read List of every Romance reader.
by Belinda Missen
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is a romance story filled with emotions. It finds love, loses it and finds it again. It has a load of twists. Each time you feel you know where it is going something else pops up. The story deals with many different aspets of life.
William aka Red and Emily aka Oz meet over a weekend in Scotland. It appears too be a meeting of soulmates. Place a return for Emily and add a couple of years.
The characters are extremely believable and we should all be able to compare each of them to someone we know or know about.
This debut novel has been one of the most enjoyable reads and I look forward to reading more of Belinda's work. It is my hope that we will see a sequel to this story and be able to follow Red and Oz into the next era of their lives.
The humor is such an added plus.
This is a five star novel and should be on the Want to Read List of every Romance reader.
April 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and would have read it through in one sitting if I didn't have work the next day. (Poor excuse, I know).
Red was a very captivating character and I loved the banter. The pace was great and I just wanted to keep reading to see what happened next. A lovely easy to read, entertaining way to spend my evenings.
I only marked down a star because Emmy so readily believing a clearly vindictive cow didn't quite ring true to how I saw her character and I felt she would have behaved differently. But that is only my interpretation.
Red was a very captivating character and I loved the banter. The pace was great and I just wanted to keep reading to see what happened next. A lovely easy to read, entertaining way to spend my evenings.
I only marked down a star because Emmy so readily believing a clearly vindictive cow didn't quite ring true to how I saw her character and I felt she would have behaved differently. But that is only my interpretation.
September 12, 2015
I received this book in exchange of an honest review
'Red' has got a bit of everything you need if you looking for something uplifting and light.
If you ever have experienced love at first sight you will probably recognise yourself with all that it involves. If you haven't yet, there is still time. You can find all the symptoms in this great read; passion, jealousy, irrational behaviour and out of the blue crazy decisions and lots of laughter.
I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys romance/ chick lit.
July 3, 2015
I love this book, I'm absolutely in love with Emmy and Red, I just want to be their best friend! It's wonderfully written and the dialogue is perfect, Missen has given them their own unique voice so I always knew who was talking. I'm actually in love with this book, I've been recommending it to all my friends.
December 30, 2015
Belinda is an outstanding writer with real talent, so many books these days are written poorly but this book is written to a very high standard. She writes in a brilliant way that would allow anyone to be able to read Red with ease. Having read this I am now starting Say Yes by Belinda Missen which I am excited to read! Five star author and looking forward to any future books!
September 20, 2015
I loved it. Red is a charming character that has me hooked. Can't wait for the sequel Belinda :)
April 16, 2015
It seriously was the best book I've read in a very very long time the only reason I didn't stay up all night to finish it was because I didn't want it to be over .highly recommend this amazing book.p
August 31, 2015
Belinda's writing is easy and effortless. She tells a lovely story that is fun to read!
October 7, 2019
Caution!
Before you start reading this book, you must be warned. Whatever you do, never drink while reading it. If you must drink, set the book down first! Before I reached to 50% mark, I had covered my phone three times before I learned my lesson.
Also, do not read at night if there are others sleeping in your house. I woke the SO up several times bursting into laughter. While I had a great time reading this, the same cannot be said for a very annoyed them.
Before you start reading this book, you must be warned. Whatever you do, never drink while reading it. If you must drink, set the book down first! Before I reached to 50% mark, I had covered my phone three times before I learned my lesson.
Also, do not read at night if there are others sleeping in your house. I woke the SO up several times bursting into laughter. While I had a great time reading this, the same cannot be said for a very annoyed them.
January 5, 2018
The usual run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter plot.
June 23, 2015
Check out the complete Review at Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
A love story with a twist so different, it will take some time to wrap the concept around the head. The characters Emmy and William meet during a vacation where Emmy had gone to Edinburgh. It was love at first sight for them and they promised to keep in touch over the years till they unite again. However, very soon the contact reduces to none and the relationship becomes a thing of the past. Then Emmy gets a chance to go back to London to work and William comes back in picture. The story then takes us on their relationship ride by filling the gaps and facing their challenges with them.
The story is a bit childish and immature. The situation where the lovers meet and what happens hence is not something that should ideally happen. However there is no denying that such people do exist and such situations can be believable with a stretch of an imagination. The flow of the story is predictable and typecast. Right in the middle of the story, most of the suspense gets revealed, which makes the further story too much typical.
The language is a bit on the repetitive side. Certain phrases does so much rounds in the book that it becomes predictive. The characters are given good depth, which gives some base to the story. Only for the characters can you manage to continue reading the book. Otherwise there is nothing exciting or fascinating about the entire concept.
A love story with a twist so different, it will take some time to wrap the concept around the head. The characters Emmy and William meet during a vacation where Emmy had gone to Edinburgh. It was love at first sight for them and they promised to keep in touch over the years till they unite again. However, very soon the contact reduces to none and the relationship becomes a thing of the past. Then Emmy gets a chance to go back to London to work and William comes back in picture. The story then takes us on their relationship ride by filling the gaps and facing their challenges with them.
The story is a bit childish and immature. The situation where the lovers meet and what happens hence is not something that should ideally happen. However there is no denying that such people do exist and such situations can be believable with a stretch of an imagination. The flow of the story is predictable and typecast. Right in the middle of the story, most of the suspense gets revealed, which makes the further story too much typical.
The language is a bit on the repetitive side. Certain phrases does so much rounds in the book that it becomes predictive. The characters are given good depth, which gives some base to the story. Only for the characters can you manage to continue reading the book. Otherwise there is nothing exciting or fascinating about the entire concept.
January 21, 2017
Red and Oz are my favourite characters of 2015. I would actually go as far as saying they are up there amongst some of my favourite literary characters of all time.
Australian author Belinda Missen has delivered a debut novel unlike any romance I've read in some time. The dialogue between leads Red and Oz is sassy, witty and spot on. Gone is the cliched "will they, won't they" tension, instead you will find a natural progression between two people who find each other again in a world full of chaos (and pyscho ex-wives).
I say natural, because this is what it feels like reading Missen's work. It is like you are reading a romance that feels natural and is not forced. It's one of those books that you pick up and go "hmm, ok, this is good", "yes, ooo" and finally "le sigh, Red....".
I cannot wait to see what Missen lets out into the world next. Hopefully Red 2, and possibly 3?? Oh, I do hope so!
Thank you Belinda for sharing Red with the world.
Australian author Belinda Missen has delivered a debut novel unlike any romance I've read in some time. The dialogue between leads Red and Oz is sassy, witty and spot on. Gone is the cliched "will they, won't they" tension, instead you will find a natural progression between two people who find each other again in a world full of chaos (and pyscho ex-wives).
I say natural, because this is what it feels like reading Missen's work. It is like you are reading a romance that feels natural and is not forced. It's one of those books that you pick up and go "hmm, ok, this is good", "yes, ooo" and finally "le sigh, Red....".
I cannot wait to see what Missen lets out into the world next. Hopefully Red 2, and possibly 3?? Oh, I do hope so!
Thank you Belinda for sharing Red with the world.
May 31, 2015
Red is one of those books where I had order a second copy. One to cherish forever and one to read over and over again until the cover falls off.
It's everything a modern romance should be. It's smart, it's riotously funny, it threatens to break your heart... It's just pitch perfect.
The dialogue is exquisite. I know who is speaking without being told because they all have their own unique voice. And I'm in love with Emmy and Red. I want to hang out with them, be their friend, hear the way they tease and barb each other every day. If you couldn't tell, I really love this book.
It's everything a modern romance should be. It's smart, it's riotously funny, it threatens to break your heart... It's just pitch perfect.
The dialogue is exquisite. I know who is speaking without being told because they all have their own unique voice. And I'm in love with Emmy and Red. I want to hang out with them, be their friend, hear the way they tease and barb each other every day. If you couldn't tell, I really love this book.
May 23, 2015
Loved this book! It was hard to put the book down (and i have a 7 year old and 1 year old twins!), i just wanted to keep on reading it. I was that into it, i almost forgot to pick my son up from school!!! I enjoyed this book more than 50 shades. I can't wait for more books to come. Get yourself a copy and read it!
June 30, 2015
I am not much of a reader when it comes to books. As a matter of fact, I hate reading. This book is amazing. The character development and emotional development was something to be excited about. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. I finished it within a 24hr period.
May 24, 2015
Great read. Couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to Red and Oz! Do yourself a favour....
August 18, 2016
I guess it was cute. It was also really messy, predictable and completely unrealistic though.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews