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Different Genes
Sixty-one year old Louise finally learns she is adopted after the death of her mother. She embarks on a quest to reveal the secrets of her past, helped by new companion and lover, Simon, whom she meets after joining an Internet dating site.
In her first full-length novel, author Claire Baldry sensitively explores the growing closeness between the newly retired couple as they develop their mutual understanding and physical relationship.
The reader is reminded of the changing values of the postwar years, while Simon and Louise visit places from Louise’s past and meet people who knew her mother and grandmother. Together, they begin to unlock the forgotten secrets of Louise’s past – but in the face of so much change and uncertainty, can Louise let her relationship flourish?
The story is set mainly in the author’s home county of East Sussex, but finishes in Kent. This immensely readable journey of discovery is a charming and bittersweet mixture of romance, sadness and genuine suspense.
In her first full-length novel, author Claire Baldry sensitively explores the growing closeness between the newly retired couple as they develop their mutual understanding and physical relationship.
The reader is reminded of the changing values of the postwar years, while Simon and Louise visit places from Louise’s past and meet people who knew her mother and grandmother. Together, they begin to unlock the forgotten secrets of Louise’s past – but in the face of so much change and uncertainty, can Louise let her relationship flourish?
The story is set mainly in the author’s home county of East Sussex, but finishes in Kent. This immensely readable journey of discovery is a charming and bittersweet mixture of romance, sadness and genuine suspense.
- GenresRomance
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2017
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 26, 2017
An enthralling tale of love at an older age combined with the challenge of discovering a secret about the heroine's birth. Baldry's characters are well drawn and synpathetic, and the plot believable, making this a delightful read.
October 5, 2017
Love for the older generation
A great story that combines a love story as well as discovering later in life you are not who you thought, and a bit of detective work as well. Great first book that will especially appeal to those of us who are over 50 but like a bit of romance
A great story that combines a love story as well as discovering later in life you are not who you thought, and a bit of detective work as well. Great first book that will especially appeal to those of us who are over 50 but like a bit of romance
November 19, 2017
Different Genes is a mature adult romance set mainly in Kent, England.
Simon and Louise may be in their twilight days, but they are still looking for romantic companionship.
Louise has just lost her mother, Joan. Whilst sorting through her belongings, Louise’s early childhood memories are triggered. She begins to suffer nightmares and is frightened when she finds an open door, which she knew she had previously shut.
Meanwhile a friend encourages Louise to join an online dating site where she meets Simon. As the story of Louise’s life unfolds, he follows his own ideas that Louise might be adopted. Together they unravel a well-kept family secret.
This is a gentle romantic mystery written in the third person from a distant omnipotent all seeing narrator. The author’s writing style leans heavily towards ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ the tale. Interjected with telephone conversations and letters, I found, at times, that they took me out of the story and did little to move the narrative forward. There were also some examples of head hopping (sudden jumps from one character point of view to another), which made the story flow awkward. The writing style was, at times, rather simplistic, with missed opportunities to inject passion, tension and colour to make both the characters and storyline vivid. I didn’t see the pictures and vibrant story which, I’m sure, the author has in her head.
A fairly competent debut novel, but, in view of today’s saturated book market, I would say that the ideas need a little development and perhaps the hand of a good content editor to make it stand out.
Simon and Louise may be in their twilight days, but they are still looking for romantic companionship.
Louise has just lost her mother, Joan. Whilst sorting through her belongings, Louise’s early childhood memories are triggered. She begins to suffer nightmares and is frightened when she finds an open door, which she knew she had previously shut.
Meanwhile a friend encourages Louise to join an online dating site where she meets Simon. As the story of Louise’s life unfolds, he follows his own ideas that Louise might be adopted. Together they unravel a well-kept family secret.
This is a gentle romantic mystery written in the third person from a distant omnipotent all seeing narrator. The author’s writing style leans heavily towards ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ the tale. Interjected with telephone conversations and letters, I found, at times, that they took me out of the story and did little to move the narrative forward. There were also some examples of head hopping (sudden jumps from one character point of view to another), which made the story flow awkward. The writing style was, at times, rather simplistic, with missed opportunities to inject passion, tension and colour to make both the characters and storyline vivid. I didn’t see the pictures and vibrant story which, I’m sure, the author has in her head.
A fairly competent debut novel, but, in view of today’s saturated book market, I would say that the ideas need a little development and perhaps the hand of a good content editor to make it stand out.
November 1, 2017
I enjoyed reading this debut novel by Claire Baldry. It engaged me from the beginning and I wanted to learn and understand more about Louise and her past.
Different Genes is a very apt title as Louise finds out, at the age of 61, that she is adopted. But this is only half of the tale as the real story is Louise's new found romance with Simon Ellis, a man she meets through internet dating.
The romance is a tender and touching one and I was so glad the two characters found each other. They're incredibly polite and solicitous towards each other in what seems to be quite an old-fashioned relationship in many ways.
But it's not all sweetness and light. Louise's early years led to her adoption and she sets out to find out what her parents never told her: why? There are also some quite sinister undertones to the story as well.
I thought this was a really good read. My one criticism would be that the dialogue is quite precise and I suspect that is the teacher in the author coming through. But I found I looked forward to picking up the book and finding out what was going to happen next. Despite some of the themes, it's quite a gentle read and is ultimately quite an uplifting one. I read it in a couple of days and it was a pleasure to do so.
Different Genes is a very apt title as Louise finds out, at the age of 61, that she is adopted. But this is only half of the tale as the real story is Louise's new found romance with Simon Ellis, a man she meets through internet dating.
The romance is a tender and touching one and I was so glad the two characters found each other. They're incredibly polite and solicitous towards each other in what seems to be quite an old-fashioned relationship in many ways.
But it's not all sweetness and light. Louise's early years led to her adoption and she sets out to find out what her parents never told her: why? There are also some quite sinister undertones to the story as well.
I thought this was a really good read. My one criticism would be that the dialogue is quite precise and I suspect that is the teacher in the author coming through. But I found I looked forward to picking up the book and finding out what was going to happen next. Despite some of the themes, it's quite a gentle read and is ultimately quite an uplifting one. I read it in a couple of days and it was a pleasure to do so.
September 6, 2017
loved this story, couldn't put it down, only intended to read a couple of chapters and ended up reading whole book in one afternoon.
Local places and landmarks were amusing to picture in my head as live in area described in book.
Local places and landmarks were amusing to picture in my head as live in area described in book.
November 12, 2017
A short read that I felt was quite predictable. Found some of the writing a bit messy and disorganized and the characters were slightly unrealistic.
August 20, 2018
Different Genes is a beautiful read about finding love, having been the unsuspecting child of a tragic situation. The clue is in the title, so I'm not giving anything away, when Louise loses her mother, she finds out she was adopted. This is a lot to take in, but fortunately there is a love interest story to rescue Louise, and she deserved it! I really warmed to the characters in the book and could totally 'see' the locations, it was so well written. As the book unfolds, it becomes clear as to why Louise's early life has to be the initial storyline... I'm not giving that twist away in this review, it's a good one! Really enjoyed this read, and almost read the entire novel whilst on a camping holiday, during a very rainy night. Don't you just love those books that you can't put down?!
February 3, 2018
This book had immediate appeal for me – I always hear a little fanfare when I encounter an older heroine. And this book really didn’t disappoint at all – it’s a gentle, tender and very real later-life love story, with two extremely likeable and beautifully drawn main characters. I very much liked the way Louise’s big secret was revealed early in the book – a chance encounter, really well done – and the way the story then unfolded, the history slowly uncovered and the consequences worked through.
And the book’s a great deal more than just the story of the relationship between Louise and Simon – as the history is revealed, it’s a story filled with great sadness, shaped by the moral standards of the time in which it’s set, and a fascinating exploration of past lives. The story of Louise’s birth mother is shocking and heart-breaking, along with her own childhood experiences – and I really liked the way the tension and drama built, the little touches like Louise’s nightmares and need for light at night-time, the intruder in the bungalow, the use of photographs. The supportive relationship that builds between Simon and Louise is beautifully handled, as they work together to untangle the many secrets of the past – a developing love story, but also a real warmth in the partnership as it builds. In the back story, I particularly enjoyed that recognition of common experience that comes when you’re of a similar age to the main characters – Louise’s university days brought back the feelings I still remember so well, that awkwardness of finding your place and making new friendships, perfectly done.
I liked the author’s writing style – simple, straightforward, easy to read, excellent characters and a well-described setting, realistic dialogue, well-judged touches of lightness and humour – and this was a book I looked forward to picking up every time I did so. I think it’s fair to mention though that I did sometimes feel a little emotionally detached as the back story was being revealed – there were times when I might have liked to be a little more in the centre of the action, to feel what was happening rather than being told about it, perhaps with different voices brought into play. The histories of the characters – told almost as self-contained stories – sometimes interrupted the flow of the story a little, pulled me away from the line I wanted to follow. But that’s a minor criticism, and maybe more to do with my personal preference.
I enjoyed this book very much – a really absorbing read, two characters coming to terms with their pasts to move forward with an exceptional authenticity to their developing relationship, and it was a real joy to read a story that reflected so well a shared life experience.
And the book’s a great deal more than just the story of the relationship between Louise and Simon – as the history is revealed, it’s a story filled with great sadness, shaped by the moral standards of the time in which it’s set, and a fascinating exploration of past lives. The story of Louise’s birth mother is shocking and heart-breaking, along with her own childhood experiences – and I really liked the way the tension and drama built, the little touches like Louise’s nightmares and need for light at night-time, the intruder in the bungalow, the use of photographs. The supportive relationship that builds between Simon and Louise is beautifully handled, as they work together to untangle the many secrets of the past – a developing love story, but also a real warmth in the partnership as it builds. In the back story, I particularly enjoyed that recognition of common experience that comes when you’re of a similar age to the main characters – Louise’s university days brought back the feelings I still remember so well, that awkwardness of finding your place and making new friendships, perfectly done.
I liked the author’s writing style – simple, straightforward, easy to read, excellent characters and a well-described setting, realistic dialogue, well-judged touches of lightness and humour – and this was a book I looked forward to picking up every time I did so. I think it’s fair to mention though that I did sometimes feel a little emotionally detached as the back story was being revealed – there were times when I might have liked to be a little more in the centre of the action, to feel what was happening rather than being told about it, perhaps with different voices brought into play. The histories of the characters – told almost as self-contained stories – sometimes interrupted the flow of the story a little, pulled me away from the line I wanted to follow. But that’s a minor criticism, and maybe more to do with my personal preference.
I enjoyed this book very much – a really absorbing read, two characters coming to terms with their pasts to move forward with an exceptional authenticity to their developing relationship, and it was a real joy to read a story that reflected so well a shared life experience.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews