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You Can't Go It Alone
Love, music and secrets are woven together in this poignant, heart-warming narrative.
Set in a Welsh village, the story explores the contrast in attitudes and opportunities between different generations of women. As the characters confront their secrets and fears, they discover truths about themselves and their relationships.
The reader is invited to laugh and cry, with the characters, and find joy in the simple things in life. Listen to the music and enjoy the food, as you peek inside the world of the inhabitants of Delfryn.
Let Sophie show you that no one can go it alone. Who knows, you may find some friends with big hearts…
‘…a story with plenty to entertain and also to leave you thinking.’
Phoebe McLeod
‘A brilliant touch is The Bloke’s Fertility Blog, where we hear Jack’s viewpoint in the heart-breaking process of fertility treatment. This was touchingly done.’
Angela Petch
‘Well written and beautifully descriptive, it flowed really well. The books delivered something for everyone to enjoy and the characters were believable and 'real'.’
Diane Need
About the Author
Jessie is a bookish blogger, word warrior and intrepid virtual explorer. She loves to entertain with stories, and is never seen without: her camera, phone, notebook and handbag. Fellow authors have deemed her ‘creative and quirky’ and she wears these words like a blogging badge of honour.
Having overcome her fear of self-publishing, she is now living the dream of introducing the characters who have been hassling her for decades. Her debut novel, ‘You Can’t Go It Alone’, is a heart-warming tale about the challenges women still face in society. The novel has light-hearted moments and presents hope. As C. S. Lewis said, ‘We read to know we are not alone.’
Connecting with authors via her Books in my Handbag Blog is a blast. She showcases authors’ books in the popular Handbag Gallery and has fun meeting authors in her virtual world. Communicating with her authors, still gives Jessie a creative buzz.
Jessie Cahalin hails from Yorkshire, but as a book blogger, she has realised that her country of origin is probably The World. She loves to travel the world and collects cultural gems like a magpie. She searches for happy endings, where possible, and needs great coffee, food and music to give her inspiration.
Visit Jessie’s website at http://www.JessieCahalin.com.
Connect with her at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Jessi...
Twitter @BooksInHandbag
Contact her at: jessiecahalin@aol.co.uk
Set in a Welsh village, the story explores the contrast in attitudes and opportunities between different generations of women. As the characters confront their secrets and fears, they discover truths about themselves and their relationships.
The reader is invited to laugh and cry, with the characters, and find joy in the simple things in life. Listen to the music and enjoy the food, as you peek inside the world of the inhabitants of Delfryn.
Let Sophie show you that no one can go it alone. Who knows, you may find some friends with big hearts…
‘…a story with plenty to entertain and also to leave you thinking.’
Phoebe McLeod
‘A brilliant touch is The Bloke’s Fertility Blog, where we hear Jack’s viewpoint in the heart-breaking process of fertility treatment. This was touchingly done.’
Angela Petch
‘Well written and beautifully descriptive, it flowed really well. The books delivered something for everyone to enjoy and the characters were believable and 'real'.’
Diane Need
About the Author
Jessie is a bookish blogger, word warrior and intrepid virtual explorer. She loves to entertain with stories, and is never seen without: her camera, phone, notebook and handbag. Fellow authors have deemed her ‘creative and quirky’ and she wears these words like a blogging badge of honour.
Having overcome her fear of self-publishing, she is now living the dream of introducing the characters who have been hassling her for decades. Her debut novel, ‘You Can’t Go It Alone’, is a heart-warming tale about the challenges women still face in society. The novel has light-hearted moments and presents hope. As C. S. Lewis said, ‘We read to know we are not alone.’
Connecting with authors via her Books in my Handbag Blog is a blast. She showcases authors’ books in the popular Handbag Gallery and has fun meeting authors in her virtual world. Communicating with her authors, still gives Jessie a creative buzz.
Jessie Cahalin hails from Yorkshire, but as a book blogger, she has realised that her country of origin is probably The World. She loves to travel the world and collects cultural gems like a magpie. She searches for happy endings, where possible, and needs great coffee, food and music to give her inspiration.
Visit Jessie’s website at http://www.JessieCahalin.com.
Connect with her at:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Jessi...
Twitter @BooksInHandbag
Contact her at: jessiecahalin@aol.co.uk
221 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2018
36 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 3, 2018
Sophie and Jack are the main characters of this novel and the story opens as they just moved in Vine Cottage in the village of Delfryn. We soon discover that life for this young couple is not a “picture postcard” as Sophie dreams of, as they undergo a treatment of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). The emotional rollercoaster they both go through and the pressure it puts on their relationship are presented with feeling and in-depth knowledge.
Jack’s parents, Jeanie and Max and their camper nicknamed Molly, bring humour and, surprisingly, a lot of action into the story. They, too, have their own struggles. I enjoyed the positive shift in relationship between Sophie and her mother-in-law Jeanie.
Next door, in Dove Cottage, lives Ruby with her daughter Daisy and partner Dan. Ruby has to deal with her own personal struggles. We discover that, sometimes, by opening up to others, unexpected help comes when we most need it. Nearby is Rose Cottage where widower Jim Evans lives alone with his dog, Lassie. There are a few secrets here that burden his last days, but also unexpected, happy news.
The main setting for this novel is, however, The Olive Tree Café run by Italian descendants Rosa, her jealous husband Matteo and their talented daughter Olivia. Why is Matteo so suspicious of his wife and daughter? Is it only his Italian blood to blame? And what keeps Rosa’s spirits up?
My favorite character was Rosa. I liked her creativity, all the effort she put in her small yet chic café while making time for everyone, her dedication towards her husband (even since the times they were just engaged) and how she knew how to support her young daughter Olivia. I liked how she kept her heart young.
You Can’t Go It Alone is a novel that appeals to all the senses.
The nature comes alive through Cahalin’s picturesque descriptions: you feel the April breeze through your hair, the rain washing over your face only to be dried up by warm sunshine.
“As they neared Delfryn, the light vanished from between the lush green trees, and the grey sky absorbed the colour.”
You hear the sounds, thunder and laughter, billowing voices and a little girl’s giggles, soulful chitchat and women singing, happy clinking of cups and saucers mingled with guitar music, tires screeching, laughter and sobs. An innocent girl laughs as she skips along the pathway to her “Magic Garden” and you hear the pebbles under her shoes.
It is a book filled with fragrances too; rosemary and lavender, freshly grinded coffee and cocoa dust, the earthly scent of olive oil and sweet tomatoes on bruschetta; the scent of wet ground and leaves and the sterile, impersonal smells of hospital.
It is a book of memories and secrets, of what it could have been, of what it really happened but most of all of what the future holds for all the characters: hope. The importance of communication and of speaking the truth is intertwined with each character’s journey.
As one character says: “Maybe all the secrets hide in each branch and they fall away with the leaves.”
Just as in the opening line of You Can’t Go It Alone, “As Sophie looked up at the sky, its vast blueness held endless possibilities.” this novel is alive and filled with love, for each other and for life, and a zest for life. It is the perfect pick-me-up read, with warm, engaging characters, a gorgeous setting and unexpected situations, both sad and humorous.
Jack’s parents, Jeanie and Max and their camper nicknamed Molly, bring humour and, surprisingly, a lot of action into the story. They, too, have their own struggles. I enjoyed the positive shift in relationship between Sophie and her mother-in-law Jeanie.
Next door, in Dove Cottage, lives Ruby with her daughter Daisy and partner Dan. Ruby has to deal with her own personal struggles. We discover that, sometimes, by opening up to others, unexpected help comes when we most need it. Nearby is Rose Cottage where widower Jim Evans lives alone with his dog, Lassie. There are a few secrets here that burden his last days, but also unexpected, happy news.
The main setting for this novel is, however, The Olive Tree Café run by Italian descendants Rosa, her jealous husband Matteo and their talented daughter Olivia. Why is Matteo so suspicious of his wife and daughter? Is it only his Italian blood to blame? And what keeps Rosa’s spirits up?
My favorite character was Rosa. I liked her creativity, all the effort she put in her small yet chic café while making time for everyone, her dedication towards her husband (even since the times they were just engaged) and how she knew how to support her young daughter Olivia. I liked how she kept her heart young.
You Can’t Go It Alone is a novel that appeals to all the senses.
The nature comes alive through Cahalin’s picturesque descriptions: you feel the April breeze through your hair, the rain washing over your face only to be dried up by warm sunshine.
“As they neared Delfryn, the light vanished from between the lush green trees, and the grey sky absorbed the colour.”
You hear the sounds, thunder and laughter, billowing voices and a little girl’s giggles, soulful chitchat and women singing, happy clinking of cups and saucers mingled with guitar music, tires screeching, laughter and sobs. An innocent girl laughs as she skips along the pathway to her “Magic Garden” and you hear the pebbles under her shoes.
It is a book filled with fragrances too; rosemary and lavender, freshly grinded coffee and cocoa dust, the earthly scent of olive oil and sweet tomatoes on bruschetta; the scent of wet ground and leaves and the sterile, impersonal smells of hospital.
It is a book of memories and secrets, of what it could have been, of what it really happened but most of all of what the future holds for all the characters: hope. The importance of communication and of speaking the truth is intertwined with each character’s journey.
As one character says: “Maybe all the secrets hide in each branch and they fall away with the leaves.”
Just as in the opening line of You Can’t Go It Alone, “As Sophie looked up at the sky, its vast blueness held endless possibilities.” this novel is alive and filled with love, for each other and for life, and a zest for life. It is the perfect pick-me-up read, with warm, engaging characters, a gorgeous setting and unexpected situations, both sad and humorous.
October 6, 2018
I really liked You Can’t Go It Alone, there are so many familiar ‘human life’ threads running throughout the relationships of the characters And there are a lot of up and down real life moments throughout, some poignant, some sad, some joyous, some humorous, some unexpected. All thought provoking. There is one sentence that foreshadows the troubles and upsets that will affect them;”The sun was trying to make an appearance but the clouds were dancing in the sky as if they intended to win the dual.”
The characters are well drawn and multi layered. From the protagonist, Sophie who, with her husband, Jack, has recently moved to the village in the hope of a new life (in more ways than one), to the owners of the cafe, Rosa, the ever optimist, and Matteo, a quick tempered, jealous husband and their daughter, the talented Olivia. And then there is the delightful young Daisy.
The dialogue is exceptional; the personalities of the characters were instantly revealed to me, as the reader, through both the internal and the spoken speech.
It’s the Olive Tree Café is where most of the action occurs and there is a strong sense of the cafe’s ambience. Indeed, all of the settings have a good sense of place and it’s almost as if the Delfryn itself is personified as a character in the story, with the interweaving, individual lives it holds at its centre.
Initially the story appears to be a lighthearted look at life in a Welsh village but it is soon revealed that, as the book description says, this really is an exploration of “the contrast in attitudes and opportunities between different generations of women”.
Jessie Cahalin has a lovely light touch with her poetic prose; there are numerous sections which immediately evoke wonderful images and emotions and many sentences that made me stop to reread them just for the sheer beauty of the language.
I recommend Jessie Cahalin’s debut novel; You Can’t Go It Alone is an interesting and thoughtful story
August 20, 2018
As a debut novel, You Can't Go It Alone is an accomplished read. Eloquent, moving and packed with vivid imagery, it places the reader firmly in the seemingly sleepy Welsh village of Delfryn.
Newcomers Sophie and Jack dream of a new life – quite literally, as they battle through the pain and indignity of IVF treatment – yet they are soon drawn into the goings-on of the village's other inhabitants. Friendships are made, secrets revealed and we are effortlessly carried along by the day-to-day events which drive any small community. There are no particularly seismic episodes; rather, gentle ripples that carry repercussions for the complex but credible cast of characters. And, through it all, we learn that, no man (or woman) is an island. You truly can't go it alone … A charming story.
Newcomers Sophie and Jack dream of a new life – quite literally, as they battle through the pain and indignity of IVF treatment – yet they are soon drawn into the goings-on of the village's other inhabitants. Friendships are made, secrets revealed and we are effortlessly carried along by the day-to-day events which drive any small community. There are no particularly seismic episodes; rather, gentle ripples that carry repercussions for the complex but credible cast of characters. And, through it all, we learn that, no man (or woman) is an island. You truly can't go it alone … A charming story.
December 14, 2018
A sweet and thoughtful book
You Can’t Go It Alone is a wistful ― and wishful ― narrative of how humans can help to bring out the best in one another. It advocates community spirit but doesn’t shy away from showing how troubled we can be. The female protagonist goes through a painful and uncertain IVF treatment, which threatens to estrange her from her husband. Throughout the work, Cahalin illustrates how people could come together and make the world a better place. Is this a romance with roots in everyday life or merely an expression of hope? Wishful thinking? These are the questions the reader must ask, but there are no easy answers.
You Can’t Go It Alone is a wistful ― and wishful ― narrative of how humans can help to bring out the best in one another. It advocates community spirit but doesn’t shy away from showing how troubled we can be. The female protagonist goes through a painful and uncertain IVF treatment, which threatens to estrange her from her husband. Throughout the work, Cahalin illustrates how people could come together and make the world a better place. Is this a romance with roots in everyday life or merely an expression of hope? Wishful thinking? These are the questions the reader must ask, but there are no easy answers.
December 22, 2019
It's always hard to review a book when I feel that good writing has been slightly let down by what could have been better editing.
There is however much to love about this book. The author's characters jump vividly off the page, including a couple who are painfully going through fertility issues and a mother who has been hiding her lack of literacy from her friends and family all her life. In a multitude of characters they all have their own distinct personalities, with hopes, dreams, and secrets. They all felt very real and I think this is really one of the author's strong points. I'm looking forward to see what this author writes next.
There is however much to love about this book. The author's characters jump vividly off the page, including a couple who are painfully going through fertility issues and a mother who has been hiding her lack of literacy from her friends and family all her life. In a multitude of characters they all have their own distinct personalities, with hopes, dreams, and secrets. They all felt very real and I think this is really one of the author's strong points. I'm looking forward to see what this author writes next.
August 18, 2018
What shines through are the characters in this first novel by a new writer. The title says it all. It is love and the support of family and friends which counts amongst the vicissitudes of life. There are plenty of sub-plots to keep the reader interested in the life of a small village in Wales. Issues are dealt with sensitively and with insight. A feel-good read.
August 4, 2018
Take a look at the cover of this new book. I hope you like it as much as I do. Are you intrigued? A woman stands, alone and at a distance, surrounded by calm water, an expansive horizon, and a clearing sky. What does this tell you and what does the title, You Can’t Go It Alone make you think? What about the tagline- love, laughter, music and secrets…?
These features draw you into the story, don’t they?
Debut author Jessie Cahalin has created a lovely book world that blends good story telling with positivity and love.
This book is what is called “character-driven”. These intriguing and captivating characters are ready to share their stories with you. The characters range from birth to the end of life. You will be drawn to their problems and secrets, hopes and dreams.
What ties them all together are two things: their village and the new arrival- Sophie, the main character. While Sophie has her own struggles, she is a caring and nurturing person and she becomes the “glue” for her family and friends.
“…join me in a toast to Sophie She is such a great addition to this community and has brought us together.”
The characters are well rounded; they do interesting things and they think about life in interesting ways. One of my favorite characters is the young neighbor girl, Daisy. She is about five years old and is at that magical age where an adorable little girl blooms and changes into a big girl. The author is spot-on with her depictions of Daisy- she abounds with energy, exuberance, and joy.
Readers will also enjoy the family of Rosa and Matteo. And I wanted to ride around the countryside with Jeanie and Max in their camper van Molly.
As an American, I enjoyed “spending time” in the village of Delfryn, in Wales. “Waiting patiently above the luscious green hills, the autumn sun looked down on the nineteenth century church.” Through the book, I “saw” the lovely scenery, mountains and historic sites, and I “visited” with friends at the charming local café. “Let’s go to the Olive Tree tonight”, was a frequent and happy exclamation. I even spent a day or two in Cardiff!
I highlighted many parts of the book and I am sure that readers will find their own favorite parts and they will bond with the characters just as I did. This book shows us the ups and downs of life. We see that family and friends can smooth the road by rejoicing in the good times and sharing their love in the harder times. I cared about the characters and I know readers will, too.
Love and romance waft their way into the story, too. The romance is mostly sweet, but there is a bit of spice, “The unmade bed became their island, clothes strewn on the floor as if washed up on the shore.”
This is the debut novel from the author and it is a complex and vivid tapestry of a story. First books can be somewhat like the little girl Daisy- loveable, engaging, with a few growing pains. Author Cahalin is on her way to becoming a gifted storyteller. It seems the author has planned more books so that is good news for the fictional folks of Delfryn and good news for readers! Enjoy!
Many thanks to the author for a review copy. This is my honest review.
These features draw you into the story, don’t they?
Debut author Jessie Cahalin has created a lovely book world that blends good story telling with positivity and love.
This book is what is called “character-driven”. These intriguing and captivating characters are ready to share their stories with you. The characters range from birth to the end of life. You will be drawn to their problems and secrets, hopes and dreams.
What ties them all together are two things: their village and the new arrival- Sophie, the main character. While Sophie has her own struggles, she is a caring and nurturing person and she becomes the “glue” for her family and friends.
“…join me in a toast to Sophie She is such a great addition to this community and has brought us together.”
The characters are well rounded; they do interesting things and they think about life in interesting ways. One of my favorite characters is the young neighbor girl, Daisy. She is about five years old and is at that magical age where an adorable little girl blooms and changes into a big girl. The author is spot-on with her depictions of Daisy- she abounds with energy, exuberance, and joy.
Readers will also enjoy the family of Rosa and Matteo. And I wanted to ride around the countryside with Jeanie and Max in their camper van Molly.
As an American, I enjoyed “spending time” in the village of Delfryn, in Wales. “Waiting patiently above the luscious green hills, the autumn sun looked down on the nineteenth century church.” Through the book, I “saw” the lovely scenery, mountains and historic sites, and I “visited” with friends at the charming local café. “Let’s go to the Olive Tree tonight”, was a frequent and happy exclamation. I even spent a day or two in Cardiff!
I highlighted many parts of the book and I am sure that readers will find their own favorite parts and they will bond with the characters just as I did. This book shows us the ups and downs of life. We see that family and friends can smooth the road by rejoicing in the good times and sharing their love in the harder times. I cared about the characters and I know readers will, too.
Love and romance waft their way into the story, too. The romance is mostly sweet, but there is a bit of spice, “The unmade bed became their island, clothes strewn on the floor as if washed up on the shore.”
This is the debut novel from the author and it is a complex and vivid tapestry of a story. First books can be somewhat like the little girl Daisy- loveable, engaging, with a few growing pains. Author Cahalin is on her way to becoming a gifted storyteller. It seems the author has planned more books so that is good news for the fictional folks of Delfryn and good news for readers! Enjoy!
Many thanks to the author for a review copy. This is my honest review.
January 4, 2019
I look forward to attending Narberth Book fayre, and seeing the different writers. I was a hard choice to select a book, with so many amazing authors attending. I decided to purchase this book, and enjoyed the story, and the make believe village , even thous the story was sad in places, illness and problems with pregnancies, the book had a lovely family feel.
July 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read, opened me up to a different life in England and I enjoyed the characters. I particularly liked the main characters and found it quite the page turner!
June 28, 2019
Jessie Cahalin’s delightful read gives us the ‘ordinary’ worry-wracked decisions and moments of joy in everyday lives in a village in Wales. Each character tries hard to convince themselves they can handle their problems, but none seem able to really go it alone. Then, can any of us?
Jim, haunted by the loss of his son and wife, retreats into despondency. Could the visits of little Daisy from next door who loves sunflowers spark new life in him? Daisy’s mother Ruby fears to reveal her illiteracy to her husband Dan, while he conceals from her the amount of debt he has run up. Sophie and Jack, new arrivals in Delfryn, are desperately trying to conceive but unwilling to discuss the strain of the IVF procedures with Jack’s parents nor even with each other. And why have those parents visited in a manner completely out of character? The owners of the village cafe, Rosa and Matteo, at first seem an adoring couple but there seem to be tensions there.
As these people’s lives cross and connect they see where they can help one another and, as importantly, they learn how to accept it themselves.
In this story there occour no explosions, no murders, no car chases – well, apart from the camper van that hurtles toward a school bus. There are no vampires lurking in the woods or undead in the hills or villians plotting for world domination. We are treated instead, as the line on the cover says, to ‘Love, laughter, music and secrets’. I loved it all. Apparently, this is the first in a projected series and I am certainly going to buy the next one.
Jim, haunted by the loss of his son and wife, retreats into despondency. Could the visits of little Daisy from next door who loves sunflowers spark new life in him? Daisy’s mother Ruby fears to reveal her illiteracy to her husband Dan, while he conceals from her the amount of debt he has run up. Sophie and Jack, new arrivals in Delfryn, are desperately trying to conceive but unwilling to discuss the strain of the IVF procedures with Jack’s parents nor even with each other. And why have those parents visited in a manner completely out of character? The owners of the village cafe, Rosa and Matteo, at first seem an adoring couple but there seem to be tensions there.
As these people’s lives cross and connect they see where they can help one another and, as importantly, they learn how to accept it themselves.
In this story there occour no explosions, no murders, no car chases – well, apart from the camper van that hurtles toward a school bus. There are no vampires lurking in the woods or undead in the hills or villians plotting for world domination. We are treated instead, as the line on the cover says, to ‘Love, laughter, music and secrets’. I loved it all. Apparently, this is the first in a projected series and I am certainly going to buy the next one.
November 10, 2018
My partner came across this book on Twitter and suggested that I might like it as it is a family saga set in present day Wales. Apparently this is the author's first book and I enjoyed the way she used dialogue extensively to really bring the story alive. It almost had the feel of a 'soap opera' as the lives of the people were entwined. The characters were well drawn and there were interesting themes including a couple undergoing IVF treatment, bereavement, prostate cancer and an adult struggling with illiteracy. The story never flagged, and I was always keen to read on - the sign of an engaging book for me. Some of the writing was beautifully descriptive, but in some places it became a little clunky which jarred. Although it appears to have been self published, the formatting is good, with no spelling errors. I read it on an Amazon Kindle app for my phone, which was a first for me. Apparently the next book will continue the lives of the same characters, and I can see that there will be plenty of scope for that, with the way events ended in book 1. If you like fiction that deals with families and real life issues, this story is an engaging read. I gave it 3 stars in line with Goodreads scoring system, as a book I liked but it was almost a 4.
December 26, 2018
All is not ideal in the charming Welsh village of Delfryn. Author Cahalin weaves a heartwarming, true to life, bittersweet tale centered around the lives of a few of the village inhabitants as they deal with IVF struggles, income difficulties, lost loves and new love, and loads of personal and family secrets that impact the old, the young and everyone in between. I really enjoyed the vignette view into the characters' situations and challenges in the story. As a reader, I felt their sorrow, hopes, and joys as they faced major life issues, made decisions that would influence their future, and learned of the past actions that impacted their present.
This was a delightful read highlighting the sometimes tangled and complex relationship web of family and friends that make you laugh, shout, and cry at times. I'm once again reminded that we are all connected by our experiences, and by helping one another we ultimately help ourselves. An inspirational tale just in time for the new year, highly recommended!
This was a delightful read highlighting the sometimes tangled and complex relationship web of family and friends that make you laugh, shout, and cry at times. I'm once again reminded that we are all connected by our experiences, and by helping one another we ultimately help ourselves. An inspirational tale just in time for the new year, highly recommended!
August 8, 2018
A woman walks alone on a wide, empty beach on the haunting cover of this intriguing book. The cover is deceptive, because the book is all about our need for each other and the support each of us can bring. Sophie and Jack, desperate for a child, come to the village of Delfryn and are caught up in a web of stories. There is young love: the stormy affair between the fiery Italian Olivia and the wayward, talented Marcus. There is mature love in all its aspects: the solid, supportive affection of Sophie’s parents and the tempestuous marriage of Rosa and her passionate, jealous husband Matteo. And there is love lost, and questions unanswered, as lonely Jim mourns his Pearl and finds comfort in a bright child’s chatter. This is not chick lit, where every loose end is neatly tied as the story dances into a cliché’d happy ending. Instead it is an intricate, thoughtful story of real people whose life will continue long after the author has typed ‘the end’.
December 20, 2018
Sophie and her husband Jack are mid way through another round of IVF treatments, when they move into their new home in the Welsh village of Delfryn. Keen to take her mind off the stresses of conception, Sophie launches herself wholeheartedly into friendships with her new neighbours - Ruby and Dan, and their effervescent daughter Daisy, Jim who is grieving the loss of his wife Pearl and his son Luke, and Rosa and Matteo - owners of The Olive Tree Cafe, and their daughter Olivia.
Jack begins a blog to help him navigate the struggles of IVF, and finds support in the responses to his heartfelt posts.
A number of other family members are gradually introduced, each undergoing their own challenging issues, while stories from the past begin to unfold alongside the present, making "You Can't Go It Alone" compulsive reading.
Jessie Cahalin's debut novel is joy to read, with beautiful imagery throughout of Nature, food....
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Jack begins a blog to help him navigate the struggles of IVF, and finds support in the responses to his heartfelt posts.
A number of other family members are gradually introduced, each undergoing their own challenging issues, while stories from the past begin to unfold alongside the present, making "You Can't Go It Alone" compulsive reading.
Jessie Cahalin's debut novel is joy to read, with beautiful imagery throughout of Nature, food....
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 27, 2018
The intriguing cover image and the title didn't quite tell me as much about the book as it could have done, but I am so glad curiosity led me to read it. To my great pleasure, I soon found myself immersed in a warm-hearted family saga about a group of characters I began to care deeply about. At the heart of the plot are Jack and Sophie, for whom parenthood remains a dream despite repeated cycles of IVF. I so wanted everything to turn out well for them, and for those around them, which included family and neighbours dealing with ill health, career problems, and past secrets coming to light. No spoilers here, but I will say it was immensely entertaining sharing their journeys. I think the author has been remarkably adept at fleshing all these people out and making them such compelling individuals with their own voices.
August 8, 2018
This book is a really ambitious undertaking for a first-time writer – a cast of characters that would be daunting for the experienced, a multiplicity of story lines, back stories that can be central to the plot but sometimes just helpful to set the scene or to explore the book’s themes, and (later in the book) a few shifts in time. That sometimes made it a more challenging read than I might have been expecting, but there was so much about it that I enjoyed.
The anchor for the characters’ stories is Delfryn itself – vividly drawn, described in the kind of detail that enable the reader to walk its paths and experience its beautiful scenery through the eyes of its characters through the changing seasons. And there are characters who really do become your friends – I’ll admit I didn’t entirely take to Sophie, and maybe didn’t totally engage with her personal story, but I did like so many of the friends she makes. I particularly liked Rosa and the family at the cafe – I’d really like to eat there, under the olive tree, with the candles, listening to the music – and their fascinating history. And Ruby, with her long-hidden secrets and seemingly insurmountable family problems. But my personal favourite was most definitely Jim – his night-time walks with the dog, his precious memories tinged with such pain and longing, his beautifully drawn interactions and relationships with other characters. And there’s a lot of music in this book, and it’s really central to the story – I defy you not to find yourself with Pearl’s a Singer going round in your head, as I did.
The author has a real feeling for character and place, and it really shines through her work. Her ideas around plot and how a story unfolds are original, and well executed, with a good balance of lightness and shade. I do look forward to reading subsequent novels and watching how she continues to develop as a writer after this strong beginning.
The anchor for the characters’ stories is Delfryn itself – vividly drawn, described in the kind of detail that enable the reader to walk its paths and experience its beautiful scenery through the eyes of its characters through the changing seasons. And there are characters who really do become your friends – I’ll admit I didn’t entirely take to Sophie, and maybe didn’t totally engage with her personal story, but I did like so many of the friends she makes. I particularly liked Rosa and the family at the cafe – I’d really like to eat there, under the olive tree, with the candles, listening to the music – and their fascinating history. And Ruby, with her long-hidden secrets and seemingly insurmountable family problems. But my personal favourite was most definitely Jim – his night-time walks with the dog, his precious memories tinged with such pain and longing, his beautifully drawn interactions and relationships with other characters. And there’s a lot of music in this book, and it’s really central to the story – I defy you not to find yourself with Pearl’s a Singer going round in your head, as I did.
The author has a real feeling for character and place, and it really shines through her work. Her ideas around plot and how a story unfolds are original, and well executed, with a good balance of lightness and shade. I do look forward to reading subsequent novels and watching how she continues to develop as a writer after this strong beginning.
October 13, 2018
You Can’t Go It Alone is contemporary fiction set in Wales. Sophie and Jack have recently moved to a small village. They want a baby, but three years of trying and several failed IVF treatments are testing their relationship. As they settle into their new home they become involved in the lives of new friends and neighbours. Sophie finds she is the one to offer help and support to others, which culminates in bringing more than one family back together. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bLI
July 1, 2020
Where was the editor? Very strange writing, peculiar dialogue, mad plot shifts, and bizarre vocabulary.
Her scarf was knotted with disdain??? Characters go from laughing in odd moments to mumbling, then shouting. It got worse then it suddenly ended.
A series? Please no.
Her scarf was knotted with disdain??? Characters go from laughing in odd moments to mumbling, then shouting. It got worse then it suddenly ended.
A series? Please no.
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