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Nancy er fire, næsten fem. Hun plejede at snakke hele tiden. Lige indtil hendes far forlod familien, og med ham forsvandt alle hendes ord. Eva er 44, næsten 45. Hun var ikke klar over, hvor meget hun havde ofret, da hun giftede sig med en meget ældre mand. Ikke før det, måske, var for sent. En lille pige med en hjerteskærende hemmelighed. En kvinde, der skal tage en stor beslutning. Caitlins liv er noget rod. Hendes ægteskab med en mand, som alle tror er perfekt, er brudt sammen, og med det hendes selvtillid. At bryde ud synes som den eneste mulighed. Nancy, hendes fireårige datter, plejede at tale hele tiden; i bilen, i børnehaven, med sin bror Joel. Nu er hendes forældre skilt. Hendes far er flyttet. Og Nancy er holdt op med at tale. Nancys tante Eva, nylig enke, føler sig trist, forladt af alle bortset fra sine to mopper, og ser en fremtid uden sin mand og de drømme, hun opgav for hans skyld. Men da Eva indvilger i at passe sin niece og nevø hver 14. dag, må Caitlin og Eva se de forskellige sandheder i øjnene – om deres ægteskaber, og hvad de begge i virkeligheden vil.
480 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2016
83 people are currently reading
2584 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Dillon
20 books970 followersLucy Dillon was born in Cumbria, worked for a while in publishing in London, and now lives in the Wye Valley with her husband and their Border terrier. She has written eight novels set in the fictional Midlands town of Longhampton, which looks a bit like Hereford, although the inhabitants tend to sound rather more Northern than that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
December 25, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this Author but not the last.
The book is about family issues and relationships there are two separate stories that intertwine in the story plus two cute children.
Its a beautiful book with a heart warming story.
Thank you netgalley the Publisher and Author for letting me review this book.
The book is about family issues and relationships there are two separate stories that intertwine in the story plus two cute children.
Its a beautiful book with a heart warming story.
Thank you netgalley the Publisher and Author for letting me review this book.
May 15, 2018
Four and a half stars
Caitlin’s life is in disarray after Patrick takes a job in Newcastle and Caitlin refuses to move from their home in Bristol left to Caitlin by her grandmother. Once it appeared he found her perfect but now everything she says and does is wrong. They have two children. Nancy is four, Joel is ten. Patrick is not Joel’s birth father but he adapted him treated both children equally. Nancy has always been a chatterbox until the time that she isn’t. In fact, she doesn’t talk at all since her parents split up. Since Patrick is living and working in Newcastle, his sister Eva, recently widowed agrees to become a meeting place for Patrick and the children on the weekends he has them. Eve lives with her two pugs Bumble and Bee. Having the children stay makes Eva realise what she gave up when she married the older Mick, who already had children and told her he didn’t want any more. Now, when it seems too late, she is questioning that decision just as Caitlin is questioning the direction of her life and what the future holds.
From the outset I was thoroughly involved in this story, even though at times I found Caitlin irresponsible and a bit clueless and Patrick totally self-absorbed and work oriented. I really liked Eva and loved hearing more about her marriage to the actor Mick, which is revealed through his diary. She has to decide whether, along with Mick’s two previous wives, she will allow the diaries to be published. The children Joel and Nancy and the two pugs are delightful and will steal your heart. Eva, Caitlin and Patrick all undergo unexpected changes and adjustments as the story goes on.
This is a story that involved me with anger, tears, sympathy, and moments of laughter. Whenever I had to put it down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I have read a few others books by this author and enjoyed them. But this one is among my favourites. Any story than can so thoroughly involve make me feel so many emotions will always rate highly with me.
Caitlin’s life is in disarray after Patrick takes a job in Newcastle and Caitlin refuses to move from their home in Bristol left to Caitlin by her grandmother. Once it appeared he found her perfect but now everything she says and does is wrong. They have two children. Nancy is four, Joel is ten. Patrick is not Joel’s birth father but he adapted him treated both children equally. Nancy has always been a chatterbox until the time that she isn’t. In fact, she doesn’t talk at all since her parents split up. Since Patrick is living and working in Newcastle, his sister Eva, recently widowed agrees to become a meeting place for Patrick and the children on the weekends he has them. Eve lives with her two pugs Bumble and Bee. Having the children stay makes Eva realise what she gave up when she married the older Mick, who already had children and told her he didn’t want any more. Now, when it seems too late, she is questioning that decision just as Caitlin is questioning the direction of her life and what the future holds.
From the outset I was thoroughly involved in this story, even though at times I found Caitlin irresponsible and a bit clueless and Patrick totally self-absorbed and work oriented. I really liked Eva and loved hearing more about her marriage to the actor Mick, which is revealed through his diary. She has to decide whether, along with Mick’s two previous wives, she will allow the diaries to be published. The children Joel and Nancy and the two pugs are delightful and will steal your heart. Eva, Caitlin and Patrick all undergo unexpected changes and adjustments as the story goes on.
This is a story that involved me with anger, tears, sympathy, and moments of laughter. Whenever I had to put it down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I have read a few others books by this author and enjoyed them. But this one is among my favourites. Any story than can so thoroughly involve make me feel so many emotions will always rate highly with me.
November 25, 2016
Lucy Dillon is one of my 'go to' books for when I need a 'comfort read'. So this week on a wet, dark, cold morning when I was not feeling my brightest or my best, this book really was 'all I ever wanted' and actually 'all I ever needed' to unwind with. I was happy to settle into a story where I knew, despite the ups and downs that would inevitably test the characters, Dillon would deliver a satisfying read in which to escape for a few hours.
This novel has two story lines centred around one family. Caitlin and Patrick, parents of Nancy and Joel, find their marriage has come to an end. Patrick moves away to Newcastle. Caitlin tries to hold the family together. Nancy, a bubbly four year old, suddenly stops speaking. Joel, more extroverted, struggles as he tries to help Nancy survive without her own voice. The second story line is about Patrick's sister Eva who is recently widowed. Eva's house is to become the neutral space where the children can see their father. But Eva has never had children and even though they are her niece and nephew, she is inexperienced in looking after them, particularly as they are all trying to come to terms with such huge life changing situations. Dillon then explores both women's journey's as they come to terms with their relationships, needs, wishes and pasts, interweaving their narratives as they each start to realise what parenting, marriage, love and families means to them.
I liked both the chapters about Caitlin and the chapters about Eva. I liked that I was involved in two quite different stories about women at very different points in their marriages, yet they were linked - through themes as well as more physically through the children and Patrick. I found it really interesting and engaging how Dillon knitted them all together.
Caitlin was easy to like. She has a very honest and blunt voice and her comment in the opening pages that it was "the little things you fall in love with that make you want to stab your partner to death with a fork in the end" felt very well observed! The way Patrick opened his "notebook of issues to raise in mediation" were incredibly visual and immediately created an image of his practical, focussed, workaholic character.
Their story is sad. Patrick has always put work first; to him, this is the best way to be a father by earning money to allow Caitlin to be at home with the children everyday. He knows he misses the "magical stuff" but he does so because he is working. He has a very clear, perhaps inflexible, outlook which is largely based on a misinformed image of his own parents. His view of them is based on photos and selective memories rather than the truth. Through the daily pressure of having a young family and working hard, Caitlin and Patrick have simply fallen out of love with each other.
Initially I was more sympathetic towards Caitlin and found her reflections about parenting very moving and real:
"the types of pain she most wanted to protect them from were invisible, out of her control, and these are the things that kept her awake at night."
But then, as the novel progress there are moments when I felt more sympathy towards Patrick. His explanations about why he thought he was doing the right thing and why he has put work first reveal his naivety and there was also something that made me feel pity for this man who was so desperately trying to do the right thing but in fact getting it so wrong. I like that we roll from one character to the other, realigning our feelings as we watch how they behave and react to various situations. Dillon never quite lets us side with only one character, she wants us to feel sympathy for them all in different ways.
Of course, this is how it is in life, particularly any kind of close relationship. Dillon's characters are real, fallible, guilty and not without fault but they are also trying to be the best wife, husband, mother and father they can. They've just got a bit lost along the way. It's not until towards the end of the book when they actually start to be properly honest with each other that their relationship can begin to move forward. This was very believable and relatable. I liked Caitlin's frank comments that life was "never quite as wonderful as people hope." But once she starts to accept that life is better when you do your best rather than what you think you should be doing, or what you think others expect from you, then she is able to see her life differently and begin to right the wrongs.
In contrast we meet Eva, third wife of celebrity Michael Quinn, who has just died. Michael leaves behind him some personal diaries which Eva begins to read. Dillon uses the diaries initially as a lovely metaphor to reflect the turning point Eva is now facing in her life and as a way of her coming to terms with her past and her future. I also really enjoyed the passages where Eva recounted the events from her point of view and then we read them through Mickey's eyes. There were some entertaining recollections about his second wife Cheryl and her fashion sense - "billionaire Magpie"- and how much he revelled in taking the "glittery tat, all unworn, that flashed at me every time I opened the wardrobe" down to the charity shop.
Eva is very thoughtful and reflective. She feels quite isolated, her grief is palpable and reflects something deeper; a grief for a life that could have been or should have been and that enormous burden of wondering what to do next. Reading Mickey's diaries has a huge impact on her in so many ways and I really enjoyed how Dillon did this:
"'I often wonder what kind of kids Eva and I would have had.' There: one small, tender, pitiless sentence that cut her heart to shreds."
Eva has two pug dogs and it is the dogs that take the staring role when the children come to visit. In fact is is the dogs that show Eva how to build a relationship with the children - particularly the mute Nancy.
"Without thinking, she held out her hand [to Nancy]. Almost the same way the dog trainer had told her to let a strange dog sniff her out......Nancy responded."
There is a good balance and contrast between the two story lines; just the right number of characters to invest in, believe in and care about. Eva and Patrick's relationship as siblings also adds another layer and it is interesting to watch the different dynamics play out.
I really liked the themes that Dillon explores in this novel. There are the obvious ones about parenting, love, relationships, families and marriage; then the more emotional ones like guilt, fear, possession, grief and honesty. Then there are the more subtle concepts about expectations, choices and accepting reality. There is a lot to discuss with regards to dilemmas and choices. The idea of failure - or fear of failure - as well as rescuing people. As Dillon writes, we have editorial control of our own lives.
Some of the final passages actually contain quite profound messages. Isn't it worth being the "best version of ourselves rather than something they weren't?"
I adored the use of bubble mixture to blow secret wishes into. If you choose to do this novel with your book group, you would have to give everyone some bubble mixture to play with. It was an inspired moment and a truly beautiful and magical image.
And finally, Lucy Dillon thank you for the happy ending. I'm sorry if that's a huge spoiler but do you know, that is what I needed, and all I ever wanted when I started reading this book! If you are looking for something that tackles relevant issues, complex family dynamics with a few emotional revelations in a gentle, easy, well paced style, then this is the book for you! It's a pleasing and satisfying read with likeable characters and a plausible plot line that strikes a good balance between sadness, happiness, seriousness and humour.
This novel has two story lines centred around one family. Caitlin and Patrick, parents of Nancy and Joel, find their marriage has come to an end. Patrick moves away to Newcastle. Caitlin tries to hold the family together. Nancy, a bubbly four year old, suddenly stops speaking. Joel, more extroverted, struggles as he tries to help Nancy survive without her own voice. The second story line is about Patrick's sister Eva who is recently widowed. Eva's house is to become the neutral space where the children can see their father. But Eva has never had children and even though they are her niece and nephew, she is inexperienced in looking after them, particularly as they are all trying to come to terms with such huge life changing situations. Dillon then explores both women's journey's as they come to terms with their relationships, needs, wishes and pasts, interweaving their narratives as they each start to realise what parenting, marriage, love and families means to them.
I liked both the chapters about Caitlin and the chapters about Eva. I liked that I was involved in two quite different stories about women at very different points in their marriages, yet they were linked - through themes as well as more physically through the children and Patrick. I found it really interesting and engaging how Dillon knitted them all together.
Caitlin was easy to like. She has a very honest and blunt voice and her comment in the opening pages that it was "the little things you fall in love with that make you want to stab your partner to death with a fork in the end" felt very well observed! The way Patrick opened his "notebook of issues to raise in mediation" were incredibly visual and immediately created an image of his practical, focussed, workaholic character.
Their story is sad. Patrick has always put work first; to him, this is the best way to be a father by earning money to allow Caitlin to be at home with the children everyday. He knows he misses the "magical stuff" but he does so because he is working. He has a very clear, perhaps inflexible, outlook which is largely based on a misinformed image of his own parents. His view of them is based on photos and selective memories rather than the truth. Through the daily pressure of having a young family and working hard, Caitlin and Patrick have simply fallen out of love with each other.
Initially I was more sympathetic towards Caitlin and found her reflections about parenting very moving and real:
"the types of pain she most wanted to protect them from were invisible, out of her control, and these are the things that kept her awake at night."
But then, as the novel progress there are moments when I felt more sympathy towards Patrick. His explanations about why he thought he was doing the right thing and why he has put work first reveal his naivety and there was also something that made me feel pity for this man who was so desperately trying to do the right thing but in fact getting it so wrong. I like that we roll from one character to the other, realigning our feelings as we watch how they behave and react to various situations. Dillon never quite lets us side with only one character, she wants us to feel sympathy for them all in different ways.
Of course, this is how it is in life, particularly any kind of close relationship. Dillon's characters are real, fallible, guilty and not without fault but they are also trying to be the best wife, husband, mother and father they can. They've just got a bit lost along the way. It's not until towards the end of the book when they actually start to be properly honest with each other that their relationship can begin to move forward. This was very believable and relatable. I liked Caitlin's frank comments that life was "never quite as wonderful as people hope." But once she starts to accept that life is better when you do your best rather than what you think you should be doing, or what you think others expect from you, then she is able to see her life differently and begin to right the wrongs.
In contrast we meet Eva, third wife of celebrity Michael Quinn, who has just died. Michael leaves behind him some personal diaries which Eva begins to read. Dillon uses the diaries initially as a lovely metaphor to reflect the turning point Eva is now facing in her life and as a way of her coming to terms with her past and her future. I also really enjoyed the passages where Eva recounted the events from her point of view and then we read them through Mickey's eyes. There were some entertaining recollections about his second wife Cheryl and her fashion sense - "billionaire Magpie"- and how much he revelled in taking the "glittery tat, all unworn, that flashed at me every time I opened the wardrobe" down to the charity shop.
Eva is very thoughtful and reflective. She feels quite isolated, her grief is palpable and reflects something deeper; a grief for a life that could have been or should have been and that enormous burden of wondering what to do next. Reading Mickey's diaries has a huge impact on her in so many ways and I really enjoyed how Dillon did this:
"'I often wonder what kind of kids Eva and I would have had.' There: one small, tender, pitiless sentence that cut her heart to shreds."
Eva has two pug dogs and it is the dogs that take the staring role when the children come to visit. In fact is is the dogs that show Eva how to build a relationship with the children - particularly the mute Nancy.
"Without thinking, she held out her hand [to Nancy]. Almost the same way the dog trainer had told her to let a strange dog sniff her out......Nancy responded."
There is a good balance and contrast between the two story lines; just the right number of characters to invest in, believe in and care about. Eva and Patrick's relationship as siblings also adds another layer and it is interesting to watch the different dynamics play out.
I really liked the themes that Dillon explores in this novel. There are the obvious ones about parenting, love, relationships, families and marriage; then the more emotional ones like guilt, fear, possession, grief and honesty. Then there are the more subtle concepts about expectations, choices and accepting reality. There is a lot to discuss with regards to dilemmas and choices. The idea of failure - or fear of failure - as well as rescuing people. As Dillon writes, we have editorial control of our own lives.
Some of the final passages actually contain quite profound messages. Isn't it worth being the "best version of ourselves rather than something they weren't?"
I adored the use of bubble mixture to blow secret wishes into. If you choose to do this novel with your book group, you would have to give everyone some bubble mixture to play with. It was an inspired moment and a truly beautiful and magical image.
And finally, Lucy Dillon thank you for the happy ending. I'm sorry if that's a huge spoiler but do you know, that is what I needed, and all I ever wanted when I started reading this book! If you are looking for something that tackles relevant issues, complex family dynamics with a few emotional revelations in a gentle, easy, well paced style, then this is the book for you! It's a pleasing and satisfying read with likeable characters and a plausible plot line that strikes a good balance between sadness, happiness, seriousness and humour.
September 30, 2020
Na het lezen van Een klein gebaar en nu ook Mijn grootste wens kan ik wel concluderen dat de boeken van Lucy Dillon niet draaien om hoe snel je ze uit hebt of om de snelheid in de verhaallijnen: dit boek draait om familie, honden en bijzondere relaties. Ja, het is hier en daar wat traag en het voelt of dit boek bijna niet op gang komt, maar daar gaat het niet om. Ik moest er even inkomen, maar al snel voelde ik het!
Het was net of je omarmd wordt door weduwe Eva, de zwijgzame Nancy die de angst voelt om te praten, de gescheiden Caitlin, de enthousiaste Joël met al zijn geklets en alle andere sterke karakters die dit boek rijk is. Geen personage is teveel en geen verhaallijn schiet tekort. Dit boek heeft mijn hart verwarmd en daar kan het soms ook gewoon omgaan: eenvoudig en toch prachtig!
Het was net of je omarmd wordt door weduwe Eva, de zwijgzame Nancy die de angst voelt om te praten, de gescheiden Caitlin, de enthousiaste Joël met al zijn geklets en alle andere sterke karakters die dit boek rijk is. Geen personage is teveel en geen verhaallijn schiet tekort. Dit boek heeft mijn hart verwarmd en daar kan het soms ook gewoon omgaan: eenvoudig en toch prachtig!
Read
December 2, 2017Review to come.
I actually listened to this on in audio format a while back, hence the lack of updates. It's sweet and deals with some issues without getting too bogged down. There are things for people going through similar situations to relate to, but overall I didn't find this one particularly memorable or unique.
I actually listened to this on in audio format a while back, hence the lack of updates. It's sweet and deals with some issues without getting too bogged down. There are things for people going through similar situations to relate to, but overall I didn't find this one particularly memorable or unique.
October 4, 2016
Nancy is four, nearly five. She talks all the time: in the car, on the way to nursery, to her extrovert older brother, to her collection of bears. But then, one February morning, everything changes. Nancy's mum and dad split up. Her father Patrick moves away from their Bristol home to Newcastle. And Nancy stops talking.
Eva is forty-four, nearly forty-five. She didn't expect to be the third wife of a much-loved household name, but eight years ago, she and semi-retired bad boy Michael Quinn fell in love. Eva knew marrying a much older man meant compromises, but it was the love of a lifetime for them both - until Mickey dies suddenly, leaving Eva alone with his gossipy diaries, their two pugs, and a distressing voice in the back of her mind, wondering if perhaps she's sacrificed more than she meant to.
While Nancy's parents negotiate their separation, the question of weekend contact is solved when Patrick volunteers his sister Eva's house. It's in Longhampton, an hour out of Bristol, with plenty of room for her to get to know a niece and nephew she's barely met - even if Nancy continues to refuse to speak. Patrick is sure it's just a phase but his soon-to-be-ex-wife is worried that something more traumatic lies at the heart of their daughter's selective mutism.
Meanwhile, Eva begins to read through Mickey's diaries, and with every page she's forced to confront a view of her marriage that turns everything she believed about her late husband, her self - and her own heart - on its head. The fortnightly presence of two children in her peaceful, grown-up home - one constantly singing and performing, the other wordless and sad - initially drives Eva and the two pugs, Bumble and Bee, to exhaustion, but as spring turns into summer, a trust slowly begins to form between an anxious little girl with a heartbreaking secret, and a woman who has realised too late that what her soul yearns for is the love of a child.
4 stars****
All I ever wanted isn't the usual kind of book I go for, however I came across this one and thought I'd give it a go. I struggled at first. Nothing really seemed to be happening and I like my fast paced books. I quickly came to the realisation that this wasn't a fast paced book, it was so much more.
As I said, it took me a while to get into it but when I did, I thought it was brilliant. It always amazes me when a book takes you by surprise.
I really enjoyed the way the author touched on very real issues about very real family problems such as, divorce or separation and the impact it can have on the children. Of the way that grief can turn into isolation and loneliness. I can imagine what it's like to go through something like this and how they are dealt with.
I found myself getting frustrated at times too. The anxiety between Patrick and Caitlin, the tension. I yelled so many times and had to put my kindle down several times to readjust my attitude. It says something about a book that can make you do that. That can give you the feels. Praise goes to the author for this accomplishment.
Although this wasn't my typical book, I'm pleasantly surprised to have found it.
Happy Reading :-)
I was kindly gifted this ARC by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Eva is forty-four, nearly forty-five. She didn't expect to be the third wife of a much-loved household name, but eight years ago, she and semi-retired bad boy Michael Quinn fell in love. Eva knew marrying a much older man meant compromises, but it was the love of a lifetime for them both - until Mickey dies suddenly, leaving Eva alone with his gossipy diaries, their two pugs, and a distressing voice in the back of her mind, wondering if perhaps she's sacrificed more than she meant to.
While Nancy's parents negotiate their separation, the question of weekend contact is solved when Patrick volunteers his sister Eva's house. It's in Longhampton, an hour out of Bristol, with plenty of room for her to get to know a niece and nephew she's barely met - even if Nancy continues to refuse to speak. Patrick is sure it's just a phase but his soon-to-be-ex-wife is worried that something more traumatic lies at the heart of their daughter's selective mutism.
Meanwhile, Eva begins to read through Mickey's diaries, and with every page she's forced to confront a view of her marriage that turns everything she believed about her late husband, her self - and her own heart - on its head. The fortnightly presence of two children in her peaceful, grown-up home - one constantly singing and performing, the other wordless and sad - initially drives Eva and the two pugs, Bumble and Bee, to exhaustion, but as spring turns into summer, a trust slowly begins to form between an anxious little girl with a heartbreaking secret, and a woman who has realised too late that what her soul yearns for is the love of a child.
4 stars****
All I ever wanted isn't the usual kind of book I go for, however I came across this one and thought I'd give it a go. I struggled at first. Nothing really seemed to be happening and I like my fast paced books. I quickly came to the realisation that this wasn't a fast paced book, it was so much more.
As I said, it took me a while to get into it but when I did, I thought it was brilliant. It always amazes me when a book takes you by surprise.
I really enjoyed the way the author touched on very real issues about very real family problems such as, divorce or separation and the impact it can have on the children. Of the way that grief can turn into isolation and loneliness. I can imagine what it's like to go through something like this and how they are dealt with.
I found myself getting frustrated at times too. The anxiety between Patrick and Caitlin, the tension. I yelled so many times and had to put my kindle down several times to readjust my attitude. It says something about a book that can make you do that. That can give you the feels. Praise goes to the author for this accomplishment.
Although this wasn't my typical book, I'm pleasantly surprised to have found it.
Happy Reading :-)
I was kindly gifted this ARC by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2016
As a big fan of Lucy Dillon I am always ready to read her latest stories, so couldn't wait to get my hands on this one! And after a slow start that didn't immediately grab me, I was soon drawn into the family drama and dynamics that the author writes about so well.
In this book we follow two main storylines - the first of which is the marriage breakdown between Caitlin and Patrick, who seem to have had it all but when Patrick is offered a job away from Bristol in Newcastle, and Caitlin is reluctant to leave her grans' house which contains so many memories, then they decide to split and try and sort out a custody arrangement for the 2 children - Joel and Nancy. Caitlin had Joel before she met Patrick, but Patrick is the only father Joel knows so its' a big change for them all. And Nancy - or fancy nancy as she is often called - is the sweetest 4 year old who is extremely sensitive and when daddy goes away, nancy ends up withdrawing into herself and refuses to speak.
Meanwhile, Patricks' sister Eva is still in mourning after losing her husband Michael, a big hollywood star from yorkshire, and she has retreated into her safe space at home with her 2 pugs - bumble and bee! She never had much contact with her brother after a difficult childhood but when he asks if they can use her home to meet up with the children every other weekend, she reluctantly agrees. If only she knew what effect those 2 children are to have on her and her healing process.
The author has such a great way of exploring each character and the realities of life , that you soon lose yourself in their world as you follow their stories - some good, some bad - as they try and work things out and try and remember why they were together in the first place and to do what is right for the children. I did find myself losing empathy with Caitlin over certain decisions and outbursts she made as she often came across quite selfish and is very quick to judge others and refuses to blame herself when necessary.
And the character of Eva was such a lovely addition as she was reliving her life with Michael through diaries he had left, and certain things she read made her re-evaluate all she knew, as well as bringing her comfort. Spending time with her nephew and niece also made her revisit her childhood with Patrick and that brought up certain issues and explained why Patrick often behaved in certain ways.
Overall, another wonderfully enthralling story from Lucy Dillon and I look forward to lots more!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publishers
In this book we follow two main storylines - the first of which is the marriage breakdown between Caitlin and Patrick, who seem to have had it all but when Patrick is offered a job away from Bristol in Newcastle, and Caitlin is reluctant to leave her grans' house which contains so many memories, then they decide to split and try and sort out a custody arrangement for the 2 children - Joel and Nancy. Caitlin had Joel before she met Patrick, but Patrick is the only father Joel knows so its' a big change for them all. And Nancy - or fancy nancy as she is often called - is the sweetest 4 year old who is extremely sensitive and when daddy goes away, nancy ends up withdrawing into herself and refuses to speak.
Meanwhile, Patricks' sister Eva is still in mourning after losing her husband Michael, a big hollywood star from yorkshire, and she has retreated into her safe space at home with her 2 pugs - bumble and bee! She never had much contact with her brother after a difficult childhood but when he asks if they can use her home to meet up with the children every other weekend, she reluctantly agrees. If only she knew what effect those 2 children are to have on her and her healing process.
The author has such a great way of exploring each character and the realities of life , that you soon lose yourself in their world as you follow their stories - some good, some bad - as they try and work things out and try and remember why they were together in the first place and to do what is right for the children. I did find myself losing empathy with Caitlin over certain decisions and outbursts she made as she often came across quite selfish and is very quick to judge others and refuses to blame herself when necessary.
And the character of Eva was such a lovely addition as she was reliving her life with Michael through diaries he had left, and certain things she read made her re-evaluate all she knew, as well as bringing her comfort. Spending time with her nephew and niece also made her revisit her childhood with Patrick and that brought up certain issues and explained why Patrick often behaved in certain ways.
Overall, another wonderfully enthralling story from Lucy Dillon and I look forward to lots more!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publishers
February 4, 2017
I always look forward to Lucy Dillon's books and she certainly didn't disappoint at all very moving story and follows the lives of number of people and makes you think. Caitlin is going through a split from her husband and her daughter Nancy stops talking but she use to be so talkative so comes as a shock her brother speaks for her but their auntie Eva lost her husband a number of years ago but is suddenly given his diaries and she starts to read them can she cope with what she hears but she also gets close to Nancy and can she get her talking or not and what part does her dogs play well worth reading to find out.
September 16, 2017
I normally don't go for rom-coms/chick-lits, whatever you like to call them but I saw this one was about selective mutism, I suffered from this all throughout primary school (from half way through primary 1 all the way to primary 7, I never once spoke to my class mates) & my mother had it when she was a kid too, so of course I wanted to read it. I've never heard the topic come up before in fiction & I was excited to see that it was being written about. Hold onto your butts, amma bout to rant my ass off.
Boy could this author have got it more wrong? First of all my edition had a lot of grammatical errors in it which annoyed me, number 1. Number 2, none of these characters were likeable. Number 3, I KNEW how this was going end which peed me off. And number 4? I don't think the author knows how selective mutism works. The kid stopped talking because her wishes came true, so she thought it was better to not talk at all. The kid even acknowledges that this is why she stopped talking, she knew her problem ... I didn't, I only recently found out that that was what I had & back then I didn't know what caused it, & neither did my mum at that age. Selective mutism often happens because something traumatic happens to the kid (my parents violently separating, witness the arguments, same with my mum), not because some dumb ass wishes came true. I understand that there was some element to her parents separation that triggered it off for Nancy but it was downplayed to freakin' wishes.
So that's that out of the way. To get onto the characters. Caitlin was someone I was routing for, she got away from her control freak husband (which in my mind looked hella abusive), she put her foot down & enjoyed finally going out & socialising but it made her look like the bad guy for doing this. Then there was the issue with her phone which made me start to dislike her. You have a kid who can't talk so you never look at your phone when you're out? Uh huh, okay doll. Patrick was a controlling dick, who made Caitlin look like a wussy woman who didn't know how to do things her self (basically controlling every aspect on how she brought the kids up, how to run her house), he wasn't likeable & put his work before family. Joel is a child I'd cross the street to avoid. I liked Eva until she turned into the 'AH, I WISH I HAD KIDS, IT'S TOO LATE WAH!' I'd love to read a book about an older woman who's like 'fuck yeah I didn't have kids, WOOOOO!' but no, you just had to turn her into that type of person, who's a little deranged talking to her pugs in weird, embarrassing accents.
*Sighs* I don't think I've read a book that's got so under my skin in a long time. It was just awful. And don't get me started on the ending with the whole 'happy family' thing (SPOILER, STOP READING NOW): Yes they got back together, she went back into a abusive, controlling relationship & I'm meant to be happy about that? Nothing was discussed about how she was miserable in the relationship & how he was this heavy weight on her shoulders. And yes, Nancy started talking & starting even singing on stage. Because selective mutism is that easy to get over. Give me a break.
Sincerely, former selective mute child of almost 7 years.
x
Boy could this author have got it more wrong? First of all my edition had a lot of grammatical errors in it which annoyed me, number 1. Number 2, none of these characters were likeable. Number 3, I KNEW how this was going end which peed me off. And number 4? I don't think the author knows how selective mutism works. The kid stopped talking because her wishes came true, so she thought it was better to not talk at all. The kid even acknowledges that this is why she stopped talking, she knew her problem ... I didn't, I only recently found out that that was what I had & back then I didn't know what caused it, & neither did my mum at that age. Selective mutism often happens because something traumatic happens to the kid (my parents violently separating, witness the arguments, same with my mum), not because some dumb ass wishes came true. I understand that there was some element to her parents separation that triggered it off for Nancy but it was downplayed to freakin' wishes.
So that's that out of the way. To get onto the characters. Caitlin was someone I was routing for, she got away from her control freak husband (which in my mind looked hella abusive), she put her foot down & enjoyed finally going out & socialising but it made her look like the bad guy for doing this. Then there was the issue with her phone which made me start to dislike her. You have a kid who can't talk so you never look at your phone when you're out? Uh huh, okay doll. Patrick was a controlling dick, who made Caitlin look like a wussy woman who didn't know how to do things her self (basically controlling every aspect on how she brought the kids up, how to run her house), he wasn't likeable & put his work before family. Joel is a child I'd cross the street to avoid. I liked Eva until she turned into the 'AH, I WISH I HAD KIDS, IT'S TOO LATE WAH!' I'd love to read a book about an older woman who's like 'fuck yeah I didn't have kids, WOOOOO!' but no, you just had to turn her into that type of person, who's a little deranged talking to her pugs in weird, embarrassing accents.
*Sighs* I don't think I've read a book that's got so under my skin in a long time. It was just awful. And don't get me started on the ending with the whole 'happy family' thing (SPOILER, STOP READING NOW): Yes they got back together, she went back into a abusive, controlling relationship & I'm meant to be happy about that? Nothing was discussed about how she was miserable in the relationship & how he was this heavy weight on her shoulders. And yes, Nancy started talking & starting even singing on stage. Because selective mutism is that easy to get over. Give me a break.
Sincerely, former selective mute child of almost 7 years.
x
November 16, 2016
What a wonderfully heart warming and loving story, about one family, as they are going through a tough patch.
When Patrick accepts a job in Newcastle, Caitlin refuses to uproot their children to move up there with him. For Patrick this signifies that it is time to move on and they split up. Caitlin around this time starts to see her husband in a new light, and he really doesn't come across that well in the early part of the book.
Joel is 10 and loves acting, he is very talkative and is a wonderful big brother. Nancy is almost five, but once her dad moves out, she stops speaking. It's a heart breaking problem and although they are fairly sure it is stress related, noone seems to know the best way to get her talking again. She used to by all accounts be a happy go lucky child, always singing and dancing along with Joel, so its very noticeable how quiet she is now.
Thankfully Nancy will still communicate just without words, so can get her feelings and some of her thoughts across, and I think if anyone is having a similar dilemma with their own child may take a bit of comfort from this story.
Caitlin arranges for the kids to see Patrick at weekends at their aunt Eva's house. Eva is the other main focus of the book, she is recently widowed, childless and has barely had anything to do with her young niece and nephew, but she lives a reasonable distance away from the husband and wife.
As much as Nancy is the main focus of a lot of the book, I loved hearing more about Eva's relationship with her beloved Mick., and the question as to whether his memoirs should be published or not. I also enjoyed seeing Eva's relationship with Joel and Nancy develop over time.
I regularly state that my favourite Lucy Dillon books feature dogs, and so I was delighted to meet Bumble and Bee, Eva's pugs. They are small and cute, and play a steady role throughout the book, but more importantly they are key in quite a few of the largest, most important scenes in the book.
Caitlin loves getting a bit of freedom, and Eva also has a new acquaintance who I was hoping things would develop with, however Patrick is always very quick to criticise if anything goes wrong. And of course there are some "situations" involving the children that are quite funny, and definitely memorable, one including a bath, and one including some errant animals in a back garden!
I found All I Ever Wanted to be an engaging look at one couple's family dynamics along with their aunt, Caitlin's mum who drives her slightly mad and of course the pugs, as they navigate the problems caused by a separation. I found it sympathetic to Nancy's plight and I spent a large amount of the book really rooting for her, and hoping things would change. I felt involved with the story at all times, which was easy to follow and very enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodder for this copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
When Patrick accepts a job in Newcastle, Caitlin refuses to uproot their children to move up there with him. For Patrick this signifies that it is time to move on and they split up. Caitlin around this time starts to see her husband in a new light, and he really doesn't come across that well in the early part of the book.
Joel is 10 and loves acting, he is very talkative and is a wonderful big brother. Nancy is almost five, but once her dad moves out, she stops speaking. It's a heart breaking problem and although they are fairly sure it is stress related, noone seems to know the best way to get her talking again. She used to by all accounts be a happy go lucky child, always singing and dancing along with Joel, so its very noticeable how quiet she is now.
Thankfully Nancy will still communicate just without words, so can get her feelings and some of her thoughts across, and I think if anyone is having a similar dilemma with their own child may take a bit of comfort from this story.
Caitlin arranges for the kids to see Patrick at weekends at their aunt Eva's house. Eva is the other main focus of the book, she is recently widowed, childless and has barely had anything to do with her young niece and nephew, but she lives a reasonable distance away from the husband and wife.
As much as Nancy is the main focus of a lot of the book, I loved hearing more about Eva's relationship with her beloved Mick., and the question as to whether his memoirs should be published or not. I also enjoyed seeing Eva's relationship with Joel and Nancy develop over time.
I regularly state that my favourite Lucy Dillon books feature dogs, and so I was delighted to meet Bumble and Bee, Eva's pugs. They are small and cute, and play a steady role throughout the book, but more importantly they are key in quite a few of the largest, most important scenes in the book.
Caitlin loves getting a bit of freedom, and Eva also has a new acquaintance who I was hoping things would develop with, however Patrick is always very quick to criticise if anything goes wrong. And of course there are some "situations" involving the children that are quite funny, and definitely memorable, one including a bath, and one including some errant animals in a back garden!
I found All I Ever Wanted to be an engaging look at one couple's family dynamics along with their aunt, Caitlin's mum who drives her slightly mad and of course the pugs, as they navigate the problems caused by a separation. I found it sympathetic to Nancy's plight and I spent a large amount of the book really rooting for her, and hoping things would change. I felt involved with the story at all times, which was easy to follow and very enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodder for this copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 5, 2020
Oh das war kein guter Start ins Lesejahr.😬😅
Die Protagonisten waren mir zutiefst unsympathisch und die Handlung hat sich ins Unendliche gezogen. Das Happy End war dann auf der einen Seite total vorhersehbar, auf der anderen Seite kam es innerhalb der Geschichte wie aus dem Nichts. Die Konflikte wurden eigentlich nicht gelöst und die Figuren haben sich nicht weiterentwickelt.
Einzig Eva war ganz nett, wenn auch ein bisschen farblos. Und die Beziehung von Nancy zu den Hunden war ganz süß.
Die Protagonisten waren mir zutiefst unsympathisch und die Handlung hat sich ins Unendliche gezogen. Das Happy End war dann auf der einen Seite total vorhersehbar, auf der anderen Seite kam es innerhalb der Geschichte wie aus dem Nichts. Die Konflikte wurden eigentlich nicht gelöst und die Figuren haben sich nicht weiterentwickelt.
Einzig Eva war ganz nett, wenn auch ein bisschen farblos. Und die Beziehung von Nancy zu den Hunden war ganz süß.
November 20, 2016
I'm not notorious for reading books outside of the young adult genre on this blog but I thought I would widen my horizons when I requested this novel on Netgalley from well know author, Lucy Dillon. All I Ever Wanted explores the lives of two women going through separations for different reasons and delves into the life on one special little girl.
The two protagonists of the novel are sister-in-laws Caitlin and Eva. They've never spent much time together before but Caitlin's divorce means their paths cross once again and Eva begins to spend more time getting to know her niece and nephew. I fell in love with Eva's character. She is suffering from her husband's death and struggling to move on when her family come back into her life. Although cautious at first, Eva quickly becomes a mother-figure and we see her change from reserved and composed to affectionate and lively. I felt deeply for Eva as she reads through her late husband's diaries and discovers she didn't know as much about him as she originally thought. Despite this, their love was strong and their marriage one I dream of having myself. They were a unit and Mick's death affects not only Eva, but the reader too.
'Fierce love coursed through her, along with roaring guilt that she'd let this happen.'
I can't say that I was as big a fan of Caitlin as I was of her sister-in-law. Following her separation from her husband, Caitlin embarks on a relationship with Lee, a personal trainer and band member she has been mesmerized by for a number of years. Although Lee was charming enough, I found Caitlin to be very selfish when she started this relationship because her children were left in danger on a number of occasions as a result, even if not directly because of their mother. Caitlin's need to feel young again beats her need to be a mother and I think this is the reason I didn't warm to her as much. Undoubtedly, however, Caitlin does love her children and you can see the close relationship she has with both of her children throughout the novel.
The main focus of the novel is 4 year old Nancy, daughter of Caitlin and niece of Eva. Over the course of the novel, Nancy begins to talk less and less until but the end she can't speak at all, communicating only to her auntie's pet pugs and through non-verbal actions. Nancy is possibly the cutest child I have ever come across in fiction. She was absolutely adorable in everything she did and her triumph at the end is heartbreaking. I also loved her relationship with her older brother, Joel, who acted as her savior, stepping in when she physically couldn't let her feelings be known and making his parents aware of his sister's situation. They were a team, getting through their parent's divorce together.
'Nancy smiled inside. And she smiled on the outside.'
As a whole the novel dealt with divorce and separation incredibly well. As a child from a 'broken home', I have very strong opinions on divorce and separation and as a result I found it interesting to see divorce from an adult's perspective, although I think this is one of the reasons I didn't warm to Caitlin so much. Eva's story stood out for me, however, when she realises that she will never be a mother after the death of her husband. I found this to be the saddest aspect of the novel. Eva has to decide whether to use fertility treatment to bring up a child or choose to live a life on her own. One of these decisions, however, means letting go of her husband.
I am also going to note what a great Christmas novel this is. All I Ever Wanted is not centered around Christmas, but the opening chapter gives it a Christmas feel and it will be released in December so it's perfect to read in the winter months. As well as this, I think you may appreciate the novel more if you're British. I have mentioned before how much I love British novels because I understand the humour more, and this novel had some great British references, which were both up to date and funny.
'What more happiness is there in life than being surrounded by love and your own roses?'
Having read only a handful of adult fiction, I enjoyed this novel very much. Despite being much younger than the characters I still felt like I could relate and emphasise with them, a feature I always look for in novels. I will definitely be looking for more novels by Lucy Dillon to read.
The two protagonists of the novel are sister-in-laws Caitlin and Eva. They've never spent much time together before but Caitlin's divorce means their paths cross once again and Eva begins to spend more time getting to know her niece and nephew. I fell in love with Eva's character. She is suffering from her husband's death and struggling to move on when her family come back into her life. Although cautious at first, Eva quickly becomes a mother-figure and we see her change from reserved and composed to affectionate and lively. I felt deeply for Eva as she reads through her late husband's diaries and discovers she didn't know as much about him as she originally thought. Despite this, their love was strong and their marriage one I dream of having myself. They were a unit and Mick's death affects not only Eva, but the reader too.
'Fierce love coursed through her, along with roaring guilt that she'd let this happen.'
I can't say that I was as big a fan of Caitlin as I was of her sister-in-law. Following her separation from her husband, Caitlin embarks on a relationship with Lee, a personal trainer and band member she has been mesmerized by for a number of years. Although Lee was charming enough, I found Caitlin to be very selfish when she started this relationship because her children were left in danger on a number of occasions as a result, even if not directly because of their mother. Caitlin's need to feel young again beats her need to be a mother and I think this is the reason I didn't warm to her as much. Undoubtedly, however, Caitlin does love her children and you can see the close relationship she has with both of her children throughout the novel.
The main focus of the novel is 4 year old Nancy, daughter of Caitlin and niece of Eva. Over the course of the novel, Nancy begins to talk less and less until but the end she can't speak at all, communicating only to her auntie's pet pugs and through non-verbal actions. Nancy is possibly the cutest child I have ever come across in fiction. She was absolutely adorable in everything she did and her triumph at the end is heartbreaking. I also loved her relationship with her older brother, Joel, who acted as her savior, stepping in when she physically couldn't let her feelings be known and making his parents aware of his sister's situation. They were a team, getting through their parent's divorce together.
'Nancy smiled inside. And she smiled on the outside.'
As a whole the novel dealt with divorce and separation incredibly well. As a child from a 'broken home', I have very strong opinions on divorce and separation and as a result I found it interesting to see divorce from an adult's perspective, although I think this is one of the reasons I didn't warm to Caitlin so much. Eva's story stood out for me, however, when she realises that she will never be a mother after the death of her husband. I found this to be the saddest aspect of the novel. Eva has to decide whether to use fertility treatment to bring up a child or choose to live a life on her own. One of these decisions, however, means letting go of her husband.
I am also going to note what a great Christmas novel this is. All I Ever Wanted is not centered around Christmas, but the opening chapter gives it a Christmas feel and it will be released in December so it's perfect to read in the winter months. As well as this, I think you may appreciate the novel more if you're British. I have mentioned before how much I love British novels because I understand the humour more, and this novel had some great British references, which were both up to date and funny.
'What more happiness is there in life than being surrounded by love and your own roses?'
Having read only a handful of adult fiction, I enjoyed this novel very much. Despite being much younger than the characters I still felt like I could relate and emphasise with them, a feature I always look for in novels. I will definitely be looking for more novels by Lucy Dillon to read.
December 13, 2017
Allt jag önskade är en sann feelgood med den rätta blandningen av varma fina ögonblick och mer tårögt allvar. Språket är fint, utan att bli överdrivet. Det är mycket känslor, men Lucy Dillon använder inga onödiga ord, utan man förstår mycket från personernas agerande. Historien innehåller såväl ljus som mörker och det gillar jag. I synnerhet är jag förtjust i slutet som är äkta feelgood utan att vara sockersött.
Karaktärsteckningen är bra, såväl barn som vuxna som hundar framträder med sin karaktär. Det är många karaktärer som jag tycker om, men lite extra bryr jag mig om Eva. Hon ändras på ett trovärdigt sätt utifrån olika stadier i sin sorg efter Mick. Draget med hans dagböcker är riktigt bra. Men mest förtjust är jag i Lucy Dillons förmåga att teckna vänskapen mellan hundarna och människorna, i synnerhet mellan Bumble och Nancy. Det ger den där extra feelgoodkänslan som behövs.
Att ha ett separerat par på väg in i en skilsmässa i en feelgood är inte en enkel sak, jag brukar inte gilla det. Men i stort så klarar Lucy Dillon att beskriva Caitlins och Patricks förhållande. Jag är inte speciellt förtjust i Caitlin, hon framstår som alltför hattig hit och dit. Och Patricks kontrollebehov är rent ut sagt läskigt. Det jag kan sakna är också mer ansvar för barnen hos dem bägge. Hur kan man gå in i en separation utan att på allvar tala med varandra om vad det var som gick fel. Ja, det är förstås inte enkelt, men jag tycker de låter det gå väl långt innan de ens försöker.
Jag tycker mycket om den här boken, och tänker definitivt leta i dotterns hylla efter andra böcker av Lucy Dillon nästa gång jag behöver bra feelgood.
Omdöme: Varm och välskriven feelgood med en gnutta mörker
Betyg: 4
https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...
Karaktärsteckningen är bra, såväl barn som vuxna som hundar framträder med sin karaktär. Det är många karaktärer som jag tycker om, men lite extra bryr jag mig om Eva. Hon ändras på ett trovärdigt sätt utifrån olika stadier i sin sorg efter Mick. Draget med hans dagböcker är riktigt bra. Men mest förtjust är jag i Lucy Dillons förmåga att teckna vänskapen mellan hundarna och människorna, i synnerhet mellan Bumble och Nancy. Det ger den där extra feelgoodkänslan som behövs.
Att ha ett separerat par på väg in i en skilsmässa i en feelgood är inte en enkel sak, jag brukar inte gilla det. Men i stort så klarar Lucy Dillon att beskriva Caitlins och Patricks förhållande. Jag är inte speciellt förtjust i Caitlin, hon framstår som alltför hattig hit och dit. Och Patricks kontrollebehov är rent ut sagt läskigt. Det jag kan sakna är också mer ansvar för barnen hos dem bägge. Hur kan man gå in i en separation utan att på allvar tala med varandra om vad det var som gick fel. Ja, det är förstås inte enkelt, men jag tycker de låter det gå väl långt innan de ens försöker.
Jag tycker mycket om den här boken, och tänker definitivt leta i dotterns hylla efter andra böcker av Lucy Dillon nästa gång jag behöver bra feelgood.
Omdöme: Varm och välskriven feelgood med en gnutta mörker
Betyg: 4
https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...
February 25, 2020
Lucy Dillon skriver bare SÅ godt. Jeg har læst alle de bøger der er oversat til dansk, og jeg er stadig begejstret. I denne bog tager Dillon fat i ensomheden. Vi møder den unge mor til to,der er ved at blive skilt. Vi får et kig helt ind i de følelser hun gennemlever. Bekymring for børnene, den pludselige frihed til blot at være, angsten, vreden, savnet og spørgsmålet om hvorfor.
Sideløbende følges svigerinden. Enke, begravet i tabet og sorgen over at have mistet.
Et smukt indblik i at finde en vej videre i livet. Kan kun anbefale at læse Lucy Dillons bøger.
Sideløbende følges svigerinden. Enke, begravet i tabet og sorgen over at have mistet.
Et smukt indblik i at finde en vej videre i livet. Kan kun anbefale at læse Lucy Dillons bøger.
November 8, 2022
Etwas dolle kitschig, viel unnötiges Drama. „Das kleine große Glück“ von Lucy Dillon hat mir besser gefallen. Grundsätzlich gefällt mir, dass die Erlebnisse verschiedener Charaktere geschildert werden.
November 13, 2016
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
I haven't read any other Lucy Dillon books before, but All I Ever Wanted really impressed me. It was everything I wanted it to be: sweet, emotional, funny, realistic and SO well written.
The characters all really struck a chord with me. I loved both Eva and Caitlin in their own ways; they're very different but have a lot in common too, and I really liked how they felt like real people to me. The kids were lovely too - Joel seems so sweet and I really enjoyed reading about him!
It's not what I'd call 'action-packed', with some points seeming slower than others, but it was always interesting and fun to read regardless. The storyline addresses 'real-life' problems and issues around relationships and family, and making everyday life work when life itself can be so hectic and stressful - or, for Eva, a bit less hectic but filled with grief at the loss of her husband. I really felt for her and I liked that the author didn't make anyone out to be a 'bad' person, as such - but sometimes people just grate on eachother for various reasons, and sometimes things are much better.
I'm really glad Lucy Dillon avoided making any of this novel too cheesy - there were definitely emotional and heart-warming parts to the story, and some bits were really sad, but it was all written with such skill - and the adorable pugs were an added bonus!
I am so impressed with All I Ever Wanted; it really shines and I will definitely be reading more of her novels.
* Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton who provided a copy of this novel on which I decided to write an unbiased and honest review. *
I haven't read any other Lucy Dillon books before, but All I Ever Wanted really impressed me. It was everything I wanted it to be: sweet, emotional, funny, realistic and SO well written.
The characters all really struck a chord with me. I loved both Eva and Caitlin in their own ways; they're very different but have a lot in common too, and I really liked how they felt like real people to me. The kids were lovely too - Joel seems so sweet and I really enjoyed reading about him!
It's not what I'd call 'action-packed', with some points seeming slower than others, but it was always interesting and fun to read regardless. The storyline addresses 'real-life' problems and issues around relationships and family, and making everyday life work when life itself can be so hectic and stressful - or, for Eva, a bit less hectic but filled with grief at the loss of her husband. I really felt for her and I liked that the author didn't make anyone out to be a 'bad' person, as such - but sometimes people just grate on eachother for various reasons, and sometimes things are much better.
I'm really glad Lucy Dillon avoided making any of this novel too cheesy - there were definitely emotional and heart-warming parts to the story, and some bits were really sad, but it was all written with such skill - and the adorable pugs were an added bonus!
I am so impressed with All I Ever Wanted; it really shines and I will definitely be reading more of her novels.
* Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton who provided a copy of this novel on which I decided to write an unbiased and honest review. *
June 22, 2019
I really enjoy Lucy Dillon's books but I couldn't get into this one. I didn't like Caitlin very much, wasn't sure what her redeeming features were. She came across as selfish, childish, pathetic and self-obssessed. And her son got on my nerves, why wouldn't Caitlin ask him to be quiet more often. I'm not saying I am a hardcore mum but no sane mum would cope with his behavior and not scream at him one in a while!
I did like Eve and the pugs and they were the reason I read to the end and I wanted to see if Nancy spoke again. With parents like she had I would have moved in with Eve a long time ago!
I did like Eve and the pugs and they were the reason I read to the end and I wanted to see if Nancy spoke again. With parents like she had I would have moved in with Eve a long time ago!
July 17, 2017
Betyg: 4 av 5.
Det här är den sjunde boken skriven av den engelska feelgood-författaren Lucy Dillon, och den tredje som jag läser av henne. Tidigare så har jag läst Tango för vilsna själar och När livet börjar om. Tyckte mycket om dom båda två.
Och jag tyckte även om den här boken, Allt jag önskade. Ungefär som tidigare, eller kanske till och med ännu något bättre.
Boken är välskriven, fängslande, berörande, lättläst, gripande, smårolig, snabbläst, och ganska så förutsägbar. Rekommenderar den absolut till alla som tycker om engelska feelgoodromaner.
Det här är den sjunde boken skriven av den engelska feelgood-författaren Lucy Dillon, och den tredje som jag läser av henne. Tidigare så har jag läst Tango för vilsna själar och När livet börjar om. Tyckte mycket om dom båda två.
Och jag tyckte även om den här boken, Allt jag önskade. Ungefär som tidigare, eller kanske till och med ännu något bättre.
Boken är välskriven, fängslande, berörande, lättläst, gripande, smårolig, snabbläst, och ganska så förutsägbar. Rekommenderar den absolut till alla som tycker om engelska feelgoodromaner.
November 24, 2016
Great tale of a family in crisis. The cherry on top is the characterisation of the Pugs, Bumble and Bee, who bring warmth and humour to what is potentially a much more difficult story. Loved the kids too - strong Joel and Fancy Nancy. But the pugs steal the show! A special mention to Eva, who is much more important than you initially think
A good enjoyable and humorous read.
A good enjoyable and humorous read.
May 26, 2017
Omslaget till Allt jag önskade är bedårande. Det motsvarar den fina relationen som skildras i boken mellan fyraåriga Nancy och mopsen Bumble.
Boken börjar med flera missförstånd som eskalerar och leder till att Caitlin och Patrick efter tio års äktenskap bestämmer sig för att bo på skilda håll. Nancy och hennes storebror Joel bor med Caitlin, eftersom Patrick arbetar så mycket och dessutom väljer att byta arbetsplats till en ort på för långt avstånd från barnens skolor. Men när Patrick flyttar slutar Nancy plötsligt att prata. Hon som alltid sjöng, pratade och skuttade låser sig inom sig själv. Tills hon träffar faster Eva och hennes två mopsar, Bumble och Bee.
Baksidestexten utlovar ”en hoppingivande och hjärtevärmande bok om förlorade drömmar och nya möjligheter”, och det är precis vad det är. Eva har varit gift med en berömd, äldre skådespelare och är fortfarande paralyserad av sorg efter hans död. När hon öppnar upp sitt hem för de två syskonbarnen ett par gånger i månaden sätter det igång tankar om vad hon givit upp och hur hon vill gå vidare. Även Patrick, men framför allt Caitlin får också anledning att omvärdera sina val i livet och fundera över vilka de har blivit, och om de verkligen är de personer de vill vara.
Lucy Dillon, eller Victoria Routledge som hon egentligen heter, har sagt att målet med de böcker hon skriver är att erbjuda en paus från verkligheten, och samtidigt bädda in ett budskap till läsarna i berättelserna. Hennes böcker brukar räknas till feelgood-genren, och skildringarna av relationen mellan Nancy och hennes faster Eva och mopsarna får mig att le inombords. Det är insiktsfullt och rörande. Däremot blir jag mest irriterad på Caitlin, som helt förlorar riktning och värderingar i livet i och med separationen. Ett inte osannolikt beteende vid en separation när man tappar fotfästet och skall finna sig själv igen, men likväl irriterande och inte särskilt feelgood.
Problemen hopar sig, men du kan vara säker på att det mesta kommer att ordna sig innan boken är slut. Allt jag önskade är en förutsägbar relationsroman som ger dig precis det du kan förvänta dig. Och ibland är det just en sådan bok du vill hålla i din hand.
Boken börjar med flera missförstånd som eskalerar och leder till att Caitlin och Patrick efter tio års äktenskap bestämmer sig för att bo på skilda håll. Nancy och hennes storebror Joel bor med Caitlin, eftersom Patrick arbetar så mycket och dessutom väljer att byta arbetsplats till en ort på för långt avstånd från barnens skolor. Men när Patrick flyttar slutar Nancy plötsligt att prata. Hon som alltid sjöng, pratade och skuttade låser sig inom sig själv. Tills hon träffar faster Eva och hennes två mopsar, Bumble och Bee.
Baksidestexten utlovar ”en hoppingivande och hjärtevärmande bok om förlorade drömmar och nya möjligheter”, och det är precis vad det är. Eva har varit gift med en berömd, äldre skådespelare och är fortfarande paralyserad av sorg efter hans död. När hon öppnar upp sitt hem för de två syskonbarnen ett par gånger i månaden sätter det igång tankar om vad hon givit upp och hur hon vill gå vidare. Även Patrick, men framför allt Caitlin får också anledning att omvärdera sina val i livet och fundera över vilka de har blivit, och om de verkligen är de personer de vill vara.
Lucy Dillon, eller Victoria Routledge som hon egentligen heter, har sagt att målet med de böcker hon skriver är att erbjuda en paus från verkligheten, och samtidigt bädda in ett budskap till läsarna i berättelserna. Hennes böcker brukar räknas till feelgood-genren, och skildringarna av relationen mellan Nancy och hennes faster Eva och mopsarna får mig att le inombords. Det är insiktsfullt och rörande. Däremot blir jag mest irriterad på Caitlin, som helt förlorar riktning och värderingar i livet i och med separationen. Ett inte osannolikt beteende vid en separation när man tappar fotfästet och skall finna sig själv igen, men likväl irriterande och inte särskilt feelgood.
Problemen hopar sig, men du kan vara säker på att det mesta kommer att ordna sig innan boken är slut. Allt jag önskade är en förutsägbar relationsroman som ger dig precis det du kan förvänta dig. Och ibland är det just en sådan bok du vill hålla i din hand.
February 24, 2018
The day I picked up lost dogs and lonely hearts I knew my reading life had drastically become much better. Lucy Dillon is the most amazing author, she takes you on this journey that’s a real life situation with just a touch of magic. All I ever wanted was no different. Of course it was set in Longhampton with the return of one of my favourites Anna.
This book struck the biggest cord with me because having a family is one of the most important things to me. Having kids and dogs running through the house being silly and crazy is just something I’ve always secretly wanted, and to be married to a man who would stand by us and always be there to sort things out if it all got too much.
As a child I was never given this lavish family as my dad made it very clear I was a mistake he didn’t want to be part of and my mum did everything she could to be both my mum and my dad, so seeing the way Patrick took to Joel was just so wonderful to see.
This book had everything you could want, a great mum and father figure, two children with such beautiful yet crazy personalities, snuffly wrinkly pugs and best of all an Aunty with such a big heart. Eva was by far my favourite character and I loved the way she was portrayed from start to finish.
Well done Lucy! You’ve done an amazing job as usual, you really are one of my favourite authors and I absolutely adore all of your books. Thank you for always giving us a chance to see inside the gorgeous town of Longhampton and the wonderful, magical characters and their dogs that inhabit it.
This book struck the biggest cord with me because having a family is one of the most important things to me. Having kids and dogs running through the house being silly and crazy is just something I’ve always secretly wanted, and to be married to a man who would stand by us and always be there to sort things out if it all got too much.
As a child I was never given this lavish family as my dad made it very clear I was a mistake he didn’t want to be part of and my mum did everything she could to be both my mum and my dad, so seeing the way Patrick took to Joel was just so wonderful to see.
This book had everything you could want, a great mum and father figure, two children with such beautiful yet crazy personalities, snuffly wrinkly pugs and best of all an Aunty with such a big heart. Eva was by far my favourite character and I loved the way she was portrayed from start to finish.
Well done Lucy! You’ve done an amazing job as usual, you really are one of my favourite authors and I absolutely adore all of your books. Thank you for always giving us a chance to see inside the gorgeous town of Longhampton and the wonderful, magical characters and their dogs that inhabit it.
December 13, 2016
It is unbelievable but "All I Ever Wanted" is my first Lucy Dillon's book - but certainly not the last, as this novel has totally convinced me and it made me experience all kind of emotions. It was a beautiful, gentle story about a family that goes through a rough patch in their lives. Caitlin and Patrick's marriage wasn't working as well as they'd like it to and Patrick's acceptance of a job in Newcastle was the last straw - Caitlin refuses to move there with the children, she wants to stay at the house she has inherited from her grandmother, her "safe place". For Patrick it is a sign that Caitlin has other priorities in life and it signifies that their marriage is over.
I was thinking this story is going to follow Caitlin and Patrick's life, but it doesn't only focus on their family, as there is also Patrick's older sister Eva, and her story was an unexpected bonus for me. Now, in perspective, I think the author really knew what she's doing, taking the whole focus from Nancy and sharing it with Eva, as it truly made the story more complex, it added some layers to it and for me personally it made the book a whole big bit more interesting.
What I really liked in this story is the fact that Lucy Dillon doesn't let us feel pity or anger with one character for a long time, she then changes tracks and our opinions change as well. I was mostly team Caitlin, as I didn't like Patrick. He came across as a cold and work - obsessed person, and I had a feeling that his work was a kind of escape for him, and I also hated the way he patronized Caitlin and that he didn't appreciate her, and the way he was towards her was not the most friendly one. But there came a moment that I thought I won't hold on to Caitlin anymore. It was just like Patrick said, she behaved as if there were two different kinds of morals for her, rules that all other should keep but that weren't valid to Caitlin, and I was really scared it's going to destroy this book for me. I was tired with her, and annoyed, and also desperate, and I hoped that she'll eventually stop behave in this childish way, blaming all the other people for her failures and not feeling satisfied. And then I started to feel more sympathy towards Patrick - he was so desperately trying to do the right thing but somehow, somewhere has lost his priorities and everything turned wrong for him. Caitlin was thinking only about herself and her selfish behaviour put her children in danger more than once or she's just forgotten about them, forgotten the promises she'd given them and it just didn't sit well with me. Those were the moments when Patrick was supposed to pick up the pieces and make everything go smoothly again. So it is like this: I never actually warm to Patrick totally but I've lost many warm feeling for Caitlin - I didn't like Patrick's bossy and patronizing ways, and I didn't like Caitlin's helplessness and letting everyone to take a lead. And then there is also Eva, who thought she knows her late husband so well but after reading his diaries she starts to think that perhaps she didn't know him as well as she thought - the worst thing now is that she's never going to get answers to her questions now.
Lucy Dillon brilliantly describes her characters, they have depth and complex personalities. I couldn't help but fell for Nancy immediately - it was so easy to imagine her as this talkative, positive, joyful girl because my Sophie is almost the same age as Nancy, and from morning till evening she talks, sings, hums, laughs and I can't imagine that it should suddenly stop. It was really heart - breaking to see how this little girl clams up, withdraws. Joel, aged 10, who loves acting, is just as talkative as his sister, and very prone to accident, acting as his sister saviour and always stepping in to help her.
The story flaws so effortlessly! The scenes with the children sound so realistic and they are just like real kids their age. The sub - plot of Eva and his late husband, Michael, added tons to this story, however I'd love to read much more from his diaries, and especially the parts that his two ex - wives had. There was so much more to this sub - plot, and the more it was developing, the more I could find myself rooting for Eva and falling for her. It touched upon many issues, about hiding your biggest dreams only not to hurt your beloved person, and then about living ruefully. Eva loved her husband totally but now she's left alone only with two pugs and many, many questions and with his diaries and some things he's written there makes her start to think and revise.
This book is a slow burner to be honest, at the beginning it made me feel a little uncertain - I wasn't sure if it's a book for me, as there seemed not much happening. However, as it slowly develops, I found myself falling in love with all aspects of this story, with the writing style, characters, the way it was written, and it quickly turned out that it may not be a fast paced book but it is much, much more and it has many layers that only wait to be peeled off. The author is testing her characters, filling their lives with ups and downs, with regrets but also hopes and I loved this rollercoaster journey of feelings and emotions. She explores there relationships, needs and wishes, lost hopes and desires. Dividing the book into two stories was a great idea - even though the stories were quite different they also had something in common and I liked how they were linked and how they interwoven. I liked how down - to - earth this novel was, showing how it really is in life, in relationship. The characters are not perfect, they make a lot of mistakes but they do it in a good faith and they try to be the best mother, father, aunt. They're not honest with each other, just like it is in normal life, when we tell white lies or keep some things for us only, and it's only in the end that they eventually open and start to be honest with each other - and it was so believable and genuine. "All I Ever Wanted" was a really engaging story about family dynamics and coming to terms after a separation. It sounded down - to - earth and I found myself most of the time rooting for the characters and hoping things will change for them for better. Highly recommended!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 22, 2019
Fa un po' di fatica a ingranare, ma poi diventa una storia dolcissima di amore per e degli animali, che riescono a risolvere un problema piuttosto serio (di Nancy, una bambina solare e vivacissima, che si è spenta a causa dell'abbandono del padre e non riesce più a parlare o a giocare come un tempo) laddove persino la terapia aveva fallito.
Interessante la storia parallela di Eva, zia della piccola Nancy e vedova di un famoso attore, che cerca di elaborare il lutto, anche se non è facile farlo tramite la pubblicazione dei diari di Mick, da condividere con le sue due mogli precedenti. Anche lei riesce a dare una svolta alla sua vita grazie a Bumble e Bee, i suoi due carlini che aiuteranno la piccola Nancy e tutta la famiglia a ritrovare la serenità.
Interessante la storia parallela di Eva, zia della piccola Nancy e vedova di un famoso attore, che cerca di elaborare il lutto, anche se non è facile farlo tramite la pubblicazione dei diari di Mick, da condividere con le sue due mogli precedenti. Anche lei riesce a dare una svolta alla sua vita grazie a Bumble e Bee, i suoi due carlini che aiuteranno la piccola Nancy e tutta la famiglia a ritrovare la serenità.
May 18, 2017
Jag såg verkligen fram emot "Allt jag önskade" från Dillon & de gladde mig när den dessutom lästes upp av Anne Mari Käll men jag vet inte... jag läste/lyssnade ut den men den engagerade mig inte. Större delen av boken irriterade jag mig på Caitlin's naiva & gnälliga inställning till det mesta. Eva följde däremot m värme & nyfikenhet & det var tack vare henne som boken fick en trea trots allt. Mysig bok men långt ifrån en av Dillons bästa.
June 5, 2018
As usual, Dillon's novels are a cut above a lot of the other lighter fiction out there. Her characterisation is achieved so easily and neatly. A really lovely look at how marriages can be a lot more than what they seem, and how children can be so easily affected by trauma in their lives. Shed a few tears, smiled at the happy ending - what more can you ask for?
December 25, 2017
Hun er den bedste forfatter overhovedet. Hun skaber ro, varme og en tro på det gode i verden og i mennesket. Man bliver ikke klogere, mere politisk bevidst eller udsat for stor litteratur men et udfordrende sprog men stemningen og persongalleriet er så trygt og smukt at det er en lease for sjælen. Igen de allerbedste anbefalinger af lucy dillon.
June 16, 2020
Jag gillar Lucy Dillons böcker. De passar mig, som vill ha lättlästa feelgood romaner. Denna var gullig och ganska speciell. Det var lätt att ta karaktärerna till sig och att tycka om dem. Hade svårt för förhållandet mellan Caitlin och Patrick dock. Men fokuset på barnen var fint.
June 5, 2017
A moving story of family life. Really good.
October 23, 2020
Not for me gave up
March 3, 2022
I enjoyed reading this and liked the characters.
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