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Saving You
One single mother. Three escaped pensioners. A road trip across the United States.
The new emotionally compelling page-turner by Australia's Charlotte Nash.
In their tiny pale green cottage under the trees, Mallory Cook and her five-year-old son, Harry, are a little family unit who weather the storms of life together. Money is tight after Harry's father, Duncan, abandoned them to expand his business in New York. So when Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit, Mallory boards a plane to bring her son home any way she can.
During the journey, a chance encounter with three retirees on the run from their care home leads Mallory on an unlikely group road trip across the United States. Zadie, Ernie, and Jock each have their own reasons for making the journey and along the way the four of them will learn the lengths they will travel to save each other - and themselves.
Saving You is the beautiful, emotionally compelling page-turner by Charlotte Nash, bestselling Australian author of The Horseman and The Paris Wedding. If you love the stories of Jojo Moyes and Fiona McCallum you will devour this book.
The new emotionally compelling page-turner by Australia's Charlotte Nash.
In their tiny pale green cottage under the trees, Mallory Cook and her five-year-old son, Harry, are a little family unit who weather the storms of life together. Money is tight after Harry's father, Duncan, abandoned them to expand his business in New York. So when Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit, Mallory boards a plane to bring her son home any way she can.
During the journey, a chance encounter with three retirees on the run from their care home leads Mallory on an unlikely group road trip across the United States. Zadie, Ernie, and Jock each have their own reasons for making the journey and along the way the four of them will learn the lengths they will travel to save each other - and themselves.
Saving You is the beautiful, emotionally compelling page-turner by Charlotte Nash, bestselling Australian author of The Horseman and The Paris Wedding. If you love the stories of Jojo Moyes and Fiona McCallum you will devour this book.
370 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2019
54 people are currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Nash
30 books153 followersCharlotte Nash was born in England and grew up in the sunny Redland Shire of Brisbane. Before becoming a writer, she spent time building rockets and working as an industrial accident investigator (she swears the two were not related). Somewhere in that time, she acquired a penchant for motorbikes.
She now writes women's fiction, romance, science fiction and fantasy, teaches in some semesters, and works in technical writing with fascinating people. She has degrees in engineering and medicine, and a PhD in creative writing from The University of Queensland. She swears she is still fun at parties.
She now writes women's fiction, romance, science fiction and fantasy, teaches in some semesters, and works in technical writing with fascinating people. She has degrees in engineering and medicine, and a PhD in creative writing from The University of Queensland. She swears she is still fun at parties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 17, 2019
For most people travelling to work each day is just a chore, but not for Mallory Cook she looked forward to going to work at Silky Oaks. Interacting and caring for the elderly residents at Silky Oaks was a satisfying job and one in which, Mallory enjoyed.
Mallory worked hard not only at Silky Oaks, but also with raising her five year old son, Harry. Her husband, Duncan also worked hard at starting up his own business which Mallory also lent a helping hand in. The day her husband decides to abandon them and moves to New York is when Mallory discovers that life was about to become a lot harder and she was finding each day a struggle, but she had to keep strong.
Mallory is distressed when she arrives at the airport to pick her son up after he had been on a holiday with his father to learn he’s not there. Mallory is straight on the phone to, Duncan to find out what’s going on. After getting the runaround Mallory decides to get on a plane and collect her son and this is where her journey starts and what a journey it is. As we follow Mallory on her journey we are introduced to more characters ones that had me laughing out loud and some that tore at the heartstrings.
I utterly loved this story and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys a great story.
Mallory worked hard not only at Silky Oaks, but also with raising her five year old son, Harry. Her husband, Duncan also worked hard at starting up his own business which Mallory also lent a helping hand in. The day her husband decides to abandon them and moves to New York is when Mallory discovers that life was about to become a lot harder and she was finding each day a struggle, but she had to keep strong.
Mallory is distressed when she arrives at the airport to pick her son up after he had been on a holiday with his father to learn he’s not there. Mallory is straight on the phone to, Duncan to find out what’s going on. After getting the runaround Mallory decides to get on a plane and collect her son and this is where her journey starts and what a journey it is. As we follow Mallory on her journey we are introduced to more characters ones that had me laughing out loud and some that tore at the heartstrings.
I utterly loved this story and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys a great story.
January 14, 2019
Absolutely brilliant! This will be one of my top reads for 2019!
Mallory Cook’s work at Silky Oaks with the elderly residents was rewarding, and she loved her job. Her greatest achievement though was her five-year-old son Harry. She was excited for his return from New York where he’d been for two weeks with his father for the Easter break. But the non-appearance of both Duncan, Mallory’s husband, and Harry at the Brisbane Airport was the beginning of a journey that would test everything Mallory had ever known about herself.
Mallory’s arrival at the Los Angeles airport was joined by a nearby volcano pouring its ash over the airways. Flights were cancelled, hire cars were fully booked, trains were booked out – Mallory was stranded with little money. But her meeting with three elderly people, Ernie, Zadie and Jock seemed like the answer to her prayers. They needed to get to Nashville and had a hire car, their driver had vanished, and Mallory needed to get to New York. As long as she could drive them, all would be fine.
The trip across the country was fraught with problems – but the determination of all four was that they would do what they set out to do. Mallory ached to see Harry – what would be the outcome of this seemingly crazy dash from Australia to the US?
Saving You by Aussie author Charlotte Nash is an emotional, heart warming and heart breaking novel which I absolutely loved. I devoured it, laughing out loud in places, needing the tissues in others. A wonderful novel that I have no hesitation in recommending highly – in my opinion this is the author’s best yet! A credit to you Ms Nash!
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Mallory Cook’s work at Silky Oaks with the elderly residents was rewarding, and she loved her job. Her greatest achievement though was her five-year-old son Harry. She was excited for his return from New York where he’d been for two weeks with his father for the Easter break. But the non-appearance of both Duncan, Mallory’s husband, and Harry at the Brisbane Airport was the beginning of a journey that would test everything Mallory had ever known about herself.
Mallory’s arrival at the Los Angeles airport was joined by a nearby volcano pouring its ash over the airways. Flights were cancelled, hire cars were fully booked, trains were booked out – Mallory was stranded with little money. But her meeting with three elderly people, Ernie, Zadie and Jock seemed like the answer to her prayers. They needed to get to Nashville and had a hire car, their driver had vanished, and Mallory needed to get to New York. As long as she could drive them, all would be fine.
The trip across the country was fraught with problems – but the determination of all four was that they would do what they set out to do. Mallory ached to see Harry – what would be the outcome of this seemingly crazy dash from Australia to the US?
Saving You by Aussie author Charlotte Nash is an emotional, heart warming and heart breaking novel which I absolutely loved. I devoured it, laughing out loud in places, needing the tissues in others. A wonderful novel that I have no hesitation in recommending highly – in my opinion this is the author’s best yet! A credit to you Ms Nash!
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2019
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Touching, this is the perfect single word descriptor that I am able to attach to Saving You, the latest book from Charlotte Nash.
Saving You is a book with a strong beating heart. This meaningful motif adorns the front cover and it is an excellent representation of the story within the pages of this poignant piece of life lit.
With three pensioners on the run, an unforgettable road trip across the US, one woman’s determined quest to recover her son, Saving You is a book that will have you experiencing many emotions. Readers will be sure to laugh, reach for the tissue box, grit their teeth in anger and fall love with the embracing character set of this unforgettable novel. Saving You begins and ends with Mallory Cook, a young Australian woman who is faced with the impossible when her son’s trip to see his father in New York ends up turning into a recovery mission. Mallory will go to the ends of the earth for her son Harry, she is utterly devastated and dumbfounded when Harry’s father fails to send Harry back home after his holiday in the US. Mallory boards the next plane to America, but mother nature strikes and it leaves Mallory stranded in a state far away from New York. This is a major hiccup, but in a strange twist of coincidences, Mallory falls into the path of a trio of retirees, known to her from the care home where she works back in Australia. Mallory takes up their offer of a ride to her destination, but there are obligations she must fulfil. Together, negotiating the roads and highways of the US, this group learns much about themselves during this soul searching trip to reunite a boy with his mother.
I am a loyal fan of Charlotte Nash’s rural medical based novels. I also absolutely adored her touching rural crossed with Paris foray, The Paris Wedding. I think Nash has a true gift for creating stories that combine emotional dramas and compelling issue based storylines, all within an authentic rural based setting. I was incredibly excited by the prospect of a new direction novel writing wise for Charlotte Nash. Saving You heralds Charlotte Nash’s first venture into the world of contemporary women’s life lit and she does it with finesse.
Mallory, the lead character of Saving You, is an old soul, in a young woman’s body. I soon developed a sense of infinity with Mallory. I loved her outlook. Her devotion to her son, her hardworking nature and her work as a carer in the Silky Oaks home she works was admirable. Mallory is also an enterprising young woman, with great ideas for improving the quality of life for those she works with. She treats the elderly with the respect and care they deserve. In her author’s notes, Charlotte Nash explains how Mallory’s ideas for elder care are based on the work of a Dr Bill Thomas and the Eden Care Alternative. Some of the ideas in this program type involve kindergarten visits to age care facilities. With an ageing population and a critical eye cast on our age care industry, it was great to see Nash address these issues in her latest novel.
‘I had plans to try and have animals – pets for everyone who wanted one. And gardening, maybe green power programs, an artist in residence, things like that. But I doubt it will happen now. Mrs Crawley wasn’t impressed.’
The elderly play a big part in this novel, when Mallory makes her mad dash to the US to recover her son, she must rely on the help of a trio of retirees to help guide her to her son. This motley crew are so vibrant, each has their own distinct personality and the way they were represented on the pages of this book was authentic, colourful and respectful. Nash ensures each character, including Mallory, is not perfect. They are each harbouring their own problems, setbacks and regrets. This makes each character all the more real, and the reader feels completely invested in their cause.
I really loved the road trip aspect of Saving You. It has great meaning and it is significant to the whole journey this book takes. I would love to embark on a road trip like Mallory, Jock, Zadie and Ernie. It is the stuff memories are made out of. With plenty of setbacks and mishaps along the way, including right handed driving to negotiate, and the wrath of mother nature to endure. There is a resounding visual quality to Nash’s writing that I came to love very much.
‘The landscape gradually greened. Fields appeared beside the road with orderly, tractored rows and trees. Low Hills replaced the endless plains, and the highway passed through cuttings of dark fractured rock. They flew through the rising canyon tops of Albuquerque.’
The well timed appearances of intriguing biker AJ, who became a sort of protector for Mallory and her company, was a fantastic angle. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding AJ. I also appreciated the accompanying touch of romance this protagonist added to the soulful narrative. It reminds us that those who are deserving of true love like Mallory, should be cherished and nurtured. This was a sensational self discovery love story and the hero status AJ exudes made him a character you long to see re-enter the pages of this absorbing story.
Mallory’s experience with her husband and Harry’s father Dominic reminds the reader that everything can be taken away from you in an instant, just through the act of a person changing the way they feel. Dominic was truly cruel and selfish, I despised his behaviour. I found myself speculating just how far he could possibly go to ruin Mallory’s life further. Mallory is tested to her very core over and over again. However, somehow, she manages to pick herself right up again and try even harder in her quest to gain Harry back. Mallory’s strength of character and her inability to give up, or give in, had me simply amazed.
An author always takes a risk when they reach for the stars and try a new style of writing. I do not think Charlotte Nash needs to be concerned in any shape or form, she will have both established fans and newcomers to her writing beguiled by her latest novel, Saving You. I look forward to future contributions to the Australian women’s life lit genre from the extremely talented Charlotte Nash.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Saving You is book #13 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Touching, this is the perfect single word descriptor that I am able to attach to Saving You, the latest book from Charlotte Nash.
Saving You is a book with a strong beating heart. This meaningful motif adorns the front cover and it is an excellent representation of the story within the pages of this poignant piece of life lit.
With three pensioners on the run, an unforgettable road trip across the US, one woman’s determined quest to recover her son, Saving You is a book that will have you experiencing many emotions. Readers will be sure to laugh, reach for the tissue box, grit their teeth in anger and fall love with the embracing character set of this unforgettable novel. Saving You begins and ends with Mallory Cook, a young Australian woman who is faced with the impossible when her son’s trip to see his father in New York ends up turning into a recovery mission. Mallory will go to the ends of the earth for her son Harry, she is utterly devastated and dumbfounded when Harry’s father fails to send Harry back home after his holiday in the US. Mallory boards the next plane to America, but mother nature strikes and it leaves Mallory stranded in a state far away from New York. This is a major hiccup, but in a strange twist of coincidences, Mallory falls into the path of a trio of retirees, known to her from the care home where she works back in Australia. Mallory takes up their offer of a ride to her destination, but there are obligations she must fulfil. Together, negotiating the roads and highways of the US, this group learns much about themselves during this soul searching trip to reunite a boy with his mother.
I am a loyal fan of Charlotte Nash’s rural medical based novels. I also absolutely adored her touching rural crossed with Paris foray, The Paris Wedding. I think Nash has a true gift for creating stories that combine emotional dramas and compelling issue based storylines, all within an authentic rural based setting. I was incredibly excited by the prospect of a new direction novel writing wise for Charlotte Nash. Saving You heralds Charlotte Nash’s first venture into the world of contemporary women’s life lit and she does it with finesse.
Mallory, the lead character of Saving You, is an old soul, in a young woman’s body. I soon developed a sense of infinity with Mallory. I loved her outlook. Her devotion to her son, her hardworking nature and her work as a carer in the Silky Oaks home she works was admirable. Mallory is also an enterprising young woman, with great ideas for improving the quality of life for those she works with. She treats the elderly with the respect and care they deserve. In her author’s notes, Charlotte Nash explains how Mallory’s ideas for elder care are based on the work of a Dr Bill Thomas and the Eden Care Alternative. Some of the ideas in this program type involve kindergarten visits to age care facilities. With an ageing population and a critical eye cast on our age care industry, it was great to see Nash address these issues in her latest novel.
‘I had plans to try and have animals – pets for everyone who wanted one. And gardening, maybe green power programs, an artist in residence, things like that. But I doubt it will happen now. Mrs Crawley wasn’t impressed.’
The elderly play a big part in this novel, when Mallory makes her mad dash to the US to recover her son, she must rely on the help of a trio of retirees to help guide her to her son. This motley crew are so vibrant, each has their own distinct personality and the way they were represented on the pages of this book was authentic, colourful and respectful. Nash ensures each character, including Mallory, is not perfect. They are each harbouring their own problems, setbacks and regrets. This makes each character all the more real, and the reader feels completely invested in their cause.
I really loved the road trip aspect of Saving You. It has great meaning and it is significant to the whole journey this book takes. I would love to embark on a road trip like Mallory, Jock, Zadie and Ernie. It is the stuff memories are made out of. With plenty of setbacks and mishaps along the way, including right handed driving to negotiate, and the wrath of mother nature to endure. There is a resounding visual quality to Nash’s writing that I came to love very much.
‘The landscape gradually greened. Fields appeared beside the road with orderly, tractored rows and trees. Low Hills replaced the endless plains, and the highway passed through cuttings of dark fractured rock. They flew through the rising canyon tops of Albuquerque.’
The well timed appearances of intriguing biker AJ, who became a sort of protector for Mallory and her company, was a fantastic angle. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding AJ. I also appreciated the accompanying touch of romance this protagonist added to the soulful narrative. It reminds us that those who are deserving of true love like Mallory, should be cherished and nurtured. This was a sensational self discovery love story and the hero status AJ exudes made him a character you long to see re-enter the pages of this absorbing story.
Mallory’s experience with her husband and Harry’s father Dominic reminds the reader that everything can be taken away from you in an instant, just through the act of a person changing the way they feel. Dominic was truly cruel and selfish, I despised his behaviour. I found myself speculating just how far he could possibly go to ruin Mallory’s life further. Mallory is tested to her very core over and over again. However, somehow, she manages to pick herself right up again and try even harder in her quest to gain Harry back. Mallory’s strength of character and her inability to give up, or give in, had me simply amazed.
An author always takes a risk when they reach for the stars and try a new style of writing. I do not think Charlotte Nash needs to be concerned in any shape or form, she will have both established fans and newcomers to her writing beguiled by her latest novel, Saving You. I look forward to future contributions to the Australian women’s life lit genre from the extremely talented Charlotte Nash.
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Saving You is book #13 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
April 24, 2019
Mallory and her young son Harry have become a family of two since Mallory’s husband, Duncan, cleared out to New York to expand his business. During the years prior to that Malory had worked more than one job at a time so he could get his business up and running. When Mallory goes to meet the plane that was supposed to bring Harry back after his trip to see his Dad in New York, she is left in astounded. No word to the contrary and no Harry. This determined mother takes off from her job as Silky Oaks care home and boards a plan to bring Harry home. But events conspire to be far obstructive than she ever dreamed. How can she get to Harry? Help comes in unexpected forms from three elderly people who have broken out of Silky Oaks and made their way to America. An encounter with a large leather clad bike rider also serves to complicate matters in unexpected ways. Who can Mallory trust? Who will help her? How can she get Harry back to Australia and their little cottage where he belongs?
From the outset I was thoroughly engrossed in this story. Mallory is a generous, creative and warm hearted person who cares about other people. AJ also is an interesting character and adds a lot of interest. The interactions between Mallory and Jock, Ernie, and Zadie, the three escapees from Silky Oaks, makes for interesting reading. I really liked Mallory’s supportive friend Bridget. As for Duncan, perhaps the less said about him the better.
This book engaged my emotions, smiles and laughter to tears, anger and outrage at times, all beautifully held together to create a story that is thoroughly involving. From the moment I picked it up all I wanted to do was keep reading till I finished it. Unfortunately life didn’t quite allow that but I had it back in my hands each moment I could. A highly recommended read, I adored this book.
From the outset I was thoroughly engrossed in this story. Mallory is a generous, creative and warm hearted person who cares about other people. AJ also is an interesting character and adds a lot of interest. The interactions between Mallory and Jock, Ernie, and Zadie, the three escapees from Silky Oaks, makes for interesting reading. I really liked Mallory’s supportive friend Bridget. As for Duncan, perhaps the less said about him the better.
This book engaged my emotions, smiles and laughter to tears, anger and outrage at times, all beautifully held together to create a story that is thoroughly involving. From the moment I picked it up all I wanted to do was keep reading till I finished it. Unfortunately life didn’t quite allow that but I had it back in my hands each moment I could. A highly recommended read, I adored this book.
March 7, 2019
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Saving You by Charlotte Nash. (2019).
Three escaped pensioners. One single mother. A road trip to rescue her son.
Mallory and her son Harry are a little family unit after Harry's dad Duncan left them to work in New York. But then Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit so Mallory gets on a plane. At the airport in America she runs into three escaped retirees and ends up on a road trip with them. Zadie, Ernie and Jock have their own reasons for their journey. The four will discover the lengths they'll go to save each other and themselves.
Yes, yes, yes; so much yes to this book. I enjoyed a previous book by this author but this new novel is on a whole other level. Within the first couple of chapters I was internally raging at the audacity of Duncan's actions (what a d*ck!). This book is quite an emotional ride and definitely pulled at the heartstrings. Mallory is an extremely likeable lead character and the three pensioners all give their own intriguing touches to the storyline, as well as having their own stories. We later meet AJ who was just amazing really - AJ is one of those characters you develop a crush on despite the fact that he is a made up character in a book haha.
I can't recommend this beautiful book more, and I hope one day someone considers making a movie out of this touching novel.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Saving You by Charlotte Nash. (2019).
Three escaped pensioners. One single mother. A road trip to rescue her son.
Mallory and her son Harry are a little family unit after Harry's dad Duncan left them to work in New York. But then Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit so Mallory gets on a plane. At the airport in America she runs into three escaped retirees and ends up on a road trip with them. Zadie, Ernie and Jock have their own reasons for their journey. The four will discover the lengths they'll go to save each other and themselves.
Yes, yes, yes; so much yes to this book. I enjoyed a previous book by this author but this new novel is on a whole other level. Within the first couple of chapters I was internally raging at the audacity of Duncan's actions (what a d*ck!). This book is quite an emotional ride and definitely pulled at the heartstrings. Mallory is an extremely likeable lead character and the three pensioners all give their own intriguing touches to the storyline, as well as having their own stories. We later meet AJ who was just amazing really - AJ is one of those characters you develop a crush on despite the fact that he is a made up character in a book haha.
I can't recommend this beautiful book more, and I hope one day someone considers making a movie out of this touching novel.
January 12, 2019
I don’t know where to start this book is just amazing, what a road trip, what a romance and what an awesome story, Charlotte Nash has written a story that just streamed with emotions, heartache, feelings and love, a story that starts in Brisbane and ends in Brisbane but in between she takes us on a road trip across America from LA to New York, and you need to join this trip and just feel all of the emotions and get to know the characters that are so alive, clear the decks when you read this one because you will not want to leave your seat.
Let’s meet Mallory Cook she lives in Brisbane is married to Duncan has a five year old son Harry and works at the aged care facility Silky Oaks and loves her job, she has worked very hard to help her husband start up his business and when he abandons them and moves to New York Mallory struggles, but when Duncan fails to return Harry from a holiday to New York, Mallory takes off to get her son.
Arriving at LA airport there is a volcano eruption and this stops all flights, she has a chance meeting with an elderly lady and this brings her into contact with three retirees Ernie, Zadie and Jock who are on their way to Nashville, they offer her a position to help them get there and she takes it and here starts a road trip that will change Mallory in many ways.
This journey is filled with lots of ups and downs there were many tears from me and there were many laughs as well as we get to know Ernie, Zadie and Jock, why they are travelling and why they need to get to these places, but for Mallory she gets to meet biker AJ along the way and he helps her realize that she is strong and can do what she has set out to do no matter how many setbacks there are, but not matter how close she gets to AJ as a mother her heart says that she must get Harry.
There are so many things about this book that makes it a must read, seeing Mallory go from strength to strength, the emotional turmoil made her stronger and as a mother she will do anything for her son, anything, seeing Jock quiet, funny man open up about his past and Ernie and Zadie hearing about them is emotional and AJ with his own hurts, OMG what a hero what a man I loved him from the first meeting and knew that he and Mallory would be the perfect match and of course Harry what a fabulous kid. And of course the road trip it was so good travelling across America visiting places that I may never get to, MS Nash this is such an amazing story, I loved it so much and I know that it will be a long time before these people leave me, thank you so much.
Let’s meet Mallory Cook she lives in Brisbane is married to Duncan has a five year old son Harry and works at the aged care facility Silky Oaks and loves her job, she has worked very hard to help her husband start up his business and when he abandons them and moves to New York Mallory struggles, but when Duncan fails to return Harry from a holiday to New York, Mallory takes off to get her son.
Arriving at LA airport there is a volcano eruption and this stops all flights, she has a chance meeting with an elderly lady and this brings her into contact with three retirees Ernie, Zadie and Jock who are on their way to Nashville, they offer her a position to help them get there and she takes it and here starts a road trip that will change Mallory in many ways.
This journey is filled with lots of ups and downs there were many tears from me and there were many laughs as well as we get to know Ernie, Zadie and Jock, why they are travelling and why they need to get to these places, but for Mallory she gets to meet biker AJ along the way and he helps her realize that she is strong and can do what she has set out to do no matter how many setbacks there are, but not matter how close she gets to AJ as a mother her heart says that she must get Harry.
There are so many things about this book that makes it a must read, seeing Mallory go from strength to strength, the emotional turmoil made her stronger and as a mother she will do anything for her son, anything, seeing Jock quiet, funny man open up about his past and Ernie and Zadie hearing about them is emotional and AJ with his own hurts, OMG what a hero what a man I loved him from the first meeting and knew that he and Mallory would be the perfect match and of course Harry what a fabulous kid. And of course the road trip it was so good travelling across America visiting places that I may never get to, MS Nash this is such an amazing story, I loved it so much and I know that it will be a long time before these people leave me, thank you so much.
April 5, 2019
Wonderful!
I enjoyed everything about this book: the story line, characters, pace and writing style, the satisfying ending ... simply everything. :) I easily lost myself in this tale and gobbled it up with relish.
I've read and loved Charlotte Nash's rural stories and wondered if Saving You would be as good, being a different style of story. Well, I needn't have worried because Nash has proven yet again what a talented author she is. If only she could produce books at a faster clip - I'm already hanging out for her next offering!
I enjoyed everything about this book: the story line, characters, pace and writing style, the satisfying ending ... simply everything. :) I easily lost myself in this tale and gobbled it up with relish.
I've read and loved Charlotte Nash's rural stories and wondered if Saving You would be as good, being a different style of story. Well, I needn't have worried because Nash has proven yet again what a talented author she is. If only she could produce books at a faster clip - I'm already hanging out for her next offering!
January 28, 2019
‘She couldn’t find a silver lining in this. This life was all hard, unforgiving edges. Every hardship dug in, bruising until it hurt to think at all.’
I’ve read Charlotte Nash before and always enjoyed her novels, but Saving You is next level, like nothing she’s ever written before. I wanted to crawl into this novel and stay there. As I got closer to the end, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss; I just didn’t want to let this story go. There’s such a heartfelt honesty running through the pages of this novel and the themes were so on point. Love, regret, betrayal, loss, and ultimately, hope.
‘A knowledge that this man was honest, said what he meant, and was brave enough not to shy away from danger or from tears.’
What happens to Mallory in this novel is an all too realistic scenario. Thrown over by her husband, her vulnerability in the face of his male privilege was a startling reminder at just how easy it is for a woman to lose everything and not be able to do all that much about it. The irony of the law being on your side, yet not being able to access it on account of limited financial means. I felt desperately sorry for Mallory, who was not only grappling with a situation she hadn’t seen coming, but also trying to come to terms with a broken heart and shattered dreams. And she was such a beautiful person too, her dedication to her job as a carer for the aged went beyond the realms of just doing her job. She was filled with empathy for those under her care, driven by a need to make their lives as fulfilling and as dignified as possible – even when at the absolute rock bottom of her own life.
‘Zadie loosened her grip and caught Mallory’s eye. In that look, Mallory glimpsed the whole woman Zadie was: the one who had left home young, who had loved her husband but been lonely in her marriage, who didn’t want to now be fading into old memories. Who didn’t like being in hospital any more than anyone else.’
In many ways Saving You is a coming of age story about a young woman who had to grow up too fast. All of a sudden, with her life turned upside down and inside out, Mallory needs to rely on her own wits, push herself in a way she never has before, and trust in her instincts. The relationships she makes while on her journey across America are unforgettable and leave a permanent imprint upon her. Saving You is about as authentic as you will get, unflinching in its honesty, raw and beautiful. It would make a brilliant film. I just can’t recommend this novel highly enough.
‘…life was addictive in its promise of goodness and wonder, in its hope that even in the dark cracks of sorrow, something better could come again.’
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Saving You for review.
I’ve read Charlotte Nash before and always enjoyed her novels, but Saving You is next level, like nothing she’s ever written before. I wanted to crawl into this novel and stay there. As I got closer to the end, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss; I just didn’t want to let this story go. There’s such a heartfelt honesty running through the pages of this novel and the themes were so on point. Love, regret, betrayal, loss, and ultimately, hope.
‘A knowledge that this man was honest, said what he meant, and was brave enough not to shy away from danger or from tears.’
What happens to Mallory in this novel is an all too realistic scenario. Thrown over by her husband, her vulnerability in the face of his male privilege was a startling reminder at just how easy it is for a woman to lose everything and not be able to do all that much about it. The irony of the law being on your side, yet not being able to access it on account of limited financial means. I felt desperately sorry for Mallory, who was not only grappling with a situation she hadn’t seen coming, but also trying to come to terms with a broken heart and shattered dreams. And she was such a beautiful person too, her dedication to her job as a carer for the aged went beyond the realms of just doing her job. She was filled with empathy for those under her care, driven by a need to make their lives as fulfilling and as dignified as possible – even when at the absolute rock bottom of her own life.
‘Zadie loosened her grip and caught Mallory’s eye. In that look, Mallory glimpsed the whole woman Zadie was: the one who had left home young, who had loved her husband but been lonely in her marriage, who didn’t want to now be fading into old memories. Who didn’t like being in hospital any more than anyone else.’
In many ways Saving You is a coming of age story about a young woman who had to grow up too fast. All of a sudden, with her life turned upside down and inside out, Mallory needs to rely on her own wits, push herself in a way she never has before, and trust in her instincts. The relationships she makes while on her journey across America are unforgettable and leave a permanent imprint upon her. Saving You is about as authentic as you will get, unflinching in its honesty, raw and beautiful. It would make a brilliant film. I just can’t recommend this novel highly enough.
‘…life was addictive in its promise of goodness and wonder, in its hope that even in the dark cracks of sorrow, something better could come again.’
Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing me with a copy of Saving You for review.
January 21, 2019
‘Saving You’ by Aussie author Charlotte Nash initially had me perplexed - this looked to be a real departure from her usual storytelling. Having read and loved her, ‘The Paris Wedding’ (HERE) what would my thoughts be on this new style? Well, I am happy to report I loved it. Charlotte takes the reader on such a heartwarming venture that will take you from the crest of laughter to the trough of despair. What a rollercoaster!
There is just so much to love about this book - the main character, Mallory, goes on an amazing literal and figurative life changing journey. The three retirees (on the run from their aged care facility) Zadie, Ernie, and Jock, whilst an unlikely combination are fabulous within their own right. Then there is AJ, the rugged love interest. These five key characters, each with their own hurts and wishes, bring together a range of issues that Charlotte tackles seamlessly and works together wonderfully well for the reader. Each may be facing their own demons, but it is in working together that they will hopefully be able to move forward.
The road trip across America is a great escapade in its own right, but the journey itself brings with it as much tears and heartache as it does joy. Each will be challenged and there are some definite surprises along the way, one that had me audibly gasping in shock. All up, I highly recommend that you go and grab/order a copy of Charlotte’s latest book for a tale that is infused with much laughter, many tears and a hope for reconciliation for the future.
“...life was addictive in its promise of goodness and wonder, in its hope that even in the dark cracks of sorrow, something better could come again.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
There is just so much to love about this book - the main character, Mallory, goes on an amazing literal and figurative life changing journey. The three retirees (on the run from their aged care facility) Zadie, Ernie, and Jock, whilst an unlikely combination are fabulous within their own right. Then there is AJ, the rugged love interest. These five key characters, each with their own hurts and wishes, bring together a range of issues that Charlotte tackles seamlessly and works together wonderfully well for the reader. Each may be facing their own demons, but it is in working together that they will hopefully be able to move forward.
The road trip across America is a great escapade in its own right, but the journey itself brings with it as much tears and heartache as it does joy. Each will be challenged and there are some definite surprises along the way, one that had me audibly gasping in shock. All up, I highly recommend that you go and grab/order a copy of Charlotte’s latest book for a tale that is infused with much laughter, many tears and a hope for reconciliation for the future.
“...life was addictive in its promise of goodness and wonder, in its hope that even in the dark cracks of sorrow, something better could come again.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
January 9, 2021
De Australische Mallory Cook woont in een klein huisje met haar vijfjarige zoon Harry en werkt in het woonzorgcentrum Silky Oaks. Ze heeft al jong veel verantwoordelijkheid op zich moeten nemen en staat er alleen voor sinds haar man Duncan naar New York is vertrokken.
Wanneer Harry niet terugkeert na een vakantie bij zijn vader en Duncan ook niet van plan blijkt om hem terug te brengen, besluit Mallory naar Amerika af te reizen om hem op te halen. Maar eenmaal geland in LA blijkt er een vulkaan uitgebarsten te zijn en is al het vliegverkeer stilgelegd.
Op het vliegveld komt ze drie ontsnapte bejaarden uit Silky Oaks tegen die naar Nashville willen en deze ontmoeting is de start van een bijzondere roadtrip. Tijdens de reis leer je alle personages goed kennen en kom je langzamerhand achter hun uiteenlopende motieven om deze reis te maken.
“‘Ik weet niet of anderen echt de dingen kunnen begrijpen die je zo wezenlijk veranderen,’ zei Jock zachtjes. ‘De dingen waardoor je nooit meer dezelfde bent. Dat is altijd zo persoonlijk.’”
Charlotte Nash heeft een vlotte, soepele, luchtige en beeldende schrijfstijl, waardoor je echt het gevoel hebt dat je mee bent op reis. Mallory heeft heel wat te stellen met de bejaarden en het is een reis die letterlijk vol obstakels zit. Maar er komt ook hulp uit onverwachte hoek en Mallory zit vol doorzettingsvermogen omdat ze per se haar bestemming wil bereiken. Onderweg denkt ze na over haar eigen leven en groeit ze als personage. In het begin komt ze vrij naïef en vergoelijkend over, maar ze wordt steeds zelfbewuster en krachtiger, laat niet meer over zich heen lopen, en je gunt haar dan ook het beste.
In het boek komen best wat zware thema’s aan bod, zoals Alzheimer, schuldgevoel, verlies, PTSS, kinderontvoering, financiële problemen en problemen in de ouderenzorg, maar hoewel die onderwerpen zorgen voor diepgang en uitwerking van de karakters van de personages, nemen ze nergens het verhaal volledig over. Nash heeft een perfecte balans gevonden, waardoor het boek ontzettend prettig leest en je volledig in het verhaal wordt gezogen. ‘Op weg naar Harry Cook’ is een avontuurlijk en emotioneel verhaal vol humor, hoop en prachtig uitgewerkte personages met wie je mee gaat leven. Een absolute aanrader!
Wanneer Harry niet terugkeert na een vakantie bij zijn vader en Duncan ook niet van plan blijkt om hem terug te brengen, besluit Mallory naar Amerika af te reizen om hem op te halen. Maar eenmaal geland in LA blijkt er een vulkaan uitgebarsten te zijn en is al het vliegverkeer stilgelegd.
Op het vliegveld komt ze drie ontsnapte bejaarden uit Silky Oaks tegen die naar Nashville willen en deze ontmoeting is de start van een bijzondere roadtrip. Tijdens de reis leer je alle personages goed kennen en kom je langzamerhand achter hun uiteenlopende motieven om deze reis te maken.
“‘Ik weet niet of anderen echt de dingen kunnen begrijpen die je zo wezenlijk veranderen,’ zei Jock zachtjes. ‘De dingen waardoor je nooit meer dezelfde bent. Dat is altijd zo persoonlijk.’”
Charlotte Nash heeft een vlotte, soepele, luchtige en beeldende schrijfstijl, waardoor je echt het gevoel hebt dat je mee bent op reis. Mallory heeft heel wat te stellen met de bejaarden en het is een reis die letterlijk vol obstakels zit. Maar er komt ook hulp uit onverwachte hoek en Mallory zit vol doorzettingsvermogen omdat ze per se haar bestemming wil bereiken. Onderweg denkt ze na over haar eigen leven en groeit ze als personage. In het begin komt ze vrij naïef en vergoelijkend over, maar ze wordt steeds zelfbewuster en krachtiger, laat niet meer over zich heen lopen, en je gunt haar dan ook het beste.
In het boek komen best wat zware thema’s aan bod, zoals Alzheimer, schuldgevoel, verlies, PTSS, kinderontvoering, financiële problemen en problemen in de ouderenzorg, maar hoewel die onderwerpen zorgen voor diepgang en uitwerking van de karakters van de personages, nemen ze nergens het verhaal volledig over. Nash heeft een perfecte balans gevonden, waardoor het boek ontzettend prettig leest en je volledig in het verhaal wordt gezogen. ‘Op weg naar Harry Cook’ is een avontuurlijk en emotioneel verhaal vol humor, hoop en prachtig uitgewerkte personages met wie je mee gaat leven. Een absolute aanrader!
July 7, 2019
Well….it has been a while since I read a book that I wanted to just keep holding on to after it finished – absolutely fantastic and highly recommend this delightful, heart-warming, beautiful story. A book about never giving up – from the very first page I was grabbed and didn’t want it to end. Fabulous characters, storyline and everything in between. Go and grab yourself a copy now!
January 29, 2019
Copy received from Hachette Australia for an honest review
I have only read one other Charlotte Nash story previous to Saving You, however from just that one read I knew I was going to read more in the future.
Saving You is a beautiful story full of heartbreak, full of hope, full of love.
My heart hurts for Mallory as her douchey husband does really douchey things. I am also her biggest cheerleader as she takes life by the balls and embarks on an odyssey to get her son back.
And oh, how you can't help but love her travel companions! I couldn't help but laugh, cry and get frustrated with them, right along with Mallory.
However, this is more than an across-the-pond journey to get Mallory's son.
It is a story of not living life with regrets, of never giving up, and also about a second chance at love.
The emotions leapt off the pages and into my heart. I didn't want to put Saving You down once I started it (darn adulting getting in the way of my reading though).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to what Ms Nash brings us next.
I have only read one other Charlotte Nash story previous to Saving You, however from just that one read I knew I was going to read more in the future.
Saving You is a beautiful story full of heartbreak, full of hope, full of love.
My heart hurts for Mallory as her douchey husband does really douchey things. I am also her biggest cheerleader as she takes life by the balls and embarks on an odyssey to get her son back.
And oh, how you can't help but love her travel companions! I couldn't help but laugh, cry and get frustrated with them, right along with Mallory.
However, this is more than an across-the-pond journey to get Mallory's son.
It is a story of not living life with regrets, of never giving up, and also about a second chance at love.
The emotions leapt off the pages and into my heart. I didn't want to put Saving You down once I started it (darn adulting getting in the way of my reading though).
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I look forward to what Ms Nash brings us next.
February 24, 2019
This was an absolutely delightful read, such a heart warming and romantic story - this is one you hold in your hands and hug close when its finished. It is a story of lost chances, fading memories and broken relationships and how to try to make things right, and even if you can't, how to give them your best shot. It was a hard journey for each character, each and every one of them were dealing with their own demons and Nash handled these sensitively and carefully. As a reader we developed a love for Mallory, AJ, Ernie, Zadie and Jock as she unfolded the complexity of the cards that they were each dealt with. It had warmth, courage, a sense of adventure and a perfect dash of romance. A terrific read and I look forward to reading more from this author, it was well researched and respectful- and loved, loved how she bought in positive trends and approaches in aged care. Great read. 4.5 stars.
September 20, 2018
Oh my....... this book is sensational. The strong protectiveness feelings of Mallory as a Mother and as carer really touched my heart. The fact that Mallory gave up everything (her job, her cottage and most of all, her feelings of despair to fly half way around the world, then drive half way across the continent to get her son back) was following what her heart needed to do. And falling in love again, made the story even more emotional. I believe this story is your best yet.
October 29, 2018
Loved it. Another great read from the talented Charlotte Nash.
March 13, 2019
Emotional, touching, heartwarming, beautiful- this book is all of these descriptors and more. It’s a fabulous story that will make you laugh and make you cry. I loved it.
February 14, 2019
What an emotional read! And so filled with gut-wrenching imagery. Take an early airport scene as an example - it starts with Mallory waiting almost awkwardly, dressed to the nines and holding up a hand-made welcome home sign, where you kind of want to look the other way; and ends with 'cold, stomach-sinking disbelief' where you just want to give her a hug and let her cry on your shoulder.
Nash uses a tight narrative style, where every word counts and nothing is wasted (it's not until about a quarter of the way through you find out where Mallory even lives) and builds a beautifully full main character. It's so tightly written that I'm astounded just how many characters lives we come to know, how much ground is covered, and how many events are included without ever causing me to lose interest or get confused.
At the same time, Nash rounds out all the other players brilliantly. No one-dimensional, cardboard-cutout characters here - they all have their own personas and motivations, they're all as individual as you'd expect in reality, and all have their different senses of humour and flashpoint triggers to anger.
If ever there was a role model for young women, Mallory is it, because, at risk of sounding cliché, this story was more about the journey than the ending. It seems everyone was broken in some way, everyone needed to learn to take that next step forward to live fully, and not everything actually had an ending anyway.
But more than anything, it's Mallory's personal mixture of strength and weakness: the way she is strong enough not to fall into the arms of another man while she gets her priorities straight and sorts out her current relationship (even though you want her to! By the gods do you want her to...) and yet so weak she falls into the familiar, easy traps of her life like so many of us are guilty of.
An absolutely beautiful read and worth every minute of staying up all night to finish it!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
Nash uses a tight narrative style, where every word counts and nothing is wasted (it's not until about a quarter of the way through you find out where Mallory even lives) and builds a beautifully full main character. It's so tightly written that I'm astounded just how many characters lives we come to know, how much ground is covered, and how many events are included without ever causing me to lose interest or get confused.
At the same time, Nash rounds out all the other players brilliantly. No one-dimensional, cardboard-cutout characters here - they all have their own personas and motivations, they're all as individual as you'd expect in reality, and all have their different senses of humour and flashpoint triggers to anger.
If ever there was a role model for young women, Mallory is it, because, at risk of sounding cliché, this story was more about the journey than the ending. It seems everyone was broken in some way, everyone needed to learn to take that next step forward to live fully, and not everything actually had an ending anyway.
But more than anything, it's Mallory's personal mixture of strength and weakness: the way she is strong enough not to fall into the arms of another man while she gets her priorities straight and sorts out her current relationship (even though you want her to! By the gods do you want her to...) and yet so weak she falls into the familiar, easy traps of her life like so many of us are guilty of.
An absolutely beautiful read and worth every minute of staying up all night to finish it!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
March 12, 2019
To close a books’ pages and have that feeling of content that makes you audibly sigh, is quite the magical feeling. I felt as I was experiencing Mallory’s heartbreaks, triumphs, frustrations, and love with every turn of the page. The characters were 4 dimensional and authentic. The pace and writing style suited the story and its characters (although I don’t like I would have minded if it were a little slower because I didn’t want it to end to be honest), and I enjoyed the themes the story explored in relationship breaks, financial vulnerability, motherhood, passion for work, and respect for our amazing seniors. It was my first story from this author, though it will most certainly won’t be the last!
June 18, 2019
This was my 2019 favourite. I'm calling it early because this book was EVERYTHING!
August 3, 2019
Ok so I read the description fast and I thought it said prisoners... Escaping with pensioners is a very different, very less exciting story...
August 5, 2019
I really tried to like this book but it just couldn't grab my attention.
March 10, 2026
Wow what an amazing incredible story. Filled with emotion, sadness, happiness and many other facts of life that realistically could happen in real life situations. Top read. Russell
June 22, 2019
Interesting simple story for a quick weekend reading.
August 25, 2019
What is this about?: Mallory is going to get her son back. She is going to walk up to her douchebag husband's new place in New York and take Harry back to Australia. But of course the way there is not the easiest of journeys.
What else is this about?: For Mal, it's about finding the strength she never realised she had to face an unsure future. For Jock, Ernie and Zadie it's about coming to terms with their past.
I tend to read and post book reviews out of order, so at the moment, I've been through this wird new year hump where I haven't been able to read a book, but I have comfortably been listening to them -- go figure.
So when Saving You arrived, I thought perhaps getting out of my comfort zone would help -- and it did.
Three pensioners and one single mother: sounds like...<
The tagline for an epic road trip movie, doesn't it
And it is kind of an epic road trip. Stranded very far away from Harry in a chaotic airport where everyone is cursing a volcano in Iceland that was only doing what volcanos do, Mal runs into three residents from the nursing home where she works in Australia.
They've staged a nursing-home jail break, and a volcano isn't going to stop them from going on their road trip.
The most heartbreaking thing though, is that Zadie has Alzheimer's and Ernie is taking on her on this trip to remind her of the good they shared at different places earlier in their lives... and he has something special planned for her that shows that under his gruff and authoritarian exterior is a man who is utterly devoted to Zadie.
Jock is there to come to terms with his past, and is the one that Mal can talk to more easily because Ernie tends to be very 1950s when he isn't thinking properly about what he's saying.
Mal, Mal just wants her son back. Duncan her douche husband left them a year ago to go to the US to seek his fortune after Mal has spent most of their marriage supporting him. She kind of expects them to get back together, but that's a little bit of denial talking as well and avoiding the inevitable -- and then Duncan decides on his own Harry should stay with him.
It's entirely possible that because this happened right up at the beginning of the book that my GRRR response to Duncan made me keep going.
What's a roadtrip without a little romance and self-discovery
That comes in the form of AJ, a biker on a roadtrip of his own who stops to help Mal change a tyre and gets and earful for his trouble. Luckily, when something breaks, he shows up again because he's a gentleman and was worried because they never passed him on the road, he helps her out.
From there, they meet again, though it's entirely possible Jock was playing Cupid too (I can't quite recall right now, because AJ) and from there Mal begins to realise there's more to AJ. But she can't afford to lose her focus on Harry either.
The foursome can be a combustible bunch when they want to be on this road trip -- Ernie and Mal especially. Their world views are entirely opposite in some ways, and that grates on Mal's last nerve, but she can see too how devoted Ernie is to Zadie.
However, that doesn't stop them from an epic departure from each other when Ernie demands too much of her time -- that should be spent on the way to Harry.
Harry
When she finally faces Duncan Mal begins to realise just how broken their relationship is, and that the new friends -- and by that I mean AJ -- might prove helpful as she prepares to fight for her son.
And yes, the ending was utterly satisfying to see Mal re-discover the strength that got her through multiple jobs, supporting Duncan and ensuring her son was brought up properly, and then across the US to find Harry again.
So yes. This hit the spot at entirely the right time for me!
What else is this about?: For Mal, it's about finding the strength she never realised she had to face an unsure future. For Jock, Ernie and Zadie it's about coming to terms with their past.
I tend to read and post book reviews out of order, so at the moment, I've been through this wird new year hump where I haven't been able to read a book, but I have comfortably been listening to them -- go figure.
So when Saving You arrived, I thought perhaps getting out of my comfort zone would help -- and it did.
Three pensioners and one single mother: sounds like...<
The tagline for an epic road trip movie, doesn't it
And it is kind of an epic road trip. Stranded very far away from Harry in a chaotic airport where everyone is cursing a volcano in Iceland that was only doing what volcanos do, Mal runs into three residents from the nursing home where she works in Australia.
They've staged a nursing-home jail break, and a volcano isn't going to stop them from going on their road trip.
The most heartbreaking thing though, is that Zadie has Alzheimer's and Ernie is taking on her on this trip to remind her of the good they shared at different places earlier in their lives... and he has something special planned for her that shows that under his gruff and authoritarian exterior is a man who is utterly devoted to Zadie.
Jock is there to come to terms with his past, and is the one that Mal can talk to more easily because Ernie tends to be very 1950s when he isn't thinking properly about what he's saying.
Mal, Mal just wants her son back. Duncan her douche husband left them a year ago to go to the US to seek his fortune after Mal has spent most of their marriage supporting him. She kind of expects them to get back together, but that's a little bit of denial talking as well and avoiding the inevitable -- and then Duncan decides on his own Harry should stay with him.
It's entirely possible that because this happened right up at the beginning of the book that my GRRR response to Duncan made me keep going.
What's a roadtrip without a little romance and self-discovery
That comes in the form of AJ, a biker on a roadtrip of his own who stops to help Mal change a tyre and gets and earful for his trouble. Luckily, when something breaks, he shows up again because he's a gentleman and was worried because they never passed him on the road, he helps her out.
From there, they meet again, though it's entirely possible Jock was playing Cupid too (I can't quite recall right now, because AJ) and from there Mal begins to realise there's more to AJ. But she can't afford to lose her focus on Harry either.
The foursome can be a combustible bunch when they want to be on this road trip -- Ernie and Mal especially. Their world views are entirely opposite in some ways, and that grates on Mal's last nerve, but she can see too how devoted Ernie is to Zadie.
However, that doesn't stop them from an epic departure from each other when Ernie demands too much of her time -- that should be spent on the way to Harry.
Harry
When she finally faces Duncan Mal begins to realise just how broken their relationship is, and that the new friends -- and by that I mean AJ -- might prove helpful as she prepares to fight for her son.
And yes, the ending was utterly satisfying to see Mal re-discover the strength that got her through multiple jobs, supporting Duncan and ensuring her son was brought up properly, and then across the US to find Harry again.
So yes. This hit the spot at entirely the right time for me!
March 17, 2019
Saving You is the latest offering from Aussie author, Charlotte Nash. I was immediately drawn to Nash’s second contemporary novel with its cute cover of the red heart and toy car! With big themes of mother’s love, the aged care system and road trips, Saving You also explores PTSD, redemption and hope. Set in Brisbane and the U.S.A, Nash tells the story of single mother, Mallory, emotionally and sensitively.
Mallory is the parent of 5 year old Harry and an aged care worker. It is evident from the very beginning just how much Mallory loves Harry. She is a caring and protective mother who will go to the ends of the earth for her only child. Things have been difficult for Mallory as her partner and Harry’s father, Duncan, has been living for a number of months in America. With his business going well overseas, Mallory’s and Duncan’s relationship has deteriorated and Duncan has had very little to do with Harry, making the occasional visit. Things seem to be improving though, when Duncan says he will bring Harry back home after his son has visited him in the U.S. Or have they?
Mallory finds herself standing at an empty gate with no partner or son arriving. Mallory quickly comes to learn that Duncan would like to keep Harry in U.S with him. Even though Mallory doesn’t see herself as a strong woman, it is at this moment she begins to show incredible inner strength. She turns to every option available within Australia to get Harry back, finding that her hands are tied with an expensive legal system. With no other option available, Mallory gets on a plane to get Harry back herself. Mother nature has other ideas and Mallory finds her flight grounded due to a hurricane, so close yet still so far from her son. Mallory comes across some unexpected acquaintances at the American airport; patients from the aged care centre she works in! With the elderly Zadie, Jack and Ernie desperately needing transport for their own personal reasons, a car is hired to take a road trip Nashville, Mallory the designated chauffeur. What ensures is a road trip adventure that goes wrong from the very beginning.
Nash has created a vivid sense of place with her descriptions of the cross country trip that made me want to jump on a plane and hire my own car! I really appreciated Nash portraying the highs and lows of road trips. The three senior citizens are well rounded, flawed characters who bring some much needed honesty and humour to the difficult situations they find themselves over the coming days. There were many times I caught myself sniggering at their bluntness! This road trip is not always fun but for these people, it is about the personal growth during the time they spent together. For Mallory, it is also the question of whether or not she'll get her son back.
As an aged care worker, Mallory was inspirational. She has many ideas and goals but finds that her young age works against her. I found this to be disappointing as there are many times in life when you need a fresh pair of eyes along with enthusiasm. Mallory has this along with compassion for her patients, who she treats with the upmost respect. Mallory wants the best for those she works with and is willing to trial initiatives that she has come across in her research. Nash successfully highlights the problems of policy and bureaucracy through Mallory with the aged care system in Australia and makes some much needed suggestions for an overhaul.
Saving You is a gorgeous read that will leave you with hope in your heart!
#AWWC9#
Mallory is the parent of 5 year old Harry and an aged care worker. It is evident from the very beginning just how much Mallory loves Harry. She is a caring and protective mother who will go to the ends of the earth for her only child. Things have been difficult for Mallory as her partner and Harry’s father, Duncan, has been living for a number of months in America. With his business going well overseas, Mallory’s and Duncan’s relationship has deteriorated and Duncan has had very little to do with Harry, making the occasional visit. Things seem to be improving though, when Duncan says he will bring Harry back home after his son has visited him in the U.S. Or have they?
Mallory finds herself standing at an empty gate with no partner or son arriving. Mallory quickly comes to learn that Duncan would like to keep Harry in U.S with him. Even though Mallory doesn’t see herself as a strong woman, it is at this moment she begins to show incredible inner strength. She turns to every option available within Australia to get Harry back, finding that her hands are tied with an expensive legal system. With no other option available, Mallory gets on a plane to get Harry back herself. Mother nature has other ideas and Mallory finds her flight grounded due to a hurricane, so close yet still so far from her son. Mallory comes across some unexpected acquaintances at the American airport; patients from the aged care centre she works in! With the elderly Zadie, Jack and Ernie desperately needing transport for their own personal reasons, a car is hired to take a road trip Nashville, Mallory the designated chauffeur. What ensures is a road trip adventure that goes wrong from the very beginning.
Nash has created a vivid sense of place with her descriptions of the cross country trip that made me want to jump on a plane and hire my own car! I really appreciated Nash portraying the highs and lows of road trips. The three senior citizens are well rounded, flawed characters who bring some much needed honesty and humour to the difficult situations they find themselves over the coming days. There were many times I caught myself sniggering at their bluntness! This road trip is not always fun but for these people, it is about the personal growth during the time they spent together. For Mallory, it is also the question of whether or not she'll get her son back.
As an aged care worker, Mallory was inspirational. She has many ideas and goals but finds that her young age works against her. I found this to be disappointing as there are many times in life when you need a fresh pair of eyes along with enthusiasm. Mallory has this along with compassion for her patients, who she treats with the upmost respect. Mallory wants the best for those she works with and is willing to trial initiatives that she has come across in her research. Nash successfully highlights the problems of policy and bureaucracy through Mallory with the aged care system in Australia and makes some much needed suggestions for an overhaul.
Saving You is a gorgeous read that will leave you with hope in your heart!
#AWWC9#
April 22, 2019
This book had a profound effect on me, I could not stop thinking about it for a couple of days after I finished it. I also found it hard to choose my next book because I was still thinking about Mallory, AJ, Harry, Jock, Zadie and Ernie.
Mallory is the main character, the book starts with her married to Duncan who has moved to New York for work and her young son Harry is visiting his Dad. Mallory works in an aged care home and is trying to work her way up at work but her bright ideas and enthusiasm are not very well received by management .
Very quickly into the story, Mallory's world turns upside down and she finds herself on a trip that will quite literally change her life. She soon runs into a natural disaster that requires her to change her plans and that is when she runs into some residents from the aged care residence where she works and they embark on a road trip together.
When I first started reading this book I was a little frustrated with Mallory's niaevety but as the story continues her strength and backbone come to the fore.
I also really enjoyed the storyline of the elderly characters of this novel - Ernie & Zadie and Jock. Ernie and Zadie's struggle with dementia and navigating a rapidly changing digital world are very relevant. Similarly, the storyline of Jock and his struggles with mental illness are dealt with in a compassionate and empathetic way.
The story of Mallory and AJ is the one storyline of this book that really kept my interest and I found myself turning the pages eagerly to see what would happen next with these two characters.
I really, really enjoyed this book, it tackled some very difficult topics in a real and human way, with characters who are interesting and flawed. I loved the hopeful ending as well.
For readers who enjoy novels by Marian Keyes and Jojo Moyes then I think you would really enjoy 'Saving You'. You might need a box of tissues...
Mallory is the main character, the book starts with her married to Duncan who has moved to New York for work and her young son Harry is visiting his Dad. Mallory works in an aged care home and is trying to work her way up at work but her bright ideas and enthusiasm are not very well received by management .
Very quickly into the story, Mallory's world turns upside down and she finds herself on a trip that will quite literally change her life. She soon runs into a natural disaster that requires her to change her plans and that is when she runs into some residents from the aged care residence where she works and they embark on a road trip together.
When I first started reading this book I was a little frustrated with Mallory's niaevety but as the story continues her strength and backbone come to the fore.
I also really enjoyed the storyline of the elderly characters of this novel - Ernie & Zadie and Jock. Ernie and Zadie's struggle with dementia and navigating a rapidly changing digital world are very relevant. Similarly, the storyline of Jock and his struggles with mental illness are dealt with in a compassionate and empathetic way.
The story of Mallory and AJ is the one storyline of this book that really kept my interest and I found myself turning the pages eagerly to see what would happen next with these two characters.
I really, really enjoyed this book, it tackled some very difficult topics in a real and human way, with characters who are interesting and flawed. I loved the hopeful ending as well.
For readers who enjoy novels by Marian Keyes and Jojo Moyes then I think you would really enjoy 'Saving You'. You might need a box of tissues...
August 6, 2021
Blurb from web:
Three escaped pensioners. One single mother. A road trip across the USA.
In their tiny pale green cottage under the trees, Mallory Cook and her five-year-old son, Harry, are a little family unit who weather the storms of life together. Money is tight after Harry's father, Duncan, abandoned them to expand his business in New York. So when Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit, Mallory boards a plane to bring her son home any way she can.
During the journey, a chance encounter with three retirees on the run from their care home leads Mallory on an unlikely group road trip across the United States. Zadie, Ernie and Jock each have their own reasons for making the journey and along the way the four of them will learn the lengths they will travel to save each other - and themselves.
A beautiful and emotionally compelling page-turner, perfect for summer, from the author of The Paris Wedding.
My review
I really enjoyed the storyline, characters and subtle romance. I can’t stand over the top romances saturated with ickiness!! I enjoyed all the characters, the 3 residents from the nursing home. They all had their stories and personalities. I loved Mallory and her kindness and the biker AJ who was the romantic fork in the story. A nice easy read with a good ending, just what I needed right now. Will look out for more from this author.
Three escaped pensioners. One single mother. A road trip across the USA.
In their tiny pale green cottage under the trees, Mallory Cook and her five-year-old son, Harry, are a little family unit who weather the storms of life together. Money is tight after Harry's father, Duncan, abandoned them to expand his business in New York. So when Duncan fails to return Harry after a visit, Mallory boards a plane to bring her son home any way she can.
During the journey, a chance encounter with three retirees on the run from their care home leads Mallory on an unlikely group road trip across the United States. Zadie, Ernie and Jock each have their own reasons for making the journey and along the way the four of them will learn the lengths they will travel to save each other - and themselves.
A beautiful and emotionally compelling page-turner, perfect for summer, from the author of The Paris Wedding.
My review
I really enjoyed the storyline, characters and subtle romance. I can’t stand over the top romances saturated with ickiness!! I enjoyed all the characters, the 3 residents from the nursing home. They all had their stories and personalities. I loved Mallory and her kindness and the biker AJ who was the romantic fork in the story. A nice easy read with a good ending, just what I needed right now. Will look out for more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2022
Oei! Ik had me laten verleiden door de vele goede reviews maar dit boek viel me enorm tegen als coming-of-age roman. In het boek wordt je meegenomen in de ontwikkeling van de onzekere moeder Mallory, die haar zoontje kwijtraakt door haar egocentrische echtgenoot van wie ze al lang had moeten scheiden. Door verschillende omstandigheden eindigt ze bij het terughalen van haar zoontje in een roadtrip door Amerika met drie bewoners van het verzorgingstehuis waar ze werkt, wat wat mij betreft té toevallig overkomt als je uit Australie komt. Verder zijn de personages redelijk cliché: onzekere vrouw ontmoet gespierde motorrijdende hunk die niet zo gevoelloos blijkt als hij lijkt te zijn, maar een hart van goud heeft.
Wel hebben de andere personages meer diepgang, maar wordt het verhaal helaas niet vanuit hun perspectief geschreven. Ik heb het toch drie sterren gegeven omdat het wel makkelijk las en ik toch geboeid was door een aantal open eindes en de gesprekken rondom de verbetering van de gezondheidszorg en psychische problemen mooi behandeld vond. Maar! Er mist diepgang. Ik wist al vanaf pagina 3 hoe dit af zal lopen.
Wel hebben de andere personages meer diepgang, maar wordt het verhaal helaas niet vanuit hun perspectief geschreven. Ik heb het toch drie sterren gegeven omdat het wel makkelijk las en ik toch geboeid was door een aantal open eindes en de gesprekken rondom de verbetering van de gezondheidszorg en psychische problemen mooi behandeld vond. Maar! Er mist diepgang. Ik wist al vanaf pagina 3 hoe dit af zal lopen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
My best read for the year so far. It is the story of mother who has recently been divorced from her husband and he is now living in New York. Her son is five years old. On holiday visit to his father in New York for two weeks her son is not returned to her as her ex husband decides to keep him and have custody of him. She decides to fly to New York to get him back. She works at a Retired village/ Nursing home. When she gets stranded in L.A. she finds three elderly residents that have escaped from where she works. Flights are grounded due to weather. So with the residents she sets on a road trip to Nashville and then onto New York. Her husband freezes her account so she has no money. During the road trip she learns about the length as husband will go for his wife to give her a memory as she has dementia. She meet a man who helps them and develop feelings for him.
The ending however I felt needed more.
The ending however I felt needed more.
November 20, 2018
Recently finished Charlotte Nash's new novel "Saving You" soon to be released in January 2019 & I enjoyed the readers journey immensely. This novel took me on a journey from Brisbane to the US of A, it made me laugh, made me cry and gave me food for thought about relationships and how easy they can break down, without the other aware of these such changes. By travelling the highways of the USA Mallory and her surprised companions find themselves re-discovering their lost memories & found new ones to remember along with way. Seeking justification for her young son, Mallory builds new bridges with an unexpected hero, who then challenges her emotions further. I finished this story with tears in my eyes and the biggest smile on my face knowing that their future was another new beginning. Such a stunning story line!
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