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My One True North
A gorgeous read full of hope, warmth and heartfelt emotion from the Sunday Times bestselling author ?
‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available on the NHS’ Debbie Johnson
Laurie and Pete should never have met.
But fate has pushed them together for a reason.
Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners.
Struggling to manage the grief, they join the same counselling group – and meet each other.
From their sadness, Pete and Laurie find happiness growing and they sense a fresh new beginning.
Except, the more they talk, the more they begin to spot the strange parallels in their stories.
Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything.
But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart.
My One True North is a story of friendship and what love means, of secrets uncovered, teashops on corners and the northern lights.
Praise for My One True North:
'Funny, poignant and so uplifting' Sun
'Reading a Milly Johnson book is like spending time with a best friend - you always end up feeling better about the world. Written with genuine warmth and heart, they're an absolute treat' Lucy Diamond
'A heartfelt novel from one of our favourite authors' Bella
'A heart-warming and engaging read' Woman's Weekly
'Johnson is in a league of her own in the genre…an uplifting story unfolding from hard times, all succinctly nailed with emotional honesty in absorbing prose' The Lady
'A heartfelt and emotional story . . . It's another wonderful feelgood read from a talented author' Daily Express
'Milly Johnson brings her trademark warmth, humour and compassion to this tale of love, fate, second chances and the importance of giving your heart time to heal. The perfect read for a rainy day spent under a blanket' Culturefly, 8 of the Best New Books To Read This March ?
'If your March reading list is all about warmth and cosiness, then Milly Johnson’s latest novel should be top of your reading pile. From the writer of The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew (which is fabulous, by the way) My One True North is full of the heartfelt optimism we need at this time of year' Yahoo Book of the Month
'A dazzling, contemporary masterpiece, full of heart, soul and humour' Lancashire Evening Post
‘The feeling you get when you read a Milly Johnson book should be bottled and made available on the NHS’ Debbie Johnson
Laurie and Pete should never have met.
But fate has pushed them together for a reason.
Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners.
Struggling to manage the grief, they join the same counselling group – and meet each other.
From their sadness, Pete and Laurie find happiness growing and they sense a fresh new beginning.
Except, the more they talk, the more they begin to spot the strange parallels in their stories.
Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything.
But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart.
My One True North is a story of friendship and what love means, of secrets uncovered, teashops on corners and the northern lights.
Praise for My One True North:
'Funny, poignant and so uplifting' Sun
'Reading a Milly Johnson book is like spending time with a best friend - you always end up feeling better about the world. Written with genuine warmth and heart, they're an absolute treat' Lucy Diamond
'A heartfelt novel from one of our favourite authors' Bella
'A heart-warming and engaging read' Woman's Weekly
'Johnson is in a league of her own in the genre…an uplifting story unfolding from hard times, all succinctly nailed with emotional honesty in absorbing prose' The Lady
'A heartfelt and emotional story . . . It's another wonderful feelgood read from a talented author' Daily Express
'Milly Johnson brings her trademark warmth, humour and compassion to this tale of love, fate, second chances and the importance of giving your heart time to heal. The perfect read for a rainy day spent under a blanket' Culturefly, 8 of the Best New Books To Read This March ?
'If your March reading list is all about warmth and cosiness, then Milly Johnson’s latest novel should be top of your reading pile. From the writer of The Magnificent Mrs Mayhew (which is fabulous, by the way) My One True North is full of the heartfelt optimism we need at this time of year' Yahoo Book of the Month
'A dazzling, contemporary masterpiece, full of heart, soul and humour' Lancashire Evening Post
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2020
441 people are currently reading
3483 people want to read
About the author
Milly Johnson
52 books2,135 followersMilly Johnson was born in Barnsley, raised in Barnsley and still lives in Barnsley. She writes about strong women, often having a renaissance, all ages and has just released her 22nd novel Same Time Next Week. Do check out her website for up to date news and appearance dates.
As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.
She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!
As well as a novelist she is a professional joke writer, performance poet, newspaper and magazine columnist and also after dinner/motivational speaker.
She is on insta as @themillyjohnson, facebook as @millyjohnsonauthor, Twitter as @millyjohnson and a ridiculous presence on TikTok @millyjohnsonauthor. Do give her a follow - even if it's just out of sympathy!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews
February 20, 2020
Well I'm just wiping away my tears having finished this book in basically one sitting. I just loved this story so much. I am a huge Milly Johnson fan and I have so enjoyed everything she has written but this book is just something else; Queen Milly just took it to another level. And that cover and that synopsis just doesn't give any of what lies within the pages away!
This book deals with grief, not the most cheerful of topics but it is what gives this book its heart and soul and so you instantly sympathise with all of the characters and the situation that they are in. We get to meet a grief counselling group that meet at a cafe that Milly Johnson readers will be familiar with. I loved the crew that meet here and their cakes and their banter. They each come to grief from a different direction and bring a new perspective and they each have a little something extra either bringing them more pain or more joy in their lives. I loved meeting them and I so enjoyed being entertained by as well as crying with them throughout the book.
The main characters that this story follow though are Laurie and Pete and this is pretty much a narrative that switches between their two lives and the stories that they each bring to the book. Their stories are so intertwined right from the beginning, beautifully and cleverly so but they just don't know it yet. I LOVE when you, as a reader, know something that the characters don't know yet. The pleasure of not knowing when or how they're going to find out. It keeps you turning the pages and ensures that you're ultra invested in these characters.
Both Laurie and Pete are incredibly easy to love. They just have so much heart and such optimism in the face of tragedy, you can just tell that they are full of love and yet Milly throws so much at them you really hope that they're going to come out the other side unscathed. Laurie works at a solicitor for one of Milly Johnson's other famous characters, the Daily Trumpet and Pete works as a heroic fireman with an equally heroic and hairy twin brother-what is not to love about these two. It was a joy to spend time with both of them!
Obviously this book does deal with grief in many different forms and so care warnings should be exercised here but it is just such an integral part of the story as well as the fact that we don't always know what is going on in other people's relationships. This is something that this writer deals with so well in so many of her novels, but this is in no way an 'issues' book. I loved the sensitivity with which all of the things that the various characters are dealing with are woven and written into the plot and I defy anyone to call this novel anything but uplifting and hopeful.
If you are a long time reader of Milly's novels, some familiar faces come out to play in My One True North and it was such a joy to see them. If you are new to this authors works then you picked a great place to start because this is the best one yet!
This book deals with grief, not the most cheerful of topics but it is what gives this book its heart and soul and so you instantly sympathise with all of the characters and the situation that they are in. We get to meet a grief counselling group that meet at a cafe that Milly Johnson readers will be familiar with. I loved the crew that meet here and their cakes and their banter. They each come to grief from a different direction and bring a new perspective and they each have a little something extra either bringing them more pain or more joy in their lives. I loved meeting them and I so enjoyed being entertained by as well as crying with them throughout the book.
The main characters that this story follow though are Laurie and Pete and this is pretty much a narrative that switches between their two lives and the stories that they each bring to the book. Their stories are so intertwined right from the beginning, beautifully and cleverly so but they just don't know it yet. I LOVE when you, as a reader, know something that the characters don't know yet. The pleasure of not knowing when or how they're going to find out. It keeps you turning the pages and ensures that you're ultra invested in these characters.
Both Laurie and Pete are incredibly easy to love. They just have so much heart and such optimism in the face of tragedy, you can just tell that they are full of love and yet Milly throws so much at them you really hope that they're going to come out the other side unscathed. Laurie works at a solicitor for one of Milly Johnson's other famous characters, the Daily Trumpet and Pete works as a heroic fireman with an equally heroic and hairy twin brother-what is not to love about these two. It was a joy to spend time with both of them!
Obviously this book does deal with grief in many different forms and so care warnings should be exercised here but it is just such an integral part of the story as well as the fact that we don't always know what is going on in other people's relationships. This is something that this writer deals with so well in so many of her novels, but this is in no way an 'issues' book. I loved the sensitivity with which all of the things that the various characters are dealing with are woven and written into the plot and I defy anyone to call this novel anything but uplifting and hopeful.
If you are a long time reader of Milly's novels, some familiar faces come out to play in My One True North and it was such a joy to see them. If you are new to this authors works then you picked a great place to start because this is the best one yet!
April 7, 2020
Good story, a bit predictable, and so much longer than needed. The ending was a bit disappointing. 3.5 Stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you know the saying love is blind. I think many people get complacent in their love and don’t necessarily recognize what goes on around them.
This is a story of loss. But it’s also a story of finding the truth and learning to not being afraid to open your heart again…. regardless of the consequences.
The author is a wonderful storyteller in that she includes minute details that wind you along the garden path. While I love stories like that, it’s the stories that surprise me that make me dig in deeper.
This book has a common theme on two sides. Two people spouses die and they happen to meet. We witness the healing and the spark that can potentially heal the heart. We witnessed the struggles and the heartache that comes along with that healing. And ultimately we get to witness taking the chance at love again.
As I said prior I’ve never read this author before but one of the things that caught my attention was the fact that we knew what was coming and it took a long time to get there. The build up to the final ending and hopefully the happily ever after was an arduous climb. I only wish that the ending allowed us to experience more time with them together.
Johnson is a refreshing writer with immense depth in her complex characters and her painting of the story. This is a story to savor and definitely not one to rush through. Satisfying and engaging.
*Copy received for review consideration
- Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/my-one-true-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you know the saying love is blind. I think many people get complacent in their love and don’t necessarily recognize what goes on around them.
This is a story of loss. But it’s also a story of finding the truth and learning to not being afraid to open your heart again…. regardless of the consequences.
The author is a wonderful storyteller in that she includes minute details that wind you along the garden path. While I love stories like that, it’s the stories that surprise me that make me dig in deeper.
This book has a common theme on two sides. Two people spouses die and they happen to meet. We witness the healing and the spark that can potentially heal the heart. We witnessed the struggles and the heartache that comes along with that healing. And ultimately we get to witness taking the chance at love again.
As I said prior I’ve never read this author before but one of the things that caught my attention was the fact that we knew what was coming and it took a long time to get there. The build up to the final ending and hopefully the happily ever after was an arduous climb. I only wish that the ending allowed us to experience more time with them together.
Johnson is a refreshing writer with immense depth in her complex characters and her painting of the story. This is a story to savor and definitely not one to rush through. Satisfying and engaging.
*Copy received for review consideration
- Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/my-one-true-...
March 18, 2023
**Re-reading on audible 2/28/2023**
Enjoyed this very much. No surprise. To my below review, I just want to add some things that really stood out for me this time around. (A little spoilery) First of all, I appreciated Laurie's strength in standing up to some bad characters who sought to take advantage of her. She was not a victim of Alex's mother nor the guy she started dating later in the story who turned out to be a narcissistic controller. He was practically a clone of Helen's husband in Yorkshire Pudding Club, but unlike Helen, she did not get trapped in his web. I like that she acknowledged to herself, though, that she came too close for comfort. I think that Milly may have had some experience of that in the past (total speculation based on how often this kind of character shows up in her books), and this is her way of warning women (and men!) about some of the red flags to watch out for.
She was much stronger than Pete, who this time around, I didn't like as well thanks to his reaction to finding out the full truth about his wife. I didn't like how he acted like such an immature jerk. I didn't like how he did not give Laurie the opportunity to decide for herself what she wanted to do, and just felt like he had the right to decide for her. He was trying to "protect" her, but it was paternalistic and he treated her like a child instead of an equal partner. I really hate when men do that in books or movies.
**This is my review from April 5, 2021 which Goodreads lost/deleted. Luckily I have a blog it was copied to. Currently re-reading on audible, which led me to discover this. I wonder how many more are missing.**
I just finished this book by Milly Johnson, and I’ma little extremely bummed. I only have one more to read of her backlist titles, before I am in the same position as all the other Milly fans and have to wait 6 months or longer between new publications. As always after I finish a Milly Johnson I have to exert the utmost discipline not to go right into the next book on my TBR list. Let’s see. Her next book is not out until October 14th (Way too long) So that means the U.S. version will probably be available about 5 days after that. I finished this book yesterday. So that’s 197 days. 197 divided by 2 is 98 1/2. So that means I can start I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day around July 13th in order to not be too long without a new Milly Johnson. OK, we’ll see how long my plan holds up.
My One True North continues to demonstrate the growth that Milly had started to show in 2017 by breaking free of her tried and true formula of basing her novels around 3 women and their personal growth from being victims of men (at least one of them) to triumph and love, usually late in life (at least for one.) Not that I didn’t enjoy this formula because she did it so well. Despite the similarities in the books, each one was fresh and so very entertaining and engaging. After all, As far as character development, no one can do “nice” like Milly and no one can do “vile” like her either.
This novel centers around a young widower and the bereaved fiance of two people who were tragically killed in the same horrific multi-car crash. Their journey to recovery and ultimately new love takes some twisty turns both encouraging and happy to sad and scary. As the story progresses, we are given little hints that all was not as rosy as it seemed with their deceased partners. We understand that things were very wrong by about the 20% mark and the ugly truth is made apparent around halfway through. As usual, the mystery slowly reveals itself with some red herrings thrown in which keeps up the suspense and anticipation. As the two find their way to their “one true north,” we meet some old friends from two previous books and look behind the scenes of a certain hapless newspaper, a comic legend in the Barnsley community where most of Milly’s books are set. As always there is plenty of wit and humor despite the subject matter. We get to know their friends and family and are engaged in the little side stories. There are two evil villains in this story, but I loved that others I thought were also thoroughly despicable had some redemption or were not as black as I originally thought. In this book, even shallow low-character people can have hearts and find their soul mates. And a little celestial magic along the way to the satisfactory conclusion was more than welcome.**5 out of 5 stars**
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
Enjoyed this very much. No surprise. To my below review, I just want to add some things that really stood out for me this time around. (A little spoilery) First of all, I appreciated Laurie's strength in standing up to some bad characters who sought to take advantage of her. She was not a victim of Alex's mother nor the guy she started dating later in the story who turned out to be a narcissistic controller. He was practically a clone of Helen's husband in Yorkshire Pudding Club, but unlike Helen, she did not get trapped in his web. I like that she acknowledged to herself, though, that she came too close for comfort. I think that Milly may have had some experience of that in the past (total speculation based on how often this kind of character shows up in her books), and this is her way of warning women (and men!) about some of the red flags to watch out for.
She was much stronger than Pete, who this time around, I didn't like as well thanks to his reaction to finding out the full truth about his wife. I didn't like how he acted like such an immature jerk. I didn't like how he did not give Laurie the opportunity to decide for herself what she wanted to do, and just felt like he had the right to decide for her. He was trying to "protect" her, but it was paternalistic and he treated her like a child instead of an equal partner. I really hate when men do that in books or movies.
**This is my review from April 5, 2021 which Goodreads lost/deleted. Luckily I have a blog it was copied to. Currently re-reading on audible, which led me to discover this. I wonder how many more are missing.**
Every life gone south could be fixed, every compass could be recalibrated to point upward to a north of hope.
“My compass is obviously off,” she said…
I just finished this book by Milly Johnson, and I’m
My One True North continues to demonstrate the growth that Milly had started to show in 2017 by breaking free of her tried and true formula of basing her novels around 3 women and their personal growth from being victims of men (at least one of them) to triumph and love, usually late in life (at least for one.) Not that I didn’t enjoy this formula because she did it so well. Despite the similarities in the books, each one was fresh and so very entertaining and engaging. After all, As far as character development, no one can do “nice” like Milly and no one can do “vile” like her either.
This novel centers around a young widower and the bereaved fiance of two people who were tragically killed in the same horrific multi-car crash. Their journey to recovery and ultimately new love takes some twisty turns both encouraging and happy to sad and scary. As the story progresses, we are given little hints that all was not as rosy as it seemed with their deceased partners. We understand that things were very wrong by about the 20% mark and the ugly truth is made apparent around halfway through. As usual, the mystery slowly reveals itself with some red herrings thrown in which keeps up the suspense and anticipation. As the two find their way to their “one true north,” we meet some old friends from two previous books and look behind the scenes of a certain hapless newspaper, a comic legend in the Barnsley community where most of Milly’s books are set. As always there is plenty of wit and humor despite the subject matter. We get to know their friends and family and are engaged in the little side stories. There are two evil villains in this story, but I loved that others I thought were also thoroughly despicable had some redemption or were not as black as I originally thought. In this book, even shallow low-character people can have hearts and find their soul mates. And a little celestial magic along the way to the satisfactory conclusion was more than welcome.**5 out of 5 stars**
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings....
June 24, 2024
Laurie and Pete should never have met. But life has a different idea.
Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners. Overwhelmed by their grief, they join the same counselling group…and change their lives forever.
From their profound sadness, Pete and Laurie begin to find happiness and healing. Except, the more they get to know one another, the more Laurie begins to spot the strange parallels in their stories. Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything—one which threatens to reverse everything they’ve worked towards.
But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart.
Milly Johnson did it again. I didn't want to stop reading this book, couldn't keep it down. It is truly a page turner. It's funny, sad, and makes you appreciate today and tomorrow. It also has you feeling bad for the "villains" of the story, which just shows you how talented Milly Johnson is. She is seriously one of the favorite authors, I haven't been disappointed or not loved one of her books.
Read this. NOW!
Six months ago, on the same night, Laurie and Pete both lost their partners. Overwhelmed by their grief, they join the same counselling group…and change their lives forever.
From their profound sadness, Pete and Laurie begin to find happiness and healing. Except, the more they get to know one another, the more Laurie begins to spot the strange parallels in their stories. Then Pete discovers a truth that changes everything—one which threatens to reverse everything they’ve worked towards.
But, as surely as a compass points north, some people cannot be kept apart.
Milly Johnson did it again. I didn't want to stop reading this book, couldn't keep it down. It is truly a page turner. It's funny, sad, and makes you appreciate today and tomorrow. It also has you feeling bad for the "villains" of the story, which just shows you how talented Milly Johnson is. She is seriously one of the favorite authors, I haven't been disappointed or not loved one of her books.
Read this. NOW!
February 26, 2020
I have loved Milly Johnson's books since I discovered them a couple of years ago. I am working my way through them, but this book, due out on 5th March 2020 is the most incredible story of love, loss, truth and hope, and it is the best story I have ever read by Milly.
I fell in love with all of the people attending the bereavement sessions at the cafe. All grieving in different ways, by sharing their experiences they were able to provide one another with strength and support they felt unable to seek in other aspects of their personal lives. It was fascinating to see the growth in all of the characters and not just Pete and Laurie.
Although the focus is initially upon loss, humour shines through the pages, particularly in the misprinted newspaper articles and apologies that are so uniquely 'Milly' and so incredibly laugh out loud funny. It's no wonder the newspaper needed a regular lawyer helping them out of tricky situations!
There appears to be symmetry within the losses Laurie and Pete experience, and you may suspect that you know exactly where it is going, but just when you think you have it all figured out, BOOM, you will be completely side-swiped!
Laughter and tears, and even laughter through my tears were a huge part of my experience reading this unputdownable book, it captured my heart and will stay with me for the longest time. This is Milly Johnson at her absolute best, and you simply cannot miss this! Tipped already as one of my favourite books this year, this book is sheer perfection and a very easy 5 stars.
I fell in love with all of the people attending the bereavement sessions at the cafe. All grieving in different ways, by sharing their experiences they were able to provide one another with strength and support they felt unable to seek in other aspects of their personal lives. It was fascinating to see the growth in all of the characters and not just Pete and Laurie.
Although the focus is initially upon loss, humour shines through the pages, particularly in the misprinted newspaper articles and apologies that are so uniquely 'Milly' and so incredibly laugh out loud funny. It's no wonder the newspaper needed a regular lawyer helping them out of tricky situations!
There appears to be symmetry within the losses Laurie and Pete experience, and you may suspect that you know exactly where it is going, but just when you think you have it all figured out, BOOM, you will be completely side-swiped!
Laughter and tears, and even laughter through my tears were a huge part of my experience reading this unputdownable book, it captured my heart and will stay with me for the longest time. This is Milly Johnson at her absolute best, and you simply cannot miss this! Tipped already as one of my favourite books this year, this book is sheer perfection and a very easy 5 stars.
January 23, 2021
As a massive fan of Milly Johnson, I can't quite put into words how happy I was to see her recurring newspaper the Daily Trumpet had made a re-appearance. I knew no matter what else was between the covers, that there would be hilarity!
And the small Daily Trumpet snippets almost every time had my snorting with laughter out loud, they are the funniest they have ever been and added much appreciated levity to the story.
Especially as the story itself is about two people who are struggling with grief. And although I was sure I had figured something out quite early on, I wasn't quite right although it was hinted at more strongly a bit further on, which pointed me in the right direction but there were still gasp out loud moment s that I hadn't guessed.
Laurie and Pete, are mourning the deaths of Alex and Tara their almost fiancee and not known until afterward pregnant wife. Both died in car accidents, and both are recommended the same small support group, set in the Cafe of one of Millie's previous books, which is where they meet.
Both have unanswered questions about their deceased loved ones and the are a multitude of parallels in their stories which we are given alternatingly.
Through the way the story is revealed, we get to know their friends and families rather well, in addition to family members of the dearly departed ones families. There are all manner of topics covered in this, both in Laurie and Pete's stories.
I also enjoyed Molly's support group meetings, and the other people in attendance, of whom we also get to know quite well, and spend an enjoyable amount of time with. Oh and there are even moments in this book which has a cynic like me almost believing in the impossible!
Actually there is just a tremendous amount packed into this story, which really is an uplifting read. It is Milly Johnson as her very best, and is a standout book. I was hooked rather quickly and couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
And the small Daily Trumpet snippets almost every time had my snorting with laughter out loud, they are the funniest they have ever been and added much appreciated levity to the story.
Especially as the story itself is about two people who are struggling with grief. And although I was sure I had figured something out quite early on, I wasn't quite right although it was hinted at more strongly a bit further on, which pointed me in the right direction but there were still gasp out loud moment s that I hadn't guessed.
Laurie and Pete, are mourning the deaths of Alex and Tara their almost fiancee and not known until afterward pregnant wife. Both died in car accidents, and both are recommended the same small support group, set in the Cafe of one of Millie's previous books, which is where they meet.
Both have unanswered questions about their deceased loved ones and the are a multitude of parallels in their stories which we are given alternatingly.
Through the way the story is revealed, we get to know their friends and families rather well, in addition to family members of the dearly departed ones families. There are all manner of topics covered in this, both in Laurie and Pete's stories.
I also enjoyed Molly's support group meetings, and the other people in attendance, of whom we also get to know quite well, and spend an enjoyable amount of time with. Oh and there are even moments in this book which has a cynic like me almost believing in the impossible!
Actually there is just a tremendous amount packed into this story, which really is an uplifting read. It is Milly Johnson as her very best, and is a standout book. I was hooked rather quickly and couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
January 9, 2020
I received a free advance copy of this book from Love Reading and I absolutely loved it. A love story with a difference, two people waiting for their loved ones to come home. Laurie is waiting for Alex to come home; he’s got something to tell her. Pete is waiting for Tara to come home, she’s got something to tell him. Sadly, neither of them makes it home that night and so the questions begin and we join them on their journeys to find answers.
A bereavement support group in a teashop is where they first meet and the stories of the other members are endearing. There's lots of warmth and encouragement and it's a safe place for people with damaged hearts to meet up and chat to other people.
You think you know how the story will unfold and maybe you do but there's a great twist that you're not expecting and it really stirs your emotions.
I feel like there's loads I want to share about his book but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did.
A bereavement support group in a teashop is where they first meet and the stories of the other members are endearing. There's lots of warmth and encouragement and it's a safe place for people with damaged hearts to meet up and chat to other people.
You think you know how the story will unfold and maybe you do but there's a great twist that you're not expecting and it really stirs your emotions.
I feel like there's loads I want to share about his book but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did.
October 23, 2024
3.5 Stars
A book full of coincidences. They were pretty obvious, so I didn’t think the author was trying to spring anything surprising on the reader. It was simply a matter of watching how the characters reacted to the revelations and learning how those revelations affected their individual and joint story arcs.
This was also a women's fiction novel with romance. I enjoyed much of the story but felt it could have used some tightening up—although not much since I enjoy the extraneous details in this type of fiction. This was my first Milly Johnson read, which makes me curious to read more of her backlist.
February 14, 2025
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
I am always keen to discover new authors and Johnson has definitely contributed to my ‘To Be Read’ pile! This was a lovely tale of two lost souls coming together after unimaginable grief, in a story that moves from oppressive sadness to happiness and contentment.
I am always keen to discover new authors and Johnson has definitely contributed to my ‘To Be Read’ pile! This was a lovely tale of two lost souls coming together after unimaginable grief, in a story that moves from oppressive sadness to happiness and contentment.
December 4, 2025
Quite an emotional read about two people who suffer terrible losses and how they come together and support each other.
September 19, 2021
Loved this book. Will hold off my review as it’s our book groups read for September.
February 14, 2020
I'm finding it very hard to believe that this is my first Milly Johnson book, but according to my records it does seem to be. Although I may have arrived late at the Milly Johnson party, I have certainly made a grand entrance arriving with My One True North. What an amazing, emotional and heartwarming book this is; I have never laughed and cried so much with one book, it should come with a pack of tissues attached. I feel like I hopped aboard the crying train when I picked up My One True North, travelling through tears of sadness, pain of heartbreak, despair of misunderstandings and peals of laughter.
What I loved most about Milly Johnson's writing is how she takes a serious subject such as grief and spins it on its head, without belittling the subject at all; from being lost in the sea of despair to soaring hope from seeing a lifeboat appearing on the horizon. After they both lose their partners, Laurie and Pete meet at a lovely little counselling group in a teashop. Over tea and the most amazing sounding cakes (I was actually drooling over the butterscotch cake), the newcomers are drawn to each other and find that talking to each other and learning to laugh again is the best therapy.
I'm trying to say very little about the plot which had me gasping in shock one minute and snorting with laughter the next, so I'll just say a little bit about the two main characters who are both grieving after the sudden loss of their partners. Pete is a firefighter and I loved reading about his work, especially rescuing local bad boy, Juice, from his various hilarious scrapes. Laurie is a solicitor who has most of her time taken up with lawsuits against hysterically funny errors printed in the local paper. Honestly, the newspaper excerpts had me in kinks; I was giggling and chuckling for ages after reading each one.
My One True North is such an emotional rollercoaster; it's laugh out loud funny, heartachingly poignant and completely perfect. I guess I could describe this book very much like life: filled with love, laughter, joy and sadness. Who would have thought a novel predominantly about grief would have provoked so many emotions? Like the sun coming out on a rainy day, I went from barely able to contain my tears as blow after blow struck my heart to grinning through my tears as my heart burst with hope and joy.
An absolutely gorgeous story of love, loss and laughter with a twist of fate. Who needs antidepressants when you've got Milly Johnson? My One True North is guaranteed to make you smile and what a wonderful gift for Milly Johnson to give her readers. A definite 5 stars and I can't recommend it highly enough, so much so that I plan to read it again and again to reexperience the magic!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
What I loved most about Milly Johnson's writing is how she takes a serious subject such as grief and spins it on its head, without belittling the subject at all; from being lost in the sea of despair to soaring hope from seeing a lifeboat appearing on the horizon. After they both lose their partners, Laurie and Pete meet at a lovely little counselling group in a teashop. Over tea and the most amazing sounding cakes (I was actually drooling over the butterscotch cake), the newcomers are drawn to each other and find that talking to each other and learning to laugh again is the best therapy.
I'm trying to say very little about the plot which had me gasping in shock one minute and snorting with laughter the next, so I'll just say a little bit about the two main characters who are both grieving after the sudden loss of their partners. Pete is a firefighter and I loved reading about his work, especially rescuing local bad boy, Juice, from his various hilarious scrapes. Laurie is a solicitor who has most of her time taken up with lawsuits against hysterically funny errors printed in the local paper. Honestly, the newspaper excerpts had me in kinks; I was giggling and chuckling for ages after reading each one.
My One True North is such an emotional rollercoaster; it's laugh out loud funny, heartachingly poignant and completely perfect. I guess I could describe this book very much like life: filled with love, laughter, joy and sadness. Who would have thought a novel predominantly about grief would have provoked so many emotions? Like the sun coming out on a rainy day, I went from barely able to contain my tears as blow after blow struck my heart to grinning through my tears as my heart burst with hope and joy.
An absolutely gorgeous story of love, loss and laughter with a twist of fate. Who needs antidepressants when you've got Milly Johnson? My One True North is guaranteed to make you smile and what a wonderful gift for Milly Johnson to give her readers. A definite 5 stars and I can't recommend it highly enough, so much so that I plan to read it again and again to reexperience the magic!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 30, 2020
There’s romance and then there’s ‘Romance’ and My One True North falls in the latter category, the one I absolutely love. Milly Johnson willed me to see Pete and Laurie together very early into the novel because I could see sooooo clear as day they were meant to be together. The story was perfectly paced and it had a very satisfying build up for me, their surprisingly easy connection wasn’t left too long hanging but didn’t come too quick either.
There were a few mysteries and secrets woven into the story that made it even more interesting even if is not so difficult to spot what is going on. The main thread is still about people having lost their loved ones, yet the comments and the situation the characters were in didn’t make me feel utterly sad for either party. Pete and Laurie are missing their partners but they are not stuck in their grief and both want to move forward with their life at the start of the story. It also helped that I already had a sense of the direction the plot developments were going to take so I couldn’t feel too bad about what I thought was coming.
Laurie and Pete meet each other and others too, Maurice, Sharon and Michelle at Molly’s tea club, a small support group that comes together at a tea shop where they chat over cake about the difficulties they are all experiencing. Each person deals with grief but I really appreciate that the author had one character grieve the passing of her dog. It is so underestimated what that does to someone and the important place a pet has as part of the family so I really liked there was attention given to this kind of grief. This lovely bunch of people find friendship and even a few laughs too when they have their meetings, something I hadn’t expected immediately but healing comes in several formats and it made me happy when I saw them dealing with it in such a great way.
I really enjoyed all of the characters in the novel, not only Pete and Laurie are positive and wonderful people (Pete is a firefighter who rescues kittens and dogs in the most touching way, how can you resist him after that?!) but so many others really made this story, from Pete’s father Nigel to Lucy and Griff, his brother and sister in law, to Alan, Laurie’s employer, even Keith Richards and Pong (a goldfish and a cat) had me under their spell.
My One True North is a lovely novel to read, giving hope when you think there might be none to be found again, and truly sends out the message that you can’t waste time and you should be living. It is full of warmth, great friendship and love. It’s contradictory – I do know how it sounds given the subject of the novel – but it really is the truth: if you’re feeling down My One True North will certainly lift up your mood!
There were a few mysteries and secrets woven into the story that made it even more interesting even if is not so difficult to spot what is going on. The main thread is still about people having lost their loved ones, yet the comments and the situation the characters were in didn’t make me feel utterly sad for either party. Pete and Laurie are missing their partners but they are not stuck in their grief and both want to move forward with their life at the start of the story. It also helped that I already had a sense of the direction the plot developments were going to take so I couldn’t feel too bad about what I thought was coming.
Laurie and Pete meet each other and others too, Maurice, Sharon and Michelle at Molly’s tea club, a small support group that comes together at a tea shop where they chat over cake about the difficulties they are all experiencing. Each person deals with grief but I really appreciate that the author had one character grieve the passing of her dog. It is so underestimated what that does to someone and the important place a pet has as part of the family so I really liked there was attention given to this kind of grief. This lovely bunch of people find friendship and even a few laughs too when they have their meetings, something I hadn’t expected immediately but healing comes in several formats and it made me happy when I saw them dealing with it in such a great way.
I really enjoyed all of the characters in the novel, not only Pete and Laurie are positive and wonderful people (Pete is a firefighter who rescues kittens and dogs in the most touching way, how can you resist him after that?!) but so many others really made this story, from Pete’s father Nigel to Lucy and Griff, his brother and sister in law, to Alan, Laurie’s employer, even Keith Richards and Pong (a goldfish and a cat) had me under their spell.
My One True North is a lovely novel to read, giving hope when you think there might be none to be found again, and truly sends out the message that you can’t waste time and you should be living. It is full of warmth, great friendship and love. It’s contradictory – I do know how it sounds given the subject of the novel – but it really is the truth: if you’re feeling down My One True North will certainly lift up your mood!
June 21, 2021
Review to follow but I loved this, different to Milly's usual books but still with her trademark humour
April 24, 2020
Review to come
February 28, 2020
Laurie and Pete don't know each other but fate has it planned for their paths to cross. After losing both their partners, they meet at a small counselling group run by Molly where, over tea and cake, those two and some other people who are grieving, try to start live again. Even though finding a new partner is absolutely not an agenda for them, they find themselves drawn to each other, enjoying their company. But some awful secrets and lies are going to see the light of day that may destroy their new friendship, and more.
It is grief and sadness that is a catalyst for the story but no worries, guys - yes, the book has some very poignant moments, but I wouldn't call it desperately sad, no, because there is this lovely, overwhelming feeling of hope, and you keep hoping, together with the characters, that no matter how bad it is at the moment, it's going to be better. And Milly Johnson has smashingly captured it in her newest story. And let's not forget it - the articles from the magazine Laurie works for were absolutely brilliant!
Milly Johnson can for sure write feelings and emotions, taking her readers on a rollercoaster journey of experiencing them all together with the characters. I loved the way she has shown us that grief has many faces, she has made it so real and human.
There were twists and turns aplenty in this novel, and while I enjoyed them, I also felt desperate for the author to finally bring the two characters together. It is also full of lies and secrets and it was a real joy to slowly disentangle all the threads, to peel off the layers and to have confirmed this what I thought has happened.
But now. Milly Johnson has already proven so many times that she can write great characters, and while they are really well developed in this book, I didn't like what she has done with them. We were practically forced to like or dislike them. If the character belonged to the "good ones", they were put on a pedestal, they didn't have any flaws, they did all the right things. On the other hand, and it hit me right at the beginning, which confused me a little to be honest, because I thought we were supposed to like the victims of the accidents, the author immediately started to hint at things that put the characters in bad light, which means I didn't like them. What I mean here, the author didn't give me choice and chance to make my own mind about them. It was the same with Tara's sister - the author has painted her in such a wrong way, making her a laughing stock, and it was the same with Pete's dad's girlfriend and Laurie's boyfriend's parents - right from the beginning they were made looking bad. And I think that such author as Milly Johnson doesn't have to forge such moves in describing her characters, she can do much better, leaving the readers more room for imagination and making their own minds.
I also had a feeling that the book is dragging on and is repetitive, especially when the characters recounted the same events to each other. And we were so obviously pushed towards the end, towards this what is unavoidable to happen, and really, I was glad when the book has eventually ended and we really arrived to the conclusion. Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely read, I love Milly Johnson's stories, but the last third of this book felt so chopped, so abrupt and so long.
Nevertheless, this is Milly Johnson's 17th novel already, and picking her book you can be sure that you are in safe hands, as her stories are always compelling and complex. "One True North" is about friendship, love, betrayal, grief and joy, and many more, all the feelings seamlessly weaving through the pages. Sadness is perfectly balanced with humour, the characters, especially the secondary ones, feel deep and fresh. The author isn't shy of writing about heavier and thought - provoking issues, telling things how they are. It is heart - breaking, but it's also uplifting and warm. Sadly, it was not my favourite read, but Milly Johnson stays at the top of my favourite authors list.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
It is grief and sadness that is a catalyst for the story but no worries, guys - yes, the book has some very poignant moments, but I wouldn't call it desperately sad, no, because there is this lovely, overwhelming feeling of hope, and you keep hoping, together with the characters, that no matter how bad it is at the moment, it's going to be better. And Milly Johnson has smashingly captured it in her newest story. And let's not forget it - the articles from the magazine Laurie works for were absolutely brilliant!
Milly Johnson can for sure write feelings and emotions, taking her readers on a rollercoaster journey of experiencing them all together with the characters. I loved the way she has shown us that grief has many faces, she has made it so real and human.
There were twists and turns aplenty in this novel, and while I enjoyed them, I also felt desperate for the author to finally bring the two characters together. It is also full of lies and secrets and it was a real joy to slowly disentangle all the threads, to peel off the layers and to have confirmed this what I thought has happened.
But now. Milly Johnson has already proven so many times that she can write great characters, and while they are really well developed in this book, I didn't like what she has done with them. We were practically forced to like or dislike them. If the character belonged to the "good ones", they were put on a pedestal, they didn't have any flaws, they did all the right things. On the other hand, and it hit me right at the beginning, which confused me a little to be honest, because I thought we were supposed to like the victims of the accidents, the author immediately started to hint at things that put the characters in bad light, which means I didn't like them. What I mean here, the author didn't give me choice and chance to make my own mind about them. It was the same with Tara's sister - the author has painted her in such a wrong way, making her a laughing stock, and it was the same with Pete's dad's girlfriend and Laurie's boyfriend's parents - right from the beginning they were made looking bad. And I think that such author as Milly Johnson doesn't have to forge such moves in describing her characters, she can do much better, leaving the readers more room for imagination and making their own minds.
I also had a feeling that the book is dragging on and is repetitive, especially when the characters recounted the same events to each other. And we were so obviously pushed towards the end, towards this what is unavoidable to happen, and really, I was glad when the book has eventually ended and we really arrived to the conclusion. Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely read, I love Milly Johnson's stories, but the last third of this book felt so chopped, so abrupt and so long.
Nevertheless, this is Milly Johnson's 17th novel already, and picking her book you can be sure that you are in safe hands, as her stories are always compelling and complex. "One True North" is about friendship, love, betrayal, grief and joy, and many more, all the feelings seamlessly weaving through the pages. Sadness is perfectly balanced with humour, the characters, especially the secondary ones, feel deep and fresh. The author isn't shy of writing about heavier and thought - provoking issues, telling things how they are. It is heart - breaking, but it's also uplifting and warm. Sadly, it was not my favourite read, but Milly Johnson stays at the top of my favourite authors list.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
July 18, 2022
You know all those blurbs you see about new books saying it's "heartwarming" or "laugh-out-loud funny" or "best-feel-good-novel-of-the year"? And it mostly turns out that the idea of the story was good but, but, but... Well, with Milly Johnson, all of those descriptions are true! So, if you're like me and you enjoy love stories and rom-coms but also want something more, this book is for you! Yes, you get your HEA but, like all of her other stories, there's so much more.
Milly Johnson has done it again! Another wonderful, romantic, heartwarming story with great characters. As others have written, this book deals with loss and grief but it isn't depressing. There are some really sad parts but that just makes the happy parts even better.
As an added bonus, there are characters from some of her other books included in this story; some as just walk-ons and some as an integral part.
I loved this book and ended up reading it twice in a row because I completely devoured it the first time around and missed a lot that I was able to notice during my second read. I hope and pray that maybe just maybe there'll be a sequel to the main characters' story in a later book as well as about some of the other characters like Lucy, Griff, and Nigel. I would really, really love to know what happens next!
Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Some profanity.
Milly Johnson has done it again! Another wonderful, romantic, heartwarming story with great characters. As others have written, this book deals with loss and grief but it isn't depressing. There are some really sad parts but that just makes the happy parts even better.
As an added bonus, there are characters from some of her other books included in this story; some as just walk-ons and some as an integral part.
I loved this book and ended up reading it twice in a row because I completely devoured it the first time around and missed a lot that I was able to notice during my second read. I hope and pray that maybe just maybe there'll be a sequel to the main characters' story in a later book as well as about some of the other characters like Lucy, Griff, and Nigel. I would really, really love to know what happens next!
Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Some profanity.
January 16, 2024
mulla heräs niin paljon ajatuksia ja tunteita tän kirjan aikana, mutten tietenkään muista enää niitä. koska tuntus että tässä tapahtui niiiiin paljon ja tässä elettiin yhtä tapahtumien ja tunteiden vuoristorataa. mutta sellainen suruprosessi usein onkin.
kepeästä sävystä huolimatta mua sykähdytti ja jopa jännitti, kun juonikuviot alkoivat selvitä tarinan aikana. milly johnsonin kieli on niin rikasta ja mukaansa tempaavaa, niin musta oikeasti tuntui että elin tarinassa mukana.
ja ai että rakastin sitä että pienillä yksityiskohdilla tämä oli yhteydessä ”kaikkien joulujen äiti” -kirjaan jonka luin juuri ennen tätä!
tuntuu että oon löytänyt uuden kirjailijan omien lemppareiden joukkoon <3
kepeästä sävystä huolimatta mua sykähdytti ja jopa jännitti, kun juonikuviot alkoivat selvitä tarinan aikana. milly johnsonin kieli on niin rikasta ja mukaansa tempaavaa, niin musta oikeasti tuntui että elin tarinassa mukana.
ja ai että rakastin sitä että pienillä yksityiskohdilla tämä oli yhteydessä ”kaikkien joulujen äiti” -kirjaan jonka luin juuri ennen tätä!
tuntuu että oon löytänyt uuden kirjailijan omien lemppareiden joukkoon <3
March 5, 2023
Without doubt 5☆ absolutely brilliant book, perhaps one of Milly's best😊 Never a dull moment, although there were sad parts, but the twists & turns sometimes lead you to believe that the story really was going to end in a very different way, so clever. Really loved Laurie and Pete and very accurate references to cruising (I know Milly has cruised). I did feel like I was back on a ship and could relate to the scenarios. Would love a follow-up. Thank you Milly, I couldn't wait to finish it. X
October 4, 2021
Loved this. Sometimes you need a nice, light easy read and this delivers.
Heart warming characters (mainly), a simple plot cleverly told in an engaging way.
A few people who have suffered grief in different ways come together at Mollys club and learn not just to open up, but to learn to deal with things and forge new beginnings.... obviously a little will they, won't they, along the way
Heart warming characters (mainly), a simple plot cleverly told in an engaging way.
A few people who have suffered grief in different ways come together at Mollys club and learn not just to open up, but to learn to deal with things and forge new beginnings.... obviously a little will they, won't they, along the way
April 12, 2020
I absolutely adore Milly Johnson's books. Each time I read one, I feel completely caught up with the story and the characters and this one, you'll not be surprised to know, was no exception!
The book starts with an unimaginable situation when Pete loses his wife in a tragic accident. Six months later at a counselling session, he meets Laurie who has lost her partner. Both having lost their partners so young, it is perhaps only natural that they feel a bond and understand each other. But they both have also discovered things about their partners which suggest that they have been keeping secrets from them. As they start to try to find out just what has been going on, it seems that they have even more in common that they thought.
This is a real 'Sleepless in Seattle' type story about two people just meant to be together. It would make a wonderfully romantic film and if only Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were British and about thirty years younger, it would be a perfect film for them. i just adored Pete and Laurie and thought Milly Johnson wrote about their situations so insightfully.
The book isn't all about grief and sorrow though and there were plenty of lighter moments. It was lovely to meet again with the women from Here Come The Girls on the cruise ship Mermaidia as they, and some other characters from that book, made a cameo appearance. The Daily Trumpet newspaper continues to provide some memorable bloopers to make you laugh out loud - it really is a hoot!
I always think that each Milly Johnson book I read is her best yet and my new favourite and yes I'm going to say that again about My One True North. It's a brilliant story with pulls you in and doesn't let you go till the end. You can rely on Milly Johnson to tell an irresistible story, as surely as you can rely on a compass to point you in the right direction.
The book starts with an unimaginable situation when Pete loses his wife in a tragic accident. Six months later at a counselling session, he meets Laurie who has lost her partner. Both having lost their partners so young, it is perhaps only natural that they feel a bond and understand each other. But they both have also discovered things about their partners which suggest that they have been keeping secrets from them. As they start to try to find out just what has been going on, it seems that they have even more in common that they thought.
This is a real 'Sleepless in Seattle' type story about two people just meant to be together. It would make a wonderfully romantic film and if only Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were British and about thirty years younger, it would be a perfect film for them. i just adored Pete and Laurie and thought Milly Johnson wrote about their situations so insightfully.
The book isn't all about grief and sorrow though and there were plenty of lighter moments. It was lovely to meet again with the women from Here Come The Girls on the cruise ship Mermaidia as they, and some other characters from that book, made a cameo appearance. The Daily Trumpet newspaper continues to provide some memorable bloopers to make you laugh out loud - it really is a hoot!
I always think that each Milly Johnson book I read is her best yet and my new favourite and yes I'm going to say that again about My One True North. It's a brilliant story with pulls you in and doesn't let you go till the end. You can rely on Milly Johnson to tell an irresistible story, as surely as you can rely on a compass to point you in the right direction.
June 29, 2024
What a joy to listen to this marvelous story! The combination of Milly Johnson's writing and Colleen Prendergast spot-on reading is the best!
You know all those blurbs you see about new books saying it's "heartwarming" or "laugh-out-loud funny" or "best-feel-good-novel-of-the year"? And it mostly turns out that the idea of the story was good but, but, but... Well, with Milly Johnson, all of those descriptions are true! So, if you're like me and you enjoy love stories and rom-coms but also want something more, this book is for you! Yes, you get your HEA but, like all of her other stories, there's so much more.
Milly Johnson has done it again! Another wonderful, romantic, heartwarming story with great characters. As others have written, this book deals with loss and grief but it isn't depressing. There are some really sad parts but that just makes the happy parts even better.
As an added bonus, there are characters from some of her other books included in this story; some as just walk-ons and some as an integral part.
I loved this book and ended up reading it twice in a row because I completely devoured it the first time around and missed a lot that I was able to notice during my second read. I hope and pray that maybe just maybe there'll be a sequel to the main characters' story in a later book as well as about some of the other characters like Lucy, Griff, and Nigel. I would really, really love to know what happens next!
Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Some profanity.
You know all those blurbs you see about new books saying it's "heartwarming" or "laugh-out-loud funny" or "best-feel-good-novel-of-the year"? And it mostly turns out that the idea of the story was good but, but, but... Well, with Milly Johnson, all of those descriptions are true! So, if you're like me and you enjoy love stories and rom-coms but also want something more, this book is for you! Yes, you get your HEA but, like all of her other stories, there's so much more.
Milly Johnson has done it again! Another wonderful, romantic, heartwarming story with great characters. As others have written, this book deals with loss and grief but it isn't depressing. There are some really sad parts but that just makes the happy parts even better.
As an added bonus, there are characters from some of her other books included in this story; some as just walk-ons and some as an integral part.
I loved this book and ended up reading it twice in a row because I completely devoured it the first time around and missed a lot that I was able to notice during my second read. I hope and pray that maybe just maybe there'll be a sequel to the main characters' story in a later book as well as about some of the other characters like Lucy, Griff, and Nigel. I would really, really love to know what happens next!
Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Some profanity.
April 25, 2024
Milly Johnson is one of my ‘go to’ authors – I love her down-to-earth characters who not only provide humour and wit but also pack an emotional punch. My One True North had my emotions all over the place …
It’s easy to relate to Pete and Laurie, both a little lost in their own life stories as they try to find their way through personal grief. These two had me on tenterhooks at times, waiting to see which way the compass would point. It really is one step forwards and two steps back as the drama unfolds.
Molly’s Club (in the Teashop on the Corner!) is the perfect informal setting to share thoughts and feelings and oh! what an impact it has on those sharing and building a bond. We each handle grief differently don’t we (despite having to go through the stages) and this is reflected in Molly’s Club. The relationships we have with those close to us (familial and friends as well as romantically) play an important part and on a deeper level, it might be that readers find their own feelings validated and normalised. You can always count on Milly Johnson to give a balanced view taking into account all viewpoints. Nothing is 100% right or 100% wrong.
I love how Milly Johnson has threaded through The Daily Trumpet bringing us new characters to get to know. Talking of new characters, Griff is Tommy Tanner’s next door neighbour 🙂
My One True North was a page turner for me. I loved all the emotions with all their colours. A perfect read to escape with.
It’s easy to relate to Pete and Laurie, both a little lost in their own life stories as they try to find their way through personal grief. These two had me on tenterhooks at times, waiting to see which way the compass would point. It really is one step forwards and two steps back as the drama unfolds.
Molly’s Club (in the Teashop on the Corner!) is the perfect informal setting to share thoughts and feelings and oh! what an impact it has on those sharing and building a bond. We each handle grief differently don’t we (despite having to go through the stages) and this is reflected in Molly’s Club. The relationships we have with those close to us (familial and friends as well as romantically) play an important part and on a deeper level, it might be that readers find their own feelings validated and normalised. You can always count on Milly Johnson to give a balanced view taking into account all viewpoints. Nothing is 100% right or 100% wrong.
I love how Milly Johnson has threaded through The Daily Trumpet bringing us new characters to get to know. Talking of new characters, Griff is Tommy Tanner’s next door neighbour 🙂
My One True North was a page turner for me. I loved all the emotions with all their colours. A perfect read to escape with.
May 28, 2022
I am a big fan of Milly Johnson. Most of her books are the best, wonderful. Yet, some other (although still good novels) I find not so great. It was the second case.
In short, the idea for the story was interesting, promising, and with lovely potential. I didn't even mind that "a mystery" was obvious from the beginning.
Sadly, the way it was told didn't tune with me. Not sure why.
What do I know? That at times (especially at the end) it dragged a bit. That the story of Tara and Alex could have been more developed, more told. That the meeting of characters of Here Come the Girls bored me more than warmed me. That even characters from beloved The Teashop on the Corner couldn't make me more interested.
Perhaps it wasn't a good time to read it, perhaps it is just me. For sure, I am still a fan of the author.
[3-3.5 stars]
In short, the idea for the story was interesting, promising, and with lovely potential. I didn't even mind that "a mystery" was obvious from the beginning.
Sadly, the way it was told didn't tune with me. Not sure why.
What do I know? That at times (especially at the end) it dragged a bit. That the story of Tara and Alex could have been more developed, more told. That the meeting of characters of Here Come the Girls bored me more than warmed me. That even characters from beloved The Teashop on the Corner couldn't make me more interested.
Perhaps it wasn't a good time to read it, perhaps it is just me. For sure, I am still a fan of the author.
[3-3.5 stars]
May 27, 2021
“You get so good at saying you’re fine, trying to make people not feel awkward when they ask if you’re coping that no one realises if you’re struggling. You end up believing your own lies. Everything gets distorted.”
Pete and Laurie should not have met, but as fate would have it, they did. Their lives were bound by a tragic loss, unbeknownst to them. Both of them lost their partners on the same night in a car crash. Their partners passed but left Pete and Laurie with many a questions unanswered. Questions that kept coming back to them because things did not quite set right, the circumstantial evidence did not match with their intuitions.
Milly Johnson sure does know how to weave a heartwarming tale together. The story flows like a pleasant breeze, filling you up with hope. A hope that things do get better, that it is indeed possible to recover from a loss. This story is about loss and grief, in their many forms. The members of Molly's Club who come together every Wednesday for tea and cake, are dealing with their respective losses. The loss of a pet, the loss of an abusive partner, the inability to grieve after the death of a loved one and then there are Pete and Laurie. They found solace in each other, battling and struggling to heal. The characters are easy to love and you want them to come out of their grief in one piece. You do not want them hurting anyone, you want them comforted. The misprints in Daily Trumpet, which is perhaps a recurring theme in Johnson's novels are hilarious. A newspaper that is running for its sheer ignorance of proper grammar and unethical typographical errors.
This book does ease a bit of your own grief perhaps. You do not always need a brilliantly convoluted tale to sweep you off your feet. A story as lovely as this, with a cup of tea and cake, can prove to be your own Support Group [if you feel the need for it to be so, of course].
Pete and Laurie should not have met, but as fate would have it, they did. Their lives were bound by a tragic loss, unbeknownst to them. Both of them lost their partners on the same night in a car crash. Their partners passed but left Pete and Laurie with many a questions unanswered. Questions that kept coming back to them because things did not quite set right, the circumstantial evidence did not match with their intuitions.
Milly Johnson sure does know how to weave a heartwarming tale together. The story flows like a pleasant breeze, filling you up with hope. A hope that things do get better, that it is indeed possible to recover from a loss. This story is about loss and grief, in their many forms. The members of Molly's Club who come together every Wednesday for tea and cake, are dealing with their respective losses. The loss of a pet, the loss of an abusive partner, the inability to grieve after the death of a loved one and then there are Pete and Laurie. They found solace in each other, battling and struggling to heal. The characters are easy to love and you want them to come out of their grief in one piece. You do not want them hurting anyone, you want them comforted. The misprints in Daily Trumpet, which is perhaps a recurring theme in Johnson's novels are hilarious. A newspaper that is running for its sheer ignorance of proper grammar and unethical typographical errors.
This book does ease a bit of your own grief perhaps. You do not always need a brilliantly convoluted tale to sweep you off your feet. A story as lovely as this, with a cup of tea and cake, can prove to be your own Support Group [if you feel the need for it to be so, of course].
September 23, 2021
I absolutely adored this story! So many sad stories put right, and my heart feels completely full!! I loved the coming together of Laurie and Pete, all the characters were so lovely (well-most of them!) and by the end I felt like I was living it! A really good book, highly recommend!
June 25, 2023
Denne fine bog er helt klart i spil til at blive min den bedst læste bog i 2023. Jeg ville både læse den færdig og ikke læse den færdig for jeg var så vild med personerne i bogen. Jeg håber på, at flere bøger af Milly Johnson udkommer på dansk så hurtigt som muligt.
January 15, 2022
Absolutely loved it, and wow to the twist in the middle. Just a great read.
December 28, 2023
I love romances that are actually real, but I did predict some things that happened from the start
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